Does Voice Over IP Telephony Spell the End for Traditional Telephones?

Just What is Voice Over IP Telephony?

Voice over Internet Telephony is technology that means you can hold telephone calls over the Internet or an IP network. It eliminates the need for having separate lines for your Internet connection and dedicated voice transfer lines. There are many advantages to VoIP but because it is still an advancing technology you need to shop around to find the best deal. No cumbersome circuit switching is required and there is no depletion in the bandwidth associated with normal dual line systems. VoIP protocol means that voice data is only sent over the network when it needs to be, freeing up that bandwidth when you aren't making 'calls'.

What are the Advantages of VoIP.

Voice over Internet Telephony isn't widely used in office networks, let alone in the home, however if you make international phone calls then you are probably being routed through IP infrastructure because of the lower costs of calls. What this does mean, though, is that the infrastructure is quite obviously already in place and anyone who chooses can do so easily. This means that you can 'call' friends, family or associates using your own VoIP without the need for them to have the same technology installed.

The costs are phone calls that are reduced dramatically by using VoIP and once the infrastructure is in place there are usually little or no additional infrastructure charges required making it a cost effective and affordable telephony solution.

Because VoIP is a new technology you get the usual advantages of employing a new technology; increased technological advances and new technologies are employed meaning you get a state of the art system. Telecommunications providers have been regularly using IP networks to transfer voice data and so most of the teething problems have been thoroughly investigated and ironed out and all the advancements made have been integrated into a system you can have installed in your home, office or business.

You don't necessarily have to transmit your calls over the Internet, and for more secure calls you can use private IP networks. For this reason many large businesses already have IP systems in place making inter-business calls much cheaper.

Electronic numbering makes it possible to dial traditional E 164 phone numbers connected entirely by your Internet connection. This means that you won't face any call charges whatsoever, and all you will have to pay will be the cost of your Internet connection.

Is VoIP available for me to use now?

Companies like Vonage, VoicePulse and Packet8 are already offering flat monthly fees for their VoIP services meaning you can call anywhere in the country (sometimes even to other selected countries around the world) and only ever pay one flat monthly fee.

Vonage offer a service for $24.99 a month that allows you to call anywhere in the US or Canada. They also offer similar plans for small businesses.

Are there any disadvantages to VoIP?

VoIP, as a technology, is still in it's infancy and new developments are being found every day. However, there are limitations to the service and the technology which need to be addresses before it can become a complete replacement for your standard phone line.

Because the Internet knows no geographic boundaries it means that, for example, calling the emergency services would not necessarily put you through to your local emergency dispatch centre.

In addition, you can't send or receive faxes and you can't route traditional modems, alarm systems or satellite systems through your VoIP connection, because they require access to a voice grade phone line. For the moment VoIP is a compliment to your traditional phone line, rather than a replacement, until these problems can be ironed out.

Summary

The advent of the Internet and improved telephone technology has seen the introduction of VoIP. It means you can make phone calls through your broadband connection; this in turn means that for a set monthly fee you can call anywhere in your country and selected international countries for as long as required and only pay one flat monthly fee.

The advantages of VoIP are still significant for homes and business users alike. Big businesses are already saving substantial money by installing IP networks and using VoIP protocol to transfer voice data. This essentially makes the calls themselves free, only having to pay for the Internet connection and the monthly VoIP fee.

VoIP looks like it's here to stay. As the technology rolls out, it's impact can only become greater.

? 2005 Nick Carter

Nick Carter is editor for http://www.voice-over-ip-insider.com, a key web resource for VOIP information.

Interesting? (but unnecessary)

At any given moment, there are 'things' occurring within the open space of awareness. Sometimes there are inner 'things' occurring; a fleeting thought, a welling up of an emotion, a physical sensation. Sometimes there are outer 'things' occurring; an interaction, a perception of an event, an experience of some sort.

Things happen. Occurrences occur. Happenings and occurrences are simply movements and moments which take place within the open space of awareness. The open space of awareness is the not-so-obvious but oh-so-necessary ground and flavor of each and every 'thing' that occurs or happens. Awareness is the backdrop against which, and within which, all things appear and disappear. Things always appear and disappear. Always.

