10 Ways Kids Survived Without Cell Phones in the 80's

Sometimes, it appears that cell phones have become a required accessory attached to every kid and teenager that you see in public. You see them being used for calls, text messaging, music listening, and game playing, virtually everywhere that kids are found. So, how did kids survive without cell phones in the 80′s?

1. Notes in Class. Kids in the 1980s may have been one of the last generations to have to rely on passing notes to communicate with each other during class.
2. Pay Phones. Though they are rarely seen in public places today, coin operated pay phones were available on virtually every street corner and in most public buildings. If a kid needed a ride, or otherwise wanted to make a phone call while out and about, it was going to cost them a quarter.
3. Home Computers. When personal computers first began to be common in homes, kids were some of the first to begin finding new ways to use them for fun. There were few games available for early home computers, but they were perfect tools for role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, which were extremely popular with the young people of that era.
4. Video Game Arcades. In the 1980s, video game arcades became widespread, and functioned as gathering places for kids and teenagers. Games such as Pac-Man and Space Invaders kept kids feeding quarters into the machines.
5. Walkman. The Sony Walkman was introduced in 1979, and it changed the way people, especially kids and teenagers, listened to music. By the early 1980s, young people wearing lightweight headphones and bobbing their heads to music had become a common sight in public places. Kids could have their music with them at all times, without annoying people around them.
6. MTV. In the early 1980s, MTV debuted, and kids everywhere gathered in front of the television to watch and listen to music videos. MTV literally changed the way the music business operated, as videos became a required part of virtually every new music release.
7. Game Consoles. Atari, Sega, and Nintendo became household names in the 1980s, and the first stores devoted completely to electronic game cartridges and accessories began to appear. During this period, many homes began to have at least one television that was devoted completely to video games.
8. Game Watches. It may sound a bit hokey to today’s kids, but the introduction of Game Watches by Nelsonic Industries was a huge step in the evolution of gaming. Game watch combined a timepiece with an electronic game, was worn on a wrist like a watch, and could be played anywhere.
9. Game and Watch. The Game and Watch from Nintendo was a handheld device that, like the Game Watch above, combined a timepiece and a video game. The early versions were made to play only one game, but later versions allowed the user to play various games on one unit.
10. Teen lines. Many homes in the 80′s had more than one phone line for their land line phone. Often times, the second line was referred to as the ‘teen’ line. If they wanted to call their friends, they used the their land line at home to call their friend on their friend’s home phone.

It may be hard for young people today to imagine, but life in the 1980s without cell phones was not only survivable, it was an exciting time of innovation, and many of the applications that kids use on their cell phones today were born during that decade.

Taken From Landline Phone Service

10 Reasons I Love to Hate My Cell Phone

My cell phone has virtually become part of my personal attire. It is with me nearly twenty-four hours per day. Most of the time, it is attached to my hip, other times it is on my bedside table, or next to my computer, or riding on the console of my pickup truck. I love having it available, but I don’t love everything about it. Here are 10 reasons I love to hate my cell phone.

1. Dishonest Reception Bars. I look at the little monitor screen, and I can see a full set of bars glowing in the upper left-hand corner. When I try to send a text message or make a call, however, nothing will go through. Later, when the phone rings and I pick it up to see who it is, I can see one faintly glowing bar in that corner. What’s that all about? Are the bars meaningless, or does the phone just try harder when it knows my ex is calling me?
2. Dropped Calls. Of course, everyone’s favorite reason to complain about cell phones is the infamous dropped call. There is little to say about it that hasn’t been said alr…
3. Dropped Call Indicator-Screech. Okay, dropped calls are bad enough in themselves, but I hate being informed of them by what amounts to the sonic version of an ice pick shoved in my ear. It’s almost made worse by the fact that it is inconsistent. About seventy percent of the time, there is no indication other than dead silence on the line. That’s just enough to lull me into forgetfulness, setting me up for the next surprise screech.
4. Battery Charge Games. My cell phone also likes to play little games with the battery charge indicator. On the way out the door in the morning, the battery appears fully charged. By the time I arrive at work, five minutes later, it shows a half-charge. What happened? Did I absorb all of that energy through my hip? Why don’t I feel more energetic?
5. Delayed Text Messages. So, what happened to the text message that my wife sent on Thursday afternoon, between then and three a.m. Sunday when it announced its arrival in my phone? Did it stop for the text message version of a coffee break on a communications satellite? What do text messages discuss when they’re hanging around waiting for an inconvenient moment to finish their journeys?
6. Nappus Interruptus. At my last calculation, approximately eighty-three percent of my naps are interrupted by a cell phone. I know darn well that it has figured out how to send random texts requesting a call, and to set its own alarm.
7. Hide & Seek. After careful consideration, I’ve decided that my cell phone has a self-propulsion unit that was not mentioned in the owner’s manual. In addition to the games it plays with reception and battery charge indicators, it loves to play hide and seek. When it is not attached to my hip, I always take care to place it in an easy to remember location. Yet, each time it rings, a panicky search ensues, until I find that it has crawled under a pile of mail, again.
8. Promises Broken. When I acquired my first cell phone, I was promised that it would make me both more efficient and more productive in my work. I’m still waiting.
9. The Bill. Have you ever tried to read and interpret a cell phone monthly bill? All I want to know is how much to pay and how it got to be that much. As best I can tell, it got to be that much because somebody threw darts at a numbers grid.
10. The Contract. Is there anything more one-sided than a cell phone service contract? It tells you what you are obligated to do for the service provider, and what they are NOT obligated to do for you. It also tells you that they can change the terms in a moment and on a whim, while any changes that you want to make require personal counseling and a new two-year contract.

