http://www.articletrader.com/ Articles at ArticleTrader en-us http://www.articletrader.com/technology/the-best-in-audio-video-tools.html http://www.articletrader.com/technology/the-best-in-audio-video-tools.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 What do you use your computer for? Long gone are the days when the computer was strictly a data processing tools. Today, the computer is an all-purpose media entertainment center. Its capabilities have gone far beyond keeping a catalog of all your movies and music – it’s even gone beyond playing all your favorite music and movies. These days, with the right tools you can splice, cut, record, edit, mix, create and publish your own media. And to accompany the new capabilities there’s a dizzying array of new software tools that can help you do everything from rip CDs to encode complete animations and videos. How do you find the best new software tools?

Enter www.audio-video-tools.com, one of the fastest growing download sites for audio and video software. Just like their name says, the site is all about the software that you need to do everything you want with anything audio or video. This is not just another software directory. www.audio-video-tools.com lists powerful audio and video tools in 14 different categories from CD rippers to cell phone utilities. Whether you want to do something as simple as convert a wav to an mp3 or as complex as create a full-length video from scratch, you’ll find the tools you need to do it at audio-video-tools.com.

And you’ll find them easily. There’s no need to wade through page after page of directory structure. You can search all categories from the front page on the site, or click on a category to go directly to browsing that category. You’ll find video editors, audio editors, CD rippers, imaging software, video and audio converters, complete all-in-one packages and more. There are shareware listings, commercial listings and freeware listings – in short, just about everything you’d ever want to play with your media.

Each listing includes a capsule description and a full review as well as a side box that lists all the important details about the software – including both a staff and user rating, and the chance to enter your own rating. The categories include All-in-One, Media Players, CD Rippers, CD Burners, Converters, DVD software, Editors, ID3 Tag Editors, Mobile Phone Tools, Plugins, Radio and Broadcasting (plogcasting, anyone?), Recorders, Utilities and Voice and Text editors.

The reviews are comprehensive, listing all the capabilities of each software package and how well it performs each function. It’s a nice bonus that’s not often found on pure directories.

For software publishers, audio-video-tools.com offers multiple opportunities for exposure. There’s an easy submission tool to add a free listing of you audio or video software, and many different ways to increase the exposure of your listing at very reasonable rates. You can opt for a featured listing, front page exposure, top level search results, footer text links and more.

Among the most popular software featured at audio-video-tools.com is Blaze Media Pro, the popular powerhouse all-in-one media tool that converts between all available video and audio formats .Rip, burn, convert, edit, capture, create, extract and combine files to create your own unique media.

www.audio-video-tools.com is a young and growing directory with a lot of promise. The directory structure is easy to follow and intuitive, the reviews and descriptions complete enough to intrigue and the array of features for software publishers wide enough to attract the best tools the net has to offer. If you need the tools to do absolutely anything with media files, this is the place to find the tools that you need.


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This article was prepared for this Audio and Video Software Tools website , please visit them for all your audio and visual software downloads.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/how-to-select-and-implement-an-erp-system.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/how-to-select-and-implement-an-erp-system.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 WHAT IS ERP?

ERP is a term that is widely used yet probably not well understood. It stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and although it was initially targeted to manufacturing companies, today it encompasses any product that can be used across an enterprise. When implemented effectively, ERP enables companies to break down traditional organizational silos, replacing them with a tightly integrated horizontal structure in which strategy, organizational structure, process and technology are closely aligned. Applications can include financial, distribution, manufacturing, human resources, payroll, and project costing.

There is a lot of confusion between an accounting system and ERP. In the past, an accounting system was limited to just financials, but that has changed over the last few years and it’s now hard to distinguish between an accounting system and an ERP system. The difference between them is a matter of degree as can be seen in the following chart.


Criteria
Accounting System ERP
Enterprise-wide Maybe Yes
Scalable Partially Yes
Fees Low to Medium High
Ratio of Implementation Fees : License < 1 > 1
Customization capabilities Depends Extensive
Functionality Depends Extensive
Technology Platform Single Multiple

Analysis
Start with an understanding of Critical Success Factors (CSFs)
CSFs are defined as those things that you must do well in order to be successful. You can use CSFs as a way to determine whether a requirement is really critical. If a requirement can't be mapped directly to a CSF, then it's not critical.

Define measurements of success
Before starting any project, you should know how to measure success in terms of saving money by streamlining operations, increasing revenues, increasing market share... Measurements of success act as a motivator for staff during the implementation, help keep the project on track and focus effort on attaining important business objectives.

