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Sunday, November 9, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Top 10 Matlab Commands for Linear Algebra Students
1. basic input: "A = [ 1 2 3; -1 2 3; 2 4 5 ]" inputs a 3x3 matrix by rows; variants
"b = [ -1 2 1]' " or "b = [ -1; 2; 1]" to input a column vector b, and
"C = [ A b ]" to produce a matrix C containing A augmented with b.
Note: "format compact" reduces output spaces; also try "format long", "format rat", "help format".
2. rref: "rref(A)" reduces A to reduced echelon form; see also "rrefmovie(A)".
3. basic arithmetic: "A*B", "A+B", "A\b" to multiply and add matrices, solve Ax = b.
4. help: "help command" gives information about "command", e.g. "help rref".
Note: "more on" gives output (e.g. from help) one screen at a time.
5. lookfor: "lookfor keyword" tries to find commands relevant to "keyword"; e.g. "lookfor null".
6. diary: "diary myfile" records subsequent output in the file "myfile" for printing later;
"diary off" stops the recording; "!mail name@email.address < myfile" emails "myfile" to "name@email.address" from a computer with a Unix OS.
7. rand: "rand(6,4)" produces a random 6x4 matrix.
8. det: "det(A)" computes the determinant of a square matrix A.
9. inv: "inv(A)" tries to compute the inverse of a square matrix A.
10. eig: "eig(A)" computes eigenvalues(vectors) for square A; try "help eig" for more info.
Note: the uparrow key gives previous commands that may be edited to save typing; this only works if your keyboard characterstics are properly recognized.
"b = [ -1 2 1]' " or "b = [ -1; 2; 1]" to input a column vector b, and
"C = [ A b ]" to produce a matrix C containing A augmented with b.
Note: "format compact" reduces output spaces; also try "format long", "format rat", "help format".
2. rref: "rref(A)" reduces A to reduced echelon form; see also "rrefmovie(A)".
3. basic arithmetic: "A*B", "A+B", "A\b" to multiply and add matrices, solve Ax = b.
4. help: "help command" gives information about "command", e.g. "help rref".
Note: "more on" gives output (e.g. from help) one screen at a time.
5. lookfor: "lookfor keyword" tries to find commands relevant to "keyword"; e.g. "lookfor null".
6. diary: "diary myfile" records subsequent output in the file "myfile" for printing later;
"diary off" stops the recording; "!mail name@email.address < myfile" emails "myfile" to "name@email.address" from a computer with a Unix OS.
7. rand: "rand(6,4)" produces a random 6x4 matrix.
8. det: "det(A)" computes the determinant of a square matrix A.
9. inv: "inv(A)" tries to compute the inverse of a square matrix A.
10. eig: "eig(A)" computes eigenvalues(vectors) for square A; try "help eig" for more info.
Note: the uparrow key gives previous commands that may be edited to save typing; this only works if your keyboard characterstics are properly recognized.
MATLAB
What is Matlab?
Matlab (short for MATrix LABoratory) is a language for technical computing, developed by the The Mathworks, Inc. It provides a single platform for computation, visualization, programming and software development. All problems and solutions in Matlab are expressed in notation used in linear algebra and essentially involve operations using matrices and vectors.
As part of the undergraduate Electrical Engineering program, you will be using Matlab to solve problems in
* Circuits
* Communication systems
* Digital signal processing
* Control systems
* Probability and statistics
In addition, you can use Matlab to build Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) so that you can develop user-friendly custom software.
The Matlab software environment has a core module (called Matlab) and associated with that are a set of "Toolboxes" that perform specialized computations.
Matlab Tutorial
The tutorial is organized into the following sections; just follow the links. The best way to learn Matlab is by actually doing the examples indicated.
* Getting Started
* Vectors and Matrices
* Vector and Matrix Operations
* Loops
* Plotting
* Printing
* File Input/Output
* Executable files (m-files) in Matlab
Getting Started
Note: In all of the discussion in the following sections, stuff that you type in will be written in boldface. All Matlab output will be normal font.
Double click on the Matlab icon to start the program (duh....). A MATLAB Command Window should pop-up with the following text:
To get started, type one of these commands: helpwin, helpdesk, or demo.
>>
The ">>" is a prompt, requiring you to type in commands. One of the first commands you should type in is to find out what your working directory is. The working directory is where you will save the results of your calculations. So, type in
>> pwd
pwd stands for "print working directory". You probably would get an output like:
ans =
\\ENGNET\MATLAB\bin
Matlab always stores the result of its last calculation in a variable called ans (short for answer). Now this indicates the working directory. You can change the working directory using the cd (short for change directory) command. Do
>> cd C:\temp
>> pwd
ans =
C:\temp
Now, the results of your computations will be saved in the C:\temp directory, when you issue the correct commands (more about that later).
Online help can be accessed for all Matlab commands by issuing the help command.
>> help
To get started, you can simply type
>> help
Vectors and Matrices
Variables in Matlab are just like variables in any other programming language (C, C++ etc.); only difference is that you do not have to define them by indicating the type etc. Also, variable names (case sensitive) can be used to refer to a single number (a scalar), a set of numbers (a vector) or an array of numbers (a matrix).
Vectors are nothing but matrices having a single row (a row vector), or a single column (a column vector).
To create a row vector in Matlab, do:
>> r = [1 2 3 4]
r =
1 2 3 4
A column vector can be created by
>> c = [1; 2; 3; 4]
c =
1
2
3
4
On the other hand, you can use the ' operator (transpose)
>> c = r'
c =
1
2
3
4
Vectors can also be created by incrementing a starting value with a constant quantity. For example,
>> r = [0:2:10]
r =
0 2 4 6 8 10
creates a row vector, with the first element = 0; each element inceremented by 2; until the final value of 10.
You can index specific parts of a vector. For example, to get the third element in the vector r, you can do
>> r(3)
ans =
4
Matrices are 2 dimensional quantities and are created similar to vectors. We can do
>> a = [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 9; 10 11 12]
a =
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
10 11 12
which is a 4x3 matrix (4 rows and 3 columns). We can also use the incremenation principle to do
>> b = [0:2:10; 1:2:11]
b =
0 2 4 6 8 10
1 3 5 7 9 11
which is a 2x6 matrix. Again, individual elements of the matrix, for instance the element in the 2nd row, 5th column can be accessed using the notation:
>> b(2, 5)
ans =
9
Vector and Matrix Operations
The basic arithmetic operations +, -, *, / can be used for vectors and matrices. These would generate corresponding output vectors or matrices. For example, to add two vectors:
>> a = [1 2 3 4];
>> b = [5 6 7 8];
>> c = a+b
c =
6 8 19 12
The semicolons (;) in the first two commands direct Matlab not to echo the values of the variables a and b on to the screen immediately after you type them. Obviously, only vectors that have the same number of elements can be added or subtracted. Similarly, two matrices with identical number of rows and columns can be subtracted as follows:
>> a = [1:3:20; 21:3:40];
>> b = [2:3:20; 22:3:40];
>> c = a-b
c =
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
Matrix multiplication using the * symbol is possible only if the number of columns in the first matrix equals the number of rows in the second:
>> a=[1 2 3; 4 5 6]
a =
1 2 3
4 5 6
>> b = a'
b =
1 4
2 5
3 6
>> c=a*b
c =
14 32
32 77
However, if you want to multiply corresponding elements of two matrices, then you do an array multiply using the .* symbol.
>> a = [1 2 3 4; 5 6 7 8]; b=[2 2 2 2; 3 3 3 3];
>> c=a .* b
c =
2 4 6 8
15 18 21 24
Discussion on matrix "division" using the / symbol for matrices is postponed till later.
