It would be too easy to rank the world’s richest people today. You could simply take the founders of some of the top firms in the world, sort them by the value of holdings in their company and voila! At AskMen, we have consulted with economists, financiers and historians to rank some of the most influential men in the history of humanity, as ranked by wealth in 2001 US Dollars (some figures are approximate as they take into consideration inflation, GDP growth, currency exchange rates, and fluctuations in share prices).
10. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan — $ 23 billion
The United Arab Emirates Sheikh has considerable holdings in oil, property and various investments, that boosted his financial wealth to just over $23 billion. In power since 1966, the Sheikh is the man behind the U.A.E.

9. Paul Allen — $25 billion
Microsoft co-founder and Vulcan Ventures founder (and a pretty mean guitarist) makes the list, yes, mostly because of his involvement with the Redmond, Washington-based software giant, but also thanks to his unique intellect, vision, and good-natured, fun-loving demeanor. Even if his wealth were at 28 cents, we would want to sit down and pick his brain (and maybe jam a few tunes with him as well).

8. Warren Buffett — $28 billion
Over the 1990s, Warren Buffett tumbled a bit on this list, mostly because of his aversion to investing in technology stocks. But the “Oracle of Omaha” has apparently had the last laugh as technology stocks melted. Even with some battered picks, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is going strong, as his $28 billion would strongly suggest.

7. King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Alsaud — $30 billion
In power since 1982, the 77-year-old Saudi Arabian King’s fortune has swollen in recent years. At the helm of one of the world’s top oil-producing countries, the King has substantial financial clout as his $30 billion would suggest, but he has even more power than meets the eye, as the recent oil prices have increased immensely.

6. Lawrence J. Ellison — $55 billion
Currently the world’s second richest man, Oracle’s Chief Executive Officer is a charismatic visionary and driven individual, both in and out of the boardroom, who briefly sat atop the Fortune Hierarchy. His managerial skills, target-setting abilities and execution capabilities make up B-School curriculums. His womanizing, thrill-seeking and adventure-chasing exploits are a thing of legend. His fortune is the icing on the cake.
5. William Gates III — $60 billion
Currently the world’s richest man, at one point, Gates’ fortune was creeping towards the $100 billion mark. Then, as we all know, the DOJ’s Anti-trust case, as well as an overall meltdown in the high-technology market, hurt the Harvard dropout. Today, with a $60 billion fortune, Gates is both hated and loved. Unlike many, he has promised to contribute over 90% of his wealth to charities when the big guy calls his number. We hope this will not be anytime soon, as he and his wife Melinda French Gates run the world’s largest philanthropic association.

4. John Jacob Astor (1763-1848) — $85 billion
Adjusted for time, Astor, “the Self-Made Money-Making Machine’s” fortune would rank at roughly $85 billion in 2001. Despite never setting a trap himself, the German-born Astor became synonymous with the American Fur Trade. Along many others, Astor symbolizes the American Dream, as he rose from obscurity to financial success.

3. Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877) — $100 billion
You know you had serious clout when universities are named after you. An American steamship and railroad builder, financier, promoter, and executive, Vanderbilt left an estate of roughly $100 million, which, in 2001 dollars, represents an astonishing $100 billion. A man of incredible energy (and obviously remarkable time-management abilities), his intricate sense of business left his rivals in the dust.

2. Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) — $110 billion
The only thing we will say is that by the time he passed away in 1919, Carnegie had given away over $350 million. The rest, we will leave to him: “My heart is in the work… the duty of the man of wealth… is to set an example of modest unostentatious living, shunning display; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds which he is strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community.”

1. John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) — $200 billion
If you thought Bill Gates has some serious anti-trust issues, then let us introduce to you the man that needs no introduction: the man who has a Center named after him in New York. The man who built, dominated, controlled, and ultimately lost the Standard Oil Company. Do yourself a favor: if you like business, politics and wealth, then get yourself his biography, Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr., and you will understand why America is the place to be if you want to get rich.

By Dennis O’Connell

A lot of us are still avid text messagers, not because we enjoy paying our carrier those tiring toll (or package) fees, but because it’s still one of the most reliable ways to get a text-based message to a cell phone user — not everyone has mobile IM clients or uses mobile email services.

