Open Journalism For All - News, Documentaries And Information Services

Finding the right online payday loan lender is important. You do not want to deal with unscrupulous or fake loan companies.

The first thing you will look for is a website that has been professionally designed and organized. Ideally, there is no “dead link” or a link which leads you the phrase “the page cannot be displayed”. If you’re up to it, check spelling and grammar. The information presented on the site should be clear and not riddled with “legal words” meant to confuse the reader. And then, there should a page for FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) about payday loans and the procedure that the company undertakes. There should also be a page for the company’s contact information. Their offices, email address, and contact numbers should be provided in this page. If convenient to you, check the office address.

Beware of online payday lenders that ask you for fees to process your applications. Also avoid payday loan websites that assure you of instant approval based only on a few questions, or that they no longer need documents such as latest bank statements or proof of employment. Remember, a real and reputable payday loan company would need information about your banking history and about your current employment. All in all, you do not see any hint that it belongs to a sleazy company.

All payday loan lenders must be licensed. Do not hesitate to ask information about their lending license. If they refused or their answer is vague, then look for another payday loan company.

Security is an important factor to consider in choosing a good payday loan company. In its website, a Security and Privacy Policy should be clearly posted. Make sure that you read this and it does not turn out to be a dead link. Most important of all, determine the kind of connection that the lender uses when you send your application form. The connection should be SSL (Secure Socket Layer). It is a secured connection and that no third party will be able to access the information that you provided. If unsure of the connection used by the lender, contact and ask the company. Again, if the answer is vague or evasive, find another loan company.

Lastly, there should be excellent customer service offered by the payday loan company. True, you need the money they have, but you will also pay that amount of money and more. You are the client, after all. Make sure that someone in that company is easily accessible to answer all your questions.

Mr. Peter Garant is a long time contributer of financial articles, Most of his work is Faxless Payday Loan and Credit Repair Articles. Peter Garant has been working in the financial sector in the last 12 years and has vast experience in his field.
Visit his sites to see more articles from this author.
creditrepairkits.blogspot.com/
www.faxless-paydayloan.org/

This is my third in a series of articles on the happy health benefits of some of our favorite indulgences. Please read my related articles on coffee and tea, wine and beer.

When the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes came home from Mexico in the early 1500s, he brought with him the sacred drink of the Aztecs. Made from the roasted seeds of Theobroma cacao, the drink was flavored with a blend of exotic ingredients, and although Cortes had come to like this concoction, the Spanish eventually added sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon for a sweeter drink more pleasing to European taste. The secret recipe was eventually leaked to Europe, and first appeared in London in the mid-1600s. By 1765 the American colonists were enjoying cocoa made from West Indian beans. Cocoa powder was developed by a Dutch chocolate maker, and his patented process for pressing cocoa butter from the roasted beans made possible the production of both instant cocoa and edible chocolate.

Theobroma means, appropriately, “food of the gods.” Chocolate has low levels of caffeine; its main stimulant is theobromine, with a much milder effect. The darker the chocolate, the higher is the content of theobromine.

Cacao beans are extremely rich in flavonoids, the same antioxidant compounds found in wine and beer, coffee and tea. Chocolate contains calories and fat but contributes little to the total saturated fat in the average American diet. Eating dark chocolate in favor of milk chocolate helps in avoiding much of the fat.

Chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins, the natural opiates that are our pleasure chemicals; and phenylethylamine, a compound in chocolate, is thought to stimulate the same physical reaction as falling in love. The smell alone slows brain waves, inducing a sense of calm and enhancing verbal learning.

Chocolate contains a significant amount of magnesium and iron. One and a half ounces of chocolate have about the same amount of antioxidant phenolic compounds as a glass of red wine.

The fat in cocoa is stearic acid, a saturated fat comprising about 30% of the fat in a bar of chocolate. Some of the stearic acid in chocolate converts in the body to oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat similar to that found in olive oil, which is well known for its health benefits.

