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Create interactive map easily for your website or presentation – iMapBuilder
Sep 3rd
Create interactive map easily for your website or presentation – iMapBuilder
Are you taken up by interactive maps in websites and wanted to have something like that for your website too and enhance user experience?
Want to create an interactive map for your portal to attract more users? Are you too busy to learn to use Flash software to develop interactive maps for your websites and your customers’ websites?
Don’t worry iMapBuilder is an all-in-one solution to all the above problems.
The map software iMapBuilder can help you to create attractive and highly interactive flash maps for your websites and your customers’ websites. The map software comes with Flash map solution for your websites, including flash world map, flash US map, US county map, Europe map, UK map and much more.
Create your own Interactive Map
One of the greatest advantages of this interactive map software is that you don’t need to have any technical knowledge what so ever. You will be able create your customized Flash maps in a matter of few clicks. It is as easy as using your word processor software programs.
You will be able to create highly sophisticated maps with clickable regions, points, lines, for your website in just few minutes. You will alsobe able to insert zoomable areas, add animation effects, add annotations or popup messages, sounds or audio files and even dynamic objects, which will make your Flash map highly interactive and remember you don’t need to have any technical knowledge to implement all these in your Flash map. This is a very simple software product and can be learnt very easily.
The software package includes pre-defined map templates including world map, US map, US county maps, Europe map and UK map. You can also import your own JPG map image and convert into an interactive map easily These interactive flash maps can then be usedon your website, or presentations to impress your audience and make their navigation easier. Using the export feature, you will be able to export the maps as JPG files.
Supported OS & image formats
iMapBuilder supports all the latest Windows OS from Microsoft Windows 98 to Windows Vista. You just need to install Adobe Flash player in your computer, which is available for free, download. Besides these, you will not need any other special software to run our interactive maps. You will be able to convert all static images into interactive map and insert clickable points, mouse-over text, etc. The interactive map software can handle JPG, PNG and GIF formats. You will be able to create even street maps and branch office maps in a matter of few clicks using our readymade map template.
iMapBuilder is one of the most powerful interactive map softwares available in the market. It is also one of the most sophisticated software available, yet does not require any technical knowledge. You will be able to create attractive maps for your website and it is also the most cost-effective way of getting interactive flash maps for your website.
For advanced users
iMapBuilder interactive map software is also highly suitable for advanced users who have the needed technical knowledge but don’t have time to create sophisticated Flash maps for their websites and their customer’s websites.
You will find this map software is highly reliable and stable on all popular browsers. You will be able to link the interactive map to PHP and MYSql and you will also be able to change the map settings using XML.
You will be able to create Flash maps in 2D as well as in 3D styles to suit your specific needs. Use iMapBuilder will save you a lot of time as you don’t have to spend your time in creating customized Flash maps from scratch.
Not only web designers and web masters can benefit from our interactive map software, anyone who wants to create a flash map can find iMapBuilder an easy software to use. You can use iMapbuilder to create interactive map for your branch office maps, reseller maps, real estate maps, or for educational purposes to teach children geography. The options are unlimited.
For more information and download free trial version, visit iMapBuilder Interactive Map Builder homepage, at: http://www.imapbuilder.com
Ted Ko – software programmer since 1996, with homepage at Faico Software
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Black Country T-shirts – How it All Began!
Sep 2nd
Black Country T-shirts – How it All Began!
If you’ve seen people walking around areas like Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stourbridge, Tipton and Cradley Heath wearing t-shirts printed with words such as “Yow Cor Spake Propa”, “Ar Bay A Brummie, I’m from the Black Country”, and “You’m Avin a Loff”, then you probably wondered where they got them from.
Well, they’re from a website called TeetShirts – if you go to Google and search for them, you’ll find them straight away. There’s also a link at the bottom of this article to take you there.
TeetShirts was started in 2007 by a pair of schoolfriends Warren Smith and Steve Pitts. They were sat in their local pub one evening, talking about what they wanted to do with their lives, and then suddenly the idea of Black Country T-Shirts came to them. T-Shirts printed with slogans showing pride in the Black Country…. they quickly set up a shop and it took off in a big way, and very quickly.
As well as selling t-shirts bearing Black Country slogans, they also make t-shirts for stag and hen parties, staff uniforms, and birthdays & holidays. Whatever you need printed on a t-shirt, they can do!
The guys have also been featured on national radio and local television thanks to their Black Country Alphabet song, with a video featuring t-shirts with slogans such as “B is for Nana”, “H is for Oss”, “P is for Tateer” and “U is for Um”.
So, if you’re looking for an original gift idea, why not grab a Black Country T-shirt from TeetShirts!
Black Country T-Shirts available here.
409a Compliance on Written Plan
Sep 1st
409a Compliance on Written Plan
Edison and Upper Saddle River, NJ – February 21, 2008 – The Internal Revenue Service recently issued Notice 2007-78 that provides plan sponsors an extension to December 31, 2008 to maintain compliance with written documentation relative to deferred compensation plans. Written language of a deferred compensation plan must be in compliance with the regulation as of the end of this year. Plans, therefore, have extra time to be modified to comply in the written form, but must continue to be in compliance operationally with Section 409A. Where written plan provisions don’t comply with the regulation, plan sponsors will not violate 409A if:
• The plan operates in compliance with 409A;
• Is amended on or before the December 31, 2008 deadline; and
• Complies with 409A retroactive to January 1, 2007.
