Voting setbacks slow down the Hugo Chávez ‘red machine’ - Times Online

Voting setbacks slow down the Hugo Chávez ‘red machine’ - Times Online
President Chávez’s hopes of reelection in 2013 were dealt a blow after Venezuela’s opposition won strategic victories in regional elections at the weekend. The socialist leader declared victory after taking at least 17 of 22 states in Sunday’s

Endeavour astronauts start fourth, final spacewalk - Hindustan Times
Two astronauts on the US space shuttle Endeavour began a fourth and final spacewalk amid efforts to repair the International Space Station as NASA extended the mission by a day. Americans Steve Bowen, 44, and Shane Kimbrough, 41, left the

Raleigh police: Don't get sideswiped by 'skimmers' - WRAL
Raleigh, N.C. — The Raleigh Police Department is urging users of ATMs to be aware of skimming devices and hidden cameras used to fraudulently obtain ATM card data and personal identification numbers (PINs). The equipment installed on ATM machines

North Korea to halt cross-border contacts with South - Boston Globe
KAESONG, North Korea - For months, tours of this historic city famed for its Buddhist temples and ancient relics have given South Koreans a glimpse of life in the hidden communist North. But North Korean officials said yesterday these visits were

NKorea: Kim Jong Il visits machine, soap factories - Washington Post
In this undated photo released on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 by Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service in Tokyo, North Korean Kim Jong Il, 2nd left, tours the Rakwon Machine Complex in Sinuiju, North Korea. North Korean state media reported

Kim Jong Il visits machine, soap factories: NKorea - CJAD
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea's Kim Jong Il paid visits to machinery and soap-making factories, state media reported Tuesday, the latest in a series of dispatches in recent weeks about public appearances by a leader believed to be recovering from

Man's idea to break Kan. ATM less than smashing - Yahoo News
LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – Police in Leavenworth, Kan., say a thief who tried to bust an ATM open like a giant piggy bank is lucky to be in one piece himself. They say the 49-year-old pried an ATM loose from a credit union early Sunday by using a stolen

600 Group warns of global market contraction - yorkshirepost
BRITAIN'S biggest machine tool maker, 600 Group, which is based in Leeds, today warned of a shrinkage in global markets as it delivered its half year results. The group, which published its interim results for the 26 weeks to September 27, revealed

Mail classified to a friend - Daily Record

Mail classified to a friend - Daily Record
Executive Assistant/Analyst The Will-Burt Company is the world leader of telescoping masts and emergency lighting systems in a variety of industries, and maintains a strong manufacturing infrastructure in machining, sheet metal fabrication, and

Third Wave Systems to support V-22, JSF - United Press International
HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command has contracted Third Wave Systems to support the V-22 Osprey and Joint Strike Fighter programs. NAVAIR awarded Third Wave Systems a $2.1 million phase II small business innovative

Black politicians prosper in Obama's home state - International Herald Tribune

Black politicians prosper in Obama's home state - International Herald Tribune
WASHINGTON : It's no coincidence the first black major-party nominee for president calls Illinois home. The state has sent more blacks to Congress than any other, in large part due to the chronic segregation of Chicago's housing. When Barack Obama

Australia finds hundreds of new animal species - MSNBC

Australia finds hundreds of new animal species - MSNBC
SYDNEY, Australia - Marine scientists have discovered hundreds of new animal species on reefs in Australian waters, including brilliant soft corals and tiny crustaceans, according to findings released Thursday. The creatures were found during

Big Bang machine had suffered glitch within hours of its launch - Thaindian.com
London, September 19 (ANI): The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the worlds largest particle collider, malfunctioned within hours of its launch, but its operator did not report the problem for a week. According to a report in the Telegraph, the European

Campaigns target each other's advisers - FOX News
WASHINGTON — John McCain and Barack Obama are targeting each other's economic advisers in a new pair of dueling campaign ads. Republican McCain released a new spot Thursday that quotes The Washington Post as saying Democrat Obama gets advice on

Developers claim Vista UAC 'bypass' - Silicon.com
Software developers from NeoSmart, a not-for-profit technology-development organisation, claim they have successfully bypassed User Account Control, a security feature in Windows Vista. The developers suggested on their website over the weekend the

Doing the hustle - Boston Globe

Doing the hustle - Boston Globe
NEW YORK - The Mets are en route to an 11-0 beating by the lowly Seattle Mariners at Shea Stadium. Starting pitcher Oliver Perez is getting booed mercilessly. His luck goes from bad to worse when he gets drilled trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt

REEL CRITIC: - Glendale News-Press
There are two significant groups of citizens who should take the challenge and see the new comedy “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” fans of Adam Sandler and people looking to escape the heat of summer. Everyone else should save their precious

Sony to start US movie download service for PlayStation 3 machine in - International Herald Tribune
TOKYO : Sony says it will start a movie download service for its PlayStation 3 home console this summer in the U.S. Kazuo Hirai, who heads Sony Corp.'s video game unit, said Thursday the service will be offered in Japan and Europe at later dates

Predators' top pick is a workout machine - Nashville Tennessean
The more one hears about Colin Wilson's workout at the NHL Draft Combine earlier this month, the more it sounds as if he performed like a blond-haired version of The Incredible Hulk. One example: Wilson maxed out the push-up requirement — they had

Syria glitters, but glare hides woes - Chicago Tribune
DAMASCUS, Syria — In the evenings, the glitterati of Damascus gather at Z-Bar, a zinc and crystal confection perched on the roof of one of the city's hotels. As the cocktails flow and the music pumps, the green neon lights of a dozen mosques

Rockwell Table Saw

If you happen to run across a Rockwell table saw for what seems to be a great price, do not be surprised and snatch it up. This brand has been out of manufacture for many years, but was amongst the top of the line table saws in its day. Rockwell table saws are the precursors to today's Delta brand table saws and if in good shape will do anything a Delta can. If it needs a little rebuilding to bring it back to perfect running shape, I believe you would find it worth the effort.

Rebuilding a Rockwell table saw is not for the casual hobbyist. It would be a challenge for a serious enthusiast, but can be accomplished. The satisfaction of bringing such a venerable table saw back to perfect working order might just be worth the effort involved. The first step towards rebuilding a Rockwell table saw would be to contact the manufacturer, Delta Machinery with the model and serial number to find the history and parts plan for your newly acquired Rockwell table saw. With these plans in hand, the rest of the job will be easier accomplished. It will not be easy in any case.

You may have to have some parts specially manufactured at a custom machine shop as they will not be available anywhere else. With the machine plans that you can get from the manufacturer, this is not as daunting of a task as it would have been even thirty years ago. With the correct measurements, any metal part can be machined on a computer numerically controlled milling machine. A few minutes to an hour on a CAD program can make a program for the CNC machine to mill your needed part. This will cost a bit, but will give the Rockwell table saw new life for many years. If it happens to be a part that wears out often, have the machine shop make you a few extras. The major cost of the part will be in setting up the program, not the actual milling.

The effort needed to rebuild a Rockwell table saw might seem more than you want to spend, but after you are done and using this great table saw for your other projects, a feeling of satisfaction will come over you every time you use it.

Johnathon is a professional carpenter for over 20 years and has experience in helping customers renovate their homes. Johnathon is woodwork enthusiast who works with jigsaws, table saws, circular saws and many other varieties of saws. Visit his specialty site on delta table saws at http://www.szaws.com.

Home Staging For Maximum Price

Location, Location, Location! These words have traditionally been used as the most important aspect for buying real estate. For selling Real Estate, we believe the key words are Staging, Staging, and more Staging! Staging a home is the best proven way to sell real estate faster, and get the most money from your property.

Staging is not a new Real Estate term, however, it is often the one key element in home sales overlooked by both sellers and their agents. Homeowners are often left to their own discretion, when it comes to how their home should be prepared for showings. The help of a staging professional can reduce the stress of selling a home, as well as give you the best return on your investment.

Buyers make a decision within the first few minutes of viewing the house, based on their initial reaction to the looks and feel of the home. Staging helps the seller to maximize the impact of those first impressions. Staging should be done in five steps:

Step1 Improved Street Appeal ? This includes landscaping evaluation, trimming the shrubs, removing dead limbs, yard debris, power washing paved areas and porches, clean or freshly painting the front door, and placing plantings at the doorway.

Step 2 De-personalize Your Home - This includes removing personal photos and family heirlooms, any religious or sports related memorabilia. You want buyers to be able to imagine their own belongings in the home.

