What Not to Say to Children about Sex


10 of 10 in Series:
The Essentials of Talking to Children about Sex





Parents can make all kinds of mistakes, but they may not realize the seriousness of the mistakes having to do with sex. Try to analyze your behavior around your children from their point of view. You communicate to your child in many ways, and that communication always has an effect, even if you don’t realize it. So watch what you do and say in front of your children.



  • Don’t pull away. Some fathers don’t know what to do when their daughters start to develop. The little girl who used to cuddle with her daddy starts to fill out, and physical signs of affection might feel inappropriate. When that happens, the father pulls away and starts to treat his daughter as just another woman and not his little girl.


    If that happens, the daughter will feel hurt and confused. What did she do wrong? She may even start to look elsewhere for someone to provide the physical affection her father withdrew. Others think of their new bodies as ugly because Daddy rejected them, and they crawl into a shell. Neither reaction is good, and that’s why dads have to be careful how they treat their daughters.



  • Acknowledge individuality. Remember to limit your comments about dating choices. Some men may encourage their sons to be sexually active as a rite of passage that they missed out on. Or perhaps parents might discourage their daughters from dating at all. For parents who weren’t popular in high school, it can be exciting to see your child blossom into the student body president, and then to continually ask about who your child is dating.


    Remember that the more you impose a certain behavior, the more likely you will push away your child. Forcing a behavior can also force resentment, and previous closeness can disappear. Your child won’t want to talk about relationships, and certainly won’t want to bring any dates around the house.



  • Condoms don’t make you a good parent. It’s smart to encourage safer sex, but giving your child condoms may not be a good idea. If you think you will constantly count the condoms and then quiz your child about them, it might be better to forgo this step.


    Condoms are easy to buy these days, but your child’s trust is not. If your child thinks that the only reason you stored those condoms was to catch him or her using them, then you may seriously damage your relationship with that child.




If you have difficulties doing this but suspect that you may be making some mistakes, do some research for information in the areas where you have some concern.


Although sex makes it easy to become parents, it doesn’t make us experts at parenting. But you can discover how to be a better parent, and doing so is definitely worth the effort.




dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/what-not-to-say-to-children-about-sex.html

How to Notify Trust Beneficiaries

If the creator of a trust fails to notify the beneficiaries of the existence of this trust during his or her lifetime, then the administrator of his or her estate must notify them. Establish a reliable line of communication with each beneficiary and get his or her address, Social Security number, and birth date. This information will help you properly file taxes and create an appropriate payout schedule for the trust.


There are no formal steps to follow when notifying beneficiaries. Give the beneficiary all of your contact info and urge him or her to contact you as soon as possible. You cannot begin making distributions until you’ve set up a reliable form of communication with the beneficiary. Once you do make contact with the beneficiary, there is some necessary information that you will need to retrieve from him or her.


Tax reporting information: Obtain addresses and Social Security numbers


You need to obtain the beneficiary’s address and Social Security Number (SSN). Beneficiary payments will probably contain elements of taxable income. Because he or she must pay the tax on that income, you shouldn’t make any payments without obtaining tax reporting information upfront.


You can’t force a beneficiary to give you his or her SSN, and you can’t withhold payments indefinitely. If you’ve made distributions without first receiving the beneficiary’s SSN, you may be forced to file a tax return for the trust, Form 1041, that is incomplete.


File the return anyway, making sure that you include as much information, such as the beneficiary’s address, as you can on Schedule K-1. If you can show the IRS you made a concerted attempt to obtain the information, you should be off the hook for filing an incomplete return.


Verify beneficiary's date of birth


You need to know the beneficiary’s birth date. Many trusts are created with payout schedules based on ages. As trustee, you need to know when the beneficiary has reached a certain age and adjust the mandatory payments accordingly.


Knowing the beneficiary’s age also helps you choose appropriate investments, allowing you to minimize certain types of income when the beneficiary is in a higher tax bracket. If a beneficiary is under the age of 19 (24, if a college student), he or she may be subject to the Kiddie Tax on investment income, which charges tax on the child’s income at his or her parents’ highest applicable rate.


All income received from a trust may be subject to this additional tax. After the beneficiary has left college and is earning, you can then change the investment mix to one that produces more income taxed at a lower rate.











dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-notify-trust-beneficiaries.html

Network Performance: Problem Basics

The term network performance refers to how efficiently the network responds to users’ needs. It goes without saying that any access to resources that involves a network will be slower than similar access that doesn’t involve a network.


For example, it takes longer to open a Word document that resides on a network file server than it takes to open a similar document that resides on a user’s local hard drive. However, it shouldn’t take much longer. If it does, you have a network performance problem.


Network performance problems are among the most difficult network problems to track down and solve. If a user simply can’t access the network, it usually doesn’t take long to figure out why: A cable is broken, a network card or hub is malfunctioning, a user doesn’t have permission to access the resource, and so on. After a little investigation, the problem usually reveals itself. You fix it and move on to the next problem.


Unfortunately, performance problems are messier. Here are just a few of the reasons that network administrators hate performance problems:



  • Performance problems are difficult to quantify. Exactly how much slower is the network now than it was a week ago, a month ago, or even a year ago? Sometimes the network just feels slow, but you can’t quite define exactly how slow it really is.



  • Performance problems usually develop gradually. Sometimes, a network slows down suddenly and drastically. More often, though, the network gradually gets slower, a little bit at a time, until one day when the users notice that the network is slooow.



  • Performance problems often go unreported. Users gripe about the problem to each other around the water cooler, but they don’t formally contact you to let you know that their network seems 10 percent slower than usual. As long as they can still access the network, they just assume that the problem is temporary or just in their imaginations.



  • Many performance problems are intermittent. Sometimes, a user calls you and complains that a certain network operation has become slower than molasses — and by the time you get to the user’s desk, the operation performs like a snap.


    Sometimes, you can find a pattern to the intermittent behavior, such as it’s slower in the morning than in the afternoon, or it’s only slow while backups are running or while the printer is working. Other times, you can’t find a pattern.



  • Performance tuning is not an exact science. Improving performance sometimes involves educated guesswork. Will upgrading all the users from 100 Mbps to gigabit Ethernet improve performance? Probably. Will segmenting the network improve performance? Maybe. Will adding another 4GB of RAM to the server improve performance? Hopefully.



  • The solution to performance problems is sometimes a hard sell. If a user can’t access the network because of a malfunctioning component, there’s usually not much question that the purchase of a replacement is justified. However, if the network is slow and you think you can fix it by upgrading the entire network to gigabit Ethernet, you may have trouble selling management on the upgrade.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/network-performance-problem-basics.html

PMP Strategies for Conflict Resolution

As you plan and execute a project, there will be conflicts and differences of opinion. The five strategies you can use to resolve conflict are:






































StrategyDescriptionSituation
Confronting/ Problem-solvingConfronting the conflict as a problem to be solvedWhen you have confidence in the other party’s ability to
problem solve

When the relationship is important

When you need a win-win solution
CollaboratingWin-win through collaboration and meeting to resolve
issues
When there is time and trust

When the objective is to learn

When you want to incorporate multiple views

When there is time to come to consensus
CompromisingWhen you are looking for some degree of satisfaction for both
parties
When there is a willingness to give and take

When both parties need to win

When you can’t win

When an equal relationship exists between the parties in
conflict

When the stakes are moderate

To avoid a fight
Smoothing/AccommodatingEmphasize areas of agreementTo reach an overarching goal

To maintain harmony

When any solution will be adequate

When you will lose anyway

To create goodwill
ForcingWin-lose; impose the resolutionWhen you are right

In a do-or-die situation

When the stakes are high

To gain power

If the relationship is not important

When time is of the essence
Withdrawal/ AvoidingRetreat; cool offWhen you can’t win

When the stakes are low

To preserve neutrality or reputation

If the problem will go away on its own








dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/pmp-strategies-for-conflict-resolution.html

Open an Existing InDesign CS5 Publication

You may have Adobe InDesign Creative Suite 5 files on your hard drive that you created, saved, and then closed. To edit or view their contents, you must open these files again.