On the down side, in people prone to migraines, amine compounds in chocolate can trigger attacks, as sufferers have low levels of phenolsuphotransferase, an enzyme that processes them. Yet because cocoa reduces the blood platelet adhesion that can lead to headaches, it may conversely be beneficial.

The quality of the chocolate makes all the difference. The key to enjoying the health benefits of chocolate is to eat high quality dark chocolate with a 60 to 70% cocoa solid content. Normal dark chocolate has around 30%; ordinary chocolate has as little as 10 to 20% cocoa content, with a lot of sugar and hydrogenated vegetable fats. High-quality chocolate can be suitable for diabetics, as it does not create a blood sugar rush as high-sugar chocolate does.

There also may be a case for organic varieties, as the pesticide lindane, linked to breast cancer, has been found in chocolate. The chemical is in the process of being banned but is still used in developing countries. If the coffee plant is not organic, it is probably heavily sprayed, because chocolate is such a valuable crop.

And while you’re at it, go ahead and get chocolate with nuts. They’re a tremendous source of vitamin E, heart-healthy fats, and virtually no saturated fats.

So, go ahead and indulge.

About The Author Lisa J. Lehr is a freelance writer with a specialty in business and marketing communications. She holds a biology degree and has worked in a variety of fields, including the pharmaceutical industry and teaching, and has a particular interest in health matters. She is also a graduate of American Writers and Artists Institute (AWAI), America’s leading course on copywriting. Contact Lisa J. Lehr Copywriting www.ljlcopywriting.com, for help with your business writing needs. This article ©Lisa J. Lehr 2005.

In affiliate marketing, the affiliates are looking into ways in which their chosen products can be promoted more effectively. One creative and effective way is the use of e-zine advertising. To use this tool for promotion, the affiliate must first know what e-zine advertising is all about.

An e-zine is a newsletter sent to subscribers. It is a coined term for magazine which is published in the Internet. The core subject or theme of the newsletters can be anything. And when a newsletter has been around long enough within cyberspace, the number of subscribers of the newsletter will reach a point that it represents a considerable percentage of the global market.

And when the number of subscribers is large enough, the publisher of the e-zine will be selling space in it to online businessmen and to affiliates. Such is the beginning of the publisher’s e-zine advertising. To acquire the maximum benefits of e-zine advertising, here are some tips that an affiliate may keep in mind.

·Some e-zines are simply paragraphs sent in an email, while other e-zines provide links to other websites. The affiliate should choose e-zines that have these external links. If the affiliate has signed-up with a pay-per-click program, he can arrange the link to be directed to the merchant’s website. Otherwise, the link could lead to the affiliate’s website. What is important is that the e-zine should encourage its recipients or subscribers to have a more active role.

·One type of e-zine ad is similar to a banner ad while the other type is called a solo ad. The former is cheaper while the latter is more expensive. But the solo ads take the complete attention of the reader, while the banner-like ads will be competing with other banner ads. The affiliate must look hard into his budget and decide which type of e-zine ad will work best for his affiliate marketing business.

·The placement of the e-zine ad is important. The top sponsor ads are better than ads placed in the middle of the newsletter article. An ad placed right in the middle will most likely be skipped by the reader. While the ad placed at the top will surely be read first. The top ads are, of course, more expensive than the middle ads. But what good will a middle ad do when it cannot even get one visitor? Next to top ads, the bottom ads are effective. When the article of the newsletter is engaging, the reader will reach the end and find the bottom ad. Since the recipient is through reading, he is more inclined to click on the link of the bottom ad.

·A targeted niche is better than a generalized approach. To have an e-zine ad that targets a specific audience, the affiliate must find out from the newsletter’s publisher the topics of the next issues. Once the next issue is known, for example “vintage cars”, the affiliate can choose among his products which is most related to the issue, for example, “car parts”. An e-zine ad about another topic, such as “computer software” will be ignored by the reader.

By using the above e-zine advertising tips, the affiliate can avoid spending for advertisements that are ineffective. And he can focus on ads that will easily translate to sales.

Peter Garant’s affiliate marketing site sells affordable unique website articles to webmasters that understand the need for unplagerised and high quality content on their websites.

