Saturday, October 20, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Buying a Home Theater Receiver - What to Look For
The overall sound level of the receiver is critical to the quality of your home theater experience. Decibels are used to indicate the sound level produced by a receiver. To make sure your receiver doesnt emit background noise or distort sound, look for one with about 50 watts per channel (WPC) with minimal distortion levels. Keep in mind that a receiver with a distortion rating of 10% is going to sound terrible! A receiver rated at .01% for distortion levels is ideal. Usually, distortion information is indicated by the acronym THD, or total harmonic distortion.
Yet another factor to consider where receivers are concerned is signal-to-noise ratio. This number indicates the amount of sound in contrast to the amount of background noise. A large ratio indicates that important sounds like dialogue and music will be effectively isolated from annoying background noise. Signal-to-noise ratios are indicated in decibels. Look for a ratio of 70 decibels when buying a receiver.
A factor called continuous power is also important. This is the capability of the receiver to work to its fullest power over an extended period of time. Continuous power is indicated by the acronym RMS. The RMS will give you the power capability of the component, including its potential for generating sound at various levels over an extended duration.
Dynamic headroom is another term shoppers should be familiar with. Dynamic headroom refers to the power of the receiver to generate sound at particularly high levels for brief periods of time, during a music crescendo in a movie, or when loud sound effects occur. The ability to accommodate sudden increases in sound is an important factor to look for in a receiver. Decibels are used to indicate dynamic headroom. Look for dynamic headroom of three decibels when shopping for a home theater receiver.
You will find only the best Dish Network deals in L. Dixon's articles. Check back frequently for new submissions from Dixon about new technology and how you can find the best Dish Network Promotions for your home and family.
Monday, September 17, 2007
LCD Vs Plasma - What's The Difference?
So Should I Get A Plasma or LCD TV?
1) What size of a screen will you be selecting?
Both the LCD & Plasma screens are available in up to 65” now. Are you considering a TV bigger than 50"? I believe you will find that with Tv's larger than 50" you will get a better deal on a plasma than a LCD. But here's the good news…LCD’s are becoming less expensive every day.
2) What will the lighting situation be in your TV room?
The reason I mention this to you is that the degree of sunlight that enters the room will play a role when choosing your flat panelwall mount television set. The reason I mention this is that the plasma’s glass screen can reflect plenty of direct sunlight.So as you can imagine sometimes this can be an issue in very bright rooms. Did you know-- direct sunlight can also contribute to a washout of color. Even indirect or ambient lighting can cause a contrast ratio reduction, especially in black colors produced on the screen.
Now we will talk of one of the LCD's key benefits, since the LCD comes with a plastic matte screen that reflects less light. So if you have a very bright room-- the LCD is probably your best choice. So score a point for the LCD here.
3) Lets discuss your seating arrangements.
The reason I ask is that unfortunately, when you sit at a funny angle from the screen you will get a faded LCD picture. So this may be an important thing to consider when arranging your furniture in your TV room. Sometimes based on the the amount of wall space and windows you have…You really don’t have much of an option. So think carefully about the trade off here. You tend to see some brightness and color shift when you're on too much of an angle with LCD’s. (Thankfully LCD designers are burning the midnight oil to try to find a solution to this. Here's some good news for you plasma fans, a plasma can be viewed with a fairly solid picture from almost an angle. So score a point for plasma's here. Since technology is changing minute by minute and quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer (and model to model) I would suggest a side-by-side comparison with several flat screens you may be thinking about. Try to make believe where your seating would be so you can watch it from the estimate angle you will be using at home--and simply judge for yourself.
These are just a few concerns to think about when picking a television for your home.
Would you like to learn more about the differences between a plasma and LCD?
Learn more about Plasma TV Installation Atlanta.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
What You Need, Personally, To Write A Book
The book is working its way through your thoughts and you are becoming more and more excited to get your ideas written down. Yet, like any habit, it starts with a bang and quickly loses momentum. This is the point where self motivation takes over. Here's where you need to go back to your reason for writing a book. Ask yourself questions such as why am I writing this, who am I writing to, what do I want them to get out of it, and is it worth my time and energy to continue. If you answer yes to the last question your motivation will be renewed and your habit of working on writing your book becomes solidified.
The key to a good book is the strength of its concept. Make sure you can explain what your book is about , preferrably in one sentence. If you were asked 'What is your book about?" you should not hesitate to be able to answer with confidence. If you can not you need to regroup and get a clear idea of what your concept is. Keep your eye on that concept throughout the writing of your book..
