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Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Wii And Playstation3: The Latest Battle Of The Gaming Consoles
It seems almost like a Christmas ritual: there's a Next Big Thing in the video game world almost every holiday season. Last year featured a particularly interesting competition between the new gaming hardware put on the market by Nintendo and their prime competitor, Sony with its PlayStation series.
The Sony PS3 is the high-end, bells-and-whistles choice between the two. It includes high-definition graphics, a hard disk, and a Blu-ray Disc drive that delivers great image quality. The top tier 60GB hard drive version also includes a hefty $600 retail price. Nintendo's Wii (pronounced "we") costs $250 and builds in Wi-Fi (but not ethernet). Like the PS3, it has an SD Card slot and can display photos, but its standard-def DVD drive can't yet play movies (Nintendo and Sonic Solutions are working on that).
What Nintendo does have that keeps it in the game is a unique gaming remote device (the Wiimote) and an enormous library of games. The PS3 enters the market with significantly more horsepower and better graphics, but their game options are, at this point, fairly limited. Wii came on the market with 62 games available; the PS3 opened with an inventory of 20 games.
PC World's review provides a clean portrayal of the difference between the two systems. The graphics on the PS3 are state of the art 1080p high-definition and present a new level of quality for gamers. The Wii's graphic capability is limited to standard definition, which is equivalent to the PS2, Sony's last (and highly successful) video game console. However the Wii has a remote gaming control that utilizes motion-sensing technology, so that the gamers' motions with the remote are mimicked in the game. If you're playing football, a pass requires a passing motion with the remote. A sword fight will require a little air-fencing as part of the game participation.
The intuitive nature of the Wii remote is its strength, along with the relatively inexpensive cost compared to the PS3. Wii also has an additional controller called the Nunchuk which is a joystick-type device that works in conjunction with the motion-sensing remote.
The graphics and multiple uses (the PS3 includes a Blu-ray HD DVD player) are what make the Sony product attractive. When they both came on the market, the fact that each relied on separate characteristics to define their value has made for an interesting market contest.
The PS3 is the high-horsepower (and high priced) option on the market. It can handle HD DVDs, play back your digital photographs, and connect to the internet with a built in browser. Its graphics are unparalleled, and it comes with a decent game inventory that will at least get you started. It too has a new controller, one that utilizes a tilt feature that is a token effort at motion sensitivity.
With the Wii, Nintendo decided to forego the digital video wars and focus on a simple box with unique controls that is designed for fun. The Wii can play GameCube games (Nintendo's last offering) and has been introduced with a new addition to the chart-busting Zelda game series. While the Wii hasn't done much to upgrade the visual quality of the gaming experience, it has added substantial new dimension to the gaming process itself. It too can be utilized for web access.
Nintendo's decision to target so-called "casual gamers" seems to have paid off in the short run. It's too early to pick the long term winner; both companies limited their Christmas product issue in order to ensure sellouts and high product demand. The PS3 definitely has a price-break issue that will offset some gamers' lust for the best graphics out there. On the other hand, it's a system with a great future. Wii's future is now, for the most part, and the product issues an intriguing invitation for a substantially new gaming experience, even if it occurs using last year's graphics.
The Sony PS3 is the high-end, bells-and-whistles choice between the two. It includes high-definition graphics, a hard disk, and a Blu-ray Disc drive that delivers great image quality. The top tier 60GB hard drive version also includes a hefty $600 retail price. Nintendo's Wii (pronounced "we") costs $250 and builds in Wi-Fi (but not ethernet). Like the PS3, it has an SD Card slot and can display photos, but its standard-def DVD drive can't yet play movies (Nintendo and Sonic Solutions are working on that).
What Nintendo does have that keeps it in the game is a unique gaming remote device (the Wiimote) and an enormous library of games. The PS3 enters the market with significantly more horsepower and better graphics, but their game options are, at this point, fairly limited. Wii came on the market with 62 games available; the PS3 opened with an inventory of 20 games.
PC World's review provides a clean portrayal of the difference between the two systems. The graphics on the PS3 are state of the art 1080p high-definition and present a new level of quality for gamers. The Wii's graphic capability is limited to standard definition, which is equivalent to the PS2, Sony's last (and highly successful) video game console. However the Wii has a remote gaming control that utilizes motion-sensing technology, so that the gamers' motions with the remote are mimicked in the game. If you're playing football, a pass requires a passing motion with the remote. A sword fight will require a little air-fencing as part of the game participation.
The intuitive nature of the Wii remote is its strength, along with the relatively inexpensive cost compared to the PS3. Wii also has an additional controller called the Nunchuk which is a joystick-type device that works in conjunction with the motion-sensing remote.
The graphics and multiple uses (the PS3 includes a Blu-ray HD DVD player) are what make the Sony product attractive. When they both came on the market, the fact that each relied on separate characteristics to define their value has made for an interesting market contest.
The PS3 is the high-horsepower (and high priced) option on the market. It can handle HD DVDs, play back your digital photographs, and connect to the internet with a built in browser. Its graphics are unparalleled, and it comes with a decent game inventory that will at least get you started. It too has a new controller, one that utilizes a tilt feature that is a token effort at motion sensitivity.
With the Wii, Nintendo decided to forego the digital video wars and focus on a simple box with unique controls that is designed for fun. The Wii can play GameCube games (Nintendo's last offering) and has been introduced with a new addition to the chart-busting Zelda game series. While the Wii hasn't done much to upgrade the visual quality of the gaming experience, it has added substantial new dimension to the gaming process itself. It too can be utilized for web access.
Nintendo's decision to target so-called "casual gamers" seems to have paid off in the short run. It's too early to pick the long term winner; both companies limited their Christmas product issue in order to ensure sellouts and high product demand. The PS3 definitely has a price-break issue that will offset some gamers' lust for the best graphics out there. On the other hand, it's a system with a great future. Wii's future is now, for the most part, and the product issues an intriguing invitation for a substantially new gaming experience, even if it occurs using last year's graphics.
Wii Fitness With The Wii Fit
The Nintendo Wii revolution continues with the pending launch of the new Wii Fitness products as announced at this year's E3 2007. This brand new product from Nintendo, called Wii Fit, will take the form of a balance board controller accessory and a bundled exercise game.
The Wii Fitness products take off from where Wii Sports started by introducing active-play games that are not only great fun to play, but also great exercise as well. In fact the Wii balance board brings exercise and fitness for the entire body. The software and balance board is aimed at a large array of exercise based fun, including dancing, aerobics, balancing, and of course games.
The Wii Fit software uses the balance board to compile data in order to plan your fitness progress over a period of time. The software's fitness measurement system can collect data about an individual in order to keep track of their fitness goals. The fitness readings are presented in the way of a graph that measures your body mass index (BMI) and will adapt your Mii character accordingly. The Mii character is a animated character that represents an individual player's physique, so it's important to enter your stats correctly for accurate progress analysis.
Once your personal settings are calibrated, you can then start to have fun playing the fitness mini games. One of the most fun Wii Fitness games looks like the football heading game, in which the players are required to move their heads in the right direction to head the oncoming balls. Other mini games include doing hula hoops by shaking your hips and a marble madness style game where your balance is key to winning. The more serious fitness style games include doing strenuous balancing exercises, press-ups, and yoga.
The release date has still not been announced and neither has the price, but the price is rumoured to be in the range of $49 to $69. What the new Nintendo Wii Fitness products will hopefully bring is a whole new line up of interactive games. Who knows yet, but I can already imagine the likes of skiing, snowboarding, skate boarding, and so on. Maybe these future games could be used in conjunction with the Wii remote for a complete interactive experience?
Whatever happens next, the Nintendo Wii and the new Wii Fitness range are taking the console to a new level that the likes of Microsoft and Sony will find tough to match, especially at Nintendo's affordable prices.
The Wii Fitness products take off from where Wii Sports started by introducing active-play games that are not only great fun to play, but also great exercise as well. In fact the Wii balance board brings exercise and fitness for the entire body. The software and balance board is aimed at a large array of exercise based fun, including dancing, aerobics, balancing, and of course games.
The Wii Fit software uses the balance board to compile data in order to plan your fitness progress over a period of time. The software's fitness measurement system can collect data about an individual in order to keep track of their fitness goals. The fitness readings are presented in the way of a graph that measures your body mass index (BMI) and will adapt your Mii character accordingly. The Mii character is a animated character that represents an individual player's physique, so it's important to enter your stats correctly for accurate progress analysis.
Once your personal settings are calibrated, you can then start to have fun playing the fitness mini games. One of the most fun Wii Fitness games looks like the football heading game, in which the players are required to move their heads in the right direction to head the oncoming balls. Other mini games include doing hula hoops by shaking your hips and a marble madness style game where your balance is key to winning. The more serious fitness style games include doing strenuous balancing exercises, press-ups, and yoga.
The release date has still not been announced and neither has the price, but the price is rumoured to be in the range of $49 to $69. What the new Nintendo Wii Fitness products will hopefully bring is a whole new line up of interactive games. Who knows yet, but I can already imagine the likes of skiing, snowboarding, skate boarding, and so on. Maybe these future games could be used in conjunction with the Wii remote for a complete interactive experience?
Whatever happens next, the Nintendo Wii and the new Wii Fitness range are taking the console to a new level that the likes of Microsoft and Sony will find tough to match, especially at Nintendo's affordable prices.