Step 3 De-clutter Your Home - Remove books from the bookcases, pack up knick knacks, and clean off the kitchen and bath counter tops. Rearrange closets and kitchen cabinets to make a neat appearance when opened.

Step 4 Make Minor Repairs ? Fix broken windows, screens, leaky faucets, nicks in the paint on doorways and baseboards. Make sure doors close properly and all locks work. Repair broken tiles and eliminate squeaks in floors. Recaulk tubs, showers, and sinks. Clean or replace carpets if needed.

Step 5 Make the House Sparkle ? This includes washing windows inside and out, clean out cobwebs, refrigerator, and garage. Polish faucets and mirrors, wax floors, dust furniture and light fixtures, clean and air out musty smelling areas.

This article was written by Dale Heck, a Realtor? serving buyers and sellers of Pinehurst real estate in Moore County North Carolina. Dale services buyers interested in golf homes, condos and the private gated golf course communities including The Pinehurst Country Club, Forest Creek, Pinewild, CCNC, Fairwoods and MidSouth Country Clubs. In addition to Pinehurst real estate, Dale is active in Southern Pines NC Horse farm sales and Fort Bragg Real Estate sales. To learn more about Dale, take a look at his websites, http://www.pinehurstrealestatenc.com, http://www.pinehurstluxuryhomesnc.com, http://www.southernpineshorsefarmsnc.com where you will find additional articles, and current MLS listings.

DiBruno Family Scams

For the past twenty years, the DiBruno family from Belmont, NC have scammed hundreds of people out of tens of millions of dollars.

The DiBruno's made a living taking advantage of the elderly, inexperienced investors and their friends. They are ruthless con-artists who have knowingly defrauded people out of their life savings to treat themselves to expensive cars, homes and jewelry.

I could not possibly list all of the scams the DiBruno?s have been involved in over the years but I promise you will get the idea if you read the following?

Joseph DiBruno, Sr. and his wife Lela DiBruno established the family criminal enterprise in the early 1980's. Joe DiBruno partnered up with some fellow crooks in 1983 to create a bogus company called 'National Gas & Power Co.' or 'NGP.' DiBruno and his co-conspirators told potential investors they operated a successful recycling plant in Virgina and planned to expand.

DiBruno produced false documentation to mislead potential investors into believing there was a company and recycling plant to invest in. He presented them with false profit information and had his cohorts act as satisfied investors to further convince the investors. After DiBruno and his cronies convinced people to invest in NGP and collected the money, they did not provide any further financial information to the ?shareholders? of NGP. In addition, none of the parties involved in selling the stocks were licensed security agents.

NGP was subsequently shut down by the SEC in 1989. DiBruno was convicted of security law violations but he never paid a cent to the victims he defrauded nor did he spend one day in jail for his crimes. The SEC violations didn?t stop DiBruno. This was only the beginning of his career in cheating people out of money.

DiBruno had a partner in crime named Cecil Minges. Minges was an older man and a veteran con artist himself. Minges formed a fake company in Florida called 'US Dairy.' He claimed he had the recipe for low cholesterol milk and bilked investors out of millions of dollars before US Dairy was shut down by the SEC in 1994.

Two months after Minges' company US Dairy was shut down, DiBruno formed a corporation in North Carolina called 'Golden Jersey Products' or GJP. DiBruno formed the 'shell' business to continue Minges' milk scam; however, DiBruno, Sr. took it to the next level. Joseph DiBruno informed potential investors he could buy the formula for cholesterol free milk for $2.5 million dollars. The formula was supposedly called 'Replace' and the product was to be called 'Dairy Trim.'

DiBruno had the audacity to send out press releases and have a press conference announcing his new milk product. DiBruno?s announcement appeared on CNN and in the NY Times to promote a product he didn't even have the formula for. DiBruno promised his investors a huge return on their investments and once again produced fake documentation to coax his victims into investing in the company. In addition, he had his co-conspirators on hand to act as the enthusiastic investors again.

Joe DiBruno, Sr., his criminal cohort, Cecil Minges, and his eldest son, Joe DiBruno Jr., printed piles of worthless GJP stock certificates and sent them to investors. Overall, the DiBruno?s sold 10 million shares of phony GJP stock. The list of GJB shareholders (victims) includes 350+ people.

The sad part is that DiBruno was in fact offered a cholesterol free milk formula for $2.5 million dollars; however, he never paid for it nor did he plan to. DiBruno never made any effort to buy the formula or take the steps necessary to bring the milk product to market.

In 1999, a group of investors from Florida filed a complaint against Joseph Sr., Golden Jersey Products and two co-conspirators. The investors claimed they were defrauded when they purchased GJP stock. Around the same time, the IRS filed a tax lien against the DiBruno's home in Florida for the amount of $969,027. Joe DiBruno Sr. and Lela DiBruno quickly filed for a sham divorce to protect their assets. It wasn?t until 2002 when Golden Jersey Products sent a memo to shareholders advising them GJP was bankrupt.

Joe DiBruno, Sr. and his cohorts continued the cholesterol free milk scam until the late 90's until they thought of a new scam?They invented a company who supposedly had the rights to a product had called "Immuno-C." Immuno-C was a Vitamin-C filled, chewable, tangerine flavored product with colostrum. As usual, the DiBruno's did not have a product nor did they have any intent to sell any product. It was all about selling fraudulent stock to pocket all the money.

Joseph DiBruno Jr. (Photo R) and Nicholas DiBruno starting working with their con-artist parents in the late 90's. By the year 2000, the DiBruno brothers were actively participating in the family scam business. Joe DiBruno Jr. incorporated at least nine different companies in the state of North Carolina in 2001.

In 2000, Joseph DiBruno Jr. created a company called Internet Business Design Group or IBD. Joe Jr. & Nick DiBruno scammed a South Carolina woman to invest in the non-existent IBD and promised her big returns. In 2002, the victim filed a lawsuit against I.B.D Group, Inc., Joseph DiBruno Jr. and Nicholas DiBruno. In 2003, the SC courts awarded the victim $74,500.

Another shell company DiBruno Jr. incorporated in 2001 was called 'DiBruno Brothers Mining, Inc.? The father and sons team claimed they were part of Knights of Malta and had certain mineral rights on government land in New Mexico. They were supposedly working with the Knight of Malta to mine for gold and bring "hope and nourishment to millions of children around the world." They presented investors with fake land surveys and even went so far to forge an insurance policy from Lloyds of London guaranteeing the mine to be worth $500 million dollars!

In 2003, Joe Jr. and Nick DiBruno solicited people to invest in a company called "IFT" or International Food Technologies, Inc. The DiBruno brothers told potential investors their father was a nutritional scientist who started IFT and had developed a flavored milk product containing the sucralose sweetener "Splenda."

The DiBruno?s claimed the drink was healthier than a sugar sweetened drink and the product was intended for sale in schools throughout the United States. They gave false profit information to investors and continued to solicit them for more money. The DiBruno's told the investors the investment would profit 400%. One of the scam victims from Indiana sued the DiBruno's in 2004.

At the same time, the DiBruno's and Cecil Minges were busy persuading people to invest in their fake record company called KB Records. The men told potential investors they had signed a contract with a talented singer named Jody Lee Hage and Sony Records wanted to buy the rights to his songs for $20 million dollars. According to Hager, he lived with the DiBruno's for over a year and was paraded around completely naive to the fact the DiBruno?s were scamming him too.

In 2004, two scam victims hired a private investigator from Florida to research the DiBruno family so they could bring the case to court. The pair decided it was high time to put an end to the DiBruno family scams and see to it that justice is done. The private investigator thoroughly researched the DiBruno?s and he was able to gather enough information to put together a 586 page report to submit to the US Attorneys Office, IRS, The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Florida Division of Securities.

The DiBruno family knew they were going down and vowed their victims would never see a cent so Joseph DiBruno, Sr., Joseph DiBruno, Jr and Nicholas Dibruno all filed for bankruptcy. This was a big mistake because they were basically inviting government to look at their financial situations. Of course, the DiBruno?s did what they do best and lied on the bankruptcy filing paperwork. The family failed to include many assets and it came back to bite them.

In November of 2006, Joseph DiBruno, Sr. and his two sons were FINALLY indicted in Federal Court on charges of money laundering, securities fraud, frauds & swindles, concealing assets & defrauding the United States. Joseph DiBruno Jr. is charged with numerous additional counts of wire fraud, mail fraud, promotion of money laundering, concealment of assets and conspiracy.

