Stereo Systems

Stereo systems are electronic devices designed to reproduce high quality sound on speakers. Stereo systems can be as small as a personal CD player, or as large as a night club system. Nowadays, using a stereo system is the latest to amplify your taste in music quality, as well as jazz up the aura of your domicile. However, before deciding to buy a stereo, it is recommended that you give consideration to the specific things that you want.

Stereo systems offer an all-in-one music package composed of stereo speakers, CD player, equalizer, amplifier and a receiver. Picking out the type of system you desire depends solely on your preference and on the type of room where it will be stationed.

Generally, there are three aspects you need to consider when shopping for stereo systems: the sound capturing quality, appearance and affordability. The size and appearance of the stereo is important, because its appearance can greatly affect overall sound quality. Affordability is another factor that you should take into account. Most quality systems are expensive, so you need to take the time to make sure that you are buying the right system to fully enjoy the money you risked.

Furthermore, reading reviews posted in audio magazines and on the Internet will be very helpful in choosing the best stereo systems. You can compare the prices of the stereos available. You can also go to a consumer electronics warehouse, if you are looking for a bargain. However, if you need a high-end stereo then you should visit any specialty audio shops.

Stereos provides detailed information on Stereos, Car Stereos, Stereo Speakers, Stereo Systems and more. Stereos is affiliated with Digital Video Recorders.

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Lindsay Lohan - Phony Lesbian Cash Cow For Sam Ronson

Thanks to fake lesbian love, Samantha Ronson has been raking in the dineros. The club DJ and sister to hit music producer Mark Ronson and fashion designer Charlotte Ronson, used to receive $1500 a night, but she now brings in $25,000 a night thanks to her very famous and very special friend Lindsay Lohan. This makes her yearly income a whopping $3 million a year; not too shabby for sticking to a relationship full of intrigue and conflict.

"While Sam never contractually agrees that Lindsay will show up to her shows, promoters, owners and publicists all know that if you book Sam, there's a high likelihood Lindsay will also show," said an insider who happens to rub elbows with the celebrity couple. "Sam's now asking for a lot more money to spin, and she's getting it easily."

Besides simply getting to see the two of them together, people also get their money's worth seeing the two of them fight, which seems to be happening at greater and greater frequency lately. Sam has been trying to get her very own record produced, and is adamant that her Mean Girls girlfriend, who is also known for killing careers in a jiffy, not meddle during the album's production.
At a club in Miami recently, Lohan was sulking alone in one spot and, when asked if she was doing alright, her response was, "Sam is hired to host tonight, not me."

"They fight everyday," a friend of theirs divulged. "It's just jealousy and childish bickering over the fact that neither feels the other pays enough attention. While they really do love each other, this relationship will be over by March."

There has been much speculation over how authentic their relationship is. Many have accused Lohan of pretending to be a lesbian in yet another attempt to get everyone's attention. It seems, this time around, that Ronson has also been getting plenty of benefits in return. Besides getting exclusive rights to Lohan's famous knockers, she also gets to be a millionaire! Whether true, lesbian love or true financial dependence will keep their flame alive, however, remains to be seen.

Celebrity Gossip Hollywood http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com

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Megan Fox is Sexier Than Angelina Jolie

Megan Fox just may be the sexiest woman in Hollywood. I'm not just saying this because she has an outstanding body or amazing looks. I believe that she has an attractive "vibe" about her as well. Let's compare her to Angelina Jolie...

Megan Fox is Sexier Than Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie takes herself way too seriously! I have pointed this out to many of my female friends and they tell me that "I'm afraid of a powerful woman". This isn't true at all. Men just like a woman with a good positive vibe about her. Angelina doesn't have that cheerful aura about her. Megan seems like she would be a lot more fun to hang out with.

Is It Because Megan Fox is Younger?

Age really doesn't have anything to do with it. Megan is in her early 20's and Angelina is in her early 30's. This is a 10 year age difference, but it is not why men are more drawn to Fox. There is something to be said about the positive energy of youth, but even when Angelina was younger she seemed to take herself too seriously. More than anything she needs to smile a bit more.

Megan Fox Comes From a Modest Background

Angelina Jolie comes from a "Hollywood Family". Her dad is Jon Voight who was doing movies years before she was born. There is something to be said for a self-made star. Megan was born in Tenessee in a small family and began acting when she was 13. She began trained in acting and modeling at the age of 5. It took her 8 years before she got noticed. I'm sure her stunning looks helped, but it wasn't like she was an "overnight sensation".

Fake Tan, Plastic Surgery, etc...

Many women point to the work she has had done. Apparently she has had a couple of procedures done, but she was beautiful woman anyway. The tan and teeth whitening and the small procedures are just fine tuning. Megan Fox isn't a woman that looks plastic like Pamela Anderson. She is just flat-out sexy.

She Is In Great Shape

Angelina is in great shape as well, but has a tendency to get a bit too skinny. Megan Fox stays slim, but not in a way that looks unhealthy. Megan went from just being slim, to being toned for her role in Transformers. She admits to not enjoying working out, but does so anyway. If you look at her flat and toned stomach in Transformers, you realize that she did prep pretty hard for that role.

Learn how Megan Fox got in shape for Transformers. Hollywood's best personal trainer gets interviewed about how he trains Hollywood's actors and actresses to get that lean and slim look... Fat Loss Workout

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What is Fascia and How Can Massage Help It?

Fascia is the most abundant tissue in your body. It connects and wraps everything in the body in what are known as fascial planes. It is, therefore, a tough connective tissue that has a very important job. Spreading through the body in a 3-D type web arrangement, fascia surrounds everything in your body without interruption from your head to your feet.

Superficial fascia is located just under the skin and it fuses into a deeper layer of fascia which form speicalized 'wrappers' within the body and the second layer of fascia. Fascia that wraps the brain is called meninges (of which there are three: dura mater, arachnoid layer, pia mater). Fascia that wraps the heart is called the paracardium. Pariosteum wraps each bone and pleura wraps each lung. The dura mater, arachnoid layer, pia mater are composed of tissue that is known as the 3rd layer of fascia, or the deepest fascia.

Fascia is an intigral part of the body and its systems. It supports and stabilizes the body enhancing its postural support. It is vitally involved in all aspects of motion and it acts as a shock absorber. It aids in circulation, in particular circulation of the venous and lymphatic fluids. This ciruclation allows fluids (and infection) to pass freely along its fascial planes. When infection is flowing though fascia, changes will occur in the tissue and can lead to congestion. Sustained periods of congestion will lead to a more chronic problem within the body, the formation of fibrous and scar tissue. At this point, it is clear why fascia would be a major area of inflammation.

In the same way that pathologies can manifest within the body's fascia, health and vitality can too. Drinking plenty of water and eating food that contains nutrients necessary to sustain life are two crucial ways to positively influence your health. Hydration and nutrients will then pass through your fascial planes and give the body strength and stamina.

Another way to counteract the manifestation and flow of infection through your body is to seek out a massage therapist who treats the fascia. This type of treatment is called Myofascial Release. The therapist will feel for restrictions in the fascial and gently apply pressure into the restricted area. This process is doen very slowly because the therapist is feeling and waiting for several things to happen beneath the skin's surface: first a release of the elastic component of the fascia, second an engaging and release of the very strong collogenous barrier, and third a movement of the skin independently of the muscle upon which it sits.

When these three things occur it is called the thixotrophic reponse. Thixotrophy is the ability of certain substance to go from gelatinous to liquid. (Remember what happens to the jello salad left out in the sun at the family reunion?) Occasionally this process will lead the the finding of a trigger point which will be treated upon tissue release with direct pressure. To avoid splinting, pressure is moderated and applied skillfully as to facilitate a dulling out of pain and referred pain from the trigger point. After treating a trigger point it is crucial to stretch the treated muscle/area in order to realign and re-lengthen muscle fibers. Myofascial Release is highly effective, non-invasive (when done correctly), and wonderful therapy for the layers of our body that we so seldom think about!

Monica Leibacher, Bs.Ed, LMT, Aromatherapist (MA53274)

Medical Massage, Craniosacral Therapy, and Aromatherapy in Celebration, FL.

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6 Movies Worth Seeing Now

Now is a great time to go to the movies. In the last weeks of 2008, the Hollywood studios released their best pictures of the year so that these films would be uppermost in people's minds during the awards season, which is already under way. These high-quality movies will also likely stick around in theaters a little while longer than they might at other times of the year, which makes it easier to get out to see them.

1. Slumdog Millionaire is billed as the feel-good movie of the holiday season, but you shouldn't show up expecting instant gratification from this film. In fact, the movie has some pretty grim aspects, from a police-inflicted torture scene early in the film to gritty portrayals of Mumbai slum life. I thought the torture scene could have been left out of the movie, but the depiction of two young brothers and how they manage to fend for themselves is exhilarating. The boys as young adults are less interesting, and the film's end is pure fantasy, but that's Bollywood. It worked for me.

