Five Steps To Back Up Your Digital Life

More and more, our lives have gone digital. We're quickly filling up our hard drives with digital photos, music, videos and documents, and in doing so we're flirting with digital disaster. Think about it: What would happen if you lost all that data on your hard drive? In a millisecond your family photos, home movies, years of work, and digital music collection could vanish forever. It could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have a data- recovery service attempt to get the lost data back, but there's no guarantee they'd be successful. This is a disaster that doesn't have to happen. With today's advances in external storage and backup solutions, backing up your digital assets can be done easily and automatically. With an external hard drive such as the Maxtor OneTouch™ solution, you won't be forced to rummage through a pile of CDs/DVDs if you need to restore something. It's all stored in one location. Just supply power to the drive, plug it into a PC or Mac via a USB or FireWire port, pop in the included disk, and follow the simple setup wizard. In just a few minutes, you'll be able to automatically back up your entire hard drive every night. If new data can't wait, press the glowing button to start an immediate backup. If you're connected to a home or small business network, look for a shared storage device, such as the Maxtor Shared Storage Plus solution that plugs into a wired or wireless router and can automatically back up everyone's computer data on the local network to one location. The good news is that getting started on a backup program is simple. • Develop a backup schedule-back up data daily or, at a minimum, weekly. • Back up everything-no need to sort through every file and folder. Invest in a storage solution that's twice the size of your internal hard drive to give your system room to grow. • Do it automatically-set it and forget it. Use a solution that's easy to set up and provides automatic backups. • Rotate backups-for added protection in case of theft or natural disaster, use two drives and rotate one off-site. • Don't procrastinate. Unfortunately, the need to back up data is often a lesson learned from a bitter experience. Don't let it happen to you. Modern technology can help you be sure your digital family memories are safe.

Buying An Energy Efficient Home Appliance

With too many brands powered with each one’s aggressive marketing strategies conquering the market, the hapless consumer is terribly confused in his selection of a new energy efficient home appliance. If you are more concerned about your hard earned money, then the choice becomes a difficult task indeed. Ultimately, quite often, you end up buying the cheapest item available in the market.

The cost of owning a home appliance has three basic components viz, the initial purchase price, the cost of repairs & maintenance and the cost involved in operating it. To determine how much one will spend over the lifetime of the home appliance, one has to necessarily take cognizance of all these costs. The appliance with the lowest initial purchase price, or even the one with the best repair record, need not necessarily be the one that costs the least to operate.

The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run, and the lower your utility bills. Using less energy is good for the environment too and you can reduce air pollution and help conserve natural resources. Even if two models look the same from the outside, less-obvious inside features can mean a big difference in your monthly utility bills. Most of the differences are on the inside - in the motors, compressors, pumps, valves, gaskets and seals, or in electronic sensors that make appliances "smarter."

Tips for shopping

1. Know where to shop.

Appliance outlets, electronics stores and local retailers stock different brands and models of home appliances. Dealers also sell appliances through print catalogs and the Internet. Do a little bit of market research first before resorting to real shopping.

2. Select the size and style.

Take the measurement of the appliance to make sure that your new purchase will fit into the available space with you. Make sure that you have enough room to open the door or lid fully and enough clearance for ventilation. This will help you in narrowing down your choices as you settle on the best capacity and style.

3. Compare the performance of different brands and models.

Glance through the manufacturer's product literature. Decide which features are important to you. Do not hesitate to ask questions about how the different models operate, their repair history, safety features, extent of energy consumption etc. Manufacturers are expected to use standard test procedures to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products.

4. Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate.

The more energy an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run. The difference on your monthly utility bill can be significant, especially when the life of the appliance runs over 10 years. Even if the purchase price is higher, you could save money over the long run by choosing a model that's more energy efficient.

5. Ask about special energy efficiency offers.

Enquire with the salesperson about the availability of cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs for energy-efficient product purchases and explore the possibility of qualifying for such incentives.

