THE RAINFORESTS YOU DIDN'T KNOW EXISTED (IRELAND TO MALAYSIA)

Rainforests are more than just a fascinatingly biodiverse environment to explore - they play a crucial role in preserving the future of mankind, with a recent study showing that rainforests absorb more than half of the carbon emissions around the world. This means the preservation of rainforests goes beyond a mere conceit - it's an imperative. So what better way to spend your travels than learning about these environmental powerhouses, and perhaps even pitching in with some conservation efforts? They're an incredible place to explore flora and fauna, making a rainforest break an intensely rewarding experience - and if you're interested in getting your hands dirty somewhere a little less busy than on your typical Amazon adventure, check out some of these little-known rainforests.

The Udzungwa Mountains, East Africa

These extraordinary mountain ranges were almost unexplored just 35 years ago - teaming with rare and beautiful wildlife, these lush ranges have now been designated one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots. Thousands of new species have been discovered here, and it's been described as "a land where time stood still", due to its pristine, almost completely untouched environment. Soaring up like a mirage in the desert, these mountains are surrounded by endless stretches of arid savannah - a true miracle of nature.

Koh Samui, Thailand

One of the largest islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Ko Samui is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, upmarket resorts and riotous nightlife - but did you know that it is also home to a lush and expansive rainforest? With a warm, humid climate, this tropical island is home to a number of rare and extraordinary creatures including King and Queen Cobra snakes, Box Jellyfish, giant monitor lizards and even whale sharks. The pristine rainforest can be explored via a three-hour hike or even a jungle safari and is overflowing with cascading waterfalls, lush tropical greenery, all manner of monkeys and even wild elephants.

Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The smallest rainforest in the world at just 9.3 hectares, this incredible rainforest within a city is a landmark at the base of the enormous KL Tower. Bijoux as it may be, it still preserves many species and features of the expansive diverse rainforest it once was, including monkeys, pythons, lizards and squirrels. It's probably the only rainforest which you can hike through, then eat in a revolving restaurant directly above! Bukit Nanas serves as an important reminder of the effects of human inhabitation on natural environments - jump on a flight from Dublin to Kuala Lumpar to check it out.

Southern Siberian Rainforest, Siberia

A rainforest in Siberia? It's snow joke! A temperate, rather than a tropical rainforest, this humid and occasionally even snowy (!) rainforest can reach temperatures as low as -19 degrees Celsius. Home to brown bears, European adders, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and grey wolves (to name but a few), this rare wintery forest also houses a huge variety of trees, including silver birch and Siberian pine. A truly unusual rainforest!

So take a trip to one of these wild and beautiful natural rainforests, to learn about some of the most important eco-systems Earth offers. As educationally rich as they are rich in natural beauty, these rainforests are sure to inspire you.

Plan your next trip to one of these wild and beautiful natural rain forests that have accessible environmental views. You can also plan it with airlines that could take you to most of these places nonstop, like Etihad Airways.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9443283

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF BOXERS

For centuries, boxing has primarily been viewed as a physical and testosterone filled sport. A sport where physical strength and ruthless egos drive a match and fill seats in an arena. While the brutality of the sport may be what attracts fans, it is the psychology of the sport that truly depicts a great boxer. The mental stamina and toughness of any given boxer can make or break how successful they are on any given day. In the boxing world, this is called, "mind management."

Mind management consists of four different areas that help a boxer take control of a match and perfect his overall ability to perform: Calmness under pressure, a ruthless sense of focus, mental toughness and lack of self-blame when things go wrong (Harland). In order to be a successful boxer, it is very important to possess all four of these traits. Many boxers underachieve due to built up stress, nervous and anxious feelings and lack of ability to controls their demons. Being able to be calm under pressure may be one of the most important attributes of the mental side of boxing. If a boxer isn't able to control his or her ability to calm nerves or push aside anxious feeling before a big match, it may affect their ability to keep a clear head and physically perform to the best of his or her ability. Being able to obtain a ruthless sense of focus is the power to counteract negative thoughts and feelings. Opposing boxers will constantly try to intimidate their opponents by getting into their heads and taking their minds off of the match. Mental toughness plays a big role before and after a match. If a boxer loses a big match and isn't able to overcome the feeling of failure or defeat, it could lead to a downward spiral in future matches to come. This is where lack of self-blame comes in. As a boxer, it is inevitable that one will at some point in their career lose a big match. Those who are able to rise above and work harder will be the much better off than those who take the loss personally.

Being able to be disciplined enough with their diet, physical training, sleeping habits and mental toughness, along with their failure and successes, separates the good boxers form the great. No matter how skillful or fit a boxer might be physically, this will count for nothing if the boxer is not prepared mentally.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9484694

NO MORE A REAL GAME!

Do you remember the year 2001, when Dravid & Laxman played a 376 run match winning partnership or Brian Lara's 153 against the likes of Glenn McGrath & Shane Warne? For someone who has been a cricket fan through these years when there was no such format called T20, cricket was something pure.

Ever since the emergence of the 50 over format in the 1980's, Test Cricket was still considered the real game until a new era of a fast paced format emerged that just wiped away the beauty of the game. When we talk about the legends of the game, we often hear about Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram, Steve Waugh, Brian Lara, Shane Warne and so on. All these players were major draw in the 5 day format. How often have you heard the experts talking about either a Michael Bevan or a Sunil Narine who have been wonderful in the short formats but not in the longer one.

I started being a fan in 2010 when the T20 format made its place in the market. I was fascinated with this form of sport which is so quick and entertaining. You get to see the hard hitting, the doosras, the scoop shots more often than before. But that same year, I decided to watch a test match on Television. I began watching it on Day 1, and guess what happened later. I was glued to the seat until the 5 day match got over. It was a complete addiction. One may think what was so special in it? Well, generating an inning, the spirit of the game, the temperamental test, the technique & skill, the possibility of coming back into the game in each session... These are the few things that made me enjoy this format to the core. The IPL is held every year and as the years pass by my interest in the quick format starts declining.