What does this mean? Although the IRS has extended the deadline for compliance relative to written plan documentation, the plan itself must already operate under the 409A regulations. Therefore, there is no relief in the manner in which deferrals are made. Some of the key deferral aspects that 409A stipulates and for which compliance should already be in effect are as follows:
• Timing of deferrals. Deferral elections must be made before December 31 for compensation that will be deferred during the following calendar year. For example, compensation that will be deferred during 2008 would have required that the election be made before December 31, 2007. The exception to this election rule includes any “performance-based compensation”.
• Deferral of “performance-based compensation”. Performance-based compensation is any compensation that is contingent on satisfying pre-established performance objectives that cover a period of at least 12 consecutive months. An election to defer performance-based compensation may be made up to 6 months before the end of the period; this does not include amounts that will be paid regardless of performance, or if the amount is based on performance objectives that are certain to be met at the time they were established. Performance objectives are considered “pre-established” if they are documented, in writing, no later than 90 days from the beginning of the period. For example, assuming a short-term incentive plan runs from January 1 through December 31, 2008, with awards based on performance, a participant may elect to defer this form of compensation until June 30, 2008, so long as the objectives were established, in writing, by March 31, 2008, and that the level of performance cannot be currently ascertained.
• Changes to deferral options. A participant may change the form or timing of deferral, so long as: a) the election will not be effective until 12 months after the election is made; b) payments affected by such change are delayed for at least 5 years from the original payment date; and c) elections relative to distributions as of a specified time or on a fixed schedule are made at least 12 months before the scheduled payment date. This provision excludes payments made as a result of the participant’s death or disability.
• Delay in Payments for “Key Employees”. 409A requires that payments under a deferred compensation plan must be delayed 6 months for key employees, as defined by IRC §416(i). A key employee is one that, at any time during the plan year, is:
* an officer having an annual compensation greater than 0,000;
* a 5% owner of the company; or
* a 1% owner of the company having an annual compensation of more than 0,000.
Given that the administrative changes are already underway relative to deferrals, the following questions relative to written documentation should be evaluated and action taken by December 31, 2008 to comply with the transition relief period:
• Are there any aspects of the plan that still conflict with 409A?
• Does the plan’s language comply with the requirements under the regulation?
• Are deferral elections made on a written vehicle that complies with the regulation?
• Are elections for performance-based compensation made appropriately? Are performance objectives pre-established and is the level of performance against these objectives substantially unknown at the time that deferrals can be elected?
• Are changes to deferral options properly documented within the plan?
• Does the plan document reflect the following:
* Is in the form of a written document;
* States a specific formula to calculate deferred compensation;
* Indicates the payment schedule or triggering events;
* Specifies a six-month payout delay for “key employees”;
* Provides specific language regarding acceleration of distributions; and
* Includes a clause regarding substantial risk of forfeiture on deferred amounts?
Compliance with 409A is a key aspect of successful administration of deferred compensation plans, and obviously, avoidance of scrutiny and penalties. A thorough examination of administration of your deferred compensation plans and implementation of changes to maintain compliance of written documentation is essential before the December 31, 2008 deadline. Outside professional advice can provide an objective look at your deferred compensation arrangements, and provide the necessary guidance to move towards full compliance with 409A.
__________
The written advice was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer. The foregoing legend has been affixed pursuant to U.S. Treasury Regulations governing tax practice.
__________
Paul R. Dorf is the Managing Director of Compensation Resources, Inc. He is responsible for directing consulting services in all areas of executive compensation, short and long-term incentives, sales compensation, performance management systems, and pay-for-performance salary administration. He has over 40 years of Human Resource and Compensation experience and has held various executive positions with a number of large corporate organizations. He also has over 20 years of direct consulting experience as head of the Executive Compensation Consulting Practices for major accounting and actuarial/benefit consulting firms, including KPMG, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (formerly Touche Ross), and Kwasha Lipton.
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Marketing with Brochures: 7 Things about Tri-Fold Brochure Printing
Aug 31st
Marketing with Brochures: 7 Things about Tri-Fold Brochure Printing
There are many brochure printing services offered that will best suit your requirements. Among the specifications that clients consider in creating brochures are the size, the design, the material used and the kind of folding. Businesses commonly use tri-fold brochures for their marketing efforts. These are several things to consider in tri-fold brochure printing:
Tri-fold brochures can help increase readership and customer response. With all the basic elements of brochure printing, plus the unique way of folding brochures, people can be fully interested in getting one copy for them to read and to keep.
Tri-fold brochure printing provides colorful tri-fold brochures using the full-color process. Through this, the designs will appear in vibrant colors, based on the initial design preferred by the clients.
Tri-fold brochure printing provides accurate and detailed reproduction of brochures through the use of digital printing. With the help of digital technology, tri-fold brochures can be printed faster and clearer.
Tri-fold brochure printing also provides quality prints with the process of offset printing. This can be done for customers who want to print tri-fold brochures in large quantities.
Tri-fold brochure printing options, templates and specifications can be accessed online. Customers can choose among the different design options, and indicate their specifications including the size of the brochures and the type of paper stock to be used.
