Everybody who owns a website dreams about getting tons of traffic directed to it. But getting your site noticed out of literally millions of sites can be a pretty tedious task sometimes. Many people think that they need to invest hundreds or thousands through pay per click search engines or SEO programs in order to get any traffic, but that simply is not the case. There is a simple way to get your site noticed that requires no money at all: content. In this article we will discuss how to use content on your site to draw in more traffic via search engines.
One popular misconception that a lot of people have is that Meta Tags are the key to getting search engine traffic. This simply is not true. While meta tags are important, what really draws a search engines attention is content. The more content you have about a subject on your site, the higher your chances are of getting traffic from a search engine. But remember to mention your topic plenty of times on the page. You do not have to get too redundant with it, but it is essential to mention your keywords at least six times. Also, you must write actual content, not just the keyword over and over again, because this is called keyword spamming, and it has been said that it can actually get you blocked from engines. Another good tip while creating your content pages is to make them single pages, do make them frame based, because some engines have a harder time picking this up.
How many content pages you need depends on what your site is. If you are doing something that is unique you may not need many pages. If you are working in a saturated market, however, you may need dozens, maybe hundreds of articles to get your site to the top of the engines. This may sound like a lot of work, but it is not that bad once you start doing it. Just do a few articles a day, and within a month you will likely have have more than enough content to pull in the traffic you deserve. And if you need help building the content, there are countless sites that offer either free or very cheap content for your sites. Remember: if you build the content, they will come!
Ed Rodriguez is the owner of Mysearcharoo http://www.mysearcharoo.com a metasearch engine part of the ISEDN network providing website owners affordable and effective search engine and advertising.
In 2005 significant strides were made into the miniaturization of micro mechanical electronic sensors and the concepts for smart dust are expanding in possibilities and the possibilities are shrinking in size.
There are teams at many Universities such as MIT, Berkeley and others who have already build prototypes of these SmartDust units the size of a nat, which can communicate with one another thru motes and nodes and the key is to get them to not only communicate but to also work together in swarms.
The possible applications are wide and noble in intent. For instance scientists in 2005 have written papers discussing their use and ability to serve the human endeavor in some of the following ways;
1.) Tracking Volcanic Ask
2.) Tracking Weather Patterns
3.) Studying Hurricanes and Typhoons
4.) Early Detection of Tornadoes
5.) Prediction of Wildfire Paths
6.) Air Pollution Tracking and Research
7.) Security Perimeter Surveillance
8.) Nuclear Storage Monitoring
9.) Gas Leak Monitoring
10.) Military Data in the Battlespace
11.) Space Exploration
12.) Medical Monitoring within the body
In 2006 we will see SmartDust Technologies start to fulfill these niches and we will see more and more uses for them to communicate with sensors to alert us of situations and monitor hazardous or problematic issues.
The manufacturing of SmartDust will also become more simplified and thus the price and cost to put these particles into circulation will make it a positive option to be considered and perhaps within a few years the option of choice.
SmartDust Technologies are just about ready for action and by the end of 2006 we will see them actually being used for some of mankind’s most important endeavors. Think on this.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Every year more and more homeowners are re-mortgaging their homes to benefit from mouth wateringly low interest rates. But beware, the lenders are hiking up their other add-on charges to bolster their profits.
Behind those irresistible headline offers - for example, 4.3% for a two year fixed deal - some of the big mortgage lenders have been busy with the small print! Many have introduced a whole range of add-on charges and if you don’t watch out, these can wipe out your savings.
The soaring charges are the lenders response to the borrowers increasing tendency to switch mortgages to take advantage of successive special offers. The industry are schizophrenic about switchers, on the one hand calling them “rate tarts” and then welcoming their business on the other! And re-mortgaging has certainly become big business. Last year, more than 1.1 million homeowners re-mortgaged for a total of £117 billion.
In fact, some lenders are now charging around £1,000 to switch to another mortgage product - even when it’s supplied by themselves!
The sort of charges we’re referring to are early redemption fees, valuation fees, exit fees, even telephone calls and photocopying! One well-known lender has even issued a list of 23 charges ranging from £35 for a telephone call to £26 for a letter and £20 for a replacement mortgage statement.
