Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Interesting Economics
Title: What should I do to marry a rich guy?
1) Where do most rich bachelors hang out? (Please list down the names! and addresses of bars, restaurant, gym)
2) Which age group should I target?
3) Why most wives of the riches is only average-looking? I've met a few girls who doesn't have looks and are not interesting, but they are able to marry rich guys
4) How do you decide who can be your wife, and who can only be your girlfriend? (my target now is to get married)
Here's a reply from a Wall Street Financial guy:
signed, J.P. Morgan
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
5 tips to speak with confidence. Make your presence felt
Do you have it? If you think you don't, or if you would like to increase your credibility and confidence, consider the following tips:
1. Your gestures can support or sabotage what you say
Gestures and mannerisms can either convince your audience of your sincerity or antagonise them.
Imagine yourself in an airport, with conversations going on all around you, and you are engaged in a farewell to a friend.
All of a sudden, the man and woman next to you begin to wave their arms dramatically, their fingers urgently punching the air.
Immediately, your attention is diverted from your own conversation to this couple.
Why is it that their words do not distract you, but their gestures do? That is the power of gestures and mannerisms. Often, gestures speak louder than words.
You may be completely serious, passionate and confident-about what you have to say, but your audience may perceive you as insincere because of poor eye contact, slouched posture, a bored expression or weak gestures.
2 Be conscious of what your body language says
I work with many people who are completely unaware of their body language until they see themselves on video for the first time.
For example, some people stand with their head intensely protruding forward as if they are about to scold the audience.
Others stand in a slouched position as though they are exhausted from marching through the desert for days without rest.
Then there are those who hug, pat, and squeeze themselves when they speak.
Still others either stand rigid as if locked in a straitjacket or sway back and forth as if they are a shy teenager about to ask their first date to the prom.
Look at yourself in the mirror and see how it feels to stand with your arms relaxed loosely at your side or with your elbows slightly bent. It may feel awkward, but it does not look awkward.
Simply stand there, looking in the mirror, and get used to the various postures that both look and feel appropriate so that you do not feel awkward with that same natural posture, gesture or stance in front of a group.
In many societies, little girls are taught that loud voices are not feminine, whereas little boys learn no such inhibitions. As a result, women often have problems with speaking loudly enough.
In today's business arena, wimpy voices get little attention.
Consider the extreme. When someone shouts, everyone turns to look — regardless of what is being said. Volume gets attention. Remember that your voice always sounds louder to you than to anyone else. Take another person's word |f for it when he says you need to speak up.
Also remember that your voice is an instrument. It needs to be warmed up, or it will creak and crack at the beginning of your presentation.
If you warm up with a high volume, as though projecting to those in the back row, your volume also will improve your vocal quality.
Volume adds energy to your voice — it has the power to command or lose listeners' attention.
4. Lower pitch to increase credibility
Pitch, the measurement of the "highness" or "lowness" of your voice, is determined largely by the amount of tension in the vocal cords.
When you are under stress, you may sound high-pitched.
When you are relaxed and confident, you will have a naturally lower pitch.
Authoritative vocal tones are low and calm, not high and tense.
Inflection is a pitch change — from a "Stop!" screeched at an assailant to the haughty "Please stop!" directed at a stranger using your department's photocopy machine.
You can lower your pitch to some degree by practising scales (as singers do, dropping the voice with each word) and by breathing more deeply to relax your vocal cords.
Remember that a lower pitch conveys power, authority and confidence, whereas a high pitch conveys insecurity and nervousness.
5. Identify weaknesses in your vocal quality
Vocal quality refers to characteristics such as a breathy sound, tense harshness, hoarseness, nasal tones or a deep, resonant, solemn sound.
Vocal quality is also measured by weaknesses such as slurring of words, over- or under-articulating certain sounds or accents, and so forth.
Being aware of these shortcomings can help you correct some of them. Others may require the help of a voice coach.
Pay attention to these tips as you prepare for your next presentation, and you will be on your way to becoming a speaker with a captive audience.
Working with the Media
Treat the media as you would any other • watchdog. Stay calm, be friendly, let them sniff your hand and never turn your back. —Anonymous
THERE are many misconceptions about the press, chief among them the assumption that the media is out to get you. Watch what you say to reporters, or you will pay a heavy price.
The converse is also held to be true — that the press exists to write "nice things" about individuals and organisations.
The truth is probably somewhere in between.
With new technology and the rise of citizen journalism, organisations can expect more scrutiny on all aspects of their business. Now more than ever, understanding and engaging the media matters.
A good place to start when considering media relations is this: The press has a different perspective.
Whether it is print or broadcast, journalists are accountable to their editors and readership (or viewership), and their aim is to produce a newsworthy story. You, on the other hand, may be hoping for a free advertisement.
Journalists commonly want a scoop or an exclusive. You want coverage of your event to reach as many stakeholders as possible. -
There are clearly gaps in expectations on both parties. The key is to meet the media halfway, and here are some ways you can achieve a win-win outcome:
# Ensure your story is relevant to the audience Example: Explain how your company's latest product can improve customers' quality of life. Don't get too caught up with new features or innovations.
# Understand what makes news
Example: It is not a big deal that your company is celebrating its 25th anniversary. However, if you donate $1 million to charity on the occasion of your 25th anniversary, you may have a story.
Make an effort to find different story angles for different media
Example: You may want to offer the inventor of your new product for a "live" television interview, but arrange with a newspaper to profile the owner of the company.
Like most successful partnerships, good media relations are governed by understanding arid mutual respect.
Who's afraid of television?
