Miscellaneous Information

Invoice of domain registration @ 1and1.com

2008-09-23T01:34:00.000-07:00

Important emergency numbers for Mumbai

2008-09-12T00:54:00.000-07:00

A M B U L A N C E S E R V I C E S
ARYA SAMAJ 6482800/6462075 JOGESHWARI 8372859
ANDHERI 6243675/6253599 KALBADEVI 2095611
BOMBAY CITY CORP 2014295 KHAR(W) 6485676
BYCULLA 3076113 LTMG HOSPITAL 4076381-89
CHEMBUR 5569990 LTMG EMERGENCY Extn 569
CHOWPATTY 3610836 LTMG ICCU Extn 569
DADAR 4229531 MAHIM 4305847
DOMBIVLI 911-480445/481073 MULUND(E) 5645385
GHATKOPAR 5153260 MULUND(W) 5675995
GOREGAON 8721061 MUNICIPAL AMBULANCE 3077324
GOLDEN HOUR PROJECTS 4222040/4308888 MUSLIM AMBULANCE 3757645
SANTACRUZ 6482800 SION 4076381
SADHUBELLA 4923491/4925788 SAIFEE AMBULANCE 3466520
THANE 5331552 VILE PARLE(W) 6207254
PARSI AMBULANCE 2621666
H O S P I T A L S
1) Bhagwati Hospital 893 2461/2/3 2) Bombay Hospital 206 7676
3) B.Y.L. Nair Hospital 308 1490 4) Cama & Albless Hospital 261 1871
5) Convest Jain Clinic 382 9308/382 9309 6) Ear,Nose and Throat Hospital 204 2526
7) ESIS Hospital – Andheri 836 7203/836 7207 8) ESIS Hospital - Kandivli 887 4529
9) ESIS Hospital – Mulund 564 5520 to 564 5524 10) ESIS Hospital – Thane 582 1260
582 3434/582 1316
11) ESIS Hospital – Worli 493 2428/3142/2390/3143 12) G.T. Hospital 262 1468/1464/1467
13) Harkisandas Hospital 382 2701,385 5555 14) Hinduja Hospital 445 1515,445 2222
15) J.J. Hospital 373 5555,373 9400 16) Jaslok Hospital 493 3333,496 3333
17) K.E.M. Hospital 413 6051,413 1763 18) L T Hospital 407 3955
19) Kasturba Hospital 308 3901 20) Leelavati Hospital 643 8281/2
21) Lokmanya Tilak Hospital (Sion) 407 6381,407 6389, 409 2020. 22) Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital 413 2575
23) Mumbai Port Trust Hospital 412 9684/412 7947 24) Nair Hospital 308 1490
25) Nanavati Hospital 618 2255 26) N M Wadia Hospital 412 9786 412 9787
27) Parsi General Hospital 363 3641 28) P D Hinduja National Hospital 445 1515 445 2222
29) Podar Hospital 493 3533,493 5533 30) Rajawadi Hospital 511 5066/70
31) S.K.Patil Hospital (Piramal) 882 4115 32) S L Raheja Hospital 446 7570
33) St. George's Hospital 262 0344,262 0242, 262 1420 34) Tata Memorial Hospital 412 7096,414 6750
B L O O D B A N K, E Y E B A N K, E Y E H O S P I T A L
1) Arpan Blood Bank 511 1313 2) Bhagwati Blood Bank 893 2461/2/3
3) Bhatia General Hospital 307 1292,307 1297 4) Blood Transfusion Service 266 3560
5) Bombay Hospital 206 7337,206 7309/7676 6) B Y L Nair Hospital 309 8150
7) Cooper Hospital 620 7254 8) Dr.Patkar Blood Bank 768 5805
9) ESIS Hospital 493 3142,494 4150 ,93 2390 10) G T Hospital 262 1464
11) Haffkins Institute 412 9320 12) Harkisondas Hospital 388 9301,382 2701
13) Hinduja Hospital 445 2222/1515 14) Holi Spirit 837 8822
15) Jaslok Hospital 496 3333 16) J J Hospital 373 9400
17) KEM Blood Bank 413 5189 18) Lokmanya Tilak Hospital 407 2737
19) Mumbai Port Trust 414 5100 20) Parsi Hospital 363 3641
21) Red Cross Society 266 3195,266 3560 22) St. George Hospital 262 0242,262 0344
23) Sion Hospital 407 6380,407 6381 24) Tata Hospital 414 6750,414 6752
25) Wadia Maternity Hospital 412 9786
EYE BANKS 1919
1) Arpan Eye Bank 514 7293 2) Eye Bank Co-ord & Reasearch Centre 374 1343
3) Gokhale Eye Bank 422 1820 4) J.J. Hospital 375 0102
5) K.V.O Samaj Eye Bank 560 2133 6) Lakshmi Eye Bank 745 2228
7) Lions Club of Kopri Eye Bank 533 3455 8) Lions Juhu Eye Bank 912-322387
9) Lokmanya Tilak Hospital 407 0102/409 3077 10) P.D. Hinduja Hospital Eye Bank 445 1515
11) Sir Hathibhai Kakalchand Eye Bank 385 5555 12) Sir Jamshedji Duggan Eye Bank 375 0102
EYE HOSPITALS
1) BMC Eye Hospital 308 2632 2) Harkisondas Hospital 382 2701
A I R L I N E S E N Q U I R I E S & F L I G H T I N F O R M A T I O N ¦
AIR INDIA 2024142/2876464
Reservation (International) 287 6464 Reservation (Domestic) 287 6464
Reconfirmation/Cancellation 287 6464 Travel Agents 287 6464
Flight Arrival 144 Flight Departure 145
INDIAN AIRLINES : 615 6850 Enquiry 140
Reservation 141 Arrival Information 142
Departure Information 143/615 6161
A I R L I N E S E N Q U I R I E S & F L I G H T I N F O R M A T I O N
AERO FLOAT AIRLINES 2821682 KLM DUTCH AIRLINES 838838
AIR FRANCE 2024818 KOREA AIRWAYS 2004809
AIR LANKA 2823288 KUWAIT AIR LINES 2045351
AIRPORT AUTHORITY 6156466 LUFTHANSA AIR LINES 2023430
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ALITALIA 2045018 MAURITIUS AIR LINES 2028474
BANGLADESH AIRWAYS 8362957 OMAN AIRWAYS
8203095
BRITISH AIRWAYS 8329064 PAKISTAN AIRWAYS 8300328
CATHAY PACIFIC 2029112 PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS 8219357
DELTA 2885659 QUANTAS AIRLINES 2044009
DHL COURIER AIRLINES 2623549 ROYAL NEPAL AIRLINES 2835489
EGYPT AIRLINES 2833798 SAHARA 6156363
EMIRATE AIRWAYS 8301111 SAUDIA AIRWAYS 2020199
GULF AIRWAYS 2021626 SOUTH AFRICA AIR 2823451
IRAQ AIRWAYS 2020597 SWISS AIR 2870122
JAPAN AIRLINES 2833215 SYRIAN ARAB AIRLINES 2826043
JET AIRWAYS 287509 1TWA AIRLINES 2616906
KENYA AIRWAYS 2820064 VAYUDOOT 2048585
R A I L W A Y S I N F O R M A T I O N
CENTRAL RAILWAY WESTERN RAILWAY
a) Enquiry 134 & 138 a) Enquiry 131
b) Reservation 135 b) Reservation 135
c) Train Arrival Status (South, East Zone) 136 c) Train Arrival Status (Delhi Side) 132
d) Train Arrival Status (North, East Zone) 137 d) Train Arrival Status(Ahmedabad/Baroda/Surat) 133
ARRIVAL/DEPARTURE ENQUIRY (IVRS) 2656565 RESERVATION STATUS ENQUIRY (IVRS)
For Central and Western Railway 2695959
R O A D W A Y S E N Q U I R I E S
BEST
a) Transport 4143611 b) Accident Information 4146162
MAHARASHTRA STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION
a) Mumbai Central Bus Station 3071524 g) Borivali Stand 8058226
b) Parel Bus Station 4229905 h) Panvel Stand – 7452301
c) Kurla ¦ Bus Station Nehru Nagar 5222072 i) Panvel Stand – 7451397
d) Dadar Asiad Mumbai to Pune 4136835 j) Vashi Stand 7662833
e) Senapati Bapat Marg Mumbai Shirdi 4302667 ¦k) Sion Stand 4074157
f) Uran Stand 7222466
T O U R I S M E N Q U I R I E S
Tourism Enquiries 1913
a) Govt. Of India 2032932/2033144 b) I T D C 2023343
c) Govt. Of Maharashtra 2026713/2027762 d) M T D C 2024627
TELECOM SERVICES
1) Local Telephones Service Directory Enquiry 197
In case of difficulty in availing this service for further assistance please contact Supervisor 4374968
Asst. Traffic Supdt(Prabhadevi) 4225885,4225765 Traffic Superintendent 4226391,4379955
MTNL Radio Paging Service 4361414,4360067
2) Local Assistance 199** In case of difficulty in calling
Please contact particular Number 4370920 , 4377950
3) Morning Alarm/Wake Up/Reminder Call Service 116# (Pl. refer Phone Plus Facilities for more information) 550#
4) Time-English/Hindi/Marath 174* 5) Hindi Information Service 177
6) Automatic Changed Number Announcement System 1951 Hindi
Automatic Changed Number Announcement System 1952 English
Automatic Changed Number Announcement System 1953 Marath
In case of continuous difficulty in accessing above numbers, please contact JTO Complaint 4300681
7) AUTO COM(forms by FAX) 1661 8) Phonogram 185/262 4144
9) Internet Help Line(Prabhadevi) 4331175,4331408 10) Emergency Attention(Prabhadevi) 4307080/4308070
11 Billing Complaints 1662
* Calls to these numbers are metered
** Call put through are metered
# Metered equal to two calls
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SERVICES
BEST
Colaba Fuse Centre 2184242 Dadar Fuse Centre 4124242/4124993
Fault Control(North) 4146683/4146987 Fault Control(South) 2066661/2066611
Khetwadi Fuse Centre 3854242/3852011 Worli Fuse Centre 4954242/4953363 Mahim
Fuse Centre 4444242 Pathakwadi Fuse Centre 2084242/2084243
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SERVICE
BSES: 1912
Ambivali,Versova,Jogeshwari(E) 6361313/8221692 Andheri (E) &(W),Jogeshwari(W) 6249603/8300711
Bandra (E) & (W),Khar (E)& (W) 6423494/6424482 Borivli (E) & (W)
Mankhurd,Turbhe,Chembur 5563385 Chunabhatti,Nehru Ngr Kurla(E) 5221248/524258
Dahisar(West) 8981392 Dahisar(E)Mira Road Bhayander 8957038
Goregaon(East) and (Wast) 8721312/8722734 Kalina,Santacruz(E) & (W) 6182899
Kandivali(W)/Charkop,Malwani 8072227/8683242 Kurla(W),Vidyavihar 5143759/5141175
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Madh/kandivli(E) 8861675 Malad (East) & (West) 8402411/8080961
MIDC,SEEPZ,Marol,,Saki Vihar Road,upto L&T 8329781 Virkoli(E),Kannamwar Nagar
5786947
Vikroli (W),Ghatkoper (E) & (W) 5152558/5150770 Vileparle(E)&(W) Juhu Scheme 6208904
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SERVICES
MSEB:
Bandra 6422211/6422131 Ballard Estate
2610061/2610062
Bhandup (East) & (West) 5610614/5600574 Churchgate
2820220/2820315
Dadar 4137562 Fort Market 2692544
Fountain 2619100/2674047/ 2674147 Kisan Nagar Sec.Office 5320453
Kolshet (Urban) Sub Div. Mulund (East) & (West)5686666/5644935 Owale Section Office
5349115
Patil Pure Thane 5341988 Thane 5333411/5367548
Dhakali Sec.Office 5331256
VOLUNTARY WELFARE ORGANISATIONS
01) Alcoholics Anonymous 3075134 02)Anti Dowry 2620111
03) Indian Red Cross Society 2663560/2663195 (Blood Bank,Transfusion Services)
04) Institute for Psychological Health 5433270 05) Kripa Rehabilitation Center 6405411
06) Maitra Help Line 5385447 07) NAB 4935365/4936930
08) NASEOH 5220224/5220225 09) Priyadarshani Academy 2873456
(Anti Drugs Campaign & Educational Assistance)
10) St.George Hospital 2620242 (Regional Blood Transfusion)
11) VOICE (Voluntary Organisation in Community Enterprise) 6704304
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES
A I R C O O L T A X I 8227006
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
a) General Complaints 3736622 b) Water Supply Complaints 3776294
COOKING GAS SERVICES
a) Bharat Petroleum 5582027,2619036 b) Hindustan Petroleum 2026151
c) LPG Leakages Complaints 3719636
POSTAL SERVICES
Postal Enquires 2620956 (7.30 am to 8.30 pm)
HINDI INFORMATION SERVICES
a) Hindi Information Service 4228331 b) Special Service 177/4228332/4225885

Health - Important Tips

2008-06-13T04:24:00.001-07:00

Answer the phone by LEFTear.
Do not drink coffee TWICE a day.
Do not take pills with COOL water.
Do not have HUGE meals after 5pm.
Reduce the amount of OILY food you consume.
Drink more WATERin the morning, less at night.
Keep your distance from hand phone CHARGERS.
Do not use headphones/earphone for LONG period of time.
Best sleeping time is from 10pm at night to 6am in the morning.
Do not lie down immediately after taking medicine before sleeping.
When battery is down to the LAST grid/bar, do not answer the phone as the radiation is 1000 times.

Hindu Rituals and Routines

2008-04-10T05:04:00.000-07:00

Why do we follow them?
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
Contents
Introduction
Introduction
3
Why do we…….
1.
Why do we light a lamp?
4
2.
Why do we have a prayer room?
4
3.
Why do we do Namaste?
5
4.
Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?
5
5.
Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on the forehead?
6
6.
- 2 - Why do we not touch papers, books and people with the feet?
7
7.
To touch another with the feet is considered an act of misdemeanor. Why is this so?
7
8.
Why do we apply the holy ash?
7
9.
Why do offer food to the Lord before eating it?
8
10.
Why do we fast?
9
11.
Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?
9
12.
Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise manner?
9
13.
Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?
10
14.
Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
10
15.
Why do we worship the kalasha?
11
16.
Why do we consider the lotus as special?
11
17.
Why do we worship tulasi?
12
18.
Why do we blow the conch?
13
19.
Why do we say shaanti thrice?
13
20.
Why do we offer a coconut?
14
21.
Why do we chant Om?
15
22.
Why do we do aarati?
15
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
- 3 -
Introduction
Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life. Unlike other religions, Hindu dharma has many specialties. This is not known as a religion, it is known as the dharma; Sanaathana Dharma. Sanaathana means, according to Bhagavath Geetha, which cannot be destroyed by fire, weapons, water, air, and which is present in all living and non living being. Dharma means, the way of life which is the ‘total of all aachaaraas or customs and rituals’.
Sanaathana Dharma has its foundation on scientific spirituality. In the entire ancient Hindu literature we can see that science and spirituality are integrated. It is mentioned in the 40th chapter of the Yajurveda known as Eesaavaasya Upanishad that use scientific knowledge for solving problems in our life and use the spiritual knowledge for attaining immortality through philosophical outlook.
Remember that in each and every aachaaraa there will be a component of spirituality in it. Without spirituality, nothing exists in Sanaathana dharma. Generally everyone bear a wrong impression that this spirituality is religion. Spirituality is different in Hindu dharma. Here the question of religion does not exist at all, because Hindu dharma was not created by an individual, prophet or an incarnation. Spirituality is a part of every Hindu custom in the normal life of a Hindu.
Aachaaraas are to be followed based on their merits available from the self experience; you need not blindly follow a teacher or someone who gives advice without reasoning. All these aachaaraas are mentioned for the prosperity of the human beings and it should be the prime focus for practicing the Hindu aachaaraas.
Achaaryaath paadam aadatthe
paadam sishya swamedhayaa
paadam sa brahmachaaribhya
sesham kaala kramena cha
This is an important advice given in smruthies. It means a person can get only one quarter of knowledge from Achaarya - the teacher, another quarter by analyzing self, one quarter by discussing with others and the last quarter during the process of living by method addition, deletion, correction, and modification of already known aachaaraas or new aachaaraas.
Aachaaraath labhathe hi ayu:
aachaaraath dhanamakshayam
aachaaraath labhathe suprajaa:
aachaaro ahanthya lakshanam
Aachaaraas are followed for the psychological and physiological health and long life; Aachaaraas are followed for prosperity and wealth; Aachaaraas are followed for strong family and social bondage and following the Aachaaraas give a fine personality, dharmic outlook and vision, says our dharmasaastra.
In India everyone followed Aachaaraas for the above mentioned psychological, physiological, family relation, social benefits and national integration based benefits. It is your right and duty to understand scientifically, rationally and logically the meaning of each and every Aachaaraas and follow the same in your life systematically.
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
- 4 -

1. Why do we light a lamp?
In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day – at dawn and dusk – and in a few it is maintained continuously - Akhanda Deepa. All auspicious functions commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion.
Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness - ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (Chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshiped as the Lord himself.
Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth.
Why not light a bulb or tube light? That too would remove darkness. But the traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.
Whilst lighting the lamp we thus pray:
Deepajyothi parabrahma
Deepa sarva tamopahaha
Deepena saadhyate saram
Sandhyaa deepo namostute
I prostrate to the dawn/dusk lamp; whose light is the Knowledge Principle (the Supreme Lord), which removes the darkness of ignorance and by which all can be achieved in life.

2. Why do we have a prayer room?
Most Indian homes have a prayer room or altar. A lamp is lit and the Lord worshipped each day. Other spiritual practices like japa - repetition of the Lord’s name, meditation, paaraayana - reading of the scriptures, prayers, and devotional singing etc are also done here. Special worship is done on auspicious occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, festivals and the like. Each member of the family - young or old - communes with and worships the Divine here.
The Lord is the entire creation. He is therefore the true owner of the house we live in too. The prayer room is the Master room of the house. We are the earthly occupants of His property. This notion rids us of false pride and possessiveness.
The ideal attitude to take is to regard the Lord as the true owner of our homes and us as caretakers of His home. But if that is rather difficult, we could at least think of Him as a very welcome guest. Just as we would house an important guest in the best comfort, so too we felicitate the Lord’s presence in our homes by having a prayer room or altar, which is, at all times, kept clean and well-decorated.
Also the Lord is all pervading. To remind us that He resides in our homes with us, we have prayer rooms. Without the grace of the Lord, no task can be successfully or easily accomplished. We invoke His grace by communing with Him in the prayer room each day and on special occasions.
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
- 5 -
Each room in a house is dedicated to a specific function like the bedroom for resting, the drawing room to receive guests, the kitchen for cooking etc. The furniture, decor and the atmosphere of each room are made conducive to the purpose it serves. So too for the purpose of meditation, worship and prayer, we should have a conducive atmosphere - hence the need for a prayer room.
Sacred thoughts and sound vibrations pervade the place and influence the minds of those who spend time there. Spiritual thoughts and vibrations accumulated through regular meditation, worship and chanting done there pervade the prayer room. Even when we are tired or agitated, by just sitting in the prayer room for a while, we feel calm, rejuvenated and spiritually uplifted.

3. Why do we do Namaste?
Indians greet each other with namaste. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word namaste. This greeting is for all - people younger than us, of our own age, those older than friends, even strangers and us.
There are five forms of formal traditional greeting enjoined in the shaastras of which namaskaram is one. This is understood as prostration but it actually refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a namaste.
Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit namah + te = namaste. It means - I bow to you - my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. Namaha can also be literally interpreted as "na ma" (not mine). It has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one’s ego in the presence of another.
The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet another, we do so with namaste, which means, "may our minds meet," indicated by the folded palms placed before the chest. The bowing down of the head is a gracious form of extending friendship in love and humility
The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the divinity, the Self or the Lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness with the meeting of the palms, we salute with head bowed the Divinity in the person we meet. That is why sometimes, we close our eyes as we do namaste to a revered person or the Lord – as if to look within. The gesture is often accompanied by words like "Ram Ram," "Jai Shri Krishna", "Namo Narayana", "Jai Siya Ram", "Om Shanti" etc - indicating the recognition of this divinity.
When we know this significance, our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper communion with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.

4. Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?
Indians prostrate before their parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elder in turn blesses us by placing his or her hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done daily, when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration is accompanied by abhivaadana, which serves to introduce one-self, announce one’s family and social stature.
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
- 6 -
Man stands on his feet. Touching the feet in prostration is a sign of respect for the age, maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders personify. It symbolizes our recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices they have done for our welfare. It is a way of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another. This tradition reflects the strong family ties, which has been one of India’s enduring strengths.
The good wishes (Sankalpa) and blessings (aashirvaada) of elders are highly valued in India. We prostrate to seek them. Good thoughts create positive vibrations. Good wishes springing from a heart full of love, divinity and nobility have a tremendous strength. When we prostrate with humility and respect, we invoke the good wishes and blessings of elders, which flow in the form of positive energy to envelop us. This is why the posture assumed whether it is in the standing or prone position, enables the entire body to receive the energy thus received.
The different forms of showing respect are :
Pratuthana:
Rising to welcome a person.
Namaskaara:
Paying homage in the form of namaste
Upasangrahan:
Touching the feet of elders or teachers.
Shaashtaanga:
Prostrating fully with the feet, knees, stomach, chest, forehead and arms touching the ground in front of the elder.
Pratyabivaadana:
Returning a greeting.
Rules are prescribed in our scriptures as to who should prostrate to whom. Wealth, family name, age, moral strength and spiritual knowledge in ascending order of importance qualified men to receive respect. This is why a king though the ruler of the land, would prostrate before a spiritual master. Epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata have many stories highlighting this aspect.

5. Why do we wear marks (tilak, pottu and the like) on the forehead?
The tilak or pottu invokes a feeling of sanctity in the wearer and others. It is recognized as a religious mark. Its form and colour vary according to one’s caste, religious sect or the form of the Lord worshipped.
In earlier times, the four castes (based on varna or colour) - Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Sudra - applied marks differently. The brahmin applied a white chandan mark signifying purity, as his profession was of a priestly or academic nature. The kshatriya applied a red kumkum mark signifying valour as he belonged to warrior races. The vaishya wore a yellow kesar or turmeric mark signifying prosperity as he was a businessman or trader devoted to creation of wealth. The sudra applied a black bhasma, kasturi or charcoal mark signifying service as he supported the work of the other three divisions.
Also Vishnu worshippers apply a chandan tilak of the shape of "U," Shiva worshippers a tripundra of bhasma, Devi worshippers a red dot of kumkum and so on).
The tilak cover the spot between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking. It is known as the Aajna Chakra in the language of Yoga. The tilak is applied with the prayer - "May I remember the Lord. May this pious feeling pervade all my activities. May I be righteous in my deeds." Even when we temporarily forget this prayerful attitude the mark on another reminds us of our resolve. The tilak is thus a blessing of the Lord and a protection against wrong tendencies and forces.
The entire body emanates energy in the form of electromagnetic waves - the forehead and the subtle spot between the eyebrows especially so. That is why worry generates heat and
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
- 7 -
causes a headache. The tilak and pottu cools the forehead, protects us and prevents energy loss. Sometimes the entire forehead is covered with chandan or bhasma. Using plastic reusable "stick bindis" is not very beneficial, even though it serves the purpose of decoration.

6. Why do we not touch papers, books and people with the feet?
To Indians, knowledge is sacred and divine. So it must be given respect at all times. Nowadays we separate subjects as sacred and secular. But in ancient India every subject - academic or spiritual - was considered divine and taught by the guru in the gurukula.
The custom of not stepping on educational tools is a frequent reminder of the high position accorded to knowledge in Indian culture. From an early age, this wisdom fosters in us a deep reverence for books and education. This is also the reason why we worship books, vehicles and instruments once a year on Saraswathi Pooja or Ayudha Pooja day, dedicated to the Goddess of Learning. In fact, each day before starting our studies, we pray:
Saraswati namasthubhyam Varade kaama roopini Vidyaarambham karishyaami Sidhirbhavatu me sadaa
O Goddess Saraswati, the giver of Boons and fulfiller of wishes, I prostrate to You before starting my studies. May you always fulfill me?

7. To touch another with the feet is considered an act of misdemeanor. Why is this so?
Man is regarded as the most beautiful, living breathing temple of the Lord! Therefore touching another with the feet is akin to disrespecting the divinity within him or her. This calls for an immediate apology, which is offered with reverence and humility.

8. Why do we apply the holy ash?
The ash of any burnt object is not regarded as holy ash. Bhasma (the holy ash) is the ash from the homa (sacrificial fire) where special wood along with ghee and other herbs is offered as worship of the Lord. Or the deity is worshipped by pouring ash as abhisheka and is then distributed as bhasma.
Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it.
The word bhasma means, "that by which our sins are destroyed and the Lord is remembered." Bha implied bhartsanam ("to destroy") and sma implies smaranam ("to remember"). The application of bhasma therefore signifies destruction of the evil and remembrance of the divine. Bhasma is called vibhuti (which means "glory") as it gives glory to one who applies it and raksha (which means a source of protection) as it protects the wearer from ill health and evil, by purifying him or her.
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
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Homa (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred chants) signifies the offering or surrender of the ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge or a noble and selfless cause. The consequent ash signifies the purity of the mind, which results from such actions.
Also the fire of knowledge burns the oblation and wood signifying ignorance and inertia respectively. The ash we apply indicates that we should burn false identification with the body and become free of the limitations of birth and death. This is not to be misconstrued as a morose reminder of death but as a powerful pointer towards the fact that time and tide wait for none.
Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all over His body. Shiva devotes apply bhasma as a tripundra. When applied with a red spot at the center, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe).
Tryambakam yajaamahe Sugandhim pushtivardhanam Urvaa rukamiva bhandhanaan Mrytyor muksheeyamaa amrutaat
"We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who nourishes and spread fragrance in our lives. May He free us from the shackles of sorrow, change and death – effortlessly, like the fall of a rip brinjal from its stem."

9. Why do offer food to the Lord before eating it?
Indians make an offering of food to the Lord and later partake of it as prasaada - a holy gift from the Lord. In our daily ritualistic worship (pooja) too we offer naivedyam (food) to the Lord.
The Lord is omnipotent and omniscient. Man is a part, while the Lord is the totality. All that we do is by His strength and knowledge alone. Hence what we receive in life as a result of our actions is really His alone. We acknowledge this through the act of offering food to Him. This is exemplified by the Hindi words "tera tujko arpan"– I offer what is Yours to You. Thereafter it is akin to His gift to us, graced by His divine touch.
Knowing this, our entire attitude to food and the act of eating changes. The food offered will naturally be pure and the best. We share what we get with others before consuming it. We do not demand, complain or criticise the quality of the food we get. We eat it with cheerful acceptance (prasaada buddhi).
Before we partake of our daily meals we first sprinkle water around the plate as an act of purification. Five morsels of food are placed on the side of the plate acknowledging the debt owed by us to the Divine forces (devta runa) for their benign grace and protection, our ancestors (pitru runa) for giving us their lineage and a family culture, the sages (rishi runa) as our religion and culture have been "realised", aintained and handed down to us by them, our fellow beings (manushya runa) who constitute society without the support of which we could not live as we do and other living beings (bhuta runa) for serving us selflessly.
Thereafter the Lord, the life force, who is also within us as the five life-giving physiological functions, is offered the food. This is done with the chant
praanaaya swaahaa, apaanaaya swaahaa, vyaanaaya swaahaa,
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udaanaaya swaahaa, samaanaaya swaahaa, brahmane swaahaa
After offering the food thus, it is eaten as prasaada - blessed food.

10. Why do we fast?
Most devout Indians fast regularly or on special occasions like festivals. On such days they do not eat at all, eat once or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food.
Fasting in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means "near" + vaasa means "to stay". Upavaasa therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental proximity with the Lord. Then what has upavaasa to do with food?
A lot of our time and energy is spent in procuring food items, preparing, cooking, eating and digesting food. Certain food types make our minds dull and agitated. Hence on certain days man decides to save time and conserve his energy by eating either simple, light food or totally abstaining from eating so that his mind becomes alert and pure. The mind, otherwise pre-occupied by the thought of food, now entertains noble thoughts and stays with the Lord. Since it is a self-imposed form of discipline it is usually adhered to with joy
Also every system needs a break and an overhaul to work at its best. Rest and a change of diet during fasting is very good for the digestive system and the entire body.
The more you indulge the senses, the more they make their demands. Fasting helps us to cultivate control over our senses, sublimate our desires and guide our minds to be poised and at peace.
Fasting should not make us weak, irritable or create an urge to indulge later. This happens when there is no noble goal behind fasting.
The Bhagavad-Gita urges us to eat appropriately - neither too less nor too much - yukta-aahaara and to eat simple, pure and healthy food (a saatvik diet) even when not fasting.

11. Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?
We cannot draw a circle without a center point. The Lord is the center, source and essence of our lives. Recognizing Him as the focal point in our lives, we go about doing our daily chores. This is the significance of pradakshina.
Also every point on the circumference of a circle is equidistant from the center. This means that wherever or whoever we may be, we are equally close to the Lord. His grace flows towards us without partiality.

12. Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise manner?
The reason is not, as a person said, to avoid a traffic jam! As we do pradakshina, the Lord is always on our right. In India the right side symbolizes auspiciousness. So as we circumambulate the sanctum sanctorum we remind ourselves to lead an auspicious life of righteousness, with the Lord who is the indispensable source of help and strength, as our guide - the "right hand".
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Indian scriptures enjoin - matrudevo bhava, pitrudevo bhava, acharyadevo bhava. May you consider your parents and teachers as you would the Lord. With this in mind we also do pradakshina around our parents and divine personages.
After the completion of traditional worship (pooja), we customarily do pradakshina around ourselves. In this way we recognize and remember the supreme divinity within us, which alone is idolized in the form of the Lord that we worship outside.

13. Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?
The Lord, the life in us, pervades all living beings, be they plants or animals. Hence, they are all regarded as sacred. Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us the vital factors that make life possible on earth: food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc.
Hence, in India, we are taught to regard trees and plants as sacred. Indians scriptures tell us to plant ten trees if, for any reason, we have to cut one. We are advised to use parts of trees and plants only as much as is needed for food, fuel, shelter etc. we are also urged to apologies to a plant or tree before cutting it to avoid incurring a specific sin named soona.
Certain trees and plants like tulasi, peepal etc., which have tremendous beneficial qualities, are worshipped till today. It is believed that divine beings manifest as trees and plants, and many people worship them to fulfill their desires or to please the Lord.

