Pixie Poker

Our solar system hurtles through the universe, spinning and turning with the precision and timing of a fine watch. The biosphere of our planet is perfect, able to forever sustain all life in perfect balance and harmony while requiring the addition of nothing other than sunlight. The ’simplest’ form of life is represented by a one-celled bacteria, acknowledged to be many times more complex than the most complex thing ever created by man. However, the living cell also possesses the miraculous capability of self-reproduction! The human body is comprised of at least twenty trillion cells (20,000,000,000,000), each of which is more complex than a bacterium. Shortly after the human female egg is fertilized it begins producing cells. Somehow, each one of those cells immediately knows where to go and how to begin functioning in combination with other cells in the formation of a greater sub-system, and each sub-system understands how to interact with and begin coordinating with many other systems. Hundreds of millions of cells begin forming into what will eventually become the optic nerve, which is actually an optics and electrical communications bus of fantastic complexity and refinement that allows the brain to process optical data and interpret and regulate functions of vision. In fact, the human eye with its complementary systems is infinitely more complex and refined than the most advanced video camera, and just the lens of the eye represents a level of achievement in optical science that far surpasses the multi-tiered optical systems of the most advanced telescopes. Other processes begin that somehow lead the direction of calcium and mineral carrier cells in the construction of thousands of different, complex designs of bone and tooth formations of varying densities and consistencies. Some have enamel layering depending on function, and others mobile connecting joints with built-in permanent lubrication systems along with blood producing factories located within bone cores that represent nothing less than wonders of technological design. All the while this intelligently guided planning is being organized and inter-coordinated with other processes resulting in the creation of nerve, hormonal, glandular, digestive, lymphatic, pulmonary, muscular, auditory, cardio-circulatory and olfactory systems, sub-systems and organs that reflect a truly incomprehensible degree of complexity, intricacy and engineering mastery. The human brain is by far the most complex thing in the universe. With the tremendous advancements in knowledge gained in recent years as to how the brain functions and what it does, scientists will affirm that using presently available computer technology they could not duplicate the human brain’s processing power or data storage capacity even if they could construct a computer the size of the planet earth! (The fastest, most powerful super-computing arrays yet developed by IBM and NEC have processing speeds equivalent to at most one-third of the brain-of a common housefly.) In fact, it has been estimated that the power and capacity of the human brain to process and store information is infinite! Most of what our brains do is performed without our conscious realization as hundreds of thousands of complex, elaborate systems are constantly monitored, regulated, controlled and communicated with via untold trillions of instruction sets per millisecond, 24 hours a day, over a nervous and chemical network that makes the entire world’s satellite and fiber optics telecommunications systems combined seem like a crude, simple and primitive toy. However, the most amazing thing done by the brain is something that no computer can begin to do, which is to enable the generation of original conscious thought, reason and emotion.

During the 19th Century it was thought by scientists that the universe consisted of two basic entities-matter and energy. Due to the great scientific advancements that have occurred in the 20th Century coupled with a deeper awareness and level of thought, it is now seen that there is a third, vastly more important entity at work in the universe and that is required for life to exist-information. Information is a mass-less quantity that is not reducible to energy. This awareness is forcing another realization that is taking root among many contemporary scientists and thoughtful people-the acknowledgement that information is only generated by intelligence, and intelligence is meaningless, impotent and even impossible apart from an original, driving purpose-in other words a will and a desire-a personality.

Of this kind of science [evolution] it might truly be said that it was `knowledge falsely so called.’ ” Dr. David C.C. Watson, The Great Brain Robbery (1976).

