Gronox

One of the most successful businessmen of his time Peter Sutherland believes it is time to put the case for joining the Euro back on the agenda for policy discussion. When the case was looked into historically and, with the publication of the Treasury’s Report on the Five Tests, effectively terminated, not joining the Euro was the more obvious choice. It’s accurate to say the case is now much weaker perhaps decisively so. A growing array of decisive factors have changed. As it is ever popular to quote Keynes, it is worth bearing in mind the reproof he directed at someone who criticised the apparent inconstancy of his expressed views: “When the facts change I change my mind. What do you do?” At the time when the case for the Euro was last went over, British citizens could be excused for following the wise old Americans saying “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”.

This well-founded attitude was based on a long period of a sustained increase in the quality of living and moderate inflation. It was mirrored in a long run of predominantly negative answers to the question, as asked by polling organizations, “if there were a referendum on joining the Euro would you answer Yes or No to the question ‘Should Britain join the Euro?’ Few would agree this American adage is appropriate today. Attitudes towards joining the Euro seem like they are definitely changing.

A critical factor in the long run of prosperity was without a doubt the high value of the exchange rate of the pound against the Euro (and other currencies). Once again, things have changed. Where the exchange rate was debatably higher than it should have been before, now it is debatably too low. It was difficult to recommend locking into the Euro at the rates prevailing in the late ’90s all the way through to 2007 and it would be sensible to await some appreciation before fully committing now – but that some fall in the exchange rate can be welcomed is hardly beyond debate. Still, while we are talking about the exchange rate, it is not just banter about whether the rate is correct or not at a particular time that should be important. Rather, the lesson that might be learnt is that the behavior of the exchange rate in recent times gives little ground for optimism about its role as a stabilizer when Britain’s exchange rate is floating. It’s true to say that there have been a number of studies which seem to show that the exchange rate may, for many countries, be just as much a source of shocks as a stabilizer of them.

A good website will act like a good radio station. Radio stations want you to listen, know who you listen to (for ratings, which are based on listener RECALL of who they listened to), come back for more, and buy sponsor’s products or services.

A good website, properly optimized, will be visited, bookmarked or remembered, and will prompt you to buy their own or advertiser’s product or services.

Both try to move you to a desired action.

A harsh radio rating fact of life is that many stations are statistically equal, mired in the midpack of ratings, no matter what they do or try to entice listeners.

A harsh website fact is that most sites don’t make it into the search engine-delivered rankings, or if they do, are so far down the list, people don’t dig that deep. (Have you ever dug into the 165th Google ‘find’ for example?)

Radio stations try to get you to come back with features like the 8 or 9 o’clock all music/commercial free hour, and another as you drive home, or contests, countdowns, specials, etc.

Good websites utilize optimization to boost their audience, and then have good viewer-friendly website construction to motivate and move a browsing potential customer into a return visit (fresh content, expert status, newsletter, rss feed, etc.) and action (special offer, discount, bundle, etc.)

High performing (music) radio stations know that their own ‘promos’ are really heard as interruptions from the music that is the magnet that draws most listeners, that they are commercials for the radio station, and are heard as commercials. They make them short and to the point.

High performing websites know that flash intros or heavy graphic content can eat bandwidth, slow loading, and lose impatient viewers who, after all, are there to have a need met – to find information, usually.

High performance radio stations on a crowded dial specialize in a clearly communicated benefit.

High performance websites know theirs is an even more crowded world, and they NICHE, specializing in a clearly (enticingly title tagged) communicated benefit.

Bob Wood, former major market radio programmer in the United States and Canada, has applied his multi-media expertise to the internet, which he clearly sees as the future of communication. At http://www.Internet-Marketing-Advisors.com Wood offers insight into how websites can own their niche, increase traffic, and convert it to sales.

With fresh hi-tech developments for instance digital Telly, High-Def TV, Freesat & home cinema audio, if you’re present TV set is more than 5 years old, then now an excellent time to buy a brand new television. However, as equipment is developed roughly almost on a weekly basis, acquiring a new telly device can easily be dreadfully hard & perplexing.