InDesign CS5 is used to create all sorts of documents, including newsletters, magazines, and even HTML pages with interactivity and videos. You can even create a document that includes hyperlinks and video and export it to PDF, or you can export XML (Extensible Markup Language). If you like, you can export XHTML and then import it into Dreamweaver to create Web pages.


Once you have created, saved, and then closed an InDesign CS5 documents (files that end with .indd), you must open them again to make additional changes to them.



  1. Choose File→Open.


    The Open dialog box appears.



  2. Browse your hard drive and select a file to open.


    Select a file by clicking the document’s title. To select more than one document, press Ctrl (Cmd key on the Mac) while you click the filenames.



  3. Click the Open button to open the file.


    The file opens in the workspace.













dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/open-an-existing-indesign-cs5-publication.html

Considering the Rules of Photographic Composition

The rules of composition in photography are more like guidelines than laws. You're ultimately in control of how your photographs are composed, but the following time-tested tips are worth considering when you're deciding how to compose a particular scene:



  • Apply the rule of thirds by breaking your frame into thirds vertically and horizontally. Anything that you place on a line or at the intersection of two lines of thirds plays an important role in your composition. So try to avoid putting unnecessary or distracting elements at these points.



  • Use leading lines to guide a viewer through an image. If your scene has strong linear elements, you can use them to direct a viewer to certain areas of your scene. Find a perspective that uses compositional lines to lead viewers to important elements like your subject.



  • Fill your frame with elements that are relevant to your message. Try not to include anything that's distracting or aesthetically undesirable. Viewers will examine and ponder whatever's in your frame in order to discover meaning. You should include only the elements that are relevant to your message.



  • Create a focal point that makes sense based on your message. Focus on whatever you deem to be the most important element — the subject — in your scene.



  • Pay attention to the background. Your background should support your subject. In other words, you don't want to photograph Aunt Sallie in front of the restrooms when you could have taken her picture in front of the Louvre simply by changing your angle.



  • Frame your subject. By placing foreground elements at the edges of your frame, you create compositional frames. These frames surround your subject and draw more attention to it.



  • Avoid mergers. Don't let distracting background elements merge with your subject. A merging element can cause the shape of your subject to appear distorted, and viewers generally dislike it. And sometimes it looks downright silly. For example, a photo looks really funny when a street sign in the background rses straight up from a person's head.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/considering-the-rules-of-photographic-composition.html

How to Determine If Three Points Are Collinear on the TI-84 Plus

Three points are collinear if they are on the same line. GeoMaster on the TI-84 Plus graphing calculator can determine whether lines are parallel or perpendicular for you. It is sometimes difficult to determine if three points are collinear by just looking at the screen.


To determine if three points are collinear, follow these steps:



  1. Select the Collinear? tool from the MISC menu.


    To do this, press [GRAPH][GRAPH], use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the Collinear? tool, and press [ENTER]. The tool you selected appears in the upper-right corner of the screen.



  2. Use the arrow keys to move the cursor to the first point and press [ENTER]. Move the cursor to the second point and press [ENTER]. Then move the cursor to the third point and press [ENTER]. The conclusion as to whether or not the points are collinear appears on the screen.


    The selected points appear as diamonds where the points A, B, and C are selected. The word “false” appearing on the screen in this picture indicates that the points are not collinear.



  3. If you want to determine if three other points are collinear, press [CLEAR] and then repeat Step 2.


    The word “true” appearing on the screen indicates that the points D, B, and E are collinear.



  4. When you are finished using the Collinear? tool, deactivate it by pressing [CLEAR] two times or by selecting another menu item.













dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-determine-if-three-points-are-collinear-on-.html

Preparing for Coaching Practice

One unspoken fear that holds many parents back from volunteering to coach youngsters is uncertainty about how to organize and run an efficient practice session for kids. That's a shame, too, because putting together a crackerjack practice for kids in any sport needs only the following ingredients:


  • Preparing in advance


  • Managing the practice time


  • Coaching by walking around


  • Planning "spontaneous" drills during practices


  • Having fun


Whether you're coaching the local swim team, a soccer club, or a peewee basketball team, an efficient and productive practice session starts with your preparation to ensure that the practice is worthwhile. Nothing is more boring or nonproductive than a practice session in which the coach simply stands around, circles the kids together, and says, "Okay, gang, what do you want to do today?" That's a sure sign that the coach isn't prepared.


icon

Instead, prepare for your practice using the following steps:


1. Several days before your practice session, take out a sheet of paper and a pencil.


2. Think about the last game the team played, or if they haven't played a game yet, determine in your mind which basic skills they have to develop in order to improve.


3. Jot down a quick list of those skills and drills you want to cover.


4. Keep in mind your total practice time available, and then block out 5-, 10-, or 15-minute blocks of time for each drill.


5. From there, start mapping out the order of your practice session.


For example, assume that you have practice on Saturday morning, and the practice time lasts for one hour and 15 minutes, or a total of 75 minutes. You have chosen six skills to cover. Spending 15 minutes on each skill will take 15 minutes more than you have. If you allow 15 minutes for three drills and 10 minutes for the other three, you allow no time for rest in between.


A more realistic plan may be to practice only five skills or to spend only 10 minutes on each skill so that the kids can take breathers and you can conduct some team business.


icon

Dividing your practice sessions into regimented segments or blocks of time allows you to keep to your schedule. It also ensures that the team works on all the drills they need to, and keeps the action moving along at a brisk pace. Be sure to bring a watch with you to every practice!


Here's a sample practice schedule for a youth basketball team:













First 5 minutes:


Two laps and simple calisthenics to stretch and loosen up.


Next 5 minutes:


A quick review of what the team did well and not so well last game. Always talk about the team -- never an individual player.


Next 5 minutes:


A simple drill, perhaps a line of lay-ups.


Next 5 minutes:


Defensive stance and lateral movement.


Next 10 minutes:


Rebounding and how to box out opponents.


Next 10 minutes:


Free-throw shooting.


Next 10 minutes:


Passing drills and how to hit the open player.


Next 10 minutes:


Running offensive plays and teaching basic give-and-go.


Last 15 minutes:


Controlled scrimmage.


75 minutes:


Total practice time



This simple act of thinking ahead about what the team has to work on makes each practice run smoothly and gives the kids a solid sense of progress toward their goals. Even better, when the session ends, you walk away with the self-satisfaction that your outline worked and that the action moved quickly.










dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/preparing-for-coaching-practice.html

Optimizing Your Business Social Media Presence for Search

Google indexes social media under its Real Time search category, in reverse chronological order, as well as under its full search results. Your business will claim a significant amount of SERP (search engine results page) real estate if your business web presence is search-engine friendly..


Fortunately, ensuring that your social media channels are properly constructed isn’t difficult. Follow these guidelines:



  • Core search term consistency: Use the same six to eight core search terms as tags or keywords on every profile or blog and on every main entry for all social media channels.



  • Page description meta tag: Adapt the meta tag from your home page to become the first sentence of your social profile on every channel.



  • Specific search terms: Select terms from your keyword list as tags on individual posts, as Twitter hashtags, within the item title, and as part of the description of photos and videos.



