http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/video-gamers-are-supporting-the-troops-in-an-unusual-fashion.html http://www.articletrader.com/computers/games/video-gamers-are-supporting-the-troops-in-an-unusual-fashion.html Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600
An unlikely partnership between the wife of a deployed National Guardsmen and video gamers across America has been created to support the troops. Molly Johnson, who is best likened to a human dynamo, has been working tirelessly to involve video gamers in the support of U.S. servicemen and their families. “I know that early adopters create most of the consumer generated media on the internet,” stated Ms. Johnson. “Video gamers are certainly early adopters and I need them to spread the word online that our troops need everyone’s back-up. Most of our soldiers abroad are on the internet during their free time and I want them to see that America is supporting them.”

The internet is the 21st century equivalent to Armed Forces Radio. Many servicemen overseas rely on internet access for news, information and contact with home. Johnson’s strategy involves mobilizing video gamers, who do in fact generate a tremendous amount of the content one sees on the internet. Gamers are also active in terms of blogging and social network activity. They are prolific in terms of disseminating their views online.

How Johnson is enlisting their help is what is so unique. She first recruited one of the fastest growing massive multi-player online game developers in the world, MVP Networks, to join ranks with her. MVP currently has over 500,000 players participating in two of their offerings—Redline Thunder Racing and Golden Fairway. The company is now donating 100% of the proceeds from those who sign up for either of MVP’s games when they go to www.playforfreedom.com. “The minute I heard about what Molly was doing I signed on,” said Paul Schneider, CEO of MVP Networks. “Many of our subscribers are obviously NASCAR fans and are inclined to assist the military and their families”.

Johnson has selected Operation Homefront to be the recipient of the proceeds from her efforts. “I looked at what Operation Homefront was doing with families of deployed service members and this is exactly the type of program that is meeting the needs of the deployed and returning servicemen and servicewomen along with their families.” Operation Homefront has as its main purpose making a difference in the quality of military family life. “When I started our program emergencies would crop up in the lives of many families precisely when the spouse was deployed thousands of miles away,” stated Amy Palmer. “It seems like ‘Murphy’s Law’ applies the minute after the spouse goes overseas. We are here to help with emergencies that seem insurmountable to the family at home.”

Although there certainly are differing views on the subject of current operations in Iraq, there is little if any debate as to the courage and professionalism of the U.S. military. Support for the troops is universal in that everyone wishes them well and prays for their safety. What is unique about the current civilian efforts during this era of conflict is the number of individuals like Molly Johnson who are stepping outside of their comfort zone to help the troops. “I obviously have direct appreciation and understanding for what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. My husband, in his capacity as a Guardsmen, has been deployed for 3 months so far of a 1 year deployment,” explained Johnson. “I saw how committed he was to the mission and knew I had to help out any way possible.”

Johnson is now reaching out to other companies involved in the consumer generated media world such as E3Flix.com which is modeling itself as a combination of Netflix and YouTube, and In Touch Media Group, an online publicity firm based in Florida, to get her message out on the internet. She has an immediate goal of gaining over 100,000 people to participate in Play For Freedom. “The response I have already received from so many people has been overwhelming,” stated Johnson. “Paul Schneider stepped up swiftly to help out and seemingly threw every company resource he has to get this program off the ground,” she added. Play For Freedom is also supported by AT&T, Boeing, Clear Channel, KBR, Lincoln Property Life, and Pit Crew Live.

It is also easy to see why Johnson is focusing on internet gamers as a resource for Play For Freedom. The video gaming industry is six times as large as the movie industry in terms of annual revenues. Over twenty million males from 18 to 30 years old play video games twenty hours or more a week. Selecting a NASCAR style massive multi-player game was no accident either. Redline Thunder Racing, developed by MVP Networks, is one of the featured games Johnson is promoting as a donations tool which enables her to reach out to the 75 million NASCAR fans making up the fastest growing sport in America.

For those people who are looking to actively participate as supporters of the troops, Johnson’s efforts should be seriously considered. Americans have long been noted for their charity at an individual level. Without any prodding from private or public institutions, tens of thousands of individuals are stepping up to make the lives of all those directly connected to the current war effort easier. Molly Johnson is yet another example of how creative people can be in their efforts to help others.