Even web-based services are starting to recognize that, and recently there have been more and more companies launching “free” SMS options — most often free for those users who want to send a text to a cell phone via the web and email.

Sending free SMS from the Internet isn’t a new idea at all and companies have been developing the bridge between email and SMS for years. By now it’s a simple and easy service to set up and companies have started adding these services as a feature to bring in eyeballs.

Startups are also starting to get more creative with the business model (which was previously severely lacking) as well as the technology solution. At the same time they are learning to add privacy and best practices functions. Remember much of the time receiving the SMS message costs, and some of the services like free bulk messaging could have some not-so-nice spam potential. Be careful about signing up for any ol’ service and check out this list of good characteristics of SMS web services.

1). TeleFlip: TeleFlip has always been a favorite way to send “free” texts via email: ‘phone number’@teleflip.com. They still offer that service which they now call FlipOut, but they are also trying to turn their technology into a working business. I haven’t been able to test the new service yet (shown at DEMO), which is supposed to be out sometime this month, but they say it forwards your emails to your SMS inbox for free — 5,000 messages for per month. Hopefully they have a good management tool, as email spam can fill an SMS inbox pretty quickly and receiving text fees still apply.

2). Peekamo: Founded just November 2006 and based in Toronto according to their web site, Peekamo says they are different than other web-based SMS free sites, as both the receiver and sender don’t pay for the message. How do they manage that? — they say ad-sponsored messages, and using a protocol called short message peer to peer, (unlike the more common email-SMS method). When I sent a message from the web site to myself, it was sponsored by Sharp and had a link to Sharp’s web site www.moretosee.com. It’s still in beta, but is adding other social features.

3). Gizmo SMS: SIPphone has more than its fair share of sweet mobile services like the Gizmo Project, and earlier this month they also added a free web-based SMS service. The service works for dozens of countries and has a model ‘terms of service’ and privacy assurance sections. It’s not rocket science, but shows how these services are easy enough to create that they can be used to market the company’s other money-making solutions.

4). TxtDrop: TxtDrop founder 22-year-old Nate Kapitanski got some flack over his SMS MySpace widget and web service last year — the site didn’t launch with privacy terms and didn’t have an About section describing the company or its goals. He says the whole thing was a learning experience which helped make the site much better. As a result he added a privacy policy, email blocking, limited the number of messages that could be sent per minute, and says your phone number is now hidden in the MySpace code. Kapitanski, who only works on the project part time, also recently released a Mac OS dashboard SMS widget and says he is working on a Vista text gadget that could be out as early as April. There still isn’t a clear about section, but if you email the info address on the site, Kapitanski will probably oblige you on details you want to know.

5). Your carrier!? Yes, its true, some carriers have some limited web-to SMS and email to SMS services. On Verizon Wireless’ vtext.com site you can send a text to a Verizon wireless cell phone user, and send an SMS via email to “verizon wireless phone number”@vtext.com. Sprint has a similar web based service to text Sprint customers. They still get some money the more times people text using most solutions, so why not get more people to text their customers.

Written by Katie Fehrenbacher

The simple science behind the diversion safe follows the logic that thieves are looking for actual safes and sock drawers–the places where valuables are most often kept–when breaking into a home; they never think to look in the refrigerator or kitchen cupboards. Sure, you can go the traditional route and hide your valuables in an Ajax container or a can of Pabst. But we’ve pulled together a list of unconventional and forward-thinking diversion safes that expand the possibilities.