  • Optimized ALT tags: Whenever possible, include these elements for photos, graphics, and any other type of rich media you upload.



  • Term placement: Because the same search terms are likely to be used by the internal search function on the social media service, be sure that the term also appears within the content.



  • Posting frequency: To appear near the top of reverse chronological postings (most recent is at the top), make it a habit to post often.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/optimizing-your-business-social-media-presence-for.navId-405063.html

How to Write E-Mail Cover Notes to Introduce Resumes

Use an e-mail cover note to introduce your resume when you need to quickly send out digital copies of your resume. An e-mail cover note isn't the same thing as a cover letter. E-mail cover notes are very short — usually one to three brief paragraphs. You typically send it as a body of text and not as an attachment. Your resume may follow in text or be attached in an MS Word or PDF document.


When you need to do a more persuasive job of self-marketing than a few brief paragraphs allow, follow an e-mail cover note with a cover letter and a resume attached in a single Word or PDF doc, or in separate docs. When you do send two attachments, one for your cover letter and the second for your resume, add a message like this:


Two documents are attached — my cover letter and my resume. Please review. Thank you.

This request, although terse, may put pressure on recruiters to open and look at the e-mail’s attachments.


Here are a few tips for writing your e-mail cover notes:



  • Use a subject line that grabs attention. The subject line of your e-mail sparks a reading of your cover note, which sparks a reading of your resume. Power each one with a sales message that causes the reviewer to keep on scrolling.



  • Mention any connections you have. Use names of mutual friends or other connections in your e-mail cover note to help ensure that your resume gets noticed.



  • List matching qualifications to job requirements. Let the recipient know that you already have the qualifications needed for the job.



  • Try for fresh, eye-catching phrasing. This applies for most positions, unless you’re applying for serious work like buttoned-down banking or brain surgeon jobs.



  • Practice writing your note and keep it short. Send your finished work to yourself and read it over the next day to judge whether it’s still as brilliant as it was the day you wrote it.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-write-email-cover-notes-to-introduce-resume.html

How to Set Up a Central Wiring Panel for a Home Theater

Designate a space for a central wiring panel when setting up a whole-home theater network. The central wiring panel is where you locate the devices that let you connect the home theater to the rest of the house.


Most of your commonly used electronics gear will probably go right next to your home theater. You're better off relegating the gear that you just “plug and forget” to a wiring panel in an out-of-the-way place. For example:



  • Home cable interconnections with your cable company



  • Home phone interconnections with your telephone company



  • A centralized distribution point for your satellite dish wiring, if you have one



  • Cable, DSL, satellite, or ISDN modems and routers, if you have them



  • Ethernet hubs or switches for your Internet connection




The central wiring panel should be in a place that is out of sight but easily accessible. It needs to have plenty of space and adequate power to run a great deal of equipment. In the best-case scenario, you can create a dedicated room for your home theater and associated equipment.


Most homeowners or remodelers don’t have the luxury of adding a dedicated space for a wiring panel. In these cases, you have to try to make some part of the house do double duty as your wiring panel. A first stop is the place where your cable, telephone, and electrical connections currently come into the house. Here are some other places to consider locating your wiring panel:



  • The utility or laundry room: The biggest disadvantage of this location is the potential for high humidity, so make sure your clothes dryer is well ventilated to the outdoors. Good ventilation also keeps all the dust and lint from your dryer out of your sensitive electronics.



  • A protected garage: The potential for dust and extreme temperatures may make this location less than optimal for some homes, but the garage can be a useful location.



  • The basement: Many people choose the basement for a central wiring node because it’s easy to run wires through a drop ceiling. The basement can be a very good location, but keep in mind that basements can be both dusty and damp.




An important thing to keep in mind is that the natural enemies of electrical and electronic equipment are moisture, dust, and temperature extremes. So locations that may work for someone in Florida or California may not make as much sense for your house in Maine.




dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-set-up-a-central-wiring-panel-for-a-home-th.html

CityVille Daily To-Do List

Use this simple to-do list as a simple reminder of all the tasks you should do daily or as often as possible to keep your Coins multiplying and make your neighbors happy. Of course, you don’t have to do any of them, but if you do, you’ll have a shot at becoming a CityVille millionaire!



  1. Plant and harvest your crops.



  2. Accept any gifts from neighbors and give gifts to neighbors.



  3. Visit and help your neighbors.



  4. Supply as many unsupplied businesses as possible.



  5. Use any Energy Batteries you received as gifts.



  6. Accept help from neighbors.



  7. If possible, collect from all community buildings.



  8. Harvest crops/ships, collect from businesses, and supply those businesses.



  9. If possible, work on expansion.



  10. Replant your crops.



  11. If you have franchises, supply them.



  12. Supply any businesses that need it.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/cityville-daily-todo-list.html

M&A Transactions: Sell a Piece of the Company

Business owners don’t need to sell the whole business and then retire or move on to other pursuits. A substantial amount of M&A work is done with sellers who just want to sell a part of the company. There are a number of reasons a business owner may want to sell a piece of the company.


Need capital for growth


A growing company often needs more cash than it can generate from operations. If the owner doesn’t want to put her own money into the company or sign a personal guarantee for a bank loan, she can raise money from an outside investor. Outside investors come in two basic flavors, control and non-control:



  • Control investment: A control investment simply means the investor has control of the company. This situation occurs when an investor, often a venture capital or private equity fund, invests money in exchange for stock in the company.


    In most cases, this investment is in the form of a majority equity investment — that is, the new investor owns more than 50 percent of the equity in the company, or the bylaws of the entity are amended to grant effective control to the investor.



  • Non-control investment: A non-control investment, often called a minority equity investment, is similar to a control investment, except the investor doesn’t have control of the company.




As you may guess, Sellers tend to prefer the non-control investments, while Buyers prefer control investments. The control investor has greater recourse to change management and affect the direction of the company. The non-control investor simply goes along for the ride, with little or no recourse to exit the investment.


Diversify assets


Many business owners have nearly all their wealth tied up in their companies, so their finances are in serious jeopardy if the company fails. Selling a piece of the company to an investor allows an owner to create liquidity in an otherwise illiquid holding. This maneuver is called a recap (short for recapitalization).


With the right investor, an owner who has recapped her business also has a capital source for further investment in the business and/or for acquisitions. In other words, the investor may also be willing to pony up more money to invest in the business or pay for acquisitions.


One of the many challenges for most business owners is the age-old question, “Do I pay myself a big fat dividend or reinvest that dough back in the company?” By selling off a piece of the company, the owner is essentially able to pay herself that big fat dividend and have a source of capital for growth.


Lastly, a recap sets up the owner to get a “second bite of the apple,” that is to say, to generate a second liquidity event (realizing a gain from an investment by selling shares for cash) when the company is sold to another acquirer.


For an owner who’s looking to retire in five to ten years, the recap can be a great way to lock in a certain amount of wealth and allow herself some additional time to continue to run and grow the company, setting up a potential second payday when she sells off her remaining shares and retires or goes off to another venture.


Bring in an outside investor to buy out a partner


Partners are a great way to build a business: One person deals with one area, such as sales, and the other handles another (say, the back-office administration and accounting). That’s a good coupling. The downside to having partners is that they sometimes stop seeing eye to eye, and one of them needs to leave the business.


For a closely held business, this situation can be a problem; the partner who wants to stay may not have the money to buy out the partner who wants to leave. Bringing in an outside investor is a way to solve this problem.




dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/ma-transactions-sell-a-piece-of-the-company.html

Finding a Web Server to Call Home

You say you’re not sure exactly what kind of Web site is right for you, and you want to see all the options, from a tiny storefront in a strip mall to your own landscaped corporate park? You’re in luck. You can set up shop with a variety of different hosting services, from an auction site to an online mall to your own Internet Service Provider.