This editorial strives to help to describe all the most up-to-date advancements that will guarantee to take your telly enjoyment to an incredible new level.

HD TV: Maybe one of the most major improvement to the world of the television ever since colour technology, High-Def (HD) telly presents detail, clarity and colour, with images more often than not 4 times as sharp as those from usual TV machines. To witness Hi-Definition programmes you will need to possess a High Def Ready TV. Sky and Freesat have already started transmitting hi def TV meaning you can now get pleasure from a series of your much-loved TV programmes, movies & sporting occasions with marvellous realistic pictures.

Integrated Digital Tuner: A television with built in digital tuner (also referred to as idTV) allows you to lay your hands on all free to air digital television channels, including the likes of: E4, BBC3, Sky News & to name a few without the demand for a second set-top box. Purchase a Plasma TV at a cheap price from John Lewis

Freesat: A new digital satellite TV service offered through a partnership between the BBC & ITV, giving you free High-Def programmes at no additional charge. Freesat has no annual contract, no joining fee, but instead just one solitary payment for the telly, satellite dish and installation. Plus because Freesat is broadcast via satellite, its available to more or less every house in the United Kingdom. Freesat telly is at the moment only accessible with Panasonic tellies.

LCD or Plasma: Although LCD and Plasma televisions work in different ways, the gains of both are extremely similar. Yet, it is crucial to keep in mind that when selecting between a Plasma or LCD television, it is really basically a question of size. LCD is at its best performance up to and including thirty-two inches, while Plasma tellies offer greatest performance at thirty seven inches, & higher. So, if you are wishing to get a smaller flat panel TV, then LCD offers the superior performance, whereas in contrast if you are searching for a larger display size, Plasma is without doubt the best option.

In evaluation it is key to bear in mind when selecting the correct telly for you, to think about your actual budget, your screening distance, the appearance you want and if it’s to be an LCD or Plasma television.

Approximately 100,000 sleep-related road accidents are reported every year. Sleepiness has also been identified as a major cause of decreased productivity in the workplace. Millions of people suffer from sleep disorders worldwide. These facts clearly show that the loss of sleep has become a major problem.

Generally, a person should have at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. What is more important however, is the quality of sleep he gets. A good night’s sleep is one that is relaxing and uninterrupted. A person who keeps waking up in the middle of his sleep will feel neither rested nor refreshed when he gets up in the morning; instead, he will be feeling tired and weak.

Of the over 100 types of sleep disorders, insomnia is the most common. People who suffer from insomnia have difficulty falling asleep even when they are tired. Often, the cause of insomnia is stress-related, though some sufferers have poor sleeping habits and/or psychiatric conditions. Sleeping pills can help insomniacs fall asleep, though relaxation and exercise are highly recommended.

Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleepwalking are some of the other forms of sleeping disorders.

To avoid losing sleep, one will need to consult a doctor or sleep specialist. It is important to find out the underlying cause of the sleeping problem. But if one is really bent on getting back that lost sleep, a change of lifestyle, coupled with a regular exercise regimen, is the best choice.

Avista Capital Partners Invests $27 Million in Frontier Drilling.

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Avista Capital Partners Appoints Steven E. Marder a Media Industry Advisor.

Of all the historical sites in not just Ireland but Western Europe, one rises above them all. In fact, the only other monument that could come close to the importance of Newgrange is Stonehenge in England. Dating back to 3000bc, Newgrange offers up many more questions than it can answer, but one thing is for sure, this monument was of massive importance during prehistoric times in Ireland.

Newgrange is built in the form of a passage tomb, in that there is a passage way which leads to the area in the centre which serves as a tomb. Newgrange is 85m in diameter in a circular shape, and at its highest point, 11m high. The passage is 19m long and the temperatures inside are constant all year round. The mound is held in place by 97 massive stones which circumnavigate the monument.

The entrance to the tomb is marked by several carved stones, the meaning of which has yet to be discovered. Most probably, the carvings are a map of the River Boyne and surrounding areas. The designs / carvings are circular in nature and could be described as megalithic.

