Fine Art of Blogging

Soft and Warm Pashmina

2009-11-20T03:17:00.000+05:00

I am big Pashmina fan. Even the name (that comes from pashm in Persian) sound musical to me and I love that gauzy weave. Just touching soft and warm Pashmina tells you what it is! Pashmina products are all time trendy and stylish. People of class from all over the world use these products - shawl, scarf and many more.

Given my interest, one of the best places I have found to shop for Pashmina is Spencer's Pashmina. Neatly laid out and user’s friendly site has a great collection of Pashmina products. Explore and find what they are offering and how. They have something for everyone. Imagery of the products is good and it gives a feeler of how one will look wrapped in one of those shawls.

What is more, their custom dye option makes them stand out from the rest. Ask for color you want and Spencer's Pashmina will deliver exactly the same.

Some of their shawls are already on my wish list.

Bon Appetit!

2009-11-18T15:34:00.000+05:00

Claire Carroll is The Domestic Minx

Decadent, darling and delicious and capable of whipping up a domestic disaster in seconds...

A good cook is the peculiar gift of the gods. She must be a perfect creature from the brain to the palate, from the palate to the finger's end." Walter Savage Landor

Step into my parlour, dear reader, and allow me to offer you something tasty and delectable, something I have prepared for you myself. Oh, I do hope you find it delicious, for I cook from the heart, my menu instinctive, intuitive, filled with secret ingredients and my own special sauce. There is no set recipe here, for it is the very essence of me that I prepare for your pleasure. And, like all seasoned cooks, I do so like to make it up as I go along, my sifting and splashing, stirring and melding all a delicious alchemy, a wonderful misch masch of creative cuisine. Yes, writing is my primal pleasure and as necessary to me as food to a hungry man.

I love to write, to create, to express in the way that I might create a dish delicious. While this nourishes and satisfies my soul, it is my deepest desire to have my offerings tasted and enjoyed, nurturing others in the most delectable way. There is nothing more delightful than evoking the licking of lips, the closing of eyes, the murmured blessings of brava brava, bellissima from a satisfied customer.

Of this I am certain. For this deep dark pleasure is the reason I write. My bon appetit. My joie de vivre. My raison d'etre.

I want to be tasted and I want to be enjoyed. I want to elicit delight on the deep and primal level that a bowl of mousse au chocolat might. It is my pleasure to fill each plate with rapture, surprise, sugar, spice, warmth and wonder. And most of all, I want the plate licked clean. With cries for "More!"

I think this is why keeping my blog is such a delicious pastime. Not only can my creations be so much more bounteous, there is the promise of delightful immediacy, interaction and involvement with those that wish to taste my offerings. I can be le plat du jour!

And I do so love it when there are compliments to the chef!!

For my heart and soul are in each dish, dear reader, each ingredient drawn from my imagination, my experience, my dreams and desires. Oh and there is plenty on the menu for those that are hungry. There is a veritable smorgasbord.

I only hope, in it's ripe and saucy richness, that it does not leave you with indigestion!

Bon Appetit!!

Live, Love, Learn, Lead - Help each other to succeed

2009-11-16T08:17:00.000+05:00

Bob Glaza

How is simple - taking time to sit and write. Blogging is a little bit like painting and drawing to me. Its a creative outlet. Time must be carved out. And we all have 24 hours and I break mine down in chunks - but have never blogged about it. Pretty boring stuff explaining how hours are spent :) Writing a post is comparable to sitting in a studio and staring at a blank canvas. Or watching a baseball game, grass grow or paint dry. Its an investment. There are days when I seemingly think of things to blog about during most waking moments. Unfortunately - or maybe fortunately - many of the ideas I imagine drift away sooner than I can put them into concrete terms.

Why I blog is another story completely. I answered it initially for CK's collage. I blog to learn - about marketing, about others and about myself - pretty much in that order. I'm fascinated with the ability to reach across boundaries. To try new things. To add to the challenges each day presents. To use all the dimensions of human nature. As Robyn McMaster puts it - "to celebrate more intelligences".
Why blog is one of those questions that will always fuel One Reader at a Time. In answering the question "why"? it is important to recognize the value of building community. We have a natural inclination to be part of something bigger. Community through conversation helps fill this need. Plus, like everyone, I want to change the world! Finally, stating it simply as possible, to blog is to feel good.

I use Blogger and have considered switching to TypePad - but I'm basically lazy. The templates available in Blogger are adequate for me at this time. Redesigning would take a big time commitment. I've been through a few redesigns in my life - lots of details. While I'm something of a detail freak, maybe one day I'll be motivated enough to switch. I play with a number of widgets as promotion tools - if you visit One Reader you'll see them. The best promotion - and community building - tool I've found is commenting on other blogs. Too often people visit blogs and leave without comment. When you find a post that's worthy of a comment - say it! Trust me when I say the poster will appreciate and honor you. The true conversation architect will respond. I like the Daily Fix at MarketingProfs for inspiration - I'm a marketer :) Believe me, there are many fine blogs on which to leave comments. Another good way to promote your blog is participate in a project - like "Advice for Graduates" or "The Age of Conversation". Of course, the "Z-List" has taken on a world of its own :) And Dio's Fine Art of Blogging is a worthy path of promotion.