You may have one or two, or even ten completely different reasons to love to hate your cell phone. These are mine, and I love/hate them dearly.

Taken From Phone Service

Old School Networking 101 Before Social Media

Let’s begin with some definitions.

What is networking? Well, it’s pretty simple, actually. Networking is nothing more than making and nurturing connections between people. We all do it, though some are more adept at it than others. Usually, a network is defined as a group of connections through which people socialize, share resources, and enhance productivity.

Now, define “Old School.” A time before the advent of web sites created for the purpose of networking is implied by the last three words. But, how far back should I go? I’ll go all the way back, and use my own personal history to give a series of little snapshots.

1960-70′s

As a child, I carried my network in my head. It consisted of the people in my family and extended family, neighbors, and some people in our small town with whom I had regular contact. Memory and close interaction were sufficient to maintain my network up until high school. That was when I started keeping a notebook with names, addresses, and phone numbers of people that I wanted to stay in touch with in the future. I graduated high school in the mid 1970′s and my network continued to grow.

1980′s

By 1980 I had begun my career, and my social network began to acquire professional connections. Most of the connections were still stored only in my memory, but those that were useful but not used on a regular basis were kept in a “little black book” and on a rolodex. The black book was simply a notebook with sections based on an alphabetical listing of people’s last names. A rolodex, for those of you that are unfamiliar with the term, was a storage system for business cards that could be organized by name or business category.

Actual business and social connections were maintained through personal contact, telephone conversations, and the occasional letter sent or received by US mail. Much effort was made to schedule time for coffee and lunch meetings, and other social activities that helped to nurture face to face time and opportunities for personal discussion. There were then, as there are now, secondary and tertiary connections in my network with people that I had never met or spoken with, people connected to the primary contacts in my network. If I wanted to connect with one of these, I would make contact with the person that I knew of them through, and ask for an introduction.

1990′s

This was pretty much standard throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with the introduction of personal computers making it slightly easier to keep track of network connections. Computers brought databases that could be manipulated to store and correlate network connections. This meant that even those of us that are not naturally adept as information organizers could keep track of larger networks with a little effort. Through the 1990s, both cell phones and email became common and helped to make networks even more accessible and useful. Because we carried our phones with us, we could reach each other to speak more easily, and the ability of email to connect the same information with a lot of people at the same time brought us right to the edge of today’s proliferation of social media and personal technology.

Networking has been made easier, though sometimes a little less personal, with the technologies and media that have grown in the last few decades, but it has always been with us. From the beginning of civilization to now and beyond, networking is simply part of who we are and how we get things done. Nowadays we just happen to use LinkedIn, FaceBook, and Twitter to make it easier than ever to create, extend, and keep in touch with our network.

Taken From My ISP Finder

12 Green Design Trends Coming to a Campus Near You

Despite the struggling economy, green and sustainable practices are popular just about everywhere, from the average home to college campuses. While many of these solutions require a bigger investment up front, the savings they promise long term are often attractive enough to encourage and inspire many businesses and organizations. Many institutions see them as not only a great money-saver, but one possible way to launch their campuses into the next decade. If you're a current college student, you may have already noticed some of these green design trends coming to your school. Whether it's a brand-new, LEED certified building or community garden that produces fresh food for the cafeteria, more and more colleges are taking the plunge and designing more practical and sustainable campuses. Here, we've listed some of the biggest and most popular green design trends they're wielding today. If your school hasn't already implemented some of these measures saving energy and money, they more than likely have some plans in the works involving at least one.

1. Green rooftops

   Green rooftops have enjoyed enormous popularity on college campuses across the country. So what are they? It's when a building's rooftop is covered with grass, plants, trees, shrubs or any combination of the above rather than just asphalt or concrete. Green roofs are for more than aesthetics, as they help control storm water runoff, create a place for wildlife, insulate buildings from heat loss and gain and reduce sound transmission. With so many benefits, they are becoming a popular choice for schools like the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Southern California and University of Illinois-Chicago.

2. Biodiesel vehicles

   As anyone who drives a car knows, gas is expensive. These costs can be especially large for campuses maintaining a vehicle fleet or surrounding towns providing public transportation to meet student needs. That's part of the reason so many campuses turn to biodiesel, which is, on average, about 12 cents cheaper than the traditional variety. Made from renewable sources (usually vegetable oil, but sometimes animal oil as well) rather than refined from crude oil, biodiesel offers schools a way to save money and the environment at the same time. In 2004, Harvard became one of the first US universities to start using biodiesel in campus vehicles and equipment. Over the past few years, it has used over 350,000 gallons to power busses, waste trucks, mail service and more. Other schools turning to biodiesel include the University of Colorado, Clemson University, the University of Michigan, The University of Idaho and North Carolina State University.