Almost 150 years after the publication of Darwin’s “The Origin of Species”, the postulated law of biogenesis remains unchallenged-life can only come from previously existing life. In Darwin’s time biologic and organic systems were thought to be many, many times simpler than they are known to be today. Just the likelihood of all of the tremendously complex organic components being formed and then coming together by any imaginary scenario of chance to create the nucleus of cellular life, DNA, can be shown to be an impossibility “of the highest order”. Yet even then the DNA could not have survived without the equally complex, highly structured systems of support needed and that are present in the simplest living. The double strand helix of DNA is called by scientists: “The most densely packed and elaborately detailed assembly of information in the universe.” Far from being able to create life in a laboratory, scientists today will readily say that they have only scratched the surface in uncovering the seemingly imponderable mysteries and complexities of organic life. Note: Evolutionists admit that the possibility of the right combination of atoms and molecules falling into place to form just one simple protein molecule is at least 1 in 10 raised to 113- a number that exceeds the estimated total number of atoms contained in all of the billions of stars within each of all the billions of galaxies in the known universe combined! Mathematicians dismiss as having never taken place, even regardless of an infinite time frame, anything that has a probability of occurrence of less than 1 in 10 raised to 50. But far more than one simple protein molecule is needed for life. Some 2000 complex protein molecules are needed just for a cell to maintain its activity, and the chance that all of them could occur at random is greater than 1 in 10 raised to 40,000! However, many scientists feel that this calculation does not represent the most difficult challenge to the spontaneous generation of cellular life, since it doesn’t take into consideration the issue of structure, in the same way that a huge pile of steel, aluminum, plastic and glass is not automatically structured into a Boeing 777.

“Scientists who go about teaching that evolution is a fact of life are great con men, and the story they are telling may be the greatest hoax ever. In explaining evolution we do not have one iota of fact, it is a tangled mishmash of guessing games and figure juggling.” – T.N. Tahmisian, physiologist for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.

Within the genetic code of any living thing there is allowance for variation. For example, all members of the feline or cat family could have sprung from just two original cats, a male and a female. But variation and speciation (formation of a new ’species’), among felines does not represent evolution since there is no vertical or upward increase in genetic complexity that has occurred. It is an example of horizontal change with no increase in complexity, as when dog or horse breeders selectively breed those animals to bring out certain characteristics. A dog can be bred to a certain size, either smaller or larger, but there is a point at which there is no further change possible since that limit allowed for in the genetic material (DNA), has been reached, and it is impossible for a dog to be inter-fertile with any other family of animal. A dog can never become anything other than a dog, and there is no evidence to indicate or even suggest that it has ever been anything other than a dog. Almost all of the so-called ‘evidence’ of evolution that is cited in textbooks represents this type of horizontal adaptation that occurs continually in all living things, however it would be a complete mistake to think of it as evolution as this is not what is taking place. The evolutionary idea that change occurs gradually in living organisms due to the passing on of inherited mutations has been completely discredited, yet this impossibility is still taught as fact in most school systems world-wide! True genetic mutations are extremely rare in nature and of those, 99% are demonstrably harmful to their recipients and render them no beneficial advantage. The extremely small percentages of mutations that are not harmful are seen as being neutral. Finally, almost all mutations are repaired and blocked from genetic transference within 3 generations due to the self-rejuvenating nature of DNA. Just as was the case with the peppered moth in 19th Century England, living organisms are constantly giving birth to a wide variety of non-exact duplications of themselves that are allowed for within the limits imposed by their genetic sphere, and one particular variation can become dominant in any population due to the very real process of natural selection through ’survival of the fittest’ (but this never results in vertical, upward change representing increased genetic complexity). Dr. Jay Y. Chien, an internationally respected scientist with the Nanjing Institute of Paleontology and Geology in China is best noted for his extensive, groundbreaking research into the best-preserved fossil fields in the world representative of the ‘Cambrian’ geologic era, located in China’s Yunnan Province. Dr. Chien has stated that his research convincingly reveals Darwin’s hypothesized ‘Tree of Life’ to be in reality almost exactly the opposite of what Darwin proposed, (Darwin’s ‘Tree’ is always displayed in high-school and college biology texts as accurately representing the history of all evolutionary descent on earth, and is the most famous icon of evolutionary dogma). However, long-standing research by scientists into the Cambrian era, evolution’s so-called ‘Big-Bang’, has always shown that almost all now existing animal phyla (types) had suddenly appeared in that one geologic time-span. In the words of scientists: “almost overnight”, geologically speaking.

“The creation account in Genesis [Bible] and the theory of evolution could not be reconciled. One must be right and the other wrong. The story of the fossils agreed with the account of Genesis. In the oldest rocks we did not find a series of fossils covering the gradual changes from the most primitive creatures to developed forms, but rather in the oldest rocks developed species suddenly appeared. Between every species there was a complete absence of intermediate fossils.” D.B. Gower, “Scientist Rejects Evolution,” Kentish Times, England, December 11, 1975 [biochemist].

