Monday, January 10, 2011

Debt Relief Programs - How Consumers Will Benefit From New Debt Settlement Regulation

There are several debt relief programs available to those Americans who have found themselves in over their heads to provide assistance. The Debt Relief Act of 2010 that was recently passed by President Obama comes at a perfect time to provide relief to those Americans who find themselves with more than $10,000 in unsecured debt due to a poor economy. More and more people are finding themselves in this position due to lack of employment, or simply due to the dependence on credit cards that people have in today's world.

The newest debt relief program states that Americans can seek assistance from a debt settlement company for unsecured debt over $10,000. The law also states that these debt settlement companies are not allowed to charge any upfront fees for the use of their services. The sole purpose of these companies is to contact creditors and arrange for a settlement of debt that both the creditor and debtor can agree upon. Once a settlement is reached, the debtor would pay any fees for the use of the debt settlement company as well as monthly payments to the debt settlement company. That company will then in turn make payments to all creditors as agreed upon.

Consumers benefit from these types of programs as a form of debt relief that will ease the heavy burden of too much debt. These programs also benefit the consumer in the form of not having to file for bankruptcy, which in the past would have been the only solution. Bankruptcy can have many negative impacts on consumer's credit rating as well as ability to pay back debt.

In the extremely poor economy that Americans find themselves in today, this debt relief program couldn't come at a better time. As more and more people become educated on the programs available to them, it can be a huge form of assistance to millions of Americans. President Obama is aware of the debt problems facing Americans today, which is the main reason why this law was passed.

If you are falling behind on paying your bills then debt settlement can be a legitimate option to avoid bankruptcy and eliminate debt. It would be wise however to speak with a debt relief specialist before making such a decision. Check out the following link for free help from a certified debt relief specialist:

Free Debt Advice

Or Call: 800-963-3734

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Cox

How to Know If My Ex Has Completely Lost All Feelings for Me - Facts to Help You Study the Changes

It's quite possible that your ex might have lost their feelings for you, but neither can you be sure of this nor can you take it for granted. You will need to study the changes through certain facts below.

Is your ex hanging around
The first sign to look for is if your ex is hanging around. If your ex, more often than not, hangs around in the same places as you or frequents the same places you both would, then you can surmise that your ex has feelings for you.

Does your ex turn round to acknowledge you
If your ex turns round to acknowledge you, when you're around in the same place, then it shows that your ex still has feelings for you. If on the other hand, your ex does not acknowledge you, it might prove they've lost all feelings.

Is your ex ignoring you
You cannot be certain of this behavior as it could be interpreted in two ways. Your ex may do this intentionally so that you pursue them, or they may do it because they actually want to ignore you because of the break up.

Does your ex enquire about you
This would best be known through common friends! Your friends will communicate to you that your ex was enquiring about you. Or if you enquire about your ex, they will likewise communicate it to them. This will tell you your ex still has feelings for you.

Does your ex call occasionally
If your ex takes the trouble of calling you occasionally to find out how you're doing, then be sure that they still have feelings for you. If they had completely lost all feelings then you would not find them calling even occasionally to find out about you.

Is your ex a loner now
If your ex is a loner now then you can be quite sure that they still have feelings for you and not lost all feelings for you. If your ex did not have feelings then you'd find them go about partying and having fun with not only old friends but with someone special as well.

Is your ex walking away
Lastly, this will tell you if your ex has feelings or lost all feelings for you. If you both happen to be at the same place does your ex turn around and walk away or just be cordial when confronted. If so, then, your ex has lost all feelings for you and would rather walk away than meet you.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Krista_Hiles

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Open Source Myths: "Open Source Search Needs More Assistance"

Does open source Lucene/Solr require more outside assistance than comparable commercial products?

No.

(I'm tempted to stop there, but that's not quite fair.)

That was, in essence, a question posed by Daniel Tunkelang on his blog in his commentary on the launch of Lucid Imagination. It's a fair one to ask and an issue that has been raised before.

First, some distinctions. Lucene is a Java search library with best practice indexing and query capabilities that have been continuously improved over the past 10 years. It's cleanly implemented and not very hard to embed in an application, as thousands of Lucene-based application developers have discovered. But it's only a library, so there is a certain amount of infrastructure that you have to build around it if you want to create an application, especially if you want something that's flexible and easily maintained.

Enter Solr, released by Apache in January, 2007. Solr is a scalable search platform. It puts Lucene over http and adds infrastructure such as schema-based management of fields (including how they're defined and processed), an admin interface, cache management, tools for replication and data loading, logging and statistics and more. It also adds faceting, which is not an infrastructure improvement but an additional user-visible feature for doing the kind of categorizing of results that has become very popular at places like Amazon.

