Zirr.us is a very simple “to do” list for the rest of us. They incorporated a number of web 2.0 characteristics (it combines Ajax/DHTML), like tag your tasks. Zirrus gives users two “to do” lists to keep track which can be defined as “Braindump” or “Now” for more immediate “to do” items. Zirrus lets you view your items in both a list and cloud view, that allows items change their font size according to various priority levels.

Zirr.us provides a fresh approach to task management.

Its features are:

• View and enter tasks quickly and easily, from anywhere.
• Put everything on your mind in your Braindump list. Put near-term tasks in your Now list.
• Set due dates and priorities. Categorize with tags.
• Overdue tasks move automatically to your Now list.
• Work with your tasks in an informative task cloud, color-coded by tag and sized by priority.
• Sort alphabetically, by date, or by priority.

Dave Cheong created this  framework that consists of R only.

Life is a continuous process of discovery and learning. We only stop doing either of these when we die. At this very moment, you are discovering new things, experiencing interesting events, learning and growing constantly. For any given problem, challenge or goal, pause for a moment and identify which step you’re at. The great thing is you don’t have to start at the beginning of the flow. Just start applying the 10 R’s to Success based on where you’re at right now, irrespective of the problem.

1. Realistic

2. Realise

3. Recognise

4. Reframe

5. Respond

6. Review

7. Repeat

8. Reflect

9. Reward

10. Renew

More detailed information on each point is here

This method requires either a cell phone with camera or a normal digital camera. Photograph the document, email the image to qipit website for cleaning and then extract the text from this cleaned image using SimpleOCR, a free word-recognition software.

Here’s the complete instruction:

1. Place the book / newspaper / magazine page on a flat surface and photograph it. Keep a steady hand and make sure Flash is turned off else the final image may appear to be washed out.

2. Now upload that photograph to qipit.com via web or email. Qipit, a free service, will straighten the image and create a much cleaner and readable document from that picture.

Open the MyDocuments folder in Qipit.com and download that converted file as JPG by clicking the document preview icon.

3. To extract text from this JPG file, we will use a free software called SimpleOCR. The OCR software will recognize the words in the JPG image and generates a text file.

What are your top three financial objectives?

1. Narrow your objectives.
2. Focus first on the goals that matter.
3. Be prepared for conflicts.
4. Put time on your side.
5. Choose carefully.
   In drawing up your list of goals, you should look for things that will help you feel financially secure, happy or fulfilled. Some of the items that wind up on such lists include building an emergency fund, getting out of debt, and paying kids’ tuitions. Once you have your list together, you need to rank the items in order of importance (if you have trouble doing so, use the CNNMoney.com Prioritizer for help).
6. Include family members.
7. Start now.
8. Sweat the big stuff.
9. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
10. Be prepared for change.

    More to read here

1. Take photos before and after people are ready. It is when people let their gaurd down. You might tick them off a little bit but it is better than having a fake, posed snapshots.
2. The majority of photos with the subject smack-bang in the centre of the picture can be dull and boring. The rule of thirds involves dividing your viewfinder into an imaginary tic-tac-toe square. The trick is place the main subject in one of the four intersecting points.
3. Just about any solid structure (walls, mounds, tables) can be used as improvised tripods to support the camera and avoid the dreaded camera shake.
4. Panning or moving your camera at the same speed as your subject is a great way to shoot action and at the same time eliminate any distractions.
5. Experiment with different film speeds. Changing ISO changes the contrast, grain and the minimum shutter speed of your shot.
6. Get closer. There is a temptation to include everything in your photos but don’t be afraid to cut out some details. Try focusing more on the details rather than the whole. If it’s a choice between moving closer or using digital zoom, move closer.
7. The most important part of any portrait is the subject’s eyes. By positioning catchlights (reflections of light) in your model’s eyes it can improve your shot tenfold.
8. Know where the sun is relative to your subject. If you shoot into the sun your subject will likely be in shadow; shoot with the sun facing your subject and you will having them squinting back at you. Look for a place with less harsh lighting or use fill flash.
9. Always hold the camera with both hands. It helps to steady the camera.
10. For spur of the moment photos shoot first, then adjust your settings for the second shot. Too many great shots have been lost because the photographer spent too long finding the perfect settings.
11. If it’s bright over-expose; if it’s dark under-expose.
12. Take photographs of the same thing at intervals to gauge your progress.
13. Keep you horizons horizontal or else it will give the impression that everything is falling off the print.
14. Shoot from down on the ground and from up on a height. A fresh perspective can bring life into your pictures.
15. Learn to bounce the flash for more natural looking indoor shots. This works wonderful for me.
16. Use a short depth of field to eliminate distracting backgrounds. This can be achieved by using a telephoto lens, using a wide aperature or getting as close as possible to your subject.
17. Keep a log of information such as shutter speed, f-stop, weather, etc. It can be useful when you are trying to figure out what you did right and wrong in your photos.
18. Don’t shoot portraits from down below. It will make the chin and nose more prominent.
19. When it comes to composition simplicity is the key.
20. Use multiple pre-flashes to eliminate red eye, although it ruins the spontaneity.
21. Experiment with your camera’s manual mode while shooting landscapes or still life as this gives you plenty of time to get to know your camera.
22. Make sure that your fingers and camera strap aren’t obstructing the view finder.
23. Break the rules. Photography rules are better viewed as guidelines. While the rule of thirds holds true in many situations, you will undoubtedly come across a situation that calls for you to centre you subject.