Evolutionary explanations have no means of accounting for instinct in living things, which is the pre-programmed ability of some animals, birds and insects to perform feats that sometimes reflect what almost seems to be a superhuman wisdom. Certain ant colonies in sub-Saharan Africa build large above ground communities that incorporate a very ingenious method of natural air-conditioning that can maintain the interior temperature of the hill at a level 15 degrees cooler than the outside air. The delicate ant larvae within the community need to be maintained at this lower temperature or they will not survive. The exact way in which this impressive feat of engineering was accomplished was studied for many years before it was fully understood, and now the same principle of design is incorporated in civil engineering allowing for the building of much more energy-efficient structures. Evolution has no way of rationally explaining how co-dependency in biologic or ecological systems, also called ‘irreducible complexity’, came about. A very simple example of this can be illustrated by the clotting of blood in all warm-blooded creatures. It has been discovered that the clotting of blood is a very complicated chain of processes involving 8 separate chemical reactions. If one reaction does not occur, or if a specific enzyme or other organic factor is not present, blood will not clot. An evolutionary explanation would require us to believe that the first warm-blooded creature had possessed this extremely complex ability, or it would not have survived, and it would then have needed to pass this ability on as an inherited mutation to its offspring.

“Evolution is baseless and quite incredible.” John Ambrose Fleming, President, British Association for the Advancement of Science, in ‘The Unleashing of Evolutionary Thought’

Oftentimes, highly touted bone-fragment finds are disingenuously portrayed through the media and in textbooks as representing the ‘part animal, part man’ ancestors of humans. However, when the fragmented skeletal remains of these purported ‘ape-men’ are examined by experts in blind studies (when they have no prior knowledge of what they are examining), scientific consensus consistently and virtually always identifies them as representing either the remains of extinct apes, or as in the case of so-called ‘Neanderthal Man’, of a human with an advanced bone disease. When impressive artistic and digital renderings of these peculiar looking creatures as well as the evolutionary stages they supposedly transitioned through are graphically depicted in textbooks, TV programs and magazines, it is on the basis of pure speculation, imagination and wishful thinking. The strongest ‘evidence’ that evolutionists have in attempting to prove that there was once an ape that walked on two feet is a very short span of the imbedded hind prints of an ape without accompanying fore prints located at the site of an ancient volcanic lava flow in Tanzania, Africa; so that this site is world famous among evolutionists. Insofar as several animals including apes can be witnessed running on their hind legs for short distances today, and given the fact of the lava being extremely hot at the time the ape was there producing the prints, does this constitute proof? Note – evolutionists will admit it is the strongest proof they have!

“What is it [evolution] based upon? Upon nothing whatever but faith, upon belief in the reality of the unseen, belief in the fossils that cannot be produced, belief in the embryological experiments that refuse to come off. It is faith unjustified by works.” Dr. Arthur N. Field.

Why would an ‘ape-man’ that represented an improvement over a mere ape go extinct, while its inferior predecessor would not? How is it that flowering plants evolved the necessity of being pollinated by honeybees, therefore requiring a flower, when the atmospheric dispersion method used by most non-flowering plants is much more efficient, and why so many different types and colors of flowers when pollinating insects are for the most part attracted to one flower just as well as any other, and are insensitive to color? Should we expect an ape to possess the highest level of intelligence and reasoning ability in the animal world, as an evolutionary model would suggest? However in many specific aspects this is definitely not the case, and an ape is no more intelligent overall than many other animals. In its evolutionary progression toward becoming a reptile, did a fish undergo the thousands of changes necessary in order to evolve the ability to breath without gills (no small feat), concurrently with evolving the thousands of changes that would have been necessary before its fins became reptilian legs? Did the changes that occurred before the fins became usable as legs or the gills became usable as lungs render the fish a survivability advantage, or were many thousands of useless mutations retained and passed on?

“The theory of evolution suffers from grave defects, which are more and more apparent as time advances. It can no longer square with practical scientific knowledge…The Darwinian theory of descent has not a single fact to confirm it in the realm of nature. It is not the result of scientific research, but purely the product of imagination.” Dr. Albert Fleischman [Erlangen zoologist].