Here’s a road map of your options:



  • Online Web-host-and-design-kit combos: Microsoft Office Live, Google Sites, Yahoo! Small Business Merchant Solutions, and Microsoft Small Business Center (formerly called bCentral), among others.



  • Electronic merchant CD-ROMs: ShopSite and WebSite Complete, to name two.



  • eBay: A site that lets its users create their own About Me Web pages and their own stores.



  • Auxiliary companies: These folks do something that doesn’t seem directly related to e-commerce, but they let you build a store online, such as FedEx eCommerce Builder.



  • An online marketplace: You can rent a space in these sites, where you can offer specialty items for sale, such as clothing, artwork, or antiques.



  • Your current Internet service provider (ISP): Many ISPs are only too happy to host your e-commerce site — for an extra monthly fee in addition to your access fee.



  • Companies devoted to hosting Web sites full time: These are businesses whose primary function is hosting e-commerce Web sites and providing their clients with associated software, such as Web page building tools, shopping carts, catalog builders, and the like.




The first five options combine Web hosting with Web page creation kits. Whether you buy these services or get to use them on the Web for free, you simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Most of these hosting services enable you to create your Web pages by filling in forms; you never have to see a line of HTML code if you don’t want to. Depending on which service you choose, you have varying degrees of control over how your site ultimately looks.









dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/finding-a-web-server-to-call-home.html

Debugging Multicast Routing

Debugging gives you detailed information about the Protocol-Independent Multicast (PIM) data that your router sees on the network. With PIM data, you can select the types of debug data you want to observe, or you can choose to see all of it by only using the command at debug ip pim.


Router2>enable
Password:
Router2#debug ip pim ?
atm PIM ATM signalling activity
auto-rp Auto-RP
bsr PIM Candidate-RP/BSR activity
df PIM RP designated forwarder election activity
hello PIM Hello packets
tag PIM multicast tagswitching activity
vrf Select VPN Routing/Forwarding instance
<cr>

Here is a sample of the type of data you see with the debug command. In the output, notice the join messages, RP information, and protocol version.


Router2>enable
Password:
Router2#debug ip pim
PIM debugging is on
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Building Periodic Join/Prune message for 224.0.1.40
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Insert (*,224.0.1.40) join in nbr 192.168.1.2's queue
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Insert (192.168.1.2,224.0.1.40) sgr prune in nbr 192.168.1.2's queue
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Building Join/Prune packet for nbr 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Adding v2 (192.168.1.2/32, 224.0.1.40), WC-bit, RPT-bit, S-bit Join
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Adding v2 (192.168.1.2/32, 224.0.1.40), RPT-bit, S-bit Prune
*Mar 26 08:42:40.040: PIM(0): Send v2 join/prune to 192.168.1.2 (FastEthernet0/0)
*Mar 26 08:42:45.292: PIM(0): Received RP-Reachable on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:45.292: PIM(0): Received RP-Reachable on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:45.296: for group 224.0.1.40
*Mar 26 08:42:45.296: PIM(0): Update RP expiration timer (270 sec) for 224.0.1.40
*Mar 26 08:42:50.772: PIM(0): Send v2 Null Register to 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:50.772: PIM(0): Received v2 Register-Stop on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:50.776: PIM(0): for source 0.0.0.0, group 0.0.0.0
*Mar 26 08:42:50.972: PIM(0): Building Periodic Join/Prune message for 239.192.152.143
*Mar 26 08:42:50.992: PIM(0): Received RP-Reachable on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:50.992: PIM(0): Received RP-Reachable on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:50.996: for group 224.1.0.1
*Mar 26 08:42:53.776: PIM(0): Building Periodic Join/Prune message for 239.255.255.250
*Mar 26 08:42:55.776: PIM(0): Send v2 Data-header Register to 192.168.1.2 for 192.168.1.2, group 224.0.1.40
*Mar 26 08:42:55.780: PIM(0): Received v2 Register-Stop on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:55.780: PIM(0): for source 192.168.1.2, group 224.0.1.40
*Mar 26 08:42:55.780: PIM(0): Clear register flag to 192.168.1.2 for (192.168.1.2/32, 224.0.1.40)
*Mar 26 08:42:59.492: PIM(0): Received RP-Reachable on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:59.492: PIM(0): Received RP-Reachable on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:42:59.496: for group 224.0.1.39
*Mar 26 08:42:59.496: PIM(0): Update RP expiration timer (270 sec) for 224.0.1.39
Router2#u all
All possible debugging has been turned off

As with the PIM debugging, you can selectively enable Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) for specific elements or for all IGMP debug data.


Router2>enable
Password:
Router2#debug ip igmp ?
snooping IGMP snooping activity
vrf Select VPN Routing/Forwarding instance
<cr>

In the option for all debug information, notice that the type of information displayed includes protocol version, data requests received and from whom, and exclusion requests.


Router2>enable
Password:
Router2#debug ip igmp
IGMP debugging is on
*Mar 26 08:47:58.168: IGMP(0): Received v2 Query on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.2
*Mar 26 08:47:58.168: IGMP(0): Set report delay time to 1.2 seconds for 224.0.1.40 on FastEthernet0/0
*Mar 26 08:47:58.276: IGMP(0): Received v2 Report on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.104 for 224.0.0.251
*Mar 26 08:47:58.276: IGMP(0): Report has illegal group address 224.0.0.251
*Mar 26 08:47:59.712: IGMP(0): Received v2 Report on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.31 for 239.255.255.250
*Mar 26 08:47:59.712: IGMP(0): Received Group record for group 239.255.255.250, mode 2 from 192.168.1.31 for 0 sources
*Mar 26 08:47:59.712: IGMP(0): Updating EXCLUDE group timer for 239.255.255.250
*Mar 26 08:47:59.712: IGMP(0): MRT Add/Update FastEthernet0/0 for (*,239.255.255.250) by 0
*Mar 26 08:47:59.984: IGMP(0): Send v2 Report for 224.0.1.40 on FastEthernet0/0
*Mar 26 08:47:59.984: IGMP(0): Received v2 Report on FastEthernet0/0 from 192.168.1.240 for 224.0.1.40
Router2#u all
All possible debugging has been turned off

Finally, for Cisco Group Management Protocol (CGMP) data, you only have the option to see all the debug information for the protocol.


Router2>enable
Password:
Router2#debug ip cgmp



dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/debugging-multicast-routing.html

Introduction to Copper Commodities

Copper, the third most widely used metal in the world, has applications as a commodity in many sectors, including construction, electricity conduction, and large-scale industrial projects. Copper is sought after because of its high electrical conductivity, resistance to corrosion, and malleability. Copper played a huge role during the Industrial Revolution and in connecting and wiring the modern world.


Because of the current trends of industrialization and urbanization across the globe, demand for copper has been — and will remain — very strong, making it a good investment.



