2. I read some negative reviews of The Reader that almost kept me away. But I vaguely remembered that I had read the book years ago, and I like Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, so I took a chance, and I really liked the film. I think the performances by the three primary actors are good, and the exploration of the male character's conflict was interesting to me.

3. I went to Doubt to see the always good Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman and to see how Amy Adams would do with a less-perky role. Knowing only the outlines of the plot, I expected the movie to be a somewhat formulaic tale about a priest suspected of molesting a child. Early on in the movie, Streep didn't convince me of the integrity of her nun/school principal character-she just seemed like Meryl Streep playing cranky. However, as the film proceeded, the details of the alleged victim's situation became more clear, and the story and the characters gained complexity. I ended up finding the movie more thought-provoking than anticipated and thinking that all the actors did pretty well, although I'd still rather have seen Cherry Jones than Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius.

4. I had read a lot about the making of Milk and some about the history and principal characters, so there weren't many surprises while watching the movie. I liked the grainy look of it, which I thought did give it a '70s feel and blended well with the bits of real footage that the filmmakers incorporated. I thought Sean Penn did a great job portraying Harvey Milk, based on the few clips I've seen of the real man. Thirty years after the assassination and a few months after the passing of Proposition 8, this movie is a very timely reminder that California still has some work to do to secure equal rights for all its citizens.

5. Watching the Watergate hearings and Nixon resigning are my first political memories, so Frost/Nixon was a must-see for me. While I wouldn't call this a life-changing movie, I enjoyed Frank Langella's portrayal of the disgraced president and the glimpse of what life might have been like for him after leaving the White House. The timing of this movie is impeccable-playing as it does against the backdrop of another Republican president and administration leaving the offices that many think they've abused.

6. The Wrestler is probably not for everyone. I'm no fan of professional wrestling (or boxing, for that matter), and I had to look away from the screen during a couple of the fight scenes, but I've always liked Mickey Rourke's characters, so I wanted to see his latest work. He does do a great job, and the story is a pretty convincing take on what the end days of a pro wrestling career might look like. Marisa Tomei is also very good.

I didn't see the purpose of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button - I thought it was just boring. Still on my list to see is Revolutionary Road.

Renee Munshi tries to see at least one or two movies a week.

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"Kamp Katrina" - A Review

"Kamp Katrina," a moving documentary about a small group of Hurricane Katrina survivors in New Orleans, had its East Coast premiere at the Florida Film Festival recently. Ms. Pearl, a native American and lifetime New Orleans resident, offers her backyard garden as a temporary tent city for 14 residents who lost their homes because of the hurricane and subsequent flooding. For up to six months, Ms. Pearl and her construction-worker husband generously provide space, hot and cold running water, and comfort to the displaced survivors, many of whom have problems with substance abuse and mental illness.

As Ms. Pearl and her husband work to rebuild homes, they simultaneously try to rebuild the lives of the strange assortment of people camping in their backyard. They offer counsel and a room in the house to the pregnant woman (and her husband) who guzzle alcohol, smoke cigarettes, take crack cocaine, and fight with each other. They provide a safe place for the delusional man who claims to have an invisible girlfriend. Others, however, are forced to leave because of violence and theft.

A flamboyant dresser (and previous addict herself), Ms. Pearl has a colorful wardrobe and personality. When she's not marching in the Mardi Gras parade or the Day of the Dead celebration, she's either working with her husband at his remodeling jobs or scouring the ravaged city looking for food and supplies for her backyard tenants. They come to her for guidance, advice, food, and medical care. In this sensitive documentary, Ms. Pearl, a small 56-year-old woman, towers over the other people in terms of inner strength. While struggling with her own monetary problems and the emotional strain of being surrounded by death and destruction, she becomes everyone else's shoulder to cry on.

First-time director Ashley Sabin and "Mardi Gras: Made in China" director David Redmon, have created a gripping documentary about the fringe society that has nowhere else to turn for help. Quirky upbeat music, flashes of colorful costumes, and occasional bursts of humor elevate this tragedy to a mesmerizing study of humanity under the worst conditions.

Copyright 2007 Leslie Halpern

For more movie news and reviews visit: http://home.roadrunner.com/~lesliehalpern Central Florida entertainment writer Leslie Halpern wrote the book "Reel Romance. The Lovers' Guide to the 100 Best Date Movies" (Taylor Trade Publishing), which reviews date movies and suggests romantic ideas inspired by these films. She is also the author of "Dreams on Film: The Cinematic Struggle Between Art and Science" (McFarland & Company), an analysis of representations of sleeping and dreaming in more than 125 movies.

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Restraint and Control Strategies

When you find someone with over thirty years of martial art training and law enforcement experience who can actually TEACH, you should run, walk, crawl to learn from him. Loren Christensen is such an individual, and if you cannot learn from him first hand, his DVD set "Restraint and Control Strategies: State-of-the-Art Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement and Security Professionals," published by Paladin Press is the next best thing.

In this DVD set, Christensen gives detailed explanation on the techniques and skills that are most effective for real street situations. Besides teaching the viewer how to perform techniques, Christensen explains the concepts behind the techniques and how a police officer, security personal, or just an individual needing to control or restrain someone in a street fight, can use them more effectively in real life encounters. Included in these control techniques on the first DVD are the armbar, lower back wrist flex, police wrist flex, bent arm lock, bent arm wrist flex, shoulder lock takedown and the outside twist. Christensen teaches these and their variations from the minimum custody hold to applying them from an attack. Each section has a review segment to aid in actually learning these techniques to use yourself.

In DVD two, Christensen gives further excellent instruction on principles that will help save you when things get ugly on the street. He covers principles such as the action-reaction principle; where the head goes, the body will follow; and the distraction principle. He goes into detail on how circles will aid in performing the techniques and generate more power to put a person on the ground. Christensen knows full well that sometimes a technique does not work in the street like planned, so he covers going from technique A to B when things are not working. Being able to change in mid-flow is a valuable skill, and the instruction on these tapes will help you develop your ability to handle these tough situations.

Besides the principles taught in the second DVD, many more techniques are shown as well. Christensen covers hair techniques, pressure points, striking techniques, and prone subject techniques so you can control the subject after using one of the numerous take downs described earlier. I especially enjoyed the fact that Christensen teaches in the DVDs, and is more concerned with passing on solid information that will help other officers and individuals in real life encounters, than he is about impressing viewers with his own skills. These are DVDs you will learn from, and if you practice what is being taught, your effectiveness and use of techniques will undoubtedly improve.

Even if you are familiar with some of the techniques taught on these DVDs, Christensen's detailed instruction is sure to help make them more effective and painful. Whether you are in law enforcement or security, or a martial artist wanting to increase the effectiveness of your joint-locks, these videos are an invaluable addition to any self-defense video library.

Alain Burrese, J.D. is a mediator/attorney with Bennett Law Office P.C. and an author/speaker through his own company Burrese Enterprises Inc. He writes and speaks about a variety of topics focusing on the business areas of negotiation and success principles as well as self-defense and safety topics. He is the author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks, several instructional DVDs, and numerous articles. You can find out more about Alain Burrese at his websites http://www.burrese.com or http://www.bennettlawofficepc.com

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Transfer VHS to DVD to Preserve Your Precious Home Movies

Many of us have a stack or in my case a few boxes full of old vhs tapes. They contain priceless memories (like my wedding video) that I want to preserve. To transfer vhs to dvd solutions are many and optimally, your budget and time will help you make the best decision.

There are basically 4 options when it comes to transfer vhs to dvd:

1 - Paying somebody else to do the job. I am sure if you do a little research in Google for "vhs transfer" including your city, you will find many businesses offering their services. Now, It is up to you to find out how professional they are. This is a very expensive solution, if like me, you have a few dozens tapes to transfer. I know I don't want to keep everything I recorded on my vhs tapes. I could go through watching each and every tape in my collection to select what part I do want to keep and transfer to DVD. There is probably a better option if you already have a computer;

2- Get a VHS - DVD recorder. You can buy a device that does this for around $250. But if the prospect of plugging yet another device in your already packed audio/video unit doesn't appeal to you. Or the fact that you probably have a vhs and dvd player already installed, then there is little incentive to go spend around $250 for a device that will just sit there when you have transferred all your vhs tapes to dvd.

3- Use a digital camcorder to capture analog video from the vhs player and then convert to a digital format using your computer. This is another way to transfer vhs to dvd. You will, of course need a DVD burner.

4- Since I have to watch every tape and make a selection, I might as well do the whole thing myself. But if you are not technically inclined or have no time, option number 1 is probably your best option. Most of us have a computer at home that we can use to transfer vhs to dvd. All you need is a capture card, some cables, software, a dvd burner and a vhs player. This solution allows for the best flexibility and if later on you discover a few more vhs tapes in a box somewhere, It will be very easy for you to transfer vhs to dvd on the fly.

So, if you are a bit technically savvy and want to make sure your precious video memories are transferred. Option number 4 is probably the best to transfer vhs to dvd. You can probably do this for a few hundreds. You will find plenty of software to do the editing and converting for free or under $50. You can even use Windows Movie Maker which is free and comes with Windows XP Service Pack 2. For those using a Mac, Imovie and iDVD can do the same.