Bob Cefail
Senior Writer
Press Direct International



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Bob Cefail is a founding partner of In Touch Media Group, a marketing firm specializing in online media.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/advertising/wife-of-a-deployed-veteran-partners-with-video-gamers.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/advertising/wife-of-a-deployed-veteran-partners-with-video-gamers.html Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
An unlikely partnership between the wife of a deployed National Guardsmen and video gamers across America has been created to support the troops. Molly Johnson, who is best likened to a human dynamo, has been working tirelessly to involve video gamers in the support of U.S. servicemen and their families. “I know that early adopters create most of the consumer generated media on the internet,” stated Ms. Johnson. “Video gamers are certainly early adopters and I need them to spread the word online that our troops need everyone’s back-up. Most of our soldiers abroad are on the internet during their free time and I want them to see that America is supporting them.”

The internet is the 21st century equivalent to Armed Forces Radio. Many servicemen overseas rely on internet access for news, information and contact with home. Johnson’s strategy involves mobilizing video gamers, who do in fact generate a tremendous amount of the content one sees on the internet. Gamers are also active in terms of blogging and social network activity. They are prolific in terms of disseminating their views online.

How Johnson is enlisting their help is what is so unique. She first recruited one of the fastest growing massive multi-player online game developers in the world, MVP Networks, to join ranks with her. MVP currently has over 500,000 players participating in two of their offerings—Redline Thunder Racing and Golden Fairway. The company is now donating 100% of the proceeds from those who sign up for either of MVP’s games when they go to www.playforfreedom.com. “The minute I heard about what Molly was doing I signed on,” said Paul Schneider, CEO of MVP Networks. “Many of our subscribers are obviously NASCAR fans and are inclined to assist the military and their families”.

Johnson has selected Operation Homefront to be the recipient of the proceeds from her efforts. “I looked at what Operation Homefront was doing with families of deployed service members and this is exactly the type of program that is meeting the needs of the deployed and returning servicemen and servicewomen along with their families.” Operation Homefront has as its main purpose making a difference in the quality of military family life. “When I started our program emergencies would crop up in the lives of many families precisely when the spouse was deployed thousands of miles away,” stated Amy Palmer. “It seems like ‘Murphy’s Law’ applies the minute after the spouse goes overseas. We are here to help with emergencies that seem insurmountable to the family at home.”

Although there certainly are differing views on the subject of current operations in Iraq, there is little if any debate as to the courage and professionalism of the U.S. military. Support for the troops is universal in that everyone wishes them well and prays for their safety. What is unique about the current civilian efforts during this era of conflict is the number of individuals like Molly Johnson who are stepping outside of their comfort zone to help the troops. “I obviously have direct appreciation and understanding for what is happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. My husband, in his capacity as a Guardsmen, has been deployed for 3 months so far of a 1 year deployment,” explained Johnson. “I saw how committed he was to the mission and knew I had to help out any way possible.”

Johnson is now reaching out to other companies involved in the consumer generated media world such as E3Flix.com which is modeling itself as a combination of Netflix and YouTube, and In Touch Media Group, an online publicity firm based in Florida, to get her message out on the internet. She has an immediate goal of gaining over 100,000 people to participate in Play For Freedom. “The response I have already received from so many people has been overwhelming,” stated Johnson. “Paul Schneider stepped up swiftly to help out and seemingly threw every company resource he has to get this program off the ground,” she added. Play For Freedom is also supported by AT&T, Boeing, Clear Channel, KBR, Lincoln Property Life, and Pit Crew Live.

It is also easy to see why Johnson is focusing on internet gamers as a resource for Play For Freedom. The video gaming industry is six times as large as the movie industry in terms of annual revenues. Over twenty million males from 18 to 30 years old play video games twenty hours or more a week. Selecting a NASCAR style massive multi-player game was no accident either. Redline Thunder Racing, developed by MVP Networks, is one of the featured games Johnson is promoting as a donations tool which enables her to reach out to the 75 million NASCAR fans making up the fastest growing sport in America.

