The Pix Pixy

Most digital cameras today boast of greater resolution and picture quality. What does that mean to the amateur or occasional photographer? You hear of cameras with 3 megapixals up to 6 or 7 megapixals. What is that? The book that comes with the camera explains all the buttons, bells and whistles, but does not explain megapixels. Most people do not like to work with numbers much, but it is necessary to understand pixels. So here’s my attempt to explain pixels. I’ll try not to involve too many numbers.

To understand pixels, one must first remember the good old days when you took pictures on film and let the development labs worry about pixels. But, they didn’t really have to, because the exposed negative just captured the image that was reflected through the lens. It was all there and the only thing that affected quality was the size of the negative. The bigger the negative was, the larger the picture that could be produced. When the world went digital, the pixel was invented. So what is a pixel? If you divided a picture in hundreds of horizontal and vertical lines, you would actually have a large number of little squares that when put together, created the picture. Each square is a pixel. So, when a digital camera says it has 1-megapixel capabilities, it means that the total number of horizontal and vertical squares produced when a picture is taken equals 1 megapixel (1,000,000 pixels).

A 3 megapixel camera produces a picture that has 3 million pixels in its makeup. If all the pictures were the same size in each camera, it would be easy to understand why a camera that produces more pixels would be a better quality camera. Here is where the camera makers are not forthcoming with information. What they don’t tell you is that as far as I can tell, every digital camera produces pictures that have 72 pixels per inch per picture both horizontal and vertical. The only difference is that a 3 megapixel camera produces a larger picture than a 1 megapixel camera and a 5 megapixel camera produces an even larger picture yet. The reason I say “as far as I can tell” is that I have not tried all cameras or studied the information on all cameras. There may be some out there different, but they probably are not in the amateur photographer’s price range.

Conclusion: For video uses only, your camera purchase decision should be based on features other than the number of pixels.

Wayne Rockwell is a professional videographer at Legacy Pictures to Video and specializes in Video Montage creation and Photo Retouching.

Football season - a nip in the air and a feeling of excitement,
enthusiasm, and a whole lot of fun. But all that cheering,
whether in the stadium or in your living room means that food
will be a main requirement to keep the momentum going. A
sit-down dinner is out of the question and buffet-style is as
good as it gets. Lots of finger-foods and snack-items so that
during intermission, plates can be filled up and not a minute of
the action will be missed. Decor for all your football parties
is simple and should not be too “busy.” After all, the game will
be the highlight of the event. Choosing team colors, banners,
and other paraphernalia that represents your favorite team, who
you are rooting for, or the colors of the teams that are
currently playing will, of course, dominate your choice of
“decor.” Fall flowers (mums, dried flowers, etc.) can grace your
table as well as pumpkins and bowls of fresh apples and Indian
apples. Hot foods can be kept at serving temperatures in chafing
dishes or in casserole dishes over tea candles. Cold dishes such
as fresh fruit should be placed in containers of ice that hold
the serving bowl securely but keep the contents icy-cold. A
green tablecloth marked with white-chalk goal lines is fun and
decorative. Invitations can include an envelope with “game”
tickets to your home event, as well as a printed season schedule
for the team of choice. Many banks and insurance companies have
these for free. A main course of hot, spicy chili with crackers,
extra cheese, onions, and hot peppers or an on-going supply of
your favorite “hot wings” is a sure-fire bet for success.
Beverages can include a hearty punch, beer, wine, slush,
carbonated beverages, and coffee. Having a variety of dips,
salsas, and spread adds to the festivities. Dessert items:
brownies, extra-large chocolate chip or oatmeal cookies, pound
cake cubes with strawberry and chocolate sauces available, fruit
compote, rice pudding - However you set up your buffet, have fun
and ENJOY! ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002 October

Much of Spain has undergone a modernization effort. Fortunately, cities such as Valencia, Granada and Seville retain much of their old world charm.

Valencia

Similar to Barcelona in some ways, Valencia is another must visit city in Spain. Located on the coast of the Mediterranean, the city has retained its old world charm without the modernization mistakes made in Barcelona. The old historic quarter is amazing because much of the architecture reflects Arabic influences arising from the rule of invading forces. Palaces are refurbished and streets tend to be strictly of the cobble stone variety.