Blogging matters to me because it is a form of exploration. Organizations are in a state of constant motion. Think of them as part of the ever expanding universe. They are organic in my view. They either grow or enclose on themselves. In order to grow, an organization must reach out - leave the shore that is comfortable. Blogging for organizations is still new when you take a long view - back and forward - of organizational life. My blog viewpoints are mine alone. In a general way, I will post on current topics in my industry. They are in no way intended to be taken as news or a reflection of organization's views. The only connection is I work here. I have been part of this system and culture for over 20 years.

Any comment to a post gets me "high". I think that could be assumed for all conversationalists. There are 3 posts that stand out. First one is probably here - wherein I discover the magic of conversation with David Armano at Logic+Emotion, Mack Collier at The Viral Garden and Gavin Heaton at Servant of Chaos. Second is combination posts. The value of community is recognized in these posts. Meeting Liz Strauss at Successful-Blog as a mystery unfolds plus being named an official SOB. Thirdly, would have to be the fun of the Turtle Meme. The lesson and value of blog sharing is evident in this little game. Fourth - I know I said 3 but the beauty is in breaking the rules - is the book review here on "A Whole New Mind - Why Right-Brainers will Rule the Future".

I don't (make money by blogging). I've thought about Google text ads. I've thought about Amazon book links. Never figured out exactly where any of them would fit. I've determined the few pennies aren't worth the effort. I could be wrong :)

Mom gadget makes great money

2009-11-10T11:38:00.001+05:00

Gayla McCord

The difference I hope to make through blogging is by branding my name as one that can be trusted -- one that is known as a friendly, honest and most of all approachable name for anyone who would like to explore earning potential online.

Living in Indiana where the auto industry was hit hard with layoffs, I felt it was my calling to help people in my general area find alternatives to uprooting their families and moving out of state. I think blogging is a great way to communicate and to create friendships. It’s providing a means for people to get news and opinions that aren’t just coming from mass media anymore.

I blog from the heart and I blog on what I feel people are searching for. I’ve always felt that if I can’t educate my readers I should at least be able to entertain them. I began working online several years ago and my online presence has just sort of naturally progressed to where it is today.

A blog can be many things – from a resource for family and friends to stay close, to a type of therapeutic effort to means to make a living. It all depends on what the persons goal is when writing. I’d say I let my topics pick me. I have a few websites and news resources that I check out, but most times I develop content from questions I see going unanswered on the web. I think blog templates should be clean and uncluttered. Too much noise makes it difficult to focus on the real message. I don’t use any other means of promotion outside of comments and social networking options like StumbleUpon.

Blogging matters because now everyone can have a voice and it’s not only the college educated or the big name publishers who say whose opinions and stories are important.

Before MomGadget, my primary focus was on patient advocacy. My personal story was published in Marie Claire and Fitness Magazine as well as my name, answers and opinions are featured in the new book by Dr. Ruth Westheimer.

Most recently, my online efforts have provided enough financial security that I was able to tell my husband it’s time he start pursuing his own dream. He was able to quit his job and start doing what he wants to do for a change.

Over the last several months I’ve averaged $3,000; however, last month I broke a personal goal of $5,000. I’ve recently set a new goal and plan to be making $10,000 per month by September.

Auntie Hattie and her web

2009-11-02T21:47:00.000+05:00

Auntie Hattie

In a way, I'm always "on" my blog. I blog between doing other things. I like to look at items on the Internet , link to them, and comment on them. Local news interests me, too, or happenings in the neighborhood. Left politics are a strong concern of mine, and I am a feminist. When I travel I take along my laptop and a digital camera and post "live" on location if I can. I also love to write about books, art, and music.

I'm not a "techno" person at all, which is why Type Pad is ideal for me. I just use a standard template and their easy to use posting features, and that is satisfactory.

Blogging is a good medium for people like me who are living in out of the way places and are therefore isolated from large numbers of like-minded people.My blog is like a journal, except in that a few people besides me read it and in that I avoid writing about specifically personal matters. I have faithful readers from Australia and Scandanavia, and Berkeley (!) for instance, that I would never have been able to get to know in any other way but through blogging. I have made a few very good cyberfriends. One of them is moving soon to my home town, and we are planning a lot of activities!

Alas, I am a big hit on the porn scene, because there is something I call aunty porn that is very popular. Well, those enquiries for "hot aunty sex" and "nude aunties"certainly keep my hit counter busy! I hope the lads are not too disappointed by my political and social commentary!
Google wanted to put ads on my site once, but I turned them down. I did not like the content of the ads, which were mostly for dating services and which I felt were anti-feminist. I am concerned about the tone of my blog, so at the moment, I do not blog for money.

In my pre-retirement life I was a teacher of English to speakers of other languages and a prison educator. I am the mother of two and grandmother of two. I am 67, which makes me one of the oldest of bloggers, but not the oldest! Blogging is a new lease on my writing life and a great pastime.