Electrical Discharge Machine Buying Tips

Electrical Discharge Machining or EDM is electrical equipment or a machining method that is used for hard metallic materials. It is primarily used on hard metals that cannot be processed by traditional methods and techniques. Electrical Discharge Machining, however, only works with metallic objects that are electrically conductive. EDM can cut small unusual shaped angles, complex curves and outlines in numerous types of extremely hard steels and exotic metals like titanium and carbide just to name a few. 1. How It Works Sometime referred to as spark machining or spark eroding. Electrical discharge machining is a method of removing material by a series of rapidly recurring electric discharges between the cutting tool and the work piece, in the presence of an energetic electrical field. The EDM equipment is guided very close along the desired path but it does not touch the metallic piece. Instead the sparks produce a series of micro-crates on the metallic piece and remove materials along the desired path by melting and vaporizing them. The wasted particles then are washed away by the continuous flushing of dielectric fluid. 2. Choose Your Type Of Machine First you should specify what kind of Electrical Discharge machine you are going to utilize for there are two types of Electrical discharge machining equipment on the market today. The wire and the probe or die sinker Electronic Discharge Machine. If your company is into processing complex geometric shapes then the probe or die sinker EDM is the tool that you should use and buy. This kind of Electrical Discharge Machining tool uses a machine graphite or copper electrode to erode the desired shape into the metallic materials. Alternatively, if your company is more into assembly part cutting then the wire EDM is the best machining method to be used. In a wire EDM a hole must be first drilled into the material then a wire will be fed through it to cut the desired shapes. 3. Scale Of Production The next thing to think about is the scale of production that your company will be manufacturing. If it is on a large scale production then you should think of buying bigger Electrical discharge machining Equipments. There are selling companies that give out discount if you will be purchasing a large amount of EMD tools. Of course, if your company is into small amounts of production and will be utilizing EDM tools on a one time usage basis only, then you can just have your metallic pieces cut-out by EDM companies. It is much cheaper to just pay for the service charge than purchasing your own Electrical discharge machining Tools. 4. Ask Yourself: - What kind of products will I be producing? - How many products will I be producing? - Do I have the right amount of money and resources to fabricate this product? 5. Getting The Best Deal You can find numerous companies that sell different kinds of Electrical discharge machining tools on the internet. So before going to the nearest EDM stores in your locality, why not check out the internet first, it could save you time, money and the hassle of driving out in the city. And with the tight competition of online companies you can even find a discounted price for new EDM equipments online. There are also e-commerce sites that offer second hand and fully refurbished electrical discharge machining tools on the internet. So if you are having financial issues but really need to buy one, second hand EMD equipment may work fine for you.

Abstract Art and I

I have always loved bright colors and movement, like dancing its healing, relaxing fulfilling and challenging as well. The bottom line is the feeling and message that I want to convey through the medium. When I paint, every attempt is to capture the feel of warmth, passion, joy and bliss in none objective or figurative composition. I enjoy experimentation of different media and subjects.

My subject varies based on my emotion and statement but my love for colors is constant. In spite of this, viewers see different forms or figures in my abstract expressions. The good thing about these expressions is the freedom of the viewers to see and appreciate the forms in their mind's eyes, like face painting in the eye of the viewer. Its also important to mention that "Uli" which is my traditional art style has played a major role in my age long career. The symbols and forms of this art style are reflected in my cubism, abstract images, abstract relief sculpture, seascape, drawing, pastels and watercolor painting.

People see different forms or images in abstract art, the depth of what you actually see when you look at the paintings is partly based on individual exposure and understanding of art forms, color, shapes, line and texture; which are the physical elements that combine to make up the artworks.

A selection of different dark hues, shapes and forms may give various impressions to different minds; light, airy images as mystical; balanced, temperate forms as peaceful. Uli organic forms and shape are symbolical such as colors and forms have meaning in and of themselves. It is a simple truth that you can't give what you don't have. I am a believer and my work time is also a meditation time, which can go either way depending on the spiritual consciousness of the creative mind.