Perhaps the best way to take in the atmosphere is to grab a seat at an outdoor café, order tapas and just relax. For a big city, Valencia has a pretty nice collection of beaches, so don’t hesitate to grab some rays.

Granada

For many travelers, Granada is the best city in Spain. The prime attraction is the Alhambra, a combination of fortress and palace built and used by the Moorish rulers who controlled Spain. The Alhambra simply has to be seen to be believed. The structure is in excellent shape and is detailed with intricate Moorish architecture and style. The internal structure is one of the most beautiful in the world. In addition to the palace, Granada gives off the air of a “real” Spanish city with cobblestone streets, bullfighting arenas and winding streets. Granada is a good place to just get out and walk.

Seville

If you want to see real Spanish bullfighting, Seville is the place. Whatever your feelings about the sport, the bullfighting ring of Plaza de la Real Maestranza is the finest in Spain and worth a visit. The bullfighting sessions are intense, but you should still visit the structure if you aren’t interested in the actual event.

If you want nothing to do with bullfighting, you should still visit Seville to see the Alcazar Gardens. I once got lost in Seville and stumbled upon them. They are extremely green and beautiful with waterways, flowers and foliage everywhere. You can easily spend a relaxing afternoon putting around Alcazar and enjoying gardens that rival any others in Europe in my opinion. The Plaza de Espana is also worth a visit.

Spain often has problems mixing the old with the new in city planning. If you prefer the older atmosphere, Valencia, Granada and Seville are good destinations.

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com - makers of travel journals. Visit NomadJournalTrips.com to read more articles about Travel Spain and Adventure Travel.

Denying yourself the small things in life can be misery.

In the last few years of so, if you’ve been reading most of the
information about personal finance that’s been flowing from countless
sources you’ll have heard about how it’s the little things that add
up to big dollars. An example they give would be ‘give up your $3
gourmet coffee every morning, or stop drinking 5 cans of soda a day,
and by the time you turn 65 you’ll have an additional $100,000 in the
retirement fund’.

I’m not here to defend or attack the source of this information. Nor
am I going to say you shouldn’t cut back on the caffeine, everyone
has to make a health choice about their life. What I am saying is
that by cutting out the little sources of pleasure in life, you may
be setting yourself up for suffering and unexpected misery.

The math behind the long-term projections by others who call
themselves “financial experts” is probably very sound. Over many
years, a few dollars every day will add up to a large chunk of change
just as their multi-year projections show. Everyone who has bought
anything on payments knows how a small payment each month adds up to
serious money after 30 years.

Being realistic is one of the keys to saving money. Is denying
yourself a couple bucks a day practical or even the best way to
accumulate future wealth? Is this the most fundamental and best
method you can use to be able to afford retirement?
I say the answer is no and no. While it is a very good idea to be
financially frugal, as in smart, it is irresponsible to think that
one strategy, one little adjustment in the day will improve anybody’s
financial situation.

Why it doesn’t work like they say

• What money? - In theory, by not spending $3 a day on your morning
gourmet coffee you will be saving $15 a week. In reality, that $3 a
day probably rides around in your pocket until it becomes an extra
candy bar for the kids, or another slice of pizza at the convenience
store. You might as well admit it; $3 lacks sufficient size to be
noticeable by itself, and if you don’t notice it being spent, than
you won’t notice it being saved either.

• What bank? - How do you put $3 a day into savings? Do you stop by
the ATM on the way to work and make a deposit? No, in fact, most
people stopping by the ATM are withdrawing a $20 or larger bill. If
you do drop $3 a day into your home piggy bank, how long will it sit
there? You have to have real discipline to leave the money there the
next time you have a ’small emergency’ and need $10 for the paperboy.
Again, accumulating the $3 a day and making a trip to the bank once a
month sounds good, but in reality most Americans lack the discipline
to make it work. In fact, that is why the American savings rate is at
its lowest level in years - the average man on the street will not
discipline himself to put money away for the future.