1. Creating business cards. If you’re self employed or run a small business, you know how expensive printing business cards can be. If someone leaves your employ, or the phone area code changes, all that money is down the drain. Most printers and stationers work to standard designs anyway, so your business card looks pretty much like all the rest. With your own DTP software you can really let your imagination rip, and design a unique and memorable card. You can then print it out on your colour printer and save a bundle - you can even get pre-cut card to print your design out on that can make your work indistinguishable from a professional job.

2. Designing letterheads. Just like business cards, really, only bigger. You can get them offset printed by the ream, or save the design as a file and print out the letterhead every time you print out a letter.

3. Custom DVD covers and labels. Making movies is fun (I know), but if you make home movies and videos, and burn them onto disk yourself, the label that comes with the disk looks pretty boring. It’s easy to design an insert to go inside the DVD case - and a matching label - using your DTP software. Now your epic can take pride of place on the shelf alongside the professional ones from the video store.

4. Making banners and posters. Throwing a party? Want to advertise your goods or services? Got an event you need to publicise? Banners and posters are a simple way to catch someone’s attention. The traditional way of creating them is by using markers and paints. A combination of your DTP software and colour printer is much quicker - and less messy!

5. Designing flyers. Scale that banner or poster down to half a page, and you’ve got a flyer to hand out.

6. Typesetting newsletters. A newsletter is the easiest way of letting customers, or members of your club or other organisation, know what’s going on. Typing them up on a word processor is fine, but use your DTP software to make them more eye-catching, and your newsletter is more likely to be read than trashed.

7. Magazine layout. Go one further and layout your own glossy magazine with pictures ad text put together in full colour. It’s easier (and cheaper) than you may think.

8. Product packaging. Think package design is the preserve of expensive design shops or advertising agencies? Think again! Most package design these days is done using computers. “Reverse engineer” a package by taking a similar sized one apart to get the dimensions, build your own template from the measurements, then let your imagination run wild. You’ll be surprised at what you can come up with - and how little it will cost.

9. Laying out a catalogue. If you sell multiple products, or just want to let customers know what’s in your shop or store, a catalogue can keep you uppermost in your customer’s mind. Designing it using your own DTP software means you can easily update it without having to pay a fortune to an agency.

10. Designing a yearbook. Don’t let precious memories fade away. A yearbook isn’t just for high school. Use your DTP software to organise pictures, facts and reminiscences into a document you’ll treasure forever.

Shaun Pearce is a writer and video maker.
His latest production “DTP Master” shows you how to get to grips with desktop publishing, comes with free DTP software, and can be downloaded from http://www.learndtpfast.com.

Yet out of ashes & rubble of repentance
A New World Order will arise
Spoken of by the Prophets who
Assure us of Europe’s demise
Ten little naked emperors with
Towers will quake and fall
And the crawling Child will suddenly
Stand and walk six feet tall
The Gods will dwell among men
With Earth restored to Eden again
The King of Righteousness reigns
And nothing will ever be the same
The old world has passed away
The Dawn has given birth to a new day
Let Elijah herald Babylon is fallen, fallen
For in Judah and Jerusalem God is exulted!
Jerusalem is remembered and redeemed
Israel a Kingdom of Light to be seen
The Darkness couldn’t bend Heaven’s Will
Ancient of Days in His people fulfilled!

About the Author

David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com

Xbox360, the latest version of the video game console that has been manufactured by Microsoft, was a term that was finally arrived at by the computer software company last year. This was after a marketing firm that it hired conducted a survey which asked people whether they thought the Xbox evoked a more “next generation” or “next-gen” sound. It was apparent that Microsoft was having worries at that time that sticking to Xbox2 as the name of its new video game console would make it appear or sound older or less “cutting-edge” than its main rival, the PlayStation 3 or PS3.