Most 'things' that occur are just plain unnecessary. Almost all happenings are unnecessary. Most movements, moments, or happenings that occur within awareness are non-essential, non-mandatory, interchangeable, or simply unnecessary. The 'things' we are aware of are simply the 'things' we use to create our life story, our personal identity, our obsessive drama. The degree to which a 'thing' interests us is the degree to which our attention will attend to it. When attention is stuck or fixated, the natural unbound openness of awareness is shrunk to the size of our obsession. Pitifully, pathetically, shrunken.

One moment it's a thought: "hmm, I sure am hungry?I wonder what's in the fridge."

Or anger, fear, or uncertainty.

Another moment, a pang of loneliness overcomes us.

Or jealousy, concern, or sorrow

Now, attention locks onto an outward event.

Then this, then that, then this, then that... And on it goes.

Distraction, reaction, obsession...

Awareness shrinks to the size of whatever our obsessed attention is riveted to, for as long as it remains interesting. It's all so unnecessary.

When happenings and occurrences are seen to be unnecessary, attention can be freed to relax as the openness of awareness itself, without 'doing' anything at all.

Occurrences will always occur and happenings will always happen. What is, already is. It matters little what occurs or happens, because what is, is occurring and is happening, now, already.

Giving life permission to be exactly as it already is, by saying 'yes' to 'what is', is to live life without resistance. To resist 'what is' is to resist reality and is the fundamental cause of suffering in life. To resist 'what is' is insanity. At times, we are more insane than at others. But as we live our life, we can feel a 'great yes' swelling in our chest. Allow yourself to feel an open acceptance of what is, without any resistance or reservation what so ever.

Give up. Just stop it now, and relax. Give up. Life doesn't care about you any more than Santa Clause does!

What is, already is! Resistance is futile.

Aaron McNaught is an Educator, Consultant, Author, Psychiatric Nurse and Certified Hypno-Therapist, specializing in 'De-hypnosis' & Waking Up, as it relates to healing, growth, and beyond. He lives in Red Deer Alberta Canada and can be reached at wakingup@shaw.ca

The Hands On Approach

While living in the technology age where everything is computerized, digitized, and auto-responded, it is very easy to forget where we came from, and how all of this progress has almost completely wiped out the personal touch.

In this article, I am going to discuss three different ways to reach out and touch your customers and get their attention in ways you could never do even with all of todays modern technology.

Keep reading . . .

1. The Hand Written Card

Never underestimate the power of anything hand written!

Wether you have just closed a loan, or have taken an application, send your customer a thank you card with a hand written note.

In this day and age when everything is being faxed or e-mailed, the hand written card sends a gracious and genuine message to your customer that you truly appreciate their business, and that you care about them as people too.

A lot of times customers are left feeling like a statistic, the hand written card will leave them with a feeling that they are not.

(Hint) this also works well when their loan is approved, or when their appraisal comes in, you can send a congratulatory card!

Still with me? Good . . .

2. The Hand written Envelope

I don't know about you, but every time I get some envelope in the mail that is obviously computer generated, and trying to sell me something, I immediately file it in the circular file without even opening it!

However, when I get an envelope with a handwritten address, I automatically assume that it is a personal letter, and I open it immediately and read it.

The same can work for you, the next time you send out a mailer, instead of using typed print or labels, handwrite the address, your potential customer will undoubtedly open it, and you will begin to see an increase in results almost immediately!

3. The Hand Shake

Nothing can be more of a turn off than the "dead fish," or "limp hand shake." This automatically sends a message that you are just not interested in the party you have just met, or even worse, it is telling people that you have no confidence!

Don't let this happen to you! Whenever you shake a hand, give it a firm grasp, and look your party straight in the eye, and give no less than three pumps of the hand.

One last thing . . .

These three hand related steps for attracting business are as old as the hills, but still effective,and in this day of modern technology, they have taken a back seat.

People respond to these methods of contact more so than they would to something computerized.

So please visit this old style of communication, I guarantee you will be happy with the results!

Jay Conners is the owner of the on line mortgage resource center http://www.jconners.com where you can find similar articles and news letters. He is also a partner with http://www.callprospect.com, a mortgage lead company specializing in fresh exclusive and non exclusive leads.