For those people who are looking to actively participate as supporters of the troops, Johnson’s efforts should be seriously considered. Americans have long been noted for their charity at an individual level. Without any prodding from private or public institutions, tens of thousands of individuals are stepping up to make the lives of all those directly connected to the current war effort easier. Molly Johnson is yet another example of how creative people can be in their efforts to help others.

Steve Blom
Senior Writer
Press Direct International



--
Robert Cefail is a founding partner of In Touch Media Group, a marketing firm specializing in online media.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/advertising/property-trades-does-the-irs-want-you-to-know-about-this.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/advertising/property-trades-does-the-irs-want-you-to-know-about-this.html Tue, 16 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500
Avoiding paying taxes is legal, if you do exactly what the IRS tells you to do. Don’t believe me? When it comes to real estate, doing what is called a 1031 tax-deferred exchange is a little-known investment strategy to the general public but is standard fare in an experienced investor's toolbox. Real long-term wealth in real estate can be accomplished without ever paying any capital gains taxes through the use of totally legal exchange techniques.

This strategy isn't new, but it is enjoying a significant resurgence in popularity now because many investors believe that real estate values have peaked in many markets. They want to lock in their gains and shift into other holdings without having to make a big payment to Uncle Sam.

The IRS tax code rules regarding 1031 exchanges apply to any type of property, including land, homes, apartments, commercial property and even leasehold property. Investors are also motivated to exchange for at least one of two other reasons.
First, they want to adjust their investment portfolio by moving from one property location to another. This can be particularly appealing if one is swapping out a property in a down market to another investment in a more attractive market. This can involve an exchange from one property, for example in the stagnant California market, into a more appealing North Carolina investment.
Second, they may wish to diversify the type of real estate they own. For example, instead of holding just rental properties, they may want to swap some of their real estate portfolio into office buildings. The ability to be fluid in one’s property investments cannot be overstated. The 1031 solution makes this possible without the penalty of federal taxes.
Property exchanges are not your typical transaction, far from it. Section 1031 of the tax code specifically requires that one property must be exchanged for another property, rather than sold for cash. The exchange is what separates a Section 1031 tax-deferred transaction from a traditional sale and purchase of a property.
Originally, the 1031 tool was intended to cover barters, such as trading a horse for a horse, involving no cash outlay. This type of exchange was subsequently translated over into the real estate field. As the decades passed and the business of selling and buying real estate became more complicated, the original concept of a like-kind real estate barter ultimately receded in use.
In the early 1990s, buyers and sellers of real estate were significantly aided when the federal government formally clarified many aspects of this code section. After these clarifications were formalized, a much wider use of 1031 exchanges resulted, not insignificantly, by a small group of “in the know” investors.
To defer all of the capital gains tax, the value of the replacement property must be equal to or greater than the original property and all of the equity within the sale proceeds must be reinvested. Another key rule is that the exchange process must be properly structured. This is where the role of companies such companies as Sun1031 is vital. “You have to get the structure right,” explains Antestenis.
A 1031 exchange is a simple concept for people to understand and use as a means for creating long-term wealth. With it, there is less tax to pay and more money to be kept for reinvestment into more valuable property. It is one of the last great tax breaks.
Now comes the hard part…Finding the correct replacement property. www.Sun1031.com may just be the right place to start. Sun1031 LLC has a company trademark that reads “Always available replacement property”. Sun1031 has had a real estate portfolio that has dominated the commercial industry not only in quality but in cash on cash returns… all set up for people doing a 1031 exchange. With investments ranging from $50,000 to multi-millions, Sun1031 is fast becoming the number one resource in the nation for people looking for 1031 exchange replacement property.
There are a lot a pleaces out there to look but you can expect helpful guidance from firms like Sun1031 who can save you a lot of problems if you’re a beginning investor or even an old pro.

Steve Blom
Senior Writer
Press Direct International







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Robert Cefail is a founding partner of In Touch Media Group, a marketing firm specializing in online media.


Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]>