Understanding Google Average Rankings (Infographic)

The Google Average Position ranking system attempts to offer a solution to the phenomenon of website rankings possibly differing for two people, even if the two people are searching for the same term. In the past, Google didn’t provide this data, forcing us to depend on unreliable scraped rankings. The Google Average Position Ranking takes into account differences in location, type of device, and personalization, giving users a much more accurate picture of search engine ranking than scraped rankings do. Check out the following infographic for more information on Google average rankings.

Image: Anchor Wave Internet Solutions

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<div style="clear:both"> <a href="http://googledrive.com/host/0B6ktZzNhkH6JMmd2a29fMGoxRWc/google-average-ranking-infographic.png"><img alt="Google Average Ranking Infographic" border="0" src="http://googledrive.com/host/0B6ktZzNhkH6JdUg4OFVVdHR6R1U/google-average-ranking-infographic.png" title="Google Average Ranking Infographic" /></a></div> <div> Via: <a http://www.milanaryal.com/>Milan Aryal</a></div>

Live Life Fully!

“Laugh, and the world will laugh with you: Cry, and you cry alone.” These lines have a lot of importance in today’s scenario in which we are living. Whenever someone is in a joyful situation, one forgets oneself and flies in the air like a bird; whereas, in a tough situation, one forgets that it was merely a test and will subside soon.

Nothing is permanent, so are situations. One has to maintain stability in both cases. One shouldn’t be too excited in happy situations nor too depressed in sad situations because we are all actors playing a unique role in the world drama. Hence as actors, we have to play our role equally well in both situations and get back to our normal life off the stage.

Everything in the world drama is predestined. Hence, one has to maintain equilibrium in all situations. For this one has to always remember one’s real identity — “I am a peaceful soul, child of Supreme, playing my role in World Drama”. This requires surrendering the intellect completely to HIM who is Supreme, who sustains the entire universe. Only then can one be free from all waste, negative thoughts and energy.

We can feel His powers very well if we are mentally close to Him. However, if our sense organs are busy in accumulating information available only at the gross level, then, we may not be able to absorb subtle experiences that bring peace.

So, remember, life is too short; don’t worry about what people think about you. Life is too beautiful to get just enthralled, hence one must make use of every moment to experience complete joy and happiness.

Editor’s note: Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji is a writer at www.brahmakumaris.com and can be reached at nikunjji@brahmakumaris.in.

What Are The Basics Of Web Design?

By Pol Thomas

Web design uses almost all those elements as used in print design. One requires exploring layout and space, manage colours and fonts, and arrange it all together in a format in order to put all the intended messages across. Those resources will enable one know details of web design even if one is a professional web developer or just on one’s beginning stage leading to the web arena.

Understanding of Designing Elements:

One must know that a good web design is equivalent to the good design. If anyone has the right understanding about the elements that appropriately suits with a good design, then one will undoubtedly have a Web page that works well. One applies those elements of good design if and when one is producing a web page, a business card, or a raiment logo, and once one makes out them and their necessities and differences, one will acquire the skills and expertise that requires for becoming a great web designer.

Use of Colours:

Colour is present everywhere. With it we make our world up and help ourselves see things from different angles. In short, it is what as we see the things around us and as we dress up our world. The “red” or the “black” is not mere colour; they have meaning beyond their apparent looks. And they have larger important effects on design elements. The pools of colours show influences in their varieties as how they could be used effectively in web designing services.

Application of Web design software:

“What You See Is What You Get” [WYSIWYG] editor is a popular preference among most of the web designers. It has become popular because this editor provides a visual interface to the design effects. At the same time, it should be remembered there are more opportunities and resources than they meet the eyes. Only web editor could not have brought about such a revolution unless there have been other designing tools.

Fundamentals of Web Layouts:

Layout comes at the very onset of web designing services. It is the proper arrangement of elements on web pages. It is very necessary to begin with basic design rules. If and when one understands them, one can proceed across how to place elements on one’s web pages.

Usefulness of Images & Graphics:

If one wants to apply and bring about an environment of fun and frolic, the graphics and their use will be best considered. The effects of graphics are so long extensive that it reminds us of the proverb “a picture is worth one thousand words”. This proverb is also applicable to the web designing service and their uses of images and graphics.

Usefulness of Navigation Interfaces:

When a website is live on the internet, there are all chances that visitors may come to the web pages of the website. On visiting the website, visitors may want to know what the purpose of the website is. And for this reason, they may go to one page to another. This is called navigation. There should be all browser compatible navigation interfaces, where from the visitors can move through one page to another and see the objectives of the website as a whole and at the same time see the image and graphic application.

The purpose of a website design is well fulfilled only if the website is professionally designed and in this case professional web designing tops the list of priorities. Only a professionally designed website can bring in desired business and return on investment on a quicker pace.