Wildlife Photography
Just close your eyes for a moment and try to visualize what the essence of wildlife photography might be. You are bound to see the mesmerizing images of a lion or a cheetah going for the kill. This is because this class of photography aims to captures and captivate you! If you have a passion for photography and if you love being nature, raw and unforgiving, then photographing wildlife is the ideal choice for you.
There are certain key factors that will play an important role in shaping each image while drawing you out for a ‘kill’. You just can’t pick your camera and walk right into a game hunting reserve to shoot a wild animal. You will have to learn ad unlearn. The results, when drawn out of your camera, will be well worth the wait despite the difficult but thrilling process involved in shooting the game.
There are some commandments that you need to follow in wildlife photography and they are:
1) Tracking: You need to study and develop skills that will help you to track a tiger in 100 sq miles of forest land. Tracking is important for the perfect photograph and you can do it by following the paw marks, and the feces.
2) Patience: patience is a big virtue and if you want a great picture, you will have to wait. Remember, you are in their territory!
3) Eye Contact: One of the important rules of photography in the wild is: never try to make eye contact with a wild animal that is bigger and more dangerous like lions, cheetahs, leopards and even wilder beasts.
4) Timing: Timing is synonymous to animal photography. If you are not there at the appropriate time then you will most certainly miss the opportunity. You can achieve perfection in timing by applying the watch and wait theory.
5) Proximity: Don’t get too close to predators as their behaviors can be erratic and dangerous. If you are using a digital SLR camera with a telephoto lens, then you can even take wildlife photographs from a distance.
6) Clothes: During photography, it is always advisable to wear clothes with earthen tones rather than camouflage.
7) Movement: Wild animals respond to movements and even the slightest movement can scare the nervous types like the Deers and Zebras. Sometimes, you will also have to ‘stalk’ your subject, as a predator stalks its prey.
Now that you know the various aspects of photographing wildlife, all you need is a good camera. Any camera that offers the following makes for a good buy:
It should provide a manual override of automatic functions. The camera should have an auto-focus as well as manual focus option.
The camera should allow you to set the required shutter speed and aperture.
It should also have an option for mechanical remote release.
Your camera should have a wide angle lens starting at 28mm and can go up to 70mm or 105mm. It should also have a telephoto zoom between 70mm and 100mm and capable of reaching 300mm.
Some of the other accessories required are a polarizing filter, warming filter (81A or B), UV filter, lens hood and the camera bag.
Once you have the camera and lenses in place, you should start from your backyard to get a taste of it before trying out serious wildlife photography. Don’t forget to enjoy your ‘shoot’!
There are certain key factors that will play an important role in shaping each image while drawing you out for a ‘kill’. You just can’t pick your camera and walk right into a game hunting reserve to shoot a wild animal. You will have to learn ad unlearn. The results, when drawn out of your camera, will be well worth the wait despite the difficult but thrilling process involved in shooting the game.
There are some commandments that you need to follow in wildlife photography and they are:
1) Tracking: You need to study and develop skills that will help you to track a tiger in 100 sq miles of forest land. Tracking is important for the perfect photograph and you can do it by following the paw marks, and the feces.
2) Patience: patience is a big virtue and if you want a great picture, you will have to wait. Remember, you are in their territory!
3) Eye Contact: One of the important rules of photography in the wild is: never try to make eye contact with a wild animal that is bigger and more dangerous like lions, cheetahs, leopards and even wilder beasts.
4) Timing: Timing is synonymous to animal photography. If you are not there at the appropriate time then you will most certainly miss the opportunity. You can achieve perfection in timing by applying the watch and wait theory.
5) Proximity: Don’t get too close to predators as their behaviors can be erratic and dangerous. If you are using a digital SLR camera with a telephoto lens, then you can even take wildlife photographs from a distance.
6) Clothes: During photography, it is always advisable to wear clothes with earthen tones rather than camouflage.
7) Movement: Wild animals respond to movements and even the slightest movement can scare the nervous types like the Deers and Zebras. Sometimes, you will also have to ‘stalk’ your subject, as a predator stalks its prey.
Now that you know the various aspects of photographing wildlife, all you need is a good camera. Any camera that offers the following makes for a good buy:
It should provide a manual override of automatic functions. The camera should have an auto-focus as well as manual focus option.
The camera should allow you to set the required shutter speed and aperture.
It should also have an option for mechanical remote release.
Your camera should have a wide angle lens starting at 28mm and can go up to 70mm or 105mm. It should also have a telephoto zoom between 70mm and 100mm and capable of reaching 300mm.
Some of the other accessories required are a polarizing filter, warming filter (81A or B), UV filter, lens hood and the camera bag.
Once you have the camera and lenses in place, you should start from your backyard to get a taste of it before trying out serious wildlife photography. Don’t forget to enjoy your ‘shoot’!
Will The Xbox Have Long Term Staying Power?
Unless you've been living under a rock, then you've known about the release of the Xbox 360, the mother of all video game systems...well at leats until the Playstation 3 comes out in addition to the new Nintendo box currently code-named "Revolution." Anyway, by the end of the year, the Xbox 360 will have about 25 or so titles to choose from. And by the end of 2006 there should most likely be at least 100 titles. If you've seen the games in action then you know just how powerful this new system is when compared to the original Xbox or any other game console currently available. The games are nothing short of breathtaking. If there were more systems available then impulse buying for this thing would probably be through the roof. And finally you have the backwards compatitbility of the 360 that allows you to play the majority of the original Xbox games.
Now having said all of this, one would think that the life expectancy of the original Xbox is short at best. But is this really the case? Let's look at a few more details.
At this point the scarcity of the 360 is driving the price at places like Amazon and Ebay through the roof. I've seen prices as high as $1500 for some packages. Even if you get one for the retail price, it's still 3 times higher then the original Xbox, which is now typically in the low hundreds range. But the biggest reason the Xbox will not go away quietly is the same reason the Playstation 2 is still going strong...the games. People who've been buying and trading games for years now are not going to see the need to upgrade their system right away. At least not for a while. But even if they do, all one has to do is look at the success of the GameBoy and Playstation 2 and the loyalty of their users. Game developers still make games for these consoles because they still sell like hotcakes. It really is all about the games. Its the main reason you see free Xbox giveaways, and also the reason Microsoft takes a loss with every system they sell...or so they say.
So while the Xbox 360 may be the big boy on the block right now, don't write off the original Xbox just yet. It'll be around for a while and the best may be yet to come!
Now having said all of this, one would think that the life expectancy of the original Xbox is short at best. But is this really the case? Let's look at a few more details.
At this point the scarcity of the 360 is driving the price at places like Amazon and Ebay through the roof. I've seen prices as high as $1500 for some packages. Even if you get one for the retail price, it's still 3 times higher then the original Xbox, which is now typically in the low hundreds range. But the biggest reason the Xbox will not go away quietly is the same reason the Playstation 2 is still going strong...the games. People who've been buying and trading games for years now are not going to see the need to upgrade their system right away. At least not for a while. But even if they do, all one has to do is look at the success of the GameBoy and Playstation 2 and the loyalty of their users. Game developers still make games for these consoles because they still sell like hotcakes. It really is all about the games. Its the main reason you see free Xbox giveaways, and also the reason Microsoft takes a loss with every system they sell...or so they say.
So while the Xbox 360 may be the big boy on the block right now, don't write off the original Xbox just yet. It'll be around for a while and the best may be yet to come!
World Satellite TV - Why Should You Consider World Satellite TV Software?
World Satellite TV software is the rising star of personal computing entertainment. As with most innovative new technologies, this software is going where computers haven't been before. You can now watch satellite TV from your PC or laptop. You may ask yourself what benefits can be had over traditional dish satellite systems. Let's review the top 5 benefits of world satellite TV software here.
Cost would obviously be the first benefit to world satellite TV software. The average monthly fee for dish satellite TV ranges from $50 to $100 per month. Don't forget to add potential equipment fees and installation charges. Cable TV subscriptions can cost as much as dish systems or even more if you add lots of premium channels.
World satellite TV for PC software, however, charges only the cost of downloading the software. There are no monthly bills to pay after the initial download. Good quality satellite TV software costs can range from $40 to $100, but since it is a one time only fee, the long range cost is considerably less than dish or cable.
The technology of world satellite TV allows you to view sports, movies, and TV shows from around the world and since the software runs from your personal computer, you may be inclined to branch out and watch programs you might not watch otherwise.
Downloaded to a laptop computer, world satellite TV software becomes a wonderfully portable way to access your favorite TV channels from home, work or while travelling. Some people even take their laptop camping and hunting. The only thing neccessary is a reliable remote connection to the internet and a good power source for your laptop computer.
The ability to view TV channels in different languages is a great innovation for people not living in their home country. With world satellite TV, there are multiple foreign language channel choices. Watching TV from your homeland can make foreign travel or foreign residency much easier to bear.
Both traditional dish satellite systems and cable TV have their own unique benefits. They can be watched on a large screen TV and are generally a reliable form of entertainment. But for cost effectiveness, ease of use, extensive channel variety and portability, world Satellite TV is worth consideration.
Cost would obviously be the first benefit to world satellite TV software. The average monthly fee for dish satellite TV ranges from $50 to $100 per month. Don't forget to add potential equipment fees and installation charges. Cable TV subscriptions can cost as much as dish systems or even more if you add lots of premium channels.