Most people find television interviews more stressful. In fact, I have come across many people who shun television because they think they look terrible on TV, their minds go blank when the camera starts rolling or they find that televi-
sion is simply too time-consuming.
First, bear in mind these fundamentals about the way television works:
# It is an audio-visual medium -sights and sounds matter;
# Every second counts - so the pace of your speech matters;
# Body language and tone can add or subtract from your message.
Then, remember these principles:
# Keep your answers short and to the point;
# Keep your eyes on the interviewer, not the camera;
® You may gesture with your hands (it's only natural), but not excessively;
# Record yourself and watch to see how you fare. The benefit is that television tells a story—your
story—in a dramatic fashion.
Friend or foe?
Don't get into this debate. Instead, treat journalists as professionals and leave them to do their job.
Journalists are professionals governed by a code of ethics. Within the newsroom, there are checks and balances to minimise errors and inaccuracies.
Your job is to tell your side of the story, and as a way of managing your own expectations, learn to accept that a "good" story is by definition a "balanced" story. That means only 50 per cent "your side" of the story.
Even if all this sounds too daunting, don't turn media-shy just yet.
The media is an important stakeholder for any business, and, more crucially, it is a gateway to reach your other stakeholders (investors, customers, even internal audiences).
Plus, whether you cooperate or not, reporters will find a way to write their story if they are really determined. So why not work with them to get some of your messages in?
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
PLEASE DON'T CHARGE YOUR MOBILE WHOLE NIGHT AND DON'T KEEP IT NEARBY
I wonder what handphone is this?
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Alien Fish ?? True or not?
I wonder this kind of fish is real or not? Looks like fish with a dragon head. anyone seen this before? where to find it? is it dangerous?
Nutritional foods
Foods that pack a nutritional punchEating well is one of the keys to living a healthy life, and some foods can be the go-to sources for particular nutrients. Use this chart to remind you of foods with the highest content in a variety of nutrients, or print a version to keep handy.
Sources: USDA, National Institutes of Health
Calcium
Calcium is key to strong bones and teeth, as well as proper nerve and muscle function, and while milk is instantly considered as a source of calcium, there are many other foods that can help you get the calcium you need:
Milk, other dairy productsCornmealWheat flourCollardsRhubarbSardinesSpinachSoybeansTurnip greensSalmon, canned with boneKale
Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps your body repair itself, fight off diseases and infections and even has shown some indications of fighting off cancer. Here are some of the foods that pack the highest Vitamin C punch:
Oranges/orange juicePeppers (sweet and chili)Grapefruit juicePapayasStrawberriesBroccoliBrussels sproutsPeasKiwi fruitSweet potatoFiberFiber keeps digestion on track and has been shown to help prevent heart attacks, intestinal problems and several types of cancer.
BarleyBulgurBeansPeasWheat flour, whole-grainOat branDatesTomato productsRaspberriesCornmealArtichokes
Anti-oxidants
Anti-oxidants are chemicals that may help prevent a host of ailments including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's.
BeansBlueberriesCranberriesArtichokesBlackberriesPrunesRusset potatoesPecansApplesCinnamonFolic acidFolic acid promotes cell division and growth, red cell development and helps prevent some birth defects and can help reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
Turkey/chicken gibletsLentilsCowpeas/Black eyed peasOrange JuiceBeans (specifically kidney, pinto, navy)ChickpeasOkraSpinachAsparagusBeef liverIronIron helps carry oxygen through our bodies. If you don't get enough you can become anemic, which will make you feel tired, and weak.
Mollusks, clamsTurkey or chicken gibletsEnriched whole wheat flourEnriched riceSoybeansTomato productsSpinachLiverBeefJerusalem-artichokes, rawBaking chocolate, unsweetened squares
FILA Annual Warehouse Sale 2007 - 7th to 11th Nov (5 Days only!)
Greetings!
We are most delighted to invite you to the exclusive members' preview of our Annual FILA Warehouse Sale on 07th November 2007 (Wednesday).
Enjoy lots of members' specials, great bargains & items with up to 90% off!
Remember to bring along your VIP membership card & postcard to enjoy the VIP special offers!
Terms & conditions apply. While stocks last.
See you there!
At your service,
The FILA Team
Authentic Sports Pte Ltd
Kindly note that this exclusive members' preview is only on the 07th November 2007, thereafter the sale will be open to general public, 8th till 11th November.
Operation Hours:
07th November @ 11.00am - 10.00pm (VIP Day!)
