Yoga pants are a necessity in practicing yoga. In fact, it is something people can’t do without. Yoga pants have been a major accessory in yoga exercises. Yogapants have deliberately made people feel comfortable and at ease during a heavy or slight practice.
The women are the ones who are particular with wearing pants. They are too choosy and sometimes out of choosing, they tend not to like it when worn.
In choosing yoga pants, what you should consider is the quality and the fit of the yoga pants. Of course it will depend on what type you want.
There are a lot of yoga pants to choose from in the market. In choosing the perfect yoga pants, you should try to fit it first before buying. Make sure that it fits you just right.
Yoga pants should not give you that itchy feel. The texture and property will sometimes leave your skin irritated and scratchy. If this happens, you will not definitely have peaceful practice and concentrating will be hard.
Yoga pants are ideal for use in practice. It gives you a feeling that you should concentrate well with your practice.
Yoga pants are not hard to complement with tops. Yoga pants do not chooses any top to go with it. Color and texture doesn’t matter at all. You can wear it at any color combination.
You can use your taste in fashion in choosing the perfect match to your yoga pants.
Yoga pants is not all that. It does not only provide you costumes for your yoga class but it helps you to stay clean and free from impurities. Sometimes, you will be experiencing some minor problems like slipping off and sliding. If this happens, yoga pants can save your legs from scratching and getting irritated.
There is another type of yoga pants which is the Capri pants. It looks exactly like the built of the yoga pants. Only that, it is shorter than the usual length of yourpants.
Some women prefer wearing Capri pants because they are more comfortable wearing it. Capri pants are also appropriate when the temperature is warm. At least you can allow some air to pass through.
This leaves your skin dry and free from perspiration. Perspiration causes irritations and allergies so it should be prevented.
Yoga pants need not to be costly because the texture of the pants should be soft. It is important to choose the texture of the cloth because it is the main factor to help you stay in shape and in full concentration.
The fit of yoga pants also help in keeping up a good sense of concentration because if you are comfortable wearing it, your mind and body is at rest.
Loose fitting pants are a nice choice so that you will feel comfortable. Yoga pants with the elastic drawstring are also appropriate because you can easily adjust it the way you want it.
Choose that pants that is easy to wear, adjust and undress. After yoga sessions, you might feel a little wasted and you wouldn’t want to be in a mess for any longer.
Sometimes, you will be hurrying for your yoga class. If it happens, your yoga pants should be easily worn for your easeness.
Always keep in mind that yoga pants don’t need to be that outrageous after all.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Fitness Apparel
In a sports apparel specialty store you will delight at the wide range of clothing plus accessories that is available in the market. Specific sporting apparels like golf, fitness exercise, equestrian and yoga are very much available. The apparel for sports like surfing or rafting and even mountaineering are abounds. The wetsuits are perfect for surfing apparel. The sports apparel include caps, batting gloves and rafting vests. Here's a short list on how to choose your sports and fitness apparel
1. The Golf wear
The golf apparel can be found in any specialty sport store. The golf apparel usually includes a trouser with a t-shirt. In golf apparel, comfort is the most important factor. Chinos are also very popular golf wear. Hats and caps of varying designs and makes are also available. Of course outlandish gears worn by some professional golfers are also available.
2. The Running / Fitness wear
The running apparel is best made with cotton to retain moisture that causes friction and might lead to possible chafing. The running shorts and tights including the cotton socks are the basic running gear. When running apparel is being chosen, try to select a base layer top which keeps you dry for an extended run. Comfortable and fit running shoes must be matched to keep you fresh on the run.
The fitness gear pertains to all kinds of apparel including aerobics and gymnastics. The multi-colored tights and leotards are the best and most comfortable during a workout. The fitness gear must be selected with care. Choose the proper material and correct size when selecting the fitness gear is a must.
3. The athletic apparel
The athletic apparel must be chosen with the climate and weather in thought. An apparel that is not suited for the weather will hinder the performance of an athlete. A popular athletic wear is the running or jogging pants with a drawstring waist. These type of athletic apparel can be purchased at discounted rates. The all weather gear is designed to keep most of the elements out. An athlete depends on the athletic gear to perform at his best.
4. The Equestrian apparel
The equestrian gear is mainly about breeches and boots. There are specialty equestrian stores that stock clothing and other equipment for riding. The casual equestrian gear could be riding breeches matched with a plain shirt. The paddock boots available also at equestrian apparel stores complete the set for an equestrian. A pair of riding pants and a jersey can be bought at an equestrian apparel store. When having lessons on riding, you may want to look online for equestrian stores to see and choose an outfit which lets you ride with great style and comfort. A little pricey in most cases but may be worth the price. A western style of gear is also available in specialty shops.
5. The Yoga apparel
The yoga apparel must be very comfortable and loose for easy movement. A t -shirts and a loose-fit short are basic yoga apparel which will keep you fresh and comfortable. Also, it does not cost much. The designer yoga apparels are available at special yoga stores. Yoga Capri pants and unitards are available at yoga apparel store. The special Asana clothing can be found at very exclusive yoga outlets.
1. The Golf wear
The golf apparel can be found in any specialty sport store. The golf apparel usually includes a trouser with a t-shirt. In golf apparel, comfort is the most important factor. Chinos are also very popular golf wear. Hats and caps of varying designs and makes are also available. Of course outlandish gears worn by some professional golfers are also available.
2. The Running / Fitness wear
The running apparel is best made with cotton to retain moisture that causes friction and might lead to possible chafing. The running shorts and tights including the cotton socks are the basic running gear. When running apparel is being chosen, try to select a base layer top which keeps you dry for an extended run. Comfortable and fit running shoes must be matched to keep you fresh on the run.
The fitness gear pertains to all kinds of apparel including aerobics and gymnastics. The multi-colored tights and leotards are the best and most comfortable during a workout. The fitness gear must be selected with care. Choose the proper material and correct size when selecting the fitness gear is a must.
3. The athletic apparel
The athletic apparel must be chosen with the climate and weather in thought. An apparel that is not suited for the weather will hinder the performance of an athlete. A popular athletic wear is the running or jogging pants with a drawstring waist. These type of athletic apparel can be purchased at discounted rates. The all weather gear is designed to keep most of the elements out. An athlete depends on the athletic gear to perform at his best.
4. The Equestrian apparel
The equestrian gear is mainly about breeches and boots. There are specialty equestrian stores that stock clothing and other equipment for riding. The casual equestrian gear could be riding breeches matched with a plain shirt. The paddock boots available also at equestrian apparel stores complete the set for an equestrian. A pair of riding pants and a jersey can be bought at an equestrian apparel store. When having lessons on riding, you may want to look online for equestrian stores to see and choose an outfit which lets you ride with great style and comfort. A little pricey in most cases but may be worth the price. A western style of gear is also available in specialty shops.
