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Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Mobile Blogging is on the Cutting Edge

Mobile blogging is an exciting phenomenon that is sweeping the blogosphere. One of the reasons why a lot of bloggers are attracted to the medium of blogging in the first place is that they enjoy being able to make frequent updates and posts that keep all of their visitors up to speed with current situations.

Mobile blogs, or "moblogs," take this to the extreme by allowing users to post things literally as they happen. This new wave of moblogs and mobloggers keep web surfers up to date with good and bad events of importance as they occur all over the world, helping to make international communication faster and more accurate.

Many people feel that the limitations of blogging have a lot to do with geography. After all, there is only so current that a blog can be when you need to run home and boot up in order to update it. However, mobile
blogging marks the beginning of an thrilling new era when web-based communication can happen spontaneously from any location.

Moblogging devices mean that there is almost nowhere on the planet that remains off-limits for bloggers.

Mobile blogging is still in its infancy because the technology that makes it possible has only recently hit the global market. The first moblog technology became available over a decade ago, but it is only the past two or three years that mobile web devices have become user-friendly enough to appeal to most consumers. As camera phones and other mobile technology become more popular, more and more bloggers are getting away from their desks and are hitting the streets.

Moblogging is becoming much more widespread that it was even a few months ago, and mobloggers are quickly attracting a lot of attention with the blogging community. It is not yet clear whether moblogs will become the dominant kinds of blogs in the years to come, but the current trend seems to imply that moblogs are here to stay.




Mobile devices make it possible to blog from the sites


where current events are unfolding, which is one of the


reasons why mobile blogging has so much thrilling


potential to revolutionize the blogosphere. A moblogger


with a camera phone can post blog entries from, say, the


foot of the podium at a presidential speech, or from the


stands during the final moments of the world series.


This enables bloggers to experience the same real time


thrills that live television coverage provides, but in a


more democratic medium. The combination of mobility


and individual control that moblogging provides


certainly places mobloggers on the cutting edge of


today's communications technology, and it is hard to


imagine that the number and prestige of moblogs will


not continue to grow in the coming years.




Photo Blogging May be the Pinnacle of Modern


Technology





Many people feel that photo blogging is the most



exciting kind of blogging that exists. Building and



maintaining a photo blog is no more difficult than



creating and updating a text-based blog, and many



people feel that the internet's high speed, full-color



technology reaches the pinnacle of its appeal with the



transmission of images. Posting photographs in a blog



format on a daily, weekly, or occasional basis is a great



way to express yourself while reaching viewers in an



emotionally charged and aesthetically engaging way,



and surfing photo blogs can help you to get a whole



new perspective on the world in which we live.





Many people who run image blogs are photographers by



trade, but photo blogging is also very popular among



hobbyists and amateur shutterbugs. To be certain, a lot



of the most popular photo blogs have gained attention



because the pictures on them are of the highest artistic



caliber, and a lot of the people who run these striking



blogs are graduates of prestigious art schools and have



impressive professional portfolios. However, some of



the most well known and most often visited photo blogs



are as notable for their concepts as for the pictures



themselves. Certain photo blogs, like the popular "Cute



Overload" which features picture after picture of



adorable animals, are more about the thematic content



of the pictures than they are about the style in which the



snapshots are taken.





The fact that photo blogs range from forums to display



the work of highly skilled artisans to playful collections



of curiosities shows that photo blogging is a truly



diverse form. The fact that photo blogs are so easy to



build and to update makes this kind of visual



communication very democratic, and enables people at



all skill levels to become a part of the global



conversation about the nature and value of photography



today.





Whether you are an artist or hobbyist who wants to



create a photo blog, or whether you are just somebody



who enjoys learning about new places and things,



spending some time looking at the most popular



photography blogs on the internet can be a very



rewarding endeavor. You can travel to another place or



another time by seeing pictures of faraway locations and



long-gone eras. You can see your own neighborhood



with fresh eyes by discover how local artists have



photographed the town or city in which you live. Photo



blogging allows people to communicate all of these



things and more, which makes it a very exciting part of



the modern blogosphere. If the best thing about web



technology is that it allows people to reach each other in



a very personal way from across great distances, then in



many ways photo blogs are the most successful kind of


Photo Blogging


Technology




Many people feel that photo blogging is the most


exciting kind of blogging that exists. Building and


maintaining a photo blog is no more difficult than


creating and updating a text-based blog, and many


people feel that the internet's high speed, full-color


technology reaches the pinnacle of its appeal with the


transmission of images. Posting photographs in a blog


format on a daily, weekly, or occasional basis is a great


way to express yourself while reaching viewers in an


emotionally charged and aesthetically engaging way,


and surfing photo blogs can help you to get a whole


new perspective on the world in which we live.




Many people who run image blogs are photographers by


trade, but photo blogging is also very popular among


hobbyists and amateur shutterbugs. To be certain, a lot


of the most popular photo blogs have gained attention


because the pictures on them are of the highest artistic


caliber, and a lot of the people who run these striking


blogs are graduates of prestigious art schools and have


impressive professional portfolios. However, some of


the most well known and most often visited photo blogs


are as notable for their concepts as for the pictures


themselves. Certain photo blogs, like the popular "Cute


Overload" which features picture after picture of


adorable animals, are more about the thematic content


of the pictures than they are about the style in which the


snapshots are taken.




The fact that photo blogs range from forums to display


the work of highly skilled artisans to playful collections


of curiosities shows that photo blogging is a truly


diverse form. The fact that photo blogs are so easy to


build and to update makes this kind of visual


communication very democratic, and enables people at


all skill levels to become a part of the global


conversation about the nature and value of photography


today.




Whether you are an artist or hobbyist who wants to


create a photo blog, or whether you are just somebody


who enjoys learning about new places and things,


spending some time looking at the most popular


photography blogs on the internet can be a very


rewarding endeavor. You can travel to another place or


another time by seeing pictures of faraway locations and


long-gone eras. You can see your own neighborhood


with fresh eyes by discover how local artists have


photographed the town or city in which you live. Photo


blogging allows people to communicate all of these


things and more, which makes it a very exciting part of


the modern blogosphere. If the best thing about web


technology is that it allows people to reach each other in


a very personal way from across great distances, then in


many ways photo blogs are the most successful kind of

Picking The Best Free Blogging Site




Choosing a free blogging site can feel overwhelming



because there are so many options. There are several



large free blog-hosting sites that dominate the



blogosphere, but there are also smaller sites. Whether



you decide to join up with an established site like



blogger or whether you choose to sign on with a



relatively new venture depends on what your priorities



are.





Reliability is perhaps the best reason to opt for a large



and well known free blogging site. When you choose to



have an established brand host your blog, you can feel



secure that your blog will not crash often and will not



disappear in the middle of the night. A company that



has been around for a while is likely to have the



resources to make sure that its clients aren't



unpleasantly surprised by any technical glitches.



However, many bloggers decide that this isn't enough



of a selling point. The bloggers who choose to go with



smaller, newer blog hosting sites do so for a variety of



reasons, but perhaps the number one advantage is a



fairly abstract one. Bloggers tend to relish the fact that



the internet is a place where the underdog has a strong



chance of success, and by choosing to have a small



company as a blog host, a blogger is casting his or her



vote for David against Goliath.