How to Get PR

There is a process for successfully getting publicity about your business or organization. Publicity is no great mystery, just a thorough and strategic sales job. You are selling content to a publication or website who needs it to entice their readers. No publicist can guarantee a publication will print stories about your company because the publisher or editor ultimately controls the content of a publication. However, here is the method we recommend:

Process outline:

1. Know that publicity is really a sales job. Sure, there is some good strategy involved just like in sales. It's about pitching your idea to get a publication to "buy" (print) your story or interview you as an expert in your field. This works best when you establish a relationship with the editor or publisher so they can trust the information you're submitting. Relationships take time to develop. So, just like any sale, be sure to educate yourself about who your targeted publication markets are, what they want, plan your campaign and remember; "the sale is made in the follow up".

2. Determine how your publicity will support your marketing goals. Develop stories and the pitches on those subjects in a careful & strategic manner. Write compelling and educational stories that would interest the readers of the particular publication you are pitching.

3. Understand that editorial stories are NOT advertisements. Your story pitches cannot be advertisements for your companies. Advertising and editorial are two different entities in publishing.

4. Create a press kit. (see our flier on the elements needed for a press kit)

5. Make a list of all the publications you'd LIKE to be in, those you think your targeted market will read, or others who might be very interested in the content you have to offer. Include websites and other electronic media.

6. Do NOT spam one press release to all major media in your area. This is only done in extremely specific instances, otherwise it will backfire on you. Rather, select your media wisely and send your press release to those you know are interested.

7. Call the publications to ask for a media kit. Review their editorial calendar, read their publication over time to strategically find out what they are looking for. Database their contact information.

8. Identify all the columns in each targeted publication to whom your article is appropriate for submission. For example, if you are pitching a story about how business owners can best manage their IT services, pitch to the Technology editor as well as the small business editor. If you have new products unique to the marketplace pitch to the "product review" editor-note: this is unique to specific industries and not to be confused with advertising. *A

9. Write a query to the Editor(s) or Columnists/Writers. In one paragraph pitch the overview of your idea to make it compellingly interesting so they'll want to "buy" it and understand how their readers will gain value from it. *B

10. Submit queries or stories the way the publication wants to receive information-via email, fax or mail. A query is simply an inquiry to the editor asking if they would be interested in what you have to write about and asking for guidelines. Where possible, include your press kit with your actual press release or story submission.

11. Be prepared to write (or have pre-written) the story you are pitching because in the media, speed is everything. If an editor finally does call to say they'd like your submission, you should be prepared to get it to them in one day. *C

12. Create a list of 5-10 articles you could prepare quickly so if a publication calls to request an article, you can respond promptly. Be sure the topics support your marketing goals without being (subversive) advertising.

13. Follow up as appropriate. Every publication is different, so it's best to seek professional help with this so you don't harm your reputation by making common mistakes. My rule of thumb is that "In the follow up is the sale". It is hard, takes time and is necessary to develop a relationship. *D

NOTE: #4

14. Track all progress on a database, to help you note action items and results. The most successful campaigns are developed over time (remember, it takes time to develop a relationship) so should be tracked to help you remember, be consistent and efficient.

If you've not directed your own publicity campaign before, we recommend you get expert advise at these stages of this process;

*A. review of selected targeted publications,

*B. review or editing your query and pitch the first time,

*C. evaluation or editing of your story-get an expert viewpoint to ensure you're on target,

*D. short training session on how to conduct follow up, what to track

WE CAN HELP

If you do not have the time or inclination to do this work yourself, give us a call-that's what we do. We help clients create professional press kits and publicity campaigns to further their marketing goals and get the recognition they deserve. Our services include creating all elements in a press kit, strategic planning for a publicity campaigns, integrating marketing and publicity, selecting a strategic media list to target, and follow through to net the return.

About The Author

As a former film & television director, producer, and manager, Allison rebelled against misleading, pushy marketing by consulting with businesses on "Marketing as a Spiritual Practice". Clients include United Airlines, Apple Computers, Chevron, ABC-TV, HBO-TV, advertising agencies, and hundreds of other smaller businesses.

Allison Bliss Consulting combines an expert team of seasoned professionals from the fields of advertising, promotional design & copywriting, event and television production, who offer Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurs an integrated range of do-it-yourself marketing products & cusomized hands-on services.

allisonbliss.com

abliss@allisonbliss.com

5 Steps to Raising an Optimistic Child

I had just completed a session with 17-year old Julie who suffered from severe depression. Julie believed she was a total failure and would never be able to change anything in her life. Julie also felt all her shortcomings were her own fault.

Where, I ask myself, did such a young person acquire this negative and fatalistic thinking?