Joseph DiBruno & Nicholas DiBruno were released from jail but Joseph DiBruno, Jr. remains in jail. He filed a petition for release from jail pending a trial but his petition was denied.

I hope the DiBruno boys go away for a long time! For some reason, Lela DiBruno was not indicted. She was involved in the scams and profited from them so hopefully she will be charged as well.

Maura O?Neill is a freelance writer and an editor and researcher of a popular crime blog dedicated to crime and justice in Charlotte, NC. Maura?s research and writings have appeared in The Charlotte Observer, Creative Loafing, WCNC News 6, WBTV News 2, News 14 Carolina and Maura has appeared on the WBT 1100 Keith Larsen show to discuss her work. Maura O?Neill PO Box 17022 Charlotte, NC 28227 E-mail: on_crime@yahoo.com

Florida Fugitive Caught A Released in Charlotte, NC

On March 10th, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested 48-year old Terry Glenn Mauldin, (R) for two outstanding sexual battery warrants out of Marion County, Florida.

Terry Mauldin is wanted in Florida because he sexually assaulted two special needs students from Dec '06-Feb '07. He was questioned by authorities in February when the students came forward. However, Mauldin fled the state before a judge could sign a warrant for his arrest. A tip led police to his whereabouts in Charlotte and police picked him up.

According to The Ocala Times-Banner, Mauldin was a bus assistant who worked on a bus transporting male students between a group home and a public school for special needs children. The Marion County Sheriff's Office says Mauldin called and approached the group home in Ocala, FL on several occasions. He even asked home caregivers if he could take the boys to the movies, dinner and other places.

Two students, ages 15 and 13, came forward in February and claimed Mauldin kissed, fondled and performed oral sex on them. One student said the incidents happened on a frequent basis on the morning and afternoon bus ride. The second student said he was assaulted on the bus and in a gas station bathroom. Mauldin is one sick man who should be considered a danger to all children.

The two warrants in Florida clearly state Mauldin was to be held without bond and Florida would extradite him. However, a Mecklenburg County Magistrate did not bother checking with officials in Florida or looking at the case and set Mauldin?s bail at $20,000. Mauldin bonded out of jail the following day.

According to Julia Rush, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff?s Office spokesperson, officials in Mecklenburg County are working under a new administrative order that allows judges to set bail on anyone, as long as it's not a capital offense. Mauldin?s next court date is on April 12, 2007.

Maura O?Neill is a freelance writer and an editor and researcher of a popular crime blog dedicated to crime and justice in Charlotte, NC. Maura?s research and writings have appeared in The Charlotte Observer, Creative Loafing, WCNC News 6, WBTV News 2, News 14 Carolina and Maura has appeared on the WBT 1100 Keith Larsen show to discuss her work. Maura O?Neill PO Box 17022 Charlotte, NC 28227 E-mail: on_crime@yahoo.com Website: http://www.crimeincharlotte.com

Who Killed Tina Virgil

Tina Louise Virgil disappeared in late February or March of 2006. Tina's sister was worried when she didn't hear from her sister after three weeks so she called CMPD and made a 'Missing Person' report.

Tina Virgil lived at 1500 Greenview Place with her boyfriend Rayford Leon Thomas. Virgil and Thomas had a history of domestic violence and both were arrested one month prior to her disappearance for assaulting each other.

CMPD followed up on the Missing Person report in May and December 2006. Detectives spoke with Virgil's sisters and attempted to contact her boyfriend Rayford Thomas in December. Thomas said he would come to the police station to be interviewed but he never showed up.

On March 22, 2006, loggers in Anson County discovered a large garbage bag in a creek on Smith-Ferry Rd. The bag contained a woman's body. Police interviewed the one resident who lives on Smith-Ferry Rd. He told police he saw a suspicious small blue or purple pick-up truck drive down the road three to four days before loggers found the body. The man said he remembered seeing the truck because it drove down the road at a high rate of speed and twenty minutes later, the same truck came speeding back down the road. He saw one person in the truck but he couldn't tell if they were male or female.

Detectives in Anson County and the SBI were unable to identify the body until February 26, 2007. Dental records confirmed the woman found in Anson County last March was 42-year old Tina Louise Virgil. Police said Virgil was a homicide victim and say she was killed by blunt force trauma.

On February 20, 2007, a Special Agent with the SBI interviewed Rayford Thomas. He told the agent he last saw Tina Virgil on March 8, 2006. Thomas said he and Virgil had an argument and Tina walked out the door never to be heard from again. He said Tina did not pack a bag and he never looked for her. He said he gave Tina's clothes to his ex-wife. In addition, Thomas stated his parents are from Anson County and the agent noted he drives a blue/grey pick-up truck.

On March 5, 2007, a search warrant was issued to search Thomas' truck. Crime scene technicians took swabs from the truck and seized the truck bed cover, a tire iron and a Spear .380 spent shell casing. The search warrant did not detail the items they collected from the home.

Oddly enough, Aaron Wood was found shot to death seven days ago on March 7, 2007 at 1501 Greenview Place... one house away from Thomas. CMPD, SBI and the Anson County Sheriff's Office are working together to solve the Virgil case.

Maura O?Neill is a freelance writer and an editor and researcher of a popular crime blog dedicated to crime and justice in Charlotte, NC. Maura?s research and writings have appeared in The Charlotte Observer, FOX At-large with Geraldo, Creative Loafing, WCNC News 6, WBTV News 2, News 14 Carolina and Maura has appeared on the WBT 1100 Keith Larsen show to discuss her work. Maura O?Neill PO Box 17022 Charlotte, NC 28227 E-mail: on_crime@yahoo.com http://www.crimeincharlotte.com

What is The Internet, Really?

The Internet is the Wow Medium of Your Generation

You should consider yourself blessed because you were able to witness the birth and quick growth of the newest medium of communication: the Internet.

More than millions of interconnected computers around the world, the Internet is a new medium. It is the "wow medium" of your generation.

Right now, people are still "wowing" over it.

However, most people don't seem to get it. Most people don't quite yet seem to realise that the Internet is a medium just like television, radio and newspapers.

For example, the wow medium of your great grandparents would have been the printed press. The wow medium of your grandparents may have been the radio. The wow medium of your parents may have been the television. Now, your wow medium is the Internet.

People are learning fast and furious that the Internet is a serious medium like any other and can burn you badly if you play with its fire. Don't believe me? Well I am writing down a list of people with whom you can verify that statement:

- US Senator John Kerry who lost the elections versus George W. Bush

- CBS star journalist Dan Rather whose story had gaping a hole in it and this was discovered thanks to the Internet.

- Europe's 2nd largest telecom whose profits fell below expectations because they didn't pay attention to the phenomenon of Internet telephony.

- Miami florists whose business shrunk thanks to online florists

- Sampson Nanton who no longer works at CNC 3 thanks to e-mails circulating purportedly of him.

- and now the pastor's 14-year-old daughter Deena "Danah" Alleyne is coming to grips with the reality that the Internet is as powerful as TV when shaping public opinion.

- the singer Akon, who was caught on camera with the above in compromising positions, may also have learnt some harsh lessons from the Internet but with stars, you never really know; it could have very well been a planned publicity gimmick that backfired.

The bottom line is that the Internet flexes its muscles every now and then and it must be made to form part of your marketing mix as all the other media. It has several very unique characteristics that in many regards, makes it an immensely more powerful medium than all the others you've ever known.

Too often we overlook the right medium for our message and we need to think outside the box, outside of TV, radio and newspapers. An ad in the right monthly magazine that only 500 people read could produce better results than the multi-million dollar superbowl ad you always thought you needed. Maybe the postal service has a medium you can use, or your telephone company, or maybe the loudspeaker is your thing. Think about it carefully because it might just be time for you to GetYourNameIn.com and start your own channel.

Aleem Khan is an accredited Internet Expert with the International Internet Authority http://www.InternationalInternetAuthority.com which is a safe and reliable place to buy domain names.

Google Web History Helps SEO Strategy - Can It Help You

If you are a casual surfer looking for personal information only, maybe Google Web History is for you, or maybe not. If you are searching for information related to your business that might be more important to you than a casual search, it might just be the right thing for you to install on your computer.

If you have the Google toolbar installed, you can install Google Web History and get a list of all of your recently visited sites. Just a reminder that Google is tracking all of this information, but if you want to look at where you've been on the Internet recently, you can find out in an instant.