Eyeglasses Fashion

2009-11-01T15:44:00.002+05:00

Zenni is my favorite high fashion eyeglasses where I can buy good quality and fashionable eyeglasses for a reasonable price starting as low as low as $8 Prescription Zenni Glasses. Explore the site and see what they are offering and how. Also see their new arrivals and have a look at Holiday Fun Eyeglasses. They are the best for any taste.

Car Reviews

2009-10-28T11:09:00.000+06:00

I love cars; big cars, sleek cars, new models and given chance would like to know all about them (Who doesn’t?). My passion lead me to the Car Connection. What I saw there is simply amazing. Any car lover will love those pictures because they present the emotional proposition present in all cars. I explored the site and read through some useful and in depth reviews that can be helpful for any car lover or buyers.

Have look at Chevrolet and see what you find there. It is amazing to know so much about this dream car. Given the value and satisfaction, Chevrolet has earned a great repute in automobile industry. Stand at any road and you can’t miss seeing that Chevrolets.

Experts from TheCarConnection.com have spent extensive time in the driver's seat driving and testing before writing their observations. I suggest car lover explore the Car Connection and see what they are offering. If the quality reviews and images do not move you, nothing will.

The Car Connection presents one of the biggest collection of car images. Imagery is good and gives the feeler of vehicle being shown. In addition to the images, the reviews at the Car Connection are also informative and interesting. Reviews focuses on design, interior and user experience and performance. What is more, the car reviews are posted often. If you are interested in cars. Visit the Car Connection.

How You Read Manuals?

2009-10-28T11:00:00.000+06:00

Mostly the brochures are artistically laid out and presented whereas users’ manuals are like government notifications; life less, color less and totally technical. The brochure gets the bigger share of budget as compared to the manuals. This indicates that most concerns treat potential users so much better than existing users and focus accordingly?

I think this should be other way round. I am not suggesting that marketers should stop making the documents to be given away for free. What I am saying is the focus should change. Users should get much nicer manuals, the way they want to, including online. That will help the potential users to buy and existing users to learn?

Paying more attention and better budget allocation to product manuals and support will help everyone. There is no harm in trying to get new customers for anyone, particularly those who are in the market for short term but those who are here for long term must refashion their focus and invest more users’ manuals. It is the users manuals that can bring loyal users, passionate users, repeat customers and can form the bases of what is called customers relationship.

Here is the simple philosophy: Users manuals will get passionate users who will get others. The better users get at something (through learning from freely available manuals), the better the user experience. The better the user experience, the more likely they are to keep trying to use the same product. Nobody is passionate about something they are stuck with. Helping your users learn is the best way to up the odds they'll become repeat customers.

Creating fabulous users’ manuals might be a far better use of the budget than creating fabulous ads and brochures. If traditional advertising and marketing is becoming less and less effective, why not move all that talent including designers, artists, copywriters and others from before the sale to after the sale?

Accor Hotels 3-day Super Sale

2009-10-28T08:55:00.004+06:00

Traveling for leisure and or pleasure is a result of growing economic activities and resulting prosperity, better quality lifestyle, increasing awareness and above all wish to “be there and do that”. Everyone wants to travel to Asia Pacific - the region that is always on the wish list of most travelers from around the world (myself included).

What makes Asia Pacific region attractive for traveler? Landscape beauty, serene environment, history, people and culture. On top of all that, if one has luxurious accommodation and modern amenities at affordable rates, it makes best setting for vacations and or a romantic retreat. Thanks to Accor - a major global group and the European leader in hotels, as well as the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions – that they are offering 3-day Super Sale.

Explore Accor Hotels 3-Day Super Sale Asia Pacific and choose from one million hotel rooms at amazing rate across Asia Pacific (in courtiers from Thailand to Korea, China, Japan, HK, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia, Taiwan, India to Bali) at very affordable rates (starting as low as US$30 per night). Travelers can take advantage of savings when they book on-line between 27 - 30 October 2009. You can advance book your travel and vacations now for stays between December 09 to April 10. What is more, the Accor 3-day Super Sale coincides with record-low air fares across the Asia Pacific region, allowing travelers to enjoy some of the world's most exciting cities at bargain rates.

Have a look at Accor 3-day Super Sale and see what they are offering and how. Better still plan your next Asia Pacific vacation with Accor and have an enriching experience.

Writing Thoughts

2009-10-27T10:23:00.000+06:00

Laura Spencer

What is blog to me? I can tell you how I’ve progressed and what I’ve discovered along the way.

Blogging was a grand experiment for me. First, I wanted to see if anyone would read my blog. Secondly, I wanted to see if it would help my freelance writing business. Now, I am wondering if I can make money from it. Finally, I want to see if it can make a difference, however small.

Initially I thought, and perhaps others might think, that blogging is mainly about writing. What I’ve discovered is that, while it helps to have good writing skills, there is so much more to blogging. Successful bloggers must be: lifelong learners, social individuals, relevant, readers, and disciplined. (Of course, everyone has their own definition of success and yours may be different.) I’ll address each area individually.