BugMeNot.com is a site that generates login names and passwords for registration sites.

The site is a boon to those who want to keep online anonymity or stamp out spam. According to the site’s homepage, 14,000 websites have been “liberated” from registration bondage, and it’s clear many people are doing whatever they can to avoid really logging in.

Lets say you’re browsing web and at one point you click a link to an article on a site but instead of getting the article you get a screen asking you to signin or register. Cool thing about internet is that whatever is expensive or annoying never lasts long, one way or another users will find a way around it. For above problem we got bugmenot.com which can instantly provide you with bogus username/pass combination for almost 150.000 ‘must register to access’ websites (news sites, forums, social networks and so on).
There’s also Mailinator for those who want to register but don’t want to use their real e-mail address. And there’s spamgourmet for deleting unwanted e-mails.

How to Improve Gas Mileage

Whether you are shopping for a new car or just trying to maintain the one you have, you can take some steps to get the best mileage out of your gas purchases. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, offers these tips to use fuel efficiently:

On the Road: Drive More Efficiently
• Stay within posted speed limits. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 miles per hour.
• Stop aggressive driving. You can improve your gas mileage up to five percent around town if you avoid “jackrabbit” starts and stops by anticipating traffic conditions and driving gently.
• Avoid unnecessary idling. It wastes fuel, costs you money, and pollutes the air. Turn off the engine if you anticipate a wait.
• Combine errands. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Use overdrive gears and cruise control when appropriate. They improve the fuel economy of your car when you’re driving on a highway.
• Remove excess weight from the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce a typical car’s fuel economy by up to two percent.
• Avoid packing items on top of your car. A loaded roof rack or carrier creates wind resistance and can decrease fuel economy by five percent.

At the Garage: Maintain Your Car
• Keep your engine tuned. Tuning your engine according to your owner’s manual can increase gas mileage by an average of four percent. Increases vary depending on a car’s condition.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. It can increase gas mileage up to three percent.
• Change your oil. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can improve your gas mileage by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the performance symbol of the American Petroleum Institute contains friction-reducing additives that can improve fuel economy.
• Check and replace air filters regularly. Replacing clogged filters can increase gas mileage up to ten percent.

At the Pump: Use the Octane Level You Need
• Your owner’s manual recommends the most effective octane level for your car. For most cars, the recommended gasoline is regular octane. In most cases, using a higher octane gas than the manufacturer recommends offers no benefit. Unless your engine is knocking, buying higher octane gasoline is a waste of money.

In Advertising: Check Out Claims About “Gas-Saving” Gadgets
• Be skeptical of claims for devices that will “boost your mileage by an extra 6 miles per
gallon,” “improve your fuel economy up to 26 percent,” or the like. EPA has tested over 100 supposed gas-saving devices — including mixture “enhancers” and fuel line magnets — and found that very few provide any fuel economy benefits. The devices that work provide only marginal improvements. Some “gas-saving” devices may damage a car’s engine or increase exhaust emissions. For more information and a full list of tested products, check www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer.htm.

