Singing in a Foreign Language

Singing a song in another language doesn’t let you off the hook with your responsibilities as an actor. You want to know exactly what’s happening in each phrase so you can deliver each word with conviction.

• Create a word-for-word translation. The first step is to look up each word so you know exactly what you’re saying. It’s tough to find the operative word in the line if you aren’t sure what half of the words mean.

  
  

  When you find the definition for each word, create a paraphrased version of the text in English. If the word-for-word translation turns out to be, “To you with love I only,” you can paraphrase to “I love only you,” which makes perfect sense.

  
  



• Compare the word-for-word translation with a paraphrased version of the text. You may find the paraphrased version on the copy of your song underneath the foreign-language text. Remember that you can’t really commit to the paraphrase until you know which word means what in the original language.

  
  

  Sometimes the poetic translation underneath the original text has little to do with the original meaning of the poem. Always do your own translation as well, just to check.

  
  



• Practice speaking the word-for-word translation in English, the paraphrase in English, and the text in the foreign language. After you do all your homework, you want to work the text as a monologue, both in English and in the foreign language.

  
  

  The operative words in the English language may not be in the same order as in the foreign language. Strive to be a great actor and singer, regardless of the language or style of music.

  
  

Some of the newer books being published for classical songs or songs from operas, called arias, include word-for-word translations and paraphrases of the text. If you want to sink your teeth into the language, get a good dictionary with a pronunciation guide as well as the definitions of the words.

If you buy the dictionary with the pronunciation guide, you save yourself so much time looking up the diction rules. You can also consult numerous websites for translating text.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/singing-in-a-foreign-language.html

Setting Up Your Internet Connection in Mac OS X

Figure 1: The Network settings for an internal modem Internet connection.

4. Click the PPP tab to display the settings shown in Figure 2.

>

Figure 2: Adding PPP settings.

5. In their respective fields, enter the account name, password, telephone number, and (optionally) the service provider name and an alternate telephone number provided by your ISP.

6. Press COMMAND+Q to exit System Preferences and save your changes.

Using Ethernet hardware

Follow these steps to set up your Internet connection if you're using a network, cable modem, or DSL connection:

1. Click the System Preferences icon on the Dock and choose Network.

2. Select Built-in Ethernet from the Show drop-down list to display the settings that you see in Figure 3.

>

Figure 3: The Network settings for an Ethernet Internet connection.

3. Enter the settings for the type of connection that your ISP provides:

• If your ISP tells you to use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): Select Using DHCP from the Configure IPv4 drop-down list, and your ISP can automatically set up virtually all the TCP/IP settings for you! (No wonder DHCP is so popular these days.)

• If you won't be using DHCP, select Manually from the Configure IPv4 drop-down list box. Then enter the settings provided by your ISP in the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router, and DNS Servers fields.

4. If your ISP uses PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet), click the PPPoE tab to display the settings shown in Figure 4.

5. Mark the Connect Using PPPoE check box to enable it and then enter the account name and password.

If your ISP includes the Service Provider name and a PPPoE Service Name, you can enter those as well.

6. To allow everyone who uses your Mac to access the Internet with this account, mark the Save Password check box to enable it.

Enable the Show PPPoE Status in Menu Bar check box. When you do, Mac OS X displays a menu bar icon that lets you know the status of your PPPoE connection.

7. Press COMMAND+Q to exit System Preferences and save your changes.

>
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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/setting-up-your-internet-connection-in-mac-os-x.html

Building Your First DataSet in Visual Basic .NET

A DataSet can contain all the basic elements of a database: tables, keys, indexes, and even relations between tables. So by creating a DataSet, you'll be discovering the structure of a database at the same time. The fundamental differences between a DataSet and a database are that a database generally resides on a hard drive in one or more files and is usually larger. A DataSet usually holds a subset of the data in a full database.

A DataSet can be stored on a hard drive, but it can also simply be pulled out of an existing database — and therefore may merely reside in the computer's memory while someone manipulates or views it. Then, if changes are made, the DataSet can be merged back into the database from which it was extracted.

Creating a DataSet

You can create and manipulate DataSets using VB.NET data controls and Server Explorer in many ways. However, to get off to a good start, you use the simplest approach of all: dropping a DataSet control from the Toolbox onto a form. In this example, you are not extracting a DataSet by extracting a subset of an existing database (technically, a subset is referred to as a query or result). Instead, you create a DataSet yourself, defining its structure (technically, schema). This is virtually identical to the way that you would create an actual database, but a DataSet is simply smaller than an ordinary database.

To create a DataSet, follow these steps:

1. Choose File --> New --> Project.

The New Project dialog box appears.

2. In the Name column, type AddressBook.

Did you know that it's very easy to put your Windows-style projects in any directory that you want? Just click the Browse button in the New Project dialog box and choose a directory. You can even type in the name of a directory that doesn't exist, and VB.NET creates it for you.

3. Double-click the Windows Application icon.

The dialog box closes and you see an empty form.

4. Open the Toolbox (press Ctrl+Alt+X or click its tab).

5. Click the Data tab in the Toolbox.

You see a set of database-related controls.

6. Double-click the DataSet icon in the Toolbox.

The Add Dataset dialog box appears.

7. Choose the Untyped Dataset option by clicking that radio button.

You have no DataSet in this project yet, so you can't use the Typed Dataset option.

8. Click OK.

The dialog box closes and a new DataSet object icon appears in the tray below your form. The tray is where VB.NET puts controls that are never made visible to the user, such as a Timer.

Adding a table to a DataSet

Now it's time to define the structure, or schema, of your new DataSet. It's time to add a table to it.

Inside that table, define three columns: one for the last name of each person in your address book, the second for the first name, and the third for an autoincrementing primary key.

1. Right-click the DataSet1 icon from the previous example in the tray, and choose Properties.

The Properties window appears, showing the properties of DataSet1.

2. In the Properties window, change the Name property (not the DataSetName property) of DataSet1 to dsAddresses.

The DataSet icon in the tray changes to display its new name. (Behind the scenes, VB.NET also changes the name in the source code that it writes automatically to define the contents of your form.)

3. In the Properties window, click the Tables property and then click the ellipsis (...).

The Tables Collection Editor appears.

4. In the Tables Collection Editor, click the Add button.

The table's properties appears.

5. Change the Name property (not the TableName property) to Friends.

VB.NET again changes the source code behind the scenes. You don't have to worry about these details — just relax and know that VB.NET knows how to write the code that defines your new DataSet's schema.

6. In the Properties list of the Tables Collection Editor, click Columns and then click the ellipsis.

The Columns Collection Editor dialog box appears.