SectorCopper Consumption (Percentage of Total)
Building/construction50%
Engineering24%
Electrical17%
Transportation7%
Miscellaneous Uses2%

Source: Copper Development Association (CDA)


You probably come across items made from copper on a daily basis but may have never thought much about its ubiquity. These everyday items, among others, are made from copper:



  • Artistic items (bronze statues such as the Statue of Liberty)



  • Coinage (U.S. coins such as the quarter and the dime, which are more than 90 percent copper)



  • Construction tubes, pipes, and fittings



  • Doorknobs



  • Electrical wiring



  • High-speed Internet cables



  • Industrial sleeve bearings



  • Musical instruments (brass instruments such as the trumpet and the tuba)



  • Plumbing tubes




Copper is often alloyed with other metals, usually with nickel and zinc. When copper and nickel are alloyed, the resulting metal is bronze; when copper is alloyed with zinc, it results in brass. Ironically, the U.S. penny, the only U.S. coin that’s a reddish/brown color (the color of copper), is the only coin that uses only 2.5 percent copper — 97.5 percent of the penny is made from zinc. The other coins in U.S. currency, which are all silvery/white, contain more than 90 percent copper.


If you’re interested in finding out more about copper usage, consult the Copper Development Association.




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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/introduction-to-copper-commodities.html

Memorizing Song Lyrics as Text

A good way to memorize lyrics is to look at the song as a monologue or a story. Write or type the words, including the punctuation, so you can examine the lyrics apart from the melody and take a look at the big picture. If the song has words that you don’t know, look them up.


Find the meaning and the pronunciation of all the words in your song. Notice the punctuation, because you can breathe at the punctuation marks in a song.


Read the lyrics out loud so you can hear the inflection of the words. As you read the lyrics, look for the operative words — the words that you emphasize in normal, natural, everyday speech. Operative words are nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. The rest of the words in the sentence are important but aren’t usually emphasized. Keep reading the text aloud until it sounds conversational.


If you keep forgetting the words, speak through the text quickly until you no longer stumble on the words. You can also use key words in phrases to help you remember what comes next. Create a system to help you remember the order of each phrase’s key word. Just knowing whether the list has some common characteristics can help you remember key words to get to the next phrase.


Sometimes when you read poetry or lyrics for the first time, they don’t make complete sense. The more you read them, the more you’re able to understand the meaning behind the words. When you really have a grasp on the words, memorize them. You may find that it takes only a short time to memorize the words.



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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/memorizing-song-lyrics-as-text.html

How to State Your Name and Details on Your Video R&#233;sum&#233;

Presenting your name and relevant details is an important aspect of the video résumé. An advanced technique is to deliver them through B-roll — cutting away from the main footage to secondary footage in a way that adds meaning to the sequence.


The basic question is how to introduce yourself in a way that’s memorable or unique. Many video résumés start with the standard “Hello, my name is . . .” approach. This approach isn’t terrible, but it’s not a great way to get someone’s attention, either.


Depending on how bold you want to be, you have two great options for getting your name and other details across without being banal:



  • Simply display your name and details on the screen as you start telling your professional story. You can add details, such as your education and work experience, as subtitles beneath your images on the screen as you progress. Bear in mind that a hiring manager watching your video résumé should also have access to your paper résumé, so you don’t need to belabor these points.



  • Delay bringing in critical details. Tell your story — the most compelling aspect of your video — first. Sometime between 10 and 30 seconds in, pause and say, “My name is _____ and I have 5 years of experience doing _____.” In this way, you sandwich the critical details between the more interesting narrative elements of your script.




A B-roll delivery of details may look something like this:


An image of you pops up on the screen with you saying, “In 2008, I thought I was going to close the deal of a lifetime.”

The screen then goes blank and your name appears along with other relevant work experience or education you want to include (the text is white against a black background).

You come back on-screen, saying, “What I didn’t know at the time was that the market was on its way to a complete standstill.”

The video cuts to another B-roll with some market facts to support your statement.

You reappear, stating, “But I didn’t let that stop me! My passion for . . .”

You get the idea. Using this delivery method not only allows you to state your name and details but also sets the stage for you to show off your creativity and ability to create a professional-looking video.


For a wonderful example of B-roll as well as great transitions, check out this B-roll example to see expert video blogger Dave Kaminski’s one-minute podcast on producing web video. Notice how his voice remains continuous throughout the film despite the frequent transition to other scenery or images.


This video took him many takes, repeating the same script over and over again. The end product looks like a smooth delivery of audio through visually interesting transitions and background changes.




dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-state-your-name-and-details-on-your-video-r.html

Considering Six Sigma Best Practices

Successful Six Sigma efforts have several practices and characteristics in common. As you launch into your own Six Sigma journey, you can use these as landmarks to set your course and bearing. Even after you've been doing Six Sigma for a while, it's a good idea to periodically compare what you do with what others have found to be most effective.



Set stretch goals


Six Sigma isn't for the mildly ambitious manager or the person who wants to incrementally improve the output of a process. Instead, Six Sigma is for people who want to improve by leaps and bounds.



Six Sigma has repeatedly proven that it produces breakthrough improvement. But to achieve this, you have to combine the power of the Six Sigma method and tools with stretch goals, goals that almost seem too aggressive, too optimistic.



Specifically, a stretch goal represents a 70 percent improvement over current performance. For example, if your company's profit margin is seven percent, you want to aim for 11.9 percent (a 70 percent increase). Or if a certain process or product is producing ten defects per 100 units, you want to reduce that number to three defects per 100 units (a 70 percent improvement).



Another common way to set the right stretch target is to benchmark yourself against your competition. A benchmark is the level of performance achieved by the best companies, organizations, functions, or processes in your industry. If someone else is doing it, you should be able to do it, too, right? Toyota, for example, is a company that is benchmarked for the time it takes them to introduce a brand-new vehicle design. Most companies take 36 to 48 months to bring a new vehicle to market; Toyota did it in about 24 for its hybrid car, the Prius, which also presented a technical challenge far beyond those of traditional gasoline-only cars.





Target tangible results


Typically, Six Sigma leads organizations to reduce their costs by as much as 20 to 30 percent of revenue. At the same time, these organizations increase their revenues by 10 percent or more.



To realize these returns, however, each Six Sigma project must be tied to a tangible financial measure of return — dollars saved, new revenue gained, specific costs avoided, and so on. These measured financial returns must be formally measured, tracked, and rolled up if you want to achieve the startling financial return that is a hallmark of Six Sigma. Without tying projects to tangible financial measures and tracking their financial impact, Six Sigma efforts naturally drift away from their financial potential.



In isolated cases, a Six Sigma project is not directly focused on cost reduction or revenue enhancement. Instead, it is targeted on a strategic objective of the organization. If you complete a project with an object of increasing brand awareness, for example, you'll have difficulty quantifying how much that project improves the company's bottom line. But if it enables the company's key business strategies, the project is still worth the effort.



Determine outcomes


Every output or result is determined by a set of inputs. The natural outgrowth of this principle is that you actively go out and adjust and control the inputs in a way that enables you to reach your desired outcomes with certainty and consistency.





Think before you act


Too often, people jump into action and do something — anything — to solve a problem. They confuse action with effectiveness. Undoubtedly, this approach showcases activity, but it usually ends in a continuation of the problem or, at best, a suboptimal solution.



Six sigma's DMAIC methodology forces you to shift the bulk of the activity of solving a problem into defining, measuring, and planning a solution. Each project starts with a detailed, in-depth definition of what the problem really is and what the objectives of the solution are. Next, extensive measurements are taken to verify the current performance of the process or system. This is followed by in-depth analysis of inputs, outputs, conditions, and causes-and-effects. Only after completion of all of these steps is an improvement solution attempted. The result of this upfront rigor is, almost always, an optimal solution that can be quickly and efficiently put in place. In the long-run, the front-loaded DMAIC approach solves the problem more quickly and with better, more consistent results than other approaches.



Put your faith in data


Without data, decisions are based on supposition, estimation, opinion, and sometimes wishful thinking. Data allows you to objectively identify and select the truly best ideas and solutions from among the many alternatives.



