How Do You Make A Website? Monday, Mar 31 2008 

No, that’s not the real question. The real question is “How in the Heck Do You Make a Website???”

You do not have to buy software. You do not have to invest $300 in a special online program, either. You can do this for free.

My websites were created for free and I did them myself. I knew almost nothing about making a website. I did not use any store-bought programs whatsoever. (Actually, I did buy “Front Page.” I never got around to figuring it out. My daughter zipped out a website on “Front Page” in minutes. But kids these days can do that sort of thing. Not me!)

A friend of mine mentioned that his websites are free. That is how I found out about this avenue for getting on the web. And now I’m going to tell you the BIG SECRET - and this company is not going to give me any commission for doing so, but that’s all right. I’ll tell you what I wish someone had told me before I spent two hundred bucks on “Front Page” - which, by the way, I do hope to learn one day, but right now I have a business to run, like you!!

The big secret is tripod.com. Now there may be plenty of other similar places out there, but if you’re like me, you’ve never heard of any of them. In the very short time I have been working on my websites with Tripod, I have grown to LOVE this way of making a website. It is so fast and easy, and it’s such a pleasure to make a quick change when I see the need. I click a few things, and it’s automatically and instantly changed on the Worldwide Web!

That’s a big difference from two years ago when I did manage to make a very basic web page with the beginner’s program that came with my computer. The process of “uploading” the page to the internet was a lot more involved. I had to be very sure I did exactly the right thing - on the right file - in the right index. Not so with Tripod - it’s all automatically done for you with the click of your mouse.

When I came back into the internet business world just recently, I knew I needed more of a website than just the “one-page wonder” I’d come up with last time. And I had no idea how I was going to do that. But Tripod has come to my rescue. Now I seem to be hooked!

At first, it was slow going to get the hang of making a Tripod website. I wasn’t so sure I liked the selection of designs that they had to choose from, either. But I found that I could customize many designs so that they would look entirely original. And after I made the first website, which took me quite a few hours, it was very easy to make the second one. And as I continued to work with Tripod, it soon became a snap to do anything I wanted to do.

For example, once a page (or a website) is the way you want, you can simply copy it, and this makes working on another one almost effortless.

I also found out that I can make as many websites as I want on just one Tripod account. I am doing exactly that as I gain ideas for new websites.

Before I found Tripod, I had purchased several domain names. I can use these domain names with my Tripod websites, so that you cannot tell that my website is a Tripod site (well, now, for you at least, my secret’s out…).

I have only one complaint about Tripod: when I emailed the technical support, I always seemed to receive form letters or partial form letters, some of which did not seem to address my questions. At one point, that got me very frustrated. I responded with an email with lots of emphatic, ALL-CAPS pleas for the answers to my questions!

I got back yet another form answer…kept searching…and so far I have figured out all the answers to my questions on my own.

So all in all, I’m happy with my websites…not too bad for someone who knows nothing about HTML (technical website language). What I love most of all is the amount of control I have over the finished product.

If you’re looking for answers on how in the heck to make a website, give Tripod a try, as I did. Once you give it a little time, it’s actually fun to work with. Try working with it for free until you get your website the way you want it. Then you can consider paying the small fee - $4.95 per month - to have your website run without any ads. I think it’s an incredible bargain, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have found this solution to making a website.

Let me know if this advice has proven helpful for you! And check out my websites to see examples of what your tripod.com website can look like. Mine are fairly plain, but there are loads of options available. Enjoy the process of making your own website!

Sarah Tanner is a writer about relationships and charm. Visit her website, http://www.howtohavecharm.com, and sign up there for her unique emails about charm and relationships. You will receive free ebooks on relationships and self-improvement with each email!
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A Gift of Energy Monday, Mar 31 2008 

“When attack becomes dance, everything is seen as a gift of energy.”

That sounds great, doesn’t it?

