Title:
Understanding Photographic Terms
:
What the heck is an F Stop?
If you're new to the photography world, some of the terms can seem confusing. All this insider information is not as confusing as it first seems. You just need to learn a few of the basics, and you are on your way to taking better pictures.
Here is a brief explanation of some of those terms, and how they affect your photographs.
Ambient Light: The natural light that is in your scene. This is also sometimes referred to as available light. Most photographers prefer to use ambient light over flash, or artificial light whenever possible. Most pro photographers will tell you that for outdoor work, the best possible light occurs twice a day- an hour before to an hour after sunrise and sunset.
Aperture: The setting on your camera that controls the amount of light that enters through the lens and reaches your camera's sensor. Think of it like an opening you control on the end of your lens. The aperture is measured in f stops, such as f5.6, f8 or f22. Apertures can be confusing in that the larger the opening, the smaller the f stop number. So in a low light situation you need to let a large amount of light into the camera, setting your camera at f5.6. If you are in a brightly lit scene, like a beach, or lots of snow on the ground, you would close down your lens to maybe f22. Small number, more light allowed into the camera, large number, less light.
Burn: Mainly thought of as burning or transferring files to a disc, but in photographic terms it refers to lightening parts of your digital photograph with an image editing program.
Buffer: Part of a memory chip in your camera that holds the digital information as it is being written to the memory card.
CCD: Charged Couple Device, the sensor in your camera that captures the visual information and converts it into digital information.
Contrast: The difference between the brightest part of your photograph and the darkest part. The more extreme the two, the greater the contrast.
Depth of Field: The amount of your photograph that is in clear focus. Depending on how you set your aperture, you can control if the entire image is in full focus, or just a selected portion.
Digital zoom: A function of the camera where the zoom is created through a digital process as opposed to an optical zoom which is controlled by the camera lens. Most pros avoid using digital zoom, as the image produced tends to be noisy, showing a lot of grain, or fuzziness in the image.
Dodging: A step used when editing your photos in a program such as Photoshop. Dodging allows you to lighten selective areas of your photograph. You may want to dodge a part of your image that is hidden in deep shade.
Download: Electronically transferring your images from your camera to your computer.
DPI: Dots per Inch. A measurement of the resolution of your photo. The higher the DPI number, the greater the resolution of your photograph.
Flash: The device included with your camera that adds light to a scene that is too dark to expose a proper picture without the help of artificial light.
Fill Flash: A technique to use your flash to lighten deep shadows, usually caused by strong sunlight when shooting outdoors. Many photographers will use fill flash to brighten shadows when shooting close ups of plants or flowers outdoors in sunny conditions.
Highlights: The brightest parts of your photograph.
Histogram: A graphical chart that is produced on the LCD viewfinder of most higher end digital cameras showing a breakdown of the different light and dark areas of your photograph. Many pros judge the quality of their photographs from the histogram over simply looking at the photograph.
Image Browser: A computer application that allows you to view small, thumbnail images of all the photographs stored on your computer.
Image Editor: A computer program that allows you to digitally edit your photographs. Image editing programs will do everything from exposure and color correcting your photographs, to blending multiple images together, or adding titles and special effects. The program used most by professionals is Adobe Photoshop®. A great program for amateur enthusiasts is Photoshop Elements®, a slightly stripped down version of the full program.
ISO: A gage of setting how sensitive your camera is to light. Most digital cameras today will allow you to change the ISO from anywhere from a setting of 100 up to 1600. The lower you can keep the ISO, the better your images will look. As you increase the ISO, your images start to look more grainy.
JPEG: A specific type of digitally stored image. For the geek, JPEG is short for Joint Photographic Experts Group. The two main form of compression used for digital cameras are JPEG, and a super high format called RAW. All point and shoot cameras save images in the JPEG format.
LCD: Liquid Crystal Display, the small screen on your camera that functions both as a viewfinder, and a screen to review the photos taken.
Megapixel: A unit of measurement that equals one million pixels. When a camera boasts it is a 5 megapixel, that simple means the image taken will contain 5 million pixels. The more megapixels used, the higher the resolution of the image.
Optical Zoom: This is the control you have for your lens based on the optical properties of the lens as opposed to having to digitally enhance the image. Optical zoom settings do not affect the quality of your image.
Panning: A photographic technique that is used to follow a moving subject. Think of standing on the sidelines during a soccer game. As the player runs past you, from left to right, you follow him in the viewfinder. This technique when done properly will show the player in focus, and the background blurred, because the camera was moving while the shutter was open.
Red Eye: This is the dreaded red glow we often see coming from people's eyes when we use a flash. The red we see is actually a reflection of blood vessels behind the retina of the eye. Many camera today have a red eye reduction feature, that fires a pre flash before the main flash. What this does is cause the iris of our eye to quickly close, reducing the amount of light that gets past the retina. Many editing packages also have red eye removal functions if the camera wasn't able to do the job.
Rule of Thirds: A way to compose your image to make it more visually attractive. Mentally divide your photograph into thirds, and place the main subject matter in one of the thirds, as opposed to dead center.
Saturation: How much or little color there is in a photograph.
Shutter Speed: How long the image sensor is exposed to light. A shutter speed of 1/60 means the aperture is open for 1/60th of a second. 1/400 obviously means it is only open for 1/400th of a second. Shutter speed and aperture work together. A fast shutter speed dictates more light must enter the camera. A slow shutter speed means less light is necessary. Combining different shutter speed and aperture combinations are very creative ways to make some interesting photographs.
White Balance: The way a camera sees light. The color tone of a photograph will vary quite a bit depending on the light source. Taking a picture under fluorescent or tungsten light will look completely different than under sunlight. A camera using auto white balance will compensate for these different lighting conditions.
Selasa, 31 Juli 2012
Senin, 30 Juli 2012
Second Life Is What You Make Of It
Title:
Second Life Is What You Make Of It
Second Life (SL) is a privately owned, partly subscription-based 3-D virtual world, introduced in 2003 by West Coast company Linden Lab. Users can visit this virtual world almost as if it were a real place via their home computer and an internet connection. Visitors can explore, meet and communicate with other people, learn skills that expand their gaming activities and develop more sophisticated social skills.
Technically, Second Life has the most in common in the gamming industry with Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, or MMORPGs. It differs in a number of significant ways from the typical MMO, though, so the term "virtual world" is ultimately a more accurate description. Depending on whom you ask there are over 1.2 million members; 200,000 users in any given month who are online 40 hours per week on an average.
Each player in Second Life creates an avatar, an onscreen representation that is their identity within the game world. Some players have multiple avatars; moreover, the appearance of an avatar can be easily changed. For these reasons, it's a little difficult to determine how many active players there are.
The game is played on servers operated by Linden Lab. According to their statistics, in mid October of 2006, the number of registered accounts in Second Life reached one million. By mid December, this number had doubled to two million - and the rapid growth continues. However, there is a difference between registered accounts and unique, returning users. Many accounts are created by users who log in once or a few times and never return, and some regular users have multiple active accounts.
The User Generated World
The principal characteristic that differentiates Second Life from other MMOs is the fact that players create most of the online content, as opposed to landscapes and scenes provided by game developers. There is a 3D modeling tool in SL that allows any resident with the right skills to build virtual buildings, landscape, vehicles, furniture, and machines to use, trade, or sell.
This creative process is a primary source of activity in the game. It is a variation of Sims-like activity with an injection of real life economics. Players can also upload unique graphics into the game, which, become the intellectual property of that player.
Content generation and sale is a primary motivator of the game's economy. Any resident can also make gestures from small animations and sounds from the standard library. Outside SL, users can use various graphics, animation, and sound tools to create more elaborate items, and upload them into the world. Once the creation is in the world of SL, the system makes efforts to help protect the intellectual property of the content creator. That creation can remain sole property of the developer, or transferred - or sold - to another player. Players who meet online can communicate via instant messaging, keeping their dialogue private.
Not only are visual elements popular, but music has become a standard component of the SL experience. Players are uploading music that they have recorded or produced themselves, and have become a regular feature in the game in the form of scheduled events. Linden Lab took note of this phenomenon and developed a component in the game's structure that provides for musicians to exhibit their own creations and use the site for outreach, much as bands have used YouTube for introduction of music videos.
Virtual Economics, Real Estate, and Real Money
SL has its own economy, which is based on value in real dollars. Linden Dollars (L$), the game's form of currency, are bought using real currency, based on a variable exchange rate. Players buy and sell hard-won assets developed in the game on eBay and other forums. Within the context of the game, items change hands with Linden dollars, which are acquired through various labors or through buying and selling.
Real estate is an important commodity in SL. There is only so much of it, with new releases of landscape orchestrated periodically by Linden Lab. Once a player buys a piece of real estate, he can build on it and sell his improved property to another player. At least one player has become a real estate speculator, buying property as it becomes available and reselling it for a profit in real dollars. Linden also makes its cut in the real estate market, as there is a monthly fee for significant land ownership.
SL has tapped into a similar desire to create that is found in the Sims, and it has proven to be a powerful force. Residents spend a quarter of the time they're logged in, tens of thousands of hours a day, creating things that become part of the world, part of the landscape for everyone else. This includes everything from nightclubs to psychiatrists' offices to Asian tea houses. Players with suitable software skills go to elaborate lengths to create environments, both as personal assets and as potential items for sale.
You can join the game for no fee and go about playing - but you cannot own real estate. Beyond the entry level there is a tiered structure of fees; basic membership is $9.95 per month. Paid members receive a weekly stipend of Linden dollars to keep their activities afloat. In fact, people are spending $15 million in real dollars every month within the confines of the game. You can go to a virtual boutique for clothing, buy a home, a plot of land, and the items of value introduced into the game increases every month.
Overlaps with the "First Life"
The budding opportunities presented by the MMO virtual environment have not bypassed professional advertisers and marketers. One enterprising individual has opened an agency in San Francisco offering to get real products introduced into SL, for exposure to the real consumers behind the avatars. Corporate America will continue to expand its presence in SL just as it has begun to recognize the power of YouTube and MySpace.
It's not only the marketing types that see opportunity here; software geeks are selling applets that allow couples to cuddle or dance. An accomplished player with knowledge of the environment can meet a newcomer online and teleport him or her to a boutique, a nightclub, a resort - the tools of socialization are streamlined somewhat by your digital composition. A team of Northwestern University students developed a virtual newscast that utilizes video clips from online sources and an avatar as the 'talking head' reading the voice over.
One of the interesting challenges for Linden Lab is the growth of their phenomenal success. Because they utilize open source software and their online environment is constantly growing, the technological support must grow with it. The headaches in the shop have ranged from access problems to Linden $ banking difficulties to the continuing need for more bandwidth. But as the optimists say, these are Cadillac difficulties - nice problems to have.
Many think that SL is one more step in the utilization of the Internet as a social networking tool that transcends mortal human socialization - both geographically and emotionally. With the ever-increasing interaction between Second Life and the one in which we all labor, in form of "virtual" press conferences", product announcements, and more, SL offers not only purely escapist opportunities, but ways learn more about the people and world outside the game.
Second Life Is What You Make Of It
Second Life (SL) is a privately owned, partly subscription-based 3-D virtual world, introduced in 2003 by West Coast company Linden Lab. Users can visit this virtual world almost as if it were a real place via their home computer and an internet connection. Visitors can explore, meet and communicate with other people, learn skills that expand their gaming activities and develop more sophisticated social skills.
Technically, Second Life has the most in common in the gamming industry with Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games, or MMORPGs. It differs in a number of significant ways from the typical MMO, though, so the term "virtual world" is ultimately a more accurate description. Depending on whom you ask there are over 1.2 million members; 200,000 users in any given month who are online 40 hours per week on an average.
Each player in Second Life creates an avatar, an onscreen representation that is their identity within the game world. Some players have multiple avatars; moreover, the appearance of an avatar can be easily changed. For these reasons, it's a little difficult to determine how many active players there are.
The game is played on servers operated by Linden Lab. According to their statistics, in mid October of 2006, the number of registered accounts in Second Life reached one million. By mid December, this number had doubled to two million - and the rapid growth continues. However, there is a difference between registered accounts and unique, returning users. Many accounts are created by users who log in once or a few times and never return, and some regular users have multiple active accounts.
The User Generated World
The principal characteristic that differentiates Second Life from other MMOs is the fact that players create most of the online content, as opposed to landscapes and scenes provided by game developers. There is a 3D modeling tool in SL that allows any resident with the right skills to build virtual buildings, landscape, vehicles, furniture, and machines to use, trade, or sell.
This creative process is a primary source of activity in the game. It is a variation of Sims-like activity with an injection of real life economics. Players can also upload unique graphics into the game, which, become the intellectual property of that player.
Content generation and sale is a primary motivator of the game's economy. Any resident can also make gestures from small animations and sounds from the standard library. Outside SL, users can use various graphics, animation, and sound tools to create more elaborate items, and upload them into the world. Once the creation is in the world of SL, the system makes efforts to help protect the intellectual property of the content creator. That creation can remain sole property of the developer, or transferred - or sold - to another player. Players who meet online can communicate via instant messaging, keeping their dialogue private.
Not only are visual elements popular, but music has become a standard component of the SL experience. Players are uploading music that they have recorded or produced themselves, and have become a regular feature in the game in the form of scheduled events. Linden Lab took note of this phenomenon and developed a component in the game's structure that provides for musicians to exhibit their own creations and use the site for outreach, much as bands have used YouTube for introduction of music videos.
Virtual Economics, Real Estate, and Real Money
SL has its own economy, which is based on value in real dollars. Linden Dollars (L$), the game's form of currency, are bought using real currency, based on a variable exchange rate. Players buy and sell hard-won assets developed in the game on eBay and other forums. Within the context of the game, items change hands with Linden dollars, which are acquired through various labors or through buying and selling.
Real estate is an important commodity in SL. There is only so much of it, with new releases of landscape orchestrated periodically by Linden Lab. Once a player buys a piece of real estate, he can build on it and sell his improved property to another player. At least one player has become a real estate speculator, buying property as it becomes available and reselling it for a profit in real dollars. Linden also makes its cut in the real estate market, as there is a monthly fee for significant land ownership.
SL has tapped into a similar desire to create that is found in the Sims, and it has proven to be a powerful force. Residents spend a quarter of the time they're logged in, tens of thousands of hours a day, creating things that become part of the world, part of the landscape for everyone else. This includes everything from nightclubs to psychiatrists' offices to Asian tea houses. Players with suitable software skills go to elaborate lengths to create environments, both as personal assets and as potential items for sale.
You can join the game for no fee and go about playing - but you cannot own real estate. Beyond the entry level there is a tiered structure of fees; basic membership is $9.95 per month. Paid members receive a weekly stipend of Linden dollars to keep their activities afloat. In fact, people are spending $15 million in real dollars every month within the confines of the game. You can go to a virtual boutique for clothing, buy a home, a plot of land, and the items of value introduced into the game increases every month.
Overlaps with the "First Life"
The budding opportunities presented by the MMO virtual environment have not bypassed professional advertisers and marketers. One enterprising individual has opened an agency in San Francisco offering to get real products introduced into SL, for exposure to the real consumers behind the avatars. Corporate America will continue to expand its presence in SL just as it has begun to recognize the power of YouTube and MySpace.
It's not only the marketing types that see opportunity here; software geeks are selling applets that allow couples to cuddle or dance. An accomplished player with knowledge of the environment can meet a newcomer online and teleport him or her to a boutique, a nightclub, a resort - the tools of socialization are streamlined somewhat by your digital composition. A team of Northwestern University students developed a virtual newscast that utilizes video clips from online sources and an avatar as the 'talking head' reading the voice over.
One of the interesting challenges for Linden Lab is the growth of their phenomenal success. Because they utilize open source software and their online environment is constantly growing, the technological support must grow with it. The headaches in the shop have ranged from access problems to Linden $ banking difficulties to the continuing need for more bandwidth. But as the optimists say, these are Cadillac difficulties - nice problems to have.
Many think that SL is one more step in the utilization of the Internet as a social networking tool that transcends mortal human socialization - both geographically and emotionally. With the ever-increasing interaction between Second Life and the one in which we all labor, in form of "virtual" press conferences", product announcements, and more, SL offers not only purely escapist opportunities, but ways learn more about the people and world outside the game.
Minggu, 29 Juli 2012
All You Need To Know About The Cheats Of Video And Pc Games Part 2.
Title:
All You Need To Know About The Cheats Of Video And Pc Games Part 2.
Continued from Part 1
Walkthrough/solve:
These are usually text files (.rts, txt or .doc) that give a detailed description of how to play a game from the beginning to the end. If you read through these too early in the game, you will lose some of the fun of playing with the game.
Puzzle solutions:
These are keys to puzzles that are necessary for you if you want to get ahead in the game. They can be keys to doors, quiz questions, safe combinations, the use of certain objects that the player has to find out relying on the information gathered during the game. These are not considered cheats, either. But if you read them in advance, you will lose some fun of the game.