Evolutionists once tried to say that humans possessed hundreds of useless organs that were carry-overs from previous evolutionary stages, what they called ‘vestigial organs’. This was prominently cited as a proof of evolution in the past and it was taught as such in school textbooks, but now it is medically recognized that there are no vestigial organs in humans, none at all. It was once thought by many evolutionists (and taught in some textbooks), that the human embryo mimicked many stages of its evolutionary past while developing in the womb, including one stage where an attempt was made by the fetus to develop fish gills. This is now acknowledged by medical science to be complete, ridiculous nonsense. Evolutionists like to flaunt the fact that there are species of plants and animals living on the Galapagos Chain of islands that exist nowhere else (located off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos is where Darwin formulated many of his ideas on evolution). However this is insignificant in terms of even suggesting evolution, as those referred to species are closely related to and inter-fertile with their parent families that do exist on the mainland of Ecuador, so that this represents nothing more than another example of horizontal adaptation. In the book “The Blind Watchmaker”, Richard Dawkins reveals great imaginary talents in illustrating a purely conjectural explanation of the evolutionary process, while offering absolutely no proof of it (and by his own admission the simplest living organism contains at least enough structured information to completely fill all 30 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica!)

“I have always been slightly suspicious of the theory of evolution because of its ability to account for any property of living beings… I have therefore tried to see whether biological discoveries over the last thirty years or so fit in with Darwin’s theory. I do not think that they do. To my mind, the theory does not stand up at all.” Dr. H. Lipson, “A Physicist Looks at Evolution,” Physics Bulletin (1980).

While it’s true that the ages of some organic specimens are often erroneously reported as being millions or billions of years old, these ages are arrived at 1) through the use of radiometric dating techniques that are admittedly highly suspect, and acknowledged to be unreliable due to many factors and variables especially as one goes further back in time, but primarily 2) through forcing the age of the specimen to fit into an estimate that ’seems’ reasonable according to an arbitrary evolutionary time-frame. The practice of arriving at age estimates in this latter way is widely criticized as an example of what is referred to as the ‘*circular reasoning’ of so much of what constitutes evolutionary logic; the presumption that since evolution is true, therefore this is how old it is, this is how it must have happened, etc-a way of thinking that is becoming increasingly ostracized for its lack of scientific soundness. Variables that call into question the validity of radiometric dating methods include ozone layer consistency over time, magnetic field disruption, the very imprecise science of accurately measuring rates of decay (resulting in great disparity of age estimates produced by different laboratories taken from the same sample, or even from the same sample at the same lab), and most fundamentally the extremely flawed assumption that isotopic samples represented a state of zero radioactive decay when first formed. In fact, the trend in science today is to dismiss the validity of ages arrived at through radiometric dating for ages over a few thousand years.

“Therefore, a grotesque account of a period some thousands of years ago is taken seriously though it be built by piling special assumptions on special assumptions, ad hoc hypothesis [invented for a purpose] on ad hoc hypothesis, and tearing apart the fabric of science whenever it appears convenient. The result [evolution] is a fantasia which is neither history nor science.” James Conant [chemist and former president, Harvard University], quoted in Origins Research, 1982.

For many people, objections against considering the possibility of creation are based on a very narrow, artificial definition of science, which states that only observable physical phenomenon belong within the appropriate realm of science to consider. Since creation would require acknowledging the existence of an unseen creator, it is a concept they say exists outside of the proper boundaries of science to evaluate. Yet this violates the true spirit of science which is after all a pursuit of uncovering that which is true, and is tantamount to saying that truth cannot be acknowledged. It is true that an intelligent creator cannot be seen, but many of the most noted scientists of world history-Copernicus, Confucius, Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Einstein, Pasteur, Darwin, Von Braun and many, many more did not doubt the reality of a higher intelligence behind the existence of the universe.

“Unfortunately, in the field of evolution most explanations are not good. As a matter of fact, they hardly qualify as explanations at all; they are suggestions, hunches, pipe dreams, hardly worthy of being called hypotheses.” Dr. Norman Macbeth, Darwin Retried (1971).

Rockland L. Zeiler
Writing as Lai-En Xyler

Lai-En received his degree in anthropology from the University of Wyoming in 1981. Over the past 5 years he’s been living and working in China where he’s started two small, successful businesses and learned Chinese. During his time in China he’s come to know many foreign and Chinese business persons, government officials and ordinary people. He’s always been fascinated with China, loves living there, and would direct readers to his friend’s website: http://www.dreamsofchina.com where if so inclined they can meet a Chinese friend, and to his school website: http://www.goeduchina.com where he makes it easy for anyone to learn Chinese. Contact him at floralchina@hotmail.com

If you think you’re alone in the struggle to ward off acne, don’t fret. It seems that while not everyone suffers from it severely, many-around 85% of people, go through it at some point in their life.