This may sound elementary but when you take a trip you need a roadmap to know where you are going and how you are going to get there. Do not start your book without a roadmap and plan. Some may think that writing a book means sitting down to your computer and just let the words flow out. Although a romantic idea, this is not how it works. Draft a plan of ideas and concepts, who you are writing to, and your end goal. This plan will be the difference between a tightly written book and a book that rambles on.
Writing a book requires focus and commitment over many months or more. You will not finish in a day or even a week. Your attention span will be strengthened when you follow the plan you've set up for yourself and your book, and you will reach each step. You will need a long attention span to keep you on task. Focus and commitment will be necessary not only to finish writing your book but also to get it published and with promotional efforts.
Remained determined, even through times that you have nothing to write or when your life has hit a rough patch. This commitment is necessary to keep you together through these times and come out the other end with a book you are proud of and worked hard at.
It is always a great idea to have guidance and someone in your corner all the way from the concept to the finished product. If this is your first book or your 99th it never hurts to have someone to bounce ideas off of who can actually help. Join a book writers forum, take a course, or get a coach. Any of these will assist you when times get tough.
You are the one who wants to write a book. You are the only one who can keep your determination throughout the entire process of writing, publishing, and promoting your masterpiece. If you're personally ready then it is time to start writing your book.
Toni Grundstrom is a freelance writer with emphasis in the Marketing field. I have been writing for a living for newspapers, newsletters, and now online ezines. I have also worked for a professional legal association, government entity, and small businesses. With 17 years of experience I provide valuable content in all aspects of Writing and Marketing.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Used Or New Car Shopping? Think About Car Insurance Costs
The type of car you drive is just one of the factors in how much you pay for car insurance. But it can be a big one. Other factors that affect the costs of insurance include your age, your driving record, the city you live in, coverages, deductibles and discounts.
Insurance companies rate vehicles as a lower or higher risk to insure based on claim histories. For example, it may cost more to repair certain foreign vehicles than others. Or, some cars are stolen more often than others. This can vary from city to city. What you want to do is get some quick insurance quotes on the car or cars you're considering buying.
One of the best ways to do this is to go online. You can get quick comparison quotes from different companies by visiting each company Web site, or by going to a comparison site. You want to get at least three different quotes because rates can vary from company to company.
A comparison site allows you to enter your information once and get several quotes back. If you visit each company's site, just make sure to enter the same information (coverages, deductibles) to get the most accurate comparison.
If you already have an insurance agent or company, give them a call and get a quote. You can use that as well to compare car insurance costs from other companies. Since you're already a customer, they may also offer some advice on discounts and relative insurance costs for other cars.
Insurance is just one of the things you should consider when evaluating your new or used car purchase, but it could help you make a decision between different vehicles that you like.
You can get free comparison car insurance quotes, and more information about saving on car insurance at LowerYourInsurance.com. The site includes a handy sheet you can use to help compare quotes. Justin Scott is an insurance freelance writer.
Monday, September 10, 2007
How to Improve Your Soccer Dribbling Skills
Just like basketball has its slam dunks and alley oops, baseball its home runs or boxing its knockouts, soccer has several key elements that make it a highly entertaining game: goals, passes, tackles and dribbling.
It’s the last one that I value most, since I believe that a good dribble is not only spectacular, but it can be extremely efficient in a game, so I’m going to dedicate the following article to explaining how soccer dribbling works, how you can train it, focus on a couple of special dribbling moves and see what soccer abilities affect your dribbling skill.
Soccer Dribbling – Introduction to the World of Ankle Breakers
By definition, soccer dribbling is a method used by the ball carrier to pass the ball past a direct opponent, without conceding possession. This may be a tight dictionary-like statement, but in truth soccer dribbling is as simple in concept as that: do anything you can (in the boundaries of the soccer laws) to get past your opponent and keep possession of the ball. But “getting past your opponent” needs a little explaining.
At a first glance, that might seem restricted to vertically surpassing your opponent on the pitch, when in truth dribbling can be done sideways, or even back towards your own half (when you want to avoid a tackle for example) and in many cases it’s just a means of clearing up the space to get a pass or shot in. This doesn’t necessarily get the ball on the other side of your opponent, but it does avoid him, allowing you to continue the play to your teammates.
Soccer Dribbling – Types of Dribbles
There are several types of dribbles that have different purposes in the game and by types of dribbles I don’t mean specific moves, or specific tricks, but rather game mechanics involving dribbles that have a certain end-goal.