Strategy guides/game guides:
We can make a distinction between official and non-official game guides. Official guides are printed, illustrated books that are published by game developing companies and you can buy them online or in bookshops. Non-official game guides or FAQ’s are detailed descriptions made by game fans about particular games, which are usually free and available electronically in txt. or doc. format on the Internet. You can also find game guides in magazines dealing with video games. These detailed descriptions do not only contain the goals of the game, the game control commands, characters, the objects, the rule system, but you can also find extensive information about the strategies concerning end plays and the different situations in a particular game. They used to be made for more complex games such as simulators or strategic games but nowadays they come with almost every video game.
Trainers:
These software are not developed by game developers, they are designed for the manipulation of certain memory values. They usually consist of an ‘exe. file’ that can be downloaded from the Internet in zipped or compressed format. Trainers allow you to alter certain values and features that are originally not built in the game. For instance, money trainers will give unlimited money, or with the touch of a bottom you can switch on the invulnerability mode. Enthusiastic players and coding people make them for PC games.
In order to use these trainers you have to start the game and with the combination of the ALT+TAB keys you have to switch back to your operating system. Some games do not permit the switch with the combination of the ALT+TAB keys if there is not a parallel program running in the background so it is worth the trouble to open an operating screen before the start of the game. Another simple way of switching back is to use the WIN button on your keyboard.
Before you run the trainer it is important to check it for viruses to make sure that your trainer is free from viruses. In this way you can avoid many unpleasant surprises. Run the program and select the desired option in the trainer. In some cases, if you press certain keys or the combination of certain keys during the game it will result in the desired modifications. You can get information about these modifications and their consequences when you start the trainer as this kind of info is written on the screen right after you start running the program.
Return to your PC game while you are running the trainer, in other words, it is important to run the trainer in the background while your are playing with your game.
Why does the trainer not work with your game?
The most common problem is that the trainer is not compatible with the particular game you play as a result it does not function because it was made for a game with a version number, which is different from the game you use. Most trainers are released with info (.nfo) and readme txt files. In these files you will find all the necessary information about their proper use and the version numbers of the games they are compatible with. In some cases you have to start the trainer before running the game. It is recommended to try out both methods.
Saved game files:
These files have all the different game positions of other players saved for a particular game. They are created when the player has successfully completed a level or has defeated a main enemy or when the hero of the game has been upgraded with super qualities. If you would like to use these files all you have to do is to copy them into the saved game directory of the game and to load them when you start the game. It is highly recommended to make a backup copy of your game positions just in case the new ones would not work.
Editors:
The editors are small programs that enable the player to modify some files of the video game. These can be saved game files or ‘ini’ files that contain game specific information or files concerning the different characters of the game. Similarly to trainers these are also created by game enthusiasts or programmers. The most common type is the character editor that can alter the characters’ features, such as hitpoint, dexterity, or stamina in the different RPG games. They can also alter the objects’ characteristics in the different games. They are very much likely to operate with only those games that have exactly the same version number. The editors should be run in the installation directory that corresponds with the location of those files that we would like to modify, in other cases these files have to be loaded into the editor.
Uhs:
This abbreviation stands for Universal Hint System. These files have so-called ‘uhs’ extensions and in order to take a look at them you need a UHS viewer software. It provides you either with hints on how to accomplish certain tasks or with direct keys to certain tasks in a given game. You can freely download from their website.
Hex cheats:
They belong to the most difficult types of cheats and you are required to possess at least intermediate or advanced computer skills to implement them. This type of cheat usually contains a “hex address” and a certain value that should be replaced.
E.g. endless energy: with the help of the Hex Editor you are to replace:
08 3E F0 03 00 74 03 with 08 3E F0 03 00 90 90.
In order to implement this modification you need a Hex Editor. The most well-known ones are the following: WinHex, Hex Workshop, Hex Edit, Advanced Hex Editor, Cygnus Hex Editor. In all cases it is highly recommended to make a backup copy of the file you intend to modify.
Gameshark/Action replay/ Other patch codes:
To apply these cheats you need to buy certain hardware accessories. These are hardware, special devices that you can connect to your game systems and enable you to modify certain features in your games that are originally not permitted. They provide you with advantages such as eternal life, infinite ammunition, objects or money. They function similarly to trainers and they are based on the manipulation of memory values. These cheats are available in shops that sell video games. The most common ones are Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, GameShark, and Codebreaker. The cheats that are used with the games are purchased together with these devices or available in codebooks or via the Internet on certain web pages.
It seems clear now that there is a great deal of different cheats whose applications vary from games to games, ranging from typing in a keyword to complex programming. Only one question remains: Where can you find cheats or help for your favourite game on the Internet?
I can highly recommend the Abby-cheat.com for a start.
All You Need To Know About The Cheats Of Video And Pc Games Part 2.
Continued from Part 1
Walkthrough/solve:
These are usually text files (.rts, txt or .doc) that give a detailed description of how to play a game from the beginning to the end. If you read through these too early in the game, you will lose some of the fun of playing with the game.
Puzzle solutions:
These are keys to puzzles that are necessary for you if you want to get ahead in the game. They can be keys to doors, quiz questions, safe combinations, the use of certain objects that the player has to find out relying on the information gathered during the game. These are not considered cheats, either. But if you read them in advance, you will lose some fun of the game.
Strategy guides/game guides:
We can make a distinction between official and non-official game guides. Official guides are printed, illustrated books that are published by game developing companies and you can buy them online or in bookshops. Non-official game guides or FAQ’s are detailed descriptions made by game fans about particular games, which are usually free and available electronically in txt. or doc. format on the Internet. You can also find game guides in magazines dealing with video games. These detailed descriptions do not only contain the goals of the game, the game control commands, characters, the objects, the rule system, but you can also find extensive information about the strategies concerning end plays and the different situations in a particular game. They used to be made for more complex games such as simulators or strategic games but nowadays they come with almost every video game.
Trainers:
These software are not developed by game developers, they are designed for the manipulation of certain memory values. They usually consist of an ‘exe. file’ that can be downloaded from the Internet in zipped or compressed format. Trainers allow you to alter certain values and features that are originally not built in the game. For instance, money trainers will give unlimited money, or with the touch of a bottom you can switch on the invulnerability mode. Enthusiastic players and coding people make them for PC games.
In order to use these trainers you have to start the game and with the combination of the ALT+TAB keys you have to switch back to your operating system. Some games do not permit the switch with the combination of the ALT+TAB keys if there is not a parallel program running in the background so it is worth the trouble to open an operating screen before the start of the game. Another simple way of switching back is to use the WIN button on your keyboard.
Before you run the trainer it is important to check it for viruses to make sure that your trainer is free from viruses. In this way you can avoid many unpleasant surprises. Run the program and select the desired option in the trainer. In some cases, if you press certain keys or the combination of certain keys during the game it will result in the desired modifications. You can get information about these modifications and their consequences when you start the trainer as this kind of info is written on the screen right after you start running the program.
Return to your PC game while you are running the trainer, in other words, it is important to run the trainer in the background while your are playing with your game.
Why does the trainer not work with your game?
The most common problem is that the trainer is not compatible with the particular game you play as a result it does not function because it was made for a game with a version number, which is different from the game you use. Most trainers are released with info (.nfo) and readme txt files. In these files you will find all the necessary information about their proper use and the version numbers of the games they are compatible with. In some cases you have to start the trainer before running the game. It is recommended to try out both methods.
Saved game files:
These files have all the different game positions of other players saved for a particular game. They are created when the player has successfully completed a level or has defeated a main enemy or when the hero of the game has been upgraded with super qualities. If you would like to use these files all you have to do is to copy them into the saved game directory of the game and to load them when you start the game. It is highly recommended to make a backup copy of your game positions just in case the new ones would not work.
Editors:
The editors are small programs that enable the player to modify some files of the video game. These can be saved game files or ‘ini’ files that contain game specific information or files concerning the different characters of the game. Similarly to trainers these are also created by game enthusiasts or programmers. The most common type is the character editor that can alter the characters’ features, such as hitpoint, dexterity, or stamina in the different RPG games. They can also alter the objects’ characteristics in the different games. They are very much likely to operate with only those games that have exactly the same version number. The editors should be run in the installation directory that corresponds with the location of those files that we would like to modify, in other cases these files have to be loaded into the editor.
Uhs:
This abbreviation stands for Universal Hint System. These files have so-called ‘uhs’ extensions and in order to take a look at them you need a UHS viewer software. It provides you either with hints on how to accomplish certain tasks or with direct keys to certain tasks in a given game. You can freely download from their website.
Hex cheats:
They belong to the most difficult types of cheats and you are required to possess at least intermediate or advanced computer skills to implement them. This type of cheat usually contains a “hex address” and a certain value that should be replaced.
E.g. endless energy: with the help of the Hex Editor you are to replace:
08 3E F0 03 00 74 03 with 08 3E F0 03 00 90 90.
In order to implement this modification you need a Hex Editor. The most well-known ones are the following: WinHex, Hex Workshop, Hex Edit, Advanced Hex Editor, Cygnus Hex Editor. In all cases it is highly recommended to make a backup copy of the file you intend to modify.
Gameshark/Action replay/ Other patch codes:
To apply these cheats you need to buy certain hardware accessories. These are hardware, special devices that you can connect to your game systems and enable you to modify certain features in your games that are originally not permitted. They provide you with advantages such as eternal life, infinite ammunition, objects or money. They function similarly to trainers and they are based on the manipulation of memory values. These cheats are available in shops that sell video games. The most common ones are Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, GameShark, and Codebreaker. The cheats that are used with the games are purchased together with these devices or available in codebooks or via the Internet on certain web pages.
It seems clear now that there is a great deal of different cheats whose applications vary from games to games, ranging from typing in a keyword to complex programming. Only one question remains: Where can you find cheats or help for your favourite game on the Internet?
I can highly recommend the Abby-cheat.com for a start.
Sabtu, 28 Juli 2012
Top 25 Transfer Music From Ipod To Computer Links
Title:
Top 25 Transfer Music From Ipod To Computer Links
Transferring music from your iPod to your computer is easy to do if you have the tools. Unfortunately, the iPod is designed to prevent us from sharing our music. Which is understandable, because the music industry is reeling from the technology which allows us to copy music CDs, and reducing their profits.
But the problem is longstanding, ever since the old cassette tape players were used to record music, straight from the radio.
So, what should you do if your computer with all your iTunes goes on the bum, or even worse, just breaks. You're stuck, without any way to transfer your tunes to your new computer.
Until now!
As technology goes, there are always folks who will find a way to beat the system, and this article will outline 25 options for transferring your tunes from your beloved iPod to your computer. Some are either freeware or shareware and the others of course, come with a nominal price tag.
A couple of the links are actually for transferring photos from your iPod to your computer so I included the link below as an extra. It allows you to transfer tunes and videos between iPods. Lots of folks have more than one iPod and would like to simply copy thier favorites from one iPod to the other or thier friend's iPod.
iPod 2 iPod
http://www.topshareware.com/iPod-2-iPod-download-39933.htm
Many people own more than one iPod. iPod 2 iPod is an application that allows you to transfer your music and video between them.
Macintosh Operating System
iLinkPod
http://www.ilinkpod.com/
iLinkPod is first of all a unique tool that creates a permanent and direct access from your Desktop (and your iPod or wherever you want) to the hidden folders in which iPod stores your audio files. So you don't need iLinkPod or any other utility to access your hidden audio files on the iPod, you'll have access to them through a common folder on your Desktop (and iPod too).
iPod Viewer 3.0.1
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15864
Transfer songs to and from your iPod.
Expod0.3
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/30994
With Expod you can copy any or all of your songs (or videos) off your iPod, using whatever file naming convention you like.
PodView 1.5
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/29287
Play music, movies, photos at full screen and import content from your iPod.
iPodDisk
http://ipoddisk.ourbiti.com/index.php/download/
iPodDisk is a tool designed to make it easy and intuitive to copy music from your iPod. You copy music off your iPod in the Finder, like a regular disk drive.
Senuti
http://www.fadingred.org/senuti/
Get music off of your iPod onto any computer.
PodUp 1.0.0
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/31475
PodUp is an application which copies all your music files from your iPod to a folder of your choosing, without having anything to do with iTunes.
Mac and Windows Operating System
iPodRip
http://www.thelittleappfactory.com/application.php?app=iPodRip
iPodRip supports recovering your songs and playlists, playback of audio files and much more. iPodRip is compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 and later, and Windows XP and 2000. Trial version available.
Music Rescue (Upgrade to the previously called PodUtil)
http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/software/podutil.php
Music Rescue is a shareware utility for copying songs from your iPod to your computer. PodUtil is compatible with Mac OS X and 9.x, and Windows XP and 2000.
iPod Music Liberator
http://www.zeleksoftware.com/products.htm
The iPod Music Liberator allows you to copy music, playlists, and ratings from your iPod to any computer, filling in a missing feature of iTunes. It supports Mac OS X and Windows XP, 2000, NT and 98.
TuneRanger 0.9.5 Build 270
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32865
TuneRanger connects iTunes-running computers over a network, allowing music, video, and playlists to be merged from one iTunes library to another seamlessly.
iPod Access Photo 1.2
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32383
iPod Access Photo allows you to select individual photos and albums to be moved back onto your Mac computer or an external hard drive.
iPod Access
http://www.ipodaccess.com/ipodaccess/upgradeofferWin.html
The premier application for copying music, videos and playlists from your iPod back to your Windows PC.
Microsoft Windows PC
Microsoft Windows PC
iPodCopy
http://www.topshareware.com/iPodCopy-download-42821.htm
iPodCopy allows you to copy music, video, podcasts and photos from your iPod back into iTunes or onto your PC hard disk. Also can copy playlists, artwork, ratings and play counts from your iPod into iTunes.
xPort
http://www.topshareware.com/xPort-transfer-19893.htm
xPort is the ultimate backup tool for your iPod. It enables you to easily transfer your all your songs from your iPod to your PC and it enables you to download lyrics, list your songs, create m3p playlists%u2026
CopyTrans (formerly CopyPod)
http://www.copytrans.net/
CopyTransTM is the ultimate backup and recovery tool for your iPod songs. It requires Windows XP or 2000.
CopyTrans Photo
http://www.topshareware.com/CopyPod-Photo-download-39841.htm
CopyTrans Photo allows you to transfer, backup, copy or download your photos from your iPod to your PC effortlessly.
xPodClone
http://www.topshareware.com/xPodClone-download-37702.htm
xPodClone is the ultimate backup tool for all your devices, it clone easily folders, dvds, cds, directories, ipod. You only have to drag and drop your files into the xPodclone window.
Xplay 2
http://www.mediafour.com/products/xplay/
XPlay makes it possible to not only add music to your iPod but copy music back off the iPod. With XPlay you can use both Mac and PC formatted iPods.
iGadget (formerly iPod Agent)
http://www.ipodsoft.com/index.php?/software/ipodagent
You'll be able to transfer all kinds of data to your iPod, including driving directions, contacts, appointments, email, notes, tasks, podcasts, RSS news feeds, weather forecasts, daily horoscopes, movie show times, gas prices and more! You will have the tools necessary to copy songs off your iPod and back onto your computer.
Tansee iPod to PC Transfer
http://www.topshareware.com/Tansee-iPod-to-PC-Transfer-download-45653.htm
Transfer music from iPod to computer.
Tansee iPod Photo Transfer
http://www.topshareware.com/Tansee-iPod-Photo-Transfer-download-45654.htm
Backup/transfer photos from iPod to computer.
Tansee iPod video to PC Transfer
http://www.topshareware.com/Tansee-iPod-video-to-PC-Transfer-download-45655.htm
Transfer video audio from iPod to computer.
iBack
http://www.topshareware.com/iBack-download-49338.htm
Copy your songs & videos from your iPod to any computer.
Kandalu X Cube
http://tc.versiontracker.com/product/redir/lid/1007753/sendform.php3
Kandalu X Cube is a user friendly utility that quickly and easily allows the transfer of music files from your iPod to the computer.
In Summary
There you have it, all the resources you need to get your tunes and pictures off your iPod. There are other more expensive options available, but these are a very good starting point, especially since most are either free or have a very nominal fee attached.
If I had to pick only one, I'd pick the iGadget because it's a full featured utility with so many other useful functions in addition to the file transfer function.
Top 25 Transfer Music From Ipod To Computer Links
Transferring music from your iPod to your computer is easy to do if you have the tools. Unfortunately, the iPod is designed to prevent us from sharing our music. Which is understandable, because the music industry is reeling from the technology which allows us to copy music CDs, and reducing their profits.
But the problem is longstanding, ever since the old cassette tape players were used to record music, straight from the radio.
So, what should you do if your computer with all your iTunes goes on the bum, or even worse, just breaks. You're stuck, without any way to transfer your tunes to your new computer.
Until now!
As technology goes, there are always folks who will find a way to beat the system, and this article will outline 25 options for transferring your tunes from your beloved iPod to your computer. Some are either freeware or shareware and the others of course, come with a nominal price tag.