In the Showroom: Consider the Alternatives
• Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) operate on alternative fuels, such as methanol, ethanol,
compressed natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, electricity, and others designated by the DOE. Using these alternative fuels in vehicles may reduce harmful pollutants and exhaust emissions. FTC Rules require labels on all new AFVs to give the vehicle’s estimated cruising range and general descriptive information. Find out how many miles a new AFV travels on a tank or supply of fuel because, gallon for gallon, some don’t travel as far as gasoline-powered vehicles.
• Hybrid Electric Vehicles offer another option for car buyers. According to DOE and
EPA, these vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can
be configured to achieve different objectives, such as improved fuel economy and increased power.

Want to Quit?

You promised yourself that you would finally quit smoking.

It isn’t easy giving up something that is so much a part of what you do every day.

But you are not alone. Over 1 million people each year decide to quit and are successful.
Tried Quitting Before?

Maybe once, maybe more…

You started out feeling the time was right, but for whatever reason, you’re smoking again. Now, you’re asking whether it’s worth it to try quitting again. You bet it is!

Quitting is hard, but don’t give up!

Some smokers try a number of times before they quit for good. Studies show that each time you try to quit, the more likely you will be to eventually succeed. With each try, you are better able to know what helps and what hurts. Any attempt to quit is a step in a healthier direction.
Pregnant?

There’s no better time to quit.

And for two very good reasons:

* You.
* Your baby.

Even if someone you know smoked during pregnancy and had a problem-free delivery, smoking puts your baby’s health at risk. Quitting at any time during pregnancy is still the best chance for you and your baby to get a fresh start.

It is also important to remember that infants and children exposed to second-hand smoke are more likely to develop health problems such as chronic ear infections and asthma. Helping to eliminate these health risks is another good reason to quit.
How Do I Start?

Make a Plan

* You may want to consult a health care professional to choose a quit smoking plan that is best for you.
* Set a quit date and stick to it.
* Get the support and understanding of your family, friends, and co-workers.
* Get rid of all tobacco products and ashtrays.

Get Support and Encouragement

U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)-funded research shows the more support you have, the greater your chance for success.

Join a quit smoking program or start your own quit smoking group. Check with your health care professional, local hospitals, the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, or American Heart Association for schedules for existing groups.
Learn How to Handle the Urge to Smoke

Be aware of the things that may cause you to smoke, such as:

* Other smokers.
* Stress.
* Depression.
* Alcohol.

What Works?

Current treatments

There are no magic solutions for quitting smoking. But, if you are ready to quit, effective treatments are available that can help reduce the urge to smoke.

Studies show that almost everyone can benefit from these nicotine and non-nicotine replacement therapies.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy

* Nicotine patch.
* Nicotine gum.
* Nicotine nasal spray.*
* Nicotine inhaler.*

Non-Nicotine Therapy

* Bupropion SR.*

*Available only by prescription.

Are you one of most smokers who want to quit? Then try following this advice.

1. Don’t smoke any number or any kind of cigarette. Smoking even a few cigarettes a day can hurt your health. If you try to smoke fewer cigarettes, but do not stop completely, soon you’ll be smoking the same amount again.

Smoking “low-tar, low-nicotine” cigarettes usually does little good, either. Because nicotine is so addictive, if you switch to lower-nicotine brands you’ll likely just puff harder, longer, and more often on each cigarette. The only safe choice is to quit completely.

2. Write down why you want to quit. Do you want to—

* Feel in control of you life?
* Have better health?
* Set a good example for your children?
* Protect your family from breathing other people’s smoke?

Really wanting to quit smoking is very important to how much success you will have in quitting. Smokers who live after a heart attack are the most likely to quit for good—they’re very motivated. Find a reason for quitting before you have no choice.

3. Know that it will take effort to quit smoking. Nicotine is habit forming. Half of the battle in quitting is knowing you need to quit. This knowledge will help you be more able to deal with the symptoms of withdrawal that can occur, such as bad moods and really wanting to smoke. There are many ways smokers quit, including using nicotine replacement products (gum and patches), but there is no easy way. Nearly all smokers have some feelings of nicotine withdrawal when they try to quit. Give yourself a month to get over these feelings. Take quitting one day at a time, even one minute at a time—whatever you need to succeed.

4. Half of all adult smokers have quit, so you can— too. That’s the good news. There are millions of people alive today who have learned to face life without a cigarette. For staying healthy, quitting smoking is the best step you can take.

