If That’s Such A Good Idea, Why Isn’t It Working?

April 7th, 2009

They say that imitation is one of the highest compliments. We see it all the time in businesses. One company comes out with a new product and soon its competition produces a similar product. In our communities we see individuals add something unusual to their landscapes and suddenly everyone has it. Churches, schools, community organizations, newspapers… the list goes on and on… all trade “compliments” as they copy each other hoping for different results. If what other people are doing is such a good idea, why isn’t it working?

When the Titanic set sail, the captain and crew had a plan that certainly didn’t
involve sinking in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. But because of what happened
to the Titanic, subsequent journeys across the Atlantic probably took different
paths. No one wanted to duplicate the fate of the Titanic. Today, however, we live in
a world where people have abandoned their creativity and choose instead to simply
repeat the less-than-ingenious actions and ideas of others. We’ve grown so lazy
that we don’t even think for ourselves anymore!

Marketers recognize the fact that it doesn’t take much to fool us! Corporations
repackage bad products and use clever marketing to convince us they have released
new products. I once sat in a meeting with representative of a large Christian
publisher and heard the employees “oooh and ahhh” when one of its curriculum
“gurus” said, “We want to make the changes in the curriculum so drastic that no one
notices.” (Please pause and reread that statement until its absurdity overwhelms
you!) What in the world does that mean? What the company actually is doing is
repackaging an idea it abandoned about six years ago and marketing it as
something new and innovative. Sadly, few of its customers will see the products for
what they are. I pointed out the thinly veiled return to the past and was deleted from
the list of people to be invited to future meetings!

What ever happened to originality? At a time when we have all of the tools we need
to create new solutions to age-old problems, we recycle old solutions and
perpetuate the frustrations that are caused by dealing with the same things over
and over. We need a plan that will enable us to use our brains to become the
creative people we were designed to be. There is one caution, however. Many of
today’s “stuck in the past” corporations do not appreciate nor desire thinking
people. Trust me on this one!

1. Discover and use your creative time. Even people who believe they
don’t have much creativity can be creative. Morning people and night owls don’t
necessarily share the same schedules, but we all have a time during the day when
we are most creative. For the morning person, that time comes early… probably
6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. For the night owl, that time is more likely 10:00 a.m.
until 2:00 p.m. Think about your day and determine which of those time slots best
represents your most-productive time. When you discover your creative time, try to
move into that time slot the activities that require the most creativity.

When I worked at a corporation, I discovered that my creative time often was
occupied with meetings that were unnecessary because the decisions we were
discussing already had been made by the people responsible for recycling old ideas!
Now, as an entrepreneur, I can utilize my creative time to do the things that require
my creativity. This subtle shift has made an incredible difference in my sense of
accomplishment and achievement.

2. Don’t be afraid to try. Fear of failure paralyzes people who have some
good ideas. Thomas Edison failed 999 times before he succeeded in inventing the
light bulb. Try something new and learn from your mistakes. Allow the experience
of a new solution to inform your future actions. Make note of the points at which
your idea stopped working and use your notes to guide future attempts.

3. Don’t get boxed in with the past. When I worked for a large corporation
I realized that most of the new ideas were nothing more than slight adjustments to
existing ideas that weren’t working. We were never allowed to wipe the slate clean
and start over. When the boundaries of our creative thinking are identical to the
boundaries of a bad idea, the chances of success are slim. Step outside your
perception of the situation and involve people who are not immersed in the culture
in your search for solutions. The way we’ve always done things isn’t the only way we
can do them… except in certain corporations!

4. Carefully evaluate all of the information. Many decisions are based on
bad information that is creatively presented. “Our sales might increase up to 65%”
means sales could decrease, stay the same, on increase very little or up to 65%. So,
the original statement means no one really knows what the outcome will be but
we’re covering our bases with a vague statement that is intended to make people
think the information supports the intended results.

I sat in another meeting with the curriculum publisher as the marketing team
lamented the 25-year downward trend in curriculum sales. The decrease was 3% per
year. That very day, I had read statistical data showing that the curriculum customer
base had decreased 3.5% per year. So my question was obvious–how can more
curriculum be sold to fewer people? My question was dismissed because the
customer data was not a part of the marketing team’s research. This is just one
example of only using data that supports a predetermined course of action. We do
this as individuals and groups… but it is counter-productive!