• It is denial. - Day-in and Day-out denying yourself of one of
life’s little pleasures can be terribly annoying when you have
nothing to show for it at the end. If the only change in your
finances you make is to cut out a cup of coffee, you will be horribly
disappointed when you have no more savings after a year than you had
before your money diet. Just like a food diet where you cut out one
type of food and the scale doesn’t back down, when you cut out a
spending choice and your savings doesn’t grow, you will be more
liable to throw your hands in the air and declare it to be an
impossible “Who cares”.

What I say will work

Allow me to reiterate that simply stopping yourself from drinking
coffee on the way to work will not produce noticeable changes in your
savings account. Instead, consider implementing lifestyle-based
savings strategies you will see your piggy bank over flowing. I don’t
have time to go into detail in this article, but when you overhaul
your lifestyle you might be able to have your coffee and save the
money too.

• Are you buying a mansion? - Americans as a whole have been on a
housing frenzy for a while and you have to make sure you don’t get
caught up in the maelstrom. The best thing you can do your lifestyle
and of course your finances, is to do yourself right when you buy a
house. You don’t need a mansion just because it seems everyone else
does. Buy a house that you can afford early in your working career
and then stay there. Imagine how much of your income you can save as
it increases over the years while your housing costs remain the same.
Again, the key again is lifestyle and discipline. Keep your lifestyle
simple, and have the discipline to put the unused money into a
savings plan.

• Family Matters. - The size of your family is a highly personal
economic decision, rightly guided by spiritual and emotional
reflections. With that said, however, you have to be aware that the
cost of raising a family is increasing at a rate faster than most
incomes. Consider the cost of child care, education, and spoiling
that child because both parents are at work.

• Driven by Expenses - Americans have loved cars ever since they
first came on the market. Unfortunately, the trend over the past few
years has been towards bigger, fancier, and costlier. Why spend extra
money on a new car, with the latest gadgets? Just like buying a
house, decide how large and what style of car you need, buy the best
one you can afford, and drive it into the ground. Many vehicles will
drive just as well after they are paid for as they did before. Stay
in the driver’s seat on insurance costs as well, and you can rack up
serious money over the vehicles 10 - 20 year lifetime.

I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me; you can save money by
cutting out the little things in life. The problem is that usually
the money not spent on the little things goes into buying something
else. Overhauling your lifestyle can make the little things count and
give you the discipline necessary to hang onto the money.

Even better, overhauling your lifestyle can result in real money for
your savings plan. Go ahead and drink a cup of coffee on your way to
work, and enjoy peace of mind knowing that you can enjoy one of
life’s little pleasures after making changes in your lifestyle that
truly will provide for long term financial security.

Roger Sorensen

America’s Financial Guide can be found at ==>http://www.Slave2Work.com Subscribe to Money Basics via http://www.slave2work.com/ezine.html

Slave2Work.com - Are you ready for financial freedom?

Sex play toys can often be difficult to introduce into a partnership Some folks will find the introduction of marital aids into a beautiful marriage scary and it could bring up questions such as “what’s wrong with just me”? Nevertheless sex toys will be a nice & satisfying experience and sex toys also help to build lust between you and your mistress.

Figuring out which vibrating toy to choose will often be an adventure. A time where you and your wife can sit down and discuss about what you both want out of the affair & choose a sexual aid together that meets both of your desires. Please don’t go straight in for the eminent gigantic sexual toys, just start off easily. For those who want fantastic pleasure try out Dildos from Sex Bomb.

Once you and your partner have chosen a sexual toy and have had the bliss of opening your new treasure you and your partner need to get into the mood. Candles and romantic and sensual music are the perfect platform to start off any sexual experience. Make the time romantic, unplug the TV, turn off the DVD player and focus fully on your girlfriend. Huge sensual stimulation before bringing out the sex toy is a fantastic idea. Soft & loving touch heightens the sensations and helps towards a very relaxing & satisfying encounter.

And please do not forget to get into the zone, have lots of fun & enjoy it.

MCSE boot camps have its supporters and its detractors. Some
people do not understand why you should have to spend money on
boot camp when you can get the MCSE study materials yourself at
a fraction of the camp price. However, who has the willpower to
actually sit through a self-imposed MCSE training? Not too many
people! That is what the MCSE boot camps are for.