Pressure Avoiding Dribbles – This is probably the most common type of dribble in the game and as a central midfielder almost every touch of the ball you get will have to be followed by a pressure avoiding dribble. This involves a quick flick of the ball in an area with some empty space when being under pressure from an opponent and its goal is to give you a few seconds to execute a pass, or in some cases a shot.
The most important aspect of pressure avoiding dribbles is knowing where you’re going to move the ball even before you actually get to it. Take into consideration that you will probably only have a couple of seconds to pass or shoot the ball after such a dribble, since the defender will be quick to position himself in front of the ball again, or try to tackle you decisively.
Great examples of players who use this kind of dribble effectively include Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf or Michael Ballack.
Speed Dribbles – Speed dribbles are mostly popular with wing backs, since the wings are usually more open and free and they allow a fast player to virtually throw the ball forward and run for it again, smoking one or two opponents in the process.
Speed dribbles aren’t very fancy in terms of ball control, however the dribbler needs to focus on pushing the ball forward just right so that he doesn’t loses possession to an opposing defender or throw the ball out of the playing bonds. A few examples of great speed dribblers include Arjen Robben, Cristiano Ronaldo, Marc Overmars or Dani Alves.
Receiving Dribbles – This is probably one of the most effective ways to dribble, but it can also be the hardest: going around your opponent straight from receiving the ball. It can throw an entire defense off balance and create havoc for the opposing team, but you truly have to be a skilled player to produce great receiving dribbles.
First of all, you need to have impressive vision on the pitch, knowing exactly where your opponents are and where you can find some open space on the field, even before the ball gets to your foot.
Secondly, you need to be in perfect control of the ball receiving technique, since pushing it too soft or too hard will ruin the dribble. Last but not least, you need to use your body to trick your direct opponent off balance, allowing you to turn and push the ball into open space unhindered.
Soccer Dribbling – Skill Factors Involved in Dribbles
You’re probably tempted to say that ball control is the only skill involved in dribbling, but in truth there are a lot more factors that need to be added up for a successful dribble. Let’s take’em step by step:
Ball Control – Indeed, ball control is a general principle that is required for almost all types of dribbles. Ball control is the ability to move with the ball, without losing possession, so it basically requires you to know how hard to hit the ball when moving forward with it, as well as organizing your body movement in such a way that allows you to follow up and get the ball to your feet again.
Ball control also refers to being able to trap or receive a ball without pushing it too further away from your body, which, in our case, is extremely useful in receiving dribbles. Ball control is important for all types of players when dribbling, regardless of their position on the pitch.
Strength – Strength is a major factor in receiving dribbles and positional ones, since it allows you to use your body as a wall between the ball and your opponent, repositioning him or her so you create an advantage towards the enemy goal.
If you look at some of the players that are considered the best dribbles out there nowadays, such as Ronaldinho or Zinedine Zidane, you’ll notice that they very often use their body in dribbles, in order to surpass an opponent or relieve themselves of pressure and find a pass or a shot.
In what regards soccer dribbling, strength is mostly important for central midfielders, who are under constant pressure from the opposing team and for attackers who will have to use their bodies to shield the ball before they can unleash a dribble in the box.
Speed – Being faster than your opponent is one thing, but knowing how to get the ball past him AND gain back possession is the key to a successful speed dribble. If the speed difference is greatly in the favor of the attacker, he can simply push the ball forward along the pitch in an empty area and run for it.
If the space is limited, or if the speed difference is not so great between the ball carrier and the defender, the moment you start the dribble is extremely important.
You need to start upping the pace when the defender is off balance (possibly after you throw him off-balance with a movement from your body) and make sure you have enough space to maneuver around him.
Weaker Foot Ability – Dribbles often involve using both feet and various parts of the foot (the sole, the instep, the backheel, the front, the outside or the inside) in order to work properly and your weaker foot can often cause you problems.
Being unsure of your weaker foot will leave you very vulnerable in front of an intelligent defender, since he’ll know there’s only one direction you can dribble towards using your strong foot.
Soccer Dribbling – Training Your Dribbling Skill
You can train dribbling individually, with a teammate or in a group. Individually, you can set up an obstacle course, then wave your way through the obstacles like a skier would through flags. Make sure you use both feet, so you learn how to dribble in each direction and using your weaker foot as well.
Pairing up with a teammate is also a great way to practice your soccer dribbling. This method has two advantages: first of all, it allows you to train your dribbles against a real opponent, which changes quite some parameters in how you train in comparison to avoiding ground obstacles.
Secondly, assuming you change roles with your teammate every now and then, allowing him to become the dribbler, you will also act as a defender and will learn how defenders think when having to cope with an opponent’s dribble.