Keeping such a concept in mind, Microsoft recently announced that it has successfully produced a set of fresh 360 backwards compatibility update of the Xbox which the firm is scheduled to release anytime within the week. This is in keeping with the company’s commitment to concentrate on the continuous improvement of the console’s features. Peter Moore, the game’s top honcho, said the updates are presently having their final testing at Microsoft. Once completed, these will be released to the market sometime this week.

Aside from the compatibility updates, the Xbox360 is also reported to have a special feature that has the capability to perform maintenance functions in the console’s storage devices. A player, who recently purchased a copy of the video game, said the console’s cache can be cleared simply by going to the sytem blade, then to its memory. From there, the player said, one can press Y on either the HDD or the MU. The said player consequently posted his observations on one of the console’s numerous websites.

A Microsoft representative did confirm the existence of the said feature. However, he tried to make it clear to those who purchased the console that while the HDD clearing feature is a part of the game’s entire electronic processing system, it is also a part of the technical support process. Ideally, it should only be utilized in instances when technical operations are involved. Moore said that while the said Xbox360 feature, when utilized, will not really harm or cause severe damage to the console, still it is advisable that it be used sparingly and only upon proper instructions from a qualified Microsoft customer service staff.

The latest model of the Xbox is considerably much smaller in size than its predecessor. It also has the obvious looks of a 21st century set top box. In addition, the game also contains a removable hard drive that is located on the left side of the console.

In general, the Xbox360 is, for all intents and purposes, a most powerful console, a truly next generation video game that has amazing top-of-the-line and cutting-edge features. It promises to provide an amazing digital visual enjoyment. The latest Xbox has a variety of hot as well as new game titles ranging from science-fiction, to adventure, to action, to sports, and to practically anything that the human mind can imagine.

Spyware and its endless threats to internet users can strike in numerous ways; penetrating areas users thought were secure and untouchable. Recently, a day trader logged into his TD Waterhouse online account and found his account was nearly empty. The cause was a keylogger. The perpetrator had sent a message inviting investors to test a new stock charting tool.

Anyone who wanted to participate in the testing was sent a link to download and install. The download was actually a keylogger that found and recorded usernames and passwords keyed into the infected computer.

The intruder was charged with fraudulently accessing an individual’s computer and executing security transactions. The transactions amounted to nearly $50,000. Owner of the spyware software SpyCop said this example of keylogger intrusion is one of many that occur regularly, especially with spouse tracking each other.

Keyloggers have the capability to record everything you type into your computer. The information they can gather may be your credit card number, social security number, username, password and more.

Once a spyware application such as keyloggers has your information it is often sold or sent straight to the intruder who will use it for identity theft or fraud. Programs such as SpyCop are able to detect and remove current spyware infections. Once your system is clean SpyCop has features that will actively protect your computer from spyware while you surf the internet.

Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/, a site that focuses exclusively on spyware removal software, as well as tips on how to prevent spyware from popping up on your computer. This site articles on has spyware guard, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_guard.htm as well as spyware scanner, http://www.spyware-removal-made-easy.com/spyware_scanner.htm

All too often I find site owners are confused (or in denial) about how to achieve the search engine rankings they desire on the SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages). So, I am pleased to offer you my version of “Organic Listings 101.”

Several times each day I get approached by site owners wanting to be in the top 5, 10, top page for organic (free) listings. The organic results are those that display to the left and below “Sponsored Sites” or “Sponsored Results at Google, MSN and Yahoo!. These “Sponsored” advertisement boxes are part of Pay Per Click programs where site owners bid for positioning.

What we’re going to discuss today are the free listings that are gained by how your site is ranked based on a combination of unique variables (algorithm) of each search site. Which, to muddy things up further, evolve without notice.

“You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad.”
~Aldous Huxley

Let’s first set the stage so that we have realistic expectations here. When I started my consulting practice back in the early 90s, it was relatively easy to get found. The volume of sites and the level of competition were not one iota of what they are today. Fast forward to 2005 and you have close to 12,000,000,000 (yes, that’s billion) pages with a good 10,000,000 being added daily.

So how do you get visibility in the SERPs? Shuffling or adding keywords in your Meta tags won’t do it. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t the end-all-be-all either. You have to have a well rounded, smart long term marketing plan for your site that includes certain basics for you to rise in the organic rankings.

