How To Make A Girl Fall In Love With You

Getting a girl of your dreams is much like getting the car of your dream. But unlike a car which you can always bargain for, there is nothing like a 20 percent discount in courting the girl of your dreams, she's so sweet a thing to be discounted, you dearly are in love with her and your feelings for her can only be communicated not by the words of the mouth, but by the words of the heart. Getting the girl actually depends on how big your heart is - faint heart, never won fair lady.

The first step in the heart-winning exercise for any man is to make a good impression. In your doing so, you don't have to talk, dress or do the common things that all the Toms do to get a decent girl's attention. Be unique, that's all you need. Be a man of his own style. Dress decently - indecency can make one be mistaken for arrogance; watch your language - obscene language gives the impression of immaturity, being uncultured and cheap; be a man of good habits - don't drink or smoke like any other loser.

Let her fall in love gradually. Romance is an important part of falling in love. When in College I had a crush on the most beautiful lady in our first year lot. Though all senior guys were out to get that girl, I managed to divert her attention from the other guys. I wrote her three letters without disclosing my identity and slid into her room secretly; all I said was 'Yours Secret Admirer.' The first letter contained the meaning of her name, this I got by playing around with the initials of her name to make meaning. The second was a funny message that could only be read backwards and it was all about her physique and her smartness. In the third letter I told the girl to be ready to receive a rose flower from her admirer, but only if she could be kind enough to phone him using a number that I had included in the letter. The girl did phone me that very night, and her first words to me were, "Hallo Secret Admirer." So, the story of our love affair came to be. Later she told me that was so creative of me, no one had approached her in that manner. I made her fall in love with me in the romantic manner.

Befriending and understanding the girl you are out to get is the next important thing. This is what I also did. You have to understand that as a lady, she loves to be loved, adores to be adored and needs to be needed. This will move you closer to the girl and you'll get to know what she's into, what she likes and dislikes, and what her style is. Love is built upon friendship and it always leaves individuals better off having known each other should they break up. I and my College steady were to break some time later but to date, we are the best of buddies. Be sure that bringing out the selflessness friend in you will make her create room for you in her heart.

A shoulder to lean on and some good friend that she can always turn to is all that a lady wants. Please don't hesitate to be helpful and supportive. Be that friend who rekindles her zeal of hardworking and restoring hope back into her life when she looses hope. This above all other things will make you her daily vitamin simply because you bring out the best in her in terms of personality and character. In you, she'll have found that friend whom she can open up to, share with and advice each other on the rights and wrongs, the dos and don'ts of life. Don't forget to always be there to celebrate the good times, and to lend an ear when the girl needs you to listen as a friend.

Make the girl feel special; because she's someone's friend - your friend, and let her know that she too has touched your life in a unique way like no one else could. Compliment her for her company and for being there when you needed her, when you felt sad and all alone. Show appreciations for the comfort the girl offers you and for making you smile.

In your day to day talks, share your dreams, your world, and every aspect of your life with your girl. Always dream with her, build with her, and always cheer her on and encourage her. Tell your girl how you always think about her even when you try not to think about her. Let the girl know that she's your first thing in the morning and the last thing when you go to bed at night.

Her knowing that you were thinking of her when you slipped beneath the softness of your blanket and gave in to the bliss of sweet dreams, will make her go 'my my' and her heart will sing your name all the year round.

You have to be creative and constructive to keep girl's interest in you so full of life. I remember one time I told my girlfriend to be to imagine we are both deaf and dump. We then sat opposite each other on the table and started sharing our feelings for each other using eyes and hand signs. It turned out to be some fun. There was also this time that we were in the library and we decided we are not going to speak to each other verbal, so I wrote a love note on a paper and passed it across the table to her, she replied and on and on we carried on our love on paper conversation till we almost exhausted a whole rim of paper. At sometime, I noticed that some guys sited with us on the table were enjoying our ordeal than their studies. Such are the things that made the girl embrace my world. I remember her suggesting that we play deaf and dump two years after we broke up, can you imagine that?

Never fail to phone her, even when she least expects it. I once called some girl that I was interested in at four o'clock in the morning. When inquiring of what I was doing up so early, I told her I was in thirteenth heaven, where people think of their loved ones when they can't sleep. Wow! First thing early the next morning, she was at my door with a king-sized hug for me.
No matter how many dates you take her, don't make any elbow - exceeding moves after any date, just drop her home and with a friendly handshake, wish her good night. Don't kiss her when she expects you to. Your respect as a gentleman will be earned on how patient you are with her when it comes to such matters as kissing her and accessing her inner graces.

The writing is on the wall that you want her, but you can't have her just yet. Increase your demand. Try to show her that men are also hard to get at times. Make her realize that when she feels a little dizzy, a little tired, a little sad, a little sick, a lot bored and very much cold, she's actually missing vitamin you. By this time, she'll be so much into you and since love is truthful and is characterized by open and honest communication, honestly promise her your everlasting devotion, loyalty, respect, and your unconditional love for a lifetime. Prove to her that you'll always be there for her, to listen and to hold her hand, and that you'll always do your best to make her happy, and feel loved.