14. Why do we ring the bell in a temple?
Is it to wake up the Lord? But the Lord never sleeps. Is it to let the Lord know we have come? He does not need to be told, as He is all knowing. Is it a form of seeking permission to enter His precinct? It is a homecoming and therefore entry needs no permission. The Lord welcomes us at all times. Then why do we ring the bell?
The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. It produces the sound Om, the universal name of the Lord. There should be auspiciousness within and without, to gain the vision of the Lord who is all-auspiciousness.
Even while doing the ritualistic aarati, we ring the bell. It is sometimes accompanied by the auspicious sounds of the conch and other musical instruments. An added significance of ringing the bell, conch and other instruments is that they help drowned any inauspicious or irrelevant noises and comments that might disturb or distract the worshippers in their devotional ardour, concentration and inner peace.
As we start the daily ritualistic worship (pooja) we ring the bell, chanting:
Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam Kurve ghantaaravam tatra devataahvaahna lakshanam
I ring this bell indicating the invocation of divinity, So that virtuous and noble forces enter (my home and heart); and the demonic and evil forces from within and without, depart.
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15. Why do we worship the kalasha?
First of all what is a kalasha? A brass, mud or copper pot is filled with water. Mango leaves are placed in the mouth of the pot and a coconut is placed over it. A red or white thread is tied around its neck or sometimes all around it in a intricate diamond-shaped pattern. The pot may be decorated wit designs. Such a pot is known as a kalasha.
When the pot is filled with water or rice, it is known as purnakumbha representing the inert body which when filled with the divine life force gains the power to do all the wonderful things that makes life what it is.
A kalasha is placed with due rituals on all-important occasions like the traditional house warming (grihapravesa), wedding, daily worship etc. It is placed near the entrance as a sign of welcome. It is also used in a traditional manner while receiving holy personages. Why do we worship the kalasha? Before the creation came into being, Lord Vishnu was reclining on His snake-bed in the milky ocean. From His navel emerged a lotus from which appeared Lord Brahma, the creator, who thereafter created this world.
The water in the kalasha symbolizes the primordial water from which the entire creation emerged. It is the giver of life to all and has the potential of creating innumerable names and forms, the inert objects and the sentient beings and all that is auspicious in the world from the energy behind the universe. The leaves and coconut represent creation.
The thread represents the love that "binds" all in creation. The kalasha is therefore considered auspicious and worshipped. The waters from all the holy rivers, the knowledge of all the Vedas and the blessings of all the deities are invoked in the kalasha and its water is thereafter used for all the rituals, including the abhisheka.
The consecration (kumbhaabhisheka) of a temple is done in a grand manner with elaborate rituals including the pouring of one or more kalashas of holy water on the top of the temple. When the asuras and devas churned the milky ocean, the Lord appeared bearing the pot of nectar, which blessed one with everlasting life.
Thus the kalasha also symbolizes immortality. Men of wisdom are full and complete as they identify with the infinite Truth (poornatvam). They brim with joy and love and respect all that is auspicious. We greet them with a purnakumbha ("full pot") acknowledging their greatness and as a sign of respectful and reverential welcome, with a "full heart".

16. Why do we consider the lotus as special?
The lotus is the symbol of truth, auspiciousness and beauty (satyam, shivam, sundaram). The Lord is also that nature and therefore, His various aspects are compared to a lotus (i.e. lotus-eyes, lotus feet, lotus hands, the lotus of the heart etc.).
The lotus blooms with the rising sun and close at night. Similarly, our minds open up and expand with the light of knowledge. The lotus grows even in slushy areas. It remains beautiful and untainted despite its surroundings, reminding us that we too can and should strive to remain pure and beautiful within, under all circumstances.
The lotus leaf never gets wet even though it is always in water. It symbolizes the man of wisdom (gyaani) who remains ever joyous, unaffected by the world of sorrow and change. This is revealed in a shloka from the Bhagwad-Geeta:
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Brahmanyaadhaaya karmaani Sangam tyaktvaa karoti yaha Lipyate na sa paapena Padma patram ivaambhasaa
He who does actions, offering them to Brahman (the Supreme), abandoning attachment, is not tainted by sin, just as a lotus leaf remains unaffected by the water on it.
From this, we learn that what is natural to the man of wisdom becomes a discipline to be practiced by all saadhakas or spiritual seekers and devotees. Our bodies have certain energy centers described in the Yoga Shaastras as chakras.
Each one is associated with lotus that has a certain number of petals. For example, a lotus with a thousand petals represents the Sahasra chakra at the top of the head, which opens when the yogi attains Godhood or Realisation. Also, the lotus posture (padmaasana) is recommended when one sits for meditation. A lotus emerged from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Lord Brahma originated from it to create the world. Hence, the lotus symbolizes the link between the creator and the supreme Cause.
It also symbolizes Brahmaloka, the abode of Lord Brahma. The auspicious sign of the swastika is said to have evolved from the lotus.

17. Why do we worship tulasi?
In Sanskrit, tulanaa naasti athaiva tulasi - that which is incomparable (in its qualities) is the tulasi
For Indians it is one of the most sacred plants. In fact it is known to be the only thing used in worship, which, once used, can be washed and reused in pooja - as it is regarded so self-purifying.
As one story goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So she cursed Him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing her devotion and adhered to righteousness, the Lord blessed her saying that she would become the worshipped plant, tulasi that would adorn His head.
Also that all offerings would be incomplete without the tulasi leaf - hence the worship of tulasi.
She also symbolises Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Those who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life worship the tulasi.
Tulasi is married to the Lord with all pomp and show as in any wedding.
This is because according to another legend, the Lord blessed her to be His consort. Satyabhama once weighed Lord Krishna against all her legendary wealth. The scales did not balance till a single tulasi leaf was placed along with the wealth on the scale by Rukmini with devotion.
Thus the tulasi played the vital role of demonstrating to the world that even a small object offered with devotion means more to the Lord than all the wealth in the world.
The tulasi leaf has great medicinal value and is used to cure various ailments, including the common cold.
Yanmule sarvatirhaani Yannagre sarvadevataa Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha Tulasi taam namaamyaham
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I bow down to the tulasi, At whose base are all the holy places, At whose top reside all the deities and In whose middle are all the Vedas.

18. Why do we blow the conch?
When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the world and the Truth behind it.
As the story goes, the demon Shankhaasura defeated devas, the Vedas and went to the bottom of the ocean. The devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as Matsya Avataara - the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas.
All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of Om. The conch therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands.
It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas) of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil.
Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.
Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small, the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds, and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.
The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a symbol of Naada Brahma (Truth), the Vedas, Om, dharma, victory and auspiciousness. It is often used to offer devotees thirtha (sanctified water) to raise their minds to the highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.
Twam puraa saagarot pannaha Vishnunaa vidhrutahakare Devaischa poojitha sarvahi Panchjanya namostu te
Salutations to Panchajanya the conch born of the ocean Held in the hand of Lord Vishnu and worshipped by all devaas

19. Why do we say shaanti thrice?
Shaanti, meaning "peace", is a natural state of being. Disturbances are created either by others or us. For example, peace already exists in a place until someone makes noise.
Therefore, peace underlies all our agitations. When agitations end, peace is naturally experienced since it was already there. Where there is peace, there is happiness. Therefore, every one without exception desires peace in his/her life.
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However, peace within or without seems very hard to attain because it is covered by our own agitations. A rare few manage to remain peaceful within even in the midst of external agitation and troubles. To invoke peace, we chant prayers. By chanting prayers, troubles end and peace is experienced internally, irrespective of the external disturbances. All such prayers end by chanting shaanti thrice.
It is believed that trivaram satyam - that which is said thrice comes true. For emphasizing a point we repeat a thing thrice. In the court of law also, one who takes the witness stands says, "I shall speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth".
We chant shaanti thrice to emphasise our intense desire for peace. All obstacles, problems and sorrows originate from three sources.
Aadhidaivika : The unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc.
Aadhibhautika: The known factors around us like accidents, human contacts, pollution, crime etc.
Aadhyaatmika : We sincerely pray to the Lord that at least while we undertake special tasks or even in our daily lives, there are no problems or that, problems are minimised from the three sources written about above.
May peace alone prevail. Hence shaanti is chanted thrice.
It is chanted aloud the first time, addressing the unseen forces. It is chanted softer the second time, directed to our immediate surroundings and those around, and softest the last time as it is addressed to oneself.

20. Why do we offer a coconut?
In India one of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, the use of a new vehicle, bridge, house etc. It is offered in the sacrificial fire whilst performing homa. The coconut is broken and placed before the Lord. It is later distributed as prasaada.
The fibre covering of the dried coconut is removed except for a tuft on the top. The marks on the coconut make it look like the head of a human being. The coconut is broken, symbolising the breaking of the ego. The juice within, representing the inner tendencies (vaasanas) is offered along with the white kernel - the mind, to the Lord.
A mind thus purified by the touch of the Lord is used as prasaada ( a holy gift). In the traditional abhishekha ritual done in all temples and many homes, several materials are poured over the deity like milk, curd, honey, tender coconut water, sandal paste, holy ash etc. Each material has a specific significance of bestowing certain benefits on worshippers. Tender coconut water is used in abhisheka rituals since it is believed to bestow spiritual growth on the seeker.
The coconut also symbolises selfless service. Every part of the tree -the trunk, leaves, fruit, coir etc. Is used in innumerable ways like thatches, mats, tasty dishes, oil, soap etc. It takes in even salty water from the earth and converts it into sweet nutritive water that is especially beneficial to sick people. It is used in the preparation of many ayurvedic medicines and in other alternative medicinal systems.
The marks on the coconut are even thought to represent the three-eyed Lord Shiva and therefore it is considered to be a means to fulfill our desires.
Hindu Rituals and Routines Why do we follow them?
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21. Why do we chant Om?
Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings. Most mantras and vedic prayers start with Om.
All auspicious actions begin with Om. It is even used as a greeting - Om, Hari Om etc. It is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon. Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.
Om is the universal name of the Lord. It is made up of the letters A (phonetically as in "around"), U (phonetically as in "put") and M (phonetically as in "mum"). The sound emerging from the vocal chords starts from the base of the throat as "A". With the coming together of the lips, "U" is formed and when the lips are closed, all sounds end in "M".
The three letters symbolize the three states (waking, dream and deep sleep), the three deities (Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), the three Vedas (Rig, Yajur and Sama) the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc. The Lord is all these and beyond.
The formless, attributeless Lord (Brahman) is represented by the silence between two Om Chants. Om is also called pranava that means, "that (symbol or sound) by which the Lord is praised". The entire essence of the Vedas is enshrined in the word Om. It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake. The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm).
Om is written in different ways in different places. The most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s. The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand. Thus Om symbolizes everything - the means and the goal of life, the world and the Truth behind it, the material and the Sacred, all form and the Formless.

22. Why do we do aarati?
Towards the end of every ritualistic worship (pooja or bhajan) of the Lord or to welcome an honored guest or saint, we perform the aarati. This is always accompanied by the ringing of the bell and sometimes by singing, playing of musical instruments and clapping.
It is one of the sixteen steps (shodasha upachaara) of the pooja ritual. It is referred to as the lighted lamp in the right hand, which we wave in a clockwise circling movement to light the entire form of the Lord.
Each part is revealed individually and also the entire form of the Lord. As the light is waved we either do mental or loud chanting of prayers or simply behold the beautiful form of the Lord, illumined by the lamp. At the end of the aarati we place our hands over the flame and then gently touch our eyes and the top of the head.
We have seen and participated in this ritual from our childhood. Let us find out why we do the aarati?
Having worshipped the Lord of love - performing abhisheka, decorating the image and offering fruits and delicacies, we see the beauty of the Lord in all His glory. Our minds are focused on each limb of the Lord as the lamp lights it up. It is akin to silent open-eyed meditation on His beauty. The singing, clapping, ringing of the bell etc. denote the joy and auspiciousness, which accompanies the vision of the Lord.
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Aarati is often performed with camphor. This holds a telling spiritual significance. Camphor when lit, burns itself out completely without leaving a trace of it. It represents our inherent tendencies (vaasanas). When lit by the fire of knowledge which illumines the Lord (Truth), our vaasanas thereafter burn themselves out completely, not leaving a trace of ego which creates in us a sense of individuality that keeps us separate from the Lord.
Also while camphor burns to reveal the glory of Lord, it emits a pleasant perfume even while it sacrifices itself. In our spiritual progress, even as we serve the guru and society, we should willingly sacrifice ourselves and all we have, to spread the "perfume" of love to all. We often wait a long while to see the illumined Lord but when the aarati is actually performed, our eyes close automatically as if to look within. This is to signify that each of us is a temple of the Lord.
Just as the priest reveals the form of the Lord clearly with the aarati flame, so too the guru reveals to us the divinity within each of us with the help of the "flame" of knowledge (or the light of spiritual knowledge). At the end of the aarati, we place our hands over the flame and then touch our eyes and the top of the head. It means - may the light that illuminated the Lord light up my vision; may my vision be divine and my thoughts noble and beautiful.
The philosophical meaning of aarati extends further. The sun, moon, stars, lightning and fire are the natural sources of light. The Lord is the source of this wonderous phenomenon of the universe. It is due to Him alone that all else exist and shine. As we light up the Lord with the flame of the aarati, we turn our attention to the very source of all light, which symbolizes knowledge and life.
Also the sun is the presiding deity of the intellect, the moon, that of the mind, and fire, that of speech. The Lord is the supreme consciousness that illuminates all of them. Without Him, the intellect cannot think, nor can the mind feel nor the tongue speaks. The Lord is beyond the mind, intellect and speech. How can this finite equipment illuminate the Lord? Therefore, as we perform the aarati we chant;
Na tatra suryo bhaati na chandra taarakam Nemaa vidyuto bhaanti kutoyamagnib Tameva bhaantam anubhaati sarvam Tasya bhasa sarvam idam vibhaati
He is there where the sun does not shine, Nor the moon, stars and lightning. then what to talk of this small flame (in my hand), Everything (in the universe) shines only after the Lord, And by His light alone are we all illumined.
Swami Chinmayananda

Free business plan workbook

2008-04-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

This workbook asks you many questions. The more you answer the more you understand of your new business.

If some questions do not fit to your kind of business - just delete them. If you miss important questions - then insert them. The workbook is that flexible. You are the one in charge.

This workbook is short and concrete and to benefit fully from the plan you should read the booklet: The Dynamic Business Plan.
Download it at www.dynamicbusinessplan.com

A business plan
A business plan is a description of the firm you are to establish and a plan for how to run and develop it. The plan will gather up the threads from all your other preparations and in this way guarantee that you get around all aspects at business start.

A business plan is also a basis for negotiations with the bank and possibly business connections to convince them to give credit or a loan. It can also help you to convince family/ friends/ parents that it is a serious plan to start your own business.

Follow the chronology of the workbook and you will bit by bit build your own business plan.

Good luck

Mr. Mogens Thomsen, Senior Business Consultant
Proprietor of www.dynamicbusinessplan.com

Front page
Make clear that this is a business plan. If convenient place business name, logo and names of authors here.

(Put in the name of your new business)

Contents
Make it easy to the reader to manage through the plan and look up the different items.

Content

· Background information
· Summary
· Business Concept
· Personal resources and goals
· The product or service
· The market
· Sale and marketing plan
· Management & organisation
· Development of the business
· Budgets
· Financial requirements
· Appendices

Background information

The reader is curious to know who you are. When he continues to read the plan he will bear in mind the impression he got from this first glance of you.

Name/s of owner/s
Address
Telephone
Email
Date of birth
Education
Recent job functions

Summary
The summary should briefly describe the business and highlight its purpose. It must contain the most important information from the business plan.

Place the summary in the beginning of the business plan, but make the summary as the last thing!

Main items:

- Who am I / Who are we?
- What does the firm produce?
- What customers and how many?
- Turnover the first year?
- Profit the first year?
- Needs for funding?

Business concept
A good idea is only a good business idea if you are able to make enough money from it. Sufficient money for you and your family to make a decent living.

Once you have got an idea, in most cases it needs adjusting and further development before it turns into a commercial concept. If the idea is not convertible into a commercial concept then is it not advisable to start a business based on the idea.

Below are topics to help you develop your idea.

The business concept / raison d’être:

Ultra short description of your business and its products (Elevator pitch):

Customers:

What is special about your business compared to your competitors:

Personal resources and goals

What resources can you offer the business? Who are you to enrich the business with dynamism and force?

Below are some useful points of consideration for your self-evaluation:

Your family network

Economy:

Know-how about the product/the services:

My weak points in relation to the business:

My working tasks in the business:

Future prospects for business size:

The product/services

The lifeblood of your business is your service or product. Therefore it is of great importance that you analyse the service/the product from different angles.

The business has the following products/lines/service:
1:
2:
3:

Differences in products/lines/services compared to your competitors:
1:
2:
3:

Purchase frequency/product life span:
1:
2:
3:

Calculation of product/service
Selling price ex. Sales tax
- My cost price:
- transport/custom etc.
= contribution margin:

Product price:
My price:
Market price

Name of contractors:

Kind of distribution of the product:

Name of the trade association:

Other businesses/tenders in this trade:

Number local/total:

Product flow forecast:
The market
When you have decided what product/service you want to sell then you have to localise potential customers. You must do this before making any marketing initiative.
Consider the description of the market as the part of an iceberg lying under water, while the marketing, i.e. brochures, visiting card, advertisements among others are the tiny part of the iceberg above water. In order to make good marketing, it is necessary to obtain a thorough knowledge about the market/customers.

The typical private customer:
Man/woman:
Age:
Education:
Occupation:
Lifestyle:

The typical business customer:
Line of business:
Size/staff:
Age:
Number:

Geographical limits:
In your own country
Foreign countries:

Realistic number of customers:
Arguments:

Average consumption in cash per customer:

Important competitors:
1:

2:

Important competitive parameters on the market:
1:

2:

3:

Assessment of the possibilities on the market for your business:

Threats that may destroy the possibilities:

Sale- and marketing plan

Hopefully you have been very concrete in your description of the market. It will make your work with sale and marketing much easier.
If you know exactly what customer you want to reach then it is easier to choose what means you need in making the marketing and sale activities.

Possible sale- and marketing activities from start:

What is to be done? How? Who? When? Price?

Direct mail:
Internet:
Customer visit:
Telephone sale:
Advertising:
Publications:
Signposting:
Presentation material:
Trade Fair:
Other sort of advertising:
Annual costs for marketing:
Opening market activity:
Price:

Public Relation (PR) at the opening:
“The story” to the journalist:

Relevant medias:

Contact persons:

Press release:

Management & organisation

Describe here how your business is going to work. Take into account what it costs to arrange, furnish and run the business.

Name of business/address/phone no/ fax/ e-mail/ web

Legal status of business:

Owners:

Bank:

Accountant:

Business policies:
Price policy:
Discount policy:
Method of payment:
Guarantee service:
Service:
Staff policy:

Procedure for accountancy - and administrative routines:
Daily accounting:
Sales tax settling:
Send out accounts:
Follow up on unpaid accounts:
Wage settling:
Quarterly accounts:
Order goods:
Write letters to customers/business connections:
Telephone reception:

Insurance subscriptions:
(Industrial injury, trade responsibility, product, moveable, transport of goods, fire, house contents, travels, frozen foods, computers etc)

Name of insurance company:
Prices:

Business partners /consultants

Research and Development

It is often difficult to think of strategic or long-term planning before you have started your business. But it is a strength as a business owner to be able to forecast the outlines of a bigger and prosper business than the one you start today.

Business appearance in one and in three years

The product or service in one and in three years

How is your product or service in one and in three years?

Customers in one and in three years

Financial forecast for year three and year four

Other goals with your business

Budgets
Budgets mean to know how much you need to sell in order to cover costs in other words to put figures on the plans you have made in the previous paragraphs. The more concrete your work has been the easier it is to budget.
The budgets can also help you to concretise your plans and ideas – so go back to your plans if the budget shows that they are unrealistic – or visa versa.
Draw up at least the first two budgets as a part of the business plan.

Establishment budget
The establishment budget will show how much money you need to start your business. It is quite individual what a business needs. A business that produces 10 m cement pipes needs a lot of money for machinery, raw materials and buildings. On the other hand a computer consultant losing software problems only needs the knowledge he/she already has.
Download an establishment budget in excel-spreadsheet from: www.dynamicbusinessplan.com

Operating budget
The operating budget shows the income and the costs you expect in the business, when it has started. The more realistic you make your plans the easier it is to draw up your operating budget.
During your work with the operating budget you often have to go back and change your plans. Your wishes and expectations are not always keeping with reality.
Download an establishment budget in excel-spreadsheet from: www.dynamicbusinessplan.com

Liquidity budget
The liquidity budget will monthly show whether you have money in the bank to pay the expenses you know you will get. In a business you call this the flow of payments.
It is easy to make the first two budgets if you have made a plan for your business. But it is much more difficult to make a liquidity budget as it demands an accountants to make out the many amounts in the budget.

Luckily this is the last budget you have to draw up. Spend your time on the first two budgets and see if you have time to make the liquidity budget.
Download an establishment budget in excel-spreadsheet from: www.dynamicbusinessplan.com
Establishing budget
Below you find some of the most usual expenses when starting a business. Delete the ones you do not encounter in your new company.

Remember: The less expenses the better. All expenses have to be paid from the profit in your new business.

Premises
Rent
Deposit for purchase of premises or business
Deposit (e.g. 3 months rent)
Goodwill - payment to the former owner for his work at the premises
Furnishing and renovation

Production equipment
Machinery
Tools
Other things

Shop fittings
Cash register
Counter
Other things

Office fittings
Furniture ( desk, swivel chair, shelves etc.)
Computer (printer, network)
Telephone
Fax machine
Copying machine
Other things:

Purchase before start
Raw materials/semi manufactured
Manufactured goods (stock)
Stationery
Other things:
Car
Deposit
Other acquisition costs

Counsellors
Lawyer
Accountant
Other

Marketing
Writing paper, business cards
Brochures
Advertisement
Signposting
Opening reception
Other things

Other expenses
Application for a patent/registration
Other things

Total costs is:

Operating budget
Below you find different types of expenses. Maybe your company does not have all the expenses. The just delete the expense. Maybe you have another expense. Then just put it in the budget. The budget must reflect your company.

Sale / Turnover
Sale of product / service no. 1
Sale of product / service no. 2
Sale of product /service no. … Estimate sale for each major product /service

Variable costs
Materials - raw materials and finished products which you use for production or sale
Salary - only for workers in production
Transport costs - and costs related to transport of the raw materials and finished products

Fixed costs
Wages - for staff in shops and offices
Rent - for buildings
Electricity, heat, water
Renovation and maintenance of buildings
Cleaning
Car service/mileage allowance
Travel costs
Stationary telephone
Postage and charges
Mobile phone
Internet-connection
Web site subscription/hosting and upgrading
Marketing/advertisement/advertising
Meeting expenses
Insurances
Computer equipment
Computer network
Leasing-expenses
Minor purchases
Maintenance
Accountant
Lawyer
Other consultancy
Unexpected costs 5% of costs

Interest
Interest on bank loan
Interest on overdraft facility
Other interest

Write-off /depreciation
Plant / buildings
Machinery
Other things

You will find a excel spreadsheets with a pre-defined Operating budget at www.DynamicBusinessPlan.com
Funding
Funding means: Where can I get/borrow the money I need for my business?
First you have to find out how much money you need.

Necessary initial capital:
(Look the establishment budget)

Necessary liquidity:
(Liquidity need is worked out from the liquidity budget)

Total funding needs:
(Establishment + liquidity)

Expectation/commitment to get a loan/grant from:
Owner:
Family:
Bank loan:
Overdraft facility:
Total funding:

Loan guarantee:
Name, address

Investment funding (buildings/machinery)
Savings/capital:
Bank loans:
Credit institution loans
Private loans
Other loans
Investors
Grant
Other
Total

Appendices
Enclose appendices important and relevant to the business. E.g. technical specifications or drafts, written order commitments, references, collaboration etc.

Writing Tips by Renu Balkrishnan

2008-04-04T02:34:00.000-07:00

There are certain things one must keep in mind in>order to write something that is interesting enough toread, says Balakrishnan.i. Avoid the conventional form of writing. Think outof the box and spice it up so that it is fun to read."All our lives, we have been taught to write in ato-the-point, linear style. This can be boring to readat times," she says. "We must describe events, and not just state them. Show, rather than tell." She goes onto explain that a good description or conversation is always more interesting to read. Describe vividly so that the reader can actually visualise the setting. ii. Avoid using adverbs (a combination of an adjective and a verb). Instead of writing 'he spoke sadly', use dialogue and description to bring out the sadness. For instance, she says, you could write it like this: 'He sighed and looked at her, a wretched look on his>face. His shoulders slumped as he spoke in a weak voice.' iv. Be honest. The most important quality one must have to be a good writer, says Balakrishnan, is honesty. "Write on something that has happened to you, something that you know and care about. Pretence is of no use, and can put the reader off," she says. v. Write on something you know about. vi. Write, write, write... you only get better with practice! Got an interview? Crack it! Read more, write better When Balakrishnan was teaching at Mumbai's Bombay International School, she remembers that her students' literary habits would rarely go beyond Harry Potter and Amar Chitra Katha. In order to expose students to stories set in modern, urban settings that they would identify with, she>started writing stories herself. Having attended a creative writing programme at the New School, New York, her tryst with creative writing continues today, with her imparting the knowledge she gained through that course to others. She refuses to be called someone who teaches creative writing, though. "Creativity is not taught," she says. "All of us have a creative streak." How to improve your communication skills Express yourself Whatever be one's profession, each and every moment a person goes through can be transformed into interesting reading material. Her workshops, she says, are for people from all spheres of life -- professional writers, journalists, doctors, engineers and students! A bibliophile who also reviews books for Elan Magazine, Balakrishnan commends some of the current crop of writers who have begun to write on issues of the society and youth in an engaging style. Giving the example of Chetan Bhagat's One Night @ The Call Center, where various issues about working in BPOs have been tackled through the eyes of six fictional characters, she says weaving a story around contemporary real-life settings makes for great reading. "Not only does it ensure that the reader enjoys the story, it also makes him think," she says. So take pen to paper and conjure up an entire new world -- a world of words. About the workshop The Creative Writing workshop, conducted by Renu Balakrishnan, will be held at Mumbai's Xavier's Institute of Communication. The workshop will comprise of eight sessions of two hours each. The sessions will be held on November 10, November 17,>November 23, December 1, December 8, December 20 and>January 5, 2006. Fees: Rs 3,000 How to register Register and pay at the Xavier Institute of>Communication Address Xavier Institute of Communication>St Xavier's College Mumbai 400 001 Phones: (022) 22621366/ 1639/ 2877 Renu Balakrishnan: (0) 9821734779/ (022) 22151344 e-mail: xic@vsnl.com Web site: www.xaviercomm.org

Better English

2008-04-04T02:32:00.000-07:00

Because English is so widely spoken, it has often been referred to as a "global language". While English is not an official language in many countries, it is currently the language most often taught as a second language around the world.
Many people across the globe are taught subjects in their vernacular language. This at times becomes a problem when people try to learn English or try to interact with people who mainly speak English. This not only impacts the time taken to learn English but also has an overall impact on pronunciations.
There are some of us who despite graduating from an English School are not up to mark with spoken and written English. Many reasons are attributed to this viz. not paying much attention to the English language, as the primary language used at home is not English and speaking with friends in one’s own mother tongue.
Following are the ways in which you can help yourself to learn and improve English
1. Read as much as possibleReading is the first step to help you on your journey towards improving and learning English. Read as much, whenever and wherever possible. Start with reading the section of the daily newspaper that you like the most. If you are interested in the sports section, then start with reading that. Slowly you will gain interests in reading other sections of the newspaper as well.
Subscribing to a magazine of your interest area will also help you. If you like reading about celebrities then subscribe to a magazine that provides such information. If you like reading about the latest trends in the IT industry then subscribe to a magazine that provides this information. Go ahead and subscribe to the article of your interest area.
Make a point to read at least one book in a month. You could read any book; novels, self help material, business books, subject books, etc.
Reading billboards also helps, as guys from the creative field create some of the best marketing messages and copies that I have ever read. This will help you in improving your vocabulary.
While reading you will encounter some words which you do not understand at all, in such cases you should underline such words and find its meaning using a dictionary and add it in your vocabulary log (more about this ahead in this article).
Looking up the meaning of a word on the Internet is very easy. Visit www.google.com and type in define:word. For example you need to find the meaning of “intuition”, then visit www.google.com and type define:intuition (without any space in between).
2. Watch English Movies, TV Programs and Listen to MusicThe next logical step is to watch as many English Movies and TV Programming as possible. Watching movies and TV programs has an ever lasting impact on you, but beware of movies and TV Soap, Comedy or Drama that uses a lot of slang language. This will destroy your learning process.
I would recommend watching channels like Discovery, National Geographic, History and BBC.
Get MP3s or CDs/Cassettes of some old slow English songs. Keep listening to them till the time you can understand each word sung. This will get you used to various words and will improve your overall understanding of the language.
Again during this exercise note the words that you don’t understand in a vocabulary log (more about this ahead).
3. Get your pronunciations rightWe all have pronunciations for every English word that we use, unfortunately some of it is correct and some incorrect. In the previous point where I asked you to listen and watch as many movies/TV programs/Songs, etc as possible, you should also focus on listening to the pronunciations. If there is a word which you pronounce differently, then try to rehearse that word over and over again till such time where you feel comfortable with the pronunciation and try pronouncing it the same way while speaking.
4. Group LearningHaving a group of 3 – 4 committed friends can help a lot. If you don’t have one, then identify people who are really interested in learning. Form a group and motivate yourself to learn and improve collectively. The more you share, the more you learn. Always understand that having 3 – 4 friends in a group helps because each person in the group is trying his/her best to learn and when each of you in the group shares, you get to learn 3 – 4 new rules, pronunciations and vocabulary.
I would recommend that you forward this article to as many friends as possible and derive a group of 3 – 4 friends who are really serious about learning and helping you learn. Don’t expect to get any luck in the first try. You need to speak with as many friends as possible to get a solid 3 – 4 friend group.
. Speak EnglishReading, listening and improving vocabulary is all good, but not till the time you don’t make use of your learning by speaking and writing (More about writing ahead in the article).
Speak with your friends and family members in English. Initially when your friends and family listen you talk in English, they might give you a negative vibe and reaction as they are not used to hearing you talk in English. Some of your friends might mock at you and laugh at you. Don’t let this bother you. After all it’s your life and you have a mission to improve at English as a language. Take each step as a learning step, you might climb at times and at times fall, but you should only concentrate on improving/learning English. Set it as a goal in life. Read the article on Achieving goals in 5 disciplined steps
6. Increase and improve your VocabularyAs you read newspapers, magazines, online articles or watch movies, TV programs, news or listen to songs you might find words which you don’t fully understand. In such cases note those words in a Vocabulary log (more about vocabulary log later). Once you have noted the words, locate its meaning using an online or offline dictionary and update your vocabulary log.
Trying to use one word to express you is better than creating a sentence with many words. E.g “I am not feeling well” can be said as “I am unwell”. Do you get the point?
You can also improve your vocabulary by trying to solve Cross Word puzzles and by playing various word games available online. This link could help you http://games.yahoo.com/word-games
Note on Vocabulary logThis will be your best friend when it comes to improving your vocabulary. Start with taking a long register and divide that into two parts. The last part of the register should have around 20 – 25 pages and the first half with the balance pages.
On the last 20 – 25 pages, create 4 – 5 columns on all the 20 – 25 pages. Write any word that you don’t understand in the column while reading / listening. You should focus on adding 2 – 3 words every day in those columns.
Once you have written those words, then lookup their meaning using an online/offline dictionary and write the meaning of those words in the first half section of the book and write sentences using those words. You should have atleast 2- 3 sentences written to help you understand different ways to use the word.
7. Seek a mentor to help youSeek a mentor who speaks fluent and impeccable English. This will help you progress much faster than expected. Don’t feel bad if your mentor taunts you or pin points your mistake many times, he/she is just doing his/her job. Just follow your mentor.
You could ask your friend, boss, spouse or neighbor to be your mentor. Let him/her know your goal and intentions and request him/her to guide you through the process of learning. Always speak with him/her in English and ask to be corrected wherever you go wrong.
8. Write short stories and essaysOnce you get a little comfortable with English as a language then start writing short stories and articles on things which interest you the most. You can create an online blog at blogspot.com and create articles about anything. You could be an expert in some area and could write articles on providing solutions to common problems for which people hunt for solutions.
While writing keep in mind to use vocabulary that you have learnt so far and don’t feel shy of what people might think about your article or essays. Just write!
9. Join an English CourseIf you are at the beginner level it is good to enroll yourself for an English course. You need to research on various institutes which offer such a course. It is always best to meet the faculty/teacher before enrolling as this helps you understanding his/her teaching style and process followed.
How to motivate yourself to learn If you are not motivated to learn then you might get frustrated and possibly give up. Ask yourself the following questions and be honest with yourself.
(a)Why do I need to improve English? (b)Where would I need to use English? (c) What skills do you need to improve English (Speaking/Writing/Listening/Reading)? (d) How soon do you need to see results? (e) How much time/money can I devote to improving English?