5. Surround yourself with people who make you think. Our attitudes and
values are the visible manifestations of our points of view. Our points of view are
directly connected to our habits of mind. This might seem complicated but it simply
means that most people never stop to consider why they believe what they believe.
Their beliefs and values are rooted in their pasts–family traditions, societal
expectations, religious values, and so forth. Thinking people enjoy the process of
digging deeper to discover fallacies in their thinking and then changing their
opinions and attitudes in accordance with newly discovered truths. “This is just the
way I am” and “I was raised this way” are code for “I don’t want to use my brain, I’d
rather perpetuate ignorance!” I’d be hesitant to take advice from people who let
celebrities and newscasters think for them!

The bottom line is that doing things the way we’ve always done them isn’t the
solution to every problem. I’ve heard it said that if you keep doing what you’re
doing, you’ll keep getting what you’re getting. Dare to think outside the box… you
just might be surprised at how much fun it can be! Think about it!

Terry Hadaway - EzineArticles Expert Author

Dr. Terry Hadaway is an author, motivational speaker, university professor, and
conference leader who is recognized as a leading authority on elearning,
decision-making, and adult education. His innovative solutions to adult education and
teacher training are detalied at http://www.rapidfirelearning.com

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Enthusiasm: The Key to Productivity and Innovation

March 10th, 2009

What’s the difference between enthusiasm and gasoline? Maybe, there’s not much difference between the two. They both provide the power to drive us forward.

The internal combustion engine of our automobile runs on gasoline. Gasoline vapor enters the cylinder and the spark plug ignites the fumes unleashing the power that can propel our vehicles over one hundred miles an hour.

Enthusiasm in the workplace, properly ignited, can propel your business into success. Motivated employees work harder. They’ll even come with ideas to improve the product or service. Motivated and enthusiastic employees are the best kind of employees to have.

Enthusiasm is rare, however. Most employees want to do a good job, but they feel under appreciated. Generally, bad management is blamed for unmotivated workers, but often, good management can still provide unenthusiastic workers. So, what’s the secret?

If your own employees aren’t acting motivated or aren’t acting enthusiastic, then it’s time to get your own “act” in gear. You can fire up your workforce in three acts:
Act enthusiastic. Act grateful. Act happy.

Psychologists tell us that the best way to change our feelings about what we’re doing is to change the way we think of our feelings. The brain tells the body how to feel and the body acts accordingly. We can direct our own feelings and our outlook on life. Writing in Out of Work? Get Into Business!, I wrote about expectations and how they can change the outcome of future events.


“If you are working on a proposal for a client, imagine that client as ecstatic about your proposal. What does the client like about it? Why does he or she like it? How will you handle your successful presentation? Visualize all of the positive aspects of your presentation. Then work on your successful proposal.”

We should see events as being successful. We then act accordingly as we work towards that success. If we tell ourselves that we are going to be successful, we begin to believe it. We can see it. We can feel it. We can plan for it. Those expectations drive us forward with enthusiastic zeal. It’s the same with our employees. We need to see them as successful and they need to see that managers see them as successful. Successful workers are motivated and enthusiastic about their jobs.


“Drive your horse with oats, not with a whip.”

— Jewish proverb

Here are six ways we can fire up unmotivated and under enthusiastic workers:

THE TIME IS NOW

When you see someone doing a good job, the time to tell them about it is right then. Don’t wait for tomorrow or next week. Who knows? You might forget about it. If you tell someone they are doing a good job, they won’t forget about it.

LET YOUR FEELINGS SHOW

Don’t be an old stone face. Everyone has feelings. Show yours. If your workers are doing a great job, then shouldn’t you be excited? Shouldn’t you be proud? Let those emotions show on your face. Share your enthusiastic feelings. Your feelings will boost moral and encourage the same feeling among your workers.

GIVE A PAT ON THE BACK

An old friend and I were talking about our days as Jaycees. We both had boxes of trophies and plaques in our basements from over twenty years ago. The tangible evidence of achievement was stored away, but the feelings of being appreciated had stayed with us. Awards and accolades should always be given out in front of people. Everyone shares the appreciation that way. They applaud, they cheer, they laugh. . . and they in turn congratulate the recipient afterwards. Awards and accolades keep on giving. Recognition comes in a variety of guises. A pat on the back, a kind word, a certificate to hang on the wall, or a trophy to put on the mantel — all build enthusiasm.

