Readers who are new to eBooks, generally have a hard time getting used to them, and often times give up before they give eBooks a fair chance. There are a number of reasons that readers may be turned off by an eBook at first, but there are many ways to improve your reading experience.
-Adjust your screen brightness
The main problem people seem to have with eBooks, is staring at a bright screen for to many hours, causing headaches and eye soreness. The best way to counter this is to lower your screens brightness setting. Depending on your computer there will be different ways to manage this setting, but it is usually a button near the computer monitor that adjusts the setting. Keeping the brightness to a minimum will greatly increase the time you can spend reading, and the comfortableness of it on your eyes.
-Download a good reader
A good eBook reader is crucial to a more enjoyable reading experience. Free software such as mobipocket provide users with more than just a platform to read eBooks. You can store all your eBooks in the library provide by the program, and display them all, cover by cover, on their bookshelf. Besides providing a place to store all your eBooks, eBook readers provide more options to enhance your reading experience than paper books. Features such as: Font size, how many pages to display at once, full screen mode, turning page with a key press or mouse touch, and customizable background color.
-Taking breaks
Often times we forget that we are supposed to take breaks from the computer while engaged in it. But it is important that you don't forget to step away from the computer every once in a while, even if you are deeply engrossed in your book. Reading on the computer for too long without giving your eyes a chance to rest will bring the same problems that too high of a screen brightness does, headaches and eye soreness.
-Use an iPad or kindle
Using an iPad, kindle, or any other device meant to read eBooks can be much easier than a laptop. They are generally smaller, lighter, and easier to bring with you. No one wants to walk around carrying a heavy laptop, just to take it out in an impromptu place to read a book; but with a kindle or an iPad you can read anywhere on the go. The screen is usually further away as well, and smaller, eliminating some of the more harmful effects of using a laptop.
If you have yet to read an eBook, or have been wronged by them in the past, now's the time to give a try. By following the few simple steps outlined above, you will have a much more enjoyable reading experience.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Why flip flops are bad for your feet
You know summer has arrived when you start to see an abundance of flip-flops. But could these comfortable summer-time footwear be bad for you? The answer is yes, there are many problems with wearing flip-flops for an extended amount of time. While wearing them for short amount of times will usually do no harm, wearing them everyday could lead to foot problems. Wearing flip-flops often could put you at risk of straining tendons and inflaming ligaments in your foot. The worst flip-flops to wear are ones with no support, flip-flops with a support system are perfectly safe to wear for longer periods of time.
Wearing flip-flops can also alter the way you walk, which can lead to serious sole, heel, and ankle problems. Many flip-flop wearers scrunch their toes in order to grip the shoes while they walk, yet doing this can stretch the connective tissue that runs from your heel to toe. This causes inflammation, pain along the sole, heel spurs and tired feet in general. Researchers have also found that flip-flop wearers take shorter strides and turn their ankles inwards. This can cause long term ankle and hip problems. The best thing to do is get sandals with heel straps so you do not have to grip the flip-flops with your toes and turn your ankles inward.
Taking shorter steps also puts more stress on your body because you have to move more the walk the same distance. This could mean a higher risk of muscle and joint pain in the legs. Being over weight and wearing flip flops greatly increases your chances of running in to these problems. If you are already experiencing pain from wearing flip-flops then switch back to normal shoes with more support, the pain should subside. In a few cases foot and heel pain experienced from wearing flip-flops has led to more serious medical conditions such as arthritis or even a stress fracture.
This summer kick off the flip-flops, at least a few days a week. If not you may find yourself at the doctors office getting your feet examined, and no one wants to be doing that on summer break. If you are not completely ready to give up your flip-flop days opt for a pair of sandals with greater foot support and heel straps, this will save you the trouble of being in and out of the doctors office. Doctors say even walking barefoot is a safer alternative to wearing flip-flops.