World satellite TV for PC software, however, charges only the cost of downloading the software. There are no monthly bills to pay after the initial download. Good quality satellite TV software costs can range from $40 to $100, but since it is a one time only fee, the long range cost is considerably less than dish or cable.
The technology of world satellite TV allows you to view sports, movies, and TV shows from around the world and since the software runs from your personal computer, you may be inclined to branch out and watch programs you might not watch otherwise.
Downloaded to a laptop computer, world satellite TV software becomes a wonderfully portable way to access your favorite TV channels from home, work or while travelling. Some people even take their laptop camping and hunting. The only thing neccessary is a reliable remote connection to the internet and a good power source for your laptop computer.
The ability to view TV channels in different languages is a great innovation for people not living in their home country. With world satellite TV, there are multiple foreign language channel choices. Watching TV from your homeland can make foreign travel or foreign residency much easier to bear.
Both traditional dish satellite systems and cable TV have their own unique benefits. They can be watched on a large screen TV and are generally a reliable form of entertainment. But for cost effectiveness, ease of use, extensive channel variety and portability, world Satellite TV is worth consideration.
Wow Gold Buying Safety Measures
Ok, you’re sick and tired of grinding and working 8 hours of day in World of Warcraft to make that 100 gold. It’s time to buy some WoW Gold and buy it now. But wait, who do you buy from? Who can you trust? You want the best price but you don’t want to get ripped off by some fly by night gold seller… believe me there are plenty of them. I’ll out line a good starting point for you so you know what to look for when buying.
Before you buy there are a few ground rules and precautions you should know. First, it may seem like common sense, but never give out your password or login information to any gold seller. They don’t need it! They only need to know what server you’re on and where to meet you.
You also should check into the seller’s reputation. One simple tactic is googling their name and quickly looking over what others have said about them. Also if they use paypal as a payment method be sure they are a paypal certified merchant that accepts credit card payments. Sellers must go through a long process with paypal verifying their credit card, identity, address, and bank account. If anything goes wrong paypal can track them easily. Also paypal has a list of reputation points for all their merchant sellers. You can easily see how many sales the wow gold seller has made via paypal. I would recommend not buying from a seller with less than 10 sales.
Another thing I always do before buying wow gold is talk to someone! I know you might hate the thought of picking up the phone and calling to some company when all you want to do is click a button to order. So, don’t call. Talk to live support. Every good wow gold seller will have 24/7 live chat support. If they don’t, they can’t deliver your gold when you want it… now! So make sure you talk to someone before ordering even if all you do is ask them if they’re awake. This way they’ll know you’re ordering and be waiting to fulfill your order as soon as it comes through.
So use some common sense when buying World of Warcraft gold online. It’s easy to think you’re still in a safe game when you really need to consider the person or company you buy from fairly carefully before buying.
Before you buy there are a few ground rules and precautions you should know. First, it may seem like common sense, but never give out your password or login information to any gold seller. They don’t need it! They only need to know what server you’re on and where to meet you.
You also should check into the seller’s reputation. One simple tactic is googling their name and quickly looking over what others have said about them. Also if they use paypal as a payment method be sure they are a paypal certified merchant that accepts credit card payments. Sellers must go through a long process with paypal verifying their credit card, identity, address, and bank account. If anything goes wrong paypal can track them easily. Also paypal has a list of reputation points for all their merchant sellers. You can easily see how many sales the wow gold seller has made via paypal. I would recommend not buying from a seller with less than 10 sales.
Another thing I always do before buying wow gold is talk to someone! I know you might hate the thought of picking up the phone and calling to some company when all you want to do is click a button to order. So, don’t call. Talk to live support. Every good wow gold seller will have 24/7 live chat support. If they don’t, they can’t deliver your gold when you want it… now! So make sure you talk to someone before ordering even if all you do is ask them if they’re awake. This way they’ll know you’re ordering and be waiting to fulfill your order as soon as it comes through.
So use some common sense when buying World of Warcraft gold online. It’s easy to think you’re still in a safe game when you really need to consider the person or company you buy from fairly carefully before buying.
Woodcraft Plans: Unlock Your Genius
Almost anyone who has had success in any field of life will tell you that one of the secrets to living effectively is to have a plan. By having a plan they are able to focus on their goal and the steps needed to achieve it, while eliminating any unnecessary demands on their time. By being able to concentrate on what’s important, they inevitably produce results superior to those achieved by someone who never really understood how to get from a concept to a completion.
Woodcrafters are no different from anyone else in their need to begin their projects with woodcraft plans. Woodcraft plans will enable the crafter to better visualize what he or she is attempting to create, and can be supplied by someone else or drawn up by the crafter. For those just taking up the art of woodworking, woodcraft plans with step-by-step instructions are readily available.
Types Of Woodcraft Plans
The woodcraft plans you choose will, of course, depend on the nature of your project. Woodcraft plans for building furniture may lean more towards the functional than ornamental aspects of woodcrafting, but will be invaluable nonetheless. Other woodcraft plans will appeal to the whimsy of the woodworker, with designs and instructions for creating garden statuary, birdhouses, and wooden architectural accents to attach to the home itself. Some woodcraft plans make marvelous children’s toys which will be enjoyed and handed down for generations.
The complexity of woodcraft plans ranges from pre-printed patterns to all-encompassing guides which provide the minutest bits of information, down to the specific types of wood to be used in each part of the project for maximum artistic impact. If you decide to purchase some pre-printed woodcraft plans, you’ll benefit for several reasons.
Benefits Of Working With Woodcraft Plans
The most important reason is that you’ll get off on, and stay on, the right foot when working on your woodcraft project. The patterns will act as a guide when you are sawing the shapes of your project; getting the proper shapes is, after all, the hard part. Once they are taken care of, you can proceed to assemble, sand, and paint or stain them with ease.
Using woodcraft plans will also spare you from those little miscalculations in measuring the pieces of your project. The plans have been produced with the nth degree of precision. For more info see http://www.allthingswoodworking.com/Woodcraft_Furniture on Woodcraft Furniture.
Finally, if you are new to the art of woodcrafting, browsing over the thousands of woodcraft plans at your disposal will inspire and encourage you. Just paying attention to their layout is sure to improve your grasp of the woodcrafting process. You’ll be thinking, “So that’s how they do that!” more times than you can imagine.
If you know there’s a woodcrafting masterpiece in you just itching to get out, let some woodcraft plans get you started on your way!
Woodcrafters are no different from anyone else in their need to begin their projects with woodcraft plans. Woodcraft plans will enable the crafter to better visualize what he or she is attempting to create, and can be supplied by someone else or drawn up by the crafter. For those just taking up the art of woodworking, woodcraft plans with step-by-step instructions are readily available.
Types Of Woodcraft Plans
The woodcraft plans you choose will, of course, depend on the nature of your project. Woodcraft plans for building furniture may lean more towards the functional than ornamental aspects of woodcrafting, but will be invaluable nonetheless. Other woodcraft plans will appeal to the whimsy of the woodworker, with designs and instructions for creating garden statuary, birdhouses, and wooden architectural accents to attach to the home itself. Some woodcraft plans make marvelous children’s toys which will be enjoyed and handed down for generations.
The complexity of woodcraft plans ranges from pre-printed patterns to all-encompassing guides which provide the minutest bits of information, down to the specific types of wood to be used in each part of the project for maximum artistic impact. If you decide to purchase some pre-printed woodcraft plans, you’ll benefit for several reasons.
Benefits Of Working With Woodcraft Plans
The most important reason is that you’ll get off on, and stay on, the right foot when working on your woodcraft project. The patterns will act as a guide when you are sawing the shapes of your project; getting the proper shapes is, after all, the hard part. Once they are taken care of, you can proceed to assemble, sand, and paint or stain them with ease.
Using woodcraft plans will also spare you from those little miscalculations in measuring the pieces of your project. The plans have been produced with the nth degree of precision. For more info see http://www.allthingswoodworking.com/Woodcraft_Furniture on Woodcraft Furniture.
Finally, if you are new to the art of woodcrafting, browsing over the thousands of woodcraft plans at your disposal will inspire and encourage you. Just paying attention to their layout is sure to improve your grasp of the woodcrafting process. You’ll be thinking, “So that’s how they do that!” more times than you can imagine.
If you know there’s a woodcrafting masterpiece in you just itching to get out, let some woodcraft plans get you started on your way!
Friday, December 18, 2009
Woodworking Jigs That Guide With Precision
The average do-it-yourself homeowner has only had to experience once cutting or drilling without a jig to know the value of a good woodworking jig. It makes for a frustrating experience when holes get drilled too deeply or picture frame moulding doesn’t square up during the final gluing and nailing stages. Then, of course, there have been the disastrous routing or dovetail cuts that just don’t measure up in the end. The solution to this and any woodworking problem is to have the right jig available.
Jigs do not need to be fancy or expensive. Often you can create your own jig for smaller jobs. However, if you are a steady hobbyist or use woodworking in your profession, it is well worth investing in a good assortment of jigs. The time savings alone is worth it, but you will also save countless dollars in ruined wood.
The Short List of Jigs Long on Performance
If you only have a few basic items to add to your workshop this year, consider the following short list of must-have jigs.
A dowel jig, for example, allows you to cut dowel holes to precision diameters and widths. This is ideal in furniture making where dowels can hold together drawer fronts to the frame or for inserting tight-fitting legs into tables and chairs.