The Controversy Around Corporate Blogging




Corporate blogging is a relatively new idea, and the jury



is still out on whether it will succeed. This controversial



marketing tool may be the beginning of a new kind of



advertising strategy, or it may fizzle out in a matter of



months. Many companies are looking for ways to



capitalize on the blogging trend, and many of these



corporations have determined that a great way to ride



the blogging wave is to keep a blog on their corporate



website. These blogs are often created to appeal to the



demographic that the company needs to court, and the



content may have quite a lot to do with the activities of



the corporation, or it may have very little to do with the



company itself. Often, a corporate blog will focus on



the kinds of content likely to attract the desired surfers,



even if that content is not related to the product or



service that the company provides.





Some bloggers feel that corporate blogging is a kind of



validation for the blogging movement, and shows that



this exciting new medium has really infiltrated the



mainstream. Other bloggers consider the kind of viral



marketing that corporate blogs practice to be unethical



or distasteful. In any case, watching the evolution of



corporate blogs and whether they survive and



proliferate or fail and disappear promises to provide



some interesting insight into today's consumers.


The Definition of Blogging




The definition of blogging is something that is very



much in flux, as the new technologies that appear every



day redefine what a blog is, what a blog can be, and



what a blog should do. For many years, blogs were



defined as text-based websites that kept records of days,



similar to a captain's log on a sailing ship. However,



this started to change as the group of people who kept



blogs became more diverse. The more bloggers began



to explore the limits of the medium and of the



technology that made it possible, the more the



boundaries of what could be called a "blog" expanded.





Today, there are an abundance of photo blogs, and there



are even video blogs as well. Mobile blogging devices



may well change the definition of blogging entirely by



making it possible for bloggers to create new kinds of



posts. Another element of the blogosphere that is



starting to redefine blogging is the corporate blog. As



more companies hire writers to keep blogs with the sole



purpose of creating positive buzz about their brand,



bloggers across the globe are arguing about whether



these manufactured blogs are really worthy of the name.



Between all of these different forces that are constantly



expanding and reshaping the blogosphere, it is difficult



to imagine that the definition of what is and is not a



blog will ever remain fixed for very long.


The Exciting New Frontier Of Professional Blogging




Professional blogging is a very new idea with a lot of



potential for entrepreneurs who have insight, drive, and



a basic understanding of today's innovative web



technology. The ranks of so-called pro bloggers are still



quite small, and there are very few people who make



their living entirely off of their blogs. However, every



day there are more and more people who have managed



to turn their weblogs into cash cows that supplement



their income. The number of pro bloggers is growing by



leaps and bounds, but it is difficult to say whether this



trend will continue.





Many bloggers dream of entering the sphere of



professional blogging. There are very few people who



happily devote an hour or more each day to their blog



without at least occasionally wishing that they could



earn some kind of financial reward for all of their work.



Several models exist for making money with a blog, the



most popular being to sell advertising space through



Google's AdSense program or directly to a company



that wishes to reach the demographic that your blog



appeals to. However, there are very few people indeed



who can make a comfortable living just by selling space



on their blog sidebars.





A lot of the people who read weblogs are bloggers



themselves, in part because of the fact that the people



who use blogging technology on a daily basis are most



likely to be interested in what other writers are doing



with the medium. This fact begins to explain why the



people who succeed in the world of professional



blogging are mostly people who have devoted



themselves almost entirely to learning about, talking



about, and writing about blogging. More than any other



topic, pro bloggers turn their attention to the



phenomenon of blogging itself. A lot of pro bloggers



make the topic of blogging the stunningly self-reflexive



ongoing focus of their blogs.





Of course, professional blogging is destined to become



much more complicated in the future than it is today. In



the current moment, pro bloggers who attract the largest



audiences and make the most money are mostly



concerned with investigating the blogging movement



and with offering advice to amateur bloggers. However,



as the kinds of people who regularly read blogs



changes, and the demographics of bloggers expand and



diversify as blogging software becomes more user



friendly, it is very likely indeed that the world of pro



blogging will begin to reflect these changes. Indeed, it



is very difficult to predict exactly what kinds of blogs



will be reaping the greatest financial rewards five or ten



years down the road. The world of pro blogging is one



of constant change and flux, which is part of what



makes it so exciting.


The Pros and Cons of Video Blogging




Video blogging has a lot of advantages over text-based



blogging, and it is little wonder that this new



technology is catching on all over the globe. Video



blogs very effectively grab the attention of web surfers,



and people are much more likely to become excited



about the dynamic content of a video blog than they are



likely to find a written posting very thrilling. The more



enthusiastic viewers are about a site, the quicker the



word of mouth spreads, and the more traffic the site will



get.





Of course, there are plenty of disadvantages to video



blogging as well. Hosting a v-blog requires quite a bit



of server space, which can make it difficult to get



started. It takes more time to process and upload a video



file than it does to dash off a quick bit of text, which



means that running and updating a video blog can be



quite a bit of work. In addition, web surfers sometimes



grow frustrated with the slow loading times of the files



on many video blogs. Whether you opt for a video blog



or not depends on what kind of subject matter you want



to cover, and how much time you can devote to video



blogging. Before you decide to pursue a video blog,



consider if there is an easier way for you to get your


The Right Blogging Platform For Your Needs




Choosing which blogging platform to use is one of the



most important decisions that you can make as a



blogger. The right platform can make blogging a



breeze, and the wrong platform can make blogging a



chore. Because the program that you use to blog with is



such a powerful part of your blogging experience, it is



well worth putting in the time to find a platform that



provides your ideal balance between a user-friendly



interface and a flexible framework that allows you to



make your blog look and feel unique. Finding the right



platform isn't always easy, but with a little bit of



contemplation and a little bit of research, you will be on



your way to finding the perfect blogging platform.





Deciding what your priorities are in terms of ease of use



versus customization. Most highly customizable



blogging platforms, like moveable type, are a bit more



difficult to use than very automated platforms like



wordpress. If you are new to blogs and to internet



technology, you might want to sacrifice the ability to



create a custom background design or to integrate a



unique font into your template in order to find a



program that will be easy for you to use. On the other



hand, if you are a veteran web designer with knowledge



of html or javascript, you will probably find the



limitations of a user-friendly platform to be frustrating.





There is no such thing as a blogging platform that is



objectively the best platform, because every blogger has



unique needs. The blogging movement is very much



about individuality, so it makes plenty of sense that



there would be many different platforms available that



are designed to meet the needs of different kinds of



individuals undertaking different kinds of projects. This



diversity is a good thing, because it means that you will



almost certainly be able to find a program that suits



your level of technical aptitude.





However, the fact that no two bloggers need the same



thing from a blogging platform can make your search



for the right platform a bit tricky. When you are reading



reviews of different platforms, try to keep your



priorities in mind and do your best to take into account



the position that the reviewer is coming from. For



example, a negative review written by an accomplished



software designer who complains that a popular



platform is too limited may tell you that the platform in



question is ideal for a beginning blogger. There is no



such thing as the perfect platform for everybody, so



instead of looking for the "best" platform, look for the



best platform for your specific criteria.


To Join a Blogging Site or Not to Join




Joining an established blogging site like live journal or



blogger has plenty of advantages, especially for the blog



novice. Sites that host a lot of different blogs often have



very useful tutorials about building and updating your



blog, and you are likely to encounter a very user-



friendly software interface at an established blogging



site. In addition, these sites provide a kind of instant



community of fellow bloggers who can provide advice,



insight, and feedback. These established sites often



keep directories of their members, which can be great



news for your traffic logs because it means that other



bloggers on the site will find out about your pages.