Wearing flip-flops can also alter the way you walk, which can lead to serious sole, heel, and ankle problems. Many flip-flop wearers scrunch their toes in order to grip the shoes while they walk, yet doing this can stretch the connective tissue that runs from your heel to toe. This causes inflammation, pain along the sole, heel spurs and tired feet in general. Researchers have also found that flip-flop wearers take shorter strides and turn their ankles inwards. This can cause long term ankle and hip problems. The best thing to do is get sandals with heel straps so you do not have to grip the flip-flops with your toes and turn your ankles inward.
Taking shorter steps also puts more stress on your body because you have to move more the walk the same distance. This could mean a higher risk of muscle and joint pain in the legs. Being over weight and wearing flip flops greatly increases your chances of running in to these problems. If you are already experiencing pain from wearing flip-flops then switch back to normal shoes with more support, the pain should subside. In a few cases foot and heel pain experienced from wearing flip-flops has led to more serious medical conditions such as arthritis or even a stress fracture.
This summer kick off the flip-flops, at least a few days a week. If not you may find yourself at the doctors office getting your feet examined, and no one wants to be doing that on summer break. If you are not completely ready to give up your flip-flop days opt for a pair of sandals with greater foot support and heel straps, this will save you the trouble of being in and out of the doctors office. Doctors say even walking barefoot is a safer alternative to wearing flip-flops.
How to use Google Earth with an Apple iPad
Using Google Earth on an iPad is a bit different then using it online. They are they same program, but using the iPad to navigate the application may be more confusing for new users. Before downloading the application there are a few requirements have to meet:
1. At least 211 MB of free space
2. A WiFi connection.
This application mainly requires simple finger movements to use. There are a few options you can use while navigating the 3D globe:
-Zoom In
Either double tap the screen with one finger, or move two fingers simultaneously apart.
-Zoom out
Either double tap the screen with two fingers, or move two fingers simultaneously together in a pinching movement.
-Rotate
Put two fingers on the screen and turn in the direction you wish to rotate
-Pan
Put one finger on the screen and move it in the appropriate direction, or flick the screen quickly.
-Look around
Put two fingers on the screen and move them anywhere.
-Tilt
Put two fingers on the screen and move them down at the same time. You can also enable auto-tilt, which will match the angle of the earth to the angle of your iPad.
-Go to your location
You can have Google Earth follow your location by touching the cross-hair icon. The better your WiFi connection, the more accurate the GPS will be.
-Displaying coordinates
Toggling the position option in the options menu will enable coordinates to show at the bottom of the main view. You can toggle between feet and meters when displaying altitude as well.
-Searching for places
Enter the place your are looking for, if multiple results come up, click the correct one and you will fly to that location. You can see a list of all the matches by hitting the list icon.
-Clear search results
To clear search results hit "Clear History" in the option window.
-Displaying content
There are many display options, including: terrain, places of interest, businesses, and Wikipedia. You can enable and disable specific content under the "Layers" window. Content will appear as icons in the main view, touch the icon for more info about it. Enabling terrain allows you to view mountains, and hills in 3D.
Using the iPad to browse Google Earth may take a little getting used to, but the basic layout is the same. How to navigate the client itself is the only difference, but is similar to other apps in that you have to use your fingers as tools to use the program.
1. At least 211 MB of free space
2. A WiFi connection.
This application mainly requires simple finger movements to use. There are a few options you can use while navigating the 3D globe:
-Zoom In
Either double tap the screen with one finger, or move two fingers simultaneously apart.
-Zoom out
Either double tap the screen with two fingers, or move two fingers simultaneously together in a pinching movement.
-Rotate
Put two fingers on the screen and turn in the direction you wish to rotate
-Pan
Put one finger on the screen and move it in the appropriate direction, or flick the screen quickly.
-Look around
Put two fingers on the screen and move them anywhere.
-Tilt
Put two fingers on the screen and move them down at the same time. You can also enable auto-tilt, which will match the angle of the earth to the angle of your iPad.