I use it to review my search patterns. I have a rather focused search related to a particular SEO Strategy, so I want to take a look at my history to see if I am maintaining a focused search, or if I get distracted from my focal point. Do you ever get distracted on a tangent while surfing for specific information? Yeah, doesn't everyone ? I take a look at where I?ve been in my search, and try to see if my search trail has followed my central search, or become lost along the way.

If you are a heavy duty surfer, you might want to see something that you remembered from earlier in the day, but forgot to bookmark. Google Web History will take you there right away. It could also be used, if you are a meeting and contact sort of person, or if you keep records of someone you spoke with on a certain date. You might remember a conversation on a particular day, and go to your history to find a site that you talked about with that person.

If this sounds like it might be easier than combing through your hundreds of bookmarks to find that lost site, than Google Web History might be for you. I use both Internet Explorer and Firefox for different purposes, but I have to admit that my Firefox bookmarks have become too clogged to be very useful anymore. I like the way Web History records everything, even though the search record has many pages. I usually just review my recent searches from the last few days, and not much further. I word needs to be said about the way Google tracks information. On the one hand, I have to admit, I don?t like Google knowing everywhere I search all over the Internet. I certainly would not want my credit card company or a retail merchant doing such detailed tracking. I know the result would be more junk mail than I get already.

I really don?t expect that Google is suddenly going to flood my gmail account with junk e-mail. I already have a certain level of respect for the way that Google filters junk mail, and I don?t think their policy will change anytime soon. If it bothers you that Google is tracking your browsing history, then by all means, do not install the Google Toolbar or the Web History feature. By the way, if you have not installed the Google Toolbar yet, it used to be installed with the tracking feature turned off by default. I have been told on good authority that Google Toolbar tracking is now turned on by default. Just to repeat, if you have privacy concerns then install the Google Toolbar and change the defaults, or do not install either the Toolbar or the Web History feature.

I think that the information Google gathers will continue to improve the search upon which they have always hung their hat. As long as quality original content still rules in page rank and search position, I will allow Web History to continue doing what it does, gather and store information. Ostensibly from Google?s point of view they do this to provide a better quality search and more personalized search.

The only thing I can see that could potentially derail the Google juggernaut, is to violate what got them to the top, which is their unique page rank algorithm and content quality barometer. It is highly unlikely that Google is ready to alienate users and risk a huge backlash and the resulting negative publicity for a few junk e-mail offers.

Just type Web History into Google, or go to google.com/history to find this new feature.

Happy Surfing !

John Lombaerde is a CAD/CAM/CNC Specialist with over 20 years experience in advanced manufacturing technologies. He is a Designer, CNC Programmer, CNC Machinist, a CAD/CAM consultant, and SEO Strategy consultant. For additional information contact: For more information, see CAD CAM Consulting or CAD CAM Conference

The Old Clock Makers Were They Better Craftsmen Than We Are Today?

The thing about making a long case clock completely from scratch is you have to acquire a lot of skills, from engineering skills for making the movement, painting skills for the dial, and cabinet making skills for making the case.

To make a long case clock that was constructed in the style and looked like the antique clocks I had seen in the antique shops and fairs, I would have to acquire the skills and techniques the old clock makers had.

So started the long and arduous road of making my longcase clock or as it is fondly known as a grandfather clock from the same name as the popular song, written by Henry Clay Work in 1876.

In the early period of this project, I like many other antique collectors and enthusiasts, thought naively that the "clock makers" meaning the man that made the movement, did all this work.

This is true in some isolated cases possibly in rural areas, but most movement makers bought in the dials and cases from men that specialized in that particular trade.

I had this picture in my mind of a far off time long ago where the pace of life was slower and morals and work standards came before material gain and wealth, where craftsmen were craftsmen and worked away methodically in their badly lit cold workshops.

Now I understand this to be totally wrong, tradesmen in the late 17th century and early 18th century had the same problems we have today, they had to make a living, so the same business principles of cutting costs i.e. materials and labour still applied.

This we can see in the construction of the cases, its very rare you find elaborate jointing in longcases clocks at the most you might find a double tenon joint in the cross rails of the trunk front, or a mortise and tenon joint in hood doors. But on the whole cases were jointed with half-lap or even butt joints, backboards were put together using any wide boards they had in the workshop, more often than not it would be pine. Don't get me wrong the clock builders of yesteryear were craftsmen but no more than the craftsmen of today, the difference is tooling, techniques and materials.

Our furniture craftsmen of today are truly skilled, it takes knowledge and understanding to set up and run the likes of a CNC router (computer numeric control) and know the correct tooth angle on a circular saw blade when cutting MDF (medium density fibre board) to get the best cut without damaging the blade or saw. This all became very clear to me when studying for a City and Guilds advanced furniture qualification.

Studying early furniture makers especially Chippendale as we came into the mahogany period of 1735, this man Chippendale was a businessman, an entrepreneur of his time.

He brought furniture to the middle classes, mass-producing and importing mahogany from South America and Cuba.

It's said that he instructed Captains of the ships bringing the timber into England, to go though Jamaica as Jamaica was a country in the commonwealth and therefore no tax was due on the timber. This timber was made up in France by some of the best chair makers of the time and then shipped to England and finished in Chippendale's workshops in London.

The one thing Chippendale did do that significantly influenced the style of furniture and therefore the clock cases of the period was to publish a catalogue of the patterns and styles of his work.

His new style was an infusion of three styles, the architectural Gothic style, and the much fashionable style of the day Rococo, and the new imported style which was creating much excitement at the time the Chinese Style.

All three came together in one style and in one publication; this meant that for the first time in history furniture makers could offer a modern and fashionable style of uniformity across England and Europe.

Other furniture makers influenced style of the late 1700s, men like Hepplewhite, although much in the style of Chippendale, Sheraton with his inlays and stringing, fluted columns and Corinthian caps (Egyptian style), and the Adam Brothers. All influencing the style of the period and so attributing to the way furniture makers made and finished the clock cases of their time.

I believe Chippendale was a craftsman, but if he was here today I'm sure he would be using overhead routers, chipboard, and be spraying with synthetic finishes.

There are some clock patterns in Chippendales publications if they were ever made I don't know. I've never seen anything like them as they are very elaborate but saying that I bet somebody has had a go.

I mention this because trying to make a clock case in the traditional way using traditional methods and construction gave me, like earlier case makers my first big problem.

This is the same problem furniture makers and clock case makers have had to fight with through the ages. That is the problem with timber stability when using wide boards of hard wood.

Barry Share is the proprietor of Riversdale Clocks. Were he and his son Matthew have been making bespoke cases for longcase clocks since 1986 and are both holders of advanced furniture qualifications. Barry and Matt are co-authors in the new case making manual ... ?Making A Case For A Longcase Clock? a must read for any one making a case to house an antique movement and dial.: http://www.casemaking.riversdaleclocks.com

Improving Your Sewing 200%!

Besides seeing all the surprising things that my students do, one of the most interesting parts of working with sewers is seeing that, no matter how experienced you are, you'll have a few blind spots, or places where you can improve. So here are many tips I think most people can benefit from.

1. Mark all things that matter.

It's crucial to mark center front. Thread-trace lines that need to be seen on the right side (pocket placement). Also remembe rto color-code your markings -- how can you tell a large dot from a small dot if you've tailor-tacked them in the same thread color? This will definately save a lot of time.

2. Keep in mind that shoulders move.

If your garment has shoulder pads, you'll definately need to stitch some mobility into the points of the shoulder pads. Working from the right side, sew a small backstitch in the ditch of the shoulder seams to attach shoulder pads from sleeve to neck, catching just the pad cover, and use small swing tacks on the inside to anchor the points of the pads to the armhole seam allowances.

3. Keep check of your sewing supply How annoying is it when you just need that one button, and you search your sewing supply and can't find it. Or you need a particular needle, and it's not in the sewing supply. Keep check of your sewing supply will save a lot of time and frustration.

4. Learn to understand fabric Almost all sewing is done on fabric. Understanding fabric and the parts of fabric will help your creativity blossom! This also comes back to your sewing supply, keep check! Keep a range of fabrics in your sewing supply!

5. Keep at it! Practice, experiment, research! You can learn anything! Just imagine yourself sewing the most complicated designs, if you can see it, it can happen. Sometimes it may take a lot of work, but once you master it, you'll be amazingly satisfied!

Ok that's my top tips for improving your sewing. The biggest one is to just stick at it. The rest will follow. If you do this, you will become very good. Take my tips into consideration, all it could take is an alter to your sewing supply, or marking your sewing better, that could improve you 200%! If you are interested in further improving your sewing, check out http://sewing.cncboards.com/ for pleanty more designs, tips, patterns and more!