Heroes are made in just one day the next day that same player gets out on a duck. Every year we get to see the same stuff happening... bats getting swinged anywhere, the bowlers who are considered great in the longer format are being hammered by ordinary batsmen who is just slogging his bat anywhere in a flat pitch where there is no relevance of line & length bowling. On the other side I am watching James Anderson who is getting wickets with his reverse swing in the longer format. Now this is something far better than the former. There is a say... form is temporary but class is permanent. So where is the class in the 3 hour format. Sorry to say but I don't see a class in MS Dhoni's sixes or Virat Kohli's hitting...

Now looking at it from a business point of view, T20 gives the boards everything that they desire for their benefit - short time, more crowd, players getting less fatigue, getting fixtures held one after the other to generate more & more money. For a rookie cricket watcher it is a 3 hour entertainment just like a movie but for a real cricket fan who has witnessed the likes of Mcgrath, Warne, Steve Waugh, Dravid, Ponting through ages, it is just a plastic. There need to be some ways where the traditional form can be saved in the future. I do see a few nations like India, Australia, England sustaining this form of cricket with the other nations managing with the shorter format just to survive in the long run. We have heard about the dominant West-Indies era in the 70's & 80's. Now this team is ranked eighth in test cricket and ninth in the One days. This is solely due to lack of participation. At present there are three nations dominating the world of cricket with India being on the top. Thanks to the iconic ashes tours that is helping this form survive on a long term.

An MCC survey revealed that only 7 % of cricket watchers in India prefer Test cricket as an ideal form. This figure is itself alarming to know. I love watching test cricket specially in England, where the ball is wobbling through the air at each delivery. The last time India defeated England in their home conditions was in 2007. That team comprised of technical greats like Dravid, Laxman, Kumble, Ganguly, Tendulkar... It was the same year the IPL tornament started and these players gradually faded away from the One-Day scene. I would say that England is a place where the actual batting gets tested in the 5 day game. Even Virat Kohli who has scored runs everywhere had a struggling time against the likes of Anderson & Broad on their conditions. This is where your actual technique gets tested. The recent collapse of South Africa at Nagpur pitch showed how the level of test cricket has gone down with the match ending in just 3 days. Some of the legends also shared their concerns after this match.

Now, the cricketing bodies need to make a fixture plan to reserve a few months in a year only for test cricket to serve it to the audience at frequent intervals in order to generate more interest in it. Otherwise, it faces a real dark future ahead.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9262951

THE DOLLAR VALUE OF GOLD

Breaking Golden Rules

Modern day economics has added more value to Gold than the fundamental worth of the yellow metal. Although the most radical changes have come about by means of aggressive marketing of the commodity, Gold has always been the darling of the murky derivative trading world. The intrinsic value of the commodity has successfully attracted Hedge Fund managers across the globe so much so that billionaire hedge fund manager Paul Singer who oversees an AUM (asset under management) of $27 billion has been recently quoted saying "It makes a great deal of sense to own gold". Singer believes, that in the highly competitive world of business, the weakness of the Dollar evolves into a pillar of strength, boosting the export volume of the United States even as the world's Central Bankers are focusing on devaluing their respective currencies as well.

When Zero Means More

Near zero lending rates have failed miserably to recreate the much waited financial magic that Central Bankers were hoping for, while deflationary scenarios are back square on the court turning low inflation and high unemployment into a complex quagmire. The world's top economies are fast spinning into a death spiral thereby propping up the dollar value of Gold and turning the yellow metal into a safe haven for market makers across the world. A close observation of the commodity's price movements reveal uneven expansion and contraction in its prices, contradicting the conventional demand supply curve of time-tested economics. Even as I write this article, an Ounce of Gold is surprisingly trading at $1327, notches below its three-year high of $1392. The anomaly lies in the fact that the present dollar value of Gold is in stark contrast with the euphoric pricing of the S&P 500 that stands pat at 2159. In the words of Stanley Drukenmiller, a former Hedge Fund manager at Duquesne Capital, Central Banks across the world have lost their grip over monetary policies, adding shine to Gold's safe heaven appeal. Drukenmiller went on to state that he was skeptical of the global financial scenario due to the Federal Reserve's flip-flop on its current monetary stance.

A Golden Dollar

The fact that Gold is traded in Dollar, turns the equation in favor of a comfortable negative correlation. A weak Dollar brings cheer to Gold investors, shoring up demand for the precious metal while low-cost dollar dominated loans keep the base metal markets in China abuzz. It is evident thus that Gold would continue to enjoy the value conferred upon it by aggressive derivative bets as long as the potential threat of a possible liquidity crunch looms large. The equation tilts the scales in favor of high valuations in Gold much like the currencies that are pitted against the Dollar index. While excessive weakness of the Dollar gives rise to additional demand for Gold, a weakness in the Pound or the Euro stems the demand supply mismatch, keeping the valuation of the Yellow metal from shooting beyond its designated price band.

The three controversial pieces that continue to elude the best minds in Economics are indeed the pieces that keep shine on the Yellow metal intact. Can Artificial Measures ever thwart the natural ebb of an economy? If Inflation is the key to solving the world's growth challenges then Stagflation should merely be a myth. At what point does DOLLAR VALUE of GOLD turn the equation in favor the Green Back?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9470549

IN DEFENSE OF BOOKWORMS

Avid readers, who prefer reading rather than indulging in other leisure activities such as watching TV or playing sports, are usually subjected to a multitude of prejudices. Common misperceptions about those who love reading are that they are anti-social; they are also often referred to as the most boring people on the block and libeled as "book worms".

Those who are mostly seen carrying their current read wherever they go, often find themselves sidelined and eventually even begin to accept themselves as social outcasts. The trouble becomes more enhanced when readers accept this irrational treatment that is meted out to them, thereby further alienating themselves.

Those who read habitually should make it a point to spend some time trying to change the common misperceptions about their kind. The reason to stand up against such prejudices is because the onus of marketing the hobby of reading and getting more and more people to embrace this practice, making reading a part of everyday life, lies entirely in their hands.