These boot camps are typically an intense two-week long MCSE
training course that prepares you for the MCSE exams. Some
companies that conduct boot camps offering Microsoft
certification, especially the MCSE, guarantee that you will pass
your MCSE exams. If you happen to fail, they will usually issue
a voucher to try it again. For many people who attend these MCSE
boot camps, it is preferable to have an intense two weeks with
little to distract you rather than drawing out the classes for
weeks with outside influences like work and family interfering
with study time. Sure, being gone for two weeks is a temporary
hassle, but you will have your certification in a fraction of
the time.

Did you catch the being gone for two weeks bit? You can probably
find a boot camp near your home, but most likely you will end up
attending an MCSE boot camp away from your home, far enough away
where it is not worth it to commute. Two weeks away from home?
That doesn’t sound like a picnic! But just think of the rewards
you will reap after trudging through all that MCSE training and
taking the MCSE exams.

If you are lucky, your company will pick up the tab on your
Microsoft certification. Paying on your own is a major
investment, usually a few thousand dollars depending on where
the location is and if hotel and meals are included in the
price. For your money, you will get a tough instructor, an MCSE
drill sergeant for lack of a better description. That
instructor’s reputation is on the line, so he or she will be
motivated to ensure your success. That is why the success rate
for these MCSE boot camps is high, in some places as high as 95%!

For your investment, you will have numerous MCSE training
sessions in Networking Basics as well as learning about the
infrastructure of a network. You will study security design,
directories and how to manage Windows network environments.
Hands-on training in learning labs with after-hours access for
extra practice is the norm. Practice MCSE exams are also given
out as a study tool and to also help prepare you for your own
test time.

Microsoft certifications are here to stay and the MCSE is a
popular avenue to travel. If you have got the time and can swing
the cost, MCSE boot camps will definitely give you a boost into
a new career.

5 Things To Be Careful of When Night Fishing

Night fishing can be some of the most exciting, rewarding and
fulfilling fishing you ever do in your life. It can also be the
most dangerous fishing you ever do as well. Here are 5 quick
things to look out for and be careful of next time you venture
out…

(By the way, make sure to check out the Evening Secret which has been a great addition many
night fishing arsenals) (http://www.eveningsecretfishing.com/specialsecret/obstacle.p
hp)

One - Trees can make your trip miserable.

We used to fish at the same lake every weekend for 6 months
during the day. I knew this lake like the back of my hand, so it
seemed anyway. One Saturday night, we decided to try our luck
night fishing on this lake.

Once we got out in the water, we were catching fish like no
other. Maybe it was carelessness or the adrenaline flowing, but
we were whipping around the lake to get to our favorite daytime
spot, anxious to see if we would get the same results.

What appeared to be open water was actually a graveyard of
fallen trees and submerged tree stumps. I’m sure you can imagine
the damage the boat received. Just goes to show you the waters
are completely different at night than in the day. Sure we knew
the water had trees throughout, but they were much easier to see
during the day.

Two - Other boaters

While you have control over the lights on your boat, you don’t
have that luxury with other boats on the water with you. Some
people do not abide by the law and they choose to not use their
lights when night fishing for whatever reason. Seeing another
boat at night when they do not have their lights on can be a
challenge.

Three - Insects

Big fish aren’t the only things that come out at night. Expect
to find more mosquitoes and black flies at night, eager to snack
on your skin. Always bring some bug spray (deet) with you.

Four - Wildlife

Like insects, you may find an increase in animals out at night
with you. One in particular are snakes. For some reason, we come
across more snakes at night than during the day.

Five - Fishing with others

It is hard to see your partner’s rod when he is casting at
night. Many times have I been snagged by a lure being casted by
my partner. Keep an eye out for your co-fishermen when you cast
your line.

Is cold calling dead? And if laws are being passed to put it to rest once and for all,
how do we generate business from now on?

Opinions on the subject vary greatly depending on the background of the individual.
For example, most of the old-timers are vigilant in preaching their belief that the
only possible way to succeed in the world of selling is to make no less than fifty
calls each and every day. On the other hand, younger salespeople tend to become
frustrated with this rather quickly and begin looking for more innovative ways to
generate business.