5. The Yoga apparel
The yoga apparel must be very comfortable and loose for easy movement. A t -shirts and a loose-fit short are basic yoga apparel which will keep you fresh and comfortable. Also, it does not cost much. The designer yoga apparels are available at special yoga stores. Yoga Capri pants and unitards are available at yoga apparel store. The special Asana clothing can be found at very exclusive yoga outlets.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Make Your Article Writing Fast And Profitable
Profitable article writing is one of the most necessary elements online when focusing on fabulous returns online and making more money online. Profitable article writing is writing and submitting informative articles with the intent to create traffic, adding revenue to the bottom line, that part being the most necessary. With profitable article writing and making more money online, it is necessary that you follow proven ways online and yet still find ways to creatively innovate repeatedly, once again looking for fabulous returns online.
Article writing is considered an old yet very effective method of marketing and advertising. A lot of marketers both new and professional have had a taste of writing articles as a tool to market and promote a product or a business. Most of these article writers have common tips and techniques to give and suggest on how can one be an effective article writer.
Here are the necessary ways to get to fabulous returns online with profitable article writing:
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to focus intently on necessary elements online, and be able to brainstorm effectively to come up with creative solutions.
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to prioritize effectively and to get first things first consistently and be able to leave the unnecessary things for last, if ever.
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to look at the big picture and creating an action plan to make things happen. What kind of results are you looking for? Set a goal and determine what it will take, in solid action, to get there.
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to write new articles everyday and maximize your relationship with them daily.
• Article writing is not about writing it with highly stated lexical words. Writing is never at all about the usage and employment of “highly educated” choice of words. In fact, it is always been suggested that when writing any document form, a writer must use conversational, ordinary, and easy to understand words and always stay away from using highly technical ones. So, loose your worries about using big words in writing.
• Article writing is all about writing from what your inner soul tells you to write. People who read your article material will have a way of knowing and sensing your sincerity to reach out to them. When you relay information to people, they will now if what you are doing is all a masqueraded drama. So, when you write, follow your heart and soul.
• Article writing is all about perfecting your craft. There is no such thing as perfect article the first time you write. Your skill of writing continues to evolve as you go on writing. Make sure that as you go on writing, you develop yourself towards becoming the best article writer there is.
• Article writing is learning from others. As a writer, one of your sources towards having a meaningful, well written article is from other people’s point of view. Learn to learn ideas from other people most especially those people who have earned reverence from other writers. They have the experience and the wit to share.
Article writing is considered an old yet very effective method of marketing and advertising. A lot of marketers both new and professional have had a taste of writing articles as a tool to market and promote a product or a business. Most of these article writers have common tips and techniques to give and suggest on how can one be an effective article writer.
Here are the necessary ways to get to fabulous returns online with profitable article writing:
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to focus intently on necessary elements online, and be able to brainstorm effectively to come up with creative solutions.
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to prioritize effectively and to get first things first consistently and be able to leave the unnecessary things for last, if ever.
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to look at the big picture and creating an action plan to make things happen. What kind of results are you looking for? Set a goal and determine what it will take, in solid action, to get there.
• For fabulous returns online in profitable article writing and making more money online, you have to write new articles everyday and maximize your relationship with them daily.
• Article writing is not about writing it with highly stated lexical words. Writing is never at all about the usage and employment of “highly educated” choice of words. In fact, it is always been suggested that when writing any document form, a writer must use conversational, ordinary, and easy to understand words and always stay away from using highly technical ones. So, loose your worries about using big words in writing.
• Article writing is all about writing from what your inner soul tells you to write. People who read your article material will have a way of knowing and sensing your sincerity to reach out to them. When you relay information to people, they will now if what you are doing is all a masqueraded drama. So, when you write, follow your heart and soul.
• Article writing is all about perfecting your craft. There is no such thing as perfect article the first time you write. Your skill of writing continues to evolve as you go on writing. Make sure that as you go on writing, you develop yourself towards becoming the best article writer there is.
• Article writing is learning from others. As a writer, one of your sources towards having a meaningful, well written article is from other people’s point of view. Learn to learn ideas from other people most especially those people who have earned reverence from other writers. They have the experience and the wit to share.
Copy Editing
Copy editing is a most important and time-consuming task for those involved in the field. It requires the sensitive editorial handling of print material of every kind. And it requires the editor’s close attention to a document’s every detail, its format, and all of its elements; a thorough knowledge of what to look for and of the style to be followed as desired by the author or client; and the ability to make quick, logical, objective, justifiable, and defensible decisions in the correction of spelling, grammar, punctuation, terminology, sentence structure, clarity, conciseness, tone and voice, inconsistencies, and typographical errors. Valued editors are those who know editorial and factual things that others don’t know and who offer keen understanding of an author’s need to advance communication.
To begin with, copy editors are thoroughly familiar with and comfortable applying the universally accepted editorial and typographic marks and symbols—as described in the Chicago Manual of Style and summarized under proofreader’s marks in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition—that are commonly understood by compositors working in English.
The editorial function comprises two processes: mechanical editing and substantive editing. Mechanical editing involves a close reading, with an eye on consistency of capitalization, spelling, and hyphenation and other end-of-line word breaks; agreement between verbs and subjects; scores of other matters of syntax; punctuation; beginning and ending quotation marks and parentheses; number of ellipsis points; numbers given either as figures or as words; and hundreds of other, similar details of grammatical, editorial, and typographic style.
In addition to regularizing those details of style, the copy editor is expected to catch infelicities of expression that mar an author’s prose and impede communication. Such matters include but are by no means limited to dangling participles, misplaced modifiers, mixed metaphors, unclear antecedents, unintentional redundancies, faulty attempts at parallel construction, mistaken junction, overuse of an author’s pet word or phrase, unintentional repetition of words, race or gender or geographic bias, and hyphenating in the predicate, unless, of course, the hyphenated term is an entry in the dictionary and therefore permanently hyphenated in every grammatical case. Job seekers, especially, need to attend to such details in their executive résumé.
The second, nonmechanical, process—called substantive editing—involves rewriting, reorganizing, or suggesting more-effective ways to present material.
o Editors identify by instinct and learn from their experience how much of this kind of editing to do on a particular document.
o Experienced editors recognize and do not tamper with an author’s unusual figures of speech or idiomatic usage that is pertinent to a work.
o They preserve the author’s voice with a view toward the faithful reproduction of the author’s manuscript.
o They silently correct inconsistencies, misusages, and misspellings solely for the purpose of clarifying the unclear.
o They know when to go ahead and make an editorial change or simply suggest it to the author.
o They know when to delete a repetition, when to change it for variation, and when to merely point it out to the author or to job seeker on an executive résumé.
o They respect an author’s right to expect conscientious, intelligent editorial help.
o They never make queries that sound stupid, naive, or pedantic or that seem to reflect upon an author’s scholarly ability or powers of interpretation.
* Adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style
To begin with, copy editors are thoroughly familiar with and comfortable applying the universally accepted editorial and typographic marks and symbols—as described in the Chicago Manual of Style and summarized under proofreader’s marks in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition—that are commonly understood by compositors working in English.
The editorial function comprises two processes: mechanical editing and substantive editing. Mechanical editing involves a close reading, with an eye on consistency of capitalization, spelling, and hyphenation and other end-of-line word breaks; agreement between verbs and subjects; scores of other matters of syntax; punctuation; beginning and ending quotation marks and parentheses; number of ellipsis points; numbers given either as figures or as words; and hundreds of other, similar details of grammatical, editorial, and typographic style.
In addition to regularizing those details of style, the copy editor is expected to catch infelicities of expression that mar an author’s prose and impede communication. Such matters include but are by no means limited to dangling participles, misplaced modifiers, mixed metaphors, unclear antecedents, unintentional redundancies, faulty attempts at parallel construction, mistaken junction, overuse of an author’s pet word or phrase, unintentional repetition of words, race or gender or geographic bias, and hyphenating in the predicate, unless, of course, the hyphenated term is an entry in the dictionary and therefore permanently hyphenated in every grammatical case. Job seekers, especially, need to attend to such details in their executive résumé.
The second, nonmechanical, process—called substantive editing—involves rewriting, reorganizing, or suggesting more-effective ways to present material.
o Editors identify by instinct and learn from their experience how much of this kind of editing to do on a particular document.
o Experienced editors recognize and do not tamper with an author’s unusual figures of speech or idiomatic usage that is pertinent to a work.
o They preserve the author’s voice with a view toward the faithful reproduction of the author’s manuscript.
o They silently correct inconsistencies, misusages, and misspellings solely for the purpose of clarifying the unclear.
o They know when to go ahead and make an editorial change or simply suggest it to the author.
o They know when to delete a repetition, when to change it for variation, and when to merely point it out to the author or to job seeker on an executive résumé.
o They respect an author’s right to expect conscientious, intelligent editorial help.
o They never make queries that sound stupid, naive, or pedantic or that seem to reflect upon an author’s scholarly ability or powers of interpretation.
* Adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style
How To Edit PLR Content To Get The Most Out Of It
Craft a killer title
It is therefore essential to take time crafting a title that will encourage others in your niche to invest in and/or read your product.
After you have created a hypnotic and persuasive title, you're ready to begin editing the content.
How much to rewrite?
To begin with, you always need to consider whether it's necessary to edit written content materials such as eBooks perhaps, special reports or articles.
If you are going to edit the content, the next decision is how much editing is necessary. It is not always easy to establish this but you can check to see whether the same content has been published elsewhere on the net as an indicator. There are a couple of ways you can do this.
The first option is to check using a specialized duplicate checker site like Copyscape. The problem with this is that unless you have a premium membership, the only way you can check is by pasting the content you want to check onto a web page which can be tiresome.
It may be easier to copy a few random passages from the piece you are working with before pasting the content into a standard Google search box. This will bring up any duplicates which should give you an idea of how many people are already using the same content.
In some ways, it's not a bad thing to see other people using the same content that you are thinking of using. This might indicate that the content is good quality and therefore worth working with. If however no one else has used the content on a website, it might indicate the opposite, that the materials are not so good.
Seeing content on another website will however give you a clear idea of how much editing is necessary to generate your own unique materials if the situation dictates that it is necessary (e.g. if you're going to publish on a website yourself).
Start the edit
Once you have an idea how much editing is necessary, get to work.
Go through the content sentence by sentence or paragraph by paragraph and rewrite each one as much as is necessary. This strategy means that the words change but the meaning and the flow of the original content is not altered or disturbed.
Alternatively, read a sentence of paragraph and then rewrite it in your own words from memory. Even better, do this with larger sections of the original content because this produces content that is even more unique than that created using the 'sentence by sentence' strategy.
This is inevitable because the first tactic only changes the words whereas reading and then rewriting from memory tends to change the content structure as well.
When you are trying to come up with alternative words and struggling, using an online thesaurus might sometimes come in handy.
To spin?
Another online tool that might be useful is any one of the numerous article spinning programs that automatically replace words in the text for you.
These programs are designed to create many different versions of the same base content. They are therefore particularly handy if you need to create many modified versions of a piece of content rather than one.
As an example, this would apply if you were rewriting a PLR article for submission to many different article directories. Submitting different versions to each directory is a big help if you are aiming for search engine rankings and an article spinner would speed this job up.
You can use a free article spinner and manually replace text with your own synonyms. This might take some time at the beginning but you can create many versions of the same article with a few clicks after you've entered the synonyms.
Other option is a paid spinner. The article spinning software that I really like is The Best Spinner which pretty much seems to live up to its name. The beauty of this program is that the lexicon of synonyms is added to by other users so it is always growing. This means that the article rewrites it produces are more accurate and reader-friendly than those produced by many other spinning programs (it's very affordable too at $77 per year).
It is therefore essential to take time crafting a title that will encourage others in your niche to invest in and/or read your product.
After you have created a hypnotic and persuasive title, you're ready to begin editing the content.
How much to rewrite?
To begin with, you always need to consider whether it's necessary to edit written content materials such as eBooks perhaps, special reports or articles.
If you are going to edit the content, the next decision is how much editing is necessary. It is not always easy to establish this but you can check to see whether the same content has been published elsewhere on the net as an indicator. There are a couple of ways you can do this.
The first option is to check using a specialized duplicate checker site like Copyscape. The problem with this is that unless you have a premium membership, the only way you can check is by pasting the content you want to check onto a web page which can be tiresome.
It may be easier to copy a few random passages from the piece you are working with before pasting the content into a standard Google search box. This will bring up any duplicates which should give you an idea of how many people are already using the same content.
In some ways, it's not a bad thing to see other people using the same content that you are thinking of using. This might indicate that the content is good quality and therefore worth working with. If however no one else has used the content on a website, it might indicate the opposite, that the materials are not so good.
Seeing content on another website will however give you a clear idea of how much editing is necessary to generate your own unique materials if the situation dictates that it is necessary (e.g. if you're going to publish on a website yourself).
Start the edit
Once you have an idea how much editing is necessary, get to work.
Go through the content sentence by sentence or paragraph by paragraph and rewrite each one as much as is necessary. This strategy means that the words change but the meaning and the flow of the original content is not altered or disturbed.
Alternatively, read a sentence of paragraph and then rewrite it in your own words from memory. Even better, do this with larger sections of the original content because this produces content that is even more unique than that created using the 'sentence by sentence' strategy.
