She dreams of touring Europe and the US to sing of love and peace. That is her ‘big ambition.’ A rising star amongst Egypt’s singers, Rula Zaki tells us in her best known song that we live on an indivisible planet.

“Love the world, we are one,” says the lyric her father, Galal, wrote for her to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. It is a message of love and peace to the US and the world.

“I miss my friends at Appleton and I miss the milk. There’s no milk like Appleton, Wisconsin, milk,” she says. She studied music at Lawrence University in Appleton.

That was back in the 90s. What is she doing now?

“I’ve become a graduation singer,” she says with a laugh. She says she knows that sounds funny, but that’s mostly what she’s been doing recently. She takes singing seriously, but her sense of humour bubbles over while she talks.

“Schools ask me to sing at their graduation ceremonies. Oh, and last year I sang at Queen Elizabeth’s birthday party at the British Embassy.”

Rula, who sings in nine languages, apart from her own, which is Arabic, is an incisive personality. She knows what she wants, says so and doesn’t waver thereafter. Modesty is her watchword: she refuses to wear plunging necklines and skimpy clothes and does not project herself as a hip-jerking, prancing purveyor of pop. This may have lost her some “big bucks”, but she doesn’t care. Singing is her life, not just a money-spinner, which doesn’t mean she projects a Victorian image. “New York, New York,” after all, belongs to our times and Rula is very much a personality of today.

She had two charity engagements recently. One of them was a People-to-People peace movement party attended by Mary Eisenhower, Ike’s granddaughter. She also sang at a stadium to an audience of 9,000, of whom 5,000 were disabled. Another recent engagement had her performing for a Spanish tour group at the pyramids.

The graduation performances that she’s been giving, she says, usually involve her singing a song of her own choosing and then one the pupils have chosen, so they can sing along with her

She sang her Dad’s 9/11 song originally at the Cairo American College (CAC) commemoration of the 9/11 tragedy and then at the Maadi Community Church and the American University in Cairo (AUC) reunion. She also sang it at a British Embassy fund raising event to send Egyptian Special Olympics entrants to the games in Ireland.

Rula, who is from a Muslim family, is evidence of the indivisibility of mankind. She sings Western melodies with the same verve and polish she devotes to the half tones of Arab music. It is, perhaps, astounding that though she sings to Arab-style music, she received most of her education and voice and musical training almost entirely in US institutions.

Her music and vocal teacher for seven years was Larry Catlin. CAC’s Director of Music and the founder of Cairo’s New Opera House Choir, Rauf Zaidan, worked with her from 1982. Her voice, he said at the time, had “all the makings of a magnificent natural soprano” and she sang at the Cairo Opera House as a young child.

While still at CAC she gave soprano solo performances in the Faure Requiem (Pie Jesu) and the Vivaldi ‘Gloria’
(Domine Jesu). She also performed in the operas, ‘The Merry Widow’ and ‘Carmen,’ as well as the musicals ‘Starlight Express’ and ‘Carnival.’ The climax came with a stunning performance in a school production of “My Fair Lady” that brought her acclaim beyond the walls of the school.

The school’s Music Director “took me to New York where I stayed with his parents and went to the Crane School of Music. His parents were good people. They really looked after me. I was 12, the youngest in the school. I won an award as the most outstanding vocalist.”

In High School she was offered seven scholarships to study music at reputable US universities. She and her parents and music advisers chose Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. There, on a four-year-scholarship, she obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in 1995.

Since then she has taken the lead roles, acting and singing, in Walt Disney’s Arabic version of ‘Little Mermaid’; ‘Toy Story 2′ and ‘Cinderella.’ She sang at the opening of the 36th International Advertising World Congress (IAA) in Cairo, in May 1998 and at the launch of Egypt’s First Lady’s ‘Give a Kid a Hand’ worldwide campaign.

She has sung professionally for TV and radio in Egypt, Jordan and the USA as well as acted and sung in numerous TV commercials. While at school she won the Arion award for vocal music and she was the Grand Prize Winner of the Cairo 2000 International Song Festival.

You’d think her singing engagements and her three-year-old son, Karim, would be enough to keep her busy, but Rula has a regular job teaching music at the school where she, herself, was once a pupil and where she started her singing career.