Making decisions based on data, however, is not easy. Data require you to suspend judgment and personal bias, to confront sometimes brutal and undesirable facts. You have to believe that, in the long-run, trusting data will consistently lead you to better and more rapid solutions.



Minimize variation


Most people think of excellence in terms of averages or single numbers — the average yield on a production line, the monthly cost to run a department, the rate of return on an investment. But the reality is that variation around these averages or single numbers — even when they are at acceptable levels — can often cause more damage than their level itself.





For example, having a high average number of orders is great. But if the day-to-day number of orders varies widely, it requires the company to have excess equipment and staff always on hand, just in case. When the number of orders varies to the low side, equipment and staff sit idle. The company would actually come out ahead if its average number of orders were lower but its day-to-day variation were smaller. That way equipment and staff needs would be steady and costs would be reduced.



Variation will always be present in the plans you design, the products you make, the transactions you conduct, the services you deliver. Even in the environment outside your control, events and circumstances change and vary in ways beyond your control.



Align projects with key goals


An important Six Sigma success factor is selecting projects that are aligned with the key goals and objectives of your organization. Six Sigma efforts that are successful and lasting are always made up of projects that are each specifically focused on moving an organization towards its stated objectives.



Celebrate success!


A Six Sigma initiative may start small with a single pilot project, or a deployment within a lone department. Others grow to include an entire global organization or accumulate staggering financial returns. Regardless, celebrate success.



Success is contagious. When the first, small victories are showcased and lauded — with recognition, rewards, praise, and publicity — people develop real interest. They build confidence and trust. They begin to believe in the power and potential of the method. Each successive victory becomes that much easier.



Involve the owner


Successful Six Sigma practitioners communicate with and involve the owner of the process or system they are working in. They solicit their input and provide feedback through all the stages of DMAIC. Then, when the time for change arrives, the owner jumps at the chance to implement the awaited improvements










dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/considering-six-sigma-best-practices.html

How to Score a Spades Game

Scoring in a game of Spades follows a predictable path — but beware the sting in the tail that comes from going set, or from underbidding, and racking up the overtricks!


Dealing with undertricks


If you fall short in your bid, no matter by how many tricks, you lose ten times the value of your bid. For example, if you bid 10 and fail, you lose 100 points.


Scoring nil bids


If you bid nil and make it, you score 50 points, but bidding nil and failing costs you 50 points. Bidding blind nil gains you or costs you 100 points, depending on whether you succeed or not. Win or lose on a nil bid, these points do not affect your partner’s bid, which is scored in the normal fashion.


If you fail in a bid of nil, the rules vary as to what happens to your tricks. Some versions play that your tricks count toward helping your partner make his bid; other variations say that you ignore your tricks for that purpose. The more standard position is to allow your tricks to count toward your partner’s target.


Getting sandbagged with overtricks


If you bid and make your contract, either exactly or with overtricks (tricks over your bid), you multiply your bid by 10 and score that total. Any overtricks you accrue count 1 point each. For example, bidding seven and collecting nine tricks scores 72 points — not all that much different, you may think, from bidding eight and scoring nine tricks for 81 points or actually hitting the nail on the head with a bid of nine for 90 points.


You may see little reason to be cautious in the bidding — because a slight underbid hardly seems to matter — but that’s before you experience the true joy of overtricks.


Here’s a shock for your system: When you accumulate 10 overtricks, you automatically get 100 points deducted from your total, and the clock starts again. In the standard version of the scoring, the 10 overtrick points you gathered during the course of play are also canceled out, although some versions allow you to rack up your 10 as you lose 100. But the mainstream approach dictates that if you’re at 458 points, for example, and you bid five tricks and make seven after racking up eight overtricks, your score becomes 400, not 410 (458 + 52 - 100 (the 10-point overtrick deduction) = 400).


You can consider overtaking your partner’s trick or even trumping it if you seem to be making your contract with ease. This may well be a sensible strategy to reduce your side’s trick-taking potential, particularly when the combined number of tricks contracted for by both sides is less than 10.


If you know you can defeat, or set, your opponents, don’t make it too obvious too soon! Otherwise, both opponents will sacrifice tricks to give you bags. Take this hypothetical situation for an example: If your opponents bid eight and you bid five, your opponents are far better off taking four tricks — giving you nine and thus four bags (which could be deemed to have a real value of -40) — than they are taking six tricks. Going set, no matter by how many tricks, still loses them the same 80 points while you collect your 50, but it only costs you two bags, and thus a notional 20 points.


When either your team or the other team is sitting at eight or nine bags, go for the set, because if you know you’re to lose that 100 points, you may as well get a set out of it if you can. (Remember that if your opponents bid five and go set, it costs them 100 points, in a sense, because they lose 50 instead of gaining that number.) If your opponents are getting close to losing 100, they’re more likely to overbid their hands and are more likely to overtake their winners. In turn, this makes them perfect targets for a set.


Scoring revokes


The failure to follow suit (or the failure to follow with your lowest club on the first trick if playing that variation) is a serious crime. Such revoking or reneging carries varying consequences. Gracious players will choose to award the non-offending side a 15-point bonus and abandon the hand. But the usual, more severe, penalty is that the offenders are deemed to have failed in their contract(s), and the other side scores their contract. This may be generous to the innocent parties, but it does help to remind the guilty players of the gravity of their offense.











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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-score-a-spades-game.html

IFRS For Dummies (UK Edition)

Whether you’re preparing financial statements under IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) or looking at a set of IFRS financial statements, you’ve some key aspects to get to grips with. Use this quick-reference e-cheat sheet to speed your way to the heart of IFRS: know what’s important in the financial information; fathom the meaning of the auditors’ report; use a disclosure checklist to make sure that you don’t miss some essential details; and keep up to speed with all the latest developments in the world of IFRS.






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Keeping Up-to-Date with IFRS Developments


IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) has to frequently change to keep up with the world’s demands. The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) sometimes issues new accounting standards to supersede existing ones, or change existing ones to clarify requirements or iron out inconsistencies. Be sure to regularly check the IASB’s website to keep up to date with developments. Attendance at relevant CPD courses also helps you flag up any changes to standards that are on the cards.





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Knowing the Characteristics of IFRS Statements


IFRS financial statements come in various shapes and sizes, but they all have certain features in common. Information in IFRS financial statements has these characteristics:



  • Relevance: So that it makes a difference to the decisions about a company made by users of the statements.



  • Faithful representation: Financial statements are complete and free from bias and error.



  • Comparability: You can compare financial statements from one period to the next or for two companies in the same industry so that you can make informed decisions about the companies.



  • Verifiability: Different people could reach the same decision based on the information, but not necessarily reach complete agreement.



  • Timeliness: You make information available to users in good time. Historical information quickly becomes out of date.



  • Understandability: You present and classify information clearly and concisely to make it understandable to users.







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Understanding the Auditors’ Report


Auditors make sure that the financial statements give a true picture of how a company has performed over the year. The auditors’ report in the financial statements contains their opinion on the financial statements. The opinion is one of the following:



  • Unqualified (clean): All’s well! The auditors are reasonably happy that the financial statements are free from material mis-statement.



  • Qualified (unclean): Uh-oh. The auditors aren’t impressed. A qualified opinion (which sometimes follows with the words except for) generally means that the auditors don’t agree with the way you treated something in the financial statements.


    If the report shows an adverse opinion, you’re in hot water: the auditors feel that your financial statements don’t show a true and fair view. If the auditors show a disclaimer of opinion, you’re in boiling hot water: circumstances mean that the auditor can’t form an opinion on the financial statements (for example, you’ve lost all the accounting records).




