Thursday, August 25, 2011

9 Snap Judgments Managers Make in Job Interviews

9 Snap Judgments Managers Make in Job Interviews


Here are some positive thin-slices:

* The candidate immediately thanks me for the interview and says they’re excited about the opportunity. I want you to be glad you’re here. I want you to be excited about the job. If you’re not thankful and excited now you definitely won’t be thrilled after six months on the job. Plus an overt “let me see if this job is a good fit for me” interview can often be painful for the interviewer; even if over the course of the interview you realize you really want the job, you probably already lost us. Emotion — positive emotion — is good.
* The candidate needs to make “truck payments.” Years ago I was in charge of part-time employees at a manufacturing plant. Full-time employees were required to work heavy overtime but part-time employees were not, making coverage (and my job) difficult. When I asked a part-time candidate about their willingness to work overtime I loved the guys who said, “I’ll work all the overtime I can get. I bought a new truck and the payments are killing me.” Every job has a hot button requirement: Maybe it’s frequent travel, maybe it’s last-minute overtime, maybe it’s a particular skill… a candidate who finds out the position’s hot button and meets it is 90% home.
* The candidate is late — but doesn’t tell me why. Say you’re late for an interview. Don’t tell me about traffic or bad directions or parking problems. Just say, “I’m sorry I’m late. If I’ve thrown off your day I will be glad to reschedule whenever it’s convenient for you.” Take ownership, don’t make excuses, and offer ways to make things better. Nothing ever goes perfectly, and knowing you will take responsibility and work to fix problems is impressive.
* The candidate asks for the job. Salespeople ask for the sale, and candidates should ask for the job. Just say, “Thanks for the interview. I really enjoyed speaking with you. And I would really love to work here.” Why should I offer you something you’re not willing to ask for?

And some negative thin-slices:

* The candidate complains. Most people know not to complain about their present employer, but any complaint is a downer. Say you notice a photo of my family standing front of the Colosseum. You say, “Wow, I’ve always wanted to go to Italy… I’ve just never been able to afford it.” Even gentle whining is a bummer. Don’t complain about anything, no matter how justified. Negatives always stand out.
* The candidate isn’t ready. Don’t you hate when you’re standing in line at the grocery store and the person in front of you waits until all their items have been scanned and bagged before they reach into their wallet for their checkbook? The same is true in an interview: Have your resume and everything else you need all set to go. Hit the ground running and immediately focus on the interviewer. “Work” is a verb. Make “interview” a verb too.
* The candidate tries to take charge. Everyone likes a leader… just not in an interview. Feel free to subtly shape the interview and lead the conversation into areas that showcase your strengths, but don’t try to take over. Employers need people who can lead and follow. Plus, be honest, you trying to take over is really irritating.
* The candidate gets “comfortable.” I want you to be relaxed and at ease during the interview, but I also want you to sit up, sit forward, and show the interview matters to you. Kicking back says you don’t really care.
* The candidate asks throw-away questions. Here’s the golden rule: When asked if you have any questions, don’t make a few up to try to impress me. If you have no questions, say so. Don’t ask about something you could have easily learned on your own. Don’t ask questions designed to make you look good. In short, don’t ask what you think I want to hear. Interviewers can tell, and it ends the interview on a down note.


more @ http://www.bnet.com/blog/small-biz-advice/9-snap-judgments-managers-make-in-job-interviews/3960?promo=857&tag=nl.e857

9 Of The Weirdest Alien Landscapes On Earth

9 Of The Weirdest Alien Landscapes On Earth




Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Antelope Canyon is located on the Navajo Reservation near Page, Arizona. The unique erosion of the Navajo Sandstone is formed mostly from flash floods, giving the canyon its stunning appearance.




At Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, you can witness the unusual pattern of around 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, formed from ancient volcanic activity. The natural wonder is Northern Ireland’s number one attraction.





Reaching 9,000 feet in elevation, southwestern Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park is a spectacular marvel to witness. Abundant in this area are curious geological formations known as “hoodoos”, totem-like spires of red sedimentary rock, some exceeding the height of a 10-story building.




Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia is the world’s largest salt flat at over 4,000 square miles. It is a major breeding ground for pink flamingos, and has multiple hotels built of salt bricks.




The Wave is located in the Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness of Arizona, near the Utah border. Like Antelope Canyon, the hypnotizing formation is made of Navajo Sandstone. Because of the delicacy of the environment, the Bureau of Land Management limits access to only twenty permits per day.




Socotra is a small group of islands in the Indian Ocean. Visiting the main island really is like a journey to another planet, as 1/3 of its plant life isn’t found anywhere else on Earth. The Dragon’s Blood tree pictured here is just one of the many extraordinary species inhabiting Socotra, valued for its red medicinal sap.




The Black Rock Desert is a dry lakebed in northwestern Nevada. The flat and barren location has been ideal for attempting records in land speed and rocketry. It is also the annual home of the Burning Man Festival. Among its strange looking features is Fly Geyser. Although on private land, the geyser can be viewed from the nearby road.



North of Farafara, Egypt, the White Desert is littered with strange chalk formations, carved over long expanses of time from sandstorms and high winds.




Racetrack Playa is a seasonally dry lake in Death Valley National Park, California. The hot and arid landscape is home to a truly otherworldly phenomenon: the sailing stones. Ranging from small rocks to large boulders, these stones mysteriously move across the landscape, leaving straight, curved, and even zigzagged trails in their wake. Though many reasonable hypotheses have been offered, the action has never been witnessed in person, and there is still no absolute and verified explanation for these odd traveling stones.





Another place i wouldnt mind migrating to is Lauterbrunnen valley in Switzerland. The areas are surrounding the settlements/villages of Lauterbrunnen, Murren, Grutschalp, and Gimmelwald (not to be confused with Grindelwald).


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Jobs

Jobs



Here is a list of some other companies to look for jobs, excuse the url formats didn't have time to reformat as a link. Hope this help those looking for a job.