Solving systems of linear equations in Matlab
To solve the set of equations
a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d1
a2 x + b2 y + c2 z = d2
a3 x + b3 y + c3 z = d3
we set this up as a matrix equation of the form
P U = Q
where
P = [a1 b1 c1; a2 b2 c2; a3 b3 c3]
U = [x; y; z]
Q = [d1; d2; d3]
The solution of this system of equations is U = P-1 Q; this is accomplished in Matlab using
>> U = inv(P)*Q
or by using the backslash \ operator
>> U = P\Q
Exercise:
1. Set up Mesh Current Equations in the form R I = V and solve for the mesh currents, I.
2. Set up Node Voltage Equations in the form G V = I and solve for node voltages, V.
Loops
The for loop (very similar to C expression) is a simple command for setting up a loop. Example:
>> for i = 1:10;
>> a(i) = i*i;
>> end
>> a
a =
1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 81 100
All statements between the for and the end statements will be executed as per the command specifications. Example of a for loop where the increment is not 1 would be >> for i = 1:3:20; ..... etc.
Type in
>> help for
for more details.
Plotting
The plot command is used for generating 1-D (functions of one variable) plots. Do >> help plot for complete details. Let's make a graph of y = sin(x), for x on the interval x=0, to x = 10.
>> x = [0:0.1:10]; (here .1 is the increment)
>> y = sin(x); (notice how the sin function operates on each element of the entire row vector x, to generate a nother row vector y)
>> plot (x, y)
Surface or 2-D (functions of two variables) plots are generated using the surf command. More on that later.
To clear a plot, type in >> clg (clear graph)
To generate another plot window, do >> figure
Printing
You can print a plot using the Print Option under the File Menu in the Figure Window. The text in the Command Window is printed similarly.
File Input/Output
The save and load commands are used for saving data to disk or loading data from disk, respectively.
To save values in a matrix or vector, called, for instance, y, do:
>> y = [1 2 3 4; 5 6 7 8];
>> save y.txt y -ascii
The -ascii option ensures that the data is saved in ASCII form, so that it can be read by other programs - Word, Excel Notepad, Wordpad, etc. Examine the file y.txt using one of these programs. The file is generated in the working directory (remember this? If not click here).
An ASCII data file dat.txt can be loaded using
>> load dat.txt
This provides a variable called dat in the Matlab workspace. All manner of vector/matrix operations can be performed on dat, just like any other variable.
Do >> help save and >>help load for learning all the load/save options.
After you read the next section, click here for a fun Matlab project - generating music with Matlab!
Executable files (m-files in Matlab)
Executable files in Matlab are generated by storing a list of Matlab commands in a file given the extension .m
These files are called M-files. To create an M-file, use the New...M-file Option under the File Menu in the Command Window. Type in the following commands in the M-File Editor Window:
x = [0:0.1:10];
y = cos(x);
plot(x,y)
xlabel('x')
ylabel('y')
title('A plot of Cosine(x)')
Save the file using the Save Option under the File Menu in the M-File Editor Window. Call it, say, cosineplot.m. Now, to run this program in Matlab, move over to the Matlab Command Window and just type in >> cosineplot
Matlab (short for MATrix LABoratory) is a language for technical computing, developed by the The Mathworks, Inc. It provides a single platform for computation, visualization, programming and software development. All problems and solutions in Matlab are expressed in notation used in linear algebra and essentially involve operations using matrices and vectors.
As part of the undergraduate Electrical Engineering program, you will be using Matlab to solve problems in
* Circuits
* Communication systems
* Digital signal processing
* Control systems
* Probability and statistics
In addition, you can use Matlab to build Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) so that you can develop user-friendly custom software.
The Matlab software environment has a core module (called Matlab) and associated with that are a set of "Toolboxes" that perform specialized computations.
Matlab Tutorial
The tutorial is organized into the following sections; just follow the links. The best way to learn Matlab is by actually doing the examples indicated.
* Getting Started
* Vectors and Matrices
* Vector and Matrix Operations
* Loops
* Plotting
* Printing
* File Input/Output
* Executable files (m-files) in Matlab
Getting Started
Note: In all of the discussion in the following sections, stuff that you type in will be written in boldface. All Matlab output will be normal font.
Double click on the Matlab icon to start the program (duh....). A MATLAB Command Window should pop-up with the following text:
To get started, type one of these commands: helpwin, helpdesk, or demo.
>>
The ">>" is a prompt, requiring you to type in commands. One of the first commands you should type in is to find out what your working directory is. The working directory is where you will save the results of your calculations. So, type in
>> pwd
pwd stands for "print working directory". You probably would get an output like:
ans =
\\ENGNET\MATLAB\bin
Matlab always stores the result of its last calculation in a variable called ans (short for answer). Now this indicates the working directory. You can change the working directory using the cd (short for change directory) command. Do
>> cd C:\temp
>> pwd
ans =
C:\temp
Now, the results of your computations will be saved in the C:\temp directory, when you issue the correct commands (more about that later).
Online help can be accessed for all Matlab commands by issuing the help command.
>> help
To get started, you can simply type
>> help
Vectors and Matrices
Variables in Matlab are just like variables in any other programming language (C, C++ etc.); only difference is that you do not have to define them by indicating the type etc. Also, variable names (case sensitive) can be used to refer to a single number (a scalar), a set of numbers (a vector) or an array of numbers (a matrix).
Vectors are nothing but matrices having a single row (a row vector), or a single column (a column vector).
To create a row vector in Matlab, do:
>> r = [1 2 3 4]
r =
1 2 3 4
A column vector can be created by
>> c = [1; 2; 3; 4]
c =
1
2
3
4
On the other hand, you can use the ' operator (transpose)
>> c = r'
c =
1
2
3
4
Vectors can also be created by incrementing a starting value with a constant quantity. For example,
>> r = [0:2:10]
r =
0 2 4 6 8 10
creates a row vector, with the first element = 0; each element inceremented by 2; until the final value of 10.
You can index specific parts of a vector. For example, to get the third element in the vector r, you can do
>> r(3)
ans =
4
Matrices are 2 dimensional quantities and are created similar to vectors. We can do
>> a = [1 2 3; 4 5 6; 7 8 9; 10 11 12]
a =
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
10 11 12
which is a 4x3 matrix (4 rows and 3 columns). We can also use the incremenation principle to do
>> b = [0:2:10; 1:2:11]
b =
0 2 4 6 8 10
1 3 5 7 9 11
which is a 2x6 matrix. Again, individual elements of the matrix, for instance the element in the 2nd row, 5th column can be accessed using the notation:
>> b(2, 5)
ans =
9
Vector and Matrix Operations
The basic arithmetic operations +, -, *, / can be used for vectors and matrices. These would generate corresponding output vectors or matrices. For example, to add two vectors:
>> a = [1 2 3 4];
>> b = [5 6 7 8];
>> c = a+b
c =
6 8 19 12
The semicolons (;) in the first two commands direct Matlab not to echo the values of the variables a and b on to the screen immediately after you type them. Obviously, only vectors that have the same number of elements can be added or subtracted. Similarly, two matrices with identical number of rows and columns can be subtracted as follows:
>> a = [1:3:20; 21:3:40];
>> b = [2:3:20; 22:3:40];
>> c = a-b
c =
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
-1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1
Matrix multiplication using the * symbol is possible only if the number of columns in the first matrix equals the number of rows in the second:
>> a=[1 2 3; 4 5 6]
a =
1 2 3
4 5 6
>> b = a'
b =
1 4
2 5
3 6
>> c=a*b
c =
14 32
32 77
However, if you want to multiply corresponding elements of two matrices, then you do an array multiply using the .* symbol.
>> a = [1 2 3 4; 5 6 7 8]; b=[2 2 2 2; 3 3 3 3];
>> c=a .* b
c =
2 4 6 8
15 18 21 24
Discussion on matrix "division" using the / symbol for matrices is postponed till later.