You may also see an Emphasis of Matter paragraph in the report, which flags something in the financial statements that the auditors thinks the user needs to know about.





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Using a Disclosure Checklist Prepared under IFRS


A set of financial statements prepared under IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) can span many pages and if you look in detail you find that the majority of these pages encompass the disclosure notes. The disclosure notes give details on how the preparer of the financial statements arrived at the figures, as well as other issues such as the company’s critical accounting policies, problems encountered in the year, related party transactions and other financial and non-financial matters relating to the year.


Trying to remember every single detail that needs to go in the notes is a nightmare, so do yourself a favour and invest in a reputable disclosure checklist. You normally pay an annual subscription and receive updates from the checklist provider periodically when changes occur. Ask your professional body or auditor where you can best source a checklist.





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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/ifrs-for-dummies-cheat-sheet-uk-edition.html

Jewelry Making Wire Size Chart

When you’re dealing with wire gauge remember: the larger the number, the smaller the wire diameter. Pick the right size wire for your jewelry making and beading needs.


image0.jpg


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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/jewelry-making-wire-size-chart.html

Green Jobs in Air Resource Management

Ever heard the phrase “as important as the air you breathe?” Keeping the air clean — and thus breathable — is the primary goal of air resource management, an important field for green job-seekers to explore. Here, an eco-conscious career transition can take you into a world of opportunities that go a long way toward creating a sustainable environment.


Poor air quality impacts us all. Our health, crops, animals, buildings, and environment all suffer when the air is difficult or dangerous to breathe. The goal of this industry is to monitor air quality through air measurements or to project air quality by using computer models. Based on the results, specialists determine the best ways to control and mitigate the offending sources of pollution through technological advances or prevention. If emitters are violating laws, regulators may require that the company add control devices, pay penalties, contribute to air pollution research projects, or, if worse comes to worse, go to jail.


The move to address air pollution that began in the 1950s and continues to today has made a difference in our air quality. Certainly the most influential legislation was the Clean Air Act of 1970 that allowed states and the federal government to limit emissions from industrial locations and vehicles.


Under the auspices of the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) assesses and monitors air quality both by measuring the concentration of specific sources of pollution, and by tracking the overall amount of pollution in the air.


Future trends in air resource management


Although the air quality industry has made great strides over the last few decades, this is no time to rest on their laurels. In fact, air quality experts worldwide must take a very active role in assessing pollutants in the air and combating global warming. Given the projected demographics, economics, and climate of the future, we must find ways to reduce the release of pollutants into the air.


Generally speaking, air quality specialists look for voluntary or mandatory strategies that control a particular pollutant or a specific pollution source. For example, energy efficiency programs, mass transit commute options, renewable energy sources, and cap and trade are all viable strategies that can be implemented to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions.


According to the National Association of Clean Air Agencies (NACAA), emissions from manufacturing sources and vehicles have been reduced through technological advances. The air pollution control technologies industry is going to play a critical role in the coming years. From emissions monitoring systems to controls for greenhouse gases, particulates, and mercury, the companies within the Institute of Clean Air Companies are on the cutting edge of this field.


One power tussle that has the potential to be a game changer is the role the EPA has when it comes to monitoring, regulating, and enforcing greenhouse gases. Several threads of this story are unfolding, with no clear outcome in sight. To give you a chance of unraveling what may happen after this book has gone to press, let me give you a bit of history.



  • First, during a case between the state of Massachusetts and the EPA in 2007, the Supreme Court found, for the first time, that greenhouse gases fell under the auspices of the Clean Air Act.



  • Then in April 2009, the EPA filed paperwork with its findings that the combination of the six greenhouse gases is in fact harmful to humans and that the emissions from new vehicles have an effect on global warming. (You can read about this procedure on the EPA site.) Although these findings do not trigger any new regulations, those who emit greenhouse gases are more than a little nervous by this new state of affairs.



  • And finally, in June 2009, the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) bill passed the House of Representatives with an11th-hour compromise that limits the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide, one of the key greenhouse gases. If this version were to become law, power plants would not have any reason to update old carbon emitting equipment.




A grass-roots campaign has started to keep the Clean Air Act from being gutted by this critical bill on climate change.


Job opportunities in air resource management


If you want a career in air resource management, consider the following opportunities



  • Monitoring and compliance: Air quality program manager, air quality managing consultant, air quality chemist, air specialist, environmental testing technician, air quality project manager, air quality permitting specialist, air quality scientist, air quality engineer, air quality planner, air compliance specialist, environmental air specialist, environmental compliance specialist, remediation engineer



  • Designing and manufacturing air pollution control technologies: Environmental engineer, engineering resource manager, product development engineer, process design engineer, software engineer, process maintenance engineer, stress analysis engineer, computer-aided designer






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/green-jobs-in-air-resource-management.html

Dealing with Hairballs

Veterinarians call them trichobezoars, but cat lovers call them "hairballs," or, more commonly, simply "gross." Whatever you call them, hairballs are a normal part of living with a cat and are usually not indicative of a health problem. If coughing up a hairball is an intermittent event — a couple times a month or up to once a week or so — and your cat appears otherwise normal, it's likely not a concern.


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Your veterinarian may suggest the use of a mild laxative (mineral oil) preparation or an increase in fiber in the diet to help the hairballs "pass" in most situations. Canned pumpkin is a great way to increase the fiber in the diet. One or two teaspoonfuls mixed daily with canned food or with the water from a can of tuna (for humans) keeps things moving nicely. You can also ask your veterinarian about some new high-fiber foods that are designed to help keep a hairball problem to a minimum.


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Don't let your cat become a laxative junkie, however, as daily use may tie up and decrease the absorption of important fat-soluble vitamins. These products should not be used more than twice a week except on the advice of your veterinarian. Instead of changing your cat's diet, consider combing him more frequently to remove excess hair.


If your cat's pattern of coughing up the occasional hairball changes, make an appointment with your veterinarian to find out why.










dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/dealing-with-hairballs.html

Legacy Ports on a PC

When the PC was first designed, external thingamajigs were attached to the console by using legacy ports — specific and aptly named ports. If you wanted to attach a keyboard, mouse, or printer, for example, you would use a specific keyboard, mouse, or printer port. Since that time, those older legacy ports have been phased out on PCs and replaced by the USB port.


Some common legacy ports are defined as follows:



  • Mouse and keyboard: The mouse and keyboard ports are designed specifically for what they do: The mouse plugs into the mouse port, and the keyboard into the keyboard port. And, despite the fact that both ports look alike, they’re unique, and strange things happen when you connect things improperly.



  • Printer: It should be no surprise that the computer’s printer can plug into the printer port. But you probably didn’t know that the port was originally called the LPT port. LPT was an IBM acronym for Line Printer. It may also be called a PRN port.



  • Serial: The original PC’s serial port was at one time the versatile port. Unlike with the other legacy ports, you could plug in a variety of devices to the serial port: printer, mouse, modem, and scanner, for example. Sadly, serial devices still required extra setup, and communication was slow. Therefore, although versatile, the function of the PC’s serial port has been taken over by the superior USB port.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/legacy-ports-on-a-pc.html

Throwing the Perfect Shot at the Bowling Alley

Throwing the perfect shot can lead to a higher bowling score; throwing lots of perfect shots can lead to a perfect game — a score of 300. To achieve a perfect hook shot:



  1. Straighten the wrist of your bowling hand.


    Your bowling hand, not surprisingly, is the one that’s holding the ball. Be careful not to bend or flex your wrist.