But the biggest concerns centre on exist fees. These are the fees which are charged when you decide to re-mortgage. Some lenders like the Royal Bank of Scotland and the National Westminster Bank, have increased them by 125% - from £100 to £225. Here are a few more examples:-
Mortgage Lender Fee in 2004 Fee in 2006
Abbey £179 £225
Alliance and Leicester £195 £250
Barclays/Woolwich £195 £275
Bristol & West £175 £195
Halifax £100 £175
Lloyds/TSB/Cheltenham & Gloucester £180 £225
Nationwide £0 £90
Northern Rock £195 £250
And how the lenders dress up the names for their various charges. For example, application fee, booking fee, arrangement fee, product fee and completion fee are all words for the same charge! Every one of these descriptions means the same thing! The multitude of words simply serves to confuse and make it difficult for people to make logical comparisons.
If this continues, people will become increasingly punch drunk and confused. It will become impossible for the average man or woman on the street to make sensible comparisons. And that will surely benefit the less scrupulous lenders. Maybe it’s time for the Financial Services Authority to step in with their notoriously heavy boots!
A spokesman for the Nationwide Building Society which at £90 has one of the lowest exit fees, served to confirm our view saying, “The mortgage market has become very fee orientated. Many larger banks are using fees to subsidise their lower rates. For example, many charge very high exit fees”.
However, some mortgage lenders still defend their price rises. A spokesman from the Halifax said insisted recently that, “Our fees must be amended from time to time to reflect the rising processing costs”. This comment was made in defence of the 25% increase in it’s arrangement fee over two years and the 75% jump in its exit fee.
Hands up who thinks cost inflation is running at 50% per year? Perhaps you should send an email to Gordon Brown copied of course, to the Halifax!
Kings College Brokers are a website that specialise in remortgages.
Here are 7 common mistakes well-intentioned professionals make when it comes to dealing with unhappy customers. Learn exactly what not to do so that you’re well positioned to completely regain the goodwill of unhappy customers after any service mishap.
1. Telling the customer he or she is wrong. You will be smart to NEVER tell a customer they are wrong or mistaken. Telling a person they are wrong arouses opposition and will make the customer want to battle with you. (Ever tell your spouse they are wrong?) “It is difficult, under even the most benign conditions to change people’s minds.” So why make it harder by starting out on the wrong foot? If you know your customer is wrong, it’s better to start off saying something like, “I thought the contract read otherwise, but let’s take look.”
2. Arguing with a customer. You must realize you cannot win an argument with a customer. Certainly, you can prove your point and even have the last word. You may be right, but as far as changing your customer’s mind is concerned, you will probably be just as futile as if you were wrong. Your goal in complaint situations is to retain the customer, not to be right. If you win the argument, you may very well have lost the customer. Think carefully about the response you want to give and ask yourself, “Is my reaction one that will relieve the problem, or will it just relieve frustration? Will my reaction drive my customer further away? What price will I pay if “I” win the argument?” The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.
3. Telling a customer to calm down. Certainly, there are times when a calm disposition would make every one’s life easier, but telling your customer to calm down is rarely effective. Like you, your customers don’t like to be told what to do. Try this approach instead: “Clearly you’re upset and I want you to know that getting to the bottom of this is just as important to me as it is to you.”
4. Failing to apologize to customers in the wake of problems. One of the easiest and quickest ways to diffuse anger, create rapport, and regain goodwill with unhappy customers is to apologize. Offering an apology to a customer who experiences a problem should be a natural response from customer service providers. Yet, recent research reveals the startling fact that 50% of customers who voice a complaint say they never received an apology.
Not only does an apology give “soft benefits” such as creating calm, shaving minutes off of talk time, less stress on the employee, etc., it can also translate into significant and measurable savings in reduced lawsuits, settlement costs, and defense costs.
An apology does not have to be an admission of fault. It can be offered to express regret. For example, “I’m so sorry for any inconvenience this misunderstanding has caused you.”
5. Escalating voice. Avoid the temptation to yell just because your customer is yelling. You don’t want to get caught up in their drama. Instead, remain centered and calm, relying on your ability to communicate with diplomacy and professionalism.
6. Not allowing the customer to vent. An angry customer can be compared to an erupting volcano. When a volcano is erupting, there is nothing you can do. You can’t tame it, can’t speed it up, and you can’t control it. It must erupt. But erupting volcanoes eventually subside. Your angry customer - who is intensely emotional - is the same way. He must erupt (that is…express his anger through venting). You can’t tame the customer, you must simply let him vent. After briefly venting, most angry customers will begin to calm down. Let your customers vent.
