Flashes of memory stream into my consciousness. They take me back thirty years plus. I was a boy then, a newcomer to a poor and tough neighborhood. My parents, of moderate means and daring to a fault, had decided to move there after my father had accepted an editing job in the federal government. They had taken a lease on a low-rent brick house, which was also run-down, covered in filth, and littered with trash. I do not mince my words: Previous tenants had been pigs that got along with bugs and rats.

“The house has potential,” my mother had said to reassure me, seeing that I was aghast at its sordid aspects. Its one redeeming feature, besides its solid construction, was a large woody front yard, neglected, allowed to become a large dumping ground, as weedy as it was woody, but potentially attractive and pleasant, to be sure.

My mother was a hard worker with a great deal of stamina, creativity, and tastefulness. She mastered the art of doing wonders with little money. After three months of intense labor – which for the first week involved a carpenter and two garbage collectors plus two dump trucks – the house was transfigured, quite presentable, even nice, much to my amazement. It now contrasted sharply, cuttingly, with the slums at the rear of the house and on the left of it. On the right was a school and at the front, across the street, was a nunnery on a large piece of land. My parents had conveniently focused their attention on these establishments, as if the good education and good disposition of their teachers and sisters could shield us from the evils of the slums.

Needless to say, they did not. Violence was rampant in this neck of the woods and I was elected punchbag with only one dissenting vote: mine! At the root of this violence was malevolence, which grows from resentment, after one has been subjected to mistreatment. As much as my family projected an image of distinction, the neighborhood boys were malevolent and violent toward me. To them this image of distinction was an act of humiliation; their feelings were hurt and it was natural for them to hurt me. Of course it is a lot worthier to elevate oneself than to abase someone else. It is also a lot harder, and nature spontaneously levels everything the easy way. Moral excellence relates to culture, is an acquired trait, by virtue of which a human is courageous and just, worthy of praise.

One winter evening, I was crossing the field next to the rink where I had played hockey, when a gang of hoodlums encircled me like a pack of wolves. There were six of them, one of whom – a weakling who always relied on others to feel powerful – lived three doors down, east of my house, across the back street. The leader stepped forward and turned around with a snicker. “Hey shithead, come and kiss my ass.” I was tempted to kick it, not kiss it. “No thanks. Please let me go; I don’t care for trouble.” As I was finishing my sentence, one of the boys lunged toward me from behind and shoved me forward. I dropped my hockey equipment and braced myself to fight and suffer. I was big for my age, but big is small when outnumbered by six to one.

Again the leader took the initiative; the fight was on. With several thrusts, punches, and kicks, I repelled my assailants momentarily, until I was knocked and wrestled to the ground. Fists and feet hit me everywhere, nonstop, from all directions. Suddenly I heard a menacing shout and everyone slipped in a last blow before fleeing. A brave and kind man had caught sight of their misdeed and chosen to intervene, armed with a hockey stick. I was hurt but saved.

A few days later, still aching all over, I saw the weakling, alone by his house – his hovel to be exact, which was covered with old imitation brick, torn in places, and infested with cockroaches, rats, and woodworms. His face was bruised and wet from weeping, as he screamed with rage, “Fucking bastard, fucking bitch, fucking life, fuck, fuck, fuck!” My anger was now tempered with compassion. I unclenched my fists, prompted by a desire to spare him. I could not demean myself to add pain to his pain, already so excessive that it overflowed in streams of tears and curses.

His father was an illiterate and idle drunkard who collected welfare and spent considerable time and money at the tavern. At home, slouching in an armchair, he forever watched TV and drank beer or liquor. When grossly intoxicated, he sometimes vomited before reaching the bathroom and, without cleaning up his mess, fell unconscious on his bed, the armchair, the floor, or wherever. He was also vulgar and brutal. He often battered his son and his wife, and heaped insults on them.

His wife was an abusive and sluggish woman who had grown obese from attempting to fill her inner void with chips, cookies, and pop. Day after day she wore the same tattered nightgown and constantly found reasons for bawling out her son and swiping him. She drove him insane, then used this insanity as another reason for persecuting him.

These two loathsome and pitiful parents rendered his life at home unbearable. He usually roamed the streets with fellow-sufferers from similar – miserable and violent – backgrounds. Together they ganged up and took their resentment out on other kids such as me. My aggressors, first, were victims.