Tri-fold brochure printing can be done online. People can have a convenient tri-fold brochure printing process through the online printing services. There is a customization option offered in tri-fold brochures printing that’s why clients can choose the size and the design of the brochures. They can easily upload their digital files online and create their own designs.
Tri-fold brochure printing allows customers to have the opportunity to learn from expert graphic designers. The brochure printing experts will assist the customers in creating unique and attractive tri-fold brochures.
With these facts, people can be aware of the things that they can gain from tri-fold brochure printing. People will have a lot of option in mind and consider these things when they opt to start a brochure printing project.
Kat Nocom is a Content Writer, with 1 year of experience as a Technical Writer for a
Publishing company. Currently, she resides in Manila, Philippines, working in the field of
writing and marketing.
Printing is a method used by many businesses to help them on their marketing efforts. Visit Digital Room to learn more about Tri-Fold Brochure Printing
Music video by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony performing I Tried. (C) 2007 Interscope Records
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Probability And Investment!
Aug 30th
Probability And Investment!
If I want to be good as an investor, then I need to be good at arithmetic to analyze the odds of an investment. Also, I need to be able to read and write. There is where scholastic education plays an important role. Scholastic education teaches me how to read, write and do arithmetic. It is one of the three vital educations as highlighted by the Rich Dad’s series by Robert Kiyosaki. The other two vital educations are professional education and financial education.
How does arithmetic play a part in investment? To answer this question, I need to explain a little on the probability using the example of a coin.
What happen when I throw a coin and let it lands onto the table? It is obvious that the coin is either going to show head or tail. What if I throw 2 times, what are the chances of the coin showing head?
I cannot really be sure what are the chances. I may get 2 heads in a row. I may get 1 head and 1 tail. I may get 2 tails.
What if I throw a 100 times? How many times is the coin showing head? I will find that the number will be somewhere near 50. In other words, I will find that there is a 50 percent chance of getting a head if the number of throws is large enough. The probability of getting a head is the chances of the coin showing head out of a large number of throws. That is the probability of getting a head is 0.5.
Similarly, if I have thrown a six-sided dice, the probability of getting a six in a 100 throws is about 1/6. But I can do something to increase my odds of getting a six. I can use a modified six-sided dice that has a higher probability of showing a six compared to a normal six-sided dice. In this way, the probability of getting a six is increased.
And this is what a professional investor does to make money from an investment. He increases the probability of winning by identifying and managing the risks involved. He does not invest for the sake of investment. He has a plan for investment that includes risk management. Yes, investment is a plan based on what I have understood from the Rich Dad’s series by Robert Kiyosaki.
A good example will be looking at how a professional trader makes use of probability to his advantage.
In a stock market, the price of a share can go up, go down or remain the same. That is the probability of the share price going up is 1/3. Remember, the probability only holds if there is a sufficient large amount of trades. Like in the case of throwing a coin, the probability of 0.5 is true only if there is a large number of throws.
Let imagine that I have an initial capital of ,000 to invest in shares. If I invest ,000 in a single trade, what is the probability of the share price going up? There is no way to predict or tell. This is like throwing a coin once and try to guess whether it will show head or tail upon landing.
If I invest 0 in each trade, then I can make at least 100 trades. That is the number of times that the share prices will go up in a 100 trades is near 33. This is like throwing a coin a hundred times and the number of times that I will get a head in a 100 throws is near to 50.
A professional trader understands the fact that probability is only true if there are a sufficient large number of trades. Thus, he only risks a small amount of this capital in each trade.
Another way to apply this probability is to limit the loss of each trade to 0. That is, I can invest all my capital in the share of a single company. If the share price goes down and my loss hit 0, I will sell off my position and exit the stock market. Of course if the share price drops too suddenly, I will end up losing much more money than I am willing to loss. Thus, this approach is not that advisable.
In addition, the professional trader makes use of technical analysis to increase the odds of winning. He analyses the chart for indication of to buy and sell. Also, he uses a few other techniques to increase his chance of winning. All these are included as part of his investment plan.
The above description is based on my understanding by reading a book. I have gathered from the Rich Dad series by Robert Kiyosaki that investment plan is different for each individual. If I read more books, I will definitely find more approaches and methods for trading. Different professional traders have different investment plans and thus they will do things differently.
* DISCLAIMER *
The author only provides the material and information as a layperson’s views about an important subject. The materials and information are from sources believed to be reliable and from his own personal experience, but he neither implies nor intends any guarantee of accuracy.
All the materials, information and procedure in this book are only the author’s personal opinion. You must consult your own professional advisor and other reputable sources on any matter that concerns you or others.
The author, publishers and distributors are not competent and do not profess to give legal, accounting, medical or any other type of professional advice. The reader must always seek those services from competent professionals who can review your own particular circumstances.
The author, publisher and distributors particularly disclaim any liability, loss, or risk taken by individuals who directly or indirectly act on the information contained herein. All readers must accept full responsibility for their use of this material.
Max Ng shares about his struggle for financial freedom at http://www.richdadsecrets4me.comHe is the author of “Your Greatest Gift! Why Waste It?” at http://www.yourgreatestgift.com
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Nursing Jobs on Cruise Ships, Forging Good Friendships With Nurses From Around the World : )
Aug 29th
Nursing Jobs on Cruise Ships, Forging Good Friendships With Nurses From Around the World : )
Nursing jobs on cruise ships – your great opportunity to work with a group of excellent nurses from all over the world!