About The Author
The author has long been in the field of website designing. His experience and expertise are really worth following.

Image: Mighty 8th Media

Facebook Celebrate 10 years: An Infographic

With Facebook due to turn 10 years old on the 4th February, we thought we would prepare an info-graphic to look back at the key milestones that the company has had throughout its meteoric rise to becoming the world’s leading social network.

Image: DPFOC Canada

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<br /> <a href="http://www.milanaryal.com/2014/01/facebook-celebrate-10-years-infographic.html" target=”_blank"><img style="max-width: 100%;" src="http://googledrive.com/host/0B6ktZzNhkH6JMmd2a29fMGoxRWc/facebook-celebrate-10-years-an-infographic.jpg" alt="Facebook Celebrate 10 years: An Infographic" /></a><br /> <br /> <em>Via: <a href="http://www.milanaryal.com/">Milan Aryal</a></em>

12 Web Design Tips You Need To Know!

1: The user needs to know what your site is about in seconds

If a visitor can’t work out what your site is about in a couple of seconds, they will probably end up just going somewhere else.

2: Use fonts that are easy on the eyes

Some fonts will give an edgy and avant garde appearance to your website. However a websites main objective is usually to deliver a message and communicate to targeted visitors that will either enjoy the content or the service you are providing them. In this case, ‘alternative’ fonts should definitely be avoided.

3: Do not overuse Flash

Flash does not only significantly decrease your ability to appear in Search engines but also increases the load time of your website. If your user can’t access your content quickly and easily. They will start to look somewhere else.

4: If music MUST be played, allow the user to start it

Some scenarios such as delivering a speech to the user or a guided tour might need audio element. We strongly advise that you make sure the user is in control, let them control the ‘Play’ button as opposed to bombarding them with audio as soon as they enter.

5: Always include contact details

When a user is on your website, there is a good chance they have had some thought of contacting you in some way. Your website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and it is therefore vital for this information to be on your website and in easy reach of the user.

6: Avoid complex URL structures

Simple, easy to understand, keyword-based URL structure improve your search engine rankings and make it easier for the user to identify the content of your pages before even visiting them.

7: Avoid horizontal scrolling

Vertical scrolling is tolerable, however the same can not be said about horizontal scrolling. The most used screen resolution nowadays is 1024 x 768 pixels, so make sure that your website fits inside it.

8: Embedded search ability

Search engines revolutionized the Internet for a reason. They make it very easy to find the information we are looking for. Make sure you include an easy to use search bar on your site.

9: Do not hide advertising inside the content

Your website should be about the content, not about the amount of revenue you can generate from people clicking on adverts. Blending advertising like Adsense units or affiliate links inside your content will simply take the user away from your website and the service or product you desire for them to buy.

10: Include anchor text on links

Having anchor text on your links will ensure the reader knows where they are going upon clicking the link. It also has the SEO benefit of more external links to where it is pointing to.

11: No spelling or grammatical mistakes

Despite not being as obvious this is one of the most important factors affecting the overall quality of a website. Incorrect spelling will only end up damaging your online reputation.

12: Avoid using harsh colors

If the user has to take 2 paracetamols every time they visit your site, you need to choose a different colour scheme. Endeavour to deliver a mood and let the user focus on the content.

About the Author
Aiden Nichols, a Digital Marketing Specialist, Website Developer and Project Manager with substantial core marketing experience in a wide variety of online business applications. Particularly interested in Search Engine Optimisation and Pay-Per-Click Management. Always interested developing high traffic websites and close interaction with clients.

Creative thinking combined with exceptional digital marketing strategy have driven my desire to delivering successful, impactful and efficient digital marketing strategies that focus on providing a positive ROI.

Flexibility to adapt to changing environments, an ability to work well under pressure to meet tight and changing deadlines, strong interpersonal and team management skills, a real ‘can do’ attitude plus meticulous attention to detail adds to an impressive list of professional traits.

Image: Kreative Kicks

10 Amazing Blogging Tips to Drive More Traffic to Your Blog

These 10 things — done daily are proven to increase traffic to your blog. The most important step is offering Value, people are intelligent and deserve to learn and be educated — knowledge is best when shared! Video Blogging is also touched upon here as well as great places to share your blog post once you’ve written it.

Here are 10 Blogging Tips to Drive More Traffic to Your Blog

1. VALUE: Blogging is about sharing information and delivering value to those who read it. Speak about topics that you have a high level of knowledge about or something you are very passionate about. Don’t hold back your knowledge, this is your opportunity to share goodness with the world and sharing freely is good for the heart.

2. TITLE: Your title and description let people know that they have found what they are looking for. So for example if you were looking for Blogging Tips to drive more traffic to your blog, you would know by the title and the first few lines of this blog that you were in the right place! Feel free to be creative in your titles, they are what catch the reader to your blog.

NOTE: Remember you only have about 5 seconds before someone hits the Back Button, so make those seconds count.