My insight into the origin of violence came to me at that time and has never left me. I saw then and still see a victim in every aggressor. Some say there is such a thing as gratuitous violence, committed by individuals whose youth was favorable to all appearances. Violence for the sake of violence, an exercise in brutality at the expense of others, without provocation, past or present? I beg to differ.

Appearances are not a valid means of assessing someone’s youth, whose favorableness or unfavorableness is a subjective, not objective, matter. Circumstances have no value in themselves, but in relation to people who consider them favorably or not. Attitude is here the only relevant concept. Also, brutality cannot be exercised at the expense of others unless these others are viewed heartlessly as expendable. This heartlessness is greatly suspicious, unlikely to belong to someone who regards humans with favor, thanks to a feeling of solidarity, of mutual benefit.

In my opinion, aggressiveness is triggered by hostility, without which it is dormant: a mere potentiality incapable of harm. It may include an abnormal sensitivity or intellect that intensifies or alters someone’s perception of the environment. The fact remains hostility, as perceived by someone who feels painfully antagonized and proportionally victimized, is always a factor. Therefore, aggression cannot be dissociated from victimization, not only that of the victims but also that of the aggressors. These aggressors are victims of their sick minds or of the ill treatment they have endured. They deserve compassion, besides indignation.

They are liable to a punishment that ought to be effective and exemplary, not vengeful. Vengeance and violence are one and the same thing. Both are resentful and harmful. Both are reprehensible. The harm inflicted does not remedy the harm suffered; it simply compounds one harm with another, and invites yet another harm. It lengthens the chain of savagery from x (a frightening number of savage links) to x+1, potentially +2, +3, +4, etc., instead of breaking it and helping to free humanity from it. There is no worse slavery than savagery. The best course is to make every effort to get over a wrong and forgive it, while bringing the wrongdoer to justice.

In sum, justice should not serve to avenge people. It should serve to prevent crime and protect the public, by intimidating or incarcerating those who are a menace to others except under threat or behind bars. It should never push the severity of this mandate to the point of cruelty, in which case it would be a perversion of justice, an ominous sign of barbarity. On the contrary, it should be a jewel in the crown of civilization and foreshadow the coming of a better humanity, more consistent with its true nature and purpose – in a word, more humane.

The difference between severity and cruelty is radical yet subtle; it must be emphasized. Cruel law enforcers delight in the punishments they inflict and readily overstep the mark. They are vicious and blameworthy, like the criminals they punish. Law enforcers who are severe, but not cruel, administer punishments reluctantly or regard them as a necessary evil they would gladly forgo if they could. They deplore the criminal element in society and strive to neutralize it through intimidation, or incarceration as a last resort, and preferably through reformation, a fundamental change of the criminal mind for the better. Their ideal, as unattainable as it is elevated, is the supremacy of justice without the institution of justice: no threats, no prisons, only people who deeply understand and freely exercise the principle of justice.

Impossible as this supremacy is, it is usefully pursued. The institution of justice can become less and less necessary for the manifestation of justice, which can become more and more customary. This progress depends on the wisdom and willpower of its proponents who make it their duty to educate, assist, and encourage potential followers. It also presupposes that these potential followers take an active part in this endeavor. They cannot be actual followers unless they welcome this education, assistance, and encouragement, and display intelligence and determination of their own.

How much can we collectively be civilized – that is, mutually respectful and helpful, in the knowledge that this high goal can unite our wills toward a common good of colossal proportions? In other words, what is the ceiling of our possible civilization, which implies responsibility and solidarity, an elevation of life to love? Nobody knows the limit, so none should be set but the sky!

Generally, in a loving environment, human beings show humanity as naturally as fruit trees give fruit in the summer. Love is to these beings as sunshine is to these trees. It helps them grow into what they are meant to grow into (unless their nature is flawed from the start, which is an exception to the rule): beautiful and bountiful creations, as opposed to ugly and puny aberrations. Yet, beware of love; it can be possessive and manipulative, selfish and devilish! Yes, some angels have horns, unnoticeable at first sight under their pretty hair; their paradise is hell.

True love is in the image of God (by God I simply mean the fundamental cause of everything. It brings us into existence and, within the limits of its might, supports us in our quest for fulfillment). It is a desire to nurture, not to capture. Under its divine rule, one always has the other’s best interests at heart. No one, however, should be supportive to the point of being an accomplice in someone’s oppressive or destructive acts of egocentricity, folly, or injustice. These evils should not be loved and served; they should be hated and combated.

