Japanese develop 'female' android

Found this article this morning. I think it's pretty cool. But, on the other hand, it's a little scary. What do you guys think of it? ~K

Professor Ishiguro (r) stresses the importance of appearance in his robots

Japanese scientists have unveiled the most human-looking robot yet - a "female" android named Repliee Q1Expo.

She has flexible silicone for skin rather than hard plastic, and a number of sensors and motors to allow her to turn and react in a human-like manner.

She can flutter her eyelids and move her hands like a human. She even appears to breathe.

Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro of Osaka University says one day robots could fool us into believing they are human.

Repliee Q1Expo is not like any robot you will have seen before, at least outside of science-fiction movies.

She is designed to look human and although she can only sit at present, she has 42 actuators in her upper body, powered by a nearby air compressor, programmed to allow her to move like a human.

"I have developed many robots before," Repliee Q1Expo's designer, Professor Ishiguro, told the BBC News website, "but I soon realised the importance of its appearance. A human-like appearance gives a robot a strong feeling of presence."

Designed to look human

Before Repliee Q1Expo, Professor Ishiguro developed Repliee R1 which had the appearance of a five-year-old Japanese girl.

Its head could move in nine directions and it could gesture with its arm. Four high-sensitivity tactile sensors were placed under the skin of its left arm that made the android react differently to differing pressures.

The follow-up has the appearance of a Japanese woman. To program her motion, a computer analysed the motions of a human and used them as a template for the way Repliee Q1Expo moves.

Scientists think that, one day, robots could fool us into believing they were human

She can be designed to follow the movement of a human wearing motion sensors or to act independently.

"Repliee Q1Expo can interact with people. It can respond to people touching it. It's very satisfying, although we obviously have a long way to go yet."

Professor Ishiguro believes that it may prove possible to build an android that could pass for a human, if only for a brief period.

"An android could get away with it for a short time, 5-10 seconds. However, if we carefully select the situation, we could extend that, to perhaps 10 minutes," he said.

"More importantly, we have found that people forget she is an android while interacting with her. Consciously, it is easy to see that she is an android, but unconsciously, we react to the android as if she were a woman."

Source: BBC News

Technorati tags: female android, japanese android, androids, robotics, robots

Foamy the Squirrel - "Mini Marts"

MATURE CONTENT!

Hey folks, Spiral Journal presents another rant from our hero, Foamy the Squirrel, entitled "Mini Marts" - small stores with big prices.

Foamy the Squirrel is the creation of Jonathan Ian Mathers of iLL WiLL PreSS - home of the Neurotically Yours.



Technorati tags: foamy the squirrel, ill will press, jonathan ian mathers, neurotically yours, cartoons, flash animation, animation, humor

Shopping Cart Software For Your Online Business

Are you interested in selling online? Are you looking for a place to manage your online business from one place? Perhaps you're not sure where to go for your ecommerce software. May I suggest you visit ashop commerce for your shopping cart software. You'll be able to easily create your very own online store. The software is web-based so there's no downloading involved. It's so easy-to-use that anyone can set up the shopping cart. It's fully customizable with thousands of features, including 100% search engine optimization. You can start selling today and even be able to accept credit cards as well. You'll have technical assistance whenever you need it, and all of this for a reasonable price. No credit card is required to sign up for the 10-day trial. This software will definitely come in handy for me when I get my website up and running. I highly recommend considering ashop commerce for your shopping cart software when you are ready to set up your own online business.

Technorati tags: shopping cart, shopping cart software, ecommerce

12 Days of Christmas At SWATcash

Now would be a great time to sign up at SWATcash because, beginning today, they will begin their 12 Days of Christmas. At the moment there are no more details than that, but I expect to hear more later today. I will update this post as soon as I hear something.

UPDATE:
*********
Each night, for 12 nights, at 9PM EST, (beginning December 5th), SWATcash will have a contest at the forums. Each night they will give away more prizes. For example, on the first day, they will give away 1 prize to 1 member. On the second day, they will give away 2 prizes to 2 members, and so on...just like in the Christmas carol. The contests are not difficult to win, but from what I've seen there are tons of people at the forums during that time, and the site has been getting bogged down from all the traffic. They are working on this, and it should be fixed today (Dec 11). So far they have given away TVs, Nintendo Wiis, iPods and more! WOW! You must first sign up at SWATcash before participating in the contests. So GET ON OVER THERE AND SIGN UP! And hurry, because the 12 days is halfway over now.

P.S. Sorry it took me so long to post the update. I am falling down on my job, huh?
*********

SWATcash is a GPT site that I heavily promote because A.) I have made so much money there - $2169.93 to be exact (see screenshot below from my SWATcash account page) - and B.) they give away more cash and prizes than any other GPT site on the internet!