The centre of the tomb is polygonal with three separate recesses off the centre which would have been used as tombs. The roof of the centre is built in an ever decreasing circle which provides height with incredible strength.

The most notable aspect of Newgrange, and probably the most incredible, is the fact that on the shortest day of the year, and a couple of days either side, the sun shines directly though a small opening over the entrance through the 19 meters into the centre chamber. This was used as a rudimentary calendar and the people could then count the days until the crops should be planted.

Today visitors to the monument are given an idea of what this spectacular event must look like by the use of artificial light. The tours on December 22nd each year which witness the real thing are booked out for many years in advance.

Ronan Menton is the webmaster for a number of travel related websites and has been for some time in Ireland, associated with search engine optimisation in the Irish travel industry. He spends two months a year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and now sees it as his second home. Among the many sites he is currently working on are the following: hotels in Liverpool and hotels in Bath.

Doing business online in this day and age requires that you should have a professional website where you could display your products, convince your readers to make a purchase, and process payments for those who are willing to buy. Though it is a relatively simple concept, execution can be quite difficult, especially if you do not have any background on the basics of web design. And even if you are blessed with some knowledge on how to build a website, such is not a guarantee that you will be able to come up with web pages that would project the credibility, reliability and excellence that you want to impress on your visitors.

And with a website being an essential component of an online business plan these days, more and more people are resorting to outsourcing. Outsourcing refers to the hiring of an outside service provider, often called a freelancer, to do certain tasks pertaining to your enterprise. Web design is one of the more popular tasks being outsourced today.

As such, there are countless freelancers offering their services to design your website for you. The sheer number of options would make it difficult to come up with a choice. Hence, here are some guidelines that would hopefully aid you in choosing the best web designer for your needs.

* CONSIDER QUALIFICATIONS. Is the freelancer you are considering well equipped with the right skills for the job? You could ask for his educational history, some samples of his past work, as well as his thoughts on the job you want to assign to him. You have to make sure that the person you will hire has what it takes to get the job done.

* STUDY HIS PORTFOLIO. A portfolio is a collection of a freelancer’s best works to date. By studying his portfolio, you’d get an idea about how he would proceed with the job you want him to do. Will his style meet your expectations? Does his artistic orientation complement how you want to project your business? By reviewing the best of his works, you’d be able to determine the answers to these questions.

* DETERMINE IF HE IS EASY TO GET ALONG WITH. There is nothing more frustrating than a freelancer whom you cannot agree with. The perfect product requires a meeting of the minds between the contractor and the freelancer. Communication is always of the essence. If you feel that you cannot communicate properly with the web designer, then you might as well look for someone else, least you compromise the aesthetic and structural integrity of the job you wish to outsource.

* HAVE A PLAN BEFOREHAND. Try to catch up with the concept in your mind and formulate a plan around it. List down what you would want to see. Only in doing this would you be able to convey clear, distinct instructions to the web designer. Make an outline of the things you want to include in your website. The more specific your outline is, the better it would be. If you have no idea on how to proceed, explicitly give the web designer the liberty to suggest a proper route before he would proceed.

* CONSIDER PRICE. There is a reason why this is placed last. Often, in outsourcing, you get what you pay for. If you make the applicable rates as your primary consideration, you would just be limiting yourself to freelancers who produce low quality work, or those who have yet to prove themselves. A website, as we’ve discussed earlier, is a very important component of your online business. Do not take chances with it.

A web designer would be your partner for success, so it is essential that you would hire the right one for the job. This would ensure greater chances of profit for your online business.

You may have heard of a server system called LAMP, and wondered what it is. Well, the answer is that LAMP isn’t any one thing on its own – it’s actually a combination of four technologies. Together, the LAMP technologies form the most popular overall server system on the web today.

Which technologies are they? The answer lies in the name. LAMP stands for Linux, Apache, MySQL and Perl/PHP. The term originated as a marketing word to help point out that open source (free) software, when combined, could be just as effective as expensive ‘enterprise solutions’ like J2EE (Java) or Microsoft’s .NET. To understand the system, let’s take a look at the components individually.