-Go to your location
You can have Google Earth follow your location by touching the cross-hair icon. The better your WiFi connection, the more accurate the GPS will be.
-Displaying coordinates
Toggling the position option in the options menu will enable coordinates to show at the bottom of the main view. You can toggle between feet and meters when displaying altitude as well.
-Searching for places
Enter the place your are looking for, if multiple results come up, click the correct one and you will fly to that location. You can see a list of all the matches by hitting the list icon.
-Clear search results
To clear search results hit "Clear History" in the option window.
-Displaying content
There are many display options, including: terrain, places of interest, businesses, and Wikipedia. You can enable and disable specific content under the "Layers" window. Content will appear as icons in the main view, touch the icon for more info about it. Enabling terrain allows you to view mountains, and hills in 3D.
Using the iPad to browse Google Earth may take a little getting used to, but the basic layout is the same. How to navigate the client itself is the only difference, but is similar to other apps in that you have to use your fingers as tools to use the program.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Comparing Miley Cyrus and Talor Swift
Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift are both teenage solo artists in the music industry. They both have a similar style of music, while Miley's is more of pop with a mix of country, Taylor swift keeps it straight country for the most part, with a few pop songs in the mix. Miley's fame is directly attributed to the Disney channel, where she first became popular off of the show Hannah Montana, a show about a teenage pop-star that leads a double life. This gave Miley Cyrus an a huge platform to start her solo music career off of.
Taylor Swift however has no affiliation with Disney, and had to work much harder to get her musical career started than Miley Cyrus did. Taylor Swift has been signed and dropped before recording her first single "Tim McGraw". She then released her self titled album on which 'Should've said no' was a big success.
Miley Cyrus's music is generally geared more towards younger kids and tween audiences. This is largely due to the fact that Miley's career started on the Disney, and her first few albums were under the pseudonym Hannah Montana. Miley Cyrus's music is also not as relate-able to many many people as Taylor Swift's music. This is because Miley's first albums mainly focused on her leading a double life as the Hannah Montana character, something that not many teenagers can relate to.
Taylor Swift's music however has a much larger audience, if not in numbers than in age groups. The main reason for this is Taylor Swift's song content matter. Many of Taylor Swift's songs focus on topics that teenage girls go through in their everyday life, such as being overlooked as "just a friend" to the guy they like. Many college girls who buy Swift's Cd's say it is because of just that, they can relate to the songs.
Miley is working on leaving her Disney past behind quite clearly, her music is becoming more focused on adult subject matter. Even her stage performance are becoming increasingly adult, and possibly even too adult. In an effort to leave behind her Disney days she is becoming increasingly like pop-stars before her. Miley is showing many of the same qualities that Britney showed when she was transitioning in to adulthood, with songs like "Can't be tamed" where she is clearly trying to break free from the mold that was created for her.
While Miley and Taylor have a lot in common, it is clear that they are two separate artists with two separate styles of music, and different demographics. Taylor Swift has a strong foot in the country music industry, but Miley Cyrus's ability to leave behind her Disney days will ultimately decide if she will remain a force in the pop music industry.
Taylor Swift however has no affiliation with Disney, and had to work much harder to get her musical career started than Miley Cyrus did. Taylor Swift has been signed and dropped before recording her first single "Tim McGraw". She then released her self titled album on which 'Should've said no' was a big success.
Miley Cyrus's music is generally geared more towards younger kids and tween audiences. This is largely due to the fact that Miley's career started on the Disney, and her first few albums were under the pseudonym Hannah Montana. Miley Cyrus's music is also not as relate-able to many many people as Taylor Swift's music. This is because Miley's first albums mainly focused on her leading a double life as the Hannah Montana character, something that not many teenagers can relate to.