However, there are also some downsides to linking up



with a large blogging site. By posting within the



established templates of a site like blogger, you run the



risk of having your blog look and feel like everybody



else's. The blogging movement is very much about the



creation of distinctive sites and the development of



individual voices, so it makes plenty of sense that many



bloggers would shy away from the cookie-cutter look



and feel that these blogging sites often promote. Many



bloggers feel that the content of a blog is what makes it



distinctive, not the look of the blog, but many members



of the blogging community feel that the visual impact



of a blog should match the originality of the writing.


Using A Free Blogging Web Site




For first time bloggers, a free blogging web site is a



great way to get started in the blogosphere. Popular



blogging web sites like blogger and eponym allow users



to set up and host a blog without paying any fees at all.



This encourages people to start blogging, because the



fact that one of these sites can provide you with all of



the tools that you need to get your blog up and running



without spending any money means that you have



nothing to lose by starting a blog. The fact that it is so



easy to find a way to blog for free is one of the reasons



why so many people who have never had any other kind



of web presence before find themselves drawn to



blogging.





By signing up with a free blogging web site, you may



find it easier to get listed in search engines that you



would if you were starting your own blog from scratch.



For example, google runs the free blog hosting site



blogspot and crawls its pages very often looking for



updates, so if you have your site hosted by blogspot you



are almost guaranteed to be listed on google's blog



search engine. This easy access to search engines can



take some of the work out of promoting your blog, and



can help you gain a following with a minimum of



marketing effort.





If your blog attracts a large readership, you may want to



consider moving your site. Many people feel that being



hosted by a free blogging web site gives a blog a kind of



amateur flavor that is fine for a new member of the



blogosphere, but is not appropriate for a high-profile



blog. Having your own domain can help you make your



blog feel professional, and finding a company that will



host your domain is not difficult or expensive. Once



your blog takes off, you will probably be able to sell



enough advertising space to be able to afford to buy a



domain and pay for a hosting package, and still have



money left over. However, it does not make sense in



most cases to invest in these glossy luxuries before you



have a sizable readership.





Starting your blog on a free blogging web site is a great



way to build a following before you spend any money



on your blog. If and when your blog becomes popular



and you are ready to take the next step and purchase



your own domain, your readers will follow you to your



new home. The fact that it is possible to use a free blog



host like blogspost, blogger, or eponym as a kind of



incubator for your blog is great news for bloggers


What Is a Blogging Tory?




The term Blogging Tory refers to any one of the many



authors affiliated with the conservative Canadian



community known as The Blogging Tories. Today,



there are over a hundred and fifty text-based blogs



associated with the group, and there are new Blogging



Tories every day. The Tories stand as an inspiring



example of a successful online community where the



ever-increasing numbers of affiliated members enjoy a



fertile environment for discussion and debate about the



ideas that shape the face of Canada.





The majority of Tory bloggers do make political events



and topics the focus of their blogs, but not all of the



content that a Blogging Tory creates and publishes is



overtly related to the movements of the Canadian



parliament or the prime minister. Although the



community members were brought together by a shared



conservative viewpoint, the fact that not all of the



postings on all of the member's blogs focus on political



topics is one of the most exciting things about the



Blogging Tories. On any given day, the main website's



blogroll may feature postings about Olympic medalists,



a James Bond film festival in Quebec, or a comical



personal experience with a telemarketer. The idea that



having a political affiliation in common makes it



possible to have a fruitful discussion about other kinds



of topics has interesting implications for how online



communities are established and how they grow.


Your New Baby, Blogging, and Modern Motherhood




For the mother of a new baby, blogging is likely to be



the last thing on her mind. Taking care of an infant is an



almost incredible amount of work, and between



changing diapers and putting the final touches on the



nursery, it seems unrealistic to imagine that there would



be time left over for any mother to blog. However, a



growing number of new moms are joining the



blogosphere to share their experiences during this



exciting time of life. There is a whole range of benefits



that new mothers can reap from blogging, and the



spectrum covers everything from getting through the



night to helping distant relatives feel closer.





Among the reasons why, for a mom dealing with the



hassles and triumphs of a baby, blogging is a great idea,



is that having a blog about motherhood is a great way to



blow off some steam. Babies often have very erratic



sleep patterns that leave parents up at odd hours of the



night, and sometimes the best way to fill those hours is



on the internet. Many new moms turn to television to



help them weather these dawn vigils, but by blogging



through the night moms can turn what feels like a



somewhat depressing situation into an actively positive



and productive one.





Another reason why new moms often find blogging



very satisfying is that it helps them to be a part of a



community. For moms who are not able to successfully



juggle a full social life with the very tough demands of



taking care of a new baby, blogging can be a great way



to stave off the isolation that sometimes comes with this



stage of life. A baby requires constant attention, and it



can be difficult to attend social gatherings or events



when you are responsible for an infant. Luckily, the



blogosphere is full of other moms in the same situation,



and by chatting with them it is possible to overcome



some of the loneliness that many new mothers are



surprised to encounter.





Of course, for a mom with an adorable new baby,



blogging can be as much about celebration as it is about



necessity. Having a blog about living with a new child



can give mothers the chance to reflect on how powerful



and warm the sensation of motherhood is, and



sometimes sharing the triumphs of this unique time can



make them even sweeter. A blog is a great way to keep



friends and family updated with news about your baby's



first words or first steps, and with new technology it is



easier than ever to make photos and video clips a part of



your blog, so you can give far-away relatives the chance



to feel much more involved in your child's life.


Benefits of a good after school program




Children grow up in a society that demands expertise in everything. You



really cannot sit back and decide that learning from textbooks is enough



for the overall development of your child. It's the age of specialization



and your child cannot afford to miss out on this window of opportunity.



So, scour your locality for the most advantageous programs and enroll them



for the ones you think are the best.





After school programs are basically designed to develop a talent or a



skill that is ignored by regular schools. These programs could be



educational or recreational in nature. Whatever type they are, they



basically aim to keep the child active and interested.





The most important advantage of a good after school program is that it



widens your child's area of interests. He or she is introduced to new



things, sometimes interesting, sometimes challenging. Mastering a new art



form or a new skill increases the child's self-esteem. It also allows you



to introduce your child to new career options. A child attending a music



class may decide that she likes it so much that she wants to make a career



out of it in the long run.





Socialization is another great advantage of after school programs.



Children get to meet others who share their interests and make new



friendships. An acting class or a soccer class can be lots of fun. Many of



these programs coach children for performances or matches. Performing on



stage or playing a match can be a great experience for a young child.





After school programs keep your teenager busy. He or she thus has some



amount of protection from destructive habits like drugs and alcohol.



Surveys indicate that children who are kept busy through diverse absorbing



activities are less prone to abuse, depression and burnout. Significant



increase in achievement and attendance and a reduction in drop out rates



are other advantages of a good after school programs.





Most after school programs have children interacting with one or more



adult. This allows them to benefit from positive relationships with



adults. Children often find it difficult to confide in parents and



teachers, but may open up with other adults.





Many children are put into recreational after school programs so that they



reduce weight and remain healthy. A newly emerging trend shows that about



15% children below the age of 16 are obese. Parents who cannot put their



children on a strict diet resort to sports and games to burn fat. With



cases of child diabetes on the increase, this has become a prime focus of



many after school programs.





A good after school program has many benefits. It keeps the child



entertained as well as busy, and thus prevents children from becoming



addicted to TVs and PCs. By giving them ways to burn up their excess energy



and explore their creativity, after school programs help to shape the



overall personality of the child.


Art-based activities




A recent report by several independent researchers concludes that



participating in the arts nurtures the development of social, personal and



cognitive skills. Programs based on Arts can improve academic achievement



and decrease the tendency towards delinquency. It helps youth form



positive attitudes about themselves and build self-esteem.