Cairo is a long way away from the small, quiet town of Appleton, where she says she never felt foreign, but she keeps in touch with her friends there. Some have come to visit her in Egypt and are coming back again.

© Copyright Yasseen

Yasseen Yasseen is the author of a coming-of-age book called Emigrating Home, which was sparked by his being called into both the British and Egyptian armies when the two countries were in conflict. A dual national, he was caught up in an almost insoluble dilemma: how could he serve in either since he loved both? This is the story of his journey from his birthplace, what was then the British colony of Jamaica, to school in Britain, to his father’s country, Egypt. Told in fiction form, the tale ends with Yasseen in Cairo trying to get a grip on things that seemed to spin out of control because, while he spoke no Arabic, he looked like a national and nobody took him for a tourist.

Yasseen has spent his working life in radio, TV and newspaper journalism, in the Middle East — in Egypt, Oman and Dubai.

He is currently working for a newspaper and is trying to find time to write a novel and a sequel to Emigrating Home.

You can visit his website at: http://www.emigratinghome.com/

What’s the best way to plot?

Quick answer: the best way to plot is whatever works best for you. After all, we’re all different. Interview any group of a dozen writers and you’ll find they all have different times of the day when they’re alert; different belief systems about the world; different preferences in food and films. So why on earth would we all agree on the best way to plot a story?

Personality Types

To find out the best way of plotting for you, first (a) think about your usual approach to problems then (b) try a few different methods. It’s not certain that the ‘best’ way for you will dovetail with your personality type, but it’s likely. If we work on the four basic ‘types’, we find that people tend to gravitate to being:

• Extraverted or Introverted [this refers to how you receive stimulation - from within yourself (introverted) or from external sources (extraverted)]

• Sensing or Intuitive [your usual method of taking in information - via the five senses (sensing) or relying on instincts (intuitive)]

• Thinking or Feeling [whether you make decisions based on logic and objectivity (thinking) or on your personal, subjective value systems (feeling)]

• Judging or Perceiving [how you deal with the world on a day to day basis: organised and purposeful, with a liking for structured environments (judging) or flexible and comfortable with open, casual environments (perceiving)]

Is this set in stone? No, of course not. We all function across the entire spectrum - but you’re likely to find that you have a natural preference. If you can identify your personality type, you can work with your strengths - and thus find the method of plotting your stories that works best for you.

If you tend more towards being introverted, intuitive, feeling and perceiving, then you are likely to prefer a more flexible form of plotting. You would probably feel comfortable with cluster diagrams, branching, and scribbled notes with lots of arrows and extra little boxes.

Cluster Diagrams

You can use these for the basic plot, for characters, and for settings. Draw a circle in the middle of the page. Write the name of the story in this circle. (Any working title will do.) Around it draw more circles- as many as you need for things such as the catalyst for change, the character’s initial problem or goal, obstacles to be faced, final challenge for the main character, darkest moment, secondary characters, ending.

There’s no point in my prescribing how many circles you need- after all, this is your plot. You’re the intuitive, feeling type - you don’t want me to say ‘you have to put this here and that over there’. Watch your plot grow in front of your eyes.

Branching

Branching is very similar to the cluster diagram. You begin with the story, then draw ‘branches’ (lines) out from the box in the centre. These branches will represent the main thrust of your story: the same basic ‘ingredients’ as used above in the cluster diagram: characters, problems, obstacles, and so on. Off each of these main branches you draw smaller lines or branches - and along those lines write the specific problems encountered, the various characters in the story, and so on.

Both cluster diagrams and branching will let you see the shape of your story in a pictorial way. Many writers find they can get a much better overall sense of where their story is going when they can see it all as a diagram, rather than as a list of points.

Plot outlines

Perhaps you feel much more at home in a structured environment. You are extraverted, and tend to think about things and make judgements. In this case, you could feel much happier with a detailed plot outline, with each step carefully planned. You may need to ‘write out’ the plot so you feel you know where you’re going.

The Gary Provost Plot Checklist

There are many basic plots you can use, but one of the best I’ve seen is the one advocated by the late Gary Provost. His plot outline, in the form of a checklist, is as follows:

• Inciting incident (what event sets the plot into motion?)

• The prize (what is it your character wants?)

• The strategy (what does your character decide to do in order to get what he/she wants?)

• The conflict (who are some of the people who are working against your character?)