To learn more about transfer vhs to dvd or how to capture analog video, go to http://transfervhstodvd.muxgo.com Alain Tanguay has been playing with computers and video for more than 20 years.

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Quick Ways to Repair a Scratched DVD

There are a lot of ways to repair a scratched DVD. Temporary fixes are quick and easy but don't last for very long while more permanent fixes take a little more time and effort but pay off in the long-run. What you need to decide is whether you want to repair that DVD just so you can play it right now or if you want to play it again later in the future. This article will cover the quickest fixes so that you can be up and running in a few minutes.

If you want that DVD running quickly then your best bet is "wax" the surface. Applying a thin layer of Vaseline on the plastic buffer will sometimes help the laser eye to see through to the data underneath. Another commonly used product is furniture polish. What you're doing is filling in the scratches on the DVD in order to make it easier for your player to read. I would not recommend using these methods to repair a scratched DVD if you want to continue to use that DVD later on.

There are a lot of suggestions out there on how to repair a scratched DVD but not all of them work (or are worth trying). Filling in the scratches with Banana, for example, is not a great idea. The last thing you want is bits of Banana or other stuff in your DVD player. Use common sense.

Many of the best ways to repair a scratched DVD use polishing as a method of making scratches appear more shallow. This is an ideal solution but doing it manually can cause more damage then you originally had. No matter what material you use to polish manually, whether its toothpaste or Brasso, the job is doomed to be uneven and will eventually destroy the DVD altogether.

If you want to repair a scratched DVD for some time to come then you are better off just biting the bullet and buying an automated system. I've lost several DVD's to toothpaste or furniture polish but never to an automated system. I even bought one for my home so that I can just fix my DVDs minutes before I play them. It's the quickest way, it guarantees perfect results, and fixing even two movies pays back the investment.

Fixing scratched DVD's (CD's and Games too) can be time-consuming and sometimes causes more damage in the long run. Visit The Electronic Toy Room for advice on quick and easy ways to fix your scratched DVD's properly!

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Upgrading Your Toshiba Laptop CDROM Drive

In this post I'm going to discuss how difficult it is to upgrade yourCDROM drive on your Toshiba Laptop. The discussion includes all models of the Toshiba Laptop on sale and previous models all the way back to 1999!

This article is aimed at all skill levels, and you do not need to be a "techie" to understand many of the conceptsI'amgoing to talk about.

Perhaps yourCDROM drive, burner, DVD player has finally given up the ghost? you go online only to discover that its actually more difficult than you imagined to replace and purchase a replacement drive for your Toshiba laptop.

We will start with what is a CDROM drive?

Simply put it is a device can can read data from aCDROM which has its data read surface programmed in such a way that a controlled laser beam can read any part of theCDROM disk. To enable the data to be read from the surface faster the disc is usually rotated around about 12X up to 52X times the speed of a single speedCDROM drive. A single speed drive has the ability to transfer 150 kilobytes of data per second (which is really slow! by todays standards), where a 24XCDROM drive will transfer 3.6 Megabytes of data per second. Most modern drives whether they are aCDROM drive, DVD readers, DVD and CDRW drives and DVDRW drives are usually have a transfer rate of around 24X and upwards. Older systems usuallyhad a2x, 4x, or 8X and 10x drive fitted as standard, earlier DVD drives were 2x or 4x and more modern DVD's are at least 12X upwards including DVD/CDRW drives.

CDROM refers to a media type that is read only and that is you cannot change the data on the CD by attempting to write over it. CDRW indicates that a CD disk has the property of being able to write dataon it, as are DVDRW Cds.

Most Toshiba laptops manufactured within the last 4 years will certainly be fitted with a CDROM/DVD/CDRW drive (commonly called combo drives), if you take a look at the front bezel of the drive it will actually be displayed on a legend. Or you can view the properties of the drive in the device manager inside the system icon located within the control panel.

If perhaps you have a Toshiba Laptop that is around this age you may find that by this time the drive is "tired" or intermittent and perhaps is due for a replacement.

The good news is that it is no longer very expensive to replace any drive and even better depending on which model you own, removal of a drive is within your ability. Even better still most modern drives fitted to most of the Toshiba range of laptops were fitted with the newer "generic" type of plastic cover bezel, this means that with little or no modification you can buy a bare drive remove the original bezel and then fit this to the new drive and then fit the drive inside the laptop. On older machines of age greater than 4-8 years old, Toshiba fitted many different front bezel styles that were particularly made for that type of drive fitted, butit can bedone with little or no effort on 50% of the machines manufactured. Some Toshiba machines for example as the Satellite Pro 4030CDT/CDS series of machines are not easy to do and it is not recommended that you try, and quite frankly if you are still using this model its not worth it. The same goes for the Satellite 1100 and 1110 machines (PIII1300 Celeron, and P4 1.5G Celeron machines respectively)but at least these machines are still very usable if your using Windows Xp or Windows 2000 and may be worth it factoring in the labour costs plus the drive.

Most of the Toshiba Tecra range, approx 40% of the Portege range,100% of the Equium range,50% of the Satellite Pro and Satellite range can be done very easily without major trauma and drives can be purchased easily.

Some models such as the Satellite A60 (and Pro, Equium range) are fitted with abare drive, that is they are just as they come with nothing else except a fixing bracket attached to the rear of the drive with whichyou can remove very easily. More modern Toshiba laptops (from 2006 onwards) are now fitted with this style of drive.

Models that predate 2006 were fitted with drives fixed inside a caddy or a special plastic carrier, but essentially they are exactly a bare drive when they are removed from the caddy. The advantage of placing the drive in a caddy was simply to protect the drive and provide an easy method of removing the drive from the machine very easily. The downside of this is added weight, use of special connectors and in some cases specially shaped front panel bezels on the front of the drives. Most of these drives that were manufactured with a caddy are a specific logic and require replacements that fit that exact logic. An example of a popular machine would have been the Toshiba Satellite Pro 6100 (P4 1.6G, machine), as is the Tecra 9100 series machine (P4 1.6G~1.8G machines). All these drives are readily available as either new or good working second hand units. The drives themselves are interchangeable with different models from this era, but the bezel colours and styles were different.

So what if my CDROM drive has failed?

No problem, if the machine has a caddy system you can release the locking catch on the underside of the laptop and pull out the drive and then remove the caddy or buy another complete drive with caddy and reassemble, on more modern machines you will need to dismantle the system partially to gain access to remove the drive.

What do I buy if I can't get the original drive?

These days a basic CDROM drive is not really enough in terms of being useful, so you should look at a minimum a DVD/CDRW drive (DVD reader, Data writer), or perhaps a DVD/CDRW/DVDRW(DVD reader, Data writer, DVD writer), or if you are upgrading a CDROM/DVD/CDRW drive then go to the next higher combination. Newer drives being as they are will be faster than older drives, some people who are constantly burning onto media will require faster drives check the spec before you buy and in this case always buy new, if you are just upgrading but are only going to occasionally write data then you can upgrade toa DVD/CDRWdrive. If the CDROM device that you have removed predates 2006 then you may be better buying a used replacement drive that been tested and working with of course a suitablewarranty.

Technology Hierarchy

• CDROM = cdrom
• CDRW = cdrom reader/writer
• DVD = cdrom reader/dvd reader
• DVD/CDRW = cdrom reader, dvd reader, cdrom write(data)
• DVDRW = cdrom reader,dvd writer (DVD cdr)
• DVD/CDRW/DVDRW = cdrom reader,dvd reader,cdrom writer,dvd writer
• DVD/CDRW/DVDRRW= cdrom reader,dvd reader,cdrom writer,dvd writer, DVD re-writer.

Assuming you made it this far!

I would like to thank you for reading thisarticle and I hope it has been useful!

Benny Holden

I have worked with Toshiba/Dell/Gateway/IBM Laptops over the last 15 years. From the Satellite 2100 (all white with a blue DSTN 10" screen!)to the most recent Toshiba G40 QOSMIO

I work on all aspects of TOSHIBA Laptop repairs right down to component level, BGA removal and replacement and reballing, and a multitude of refurbishment programs for these machines.

I have also written many very useful E-books on all aspects of maintaining, repairing and upgrading any Toshiba Laptop

If you want to know more about any Toshiba Laptop click on the Link below!

http://upgrademytosh.synthasite.com

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The Benefits of LCD TVs!

LCD TVs use the same technology found in everything from computer monitors to watches and clocks. It uses thousands of small pixels which sit behind the TV screen. Behind these pixels there's a fluorescent white backlight. When the light hits the pixels, an electric current determines how much light is fed into one of three colored chambers, these are red, green and blue. The amount of light will then determine which color shows up on your screen, and millions of these pixels make up the image that you see on your television screen.