DirectX explained

2008-03-30T23:55:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered just what that enigmatic name means?

Gaming and multimedia applications are some of the most satisfying programs you can get for your PC, but getting them to run properly isn抰 always as easy as it could be. First, the PC architecture was never designed as a gaming platform. Second, the wide-ranging nature of the PC means that one person抯 machine can be different from another. While games consoles all contain the same hardware, PCs don抰: the massive range of difference can make gaming a headache.

To alleviate as much of the pain as possible, Microsoft needed to introduce a common standard which all games and multimedia applications could follow ?a common interface between the OS and whatever hardware is installed in the PC, if you like. This common interface is DirectX, something which can be the source of much confusion.

DirectX is an interface designed to make certain programming tasks much easier, for both the game developer and the rest of us who just want to sit down and play the latest blockbuster. Before we can explain what DirectX is and how it works though, we need a little history lesson.

DirectX history
Any game needs to perform certain tasks again and again. It needs to watch for your input from mouse, joystick or keyboard, and it needs to be able to display screen images and play sounds or music. That抯 pretty much any game at the most simplistic level.

Imagine how incredibly complex this was for programmers developing on the early pre-Windows PC architecture, then. Each programmer needed to develop their own way of reading the keyboard or detecting whether a joystick was even attached, let alone being used to play the game. Specific routines were needed even to display the simplest of images on the screen or play a simple sound.

Essentially, the game programmers were talking directly to your PC抯 hardware at a fundamental level. When Microsoft introduced Windows, it was imperative for the stability and success of the PC platform that things were made easier for both the developer and the player. After all, who would bother writing games for a machine when they had to reinvent the wheel every time they began work on a new game? Microsoft抯 idea was simple: stop programmers talking directly to the hardware, and build a common toolkit which they could use instead. DirectX was born.

How it works
At the most basic level, DirectX is an interface between the hardware in your PC and Windows itself, part of the Windows API or Application Programming Interface. Let抯 look at a practical example. When a game developer wants to play a sound file, it抯 simply a case of using the correct library function. When the game runs, this calls the DirectX API, which in turn plays the sound file. The developer doesn抰 need to know what type of sound card he抯 dealing with, what it抯 capable of, or how to talk to it. Microsoft has provided DirectX, and the sound card manufacturer has provided a DirectX-capable driver. He asks for the sound to be played, and it is ?whichever machine it runs on.

From our point of view as gamers, DirectX also makes things incredibly easy ?at least in theory. You install a new sound card in place of your old one, and it comes with a DirectX driver. Next time you play your favourite game you can still hear sounds and music, and you haven抰 had to make any complex configuration changes.

Originally, DirectX began life as a simple toolkit: early hardware was limited and only the most basic graphical functions were required. As hardware and software has evolved in complexity, so has DirectX. It抯 now much more than a graphical toolkit, and the term has come to encompass a massive selection of routines which deal with all sorts of hardware communication. For example, the DirectInput routines can deal with all sorts of input devices, from simple two-button mice to complex flight joysticks. Other parts include DirectSound for audio devices and DirectPlay provides a toolkit for online or multiplayer gaming.

DirectX versions
The current version of DirectX at time of writing is DirectX 9.0. This runs on all versions of Windows from Windows 98 up to and including Windows Server 2003 along with every revision in between. It doesn抰 run on Windows 95 though: if you have a machine with Windows 95 installed, you抮e stuck with the older and less capable 8.0a. Windows NT 4 also requires a specific version ?in this case, it抯 DirectX 3.0a.

With so many versions of DirectX available over the years, it becomes difficult to keep track of which version you need. In all but the most rare cases, all versions of DirectX are backwardly compatible ?games which say they require DirectX 7 will happily run with more recent versions, but not with older copies. Many current titles explicitly state that they require DirectX 9, and won抰 run without the latest version installed. This is because they make use of new features introduced with this version, although it has been known for lazy developers to specify the very latest version as a requirement when the game in question doesn抰 use any of the new enhancements. Generally speaking though, if a title is version locked like this, you will need to upgrade before you can play. Improvements to the core DirectX code mean you may even see improvements in many titles when you upgrade to the latest build of DirectX. Downloading and installing DirectX need not be complex, either.

Upgrading DirectX
All available versions of Windows come with DirectX in one form or another as a core system component which cannot be removed, so you should always have at least a basic implementation of the system installed on your PC. However, many new games require the very latest version before they work properly, or even at all.

Generally, the best place to install the latest version of DirectX from is the dedicated section of the Microsoft Web site, which is found at www.microsoft.com/windows/directx. As we went to press, the most recent build available for general download was DirectX 9.0b. You can download either a simple installer which will in turn download the components your system requires as it installs, or download the complete distribution package in one go for later offline installation.

Another good source for DirectX is games themselves. If a game requires a specific version, it抣l be on the installation CD and may even be installed automatically by the game抯 installer itself. You won抰 find it on magazine cover discs though, thanks to Microsoft抯 licensing terms.

Diagnosing problems

Diagnosing problems with a DirectX installation can be problematic, especially if you don抰 know which one of the many components is causing your newly purchased game to fall over. Thankfully, Microsoft provides a useful utility called the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, although this isn抰 made obvious. You won抰 find this tool in the Start Menu with any version of Windows, and each tends to install it in a different place.

The easiest way to use it is to open the Start Menu抯 Run dialog, type in dxdiag and then click OK. When the application first loads, it takes a few seconds to interrogate your DirectX installation and find any problems. First, the DirectX Files tab displays version information on each one of the files your installation uses. The Notes section at the bottom is worth checking, as missing or corrupted files will be flagged here.

The tabs marked Display, Sound, Music, Input and Network all relate to specific areas of DirectX, and all but the Input tab provide tools to test the correct functioning on your hardware. Finally, the More Help tab provides a useful way to start the DirectX Troubleshooter, Microsoft抯 simple linear problem solving tool for many common DirectX issues

TCP\IP

2008-03-30T23:54:00.000-07:00

A Mammoth Description By Ankit Fadia ankit@bol.net.in

TCP\IP or Transmission Control Protocol \ Internet Protocol is a stack or collection of various protocols. A
protocol is basically the commands or instructions using which two computers within a local network or the
Internet can exchange data or information and resources.

Transmission Control Protocol \ Internet Protocol or the TCP\IP was developed around the time of the
ARPAnet. It is also known as the Protocol Suite. It consists of various protocols but as the TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol) and the IP (Internet Protocol) are the most, well known of the suite of
protocols, the entire family or suite is called the TCP\IP suite.

The TCP\ IP Suite is a stacked suite with various layers stacked on each other, each layer looking after one
aspect of the data transfer. Data is transferred from one layer to the other. The Entire TCP\ IP suite can be
broken down into the below layers-:

Layer Name Protocol

Link Layer (Hardware, Ethernet) ARP, RARP, PPP, Ether
Network Layer(The Invisible Layer) IP, ICMP
Transport Layer UDP, TCP
Application Layer(The Visible Layer) The Actual running Applications like-: FTP client, Browser
Physical Layer (Not part of TCP \IP) Physical Data Cables, Telephone wires

Data travels from the Link Layer down to the Physical Layer at the source and at the destination it travels
from the Physical Layer to the Link Layer. We will later discuss what each layer and each protocol does.

The TCP\IP suite not only helps to transfer data but also has to correct various problems that might occur
during the data transfer. There are basically two types of most common errors that might occur during the
process of data transfer. They are-:

Data Corruption -: In this kind of error, the data reaches the destination after getting corrupted.
Data Loss -: In this kind of error, the entire collection of packets which constitute the data to be transferred
does not reach the destination.

TCP\IP expects such errors to take place and has certain features which prevent, such error which might
occur.

Checksums-: A checksum is a value (Normally, a 16 Bit Value) that is formed by summing up the Binary
Data in the used program for a given data block. The program being used is responsible for the calculation
of the Checksum value. The data being sent by the program sends this calculated checksum value, along
with the data packets to the destination. When the program running at the destination receives the data
packets, it re-calculates the Checksum value. If the Checksum value calculated by the Destination program
matches with the Checksum Value attached to the Data Packets by the Source Program match, then the data
transfer is said to be valid and error free. Checksum is calculated by adding up all the octets in a datagram.

Packet Sequencing-: All data being transferred on the net is broken down into packets at the source and
joined together at the destination. The data is broken down into packets in a particular sequence at the
source. This means that, for example, the first byte has the first sequence number and the second byte the
second sequence number and so on. These packets are free to travel independently on the net, so
sometimes, when the data packets reach the destination they arrive, out of sequence, which means that the
packet which had the first sequence number attached to it does not reach the destination first. Sequencing
defines the order in which the hosts receive the data packets or messages. The application or the layer
running at the destination automatically builds up the data from the sequence number in each packet.
The source system breaks the data to be transferred into smaller packets and assigns each packet a unique
sequence number. When the destination gets the packets, it's starts rearranging the packets by reading the
sequence numbers of each packet to make the data received usable.

For example, say you want to transfer a 18000 octet file. Not all networks can handle the entire 18000
octet packets at a time. So the huge file is broken down into smaller say 300 octet packets. Each packet has
been assigned a unique sequence number. Now when the packets reach the destination the packets are put
back together to get the usable data. Now during the transportation process, as the packets can move
independently on the net, it is possible that the packet 5 will arrive at the destination before packet 4
arrives. In such a situation, the sequence numbers are used by the destination to rearrange the data packets
in such a way that even if Data packet 5 arrived earlier, Packet 4 will always precede Packet 5.

A data can easily be corrupted while it is being transferred from the source to the destination. Now if a
error control service is running then if it detects data corruption, then it asks the source to re-send the
packets of data. Thus only non corrupted data reaches the destination. An error control service detects and
controls the same two types of errors-:

1.) Data Loss
2.) Data Corruption

The Checksum values are used to detect if the data has been modified or corrupted during the transfer from
source to destination or any corruption in the communication channel which may have caused data loss.
Data Corruption is detected by the Checksum Values and by performing Cyclic Redundancy Checks
(CRC 's). CRC 's too like the Checksums are integer values but require intensely advanced calculation and
hence are rarely used.

There is yet another way of detecting data corruption-: Handshaking.

This feature ensures demands that both the source and destination must transmit and receive
acknowledgement messages, that confirm transfer of uncorrupted data. Such acknowledgement messages
are known as ACK messages.

Let's take an example of a typical scenario of data transfer between two systems.
Source Sends MSG1 to Destination. It will not send MSG2 to Destination unless and until it gets the MSG
ACK and destination will not send more requests for data or the next request message (MSG2) unless it
gets the ACK from Source confirming that the MSG1 ACK was received by it. If the source does not get a
ACK message from the destination, then something which is called a timed-out occurs and the source will
re send the data to destination.

So this means that if A sends a data packet to B and B checksums the data packet and finds the data
corrupted, then it can simply delete for a time out to take place. Once the time out takes place, A will re
send the data packet to B. But this kind of system of deleting corrupt data is not used as it is inefficient and
time consuming.

Instead of deleting the corrupt data and waiting for a time out to take place, the destination (B) sends a not
acknowledged or NACK message to source(A). When A gets the NACK message, instead of waiting for a
time out to take place, it straightaway resends the data packet.

An ACK message of 1000 would mean that all data up to 1000 octets has been received till now.

TCP/ IP is a layered suite of protocols. All layers are equally important and with the absence of even a
single layer, data transfer would not have been possible. Each TCP/ IP layer contributes to the entire
process of data transfer. An excellent example, is when you send an email. For sending mail there is a
separate protocol, the SMTP protocol which belongs to the Application layer. The SMTP Application
protocol like all other application layer protocols assumes that there is a reliable connection existing
between the two computers. For the SMTP application protocol to do what it is designed for, i.e. to send
mail, it requires the existence of all other Layers as well. The Physical Layer i.e. cables and wires is
required to transport the data physically. The Transmission Control Protocol or the TCP protocol which
belongs to the Transport Layer is needed to keep track of the number of packets sent and for error
correction. It is this protocol that makes sure that the data reaches the other end. The TCP protocol is called
by the Application Protocol to ensure error free communication between the source and destination. For the
TCP layer to do its work properly i.e. to ensure that the data packets reach the destination, it requires the
existence of the Internet Protocol or IP. The IP protocol contains the Checksum and Source and
Destination IP address.

You may wonder why do we need different protocols like TCP and IP and why not bundle them into the
same Application protocol.? The TCP protocol contains commands or functions which are needed by
various application protocols like FTP, SMTP and also HTTP. The TCP protocol also calls on the IP
protocol, which in turn contains commands or functions which some application protocols require while
others don?t. So rather than bundling the entire TCP and IP protocol set into specific application protocols,
it is better to have different protocols which are called whenever required.

The Link Layer which is the Hardware or Ethernet layer is also needed for transportation of the data
packets. The PPP or the Point to Point Protocol belongs to this layer. Before we go on let's get accustomed
with certain TCP\IP terms. Most people get confused between datagrams and packets and think that they
are one and the same thing . You see, a datagram is a unit of data which is used by various protocols and a
packet is a physical object or thing which moves on a physical medium like a wire. There is a remarkable
difference between a Packet and a Datagram, but it is beyond the scope of this book. To make things easier
I will use only the term datagram (Actually this is the official term.)while discussing various protocols.

Two different main protocols are involved in transporting packets from source to destination.

1.) The Transmission Control Protocol or the TCP Protocol
2.) The Internet Protocol or the IP protocol.

Besides these two main protocols, the Physical Layer and the Ethernet Layer are also indispensable to data
transfer.

THE TRANSPORT LAYER

The TCP protocol

The Transmission Control Protocol is responsible for breaking up the data into smaller datagrams and
putting the datagrams back to form usable data at the destination. It also resends the lost datagrams to
destination where the received datagrams are reassembled in the right order. The TCP protocol does the
bulk of work but without the IP protocol, it cannot transfer data.

Let's take an example to make things more clearer. Let's say your Internet Protocol Address or IP address is
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx or simply x and the destination's IP is yyy.yyy.yyy.yyy or simply y. Now As soon as the
three-way connection is established between x and y, x knows the destination IP address and also the Port
to which it is connected to. Both x and y are in different networks which can handle different sized packets.
So in order to send datagrams which are in receivable size, x must know what is the maximum datagram
size which y can handle. This too is determined by both x and y during connection time.

So once x knows the maximum size of the datagram which y can handle, it breaks down the data into
smaller chunks or datagrams. Each datagram has it's own TCP header which too is put by TCP.
A TCP Header contains a lot of information, but the most important of it is the Source and Destination IP
and Port numbers and yes also the sequence number.

**************
HACKING TRUTH: Learn more about Ports, IP's, Sockets in the Net Tools Manual
**************
The source which is your computer(x) now knows what the IP Addresses and Port Numbers of the
Destination and Source computers are. It now calculates the Checksum value by adding up all the octets of
the datagram and puts the final checksum value to the TCP Header. The different octets and not the
datagrams are then numbered. An octet would be a smaller broken down form of the entire data. TCP then
puts all this information into the TCP header of each datagram. A TCP Header of a datagram would finally
look like -:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Source Port | Destination Port |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Sequence Number |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Acknowledgment Number |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Data | |U|A|P|R|S|F| |
| Offset| Reserved |R|C|S|S|Y|I| Window |
| | |G|K|H|T|N|N| |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Checksum | Urgent Pointer |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| The Actual Data form the next 500 octets |
| |

There are certain new fields in the TCP header which you may not know off. Let's see what these new
fields signify. The Windows field specifies the octets of new data which is ready to be processed. You see
not all computers connected to the Internet run at the same speed and to ensure that a faster system does not
send datagrams to a slow system at a rate which is faster than it can handle, we use the Window field. As
the computer receives data , the space in the Window field gets decreased indicating that the receiver has
received the data. When it reaches zero the sender stops sending further packets. Once the receiver finishes
processing the received data, it increases the Window field, which in turn indicates that the receiver has
processed the earlier sent data and is ready to receive more chunks of data.

The Urgent Field tells the remote computer to stop processing the last octet and instead receive the new
octet. This is normally not commonly used.

The TCP protocol is a reliable protocol, which means that we have a guarantee that the data will arrive at
the destination properly and without any errors. It ensures that the data being received by the receiving end
is arranged in the same correct order in which it was sent.

The TCP Protocol relies on a virtual circuit between the client and the host. The circuit is opened via a 3
part process known as the three part handshake. It supports full duplex transportation of data which means
that it provides a path for two way data transfer. Hence using the TCP protocol, a computer can send and
receive datagrams at the same time.

Some common flags of TCP are-:

RST [RESET]- Resets the connection.
PSH [PUSH] - Tells receiver to pass all queued data to the application running.
FIN [FINISH] - Closes connection following the 4 step process.
SYN Flag - means that the machine sending this flag wants to establish a three way handshake i.e.
a TCP connection. The receiver of a SYN flag usually responds with an ACK message.

So now we are in a position to represent a three way TCP Handshake:

A <---SYN---> B
A <---SYN/ACK? B
A <---ACK---> B

A sends a SYN flag to B saying " I want to establish a TCP connection", B responds to the SYN with the
ACK to the SYN flag. A again responds to the ACK sent by B with another ACK.

Read RFC 793 for further in depth details about the TCP protocol.

The User Datagram Protocol or the UDP Protocol

The User Data protocol or the UDP is yet another protocol which is a member of the Transport Layer. TCP
is the standard protocol used by all systems for communications. TCP is used to break down the data to be
transported into smaller datagrams, before they (the datagrams) are sent across a network. Thus we can say
that TCP is used where more than a single or multiple datagrams are involved.

Sometimes, the data to be transported is able to fit into a single datagram. We do not need to break the data
into smaller datagrams as the size of the data is pretty small. The perfect example of such data is the DNS
system. To send out the query for a particular domain name, a single datagram is more than enough. Also
the IP that is returned by the Domain Name Server does not require more than one datagram for
transportation. So in such cases instead of making use of the complex TCP protocol, applications fall back
to the UDP protocol.

The UDP protocol works almost the way TCP works. But the only differences being that TCP breaks the
data to be transferred into smaller chunks, does sequencing by inserting a sequence number in the header
and no error control. Thus we can conclude by saying that the UDP protocol is an unreliable protocol with
no way to confirm that the data has reached the destination.

The UDP protocol does insert a USP header to the single datagram it is transporting. The UDP header
contains the Source and Destination IP Addresses and Port Numbers and also the Checksum value. The
UDP header is comparatively smaller than the TCP Header.

It is used by those applications where small chunks of data are involved. It offers services to the User's
Network Applications like NFS(Network File Sharing) and SNMP.

Read RFC 768 for further in depth details about the UDP protocol.

THE NETWORK LAYER

The IP Protocol

Both the TCP and the UDP protocols, after inserting the headers to the datagram(s) given to them pass
them to the Internet Protocol or the IP Protocol. The main job of the IP protocol is to find a way of
transporting the datagrams to the destination receiver. It does not do any kind of error checking.

The IP protocol too adds it's own IP Header to each datagram. The IP header contains the source and
destination IP addresses, the protocol number and yet another checksum. The IP header of a particular
datagram looks like-:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|Version| IHL |Type of Service| Total Length |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Identification |Flags| Fragment Offset |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Time to Live | Protocol | Header Checksum |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Source Address |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Destination Address |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| TCP header info followed by the actual data being transferred|
| |

The Source and destination IP addresses and needed so that?well it is obvious isn't it? The Protocol
number is added so that the IP protocol knows to which Transport Protocol the datagram has to be passed.
You see various Transport Protocols are used like for example TCP or UDP. So this protocol number is
inserted to tell IP the protocol to which the datagram has to be passed.

It too inserts it's own Checksum value which is different from the Checksum Value inserted by the
Transport Protocols. This Checksum has to be inserted as without it the Internet Protocol will not be able to
verify if the Header has been damaged in the transfer process and hence the datagram might reach a wrong
destination. The Time to Live field specifies a value which is decreased each time the datagram passes
through a network. Remember Tracert?

The Internet Protocol Header contains other fields as well, but they are quite advanced and cannot be
included in a manual which gives an introduction to the TCP\IP protocol. To learn more about the IP
protocol read RFC 791.

The Internet Control Message Protocol or the ICMP

The ICMP protocol allows hosts to transfer information on errors that might have occurred during the data
transfer between two hosts. It is basically used to display error messages about errors that might occur
during the data transfer. The ICMP is a very simple protocol without any headers. It is most commonly
used to diagnose Network Problems. The famous utility PING is a part of the ICMP protocol. ICMP
requests do not require the user or application to mention any port number as all ICMP requests are
answered by the Network Software itself. The ICMP protocol too handles only a single datagram. That's
why we say in PING only a single datagram is sent to the remote computer. This protocol can remote many
network problems like Host Down, Congested Network etc

Read RFC 792 for further in depth details about the ICMP protocol.

The Link Layer

Almost all networks use Ethernet. Each machine in a network has it's own IP address and it's Ether
Address. The Ether Address of a computer is different than it's IP address. An Ether Address is a 42 bit
address while the IP address is only a 32 bit address. A Network must know which computer to deliver the
datagram to. Right? For this the Ether Header is used.

The Ether Header is a 14 octet header that contains the Source and Destination Ethernet address, and a type
code. Ether too calculates it's own Checksum value. The Type code relates to the protocol families to be
used within the Network. The Ether Layer passes the datagram to the protocol specified by this field after
inserting the Ether Header. There is simply no connection between the Ethernet Address and the IP address
of a machine. Each machine needs to have a Ethernet to IP address translation table on its hard disk.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Ethernet destination address (first 32 bits) |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Ethernet dest (last 16 bits) |Ethernet source (first 16 bits) |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Ethernet source address (last 32 bits) |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Type code |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| IP header, then TCP header, then your data |
| |
| |
| |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Ethernet Checksum |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Address Resolution Protocol or ARP

Data before being transmitted across the Internet or across a local network is broken down into smaller
Packets which are suitable for transfer over the net. These packets have the Source and Destination IP's but
for the transfer to take place the suitable Hardware Addresses or the MAC addresses must also be known.
That is where ARP comes in.

To get the Hardware MAC addresses, ARP or Address Resolution Protocol sends a request message. The
Router replies with the Hardware Address. It is similar to the DNS and it too has a cache. This cache can be
a bit vulnerable as a Hacker could forge a connection from a remote machine claiming to be one of the
cached locations. So we can conclude that ARP translates IP's into Ethernet Addresses. One thing to
remember about ARP is that it only translates outgoing packets.

There is also something called the RARP which is an abbreviation for Reverse Address Resolution
Protocol, which like the name says does exactly reverse of what ARP does.

There is simply no algorithm to get the Ethernet Address from the IP Address. To carry out such
translations, each computer has a file which has a table with rows for each computer and two columns for
their corresponding IP address and Ethernet Address. The File is somewhat like the following-:

Internet Protocol Address Ethernet Address
Computer Name xxx.xy.yy.yx 08-00-39-00-2F-C3

Say there are a system in a Network (A) and an unidentified system (B) contacts it. Now A only knows the
IP address of B. Now A will first try to identify whether B is the same network so that it can directly
communicate via Ethernet. So it will first check the IP to MAC address translation table which it has. If it
finds the IP in the table then well and good and A will establish a connection with B via Ethernet.

On the Other hand if A does not find any match for the specific IP, it will send out a request in the form of
a 'Broadcast'. All computers within the Network will receive this broadcast and will search their own IP to
MAC translation table and will reply with the necessary MAC address. A basic difference between an Ip
address and MAC address is that an IP is the form xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx and a MAC address is in the form
xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx and one is 32 bit while the other is 40 bit.

Read RFC 826 for further in depth details about the ARP protocol.

Application Layer

Till now you have learnt how data is broken down into smaller chunks, and transferred to the destination,
where the chunks are rearranged. But there is yet another aspect to a successful data transfer process, which
we have not discussed yet: The Application Protocols and the Application Layer itself. A host which
receives datagrams has many applications or services (daemons) running which are ready to establish a
TCP connection and accept a message. Datagrams travelling on the Internet must know which application
they have to establish connection with, which application they have to send the message to. A typical web
server will have the FTP daemon, the HTTP daemon, the POP daemon, and the SMTP daemon running.
Wouldn't the datagrams get confused as to which daemon to send the message to.

For the datagrams to know which computer to send the message to, we have IP addresses. The datagram
knows what daemon or application to send the message to by the Port Number attached to the IP address of
the Destination. A TCP address is actually fully described by 4 numbers; The IP address of the Source and
Destination and the TCP Port Numbers of each end to which data is to be sent. These numbers are found in
the TCP Header.

To make it simpler to understand I have included an excerpt from the Net Tools Chapter:

What is all the hype about socket programming? What exactly are sockets?

TCP\IP or Transmission Control Protocol\ Internet Protocol is the language or the protocol used by
computers to communicate with each other over the Internet. Say a computer whose IP address is
99.99.99.99 wants to communicate with another machine whose IP address is 98.98.98.98 then would will
happen?

The machine whose IP is 99.99.99.99 sends a packet addressed to another machine whose IP is
98.98.98.98. When 98.98.98.98 receives the packet then it verifies that it got the message by sending a
signal back to 99.99.99.99.But say the person who is using 99.99.99.99 wants to have simultaneously more
than one connections to 98.98.98.98.....then what will happen? Say 99.99.99.99 wants to connect to
the FTP daemon and download a file by FTP and at the same time it wants to connect to 98.98.98.98's
website i.e. The HTTP daemon. Then 98.98.98.98. will have 2 connects with 99.99.99.99 simultaneously.
Now how can 98.98.98.98.distinguish between the two connections...how does 98.98.98.98. know which
is for the FTP daemon and which for the HTTP daemon? If there was no way to distinguish between the
two connections then they would both get mixed up and there would be a lot of chaos with the message
meant for the HTTP daemon going to the FTP daemon. To avoid such confusion we have ports. At each
port a particular service or daemon is running by default. So now that the 99.99.99.99 computers knows
which port to connect to, to download a FTP file and which port to connect to, to download the web page,
it will communicate with the 98.98.98.98 machine using what is known as the socket pair which is a
combination of an IP address and a Port. So in the above case the message which is meant for the FTP
daemon will be addressed to 98.98.98.98 : 21 (Notice the colon and the default FTP port suceeding it.).
So that the receiving machine i.e. 98.98.98.98 will know for which service this message is meant for and to
which port it should be directed to.

In TCP\IP or over the Internet all communication is done using the Socket pair i.e. the combination of the
IP address and the port.

*****************
HACKING TRUTH: Learn More about Ports, IP addresses and Sockets by reading the Net Tools Chapter.
*****************
The Application Layers basically consists of the Applications running on your computer and the
Applications running on the host to which you are connected. Say you are viewing the Hotmail Site, then
the application layer comprises of the Web Browser running on your computer and the HTTP daemon
running at Hotmail's server and the Application Protocol being used to communicate is HyperText Transfer
Protocol.

As soon as a TCP connection is established the Applications running on Each end decide the language or
protocol to be used to communicate and send datagrams.

IP Spoofing Torn Apart

IP spoofing is the most exciting topic you will hear wannabe hackers talking about. It is also a subject
about which no one knows much. Before we continue I would like to tell you that IP Spoofing is quite
difficult to understand and a lot of people have trouble understanding how it is done. The other downside it
has is the fact that it can almost not be done using a Windows system and a system administrator can easily
protect his system from IP spoofing

So what is IP Spoofing? IP Spoofing is a trick played on servers to fool the target computer into thinking
that it is receiving data from a source other than you. This in turn basically means to send data to a remote
host so that it believes that the data is coming from a computer whose IP address is something other than
yours. Let's take an example to make it clear:

Your IP is : 203.45.98.01 (REAL)
IP of Victim computer is: 202.14.12.1 (VICTIM)
IP you want data to be sent from: 173.23.45.89 (FAKE)

Normally sitting on the computer whose IP is REAL, the datagrams you send to VICTIM will appear to
have come from REAL. Now consider a situation in which you want to send a datagram to VICTIM and
make him believe that it came from a computer whose IP is FAKE. This is when you perform IP Spoofing.

The Main problem with IP Spoofing is that even if you are able to send a spoofed datagram to the remote
host, the remote host will reply not to your real IP but to the Fake IP you made your datagram seem to have
come from. Getting confused? Read the following example to clear up your mind.

Taking the same IP's as in the last example, consider the following scenario. Now, if REAL connects to
VICTIM, after the standard three way handshake has taken place, and VICTIM sends an ACK message to
REAL. Now if you spoof you IP, to say FAKE, then VICTIM will try to establish a TCP connection and
will send an ACK message to FAKE. Now lets assume that FAKE is alive, then as it had not requested the
ACK message (sent by VICTIM to FAKE) it will reply with a NACK message which would basically end
the connection and no further communication between FAKE and VICTIM would take place. Now if
FAKE doesn't exist then the ACK message sent by VICTIM will not get any reply and in the end the
connection times out.

Due to this FAKE and REAL IP reasons, when a person is trying to perform an IP Spoof, he does not get
any response from the remote host and has no clue whether he has been successful or not. If he has made
any progress or not. You are as good as blind, with no medium through which you could get feedback.

IP Spoofing can be successful only if the computer with the FAKE IP does not reply to the victim and not
interrupt the spoofed connection. Take the example of a telephone conversation, you can call up a person
' x ' and pretend to be ' y ' as long as ' y ' does not interrupt the conversation and give the game away.

So why would you need to perform IP Spoofing-:

1.) To Pretend that you are some other computer whose IP address is amongst the trusted list of computers
on the victim's disk. This way you are exploit the 'r' services and gain access to the network as you are
then believed to be from a trusted source.
2.) To Disguise or Mask your IP address so that the victim does not know who you really are and where
the data is coming from.

If you ever read the alt.2600 or the alt.hacking newsgroup, you would probably find many postings like "I
have Win98, how do I Spoof my IP" or even " I do not know TCP/IP. tell me how to perform IP spoofing".
You see the very fact that they are posting such questions and expect to learn how to spoof their IP without
even knowing a bit about TCP\IP, confirms the fact that they would not be able to perform IP Spoofing. No
I am not saying that asking questions is bad, but you see not knowing something is not so bad, but not
knowing something and showing ignorance towards learning it is really, really bad.

You see IP spoofing is a very complex and difficult to perform subject. You need to hog entire TCP/IP and
Networking Protocols manuals and need to be able to write C programs which will help you in the
Spoofing process. It is amazing how people even think that they can spoof their IP without even knowing
what TCP/IP stands for.

You see all packets travelling across the Internet have headers which contain the source and destination IP
addresses and port numbers, so that the packet knows where to go and the destination knows where the
packet has come from and where to respond. Now the process of Spoofing means to change the source IP
address contains by the Header of the packet, in turn fooling the receiver of the Packets into believing that
the packet came from somewhere else, which is a fake IP. Now let's again look at the IP Header of a
datagram.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
|Version| IHL |Type of Service| Total Length |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Identification |Flags| Fragment Offset |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Time to Live | Protocol | Header Checksum |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Source Address |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Destination Address |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| TCP header info followed by the actual data being transferred |
|

Now basically to perform IP spoofing we need to be able to change the value of the field, Source Address.
Now to this you need to be able to guess sequence numbers which is quite a sophisticated process and I will
try to explain it as clearly as possible. Before we go on, you need to understand the fact the IP spoofing is
not the entire process, it is just a stepping stop in the entire process of fooling the remote host and
establishing a trust relationship with the remote host.