A couple of the links are actually for transferring photos from your iPod to your computer so I included the link below as an extra. It allows you to transfer tunes and videos between iPods. Lots of folks have more than one iPod and would like to simply copy thier favorites from one iPod to the other or thier friend's iPod.
iPod 2 iPod
http://www.topshareware.com/iPod-2-iPod-download-39933.htm
Many people own more than one iPod. iPod 2 iPod is an application that allows you to transfer your music and video between them.
Macintosh Operating System
iLinkPod
http://www.ilinkpod.com/
iLinkPod is first of all a unique tool that creates a permanent and direct access from your Desktop (and your iPod or wherever you want) to the hidden folders in which iPod stores your audio files. So you don't need iLinkPod or any other utility to access your hidden audio files on the iPod, you'll have access to them through a common folder on your Desktop (and iPod too).
iPod Viewer 3.0.1
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15864
Transfer songs to and from your iPod.
Expod0.3
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/30994
With Expod you can copy any or all of your songs (or videos) off your iPod, using whatever file naming convention you like.
PodView 1.5
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/29287
Play music, movies, photos at full screen and import content from your iPod.
iPodDisk
http://ipoddisk.ourbiti.com/index.php/download/
iPodDisk is a tool designed to make it easy and intuitive to copy music from your iPod. You copy music off your iPod in the Finder, like a regular disk drive.
Senuti
http://www.fadingred.org/senuti/
Get music off of your iPod onto any computer.
PodUp 1.0.0
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/31475
PodUp is an application which copies all your music files from your iPod to a folder of your choosing, without having anything to do with iTunes.
Mac and Windows Operating System
iPodRip
http://www.thelittleappfactory.com/application.php?app=iPodRip
iPodRip supports recovering your songs and playlists, playback of audio files and much more. iPodRip is compatible with Mac OS X 10.2 and later, and Windows XP and 2000. Trial version available.
Music Rescue (Upgrade to the previously called PodUtil)
http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/software/podutil.php
Music Rescue is a shareware utility for copying songs from your iPod to your computer. PodUtil is compatible with Mac OS X and 9.x, and Windows XP and 2000.
iPod Music Liberator
http://www.zeleksoftware.com/products.htm
The iPod Music Liberator allows you to copy music, playlists, and ratings from your iPod to any computer, filling in a missing feature of iTunes. It supports Mac OS X and Windows XP, 2000, NT and 98.
TuneRanger 0.9.5 Build 270
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32865
TuneRanger connects iTunes-running computers over a network, allowing music, video, and playlists to be merged from one iTunes library to another seamlessly.
iPod Access Photo 1.2
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/32383
iPod Access Photo allows you to select individual photos and albums to be moved back onto your Mac computer or an external hard drive.
iPod Access
http://www.ipodaccess.com/ipodaccess/upgradeofferWin.html
The premier application for copying music, videos and playlists from your iPod back to your Windows PC.
Microsoft Windows PC
Microsoft Windows PC
iPodCopy
http://www.topshareware.com/iPodCopy-download-42821.htm
iPodCopy allows you to copy music, video, podcasts and photos from your iPod back into iTunes or onto your PC hard disk. Also can copy playlists, artwork, ratings and play counts from your iPod into iTunes.
xPort
http://www.topshareware.com/xPort-transfer-19893.htm
xPort is the ultimate backup tool for your iPod. It enables you to easily transfer your all your songs from your iPod to your PC and it enables you to download lyrics, list your songs, create m3p playlists%u2026
CopyTrans (formerly CopyPod)
http://www.copytrans.net/
CopyTransTM is the ultimate backup and recovery tool for your iPod songs. It requires Windows XP or 2000.
CopyTrans Photo
http://www.topshareware.com/CopyPod-Photo-download-39841.htm
CopyTrans Photo allows you to transfer, backup, copy or download your photos from your iPod to your PC effortlessly.
xPodClone
http://www.topshareware.com/xPodClone-download-37702.htm
xPodClone is the ultimate backup tool for all your devices, it clone easily folders, dvds, cds, directories, ipod. You only have to drag and drop your files into the xPodclone window.
Xplay 2
http://www.mediafour.com/products/xplay/
XPlay makes it possible to not only add music to your iPod but copy music back off the iPod. With XPlay you can use both Mac and PC formatted iPods.
iGadget (formerly iPod Agent)
http://www.ipodsoft.com/index.php?/software/ipodagent
You'll be able to transfer all kinds of data to your iPod, including driving directions, contacts, appointments, email, notes, tasks, podcasts, RSS news feeds, weather forecasts, daily horoscopes, movie show times, gas prices and more! You will have the tools necessary to copy songs off your iPod and back onto your computer.
Tansee iPod to PC Transfer
http://www.topshareware.com/Tansee-iPod-to-PC-Transfer-download-45653.htm
Transfer music from iPod to computer.
Tansee iPod Photo Transfer
http://www.topshareware.com/Tansee-iPod-Photo-Transfer-download-45654.htm
Backup/transfer photos from iPod to computer.
Tansee iPod video to PC Transfer
http://www.topshareware.com/Tansee-iPod-video-to-PC-Transfer-download-45655.htm
Transfer video audio from iPod to computer.
iBack
http://www.topshareware.com/iBack-download-49338.htm
Copy your songs & videos from your iPod to any computer.
Kandalu X Cube
http://tc.versiontracker.com/product/redir/lid/1007753/sendform.php3
Kandalu X Cube is a user friendly utility that quickly and easily allows the transfer of music files from your iPod to the computer.
In Summary
There you have it, all the resources you need to get your tunes and pictures off your iPod. There are other more expensive options available, but these are a very good starting point, especially since most are either free or have a very nominal fee attached.
If I had to pick only one, I'd pick the iGadget because it's a full featured utility with so many other useful functions in addition to the file transfer function.
Jumat, 27 Juli 2012
Stephen M.h. Braitman-Putting A Value On Your Vinyl Collection
Title:
Stephen M.h. Braitman-Putting A Value On Your Vinyl Collection
The value of vinyl records is very subjective and certainly up for debate. There are many elements that go into ascertaining just how much a specific record or a whole collection may be worth. Do you use fair market value, replacement value or record price guide value? As I found out, it all depends on the circumstances, and the best way to achieve these objectives is to have your collection professionally appraised. I had the opportunity to speak with professional appraiser and music historian Stephen M. H. Braitman about the elements that go into putting a value on a record collection.
But, first, let me introduce Stephen. He has been involved with records and music since the late 60's, writing and editing several entertainment and music publications. He also has been a dealer, buying and selling records, posters and related memorabilia throughout the years. His widely acknowledged expertise in the marketplace for music and memorabilia makes his appraisal services very important for estate planning, charitable contributions, expert testimony and for insurance and coverage claims. His many credentials include: passing the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Principles of Practice and Code of Ethics exam in 2004, completing courses on such subjects as the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Personal Property Valuation, Methodology-Research and Analysis as well as the legal and commercial environment of appraisal. He is also a music analyst with Gracenote, the digital music management company.
So what does all this mean? Stephen M.H. Braitman is a qualified, certified appraiser. Why is this unique service so important? As I discussed the details of his occupation with Mr. Braitman, let’s explore some of the details that go into a record collection appraisal and how a record collection should be appraised.
“This is a new service, a new genre so to speak,” he said. “The service is being offered for those people who may have large or small collections and have really no idea their worth. Unfortunately, there are no legal requirements to qualify as an appraiser except in the real estate market, but the IRS and the Appraisal Foundation have led the way with the adoption of nationally recognized standards that reputable appraisers in all fields use. The IRS, for example, uses the concept of fair market value, meaning the agreed-upon price paid by a willing, knowledgeable buyer to a willing, knowledgeable seller. One of the reasons I entered this profession is, not only because of my love for music and music memorabilia, but because I felt that the industry needs certified appraisers to provide critical assistance in defining the values of collections for insurance purposes, estate planning, tax donation claims, personal disputes and investments. Part of the job is also being called upon as an expert witness to attest and back up the values set upon a collection. That’s where I enter the picture.”
When asked what exactly goes into an appraisal, Stephen explained:
“There are many variables that have to be recognized when placing a value on a collection. It also depends on the purpose of the appraisal. For instance, the IRS uses fair market value in determining the value of donated material. But, replacement value in insurance cases different; it’s higher because you’ll be paying a higher cost to recover certain collectibles, let’s say, that may have been lost in a fire. So, the intent of the appraisal must be taken into consideration as well.”
“We research what are comparable items in the current marketplace. There are several aspects to research that include recent and relevant sales, trend analysis, professional consensus, retail stores, auction prices as well as record guide prices. The record price guides are a nice starting point, but they may not reflect true value because of the variables just mentioned.”
“Our first order of business in an appraisal is generally to examine the physical items, if possible, and note the condition, edition or other key points of recognition. Then we conduct extensive research to ascertain the current marketability of the items. Our service concludes with a certified document that details the estimated retail value and the current wholesale value, depending on the type of appraisal. We also include a statement of the overall quality level of the item or collection, including condition, pressing edition or the cultural or historical desirability. This document exceeds the appraisal requirements of the IRS and the insurance companies.”
We discussed one of the most confusing and subjective elements regarding vinyl records: grading the vinyl. I asked Stephen what method he uses.
“It is actually a combination of many methods, including the Goldmine Standards that have been set up in their many publications, the ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’-formula, and my own formula. I like to take it a step further and use a 100-point scale, and deduct points for every flaw, not only on the record, but the picture sleeve (if it is a 45rpm), LP jacket and cover. I would like to see a uniform standard set up sometime in the near future, something that everybody in the industry could agree on,” said Stephen.
There are also a couple of ways to have your memorabilia or record collection documented and appraised, as Stephen details:
“We actually offer two distinct services, the professional appraisal and a quick evaluation of your memorabilia or record collection. This entails you sending us a list of your items from which we provide a detailed document with a range of market values based on comparables. You’ll be able to tell whether you have something worth $1.00, $10, $100, or more. This process is quicker and less expensive that the formal appraisal and is most useful in estimating what a sale to a dealer might bring,” explained Stephen.
“Our service includes, not only the appraisal of records and record collections, but posters, flyers, handbills, programs, CDs, promotional items, tour books and other music collectibles. (I don't handle musical instruments, which is a very different kind of specialty). It is important to have your items or collections appraised to gauge the potential replacement value, assist in estate planning goals, tax elements and other factors. I have much more information on my Website, http://www.MusicAppraisals.com.”
As we wrapped up our interview, we talked about our love for not only music, but the historical audio format of, vinyl records. I asked Stephen about one of his most memorable record collection appraisals.
“I did an appraisal for a gentleman in Texas and he had a wonderful and superb record collection. But, when he put on an old 78rpm of Robert Johnson and played it on his professional sound equipment, and as the music filled the room, you could have swore that Mr. Robert Johnson himself was playing for you right then and there. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience, and one I will never forget,” recalled Stephen.
So, not only does Stephen M.H. Braitman offer valuable and unique record appraisal services, he also gets to archive, appraise and handle important parts of audio history, and gets to hear them as well. And that is a reward that you can not put a value on.
Stephen M.h. Braitman-Putting A Value On Your Vinyl Collection
The value of vinyl records is very subjective and certainly up for debate. There are many elements that go into ascertaining just how much a specific record or a whole collection may be worth. Do you use fair market value, replacement value or record price guide value? As I found out, it all depends on the circumstances, and the best way to achieve these objectives is to have your collection professionally appraised. I had the opportunity to speak with professional appraiser and music historian Stephen M. H. Braitman about the elements that go into putting a value on a record collection.
But, first, let me introduce Stephen. He has been involved with records and music since the late 60's, writing and editing several entertainment and music publications. He also has been a dealer, buying and selling records, posters and related memorabilia throughout the years. His widely acknowledged expertise in the marketplace for music and memorabilia makes his appraisal services very important for estate planning, charitable contributions, expert testimony and for insurance and coverage claims. His many credentials include: passing the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Principles of Practice and Code of Ethics exam in 2004, completing courses on such subjects as the Uniform Standards for Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Personal Property Valuation, Methodology-Research and Analysis as well as the legal and commercial environment of appraisal. He is also a music analyst with Gracenote, the digital music management company.
So what does all this mean? Stephen M.H. Braitman is a qualified, certified appraiser. Why is this unique service so important? As I discussed the details of his occupation with Mr. Braitman, let’s explore some of the details that go into a record collection appraisal and how a record collection should be appraised.
“This is a new service, a new genre so to speak,” he said. “The service is being offered for those people who may have large or small collections and have really no idea their worth. Unfortunately, there are no legal requirements to qualify as an appraiser except in the real estate market, but the IRS and the Appraisal Foundation have led the way with the adoption of nationally recognized standards that reputable appraisers in all fields use. The IRS, for example, uses the concept of fair market value, meaning the agreed-upon price paid by a willing, knowledgeable buyer to a willing, knowledgeable seller. One of the reasons I entered this profession is, not only because of my love for music and music memorabilia, but because I felt that the industry needs certified appraisers to provide critical assistance in defining the values of collections for insurance purposes, estate planning, tax donation claims, personal disputes and investments. Part of the job is also being called upon as an expert witness to attest and back up the values set upon a collection. That’s where I enter the picture.”
When asked what exactly goes into an appraisal, Stephen explained:
“There are many variables that have to be recognized when placing a value on a collection. It also depends on the purpose of the appraisal. For instance, the IRS uses fair market value in determining the value of donated material. But, replacement value in insurance cases different; it’s higher because you’ll be paying a higher cost to recover certain collectibles, let’s say, that may have been lost in a fire. So, the intent of the appraisal must be taken into consideration as well.”
“We research what are comparable items in the current marketplace. There are several aspects to research that include recent and relevant sales, trend analysis, professional consensus, retail stores, auction prices as well as record guide prices. The record price guides are a nice starting point, but they may not reflect true value because of the variables just mentioned.”
“Our first order of business in an appraisal is generally to examine the physical items, if possible, and note the condition, edition or other key points of recognition. Then we conduct extensive research to ascertain the current marketability of the items. Our service concludes with a certified document that details the estimated retail value and the current wholesale value, depending on the type of appraisal. We also include a statement of the overall quality level of the item or collection, including condition, pressing edition or the cultural or historical desirability. This document exceeds the appraisal requirements of the IRS and the insurance companies.”
We discussed one of the most confusing and subjective elements regarding vinyl records: grading the vinyl. I asked Stephen what method he uses.
“It is actually a combination of many methods, including the Goldmine Standards that have been set up in their many publications, the ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’-formula, and my own formula. I like to take it a step further and use a 100-point scale, and deduct points for every flaw, not only on the record, but the picture sleeve (if it is a 45rpm), LP jacket and cover. I would like to see a uniform standard set up sometime in the near future, something that everybody in the industry could agree on,” said Stephen.
There are also a couple of ways to have your memorabilia or record collection documented and appraised, as Stephen details:
“We actually offer two distinct services, the professional appraisal and a quick evaluation of your memorabilia or record collection. This entails you sending us a list of your items from which we provide a detailed document with a range of market values based on comparables. You’ll be able to tell whether you have something worth $1.00, $10, $100, or more. This process is quicker and less expensive that the formal appraisal and is most useful in estimating what a sale to a dealer might bring,” explained Stephen.
“Our service includes, not only the appraisal of records and record collections, but posters, flyers, handbills, programs, CDs, promotional items, tour books and other music collectibles. (I don't handle musical instruments, which is a very different kind of specialty). It is important to have your items or collections appraised to gauge the potential replacement value, assist in estate planning goals, tax elements and other factors. I have much more information on my Website, http://www.MusicAppraisals.com.”
As we wrapped up our interview, we talked about our love for not only music, but the historical audio format of, vinyl records. I asked Stephen about one of his most memorable record collection appraisals.
“I did an appraisal for a gentleman in Texas and he had a wonderful and superb record collection. But, when he put on an old 78rpm of Robert Johnson and played it on his professional sound equipment, and as the music filled the room, you could have swore that Mr. Robert Johnson himself was playing for you right then and there. It was a wonderful and enlightening experience, and one I will never forget,” recalled Stephen.
So, not only does Stephen M.H. Braitman offer valuable and unique record appraisal services, he also gets to archive, appraise and handle important parts of audio history, and gets to hear them as well. And that is a reward that you can not put a value on.
Kamis, 26 Juli 2012
Commemorative Coins
Title:
Commemorative Coins
Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Australia reveres its national animal with the Gold Kangaroo, for example, while China has a Gold Panda with a lovely design that changes every year.
Because not many people know what distinguishes precious rare coins from run-of-the-mill legal tender, these coins can remain in circulation for decades, until a lucky coin collector recognizes them.
Although the aesthetics may change, price does not. The value of your coins stays the same regardless of colour. Coin collecting, or numismatics is a hobby as old as time. As a hobby, it has been around for more than 2,500 years. This is surprising since the use of coins has been around for pretty much that same amount of time too.
