Win at the Dog Track by Testing Your Handicapping System This Way

A lot of people get a new greyhound handicapping system, grab next day's program, handicap with the system and then check the results as soon as they come in. A lot of times, they're happy to see that they've picked more winners than they usually do, which makes them think that their system is hot stuff.

Well, it might be, but it also might be that they tried it out exactly the wrong way, and that's what makes it look better than it is. If they handicapped at home, with no pressure and nothing to distract them, they're not giving the system a real workout.

While it's a good idea to test any system against old programs to see if it works at all, there's more to telling if a system really works for you. The only way to give it a real test is to take it to the track and handicap with it exactly as you would without it.

This doesn't mean that you have to wait until you get to the track to use the system to handicap the program. It just means that you should handicap the way you normally do - whether that's at home or before the races at the track.

Then, you should go to the track and bet the way you normally would. Sit where you usually sit. Talk to your friends, if that's what you usually do. Get something to eat. Just do whatever your normal track routine is. Then see if you do better or worse than you do without the system.

Of course, it takes a while to get used to anything, including handicapping systems. so give it a few chances. But don't use it at home a few times and assume that it will work the same way when you take it to the track.

Losing Your Identity Can Severely Affect Your Wealth

Stealing identities has become a very popular criminal pursuit. Crooks can make a fortune simply selling personal information. Those that buy it seek to exploit another persons credit rating or steal directly from their bank accounts.

Your identity consists of a lot of different details. Your name is the most obvious detail that identifies you. Then there is information such as your current address, your age, date of birth, place of birth and your gender, all of which the identity fraudster would like to have.

Further information becomes more private and might consist of your parents' names, including your mother's maiden name, your pet's name and your children's' names and ages.

After this might come various official pieces of information. These might include your passport number, driving license number and social security number. Only you and the official body that issues it know all this information.

Then at last you have bank account information, including bank name and address, sort code, account number and any passwords and other access information you use. You know that you must be careful with this information and ensure that fraudsters do not have access to it.

But in fact all the information is valuable to the fraudster. It is not just the bank account and password that can allow him to make illegal gains. He will build up a profile of an individual from a name here and a detail there. Eventually he might have enough to apply for a credit card in your name. Then he might use this card to rack up a huge bill that he has no intention of paying.

Crooks will steal rubbish from household bins, looking for discarded documents containing personal information. An old electricity bill will provide a name and address. It is also a document evidencing the address that can be used to support an application for a credit account.

Large lists of information are stolen regularly from organizations, who are supposed to keep your data safe. Maybe on its own this data does not allow anybody to compromise you, however it may be a single detail away from doing so.

In order to ensure that nobody hacks into your bank account or sets up a credit account in your name there are a number of preventative measures you can take. These measures take very little time and do not cost a lot. A little care can make sure you do not fall foul to the identity fraudster. It is always complacency that helps the crooks to steal your money.

Every house should have a shredder. These can be bought for very little from your local stationery store. Every bill or document that you previously screwed before binning up should be thoroughly shredded before discarding. It only takes a few seconds. Never give out your information over the Internet if requested to do so by an email. No matter how official looking such a communication might be, a bank will never ask you for your password or account details - it already knows them! This is called phishing, and over the Internet is now a serious problem. The crooks can make their emails and web sites look exactly like the real ones.

Try to use a complicated password for your bank accounts, not the same one for every account. Avoid obvious details such as birthdays or names. If you must write them down keep the details safe. A small home safe or even a locked drawer will help ensure crooks cannot access your accounts. Always use a good home computer protection software package such as Norton or McAffee so that fraudsters cannot attack your computers to obtain personal data over the Internet.

Finally, read up about identity fraud. As with all areas of fraud it pays to be suspicious. Do not share details unless you have instigated the transaction and then only when you are sure who you are dealing with.

Feng Shui and the Double Edged Sword of the 4 Star

Before delving into the dual nature of the flying star 4, let's first define quickly what a flying star is. This is a term used to describe a type of energy. This energy is created at the time a structure is built and once contained inside a house or building, the flying stars are a coded language for a type of magnetic field. The magnetic field unique to the structure endures and has a predictable influence on living beings who dwell inside.