With Solr you no longer need to write a Java program. One of the popular talks at ApacheCon is 'Solr out-of-the-box' - all the things you can do with Solr without writing code. People can try this out by downloading the Solr tutorial included with the Lucid Solr download or by downloading it from Apache. Does Solr have all the packaging and features found in the best commercial search engines? Not today. But neither does every user need all (or even most) of them. What's more important for most developers is how easy it is to turn a search platform - commercial or open source - into an application, and how easy or hard it is to maintain it. Lucene/Solr is well written software with a modular architecture, and it's easy to plug in or unplug various available modules... or, if needed, to write new ones. Disk overhead, relevancy ranking, throughput and query speed are all on par with, and often superior to, the best commercial engines. That translates to less needed customization and ongoing attention to a Lucene/Solr application.
There are also the obvious advantages to open source: complete access to the code to figure out what's going or make a change that you want, when you want it; an active community that responds to questions or problems; and no license costs.

Do open source projects often require consultants?
In my experience, no more than commercial applications, some of which pretty much require the vendor's professional services group to make a complex product usable, or to make needed, even trivial modifications, over and above the license cost of the product. Consultants may 'stand out' more in some open source situations... but that's because they're often independent consultants, rather than the paid services a commercial company provides with its product.

Might you be inclined to hire consultants for open source applications?
I think yes...but that's because you have the freedom to hire them to get the application to do just what you want, and getting search to be really good is still an art. Much of the work we've done at Lucid has been to extend it for customers who wanted an extension when they needed it, or to assist them with planning their search application.

So...is there any down-side to open source Lucene/Solr?

Yes...but it's not really about complexity or customization. What you don't have with Lucene/Solr is a comprehensive support contract - Apache doesn't provide them. It's solid enough (and has source available) that this hasn't stopped organizations of all sizes from moving to Lucene/Solr, but community and self-support are not for everyone. What you also don't have with Lucene/Solr is a single assured place to turn to when you do need expert assistance, or want training. Those are gaps Lucid Imagination hopes to fill by providing high quality responsive support and services from a staff with over 70 years of cumulative experience building search applications.

One Response to "Open Source myths: "Open Source search needs more assistance"

Thanks for a realistic, practical, honest, fair comprehensive assessment of the total picture.

For just a lib, & not needing Java code development for use, scalability, and features, Solr is outstanding. It has earned its stripes.

As a Senior Program Manager, I found that for Health Care and Utility companies, one needed the concept of:

"Contingency,Support, training, and code optimization, test, & unique feature enhances" plans/resources for just-in-case need.In some cases this "reserved financial budget", that might not even be used, might be less than 1/3 to 1/4 cost of accuiring Brand Name Commercial Products.

In case of Solr, being a Basic Search lib with strong community and spread of apps, this is an easy sales pitch for C-level executives to buy in.

To know more about "Open Source Search" and Enterprise Search check out Lucid Imagination website http://www.lucidimagination.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marc_Krellenstein

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and Hotel Review in Penang Malaysia

Cheong Fatt Tze's mansion is one of Penang's most historical attractions in Malaysia. Part museum and part affordable boutique hotel this unique building and its indigo blue colored walls is located in George Town district, a very popular tourist section on the island.

The mansion belonged to one of the most extraordinary man in Asian history, Cheong Fatt Tze. Born in the Guandong province of China in a poor farming community Tze escaped a life of hardship by moving to Southeast Asia where a boom in industrialization was occurring when he was 16 years old.

His life was not quite exactly 'rags to riches' tale but more of a 'short cut to riches' tale when he married the daughter of a wealthy businessmen. Not bad considering Tze's career started off by carrying buckets of water to people's houses from the river.

But Cheong Fatt Tze was no slacker and his father-in-law was no fool. He saw many important business skills and hard-working ethics in his son-in-law or else he would have never allowed him into his household. After years of working in the family business Tze set out on his own to create his own name starting off with rubber, tea and coffee which were commodities in high demand during those times.

As a successful and wealthy businessmen branching out into banking Tze chose to build one of his many homes in George Town, Penang. This home was special though because it was the one that he was going to raise his family in. After Tze's death in 1916 and eventually the passing of his last son in 1989, his mansion was sold to a group of Penang conservationists. By that time though his home had fallen through serious disrepair.