08th November @ 10.00am - 10.00pm
09th November @ 11.00am - 10.00pm
10th November @ 10.00am - 10.00pm
11th November @ 10.00am - 9.00pm
36生肖源自印度的靈魂學
首先，請正確查出您的生肖及出生的時間，再對照下列的36生肖屬性， 找到你是一隻什麼生物，在往下去找生肖的優缺解說即可。
屬鼠的人：0-8點出生屬燕子 8-16點屬 老鼠 16-0點屬蝙蝠
屬牛的人：0-8點出生屬牛 8-16點屬 螃蟹 16-0點屬 鱉
屬虎的人：0-8點出生屬狸貓 8-16點屬豹子 16-0點屬 老虎
屬兔的人：0-8點出生屬刺蝟 8-16點屬兔子 16-0點屬 貉
屬龍的人：0-8點出生屬龍 8-16點屬 蛟龍 16-0點屬 魚
屬蛇的人：0-8點出生屬鱔魚 8-16點屬蚯蚓 16-0點屬 蛇
屬馬的人：0-8點出生屬鹿 8-16點屬 馬 16-0點屬 驢騾
屬羊的人：0-8點出生屬羊 8-16點屬 鵰 16-0點屬 雁
屬猴的人：0-8點出生屬猩猩 8-16點屬猿 16-0點屬 猴
屬雞的人：0-8點出生屬雉雞 8-16點屬雞 16-0點屬 鳶
屬狗的人：0-8點出生屬狗 8-16點屬 狼 16-0點屬 豺
屬豬的人：0-8點出生屬豕 8-16點屬 獾 16-0點屬 野豬
但是有人知道各生物所代表的意思？性格或命盤嗎？繼續往下查個清楚。
鼠
鼠具有神祕感、能保守機密，善於觀察情勢、行動敏捷，以智慧取勝， 並能善用團隊運作，有謀略、不自私。缺點是感情上常用情不專； 遇事常相互推卻責任；有敏銳的觀察力，卻缺乏分析力，有時會判斷錯誤。
燕子
燕子是候鳥，對氣息敏感，為引導潮流之人。屬燕的人能力強、迅速敏捷， 如果能博學多聞，將能成為成功的創造者、發明家。缺點是過於理想主義， 以致於曲高和寡，加上個性善變，往往想法新奇，卻不能堅持執行。
蝙蝠
屬蝙蝠的人具有一種與世無爭的氣質，是貴人中的貴人，不但得福氣， 也得長壽之命，第六感強，合群、有人緣、定力夠。 缺點是因為總能看穿別人的內心和企圖， 而變得憤世嫉俗，消極，對社會缺乏正義感，給人疏離的感覺或對人「大小眼」。
牛
牛是一種溫馴的動物，任勞任怨。屬牛的人本性溫和，用功、努力， 勇於面對現實的挑戰，更能克服困難，腳踏實地，是能擔大任的人。
螃蟹
螃蟹有2隻似牛角的鉗子，又有硬硬的殼保護自己， 所以屬螃蟹的人自我防禦的色彩濃厚，易怒，反擊力強。機靈、敏銳， 具有超強的實力、不畏艱難、愈戰愈勇的積極精神。缺點是比較現實、霸道、 個人主義，缺乏群體觀念、不容易相信別人。
鱉
鱉咬人時總是死咬不放，因此屬鱉的人有強烈的攻擊力，具備奮鬥、奮發、 堅持等不屈不撓的性格。而鱉能伸能屈，善於偽裝，具有神祕感、特殊的靈性。
虎
屬虎的人有耐力，威風、嚴厲、講義氣、迅速敏捷、求生能力強，沉靜、安定、 自制、重禮儀，有王者風範。不過英雄主義的老虎，天生具領域觀念， 有強烈的占有慾、權力慾、愛秀，攻擊力猛暴而孤僻，發起脾氣怒氣沖天！
貍貓
生肖屬貍貓的人外表文秀，魅力十足，好知識、肯學習，極有智慧，
豹
屬豹的人思維敏捷、個性急躁，有霸氣、不屈服，並具有強烈的改革精神， 不妄想、不虛偽，精力極充沛，有不可多得的貴氣。然而豹斑紋華麗顯要， 屬豹的人重外表、愛面子、虛榮心強、好勝，與人爭鬥時往往不留餘地、 趕盡殺絕。
兔
屬兔的人溫和、敏銳，聰明、活潑、警覺性好，欣賞力佳，溫柔體貼、浪漫多情， 識時務、知進退，並且具有合群的精神。不過因為太痴情，一生桃花風波多， 又不會保護自己，常犯小人，個性太溫和，有時逃避現實、缺乏競爭力。
刺蝟
刺蝟是防禦性極強的動物。屬刺蝟的人性格踏實、有骨氣，喜歡當獨行俠， 不喜歡受約束或遵循規定，凡事但求安心、安全，深藏不露。不過刺蝟個性保守， 壓抑、憂慮的性格常使自己變消極；頑固、怪僻則常令朋友、伴侶困惑。
貉
屬貉的人和善、有耐性、逆來順受，感受敏銳、明智、不妄下判斷，年紀愈大、 愈是深謀遠慮，而且守信、保密，有暗成大事的特質。但因為處事迂迴， 往往不敢拒絕別人，反而變得陽奉陰違，或是逃避、退縮，並且缺乏恆心。
龍
龍有王者風範，自尊心強，自信、第六感靈敏。處事大方、光明磊落、敬業、 有企圖心、善外交、人緣好，也能潛藏，具有優越的領導能力。 龍在中國代表福祿壽全，但也霸道、脾氣大、好享受、自我中心，
蛟
蛟是水龍，指爬蟲類中的鱷魚、蜥蜴等。機智、具有爆發力、敢愛敢恨， 防禦性好，且能勇敢冒險，對家庭有責任感，親情深厚。缺點：是易怒、 刁蠻、躁進，有強烈的地域觀念，對外人冷酷不太講情理，甚至有強烈的侵略性。
魚
魚在中國是未化之龍。屬魚的人個性積極、自信、果斷、痴情，企圖心強烈， 且精力充沛，外向活潑，喜歡熱鬧繁華的生活。但是情緒比較不穩定，容易遷怒、 記仇、好鬥，而且具有魚類「內鬥內行、外鬥外行」的特質。