5. Get help if you need it. Many groups offer written materials, programs, and advice to help smokers quit for good. Your doctor or dentist is also a good source of help and support.

Questions and Answers About Smoking Cessation

1. How important is it to stop smoking?

It is very important. Tobacco use remains the single most preventable cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoking accounts for nearly one-third of all cancer deaths in this country each year.

Smoking is the most common risk factor for the development of lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death. It is also associated with many other types of cancer, including cancers of the esophagus, larynx, kidney, pancreas, and cervix. Smoking also increases the risk of other health problems, such as chronic lung disease and heart disease. Smoking during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the unborn child, such as premature delivery and low birth weight.

2. What are the immediate benefits of stopping smoking?

The health benefits of smoking cessation (quitting) are immediate and substantial. Almost immediately, a person’s circulation begins to improve and the level of carbon monoxide in the blood begins to decline. (Carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas found in cigarette smoke, reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.) A person’s pulse rate and blood pressure, which may be abnormally high while smoking, begin to return to normal. Within a few days of quitting, a person’s sense of taste and smell return, and breathing becomes increasingly easier.

3. What are the long-term benefits of stopping smoking?

People who quit smoking live longer than those who continue to smoke. After 10 to 15 years, a previous tobacco user’s risk of premature death approaches that of a person who has never smoked. About 10 years after quitting, an ex-smoker’s risk of dying from lung cancer is 30 percent to 50 percent less than the risk for those who continue to smoke. Women who stop smoking before becoming pregnant or who quit in the first 3 months of pregnancy can reverse the risk of low birth weight for the baby and reduce other pregnancy-associated risks. Quitting also reduces the risk of other smoking-related diseases, including heart disease and chronic lung disease.

There are also many benefits to smoking cessation for people who are sick or who have already developed cancer. Smoking cessation reduces the risk for developing infections, such as pneumonia, which often causes death in patients with other existing diseases.

4. Does cancer risk change after quitting smoking?

Quitting smoking reduces the risk for developing cancer, and this benefit increases the longer a person remains “smoke free.” People who quit smoking reduce their risk of developing and dying from lung cancer. They also reduce their risk of other types of cancer (see question 1). The risk of premature death and the chance of developing cancer due to cigarettes depends on the number of years of smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, the age at which smoking began, and the presence or absence of illness at the time of quitting. For people who have already developed cancer, quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing another primary cancer.

5. At what age is smoking cessation the most beneficial?

Smoking cessation benefits men and women at any age. Some older adults may not perceive the benefits of quitting smoking; however, smokers who quit before age 50 have half the risk of dying in the next 16 years compared with people who continue to smoke. By age 64, their overall chance of dying is similar to that of people the same age who have never smoked. Older adults who quit smoking also have a reduced risk of dying from coronary heart disease and lung cancer. Additional, immediate benefits (such as improved circulation, and increased energy and breathing capacity) are other good reasons for older adults to become smoke free.

6. What are some of the difficulties associated with quitting smoking?

Quitting smoking may cause short-term after-effects, especially for those who have smoked a large number of cigarettes for a long period of time. People who quit smoking are likely to feel anxious, irritable, hungry, more tired, and have difficulty sleeping. They may also have difficulty concentrating. Many tobacco users gain weight when they quit, but usually less than 10 pounds. These changes do subside. People who kick the habit have the opportunity for a healthier future.

7. How can health care providers help their patients to stop smoking?

Doctors and dentists can be good sources of information about the health risks of smoking and about quitting. They can tell their patients about the proper use and potential side effects of nicotine replacement therapy (see question , and help them find local smoking cessation programs.

Doctors and dentists can also play an important role by asking patients about smoking at every office visit; advising patients to stop; assisting patients by setting a quit date, providing self-help materials, and suggesting nicotine replacement therapies (when appropriate); and arranging for followup visits.

8. What is nicotine replacement therapy?

Nicotine is the drug in cigarettes and other forms of tobacco that causes addiction. Nicotine replacement products deliver small, steady doses of nicotine into the body, which helps to relieve the withdrawal symptoms often felt by people trying to quit smoking. These products, which are available in four forms (patches, gum, nasal spray, and inhaler), appear to be equally effective. There is evidence that combining the nicotine patch with nicotine gum or nicotine nasal spray increases long-term quit rates compared with using a single type of nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine gum, in combination with nicotine patch therapy, may also reduce withdrawal symptoms better than either medication alone. Researchers recommend combining nicotine replacement therapy with advice or counseling from a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, or other health provider.