How Dry I Am

Out of the four basic nutrients which our bodies require for survival (water, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) WATER is the most important of all! Why? A human being is able to remain alive without food for approximately thirty days, however life would cease in about three if the body were deprived of this precious nutrient! The human body is two-thirds water, which plays a major role in every function from digestion and absorption, to circulation and excretion. Water improves oxygen delivery to every cell, transports nutrients, enables easier breathing, cushions and absorbs shocks to joints, regulates body temperature, flushes toxins, removes wastes, improves cell communication, and helps us look and feel great. We lose approximately 2-3 quarts through perspiration and one pint through exhalation every day! Dehydrated and nutrient deficient cells will encourage health problems not to mention give us that dried-up wrinkly look, something so easily avoided by taking in a few sips of water here and there!

So, are we really drinking enough? Many people will admit that they are not?and this is the reason why there are so many people with symptoms of dehydration. In a healthy body, even a slight dip in blood volume triggers the hypothalamus to send out a message that we are thirsty, making our mouths feel dry. Due to poor habits and aging, our trigger mechanisms become impaired and slow down, giving the false impression of adequate hydration, and this is more of a reason to drink water even if you aren?t thirsty. The old rule of thumb is that eight servings (8oz per serving) of good quality water per day is sufficient for normal body function, however, there is another more precise way to calculate the amount you need. Take your body weight in pounds and divide by two; this number in ounces is closest to what your body requires each day for optimal health. Ex. Michelle weighs 150 pounds; divide 150 by two, which equals 75. Michelle needs to consume approximately 75 ounces of water per day in order to meet the hydration needs of her body. Seventy-five ounces divided by 8 ounces equals approximately nine 8oz glasses instead of the recommended eight. (You may need more or less depending upon the time of year and your exercise habits; exercise is wonderful for us however we need to replenish what water is lost through perspiration). Another important thing to remember is that ice cold temperatures will shock the digestive system thus slowing down enzyme capability, so preferably drink your water at room temperature.

Why be concerned about dehydration? Some annoying signs of this from early onset to later stages may appear as headaches, cramping, fatigue, anxiety, depression, heart burn, joint pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, constipation, angina, allergies, asthma, adult onset of diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disease, psoriasis and more. The worst part is that many people think they are getting enough quality water out of the many other types of drinks they consume throughout the day. With a society consuming so much coffee, beer, wine, and carbonated soda containing chemicals, sugar and caffeine, I am afraid not! What most people do not realize is that these type drinks cancel out the little bit of pure water that they do consume! Caffeine and alcoholic drinks are diuretics, which mean they contribute to a debit of hydration by increasing urine flow, not to mention other ill health effects due to some of their ingredients. Carbonated drinks usually contain high amounts of refined sugar or worse, artificial sweeteners. Your best bet is to cut back on products containing these ingredients or better yet stop using them altogether and reach only for the pure, good quality water!

Am I able to substitute some of my water intake with any other kind of beverage? YES!!! Fresh juices extracted through a juicer from organic fruits and vegetables (not bottled due to chemicals, high sugar and lack of enzymes, raw vegetables or a piece or two of fruit are the best. Decaffeinated herbal tea is also a fine choice.

So what are you waiting for? Go get a glass! Not sure when is the best time to quench your thirst and your body? Usually about 20 minutes before a meal or at least one half hour afterwards best so as not to disturb the digestive process. Too much water after a meal may interfere with enzyme function. And don?t chug your daily requirement in one or 2 sittings. The body can only effectively metabolize around 5 ounces of water at a time. Drink too much, and it will go straight to the bladder, so sip your water throughout the day.

What do you mean when you say quality water? All water is the same, is it not? Not so! Many health problems ranging from parasites to cancer can result from drinking contaminated water. There are over 75 thousand chemical compounds lurking in our water today. These pollutants come from industrial waste, agriculture, municipal sewage and consumers. Most people assume their taps provide clean, safe, quality water yet unfortunately this is not the case. These contaminants do seep into much of our water supply. Who is responsible for setting the standards for public water systems? The Safe Drinking water Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) control over this ongoing challenge with our drinking water (private wells are not regulated by the EPA). In fact more than one third of the water supply from community water systems have been reported as failing to meet the EPA standards for safety and treatment techniques. Some of the harmful pollutants one may find in their drinking water include heavy metals, radon, fluoride, arsenic, fertilizers, asbestos, cyanides, pesticides, herbicides, industry chemicals, viruses, bacteria and parasites. And then of course, the following are added to public water supplies in order to kill bacteria, balance pH, control cloudiness, etc.; chlorine, carbon, lime, phosphates, soda ash and aluminum sulfate. Chlorine also has it?s undesirable effects especially if combined with carbon based pollutants which form deadly tri-halo-methanes (THMs). Another contaminant of concern is Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) which is an immune system depressant and most likely a carcinogen. MTBE is added to gasoline in order to increase its oxygen content however it is seeping into our drinking water at a fast rate.

Unfortunately many of the impurities found in our drinking water supply are carcinogens; others contribute to general malaise or various types of illness. What to do? Clean up your tap water with one of the many filters on the market or choose a quality bottling company for your hydration needs. Although boiling water will kill bacteria and parasites it falls short at removing contaminants, so it won?t improve the quality of water enough to make it suitable for drinking. Some of the available home water treatment and/or filtration methods you might want to look into include: charcoal, micro straining, and ceramic filters, KDF filtration, distillation, reverse osmosis, water softeners, bactericides, ultraviolet light and ozone. Although reverse osmosis and distillated are considered the best, no system can remove every single contaminant. Before choosing a unit it is suggested that you contact NSF International (www.nsf.com ) or the Water Quality Association (www.wqa.org). These organizations will let you know if a manufacturer is holding their claims. See Holistic Healers Academy website for description of filtration methods: http://www.holistichealersacademy.com/water.htm

This article offers an introduction to alternative methods to plain tap water to encourage consumers into further investigation on which water would be best for them to use for drinking or cooking. It is my hope that you will contact some of the companies /agencies listed in order to get a closer look at how important it is to drink good quality water!

References: Dr. Batmanghelidj' M.D. ,"Your Body's Many Cries for Water" www.watercure.com Paul Bragg N.D., PhD, Water, The Shocking Truth That Can Save Your Life Steve Meyerowitz ?Water The Ultimate Cure?

Please read the following: by Masaru Emoto, ?Messages From Water? see site www.hado.net on how our thoughts effect water

Bob Worthington CNC, Naturopath (instructor for Holistic Healers Academy) see his own site http://www.spiritcentral.net

Kristen Lauter BS, HHP holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Health from Clayton College of Natural Health and has received board certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She is currently a candidate for the Certified Nutritional Consultant (CNC) through the American Association of Nutritional Consultants. Kristen fell ill with mercury and copper toxicity which led her on a nine year holistic journey resulting in the birth of Holistic Healers Academy.

Holistic Healers Academy (HHA), offers various programs leading to board certification as a Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) through the American Association for Drugless Practitioners. Through affordable home study courses, HHA offers holistic, metaphysical, energy and spiritual programs. With over thirty five courses to choose from, our HHP program is self-paced and enjoyable with one on one mentoring via email! For additional information visit our website at http://holistichealersacademy.com

Certified Holistic Health Practitioner #76892201 Holistic Healers Academy received accreditation and certification from AADP in 2002 Certificate No. 37182206 and again in 2004 Certificate No. 31472411

Types of Manufacturing Software

Currently, a large variety of software is available to the manufacturing industry. The software helps the industry to improve a multitude of manufacturing as well as organizational functions.

Firstly, software has been developed to control and monitor machines used in manufacture of products. Each type of machinery works in a different way and therefore requires a specifically designed software program.

Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) is software used to generate the codes to give instruction to CNC machines to enable them to form shapes designed in a computer-aided (CAD) system. This helps the modern manufacturing plants to meet their high volume high accuracy production requirements.This also simplifies the job of the person who is watching over the machines and makes it significantly less strainous.

The second important function of a software programs is to facilitate better control on financial and personnel management. The software for this purpose is usually applicable to all types of industries and institutions. Nevertheless, minor changes may be necessary to tailor the general software for a particular industry or institution.