It is the task of a person who is aware of the multitude of benefits that this hobby can offer to the world to make the world see the light. It may seem like an uphill task but all it takes is perhaps a little conscious effort combined with the wisdom of how to project your personality so as to be able to influence others. Be subtly humorous, and when in conversation with others allow yourself to respond naturally and spontaneously. Just because you are into books, does not mean you are required to share bookish tidbits in every interaction. One must learn to go with the flow and not redirect it towards what they recently read, something that book-lovers often tend to do.

If book-lovers projects themselves well, it will be evident that such individuals are much more intellectual and comprehensive than those whose minds have not had exposure to the written word. Well-read people are very engaging conversationalists, and are likely to add more color to any gathering because they have a vast knowledge base and a unique perspective. Most often than not they have the effect of broadening the scope of any discussion, adding value and meaning to what would otherwise have been a very ordinary session.

The world would be a much better place if everyone read fiction, particularly. Fiction helps reduce stress and increases imagination and creativity. It also helps increase empathy for others, as books welcome you to walk a mile in another's shoes and look at the world from varied perspectives. Reading books allows the reader to live multiple lives, and gives the mind food for thought, allowing us to better utilize our brain cells and have a well-informed opinion on diverse subjects. Keeping in mind all these plus points of reading, every bookworm should resolve to influence at least 5 people over the course of their lives to join the club. It is a good idea to start by trying to influence young children since they are ideally not possessed by strong prejudices

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8933321

ITALIANS AND THEIR PASTA

Nobody can really tell where pasta originated. Almost every country all over the globe has a version of this food. Wherever there is wheat, there pasta seemingly is - in some form or another.

The Japanese refer to pasta as udon, the Chinese call it mein, French people call it nouilles, those who live in Poland refer to it as pierogi, Germans say it is spaetzle, and the Siberians, pel'meni.

The Italians bravely claim that pasta is all theirs from the beginning since it has fed the poorest southern Italian regions for hundreds of years. The gentle texture of pasta is a great partner to all sorts of toppings, spices and sauces. It has also been attributed to a lot of unique names as the Italians cannot seem to resist giving the strings, ribbons and other shapes with different names.

A passionate Italian eater of long ago - whoever he was - blessed pasta with its first name - maccheroni which is a derivation from the words ma che charini meaning, "My, what little dears."

Today, there are different kinds of pasta ranging from the humble snail (lumache), bridegrooms (ziti), little loves (amorini), to the one-of-a-kind kiss catchers (tira-baci). All these are flour and water mixtures reminiscent of Italian lifestyle and all can be paired with artful sauces.

You would be surprised that there are more than three hundred names for a hundred different shapes of pasta. This, again, reflects the expansive nature of Italians and how they love variety in all that they do. To them, it is not enough that there are farfelle or bow pasta. To give variety, there must also be little bows are what's known as farfallette. The bigger bows were christened with the name farfalloni.

All these descriptive words for a single food is not surprising when it comes to the animated nature of the Italians. This is a nation that is known for its artistry and gusto for life. Just imagine how their government is changed at least once every year and you will have a good grasp of who they are as a people.

Only a few people outside of Italy would understand the dramatic variations in pasta from one region to another. History says a lot about this and so does the Italian temperament. In spite of the 1861 unification of 19 different regions, there remained individualism when it comes to cuisine and culture. The cliffside Sorrento restaurant is likely to offer spaghetti alle vongole because it is near the Mediterranean Sea. In Sicily, it is not uncommon to find raisins with your pasta since this region was dominated by the Saracens for about two hundred years.

Generally speaking, southern pasta was traditionally made with a mixture of semolina, durum wheat, and water. This transformed into the coarse flour that southerners are known for.

On the other hand, northern pasta is known to be smoother since their pasta is made from white flour and eggs. Luxurious toppings and sauces often come with this smoother version.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9100462

BROTHERS OF MAN

Somewhere in the annals of history lies hidden the whereabouts of other brothers of man. Survivors of an advanced past civilization that managed to escape one of the most destructive periods in the history of our planet. Could the Voynich Manuscript, Stonehenge, or the Lost Continent of Atlantis that hold the clues as to where what would be our ancestors actually are? Nobody knows for sure especially when we discuss the tale of Atlantis. But, there have been too many archaeological surprises that always seem to occur to substantiate many theories of our history not to consider the impossible possible.

To this day many believe that man is not alone in the Universe. Scientific evidence supports the existence of planets that are more than capable of nurturing and supporting life as we know it. Planets in inhabitable zones orbiting around suns very similar to our Earth. Our planet just could actually be the cradle of life. What makes the Voynich Manuscript or the tale of Atlantis so fascinating is the fact that there has been only a certain amount of speculation to the existence of a pre antiquity advanced civilization. But, there again like the Holy Grail the Ark of The Covenant or other known lost artifacts just maybe man is not ready or capable yet of truly understanding the reason or purpose for their existence.

With the current realm of reality it is quite fathomable that had we uncovered say the Ark of The Covenant the greed and selfishness of man would only hasten our own demise. It is a very sad reality of our times when much can be said of societies priorities. Misguided, misplaced and outrageously superficial when we have here in the United States where we can raise billions of dollars for lotteries, have billionaires taunt the public with their so-called benevolence and charitable giving and a government still very inept in disaster relief, while millions right here in the US languish in quiet desperation hungry, homeless and ill.

What man continues to do in the name of social progress much of which contributes to the ever increasing turmoil our planet is experiencing is a testament to our inhumanity to the sanctity of life. And, yet through it all somewhere there is this hidden knowledge waiting to be tapped. But, first we have to realize even though we have made advances in technology, science, and medicine that there is still so much inequality through-out the world. It just could very well be mankind on Earth has not reached that point in time which would enable us to truly understand, rationalize and comprehend the knowledge that still lies hidden within the Earth's past.