Hate is legitimate toward them, whereas the people who embody them are worthy of love because they exceed them by their ability to do good. They are indeed greater than the sum of their evil ways; they include the power to improve them. Therefore hate is directed at these ways, and love at this power: It promotes the people’s ability to do good. What if a person who is oppressively or destructively egocentric, foolish, or unjust never responds to this love? In that case it is lost and the life of this person shamefully amounts to a waste of soul.

By a stroke of luck, my parents were bright and warm people who helped me blossom into a joyful and respectful individual. Their love was true and so was the love of many others who took part in my life. I was also lucky enough to be a good seed. I was a strong and healthy boy, extremely lively and moderately clever, cheery and gentle-natured, though impatient and self-assertive. In my eyes, until my family moved to the poor and tough neighborhood, civility was the norm among the members of society; it made sense. Barbarity, on the other hand, was a stupefying rarity. The abused weakling gave me an understanding of barbarity – which was common in this neighborhood – and replaced my stupefaction with commiseration.

Laurent Grenier’s career as a writer and philosopher spans over twenty years. During this time he has broadened and deepened his worldview, through much reflection and study, and in the end has crafted A REASON FOR LIVING, his best work to date.

Official web site: laurentgrenier.com/ARFL.html

With various choices to buy, you might be confused of where to start if you are obtaining a new camera. The excellent news is that there are only a small number of points to take into consideration to guarantee that your acquisition suits your individual needs. By making sure you play close notice to these points, you can make certain that you obtain a outstanding purchase for both your skills & your selected budget.

The very first point to come to a decision on when buying a brand new camera is what you aim on using the camera for. If you only propose on taking a handful of snapshots, then, a point and shoot product is possible the preferred choice. These specific digital cameras are by far the tinniest presently on sale & are therefore ideal if portability is crucial. For the more expert shooting needs then why not get a super zoom camera. These models have substantially more features than a point & shoot yet still have the advantages of automatic shooting. For a truly corporate camera, you will have to obtain a digital SLR. These specific digital cameras include interchangeable lenses and are totally customizable. They have some fixed settings, but are better acquired for manual usage. Though, they are also the most costly choice currently on the market. Find a selection of technology products such as; digital cameras, 37 lcd tvs and netbooks from leading brands online.

Once you decide what particular model type to get, choose a budget. The amount of money you can spend will possibly shape what kind of features you will be thinking about. Plus, your budget will help you opt for a model choice if you are undecided on what you essentially require. If you would like top-notch camera, but have a modest budget, then you will in all probability be looking at super zoom items and not a SLR digital camera. With point & shoot digital cameras, your available budget will influence features like that of display size and zoom capacity. If you are impatient to improve to an SLR, then budget limits will almost certainly mean buying the introductory package. You can very easily upgrade and add supplemental lenses later on if necessary.

Digital cameras lately are better than ever. Even the cheapest digital cameras have a viewing display and zoom option. Yet, cut priced products may have only a digital zoom. Optical zoom will give you a far improved picture; therefore keep that in mind while shopping. Also, a load of mid-priced models are recently beginning to incorporate functionality like multi-point focus, automatic face identification & compensation for camera movement. Also, battery duration differs substantially between different items and brands, so always take care about this when shopping as well. Otherwise, this can be an extra cost when running your digital camera.

In conclusion, acquiring a new digital camera is fun & easy. First, come to a decision on what your requirements are. Then, opt for a budget that you can afford. Lastly, determine which options attract to you the most. Before you know it, you will be taking amazing photographs with ease.

A pernickety, colicky child is no fun at all for a parent. Being the parent through this situation can be stressful and depressing. However, nowadays there are loads of tools available to the modern day parent to help keep your kid entertained when they are awake. Newborn babies are accustomed to constant movement in the mothers’ womb & when their child gets unhappy, many fathers are delighted to depend on the assistance of a baby bouncer to simulate this soothing environment. However, knowing precisely what you want can definitely be terrifically difficult, nevertheless here’s a list of guidelines that will help you make your choice. Find a huge selection of baby and child products including; baby bouncers, baby cots and britax car seats from leading brands online.

Essential Features: First of all, a baby bouncer must deliver the bounce aspect. When a parent can’t rock and soothe their kid, then it’s helpful to have a trustworthy substitute available. The majority of baby bouncers have a soft seat that is attached to a U shaped base. When the child moves around, the seat has a spring like movement and soothes the baby. The most straightforward baby bouncer options have just these basics and therefore can be purchased for under 15 pounds. Nevertheless, there are numerous additional features on offer when you spend a bit more cash. Lots of baby bouncers nowadays are battery controlled & can function even when your kid is not moving. There are also chairs that can switch between rocking & bouncing, for extra options. Finally, it is exceedingly normal to get a toy bar on a baby bouncer. This allows you to place an selection of toys just in front of your baby for distraction & entertainment. Models with added preferences can cost between £50 and £150.