I was just reminded of how ingrained this cold calling belief is. I spoke with a friend
who left a sales position with a major merchant processing bank only a few weeks
after starting. The reason? He was required to make a minimum of 400 cold calls
each and every week and to document his activity with business cards. He is highly
experienced and knows how to generate business without knocking on 400 doors
per week and decided to discuss the strategies that have worked for him in the past
with his managers. Their response? This is how we’ve done it for forty years and
we’re not about to change.

That response, in my opinion, is the reason we’re seeing record business
bankruptcies today. The world and our economy have changed and are breaking
into bold, unchartered territory. But the management of most business
organizations insists on doing things the old way, even though the old way
produces less and less results as time goes on.

The concept of “Permission Marketing” is slowly but surely gaining popularity as the
old idea of “Interruption Marketing” becomes less efficient and more wasteful. There
are several reasons why cold calling in particular has become less effective as we
move further into the Information Age. It destroys your status as a business equal. It
forces you to spend time with unqualified prospects while the qualified ones are
buying from your competition. It annoys people and is increasingly considered to be
rude and disrespectful. Moreover, it may now be illegal (and in several states it’s
been illegal for quite some time). But, most importantly, it destroys sales peoples
attitudes.

Where is the good news in all of this? Well, the great news is that if you begin using
new, innovative, “Information Age” methods for prospecting, you’ll be miles ahead
of your competitors who are wasting their time annoying people with cold calls. In
this age of the Internet and vast communication networks, why on earth would
anyone knock on doors or make cold phone calls to look for business?

Think of the power at your fingertips: there are literally dozens of ways to use the
Web and e-mail to let the idea of Permission Marketing do its magic. Allow
customers to raise their hands and let you know they’re interested. Begin finding,
implementing and reaping the benefits of this bold, new Information Age we are in.
Your competitors will be the ones standing in bankruptcy court and explaining their
“do-not-call” violations to the government while you are happily taking orders.

Frank Rumbauskas is the author of Cold Calling Is A Waste Of Time: Sales Success In
The Information Age. He is the founder of FJR Advisors, LLC, which publishes
training materials that educate salespeople on how to generate business without
cold calling. For more information, please visit http://www.nevercoldcall.com

The Shopping Search Engines are a new breed on the Internet market, they are a research tool for both consumers and retailers. Using a shopping search engine the consumer can search at once more than one merchants, products and look at the prices in only one place. The shopping search engine is a software that puts together a number of online stores. They sell the products from thousands of merchants through their interface. To get their products listed in the shopping search engines the retailers usually pay a per click fee and startup fee. In some cases the shopping search engines rate the quality of the merchants and promote them if the their ratings are high.

If you would want to buy something you no longer need to go to regular search engine, search through the results and find the product on the retailers website. The shopping search engine will show you directly the merchant checkout page saving you money.

Here are some of the benefits, listed:

Consumer Benefits:

Minimal click online shopping
Multiple merchants in one place
Multiple products in one place
Merchant ratings
Product ratings

Prices include shipping and tax, if you fill in zip code box on screen
Smart Buy is highlighted for you at Shopping.com - shows best rated merchant with cheapest price
Saves consumer time and money, avoid long shopping lines and traffic during Christmas shopping season.

Retailer Benefits:
Retailers have a new online marketing and sales channel for their products
If retailers have a good site conversion rate, likely to have good shopping search conversion rate

Instead of delivering the consumer to the merchant’s door, like regular search engines do, the shopping search engines deliver the consumer directly to the product, giving information about whatever price the product may have and if it’s in stock or sold out. The consumer also provides information about which merchant offers the best deal and if the merchant is highly rated.

Some of the online shopping search engines are: Shopping.com, Bizrate.com or Shopzilla.com,http://www.getinstant.info, Google’s Froogle, Yahoo Shopping, Nextag.com and Pricegrabber.com.

http://www.getinstant.info is a shopping search engine that provides just about anything you would need. The value is in our content.

The spotlights! The Cameras! The Questions… all pointed at you!!! Are you ready?