Lifelong learning is an important blogging skill, not only to start a blog, but also to keep it going. There are so many areas to learn about. First, I needed to learn the best platform for my blog. There are a lot of questions a new blogger faces. Would I use a free platform like Blogger, or will I go with my own domain name and a hosting company? (I use my own domain name with BlueHost.) When that decision was made, I needed to learn how to manage my content, comments, and blogroll. I needed to learn how to download files to my site. I needed to learn how to use widgets. In fact, with a blog, the learning never stops. I probably learn at least one new thing every day.

Successful bloggers are social individuals. Unlike the diaries and journals that I was familiar with as a child, blogs are public. I decided very early on that I was not going to blog in a vacuum. I enabled my comments (with a spam filter turned on, of course) and I make an effort to interact with my readers. I answer their comments. I visit their blogs. I correspond through e-mail with several of my readers on a regular basis. I know people today that I wouldn’t know if I didn’t blog, and my life is richer for it. I also use some of the networking tools that the Internet provides. (It seems like there is a new tool out there every day.) Currently I am on: Blogg-buzz, MyBlogLog, SpicyPage, StumbleUpon, and Technorati.com. Last, but not least, I joined a blog network, GackInk, where I can mentor and be mentored.

Successful blogs must be relevant. When someone reads my blog they need to find something to hold their interest or they won’t return. Finding something relevant can be a stretching process for the blogger. I know that the questions “how would somebody use this information?” and “would anybody find this interesting?” stretch me. I’ve found that, if I have a question about something, usually others have the same question. That question is an opportunity for me to research the question and blog about it. I also find relevant topics for posts on forums, other blogs, and in everyday life.

I’m a big believer in the value of reading. I believe that the best writers were readers first. Reading definitely prepares me to blog. I read just about everything I can get my hands on: the newspaper, books, magazines, advertisements, other blogs, and the list goes on. Reading helps me recognize the difference between good writing and bad writing. Reading broadens my horizons and introduces me to new ideas and concepts. Reading also entertains me and gives me a reason to laugh. In short, reading has made me a writer and writing has made me a blogger.

Finally, bloggers have to be disciplined. One factor that many blog experts recommend for blogging success is consistency. It’s important to post new material on your blog on a regular basis. You’ve probably been frustrated, as I have, by finding an enjoyable blog, only to discover that there are no new entries. I try to have between three and five new posts on my blog each week. Most of them time I really enjoy blogging. It’s fun. It stimulates my creativity. I can post things that help others. I get to “meet” new people. However, to be totally honest, there are those days that I just don’t feel like posting. Maybe I’m sick. Maybe I’m buried with work. Maybe there are other issues bothering me. It helps to have a backlog of posts for those times. But sometimes, it just takes discipline to get that new post out there.

So, with WritingThoughts, my grand experiment goes on. I continue learning, making friends, finding what’s relevant, reading whatever I can, and discovering how to be disciplined in my approach to blogging.

Smoker's Smart Choice

2009-10-26T22:04:00.000+06:00

This fact needs no clarification that e cigarettes are much better choice that smoking cigarettes, pipe or tobacco in any other form. What is more, e cigarettes are environment friendly and save those who are around smokers from passive smoking.

E cigarettes do not burn anything, there are no ashes and no mess associated with them. What is more, you can set them down anywhere you like. Have a look at E-Cigarettes Austria and learn more about electronic cigarettes.

No 7 E Cigarettes has Pre-Fabricated Store Displays for the retail environments along with Light-Up Displays available for night clubs and night life locations. They also provide customized starter kit solutions and specialized pre-configuration of the products as per rules and regulations to accommodate local requirement. For example if you are looking for starter kits to include zero nicotine cartridges, vs full strength, or a custom variety pack of strengths and flavors. Explore E-Cigarettes Belgium or E-Cigarettes Brazil and that will help you make informed decision.

E-Cigarette Wholesale sells locally in USA as well as in the international market. Approach them for volume purchasing and they will ship direct from Texas via FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, or DHL and offer a variety of Payment Terms. If you are located overseas we they ship straight to your distribution center, via air freight or cargo/container.

Backup, Share and Access Anywhere

2009-10-23T00:17:00.004+06:00

Computers have become omnipresent. Everything (ok almost everything) is on computers. The number of computers as well as their usage is growing exponentially.

Consider a person, organization or a commercial concern that are having their data on computers. And what can happen if that data vanishes? Reasons can be any from Illegal operations, fatal errors, freezes or simple deaths of a computer. That is one of the reasons users need to have backup of what they have on their machines. But where to store so that you can access to your online assets any where you need?

Have a look at Livedrive Online Storage - features packed online storage service where users can upload and access their files from anywhere. What is more, users also get desktop sync software, which adds an L: drive to their PC. Access the same files on all of their computers as if they were using an external disk. The ability to view photos or videos, play music, view and edit MS Office documents and even retouch photos directly from their web browser. One click sharing of files with their friends, or with the world and easy integration with Facebook and Flickr. Explore the features and see what they are offering and how.

The best thing is that you can try the service for one month absolutely free. Livedrive’s free one-month trial is fully functional, and users get unlimited storage space.

