As part of my ongoing quest to grow my vintage music collection, I am always looking to find vinyl records for sale. There are a multitude of places you can look to find these bargains. Some outlets charge a serious amount of money whilst others are really cheap. Of course , amongst those really cheap bargains there is an outside chance you may pick up something that has a much higher value in the real world to those who know. Old records in particular are a challenge worthy of this pursuit.
You may find it useful to begin your search for vinyl records in places that are local to where you live. In particular bargains can be found at garage sales and in flea markets as the owners often don't know what the true value is of what they are attempting to sell. So if you want a valuable record at the right price, here is an excellent place to start if you don't mind spending the time to unearth these bargains.
I once found a very valuable vinyl record for sale at a garage sale, mixed in with a number of other valuable records in a box. I paid just a few dollars for those boxes, which was an absolute snip. Some of the records were still unopened.
Flea markets are another great place to check out. The people that run the stands at these flea markets are more savvy so they do have an idea of what things are worth, so you are likely to end up paying more for any vinyl records you buy at these venues. That said, you can still find excellent deals at flea markets and they are good if you have a specific record or artist in mind. You can also find more information about where to buy vinyl records at http://www.bigjohnsrecords.com
Some music shops also stock vinyl records and also resell the vintage types. Nowadays these types of stores are becoming rarer and you will find that any records on sale at these shops will cost you more than those sold at flea markets and local garage sales. The one advantage of a store like this is that there is a very good chance you will locate the record you are specifically looking for, at a price.
Another option that is often overlooked by many is the internet itself. As there are people all over the world selling their items on the internet, it makes an ideal hunting ground for those that know what they are after or even those that just want to browse.
Visualization is one of the best techniques to use when plotting a story. It's like watching a movie in your mind, only the movie is your story. You can see all the scenes and events playing out, from beginning to end.
To start, find a quiet spot and relax. Concentrate on your breathing. Let your mind wander and don't focus on anything. If you start worrying or thinking, just let the thoughts float out of your head. Now, when you're relaxed, imagine yourself walking down a city street. Fill it in with all the details - imagining the sound of cars or of people talking. Feel the cement under your feet and the sun on your body. Walk along this street for a bit until you are fully immersed in your visualization. Now imagine that you come a theater. You buy the ticket and go in. Now you are in the lobby, but there is no one else around. You have the whole theater yourself. Buy yourself some snacks or not. Now go into the theater and take a seat. You are the only one in there so you can sit wherever you want. The curtain goes back and the movie starts - and the movie is *your* novel. Just relax and watch it play out, as if you were viewing a real movie. Don't force anything. Just let your mind fill in the story events on its own. When you feel like you've seen enough, wake up and immediately write down what you saw so you don't forget it. Use this technique whenever you are stuck for where to go with the plot or what to write in a scene.
Another way of using visualization is using it to meet your characters. Relax the same way you did before, but instead of imagining a theater, imagine that you are meeting your main character for coffee or lunch. Go into the restaurant or coffee stop and find your character. Really see him. What does he look like? What she wear? How does he smile, etc . Sit down and talk to your character. Let your mind fill in the questions and answers. Don't force anything. Do this with all of your characters if need be until you really know them.
If you're looking to get into videography and video editing as a hobby, the options can be daunting. Here is a small question and response that may help you get started in this fun and rewarding hobby.
What type of camera do you recommend?
Response: For a beginner, a Canon single CCD camera will suit you well. It has a cost range of $500 to $700. Canon is well respected at all levels of video camera quality and has probably the best quality for the price at the low end.
If you want to start out with something more professional, you may want to look into the Canon GL2 which is a low end 3 CCD (1/4" each) camera running about $1500. This camera is great for an enthusiastic hobbyist or a beginning special events videographer.
If you're looking to make some money on the side (or as a career) with your camera doing special events such as wedding videography, you may want to look into the Sony VX2100, a high-end consumer 3 CCD (1/3" each) camcorder, running at a price between $2100 and $3000, check out prices here. The high definition capable version of the same camera is called the Sony HDR / Fx1 and goes for $3700 at all major retailers.
What is CCD?
CCDs are imaging chips. CCD stands for charge-coupled device and is a light sensative circuit which stores an electrical charge representing each tiny part of an image. The difference between low and high end video cameras is usually determined by the number of CCDs (one or three), and the size of the CCD. In video cameras the number of CCDs determines the clarity of the picture in low lighting (most indoor) situations. The size of the CCD is directly linked to the amount of "color bleeding" present in the video.