Going back to the origins of Feng Shui as a predictive art some 3,000 years ago, the flying stars were derived from the astronomical influences and an association with the stars of the Big Dipper. So, a "flying star" is a type of energy which can be contained in a structure, but can also move around, float or "fly." In fact, we have an American saying "My how time flies," and that is a major Feng Shui concept!

We assign numbers to the stars and they total 9 and are paired up into 81 basic combinations. These numbers, as stars, are only loosely related to any kind of numerology, and yet we often see some misinterpretations of the flying stars just based on the numbers connected with them. In Chinese culture, the number 4 sounds similar to a word that means death, so there is a cultural prejudice against the number 4. This is one of the enduring myths about the number 4 which has caused people to shy away from addresses with the number 4 in them or variations on the same theme such as avoiding the 4th floor. This is a shame because if a number sounds like something else in one particular language, it just doesn't carry any real universal, energetic significance. In American culture for instance, the number 7 is considered lucky. And yet, what if the word "seven" were to be maligned or feared because it sounded similar to "severe" or to "sever."

In Classical Xuan Kong Flying Star School, the controversy about the flying star 4 is not whether it sounds like the Mandarin word "sze" or death. Rather, the good or bad qualities associated with the 4 star have to do with timeliness or un-timeliness. In other words, all of these stars, as energy, go through long term major cycles. And sometimes their influence is supportive and benign, while other times the influence could be harsh.

The double-edged sword of the 4 star is that this is energy, wherever it exists in your house, which could stimulate creativity in many forms, such as writing, art, music, acting, and all kinds of creative pursuits and projects. Sometimes the 4 star is called the "Academic Star" or the "Artist's Star." As well, the 4 star is referred to as the "Romance Star" since dwelling in that energy can attract romantic and sexual encounters. Where that energy exists in your house depends on when the house was built and what direction it is facing. This combination of time and space reveals the unique positioning of all the stars in your personal space. In other words, we can't say that the 4 star always resides in the back right hand corner of your house. Nor can we say that the 4 star always exists in the southeast portion of your house. Every house is different.

Now, we happen to be living in an Era when the 4 star is considered "untimely." It is not in a good phase and it hasn't been for many decades and won't be in a good phase for many more decades to come. All these stars go through a 180 year cycle which repeats perpetually. When the 4 star is untimely, it can bring out more problems with love and relationships. It can contribute to heartache and betrayal. And yet, some people are still able to extract from this 4 star energy the good qualities that have been listed.

Sometimes the good and bad manifest equally. A theoretical example might be a person who received Feng Shui advice on how to stimulate the 4 star in their home. Perhaps their book gets published or they get that sought after recording contract, and in the same time frame they have some not so nice sexual escapade or an affair is revealed. It is the job and responsibility of any professional consultant to be able to estimate how much of this energy should be stimulated versus left dormant, for the sake of the client. What may be appropriate for one person is not for another. What may be good for a single person may not be for someone who is married. The 4 star is a double-edged sword because even more than the other eight stars, it is manifesting both positive and negative influences in our current times.

Wireless Access Points: 3 Modes for Wireless Access Points

Wireless access points can function in three different types of modes: root, repeater and bridge.

Root Mode - This is the most common type of mode where multiple users access the access point at once like a hotspot. In root mode users with laptops or PDA's can access the internet to watch videos of the Torino games or just to check email. On a side note, there is a difference between being a mobile user and a roaming user. A mobile user stays connected to one wireless access point. A roaming user moves from access point cell to another access point cell. I point this out because of the extra load on the access point.

Repeater - Repeater mode is used when you want to extend your signal beyond it's current limits. You need to place the repeater access point with in the range of your current root access point. It must be close enough to the root access point so that the repeater is repeating a strong signal not a weak signal. If you end up repeating the weak signal you will not be able to watch the olympic Torino games.

Bridge - Bridging acts as a wireless wire. Two access points in bridge mode will only talk to each other, No other clients will be able to access them. Bridging is useful when connecting two buildings or large temporary locations when laying laying wire isn't cost effective.

To set up a wireless bridge you will have two access points and two directional antennas. Depending on the distance, you will use volt meters or manufacture's software to aim the access points. Prior to doing this you will have to enter the MAC address of each access point so they know who to line up with.