This is inevitable because the first tactic only changes the words whereas reading and then rewriting from memory tends to change the content structure as well.
When you are trying to come up with alternative words and struggling, using an online thesaurus might sometimes come in handy.
To spin?
Another online tool that might be useful is any one of the numerous article spinning programs that automatically replace words in the text for you.
These programs are designed to create many different versions of the same base content. They are therefore particularly handy if you need to create many modified versions of a piece of content rather than one.
As an example, this would apply if you were rewriting a PLR article for submission to many different article directories. Submitting different versions to each directory is a big help if you are aiming for search engine rankings and an article spinner would speed this job up.
You can use a free article spinner and manually replace text with your own synonyms. This might take some time at the beginning but you can create many versions of the same article with a few clicks after you've entered the synonyms.
Other option is a paid spinner. The article spinning software that I really like is The Best Spinner which pretty much seems to live up to its name. The beauty of this program is that the lexicon of synonyms is added to by other users so it is always growing. This means that the article rewrites it produces are more accurate and reader-friendly than those produced by many other spinning programs (it's very affordable too at $77 per year).
Making Ebooks Readable
Making Ebooks Readable
The term ‘ebook reader’ has migrated from a stand alone ebook reading device to software developed to allow the reading of ebooks to take place in a variety of portable environments.
Early ebook readers like Gemstar Rocket and Franklin were designed to allow the transport of ebooks in a convenient portable microchip infused package.
Once someone challenged the notion that devices needed to be run separately this line of thinking also began to change.
Today ebooks are being viewed over PDA’s, Palm Pilots, cell phones and BlackBerries. Once developers made it possible for mini-computers to talk to their PC counterparts they began to understand that the ebook could find a home in a variety of portable applications.
The stand-alone ebook readers are still available, but many consumers are finding the ability to run multiple applications with one device an alternative they enjoy.
Many ebook downloads are provided as a Portable Document File (PDA) while others are not. The variety of ebook publishing software makes access to a variety of reader software necessary.
Common ebook Reader Software
Adobe Acrobat: This software is a widely used application for the reading of PDA files. What makes this most attractive to consumers is the fact that it comes as a free download.
Microsoft Reader: This product is another free download and can be used with a PC device either stationary or portable. Many existing computer devices already have it loaded into the system prior to device purchase.
Weasel Reader: This free software product reads zTXT files for Palm Pilots and supports bookmarks.
Palm Reader: This product comes in both a free version as well as a professional paid version. The pro version allows you greater control over the look of the ebook fonts. It also provides complimentary ebooks and a dictionary.
Micropocket Reader: The Micropocket Reader offers a free pro version that supports a variety of ebook formats, but also includes the ability to view PowerPoint presentations over your portable devices.
The µBook Reader: The µBook ebook reader does require a fee for download, but supports a variety of files including PDB, PRC, HTML, TXT, and RTF. This product also supports most major photo files.
The use of any of the above programs or even several unlisted ebook reader software applications call allow you to download your favorite ebooks and take them on the road. Now, the portability of an ebook could be linked to your phone, MP3 player and portable PC making the most of your time away form the home or office.
The term ‘ebook reader’ has migrated from a stand alone ebook reading device to software developed to allow the reading of ebooks to take place in a variety of portable environments.
Early ebook readers like Gemstar Rocket and Franklin were designed to allow the transport of ebooks in a convenient portable microchip infused package.
Once someone challenged the notion that devices needed to be run separately this line of thinking also began to change.
Today ebooks are being viewed over PDA’s, Palm Pilots, cell phones and BlackBerries. Once developers made it possible for mini-computers to talk to their PC counterparts they began to understand that the ebook could find a home in a variety of portable applications.
The stand-alone ebook readers are still available, but many consumers are finding the ability to run multiple applications with one device an alternative they enjoy.
Many ebook downloads are provided as a Portable Document File (PDA) while others are not. The variety of ebook publishing software makes access to a variety of reader software necessary.
Common ebook Reader Software
Adobe Acrobat: This software is a widely used application for the reading of PDA files. What makes this most attractive to consumers is the fact that it comes as a free download.
Microsoft Reader: This product is another free download and can be used with a PC device either stationary or portable. Many existing computer devices already have it loaded into the system prior to device purchase.
Weasel Reader: This free software product reads zTXT files for Palm Pilots and supports bookmarks.
Palm Reader: This product comes in both a free version as well as a professional paid version. The pro version allows you greater control over the look of the ebook fonts. It also provides complimentary ebooks and a dictionary.
Micropocket Reader: The Micropocket Reader offers a free pro version that supports a variety of ebook formats, but also includes the ability to view PowerPoint presentations over your portable devices.
The µBook Reader: The µBook ebook reader does require a fee for download, but supports a variety of files including PDB, PRC, HTML, TXT, and RTF. This product also supports most major photo files.
The use of any of the above programs or even several unlisted ebook reader software applications call allow you to download your favorite ebooks and take them on the road. Now, the portability of an ebook could be linked to your phone, MP3 player and portable PC making the most of your time away form the home or office.
What Is Freelance Seo Writing?
SEO writing is one of the newer forms of freelance writing spawned by the Internet Age, and as such, SEO writing is an excellent way -- if at times a frustrating way -- for budding writers to cut their teeth in the freelance writing scene. SEO writing takes a fair amount of imagination and some engineering grit, but if you like puzzles, then freelancing as an SEO writer will interest you.
SEO, or "Search Engine Optimization," has its roots in the early days of the Internet. Once early Internet marketers realized they could manipulate search engine rankings with meaningless content and keywords, a whirlwind of keyword-stuffed web pages swept across the Internet, all designed to push their content -- and the products they sold -- to the top of search engine lists. This sharply increased user traffic and potential profits. It wasn't uncommon to see web pages with only a few short paragraphs of copy with large, seemingly-blank areas of space. However, if you highlighted these blank areas of space with a cursor, it would reveal massive strings of invisible keywords. SEO writers used to embed invisible keywords in text to rank the webpage higher in search engines for nearly any remotely-relevant search term.
Fortunately for good web design, search engine programmers became aware of this flaw, and they refined their search engines to ignore such obvious "keyword stuffing." This major change has made search engines rank web pages more relevant of the actual content and not the stuffed keywords. Content providers responded to this by developing SEO writing, which ideally gets the same results as open keyword-stuffing, but provides a better-designed, better-written page as well. It's a "best of both worlds" compromise: content providers willing to invest in SEO writing get to keep their high search engine rankings and readers get more smoothly integrated and keyword-dense text.