Collecting coins is a hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. A lot of coin collectors started as children, with the help of their parents or grandparents collecting pennies or dimes. For some coin collecting can become a lifetime hobby.
Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit. Keeping Coins Clean Using a Folder
The price of an antique item goes up if it is kept in good condition. By having it stored in a safe place, one can be sure that it will not be damaged by the elements or by negligence that will reduce its value in the market. Coins are easy to take care off. For those who have been doing this for years, such collections are usually framed or under glass and are often seen in places such as a large museum. But to individuals who are just starting out, putting it in an old shoe box or jar will do.
Later, when the collection is larger, it is time to invest in a coin folder that would better protect and hold the coins. These folders can be bought in different sizes depending on the type of coins the individual is collecting. The coins can be stored in individual plastic pockets or in sheets that make up the album. They are available at the local coin store or can be ordered from the web. The advantage of using these is that they are handy to carry around make it easy for the person to show. These can be brought to exhibits and other venues where the coins can be traded, sold or exchanged with coins that other people may have.
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor.
Ancient kings (and even today's leaders) had a telling habit of having their faces imprinted on their currency.
As for when to buy, coin collecting represents a wonderful way to commemorate great events in your life; you could buy a coin to celebrate your child's graduation, or a new baby.
On the flip side of the American Eagle gold coins is a nest full of bald eagles, the national bird of the United States. The nest represents the American dedication to unity and family.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
There were only a few coins with this error, and their scarce nature has made them valuable to collectors.
Although there are exceptions, most old coins are not particularly valuable unless they are very well preserved. The best starting place for an idea of their worth is to visit the reference section of your local library. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels.
Free Ebook! More on Rare Gold Coins and where you can find them at http://www.goldcoin-rare.info Keeping the coins in mint condition does not only mean storing them in a folder. Whenever the person adds a new coin to the collection, it is ideal to first have it cleaned before putting it in with the others.
This can be done by taking it to a coin shop and paying for the services, or if you prefer to do it yourself, is by soaking it in a liquid such as vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice or ammonia which is sure to remove any dirt or encrustation that are present when it was acquired. They should then be air-dried or patted dry with a soft cloth. It is not a good idea to rub or polish the coins since scratches can occur that may decrease its value in the market.
Serious coin collectors value the importance of storing these valuables in a safe and secure area. By investing in a coin folder, the person can be sure that the value of the coins will go up either when the demand calls for it or when there is a need to part with them.
Today, building a fascinating collection of coins does not have to be expensive, and everyone can participate in this exciting pastime. An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Perhaps one day the coin you bought last year will have gone up in value, but the idea is to buy it so you can enjoy it now, and for as long as you own it.
Hobbyists usually start collecting coins from their own locality. This makes sense because they are the easiest to collect. These hobbyists then expand their collection to coins from increasingly farther and earlier origins.
Additionally, some coins with higher mintages can be quite rare in certain grades such as higher MS condition coins due to weak strikes, etc.
Other than printing problems, another reason why rare coins can be minted is when the wrong precious metals are used to make the coins.
Remember that most gold coins are worth more than their legal tender amount. Although they re not available for purchase directly from the U.S. Mint, American Eagle can be commonly found for sale in coin shops, on the internet, by gold dealers, and at coin shows. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins.
Commemorative Coins
Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Australia reveres its national animal with the Gold Kangaroo, for example, while China has a Gold Panda with a lovely design that changes every year.
Because not many people know what distinguishes precious rare coins from run-of-the-mill legal tender, these coins can remain in circulation for decades, until a lucky coin collector recognizes them.
Although the aesthetics may change, price does not. The value of your coins stays the same regardless of colour. Coin collecting, or numismatics is a hobby as old as time. As a hobby, it has been around for more than 2,500 years. This is surprising since the use of coins has been around for pretty much that same amount of time too.
Collecting coins is a hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age. A lot of coin collectors started as children, with the help of their parents or grandparents collecting pennies or dimes. For some coin collecting can become a lifetime hobby.
Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit. Keeping Coins Clean Using a Folder
The price of an antique item goes up if it is kept in good condition. By having it stored in a safe place, one can be sure that it will not be damaged by the elements or by negligence that will reduce its value in the market. Coins are easy to take care off. For those who have been doing this for years, such collections are usually framed or under glass and are often seen in places such as a large museum. But to individuals who are just starting out, putting it in an old shoe box or jar will do.
Later, when the collection is larger, it is time to invest in a coin folder that would better protect and hold the coins. These folders can be bought in different sizes depending on the type of coins the individual is collecting. The coins can be stored in individual plastic pockets or in sheets that make up the album. They are available at the local coin store or can be ordered from the web. The advantage of using these is that they are handy to carry around make it easy for the person to show. These can be brought to exhibits and other venues where the coins can be traded, sold or exchanged with coins that other people may have.
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor.
Ancient kings (and even today's leaders) had a telling habit of having their faces imprinted on their currency.
As for when to buy, coin collecting represents a wonderful way to commemorate great events in your life; you could buy a coin to celebrate your child's graduation, or a new baby.
On the flip side of the American Eagle gold coins is a nest full of bald eagles, the national bird of the United States. The nest represents the American dedication to unity and family.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
There were only a few coins with this error, and their scarce nature has made them valuable to collectors.
Although there are exceptions, most old coins are not particularly valuable unless they are very well preserved. The best starting place for an idea of their worth is to visit the reference section of your local library. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels.
Free Ebook! More on Rare Gold Coins and where you can find them at http://www.goldcoin-rare.info Keeping the coins in mint condition does not only mean storing them in a folder. Whenever the person adds a new coin to the collection, it is ideal to first have it cleaned before putting it in with the others.
This can be done by taking it to a coin shop and paying for the services, or if you prefer to do it yourself, is by soaking it in a liquid such as vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice or ammonia which is sure to remove any dirt or encrustation that are present when it was acquired. They should then be air-dried or patted dry with a soft cloth. It is not a good idea to rub or polish the coins since scratches can occur that may decrease its value in the market.
Serious coin collectors value the importance of storing these valuables in a safe and secure area. By investing in a coin folder, the person can be sure that the value of the coins will go up either when the demand calls for it or when there is a need to part with them.
Today, building a fascinating collection of coins does not have to be expensive, and everyone can participate in this exciting pastime. An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Perhaps one day the coin you bought last year will have gone up in value, but the idea is to buy it so you can enjoy it now, and for as long as you own it.
Hobbyists usually start collecting coins from their own locality. This makes sense because they are the easiest to collect. These hobbyists then expand their collection to coins from increasingly farther and earlier origins.
Additionally, some coins with higher mintages can be quite rare in certain grades such as higher MS condition coins due to weak strikes, etc.
Other than printing problems, another reason why rare coins can be minted is when the wrong precious metals are used to make the coins.
Remember that most gold coins are worth more than their legal tender amount. Although they re not available for purchase directly from the U.S. Mint, American Eagle can be commonly found for sale in coin shops, on the internet, by gold dealers, and at coin shows. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins.
Rabu, 25 Juli 2012
Advertising For Your MMORPG Guild
Title:
Advertising For Your MMORPG Guild
Guild recruiters cannot be shy. Post in recruiting forums, erect a guild Web site, use in game recruiting tools, such as those in EQ2, these activities all promote your guild and you probably should avail yourself of them. However the fastest, cheapest, easiest most effective way to get new members for your guild is to simply ask in a general chat channel.
Before You Hit the Chat Channels You Need to Know...
...what benefit people will receive by joining your guild and at what cost? Do you provide help with grouping? Do you help people level? Are you a PvP guild? If so what kind of PvP guild? If you provide groups for members is joining guild groups required? If you help people level, is helping other members required? If you are an MMORPG PvP guild, does this mean you don’t do content or that you do organized battlegrounds?
Once you know the major benefit of joining your guild, create your message around that. Know the cost however, because you’ll need new members to understand that if you want to retain them…more about that in my next article for PlayerVox.
To construct your message take the big focus on your major benefit and combine it with one of two possible actions you want the interested party to take:
1. PST for membership info. Contact you immediately in (PST for Please Send Tell is fairly universal).
Be prepared to answer questions and potentially talk to multiple people at the same time. I like to either use a text file to cut and paste common answers, or setup macros when available.
2. URL. Save yourself a lot of typing by sending people to a special recruiting page setup in advance. Lazy people won’t take the time to go look however, so if you are zerg recruiting, don’t use this method. Using a Web page is ideal if there is a lot of information for potential members to consider.
* Present your guild as active and up-to-date. Do NOT send potentials to your inactive guild forums or glommed together site for info. Instead create a special page just for potential new recruits.
* Get the easiest URL possible. Example: "s1.guildcafe.com" is the domain name I use for the Section One guild.
* Always use the http:// so that people understand it is a web site you want them to look at.
Recruiting Message Samples
Helper PvE guild:
Learn the ropes and level fast with XYZ guild. PST for membership info.
Guild with funny people:
Laugh your way to level 50 with XYZ guild. Casual players welcome. PST for membership info.
Guild with serious PvErs:
XYZ guild seeks pro-PvE members. Do dungeons right with us. Ventrilo required. PST for membership info.
End game looters:
The PvE veterans of XYZ raid guild LFM for teamwork and achieving long term goals. http://www.blahblah.com
Adult social guild:
Like to play and chat? Join the lively world of XYZ guild on Ventrilo. http://www.blahblah.com Not kid friendly.
Crafting guild:
Attention crafters: Join with other crafters in XYZ guild to build an economic powerhouse and rule the server. PST for more info.
Player-killing guild:
Join for the Rep. Stay for the people who'd rather fight than switch. RPK all the way. PST for membership info.
Advertise, but don’t spam
Some old fashioned net-etiquette should be employed while advertising in chat channels:
* Use appropriate channels. Find out what channels are acceptable for guild recruiting. It’s different in every game. For instance, in Guild Wars, one uses the “all” channel. In some MMORPGs the regional chat channels are acceptable. Some games have special recruiting channels.
* Keep it short and sweet. Don’t attempt to explain every membership detail in your message. Things scroll away fast and people don’t have time to deal with long text—heck, they don’t even read quest descriptions most of the time! More on this later.
* Don’t spam. The reason you repeat your message is to give busy people another chance to read it as well present yourself to new people who haven’t seen it. It is not to bore and aggravate people with your endless droning of e-garbage.
o How often you repeat your message is game dependent. In games like WoW, EQ2 and Vanguard, the number of new people coming into and going out of a channel is small, so repeat sparingly. Observe how frequently others repeat and repeat less than they do. If you get complaints, reduce your frequency even more. Being perceived as spam will get you on people’s ignore-list.
o In Guild Wars where people hop in and out of districts constantly, your best bet is to move around from place to place, repeat your message once per district then move on, repeating your cycle every five minutes or so.
* Change it up. Vary your message from time to time, test new messages, be clever, entertain. Boring messages equates to a boring guild.
Advertise eloquently...
...or at least avoid looking stupid:
* DON'T USE ALL CAPS.
* Do not load up your message with **l337** symbols and other #$%^& crap. Your potential recruits don’t have time or desire to decipher, so just use plain English.
* Stay away from over-used terms so ubiquitous that they are now meaningless. Ever seen anyone advertising for unfriendly, immature and inactive members? Almost all guilds are friendly, mature and active, so don’t use up precious space talking about it.
* Use goood speeling. You may not care about every day chat spelling and grammar, but nothing makes you look more like a stupid n00b than spamming the same error over and over. Check it first then store it in a macro or text file.
People want to join guilds that are active. They like to be able to login and find things are happening. One of the best things to do recruiting-wise is put together PUGs, then pitch guild membership to the better players.
You can take this idea a step further by organizing server events and advertising them in spam. Depending on how much creativity the game supports you can do a lot. Character weddings, PvP king of the hill events, PvP tournaments, PvE and PvP raids, crafting fairs, scavenger hunts, races and costume contests are all popular.
Worst Guild Recruiting Spam Ever
XYZ GUILD RECUTING friendly active players. All levels, races, classses and ages. Mature PvE and PvP. Have hall and cape. ˆ-ˆ
This is a pretty typical zerg guild spam—hard to read, packed full of errors and easy to ignore. It attempts to attract people by sounding friendly, but undermines itself by trying to be all things to all people—which equates to nothing for nobody. If you want to offer zillions of players a temporary spot in your revolving door clan, use this ad. (The “have hall and cape” is a Guild Wars thing. Since every guild has those, it amazes me that people even mention it. If they advertised a guild hall with all perks or silver cape that would be different.)
XYZ guild looking for members. 50 gold paid on joining.
Why not just say, “attention leeches, come get 50gp then leave me for another guild” If you are this desperate for members, consider calling it quits and joining an established guild.
UberAwesome guild looking for members. Raiding right now, come get your endgame loot!
This ad isn't much better than the previous one. It's just another opportunity for people to leech off your generosity. Inviting people to join your raids is a good way to impress people, but it's best to keep those opportunities and your recruiting separate.
Conclusion
Don't be shy! Speak up and use chat to let people know that you're out there. Be wise with your messages, don't abuse it, and you'll be rewarded with plenty of interest.
Advertising For Your MMORPG Guild
Guild recruiters cannot be shy. Post in recruiting forums, erect a guild Web site, use in game recruiting tools, such as those in EQ2, these activities all promote your guild and you probably should avail yourself of them. However the fastest, cheapest, easiest most effective way to get new members for your guild is to simply ask in a general chat channel.
Before You Hit the Chat Channels You Need to Know...
...what benefit people will receive by joining your guild and at what cost? Do you provide help with grouping? Do you help people level? Are you a PvP guild? If so what kind of PvP guild? If you provide groups for members is joining guild groups required? If you help people level, is helping other members required? If you are an MMORPG PvP guild, does this mean you don’t do content or that you do organized battlegrounds?
Once you know the major benefit of joining your guild, create your message around that. Know the cost however, because you’ll need new members to understand that if you want to retain them…more about that in my next article for PlayerVox.
To construct your message take the big focus on your major benefit and combine it with one of two possible actions you want the interested party to take:
1. PST for membership info. Contact you immediately in (PST for Please Send Tell is fairly universal).
Be prepared to answer questions and potentially talk to multiple people at the same time. I like to either use a text file to cut and paste common answers, or setup macros when available.
2. URL. Save yourself a lot of typing by sending people to a special recruiting page setup in advance. Lazy people won’t take the time to go look however, so if you are zerg recruiting, don’t use this method. Using a Web page is ideal if there is a lot of information for potential members to consider.
* Present your guild as active and up-to-date. Do NOT send potentials to your inactive guild forums or glommed together site for info. Instead create a special page just for potential new recruits.
* Get the easiest URL possible. Example: "s1.guildcafe.com" is the domain name I use for the Section One guild.
* Always use the http:// so that people understand it is a web site you want them to look at.
Recruiting Message Samples
Helper PvE guild:
Learn the ropes and level fast with XYZ guild. PST for membership info.
Guild with funny people:
Laugh your way to level 50 with XYZ guild. Casual players welcome. PST for membership info.
Guild with serious PvErs:
XYZ guild seeks pro-PvE members. Do dungeons right with us. Ventrilo required. PST for membership info.
End game looters:
The PvE veterans of XYZ raid guild LFM for teamwork and achieving long term goals. http://www.blahblah.com
Adult social guild:
Like to play and chat? Join the lively world of XYZ guild on Ventrilo. http://www.blahblah.com Not kid friendly.
Crafting guild:
Attention crafters: Join with other crafters in XYZ guild to build an economic powerhouse and rule the server. PST for more info.
Player-killing guild:
Join for the Rep. Stay for the people who'd rather fight than switch. RPK all the way. PST for membership info.
Advertise, but don’t spam
Some old fashioned net-etiquette should be employed while advertising in chat channels:
* Use appropriate channels. Find out what channels are acceptable for guild recruiting. It’s different in every game. For instance, in Guild Wars, one uses the “all” channel. In some MMORPGs the regional chat channels are acceptable. Some games have special recruiting channels.
* Keep it short and sweet. Don’t attempt to explain every membership detail in your message. Things scroll away fast and people don’t have time to deal with long text—heck, they don’t even read quest descriptions most of the time! More on this later.
* Don’t spam. The reason you repeat your message is to give busy people another chance to read it as well present yourself to new people who haven’t seen it. It is not to bore and aggravate people with your endless droning of e-garbage.
o How often you repeat your message is game dependent. In games like WoW, EQ2 and Vanguard, the number of new people coming into and going out of a channel is small, so repeat sparingly. Observe how frequently others repeat and repeat less than they do. If you get complaints, reduce your frequency even more. Being perceived as spam will get you on people’s ignore-list.
o In Guild Wars where people hop in and out of districts constantly, your best bet is to move around from place to place, repeat your message once per district then move on, repeating your cycle every five minutes or so.
* Change it up. Vary your message from time to time, test new messages, be clever, entertain. Boring messages equates to a boring guild.
Advertise eloquently...
...or at least avoid looking stupid:
* DON'T USE ALL CAPS.