3. HEADER & STRUCTURE: Your header or H1 tag are incredibly important as they represent the title within your blog — you can have a long header describing your title a bit more and remember this is used by search engines and displayed within the search. You only need 1 H1 sentence however it’s good to have a few H2 & even H3 Headers in your blog depending on how long it is and what information you need to stand out. These headers act as guidelines on how to read and interpret your information. Try and avoid a big long typed page that truly only looks good when your publishing a printed book — on the internet, you can be so much more creative in how you display information to capture attention, direct attention and create a sense of intelligence and ease. Play with Lists and Images to create a style that is comfortable to read.

4. LENGTH: Try and keep your blogs to about 500–700 Words — use lots of spaces and really maximize on your lists. It’s very difficult to be captivated by a whole page of letters with no creative display of material.

5. KEYWORD TOOL: Using tools like Keyword Tool in Google will help you understand what people are searching for and therefore you can customize your title and material using this knowledge. If no one is searching for Blogging Tips that it might be a good idea to pick a different topic or title. Here is an image of the Keyword Tool when Blogging Tips was used. As you can see 18,100 people globally typed those exact words into the Google Search Engine and 6,600 in the US alone. You will also notice that the words ‘tips on blogging’ was searched for the same amount of time.

6. TAGS: Tags provide a useful way for you to tell readers quickly what your post is about. These amazing little words also help the search engines to do the same. Remember the main job of search engines is to be smart and return relevant websites to you based on what you search. So your a team and these little tags help you tell the engines what words should be associated with your blog.

7. VIDEO: Add video to your blogs for many reasons — YouTube is one of the most popular search engines today, video allows people to connect with you and understand your message better and video also broadens your market reach. All you need is a simple video camera, iPhone or Webcam to get started and your good to go. To start with you’ll want to keep your videos to the 7–9 minute range.

Blogging Tip – Video: When making video’s keep in mind the following things: Captivate, Educate and Direct.

8. IMAGES: Include images because they are powerful and they really help you break up your information into bite sit bits :-) Images help you articulate your message in a way that words cannot...

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

9. CALL TO ACTION: When writing a blog to educate people on the product you have that could teach them all these 10 steps in an easy learning module that has proven to make people money - you need to tell them what the next steps are. So in this case, you are looking for blogging tips for whatever reason however if you are looking for blogging tips because you are looking for ways to drive more traffic to your site, to be more compelling in your writing or to improve your SEO than your next step is to check out the links at the bottom of the hub!

10. TELL PEOPLE: It is great to write a blog however you need to tell people that you have just posted one. If you have many subscribers and regular audience than that’s great however if you don’t you need to use a few strategies to get your message out there. Here are a few to get you started.

• Facebook - create a Facebook PAGE and invite all your friends to LIKE your page - every time you post a blog, put it on your Facebook PAGE
• Twitter - This is a great tool as well; however much smaller than your blog or Facebook, write a creative sentence that summarizes your blog and Tweet it with a link
• Submit your blog post as a article to Ezine Articles
• Forum Post: search around for forum’s on the topic of your blog post and post a piece of your blog with a link.
• Document Sharing – convert your blog post into a PDF using zinepal.com and upload it to any of the following document sharing websites: docstoc.com / box.net / slideshare.net

About the Author
Isaiaha Sousa is an artist who loves the internet. Using these amazing tools from Empower Network I’ve learnt how to make a living online! Join me and get ready to have the best life you can imagine.

Who Invented the Internet?

The Internet as we know it today first started being developed in the late 1960’s. Leonard Kleinrock was the first to publish a paper about the idea of packet switching, which is essential to the Internet. He did so in 1961. J.C.R. Licklider was the first to describe an Internet-like worldwide network of computers, in 1962. He called it the “Galactic Network.” So it is not a single person who created internet.

The Internet was originally developed by DARPA – the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency – as a means to share information on defense research between involved universities and defense research facilities.

Originally it was just email and FTP sites as well as the Usenet, where scientists could question and answer each other. It was originally called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency NETwork). The concept was developed starting in 1964, and the first messages passed were between UCLA and the Stanford Research Institute in 1969. Leonard Kleinrock of MIT had published the first paper on packet switching theory in 1961. Since networking computers was new to begin with, standards were being developed on the fly. Once the concept was proven, the organizations involved started to lay out some ground rules for standardization.

One of the most important was the communications protocol, TCP/IP, developed by Vint Cerf and Robert Kahn in 1974. Robert Metcalfe is credited with Ethernet, which is the basic communication standard in networked computers.

Tim Berners-Lee, who perhaps specified technological applicability and/or linguistic construction of HTML while working at CERN, is chiefly credited for the ease of use and wide public adoption of the web. His website is: w3.org.

Al Gore really did have a substantial part in the US legal framework and governmental issues related to the Internet; he never said he invented it.