7. In the Columns Collection Editor, click the Add button.

You can now define a new column and its properties. Note that the DataType property for all columns defaults to the string (text) type, although you can change it. This is the data type that you want for the LastName and FirstName columns.

8. Change the Name property (not the ColumnName property) to LastName. (The name defaults to DataColumn1.)

9. Click the Add button.

Column2 is now created.

10. Change this column's Name property to FirstName.

11. Click the Add button.

Column3 is now created.

12. Change this column's Name property to Key, and its ReadOnly property to True.

With the ReadOnly property True, nobody can write (change) any of the data in this column. That's what you want; it's supposed to be looked at (read) only.

13. Double-click the Unique property.

The property changes from False to True. Now the DataSet refuses to permit two rows to contain identical data in the Key column. In addition, as long as this property is True, you can't use the Remove button in the Columns Collection Editor dialog box to delete the column.

14. Double-click the AutoIncrement property.

The property changes from False to True. Now the DataSet automatically increments (increases) the number in this column by one for each row. Notice that when you double-clicked this property, VB.NET was wise enough to change this column's DataType property from String to Integer. After all, you want ordinary numbers (1, 2, 3, 4, and so on) in this column, not text. Text can't be incremented.

Also notice that you can change the AutoIncrementSeed (starting number) property and the AutoIncrementSeedStep (amount of increase in each step) property. However, the defaults are what you want: start from zero and go up by one each time. This way, the first record you add to this table is automatically given a 0 in the Key column, the next record you add is given a 1, and so on up.

15. Click the Close button twice.

The Columns Collection Editor and the Tables Collection Editor close.

There is no actual data in your dataset, but you have created its schema.

Viewing a DataSet's code

While you've been sitting on your fancy perch using dialog boxes and controls to create a DataSet, VB.NET has been busy in the code window doing all the grunt work to write the programming. Just for a good scare, open the code window by double-clicking Form1 in the design window. Now click the + symbol next to Windows Form Designer generated code to reveal the tons of code that VB.NET doesn't think you need to bother your pretty head about.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/building-your-first-dataset-in-visual-basic-net.html

Defining the Players in the Wholesale Business

When you buy merchandise wholesale to sell on eBay, a full team of players participate in the wholesale game. Each player performs a different task and can help you in different ways, as follows:

• Manufacturers: Buying directly from a manufacturer may get you great prices, but it may not be the place for a beginner to start. Manufacturers usually require large minimum orders from retailers. Unless you have a group of other sellers (perhaps a friend who owns a retail store?) to split your order with, you may have to make your purchase from a middleman.

  
  

  An exception to the large-quantity requirement may be in the apparel industry. Because apparel has distinct, rapidly changing fashion seasons, a quick turnover in merchandise is a must. Apparel manufacturers may allow you to make small purchases toward the end of the season to outfit your eBay Store. It never hurts to ask.

  
  



• Wholesalers: Here’s your first step to finding your middleman. Wholesalers purchase direct from the manufacturer in large quantities. They sell the merchandise to smaller retailers who can’t take advantage of the discounts from manufacturers for large orders.

  
  

  Find a wholesaler who is familiar with (or better yet, specializes in) the type of merchandise you want to sell. Obviously, someone who specializes in prerecorded DVDs and videos won't have a clue about the fashion market — and vice versa.

  
  



• Manufacturer’s reps: These are generally the type of people you’ll meet at trade shows or marts. They represent one or many noncompeting manufacturers and sell their merchandise to retailers for a commission.

  
  



• Jobbers or brokers: These independent businesspeople buy merchandise anywhere they can at distressed prices. They deal mostly in liquidation or salvage merchandise.

  
  

Don’t forget to negotiate. Almost everything in the wholesale merchandise world is negotiable. Although merchandise may have a set price, you may be able to get a discount if you offer to pay on delivery or within ten days. Ask whether they can help you out with shipping costs and perhaps promotions. They just may give you a discount if you promote their product through banner ads. Ask, ask, ask. The worst they can say is no.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/defining-the-players-in-the-wholesale-business.html

How to Get the Most from Your Meditation

To get the most from your meditation practice, you must commit to it. When you start meditating regularly, you can reap myriad benefits — from lower stress and cholesterol to higher levels of satisfaction and happiness. The tips in the following list offer ways to reap the best benefits from meditation:

• Meditate regularly — preferably every day.

  
  



• Set aside a quiet niche where you can meditate undisturbed.

  
  



• Decide beforehand how long you're going to meditate — and then follow through, no matter how restless or bored you become.

  
  



• Don't sit on a full stomach — wait at least an hour after a meal before meditating.

  
  



• Find a comfortable sitting position — and be sure to gently straighten your spine.

  
  



• Rest your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth and breathe through your nose.

  
  



• Take a few deep breaths before you start, and consciously relax your body on the exhalation.

  
  



• Drop any expectations about what you're supposed to be achieving or experiencing, and just be, exactly as you are.

  
  



• As much as possible, extend the qualities of mind and heart you develop in your meditation to every area of your life.

  
  

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-get-the-most-from-your-meditation.html

Enterprise Mobile Device Security: Unknown Networks

The nomadic existence of mobile devices and propensity for tethering means much greater security exposure to unknown networks. Therefore, intrusions are far more likely on these devices than on a fixed desktop. Here’s why:

• A mobile device is always on the go.

  
  



• Smartphones support a plethora of interfaces.

  
  

Bottom line: The likelihood is very high that any given smartphone is connected to one or more wireless networks almost all the time and could be anywhere.

Typically, these intrusions are in the form of an infected machine in the network. Nomadic users connecting to ad hoc, unencrypted networks present a very tantalizing target for hackers. Hackers could be on that same network with an infected machine or could have infected a device that they’re controlling remotely from their console with the express purpose of attacking unsuspecting users as they attach to these networks.

So what can you do? Education, education, education. Your users need to follow these guidelines:

• Check for the security posture of a wireless network you are connecting to. Is it encrypted (WEP, WPA, WPA2, and so on)? If not, understand that there are risks associated with connecting to this network.

  
  



• Use the company-provided VPN client to ensure that all traffic is encrypted.

  
  



• Run the antivirus/firewall client after you log off from the network to look for any potential breaches that may have occurred.

  
  

Your panacea is to periodically scan your enterprise-issued mobile devices using the antivirus, firewall, and newer forms of threat-detection solutions as they emerge, assuming your users will be constantly coming on and off public networks.

For non-enterprise-issued devices, there is little you can do in terms of exercising control at the endpoint, so your posture should be more defensive, looking for threats emanating from the mobile that could attack the enterprise and using your network-based security solutions to prevent against this.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/enterprise-mobile-device-security-unknown-networks.html

How to Enforce Online Community Guidelines: Issue Warnings

After you have your online community guidelines in place, you need to take appropriate action when necessary. Every broken rule must have a consequence, and the severity of that consequence depends on the severity of the broken rule. Sometimes, of course, consequences are subjective, and you can handle them on a case-by-case basis.