Arts programs involve communication, interpretation and understanding of



complex symbols, much like mathematics and languages. Thus it fosters



higher-order analytical skills and skills of evaluation and synthesis.



Many of the programs make the child regularly use multiple skills thus



making him dynamic and versatile.





Development of imagination, judgment and philosophy are fringe benefits of



an arts-based activity. As opposed to the short 45-minute duration of the



art classes at school, the extra time allowed in after school activities



allows the child to get more involved. This results in more satisfactory



opportunities for development of latent capabilities in the child. In



turn, the child learns to set high standards of achievement. He



understands what sustained focus is and learns that regular practice is



the way to excellence.





In the shy or the withdrawn child, theatre, speech or drama lessons may be



an outlet for pent up emotions. As drama entails getting into the 'skin'



of another person, the child learns to verbalize emotions and express



thoughts. These reasons account for the popularity of arts-based


After school safety - tips and reminders




When parents send their children for after school programs, they take it



for granted that the child is safe. But since the number of children



participating in these activities has increased, it is necessary to look



into safety issues.





Children are vulnerable when they are outside the classes. While going or



returning, they should know the safest route to take. Many kids hang out



with their friends just after these classes. Find out 'danger zones' from



your neighbors and make the children aware of these.





The child has to know how to handle emergencies. It is better to discuss



various scenarios with your child. Tell her what she should do in case the



class is suddenly cancelled. Show her the first-aid kit at home and make



sure she knows whom to call in an emergency. Post any important contact



information in a place that is easily accessible to the child. If the



child will be alone at home, discuss a few unexpected things with her.



Tell her to use the safety chain ALWAYS.





Relay on your neighbors and friends when needed. Let your child know who



can be contacted at times of emergency. Ask your child to check in by



phone. Above all, always tell the child to be in a group. Visiting toilets



all alone or going home via isolated streets must be avoided.


After school programs and discipline




How important is discipline when it comes to after school programs? Since



most of the activities are recreational, does a program have to adhere to



strict rules? Discipline is just as important here as it is in



activities that pertain to the school. The child is sent to a program



because you want him to learn more. Discipline in one form or the other is



necessary to facilitate learning.





Every program should begin by laying down the rules. The supervisor or



teacher should explain each rule and can thus prevent future mishaps.



Misbehavior should be addressed as and when it occurs. Deal with the



problem in such a manner that it causes the least disruption. It is unwise



to turn a blind eye to misbehavior because it catches on like fire, and



soon you will have a bunch of unruly children on your hands. Besides,



however much they resist it, children like to operate within the safety



net of strict guidelines and rules.





When a child misbehaves, it is mostly due to a craving for attention. A



supervisor should observe the children and find out what the child wants.



Talk to the child so that you can understand what he or she wants.



Appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken if there are no apparent



reasons for bad behavior.


After school program - recreational vs. educational




So, your child is beginning to get restless and make you restless. He has got more time than is good for him, and you are now considering after school programs - anything that will keep him busy for a few life-saving hours! Most after school activities can be broadly classified into three - recreational, educational and society-oriented. The last bit usually comes in when your child is already a bit grown up and can voice his own interests.





Educational activities aim at furthering the knowledge of your child. His general awareness, his understanding and his memory are targeted and he is given various techniques that will help him improve one or all of these. Programs such as intensive memory training and speed mathematics are educational after school activities. There are academic programs that will go over your child's homework and class work and help the child gain more in-depth knowledge in the various subjects. Thus academic programs have a definite edge over the fun and games, especially if parents feel that their child has a lot of catching up to do.





Recreational activities include sports and games, fine arts, painting etc. The main thrust here is to have fun. Of course, classes become more competitive as the child climbs up the ladder. Many sport events, competitions, stage performances etc are held to encourage the child.





When we compare the merits of the two kinds of activities, I believe that the recreational programs have more meat. Firstly, children do not enjoy learning unless they themselves feel curious about something. Most academic programs are standardized courses that are not too flexible. They have a general purpose and a well laid out methodology. After a number of hours at school, the child may feel bored. Further study may overwhelm him and make him feel frustrated. Burnout is very much a possibility here.





Recreational programs provide a welcome break from the monotony of learning and studies. The mental challenge and the physical exertion make the child feel a renewed zest and a pleasant sense of fulfillment. Group activity teaches him social skills, discipline and patience. It is a proven fact that children involved in extra curricular activities get better grades than others. Sometimes closing the textbooks and playing a game may be the best way to handle your studies.





Whatever program you choose for your child, regular evaluation is the key to success. You will have to measure the child's progress. If progress is unsatisfactory, shift your child out of the program. The child should also have the freedom to reject an activity if and when he feels bored with it. Generally, programs that combine the educational with the recreational are best suited especially for younger children. This way, children can have fun while they learn.


After school activity for the hyperactive child




ADHD refers to attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder. Most children who



suffer from this disorder suffer from attention problems as well as hyperactivity. Parents of such children are well aware that inattention and hyperactivity continue throughout the day. Keeping such children busy after school hours can be as difficult as keeping them safe during the school day.





The first step while choosing the right after school activity for your child is to understand how ADHD affects him. Is your child interested in sports? Is he put off by the fierce competitiveness, or does he find it hard to get along with teammates? Does your child vocalize his feelings, or is communication a problem?





For a child suffering from ADHD, physical exercise is always beneficial. Exercise takes up the extra energy and helps to stimulate the brain. Team activities teach social skills and discipline. But, if your child shies away from team sports, you may want to look at activities like dancing, cycling, swimming or gymnastics. Martial arts not only teach techniques of self-defense but also teach self-control and patience.





If your child shows aversion to sport and shows inclination towards the fine arts, you may need to look at some other options. Acting classes are a wonderful form of creative exercise. It also provides the child with ample opportunity to develop his social skills. Music, art or dance can help the child to keep himself busy and entertained.





In case the child is not interested in any of the above, you may want him to join a Boy Scouts club or other community oriented clubs that take up social work. Cleaning a park, putting on a show, helping out in an old age home are various activities that may pique your child's interest.





Whatever form of activity you choose, make sure that you monitor your child's progress periodically. If you feel that there is no progress, you may need to change the activity. Anything that increases your child's self-esteem is good. You may enlist the help of the coach or teacher to assess your child's development.





There are certain activities that are detrimental to a child suffering from ADHD. Computer and video games are a definite NO. Since these games need no interaction, children will feel all the more isolated. These children also find it difficult to distinguish between the good and the bad messages. They may therefore show an inclination to stick to messages that are not needed. Games that need the child to sit and wait for his turn patiently tax his patience and will not be a success.





Although you would want these children to be as near to normal as possible, understanding their needs and limits will help you select the right after school activity - one that is fulfilling, tiring as well as challenging.


After school activities for the overweight




Research and studies show that our children are growing fater by the



day. Many families all over America are struggling to keep the weight of



their children within reasonable limits. As a parent, I know that it's



nearly impossible for me to look into the tear-filled eyes of my son and



refuse food.





So, what's the alternative? Studies show that the number one reason for



obesity in children is not junk food and colas. It's actually TV.



Children tend to plop themselves on the sofa and munch away happily when



they are in front of the TV sets. But, once the set is off, their natural



buoyancy will lead the children to do stuff and to move their body. THey will then be diverted from eating.





Recreational after school activities are a must if you feel that your



child is beginning to put on undesirable fat. It is better to begin these



activities as early as possible. The more weight the child gains, the



harder he has to work to shed it. Football, swimming, skating and Karate



are just some activities he can participate in. Structured and disciplined



exercise is possible only when one is put into a formal environment. That



is why an overweight child simply HAS to be put into an after school



program of this kind.