It is also interesting to note that for video cameras, unlike photography cameras, the size of the pixels is far more important than the number of pixels. Fewer pixels that are larger make a better video camera. It is also interesting to note that as you go from low-end to high-end cameras, you will be getting fewer "extras" on your camera such as the ability to take "still photography".
Next question: What video editing software would you recommend?
Response: Pinnacle Studio 9 has many great features for beginning in photoediting. It runs between $70 and $90 at major retail stores. It gives many options and is very user friendly. If you're looking for some more advanced options in lighting, transitions, and sound editing, you may want to consider the more professional editing software Pinacle Liquid Editions for around $600.
Music is powerful and persuasive. It touches one’s emotion, motivation, creativity and relaxation. It has the soothing effect that can calm our mental nerves. It inspires you to do something new and productive. It gives you ideas. It lulls you to sleep. The list is definitely endless.
Music is many things. It makes us happy, annoyed, melancholic, afraid and mad. Music is also for every one. It invades almost anything and everything. Different milieus have their own music to recollect. Various races and continents also enjoy distinctive music. Young and old alike take pleasure in it.
In every stages of life there will always be music for it is perpetual. In fact , there are unique types of music that caters to specific group of individuals. Rock and metal music cater to hyperactive music enthusiasts. Love, acoustic and pop songs blend well with lovers and emotional persons. For kids there is the children’s music.
Children’s music can give kids a magical experience. They can play roles with it. For a moment, they can be a pretty princess with a castle or a dashing knight in shining armor. They can simultaneously play musical instruments. They can dance and sing.
Music is entertaining most especially to children. Thus, even at the very young age they must be exposed to music. By doing so, kids develop their sense of adventure and discovery.
Aside from that, they can be knowledgeable about children’s music lyrics. They can also develop the basic languages.
Children’s music can also be treated as therapy. Application of children’s music can treat some physiological and psychosocial elements of illness. Treatment is aimed for the acquisition of non-musical behavior by virtue of systematic musical methods.
Studies have proven that children with developmental delays and learning disabilities like Down’s syndrome respond to music. Thus, exposure to music can boost response and expression. As a result, individual expressions and talents like singing and dancing can be discovered.
Children’s music treats developmental delays and learning disabilities by drawing out movements. The latter develops self-awareness which can easily be manifested. Examples of these movements are gripping the beater, tapping a triangle, playing cymbals and drums and the likes.
The relationship between children’s music and movement cannot be overemphasized. The rhythm of music creates the ideal stimulus that results to coordinated movements. These movements lead to repetition which is a mode of child learning.
Aside from entertainment and therapy, children’s music is also a special kind of education. It develops the cognitive skills of children. Exposure to music stimulates learning about colors, numbers, shapes and parts of the body. As a consequence, though may not be the primary goal, it increases the child’s intelligence.
Stimulation of cognitive abilities leads to multi-sensory development. The latter contributes to the ability of a child to retail information and be attentive to detail. As a result, the child becomes confident and clever.
Children’s music can also develop the child’s social skills. Usually, musical experiences are done in groups. Participants can sing in unison or one after the other. With this process, every one is encouraged to participate thus participants eventually become closer.
Children’s music can be so powerful that it can develop both the intrapersonal and interpersonal aspects of a child. It simultaneously augments functional abilities at the same time the expressive and creative capacities of a child.
Room lighting control is an important aspect for home theaters -- especially if you have a front-projector and screen set-up. Video projectors often demand a controlled lighting situation due to the lower light output of their displays. Room ambiance is another important function of lighting during a viewing as you most likely not want your guests to sit in darkness (unless it is a really creepy horror flick). Reflected room lighting is a consideration as well as you do not want a glare on the screen -- whether it be ambient light from a window or merely reflections of a lamp within your room. Ambient window lighting is major when determining your living room layout or designing a dedicated viewing room. A dedicated room would of course be best without windows altogether -- if you have the luxury of designing a room from scratch.