Most of the time, a warning is a sufficient reaction to a broken rule. If profanity is against your comment policy, for example, you can simply issue a warning: “Please note profanity isn’t allowed in this forum. If you’d like to edit your post to include a more appropriate word, please feel free to do so. Otherwise, we’ll have to delete the comment.”

Of course, this type of warning can go either way. Inappropriate comments are often innocent because the member didn’t read the commenting guidelines properly. In this case, he’ll usually apologize and remove the offending word. On the other hand, sometimes members raise a fuss and complain about not being able to freely express themselves, in which case another nicely worded warning or explanation may be in order.

Public warnings do more than tell someone he has broken the rules. It also shows the entire community you’re watching, and certain behaviors won’t be tolerated. Also, you’re issued a first and second warning, the offending party, and all who’ve witness the events, can’t say that you’re picking on the person you’ve banned.

There’s a big difference between a gentle reminder, a nicely worded warning, and a message meant to embarrass the offending party. Warnings aren’t meant to humiliate; they’re meant to remind.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-enforce-online-community-guidelines-issue-w.navId-323004.html

How to Grill Gluten-Free Cajun Orange Roughy

This gluten-free fish dish will definitely awaken your taste buds! The mild flavor of the orange roughy doesn’t compete with the spicy paste, and the whole combination teases the tongue just a bit. If you like your foods super-hot, add more cayenne.

Don’t overcook the filets, or the fish may become tough.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 8 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Nonstick cooking spray

Four 5-ounce orange roughy filets

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/8 teaspoon sugar

1. Preheat the broiler.

   
   



2. Using the cooking spray, grease an 8-x-10-inch baking dish. Rinse the filets, pat them dry, and lay them in a single layer in the baking dish.

   
   



3. In a small bowl, stir the butter, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, and sugar into a paste.

   
   



4. Spoon 1/4 of the mixture on top of each filet spreading the topping evenly over each piece.

   
   



5. Broil the filets for 7 to 8 minutes or until the fish is baked through.

   
   

Per serving: Calories: 164; Total fat: 7g; Saturated fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 100mg; Sodium: 216mg; Carbohydrates: 1g; Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 0g; Protein: 24g.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-grill-glutenfree-cajun-orange-roughy.html

CISSP Exam Test Day Tips

The CISSP Exam is demanding, but if you’ve worked your way through the Common Body of Knowledge and know your stuff when it comes to areas such as network security and disaster recovery, you should do fine — as long as you also take the following CISSP Exam Test Day Tips to heart:.

• Get a Good Night’s Rest. The night before the exam isn’t the time to do any last-minute cramming. Getting a good night’s rest is essential.

  
  



• Dress Comfortably (and Appropriately). You should dress in attire that’s comfortable — remember, this is a six-hour exam. Be sure to dress appropriately because some test locations might have specific dress requirements, such as business casual.

  
  



• Eat a Good Breakfast. Even if you’re not a breakfast person, try to get something down before the exam. No extra time is allotted for lunch breaks, so plan on eating a good, healthy, hearty breakfast.

  
  



• Arrive Early. Absolutely, under no circumstances, do you want to arrive late for this exam. Make sure that you know where the exam site is located, what the traffic is like at that time of the day, and where you can park. The doors to the testing site generally open at 8:00 a.m. for registration. At 8:30 a.m., the exam proctor provides a brief introduction, including break rules and restroom locations, and instructions for filling out the answer sheets. The exam begins at approximately 9:00 a.m.

  
  



• Bring Your Registration Letter and ID. After you register online, (ISC)2 e-mails you a confirmation letter. Print the e-mail and the confirmation letter, and bring both with you to the exam. You also need to bring your driver’s license, government-issued ID, or passport — these are the only forms of ID that are accepted.

  
  



• Bring Snacks and Drinks. Some test centers provide coffee, sodas, pastries, and light snacks . . . but don’t count on it. Bring a small bag that holds enough food and drink to get you through the entire exam.

  
  



• Bring Prescription or Over-the-Counter Medications. If you’re taking any prescription medication, bring it with you. Also, consider bringing some basic over-the-counter meds, such as acetaminophen or antacids, to eliminate any annoying inconveniences such as a headache or heartburn.

  
  



• Bring Extra Pencils and a BIG Eraser. (ISC)2 provides neat little pre-sharpened No. 2 pencils for the exam, but you should also bring a few of your own pre-sharpened No. 2 pencils — and a big eraser!

  
  



• Leave Your Cell Phone, Pager, PDA, and Digital Watch Behind. Turn off your cell phones, pagers, PDAs, digital watch alarms, and anything else that goes beep.

  
  



• Take Frequent Breaks. Six hours is a long time. Be sure to get up and walk around during the exam. We recommend taking a short, five-minute break every hour during the exam. Eat a snack, go to the restroom, walk around, stretch, or whatever . . . then get back to the task at hand.

  
  

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/cissp-exam-test-day-tips.html

Business Coaching: How to Give Feedback Verbally

A skilled manager is also a business coach who knows how to verbally deliver constructive feedback. The phrasing and tone of your verbal feedback is important, because how you say something often carries more weight than what you have to say. Ideally, feedback is given by talking live to the employee — either face-to-face or by phone when you physically can't be together.

Consider these pointers when offering performance feedback:

• Be direct when delivering your message. Get to the point and avoid beating around the bush. For many managers, bush-beating tends to be more of an issue when giving negative feedback than when giving positive feedback. Both should be given in a straightforward manner.

  
  



• Avoid "need to" phrases, which send implied messages that something that didn't go well. For example, "Jane, you need to get your reports turned in on time, and you need to spell check them." This message isn't really performance feedback. It implies that Jane did not do something well with her reports, but it doesn't report exactly to Jane what happened. Providing clarity on what occurred is the aim of feedback.

  
  



• Be sincere and avoid giving mixed messages. Sincerity says that you mean what you say with care and respect. Mixed messages are referred to as "yes, but" messages. For example, "John, you have worked hard on this project, but. . . ." What follows is something the person isn't doing well and is the real point of the message. The attempt to be nice first — sugar-coating the message — is negated, and the real sincerity of the message is diluted.

  
  

  The word "but," along with its cousins "however" and "although," when said in the middle of a thought, create contradictions or mixed messages. In essence, putting "but" in the middle of you’re your saying tells the other person, "Don't believe a thing I said before."

  
  



• Give the feedback person-to-person, not through messengers of technology. E-mail and voice mail don't work for constructive feedback because they don't allow live, two-way conversation to follow. Nor does the sincerity of the message come across as well, whether it's positive or negative feedback. Talk one-on-one with people when giving feedback — most of them don't bite.