After school activities and relationship building




After school activities are the rage of the day. With about $500 million



invested in these programs and more than 10 million children attending



them in America alone, the popularity of these activities cannot be



overlooked. Everyone understands the need to develop new skills, gain more



knowledge and keep the children safe when parents are working.





The most important factor in the success of any program is the



relationship between the children participating in the program and the



adult members who work with these children. Often, children may confide in



an adult member who is not a teacher. This kind of emotional interaction



is a must when children are struggling to make sense of the whirlpool of



emotions that assail them.





Direct contact with professionals can be an inspiring experience. Children



are very much impressed by the knowledge and experience of these adults.



Young people gain a lot of knowledge and experience when they deal with



experienced adults and older youth who serve as teachers or mentors in



these programs. These mentors are different from the teachers in the



school and children are more likely to draw inspiration from them.





After school activities that are managed professionally by people who are



successful in their own fields of expertise will produce children who are



more enthusiastic and successful. Meaningful interaction with adults is a



learning experience in itself.


National Car Rental, Quality Through the Years


The National Car Rental is one of the oldest and the pioneer in the car rental business. In 56 years of business, the National Car Rental has pioneered amongst its most famous, the one way rental feature, for those people who’d want to rent a car in one town and leave it in another, which makes it more convenient for the renter.

National Car rental was also the first car rental company to computerize its reservation operations. With the introduction of “Telemax” computers to their system, reservation process ahs improved moving to a faster and more hassle free renting.

And since the airline industry deregulation in 1976, causing increase in airline travel costs, national car rental gave flat rates for car renters, who chose renting cars rather than flying.

National car rentals is also one of the earliest companies to start corporate account business back in the 70’s. Through this program, National has focused on the corporate traveler more so than any other company. It was also the first in the rental industry to start a frequent renter program. It was also the first to use paperless car rentals and use computers to make dealings faster; they called this the “Emerald Club” and the “Paperless Express Rental Agreement”. The “Emerald Aisle” program enables customers to select the cars that they want, with paperless ease, bypassing the rental counter, and getting them on their way faster and more efficiently. The “Choice Rental Process” in addition enabled customers to choose the exact car that they want, and “QuickRent” that gives non Emerald Club members to skip the rental counter when they complete the deal online.

National car rental is now affiliated with many different companies, all to improve the customers renting experience. These companies include, Air Canada, Air Miles, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, America West airlines, American Airlines, ATA airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia airlines, Midwest airlines, Lanchile, United Airlines and Northwest airlines all having frequent flyer and miles/kilometer programs that can be applied to car rentals as well, some of these airlines even consider national car rental miles, for air miles.

Other affiliates include Coast Hotels and Resorts, which give lower rates for national customers that stay in their Hotels, Hilton Family of Hotels, which let you ear 250 HHonors form their Hilton Honors Points and miles, for every rent from national car rental, as well as American Express who lets you earn points when you’ve enrolled for their program for national car rental.

Aside from all the discounts a features that you will acquire through their affiliates, National Car rentals offer a wide range of vehicles for you to choose from, the classes of cars that you could possibly rent form national cars are endless, the types of vehicles that you’ll be able to rent are classified as subcompact, compact, intermediate, full-size, premium, luxury, sports utility, Mini van and convertible.

National Car rentals also have special offers for their customers, one of which is the “Last minute specials to go” which offers different specials every week at different locations. The other special, the “Great internet rates - Book ahead special’ gives discounts fro those that reserve their cars early in the internet. The weekend value Rates – Book ahead special offers lower weekend rates. National car also offers internet only discounts also a book ahead special, which applies to mini vans and SUVs.






National Car Rental, Quality Through the Years

The National Car Rental is one of the oldest and the pioneer in the car rental business. In 56 years of business, the National Car Rental has pioneered amongst its most famous, the one way rental feature, for those people who’d want to rent a car in one town and leave it in another, which makes it more convenient for the renter.

National Car rental was also the first car rental company to computerize its reservation operations. With the introduction of “Telemax” computers to their system, reservation process ahs improved moving to a faster and more hassle free renting.

And since the airline industry deregulation in 1976, causing increase in airline travel costs, national car rental gave flat rates for car renters, who chose renting cars rather than flying.

National car rentals is also one of the earliest companies to start corporate account business back in the 70’s. Through this program, National has focused on the corporate traveler more so than any other company. It was also the first in the rental industry to start a frequent renter program. It was also the first to use paperless car rentals and use computers to make dealings faster; they called this the “Emerald Club” and the “Paperless Express Rental Agreement”. The “Emerald Aisle” program enables customers to select the cars that they want, with paperless ease, bypassing the rental counter, and getting them on their way faster and more efficiently. The “Choice Rental Process” in addition enabled customers to choose the exact car that they want, and “QuickRent” that gives non Emerald Club members to skip the rental counter when they complete the deal online.

National car rental is now affiliated with many different companies, all to improve the customers renting experience. These companies include, Air Canada, Air Miles, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, America West airlines, American Airlines, ATA airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia airlines, Midwest airlines, Lanchile, United Airlines and Northwest airlines all having frequent flyer and miles/kilometer programs that can be applied to car rentals as well, some of these airlines even consider national car rental miles, for air miles.

Other affiliates include Coast Hotels and Resorts, which give lower rates for national customers that stay in their Hotels, Hilton Family of Hotels, which let you ear 250 HHonors form their Hilton Honors Points and miles, for every rent from national car rental, as well as American Express who lets you earn points when you’ve enrolled for their program for national car rental.

Aside from all the discounts a features that you will acquire through their affiliates, National Car rentals offer a wide range of vehicles for you to choose from, the classes of cars that you could possibly rent form national cars are endless, the types of vehicles that you’ll be able to rent are classified as subcompact, compact, intermediate, full-size, premium, luxury, sports utility, Mini van and convertible.

National Car rentals also have special offers for their customers, one of which is the “Last minute specials to go” which offers different specials every week at different locations. The other special, the “Great internet rates - Book ahead special’ gives discounts fro those that reserve their cars early in the internet. The weekend value Rates – Book ahead special offers lower weekend rates. National car also offers internet only discounts also a book ahead special, which applies to mini vans and SUVs.







After school activities and burnout




For millions of parents around the world, the day does not end with the school bell. There are still pictures to be painted, songs to be sung and games to be played. This all adds up to keeping children happy, safe and out of trouble. But, parents have to steer away from going overboard.





After school is not baby-sitting:



After school activities thrive only if it is backed by sufficient parental involvement. What would a soccer match be without parents cheering their little heroes from the sidelines?.





Research and choose:



Instead of convenience being the decisive factor, find out things that will interest your child. Once you select a program, get the fine print and find out what you have to contribute.





Free time:



Many children attend piano classes, followed by ballet and squeeze in some time for play dates in between just before they rush home in time for bed. This rigor is too much for a child. So, go slow.





When to quit:



Often, parents enroll their child in an activity to discover that he may not be the prodigy they thought he would be. This is the time to let go. Your child may not become the next wonder-kid. But, let him cultivate an interest that he enjoys. Remember, happiness and fulfillment are all that matter.


How to Get the Discount Out of a Discount Car Rental


Discount car rentals are so hard to come by, and in recent times, discount car rentals simply mean you pay less for something less, and lets face it, sometimes when you pay less for a car rental, you end up with something that looks more like a farmer’s truck than a car. It’s hard to come up with a budget friendly rental, so how do you get a discount car rental these days? Well here are a few tips to boost the value of your money, car rental wise.