Wall Socket Safe

The Wall Socket Safe is a particularly inspired example of outside-the-box thinking in a genre prides itself on stumping the common thief. Not only does this safe offer the standard appeal of a hiding space where crooks “would never think to look,” the additional element of a simple key to open the safe will ensure that no one would be able to simply pull out the plate in passing.
Lipton Brisk Bottle Safe

The refrigerated, canned or bottled beverage is a diversion safe classic, but this Lipton Brisk Bottle Safe takes the concept one step further. The bottle contains actual liquid, giving it both the feel and appearance of a real plastic bottle.
Brief Safe

Why would any–burglar or otherwise–pick up a pair of underwear soiled with feces? That’s what the Brief Safe is all about. Unless your place is being burgled by 15-year-old boys, you’re probably safe with this one.
Barbasol Shaving Cream Safe

While most diversion safes have focused on the kitchen, this Barbasol Shaving Cream Safe throws further subterfuge into the mix. Like the classic diversion safe cans, this one screws off on the bottom, creating a seamless, inconspicuous closer at the base.
Book Diversion Safe

The safety of the Book Diversion Safe lies not only in the fact that it’s an unconventional safe and it can be placed in spaces not traditionally associated with diversion safes, but also that it’s an actual book. Hidden in the pages of Stephen King’s The Tommyknockers is an enclosure large enough for money, valuables, or small documents.
Sprinkler Key Hider

More of a outdoor key holder than an indoor safe, the Sprinkler Key Holder is made from a real sprinkler system head and lets you take the diversion outdoors. Whether you are keeping an extra key handy for yourself or leaving money or small documents for someone else, this is the ideal outdoor safe spot.
Iceberg Lettuce Safe

Perhaps the most inconspicuous diversion safe available, the Iceberg Lettuce Safe truly fulfils the aim of all diversion safes to create a secure space where a burglar would never think of looking. It has to be said that part of the reward of using a diversion safe in the first place is to allow yourself to feel like you are simply and cleverly outwitting any bumbling crooks that may enter your house, and nothing out there really says that better than this safe.
Candle Safe

Like other contemporary diversion safes, the Candle Safe takes the piece out of the conventional hiding spots–the refrigerator and the cupboard–offering you far more options. This realistic candle can actually burn for four hours without harming the metal safety container within.
Thermometer Safe

Like the Sprinkler, the draw of the Thermometer Safe lies in its usefulness for placement outdoors, in case you want to exchange keys, money, etc, without the necessity of someone coming inside your home to get it. This safe offers the further appeal of being a versatile safe that can be used outdoors, in your garage, or even in your kitchen.
Old English Diversion Safe

The cheap beer diversion can is as old as this trick gets, but there’s something particularly noteworthy about this Old English version. To make this scheme work, you’re going to have to have more than one can in the fridge. But it has to be asked: if you’re drinking OE out of the can, do you really have any valuables you need to be hiding? And if you can think of something to put in there, are you going to have enough short term memory to recall where you put it?
By: robert o’neill

Understanding sociology

Understanding sociology is an intricate study of humankind on many forms. Whether it be focused on the individual, the family, or a city, understanding sociology takes an in depth look at humanity itself and analyzes it from many different angles. These are just a few examples of how understanding sociology can analyze the subject. This article will examine six significant factors and give a better look on understanding sociology itself.

1. Understanding sociology: First there are general basics.

Understanding sociology has its roots in the Enlightenment. With the want for more information, more understanding of the world, man started to focus on the very thing he created himself: society. Humankind began to analyze everything and anything that they could. It wasn’t surprising when they started to really analyze themselves. This, in a way, is what understanding sociology is. Understanding sociology is the study of human behavior, from its origins to its evolutions. It is the analysis of the development of mankind.

With the increase in human development, there became a higher variety of human-life. It changed form as it moved across the world, from rural to urban, from one religion to another, from one race to another. This is why understanding sociology is important to the world. It breaks down all the information and reorganizes it most effectively.

Understanding sociology is a science like many others, though it is quite different in the same way. Closest to it might be psychology, though different on many levels. What makes understanding sociology an unique science is its focus on humanity. Though seemingly easy at first, after a good look one can recognize the complex behavior of mankind that has evolved over thousands of years from having a society. This makes understanding sociology important both to the present and the future, for it takes what has happened in the past and present and uses the information effectively in understanding groups, individuals, and society itself.

Like a science, there are many different ways one can study and record this information. Surveys are one of the major ones. There are also observational studies and experiments. Sociological experiments can be like other scientific ones, with variables for scientific research, but lots of the times the answers aren’t so simple. It takes a good eye and mind to analyze the data, making understanding sociology a more delicate process in the long run.