Firstly an LCD screen has far more pixels per square inch than a standard TV (also known as a CRT television.) This means that the image displayed on your screen is far crisper and clearer, resulting in a sharper image. Secondly, due to the LCD screen being back-lit, there will be little or no flare when the sunlight bounces on the screen surface. Apart from the obvious benefits, this also makes LCD screens easier to watch and puts less stress on the eye.

Although LCD TV's aren't quite as versatile as plasma televisions, LCD's have an added advantage of being primarily flat in shape. This means that in addition to occupying less space in your home, a widescreen LCD TV can be viewed from a wide range. LCD televisions are also so compact that a 16 inch LCD flat-screen will offer the same degree of viewable screen as a 20 inch standard television.

Although this will not be your main reason for purchasing an LCD TV, it is worth noting that most modern LCD TVs are slim and stylish. They've also been designed with the ability to wall mount in mind. This gives most owners the option to hang their LCD TV on a wall, creating more space in the room. They also normally come with a widescreen aspect ratio which basically means you can watch movies and DVDs the way they were meant to be.

One of the flaws a plasma screen will have is a risk of 'image burn'. This mainly occurs when a paused or frozen frame remains on the screen too long and the result is a ghosting image emblazoned onto the screen. Fortunately LCD's do not suffer with this problem and you have no risk of this happening to your new TV!

Finally but by no means the least important of benefits is the LCD's economics. As a rule, LCD TV's use up to 60% less power to run than both standard CRT and Plasma screen TV's! What more could you want than a crystal clear image, a clean and bright viewing area, great picture quality and even a lower energy bill in addition! Why not check out the latest Sony LCD TVs take a look today.

Gary is the Editor of Which LCD TV.co.uk your one stop website for High Definition LCD TV's bringing you the latest reviews of the hottest new models from the worlds top manufacturers such as Sony, Philips, Panasonic, Samsung and more!

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Digital Video Disc

Digital video disc or digital versatile disc abbreviated as DVD is one of the most popular optical disc storage media today. Its immediate predecessor VCD (Video cd) was a decent format for video data. Usually people prefer DVD to VCD because VCD has less storage capability (600-700MB) which limits the number of pixels and decibels a movie can burn in. A DVD can store a data of 1.36GB to 15.9GB.

DVD MANUFACTURING SERVICES

It is a physical manufacturing of your DVD from scratch raw materials. The DVD master content is transferred on to a smooth glass master by etching the data into it with a laser. Then manufacturing equipment is used to press DVD content into molten poly carbonate plastic, plastic rings with DVD coating.

DVD PRODUCTION

DVD uses 650mm wavelength laser to etch on the media surface. They are in such a way that they allow laser to write data so tiny, so that it can accommodate more data.

DVD DUPLICATION

Consider a project that requires less than 1000 pieces or has many different masters; the most cost effective method is to have the project duplicated. Duplication is the process of recording information into blank DVD's often called burning because a laser is used to heat a chemical dye in the disc. Literally burn marks are to be read as data. Using large duplication towers we can burn many discs at once which increase the speed and accuracy. Loading and unloading discs can be automated using robotic duplication. The entire duplication just requires 24 hours.

DVD PRINTING

Printed DVD's provide completely a smooth laminated finish. This includes the production of stunning labels, attractive text and fully colored photo realistic images with dense field of color of on DVD's.

DVD PACKAGING

Packaging is generally termed into 2 groups.

1. standard packaging
2. creative packaging

Standard packaging includes the standard CD jewel case, slim jewel case, clam shells, ejector case, DVD case and plastic wallets which fall under the mailing and storage category.

Creative packaging includes the digipak, printed card wallets, mail packs, 3 packs, slipcases, and more. These are created mostly from card and can be printed, or glass laminated and even embossed.

DVD VS CD

The mastering of DVD is comparable to that of CD. The only difference is that thanks to fixer engraving it is possible to store 7 to 25 times more data on a CD of same diameter. By engraving 2 layers of data, one on top on the other, on each side of DVD it becomes possible to store up 9.4GB of information.

For information on music CD duplication be sure to visit BisonDisc.com, an industry leader in CD and DVD duplication, replication and copying for professionals in the music and TV industry.

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Film Composition - Creating an Effective Image

For those of you who have photography experience, this term may already be familiar to you. Composition is the term used to describe the way an image is set up.

The rectangle that encloses every frame of your film becomes the window through which the viewer looks into the world you have created. For the duration of the film, you want this to be their reality.

However, this "window" is unlike reality in that said viewer does not have the ability to look around and take in more information than you give them; they are limited to only the knowledge you provide them through visual and aural means.

Think of the way you set up each shot as a tool that you can use to shape your viewers' perception of every moment. If you're going to provide them with this information, you want it to appear in a way that draws the eye to its most important parts so that these parts are quickly recognizable.

The Z-Axis

Although a film is technically a two-dimensional (2D) image on a screen, part of an audience's suspension of disbelief relies on your ability to appeal to their subconscious and make them think they're looking at a 3D reality.

What I mean by that is, if they're looking at an image that resembles something they might see in real life, they'll be more likely to submit themselves mentally to what you're putting in front of them.

When we speak about the layers of composition available in an image, we're talking about the appearance of depth - how far away things appear to be, or what we call the Z-axis. Home videos have a tendency to be really flat; they don't have a lot of z-axis depth (because of the way video cameras work).

To separate our general layers along the Z-axis, we use the terms foreground, middleground, and background. Lighting, depth of field, elevation, and perspective can be used to give depth to each of these layers of distance.

Light and shadow, for example, play an important role in an audience's perception of the Z-axis. When a person stands in the doorway of a dark room with light coming in from the other side, a silhouette is created. When a three-point lighting setup is used to illuminate half of a person's face slightly brighter than the other half, it gives the person three-dimensional qualities.

The X and Y Axes

The other part of composition involves the spatial arrangement of focal points in the frame from left to right and from top to bottom. Applicable to both photography and cinematography, the rule of thirds specifies the points in an image where the center of interest should be.

Imagine a picture - any picture - or use an actual image you've got lying around. Start at the top left corner, and then go a third of the way across the top. Draw an imaginary line on the image from top to bottom. Go another third of the way across and draw another imaginary line. Now your image is divided into thirds vertically. Do the same thing horizontally, and you'd have a total of nine "boxes" divided by these imaginary lines.

There are also four points at which the lines intersect. These points, according to the rule of thirds, are the best places around which to orient the focal points of an image.

Audience Perception

Using a combination of factors on the Z, X, and Y axes is key if you want to take your imagery to a new height. When you consider composition, remember that what's outside the frame is often just as important as what's shown within it.

For more on improving your filming and editing including tips, articles, and informational videos, please continue on to Indie Filmmaking.com.

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Sex And Lucia - Foreign Film Review

Sex and Lucia (Luca y el Sexo)
Made in: Spain
Language: Spanish

Synopsis: Luca (Paz Vega) is a free-spirited waitress who's trying to get over a bad breakup with her boyfriend Lorenzo (Tristn Ulloa), who's a writer. When she hears that Lorenzo's been in a car accident, she assumes he's been killed.

Devastated, Luca takes a trip to the remote island off the Spanish mainland where she and Lorenzo used to go. While coming to terms with her loss and life, she meets Elena (Najwa Nimri), who runs a lodging house for visitors (kind of like a bed & breakfast).

The story then takes us back six years prior, and we learn about the intertwined histories of Luca, Lorenzo, and Elena, and the emotional entanglements that result. And while working on his latest novel, Lorenzo discovers that he's the father of an illegitimate child.

As he later becomes intrigued with the child's alluring nanny, Beln (Elena Anaya), Lorenzo's real-life complications find themselves into his work and we're treated to a complicated and often confusing tale of sex, romance, love triangles, jealousy...and cooking.

Remarks: At its core, Sex and Lucia is actually a pretty intriguing story with the blending of time, characters' lives, fiction, and reality done in very creative ways. As it was with Lovers of the Arctic Circle (Los Amantes del Crculo Polar), Julio Medem once again makes a compelling drama about seriously dysfunctional people.

The coincidental, and seemingly impossible connections between characters, made me think of David Lynch's Mulholland Drive at times. But as confusing as it is, this mobius strip of a film somehow logically works itself out in the end. From a technical standpoint, the cinematography is great and the bright, stylized way that many of the exteriors are filmed give the film a lot of character.

However, the overall narrative of Sex and Lucia doesn't quite live up to its juicy title. Sure, there is plenty of sex in the first half of the movie, but once the plot starts thickening the tone changes so much that you might wonder if you're still watching the same film. And once that happens, the sex scenes from before start feeling out of place.

Don't get me wrong. As a guy, I have no problem with seeing Paz Vega and Elena Anaya in the buff. But after I (eventually) discovered that this story was indeed a deep psychological drama (as opposed to a porno disguised as art), I think this film could have worked fine without the gratuitous nudity and shameless boob shots.

Furthermore, Paz Vega's character Luca is not as central to the entire story as we're led to believe, so I'm not sure the title is all that accurate. And if I'm not mistaken, the slinky red dress that Vega wears on the Sex and Lucia movie poster (and DVD cover) isn't actually seen in the film.