Glare Control and Picture Enhancement
Room lighting control is relatively easy with a little planning. If you want to incorporate your home theater within your living or family room you will want to postion your video display so that any ambient light upon the screen is diminished or eliminated altogether. Each time we have moved to a new home one of my first considerations (much to the chagrin of my wife) is where we will place the TV in our living room. Since video is my profession I plan our living room layout around the TV and entertainment center (again to the chagrin of my wife). The TV is always placed at an angle away from the main window in the room in order to eliminate window reflections on the screen. Our living room lamps have shades that direct lighting downward and are not very translucent in order to minimize their reflections. Since I have a front projector and screen display in the living room -- in addition to the 32" Mitsubishi we use for normal viewing -- we have vertical blinds which do a nice job of darkening the room. We also have velour drapes which can pull to either side of the screen and do a great job of providing a controlled lighting environment for our projector. You will want to do much the same -- have your video display directed away from any windows and use blinds with drapes to control daytime lighting from windows.
Setting the Mood
Wall sconce lamps located along the walls for ambiance during viewing in a dedicated room is a nice touch and lends to the theater-esque atmosphere. Depending upon the overall decor and theme of your dedicated room sconces can be either plain or elaborately gaudy much like the movie houses of yore. Basic sconces can be found at a local Home Depot or lighting store. More elaborate theater-looking sconces are available at specialty stores. A dedicated room will benefit from remote controlled lighting - or at least it will add a "touch of class" to your theater. There are many varieties of remote controlled lighting which can be controlled either by their standard controller or be included within a macro-programmed command on one of the many all-in-one type macro-remote controls such as the Harmony H659 which I am quite pleased to own.
Regardless of whether you are incorporating a system into your living room or planning a dedicated room, the principles of home theater room lighting are the same -- no glare or reflection on your video display and sufficient ambient room lighting for your guests during viewing. If you have any further questions about home theater room lighting feel free to use the contact form at theater-Systems-Advice.com/contact.html" target=new>Home-theater-Systems-Advice. com/contact. html and I will be pleased to answer any of your inquiries to the best of my ability. You may also find more resources for home theater lighting and audio-visual components at theater-Systems-Advice.com/more-resources.html" target=new>Home-theater-Systems-Advice. com/more-resources. html -- from beginner's tips to theater design and acoustical considerations.
There are many systems that can lock your software or document, allowing you to control access to that file. But the problem arises with assuming that this will stop all theft. A well thought out, thorough protection system can deter theft, but it cannot stop it 100%.
An "unbreakable" protection system simply does not, and will never exist. If someone really wants your information, they can get it, even if it takes years of work.
SO WHAT'S THE POINT? WHY USE ANY PROTECTION AT ALL?
There is no 100% security guarantee in anything, but that's no reason to totally ignore protecting your intellectual property -- A thief can easily kick in your front door and rob your house, but you still lock the door. Locking the door is not 100% effective security, but we still do it. Why? Because it deters most potential theft and those who are more determined will have to work a bit to get in.
WHO SHOULD USE PROTECTION?
The big question here is, HOW VALUABLE IS YOUR INFORMATION TO YOU? Sensitive, proprietary or private information demands some sort of protection, otherwise transmitting over the net is not an option.
If your information is not free, then it's obviously of some importance. So , how much damage would it do to you if it were made freely available? What type of impact would it have on your sales and could you (or would you) absorb that without thinking twice?
Is a $14 Ebook worth paying for another service to protect it? Probably not, but it depends on the situation and target market. What about a $2, 000 report? Does the price change the perspective?
Businesses protect their property. If you believe your information or software to be of a unique or proprietary nature, you should protect that information using some means, no matter how small.
Companies like Microsoft lose hundreds of millions of dollars due to software theft and fraud, yet they continue to implement protection measures in their software. I would guess that without any protection whatsoever the losses would be in the billions.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
Like I said, there is no 100% way to prevent every possible incident, but you can make it very difficult and less likely to happen. At best what you should hope is to provide just enough security to close obvious security flaws and discourage would-be thieves. But not so much security that it discourages honest users and customers.
PROTECTION OPTIONS
Here are some common protection schemes:
No Protection: Just distribute your information and hope for the best.
- Pros: No special process to access file which means less support issues.
- Cons: File can be passed around, copied, distributed and/or sold without authorization from the owner. Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.
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General Password Protection: Simply requiring a predetermined password to install or register the file.
- Pros: Simple for customer or end user.
- Cons: File and password can be passed around, copied, distributed and/or sold without authorization from the owner. Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.
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PC-Unique Password Protection: Generates a unique password based on the user's computer.
- Pros: Can't pass around the file since it is basically locked to one machine.
- Cons: Requires an extra step for registration; Customer cannot move file to another PC; If their PC crashes they will need another unique password; Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.