* The nicotine patch, which is available over the counter (without a prescription), supplies a steady amount of nicotine to the body through the skin. The nicotine patch is sold in varying strengths as an 8-week smoking cessation treatment. Nicotine doses are gradually lowered as the treatment progresses. The nicotine patch may not be a good choice for people with skin problems or allergies to adhesive tape.

* Nicotine gum is available over the counter in 2- and 4-mg strengths. Chewing nicotine gum releases nicotine into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth. Nicotine gum might not be appropriate for people with temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ) or for those with dentures or other dental work such as bridges.

* Nicotine nasal spray was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996 for use by prescription only. The spray comes in a pump bottle containing nicotine that tobacco users can inhale when they have an urge to smoke. This product is not recommended for people with nasal or sinus conditions, allergies, or asthma, nor is it recommended for young tobacco users.

* A nicotine inhaler, also available only by prescription, was approved by the FDA in 1997. This device delivers a vaporized form of nicotine to the mouth through a mouthpiece attached to a plastic cartridge. Even though it is called an inhaler, the device does not deliver nicotine to the lungs the way a cigarette does. Most of the nicotine only travels to the mouth and throat, where it is absorbed through the mucous membranes. Common side effects include throat and mouth irritation and coughing. Anyone with a bronchial problem such as asthma should use it with caution.

9. Are there smoking cessation aids that do not contain nicotine?

Bupropion, a prescription antidepressant marketed as Zyban®, was approved by the FDA in 1997 to treat nicotine addiction. This drug can help to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Some common side effects of bupropion are dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, and skin rash. People should not use this drug if they have a seizure condition such as epilepsy or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, or if they are taking other medicines that contain bupropion hydrochloride.

10. What if efforts to quit result in relapse?

Many smokers find it difficult to quit smoking, and it may take two or three attempts before they are finally able to quit. Although relapse rates are most common in the first few weeks or months after quitting, people who stop smoking for 3 months are often able to remain cigarette-free for the rest of their lives.

Sources: 1, 2

How memory works or Why we forget

Forgetting is normal and necessary. Your brain is bombarded with millions of bits of information every day. All of this information could not possibly be stored, nor is it important enough to remember for any length of time. The mind decides what information is unimportant and immediately disregards it. What your mind remembers is what you need to function. There are strategies to use that will increase your ability to remember important information.

Types of Memory

Sensory Memory – We are constantly processing information gathered through our senses. Through selective attention, your mind determines what of the huge amount of incoming information is important and ignores the rest. When you concentrate on your professor’s lecture or the discussion that is going on you use selective attention to deem this information important. Although sensory information is only kept in your mind a few seconds, by concentrating on a certain piece of information, you can transfer it to your short-term memory.

Short-Term Memory – Information in your short-term memory lasts only about a minute. When you meet someone and they tell you their name, chances are, an hour later, you won’t remember their name. By reciting and rehearsing information like names, lists or phone numbers, you can increase your retention of the information. Short-term memory is limited, however. The average number of items you can keep in short-term memory is seven. To remember larger amounts of information you must group it into common themes, memorize “chunks” of information at once, or use other strategies to improve retention.

Long-Term Memory – Once information is moved to long-term memory, it is integrated with existing information. If this integration is not successfully done, the information may get “lost” and will be harder to recall. Long-term memory is like a giant warehouse full of file cabinets. You take information you know and you place it in existing “files.” If there is no existing file and you do not create one by integrating like information, the information may be more difficult to recall.

The 3 R’s of Memory

Reception – Be attentive and observant. This will help you receive important information more easily. Engage all of your senses. Look at the professor, listen to the lecture and discussion, and take notes. Ask questions if you aren’t clear about something. If you don’t understand, you won’t be able to remember. Survey before reading the material. If you know what the selection is about before reading, you will be more attentive to the information.