Another furniture making jig you must have is the dovetail jig. Dovetail jigs give drawers the professional touch. If you have ever looked at a bureau that is at least 50 or more years old, you will see that the old way of doing things was to dovetail drawers. These fine pieces of furniture are around today for a reason! Dovetailing drawers makes them durable and keeps them functioning for decades, even centuries. Couple your dovetail jig with a dovetail job, and you can create furniture like the masters of long ago.
Router jigs can support wood as it passes through the saw creating the fine, even ornate detailing of truly professional woodworking projects. The bevelled edges of table tops and drawer faces are created accurately for each side of the wood using a router jig.
Kreg – The Leader in Jig Creations
The Kreg jig is a fine example of form meeting function.
The Kreg set usually come with face clamps to support these precision drill jigs. With the Kreg jig you can drill to specific depths and hole sizes for perfectly fitting matches.
One trick to use if you don’t have a jig on hand in the middle of a drilling job is functional, if not fancy. Try taping a thick band of masking tape around the drill bit at the desired depth. Then as you are drilling you will be able to see where to stop putting on the pressure. It works, even though it isn’t quite as precise! That kind of quick solution is fine if you are just doing the occasional woodworking job, but for less frustration (it can be hard to get the gooey tape off the drill bit) and more precision, professional grade jigs are the only way to go.
Jigs do not need to be fancy or expensive. Often you can create your own jig for smaller jobs. However, if you are a steady hobbyist or use woodworking in your profession, it is well worth investing in a good assortment of jigs. The time savings alone is worth it, but you will also save countless dollars in ruined wood.
The Short List of Jigs Long on Performance
If you only have a few basic items to add to your workshop this year, consider the following short list of must-have jigs.
A dowel jig, for example, allows you to cut dowel holes to precision diameters and widths. This is ideal in furniture making where dowels can hold together drawer fronts to the frame or for inserting tight-fitting legs into tables and chairs.
Another furniture making jig you must have is the dovetail jig. Dovetail jigs give drawers the professional touch. If you have ever looked at a bureau that is at least 50 or more years old, you will see that the old way of doing things was to dovetail drawers. These fine pieces of furniture are around today for a reason! Dovetailing drawers makes them durable and keeps them functioning for decades, even centuries. Couple your dovetail jig with a dovetail job, and you can create furniture like the masters of long ago.
Router jigs can support wood as it passes through the saw creating the fine, even ornate detailing of truly professional woodworking projects. The bevelled edges of table tops and drawer faces are created accurately for each side of the wood using a router jig.
Kreg – The Leader in Jig Creations
The Kreg jig is a fine example of form meeting function.
The Kreg set usually come with face clamps to support these precision drill jigs. With the Kreg jig you can drill to specific depths and hole sizes for perfectly fitting matches.
One trick to use if you don’t have a jig on hand in the middle of a drilling job is functional, if not fancy. Try taping a thick band of masking tape around the drill bit at the desired depth. Then as you are drilling you will be able to see where to stop putting on the pressure. It works, even though it isn’t quite as precise! That kind of quick solution is fine if you are just doing the occasional woodworking job, but for less frustration (it can be hard to get the gooey tape off the drill bit) and more precision, professional grade jigs are the only way to go.
Wrist Tattoos - What Do They Really Mean?
At present, a wrist tattoo is one of the hottest designs that you can select. From Hollywood A-listers to ordinary people in the street, thousands are choosing to place a tattoo on this part of their body.
But what do wrist tattoos mean?
As with all tattoos, designs placed on the wrist can mean many things to many people. In past centuries wrist tattoos were used to ward off illness and disease.
Over the years many seagoing people have also relied upon wrist tattoos, especially nautical star designs, to act as their guide and keep them safe until they arrive at their destination.
And in modern times many people use their wrist tattoo as a source of inspiration. When times are tough, one glimpse of their wrist design helps to carry them through their difficulties.
The most important thing is to find a wrist design that means something special to you and makes you feel better every time you see it.
But before you set your sights on a wrist tattoo there are a few important points to bear in mind.
First, it's important to consider the pain factor. Is a wrist tattoo painful? Traditional wisdom suggests that tattoos are more painful on areas where the skin is thinner and has less flesh to cushion the needle. So if your pain threshold is particularly low, it might be better to consider placing your tattoo on an area of your body that has more padding.
However, many people who have had a tattoo placed on their wrist have stated that the discomfort is no greater than areas where the skin is thicker. But regardless of the pain aspect, wrist tattoos can take longer to heal because the area is more exposed. And for the same reason, wrist tattoos may need to be refurbished years into the future in order to maintain the general sharpness of the design.
Second, it's vital that you're 100% committed to your choice of wrist tattoo. According to various reports, 25% of people who have tattoos placed on their wrists regret the decision shortly after the design is completed. In comparison all tattoos, wherever placed, cause fewer regrets that wrist tattoos, with only 17% of people unhappy with the outcome. So it's extremely important to be 100% certain before you place a tattoo on one of your wrists.
And finally, during the 1950's and 60's before tattoos had achieved mainstream acceptance, wrist tattoos, especially those depicting stars, were closely identified with the gay and lesbian communities. And although times have changed and the old associations have almost disappeared, it's worth being aware of the history of these tattoos before you proceed with your design.
If you bear these things in mind you'll be able to find a meaningful and popular design that you'll be happy with for many years to come.
But what do wrist tattoos mean?
As with all tattoos, designs placed on the wrist can mean many things to many people. In past centuries wrist tattoos were used to ward off illness and disease.
Over the years many seagoing people have also relied upon wrist tattoos, especially nautical star designs, to act as their guide and keep them safe until they arrive at their destination.
And in modern times many people use their wrist tattoo as a source of inspiration. When times are tough, one glimpse of their wrist design helps to carry them through their difficulties.
The most important thing is to find a wrist design that means something special to you and makes you feel better every time you see it.
But before you set your sights on a wrist tattoo there are a few important points to bear in mind.
First, it's important to consider the pain factor. Is a wrist tattoo painful? Traditional wisdom suggests that tattoos are more painful on areas where the skin is thinner and has less flesh to cushion the needle. So if your pain threshold is particularly low, it might be better to consider placing your tattoo on an area of your body that has more padding.
However, many people who have had a tattoo placed on their wrist have stated that the discomfort is no greater than areas where the skin is thicker. But regardless of the pain aspect, wrist tattoos can take longer to heal because the area is more exposed. And for the same reason, wrist tattoos may need to be refurbished years into the future in order to maintain the general sharpness of the design.
Second, it's vital that you're 100% committed to your choice of wrist tattoo. According to various reports, 25% of people who have tattoos placed on their wrists regret the decision shortly after the design is completed. In comparison all tattoos, wherever placed, cause fewer regrets that wrist tattoos, with only 17% of people unhappy with the outcome. So it's extremely important to be 100% certain before you place a tattoo on one of your wrists.
And finally, during the 1950's and 60's before tattoos had achieved mainstream acceptance, wrist tattoos, especially those depicting stars, were closely identified with the gay and lesbian communities. And although times have changed and the old associations have almost disappeared, it's worth being aware of the history of these tattoos before you proceed with your design.
If you bear these things in mind you'll be able to find a meaningful and popular design that you'll be happy with for many years to come.
Wrist vs. Forearm Picking - Which Is Better?
When playing the guitar, picking from the wrist vs. picking from the elbow or forearm is something that is very important to think about, especially as a beginner.
When I first started playing, I gravitated towards playing from the forearm when picking as opposed to the wrist. As a result, I found it difficult to play a lot of alternate picking exercises and it also made certain types of rhythm playing much harder then they needed to be. I continued this way for a number of years, and it wasn't until a couple years ago that I tried to break myself of this habit. It was actually Al DiMeola who suggested in his REH instructional video to focus on playing from the wrist. And while I was watching how flawless his technique was, it really hit home with me. While I still at times get the forearm involved, I think I pretty much play from the wrist for the most part now, but only after practicing exercises very slowly and speeding them up, all while concentrating on picking from the wrist. It helped to look in the mirror and make sure that I was.
The habits you form early on will be tough to change as you play more and more. I won’t say that you should do one or the other because ultimately its up to you. And there are certainly plenty of players out there who pick from the forearm. But I would still like to recommend now that you try to focus on picking from the wrist whenever possible. The reasons for this are as follows:
1) You have much more control with using only the wrist.
2) Picking from the wrist minimizes overall movement which makes it easier to play complex passages.
3) Most rhythm playing (especially on acoustic) can be done more easily and sounds less mechanical by using the wrist.
4) Its easier to play muted passages using the wrist.
Again, it’s a matter of personal preference, and there are some players who pick primarily from the elbow (Michael Angelo and Vinnie Moore) and do it very well. But the vast majority of players pick primarily from the wrist.
Experiment with both and see which feels more comfortable for you. But keep in mind once you get used to one, its tough to break the habit.
When I first started playing, I gravitated towards playing from the forearm when picking as opposed to the wrist. As a result, I found it difficult to play a lot of alternate picking exercises and it also made certain types of rhythm playing much harder then they needed to be. I continued this way for a number of years, and it wasn't until a couple years ago that I tried to break myself of this habit. It was actually Al DiMeola who suggested in his REH instructional video to focus on playing from the wrist. And while I was watching how flawless his technique was, it really hit home with me. While I still at times get the forearm involved, I think I pretty much play from the wrist for the most part now, but only after practicing exercises very slowly and speeding them up, all while concentrating on picking from the wrist. It helped to look in the mirror and make sure that I was.