There wasn’t just ONE person who invented the Internet. The Internet is just a way to view files and information that someone puts onto a server. The Internet is just a way to access the information.

Leonard Kleinrock was the first person to write a paper on the idea of packet switching (which is essential for the Internet to work. He wrote this idea in 1961.

•••

A single person did not create the Internet that we know and use today. Below is a listing of several different people who’ve helped contribute and develop the Internet.

The idea

The initial idea is credited as being Leonard Kleinrock’s after he published his first paper entitled “Information Flow in Large Communication Nets” on May 31, 1961.

In 1962 J.C.R. Licklider becomes the first Director of IPTO and gave his vision of a galactic network. In addition to the ideas from Licklider and Kleinrock, Robert Taylor helped create the idea of the network, which later became ARPANET.

Initial creation

The Internet as we know it today first started being developed in the late 1960’s. In the summer of 1968, the Network Working Group (NWG) held its first meeting chaired by Elmer Shapiro with the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) with attendees: Steve Carr, Steve Crocker, Jeff Rulifson, and Ron Stoughton. In the meeting the group discussed solving issues related to getting hosts to communicate with each other.

In December 1968, Elmer Shapiro with SRI released a report “A Study of Computer Network Design Parameters.” Based on this work and earlier work done by Paul Baran, Thomas Marill and others; Lawrence Roberts and Barry Wessler helped to create the final version of the Interface Message Processor (IMP) specifications. Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. (BBN) was later awarded the contract to design and build the IMP sub network.

Introduction of the Internet to the general public

UCLA puts out a press release introducing the public to the Internet on July 3, 1969.

History of the Internet and the Cold War

Many of us remember the dot com explosion and its crash that took place in the 1990s. Before then the internet can trace its root more 40 years ago. The space race between the Soviet Union and the U.S and creation of the atomic bomb all contributed to the invention of the internet. During the cold war, the U.S military realized its normal communication technologies like the telephone was not safe and could be attacked by the Soviets. The military realized using a central exchange which connects telephones was vulnerable because if the exchange stops working then you can’t make any call.

The military knew a different approach of military communication needed very quick. The military decided to invent network of computers that would carry on communication with each other even after a nuclear attacked called ARPAnet. APARnet was used for computer to send messages to one another. Over the years it grew into a world wide of network of interconnected computers which became known as the internet.

Many people don’t the internet was not invented in the 1990s, but the 1960s at the height of the cold war. You might say some conflict can bring about big changes among mankind. Some people even construed that Al Gore invented the internet known as the information highway. Is that really true? Al Gore was not even in congress when the internet was created in mid 1960. I think the point he was trying to make was, in congress he helped to push the further development of the internet.

Life’s Beautiful, Truly!

This story contains some ‘tips’ that may bring you a beautiful life. Read them, live by them more fully, and you will surely experience a beautiful life!

 

Take a 10 to 30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to ... today.”

Live with the three E’s: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy, and the three F’s: Faith, Family, Friends.

Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.

Dream more while you are awake.

Try to make at least three people smile each day.

Realise that life is a school and you are here to learn, pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagreements.

Make peace with your past, so it won’t mess up the present.

Don’t compare your life with others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.

Forgive everyone for everything.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will stay in touch.

Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.

The best is yet to come ... Believe.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

Do the right thing!

Call your family often.

Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: “I am thankful for ...” — “Today I accomplished...”

Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you don’t want a fast pass. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

A Few Things About YouTube We Bet You Didn’t Know

YouTube was founded by Chad Hurley, Steven Chen, and Jawed Karim, former employees of PayPal, an online commerce website. They registered the domain name in February 2005. It was officially launched in December of that year.

In October 2006, Google bought YouTube for $1.65 billion in stocks, just 18 months after YouTube’s creation. Karim received $66 million in Google stock, Chen received $310 million, and Hurley received $334 million.

The first month after its creation, YouTube had three million visitors. The number of visitors tripled by the third month (February 2006), and then tripled again by July to 30 million visitors. By the end of the site’s first year, the number of visitors reached over 38 million.

YouTube is the second-largest search engine after Google (bigger than Bing, Yahoo!, and Ask combined).

YouTube’s viewers are approximately 44 percent female and 56 percent male. Most viewers are 12-17 years old.

In 2007, it was estimated that YouTube used as much bandwidth as the entire Internet did in 2000.

The name “YouTube” and its motto “Broadcast Yourself” reflect the founders’ hope that anyone could use the site freely.

YouTube has become such a cultural phenomenon that a college course was devoted to it. In 2007, Pitzer College in California offered a course called ‘Learning from YouTube’. The teacher wanted students to think about YouTube’s place in society.

The very first video-sharing website was ShareYourWorld.com, which was started in1997. However, because technology at the time was not good enough for sending and watching videos over the Internet, it soon went out of business.