蛇
屬蛇的人靈敏積極，行事效率高、反應快、乾淨俐落不馬虎、重效果，聰明智慧， 能靜能動、能屈能伸，非常有主見。不過蛇有陰毒的攻擊能力， 被逼至絕境時會不顧一切死鬥、狠鬥，且自負、自我中心、喜歡走險。
鱔魚
屬鱔魚的人通情達理，樂觀、有慈悲心，個性沉靜，溫和理性，善於照顧別人， 在感情上甚至有「不愛江山愛美人」的傾向。但鱔魚的圓滑有時遭人誤解， 以為奸詐，慈悲心也不常被領情，常犯小人，以致消極被動、恐懼憂慮， 缺乏反擊力。
蚯蚓
蚯蚓是重要的土質保護者，所以屬蚯蚓者有貴人之稱，鍾情又熱情，慷慨、體貼、友善， 踏實而不躁進，處事沉著穩定、不慌張，並具有奉獻的精神。缺乏速度、 爆發力，太溫和，沒有主見、不會保護自己，是典型的慢郎中。
馬
屬馬的人行為迅速敏捷、精明、忠貞，學習能力強、通達人情，有遠見、 富有正義感，溫柔體貼、大方開朗、樂於助人，是俠客型的人。 不過馬是很倔強的，不妥協、太嚴肅，容易得罪人，並且太有原則、
驢騾
驢騾吃苦耐勞，重視實力、勤儉持家、適應力強，個性穩重、自信、不慌張， 勇敢面對挑戰，是不畏艱難卻又知足常樂型的人。缺點是固執，比較功利、 缺乏浪漫的情調，當愛情與麵包擺在眼前，屬驢騾的人是一定選麵包的。
鹿
屬鹿的人溫和、客觀、專心、感性、沉靜，具有良好的洞察力、藝術鑑賞力， 即使與人競爭，也會保持君子風度，點到為止，是友善、有雅量的人。 但其實鹿也是非常愛面子的，個性倔強、苛求，甚至吹毛求疵、協調性較差。
羊
屬羊的人溫和平靜、善良、和平，踏實、和藹，耐力佳、重禮儀， 也喜歡浪漫的情調，能夠犧牲奉獻，為他人著想，仁盡義至。
鵰
鵰是大型鷹類，屬鵰的人有大氣魄、大格局，沉著、冷靜、凶猛、有遠見， 判斷力佳、執行力好，有策略，而且能適應環境，屬於大器晚成型的人。
雁
雁是候鳥，在中國是夫妻百年好合的象徵。屬雁的人聰慧、有靈性，重視外表， 風趣、愛玩樂，能動能靜，好勝心強，而且精力充沛，樂觀、勤奮。
猴
屬猴的人有強烈的社會性，重視組織、重視文化，善於音樂、美學、表演， 有主見、重感覺、有預測未來的靈性，遇事則能靜觀其變，再判斷行事。性急、 易怒、猜忌、驚慌、神經質，是「說風就是雨」的典型猴急人物！
猩猩
屬猩猩的人有超人的靈感和智慧，善於企劃、設計，有美術、音樂天賦， 善解人意也攻於心計，個性平和厚道，凡事喜歡智取，講仁義、重信用。
猿
猿是能直立行走的靈長類動物。屬猿的人智慧高，尤其在發明、創造、 改革等抽象思維方面有無限的潛能，處事乾脆俐落，活到老學到老。
雞
雞是所有動物中對太陽最具有感應力的動物。屬雞的人聰明、好勝心及學習心強， 個性慈悲、富有正義感，樂於犧牲，好打抱不平、保護別人，關懷社會。 但是愛管閒事，任性、怪僻、固執己見、缺乏恆心，且多桃花困擾。
雉
雉是鳥類中最華麗的一群。屬雉的人愛美、愛炫耀、重享受，風度翩翩、 多才多藝，能言善道、自信心強，守信負責，感情上是浪漫、
鳶
鳶是中小型鷹的合稱，俗稱老鷹。屬鳶的人高雅、威風、自尊心極強。
狗
屬狗的人忠厚、忠誠，心地慈悲、天真浪漫，親和力、協調性強， 且有敏銳的第六感。喜歡聽好話，只要受鼓勵，領悟力、學習力均強。
狼
屬狼的人重視友情，「有福同享，有難同當」；勤勞努力、自主性強且深謀遠慮， 對客觀環境、時勢趨向嗅覺敏銳，是識時務者。擁有狼鬥狠、冷酷的特質，記仇、 報復心強，狂躁、壞脾氣，甚至有自我毀滅的傾向。
豺
豺是狩獵效率高的合群動物。屬豺的人個性合群、遵守原則，學習力強，有效率， 奮發向上，而且只憑實力、不撿便宜。重視休閒、享受人生。缺點是缺乏主見、 依賴，缺乏創造力，並且爭權奪利、現實主義、有點厚臉皮。
豕
豕是小豬。屬豕的人心寬福厚，以退為進，謙讓、安逸、平和、溫文儒雅， 好奇多慾、品味好、浪漫、重情調，常有一針見血的精準眼光。缺點是被動， 受不了人情壓力，耳根軟而易有偏見，記仇懷恨，無主見，太安逸消極。
獾
屬獾的人外表陰柔體貼，其實企圖心大，敢衝刺，有膽識、分析能力強， 有良好的潛能，而且頭腦冷靜、觀察力敏銳。缺點是脾氣壞，口出狂言， 先入為主觀念強，自我保護意識強烈，不能廣結善緣，缺乏安全感，易憂鬱。
野豬
野豬眼力不佳，但嗅覺靈敏。屬野豬的人分析能力強，想像力豐富，大智若愚， 有韌性，也有強大的爆發力；言而有信，處世溫婉，但也有反擊力。缺點是固執， 脾氣不好，口才不佳，記仇不報仇，凡事沒有計畫，常錯失良機。
Friday, November 9, 2007
One quick trick prevents AutoRun attacks
Unfortunately, simply turning off AutoPlay, a separate feature, isn't enough to prevent AutoRun from introducing a rogue program into your system.