Find Your Individual Style: While it has been common for some time to find toddler products that are adorable, it is not always the preference of the parents. Your personal style may be noticeably cleaner or more up-to-date and therefore you would want your furnishings, which includes your baby products, to reflect that. After all, you are going to be the main person that will have to cart the bag & stare at the items each & every day. You should like your bouncer! Fortunately, while there are still bags of cute baby designs presently on market, you can if you look correctly find clean lines and straightforward styling. Both Bloom & BabaBing brands make a good example of a modern, yet handy, bouncer.

When your toddler is weeping & needs relaxing, you basically need a baby bouncer that works. Finding that in a bouncer is not hard. Even the cheapest products ought to get the job done correctly. For supplementary features, you can spend a little bit more money for added ease. Lastly, with numerous new products on the market today, you don’t have to be trapped with the same old baby bouncer. Let your home reflect your own personal taste.

With the hippest new clothing designers for Autumn 2009 arriving from all over the fashion world each and every day on the online shop and in the stores, there’s plenty of fabulous new dresses to want. Let designer fashion shop Matches introduce our hottest new talent and our all new favourite skirts of the Winter season, here is the designers to know right now. There’s a considerable buzz all over jewellery designer Alex Monroe’s pieces, not least because they are the nicest neck wear around but since the neck wear are decorated with yellow and black bumble bees and birds. London’s wonderful designer Christopher Kane has yet again created the most beautiful piece of the Autumn season. This time it’s Kane’s gorilla print tee for fashion lovers that has fashion store Matches wanting one. Furthermore, designer clothing store Matches have the amazing Clements Ribero back, we were first in line to retail their Spring 2009 collection of deliciously soft knits with amazingly rich embellishments.

Designer store Matches are presently stocking the brand new and exceedingly unique rings and necklaces by gorgeous designer Hannah Martin. Jewels that are a little bit dark, a little bit decadent and seriously sexy. Matches bring you direct from an airy loft property in New York City- Haute Hippy, the trademark says it all. The very best of both worlds combine for an amazingly vintage inspired, beautifully created pieces that are stunning, sexy and incredibly cool. And now for the 2 J males, Julian David and the world famous Julien McDonald. With extremely soft, feather-light scarves in a melange of style Julian David is the man to watch and get ready to party in Julien MacDonald’s glamorous dresses.

Be completely smitten by the very latest designer collection to hit the high fashion stores, it is London based label Loha Vete by Max Zubari. These items are love-worn t shirts embellished with Zubari’s own personal statements about life, love and virtually everything in between. Wear your heart on your sleeve and make conventional clothing a belief statement about yourself. Browse all the latest fashion designs and products currently on sale by Alexander McQueen.

Be sure to browse the designer fashion store Matches ecommerce site for even more information about these trendy new fashion forward designers, the most current must haves and the scoop about all things clothing related on designer clothing shop Matches daily blog.

When you are getting hold of pushchairs and prams, it is crucial that you remember both your infant’s requests & your very own way of life. Pushchairs at present are for sale in loads of different forms & price brackets, & without carefully looking at the many options prior to you go shopping; the options can very easily become out of hand. Find a range of baby and child products including; puschairs, baby prams and rocking horses from leading brands online.

First, let’s examine your infant’s individual needs. For a newborn toddler, you possibly will need a pushchair with a lie back aspect or a pushchair/carrycot combination. If you want you can consider a model that includes a reversible seat, which permits your infant to face you while you are pushing them. You are also advised to bear in mind where your baby will sleep: a crib, carrycot, or Moses basket. If you propose to use a carrycot, then you may possibly need to also procure a pushchair/carrycot combination so that you can decrease the total amount of kit you have to purchase as a consequence.

Next, you are recommended to contemplate your particular lifestyle. If you intend transporting the pushchair in a car, measure your boot to make sure that the folded pram will fit straightforwardly. If you procure one that is far too big, then you will spend many frustrating minutes each & every time trying to get it in the space. Also, you may well consider a multi function system, which unite a child car seat and pushchair. This multi-function ability will make it easy for you to move your baby in the vehicle, then use the pushchair when you are parked, thus minimising the total number of accessories you have to cart around with your baby.