• The stakes (what will be the consequence if the plan does not work?)

• The bleakest moment (what happens to make things look hopeless?)

• The lesson (what does your character learn about himself/herself, others or life?)

• The decision (what does your character do because of what he/she has learned?)

• The hole (In what way does your character need to grow emotionally (although probably unknown to him/her)

• The back story (what is it that is haunting your character as the story begins?)

Answer these questions and you have a story. The value of this checklist is that you can use it either to formulate a plot OR as a backup, to check that you have all the plot ‘ingredients’ in place if you use a different method.

Happy plotting!

(c) Copyright Marg McAlister

Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers’ tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/.

And you thought your family and children were so safe inside the home environment cozily protected from potent health hazards! But did you know that the source of asthma, lead poisoning, and many such types of chronic health conditions could lie within your home environs?

According to recent survey it has been revealed that your family especially the kids are threatened with major health risks if the design/architecture, built and maintenance of your home is improper.

So while planning out a new home or a home remodeling/renovation make sure that your home planner or design architect makes use of healthier home building techniques and technology. This shall ensure that your family and kids residing in such healthy homes are much more healthier and safer!

You might incur higher expenses while constructing a healthy and environmental friendly home as compared to normal homes. But the health and life of your children and family is supposed to be of utmost importance above anything else!

So while you are busy with your home plans or home renovation ideas spare a thought on the following points to build a healthier and safer home.

· Budget your home plans keeping in mind that you have to use non-toxic or less toxic building materials that are a bit more expensive than general building materials.

· General building and construction materials (particularly glues, paints, varnishes, insulators, etc.) are usually loaded with toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as urea, formaldehyde, lead, asbestos, carbon monoxide, etc. derived from petroleum. If inhaled continuously these toxins accumulate in the body leading to serious health problems.

· While constructing cabinets and countertops or for sheathing, sub-flooring and roof decking the ideal choice is solid wood but if it is too expensive go in for exterior grade plywood only instead of particleboard/fiberboard that contains toxic glue mixed with wood chips.

· Avoid vinyl and wall-to-wall carpet flooring. Vinyl floors contain poly vinyl chloride (PVC) a harmful chemical while fully carpeted floors accumulates dust, dust mites, molds, etc. all of which are potent causative agents of allergy, asthma and other chronic respiratory problems. Instead use healthier floor alternatives as cork, solid wood, marmoleum, tiles, bamboo, and so on.

· Always make use of strictly low-odor and non-toxic paints containing highly reduced amounts of VOCs such as paints comprising of just clay and pigments. Paints are usually loaded with high quantities of lead. Avoid using such paints completely.

· Avoid using resins and glues that contain formaldehyde especially urea formaldehyde.

· To build the foundation, walls and roof panels of a healthy home make use of thick, natural, hygroscopic and breathable plasters and stuccoes such as clay-treated wood chip placed over sand and fine gravel instead of using foam boards or poly vapor barriers. This renders efficient indoor humidity control thus preventing the formation of molds. In this way you can also avoid the accumulation of harmful radon gas inside your home.

· Avoid building bedrooms/living rooms over the garage space of your house. Toxic gasoline fumes can outgas from the fuel tank of your car and infiltrate into the bedrooms.

· Install carbon monoxide testers/detectors especially near furnaces, fireplaces, and garage areas of your home. Radon testers must be essentially placed in the basement areas of your home as this harmful radioactive gas occurring in soil can seep into your home through the foundation.

· For construction of a healthy home only hire registered professional home planners and home builders/contractors who have the required knowledge of building and planning healthier homes based on strict building guidelines.

Article by: Regal Services Editorial. Regal Services offers Best Cad Conversion Services. For your Paper to Cad Conversion services, trust Regal for an error-free and affordable service.

AIDS is a fatal illness that affects the immune system. It accounts for millions of deaths each year and is a serious worldwide epidemic. Over forty million people in the world are infected with AIDS. The immune system degenerates, making those infected susceptible to infection and disease. Over three million people died of this disease in 2005. There is no cure for AIDS but there are treatments available to help slow the progression. AIDS is researched throughout the world in order to discover new treatments to prolong life and to find a cure. Currently, there have been studies on two new drugs that show promising results.