Here is my current earnings report:


Keep in mind that I did not have to spend a single penny to make that money. I simply completed the freebie offers and surveys, made daily "attacks," (which you will learn more about once you join), and promoted the site. It's not easy to make that kind of money at just any GPT site. Just look at my referral commission. People who have signed up under me have become awesome earners, because it's so easy to complete the offers and the approval rate is very high if you know what you're doing.

Don't get me wrong, there are many other good sites out there, and I promote them too. It's just that at other GPT sites, there aren't as many ways to make money as there are at SWATcash. And not another single site that I've found gives away as much money or as many prizes (and we are talking THOUSANDS each month).

I'm anxious to learn more about this 12 days of Christmas promotion or contest, or whatever it is. I will update as soon as I know something.

Sign up and earn some free money now!

Technorati tags: gpt, get paid to, free money, make money online, swatcash

Helpful information Enhances Your Affiliate Earnings

Helpful information in your websites is the key to success to start profiting wildly with affiliate marketing. Visitors always visit those websites that provides them with utilitarian information and this is one of the sure tools especially for those on a tight budget. Therefore writing articles is the best way apart from other required tools to get hold of the potential customers and it is really very effective as long as you impart helpful information to the readers.

There are certain factors that should be kept in mind while you are writing articles to profit with your affiliate marketing. They are:

1. While writing article make sure to make it personal by using you or your more often so that the reader must feel as if he/she is in direct contact with you. These words are very influential n grabbing the attention of the reader.

2. Do not stop your free flowing thoughts on any issue with your grammar or organization as it hinders the originality of your thought. After you finish pouring out your ideas and knowledge from your brain without paying attention to grammar or organization then you go for article perfection.

3. Do not be pretentious while writing articles applying difficult words but make it as easy as it can be for the readers and encourage them to read further. Keep your article simple.

4. Articles are said to be effective pre-selling tools through the author bio or resource box if the content is helpful but never make a mistake to sell anything in the article itself. It is a big blunder and persuading this will turn down potential buyers.

5. Make sure that your articles do not go against any proven facts, figures or statistics. Remember always that facts are solid but opinion varies from person to person.

6. The author bio or resource box should have some relation with the article topic.

7. An effective strategy in affiliate marketing is maintaining focus. Do not reap ideas to get rich quick writing articles. This will only divert your attention from the main point and will hinder your success in the long run instead you are guaranteed with positive long-term results if you consistently write articles as a habit and make them available online.

Next it is also important to read the terms and conditions carefully that varies with directories. For instance a few article directories prohibit affiliate links in the resource box but this an be solved by creating a website or a blog where you can put details about the affiliate product you are promoting and you can even buy a new domain name and redirect to your affiliate link which will give you unexpected long-term traffic.

[make money online] (link: http://www.money-online-review.com)

Technorati tags: affiliate marketing, helpful information

Best Social Networking Sites

Connecting with long lost friends and meeting some new ones along the way are the greatest advantages of social networking sites. These websites serve numerous purposes and combine a plethora of communications functions. Email, instant messaging, message boards, discussion groups and file sharing capabilities reflect the extent to which social networking sites connect us through the Internet.

When one thinks of social networking, MySpace usually comes to mind. 6StarReviews.com reports that MySpace allows users to create profiles, friends lists and post bulletins to their friends or communities with the click of a button. MySpace also boasts professor ratings and college and high school community groups for anyone looking for those with common interests.

Facebook, another popular social networking site, began as a Harvard phenomena and eventually opened its doors to most every college, high school and eventually user imaginable. Facebook popularized ‘the wall,’ where friends can post messages to each other via their profiles.

It is no secret that the social networking craze has opened doors for many business prospects, as well. Many college students can join industry-related groups and meet new contacts through websites like Bebo and MySpace. Politicians have also jumped on the bandwagon, adding a vast online demographic to their campaign trail targeting.

Who wouldn’t feel special having Hillary Clinton on their friends’ list? Nielsen/NetRatings found social networking sites grew about 47% last year, so evidently, these sites are breaking ground for more than one reason.

Kelly Liyakasa is staff writer for 6StarReviews.com, a site dedicated to giving YOU, the consumer, the best product and service reviews around. If you like saving time and money by having someone else review leading sites and products, then Visit our site at 6StarReviews.com.Visit 6StarReviews.com Blog! Also, if you have the time, check out the 6StarReviews Blog for product updates, new site reviews and to give us suggestions or feedback!