Remember, patience is the key to her heart; be like that gardener watching a fruit as it hangs on the tree, day after day admiring it, but, exercising tremendous self-discipline, neither feeling the fruit, nor pinching it, nor testing it to see if it is ready. And then, one day he holds out his hand and the fruit simply drops into it, ripe, warm and eager to be eaten.

The patience and self-control which you practice will make you more attractive and charming. This will qualify you as her daily vitamin and win you that heart hers.

I wish you to meet the girl of your dreams ASAP, make her fall in love with you, and make her feel the happiest girl in the world!

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Common Signs of Breast Cancer

             
 The lack of knowledge makes cancer treatments difficult because the disease goes undetected till it reaches an advanced stage. If breast cancer treatments are done at early stages of the cancer, the chances of complete cure are much higher. Here are some of the signs that one must be aware of:

Lumps - Breast cancer doctors say that even though lumps are the most common and known signs of breast cancer, women often fail to recognize them. A lump is a kind of thickening one may feel near the breast or even in the armpit. They are very small, pea-sized and are generally painless. But one may feel some tenderness or irritation. Such lumps can be easily spotted through a mammogram.

Change in breast size- Changes in breast size is another symptom of cancer. Whether the breast size will increase or decrease will vary from women to women. Some women experience an increase in their breast size and some others find their breast size decreasing. This change is usually not noticeable until the size has changed a lot.

Change in color and texture- Breast cancer may also cause a change in color and texture of the breast. One may notice a marble-like area under the skin. Some areas of the breast may even differ greatly from other areas of the breast. The skin of the breast may also turn pink or red in color. In case of scarring, the skin may also even turn orange. Some tumors can't be seen or felt. In such cases, indentation or flattening of breast is a sure symptom.

Changes in nipple- One of the earliest signs of breast cancer is that one may notice some changes in their nipples. The nipple may get pushed inward and there may be a dimpled look. There may also be irritation and slight pain along with redness of the nipple. Paget's disease, a localized can be recognized by symptoms like itching, scaling of the nipple and ulceration. Discharge of clear fluid or blood is also a common sign of breast cancer.
Cancer doctors say the reasons for this disease are many and varied. Lifestyle and environmental factors are two main factors that play a huge role. Heavy intake of alcohol and red meat, dense breasts and obesity combined with pollution, and food contamination increases the risk of cancer. Apart from these, family history is also important.


It is important that women check themselves for any of the above mentioned signs periodically. If any of the symptoms are observed, a trip to a cancer specialist is mandatory.


Through his articles, youngrin wishes to inform and educate the readers about breast cancer treatments which will benefit those who are looking for useful information, For treatment log on to breast cancer treatments.


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NASA: We’ve Been Hacked Thousands Of Times Because Of Inadequate IT Infrastructure

Paul Martin, NASA’s Inspector General, gave written testimony in a House committee earlier this week detailing the security threats faced by their IT infrastructure. The thrust of the document is that NASA needs to double down on cybersecurity but, naturally, needs more money to do so.

Their IT budget is $1.5 billion, but of that only $58 million was spent on security. Considering the enormous network of datacenters, laptops, operations centers, and research labs scattered around the world, this may not be nearly enough. As it is, in the last two years NASA has been hacked thousands of times. In one instance, the hackers gained full access to some NASA systems and credentials for 150 employees.

NASA counted 5,408 security breaches where some access was given or malicious software was installed. In 2011 alone they had 47 attacks they described as “advanced persistent threats,” serious attacks by well-funded “individuals or nations.” Of those, 13 succeeded, and one attack based in China gained complete access to Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) systems — read, write, delete, add and delete users, modify logs, everything.

Furthermore, they have lost dozens of laptops. And while government-wide, more than half of laptops are encrypted, NASA has yet to implement encryption as standard practice. The result: only one in a hundred NASA laptops is encrypted.

People in security are likely shaking their heads. Encryption of employee laptops and total isolation of root access is something even a small business should be trying to do, to say nothing of a major government entity with enormous amounts of sensitive data.

And that’s the point of this report: Martin is saying that NASA is the target of very serious hackers, and their approach to security is wildly out of date. They also are working hard to bridge the gap between security and control and the benefits of cloud computing.

Martin describes the need essentially for modern security: thin clients and cloud computing, a top-down administration of security, 21st-century standards like encryption and password regulations, and a general move to a “continuous monitoring approach,” the way modern IT should be. They’ve addressed dozens of security issues and implemented many real improvements to their systems, but it’s a good example of a organization totally reliant on technology, yet unable to move as quickly as the threats they face. For tech and research entities, agility is becoming more important yearly, and NASA hopes to convince the House of that.

article source:http://techcrunch.com/2012/03/02/nasa-weve-been-hacked-thousands-of-times-because-of-inadequate-it-infrastructure/

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Causes Of Androgenic Hair Loss In Women

Androgenic hair loss in women is caused by Androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia occurs in both men and women. It occurs as balding in men and hair thinning in women. When there is an increase in the number of strands that falls off when you comb your hair, then you most likely have Alopecia. Loss of about 50 strands every day is perfectly normal but once the amount increases, then you need to get help. Balding involves complete loss of hair on an area of the head leaving behind the hair follicles, while hair thinning results in patchy loss of hair from the head.