Solving systems of linear equations in Matlab
To solve the set of equations
a1 x + b1 y + c1 z = d1
a2 x + b2 y + c2 z = d2
a3 x + b3 y + c3 z = d3
we set this up as a matrix equation of the form
P U = Q
where
P = [a1 b1 c1; a2 b2 c2; a3 b3 c3]
U = [x; y; z]
Q = [d1; d2; d3]
The solution of this system of equations is U = P-1 Q; this is accomplished in Matlab using
>> U = inv(P)*Q
or by using the backslash \ operator
>> U = P\Q
Exercise:
1. Set up Mesh Current Equations in the form R I = V and solve for the mesh currents, I.
2. Set up Node Voltage Equations in the form G V = I and solve for node voltages, V.
Loops
The for loop (very similar to C expression) is a simple command for setting up a loop. Example:
>> for i = 1:10;
>> a(i) = i*i;
>> end
>> a
a =
1 4 9 16 25 36 49 64 81 100
All statements between the for and the end statements will be executed as per the command specifications. Example of a for loop where the increment is not 1 would be >> for i = 1:3:20; ..... etc.
Type in
>> help for
for more details.
Plotting
The plot command is used for generating 1-D (functions of one variable) plots. Do >> help plot for complete details. Let's make a graph of y = sin(x), for x on the interval x=0, to x = 10.
>> x = [0:0.1:10]; (here .1 is the increment)
>> y = sin(x); (notice how the sin function operates on each element of the entire row vector x, to generate a nother row vector y)
>> plot (x, y)
Surface or 2-D (functions of two variables) plots are generated using the surf command. More on that later.
To clear a plot, type in >> clg (clear graph)
To generate another plot window, do >> figure
Printing
You can print a plot using the Print Option under the File Menu in the Figure Window. The text in the Command Window is printed similarly.
File Input/Output
The save and load commands are used for saving data to disk or loading data from disk, respectively.
To save values in a matrix or vector, called, for instance, y, do:
>> y = [1 2 3 4; 5 6 7 8];
>> save y.txt y -ascii
The -ascii option ensures that the data is saved in ASCII form, so that it can be read by other programs - Word, Excel Notepad, Wordpad, etc. Examine the file y.txt using one of these programs. The file is generated in the working directory (remember this? If not click here).
An ASCII data file dat.txt can be loaded using
>> load dat.txt
This provides a variable called dat in the Matlab workspace. All manner of vector/matrix operations can be performed on dat, just like any other variable.
Do >> help save and >>help load for learning all the load/save options.
After you read the next section, click here for a fun Matlab project - generating music with Matlab!
Executable files (m-files in Matlab)
Executable files in Matlab are generated by storing a list of Matlab commands in a file given the extension .m
These files are called M-files. To create an M-file, use the New...M-file Option under the File Menu in the Command Window. Type in the following commands in the M-File Editor Window:
x = [0:0.1:10];
y = cos(x);
plot(x,y)
xlabel('x')
ylabel('y')
title('A plot of Cosine(x)')
Save the file using the Save Option under the File Menu in the M-File Editor Window. Call it, say, cosineplot.m. Now, to run this program in Matlab, move over to the Matlab Command Window and just type in >> cosineplot
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers
Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.
1. What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
2. What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
3. How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.
Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
8. How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
* Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
* Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
* Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
9. Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.
1. What is the mesothelium?
The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.
The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.
2. What is mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.
3. How common is mesothelioma?
Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.
4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?
Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.
Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.
Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.
5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?
Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.
The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.
There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.
6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?
Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.
These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.
7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?
Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.
A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.
If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.
Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.
8. How is mesothelioma treated?
Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.
* Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
* Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
* Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
9. Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?
Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining that covers most of the body's internal organs. Its most common site is the pleura (outer lining of the lungs and chest cavity), but it may also occur in the peritoneum (the lining of the abdominal cavity) or the pericardium (a sac that surrounds the heart).
Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles, or they have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways, such as by washing the clothes of a family member who worked with asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.[1] Compensation via asbestos funds or lawsuits is an important issue in mesothelioma (see asbestos and the law).
The symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath due to pleural effusion (fluid between the lung and the chest wall) or chest wall pain, and general symptoms such as weight loss. The diagnosis can be made with chest X-rays and a CT scan, and confirmed with a biopsy (tissue sample) and microscopic examination. A thoracoscopy (inserting a tube with a camera into the chest) can be used to take biopsies. It allows the introduction of substances such as talc to obliterate the pleural space (called pleurodesis), which prevents more fluid from accumulating and pressing on the lung. Despite treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy or sometimes surgery, the disease carries a poor prognosis. Research about screening tests for the early detection of mesothelioma is ongoing.
For more information click here
HOPE
"Hope is the companion of power, and the mother of success; for who so hopes strongly, has within him the gift of miracles." -- Samuel Smiles
This segment begins with more information about malignant mesothelioma, including the causes of the disease and characteristic symptoms. Our comprehensive section on mesothelioma treatment options discusses surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy as well as new types under investigation. We discuss ways to find specialists who treat mesothelioma and some advice on choosing your doctor . The Clinical Trials segment details current clinical studies and links to information specific to those trials.
SUPPORT
"Too often we understimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." --Dr. Leo Buscaglia
Start planning with Comprehensive Cancer Centers, how to find places to stay near treatment facilities and how to get there in the Travel & Lodging section. Relevant medical journal and mesothelioma news articles are updated regularly. Our SUPPORT segment ends with Survivors & Fighters who have uplifting stories to tell.
HELP
"Knowledge is power."-Francis Bacon
This segment provides Leading Cancer Links. In Your Peace of Mind you’ll find resources to help you and your family feel secure in the weeks, months and years ahead. Here you can find links to information on financial assistance, compensation, and legal options.
NEW: A clinical trial for a lung-sparing combined modality protocol is recruiting mesothelioma patients.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Contract Management Software
CobbleStone is a leader in Contract Management Software. We are among the first to offer a contract management software product and our products are the result of years of client feedback and industry knowledge.
Our mission is to provide the most robust and simple-to-use contract solution on the market. Our contract software solutions are designed to save your organization money while maximizing your productivity.
We offer two contract management solutions. To learn more about our enterprise contract management software solution select the Enterprise Edition link below.
Contract Insight Enterprise Edition - Contract Management Software
Contract Insight Enterprise is an enterprise level contract management tracking solution. It is designed for mid to large organizations. Contract Insight can streamline the entire contract tracking process - from creation to completion. It is designed to reduce contract expenses, increase your margins, and reduce your total cost of ownership. Contract Insight is extremely flexible and is based on years of client input. Our contract software offers an easy-to-use interface, custom fields, customer reports, online calendar, e-mail alerts, and a centralized repository. It is web-based and can be deployed on any operating system that runs a current web browser. I can be hosted by CobbleStone or installed on your organization's network. learn more
Contract Insight Desktop Edition - Contract Management Software
ContractInsight Desktop, Contract Management Tracking Software is a completely new, entry-level contract management and administration tool built from the ground up. It is based on our twelve plus years experience in the contract software market. Contract Insight desktop edition is a contract software designed for smaller organizations with 10 or less users. It is designed to track contracts, offer alerts, task management, and reports. It is the most simple and easy-to-use commitment based solution on the market. You can try it risk free by visiting Contract Insight Desktop Edition - Contract Management Tracking Software - Desktop Edition.
Our mission is to provide the most robust and simple-to-use contract solution on the market. Our contract software solutions are designed to save your organization money while maximizing your productivity.
We offer two contract management solutions. To learn more about our enterprise contract management software solution select the Enterprise Edition link below.