There are bad SEO writers and good SEO writers. Bad SEO writers aren't aware of exactly how search engines work, and will try stuffing text with ten or twenty commonly-used search terms ("sex," "money," and the like) ten or twenty times apiece, without caring whether the actual text reads well. These days search engines are sophisticated enough to ignore these kinds of transparent keyword-stuffing efforts, a defense which only good SEO practice can get around.
A skilled SEO writer:
- Uses only one or two search terms per page;
- Uses unique, natural-language search terms;
- Integrates search terms smoothly with text;
The difference between a good and bad SEO writer are in the results. Good SEO writers can provide actual results in the search rankings. Their SEO writing talents keep the client's web pages on the first page of search engine results and create additional revenue for the client. Bad SEO writers don't keep client pages in the first page of search engine results; they create nearly unreadable, transparently phony text, and don't get paid well at all. If you want to succeed as a freelance SEO writer, you first need to learn to be a good one.
Writing integrated text is often the most difficult part of good SEO writing. The rule is you should use each search term once or twice in a 250-word block of copy. This is fine if your search term is something like "bond portfolio," but what do you do if your search term is more like "high-yield gold investment bond package bonds"? This is where the "puzzle" aspect of SEO writing comes in: no matter how cumbersome your search term, you need to find a way to make it sound natural.
Skilled SEO writers employ some tricks for awkward keyword phrases, such as the following:
- Enclosing the search term in quotes (making it seem like a precise technical term, rather than just clunky phrase); and
- Defining the term at the opening of the article and using it further on, or drawing comparisons between two SEO terms (requiring you to refer to both frequently).
There aren't any hard-and-fast rules to integrate keywords effectively; every keyword set is different and every article has different needs. But with imagination, you can get your prose to read naturally while still being SEO-worthy. Just remember the other principal rule: don't overstuff keywords in text, but rather space your keywords adequately throughout the text.
Who offers SEO writing jobs? Virtually any company with enough money and enough willingness to maintain a high web presence. Be careful of the keyword lists you take on. Generally speaking, if the client has a long keyword list and he needs many keywords in his text, then most search engines will rank his webpage low and you may not be able to achieve the results he wants. To establish yourself as a freelance SEO writer (and to get some much needed practice in SEO writing), you'll probably need to take some of these jobs at some point. Take a look on freelance writing message boards, in classified ads, and make inquiries at local businesses who either have a web presence, or who you think are ready to develop one. Chances are excellent that companies with new websites can use a skilled SEO writer.
Keep at it, learn the tricks, and remember that SEO writing is a very in-demand skill. Once you build a reputation for yourself, you can command both higher prices and higher-profile (yet easier) assignments regularly.
Tips For Selecting The Right Editing Service
Everyone needs to have his work edited even once in his life. An editing company can polish the work of a beginner, improve the writing of a mediocre or average writer and proofread the work of an expert with an unbiased eye.
Theres nothing shameful about having an editing company look over your college entrance essay or manuscript since its almost impossible to be completely objective when revising ones work; what is shameful is when youve gone all the trouble to hire one but still ending up with an unprofessional paper.
If youve decided to hire editing services for your work, use our checklist below to do it right the first time around:
Amount of Writing Experience
All professional editors were writers once. You need to know the writing background of the editor to determine his capabilities in performing the task. To write a business proposal, he must have adequate experience in business writing. Anything less than three years is not just good enough. Lastly, ask if he can furnish references.
Amount of Editing Experience
Besides writing, the editor must also have sufficient experience working as a professional editor. Ask samples of his work its better if he can supply you with a before-and-after example to gauge his editing abilities. Again, ask if he can provide you with references.
Involvement in an Industry
An editor will be able to write and edit better if he was also a businessman once. Having been involved in the industry in a professional basis will provide him with certain information that a mere observer may not be privy with. Having more knowledge on the business will enable the editor to understand the works hes revising more clearly, and consequently be able to edit them with a more discerning eye.
Credentials of the Editor
Ask about the editors educational attainment and other credentials that he has. Credentials are further proof of an editors level of experience in his chosen field. Of course, make sure that you verify whatever credentials he does mention because he might just be lying about everything.
Types of Services Offered
People have various reasons for needing to hire editing services. Make sure that the editing firm you choose to transact with is able to provide the services youre after. Examples of types of services offered by most editing firms are supplied below:
Ghostwriting If you have a story to tell or a paper you need to do but you dont have the right words at your disposal, you can hire a ghostwriter from an editing firm to write everything down for you. With a ghostwriter to help you out, your work will still be solely to your credit. Ghostwriters arent credited with bylines because they are only there to help you pick out the best words for your writing.
Proofreading Maybe all you need is someone to check your work for any typographical or grammatical errors. If so, a proofreader is the best person to help you out. Clients have various needs when it comes to proofreading; some want all errors to be automatically corrected and substituted while others prefer their mistakes to be simply highlighted but leave all the revising to them. If you have specific preferences in this matter, make sure your editing firm knows about it beforehand.
If your work lacks substance or hasnt enough facts to support its claim, an editing firm can help you out by researching extensively about the subject of your paper.
Publishing Guidance Maybe, you dont need any help when it comes to writing. Maybe, all you need is a nudge to the right direction and have your book published. If so, an editing firm is still capable of helping you in this situation. They can help you create an outline and proposal for your book, find a literary agent to represent your work or give you suggestions about that publishing firms to choose.
How Long and How Much
Alas, we come to the two most important bases of our decision: how long will revisions take and how much in total will it cost? Its okay to go a bit over the budget if your reasons are valid but just make sure that they are, indeed, valid. Expect to pay extra if you have a rush deadline to meet.
Lastly, if you expect to have various needs for editing services, its better to choose one thats able to provide for ALL of the services youre after. Hiring a different company for each editing service you need is not only tiring but more costly as well in the long run.
Theres nothing shameful about having an editing company look over your college entrance essay or manuscript since its almost impossible to be completely objective when revising ones work; what is shameful is when youve gone all the trouble to hire one but still ending up with an unprofessional paper.
If youve decided to hire editing services for your work, use our checklist below to do it right the first time around:
Amount of Writing Experience
All professional editors were writers once. You need to know the writing background of the editor to determine his capabilities in performing the task. To write a business proposal, he must have adequate experience in business writing. Anything less than three years is not just good enough. Lastly, ask if he can furnish references.
Amount of Editing Experience
Besides writing, the editor must also have sufficient experience working as a professional editor. Ask samples of his work its better if he can supply you with a before-and-after example to gauge his editing abilities. Again, ask if he can provide you with references.
Involvement in an Industry
An editor will be able to write and edit better if he was also a businessman once. Having been involved in the industry in a professional basis will provide him with certain information that a mere observer may not be privy with. Having more knowledge on the business will enable the editor to understand the works hes revising more clearly, and consequently be able to edit them with a more discerning eye.