Since then Cheong Fatt Tze's mansion has been carefully restored with original materials. And to cover the operational costs of up-keeping the mansion part of the property now has 16 themed guest rooms with affordable rates that tourists to Penang can enjoy and stay in. The rooms are air conditioned for comfort and since the location of the mansion is in a very good area you are never too far away from nearby attractions, restaurants and shopping.

Guests at the mansion have free range of the property so they can sit in the same courtyards, walk the same stairs and peer through the same windows into Penang just like the most extraordinary man has in Southeast Asia's history.

For more information about this fascinating historic attraction and find discounted room rates for guests rooms in the mansion visit "Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion" in Penang Malaysia.

Edwin M. Clark is a business consultant who works and travels to Southeast Asia for over 9 years. His experience and knowledge in the region has provided valuable information and resources for business ventures and mid range to major corporations in the travel industry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edwin_M_Clark

Consider All Inclusive Holidays in Greece For Your Next Break

Whether you fancy Athens, Crete, Zante or Kos when looking at holidays in Greece, there are options to fit everyone's budget. The beauty of all inclusive packages is that once you book your vacation, it's all sorted and there is nothing to worry about when you get there. Buffet breakfast, lunches and dinners are provided as well as drinks and snacks throughout the day and often great facilities to entertain you all day.

On the main street of Laganas (Zante) and near a gorgeous sandy beach is the Majestic Hotel and Spa. The all inclusive packages include entertainment programme available to ensure you don't get bored, which includes daily activities, a music club and a bowling centre, as well as a 24 hour Jacuzzi Spa, an indoor pool, gym, buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in the restaurant and unlimited drinks, including alcoholic beverages. The four-star hotel features spacious rooms with satellite TV, a large balcony with spectacular views.

Greece holidays can be booked cheaply, for example for some romantic late summer sun, Crete is a great value option. The three-star Phaedra Beach Hotel in Malia is right on a beautiful beach and is available from £269 per person. The activities cater for all age groups and facilities include a large swimming pool as well as four kid's pools, bars on both the beach and at the pool serving drinks and snacks, beach volleyball, BBQs, Cretan folklore evenings with traditional music as live music dancing nights. Room amenities include balconies, private bathrooms, a TV and direct dial telephones.

Kos is known for being a party island, so consider this destination if that's what you're looking for. The newly opened five-star Mitsis Blue Domes Exclusive Resort & Spa in Kardamena is perfect for a romantic retreat and starts its packages at £639 per person for a seven day holiday. Tucked away at the foot of Mount Dikeos, it offers wonderful sports and leisure facilities included in the price; they range from tennis, canoeing, paddle boating, gymnastics, water polo, parachuting, aerobics and windsurfing. Optional extras include the water sports centre and horse riding. For a break brimming with history and culture, consider the capital city of Athens where you can learn the romantic history of the ancient city.

"All inclusive holidays in Greece" Athens are easily affordable by browsing the all inclusive deals available, and with all the spare time you'll have you can check out the stadium from the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, get lost in the architecture all over the city, visit the ancient towns such as Acropolis and drop by the place where famed philosopher Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock.

Chris Brown is a travel journalist that writes articles on top hotels and destinations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_L_D_Brown

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Internet Marketing Success - 6 Reasons Why Quality Content Should Be the Core of Your Marketing

As we move into 2011, there is an increased need for quality content marketing to ensure the success of the home-based or internet marketer. This need dictates that the online business person utilize content marketing as the core of the marketing strategies.

Here are 6 reasons why content marketing should be the core of your marketing strategy:

1. Creating great content is an inexpensive, but highly effective marketing strategy. As the Internet morphs and evolves, there are gaps left open in the marketing channels that need to be filled if the business is to be successful. Filling those gaps can be accomplished for free as long as you have the skill and time to be a little creative. Content creation can be outsourced as well, often inexpensively. When compared to many other marketing channels, content marketing is by far the least inexpensive route, and it can often outperform many traditional marketing techniques. For the time spent creating content on a regular basis, businesses can inexpensively spread their message to millions of potential customers.

2. Quality, well written content hits the target. The best method of delivering information to your potential business customers on the internet is via content marketing strategy. By using this strategy you can effectively locate target customers and increase your website visits. You must first recognize your target market, or those who may be interested in what your business is offering. Once these people have been identified and relevant keywords developed, quality content is written centered around those keywords. This targets your markets more precisely and those searching for information will be led to your information via the keywords in your content. A result will be more leads and conversions per visit, mainly because only those interested and ready to buy are likely to find and read the content, then visit your site and make a purchase.