* Do not load up your message with **l337** symbols and other #$%^& crap. Your potential recruits don’t have time or desire to decipher, so just use plain English.
* Stay away from over-used terms so ubiquitous that they are now meaningless. Ever seen anyone advertising for unfriendly, immature and inactive members? Almost all guilds are friendly, mature and active, so don’t use up precious space talking about it.
* Use goood speeling. You may not care about every day chat spelling and grammar, but nothing makes you look more like a stupid n00b than spamming the same error over and over. Check it first then store it in a macro or text file.
People want to join guilds that are active. They like to be able to login and find things are happening. One of the best things to do recruiting-wise is put together PUGs, then pitch guild membership to the better players.
You can take this idea a step further by organizing server events and advertising them in spam. Depending on how much creativity the game supports you can do a lot. Character weddings, PvP king of the hill events, PvP tournaments, PvE and PvP raids, crafting fairs, scavenger hunts, races and costume contests are all popular.
Worst Guild Recruiting Spam Ever
XYZ GUILD RECUTING friendly active players. All levels, races, classses and ages. Mature PvE and PvP. Have hall and cape. ˆ-ˆ
This is a pretty typical zerg guild spam—hard to read, packed full of errors and easy to ignore. It attempts to attract people by sounding friendly, but undermines itself by trying to be all things to all people—which equates to nothing for nobody. If you want to offer zillions of players a temporary spot in your revolving door clan, use this ad. (The “have hall and cape” is a Guild Wars thing. Since every guild has those, it amazes me that people even mention it. If they advertised a guild hall with all perks or silver cape that would be different.)
XYZ guild looking for members. 50 gold paid on joining.
Why not just say, “attention leeches, come get 50gp then leave me for another guild” If you are this desperate for members, consider calling it quits and joining an established guild.
UberAwesome guild looking for members. Raiding right now, come get your endgame loot!
This ad isn't much better than the previous one. It's just another opportunity for people to leech off your generosity. Inviting people to join your raids is a good way to impress people, but it's best to keep those opportunities and your recruiting separate.
Conclusion
Don't be shy! Speak up and use chat to let people know that you're out there. Be wise with your messages, don't abuse it, and you'll be rewarded with plenty of interest.
Selasa, 24 Juli 2012
Ten Advanced Ways To Learn Woodworking
Title:
Ten Advanced Ways To Learn Woodworking
Learning a woodworking or any new hobby does not have to be an exasperating experience. With the availability of the Internet, you can learn much quicker and much faster than ever before. This article is going to give you some great tips on how to accelerate your learning quicker than you ever thought possible. The reason being is a great list of resources will be included to help you along. You should find these tips invaluable.
1. Learning by watching and learning by reading are the easiest ways to learn something new. If you can read and watch video you can pick up something quickly without much help and there is tons of material available today. There are a ton of books and some really good TV shows that can inspire you and show you how to make a special project for your home. I remember watching The New Yankee workshop and got inspired to build my first project. After that I was hooked because I was encouraged. Several great shows on TV include the New Yankee Workshop (PBS) The Router Workshop, Woodworks, and DIY to name a few.
2. Obviously if you have a friend that is into woodworking you can learn a ton from them. Basic shop set up and having someone help you through some of the basics is very valuable. If you don’t have a friend that shares this hobby you can always find some by going to your local woodworking store. A good one that has an active community is woodcraft. Some stores actually have a small shop in which you can take lessons and come in and build your own projects. Looking up woodworking clubs on the Internet for your town specific is also very helpful. Make sure you use the quotations effectively. For example you would put into Google: woodworking clubs “Florida” (substitute your town)
3. One of the newest methods to get some great ideas is to try you tube. They have tons of topics besides the ones that most people go there for. They also have woodworking videos and they are all for free. You can get a great feel for working in the shop and be inspired at the same time. Its free research and its free.
4. There are several websites in which you can get help once you start a project. There is nothing worse than feeling alone when you hit a roadblock. A lot of the forums are set up so that you can ask a question and get an answer. Some of the subject matters are very specific such as:
• I am new to woodworking
• I need help
• Power tools
• Woodturning
• Hand tools
• Home Improvement
• Project specifics
• Jigs, tricks and good ideas
• Furniture
• Hardware
• Fastening and joinery
• Dust Collection
• Etc
Good forums are easy to find, all you need to do is type in Woodworking forums into your favorite search engine and you will find as many as you have time for.
5. Plans
Using plans is a great way to get started. You do not have to any engineering to be successful. All you have to do is to follow the directions and cut the wood to a cut diagram that is included. They usually tell you all the materials you need, what kind of tools you need to have and where to get the additional hardware if needed. Plans can be found all over the Internet. Prices can be as low as $5.00 to around $20 for detailed advanced plans. Again search for woodworking plans using your favorite search engine.
6. Buying the basic tools. There are few tools you will need if you don’t want to stop dead in your tracks in the middle of a project when you find out you need something you do not have. I would suggest an entry level table saw, (bench top model) a cordless drill, (drill press if you can afford it) a router table and a miter saw. If you upgrade your table saw you can get away with not buying the miter saw. This may sound like a lot but you will have a ton of possibilities with this basic set. If you are not sure you want to sink the money into the purchase, you could by the tools used and if you do not want to stay in the hobby you can resell them. My favorite two places are Ebay and Craigslist. Craigslist is like an online classified ad site for your area specific. People buy and sell stuff everyday and its free. I find the deals a little better on Craigslist and I don’t have to bid over an item or remember to bid. You can find out what used items are going for using both services. This should help you save a ton of money. Used tools in good working order are always a good purchase. I continue to this day to buy items used that I want to save a little money.
7. Know where to shop
If you want to buy new tools, knowing where to shop is a key factor to not getting frustrated and to getting a great deal. You can always look up your item specifically online but there are sights out there that cater to specific items as well. Believe it or not Amazon has a huge variety of tools available online. One of the reasons they show so many tools is that vendors are allowed to upload their inventory into Amazons database and those items show up when you search their site. So if a site has a custom tool line, they can sell those tools through Amazon. Of course Amazon gets a piece of the pie. If you look up some tools specifically you will find sites like Router Table Depot that carry items specific to router tables. You can also buy some tools refurbished. Most of the time refurbished tools carry a limited warranty from the manufacturer and are a great bargain.
8. Start Easy
Pick some projects that are not too difficult. Picking easy joinery is another good tip to making a project simple. If you pick an Armoire with curved doors and dovetail joinery, you may be in for a surprised. These details require the experience of detailed and upscale joinery and woodworking techniques. On the other hand don’t pick the traditional lame projects you were forced to build in high school wood shop either. Picking something you can use in your house is always good and practical. Look at the plans, read through what you need to own and what type of joinery is needed. Simple shelves, cabinets or stands, boxes and small tables are good choices for first time projects. These are a lot more fun and practical than spice racks, sconces and paper towel holders.
9. Buying wood
Buying wood for projects is the other half of the equation of purchasing. First you have to buy the tools and then you have to buy the wood. Certain areas of the country lend themselves to better supplies than others. Of course there is always Lowes and Home Depot’s available in most towns. They are somewhat limited, usually offering pine, oak, cedar and poplar. They also carry mdf and plywood in various grades. If you want to save money, or find different grades of woods you can always look online. Other great ways to find good wood are to find local saw mills in your area. They carry wood in the rough, which means it’s not planed or jointed. But it is much cheaper than buying it finished in the box stores. You can also find species such as cherry and walnut. Another good way to find some good and inexpensive wood is to go to Craigslist and Ebay as well as your local classified section of the newspaper.
10. Advanced Learning
If you really want to kick start your learning and money is not much of an issue you can always enroll in a woodworking school. There are several ones that you can find online. These schools can be very basic teaching you everything you should know as well as very advanced. A lot of them require you to only bring yourself since they are a fully stocked shop. Some include the price of a finished project that you actually build while you are at the school or class. This is a sure fire way to get a quality education with plenty of help.
Ten Advanced Ways To Learn Woodworking
Learning a woodworking or any new hobby does not have to be an exasperating experience. With the availability of the Internet, you can learn much quicker and much faster than ever before. This article is going to give you some great tips on how to accelerate your learning quicker than you ever thought possible. The reason being is a great list of resources will be included to help you along. You should find these tips invaluable.
1. Learning by watching and learning by reading are the easiest ways to learn something new. If you can read and watch video you can pick up something quickly without much help and there is tons of material available today. There are a ton of books and some really good TV shows that can inspire you and show you how to make a special project for your home. I remember watching The New Yankee workshop and got inspired to build my first project. After that I was hooked because I was encouraged. Several great shows on TV include the New Yankee Workshop (PBS) The Router Workshop, Woodworks, and DIY to name a few.
2. Obviously if you have a friend that is into woodworking you can learn a ton from them. Basic shop set up and having someone help you through some of the basics is very valuable. If you don’t have a friend that shares this hobby you can always find some by going to your local woodworking store. A good one that has an active community is woodcraft. Some stores actually have a small shop in which you can take lessons and come in and build your own projects. Looking up woodworking clubs on the Internet for your town specific is also very helpful. Make sure you use the quotations effectively. For example you would put into Google: woodworking clubs “Florida” (substitute your town)
3. One of the newest methods to get some great ideas is to try you tube. They have tons of topics besides the ones that most people go there for. They also have woodworking videos and they are all for free. You can get a great feel for working in the shop and be inspired at the same time. Its free research and its free.
4. There are several websites in which you can get help once you start a project. There is nothing worse than feeling alone when you hit a roadblock. A lot of the forums are set up so that you can ask a question and get an answer. Some of the subject matters are very specific such as:
• I am new to woodworking
• I need help
• Power tools
• Woodturning
• Hand tools
• Home Improvement
• Project specifics
• Jigs, tricks and good ideas
• Furniture
• Hardware
• Fastening and joinery
• Dust Collection
• Etc
Good forums are easy to find, all you need to do is type in Woodworking forums into your favorite search engine and you will find as many as you have time for.
5. Plans
Using plans is a great way to get started. You do not have to any engineering to be successful. All you have to do is to follow the directions and cut the wood to a cut diagram that is included. They usually tell you all the materials you need, what kind of tools you need to have and where to get the additional hardware if needed. Plans can be found all over the Internet. Prices can be as low as $5.00 to around $20 for detailed advanced plans. Again search for woodworking plans using your favorite search engine.
6. Buying the basic tools. There are few tools you will need if you don’t want to stop dead in your tracks in the middle of a project when you find out you need something you do not have. I would suggest an entry level table saw, (bench top model) a cordless drill, (drill press if you can afford it) a router table and a miter saw. If you upgrade your table saw you can get away with not buying the miter saw. This may sound like a lot but you will have a ton of possibilities with this basic set. If you are not sure you want to sink the money into the purchase, you could by the tools used and if you do not want to stay in the hobby you can resell them. My favorite two places are Ebay and Craigslist. Craigslist is like an online classified ad site for your area specific. People buy and sell stuff everyday and its free. I find the deals a little better on Craigslist and I don’t have to bid over an item or remember to bid. You can find out what used items are going for using both services. This should help you save a ton of money. Used tools in good working order are always a good purchase. I continue to this day to buy items used that I want to save a little money.
7. Know where to shop
If you want to buy new tools, knowing where to shop is a key factor to not getting frustrated and to getting a great deal. You can always look up your item specifically online but there are sights out there that cater to specific items as well. Believe it or not Amazon has a huge variety of tools available online. One of the reasons they show so many tools is that vendors are allowed to upload their inventory into Amazons database and those items show up when you search their site. So if a site has a custom tool line, they can sell those tools through Amazon. Of course Amazon gets a piece of the pie. If you look up some tools specifically you will find sites like Router Table Depot that carry items specific to router tables. You can also buy some tools refurbished. Most of the time refurbished tools carry a limited warranty from the manufacturer and are a great bargain.
8. Start Easy
Pick some projects that are not too difficult. Picking easy joinery is another good tip to making a project simple. If you pick an Armoire with curved doors and dovetail joinery, you may be in for a surprised. These details require the experience of detailed and upscale joinery and woodworking techniques. On the other hand don’t pick the traditional lame projects you were forced to build in high school wood shop either. Picking something you can use in your house is always good and practical. Look at the plans, read through what you need to own and what type of joinery is needed. Simple shelves, cabinets or stands, boxes and small tables are good choices for first time projects. These are a lot more fun and practical than spice racks, sconces and paper towel holders.
9. Buying wood
Buying wood for projects is the other half of the equation of purchasing. First you have to buy the tools and then you have to buy the wood. Certain areas of the country lend themselves to better supplies than others. Of course there is always Lowes and Home Depot’s available in most towns. They are somewhat limited, usually offering pine, oak, cedar and poplar. They also carry mdf and plywood in various grades. If you want to save money, or find different grades of woods you can always look online. Other great ways to find good wood are to find local saw mills in your area. They carry wood in the rough, which means it’s not planed or jointed. But it is much cheaper than buying it finished in the box stores. You can also find species such as cherry and walnut. Another good way to find some good and inexpensive wood is to go to Craigslist and Ebay as well as your local classified section of the newspaper.
10. Advanced Learning
If you really want to kick start your learning and money is not much of an issue you can always enroll in a woodworking school. There are several ones that you can find online. These schools can be very basic teaching you everything you should know as well as very advanced. A lot of them require you to only bring yourself since they are a fully stocked shop. Some include the price of a finished project that you actually build while you are at the school or class. This is a sure fire way to get a quality education with plenty of help.
Senin, 23 Juli 2012
10 Greatest Martial Arts Movies Of All Time
Title:
10 Greatest Martial Arts Movies Of All Time
After hundreds of movies, thousands of eye-popping fight scenes and millions of punches thrown...which ones are the best? Which ones have I been missing out on my whole life? Which ones must I have in my collection in order to not bring shame upon my family name?
We’ve scoured the internet. Reviews. Forums. Amazon. Postings. Bulletins. And this list is what we’ve come up with as the greatest Kung-Fu movies of all time and why you should watch each one. Pay attention to movies involving Yuen Wo-Ping as either director or action director, there's a reason why half this list is movies where he was involved!
If you want to watch trailers of these movies, go to: http://www.experiencemartialarts.com/articles/movies.html
(you can also get directly to these movies in http://Amazon.com from this website)
#1 - Way of the Dragon (1979)
This is the only finished film to be written and directed by Bruce Lee. (Game of Death is the other one but is unfinished) We could write a lot about the plot, characters or fight scenes...but all you really care about is watching Bruce Lee fight Chuck Norris in the final battle.
Martial Artists: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris
Director: Bruce Lee
#2 - Shaolin Temple (1982)
Depicts the amazing history of the Shaolin Temple, the focal point for Chinese Martial Arts. Think of the Shaolin Monks as Jedi Knights (an elite group of fighters) and the rest of China as the messed-up universe that Star Wars takes place in (people who are afraid of the elite fighters and want to take them out of power). Much work to do, you have, young Jet Li. *picture Yoda’s accent on that one* Define Irony: A movie shot at the site of the Shaolin Temple, telling a story about the fall of the Shaolin Temple, sparks so much public interest that the temple was re-opened shortly after the movie released.
Martial Artist: Jet Li (His debut movie)
Director: Chang Hsin-Yen
#3 - Ong Bak (2003)
Raw action without wires, Tony Jaa brings a new martial arts style to the big screen and does so in style. Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is stronger and more direct than the Chinese styles you’re used to seeing with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, giving a new look to how a martial arts movie can be done. You’ll be seeing more of him...guaranteed.
Martial Artist: Tony Jaa
Director: Prachya Pinkaew
#4 - Iron Monkey (1993)
Doctor by day, thief by night...Iron Monkey is your classic Robin-hood meets Kung Fu. It’s an action packed flick that can’t go 5 minutes without an excellent fight scene. It all comes down to a battle between Iron Monkey (ie Robin Hood) and an ex Shaolin Monk (remember, these guys are like the Jedi Knights of Chinese martial arts...they’re elite). Remember that guy Yuen Wo-Ping I mentioned? Well he's the director in this one, so you know it's good!
Martial Artists: Yu Rong-Guang, Donnie Yen
Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
Action Directors: Yuen Cheung-yan, Yuen Shun-yi
#5 - 5 Deadly Venoms (1978)
No room form "martial arts beauties" in this one, there's so much blood and action that they only cast male actors. Exit the traditional elaborate costumes and enter the muscular, skin-bearing, bloody martial arts style that would become a trademark for director Chang Cheh. Each cast member is trained in an art resembling one of 5 venemous creatures (Scorpion, Snake, Centipede, Gecko, Toad) with the 6th cast member being trained in all 5. Six main martial arts actors = LOTS O’ ACTION
Martial Artists: 6 Martial Artists (yes, 6 main characters)
Director: Chang Cheh
#6 - The Seven Samurai (1954)
One of the greatest classic kung-fu movies of all time and arguable Kurosawa’s best work. Some Samurai of the time were down on their luck (homeless) and willing to do anything for a meal. A village under attack by bandits recruits a group of seven such Samurai warriors and asks them to help defend their village. The movie is about the Samurai teaching the village how to fight and culminates in a massive battle between a village and almost 50 attacking bandits. The acting is superb, the emotions run high and Kurosawa keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Martial Artists: 7 Martial Artists (all names you won't know since this movie is so old)
Director: Akira Kurosawa
#7 - Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
Some will say this is the greatest martial arts movie of all time because of it’s balance between plot-line, comedy, drama and amazing kung fu sequences. Probably Jackie Chan’s best martial arts performance. You’re going to love the final scene where you learn what “Drunken Master” really means. We’re talking box-splitting, fire-spitting craziness!