Contract Insight Enterprise Edition - Contract Management Software
Contract Insight Enterprise is an enterprise level contract management tracking solution. It is designed for mid to large organizations. Contract Insight can streamline the entire contract tracking process - from creation to completion. It is designed to reduce contract expenses, increase your margins, and reduce your total cost of ownership. Contract Insight is extremely flexible and is based on years of client input. Our contract software offers an easy-to-use interface, custom fields, customer reports, online calendar, e-mail alerts, and a centralized repository. It is web-based and can be deployed on any operating system that runs a current web browser. I can be hosted by CobbleStone or installed on your organization's network. learn more
Contract Insight Desktop Edition - Contract Management Software
ContractInsight Desktop, Contract Management Tracking Software is a completely new, entry-level contract management and administration tool built from the ground up. It is based on our twelve plus years experience in the contract software market. Contract Insight desktop edition is a contract software designed for smaller organizations with 10 or less users. It is designed to track contracts, offer alerts, task management, and reports. It is the most simple and easy-to-use commitment based solution on the market. You can try it risk free by visiting Contract Insight Desktop Edition - Contract Management Tracking Software - Desktop Edition.
Drug Rehab Programs
Does the drug rehab offer a variety of programs?
Alcohol and drug addiction is a disease that progresses through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
A drug rehabilitation treatment center should offer a variety of treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.
The length of stay depends on the severity and stage of the disease.
How much does a drug rehab center cost?
"How much does it cost?" is often one of the first questions asked.
The price tag for drug abuse & alcoholism treatment is presented in many different formats. You need to know what is included, what will be added to your bill as a fee-for-service program, and what services your health insurance will cover. This makes it extremely difficult to compare prices by simply asking the question - "What does it cost?"
If you are seeking the best value for your treatment dollar, remember: Price can be meaningful only in the context of quality and performance.
Is the drug rehab treatment program medically based?
There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a Drug Rehab. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital services to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Medical credentials and accreditation can also be important. For example, a chemical dependency Drug Rehab that earns JCAHO accreditation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meets national standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state licensing is also an important consideration.
Be sure to ask which medical costs are included in the price of treatment at the drug rehab.
What is the degree of family involvement in a drug rehab program?
Drug abuse and alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the alcoholic/addict. Quite often family members do not realize how deeply they have been affected by chemical dependency. Family involvement is an important component of recovery.
Drug Rehabs vary in the degree and quality of family involvement opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures and others offer family therapy. Ask if there is any time devoted to family programs and if group therapy is included.
Does drug rehabilitation include a quality continuing care program?
There are no quick fixes for the diseases of drug abuse and alcoholism. Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive rehabilitation treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time.
Some drug addiction treatment programs will offer a follow-up program but only in one location which may make it difficult to use.
Drug rehabilitation treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program that supports and monitors recovery.
Alcohol and drug addiction is a disease that progresses through predictable stages. It takes a trained health professional, often a doctor specializing in addiction medicine, to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
A drug rehabilitation treatment center should offer a variety of treatment programs that meet individual needs. Programs may include inpatient, residential, outpatient, and/or short-stay options.
The difference between inpatient and a residential treatment center is that inpatient services are provided by a licensed hospital, while residential programs usually do not meet the same rigorous standards of medical care.
The length of stay depends on the severity and stage of the disease.
How much does a drug rehab center cost?
"How much does it cost?" is often one of the first questions asked.
The price tag for drug abuse & alcoholism treatment is presented in many different formats. You need to know what is included, what will be added to your bill as a fee-for-service program, and what services your health insurance will cover. This makes it extremely difficult to compare prices by simply asking the question - "What does it cost?"
If you are seeking the best value for your treatment dollar, remember: Price can be meaningful only in the context of quality and performance.
Is the drug rehab treatment program medically based?
There is an advantage to including on-site medical care in a Drug Rehab. Physicians and nurses provide 24-hour hospital services to monitor and ensure a safe withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, a medical staff specializing in addiction medicine can oversee the progress of each individual and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
Medical credentials and accreditation can also be important. For example, a chemical dependency Drug Rehab that earns JCAHO accreditation (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) meets national standards for providing quality medical care. Appropriate state licensing is also an important consideration.
Be sure to ask which medical costs are included in the price of treatment at the drug rehab.
What is the degree of family involvement in a drug rehab program?
Drug abuse and alcoholism affects the entire family, not just the alcoholic/addict. Quite often family members do not realize how deeply they have been affected by chemical dependency. Family involvement is an important component of recovery.
Drug Rehabs vary in the degree and quality of family involvement opportunities. Some offer just a few lectures and others offer family therapy. Ask if there is any time devoted to family programs and if group therapy is included.
Does drug rehabilitation include a quality continuing care program?
There are no quick fixes for the diseases of drug abuse and alcoholism. Recovery is an ongoing process. The skills one learns during intensive rehabilitation treatment must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time.
Some drug addiction treatment programs will offer a follow-up program but only in one location which may make it difficult to use.
Drug rehabilitation treatment programs should include a quality, continuing care program that supports and monitors recovery.
Vioxx Alert - 27,000 Victims
Merck & Co.’s arthritis drug Vioxx may have led to more than 27,000 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths before it was pulled from the market last week, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing an unreleased study by government regulators.
Last week, Merck abruptly recalled Vioxx, an arthritis treatment and one of the company’s top-selling drugs, after an internal study showed that patients taking the drug were more likely to suffer a cardiac event than those taking a placebo.
The Journal’s report, citing a study by the Food and Drug Administration, said that from Vioxx’s approval in 1999 through 2003, an estimated 27,785 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths would have been avoided if Celebrex, a competing drug made by Pfizer Inc., had been used instead of Vioxx.....more
Last week, Merck abruptly recalled Vioxx, an arthritis treatment and one of the company’s top-selling drugs, after an internal study showed that patients taking the drug were more likely to suffer a cardiac event than those taking a placebo.
The Journal’s report, citing a study by the Food and Drug Administration, said that from Vioxx’s approval in 1999 through 2003, an estimated 27,785 heart attacks and sudden cardiac deaths would have been avoided if Celebrex, a competing drug made by Pfizer Inc., had been used instead of Vioxx.....more
Contact a Vioxx Attorney To Take Your Case!
If you have taken Vioxx and suffered a heart attack or stroke, call a qualified Vioxx attorney to preserve your legal rights and potential settlement. Vioxx attorneys listed on the right or left panel will be able to help you determine the best course of action in regards to your situation and/or claim, which could potentially include a Vioxx class action lawsuit if enough people in a given area suffer similar damages, or you may be better off filing an individual lawsuit claim. These LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified Vioxx attorneys will be able to provide the legal assistance you need, and can provide quality representation.
As soon as you contact a Vioxx attorney, you will know whether or not your damages will result in a settlement or litigation. While pharmaceutical and defective drug litigation, like Vioxx litigation lawsuits, are governed by federal laws, state statute of limitation laws may still apply. There is only a certain amount of time to evaluate your potential Vioxx class action lawsuit claim, contact Vioxx attorneys to take action now.
As soon as you contact a Vioxx attorney, you will know whether or not your damages will result in a settlement or litigation. While pharmaceutical and defective drug litigation, like Vioxx litigation lawsuits, are governed by federal laws, state statute of limitation laws may still apply. There is only a certain amount of time to evaluate your potential Vioxx class action lawsuit claim, contact Vioxx attorneys to take action now.
Structured settlement
A structured settlement is a financial or insurance arrangement, including periodic payments, that a claimant accepts to resolve a personal injury tort claim or to compromise a statutory periodic payment obligation. Structured settlements were first utilized in Canada and the United States during the 1970s as an alternative to lump sum settlements. Structured settlements are now part of the statutory tort law of several common law countries including Australia, Canada, England and the United States. Although some uniformity exists, each of these countries has its own definitions, rules and standards for structured settlements. Structured settlements may include income tax and spendthrift requirements as well as benefits. Structured settlement payments are sometimes called “periodic payments.” A structured settlement incorporated into a trial judgment is called a “periodic payment judgment."