In September 2005, Brazilian soccer star Ronaldinho’s Nike ad ‘Touch of gold’ became the first YouTube video to be viewed 1 million times.

Which is Your Best Backup Solution

In this article, you can earn the experience for backing up your important data so that you can protect your data away from the data loss problems.

All of us are diverse. We’ve diverse careers, family members and also passions, thus it’s wise which our personal computer back up wants could be different also. Thankfully, back up computer software suppliers comprehend and provide back up alternatives to match just about any will need.

Comprehending Back up Essentials

You can find a few simple forms of back up: total, incremental and also differential. To put it differently, total backups enable you to produce a replicate of all data on your desktop within a photo. They may be perfect for personal computer newbies and also for your common family computer and may become done each week.

One other a couple of simple back up sorts, differential and also incremental, tend to be for many who home based or perhaps who would like to back up a pc found in a small business. These kind of info backups are generally completed repeatedly weekly (or even everyday) regarding highest defense in opposition to data-loss.

Differential backups simply back up the particular data files who have altered since your previous total back up, thus these kinds of acquire more time and also utilize a lot more space for storing, yet use a reduced refurbishment moment.

Incremental backups simply back up the particular data files who have altered since your previous back up (whether or not the previous back up has been the full or perhaps a great incremental back up) thus incremental backups are usually more rapidly and also acquire a smaller amount area, yet refurbishment moment is significantly more time when you need to bring back equally the previous total back up and also every one of the incremental backups done after that.

Contemplating The Back up Alternatives

Lots of present day back up applications offer you many back up alternatives; providing you the flexibility to make a back up and also restoration remedy that may suit your preferences. Below are a few:

One-Click Method Back up Ability When basic will be just what your daily life calls for, next this kind of application could be exactly what the physician bought. Despite the fact that it really is simply available on pick back up goods, this kind of hassle-free application tends to make the full method back up with all the simply click of your individual option.

Files-In-Use Back up In the event the info you should back up adjustments each day, this kind of application is an excellent selection, as it could execute many info backups although your personal computer will be lively. The opportunity to back up data files whilst in utilize is a wonderful application for anyone in which home based or perhaps people in a business office together with jobs in which progress each day. This kind of application can be acquired together with many back up applications.

Full Method Back up Also referred to as Graphic Back up, Push Graphic and also Hard disk drive Graphic, a whole method back up will save you any replicate of one’s complete hard disk drive, together with your os, registry, individuals, software application plus your info files-allowing one to bring back your complete personal computer returning to certain stage. A whole method back up is an excellent substitute for reformatting a difficult push which is greatly afflicted together with spyware and adware or perhaps personal computer trojans.

Improving The Back up Features

Several back up computer software is sold with alternatives in which rise above the straightforward newbie method, providing you specific equipment to manage special difficulties. Below are a few illustrations:

Back up Info Compression setting Many back up applications offer you some kind of info compression setting, which usually lets you bunch a lot more info in to the identical place : perfect for you aren’t constrained space for storing.

Back up Record Selection Selection lets you filtration specific forms of data files regarding back up. As an example, it is possible to pick to be able to back up every one of the photos within your hard disk drive : providing you the particular flexibility to be able to improve important computer data back up in manners in which finest work for you. This kind of application can be available on many back up computer software.

Back up Security password Defense and also Encryption If you utilize account details to guard info on your desktop, it’s wise to accomplish the identical along with your info back up. Many back up computer software presents security password defense, however, not almost all enable you to encrypt the security password, which keeps the data files risk-free coming from cyberpunks.

Best Friendship Quotes With Explanations to Make Your Friendship Better

Friendship is a relationship, the dynamics of which cannot be easily explained. Famous, cute and funny quotes and send it to your family and friends.

We often come across friendship quotes that were once uttered by men and women of great intellect. But very few of us actually know how deep their meaning goes.

See also: 20 Friendship Inspirational Quotes

Today we will have a look at some of the best friendship quotes with explanations to make your friendship better. These will definitely enable you to understand the finer aspects of friendship and what it is that makes it so priceless.

With true friends, even water drunk is sweet enough.

Chinese Proverb

Well, nobody can deny the fact that friendship makes life worth living. No matter how hostile circumstances turn out to be, if you have a friend beside you, things do not seem so bad. They are the ones who support us throughout and act as pillars of strength when we have absolutely no motivation to keep moving.

Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.

Woodrow Wilson

Since a very long, the entire world had been obsessed with power and the subjugation of fellow human beings. Constant enmity with one another had led to devastating wars that have killed millions. Friendship is the concept that could definitely make the world a better place to live in. Fellow feeling for each other makes us realize how important it is to coexist in peace and live in harmony.

Friendship needs no words.