Martial Artist: Jackie Chan
Director: Lau Kar-leung
#8 - Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
Based on a Pentalogy (yes, that’s 5 books) written by Wang Dulu, this movie covers mostly the 4th book. Critically acclaimed to cross international borders with it’s amazing character development, intricate plot, martial arts ideals, stunning special effects and quicker-than-the-eye fighting scenes, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon set a new standard for martial arts movies. Telling Zhang Ziyi (the lead female character and an amazing martial artist) to get back in the kitchen would likely cost you 50 punches to the “bags”. Be ready for subtitles, ‘cuz turning on the English track is like watching...uh...like watching a kung fu movie in English.
Main Martial Artist: Chow Yun-fat
Other Martial Artists: Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Chang Chen, Cheng Pei-pei
Director: Ang Lee
Action Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
#9 - Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003)
You’re going to want your home theatre room for this one. It’s tough to beat beautiful women beating the crap out of each other in fast-paced, action-packed, make you cringe, bloody, gory, cut-’em-up (more buzz words go here) movie jam packed with as much martial arts death as possible. Tarantino expertly uses every camera angle and a plethora of special effects to deliver a better-than-real visual experience that gives this blood-and-guts thriller an artistic feel you’ll appreciate at the end. Did I mention is has Uma Thurman in it?
(“Kill bill vol. 2” brings closure to the set, but hey...we had to choose one movie. Say “Five-Point-Palm Exploding Heart Technique” 5 times fast.)
Actors: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Action Director: Yuen Wo-ping
#10 - Fist of Legend (1994)
A classic story of Chinese vs. Japanese martial arts, Fist of Legend is actually a remake of the original Bruce Lee movie, Fist of Fury. If Bruce Lee is like the original James Bond, Jet Li is the Pierce Brosnan. He’ll never be the original, but the modern film-making and larger budget bring the entertainment value just a hair above the original Fist of Fury. (The ghost of Bruce Lee is probably going to strike me down for writing that) The Yuen Brothers are known for amazing action choreography, and they totally deliver on this one. (Casting Jet Li may have helped them a little too.)
Martial Artist: Jet Li
Director: Gordon Chan
Action Directors: “The Yuen Brothers”
The fun doesn't stop there.
We tried to stop at only 10...really, we did. But we just couldn't control ourselves.
"Once it hits your lips, it's so good!" - Will Ferrell in "Old School"
To see the movies that deserve "Honorable Mention", go to http://www.experiencemartialarts.com/articles/movies.html
Whether you enjoyed this list or think we snuffed your favorite movie, we'd love to hear what you think. Post your comments at: http://www.experiencemartialarts.com/blog/archives/16
10 Greatest Martial Arts Movies Of All Time
After hundreds of movies, thousands of eye-popping fight scenes and millions of punches thrown...which ones are the best? Which ones have I been missing out on my whole life? Which ones must I have in my collection in order to not bring shame upon my family name?
We’ve scoured the internet. Reviews. Forums. Amazon. Postings. Bulletins. And this list is what we’ve come up with as the greatest Kung-Fu movies of all time and why you should watch each one. Pay attention to movies involving Yuen Wo-Ping as either director or action director, there's a reason why half this list is movies where he was involved!
If you want to watch trailers of these movies, go to: http://www.experiencemartialarts.com/articles/movies.html
(you can also get directly to these movies in http://Amazon.com from this website)
#1 - Way of the Dragon (1979)
This is the only finished film to be written and directed by Bruce Lee. (Game of Death is the other one but is unfinished) We could write a lot about the plot, characters or fight scenes...but all you really care about is watching Bruce Lee fight Chuck Norris in the final battle.
Martial Artists: Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris
Director: Bruce Lee
#2 - Shaolin Temple (1982)
Depicts the amazing history of the Shaolin Temple, the focal point for Chinese Martial Arts. Think of the Shaolin Monks as Jedi Knights (an elite group of fighters) and the rest of China as the messed-up universe that Star Wars takes place in (people who are afraid of the elite fighters and want to take them out of power). Much work to do, you have, young Jet Li. *picture Yoda’s accent on that one* Define Irony: A movie shot at the site of the Shaolin Temple, telling a story about the fall of the Shaolin Temple, sparks so much public interest that the temple was re-opened shortly after the movie released.
Martial Artist: Jet Li (His debut movie)
Director: Chang Hsin-Yen
#3 - Ong Bak (2003)
Raw action without wires, Tony Jaa brings a new martial arts style to the big screen and does so in style. Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) is stronger and more direct than the Chinese styles you’re used to seeing with Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, giving a new look to how a martial arts movie can be done. You’ll be seeing more of him...guaranteed.
Martial Artist: Tony Jaa
Director: Prachya Pinkaew
#4 - Iron Monkey (1993)
Doctor by day, thief by night...Iron Monkey is your classic Robin-hood meets Kung Fu. It’s an action packed flick that can’t go 5 minutes without an excellent fight scene. It all comes down to a battle between Iron Monkey (ie Robin Hood) and an ex Shaolin Monk (remember, these guys are like the Jedi Knights of Chinese martial arts...they’re elite). Remember that guy Yuen Wo-Ping I mentioned? Well he's the director in this one, so you know it's good!
Martial Artists: Yu Rong-Guang, Donnie Yen
Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
Action Directors: Yuen Cheung-yan, Yuen Shun-yi
#5 - 5 Deadly Venoms (1978)
No room form "martial arts beauties" in this one, there's so much blood and action that they only cast male actors. Exit the traditional elaborate costumes and enter the muscular, skin-bearing, bloody martial arts style that would become a trademark for director Chang Cheh. Each cast member is trained in an art resembling one of 5 venemous creatures (Scorpion, Snake, Centipede, Gecko, Toad) with the 6th cast member being trained in all 5. Six main martial arts actors = LOTS O’ ACTION
Martial Artists: 6 Martial Artists (yes, 6 main characters)
Director: Chang Cheh
#6 - The Seven Samurai (1954)
One of the greatest classic kung-fu movies of all time and arguable Kurosawa’s best work. Some Samurai of the time were down on their luck (homeless) and willing to do anything for a meal. A village under attack by bandits recruits a group of seven such Samurai warriors and asks them to help defend their village. The movie is about the Samurai teaching the village how to fight and culminates in a massive battle between a village and almost 50 attacking bandits. The acting is superb, the emotions run high and Kurosawa keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
Martial Artists: 7 Martial Artists (all names you won't know since this movie is so old)
Director: Akira Kurosawa
#7 - Legend of Drunken Master (1994)
Some will say this is the greatest martial arts movie of all time because of it’s balance between plot-line, comedy, drama and amazing kung fu sequences. Probably Jackie Chan’s best martial arts performance. You’re going to love the final scene where you learn what “Drunken Master” really means. We’re talking box-splitting, fire-spitting craziness!
Martial Artist: Jackie Chan
Director: Lau Kar-leung
#8 - Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000)
Based on a Pentalogy (yes, that’s 5 books) written by Wang Dulu, this movie covers mostly the 4th book. Critically acclaimed to cross international borders with it’s amazing character development, intricate plot, martial arts ideals, stunning special effects and quicker-than-the-eye fighting scenes, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon set a new standard for martial arts movies. Telling Zhang Ziyi (the lead female character and an amazing martial artist) to get back in the kitchen would likely cost you 50 punches to the “bags”. Be ready for subtitles, ‘cuz turning on the English track is like watching...uh...like watching a kung fu movie in English.
Main Martial Artist: Chow Yun-fat
Other Martial Artists: Zhang Ziyi, Michelle Yeoh, Chang Chen, Cheng Pei-pei
Director: Ang Lee
Action Director: Yuen Wo-Ping
#9 - Kill Bill vol. 1 (2003)
You’re going to want your home theatre room for this one. It’s tough to beat beautiful women beating the crap out of each other in fast-paced, action-packed, make you cringe, bloody, gory, cut-’em-up (more buzz words go here) movie jam packed with as much martial arts death as possible. Tarantino expertly uses every camera angle and a plethora of special effects to deliver a better-than-real visual experience that gives this blood-and-guts thriller an artistic feel you’ll appreciate at the end. Did I mention is has Uma Thurman in it?
(“Kill bill vol. 2” brings closure to the set, but hey...we had to choose one movie. Say “Five-Point-Palm Exploding Heart Technique” 5 times fast.)
Actors: Uma Thurman, David Carradine, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Vivica A. Fox
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Action Director: Yuen Wo-ping
#10 - Fist of Legend (1994)
A classic story of Chinese vs. Japanese martial arts, Fist of Legend is actually a remake of the original Bruce Lee movie, Fist of Fury. If Bruce Lee is like the original James Bond, Jet Li is the Pierce Brosnan. He’ll never be the original, but the modern film-making and larger budget bring the entertainment value just a hair above the original Fist of Fury. (The ghost of Bruce Lee is probably going to strike me down for writing that) The Yuen Brothers are known for amazing action choreography, and they totally deliver on this one. (Casting Jet Li may have helped them a little too.)
Martial Artist: Jet Li
Director: Gordon Chan
Action Directors: “The Yuen Brothers”
The fun doesn't stop there.
We tried to stop at only 10...really, we did. But we just couldn't control ourselves.
"Once it hits your lips, it's so good!" - Will Ferrell in "Old School"
To see the movies that deserve "Honorable Mention", go to http://www.experiencemartialarts.com/articles/movies.html
Whether you enjoyed this list or think we snuffed your favorite movie, we'd love to hear what you think. Post your comments at: http://www.experiencemartialarts.com/blog/archives/16
Minggu, 22 Juli 2012
Learn How To Create Your Own Unique Gift
Title:
Learn How To Create Your Own Unique Gift
Gift baskets, no matter what their contents are gifts that are always appreciated, but when the gift basket is completely unique and unexpected it can create a lot of “buzz” and become a gift that is talked about for a long time.
Coming up with a truly unique gift basket depends on what the occasion is and how creative the person is who is giving the gift. Sometimes, it isn’t that the gift basket is full of never before seen items, but rather that it is obvious that a lot of thought and planning went into the gift.
Here are some gift basket ideas that can be categorized as extremely unique. Some are unique because of the uncommon and unusual items that they are made up of. Some are defined as unique because of the occasion they were created for. And some are considered unique because of their "Awwwww, that’s so sweet!” factor.
Let’s begin at the very beginning, with new babies. When the announcement is made that a new baby is on the way, it is the same as shouting, “Let the present-giving commence!” There are so many occasions to present gifts connected with a new little one and rightly so. A new baby represents a major change in a family’s life and it is very commendable for everyone who cares for this burgeoning family unit to want to help out wherever they can.
Even so, there are an awful lot of occasions connected with a new baby that call for some sort of gift. There is the baby shower, the first visit after the baby’s birth. Sometimes, there is a baptism or christening and then in the coming year there are all of the holidays that are all “firsts” for the little tyke. Finally, the first year ends on the toddler’s first birthday. With all of these events and opportunities for all of the friends and relatives to give gifts, what are the odds that you will be able to come up with a gift that is truly unique and memorable?
Don’t despair! Things are not as bleak as they seem. With all of the thousands of ideas out there, odds are that the person you wish to dazzle has not heard of them all. Coming up with a gift basket that is unique and exciting and fun just takes a little ingenuity. It can be done and here are some ideas to help get your imagination and ideas flowing so that you can take any of these and build on them or go ahead and duplicate them outright.
The first special baby gift basket is based on a theme and that theme is sleep. Ah, blessed sleep. Something that new parents never seem to get enough of. This gift basket will not only be very appreciated but its presentation makes it even more unforgettable. Purchase a small doll buggy or cradle from the toy department as the foundation to put all of the items in. If the baby is a little boy, and you don’t feel comfortable giving a doll cradle, place all of the gifts in a “Moses basket”. These are soft-sided long baskets with handles meant to place and carry newborns in.
Now that you have the base for your Sleepy Baby Gift Basket, place in it items that all relate to a good night’s sleep for baby (and parents). Items to include could be super soft sleeper pajamas and a cuddly blanket and a small teddy bear. A white noise machine that emits a variety of water, nature, “whooshing” or heartbeat sounds can help lull the baby to sleep. This device is amazing because it not only helps put the baby to sleep, at the same time it helps keep him or her from hearing and waking at every noise or sound that emits from the rest of the activities in the house. Another item that could be included is a device that shines the constellations on the ceiling as they slowly rotate and as it plays a quiet lullaby. Still other items to include are aromatherapy lotion, powder and cleanser set that is targeted to enhance relaxation and sleep and a baby pillow that has been personalized with the baby’s name and includes a fabric photograph of the baby. These are just some of the ideas that you could include in this sleepy baby themed gift basket.
Another great baby or child gift basket idea is to take a small or regular sized red wagon and fill it with every young child’s board games, puzzles and card games that you can. Every child enjoys games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders and would love to receive not only the games and puzzles, but also the wagon. One extra tip; personalized wooden puzzles of the child’s name can be purchased at most craft sales or can be ordered online. This little item can really add that special touch.
One last idea for a new baby gift basket. This one may not be a cute as the other two, but it is very special and will provide the child with years of interest. The idea of this gift basket is to give the baby a head start on a hobby that may last a lifetime. The choice is up to you. It could be stamp collecting, coin collecting, autograph collection, baseball cards or really anything that you feel the child might wish to take up and hopefully continue. For the “basket”, purchase a small fireproof lockbox that can be found at any office supply store to place the items in. Sure, this gift may not look as soft and cuddly as the other baby gifts, but it will probably be the most talked about gift. What is really great about this gift is that you can add to the child’s collection every birthday or holiday.
Now, let’s move on to a different occasion to give a gift basket. It hurts a lot when someone that you care about isn’t feeling well. They could really use a helping hand, maybe some company and definitely some cheering up. Get a small magazine rack from the housewares section of any department store and fill it with magazines, TV listing guide, puzzle books, cards or an electronic handheld game of solitaire, poker or Sudoku and some cans or packets of soup.
Do you have a child who is moving out on their own or leaving for college? A great gift basket is to buy a good quality hard-sided piece of luggage. Inside include items like an engraved brass luggage tag with their name, address and phone number on it, some gift certificates to nationwide restaurants and pizza chains and food for their apartment or dorm room like macaroni and cheese, raman noodles and microwave popcorn. (Because we all know that is what they will live on anyway.) Also include an electric coin sorter. (Because we also know that they will sometimes need to gather all of their change in order to survive.) And if they will be living or attending school out of state, include favorite food items or even a subscription to the local hometown newspaper or anything that they may miss from home.
When someone graduates school and lands their first job, unique gift ideas are a “Decorate Your Cubicle” gift basket. Include everything from tasteful to gaudy that they could use to decorate their new office or work area. Some of the more uncommon items could be including a bobblehead figure for their desk that looks just like the recipient. There are companies that can create this item by using a picture of the person that you provide. There are also companies that sell 1 share of stock of any company listed and include a frameable stock certificate. You could include 1 share of stock in the new company that they now work for or of a company that may share their last name. Someone with the last name of McDonald would love to have a framed certificate that shows ownership in that company hanging on their office wall.
These are only some of the unique gift basket ideas that you could use. Really, it is just the tip of the iceberg. The possibilities to create a unique and memorable gift are truly endless. Enjoy creating your own unique gift basket and if you become a pro at it, you may have just created a new business venture for yourself.
Learn How To Create Your Own Unique Gift
Gift baskets, no matter what their contents are gifts that are always appreciated, but when the gift basket is completely unique and unexpected it can create a lot of “buzz” and become a gift that is talked about for a long time.
Coming up with a truly unique gift basket depends on what the occasion is and how creative the person is who is giving the gift. Sometimes, it isn’t that the gift basket is full of never before seen items, but rather that it is obvious that a lot of thought and planning went into the gift.
Here are some gift basket ideas that can be categorized as extremely unique. Some are unique because of the uncommon and unusual items that they are made up of. Some are defined as unique because of the occasion they were created for. And some are considered unique because of their "Awwwww, that’s so sweet!” factor.
Let’s begin at the very beginning, with new babies. When the announcement is made that a new baby is on the way, it is the same as shouting, “Let the present-giving commence!” There are so many occasions to present gifts connected with a new little one and rightly so. A new baby represents a major change in a family’s life and it is very commendable for everyone who cares for this burgeoning family unit to want to help out wherever they can.