Online FOREX Trading – To Be A Success Don't Pay Attention To The News!
By Sacha Tarkovsky
Can studying the news help you make profits in online FOREX trading? The answer for most traders is a no.
In fact, paying attention to the news in online FOREX Trading will lose money. Why? Read on and let’s find out.
How and why prices move
In online FOREX trading (and any financial market for that matter) prices move based upon the following equation
Supply & demand fundamentals + Trader psychology = Market price
Which is most important? In today’s markets definitely the latter – Why?
Quite simply, markets discount fundamentals quickly and with the internet its done in seconds.
In all corners of the globe the internet delivers information quickly and it’s immediately discounted in the market price.
This means traders make opinions on what will happen in the FUTURE and it is their psychology that is the key to future price direction.
Sure, the papers and news wires are great at telling you why things DID happened and their normally wrong about WHAT will happen.
Traders get deluded by the experts in online FOREX trading and fail to see their wrong most of the time.
Will Rogers once said:
“I only believe what I read in the papers”
Now, he was joking, but most traders take news services as gospel.
Reuters and Bloomberg stories agree with them, so they must be right, is the view of most online FOREX traders. Don’t think so, in fact we know so, based upon the facts and the so called experts past performance.
It’s easy to be wise in hindsight, but looking into the future is much more difficult!
They write stories for a living they DONT trade, traders that are interested in making profits should not be following news stories or media hype.
It’s a fact: Most important market tops and bottoms and formed when the news is most bullish or bearish. When the trends change of course, news wires have an explanation but that does not help you trade!
In the 1987 crash they were bullish in the tech stock boom they were bullish and these are just tow examples of media experts being wrong and there are many others.
Understand the past and look to the future
This is the key to successful online FOREX trading. Quite simply the fundamentals are digested in seconds and reflected in the price.
Its trader psychology that’s important as they look at the future and how they determine the supply and demand situation is reflected in price changes.
Human psychology has remained constant over time and thats why many price patterns are so reliable and point to important market tops and bottoms when the market is either very bullish or bearish.
Of course, prices then go the other way! confounding the so called media experts.
Technical analysis of markets
The only way you can win in online FOREX Trading is to use a technical analysis system that focuses on price.
Why use a technical system in online FOREX trading?
There are two main reasons
1. You will not be distracted by media stories and news hype and will keep your emotions in check.
2. If you are involved in online FOREX trading you can look at charts and see long term trends that last for months or years and many of them (in fact most of them!) run against what the papers and the so called experts say!
To be a success in online FOREX trading all you need to do is focus on these trends and forget the news and media, media experts don’t get paid to trade, they get paid to write stories.
Focus on the reality of the price, not the media hype and you can make big profits in online Forex trading.
MORE FREE INFO
On finance including investments and becoming a succesful trader succesful trading visit our website for articles features and downloads at:http://www.net-planet.org/index.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Can studying the news help you make profits in online FOREX trading? The answer for most traders is a no.
In fact, paying attention to the news in online FOREX Trading will lose money. Why? Read on and let’s find out.
How and why prices move
In online FOREX trading (and any financial market for that matter) prices move based upon the following equation
Supply & demand fundamentals + Trader psychology = Market price
Which is most important? In today’s markets definitely the latter – Why?
Quite simply, markets discount fundamentals quickly and with the internet its done in seconds.
In all corners of the globe the internet delivers information quickly and it’s immediately discounted in the market price.
This means traders make opinions on what will happen in the FUTURE and it is their psychology that is the key to future price direction.
Sure, the papers and news wires are great at telling you why things DID happened and their normally wrong about WHAT will happen.
Traders get deluded by the experts in online FOREX trading and fail to see their wrong most of the time.
Will Rogers once said:
“I only believe what I read in the papers”
Now, he was joking, but most traders take news services as gospel.
Reuters and Bloomberg stories agree with them, so they must be right, is the view of most online FOREX traders. Don’t think so, in fact we know so, based upon the facts and the so called experts past performance.
It’s easy to be wise in hindsight, but looking into the future is much more difficult!
They write stories for a living they DONT trade, traders that are interested in making profits should not be following news stories or media hype.
It’s a fact: Most important market tops and bottoms and formed when the news is most bullish or bearish. When the trends change of course, news wires have an explanation but that does not help you trade!
In the 1987 crash they were bullish in the tech stock boom they were bullish and these are just tow examples of media experts being wrong and there are many others.
Understand the past and look to the future
This is the key to successful online FOREX trading. Quite simply the fundamentals are digested in seconds and reflected in the price.
Its trader psychology that’s important as they look at the future and how they determine the supply and demand situation is reflected in price changes.
Human psychology has remained constant over time and thats why many price patterns are so reliable and point to important market tops and bottoms when the market is either very bullish or bearish.
Of course, prices then go the other way! confounding the so called media experts.
Technical analysis of markets
The only way you can win in online FOREX Trading is to use a technical analysis system that focuses on price.
Why use a technical system in online FOREX trading?
There are two main reasons
1. You will not be distracted by media stories and news hype and will keep your emotions in check.
2. If you are involved in online FOREX trading you can look at charts and see long term trends that last for months or years and many of them (in fact most of them!) run against what the papers and the so called experts say!
To be a success in online FOREX trading all you need to do is focus on these trends and forget the news and media, media experts don’t get paid to trade, they get paid to write stories.
Focus on the reality of the price, not the media hype and you can make big profits in online Forex trading.
MORE FREE INFO
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Beginner Forex Trading - Starting right
By: Harold Hsu
Many beginner Forex traders are lured by promises of overnight wealth and instant riches. They get excited over the prospect of making $300 in an hour, and can’t wait to get started. Unfortunately, this is the type of attitude that gets most people into trouble.
Now don’t get me wrong… Forex trading CAN be a very lucrative activity (or hobby, even), provided that you know what you’re doing. Most people however, start off on the wrong foot and inevitably wipe out their entire trading accounts.
The Secret of profitable Forex trading is not about making money
This is perhaps one of the hardest concepts to grasp. It’s easy to explain, but hard to implement in reality.
You see, the ultimate goal of all retail Forex traders is to make money in the currency market, right? However, the best way to become a profitable trader is NOT to focus on making money.
Confused? Allow me to explain a little more…
The Best Way To Make Money Is To Avoid Losing Money
This is the simplest way to put it: Before you can become a profitable Forex trader, you’ll first need to be proficient at avoiding (or reducing) your losses when trading.
The currency market is so volatile that losses are inevitable. Every trader WILL encounter numerous losses throughout his or her trading career. The question is whether these traders are able to survive from these losses to trade another day.
So many people rush to make the most amount of money in the shortest period of time that they throw all caution into the wind. They don’t pay attention to any money management strategies and dive head-first into the market.
Eventually, these are the traders who wonder what went wrong when their trading accounts show a big, fat ‘Zero’. Don’t be like these traders.
Learning The Right Things
It is my sincere advice for you to take the time to fully understand all the risks you’re taking as a retail trader. Understand how leverage works, and how it affects your ability to take losses. How much can you afford to lose before you’re knocked out of the market?
These are just some of the crucial aspects of Forex trading that you should pay strict attention to.
Visit http://forexsystemprofits.com for more tips and techniques on profitable Forex trading. Get your free 26-page Forex trading guide while you’re at it.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Many beginner Forex traders are lured by promises of overnight wealth and instant riches. They get excited over the prospect of making $300 in an hour, and can’t wait to get started. Unfortunately, this is the type of attitude that gets most people into trouble.
Now don’t get me wrong… Forex trading CAN be a very lucrative activity (or hobby, even), provided that you know what you’re doing. Most people however, start off on the wrong foot and inevitably wipe out their entire trading accounts.
The Secret of profitable Forex trading is not about making money
This is perhaps one of the hardest concepts to grasp. It’s easy to explain, but hard to implement in reality.