Linux

Linux is widely considered to be the open source operating system of choice, and the main alternative to Microsoft Windows. Thousands of volunteers from all over the world work on Linux and create programs for it. At its heart, the system is more-or-less a Unix derivative, which means that it’s very stable and fast. While widespread adoption of Linux for the desktop seems far off, mainly because of the difficulty of getting people to switch, it isn’t stopping Linux from doing very well on web servers.

There are many different varieties of Linux, known as ‘distributions’, with each one focusing on different features. Some popular distributions include Debian (www.debian.org), SuSE (owned by Novell, www.novell.com/linux/suse) and Red Hat (free version at fedora.redhat.com). If you’re thinking of trying out Linux on your own computer, you might like to look at Ubuntu (www.ubuntulinux.org), which is a less technical and relatively easy to use distribution.

Apache

Apache is the world’s most popular web server bar none. It was based on the second-ever web server, which was developed at the NCSA, and its history goes back as far as 1995.

For all intents and purposes, Apache has become the industry standard server: it would be silly to say that Apache isn’t suitable for business use, considering that it is included in enterprise packages like Oracle and IBM’s WebSphere. Apache is developed by the non-profit Apache Foundation (www.apache.org).

MySQL

MySQL is a relational database, popular because of its relative simplicity and the fact that it’s free. It is considered to be much easier to set up and use than more ‘traditional’ database software, and MySQL databases can be managed using a range of graphical software. MySQL is controversial among database professionals, however, as its developers haven’t included many complicated advanced features, feeling that they would make the software too difficult to use without making it any more useful. MySQL is developed by a Swedish company, MySQL AB, and its website is www.mysql.com.

Perl and PHP

Perl and PHP are both scripting languages, and they are both often used as the ‘glue’ that makes a database-driven website do what it should. However, the two languages, are very different: Perl is powerful but hard to read, while PHP is simpler but more limited. Choosing between them is largely a matter of preference, which is why they’re both included in the system – some people also include a third P, Python, as an alternative language.

If you’re starting out, it’s probably best to use PHP – the official site at php.net has good tutorials and references on the language. Perl’s site is at perl.org, but you should only really start with Perl if you’ve got some previous programming experie Getting LAMP.

If you want to get the whole LAMP system together instead of downloading the components separately, a good place to go is www.apachefriends.org/en. They offer it for download – don’t worry, all the software is free. You don’t get Linux, but you get everything else, and it will install easily on most operating systems, including Linux and Windows.

LAMP Variants

There are a number of LAMP variants that replace parts of the system. While these systems aren’t as popular, they’re still worth knowing about and considering.

WAMP: Windows replaces Linux. MAMP: Mac OS replaces Linux. AMP: Apache, MySQL and Perl/PHP running on any operating system. LAPP: PostgreSQL replaces MySQL. LAMJ: JSP replaces Perl/PHP.

There is also the insulting-sounding term WIMP, which means that Windows replaces Linux and IIS replaces Apache – this is considered to result in a much worse system than LAMP.

You know it’s time for a new web site to promote your expert witness practice if: 1) your home page features a button that says “click here to skip intro;” 2) your webmaster quit over two years ago and you have not had time to find a replacement; 3) your web site still features a visitor counter; or 4) your web site uses “frames.”

Today there are many options available to an expert in need of a new web site. This article will explore the use of a web site “template.”

Basically, a template is a pre-designed set of one or more web pages complete with graphics, menu buttons, attractive color schemes and text areas to describe your expert witness practice. You can choose from a number of suppliers, including TemplateMonster, Templates Resource, Perfectory, Templates.net, or Boxed Art. (Please note that these are not product endorsements.)

Pros and cons on web site templates

Pro # 1: Purchase prices are affordable, generally in the range of $40 to $250 for a one-time payment.

Pro # 2: Templates are a fast way to create and launch a new web site.