Breakouts vary from person to person. So, instead of giving up, get educated! Here are some tips that you can use to clean up and eventually clear up that beautiful skin!

The skin, being the body’s largest organ, is always mending, growing and changing to fit our needs and to keep us healthy. In a way, it’s a type of bio-shell, surrounding you and growing with you. In fact, you shed dead skin cells constantly. This constant loss means that about every seven years, your skin has completely molted itself in its entirety.

So, your skin maintains itself with proper cell function and reproduction. In order for you to maintain this delicate balance, you need to be sure to wash your face daily.

To all intents and purposes, you should actually wash with soap and rinse well two or more times per day. Rinsing thoroughly is probably the most important step, even if soap is not available, especially after intense exercise.

Moreover, another way to take care of the skin on your face, neck, back and shoulders is to be sure that you wash your hair frequently. You hair releases oils constantly. This oil naturally glides down the forehead onto the face, and from the neck onto the back. This is a real concern during humid weather and elevated outdoor temperatures.

Men really need to experiment when shaving. Using an electric razor or a razor with shaving cream can affect the skin. Find out which is the better option for you. Be sure to keep your razors clean, lather-up well and use quality shaving cream and/or soap.

In the same fashion, women who wear makeup also need to be careful not to use products that irritate the skin. If you are undergoing acne treatment, especially with topical products, makeup might actually irritate the more. If you still feel the need to use facial products during treatment, be sure to use noncomedogenic (oil free) products. =========================================================== Discover useful advice and information about the causes and prevention of acne. Website contains useful articles and updated information on this nasty skin condition. Click ==> http://www.acne-treatment-zap.com/

Loss of stamina and endurance toward the end of an eighteen-hole round of golf happens to many golfers and can often be attributed to poor nutrition. To keep up the pace and go the distance, there is no substitute for good nutrition.

Good golf nutrition has many of the same characteristics as good general nutrition. Foods that are low in fat and contain balanced portions of lean protein and slow release carbohydrates make the best choices, and the golfer’s diet should include lots of these. Lean meat, fish, and poultry are all excellent choices and should be staples in a high nutrition diet, as should carbohydrates containing whole wheat sources and green leafy vegetables.

Golfers should avoid starchy foods like potatoes, white breads, corn, and foods high in sugars. These can serve to make you groggy and less able to react properly. They will rob you of stamina rather than enhance it.

Instead of eating a traditional “three meals per day,” golfers can benefit from learning to eat several small meals over the course of the day. This process helps to train the body to take in energy in small doses and use that energy more efficiently.

Golfers need to drink lots of water. Anywhere from eight to ten glasses per day is optimal, and more than that may be necessary when playing – especially during the summer or in places with an exceedingly warm climate. Phoenix and Las Vegas, for example, are two of the most popular cities in the US for golf and they have two of the most unforgiving summer climates. Hydration is very important.

Two things to stay away from are caffeine and alcohol. Both can adversely affect your play. Caffeine over-stimulates your muscles and increases your heart rate. It makes it difficult to concentrate and can cause you to play with less elements of control. Alcoholic beverages, of course, can significantly reduce your coordination, even in small doses. It’s best not to drink any alcohol before or during play unless you don’t mind the compromise in performance.

Use these simple tips to gain a competitive advantage over your foursome while preserving your energy and increasing your stamina and endurance. Keep your nutrition sound and you’ll reap a lifetime of benefits.

Susan Hill is a golf fitness trainer, golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. Her work has been featured on ESPN, Resort Living and SELF magazine. For more information on her golf fitness website, go to http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.

In this article we’ll be picking up our history of billiards from 1600 and working our way until 1674.

It really wasn’t until 1600 that billiards began to be noticed to a great extent. The first writings and references to billiards could be found in the works of Shakespeare such as Antony and Cleopatra. The most popular passage of this reference was when the Egyptian queen suggests to her handmaiden, Charmian, “Let’s to Billiards.” This was from Act II, Scene V.