Understand existing business process and seek opportunities for business process improvement
Until you have understood the existing business process, you are not ready. Employees may not know that what they are doing is atypical. Roll up your sleeves and talk to the people who do the work. Remember the devil is in the details. Along the way, your value add may be in identifying ways to improve business process.

Don't be ambiguous in the definition of requirements
The more ambiguous the requirement, the more interpretation in whether a particular vendor meets the requirement. You need to be precise so that you can compare apples to apples.

Don't waste time on basic functionality
Systems have matured to the point where the basics are done well. Focus only on the requirements that are unique or could vary by vendor.

Manage scope, budget and timing
Project management is the key factor in predicting success of any project. Project management includes management of scope, budget and timing. Rather than using the school of hard knocks, you should consider working with a structured methodology such as published by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Get employee involvement
Recognize the significant amount of employee knowledge and the potential contribution of the employees. Unfortunately, the knowledge is typically in the heads of the employees and care must be taken to include their input. At the same time, you are effectively including them in the process and securing their buy-in for the process.

Assign an internal champion
An internal champion should be allocated to the project. Even the most difficult projects can become successful when you have an internal champion who is ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done. It is best to assign the internal champion at the beginning of the system selection project to ensure their commitment and agreement with the system selected.

Manage the risks
Seek out potential risks, their impact, and their likelihood of occurring. Encourage all interested parties to develop strategies to mitigate the risks. Every organization has at least 1 naysayer, who can cause a lot of problems, but who is also very knowledgeable. The naysayers must be included in the risk management process. By getting their input early, you can avoid problems and you effectively limit their negativity.

Ensure management buy-in
Communicate scope of project and get sign off at critical steps along the way. Management should develop or ratify the measurements of success.

Vendor Selection
Identify potential vendors
You would be amazed at how many vendors want your business. Start with a buyer's guide such as the one published on the CAmagazine web site which you can access from the menu on the left. You will notice in the buyer's guide that the vendors are split into Tiers. The largest companies are usually best served by Tier One and Tier Two vendors. Smaller companies are generally served better by the other vendors partly because of smaller investment, but also because of less complexity. Tier One products generally have a lot of flexibility but it takes more time to set-up, train and operate.
There is typically more risk associated with vertical and custom vendors. However, the benefits could outweigh the potential risks. To obtain lists of potential vendors:
• use internet searches
• contact your accountant
• contact colleagues
• contact consultants
• contact industry associations
• look at trade journals for articles and advertisements
• attend trade shows

Find a good reseller
The reseller or Value Added Reseller (VAR)/implementer can make a big difference. Often, companies selecting new systems spend a lot of time analyzing the product and the vendor but not enough time analyzing the capabilities of the VAR. The VAR could have been assigned by the vendor, and the VAR may not be the best choice. The vendors have a methodology for assigning leads to their partners/VARs that is not well-understood. You could be getting the next VAR on a list. Once a VAR is assigned, the vendors are reluctant to introduce another VAR, as it can lead to VARs competing with each other for the same prospect. So do some pre-screening of the VAR. Better yet, get the VAR's name from someone you know.

Issue a Request for Proposal (RFP)
An RFP is a good tool to communicate your needs uniformly to vendors and to create a short list of vendors. Ask vendors to answer questions related to cost, technology, customer base, developer and implementer qualifications, and similar customers. Have the vendors respond to each requirement with a number such as "7" in current release and quoted in estimate, "6" in current release, "5" available in 6 months, "4" minor modification or workaround, "3" third party, "2" available in a year, "1" major modification or workaround, "0" not available. By extending the priority of each requirement times the vendor response, and then summing the results, you get a score that will give you an indication of closeness of fit for each vendor.

Attend demonstrations
The vendors should now know your Critical Success Factors and key requirements, and should be given an agenda so that time is allocated properly. You should attend no more than 4 demonstrations, and limit the time to 2-3 hours. Ask each attendee to identify major strengths and weaknesses, as well as score (-10 to +10) how well they did for each topic on the agenda as well as indicate its importance (1 to 10).

Call references
You will be amazed at how much you learn and how little some of the vendors know their customers. Have a checklist of questions to ask such as our checklist that can be obtained by clicking here. Tell the reference a little about yourself before asking any questions so that they have a level of comfort with you.

Prove that the system will work for you
Prepare a script that contains sample transactions that should be processed through the entire system. The script is a day in the life at your company will contain the most important business processes with sample documents and reports. You could ask 1-2 vendors to prepare a proof of concept. This is a time consuming task for the vendors as well as for you in attending the demonstration. But you are only focusing on the vendors most likely able to win your business.