7. Proclaiming to the customer: “This is all I can do.” You are there to help. Give your customer options and look for every way you can help.
Myra Golden is an award-winning professional speaker and principal of Myra Golden Seminars, LLC, a customer service training firm serving clients in food and beverage, banking, healthcare, hospitality, and other industries. Her client list includes McDonald’s, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, Michelin Tires, Pirelli, and Procter & Gamble, among many others.
For hundreds of ideas for customer service improvement for use in customer service training, visit the customer service training resource portal by going to www.totalcustomerservicetraining.com
CAROLINE NADER AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHER RECEIVES HONOURABLE
MENTION IN INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARCAROLINE NADER AUSTRALIAN PHOTOGRAPHER RECEIVES HONOURABLE MENTION IN INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
Sydney artist Caroline Nader was awarded an Honourable Mention in the International Photography Awards (IPA) 2005 Competition.
Los Angeles, California, 2005 - Caroline’s photos in the ‘Architecture in non-professional’ category, won her an Honourable Mention for her series of images titled “In Search of a Holy Space, Spain.” The 2005 IPA Competition drew an avalanche of images from around the world - 16,648 entries and across 32 countries.
The outpouring of these thousands of photographs from cities, towns and small villages continues to prove the global power and presence of the still image. Susan Baraz, one of the competition judges, said: “as one of the IPA judges, I was overwhelmed by the incredible talent displayed by all who entered.”
About Caroline Nader
Caroline was born in Lebanon, and spent her early childhood in Nigeria and England, before settling in Australia at the age of eight. It seems that travelling was always in her blood.
Although titled “In Search of a Holy Space”, it was Caroline’s love of football that originally took her to Europe. “I guess that’s the joy of travelling, you find something special that you never originally sought,” she said.
The legendary Santiago de Compostela provided the perfect photographic setting. “Places of worship have a certain magic, a raw energy. People’s fears, hopes and dreams are captured within a holy space.”
Are there any more Spanish adventures in the future? “Seville is a dream, the blending of Spanish, Arabic and Northern African cultures.”
Currently Caroline is the Creative Director at Etcom, a specialised multicultural communications agency. Etcom is part of the Worldwide WPP Group as well as the STW Group in Australia.
About Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Since the 12th century, thousands of pilgrims have completed the “Camino de Santiago”. The final destination is the cathedral containing the scared relics of the apostle St. James. Santiago is the second largest Catholic Pilgrimage centre after Rome.
About IPA
IPA is comprised of 18,000 members and affiliates from around the world. IPA’s mission is to salute the achievements of the world’s finest photographers, to discover new and emerging talent, and to promote the appreciation of photography. Since 2003 IPA has acknowledged photographers’ achievements from around the world in various categories. The 2005 gala Lucie Awards ceremony will be held in October, New York.
Visit www.photoawards.com
For more information, please contact:
Guadalupe Millan PR Manager, Etcom, Australia etcom@etcom.com.au +61 2 9568 8398
Caroline Nader caro_nader@yahoo.com mobile: +61 (0) 422 458 969
IPA Contact: Clio Van Ert press@photoawards.com 310-659-0122 (USA)
For many of the outdoor adventure enthusiasts that are searching for kayaks online, but are feeling some confusion on what type of kayak to purchase over the Internet, read further.
Kayak boats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, so the question you have to ask yourself is what are you looking for in a kayaking experience, and what is your skill level?
These questions will determine whether you’re ready to jump in to a white water kayak, or touring boats that are easier for the beginners to navigate.
When searching online there really is no difference in the quality of service when dealing with your local outfitter versus a reputable boating supplier online. However, you may find ordering your kayak online is easier than you think, and in most cases far less expensive.
Purchasing The Right Kayak Online Is Easier Than You Think!
Most kayak purchasers in the past would buy a hard shell body made of fibreglass, and they still may be a popular option. However, they were difficult to transport, and you would have to add expensive accessories such as a roof rack to carry them to your desired outdoor destination. Many times you wouldn’t be able to reach the best spots, because the trails you needed to take were very difficult to navigate.
As technology progressed over the years, many inflatable products entered the market including inflatable kayaks. The PVC materials are top quality, have extra-reinforced construction, and are capable of being deflated, packed in a bag, and transported easily to many of your favourite hard to reach spots. These boats are extremely rugged, economical, and are very convenient compared to the traditional hard shell boats.