Even though the game was embraced by all European royalty, it was only in France that the game spread to every level of society from the very rich all the way down to the lowest commoner. Outside of France it was purely a game of nobles. It really wasn’t until the reigns of French Kings Louis XIII and Louis XIV that the game spread throughout Europe.

The difference between these kings and those that came before them was not just their love for the game of billiards, it was their expectation of others to, not only join them for a game, but also to show a certain level of play. In other words, they loved the competition and they were willing to accept it from wherever it came. These games were not just amusement to these kings. These were games that could make or break political careers, much like politicians of today being seen in public events with people of influence in order to strengthen their chance for election. To play a king and to play well was a show of respect, not only to the king but to the whole country. Even monarchs when they came to visit were judged by the respect that they showed for the game.

Well, this had a kind of snowball effect. Most likely to keep in favor with France, the game of billiards exploded all over Europe. Skilled players were recruited by royal families in order to teach them and their children everything there was to know about the game. From this, rivalries developed and royal tournaments were played. What started out as a pastime was now turning into a sport. This craze eventually spread to the cities where tables popped up in taverns and inns. And just like in France, the game spread to every connecting village and town all over Europe.

A book by Charles Cotton called the Compleat Gamester, was published in 1674. It contains some of the earliest descriptions of English sports and pastimes. Even though the book is mostly a study of rules and equipment of the game, it does give one a very good idea of just how important this game had become all across the land and also marked the distinction between the classes of the times. The truth is, just as the newest fads of our time dominate magazines and publications, billiards at that time was as popular and important in European society as any game that has come along since anywhere.

In the next article in this series we’ll be picking up where we left off at 1674.

One of the drawbacks to the Internet is that it allows myths and “friend of a friend” stories to spread quickly, and usually the story becomes more exaggerated as it’s passed along. Cisco exams are no exception. Here are three often-repeated myths and exaggerations regarding the CCNA and CCNP exams.

1. The survey you fill out before the exam determines the questions you’ll get. Before you actually start your exam, Cisco presents you with a survey asking how you prepared and how comfortable you feel with certain technologies. It’s a little awkward to rate yourself on Frame Relay, ISDN, etc., especially since the exam you’re about to take covers those subjects. It’s human nature to think that these questions impact your exam, but they do not.

I’ve seen posts on the Net saying that if you rank yourself as “great” in a subject, your exam will have harder questions on that topic, and if you rank yourself lower in that same subject, your exam will be filled with questions on this topic. Cisco has debunked this myth, so get it out of your mind. Don’t think too much when you’re filling out the survey.

2. If you miss a question, the exam keeps asking you about that topic until you get one right. This is known as “adaptive testing”, and Cisco does not use this kind of testing in its exams. Your questions are drawn from a large question pool before you start the test. Those of us who remember adaptive testing from Novell exams years ago don’t particularly miss this kind of testing! (For those who haven’t taken an adaptive exam, you never knew how many questions you were going to get, only that there was a minimum around 15 questions. Your exam could end at any time after that. Nerve-wracking!)

3. If you use an extra command in the simulator questions, it’ll be marked wrong. The Cisco simulator engine in the CCNA and CCNP exams acts just as a router or switch would. You are not going to be penalized for using an extra command. If the engine doesn’t accept a command, you’ll be told that when you use it. Just configure it as you would a router or switch.

When you walk into the exam room totally prepared with a combination of theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience, and configuration troubleshooting skills, you are ready to pass. Don’t let Internet gossip distract you from the task at hand — passing!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. Video courses and training, binary and subnetting help, and corporate training are also available.

For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” or “How To Pass The CCNP”, send a request to chris@thebryantadvantage.com today !

With the legal lifestyle increasing throughout the planet, having possession of professional indemnity cover is turning out to be more & more essential. If you don’t presently have professionally indemnity insurance integrated into your building insurance, then now is possibly the instance to look at getting suitable cover. Here is some recommendations about why you need insurance, and what to pay attention to.

What is professional indemnity cover: Public Liability insurance is an insurance policy that shields you from claims that 3rd party’s could possibly make against you in the probability of an accident. If someone damages their possessions or injures themselves in or around your property or business then the professional indemnity insurance will cover you for any damages that might possibly take place. Insurance generally ranges from two hundred and fifty pounds up to one million pounds.