Negotiate the price and the contract
It's a buyer's market. You will get a minimum of 10% off the first quote. Many of the vendors offer competitive pricing when they know they could lose to a competitor who could offer a reasonable solution at lower a price.

Know the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
You need to understand all the costs including license fees, implementation, support, hardware, networks and communications before making a decision. There should be no surprises later. Click here for more about TCO.

Do a Boardroom Pilot
You need to work with the system to understand the many options. You may think that a customization is required until you better understand the various workarounds. The vendor has an idea of the customizations, but has probably not created a specification or given you a firm quote. Use the boardroom pilot as a way for the vendor to understand your requirements and for you to better understand the system before signing a contract and purchasing the software. You will need to pay the vendors for their time. You should get a fixed price as one of the deliverables of the boardroom pilot.

Implementation
Business Case Foundation
Don't forget what you should have known during the selection process. You should have already understood Critical Success Factors (CSFs). CSFs are defined as those things that you must do well in order to be successful. As well, you should have defined measurements of success. Before starting any project, you should know how to measure success. Measurements of success act as a motivator for staff during the implementation, and help keep the project on track and focused on CSF's. Even if you have not done it for system selection, it's not too late.

Business Process Improvement
Don't assume that your existing business process is the best way to get the job done. Even worse, don't insist on modifying the new system to do exactly what was done before. First, ensure there is an understanding of existing business process. Roll up your sleeves and talk to the people who do the work. Ask them to tell you how much time is spent on activities. It may not seem serious if 1 person wastes 15 minutes per day - but what does it cost if there are 10 people doing the same thing throughout the year? Assuming a rate of $25/hour and 1,800 hours or work per year, that little problem has cost the company $112,500 for the year.

Project Management
Project management is a key factor in predicting success of any project. Project management includes management of scope, budget and timing. Rather than using the school of hard knocks, you should consider working with a structured methodology such as published by the Project Management Institute (PMI). A good project manager has support of upper management, and can be tough. If the project manager wants to please everyone, he/she is not the right person.

Internal Champion
An internal champion must be allocated to the project. Even the most difficult projects can become successful when you have an internal champion who is ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Employee Involvement
You need their involvement for many reasons. Without it, you could risk missing critical business process that only they know about. And just as important is the psychological component. People are often threatened by change. By getting them involved, they are more likely to be supportive.

Best People
You want your best people involved in the implementation. They have the confidence of their colleagues, know the business well, and usually have the right attitude. The implementation is going to take time. You must reduce their normal workload.

Risk Management
Seek out potential risks, their impact, and their likelihood of occurring. Encourage all interested parties to develop strategies to mitigate the risks. Every organization has at least 1 naysayer, who can cause a lot of problems, but who is also very knowledgeable. The naysayers must be included in the risk management process. By getting their input early, you can avoid problems and you effectively limit their negativity.

Communicate
Don't keep people in the dark. Communicate formally, informally and frequently.

Train the Trainer
This is a good way to cut training costs, and force employees to know the system. The best way to learn a subject is to teach it.

Extensive Prototyping
There are many options in the setup of a new system including setup options, conversion, integration, and customization. An iterative process is required until the prototype is completed. It may take a few times before you get it right. Take a small, representative sample of transactions through the system including reports and controls. Don't go live before everyone is ready.

Beware of Customizations
Customizations can bite. The first bite is that it slows down the implementation and the costs soar. The second bite occurs when you want to upgrade to the newest release. This is not to say that some customizations are warranted and have a compelling business case.

Phased in approach
There is also what is called the big bang theory, when you do it all at once. I think it got its name because everyone shot each other. Small and mid sized businesses especially don't have the manpower to do it all at once.

Post Implementation Review
Learn from your mistakes and there's always room for improvement.


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This article was prepared for these business consultants , please visit them for more information. http://www.180systems.com

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/internet/the-missing-link.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/the-missing-link.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Getting from There to Here

You have spent a lot of time creating an online presence. You have virus protection and maybe a firewall to protect the security of your system, you have located a web host to manage your online presence, then you define the direction of your site and work at developing a look that is appealing and a format that is easy to navigate.

You might think that after all this planning and preparation your work would be done, right? Well if you’re selling goods or services, you need customers. If you have a brick and mortar store then you may already have valued customers, but the ease of use in online shopping makes a global market an attractive addition to an already successful enterprise.

You may submit your site information to search engines and participate in a variety of link exchange programs, but it still might not be enough.

Many online businesses purchase a series of advertisements on amenable sites. Those advertisements drive additional customers to affiliated sites which makes online advertising so valuable.

Advertising: Where Did it Go?