Technorati tags: social networking

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machines

I have recently been reduced to drinking instant coffee, because my old coffee-maker went on the fritz, and we have yet to replace it. I don't know about you guys, but I must have my coffee in the morning or I'm nothing but a grump. And that makes poor hubby unhappy. I don't care for instant coffee, but it's keeping me sane for now. But I'm quickly growing tired of it. We have talked it over, and decided that we will replace the old coffee-maker with something a little fancier that will produce my favorite lattes and capaccinos, and for hubby, something a bit stronger like espresso. We need something that is easy to use, and unlike my last coffee-maker, something of high quality that will last a while and is reasonably priced. I did some digging this morning and came across the Rancilio Silvia espresso machine. This is a handsome machine and will be more than suitable to our needs. All the controls are on the front of the machine for ease of use, and there's a convenient cup-warmer right on top. It has a brass broiler which won't corrode, and can reach a high temperature quickly and stay there. There are three thermostats with a safety device right on the broiler. This machine has everything we need at an affordable price. If you're also in the market for an espresso machine, I recommend you check this one out. Rancilio Silvia uses only commercial grade components, so you know you're getting the highest quality home machine, and that's so important. We will definitely consider this machine, and soon, I will be drinking a nice hot mocha latte every morning, instead of this muddy instant stuff!

Technorati tags: espresso machine, capaccino, espresso, latte, coffee

How To Search For The Best Affiliate Programs

A best affiliate program is nothing more than a revenue sharing agreement between the merchant and the web site owner or publisher. Best affiliate programs mean more sales for merchants and more commission for publishers without any conflict. This definition may be quite amusing but it is true. Veteran online marketers will like to define best programs as online marketing tools, which help to sell a product through internet. I have inferred this definition after going through several top paying programs. To bring more clarity to this definition let us start by analyzing the need of affiliate marketing.

Affiliate marketing

Information technology has made it easy to sell and buy a product through internet. Today people do not bother to visit showrooms for shopping. Everything you need is just a click away from you. It has become easier to buy a product such as latest 3G mobile phone handset, refrigerator, television, audio system or an e-book using internet. Merchants sell their products by advertising through their own web sites. They also hire space on other web sites, which have high volume of traffic and are relevant to their products. It is called affiliate marketing. The hired web site is called affiliate site. The merchant displays his advertisement on affiliate site and get bonus sales from the visitors of that particular site.

The publishers continually search for rich and well paying merchants. On the other hand, the merchants spend hours on internet searching for high traffic web sites relevant to their product. Apart from searching they have to trust each other as everything goes online. They participate in affiliate forums and post advertisements in order to find Mr. Right. Sometimes, they join affiliate marketing networks. A network provides them a common platform to share their views. It also helps in running marketing programs by providing tools such as banners, templates etc. A network behaves as a moderator between the two. The merchants disburse commissions to the publishers through network. It also keeps record of clicks etc. on the behalf of publishers for making claims.

Best affiliate programs

A marketing program is chalked out as soon as a merchant and a publisher agree to advertise a product. The merchant specifies conditions to give commission to publisher. For example, a publisher gets commission on clicks received by an advertisement in Cost-per-Click program. He has to keep record of all the clicks before making claim for commission. Such programs have taken affiliate marketing to new heights. Merchants chalk out their best programs for selling products.

How to run best affiliate programs?

The web site owner, who is taking active part in online marketing, should strive hard to generate maximum traffic for his web site. The advertisement should be eye catchy. If it is dull in colors and design, it is not going to get any response from visitors. At last the web site and the advertisement must be relevant to each other. For example the advertisement of education books should be displayed on education related web sites. Similarly merchant selling engine oil must search for automobile web site to display his advertisement.

I will write briefly on how a web site becomes an affiliate site. How can you generate revenue through your sites?

Arun Lakhera is a professional journalist and copy writer. He has written contents on affiliate marketing for www.VHMnetwork.com, an online advertising network.

Technorati tags: affiliate marketing, affiliate programs

In Love With Coca-Cola Memorabilia

Coca-Cola has been a classic since the company was founded by Joseph Biedenharn in 1894. What has helped capture the American imagination is more than just the sweet, chilly taste of authentic Coke; the plethora of collectible items that has grown up around the company is enough to confound the imagination. Original Coca-Cola memorabilia is highly treasured by those who engage in this hobby. If it has the Coke logo on it, there is someone who wants it.

When you speak of Coca Cola collectibles, you naturally begin with the famous bottles. The earliest ones have the greatest value. They were hand blown and mismatched as to color, form, and even size. The earliest of all had a rubber seal and a cap with a wire. However, since the taste of the drink was affected by the rubber, this closure didn't last very long. By 1910, the glass containers were machine crafted and standardized. The Coca Cola bottle shape everyone recognizes was adopted in 1916 and has endured since then.

There are several different Coca-Cola bottles that are valuable. They can be valuable because of their age or because they were made for an important event. When the sodas started being made in aluminum cans in the 1960's, the old style cans also became collector's items. If you can find a can or bottle that is unopened these can be worth more.