It is more than possible that somewhere beyond the heavens the brothers of man could be very much like us in every way. They would, like us through-out our known history succumb to the same universal sins of our fathers. Incapable of avoiding mistakes of the past, repeating history in various forms just like we have and continue to do. Maybe that is why there is a history to our existence that will for some time lay hidden. Hidden until mankind is truly able to be more human. Until then the brothers of man are now trying to survive just like us somewhere out there, beyond the stars.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Brothers-Of-Man&id=9299697

ISLAM RULES THE WORLD

While many in the west fear the apparent rise of the Muslims and, therefore, Islam, they do not realise that their own religions are also Islamic. This is known because of my reincarnation and knowledge that heaven and hell are non-existent. With a strong link to the Spirit of the Universe, the only God, it commissioned me to tear down the wall of confusion and blindness. Those with ears to hear and eyes to see will benefit from this message.

The root of Islam is Babylon and the sun-god, Mary. The name means 'mother's powerful eye' and it was shown to me in a vision where the dispersed light forms into colored rings of perpetual motion when passed through an object. It is seen in the prism and when water drops or shiny surfaces cause the same effect.

'Mary' and 'marry' are the same and men considered they could mate with the sun by dying on crosses at dawn (previously called 'noon'). This was the religion of the Amor who built Roma (reverse Amor) and took their religion into all of the known world. One of them was Constantine who established the Catholic Church based on its principles in 325.

He was followed by Jerome, the doctor of the church, who compiled and wrote the New Testament which he published in the latter part of the 4th century. The Vatican, which the emperor built, ordered Augustine Bea, bishop of Hippo, to start another branch of the religion to credit it. This he did through a man named Mohamed, a partner to one of his parishioners.

The corruption, lies, forgeries, plagiarism, violence, and other things that followed the establishment of Constantine's religion are all verified in history books, Vatican records, diaries, letters, and edicts. The emperor ordered the death of anyone who would not accept his religion and the church continued to do the same right up until the 20th Century.

Isil is no different in its tactics to what all religions have done and the Catholic Church has executed millions during its time. The World Order is based on these same religious tenets and on the economic system that Constantine implemented. In Revelation 13:12-18 all of this is verified in prophecy and he is titled the second beast with the number 666.

Islam is sun-worship and so too are all religions that followed, including Judaism which holds its meetings in a Synagogue (sun god), Christianity that promotes marriage by men to Mary, and Hindu from whence came the Vedic Trinity that Jesus Christ was fashioned on. 'Krishna' is the Christ of the latter and his life and death was applied to the so-called Son of God.

Because of the strength of the religious 'fathers' and the fact that God is behind all religions they are successfully entrenched in the human psyche. Those who are extracting themselves from them are often able to re-establish their link to the Spirit and enjoy miracles of healing and power as a result.

Norma Holt works to spread the knowledge given to her by the Spirit. It differs to religious teachings because she has memory of reincarnation and knows that heaven and hell are myths. The evidence given to her to remove the wall of blindness. Everything she writes is verifiable in the bible and through research.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9465137

HOW TO GET A GAME SERVER HOSTED

First of all what are game server providers, GSPs, and why do I need one? If, like me, you love playing games with your other online gaming buddies you generally play together online. You and your team need a playground that will provide the online space for you to. How and where does all that information get processed? There are two main methods.

The first is peer to peer. Peer to peer is a well established protocol of information sharing between willing computers. In the case of online computer games this is where one computer acts as the host (master computer if you like) and all other players' computers send their information to the master. This gives the player hosting the game a slight advantage in response time or lower ping and of course once that player leaves the game the server no longer exists as it was dependent on his connection, historically this has been referred to as a 'listen server'.

Dedicated Servers. Some games companies like Activision and EA provide their own online "official" or "ranked" dedicated servers where they have their own machines in their own data centre hosting official servers that they control and admin. Console games generally also have their own dedicated servers provided by the developers or peer to peer solutions in some cases as with Modern Warfare 2 and 3. But some servers are provided by individuals who like to have personal control over how their game server is setup. These come in two options. Either the individual has a rented or owned machine and hosts the game server themselves. The second option is to rent a dedicated game server from a large list of GSP's (game server providers) who for a small monthly charge can host your server for you 24 hours a day and have web based graphic user interfaces in order to start, stop, reinstall, edit configuration files, setup scheduled restarts, install mods and much more. This is in large part the most common choice as it is both cost effective and much easier to get started. Only basic knowledge is needed in order to host a server this way. That is why the GSP industry has grown to a 5 million dollar a year industry.

What are online servers?

A server is a machine running in a data centre (DC) with a high bandwidth connection to the internet and a redundant power supply to keep things online 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. This allows lots of players to connect to one place to all play together. GSP's host their game servers on machines in a data centre.

What is ping?

Ping is just an ICMP command that checks the time it takes for a packet of information to travel from one computer to another and back again. Ping is measured in ms or milliseconds which are thousandths of a second. A game server that is hosted within 300 miles of your physical location should provide you with a good latency to your game server.

Full Dedicated Server

I have heard of dedicated servers. What are these?

You can rent a full dedicated server, this gives you root access to a Windows Server machine via Remote Desktop Connection. This is for advanced users as setting up a game server using steamcmd and configuring the firewall can be a time consuming process but for large communities and clans this is the only option. Full control over your game servers, root access to all of the files, something you will never get with shared game server hosting. It comes with a cost though, around the $100 per month mark so get those donations flowing to pay for the hardware.

Shared Game Server Hosting

Renting through a GSP (game server provider) is the most common and the best bang for your buck way to run a game server. You choose a provider from the many 100's out there, choosing which provider to go with can be quite a daunting task. Here are the main points to consider.

· Price. Well price is king in most cases and a lot of gamers would have looked for the cheapest company in the top ten of Google and gone with them without even thinking about it. However choosing the lowest price is a haphazard way to choose any service, whether it be a plumber, an electrician or in this case a game server. You can choose the cheapest and take a punt, go for the most expensive and hope that translates into a quality service or if you're like me go for the middle ground, not too cheap and not too expensive. I use this practice when choosing everything, from toasters to hotel rooms. But price isn't the only factor to consider.