Taylor Swift's music however has a much larger audience, if not in numbers than in age groups. The main reason for this is Taylor Swift's song content matter. Many of Taylor Swift's songs focus on topics that teenage girls go through in their everyday life, such as being overlooked as "just a friend" to the guy they like. Many college girls who buy Swift's Cd's say it is because of just that, they can relate to the songs.
Miley is working on leaving her Disney past behind quite clearly, her music is becoming more focused on adult subject matter. Even her stage performance are becoming increasingly adult, and possibly even too adult. In an effort to leave behind her Disney days she is becoming increasingly like pop-stars before her. Miley is showing many of the same qualities that Britney showed when she was transitioning in to adulthood, with songs like "Can't be tamed" where she is clearly trying to break free from the mold that was created for her.
While Miley and Taylor have a lot in common, it is clear that they are two separate artists with two separate styles of music, and different demographics. Taylor Swift has a strong foot in the country music industry, but Miley Cyrus's ability to leave behind her Disney days will ultimately decide if she will remain a force in the pop music industry.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
How to use annotations on YouTube
Annotations are a useful tool for an YouTuber. They provide a way for you to add information to a video after you have uploaded it already. Whether you just did not have the time to cover something in a video, or if you simply forgot, annotations can fix these problems quickly. Use annotation within reason, many viewers will feel annoyed and put-off by your video if it is swarmed with text.
To begin using annotations you must:
1. first upload a video.
2. Then you must go to "My Videos" and click "Edit Annotations" next to the video you wish to add annotations to. You will be transferred to the annotations editing page, where you will see your video and an editing window.
3. Here there will be three tools for you to choose from: Add speech bubble, add note, and add spotlight.
Each of these adds something unique to your videos, and should be used in different situations.
-Speech Bubble
A speech bubble will add a bubble to the middle of your screen. You can enter the text you wish to have in the speech bubble either directly in the bubble, or in the editor to the left. You can also use the round handles to change the size and shape of the speech bubble, and by clicking and dragging, you can move it around the screen. There will be a yellow line underneath your YouTube video, this indicates at what point in your video you want the speech bubble to appear, and when you want it to end. You can change the duration by changing the numbers in the editor. Using the editor you can also add a link to your speech bubble, simply paste the link where it tells you to, you may only link to a YouTube page. To finish you must click "Save Draft" followed by "Publish".
-Note
The only difference in the note tool is the appearance. Instead of a speech bubble, it is a rectangle. It is edited the same way, and has all of the same options as the speech bubble has.
-Spotlight
The spotlight is a little bit different than the other two options. The spotlight will place an empty square in the middle of your screen, you can turn it in to a rectangle, and move it around the screen just like the other tools. You can also drag the text at the bottom of the spotlight wherever you like. The use of the spotlight is to add a click-able link around a specific part of your YouTube video. Adding the link in the spotlight is the same as doing it with the speech bubble, and again it can only link to a YouTube page.
Remember to use these tools in moderation, people are coming to your videos to see you, not to be bombarded by text. Adding some information or a click-able link is fine, but writing out a novel using annotations is not.
To begin using annotations you must:
1. first upload a video.
2. Then you must go to "My Videos" and click "Edit Annotations" next to the video you wish to add annotations to. You will be transferred to the annotations editing page, where you will see your video and an editing window.
3. Here there will be three tools for you to choose from: Add speech bubble, add note, and add spotlight.
Each of these adds something unique to your videos, and should be used in different situations.
-Speech Bubble
A speech bubble will add a bubble to the middle of your screen. You can enter the text you wish to have in the speech bubble either directly in the bubble, or in the editor to the left. You can also use the round handles to change the size and shape of the speech bubble, and by clicking and dragging, you can move it around the screen. There will be a yellow line underneath your YouTube video, this indicates at what point in your video you want the speech bubble to appear, and when you want it to end. You can change the duration by changing the numbers in the editor. Using the editor you can also add a link to your speech bubble, simply paste the link where it tells you to, you may only link to a YouTube page. To finish you must click "Save Draft" followed by "Publish".