Coca-Cola memorabilia collectors value the cartons and cases used for Coke products. The six-pack cardboard holder, introduced in 1928, is one of the early packages, once common with Coke products. Some collectors also prefer wooden cases. The pairing bottles represent an even better alternative for contemporary packaging.

Even the bottle caps can be valuable collectibles, since they have also been issued as commemorative items as well. There was once a contest which awarded a free case of Coke for collection a bottle cap from each of the 50 states -- and a full set of these would thrill collectors. Many Coca Cola collectors have a very narrow focus in their collecting.

Some Coke items were licensed by the company but aren't actual beverage items. These include china, glasses, sweat shirts, t-shirts, key chains, stuffed animals and thousands of other items over the years. An excellent source for finding Coca-Cola memorabilia is the internet. Searching the term will give literally thousands of hits and you can also find tons on popular online auction sites.

Soda-Pop-Collectibles.com features thousands of soda pop and Coca-Cola memorabilia items. Browse hundreds of Coke memorabilia items of every size, shape, and type. New vintage Coca-Cola items added daily!

Technorati tags: Coca-Cola memorabilia, coke, collectibles

Playing Acoustic Guitar - 4 Tips For Learning To Play Acoustic Guitar

When musicians play on stage it moves people. There are many in the crowd who wish that they could do the same thing with music. The truth of the matter is, not everybody is talented in playing a musical instrument and many people will never be because they lack the motivation and the resources to learn. It takes a lot of talent, skill and patience to learn how to play an acoustic guitar.

Here are some of the best tips for learning how to play the acoustic guitar.

1. The first step is to purchase the guitar. There are many are specialty music stores that sell brand new guitars while there are also those that sell used guitars. It's recommended that you purchase a pre-owned guitar before buying a new one. This allows you to get the feel for playing it and you can buy a new one at a later time.

2. The next step is to learn how to read notes. Before going any further this step is essential. New guitar players will soon learn that when you put your finger on one string, it will sound different than when you put it on another string.

This is very similar to touch typing on your computer keyboard. Students should be able to know which string matches the ones they see in the music book. Learning to play the acoustic guitar is all about learning where your fingers are and knowing which string will make which sound.

3. Playing the guitar is a lot of work on your fingers. Finger exercises should be done so that your fingers can handle the strenuous work that playing the guitar entails. Some musicians are able to play fast while others play the same rhythm all throughout the song. In order to play any song, guitar students need to be fast and flexible.

4. It was one thing to listen to a CD of a favorite musician. It's going to be different when you go to play it though. Analyzing and studying changes in pitch can be very difficult. Getting your lessons in audio and video formats will enhance your observation of how the fingers move.

Nobody became an amazing guitarist overnight. Those of you who wish to be the best should learn the basics of playing acoustic guitar before playing more difficult songs. This can only be achieved by understanding rhythm, strumming and finger patterns so that one could possibly become an icon in the music industry.

The only way to become a master at playing acoustic guitar is to practice often and have access to good learning resources.

To learn more tips on guitar playing, please visit this website

Technorati tags: acoustic guitar, guitar lessons, learn to play guitar, acoustic, guitar tips

Dyson Vacuum Cleaner Parts

If you own a Dyson vacuum cleaner and would like to buy parts and accessories for it, perhaps you should visit the Dyson website. They have a wide selection of vacuum cleaner parts to choose from. One of the best features of the Dyson site is that it's extremely user friendly and they have made the selection and purchasing process so easy. You will first select the machine that you own: upright, cylinder, or handheld. Then, if necessary, choose your model. Once you've selected your machine, you will then be taken to a page of accessories for your specific model. Let's say you have a cylinder machine. Here, you will see a broad range of accessories for the cylinder vacuum such as brush tools, crevice tools, extension tubes, mattress tools and hoses. Once you've selected the accessory you need, you have the option to buy, or see more details. Click on "more details" to see a description and image of your selection. When you're ready to buy, simply click the "buy" button and you are taken to the checkout page where you can easily complete your purchase. I recommend you visit the Dyson site for all your vacuum parts and accessory needs.

How to Stop Telemarketers

You have finally gotten the baby to sleep and you sit down to dinner, which you find is cold because it took so long to get your infant to finally go down for the night. You warm your dinner again and, just as you sit down, the phone rings. The baby wakes and on your way to get her from the crib, you answer the phone, only to find that someone wants to give you a no-obligation quote on auto insurance.

At best, telemarketers are annoying. They always seem to call at the most inappropriate times and they can be difficult to get away from. And while your first impulse may be to simply hang up or say “I’m not interested,” that is generally not the best way to go about it if you want to stop telemarketers from calling your home the next time.