Worldwide nurses come with all kinds of skill bases where practices may vary, and you can also learn a great deal of cultural medicine from them.
The greatest experience enjoyed by all cruise ship nurses is the joy of making many good friends that last a lifetime.
Cruise ship provides one-stop medical care and treatment center for the crew and passengers onboard. This medical center or called infirmary is running by registered nurses (RN), under the direction of the ship’s physicians.
Cruise ship nurse gave me a very good impression when I was working onboard a cruise ship, I myself found that they are very professional, courteous and helpful.
Every cruise ship nurse has good critical care experience, the ability to work independently, good assessment skills, and very good interpersonal skills as the job is very public relations oriented.
You must love to work with all kinds of cultures, languages and different medical viewpoints; because nursing jobs on cruise ships, you are actually meeting and dealing with people from all places in the world.
Passengers and the crew look up to the ship’s nurse for most of their health needs; especially with the crew who are away from home for months, you are primary care for them. You are like their friend, relative, sister, mother and nurse!
Cruise ship nurse is either hired directly by cruise line medical departments or through concessionaire companies servicing their line.
The medical center onboard is an urgent care environment where both crew members and guests are diagnosed and treated. The medical personnel encounters health care issues ranging from occupational health, primary care, and urgent emergency care.
Although most of the time the illnesses and conditions will be minor, all cruise ship nurses are trained in critical care or ambulatory nursing as they must be fully prepared for anything while cruising at sea. Nursing on cruise ships, this profession is kind of like frontier medicine.
Many cruise ship nurses do it for the experience, they like the challenge, the travel, the chance to work in an extended role. The nurse ability can think on the run and problem solving are also very important.
The medical center provides medical treatment for crew and passengers during clinic hours, and other times for emergencies and medical needs.
The physician sees those who require or request medical consultation, performs crew medical exams, orders and performs diagnostic tests, and prescribes treatments and medications.
Most cruise ships have all the medication or a legitimate substitute to be in stock, from aspirin to sophisticated equipment over 600 items onboard. Otherwise the passenger will have to buy it in port.
Cruise ship nurses are special, you will get worldwide recognition by being thanks and respect directly from the crew and passengers!
Visit http://www.smart-guide-to-world-cruise-ship.com/nursing-jobs-on-cruise-ships.html to read good quality information about cruise ships nurse and nursing jobs on cruise ships.
About The Author:
www.smart-guide-to-world-cruise-ship.com is an excellent guide to start your cruise ship life as for your career as well as a traveler. The video gave a good feeling of what it is like on board the cruise ship, it is very informative and filled with tons of information to help you identify the right cruise for you to work and for making the best of your cruise ship vacation too! Take me to cruise ship : )
(Appreciate to note source when reprinted for your good purpose.)
The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas” arrives at Port Everglades, Florida. Five times larger than the Titanic, it has 2700 cabins and can accommodate 6300 passengers and 2100 crew members. (Nov. 13)
The Information Beyond Matter & Lawh-i Mahfuz
Aug 28th
The Information Beyond Matter & Lawh-i Mahfuz
Information… This concept today means a lot more than it did even a half century ago. Scientists are developing theories to define information. Social scientists speak of “the information age.” Information is becoming a very important concept for humanity.
The discovery of information in the origin of both the universe and life itself is what makes this concept so important in the modern world. Scientists today are realizing that the universe is formed by “matter, energy and information,” and this is replacing the materialistic philosophy of the nineteenth century that defined the universe as being made up entirely of “matter and energy.”
So, what does this all mean?
Let’s explain through an example, that of DNA. All living cells function according to the genetic information in the double helix structure of DNA. Our bodies are also formed by trillions of cells each with its own DNA, and all the functions of our bodies are registered in this giant molecule. Our cells use protein codes inscribed in the DNA to produce new proteins. The information that our DNA possesses is so large that if you wanted to write it down, it would fill up 900 volumes of encyclopedias, cover-to-cover!
So what is DNA made up of? Fifty years ago, scientists would have replied that DNA is formed by nucleic acids called nucleotides and the chemical bonds holding these nucleotides together. In other words, they used to list only the material elements of the DNA. But today, scientists have a different answer: DNA is composed of atoms, molecules, chemical bonds and, most importantly, information.
It’s just like a book. We would be quite mistaken to say that a book is only made up of paper, ink and binding for, alongside these materials, it is the information that truly makes it a book. It is information which separates a volume of the Encyclopedia Britannica from a “book” formed by randomly arranged letters like ABICLDIXXGGSDLL. Both have paper, ink and binding, but one has information while the other does not. The source of information is the author of that book, a mind with consciousness. Therefore we can’t deny that the information in DNA was placed there by an intelligent being.
The Information Dead End of Evolutionary Theory and Materialism
The discovery of this fact has sent materialist philosophy and Darwinism, its application to the natural sciences, into a dead end, because materialist philosophy claims that all living things are formed by matter alone and that genetic information appeared somehow by “chance.” This is like saying that a book could be formed from a random assemblage of paper and ink.
Materialism subscribes to the theory of “reductionism,” which claims that information can ultimately be reduced to matter. For this reason, materialists say that there’s no need to look for any source of information besides matter. But this assertion has been proven to be in error, and even materialists have started to owe up to this truth.