1.A good way to essentially, get a discount car rental is to, once you return the car, fill the tank with the cheapest no-name gas you could find, not for revenge or anything, but because car rental companies, require customers to fill the gas tank before returning it, and it you don’t they’ll fill it for you with the company pump but at a higher price, now we don’t want that, so be sure to fill your tank before you return the car.

2.To get the discount off of discount car rental, make early reservations, some car rental companies give discounts or free upgrades for customers who reserve their cars early.

3.When you’re planning to use your rental car for more than five days, or longer, ask the rental car company if you can get discount car rentals for a weekly rate, most companies offer discounts for the sixth and seventh day for weekly rentals.

4.Ask your travel agency if you could get discount car rentals if you acquire packages like fly-stay-drive or fly-drive. Most travel agencies as well as hotels offer these programs at a discounted price, what’s good about this is that you get a discount and you shoot two to three birds with one stone.

5.When you go to a car rental company, ask them if you could get a discount car rental in exchange for your frequent flyer miles, this is good for those miles that are about to expire, so instead of throwing them away you’d get one last use for them.

6.One way to get a discount car rental or maybe just the best deal for your money is to look for sites or rental car firms that accepts a pre-determined budget. This is when you indicate the money you’re willing to spend for the car rental, most rental car companies will give you the program that has the biggest discount car rental and the best deal for you, of course it pays to know if the company has a history of fraud, in this day and age, you can’t really trust people that much with your money, check out the car before you reserve.

7.Ask the rental company for discount car rentals when you frequently rent a car at their firm, they’re most likely to give discounts or free upgrades if you always rent with them.

8.Get discount car rentals by reserving your car through the internet. Most rental firms have internet only discounts that can save you a lot of money, look up the rental firm that has the greatest discount for the same value.

9.To get a discount car rental upgrade, try going to pick up your car just as the shop is opening, there’ll be a shortage in the economy cars, and you’ll probably get a free upgrade when they can’t give you the car you reserved.

A home-based after school program




So, your son's school does not offer any extracurricular activities. You



are worried of depriving your child of all that extra knowledge and fun.



What should you do?





After school activities need not be taught in a school-like environment by



professional teachers in a structured and timely manner. There is a lot



YOU can do to support your child's academic, physical and social



development. Do not be too concerned about formal programs, as many of our



children are already over-scheduled.





Obviously, school is top priority for children. They need to go to school,



and finish their homework. They should then do their daily reading or



writing work etc. This may take about 30-60 minutes. In the course of his



daily work, your child may develop certain academic preferences and



interests. In that case, you can try and find a program in a college or a



community center that will help him and encourage him. In the age of the



Internet, information is really not a rarity. Allow him to use the net to



find more information about thing that he likes. Encouraging the child to



do independent research to gain in-depth knowledge is something that no



formal program does.





If you are concerned about the lack of social life, enroll him or her in a



club - a reading club maybe. Visit public libraries or even the theatre,



if your child is interested. It is not necessary for your child to make



friends with children his own age. A parent-child book club is another



interesting option. If you can round up a number of like-minded children



and their parents, you may well start your own after-school program.





When there is no organized group activity, look to your community. Many



children love to get involved in social problems. They get their first



real taste of suffering, charity and community help from such experiences.



Volunteering for clean-up sessions, adult education programs etc could be



a real eye-opener for your child. The lessons thus learnt are invaluable.





If physical activity or the lack of it is your major concern, enroll your



child for some dancing classes. If organized sports are impossible to get,



try to enroll her in a gym. She may find friends there and may take to the



treadmill.





Your child does not necessarily have to be a part of an organized group to



benefit from after-school activities. There are various avenues open in



front of you. Roping in the enthusiasm of your children in daily household



activities like cooking, cleaning etc can also provide them with a



refreshing extracurricular experience. Moreover, it will improve family


Choosing Free Blogging Tools


There are many free blogging tools on the market, but
loading up your blog with all of the free accessories that
you can find isn't necessarily a good idea. While it may
be tempting to add a visitor counter, a flashy
background, an exciting new font, and a cluster of
quirky animated gifs to your blog, this kind of plan can
easily backfire. The key to gettinag the most from free
blog tools is being selective.

It is a great idea to learn about all of the kinds of free
blogging tools that are available so that you can make
an informed decision about what to add to your blog,
but try to remember that just because you can have
something doesn't mean that you need it. Practice
restraint and only choose the options that you think will
really be useful. If you can find out how many visitors
are reading your blog by checking your traffic statistics,
a visitor counter is likely to add unnecessary clutter to
your page. If your blog is text-based, a flashy
background can be more of a distraction than an benefit.
Be realistic about assessing what kinds of blog
accessories will help you realize your vision and
improve your site. Remember that even a blog tool that
doesn't cost you any cash may not be an asset in the

Boring after school activities




Why does Lisa grumble when it is time for her to go for her piano lessons?



How come Johnny abhors the sight of his skates now? After all, these



children were very enthusiastic about the programs when they started off.



What happened? Parents are often confused by the disturbing and often



incongruous signals they receive from their children. One day the kids are



excited about the new theatre class and in just a few short weeks they



wail and moan when it's time to go.





The first thing a family should do when a child begins resisting a



previously loved activity is to listen and investigate. Do not jump into



conclusions. A little bit of intelligent sleuthing is required. Ask your



child what he or she does in the class. Find out what exactly is the cause



of the problem. Then ask the teachers the same questions. Compare notes.



You may stumble on some important clues. Usually, children start out on an



activity thinking it's all fun. But when they realize that they cannot



just hang out and that they need to follow rules etc, they begin to



resist. Your child may feel stifled if the program is too structured. If



the discipline is too rigorous or the activity too painful (like a karate



class) some children balk. Use your own instincts. Does the program feel



like fun? Would you want to attend it yourself? Are they offering enough



motivation to keep the child interested?





The teacher-to-child ratio is also an important factor. Children need



attention. If the number of teachers is just enough to handle a class, it



is possible that your child is not receiving enough attention. State



recommendations usually specify that there must be 1 teacher for 15



children.





Children try to avoid problems they cannot solve. If there are no



perceivable problems with the class and the teachers, perhaps you need to



have a chat with your child. If your judgment says that the place is good



and the activity engaging enough, then it's time to work with your child.



More often than not, social pressures may be at work here. Does your child



have friends there? If she is lonely or miserable because of the lack of



friends, help her find a friend. If she finds a friend, she will get more



involved in the activities





If your best efforts do not pay off, and your child still resists that



fantastic guitar classes, then it's time to let go. Shift your child to



some other program. If he or she still retains interest in guitars, you



can take it up after a few months. Never force the child, especially when



it comes to extra-curricular activities. Since they are 'extra', they must



bring in extra happiness and extra enthusiasm too.


A Great Idea for Blogging


Enough

Because there are so many blogs and web sites about
blogs on the internet, it can be tough to distinguish your
blogging web site from all of the others. Whether you
are starting up a new web site aimed at bloggers or
whether you are looking to make your existing blogging
site more distinctive, the key to building and
maintaining a site that will capture the interest and
attention of the blogging community is finding your
niche. If you can fill a unique need in a way that no
other web site does, you'll be able to build a lasting
readership among web surfers. Once you have
discovered a niche, you will still have a lot to do, but
finding your place in the blogosphere is the place to
begin.