Computer- various locations(PROPS TO RUKUS FOR THE INFO) software developer, consultant etc..
http://www.okayainfo.com


Employment agency from laborer, machinist, maintenance to Engineering, banking etc.
(mostly southern region) UK agency too.
http://www.hirethinking.com/home.aspx?p_PageAlias=home

Work from home call center job thru alpineaccess.com
you have to have your own land line phone (no cell, no voip) and cable modem

A&E tv channel careers
https://www.abso.com/jobboard/default.aspx?JOBBOARDID=618
http://www.aetn.com/careers.html


[B]IT COMPUTER JOBS [/B] props to [U]gcat10[/U]
http://careers.joelonsoftware.com/jobs

http://jobs.com/

hubspot hiring IT tech, software engineers,business development, etc... cambridge mass. area
http://jobs.hubspot.com/start-up-jobs-boston/

architects
http://archinect.com/jobs/

health care career nursing, etc........ many locations
http://www.miracleworkers.com/WM/Default.aspx?ff=21


IT computer jobs
http://edoors.okayainfo.com/publishReq.do

jobs embassy worldwide
http://embassyjobsearch.com/?cat=3#

u.s. department of state
http://www.careers.state.gov/hiring.html

Teaching in new york for non teachers training
https://www.nycteachingfellows.org/Default.asp


Media jobs[B][/B]
http://www.mediabistro.com/joblistings

Agency
www.advantageresourcing.com
https://www.advantagestaffingjobs.com/advantageportal.cfm


charter school jobs
http://www.uscharterschools.org/cs/c/query/q/1565

Navy careers part-time etc.
http://jobsearch.monster.com/PowerSearch.aspx?re=106&co=xnavypost3x&ah=http://company.monster.com/navypost3&aj=U.S.+Navy&cn=U.S.+Navy

NY NON Profit jobs
http://www.camba.org/About/CareerOpportunities/tabid/302/Default.aspx

Virginia , MD areas and overseas Consultant, security, linguist, intelligence etc..various jobs
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA6/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=FEDSYSINC&cws=1

CNN TURNER TIME WARNER
http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers


different locations/states mainly IT related jobs
https://gp.recruitmax.com//main/careerportal/default.cfm?szUniqueCareerPortalID=28750195-0091-437c-b65f-a6b4d40b130c&szIsJobBoard=0

IBM

https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/search.jsp

AVIS
http://www.avis.com/car-rental/html/employment

ESPN
http://jobs.espncareers.com


http://www.tmprotection.com/careers.php

RETAIL various positions
http://jbcstyle.com/jobs/index.php?keyword=&location=&category=&job-type=&dosearch=1

Satellite cable installations

http://jobs.clickonf5.org/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Satellite+Tv+Installer+/+Technician

[B]Physics and engineer jobs[/B]
http://careers.physicstoday.org/jobs

PEPSI
ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE, ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER, ETC....
http://careers.pepsico.com/viewalljobs

MERCY CORPS
Portland and d.c area administration, accounting, non profit
https://hostedjobs.openhire.com/epostings/submit.cfm?fuseaction=app.allpositions&company_id=15927&version=1


[B]Time warner cable [/B]various positions NY, California, Georgia etc..
https://careers.timewarner.com/1033/asp/tg/cim_home.asp?PartnerId=391&SiteId=36

[B]Whole foods[/B]
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/careers/index.php

[B]international and united states non profit jobs, management, administration[/B],
http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1




[B][U]various positions from computer tech to social worker,retail,overseas etc...[/U][/B]
select your home state
jp morgan chase VARIOUS LOCATIONS
https://jpmchase.taleo.net/careersection/2/joblist.ftl


calvin klein
retail job, administrator,I.T, to entry level various position
https://2xrecruit.kenexa.com/kr/cc/pvh/cc.html


http://civilianjobs.com/

retail , henri bendel, the body shop corporate to entry level positions
http://henribendel.jobs/hb/job_start_per.asp

select your home state
job search different states
www.job-hunt.org

[B]jobs overseas[/B]
http://www.gulftalent.com

security, police
http://www.nps.gov/uspp/recruitng.htm

Federal aviation, inspector jobs, computer, engineer, analyst, etc.. various states
http://jobs.faa.gov/announcement_summary.asp

Airport security various states around the country
www.tsa.gov

mostly tech computer related various locations
http://globalsecurity.clearancejobs.com/jobs/?N=0&RC=25&Ns=p_TimeStamp|1

engineer various locations
http://www.emcengineers.com/emc/employment.html

those with security or military backgrounds and some IT Computer
http://www.libertyparkusafd.org/lp/Hale/curriculum/List%20of%20Military%20Service%20Provider%20Companies.htm

AFRICA JOBS and some many IT computer
http://www.findajobinafrica.com/findajobinafrica
IT jobs Africa


retail pet store, entry and management, office warehouse
http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_careeropportunities_Nav_5.aspx

IT jobs, engineering jobs, finance jobs, science jobs, human resources jobs and more
http://careers.caci.com

bank
https://www.wellsfargo.com/careers

lowes
https://careers.lowes.com/job_search.aspx

foot locker
http://www.footlocker-inc.com/careers.cfm?page=career-center

ATT
http://att.jobs/Default.aspx

mostly tech computer related
http://www.pdstech.com

Pitney Bowes - jobs mailroom to administrative office support www.pb.com
http://www.pb.com/careers/overview.shtml?__utma=1.184198675.1278876560.1278876560.1278876560.1&__utmb=1.1.10.1278876560&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1278876560.1.1.utmcsr=yahoo|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=pitney%20bowes%20career&__utmv=-&__utmk=96320028

overseas jobs non profit technical computer to project management, safety officer type jobs various positions and countries
NON PROFIT world jobs
http://www.reliefweb.int