3. Natural light

   It doesn't make sense to pay for what you can get gratis, something many schools realize as they try to cut back on energy usage and costs. Much of the new construction on college campuses these days makes use of the ample natural light surrounding us rather than fluorescent bulbs. One particularly amazing system is called "the halo."It takes natural light and diffuses it throughout the classroom so that even on an overcast day, everything feels bright. At night, the system uses the same method to amplify man-made light, using about half the energy of a normal classroom for the identical amount of light. There are numerous schools using the halo and others like it, including the California College of Arts-San Francisco and Sierra Nevada College. Besides saving energy and money, it has been shown that more natural light may actually improve academic performance and productivity and reduce depression– some undeniably positive benefits!

4. Centralized heating/chilling plants

   Many college campuses have heating and chilling plants that work for one or just a couple of buildings. It has been discovered, however, that it's more efficient to employ a single heating/chilling plant for the entire campus. These provide both the steam needed for heat, hot water and humidification as well as cooled water for chilling and dehumifidifying buildings. While this might not be a change you'd notice, it is becoming a more popular choice for schools going green. University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and University of Pennsylvania are embracing the energy-saving benefits of centralized systems.

5. Solar power

   While you might not notice centralized heating and chilling plants, you'll more than likely know if your school decides to go solar. It may not be able to power the entire campus, but panels can provide for individual buildings– sometimes enough so they no longer need to use outside energy sources. One school experimenting with solar is Cornell, whose outdoor education program came up with a method of powering a popular outdoor activity with nothing else. Of course, solar isn't the only alternative energy method catching on at schools, as others employ geothermal power as well – a method that can cut energy costs by 30% to 70%. Leading the way are schools like Ball State University, who has reported saving over $2 million a year with the new geothermal system.

6. Recycled building materials

   Schools are finding new and ever more inventive ways to use recycled building materials these days and, in many cases, students wouldn't even know about it unless someone told them. One of the most common is carpet made from old plastic bottles, though there are many other options out there. Take Ed Roberts College, for example. In addition to using such carpet, they also employed recycled milk cartons to build guardrails and bulletin boards. And campuses aren't just using recycled materials in new construction. Many are also making sure that when they tear down old buildings, they reuse or recycle the materials. One great example of this is at Carthage, where the school recycled 85% of their former natatorium, even using some of the old materials when constructing a student union.

7. Natural ventilation

   Poorly-ventilated buildings can sicken students and faculty, so improving it is essential to building a better campus. Many schools are now turning to natural ventilation methods to save energy and keep buildings safe. Two new buildings on Seattle-area campuses make for great examples. In both, natural ventilation systems take advantage of clean outdoor air, allowing windows to be opened and make room organic airflow patterns throughout the entire structure.

8. Water recycling systems

   Wasting water is a major environmental issue, and one that colleges haven't ignored. Many have created systems that recycle and reuse both runoff and waste water on campus. One of the best examples of this is the state-of-the-art system UCLA employs. In LA, almost 90% of the water is imported from other areas, so school officials felt it was essential to make the most of it. The university does this through a variety of methods, including low-flow bathrooms, turning off foundations and air conditioning, anda high-tech cogeneration plant that recycles and reuses steam created for heat. Other schools harness rain water runoff to keep gardens and open spaces green.

9. Adaptive reuse of old buildings

   A new, totally green building on campus can be great for improving sustainability, but sometimes schools don't have the money or desire to tear down old ones. That's where adaptive reuse can come into play. Colleges can update and reuse older buildings to better serve the needs of modern students, which reduces waste and helps preserve a historic landmark for years to come. Amherst College is a school that embraces this idea, always trying to preserve old facilities rather than tear down and build new ones. It has reused and renovated seven different constructions using this principle.

10. Sustainable landscaping

    Part of creating a great college experience revolves around providing a campus that is attractive and pleasant to walk through. Yet in many places, this means using excess water to care for plants that aren't adapted to the sometimes harsh conditions. Schools are starting to take notice, and many embrace sustainable landscaping practices. This means, in most cases, that they've planted trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers native to the region and able to survive and thrive with little outside care and watering. Some of these projects also include rainwater collection, which partly or fully water campus gardens. Others are also offering on-site organic garden projects with the hope of serving healthier, more sustainable meals in the dorms.

11. Cool roofs

    Cool roofs are catching on with many colleges around the country, especially those in hot or particularly sunny areas of the U.S. These constricts replace their traditional black asphalt predecessors, which absorb heat energy, with materials t reflecting the sun's light away from the building. This is usually accomplished by painting or shingling the roof with white or reflective materials. Cool roofing costs little to install, lasts for decades and can save schools tens of thousands of dollars each year. Not to mention millions of pounds of carbon emissions! Bren Hall on the campus of UC Santa Barbara is one such college building benefiting enjoying the new development. Covered in "white cap" sheet material (and an array of solar panels), the roof is part of an ultra-green building that scored the school two LEED platinum certifications.