Thirdly software programs are able to streamline and improve management functions within the manufacturing industry. Because computers control the machines, time and motion studies of various manufacturing operations, and stages can be more easily undertaken. It is possible to stay up-dated and effectively control the status of critical items, such as raw materials, inventory and order status, goods in-process status, finished goods inventory, and delivery status. Planning and scheduling software enables the industry to monitor manufacturing activity, through time and action calendars that track key milestone events and create alerts. Activities such as packing and labeling can be controlled, by getting real time status on exact quantity of pieces packed for different orders, per quantity, per color, and per size, to reduce possible back charges.

Manufacturing Software provides detailed information on Manufacturing Software, Manufacturing Inventory Software, Manufacturing Business Software, Manufacturing Management Software and more. Manufacturing Software is affiliated with Free CAD Software.

Manufacturing Control Software

Manufacturing control software has existed in a rudimentary form since the advent of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines. The term CNC refers to the computerized control of machine tools, to facilitate the repeated production of complex parts in all kinds of materials. CNC was developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s in the M.I.T.

Early CNC machines used a software program written in a notation called G-Code. In the early days, the computers were very large in size and were power guzzlers. Despite their huge presence, the 1950 computers had very limited processing or data storage power. Therefore, computers were not used in the manufacturing industry, till the appearance of Personal Computers (PCs) and suitable Operating Systems in the 1980s.

With The PC explosion in the 1980s, CNC manufacturers started shifting to PC-based controls running Microsoft Windows or O/S 2 operating systems, which can be linked to the existing networks using standard protocols. Manufacturing companies began to move away from, expensive minicomputer and workstation based CAD/CAM which usually ran on G-Code, towards the more cost-effective PC-based software solutions. PC-based systems which can accomplish complicated tasks, using standard network protocols are available at minimal or no cost. In most cases, the Manufacturers do not need an 'expert' to implement shop floor networking, and can do the implementation themselves.

The demand for sophisticated manufacturing software has grown tremendously, over the last fifteen years and affords a lot of new and exciting functionality, to a variety of machines in the manufacturing industry.

Many software developers write and provide proprietary software systems. These are for manufacturing companies, employing computer control of machine tools such as milling machines, cutting machines, robots, hexapods, and lathes. However, these software programs are supplied for a fee, and are subject to Copyright Act provisions. Free open source CNC control software is also available on Internet.

Manufacturing Software provides detailed information on Manufacturing Software, Manufacturing Inventory Software, Manufacturing Business Software, Manufacturing Management Software and more. Manufacturing Software is affiliated with Free CAD Software.

Computer Aided Manufacturing Applications

Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) refers to an automation process, which accurately converts product design and drawing or the object into a code format, readable by the machine to manufacture the product. Computer aided manufacturing complements the computer aided design (CAD) systems to offer a wide range of applications in different manufacturing fields. CAM evolved from the technology utilized in the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines that were used in the early 1950s. CNC involved the use of coded instructions on a punched paper tape and could control single manufacturing functions. CAM controlled computer systems, however, can control a whole set of manufacturing functions simultaneously.

CAM allows work instructions and procedures to be communicated directly to the manufacturing machines. A CAM system controls manufacturing operations performed by robotic milling machines, lathes, welding machines and other industrial tools. It moves the raw material to different machines within the system by allowing systematic completion of each step. Finished products can also be moved within the system to complete other manufacturing operations such as packaging, synthesizing and making final checks and changes.

Some of the major applications of the CAM system are glass working, woodturning, metalworking and spinning, and graphical optimization of the entire manufacturing procedure. Production of the solids of rotation, plane surfaces, and screw threads is done by applying CAM systems. A CAM system allows the manufacturing of three-dimensional solids, using ornamental lathes with greater intricacy and detail. Products such as candlestick holders, table legs, bowls, baseball bats, crankshafts, and camshafts can be manufactured using the CAM system. CAM system can also be applied to the process of diamond turning to manufacture diamond tipped cutting materials. Aspheric optical elements made from glass, crystals, and other metals can also be produced using CAM systems. Computer aided manufacturing can be applied to the fields of mechanical, electrical, industrial and aerospace engineering. Applications such as thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, and kinematics can be controlled using CAM systems. Other applications such as electromagnetism, ergonomics, aerodynamics, and propulsion and material science may also use computer aided manufacturing.

Computer Aided Manufacturing provides detailed information on Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing, Cam And Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Design , Computer Aided Design Scanners and more. Computer Aided Manufacturing is affiliated with Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing.

What Is Computer Aided Manufacturing?

Over the past decade, manufacturing processes all over the world have undergone some dramatic changes. The introduction of automated systems and computer technology has allowed industries to significantly increase their productivity. CAM is the abbreviation for Computer Aided Manufacturing. Computer aided manufacturing accurately converts product drawing or the object into a computer readable code format, enabling the machine to manufacture the product. Computer aided manufacturing can be used in different machines like lathes and milling machines for manufacturing the related product.

A computer aided manufacturing system allows the manufacturer to systematically communicate work instructions to the machine. CAM has evolved from a technology referred to as the Computer Numerical Control (CNC), invented in the 1950s. CNC performed a set of coded instructions in a punched paper tape.

Computer aided manufacturing facilitates effortless and quick computer programming and faster execution of design changes. The computer aided management system integrates the computer aided design systems and controls tasks that involve order placement, scheduling, and replacement of tools. The implementation of CAM system leads to overall increase in efficiency of the manufacturing process. CAM systems are used in the automotive, aviation and furniture manufacturing sectors and areas such as mechanical engineering and electronic designing. Another significant benefit of using the computer aided management system is that it allows customization of the manufacturing process for creating client specific designs.

A computer aided manufacturing system requires a 3D environment for making it compliant with CAD systems. The CAM system can cost $18,000 or more along with the appropriate software. CAM allows automated integration of the manufacturing procedure with other mechanization systems such as Computer-Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing (ICAM), Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS), Direct Numerical Control (DNC), and Manufacturing Process Management (MPM). Repetitive tasks involved in the manufacturing process are delegated to machines using the CAM system, allowing workers involved to concentrate on quality control and productivity.

Computer Aided Manufacturing provides detailed information on Applications of Computer Aided Manufacturing, Cam And Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Design , Computer Aided Design Scanners and more. Computer Aided Manufacturing is affiliated with Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing.

VoIP Web Conference - Demystified

What is this thing called VoIP? What is a VoIP Web Conference, and how does it work? Millions of people are now using VoIP technology without even knowing it. Here is the simple non technical explanation which should help to clarify the situation.

The most familiar uses of VoIP to consumers are the Vonage telephone service and the Internet peer-to-peer telephone sytem, called Skype. These services are made possible only because of high speed Internet connections. VoIP requires a higher speed and higher quality connection than dial-up modem lines. Most DSL and cable Internet connections work very well for VoIP connections. How is this possible? To simplify somewhat, voice data is carried on a lower frequency than Internet data so that they do not interfere with each other. Think of voice data as a piggy-back arrangement, on top of the broadband Internet connection. This obviously reduces the cost of the service considerably, since it is using the Internet connection to carry the signal, thus the name, Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP.

For most of us, it is enough to know that it works, it is reasonably reliable, and it can reduce or even eliminate the cost of both local and long distance telephone calls. (Note: the only way to call long distance for free, currently, is between two users of a system such as Skype, provided both have high speed Internet connections.) This is especially attractive for international calls between countries that have quite costly regular telephone long distance rates. This is one reason Skype is fast becoming the favorite "long distance relative" connection.

Why has VoIP Web Conference recently become such a popular technology? The primary issue is reduced cost. A VoIP Web Conference monthly service charge for a 10-20 user Web conference room, can easily be in the same range as the monthly Vonage charges, more for additional users, and less for a smaller capacity. This compares to traditional systems that cost hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars for similar technology.

The single outstanding difference to the user, is that, through a simple log-in, access to presentations, voice, and multimedia is all contained within a single room. There is no need with a VoIP Web Conference room to make a secondary telephone call, in order to hear the moderator?s voice, (with the possibility of additional long distance costs). In addition, most VoIP Web Conference rooms offer state-of-the-art technology, such as interactive whiteboards with mark-up, and a number of easy to access features. It is the rich set of features, as well as the ease of use of these newer systems that is so attractive for many subscribers.

It remains to be seen if the VoIP Web Conference room will overtake the older technologies, If the same pattern follows from the VoIP telephone market, it will take some time, but the newer technology will likely chip away at the traditional market. The greatest growth, however, will be in the legions of new users that suddenly find for the first time, that the new technology is an attractive and cost effective option.