So how do these trust relationships take place? Well all of you are encountered with some form of
authentication process or the other. Now the Username-Password pair is the most commonly used form of
authentication, with which we are very much familiar. Now what happens in the Username-Password form
of authentication is that the remote host to which the client is connected to challenges the client by asking
the User to type in the Username and Password. So in this form of authentication, the User needs to
intervened and the remote host challenges the user to enter the Username and Password which act as a from
of authentication.

Now other than the Password-Username form of authentication there is yet another form of authentication
most users do not know of. This is the Client IP. In this form of authentication, what happens is that the
remote host gets or find out the IP address of the client and compares it with a predefined list of IP's. If the
IP of the client who is trying to establish a connection with the remote host is found in the list of IP's
maintained by the host, then it allows the client access to the shell 'without a password' as the identity of
the client has already been authenticated.

Such kind of rust relationships are common in Unix Systems which have certain 'R services' like rsh ,
rlogin , rcp which have certain security problems and should be avoided. Despite the threat involved most
ISP's in India still keep the ports of the R services open to be exploited by Hackers. You normally establish
a Rlogin trust relationship by using the Unix command,

$>rlogin IP address

**************
HACKING TRUTH: Well there is definitely a cooler way of establishing a trust relationship with a remote
host, using Telnet. The default port numbers at which the R services run are 512, 513,514
**************

So how do I spoof my IP? Well in short, to spoof your IP, you need to be able to predict sequence numbers,
this will clearer after reading then next few paragraphs.

To understand Sequence Numbers you need to go back to, how the TCP protocol works. You already
know that TCP is a reliable protocol and has certain in-built features which have the ability to rearrange, re-
send lost, duplicated or out of sequence data. To make sure that the destination is able to rearrange the
datagrams in the correct order, TCP inserts two sequence numbers into each TCP datagram. One Sequence
number tells the receiving computer where a particular datagram belongs while the second sequence
number says how much data has been received by the sender. Anyway, let's move on, TCP also relies on
ACK and NACK messages to ensure that all datagrams have reached the destination error free.
Now we need to reanalyze the TCP Header to understand certain other aspects of sequence numbers and
the ACK Number.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Source Port | Destination Port |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Sequence Number |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Acknowledgment Number |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Data | |U|A|P|R|S|F| |
| Offset| Reserved |R|C|S|S|Y|I| Window |
| | |G|K|H|T|N|N| |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| Checksum | Urgent Pointer |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
| The Actual Data form the next 500 octets |
| |

You see the TCP Header contains a Sequence Number which actually represents the sequence number of
the first byte of that particular TCP segment. A sequence number is a 32 Bit number which is attached to
all bytes (data) being exchanged across a Network. The ACK Number Field in the TCP header, actually
contains the value of the sequence number which it expects to be the next. Not only that, it also does what
it was meant to do, acknowledge data received. Confused? Read it again till you get the hang of it.

When a connection is established, the initial sequence number or ISN is initialized to 1. This ISN number
is then incremented by 128,000 every second. There is a certain patter according to which the sequence
numbers increment or change which makes then easy to predict.

To successfully perform IP spoofing or in order to predict Sequence Numbers, you need to be running a
form of UNIX, as Windows does not provide the users with access to really advanced system stuff.
Without a form of Unix IP Spoofing is almost impossible to do.

This text is not the ultimate guide to IP Spoofing and was aimed at only giving you a general outline of the
whole process. Sequence number Prediction is really, really sophisticated and difficult to understand, but
not impossible to do. However a system administrator can easily save his systems from IP spoofing and this
actually makes it quite useless, nonetheless truly exciting. If You really want to learn IP Spoofing I suggest
you read IP Spoofing Demystified by daemon9/route/infinity which was a part of Issue 48 of PHRACK
magazine, File 14 of 18. Go to the Archive Section of their site, http://www.phrack.com and click on Issue
48.

This brings me to the other purpose people use IP Spoofing, IP Masking. Now to something as simple as
mask or hide your IP you do not need to go through the complex procedure of guessing sequence numbers
and performing IP Spoofing. There are proxy servers to do that for you. Read the Net Tools chapter for
further details.

Port Scanning in Networking Terms

Earlier we learnt what a Port scan is why it is considered to be such a important tool of getting information
about the remote host, which in turn can be used to exploit any vulnerabilities and break into the system.
We all know how a manual Port Scan works. You launch Telnet and manually Telnet to each Port jotting
down information that you think is important. In a manual Port Scan, when you telnet to a port of a remote
host, a full three way handshake takes place, which means that a complete TCP connection opens.

The earliest and the oldest version of Port Scanners used the same technique. They connected to each port
and established a full three way handshake for a complete TCP connection. The downside of such port
scanners was the fact that as a full TCP connection was being established, the system administrator could
easily detect that someone is trying to port scan his systems to find a vulnerability. However such port
scanning methods also had a bright side, as an actual TCP connection was being established, the port
scanning software did not have to build a Fake Internet Protocol Packet. (This IP Packet is used to scan the
remote systems.) Such TCP scanners too relied on the three-way TCP handshake to detect if a port is open
or not. The Basic process of detecting whether a port is open or not has been described below:

1.) You send a TCP Packet containing the SYN flag to remote host.
2.) Now the remote host checks whether the port is open or not. If the port is open then it replies with a
TCP packet containing both an ACK message confirming that the port is open and a SYN flag. On the
other hand if the port is closed then the remote host sends the RST flag which resets the connection, in
short closes the connection.
3.) This third phase is optional and involves the sending of an ACK message by the client.

As TCP Scanners were detectable, programmers around the world developed a new kind of port scanner,
the SYN Scanner, which did not establish a complete TCP connection. These kinds of port scanners remain
undetectable by only sending the first single TCP Packet containing the SYN flag and establishing a half
TCP Connection. T understand the working of a SYN or Half SYN Port Scanner simply read its 4 step
working-:

1. SYN Port Scanner sends the first TCP packet containing the SYN flag to the remote host.
2. The remote system replies with, either a SYN plus ACK or a RST.
3. When the SYN Port scanner receives one of the above responses, it knows whether the respective port
is open or not and whether a daemon is ready listening for connections.

The SYN Port Scanners were undetectable by most normal system port scan detectors, however newer post
scan detectors like netstat and also some firewalls can filter out such scans. Another downside to such
scanning is that the method in which the scanner makes the IP packet varies from system to system.

UDP Scanning

It is yet another port scanning technique which can be used to scan a UDP port to see if it is listening. To
detect an open UDP port, simply send a single UDP Packet to the port. If it is listening, you will get the
response, if it is not, then ICMP takes over and displays the error message, " Destination Port
Unreachable".

FIN Port Scanners

FIN Port Scanners are my favorite type of port scanners. They send a single packet containg the FIN flag. If
the remote host returns a RST flag then the port is closed, if no RST flag is returned, then it is open and
listening.

Some port scanners also use the technique of sending a ACK packet and if the Time To Live or ttl of the
returning packets is lower than the RST packets received (earlier), or if the windows size is greater than
zero, then the port is probably open and listening.

The Following is the code of a supposedly Stealth Port Scanner which appeared in the Phrack Magazine.

/*
* scantcp.c
*
* version 1.32
*
* Scans for listening TCP ports by sending packets to them and waiting for
* replies. Relys upon the TCP specs and some TCP implementation bugs found
* when viewing tcpdump logs.
*
* As always, portions recycled (eventually, with some stops) from n00k.c
* (Wow, that little piece of code I wrote long ago still serves as the base
* interface for newer tools)
*
* Technique:
* 1. Active scanning: not supported - why bother.
*
* 2. Half-open scanning:
* a. send SYN
* b. if reply is SYN|ACK send RST, port is listening
* c. if reply is RST, port is not listening
*
* 3. Stealth scanning: (works on nearly all systems tested)
* a. sends FIN
* b. if RST is returned, not listening.
* c. otherwise, port is probably listening.
*
* (This bug in many TCP implementations is not limited to FIN only; in fact
* many other flag combinations will have similar effects. FIN alone was
* selected because always returns a plain RST when not listening, and the
* code here was fit to handle RSTs already so it took me like 2 minutes
* to add this scanning method)
*
* 4. Stealth scanning: (may not work on all systems)
* a. sends ACK
* b. waits for RST
* c. if TTL is low or window is not 0, port is probably listening.
*
* (stealth scanning was created after I watched some tcpdump logs with
* these symptoms. The low-TTL implementation bug is currently believed
* to appear on Linux only, the non-zero window on ACK seems to exists on
* all BSDs.)
*
* CHANGES:
* --------
* 0. (v1.0)
* - First code, worked but was put aside since I didn't have time nor
* need to continue developing it.
* 1. (v1.1)
* - BASE CODE MOSTLY REWRITTEN (the old code wasn't that maintainable)
* - Added code to actually enforce the usecond-delay without usleep()
* (replies might be lost if usleep()ing)
* 2. (v1.2)
* - Added another stealth scanning method (FIN).
* Tested and passed on:
* AIX 3
* AIX 4
* IRIX 5.3
* SunOS 4.1.3
* System V 4.0
* Linux
* FreeBSD
* Solaris
*
* Tested and failed on:
* Cisco router with services on ( IOS 11.0)
*
* 3. (v1.21)
* - Code commented since I intend on abandoning this for a while.
*
* 4. (v1.3)
* - Resending for ports that weren't replied for.
* (took some modifications in the internal structures. this also
* makes it possible to use non-linear port ranges
* (say 1-1024 and 6000))
*
* 5. (v1.31)
* - Flood detection - will slow up the sending rate if not replies are
* recieved for STCP_THRESHOLD consecutive sends. Saves alot of resends
* on easily-flooded networks.
*
* 6. (v1.32)
* - Multiple port ranges support.
* The format is: |[,|,...]
*
* Examples: 20-26,113
* 20-100,113-150,6000,6660-6669
*
* PLANNED: (when I have time for this)
* ------------------------------------
* (v2.x) - Multiple flag combination selections, smart algorithm to point
* out uncommon replies and cross-check them with another flag
*
*/

#define RESOLVE_QUIET

#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include
#include "resolve.c"
#include "tcppkt03.c"

#define STCP_VERSION "1.32"
#define STCP_PORT 1234 /* Our local port. */
#define STCP_SENDS 3
#define STCP_THRESHOLD 8
#define STCP_SLOWFACTOR 10

/* GENERAL ROUTINES ------------------------------------------- */

void banner(void)
{
printf("\nscantcp\n");
printf("version %s\n",STCP_VERSION);
}
void usage(const char *progname)
{
printf("\nusage: \n");
printf("%s [sf]\n\n",progname);
printf("\t : 0: half-open scanning (type 0, SYN)\n");
printf("\t 1: stealth scanning (type 1, FIN)\n");
printf("\t 2: stealth scanning (type 2, ACK)\n");
printf("\t : source address (this host)\n");
printf("\t : target to scan\n");
printf("\t : ports/and or ranges to scan - eg: 21-30,113,6000\n");
printf("\t : microseconds to wait between TCP sends\n");
printf("\t : seconds to wait for TCP replies\n");
printf("\t[sf] : slow-factor in case sends are dectected to be too fast\n\n");
}
/* OPTION PARSING etc ---------------------------------------- */
unsigned char *dest_name;
unsigned char *spoof_name;
struct sockaddr_in destaddr;
unsigned long dest_addr;
unsigned long spoof_addr;
unsigned long usecdelay;
unsigned waitdelay;

int slowfactor = STCP_SLOWFACTOR;

struct portrec /* the port-data structure */
{
unsigned n;
int state;
unsigned char ttl;
unsigned short int window;
unsigned long int seq;
char sends;

} *ports;

char *portstr;

unsigned char scanflags;

int done;

int rawsock; /* socket descriptors */
int tcpsock;

int lastidx = 0; /* last sent index */
int maxports; /* total number of ports */

void timeout(int signum) /* timeout handler */

Interview tips

2008-03-30T23:52:00.000-07:00

What Not to Say in the Interview

1) Negative comments about your current or past employers and co-workers.

No good can come from talking down your past employers. You run the risk of seeming like an employee that may be a "management problem."

2) Requests for special hours or equipment unless you have a handicap that necessitates special accommodations.

3) Avoid initiating salary discussions or making demands in the early interview stages.

Let the prospective employer initiate salary discussions. It is OK to give a range, or to ask what they feel the range is for the position. However, it can be a turnoff if you are the one to initiate the subject of salary.

4) Asking about vacation days, sick days or holidays.

This can be a turnoff because you may seem more interested in time off rather than the job itself. Would a hardworking, dedicated employee be more focused on days off or doing a good job?

5) Don't give a list of the things you won't do.

Telling an interviewer that you don't answer phones, or file, or work overtime is another alarm. Make sure you apply for positions that are appropriate for you, and understand that there will always be tasks that are not enjoyable.

6) Asking, "What is it your company does again?"
Take the time to know about the company before you interview.

7) "I don't know, I just saw your ad and I thought I'd give this a try."

Yes, candidates really say this. Always prepare yourself. If you don't know why you are there, or how this position fits in with your goals, maybe you should not be there.

"I don't have any negative points."

In an interview, you may be asked to list your negative qualities. Have at least one ready, and more importantly explain how you are working to improve it. Another angle is to explain how it is negative and also positive. For example, "Once I start a project I throw myself into it and sometimes neglect personal obligations. I have to keep myself in check to avoid burnout."

9) Avoid argumentative statements.

Remember you want to be liked and fit in. If you are hired you will have plenty of time to learn their business and make suggestions. The interview is not the time to argue and force your opinions.

10) No whining or complaining.

Leave your personal problems at home. Present yourself as a strong, capable person that can overcome setbacks and challenges.

How to Find Your Dream Career

If You find the work you love...

When I was a little kid, I had a crazy dream of traveling to the Moon, because I found this golden glowing orb in the night sky so alluring. This childish dream materialized in a hard grueling career as an Electrical Engineer.

Fifteen long years later, my changing circumstances and the instinct for survival turned me into a 'Do-it-all' office administrator. Another three long and hard years passed before I knew I could not take it any longer. Another career change was in order...

My secret innermost longings of becoming a writer beckoned very strongly. And that's what I am today with another crazy dream of turning out a best seller some day...

Do You even Know What Your Dream Career is?
Here is a 7 Step Exercise to Help You Find Your True Career Path...

Take a notepad and pen, sit in a quiet peaceful and inspiring spot and pour out your no-holds-barred answers to the following questions...

1. Can You imagine a day at your Dream career? Describe it.

2. Do You know how much you earn at Your Dream Job?

3. Do You know where your office is located for Your dream Career? Describe the decor and set up of your work space.

4. Do You know how much time you devote to your dream work? Write about the hours you work, the time you spend and the commute time, and how do you get to your dream work place?

5. Do You know what industry you would like to work in or service you would love to provide? Who benefits from your service or product? What do they love about it most?

6. Can you see yourself interacting with your co-workers / family in your dream career? How does your family respond to it?

7. Imagine you have just met your long lost friend, and you are excitedly telling him/her about your career. What would you say? Write it down.

TARGET EVERYTHING

Everything that is a part of the job search process is used to target the right job for you.

How do you target your career path? First, read this article titled, "Career Philosophy". It helps explain the importance of choosing a career that fits with your values and goals. Knowing who you are and what means the most to you is a true benefit when determining what career to choose. Next, read: Career Planning Choices. It will provide you with a clear understanding of what you are looking for in an employer. A variety of questions will help you clarify the importance of certain ideas and concepts and how they relate to your happiness on the job. Employers are not created equal after all.

Applying this kind of valuable information to your situation can make a huge difference in how you approach the future – YOUR future.

The reason that articles such as these offer such wonderful benefits is that they are based on YOU, YOUR NEEDS and YOUR GOALS. If you are going to be able to recognize which career path best suits your needs and goals, then you have to put some thought into it. The same holds true for selecting the best employer(s) to target with your resume.

5 Ingredients Of The Perfect Job

There are as many concepts and definitions of what should a perfect job look like as there are adult men and women. For some, it could well be the one which takes little or no commuting while many would rate a high paying job a perfect one. There is also a good deal of majority that rates less of bossism as uppermost when it comes to choosing a perfect job? Well, the big question on hand is whether your current job is a perfect one or not.

Defining the Basics of a Perfect Job

An ideal job has many attributes. But practically speaking, an ideal job never exists at all. So how do we define a perfect job?

A perfect job is one in which you excel, have the aptitude for and that you are very much comfortable with. Here are few more key points that define a perfect job:

1. Growth opportunity:

Jobs that provide great growth opportunity, regardless of whether you joined at a lower or middle level, stands out as the top characteristic of a perfect job. Most employers offer a structured career growth plan, as in the case of government jobs, while some others provide out-of-turn growth opportunity as a reward for performance. Small, up-and-coming companies, unlike large, lean & mean corporations will not have too many organizational ranks. So you have fewer rungs to climb up to the top.

2. Adequate Salary:

This could well have made it to the top of the list. Your salary package may include a car, insurance, or paid vacations. Before you accept the offer, you should compare salaries across the industry for your career level.

3. A Great Boss:

Many people would like to believe that it is the boss who makes your job hell. Whether there is truth in this or not, the fact of the matter is that a great boss can also make your career flourish. Just as companies like to say that good help is hard to find, it is equally as hard to find a good boss!

4. Job Duties:

Your responsibilities, along with your working environment, are what hold the key to your success. Even any additional responsibilities offered, as you move up the ladder, can be enjoyable if it doesn’t push you into doing grunt work. You must understand that in every job, you will have to do at least some pencil pushing. But those should not become your primary duties.

5. The Working Environment:

A perfect job will provide a motivating environment in which to work. Everything about such an environment is conducive to working comfortably and will help you to perform at your peak. De-motivating environments may be caused by any number of reasons. But before you begin to complain, look inwards first. Certain things can be corrected by you, too.

Fear of Interviewing

Your heart is beating faster than usual, your hands feel clammy, your mouth is so dry it feels like you have cotton inside – and your supposed to feel confident. Are you going to an interview or a torture session? The answer is – “it’s all in your perspective.”

Ideally you would sit poised thumbing through a magazine, feeling relaxed as you wait your turn to have a conversation with the interviewer for the company. Think about it - what do you have to lose here? What’s the worst thing that can happen? What if you don’t get this job - is the world going to stop turning? I realize of course, that bills must be paid, but you are taking the wrong approach if you are going to come across as desperate – “Please, please, hire me.” Interviewers smell fear.

A change in thinking

The first, and most important step is to change the way that you view the interview. This is not an appointment with the dentist who may inflict pain. It is a conversation with another person. What is the worst thing that can happen as a result of the interview? You won’t get the job, which may not have been the right job for you anyway.

Secondly, this is a conversation - a two-way process. You will be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Is there a good fit here – both ways? What looks good on paper may not be what it appears – for either party. It will be part of your job during the interview to investigate whether this a good place for you, and whether you want to invest a significant part of your life here. When you are not checking them out and what they have to offer you are missing an opportunity that you may regret later.

Calming techniques

One of the best techniques to handle stress is through breathing. Take deliberate, shallow breaths. Take air in through the nostrils and exhale quietly through your mouth. This is a technique that should be practiced as a relaxation technique before the interview so that your body gets used to slowing down the breathing process and relaxing.

Relaxation techniques such as yoga, and meditation classes, are recommended for anyone who has an extreme case of “interview fright.” The interview can cause panic attacks if the fear is strong enough. Pre-conditioning will do wonders for this type of anxiety.

Preparation before the interview

These are competitive times and you should steel yourself to expect some rejection. Think about it this way, “Did you get a marriage proposal after every date?” Well, you probably aren’t going to get a job offer after every interview.

For every job you apply for there are more than likely three to four equally qualified candidates in line for the same job. Whether you stand out from “the crowd” will depend on your preparation and ability to show confidence in yourself – believing that you are the “best candidate for this job.” How can you possibly sell anyone anything if you don’t believe in it yourself?

Preparation will make you feel more confident and less anxious. Can you imagine giving a performance without some practice and preparation? “Winging” the interview in today’s market is a big mistake.

Fear of Rejection

You may have had a number of interviews with no offer. You may be feeling defeated, and it’s beginning to affect your-self esteem.

This would be true of anyone. But it is a mistake to take it personally. There are so many factors that could be affecting the offer that it is impossible to say what is happening. There may be internal candidates, relatives promised jobs, a competitor who is a perfect match for the job, a lack of chemistry between you and the new boss, a mismatch in salary needs, etc., etc.

Let it go

Give yourself credit for getting an interview – only a small percentage of people get this far in the process. Give yourself credit for going out there and putting yourself on the line, even though it is painful for you. Give yourself permission to not get job offers. Believe that an offer will come through when it is the right offer – the right fit for the company and for you. Take the control back and reject the feeling of fear.

When you have done everything to prepare for the interview, and you are satisfied that you can present yourself in the best light possible, the next step is for you to let it go. You can learn something from each interview. Learn to enjoy meeting new people and having new experiences. Who knows you may even grow to like interviewing.

Top 6 Tax Tips for Self-employed

1. Keep good records – save all your receipts and use some simple software to keep track of your credits and debits.

2. Get a good help- whether this is an accountant or somebody familiar with the subject.

3. Deduct child care costs and medical expenses.

4. Set up an RRSP – the allowance you contribute is tax free.

5. The RRSP allowance you can contribute is deductible form your income and can put you in a lower tax bracket.

6. If you have separate office or you are using part of your house as an office, deduct this percentage off your monthly payments.

10 WAYS TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Throughout recorded history personal worth was often measured by an individual's willingness to take risks. Perhaps Englishman John Heywood best summed up risk taking when he wrote in 1546, "Not venture nought have."

However there is an inherent difference between reckless risk and calculated risk. An old American proverb counsels against rashness: "Swift risks are often attended by precipitate falls."

So in today's unpredictable job market, how can ensure that any risk you take is worth any potential gain? One of the best ways I know is to believe in yourself. Easier said then done, you say. Then, let my Top Ten List of Ways To Believe In Yourself be your guide:

1. Think of ways you can be your best.

2. Focus on your strengths not your weaknesses.

3. Remind yourself of who you are becoming.

4. Like Magellan, have faith in yourself and know it will happen.

5. Challenge yourself to be all you can be, more so than you've ever been.

6. Encourage yourself to keep going, keep building this new you.

7. Acknowledge your successes.

8. Be unconditionally constructive.

9. Allow yourself to achieve greatness.

10.Take a stand for the success you deserve.

As your belief in yourself expands, any problems and challenges you face will lose their sense of power

How to Find Work You'll Love

Stuck in a job you can't stand? Feeling burned out and bored?

With unemployment at persistently high levels, many people today are doing work they hate, simply to make ends meet.

That's a short-term choice that could cost you dearly in the long run, according to Henry Neils, President of Edina, Minn.-based Assessment.com, a career advisory firm (special link - http://www.gresumes.com/MAPP)

"Michael Jordan doesn't go to work in the morning, and neither do any really successful people. Instead, they get paid for work they love," says Neils.

Want to get paid to do what you love?

Here are three ways to do just that .

1. Discover what you are designed to do
Did you know that Babe Ruth started out as a pitcher? But he chose to stop pitching so he could focus on hitting. He took a lot of heat for this, because he was a good pitcher. Yet Babe stuck with his decision because he knew he was a GREAT hitter. Success followed.

What about you?

"If you want to go from 'good' to 'great,' know what your talents and motivations are, then use them as a foundation for growth," advises Neils.

To find out what motivates you, answer this question: if you won a million dollars in the lottery tomorrow and could quit working, what 3 things would you still do every day?

Would it be writing? Public speaking? Gardening? Teaching or healing others? Travel? Restoring classic cars?

"These are your strengths and they're yours for life. You can build on them, and they won't let you down," says Neils.

2. Do it
Once you discover what you love to do, make adjustments that let you do more of it. Some changes will be minor . and some radical.

"The idea is to spend more of your time using your strengths. That is where your performance and satisfaction both peak," advises Neils.

At this point, it's time to tell your boss. Include examples or stories to illustrate your true talents.

"Every piece of equipment in any company comes with an owner's manual, except the most important assets of all -- employees. So, by letting your boss know what makes you tick, he can put you in a position to get the best results for both the company and you. It's a win-win situation," says Neils.

3. Minimize everything else
You are designed to do something, but not everything. So don't try to do it all.

"A spoon is designed to help us eat and will last a lifetime in that role. But if you use a spoon to drive nails, it will wear out in about an hour," says Neils.

That means, to avoid burnout on the job, you should delegate or automate tasks you don't enjoy or do well.

But what if you're forced to do work that doesn't challenge or interest you?

"First, try to create a system to streamline what you're doing. For instance, a man with low talent for time management found that it helped to use a Palm Pilot. Or, simply partner with someone who has high talent in
the area you dislike," advises Neils.

Now. This does not give you the right to shrug off any workplace task that doesn't thrill you. We all have to do things we don't enjoy -- the trash won't walk itself to the curb, for example.

But you don't have to spend your best years in a job that chokes off your passion and stifles your creativity. You certainly can align your work with your talents.

The most successful people throughout human history have one thing in common: they saw work as play. That's how they were able to put in the long hours of practice and toil that took them to the top. From Michelangelo to Michael Jordan, from Caesar to Clinton, these workplace wonders did what they loved to do, what they were born to do.

You can, too.
If you know what you do well, do more of it, and minimize the rest, you could find yourself in that most enviable position of all, getting paid to do what you love.

skills neccessary for a career

From the 1950's to the late 1980's, the concept of lifetime employment was considered one's ideal career path, where seniority determined career success.

Beginning in the 1990's to the present, technological advances have sped up market cycles, where companies started to go out of business, reorganize, and re-emerge as new companies to meet new demands in a shorter period of time. In response, the labor market had to become more flexible, providing their talents where they were needed. Workers were thus rewarded based on performance rather than seniority.

The ability to develop proficiency in transferable workplace skills has replaced seniority as a measure of employability. They are necessary for career success at all levels of employment.

21st Century Employability

Employability refers to possessing a set of core skill groups that are transferable from job-to-job and from industry-to-industry. To address what these skills are, the U.S. Department of Labor established a Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) in 1990.

In their 1991 report, What Work Requires of Schools, the commission's primary objective is to help teachers understand how curriculum and instruction must change to enable students to develop the specific foundation skills and competencies necessary for employment.

In their 1999 report, Skills and Tasks for Jobs: A SCANS Report for America 2000, the commission's primary objective is to expand on proposing acceptable levels of these core foundation skills and competencies. You can access full text versions of these reports from the Resources section for this course.

SCANS Foundation Skills and Competencies

SCANS determined that workplace skills from job-to-job and industry-to-industry consist of a core group of foundation skills and competencies.

Foundation skills are basic academic and behavioral characteristics from which to build competencies. The three SCANS foundation skill categories were identified as Basic Literacy Skills, Thinking Skills, and Personal Qualities.

Competencies are a combination of skills, abilities, and knowledge needed to accomplish a specific task; they are more closely related to what people actually do at work. The five SCANS competencies were identified as Resources, Information, Interpersonal, Systems, and Technology.

SCANS foundation skills and competencies are being integrated into industry skill standards, educational learning standards, and hiring/evaluation procedures throughout the U.S.

What is missing is the integration of these skills and competencies into the job search, resume writing, and career development processes. A lot of what you read and do on this site will focus on how you focus on your core skills; this is the foundation for achieving resiliency in your career

6 Factors of Career Success

What do employers look for in potential employees? That was the question that was posted recently on a career discussion forum online. Naturally, for each different position, the particular answers to that question would be different. However, there are some common skills that employers look for in all employees, whether the employee happens to be a network engineer or a fry cook.

In-Demand Skills for Success

1. BASIC SKILLS ‚ Reading, writing and arithmetic! Believe it or not, a good portion of high school graduates (and some college grads) do not read at an 8th grade level and cannot do multiplication in their head. Employers are seeking employees who can read well, can write coherently, and who can calculate mathematics in a business environment (fractions, percentages, etc.) Add to that the modern basic skills of keyboarding skill, basic computer knowledge, and ability to use most computerized tools (e.g. fax machine, basic word processing program, etc.) to round out the basic skill sets needed for employment success.

2. PERSONAL SKILLS‚ Can a potential employee speak well? Can he/she answer questions of customers in a positive, informative manner? Can the prospect provide good customer service? While not everyone has an outgoing sales' personality, successful employees can communicate in a non-confrontational, positive manner with their coworkers, team members, subordinates, management, and customers. Being able to work well with others is a vital skill for success in all jobs.

3. JOB ATTAINMENT‚ Job search is a process that requires a great deal of dedication and attention to be conducted successfully. It follows the old principal that many veteran programmers refer to as GIGO ‚ Garbage In, Garbage Out. If you put lousy effort in, you will receive lousy results. Employers are seeking employees who know how to present themselves in a positive manner and who display enthusiasm and knowledge about the companies they approach. Not only do candidates get evaluated on their skills and experience, but also on how they are approaching the job search. Enthusiastic candidates with fewer skills have an even chance of getting the job as dull candidates with better skills.

4. JOB SURVIVAL‚ Now there's a hot topic in this period of layoffs. Who gets the ax and who doesn't is often a matter of numbers, but it is also often a matter of performance. Employees who have consistently demonstrated their worth, taken initiative, and made themselves a valuable asset to the company have lower incidences of being downsized than employees who put forth mediocre or average effort in their jobs. Surviving within a company through layoffs or moving up the career ladder is a success skill that is learned and is consciously cultivated among successful professionals.

5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT‚ As all high tech and engineering pros know‚ it's learn or burn in today's work environment. Attaining new skills, applying new concepts, updating established skills is an absolute necessity to succeed in today's work force. The successful individual is constantly attending seminars, taking classes, attaining training on new products or releases, and otherwise learning new skills that will keep them marketable in their careers. Successful people are lifelong learners. Employers are looking for people who have the training necessary to fulfill their needs.

6. CAREER DEVELOPMENT‚ Career Development differs from Professional Development. Professional Development is learning while Career Development is a planning and goal setting process. Successful individuals design a career plan with written goals for short term and long term. They lay out the steps needed to move their careers from Point A to Point B within Time Frame C and plan how they are going to achieve those steps. Successful people have someone to whom they are accountable for their progress and who will monitor their success in achieving their goals. Employers are seeking individuals who (believe it or not) wish to commit to the company for a long period of time. Good career progression is a high selling point of candidates to prospective employers.

Career Planning for Professionals

Do you have a career plan? Do you know where you want to be 10 years from now? 5 years? 1 year?

The reason for making decisions today about where you want to be tomorrow is so that you have the ability to actually get there.

If you don't know exactly where you want to be, you will be wandering aimlessly from position to position hoping that somehow it will all work out. Unfortunately, that isn’t how it works.

Think of it this way:
If you want to visit a friend who has moved out of state, you have to map it out or get directions. If you just start taking one street because it looks like the right way or another street because it seems to be pointing in the right direction, you will never get to where you want to go.

The great news is that Career Planning isn't some mystical smoke and mirrors experience. It's not hard at all. Just give yourself a little time and ask yourself a few questions and you'll be on the right track. As you have more time in the months and years to come, revisit your Career Plan and determine if it still makes sense for you or if you need to tweak it.

Yes, this is another task you have to do yourself. You can ask friends, family members and others who know you well if they can provide clues as to what they believe are your strengths and abilities, but only YOU know where your passion lies.

You are the only one who can create your destiny. You choose.

Take the time NOW to set the course for your future.

If you take the time to set your career goals, you will be ahead of 90% of the rest of the people out there who don’t bother to plan ahead. You will be more successful than your peers in the same field because you know where you are going and how you intend to get there. You will make more money and you will be much happier. Why? Because you didn't wait for destiny to step in. You took control of your life and made things happen.