For fathers who walk a great deal, it is vital that you procure a hard wearing pushchair that comes with lockable wheels. What’s more, also consider the specific type of ground you will be pushing your child over. If you agree on swivel wheels, the pram will be more easier to move around in tight circles, whilst fixed wheels will travel much easier over bumpy environments. You can even pick a pram that has both fixed wheel and swivel wheel options, allowing you to adjust the wheels as necessary throughout your travels. In spite of what choice you agree on make certain that the handle is set at the proper height. If you & your partner have rather different heights, try to purchase a pushchair with an adjustable handle height.

For many investors, and even some tax professionals, sorting through the complex IRS rules on investment taxes can be a nightmare. Pitfalls abound, and the penalties for even simple mistakes can be severe. As April 15 rolls around, keep the following five common tax mistakes in mind – and help keep a little more money in your own pocket.

1. Failing To Offset Gains

Normally, when you sell an investment for a profit, you owe a tax on the gain. One way to lower that tax burden is to also sell some of your losing investments. You can then use those losses to offset your gains.

Say you own two stocks. You have a gain of $1,000 on the first stock, and a loss of $1,000 on the second. If you sell your winning stock, you will owe tax on the $1,000 gain. But if you sell both stocks, your $1,000 gain will be offset by your $1,000 loss. That’s good news from a tax standpoint, since it means you don’t have to pay any taxes on either position.

Sounds like a good plan, right? Well, it is, but be aware it can get a bit complicated. Under what is commonly called the “wash sale rule,” if you repurchase the losing stock within 30 days of selling it, you can’t deduct your loss. In fact, not only are you precluded from repurchasing the same stock, you are precluded from purchasing stock that is “substantially identical” to it – a vague phrase that is a constant source of confusion to investors and tax professionals alike. Finally, the IRS mandates that you must match long-term and short-term gains and losses against each other first.

2. Miscalculating The Basis Of Mutual Funds

Calculating gains or losses from the sale of an individual stock is fairly straightforward. Your basis is simply the price you paid for the shares (including commissions), and the gain or loss is the difference between your basis and the net proceeds from the sale. However, it gets much more complicated when dealing with mutual funds.

When calculating your basis after selling a mutual fund, it’s easy to forget to factor in the dividends and capital gains distributions you reinvested in the fund. The IRS considers these distributions as taxable earnings in the year they are made. As a result, you have already paid taxes on them. By failing to add these distributions to your basis, you will end up reporting a larger gain than you received from the sale, and ultimately paying more in taxes than necessary.

There is no easy solution to this problem, other than keeping good records and being diligent in organizing your dividend and distribution information. The extra paperwork may be a headache, but it could mean extra cash in your wallet at tax time.

3. Failing To Use Tax-managed Funds

Most investors hold their mutual funds for the long term. That’s why they’re often surprised when they get hit with a tax bill for short term gains realized by their funds. These gains result from sales of stock held by a fund for less than a year, and are passed on to shareholders to report on their own returns — even if they never sold their mutual fund shares.

Recently, more mutual funds have been focusing on effective tax-management. These funds try to not only buy shares in good companies, but also minimize the tax burden on shareholders by holding those shares for extended periods of time. By investing in funds geared towards “tax-managed” returns, you can increase your net gains and save yourself some tax-related headaches. To be worthwhile, though, a tax-efficient fund must have both ingredients: good investment performance and low taxable distributions to shareholders.

4. Missing Deadlines

Keogh plans, traditional IRAs, and Roth IRAs are great ways to stretch your investing dollars and provide for your future retirement. Sadly, millions of investors let these gems slip through their fingers by failing to make contributions before the applicable IRS deadlines. For Keogh plans, the deadline is December 31. For traditional and Roth IRA’s, you have until April 15 to make contributions. Mark these dates in your calendar and make those deposits on time.

5. Putting Investments In The Wrong Accounts

Most investors have two types of investment accounts: tax-advantaged, such as an IRA or 401(k), and traditional. What many people don’t realize is that holding the right type of assets in each account can save them thousands of dollars each year in unnecessary taxes.

Generally, investments that produce lots of taxable income or short-term capital gains should be held in tax advantaged accounts, while investments that pay dividends or produce long-term capital gains should be held in traditional accounts.
For example, let’s say you own 200 shares of Duke Power, and intend to hold the shares for several years. This investment will generate a quarterly stream of dividend payments, which will be taxed at 15% or less, and a long-term capital gain or loss once it is finally sold, which will also be taxed at 15% or less. Consequently, since these shares already have a favorable tax treatment, there is no need to shelter them in a tax-advantaged account.