For additional information on the technical specifications of VoIP protocols see the following article: Sorting out the VoIP protocol maze

John Lombaerde is a CAD/CAM/CNC Specialist with over 20 years experience in advanced manufacturing technologies. He is a Designer, CNC Programmer, CNC Machinist, a CAD/CAM consultant, and SEO Strategy consultant. For additional information contact: For more information, see VoIP CAD CAM Conference Room or VoIP Web Conference

Wire EDM Manufacturers

The wire EDM manufacturing business is becoming popular, as the system has provided a significant growth in manufacturing sector. The rising demand for the wire EDM has attracted many big entrepreneurs in the business. It facilitates the achievement of the desired speed in machine cutting.

Companies in China and Taiwan are leading the race in the business. One of them is Accutex Technologies Co. Ltd., from Taiwan that holds a good reputation in the industry. Accutex Technologies are manufactures of quality precision CNC machine tools, CNC wire cutting machines type submarines, flushing type cutting machines, EDM machines, wire EDM machining, wire cut EDM and CNC machines. It has worldwide export markets with annual sales of $ 2,000,000. The company favors USD as the currency in transactions.

Oscar EDM Company Ltd is another leading company from Taiwan that specializes in the manufacturing of EDM drilling machines, EDM machining, wire EDM machining, wire cut EDM, electrical discharge machines, CNC EDM, CNC wire EDM machinery and spark erosion.

Similarly Ocean Techologies Co., Ltd is another Taiwan company with worldwide exports in Wire EDM. Ocean Techologies is also well known for supplies in ceramic guide, electrode tubes, instrument equipments and spare parts.

Shenzhen Joint Industry Co., Ltd is one of leading manufacturers in wire EDM from China. The company manufactures CNC machinery & equipment, including milling machinery, electrical discharge machines, central machinery, grinders, bench grifers, roll grinders and EDM machines. Ocean Techologies has also acquired an ISO 9001: 2000 quality management international standard in 2003.

Mainly all wire EDM manufacturers prefer USD as currency and make shipments in accordance with the FOB trade terms. The rising demand of wire EDM and the increasing number of manufacturers has developed a healthy competition, which has resulted in production of better Wire EDM machines at low prices.

Wire EDM provides detailed information on Wire EDM, Wire EDM Machining, Wire EDM Machines, Used Wire EDM and more. Wire EDM is affiliated with Shock And Vibration Testing.

Wire EDM 101

Wire EDM refers to wire electrical discharge machining. It uses a wire electrode that travels through the conductive work piece. The electrically charged wire is monitored by a Computer Numerically Controlled system or CNC.

Wire EDM removes a part of the material from the work piece, by spark erosion. In this process the wire never comes in contact with the work piece. The electrically charged wire leaves a path on the work piece, which is slightly larger than the wire itself.

The gap between the wire and the work piece generates high voltage electrical pulses. The high voltage and the controlled spark melt and vaporize a small part of the work piece. Each spark produces a temperature of 10000 C, where the energy turned out by the power supply decides the size of the spark penetration into the material.

Wire EDM are basically developed for the tool & die industry. The improvement in the cutting speed, reliability, unattended operation and accuracy is making it very popular in many industries, such as the aerospace, automotive, defense and electronics.

The dielectric fluid acts as an insulator and a flushing agent, during the cutting process. Further through the process of flushing, the dielectric fluid is emitted through the upper and lower heads of the machine. The pressurized fluid also helps in removing the eroded material produced by sparks.

Wire EDM promises high precision as it produces a profile accuracy of 0.00004'. It depends on the quality of the EDM and enables high finish standards obtaining surface finishes 8 micro inches.

The multiple work piece set- up and unattended operation saves a lot of time, which can be utilized on other job functions. The wire EDM system is very cost effective and can be operated at around $4 per hour, in normal cutting conditions.

Wire EDM provides detailed information on Wire EDM, Wire EDM Machining, Wire EDM Machines, Used Wire EDM and more. Wire EDM is affiliated with Shock And Vibration Testing.

Climbing Black Mountain

Climbing Black Mountain
Globe and Mail - We ended up staying at their houses, and they gave us their bubble machine from Lollapalooza '94. I mean, I appreciate that we went on tour with Coldplay, but finding out that Keith Morris from the Circle Jerks and Black Flag is a fan really means

Wire EDM Parts

Wire electrical discharge machining is mainly used to cut intricate shapes and designs in hard metals. These are otherwise difficult to form, mold or even manipulate. The system is the result of the assembly of skillfully designed parts.

The Chiller is a very crucial part of wire electrical discharge machining and it plays a significant role in operation, as it maintains the appropriate temperature in the system. The flushing is important for the movement of the wire electrode while cutting a piece and the flush cups enhance a smooth process.

The wire electrical discharge machining would make no sense without the EDM wires. These wires are the basis of the system. They act as electrodes in separating the material from the conductive piece. EDM wires are available in various qualities. Each come in different coating and time improvised, for better cutting. EDM wires are available in zinc, copper, tungsten and brass. EDM wires are available in different sizes for specialized cutting. A thinner wire creates a narrow slit or space than the thicker ones. Nowadays, many manufactures are using high performance brass wires, which are alloyed with a larger proportion of zinc, which enables faster and superior cutting.

The patterns are designed on a computer in the CNC system. It is upgraded with software, which enables fine cutting. The CNC system is programmed with advanced software, such as the CAD and CAM. The power- feed contacts are also essential and are exclusively made from tungsten.

Filtration is another important process in the operation of wire electrical discharge machining. It helps to reduce the cost of operation. Various kinds of filter systems are available with different filter cartridges, which mainly assist in increasing the efficiency. The wire electrical discharge machining is designed to suit the diverse needs of the manufacturing sector.

Wire EDM provides detailed information on Wire EDM, Wire EDM Machining, Wire EDM Machines, Used Wire EDM and more. Wire EDM is affiliated with Shock And Vibration Testing.

EDM Machining

EDM machining actually stands for electrical discharge machining. This is the term used for a machining process that is used in the process of manufacturing those parts that are made from very hard metals and their alloys. Some of the parts or objects that are produced with the use of EDM machining include dies made of hardened steel, critical components of engines and compressor blades of jet engine fans. EDM machining is a thermal process that is able to remove as well as re-deposit material on top of the object that is being machined. The area that is recast is characteristically much tougher than the regular or original surface. It also will have a desirably higher resistance to wear and tear like abrasion and corrosion.

In the process of EDM machining, an electrical discharge is made to occur between the object surface and the tool used for finishing. This discharge induces high temperatures that range between 10,000 to 20,000 degrees centigrade. In this manner a dielectric field is created that, as long as it exists, it constantly removes and then re-deposits material to the object's surface. The process allows you to introduce metal or elemental powders into the dielectric stream and this causes an alloy to be deposited.

EDM machining is a process that is also put in use in order to cut, shape and alter exceptionally hard metals. It is used to turn metals into tools that can in turn be used to cut and machine those objects that are made from softer metals. In this kind of machining, a wire that is electrically charged is moved extremely close to the object that is under machining and it is at that point that the electrical discharge actually begins. EDM machining is a technology that is extremely useful to mechanical industries today and is used in almost all tool making and metal cutting processes.

Machining provides detailed information on Machining, CNC Machining, Casting Molding Machining, Precision Machining and more. Machining is affiliated with Automotive Machine Shop Services.

Lets Talk about CNC

Lets Talk about CNC
Posted by Website Introductions: CNC is a difficult yet interesting topic, especially for the uninitiated. But then there is a different thrill in conquering the unknown and the fearful, so dont worry if you feel that you dont know much about CNC desktop machines and related issues. Here is a place where you could discuss such issues with similar people and learn from their
Tags: desktop cnc, . Comments: 0.

Life is hard - CNC makes it bit easier
Posted by Website Introductions: CNC machines are meant to make your lives easy, but it is even more fun to make your life a bit more difficult buy deciding not to buy a commercially available CNC Router - rather to built on your own. But then when you start this bit tricky journey, you would certainly need advice, help and support. Here is a place where many people like you can
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The Hemlock Group
Posted by Website Introductions: The Hemlock Group, a group of three companies that offers total CNC machining solutions is here They will help you in CNC machining of complex components basically in aluminum, stainless steels, brasses and plastics. They use state of the art technology as much as possible to ensure you of a high quality service. Link: [link]
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DIY - CNC Router - MDF Fibreboard
Posted by Website Introductions: CNC machines are one of the best friends of a manufacturer, and their main purpose is to ease the life of the human operator by performing difficult tasks with accuracy and precision over and over again without tiring. But for some people work is worship and rest is sin, so someone set out to make a CNC router on his own, rather than using a
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Precision Machining

Precision machining is a process that is used to produce a large number of both large as well as small objects that we make use of in our daily lives. Each intricate and detailed piece that makes up an object needs the touch of a machinist's skills. Similarly, a machine or tool that is worn down will require the action of machine tool calibration quite frequently. There are also other facilities provided by precision machining apart from calibration. These would be detailed welding or grooving carried out by a precision machinist. Ranging from aircraft aluminum alloy production right till devices for surgically drilling of bones precision machining caters to almost every industry and technology. Put simply, if an object is made of parts, it would have needed precision machining.