Androgenic hair loss in women is triggered by increased levels of androgen in the body. This androgen is a male hormone which when converted to another hormone- Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), attacks the hair follicles. When this happens, it results in loss of hair. Androgenic hair loss can also be caused by ovarian cysts, childbirth, menopause, contraceptive pills containing androgen etc. The extent of the alopecia depends on how sensitive the scalp is to androgen.

Causes of Androgenic hair loss

Androgenic Alopecia: This is caused by increased levels of androgen in the body which gets converted to DHT. Androgenic Alopecia is the leading cause of loss of hair in men and women. Also, women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome will most likely have alopecia because this syndrome significantly increases the androgen level in the body.

Menopause: Menopause also contributes to androgenic hair loss in women because the level of estrogen (a female hormone), significantly reduces. The low levels of estrogen leads to the shedding of hair from the scalp.

Childbirth: Women also experience loss of hair after childbirth especially if the child is born with a thick mass of hair. When this happens, the mother's hair will no longer be as full as it used to be.

Vitamin Deficiency: Vitamins are part of the balanced diet and are very essential for hair growth. Insufficient intake of vitamins have been known to cause alopecia. Essential vitamins needed for hair growth include vitamin A, E, B complex- vitamin B3, B6, panthenol, biotin and inositol.

Alopecia Areata: This is a form of alopecia that is caused by autoimmune disorder. This disorder happens when the body's immune system suddenly starts attacking the hair follicles. In some extreme cases, hair loss does not only happen on the head but also from other parts of the body. The loss of hair may be temporary or permanent and it occurs in both men and women.

Deficiency of Iron: Most people don't know this, but deficiency of iron, not only causes anemia, but also hair loss. Iron is a mineral needed by the body for production of healthy hair. In cases where there is anemia, hair loss could also worsen. Foods rich in iron should be taken but not in excess because, it could lead to other health complications.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Causes-Of-Androgenic-Hair-Loss-In-Women&id=6906156

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How To Make Hair Grow Faster With a Healthy Diet

                                     There are many ways to get healthier hair nowadays but many people, sadly, only find costly methods to get it done. Despite this, the truth is that hair growth is a human natural process, and the food we eat can have a huge impact on the way how our hair grows. So, what should you eat to get healthier and thicker hair?

The connection between your hair and your general health is the key point to make hair grow longer, faster and healthier. Hair growth eventually goes down to a reproduction of cells, and without vital nutrients your body will simply stop wasting energy on growing new hair. Fortunately, balancing your diet will help you to have healthier and stronger hair. Here is the list of food that you should be consider to switch to.

1) Omega-3.

You may have heard this acid, which exists in fish fat, a lot in our today media. It is believed to help the brain operates better. Let's be happy because there is a good news that it can help our hair grow faster too. If your diet is lacking omega-3, your scalp will be dry quickly. Salmon is perfect for this, filled with not only these healthy fatty acids, but also protein, B-12 and iron. Another alternative is to take ground flax-seed oil to supplement your omega-3 intake.

2) Protein.

As you may already know that protein is a crucial to the question of how to get healthy hair. If you aren't eating enough protein, you'll soon know. Your hair will stop growing longer and may even start to fall out. Monitor your diet to make sure you are eating enough protein from various supplies like eggs, fish, meats, cheese, tofu, nuts and others.

3) Beans.

To support point number 2, beans are the great source to provide you with not only protein your body needs but also a wonderful pool of vitamins and other minerals. They can provide zinc, iron and biotin which are vitally necessary for healthy and shiny hair. Try combining more kidney beans and lentils into your diet to improve this area.

4) Vegetables.

Great resource and nutrients are actually from vegetables, including many of the vitamins and minerals that are absolutely essential to the processes that make our hair grow healthy and thicker in a natural way. In particular, vegetables are great for giving us vitamins A, C and E. Try eating more dark green vegetables and leafy ones, such as spinach and broccoli, to ensure your hair stays in top condition.

The secret of getting your hair grow in a healthy way is simply giving your body a healthy diet. Be sure that you have a balanced intake, and stay away from going on any fast weight loss program. Disordering in eating can even cause crash diet and it definitely does more harm than good for your body and especially your precious hair. Instead, combine the food above with a healthy hair care routine, vitamin supplements and good regular exercise plan.

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Make-Hair-Grow-Faster-With-a-Healthy-Diet&id=6840321

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Top 6 Business and Investing Predictions for 2012

                      Ok, so I know most websites and magazines normally release this information in December, but I'm a little late to the party. I would say that if I could bet on a football game after watching the first 6 minutes, I would definitely win a lot more, so listen up:

1. The Economy Will Continue to Get Better - Although many of us don't feel like it, things have gotten A LOT better since it felt like the world was going to end in the fall of 2008. If you don't remember, check out my Cornell classmate's Andrew Sorkin's book "Too Big to Fail" or cheat and watch the HBO movie. We were at a point where Americans were prepared to take their money out of their savings accounts and were questioning whether the FDIC only insuring up to $100,000 was enough. Since Obama took office there has been an increase in the Dow Jones Industrial average. It is up 4,771 points to last Friday's close of 12,720 as his fourth year begins. I AM NOT saying that it is because of the president or our government per se, I'm just stating a fact and I think it will continue to trend upward this year.