HERE’S THE BALL

Nothing builds enthusiasm like trust. When you give someone a task to accomplish it shows that you believe in them. If you believe in them, can they believe any less? You don’t even have to make encouraging statements. The task alone speaks volumes.

PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS

Think of new ways to show trust and enthusiasm. Send a postcard. Tell others about the great job being done by someone in your department. Drop names and achievements at meetings, in newsletters, in general conversation. Find ways to spread the word and encourage motivation, enthusiasm and appreciation for a job well done.

Restauranteur and author Bob Farrell knows that cheering employees on in an enthusiastic way, builds their enthusiasm. In his book Give ‘em the Pickle Bob writes about using appreciation to help build enthusiasm and motivation.

” . . . being a cheerleader involves more than leading in cheers. Whenever I eat in one of our own restaurants I always try to go back to the kitchen and thank everyone for providing me with such a wonderful meal. I walk around the entire restaurant personally thanking every employee. I never eat in one of our places with my family as though I had been elected king of the hill. The people who work in our restaurants aren’t subservient to me. I know I couldn’t succeed without them, but they could without me. And I never want them to forget how much I appreciate them.”

As you start encouraging others in a quest to build enthusiasm, you’ll also notice a change in yourself. You will become more enthusiastic and more motivated. Your clients, co-workers, and even your family will notice the difference. Life is fun. Business is exciting. Work is something to be motivated about. Filled with enthusiasm your business engine should be hitting on all cylinders.

Author Don Doman: Don is a published author of books for small business, corporate video producer, and owner of Ideas and Training (http://www.ideasandtraining.com), which provides business training products. Don also owns and Human Resources Radio (http://www.humanresourcesradio.com), which provides business training programs and previews 24-hours a day.

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Getting Bikinis for a Lady Is Categorically the Most Testing Mission to Performed. This Is My Swimsuit Buying Manual for Chaps

March 1st, 2009

Purchasing two pieces for young women can be one of the most passionate things blokes could accomplish - as well as one of the most stressful and hazardous present to buy.

Bear in mind it’s not for you, but it’s your woman’s. Don’t think about leather, PVC, or any extra sexy outfit, decide for something smooth or lacey and are safe.

Avoid to try to guess your girlfriend’s. size numbers, preferred variety Unluckily, ladies don’t work in small, M, L, and XL sizes similar to men. Do your exploration in the beginning. Hold your horses until she goes out and then break into her underwear drawer.

Try to undestand things with the tag in it and take notes of the colours and designs she likes. Bear in mind that superfluities like cord and ornaments can be classy and sexy if you be knowledgeable about what your spouse likes. I realised that my girlfriend likes bikini lingerie. I had no idea bikini were merely for the seaside. Check this sexy mens thongs from HOM, Ginch Gonch, Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger.

Lingerie sets instead can refer to in effect any skin-tight skimpy, or minute undergarment that presents less coverage to the midsection than conventional undergarment, pants or knickers. In reality Lingerie Bikinis mirrors what you spot on the beach.

The Lingerie happen to be a US$811 million business yearly and it is perhaps the mainly common female bathing suit around the earth as a result of the amalgamation of the women’s power and fashion trends.

it’s a Greek creation. Beachwear clothing worn by women for sport purposes can be seen on Greek urns and pictures dating back to the XV C. BC.

An old image named “Bikini Girls” going back to the Diocletian period (286-305 AD) in Sicily depicts a few ladies in mosaics on the flooring.

In Pompeii there are also some illustrations of the Greek deity Venus in a swimsuit.

The up to date swimsuit started to emerge again at the beginning of last century, when Australian sport woman,a sport woman, Annette Kellerman was arrested on a Boston seashore for having a form-fitting two piece which became acknowledged bathing costume for ladies by a few years later.

The contemporary beachwear was first designed by French engineer Louis Réard just after WW two and was an amazement when it appeared on French seashore in 1947. He called it after Lingerie Atoll in the Pacific, the location of a atomic ordeal test on 37073 in 1946. His logic was that the burst of thrill produced by it would be like a nuclear blast.