Kmart
http://www.kmartcorp.com/careers/

general mostly Engineer related overseas etc.
http://www.amec.com/careers.htm

jc penney
http://www.jcpenney.net/careers/default.aspx

Boston market hourly to corporate positions
http://www.bostonmarket.com/jobs

Tiffany -hourly to corporate positions
https://www.tiffanycareers.com/home

Analyst, engineer , general etc..different states and overseas
http://www.gdit.com/default.aspx or http://www.resumeware.net/gdns_rw/gdns_web/job_list.cfm

Technical and management support agency various locations
https://jobs.aecom.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_advsearch.asp?partnerid=20052&siteid=5022

Aviation jobs, mechanic, installer, aero
http://www.jsfirm.com

general job search different states
www.Nationjob.com

LOREAL
http://www.loreal.com/_en/_ww/html/careers/Meet-us/Apply/apply-now.aspx
Bulgari
http://careers.bulgari.com/en/
P&G
http://www.pg.com/en_US/careers/index.shtml



DYNACORP
http://www.dyn-intl.com/careers.aspx

Red Lobster
[url]http://www.redlobster.com/employment/[/url]
props to [COLOR="Red"][B]Philly Philly[/B][/COLOR] he posted more below this page 1`
[B][U][COLOR="Red"]every state[/COLOR][/U][/B] is represented look carefully
[url]http://www.job-hunt.org/jobs/states.shtml[/url]


NORTH Carolina
[url]http://xecompany.hrmdirect.com/employment/openings.php[/url]

OVERALL INTERNET JOB LINKS 10 LINKS
[url]http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/10-job-listing-sites-with-unique-opportunities.html[/url]

Originally Posted by [B][COLOR="DarkRed"]phillyphilly [/COLOR][/B]
State Employment Sites:
[url]http://www.statelocalgov.net/50states-jobs.cfm[/url]

[B]Update 6/20/2010[/B] can be used continuously because most of these sites regularly update their job search boards

Engineer related
[url]http://www.globalenergyjobs.com/central.nsf/MainHome[/url]

non profit related jobs
[url]http://www.nonprofit-jobs.org/[/url]

Retail jobs
[url]http://www.allretailjobs.com/[/url]


IT TECH RELATED JOBS
[url]http://www.iitjobs.com/[/url]

POLICY RELATED JOBS
[url]http://www.policyjobs.net/[/url]



HOSPITAL IN TEXAS hiring hospital related jobs
[url]http://www.giantcareers.com/[/url]

Kraft Foods
[url]http://www.kraftfoodscompany.com/careers/Pages/index.aspx[/url]

hotel Marriott
[url]www.marriott.com/careers/jobsearch.mi[/url]

different locations (states)maily in the south virgina, tx all kind of positions tech etc..administrative careers, tech jobs
[url]http://jobs.acsicorp.com/private/myjobs/searchjobsdone_outside.jsp?a=my3lt9m82zsh5nxiv1sdn7nrfgtew6u8104nl0w5u0ptvolpds0jqj43r67vwtg6[/url]

U.S. Government jobs different states most people know about this site. Just apply and see what happens might take months so apply to many as possible.
[url]http://www.usajobs.gov/[/url]

National Park position
[url]http://www.coolworks.com/national-park-jobs/[/url]

GAP retail corporate administrative positions and entry level few states like san francisco , ny chicago
[url]http://www.gapinc.com/public/Careers/car_jobsearch.shtml[/url]

coast guard
[url]http://www.uscg.mil/top/careers.asp[/url]

different states non profit and various
[url]http://www.care.org/careers/index.asp[/url]

retail entry to high end administrative different states
[url]http://careers.bulgari.com/en/job_opportunities.htm[/url]

job search portal different states
[url]www.indeed.com[/url]

jobs worldwide
[url]http://unjobs.org/[/url]

careers in africa
[url]http://www.globalcareercompany.com/content/content_650.aspx[/url]

non profit jobs etc..
[url]http://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org/about/employment/EmploymentOpportunities.pdf[/url]

for young folks jobs training program and stipend
[url]www.yearup.org[/url]

GOOGLE is hiring tech related etc. different locations including overseas
[url]http://www.google.com/intl/eo/jobs/[/url]

different states and countries various position
[url]http://www.dowjones.com/careers.asp[/url]

HALLIBURTON is HIRING
[url]https://erecruiting.halliburton.jobs/sap/bc/webdynpro/sap/zhrrcf_a_unregemp_job_search_f?&sap-language=EN[/url]

social services jobs, counseling, social worker, administrative, sometimes computer techs
[url]http://socialservice.com/[/url]

NEIMAN AND MARCUS CORPORATE AND ENTRY LEVEL RETAIL different states(locations)

[url]https://genie.mynmg.com/OA_HTML/RF.jsp?function_id=17281&resp_id=23350&resp_appl_id=800&security_group_id=0&lang_code=US¶ms=Kr-bdt54dNfFXnNLoLNJc5lpPv1cc0-S5mIhQHNr.ZO7fteOs0WuVQy4h1KicBza&oas=Ha6KxFBcisFkuYDla76DAQ[/url]

hospital positons california
[url]http://www.emc.org/body-careers-healthcaresource.cfm?tag=fuseaction%EQ%search%2EjobList%AM%template%EQ%dsp%5Fjob%5Flist%2Ecfm%AM%cjobattr1%EQ%All[/url]

hospital positons. I did not check this one
[url]http://www.hospitaljobsonline.com/[/url]

go to google and search
[U]workforce dept of labor[/U] at your local unemployment insurance office.

social services, counseling,case managers, non profit jobs
[url]www.indeed[/url].