Merck & Co., a drug manufacturer in New Jersey, conducted clinical trials on a new pill. It is to be taken orally twice per day to help slow the progression of the disease. Studies indicated this drug is performing better than the other medications currently on the market. This drug will be especially beneficial to long term AIDS sufferers who have developed a resistance to pharmaceuticals existing today.

The studies were performed on 167 patients who have shown progression of the disease and have critically impaired health. Many of these patients have taken the drug AZT, a common treatment, for more than ten years. In the clinical trials, varying doses of the drug were experimented on with patients with varying conditions. In the most successful group, seventy two percent of the patients showed an improvement with virus levels becoming undetectable. In the least successful group, virus levels were reduced to undetectable amounts in fifty six percent. The results of the clinical trial were surprising but welcomed. The effects were astounding and the drug manufacturer is hopeful that it will help prolong the lives of people with AIDS. They are continuing to conduct research in larger trials and hope to apply for approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 2007.

Gilead Sciences, a competing drug manufacturer, also showed positive results from a similar type drug. Although the clinical trials were much smaller then Merck’s, the company is hopeful the results will set the stage for larger trials. The drug is called an integrase inhibitor. Integrase is an enzyme that speeds the progression of HIV. The inhibitor blocks the enzyme, slowing this process. The initial trials were only conducted with only ten patients. However, after ten days there was a one hundred fold reduction in virus levels. Similar to the Merck study, this shows promise in helping to prolong the life of patients. This pill will be taken once per day in conjunction with Novir, another AIDS medication. Increased studies of this drug will begin in the spring of 2006.

Although AIDS is a world wide epidemic with no cure as of yet, continuing research is showing promise. Recent studies indicate there will soon be two new drugs available for treatment, both showing incredibly enhanced improvement from existing medications. As science advances, scientists are hopeful that they will one day find a cure for this disease, eradicating it from existence.

Gray Rollins is a featured writer for AidsHivs.com. To learn more about how AIDS is treated and the types of AIDS treatments, visit us.

The treadmill vs elliptical debate has been prevalent for some time. The treadmill vs elliptical debate isn’t valid since selection of either one depends upon the needs, wants and desires of users in terms of workout programs. The treadmill has its own set of benefits and elliptical trainers have its own set of benefits so it can be a tough decision.

The question arises in regards to which is better. The treadmill vs elliptical superiority question is not answerable because both serve different purposes and are beneficial to a workout program.

The most asked question by everyone is which one burns more calories? The difference between the treadmill and elliptical trainer during workouts and exercise is very obvious. The elliptical trainer has a smooth natural motion machine with foot pedals that contact at all times with the feet as they walk. In treadmill vs elliptical, treadmill offers to run, walk and jog on the flat or inclined surface. The treadmill causes high impact to the ankles, knees and hips.

On the issue of burning more calories, studies and practical exercises have shown that treadmill burns more calories for a person during workouts. The treadmill causes more weight bearing than elliptical trainers. The user can generally set different intensity levels for both, but because working with both the upper and lower body with an elliptical, the user effectively increases heart rate at a faster pace which will burn more calories. In weight loss measure, more weight loss and fat burning takes place using the elliptical trainers. Workouts yield results which compliment elliptical trainers. Elliptical trainer workout for 20 minutes achieves results which treadmill accomplishes in 35-40 minutes.

On issues relating to popularity of treadmill vs elliptical, the answer comes from the usage level. The elliptical trainer is a low impact machine and easy on the joints and back. The treadmill has become a household product and lets person perform workout in the same spot.

In treadmill vs elliptical the question arises relating to the working superiority between the two. Superiority in terms of working cannot be answered for the reason that both work differently and have a different working principle. The elliptical combines movements and benefits of biking, cross country skiing and hiking. Elliptical exercise offers an elongated circular motion and makes the feet to move back and forth around in an oval pattern. On the treadmill a person can jog, run or walk in the same spot on a conveyor belt.

Treadmills have been around for much longer than elliptical trainers. In the treadmill vs elliptical issue, treadmill remains hugely popular for cardio exercises, since it simulates jogging and walking.

In terms of variety, the treadmill allows people to add variety and challenge to workouts by increasing the incline on many treadmills and targets other muscles in their lower body more directly. Elliptical trainers in relation to variety in treadmill vs elliptical don’t offer much variety in terms of inclination or workouts.