On the subject of buying bikini as presents, keep in mind that most shops will competently gift wrap your purchase for you if you require for a tiny charge and it is well worth paying a little more for. And I counsel to store the receipt - just in case.

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What Is Samsung Lcd Tv’s | LA46S81B | LA46A650A1R | LN46A540

February 13th, 2009

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A longer-life more rugged-dust proof system: An LCD monitor is a closed end device with no fans and moving parts. they’re both flat screen TVs with a thin profile which can be mounted on a wall, so see more on What Is Samsung Lcd Tv’S. Because they’re so thin and light LCD screens are now the most popular screens for computers and as prices come down are becoming the most popular screens for TVs. Is it in a small or large room? If you are to place it in a small room then this TV is the good choice but if you are to place it in large rooms then you better check out for other models that are fitted to large areas. See more about Samsung LA46S81B. That is now changing though and LCD TV manufacturers are now coming out with more and more 42 and 50 inch models which will create competition in plasma vs.

LCD TVs use less power than Plasma TV’s or CRT TV’s and in some cases less than half the power! They are not currently available in the larger sizes greater than 40in. Read on more about What Is Samsung Lcd Tv’S, or explore more about Samsung LA46S81B. After extended periods stationary images “burn in” and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen.

As cost is not a factor between the two you’ll have to mostly depend on your opinion. If in doubt get your hands on the Samsung LCD TVs and stay happy forever, so get more info on What Is Samsung Lcd Tv’S. The shelf fitment was a crucial centimeter too high. See more details on What Is Samsung Lcd Tv’S below. they’re both flat screen TVs with a thin profile which can be mounted on a wall. It has a higher colour resolution and clearer picture image than LCD TV. See more about Samsung LA46S81B from the link above!

It is important that an LCD system allows for adjustment of the level of backlighting and preferably performs this function automatically. If enjoying HDTV entertainment is important to you than you have to purchase an LCD with HDTV capabilities. Hope you got all details on What Is Samsung Lcd Tv’S.

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Dish Network - Your Best Option?

January 5th, 2009

Is Dish Network the best way for me to get access to my favorite programming? I cannot imagine going back to having four networks. I love my ESPN and Food TV too much to do that, but it is difficult to know if cable is the right choice, or if I should go with a satellite company like Dish Network. There are a lot of factors to consider in the decision.

Of course the most important factor for many of us is the cost. With Dish Network, the cost depends a lot on the plan you choose. It seems that, depending on what you want out of your programming, you can spend anywhere from $32 all the way up to nearly $90 per month. Of course, there are also the other services that Dish Network will provide for additional fees, if you are so inclined.

If you have a high definition television, you will likely want a high definition receiver and high definition programming to go with your channels. You may also want to look at the DVR that Dish Network offers. This hard drive will allow you record shows, pause and rewind live events, and keep track of your favorite programming without having to schedule your life around the networks. However, each service to which you subscribe will affect your monthly bill. So, you can spend as much or as a little as you like depending on what you desire.

The biggest competition for Dish Network is their rival, Direct TV. There are certainly pros and cons to both companies, and which is better will be up to you. Direct TV’s biggest advantage is that they have exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket, which gives subscribers access to every NFL game each week. Dish Network, though, has plenty of sports and entertainment packages of their own to consider. In the end, the prices and services between the two are very similar. What that means is that you are just going to have to do some research. Think about what you are hoping to get for your television programming versus the amount of money you would like so spend.

Another advantage that can be around if you think about going with Dish Network is free installation and equipment. When you go to the website or call, they will explain a setup fee and cost of equipment. However, there are many times a year that Dish Network will offer, as a promotion to boost business, free installation and equipment. That in itself can make it worth it since even cable companies will offer charge for such services.

The truth is that Dish Network may or may not be the right television entertainment option for you. The best thing you can do is get on line and get on the phone to get information on all of your entertainment options. Make sure you take into account up front costs, monthly fees, and even additional available services. Also, remember to take into account how big of a commitment you are making to the cable companies. Do all of those things and you are ready to upgrade your entertainment.

If you would like the latest information on the dish network, or find more of my personal articles like the one you just read, visit my technology blog.