The answer soon became apparent when I invited her parents into the session. They began discussing numerous life events and explaining them in ways that their children were learning. The car, for example, got dented because you can't trust anybody these days; Mom yelled at brother because she was in a bad mood; you can't get ahead in this world unless you know somebody, etc.

As a parent, your own thinking style is always on display and your children are listening intently!

The Importance of Optimism

Why should you want your child to be an optimist? Because, as Dr. Martin Seligman explains: "Pessimism (the opposite of optimism) is an entrenched habit of mind that has sweeping and disastrous consequences: depressed mood, resignation, underachievement and even unexpectedly poor physical health."

Children with optimistic thinking skills are better able to interpret failure, have a stronger sense of personal mastery and are better able to bounce back when things go wrong in their lives.

Because parents are a major contributor to the thinking styles of their children's developing minds, it is important to adhere to the following five steps to ensure healthy mental habits in your children.

How Parents Can Help

Step 1: Learn to think optimistically yourself. What children see and hear indirectly from you as you lead your life and interact with others influences them much more than what you try to 'teach' them.

You can model optimism for your child by incorporating optimistic mental skills into your own way of thinking. This is not easy and does not occur over night. But with practice, almost everyone can learn to think differently about life's events ? even parents!

Step 2: Teach your child that there is a connection between how they think and how they feel. You can do this most easily by saying aloud how your own thoughts about adversity create negative feelings in you.

For example, if you are driving your child to school and a driver cuts you off, verbalize the link between your thoughts and feelings by saying something like "I wonder why I'm feeling so angry; I guess I was saying to myself: 'Now I'm going to be late because the guy in front of me is going so darn slow. If he is going to drive like that he shouldn't drive during rush hour. How rude.'"

Step 3: Create a game called 'thought catching.' This helps your child learn to identify the thoughts that flit across his or her mind at the times they feel worst. These thoughts, although barely noticeable, greatly affect mood and behavior.

For instance, if your child received a poor grade, ask: "When you got your grade, what did you say to yourself?"

Step 4: Teach your child how to evaluate automatic thoughts. This means acknowledging that they things you say to yourself are not necessarily accurate.

For instance, after receiving the poor grade your child may be telling himself he is a failure, he is not as smart as other kids; he will never be able to succeed in school, etc. Many of these self-statements may not be accurate, but they are 'automatic' in that situation.

Step 5: Instruct your child on how to generate more accurate explanations (to themselves) when bad things happen and use them to challenge your child's automatic but inaccurate thoughts. Part of this process involves looking for evidence to the contrary (good grades in the past, success in other life areas, etc).

Another skill to teach your child to help him or her think optimistically is to 'decatastrophize' the situation ? that is ? help your child see that the bad event may not be as bad or will not have the adverse consequences imagined. Few things in life are as devastating as we fear, yet we blow them up in our minds.

Parents can influence the thinking styles of their children by modeling the principals of optimistic thinking.

About The Author

Dr. Tony Fiore is a So. California licensed psychologist, and anger management trainer. His company, The Anger Coach, provides anger and stress management programs, training and products to individuals, couples, and the workplace. Sign up for his free monthly newsletter "Taming The Anger Bee" at www.angercoach.com and receive two bonus reports.

Cellular Ring Tones: The Latest Way To Say This is Me!

Ringtones, those digital sound bites that 'ring' through cell phones especially during critical moments in darkened movie theaters, presentations, and anywhere there are signs posted to turn your cell phone off, have become a flaming financial success for the record and movie industry beyond all imagination. After the record industry lost billions to illegal downloads and digital music consumers and providers lost every court battle since, the market place going rate for an MP3 download has settled down to 99 cents per song. But then came ringtones! They can cost from $2.00 to $3.00 each and that's only for a 15 second sound clip of the same music! And the kids are willing to pay! Who knew?

My daughter introduced me to ringtones a few years ago with her cell in her hand coming down the stairs. "OK, call me." she said.

"When her cell phone rang, "Wow, it's the theme to Friends. Oh how cute!" I affirmed.

Then came the $300.00 cell bill. Then came the discussion. Then the youthful offense...the discussion about the offense...the offense about the discussion about the offense.. the new family rule and finally (drum roll please)... listening to more ringtones!