Hospital jobs different states
[url]http://hospital.jobs.topusajobs.com/[/url]

online forex brokerage company computer realted based in El Segundu California
[url]http://www.mbtrading.com/careers.aspx[/url]

IBFX online brokerage company in UTAH tech related
[url]http://www.ibfx.com/corporate/page/Interbank-FX-Careers.aspx[/url]

walmart various positions corporate to entry level to trucking to overseas positions
[url]http://walmartstores.com/careers/[/url]

CHARTER SCHOOL POSITIONS SCHOOL RELATED JOBS
[url]http://jobs.publiccharters.org/[/url]


TEACH ENGLISH ABROAD
[url]http://www.teflnewbie.com/tefl-for-the-non-standard-person/[/url]
this white dude post key information check his links on the right side of the page

ANALYST TYPE FINANCIAL POSITIONS
http://www.efinancialcareers.com/resumes/?_$ja=p&source=PS:Google:trading%20careers

jobs in AFRICA
[url]http://www.findajobinafrica.com/findajobinafrica/[/url]

radio shack including corporate
[url]http://www.jobsatradioshack.com/[/url]



KFC kentucky fried chicken corporate general manager positions
[url]http://www.kfc-jobs.com/jobgrp/Restaurant-General-Manager-Jobs/234/[/url]

top 10 careers that's stable to have
[url]http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7875619[/url]

free classses
[B][url]http://www.khanacademy.org/[/url][/B]


also with senior population is growing [B]nurses aid[/B] careers are hiring check your local area for certificates and job requirement. please understand that you are working with the elderly so be kind patient and sensitive respect their property and it's not a glamorous job but lots of jobs an overtime.

[B]security guard[/B] position hire a lot too. just get your certificate easy to get the more certificate the hire the pay. 8hr, certificate, 16hour certificate, is like the minimum entry


[B][U]Air guard and national guard and airforce reserve[/U][/B]
[url]http://www.afrc.af.mil/[/url]
[url]http://www.goang.com/Calendar/[/url]
[url]http://www.nationalguard.com/car?kw=national+guard[/url]

[B][U][COLOR="Red"]urban entrepreneurs blogs[/COLOR][/U][/B][B][/B]
[url]www.riseandgrind.com[/url]
[url]www.dreamandhustle.com/[/url][/QUOTE]

http://under30ceo.com/
Peace corps
http://www.peacecorps.gov/

AMTRAK IS HIRING - PASS IT ON!!! EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE A DEGREE! * PASS-ON TO SOMEONE WHO CAN USE THIS! *
*
Great jobs for young men who aren't in college and strong young women also! This is Obama money for "infrastructure" the jobs are located all over, paid training in Atlanta . This is an awesome opportunity, please pass this on. These jobs pay good wages.
*
Training: You will attend two or three weeks of training at the Railroad Education & Development Institute in Atlanta , GA. CSX will pay for travel, lodging and meals as required by collective bargaining agreement.
*
Track Worker-030702 Job Summary: Work as a member of a crew to install new railroad track, maintain existing track and right-of-way. Replace or repair track switches with specific components. Slide and align tie plates. Drill holes through rails for insertion of bolts and tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends or rails together. Correct deviations in track surface, alignment and gauge
Cut rails to specific lengths etc.
*
Pay Rate Entry Rate $19.36/hour Full Rate $21.52/hour Promotional/ Advancement Opportunities:
Under Maintenance of Way Collective Bargaining Agreement, Track Workers may be considered for advancement
or promotion to other positions within the Engineering Department if qualified.
*
Machine Operator $23.25 - $24.81/hour
Welder Helper $21.93/hour
Bridge Tender $21.93/hour
Bridge Mechanic $22.65/hour
Foreman $22.71 - $25.53/hour
Track Inspector $23.98 - $25.14/hour
*
Qualifications: High School diploma/GED; 18 years of age or older; Valid Driver's License
*
At CSX, two of the company's core values are People Make The Difference and Safety Is A Way of Life. We are committed
to offering our team members the most competitive compensation and benefits package available, unlimited opportunities
for development and growth throughout an exciting and rewarding career, and the safest work environment possible.
CSX is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer that supports diversity in the workplace.
*
*Apply online to this and other positions: http://www.csx.com/?fuseaction=careers.mainf

Virus and Malware in Bidvertiser ads

Virus and Malware in Bidvertiser ads

Several days ago my website starting having a Malware and Virus . The reason Google told me : script of Bidvertiser contain virus and malware . I removed all ads of Bidvertiser in my site . And now ,my site works well . So, beware of Bidvertiser Ads. I tried contacting Bidverstiser and have not received any contact from them so I‘m posting it here, Do not use Bidvertiser you risk affecting your daily Traffic/Money and possible site banned by
Below is from my Google Help…

“Members of the Bidvertiser publisher network, a Google AdSense alternative have been seeing their sites flagged as dangerous to users’ computer. These webmasters are finding their legitimate websites serving users "Reported Attack Site" warnings instead of their actual websites.”

One of the Malware pages in question i seen was greatestsecurityworld.com and com.openx.a1.43openhost.com


BidVertiser is one of the worst PPC programs out there, mainly because each click delivers very little money.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Phuket Jet-Ski Scams

Phuket Jet-Ski Scams: Aussies to Screen Official YouTube Video Warning Soon

By Alan Morison
Friday, August 19, 2011


PHUKET: Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is making a video warning travellers about Phuket's jet-ski scammers and it will be posted on the Internet soon.

Footage for the video was shot on Patong beach by Australian Embassy officials earlier this month and is now being processed in Australia.

Release of the video on YouTube will highlight lack of action by Phuket authorities to halt the jet-ski scams.

Good jet-ski operators on Phuket are now likely to suffer a loss of business with the rogue operators, who mostly work Patong beach, Phuket's best-known west coast destination.

Even the Tourism Authority of Thailand has recently reported in a news release the rising number of complaints from tourists who have been ripped off or threatened by jet-ski thugs in Phuket and Pattaya.

Despite years of plain-speaking by envoys from Australia, China, Britain, Korea, and other key tourism markets, the Australians are now being forced to act to save travellers from the thugs of Patong beach.

Release of the Australian video will be interpreted on Phuket and in government circles in Bangkok as an international indictment of the lack of action by Phuket authorities.

Australia's honorary consul for Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi, Larry Cunningham, said today that online travel forums were now full of reports by travellers on how they had been ripped off by ''the jet-ski mafia'' on Phuket.