Even so, there are an awful lot of occasions connected with a new baby that call for some sort of gift. There is the baby shower, the first visit after the baby’s birth. Sometimes, there is a baptism or christening and then in the coming year there are all of the holidays that are all “firsts” for the little tyke. Finally, the first year ends on the toddler’s first birthday. With all of these events and opportunities for all of the friends and relatives to give gifts, what are the odds that you will be able to come up with a gift that is truly unique and memorable?
Don’t despair! Things are not as bleak as they seem. With all of the thousands of ideas out there, odds are that the person you wish to dazzle has not heard of them all. Coming up with a gift basket that is unique and exciting and fun just takes a little ingenuity. It can be done and here are some ideas to help get your imagination and ideas flowing so that you can take any of these and build on them or go ahead and duplicate them outright.
The first special baby gift basket is based on a theme and that theme is sleep. Ah, blessed sleep. Something that new parents never seem to get enough of. This gift basket will not only be very appreciated but its presentation makes it even more unforgettable. Purchase a small doll buggy or cradle from the toy department as the foundation to put all of the items in. If the baby is a little boy, and you don’t feel comfortable giving a doll cradle, place all of the gifts in a “Moses basket”. These are soft-sided long baskets with handles meant to place and carry newborns in.
Now that you have the base for your Sleepy Baby Gift Basket, place in it items that all relate to a good night’s sleep for baby (and parents). Items to include could be super soft sleeper pajamas and a cuddly blanket and a small teddy bear. A white noise machine that emits a variety of water, nature, “whooshing” or heartbeat sounds can help lull the baby to sleep. This device is amazing because it not only helps put the baby to sleep, at the same time it helps keep him or her from hearing and waking at every noise or sound that emits from the rest of the activities in the house. Another item that could be included is a device that shines the constellations on the ceiling as they slowly rotate and as it plays a quiet lullaby. Still other items to include are aromatherapy lotion, powder and cleanser set that is targeted to enhance relaxation and sleep and a baby pillow that has been personalized with the baby’s name and includes a fabric photograph of the baby. These are just some of the ideas that you could include in this sleepy baby themed gift basket.
Another great baby or child gift basket idea is to take a small or regular sized red wagon and fill it with every young child’s board games, puzzles and card games that you can. Every child enjoys games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders and would love to receive not only the games and puzzles, but also the wagon. One extra tip; personalized wooden puzzles of the child’s name can be purchased at most craft sales or can be ordered online. This little item can really add that special touch.
One last idea for a new baby gift basket. This one may not be a cute as the other two, but it is very special and will provide the child with years of interest. The idea of this gift basket is to give the baby a head start on a hobby that may last a lifetime. The choice is up to you. It could be stamp collecting, coin collecting, autograph collection, baseball cards or really anything that you feel the child might wish to take up and hopefully continue. For the “basket”, purchase a small fireproof lockbox that can be found at any office supply store to place the items in. Sure, this gift may not look as soft and cuddly as the other baby gifts, but it will probably be the most talked about gift. What is really great about this gift is that you can add to the child’s collection every birthday or holiday.
Now, let’s move on to a different occasion to give a gift basket. It hurts a lot when someone that you care about isn’t feeling well. They could really use a helping hand, maybe some company and definitely some cheering up. Get a small magazine rack from the housewares section of any department store and fill it with magazines, TV listing guide, puzzle books, cards or an electronic handheld game of solitaire, poker or Sudoku and some cans or packets of soup.
Do you have a child who is moving out on their own or leaving for college? A great gift basket is to buy a good quality hard-sided piece of luggage. Inside include items like an engraved brass luggage tag with their name, address and phone number on it, some gift certificates to nationwide restaurants and pizza chains and food for their apartment or dorm room like macaroni and cheese, raman noodles and microwave popcorn. (Because we all know that is what they will live on anyway.) Also include an electric coin sorter. (Because we also know that they will sometimes need to gather all of their change in order to survive.) And if they will be living or attending school out of state, include favorite food items or even a subscription to the local hometown newspaper or anything that they may miss from home.
When someone graduates school and lands their first job, unique gift ideas are a “Decorate Your Cubicle” gift basket. Include everything from tasteful to gaudy that they could use to decorate their new office or work area. Some of the more uncommon items could be including a bobblehead figure for their desk that looks just like the recipient. There are companies that can create this item by using a picture of the person that you provide. There are also companies that sell 1 share of stock of any company listed and include a frameable stock certificate. You could include 1 share of stock in the new company that they now work for or of a company that may share their last name. Someone with the last name of McDonald would love to have a framed certificate that shows ownership in that company hanging on their office wall.
These are only some of the unique gift basket ideas that you could use. Really, it is just the tip of the iceberg. The possibilities to create a unique and memorable gift are truly endless. Enjoy creating your own unique gift basket and if you become a pro at it, you may have just created a new business venture for yourself.
Sabtu, 21 Juli 2012
Essential Supplies In Coin Collecting
Title:
Essential Supplies In Coin Collecting
Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin.
The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Australia reveres its national animal with the Gold Kangaroo, for example, while China has a Gold Panda with a lovely design that changes every year.
This guide will help you recognize a few exceptional American rare coins that you just might have lying around your house, shoved in a change jar, or tucked away into a pocket.
The result is a coin with an unnatural appearance and a lower value. Any cleaning will wear the coin surface, and though it may look brighter for a time, the coin will eventually lose its value to a collector. Learning what to look for, how to identify quality items, how to use the lingo, and how to establish a fair price will make the hunt that much more exciting.
Some people happily collect more common everyday coins, going through their pockets at the end of the day for them is fun, checking dates and mintmarks on their change. Some collectors can spend thousands of dollars on rare silver and gold coins from the 1800's and early 1900's. Some collect coins from different countries. Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will.
Essential Supplies in Coin Collecting
The condition of the coin means everything in coin collecting. In the world of coin collecting, the coins themselves are considered as gold, this is why there is a need to protect them from damage. Having the right supplies will allow a collector to preserve the integrity of his coin collection. The slightest hint of damage can diminish the value of a coin significantly.
Here are some of the supplies which are used in properly handling coin collections:
Gloves
In handling coins, you must be careful not to scratch the coins. The use of gloves (preferably white) will prevent scratches and other kinds of damage to the coin’s surface. Gloves should be made of cotton or plastic.
Coin tweezers
If you not comfortable using gloves, you can use coin tweezers. These are not your ordinary tweezers because their tips are protected with plastic that prevents the tweezers from scratching the coins.
Magnifying glass
In examining coins, you must be able to take a closer look at them. This is where the magnifying glass is most useful. You must be careful in using a magnifying glass when examining the coins. There are magnifying glasses available today that have stands attached to them and the stands allow the collector to use both hands in coin examination to avoid accidents.
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor.
But as time goes by, the number of these coins go down. Some get lost and some are damaged beyond recognition.
There were only a few coins with this error, and their scarce nature has made them valuable to collectors.
The American Gold Eagle stands out among other bullion coins because of its lovely design, and because its value is backed by the full strength of the United States government.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason - there were no banks in which to store money. For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
The best way to get good deals, and avoid the bad ones, is to pick up some standard reference catalogues and study the pricing very carefully. As a rule, it's better to own one high quality coin than a bunch of mediocre ones.
You will need someone to buy the coins from, and it can be difficult to find a reputable coin dealer. Someone who has been coin collecting for years can help you choose a knowledgeable and honest coin dealer. You'll need to learn about the value of different coins. All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
Cleaning materials
A mild soap and a soft high-integrity fiber cloth can be used in cleaning coins.
Mats
When examining or cleaning coins, you must remember to put a soft cloth or a mat on the table where you are working. An accidental dropping of the coin can damage it significantly and reduce its value to literally nothing. A mat or a cloth will absorb the impact of the drop and will prevent the coin from being damaged.
Boards
You must be extra careful in displaying your coin collection. Coin boards are used by many to display their coin collections. In the U.S., the map of the United States of America is very popular among coin collectors to display the different quarters of the different states.
Envelopes
When transporting coins, the use of coin envelopes is very practical. The use of these paper envelopes allows a collector to safely transport his coin and put some information about it in or on the envelope itself.
There are other coin collecting supplies such as boxes, holders, folders, but everything points to the preservation of the coins’ condition. The right kind of supplies will determine whether a coin is priceless or price-less.
The collection of ancient, commemorative, and rare coins is a fun and exacting hobby, and opens up a realm of history that most people never get to see. An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Some people have made a lot of money buying and selling coins, others have lost fortunes. If you are serious about investing in numismatics, first spend a bit of time learning.
A good number of coin collectors collect coins according to themes. The coins they collect all have a common topic.
State coins can appreciate in value if you know what to look for.
American coins have undergone several changes in material. For example, during World War II, pennies were made out of steel, because copper was needed for the war effort.
A lot of people find collecting gold coins as not only an incredibly interesting hobby but a fairly lucrative one as well! Over time, your collection will accure value and parts of it can be sold if you desire. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
Essential Supplies In Coin Collecting
Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin.
The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Australia reveres its national animal with the Gold Kangaroo, for example, while China has a Gold Panda with a lovely design that changes every year.
This guide will help you recognize a few exceptional American rare coins that you just might have lying around your house, shoved in a change jar, or tucked away into a pocket.
The result is a coin with an unnatural appearance and a lower value. Any cleaning will wear the coin surface, and though it may look brighter for a time, the coin will eventually lose its value to a collector. Learning what to look for, how to identify quality items, how to use the lingo, and how to establish a fair price will make the hunt that much more exciting.
Some people happily collect more common everyday coins, going through their pockets at the end of the day for them is fun, checking dates and mintmarks on their change. Some collectors can spend thousands of dollars on rare silver and gold coins from the 1800's and early 1900's. Some collect coins from different countries. Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will.
Essential Supplies in Coin Collecting
The condition of the coin means everything in coin collecting. In the world of coin collecting, the coins themselves are considered as gold, this is why there is a need to protect them from damage. Having the right supplies will allow a collector to preserve the integrity of his coin collection. The slightest hint of damage can diminish the value of a coin significantly.
Here are some of the supplies which are used in properly handling coin collections:
Gloves
In handling coins, you must be careful not to scratch the coins. The use of gloves (preferably white) will prevent scratches and other kinds of damage to the coin’s surface. Gloves should be made of cotton or plastic.
Coin tweezers
If you not comfortable using gloves, you can use coin tweezers. These are not your ordinary tweezers because their tips are protected with plastic that prevents the tweezers from scratching the coins.
Magnifying glass
In examining coins, you must be able to take a closer look at them. This is where the magnifying glass is most useful. You must be careful in using a magnifying glass when examining the coins. There are magnifying glasses available today that have stands attached to them and the stands allow the collector to use both hands in coin examination to avoid accidents.
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor.
But as time goes by, the number of these coins go down. Some get lost and some are damaged beyond recognition.
There were only a few coins with this error, and their scarce nature has made them valuable to collectors.
The American Gold Eagle stands out among other bullion coins because of its lovely design, and because its value is backed by the full strength of the United States government.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason - there were no banks in which to store money. For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
The best way to get good deals, and avoid the bad ones, is to pick up some standard reference catalogues and study the pricing very carefully. As a rule, it's better to own one high quality coin than a bunch of mediocre ones.
You will need someone to buy the coins from, and it can be difficult to find a reputable coin dealer. Someone who has been coin collecting for years can help you choose a knowledgeable and honest coin dealer. You'll need to learn about the value of different coins. All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
Cleaning materials
A mild soap and a soft high-integrity fiber cloth can be used in cleaning coins.
Mats
When examining or cleaning coins, you must remember to put a soft cloth or a mat on the table where you are working. An accidental dropping of the coin can damage it significantly and reduce its value to literally nothing. A mat or a cloth will absorb the impact of the drop and will prevent the coin from being damaged.
Boards
You must be extra careful in displaying your coin collection. Coin boards are used by many to display their coin collections. In the U.S., the map of the United States of America is very popular among coin collectors to display the different quarters of the different states.
Envelopes
When transporting coins, the use of coin envelopes is very practical. The use of these paper envelopes allows a collector to safely transport his coin and put some information about it in or on the envelope itself.
There are other coin collecting supplies such as boxes, holders, folders, but everything points to the preservation of the coins’ condition. The right kind of supplies will determine whether a coin is priceless or price-less.
The collection of ancient, commemorative, and rare coins is a fun and exacting hobby, and opens up a realm of history that most people never get to see. An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Some people have made a lot of money buying and selling coins, others have lost fortunes. If you are serious about investing in numismatics, first spend a bit of time learning.
A good number of coin collectors collect coins according to themes. The coins they collect all have a common topic.
State coins can appreciate in value if you know what to look for.
American coins have undergone several changes in material. For example, during World War II, pennies were made out of steel, because copper was needed for the war effort.
A lot of people find collecting gold coins as not only an incredibly interesting hobby but a fairly lucrative one as well! Over time, your collection will accure value and parts of it can be sold if you desire. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams.
Jumat, 20 Juli 2012
Enchanting Treasures In Wood Works
Title:
Enchanting Treasures In Wood Works
Woodcraft has played its part in making the Indian handicraft fortune wealthier and inspite of many environment prevention issues the prospect of the hand crafted furniture sector in India seems positive.
The wood history Woodcarving is an art and India has been a traditional producer of woodcarvings furniture for ages. Production of woodcarving is developed on a commercial scale, which is carried out by many Indian artisans from generation to generation. India has abundant collection of woodcarved furniture, out of which some has been explored and a lot remains to be discovered. It has a rich old heritage to crown it's head which is believed to be the oldest heritage of the world. This has been adored and preserved by the Indians since time immemorial. The exquisite furniture range comes in various styles with varying designs, finishes, colors, shapes etc. The designs and the carvings may be etched on the back or front, which gives a remarkable and pleasing appearance. The use of high quality wood enhances the overall functional value and visual appeal of furniture. In the beginning, shisham was the only wood used by handicraftsmen. Thereafter some ingenious craftsmen experimented with teakwood from Nepal and Assam, ebonite from Assam and rosewood from the South. Struggle for survival forced the wood carving industry to pass through many critical phases. Changing scenario of industry turned the craftsmen to many other varieties of woods. Besides traditional shisham, wood craftsmen have now been using many other varieties of wood depending upon the suitability of texture, colour, grains of wood for particular job. For deep under-cutting and sculptural effect teak, rosewood and walnut are preferred. For low relief, shisham and deodar is used and for incised design ebony are considered. Rohira, sal, babul, etc are coarse grained and hard wood used for bold work. Haldu and dudhi are used for special polychromatic effects. Other most common species of wood being used by the craftsmen these days are mango wood, tun wood, neem wood, sal wood, jamun wood, rohira etc.
The opulent Indian Wooden Furniture Treasure Chest
Woodcarving industry is spreaded in majority parts of the country with some of it's main parts including Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and more. Woodcraft of Saharanpur is famous all over the world for its elegance and beauty. Saharanpur is known for vine-leaf patterns on Sheesham wood. Floral, geometric and figurative carving is also done here with wood inlay work. Woodworks industry in the North Eastern region is scattered and the production is confined to a few items only in a few states. Gujarat has a rich culture for such carving and in addition to small chairs and tables, the swing, without which no traditional home is complete, is made. Wood inlay, which developed and flourished during the Mughal rule, is done with bits of ivory, plastic, horn, metal pieces or other types of wood into carved surfaces of wooden items. This kind is found in various parts of the country such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Designs of Uttar Pradesh such as the fretwork, jali or the anguri work are also very popular. The wood carvers of Madhya Pradesh, with great sensitivity and skill transform different varieties of wood such as shish, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar into works of art. Madhya Pradesh is famous for painted and lacquered wood product such as toys, boxes, bedposts, cradles posts, flower vases etc. Kashmir is the only state in India, where Walnut trees and Fine Deodar wood are found. The craftsmen here create intricate carvings on wood obtained from the walnut tree which is used to make furniture items like tables, chairs, stools, partitions, trays, book stands, wall decorations, fruit bowls etc that have rich floral and trellis patterns carved on them. Rajasthan has its own unique wood tradition, Barmer is well known for carved furniture. Some furniture pieces in Barmer like tables, low stools etc has miniature paintings on them. Carved wood items such as cabinets, screens, chairs, tables, almirahs, racks etc are also highly decorated over here. Also each region of Woodcraft in Punjab is into making carved legs of beds and manjis and boxes. Gwalior, Sheopur-Kalan, Rewa and Budhni are main centers of wood lacquering. Uttar Pradesh has many craft centers engaged in making different items out of wood. Mainpuri is famous for woodwork on ebony or black sheesham inlaid with brass wire. Banaras is known for lacquered toys and miniature utensils for children to play with.