What happens if you spend advertising dollars that provide no opportunity for potential clients to respond?

You may not think that something like this happens, but it’s actually a very common occurrence. You see, Internet site updates are an important function of proper maintenance and web site enhancement. If a site always looks the same, a media saturated society tends to become a little ho hum which is why sites are constantly updating both content and design features.

Finding the Missing Link

That’s where your difficulty starts. When site design changes, sometimes the advertisements that have already been paid for are inadvertently eliminated from the site. You paid for the advertising, you expect the advertising, but it’s hard to keep up with every site that will be displaying your ad.

Many web savvy site owners are discovering the value of link checker software that properly tracks the continued use of pre-paid advertising or link exchanges.

A Matter of Time and Revenue

The reason a link checker is so vital is that it can advise you when a promised link is broken. A link checker saves you time and potential lost revenue. A link checker is the perfect mechanism for providing accountability on the advertisement that you have every right to expect.

Without link checker software many web business owners find themselves checking links periodically to see if they are still active. There are even those who never give it a second thought and may miss out on adding significantly to the bottom line of their web based business.

Link Checker: Ease of Use

Link checker software allows you to pick all of the links you need to check and it will do a thorough check upon request. The design of a link checker makes it user friendly and comprehensive in its findings.

By using link checker software you can minimize missed advertising and maximize earning potential.

Even if your advertising is part of a link exchange it is important to know that the exchange is beneficial to you and a link checker makes it possible to know for sure.

Headache Relief

The cost of the software could be offset by locating problem links as quickly as possible. Be sure to check for link checker software that provides a free trial offer. A test drive of the applications of a link checker may well convince you that this is one software application that really makes solid business sense.


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This article was prepared for this Link Checker website .

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/internet/making-money-from-sports-betting-affiliate-programs.html http://www.articletrader.com/internet/making-money-from-sports-betting-affiliate-programs.html Sat, 22 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 There is a new and explosive trend in the world of gambling and sports betting—Internet sports betting. People are finding out in droves through Internet searches and word of mouth how simple it is to bet on sports on the World Wide Web. The Internet is saturated with new ideas and schemes to ‘get rich quick’—but few are successful, except if you are dealing in sports betting. The introduction of the Internet has especially opened the floodgates for the sports betting industry. The Internet finally allowed websites and their owners to tap into an audience and membership worldwide instead of only a local audience. The diversity of members has increased the feasibility of the sports betting industry online and has created one of the chief and most commanding online sectors. These sports betting websites turn over billions of dollars every year and are growing more and more every day.

What if I told you that you could make money as a sports betting affiliate without ever risking even a penny of your own money? It’s true. There are literally thousands of sports betting websites all vying for a piece of the pie. The big money is not only being made by the facilitators of the sports betting websites, but rather by an affiliate system. The sports betting affiliate program is evident on most of the sports betting and gambling websites. They offer a bounty and/or revenue sharing program to help advertise their particular sports betting website, hopefully above the others.

Bounty sharing, in terms of sports betting affiliate systems, offers you a reward for attracting a new, paying customer. You, as an affiliate, can do this by word of mouth, directing traffic on your website to a particular sports betting website and advertising. This is a ‘take the money and run’ effort—a one time payment for your efforts of drawing in new, paying customers.

However, bounty sharing may not be the most profitable venture in the long run. Many sports betting websites offer a revenue sharing affiliate program. The programs offered vary slightly from company to company, however the generalized idea is that you earn a percentage of the money spent by a player, which usually runs between 20 and 35 percent and in some cases, you can also earn money on player deposits. 20 percent may not seem like very much money, but it can indeed add up to a large amount of cash—your cash—as you build your referral base of paying sports betters. As they say, “the bookie never loses”—you are placing your bets on the right side of the coin by joining as an affiliate.

Let’s face it—advertising is expensive and getting yourself to the top of the ‘Google scale’ is nearly impossible without investing thousands and thousands of dollars and then the websites have to worry about getting people to click specifically on their website. There is a better way for them to market their sports betting website. A way to stretch their dollar further and work that much harder for them—by paying you to advertise for them. Nothing travels faster than word of mouth advertising—by placing a banner on your website, which already generates traffic, they only pay you for the paying customers that your website or link generates for their sports betting site.

Do not confuse this for a ‘click-through’ program—it’s not. This type of sports betting affiliate program requires the customer that clicks through your banner/website/link to actually sign up to the sports betting website, deposit money and gamble it. What do they have to lose? Twenty percent of how much ever much money your clientele spends. That leaves the sports betting website 80 percent of the pie, which in turn equals cheap advertising and marketing for them, and possibly mega bucks for you.