I suggest you sign up and experience online independence. This will help you make informed decision.

Opinions, Ideas and Stories

2009-10-20T09:44:00.000+06:00

Roberta Ferguson

Blogging to me, is coming together in this large, vast world to share opinions, ideas, stories, and inspirations. It is the opportunity to have friends that you'd have otherwise not met. People share their personalities and photos with the world in hopes that other like-minded people will feel the same, or maybe differently. A blog to me, is a forum with an unlimited amount of possibilities as to what you can put on there for the world to see. Be it an online journal, a place to share family pictures, or a place to rant and rave about work and others of life's misgivings.

They also ask how do I make blogging easy. Well, I could say that I make blogging easy by taking whatever information I can find and sharing it with my readers, in my own voice. I put my personality out there and others do the same. Blogging is easy and I would encourage everyone out there to get a blog. If not to chronicle day to day activities, then to say something! Have a voice and be heard!

Blogging matters in life because it gives us an out. We can vent here and community members can laugh or cry with us, or agree or disagree.

I first started a "blog" around 1999/2000, the site was globalcrap.com. I raved about work and other stuff like that. People emailed submissions to me for posting and that was that. Back then, if you got a link from someone, that person was probably your real life friend. Then, when you linked to people, it wasn't because they paid for the link, it was because you genuinely liked what they had to say. This site was taken down immediately after my manager asked what it was. I replied that I didn't know and took the site down before he could find out for himself. I wish now that I would've kept it alive and going. It was all written in basic HTML and was updated by hand.

After that, I started tinkering around with blogs in December of 2005, at lonelynomore.net. I got the site name because I was reviewing dating sites and making fun of personal ads (I know, rotten, right?) at the time. Also, the domain name idea came from the Rob Thomas song of the same name.

Afterwards, I moved on to Yes, Mistress over at ClevelandBrew.com. They imported all of my posts, if you'd like to check them out. I was frankly evil in what I've said over there. Especially to the guy that hit my new car four days after I got it.

Then it was Earsucker.com. I love this site, it's all about music and the such. Hop on over sometime and say hi.

Now I have this blog. I'm happy that I can share some aspect of my life with you. Also, I've guest posted at ICYDK.com and PureBlogging. Hang around a while and see what happens next! :)

Mind Your Identity

2009-10-17T14:00:00.001+06:00

Given the security situation in the country (and also reported abuse of communication systems and channels), everyone must be cautious. It is possibility that someone might have got a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) against your ID (CINC). I suggest you check and find out the total number of SIM(s) registered against their respective CNIC number with each mobile operator.

Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) information system to address associated risks on security and to ensure subscription regulations in cellular sector. {From Light Within}

Mobile Accessories And Downloads

2009-10-14T13:10:00.010+06:00

Billions of mobile phones are in use worldwide. Mobile phone companies are always planning to launch new handsets, with newer innovations. Given the exponential growth and usability improving every day, analysts expect that cell phones will surpass the conventional landlines.

That is where Mobile Fun UK’s leading online retailer for iphone accessories and mobile downloads – comes in. Mobile Fun is playing an important role in accelerating mobile phone usage and making it easy. With a product range of over 5,000 globally sourced mobile accessories and over 100,000 mobile downloads available, Mobile Fun has become a market leader position within the very competitive mobile sector.

Explore the information and resource rich site and see what they are offering. I started at accessories section and was amazed to see to see the display. They cater to almost every need of any user; every assessor including iphone car charger and iphone case that I keep needing for my own use. Then there is an impressive collection of Real Tones, Java Games, Mobile Wallpapers, Video Clips and much more.

The site is neatly laid out and users friendly. Items are neatly listed (by manufacturer, by brand, by type) on the sidebar. They also have an efficient search function on the site. Users can also find out hot devices and or accessories that everyone is using. Imagery at the site is good. There are also enough supporting details with products that help you make an informed purchasing decisions.

Given my interest in iphones, I liked their blog. You can find a lot of useful information on the blog. There are news, views and reviews covering mobile phones and the industry.

I suggest if you are a mobile phone user (who is not using moblines these days?), then you must explore the site and see what all is available there. Better still try what they are offering. There is a whole lot out there and so much is already on my wish list. That is how you can use your devices as fun.

A storm in the form of a girl

2009-10-14T12:01:00.000+06:00

Starr

Then I took a deep breath and quit waving my hands around like 'lil girl and got on with it. I have read some of the other folks response and I gotta warn you all now. I am not that deep. Or business-like. Or grown up.

I blog simply because I want to be heard.

Ever feel like you are a walking contradiction? One person in your head and another with people? Yes, I know, shades of Sybil, but bear with me. I think, to a certain degree, everyone is someone else at least part of the time. Social Networking has exploded in popularity recently and I think I know why. You get to be yourself! Or someone like you ;)

I first discovered this phenomenon while playing Everquest. I started out playing with my ex husband and felt totally out of place. Within a short time, I had branched out and began to make friends outside of his circle.