One of the leading defenders of the theory of evolution, George C. Williams, pointed in a 1995 essay to the mistake of materialism (reductionism), that is, assuming everything to consist of materials:
Evolutionary biologists have failed to realize that they work with two more or less incommensurable domains: that of information and that of matter… These two domains will never be brought together in any kind of the sense usually implied by the term “reductionism.” …The gene is a package of information, not an object… In biology, when you’re talking about things like genes and genotypes and gene pools, you’re talking about information, not physical objective reality… This dearth of shared descriptors makes matter and information two separate domains of existence, which have to be discussed separately, in their own terms. 1
Stephen C. Meyer, a philosopher of science from the Cambridge University and who is critical of the theory of evolution as well as materialism, says in an interview:
One thing I do in classes to get this idea across the students is that I hold up two computer disks. One is loaded with software, the other one is blank. And I ask, “What is the difference in mass between these two computer disks as a result of the difference in the information content that they possess”? And of course the answer is zero, none, there is no difference as a result of the information. That is because information is a massless quantity. Information is not a material entity.
Then how can any materialistic explanation explain its origin? How can any material cause explain its origin?… This creates a fundamental challenge to the materialistic evolutionary scenarios.
In the 19th century, we thought that there were two fundamental entities of science: Matter and energy. At the beginning of the 21st century, we now recognize that there is a third fundamental entity, and it is information. It is not reducible to matter; it is not reducible to energy. 2
All theories put forward in the twentieth century to reduce information to matter-like the random origin of life, self-organization of matter, the biological theory of evolution that has tried to explain species’ genetic information through the mechanism of mutation and natural selection-have failed. Professor Phillip Johnson, a leading critic of Darwinism, wrote:
The real duality at every level of biology is the duality of matter and information. The philosophers of mind-science fail to understand the true nature of information because they assume that it is produced by a material (i.e. Darwinian) process and hence is not something fundamentally different from matter. But this is merely a prejudice that would be swept away by unbiased thinking. 3
As Johnson states, “information is not matter, although it is imprinted on matter. It comes from elsewhere, from an intelligence….” Dr. Werner Gitt, a director and professor at the German Federal Institute of Physics and Technology, expressed much the same thought:
A coding system always entails a nonmaterial intellectual process. A physical matter cannot produce an information code. All experiences show that every piece of creative information represents some mental effort and can be traced to a personal idea-giver who exercised his own free will, and who is endowed with an intelligent mind…. There is no known law of nature, no known process and no known sequence of events which can cause information to originate by itself in matter… 4
As we discussed above, a book is formed by paper, ink and the information it includes. The source of this information is the mind of the author.
And there is one more important point: This mind comes prior to the material elements and it decides how to use them. A book first appears in the mind of the person who will write that book. The author makes logical connections and comes up with sentences. Later, in the second stage, he gives these ideas a material form. By using a typewriter or computer, he turns the information contained within his mind into letters. Later these letters go to a printing house and they make up a book.
So here, we can reach the following conclusion: “If matter includes information, then that material has been pre-organized by a mind possessing that information. First there was a mind, and then the owner of that mind turned that information into matter and thus created a design.”
The Mind That Existed Before Matter
Therefore, the source of the information in nature cannot be the matter itself, as the materialists claim. The source of information is not matter, but rather a supra-material Mind. This Mind existed before matter. The Mind created, shaped and organized the whole material universe.
Biology isn’t the only branch of science leading us to this conclusion. Twentieth century astronomy and physics also demonstrated the existence of an astonishing harmony and design, pointing to the existence of a Mind that existed before the universe and created it.
Israeli scientist Gerald Schroeder who studied physics and biology in universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the author of the book The Science of God, makes some important remarks on this subject. In his new book entitled The Hidden Face of God: Science Reveals the Ultimate Truth, he explains the conclusion reached by molecular biology and quantum physics as follows:
A single consciousness, a universal wisdom, pervades the universe. The discoveries of science, those that search the quantum nature of subatomic matter, have moved us to the brink of a startling realization: all existence is the expression of this wisdom. In the laboratories we experience it as information that first physically articulated as energy and then condensed into the form of matter. Every particle, every being, from atom to human, appears to represent a level of information, of wisdom. 5
According to Schroeder, the scientific results of our age lead science and theology to meet at a common truth. This is the truth of Creation. Science is now re-discovering this truth that divine religions have actually taught to humanity for millennia.
The Lawh-i Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet)
So far, we have looked at science’s conclusions about the universe and the origin of living things. The conclusion is that the entire universe and life itself were created using a blueprint of magnificent information that existed before.
This conclusion reached by modern science is strikingly in agreement with a secret that was laid out in the Qur’an some 14 centuries ago. In the Qur’an, a book sent to people as a guide, God announced that the Lawh-i Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) existed before the creation of the universe and that it furthermore explained all creation and events in the universe.
The Lawh-i Mahfuz was “guarded” (mahfuz) so the things written there were not changed or spoiled. In the Qur’an, this is called “Ommu al-Kitabi” (The Mother of the Book), “Kitabun Hafeethun” (All-Preserving Book), “Kitabin Maknoonin” (Well-Protected Book) or just the book. It is also called Kitabin min Qabli (The Book of Decrees) since it also tells of the events that humanity will face.