As your paying referred clientele list grows with the sports betting affiliate program, so will your earnings. Think about it—if you have 10 people who spend $100 dollars a month at the sports betting website, you have earned yourself $200 with very little work. If you have 50 paying referrals who each spend $250 a month—at 20 percent you have just earned yourself $2,500 for simply directing traffic from your website to sign up on a sports betting site.

What’s more, you have nothing to lose and money to gain. Even if your referred clients win big throughout the month, most sports betting affiliate programs do not carry over a negative balance. The more of your own advertising you do for the company, the sweeter your own rewards will be. What are you waiting for? The time to act is now—it is never too late to get a piece of this fast-growing evolution in gambling.


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This article was prepared for this Sports Betting Affiliate site, please visit them for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/muay-thai-the-genesis-of-kickboxing.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/fitness/muay-thai-the-genesis-of-kickboxing.html Thu, 20 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Many people are familiar with kickboxing, thanks to popular films like Ring of Fire, but not many have heard of muay thai, from which many of the rules and moves of kickboxing originated. Muay thai (pronounced mooay tie) is the national sport of Thailand, and is widely known throughout Southeast Asia. Muay thai was one of the first of the Southeast Asian martial arts to be exported to the West, and many of the earliest well-known martial artists based their own fighting techniques on muay thai. Bruce Lee, for instance, analyzed muay thai moves in the early 1960s. In Cambodia it is known as pradal seray, in Malaysia it is called tomoi and in Myanmar it is called lethwei. No matter where it is practiced, though, it’s essentially the same sport – a martial art that uses the hands, feet, elbows and knees as points of contact and weapons.

Muay thai has been practiced in Thailand and other southeastern countries for centuries. It gradually evolved from bouts between different units in the army to timed bouts with rules taking place in arenas around the country. It originated in the battlefield techniques of the Siamese army who found themselves fighting in the rough, close terrain of Thailand and Burma. They developed a style of fighting that used combinations of fast, furious punches, kicks, elbow and knee strikes to make the best use of every part of the body. In the late 1500s, King Naresuan the Great officially made muay thai training part of all military training.

Muay thai is intertwined with the history of Thailand in many ways. One of the most popular tales is that of Nai Khanom Tom and the ten Burmese warriors. In 1767, the Thai capital fell to Burmese warriors. The Burmese king was curious to see how the field techniques of his own soldiers measured up to those of the muay thai boxers. Nai Khanom Tom was chosen to go head to head with a Burmese solder, whom he easily defeated. The king was so impressed with this technique that he made an offer to the warrior. If he could defeat ten Burmese warriors one after another, Nai Khanom Tom would have his freedom – and two wives. The Thai warrior was victorious, and returned home a hero.

Muay thai is a national pastime – the most passionately followed spectator sport in Thailand and much of Southeast Asia. Its popularity has spread throughout the world, and in 1995, the World Muay Thai Council was established by cabinet resolution to promote the ideals, techniques and all other elements of muay thai.

Muay Thai Matches, Rules and Equipment

Muay thai is fought in five three-minute rounds separated by two minute breaks. The fight is presided over by a referee, and scoring is determined by three judges who are trained observers. Each of the judges awards points to fighters based on their performance, and the fighter with the most points is awarded the round. At the end of the fight, the fighter with the most rounds is declared the winner of the fight.

There’s more to a muay thai match than the fighting, though. Each fight is accompanied by a band playing next to the boxers’ ring. The band consists of horn, drums and cymbals, and begins playing with the opening dance. As the action in the fight quickens, the tempo of the music accelerates to keep up, bringing the audience’s collective pulses along for the ride.

An important part of each match is the preliminary dance of thanks and respect offered by each opponent, called the wai khru. The styles of those dances are very individual and often serve to announce which school and instructor taught the fighter his technique.

In the early years, the only protection worn by a muay thai fighter was makeshift gloves – string wrapped around the knuckles and fist. Today all boxers are required to wear full safety equipment when competing to lessen the chance of injuries. Muay thai matches are held all over the world, and there is a formal ranking system to recognize the best and most accomplished muay thai fighters in the world.


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This article was prepared for this Muay Thai Equipment site, please visit them for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/business/the-rise-of-condominium-developments.html http://www.articletrader.com/business/the-rise-of-condominium-developments.html Thu, 20 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 Condominiums are no longer for the retiree and well-to-do. Whether a first-time home buyer looking for a safe place to raise their children or the young professional looking for luxurious living, the growing market of condos offers another option to buyers of every kind. While most may consider condos to be new or extravagant, the fact is condos do not have to be. There is a growing trend of reconstructing rental units into condominiums and the market is taking it in stride. Condo conversions are, however, causing a decrease in the rental inventory in major cities, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Miami. This is not stopping developers, however, as the condo conversions are priced affordably and are being snatched up by first-
time homebuyers everywhere.