2. Gold, Silver, and Stocks Will Be Bullish - I know that sophisticated investors will point out that there is usually an inverse relationship between commodities and stocks. I could easily see a lack of recovery belief pushing gold to reach a peak between $1800-2000 and silver around $70-80 an ounce. In the meantime, the market will be led by the Facebook IPO this year. I am a huge believer that the internet will thrust business growth like we have not seen since the Industrial Revolution in the 1800's. The same way that improved roads, canals and railways made it easier to link businesses and people, the internet has created a true global economy. The entire world will continue to get wired in which will spur economic growth.

3. Banks Will Continue to Be Reluctant to Lend to Small Businesses - With the Fed being forced to keep rates low, banks will be unable or unwilling to lend at lower rates. The good news for businesses is that I know a lot of people are sitting on a lot of cash these days, still nervous about investing it into anything. There will be a lot of money in the private sector to raise if entrepreneurs know the right people or if business/investors begin utilizing angel investing sites such as Gust. I like the idea that small business success can be shared between entrepreneurs and their investors.

4. E-tailers Will Continue to Chip Away at Traditional Businesses - In 2011 online businesses hammered into "brick and mortar" companies' profits and this trend will definitely continue. One of my favorite parts of Aaron Sorkin's movie The Social Network was:


'Sean Parker: I brought down the record companies with Napster.
Eduardo Saverin: Uh, sorry. You didn't bring down the record companies. They won.


Sean Parker: In court?


Eduardo Saverin: Yeah.


Sean Parker: Do you want to buy a Tower Records, Eduardo?'


The internet truly evens the playing field among businesses. It is true that a kid in his dorm room can take down some of the most powerful companies in the world and Napster proved it.

5. My Name is Bond - In 2012, interest rates look to stay low thus there will not be a ton of plays with them, EXCEPT ONE: Tax-Free Municipal Bonds. Generally when the media is scaring you away from something, it is time to get in. I believe with all of the scary headlines about California going Bankrupt and local municipalities drowning in debt that this is one asset class that is undervalued. I figure that by investing in them, you can expect to see a 5-6% return...tax free!


6. Mobile Continues to Blow Up -When I think about how quickly I see the computer/internet world changing, I can't help but think of myself as a kid with a black and white TV along with a corded phone that had no call-waiting... and I'm not that old! Kids being born now may not even see a desktop computer in their life time. With the genius of Steve Jobs making a push on smart phones and tablets, marketing to these devices will be paramount in 2012.


Well that's it ladies and gentlemen. I fully intend to remind you how brilliant I am at the end of the year, so make sure to take action on these tidbits that I fed you... did I really just say that?


For the past 13 years I have been an entrepreneur investing and being active in real estate projects, private businesses, consulting, and small-cap public companies. I have made a living by making investments in different areas that I have felt would yield me the best return on my investment as well as utilizing investors to have projects come to fruition. I often have friends of mine ask me for advice on buy­ing their first home, where I think the next business opportunity will be, and even how to get started. I have written endless business plans and am what some would construe as a "deal junkie". I love coming up with new ideas, putting a plan together and putting the pieces together to execute them. We are still in a recession and I felt that this would be an excellent time to give my two cents to whoever wants to listen. I have started a blog for business and investing called Money Catapult so Google it and check it out.



Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-6-Business-and-Investing-Predictions-for-2012&id=6886075

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4 Types of Business Writing, Basics of Corporate Communications

                        Businesses thrive in the availability of up-to-date information. In fact, the survival of companies is directly related to the quality of corporate correspondences being communicated within the business organization.

1. Corporate Correspondences:

When you click send to deliver an e-mail you are actually sending a correspondence. Yes, e-mails are becoming the most widely used business correspondence platform nowadays. It is fast replacing letters and the good old snail mail. Another familiar corporate correspondence that drives business organizations is the memorandum or simply memo.


This type of corporate business writing is the most often used among all the types of writing styles. Regrettably, this is the corporate communication that is often the source of miscommunication.

2. Company Reports:

Another business communication staple is the report. This can either be regular reports filed and documented or special ones that is sometimes asked to be accomplished. Examples of regular reports include sales reports, employee evaluation reports, and other corporate reports routinely submitted. On the other hand, special reports are asked for time to time depending on management's request.


This corporate communication requires a diligent effort and attention to detail. Moreover, it is important that it is filed and documented properly. Many business strategies from marketing plans and business plans are depend on the validity and reliability of the reports.

3. Corporate Proposals:


Proposals make up another category of business writing styles. This particular corporate communication business writing seeks approval for projects, partnerships or any endeavor. Many proposals fail because it does not content pertinent information. Moreover, it does not clearly paint the objectives and more importantly the benefits of the proposal.