AutoRun starts Windows programs automatically
Every recent version of Windows has features known as AutoPlay and AutoRun. These functions are designed to launch applications automatically from a external device containing the necessary AutoRun information. This is what causes an installer window to pop up when you insert a software disc into your CD or DVD drive, for example, or makes a pop-up menu icon appear in the taskbar tray when you insert a USB flash drive. (In some cases, the action doesn't occur until you double-click the flash drive icon in Windows Explorer.)
When a disc is inserted or a drive is connected to your system, Windows looks in the root directory of the new disc or drive for a file named autorun.inf. If found, Windows executes the instructions in that file.
For example, an autorun.inf file on a CD might contain a line that reads open=setup.exe. This tells your computer to launch a setup program as soon as the CD is inserted into the drive.
However convenient this might be, unfortunately, AutoRun also opens a huge door for viruses, Trojan horses, and worms. All it takes is a USB flash drive with an autorun.inf file and an executable in its root. Once inserted, a worm launched in this manner can infect every disk partition it finds, jumping from computer to computer as network users connect to an infected drive.
Shutting down AutoPlay is not a fix
In both Windows XP and Vista, the default for USB flash drives is to prompt the user for a decision if autorun.inf tries to launch a program. Inserting a CD or DVD into a drive, however, defaults to running any autorun.inf file that may be present.
In XP, you can change the defaults for AutoPlay on a given drive by right-clicking the drive in Windows Explorer and choosing Properties. Click the AutoPlay tab and use the controls there to change the settings for different types of media. Making changes in this dialog box, however, has no effect in preventing autorun.inf from being executed.
In Vista, end users can choose one of several options, even for software programs that use autorun.inf: (1) always launch the program, (2) always open a listing of the disc in a Windows Explorer window, (3) always prompt for a choice, or (4) take no action.
Unfortunately, none of the above steps can safeguard you against a malicious autorun.inf on removable media. I'm no hacker, but I was able in just a few minutes to make an AutoRun file that would run, even with AutoPlay disabled in XP and "take no action" selected in Vista.
The exploit involves creating an autorun.inf file that adds a new default command to a USB flash drive's context menu. If you have "take no action" selected in Vista, the flash drive doesn't automatically launch any programs when first inserted. But double-clicking the flash drive icon in My Computer, for example, is all it takes to launch whatever commands are in autorun.inf (which the attacker has made the default command, in place of Open).
A clever hacker could make a worm that (1) spreads itself to all your drives when launched in this manner and then (2) displays the drive contents in a window, as expected. This would make it appear that nothing unusual had happened.
Block AutoRun for all devices all the time
You might think that you could proect yourself from AutoRun by using two keys in the Registry known as NoDriveAutoRun and NoDriveTypeAutoRun.
However, self-described "low-budget hacker" Nick Brown points out that these keys can be overridden. A Registry key named MountPoints2 stores information about all USB flash drives and other removable media that have ever been connected to your computer. Brown says this cache overrides the Registry settings that turn off AutoRun.
The solution is to globally block autorun.inf files from executing, without trying to use the dialog boxes in XP and Vista to do this.
Here's the procedure:
Step 1. Start Notepad or another text editor.
Step 2. Copy the following text from this page and paste it into your text editor (everything between the square brackets should be all on one line):
REGEDIT4 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\IniFileMapping\Autorun.inf] @="@SYS:DoesNotExist"
Step 3. Save the file with a name like NoAutoRun.reg, taking care to include the .reg extension.
Step 4. Right-click your .reg file and choose Merge. Confirm any warning prompts to add the information to the Registry.
The next time you insert a flash drive, CD, DVD, or other removable disc into your system, Windows will not execute the information in any autorun.inf file that may be present.
Naturally, taking these steps means that the next time you put a game or installer disc into your CD or DVD drive, its software won't launch automatically. You'll have to open a Windows Explorer window or use a command line to launch the desired executable.
The benefit is a big one: a rogue program that you never intended to launch won't silently take over your system if you happen to insert a Trojan-carrying disc into a drive.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Arrow shooter
Set in a time when a bow and arrow was the best way to stick it to the man -- as opposed to playing silly games on company time -- Bow Man challenges you to shoot your enemy by calculating the correct angle and power of your bow. Robin Hood eat your heart out
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Asshole shooter
Click on the Start button and shoot with left click. Move using mouse. Avoid the shit!!LOL
Monday, October 22, 2007
27 Free Games to Keep Your Kids Entertained on a Road Trip
While the idea of driving
hours with a car full of children may send shivers down the spine of even the
most patient of parents, a family road trip doesn’t have to be a stressful
endeavor. There are tons of games you can play with your children that will keep
the “are we there yets” at bay. Best of all, they
won’t cost you a thing. Here is a list of some road trip games and activities
you can play with your children.
- The Grocery Game: Whether you want to
challenge your memory or just whet your appetite for lunch, the grocery
game is a great way to pass the time on your drive. One person starts with
naming something that can be bought at the grocery store that starts with
the letter ‘A’, such as “apples”. The next player would have to repeat the
first person’s answer as well as add on a food that begins with the letter
‘B’. If you mess up, you’re out, and the game continues until only one
memory-gifted player remains. If you get bored with groceries, try using
another topic. - The Geography Game: Help your kids
refresh their geography lessons while on the road with the geography game.
The game begins with a person naming any place in the world,
The next person then has to come up with a place name that begins with the
last letter of the first location. So in this case, the next place would
have to start with an ‘N’, like
continues on until someone gets stumped, and no place can be used more
than once. The game can be played with any topic, so give celebrity names,
movies, animals or anything else you can think of a try. - License Plate Bingo: To play this game
you’ll need to bring along a few writing utensils and have paper to use
for game cards. If you’d like, you can print out game cards ahead of time here.