To me, my work section is an intimate moment between I, canvas and colors. At this creative moment there is a spiritual impartation from the artist to the Art. Hence the emotional reaction to these elements even if they create no recognizable object for us to hang onto.

I enjoy the inclusion and deletion of space. The handling of space or the
illusion of space is another powerful element in the artist's mind. If you are drawn into a yard of three-dimensional space stretching beyond the framework of the painting to sculpture, you are not alone. The impression of depth, perspective, airiness, solidity, textures and other spatial relations are created and controlled to achieve a desired goal.
The overall composition or design of my painting or sculpture is created to guide the viewer's eyes to understanding and appreciation of the images.

I must admit, most of my figurative compositions is a celebration of womanhood, which I am very proud to be part of for they are the seats of wisdom and knowledge.

I pride in the feeling and reactions of my clients and viewers to my creations. I feel blessed in many ways than words can express. The challenge sometimes is getting the composition right, or balancing the elements of color, lines and shapes while maintaining a dynamic tension and massage beneath.

Energy is the life force that is present in all good art. This is not something that is easily defined. The life force of every work I do is the same, but different energy and different statements. It is this peculiar energy that makes my works speak to you, and makes them unique, original and identifiable to me. This energy is created out of experience and self-awareness, materials and tools, but the end is more than the means in the same sense that a musical composition is so much more than a collection of notes.

You are welcome into my world of abstract wall art or modern art, relax and let your eye leisurely wander over the collection of verities of art forms and styles. Let your heart and mind react to my colors, shapes, figures and textures. Come and spoil yourself a little in the illusion of vibrant spaces, the movement of lines and the mood of blissful atmosphere.
Come, come up close and explore the intricacies of brushstrokes, spatula- strokes, paint thickness, textures and compositional details. Enjoy how the parts are woven together to form the whole.

Take your time. My artwork cannot be understood and appreciated in a ten second glance. Allow my art to grow on you, becoming more interesting and more enjoyable to look at as you live with it.

DVD Replication for Dummies: 4 Easy Steps to Professional DVD Replication

Every avid independent filmmaker has dreamed about making that special interest documentary, or short film to show off their creative prowess. Many have great ideas and want to “wow” the film-festival scene, or video renters with their big project. But once you have the film “in the can” (no easy feat), how do you move from a couple of master DVDs with the “Sharpie” marked hand-written title inside a secondhand CD case, to a pile of cardboard boxes full of shiny new, retail-ready DVDs, with UPC barcodes and polywrap sitting on your doorstep? You need to create eye-popping artwork and have your project replicated. Using a reputable full service DVD Replication company like PacificDisc, Inc. to partner with is certainly a helpful option to ensure a professional end result, but to help with your DVD replication project, here are 4 easy steps to follow for good DVD replication results: 1. Prepare your DVD master. To ensure the replication company can read your master, you either need to create a DVD-R master, or output your project to a DLT (Digital Linear Tape). DLT has been around for years and used to be the only way to replicate. Thankfully DVD-R technology has advanced so much over the past few years, that a pair of DVD-R masters are normally all that is required when working on a standard DVD5 project. Why a pair? Just in case one of the masters gets damaged in transit, you don’t waste time looking for another good master. 2. Create your artwork You’ll need to design artwork for the DVD face, the outside of the case (commonly called a wrap) and, if desired an insert for the inside of the case (postcard, or booklet). All CD or DVD Replication companies will have templates on their websites that you can download and use to assist in layout of your art. Just make sure you download the correct template for your project, as there are many variables and you won’t want to waste time with the wrong layout. While on the subject of artwork, it’s important to mention that you need to decide if your project needs a barcode (commonly called a UPC, or the black and white dashes inside a box on many products). If your DVD will be sold through retailers, you should have a UPC issued, as many retailers won’t stock an item without one. 3. Find a DVD replication partner Although there are literally dozens of DVD replication companies out there (just type “dvd replication company” into your favorite search engine) not all DVD Replication companies are created equal. You’ll see all kinds of pricing models that will do an excellent job of confusing the heck out of you. Instead look for a partner who offers good pricing and tries to simplify the process. Make sure you are comparing the same thing when shopping around and watch out for hidden extras, like overage (where the replication company makes an extra bunch of discs and then expects you to pay for the extras). Watch out for setup fees, glass mastering fees, extra costs for offset printed discs, extra costs for 3-color vs. 5-color artwork. A little homework up front will ensure your DVDs look great when they arrive and you aren’t left with the feeling of being cheated, or have crappy looking discs that nobody will want to buy. 4. Approve check discs and artwork proofs Once you have found the DVD replication company, you will be asked to send in your masters, artwork and cash. Most replicators want their money upfront, as they start burning materials as soon as the project lands. Within a few days of delivering your masters, you should see either email proofs of your artwork (simple digital prints (PDFs) showing you how your art elements will line up when printed. If you ordered a hard proof, the DVD replication company will ship you a print proof printed from the actual printing press earmarked to print your job. With a hard proof, you know exactly what you’re getting before you print hundreds of them. If you request a check disc, you’ll get a small number of “silver discs” to ensure your project has come through the DVD-R (or DLT) master to “glass” master process successfully. Assuming everything checks out, and you send back your approvals, within a couple of weeks, you should hear the beep-beep-beep of the FedEx truck backing up your driveway. After a quick signature, you should be the proud owner of a pile of cardboard boxes filled with shiny DVDs -- your DVDs!