Mounting your antennas properly is one one of the most important things. If you mount your antenna on your roof make sure it is connected to a stud. Take into account that wind is a factor when aligning antennas. You could gave a great signal on a non windy day and no signal on a windy / snowy day. Picking the proper wind rated antenna and proper tower or mounting brackets are the key to bridging.

So when you purchase a wireless access point you are actually purchasing three types of wireless connectivity: Root / Hot spot used to connect multiple mobile clients at once, Repeater which is used to extend the signal of another access point. The last mode we talked about was wireless bridging which is another way saying wirleless wire.

One of the cheapest but most reliable wireless access points I have used is the linksys WAP54g. I have installed this in homes , small offices and schools. 15-20 people can access them at a time and they hardly ever break down. The WAP54g comes with all the latest security features including WPA2 with AES encryption. If you are new to installing wireless access points then you also can take advantage of linksys kickass tech support.

Hey! - Are You Being Paid What You Are Worth?

Are you being paid what you are worth? Has anybody ever asked you that? Have you ever asked yourself?

The answer to this question really hinges on another question: "Do you work for a boss or do you work for yourself?"

If you work for a boss the answer must be a resounding NO! You see, you cannot possibly be paid what you are worth because your boss is being paid what you are worth. He or she then pays you at a discounted rate.

For example, say your hourly rate is $12.00. You do your job and when a profit is made, the boss looks at the business figures and realises that you are actually worth $25.00 per hour. The boss keeps the $13.00 "over-ride" on your services.

That is only fair as the boss is the one putting up all the money, taking all the risks and accepting all the responsibility for the viability of the business.

Going back to the above example, if you were being paid $25.00 per hour you are unprofitable to your boss and it is pointless for him or her to retain your services. Put simply, they cannot make money from your efforts.

When it comes to occupation and employment, there are basically two types of people:

1 - those who are employees, and

2 - those who work for themselves.

Now, if you like the comfort zone of a five day, nine to five job with no responsibility for the viability of the business, that's fine. But what if you don't?

It would seem that most people begin to question their employment and future prospects between the ages of 35 to 45. In this ten year time zone, many people get "itchy feet." They feel like they want to experience something different. Some will move on to a better or more highly paid job, still working for a boss. But others want to get into a business of their own and be their own boss. They want to "call the shots" - so to speak.

Sinking all your life savings into a business can be a very risky move. Just think - a large percentage of any savings you might have accumulated, plus any redundancy payout (if you are that fortunate) from your former employment, accrued annual leave entitlements plus a visit to your (friendly?) bank manager.

Before purchasing or developing your own business you had better be certain of one thing. Is it a winner? Have you done your due diligence research?

Sadly, many people attempt to start a venture of their own, usually based on a hobby or interest of some sort. Often these businesses fail miserably. A large percentage of businesses fail within the first two years. This seems to be the critical time. If you can get past the first two years then the next critical time is at the five year time period. After that, most businesses will survive.

The three things critical to any business are:1 - experience and knowledge 2 - sufficient start up capital (money) and 3 - sufficient back up capital

Without these three ingredients most businesses will fail. When this happens the owner becomes dejected at the failure and loss. They go back to paid employment often embittered about their loss. They have to go back to the very thing they were trying to escape from - a job.

One way to minimise business risk is to involve yourself in a reputable franchise. Depending on the funds you have at your disposal there are plenty of good opportunities available from $20,000 to half a million dollars or more.

The one thing that a franchise has in its favour is that it is a tried and tested formula for success. The Master Franchisor has already proven his or her system over a period of time. If you are prepared to follow and work within the boundaries of an already proven system, then franchising is definitely a good option.

In reality, a proven franchise eliminates the necessity of the first of the above listed requirements (ie experience and knowledge) because you have a mentor (the Master Franchisor and his or her system) to watch over you. The Master Franchisor has a vested interest in your success because it is part of his or her success.

With respect to point two above (sufficient start up capital) obviously you will need access to the necessary funds to purchase the franchise package. However, the necessity to have a large source of back up capital (point three above) is reduced somewhat because of the greater chance of success you will have by following the franchise system.