Knowing your “enemy” will help you read your match opponents like an open book and you’ll soon know what to do in any match situation where a dribble is required.
Group dribbling training sessions mostly focus on pressure avoiding dribbles rather than individually going around a single opponent. Practicing in a group simulates match conditions best and it’s a solid way to work out your dribbling skill naturally, rather than forced like you would have with individual or paired training.
Niv Orlian is the author and the owner of a Soccer Fans website that provides information on various topics related to soccer such as the history of soccer, soccer rules, famous soccer players, soccer fundamentals and soccer conditioning.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Last Minute Cruise Deals - Where To Find Them
Don't get me wrong, travel agents are still very much an integral part of finding those last minute cruise deals however, with the internet now well and truly entrenched as a part of our every day landscape, cruise bargain hunters have never had it so good.
Scoring last minute deals is all about planning, patience, being flexible and being kept informed and it's the latter which we'll concentrate on in this article.
Being Kept Up-To-Date
Travel agents in general provide a great service; just get on the phone and ask them to find you a great deal on a vacation somewhere at a specific price and more often than not, they'll find it for you.
Online services let you act as self-serving travel agents in a sense with specialist sites allowing you to enter specific information such as time, date and place of travel and with the click of your mouse, you are presented with any number of choices for your chosen time of travel.
It couldn't get any easier! But how effective is this in locating last minute cruise deals?
Planning And Flexibility
Good question and this is where planning and flexibility come in. Yes, you can plan for last minute deals and if you have the flexibility in your work schedule to take off at a minute's notice then finding your cruise online is a great way to go.
Remember, these sites specialize in finding and sourcing specials and one of the best ways to stay informed is by joining their newsletter lists.
This is an extremely effective method of not only knowing what's on offer but also what's coming up over the horizon. It's all part of the planning stage and means you don't have to "play Russian roulette" and hope there will be a cruise to suit you available when you want it.
Many websites also offer alert services which involves entering some details about the time, place and length of the cruise you're interested in and when a match is found you are simply alerted. Finding last minute cruise deals has never been easier!
Want to know how to score some great last minute cruise deals? You'll want to read this informative guide! Plus, read the latest cruise news and reviews on how to score a great bargain.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Affiliate Marketing With Madden Products
NFL techniques to use for your video games
NFL coaches also lend their voices to the game, making standard gripes after players commit penalty violations. NFL 2007 DraftThe defense was the cornerstone of the Bears run to the Super Bowl. NFL players are the best of the best. My source for the early season NFL rosters are the Madden games. The Madden games undoubtabliy, helped the NFL gain some of its popularity.
Video gaming on madden cheat code
Xbox live play is great with a new fantasy football option, and the new EA Locker, where you can put your saved files such as rosters or franchises. The winner of the inaugural Xbox Live Madden Championship will not only be known as, “The World’s Greatest Online Gridiron Gamer”, but they will also win a trip for four to attend the world’s most exclusive Super Bowl party, the 11th Annual EA SPORTS Madden Bowl. “It is also no secret that Xbox is the console of choice when it comes to playing sports games.
Learn all about your favorite NFL athletes, participate in the players poll, win free gear all year, and check out the players journals.
InGameplan this is split up into five sections, Offensive formations, RunningPlays, Passing Plays, Defensive Plays and Special Teams, plus a "Hints andTips section". Practice has seemed to go by really fast as these coaches changes drills a lot more frequently than any of the other teams we've seen so far on the blog tour. Running backs are also used asblockers in the backfield, so teams should be aware that sending running backsinto pass patterns reduces the number of potential pass blockers. Quick Out: A quick out is the same as a hitch but instead of turning around at the 5 or 6-yard mark, you break out towards the sideline. Quick out to Steve Smith and Charles Tillman drops him for only two yards.
Passes can be very effective if run correctly as can running the ball. Practice the same play a few times until you complete a few passes and it seems almost too easy. Get airborne 15 feet high to make off-the-wall catches, up-the-wall passes, wall hurdles, and end zone dives, or pull off jukes high on the walls, dusting opponents. Gabriel,a fifth-round pick in 2003, caught 37 passes for 554 yards andthree touchdowns last season. Have the quarterback throw the ball over your left shoulder (catch the ball with your right hand only) 5-10 passes per-practice. Have the quarterback throw the ball over your right shoulder (catch the ball with your left hand only) 5-10 passes per-practice.