In contrast, most treasury and corporate bond funds produce a steady stream of interest income. Since, this income does not qualify for special tax treatment like dividends, you will have to pay taxes on it at your marginal rate. Unless you are in a very low tax bracket, holding these funds in a tax-advantaged account makes sense because it allows you to defer these tax payments far into the future, or possibly avoid them altogether.

David Twibell is President and Chief Investment Officer of Flagship Capital Management, LLC, an investment advisory firm in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Flagship provides portfolio management services to high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and non-profit entities. For more information, please visit www.flagship-capital.com.

Guess is a widely recognized brand name that most people associate with clothing. But Guess handbags have made their way to the forefront with the creation of many stylish and unique designs. The Guess handbag is now a must have amongst the fashion elite due to the many desirable colors, styles, and designs of handbags. Guess is a popular designer name that both women and teens love to wear, so you will notice women of all ages carrying Guess designer handbags.

Guess offers very unique and stylish handbags that catch the attention of all women. The Guess barrel handbag is a popular style that offers a clean polished look. Materials such as croc print, jacquard, and vinyl with the Guess “G” logo are common amongst the Guess barrel handbags.

The Guess satchel handbag is another favorite that comes in a variety of materials and styles, and also sports the “G” logo. The Guess satchel goes with almost anything and looks very stylish. Something important to consider when buying a handbag is how much space you have inside. The Guess satchel handbag seems to be quite roomy allowing for all the personal items you like to carry with you.

These are just a few of the handbag styles offered by Guess. Check out the internet for a wide variety of handbag styles and designs by Guess and you are sure to find one that you like.

Chris Rodriguez is the author/publisher for http://www.a-designer-handbag.com

Visit her sight to discover a wealth of information on your favorite brand name designer handbags such as Gucci, Coach, Prada, Chanel, and many more.

This is a short version of story number 19 (out of 50) from my book, My Walk with the Lord, http://www.selahbooks.com/

Psalm 75. 6,7 “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”

I was seeking the Lord for the right job He wanted me to have. I had submitted many applications, but had not had an interview. Those of you who have been through a period of unemployment can understand the frustration of this, especially with the bills piling up. However, when trusting God, we understand the value of waiting for God’s timing.

As I rode by the local shopping mall, a vacant buidling nearby would draw me. Several times, I pulled up to this building and the Lord spoke to me and said, “This building is where I want you to work.” I had no idea of what kind of work I’d be doing. The Lord was silent on that subject.

About two weeks later, I saw a job advertisement in the local paper. The job was for an instructor of retail sales at a small vocational school. The applications were being accepted at—you guessed it—that vacant building near the mall.

I submitted the application, was interviewed and offered the job. At the same time, I was offered a state job with more money and benefits. I did not hestitate when the Lord spoke to me and said “Take the instructor position.”

Each morning before class, I would read a verse of scripture. A few students objected at first but some of those later volunteered to read the scripture for the day. After I’d been teaching for several weeks, the Lord spoke to me and said, “I want you to go to the Bahamas.” I replied, “I don’t have the money to go.” The Lord replied, “I’ll make the way to go, just be prepared to go.” About two months later, the Lord spoke to me and said, “Irvin, I want you to be the head administrator of this school. Your time in this position will be short, so don’t even put your name over the door.” A couple of weeks later, the head administrator resigned so I assumed I’d be promoted to the job like the Lord spoke. Lo and behold, another person from corporate headquarters came to take the position. I immediately prayed and asked the Lord about this..The Lord spoke to me and said “Have faith.” Three days later, the other person was gone, and I was promoted to head administrator. As part of the promotion, I received a free cruise to the Bahamas where the Lord used me in a special way – but that is another story! I held this job for a few months and then the Lord moved me on to another mission.

Daniel 2.21 “And he changeth the times and the seasons; he removeth Kings, and setteth up Kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding.”

Footnote….Several of my students were saved at this school, and many asked me for prayer.

Irvin L. Rozier, Captain (Retired) US Army, still serving as a soldier in God’s Army

About the Author

Preacher, author, retired US Army, lives in south Georgia, USA

Notebook Computers Are Sexy!

Granted, the notebook computer may just be the
sexiest accessory this side of a Baywatch Extra!
But are they worth the extra money? Should your
next PC be a notebook or laptop computer?