Mr Cunningham, who has been interviewed for the video, said: ''Reports of the scams by jet-ski operators on Phuket just keep coming. The rip-offs have proved so lucrative that motorcycle hirers on Phuket are now trying the same scam.''

Several scams based on different scenarios are employed by jet-ski operators but the most obvious one involves pre-existing damage that is only spotted by the operator when the tourist returns the vehicle.

''Motorcycle hirers in Patong have tried this twice recently,'' Mr Cunningham said. ''Scratches on the underside of the motorcycle are only revealed when the renter returns it.

'''You've been using this off-road,' they say. Extra money is demanded.''

Mr Cunningham said there had also been two recent cases where motorcycle hirers had used duplicate keys to make off with motorcycles at night, demanding the full cost of a replacement vehicle from tourists.

''Most people who come to Phuket for a holiday have a great time,'' Mr Cunningham said. ''But it's upsetting that nothing is being done to deal with the dark side.

''I can't tell you how disturbing it is to have visitors robbed, threatened by the jet-ski gangs and sometimes reduced to tears in these incidents.

''The scamming on Phuket has been raised repeatedly. The rip-offs continue.''

Jet-skis and the high fares of tuk-tuks are likely to again be items on the agenda when Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha meets with Phuket's honorary consuls on August 31.

Both issues have been discussed at length without resolution since the first of the innovative quarterly ''summit'' meetings on Phuket early last year.


More @

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

How to Prevent Heart Attacks

How to Prevent Heart Attacks

If you know your heart disease risk, you can take steps to prevent a heart attack and cardiac arrest.


Heart disease is the leading killer of both men and women in the United States, but many people still take their heart health for granted, assuming that if they don’t feel any chest pain, their heart must be fine.

But the truth is that a heart attack can strike without any prior warning of cardiac problems. To stop heart trouble before it starts, you need to understand what causes heart disease — and calculate your particular risk.

“We each have the opportunity to control our destiny through the modification of risk factors for which treatment has proven to be beneficial,” says Daniel Levy, MD, director of the Framingham Heart Study and professor of medicine at Boston University in Massachusetts. The key is to focus on the heart attack risk factors that you can change, like unhealthy cholesterol levels, instead of those you cannot change, such as a family history of early heart disease.

Pay Attention to Heart Disease Risk Factors

Researchers in Europe recently tested the effectiveness of cardiac risk factor evaluation and treatment with 1,103 patients at 100 clinics. Half of the patients were randomly assigned to a doctor who would categorize their heart disease risk and then start risk factor interventions, and the other half were assigned to doctors who provided “usual care” (not specifically looking for or addressing heart disease risk factors.)

Heart disease risk was evaluated using data from the Framingham Heart Study. You can do a similar calculation of your own risk using the Everyday Health calculator.

After six months, patients in the evaluation and intervention group had reduced their heart disease risk more than those in the other group — and they were more likely to have their cholesterol levels and blood pressure under control. Smokers in the intervention group were also more likely to quit smoking.

Unfortunately, many doctors and patients are still in the “usual care” mode instead of taking an aggressive stance towards preventing heart disease and heart attacks.

Prevent a Heart Attack

Here are expert tips for preventing a heart attack:

* Calculate risk. There is enough evidence from multiple heart disease risk studies that it is now possible to put a number on your risk of having heart disease within 10 years. The higher your risk, the more aggressive you should be in your efforts to prevent a heart attack.
* Identify priorities. “For some people, there’s a single risk factor that is far outside of a desirable range for which intervention is clearly indicated. For other people there may be other risk factors that are slightly out of range,” explains Dr. Levy. Although you can get a lot of information online or through testing at health fairs and other similar events, working with your doctor is the best way to figure out what you can do to get the most out of your heart attack prevention efforts.
* Lower “bad” cholesterol. If you have high LDL “bad” cholesterol, this is a high priority for controlling heart attack risk over the long-term. Even if you have borderline high cholesterol but you also have some other heart disease risk factors, you must take steps to bring cholesterol levels into desirable range.
* Improve “good” cholesterol. While you work on lowering bad cholesterol you should work on increasing “good” HDL cholesterol levels.
* Stop smoking. Smoking is a significant heart disease risk factor, even if you don’t have any other risk factors.
* Control high blood pressure. You can’t feel it happening, but high blood pressure causes damage to your blood vessels over time.
* Control diabetes. Although the jury is out on whether controlling diabetes can significantly reduce heart disease risk, this is still an important risk factor within your control, says Levy.

More @ http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health/reduce-heart-disease-risk-factors.aspx?xid=aol_eh-cardio_12-_20110808&aolcat=ESR&icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl5|sec3_lnk1|85348

Saturday, August 6, 2011

U.S. credit rating downgraded

A day after Standard & Poor's rating agency downgraded the U.S. credit rating to AA+ from its top rank of AAA, there were more questions than answers Saturday about what effects the move will have on the economy and American consumers.


Explainer: What difference does the U.S. credit downgrade make to the economy?




The United States' topnotch credit rating is no more, potentially leading to a ripple effect.

With the country's trust factor dented by political haggling in Washington, the fallout has the potential to affect mortgage rates, credit card bills and boost borrowing costs for American consumers and companies.

The downgrade could further weaken an already-fragile economy by undermining investors' faith in U.S. bonds, increasing borrowing costs and further slowing whatever chance there was of a recovery.

It could also increase the cost of home mortgages, auto loans and other types of lending tied to interest rates paid on U.S. Treasuries.

JPMorgan Chase estimated that a cut would raise the nation's borrowing costs by $100 billion a year, Bloomberg News reported.

Once considered good as gold, the U.S. credit rating downgrade comes as the number of corporations that can claim the prized AAA rating has fallen, as well.

Thirty years ago, close to 60 companies had AAA credit, while only four corporations can now make that claim.