8 Tips For Professional Quality Face Painting

Kids of all ages love to have their faces painted (especially the younger ones!), so it’s the perfect thing to learn how to do if you have young kids… or you’re planning to have a birthday party for your children.

With this in mind, I’ve prepared a few tips for people just starting out in face painting. Here they are:

1) If you’re painting a design that needs a large area to be covered with paint, use a sponge instead of a brush. Why? Because applying the paint with a sponge means it will dry quicker. It’s a good idea to have a few sponges set aside if you need to use different colors, because this means you won’t have to try and clean the sponge for each color…which would take time.

2) Always let the first color dry before you start painting on a second! If you forget to wait for it to dry, they colors will most likely mix and you’re going to have to start from scratch again.

3) Make sure you know what you want the finished face to look like. Don’t mak it up as you go along. You need to be able to paint faces rather quickly, as if you have children, you already know that kids aren’t always very patient…and they may get bored or restless if you’re thinking on what to paint next.

4) If you’re not good at painting freehand yet, don’t be afraid to use a stencil. You can get stencils of stars, hearts, flowers, and all sorts of things. These are perfect for stencilling onto a cheek. You’ll need stencils of different sizes to accommodate different face sizes.

5) If you want something faster than stencilling, why not try temporary tattoos? Make sure the person’s skin doesn’t react badly to it first, by asking them (or their parents)…or testing it on a small area first.

6) If you have a line of kids ready to have their faces painted, ask them to be thinking about what they would like a few minutes before its actually their turn. You don’t want to be delayed while each kid thinks of what he or she would like painted on their face.

7) Remember to have a mirror with you at all times so you can show the person what you have painted, and to make sure they’re happy with your work.

8) Professional face paint and stage makeup can be quite expensive, especially if you’re planning to paint a lot of faces. You can make your own simple face paint with cheaper ingredients. A quick search on Google will find you plenty of ideas that you can use to make your own face paint with. Bear in mind this won’t be as good as the professional face paint, so if you can afford it… I would advice you to get the professional stuff.

They you go, that’s my 8 tips a for professional face painting! I hope you found them useful.

Dual Core Laptops: This Isn't Your Last Year's Laptop!