4. Business Instructions:

Instructions are another set of business writing that is often found in the industry. You may not know it but when you open the corporate handbook, read a technical manual, go over the company's standard operating procedures you are actually looking at instructions. Like other business organization correspondences, instructions can cause misconceptions when improperly written. This makes writing SOPs, manuals, handbooks and the like a critical part in any company.


Of course the company communicates in many other ways, but these 4 are the fundamental ways a company communicates internally (or externally). With recent technology, writing business communication and correspondences have become easier. But unfortunately it has not guaranteed its accuracy and success.


Information is the lifeblood of any business organization. Because of this, the right information must be communicated within the business organization



Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?4-Types-of-Business-Writing,-Basics-of-Corporate-Communications&id=6872839

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Know About Different Scary Games Available for You

                     Scary games have become very common today. This is due to the rise in the spread of technology and movies. Today, many children spend much of their time watching movies and on the Internet.

As such, they have learned more about scaring scenes and beings. This is what has led to the increase in the need of scary games and a rise in their popularity. Some of the popular games include:




Neverland: This is a puzzle game, which brings disturbing pictures to you. These are mysterious pictures of the dark.




Shutter: This is a dark room game. You find yourself locked in a dark room where there is nobody else around. You get a feeling that there is something watching you but you do not know exactly what it is.


Ghostscape: This play lets you explore dark and scary environment where not many people dare to venture. You are left alone to solve a mystery as you prepare to meet ghosts.


Arriving in hell: You are put in a place where you are the prisoner. A monster that is really scary comes and attacks the jail. This gives you a nice opportunity to escape the jail. However, the monster is still around.


Purgatorium: You find yourself in a locked room when you wake up. You realize that there are a lot of horrible things while you search around for what to do or what step to make.


Scary sleepover: This is a different game. This is because instead of being scared, you scare somebody else. You use horrifying traps in sending the boy home.


Last stand: In this play, the land has been taken over by Zombies. You have to find a way of surviving as you look for somebody else out there. Hope is what keeps you going.


Trapped soul: A young boy's ghost haunts a cabin in this haunted game. You have to save the innocent child by solving this mystery.


Tombscape: There are a lot of expensive and shinny treasures awaiting those who will outshine the ingenious and deadly traps. These are found in every path leading to the treasure. Although a scaring play, it is also a game to wits.


Goblin house: This game will give you a good scare. You are required to kill all scary souls by giving them pumpkins. You have to throw pumpkins at them.


Devil run: You have to save humanity from an evil infection. You become a real cool slayer of Zombies. You have to become rough if you have to save humanity from this evil.


Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Know-About-Different-Scary-Games-Available-for-You&id=6806937

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Investing - How To Choose The Best Option

                                Investors are increasingly forced to choose from a proliferation of investment options. They also have to deal with contradictory advice on how to achieve their financial goals and how to invest the savings they have accumulated during their lifetime. If you consider that there are more than 7 000 mutual funds available in the United States alone, and thousands of insurance products worldwide, making the choice that will satisfy them ever after is daunting, to say the least.

No wonder people so often ask the rather general question: Which investment is best? The first part of the answer is easy: No single investment is 'the best' under all circumstances for all investors. Personal circumstances, goals and different people's needs differ, as do the characteristics of different investments. Secondly, one asset class's strength in certain circumstances could be another's weakness. It is therefore important to compare investments according to relevant criteria. The art is to find the appropriate investment for each objective and need.

The following are the most important criteria:

• the goal of the investment
• the risk the investor can handle
• liquidity required
• taxability of the investment
• the period until the financial goal is reached
• last but not least, the cost of the investment.

THE GOAL

Goals determine the characteristics sought in an investment. You will be in a position to choose the most appropriate investment only when you have decided on your short-, medium- and long-term goals. The following generic goals are normally involved:

Emergency fund

Emergency fund money should be readily available when needed, and the value of the fund should be equal to about six months' income. Money market funds are excellent for this purpose. While these funds do not perform much higher than inflation, their benefit is that capital is saved and is easily accessible.


If you already have a ready emergency fund covering more than six months' income, you could consider a more aggressive mutual fund

Capital protection

If your primary aim is capital protection, you will have to be satisfied with a lower growth rate on the investment. Those above 50 are normally advised to be conservative in their investment approach. While this may for the most part be sound advice, you should also keep an eye on the risk of inflation, so that the purchasing power of your money does not depreciate. It is not the nominal value of the capital that should be protected, but the inflation-adjusted one. At an annual inflation rate of 6%, $1 million today will buy the same as $156 255 in 30 years' time. A 50 year-old with %1 million would therefore have to lower his living standard substantially if he only retains the &1 million until he was 80.

Income

Conservative investments like those listed above should form the normal basis for providing an income. Because of inflation risk, investments should be structured so that they can at least keep up with inflation. This means that at least a percentage of the investment source providing the income should be made up of other asset classes like property and equity mutual funds. The percentage would differ according to individual and economic circumstances.


Investors fortunate enough to have their basic budget provided for by a conservative fund could consider increasing their income with commercial property funds and tax-free income from dividends paid out by listed shares.