12. LEED certification for all new buildings

    For most colleges adding new buildings today, LEED certification is a badge of honor. Not only does it save the school money over time, but it can be a major draw for students looking for universities harboring a more eco-conscious outlook. While most major campuses across the U.S. have at least one LEED certified building, some schools, like Wake Technical Community College, are taking it to the extreme. Wake aims to be an all-LEED leader, with buildings employing many of the green design trends seen here. Could its approach be a sign of what's to come? Only time will tell, but with current trends perpetuated by today's sustainable schools, it's looking more and more promising.

Taken From Online Colleges

10 All Time Great TV Shows with Live Animals

Who doesn’t love television shows with live animals? Animal characters make great additions to situation comedies and dramatic shows, and sometimes the animals are the stars of the shows. Here are 10 all-time great television shows with live animals.

1. Lassie. After having been made a star in movies, Lassie, a rough-coated collie, came to television in 1954, and stayed there until 1973. In both film and television, Lassie was beloved by children and adults alike, and has become an iconic figure in US culture.
2. Fury. What more could one ask of a television show in the late 1950s? A beautiful black horse, an orphaned child, and lots of wide open spaces of the American West. Fury ran from 1955 to 1960, and was an after school standard for several years in syndication.
3. Gunsmoke. The longest running dramatic television show in US history. In Gunsmoke, the animals weren’t the focus of the show, but horses and cattle were a constant presence in this wild-west television show. Who can’t picture the larger than life Marshall Dillon (James Arness) leaning forward on his horse with his right hand on the six-gun at his hip?
4. Mr. Ed. A smart-alec, talking horse with a lovably incompetent owner was the basis for this situation comedy. From 1961 to 1966 Mr. Ed cracked us up with quips and antics that made fun of us humans and our foibles.
5. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. If this list was ordered by popularity instead of starting date, Wild Kingdom would be at the top. Hosted first by Marlin Perkins, then by long time assistant Jim Fowler, WK ran from 1963 to 1988, and is credited with introducing several generations to a love of wild animals around the world.
6. 6. Flipper. From 1964 to 1967, set in the beautiful landscape and waters of the South Florida coast, we watched a single parent with two teenage sons and a courageous bottlenose dolphin deal with criminals and natural dangers. What better setting for light drama and beautiful scenery, including lots of folks in swim suits?
7. Daktari. Set in Africa and running from 1966 to 1969, Daktari featured a veterinarian named Marsh Tracy who spent much of his time saving wild animals from poachers and unenlightened local government officials. Though people had most of the dialogue lines, the real stars were the wild animals and habitat of Africa. Two favorite longtime characters on the show were Clarence, a cross-eyed lion, and a chimpanzee named Judy.
8. Gentle Ben. Take a giant but gentle black bear named Ben, make his best friend the young son of a park ranger in the Florida Everglades, stir in lots of adventure, and you have Gentle Ben. From 1967 to 1969 we watched actor Dennis Weaver scoot around the Everglades on an airboat, trying to find and save his character’s son Mark, only to be upstaged by Ben scaring the bad guys into giving up at the end of virtually every episode.
9. Lancelot Link. This was a Saturday morning spoof of spy-shows, starring an entire cast of chimpanzees. Inspired by the tv show Get Smart, it featured A.P.E.(Agency for Prevention of Evil) versus C.H.U.M.P. (Criminal Headquarters for Underworld Master Plan) in an ongoing battle. The dialogue and acting weren’t exactly scintillating, but the costumes and one-liners were worth the watch.
10. Marty Stouffer’s Wild America. This was the first television animal show to focus exclusively on the animals and landscapes of North America. Its original run was from 1982 to 1994, but its unflinching portrayal of nature’s beauty and harsh survival conditions in America’s wilderness have kept in virtual continual syndication ever since.

There are many more, of course, since we now have a channel entirely devoted to animals, but these 10 set the stage for our love of live animals in television shows. Don’t be surprised if you stumble over one or more of them as you surf around the cable channels late at night.

Taken From Cable TV Providers

10 Most Influential Female Leaders in the World Today

Women have come a long way when in terms of their involvement in politics. It's not uncommon nowadays to see female mayors and governors, but it's far less common to see women leading nations as presidents, prime ministers and chancellors. Those who have obtained such powerful, prominent positions have broken the mold for women around the world and helped pave the way for future female leaders. Here are the 10 most influential female leaders in the world today:

1. Hillary Clinton

   Hillary Clinton is known for much more than just being Bill Clinton's wife. This former first lady has made her own name in politics as a Senator for the state of New York from 2001 to 2009, and being a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination. She is the current U.S. Secretary of State for the Obama administration, where she has put her diplomatic skills to good use. Clinton has helped strengthen U.S. foreign policy and improve America's alliances with the Middle East, China and Russia, while promoting economic growth at home. Clinton has also been a longtime leader in public service and national healthcare policies. She has devoted much of her political career to heading the Task Force on National Health Care Reform, as well as programs that assist women and children around the world.

2. Michelle Obama

   Michelle Obama may be a style icon and a pretty face, but this first lady definitely takes her political responsibilities seriously. The current first lady is an avid supporter of healthy eating, specifically relating to the area of childhood obesity. Within the first year of her husband's presidency, Mrs. Obama got straight to work. She undertook an administration-wide initiative to reverse the trend of childhood obesity with a movement called "Let's Move!" In keeping with her healthy-eating initiative, the First Lady planted the first White House vegetable garden since Eleanor Roosevelt. Michelle is also heavily involved in supporting military families and helping working mothers, as well as encouraging national service and promoting the arts and arts education.