· Reputation. Reputation has an extremely strong influence in any decision on which service provider to use. There are game server companies that seem to of been around since the dawn of the internet age, and there are new unknown companies that have only formed in the past years. The older companies have seen it all before and maybe can get caught not putting the effort into the control panel functionality that a modern games and gamers demand. New vibrant young companies can be enthusiastic and energetic in their approach to both new game releases and support but they can also make mistakes and show a lack of experience in challenging support matters. The complicated nature of the newer indie games and steam early access games make it very difficult to get a smooth running game server so I would opt for the middle ground again, a company that's not too long in the tooth but also old enough to have experience where it matters.

What else does a GSP offer then?

There are also some other factors to consider when selecting a GSP:

· Control Panel Interface. This is a Graphic User Interface (GUI) where you control your game server from. Here you can launch the game, change the rules, add server passwords, add bans, allows, add administrators and add mods. This should be fast and easy to use. The industry standard is TCAdmin 2, but many providers have custom created control panels to reduce costs as TCAdmin can be rather pricy for enterprise companies.

· Support staff experience. The support staff has experience to set up the game to make is easier to play as lots of games nowadays have complicated set up procedures. A good GSP will have a configuration editor already configured in the GSP control panel so that you do not need to go and research all the information to edit the file yourself. The key is the better the staff the less problems will go wrong with your server once you have it.

· Mod installers. Some GSPs have mod installers where you can, in one or two clicks, completely install a mod to a game with all the required files without the need to upload via FTP. Again this is a setup that your GSP would/should have made themselves.

· 24 Hour support. I play games into the wee hours of the morning and business hours support is no good to me. I want 24 hour support and I want someone to get back to me pretty quick so I can get on with my gaming. I don't get a lot of free time and I don't want it wasted on staring at a broken server, even if I did broke it myself.

· Instant Setup. Most GSP's should have instant setup, in my experience this is not actually instant, instant start of the setup, not quite instant setup, the files need to download and some of these new games can be 20GB or more.

· Configuration editors. These are necessary for GSPs as many don't want to give access to the root folders and modify the configurations and .ini files as the player slots are generally directly related to CPU consumption so the more player slots you require the more the server will cost. A good configuration editor will make the setting up of your game server easier. The complicated nature of some of the recent indie games like DayZ and Ark Survival evolved require attention to detail in order to get running smoothly. Make sure to check that the GSP is up to date with all custom configurations as updates for these types of games come quite often and can break an out of date configuration. So making sure the GSP staff are keeping up with games is a good indicator of a good GSP. Any good GSP should be able to answer detailed questions about their games and if they don't what kind of support can you expect from them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9356268

LAW OF ATTRACTION QUANTUM PHYSICS GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

This is the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics guide for beginners. For the beginning student, or for one curious about The Secret, or the Law of Attraction: hold on to your horses because this can be an incredible journey!

Now, you get to decide whether to take the gentle route along the carriage path, or whether you want to climb straight up through the labyrinthine trail. I work with children, and can tell you that they have a natural connection to the Law of Attraction. When a child looks up and sees something they want, they naturally claim it. A 3 year old I work with says, "Hey, Nancy, there's my car!" This is quite natural and at first was disconcerting to me as I was looking for his father's car. But, he wasn't seeing his father's car, he was looking at his brand new, shiny, big wheel pickup truck! He does it everytime he sees a black, new, pickup truck. This ownership, in the present time, his admiration, joy, and committment to this truck, is the Law of Attraction in a nutshell. -- That's the carriage trail. There's more to it of course.

We, from Mindbridge, also train people to use simple affirmations. Whenever a member of the family is sick, or hurting, we all recite, "I am, whole and perfect. I am, strong and powerful. I am, happy, harmonious, healthy, wealthy and wise." This makes you feel instantly better because it is using Law of Attraction Quantum Physics. What you are doing is sending instructions to your unconscious to heal you, or make you feel better. Your unconscious has control over your immune system and your hormonal and endocrine system which raises your vibrational rate which puts you in sinc with other elements with that higher vibrational rate, raising you above those which are sick. It knows how to make you feel better fast if you just send that instruction!

The movie, The Secret can be a good place to start and you can find that at many bookstores, and online at www.thesecret.TV by clicking on the banner link in the corner. This presents in a clear and exciting format The Secret. It is not actually a secret, but the Law of Attraction, and that has been written about since the early 1900's. Prior to that, it was known and used by the Mayans, the Essenes and students of the Kaballah. Some aspects of the Law of Attraction have been talked about by Buddhists and Yogis. As you can see, prior to the turn of the last century, it was only studied as part of a spiritual quest.

Thoughts become things. This is the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics rule for all of us.

Another way of putting it is that whatever you think about, comes about.

Energy flows where attention goes.

You already have experience with this. You might not have realized that it is a law of the universe as relentless and powerful as the law of gravity. The old expression, "Be careful what you ask for because you might just get it" is a result of the Law of Attraction. The phenomenon of receiving a phone call or accidentally running into someone you have just been thinking about is another example of the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics in action.

When we are concentrating on a project, or working toward a goal, we will find the resource, the book or the person who can help us move forward in our pursuit. Have you had this happen to you?

If our hearts are set on going to a particular conference, or visiting an old friend in another town when we don't have the resources, and we believe so much in this that we can see ourselves there, things will shift. We will discover a way to get a cheap airfare, or the bus company will offer a great round trip package, or there will be a new hotel opening with affordable rates for just the week of the conference. I can't say what it will be that will enable you to go to the conference, but something will happen that would seem illogical and magical if we thought about it ahead of time. However, when it happens, we think of it as "good luck." Yet, it is really the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics effect. Bob Proctor's advice would be to book your flight. After that, he says, inspiration will guide you. Business coaches sometimes say, "take the leap and build your wings on the way down."

You might have experienced making a list of what you want in an apartment, or a house, or a partner. Sometimes we put specific personal preferences like wall sconces or a view of a garden, or a partner who wears glasses and likes to read science fiction. And then, you find the exact house or apartment, or a partner who fits the most important requests and the most unusual little details such as the wall sconces or the glasses. Have you had that experience? This was the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics at work.