Dag Hammerskjold

The basic principal behind a true friendship is complete understanding that exists between the individuals. This builds over a period of time and little things about the other person opens a window to his/her heart. The best part about friendship is the fact that you do not have to make yourself understood with the help of a lot of words. Communication here takes place through sentiments and sympathy for each other.

Few delights can equal the mere presence of someone we utterly trust.

George MacDonald

In the present times, it is extremely difficult to trust a person. Everywhere you look, you will find a group of opportunists who are gearing up to move ahead in life at your cost. Your friend on the other hand is someone whom you can bet your life on. He/she will never let you down and provide you with that much needed feeling of security. Even if the whole world goes against you, your friend will always be there to guide and support you.

Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.

Anonymous

There are a lot of people who have had to relocate for a career or for other reasons. But that certainly does not mean that the distance affects the friendships of a person in an adverse manner. Though you might not be able to meet them often or call them every now and then, in your heart you will know that they will be by your side whenever you need them the most. You might be out of sight but nothing can take you out of their minds. Friendship binds two hearts in a bond of love and there is absolutely nothing that can come between them.

Being Happy Forever

By Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji

Each one of us is facing obstacles in our life due to which happiness in our life is lost quite often. Transformation in our life brings benefit to ourself primarily, gradually changing the atmosphere, benefiting our near and dear ones, and eventually bringing benefit to society at large.

We lose happiness when our desires are not fulfilled. As a result of this, we get frustrated and unhappy. Life without happiness is dry and becomes meaningless. Even animals and birds remain happy, and we, being humans, are unhappy, then, what is the meaning of our life? Therefore, one should have a determined thought that ‘I will always remain happy and give happiness to others’. Hence, ‘Determination is the key to Happiness’.

If our thoughts are strong, then any goal becomes easy for us to achieve. One of the most important factors that affects our happy state of mind is ‘thinking about the past’. Hence, we should always let go of the past if we really want happiness to stay forever in our life, because the past has already gone and is not in our hands anymore. All that we have is our future. The biggest blunder that majority of us do is to keep thinking about the past thereby causing pain to ourselves.

Remember, happiness remains forever, we should make a habit to always think of the future because it is in our hands.

So, let’s be responsible for our happiness by being futuristic.

The author of this post is a writer at www.brahmakumaris.com. He can be contacted through nikunjji@brahmakumaris.in.

From 1 to 4: How We Got To 4G Cell Phones

A nice overview about the development of 4G cell phones. Look over the different stages and the progress Technology has made!

Smartphones just keep getting smarter, and 4G cell phones are the smartest there is – so far.

However, the journey of the 4G cell phone was a long and tedious one.

In the beginning, the ‘cell phone’ was almost the same with the walkie-talkie or CB radio with its limited number of frequencies; they only differ in that the former allowed two users to speak simultaneously, while the latter required one to be cut off before the other could get a word in.

Then the first generation, or the 1G, analog technology was introduced during the 1970s. Using devices such as advanced mobile phone systems (AMPs), Nordic mobile telephone (NMT) and total access communication systems (TACS), it could now handle more than 359 simultaneous voice exchanges, with its speed peaking at 14.4 kbps. Wireless phones were used for transmitting voice calls only.

A decade later, analog was transformed into digital in the introduction of the 2G technology, which uses the global system for mobile communication (GSM). Aside from GSM, the other systems used were digital AMPS, code-division multiple access (CDMA) and Personal Digital communication (PDC). With a throughput of 9.6 to 14.4 kbps, 2G cell phones allowed multiple users on a single channel and were used for digital transmissions of both voice calls and data, in the forms of fax data short message sending.

Additional services supported by 2G included wireless application protocol (WAP), voicemail and voicemail notification services, mobile location service, cell broadcasting and the option to move from one mobile phone service provider to another while retaining your old number.

2.5G technology relied on the use of general packet data radio services (GPRS), an ‘upgrade’ of GSM. This upgrade included the support for sending graphics-heavy data faster via e-mail, marking the stirrings of early multimedia services and streaming. A few cell phone models also provided for web browsing.

Using the 2.5G platform, the third generation, or 3G, was developed. Multimedia support was further enhanced, allowing the transmission of video, audio, and applications, as well as better streaming quality. At its peak, it can reach up to 3.1 Mbps and thus able to sustain very high data rates. Its higher bandwidth – from 384 Kbps to 2Mbps – also supported video conferencing. Portability across different device types such as PDAs and telephones was now possible. Its air interface, the Enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE) was said to be able to cover wireless interfaces across Europe, Asia and the Americas.

3.5G followed, concentrating on faster speeds to support the ever-increasing data needs of users. From 3.1 Mbps offered by 3G, 3.5G offered 14.4 Mbps peak speed.

Then came 4G.

Speed was further increased for 4G, designed to keep up with the very high data access demand used by various services. Dubbed as the fastest among the standards developed over the past years, it was said to be able to reach 100Mbps on mobile and 1 Gbps when stationary.