The habits you form early on will be tough to change as you play more and more. I won’t say that you should do one or the other because ultimately its up to you. And there are certainly plenty of players out there who pick from the forearm. But I would still like to recommend now that you try to focus on picking from the wrist whenever possible. The reasons for this are as follows:
1) You have much more control with using only the wrist.
2) Picking from the wrist minimizes overall movement which makes it easier to play complex passages.
3) Most rhythm playing (especially on acoustic) can be done more easily and sounds less mechanical by using the wrist.
4) Its easier to play muted passages using the wrist.
Again, it’s a matter of personal preference, and there are some players who pick primarily from the elbow (Michael Angelo and Vinnie Moore) and do it very well. But the vast majority of players pick primarily from the wrist.
Experiment with both and see which feels more comfortable for you. But keep in mind once you get used to one, its tough to break the habit.
Wrought Iron Shelf Brackets Add Quality To Your Display
Adding shelves to a space is a wonderful way to stay organized while adding interest to the room. While you are working on this project you might as well invest in wrought iron shelf brackets to bring the look together. You might be surprised to discover how important these elements are to the overall design of the room.
You could opt for cheaper options but you will probably regret the decision in the long run. Wrought iron shelf brackets come in an array of attractive designs and styles and you are certain that these items are of the finest quality. The material alone is superior to many other options in this kind of product.
When my husband and I moved into a small home we realized that the bedroom television just wouldn’t fit in the space without adding some kind of shelving to house the relatively large appliance. My husband added the shelves but he didn’t use wrought iron shelf brackets. This was a pretty big mistake.
First of all I hated the look of the cheap brackets. They looked like they belonged in a cubicle in an office. I was really disappointed in the overall appearance of the new shelves and I was even more disappointed in the wobbly holders. Wrought iron shelf brackets would have been a better choice.
My husband was more than aware of this and he actually wound up replacing the cheap brackets with wrought iron shelf brackets in no time at all. This change came as a big relief to me because I was really nervous that the television was going to topple over. This was especially true whenever I dusted around the area.
I also was pretty happy to see the attractive wrought iron shelf brackets because they looked so much better than the cheap alternatives. We chose some decorative holders that worked very well with the décor in our bedroom. While we did wind up spending a little more it was well worth it.
Now I am thrilled to see the television perched high in the corner of the room. I have peace of mind knowing that the wrought iron shelf brackets will hold the sizeable television in place. I also have the pleasure of looking at the beautiful details as well.
When it comes to making sure that your shelving units are attractively in place, it is important to invest in quality brackets. Wrought iron shelf brackets are ideal additions to your space.
You could opt for cheaper options but you will probably regret the decision in the long run. Wrought iron shelf brackets come in an array of attractive designs and styles and you are certain that these items are of the finest quality. The material alone is superior to many other options in this kind of product.
When my husband and I moved into a small home we realized that the bedroom television just wouldn’t fit in the space without adding some kind of shelving to house the relatively large appliance. My husband added the shelves but he didn’t use wrought iron shelf brackets. This was a pretty big mistake.
First of all I hated the look of the cheap brackets. They looked like they belonged in a cubicle in an office. I was really disappointed in the overall appearance of the new shelves and I was even more disappointed in the wobbly holders. Wrought iron shelf brackets would have been a better choice.
My husband was more than aware of this and he actually wound up replacing the cheap brackets with wrought iron shelf brackets in no time at all. This change came as a big relief to me because I was really nervous that the television was going to topple over. This was especially true whenever I dusted around the area.
I also was pretty happy to see the attractive wrought iron shelf brackets because they looked so much better than the cheap alternatives. We chose some decorative holders that worked very well with the décor in our bedroom. While we did wind up spending a little more it was well worth it.
Now I am thrilled to see the television perched high in the corner of the room. I have peace of mind knowing that the wrought iron shelf brackets will hold the sizeable television in place. I also have the pleasure of looking at the beautiful details as well.
When it comes to making sure that your shelving units are attractively in place, it is important to invest in quality brackets. Wrought iron shelf brackets are ideal additions to your space.
Xbox 360 Kameo: Elements Of Power
Kameo Elements of Power by Microsoft Game Studios is a fantasy adventure themed action game. It showcases the Xbox 360’s graphic muscle. You control Kameo and her power to assume the form of various elemental warriors. Each warrior has their own unique power and abilities. The creature’s abilities are connected to the elements such as fire, earth and water.
When I first got the Xbox 360 this is one of the titles I bought with it. It was money well spent. This game takes a unique approach to the fantasy action platform type of games. You can control many different elemental warriors. You usually have to use two or three of them together in order to solve the puzzles or progress through the levels. A good thing about the different warriors is their different abilities are fun to use. Often characters are thrown in for a specific purpose of a game and not needed later. Each of the warriors are fun and useful during most parts of the game.
To give you an idea of some of the creatures you control I’ll list a few of my favorites. The first character you receive is Pummelweed. He is a vine-like plant creature whose tentacles have red flowers that he uses as boxing gloves. You will continue to go back to him because of his ability to do melee combat. He can also crouch into the ground and then pop up in a super powerful uppercut move. One of my other favorite characters if Major Ruin. This character is an armored creature that looks something like an armadillo. His power involves rolling forward at high speed. This is useful in jumping over gaps and can be useful in defeating enemies. Lastly I would like to mention this game has incredibly fun coop mode. You unlock the multiplayer missions as you play through the single player story mode. You can also play online making this a must have for any fantasy/platform video game fans.
When I first got the Xbox 360 this is one of the titles I bought with it. It was money well spent. This game takes a unique approach to the fantasy action platform type of games. You can control many different elemental warriors. You usually have to use two or three of them together in order to solve the puzzles or progress through the levels. A good thing about the different warriors is their different abilities are fun to use. Often characters are thrown in for a specific purpose of a game and not needed later. Each of the warriors are fun and useful during most parts of the game.
To give you an idea of some of the creatures you control I’ll list a few of my favorites. The first character you receive is Pummelweed. He is a vine-like plant creature whose tentacles have red flowers that he uses as boxing gloves. You will continue to go back to him because of his ability to do melee combat. He can also crouch into the ground and then pop up in a super powerful uppercut move. One of my other favorite characters if Major Ruin. This character is an armored creature that looks something like an armadillo. His power involves rolling forward at high speed. This is useful in jumping over gaps and can be useful in defeating enemies. Lastly I would like to mention this game has incredibly fun coop mode. You unlock the multiplayer missions as you play through the single player story mode. You can also play online making this a must have for any fantasy/platform video game fans.
Xbox 360 Dead Or Alive 4
The characters of Dead of Alive tournament are back in the latest installment in the Dead or Alive series, Dead or Alive 4. This title has just enough sparkle in it to keep the almost dead genre of fighting video games alive. While at the same it manages to fall short of mark.
Along with Kameo Element of Power, Dead or Alive 4 was one of the games I bought with the Xbox 360. When I put the game in for the first time I was awed by the smooth graphics that the game displayed and the incredible detail in the many different fighting arenas. New to the series were more interactive back grounds where you objects or animals would leap out and cause damage to your character. This keeps you on your toes when considering at any time you could be knocked down by something other than the opponent.
The game play is almost exactly the same and only a few new characters. At this stage in gaming technology and with the power that the Xbox has I feel you should reasonably be able to expect a multitude of different players to fight with. It seems like they skated by with the selection of different characters you could use. It’s in defense through each character has over 100 different moves. It is different but no really new. At the end of the day it is just a fighting game engine.
The real problem with Dead or Alive 4 is that is doesn’t offer anything new over the series. The graphics are better but at the end of the day there are not any new features over the last Dead or Alive games. It is the only good fighting game available on the Xbox 360. If you like the other Dead or Alive games you will enjoy this one.
Along with Kameo Element of Power, Dead or Alive 4 was one of the games I bought with the Xbox 360. When I put the game in for the first time I was awed by the smooth graphics that the game displayed and the incredible detail in the many different fighting arenas. New to the series were more interactive back grounds where you objects or animals would leap out and cause damage to your character. This keeps you on your toes when considering at any time you could be knocked down by something other than the opponent.
The game play is almost exactly the same and only a few new characters. At this stage in gaming technology and with the power that the Xbox has I feel you should reasonably be able to expect a multitude of different players to fight with. It seems like they skated by with the selection of different characters you could use. It’s in defense through each character has over 100 different moves. It is different but no really new. At the end of the day it is just a fighting game engine.
The real problem with Dead or Alive 4 is that is doesn’t offer anything new over the series. The graphics are better but at the end of the day there are not any new features over the last Dead or Alive games. It is the only good fighting game available on the Xbox 360. If you like the other Dead or Alive games you will enjoy this one.
Xbox 360's Mutant Storm Reloaded
A fun game available on the Xbox Live Arcade is Mutant Storm Reloaded. It is even one my girlfriend will play with me. The game is fairly simple, mutants spawn in a room and you shoot them. The game uses only the two sticks which I prefer over button mashing. The game progress through 89 different boards with several different difficulty levels called belts. This gives the game a lot of playing time. However, the boards aren’t all that different from one another. It was cool how the colors and shapes of the guys varied a little bit from board to board.