Con # 1: Your web site is not unique. You may see the same web site design in use by other experts, even competing experts. You may be able to make a “unique purchase” for a higher fee, meaning that the provider will not sell the same design to anyone else. You still compete, however, with others who purchased the same design before you did.

Con # 2: You need some basic technical skills to set up the web site template. Also, customization might be difficult. If you are not technically inclined with basic HTML skills, chances are good that you will need an agreeable webmaster or designer.

Only you can decide if a web site template is the right approach for you. While you are planning a new web site, here are 5 quick tips to maximize expert witness litigation support leads from Internet marketing.

5 tips for expert witness website marketing success

1. Minimize or avoid the use of “flash.” What is flash, you ask? It is a popular technology developed by Macromedia that creates visual action, animation or interactivity on a web site. While attractive, it can interfere with search engine positioning.

2. Load your copy with keywords delivered in a text format. “Keyword density” is important to get good visibility in search engines. Be sure your web designer displays the copy in text format rather than as a graphic, so search engines can read your web pages. Print pages from your web site to confirm that copy is not cut off on the right margin. If the page doesn’t print properly, ask your webmaster to change the settings.

3. Display your phone number prominently. The masthead is an ideal location to let visitors know how to reach you for a potential expert witness engagement.

4. Pick the right title tags. Words like “expert witness,” “litigation support” and your area of expertise belong in a page title tag to increase search engine visibility. Each page can have its own title. Metatags like keywords and description are less important to search engines now. Online photos and graphics should have an “Alt” tag that displays a textual description when you mouse-over your photo or other page graphic.

5. Think landing pages for online advertising. Pay-per-click text ads on Google and Yahoo! are an excellent way to generate inbound litigation support leads. Don’t just send all leads to your home page. Consider using a special “landing page” that gives a concise description of your expert witness services, maybe even with a link to your CV. Give each web page its own URL so you can direct prospects to a specific page on your web site.

In summary, the key to any successful expert witness marketing project is to start with a plan. Identify your business objectives and work from there to create a web site that generates high quality litigation support leads.

Annually it is the self same story. Despite walking to the workplace, and an episodic trek, every winter season commences on those agonizing first couple of trips in which I am left in the wake of younger and fitter skiing partners.

If you’re in bad shape whilst touring it’s awful, and can be extremely unsafe. Skiing down you require some spare reserves. A tired skier is likely to suffer skiing injuries and tiredness can be a contributory ingredient to incidents, such as crashes and avalanches.

Surely there is a nicer way to start the winter, and a lately released 309 page account from Stanley Sartin, who previously wrote Chamonix Travel, looks to tender a resolution. Although aimed at climbers the report is mostly applicable to skiing, with its strenuous ascents as well as additional hobbies.

Running, practicing for best performance is highly detailed and a good read. It’s a fine all-round manual which puts together some good detail. You can acquire a specialised exercise regime or tune your existing regime. Afforded that it’s written for mountaineers, therefore a little of the information maybe inapplicable for ski touring, it’s definitely an account to buy if you would like to do some of the big 24 hour or multi day tours.

Rhodes. One of Greece’s many highlights, the island of Rhodes, has both incredible beauty and interesting history to share with its visitors. The largest of the Dodecanese island group, Rhodes has several beaches from which you can enjoy the sea. One is covered with small pebbles in place of sand, but the magnificence of the royal blue water is obvious regardless of the composition of the beach. Rhodes receives over 300 days of sunshine a year, which makes you appreciate the crisp coldness of the Aegean even more.

After the fall and fragmentation of Alexander the Great’s Empire of Macedonia, the island of Rhodes fought for its freedom and after a long siege, triumphed in 305 BC. It was during this period that the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was constructed and straddled the harbour. This impressive giant statue was demolished during an earthquake. Because of its strategic position (on the crossroads between East and West) Rhodes has been under constant attacks and dominations from early times. This continued even up to WWII when the Germans took it over for a short period, followed by the English who maintained their rule until 1948. At that time the island of Rhodes (and all the islands of the Dodecanese) was united to the newly built Greek State.