3. Queen Elizabeth II

   Queen Elizabeth II is more than a figurehead of England; she's an influential leader who has directed and united her people for almost 60 years. Although many of her duties are ceremonial, Queen Elizabeth II is in charge of reading letters from the public, reviewing official papers and briefing notes, and meeting with political ministers, presidents and ambassadors. The Queen has had a long history of participating and promoting charitable work around the world and is the patron of more than 600 charities and organizations. She uses her prestige and political power to bring awareness to various issues and promote certain causes.

4. Angela Merkel

   Angela Merkel is not only one of the most influential female leaders in the world today, but she is also the first woman to lead a major continental European power. Merkel is the current chancellor of Germany and has held this position since 2005. Merkel's years of political experience and impressive negotiating talents have helped her reach new levels of power and influence. As Chancellor, Merkel has made dramatic improvements to Europe's slow-growing economy through hard work and by strengthening foreign relations. Merkel's unwavering ambition and strong work ethic has helped put Germany back in the driver's seat as one of the most influential countries in the world.

5. Helle Thorning-Schmidt

   Helle Thorning-Schmidt is the current Prime Minister of Denmark and the first woman to ever hold this position. She is also the leader of the Danish Social Democrats and served as a member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2004. Thorning-Schmidt surprised the country when her left-wing bloc ousted the right-wing government from power after 10 years of control. As Prime Minister, Thorning-Schmidt has announced that she is committed to ending conservative austerity measures, raising taxes on wealthy Danes and banks and increasing spending to help revive the economy. Thorning-Schmidt clearly has a powerful influence on government and policy, and it'll be exciting to see what she does with her leadership in the coming years.

6. Yingluck Shinawatra

   Yingluck Shinawatra is the newly elected Prime Minister of Thailand and the first female to ever hold this office. Even though Shinawatra is a novice in politics and critics say her only qualification is being the youngest sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was ousted in 2006, Yingluck has proved to be quite the influential leader. Before she stepped into the political ring, Shinawatra earned her degree in public administration at Kentucky State University and worked at a property business her brother, Thaksin, started. Her political career began when the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party selected her to be the leader and she helped the party win the majority of parliamentary seats. Last month, Shinawatra made her first policy statement to parliament that she plans to crack down on drugs and tax evasion, as well as raise the minimum wage and provide free public Wi-Fi. She is also determined to deliver her party's promises of constructing high-speed rail lines and providing free tablet computers to all elementary students. Although her political career is very new, there's no doubt that we'll see more from this sharp leader.

7. Dilma Rousseff

   Dilma Rousseff is the current President of Brazil and the first woman to hold the office in that country's history. Before moving into her current position, Rousseff was the Chief of Staff of Brazil, where she worked closely alongside the former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Rousseff has had a prominent role in politics for many years. She and her partner, Carlos Araújo, founded the Democratic Labour Party, and she served as the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Energy of Rio Grande do Sul under the Collares and Olivio Dutra administrations. As President, Rousseff has honed in on advocating women's rights and choice, including reproductive and sexual health rights. She has also urged parents to encourage their daughters and help them fulfill their dreams.

8. Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

   Cristina Fernández de Kirchner is the current President of Argentina and one of the most recognizable faces in politics. Since her election victory in 2007, President Kirchner has lead her nation through political turmoil and helped foster a stronger and more efficient economy. One of her biggest political and personal challenges was bearing the grief of a nation when her husband and former Argentina President, Néstor Kirchner, died suddenly. Since succeeding her husband, Cristina has dealt with a four-month tax revolt by farmers that made her popularity ratings fall below 30%. Argentina's strong economy has allowed her to address any economic problems by creating jobs, increasing wages and extending government welfare programs. Cristina has faced many hard times during her presidency, but never failed to overcome these hurdles to put her country back on top.

9. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

   Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is one of the most influential female leaders in the world. Sirleaf is not only an experienced politician, but a major force in Liberia's finances. Prior to becoming president, Sirleaf served as Liberia's Minister of Finance under President William Tolbert from 1979 to 1980, and then worked at several financial institutions. Since her election victory in 2005 that made her the first and only elected female president in Africa, Sirleaf has helped dramatically reduce the national debt, which made Liberia eligible to participate in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative in 2008 and receive major debt relief. Sirleaf is also praised for strengthening relations with other nations and bringing much-needed peace, justice and motherly sensitivity to Liberia and the rest of Africa.

10. Julia Gillard

    Julia Gillard is the current Prime Minister of Australia. She is also the first woman and first foreign-born person to hold this position since Billy Hughes (1915-1923). Before moving into her new role as president, the Welsh-born leader was serving as deputy leader of the ruling Australian Labor Party when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was ousted from his position, and the job was handed over to Gillard on June 24, 2010. While in office, Gillard has rebuilt support for her party and formed a minority government that supports an Australian Greens minority party and three independent parties. One of Gillard's main focuses is improving healthcare by increasing emergency doctors and nursing scholarships over the next 10 years, as well as funding suicide-prevention programs and revising the original health funding reforms. Her strong political positions and progressive policies have made her stand out as a strong-willed and powerful leader.