The fact that you are looking on this website proves that you are so far above your peers. You want more information. You want to:

Plan ahead.
Be successful.
Work hard.
Make good, sound decisions.
Live with integrity.

Below are some additional links to career planning articles which will provide you with more information on career planning. Absorb everything you can. If it doesn't benefit you right now, it will definitely make a difference down the road.

Find out how to network you way to your next job in this amazing article Networking Your Way to a Great Job. The information in this article will blow you away.

Taking Career Tests can help you determine which career paths are best suited for you. If you want to be successful, you need to enjoy what you do and you will enjoy it much more if you are working in a field that is right for you.

Assessing your Career Strengths is a very important part of the job search process. When you follow the concepts outlined here, you will have a huge advantage over your competitors.

Would you like to see the Employer's Perspective in the job search process? Understanding how an employer thinks can provide insight and shed light on what you need to do to be successful.

If you are considering a career change, you will have to revamp your resume among other things. Follow this link Changing Careers to find out how to make your career change more successful. Planning is essential.

One of the most valuable pieces of information you will ever need can be found here:Your Personal and Professional Traits Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with something that employers REALLY want you to know.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? This is an excellent start for those who are not quite sure where their interests lie. Learn some techniques for clarifying your interests and goals. This is the essence of Career Planning.

Do you have Goals, Objectives and Tasks defined for the next month, year, or 5 years? Find out how you can achieve your goals. Then, when you have read that article, you can utilize the Goal Setting Template to simplify the process even more. Take your career planning to the next level.

Make your Career Planning Choices point YOU down the road to SUCCESS.

Common Job Search Misconceptions

Contrary to what you may think as you mop the sweat from your brow while contemplating your upcoming interviews, the recruiter who'll be sitting across the table from you wasn't born in a pinstriped suit with the keys to a Beamer in one hand and a Palm Pilot in the other.

In fact, at one point she was probably in the same position that you're in right now as you begin your search: Sitting in a one-room apartment eating ramen noodles and wondering if she'd ever find a job. Thinking that interviewers are genetically superior beings is one of the misconceptions that many job seekers seem to have as they prepare themselves for the interviews that will pull them out of their MSG-saturated college days and into the lightning pace of the business world.

Quite a few misconceptions seem to be floating around out there; WetFeet would like to explode some of them and, we hope, ease your pain.

Misconception Number One: My Resume Is a Comedy Routine

A lot of job seekers try to add panache to their resume by making them unconventional. Take it from us: Your resume is not the best forum for your dry wit.

It might seem like a great idea at the time to paste macaroni to your resume or describe your work experience in iambic pentameter. You're trying to prove your creativity and individuality, as well as give the recruiter a little taste of who you are. Trust us when we tell you that this isn't the you the recruiter wants to know. The you the recruiter wants to know would not create and submit a document called "The Resume Rap" that tries to rhyme the phrases "job experience" and "I think you'll dig this."

Truth: The Recruiters' Point of View

Recruiters want resumes that let them know what you will bring to the company and how you'll be a good addition to the team. They want this information in a format that is easily comparable to other resumes, a format that won't give them a headache. Your job is to make the recruiter's job easier so that he or she will want to hire you. Your job is not to show off your origami skills by folding your resume into a swan.

Misconception Number Two: The Recruiter Is Out to Get Me

One of the most popular fallacies among inexperienced job hunters is that the recruiter is out to get them. The fresh-faced grads coming out of college and heading to their first real job interviews seem to have a mental picture of the recruiter as a mustache-twirling Snidely Whiplash (from the "Dudley Do-Right" segments of Rocky and Bullwinkle) whose only goal is to mystify, humiliate, befuddle, and ding prospective job seekers, or at least tie them to some train tracks somewhere.

Truth: Bad Recruiters Don't Last

In fact, the interviewer isn't going to be hiding behind the door with a baseball bat waiting to ambush you when you show up in your freshly pressed new suit. Recruiters who dismiss everyone they interview probably aren't going to be recruiting for very long. They're supposed to be separating the wheat from the chaff, not just whacking everything they see with their scythe.

This isn't to say that you shouldn't be on top of your game when you're sitting across the table from your interviewer. Even though it isn't a recruiter's job to Shaq everybody who tries to get to the hoop, they do have to make sure that you've got game. The recruiter's job is to put you through your paces, making sure that you have the proper skills, education, and attitude to make it in the business world.

Even if it seems like malice when he puts the pressure on, he's just doing it to make sure that you can take the heat once he signs you on. If you've got your game with you, don't sweat it; your antiperspirant will hold up just fine—so will you, kid.

Misconception Number Three: I'll Fit in Anywhere

Say it's your first day at your new job. You made it past the interviews and won a cubicle of your very own. You arrive at 8:58 a.m. with the required first-day-on-the-job gear: A picture of your significant other or your cat, a couple of knickknacks to ensure that your desk has character, and the W-2 forms from the guys in HR.

You lay out your bric-a-brac, check your breath by blowing into your hand, and start asking around if there's any free coffee in the office. Suddenly, everyone around you stands up and gives a three-count. At three, your coworkers break into an a cappella version of "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls. There is dancing and high kicks, and Larry from accounting flips the lights on and off to simulate a strobe. You look around for Allen Funt but realize to your horror that you're not on Candid Camera. Even though the guy over by the copy machine looks like he phoned in that split, for the most part your fellow employees are getting into it.

Truths: Do your Homework

If you'd done a little research on the company before you signed on, you would have found out that it's a subsidiary of Sporty Spice enterprises and that the dance routine is a mandatory morning icebreaking exercise. You'll be expected to participate in full tomorrow and for the rest of your life at the company.

http://Corporate Culture Is Top Priority
So, when you're sitting in front of your computer at three a.m. trying to get your resume to print after you spilled coffee on the keyboard, corporate culture might not rate high on your list of concerns. But once you get the job, it can become priority number one no matter how many times you tell yourself that you'll make do.

If you don't fit in with the culture of your company, it will affect your happiness, your ability to work, and possibly your long-term health. Find out a little about what you're getting into before you sign on. If you don't, you might regret it in the morning. Oh, and look—here comes Larry with a Scary Spice wig and a tube top for you!

A Dream Job Is Waiting For Everyone

You know your workplace is just not where you want to be, so what's next? Are you ready to start the race to your dream job? Hey, you know, it's not the most difficult thing to do.

Your work place is past its sell by date and you get no sense of valued from your boss – or the organization. Your colleagues are ready and waiting to do anything to beat you.

Life isn't about a routine of day in, day out in some job you didn't really want. It's awful to feel stuck, when you realize you've still got the rest of your working life to come.

Life is about living and feeling alive, so make some changes and realize your full potential! No one is forcing you to stay in a job you hate and no one is holding you back from your dreams – except yourself, that is.

And the fact, the honest truth that it's all down to you is often the bitterest pill to swallow.

So, what do you really enjoy in life. Is it a hobby or a passion? Whatever it is you love doing is a huge hint! Have you ever thought of turning that hobby into a dream job that you'll look forward to every day? You could turn your hobby into a real, exciting, successful job with a little determination and some close attention.

That's right – it's all about focus. Decide what it is you'd rather be doing, and then find out all you can about how you need to get there. Do your homework on whether you need credentials or qualifications to turn your hobby into employment. Find out the steps you need to make that will bring you to where you want to be and lay down a plan.

Remember, you're not going to get anywhere over night. Miracles don't happen and hard work, effort, and the right choices to move you forward will have amazing results.

If you need training, part time courses or night school can let you keep your day job and work towards a new career in your spare time. Hey, you might even find them in your current workplace, so you can get them for free

Volunteer. Network. Apprentice under someone who excels at what you want to do. Offering free services in exchange for the learning experience can be a great way to break into a new industry or career.

Talk to everyone you know about your plans; the more contacts and support you have, the more it will help you stay focused on your goals and provide opportunities.

Don't give up. Making life changes takes time and isn't always easy. You may face some stumbling blocks along the way to a dream job. If you remember your goals and you've taken the time to lay down your steps and plans, you'll be better prepared to find a way around the obstacle.

Obstacles are valuable opportunities for lessons in achieving what you want. Be prepared to face them and accept the challenge of resolving them. You'll also gain plenty of wisdom and experience while you work towards securing your dream job and a life of happiness and satisfaction.

If you truly believe you can, with no 'glass ceilings' to hold you back you'll release potential and show the world what you can do.

YOU are the ONLY person in charge of your life.

So, go on, take that risk, believe in your own talents and abilities to make good things happen. With the right focus attitude and belief, you are already half-way there!

Want to Work From Home?

The concept of working from home is becoming immensely popular today. A lot of men and women prefer to work in the comforts of their own home rather than joining an office on a full time basis.

The opportunities are large and very promising -

SOHO - Small Office Home Office

If you are enterprising, resourceful and business minded, you can always setup your own small office right at home. The SOHO concept has caught the attention of many individuals who have started working from their home office with very little investment. Depending on your line of business, you can hire and work with a small staff of people, each of whom are proficient in their own field.

Work for Others

If you are looking for lucrative job opportunities that can be pursued from home, here are a few options that you can look into -

Data Entry & Typing Jobs - good typing speed - error free typing.

Market Research exercises including Telemarketing - good communication skills, a pleasant voice and an ability to carry out a goal driven conversation.

Customer Care

Translation Work - excellent command over written and spoken English as well as other languages. An ability to translate and reproduce content while maintaining relevance and focus.

Web Design - Knowledge of designing softwares

Online Writing - An ability to put thoughts, facts and concepts into words keeping in mind the specific target audience.

There are many option available for individuals who want to work from home.

Remember to -

Always look for genuine projects.

Stick to your terms and conditions.

Look for transparency.

Multiple Offers – So What’s Your Problem?

In a tight job market, multiple offers sounds too good to be true. So what's the problem? Choose the one that pays the most and move on, right? Wrong. If you don't take time to evaluate the offers, you could find yourself searching for a job again in no time.

Assess Your Wants and Needs

First thing that you will need to do is to evaluate your needs and which of these offers fits your situation the best. It may be time well spent to plan out a strategy to evaluate the offers.

Exercise

Put together a spreadsheet with the company names across the top. Down the left side of the page list your values and needs. Under each company's name assign a score from one to 10 for each of the following as appropriate for you:

1. Security: Have you been laid off? Are you looking for a home with a solid company?

2. Balance: If you have a family or outside life, you may not be interested in working 60 hours a week. Rank the importance of job and your personal situation.

3. Job Satisfaction: You probably want to feel your work means something in the bigger picture, that you are contributing and making a difference.

4. Location: This goes hand-in-hand with balance. If you have to spend three to four hours a day commuting, it will mean time spent away from your interests or family. Telecommuting a couple of days a week may be a possibility.

5. Salary and Benefits: These are certainly important considerations but are they as important as some of the other values? You want to be paid what you are worth, but would you be willing to negotiate to get some of your other needs met?

After totaling the columns compare total scores. The totals may reveal that although one of the companies offers more money, the risks are higher and the time away from your “life” may not be worth the extra dollars. Your priorities will affect your decision. The decision will be about priorities and values – and where you are in your career and life.

There are always variables that cannot be predicted when accepting an offer, but using an analytical approach the decision can be more objective. Making a bad decision can result in your being miserable and feeling unfulfilled, but unable to leave because you have only been in the job for a few months. It's always best to evaluate any offer, but if there is more than one offer to choose from -- it is essential.

Why Some People Always Succeed At Work

Some people always seem to get faster promotions, make more money and generally stand out on the job, in any economy.

Why is that?

While there's no one thing that will guarantee career success for everyone, there are three things you can start doing today to make yourself more valuable -- to any employer, in any industry.

Here they are:

1. Add Value

"Adding value is the single most powerful personal attribute you can possess," says Les McKeown, President & CEO of success-at-work.com and author of numerous books on career achievement.

Did you ever hand a job or task to someone, knowing you would have to go back over it once they finished, to fix the inevitable errors and generally "mop up" after them?

"People who add value are just the opposite. You *know* when you give them a task that it will be completed on time, the way you want it, with no loose ends or unfinished parts," says McKeown.

However, really successful "value adders" see the completion of an allocated task as only the starting point.

Maybe it's by turning an event into a process. Example: not just clearing up a filing mess, but putting a filing system in place to avoid future backlogs.

"In whatever form it shows itself, naturally successful people consistently and appropriately add value -- all the time," says McKeown.

2. Become an Expert

A sure-fire way to increase your value on the job is to keep learning. This can be as complex as getting your MBA or as simple as reading a book every week.

Whatever you do to increase your expertise, make sure your boss knows about it! Completing training, such as Microsoft's MCSE certification, can make it more likely that you'll be rewarded appropriately in your next
performance review.

Here's an example from the field of medicine.

I'm told the average doctor makes $160,000 per year. Not bad. But I know a liver specialist in Michigan who makes $500,000 and lives in a house the size of an airplane hanger. He's a recognized expert. And he's rewarded appropriately.

What subject can you become an expert in for your employer?

3. Be There Every Day
Can 80% of success really come just from showing up, to paraphrase Woody Allen?

In the minds of many, the answer is "yes!"

"I still remember my first promotion with a mixture of pride and amusement," says McKeown.

"I was a young kid back in Ireland, and I had a paper-route before school. I needed the money and never missed a morning."

"After 3 months, the owner pulled me aside and said: 'Les, I'm going on vacation for three weeks. I want you to be in charge. I'll give you an extra five shillings every week.'"

When McKeown asked his manager why he had been chosen over older, more-experienced newsboys, he got this reply: "Simple. You're always there. That means more to me than anything else. I wanted piece of mind on
vacation. I knew you'd be there every morning."

Are you THERE every day for your employer? If so, you may find your steady presence makes you more valuable than less-dependable co-workers.

By adding value, becoming an expert, and "being there" every day, you can make yourself indispensable to any employer. Which can lead to faster promotions, keys to the executive washroom -- whatever it is that defines
career success for you.

Best of luck to you

Answering Questions of Salary

You want a higher salary in your next job, right?

Yet, you're worried about discussing salary, right?

Kevin Donlin
If you're like most people, you answered, "yes" to both questions.

Let's face it, discussing salary is a touchy subject in any job interview-- what if you ask for too much or not enough?

Here's how you can navigate the salary question and position yourself to make more money, before and during the job interview.

First, when replying to classified ads that ask for salary requirements or a salary history, I advise you NOT to answer directly. Because, in my view, any answer will hurt your chances.

Remember that a typical classified ad can produce hundreds of resumes. And a fast way to make that pile smaller is to weed out applicants who are either too expensive (over-qualified) or too cheap (under-qualified).

So, in your cover letter, I would simply say: "My salary requirements are negotiable." This shows you've read the ad, but are choosing to dodge the issue. Most HR professionals and hiring managers I've talked to won't take offense. On the contrary, it gives them one LESS reason NOT to call you.

What about salary questions in the interview? These require advance planning.

You can say: "Well, I'd like to make as much as other employees with my qualifications." (Here you can repeat 2-3 of your most valuable skills or achievements, just to remind them how qualified you are.) Then add: "And what is a typical salary for this position?"

Another strategy is to avoid a specific salary ... and name a pay range instead. Say: "I was thinking of a salary in the $25,000 to $35,000 range," (with $25,000 being the lowest amount you'd accept). That way, you can name
a higher figure, if they try to pin you down, yet still be able to retreat to a point that satisfies you.

Finally, information is power here. If you can back your salary request with a list of average salaries you've obtained from the Internet or from phone calls, you'll enjoy greater leverage in your negotiations.

6 Steps to a Job Search Action Plan

Has it been a while since you planned a job search? Or maybe it's your first time? At the outset, looking for a new job can seem like an enormous task. But if you break the job search down into simple steps, you'll be signing that employment offer in no time.

Use this helpful six-step framework to guide your job search action plan:

* Key Tips on Researching Companies before the Interviews Begin
* Surviving and Thriving in a Tough Job Market: Top Ten To-Dos to Be Your Best
* Surviving and Thriving in a Tough Job Market: Acing the Interviews
* Resume Makeovers: How to Stand out from the Crowd
* Get Results with Your Cover Letter
* "Decoding the Interview and Evaluation Process"
* "Ten Executives Discuss What They’re Looking for When They Interview Candidates"
* "What to Say When It’s Your Turn to Ask Questions in an Interview"
* "Seven Tips for Smarter Compensation Negotiation"
* "Keeping Up Your Job Search Momentum"
* Networking Channel
* The WetFeet Insider Guide to Negotiating Your Salary and Perks

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

* BusinessWeek Online
* Fortune
* Working Mother
* Forb

The start of any good job search begins with a thorough self-assessment. Looking for a new job is a great opportunity to realign your goals-and it's up to you to articulate exactly what those goals are.

Start by asking yourself these questions and spend some time reflecting on the answers:

* What are my values? Deep down, what guides me as I make my decisions? Is it a need to make a difference or make big bucks, be the center of attention or help others?
* What are my priorities and objectives for the next few years? What about five years from now?
* What are my core strengths?
* What provides meaning in my life? What is my purpose?
* Where does work fit into my vision of life?

Preparation Vs. Performance

Preparation is the name of the game.

Your performance in any area of your life depends on how much preparation went into it. The high achievers are all those who have done all their homework and prepared well. You need to shine and polish up your act for it to run together smoothly and captivate your targeted audience. Here are 12 power steps to boost up your performance

*

Work on your strengths
*

Counter all objections
*

Answer all questions
*

Minimize all risks.
*

Accept all responsibility
*

Make it simple,
*

Make it easy.
*

Make it quick
*

Visualize all possible scenarios, and counter each one of them successfully.
*

Be your own first customer and review the service as a client to rate how well you do it and how you can improve it.
*

Keep editing, keep reviewing, keep polishing, keep correcting until it is flawless.
*

Get feedback from your clients and make improvements as needed.

These basic guidelines can serve you in almost any scenario. For instance if you are applying for jobs: Read Powerful Interview Tips For Your Dream Job

If you have a business, again how well you do depends on your preparation:

*

Prepare your product to perfection
*

Prepare your sales copy
*

Prepare your customer service
*

Get feedback from your customers
*

Do everything for customer satisfaction.
*

Go the extra mile.

How to Find Your Dream Career Articles

*

How to Find Your Dream Career
*

The High Way to Your Dream Career
*

From Dreams to Realization - 5 Steps to Your dream Career
*

So You Know What Your Dream Career is
*

Your First Step to your dream career
*

Taking the First Step
*

How do you know that your dream career is right for you?
*

Will You Succeed at your dream career
*

Moving Forward in Your Career of Choice
*

Personal Development For Career Change
*

Behavior Modification & Your Dream Career
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The Power of Positive Expectations For Career Success
*

Unleash the Power of Attraction For Your Dream Job
*

Powerful Interview Tips For Your Dream Job
*

Overcome the Fear of Risk Taking for Career Success.
*

Setting Career Milestones
*

7 Tips For a Successful Career Search
*

Mid Life Career Change
*

7 Steps to your Dream Job
*

Resume Cover Letter, Resignation Letters & Interview Question Samples
*

Read More Career Inspiring Articles

Your performance is directly proportional to your preparation. Remember genius is 99% hard work and 1% inspiration. The more you prepare , the better you will perform.

Here is a piece of caution though: Don't just get bogged down in the minute of preparation... your primary goal is to get your career off the ground and make it successful in the shortest possible time. So set realistic time lines for each of your preparatory stages, and remember polishing, perfecting and growing is something that you keep on doing forever... By adjusting your sails as the wind blows. So Prepare. Practice. Rehearse. Get started. Get feedback. Adjust.

World Wide Web

2008-03-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The World Wide Web (commonly shortened to the Web) is a system of interlinked, hypertext documents accessed via the Internet. With a web browser, a user views web pages that may contain text, images, videos, and other multimedia and navigates between them using hyperlinks. The World Wide Web was created in 1989 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Sam Walker from the United Kingdom, and Robert Cailliau from Belgium, working at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. Since then, Berners-Lee has played an active role in guiding the development of web standards (such as the markup languages in which web pages are composed), and in recent years has advocated his vision of a Semantic Web.

How the Web works
Viewing a web page on the World Wide Web normally begins either by typing the URL of the page into a web browser, or by following a hypertext link to that page or resource. The web browser then begins a series of communications, behind the scenes, in order to fetch and display it.

First, the server-name portion of the URL is resolved into an IP address using the global, distributed Internet database known as the domain name system, or DNS. This IP address is necessary to contact and send data packets to the web server.

The browser then requests the resource by sending an HTTP request to the web server at that particular address. In the case of a typical web page, the HTML text of the page is requested first and parsed immediately by the web browser, which will then make additional requests for images and any other files that form a part of the page. Statistics measuring a website's popularity are usually based on the number of 'page views' or associated server 'hits', or file requests, which take place.

Having received the required files from the web server, the browser then renders the page onto the screen as specified by its HTML, CSS, and other web languages. Any images and other resources are incorporated to produce the on-screen web page that the user sees.

Most web pages will themselves contain hyperlinks to other related pages and perhaps to downloads, source documents, definitions and other web resources. Such a collection of useful, related resources, interconnected via hypertext links, is what was dubbed a "web" of information. Making it available on the Internet created what Tim Berners-Lee first called the WorldWideWeb (note the original name's use of CamelCase, subsequently discarded) in 1990.[1]

Caching
If a user revisits a web page after only a short interval, the page data may not need to be re-obtained from the source web server. Almost all web browsers cache recently-obtained data, usually on the local hard drive. HTTP requests sent by a browser will usually only ask for data that has changed since the last download. If the locally-cached data is still current, it will be reused.

Caching helps reduce the amount of web traffic on the Internet. The decision about expiration can be made independently for each downloaded file, whether image, stylesheet, JavaScript, HTML, or whatever other content the site may provide. Thus even on sites with highly dynamic content, many of the basic resources may only need to be refreshed once every few sessions. Web site designers may find it worthwhile to collate shared resources such as CSS data and JavaScript into a few site-wide files so that they can be cached efficiently. This helps reduce page download times and lowers demands on the web server.

There are other components of the Internet that can also cache web content. In practice, the most widely-used caches are built into corporate and academic firewalls which cache web resources requested by one user for the benefit of all. (See also Caching proxy server.) Some search engines, such as Google or Yahoo!, also store cached content from web sites.

Apart from the facilities built into web servers that can determine when files have been updated, designers of dynamically-generated web pages can control the HTTP headers sent back to requesting users, so that transient or sensitive pages are not cached. Internet banking and news sites frequently use these facilities.

Data requested with an HTTP 'GET' is likely to be cached if other conditions are met, whereas data obtained via a 'POST' command is assumed to be dependent on the data that was POSTed and so will not be cached.

History
This NeXTcube used by Berners-Lee at CERN became the first Web server.The concept of a home-based global information system goes back at least as far as Isaac Asimov's short story "Anniversary" (Amazing Stories, March 1959), in which the characters look up information on a home computer called a "Multivac outlet" -- which was connected by a "planetwide network of circuits" to a mile-long "super-computer" somewhere in the bowels of the Earth. One character is thinking of installing a Mulitvac, Jr. model for his kids.

The story was set in the far distant future when commercial space travel was commonplace, and yet the machine "prints the answer on a slip of tape" that comes out a slot –
there is no video display -- and the owner of the home computer says that he doesn't spend the kind of money to get a Multivac outlet that talks.

The underlying ideas of the Web can be traced as far back as 1980, when, at CERN in Switzerland, Tim Berners-Lee built ENQUIRE (referring to Enquire Within Upon Everything, a book he recalled from his youth). While it was rather different from the system in use today, it contained many of the same core ideas (and even some of the ideas of Berners-Lee's next project after the World Wide Web, the Semantic Web).

In March 1989, Tim Berners-Lee wrote a proposal,[2] which referenced ENQUIRE and described a more elaborate information management system. With help from Robert Cailliau, he published a more formal proposal for the World Wide Web on November 12, 1990.[3]

A NeXTcube was used by Berners-Lee as the world's first web server and also to write the first web browser, WorldWideWeb, in 1990. By Christmas 1990, Berners-Lee had built all the tools necessary for a working Web:[4] the first web browser (which was a web editor as well), the first web server, and the first web pages[5] which described the project itself.

On August 6, 1991, he posted a short summary of the World Wide Web project on the alt.hypertext newsgroup.[6] This date also marked the debut of the Web as a publicly available service on the Internet.

The crucial underlying concept of hypertext originated with older projects from the 1960s, such as Ted Nelson's Project Xanadu and Douglas Engelbart's oN-Line System (NLS). Both Nelson and Engelbart were in turn inspired by Vannevar Bush's microfilm-based "memex," which was described in the 1945 essay "As We May Think."

Berners-Lee's breakthrough was to marry hypertext to the Internet. In his book Weaving The Web, he explains that he had repeatedly suggested that a marriage between the two technologies was possible to members of both technical communities, but when no one took up his invitation, he finally tackled the project himself. In the process, he developed a system of globally unique identifiers for resources on the Web and elsewhere: the Uniform Resource Identifier.

The World Wide Web had a number of differences from other hypertext systems that were then available. The Web required only unidirectional links rather than bidirectional ones. This made it possible for someone to link to another resource without action by the owner of that resource. It also significantly reduced the difficulty of implementing web servers and browsers (in comparison to earlier systems), but in turn presented the chronic problem of link rot. Unlike predecessors such as HyperCard, the World Wide Web was non-proprietary, making it possible to develop servers and clients independently and to add extensions without licensing restrictions.

On April 30, 1993, CERN announced[7] that the World Wide Web would be free to anyone, with no fees due. Coming two months after the announcement that the Gopher protocol was no longer free to use, this produced a rapid shift away from Gopher and towards the Web. An early popular web browser was ViolaWWW, which was based upon HyperCard.

Scholars generally agree, however, that the turning point for the World Wide Web began with the introduction[8] of the Mosaic web browser[9] in 1993, a graphical browser developed by a team at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (NCSA-UIUC), led by Marc Andreessen. Funding for Mosaic came from the High-Performance Computing and Communications Initiative, a funding program initiated by then-Senator Al Gore's High Performance Computing and Communication Act of 1991, also known as the Gore Bill.[10] (See Al Gore's contributions to the Internet and technology for more information.) Prior to the release of Mosaic, graphics were not commonly mixed with text in web pages, and its popularity was less than older protocols in use over the Internet, such as Gopher and Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS). Mosaic's graphical user interface allowed the Web to become, by far, the most popular Internet protocol.

Standards
Many formal standards and other technical specifications define the operation of different aspects of the World Wide Web, the Internet, and computer information exchange. Many of the documents are the work of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), headed by Berners-Lee, but some are produced by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and other organizations.

Usually, when web standards are discussed, the following publications are seen as foundational:

Recommendations for markup languages, especially HTML and XHTML, from the W3C. These define the structure and interpretation of hypertext documents.
Recommendations for stylesheets, especially CSS, from the W3C.
Standards for ECMAScript, a.k.a. JavaScript, from Ecma International.
Recommendations for the Document Object Model, from W3C.
Additional publications provide definitions of other essential technologies for the World Wide Web, including, but not limited to, the following:

Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), which is a universal system for referencing resources on the Internet, such as hypertext documents and images. URIs, often called URLs, are defined by the IETF's RFC 3986 / STD 66: Uniform Resource Identifier (URI): Generic Syntax, as well as its predecessors and numerous URI scheme-defining RFCs;
HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), especially as defined by RFC 2616: HTTP/1.1 and RFC 2617: HTTP Authentication, which specify how the browser and server communicate with each other.

Java and JavaScript
A significant advance in Web technology was Sun Microsystems' Java platform. It enables web pages to embed small programs (called applets) directly into the view. These applets run on the end-user's computer, providing a richer user interface than simple web pages. Java client-side applets never gained the popularity that Sun had hoped for a variety of reasons, including lack of integration with other content (applets were confined to small boxes within the rendered page) and the fact that many computers at the time were supplied to end users without a suitably installed Java Virtual Machine, and so required a download by the user before applets would appear. Adobe Flash now performs many of the functions that were originally envisioned for Java applets, including the playing of video content, animation, and some rich UI features. Java itself has become more widely used as a platform and language for server-side and other programming.

JavaScript, on the other hand, is a scripting language that was initially developed for use within web pages. The standardized version is ECMAScript. While its name is similar to Java, JavaScript was developed by Netscape and it has almost nothing to do with Java, although, like Java, its syntax is derived from the C programming language. In conjunction with a web page's Document Object Model, JavaScript has become a much more powerful technology than its creators originally envisioned. The manipulation of a page's Document Object Model after the page is delivered to the client has been called Dynamic HTML (DHTML), to emphasize a shift away from static HTML displays.

In simple cases, all the optional information and actions available on a JavaScript-enhanced web page will have been downloaded when the page was first delivered. Ajax ("Asynchronous JavaScript And XML") is a JavaScript-based technology that provides a method whereby parts within a web page may be updated, using new information obtained over the network at a later time in response to user actions. This allows the page to be more responsive, interactive and interesting, without the user having to wait for whole-page reloads. Ajax is seen as an important aspect of what is being called Web 2.0. Examples of Ajax techniques currently in use can be seen in Gmail, Google Maps, and other dynamic web applications.

Publishing web pages
Web pages are available to individuals outside mass media. In order to publish a web page, one does not have to go through a publisher or other media institution, and potential readers could be found in all corners of the globe.

Unlike books and other documents, hypertext does not need to have a linear order from beginning to end. It is not necessarily broken down into the hierarchy of chapters, sections, subsections, and so on.

Many different kinds of information are now available on the Web, and for those who wish to know other societies, cultures, and peoples, it has become easier. When traveling in a foreign country or a remote town, one might be able to find some information about the place on the Web, especially if the place is in one of the developed countries. Local newspapers, government publications, and other materials are easier to access, and therefore the variety of information obtainable with the same effort may be said to have increased for the users of the Internet.

Although some web sites are available in multiple languages, many are in the local language only. Additionally, not all software supports all special characters, and RTL languages. These factors would challenge the notion that the World Wide Web will bring a unity to the world.[citation needed]

The increased opportunity to publish materials is certainly observable in the countless personal pages, as well as pages by families, small shops, etc., facilitated by the emergence of free web hosting services.

Statistics
According to a 2001 study, there were more than 550 billion documents on the Web, mostly in the "invisible web", or deep web.[11] A 2002 survey of 2,024 million web pages[12] determined that by far the most web content was in English: 56.4%; next were pages in German (7.7%), French (5.6%), and Japanese (4.9%). A more recent study, which used web searches in 75 different languages to sample the Web, determined that there were over 11.5 billion web pages in the publicly indexable web as of the end of January 2005.[13]

Speed issues

Frustration over congestion issues in the Internet infrastructure and the high latency that results in slow browsing has led to an alternative, pejorative name for the World Wide Web: the World Wide Wait. Speeding up the Internet is an ongoing discussion over the use of peering and QoS technologies. Other solutions to reduce the World Wide Wait can be found on W3C.

Standard guidelines for ideal web response times are (Nielsen 1999, page 42):

0.1 second (one tenth of a second). Ideal response time. The user doesn't sense any interruption.
1 second. Highest acceptable response time. Download times above 1 second interrupt the user experience.
10 seconds. Unacceptable response time. The user experience is interrupted and the user is likely to leave the site or system.
These numbers are useful for planning server capacity.

About Bhagwad Gita

2008-03-30T23:35:00.000-07:00

Bhagavad Gita is transcendental knowledge of the most profound spiritual nature as revealed . It is the divine discourse spoken by the Supreme Lord Krishna Himself and is the most popular and well known of all the sacred scriptures from ancient India. Always being revered as a true source of spiritual knowledge it reveals the purpose and goal of human existence. In conjunction to this we will be presenting precise Vedic verification of the Supreme Lord Krishna's divine incarnations as evidence confirming His supreme position. In Bhagavad- Gita, chapter 10, verse 20, the Supreme Lord reveals that He manifests as the immortal soul within each and every living entity. No where else within any other religious scripture is this information available.The Bhagavad-Gita consists of 18 chapters. Each chapter is called a yoga. Yoga is the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness. So each chapter is a highly specialized yoga revealing the path of attaining realization of the Ultimate Truth. The first six chapters have been classified as the Karma Yoga section as they mainly deal with the science of the individual consciousness attaining communion with the Ultimate Consciousness through actions.