Today pottery is Rhodes’ craft and tours of factories are available. You can see how the pieces are created from start to finish, including the painting of the finished product by talented artists. Pottery is for sale all over the island, but the factories have the best selection. Some of the most beautiful pieces have colored porcelain baked onto the clay in flowery designs.

The city of Lindos on Rhodes is built around an Acropolis. Square white houses set amidst abundant greenery line the lower portion of the rock projection. Although the Acropolis of Lindos is not as high as Athens, its grandeur is enhanced by its extraordinary setting above the Aegean Sea. At the bottom, a white sandy bay greets the blue water with a spattering of umbrellas. There is seldom an empty space on the fine sand, the tourists come early and stay late. It’s quite easy to walk to the top of the Acropolis, but there is also a more adventurous way to ascend to the island’s highest point – by donkey. You might assume that this would require a lot less effort in the blazing sunshine, but you will expend more energy praying for your life and gripping the makeshift saddle. Donkeys are not the most graceful walkers and you will be constantly bumped from side to side. They also have a tendency to walk wherever they like and this includes walking awfully close to the precipitous edge where you will be sure you are going to go tumbling off the Acropolis into the clear blue water at any moment. Fortunately they are not suicidal, so don’t make any sudden shifts of your weight that would throw them off balance and all will be well.

Whichever way you get to the top, you’ll be astounded by the view. The color of the water is mesmerizing. In one direction, a long beach stretches on for miles. The water that meets the sand is almost white and then abruptly changes to a richer, dark blue as the depth of the sea increases. In another direction, tiny pieces of land form mini islands in the turquoise water.

The ruins on the Acropolis of Lindos easily rival that of Athens. Dating back to 2000 B.C., what remains is a mix of Byzantine, Turkish and Frankish ruins. The majority of the summit’s floor is a mix of rock and dry grass. Stone stairs lead to one of the Acropolis’ highest structures of which only three tall columns still stand. The front two columns support two stone blocks stacked on top of one another.

Farther along, the ground has been paved and a concrete platform makes for easier walking. Remains of another building stand here, the front and back each consisting of four supported pillars. Stacked stones compose what is left of the walls, although they are in the process of being restored. From here you can see the Bay of Lindos and the water is so clear that you can easily make out the bottom of the sea.

Patmos. Another popular cruise ship stop is the Holy Island of Patmos. The northernmost island of the Dodecanese group, Patmos is a place of pilgrimage for many Christians due to its religious history.

At the summit of the small island lies the Monastery of St. John the Theologian. If you have the time, climb up the steep road that coils its way up to the monastery. It’s a fairly long hike, but worth the effort as you’re rewarded with a spectacular view of Patmos and its numerous bays and coves. Buses and taxis also make frequent runs to the top of the hill.

The monastery itself is built within a fortress and its gray buttressed walls retain their strength even today. From the outside, it looks more like a castle than a monastery. Built 900 years ago, the monastery is constructed mainly out of gray stone. A cement pathway on the pebbled ground leads inside to an open-air courtyard. The rusting stone is stacked into arches and the positioning of the monastery on the highest point of the island means that all you can see when you look up is the clear blue sky.

One of the covered archways is decorated with scenes of a religious nature. The frescoes of saints and churches are precise to the smallest detail and their color endures. The monastery’s church is decorated with even more remarkable frescoes. Gold embellishment and exquisite wood carvings throughout the church emphasize the importance of this section of the monastery.

A small museum on the site houses sacred treasures such as intricately decorated manuscripts. It is also possible to see aged embroidered religious garments, jewelry and mosaics.

Another notably sacred place on Patmos is the Grotto of the Apocalypse. Just down the hill from the monastery lies the cave where it is believed St. John experienced his divine revelation. Watch your step here; the stairs are steep and the rock is slippery. Inside the cave, a worn stone ledge comprises the desk where St. John wrote the Book of Revelations. A smaller ledge served as his pillow. Three fractures in the stone roof mark the spot where God’s voice reached through to St. John. The triple crack both symbolizes and honors the Holy Trinity.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Travel