Until Friday night, 17 countries still had the AAA rating.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Orange Juice

100% Orange Juice Is Still Artificial


Dirty Little Secret: Orange Juice Is Artificially Flavored to Taste Like Oranges

How do you make orange juice? Simple! Squeeze oranges and drink. How do big box companies make orange juice? Complicated! Squeeze oranges, remove oxygen, re-flavor the now flavorless orange juice with artificially orange "flavor packs" and...drink? Uhh...

I never thought about it but it makes incredible sense now. Orange juice from Tropicana, Simply Orange, Minute Maid, Florida's Natural, etc.—they're all ridiculously consistent in their flavor. And the trick isn't to get the most delicious tasting oranges but rather to create their own unique artificial flavor.

It all starts with the stripping of the oxygen. Once the juice is squeezed and stored in gigantic vats, they start removing oxygen. Why? Because removing oxygen from the juice allows the liquid to keep for up to a year without spoiling. But! Removing that oxygen also removes the natural flavors of oranges. Yeah, it's all backwards. So in order to have OJ actually taste like oranges, drink companies hire flavor and fragrance companies, the same ones that make perfumes for Dior, to create these "flavor packs" to make juice taste like, well, juice again. A 2009 report says:

The formulas vary to give a brand's trademark taste. If you're discerning you may have noticed Minute Maid has a candy like orange flavor. That's largely due to the flavor pack Coca-Cola has chosen for it. Some companies have even been known to request a flavor pack that mimics the taste of a popular competitor, creating a "hall of mirrors" of flavor packs. Despite the multiple interpretations of a freshly squeezed orange on the market, most flavor packs have a shared source of inspiration: a Florida Valencia orange in spring.

The flavor packs aren't listed in the ingredients because they're technically derived from "orange essence and oil", whatever the hell that means. So just remember, when you buy Orange Juice next time, even though it says 100% juice (which it is), it's still 100% artificially flavored.
----------------
Freshly Squeezed: The Truth About Orange Juice in Boxes

It’s orange juice season. More precisely, it’s the season of the Florida Valencia, considered the “Cadillac of oranges” within the orange juice industry for its deep orange color, high juice content and rich orange flavor.

We’re so used to getting orange juice 365 days of the year that it may come as news that even Tropicana Pure Premium has a season. But it does. From March until June the Valencia is in its prime in Florida, and even Californians will admit that Florida grows a superior Valencia. The state produces a few other varieties for juicing. The Hamlin, which peaks in late fall, is the most heavily planted. But anyone who has anything to do with the manufacture of commercial orange juice knows that nothing compares to Florida Valencia juice.

The leading orange juice companies such as Tropicana (owned by PepsiCo), Minute Maid and Simply Orange (owned by Coca-Cola), and Florida’s Natural tell us many stories about orange juice: it’s natural, it’s pure and simple, it’s squeezed from oranges grown on pristine looking trees in Florida. But they leave out the details about how most commercial orange juice is produced and processed. Considering roughly two thirds of US households buy orange juice, Americans have a right to the whole story. As Tropicana launches its $35 million marketing campaign “Squeeze, it’s a natural,” it’s time for a reality check. Tropicana orange juice is not “relatively straightforward,” as reported in a New York Times article about PepsiCo’s recent decision to calculate the carbon footprint of its Tropicana brand of juice.

In the 1980s Tropicana coined the phrase “not from concentrate” to distinguish its pasteurized orange juice from the cheaper reconstituted “from concentrate” juice that began appearing alongside it in the refrigerator section of supermarkets. The idea was to convince consumers that pasteurized orange juice is a fresher, overall better product and therefore worth the higher price. It worked. Over the next five years sales of Tropicana’s pasteurized juice doubled and profits almost tripled.

In fact, “not from concentrate,” a.k.a pasteurized orange juice, is not more expensive than “from concentrate” because it is closer to fresh squeezed. Rather, it is because storing full strength pasteurized orange juice is more costly and elaborate than storing the space saving concentrate from which “from concentrate” is made. The technology of choice at the moment is aseptic storage, which involves stripping the juice of oxygen, a process known as “deaeration,” so it doesn’t oxidize in the million gallon tanks in which it can be kept for upwards of a year.

When the juice is stripped of oxygen it is also stripped of flavor providing chemicals. Juice companies therefore hire flavor and fragrance companies, the same ones that formulate perfumes for Dior and Calvin Klein, to engineer flavor packs to add back to the juice to make it taste fresh. Flavor packs aren’t listed as an ingredient on the label because technically they are derived from orange essence and oil. Yet those in the industry will tell you that the flavor packs, whether made for reconstituted or pasteurized orange juice, resemble nothing found in nature. The packs added to juice earmarked for the North American market tend to contain high amounts of ethyl butyrate, a chemical in the fragrance of fresh squeezed orange juice that, juice companies have discovered, Americans favor. Mexicans and Brazilians have a different palate. Flavor packs fabricated for juice geared to these markets therefore highlight different chemicals, the decanals say, or terpene compounds such as valencine.

The formulas vary to give a brand’s trademark taste. If you’re discerning you may have noticed Minute Maid has a candy like orange flavor. That’s largely due to the flavor pack Coca-Cola has chosen for it. Some companies have even been known to request a flavor pack that mimics the taste of a popular competitor, creating a “hall of mirrors” of flavor packs. Despite the multiple interpretations of a freshly squeezed orange on the market, most flavor packs have a shared source of inspiration: a Florida Valencia orange in spring.

If you like orange juice and want to buy American, now is the time. Only during this time of year can you pick up a carton that contains Florida Valencia juice that has not spent months in storage. The rest of the year, whether you buy Minute Maid’s “from concentrate,” or Tropicana’s “not from concentrate,” you’re drinking a mixture of Florida juice, some or all of which has been stored from previous seasons, and juice shipped from Brazil, which conveniently grows oranges when Florida doesn’t. Even the Florida based company Florida’s Natural, which is owned by a cooperative of Florida growers, imports Brazilian concentrate for its “from concentrate” juice line.