My girlfriend enjoyed it because we could play cooperatively and did not get into fights. We played for 8 hours straight the first night we got it. She also thought the graphics looked really interesting and fun. She played a lot of the one player boards by herself when I wasn’t home. And, what's nice about all the arcade games is that you don't have to reload a disc everytime you want to play a new game. I'm a lazy gamer, and just selecting from stuff I've downloaded is nice.
It wasn’t the easiest game to get achievements on but it was just fun. I’ve only managed about 50 achievement points after hours of game play. However, most of the achievements are unlocked in single player and we mainly played cooperatively. If you remember the game Smash TV, it is an updated version of that game. After you play it enough to start getting good it becomes pretty addictive but never ceases to be challenging.
I would recommend this game to just about any gamer. It is easy enough for novice players to get into it without becoming frustrated. It is also challenging enough for your advanced gamer. Even your most advanced gamer will not beat this game in its first night. One of the best features on this game is the cooperative play. Nothing feels better than killing mutants with your best friend.
My girlfriend enjoyed it because we could play cooperatively and did not get into fights. We played for 8 hours straight the first night we got it. She also thought the graphics looked really interesting and fun. She played a lot of the one player boards by herself when I wasn’t home. And, what's nice about all the arcade games is that you don't have to reload a disc everytime you want to play a new game. I'm a lazy gamer, and just selecting from stuff I've downloaded is nice.
It wasn’t the easiest game to get achievements on but it was just fun. I’ve only managed about 50 achievement points after hours of game play. However, most of the achievements are unlocked in single player and we mainly played cooperatively. If you remember the game Smash TV, it is an updated version of that game. After you play it enough to start getting good it becomes pretty addictive but never ceases to be challenging.
I would recommend this game to just about any gamer. It is easy enough for novice players to get into it without becoming frustrated. It is also challenging enough for your advanced gamer. Even your most advanced gamer will not beat this game in its first night. One of the best features on this game is the cooperative play. Nothing feels better than killing mutants with your best friend.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Xm Satellite Radio Replacing Free Radio?
Remember the days when we thought paying for our TV service was ridiculous? “Cable TV!”, our mothers would exclaim, “Who has money to pay for their TV shows? It’s been free all these years; I don’t know why I would start paying for it now.”
But that was then and this is now. Today we pay for cable or satellite and consider it a necessity in our lives, not a luxury. Sure, we could stick with “free” TV, but the reception would be bad, we’d only have 4-6 channels to choose from and there would be no CNN, no Food Network, and no ESPN. What would we do with ourselves?
So it seems a little reminder of those days when we hear people scoffing at the notion of paying for radio. “I’ve gotten it free all these years,” you hear people exclaim. “Why would I pay for radio?”
Although satellite radio services have been around for a few years, its notoriety was spun into high gear when Howard Stern publicly made the jump from “free” radio to a satellite service in early 2006. Now, everyone’s curious and many people are considering paying a bill every month for the privilege of listening to the radio.
Just like cable TV, there are many proprietary shows on satellite radio you just won’t hear if you don’t have a subscription. So you have to pony up to the extra bill bar…but what do you get for your extra dough?
Lots. Talk shows, music shows, entertainment, sports.
Some of the most talked about XM Satellite Radio shows are not music shows but talk shows. There are literally more than a dozen to choose from.
Consider Air America Radio (on channel 167), which features chatter from such well-known mouths as those belonging to Al Franken, Jerry Springer and actress Janeane Garofalo. Largely a progressive station, this dial also features veteran radio host Mark Riley and commentator Alan Colmes.
For the right slant on things, take a listen to America Right (on channel 166). This program features shows from such luminary conservatives as G. Gordon Liddy, Peter Greenburg, Dr. Laura and Michael Medved.
If politics aren’t your bag, how about entertainment or humor? On XM Radio channel 162, you’ll find the E! channel. Yes, this is the same E! we pay for on cable and the format is generally the same. There’s the E! True Hollywood Story, E! news and celebrity profiles. Now you can get all your E! gossip and news while drinking Starbucks on your way to work. My, how the world has changed.
If you’re into sports, XM Radio delivers. There’s the Sporting News channel, the Nascar channel, the ESPN channel, and a wide variety of channels dedicated to various sports like baseball, football and even hockey. Though many channels feature talk and sports opinion, one of the big selling points for many sports fans is the live streaming games. In this case, you truly can take it with you.
But that was then and this is now. Today we pay for cable or satellite and consider it a necessity in our lives, not a luxury. Sure, we could stick with “free” TV, but the reception would be bad, we’d only have 4-6 channels to choose from and there would be no CNN, no Food Network, and no ESPN. What would we do with ourselves?
So it seems a little reminder of those days when we hear people scoffing at the notion of paying for radio. “I’ve gotten it free all these years,” you hear people exclaim. “Why would I pay for radio?”
Although satellite radio services have been around for a few years, its notoriety was spun into high gear when Howard Stern publicly made the jump from “free” radio to a satellite service in early 2006. Now, everyone’s curious and many people are considering paying a bill every month for the privilege of listening to the radio.
Just like cable TV, there are many proprietary shows on satellite radio you just won’t hear if you don’t have a subscription. So you have to pony up to the extra bill bar…but what do you get for your extra dough?
Lots. Talk shows, music shows, entertainment, sports.
Some of the most talked about XM Satellite Radio shows are not music shows but talk shows. There are literally more than a dozen to choose from.
Consider Air America Radio (on channel 167), which features chatter from such well-known mouths as those belonging to Al Franken, Jerry Springer and actress Janeane Garofalo. Largely a progressive station, this dial also features veteran radio host Mark Riley and commentator Alan Colmes.
For the right slant on things, take a listen to America Right (on channel 166). This program features shows from such luminary conservatives as G. Gordon Liddy, Peter Greenburg, Dr. Laura and Michael Medved.
If politics aren’t your bag, how about entertainment or humor? On XM Radio channel 162, you’ll find the E! channel. Yes, this is the same E! we pay for on cable and the format is generally the same. There’s the E! True Hollywood Story, E! news and celebrity profiles. Now you can get all your E! gossip and news while drinking Starbucks on your way to work. My, how the world has changed.
If you’re into sports, XM Radio delivers. There’s the Sporting News channel, the Nascar channel, the ESPN channel, and a wide variety of channels dedicated to various sports like baseball, football and even hockey. Though many channels feature talk and sports opinion, one of the big selling points for many sports fans is the live streaming games. In this case, you truly can take it with you.
You Don't Know How Write To A Song ... You're Not A Musician!
This is something I briefly touched on in a previous newsletter - ...over and over I get asked "will I write better songs if I'm a musician"?
What's the answer?
Yes AND no.
Confused?
Let me explain. For the sake of simplicity, here I'll talk about the 'music' aspect of songwriting.
First up, I'll tell you that I'm a musician, songwriter and a vocal coach. And I have worked with both songwriters who play instruments and songwriters who don't. Which group are a better bunch to work with?
It goes like this. Those who play an instrument (to a certain degree) are more prone to understand timing, tempo and perhaps some syncopation. Sometimes, musicians will also understand the creation of melody a little more than non-musicians. They'll understand the structure of harmony and some music theory that goes along with it.
Because of the various 'pieces' or 'songs' they have played with their instruments, these musical and rhythmic elements are more or less naturally embedded in their brain - in practice and in theory.
Of course, this is GOOD thing. It's an advantage. Now yes - there are non-musicians who are gifted with these elements also, but I'm just talking in general terms here. For the most of it, more musicians will have these elements than non-musicians.
Now here's the twist. It's because of this very same reason that many musicians find it hard to write great songs. How? Well, because there are musicians that are pre-programmed into believing that perhaps a melody should flow a certain way, or maybe a chord sequence shouldn't fall in that pattern, etc, BECAUSE they get caught up in the theory that indirectly tells them "this isn't right".
You see, songwriters who don't know anything about music theory or playing an instrument will write freely. Meaning they won't think about whether something is 'musically right' or not. Of course, you can't write a song of pure non-musicality and expect to get a welcoming reception. You'd be mad to.
But it's nice when you don't think too much about something 'sitting right' musically in the song. Why care? It's a song. If the second verse has 10 bars and the first verse has 8 - so what? No big deal.
On the flip side, there are non-musical songwriters who just need that little push to learn some very basic chords on a piano or guitar....just to give them that edge and sometimes to even super-charge their creativity. So....
....here's my conclusion. If you play an instrument and you wish to be a songwriter, then don't think too much about what's musically correct. Let the chords and melody take you away. Don't think about it too much. Yes, stick within the rules of music, but don't get caught up in it.
If you are a non-musician and you write songs, then a great idea would be to learn some very basic chords on the keyboard. This isn't completely mandatory, but it will definitely give your songwriting a boast. Just the basic chords will do. You'll be amazed the kind of music you can make with learning the basic stuff.
And why did I say the keyboard and not the guitar? Well, I believe the keyboard to be fundamentally easier to learn than the guitar, as you can blatantly see the notes for the intervals you are playing face-front.
But please, don't let me deter you from learning the guitar if that's in you to do so. It's a wonderful, natural songwriting accompanying instrument.
If and when you do decide to learn an instrument, I wouldn't get too caught up in the theory, unless it's your desire to really learn about it....