Couldn’t we all use a little more energy from time to time? I know I could. Right now, for instance, as I sit with a blanket over my shoulders, sipping lemon tea and hoping that the next coughing spasm is not as ferocious as the last two, I could use a gift of energy. The tickle that started in my nose and chest a few days ago has blossomed into a full-blown, body-wracking cold, complete with chills and fever.

The martial art Aikido (The Way of Harmony) teaches us to see everything that comes our way as energy to be danced with. By centering and extending our ki (life energy) we connect and blend with the energy of attack, making it a part of us. We redirect it from center, keeping ourselves and our attacker safe from harm.

How this elegant metaphor applies to situations in our personal and professional lives is a continuing source of study and fascination for me. One of the ways I work at integrating Aiki principles into my life is by sharing the philosophy with others. My workshops use physical exercises which help our bodies remember how to do things like center, extend, acknowledge and blend. We begin to dance, flow and move with the energy of conflict instead of blocking it.

So I sit, wondering how I can dance with this attack. Even centering doesn’t stop the incessant coughing. I have no ki to extend (it seems to have retreated to the innermost recesses of my system). The only thing I can think to do is to acknowledge and embrace.

But that, at least, is a beginning. In years past, I would not acknowledge being sick. When I was sick, I’d often go to work anyway. I plowed through what needed doing with half a spirit and wore myself out. I probably infected half a dozen others in the process. I was sometimes ill-tempered, depressed and depressing to be around. If I can’t acknowledge what’s going on, whether it’s a cold or a problem at home, I surely can’t embrace it. By this I mean make it a part of me, connect with it so that I can begin to look for solutions.

Most of our conflicts, internal or external, would resolve themselves if we would only take this first step - acknowledge them! But because we see them as negative, we immediately resist by fighting or fleeing. If I can see what comes my way as energy, with no positive or negative charge other than what I give it, I can be more curious about it. As unwanted as it may be, there’s definitely more power in dancing with it than in resisting it.

As for my cold, I’m still trying to learn if there’s a gift here somewhere. Let’s see - I’ve already read a book I’ve been putting aside for months, started another, and gotten some much needed rest (in between coughs!). I may not always know what the energy offers, but when I can ask the question “Where’s the gift?” I’ve taken a step in a new direction.

© 2005 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence Training

About the Author: Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, specializing in unique workshops on conflict, communication, and creating a more positive work environment. Judy is also a black belt in aikido, and is writing her first book on the connection between aikido, conflict, and living a more purposeful life. To sign up for more free tips and articles like these, visit www.JudyRinger.com

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Robot Toy: The New Generation Play Tool Sunday, Mar 30 2008 

Gone are the days when children satisfied themselves with simple games of hopscotch or tag. Heck, there are practically no more “simple toys” in the toy market nowadays wherein it’s slowly being dominated by more and more complicated contraptions. From toy PDA electronic models to enhanced walkie talkies, children nowadays have more discerning taste when it comes to their playing pleasure. So in an age wherein cellphones and digital cameras are just all too common, what’s really the buzz about the wonders of a robot toy? What makes a robot toy tick? And probably, most important, what makes a robot toy click? To put things simply, an electronic robot toy is an extremely sophisticated piece of technology especially for children who have always been used to playing with either plastic, wooden or plush toys.

Things are indeed a changin’ nowadays, a robot toy is practically what each and every kid, well boys that is asks for in his wish list.
Starting with the very hip and ultra high-tech robot toy, Robo Sapien which promises to be a whole more than just a simple robot toy. A smart robot toy like this actually tries to break the mold ordinary plastic robot toys that only has blinking lights and beeping sound effects. Robot toys that are available in the market today are far more sophisticated than that especially since they’ve been able to make these robot toys more interactive. A very important factor when it comes to ensuring its saleability in this rapidly changing world of toy commerce.