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Who Are These Dish Network Satellite TV Guys?

December 27th, 2008

Dish network service is offered all over the U.S. including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. It is not viewable outside US. To catch the proper signal for Dish network proper size of dish is required. Usually a local retailer is able to help the consumer for suggesting the correct size of the dish required to catch proper signals in the local area.

Dish network broadcasts mostly all types of sports channels that show baseball, basket ball, college football, soccer, English Premier League. It also broadcasts all national channels such as ESPN, ESPN2, Fox Sports World, ESPN Classic, USA, WGN, TBS or TNT, etc. Dish network also offers pay-per-view option for various sports channels. It also offers Horse racing TV and TV games. All premier American track races are available on TVG featured by Dish network. Along with the interactive and sports program, dish network also airs regular HDTV Channels under the HD Pak. This pack includes HDNET, HDNET Movies, ESPN HD, Discovery Theater and TNT HD, for $9.99 per month. The VOOM original pack offers Rush HD, HD News, Gallery HD, Rave HD, Animania HD, Ultra HD, Equator HD, Monsters HD, Guy TV HD, and The Majestic HD.

The price reception and channel selection is better than cable but in some area customer service and access to local channels can cause problems. Dish network offers wide range of channels to select from their laid out menu. The TV comes in quick with excellent reception of channels without any snow or fuzz.

Dish network offers one year warranty on their products. The receiver and the remotes also works in superb manner. Remote is capable of multi-tasking. The picture quality and the reception of the signals are unprecedented as compared to the cable network. The satellite TV offers DVD quality of picture and perfect sound quality as well.

Dish network offers a wide variety of channels to view. It is suggested to activate the parental lock immediately after the purchase of the dish network system. Dish network also offers various shopping channels for the ones who love shopping from home. It has lesser commercials to air which is quite pleasant as compared to the cable TV network.

Dish network allows you to watch separate programming on two televisions with one Dish TV network receiver. This can be achieved with the help of dual-tuner Dish player that allows watching programming on two televisions. It also allows to record, pause and replay live TV. Some of the Dish players also support Picture-in-Picture support.

Some people do not like the steel colored dish and like to paint the dish to blend with the color of the house. It is definitely not at all recommended as painting the dish results in loss of signals. Moreover, obstruction due to building, trees, mountains, high tension power lines also result in loss of signals. Dish should be installed in such a place where it receives clear signals free from any obstruction.

James Croydon, Satellite Installation Engineer and DirecTV Offer advisor - focusing on Dish Network Offer and DirecTV DVR

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High Definition DVD Players in Spain

December 13th, 2008

Initially, the PAL format of broadcasting was quite popular in Spain, because of two main advantages. PAL gave a much better picture than other formats like NTSC or SECAM. This was because it had a large number of scan lines. Another major advantage why DVD players in Spain had the PAL format was that they played standard DVD discs and they promised color consistency. Manufacturers of DVD players used latest technologies available to play DVDs with utmost picture clarity and perfect sound output. High definition DVD players are the answer for the needs of getting the best output from discs.

High definition DVD players are rapidly becoming very famous in Spain, because in the analog DVD players, you can find slight flicker in the output image displayed on the screen. This is because the number of frames being displayed per second is quite less, which is around 25 frames per second. This drawback is overcome in high definition DVD players where the quality of the picture is at its best and when they play high definition DVDs, the output is enhanced to a greater extent.

There are many manufacturers and companies that mass produce HD-DVD players in Spain. One major company that assembles flat panel televisions and high definition DVD players in Spain is Sharp Electronics. Apart from Spain, it also has its factories in China and the U.S. Since a lot of these players are manufactured or assembled here, the price of these DVD players is usually quite considerable.

DVD players usually have a region tag attached to them, depending on their region. Since Spain falls in region two, the DVD players that are manufactured and purchased here tend to play DVDs pertaining to region two. In order to play DVDs that are available all around the world, you need to be specific about it while selecting a high definition DVD player. Just like standard DVD players available in Spain, HD-DVD players are also available with region free or code free options. High definition DVD players provide you a much better picture quality and crystal clear sound, but do not ensure that they play DVDs from all nations. It is the choice of the customers to specify their requirements when buying.