  
  

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/business-coaching-how-to-give-feedback-verbally.html

How to Evaluate Online Community Feedback

Online community managers have a love/hate relationship with feedback. It’s a good feeling when you hear from community members that you’re a wonderful community manager. It’s also a great ego boost to discover campaigns and promotions are paying off or that your members feel good about participating in such a positive atmosphere.

This kind of positive feedback is helpful because it tells you where you are in achieving your goals for the community and also that your campaigns and other community efforts are paying off. Plus, you know you’re doing something right and can work on ramping up your community plans to see how to make it even more positive.

When you’re doing something right, you want to continue doing it right. If you hear that a particular giveaway was a huge success, are you going to leave it at that? No, you’re going to plan more giveaways! The last thing you want to do is have one successful campaign and leave it at that.

On the flip side of the coin, you have your negative feedback. No one likes hearing or reading something bad. It’s even more embarrassing if negative feedback is left as a public comment on a blog post, written out as a whole blog post, or posted on social networks such as Twitter or Facebook.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-evaluate-online-community-feedback.navId-323004.html

Business Marketing Plan: Your Internet Presence

In this day and age, no business marketing plan can overlook the importance of online communication. Even if yours is among the few businesses whose customers don’t use the Internet, most certainly your suppliers and those who refer to your business do. In fact, by a long shot, the Internet is the starting point for most business searches. If people can’t find you online, in many cases, they simply won’t look further.

In the marketing strategy section of your business plan, outline your program for heightening Internet presence by covering the following points:

• 
  

  The address and purpose of your business website

  
  

  If you don’t have a site for your business, describe sites where customers can locate your business, such as the Chamber of Commerce site, industry sites, local media sites, and so on.

  
  


• 
  

  Keywords that you use throughout your web site to increase rankings in web search results

  
  


• 
  

  A description of how your business uses social media and online networking to develop and deepen customer relationships

  
  


• 
  

  A summary of how you drive traffic to your site through online advertising, incoming links, and self-promotion

  
  


• 
  

  A description of how you use e-newsletters, e-mail promotions, and ongoing online contacts for inexpensive contact with established customers, and how you use social media networks for building both customer interaction and business awareness.

  
  

Online presence is now a minimum standard for business communication. Customers and associates view your online presence as an indication of your ability to stay current in the marketplace and in constant communication with your customers. Be sure that your marketing plan includes a blueprint for your Internet communication strategy. Include a summarized statement of that strategy in the marketing section of your business plan.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/business-marketing-plan-your-internet-presence.html

How to Read Knitting Abbreviations

1 of 11 in Series:
The Essentials of Knitting a Gauge Swatch

Knowing how to read knitting abbreviations and shorthand becomes easier the more you work with knitting patterns. Common knitting abbreviations and shorthand include RS (right side), WS (wrong side), beg (beginning), and rep (repeat). Pattern instructions explain any unusual abbreviations or ones that may vary from pattern to pattern.

This table shows some of the most common pattern abbreviations.

Common Knitting Abbreviations

Abbreviation	What It Means	Abbreviation	What It Means
beg	beginning	pwise	purlwise (as if to purl)
CC	contrasting color	rem	remain(s) or remaining
ch	chain	rep	repeat
cn	cable needle	RH	right-hand
dec	decrease(s), decreased, or decreasing	RS	right side(s)
dpns	double-pointed needles	rnd(s)	round(s)
foll	follows or following	sc	single crochet
inc	increase(s), increased, or increasing	sl	slip, slipped, or slipping
k	knit	sl st	slip stitch
k2tog	knit 2 stitches together	ssk	slip, slip, knit the slipped stitches together
k-b	knit in stitch below	St st	stockinette stitch
kwise	knitwise (as if to knit)	st(s)	stitch(es)
LH	left-hand	tbl	through the back of the loop
lp(s)	loop(s)	tog	together
MC	main color	WS	wrong side(s)
m1 (or m)	make 1 stitch (increase 1 stitch)	wyib	with yarn in back
p	purl	wyif	with yarn in front
pat(s)	pattern(s)	yb	yarn back
p-b	purl in stitch below	yf	yarn forward
pm	place marker	yo	yarn over
psso	pass slipped stitch over (used for decreasing)

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-read-knitting-abbreviations.html

Understanding Salvation by Faith

The notion that salvation is totally of God and is the result of nothing that anyone does is hard to grasp. To many, this solution is too easy. Human nature almost demands us to tack something onto the end. And many through the ages have felt compelled to add onto the central message of Christianity. But the Bible makes it clear that salvation is sola gratia — by grace alone. As Ephesians 2:8–9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not from yourself or anything you've done, but the gift of God." Salvation, therefore, is a free gift of grace from God.

When a person accepts the gift of salvation, he or she is said to be justified — made acceptable before (or made right with) God. The process of being declared righteous is called justification.

Although all Christians agree that God's grace is what saves people, they disagree considerably over what a person's role is in this whole process. Obviously, a Christian needs to believe in Jesus Christ, but a sticky issue has always been whether faith by itself is sufficient for salvation. The Christian Church is split on this issue.

Catholics believe that God's gift of grace is received through faith and by partaking of the sacraments (such as being baptized, taking Communion, being confirmed in the church, and confessing sins to a priest). Baptism is particularly important and Catholics consider it a key requirement for being saved.

Most Orthodox Christians believe salvation is more of a gradual process in which humans become more and more like God as they participate with him in the work of salvation. Protestants see the act of praying the sinner's prayer as the trigger that brings salvation into a person's life. In contrast, Orthodox Christians typically place far less emphasis on a specific "salvation event" that starts the Christian's life, focusing instead on what must be done over the course of a person's life to continue on in the faith. In other words, while Protestants ask, "What can I do to be saved?", Orthodox Christians ask, "What can I do to be most saved?"

Protestants believe in justification sola fide (by faith alone). In other words, faith in Jesus Christ is all that is needed to actually save a person. "Faith" or "belief" in this context isn't simply an intellectual belief in God, but rather something far deeper and life changing than head knowledge. Protestants point to several verses in Acts and Romans to back up their claim:

• "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved." (Acts 16:31)

• "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." (Romans 3:22)

• "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law." (Romans 3:28)

• "To the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

Protestants are very leery of the W word that Paul speaks so loudly against in the Book of Romans — works. That's why they disagree with the Catholic link between the sacraments and salvation and the tie that Orthodox Christians place on living a Christian life with one's salvation. Protestants consider these efforts to be works, plain and simple, since they are actions that one takes apart from belief. Although Protestants agree with Catholics and Orthodox Christians that a Christian must live out her faith (Philippians 2:12), they see the practice of "living out" as something that is separate from salvation itself — an effect of receiving salvation, rather than a necessity to receive salvation.