There are a few variations of this game, so you can either write down the
names of states as your bingo squares or random letters and numbers. As
players see the states or letters and numbers on passing license plates
they cross them off. First player to get 5 in a row wins, and it might be
a good idea to keep a few prizes on hand for the lucky winner. - Card Games: Never underestimate
the power of card games to keep your kids entertained. Bring along a set
of cards from home and challenge kids to play their old favorites like old
maid, go fish, and rummy. If you want to find new games, check out a book
on card games at your local library or print out instructions for kids
games here. - Family Spelling Bee: See who is the best speller in the family by having an in-car
spelling bee. Make sure words are appropriate for the age level of the kids
in your car so no one gets discouraged. If spelling isn’t your thing,
there are a number of other contests you can have as well. Try challenging
your family to trivia or singing competitions as well. - 20 Questions: An old favorite, 20
questions is a great game for inquisitive little ones. The game begins
with one person choosing pretty much anything they can think of. The first
question for the guessers is usually “animal, vegetable, or mineral?”
though it doesn’t have to be. Players then go through a litany of
questions trying to determine the nature of the mystery object and answers
must be yes or no. The winner is whomever guesses the object first or can stump the
other players with their object. - I Spy: Similar to 20
Questions, I Spy is another classic travel game. One person in the car
looks around and chooses an object. The guessers are given one clue: “I
spy with my little eye something that is (insert first letter of objects
name, objects color, or other clue of your choice)”. Players can’t choose something
that is whizzing by too fast; objects must be within the car or far enough in the distance to be within sight for a few
minutes. Guessers attempt to figure out the nature of the object and the
winner gets to create their own mystery object. - Team Storytelling: Inspire your family’s
creative side by creating a group story. Someone begins by creating one
line to a story (for example, “There once was a prince under a curse…”)
and each person must add one line to the story as you go. If simple
storytelling is too dull for you, spice it up by making the lines have to
rhyme, or by pointing at players out of order to come up with a line on
the spot. You can extend the game by writing down the story and having
your children create illustrations for it. - Word Play: Have your kids write
down words they see as they’re traveling from billboards, bumper stickers,
restaurants, etc. Once they get a certain amount, have them write a story,
poem or song that includes all of the words they have found. When they’re
done, have them read or sing their creation out loud for the rest of the
family. - Counting Cows: Rural countrysides can make for pretty dull window viewing,
so make it more interesting by turning it into a game. Create a set
distance within which players have to find as many cows on their side of
the road as possible. If you have the misfortune of passing a cemetery on
your side of the road, then you have to start over. If you’re not in cow
country, try counting something else, like phone booths, mailboxes, or
houses of a certain color. - Rock, Paper, Scissors: This classic game
makes it easy to keep kids occupied. Players put their hands behind their
backs and pull one out to reveal either rock
(closed fist), paper (flat hand) or scissors (first and middle fingers in
a “v”). Scissors beats paper, paper beats rock and rock beats scissors.
Kids can get creative and think up three other competing things (cowboy,
ninja, and bear for instance). - License Plate Lingo: You can use the
license plates of the cars around you to provide entertainment for your
kids. The goal of this game is to come up with a phrase using the letters
on passing license plates. For example, if you see a plate with the
letters “EIC,” your phrase could be “eat ice cream.”.
You can make this game as silly or as serious as you’d like. - Travel Scavenger Hunt: Keep children
occupied with a travel scavenger hunt. Compile a list of objects for each
child to find along the road. For example, you could have things like
“brown cow” or “water tower”. Anything that comes to mind that you might
be passing will work, or you can use prepared lists like this.
You can also turn this game into a form of bingo with a game card like this. The winner is
the first one to find everything on his or her list. - The Banana Game: Single out yellow
vehicles with the banana game. Players get points for each yellow car they
point out passing. Double points are awarded for buses and larger yellow
vehicles. Be prepared, this could get competitive! - String Figures: You wouldn’t think a
simple piece of string could keep a kid entertained for hours, but in some
cases it can. Pack a piece of string or yarn tied into a
circle for your child and challenge them to learn to make string
shapes like Jacob’s Ladder, Kitty Whiskers or to play Cat’s Cradle. If you
don’t know much about string games, you can check out a book from the
library or print out some instructions from a string game website. - Fortune Teller: Keep your kids
giggling with a fortune teller. Fold up your own using these instructions
or use a preprinted version. Once folded, you can write colors and numbers
and various fortunes on the flaps or turn them into cute animal puppets. - Find the Vehicle: Challenge your kids
to find a list of different types and models of cars. Children interested
in cars will find this game particularly enjoyable. You can make it more
challenging by specifying a color for more common models of cars or types
of cargo for semis. - Slug Bug: While the name
implies a certain amount of violence, it can also be played much more
peacefully. Have your kids count on their fingers or gently tap their
seatmate every time they spot a Volkswagen Bug. The specifics of the rules
are up to you, but you can make old bugs worth more than new, or certain colors worth more than others. - Map Monitors: One easy way to keep
children entertained on the road is to engage them in the process of
travel. Give each child a map of your trip and allow them to keep track of
your progress using stickers, coloring or something else your child
enjoys. - Mad Libs: Mad Libs are a fun and silly way to keep your reading-age
kids entertained on a long trip. You can make up your own or use free
versions from the Web. Give your kids the worksheets, have them come up with nouns, verbs and adjectives to fill
them in, and then have them read their new stories aloud to one another. - Road Trip Math: Have a budding math
lover in your car? Entertain them by having them figure out math problems
based on your travel. For instance if you pass a sign telling you the next
rest stop is 20 miles away, have your child figure out how long it will
take you to get there based on your current speed. It might not sound like
the most fun, but it will keep your child engaged and learning. Rewards
for work well done won’t hurt either. - Fortunately-Unfortunately: Help your children
learn to think positively with the game Fortunately-Unfortunately. One
player begins with an unfortunate statement like, “Unfortunately, there is
a bat in the car.” The next player has to counter with something more
fortunate like, “Fortunately, I brought along bat repellant.” Players
continue to alternate between unfortunate and fortunate things until
you’ve exhausted a particular topic. - Treasure Bottle: You’ll need a little
preparation ahead of time, but a treasure bottle can be a great way to
keep younger children entertained and engaged. Use a 2 liter bottle or
large plastic container with a lid. Fill it 2/3s full with rice or
birdseed, then add small “treasures” from around your house like paper
clips, bolts, pennies, Legos and any other small
things you might have lying around in your junk drawer. Keep count of how
many items you put in and write the number on the outside of the bottle.