One can also check the Internet to collect information regarding various high definition DVD players available in Spain. A variety of information like the make of the players, features available, models, price range, and guarantee and warranty options can be found through these sites. Some of the brands that offer HD-DVD players in Spain are Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, and Sony. Each company has several models of high definition DVD players in its list and depending on the features and options requested by the customer, they are variedly priced.

Panasonic has a huge range of DVD players with around 20 models currently on hand. They are priced from a little over $70 to over $350. Panasonic HD-DVD players are available in intense colors like black and silver, and they usually come up with progressive scan facility. Another famous DVD player manufacturer available in Spain is Philips, which is quite a renowned name all over the country. With over five different models, Philips players are quite famous in the country. Starting from $75, the models go over $350, depending on the features.

With over a dozen models in its list, Pioneer also finds a place in the leading DVD player companies in Spain. They offer the most cost effective as well as the most expensive high definition DVD players in Spain. You can pick one for just about $60 or can even go for one priced over $900. Sharp Electronics assembles its DVD players in Spain. The assembled models are marketed effectively all over Spain and are priced considerably around $250. Sony DVD players are considered one of the most cost effective DVD players available in Spain. They are available for around $80 for the basic models.

Whenever you go in for the high-definition DVD players, you can make a note of the various specifications mentioned about the product. It is important to look out for the region free option and other specifications like digital audio out-coaxial. This is the general form of output for any high definition DVD player. You can look for multi color TFT monitor, which is widely available and quite famous in the electronic market of Spain. The players also come up with functions like multi-subtitle languages function, multi-audio languages function, and also multi-angle function. Like any other standard DVD player in Spain, high definition players also have the basic features like parental control and remote control facility.

High definition DVDs are new generation discs that store data and make the experience of watching movies at home a thoroughly enjoyable one. Another such technological advancement which is prominent in the entertainment industry is blu-ray. Blu-ray discs, just like high definition discs, are capable of displaying the best quality picture and clear digital sound. These new video disc formats need special features in DVD players to broadcast the video signals. Hence in Spain, you have to look out for DVD players that are compatible to both these high definition formats. This is to ensure that the DVD players you choose are consumer friendly and are worth the investment you make in them. HD-DVD players usually play all kinds of discs like audio CDs and MP3s and also discs that have optical standards.

If you already have a DVD player and want it to play high definition discs, you can use a high-definition multi-media interface, which is a digital interface standard. Many movie making companies are now interested to release their movies in high definition format or in blu-ray format, and hence analog televisions and standard DVD players find it difficult to play various movies that are released in either of these two formats. With high definition DVD players, you can play the existing discs as well as the new generation digital discs at almost the same efficiency. Hollywood studios, Microsoft, Intel, and many other companies have encouraged the next generation high-definition format, which has become the order of the day.

John Dulaney - EzineArticles Expert Author

Where to get REGION FREE DVD players/recorders and High Definition, HD DVD players, Blu-ray,Advanced Optical players/recorders in Blu-Ray DVD players/recorders. A multi region (aka codefree) DVD player or recorders is capable of playing DVD discs from anywhere in the world, that is all 8 regions and both PAL and NTSC standards. That’s every DVD movie on earth! Many can not only play them but convert from one standard to the other for showing movies on any TV on earth. There are also PAL-NTSC 110-220 volts DVD/VCR Combos for use worldwide. CODEFREE DVD / PAL-NTSC VCR combos and MULTISTANDARD VCRs will play 100% all known DVD discs including FRENCH DVDs. You can buy region free and region free converting DVD players and region free DVD recorders from http://www.mindlogic.com in California. They give you a LIFETIME Warranty and ship worldwide. They also carry PAL-SECAM-NTSC TVs, PAL plasma, PAL LCD and PAL DLP multisystem TVs and multisystem converting and non-converting VCRs, voltage transformers, video standards converters and more than 140,000 products. Tel.800-514-2984 or tel. 925-686-9945

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Scoot around with an Electric Scooter

November 14th, 2008

How we get around is an issue every person needs to consider, but when it comes to kids often driving, or catching trains and buses aren’t viable options due to their expense. Of course there are bikes to help youngsters get around but they’re hard to get on and off of, and difficult to lug around up stairs and around corners.