Who would like this movie: You'll like the first half of Sex and Lucia if you're the type who's too embarrassed to rent porn from your local video store because you're worried that the sales clerk or other customers in line will think you're some kind of pervert.

But when the actual story kicks in, this movie should appeal to fans of foreign films and those who appreciate complex, psychological narratives. But the contrast between the first and second halves are jarring, and will most likely color your overall expectations/impressions of the film.

(2 and 1/2 out of 4 stars)

Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Paz Vega, Tristn Ulloa, Najwa Nimri, Daniel Freire, Elena Anaya
Year: 2001

Joe Yang is a freelance film reviewer specializing in foreign films. You can find more reviews of foreign dramas at his website: http://www.foreign-films-for-you.com/international-movies.html

The site is often updated- please visit often!

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Touch Screen DVD Players

Technology is such a wonderful thing. It has helped us live our lives faster and easier. It has created a lot of wonderful new products that entertain and help us in our daily needs. However, constantly changing technology can also be a little overwhelming; making even the easiest tasks, such as choosing a touch screen DVD player, hard and quite a bit confusing.

With many touch screen DVD players available in the market, it may be quite a challenge to choose which player suits your needs the most.

Here's a little guide for you to follow when buying a touch screen DVD player.

Is it complete?

There is nothing worse than paying good money for a touch screen DVD player that lacks other components. Check the model or manufacturing number of your touch screen DVD player to make sure that you are buying the right one and make sure that you are getting all the features you wanted.

Also, check with the store or with the website (do some research beforehand if you have to) if they are offering packages, such as additional speakers, amplifiers, etc. with your touch screen DVD player. These packages will help you enhance your movie watching experience.

Will you be able to connect your USB storage devices, memory cards and other digital storage formats to your touch screen DVD player?

Although, the primary use of your player is to play DVD's, it is best to check if your player has additional features such as memory card slots and USB ports. Most DVD players nowadays allow you to play formats other than the DVD. These additional functions are great when you want to view pictures, short videos, films and other digital formats from your computer or download them straight from your camera to your home entertainment system.

Check your touch screen DVD player for these options so that you can get your money's worth.

What digital formats does your player support?

If your touch screen DVD player allows you to connect external digital storage devices then it would be smart to check what kind of file formats it plays. Does it play .avi, .mp3 and .mpeg formats? Make sure that it supports all the formats that you want to view.

What region DVD's does this player accept?

Over the years, DVD's are becoming increasingly multi-regional but that doesn't necessarily mean that every touch screen DVD player will play every DVD you have. It is best to check which region of DVDs is played by your player. Make sure that this region is compatible with the region of your DVD's.

Many touch screen DVDs come with 4-channel high power speakers with sub outputs. Sets also include full function remote control and car mounting hardware. These days, you even get in-dash touch screen DVD players that come with a large number of helpful features. For instance, there are DVD players with Telephone Mute Trigger wires and Brake screen safety triggers.

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Laptop Buying Guide

There's a fantastic range of laptop computers available to buy online, with a variety of features to suit different needs and uses. Here are some useful hints and tips about things to consider when choosing a laptop.

How to Choose a Laptop

Laptop computers - also known as notebooks - offer the same features and specifications as desktop computers but in a portable form. A laptop's portability makes it much more flexible to use than a desktop computer, and the long lasting, rechargeable batteries offer freedom and convenience.

A laptop computer consists of one unit, usually with a keyboard and hardware in one section, and a screen section connected to it, so the laptop can be opened and closed in a 'clam style' fashion. Most laptops will fit into specially designed bags and cases for added protection when you're on the move.

One of the first things to do before you start looking for a laptop computer is to decide what you want to do with it. Will you need it for studying, running a small business, for entertainment, or a combination of activities?

Features to Look for When You Buy a Laptop

It's important to remember that a laptop's uses will be largely governed by its specifications. Those specifications differ widely between the models of laptop computer available to buy online or in the shops.

Here are the features and specifications that will make a difference on your laptop:

• Operating system: This is the basic software that makes use of the laptop's processing system. There are two main types of operating system - Windows, from Microsoft, and OS X, from Apple Macintosh. Both systems perform well and run most common software applications, including Microsoft Office, media players and internet browsers. Windows is the largest selling operating system in the world, but while most laptops come with Windows, OS X is popular for its graphics and publishing capabilities.
• Processor: Processors are composed of chips that drive and control the laptop's functions. Intel and AMD manufacture the main types of processor. Your laptop will usually come with a powerful processor, though it's worth comparing the different types.
• RAM: This is Random Access Memory, which is used to run software. Most laptops will come with at least 512 - 1024 megabytes of RAM, which is adequate for most users. Consider buying more memory if you want to run several large software programs at the same time.
• Hard disc drive: This is where all your files, software applications and other data are stored. While desktop computers usually have larger hard drives, most laptop hard drives are up to 80 gigabytes in size. If you are planning to store large amounts of music, video or other data on your laptop, consider buying extra hard drive storage space
• Optical drive: This is usually a combined CD and DVD drive, and is used for both playing and recording onto CD and DVD, though some laptops will be cheaper if the DVD option only plays. If you are planning on recording movies or storing large amounts of data then consider a DVD recorder drive.
• Wi-Fi: Wireless Fidelity enables your laptop to connect to the internet without using wires. Wi-Fi 'hot spots' exist in many towns, so you can access the internet while you're on the move. You can buy wireless routers for your house too, so you can move around with your laptop and still remain online.
• Ports: For printing, music amplification, and connecting to other devices, laptops use ports as well as wireless connections. USB ports are the most versatile, so the more of these the better. Firewire ports are ideal for camcorders, and Ethernet ports are great for high-speed internet access.
• Battery: The battery life between charges determines how much usage you can get from your laptop while away from mains power. Battery life is usually up to about 10 hours, but it does vary between laptop models and depends on whether you run powerful software applications.
• Screen: Screen display sizes on laptops vary from 10 inches to over 17 inches. Usually the bigger the display, the more you will pay for your laptop.
• Accessories: Laptops can come with a range of accessories, or they may be available to buy separately. Accessories include: carry bags and cases - essential for protecting the laptop when on the move; speakers - to improve sound amplification; and web cams - unless your laptop has a built-in web cam, you will need to buy one if you want to use your laptop for video conferencing.

Do I Need to Buy an Extended Laptop Warranty?

Once you've decided on the specifications you require, try to keep within a set budget, and don't be distracted by features and specifications that you don't need.

Look out for laptops that include the types of software that will suit your needs. Apple Macintosh computers such as the latest Apple MacBook come with a range of useful software already installed, but can be more expensive than Windows laptops.

Before choosing your laptop, find out what type of warranty is offered with it. A warranty will cover the cost of repairs or replacements under certain conditions for at least a year. Sometimes it's worth paying extra for an extended warranty, especially if you are buying a more expensive laptop.

Online retailers hold regular sales and discounts and offer reconditioned laptop bargains, so by taking advantage of these offers and comparing laptop prices between different retailers, you might end up with a better model of laptop for your money.

Savebuckets price comparison site has searched hundreds of online shops and allows you to check different laptop models and compare prices.

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Backup Xbox 360 Downloads

Xbox 360 boasts hard-hitting games in its console. Utilizing its powerful processor and graphic capabilities, It has some of the best games around. These top seller games include Call of duty 2, Ghost recon advanced warfare, the elder scrolls IV: Oblivion, Dead or Alive 4, Saints row, Gears of war and the best-selling game Halo 3. These are just a sample of the games for the new Xbox and there are lots more of titles available not only in the market but also in the internet for download.

If you have these games, it will surely pass around friends that have an Xbox 360. Its breath taking graphics and heart pounding action will surely make you play the game again and again. But due the fact that the Microsoft xbox360 is causing a lot of trouble on game discs like scratches due the malfunction of several dvd-drives and therefore you should be able to backup your own copy.

Here's a quick guide on how to do it:

Requirements:

1) A dvd-drive which can be easily taken apart

2) Your xbox360 game

3) Data/Movie dvd which is at least 8gigabyte in size

4) Philips screwdriver to open your dvd-drive

5) WxRipper can be found @ http://www.360-scene.org/

6) Optional: Wx360 which can be found @ http://www.360-scene.org/

7) Last but not least, some patience

1: Take your dvd-drive apart

First, we need to access the laser unit of our dvd-drive, this can usually be done by removing the screws which holds it casing.

2: Installing your dvd-drive

The hardest part is over now and we should now connect our dvd-drive to the computer and place it on an easy accessible place.

3: WxRipper

By now you should have extracted both files mentioned earlier and have them installed on your computer, and then run WxRipper.

a) Put your dvd in the drive which is over 8 gigabyte and wait until your computer recognized it.

b) From the menu select Hotswap and then "Find magic number".

c) After the magic number has been found you select "Stop drive".

d) Now comes the magic part, you need to switch the dvd which is in your drive with your original game.