Chapter 1 : Visada YogaChapter one introduces the scene, the setting, the circumstances and the characters involved determining the reasons for the Bhagavad-Gita' s revelation. The scene is the sacred plain of Kuruksetra. The setting is a battlefield. The circumstances is war. The main characters are the Supreme Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna, witnessed by four million soldiers led by their respective military commanders. After naming the principal warriors on both sides, Arjunas growing dejection is described due to the fear of losing friends and relatives in the course of the impending war and the subsequent sins attached to such actions. Thus this chapter is entitled: Lamenting the Consequence of War.

Chapter 2 : Sankhya YogaIn chapter two Arjuna accepts the position as a disciple of Lord Krishna and taking complete of Him requests the Lord to instruct him in how to dispel his lamentation and grief. This chapter is oftened deemed as a summary to the emtire Bhagavad-Gita. Here many subjects are explained such as: karma yoga, jnana yoga, sankhya yoga, buddih yoga and the atma which is the soul. Predominance has been given to the immortal nature of the soul existing within all living entities and it has been described in great detail. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Eternal Reality of the Souls' Immortality.

Chapter 3 : Karma YogaChapter three establishes the fact by various points of view that the performance of prescribed duties is obligatory for everyone. Here Lord Krishna categorically and comprehensively explains how it is the duty of each and every member of society to carry out their functions and responsibilities in their respective stage of life according to the rules and regulations of the society in which one lives. Further the Lord explains why such duties must be performed, what benefit is gained by performing them, what harm is caused by not performing them. Plus what actions lead to bondage and what actions lead to salvation. All these points relating to duty have been described in great detail. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Eternal Duties of Human Beings.

Chapter 4 : Jnana YogaIn chapter four Lord Krishna reveals how spiritual knowledge is received by disciplic succession and the reason and nature of His descent into the material worlds. Here He also explains the paths of action and knowledge as well as the wisdom regarding the supreme knowledge which results at the culmination of the two paths. Thus this chapter is entitled: Approaching the Ultimate Truth.

Chapter 5 : Karma Vairagya YogaIn chapter five Lord Krishna delineates the concepts of action with detachment and renunciation in actions explaining that both are a means to the same goal. Here He explains how salvation is attained by the pursuance of these paths. Thus this chapter is entitled: Action and Renunciation.

Chapter 6 : Abhyasa YogaIn chapter six Lord Krishna reveals astanga yoga, and the exact process of practicing such yoga. He explains in detail the difficulties of the mind and the procedures by which one may gain mastery of their mind through yoga which reveals the spiritual nature of a living entity. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Science of Self-Realization.

Chapter 7 : Paramahamsa Vijnana YogaIn chapter seven Lord Krishna gives concrete knowledge of the absolute reality as well as the opulence of divinity. He describes His illusory energy in the material existence called Maya and declares how extremely difficult it is to surmount it. He also describes the four types of people attracted to divinity and the four types of people who are opposed to divinty. In conclusion He reveals that one in spiritual intelligence takes exclusive refuge of the Lord without reservation in devotional service. Thus this chapter is entitled: Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth.

Chapter 8 : Aksara-Parabrahman YogaIn chapter eight Lord Krishna emphasizes the science of yoga. Revealing that one attains whatever one remembers at the end of one's life the Lord emphasizes the utmost importance of the very last thought at the moment of death. Also he gives information on the creation of the material worlds as well as establishing a distinction between them and the spiritual world. Here he explains the light and dark paths in regards to leaving this material existence, the destination to which they each lead to and the reward received by each. Thus this chapter is entitled: Attainment of Salvation.

Chapter 9 : Raja-Vidya-Guhya YogaIn chapter nine Lord Krishna reveals that the sovereign science and the sovereign secret. He explains how the entire material existence is created, prevaded, maintained and annihilated by His external energy and all beings are coming and going under His supervision. The subjects matters covered subsequently are primarily concerned with devotional service and the Lord Himself declares that these subject matters are most confidential. Thus this chapter is entitled: Confidential Knowledge of the Ultimate Truth.

Chapter 10 : Vibhuti-Vistara- YogaChapter ten reveals Lord Krishna's exalted position as the cause of all causes. Also specifying His special manifestations and opulences. Arjuna prays to the Lord to describe more of the opulences and the Lord describes those which are most prominent. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Infinite Glories of the Ultimate Truth.

Chapter 11 : Visvarupa-Darsana YogaIn chapter eleven Lord Krishna is beseeched by Arjuna to reveal His universal form showing all of existence . Thus this chapter is entitled: The Vision of the Universal Form.

Chapter 12 : Bhakti YogaIn chapter twelve Lord Krishna extols the glory of devotion to God. Along with this he explains the different forms of spiritual disciplines and discusses the qualities of the devotees who by performing their activities in this way become very dear to Him. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Path of Devotion.

Chapter 13 : Ksetra-Ksetrajna Vibhaga YogaIn chapter thirteen Lord Krishna reveals the distinct difference between the physical body and the immortal soul. He explains that the physical is transitory and perishable whereas the soul is immutable and eternal. The Lord also gives precise knowledge about the individual soul and the ultimate soul. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Individual and Ultimate

Chapter 14 : Gunatraya-Vibhaga YogaIn chapter fourteen Lord Krishna reveals matters pertaining goodness, passsion and nescience which everything in the material existence is influenced by. He gives pertinent details on the essential characteristics of each individually, their cause, the level of their potency, how they influence a living entity affected by them as well as the signs of one who has risen above them. Here he clearly advises to relinquish oneself from ignorance and passion and adopt the path of pure goodness until aquiring the ability to transcend them. Thus this chapter is entitled; The Three Qualities of Material Nature.

Chapter 15 : Purusottama YogaIn chapter fifteen Lord Krishna reveals the virtues, the glories and transcendental characteristics of God being omnipotenet, omniscient and omnipresent. Also He explains the pupose and value of knowing about God and the means by which He can be realized. Thus this chapter is entitled: Realization of the Ultimate Truth.

Chapter 16 : Daivasura-Sampad- Vibhaga YogaIn chapter sixteen Lord Krishna describes explicitly, explaining seperately and in detail the divine properties, conduct and actions which are righteous in nature and conducive to divinity. Also he delineates the evil propensities and ill conduct which are unrighteous in nature and which determine the unrighteous and which are antagonistic to divinity. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Divine and the Demoniac Natures Defined.

Chapter 17 : Sraddhatraya- Vibhaga YogaIn chapter seventeen Lord Krishna classifies the three divisions of faith, revealing that it is these different qualities of faith in the Supreme that determine that character of living entities. These three types of faith determine one's consciousness in this world. Thus this chapter is entitled: The Three Divisions of Material Existence.

Chapter 18 : Moksa-Opadesa YogaIn chapter eighteen Lord Krsishna sums up the conclusion of the previous chapters and describes the attainment of salvation by the paths of karma in chapters one through six and in jnana yoga section which are chapters thirteen through eighteen. The Lord explains that while doing so one must offer without reservation everything to God. The knowledge revealed gets progressively more and more confidential then in all the previous chapters. Thus this chapter is entitled: Final Revelations of the Ultimate Truth.

"Positive self talk". - A mail forward.

2008-03-10T23:44:00.001-07:00

I remember my dad teaching me the power of language at a very young age. Not only did my dad understand that specific words affect our mental pictures, but he understood words are a powerful programming factor in lifelong success. One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around upside down from the rafters of our lake house. So, it came to no surprise for my dad to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so high. My older cousin, Tammy, was also in the same tree. She was hanging on the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Tammy's mother also noticed us at the exact
time my dad did. About that time a huge gust of wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and the tree begin to sway. I remember my dad's voice over the wind yell, "Bart, Hold on tightly." So I did. The next thing I know, I heard Tammy screaming at the top of her lungs, laying flat on the ground. She had fallen out of the tree. I scampered down the tree to safety. My dad later told me why she fell and I did not. Apparently, when Tammy's mother felt the gust of wind, she yelled out, "Tammy, don't fall!" And Tammy did... fall. My dad then explained to me that the mind has a very difficult time processing a negative image. In fact, people who rely on internal pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for Tammy to process the command of not falling, her nine-year-old brain had to first imagine falling, then try to tell the brain not to do what it just imagined. Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal image of me hanging on tightly. This concept is especially useful when you are
attempting to break a habit or set a goal. You can't visualize not doing something. The only way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a word for what you want to do and visualize that. For example, when I was thirteen years old, I played for my junior high school football team. I tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together at that age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was running out for a pass, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the ball. My coaches were not skilled enough to teach us proper "self-talk." They just thought some kids could catch and others couldn't. I'll never make it pro, but I'm now a pretty good Sunday afternoon football player, because all my internal dialogue is positive and encourages me to win. I wish my dad had coached me playing football instead of just climbing trees. I might have had a longer football career. Here is a very easy demonstration to teach your kids and your friends the power of a toxic vocabulary. Ask them to hold a pen or pencil. Hand it to them. Now,
follow my instructions carefully. Say to them, "Okay, try to drop the pencil." Observe what they do. Most people release their hands and watch the pencil hit the floor. You respond, "You weren't paying attention. I said TRY to drop the pencil. Now please do it again." Most people then pick up the pencil and pretend to be in excruciating pain while their hand tries but fails to drop the pencil. The point is made. If you tell your brain you will "give it a try," you are actually telling your brain to fail. I have a "no try" rule in my house and with everyone I interact with. Either people will do it or they won't. Either they will be at the party or they won't. I'm brutal when people attempt to lie to me by using the word try. Do they think I don't know they are really telegraphing to the world they have no intention of doing it but they want me to give them brownie points for pretended effort? You will never hear the words "I'll try" come out of my mouth unless I'm teaching
this concept in a seminar. If you "try" and do something, your unconscious mind has permission not to succeed. If I truly can't make a decision I will tell the truth. "Sorry John. I'm not sure if I will be at your party or not. I've got an outstanding commitment. If that falls through, I will be here. Otherwise, I will not. Thanks for the invite." People respect honesty. So remove the word "try" from your vocabulary. My dad also told me that psychologists claim it takes seventeen positive statements to offset one negative statement. I have no idea if it is true, but the logic holds true. It might take up to seventeen compliments to offset the emotional damage of one harsh criticism. These are concepts that are especially useful when raising children. Ask yourself how many compliments you give yourself daily versus how many criticisms. Heck, I know you are talking to yourself all day long. We all have internal
voices that give us direction. So, are you giving yourself the 17:1 ratio or are you shortchanging yourself with toxic self-talk like, " I'm fat. Nobody will like me. I'll try this diet. I'm not good enough. I'm so stupid. I'm broke, etc. etc." If our parents can set a lifetime of programming with one wrong statement, imagine the kind of programming you are doing on a daily basis with your own internal dialogue. Here is a list of Toxic Vocabulary words. Notice when you or other people use them. Ø But: Negates any words that are stated before it. Ø Try: Presupposes failure. Ø If: Presupposes that you may not. Ø Might: It does nothing definite. It leaves options for your listener. Ø Would Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen. Ø Should Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen (and implies guilt.) Ø Could Have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen but the person
tries to take credit as if it did happen. Ø Can't/Don't: These words force the listener to focus on exactly the opposite of what you want. This is a classic mistake that parents and coaches make without knowing the damage of this linguistic error. Examples: Toxic phrase: "Don't drop the ball!" Likely result: Drops the ball Better language: "Catch the ball!" Toxic phrase: "You shouldn't watch so much television." Likely result: Watches more television. Better language: "I read too much television makes people stupid. You might find yourself turning that TV off and picking up one of those books more often!" Exercise: Take a moment to write down all the phrases you use on a daily basis or any Toxic self-talk that you have noticed yourself using. Write these phrases down so you will begin to catch yourself as they occur and change them.
Being defeated is often a temporary condition, giving up is what makes it permanent.

2008-02-28T00:42:00.001-08:00

Official languages of India

2008-02-28T00:40:00.001-08:00

More customer care numbers

2008-02-20T02:51:00.001-08:00

I find that lot of people search for customer care numbers of various Indian banks and services. So, here is a small list. Hope this would be useful for all. Will try to keep this updated. If you find that any of these numbers don't work, or have an alternate number, please leave a comment.

ICICI Bank Customer Care Number
- Bangalore - 4113 1877
- Karnataka - 98455 78000
- For other cities, click here. Phone Banking workflow click here.
Citibank Customer Care Number
- All Citibank customers - Bangalore - 2227 2484. For other cities, click here
- Citibank Suvidha account holders - Bangalore - 2227 2265. For other cities, click here
- CitiBusiness Customers - Bangalore - 2229 4653. For other cities, click here
- Citibank Credit Card - Bangalore - 2227 2484. For other cities, click here
- Priority service to CitiGold Customers, Diners Club Members & Citibank Gold Card members - Bangalore - 2229- 4653. For other cities, click here
HSBC Customer Care Number
- Banking related - Bangalore - 2558 9595
- Credit card related - Bangalore - 2558 9696
- For other cities, click here
HDFC Customer Care Number
- Debit card related - 9945863333
- Banking related - Bangalore - 5500 3333. For other cities, click here
- Credit card related - Bangalore - 6622 4332. For other cities, click here
ABN AMRO Customer Care number
- Bangalore - 4124 5555
SBI Credit Card Customer Care Number
- Karnataka - Bangalore - 98441 05454 (people are reporting that this number does not work. If you know a number that works, please let me know!)
- All India Toll Free - 1600 180 1290 (works only on BSNL and MTNL Line)
- Try : 1800 180 1290 too. May work!!!
- Other lines : 39 02 02 02
UTI Bank Customer Care Numbers
- Bangalore (M G Road) - 2537 0615
- Bangalore - 2531 7830
- Mumbai - 022 5598 7700
- For other cities, click here
IDBI Bank Customer Care Number (Phone Banking)
- Karnataka - Bangalore - 080 22297000
- Mumbai - 022 66937000
- Delhi - 011 23627000
- Chennai - 044 28295550
- For other cities, click here
Manhattan Credit Card Customer Care Number
- Bangalore - 3030 1969. (this number seems to work in Mumbai too! Give it a try in your local city!)
Standard Chartered Credit Card Customer Care Number
- Bangalore - 2558 8888 (updated). For other cities, click here
Deutsche Bank Customer Care Number
- 6601 6601 (this number is available in Aurangabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolhapur, Kolkata and Mumbai. If dialing from Gurgaon / Noida please prefix 9511 before dialing.)
Airtel Customer Care
- Dail 121 from your airtel mobile
- Karnataka - 98450 98450 - For prepaid if you are calling from landline
- Karnataka - 98450 12345 - For postpaid if you are calling from landline
Hutch Customer Care
- Karnataka - Dial 111 from your Hutch phone or dial 98860 98860
BSNL Mobile Customer Care (Cellone & Excel)
- Karnataka - Dial 94480 24365
- For other cities, click here.
Reliance Mobile Customer Care
- Call 3033 3333 Or dial *333 from your Reliance Mobile
- For other numbers, click here.
Reliance Broadband Customer Care
- Call 022 - 3033 7777 Or dial *377 on your Reliance phone
SpiceJet Customer Care
- From BSNL/MTNL : 1800 180 3333
- Others (GSM/CDMA): +91 98718 03333
LIC Policy Details (Life Insurance Corporation)
- Call - 1251 or
- New Delhi 011 - 2332 9595
- Mumbai 022 -2612 5555
- Kolkata 033 - 23341765, 23211893/94/95
- Chennai 044 - 28602626/28602929
- Hyderabad 040 - 2329 7455
- Bangalore 080 - 2248 5210
- Pune 020 - 2553 6161
- Ahmedabad 079 - 2550 7777
Yahoo! India Customer Care
- I am not sure if these numbers work, but give it a try & leave a comment!
- Bangalore : (080) 39805078
- Chennai : (044) 39119494
- Yahoo! US "Customer Service": 1-866-562-7219 (for yahoo.com)
- Yahoo! Small Business/Store: 1-866-800-8092
- Other US Yahoo! numbers to try
  - +1 866-850-4303
  - +1 866-562-7228
  - +1 408-349-1572
  - +1 408-349-3300
  - +1 408-329-5151
  - +1 800-318-0631

Poison food- MSG

2008-02-20T01:19:00.001-08:00

Have you ever thought why 'outside' food tastes so much better than home food? You may be following the same recipe for a particular dish you ordered at the restaurant or that dip you picked off the rack at the supermarket, but somehow you can never match the taste! Well, that's because you don't store MSG in your kitchen cabinets. MSG what, you ask? Read on to know more about this invisible factor creeping into our bodies through the food we eat, like a silent parasite that preys on you without your slightest knowledge!

MSG, or Monosodium Glutamate is a 'flavour enhancer'. It tricks the brain into thinking it is getting something tasty. It is not a preservative and it has no nutritional value. It does nothing to food, but it does affect the person using it.

In fact, some of the common ailments we experience today can largely be connected to ingesting MSG, a chemical commonly used in many food products we eat. Regular occurrence of headaches/migraines, lethargy, anxiety, panic attacks, disorientation, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, runny nose/sneezing, extreme dryness of the mouth and flushing that cannot otherwise be put down to a concrete cause, can all be attributed to MSG.

MSG is a fine white crystal substance that looks like salt. It is used as a flavour-enhancer in many foods, especially in pre-made soups, broth, bouillon, natural chicken flavouring, sauces, dressings, and processed foods.

It is called an 'excitotoxin' or 'neurotoxin' by leading neuroscientists because of its degenerative effects on the brain and nervous system. Neurons are over stimulated to the point of exhaustion and cell death. MSG first goes to the brain through membranes in the mouth and throat, and also enters the blood stream as MSG laden foods are digested.

The problem with MSG is that some people experience adverse reactions within an hour after they taste it.

A 1995 FDA-commissioned report acknowledged that an unknown percentage of the population may react to monosodium glutamate and develop 'monosodium glutamate symptom complex', a condition characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Burning sensation/numbness in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
• Tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms
• Facial pressure or tightness
• Chest pain
• Headache
• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Sweating

A 2002 report from researchers at Hirosaki University in Japan found rats fed on diets very high in glutamate (up to 20%) suffered eye damage. Lead researcher Hiroshi Ohguro said the findings might explain why, in eastern Asia, there is a high rate of normal-tension glaucoma.

Effects of MSG

Besides the above mentioned effects, the following show MSG's dire health consequences:

• • Obesity is one of the most consistent effects of excitotoxin exposure and is a growing problem that knows no age or sex boundaries. MSG triggers an insulin/adrenalin/fat storage/food craving response. This depletes serotonin levels which trigger headaches, depression, fatigue, and leads to more food cravings.

• • Asthma, which was on the decline until the mid-eighties, now shows a 100% increase in the death rate among children and seniors. Incidence has increased 600% in the last 10 years. The FDA recognizes that 'uncontrollable asthma' can be caused by MSG.

• • MSG is a known 'mutagen' (mutates fetuses) and causes significant damage to intellectual development, growth patterns, reproduction and gonadal functions.

• • Lab studies show devastating effects on brain development including dyslexia, autism, schizophrenia, violent episodes, panic attacks, seizures, depression and even cerebral palsy! Humans are five times more sensitive to MSG than other mammals.

Avoiding MSG

1 Ask the servers at restaurants to have the chef omit MSG from your meal.

2 Avoid these food additives, which always contain MSG: hydrolysed vegetable protein, hydrolysed protein, plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, yeast extract, textured protein and hydrolysed oat flour.

3 The following additives frequently contain MSG: Malt extract, malt flavouring, natural flavouring, natural chicken flavouring, seasoning and spices.

4 Be wary of these additives, which may contain MSG: enzymes, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate and whey protein isolate.

5 Contact the distributors of foods containing the above additives to see whether they contain MSG.

Effect on children

Thousands of packaged foods, ginger pastes, garlic pastes, dips, curry paste, chili sauces, pickles, packaged soups, stock cubes, packaged snacks like chips, crackers, etc., including many so-called health foods contain MSG in considerable amounts. Packaged foods designed for children tend to be especially high in MSG.

MSG has been shown to cause lesions on the brain, especially in children. These lesions cause cognitive, endocrinological and emotional abnormalities. In children excess glutamate affects the growth cones on neurons. MSG could seriously affect cognitive skills in children and cause learning difficulties. It also causes anxiety and hyperactivity leading to ADH.

The MSG myth

It is a myth that MSG is restricted only to Chinese cuisine. MSG is frequently used in all kinds of restaurants, even Indian joints. In fact, down south, some restaurants have been asked to add it to sambars just to add a different texture to it! Restaurants are notorious for using it, out of habit and lack of knowledge about it. The processed food industry, however, is using it with full knowledge of its making and effects.

So, whenever you can, read your labels and be aware!

WRITE ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW by Carol Anne Strange

2008-02-08T03:04:00.000-08:00

Writing about what you know is sound advice when you’re starting out as a freelance writer but many would-be scribes flounder at the thought and don’t think they know enough about anything in particular to warrant publication. Yet we all have the potential to specialise by accessing the wealth of knowledge gained from our past and present experiences.
By specialising in a subject area, it is easier to become known by editors and you can quickly build up a strong reputation in the publishing world. This can escalate your career from writing a regular column in your local newspaper to writing features for a national title to being commissioned to write a book on your subject. Even if you are capable of writing anything and everything, being known for a particular topic area is more likely to win you commissions.
When I started out writing professionally nearly 20 years ago, I focused on health and well-being because this was the field that I was interested in and involved with at the time. I read widely on my subject, took courses and did all I could to learn more. This resulted in me securing one of my first regular columns and feature commissions for a martial arts magazine titled ‘Fighters’, which I covered for several years. From this, I started to explore how I could use my knowledge in the field to write for other publications and I picked up many more commissions before going on to publish a book on martial arts. Later still, as I took on new interests and expertise, I diversified and was able to add to my specialist subject areas. This continues to provide endless scope for freelance opportunities.
You too can become a specialist writer and pick up regular contracts quite early on in your writing career. So start off with some active reflection to set you on the right path:
Make a ListTake some time out to make a list of all the subjects that interest you. Include your hobbies, skills and areas of expertise. Write down what you’re passionate about. It might be films, gardening, food, travel, music, home, art etc. You’ll be surprised how many areas of interest you have. Now highlight what excites you the most and what you’ll enjoy writing about.
Consider Your Life SkillsA new writer once told me that she didn’t think she had any specialist knowledge as she’d spent years bringing up her three children and hadn’t had chance to develop a career. Yet parenting is a specialist skill. When she looked a little deeper, she realised that she had mountains of material on issues and anecdotes concerning parenthood. She decided to specialise in writing parenting articles and went on to be widely published.
Don’t underestimate your knowledgeYour experiences in life can make interesting and informative material for publication so don’t overlook this potential.
Research Your SubjectAnother writer had a profound interest in gardening yet assumed that he didn’t have any real specialist knowledge in the subject. After all, everyone knows something about gardening, don’t they? Well, that’s not so. Even if you’re not an expert, you’ll be surprised just how much you do know when it’s a subject that you’re passionate about and, what you don’t know for sure, you can research. You don’t need a degree in your subject to write about it – you just need passion for the topic and a willingness to learn more as you go along. Take the opportunity to study and build up a good reference library. Subscribe to specialist journals that will give you inside knowledge.
Join an AssociationOnce you’ve decided on your specialist subject, see if there are any organisations that you can join that will provide you with access to news and information that might otherwise be difficult to obtain. For example, if you’re a writer specialising in all things equestrian, you could join the British Horse Society or similar bodies that will give you access to people and the latest developments in the equestrian world.
Promote Your SpecialityStart working on your article outlines to prepare a body of material. Make sure editors are aware of your specialist area when you contact them. Start out by writing a column for a local newspaper or magazine. This is a great way of establishing a reputation. Work on creating a name for yourself so that you become known for your expertise.
Think LaterallyIf your specialist subject is food and wine, don’t necessarily aim for the food and wine magazines. Usually, they already have long term experts in place. Instead, think laterally and consider how your expertise can be used to write articles on your subject for a diverse range of magazines. Taking food and wine as an example: how about an article on party food for a parenting magazine? Or consider a seasonal food and drink feature for a general interest magazine such as Prima or The Lady. There are plenty of angles to approach; you just need to think creatively to use your expertise to the best advantage.
The benefits of being a writer who specialises are quite significant. It is much easier to focus on a subject that you’re passionate about and you’ll find that you are never short of ideas for articles. Even if your subject is quite narrow – for example, focusing on ‘cats’ rather than ‘pets’ – you’ll still be surprised how many markets are open to you. The secret is in being able to think laterally and being creative enough to write for a diverse market place.
Writing about what you know can provide you with consistent work for years. Your expertise can even lead to the publication of books and many specialist writers have been asked to give talks or appear on television.
So, if you’re not already known for a specific subject area, do give it some serious thought. There’s nothing stopping you from taking on board ‘general’ writing commissions, but once you’ve got yourself a specialist writing role, then you will find that more publishing opportunities open up for you.

Cute url- I can't smile without you.

2008-02-08T03:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.starterupsteve.com/swf/cantsmilewithoutu.html

Interesting quotes

2008-02-08T03:02:00.000-08:00

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when man is afraid of the light." -Plato

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. --Leonardo DaVinci

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that
the necessary may speak. --Hans Hofmann

People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile. --Lee Mildon

You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers
of gold. Richer than I you can never be -- I had a mother who read
to me. --Strickland Gillilan
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter. --Mark Twain
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or
strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing
each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build
a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls ... --Robert F. Kennedy

You are the only person on earth who can use your ability. --Zig Ziglar
Each one sees what he carries in his heart. --Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Distance is meant to relate, not separate. --Satish Kumar

One must know not just how to accept a gift, but with what grace to
share it. --Maya Angelou

The books that help you most are those which make you think the most.
The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book
that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted
with truth and beauty. --Theodore Parker

People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves
of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the
ocean, at the circular motion of the stars; and they pass by
themselves without wondering. --St Augustine

I have always thought it would be a blessing if each person could
be blind and deaf for a few days during his early adult life.
Darkness would make him appreciate sight; silence would teach him
the joys of sound. --Helen Keller

Begin challenging your own assumptions. Your assumptions are your
windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in awhile, or the
light won't come in. --Alan Alda

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. --Samuel Ullman
It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. --Joyce Maynard

Creativity is a type of learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual. --Arthur Koestler

Compassion is to share the pain without sharing the suffering. --Shinzen Young

Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space lies our freedom and power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom. --Viktor Frankl

Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use. --Earl Nightingale

Intelligence and capability are not enough. There must be the joy of doing something beautiful. --Dr Govindappa Venkataswamy

It isn't reasonable to ask that we achieve perfection. What is reasonable is that we never cease to aim for it. --Atul Gawande

I do not know what I may appear to the world; but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. --Isaac Newton

One of the great joys that comes from generosity is the understanding that no matter how much or how little we have by the world’s standards, if we know we have enough, we can always give something. --Sharon Salzberg

People mistake tradition for religion. Men are always saying, 'Women can't do that because of religion,' when in fact it is only tradition. It's important for us to study so that we will know the difference. --Enas al-Kaldi

Walk around feeling like a leaf.
Know you could tumble any second.
Then decide what to do with your time. --Naomi Shihab Nye

I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, quality, and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, other-centered men can build up. --Martin Luther King Jr

Ignorance is an accumulation of thoughts undigested. --Ragunath Padmanabhan

Honesty is telling the truth to ourselves and others. Integrity is living that truth. --Ken Blanchard

I believe we are transformed and connected by the power and beauty of our creativity. --Mel Rusnov

Truth, like gold, is to be obtained not by its growth, but by washing away from it all that is not gold. --Leo Tolstoy

What you appreciate -- appreciates. --Lynne Twist

I am a kind of paranoiac in reverse. I suspect people of plotting to make me happy. --J.D. Salinger

No system or machinery or economic doctrine or theory stands on its own feet: it is invariably built on a metaphysical foundation, that is to say, upon man's basic outlook on life, its meaning and its purpose. I have talked about the religion of economics, the idol worship of material possessions, of consumption and the so-called standard of living, and the fateful propensity that rejoices in the fact that 'what were luxuries to our fathers have become necessities for us.' --E. F. Schumacher

Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give. --Edwin Arlington Robinson

He drew a circle that shut me out --
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in. --Edwin Markham

Writing is an adventure. To begin with, it is a toy and an amusement. then it becomes a mistress, then it becomes a master, the it becomes a tyrant. The last phase is that just as you are about to be reconciled to your servitude, you kill the monster and fling him to the public. --Churchill

The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn't being said. --Peter Drucker

A painter paints pictures on canvas but musicians paint their pictures on silence. --Leopold Stokowski

Each person has inside a basic decency and goodness. If he listens to it and acts on it, he is giving a great deal of what it is the world needs most. It is not complicated but it takes courage. It takes courage for a person to listen to his own good. --Pablo Casals

Prayer is a radical response to the mysteries of life. --Matthew Fox

Great people talk about ideas,
Average people talk about things,
Small people talk about others.

A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed ... It feels an impulsion ... this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons. --Richard Bach

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. --Buddha

Anything that you cannot relinquish when it has outlived its usefulness possesses you, and in this materialistic age a great many of us are possessed by our possessions. We are not free. --Peace Pilgrim

Dream it. Believe in it. Receive it. --Anonymous

When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be. --Patanjali

In times of change learners inherit the earth; while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists. --Eric Hoffer

Individual commitment to a group effort -- that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work. --Vince Lombardi

When I rise, let me rise joyful, like a bird. When I fall, let me fall without regret, like a leaf. --Wendell Berry

We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are. --The Talmud

There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm. --Willa Cather

To do something, however small, to make others happier and better, is the highest ambition, the most elevating hope, which can inspire a human being. --John Lubbock

Things don't change. You change your way of looking, that's all. --Carlos Castaneda

Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything. --Thomas Merton

All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts. --William Shakespeare
Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them. --Henry Ford
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul. --John Muir
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler. --Henry David Thoreau

Education is much more than a matter of imparting the knowledge and skills by which narrow goals are achieved. It is also about opening the child's eyes to the needs and rights of others. --Dalai Lama

The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react. --George Bernard Shaw
One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. --Henry Miller

You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage--pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically--to say 'no' to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside. --Stephen Covey
We should not judge of a man's merit by his great abilities, but by the use he makes of them. --Francois de la Rochefoucauld

Progress in every age results only from the fact that there are some men and women who refuse to believe that what they know to be right cannot be done. --Russell W. Davenport

Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. And, cooking done with care is an act of love. --Craig Clairborne

Creativity, as has been said, consists largely of rearranging what we know in order to find out what we do not know. Hence, to think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted. --George Kneller
Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more. --Anthony Robbins

No one knows your capability as well as you do. No one knows how big you can dream and no one knows how far you can go. You, like water, can seek and reach your own level. --Lynne Cox

If we can really understand the problem, the answer will come out of it, because the answer is not separate from the problem. --Jiddu Krishnamurti

The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live. --Mortimer Adler

Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be. --Samuel Johnson

How do you go from where you are to where you want to be? I think you have to have an enthusiasm for life. You have to have a dream, a goal, and you have to be willing to work for it. --Jim Valvano
There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential. --Rusty Berkus
People who do not see their choices do not believe they have choices. They tend to respond automatically, blindly influenced by their circumstances and conditioning. Mindfulness, by helping us notice our impulses before we act, gives us the opportunity to decide whether to act and how to act. --Gil Fronsdal
Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is the one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That is dedication. --Cecil B. De Mille
Love is a believing creature. –Ovid

We're never so vulnerable as when we trust someone -- but paradoxically, if we cannot trust, neither can we find love or joy. --Walter Anderson

What if you slept, and what if, in your sleep you dreamed? And what if, in your dream, you went to heaven and there plucked a strange and beautiful flower? And what if, when you awoke, you had the flower in your hand? What then? --Deepak Chopra

One little person, giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people, giving some of their time, can make history. --Peace Pilgrim

Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other -- it doesn't matter who it is -- and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other. --Mother Teresa

Something in human nature causes us to start slacking off at our moment of greatest accomplishment. As you become successful, you will need a great deal of self-discipline not to lose your sense of balance, humility and commitment. --Ross Perot

You can understand and relate to most people better if you look at them -- no matter how old or impressive they may be -- as if they are children. For most of us never really grow up or mature all that much -- we simply grow taller. O, to be sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, and whose daily life is still best described by fairy tales. --Leo Rosten
We do not see things as they are; we see things as we are. Anonymous

Never regret anything, because at one time it was what you wanted. Anonymous

Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes. Mahatma Gandhi

It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life, I have been searching for evidence which could support it. Bertrand Russell.