Your first step for stopping telemarketers is to join the National Do Not Call Registry with a quick visit to DoNotCall.gov. This registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and allows you to place your home number and personal wireless numbers on the national Do Not Call list for free. Once your number appears in this registry (typically the day following your request to join), telemarketers have 31 days to stop calling you. If they don’t stop calling, you can file a complaint directly on the DoNotCall.gov website.

This simple, 30-second task will greatly reduce the number of phone calls you receive, and your registration is effective for five years. However, the registry will not stop calls from political organizations or charities, nor will it stop telephone surveyors (unless their true motivation in calling you is to sell you a product.) The registry will also not stop calls from those companies you already do business with. You have to stop these telemarketing calls yourself.

As mentioned, your first instinct may be to hang up or say “I’m not interested,” but, if you do, your phone number will simply be put back on the list and you will be called again and again.

When you receive these kinds of calls, make sure to state very clearly that you would like to be added to the organization’s Do Not Call list. And then keep a record of those companies or organizations. The law does not require non-profits to keep these do-not-call lists, but you can state your wishes, and if you are met with a rebuttal, ask to speak to the supervisor. Your goal is to remain firm but calm and to proceed until you talk with someone who can assure you that you will not be called again. If the organization feels that they will lose your contributions or support if they do not cease calling, they will tend to comply.

Jamie Jefferson writes for Momscape.com, Susies-Coupons.com and Susies-Travel-Coupons.com where you’ll find hand-selected online coupons, coupon codes and travel discounts.

Technorati tags: telemarketing, telemarketers

Top Ten Social Bookmarking Sites

Sharing favorite webpages has become popular recently. Social bookmarking sites allow visitors to let everyone else know where they found important or just plain interesting information. With the popularity spreading we are seeing more sites offering social bookmarking. Listed below you’ll find information on ten of the popular bookmarking sites.

blinklist.com–This site allows you to bookmark sites with the click of a button on your toolbar. You can keep your lists private or share them with the world.

del.icio.us– One of the first social bookmarking sites to spark the world’s attention is still a favorite.

digg.com– Digg has several categories for the 8.7 million visitors it gets monthly to browse through to find the information and statistics they need quickly. Digg also allows its members to post to their blog through this site when a visitor wants to leave a link to a webpage or article on their blog.

fark.com– With categories such as sports, politics, music, and business on the main page, this site allows users to browse others bookmarked sites by topic to help you easily find what you are looking for.

ma.gnolia.com– The ease of use makes this smaller site attractive. Ma.gnolia.com allows the user to become familiar with the whole social bookmarking process making it a great site to start with if you are new to social bookmarking.

mybloglog.com– Combining social bookmarking and blogging into a social networking package makes this site a great place to promote your pages while finding other sites that may interest you.

reddit.com– users can view what’s new or what’s hot at the moment as well as see the weekly stats on this social bookmarking site.

stumbleupon.com– A relatively new site that combines myspace and social bookmarking where users can make multiple pages on any topic.

tailrank.com– Blogs often contain a lot of valuable information. This site helps to find the hot buzz online by keeping track of what is being said between blogs. Users search through topics such as politics, technology, video and entertainment or even randomly if they prefer to find out what is going on online.

technorati.com– Technorati allows its million and a half visitors share their blog posts, photos, favorite videos and other favorite sites every month.

Each social bookmarking site is unique, all are geared toward different audiences. For a website owner to get the most out of social bookmarking you can use a combination of several different sites. Start by putting your blog on one site, Technorati for instance. You can then start a webpage or two on Stumbleupon with themes that match your blog. Listing your pages as favorites on Digg after you have set them up will drive traffic to your site.

Bookmarking your own site gives users of these sites easy access to your webpages. Keep an eye on sites like tailrank.com to see what other users are talking about, use that information for inspiration for your own blog. This will keep your site fresh and in line with what others are looking for online.

If you use these sites together you can introduce your site to people who have similar interests while helping your site to increase traffic as well as linking you to possible future partners in other projects that can help you to increase your traffic and revenue online. Read the rules of each site and make sure you stay within the guidelines and use these tools to help your site grow.

Robert Paul Williams is the Editor of Work At Home Business Website. Come Visit Robert’s Blog for Free and Low Cost Website Advertising Ideas.

Technorati tags: social bookmarking

How to Make Money with Training Videos

Most everyone has some area of expertise in a particular field that would be beneficial for others to learn. Whether you’re an employee, entrepreneur, or entertainer, there’s good money to be made in training others how to have the same successes you have. Simply demonstrating on video the same steps to success you’ve taken, you can make thousands of extra dollars by portraying your expertise.

1. Determine your area of expertise. What have you been good at for all your life? What are your hobbies, pastimes, or job skills that you have been perfecting?