Warning: this needs to be done without pressing the eject button!!

e) When everything is back in place you can select "spin drive"

f) When the drive is spinning again then it is time to dump the image. Clicking on "start dump" can do this

g) You can take a break now as this stage can take a long time depending on the read speed of your DVD drive.

h) After it's done, you have now dumped your xbox360 game.

- The dumped image is an exact RAW copy of the original game disc, which means any dummy data is copied with this.

- You can now burn this .iso file to an empty dvd-r dl.

With this you can now play your favorite game over and over again without the fear that the disc will be damaged.

Marcus Rolland writes informative articles on various subjects including Backup Xbox 360 downloads. You are allowed to publish this article in its entirety provided that author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and included with every reproduction.

Check out the guide to Backup Xbox 360 downloads http://backupxbox360downloads.blogspot.com

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First Steps With Your New Guitar

You just came home from the store after doing your research, or you are the proud recipient of a prized gift.

You unpack your new guitar with fierce anticipation. The light shimmers off the highly polished surface. Your new new amplifier and cables are ready to go.

There they sit.

Now what?

First, here's what you should NOT do: Worry... Panic... Feel overwhelmed.

The bad news is: No one is born knowing how to play guitar

The good news is: Plenty of others have blazed a trail for you.

The practical tips in this article will get you started on the right foot. Think of them as "pre" beginner lessons.

Step 1: Buy a music theory book.

Musician's don't like to admit it, but it's hard to play well if you don't understand the underlying concepts of music. You can probably get by, possibly for a long time, without knowing music theory. But you don't want to "get by." You want to enjoy the instrument. You want to understand how to play a melody, improvise a solo, or substitute a difficult chord for an easier one. It's not hard, simply study a little music theory each week.

My favorite theory book is Sandy Feldstein's "Practical Theory - Complete." Though not specifically for guitar, this consolidated version of her multi-volume set is filled with well-paced material, clear explanations, and exercises to check your understanding (answers are in the back of the book). Work from front to back, or use the detailed Table of Contents to jump directly to a specific topic. It's at bargain at about $10.

Step 2: Buy two or more guitar instruction books with DVD's.

The best guitar instruction books for beginners include a DVD. The book will provide traditional written instructions, reference charts, a glossary and more. A well done DVD should include demonstrations, instruction, tuning help, plus drum and simple accompaniment tracks to play along with.

Fender has two very good instruction books with DVD's, one for Acoustic Guitar ("Fender Presents: Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners") and one for Electric Guitar ("Fender Presents: Getting Started on Electric Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners"). They're practically interchangeable, so pick up only one. Each contains step-by-step instructions to learn tuning methods, essential chords, scales, practice tips, picking and strumming techniques, basic care of your instrument, and more. The DVD contains over three hours of material to help illustrate the book material, plus backing tracks for the exercises, an animated fretboard, and visual aids for things like finger placement, strumming, muting, and much more.

Books and DVD's won't replace a good instructor, nor will they teach you in-depth guitar method, but they're a great way to get started.

Step 3: Buy a couple simple songbooks.

There's a million of them out there. Buy ones with songs that are familiar to you and have only a few chords per song. Most include chord charts to refresh your memory. Don't be too concerned if a few songs have complex looking chords: either come back to them later, simplify the chord by playing only the first three strings, or have someone show you how to change the key with a capo.

Here are a few recommendations: "Country Licks For Guitar" by Steve Trovato and Jerome Arnold features lead guitar licks from the masters of country guitar: Chet Atkins, Jimmy Bryant, James Burton, Albert Lee, Scotty Moore, more... a CD (included) contains normal and slow speed backing tracks. The "Instant Guitar Fakebook," edited by Peter Pickow, contains over 150 songs, plus photo/chord diagrams. Songs include the melody line in music and tab, with lyrics. Have fun with "Front Porch Songs" - a collection of old-time songs, stories, and corny jokes collected by Wayne Erbsen. "The Greater Guitar White Pages" from Warner Brothers, is a huge collection of songs spanning a number of years and styles, from "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter" by Herman's Hermits, to Def Leppard's "Photograph" and Smash Mouth's "All Star."

Step 4: Find a way of learning from others.

I started in a classroom setting, where your mistakes blend into a mistake concerto. It's not intimidating at all.

Of course, individual lessons are the best way to learn while avoiding bad habits... assuming you find the right instructor. Ask around and don't be afraid to switch if you're not learning and having fun.

Jamming with friends is great way to kick-start your playing. You'll be encouraged to practice and they're certain to understand the occasional missed chord or puzzled look thrown their way.

Since you're reading this, you're part of the online-community. There are a number of guitar sites on the Internet. I recommend the community-oriented http://www.guitarnoise.com for instruction and sharing by guitarists of all levels. My own site, start-playing-guitar.com is geared to guitarists who are absolute beginners, up to those who are just beginning to perform with others. Both sites are updated regularly. Take a few minutes to look at each.

Step 5: Practice every day.

It can be tough, especially when you're first starting out, but it's the only way you'll improve. At a minimum, work on part of your favorite material every day.

Step 6:Have fun!

This is the most important part, enjoying your new guitar!

Mary Poppins said "a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down."

Snow White's Seven Dwarf's made their workday easier by advising: "whistle while you work."

So: Play with others... Really turn up the volume when you're by yourself... Get a simple drum machine for accompaniment... Learn a very simple song and play it for all it's worth... Whatever!

A lifetime of learning and enjoyment await. Now go get started!

Steve Brannon started playing musical instruments as a teenager. He played French Horn in his Junior and Senior High Orchestra's, as well as the high school Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. He earned a slot in the County Youth Orchestra during his Junior year. As an adult Steve learned piano, and, beginning in 2004, fell in love with the guitar. He plays weekly in his church praise band and maintains the Start-Playing-Guitar.com website.

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How To Put Videos On PSP In 4 Simple Steps

Sonys little wonder machine is a real jack of all trades in the electronic entertainment field-there really isnt too much that it cant do but Ive noticed that out of all my friends that have PSPs, not one person uses it for movies! I found this a little odd, until I realised that none of them know how to do it! Its not as hard as people seem to think so hopefully once youve read this article youll know how to put videos on PSP, and I can get my friends to look at this article instead of asking me questions all the time!

The first thing that stops most people from finding out how to put videos on PSP is they dont have enough free memory-You are going to need to buy as big a memory stick as you can afford-512mb is going to be the bare minimum here.

The second essential is to have a computer handy which you can link to the PSP via a USB cable. An internet connection will be useful too, but is not essential unless there are things you need to download.

1-Connect the computer and the PSP together, making sure that the PSP is switched off to begin with, and switch the PSP on once the connection is made.

2-With the PSP go into the SETTINGS menu, and press X, which should link the PSP to the computer. If you then go into MY COMPUTER on the computer, you should see an extra volume has been attached. This is the PSP/Playstation Portable.

3-Open the PSP memory card and then open the folder called PSP. With this open you need to create another folder inside that one, this one called MP_ROOT and then another one called 100mnv01

4-Save the movies you want to watch in the folder 100mnv01 and then you are ready to rock! The movies can be started by clicking on the saved image inside the memory card. One thing to note though is that the movies need to be in MP4 format (Google it), and if you want to convert your existing DVDs etc to this format you may want to get some specialized software.

Okay there we are, how to put videos on PSP in 4 easy steps!

Click HERE to find out EXACTLY how to put videos on your PSP, and get your FREE MP4 Conversion software now!
Click here to find out how to download free games and get the most from your PSP.
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Scratched DVDs And How To Repair Them

You are trying to watch your favorite movie on your DVD player and you suddenly notice that it is not playing. So, what's wrong? You suddenly remember your pet dog Toby was playing with it days earlier and made a lot of scratches on it. What you now have is a scratched DVD.

Another scenario might occur when you buy a DVD from your local store, and it leads to a no show at home. You are then shocked to find out that there are many scratches on the playable part of the DVD.

Since not everyone is fond of watching every second of their DVDs, like the title and the credits, it is impossible to know if any of the parts are still watchable.

All About Scratched DVDs

There are a number of solutions that can be used in such a situation, and all of them are well within a tight budget. You can buy a DVD repair kit, which would contain some tools to make your disk playable on your DVD player or in the DVD-Rom of your computer or gaming console.

A DVD repair kit contains a wax-like cleaner and a non-abrasive cloth. Apply 3-4 drops of the wax-like cleaner on the scratched DVD and rub it gently. A couple or three minutes later you can softly clean the surface with the cloth provided in the kit.

If you want to prevent your DVDs from being scratched, try an expensive multi DVD changer. Buy something that can change somewhere near 300-400 DVDs at once. Then you can put them into the changer and play it for an unlimited time. It would take you at least a month to see all the movies. When you have finished watching all your movies then replace the old ones with new ones.

In this way, you can save many disks from being scratched. However, the investment is a hefty one for buying this multi disk changer. However, take it as a one-time investment. The investment can act as insurance protection for your priceless collection.