Franchising is definitely a worthy option, particularly if your business knowledge and experience is limited.

Before committing yourself to any business venture, either franchised or other, always do your due diligence investigations and make sure you discuss your plans with competent legal and accounting professionals.

If you have doubts that you are being paid sufficiently for the services you provide, then consider making some changes to make yourself a more valuable commodity. Studying subjects such as motivation, self esteem and personal development will be the catalyst which will enable you to do this.

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Taser Stun Gun - The Ultimate Self-Defense

he Taser stun gun is considered the ultimate in self-defense for multiple reasons: 1) It is used by law enforcement and civilian alike, 2) It was the first self-defense product on the market that provided ranged incapacitation via electricity, and 3) TASER as a company is known for its customer service such as its offer to replace any C2 Taser left at the scene of an attack (so the customer could run away!). It's likely you haven't considered one or more of these, so let's take a closer look at each.

Police Officers AND Civilians Use Tasers As you might have guessed, there are certain Taser models that are only available to police officers. But don't be fooled, this doesn't mean that civilians aren't provided with the best product in self-defense. The differences between the C2 Taser (the most common civilian product) and the M26 and, more recently, X26 police models more distinguish the difference between self-defense and law enforcing offense. The most obvious differentiator is the range: The newer X26 Taser can hit a target 35 feet (10.6 meters) away, while the C2 Taser is limited to 15 feet (4.5 meters), which is more than enough range for its defensive purposes. As a side note, the X26C Taser is available for civilians.

Ranged Electronic Incapacitation Stun guns were available long before Tasers, but the largest down-side of a stun gun (compared to that of say pepper spray) was that you had to be in contact with your attacker to subdue him. Taser's ground-breaking technology allowed basically a ranged stun gun: Compressed nitrogen cartridges propel metal prongs-which are connected through insulated wiring to the battery-into your attacker from a distance. This "Taser stun gun" made for a new breed of self-defense product.

TASER and Customer Service When Taser came out with its first product, one of the scariest factors with using it (or biggest cons to buying it) was that once you subdued your attacker, you would have to retrieve the metal prongs. Now, even though you could just pull them out from a distance, once you did this, your attacker would slowly regain muscular mobility. Taser annihilated this fear by making an "on" switch of sorts and telling customers that if they were faced by an attacker, they should shoot, turn the Taser to "on," set it on the ground, and run away, and Taser would replace the product! This offer made it obvious that TASER had the customer's well-being in mind.

The Taser stun gun is truly the most advanced piece of self-defense technology on the market today. The stopping power it provides makes it perfect for both law enforcement and civilians alike. Women at risk everywhere can completely flip the tables on potential attackers: A 90 pound woman can hit a 300 pound man from 15 feet away, dropping him to the ground in seconds. She can then drop the taser stun gun and run. If the worst happens, and the attacker DOES get up to you, the Taser still works as a contact stun gun!

How Criss Angel Does Such Amazing Tricks

I saw a recent question on Yahoo Answers from an inspiring magician wondering how Criss Angel does what he does. The questioner was actually wondering if Criss possessed "special powers". I'm not sure if the guy was serious or not, but just in case you are wondering, I'll let you in on a little secret.

No. Criss Angel does not have secret powers. Everyone knows only Superman has secret powers.

But seriously, while Criss Angel is talented, he utilizes the same tricks and methods as countless other magicians. He is an entertainer that relies on the power of illusion and slight of hand to make you believe you are seeing something that really isn't happening. And from the popularity of Criss and David Blaine, it is clear that many people are being entertained.

Now don't get me wrong, performance magic isn't easy. Magicians spend hours upon hours perfecting their tricks. But at the end of the day, these grand illusions are simply well-rehearsed, well-orchestrated tricks. And although not just anyone could be a Criss Angel, many people through practice and determination could become talented magicians, even professional magicians, with the right tools.

So now that we understand that special powers are not the secret ingredient to how Criss Angel does his tricks, I hope you aren't overly disappointed. The fact is, even when you know that magicians are not really performing "magic" but engaging in performance art, you will still be amazed by what they do. If you were to read up on how a particular trick is performed, I think you will still be impressed that the trick is pulled off so seamlessly.