While the majority of precision machining companies usually work with one form of CAD/CAM programs or another, they still do often work with sketches that are hand drawn. Although the hand sketches are usually made use of only in the initial phases of a design. Precision machining can be used on a variety of materials that include graphite, bronze, steel, plastics and glass to name just a few. Based on the project size and the materials that are to be used, different kinds of precision machining tools are put to use. Precision machining is indispensable to numerous industries and various kinds of technologies. Without precision machining we would be unable to manufacture a number of detailed and intricate parts of various objects. The detail and accuracy it brings into the manufacturing procedure is what renders precision machining as so indispensable. There is a long list of machining companies that specialize in precision machining and you can use the Internet to locate them and avail their services. Precision machining is an integral part of mechanical and manufacturing industries.

Machining provides detailed information on Machining, CNC Machining, Casting Molding Machining, Precision Machining and more. Machining is affiliated with Automotive Machine Shop Services.

Machining Companies

To serve the purpose of various mechanical and manufacturing firms there are a large number of machining companies that carry out different machining techniques. This article will run you briefly through the kinds of services that are available through machining companies. One of the most sought after kinds of machining techniques is CNC machining. Machining companies that provide CNC machining services make use of machines that are high speed, repeatable and capable of being programmed. These machines are able to function even when they are unattended. This allows the machining company to manufacture parts or jobs both quickly as well as efficiently. There are also machining companies that have production machining services. Such machining companies have the capacity to give an output of large scale production. They are run with the use of a variety of machining services.

If precision is a major criterion for your machining requirements then you can turn to micro machining companies. The micro machining services that are offered by such companies are able to perform precision machining on very small parts to integrate complete detail. Machining is not just limited to metals and their alloys. There are also machining companies that specialize in plastic machining. These plastic machining services are used to fabricate or shape parts and components made of a variety of plastic as well as thermoplastic materials. If you need machining for extremely hard substance then you will be pleased to know there are also a large number of machining companies that specialize in ultra hard machining services. They can handle machining for extremely hard materials like ceramics, stainless steel, quartz and even sapphire. Thus no matter what your machining requirements might be you can find a machining company that can deliver based on your specific requirements.

Machining provides detailed information on Machining, CNC Machining, Casting Molding Machining, Precision Machining and more. Machining is affiliated with Automotive Machine Shop Services.

Trion Mini Mist Eliminator Protects Employees and Equipment

Trion, a division of Fedders Corporation, has developed an innovative mist collector called the Mini Mist Eliminator (Mini M.E.). Virtually all screw machines, CNC machines, surface and centerless grinders use water-soluble, synthetic and petroleum coolants to protect cutting tools and parts. The mists associated with these coolants can be harmful to the health of the machine operator through inhalation and contact with the skin and eyes. Based on potential health risks, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has established recommended exposure limits for oil mist.

The Mini M.E. removes oil mist from the air by utilizing the principle of electrostatic precipitation. This principle involves drawing the oil mist through an impinger which removes a majority of the mist, especially large droplets. The remaining mist is drawn through an ionizing section, charging the remaining mist particles which then pass through oppositely charged collector plates. The charged mist particles are attracted to the collector plates like a magnet. These particles then drip back down to be recaptured or drained away. The dirty collector plates can be simply washed clean, eliminating costly filter replacements.

The Mini M.E. also eliminates the need for extensive duct work because it can be easily mounted on the machine, platform or ceiling. This also helps to free up floor space. The Mini M.E. can help save on energy costs by being wired directly to the machine tool control, operating only when the machine tool does. It also helps to reduce maintenance costs by protecting equipment from oil mist.

This quality unit not only traps and removes the oil mist, but also the smoke associated with cutting tools and grinders. The Mini M.E. cleans and recirculates indoor air with up to 95% efficiency rate on 0.3 micron particles. It also offers a great advantage in that it can be seamlessly integrated into pre-existing machine tool systems.

Trion is one of the most trusted names in air purification systems. Trion has produced high quality products for industrial, commercial, military and residential markets since 1947.

About the Author ? Chuck Jaymes is an indoor air quality professional and offers reviews and comparisons about Mist Collectors for OscarAir, Inc.

Adverse Health Effects Of Oil Mist In Machine Tool Industries

Manufacturing environments that use oil-based cutting fluids often put workers health at risk. Applications such as CNC machines, screw machines and surface and centerless grinders produce an oil mist from the coolant used to keep cutting tools from overheating. Oil mist, also known as cutting oil or metalworking fluid, is an oily liquid aerosol dispersed in the air. Fine oil mist hangs in the air for long periods, similar to tobacco smoke.

It has been estimated that up to one million workers in the United States are exposed to oil mist. The health effects of exposure to oil mist have been studied for several decades. Many Epidemiological studies have indicated that long-term exposure to oil mist can lead to increased susceptibility to several types of cancer.

The following diseases have been associated with exposure to oil mist: skin ? oil acne, contact dermatitis, and photosensitive allergic dermatitis; respiratory system ? rhinitis, bronchitis, bronchial asthma, lipoid pneumonia, lung fibrosis and lung cancer; scrotum ? benign and malignant tumors. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), potential symptoms of exposure to high concentrations of oil mist include eye and skin irritation, shortness of breath, vomiting, fever, rapid heartbeat and a burning sensation in the mouth, throat and stomach.

Industrial workers are exposed to oil mist by three avenues; skin exposure, aerial exposure and ingestion. The most frequent route of exposure is the skin. Occupational health experts believe that over three-quarters of all occupational diseases are caused by skin contact with oil mist. Oil mist by itself can be dangerous, but it can also quickly become contaminated with foreign material and chemicals which are aerosolized into mist. Many of these contaminants add to the hazards associated with oil mist.

In today?s highly competitive global economy, manufacturers feel pressured to increase productivity. Making machines work harder and faster often produces even more oil mist in the workplace. Even though production schedules may increase, profitability may suffer due to work-related illnesses. Sick employees don?t help the bottom line, they lower productivity and increase overhead costs.

About the Author ? Chuck Jaymes is an indoor air quality professional and offers reviews and comparisons about Mist Eliminators for OscarAir, Inc.

Benefits Of Using Oil Mist Eliminators In The Metalworking Industry

Today's high-performance CNC machines operate at extremely high rates of speed, requiring an oil mist eliminator to remove vast amounts of coolant. For example, the Haas MDC-500 Mill DrillCenter features a high-volume coolant pump and a 40-gallon coolant tank. Mist eliminators are designed to remove the oil mist and smoke from cutting fluids in metalworking environments.

The health hazards of oil mist exposure associated with the machine tool industry have been well documented. The websites for OSHA, NIOSH and the CDC provide a wealth of valuable information for both employers and employees regarding safety issues and cutting fluids.

One of the most common afflictions of workers exposed to oil mist is Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP). This is an allergic reaction to machine coolant that worsens with continued exposure. HP is caused by microbes in the cutting oil that affect air sacs in the deepest part of the lung. Symptoms include fever, chills, deep coughing and shortness of breath.

A mist eliminator collects and removes the harmful particles and smoke from oil mist. Not only does an oil mist eliminator protect workers health, it can also help increase production and improve your shops overall environment.

Oil Mist Eliminator Benefits:

* Potential health problems and lost man hours are reduced by capturing harmful airborne mist particles

* A good quality mist eliminator will help your shop to be in safety compliance with OSHA and NIOSH airborne oil mist limits

* Using a mist eliminator reduces maintenance costs by keeping exposed areas free from oil

* Your production can be increased by reducing machine downtime. A mist eliminator protects the contacts in electronic equipment from becoming fouled by removing the oil mist from the air

About the Author ? Chuck Jaymes is an indoor air quality professional and offers reviews and comparisons about Oil Mist Eliminators for OscarAir, Inc.