Treadmill vs elliptical in terms of stress comparison offer different stress functionality. Elliptical trainer in treadmill vs elliptical stress measure offers more grace and less stress during exercising. Treadmill in terms of stress measure in treadmill vs elliptical offers more stress and exertion during exercising. Many people agree that in treadmill vs elliptical, elliptical trainer is less boring than treadmill.

The treadmill has more exposure in the marketplace than elliptical trainers. Elliptical trainers don’t sell much since they have less exposure in the treadmill vs elliptical race. In terms of space consumption in treadmill vs elliptical race, both acquire enormous amount of space.

Body workout results favor elliptical trainers in the treadmill vs elliptical, but the treadmill offers a full and effective body workout that give great results. Treadmills offer workouts that give only a lower body workout.

In treadmill vs elliptical race, personal preference is what decides which of the two machines fit personal needs more.

Saurya Ghosal for http://www.treadmill-walking.com
Read more about Treadmills http://www.treadmill-walking.com/treadmill-weight-loss.html
Copyright 2005 http://www.treadmill-walking.com

Jewelry is the eternal passion of every woman as they are not only decorative but looks classy too so; every one desires to enrich their asset with more and more jewelries in her kitty. Discount jewelries with their great designs and styles are the best option to get quality items in reasonable prices. It is the whole world in itself containing varieties that suits the needs of an individual.

Costume jewelry, fine jewelry and modern fashionable jewelry, just imagine what you want and what is your limit, the results will be numerous and worthy that defines a different style and elegance for its wearers. You can also find a replica of any fashionable and trendy jewels that actually costs you a fortune from buying them from a high standard store.

Talking about the designs and craftsmanship, discount jewelries are really excellent and simply beautiful. A stylist silver crafted chain and ring has a stunning effect as of glittering diamond ranging in few dollars that makes them affordable and desirable. Besides, there are lots of gemstone jewelries available on internet sites that offer jewelries based on people’s birth months and their zodiac signs. Gemstones jewelries are of different shades and come in various sizes and patterns too. You can also get a whole range in antique jewelry, which looks outstanding & striking and matches with those who choose their own path of fashion. As far as quality of these jewelries is concerned, discount jewelries are unmatched and irresistible. They offer great deal in comparative less price and value.

Occasional discount jewelry is also becoming a craze these days that includes artistic pair of earrings, funky rings and chains and cool bracelets. There is something special for everyone from a little girl to a matured woman, from a young lad to a grown man, choose gifts as per your preference and the concerned person’s, surely you can make out something exclusive and distinctive to memorize a special occasion.

Discount jewelries are also a good option for giving as a gift. Earrings, rings, brooches and bracelets are available in myriad hues that match with every dress and outfit. A nice pair of toe rings is also getting popular as they are stylist and a terrific fashion statement for all. Trendy anklets and pendants are another king of discount jewelry that you have in abundance. Therefore, here you need to just think about your choice and you will get it in reality.

For more information on discount jewelry stores visit http://www.sparkleice.com

Author is an experienced jewelry business expert.

Here are the top ten most frequently asked questions regarding on Internet domain name registration:

Q1. Which characters are allowed in Internet domain names?

A: For normal ASCII domain names, the letters a-z, the numbers 0-9, and one special character, the hyphen or dash “-”. Note that domains cannot start or end with a hyphen. For the new tested IDNs (Internationalized Domain Names), the full range of Unicode characters are available. This allows nearly all of the languages on the planet to be represented within domain names, including Thai, Arabic, Lao, Hebrew, French, German etc.

Q2. How many characters can a Internet domain name have?

A: Generic domains (gTLDs) can have 63 characters in the second level, plus the top level domain, .com, .net etc.

Q3. How long can I register a Internet domain name for?

A: In most cases, you are allowed to register a Internet domain name for period of one to ten years. Longer periods are not currently allowed by the registry.

Q4. How long do Internet domain registrations take to make & process?

A: Typically ten minutes or so. Once you have chosen the name and paid the fee, most registration systems will register your name in near real-time.

Q5. Do I “own” a domain name I register?

A: Not really, it is more like a rental agreement. But importantly, you have the exclusive right to renew the agreement with the registry at the end of the initial registration period, so effectively you can keep the name as long as you want.

Q6. Why does my Internet domain name still show as unregistered in a WHOIS tool?