In many verses, God tells about the characteristics of the Lawh-i Mahfuz. First of all, there is nothing missing from this book:
The keys of the Unseen are in His possession. No one knows them but Him. He knows everything in the land and sea. No leaf falls without His knowing it. There is no seed in the darkness of the earth, and nothing moist or dry which is not in a Clear Book. (Qur’an, 6: 59)
One verse says that all life in the world is recorded in the Lawh-i Mahfuz:
There is no creature crawling on the earth or flying creature, flying on its wings, who are not communities just like yourselves —We have not omitted anything from the Book— then they will be gathered to their Lord. (Qur’an, 6: 38)
In another verse, it is stated that “on earth and in the heavens,” in the entire universe, all creatures and things, including the smallest speck, are known by God and recorded in the Lawh-i Mahfuz:
You do not engage in any matter or recite any of the Qur’an or do any action without Our witnessing you while you are occupied with it. Not even the smallest speck eludes your Lord, either on earth or in heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book. (Qur’an, 10: 61)
All information concerning humanity is in the Lawh-i Mahfuz, and this includes the genetic code of all people and their destinies:
Nonetheless they are amazed that a warner should have come to them from among themselves and those who disbelieve say, “What an extraordinary thing! When we are dead and turned to dust? That would be a most unlikely return!” We know exactly how the earth eats them away. We possess an all-preserving Book. (Qur’an, 50: 2-4)
The following verse states that God’s words in the Lawh-i Mahfuz are endless, and this is explained through an example:
If all the trees on earth were pens and all the sea, with seven more seas besides, was ink God’s words still would not run dry. God is Almighty, All-Wise. (Qur’an, 31: 27)
Conclusion
The facts that we explored in this article prove yet again that the findings of modern science confirm what religion teaches to people. The materialist dogmatism that has been imposed on science is in fact rejected by science itself.
The conclusions of modern science about information serve to objectively demonstrate who is right in a dispute that has been raging for thousands of years. This dispute has been waged between materialist thought and religion. Materialist thought claims that matter is without beginning and that nothing existed before matter. Religion, on the other hand, states that God existed before matter, and that matter is created and ruled by God’s endless knowledge.
The fact that this truth, which has been taught by divine religions – like Judaism, Christianity and Islam – since the dawn of history, has been proved by the findings of science, is an indication of the impending post-atheist age. Humanity is getting closer to realizing that God truly exists and He is the “All-Knowing.” Just as reminded to people in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an:
Do you not know that God knows everything in heaven and earth? That is in a Book. That is easy for God. (Qur’an, 22: 70)
Under the pen name of Harun Yahya, Adnan Oktar has written some 250 works. His books contain a total of 46,000 pages and 31,500 illustrations. Of these books, 7,000 pages and 6,000 illustrations deal with the collapse of the Theory of Evolution. You can read, free of charge, all the books Adnan Oktar has written under the pen name Harun Yahya on these websites www.harunyahya.com
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(1) George C. Williams. The Third Culture: Beyond the Scientific Revolution. (ed. John Brockman). New York, Simon & Schuster, 1995, pp. 42-43
(2) Stephen Meyer, “Why Can’t Biological Information Originate Through a Materialistic Process”, Unlocking the Mystery of Life, DVD, Produced by Illustra Media, 2002
(3) Phillip Johnson, The Wedge of Truth: Splitting the Foundations of Naturalism , Intervarsity Press, Illinois, 2000, p. 123
(4) Werner Gitt. In the Beginning Was Information. CLV, Bielefeld, Germany, pp. 107, 141
(5) Gerald Schroeder, The Hidden Face of God, Touchstone, New York, 2001, p. xi
ABOUT THE AUTHOR, HARUN YAHYA
Born in Ankara in 1956, Adnan Oktar writes his books under the pen name of Harun Yahya. Ever since his university years, he has dedicated his life to telling of the existence and oneness of Almighty Allah, and to disseminating the moral values of the Qur’an. He has never wavered in the face of difficulties and despite oppression, still continues this intellectual struggle today exhibiting great patience and determination. For mor information pls visit: http://www.harunyahya.com/theauthor.php
Breast Implant Sizes: Big, Bigger, Biggest
Aug 27th
Breast Implant Sizes: Big, Bigger, Biggest
Breast augmentation sizing is a challenge for the doctor as well as the patient. Breast implant sizes affect each woman’s body differently. It is difficult for the doctor to predict precisely whether a 350cc breast implant size will make you a C cup, for example, until they get into the surgery. A 350cc on you may very well look different than on your friend.
Another challenge has to do with a patient’s reference to cup size. Women will often say, “I want to be a D cup”, or “Make me a C cup”. Many doctors will actually refuse to discuss cup size since there are many factors which cup size does not describe. Even more importantly, cup size is not standardized by the bra industry. One manufacturer’s B cup, might be a another manufacturer’s C cup. That makes it difficult for a doctor to say precisely what cup size you will be.
Due to these issues, many doctors shy away from specific discussion of breast implant sizing. Some will offer sizes in very general terms such as “Big”, “Bigger”, and “Biggest”. They will not talk about cup size or breast implant size. They ask the patient instead to give them a description of those three sizes so they have a general idea of what the patient wants. From there, the doctor makes the choice.