What are the pros and cons of owning a notebook
computer? More importantly, which notebook is
best for you?

There’s no denying it — notebook computers are sexy!
Slim, svelte and lightweight; they always come across as
looking sexy, the ultimate in high fashion accessories.

Maybe sexy isn’t the most appropriate word — we
are talking about chips, hard drives and bits of metal.
But you have to admit; they do look good on just about
anybody!

However; don’t let the good looks fool you! And don’t
get blinded by all that sleek metal and flashy designs.

The notebook is one little workhorse whose time
may just have come. Growing in popularity as prices
decline, it’s definitely worth considering
when you make your next PC purchase.

All kidding aside, finding the right notebook that has
your name on it can be a daunting task!

Basically, you have to narrow it down to a few simple
steps. Then consider all your options before you make
your decision.

First, ask yourself — what types of tasks, jobs, do
you want the computer to perform? Do you want it
for traveling, business, or for use in the home?

Do you want it for simple tasks like email, web
browsing or to use as a word processor? Do you want it
for gaming, web authoring, heavy graphic work, dvd
or MP3 downloading?

Next, consider all these options and find the notebook
that best suits your needs. Remember, it’s your needs
that have to be fulfilled. Don’t let a pushy salesperson
talk you into buying something you will never need
or use.

At the same time, make sure you buy a notebook that
has all the features that will complete all the tasks
you throw at it. In other words, make sure it
can do the job!

Keep that question in the back of your head as you
read the rest of this article. Especially, keep it
in mind, as you browse thru all these sleek models and
makes of notebooks. Don’t be dazzled by all that
sexiness!

Keep your eyes on the cursor!

Keep asking yourself — what does my new notebook
computer need in order for it to get the job done?

Lets take a closer look at all the options.

First, like anything sexy; notebooks come in all
shapes and sizes.

SMALL: How small can they be?

They can be as tiny as well — the small traditional
paper notebooks — with 10-inch displays. There is
even a sub category known as Tablet PCs; these are
very small tablets where you enter the data using
a stylus. Common in certain fields, like health
care or real estate.

Up a step from there — are the ‘Ultraportables’.
You can easily take these anywhere as they fit nicely in
a handbag or carry on bag. These are used by fliers
and travelers, they are light and small with 12 inch
screens without internal CD or DVD drives. They
don’t match the performance of other larger notebooks.

LARGE: How large can they be?

They can be as big as 6 or 7 pounds or more. Over an
inch thick and come with 15 or 17-inch displays
these are often referred to as ‘Desktop Replacements’

And just as their name states — these can replace
your old desktop computer. For most purposes, these
notebooks can perform all the tasks of a regular pc,
have large screens, big keyboards, combo drives and very
large hard drives. But you have the handy option of
moving these from room to room for wireless networking,
or even for traveling.

MID-SIZE

In between these two groups; we have the business
class notebooks. These are often referred to as
‘Thin-and-lights’ — they offer the best all around
convenience of performance, portability and the
different features.

Mostly preferred by the business travelers. They
have 14-inch screens, CD-RW/DVD drives, wireless
networking, because they are so versatile, these
‘do-it-all’ notebooks or laptops are becoming
really popular.

Basic Rundown

That’s a basic overview or rundown on the different
types of notebooks. But you have to compare and
contrast the different features in a little more
detail if you want to figure out the best notebook
that’s suited for your needs.

Since there are so many types and varieties of notebooks;
not to mention so many technical requirements… buying
a notebook can sometimes be confusing. And for some
people downright worrisome!

Will the notebook you choose get the job done? Will it
be able to do the applications, or tasks you want
it to perform?

Ease your Burden — Make a Checklist!

If you don’t want to be disappointed, here’s a quick
‘CheckList’ of the features you want to check before
you buy your notebook computer.

* Processor: The heart of your notebook or computer. It
does the processing and applications. Most people prefer
Intel Pentium Processors; the higher the number the faster
it will process! Go with Pentium 4 if you can. Intel
Celeron is another choice.

* Speed: This is how fast your computer can process data and
perform your tasks. The faster the better! Latest models get
up to a blazing 3.6 GHz.

Tip: You might also want to check the rotational speed
of your notebook’s hard disk as it can affect performance
a 5,400rpm notebook disk is much faster than a 4,200rpm
model. How fast the disk spins, will also determine the
performance level of your notebook.

* Hard Drive: Check if it has a fixed drive; some units
have drives you can swap. As for size; around 20GB for most
notebook drives. You’ll need only a 20GB or 30GB for most
tasks on your notebook. If you handle large graphics or
large amount of files (dvd, M3Ps,etc.) you need more —
50 to 60GB or higher.