Today's ringtones have come a long way from those monophonic and polyphonic synthesized tones. Now they're called "mastertones" which are pure 15 second MP3 cuts from CD's or anywhere else music is produced. Whether downloaded directly into a cell phone from Verizon, Cingular, Sprint, or T-Mobile, or from an Internet site like Jamster, you can find ringtones and listen to samples from every genre of music, along with movie clips, wallpaper for your phone, and cell phone games. (in case there's a moment in the day that isn't filled up with music, DVD's, video games, and TV.)

Driven by the youth culture's insatiable hunger to individuate and customize, industry sales topped $4 Billion in 2004 world wide, and continually outsells all other musical sales online. That's right, ringtones are making more money than any song downloaded from iTunes, Napster, MusicMatch or anywhere else.

Take the case of Kyle. Barely in his twenties, he works, goes to school and has an active social life with lots of friends. "Would he consider doing an impromptu interview?" I wondered.

Twenty years his senior, I risked rejection, but since he rents a room in our house, and he was stuck watching his dinner cook on the stove, I knew I had a chance.

"Hey Kyle, how's it going? Do you download ringtones?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said with a slight tinge of embarrassment, "I buy a lot of ringtones." he said with a hesitance to leave the conversation and let his food burn. "Everyone of my friends and family all have their own." He's referring to the practice of assigning a specific ringtone to each individual in your contact list, so you know who's calling by the song that's played.

"Cool...can you remember who has what tone?" I asked.

"No. But each group has a similar sound, depending on who they are." I assume that means Marilyn Manson tunes would play for his Goth friends, and maybe Country Gospel for his family, etc.

I thought I was unique in discovering this tone assignment skill. I gave my daughter "Nocturne" on my Nokia phone, because she stays up late every chance she gets. The guy who worked in the cube next to me downloaded new ringtones every week, and assigned them to each person according to how he presently felt about them. A baby crying tone for his daughter, a rocketship blasting off for some business contact, scream sounds for his wife. All day long... ringtone after ringtone... week after week. I don't work there anymore.

Ringtones are so popular that Billboard now tracks the top 100 downloads. Hits like "My Goodies" by R&B singer Ciara have sold over 1 million ringtones.

The cell phone carriers maintain tight control of their systems and so far, the hacking industry hasn't figured out how to get a ringtone inside a cell phone directly, at least that I'm aware of. So this gold mine for the music industry has been piracy proof. Which means that the supply of new ringtones will never be exhausted.

Rick David writes a feature column entitled, "Don't Laugh, It Could Happen To You" for San Diego Merchant America.com

Cash Loans for Unemployed ? for an Instantaneous Response to Needs of the Unemployed

Unemployment is generally supplemented with several other vices like poverty and indebtedness. As if these are not enough, several contingencies start making their demands, all at once. This harries the individual to the point of contemplating suicide. A ray of hope lies in cash loans for unemployed ? a unique financial product that provides instant cash loans for the jobless individuals to meet the contingencies at the earliest.

Cash loans are the best financial weapon that is available to a borrower in these situations. An unemployed person, because of his bad financial state and the absence of a stable source of income, is considered a risky proposition when it comes to offering loans. The principal concern is about the borrower's capability to repay the loan in full. The borrower, already struggling to make the ends meet, is seldom seen as an individual with financial capability.

Cash loans however do not discriminate on the basis of status of employment. You are wrong if you thought that it is out of generosity that the lender is not taking your unemployment into consideration. It is only because of the high interest that these loans incur that they are very popular among the lenders.

Cash loans have gained a negative standing as being extortionately expensive. The high interest rates have contributed to the disrepute. Another dismal feature of cash loans for unemployed is the high late fees that it charges from borrowers who are late in repayment.

This must however not deter unemployed people from using the Cash loans for unemployed. It only shows how the ill effects of cash loans for unemployed be subdued to boost its advantageous aspects, the list of which is endless.

The very first advantage of a cash loan for unemployed is the speed with which they make finances available. In fact this is the primary criteria to rate cash loan providers for selection. While making the search for lenders, one would encounter many lenders who just promise to approve the cash loans early; but when it comes to deliver on the promise, they dither. A survey of the time required by lenders will be beneficial as a benchmark and to be used to command a similar quality of service from the lenders.

Another important feature of cash loans for unemployed is their indifference to the credit history of the borrowers. This means that the borrowers whose credit report is marked with defaults and County Court Judgements also get quicker finance through cash loans for unemployed.