Putting aside all these debates and nuances, here are two key truths about salvation and faith that all Christians agree on:

• Faith in Jesus Christ is essential to be saved and justified. See Ephesians 2:8–9.

• True faith has a backbone. The Book of James makes it abundantly clear that a declaration of faith by itself doesn't amount to a hill of beans if it isn't backed up by action (James 2:14–26). In other words, if you're gonna talk the talk, you've gotta walk the walk. Therefore, if someone is truly a Christian, his or her life is going to be characterized by a growing faith and, over the long haul, will live in accordance with that faith. However, recognize that this is a consequence of faith, not a condition.

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/understanding-salvation-by-faith.html

How to Determine Whether You Need to Hire an Ad Agency

Can an ad agency help your business make your advertisements more effective? You should consider hiring an advertising agency to help with your ads if you're faced with some of these situations:

• Phone calls from media sales reps are taking up too much of your time.

  
  



• You’re simply overwhelmed by the myriad details inherent in producing and placing your advertising.

  
  



• You no longer have the time, or the energy, to write and produce your advertising yourself.

  
  



• Creating and placing your advertising on a regular basis has become a job in itself.

  
  



• Your own creative efforts aren’t yielding the results you desire.

  
  



• You don't know whether you’re spending your advertising budget as wisely as you could be.

  
  



• The bookkeeping process for media invoices has become too complicated and time-consuming.

  
  



• You finally admit that media invoices are written in a secret code that you’ll never decipher.

  
  



• You’re eager to have creative professionals generate fresh, new ideas for your advertising.

  
  



• You want to put a team of highly trained specialists to work, with the common goal of growing your business.

  
  



• You'd welcome the creative, account service, and media buying expertise that an agency can provide.

  
  



• You want to do co-op advertising but don’t want to deal with the co-op hassle.

  
  

You don’t need an advertising budget in the millions to seek out the services of an ad agency. Many local agencies provide you with all the services offered by the major agencies, but they’re scaled down to fit within your budget and your advertising requirements.

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-determine-whether-you-need-to-hire-an-ad-ag.html

How to Place Images in Your E-Mail Marketing Messages

Properly placed images in your marketing e-mails can help break up the text and make your messages easier to scan and read. Improperly placed images can distract your audience from the main idea of your message and cause clutter.

You can position images as visual anchors that attract attention and give your audience reasons to stop scanning and start reading your e-mails.

Positioning single images in your e-mail marketing message

You have three basic choices for single-image placement in the body of an e-mail: centered, or left- or right-justified. To use image justification, you need to add an align command followed by left, right, or center in your image reference in HTML. For example: <img align=”left” src=”http://www.yourwebsite.com/filename/imagename.jpg>.

Most e-mail applications and EMPs allow you to justify images with a user interface so you don’t have to know the code.

Try these layouts when you have one article and one image:

• Centered: Your image displays in the center of a column above your text with no text next to it on either side. Centering is usually the best choice when an image is much wider than it is tall.

  
  



• Left justification: Your image displays on the left side of a column with text placed to its right. In this layout, make sure that your text and image are the same height or that the text wraps underneath the image for at least two lines.

  
  



• Right justification: Your image displays on the right side of a column with text placed to its left. Again, make sure that the text and image are the same height or that the text extends below the image for at least two lines.

  
  

Positioning multiple images in a single column of your e-mail marketing message

When you have multiple articles and images in a single column, arrange your articles and images in patterns:

• All images centered: If the first article begins with a center-justified image, also center justify the images in the remaining articles for that column.

  
  



• All images left-justified: Left-justifying your images works best when you want your images to be the main focus of your content. Your audience is likely to follow several images repeating down the page before scanning across the page to view the text. Left-justification is the best choice if you want to ensure that mobile device users see your images.

  
  



• All images right-justified: Right-justify your images when your e-mail has a narrow left column that you want to draw attention to. Right-justified images aren’t as likely to be noticed right away.

  
  



• Alternating justification left to right or right to left: Alternating justification gives your audience reasons to scan across the e-mail page instead of just looking straight down the page at a number of repeating images.

  
  



• Bottom-justified images: Including images at the bottom of a body of text can be effective in catching your reader’s attention before she scrolls past the end of your article. Bottom-justified images can be positioned to the left, right, or center, depending on the image and the content that begins directly under the image. Some examples of effective bottom-justified images include

  
  
  
  

  • An image of your signature in a closing paragraph: Draw attention to contact information or a call to action.

    
    
  
  

  • A small picture or icon pertaining to a call to action: An icon of a telephone to draw attention to a phone number, for example.

    
    
  
  

  • A symbol or logo that displays credibility: For example, your certification as an authorized dealer to draw attention to a link to view a list of testimonials.

    
    
  
  
  
  

Placing images in multiple columns in your e-mail marketing message

When your e-mail uses multiple columns, leave plenty of space between images in adjacent columns so that your images don’t bunch up and cause your audience to scan away from the content related to each image. Tips for arranging images include

• A narrow left column with images: Keep the images in your right column right-justified or centered, or you can right-justify your images to create the appearance of a column:

  
  



• A narrow right column with images: Keep the images in your left column left-justified or centered.

  
  



• More than two columns: Keep your image dimensions distinct and consistent for each column. You can use images with various dimensions, but all the images contained in each separate column should be the same size.

  
  

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-place-images-in-your-email-marketing-messag.navId-610165.html

Professional Network Skills for Online Community Managers

As an online community manager, you’re required to spend time networking offline at professional events and online via social-media tools. Networking with confidence is a skill that many professional people haven’t mastered.

Most people confuse networking opportunities with selling opportunities, but those who network the right way can drive sales without a single pitch. You’re not necessarily networking for the sale, however. You’re networking to meet people and build relationships. You’re networking to find out about people who are in your community and in similar communities and to bring them all together.

You’re also gathering information for your marketing and product development teams. The more they know about the people who use your products or services, the better able they are to create the things that those people want to use.

Many times, networking isn’t about work or business. Because most networking events include people who have something in common, you’re there to gain new clients, followers, community members, or sales. But have a conversation that isn’t about any of that stuff, and see where it takes you. Chances are that you’ll achieve your networking goals better if you don’t push your business on everyone there.

The best networkers know that the conversation isn’t about them. Instead, they ask questions and find out as much as they can about the people they’re talking with. They use I and me as little as possible to make it more about you.

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/professional-network-skills-for-online-community-m.html

Online Community Manager: The Content Developer Hat

Everything posted online is content, including text, video, and audio. Online community managers tend to be the keepers of the content. They maintain the company blogs, post to the social networks, and even plan videos or company podcasts.