Taken From Online Degree

10 Ways a Computer Virus is Like the Flu

I was noticing, a while back, that my computer and I have some things in common. In particular, we are seriously similar in how we act when we get sick. Here are 10 ways that a computer virus is like the flu, or, if you like, 10 ways my computer with a virus is like me with the flu.

1. Almost Functional. When I’m sick, I always feel as though I should still be able to function. I get up to do something. I try hard to remember what I was going to do after I get up, I say to heck with it, and lie down again. My computer does the same thing. It boots up. It tries hard to remember what it was going to do, and then it displays an error message and gives up.
2. Whiney Messages. My computer acquired a virus and began sending out urgent messages to everyone in my address book. That’s just like me, too. I get the flu, and immediately start calling and text messaging everyone in my mobile phone contacts to whine about how rotten I feel.
3. Feverish. When my computer has a virus, it tends to run a bit hotter than is normal, very much like me when I get feverish from the flu. Neither of us functions well at all, with a fever.
4. Delirium. When I become feverish, I begin to have strange walking-around dreams while half-asleep, talking to people that aren’t there and ignoring people that are. My computer appears to have some of the same issues, as it ignores me and responds to the voices in its mother board.
5. Wheezy Respiration. Because it runs hot when it has a virus, the computer hard drive and fan sound as if they are laboring to breathe. A rasping and cyclical series of wheezes and sighs issues forth with every click of the mouse. I’ve been told that I make similar noises when ill with the flu.
6. Stubborn. My computer becomes very stubborn when it has a virus. It tries to work when it shouldn’t, if refuses to do what it should do, and is generally very uncooperative. Now, you may be as skeptical about this as I am, but my wife insists that this is another characteristic that the computer and I share, when ill with a virus. I include this on the list only in order to allow her to feel as if she’s helped with this article.
7. Crashes. Yes, both of us do this, after an exhausting bout of trying to accomplish something while ill. I tend to crash and spill while preparing chicken soup. The computer tends to crash and delete while preparing important documents.
8. Annoying Doctors. Both the computer and I, when sick enough, go to doctors that that have tendencies toward nagging. My doctor goes on about healthy living and flu shots. The computer’s doctor goes on about healthy web-surfing and anti-virus programs.
9. Overnight Hospital Stays. There have been times when the flu has caused an overnight hospital stay, hooked up to monitors and saline drips. It’s the same for my computer. The last time it had a virus I had to leave it in a cold and uninviting room overnight, hooked up to a machine. The only thing missing at the computer hospital was a nurse to wake it up and poke at it every few hours.
10. Infectious. Yep, the last time I was sick with the flu, I began showing symptoms after I was already at work, and managed to pass it along to several coworkers. The same thing happened with my computer, and I know of several friends’ computers that had to spend overnight time at a computer hospital, afterward. One even had to go in for an emergency hard drive transplant.

So, there you have it; 10 ways that a virus makes my computer act the same as I do when I have the flu, though I’m still not certain that number 6 really belongs on the list.

Taken From Phone TV Internet

10 Most Lucrative Industries for Women

Over the past 100 years, women have completely reinvented themselves. Gender boundaries are consistently being erased, and women continue to make huge strides in gaining the skills, recognition and compensation that they deserve. We are not far away from the end of the glass ceiling and true equality for women in all fields of work. While there is still a difference in pay between men and women in some fields, many industries have come to be dominated by women who make a very lucrative living. Here are the top 10 most lucrative industries for women:

1. Law

   Some of the most effective lawyers in the country are women. Being a lawyer demands patience, persistence and the ability to fight for what you believe in, and many women excel in all of these areas and more. As a result, women can earn a lucrative living in the field of law. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), female lawyers earn a median salary of $78,468 per year. As more and more women earn law degrees, these earnings are likely to increase, and this makes being a lawyer an attractive and lucrative career option for women.

2. Healthcare

   Nearly 78% of healthcare workers are women, and these women tend to make a lucrative living as healthcare professionals. The term healthcare is a broad one, and many different job titles fall under its umbrella, including nurse and physician. As a nurse, a woman can earn an average median salary of $62,450 per year, according to BLS. Physicians can make more than this, and some other fields make substantially less. Overall, healthcare is a stable field with high levels of job satisfaction and employment growth, which makes healthcare a very lucrative industry for women who want to earn more and enjoy what they do.

3. Computer Management and Information Systems

   Women have the potential to make a lot of money as computer and information systems managers. Computer and information systems managers are involved in the management and administration of technology at organizations in order to help companies meet their business goals. According to BLS, women in this position can make median yearly earnings of $65,520. Most computer management and information systems managers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in subjects like business administration management, information technology and management information systems.

4. Sales

   A recent study found that women are coming to dominate certain areas of sales, a traditionally lucrative field for those who excel. In fact, the study seemed to show that women tend to have better selling skills than men, translating into substantial earnings for saleswomen. Recent college graduates with a bachelor’s degree can expect to make around $54,000 per year on average, but certain fields, such as pharmaceutical sales, can bring in double or even triple that amount with a few years of experience. It’s no wonder that women are entering the sales workforce in record numbers. Stable job openings and substantial earnings make sales a very lucrative career for women.