2. Understanding sociology: The second item to focus on is culture.

Culture is the grouping of specific mindsets that have developed over time in certain parts of the world, allowing any scientist or onlooker to realize general differences between groups and make general recognitions this way. Thus said, it is an important factor to take into account when dealing with sociological information. There are so many different cultures in the world that they act like variables in giant analytic experiments for the sociologist.

Culture can be broken down into many different aspects or parts. One important one to note is language. Language both creates barriers and brings worlds together. Different languages cause speed bumps in scientific or any form of study throughout the world. It is but one way people can be so different from each other. But the very act of language, or the development of it both psychologically and historically have a strong impact on understanding sociology. It brings insight further into the culture of the people being studying and allows the sociologist more key and individual information. Almost like religion and politics, language has a unique way of developing that reflects both on the culture and history of those that use it, finding its roots being mixed and interwoven like many of the people who make use of it.

3. Understanding sociology: A third important item to focus on is the social structure.

The social structure is the creation of different levels in society throughout the world to better define and understand how society itself works. It is not man made in that people can decide how many layers there are to society or the different reactions between different levels. It is an evolution of society itself, changing from culture to culture or place to place.

Social structure can be broken down into looking at society as having different statuses and different roles. Individuals are not all equal as much as humankind would like to think it sometime. Through hard work, misfortune, or pure luck people find themselves on different levels of society compared to the person standing next to them or even the person they were a month, week, or day ago. Status can be looked at as the person’s worth through society’s eyes. People tend to use this as the way to judge others quickly. Though not necessarily negative in that there are different statuses, it has for the most part been associated with a negative, almost snooty view when used to analyze others. Role is much deeper, though, and can defy status in many different ways. While status can be looked at as almost just a term or some physical measurement of humans in society, the role is a much deeper, more personal experience. This is to say that it is not so clear what everyone’s role is on first glance. Through careful study and critiquing, one could evaluate another or a whole group and come to a logical assumption or even answer to what their role is, but for the most part it is more of a show and tell kind of deal. It is not evident always, nor is the level of evidence equal from one to another. Simply, it is the bond that an individual has with society, telling their purpose on how they hold the society together.

A good part of culture, understanding sociology, and society are groups. Not everything is on the individual level. The size of the group affects the effectiveness of productivity. Too small of a group might lead to too many unanswered questions, while too large could grow so complex that many overlooked factors have been uncounted for. The perfect size, this balance between small and large, between answerable and countable, is not clear. It is dependent on the answers and topic that is being questioned at the time. One might need a large group to make references about a whole city, province or even country. On the other hand, a smaller group might give better information about a specific area or classing or even status in a certain place or time.

These groups could be societies themselves. Societies are merely just humans grouped by distinguishable differences in culture, mind, history, relationship, and teachings. It appears to be a complicated system of organization, but it is no different in culture, religion, or role/status in its way of defining and dedicating answers to truth. It can be used to find common grounds and further separate viewpoints and information from larger groupings. Societies are very important groups of people, both to the real world and to understanding sociology.

4. Understanding sociology: The fourth important item is socialization.

Socialization is the way of converting or forming into the very definitions of society. This is a great way to show how humans differentiate from other animals. The complexity of our societies and groups is what defines us as humans, accounted with our rationality of course. Our interaction with each other is at a much more vital and intricate level. We go beyond the instinctive world and step into rationality. This is what makes our forms of communication, our languages, our social behaviors the way they are. This is what makes us so easily adaptable in the world. We are so heavily reliant on some form of socialization, that to think of world without it would mean thinking of a world without humans. Without it there would be no structure, no balance, nor order to our ways. We would be almost like primitive homo sapiens and other ancient races of man, only worse because we would be going from socialization and not towards it.

5. Understanding sociology: The fifth major factor in understanding sociology is race and ethnicity.

Like culture and religion, race can play an important role to a society and its social structure. A certain race can bring benefits to itself in one place while another can be discriminated against with equality. Even still, one race can experience both extremes throughout the world and even in the same proximity. Races, ethnicities and groups can be broken down into majority and minority. This is like most social classing. Majority refers to the more populace or the ones that have the most power in that given area. Minority is just in the opposite, referring to the weaker of the two either size/numbers or politics/power.