The amount of money that the cash loans for unemployed give access to is smaller. In the general sense of the term, a cash loan is used as a payday loan by people who are employed, as an advance on their next paycheque. In case of the unemployed borrowers, since there is no stable source of income on which to base the cash loans for unemployed, the borrowers are allowed to repay the loan after they hope to regain employment.

Cash loans for unemployed, as mentioned above carry an inflated rate of interest. Since it is a short term loan, being charged a high rate of interest is no rarity. A further push to interest rate is given by the unemployment of the borrower and the resultant risk. So if you are taking a cash loan for unemployed, then you must be prepared for the inclusion of these factors into your interest figure. What you can prevent is the margin that the loan providers try to earn over and above the factors mentioned above. This is by choosing a lender who offers cash loan for unemployed at standard rates. Choosing an appropriate lender is generally not a simpler process and would be time consuming unless proper techniques of selection are employed.

Proper vigilance and prudence while deciding the terms of the cash loan for unemployed will be necessary. By following standard selection procedures and basing decisions on rational principles, borrowers will ensure that the cash loans for unemployed successfully accomplishes its purpose of offering financial assistance during unemployment.

Andrew Baker has done his masters in finance from CPIT.He is engaged in providing free,professional,and independent advice to the residents of the UK.He works for the Secured loan web site loans fiesta for any type of loans in uk; secured loans, unsecured loans, debt consolidation loans please visit http://www.loansfiesta.co.uk

Increase Awareness With One Simple Question

There are many ways we can increase our own personal awareness about our life and what we want to make out of it. Yet, we seldom ask the question, "Why am I doing this?" By consciously becoming more aware of what we do and why, we can then make phenomenal changes. Usually in leaps and bounds. This includes losing weight, being happier, working in a job we love, and all the rest of the things that most of chase.

Here are four easy ways you can begin increasing your own personal awareness. These methods are around you all day long and you will not need to do anything difference except slow down and ask the question. Further down I'll explain why.

1. Listen to others communicate. It is easier for us to name what we don't want than what we do want. Since this is the case, by listening to others converse, we can then decide what we don't want. What language we don't want to use. What beliefs we don't want to have. What...etc. we don't want to have. It is important to not stop there if you are finding your awareness through the don't door. If you are not coming through that door and enter through the 'I want' door then by listening to others communicate you can decide what you do want in your life. Listen to others -- what they say and how they say it. Take notes on what you agree with and disagree with, or even the neutral line -- what you aren't sure about.

2. Read a variety of publications. We read all the time, yet what is our awareness from what we've read. If you read before bed time in a tired numb state it's difficult to be aware of anything. Do you read only work material that is dry and boring? Do you only read science fiction or some other particular genre? What does this type of reading help you become more aware of in your life?

3. Listen to radio and television talk shows. By listening to others communication we learn to formulate our own opinions, understand our own awareness in the world, in our own life, and what we want and don't want. You don't always need to agree, in fact, by disagreeing with the speaker you're awareness is even more heightened.

4. News. Listening to the news or reading the news can increase your awareness about the world, your community, and other people's opinions. This results in an increased awareness of what you want and don't want.

Probably by now you have guessed why it's important to want to increase your awareness. If we live in a vacuum then the air inside us and all around us gets stale. Eventually there isn't any air left and we die from the toxicity of our own breath. Awareness stimulates us into knowing and understanding ourselves at levels we could never do on our own. But it can only do so if we ask the question, "What new awareness are we taking away from this?" Yet, we must also listen for and hear the answer. When was the last time you asked the question?

(C) Copyright 2005, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

Catherine Franz is a Life and Business Coach and Master Practitioner in the Laws of Attraction. Catherine guides others in finding the light of their own existence and walking an attractive truth in their own lives. http://www.MarketingStrategiesToGo.com

Care And Repair Of Fishing Lures

Making fishing lures may be easy for the seasoned do-it-yourself angler. But the maintenance of these lures is just as important to ensure a tip-top condition.

After buying or making the fishing lures there is still the responsibility of taking care of and repairing them so that they are always in good condition. This requires some effort and time but is usually easy for the angler who makes his own fishing lures.

Since he makes them and puts them together, he also knows how to take them apart and repair them. He also has the tools and fishing lure parts necessary for such work. All the tools required to assemble the parts and make the lures are explained on this page about hand tools.

Fishing lures in general do not require much care when storing them in a home or shop. The best idea is to put them into cabinet drawers or individual boxes so that they can be found easily and can be kept dry. In humid climates or near the seashore it is important not to expose the metal parts to the air; otherwise, hooks will rust and other metals will corrode.