When it comes to videos and audio, high-definition (HD) streaming was supported, and more 4G cell phone models were made with HD capabilities to accommodate them.

From the trend over the decades, it is not a far-fetched possibility that 5G is just around the corner, waiting to pounce. For sure, it would offer even faster or extremely high speeds for the users and let them use available bandwidth more efficiently.

Technology – communications technology included – is a continuous work in progress. Something faster, cooler and more packed with features will likely to be developed in the future, but at the moment, 4G cell phones are the smartest phones out there.

Winter Will Be Here Faster Than You Think

Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like aeons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams.

But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like.

But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey, they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me, but, I see the great change. Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older people that we used to see and never thought we’d be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore, it’s mandatory! Cause if I don’t on my own free will, I just fall asleep where I sit!

And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I’m not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it’s over on this earth...it’s over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I’m happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

So, if you’re not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life. So live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!

Image: The Onion

Ten Points to Remember When Buying a Digital Camera

An amateur photographer should not be intimidated by the bewildering collection of specification and details of digital cameras, here are ten things to look for to buy a digital camera.

By Ernie Delgado

Professional photographers know exactly what they're looking for when they purchase a digital camera. Years of experience and fine tuning digital cameras every day makes the choice clear for them. For the rest of us, a new camera purchase can be a daunting experience. I know when I first got into digital cameras the technology seemed a little intimidating- but it doesn't have to be. Here's a short guide with ten things to look for when, as an amateur photographer, you're ready to replace that antique sitting on the top shelf of the closet.

1. Resolution – When digital cameras first came out, it was all about the megapixels. There was a wide variety of sizes (and prices) available- however, now most of even the smallest digital cameras are 5 megapixels, which is more than adequate for your typical 4x6 vacation photos and the occasional 8x10. The time to go larger is when you want to regularly create larger pictures- or you want to be able to zoom in on areas of specific detail and print those. The compromise you must make for those larger pictures is more space used on your memory card, so if you get a higher megapixel camera, make sure to pick some extra cards.

2. Exposure control – For most amateurs, aperture size and shutter speeds are a mystery. What should I use when? The manufacturers have addressed this with scene preset modes. Picking the correct mode allows you to select the proper settings of, for example, a close-up by simply clicking ‘Macro Mode' instead of manually configuring the camera. If you're interested in digital cameras as a hobby, manual configuration options are something you should look for.

3. Zooms – There are two types of zoom available, optical zoom and digital. The one you should really pay attention to is optical zoom- pictures using optical zoom are sharper. Also understand that when the camera is using the higher magnification settings, it will be more vulnerable to shaking, so you may want to pick up a tripod if you'll be using that zoom most of the time.

4. Size – Take a little time to think about what you're going to be using your camera for. There's always a trade-off between size and functionality- here's a quick summary:

• Ultra Compact – small, light pocket sized cameras. Some may have fewer features.
• Compact - fit in a modest camera case, great for point and shoot pictures.
• Advanced - more functionality here along with more size. Typically we see buttons for modes as opposed to menus (which saves having to navigate), better zooms, and they also accept accessories (lenses, filters, etc.)
• Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) – Heavy and large, these offer the best functionality; typically professionals and serious photographers use them.

5. Weight – Hand in hand with size is camera weight. Generally speaking, more features equals more weight, so think carefully about what you really need. A small, light camera with fewer features is a better choice if you want to take it everywhere and get lots of pictures, as opposed to a heavy monster you dread having to lug and only use once in a while.

6. Batteries – Basically batteries come in two formats, proprietary battery packs, and then there are cameras that accept AA batteries. If you get a camera with the proprietary pack, it's worth it to purchase another one as backup, because invariably you'll want to take a picture and the battery will die. I recommend getting a camera that allows you to use AA batteries- if you need to buy a set in pinch you can, and you also have the flexibility of buying rechargeables and using them again and again.

7. Speed – When you are ready to purchase, be sure to check out the lag on button press. If you want to photograph things in motion (kids, pets, sports, etc) it can be very frustrating to try to snap that perfect picture and have the image captured 5 seconds later after the moment has passed. Some cameras offer continuous shutter mode, which allows you to snap pictures in sequence. For most amateurs 5 frames per second is adequate.

8. Manual Focus – part of the beauty of digital cameras is most of them take care of focusing for you. In some situations you may want the ability to manually focus to bring out detail.

9. Low Light Modes – Some cameras have auxiliary lights to help focus or even night vision mode. If you're going to be taking pictures at night, it's worth the money to add this to your checklist.

10. Accessories – Most people focus exclusively on the camera, and the accessories are an afterthought. Depending on where you buy your camera, you may be able to get a package deal that includes things you would have to buy anyway, like a case, memory cards, extra batteries and the like. If you buy your camera in a camera store don't be afraid to negotiate, many will give you a better price or throw in extras like photography lessons.