Introducing the electric scooter! These little guys are compact but that doesn’t mean they can’t whiz around. Just step on with both feet and scoot off; there’s no need to push yourself along as the scooter has its own battery powered momentum. Of course braking can be an issue but not with this model as it’ has a quick-brake button at the back which you simply step on to stop.

With a maximum speed of 10mph you won’t be taking part in any drag races with this electric scooter, but it’s certainly fast enough to be faster than walking. The maximum weight that it can safely carry is 70kg (or 11 stone) and it follows all the UK and EU safety guidelines meticulously so you’ll never be at risk of injury whilst riding on the electric scooter unless you attempt something silly like a half pipe.

‘Leccy scooters are fast becoming the chosen way to get around, whether you’re off to the shops, to post a letter or on taking the dog for a walk. The battery lasts 5 to 8 miles each time you charge it up so you can definitely have some great adventures on it!

The package comes complete with mains charger, battery, instructions and of course the scooter itself. It would make a great Christmas present for a troublesome teenager; especially as it’ll get them out from under your feet!

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Why You Should Watch Sports on HDTV

October 16th, 2008
  • What is HDTV? Do I have it?

    Let’s not get too hung up over the technical details. If you bought a new TV (tube, LCD rear projection, DLP rear projection, LCD or Plasma or whatever else shows up on the market) which can display a High Definition picture and you have purchased a High Definition programming package with High Definition hardware (Set-Top-Box or DVR), then you have HDTV. Even an older Enhanced Definition (ED) set can display a very good HD picture unless you are very close to the screen - too close for normal viewing.

    As for which of the two main resolutions, 720p or1080i, are best for sports, don’t worry about it. The network programmer or program service provider has already made that decision. ABC shows its programs in 720p, CBS in 1080i, ESPN in 720p, FOX in 720p, HDNet in 1080i, NBC in 1080i, TNT in 1080i, WB in 1080i and WGN in 1080i. For what it’s worth, 720p is generally regarded as superior for watching rapid movement but your High Definition TV will convert these to its own native resolution automatically. If your HDTV is made to display 720p, it will convert all 1080i programs to that resolution while doing little or nothing to 720p programs. If you have a 1080i set, it will do the opposite. This is all possible because the programs are all in a digital format so very little picture quality is lost.

    Just sit back and enjoy

  • Why are sports better on HDTV?

    There are many reasons but these are three of the most important:

    1. High Resolution provides more detail on the screen

      At the lowest HD resolutions, you still have many, many more times the number of dots and lines on the screen making up the picture than the old television standard and this means you see more details more clearly. If you have seen some of the newer artificial turf, you know that dirt (or at least rubber particles) fly when a soccer ball bounces or a football runner cuts this way or that. Now you can actually see it on TV.

      Was it a curve or a fast ball?
      Was it really a three point shot or was the player’s toe on the line?
      Did the receiver have possession or did the ball touch the grass?
      Where will this putt break or pick up speed?

      With HD the replays are much, much more clear. Details are critical when officials view replays and now you can see what they see. This is the way sports were meant to be seen!

    2. Widescreen shows you more of the field

      It’s true! Almost without exception, new HDTV’s are large widescreens and that alone means a bigger picture. HDTV’s aspect ratio is 16:9 (Width:Height) as opposed to 4:3 of the current NTSC system. With the higher resolutions, you don’t lose any of the detail. For football, which is played on a rectangular field, the picture is spectacular. See the quarterback and the defense he is attacking at the same time. You see the receiver cut and break free just as the quarterback does. That changes the way you watch and understand the game. From behind the running back you see more of the line of scrimmage as the line blocks and he makes his decision about which hole to hit. It really is more like being there.

      The wider screen is changing the way sports shows are produced. The camera can be pulled back for a wider shot and, because of the high definition picture, detail is not lost. More of the golf course can be seen as the shot flies off the tee. This gives you an entirely different perspective on what is happening.

    3. Dolby Digital surround sound puts you in the park

      Don’t forget the sounds of sports. What would basketball be without squeaking sneakers on hardwood floors? What would baseball be without the crack of the bat when a slugger hits a hard fastball? When a shot rattles the rim, a safety creams a receiver, a tennis player returns a serve, a track official fires his starter pistol or the horses’ hooves pound the turf, you can now hear it with crystal clarity. No static, hissing, crackling or popping. If you pipe this through your home entertainment surround sound system it’s like watching through an open window.