What are you covered against: Insurance will insure you for accidents or loss that other individuals may endure in or around your house or business grounds. You are protected against claims from intruders, as well as injury that could arise to a person from falling items or personnel carrying out maintenance. If a mishap takes place on your land & somebody claims against you, your insurance policy will assist you to pay any compensation.

What’s included Some contents or property insurance covers have integrated liability insurance. You would be advised to check with your insurance firm whether this is the case, and if so what grade of cover you have. Even if the insurance is built-in, you should guarantee that you are properly protected for any kind of accidents that might well arise. Get a public liability insurance quote at http://www.insuredrisks.co.uk.

Premiums: The premiums that you are likely to have to pay depend on the specific kind of cover you need. If you simply protect your house, then premiums are likely to be less than if you are protecting a business. Though, premiums are comparatively cheap inexpensive the level of protection that you get, and its therefore necessary for anyone running a company.

Stardust Race and Sports Director Bob Scucci has a future with Boyd Gaming — no question about that — but neither he nor anyone else knows exactly what it will be.

This week’s announcement that the legendary Strip casino will be demolished and replaced by a $4 million megaresort called Echelon Place caught many observers by surprise and clouded the crystal ball as far as Scucci’s future is concerned.

“Bob is a longtime Boyd employee and he’ll be with us in some way, shape or form, but we’re just starting our design and planning, so it’s premature to say what that will be,” declared Boyd Gaming spokesman Rob Stillwell.

“Right now it’s business as usual, at least through the end of the year.”

And the first order of business at the moment is the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl.

“We’re getting a lot of action and New England-Denver is getting the most,” Scucci said.

“We have more on New England, but the wise guys like Denver.

“The Colts have been getting the money all year and now is no exception. It’s a high number (Indianapolis minus 9 1/2), but Pittsburgh has a following and we’re getting money on both sides.”

NFC money at the Stardust is coming in on Seattle and Carolina.

“The Redskins weren’t that impressive in their win (over Tampa Bay),” Scucci said.

“The ‘Skins aren’t getting much action and the parlays have Seattle.

“Carolina’s getting action in the other game and the Bears are minus 2 1/2, down from 3. There’s much more interest in the total on this game, though.

“We opened the total at 31 1/2 and it’s now 30 1/2.” Scucci said late Wednesday afternoon. “These are two defensive teams and we’re getting much more on the over/under.”

The Bears, who will host Sunday’s game, beat Carolina 13-3 at Soldier Field earlier in the year.

Scucci forecasts the Pats will return to the Super Bowl and face Carolina in a surprise matchup.

Stillwell noted Stardust traditions, such as daily radio shows and the popular Invitational football contest, will continue through 2006.

It should be rather clear to everybody that the gift a golfer will ordinarily appreciate the most, is the one that improves their game. Most golfers are constantly looking for ways to improve on their game. It usually dominates their every thought when they are on the course and many times when they are off it.

Before selecting a gift for a golfer, it is useful to ask yourself the following 3 questions and to get adequate answers for them. Remember that this is a task that is much more complicated than it may seem at first sight.

A) What is their particular golf weakness? What is the particular weakness of the golfer who you are seeking a gift for? The fact that they have a problem with their golf swing is not goof enough. What particular aspect of the swing? Do they tend to slice the ball or does their swing weakness have to do with a nagging back problem that doctors do not seem able to deal with? This is very important information that you should have long before you even start considering the gift options for a golfer.

B) What are they using currently? Chances are that the golfer has already taken some action to deal with their weakness. It is important to know what they have done so far because you do not want to get a gift for the golfer that they already have.

C) What do the experts think? Expert advice always makes a difference. We have golf exercise experts who can be of great help when you are selecting a gift for as golfer. They will be able to advice you on the best way and therefore the best equipment to correct the particular golfer who you purchasing a gift for.

You will be much better off with them than with the shop assistant or store salesperson whose job is to sell as much merchandise as possible. Their golf knowledge is also bound to be limited and even if it is not, it cannot be compared to that of the golf exercise experts. It will certainly help if you seek expert advice before settling on your gift for the golfer you have in mind.

Most security experts’ recommendations include changing passwords frequently to enhance security. It is easy to change the password on a SQL Server Username via Query Analyzer. Changing the password with Query Analyzer makes it easy to coordinate changing the password on the database server at the same time as it is changed in the connection string. This approach provides the flexibility to change the password at the most appropriate time for the application.