Issues for consideration to gain improved organic listings:

=> Look at your Web marketing plan as a long term effort. New sites are in Google’s sandbox for 6 months or more, and it will take time and effort to be viewed as more relevant than the sites that are already online in the free positions you seek.

=> Part of putting your plan together is to do a search with your top keyword phrases on the various search engines so that you are aware of the competition and the volume of sites already successfully ranking for the terms you are targeting. This gives you a real-world understanding of the level of competition you will be up against.

=> Understand that how your Web site ranks has nothing to do with how good you are at what you do. It has to do with how good your site is and how good others including the search engines think your site is. That requires a long term realistic marketing plan to grow your site to be the best most comprehensive resource on your product or service for your site visitors. It doesn’t happen overnight or just because you say you want it to.

=> Forget about trying to rank for one-word keywords-much too difficult and in some cases downright impossible. Concentrate and target 2-3 word phrases instead of one-word keywords and you’ll get more targeted visitors as well. There are several tools to assist you in investigating what keyword phrases your target market is actually using. Use these tools to your advantage!

=> Make sure each page within your site targets and is optimized for only one or two, 2-3 word keyword phrases each. Niche is what works for organic listings! The more you are about; the less you are about any one thing. Search results are based on numerous factors; one being relevancy for the terms the searcher is using. If you are targeting 10, 20, 30 terms per page, that page is not strongly about any given topic vs. another site that has a page or pages concentrating on just one or two phrases each. Keep in mind that less is more when it comes to targeting keyword phrases on a page by page basis.

=> To “top” the sites already out there, you have to do just that! Top them! What makes your site better and more valuable to your site visitors? If you don’t have anything unique and of quality or value to offer, you’ll never push those who already hold these positions out of your way.

=> Plan on adding new information to your site on an aggressive basis. Daily, weekly, minimally monthly! Resources, white papers, “how tos” not only add value but will naturally work wonders as keyword targeted pages. Offer the type of information those seeking your product or service will find useful and search for and that other sites will want to link to. Don’t even think of cheating and using content generating software…You’ll get nowhere with that approach. You need to have well written content of value; not keyword stuffed ramblings.

=> Plan on having lots of patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day and attaining great organic listings no longer happens in a day, a month, or even a year. Any business that hopes to succeed needs to take a consistent and informed long-term approach. This applies to organic listings ten-fold.

Yes, without a doubt all of the above recommendations require your time, effort and a realistic understanding of how organic listings are accomplished. But this is the reality of how great listings, over time, are attained. It is really quite simple-strive to make your site the best it can be; THE site for your product or service and your rankings will improve!

There are no short cuts or trickery for fast top 5, 10, top page organic results. If someone tells you otherwise, they are trying to use what you don’t know to get into your pocket book. Make a commitment to continually build your site to be the best it can be to your site visitors and your organic rankings will happen. Web sites and rankings are a work in progress after all!

Without implementing the above, you are left with only one choice in order to get visibility to those searching for your product or service. You will need to invest in a well planned Pay Per Click program and the corresponding budget necessary to reach your goals.

About the Author:
Judith Kallos is an authoritative and good-humored Technology Muse
who has played @ http://www.TheIStudio.com for over a decade. Check out her popular Software, Programming and Web Design
Cheat Sheets @ http://www.LearnAndThrive.com

Copyright 2006 Karin Manning

A popular way for companies to communicate directly with consumers today is to use email. Email serves a variety of functions including sales promotions and being a means of education about products and services. Messages also can include branding with logos and/ or tag lines, and they can offer direct response tools like reply links, emails, telephone and fax numbers.

Basic email message writing comes across much better with skill that can be learned. Main focus should be placed on the tone of speech and grammatical language in the body of the message. Here are some points which should be remembered for writing the email.

The subject line should be exciting, making the reader want to open the mail and read the further text.

Keep the subject line brief.