You see, the ultimate goal of all retail Forex traders is to make money in the currency market, right? However, the best way to become a profitable trader is NOT to focus on making money.
Confused? Allow me to explain a little more…
The Best Way To Make Money Is To Avoid Losing Money
This is the simplest way to put it: Before you can become a profitable Forex trader, you’ll first need to be proficient at avoiding (or reducing) your losses when trading.
The currency market is so volatile that losses are inevitable. Every trader WILL encounter numerous losses throughout his or her trading career. The question is whether these traders are able to survive from these losses to trade another day.
So many people rush to make the most amount of money in the shortest period of time that they throw all caution into the wind. They don’t pay attention to any money management strategies and dive head-first into the market.
Eventually, these are the traders who wonder what went wrong when their trading accounts show a big, fat ‘Zero’. Don’t be like these traders.
Learning The Right Things
It is my sincere advice for you to take the time to fully understand all the risks you’re taking as a retail trader. Understand how leverage works, and how it affects your ability to take losses. How much can you afford to lose before you’re knocked out of the market?
These are just some of the crucial aspects of Forex trading that you should pay strict attention to.
Visit http://forexsystemprofits.com for more tips and techniques on profitable Forex trading. Get your free 26-page Forex trading guide while you’re at it.
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
5 Keys to Finding the Best Forex Charting Software Program
Forex. Selling currency, having a 'stock' in an entire nation. This is a high roller's territory, or so it would appear. With the rise of the internet and computer efficiency, now a simple office computer can hold a very lucrative asset such as a high end, compellingly successful computer program such as a Forex charting software program. Because selling Forex software is such a competitive business it creates so many over-hyped, 'top of the line' software programs that want you to pay ten easy payments of $99.99. So in order to come out on top and actually get your moneys worth, you need to hold yourself to a list of key elements that must be present in a Forex charting software program
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So, what is it that is an absolute necessity for a forex software program to have?
1. Intra-day pivot points. This is definitely a must in any program involving Forex. You need to have stable data that you can base the rest of your research off of. This allows you to chart out and plan your next move to increase your "pip" or percentage in points.
2. Accurate and up to date charting capabilities. You need the newest edition of software. Since Forex is changing every day, with new current trends and newly forming market increases, you need the most current software abilities so you will not be left in the dust.
3. 24 hour tech support. In case some form on your computer goes awry, you need to be able to talk to someone, and that someone needs to be a live person that can respond to your unique questions!
4. Automatically backed up info. Another capability software needs in case of an emergency is the ability to back up its own data files. You need this because I am sure you would rather be safe than be kicking yourself after you lost your money.
5. Presents data in an orderly, simplified manner. Efficiency is the name of the Forex game, and being able to make quick, calculated decisions in a timely manner is a must when operating on Forex.
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So, what is it that is an absolute necessity for a forex software program to have?
1. Intra-day pivot points. This is definitely a must in any program involving Forex. You need to have stable data that you can base the rest of your research off of. This allows you to chart out and plan your next move to increase your "pip" or percentage in points.
2. Accurate and up to date charting capabilities. You need the newest edition of software. Since Forex is changing every day, with new current trends and newly forming market increases, you need the most current software abilities so you will not be left in the dust.
3. 24 hour tech support. In case some form on your computer goes awry, you need to be able to talk to someone, and that someone needs to be a live person that can respond to your unique questions!
4. Automatically backed up info. Another capability software needs in case of an emergency is the ability to back up its own data files. You need this because I am sure you would rather be safe than be kicking yourself after you lost your money.
5. Presents data in an orderly, simplified manner. Efficiency is the name of the Forex game, and being able to make quick, calculated decisions in a timely manner is a must when operating on Forex.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
6 Good Reasons Why You Should Learn To Meditate
By Douglas Robert
Meditation offers many helpful benefits to those who allow themselves the opportunity to indulge. In this brief article, we will touch on some of the more commonly experienced advantages meditation offers.
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1. Meditation is good for you. It reduces stress and enables you to gain mental clarity. Meditating is rejuvenating to your spirit and relaxing to your mind and body. It's an exercise in replenishment.
2. Meditation is truly a magical gift and it's something that anyone can do. You don't need any special training or extensive study. Just a few basic steps and away you go.
3. You can enhance your meditative experience by learning more. For example, you can learn different techniques and approaches and the more you practice them, the more powerful and profound your meditations will become. Practice makes improvement, so you will be able to relax to a deeper level will be able to get to that level sooner, and you'll be able to meditate in a variety of environments.
4. Basic meditation is a simple process that can transform your life in just 15 minutes a day. You can literally change your life in 15 minutes of daily exercise.
5. The whole process of meditation helps to free your mind of the mental chatter. That's the beauty of it. No matter how stressed out you are, meditation enables you to lift off the layers that are weighing you down. Meditation allows you to see with clarity. When you can get beyond the clutter in your mind, you reach a level where you can contemplate with absolute clarity as issues that burden you simply fade away.
6. It frees your mind and spirit while establishing a connection to the universal power. Meditation is a divine experience. It's this connection to your higher power that cannot be described by mere words. It's something that needs to be experienced. Allow yourself the gift of meditation and you will feel as one with this tremendous life force. It's an empowering exercise.
When you meditate you feel connected to life in all its forms. You're allowing the energy to flow in a positive way and this connection will make you feel appreciative of all nature and its magnificent creations. Things that are nagging you simply fade away you emerge from your meditation feeling stronger, lighter, and more positive - and that's a good thing.
Have you discovered the magic of meditation? Click the link below and you'll find many quick and easy tips and techniques to change your life with meditation. Visit: http://www.meditationfx.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Robert
Meditation offers many helpful benefits to those who allow themselves the opportunity to indulge. In this brief article, we will touch on some of the more commonly experienced advantages meditation offers.
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1. Meditation is good for you. It reduces stress and enables you to gain mental clarity. Meditating is rejuvenating to your spirit and relaxing to your mind and body. It's an exercise in replenishment.
2. Meditation is truly a magical gift and it's something that anyone can do. You don't need any special training or extensive study. Just a few basic steps and away you go.
3. You can enhance your meditative experience by learning more. For example, you can learn different techniques and approaches and the more you practice them, the more powerful and profound your meditations will become. Practice makes improvement, so you will be able to relax to a deeper level will be able to get to that level sooner, and you'll be able to meditate in a variety of environments.
4. Basic meditation is a simple process that can transform your life in just 15 minutes a day. You can literally change your life in 15 minutes of daily exercise.
5. The whole process of meditation helps to free your mind of the mental chatter. That's the beauty of it. No matter how stressed out you are, meditation enables you to lift off the layers that are weighing you down. Meditation allows you to see with clarity. When you can get beyond the clutter in your mind, you reach a level where you can contemplate with absolute clarity as issues that burden you simply fade away.
6. It frees your mind and spirit while establishing a connection to the universal power. Meditation is a divine experience. It's this connection to your higher power that cannot be described by mere words. It's something that needs to be experienced. Allow yourself the gift of meditation and you will feel as one with this tremendous life force. It's an empowering exercise.
When you meditate you feel connected to life in all its forms. You're allowing the energy to flow in a positive way and this connection will make you feel appreciative of all nature and its magnificent creations. Things that are nagging you simply fade away you emerge from your meditation feeling stronger, lighter, and more positive - and that's a good thing.
Have you discovered the magic of meditation? Click the link below and you'll find many quick and easy tips and techniques to change your life with meditation. Visit: http://www.meditationfx.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Robert
How To Escape Stress With Meditation and Relaxation
By Susan Masters
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Since the oldest times, meditation and relaxation have been considered essential for both our mental and physical health, having a wide range of benefits upon our general mood and feeling of well being. But what is the foundation of this affirmation? Why do we need to relax and to meditate? And how do meditation and relaxation get along with our dynamic and overwhelming modern life?