To change the SQL Server Username password, just connect to the database with Query Analyzer using the SQL Server Username that is being updated and the current password. Then run “sp_password” to change the password.

sp_password [ [ @old = ] ‘old_password’ , ] { [ @new =] ‘new_password’ } [ , [ @loginame = ] ‘login’ ]

The Office Microsoft Documentation for sp_password

Here is a simple example that changes the current password from “currentPSWD” to “newPSWD”;

sp_password ‘currentPSWD’, ‘newPSWD’

Be sure to use a strong password, “newPSWD” is just an example. I always like to test any change like this right away. For a quick test to confirm that the new password is working, close Query Analyzer and then re-connect with the new password. That is all there is to it, except for changing your connections string. It is obvious, but still critical to remember to change the password in your connection string if this SQL Username is used in your code. Once the password has been changed and tested with Query Analyzer, update the connection string with the new password and test that e verything still works correctly, and you’re done.

David Weber is a support specialist with ORCS Web, Inc. – a company that provides managed hosting services for clients who develop and deploy their applications on Microsoft Windows platforms.

Revamped for 2005, the Western Athletic Conference has added New Mexico State, Idaho, and Utah State. Even with these additions, the teams to beat are Fresno State and Boise State. The WAC has two automatic bowl bids and the rest of the WAC will be watching the bowl games. November 12, when Boise plays at Fresno State will determine the conference champion

2005 Predicted Order of Finish

1. FRESNO STATE
After closing out the 2004 with six consecutives victories, including a bowl victory over Virginia, the Bulldogs are sure that they can beat last season’s record. Part of the reason is that they have nine starters back for the offense, including senior quarterback Paul Pinegar. Also coming back will be their running back, Bryson Sumlin. There will very few holes to fill on the defense. They have returned almost the entire unit led by All-WAC defensive tackle Garret McIntryre.

2. BOISE STATE
With 17 starters returning, the Broncos plan to improve on their almost perfect record of 2004. With the exception of their loss in the Liberty Bowl, it would have been the dream season. The offensive is led by Daryn Colledge in the line and senior Jared Zabransky at quarterback. Besides having a passing attack, they can count their leading rusher Lee Marks. The only junior, linebacker Korey Hall will be the leader on defense.

3. NEW MEXICO STATE
Paul Dombrowski, quarterback and wide receiver, and leading rusher Muammar Ali will be the backbone of the offense. The defense has six returning starters including linebacker Jimmy Cottrell. Contrell has led the team in tackles for three consecutive years.

4. NEVADA
Wide receiver Nichiren Flowers will try to beat his 2004 record of 91 receptions along with quarterback Jeff Rowe will be the focal point of an explosive offense. The defense has linebacker Jeremy Engstrom and defensive lineman J.J. Milan returning along with six other members of the defensive unit. However, they will have to be better than in 2004 if they are going to be contenders.

5. LOUISIANA TECH
Freddie Franklin will start as the running back. However look out for freshman Patrick Jackson who rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 58 touchdowns during his senior year in high school. All three linebackers, including Bryon Santiago, have returned.

6. HAWAII
The Warriors will have a completely new offense with quarterback Timmy Chang taking over at quarterback. Michigan transferee Kainoa Akina will be handling the center duties on the offensive line. Three members of the defensive secondary will provide a stable influence.

7. IDAHO
The Vandals have an experience team on both sides of the ball. Running backs Jayson Bird (859 yards0 and Rolly Lumbala (614 yards) along with quarterback Michael Harrington return for the offense. A good group of linebackers, led by Cole Snyder (136 tackles last season) is the core of the defense. There a total of eight defensive returning starters.

8. SAN JOSE STATE
For a team that went 2-9 last year, it will be a tough conference. There is one excellent receiver, Rufus Skillern, on the team. There is only one quarterback (Adam Tafralis) on the team with any experience. Safety Josh Powell anchors the defense. In short, the Spartans are going to struggle.

9. UTAH STATE
Utah State needs a quarterback to go along with Chris Forbes, who led the team in rushing last season (396 yards, 3.7 yards per carry). Wide receivers Tony Pennyman and Kevin Robinson are solid. It is going to be hard for Utah State to improve on their 3-8 record from 2004.

Garth Belkins is the senior sports writer for 365SportsNews.com