Now, back to the guy on Yahoo Answers who was concerned about his own ability to be a future Criss Angel. As we have established here, the good news is that to be a magician does not require any special powers. The bad news is that to become a good magician requires practice. But most dreams require hard work so the bad news isn't really that bad.

In addition to practice, learning how to do magic can be facilitated by a good guide. Now that you understand how Criss Angel does what he does, you know that you have a chance to do his tricks also. In my signature is a review of an online guide that can help you learn some great tricks, but remember, you will need to do the hard work.

Capital Cities Tour: Discover Montgomery, Alabama

The first capital city of the Confederacy and an important link in the renowned Cotton Belt, Montgomery is today more widely known for its role as the unwilling host to the historic Civil Rights marches, inspired by a local seamstress, Rosa Parks, who was too tired to give up her bus seat on her way home from work one day in December 1955. Her calm defiance attracted the admiration of the city's popular preacher, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who emerged on the local and national stage when he organized the famed Montgomery Bus Boycott, which ignited the national Civil Rights movement. Centrally located on the south bank of the Alabama River, this capital city is emblematic of the historic clashes from its role in the 1860's War Between the States and its involuntary part in the Civil Rights movement 100 years later. Within one city block remnants of these historical events compete in their respective historic structures, memorials, monuments and museum exhibits.

Things to See in Montgomery:

o State Capitol

This 1850 Greek Revival Capitol is famous for two events: First, in February 1861 on the front portico, the new Southern Confederacy inaugurated Jefferson Davis as the President of the Confederate States. The second event taking place on the same spot 104 years later, March 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ended his Selma-to-Montgomery Civil Rights march. Beyond this historic portico the doors open to a grand foyer flanked by a pair of white spiral staircases curling up three stories. The Capitol's pink and gold neoclassical Rotunda features a glorious stained glass skylight. Eight large murals designed in the late 1920s by Alabama artist Roderick MacKenzie decorate the walls. The murals show scenes from Alabama's history, such as the arrival of deSoto, the French settlement, early pioneers, antebellum life, the Confederacy and commercial development.

Check it out . . . The original "Governor's Suite" and the "Secretary of State Suite," on the first floor preserve furnishings and documents from the period of 1870s-1880s, presenting a tactile peek into the past.

Check it out . . . On the Capitol grounds, 50 flagpoles wave a flag from each state on a semicircular walkway called the "Walk of States." Beneath each flag lies a stone nameplate--donated by each state from material indigenous to its terrain. A few of the stones are semiprecious, such as turquoise from New Mexico.

o State Archives and History Museum

Founded in 1901 the Alabama Department of Archives and History was the first state archival agency in the nation. The museum, housed in a beautiful turn-of-the-century building with marble walls and staircases of Tennessee gray and Alabama white marble, displays changing exhibits relating to Alabama history, including interpretive hands-on galleries. Of particular note is the 19th century gallery on the second floor featuring unusual items, such as human hair jewelry made by Mrs. Jefferson Davis, antebellum quilts, and the Alabama State Bible. A room dedicated to former Vice President William Rufus King is also on the second floor. King, a North Carolina native, was born April 7, 1786 and at the age of 29 served as a North Carolina representative in the US Congress. He resigned in November 1816 to accept a post in Russia. When he returned, he became ill and moved to Cuba to recuperate. In 1819 he moved to Alabama and when Alabama became a state in December of that year, he was elected to represent the new state in the US Senate, and reelected more three times before being appointed Minister to France in 1844. He was elected again to the US Senate in 1848 but resigned in 1853 to serve as Vice President under Franklin Pierce. He took the oath of office on March 4, 1853 but died soon after, on April 18, 1853. The room dedicated to William Rufus King displays some of his personal clothing, furniture, china, and silver, and other items he collected from his foreign posts. It also displays documents that reveal fascinating things about this relatively unknown political figure and the times in which he lived.