Why Meditate?
Meditation and relaxation go hand in hand, since we can not actually meditate unless we are perfectly relaxed. And the benefits of relaxation are well-known: better concentration, better focus and attention, release of stress and tension - after all, these are beneficial effects that all hard working, active individuals desire. But meditation implies even more than relaxation.... meditation implies a journey of the mind, a spiritual journey that allows us to reach the corners of our inner selves.
We can come in contact with our deep feelings, with our deep emotions, we are stimulated to conceive ideas, our minds and spirits are challenged. But we should not understand that this challenge presupposes an effort. Actually, this journey is helping us to become more peaceful, calmer individuals, individuals who can be in perfect harmony with themselves and with the rest of the world.
Why Are Meditation and Relaxation Essential in the Context of the Modern World?
Nowadays, meditation and relaxation are more important than ever. Why so? Simply because nowadays, people are engaged in hyperactive lives and intense daily activities that tend to exhaust them and to overwhelm them. Nowadays, most individuals are working hard; most individuals are dealing with the responsibilities of building a happy, safe life for their family. Nowadays, stress is more present than ever.
Furthermore, the modern world of today leaves little space, if any, to the important things in live. People are concerned with the functionality of their life; they are concerned with material aspects, with financial matters - that also bring high amounts of stress - and with the pragmatic sides of life. Today, people tend to think less and less about themselves, about their needs and desires.
Which Are the Positive Effects of Meditation and Relaxation?
In the context of the modern, dynamic and stressful world, people need to go back to the meaningful things in life, things that lean more towards spirituality than to pragmatism. People need to go back to themselves, to find themselves, to discover their inner live, since this is the one that can bring genuine satisfactions and rewordings. Moreover, meditation and relaxation are the key to a better efficaciousness, to better out turn when dealing with daily activities, with work or with personal matters. Meditation can actually increase our capacities in a wide range of fields, from our emotional skills to our professional ones, since it implies more creativity, more imagination, an optimized attention and a better general tonus.
Considering the facts above, individuals should embrace this chance of improving such a diverse range of abilities and aspects of their life by simply embracing meditation and relaxation. More vitality, more energy, the feelings of happiness and joy, discovering inner emotions and feelings, releasing tension and stress and many more - all these are in the power of meditation and relaxation.
Want to calm your mind, super-charge your energy level and manifest what you truly desire in life? We've created a FREE audio e-course with relaxation meditation techniques to get you started. You'll get guided meditations, free tips and techniques to help you transform your life from the inside-out. If your happiness is important, click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Masters
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Since the oldest times, meditation and relaxation have been considered essential for both our mental and physical health, having a wide range of benefits upon our general mood and feeling of well being. But what is the foundation of this affirmation? Why do we need to relax and to meditate? And how do meditation and relaxation get along with our dynamic and overwhelming modern life?
Why Meditate?
Meditation and relaxation go hand in hand, since we can not actually meditate unless we are perfectly relaxed. And the benefits of relaxation are well-known: better concentration, better focus and attention, release of stress and tension - after all, these are beneficial effects that all hard working, active individuals desire. But meditation implies even more than relaxation.... meditation implies a journey of the mind, a spiritual journey that allows us to reach the corners of our inner selves.
We can come in contact with our deep feelings, with our deep emotions, we are stimulated to conceive ideas, our minds and spirits are challenged. But we should not understand that this challenge presupposes an effort. Actually, this journey is helping us to become more peaceful, calmer individuals, individuals who can be in perfect harmony with themselves and with the rest of the world.
Why Are Meditation and Relaxation Essential in the Context of the Modern World?
Nowadays, meditation and relaxation are more important than ever. Why so? Simply because nowadays, people are engaged in hyperactive lives and intense daily activities that tend to exhaust them and to overwhelm them. Nowadays, most individuals are working hard; most individuals are dealing with the responsibilities of building a happy, safe life for their family. Nowadays, stress is more present than ever.
Furthermore, the modern world of today leaves little space, if any, to the important things in live. People are concerned with the functionality of their life; they are concerned with material aspects, with financial matters - that also bring high amounts of stress - and with the pragmatic sides of life. Today, people tend to think less and less about themselves, about their needs and desires.
Which Are the Positive Effects of Meditation and Relaxation?
In the context of the modern, dynamic and stressful world, people need to go back to the meaningful things in life, things that lean more towards spirituality than to pragmatism. People need to go back to themselves, to find themselves, to discover their inner live, since this is the one that can bring genuine satisfactions and rewordings. Moreover, meditation and relaxation are the key to a better efficaciousness, to better out turn when dealing with daily activities, with work or with personal matters. Meditation can actually increase our capacities in a wide range of fields, from our emotional skills to our professional ones, since it implies more creativity, more imagination, an optimized attention and a better general tonus.
Considering the facts above, individuals should embrace this chance of improving such a diverse range of abilities and aspects of their life by simply embracing meditation and relaxation. More vitality, more energy, the feelings of happiness and joy, discovering inner emotions and feelings, releasing tension and stress and many more - all these are in the power of meditation and relaxation.
Want to calm your mind, super-charge your energy level and manifest what you truly desire in life? We've created a FREE audio e-course with relaxation meditation techniques to get you started. You'll get guided meditations, free tips and techniques to help you transform your life from the inside-out. If your happiness is important, click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Masters
Monday, April 14, 2008
5 Reasons Why Drop Shipping Is Perfect For an eBay Business
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All business platforms have negatives and positives. Dropshipping has its share of negatives, but the positives definitely outweigh the negatives. Here are 5 positive factors about dropshipping compared to running a business via traditional bulk buying and selling.
1. You have the ability to start an online store with very little initial investment. Every business needs money to start-up, however the low cost of domains, free ecommerce software and various methods of free promotion mean you can start selling products online using only a small sum of money.
2. You can spend more time promoting, less time packing. If you sell in the traditional way (buy in bulk and sell on) you will have to spend a certain amount of time on each order packaging the product up and then going to the post office. With dropshipping you visit the dropshippers website and place your order, this time saved can used to develop other areas of your business.
3. Access to a much greater range of products. If you buy and sell products the chances are you won't have enough capital to buy all the products you want (this could be many hundreds of products) or you may not want to risk so much in case the products don't sell. Dropshipping means you can use a range of dropshippers to sell a large range of products without increasing business risk.
4. You can run everything from home. When your business really starts to pick up you should still be able to run your business from home, you may need to start using your dining room instead of your bedroom but you still save a lot of money on moving into new premises like a traditional bulk buying business would.
5. You don't have to deal with customer returns and warranties. The dropshipper has to look after returns, so when any customers wish to return a product you just have to notify the dropshipper and supply a refund once the product is returned. This saves a lot of time compared to if you had to inspect every return and then go about selling the product again or writing it off.
All of the benefits listed evolve around saving time and money, both of which reduce business risk.
Thomas Griffin is an eBay Powerseller and the founder of http://www.Urbanload.com
He contributes regularly to wholesale and trade publications and has been a featured presenter on LiveTrade shows
Visit Us Now: Urbanload is the #1 eBay Dropshipping site providing eBay sellers with a simple, no frills, no hassle, dropshipping solution
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Griffin
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Tips For Starting An Online Bookstore
I've always wanted to have a bookstore/knitting store, and having one online is so much easier than a bricks and mortar store. However, there are pros and cons to each, and I'd like to share them in the hopes that my story can help anyone interested in opening an online bookstore in their own carefully researched niche.
Finding your carefully researched niche is important for several reasons. With the likes of Amazon and Barnes and Noble as competition, you have to carve out a very specific small piece of the online bookstore pie and serve it with whipping cream. By that I mean, you have to create a very focused smaller bookstore that offers something that bigger websites don't have - a very warm, personal touch.