Or maybe you want to try something new for breakfast: a whole Florida Valencia orange. It’s higher in vitamin C than a glass of processed juice and the flavor is incomparable. The thick-skinned, easy to peel and separate Navel has been marketed as the eating orange of choice. But Navels have a lackluster flavor compared to the Valencia.

Sampling a Florida Valencia is a timely and good experiment, if only to refresh your senses and awaken them to the taste that your favorite brand of orange juice strives to imitate. Sure a whole Valencia orange may be messy, but all things considered, so is a glass of OJ produced by any of the major labels.

more@ http://civileats.com/2009/05/06/freshly-squeezed-the-truth-about-orange-juice-in-boxes/

Virus on smart phones

Beware your smartphone
Beware your smart phone



Forget what's in your wallet -- beware your smartphone. It's becoming one of your most dangerous possessions.

If your phone was stolen a few years ago, the thief could make prank calls and read your text messages. Today, that person can destroy your social life -- you said what on Facebook?! -- and wreak havoc on your finances.

Now that smartphones double as wallets and bank accounts -- allowing users to manage their finances, transfer money, make payments, deposit checks and swipe their phones as credit cards -- they are very lucrative scores for thieves. And with 30% of phone subscribers owning iPhones, BlackBerrys and Droids, there are a lot of people at risk.

"It's crazy the amount of information on that phone -- it's like carrying a mini-computer around with you, except that more people know the settings on their computer than they do on their phones at this point," said Nikki Junker, social media coordinator and victim advisor at Identity Theft Resource Center. "People are incredibly at risk as technology improves."

And mobile banking use is expected to soar by nearly 55% next year, according to recent data compiled by TowerGroup, a research firm for the financial services industry.

They found that while 17.8 million consumers used mobile banking last year, 27.4 million are expected to use it this year, and 53.1 million consumers are forecast to adopt it by 2013.

"We're now past the early adopters and starting to hit the early maturity phase," said George Peabody, director of emerging technologies at Mercator Advisory Group. "So much of our screen time is shifting from PCs to smartphones, and the banks want to be there and know they have to be there."
Google to power your mobile wallet?

In addition, the volume of mobile payments -- buying boots via Zappos iPhone app, for example, or paying bills -- is expected to climb to $214 billion by 2015, up from $16 billion in 2010, according to Aite Group, another financial services research firm.

And pay-by-phone is only going to get easier as our devices come embedded with Near Field Communication (NFC) devices that allow you to pay for your morning latte by waving your phone at the cash register.

Companies like Blaze Mobile and Bling Nation already let you pay major retailers by swiping your smartphone thanks to a sticker adhered to the outside of your phone. Meanwhile, an app created by mFoundry brings up an image of your Starbucks prepaid card barcode and lets you scan it in lieu of a credit card.

"A lot of players are now pushing to drive the contactless technology," said Gwenn Bezard, research director at Aite Group specializing in banking and payments. "While you're not going to wake up tomorrow and everyone is going to be using mobile payments, it's going to grow over the next years -- and from a very low base."

Watch your phone! Security attacks on smartphones climbed to an all-time high in 2010, according to AdaptiveMobile, an international mobile security firm. Specifically, attacks on Google's Android smartphones quadrupled, and smartphones running Java-based applications jumped 45%.

"Bad guys are following where the people are going -- and people are going to smartphones," said Peabody. "As smartphone prices continue to decline and even more people get them, that's definitely the new place for bad guys to go."

While storing a password and keeping your phone locked is a good start, it's not going to protect you from professional fraudsters.

"Don't think that having an initial password set on your phone can stop people from getting in there," said Junker. "It's a very low level of protection -- you can even find 30-second videos on how to crack smartphone passwords on YouTube."

If you use mobile banking or make online payments frequently, you should invest in anti-virus protection and check with your bank about any security or identity theft protection features that you can enable.

Most smartphones also offer remote wipe-out services -- like MobileMe for the iPhone -- that automatically erase the information on your phone if you claim it as lost or stolen.

If you bank with your phone by accessing its website rather than opening an app, be extra careful when typing in the address. Some identity thefts create domains with the same address as major banks with two letters switched in hopes a consumer will accidentally land on the site and enter their username and password, said Junker.

And make sure you immediately log out of any bank apps or sites where your financial information is stored as soon as you're finished. While your identity is still at risk if your phone is stolen, this will buy you time to wipe out your information as soon as you realize it's gone.

Spyware on smart phones

Beware your smartphone
Beware your smart phone



Forget what's in your wallet -- beware your smartphone. It's becoming one of your most dangerous possessions.

If your phone was stolen a few years ago, the thief could make prank calls and read your text messages. Today, that person can destroy your social life -- you said what on Facebook?! -- and wreak havoc on your finances.

Now that smartphones double as wallets and bank accounts -- allowing users to manage their finances, transfer money, make payments, deposit checks and swipe their phones as credit cards -- they are very lucrative scores for thieves. And with 30% of phone subscribers owning iPhones, BlackBerrys and Droids, there are a lot of people at risk.

"It's crazy the amount of information on that phone -- it's like carrying a mini-computer around with you, except that more people know the settings on their computer than they do on their phones at this point," said Nikki Junker, social media coordinator and victim advisor at Identity Theft Resource Center. "People are incredibly at risk as technology improves."

And mobile banking use is expected to soar by nearly 55% next year, according to recent data compiled by TowerGroup, a research firm for the financial services industry.

They found that while 17.8 million consumers used mobile banking last year, 27.4 million are expected to use it this year, and 53.1 million consumers are forecast to adopt it by 2013.

"We're now past the early adopters and starting to hit the early maturity phase," said George Peabody, director of emerging technologies at Mercator Advisory Group. "So much of our screen time is shifting from PCs to smartphones, and the banks want to be there and know they have to be there."
Google to power your mobile wallet?