Still other doctors will stay so far away from a discussion of breast implant size that they ask the patient to allow the doctor to make the choice for you. Like each of these perspectives, this too has advantages. Based upon the doctor’s experience they feel they know what is proportional. Regardless of the value of this, most women want to have more input on the breast implant size decision than this.
Since many doctors have different methods of breast implant sizing, it can be difficult as a patient to know how to communicate what you want. The best way to communicate your desired breast size goals is to show the doctor what you want to look like using breast implant sizers.
Showing the doctor on your own body what you want to look like is many times better than showing them in photos of other women’s bodies. And it is far better than answering a vague question with a vague answer. If you communicate what you want this way, it will be an answer to every doctor’s approach in breast implant sizing.
By using breast implant sizers you will both avoid the breast implant size discussion as well as the cup size discussion. By showing them what you want, your doctor can have your goal size in mind so that they can choose a breast implant size that will come closest to your goal.
Showing is always better than telling. Seeing your desired breast size goal on your own body in 3-D is far better than seeing it on another woman’s body in a two-dimensional photo.
Breast Implant Sizes
While breast augmentation statistics show women are overwhelmingly satisfied with the procedure after having gone through it, the most common reason for patient dissatisfaction is that patients feel they have chosen the wrong breast implant sizes.
Recent innovative techniques have included digital photo imaging to help patients see what they might look like with breast implants.
More importantly, breast implant sizers are now allowing women to physically experience what it is like to have breast implants of various sizes prior to the surgery. The experience of feeling the size of larger breasts on her body, go well beyond the typical visual exercise of looking at two-dimensional image.
Why Weatherize Your Home?
Aug 26th
Why Weatherize Your Home?
For those of us who live in colder climates, you might just assume we do what we can to keep our homes warm and use our energy wisely during the winter months. Yes, you would assume.
Many do go the extra mile to seal their homes by installing their storm windows, replacing weather stripping on doors, insulating their walls, blowing extra insulation into their attics, installing programmable thermostats and a hundred other energy saving projects.
At the same time, many people do little or nothing at all. Whether they lack the time, don’t have the skills, are only renting the home or have funding issues, it’s hard to say. The result is that many homes, especially older homes within cities, have little or no work done to conserve energy.
So, this article is not for those who already weatherize their homes for winter, but for those who don’t. It’s my desire to find a way to motivate you to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and yes, save you money. That’s tight, I’m going to attempt to twist your arm in an effort to help you save money.
Let’s look again at the possibilities or situations why a home might not be properly weatherized.
LACK OF TIME TO WEATHERIZE
I can understand this excuse, but I will not validate it. Assuming you have some skill and some idea of how to weatherize, saying you have no time is more of an attempt to say you are either lazy or have simply chosen you don’t want to do that specific type of work.
There are many types of work that we might not enjoy doing and if you just can’t find the time to weatherize your home, then get somebody to do it for you. Yes, there are thousands of businesses out there that are waiting for you to call. They are eager to perform a wonderful job weatherizing your home.
So, while being busy, take just one moment and do a search online or in your local yellow pages and call a business that performs home weatherization and then your task is done. You will have gotten that monkey off your back and you’ll feel good that you have done something to conserve energy…plus you will save money.
LACK OF SKILL
Your stance is that you want to weatherize your home, but you are not sure how to get that long yellow thing out of the tape measurer or you are confused about what a 6-in-1 screwdriver is or how to use it. I can sympathize with you and for all those who know you, but that is still no excuse for not taking any action to seal your home.
Nobody was born with knowledge, but we were all born with drive. Many of us have suppressed this drive over time and ended up learning very little in life, but the cool thing is that this is simply a choice and not really an affliction. What this means is that you do have it in you to learn new things. You really do. Say it quietly to yourself at first. “I can learn new things”. Now say it out loud, “I can learn new things.”
No matter what your past has taught you and no matter what your friends and relatives say, you can always do better if your truly choose to do so. Choose to do better and choose to set aside any fear of what you have to learn in order to weatherize your home and simply choose that you will learn what you must learn so that you can weatherize your home.
It can be a brave new world for you. It can be the beginning of a new world of confidence. Just choose to try, and when it gets tough or a little hairy, push through and try a little harder.
To get you started, I have two references for you with respect to learning about weatherization work:
Insulate and Weatherize – by Bruce Harley
This is a well written book that will show you many helpful things and will open a world of ideas for how to weatherize your home.
Weatherize America ( http://www.weatherizeamerica.com )
This online weatherization business program is not just for businesses who want to perform weatherization work, but for anyone who wants to learn how to inspect their home and then follow up and perform the necessary weatherization repairs.
TENANTS OF HOMES AND APARTMENTS
If you are determined to not put one cent of your money into the home or apartment you rent, that is your right, but if you are also the one paying for the heat, it’s time to change your mind about what you think you are losing by weatherizing the space you pay to heat.
If you pay for the heat, you are the primary one who wins by any improvement you make to weatherize the home. Sure, some of the things you do might be permanent and will work towards increasing the value of the home, but it would help if you could set aside those thoughts for a moment and think about what is best for you. What will help you? Don’t let it matter if it helps anyone else as well. Just focus on the thought of what will help you.