Make sure to include details about the sender to comply with spamming laws. Check spamcop or other “anti-spam” sites in your favorite search engine for more info.

Develop the body of the email; i.e. the message, with a good introduction followed by well-described paragraphs.

Avoid hype and misleading readers.

Use your email spelling and grammar check tools. And don’t “shout” or use all capital letters.

Practice and read emails that come your way. Learn to write messages that you’d like to receive and improve your communications.

When you create email messages to send, do like the Boy Scouts and “Be Prepared.” Prepare with a small arsenal of marketing tools to use in advance as follows.

Marketing Tools

Folder – create a folder on your computer & in print form for “email marketing” and keep ideas you have for future campaigns there. Save favorite emails there you get from others, too, as inspiration. You can use these as templates to create your own unique messages.

Headlines – Start a Microsoft Word or text document where you list favorite headlines and ideas for future headlines.

PS – People like to head straight to this area first, many gurus say. So Create a document in your email marketing folder with favorite “PS” remarks; special sales, freebies, etc.

Guarantee – Ditto with guarantees. Which guarantees are listed on items you’ve purchased recently? Use these as starters. They attracted you!

Reference Guides – Keep handy reference sites like Dictionary.com or favorite encyclopedias book marked in a special Favorites folder on your computer. Keep print editions available nearby, too!

With the right bunch of marketing tools gathered ahead, you can “Be Prepared.” Start gathering your arsenal for great email marketing campaigns.

The main way to communicate effectively via email is to target the right audience with your message. This largely depends upon what you are trying to sell and to whom you are trying to sell.

Email writing should hopefully have one or more affects on the readers. Recipients should feel the satisfaction of reading the message and want to continue reading, like in further messages you send later. And / or they should want to follow up directly for more information or to purchase. For this the writer must imply some techniques for making the writing more effective.

Basic Outline - Begin with a basic outline; an opening sentence that leads into your opening paragraph. Then discuss no more than 3 main points. And end with a close and invitation to purchase, visit a website for more information, instructions to sign up for a freebie or other direct response.

Eye-Friendly - People see a lot during each day. So make your message clear and make it stand out. Keep sentences short & to the point. And use bullets and headings.

So avoid as many negative responses as possible when readers get your email messages. Instead of readers asking to unsubscribe from further messages and / or delete the ones you’ve sent, practice effective skills in your communications.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Leading expert reveals step-by-step Internet Marketing Strategies scientifically tested and proven to instantly INCREASE your online profits by 437% or more! What you are about to discover turned a $25 investment into over $54.7 Million in online sales! To start reading this exclusive interview at no charge send mailto:imckm@getresponse.com today.

If you listen carefully, you may hear bells ringing in the quiet suburban town of Simsbury, CT on a regular basis. That is, the sound of numerous family members being trained by their pooches.

This innovative product solves the communication gap between man and his best friend, his dog. Typically dogs are trained to signal when they need to go outside and do their business in a variety of ways such as barking, whining, scratching at the door or perhaps sitting and waiting. All of which can lead to frustration and accidents for the dog. Now, your dog can send a clear signal to your family when he needs to go out… train your dog to ring his poochie-bells when he needs to go out.

Referred to as “bell training”, this technique has be used for years by professional pet trainers and is highly effective. Poochie-Bells’s web site at www.poochiebells.com offers a wide variety of fashionable choices for you to build your poochie-bells as well as complete suggested training method. This cool looking device hangs on the inside doorknob of the door that your dog uses most frequently to exit the house. Your dog nudges the bells when he needs to go out and the rest is history…. At an inexpensive price, this product offers a high return for a minimal cost.

Poochie-Bells are rapidly spreading across the country as the web site gains visibility, trade shows are attended, and of course, as each pooch brags about how he trained his owner to understand what it means when those Poochie-Bells ring.

For more information, please contact Cheryl Pedersen by email at orders@poochie-bells.com or by phone at 860-712-5548. Visit our web site at www.poochiebells.com

About the Author

Cheryl Pedersen is the owner of Poochie-Pets LLC. For more information please visit http://www.poochiebells.com.