5. Human Resources

   Many women excel in the field of human resources and have come to earn a very lucrative living as human resource managers. Almost every person will deal with human resources at one point in their working life, and it takes dedication, patience and understanding to truly excel as human resources professionals. BLS lists the median salary for female human resources managers at $59,124, and this number is likely to go up as companies are forced to make difficult hiring decisions in the years to come.

6. Executive Management

   Not long ago, the field executive managers were almost always male. Much has changed in the past 100 years, and one of those changes includes women taking senior executive management roles, such as the role of CEO or CFO. BLS lists the median salary for female Chief Executives as $83,356, but the highest earners can make up to millions of dollars. These salaries prove that having the right skills and knowledge to manage a large corporation has nothing to do with gender.

7. Speech-Language Pathology

   Speech-language pathology is an increasingly popular field for women because it provides a high level of job satisfaction, favorable job opportunities and a lucrative salary. According to BLS, women in speech pathology can make a median yearly salary of $58,448, but this number can vary from state to state and depend on the employer. Most speech-language pathologists are required to earn a master’s degree, as well as obtain licensure and certification. The job also requires sensitivity, support, patience and compassion, which may come easy to many women. This exceptionally rewarding job does require a demanding level of schooling, but the pay off of helping patients develop or correct their speech is well worth it.

8. Pharmacy

   Women are increasingly entering the field of pharmacy with lucrative results. According to Forbes, female pharmacists earn a median salary of $85,644. While that median salary is very lucrative, pharmacists must complete a rigorous graduate level program and post-graduate training in order to practice. The job requires exceptional skills in the fields of math and science, as well as a caring and personable demeanor for dealing with customers. Women are proving to exhibit all of these skills, and as a result they are making a lucrative living serving their communities as pharmacists.

9. Computer Software Engineering

   Computer software engineering has long been a predominantly male career field, but in recent years women have stepped into the industry and have made a good living working as a computer software engineer or computer programmer. According to BLS, computer software engineers can make median yearly earnings of $70,252. Not only is computer software engineering a highly lucrative occupation, but the field is also projected to grow at an exponential rate, resulting in greater job prospects for both women and men. Most computer software engineers earn their bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering.

10. Education

    Women have traditionally dominated the field of education, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. But while women have traditionally dominated the field of teaching, they are now infiltrating leadership positions within education, such as school counselor and principal positions. These positions are more lucrative than the traditional teaching position. According to BLS, an elementary school principal can make an average salary of $85,905 per year. With salaries like this, it’s likely that women will continue to enjoy the lucrative opportunities a career in education can offer.

Taken From Online Degrees Hub

The 20 Best Books for Language Lovers

Seeing as how the entirety of organic history exists thanks to communication — even rudimentary chemical exchanges between cells qualify — it makes perfect sense that many find the concept utterly engaging. Language pervades everything, building and destroying as time marches ever forward. And while even the most learned scholars can't even begin to fully explain its physiology, origins, structures and pretty much every other component, they've certainly done a pretty lovely job scratching the surface. Maybe a subcutaneous layer or two. While far more illuminating reads beyond these sit on the shelves, crammed with gripping concepts, the following provide a fantastic introduction. Diverse perspectives and suggestions abound, but don't think these necessarily represent all the possible answers!

1. Why You Say It by Webb Garrison:

   As one can probably ascertain from the title, Why You Say It explores the unusual (if not outright unexpected) origins of various English idioms. Over 600 figurative phrases — some widespread, some rare — come alive through Webb Garrison's fascinating research. History and anthropology buffs, too, have plenty of interesting information to peruse, seeing as how these subjects inextricably tie into linguistics.

2. Eats, Shoots & Leaves: by Lynne Truss:

   English language enthusiasts mourning its frequent abuse will probably find this book quite the comfort! Here, the author mourns linguistic apathy, particularly when it comes to proper punctuation use, and the myriad ways such mistakes can completely alter a sentence's meaning. Regardless of whether or not they speak the British, Canadian, Oceanic or American dialects, readers can nod sadly along.

3. The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker:

   Pick up this MIT professor's lauded work explaining the psychological and cognitive functions that might lurk behind language formation and acquisition. Because scientists and linguists continue arguing over the complex biology of communication, any interested parties should explore the various perspectives. Steven Pinker stands at the forefront of such research, blending different disciplines together into one stimulating package.

4. Spoken Here by Mark Abley:

   Just like organic matter, languages evolve over time to suit specific needs, and end up on their respective endangered or extinct lists. Here, a journalist explores some of the world's tongues currently (at the time of its 2005 publication, of course) tottering on obscurity and obliteration. But seeing as how that entails a tragically staggering 90% of 6,000 known languages, he can't exactly cover them all.

5. The F-Word edited by Jesse Sheidlower:

   To put it bluntly, The F-Word dissects the anatomy of an obscenity and chronicles some of its most notorious and notable appearances. An open mind is all it takes to learn more about what goes into establishing and using a profane word many still deem super harsh. And, of course, how frequent use dulls its initially rough edges until general acceptance settles.