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Delayed Registration: This requires a user to enter a second registration number a specific number of days after they first register the file. For example , after 90 days of use, they must enter a new registration number that they receive from you.
- Pros: It allows control over chargeback and refunds. The file will be disabled after the second registration period because you will not provide the second key to reactivate the file.
- Cons: Requires an extra step for registration; A user can request refund or chargeback AFTER the second registration period.
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Post-Purchase Activation: Requires activation by online server. After user purchases they are entered into an online customer database. They then install and register the file by entering their name/email or some data. The server confirms the purchase and then activates the software. This method is become more and more common with big name software.
- Pros: Can prevent unauthorized distribution of file since the file must be activated by the online server.
- Cons: User must be online to register file; Can't move file to a different PC; Can't prevent access after chargeback or refund.
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Active Password Protection: Each time user attempts to access file it checks an online server to confirm the usage rights and permissions for the user.
- Pros: Prevents distribution or copying of file; File Owner can revoke access to file after chargeback or refund; Access permissions can be changed and applied in real-time.
- Cons: must be connected to the net to register and/or access file; User may not be able to move file to another PC; User registration can be somewhat cumbersome and difficult for some customers.
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EVALUATING PROTECTION SERVICES
When looking to protect your digital information any protection system or service that you consider should have a few basic security bases covered.
For software and executables:
1. When opening the file, a protection system must not save or copy an unprotected version of the file to the windows TEMP directory or anywhere on your PC for that matter.
2. The system should automatically prevent password sharing and access by unauthorized parties. This will prevent the document from being passed around or distributed illegally since it can't be opened unless you are authorized.
3. It should have some method to revoke or cancel access for refunded or fraudulent users.
For PDF documents, providing adequate protection requires a bit more security as their are many more ways to obtain a protection free copy of the document.
Any PDF protection system must cover the three bases above, as well as:
* It must prevent emailing of file and exporting or extracting pages from file.
* It must prevent copying file and text to the clipboard
* It must prevent redistilling of the file and printing to PDF
* It must prevent unlimited, uncontrolled printing of file
* It must watermark all printed pages
* If using Adobe Reader, the company providing the protection service must be an authorized Adobe DRM provider.
WHAT ABOUT COST? IS IT WORTH IT?
Is $300 a year too much to protect your copyrights? Definitely not. Protection costs money, but if your business is making money then it's a cost of doing business.
Is it for you? I don't know. Selling a few low priced applications a month probably won't warrant any sort of protection, but if you generate a substantial income from your software or the information distributed is of a critical nature to your business, then you need to protect your intellectual "capital" at some level.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Personally, I believe that some level of protection should be implemented on any piece of software or document that is of any value to you. You should never mass distribute a file in an unprotected format. Otherwise you will be scrambling when you find someone misusing it... if you find them!
It's easy to listen to those that say "don't worry about it" (a common reply to the document protection topic) until someone is actually stealing from you. Then all you can do is worry about it, but it's too late really. The damage is done. You can't take something back once it's out there unprotected. No amount of legal threatening is going to phase someone in Prague who just doesn't care about your copyrights.
Decorative and attractive interior painting offers limitless possibilities for modifying and personalizing one’s home. Usually the process begins with choosing and mixing colors, apart from these one has to assemble them into shape on their surface. The pleasure of decorating and making more attractive will make one gain confidence in handling their stuff and utensils.
Choices about color are forever going to necessitate gap for reflection. One may choose colors because of the reminiscences they bring to mind, for cultural reasons, or because they are calming and comforting. There is no uncertainty that the most excellent way to do this is to put into practice.
One can only make their individual choices. A few designs can be assisting against wall or floor with stencils and stamps. Few designs characteristic will forever linger, but they can be modified to go with the existing appearance. The wall one is supposed to work on should be well equipped and can be white or pallid.
These are an outstanding way of organizing where One’s paint goes, in addition to means of casing a surface quickly. Whatever one do, it’ll be better if they always prefer to look at other interiors, at textiles, clothing, and painting, and take their guidance from those they like.
For example , yellow with orange, is absolutely satisfactory. One may hunt for guidance in color hypothesis, but understanding the band and how to blend paint will not be a great help in choosing which colors to utilize, though it can give details why certain color mixture perform in the way they do.
These are just ways of influencing paint to generate a variety of surface texture. The end consequence will always have a class and excellence that cannot be harmonized by any wallpaper.