Also, keep in mind, that you also have the external
drive(s) option for storing and media-burning.

* Memory: How much do you need?

RAM (random-access memory). This is what the computer
uses to run applications and data on your operating
system. It’s generally agreed that you need at least
256MB for Windows XP and Mac OS X. You will only need
128MB for other operating systems in Windows or Mac.

* CD-RW Drive: You will need a CD-ROM for installing.
And a CD-RW drive for burning your own CDs if that’s
one of the tasks you want your notebook to do.

Keep in mind another option — many notebooks can access
or use external drives for data storage, cd burning, etc.

* LCD Displays: Most have LCD screens; this is different
from your desktop CRT (cathode-ray tube) monitor but most
people are famaliar with this type of displays — it’s
commonly found in digital camera and video recorders.

* Screen Size: You have to consider what size LCD display
you want. If you’re going to be viewing a lot of pictures
or movies on your notebook — a large 15 or 17 inch would
be better suited for your needs.

Usually, LCD screens range in size from 12 inches to 17
inches (diagonal). Viewing is usually set at 1,024×768
resolution. Quality is almost standard in all these
notebooks. But check them out at your dealers if picture
quality is your main reason for buying a notebook.

Note– Fujitsu LifeBook P ultraportable series has the
smallest displays 10.6 inches. The Apple PowerBook has
one of the largest at 17-inches.

* Modems: Most if not all notebooks have 56Kbps-modems
and Ethernet connections. As well as connections (ports)
for printers, VGA for external monitor and there should
be one or more USB ports for keyboards, drives, MP3’s
and digital cameras.

* Antennas: Most notebooks have built-in antennas for
wireless networking and portability. But check before
you buy!

* Portability: Might sound like a strange question
to ask about notebooks. Not really, most notebooks are
very portable, easy to carry — what they were designed for.
However; larger notebooks like the ‘desktop replacemets’
with 17 inch screens and weighing over 7 pounds might
not be the best choice for the heavy traveler. For example
the new HP Pavilion zd8000 weights a whopping 12 lbs!

* Accessories: Lastly, you should look at some
accessories that you might need with your notebook
computer. Many come with a Docking station or port
replicator — somewhere to store and access your
computer. Check on the functions of each before you buy.

You might consider buying an extra battery; especially
if you’re buying your laptop mainly for traveling and
in the field work.

Laptop bag is another accessory you should definitely
consider buying. Again, notebooks might seem lightweight
and small but if you have lug it around all day and you’re
going to wish you had bought that carrying bag.

Now Assess Your Computer Needs?

Finally, we come to the main question that determines which
notebook is right for you. (If money is no barrier!)

WHAT DO YOU NEED THE COMPUTER FOR? WHAT JOB OR TASKS DO
YOU WANT THE COMPUTER TO PERFORM?

If you want something small to carry on a plane, or if you
travel a lot, then go with an utralight — often called
ultraportables — these are the lightest and smallest
notebooks, about the size of spiral-bound notebook and
weighing less than four pounds.

If you’re a student and need something light weight but
also a little sturdy with a large hard drive (hold MP3s)
you might want to check out the ‘thin and light’ notebooks.

If you want to replace your main desktop with something
more portable — go with a ‘mainstream’ or
‘desktop replacements’.

If you want something you can use at home, work and
traveling around then you need ‘thin and light.’ If you
want an ‘all-around’ ‘all-in-one’ ‘do-it-all’ notebook …
then buy a notebook of this type.

Because it’s so flexible, and covers most of your computing
needs; this is the one that’s becoming the most popular.

That’s it – JUDGMENT TIME!

You have considered most of the facts about buying a
notebook computer. Now weight your options. Think about
the tasks you will be doing with your notebook. Look at
the checklist and check out the specs. Is everything covered.
Will the one you choose — have the features to do the job?

Keep that question in your mind. It’s the most important.

If you’re considered all these points; buying the notebook
with your name on it will be just a little bit easier.

In no time at all, you may be walking around with
one of those sleek, svelte — dare we say sexy –
accessories tucked under your arm.

Titus Hoskins

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For An Illustrated Version of This Article Click Here: Buying Notebooks Online Guide.

Copyright © 2005 Titus Hoskins of bizwaremagic.com.
This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

Visit http://www.bizwaremagic.com for more simple solutions to your online marketing tasks.

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