In addition, the volume of mobile payments -- buying boots via Zappos iPhone app, for example, or paying bills -- is expected to climb to $214 billion by 2015, up from $16 billion in 2010, according to Aite Group, another financial services research firm.

And pay-by-phone is only going to get easier as our devices come embedded with Near Field Communication (NFC) devices that allow you to pay for your morning latte by waving your phone at the cash register.

Companies like Blaze Mobile and Bling Nation already let you pay major retailers by swiping your smartphone thanks to a sticker adhered to the outside of your phone. Meanwhile, an app created by mFoundry brings up an image of your Starbucks prepaid card barcode and lets you scan it in lieu of a credit card.

"A lot of players are now pushing to drive the contactless technology," said Gwenn Bezard, research director at Aite Group specializing in banking and payments. "While you're not going to wake up tomorrow and everyone is going to be using mobile payments, it's going to grow over the next years -- and from a very low base."

Watch your phone! Security attacks on smartphones climbed to an all-time high in 2010, according to AdaptiveMobile, an international mobile security firm. Specifically, attacks on Google's Android smartphones quadrupled, and smartphones running Java-based applications jumped 45%.

"Bad guys are following where the people are going -- and people are going to smartphones," said Peabody. "As smartphone prices continue to decline and even more people get them, that's definitely the new place for bad guys to go."

While storing a password and keeping your phone locked is a good start, it's not going to protect you from professional fraudsters.

"Don't think that having an initial password set on your phone can stop people from getting in there," said Junker. "It's a very low level of protection -- you can even find 30-second videos on how to crack smartphone passwords on YouTube."

If you use mobile banking or make online payments frequently, you should invest in anti-virus protection and check with your bank about any security or identity theft protection features that you can enable.

Most smartphones also offer remote wipe-out services -- like MobileMe for the iPhone -- that automatically erase the information on your phone if you claim it as lost or stolen.

If you bank with your phone by accessing its website rather than opening an app, be extra careful when typing in the address. Some identity thefts create domains with the same address as major banks with two letters switched in hopes a consumer will accidentally land on the site and enter their username and password, said Junker.

And make sure you immediately log out of any bank apps or sites where your financial information is stored as soon as you're finished. While your identity is still at risk if your phone is stolen, this will buy you time to wipe out your information as soon as you realize it's gone.

Beware your smart phone

Beware your smartphone
Beware your smart phone



Forget what's in your wallet -- beware your smartphone. It's becoming one of your most dangerous possessions.

If your phone was stolen a few years ago, the thief could make prank calls and read your text messages. Today, that person can destroy your social life -- you said what on Facebook?! -- and wreak havoc on your finances.

Now that smartphones double as wallets and bank accounts -- allowing users to manage their finances, transfer money, make payments, deposit checks and swipe their phones as credit cards -- they are very lucrative scores for thieves. And with 30% of phone subscribers owning iPhones, BlackBerrys and Droids, there are a lot of people at risk.

"It's crazy the amount of information on that phone -- it's like carrying a mini-computer around with you, except that more people know the settings on their computer than they do on their phones at this point," said Nikki Junker, social media coordinator and victim advisor at Identity Theft Resource Center. "People are incredibly at risk as technology improves."

And mobile banking use is expected to soar by nearly 55% next year, according to recent data compiled by TowerGroup, a research firm for the financial services industry.

They found that while 17.8 million consumers used mobile banking last year, 27.4 million are expected to use it this year, and 53.1 million consumers are forecast to adopt it by 2013.

"We're now past the early adopters and starting to hit the early maturity phase," said George Peabody, director of emerging technologies at Mercator Advisory Group. "So much of our screen time is shifting from PCs to smartphones, and the banks want to be there and know they have to be there."
Google to power your mobile wallet?

In addition, the volume of mobile payments -- buying boots via Zappos iPhone app, for example, or paying bills -- is expected to climb to $214 billion by 2015, up from $16 billion in 2010, according to Aite Group, another financial services research firm.

And pay-by-phone is only going to get easier as our devices come embedded with Near Field Communication (NFC) devices that allow you to pay for your morning latte by waving your phone at the cash register.

Companies like Blaze Mobile and Bling Nation already let you pay major retailers by swiping your smartphone thanks to a sticker adhered to the outside of your phone. Meanwhile, an app created by mFoundry brings up an image of your Starbucks prepaid card barcode and lets you scan it in lieu of a credit card.

"A lot of players are now pushing to drive the contactless technology," said Gwenn Bezard, research director at Aite Group specializing in banking and payments. "While you're not going to wake up tomorrow and everyone is going to be using mobile payments, it's going to grow over the next years -- and from a very low base."

Watch your phone! Security attacks on smartphones climbed to an all-time high in 2010, according to AdaptiveMobile, an international mobile security firm. Specifically, attacks on Google's Android smartphones quadrupled, and smartphones running Java-based applications jumped 45%.

"Bad guys are following where the people are going -- and people are going to smartphones," said Peabody. "As smartphone prices continue to decline and even more people get them, that's definitely the new place for bad guys to go."

While storing a password and keeping your phone locked is a good start, it's not going to protect you from professional fraudsters.

"Don't think that having an initial password set on your phone can stop people from getting in there," said Junker. "It's a very low level of protection -- you can even find 30-second videos on how to crack smartphone passwords on YouTube."

If you use mobile banking or make online payments frequently, you should invest in anti-virus protection and check with your bank about any security or identity theft protection features that you can enable.

Most smartphones also offer remote wipe-out services -- like MobileMe for the iPhone -- that automatically erase the information on your phone if you claim it as lost or stolen.

If you bank with your phone by accessing its website rather than opening an app, be extra careful when typing in the address. Some identity thefts create domains with the same address as major banks with two letters switched in hopes a consumer will accidentally land on the site and enter their username and password, said Junker.

And make sure you immediately log out of any bank apps or sites where your financial information is stored as soon as you're finished. While your identity is still at risk if your phone is stolen, this will buy you time to wipe out your information as soon as you realize it's gone.