You can use professional software, which will retrieve data from your scratched disk. The software scans the scratched DVD and then scans for the unreadable sectors. The data is then recovered and dumped in a fixed disk drive. If the software is efficient and professional then it will have a high percentage of recovery.

You can also go for DVD writing software which copies disk in 1:1 mode. Mode 1:1 means that the data is copied exactly in the disk. The software will make an image from the data from the unreadable sectors. A multipurpose utility like a computer can be used to perform this kind of task. The image file would then be copied in the hard disk. Another blank disk will be inserted in the ROM drive and the image file will be rewritten on the disk. This would make an exact copy of the scratched DVD.

You can also try some home magic! Spread some toothpaste on the surface, which has been scratched. Not every disk would respond to this treatment, but on some scratched DVDs it works wonders.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos. You can find the best marketplace for used DVDs, used movies, and used car stereos at these sites for Scratched DVD, DVD repair Kit, writing software, used movies, and car stereo, amplifiers, loudspeakers, subwoofers.

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5 Fantastic Benefits of Hot Stone DVD Massages With Aromatherapy

What is your favorite smell? Is it the sweet scent of a dozen roses? Is it the aroma of your mother cooking your favorite dish? Or is it the smell of a perfume or cologne that you cannot live without? In the world of hot stone massages, such as those featured on a hot stone dvd, aromatherapy can make a great massage-heavenly! Here are some of the key benefits related to aromatherapy:

1. Aromatherapy reduces stress
For better or for worse, stress is part of our everyday lives. In fact, minimal-to-moderate levels of stress can actually be beneficial, preparing us for situations in which we need to react quickly or drastically. However, out-of-control stress is the type that we should avoid. High levels of stress can lower our immune system, thus making us more vulnerable to sickness and disease. For the record: that is a bad thing!

However, the essential oils needed for aromatherapy, can significantly reduce the effects of stress-related problems. Therapists typically use different essential oils to combat different emotional problems, such as anxiety, depression, exhaustion, insomnia, and irritability. Also, mixes of certain essential oils can create the perfect concoction for a hot stone massage!

2. Aromatherapy balances your psyche
Aromatherapy can be effective in calming your nerves and boosting your mood. Interestingly, different essential oils create different benefits for our moods. Some increase your energy level. Some improve your mood. Others help to reduce pain in your body.

3. Aromatherapy gives you a lift
Many of us have "comfort foods" that unfortunately also fall into the classification of "junk foods." It is advisable to forego the junk foods, and consider receiving a massage with scents that can lift your spirit. These include:

grapefruit
lemon
lime
orange

4. Aromatherapy can invigorate you
Sometimes we simply need a pick-me-up to combat exhaustion. Sage, lavender, and sandal wood are some excellent options when we need a boost of energy. These essential oils allow your mind and body to relax, while reducing stress levels.

5. Aromatherapy can empower your circulatory, respiratory, and immune systems
All of these systems are vital in helping you to maintain good health. Different essential oils and mixtures of them, can improve the flow of blood in your body, your quality of breathing, and your body's ability to ward off sickness and disease.

In fact, certain essential oils can become effective in battling certain sicknesses, such as chronic bronchitis and cardiac asthma. Of course, people with such illnesses should not expect a miracle per se. However, aromatherapy can certainly provide some relief for various symptoms related to the sickness. Make sure to do your homework, so you match up the right essential oils, with the right health benefits.

Scents are part of our everyday lives, so it is somewhat natural for them to be part of our hot stone massages. Aromatherapy can provide an array of benefits, ranging from the reduction of stress, to relieving symptoms of various sicknesses and diseases. The scent of good health has never been sweeter!

To find a quality hot stone DVD, visit us at http://www.tirmassagestone.com today.

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DVD R Media - Making the Right Choice in DVD R Media

When DVD R media was initially launched, each DVD cost about $30, which was considered terribly expensive by any stretch of imagination. While buying blanks DVDs was definitely the cheaper option, the multiple varieties of media available made it that much more difficult to choose one.

With so many types of media available several other issues appear to have cropped up with regards to universal compatibility. It can be hard to keep on top of current media and to know which ones fit your needs.

There are in fact 6 kinds of DVD media. There is DVD-R for authoring, DVD-R for general use, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM. The "R" states that the DVD can be written on while the "RW" states that the DVD is rewritable. Older generation DVDs are "-", while newer models are "+".

A DVD that is "RAM" is designed specifically for media storage, but may not be suited to other uses. Not all DVD burners will accept all of the media types, so the type of DVD R that you choose should be compatible with your DVD burner.

Since it is cheaper to buy the right DVD for your burner than to buy an entire new burner, you will need to find the right DVD R that will work with your system. Speed is another factor to keep in mind as faster DVD Rs are more costly that slower ones.

If your burner is slow, like a 4x, you should avoid purchasing a DVD R that is significantly faster. Instead choose a disk that is as close to your burner's speed as possible. The wrong type of DVD R could potentially damage your drive. The numbers for speed on the disk and your driver stand for slightly different things.

The speed rating on the disk shows how fast that disk can record. The rating on your burner refers to the maximum speed it can burn. Keep in mind that burning a slow disk on a fast burner will not speed up the burning process; the burner can only burn as fast as the DVD R you are using can tolerate.

You won't have this problem very often as prices for faster disks are generally not much higher than for slower disks. Slower disks take a lot longer to burn than faster disks. Different disks can store different amounts of information.

Standard DVDs can store 4.7GB of material. Some older types of DVDs can only store 2GB. Dual layered disks can store twice as much as regular disks. Make sure that your burner is compatible with the DVD R media that you choose.

Although the large number of DVD R media choices may seem overwhelming, when you consider the limitations of your DVD burner you will find that only a few are in fact suited to your needs. While double layered DVDs offer the biggest amount of storage space, only some types of burners can manage them. Pick the right DVD R media to fit your DVD burner and you will do just fine.

Louis Zhang,
idvdmediaonline dot com

To get more information about DVD R media such as the difference between dvd media, visit idvdmediaonline.

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The Latest About Virus Win32 Removal Programs

Every day there are new threats to your computer and your privacy being created by ill-intentioned hackers. In order to keep up with them and keep computers protected there are new Win32 removal programs being created as well. A good Win32 removal suite is imperative to keeping your personal information safe and the health of your computer good. But with so many new Win32 removal programs being created how is the average computer user supposed to be able to keep up? It can be very confusing and overwhelming to try to make the decision on which software application is right for you.

If you are reading this article because you feel like you already have a virus in need of Win32 removal on your machine then the most important thing is that you get protected immediately. This article will recommend a few great options for you but even if you don't select these, please select something. The latest slew of Trojans, virus, and worms are even more dangerous than those before them so get protected now.

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee has long been an industry leader in virus protection and Win32 removal systems. This latest product is quite good and not only cleaning your system of the current Win32 virus threats but also protecting your system from the new nasty things being created. Both of these factors need to be considered as you're reviewing Win32 removal programs.

Protecting your identity online is important. You want to be able surf online, shop online, and bank online without worrying that there is someone or something watching your every click and recording your keystrokes. The McAfee product will do all these things and help keep your wireless network safe. It even warns you about websites that could be run by potential hackers or email that is suspicious.

Avast! Antivirus 4 Home Edition

Another great option is the latest product family from Avast!. The Avast! Antivirus Home Edition is another full-featured virus protection suite. This one is designed specifically for the home user. Although it could work for a small business as well it's organized nicely for that average computer user to feel comfortable customizing it to their specific needs. The user interface is very simple to understand and you should be able to install it and get it analyzing your system for threats immediately.

One fun and nice feature of the Win32 removal system is that it comes with different skins that let the user change the way it looks. Some people prefer a clean simple design where others like it to rearrange itself in a different way. Although this may not seem like an important feature to some, it does a lot to make the user feel like they are in control and that's important.

The email scanning system of this Win32 removal application is really top-notch. While the Norton version is also quite good, the Avast! system seems to be a little more transparent while still being thorough in it's protection. The email module works by performing a detailed inspection of every single email coming in and going out. There are nasty virus' and email worms out there that try to send emails without the user knowing about it so having this application continually monitoring your email application is great.

Trent Wilson is a computer security expert. He specializes in home PC security and Win32 removal. The Win32 virus, Win32 Trojan, and Win32 spyware are serious threats to the average as well as experienced computer user and all the Win32 removal information he collects is detailed on his blog. Go there now to keep your information SAFE!

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The Shift From Desktop DVD and USB Thumb Drive Media to World-Wide-Web Computing

Software piracy has been a constant problem since the beginning of the computer era. One might even say that it is because of piracy that certain operating systems manufacturers enjoy a lion's share of the OS market, but that still doesn't stop these companies from putting the screws to the public. With the prolific growth of the World Wide Web, piracy has seen exponential growth as an industry.

More and more corporations are finding it difficult to protect their intellectual property rights which requires large amounts of funding. These expenses are passed on to the end consumer in the form of higher retail costs. For many, this propagates "borrowing" and duplicating through the use of CD and DVD burners in order to get around the higher costs.