Retention – Make a conscious effort to remember what is being said. If you set goals for your performance and motivate yourself this will give you the incentive to remember. Become an active reader by highlighting and marking your text. Review your notes frequently to increase your retention. Recite your notes aloud when possible. By using both your visual and auditory senses, you will increase your retention rate. Do all your homework when it is assigned. Using information in and out of the classroom will help you remember it better. See the list of Memory Aids for tips on improving your memory.

Recollection – Organize your material before the test. Group tests, summaries, and notes according to chapters and similar topics. Make a list of important topics and what you should know about them. The week before the test set up a block of time (2-3 hours) to thoroughly review the information. Remember to take breaks when studying! During the test visualize your diagrams and flashcards to help remember the information. Use practice tests to study. Anticipate possible test questions and make up your own test or look at old tests if they are available from the professor.

Memory Aids

Mnemonics – rhymes, sayings or phrases that repeat or codify the information you’re trying to remember. HOMES – an acronym that stands for the first letter of each of the five Great Lakes Fall Back, Spring Ahead – this phrase helps you remember Daylight Savings Time Thirty days hath September… - this jingle helps you remember how many days there are in each of the twelve months.

Associate – Relate the information you’re trying to remember to something you already know. To help remember the three stages of memory (reception, retention, and recollection) you can associate the mind with a computer. By recalling the computer’s three processes (input, storage, and output) you will be able to remember the stages of memory.

Visualize – Drawing out pictures and diagrams makes the information easier to recall by visualizing the drawing while taking the test. When memorizing the names of bones in the body, draw a human skeleton and label the bones. During the test, visualize the skeleton and you will be able to remember the names.

Flashcards – Write key words or terms that you need to know on one side of an index card. Write the explanation or definition on the other side of the card. Carry these cards with you and review them as often as possible.

Academic Resource Center, Wheeling Jesuit University, 2001.

Signs of Deception:

Body Language of Lies:

• Physical expression will be limited and stiff, with few arm and hand movements. Hand, arm and leg movement are toward their own body the liar takes up less space.
• A person who is lying to you will avoid making eye contact.
• Hands touching their face, throat & mouth. Touching or scratching the nose or behind their ear. Not likely to touch his chest/heart with an open hand.

Emotional Gestures & Contradiction

• Timing and duration of emotional gestures and emotions are off a normal pace. The display of emotion is delayed, stays longer it would naturally, then stops suddenly.
• Timing is off between emotions gestures/expressions and words. Example: Someone says “I love it!” when receiving a gift, and then smile after making that statement, rather then at the same time the statement is made.
• Gestures/expressions don’t match the verbal statement, such as frowning when saying “I love you.”
• Expressions are limited to mouth movements when someone is faking emotions (like happy, surprised, sad, awe, )instead of the whole face. For example; when someone smiles naturally their whole face is involved: jaw/cheek movement, eyes and forehead push down, etc.

Interactions and Reactions

• A guilty person gets defensive. An innocent person will often go on the offensive.
• A liar is uncomfortable facing his questioner/accuser and may turn his head or body away.
• A liar might unconsciously place objects (book, coffee cup, etc.) between themselves and you.

Verbal Context and Content

• A liar will use your words to make answer a question. When asked, “Did you eat the last cookie?” The liar answers, “No, I did not eat the last cookie.”
•A statement with a contraction is more likely to be truthful: “ I didn’t do it” instead of “I did not do it”
• Liars sometimes avoid “lying” by not making direct statements. They imply answers instead of denying something directly.

• The guilty person may speak more than natural, adding unnecessary details to convince you… they are not comfortable with silence or pauses in the conversation.
• A liar may leave out pronouns and speak in a monotonous tone. When a truthful statement is made the pronoun is emphasized as much or more than the rest of the words in a statement.

• Words may be garbled and spoken softly, and syntax and grammar may be off.
In other words, his sentences will likely be muddled rather than emphasized.

Other signs of a lie:

• If you believe someone is lying, then change subject of a conversation quickly, a liar follows along willingly and becomes more relaxed. The guilty wants the subject changed; an innocent person may be confused by the sudden change in topics and will want to back to the previous subject.
• Using humor or sarcasm to avoid a subject.

Final Notes:

Obviously, just because someone exhibits one or more of these signs does not make them a liar. The above behaviors should be compared to a persons base (normal) behavior whenever possible.