When you buy a digital camera there's no need to be intimidated, just do some research online and have an idea of what you want to do with your camera, create a list of important points, and then buy with confidence.

About the Author
Ernie Delgado is an avid amateur photographer. His hobby is at Digital Camera.

Image: Digital Trends

Burnt Cookies of Love

By Deb Billy Graham

When I was a little child, my mum likes to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mum placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mum and ask me how my day was at school. I don’t remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mum apologise to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I’ll never forget what he said, “Baby, I love burned biscuits.”

Later that night, I went to kiss daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, “Your mum put in a hard day at work today and she’s real tired. And besides — a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!”

You know, life is full of imperfect things ... and imperfect people. I’m not the best housekeeper or cook. What I’ve learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults — and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences — is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. And that’s my prayer for you today!

Image: Jessica Gavin

10 Keys to Bring Inspiration into Your Life or How to Be Inspired

Be Inspired Want to experience more inspiration in your life? Here’s ten easy steps guaranteed to fill your life with inspiration. Don’t wait. It’s time to be inspired.

By Rochman Reese

Have you ever asked yourself what is inspiration? What is being inspired?

When the word inspiration is broken down into its component parts, it simply means “in - spirit”.

When you are living “in - spirit” You feel excited about yourself and your life. You have a special connection with all parts of your mind and body.

The question is how can you connect to your spirit at all times to take actions that enable you to be inspired?

Below are the ten keys to opening the doors to your inspiration.

1. The first key to inspiration is enjoyment. It would take a spiritual master to be inspired about doing the dishes. So find something that really excites you. It can be anything that you really enjoy. You have to have fun.

2. The second key to inspiration is love. When you are actively pouring love into what you are doing, this will guarantee that you are opening yourself to experiencing more inspiration. If you love what you do and do what you love, this will guarantee that you will be inspired.

3. The third key to inspiration is to trust in yourself. Listen to that little voice inside yourself and know that this comes from heart. This is called intuition. Intuition is the spark the sets off the fires of inspiration.

4. The fourth key to inspiration is to follow what your intuition tells you. The more you listen to it, the stronger your intuition will become. If you don’t pay attention, that little voice gets fainter and fainter until you can no longer hear it. The spark goes out, and gets harder and harder to rekindle.

5. The fifth key to be inspired is to believe in yourself. Keep telling yourself “I can”. These are some of the most powerful words that you can ever use. When you say this to yourself often enough, you build a bridge between yourself and your inspiration. When you are backed by a strong belief in yourself and your dreams, nothing is impossible.

6. The sixth key to inspiration is not to listen to anyone that says “no you can’t”. They might think that they are helping you, and try to project this negative belief onto you, but remember to keep telling yourself that, “I can!” Nothing will kill your inspiration quicker than listening to people say “no you can’t do that” Understand that often what they mean is “No, I can’t do that, so you shouldn’t either” Its best to simply thank them for their advice, pay no attention to it and not discuss it further.

7. The seventh key to being inspired is to avoid negativity. Ask yourself, do you really need to read the newspaper or watch the news on TV every day? Nothing kills inspiration quicker than being surrounded by bad news. How you can you possibly feel inspired if everywhere you look you are getting reports of doom, gloom and destruction. What if instead of watching the news, you spent time doing what it is that you really love? What if you just spent just 1/2hr a day doing what you really love? What sort of a change would it make in your life after a whole year?

8. The eight key to inspiration is acceptance. Accept that on some days you feel much more inspired than on others. This is normal. Nobody can be completely inspired every minute of the day. So on the days when you feel flat, just know that this will pass and don’t feel too troubled about not feeling inspired.

9. The ninth key to inspiration - Take action every day, no matter how small a step it seems. Action is the fuel to the fires of inspiration. Make it a daily practice to keep your fire burning. The taking of actions, no matter how small, will fill you with inspiration for taking the next step.

10. The tenth key to inspiration is the most powerful of all. Simply put, it is to surround yourself with things that inspire you. This is so laughingly simple that many people over look this. It could be inspiring music, inspiring recorded talks, inspiring books and inspirational art.

One of the most powerful ways to be inspired comes from surrounding yourself with inspirational art. Artworks come in many forms such as paintings and sculptures, and have such an amazing power to influence thoughts and emotions, to uplift and also inspire. By the careful placement of inspiring artworks, you can transform your living and working environments to be places filled with light and inspiration.

All of these 10 keys to inspiration are very simple things. Try them today and you will be amazed at what a difference it will make in your life.

May your life be filled with Love and Happiness and Inspiration!

About the Author
Inspirational Artists Sofan Chan and Rochman Reese create inspirational artworks that will inspire you to experience more love, happiness and tranquility in your life. You can view inspirational pictures of their artworks, and read more inspirational articles at www.theartofhappiness.net - be inspired.