A: WHOIS tools are meant to show the nameserver / contact information for domain names held by a particular ICANN registrar. They are typical not updated in real-time and thus are not good indicators of current domain registration status.

Q7. How will I know if a Internet domain registration attempt has been successful?

A: WHOIS tool takes anything up to 48 hrs to be updated so can’t be relied on. A better indicator is whether you receive a confirmation e-mail from the domain registrar. You could also try registering the name again. By doing so, the registrar will do a “live” availability check on the name, which will indicate to you whether the name has been registered or not. This is not the same as a WHOIS look-up.

Q8. How long do domain names take to be active after registration?

A: Approximately 24 - 48 hrs, though because nameservers work as a distributed network, it can take up to 72 hrs or more before your domain name is accessible to all Internet users worldwide.

Q9. Can I register a Internet domain for later use?

A: There is no problem in registering domain names first, and using them later on. In fact, it is estimated that among 80% to 90% of all domain names are “idle”.

Q10. Can I get a refund if I make a mistake & register the wrong name?

A: Nearly all domain registrars operate a strict no refund policy. This is because they are charged a non-refundable fee by the registry to perform the registration.

John Leong is the webmaster at Internet Domain Registration Guide where you will find the latest news and information on domain name registration.

Home entertainment systems have come a long way since you ooh’ ed and ahh’ed because your neighbor had a few pairs of speakers that actually fit flush into his walls. That’s old news now. Even homes in comparatively modest new developments are being outfitted with a full complement of audio, network, TV and telephone wiring. In many developments the builder offers a standard wiring package and various upgrades for additional wiring, speakers, wiring enclosures and even full control systems.

Systems have evolved to include sleek, wall-mounted touch screens that allow simple access to your music and other house functions such as security, lighting, HVAC, and motorized window treatments. A talented programmer can make these systems function with true “one touch” simplicity. It’s almost as if they’re reading your mind.

The touch screen’s advantage is that it can change the control interface to only show what you need at any one time. This affords tremendous flexibility while retaining the simplicity people desire. The touch screen interface is extremely powerful when combined with another technology that has come into prominence recently; the hard disc based media server.
Your CDs are downloaded, or ripped, onto a hard drive. This combination allows your entire music catalog to be displayed on the touch screen for easy searching. You can typically search by artist, song title, genre, or album. Once the desired selection is located, you just touch it on the screen and it begins to play.

These hard drive servers use computer hard drives and modern compression techniques to store phenomenal amounts of music in a simple audio component less than half the size of a 200 disc CD changer. They function just like a typical CD player, not your computer, so they are reliable and easy to use.

Media servers have exploded in popularity recently because of the enormous popularity of compressed music formats such as MP3 and the fantastic array of functionality a disc based system allows.
For those who have, or do, own CD mega changers, a hard drive music server will be like a breath of fresh air.

Access to any song is typically less than a second away. Contrast that to selecting disc 94 in your 300-disc CD changer when you are playing disc 201. With a multi-room audio system, you may be on the other side of your house trying to do this with a keypad or remote control. The wait for your changer to return the disc it was playing then trundle the carousel around to your desired disc can seem like an eternity.

Another advantage is easy cataloging. Most hard drive systems will recognize any CD you insert for ripping and if they don’t, they are connected to the internet for access to a giant database. This they access automatically to gather artist, album and track information. Gone are the days of using a keyboard or remote to tediously enter the information about your CDs into a CD changer. You can also stop worrying about which slot your discs are in. “Let’s see, was Led Zeppelin IV in slot 90 or 190?”
Using a hard drive server frees up your CDs for use elsewhere such as your car, boat or vacation home.

In addition, since your CDs are not locked up in a changer, your collection is able to be enjoyed by many members of the family at once. With a changer, if someone is listening to it, all of the discs inside it are basically off limits. With a changer, not only are your CDs free for use in other locations but many hard drive servers provide multiple audio outputs.

Multiple outputs enable you to listen to different discs in different areas of the house if your system is so configured. For example, one person could be listening to Korn in the rec room while Bach’s Requiem is being played in the kitchen and Dire Straights in the bedroom. With a conventional CD changer, this is impossible.