Maybe you’ve been successful at parenting, making crafts, throwing parties, inventing, or how to enjoy a night out on the town. Even if it’s something as simple as winning at board games, chances are there are people out there that would want to learn from you. Maybe you’ve been an administrative assistant for years and have been commended on how invaluable you are to the company.

Then you have a basis of training others how to be top notch administrative assistant, considering how much job turnover some industries can have. Companies love training with videos, because it saves valuable time from managers and communicates everything important in the same way each time.

2. Plan your approach. Once you’ve determined your market for training others, you need to put together an outline for the content. This is where you’ll want to spend most of your time, as content is always king.

Start with bullet points, going from general to specific. Sketch out the scenes that you will be taping to illustrate the message.

Be sure to discuss what doesn’t work as well as what does, by sharing the mistakes you’ve made along the way. Give them resources and tips to get started and how to persevere.

3. Shoot the video. First you’ll want to choose a professional production company to produce your video if you are not equipped or experienced. Do not use your home camcorder thinking that you can make a professional video suitable for selling at a premium price.

For advice on how to choose a video production company, do a web search for “how to choose a video production company” or search by this author’s name. Once you’ve chosen a production company that fits your budget, be sure to create scenes that actually demonstrate your points and how they can duplicate it. No one really wants to buy a video of a talking head, so keep it interesting.

For advice on creating effective video content, be sure to do a web search on this topic for this same author. Decide if you are suitable for being the on camera talent and speaker. Again you must portray yourself as an expert, or at least, an expert author of the content.

If you’re not good at communicating on camera or unable to speak naturally and fluently, you may need to hire an actor to work off a teleprompter. The production company will help you make that decision.

4. Market the video. Once the video is shot and duplicated and ready to be sold, determine the venues of distribution to promote your video to your target audience. Having your own search engine-friendly website is a must, with accurate keywords that your audience will be searching for.

Amazon.com and other video dealers will gladly stock or drop ship your video for a cut of your selling price, and is well worth it. Trade shows, college campuses, swap meets, magazine classifieds, local newspaper classifieds…anywhere your audience’s eyes would be looking is where you need to be promoting your video.

With perseverance and determination, you can make a one time video investment make you a lot of extra money and maybe even quit the job that you were training people how to do!

Paul Lyke is the managing director at MidSouth Visual, Inc., a Nashville video production company.

Technorati tags: training videos, make money

Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd"

I am so excited about the new Tim Burton movie, "Sweeney Todd," coming to theaters on December 21st. I have always been a huge fan of his movies. The reason is simply this: I like creepy, and Tim Burton knows creepy. Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and Nightmare Before Christmas are among my all-time favorites. His movies are simply eerie to the core and that is my kind of film. The fact that Johnny Depp stars in many of Burton's movies is just a little side bonus, albeit a very nice one. And once again, Mr. Depp has a starring role in Burtons's new film that promises to give me all the creepy I can stand.

If you're familiar with the story, you know that revenge is the fundamental element of "Sweeney Todd." I believe everyone knows a little about this subject, and many of us have taken revenge on the people who we believe have wronged us in one way or another. I know I have acted out of revenge on a few occasions, and I'm not exactly proud of it, and probably wouldn't tell you about it here, but there is a place where we can go to confess to the Demon Barber our stories of revenge. I encourage you to visit and make a call in to the confession line, post a video confession, or simply post a written confession. I promise it will make you feel better.

Once you've gotten that off your chest, be sure to visit the official Sweeney Todd movie site and watch the trailer. It gave me goosebumps when I watched it. I can tell you this: it definitely looks creepy. I simply can't wait to see this movie! And the site is so beautifully designed with hauntingly macabre music and surrealistic images. There are plenty of goodies there too, including wallpapers, icons and take away banners, (like the one you see above), so grab them while you're there. And don't forget, you can also visit Sweeney Todd on Myspace.




Technorati tags: Sweeney Todd, tim burton, movies

Heads Up! CourtTV Changing to truTV January 1, 2008

CourtTV has been my favorite channel since the '90s. I watch it every night. My favorite program is Forensic Files, but I also enjoy The Investigators. I don't watch it much during the day when the court trials are on, unless they are airing a high profile case that I'm particularly interested in. For the most part, I like the night-time shows. Beginning January 1, 2008, CourtTV will be changing its name to truTV. I know this might make you nervous if you're a die-hard fan like me, but just read on.

I did a little digging after seeing the commercial about the change. Don't worry, they are just trying to reach a larger audience. It seems that the name "CourtTV" gives some television viewers the impression that it's just a bunch of Judge Judy-type programs...and if that were the case, I wouldn't watch it either! (Grrr...I just don't like her)

So, CourtTV fans, never fear - we'll still be seeing our favorite shows like Most Shocking and Psychic Detectives just like we always have. So stay tuned in.