The most successful community managers are creative types. They have a way with words and never run out of things to talk about.

How to choose forms of online community content

Content comes in many forms:

• Blogs

  
  



• Newsletters

  
  



• webinars

  
  



• website articles

  
  



• Updates to the social networks

  
  



• Forum entries

  
  



• Video

  
  

Discuss the type of content your community needs with your team. If your company has an editorial department, it may help shape and edit your content. As the person who is to be the brand’s most active web presence, however, you provide most content.

This isn’t to say that you’ll have to write fresh articles and blog posts every day, unless that’s part of your agreement. Community content may also come in the form of frequently asked questions (FAQs), comment policies, community guidelines, and other more official types of writing.

Most community managers put a plan together listing the best ways to reach out to the community and stick to it on a regular schedule. A weekly customer newsletter, twice- or thrice-weekly blog posts, and lots of social networking or forum updates will ensure that customers are kept in the know.

How to write and edit online community content

If you never took editorial classes and don’t have an English degree, you may be worried about being expected to write and edit content for the company website or blog. Don’t worry too much. When you’re writing for your community, it’s more about using conversational language than about following a strict format. Without dumbing things down, write in a manner that’s easy to understand and that comes naturally for you.

When writing for an online community, keep the following pointers in mind:

• Write how you speak. Use a conversational tone. Customers and community members are more responsive when they understand what you’re saying and your content isn’t filled with jargon. Be mindful of slang and avoid profanity, but don’t be afraid to use humor to get your point across. That isn’t to say that you should be slapstick, but people do relate best to a light tone.

  
  



• Be mindful of typos and errors. Even if you didn’t attend journalism school, you likely have a good grasp of the basic principles of grammar and can spot typos. Always double-check your work before making it public to be sure that it’s clean.

  
  

  Your content is a reflection of your community. If it’s poorly written and filled with typos, it reflects poorly on your brand, and people will think you don’t care.

  
  



• Take care not to offend. Things that may seem small to you may seem major to someone else. Be careful not to offend anyone in your community.

  
  

  Avoid stereotypes and don’t poke fun at different groups or ethnicities. Don’t bring up politics or religion unless you belong to a political or religious community, and even then, be careful what you’re putting out there. Also be careful when pushing the envelope. You may think that edgy or swear words are hip, but not everyone reacts to them the same way.

  
  



• Remain neutral. Even if you personally feel strongly about a particular issue, you can’t take sides. Community managers are neutral parties and must always remain neutral regardless of personal preference.

  
  

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/online-community-manager-the-content-developer-hat.html

Studying Associated Arts with Mind Magic and Mentalism

Improve and develop as a mentalist by studying allied prediction ‘arts’. Scores of different divination methods exist, and, although they’re not tricks as such, these topics are worthy of your time. They can help you develop convincing patter, provide contexts for your routines and better connect with your audience.

• Astrology: Since the beginning of time, humans have gazed on the heavens in search of the answers to life’s biggest questions. People who practise astrology believe in a discernable relationship between visible astronomical phenomena and events on earth. In modern western cultures, millions of people make decisions every day based on what the ‘stars tell them’. When you read your horoscope in a newspaper, you’re engaging in astrology.

  
  



• Biblical divination: The Bible is a rich source of examples of divination and prophesy, which are sometimes culturally accepted and practised and sometimes forbidden.

  
  



• Bibliomancy: This field is the study of ancient sacred books, especially words and verses used for the purposes of divination. A book is allowed to fall open and a passage chosen without looking. Small groups of Christians, Muslims, Jews and others practise this form of divination.

  
  



• Cartomancy: This form of divination includes the use of decks of cards, such as tarot and standard playing cards, to predict the future.

  
  



• The Cube: The Cube is believed to have been developed by Sufi Muslims in Greece or Turkey. Basically, you use five symbols, such as a cube, a ladder, flowers, a horse and a storm, to ask simple questions. You then interpret those symbols and their meanings.

  
  



• Numerology: Modern numerology is an eclectic mix of ancient cultures, which supports the belief that a connection exists between numbers and things, such as longevity. Perceived to be a ‘universal language’ that people can tap into to read their future, each number also has a value attached to it relating to life, love, health, wealth, and even the forces of good and evil.

  
  



• Oneiromancy: People have long been fascinated by their dreams, and so unsurprisingly an entire field is dedicated to dream interpretation to predict future events.

  
  



• Palmistry: Many people sincerely believe that their future is already mapped out for them and that fate can be read in the palm of their hands.

  
  



• Phrenology: Some people believe that the size and shape of the skull, and even the bumps on it, can be read to determine a person’s fate.

  
  



• Rune casting: Often made of little wooden blocks or stones carved with the letters or shapes of an ancient Germanic alphabet, runes are cast (tossed out) and their fall interpreted.

  
  

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/studying-associated-arts-with-mind-magic-and-menta.html

National Insurance Contributions in the UK

In the UK, most working people between the ages of 16 and 65 are eligible to pay national insurance contributions, or NICs. Paying NICs helps you build up entitlement to certain social security benefits, including the state retirement pension. The amount of NICs you pay depends on how much you earn and whether you’re employed or self-employed.

Employees 2010-11

Weekly Earnings	Rate
Up to £110	0%
£110.01–£844	11%, or 9.4% if contracted out of the state second pension
Over £844	1% on earnings above this level

Self-employed 2010–11

Limit below which Class 2 not payable:	£5,075
Class 2 rate:	£2.40 per week
Class 4 rate:	8% on profits between £5,715 and £43,875 and 1% on sums above the upper limit

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/national-insurance-contributions-in-the-uk.html

Word 2010 Shortcut Keys

Sure, menus are wonderful, but all that clicking might not be the fastest way for you to get something done. Peruse the following table for the many shortcuts Microsoft Word 2010 offers.