Despite newer copy protections being utilized by the software manufacturers, hackers bypass and crack these copy protection schemes just as fast as they are created. In some cases in recent past, some copy protections used have backfired by preventing the very software it is supposed to protect from being read on certain brands of CD and DVD drives.

A newer concept to fight software piracy is based upon the subscription model service. This coupled with cloud computing, which is in its infancy, has a very real opportunity to curtail software piracy, however, for the time being the immediate future software medium for the end consumer is starting to trend toward USB thumb drives. This is partly due to the smaller physical size of materials and the rapidly declining cost of flash memory. Manufactures can save on shipping and packaging and can sell a tangible reusable product for additional cost by issuing software titles on USB thumb drives.

Eventually, but not for many years to come, there won't be a need to have any physical manifestations of software titles. We have started to see this in recent years with some tax filing software titles being hosted online. This is the effect and the best example of the World Wide Web. The limiting factor at this point is the lack of sufficient bandwidth for large software usage.

Small businesses and large corporations alike that have a need for training videos or surveillance videos will still have a use for issuing information on CD or DVD discs for archival purposes. The average family will also want to use DVD discs for their home videos and special events.

Eventually, with the convergence of multi-media computers and flat panel televisions, the need for DVD discs and players will become obsolete. This won't happen until the large majority of mainstream end consumers have at least one computer with the processing power capable of running multiple graphically intensive programs and other software simultaneously.

For more information and guidance about digital media, USB thumbdrive technology, and DVD authoring, visit http://www.benchmarkmultimedia.com Benchmark Multimedia specializes in digital media replication, production, and authoring for DVD, CD-ROM, and Flash Drive technology. Their site offers many insightful pointers on important digital media considerations.

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Daniel Elliott is an independent contractor who authors articles and media on a variety of topics for diverse audiences. WebDrafter.com, Inc. (http://www.webdrafter.com) produces Website design, hosting, and search engine marketing services for many of the clients, industries and markets related to the articles and media authored by Dan Elliott. If you would like Dan Elliott to ghost write or pen an article for you or your company, please contact him with your specifications.

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DVD Movie Rentals - Advantages of Online Movie Rentals

You don't have to wait in line or leave your home to rent DVD movies online. You can take as much time as you want browsing online databases for movies and films of interest. You can do everything from the privacy of your home or from anywhere as long as you have access to a computer and an internet connection. After you've selected the movies that you want to rent, you just click a button and the DVDs are sent to your home for you to view and enjoy. After you're done with them, you simply return them to the movie rental service via a prepaid mailer.

Compared to renting from a shop offline, online DVD movie rentals are far much cheaper. You'll get better prices and you can easily compare different services using an online shopping comparison search engine. This can save you money as well as help you get a service that best suits your needs. Some rental shops have online versions where they offer web only prices. You would have to sign up from their website in order to benefit from the cheaper prices being offered.

Another advantage is convenience. With internet rentals, you don't need to go out to the store to get your favorite movies. Just logon to their site and browse and select titles online from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere. The movies you select are posted to you for free and you can return them by post for free too.

Most online movie rentals services don't charge any late fees or set due dates. You can keep them as long as you want! They don't impose any dates by which you have to return the DVD's that you take out. This means also that there are not late return charges. Watch your DVD's without fear of a charge for returning them late.

Another great benefit using an online DVD rental service is that you get a much wider and larger selection of movie titles to choose from. Some sites have collections upwards of 100, 000 titles so there's definitely more movie titles to choose from on the internet than from your local shop. This means you will have a better chance of finding those rare to get movies and films.

Probably one of the best things about online rentals is the fact that almost all the services offer a completely Risk Free Trial period for new members. They will let you try their service before you join and it will cost you absolutely nothing.

Looking for the best online Game and Movie Rental sites? Click here for a comprehensive list of websites where you can rent Unlimited Movies and Games: http://www.good4movies.com/rentals/ online. Also check out our Directory of recommended movie and game download sites here.

Copyright Tina Richardson.

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Digital Camera Photos - Preserving and Showing Them Off

Concerned about what might happen to your precious digital memories if your computer should crash? You should be. What's the best way to make sure those digital photos are around for a long, long time? How do you show off those digital photos to your friends and family? How do you show those pictures without boring your audience? Preserving digital images does not have to be difficult or expensive. Showing off your digital photos should be done in a fun and entertaining way.

Before you think about showing your digital images, you should make sure that they are safe. Digital images have the potential to be some of the longest lasting photographs possible. They also have the potential to totally disappear for good within seconds if you're not careful. They are primarily three ways that people save digital images:

*On a memory card

*On the hard drive

*On CD or DVD

Despite some attempts by the industry to introduce low-cost memory cards, saving your digital images on memory cards is an expensive idea. While I urge you to buy large cards, so that you can use the highest resolution of your camera at all times, there are much less expensive ways to save your digital images. Memory cards, although durable, are best used as temporary storage until you can save them permanently.

While at some point almost every digital image will be copied to a computer, this may be one of the most dangerous places for your digital image to be. First, it is not a matter of if, but when, your hard drive will crash. Computer hard drives spin upwards of 5400 RPMs. This mechanical part has very small tolerances. It will fail. Even a raid backup system can have problems.

Besides mechanical problems, while your images are on a computer they can also be exposed to a virus. I have met people that have lost all their digital images due to a virus getting onto their computer. I admit to having digital photos on my computers that have not been properly backed up. An external hard drive is also prone to mechanical problems, either from sitting without use or just bad luck. A raid backup or external hard drive are a good idea just be aware that they can have problems.

CD or DVD has the potential to be one of the most permanent methods to store digital photos. Buying good quality DVDs, you can save 200 to 300 GB worth of digital photos for less than $40. That is a lot of digital photos. Good, high-quality DVDs have an expected life of 75 to 100 years. It is important to stick with high quality name brand DVDs such as Fuji, Sony, or Verbatim. Gold standard DVDs do provide even better lifespan.

Once you have enough digital files to fill a DVD, burn them to a DVD all at once and then close the disc. Always make sure the disc is closed, do not use the option that lets you add to the disk again at a later time, because this can cause compatibility problems.

Once burned to DVD, images can no longer be deleted or modified in a way that might harm them, such as by a virus. All you need to do is make sure your DVD collection is stored safely. If you're extra cautious, make a second DVD. The only real potential for problems is a change in computer software or hardware that makes it impossible to read the file. However, just copying your files to whatever new standard comes to the forefront in the future, will solve that problem.

Now that your digital photos are safe, how do you show them off? It's not much fun for more than one person to look at images on the back of the camera no matter how large the preview screen is. The good news is that this is getting easier and easier.

One option is showing them on a computer. This again, has a problem with the difficulty of larger groups of people looking at the images all at once. Also, people who are not computer proficient can find the process little bit intimidating. Grandma probably will not enjoy it. If your images are of high resolution, it can also be somewhat slow.

The good news is that many DVD players will automatically do a slideshow when a CD or DVD of digital photos is inserted. The bad news is that unless the files have already been edited before going on the DVD, everybody sees all the bad pictures too. The other problem with this is that you usually do not have any control over the amount of time any image stays on the screen. I have seen a room full of people empty out long before one of these slideshows has gotten halfway through.

There are several programs that allow you to create a slideshow from digital images where you can control the amount of time between the different photos. You'll find that people will play a DVD slideshow multiple times if you keep the show short versus not even watching the whole show if it is long. Lots of images in a shorter period of time usually works better than a long period of time. I heard once that the average as scene on American television is three seconds, perhaps this accounts for short attention spans.

Perhaps the most pleasant way to view digital photos is a good old fashioned traditional photo album. One of the wonderful things about digital photography, is that you can decide to only print the best pictures. Having all your favorite photos in an album or scrapbook allows an individual viewer to spend a longer time looking at the digital prints that they find interesting. They can then skim over the digital photos that they did not find that interesting. Each picture affects each person differently, you may even view of the same picture differently at another time. Being able to enjoy the pictures that interest you at the moment is what makes a photo album such a wonderful experience.

One final advantage of having high-quality digital prints made from your digital photos is that photo lab prints have a fairly long life expectancy nowadays. Traditional silver halide prints from a photo lab have a life expectancy of around 50 years, second to that of DVDs. Pigmented ink prints, printed on a professional level printer, can have a life expectancy of 100 to 200 years. Be warned though that some consumer inkjet printers have had prints fade within five years. An excellent and surprisingly inexpensive option is to use one of the better-known online digital print services. They can provide you with a high-quality long-lasting digital print that will probably cost less than trying to print yourself.

Make sure that you back up your digital images to DVD or CD for safekeeping. Take a look at a digital slideshow DVD program for viewing them on your television or computer. Then to enjoy your photos without having to turn a computer or television on, half high-quality digital prints made and place them in an album or scrapbook. You'll be able to enjoy your digital photos for a long, long time.

You can get additional information on how to take better photos here. James Thoenes is a professional photographer with over 20 years in photography. Learn how to take better photos at his website http://www.photographybyjet.com

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