Developers are purchasing run-down apartment buildings in properties that are close to jobs and schools, converting them into affordable condo units, and refurbishing them with more extravagant upgrades, such as carpeting and stainless steel appliances. They then will revamp the common areas and put them on the market. To help them sell, many are including incentives and even offering to pay the closing costs for buyers. Many first-time homebuyers and retirees
are purchasing them as they feel more secure.

Luxurious condos are also on the rise. While the ownership of these are centered more around a buyer looking for a quality lifestyle, extravagant amenities, and great locations, there are many that are willing to pay the price. In Florida last year, a 4,800 square foot condominium was sold for $4.65 million dollars. In 2005, California experienced a 90% jump in condominiums priced over one million. There were 1,677 condo sales, all in the one million dollar price range.

Many of these luxury condominiums are located in areas of wealth and many have top-notch views. Amenities in such luxury condos may include quality furnishings, such as appliances, granite counter tops, and window treatments. Many luxury condo buyers like the fact that the properties are secure and feel their items of wealth are protected in this type of environment and they don’t have to pay the added cost of security.

Condo hotel developments are on the rise in larger cities, as well. This type of luxury living affords one the opportunity of living in their own condominium with all the amenities of hotel living, such as room service, maid service, and concierge service. Research shows the average condo hotel buyer to be between the ages of 35 and 50 years old and many simply are purchasing them as either an investment property and vacation property.

The 576-unit condo hotel, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, sold all its units during its preconstruction stage within a two month period. In other areas, such as Florida where the first condo hotels were developed, sales are doing well. In many of the areas, such as Miami, there isn’t any undeveloped land available. Therefore, developers are simply taking advantage of the market in any way they can. These condo hotel sales are hot and when they are not on the water, they offer luxurious living at an affordable price.

There are several reasons why many prefer condominium living over a single-family dwelling. Many consider themselves to be living in a community within a community. While there may be strict regulations or rules in the condominium development, most find themselves feeling safer, as well as more involved, than they were when they lived in a single-family dwelling. Condominium developments generally charge a monthly fee to all owners to take care of the outdoor maintenance, as
well as security of the building and upkeep of the common area. This allows the condo owner to simply enjoy all the amenities of condo living.

The fact is condo development is on the rise all over the United States and Canada and will continue to do so as long as there are buyers. These condo buyers are simply looking to purchase the lifestyle of condo living. For many, feeling more secure in an affordable home, being pampered by a doorman, and living close to the city is what condo living is about.


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This article was prepared for this Toronto Condos site, please visit them for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/the-most-commonly-performed-cosmetic-surgery-is-liposuction.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/the-most-commonly-performed-cosmetic-surgery-is-liposuction.html Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500 If you are considering liposuction, you are far from alone. Statistics show that in the mid 90s as many as 300,000 people had liposuction each year. That number is increasing as the popularity for cosmetic surgery grows. The best statistic you’ll hear if you are considering this procedure – it has a very high satisfaction rate!

First introduced in 1979, liposuction has changed significantly over the years. When first performed, this surgery required lengthy stays in the hospital with long recovery times and even blood transfusions. Known as a “Tummy Tuck”, the procedure was done in a similar fashion to a c-section – a big smile incision was cut from hip to hip and then removal of the skin and fat underneath was accomplished. However liposuction performed in this way resulted in patients generally not being able to walk upright for up to six weeks, suffering great pain and scarring.

Today, liposuction can be done as an outpatient procedure at one of many surgical center facilities. It is relatively painless with bleeding, infections and other complications very rare. The normal events that will occur when liposuction is planned are the following:

Consultation with the doctor. At this visit, the doctor will look over the patient and draw on areas where he will be performing the liposuction. These drawings will occur around the entire body, as the doctor will normally be looking at improving the look of the body from all angles.

Day of surgery:

Upon arrival, the patient may be given something like Valium to help them relax (if nervous).

Demerol or other pain reliever is injected.

Lying down, the fatty areas of the body are filled with a solution of sterile salt water, adrenaline and anesthetic.

When the anesthetic takes effect, small holes are made in the skin with small needles where fat is to be removed.

A cannula, or thin tube, is then inserted into the fatty areas. Suction removes the fat through this tube and puts it into a disposable container.