Source: http://www.blifaloo.com/info/lies.php

At the end of any given conversation, whether it’s with co-workers, employees, or customers, do you ever find yourself asking the following questions:
- “How many times do I have to tell them how it’s done?”
- “Why are there so many misunderstandings?”
- “Doesn’t anyone ever listen to me?”

If so, you’re not alone. In companies across the nation, communication breakdown is one of the main challenges managers deal with on a daily basis. As a result, they spend time restating their objectives to the same people over and over again, only to have the intended message still get altered or confused. Depending on the situation, communication breakdown can have severe consequences—everything from lost sales and profits to high employee turnover rates.

The warning signs of communication breakdown include the listener losing interest before you’re finished speaking, your being unable to get the floor at meetings, and doing all the talking during a conversation when you want feedback. If any of these things routinely happen to you during conversations, your communication efforts are not effective or efficient.

Traditionally, most business leaders have spent their time attempting to change the way others listen. This is an exercise in futility because the only element in any interaction you can change is your part of it. Those professionals who are motivated to adjust their speaking in order to get people to listen, develop better relations with staff, investors and customers. The result will be fewer misunderstandings and more success in the business. By making the following adjustments to your conversations, you too can experience the satisfying results of positive communication.

1. Stop talking
When someone talks incessantly, the listener naturally wants to tune out. Listening is an energy draining process, so forcing people to listen for long periods of time can wear them out. To motivate others, especially if you are the boss or key figure in a negotiation, be quiet and listen to others in order to discover what they are thinking. Stop talking long enough to capture the entire essence of what the other person is saying. Listen for the value the other person wants to add and incorporate that into your response.

2. Get to the point
Effective communicators don’t beat around the bush. They make their points clearly and accurately. To do so, start with a single sentence that notes your positive intent. Next, state the overall goal. Once you make your suggestion for action, follow it up with justifications. Often, but not always, ask for feedback on the idea and allow for brainstorming. Summarize all decisions and each person’s role with dated, specific, and measurable commitments.

3. Take a presentation skills class
By brushing up on your speaking skills, you can “even the playing field” with those successful but less talented colleagues who got where they are because of their excellent oratory skills. Most accomplished speakers take a class or review a book on presentation skills every few years to become more confident, persuasive, and effective.

4. Keep your tone neutral
During every conversation, speak to others as you want them to speak to you. Avoid sarcasm and other hostile behaviors. When you routinely humiliate, berate, or poke fun at others, they won’t listen to much of what you say or go the extra mile for you. Speak loud enough so that no one must strain to hear you, and speak with authority, so you’ll be perceived as more credible. As far as what to say, always remember to praise in public and criticize in private, each time addressing the behavior itself and not the person’s personality.

5. Reduce your speaking accent
When listening to someone who has a thick accent, people routinely miss 10-30 percent of what is said. If you are completely fluent in English but still have people asking you to repeat yourself, taking a presentation skills class that focuses on accent reduction is a wise career move. It’s your job as the speaker to be a clear communicator, especially since others won’t work to understand you. Additionally, listeners can become embarrassed when they have to continually ask you to repeat yourself. Instead, very often they’ll nod and smile, and then ask each other afterward, “What are we supposed to do?” But there is no reason to lose your accent entirely, as a charming accent differentiates you from the group and is part of your persona. However, with information and videotaped training, even a couple of days of coaching can improve comprehension by 80 percent.

Being an effective communicator is the best way to get others to listen to what you say. Since few people enjoy repeating themselves multiple times or the resulting consequences of not getting important messages understood, improve your communication skills so that listening is not a burden for others. The result will be that listeners will hear and comprehend you each time you speak.

Dr. Reesa Woolf
Public Speaking Coach

Website: Http://ConfidentSpeaking.com

• Remove from your vocabulary such words and phrases as quit, cannot, unable, impossible, out of the question, improbable, failure, unworkable, hopeless, and retreat; for they are the words of fools.
• Make love your greatest weapon.
• The problems of the market place will be left in the market place.
• Act now. For now is all you have.
• Only a habit can subdue another habit.
• Green grass grows where dry desert ends.
• Be prepared to control whatever personality awakes in you each day.
• If you feel poverty, think of wealth to come.
• Bury doubt under faith.
• I will endure sadness for it opens my soul.
• Do not judge a man on one meeting.
• You will become great.
• Each day will be triumphant only when your smiles bring forth smiles from others.
• What can take place before this sun sets which will not seem insignificant in the river of centuries?