The one thing that struck me instantly was how refreshing it was to have the anonymity of text. I didn't have to be June Cleaver, I could just be me. I formed some very strong friendships and one relationship that lasted years via that game. And I think it had to do with the ability to remain anonymous via the internet. Granted I stopped being anonymous but by that time I had also gained a far greater comfort level in just being me.

I no longer play EQ but the bug for internet self expression stuck with me. Call it the siren song of text on a glowing screen. I blog to feel like I am heard. I blog to feel like someone, anyone out there, actually knows me. The really real me, not the one we all have to be to please bosses, spouses, parents and children. And if I can make someone else laugh it is icing on the cake.

I Love Cars

2009-10-14T11:21:00.003+06:00

I love big cars, sleek cars, new models and fast cars. Given opportunity I would like to know all about them (Who doesn’t?). My passion lead me to the Car Connection. What I saw there is simply amazing. Any car lover will love those pictures because they present the emotional proposition present in all cars.

I suggest car lover explore the Car Connection and see what they are offering. If the quality reviews and images do not move you, nothing will. Have a look at Volvo xc60 pics and see some of the most stylish cars in the world. Click the individual pictures below to see them larger. Browse through vehicle features, both inside and outside, watch a slideshow of the interior, exterior and dashboard highlights. See all the vehicle features come to life through the images. Similarly you can see Lincoln features come to life in Lincoln town car pics. Also have a look at Subaru forester photos and see another dream car and my personal favorite.

The Car Connection presents one of the biggest collection of car images. Imagery is good and gives the feeler of vehicle being shown. In addition to the images, the reviews at the CarConnection are also informative and interesting. Reviews mainly focuses on design, interior and user experience. and performance. What is more, the car reviews are posted often. Users can also get free Kia insurance Quotes, Kia financing quotes and check local classifieds. I have already bookmarked the site for my own future use. If you are interested in cars. Visit the Car Connection and enjoy.

The Intimate Side of CapCity

2009-10-14T09:15:00.000+06:00

CAPaige aka CapCity

On this journey of life I moved from DC to NYC in 2001. I sought a house of worship for fellowshipping purposes as I searched for myself and traveling companions along this road of life. I began to visit the historic Black churches of Harlem. I was blessed to discover a place that felt like home in Abyssinian Baptist Church in 2004. I attended a free seminar led by Deacon Andrew Morrison; Managing Money God's Way. It was here that Brother Morrison drew the secret out of me: these gifts with which we have been blessed are not ours to hide.

I have been writing and journaling for many years, but kept most of my work hidden. I am an avid reader and privately a writer's critic. I did not think that my writing was ready for public viewing because I was comparing myself to my favorite amazing authors. Whenever I would read books that I found distasteful, I thought, someone needed to tell that person they weren't ready to be published. After Andrew's seminar I realized that I was making excuses for hiding my own writing by being a perfectionist. I had sent out a few attempts to publish, but the rejection slips were put into the boxes with the rest of my work. I decided that I didn't need to seek payment for all of my writing. I just needed to get it out of me and into a place where others could view it, others who didn't know me.

I began blogging the month that I stepped away from a sixteen-year-old teaching career, June 2006. I started with an online journal of self-discovery (CapCity to NYCity) where I simply discussed my own thoughts as I would in my closeted spiral-bound journals. I started a blog focused on relationships, intimate thoughts and experiences - The Intimate Side of CapCity, along with a blog that would serve as a place where I would be held accountable for my physical maintenance (Getting Physical) in August of that same year. My fourth and final blog was started in October of 2006 and was intended to be a professional portfolio and is my least active blog, for now (Teaching is Learning).

In addition to blogging I belong to the yahoo group of my favorite living author, Beverly Jenkins. In this group a young lady, Shai shared her writing successes, one of which was being a featured writer on The LoZone, which was being "hosted" by RichInSTL in the absence of the LoZone's author, Lolita Files. I wrote to Rich in March of 2007 and asked how to go about having my blog link added to their list. He looked at my blogs and emailed a reply that they needed to be updated more frequently in order to draw interest. That led me to focus more on my Intimate Side. I also ventured to other blogs and left comments, which drew more traffic to my blog.

The rest is an amazing history. In the three short months that I have been blogging frequently, I have "met" a variety of bloggers, been featured on The LoZone, been invited to join a compilation of bloggers for a publication, and have been approached for other writing projects. Blogging is significant because it has boosted my writer's morale, kept me from feeling isolated and gives me the confidence and faith that I am indeed, good enough to join the ranks of my favorite published authors. This is an amazing time to be a writer because of the immediate feedback that is possible along with the encouragement to keep me motivated to continue on this write path.

Best Web Hosts

2009-10-13T08:37:00.000+06:00

In this age of ongoing economic recession all over the world, businesses need to focuses on their online presence and take maximum advantages. Marketing people already know that a good website can be a valuable marketing tool. One of the most important factors for the success of any website is webhosting.

Before you host your assets online, businesses need to carry out a little research and find out a web hosting firm that has a good reputation within the industry. That is where Web Hosting Choice can help. Have a look at Web Hosting Choice and see what they are recommending and why. Web Hosting Choice has selected each host based on the credibility and the reputation of people who stand behind these hosting companies. They rate and feature hosting sites based on based on affordability, reliability, uptime and tech support.