The Pros of Owning an Online Bookstore
I have chosen affiliate programs as the basis of my bookstore because I don't have to deal with receiving payments, accepting credit cards, processing orders, storing inventory, taking back orders, shipping, and so on and on.
Going to work in a bricks and mortar store would mean putting together the whole package - dress, hair, makeup - with my own online store, I can do what I want, when I want, looking like I want. to go to work, my store is open 24/7/365 to customers around the world, I never meet cranky people face to face (just sometimes in emails!) and my store is private and always peaceful (no cranky kids!).
Faced with a decision between two ideas for how to run my store, I chose option #1. I can simply fill my site with quality, relevant content pages and encourage visitors to click through to the merchant's website to purchase, or I can use a data feed to create a carbon copy of the original store on my website. I still have to write original copy, to make it unique and not be penalized as duplicate content, but I can have a huge site instantly, automatically updated. Visitors then don't need to leave my website to make their purchases.
The Cons of Owning an Online Bookstore
Of course there are always arguments against shopping online; the cons are that bookstores provide a wonderful customer experience. Maybe you like getting out to book signings, listening to authors read passages, and sitting down in a comfy chair with a stack of books to decide first-hand what you want to buy. And of course, online sites malfunction more often than stores have to unexpectedly close.
As an affiliate marketer there are some things that can make online shoppers annoyed, reluctant and skeptical that you won't have to deal with personally, but you will have to be convincing enough to overcome their hesitation.
If your customer knows exactly what they want, no problem, but if they want to "window shop" the process can be painfully slow as they move from page to page. If they like to "scan and let something pop out at them", they can become frustrated at only being able to view what fits on one page at a time.
When it's time to pull out the plastic, they may question the security of ordering with their card online, wonder if they want to pay high shipping costs, and what happens if they need to return an order?
How I Made My Decision
Most of the cons can be compensated for or avoided by careful choosing of affiliate programs. Few online book companies simply offer books. They also offer reviews, contests, coupons, and ways to participate in what feels like a community.
Website design with care taken to make navigation clear and simple can make browsing and comparison shopping easier, and of course stores with great track records, testimonials, and security in place make all the difference with consumer confidence.
For me, love of my niche combined with love of books convinced me that I'd made a great choice, and success is almost assured as my next love, writing, makes it easy to write book reviews. If this all makes sense to you, then you must might want to try an online bookstore.
Not everyone has the patience of Job when waiting for affiliate checks.
The bookstore called "Amazon with a soul" can make you smile. http://favorite-free-knitting-patterns.com/data/html/resources/36.cgi
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kathryn_Beach
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Make Money While Going To School
This is how I make thousands of dollars a day while going to school.
Making money while going to school is extremely easy to do because of all the opportunities out there. The only problem is finding the ones that do work. I have had my share with the scams out there and will do my best to steer you away from these.Making some serious easy cash while working from home is possible with a little bit of work and time. I myself as a college student have found great success in internet marketing. This is something I knew nothing about until I joined a wealthy affiliate community online and learned how easy it really is.
Internet marketers potentially earn more than $360,000 a year. There are thousands of newbies that have only been doing it a month and are making over $1000 a day. This was all with the support from the affiliate community online.
I had thousands of support from wealthy affiliates with experience who helped me make my first sale. From then on the money has just been rolling in by applying the same techniques over and over again.
I will probably do this as a full time income for a while until I get my degree in accounting. Then I will put internet marketing second to my career. Just a little more stability in having a steady full time job. But for now making money online while going to school has more than exceeded my expectations.
I will soon be able to put a down payment on a car and hopefully a house one day. I will try to take my girlfriend on a bunch of vacations and just relax and enjoy the good life for now. Trust me if I was able to do this anybody can.
Affiliate Internet Marketing is a Great Work at Home Business
By Tom Neville
A great computer based business you can work at home and is an easy way to make m
oney is affiliate marketing. This method uses your ability to promote a specific product for sale or a service for hire. By promoting their product you are helping the company you are affiliated with to do business and be successful. They help you by paying you a commission to do this for them.The easiest way to perform this money making program is to have a link on your website that allows visitors to link to and see what the company has to offer. Simply put their link at the bottom of your web page and people have the choice whether they want to look or if they are going to only look at what your website is offering. The best way to do this is to make sure that link opens up in a separate window from your site, so they can still see your site.
Sales that are made directly from those who clicked the link on your website are credited to you and therefore will produce a commission for you. The only way this is going to work well is if the company you are affiliated with is offering a product that is comparable or complimentary to your website. If your website is for a horse farm you cannot expect to offer links to high fashion and make any money. But if the company sells saddles or tack then this would be an excellent match.
If this is not to your liking and you are still looking for good ways to make money online than you should consider instead selling a product or service that you are knowledgeable about. Information products are selling like crazy now. Don't choose something so unusual that it has no interest but at the same time do not offer the same thing that hundreds of other websites are offering. You must be innovative.
You will also have to find ways to bring people to your website and once they are there to keep their interest. Bringing traffic to your website is a task that will require hard work and some SEO knowledge. You need to make your site searchable and ranking so that the consumer will bring up your page in their searches and therefore go to our website to see what you have to offer. Keyword optimization is the main way that you are going to go about doing this. Finding profitable, niche keywords can be time consuming and hard work but it is essential to a successful site. If you can provide a good product you will find that this is one of the easy ways to make money online.
Creating your own product and marketing it and selling it for an income is the best way to go if you can. However, if you don't already have a product then the second best way is going to be affiliate internet marketing. There are literally thousands of products that you can choose from so you are assured of finding a product you can believe in and market well.
Thomas Neville
Copyright © Thomas Neville
Thomas Neville is webmaster of work at home computer based business site. Try Downloading now a FREE 300+ page E-Book where you can find the best business ideas and opportunities.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Neville
Affiliate Marketing - Make Money with Forum Marketing
In the world of affiliate marketing, there are many free ways to promote your affiliate links. One very overlooked method is forum marketing. Forum 
marketing is a very effective and free way to advertise. After reading this article, you will be able to use forums as a medium for free traffic to find your site.
marketing is a very effective and free way to advertise. After reading this article, you will be able to use forums as a medium for free traffic to find your site.Note: When using forum marketing, you must be careful to follow the forums rules. Always read their terms and policies.
The first thing you must do is find a forum based around the niche you are promoting. If you are promoting weight loss products, look for a forum specifically about weight loss. If you advertise weight loss products in a forum about motorcycles, you are not going to make many friends. After you find the perfect forum that is full of potential customers, go ahead and register an account. Now you can post threads or just reply to already existing threads. That's great, but here is how you make money.
At the bottom of every post is the forum user's signature. A signature is a small section at the bottom of every post you make where you can put a link to your site. Most forums don't allow HTML for your signatures but makes you use BBcode. BBcode is very similar to html and very easy to learn.
Make your signature catchy so when people read your posts they will click it and hopefully make a purchase. The more relevant your product is, there better chance of you getting sales.
Example: Someone makes a post asking the forum community how she can lose weight after her pregnancy. You are promoting a product about that very same subject. You leave a post with good information. Never advertise your signature in your post. That is considered spamming in most forums and will get you kicked out. If you leave helpful advice and your signature says something like "Find out how to lose weight after pregnancy here.", then chances are, people will click your link and might make a purchase. The more posts you make, the more sales you will make. Just make sure all of your posts have quality content and support the forum.
Forum marketing can be very powerful if used correctly. The best part is that once you post, it is there forever. You might post a thread and it becomes a sticky; getting hundreds of views and making tons of sales. Forum marketing is a valuable asset and should be used in any affiliate marketing strategy.
Do not fall for scams! Find out what programs and products really help you become a successful affiliate marketer. Find reviews and lessons here!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Pergrem
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