  2. Hold your hand straight while you swing the ball out and back.



  3. Begin to rotate the wrist, hand, and fingers on your bowling arm toward the opposite side of your body as the ball comes forward.


    If you’re left-handed, rotate your wrist toward the right. If you’re right-handed, rotate your wrist toward the left.



  4. Let go of the ball near your ankle and finish with your hand in the handshake position after you release the ball.


    You know your hand is in the handshake position when your thumb is pointing up and your palm is facing the inside of the lane.




To throw the perfect straight shot:



  1. Keep your bowling hand directly underneath the ball and your wrist straight.


    The main difference between a straight shot and a hook shot is that you keep your hand straight all the way through the backswing and the release of the ball.



  2. Swing your bowling arm out and back.



  3. As the ball comes forward, release it onto the lane when it reaches your ankle, keeping your hand straight and palm up the entire time.











dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/throwing-the-perfect-shot-at-the-bowling-alley.html

How to Have a Happy Retired Racing Greyhound

When you bring a retired racing greyhound into your home, you have to help him adjust to a new way of life. Be patient as you help your dog, he needs you to be the leader. These tips will help you and your greyhound to be healthy and happy:



  • Socialize your dog. Treat your Greyhound as though he has arrived from another planet. Your job is to teach him all about his new world. Show him that the natives are friendly. Make his new adventures fun. Take it slow if he’s anxious.



  • Teach your Greyhound basic manners. A quiet, well-mannered dog is a joy to live with and a welcome guest. Give your dog that benefit by training her.



  • Practice win/win learning. Make learning fun for your Greyhound by keeping it positive. Learning shouldn’t hurt. If you aren’t both having fun, you’re doing something wrong.



  • Learn to be a good leader. If your Greyhound trusts your leadership, he’ll gladly follow you.



  • Give your Greyhound a job. Just like you, he needs a reason to get up in the morning.



  • Learn to love your vet. Regular checkups can find illnesses early, while they’re still treatable.



  • Use grooming as a way to check your Greyhound’s health. Brush his teeth. Dental disease can cause serious health problems.



  • Prevent illness and injury. Get on your Greyhound’s level in the house and yard and look for potential hazards. Anticipate things thatmay cause him to bolt — such as fireworks, gunshots, or another loose or aggressive dog. Learn first aid so you’re prepared for an emergency.



  • Take your Greyhound with you on trips and be creative about activities you can do together. Use your imagination to think of places where you can take your dog and the things you can do together.



  • Make it easy for your Greyhound to be returned if he gets lost. Include an alternate contact number in case he escapes while you’re traveling and you can’t be reached. Consider a second collar in case he slips out of the first one.






dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-have-a-happy-retired-racing-greyhound.html

Electronics Projects: How to Create Sound Effects

With creative use of PBASIC commands, you can create some interesting and at times annoying sound effects in your electronics projects. The idea is to use short durations in the FREQUOUT command and use FOR-NEXT loops or some other means to vary the frequency. You can also use PAUSE commands between tones to create beeping or clicking effects.


The best way to learn what kinds of sound effects are possible with the FREQOUT command is to experiment. Use the programs included here as starting points for your own experiments.


This program plays two different beeping sounds when you press one of the pushbuttons. If you press Switch1 (on pin 14), a 5,000 Hz tone beeps twice per second. If you press Switch2 (on pin 10), a 5,000 Hz tone beeps five times per second.


' Sound Program
' Doug Lowe
' July 15, 2011
'
' This program creates fast and slow beeping sounds.
' A piezo speaker must be connected to pin 0.
' The normally open pushbutton switches must be connect to pins 10 and 14.
' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
Speaker PIN 0
Switch1 PIN 10
Switch2 PIN 14
Frequency VAR Word
Time VAR Word
DO
IF Switch1 = 1 THEN
FREQOUT Speaker,250, 5000
PAUSE 250
ELSEIF Switch2 = 1 THEN
FREQOUT Speaker,100, 5000
PAUSE 100
ENDIF
LOOP

This next program shows how you can use FREQOUT within a FOR-NEXT loop to create a continuously rising or falling tone, much like a police siren. The program varies the frequency from 3,000 to 5,000 Hz. When you press either of the pushbuttons, the rate at which the pitch rises and falls changes.


The rate at which the pitch rises or falls is governed by a variable named Time. Each time through the FOR-NEXT loop, the program calls a subroutine named GetTime, which checks the status of the pushbutton switches and changes the Time variable if either of the switches is down. That’s how the program changes the rate of the pitch change when the buttons are pressed.


' Siren Effect Program
' Doug Lowe
' July 15, 2011
'
' This program generates a rising and falling pitch similar to a police siren.
' The rate at which the pitch rises and falls changes if you press either
' of the two pushbuttons.
' {$STAMP BS2}
' {$PBASIC 2.5}
Speaker PIN 0
Switch1 PIN 10
Switch2 PIN 14
Frequency VAR Word
Time VAR Word
DO
FOR Frequency = 3000 TO 5000 STEP 15
GOSUB SetTime
FREQOUT 0, Time, Frequency
NEXT
FOR Frequency = 5000 TO 3000 STEP 15
GOSUB SetTime
FREQOUT 0, Time, Frequency
NEXT
LOOP
SetTime:
Time = 15
IF Switch1 = 1 THEN
Time = 5
ENDIF
IF Switch2 = 1 THEN
Time = 2
ENDIF
RETURN










dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/electronics-projects-how-to-create-sound-effects.html

Deciding Whether to Have Alcohol at a Wedding Reception


7 of 11 in Series:
The Essentials of Planning a Wedding Reception





Deciding on an open bar, a cash bar or no bar can be tricky. Having an open bar can be quite expensive — not to mention problematic — but asking people to pay for their booze isn’t the best etiquette, either.


Alcohol is typically expected at cocktail and dinner receptions, but you can choose from different serving methods. If an open bar isn’t going to fit the budget, consider serving champagne as guests arrive, wine with the meal and beer, wine and specialty drinks after the meal. With an even tighter budget, serve a punch or pre-purchased beer, wine and liquor. Once the alcohol is gone, the bar can serve nonalcoholic beverages.


On-premise pricing at a restaurant, banquet hall or private club can be done per consumption, or by the bottle or drink; with cocktail reception included and then per consumption; all-inclusive, with the total price of the meal including food and beverage (a good deal if your guests are heavy drinkers); or by corkage fee only, meaning you bring your own wine and champagne and the venue charges you a fee to serve it.


Go through your guest list and note how many invitees are under drinking age. Have your contract specify a lower price for them, as they’ll be drinking only nonalcoholic beverages.


An advantage to having your reception at a less traditional location and bringing in your own caterer is that you can also buy and bring in your own liquor. Check out prices at discount stores, wine shop catalogs, liquor stores and local wineries. Make sure to buy about 10 percent more liquor than you think you’ll need, and stock up on the ice.


To encourage everyone to leave the reception venue on time, close the bar before the end of the reception. A good time to stop service is about an hour before the band or DJ will close up shop. You don’t necessarily need to make an announcement that the bar is closing.


If your wedding will take place early in the day, with a lunch or brunch, you might want to leave out alcohol completely. However, it’s still appropriate to have a champagne toast or to serve morning cocktails like mimosas and bloody marys.


If a few people challenge your choice to serve alcohol, kindly remind them that it’s your wedding, and you hope they’ll be respectful of the celebration you’ve planned. You don’t have to justify yourself or your decision, but if you think doing so will help, say something like, “We knew the majority of our guests would enjoy being served alcoholic beverages.”












dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/deciding-whether-to-have-alcohol-at-a-wedding-rece.html