The Quick Version of Manifesting using the Law of Attraction:

1. Picture what you want when you can be in a quiet and uninterrupted state. Use all your senses and all your imagination to put yourself into that dream now. Be in the house or be in the car or be in the job. Feel the feelings. Turn it into a full movie with color and sound.

2. Ask for it by picturing how much fun it you are having. Do not "need it" or start to argue with yourself about whether or not you deserve it. If you can picture it, you can have it. But, if you "need it" then you will just generate more need. Picture yourself in the car or house and make a mental movie of it. The more active, the more senses you inspire, the shorter the time will be to your successful manifestation.

3; Receive it. Believe that it is yours now. Part of this is acceptance. Be willing to accept whatever the Universe gives you. If you picture a new Panoz, don't attach to it. Practice acceptance of the present moment. If you are offered a used Porshe, accept it. Accept 100% responsibility for everything. Finally, practice defenselessness. When you can give up the need to defend yourself, you will be invincible. Ho'oponopono helps with all this.

4. Prepare for adversity. The bigger the dream, the more adversity will be needed to prepare you -- to make you a bigger person. You will have to show persistence.

5. Act on inspiration. The Universe will send you here or there and will bring opportunities into your life that will send you in the direction of success. As Mike Dooley says, you just need to keep pitching the ball so that the Universe can hit a home run for you.

This is Law of Attraction Quantum Physics in action. Enjoy. Stay positive. Don't entertain any doubts.

Avoid Negatives When Visualizing or Setting Goals:

The Law of Attraction Quantum Physics effect works for good things, and it also works for the other. As James Ray says in the movie, "Your wish is my command." When you are thinking, "I'm going to be late for work... I'm going to be late for work," and feeling the dread or the fear, there is nothing that is going to keep you from being late for work. This is Law of Attraction Quantum Physics at work. On that day, even if you leave early, there will be a traffic jam or construction or a water main break. If you're thinking, "He's never going to pay me back" or "This is too good to be true" he won't and it is. So, as the old adage goes, "Be careful what you think." This is the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics for Beginners.

We're going to get a little technical here, but hang in there to learn more about the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics effect with us. We will make it clear by the end of the thought.

Your unconscious can not process negatives. For example, when you're going out to manifest a car. "I want a blue car" is a positive statement. "I don't want a red car" contains a negative in it. Your unconscious can only process pictures. This is Law of Attraction Quantum Physics. If you're picturing {no} red car, the best deal you'll find will be a red car. This also works for finances. If you're thinking {get out of} debt. Debt is what you'll get because debt is what you're picturing. Think instead of wealth and abundance and picture your changed lifestyle as if it is your present reality.

Whether this is believable to you or not, do yourself a favor and only think about or picture about what you want; what brings you pleasure and what makes you smile rather than the things that make you unhappy, frustrated or fearful. This is also the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics for Beginners.

Similar vibrations attract similar vibrations. If you have the vibrational rate of a '95 Tercel, that's what you'll get. If, on the other hand, you have the vibrational rate of a 2009 Panoz, that's what will be in your life. The second is a faster vibration. Anthony Robbins is the guru of using NLP to increase your vibrational rate.

You have heard that we only use about 5% of our brain power? In terms of the Law of Attraction, we think we know how thoughts are manifested. We consciously think of a wish or dream, and feel the feelings of already having it. That sends a message to our unconscious (-- millions of times more powerful than our conscious brain) which prepares the energetic manifestation and transmits it to the creative source, the universe, God, or Jesus. Or as Wallace Wattles says, There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made and which, in it original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe. This creative energy is set in motion whenever we have an emotionally charged thought, good or bad, or dream whether good or bad.

It Works for Nature....

That may seem to be a lot to bite off as they say. Don't click off yet. It will get easier. You have seen grass grow and flowers grow and blossom. Whether or not you are a gardener, you have seen trees lose their leaves in the fall and then fill out again the following summer.

How do they know how to do that? The Houdenosaunee (known as the Iroquois to westerners) would say they follow their natural law. Depending on the size of the tree, we are talking about hundreds or thousands of cells that all follow their law without dissent or disorder. Are there cop-cells?

Where do they get their energy and their nourishment?

Again, any indigenous people would say from Mother Earth. Yet, farmers in the Mid-West spend millions on chemical fertilizers. The grasses of the Great Plains did fine for generations without crop rotation or chemical fertilizer, and the topsoil was at such a depth that has lasted hundreds of years since then in spite of soil erosion and plowing.

How did that happen? This is the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics for Beginners.

The earth continues to rotate without human intervention, and the tides come in and go out without human intervention or personal income. If all natural life finds the nourishment and the energy to do what it needs to do, why is it so difficult for humans?

Because we make it so. Oh, do you think that God put us here to "know, love and serve Him in this world" and that God wants us to struggle, but His mysteries are more than we can fathom --? Hogwash.

Didn't Jesus say, "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, it will be given to you." This is the Law of Attraction Quantum Physics. We are given everything we ask for.

He didn't say, "If you go out and get a good job...." He didn't say, "First go out and get an education..." He didn't even say that if you eat fish on Fridays and honor the Sabbath....

He simply said, "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, it will be given to you." And, that was a promise.

The separation that once existed between the Scientific and the Spiritual no longer exists. We are now "discovering" what the philosophers, the mystics, and the seers told us a long, long time ago. For example, Edgar Cayce told us that the core of the sun was cool. We now know that the sun is not nuclear powered, but electrically powered and that the temperature is hotter above the sun than on the surface and it is cooler yet deep inside the sun spots.

Quantum Energy

This is all because of our nature, the nature of human life.

All cells are composed of atoms and all atoms are composed of 98% space, and in that space, between the particles, is energy. At the molecular level, humans have been defined and categorized. However, at the atomic level, we are the same as the trees across the street and the daisy in the yard, except that our vibrational rate is different. Here is the province of the Quantum physicist.