For most of history, anonymous was a woman. Virginia Woolf
Its not that some people have willpower and some don’t. Its that some people are ready to change and some are not. James Gordon

If you want to know what God thinks of money, just look at the people he gave it to. Dorothy Parker

We meet to create memories, we part to preserve them. Anonymous

If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes. --Albert Einstein

It's the heart afraid of breakingthat never learns to dance.It's the dream afraid of wakingthat never takes the chance.It's the one who won't be taken,who cannot seem to give,and the soul afraid of dyin'that never learns to live. --Bette Midler
Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight. --Albert Schweitzer
Being healthy means a wholeness in the living of one's life -- a dynamic and constantly changing balance that acknowledges the soundness of our physical state, the wholesomeness of lifestyle, the values that define our behavior, our intimate and collective relationships, the meaning and purpose of our work in the world, and the spiritual dimension of our existence. --William B. Stewart

If Oppoutunity doesnt Knock the Door, Build One"

Appearance VS Reality

To appear wise, one must talk;
To be wise, one must listen.

To appear to do good, one must be busy;
To do good, one must know when to stand aside.

To appear to lead, one must put oneself first;
To lead, one must put oneself last.

To appear caring, one must give advice;
To be caring, one must give space.

To appear to love, one must know how to give;
To love, one must know also how to receive.

To appear happy, one must smile;
To be happy, one must be free of fears.

I'm not the best
But I'm not like the rest

'A diamond is just another coal which did very well under pressure'

Hilarious quotes

2008-02-08T02:54:00.000-08:00

SOME THOUGHTS TO PONDER ON AND LAUGH IT OUT

Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour.Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity - Albert Einstein

The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts workingthe moment you get up inthe morning and does not stop until you get into the office.. - Robert Frost

The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it - Franklin P. Jones

We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like?> -Jean Cocturan

It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world everyday always just exactly fits the newspaper -JerrySeinfeld

It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose -Darrin Weinberg

Life is pleasant Death is peaceful.It's the transition that's troublesome.

Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.

Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers

It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving

Whoever said money can't buy happiness, didn't know where to shop.

Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but then again, neither does milk.

Most people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them.

Forgive your enemies but remember their names.

The number of people watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action.

Dont worry that the world ends today, its already tomorrow in Australia.

SLICES OF INSPIRATION By Lorraine Mace

2008-02-08T02:53:00.000-08:00

There are times when I wish I had writer's block. The thought of sitting in front of a computer where nothing is happening sounds quite appealing to my beleaguered brain. Blank screen, blank page and blank mind. Heaven.
Actually, it isn't writer's block I need; it's an idea filter. Many articles have been written to show how to find inspiration, but that has never been my problem. Avoiding cerebral fatigue, whilst competing thoughts have a mental boxing match, is my dilemma. The ideas are like tiny cartoon figures, each shoving and pushing to the front of my consciousness, while jumping up and down screaming: "me, me".
In the bath, crossing the street, playing tennis, cooking, reading and, worst of all, writing. It doesn't matter where I am, or what I'm doing, ideas attack without respite.
You don't think it's a problem? It isn't possible to have too many good ideas? Well, imagine this:
I'm writing an article about the early years of the Tour de France when a brainwave for a travel feature strikes. So far so good, only one article in progress and one new idea. I leave my cyclists labouring up a hill and make a note about the travel piece. Then I'm inspired by the thought of a cooking article on the region that I'm going to write the travel feature about. This in turn gives me the idea for a short story set in a hotel, which I have to set down as an outline before I lose the plot. Meanwhile, my old-time cyclists have decided to take a smoke break and are chatting amongst themselves.
As I am about to return to them another idea strikes. This has no connection to anything that I've either written or thought about before. It's what I call one of my random slices through the brain. How about a piece on relationships between older women and younger men? Or love in retirement homes? First passion? Last passion? No passion?
I cannot write fast enough and my head hurts. The cyclists are now threatening to ride off into the sunset unless I come back, which wouldn't please the editor at all as the piece is due at the end of the week.
In an attempt to recapture the mood, I read what I've written so far, and am horrified to find that I've inserted odd words into the text. Nestling gently amidst a description of the endurance required to compete in a cycling race, I discover an aide-memoir about breast implants. Not mine, you understand. An idea for an article on the possible problems attached to the operation. No wonder my cyclists were getting hot under the collar and wanted to race away.
I try to be single-minded, but I'm terrified that the idea I allow to escape will be the best one. I'm imprisoned by my own fertile imagination.
Won't somebody please write an article on how not to find inspiration? Hey, that gives me an idea or four ...

How To Conduct an Interview

2008-02-08T02:52:00.000-08:00

Interviews have four stages that precede the writing of a story:? arrangements, preparation, the actual interview and the reconstruction.
ARRANGEMENTS--Spontaneous interviews, except in connection with breaking news, seldom contribute to thoroughness? Once you have decided to interview someone, call in advance to make an appointment? Identify yourself by your name and the name of your publication? If you feel the need to do so or are asked to describe what the story is about, be brief and general.? The shape of the story might change as you continue your reporting.? If you are interviewing several persons in connection with your story, interview the principal person last, because you will be better prepared based on what you learn from the earlier interviews.
PREPARATION?Do as much research as possible in advance on the person and/or topic you are working on.? Sources might include the library, public records, the internet and people you know who can provide background information.? Prepare your questions in advance in writing and bring them to the interview.? Refer to them but don't show them to the interviewee, because it creates too formal an atmosphere.? Ask other questions as they might arise, based on what the interviewee says or something new that might come to you on the spur of the moment.? Bring two pencils (or pens) and paper.? A stenographer's notebook is usually easier to handle than a large pad but use whatever is comfortable.? Bring a tape recorder if you can but be sure to get the permission to use it from the person you are interviewing.? You also should take notes, because it will help in the reconstruction phase, and, yes, tape recorders fail occasionally.
THE INTERVIEW?It is inadvisable to launch right into the interview unless you are only being given a few minutes.? Some casual conversation to start with will relax both of you.? Questions should be as short as possible.? Give the respondent time to answer.? Be a good listener.? If he or she prattles on, it is appropriate to move on as politely as you can.? You might say something such as:? "Fine, but let me ask you this?".? Try to draw out specifics:? How long, how many, when, etc.?? Absorb the atmospherics of the locale where the interview takes place, with particular attention to what might be a reflection of the interviewee's personality and interests, such as photos of children or bowling trophies or a paper-littered desk or a clean one, etc.? Note characteristics of the interviewee that might be worth mentioning in your story, such as pacing, looking out the window to think, hand gestures and the like.? Invite the person to call you if she/he thinks of anything pertinent after the interview.? It often happens, so be sure to provide your name, email address and phone number on a card or piece of paper before you leave.? If that person has a secretary, be sure to get that person's name and telephone number, too, in case there is some detail that needs followup and, again, leave information as to how you may be contacted.? If a photo is needed and is not taken during the interview, be sure to make arrangements then to have one taken at a later time.
RECONSTRUCTION?As soon as it's practical after the interview, find a quiet place to review your handwritten notes.? In your haste while taking notes, you may have written abbreviations for words that won't mean anything to you a day or two later.? Or some of your scribbling may need deciphering, and, again, it is more likely you'll be better able to understand the scribbles soon after the interview.? Underline or put stars alongside quotes that seemed most compelling. One star for a good quote, two stars for a very good one, etc.?? It will speed the process when you get to the writing stage.? One other thing to look for in your notes:? the quote you wrote down might not make a lot of sense, unless you remember what specific question it was responding to.? In short, fill in whatever gaps exist in your notes that will help you better understand them when writing.
Interviewing involves to two types of skills. The first is questioning skills. By asking the right types of questions in the right sequence, you can elicit more complete information from informants than likely without these techniques.
The other is rapport building skills. These skills help you build rapport with your informant so that they trust you and freely give you information. In fact, when you develop a sufficiently strong rapport with informants, they contact you when they have information they think you might be interested in).
The following procedure suggests how you might plan for and conduct an interview. Following this procedure should help you elicit the desired information from your informants and develop a good rapport with them.
Top
Before the Interview
What is your purpose? Concretely state the type of information you hope to get by the end of the interview. Suppose, for example, that you were asked to prepare information for end users of a new software application and plan to interview the chief designer of the application.
By the end of the first interview, you might want to know what the application is and the five tasks that users are most likely to perform with it. Similarly, suppose you are developing the internal policies guide for a medium-sized retailer and you plan to interview the human resources manager. By the end of the interview, you might want to know the policies that need to be addressed and how they will be administered.
What types of things do you need to ask so informants reveal the desired information? List the broad topics for 3 to 7 questions. If you have more questions than that, you probably need to schedule a second interview. Suppose once again that you are preparing information for end users of a new software application and your goal is finding out which tasks will most commonly perform with the application. Your topic areas might include:
Most common tasks
Character sketches of typical users
How users currently perform these tasks
How easily will users be able to learn these tasks
The most likely "tough spots"
Present these topics as questions. When writing questions, focus on "open" questions. Open questions require more than a single word as an answer and therefore more likely to elicit information from informants. Open questions usually begin with words like what, why, and how . Avoid closed questions, questions that only require an answer of a single word. Any question that requires a yes or no answer is an example of a closed question.
Consider the question about the most difficult tasks for users to learn. An example of a closed question is:
X Are there any tasks that users might find difficult?
The informant might respond yes, but you will have to ask another question to find out which tasks are difficult. In contrast, this open question is likely to elicit the sought-after information on the first try:
Y Which tasks do you expect users to have most difficulty with?
This list of questions is called an interview guide.
When writing questions, also consider these suggestions:
Avoid "double-barrelled" questions, that is, questions that really ask two things at once, such as "Are you a technical communicator and do you exercise regularly?"
Avoid negatives in questions; focus, instead, on the positive
Be careful using technical terminology in questions; make sure that your informant will understand the term or be prepared to provide a clear, succinct definition
Contact the informant and schedule an appointment for the interview. A first interview should take about 1 to 2 hours. Later, when you build a rapport, you can meet for a longer period of time. When scheduling the interview, tell the informant what your goal is. The informant can review any appropriate documents and make copies for you, if appropriate.
Review your interview guide.
Determine how you plan to record information--audiotape or notes--and make sure you have the appropriate equipment or materials before the interview.
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At the Interview
Be prompt. Appearing late for an interview, especially a first interview, interferes with your ability to build trust with an informant. If you are going to be late, call to let the informant know. Most informants understand that some delays cannot be avoided.
Be prepared. Walk in with all materials ready to use (other than quickly setting up the tape recorder, if you use one).
If you plan to record the interview, first ask the informant if he or she minds your doing so. Only after the informant provides permission should you turn on the tape recorder.
Begin the interview by repeating the purpose. Ask questions. Start with your first question.
Although you have an interview guide, consider straying from it if the informant is providing you useful information.
As the informant responds to your questions, make sure that you clearly and completely understand the responses. If you do not, ask your informant to clarify points that seem unclear, amplify points that seem ambiguous, and to verify points (for this purpose, you might use closed questions, such as "Did you say that...")
Actively listen to what the participant says. People provide you with information when they believe that you are listening to them. Whenever possible, use the informants own words as a means of reflecting back the informants’ responses and of encouraging further discussion. For example, suppose the informant told you that "users are really going to love this product."
You respond. "Really going to love this product?"
"Oh yes," the informant replies, and continues to explain how.
Do not exceed the time limit for the interview. Instead, ask the informant if you may continue beyond the scheduled time or schedule an additional interview.
Before closing the interview, summarize the main points with the informant to verify that you correctly understand the information provided.
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After the Interview
Write a thank-you note to acknowledge your appreciation for the interview.
Transcribe your notes and assess whether you actually whether or not you got the information you wanted. If not, identify the information that’s missing and determine whether you want to interview the informant again or seek the information from another source.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: Minutes to hours
Here's How:
1. Track down your subject. This could be as simple as walking next door and knocking or calling the office of a city official to ask for an interview. Famous people always have P.R. reps that set up their interviews; business people will often have their secretaries set up such appointments.
2. Identify yourself. And what is it you're writing about? You don't have to reveal potential scoops here, but be straightforward enough that the source can't later say you misled him.
3. If calling ahead, set a mutually acceptable time and place for the interview. If not meeting at the person's business, public places such as coffeehouses are best. If covering spot news, politely ask if the person can spare a few moments of his time to talk with you.
4. Ask the source if they wish to be quoted. If so, ask the source to spell his or her name. (Don't assume that "Smith" isn't spelled "Smyth.") PRINT this in your reporter's notebook, even if the rest of the interview is in scribbled shorthand. Spell the source's name back to him or her to make sure you got it right.
5. When asking a question, give the source room to breathe. Often you'll get your best quotes and information by not jumping to the next question, but letting the source carry on with his train of thought and expanding upon the question.
6. Don't be afraid to slow a source down. Better to ask the source to repeat himself than get the quote wrong.
7. Pick out the best quotes as you go. This is a learned skill. As you grow accustomed to interviewing people, your mind will pick out the noteworthy quotes, the key facts, the interesting details, and these are the things that will wind up in your notes. Remember, you might only use 10 percent of what a source says, or they might be the anchor for your story. You'll never know until you talk to them.
8. Referrals yield good stuff. Sometimes a source will tell you that he can't give you all the information that you need. Ask him who can. Get that name, get that number, get the information.
9. A bit of friendliness goes a long way. I think of one time when I knocked on a door near a crime scene, and the resident was very wary of talking to the press (as many involved in crime stories are, for fear of retribution). She let me as far as inside the front door. After I complimented her sofa, I was soon sitting on it, getting much more information from her than I could even use.
10. Be available for more. Sometimes sources will think of more later, and sometimes they have to cut interviews short. Always have business cards with your contact information. And be prepared to take a call or answer an e-mail at nearly any time.
11. Always say thank you. Your time is valuable, and so is theirs. Thank them for taking the time to speak with you.
12. Fill in the blanks. You might take notes so quickly that it's good to sit in your car, or rush back to your desk, and rapidly fill in some of the shorthand so there is no question in your mind later when you sit down to write.
What You Need:
· A spiral-bound reporter's notebook and pen
· Identification and a business card with contact information
· A tape recorder, if you and the subject are comfortable with it
· A digital camera, should a good image present itself
· A cell phone, to keep on top of appointment changes

Introduction
Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a participant's experiences. The interviewer can pursue in-depth information around a topic. Interviews may be useful as follow-up to certain respondents to questionnaires, e.g., to further investigate their responses. Usually open-ended questions are asked during interviews.
Before you start to design your interview questions and process, clearly articulate to yourself what problem or need is to be addressed using the information to be gathered by the interviews. This helps you keep clear focus on the intent of each question.
Preparation for Interview
Choose a setting with little distraction. Avoid loud lights or noises, ensure the interviewee is comfortable (you might ask them if they are), etc. Often, they may feel more comfortable at their own places of work or homes.
Explain the purpose of the interview.
Address terms of confidentiality. Note any terms of confidentiality. (Be careful here. Rarely can you absolutely promise anything. Courts may get access to information, in certain circumstances.) Explain who will get access to their answers and how their answers will be analyzed. If their comments are to be used as quotes, get their written permission to do so. See getting informed consent.
Explain the format of the interview. Explain the type of interview you are conducting and its nature. If you want them to ask questions, specify if they're to do so as they have them or wait until the end of the interview.
Indicate how long the interview usually takes.
Tell them how to get in touch with you later if they want to.
Ask them if they have any questions before you both get started with the interview.
Don't count on your memory to recall their answers. Ask for permission to record the interview or bring along someone to take notes.
Types of Interviews
Informal, conversational interview - no predetermined questions are asked, in order to remain as open and adaptable as possible to the interviewee's nature and priorities; during the interview, the interviewer "goes with the flow".
General interview guide approach - the guide approach is intended to ensure that the same general areas of information are collected from each interviewee; this provides more focus than the conversational approach, but still allows a degree of freedom and adaptability in getting information from the interviewee./LI>
Standardized, open-ended interview - here, the same open-ended questions are asked to all interviewees (an open-ended question is where respondents are free to choose how to answer the question, i.e., they don't select "yes" or "no" or provide a numeric rating, etc.); this approach facilitates faster interviews that can be more easily analyzed and compared.
Closed, fixed-response interview - where all interviewees are asked the same questions and asked to choose answers from among the same set of alternatives. This format is useful for those not practiced in interviewing.
Types of Topics in Questions
Patton notes six kinds of questions. One can ask questions about:
Behaviors - about what a person has done or is doing
Opinions/values - about what a person thinks about a topic
Feelings - note that respondents sometimes respond with "I think ..." so be careful to note that you're looking for feelings
Knowledge - to get facts about a topic
Sensory - about what people have seen, touched, heard, tasted or smelled
Background/demographics - standard background questions, such as age, education, etc.
Note that the above questions can be asked in terms of past, present or future.
Sequence of Questions
Get the respondents involved in the interview as soon as possible.
Before asking about controversial matters (such as feelings and conclusions), first ask about some facts. With this approach, respondents can more easily engage in the interview before warming up to more personal matters.
Intersperse fact-based questions throughout the interview to avoid long lists of fact-based questions, which tends to leave respondents disengaged.
Ask questions about the present before questions about the past or future. It's usually easier for them to talk about the present and then work into the past or future.
The last questions might be to allow respondents to provide any other information they prefer to add and their impressions of the interview.

Wording of Questions
Wording should be open-ended. Respondents should be able to choose their own terms when answering questions.
Questions should be as neutral as possible. Avoid wording that might influence answers, e.g., evocative, judgmental wording.
Questions should be asked one at a time.
Questions should be worded clearly. This includes knowing any terms particular to the program or the respondents' culture.
Be careful asking "why" questions. This type of question infers a cause-effect relationship that may not truly exist. These questions may also cause respondents to feel defensive, e.g., that they have to justify their response, which may inhibit their responses to this and future questions.
Conducting Interview
Occasionally verify the tape recorder (if used) is working.
Ask one question at a time.
Attempt to remain as neutral as possible. That is, don't show strong emotional reactions to their responses. Patton suggests to act as if "you've heard it all before."
Encourage responses with occasional nods of the head, "uh huh"s, etc.
Be careful about the appearance when note taking. That is, if you jump to take a note, it may appear as if you're surprised or very pleased about an answer, which may influence answers to future questions.
Provide transition between major topics, e.g., "we've been talking about (some topic) and now I'd like to move on to (another topic)."
Don't lose control of the interview. This can occur when respondents stray to another topic, take so long to answer a question that times begins to run out, or even begin asking questions to the interviewer.
Immediately After Interview
Verify if the tape recorder, if used, worked throughout the interview.
Make any notes on your written notes, e.g., to clarify any scratchings, ensure pages are numbered, fill out any notes that don't make senses, etc.
Write down any observations made during the interview. For example, where did the interview occur and when, was the respondent particularly nervous at any time? Were there any surprises during the interview? Did the tape recorder break?
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Interviewing Principles
Document Author: Lynch AssociatesReprinted From: Copyright, Lynch Associates, 1996 (reprinted by permission) 206-547-1269(posted 7/97)
Most employment decisions are based on interviewing the applicant. But most interviews don't provide us with sufficient information to make an informed decision. As a consequence, most hiring decisions are based on who the interviewers like best. This is akin to deciding to get married on the first date. To conduct more effective interviews, follow these principles:
Ask questions which allow the candidate to do at least 70% of the talking. For the most part, avoid questions that can be answered "yes" or "no." The best questions are ones in which the candidates recount their past experience.
Phrase your questions so that the desired or "right" answer is not apparent to the applicant.
Ask only one question about one subject at a time.
Ask the easy questions first so as to make the applicant feel comfortable.
All questions should be directly related to finding out about the applicant's ability to do the job, not about his or her personal life.
Spend the entire time writing, recording the candidate's answers and any assumptions you are making.
Interviews are generally a poor place to test the candidate's skills, other than the skill of being interviewed. Some interpersonal skills can be tested, however, through the use of role-playing with the applicant.
While you are writing, nod occasionally to let the applicant know you are listening.
If the applicant doesn't respond right away to a question, wait. Give them time, while you add to your notes.
Follow up: ask the person to tell you more, to give more details.
Ask the candidate to describe their past behavior in the kind of situations they will encounter on the job.
Alternate between easy, non-threatening questions and more difficult, pointed ones.
After you have asked the candidate all your questions, allow them time to ask you any questions they have about the job.
Close the interview by asking the candidate if there is anything they regret saying, any answer they'd like to change, or anything they'd like to add to their previous statements.
Spend at least thirty minutes reviewing your notes after the interview and identifying any key qualities that you feel you have not adequately tested. These become objectives for subsequent interviews or for assessment experiences.
Types of interviewing QuestionsSkilled interviewers use a variety of types of questions to draw the most information from the candidate. These are listed below in the approximate order in which they might be asked.Permission QuestionsPermission questions demonstrate concern for the other party. They are used at the beginning of the interview to put the other person at ease. Examples include:
Are there any questions you have about the process before we begin the interview?
Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable before we begin? . Okay if we start with question one?
Factual Questions:Factual questions are low-risk attempts to obtain objective data about the applicant. They are intended to give you a picture of the status of the other party. These questions can be used to help make the applicant feel comfortable and are good to use at the beginning of the interview and after a particularly difficult or threatening question. Examples include:
What do you do in your present job?
How long have you worked there?
What attracted you to our company?
Tell Me About Questions:These questions are the most important in a hiring interview. They ask the candidate todescribe their past experience. Examples include:
Tell me about a recent important decision you made and how you went about it.
Walk me through the first and last half hour of your most recent normal workday.What did you do first, second, etc.?
Tell me about a recent work assignment that made you look forward to going to work.
Feeling Questions:Feeling questions are designed to obtain subjective data on the other party's feelings, values and beliefs. They are useful as follow-ups to Tell Me About or Factual Questions. Make sure that the applicant responds by describing an emotional state, not by describing what they thought. Examples include:
How did you feel about that reaction?
What do you like best (least) about your present job?
How would you feel if this were to occur?
Magic Wand Questions:Magic Wand Questions encourage the other party to speculate or dream. They are give you an idea of the creativity and aspirations of the candidate. Examples include:
If you could change anything in your present work environment, what would it be?
What would a perfect relationship with your boss be like?
If you were put in charge of a volunteer program, what would you do first?
Tell Me More Questions:These questions are used as follow-up to any of the other kinds of questions. Examplesinclude:
Can you be more specific?
What other approaches did you consider before you tried that?
Then what happened?
Checking Questions:Checking questions allow you to make sure you understand the other person's answer. They are useful at any point in the interview but most useful at the end to help you check any assumptions you have made about the applicant. Examples include:
Is this what you mean?
As I understand it, your plan of action is this. Am I right?
Are you saying that was a negative experience?
Sample Competency ModelBelow is a sample competency model for hiring an administrative assistant in a small business. This model is intended only to provide samples of the kinds of competencies listed in a competency model and is not intended for use in actually hiring such a person.
Knowledge:
Basic understanding of the business we are in.Knowledge of how to use Microsoft Word.Knowledge of how to use Microsoft Excel.Basic accounting knowledge.
Skills:
Keyboard skills.Basic book-keeping skills.Positive presentation of self.Ability to organize information systemsGood time management skillsSkill in using quantitative reports
Attitudes:
Proactive (takes initiative)ReliablePositive attitudeEnthusiasmPositive work ethicBurning desire to make the boss look good.
Credentials:
Technical school degree in business administration
Experiences:
Preparing budgetsUsing appropriate softwarePreparing business documentsSetting up a filing systemInteracting with the publicPurchasing supplies
Affiliations:
Member of appropriate professional organizations.Knowing people in our field

Freelancers and the internet by : JACKIE SHERMAN

2008-02-08T02:50:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed how many features in some magazines and local papers are written by the same people? It's disappointing, isn't it, when the author of the theatre review page also covers his or her latest restaurant meal and gives you financial advice several pages further on. It makes you think the publication is being run on a shoe-string, and that you'd rather get advice on these things from an expert.Well, websites are just the same; they need fresh blood and new angles for their pages. When someone gets an idea for a new site, a key question is going to be: who is going to write the content of all those thousands of pages? Which is why it can be quite easy to get freelance work on a new magazine-style website, as long as you know your subject well enough, are willing to write new copy regularly and don't expect to be paid! Yes, sadly, making money from writing for lifestyle websites doesn't seem to be easy in the first few years, but without a presence on the web these sites haven't a hope of becoming financially self-supporting in the longer term. It's a real Catch 22 - without a viable, well-visited site, no advertiser is going to put an ad on the page, and without ads on the page, no website can survive, develop and get the money to pay the contributors. So you need to view writing for the Internet as a long-term investment which will hopefully pay off some time in the future.However, a presence on the web can offer quite unforeseen if non-pecuniary advantages. For a start, your name and work are on show. If you want to, and especially if you haven't got around to creating a personal website, you can put the web address of your page on business cards, headed notepaper or at the end of any other contributions you make. No one will then be able to doubt your ability and you can save time explaining your special approach, if enquirers are directed to your articles on the Internet.Secondly, if more permanent or full-time work dries up for a while having a regular column or even occasional piece on-line will give you the appearance of being "in work" when you try applying for another job. Freelancers have always had the luxury of being able to avoid that dreaded "provide a reference from your current employer", but if your field of expertise enables you to put work on the web, then you are clearly keeping up-to-date and (they may believe) being paid for your skills.A third advantage of an Internet presence is that it allows you to test yourself in a new area. In my case, I started writing for an over 50s website some years ago purely by coincidence, as I was more concerned with the content (advice about using computers) than the age group of my readers. However, when I applied to a magazine covering the same target audience, being involved in a similar enterprise on the Internet gave the appearance of my having an expertise with older people, as well as in my specialist field and I ended up with a regular column. This gave me the idea of specialising further and so when a new website aimed at the retired population appeared on the web, I wrote straight away suggesting a similar column which I have now written for three years. Even more exciting, this lead to my writing a book on my subject aimed at older people and published by Age Concern, as it filled a gap in the market that no-one else seemed to have spotted.The fourth reason to write for the web is that it will force you to learn skills that everyone is going to need in the future. If your accompanying pictures are too large, or in the wrong format, for example, you will be told - or will have to find out - how to convert them to a file type known as a JPEG. You can no longer write long, text-based articles but will need to think about hyperlinks, graphics and animated GIFs, and all the other technological razzmatazz that comes with the Internet. Who knows, it could lead to a whole new career e.g. in teaching others what you have learned, writing books on working on the Internet or web authoring etc that you might otherwise never have considered.A fifth reason to work for (almost) free on the Internet is that you can link your pieces to a personal website and any services or products that you want to offer. If you contribute to a prestigious site - company-based or popular with a wide audience - it is likely to have thousands of visitors a week. Most websites will include links for their contributors to personal websites so that any of your items could lead to people clicking a link to your page. This is where you can display the rest of your work and even conduct a business. Having only a personal website, visitors will be very few and far between because, let's face it, who are you? So now we've established that it can be a very good idea to contribute to magazine-style websites, you need to know how to get started. The key question is - what is your specialist area? If it is anything that would appeal to a wide audience of surfers, then there are probably one or more slots you could fill. The best way to approach getting a job is to write to your chosen webmaster offering your idea for a feature or regular column and provide them with a sample of your work. Here are a few different ideas for a contribution, bearing in mind that you need to stick to the same length and style of current contributions as far as possible:Questions and Answers - either real or imaginary queries about your area of expertise can be answered in a short, snappy, jargon-free way. Many websites have features that take this form, so you need to visit a range of similar sites and make up a few questions that you feel would be of interest to the target audience. It is likely that you would be required to write new questions once every month or so, as this will keep the website fresh and worth re-visiting.Personal accounts - if the style of the site allows for anecdotal pages, then your background or job knowledge might form the basis of a few good features. Clearly, you need to study the style of current accounts before contributing a piece, so they can see that it would fit in.Factual articles - the How To column is often a vital part of any website, so that any topic that has not yet been covered but would fit in well with the potential audience could be tackled. Some websites have their articles set out as a series of numbered steps, or they might prefer to publish a chatty item that covers the basic skills in a more general way. In-depth information - you may feel that your knowledge of an area of the world (work, leisure or education etc) might be of real interest, and if it hadn't come up before on the site, would certainly not duplicate anything already covered. On the other hand, you may find a previous article mentioning something you know about that could justify being covered again in more depth. In both cases, it is possible that this type of item could be repeated over the months e.g. looking at different roles in an organisation, looking at varied markets for work or following up different types of training course or qualifications. Entertainment - if the site is light-hearted, you may be able to contribute jokes, cartoons, photos etc that would fit in well and fill a gap.Audience-related - you may feel that you have something to offer teenagers, women, older people, lone parents, ethnic minorities etc and can find a relevant website that would welcome your contributions. Each website is competing for an audience and someone interested in your field may visit a site which seems to speak to them in their situation, or at their age, more personally than one that is content-based.You may have other ideas for contributions, so whichever route you take, I hope that you manage to find a niche. With perseverance, you should be able to get on the web and eventually, you may even make a living working in this way

Food for thought

2008-02-08T02:48:00.000-08:00

ü It is always great fun to achieve what people deem impossible.

ü Life is tough. One just has to be tougher.

ü If one wants to succeed in life, a cool head and calm demeanor are of utmost importance.

ü Never should one underestimate anyone or anything. Even a spoilt clock shows the correct time twice in a day.

ü Ungrudgingly, keep your expectations from people & life in general low. That way, you won’t get disappointed too often.

ü Life is a bed of roses. You just have to look out for the thorns.

ü Shit happens. Accept it and move on.

ü Life’s not fair. But then, it isn’t fair for anyone. That makes it fair, doesn’t it?

ü A short course in human relations. Most important words

Ø 6 most- I admit I made a mistake
Ø 5 most- You did a good job
Ø 4 most- What is your opinion?
Ø 3 most- If you please..
Ø 2 most- Thank You!
Ø 1 most- WE

The least important word à I

ü Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

ü Talk health, prosperity and happiness to every person you meet.

ü Look at the sunny side of everything. Be the eternal optimist. Always, ALWAYS, see the glass as half full.

ü Professionally, think only of the best, work only for the best, expect only the best.
FOOD FER THOUGHT

ü Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements of the future.

ü Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

ü Give everyone a smile. Everybody you meet deserves to be met with a smile.

ü Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left to criticize others.

ü Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.

ü Always put yourself in others shoes. If it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too.

ü You don’t know what you can achieve unless you try.

ü To accomplish great things, one must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe.

ü The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Caring for Oily Hair - Is it too Big a Struggle?