Explore the Web Hosting Choice up to date Top 10 Web Hosts list on the internet and see what they are recommending. Better still try what Web Hosting Choice is recommending. Also go through their Learning Center – a very useful resource to for those who are new to web hosting. I picked up some ideas while going through this section. Explore Web Hosting Choice and exercise your choice.

IT in the Education

2009-10-13T07:27:00.000+06:00

Like all other fields of human activities, information technologies are also pervading different aspects of education that has enhanced learning. Students have already integrated computers in learning, particularly in institutions for higher education where IT has been deployed and is being effectively used.

There is a visible divide between graduates from IT supported high-end institutions and those without it. This is a serious issue that merits attention at all levels.

IT has already made considerable impact in distance education. With the advent of computers and internet, learning is no longer restricted to time and place. Students these days have access to a vast amount of information and resources outside the confines of classrooms and auditoriums. Lifelong learning as advocated by religion, has enabled people of all ages to improve their education and learn new things.

Open universities and other institutions that use computers and the internet (also television, and satellites) offer education in any field anywhere around the globe. Of course this does not include problems created by the digital divide, unavailability of resources to an overwhelmingly large majority, lack of quality contents on the web, linguistic and cultural barriers etc.

However, the issue is not distant learning. In fact, the aim here is to consider physical employment of computers and IT infrastructure for delivery of higher education in classrooms, laboratories, and libraries in Pakistan.

Most public sector universities and business schools still lags behind when it comes to IT. The reason? Economically, Pakistan is not yet a very strong nation. Although official statements and statistics shown indicate that the economy has started to mature, still there has always been scaling-down in education and investment and has not been treated as top priority.

Hence, graduates from many public sector universities cannot compete with those who have studied in good private sector universities. While much progress has been made in making computers and the internet available to educational institutions in the past few years, the computer-student ratio has still not been met.

"You can see more than 25 students flocking on one computer and same number waiting for their turn," says Mohsin Khan, a university student. There have been hardly any concentrated efforts to prepare students to take advantage of IT and other resources that have been made available by the World Wide Web.

There are other serious problems besides funding. For example, most senior teachers lack technological literacy, which is the "ability to use the computer, equipped with CD-ROM player, modem, and phone or cable line, as well as output devices such as printers, to gather..., analyse, organize, and understand... information." Of course this does not mean the role of teacher sin universities, or their abilities for that matter, is questionable.

The fact is that many senior teachers have not grown up using computers as their students have. Some teachers have become computer savvy but quite a few have still not found the opportunity or the will to do so.

For several teachers, the best technology is still a piece of chalk (or at best, a marker) and a board and the best interactive exercise is class discussion (read class participation).

Undoubtedly this is a severe handicap. Those teachers who cannot make appropriate use of computers and the internet in teaching, have trouble keeping up with their areas of specialization and staying ahead.

Hence, it is difficult for them to excite, stimulate, and motivate students and prepare them for practical life, where employers seek graduates who can get along in the global marketplace. Clearly, only information technologies can help bridge the gap between an academic and professional environment.

Computer literate students who use the internet often indulge in plagiarism and have a good chance of getting away with it. The cut-and-paste phenomenon in the first place defeats the purpose of written assignments.

Spending time and effort in such unhealthy pursuit is unproductive and wears down standards in educational institutions. The practice stunts their productivity, as students are unable to think logically, construct own arguments, and draw inferences. It is difficult if not impossible for less savvy teachers to effectively check and put an end to such practices.

Now consider the other end of the spectrum: an educational institution that has classrooms equipped with multimedia, sound systems and projectors to deliver presentations and multi-purpose computer labs.

"I bring my assignments and presentations on a pin drive. Our teaching associates transfer assignments on the teachers' computers or I attach the removable drive with the computer in class and the multimedia software does everything else for me. Multimedia is not just a training aid but also adds variety to my work," says a business student from the Lahore School of Economics.

Educational software and subscriptions to online research achieve services such as JSTOR (Journal storage), work stations for syndicated as well as individual work in computer laboratories and work stations in libraries are complementing computing facilities.

There are networks with their own connectivity and bandwidth. Furthermore, students bring their laptops and work in their university as they have the facility to do so.

Of course, the extent of change, because of IT and the degree to which progressive higher education enterprises have adapted to these changes are quite impossible to predict in the long run.

For now they have already earned a good reputation for their graduates in the corporations and multinationals. Students in technology-supported institutions are confident and rely more and more on their initiative for knowledge exploration.

IT enables them to manipulate information in a way that steps up their understanding and hones cognitive skills and logical aptitude, thereby broadening their horizons.

Maybe one day policy makers will think of creating a national educational grid, which will connect public as well as private sector universities, providing online information and support for students, teachers and support and management staff.

However, all learning institutions must first have the physical infrastructure required to get wired up to the any such grid. Until such facilities are provided, it is futile to think about establishing a national grid, for it will be of no use to universities that have little or no infrastructure.