6. Mother Tongue by Joel Davis:

   Science, history and linguistics (duh) collide in another highly informative glimpse at how language happens and, of course, evolves. For the most part, however, Joel Davis emphasizes the ways in which these subjects relate back to English. Any speakers wanting to know how it started meandering away from Germanic tongues would do well to check out this incredibly detailed book.

7. The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White:

   And now for something a little different: one of the most classic English language writing guides ever published! With multiple editions available since its 1918 release, "Strunk & White's" allows language lovers to watch how formalized authorship changed over the better part of a century. Obviously, the reference piques its own critics, but that doesn't diminish its influence and importance any.

8. The Power of Babel by John McWhorter:

   Berkeley linguistics professor John McWhorter outlines the five different methods by which language families evolve. Working from the very popular tree model, he explores concepts behind dialects and vernaculars within more mainstream tongues. Despite the author's academic pedigree, content comes relayed in a manner general audiences will probably understand.

9. The Unfolding of Language by Guy Deutscher:

   Tracing linguistic changes from the first appearance of humans up to 2006 obviously encompasses considerable head-swirling concepts, but Guy Deutscher delivers! The Unfolding of Language argues that working backwards might unlock mysteries of language structures past. A fascinating perspective even detractors should consider when researching English and more.

10. Don't Sleep, There are Snakes by Daniel L. Everett:

    Travel deep inside the Amazon rainforest and learn all about some indigenous peoples and how they communicate. Piraha exists as a nearly autonomous, unique linguistic entity separate from all others, therefore providing a largely undisturbed look at how language and thought interact. And, of course, influence one another, though they seem caught in a perpetual "chicken and egg" scenario.

11. Metaphors We Live By by Mark Johnson and George Lakoff:

    Figurative language can hold just as much sway over how humans perceive the world as its literal counterpart. In fact, metaphorical speech might very well influence cognitive science and development! Though only a theory, the authors certainly create a thoroughly compelling (and now widely accepted) case about the relationship between mind and tongue.

12. Kant and the Platypus by Umberto Eco:

    Writerly Renaissance man Umberto Eco philosophizes on semiotics, semantics and etymology as only he can. Using humble platypodes and their complete confounding of the biologists what stumbled across them, he explores how description shapes perception. And, of course, eventually goes on to permanently. influence philosophy and other metaphysical subjects.

13. The Architecture of Language by Noam Chomsky:

    Mainstream audiences tend to think of Noam Chomsky as a sharp political commentator, but scholars know him as the heavily influential MIT linguist. His "generative enterprise" strategy for approaching the subject blended cognitive science with language studies. In The Architecture of Language, Chomsky traces its history, tenets and the way it shape the field forever.

14. Cunt by Inga Muscio:

    It doesn't take a sociologist to understand why marginalized demographics re-appropriate slurs and shift their nature from offensive to empowering. Initially a positive term, "cunt" eventually transformed into something ugly and insulting, reflecting misogynistic undercurrents present in even allegedly "civilized" cultures. Here, Inga Muscio makes a case for seizing the word back and baptizing it anew as a proud feminist battle cry.

15. Grammar Girl's 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again by Mignon Fogarty:

    Pick up this guide by grammar goddess Mignon Fogarty and avoid malapropism forever, or at least a little while. The Grammar Girl blogger and podcaster outlines English's 101 most common semantic and etymological mistakes. For linguistics buffs interested in how such things come about (PROTIP: usually homophones), this book makes for a fun little read.

16. Vanishing Voices by Daniel Nettle and Suzanne Romaine:

    The somber Vanishing Voices welds anthropology and ecology to the study of earth's myriad tongues. Explore how both contribute to the decline and death of different languages, particularly indigenous ones subject to colonialism, imperialism and sprawl. Authors Daniel Nettle and Suzanne Romaine compellingly illustrate how preserving them benefits more than just their speakers.

17. Origins of the Specious by Stewart Kellerman and Patricia T. O'Connor:

    Grammar defines and refines as much as it confines, and this book discusses why English needs to jettison some of its arbitraries. Doing so, its main thesis argues, will set many writers free and loosen up the language for more casual usage: all provocative thoughts applicable to pretty much any super formalized tongue. Regardless of whether or not one agrees with the idea, it remains something very interesting for language lovers to debate.

18. Literally, the Best Language Book Ever by Paul Yeager:

    For the more conservative linguistics buff out there, Literally, the Best Language Book Ever distills humor from extremely common grammar and spelling mistakes. At the same time, though, it still educates readers looking for advice on polishing their writing. Even English language fans who think the rules need relaxing might find this perspective intriguing.

19. Empires of the Word by Nicholas Ostler:

    Hegemonies rise and fall for a number of reasons, but language undoubtedly plays an integral role in this social, political and economic phenomenon. Pick up this gripping read and discover how history and linguistics intertwine so intimately they can never truly be torn apart. After all, exploring the past might very well shed some light on where today's most prominent languages might be headed.

20. Faint Praise by Grace Pool:

    Book reviewers and literary critics analyze language and communication, either for money, love of reading or some combination. Although not explicitly linguistic, Grace Pool's reflections on how poorly many unqualified writers dissect literature undeniably has its place in the field. She proposes some intriguing potential reforms, including a code of ethics and expert reviewers, that might very well change the way periodicals and bloggers look at books.

Taken From Online College