-Note
The only difference in the note tool is the appearance. Instead of a speech bubble, it is a rectangle. It is edited the same way, and has all of the same options as the speech bubble has.
-Spotlight
The spotlight is a little bit different than the other two options. The spotlight will place an empty square in the middle of your screen, you can turn it in to a rectangle, and move it around the screen just like the other tools. You can also drag the text at the bottom of the spotlight wherever you like. The use of the spotlight is to add a click-able link around a specific part of your YouTube video. Adding the link in the spotlight is the same as doing it with the speech bubble, and again it can only link to a YouTube page.
Remember to use these tools in moderation, people are coming to your videos to see you, not to be bombarded by text. Adding some information or a click-able link is fine, but writing out a novel using annotations is not.
Healthy foods that aren't really healthy
With obesity levels rising all over the world it's no wonder that people are taking a stand and trying to change their lives for the better by eating healthy. Taking this initiative to change your lifestyle is a great first step in leading an all around better life, but what if what you believe is healthy really isn't? Many food companies are catching on to the fact that people everywhere are leaning towards a more health conscious diet, and they plan on taking advantage of that. With clever marketing gimmicks and false advertising some of the top food chains are fooling customers into believing their food is healthy.
The most common food that is touted as being healthy are salads. While salads can be healthy, many that you will find while eating out are worse for you then most of the other items on the menu. The reason for this is usually in the salad dressing and the salad toppings. While salad alone is a perfectly healthy meal, most salads are topped with fried chicken, croutons, eggs, and even bacon. Add a creamy ranch or Italian dressing to it and you have more calories and fat on your plate then you would with a cheeseburger.
Another trend that people are following when it comes to healthy eating is replacing meals with smoothies. If you make these smoothies yourself then it usually is a healthy alternative, yet many people are buying these smoothies when they go out to eat. Smoothies that are prepared at restaurants are usually loaded with sugars, ice cream, and milk. All of these things combined usually add up to more than 500 calories, along with more than double the sugar of your normal can of soda. Along the same line as smoothies are yogurt parfaits, these are sold in stores and at fast food places like McDonald's. While yogurt and granola sounds healthy enough, the yogurt is usually packed with sugar and so is the granola, making this a high calorie snack that is best avoided.
The most common health food trend is wraps. Many people have realized that excessive bread is nothing but extra calories and carbohydrates. Wraps have the potential to be a very healthy option over regular sandwiches, but many fast food chains are taking advantage of this and making wraps that are less then great for you. For example the T.G.I. Friday's "BBQ Chicken Wrap" has 1,540 calories. That's almost an entire daily allowance for an active adult male, and this is from something being claimed as a healthy meal.
With people becoming more and more conscious of what they eat it is no wonder that food companies are trying to swindle these people back into eating their foods. If you are not careful you may end up sabotaging your diet without even knowing it because of big business food companies. With a little research on the subject you can outsmart even the sliest of advertising and be successful in your goal to become a healthier eater.
The most common food that is touted as being healthy are salads. While salads can be healthy, many that you will find while eating out are worse for you then most of the other items on the menu. The reason for this is usually in the salad dressing and the salad toppings. While salad alone is a perfectly healthy meal, most salads are topped with fried chicken, croutons, eggs, and even bacon. Add a creamy ranch or Italian dressing to it and you have more calories and fat on your plate then you would with a cheeseburger.
Another trend that people are following when it comes to healthy eating is replacing meals with smoothies. If you make these smoothies yourself then it usually is a healthy alternative, yet many people are buying these smoothies when they go out to eat. Smoothies that are prepared at restaurants are usually loaded with sugars, ice cream, and milk. All of these things combined usually add up to more than 500 calories, along with more than double the sugar of your normal can of soda. Along the same line as smoothies are yogurt parfaits, these are sold in stores and at fast food places like McDonald's. While yogurt and granola sounds healthy enough, the yogurt is usually packed with sugar and so is the granola, making this a high calorie snack that is best avoided.