Have kids roll around the bottle until they find everything hidden inside.
Just make sure the lid is extra secure so there aren’t any mid-trip messes
to clean up. - Who Am I?: Keep your kids
guessing with this easy and fun game. Think of someone you and your
children know: a family member, neighbor, or friend, and give clues to the
person’s identity like their hair color, sex, or whether or not they wear
glasses. Let each person guess and if no one gets it, continue giving
clues until your kids figure it out. - Find 100: Occupy your kids with
counting using Find 100. Choose a color or object and keep counting until
you reach 100. Try counting flags, statues, churches, red cars or anything
else you can think of. Mix it up by giving each player a different object
to find 100 of and race to see who can finish first. - Official Count: Change up the usual
counting games by taking an official count. Pick out objects to keep a
tally of like motorcycles or vans. Keep a tally of what you see, including
the color. At the start of the trip, have your kids make their own
predictions about what they think will be the most popular colors or
styles of these kinds of vehicles and compare the predictions to the
results at the end of your trip. - That’s My Car!: Compete with your
fellow passengers to see who can get the sweetest ride. Have each kid
choose a car from the next 5 that you pass or that pass by you to be his
or her “own” car. All players mutually decide who has the best car of
those that are “owned” and that person is the winner.
With a little creativity
and planning, you can keep your kids entertained mile after mile and keep your
sanity intact. Try out a few of these suggestions on your next trip and you’ll
create both on-the-road entertainment and memories to last a lifetime.
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Saturday, October 6, 2007
How to answer 23 of the most common interview questions
Let’s face it; no one likes the interview process. Well, certainly not the people being interviewed anyway. You have to be on your best behavior, you only get one chance to get it right, and it’s like taking your driving test all over again. Over the years I’ve been to countless interviews. To get my first job out of college I attended some 15-20 interviews a week. Whether it was in Britain or over here in the States, the questions never really seemed to change from job to job. Not only that, but the answers to them are usually the same, with your own personal interpretation of course. Here I present 23 questions you’re likely to be asked, and how I have learned to answer them. Why 23? Because I had more than 20 and less than 25. Remember, being interviewed is a skill, and if you do the preparation you should ace it every time.
1. So, tell me a little about yourself.
I’d be very surprised if you haven’t been asked this one at every interview. It’s probably the most asked question because it sets the stage for the interview and it gets you talking. Be careful not to give the interviewer your life story here. You don’t need to explain everything from birth to present day. Relevant facts about education, your career and your current life situation are fine.
2. Why are you looking (or why did you leave you last job)?
This should be a straightforward question to answer, but it can trip you up. Presumably you are looking for a new job (or any job) because you want to advance your career and get a position that allows you to grow as a person and an employee. It’s not a good idea to mention money here, it can make you sound mercenary. And if you are in the unfortunate situation of having been downsized, stay positive and be as brief as possible about it. If you were fired, you’ll need a good explanation. But once again, stay positive.
3. Tell me what you know about this company.
Do your homework before you go to any interview. Whether it’s being the VP of marketing or the mailroom clerk, you should know about the company or business you’re going to work for. Has this company been in the news lately? Who are the people in the company you should know about? Do the background work, it will make you stand out as someone who comes prepared, and is genuinely interested in the company and the job.
4. Why do you want to work at X Company?
This should be directly related to the last question. Any research you’ve done on the company should have led you to the conclusion that you’d want to work there. After all, you’re at the interview, right? Put some thought into this answer before you have your interview, mention your career goals and highlight forward-thinking goals and career plans.
5. What relevant experience do you have?
Hopefully if you’re applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if that’s the case you should mention it all. But if you’re switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it’s matching up. That’s when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.
6. If your previous co-workers were here, what would they say about you?
Ok, this is not the time for full disclosure. If some people from your past are going to say you’re a boring A-hole, you don’t need to bring that up. Stay positive, always, and maybe have a few specific quotes in mind. “They’d say I was a hard worker” or even better “John Doe has always said I was the most reliable, creative problem-solver he’d ever met.”
7. Have you done anything to further your experience?
This could include anything from night classes to hobbies and sports. If it’s related, it’s worth mentioning. Obviously anything to do with further education is great, but maybe you’re spending time on a home improvement project to work on skills such as self-sufficiency, time management and motivation.
8. Where else have you applied?
This is a good way to hint that you’re in demand, without sounding like you’re whoring yourself all over town. So, be honest and mention a few other companies but don’t go into detail. The fact that you’re seriously looking and keeping your options open is what the interviewer is driving at.
9. How are you when you’re working under pressure?
Once again, there are a few ways to answer this but they should all be positive. You may work well under pressure, you may thrive under pressure, and you may actually PREFER working under pressure. If you say you crumble like aged blue cheese, this is not going to help you get your foot in the door.