Their offense is consistently elite in NFL terms, and their potent passing offense opens up the running game. I went to 4 wide bunch in singleback formation, then threw a quick out to the L receiver to pick up 12 yards and get out of bounds with :01 left, then kicked a 50-yarder for the win. During a post route, the wide receiver gives the impression of a go route before making a hard cut either in or out in a 45 degree angle. "The basic routes are hitches, slants, curls, go routes, and post routes," he said. In addition to the slant and hitch is the quick out route. He was the master of the quick out and complete game.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Inexpensive Add-Ons For Your Computer
Did you know you could watch TV on your PC or Notebook? A TV tuner card can be installed in your PC or plugged into your USB port. This will allow you to connect your cable or satellite to your PC and watch TV. Usually these units come with remote. So why not turn your study or bedroom into your entertainment center. You can watch TV on your monitor change the channel even shrink your TV screen and place it in the corner of your monitor so you can do your work and still watch your favorite shows. If you spend a little more you can even add surround sound speakers to your PC making your room into a thundering sound and video experience. The TV tuner card will also allow you to record your favorite show for future viewing. If you have a CD or DVD burner you can also create a disk that can be viewed on any TV connected to a DVD player.
Does your cell phone have Bluetooth? A lot of people think that Bluetooth refers to an earpiece for your cell phone. Bluetooth is a method of transferring data in a short distance between devices. You can add Bluetooth to your PC thorough either a PCI card or simply by plugging in a USB Bluetooth key. If you have a cell phone or PDA with Bluetooth you can transfer pictures, video, music and sync your device to your PC. No more having to type all of your contacts using a cell phones key pad. Another great Bluetooth device is a set of wireless headphones. With Bluetooth headphones you can sit anywhere and listen to music playing off of your PC. You can also get Bluetooth headphones with a microphone. This will allow you to talk to someone via MSN or Skype without having to sit in front of your computer.
These days most of us are using digital cameras or storing music on MP3 players. Most of these devices use add on memory cards. There are many different types. SD, CF, MS, XD just to name a few. With the addition of a multi card reader you can transfer pictures and data between your computer and any of these cards. It's as simple as plugging the reader into a USB port. Then slide any card into the reader and presto you have access to anything on the card. No fumbling with cameras or cables.
About the Author:
Evan Freedman is an author for CSSZafco.com, distributor of computers and accessories. Evan has been diagnosing and fixing computer for over 25 years. Please visit the site to view a huge assortment of Computer Technology.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Finding the Best Credit Card Interest Rates in the UK and Worldwide
While there are many reasons to pay your credit card bill as soon as it becomes due, there are many situations where you might find yourself in a situation where the interest rate becomes very important.
Credit card interest rates in the UK and the United States are on the up, the rate that companies offer their clients varies wildly. Typically, it can be anywhere from 7 percent to as high as 36 percent. There are many factors that affect the interest rate that you are given. Some banks and finance companies merely have higher interest rates than others, which is something that you can check out when you are applying. It is always recommended that you take a look around for the best interest rate.
The thing that most affects your interest rate is your previous credit history. If you have bad credit, your current company will consider your risk of nonpayment higher. In an effort to make sure that they will recoup the money, they will impose a higher interest rate on your account.
How do you find the best credit card interest rate in the UK well interest rates in the UK are not written in stone. There are a few things you can do to lower a high interest rate on your existing account. The first thing that you can do is call your credit card company. Before you do so, try to make sure that you have a good history with them before this, that you've paid your bills promptly. Politely point out your good credit history and request a lower interest rate. Credit rates are a good deal more fluid than most people think and there's a good chance that your interest rate will be lowered then and there.
If you cannot secure a lower interest rate with your own company, it is time to start looking around for a institution that is better for you. Armed with a history of good credit and prompt payments, you can easily find a credit card company that will give you favorable rates.
One thing to keep in mind at this juncture is to read all of the fine print. If the interest rate is too good to be true, it often is. If you see a company that offers a 3 percent interest rate, make sure that this is not merely an introductory offer, that is, one that expires over a certain amount of time. After a few months at a 3 percent interest rate, you might find yourself with an interest rate of 10 to 20 percent if you're not careful!
If you can get a line of credit through a credit union, they also tend to have better deals and interest rates, but you usually need to be related to whatever hosts the credit union, like a university or a corporation.
One thing for sure, finding the best credit card interest rates in the UK and the USA will always be full of surprises! There are many things you can do to lower your interest rate, so don't delay! Find a company that will give you the low interest rate you deserve.
Credit card interest rates in the UK and worldwide has intrigued Dr S for many years. Finding the best credit card interest rates in the UK can be a minefield if you do not research properly as the long term accrued interest debt can be very discerning.