You will recognize some names such as Kevylor, Sea Eagle, Innova, and NRS. They’re some of the best inflatable boats offered in the kayaking industry, and are available in many styles that cater to the whitewater, fishing, and river-touring enthusiasts. They provide great deals online, and some of these suppliers offer trial periods so you can test them out and make sure that you are 100% satisfied.
Many of these quality crafts are designed for beginners to the experienced kayaker, and depending on what you want to do in the great outdoors, there are a ton of accessories to add to your kayak to help you in catching the big fish, cruising the desolate peaceful lakes, or challenging the river rapids with ease!
About the author: William is the owner and the author of “Rugged Inflatable Kayaks” available at www.rugged-inflatable-kayaks.com A great source for inflatable kayaks (comparisons)! Find articles and reviews on various models of kayaks, such as the fishing kayak, sea kayak, plus many more inflatable boats and kayak styles for all your kayaking needs.
The median home price hit $506,000 in Los Angeles County in March 2006, climbing above the half million dollar mark for the first time in history. That figure is double what the median price for the area was just four years ago.
The good news for prospective homebuyers in other areas of the country is that a half million dollars can still buy quite a bit of home in much of the rest of the United States. For instance, even though Central Oregon is experiencing a considerable rise in both population and home prices, the median price is lower than LA County, although still higher than a significant number of other areas of the country. For instance, the median price for a home in Bend rose more than 30% in 2005, to $327,500. Another Central Oregon town, Madras, saw a 187% increase in the number of home sales in the first quarter of 2006.
The major force driving the boom in Oregon home prices, as well in Southwestern states and the Pacific Northwest, is an influx of Californians who are selling their more expensive homes and moving to areas where they can typically purchase more house for less money. Another factor is that with increasing values, many local homeowners are cashing in the equity of their homes and trading up to more expensive ones.
Another area that is growing significantly is San Antonio, Texas, where the median price of a home rose more than 9% over the past year to $131,900. San Antonio’s real estate market mirrored that of LA County, however, with few sales, even though prices were higher overall. There is also a considerable amount of new home construction taking place in that area, as well.
Some areas of California are booming as a result of skyrocketing prices in Southern California. One of the busiest is the area that includes Riverside, Ontario, and San Bernardino, which has seen an unprecedented increase of new residents from 2000 to 2004, of which and estimated 46,000 were transplants from the Los Angeles metro area.
In the southeastern United States, Florida also continues to grow at a brisk pace, fueled in large part by an influx of former residents of the greater New York City area. In fact, an estimated 41,500 people moved from that area to Orlando, Miami, and Tampa in 2004. One reason the area is experiencing such rapid growth is employment opportunities. The area’s employment scene was once dominated by Disney World, but that’s no longer the case.
Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher
Jeanette Fisher teaches beginning real estate investors how to find, finance, fix, and sell houses for top dollar. No matter what the real estate market does, smart investors still make money. Find out how to make more money using interior design psychology strategies and get a free ebook, The Truth about Making Money Flipping Houses at http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com
Nasa completed the experimental phase of an attempt to test Albert Einstein’s crowning achievement, his General Theory of Relativity, in early October 2005. Fifty weeks of data collecting will be followed by a year long data analysis phase, and a six month report preparation period. The results will be announced in 2007.
Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity reformulated Isaac Newton’s theory of classical mechanics that was based on the existence of the three physical dimensions we can detect with our senses incorporated with time as a separate non-physical entity. Einstein added time as an equal dimension to form the mathematically consistent and experimentally proven concept of spacetime. In 1916 Albert Einstein proposed his crowning achievement, the heretofore experimentally unverified General Theory of Relativity.
In his General Theory, Einstein proposed that a mass actually causes an almost imperceptible perturbation in the fabric of spaetime. If proven, this discredits Newton’s interpretation of gravity as a force. Gravity would then be an interwoven component of spacetime rather than a force. Under ideal conditions, according to Newton, a perfectly gyrating body whose axis is aimed at a fixed point and under no net external force, would never have its axis of rotation disturbed. That is, what physicists refer to as its spin would remain constant.
Einstein’s theory suggests that the presence of a large nearby mass would have two effects on the gyroscope. One, the geodetic effect would be a simple change in the spin of the gyroscope. A second effect, known as frame dragging, would occur if the gyroscope were moving relative to the mass in non-linear motion, such as placed in an orbit around the larger mass. This measurement would cause a change in the spin component perpendicular to that of the geodetic effect. Its movement actually would drag spacetime around with it.