......and if you wish to do so, then try to draw a firm line between your musical ego and your songwriting craft. This is the key here. As much as they may fight against each other, they *can* work together, if you consciously try to find a balance.
What's the answer?
Yes AND no.
Confused?
Let me explain. For the sake of simplicity, here I'll talk about the 'music' aspect of songwriting.
First up, I'll tell you that I'm a musician, songwriter and a vocal coach. And I have worked with both songwriters who play instruments and songwriters who don't. Which group are a better bunch to work with?
It goes like this. Those who play an instrument (to a certain degree) are more prone to understand timing, tempo and perhaps some syncopation. Sometimes, musicians will also understand the creation of melody a little more than non-musicians. They'll understand the structure of harmony and some music theory that goes along with it.
Because of the various 'pieces' or 'songs' they have played with their instruments, these musical and rhythmic elements are more or less naturally embedded in their brain - in practice and in theory.
Of course, this is GOOD thing. It's an advantage. Now yes - there are non-musicians who are gifted with these elements also, but I'm just talking in general terms here. For the most of it, more musicians will have these elements than non-musicians.
Now here's the twist. It's because of this very same reason that many musicians find it hard to write great songs. How? Well, because there are musicians that are pre-programmed into believing that perhaps a melody should flow a certain way, or maybe a chord sequence shouldn't fall in that pattern, etc, BECAUSE they get caught up in the theory that indirectly tells them "this isn't right".
You see, songwriters who don't know anything about music theory or playing an instrument will write freely. Meaning they won't think about whether something is 'musically right' or not. Of course, you can't write a song of pure non-musicality and expect to get a welcoming reception. You'd be mad to.
But it's nice when you don't think too much about something 'sitting right' musically in the song. Why care? It's a song. If the second verse has 10 bars and the first verse has 8 - so what? No big deal.
On the flip side, there are non-musical songwriters who just need that little push to learn some very basic chords on a piano or guitar....just to give them that edge and sometimes to even super-charge their creativity. So....
....here's my conclusion. If you play an instrument and you wish to be a songwriter, then don't think too much about what's musically correct. Let the chords and melody take you away. Don't think about it too much. Yes, stick within the rules of music, but don't get caught up in it.
If you are a non-musician and you write songs, then a great idea would be to learn some very basic chords on the keyboard. This isn't completely mandatory, but it will definitely give your songwriting a boast. Just the basic chords will do. You'll be amazed the kind of music you can make with learning the basic stuff.
And why did I say the keyboard and not the guitar? Well, I believe the keyboard to be fundamentally easier to learn than the guitar, as you can blatantly see the notes for the intervals you are playing face-front.
But please, don't let me deter you from learning the guitar if that's in you to do so. It's a wonderful, natural songwriting accompanying instrument.
If and when you do decide to learn an instrument, I wouldn't get too caught up in the theory, unless it's your desire to really learn about it....
......and if you wish to do so, then try to draw a firm line between your musical ego and your songwriting craft. This is the key here. As much as they may fight against each other, they *can* work together, if you consciously try to find a balance.
Your “Not To Play” List, (What To Do When You Really Hate The Macarena)
In today’s era, there are thousands of music folders available to whoever that makes of djing a source of his income. With so many options, the question arises, What music selection do I want for my wedding? And, why so many weddings still resort to the same old tunes?
As far as my experience is concerned, I can say that everyone wants their wedding music to be remembered as “fun”. Now “fun” has many connotations. First of all, you will have to determine what “fun” means for you and your partner. Once done this, you have to objectively consider how many within you guest list will agree with you on that. You might be surprised of the result! Now you will also have to consider what their impression of “fun” is. A good percentage of couples realize that by inviting Uncle Ed and Aunt Betty from out of town, they will have to cater a complete selection of music that they hadn’t even thought about in the first place, and more surprising even, that they probably hate and had already agreed as a pick on their “Not To Play” list.
During the course of one year I have been sitting down and conversing with at least 50 couples on regards their music planner. It’s interesting to realize that the majority of couples under 32 years of age, when asked about specific titles such as Macarena, Chicken dance and/or Y.M.C.A., will consistently reject them, arguing that they are too “Overplayed”, “Tacky”, “Boring” and other negative adjectives. As a professional I want to give the right impression to my clients and always agree on writing off these songs. I do this in front of them so that it is clear that I agree on their decision. However, I also always ask them about the possibility of their relatives requesting said titles. In many occasions their attitude changes, realizing that their family and friends are making a trip to their wedding and it might be probably selfish, if not rude, to stick to a list of Hip Hop or Techno that his or her side of the family will be totally unacquainted with.
At this point you might be freaking out to the possibility of having to listen to some music selection you really hate. Now my suggestion is that for as long as the song you don’t want to hear reminds you about bitter memories of the past (which happens often with Romantic/Slow jams), or it is offensive in lyrics, innuendo or speech to the general audience or to a particular individual, you should let the Dj play those songs. As a music engineer, he will try to wait and build up the spirit that conduces to those songs and blend them in the middle of a set that most people will be dancing to. Personally, I have seen that the majority of the times even the Bride and the Groom end up hopping around the Chicken Dance or the Cha Cha Slide. Don’t forget that once alcohol, atmosphere and mood kick in, people will dance to almost anything. And interestingly, it is precisely these songs that usually take the crowd to the next level. They have been designed for this purpose and they can really accomplish it. You don’t need to have Michael Jackson dancing skills to perform Y.M.C.A.; your 50 year old auntie will feel identified with it; if there are children in the crowd they will feel more compelled to go to the dance floor and share, etc. So yes, now you can realize that these songs are meant to do silliness, to break the ice and to motivate the crowd as a whole. It is also more interesting to realize that these are exactly the moments of the WHOLE evening your guests will remember the most, because crowd activities are what we fondly appreciate.
On a last note, I urge you to remember that weddings are in essence a show. Your guests expect to be entertained. That is why you are arranging a dinner for them. Not because they can’t afford to get one themselves, but because even dinner is part of making them feel welcomed and entertained. You want to share this occasion with all of these people, and by making them feel as comfortable as possible you are also addressing the notion for them to stick around a bit longer after dinner and participate of the dance floor and share with you and have fun. And in every party there is always a time when silliness kicks in. And that is exactly the time when the Pour Some Sugar On Mes show up, and people do silly things. And everyone laughs and have fun. Your guests will most probably forget everything about the cake next day, but they will certainly remember this!
As far as my experience is concerned, I can say that everyone wants their wedding music to be remembered as “fun”. Now “fun” has many connotations. First of all, you will have to determine what “fun” means for you and your partner. Once done this, you have to objectively consider how many within you guest list will agree with you on that. You might be surprised of the result! Now you will also have to consider what their impression of “fun” is. A good percentage of couples realize that by inviting Uncle Ed and Aunt Betty from out of town, they will have to cater a complete selection of music that they hadn’t even thought about in the first place, and more surprising even, that they probably hate and had already agreed as a pick on their “Not To Play” list.
During the course of one year I have been sitting down and conversing with at least 50 couples on regards their music planner. It’s interesting to realize that the majority of couples under 32 years of age, when asked about specific titles such as Macarena, Chicken dance and/or Y.M.C.A., will consistently reject them, arguing that they are too “Overplayed”, “Tacky”, “Boring” and other negative adjectives. As a professional I want to give the right impression to my clients and always agree on writing off these songs. I do this in front of them so that it is clear that I agree on their decision. However, I also always ask them about the possibility of their relatives requesting said titles. In many occasions their attitude changes, realizing that their family and friends are making a trip to their wedding and it might be probably selfish, if not rude, to stick to a list of Hip Hop or Techno that his or her side of the family will be totally unacquainted with.
At this point you might be freaking out to the possibility of having to listen to some music selection you really hate. Now my suggestion is that for as long as the song you don’t want to hear reminds you about bitter memories of the past (which happens often with Romantic/Slow jams), or it is offensive in lyrics, innuendo or speech to the general audience or to a particular individual, you should let the Dj play those songs. As a music engineer, he will try to wait and build up the spirit that conduces to those songs and blend them in the middle of a set that most people will be dancing to. Personally, I have seen that the majority of the times even the Bride and the Groom end up hopping around the Chicken Dance or the Cha Cha Slide. Don’t forget that once alcohol, atmosphere and mood kick in, people will dance to almost anything. And interestingly, it is precisely these songs that usually take the crowd to the next level. They have been designed for this purpose and they can really accomplish it. You don’t need to have Michael Jackson dancing skills to perform Y.M.C.A.; your 50 year old auntie will feel identified with it; if there are children in the crowd they will feel more compelled to go to the dance floor and share, etc. So yes, now you can realize that these songs are meant to do silliness, to break the ice and to motivate the crowd as a whole. It is also more interesting to realize that these are exactly the moments of the WHOLE evening your guests will remember the most, because crowd activities are what we fondly appreciate.
On a last note, I urge you to remember that weddings are in essence a show. Your guests expect to be entertained. That is why you are arranging a dinner for them. Not because they can’t afford to get one themselves, but because even dinner is part of making them feel welcomed and entertained. You want to share this occasion with all of these people, and by making them feel as comfortable as possible you are also addressing the notion for them to stick around a bit longer after dinner and participate of the dance floor and share with you and have fun. And in every party there is always a time when silliness kicks in. And that is exactly the time when the Pour Some Sugar On Mes show up, and people do silly things. And everyone laughs and have fun. Your guests will most probably forget everything about the cake next day, but they will certainly remember this!