Affiliate Programs - A Reliable Online Marketing Strategy

Affiliate programs can be a great strategy of Internet marketing and add additional income to your business. Internet marketing through affiliate programs may be easier if you are marketing your own products and have established customers or a stable list of potential customers. However, if you market products that are not your own through an affiliate program, then the following tips can assist in developing an effective marketing strategy.

1. Buy Them First:

Common sense will state that it may not be wise to market products over the Internet especially when the ownership is not yours. You can’t really sell something you know little about nor can you guarantee the product will deliver to your customers’ expectations. It is advised to sample the product before you sell it. Educate yourself and learn the benefits of the product before you market on the Internet. Bottom line is to test the product!

2. Get Them While Their Hot:

It is important to get hold of the product in its launch phase or when the demand is very high and not many people are aware of the product. Ideally you should start promoting the product when 99% of the market is not aware of it. This will help you to maximize your efforts and generate higher commissions. Make sure to grasp the information of your customers which you can always use to up sell or cross sell your own products in the future.

3. Set up "Redirect" Web Pages:

You probably already know that having your own website and domain name is a very important strategy of Internet marketing. Having your own website is a critical element to the success of your business. Use your domain to "mask" the affiliate URL that was issued to you when you signed up. Customers are use to seeing affiliate URL's. There is a drawback however: When the product begins to gain popularity it is harder to sell with long URL’s. By using a redirect and bringing customers to your site, gives you a great lead over the other affiliates selling the product.

4. Devote Your Web Site to One Product/Service:

One thing that may have caught your eye that most web site owners share alike is that they will congest their website with thousands of different products on one web page. For more reasons than one this never works. Instead, avoid making this mistake and take your main page, the one that gets the most traffic, center it on your most profitable product or service. Try to focus towards a single product and even if you want to sell more products then ensure that the products are related to each other in terms of their offerings and value. The idea is to develop pages based on themes and then sell relevant products related to those themes. For e.g. if your page is developed to sell plasma tvs then you could always list products from different companies selling these tvs but placing other products like cameras and dvd players will not be a good idea as the customer who landed on your page was looking for tvs alone.

5. More Time To Online Marketing:

You should have time to market online, instead of setting up several web sites, unlimited forms, handling questions after questions (you will get some, not many though), or any other administrative tasks. You can spend your time with what makes money, advertising and Internet marketing and getting your site visited. This is your main priority and should stay that way for the success of your business.

William King is the director of Wholesale Pages: http://www.wholesalepages.co.uk , Aid and Trade: http://www.aidandtrade.com , Daily Trader: http://www.dailytrader.com and Pakistan Property Portal http://www.zameen.com/ . He has 18 years of experience in the marketing and trading industries and has been helping retailers, entrepreneurs and startups with their product sourcing, promotion, marketing and supply chain requirements.

Free Ringtones!

I tell ya, everyone I know has a cell phone, including me. And each person has his or her own taste in ringtones. Personally, I prefer rock ringtones by my favorite rock artists, like Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, and Velvet Revolver. I like to assign a certain ringtone to a specific person, so I know who is calling, before I even look at my phone. The problem is, it can cost a fortune downloading all those ringtones. What I try to do is find a place that offers free ringtones. Today I had the good luck to run across MSNemotions.org. They offer a broad range of ringtones, no matter your preference. From hip hop ringtones, to country ringtones, they have all your favorite artists, regardless of genre. And best of all, they're free! MSNemotions.org is a fantastic resource for all your polyphonic ringtones. So get on over there and get to downloading!

Work From Home Ideas

Nowadays work from home business ideas and opportunities are available on the internet but it is very difficult to find the appropriate sites which are genuinely helpful. To start a work from home business you have to develop a unique desire and motivation within you. You have to want it, feel it and finally you have to wake up every morning and tell yourself you want to succeed and this way it will happen.

Various ideas to start work from home for both men and women.

There are a large number of job opportunities working from home available for both men and women. The only thing which changes is your area of interest. Some of the opportunities available are:

Online Survey

Loads of companies on the net need your response to move their business forward. They are even willing to pay people who take part in their online surveys. It is so easy to earn a living by completing online surveys.

Data entry

One of the easiest jobs is to enter data. If you don’t have computer knowledge then nothing can be better than data entry work. Normally you are given a set of data in paper format and you are required to enter that data onto a computer.

Content writing

Another enjoyable task that you can do is writing content for other websites. Again, no special skills are required. If you are not good at writing, spelling, punctuations and absolutely grim at Grammar its ok because you can still make a living by writing.

Child Care taker

Being a child care provider takes a lot of time and energy. Your routine starts before 7:30 in the morning and doesn't end until 5:30. Your home becomes your office. You may not have any energy left for your family. Before you take the big leap, why not help out at a daycare centre for a few days to see if this is the right job for you.