Moving around in a document

Press This	To Move Insertion Pointer Here
↑	Up one line of text
↓	Down one line of text
→	Right one character
←	Left one character
Ctrl+↑	Up one paragraph
Ctrl+↓	Down one paragraph
Ctrl+→	Right one word
Ctrl+←	Left one word
PgUp	Up one screen
PgDn	Down one screen
End	To end of current line
Home	To start of current line
Ctrl+Home	To top of document
Ctrl+End	To bottom of document

The most common key commands

Press This	To Do This
Ctrl+C	Copy
Ctrl+X	Cut
Ctrl+V	Paste
Ctrl+Z	Undo

Text-formatting key commands

To Do This	Press This
Bold	Ctrl+B
Italic	Ctrl+I
Underline	Ctrl+U
Double Underline	Ctrl+Shift+D
Word Underline	Ctrl+Shift+W
Small Caps	Ctrl+Shift+K
Superscript	Ctrl+Shift++
Subscript	Ctrl+=
Erase Formatting	Ctrl+spacebar
Grow Font Size	Ctrl+Shift+>
Shrink Font Size	Ctrl+Shift+<
ALL CAPS	Ctrl+Shift+A
Font	Ctrl+Shift+F
Point Size	Ctrl+Shift+P
Font Dialog Box	Ctrl+D

Paragraph-formatting key commands

To Do This	Press This
Center Text	Ctrl+E
Left Align	Ctrl+L
Right Align	Ctrl+R
One Line Spacing	Ctrl+1
1½ Line spacing	Ctrl+5
Two Line Spacing	Ctrl+2
Justify	Ctrl+J
Indent Paragraph	Ctrl+M
Unindent	Ctrl+Shift+M
Hanging indent	Ctrl+T
Unhang indent	Ctrl+Shift+T

Common Word key commands

Feature/Action	Press This
Help	F1
Cancel	Escape
Go Back	Shift+F5
New Document	Ctrl+N
Open	Ctrl+O
Print	Ctrl+P
Close	Ctrl+W
Quick Save	Ctrl+S
Repeat	Ctrl+Y
Find	Ctrl+F
Find and Replace	Ctrl+H
Manual Page Break	Ctrl+Enter

Uncommon (but useful) Word key commands

Feature/Action	Press This
Go To	F5
Show/Hide	Ctrl+Shift+8
Office Button Menu	Alt+F
Styles Task Pane	Ctrl+Shift+Alt+S
Print Preview	Ctrl+Alt+I
Word Count	Ctrl+Shift+G
Symbol Font	Ctrl+Shift+Q
Print Layout View	Ctrl+Alt+P
Draft (Normal) Mode	Ctrl+Alt+N
Outline Mode	Ctrl+Alt+O
Split Window	Alt+Ctrl+S

Handy insert key commands

To Insert This	Press This
Today's Date	Alt+Shift+D
Current Time	Alt+Shift+T
Paste Special	Alt+Ctrl+V
Footnote	Alt+Ctrl+F
Endnote	Alt+Ctrl+D
Comment	Ctrl+Alt+M

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/word-2010-shortcut-keys1.html

Network Planning: Defining the Network Purpose

One of the first steps in planning your network is understanding why you want the network in the first place; its purpose. Here are some of the more common reasons for needing a network, all of them quite valid:

• My coworker and I exchange files using CDs or flash drives just about every day. With a network, it would be easier to trade files.

  
  



• I don’t want to buy everyone a laser printer when I know the one we have now just sits there taking up space most of the day. So wouldn’t buying a network be better than buying a laser printer for every computer?

  
  



• I want to provide an Internet connection for all my computers. (Many networks, especially smaller ones, exist solely for the purpose of sharing an Internet connection.)

  
  



• Someone figured out that we’re destroying seven trees a day by printing interoffice memos on paper, so we want to save the rainforest by setting up an e-mail system.

  
  



• Business is so good that one person typing in orders eight hours each day can’t keep up. With a network, I can have two people entering orders, and I won’t have to pay overtime to either person.

  
  



• My brother-in-law just put in a network at his office, and I don’t want him to think that I’m behind the times.

  
  



• I already have a network, but it’s so old it may as well be made of kite string and tin cans. An improved network will speed up access to shared files, provide better security, and be easier to manage.

  
  

Make sure that you identify all the reasons why you think you need a network and then write them down. Don’t worry about winning the Pulitzer Prize for your stunning prose. Just make sure that you write down what you expect a network to do for you.

If you were making a 500-page networking proposal, you’d place the description of why a network is needed in a tabbed section labeled “Justification.” In your1/2-inch network binder, file the description under “Purpose.”

As you consider the reasons why you need a network, you may conclude that you don’t need a network after all. That’s okay. You can always use the binder for your stamp collection.

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/network-planning-defining-the-network-purpose.html

Shopping for Your Rottweiler Puppy

Having everything in place before you bring your Rottweiler puppy home is important. You need items to keep the dog busy, have toys for training, and provide a place for your puppy to sleep. Make sure you have the following basics on hand when welcoming your Rottweiler home:

• Paneled fence partition or pen to cordon off a living area for the puppy

  
  



• Fiberglass kennel crate or metal wire cage

  
  



• Feeding bowls and water dishes

  
  



• Food prescribed by the breeder

  
  



• Brushes, combs, and nail clippers

  
  



• Doggy quick bath

  
  



• Special dog shampoo

  
  



• Collars and leashes

  
  



• Toys

  
  



• Household odor neutralizer and cleaners

  
  



• Chewing deterrents

  
  

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/shopping-for-your-rottweiler-puppy.html

Finding Familiar Features in PowerPoint 2007

Even if you're a PowerPoint veteran, you may occasionally have trouble finding features in the 2007 version. Find common commands in PowerPoint 2007 with help from this handy chart:

PowerPoint 2003 Command	Equivalent PowerPoint 2007 Command
File->New	Office Button->New
File->Save	Office Button->Save
File->Package for CD	Office Button->Publish->Package for CD
File->Page Setup	Design tab, Page Setup group,
Edit->Undo	Quick Access toolbar->Undo
View->Master->Slide Master	View tab, Presentation Views group, Slide Master
Insert->Slide	Home tab, Slides group, Add Slide
Insert->Picture->Clip Art	Insert tab, Illustrations group, Clip Art
Insert->Picture->From File	Insert tab, Illustrations group, Picture
Format->Font	Home tab, Font group,
Format->Paragraph	Home tab, Paragraph group,
Slide Show->Slide Transition	Animations tab, Transition to This Slide group
Slide Show->Custom Animation	Animations tab, Animations group, Custom Animation

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/finding-familiar-features-in-powerpoint-2007.html

How to Deal with Negative Emotions when Day Trading

In day trading, the big emotions can take over and mess up your strategy and your returns. The enemies are doubt, fear, and greed; like any bullies, they have their toadies, including anger, anxiety, boredom, and depression.

• Doubt: Day traders have to act fast to place their buy and sell orders. There isn't time to second-guess the decisions. That’s why traders need to stick to their plans, which isn’t always easy.

  
  

  Backtesting can help build confidence in a plan, and the use of automated trading tools can help overcome the tendency to hesitate before clicking on the mouse button.

  
  



• Fear: Fear is one of the worst emotional enemies of the day trader. Instead of trying to make money, the fearful trader tries hard not to lose it. He is so afraid of failing that he limits himself, doesn’t take appropriate risk, and questions his trading system so much that he no longer follows it, no matter how well it worked in the past.