Credentials of the Editor
Ask about the editors educational attainment and other credentials that he has. Credentials are further proof of an editors level of experience in his chosen field. Of course, make sure that you verify whatever credentials he does mention because he might just be lying about everything.
Types of Services Offered
People have various reasons for needing to hire editing services. Make sure that the editing firm you choose to transact with is able to provide the services youre after. Examples of types of services offered by most editing firms are supplied below:
Ghostwriting If you have a story to tell or a paper you need to do but you dont have the right words at your disposal, you can hire a ghostwriter from an editing firm to write everything down for you. With a ghostwriter to help you out, your work will still be solely to your credit. Ghostwriters arent credited with bylines because they are only there to help you pick out the best words for your writing.
Proofreading Maybe all you need is someone to check your work for any typographical or grammatical errors. If so, a proofreader is the best person to help you out. Clients have various needs when it comes to proofreading; some want all errors to be automatically corrected and substituted while others prefer their mistakes to be simply highlighted but leave all the revising to them. If you have specific preferences in this matter, make sure your editing firm knows about it beforehand.
If your work lacks substance or hasnt enough facts to support its claim, an editing firm can help you out by researching extensively about the subject of your paper.
Publishing Guidance Maybe, you dont need any help when it comes to writing. Maybe, all you need is a nudge to the right direction and have your book published. If so, an editing firm is still capable of helping you in this situation. They can help you create an outline and proposal for your book, find a literary agent to represent your work or give you suggestions about that publishing firms to choose.
How Long and How Much
Alas, we come to the two most important bases of our decision: how long will revisions take and how much in total will it cost? Its okay to go a bit over the budget if your reasons are valid but just make sure that they are, indeed, valid. Expect to pay extra if you have a rush deadline to meet.
Lastly, if you expect to have various needs for editing services, its better to choose one thats able to provide for ALL of the services youre after. Hiring a different company for each editing service you need is not only tiring but more costly as well in the long run.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Top of the Pops Before Hitting the Shops
It was only a matter of time before cyberspace prevailed in the music industry ...
'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley made history by becoming the Number One song in the United Kingdom's singles charts without one CD being available in stores. Over 31,000 legal downloads were compiled after the song was featured on BBC's Radio One.
Among other things, that would rank the song right up there as the ultimate impulse buy.
To be accurate, 'Crazy' won this distinction because of a recent amendment to the British music industry's rule that a song's download couldn't count against its sales until it became available in stores. However, the point has been made that, just as digital discs replaced tapes and records in personal music consumption, the torch has now been passed to digital transfers.
PC World noted this eventuality in its January 2006 issue, noting that music download sales tripled in 2005. That accounted for six percent of the music industry's sales for the year, impressive in that it also signifies a dent in the number of pirated tracks. Figures released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry --- the authoritative source --- revealed a tally of $1.1billion in download sales during the year.
Gnarls Barkley's digital achievement came just over a month after another cyber-landmark was attained. The billionth download in iTunes history occurred in late February 2006, when a Michigan teen ordered Coldplay's 'Speed of Sound' for the sum of 99 cents. That price is yet another reason why singles --- almost eradicated by the trend toward albums in the 1970s --- are back, and in a big way.
And to think that the music industry spent the early years of the Cyber Era trying to deny, or at least discourage, its existence.
Perhaps finally realizing that such a tactic didn't work for blacksmiths at the turn of the last century, the recording moguls --- albeit grudgingly --- sought to learn from the new technology. The key to their success to date is their seeming awareness that their objective is to find their niche in the cybermarket, rather than attempt to dominate it. Granted, it's a mega-niche, but the industry apparently accepts that it will no longer be the lone gateway between artist and consumer.
Retailers, for example, are beginning to capitalize on the social aspects of music purchases. There will always be teens, and congregating for music is a long-standing trait of theirs. When it's in the malls or on Main Street, the major chains are preparing to offer kiosks where downloads can be purchased on-site. With their vast inventories of stock, these stores present an ideal means of searching for songs, sampling them and then sharing opinions, which perfectly describes the normal buying habits of both teens and tweens (ie- the 9-to-12 set).
Verizon is on the front lines for the mobile niche of music retailing with its VCast technology. This service transforms the wireless phone into a portable music player by synchronizing music already stored on the user's PC. It can also be used to buy new songs or albums from the Verizon Wireless music catalog, which is accessed via cellular phone or PC.
Quality of sound for music downloads continues to improve exponentially, which further increases the attractiveness of downloads. FXSound is on the cutting edge in this respect with its critically acclaimed DFX Audio Enhancement package. Compatible with virtually every major music platform, from MP3s to Internet radio, DFX is trumpted as "the first plug-in to make truly professional-quality audio processing available to Internet audio users." They do this by restoring the full range of frequency harmonics, thus creating the auspices of a high-end home music system. Its effects are amazing.
Where Gnarls Barkley has gone, legions will follow. Cyber-dominance in the music industry is now a hard fact, so the real top has yet to be popped.
coldplay biography | alternative music blog
'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley made history by becoming the Number One song in the United Kingdom's singles charts without one CD being available in stores. Over 31,000 legal downloads were compiled after the song was featured on BBC's Radio One.
Among other things, that would rank the song right up there as the ultimate impulse buy.
To be accurate, 'Crazy' won this distinction because of a recent amendment to the British music industry's rule that a song's download couldn't count against its sales until it became available in stores. However, the point has been made that, just as digital discs replaced tapes and records in personal music consumption, the torch has now been passed to digital transfers.
PC World noted this eventuality in its January 2006 issue, noting that music download sales tripled in 2005. That accounted for six percent of the music industry's sales for the year, impressive in that it also signifies a dent in the number of pirated tracks. Figures released by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry --- the authoritative source --- revealed a tally of $1.1billion in download sales during the year.
Gnarls Barkley's digital achievement came just over a month after another cyber-landmark was attained. The billionth download in iTunes history occurred in late February 2006, when a Michigan teen ordered Coldplay's 'Speed of Sound' for the sum of 99 cents. That price is yet another reason why singles --- almost eradicated by the trend toward albums in the 1970s --- are back, and in a big way.
And to think that the music industry spent the early years of the Cyber Era trying to deny, or at least discourage, its existence.
Perhaps finally realizing that such a tactic didn't work for blacksmiths at the turn of the last century, the recording moguls --- albeit grudgingly --- sought to learn from the new technology. The key to their success to date is their seeming awareness that their objective is to find their niche in the cybermarket, rather than attempt to dominate it. Granted, it's a mega-niche, but the industry apparently accepts that it will no longer be the lone gateway between artist and consumer.