The most common health food trend is wraps. Many people have realized that excessive bread is nothing but extra calories and carbohydrates. Wraps have the potential to be a very healthy option over regular sandwiches, but many fast food chains are taking advantage of this and making wraps that are less then great for you. For example the T.G.I. Friday's "BBQ Chicken Wrap" has 1,540 calories. That's almost an entire daily allowance for an active adult male, and this is from something being claimed as a healthy meal.
With people becoming more and more conscious of what they eat it is no wonder that food companies are trying to swindle these people back into eating their foods. If you are not careful you may end up sabotaging your diet without even knowing it because of big business food companies. With a little research on the subject you can outsmart even the sliest of advertising and be successful in your goal to become a healthier eater.
How to add multimedia to your blog
Many blog owners will feel that they do not have the appropriate skill to add multimedia content to their site. But adding multimedia to your blog is no harder than entering a copy and paste-able HTML code into your site.
-Audio
Audio, an often overlooked multimedia device, is a great way to add your favorite songs, or even original audio, to your blog. The easiest way to add audio is through a platform such as SoundCloud. SoundCloud is an online platform that allows you to upload any track from your computer and share it. You can add artwork, track descriptions, and even a website to purchase the audio you have uploaded. Once you have saved your changes just click share and you will be given an embedded code to add to your blog.
-Video
Many popular video sites openly offer an embedded HTML code for you to copy to your website or blog. Three video websites that offer this are YouTube, Vimeo, and Blip.tv. Simply go to one of these sites, find a video that you want to post to your blog, and hit the embedded button displayed near the bottom of the video. Most sites allow you to edit the background and size of the video before the code is created. Mixpod is a tool used to create video play lists for your blog. It allows you to edit many different players, themes, and color palettes. You can rename and reorder the video play list however you like.
-Photo
Adding individual photos to a blog is usually very simple. However if you want to add a slide-show of photos to your blog, it gets a bit trickier. Adding a slide-show keeps your posts from looking to cluttered with tons of individual pictures, a huge turnoff for readers. You can create slide-shows with a variety of effects from images on your computer by using Slide. You can customize the theme, color, background, size, and even add music. Clicking save will bring up your embed code, which you can post directly to your blog.
Instead of spending money on an expensive coder, just take some time and do it yourself. You will feel more accomplished, and you will save some cash.
-Audio
Audio, an often overlooked multimedia device, is a great way to add your favorite songs, or even original audio, to your blog. The easiest way to add audio is through a platform such as SoundCloud. SoundCloud is an online platform that allows you to upload any track from your computer and share it. You can add artwork, track descriptions, and even a website to purchase the audio you have uploaded. Once you have saved your changes just click share and you will be given an embedded code to add to your blog.
-Video
Many popular video sites openly offer an embedded HTML code for you to copy to your website or blog. Three video websites that offer this are YouTube, Vimeo, and Blip.tv. Simply go to one of these sites, find a video that you want to post to your blog, and hit the embedded button displayed near the bottom of the video. Most sites allow you to edit the background and size of the video before the code is created. Mixpod is a tool used to create video play lists for your blog. It allows you to edit many different players, themes, and color palettes. You can rename and reorder the video play list however you like.
-Photo
Adding individual photos to a blog is usually very simple. However if you want to add a slide-show of photos to your blog, it gets a bit trickier. Adding a slide-show keeps your posts from looking to cluttered with tons of individual pictures, a huge turnoff for readers. You can create slide-shows with a variety of effects from images on your computer by using Slide. You can customize the theme, color, background, size, and even add music. Clicking save will bring up your embed code, which you can post directly to your blog.
Instead of spending money on an expensive coder, just take some time and do it yourself. You will feel more accomplished, and you will save some cash.
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