  • Can you get HDTV on satellite?

    You bet you can! Both DirecTV and Dish Network have high definition programming and are adding more all the time. You might have seen the news about DirecTV’s new satellites this summer or seen the specials being promoted by both providers. Satellite is today’s lowest cost way to get high definition programming and HD is the future of television. It’s happening now, there’s no need to wait.

    • Garry Mabry

    Your guide to Sports Programming on Satellite TV

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Start OF NFL Football Season Causes Mass Exodus Of Customers From Cable To Satellite TV

October 16th, 2008

I don’t believe there is any doubt left in anyone’s mind of the extra value you get over cable TV (yes even digital) when you subscribe to Satellite after you get a cable bill charging $45.00 dollars for 70 some non premium basic channels. They even charge for the over the air free advertiser supported local broadcast tier and then they don’t give you all that you are capable of receiving, only about half in my area. You see I live halfway between two City’s that have different Network affiliates. This gives me a choice of 2 different network over air broadcasts for free, and cable charges me for the one that they provide me with!

And service? Who hasn’t been told when requesting cable service “We’ll be there between 10am and 5pm effectively tying you up entire day. It never fails that they’ll arrive just when I have to pop down to the corner market .

For the fourth consecutive year, Echostar and its pay TV service, the Dish Network, ranked above the competition for customer satisfaction among satellite and cable TV companies in the US. The American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) conducted the survey. DirecTV posted the highest index score, 71 out of 100, among all the cable and satellite television companies included in the ACSI.

Comcast, which is America’s largest cable TV company, scored 56 points. The ACSI study surveyed consumers on the criteria of quality, overall value, loyalty and retention.
Echostar delivers up to 500 channels of all digital programming, local broadcast channels in 128 markets and in all 50 states.
The overall average for the four largest cable TV companies in the ACSI survey was 58.75.

And quality of picture and availability of High Definition Programming? No contest. DirecTV wins that contest easily. And the number of channels and packages seems limited only by your imagination.
And you aren’t limited to what times you favorite show come on. With satellite you just aren’t limited by time zones. Oh by the way, DirecTV Satellite systems come with a selection of channel packages or you can simply choose the channels you want. And DirecTV is the only small dish network that carry’s up to 100 games a year in High Definition TV. Since DirecTV has the only NFL SUPERFAN option this alone makes many an NFL Fan ditch his cable yearly. With multiple start times you aren’t limited to one set time to watch your favorite weekly program or movie. And with optional receivers, you can keep up with the latest in HD TV technology. Some satellite providers also offer high-speed, satellite-based Internet - up to 400Kb per second - so there is more to satellite than just television.

Satellite systems also offer access to pay-per-view programming so you can watch your favorite movies. Ordering it is simple, and you get the same digital quality as all the other satellite channels.
Time shifting is another convenient feature that satellite offers. With so many channels you often will have access to both East and West time zones of popular TV networks - so you have an option when it comes to watching your favorite show. You don’t need to rush home to catch the latest episode. In short, you have more choices with satellite, so you can fit your shows into your busy lifestyle.

Unlike cable companies, mini-dish satellite providers broadcast in 100-percent digital signals providing crystal-clear video and CD-quality audio for customers. This feature is attractive to customers who are frustrated with poor-quality off-air or cable pictures. Customers also choose satellite for its value, simply put, the best quality television entertainment at the lower prices. Finally, customers turn to satellite because of the large number of channel choices. With over 300 channel offerings, customers get more programming packages and more movies to choose from than any cable TV.

Satellite will always come out a winner over cable due to its large capacity to deliver hundreds of channels. Additionally, satellite has the advantage by offering interactive data, high-definition television, local-to-local channels and computer-based products that combine the home computer and television into one all-encompassing entertainment and information system.

So why are we still dealing with the cable companies as they are today? Make them competitive by switching to satellite. They’ll have to get better or go the way of the Dodo bird!

Kenneth Waugh
Visalia Ca and displaced Football Fan and Sports writer.

KN.Waugh@gmail.com

For more information about satellite with the NFL Sunday Ticket Option click below:
http://kensrapidsatellite.opportunity.com

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