Capital growth

If an investor's primary goal is to achieve capital growth, the real rate of return should be higher than inflation. This implies greater risk to capital in the short term. Investors aiming at capital growth should not be apprehensive, as they will reap the rewards in the long term.


The history of equity prices over the past 100 years proves equity investments to be the best performer, followed by property. This does not mean you should buy either of these investments blindfolded. Wait until the quality shares in which you are interested are trading at inexpensive price levels.

RISK

The investment with a history of the highest growth is not necessarily the one to choose. The Standard Bank's Gold Fund increased by 178% during the period 13 August 2001 - 24 May 2002 (284 days). Judging only on the growth of the fund during this period, it performed exceptionally well. But would it be the right investment for a retiree? During the 805 days following this, the same fund experienced a negative growth rate of 44%! The problem with an investment that decreases by this percentage is that it will not reach its previous peak by increasing again by 44%. This is because the growth this time will take place from a lower base, so in fact the investment would have to increase by approximately 80%.

LIQUIDITY

Hard assets like Persian carpets, works of art and antique furniture may be good investments in the long term, but unfortunately they are not very liquid. The same is true of certain shares in smaller companies. Money market funds, on the other hand, are very liquid, but the returns may not always be as good as those from other investments. The need to liquidise the investment quickly is therefore also a criterion to consider when evaluating investments.

TAXABILITY

The taxability of an investment has a considerable impact on its value to the investor. When comparing the returns on different investments, the return after tax has been deducted should be used. The investor should always ask what will be left in his pocket after tax deduction.

PERIOD


Conservative investments with no potential for high returns are suitable for shorter periods, while investment-objectives with longer time horizons aspire to achieving higher returns. Money market funds are suitable for periods of one or two years. Income and conservative asset allocation funds for three or four years and flexible asset allocation funds, commercial property funds and value equity funds may be chosen for longer periods, dependent on the economic and interest cycle and the propensity of the investor to accept risk.

COSTS

The costs involved in an investment are normally things like administrative cost and commission. The percentage of the costs to the investment amount directly affects the value of the investment. Many of the currently available investment products are structured in such a way that investors can negotiate commission.

CONCLUSION

No investment strategy blueprint is going to be perfect for everyone's circumstances. Investment opportunities should therefore be examined critically before any decision is made. It should also be kept in mind that there are different companies managing specific funds under the investment categories referred to above. Some are more effectively managed than others. Investors should therefore research investments as well as the managers thoroughly before investing. Otherwise, they could appoint professional asset managers to do so on their behalf. Time spent determining the type of investment you really need is time invested in your future financial well-being.


Dr. Manus Moolman has done extensive research on the issues of investing and wealth creation. He is dedicated to assist anyone, from laymen to professional traders, to invest successfully and become rich.


Want to contact him? Then please visit his website at: http://www.myebroker.info/.

Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?Investing---How-To-Choose-The-Best-Option&id=6853187

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Sony Alpha NEX-7 mirrorless camera review

Remember the NEX-7? Ever since a days-long shooting session back in September, Sony's prized mirrorless cam has eluded us -- and the rest of the world. As you may recall, the flagship Alpha ILC was hit by the Thailand floods, resulting in delay after delay, eventually missing the holiday shopping season entirely before resurfacing late last month. Another week later and our beloved Sony Alpha NEX-7 has finally arrived, ready to take on the streets of New York City. So what exactly is the NEX-7, and why does it cost as much as a mid-range DSLR? First off, the-24.3 megapixel APS-C ILC captures, well, 24.3-megapixel images, offering the highest resolution of any mirrorless model on the market. Its APS-C sensor is identical to the one found in Sony's A77 DSLR, measuring larger than Micro Four Thirds and on par with most full-size digital SLRs.


If having the ability to capture mural-size images ranks fairly low on your digicam wish list, you may take comfort in some of the NEX-7's other features, such as its gorgeous and durable magnesium alloy body, built-in XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, 3-inch, 921k-dot articulating LCD and unique tri-navi control interface that enables direct access to key settings adjustments, including both aperture and shutter speed in manual mode. There's also 1080/60p HD movie capture with full manual control and microphone input support, a 10 frames-per-second continuous shooting mode (with exposure and focus locked) and a BIONZ image processor that's capable of delivering low-noise images all the way through ISO 16,000. These features combine to make the NEX-7 one of the most powerful mirrorless cameras to date, but are they enough to justify the $1,200 body-only price tag? Join us past the break to find out.
Sony NEX-7 review






Hardware



From the moment you see the NEX-7's black packaging, it's clear that Sony wanted to provide an upscale experience from start to finish. The box is larger than that of the NEX-C3, with felt-topped dividers spanning multiple layers. Each component from the battery to the USB cable has its own compartment, and a large, box-width lens cloth rests on top. The basic $1,350 NEX-7 kit includes the same 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens that ships with every NEX kit, though this iteration features a matte black finish, compared to the silver lens available through other channels. There's also a premium 24mm f/1.8 Zeiss lens ($1,000), which you may want to consider adding to your collection as well -- if your pockets are deep enough.