10. What motivates you to do a good job?
The answer to this one is not money, even if it is. You should be motivated by life’s noble pursuits. You want recognition for a job well done. You want to become better at your job. You want to help others or be a leader in your field.
11. What’s your greatest strength?
This is your chance to shine. You’re being asked to explain why you are a great employee, so don’t hold back and stay do stay positive. You could be someone who thrives under pressure, a great motivator, an amazing problem solver or someone with extraordinary attention to detail. If your greatest strength, however, is to drink anyone under the table or get a top score on Mario Kart, keep it to yourself. The interviewer is looking for work-related strengths.
12. What’s your biggest weakness?
If you’re completely honest, you may be kicking yourself in the butt. If you say you don’t have one, you’re obviously lying. This is a horrible question and one that politicians have become masters at answering. They say things like “I’m perhaps too committed to my work and don’t spend enough time with my family.” Oh, there’s a fireable offense. I’ve even heard “I think I’m too good at my job, it can often make people jealous.” Please, let’s keep our feet on the ground. If you’re asked this question, give a small, work-related flaw that you’re working hard to improve. Example: “I’ve been told I occasionally focus on details and miss the bigger picture, so I’ve been spending time laying out the complete project every day to see my overall progress.”
13. Let’s talk about salary. What are you looking for?
Run for cover! This is one tricky game to play in an interview. Even if you know the salary range for the job, if you answer first you’re already showing all your cards. You want as much as possible, the employer wants you for as little as you’re willing to take. Before you apply, take a look at salary.com for a good idea of what someone with your specific experience should be paid. You may want to say, “well, that’s something I’ve thought long and hard about and I think someone with my experience should get between X & Y.” Or, you could be sly and say, “right now, I’m more interested in talking more about what the position can offer my career.” That could at least buy you a little time to scope out the situation. But if you do have a specific figure in mind and you are confident that you can get it, I’d say go for it. I have on many occasions, and every time I got very close to that figure (both below and sometimes above).
14. Are you good at working in a team?
Unless you have the I.Q. of a houseplant, you’ll always answer YES to this one. It’s the only answer. How can anyone function inside an organization if they are a loner? You may want to mention what part you like to play in a team though; it’s a great chance to explain that you’re a natural leader.
15. Tell me a suggestion you have made that was implemented.
It’s important here to focus on the word “implemented.” There’s nothing wrong with having a thousand great ideas, but if the only place they live is on your notepad what’s the point? Better still, you need a good ending. If your previous company took your advice and ended up going bankrupt, that’s not such a great example either. Be prepared with a story about an idea of yours that was taken from idea to implementation, and considered successful.
16. Has anything ever irritated you about people you've worked with?
Of course, you have a list as long as your arm. But you can’t say that, it shows you as being negative and difficult to work with. The best way to answer this one is to think for a while and then say something like “I’ve always got on just fine with my co-workers actually.”
17. Is there anyone you just could not work with?
No. Well, unless you’re talking about murderers, racists, rapists, thieves or other dastardly characters, you can work with anyone. Otherwise you could be flagged as someone who’s picky and difficult if you say, “I can’t work with anyone who’s a Bronco’s fan. Sorry.”
18. Tell me about any issues you’ve had with a previous boss.
Arrgh! If you fall for this one you shouldn’t be hired anyway. The interviewer is testing you to see if you’ll speak badly about your previous supervisor. Simply answer this question with exteme tact, diplomacy and if necessary, a big fat loss of memory. In short, you've never had any issues.
19. Would you rather work for money or job satisfaction?
It’s not a very fair question is it? We’d all love to get paid a Trump-like salary doing a job we love but that’s rare indeed. It’s fine to say money is important, but remember that NOTHING is more important to you than the job. Otherwise, you’re just someone looking for a bigger paycheck.
20. Would you rather be liked or feared?
I have been asked this a lot, in various incarnations. The first time I just drew a blank and said, “I don’t know.” That went over badly, but it was right at the start of my career when I had little to no experience. Since then I’ve realized that my genuine answer is “Neither, I’d rather be respected.” You don’t want to be feared because fear is no way to motivate a team. You may got the job done but at what cost? Similarly, if you’re everyone’s best friend you’ll find it difficult to make tough decisions or hit deadlines. But when you’re respected, you don’t have to be a complete bastard or a lame duck to get the job done.
21. Are you willing to put the interests of X Company ahead of your own?
Again, another nasty question. If you say yes, you’re a corporate whore who doesn’t care about family. If you say no, you’re disloyal to the company. I’m afraid that you’ll probably have to say yes to this one though, because you’re trying to be the perfect employee at this point, and perfect employees don’t cut out early for Jimmy’s baseball game.
22. So, explain why I should hire you.
As I’m sure you know, “because I’m great” or “I really need a job” are not good answers here. This is a time to give the employer a laundry list of your greatest talents that just so happen to match the job description. It’s also good to avoid taking potshots at other potential candidates here. Focus on yourself and your talents, not other people’s flaws.
23. Finally, do you have any questions to ask me?
I’ll finish the way I started, with one of the most common questions asked in interviews. This directly relates to the research you’ve done on the company and also gives you a chance to show how eager and prepared you are. You’ll probably want to ask about benefits if they haven’t been covered already. A good generic one is “how soon could I start, if I were offered the job of course.” You may also ask what you’d be working on. Specifically, in the role you’re applying for and how that affects the rest of the company. Always have questions ready, greeting this one with a blank stare is a rotten way to finish your interview. Good luck and happy job hunting.
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