2008-02-08T02:34:00.000-08:00

If you have ever spent hours in the bathroom, blow drying and primping your hair, only to look in the mirror and realize that it looks like an oily blob, you probably threw down your comb in frustration, wondering what the causes of oily hair are.
Perhaps you should try shampoo for oily hair. Or are there other oily hair remedies you should try. No matter how frustrated you are, rest in mind that there are solutions to oily hair!

Top Tips For Your Oily Hair:
If you have oily hair there are many things you can do to control the problem, from fixing your diet to working with your hair care regimen. Here are some of the top tips for fixing greasy, oily hair.
Shampoo For Oily Hair
The best shampoo for oily hair is going to be a shampoo that is clear in color. The clearer the shampoo is, the less junk there is going to be in the shampoo to gum up you hair.
Frequent Washing
One cure for oily hair is frequent washing, provided you are using the right shampoo. Also, leave the shampoo touching your scalp for around five minutes. This is one of the common causes of oily hair-not leaving the shampoo on long enough. You can wash your hair every single day and not damage it when you are dealing with oily hair.
Avoid Conditioners
Conditioners are often not needed by those struggling with oily hair. If you have greasy hair, try skipping conditioner every other time you shampoo. If you need a conditioner for manageability, look for a conditioner that is low on oil, and remember that conditioning only the ends of your hair will often take care of the manageability issue, without adding oil to the scalp. Avoid putting conditioner near your scalp if you have oily hair.
Proper Diet
The oil in your hair is secreted by your sebaceous glands on your scalp, the glands that are located at the base of each shaft of hair. When you eat a diet high in fatty foods, these glands will over produce the oil causing your hair to be oily. Those struggling with oil in their hair should avoid it in their diets.

Major Causes for Hair Damage
Hair comes in a variety of textures from fine to coarse. It can suffer a range of hair damage from fraying, split ends to damage caused by straightening hair with chemical agents or hair irons.
There can be hair damage due to heat from blow dryers or curling irons, hair coloring problems, or even scalp problems like over-production of oil from the sebaceous glands.But if hair is healthy and protected from over exposure to heat and harsh chemicals, it should require nothing more than a good quality shampoo (perhaps one formulated for a specific hair type) and weekly conditioning either with a commercial product or a natural mixture like rosemary and olive oil. Problem hair is usually hair that is being damaged by either an internal or external agent that can be eliminated by a change in routine or habits.
Ten Things That Cause Hair Damage
All to often what we choose to do to our hair in terms of style and supposed "care" actually damages the hair. In addition, our life habits have a significant impact on the health and appearance of the hair.
Caffeine
The jury is still out on the effects of caffeine on the body and its associated systems like the hair. In most cultures, the mild stimulant caffeine, commonly distributed in coffee and soft drinks, is a matter of daily routine. Caffeine has the effect of stimulating the central nervous system, heart, and lungs and will stave off fatigue.It is a general rule of thumb that anything used to excess in the body has a resulting effect on the hair but the most recent studies conducted in 2005 suggest that caffeine actually prevents hair loss. Used topically, caffeine creams sold in Germany have shown good effect on male pattern baldness.Your daily coffee consumption may be good for your hair, but stress and fatigue are not. If you are dinking enough coffee that you experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches and trembling hands when you don't get your "fix," it's time to cut back not just for your hair but for your whole system.If your primary caffeine consumption comes from sodas, these drinks carry a heavy sodium punch that can elevate your blood pressure. Given the fact that some hair loss remedies like minoxidil (Rogaine) were initially developed to combat high blood pressure and were then discovered to stop hair loss, the blood pressure / hair growth link would seem to be confirmed.

Expert Advice on How to Straighten Black Hair Naturally
Obtaining straight hair styles when you have curly, kinky, wavy or frizzy hair can be a difficult thing to do if you do not want to run the risk of damaging the hair permanently.
Black hair straighteners and hair strengtheners can be fairly strong chemical applications used to soften the hair. This process is also known as relaxing, and in this process the basic curly structure of the hair is broken down and changed into a straight form.
Natural Ways to Straighten Black Hair
There are several natural ways to straighten black curly hair. These processes are less damaging on the hair, depending on the treatment, and the results can be possibly less long-lasting. Some examples of natural ways to straighten curly hair are:
Hot Oil Treatments
Hot oil treatments contain proteins and vitamins that are vital to maintain healthy hair, especially if the hair is handled and styled a lot. The oil conditions the hair and straightens it at the same time, resulting in glossy healthy looking hair.The oil used for the treatment is heated and applied to the hair and scalp, after which the hair is covered with a plastic cap allowing the oil to settle on the hair. This method can help heal damaged black curly hair and leaves the hair straightened and shiny.
Blow Drying
For the best straightening result, wash the hair first and use a good conditioner. Comb the conditioner through to the hair ends and leave in for at least half an hour. Rinse the hair and comb it again, after which the hair is blow-dried with a blow dryer with a comb attachment. Working your way down from the scalp to hair ends gives the best results. This way to straighten hair naturally lasts till the next washing treatment.
Straightening Brush
After the hair has been washed and treated with a (leave in) conditioner, the hair must be combed from the scalp down to the hair ends, possible adding a little oil or water to the hair in the process. As it takes a long time for naturally curly hair to dry, this technique can be used wile blow drying. It is important to use a boar hair brush, as synthetic bristle brushes can tear hair out and possible leave it damaged.
Another way
Another way to straighten curly hair is to brush it through after conditioning and dividing the brushed hair into sections after which the hair is tightly curled around big hair rollers. After drying the hair can be brushed straight down.

Secrets To Healthy Hair
Unfortunately, most of the real basic ingredients for healthy hair are at odds with the way modern Americans lead their lives. Still, it bears repeating to say that coloring your hair,
going on crash diets, and smoking or being with smokers will damage short and long hair. Care should also be taken to use products with a minimum of chemicals present to prevent a damaging build up that essentially suffocates the hair shaft. There are specific considerations for various types of hair.
Secrets To Maintaining Healthy Hair
There are lots of secrets in maintaining healthy hair and some of them are as follows:
LONG HAIR
Although many people believe long hair is more difficult to handle, in reality it is the most versatile of all hair styles. Tangling is a major issue and can be lessened by detangling before shampooing and by not piling the hair on top of the head and bunching it when wet. It is best to shampoo while showering and to work the shampoo down the length of the hair as if you were milking a cow. Always end with a cold water rinse to enhance the sheen of your hair.Concentrate conditioner at the ends of the hair to avoiding splitting and if possible, air dry. Any natural hair care methods will always be better than artificial ones like blow drying. If you have to blow dry, try to do so in shifts so that your hair does not get too hot which causes the hair to be brittle and to break more easily. Never brush you hair while it is wet and use only wide tooth combs.If you would like your hair to fall in waves, braid it while it is still wet, then take it down when it is dry. Putting it up in a top knot while wet will create volume when the hair is released. Braids or pony tails are always useful in any situation where your hair can become tangled or caught in something. If your hair is down on a cold, windy day, put your hair inside your coat when going outside.For special occasions braiding scarves or ribbons into your hair can create a touch of elegance and the pinned back chignon is always a classic touch as is a French braid. Make sure to have frequent small trim work even if you have to do it yourself to keep any split ends under control. If you trim your own split ends, do each hair individually. For this kind of self-care, it's a good idea to get a friend with long hair to do the trim for you and then you can return the favor.
SHORT HAIR
Short hair presents few problems in and of itself. There are of course issues with the quality of hair worn in any style (curly, fine, thick, frizzy, oily) which will be discussed below. The major consideration in short hair is to match the cut to the shape of your face.There are seven basic facial shapes: diamond, heart, oval, rectangle, round, square, and triangular. Not all facial shapes are compatible with all cuts. Diamond-shaped faces that are narrow at the forehead but wide at the cheeks with a small, pointy chin work best with cuts that add more fullness at the crown of the head to balance out the width of the cheeks.Heart-shaped faces with their wide foreheads and small chins looks best when paired with a layered bob with lots of volume. Asymmetrical cuts also compliment this facial configuration. Oval faces are characterized by high foreheads and narrow but round chins. This is the most balance of all the facial shapes and works well with any cut.Rectangular faces are long with high foreheads and defined jaws and chins. In general a chin-length or shoulder-length cut will be most effective to call attention away from the length of the face and to give an overall softening effect. Some fringe or bangs at the forehead also works well.Round faces have wide foreheads and full jaws. Because the shape is similar to the oval, most styles will work but be sure to have fullness above the ears. The softer the cut and the more the layers come forward toward the face the better the style for this facial type. Asymmetrical cuts are also good.The square face with its "lantern" jaw and wide forehead needs a graduated cut with lots of volume at the crown. Triangular faces, on the other hand, that are widest at the jaw and more narrow at the temple can actually accommodate most styles except those with volume at the top or crown of the head.
CURLY HAIR
Curly hair care can present many issues because this hair type is so susceptible to frizziness. Many people use the old method of lightly spritzing the hair with hair spray, allowing the product to dry, and then shaping the hair with either their fingers or a brush. Be careful about doing this too much, however. Hair spray contains alcohol and if your hair gets too dry the frizziness will only get worse.Always use a wide tooth comb and try to gently detangle your hair while it is wet. Never brush wet hair, however. It is best to allow the hair to drip dry. Beware of straightening products. Most contain harsh chemicals that will damage your hair over time and can lead to hair loss. If you feel you must straighten your hair use a steam straightening device set to the lowest temperature or go to a salon. Professional hair care products for straightening should cause less damage to your hair in the hands of a competent stylist.

FINE HAIR
With fine hair, the shorter the cut the better. Generally fine hair is very limp and cannot take the weight of a longer hair style. You should have the benefit of good sheen, however, so a short and relatively blunt style will give the illusion of volume. Don't do anything to make the hair brittle, which leads to breaking and split ends. Avoid the excessive heat of blow drying and curling irons. Read the labels of your hair care products and avoid harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate. Minimize the use of hairsprays and gels that contain too much alcohol. These products will dry out the hair.Don't over condition. This leads to chemical build-up. "Leave in" conditioners are especially bad in this regard. At least once a week shampoo with a product designed for cleansing the hair only. This will combat build up from conditioners, which leaves the hair even more limp and less manageable.
THICK HAIR
Coarse or thick hair has much more body and life and so has more versatility than fine hair. Avoid blunt cuts which make the hair look bushy. Try something layered. If your hair is thick and curly, cuts that accentuate the curl will in the long run present fewer problems with hair style and care.The greatest problem with thick hair is simply its tendency toward dryness. Avoid hair products that contain alcohol such as hair sprays and gels. If at all possible, air dry rather than using a curling iron and choose a mild shampoo to promote as much softness as possible, maybe even a baby shampoo.
FRIZZY HAIR
Although the problem of frizz is most often associated with curly hair, many people experience problems with frizz in the summer due to heat and humidity. Hair that is dry, drab, and brittle will also be frizzy.You should choose both a conditioner and a shampoo designed to moisturize. Choose products that say they will "replenish" over those that speak to "volumizing" or to creating "body." With frizz, moisturizing is everything.Don't blow dry or use a curling iron. At night or on a weekend when you plan to stay in, apply jojoba oil to your hair, wrap it in plastic, and if possible leave it there through the night. Do not shampoo daily. Wear a hat when you are in the sun. Hair can sunburn just as seriously as the skin. Be religious about getting your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks.

Top Hair Care Tips
Whether you have straight or curly hair, care of that stuff growing on top of your head takes up at least some time in every day of your life.
When most people look for information about that aspect of their grooming routine, however, they're usually seeking articles with titles like Managing Long Hair or Curly Hair Tips. Rarely do we consider that most people don't really know what hair is, what it's made of, or how it grows.Deep in the dermis of the human skin, particularly on the scalp, long, bulb-like follicles produce a shaft of protein. That protein strand is hair. A new hair pushes outward from the follicle and upward through the skin. A single hair can live four to five years before falling out and being replaced by another strand. On the human head the rate of growth is about half an inch a month.A strand of hair has an inner cortex and a series of outer layers (6 to 8 in humans) known as the cuticle. In chemical terms the hair is 90% a-keratin and 10% water. The protein (a-keratin) is encased in a wrapping of microfibrils held together by a kind of protein glue. The resulting tensile strength of hair, even when it is dead, is quite strong. Wet hair, however, is very fragile.
Types of Hair
There are different types of hairs for different people. You need to know what type of hair you have and then plan to maintain your hair.
Straight versus Curly Hair
The type of hair, in terms of straight or curly, depends in part on a further chemical component. The a-keratin and other proteins in hair contain sulfur atoms which bond together in pairs to form a disulfide bond. When the two proteins that bond are distanced from one other, the bonding causes a bend in the hair.In addition, the environment can temporarily increase or decrease this bonding. Damp days are often known as "bad hair" days in the vocabulary of curly hair care. Humidity forces water back into the hair shaft and affects the number and degree of bends. Depending on the chemical structure of the hair, humidity may make it fall or become straighter, or kink and become even curlier. When the humidity subsides, the hair chemistry will seek its normal level.When a person with straight hair gets a chemical treatment known as a "permanent," the solution applied to their hair alters the disulfide bonds and cause the hair to bend into curls. As new hair grows in, however, it will resume its normal state. By the same token people with curly hair can use chemical solutions to break down their disulfide bonds thus straightening the hair, but the solution is only temporary and the normal chemistry of the hair will reassert itself.
Frizzy
Extreme curliness or frizziness can be a product of heredity, as in the case of people of African descent. Because the physical structure of African hair is flat, the strands roll up into very dense, tight curls. Curly hair in other races can appear frizzy when it has been damaged by chemical processes or environmental factors. This is often caused by the end of the hair unraveling and fraying into split ends which gives the frizzy appearance.The combination of summer heat and high humidity can make any hair type dry and brittle which leads to the fraying of split ends. If frizziness is not a product of heredity and physical hair structure, it is an issue of the hair needing to be moisturized and of the damaged, split ends needing to be removed.
Ingrown Hairs
Irregular hair growth or ingrown hairs are most common in people with curly hair (and in men's beards). An ingrown hair occurs when the hair strand grows back into the skin. The area will become inflamed and often pus will form. Normally a single ingrown hair can be allowed to heal on its own. The infected area will open and drain when sufficient pressure has built for the infection to break through the skin. This essentially frees the hair to grow outward again. Many times, however, the area will need to be opened and the hair extracted with a pair of tweezers.If you perform this minor surgery, place a hot wash cloth over the irritated hair to soften the outer layer of skin. Avoid digging at the skin. Use a sterilized needle to gently open the lesion and apply mild pressure to release the pus and encourage the area to drain. Although you may need to use a magnifying glass, the hair should be visible and can be gently lifted out with the tip of the needle until enough of the shaft is exposed to allow it be grasped with tweezers and extracted. If ingrown hairs become a chronic problem, you may need to wear your hear in a longer style to keep the tips of the shafts away from the skin.

Artificial Ways to Straighten Black Hair
Artificial ways of hair straightening encompass all methods in which thermal aids (such as hair thongs) or chemicals are used to relax the hair. These methods are usually more damaging to the hair than natural methods, but the results will last longer with most chemical treatments. How to straighten hair depends on the specific procedure followed.
Thermal Conditioning
In thermal conditioning a pre-conditioner is applied to the hair, to protect the hair from the following chemical procedure. Heat and chemicals combined relax hair (straighten it) and the result will stay. After the conditioning treatment a chemical hair relaxed is applied in stages with intervals of flat ironing of the treated hair.

Water Therapy

2008-02-08T02:33:00.000-08:00

Subject: "Water" instead of medicines - Amazing! But True!!

6 glasses of water (1.5 litres). Without spending on medicines, tablets, injections, diagnosis, doctor's fees, etc., just by drinking pure water, the following diseases will be cured. You can never believe before practicing.

Let us see the list of diseases being cured by this therapy:-

Diseases cured by Drinking water: 1. Headache 2. Blood Pressure/Hyper Tension 3. Anemia (Blood Shortage) 4. Rheumatism (Pain in joints/ muscles) 5. General Paralysis 6. Obesity 7. Arthritis 8. Sinusitis 9. Tachycardia 10. Giddiness 11. Cough 12. Asthma 13. Bronchitis 14. Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) 15. Meningitis 16. Kidney stones 17. Urogenital diseases 18. Hyper acidity 19. Gastroenteritis 20. Dysentery 21. Rectal Piodapse 22. Constipation 23. Hostorthobics 24. Diabetes 25. Eye diseases 26. Ophthalmic Hemorrhage & Opthalmia (reddish eye) 27. Irregular Menstruation 28. Leukemia (white Blood) 29. Uterine cancer 30. Laryngitis

How to do this watertherapy? 1) Early morning after you get up from bed (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50 litres of water i.e., 5 to 6 glasses. Betterto pre-measure 1.50 litres of water. Let us all know that our ancestors termed this therapy as "Usha Paana Chikitsa". You may wash your face thereafter.

DO NOT FORGET TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH THE NIGHT BEFORE 2) Here it is very essential to note that nothing else - neither drinks nor solid food of any sort - should be taken within one hour before or after drinking this 1.50 litres of water. 3) It is also to be strictly observed that no Alcoholic drinks should be taken the previous night. 4) If required, boiled or filtered water may be used for this purpose. 5) Is it possible to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time? To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time, but one will get used to it gradually. Initially, while practicing you may drink four glasses first and the balance two glasses after a gap of two minutes. Initially you may find the necessity to urinate 2 to 3 times within an hour, but it will become normal after sometime. By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured with this therapy within the indicated days as below: Constipation 1 day Acidity 2 days Diabetes 7 days BP & Hypertension 4 weeks Cancer 4 weeks Pulmonary TB 3 months

Note: It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should practice this therapy thrice a day, i.e., morning, midday and night, 1 hours before meals - for one week; and twice a day subsequently till the disease is cured. How does pure water act? Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body. It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in medical terms as Haematopaises. That the mucousal folds of the colon and intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact, just as the theory that fresh blood is produced by the mucousal fold. If the colon is cleaned then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will be absorbed and by the action of the mucousal folds they are turned into fresh blood. The blood is all-important in curing ailments and restoring health, and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern. We make an earnest request that the above method should be read and practiced carefully.

Names of 8 stages of yoga

2008-02-08T02:32:00.000-08:00

There are eight Stages of Yoga“ Yama - Right Conduct Towards Others“ Niyama - Right Conduct Towards Oneself“ Asana - Physical Postures“ Pranayama - Control of the Breath“ Pratyahara - Control of the Mind and Sense Organs“ Dharana - Concentration and Control of the Attention“ Dhyana - Meditation“ Samadhi - Perfect Balance and Unifica

Shiatsu self massage

2008-02-08T02:30:00.001-08:00

A SENSE OF VALUES by VIKRAM KARVE

2008-02-08T02:28:00.000-08:00

Values are core beliefs which guide and motivate attitudes and behavior. When you value something you want it (or want it to happen). Values are relatively permanent desires. Values are answers to the "why" question. You keep on asking "why" questions until you reach a point where you no longer want something for the sake of something else. At this point you have arrived at a value. Let's take an example – I was once teaching a Post Graduate Professional course at a centre of excellence and I asked a student, "Why are you doing this course?" "To gain qualifications, " he answered. "Why do you want to gain qualifications? " "To succeed in my career." "Why do you want to succeed in your career?" "To reach the top." "Why do you want to reach the top?" "To get power." "Why do want do you want power?" "To control people," he answered. "Why do you want to control people?" "I want to control people." "Why?" "I like to control people." "Why?" "Just for the sake of it – I like controlling people," he said and further why's elicited similar responses related to control . [Control for the sake of control!] I realized that control was one of his values and maybe he was a future megalomaniac in the making! The same line of questioning of persons undergoing higher education may reveal values like knowledge, money, status, standard of living, ambition, achievement, growth, reputation, excellence, fame. Values are our subjective reactions to the world around us. They guide and mold our options and behavior. Values are developed early in life and are very resistant to change. Values develop out of our direct experiences with people who are important to us, particularly our parents. Values rise not out of what people tell us, but as a result how they behave toward us and others. Remember, there can't be any "partial" values; for example: you cannot be 50% honest (half-honest) – either you are honest or you are not. Are you doing you MBA? Keep asking yourself why you are doing it, and you will ultimately arrive at your value. "Why are you doing your MBA?" "To learn management." "Why do you want to learn management?" "To get a good job in a top firm as a manager." "Why?" "To make more money." "Why?" "To have a high standard of living." The guy I was talking to re-iterated here since standard of living was his value but you can go on and on till you find your value. In one case I was surprised to find conformance as a prime value in a student of MBA – she was doing MBA because everyone else was doing it! With the rise and predominance of the utility value of education, the most important criterion for ranking B-Schools is the pay-packet their students get and not other factors like the quality of faculty and infrastructure, academic achievements and ambience etc. That's why there is a rush towards IT and Computer Science as compared to other more interesting and challenging branches of Engineering and Technology – money seems to be the cardinal value amongst students these days! Some do prefer the civil services even after completing their Engineering from premier institutions as, for them, things like status, service, power may be important values. Is a high salary important to you? Is it important for your work to involve interacting with people? Is it important for your work to make a contribution to society? Is having a prestigious job important for you? It is most important for you to find out your own values (by the "why" method) to avoid value mismatch. Value mismatch is at the root cause of dilemmas in your life. A conflict between your personal and organizational values may result in ethical dilemmas, while value mismatch between two persons may sow discord and cause stress and turbulence in a relationship. Your values are possibly the most important thing to consider when you're choosing an occupation. If you don't take your values into account when planning your career, there's a good chance you'll dislike your work and therefore not succeed in it. For example, someone who needs to have autonomy in his work would not be happy in a job where every action is decided by someone else. It is important to distinguish between values, interests, personality, and skills: Values: the things that are important to you, like achievement, status, and autonomy. Interests: what you enjoy doing, like reading, taking long walks, eating good food, hanging out with friends. Personality: a person's individual traits, motivational drives, needs, and attitudes. Skills: the activities you are good at, such as writing, computer programming, teaching. Of these, interests, skills and personality can be developed, but values are intrinsic core beliefs inherent within you which you must endeavor to discover by yourself.Whether it is your work or relationships, value congruence is of paramount importance – your values must be in harmony for the relationship to tick. Value Dissonance due to mismatch between individual values and organizational values can cause great strain and trauma at the workplace. Even within yourself, in order to avoid inner conflict there must be no confusion about your true values. Remember the saying of Mahatma Gandhi: Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. Dear Reader, sit down in a quiet place all by yourself, introspect, ask yourself the "why" question and find out your own values. First know yourself. Then know others – try to ascertain their values (personal values and organizational values too!). Avoid value-mismatch and value-dissonance to the extent feasible. The mutual harmony in your values should determine your choice of work, activities, relationships, friends and partner. Is freedom an important value for you? Will the job you are considering (or the person you want to marry) give you enough freedom? Do you value leisure? Oh, yes! Leisure is not only an important value but also a determinant of character – If you want to know about a man find out how he spends his leisure! It's true in your case too – If you had a day off what will you do? Read a book, write a story, go hiking outdoors, play your favorite sport, adventure sports, chat with friends, picnic, see a movie, eat your favorite cuisine in a restaurant, or cook it yourself, socialize in your club, spend the day at home with your family, or see TV at home, or just spend the day in glorious solitude enjoying quality time with yourself? Or would you rather not "waste" your leisure time and spend the day doing something "useful" connected with your work, career or advancement towards "achieving" your "goals"? How you spend your leisure reveals your values too! Do you value humor, fun, pleasure, food, enjoyment, sex, family life, quality of life, status, money, success, fame, power, prestige, security, nature, loyalty, love, affection, independence, privacy, togetherness, tranquility, adventure, leadership, followership, competition, contentment, creativity – find out for yourself, and in others who you want to relate with – match and harmonize your values, and be happy and fulfilled in your work and your relationships. Remember, at any important milestone in your life, when you have to make a vital decision, whether you are on the verge of selecting a job or a marriage partner – trust your sense of values ! In conclusion here is a quote from the German Philosopher Friedrich Hegel: "A man who has work that suits him, and a wife whom he loves, has squared his accounts with life" VIKRAM KARVE Source: SiliconIndia

Success and People Skills by Duttkumar Desai:

2008-02-08T02:27:00.000-08:00

Everybody has dreams and wants to fulfill dream in one’s life span. But only few can live their dreams. Because, education and technical Skills are not enough for success in career, profession or business. A large component of your career success depends on other people. Many professionals and businesspersons are highly competent and well trained and dedicated in their works but still fail or failed to advance to their potential because they lack soft skills, skills of dealing with people. We are living in highly connected and cutthroat competitive global world. In addition to required academic, technical education and work experience, one needs soft skills like effective communication skills, interpersonal skills, and business etiquette and telephone skills to blend in today’s corporate world. All these skills including leadership skills, motivation skills, teamwork, public speaking, group discussion and even appropriate dressing are people centric skills.

Prof. Rooshikumar Pandya, master trainer in aspects of communication and behavioral
Sciences, who has trained over a hundred thousands employees of fortune 500 companies
In the US, Canada and India from shop-floor workers to top ranking CEOs says that “academic and technical qualifications are not enough and advocates holistic training approach and
Emphasis that people skills are most important skills of all skills.”

Success is built on other people. Its people to whom you listen and also listen to you and watch what you do. People are your doorway to success. So pass through those doors diplomatically. People are opportunity. They are new horizons. Then take this understanding and create a whole new life for yourself, a more successful life, based upon the ingredient in the formula for success called “ dealing with people.’’ You cannot succeed just by yourself. You have to be lifted to success by people who are willing to help you. People become successful only when he learns to deal with the people who make his/her success possible.

It is people whom respond to your suggestions and whose vanity and pride must be traded upon to achieve your desire. It is people, who must be persuaded, led, directed, cajoled, teased or pleased. It is people who must be “sold” on you, your products, your services, day after day. That is why to get success, to get what you want out of life, it is vital to know to deal with people and touch the buttons that motivates them. It is very important to understand the people so that you can deal with other people successfully. This art require insight in to the people. It is necessary to have genuine interest in other people.

Mr. Emmett C. Murphy author of national bookseller, New York, 1966 of the book “ Leadership IQ” writes: “ We gained a third important insight when we saw another consistent pattern in the behavior of work leaders: they know how to say the right thing to right people to get the right work done well, on time, and within budget. They reveal themselves by their deeds and thus provide role models for everyone with whom they interact. They have mastered art of conversation.

You should know that there is only one way to get anyone to do anything, yes, only one way, and that is by making the other person want to do it. The only way I can get you to do something is by giving you what you want. Why talk about what you want? You are always interested in it. But no one else is. The rest of us are just like you: we are interested in what we want. So the only way on earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.
Apart from health, money and what money can buy, You must aim to satisfy following important needs of any human being to get him to do what you want them to do.

Feeling of importance:
There is one longing, almost as deep, almost as imperious, as the desire for food or sleep, which is seldom gratified. It's "the desire to be important." The rare individual who honestly satisfies their heart hunger will hold people in the palm of his hand. Give others your full attention by putting their feeling and their thoughts ahead of your own.

A successful leader is always ready to listen and have willingness to learn from everything and everyone. You must recognise the fact that these people can have the best information and these are the very people that you lead. You need to encourage people to speak their mind even if it is controversial. Allowing people to speak their mind doesn't mean that they will lose respect for your authority as a leader. Actually, quite the opposite will occur. People will begin to feel like they are a contributing factor and important person.

Appreciation:
One of the most neglected virtues of our daily existence is appreciation. In our interpersonal relationship, we should never forget that all our associates are human beings and hunger for appreciation. Lets cease thinking of our accomplishments, our wants. Let's try to figure out the other person's good points. Then forget flattery. Give honest, sincere appreciation.

To be understood:
It lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own to understand the people. That is so simple, so obvious, that anyone ought to see the truth of it at a glance. Yet 90% of the people on this earth ignore it 90% of the time.
You must listen people with full attention. Keep your eyes and ears open and mouth closed. First listen with empathy to understand the people. It gives them psychological air and same impacts communication in every era of life. It is necessary to observe and listen to them without pre-conceived notions, judgements and prejudices.

It is necessary to recognise that everybody has strength and weakness. People need you because of their weakness and not the strength. We must learn to tolerate the other person’s weakness so that others also tolerate our weakness.
Everybody has his/her own uniqueness. You should not just bounce words around but respond to everyone’s uniqueness.

Be selective:
It is also important for you to decide and select people who are important for you, for your happiness and success of your dreams and goals. You set your own priority from the point of your personal life and professional goals. You need to determine who among them is positive and encouraging. Determine who among the list of people is negative. You have to limit your association with the person who repeatedly have a negative impact on you. Even if, for some reason you must interact with them for professional reasons, limit your time with them.

Know to deal with you.

You have to be comfortable with yourself before you can be truly comfortable with others. Therefore success in this area would have to do with being happy with you. You should have full confidence and faith in self. You should take responsibility to deal with you so that you can get along and deal with others effectively.

Wherever you are, whatever you do, the ability to handle people is one of the most important skills. Getting along with people is key to personal development. The easiest way to think of this is as expanding spheres of influence. Each area leads to the next. others effectively. The better you are at handling people, dealing with people, the happier and successful you will be with your life.
(By Duttkumar Desai: Soft skill Trainer, Mentor and Founder Director of Parth Academy of Success. Editor of Enewsletter: “Success and Soft Skills “. desaiduttkumar@yahoo.com)

Public Speaking Tips

2008-02-08T02:26:00.000-08:00

Ensure your speech will be captivating to your audience as well as worth their time and attention. Videotape your presentation and analyze it. Emphasize your strong points during your presentation.Be solemn if your topic is serious. Present the desired image to your audience. Appear relaxed, even if you feel nervous. Establish rapport with your audience. If a microphone is available, adjust and adapt your voice accordingly.Master the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint well before your presentation. Persuade your audience effectively. Speak loudly and clearly. Sound confident. Maintain sincere eye contact with your audience. If what you have prepared is obviously not getting across to your audience, change your strategy mid-stream if you are well prepared to do so. Allow yourself and your audience a little time to reflect and think. Keep audience interested throughout your entire presentation. Remember that an interesting speech makes time fly, but a boring speech is always too long to endure even if the presentation time is the same.Check out the location ahead of time to ensure seating arrangements for audience, whiteboard, blackboard, lighting, location of projection screen, sound system, etc. are suitable for your presentation.Tell audience ahead of time that you will be giving out an outline of your presentation so that they will not waste time taking unnecessary notes during your presentation.Here are just a few hints, public speaking tips and techniques to help you develop your skills and become far more effective as a public speaker.
Mistakes
Mistakes are all right.Recovering from mistakes makes you appear more human.Good recovery puts your audience at ease - they identify with you more.
How to use the public speaking environment
Try not to get stuck in one place.Use all the space that's available to you.Move around.One way to do this is to leave your notes in one place and move to another.If your space is confined (say a meeting room or even presenting at a table) use stronger body language to convey your message.
Tell stories
Stories make you a real person not just a deliverer of information.Use personal experiences to bring your material to life.No matter how dry your material is, you can always find a way to humanise it.
Technology
Speak to your audience not your slides.Your slides are there to support you not the other way around.Ideally, slides should be graphics and not words (people read faster than they hear and will be impatient for you to get to the next point).If all the technology on offer fails, it's still you they've come to hear.
Humour
Tell jokes if you're good at telling jokes.If you aren't good, best to leave the jokes behind.There's nothing worse than a punch line that has no punch.Gentle humour is good in place of jokes.Self-deprecation is good, but try not to lay it on too thick.
You can learn to enjoy public speaking and become far more effective at standing in front of a group of people and delivering a potent message.And remember to keep practicing!

Shlokas with their meanings/English translations

2008-02-08T00:56:00.000-08:00