Turn off monitors when not in use

Monitors, especially old CRT monitors, can consume a lot of energy. Make sure that they are turned off when not in use.
Replace old CRT monitors with LCD monitors

LCD monitors are much more energy efficient that CRT monitors. You can run three LCD monitors for the price of one CRT.

Shut down unused equipment

If it is not being used, turn it off.
Move computer equipment into basement where it is cooler

Keeping your system cooler (without firing up an air conditioner) will allow it to work more efficiently and require less internal cooling. A more efficient system requires less power.

Turn off screen savers

If your monitor is turned off, why do you need a screen saver running? All these things do is use up system resources and increase energy usage. If you do need a screen saver, then make sure that the screen saver just shows a black screen.

Turn down the brightness on your monitor

The brighter your monitor, the more power it consumes.

Buy devices that consume less power

Consider the wattage required for a device when you are purchasing and select devices that use less power.

Other tips can be found here www.dailycupoftech.com

In the beginning there was the Memo, which everyone circulated around the office to create a protective paper trail. Then came the Fax, a wonderful electronic device that allowed you to instantly communicate with colleagues in distant places, and Memos became easier (and faster) to distribute across the company or the campus. Alas, our reach has now begun to exceed our grasp with the development of something called an e-Mail, which has turned out to be an even quicker way to communicate (and mis-communicate) with our fellow workers.

The immediacy of e-mail has created pressure, real or imagined, for a quick response. That response quite often lacks forethought, and suddenly e-mail etiquette is breached. Not a good idea if you care what people think of you. So what are some simple rules we can all live by?

Don’t abuse your e-mail privileges. If you’re sending a lot of information, why not throw it up on your website and send everyone a URL? Otherwise you’re going to send a huge, long message that probably won’t be read, let alone opened. Sending a megabyte e-mail to your many friends around the university can bog down servers, mailboxes, and desktops. If you must send a large document, zip it up using a file compression program.

Not everyone can open a PDF (Portable Document File). If you attach one to your message, at least try to summarize what it says in the body of your e-mail so that the information still gets through. A simple but effective courtesy.

Personal e-mail is one thing, but you don’t need to get fancy at the office. Save the background colour and stationery for your friends. Brash colours, cute little emot-icons, frogs and ducks and flowers don’t belong in a business environment. The same goes for Auto Signatures. Keep them civilized. No more information than you’d see on a business card.

Don’t be afraid to clean up a long string of e-mails before you reply or forward them to colleagues. “Do I really have to include every e-mail and reply?” should be a question you regularly ask yourself before you hit Send. People can find the other messages if they want to. No one will ever complain because you didn’t include a long string of paragraphs; nor will they demand that you make your e-mails longer!

If you’re really upset over something, don’t be a cyber coward. Go and talk to the individual before you fire off a furious e-mail that you’ll inevitably regret later. Many problems are solved by leaning on a doorway and getting eye-contact. Arguing back and forth in writing can be a Career Limiting Move.

Please, please, please re-read your e-mail before you send it. It takes only moments, but you’re going to save yourself a great deal of embarrassment. Unless you think that bad spelling, gross grammar, obvious errors and twisted syntax are ok, because it shows that you’re a busy person. Except what it really says is: I don’t care.

Make the Subject line relevant, if for no other reason than to save your colleagues a lot of time and trouble when they’re trying to find your message. “Inaccurate transaction on June pay record” is better than “paycheque” in the Subject line. (Thanks to Mark Pearson in Medicine for that tip) Using an old Subject line that doesn’t relate to the current message is another common transgression. Keep it current. Newspapers don’t repeat yesterday’s headlines today. Oh, and don’t use exclamation points in Subject lines - the spam filters will probably reject your message as junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How long should your message be? The general rule is: No longer than the length of your screen.

Finally, remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said about manners. “Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices.” Your time is important, but sacrificing a bit of your time to review your e-mail etiquette can result in better communication, more effective messages, and ironically — free up some time for other things.

Source: update.estrategy.ubc.ca

You know how important it is to make a good impression with your resume. Usually personnel people do not spend more than 30 seconds looking at resumes in their pile. It means that you must compose it in such a way that it does not get to the bin right away.

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