Fishing lures that have feathers or hair should be kept in airtight containers so that moths and other insects or small animals will not get to them. This also applies to new fishing lures that haven't yet been used. Lures which have been used require considerable care if you want to get the maximum use from them. Freshwater fishing lures usually require less care and repair than saltwater ones.

In general, when examining any fishing lure you have made or bought it's a wise policy to repair it if you are the least bit doubtful about its condition. Repairing usually means sandpapering the part of the lure body that is slightly chipped and then touching up with a small brush, using enamels or lacquers.

Replace the hooks with new ones if they are badly rusted. When doing this it is important to use the same size and weight as the old ones so that the action of the fishing lure is not changed in any way. If the damage is too bad and the lure cannot be repaired, throw it away after salvaging any usable parts.

It doesn't pay to take chances with a fishing lure that is weak in any way. You may hook a record fish but lose it if the lure is not dependable. Many anglers who buy their fishing lures in tackle stores often use them until they fall apart, before buying new ones. But if you make your own fishing lures you can afford to use only those that are still in good condition.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

Keith Lee is a practical, do-it-yourself angler and owns Make-Your-Own-Fishing-Lures.com, an info-packed website on making fishing lures. Learn how to make fishing lures at Make Your Own Fishing Lures and use it as your trusted guide on home made fishing lures.

Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your newsletter or on your website so long as you leave all active links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed here.

Common Credit Score Myths

A lot of credit score myths about fico score ratings get spread around and some of them are just outdated information. Sometimes even lenders can give you the wrong advice and it can get confusing. But the bottom line is bad information can cost you money no matter who you get it from.

Fico score ratings are used for most mortgage lending, which means, you need to know what will hurt or help your credit score points. To make it clear, here are some of the most common credit score myths.

* Checking your credit report will hurt your credit score

Checking your own credit report and credit score counts as a soft inquiry and does not go against your score. However, if anyone else like a lender or credit card company is checking your credit report, this is considered a hard inquiry and will generally knock off about 5 credit score points.

The credit score rating system treats multiple inquiries in a 14-day period as just one inquiry. The system ignores all inquiries made within 30 days prior to the day the credit score is computed. So if you want to minimize the damage from credit inquiries, shop for a loan in that short period of time.

* Closing old accounts will improve your credit report score

Sometimes even lenders will tell you to close your old and inactive accounts as a way for improving your credit report score. In most cases, closing old accounts will actually have the opposite effect with the current credit score rating system.

Canceling old credit accounts can actually lower your credit score because it makes your credit history appear shorter. If you want to reduce your levels of available credit, it's better to reduce or close new accounts instead. Applying for new credit is more likely to lower your score.

* You need to check more than just FICO score rating

If you ever hear this from anyone, consider it a red flag. All of the three major credit reporting bureaus offer FICO credit score ratings using the formula developed by Fair, Isaac. Even though each one gives the scores a different name you only need a fico score rating from the three major credit reporting bureaus.

At Equifax, the FICO score rating is called the Beacon credit score. At TransUnion, it's called Empirica. At Experian, it's known as the Experian/Fair, Isaac Risk Model.

The reason each of the three major credit reporting bureaus will have three different scores is because they don't all share the same data. So when checking your credit report, just make sure it comes from the three major credit reporting bureaus: Experian, Trans Union and Equifax.

Examine your credit reports from all three major credit reporting bureaus before you apply for a big loan like a mortgage. Fix any errors in all three reports before you shop for a loan because it takes time to correct your credit report.

* Credit counseling will hurt your score

The current FICO credit score rating system ignores any reference to credit counseling that may be in your file. The researchers at Fair, Isaac, the company that created the FICO credit scoring rating system, found that people getting credit counseling didn't default on their debts any more often than anyone else.

However, any late payments you've had with creditors will hurt your credit score. Credit counseling can hurt your ability to get a loan because you probably have had trouble paying creditors.

Some lenders will back away if you are in credit counseling. Others may see it differently, but usually will charge you higher interest rates than if you had perfect credit.

The best way to improve your credit report score is paying your bills on time and paying down credit card debt. Check your credit report regularly for any errors and make sure you don't fall for these common credit score myths.

Copyright ? 2005 Credit Repair Facts.com All Rights Reserved.