Apparently, at this level, energy and particle are interchangeable. Apparently at this level, it is dependent on the observer whether or not you will see energy waves or particles when you look into a test tube. If you believe you will see waves, you will see waves and if you believe you will see particles, you will see particles. And, it is possible for a particle to be in two places at once!

Isn't that enormous, life changing news? Doesn't that contradict one of the tenants of physics that we all learned, that it is not possible to be in two places at once. It was clear and precise. Now, it is no longer so. Particles have been photographed in two different places at the same time.

So, back to Wallace Wattles about one hundred years ago, and Law of Attraction Quantum Physics, There is a thinking stuff from which all things are made and which, in it original state, permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.

We're not sure, but it looks as if anything is possible. It looks as if we all can learn to form particles or to move energy if we simply learn the rules of the Law of Attraction. See Neale Donald Walsch to learn more about Gods' point of view on all this.

Let us give you some rules according to Mindbridge. As you study this website, you will see that the various teachers each has his or her own rules governing the best way to manifest what you want. Some such as Joe Vitale will say that manifesting what you want is too limiting. He clears using an old Hawaiian method, Ho'oponopono, and says that there are Zero Limits when you are clear because then you are inspired by the Universe and the Universe has far better things in mind than we would even venture to ask for.

Source: http://www.mindbridge-loa.com/Law-of-Attraction-Quantum-Physics-for-beginners.html

WOOL CAN BE JUST AS CRUEL AS FUR

The time for ignorance is over about the mistreatment of sheep who are battered and bloodied for their wool, argues Elisa Allen, director of PETA UK.

LONDON, United Kingdom — The fashion industry is shifting. Led by a social and eco-conscious generation, today's consumers are increasingly demanding to know about the journey their garments took before arriving on the shop floor. It's this awareness that's caused a great many to ditch fur, exotic skins, and angora — after all, who can really feel good strutting around in a fur coat once you've seen images of foxes living alone and petrified in tiny cages and having their skin peeled off? Yet, somehow wool seems to have escaped such scrutiny — until now.

Over the last year, PETA has released several video exposés of the wool industry, documenting cruelty at more than 30 farms and wool sheds across three continents, including Australia — the world's largest exporter of wool. In what looked like scenes from a horror film, the investigative footage shows workers as they stomp and stand on sheep's heads, violently punch them in the face, and hit them on the head with electric clippers and hammers. It's truly the stuff of nightmares.

Investigators also saw sheep penned and denied food and water the night before being shorn, in part to weaken them so they would put up minimal resistance. One shearer explained, “Imagine if someone attacked you after you'd had a full meal, you'd have more fight in you; but if you'd been starved for 24 hours, you wouldn't have much of a fight.”

Shearers are often paid by volume, not by the hour, which motivates them to work as quickly as they can. In their haste, nipples, ears, skin tags, skin folds and even penises are sometimes cut right off. If reading that makes you flinch — it should. It's as painful to a sheep as it would be if done to you or me. Shorn sheep are then left battered and bloodied — if they make it out at all. During one shearing session, a worker was caught on film as he twisted a sheep's neck so violently that it broke.

Many people who would never have touched fur continued to wear wool because they mistakenly believed that animals don't have to be killed or harmed in order to produce it.

Even those facilities that present themselves as "sustainable" and "responsible" are not immune to egregious abuse. At the Ovis 21 farm network in Argentina, eyewitnesses saw workers kneel on conscious lambs and cut through their necks with knives, causing them to bleed and vomit as they struggled, kicking and flailing. It's little wonder that Patagonia, which claimed that its wool was "responsibly sourced," cut ties with the supplier shortly after the video aired.

Other retailers are also reacting — Asos, Uniqlo, Topshop and H&M, for example, have ditched wool that comes from mulesed sheep, who endure a mutilation in which dinner plate–sized chunks of the skin and flesh around their tails are cut off in a crude attempt to prevent maggot infestation. In line with her stand against fur, exotic skins, and leather, Stella McCartney has said she is looking into developing vegan wool alternatives. Even the supreme queen of knitwear,Vivienne Westwood, crafts some pieces in her renowned knit collections in cotton and linen. With so many humane alternatives, including bamboo, rayon, ramie, woven metal, soya silk, hemp, and microfibre, consumers and designers are rapidly running out of reasons to use the real thing.

Previously, many people who would never have touched fur continued to wear wool because they mistakenly believed that animals don't have to be killed or harmed in order to produce it. But the time for ignorance is over. We now know that whenever animals are viewed as nothing more than commodities to be turned into wool coats or scarves, fur trim or leather boots, cruelty will always be a part of the production process. And we also know that whether it's a frightened fox's fur, a calf's skin, or the wool from a gentle lamb, it's not "fabric" and it's not ours for the taking. It had an owner who was robbed of it by greed and might. Now, with so many designers and retailers offering impressive vegan fabrics that are not only stylish but also warm and animal- and eco-friendly, isn't it time we leave wool and other animal skins out of our wardrobe once and for all?

Elisa Allen is director of PETA UK.

Source: https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/opinion/op-ed-wool-can-be-just-as-cruel-as-fur

FLIPKART BUYS JABONG TO EXPAND ONLINE FASHION SALES IN INDIA

Flipkart will buy Rocket Internet SE-backed online retailer Jabong for $70 million in cash to create India’s biggest fashion e-commerce business.

BENGALURU, India — Flipkart Ltd. will buy Rocket Internet SE-backed online retailer Jabong for $70 million in cash to create India’s biggest fashion e-commerce business.

Global Fashion Group, the parent of Jabong that’s backed by Rocket and Kinnevik AB, agreed to sell the business to focus on other markets, it said in an e-mailed statement. Flipkart will combine the business with its Myntra unit, creating a company with a base of 15 million monthly active users who shop for brands including Forever 21, Swarovski, Topshop and The North Face.

Jabong has struggled to compete with Myntra in the race to raise funds and increase market share in India, where e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc. has entered the fray. Online fashion retailers have used aggressive strategies for growth, including same day delivery, doorstep fitting and sponsoring fashion events.