3.Your activity in creating content improves your writing skills over time. The old saying of "practice creates permanence" has no more powerful truth than in writing content. Even a novice writer can achieve above average writing skills by just writing more pieces of content and improving over time. In fact, one can become a proficient writer in less time than it takes to learn some of the other necessary internet marketing skills. Writing is a powerful tool that will never lose its power. By creating quality content, you will become a more effective marketer who achieves higher levels of success in your business.

4. Premium content creates authority. Personal branding and authority is a necessity in today's Internet marketplace. Without that branding and authority, you become one of the faceless masses of people trying to survive. When you create quality content and place it online, you are noticed. You are then regarded as an expert or authority within your niche. Such notoriety makes it an easy decision for prospective customers to do business with you, since few of them desire to make purchases from anyone less than an expert. Your content will consistently place you in a higher regard in the prospect's eyes and mind.

5. Popular content can go viral. After your content piece goes live, it very well may become popular among readers. With the advent of social networking and mobile communications, anything interesting or controversial makes the rounds with thousands of reader participants who love to share it with their friends and associates. Your content could very well be spread across the globe within hours or days. A piece of content going viral maximizes the number of eyeballs going to your site, which results in an outstanding and profitable return on your time invested in writing the content.

6. Your content is everlasting. Good marketing content creates a permanent source of traffic and back links to a site. What you create today and place in cyberspace will be evident and existing on the Internet for years to come. It is an asset with an everlasting quality, and people searching for information will be directed to your content in the future. The dynamics of your created content is exponential due to its permanent existence within the borders of the 'Net.

As you continue to share your content in the form of quality information, your visitors will keep on coming back for more. Work it well and utilize these content marketing strategies to plan multiple uses of all your content for the best return on your investment.

For more good reading and information, visit http://creating-internet-income.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dax_L'Amour,_Ph.D

Solar Cell Battery - 5 Actions To Create a Solar Charger for Batteries

A solar charger carries solar panels. Any time these panels are positioned in straight sunshine, the panels can turn the energy coming from the sun and save it inside of your battery. The additional energy you choose, the greater the solar panel you'll need. Moveable solar chargers are available and constructed into lots of small units. Solar powered calculators have existed for years. At initially large and burdensome, these products come to be pocket-sized plus more effective.

Solar cell battery has turned into a standard customer product. Constructing one all by yourself might be a great advent to solar electricity that will reduce purchasing one of the costlier commercially ready battery chargers. Batteries commonly demand 1.2 or 1.4 volts to charge. Standard little solar panels generate 0.5 volts, so a great suggestion is to own 3 solar panels for every battery charged. The operation is not hard, including installing a solar cell to some support and attaching it to a battery case permitting it to charge the battery.

1. Assemble a back up out of a glass for your solar panels. One particular preference can be to utilize an existing home window that you've wiped clean to guarantee the light can easily go through.

2. Set up the solar cells on the home window or glass to look for the ideal settings for the surface area. Solar cells normally will likely have a support that will permit you to definitely link them to the glass flat surface.

3. Solder the cells which can be in a line collectively, soldering the good leads to the bad leads. Attach both the rows of cells using a wire in order to connect the good lead on the front side of just one row the bad lead on the backside of the different row. If you use greater than two rows, continue doing this process.

4. Utilize a battery container removed from a damaged device, say for example a radio or flashlight and connect the good ending of the selection to the reddish lead of the battery container and also the dark-colored lead to the bad ending of the battery container.

5. Put a stopping diode to the bad lead connected to the battery container. This may reduce output of the electric power in the battery returning to the solar collection. It is usually linked simply by rotating it on to the lead.

An interior solar cell battery is generally what you will find out during these plain and simple portable gadgets. Price matters. You will find several which have been inadequate to impose these devices with merely the sunlight, but could impose the inner battery. Interior batteries will in all probability must be exchanged ahead of the product fades away. Replacement unit of an inside battery will likely to happen almost every year or so which is definitely a hazard to the environment. A poor battery in the new system is another probable trouble.

An outer solar cell battery charger is wonderful once you are not anyplace in close proximity to an electrical outlet. You'll be able to connect the charger directly into your system on a seaside, in the international place or out in a ship without any AC electric power. Fortunately they are good if you're hiking. You may find solar panels large ample to take care of anything in your own team charged and useful without utilizing power provides. They are fantastic for virtually any urgent situation, tactical or your joy any time electrical energy isn't really accessible.

To find out exactly how I did "solar cell battery", visit my website about "solar battery".

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Mack