Copyright 2006 Titus Hoskins The laptop world is seeing double. The next evolution in laptops is dual-core technology. Dual-core processors are quickly raising the laptop experience to the next level and laptop users are benefiting from the extra boost in performance. Dual-core means exactly what you think it means, you have two processors or CPUs in your laptop instead of one. Theoretically this should mean twice the performance level for all those multi-tasking chores we call upon our laptops to do. However, you must have ways or technology (the platform) to utilize and handle all this extra power. There is some catching up to do but to keep things simple, Hyper-Threading, PCI-Express and SLI are all ways of harnessing or using this extra power. With the recent introduction of the new Centrino Duo Mobile Technology, Intel has entered the multi-core arena. All this extra dual power and Hyper-Threading will finally put some punch into laptops and especially gaming laptops. Now almost on par with desktop PCs, laptops and notebooks can finally hold their heads high when it comes to performance. This isn't your last year's laptop! How quickly things change, Intel expects the Core Duo chip will be in 230 different laptop designs in the first months of 2006. Intel also claims this Duo chip will deliver 68% more performance over the current Sonoma processor (many manufacturers say this will be around 30%) and reduce battery consumption by another 28% (Giving 5 hours for a standard battery and 10 hours for an extended cell battery). Still, dual-core processors coupled with Hyper-Threading technology, will and does greatly improve the multi-tasking functions of your next laptop. The only minor hurdle, many of today's current video games can't use all these multi- applications features. But as more games come on stream which can take full advantage of all this new technology, expect your gaming enjoyment to increase. As with any new technology there will probably be a lag time before all the multi-applications can be applied to the majority of new games hitting the market. Some major laptop makers now sporting the Intel Core Duo include Dell with its new "entertainment" Dell Inspiron e1705 line of high end laptops. HP with its Pavilion dv1000 line of laptops, which comes with a remote and you can play CDs and DVDs without booting up. Nor is Intel the only player in town with a lot of chips on the gaming table. Intel's main rival AMD has introduced dual-core into its mobile Turion 64 X2 processors. Also keep in mind, in recent head-to-head CNET Labs testing, AMD's Athlon 64 X2 chip performed better than Intel's desktop Dual-Core chip. http://www.cnet.com/4520-6022_1-6410042.html You're probably wondering, how will all this new laptop technology be applied? And what does it mean for the average laptop owner? What does it mean for gaming laptops? Well, lets examine one sample notebook to see what all this next generation technology will do for laptops. Take for example, the Xtreme SL, a new gaming laptop designed by Rockdirect. Rockdirect, formerly known as Rock computers, is a leading UK laptop manufacturer who introduced some of the world's first dual core laptops last summer (2005). Rockdirect's latest gaming offering, the Xtreme SL has specs or features which are rather awe-inspiring, even for the non-gamer. It comes with an AMD Turion 64 ML-44 2.4GHz processor, sporting 1MB L2 Cache and 2 Gigs of DDR 400MHz RAM. More importantly, it has twin NVIDIA GeForce Go 7800 GTX 256MB graphics cards with PCI-Express and SLI (Scalable Link Interface). SLI lets you have two graphics cards on your laptop, working in tangent to increase or double your graphics performance and visual quality. Throw in a 19 inch WSXGA+ X-Glass TFT Screen and you have a perfect example of where gaming laptops are headed with all this new technology. For those involved in gaming, this means the ultimate gaming experience can be best captured on a laptop with Dual-core processors and dual graphics cards using all the latest SLI or Hyper-Threading technology. And it is just not for gamers. The new mobile multi-core chips are turning heads for ordinary laptop users who want the best performance possible in their sleek shinny new laptops or notebooks. Besides, why should gamers have all the fun, these new technologies will greatly benefit all laptop users. It means a sleeker, faster, and more powerful laptop for everyone. It also means longer lasting battery life for your laptop, a much needed improvement. For the demanding laptop user working in multi-media authoring, multi-tasking with video editing, spread sheets, large graphics... these dual core laptops offers a very capable alternative to the bulky and oh-so stationary desktop PC. This new multi-core technology offers ultimate performance in a sleek, quiet package that buyers will find hard to resist. It will draw even more potential customers into the laptop market, looking for the ultimate in style, portability, and performance. Dual-core laptops may just deliver the goods. This surely is not your last year's laptop.