Video games have been a common staple when it comes to electronic toy gadgets for children, however these cannot be considered as a robot toy. The once popular Tamagotchi may look and feel like a video game but it is actually in fact a robot toy as well. What’s differentiates the Tamagotchi from being a video game you might ask? Well for one thing, video games are just electronic role playing mind games wherein you have a specific goal or task that must be taken care of while a robot toy like the Tamagotchi is actually highly dependent on the interaction between the Tamagotchi and the user. The Tamagotchi is actually a simulation of what is supposed to be of an animal, just like ordinary toy robots which are mock-ups of human beings while a video game is merely an audio visual device that is used to play games.

There are actually all sorts of robot toys available in the market today, from highly sophisticated, not to mention, costly, Robo Sapien to outdated Tamagotchis to high tech robot toy pets that have caused quite a stir even in Japan wherein people don’t really have that much time to take care of a real dog. Robo pets have been creating a lot of buzz in the toy market because of its highly innovative design and almost life like actions, Robo pets usually comes in either a pet dog or a pet cat. It can play fetch, run, heel, even bark at you.

This robot pet has certainly come a long, long way from the old wind-up robot toys that used to be every kid’s fancy. Come to think of it, not only children are getting into the whole robot toy craze, with many grown adults now getting more and more hooked to the highly sophisticated robot toys in the market. Considering that adults do have the spending power as compared with children who are still reliant on their parents’ mercy, toy companies are also trying to come out with robot toys that can be appreciated by adults as well.

For a robot toy or a roomba robot vacuum, please visit RobotShop.ca.

Natural cat training Sunday, Mar 30 2008 

Tired of coming home and having puddles all over the house, the
cat meowing as if you have left for a weeks on end.

All of this is natural to a cat, even as it is annoying to us
most the time. Just remember your cat has never learned any
different.

Let us look at natural cat training. One of the first things we
have to learn is the natural instincts and behavior of a cat.

Kittens are born with a great sense of smell, before they can
even see. This is a sense that you will want to help build in a
kittens life, in order for growth to a cat, the sense will
continue to be strong. A cat will live with in its or territory
if they have their scent around the area. As a kitten, you will
want to have the kitten explore as many possibilities as it can.
Like taking, the cat to the groomers when you have not taking
the kitten when they are young, the outcome will be disasters if
you wait until they are a full-grown cat. Kittens and cats need
the socialization in order to prevent bad experiences.

When taking the kitten out you will want to use a pet carrier
for this. Put kitten’s favorite blanket, pillow maybe a favorite
toy. With putting these items in the pet carrier will help kitty
smell its own scent and will want to go in the carrier easier.

Cats do become accustom to our routine around the house. If we
have a routine of everyday say getting up for work and comes, a
day that we can sleep in, kitty is not going to let you do that.
This is like breaking kitty’s routine, and cats do not like
breaking routine. Cats also do not like it when things are not
in place around the house or if something new enters the house,
like a pair of new shoes. Cats with a keen smell will be able to
tell something is not right and will go and check it out.

Here are some thoughts that you can use if you are going to
natural cat train your cat. Going on the internet and check out
recourses to help you more with the changes are a good idea,
talk to your local vet, or look for books that will help.

Setting a goal. Set a goal for the behavior that you need to
change. Think of options for training your cat to reach the goal.

Step by step. You will want to take time and lots of patience to
do this. Remember kitty has done this since it was born. Rushing
your kitten will do nothing for the both of you. .

Patience, Patience and more patience for you and for the kitten
will be necessary for the kitten to view the change as good one.

Last, if the kitten encounters loss of appetitive stress over
the behavior change, this is a good time to stop and reevaluate
the process.

Cats will learn by experience. When the experience is good,
your cat will try to repeat it. If the experience is unpleasant,
your cat will not be willing to try it in the future.

Always remember to reward your kitten or cat when the behavior
is good. However, if the behavior is not good remember not to
get mad, reprimand the cat for the behavior with out a reward.
Do not give in and feed a kitten or cat when they do something
that you think that they want to eat. Your kitten or cat needs
to have a set time to eat and stick to it. Not before or after
this will not work for training.

Remember to give your kitten or cat a hug today.