This article is supplied by http://www.credit-repair-facts.com where you will find credit information, debt elimination programs and informative articles that give you the knowledge to correct your own credit and credit report. For more credit related articles like these go to: http://www.credit-repair-facts.com/articles_1.html

Self-Marketing: The I Focus

Ever had one of those conversations where you wondered what the topic was and the only word you could identify was "I"?

As a marketer, I often recommend marketing yourself. However, there comes a point, rather quickly in any conversation when the other person tires of hearing "I". So, the problem is?

How's the weather over there? Is there life after "I"? Can we change the topic? Is there someone else who wishes to speak now? Check please?

If the only person you are qualified to discuss is yourself, your listeners will be heading for the exit rather quickly. Your self-marketing won't get you very far if you can't talk about anything or anyone else.

Self-marketing works best when you learn to focus on your listener. Ask questions. Encourage your "audience" to tell you about themselves. Offer solutions for their problems. Focus on them.

So, how do you sell yourself? By promoting, motivating, and encouraging the other person, you will find they are attracted to you.

While it's important to be sure they get your name (so they remember who you are and what you do), it's more important they know you have their name and know what they do. When you contact them later for networking purposes, they'll know you were sincere.

Copyright ? 2005 - Jan Verhoeff

Jan Verhoeff recognizes opportunity for advancement, personal marketing, and networking in most any location. Putting your name on the market, being able to achieve your goals, and knowing how to reach your potential is brand performance. Brand your market with eBiz Brand Performance.

How to Booost Your Affiliate Commissions by almost 30%

Affiliate marketing is one tough business. Everyone online today is looking to make or save money in any way they can.

In the good old days when internet marketing was in its infancy, most of the people who clicked on your affiliate links used to purchase without a second thought... but, now as times are getting tougher, and visitors getting more cynical, you'll be amazed at the number who won't!

Just one flaw in a system and you will find dozens of unscrupulous people waiting to exploit it. Same goes for affiliate commission tracker systems. People who know how to manipulate the system will replace your affiliate ID with theirs and "hijack" your commissions.

Most affiliate links are some form or the other of http://www.thesite.com/?YOURID

Where your affiliate id is passed as a parameter. A thief has to simply change the "YOURID" part to "HISID" to put your money in his pocket.

In other cases, there are visitors to your site who simply can't stand the thought of you "making money off them" so they bypass you by simply chopping off the end of your affiliate link that contains your ID.

Instead of buying from http://www.thesite.com/?YOURID -- the bypasser will simply "chop off" the affiliate ID at the end and simply buy from the plain URL http://www.thesite.com/ --without your affiliate ID attached!

Bam! you just got cheated out of your rightful commission.

Studies have shown that this phenomenon causes about 30% lost sales.

By following some of these simple tips you will be able to, if not all, at least confuse most hijackers and, in many cases, often disarm them completely.

You might notice i said most and not all. This is because if the hijacker is well versed at html and javascipt he will be able to eventually get to your affiliate link. However, most hijackers are just opportunists who will only act if they see an easy buck and its this segment that we can beat

The simplest way to hide your affiliate links is using a javascript redirect page.

This is where you hide your affiliate link in a page on your site using a simple javascript that redirects people to your affiliate link.

This way your "naked" affiliate link is not exposed in your actual email messages and ezine ads, but, once people get redirected to the true affiliate link.

One possible drawback of this method is that some affiliate programs, like clickbank for example, expose the affiliate link along with your ID in the browser address bar.

So if the viewer is eagle-eyed he will notice that hes been redirected through and affiliate link.

A safer method to hide your affiliate links is using a zero-frame or "invisible" frame that masks the affiliate link by making it appear you are sending people to a page on your website. In reality, you are actually sending them to your affiliate link.

This technique is also used by many domain redirection service sites.

Unfortunately is the user views the source of the page. He know whats that youve loaded an affiliate link.

The solution is to use javascript encryption to scramble up the page code.

Even though there isn't a 100% perfect solution to this problem, if you want to get paid more often through your affiliate links, make sure it's not obvious you're referring people to an affiliate link.

If they can't see that its a affiliate link, lower the possibility of you getting stiffed of your commission.

If you are looking for a tool that lets you do all this plus earn affiliate commissions even from those folk who dont click your affiliate link then do check out Covert Affiliate

Satyajeet Hattangadi is the Owner of Novasoft Inc, a software solutions provider, who specialize in affordable customized software solutions.