After the fat is removed, you are wrapped in a dressing that stays on your body for approximately five days. Foam pads are placed on the areas where the cannula entered the skin and the patient is then placed in a garment similar to a girdle. This girdle-like garment holds the patient’s skin tightly and holds the foam pads firmly in place.

Recovery:

Day of surgery – After the procedure is completed, the patient can normally return home in about an hour. When home, many take the rest of the day “off” and rest or sleep.

Day after surgery – Most patients feel sore, but there is little discomfort. The girdle-garment begins to feel constricting on the day after surgery.

Second day after surgery – Many patients have called this the “worst” day of the entire experience. The overall feeling of being sore and bound up is the most unpleasant on this day.

After that, the liposuction experience just keeps getting better and better. Small amounts of activity can be done from the day after surgery and many patients are back to work by the third day after the procedure. The foam pads can be removed after the fifth day. When the pads are removed, the patient has an opportunity to see a glimpse of their new body…and most love what they see!

The rest of the recovery period is just the body gradually healing. Drainage from the treated sites normally stops by the seventh day after surgery, the slight bruising that can occur will heal in about two weeks, and puffiness and swelling can take several months to completely disappear. The garment given to the patient after surgery must be worn for up to 4 weeks.

After the recovery period has ended, the patient’s opinion of the liposuction is almost always positive. Dropping a size or two can make anyone feel better about themselves.

The only thing those who are thinking about liposuction must realize is that this procedure doesn’t permanently eliminate fat. If you have liposuction and return to your old habits (lack of exercise and overeating), the fat will come back quickly. However, liposuction in addition to a new lifestyle of moderate exercise and healthy eating can lead to a much thinner, shapelier body in the end.


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This article was prepared for this Liposuction Toronto site, please visit them for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/laser-hair-removal.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/laser-hair-removal.html Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500
The number of treatments required to successfully remove the hair varies from person to person according to the thickness of the hair. Everyone, however, needs at least three treatments in order to obtain good results. Individuals with hormonal imbalances and those who have previously plucked or waxed may require more treatments. For most people, it does not take any more than six treatments.

Distinguishing from Electrolysis

Many people mistakenly believe that laser hair removal is the same as electrolysis, but this is not true. Electrolysis removes hairs one at a time through a process that directs an electric current into the hair follicle, making it capable to destroy large amounts of hair follicles at a time. Laser hair removal, on the other hand, destroys only hair that is actively growing, which accounts for up to 85% of the hair in a person’s body.

Laser hair removal is a much faster process than electrolysis. For example, removing the hair from someone’s back with laser hair removal takes approximately one hour. With electrolysis, on the other hand, it takes about 125 hours. If hair does happen to grow back after laser hair removal, it is typically of a much finer texture than the original hair.

Eligibility for Treatment

In order to target only the hair, the laser beam seeks out melanin, which is a pigment that gives skin and hair its dark color. Therefore, laser hair removal is best performed on individuals with light skin and dark hair. Individuals with gray, red, white, or truly blond hair cannot undergo laser hair removal treatments because the laser light will be attracted to the melanin in the skin rather than to the hair. For these same reasons, individuals with suntans or with dark skin run the risk of discoloration in the area where treatment is carried out.

Individuals who take photosensitive medications or who have taken Accutane in the past 6 months are also ineligible for laser hair removal treatment, as are those who are pregnant.

Types of Lasers and Modifications

There are four primary types of laser lights used for laser hair removal:

Ruby (Brand names: Epilaser and EpiTouch)
Alexandrite (Brand names: Candela GentleLase Plus)
ND, and LP ND Yag (Brand names: Altus Cool Glide and Candela GentleYag)
Diode (Coherent Light Sheer)
While each of these lasers is effective and safe for permanent hair removal, there are factors the doctor can change in order to best suit individual needs. For example, the doctor can change the delay, which is the time between pulses of light. This affects the length of time the skin and the hair follicle are allowed to cool off. Fluence, which is the energy level, can also be changed according to skin type as can the pulse length. Generally, lasers with long pulses are considered to be the safest. The doctor can also alter how the area around the follicle is cooled, whether through a spray, a gel, or a cooled tip against the skin. In addition, the spot size, which affects the penetration and speed of the laser, can also be changed. Ideally, the spot size should reach the hair at the depth where it starts growing.

Advances in laser techniques have also started to make it possible for a broader range of individuals to undergo laser hair removal treatment. Some newer lasers are able to ignore the melanin in the skin. Therefore, patients with lighter hair and/or darker skin can achieve some results with laser hair removal. Nonetheless, the best candidates still remain those with dark hair and light skin.