Retailers, for example, are beginning to capitalize on the social aspects of music purchases. There will always be teens, and congregating for music is a long-standing trait of theirs. When it's in the malls or on Main Street, the major chains are preparing to offer kiosks where downloads can be purchased on-site. With their vast inventories of stock, these stores present an ideal means of searching for songs, sampling them and then sharing opinions, which perfectly describes the normal buying habits of both teens and tweens (ie- the 9-to-12 set).
Verizon is on the front lines for the mobile niche of music retailing with its VCast technology. This service transforms the wireless phone into a portable music player by synchronizing music already stored on the user's PC. It can also be used to buy new songs or albums from the Verizon Wireless music catalog, which is accessed via cellular phone or PC.
Quality of sound for music downloads continues to improve exponentially, which further increases the attractiveness of downloads. FXSound is on the cutting edge in this respect with its critically acclaimed DFX Audio Enhancement package. Compatible with virtually every major music platform, from MP3s to Internet radio, DFX is trumpted as "the first plug-in to make truly professional-quality audio processing available to Internet audio users." They do this by restoring the full range of frequency harmonics, thus creating the auspices of a high-end home music system. Its effects are amazing.
Where Gnarls Barkley has gone, legions will follow. Cyber-dominance in the music industry is now a hard fact, so the real top has yet to be popped.
coldplay biography | alternative music blog
The Radiohead Story
Radiohead are that rare thing: a band that has maintained is artistic freedom over the years, despite being signed to a major label – and a band that has constantly developed. This week's article looks at the story of how Radiohead got to where they are today, and hopefully you can take a few tips so that you can make it the Radiohead way.
The band formed back in 1986, when they were at school. Originally called "On a Friday", they played their first gig in 1986, at the famous Jericho's Tavern in Oxford. However, when the members left for university, "On a Friday" was put to one side, and it wasn't until 1991 that they reformed, and started playing again in Oxford.
Radiohead Discography
At the time, Oxford was becoming a haven for independent musicians. Ride were gaining a national reputation, and by 1992 were playing all the major venues across the country, and Supergrass had just formed, playing the local venues, on their way to international stardom. Radiohead benefited from being part of the local scene, and the early 90s were ideal for indie bands.
It was then that they became Radiohead, and they started releasing demos, including the magnificently-titled "Magic Hedgehog Demo". These self-funded demos were sent out to local venues, industry figures, record companies, etc., and started the band's road to success. Gradually, through hard work and persistence, they became very well known on the local scene – appearing on the front cover of a local indie music magazine, and playing regularly around Oxford.
Record companies began to take interest as the buzz grew around Radiohead, and it was EMI who were first to pounce, taking the band on their Parlophone subsidiary. In 1992, they released their first single, "Creep", which barely registered on the British charts, but gained them significant interest with the music press. The indie music magazine NME, for example, made it their single of the week, and with the backing of the independent music press, the band had momentum.
They released their first album, "Pablo Honey", in the middle of a period that saw British indie music enter a darker phase. The album was given a lukewarm reception by the music press, who had so appreciated Creep. However, the public took to the album very quickly, and its success meant that the band soon went to tour the States. The pressure on the band meant that they almost split up, and as the album became more and more successful, the band felt that they needed more artistic freedom.
And this is where "The Bends" comes into it. Generally recognised by music critics around the world as one of, if not the best album of the 1990s, "The Bends" was the product of a band's desire to go it alone and to produce something extraordinary. Hiring a new producer who allowed them to do what they wanted, they released an EP (My Iron Lung) before the release of their second album, and went on to provide more musical depth than in their previous album.
Riding on the success that was Britpop, "The Bends" was a huge commercial success, far more edgy than the pop-rock of "Pablo Honey". Lead singer Thom Yorke had become an idol for many indie music fans across the world, and Jonny Greenwood's unique guitar style had already become iconic. From their origins as a young unsigned band in Oxford, they had gone international, gaining success in the States, which not many British bands manage.
Although Britpop inevitably helped the band succeed, it also cut short the longevity of other bands. Those that managed to change and adapt when Britpop became passé remained successful, but there were plenty of bands who couldn't change, and soon fell by the wayside.
Radiohead's attitude after "The Bends" was to explore new avenues, and the release of "OK Computer" saw the band in a more sombre mood. Many saw it as a natural progression, and saw it as a much better album than "The Bends", while others felt alienated by the band's progression from the pop-rock of their first album.
The band's recording techniques also changed. They decided to keep away from traditional recording studios, after several bad experiences, and actually recorded most of the songs for "OK Computer" at Jane Seymour's 15th century mansion near Bath! By moulding their settings to fit the characteristics of the band, they immediately improved their recording experience. Blending rock sounds with more ambient, technical sounds, the album shot to number one across the world.
With Britpop dead, it was a few years before Radiohead surfaced again. Having detached themselves from the scene, they now became a "word of mouth" band with an enormous fanbase across the world. Music events were organised through the internet, with very little advertising required, and tickets were near impossible to come by. The band seemed reclusive, and were close to splitting up, with Thom York on the verge of depression.
The release of "Kid A" in 2000 shocked both fans and industry alike. Stripping down the guitars, the album was at first difficult listening – electronic, cryptic, synthesised, and with no stand-out tracks at all. It almost seemed as if the band were sticking two fingers up at the world, but it just went to show how braveRadiohead were in their musical direction. After several listens, Radiohead fans grew to love the album, and equally so with the quick follow-up "Amnesiac". The albums blended electronica with jazz and ambient music, but maintained Radiohead's lyrical hooks and character.
Again, the albums were given very little advance warning, and very little advertising. It was another case of the word-of-mouth buzz that Radiohead had been building up over the years, and with such a loyal fanbase, Radiohead are the perfect example of a band that has done all the hard work, sent off the demos, and gone from the top of the local scene to the top of the international scene.
After the release of "Hail to the Thief", which was hailed as a return to the guitar-based indie of "OK Computer", the band is today recording again, and Thom Yorke is about to release his own solo album, and live performances of new Radiohead songs show them back in "The Bends" territory.
So, did Radiohead "make it" differently from any other band? Well, probably not, if you look at it – they started off by gigging locally, making their reputation in their hometown of Oxford – and you could say that they were helped by two factors – the rise of Oxford bands in the early 90s, and the rise of Britpop bands in the mid 90s. After gaining their reputation, they kept up the hard work, and the most important thing is that they never stood still: no Radiohead album is like the previous one, making them one of the most innovative and interesting bands around. The internet fanbase is another interesting factor, as Radiohead were probably the first band to really use the internet for their promotion, as opposed to traditional channels.
If you want to make it the Radiohead way, then, get yourself known locally, and most important: never stand still.
alternative music blog
The band formed back in 1986, when they were at school. Originally called "On a Friday", they played their first gig in 1986, at the famous Jericho's Tavern in Oxford. However, when the members left for university, "On a Friday" was put to one side, and it wasn't until 1991 that they reformed, and started playing again in Oxford.