Will it help you if weather stripping on the doors is replaced? Will it help you if the single pane unused windows in the basement are permanently sealed off? Will it help you if the basement were better insulated where it is mostly above ground level? Will it help if cracks in the walls were caulked to stop air from blowing in? Will it help you if your drier vent was replaced with a drier vent seal? Will it help you if your water heater or boiler were wrapped with insulation?
All those questions pertain to improvements that may very well be permanent and would be helping the landlord to some degree, but to an even greater degree, they would be helping you, so just do them. If you choose to not do them in order to spite the landlord, his house has not changed and he loses nothing, but your heat is flowing out of the home , so you lose.
As a tenant most of my life, the first thing I did in almost every home I moved into was to rewire it to some degree (rooms are not functional with just two receptacles) and I would insulate and seal it well. The bottom line is that I was going to live there and I wanted to be comfortable, and yes, the landlords home was improved and yes, the people who lived there after me were able to benefit by what I did, but who cares? I benefited for the whole time I lived there and I saved more money than what any improvements ever cost, plus I increased the comfort level of the home while I lived there.
If you are a tenant, everyone wins when you weatherize, but you win first, so set aside any reservations you might have and do yourself a favor and weatherize the space you are living in. You will waste less fuel, decrease your carbon footprint and will save money.
NO MONEY
I understand not having money, but you do have money, it’s just that there does not seem to be enough to ‘waste’ on improvements when so many other needs or desires already stand in line for your precious dollars.
You can still perform many weatherization improvements, but high-tech options such as shrink-wrap window seals can be set aside for good old sheets of plastic and duct tape. In addition, you would be amazed at how much weatherizing could be performed with a few tubes of carefully placed caulking.
One trick I learned to create the perfect seal is what I call the ‘poor mans window seal’. Start by opening the window or door that does not seal well when shut. Apply a thick bead of caulking to the immoveable window or door area where the window or door would push against when closed. Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the length of the caulking and then close the window or door tightly. Wait 12 to 24 hours and then open the window or door and remove the plastic swap and viola, you have a perfect fitting seal.
Overall, what I am trying to say is that even when the money is scarce, do as many little things as possible and be creative. The bottom line is that you will spend that money or more on fuel anyway.
One final option, and it varies dramatically from state to state, is to see if there is a local, county or state program to help you finance your home weatherization needs. Depending upon your income level, you might find you qualify for free or low cost weatherization work.
FOR EVERYONE ELSE
It pays to weatherize. There is no simpler way to say it. It pays to weatherize. So many people benefit when you choose to weatherize. First, there’s you, then there are those you might hire to help you, and then there’s the stores you buy the supplies from, and then there’s the global fuel demand which you just helped to lower, reducing prices for everyone in the world, and then finally there is the world that benefits.
Weatherizing is the gift that keeps on giving since many of the improvements you make will last for years, plus, many of the improvements you make to reduce your fuel costs, will also help reduce air conditioning costs during the summer. There is simply no down-side to weatherizing.
Weatherize your living space today and the whole world becomes a happier place.
David is the author of ‘The Rewards of Making Energy Efficient Choices’, and specializes in Heating and Air Conditioning and Electrical Wiring. Websites include: Weatherize America and Best Energy Saving Products
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Babysitters Needed: What You Should Find Out About Sitters
Aug 25th
Babysitters Needed: What You Should Find Out About Sitters
It may be your first time thinking of having babysitters needed signs. If you’re worried that no one would respond, you shouldn’t be. Many people would grab the opportunity to baby sit for the extra cash. Your real problem would be finding the right babysitter for your kids. Here are five things that can help you determine if someone can be trusted with your children.
Her Experience – Find out how long an applicant has been babysitting. If you have small kids, a lot of kids or children who are quite a handful, you would want to have an experienced sitter. On the other hand, you may settle for a neophyte sitter if you have a kid who is already past five years old.
You should also be interested in the age preference of a particular sitter. Not everyone for example would be comfortable and skilled enough with taking care of infants. It is important that the age of your kids fall within the level of experience and preference of your sitter.
References – If there are babysitters needed in your area, she may have already worked for others. In this case, she should at least be able to present you with some references. Give her references a call and find out how well she has baby sat for others. One thing you should remember though is that it is your sitter who is supplying the references. She would naturally forward the names of people who she thinks will give her a positive feedback. You shouldn’t rely entirely on references.
Background Information – You should look for background information on your applicants. You don’t want a sex offender, criminal or former drunk driver minding your kids. This may be a little tricky to look into. No one who wants to desperately have a job would volunteer damaging information about herself. You could ask your applicant to present some clearances or formal recommendations that would vouch for her clean personal background.
Method of Dealing with Kids – She may have a lot of experience handling kids of all ages. This doesn’t mean though that she has the exact same methods as yours when handling kids. She may not keep the same policies that you keep with your kids. Before you accept a sitter, make sure that you ask her about her methods. How would she handle kids in specific situations? What is her usual response when a child is being difficult? If she has different ways of handling kids, be sure to tell her how you would want things to be handled.
Her Rate – One crucial point that you shouldn’t miss is her rate. You can’t expect a sitter to accept your offer just because she wants to have a job. There are many other families looking for sitters. If your rate isn’t acceptable to her, she can look for other families to sit for. Many things can influence the rate such as sitter experience and amount of work to be done. Be sure to talk to your sitter and negotiate for an acceptable rate.
Know how you can find ads for babysitters needed. Get the top babysitter service online.