This is what I dealt with recently when I was on the plane that had the shooting in Miami on the way to Orlando. I was the one who alerted the media within minutes of the shooting since I had been at the NBC Station in Miami that morning. When I realized that we were out of harm’s way, I called my husband and told him that there was a shooting and that I was ok. Next, I called the NBC station;

“This is Mary Gardner. (Pause) I was on your show this morning. (Pause) I am on American Flight 924 (Pause) And there’s been a shooting. (Pause)”

The answer over the phone went like this: “WE’RE GOING LIVE.” “Mary, are you willing to go live right now”?

“Yes… I’ll go live”

And that was how it happened. From that moment on, I was reporting after we got off plane and I was borrowing people’s cell phones. I called and gave constant updates when I was allowed to use the pay phones. My own cell phone was dead so I couldn’t use that and I had to call my husband to get our calling card number before I could use the pay phone.

As a result of my reporting, I ended up on Nightline, MSNBC, The Today Show, FOX, Geraldo, The Early Show, Good Morning America, CNN, and several other radio and TV shows.

I was living on 2 hours sleep for 2 days in a row, but I knew that this was my chance to be clear, concise, and report exactly what I saw. I was calm and responded to every question that came my way and every interview that was requested.

Here is how I’d coach others to deal with the INSTANT SPOTLIGHT:

1. Realize that your day in the sun will come. Prepare mentally for it by not shying away from cameras. When you see any type of camera pointed at you in your life, look in the eye of the camera and be focused. Whether you are smiling or talking, be clear about your intentions. This will prepare you for the REAL DEAL. Besides, you’ll learn to give good film!

2. Practice in the mirror. When you are getting ready in the morning, talk to yourself about the day you’re anticipating. If you’re dealing with a stressful situation, talk to yourself of how you’d like the issue resolved. Talk out loud and speak to yourself clearly. This way, you’re dealing with stress in the moment, and the more you practice, the more you’ll be ready for the moment you’re supposed to shine!

3. Realize it is NOT about YOU. The media could care less about what YOU do or who you are, only that you’re a credible person. Even if you’re brought in as a witness, their main concern is that you’re credible and that you’re well spoken. They wouldn’t book you if you’re not credible, so of course, work hard becoming an expert at your profession so you’ll have the credibility.

4. If and when a media frenzy happens to you: BE AVAILABLE. Return every call, take every interview. You can sleep later. I actually had someone else handle all of my calls while I caught an hour of sleep at a FOX studio during the day. They booked my interviews while I slept.

5. Be accessible. All of the producers found my CELL PHONE number on the internet. I was an easy interview. For me, since I work virtually, it was the best solution. Once my cell phone was clogged, my friends at ABC Network tracked down my husband’s cell phone from friends in NYC. He handled my calls and I called my friend who works at ABC in NYC who got me to commit to ABC first before any other network. Since he was my friend, I was happy to do that.

6. Establish ties and friends in the media. If you’re someone whose career is going to be highlighted at some point now or in the future, it’s best to have friends on the inside. My friends include directors, editors, producers, GM’s, Executive producers, writers, on air talent, anchors, publicists and casting professionals. When I need to know something, or meet someone, I make a few calls and usually can find the right person or gather the right information!

7. Relax and enjoy the ride. If you understand that your day will come, and are ready for it, you will be comfortable. Being STILL and thinking clearly for each interview takes time to perfect. Not letting the adrenaline take over in a moment like that takes practice. Sitting still with the IFP in your ear and looking right in the camera can be intimidating, but if you’ve been practicing it for years in your mirror and at home, it can just be a walk in the park!

I’m confident that the media windfall for me was a situation of being at the right place at the right time. I’ve reviewed the tapes over and over and my main concern was not only that I represented the story correctly and fairly but that I was compassionate towards the family who lost their husband, brother, and important family member. I reviewed to see if I brought my faith into the ordeal and whether or not I relayed information that would help give people support. I reviewed the tapes to see if I praised American Airlines for the way they handled the situation since they were so responsive and helpful.

At this point, I’m collecting tapes and keeping them for my archives. It’s an expensive process but well worth the cost.

And, of course, if you think that this might happen to you, you might consider hiring a coach or consultant to get you ready! You just never know… you could be next!

Mary Gardner is an executive communications consultant and lifestyles coach. She was recently on the plane that had the shooting by the air marshall. She can be found at http://www.marygardner.com