Every great blogging web site starts with a great idea,
and you can't build a successful site that will last
without one. There are many great sites aimed at
today's bloggers, and competition for the attention of
this growing demographic is fierce. To make your
blogging web site stand out from the pack, you will
need to offer something that no other site is currently
offering, or you will need to do the same thing that an
already popular site does but in a more impressive or
valuable way.

One way to discover an ideal model for your blogging
web site is to look at the sites that have successfully
captured a blogging audience already to determine if
you can appropriate some of their strategies to help
realize your vision. Of course, you will also need to add
a unique flair to your project in order to stand apart
from your competition. Many people agree that the web
sites that do the best in today's market are the sites that
have the most personality. The fiercely individual
surfers who are bloggers are a demographic that
responds especially strongly to personality, so consider
how you can give your site a unique and attractive
feeling by lending your own voice and sensibility to
your site's design and content.

Once you have a great idea for your site, have
pinpointed a special niche that you are well equipped to
fill, and have infused the site with personality, the next
step is figuring out how to get the word out to bloggers.
In the long run, a great idea just isn't enough to propel
your blogging web site to success. You will need to
draft a smart and realistic marketing plan in order to
draw readers to your site. Once you hook a blogger,
your great content will keep them coming back, but it is
vital to get that first glance or your site won't have a

Developmental after school programs




As a child grows into an adult, different aspects of his physical,



emotional and mental self needs development. To help a child reach his



full potential, it is necessary to recognize the child's developmental



needs and abilities. To be effective, after school programs should assist



children with tasks they must accomplish during each stage of development.





A child's growth curve can be divided into three main parts:



1) Young child (ages 3-5)



2) Middle school (ages 6-8)



3) Older school (ages 9-12)





The four important domains of development are: The Physical Domain, the



Social Domain, the Emotional Domain and the Intellectual Domain. Each of



these domains needs to be separately addressed during the various phases



of a child's growth. After school programs should concentrate on



developing each domain as applicable to the age of the child. Although the



children participating in these programs may have similar developmental



needs and age, do not expect development to be uniform. Children will



develop as and when they are ready.





Physical Domain:



When children are young, they want to perfect skills that they have just



learnt to control. A variety of movements such as jumping, catching and



throwing delight them. The middle school child, on the other hand, wants



to learn more complex skills and get involved in team sports. This is also



the best time to learn about rules and discipline in sport. The older



school child is ready for more adult-like activities that need greater



structure and discipline, like dancing, gymnastics, music classes etc.





Social Domain:



Young children are observing others and will be interested in games where



they play the roles of family members. They develop short-term friendships



and need an adult's presence to assure them. The middle school child is



intrigued by society and will love trips to factories, public buildings



etc. They want to know the 'how' and 'why' of things. The older school



child is ready to learn about different cultures, food and customs. They



want to do some amount of social work too.





Intellectual Domain:



Young school children will practice what they are learning. Middle school



children want to learn more skills and will show interest in reading,



drama and problem solving. The older school children are ready to research



and probe. They enjoy getting a puzzle and pondering over it.





Any after school program needs to address the interests of the child depending



on the category he belongs to. Knowing the children in your program and



appreciating their needs and interests will help staff to plan and



structure programs that are most useful to that group.


Effective after school activities




When there are so many activities on offer, and each one looks as good as



the next, how do you gauge the worth and effectiveness of these



activities? Sure, you want an activity that junior enjoys. But, we really



cannot afford to waste time on pleasure for pleasure's sake, do we? There



needs to be a grain of gold somewhere in there. Given below is a list of



characteristics that any good after school activity must possess.





Clarity in objectives and goals is the first important thing. What does



the course offer? How does it propose to achieve the results? How many



kids make up a batch? Ask questions. After all, when you are dishing out



the dough, you really need to understand what you are getting in return.





A good after school activity will provide lots of opportunities for the



young to increase their level of understanding of complex concepts. This



is true of recreational activities too. Learning to pitch a ball, or dance



to a tune - regardless of the activity involved, the child should be



encouraged to grapple with and conquer new concepts. This not only keeps



boredom at bay by challenging the child, but also builds up his



self-confidence. Development of academic, personal and social skills is



one of the prime aims of an after school activity. As the skills develop,



the child's self-esteem also increases.





After school activities are all about boosting a child's sense of



competence. Good and effective after school activities promotes the



resilience of youth and encourages them to grow stronger, be it mentally,



emotionally or physically.





Safety is one of the first requirements of an after school activity. The



staff should be qualified, adequate and alert. Never put your child in a



program where safety is a matter of accident instead of a matter of



priority. The staff should be friendly and should have a positive



relationship with the child. Therefore, the program should have



professional and trained staff that loves to interact with children. The



program should maintain a cooperative and supportive attitude and a



structured environment. Participation and collaboration as opposed to



competition and antagonism must be encouraged.





Some programs involve the children in planning activities and making



decisions. Adults often forget to get the opinion of their children. By



giving the children an opportunity to voice their opinion, programs become



fun activities that children are motivated to participate in. Young people



thrive when they are listened to, respected and allowed to contribute



their mite.





Routine evaluations are an important part of after school programs. If the



child does not benefit from a class, don't waste time being



over-optimistic. Try something new.





You are now ready to look for the perfect after school activity for your



child. But don't let us forget that having fun is also an important part



of growing up. The child deserves a few hours of pure delight. Remember,



all work and no play, ……


How to Learn Blogging


A lot of blogging software is specifically designed to be
simple to use, but even the least intimidating blogging
program can feel very overwhelming to somebody who
has not spent a lot of time learning the ins and outs of
different kinds of software. Particularly for newer
bloggers, learning how to use the interface of blogging
software is the most difficult part of blogging. If you are
somebody who feels comfortable expressing themselves
in another medium, it may prove to be well worth your
time and effort to learn blogging software, but that
doesn't mean that the task will be easy.

The main thing that will help you find success as you
learn how to use a new kind of blogging software is to
try and take things slowly. Many people get so excited
about learning to blog that they try to rush into the thick
of it and start exploring the most complicated features
of a program right away. This can lead to getting
confused and feeling frustrated, and all too many
potential bloggers burn out during this stage of the
process. If you take your time learning the basics of
your blog software program before you move on to
more advanced techniques, you will be more likely to
retain what you have learned, and to keep feeling
positive about your ability to understand the world of

How to find after school activities




Start off by making enquiries. Nothing can beat the power of information.



Approach the school authorities first. Find out if they are offering any



after school activities. Get a list of the various classes that are



available in your school. In case the school does not provide any



extracurricular activities for the child, approach your neighbors. Collect



information about any after school programs, the quality of the courses



taught and the timings etc. Also, check out some of the community



resources. These may include places of worship, community centers,



Museums, libraries, the YMCA, The Boys and Girls Club etc.





After you have colleted all the necessary information, discuss the various



options with your child. Find out what his interests are. The best way to



find out what is most suitable is to ask your child. When little children



are too small, you cannot completely rely on their feedback. In this case,



monitor the development of the child on a regular basis. If the child



shows excessive resistance to an activity, it may be necessary to look for



other options. Always consider your family's schedule when planning the



extracurricular activities. If it is difficult for you to chauffeur your



child, you may want to employ tutors at home or conduct some activity at


ASP.Net Blogging Software


Of all of the different kinds of programs on the market
today, many people feel that Microsoft's recently
released ASP.NET blogging software is the most
advanced. In many ways, this particular program is
more adaptable and more versatile than any other
blogging software on the market. Although most of the
people who favor the program are accomplished coders
who are familiar with programming languages like html
and C++, this new program from Microsoft is much
easier to use than a lot of other blog design software
that incorporates hands-on coding. One of the things
that makes ASP.NET stand apart from its competitors is
the fact that it allows designers to use a wide variety of
programming languages when they build a blog. This
means that a larger number of coders can realize their
dreams by programming in the language with which
they are most familiar and in which they are most
accomplished.