  
  

  One way to limit fear is to have a plan for the trading business. Before you start trading, take some time — maybe half a day — to sit down and think about what you want, what will happen to you if you get it, and what will happen to you if you don’t.

  
  



• Greed: There’s a saying down at the Chicago Board of Trade: “Pigs get fat, but hogs get slaughtered.” Traders who get greedy start to do stupid things. They stop following their trading plans, hold positions too long, and make rash trades. The greedy trader loses discipline and eventually loses quite a bit of money.

  
  

  Limit orders, which automatically close out positions when they hit set prices, are one way to force discipline in the face of greed.

  
  



• Anger: The markets can be maddening. They don't do what you want them to, and that often costs you real money. Your rage at the markets can cause you to stop seeing straight.

  
  

  When anger makes it impossible to think clearly, your best bet is to call it a day, close out your positions, and go somewhere far from your trading screen(s). The only way to psych out the market is to be just as mechanical and unemotional as the blips that cross your screen.

  
  



• Anxiety: Anxiety is the anticipation of things going wrong. Anxious people avoid whatever it is that makes them upset. That means that a trader may not make an obvious trade or hold on to a losing position too long. He becomes too nervous to trade according to his plan, and his performance suffers.

  
  

  One way to combat anxiety is through automated trading and limit orders. If your limits are set when you place the trade, then your anxiety can't override your plan.

  
  



• Boredom: Day trading can be really dull. You may spend most of the day waiting for the right opening. A flurry of trades, and it’s all over. To keep yourself entertained, you may start making bad trades or letting your mind wander away from the task at hand.

  
  

  If you’re really bored, close out your positions and take a break. Going for a walk or quitting early can clear your head and help you focus when you get back. Remember, one of the benefits of working for yourself is that you don’t have a boss to criticize you for knocking off early.

  
  



• Depression: Depression is a severe downturn in your mood, especially one that causes you to feel inadequate and lose interest in things you used to like. The ups and downs of the market can make traders particularly vulnerable to depression. At best, depression can make it hard for a trader to face the market. At worst, it can lead to alcoholism, alienation, and even suicide.

  
  

  If you think you may be depressed, check out this handy quiz. Or better yet, go to your doctor.

  
  

dummies

Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-deal-with-negative-emotions-when-day-tradin.html

Camera Settings for a Sunrise Photo

Start shooting into the sun when it peeks above the horizon. When you photograph a landscape at sunrise, the quality of the light and the colors changes almost by the second. Shoot lots of frames and shoot them from different vantage points.

Use the rules of composition and pay careful attention to where you place the horizon line. Don’t get so carried away with the beauty of the sunrise that you forget that your goal is to capture compelling photographs of the sunrise — photos that people will spend some time viewing.

If you photograph a sunrise and shoot directly into the sun, your camera will try to outfox your best efforts. Be alert and stay one step ahead of your camera. Getting a great photograph of the sunrise requires the proper focal length, shooting mode, and more. The following list will get you pointed in the right direction:

• Focal length: When you’re photographing a beautiful landscape with a rising sun, choose a wide-angle focal length between 24mm and 35mm. The sun will be relatively small in the image, but you’ll capture the beauty of the landscape and any clouds that are in the scene. In addition, the camera won’t have to compensate for quite as wide a dynamic range because the sun is a tiny pinpoint of light.

  
  



• ISO: Choose the lowest possible ISO setting for the available ambient light. This ensures a noise-free image. If you have to increase the ISO setting, don’t exceed ISO 400, if your camera sensor is not full frame or ISO 800, if your camera has a full-frame sensor.

  
  



• Shooting mode: Use aperture priority mode when you photograph a sunrise with a beautiful landscape. This gives you complete control over the depth of field.

  
  



• Aperture: Choose the smallest possible aperture that yields a shutter speed of 1/50 of a second. If your lens has image stabilization, you can get by with a shutter speed of 1/30 of a second, or perhaps 1/15 of a second if you have a very steady hand.

  
  

  You should use an aperture with an f-stop value of f/11 or higher. When you dial in a higher f-stop value, you get a smaller aperture and a greater depth of field. If you shoot at the largest recommended aperture and your shutter speed dips too low, the alternative is to increase the ISO setting.

  
  

  Don’t increase the ISO setting beyond 400, or 800 if you have a camera with a full-frame sensor, especially if the scene has lots of shadow areas.

  
  



• Tripod: A tripod is optional but ensures that you get a sharper image. You’ll also need a tripod if you’re photographing the scenery before the sun rises.

  
  



• Exposure compensation: When you photograph a sunrise, your camera will think the scene needs to be brighter and will crank up the exposure. The sun may be bright, but you also get dark areas in your scene.

  
  

  To keep one step ahead of your camera, review your photos as your photo shoot progresses. If the image on your LCD monitor looks brighter than the scene before you, use exposure compensation to decrease the exposure.

  
  



• Reverse graduated neutral density filter: This filter is darkest at the middle and gradually becomes clear at the top. This filter balances the bright light of the sun with the shadows, bringing the dynamic range into something your digital camera can manage.

  
  

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/camera-settings-for-a-sunrise-photo.html

How to Open Your Body, Mind, and Spirit to Meditation

Meditation is a practice that engages not only your mind, but your body and spirit, too. When you meditate, you aim to combine all three aspects so you can tap into your calm center, and then relax and refresh yourself. Use the tips in the following list to engage your mind, body, and spirit in your meditation practice.

• Practice stretches that open your hips and lengthen your spine.

  
  



• Discover how to relax your body (if you don't already know) by practicing some deep relaxation techniques.

  
  



• Experiment with different sitting positions (cross-legged, kneeling, on a chair) until you find one you can hold comfortably for 10 to 15 minutes.

  
  



• Explore the basic meditation techniques (mindfulness, loving kindness, mantra), choose one, and stick with it — for a few weeks or months at least.

  
  



• Take a meditation class with an experienced teacher, join a meditation group, or attend a meditation workshop or retreat.

  
  



• Talk with your family about your interest in meditation to make sure they feel comfortable about your practicing at home.

  
  



• Reflect on the many ways your mind stresses you out, as well as the power of meditation to help you work with your mind.

  
  



• Remind yourself of the scientifically proven health benefits of meditation, from lower cholesterol to greater longevity to an enhanced immune system.

  
  



• Consider what motivates you to meditate and rededicate yourself to the practice, especially if your enthusiasm flags.

  
  



• Follow a healthy lifestyle: Eat well, exercise regularly, and, if possible, avoid smoking, drinking, and watching too much TV or engaging in other mind-numbing activities, especially right before meditating.

  
  



• Read spiritual books (if you're so inclined) that connect you with the sacred and inspire your meditation.

  
  

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-open-your-body-mind-and-spirit-to-meditatio.navId-400164.html