India is the second largest supplier of bamboo and West Bengal is known for its creativity and artisans of the State specialized in creating everyday and fancy articles from bamboo and cane. Cane and Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura too. Furniture made of cane, Baskets knitted out of cane and bamboo strips are some of the well-known craft produce from the Tripura, which are always on demand. Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu too, have their distinct wood carving traditions. Karnataka is famous for carvings and decorative pieces made from sandalwood. Sandalwood items like, boxes, trays, key chains, small figurines are not only carved tastefully but they also give out subtle smell of sandal. West Bengal and Kerala are known for items made from the wood obtained from coconut tree. Great prospects for Indian wooden furniture in the foreign markets The Indian furniture industry is a non- organised sector with the production of Handicraft accounting to around 85%. The furniture industry is estimated to provide employment to around 300,000 workers in India. As a rural and cottage industry, it provides employment to lakhs of people from the weaker sections of society. The skill of the wood workers of India is not only restricted to domestic use but has gain immense popularity in the foreign export markets. The industry has extended to the fashioning of panels, cabinets, doors, windows, temples and furniture. The taste of the people are moving more towards the antique kind of furniture and a variety of experiments are been carried out with designs by the Indian artisans to cleverly blend the traditional and modern woodcraft items suiting today's decor. Exquisite designs, attractive colours, unmatched workmanship and subtle elegance are the distinguishing features, which have put Indian hand crafted furniture on world map.
Steadily climbing the popularity chart the market potential for furniture has reached approximately to US" 240,007.40 million in 2005. This sector has more potential for earning substantial foreign exchange. Low capital investments, higher value addition and highly labour intensive are highlights that make the sector significant for the country's economy. These items found good market in Central European countries, United States of America, England, Russia and UAE. Japan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar has also emerged as new consumers for the country.
Central and State governments have been paying extraordinary attention to ensure high growth rate and development of this industry. They are also proving funds to many small businesses to help them flourish in the market. Also the Indian government is continuously taking steps to minimize entry-exit barriers for foreign companies. Liberal policies for foreign equity participation and foreign direct investments have given a further boost to the sector. Woodcraft has played its part in making the Indian handicraft fortune wealthier and inspite of many environment prevention issues the prospect of the hand crafted furniture sector in India seems positive. India presents a favourable outlook to sell this kind of furniture and one expects this sector to grow further in the coming years.
Enchanting Treasures In Wood Works
Woodcraft has played its part in making the Indian handicraft fortune wealthier and inspite of many environment prevention issues the prospect of the hand crafted furniture sector in India seems positive.
The wood history Woodcarving is an art and India has been a traditional producer of woodcarvings furniture for ages. Production of woodcarving is developed on a commercial scale, which is carried out by many Indian artisans from generation to generation. India has abundant collection of woodcarved furniture, out of which some has been explored and a lot remains to be discovered. It has a rich old heritage to crown it's head which is believed to be the oldest heritage of the world. This has been adored and preserved by the Indians since time immemorial. The exquisite furniture range comes in various styles with varying designs, finishes, colors, shapes etc. The designs and the carvings may be etched on the back or front, which gives a remarkable and pleasing appearance. The use of high quality wood enhances the overall functional value and visual appeal of furniture. In the beginning, shisham was the only wood used by handicraftsmen. Thereafter some ingenious craftsmen experimented with teakwood from Nepal and Assam, ebonite from Assam and rosewood from the South. Struggle for survival forced the wood carving industry to pass through many critical phases. Changing scenario of industry turned the craftsmen to many other varieties of woods. Besides traditional shisham, wood craftsmen have now been using many other varieties of wood depending upon the suitability of texture, colour, grains of wood for particular job. For deep under-cutting and sculptural effect teak, rosewood and walnut are preferred. For low relief, shisham and deodar is used and for incised design ebony are considered. Rohira, sal, babul, etc are coarse grained and hard wood used for bold work. Haldu and dudhi are used for special polychromatic effects. Other most common species of wood being used by the craftsmen these days are mango wood, tun wood, neem wood, sal wood, jamun wood, rohira etc.
The opulent Indian Wooden Furniture Treasure Chest
Woodcarving industry is spreaded in majority parts of the country with some of it's main parts including Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and more. Woodcraft of Saharanpur is famous all over the world for its elegance and beauty. Saharanpur is known for vine-leaf patterns on Sheesham wood. Floral, geometric and figurative carving is also done here with wood inlay work. Woodworks industry in the North Eastern region is scattered and the production is confined to a few items only in a few states. Gujarat has a rich culture for such carving and in addition to small chairs and tables, the swing, without which no traditional home is complete, is made. Wood inlay, which developed and flourished during the Mughal rule, is done with bits of ivory, plastic, horn, metal pieces or other types of wood into carved surfaces of wooden items. This kind is found in various parts of the country such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Designs of Uttar Pradesh such as the fretwork, jali or the anguri work are also very popular. The wood carvers of Madhya Pradesh, with great sensitivity and skill transform different varieties of wood such as shish, teak, dhudi, sal and kikar into works of art. Madhya Pradesh is famous for painted and lacquered wood product such as toys, boxes, bedposts, cradles posts, flower vases etc. Kashmir is the only state in India, where Walnut trees and Fine Deodar wood are found. The craftsmen here create intricate carvings on wood obtained from the walnut tree which is used to make furniture items like tables, chairs, stools, partitions, trays, book stands, wall decorations, fruit bowls etc that have rich floral and trellis patterns carved on them. Rajasthan has its own unique wood tradition, Barmer is well known for carved furniture. Some furniture pieces in Barmer like tables, low stools etc has miniature paintings on them. Carved wood items such as cabinets, screens, chairs, tables, almirahs, racks etc are also highly decorated over here. Also each region of Woodcraft in Punjab is into making carved legs of beds and manjis and boxes. Gwalior, Sheopur-Kalan, Rewa and Budhni are main centers of wood lacquering. Uttar Pradesh has many craft centers engaged in making different items out of wood. Mainpuri is famous for woodwork on ebony or black sheesham inlaid with brass wire. Banaras is known for lacquered toys and miniature utensils for children to play with.
India is the second largest supplier of bamboo and West Bengal is known for its creativity and artisans of the State specialized in creating everyday and fancy articles from bamboo and cane. Cane and Bamboo occupy a distinctive place in the life of Tripura too. Furniture made of cane, Baskets knitted out of cane and bamboo strips are some of the well-known craft produce from the Tripura, which are always on demand. Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu too, have their distinct wood carving traditions. Karnataka is famous for carvings and decorative pieces made from sandalwood. Sandalwood items like, boxes, trays, key chains, small figurines are not only carved tastefully but they also give out subtle smell of sandal. West Bengal and Kerala are known for items made from the wood obtained from coconut tree. Great prospects for Indian wooden furniture in the foreign markets The Indian furniture industry is a non- organised sector with the production of Handicraft accounting to around 85%. The furniture industry is estimated to provide employment to around 300,000 workers in India. As a rural and cottage industry, it provides employment to lakhs of people from the weaker sections of society. The skill of the wood workers of India is not only restricted to domestic use but has gain immense popularity in the foreign export markets. The industry has extended to the fashioning of panels, cabinets, doors, windows, temples and furniture. The taste of the people are moving more towards the antique kind of furniture and a variety of experiments are been carried out with designs by the Indian artisans to cleverly blend the traditional and modern woodcraft items suiting today's decor. Exquisite designs, attractive colours, unmatched workmanship and subtle elegance are the distinguishing features, which have put Indian hand crafted furniture on world map.
Steadily climbing the popularity chart the market potential for furniture has reached approximately to US" 240,007.40 million in 2005. This sector has more potential for earning substantial foreign exchange. Low capital investments, higher value addition and highly labour intensive are highlights that make the sector significant for the country's economy. These items found good market in Central European countries, United States of America, England, Russia and UAE. Japan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar has also emerged as new consumers for the country.
Central and State governments have been paying extraordinary attention to ensure high growth rate and development of this industry. They are also proving funds to many small businesses to help them flourish in the market. Also the Indian government is continuously taking steps to minimize entry-exit barriers for foreign companies. Liberal policies for foreign equity participation and foreign direct investments have given a further boost to the sector. Woodcraft has played its part in making the Indian handicraft fortune wealthier and inspite of many environment prevention issues the prospect of the hand crafted furniture sector in India seems positive. India presents a favourable outlook to sell this kind of furniture and one expects this sector to grow further in the coming years.
Kamis, 19 Juli 2012
Coin Buying 101
Title:
Coin Buying 101
The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C.
The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Gold coins are a favorite of coin collectors with an eye toward investment.
How would you feel if you knew that you had handed over a penny worth $2,000 or more as change for a dollar?
Avoid touching the coin unnecessarily, as dirt and grease from your fingers will tarnish the finish over time. Exposure to air oxidizes metal, changing its colour. Many collect coins to commemorate great events in their lives, a child's graduation, a new baby…or to mark historical events such as the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Some people happily collect more common everyday coins, going through their pockets at the end of the day for them is fun, checking dates and mintmarks on their change. Some collectors can spend thousands of dollars on rare silver and gold coins from the 1800's and early 1900's. Some collect coins from different countries.
Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.
Coin buying 101
There are various sources where those “special coins” can be purchased. The following are the basic methods and starting places to obtain the coin(s) you have long wanted.
Go local
Coin shops are plentiful in most states. Generally your local area or city will have coin shops which you can visit to see if they have the coins available that you want to add to your collection. Most of these coin shops are located in the larger town or cities. Better yet, use your local phone book and start walking those fingers through the pages to find out where the nearest coin shop(s) is located... These shops provide coin collectors the opportunity to actually examine or scrutinize the coins that interest you. Fortunately, these coin shops are also replete with experts and coin lovers who share your passion and can offer their valid judgment on a particular coin’s grade or value. They can also offer helpful tips as well as advice.
Local coin shops may sometimes have a limited stock or collection of coins and the price they offer them for may be a little bit higher than usual. This scenario usually applies to collectors.
Auctions for coins
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor. You will need someone to buy the coins from, and it can be difficult to find a reputable coin dealer. Someone who has been coin collecting for years can help you choose a knowledgeable and honest coin dealer. You'll need to learn about the value of different coins.
The Philadelphia mint used no mint mark until 1980, when it started stamping coins with tiny P's. Yet somehow, a small number of dimes minted in 1982 were a throwback to the time before the mint mark, and bear no letter P.
For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance.
The Augustus Saint-Gauden Double Eagle is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful coins America has ever produced.
Everybody wants to make sure that their investment is protected, but there are no guarantees, especially in rare coins. In fact, some rare coins take years to appreciate to the point of being able to sell it profitably.
The lure of coins lies in its power to draw people into the era it belonged to. These coins show many aspects of everyday life during those times.
There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You'll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you.
There are also auctions specifically for coins. This method is a very effective – if not excellent – way to purchase coins. It is extremely important that prior to attending an auction you know the procedures and rules that apply. There are various types of auctions; bidding auctions via mail, internet, as well as auctions conducted by phone. Always be aware and wary! It is important to make sure that you set a fixed price on the coin you are about to bid on. Auctions can turn very emotional and aggressive. Practice discipline and try not to bid more than the ceiling price you have set for yourself.
Buying coins by mail
This method is a very convenient and inexpensive way to purchase coins. Most dealers that transact via mail usually have overhead costs that are low so they are able to offer similarly low prices on coins they sell.
Do not forget to thoroughly inspect a particular dealer’s policies before returning an item. Make sure that once you receive your coin, immediately inspect it for authenticity or damage. The coin you must have must be just as you ordered and what you expected.
In summary, coin buying is not difficult. All you need is to research and look for the best product available. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. Today, building a fascinating collection of coins does not have to be expensive, and everyone can participate in this exciting pastime.
An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Possibly. In 1991, only 459,000 25-cent coins were struck (the annual number is usually closer to 100 million). 'Mint State' versions of these coins are worth about $8.
Some collect coins related to kings and queens. Some collect those related to plants and animals. Generally speaking, putting demand aside, the more scare/rare a coin, the higher its value. This is usually very true, especially when comparing dates within the same series.
Some precious coins with double stamping include doubled-die Lincoln cents from 1972, 1983, and 1984, and a doubled quarter minted in New York in 2001.
While there are some real gold coin enthusiasts in the internet, there are also those people who are posing as gold coin collectors and are just looking to rip you off. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name "the hobby of kings" was born.
Coin Buying 101
The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C.
The history of gold coins dates as far back as 2,700 years ago. The first gold coins in the world were issued in Lydia around 640 B.C. certain internet websites will provide you with a lot of information about the history of gold coins.
Gold coins are a favorite of coin collectors with an eye toward investment.
How would you feel if you knew that you had handed over a penny worth $2,000 or more as change for a dollar?
Avoid touching the coin unnecessarily, as dirt and grease from your fingers will tarnish the finish over time. Exposure to air oxidizes metal, changing its colour. Many collect coins to commemorate great events in their lives, a child's graduation, a new baby…or to mark historical events such as the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
Some people happily collect more common everyday coins, going through their pockets at the end of the day for them is fun, checking dates and mintmarks on their change. Some collectors can spend thousands of dollars on rare silver and gold coins from the 1800's and early 1900's. Some collect coins from different countries.
Commemorative coins are a popular form of collection, as are rare minted coins like those which had an error in their stamping. If a certain set of coins doesn’t interest you, it won’t be any fun at all to become a collector.
Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.
Coin buying 101
There are various sources where those “special coins” can be purchased. The following are the basic methods and starting places to obtain the coin(s) you have long wanted.
Go local
Coin shops are plentiful in most states. Generally your local area or city will have coin shops which you can visit to see if they have the coins available that you want to add to your collection. Most of these coin shops are located in the larger town or cities. Better yet, use your local phone book and start walking those fingers through the pages to find out where the nearest coin shop(s) is located... These shops provide coin collectors the opportunity to actually examine or scrutinize the coins that interest you. Fortunately, these coin shops are also replete with experts and coin lovers who share your passion and can offer their valid judgment on a particular coin’s grade or value. They can also offer helpful tips as well as advice.
Local coin shops may sometimes have a limited stock or collection of coins and the price they offer them for may be a little bit higher than usual. This scenario usually applies to collectors.
Auctions for coins
Coin collecting for investment purposes can be a tricky endeavor. You will need someone to buy the coins from, and it can be difficult to find a reputable coin dealer. Someone who has been coin collecting for years can help you choose a knowledgeable and honest coin dealer. You'll need to learn about the value of different coins.
The Philadelphia mint used no mint mark until 1980, when it started stamping coins with tiny P's. Yet somehow, a small number of dimes minted in 1982 were a throwback to the time before the mint mark, and bear no letter P.
For most gold coin collectors, there are the highly coveted rare gold coins and a lot of gold coin collectors are interested in these rare gold coins that they will offer high bids just to be able to get their hands on these.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance.
The Augustus Saint-Gauden Double Eagle is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful coins America has ever produced.
Everybody wants to make sure that their investment is protected, but there are no guarantees, especially in rare coins. In fact, some rare coins take years to appreciate to the point of being able to sell it profitably.
The lure of coins lies in its power to draw people into the era it belonged to. These coins show many aspects of everyday life during those times.
There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You'll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you.
There are also auctions specifically for coins. This method is a very effective – if not excellent – way to purchase coins. It is extremely important that prior to attending an auction you know the procedures and rules that apply. There are various types of auctions; bidding auctions via mail, internet, as well as auctions conducted by phone. Always be aware and wary! It is important to make sure that you set a fixed price on the coin you are about to bid on. Auctions can turn very emotional and aggressive. Practice discipline and try not to bid more than the ceiling price you have set for yourself.
Buying coins by mail
This method is a very convenient and inexpensive way to purchase coins. Most dealers that transact via mail usually have overhead costs that are low so they are able to offer similarly low prices on coins they sell.
Do not forget to thoroughly inspect a particular dealer’s policies before returning an item. Make sure that once you receive your coin, immediately inspect it for authenticity or damage. The coin you must have must be just as you ordered and what you expected.
In summary, coin buying is not difficult. All you need is to research and look for the best product available. Always be on the lookout for rare gold coins, and have coins appraised by a gold coin expert to avoid large differences in price. Today, building a fascinating collection of coins does not have to be expensive, and everyone can participate in this exciting pastime.
An avid coin collector will be able to tell you virtually every piece of history that surrounds any coin in their collection both because they tend to specialize and because knowledge is one of the most important factors when it comes to starting and maintaining a collection of any value or worth.
Possibly. In 1991, only 459,000 25-cent coins were struck (the annual number is usually closer to 100 million). 'Mint State' versions of these coins are worth about $8.
Some collect coins related to kings and queens. Some collect those related to plants and animals. Generally speaking, putting demand aside, the more scare/rare a coin, the higher its value. This is usually very true, especially when comparing dates within the same series.
Some precious coins with double stamping include doubled-die Lincoln cents from 1972, 1983, and 1984, and a doubled quarter minted in New York in 2001.
While there are some real gold coin enthusiasts in the internet, there are also those people who are posing as gold coin collectors and are just looking to rip you off. You can get a silver locating device or a magnetic pole for finding loose coins in ditches, under cars, or in other hard-to-reach places. Or simply rely on your eyes to identify those gleaming metal circlets of potential wealth.
During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name "the hobby of kings" was born.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)