Your Business Paris Hilton And Jail
Even in Jail Paris Hilton knows how to create buzz. As a business owner creating a healthy dose of buzz about your business is a must. Of course, you want your business to be known for skills more valuable than getting yourself in trouble.
You have to be determined to generate buzz about your products or services. The buzz has to be based on fact not fiction, but don’t worry it doesn’t have to be something outrageous that will land your name in the gossip magazines.
If you are waiting for the next big idea to hit you on the head, you are going to be greatly disappointed. You have to take a proactive measure in creating buzz about your business.
The Internet enables small business owners to create buzz quickly and inexpensively. With technology you can communicate with, entertain, and educate your customers. When you succeed you create an effective viral marketing campaign that can spread like cyber space fire.
Engage your customers on your site by asking them to respond to a site survey. Such survey engages your customers and it provides your company with quick information. If you don’t have a lot of traffic post your survey to Web sites with significant traffic such as some of the more popular social networking sites.
Whatever method you are utilizing to create buzz around your business, you have to be able to measure it. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Once you have a system in place to measure the effectiveness of your buzz marketing campaign, you can quickly make adjustments to improve its effectiveness.
There are several factors to measure such as the number of new users, email registrants, and time spent on your web site. Don’t just measure once in the beginning of your campaign. Measure religiously and keep measuring. To compare the rest of your site’s performance with your buzz campaign performance, you should create a landing page. The landing page enables you to study the results isolated from the rest of your site.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get the kind of buzz Paris Hilton gets without having to get arrested?
You have to be determined to generate buzz about your products or services. The buzz has to be based on fact not fiction, but don’t worry it doesn’t have to be something outrageous that will land your name in the gossip magazines.
If you are waiting for the next big idea to hit you on the head, you are going to be greatly disappointed. You have to take a proactive measure in creating buzz about your business.
The Internet enables small business owners to create buzz quickly and inexpensively. With technology you can communicate with, entertain, and educate your customers. When you succeed you create an effective viral marketing campaign that can spread like cyber space fire.
Engage your customers on your site by asking them to respond to a site survey. Such survey engages your customers and it provides your company with quick information. If you don’t have a lot of traffic post your survey to Web sites with significant traffic such as some of the more popular social networking sites.
Whatever method you are utilizing to create buzz around your business, you have to be able to measure it. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Once you have a system in place to measure the effectiveness of your buzz marketing campaign, you can quickly make adjustments to improve its effectiveness.
There are several factors to measure such as the number of new users, email registrants, and time spent on your web site. Don’t just measure once in the beginning of your campaign. Measure religiously and keep measuring. To compare the rest of your site’s performance with your buzz campaign performance, you should create a landing page. The landing page enables you to study the results isolated from the rest of your site.
Wouldn’t it be nice to get the kind of buzz Paris Hilton gets without having to get arrested?
Your Favorite Classic Tv Show: What Would It Be?
Classic television will never be completely forgotten or out of style as it brought so much to television screens in living rooms across the country. Watching reruns of classic TV shows will never fall out of fashion either. Not with those of us who grew up watching and learning from these classic TV shows. And not with the new generation of classic TV fans that the re-airing of these classics in television are creating now.
Some of us can remember that being youngsters in the 70s we rushed home from school to get started on finishing our homework right away so that we could watch such classic TV shows as Gilligan’s Island and I Love Lucy before suppertime. Some of our primetime classic TV selections included Bewitched, Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, Green Acres, and The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and The Partridge family. Some of these classic TV shows were still being filmed into the 80s and were joined by what are now also classic television shows we remember fondly and still enjoy watching today. Laverne & Shirley, One Day at a Time, Welcome Back Kotter, Barretta, Starsky & Hutch, Hillstreet Blues, and Mork & Mindy. When Cagney & Lacey hit the classic TV scene in the 80s, young women were empowered to dream of going into professions usually reserved for males as these two women fought crime on the mean streets of NYC and in the sometimes equally mean environment of the male dominated workplace. Our Saturday mornings were reserved for Fat Albert and the Gang, Scooby Doo, and the Jetsons. Sunday evenings we watched classic television such as Hee Haw and Disney Family Showcase Theatre.
The raunchy, pushed to the limits reality television programs that have replaced old TV shows on most networks today have nothing on those classic TV shows from the 70s and 80s. We learned true family values from the Brady’s the Walton’s, The Ingals Family, and the Partridges, not to mention the Cleavers in Leave it to Beaver, and Timmy, his Mom and super canine hero and friend, Lassie. These classic TV shows from the 70s and 80s continue to teach the family values that would otherwise be lost to the generation of children now growing up in broken homes, in families headed by only one parent, or in families in which both parents are forced to work just to make ends meet.
Those old classic TV shows taught the importance of moral values and the strength and wisdom found with several generations of a family living together or close by to one another .We learned how to share with one another and how to make friends. We learned that it was important to never lie to our parents and that they would always love us no matter what mistakes we made. We learned that there were solutions to every problem, no matter how big or small they might be. We learned to believe in ourselves and to dream big. We learned about falling in love and how to mend a broken heart. We learned all of this and so much more from these classic TV shows that will live on in those of us who have come to love them and through the television networks still brave enough to provide a platform for quality, family values shows like classic TV shows.
For many of us these shows are so ingrained in our memories it is as if Ritchie, Potsie and Mouth were our high school chums and we were right there with them throughout all of the teenage angst and mischief they got into. At the time many of us would sit and wonder what it would be like to be a Brady or Partridge. Who among us didn’t wish we owned the General Lee and could do some off- roading that rivaled that of the Duke brothers? Mork made us hopeful that it there was life on other planets, that they would be as hilarious and ready to make friends as he was. Oh and how many of our big brothers shot BB guns into the ground when Mom wasn’t looking because they were intent on finding oil and becoming millionaires like good ol’ Jed Clampitt did? Okay so not everything we learned from these classic TV shows was something Mom was thrilled to find us reenacting. But is sure was a whole lot of fun. Classic TV encouraged you to use your imagination. Not at all like the mindless stuff that permeates television and our children our bombarded with today that spark little, if any imagination.
No, classic television will never be completely forgotten or go out of style. There are too many of us old and young who will keep the demand for these old TV shows alive.
~Ben Anton 2007
Some of us can remember that being youngsters in the 70s we rushed home from school to get started on finishing our homework right away so that we could watch such classic TV shows as Gilligan’s Island and I Love Lucy before suppertime. Some of our primetime classic TV selections included Bewitched, Happy Days, The Brady Bunch, Green Acres, and The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and The Partridge family. Some of these classic TV shows were still being filmed into the 80s and were joined by what are now also classic television shows we remember fondly and still enjoy watching today. Laverne & Shirley, One Day at a Time, Welcome Back Kotter, Barretta, Starsky & Hutch, Hillstreet Blues, and Mork & Mindy. When Cagney & Lacey hit the classic TV scene in the 80s, young women were empowered to dream of going into professions usually reserved for males as these two women fought crime on the mean streets of NYC and in the sometimes equally mean environment of the male dominated workplace. Our Saturday mornings were reserved for Fat Albert and the Gang, Scooby Doo, and the Jetsons. Sunday evenings we watched classic television such as Hee Haw and Disney Family Showcase Theatre.
The raunchy, pushed to the limits reality television programs that have replaced old TV shows on most networks today have nothing on those classic TV shows from the 70s and 80s. We learned true family values from the Brady’s the Walton’s, The Ingals Family, and the Partridges, not to mention the Cleavers in Leave it to Beaver, and Timmy, his Mom and super canine hero and friend, Lassie. These classic TV shows from the 70s and 80s continue to teach the family values that would otherwise be lost to the generation of children now growing up in broken homes, in families headed by only one parent, or in families in which both parents are forced to work just to make ends meet.
Those old classic TV shows taught the importance of moral values and the strength and wisdom found with several generations of a family living together or close by to one another .We learned how to share with one another and how to make friends. We learned that it was important to never lie to our parents and that they would always love us no matter what mistakes we made. We learned that there were solutions to every problem, no matter how big or small they might be. We learned to believe in ourselves and to dream big. We learned about falling in love and how to mend a broken heart. We learned all of this and so much more from these classic TV shows that will live on in those of us who have come to love them and through the television networks still brave enough to provide a platform for quality, family values shows like classic TV shows.
For many of us these shows are so ingrained in our memories it is as if Ritchie, Potsie and Mouth were our high school chums and we were right there with them throughout all of the teenage angst and mischief they got into. At the time many of us would sit and wonder what it would be like to be a Brady or Partridge. Who among us didn’t wish we owned the General Lee and could do some off- roading that rivaled that of the Duke brothers? Mork made us hopeful that it there was life on other planets, that they would be as hilarious and ready to make friends as he was. Oh and how many of our big brothers shot BB guns into the ground when Mom wasn’t looking because they were intent on finding oil and becoming millionaires like good ol’ Jed Clampitt did? Okay so not everything we learned from these classic TV shows was something Mom was thrilled to find us reenacting. But is sure was a whole lot of fun. Classic TV encouraged you to use your imagination. Not at all like the mindless stuff that permeates television and our children our bombarded with today that spark little, if any imagination.
No, classic television will never be completely forgotten or go out of style. There are too many of us old and young who will keep the demand for these old TV shows alive.
~Ben Anton 2007
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