While many of the NEX-7's overarching design elements should seem familiar to NEX camera owners, the camera body is noticeably larger than the NEX-C3 and NEX-5N -- a design choice intended to accommodate the built-in XGA OLED electronic viewfinder, tri-navi interface and full-size hot shoe. NEX critics may actually prefer the larger size of Sony's new flagship, since some E-Mount lenses look awkwardly large when mounted on this camera's smaller siblings. Still, it's by no means a big compromise -- the mirrorless cam is petite and lightweight compared to full-size DSLRs. It's also quite durable, with a magnesium alloy frame and solid construction (we spent a few hours shooting at a dusty track during our initial test period, and while the housing contracted a thin layer of dirt, the sensor and internal lens mount remained clean).



Naturally, the camera itself feels like a top-shelf imaging device, with a consistent, elegant design and solid controls. On the top of the NEX-7 you'll find a full-size hot shoe with a slide-in cover that allows for a flush appearance when not in use. There's also a built-in pop-up flash with an arm that's long enough to project light beyond the end of the sizable 24mm lens with the included lens cover removed -- leaving the cover on will result in an uneven vignette effect, though if the scene is dark enough to require the flash, you probably won't need to worry about lens flare. When retracted, the strobe lies flush, so you may not even notice it at first glance. To the right, there's a pair of control wheels that can be used to adjust a variety of settings, depending on mode, followed by a power slider, shutter release and shift button above the grip.


Continuing the tour, the right side of the camera is completely bare, leaving the rubberized grip to stand on its own. On the rear, there's the built-in EVF in the top left corner, with the 3-inch LCD below. Unlike the NEX-5N, there's no touchscreen functionality here, though you aren't likely to miss it. You may opt to not even use the LCD at all -- the XGA electronic viewfinder is sharp enough to completely replace the LCD for settings adjustment, framing and focusing. Dedicated controls include a flash release, playback button, AF/MF and AEL slider, a circular navigation dial with select, display, shooting speed and exposure compensation buttons. There's also a pair of variable controls that are used for launching and selecting different menu items. All of the buttons are easy to press, but not so much so that you need to worry about accidentally bumping one and changing a critical setting.



Centered below the lens on the bottom of the camera is a tripod mount, with a battery door to the right. Inside, there's the same 1,080mAh battery that Sony includes with all NEX cameras, and a combination SD / Memory Stick slot. The left side of the camera houses a pair of durable plastic doors, hiding an HDMI port, mini-USB connector and a microphone input jack for connecting your own audio source for video capture -- a first for an NEX camera. There's also a rather stiff leather camera strap in the box, with Sony and NEX-7 markings on either side.

User interface

The NEX-7's tri-navi interface isn't just another marketing gimmick -- it works well, and enables direct access to key settings without the need to flip through menus or even back away from the EVF. By default, the left top dial changes the primary capture setting -- if you're in aperture priority, turning it changes your aperture, while the right control adjusts exposure compensation. In shutter priority, the left dial adjusts your shutter speed, with exposure compensation again on the right. In manual, you have unfettered access to shutter speed adjustments on the left, and aperture on the right. In any of these modes, the secondary dial to the right of the LCD controls ISO, giving you instant access to aperture, shutter speed and ISO without clicking through to a single menu screen. A shift button to the right of the power slider changes the dial mode, instead letting you adjust focus settings, white balance, dynamic-range or Creative Style.



You'll still need to head to the system menu to get to a handful of seldom-used settings, such as turning off that awful camera beep, formatting a memory card (still buried at the bottom of the setup menu), turning on front-curtain shutter to reduce camera noise and activating the viewfinder proximity sensor that switches to the EVF when you bring the camera to your face. Speaking of that auto-switching feature, we had no choice but to disable it on our camera, since tilting the LCD up often caused the EVF to light up and the primary display to go black. Otherwise, it worked fairly well, but it could benefit from a sensitivity adjustment.


The menu layout is virtually identical to what you'll find in other NEX cameras, though the camera icon is clearly a render of the NEX-7 rather than the generic mirrorless ILC displayed in other menus. You can view options and a full settings readout on either the LCD or EVF, though some screens are stretched vertically, since the EVF has a 3:2 aspect ratio and the primary display is 16:9. There's also a horizontal and vertical level indicator, to assist in camera positioning.







Performance and battery life

Sony's certainly made a name for itself in the mirrorless camera category, and the NEX-7 won't be interrupting that winning streak. Overall, the camera is a solid performer. Still, it's not the fastest focusing imaging device in its class, though you won't be waiting long before your subject's sharp and ready to shoot. It can power on, focus and capture its first image in 1.5 seconds with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 lens attached. There's a delay of 0.6 seconds when adjusting focus between subjects and firing another image, but it drops to 0.3 seconds when capturing another shot of a subject already in focus.


It also offers excellent performance in continuous mode, snapping a full 10 frames-per-second with focus and exposure locked, and a solid 3 fps with variable focus and exposure -- that former figure is one frame shy of Nikon's recently announced D4, which offers other benefits beyond the NEX-7, but also costs and weighs far more. The camera can also shoot in continuous mode with flash, snapping between one and three frames-per-second, depending on how much power the strobe needs to output. You may have some reservations about using the NEX-7 to shoot an important sporting event, but the ability to capture consecutive images at high speed shouldn't rank among them.