o First White House of the Confederacy

A simple, unassuming dwelling, the First White House of the Confederacy was the makeshift executive mansion donated by a local merchant and hurriedly established to serve as temporary living quarters for the newly elected President Jefferson Davis and his family who lived there three months before the Confederate capital moved to Richmond. Conveniently located across the street from the State Capitol, the White House of the Confederacy allows self-guided tours. All the rooms on the first and second floor are open to visitors. Period furnishings, personal items belonging the Davis family, photographs and documents present a keen insight into the early days of the Civil War, the South's prominent leader and his personal struggles.

o Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Began his ministry at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, which served as headquarters for the 1956 bus boycott. A large mural in the church basement depicts the influential people and landmark events of Civil Rights movement from the 1950s to 1970s. A short film supplements the mural.

o Civil Rights Memorial

Just outside the Southern Poverty Law Office, kitty-corner to the State Capitol and a block from the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, is the impressive The Civil Rights Memorial, designed by sculptor, Maya Y. Lin, who also designed the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., and dedicated on November 5, 1989. Etched on a round altar of smooth black granite is a chronology of the Civil Rights events and the names of 80 martyrs who died in the struggle for racial equality. Water bubbling from the altar's center flows over the timepiece past the words of Martin Luther King (paraphrasing the Bible), "Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream." A beautiful and emotional memorial.

o Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum

The Olympian Center, featuring a replica of the Greek Temple of Hera, is the centerpiece of this 20-acre flower garden ablaze in colors all year long.

o Alabama Shakespeare Festival

Located in the expansive green gardens of Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park, the nationally-acclaimed Alabama Shakespeare Festival is the fifth largest in the world. Presenting both classic and contemporary productions, it also offers year-round educational programs. The Alabama Museum of Fine Arts is also on the grounds. With its acres of ponds, gardens, museums and theaters, the Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park is the place to go for art and nature.

o Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum

Housed in the modest home where the Fitzgeralds lived in the early 1930s while Scott wrote "Tender is the Night," the museum features personal belongings, furniture, photographs, and manuscripts of writer F. Scott Fitzgerald and the rare diaries and unpublished paintings done by his talented, Montgomery-born wife Zelda. Each room contains memorabilia that speak volumes of their unusual personalities and strange life together. On the screened-in side porch of this old rambling house, the museum plays a film of their sad story, told through interviews of surviving relatives and friends.

ALABAMA TOURIST INFORMATION: (800) 252-2262

How Are Cartoon Animations Produced In The Studio - Learn You Can Do It Too

We were all amazed by fantastic storylines, the heartwarming stories and surprising twists on cartoon films nowadays. Throughout the years, animated films and series have experienced an overhaul taking the simple 2D design into a surrealistic 3D world where things come into life and they have all the attributes that make them unique. 3D Cartoon Animation is the trend for most films right now. Be it a fully animated film or a mixture of real and animated, Computer Generated Interface graphics has become the standard for high quality films that both children and their parents will love. How does 3D Cartoon Animation begin?

Before you can even begin with the highly technical aspects of 3D Cartoon Animation, you need to have all the basic elements done. First and foremost, the structure or the basic illustration of the character is needed. This is the basic 2D model. This 2D model will be analyzed, edited and reedited before the creation of the 3D animation. From the structures that make the model to the finest details, everything needs to be considered. Once the flat model is analyzed, a prototype of the model is created with the help of a workshop. This is the prototype 3D model of that character. Why is it important to have a 3D model before the 3D Cartoon Animation? Many big budget companies have this because it helps in creating the smoothest movements, the perfect 3D angles and designs and it makes the creation of the 3D structure easier.

What is next? Once the design has been finalized, an expert 3D modeler will create the structure. Most of the time there is a team handling 1-2 characters in 3D Cartoon Animation and in that team, there are experts handling fine details of the design. Once created, the structure will be subject to the story board which has been done prior to this process. The story board will provide the flow of the story and the shots. Programs for 3D animation are quite pricey. Aside from these aspects, additional effects are also created with individual software. From the simplest drop of water to the concept of gravity on the body and the whole scene, all are created to make it look hyper realistic. The design will all depend on the storyline.

The 3D Cartoon Animation will then undergo sound design, SFX, VFX, dubbing and rendering. All elements from the movement of the hair to the twinkle in the eyes are considered to create a real ambience in the 3D Cartoon Animation and not just a flat image that talks or moves.