A lot of people have welcomed ASP.NET blogging
software with enthusiasm and with open arms.
However, that doesn't mean that the ASP.NET program
is right for everybody. If you are not familiar with
computer languages like javascript or perl, you may
find that the release of ASP.NET does not directly
affect you at all. However, if you are an experienced
web designer, you are likely to find much to celebrate in
this exciting new program.

Keeping children motivated




Initial enthusiasm in after school activities tends to wane after the



first excitement is over. This is but natural. The trick is to keep up the



hard work even after this. How do you keep your child motivated? This is



of particular importance when the child goes in for educational after



school programs.





Make the career-academics connection early on:



Let your child understand how important studies are. Let him know that



an excellent career is wholly dependent on wholesome learning. To develop



his interest in studies, plan family activities that are connected with



his studies. Emphasize the real-world connection to academics whenever



possible.





Set goals:



Let your child know, through example, that hard work will be rewarded. If



your child believes that achievement is a natural by-product of effort, he



is more likely to put in hard work. Such children are also less likely to



drop out of programs and college at a later stage.





Reward success:



When a child achieves something, it is necessary to praise his hard work.



Positive reinforcements enhance confidence and increase self-esteem.



Conversely, beware of criticism. It can ruin the frail ego of children and



play havoc with their minds.


Blogging 101


Blogging 101 is mostly about the blogging
vocabulary. To understand blogs, you need to know
the terms blog, platform, domain, and web host.
Once you have mastered these key elements of
blogging, you can enter any conversation about
blogging with confidence. After you know what
exactly a blog is, you will be on your way to
passing the final exam of blogging 101.

Blog is short for weblog, which simply means a
series of online posts presented in reverse
chronological order. That's all! Most blogs are text,
but there are also photo blogs and video blogs. The
rest of blogging 101 has to do with the technical
side of things. If you are setting up a blog, you will
need a platform, a web host, and a domain. A
blogging platform is a computer software program
that allows you to write posts and to update your
blog. Your platform is also what you use to design
the look of your blog, from color scheme to font
size. The web host is sort of like the virtual file
cabinet where your blog is stored. Your computer
communicates with the host when you upload or
edit a post. The domain is the online address of
your blog, and usually ends in ‘dot com'. Now that
you know what a blog is, what a platform is, and
what domains and hosts are, congratulate yourself!
You have passed blogging 101.

Need for after school activities




When children are literally up to their gills with the learning and sport



activities in school, it may seem superfluous to enroll them for after



school activities. In spite of this, after school programs are sprouting



up in large numbers and most of these are booked full. This shows that



there is a real need for after school activities.





The unavailability of parental supervision is the leading cause for the



surge in after school programs. It is seen that many children spend about



20-25 hours a week unsupervised and alone at home. And as the saying



goes, "An idle mind is a devil's workshop". Children who are left alone



to contend with too much free time invariably fall into the wrong



company. Drug abuse, alcohol, tobacco and crime come knocking at their



doors sooner rather than later. Parents enroll children to various after



school programs to keep them occupied in a productive manner. This way,



the kids are free to enjoy themselves in a supervised activity.





Crime is considered to be at its peak during the after school hours,



between 3- 4 p.m. During such a time, children need protection. Getting



the children together under one roof and encouraging them to participate



in a group activity is protection enough. It diverts the children from



ennui too.





Obesity is a matter of growing concern in this country. It is noticed



that more and more children are becoming couch potatoes. After school,



many of them relax on the sofa with packets of chips, cool drinks or



chocolates while they watch T.V. 30 % of the kids below the age of 19 are



considered overweight, and about 15% of these are obese. An after school



program ensures that the child shakes off his lethargy and keeps himself



busy. This also helps to reduce the child's fascination for T.V and



computer games.





After school activities that promote social awareness develop the



individual's sense of social responsibility. It is seen that these sorts



of programs not only keep kids out of trouble, but also help to produce



responsible citizens. To that extent, they are valuable building blocks



in a child's personality.





Times are changing and parents want their children to excel in academics



as well as in other activities. This may be a reflection of the parent's



unfulfilled desire to excel - a remnant from his own childhood. Whatever



the reason, parents today encourage their children to enroll themselves



in various programs and develop the various facets of their



individuality. Children too seem to be comfortable learning many things



at the same time, and gain satisfaction from this.


Over-scheduling kids




Several studies are expressing a growing concern that after school



programs are pressurizing kids to do too much too soon. They point out



that when a child's afternoon is filled with classes, trips, sports and



other forms of organized activities, kids do not really get the time to be



just kids. They are even being deprived of the cherished family time.





Undoubtedly, there are children who are being burdened with a schedule



that places too much demand on their time. This leads to increased levels



of stress on the child and the family. As regular studies cannot be



ignored, children are almost always on the run to achieve more. Such



children are really bearing a burden that is too heavy for their frail



little shoulders.





In an ideal world, all children would go home directly after school to



loving and caring parents who are waiting for the children to come home.



But the social and economic realities show that many children have to



attend after school courses because there is no one available at home. For



such children, these classes are a boon.





Parents should however restrain themselves from reading too much into



these activities. After school programs are complimentary in nature. They



give additional support. Therefore, their importance should also be


Blogging New Stories as That Happens


Blogging news stories as they unfold is one of the most
exciting and controversial applications of technology
that bloggers have discovered. One thing that makes the
blogosphere so active is the fact that it is possible to
update a blog instantaneously, so the news on blogs
tends to be more current than the news in the paper, or
on television. Unlike news delivered by these other
media, news that appears on blogs does not have to
travel through a series of editors and administrators
before it reaches the public eye. This has some
advantages, and some distinct disadvantages.

One of the most notable cases of news hitting a blog
before appearing in other media took place in July 2005
when terrorism struck London. As passengers were
evacuated from a subway car near an explosion, one
man took several photographs of the scene with his
cellular phone, and within an hour these images were
posted online. First-person accounts of the catastrophe
began appearing on blogs soon after these photos
appeared, and people all over the world learned about
the events in London by reading the words and seeing
the photos posted by bloggers.

The fact that these stories and images were being spread
directly by individuals operating without the added
filter of a reporter helped to make the crisis feel very
immediate to people across the globe. When it comes to
blogging, news often appears in a very personal context.
This has the potential to be the beginning of an exciting
new era of reporting, one that takes "New Journalism"
to it's logical next step by putting the power to shape
how the news is written and read directly into the hands
of the public.

Many bloggers and cultural commentators who are
champions of the weblog movement feel that this
growing trend of individuals who getting their news
from blogs is a good thing, because it makes the flow of
information more democratic. By decentralizing the
control of news, blogs allow more voices to enter the
field of debate about important current events.
However, many people are adamantly opposed to the
use of blogs as news outlets, and there are plenty of
good arguments on this side of the debate. Unlike
newspapers or television stations, few blogs have fact-
checkers, and there is little attention paid to journalistic
accountability on many blogs. This can lead to the rapid
spread of misinformation, and more than one falsehood
has taken the blogosphere by storm. The questions
about whether blogging news as it happens is ethical or
not are very complicated, but no matter where you stand
on the topic of current events blogs you are almost sure
to agree that this movement has the potential to
revolutionize how modern people get their news.