“The price reflects the competitive market conditions in India and it is the result of ongoing talks for several months with different parties,” Romain Voog, chief executive officer of GFG, said in an interview. “Profitability is a key focus for GFG. The sale of India is part of a strategy to refocus GFG on core markets with high growth potential and large sales potential.”

Rocket, Germany’s highest-profile internet company, is trying to prove that a publicly traded backer of startups can be a rewarding investment for shareholders. Rocket, which funds companies in areas including food delivery, furniture and fashion, listed its shares in 2014 but has seen the stock tumble about 47 percent in the past year as some of its investments have faltered. Analysts have questioned its ability to wring profitable growth out of startups that operate in unproven markets.

Rocket owns 20.4 percent of GFG, with Kinnevik owning 26 percent.

Started in 2012, Jabong generated sales of €126 million ($139 million) and reported an adjusted loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of 56 million euros for the 12 months ended March 31. GFG last week raised €330 million at a valuation of about €1 billion — less than half what the holding company was worth last year.

Fashion and lifestyle are one of the biggest drivers of e-commerce growth in India, Flipkart chief executive officer Binny Bansal said in a statement Tuesday. Jabong’s suitors included one of India’s biggest offline retail entrepreneurs Kishore Biyani and his Future Group.

Jabong is only a small part of GFG, which also operates Lamoda in Russia, Dafiti in South America, Namshi in the Middle East, the Iconic in Australia and New Zealand and Zalora in Southeast Asia.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter, the company said.

By Saritha Rai and Stefan Nicola; editors: Robert Fenner, Anthony Palazzo and Crayton Harrison

Source:https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/flipkart-buys-jabong-to-expand-online-fashion-sales-in-india

THE BASICS OF SKIN CANCER

There was once a time, when cancer was a disease that was considered rare and something that was almost unheard of, for most people. Today, the doctors encounter a growing number of people who are being affected by the same. What is alarming is that there are so many types of cancers these days and that many times detecting them becomes a tough task.

One of the most common types of cancer encountered these days is skin cancer, and in most cases, the reason behind the same is that people are not taking care of themselves and are not being sun safe. What is important to remember is that if the skin cancer is detected well in time, it can be treated and even cured.

What is skin cancer?

When there is an uncontrolled growth of skin cells that are not normal, it is known as skin cancer. This type of cancer occurs when DNA of skin cells get damaged and has not been repaired. This leads to mutation, genetic defects and could also lead to tumours and malignancy.

Why skin cancer needs to be treated immediately:

If the condition is detected in its initial stages, it is relatively easy to treat the cancer and to even eradicate it completely. In addition, early detection will also ensure that the condition does not spread to other parts of the body.

In order to receive early treatment, it is important that you learn how to examine your skin, which in turn will ensure that you are able to detect the condition, well in advance.

What are the types of cancers?

In order to treat skin cancer, figuring out the type of cancer is the most crucial step of all. There are actually three types of skin cancers:

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC): This is perhaps the most common type of skin cancer and is actually much more frequent, as compared to the other types of skin cancers. This type of cancer arises from the basal cells, which are actually present in the deepest layers of the epidermis. The initial presentation might be in the form of a bump or sore, that does not heal. It could also present in the form of a patch of skin, which is red and irritated. Most of the times, the areas of the skin that are constantly exposed to sunlight, such as face, ears and scalp are affected by basal cell carcinoma. If the condition is diagnosed well in time, treating and curing it, is possible.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): Initiating in the squamous cells, this type of cancer too infests in the epidermis. The condition may present itself in the form of skin crusting or scaling. The area could become red and inflamed and there could be bumps, which do not heal. While the condition is seen most commonly in areas which are constantly exposed to sunlight, it could actually manifest itself in any part of the body. With early treatment, the condition can be stopped from spreading.

Melanoma: This is the most dangerous type of skin cancer arising from the pigmented skin cells. If the condition is not diagnosed well within time, it could lead to death; however, this type of cancer can be treated and cured with minor surgeries. But if the melanoma starts to spread within the body, then curing it can be quite the tough task.

What are the main treatments for skin cancer:

If the condition has been detected well within time, there are certain procedures and treatments, which can cure the cancer. Some of the most commonly used procedures include:

Wide local excision - The tumour is removed using surgery, and a small portion of the tissues, surrounding the tumour is also removed.

Mohs surgery - The skin cancer is removed in a very precise manner

Cryosurgery - The tumour is destroyed using cold treatment

Laser surgery - The cancer cells are vaporized using laser

Curettage and Desiccation - The skin cancer is removed via methods such as scraping and cauterization

Topical chemotherapy - Prescribed medications, in the form of lotion or creams, will have to be applied on the skin, where the cancer has manifested itself

Laser treatments for pre-cancerous growths - A laser is used to remove the skin conditions that could eventually develop into skin cancer

Photodynamic therapy for pre-cancerous growths - Special medications, known as photosensitizing agents, are combined with light therapy and these are utilised for the eradication the defective cells.

What are the main dos and don'ts?

Here are the things that you should do:

· Try to minimise the time you spend in the sun, especially between 10 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon, which is when the rays of the sun are the strongest.

· Wear clothing that will offer protection against the sun, including sunglasses and hats with wide brims

· Make sure that you use sunscreen on a regular basis, and pick one that will offer you protection against UVA as well as UVB.

· Avoid artificial tans, tanning beds and tanning devices as much as possible.

· Learn how to recognised the ABCDEs of skin cancer lesions:

A: Asymmetry

B: Border irregularity

C: Colour variability

D: Diameter increase

E: Evolving nature

· If you notice any skin lesions or moles, then it would be best that you visit a dermatologist immediately.

Here are the things you should avoid doing:

· If you notice any signs of skin cancer, do not ignore them, and make sure that you have them screened by a doctor.

· Rather than going to a general practitioner, it would make sense to meet a dermatologist, because they would be able to offer better advice.

· If the condition is diagnosed as skin cancer, do not shy away from asking questions and further treatment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9333954