Entrepreneurship

Take up a job that you consider as your enthusiasm and drive home some solid income. Entrepreneurship is then not far away. If you have creativity then nobody can stop you having your own small business from home. You can create multiple things and sell them to your market. You can start your own business from home by creating a variety of things like candles, jewelry, clothing, picture frames, dolls house furniture, Christmas tree ornaments, hair barrettes and bows, baby bibs or almost anything else and sell it. Setting up a successful home-based business needs organization, patience and professionalism.

Thomas H. Lindblom has been a business development manager with Talkhomebusiness since two years. His part of job includes finding out new job opportunities for different work from home providing companies.

Websites That Pay You To Blog

One of the best ways to make money online is to get paid to blog. The following sites will hook you up with advertisers who are willing to pay you to blog about their products and services. If you have a blog that is at least 90 days old that you have posted to regularly, then I suggest you check out the links below. You can make a good living blogging for dollars. I do!

If you know of any others, please turn me on to them, so I can add them to my list.

Smorty.com

Blogsvertise

PayU2Blog

ReviewMe

SponsoredReviews

PayPerPost

Holiday Deals For The Kids At Wal-Mart.com

I found some great holiday deals for the kids going on at Wal-Mart.com. Check 'em out!

Mega Bloks Pirates of the Caribbean Play Scene, Brethren's Court

This iconic skull storage container opens up to reveal exciting Pirates of the Caribbean play scenes. Now you can build the signature locations from the film. In this set, the Brethren Court convene to decide their fate and abide by the pirates' code. Collect both Pirates of the Caribbean play scene sets to build the ultimate Shipwreck City.





18" Boy's NEXT Surge Bike

The Next Surge is the ideal bike for your growing boy. It features front caliper (hand) brakes, plus the rear coaster (foot) brake that he's comfortable with. Chances are, this will be the first bike he rides without training wheels.





LEGO BIONICLES Barraki: Mantax

Lurker in the shadows... the first thing you'll hear is the shifting of sand — then you'll feel his claws. With his spiked shell, vicious pincers, and sea squid launcher, Mantax hides on the sea floor waiting for his prey. By the time you've seen him, it's much too late!





Mega Bloks Spider-Man 3 Final Battle Construction Site Playset

This deluxe construction site playset lets you build and recreate the scene of the ultimate battle between Spider-Man and all the villains from the Spider-Man 3 movie. Build the construction site and pickup truck and let the battle begin.

A real, working crane keeps the battle action moving while a special zip-line brick lets Spider-Man quickly scale the building. The Spider-Man Micro Figure even has a color change feature that reveals the symbiote, black-suited Spider-Man.





Disney Pixar Cars 13" Color TV with Digital Tuner


Nobody knows entertainment like Disney, and nobody delivers more fun. Your little Cars fan will love this 13" color television set complete with Cars-inspired accents and fun designs. But it doesn't just look good; it boasts a digital tuner, a full-function remote control and a V-chip, which allows the blocking of programs based on their ratings category.

One Dollar Global Insurance

In the past I haven't thought much about life insurance, but as I grow older, I realize that it's important not to leave your loved ones with the burden of taking on the your funeral expenses and other bills that you may leave behind. A funeral alone costs thousands of dollars, and my family just doesn't have that kind of money.

My husband is quite a bit younger than I am, so it stands to reason that I will be the first to go, and I would just feel better knowing that I don't leave him in a bind. He will have enough to worry about without having financial issues as well. I also want to make sure he is financially secure once I'm gone. Our problem has been finding a family insurance company that fits our budget. We struggle from day to day just to make ends meet, and we need a policy we can afford.

Perhaps you and your family are in the same boat. If so, one dollar Global Life insurance offers rates as low as $3.27 per month, based on your age and they are guaranteed for the life of your policy. Your first month is only $1 and you can buy direct by mail. I can sure live with that! I especially like the fact that I won't have to go for a medical exam, just answer some yes or no questions. And there's no waiting period. If you're looking for insurance for your family, you need to check them out.

I Need Some Help From My Readers, Please!

I have done a little work on the appearance of this blog and now, sometimes when I view the pages, my left sidebar isn't beside my posts, it's under them. It doesn't do it all the time, though. What I need is for someone to view it with both Firefox and Internet Explorer and let me know if they are seeing this too, or if the sidebar is beside my posts where it's supposed to be. I also need someone to tell me how to fix this problem. Thanks to anyone that can help out. Please just leave me a comment here to let me know.

Edit - 12/02/07: I have now figured out that this only happens when I am signed into blogger and the little edit tool icon shows up. So I assume that it isn't happening for everyone else. If it is, please let me know with a comment below. Thanks!