For the earth with a gyroscope in an orbit of 400 meters in altitude, values of only .00018 degrees for the geodetic effect and .000011 degrees for the frame-dragging effect are predicted. The challenge becomes to detect changes this small with the development of adequately sensitive sensors, and to reduce background interference to a level that would not drown out the signals being received.
The simple experiment of Gravity Probe-B, or GP-B, consisted of placing four almost perfectly round gyroscope rotors, (one million times more round than any previously existing), on a satellite orbiting the earth. A telescope on the satellite fixated on the position of the star IM Pegasi. The background disturbance which had created so much uncertainty in previous experiments was eliminated by surrounding the gyroscopes in super fluid conditions. Liquid helium in Dewar flasks was used to obtain this.
The results of this experiment will shed light on the nature of the universe beyond our solar system where bodies with masses that dwarf our sun’s abound, uncovering keys into mysteries of the nature of the universe utilizing Einstein’s greatest achievement.
1) Nasa News Release 05-160 http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/news/releases/2005/05-160.html 10-3-05
2) Putting relativity to the test - http://www.stanford.edu/ - Stanford 10/9/05
3) Nasa Facts - Marshall Space Center - February 2005
David Craig
M.S. Physics - University of Minnesota
B.S. Computer Science - University of Oregon
Come visit me at my general astronomy and Nasa site for more interesting articles
As concerns about healthy eating have grown, so has the interest in vegetarianism. Numerous nutrition experts recommend eating low on the food chain. In plain language this means eating more grains, vegetables and fruits, and fewer meats, cheeses and other animal based products.
There are various levels of vegetarianism, and each type has its own unique health benefits and some health challenges as well. Of course vegetarians, like meat eaters, must still make healthy food choices. Simply pigging out on French fries while avoiding the burger will not make you a healthy vegetarian.
Some people who consider themselves vegetarians still eat poultry and seafood, while others avoid all animal flesh, even fish and chicken. Most vegetarians still eat milk, dairy products and eggs. In nutritional circles these people are referred to as lacto-ovo vegetarians.
Vegans, on the other hand, avoid all animal products, including eggs, milk and dairy products, and even fabrics like silk, leather and wool. It is vegans who face the largest challenges and risks when trying to follow a healthy diet. Most vegetarian diets provide more than enough nutrition, as long as smart dietary choices are made.
The key to eating a healthy vegetarian diet is much the same as eating a healthy diet that includes meat. It all boils down to making smart food choices, understanding nutritional labels, and cooking your vegetables to maximize their nutritional value.
Choosing the foods that make up the bulk of a vegetarian diet is very important. For most vegetarians, vegetables, grains, lentils and soy products will make up the bulk of their diet, and these staples are included in many vegetarian recipes.
When cooking with soy, however, it is important to remember that tofu is relatively high in fat. The fat content of tofu dishes is often comparable to that of dishes that are made with lean cuts of meat. Those vegetarians following a low fat diet may want to limit the amount of tofu based products they eat.
The same caution applies to the nuts and seeds that can make up a large part of a vegetarian diet. Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of dietary protein, but they can be high in fat as well.
Many newly minted vegetarians worry that they will not be able to get enough protein and iron without eating meat, but for most vegetarians this is not a problem. Most diets today actually contain too much protein, and there are many non animal derived sources of protein for vegetarians to enjoy.
Proper cooking techniques are of course very important to any healthy diet. Avoiding high fat cooking methods is important, as is avoiding the use of high fat creams, butters and sauces. A vegetable stir fry cooked in healthy olive oil can be a great addition to any vegetarian menu. And a great fruit salad is both easy to make and delicious as a snack or a meal.
The only real area of concern when it comes to vegetarianism and health is the B-complex vitamins, particularly vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is almost exclusively derived from animal based sources, so vegans, who avoid all animal products, should take a high quality vitamin B12 or B-complex vitamin supplement. It is also important for vegans to discuss their diet and lifestyle with their family physicians. As vegetarianism becomes more widespread, the amount of information on the nutritional needs of these two groups continues to grow.
The bottom line is that vegetarians can enjoy a very healthy lifestyle. Making vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans the centerpiece of the diet is a smart move for many people, and a good low fat vegetarian diet can be a great way to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. As with a meat based diet, however, it is important for vegetarians to follow common sense eating guidelines and make smart choices when creating meat free meals.
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