Like we've experienced with the Sony NEX-C3, the 7 offers fantastic battery life with a percentage readout on the LCD and EVF. The battery and charger are identical to the models used in every NEX camera to date, and we really have no complaints here. We were able to capture 700 stills and 45 minutes of HD video on a single charge over the span of five days, including plenty of time navigating menus and framing and reviewing images on the LCD and electronic viewfinder. If you're going to be away from a power outlet for more than a few days, it wouldn't hurt to bring a spare battery, but you should have no problem getting through a full day or two of shooting on a single charge.



Image quality

So, the NEX-7 shoots up to 10 frames-per-second, has a large APS-C sensor, captures 24.3 megapixels and is compatible with pro-level DSLR Alpha A-mount lenses when paired with the LA-EA2 adapter. Why, then, would you still opt for a much larger high-end DSLR? One of the reasons is low-light shooting. The NEX-7 is capable of capturing images with a sensitivity of ISO 16,000, but will you want to? If you have no other choice -- say you're shooting a football game on a dark field at night, or need to avoid blur while bouncing around on a subway car -- then sure, ISO 16,000 is serviceable. But if we're being more realistic, anything above ISO 6400 should be avoided.



To get a better idea of how the camera performs in low light, we shot the same scene -- the interior of a dimly lit Manhattan church -- at every image sensitivity setting between ISO 100 and 16,000. As expected, noise was completely indistinguishable at ISO 100 and 200, with smooth, artifact-free details. Noise became visible at ISO 400 and 800 at a 1:1 pixel (100-percent) view, but faded at a 50-percent view. At ISO 1600 and 3200, noise was visible at a 50-percent view, but faded at 25 percent, where we were able to spot noise in our ISO 6400 sample. At ISO 12,800, we noticed it at 12.5 percent, but not when scaling the image to 600 pixels wide with a 1:1 view. With sensitivity set at ISO 16,000, we could see noise even after scaling the image to 400 pixels wide, making this mode generally unsuitable even for images shot for the web.




When we shot at lower ISO settings in both bright and dim light, however, our pictures displayed vibrant, accurate colors, and sharp details. White balance was accurate in automatic mode, though the camera did take a second or two to adjust when quickly moving from a scene with one color balance to another. We spent most of the time shooting with the 24mm Zeiss lens, which likely played a role in the camera's output quality, though pictures looked sharp and vibrant as well when captured with the 18-55mm kit zoom. Thumb through the gallery below for some sample images captured with the NEX-7.

Sony NEX-7 sample pictures






The competition

Traditionally, we've only seen sub-$1,000 cameras in the mirrorless category, though the Sony NEX-7 and even more recently the Fujifilm X-Pro1 have raised the bar, both when it comes to performance and body-only price. The advantage of a higher-end model is clear, with both cameras delivering top performance with premium image sensors and body designs. We had a chance to check out the Fujifilm camera at CES, but were only able to view manufacturer-supplied samples, so we can't really speak to that model's image quality until we have an opportunity to shoot our own samples. It's also priced at $1,700, which is a nearly 50 percent boost over the NEX-7's price tag.






If you're looking for a camera with a similar body size, there are plenty to choose from, ranging in price from our category pick, the Sony NEX-C3 (starting at $499 with lens) to the $900 Olympus E-P3. If you're comfortable investing in a camera with a 16-megapixel sensor, the NEX-C3 is an incredible value, and eight months later remains our top pick in the category. You'll lose out on many of the NEX-7's pro-level features, however, including the 24.3-megapixel sensor, 1080p video (720p on the C3), audio input, tri-navi interface, EVF and 10 fps capture mode, among other features. The NEX-7 really is in a class of its own, and if you're here for the features, there's really nothing else that can compare without stepping up to a full-size DSLR.

Wrap-up

As you may have gathered, we're quite smitten with the Sony Alpha NEX-7. The camera offers many features previously only accessible to full-size DSLR owners, delivering excellent performance in a body size only nominally larger than the NEX-C3 and C5. With the exact same sensor that Sony uses in the Alpha A77, you can expect DSLR-quality images with the NEX-7, and the camera's 10 frames-per-second consecutive shooting mode really blurs the line between mirrorless and traditional ILCs. There's definitely room for improvement in the high-ISO department, but given the camera's size and even its $1,200 price tag, we're willing to live without noise-free ISO 16,000 low light images.


If you want the full NEX-7 experience, you'll need to budget an extra grand for the 24mm f/1.8 Zeiss lens, which really is an excellent piece of glass. But even if that lens is priced out of reach, the 18-55mm kit zoom captured excellent images, and performs decently in low-light. The camera's focusing system, while accurate, isn't the fastest on the market, especially when you consider what's on the horizon. Still, the NEX-7 is a fantastic camera, and if you've been waiting for Sony to beef up supply numbers before taking the plunge, there's no reason to hold back now.
Article Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/06/sony-nex-7-review/

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