You can also buy and store music from many online music services and store those on your hard drive server.
Hard drive servers offer advantages over music files stored on a computer as well. Because they function like a traditional audio component, they are easier to use for many people. It is also easier to integrate them with touch screen based home control systems. This will begin to change as the popularity of multimedia PCs such as those running Microsoft XP Media Center Edition 2005 increases.

These units are many steps closer to delivering the long promised “convergence” between consumer electronics and computers. Multimedia PCs, also known as HTPCs [Home Theater PC] function as DVD players, personal video recorders (similar to a TiVO), and hard drive media storage.

They allow storage of digital photos for easy display on your TV or monitor. HTPCs can, of course, browse the net on your TV via your broadband connection. As hard drive storage becomes more economical and compression techniques become better, the storage of HD movies and HDTV programming will become commonplace.

Soon these types of servers and interfaces will become the norm rather than the exception. You’ll think nothing of the amazing array of features offered and the ability to easily access your media collection throughout your home. Once a rarity, media servers, in one form or another, will be found in almost every home.

Steve Faber has almost 15 years in the custom installation industry. He is a CEDIA certified designer and Installer 2 with certifications from both the ISF and THX. His experience spans many facets of the industry, from the trenches as an installer and control systems programmer, and system designer, to a business unit director for a specialty importer of high end audio video equipment, a sales rep for a large, regional consumer electronics distributor, and principal of a $1.5M+ custom installation firm. Steve is currently is senior sales engineer for Digital Cinema Design, a CEDIA member firm in Redmond, WA. He is on the web at http://www.1touchmovie.com

What better avenue to drive high quality and targeted traffic to your website than through your very own affiliate opportunity!

Plus, you have dozens and dozens of other marketers promoting YOUR wares at no startup cost to you, and on top of your own promotional efforts.

Another positive is that it is a win-win situation. It costs nothing for the affiliate to join, and you pay a commission only when a product or service is sold, and it’s only a percentile of the actual sale price.

Be mindful, however, that you will need a clear plan of action and that the program should be unique and fill a niche. It is also time consuming.

You will need affiliate automation software that handles the signups, click throughs, sales and tracking. A quick search will find you several types of software and a wide price range. Find out what’s right for your program and wallet, but always kick the tires for features and benefits.

Now, you will need to select the type of tier structure you wish to offer. With a single tier, you set a commission structure to pay your affiliates for any referring sales. With a two-tier program, you will also pay the same affiliate a percentage based on sales generated by those they brought into your program. This type also offers more incentive to your “work force.”

When a marketer signs up, you need to make it easy as pie for them to promote your biz opp. This could include banners, product images, text links or other ad copy.

You may announce your affiliate program in a variety of ways: free for alls (FFAs), classifieds, ezines and getting listed in affiliate directories.

A word of caution: remember that it is the quality of your affiliates that will make or break your program. Quantity doesn’t play into the picture at all.

Walter Pfarr has over 35 years experience in the print media, as well as knowledge and hands on expertise in grant writing and administration, fundraising, development, all facets of public relations, and has several years experience in Internet marketing, Pfarr and his wife reside in Ardmore, OK.

I believe in every individual life there is at least one moment that sparks questions of truth. It is after this moment that all innocence is lost and new innocence is born, perhaps to be lost again. If we remain at that one moment of truth forever, then our truth is found; one with varying levels of denial that sustains us. I think all our relationships are built on this life force of truth. Even when faced with horrific trauma to the physical or spiritual, one is usually always, in those moments, their true self. Perhaps our horrors and atrocities happen only so we can be reminded of who we really are.

Humans must believe in something, if it be: mother nature, men, a man, a woman, numbers or words. It doesn’t matter because the emotion is the same. When you know something, you understand it. If you understand it, you understand yourself.

I think we have been yelling and praying for the same answer for quite some time. If you were alive in 1900, 1950 or 1994, the Internet would have been considered an impossibility, a miracle. Alas, the answer has once again been right in front of our eyes. The problem is the Internet gave us hope and truth and they’re still there, they’ve just been touched by humans and in our sin, we have convoluted that truth. We’ve just been Internet babies, but life has matured me and I believe that truth can and must be easy to understand.

A former computer professor turned writer, Patti Pacifico, has combined elements of film, music, and publishing to create the world’s first digi-tome, “life”. From losing everything, she learned to hear her creativity and search for those interested in a different way of learning and beautiful way of living.

http://www.pattipacifico.com