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This article was prepared for this Laser Hair Removal Toronto site, please visit them for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/health/facelifts-offer-youthful-appearance.html http://www.articletrader.com/health/facelifts-offer-youthful-appearance.html Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500
When considering a facelift, consultation is done with the surgeon to determine your qualifications and type of procedure appropriate for you. You will be asked about your history, be given a physical exam and administered a blood test. Be forewarned, many doctors will not do a facelift on people who smoke or have smoked, as this may have serious complications.

Sometimes the best results of the facelift procedure are attained by combining several surgical procedures, such as liposuction, brow lift, fat transfer, blepharoplasty, laser, or chin and cheek implants—all depending on the patient’s needs.

During a simple facelift procedure, the surgeon will make incisions that follow the contours of the ear, but hidden in your hair. This will produce modest, permanent scarring in most cases. The best improvement with a facelift is seen in the jowl area and under the neck, while the folds around the mouth, commonly known as nasal-labial folds, are not usually improved much with a simple facelift.

During surgery, after the ear contour incision is made, the skin is undermined—pulled upwards and back toward the scalp line. The excess skin is removed and is stitched or stapled into place. This is a typical, simple facelift.

A newer technique is the ‘deep plane facelift’, which involves going under the muscle of the face and pulling it along with the skin to essentially make the facelift last longer. Some doctors choose a laser or chemical peel before the surgery is performed, however it should be a light treatment only—anything too deep adds serious risks. Recovery and risk for deep plane facelifts are more extensive than for a classic facelift.

Because the muscles and skin are being manipulated, it is common for there to be some bruising, and the deeper the procedure, the more bruising will occur. For deeper and more complex surgeries, the pain, swelling and risks can also rise. However, it has been shown that some of the deeper procedures produce a longer-lasting result, which may be favorable to some patients.

Facelifts can provide excellent and dramatic results. They can reduce the appearance of age and increase self-esteem in many people. Healing times vary and it is important that you enter into your surgery knowing that the full results can take weeks to appear. But rest assured, when healing is all said and done, you will present a younger and smoother looking face to the world—with the results apparent years after your facelift surgical procedure.

Women tend to have better results than men do in a facelift; however, men are sometimes good or even better candidates for the procedure than women are. Sometimes after surgery, men may have to shave in new places, as beard growing skin may be slightly repositioned.

The effects of a facelift will not last forever—your skin will continue to age and be affected by gravity. You may want to have another facelift surgery five or ten years later for maintenance or improvement.

Information is consistent on facelifts across the board. As with all surgical procedures, there are risks involved that you must discuss with your doctor before surgery. Your own health record and practices can and will affect your candidacy for surgery. Be sure to be truthful with your physician to avoid as many side effects and risks as possible.


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This article was prepared for this Facelift Toronto site, please visit them for more information.

Source: http://www.articletrader.com ]]> http://www.articletrader.com/food/recipes/spring-cooking-season-is-here.html http://www.articletrader.com/food/recipes/spring-cooking-season-is-here.html Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500
Barbecued Pot Roast

INGREDIENTS:
• 1 beef pot roast, 4 to 5 pounds
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• cayenne and cumin
• 1 cup water
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 cups sliced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Go ahead and brown the meat either on a grill or in an oven. Add some cayenne and cumin for that added dash of “what the hell is that?”. Now add the tomato sauce, water. onion, and minced garlic. Cover and simmer for roughly 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Add the remaining ingredients, cover, and continue cooking for 1 1/2 hours longer, or until roast is tender.
Check the recipe every now and then, and add additional water if necessary. Take out the meat and remove excess fat. The recipe serves 5-7.

Beef and Pineapple Shish Ka Bobs

Otherwise known as sirloin beef kabobs with pineapple
INGREDIENTS:
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
• 3/4 cup oil
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 1/2 pounds boneless beef top sirloin, cubed 1-inch
• 1 (8oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained
• 3 red bell pepper, cut in 1-inch chunks
• 2 jalapenos
• 2 red onions, cut in 1-inch wedges
• 8 long metal skewers
PREPARATION:
In a large plastic food bag, combine the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic powder, oil, and green onion. Add sirloin cubes and marinate several hours or overnight.
This is the most important step. Whenever you marinate over night, make sure you do NOT leave the marinate uncovered. Sometimes marinades will pick up other smells from food around the bowl, so be aware of that.
Drain the meat when ready and skewer the beef, pineapple and vegetables. Grill over a fire or a barbeque for 16 to 18 minutes.
Serves 8.


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This article was written by Article Authors for this Free Recipes site

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