Radiohead Discography
At the time, Oxford was becoming a haven for independent musicians. Ride were gaining a national reputation, and by 1992 were playing all the major venues across the country, and Supergrass had just formed, playing the local venues, on their way to international stardom. Radiohead benefited from being part of the local scene, and the early 90s were ideal for indie bands.
It was then that they became Radiohead, and they started releasing demos, including the magnificently-titled "Magic Hedgehog Demo". These self-funded demos were sent out to local venues, industry figures, record companies, etc., and started the band's road to success. Gradually, through hard work and persistence, they became very well known on the local scene – appearing on the front cover of a local indie music magazine, and playing regularly around Oxford.
Record companies began to take interest as the buzz grew around Radiohead, and it was EMI who were first to pounce, taking the band on their Parlophone subsidiary. In 1992, they released their first single, "Creep", which barely registered on the British charts, but gained them significant interest with the music press. The indie music magazine NME, for example, made it their single of the week, and with the backing of the independent music press, the band had momentum.
They released their first album, "Pablo Honey", in the middle of a period that saw British indie music enter a darker phase. The album was given a lukewarm reception by the music press, who had so appreciated Creep. However, the public took to the album very quickly, and its success meant that the band soon went to tour the States. The pressure on the band meant that they almost split up, and as the album became more and more successful, the band felt that they needed more artistic freedom.
And this is where "The Bends" comes into it. Generally recognised by music critics around the world as one of, if not the best album of the 1990s, "The Bends" was the product of a band's desire to go it alone and to produce something extraordinary. Hiring a new producer who allowed them to do what they wanted, they released an EP (My Iron Lung) before the release of their second album, and went on to provide more musical depth than in their previous album.
Riding on the success that was Britpop, "The Bends" was a huge commercial success, far more edgy than the pop-rock of "Pablo Honey". Lead singer Thom Yorke had become an idol for many indie music fans across the world, and Jonny Greenwood's unique guitar style had already become iconic. From their origins as a young unsigned band in Oxford, they had gone international, gaining success in the States, which not many British bands manage.
Although Britpop inevitably helped the band succeed, it also cut short the longevity of other bands. Those that managed to change and adapt when Britpop became passé remained successful, but there were plenty of bands who couldn't change, and soon fell by the wayside.
Radiohead's attitude after "The Bends" was to explore new avenues, and the release of "OK Computer" saw the band in a more sombre mood. Many saw it as a natural progression, and saw it as a much better album than "The Bends", while others felt alienated by the band's progression from the pop-rock of their first album.
The band's recording techniques also changed. They decided to keep away from traditional recording studios, after several bad experiences, and actually recorded most of the songs for "OK Computer" at Jane Seymour's 15th century mansion near Bath! By moulding their settings to fit the characteristics of the band, they immediately improved their recording experience. Blending rock sounds with more ambient, technical sounds, the album shot to number one across the world.
With Britpop dead, it was a few years before Radiohead surfaced again. Having detached themselves from the scene, they now became a "word of mouth" band with an enormous fanbase across the world. Music events were organised through the internet, with very little advertising required, and tickets were near impossible to come by. The band seemed reclusive, and were close to splitting up, with Thom York on the verge of depression.
The release of "Kid A" in 2000 shocked both fans and industry alike. Stripping down the guitars, the album was at first difficult listening – electronic, cryptic, synthesised, and with no stand-out tracks at all. It almost seemed as if the band were sticking two fingers up at the world, but it just went to show how braveRadiohead were in their musical direction. After several listens, Radiohead fans grew to love the album, and equally so with the quick follow-up "Amnesiac". The albums blended electronica with jazz and ambient music, but maintained Radiohead's lyrical hooks and character.
Again, the albums were given very little advance warning, and very little advertising. It was another case of the word-of-mouth buzz that Radiohead had been building up over the years, and with such a loyal fanbase, Radiohead are the perfect example of a band that has done all the hard work, sent off the demos, and gone from the top of the local scene to the top of the international scene.
After the release of "Hail to the Thief", which was hailed as a return to the guitar-based indie of "OK Computer", the band is today recording again, and Thom Yorke is about to release his own solo album, and live performances of new Radiohead songs show them back in "The Bends" territory.
So, did Radiohead "make it" differently from any other band? Well, probably not, if you look at it – they started off by gigging locally, making their reputation in their hometown of Oxford – and you could say that they were helped by two factors – the rise of Oxford bands in the early 90s, and the rise of Britpop bands in the mid 90s. After gaining their reputation, they kept up the hard work, and the most important thing is that they never stood still: no Radiohead album is like the previous one, making them one of the most innovative and interesting bands around. The internet fanbase is another interesting factor, as Radiohead were probably the first band to really use the internet for their promotion, as opposed to traditional channels.
If you want to make it the Radiohead way, then, get yourself known locally, and most important: never stand still.
alternative music blog
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Art Posters
A work of art is a timeless treasure and an eternal source of joy. While the functional utility of posters has been exploited for ages, the aesthetic appeal of posters has elevated their status and transformed them into a unique form of art. Poster production is done by lithographic printing on paper, which is a relatively inexpensive form of printing. However, poster art has found its own class of collectors and admirers. Moulin Rouge made history when it sold for a record-breaking $200,000 at a fine art poster exhibition. After the success and popularity of the 1970s vintage poster market in France, posters have caught on among the masses across various countries.
A piece of poster art is not just a visual treat; it speaks out and conveys a message. An individual piece is conceived by an artist through the creative execution of his/her insight, but these are not necessarily decoded by another. The message varies depending on individual perception. Art posters are used as unique pieces of decor. They create a particular mood, define the ambience of the room and reflect the possessor’s personality. Apart from personal purchases, it can be purchased as a special gift item. Both the online and offline market provides numerous options to a lover of poster art.
Many poster exhibitions, auctions and museums showcase art posters. Collectors can get information from various collector’s magazines like Jon Warren’s price guide, Movie Poster Price Almanac, and many more. Online guides give a good idea about the pricing of various posters and collectibles, and how to get a good deal. The collectible value of a piece can be determined to some extent by some standard parameters, like the demand for the poster, its condition (weather damaged, stained or not), and what issue the poster is. However, the decision about the collectible value of an art poster is subjective.
Art posters can be of various kinds, like vintage original posters, specialty prints, fine art, movie or music posters, posters of nature, abstract posters and many more.Alice in Chains, Fallout Boy and Avenged Sevenfold are few of the rare music posters. Limited edition posters are also popular. The magical charm and ambience created by the classic movie posters of the golden era can hardly be resisted by any one. Art posters have a charm and loyal following of their own that is hard to resist.
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