Hard Drive Removal and Installation

2009-10-10T09:09:00.000+06:00

Analysts and trend watchers say the over six billion computers have been sold worldwide. Every day computers are seen more pervasive and the interaction between users and computers is increasing.

When everyone (Ok, almost everyone) is using computers in work and life, knowing them more is an advantage. Given my interest and requirement, I keep learning how to do things with computers. In my quest to learn more, I was lead to an article titled Hard Drive Removal and Installation at web-articles.info – a free article submission directory.

People working with computers sometime need to remove hard drive from computer for testing, virus scanning, data transfer, disposal or more. It is fairly simple task but you need to know some basic. Read the article and it will help you go through the whole process from start to end. The article gives you step by step instructions of the process.

Similarly, I found many other useful articles at article directory including What to do in the garden in November. By the way, I am going to do what the article suggests. Have a look and learn what you need to.

Virtual Travel

2009-10-10T08:10:00.000+06:00

Virtual world is seamlessly getting into real world. Social side of technologies is making the World Wide Web much more localized by bringing like-minded people together and in the process creating closely knit online communities.

Combination of features like worldwide accessibility and instantaneous communication has made it possible for backpackers, globetrotters and other curious from all over the world to join together at different online platforms to exchange information, experiences and plans in their favorite pursuit; travel.

Subscribers range from the professional travel writers to hardcore travelers and adventurers and commoners who are simply interested in reading online. Travel communities are accessible by millions of interested people all over the world.

Out of some major and hundreds of less noticeable travel forums on the Web, I have had the fortune to belong to a few and have been visiting some others for my travel information needs.

Exceptions apart, all virtual travel communities have some common features: Communities mostly provide a warm, trusting and supportive atmosphere. When members give information, they do it with great care and responsibility. They rely on each other more than they do on outdated travel guidebooks or on second hand and static information from conventional travel literature.

Visit any online community and one finds anything related to travel, along with flames and off topics, which are informative, sometimes funny or even annoying. The mutual exchange of information is not restricted only to destinations, affordable places to stay and dine in, security issues, maps, weather conditions there and where to have best bargains and how to find public restrooms or which Websites better describe any particular place. Or which dress a female anthropologist going to study Kalash clan up in northern district Chitral should wear during her extended stay there. It goes much beyond to helping in finding work, selling and promoting each others in local markets.

“Travel forums have become hunting grounds for meeting fellow travelers and making new friends. You really do not require any other reason to join a community or two,” says Atoorva Sinha who intends building up travelers’ community at Mindzwine.

Carla King is founder member of one virtual travel community called Wild Writing Women for female travelers. She emailed, “When we published Wild Writing Women -- Stories of World Travel (an anthology of women’s travel stories) -- we got a lot of publicity. People wanted to know how we traveled solo and weren’t afraid, and just how we went about it. We started giving workshops. We also started giving writing workshops and hosted a free monthly literary salon. People just gravitated, and we accepted them. We made a business of it and formed the online community. So it’s a profitable business for us to expand the community, and also, happily, it’s close to our hearts.”

Members are slow in response sometime. Chris Heidrich, the Director of a BootsnAll says, “One has to be patient in waiting for a response from members and insiders. It should be understood that it is a voluntary favor and some people do not come on board or check email as often.” Court who is always found on board in the same community adds, “Some time they may be away traveling to yet another location.”

The recipients of information have to keep in mind that what ever comes is based upon individuals’ personal experiences or empirical observations. One member may have had different experience than others. When I posted a query about Virtual Travel Communities (for this article) at BootsnAll community; the first reply referred me to Nick mediator at another community at Bali Blog who in turn advised me to email direct to all on his mailing list. The replies I am still receiving are varied showing so many perspectives. “There is nothing like variety,” says Nick.

The virtual world is composed of information rather than physical identities. Information spreads and diffuses. Those who belong to these impalpable spaces are also diffuse, free to take it or leave it.

Host Monster

2009-10-09T08:43:00.002+06:00

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Before you host your assets online, businesses need to carry out a little research and find out a web hosting firm that has a good reputation within the industry. That is where Wpdesigner.com. can help. Have a look at Wpdesigner.com. – Provider of the most up-to-date "Top 10" list on the internet - and see what they are recommending and why.WPDesigner.com has hand selected each host based on the credibility and the reputation of people who stand behind these hosting companies. They rate and feature hosting sites based on price, server up time, reliability, ease of use, control panel and customer support.

In my own quest, I found hostmonster review and liked it. Read the review and find out features HostMonster.com offers. The Host Monster stands out for their wide range of features, massive transfer and storage quotas, and the option of hosting a limitless number of domains on just one account. Combined with 'the best support in the industry,' Host Monster are a fantastic choice for those wanting professional web hosting. Read the in depth review, better still try them and host your online assets at Host Monster.

Women Online

2009-10-08T10:59:00.001+06:00

When it comes to social-networking sites, women are more plugged in than men, according to data analysis by Brian Solis, president of Silicon Valley public-relations firm Future Works. Read at WSJ!

Top Ten Picks

2009-10-07T18:35:00.002+06:00