It is important to note the difference between race and ethnicity here. Race refers to the grouping of people through biological similarities and histories while ethnicity is created from both racial and cultural ties, making it not necessarily inherit in that it’s physically in a person’s blood, but inherit in that it is so tightly woven to the history of the person and his/her people that it has been a kind of grouping. Though there are some that will deny races exist at all, scientists have generally agreed on there being only three races. Humans in general assume or at least say there are many more, confusing both races and ethnicity with each other and other groups. By the common human’s understanding of the word race, it is so misunderstood that it has no biological reference whatsoever. But on scientific terms, race would require an evolutionary viewpoint to accept it as been true.

6. Understanding sociology: The sixth item and factor is gender.

Gender plays an important part in understanding sociology like any of the humane sciences. There is a definite difference between man and woman. This is the case both physically and mentally (though in some instances the two are interrelated by definition in psychology). Sex is the more scientific look upon the situation, while gender is the social. While both imply the two different forms of sexual creatures, male and female, the word sex tends to just refer to this while gender also implies the identity created by this distinction in both society and cultures.

There are numerous other factors to understanding sociology, but these are six of the most important and first focused on when researching across the world. In truth, the structure of society, of mankind and all things it has created, is a complex and delicate one. Each piece is carefully placed, woven, tied and held there by another. So tight they are that if one falls it is hard to tell how many will follow suit. Just as much as we can not say what event will move us in the next direction, we can not know what event will slow us down, stop us, or even be our downfall. Understanding sociology can only understand the here and now.

Enjoyed this article? Please feel free to comment.

It’s not as difficult as you might think to get started on a running program – even if you haven’t been physically active. If you start off the right way, you will soon discover for yourself the mental and physical benefits of running.

Steps:

1. Plan to spend 20-30 minutes at a time, three days each week. Space out the days to allow for recovery time between sessions. Anything more goes beyond fitness and into running for other purposes – something you may find yourself doing if bitten by the running bug.
2. Get some good running shoes. Don’t scrimp on price too much, but don’t think you need that $500 pair of ultra-runners at first. No beginning runner needs that kind of economic pressure on the road! If you’re serious about this running thing, it’s a good idea to have yourself fitted at a running store, as different shoes are designed for different types of feet. The right shoe for one person is the wrong shoe for another and will cause injury. A good running store can test you to make sure you get the right shoe (bring along a used pair so they can tell from the wear pattern as well). Your typical sporting goods store does not have the expertise to get you in the correct shoe.
3. Stretch before and after a run. Be aware that although the benefits and/or drawbacks to this are controversial, there remains enough evidence to warrant some stretching at each workout. Stretch out each muscle group, holding each stretch for at least 15 seconds.
4. Learn the basics of good form. Keep your arms at waist level, relax your hands, and maintain good posture. Avoid bouncing and try to land softly in order to reduce stress on your knees and other joints. Take note that most distance runners land on their heels or midfoot and roll forward to the toe. If you try to run on your toes for too long your shins will start hurting and your calves will get tight.
5. Breathe. Breathe naturally or focus on a breathing technique. Some argue that the best breathing technique is inhaling oxygen through the nose, fully expanding the lungs, and exhaling through a widely opened mouth. Your nose is a good filter for air, especially while running outdoors, which prevents you from accidentally swallowing bugs. Exhaling through your mouth allows your body to get rid of more carbon dioxide and heat with less effort.
6. Enjoy yourself! Running is a great way to get fit or stay in shape while clearing your mind or taking time to think while your body goes through the natural, repetitive motions. Most who call themselves runners will agree that it’s good for your body and your mind.
7. Make running a habit. Follow this weekly schedule (from CoolRunning, see link below) 3-days-a-week for a 2-month period:
   • Week 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
   • Week 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 90 seconds of jogging and two minutes of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
   • Week 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then do two repetitions of the following:
     • Jog 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
     • Walk 200 yards (or 90 seconds)
     • Jog 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
     • Walk 400 yards (or 3 minutes)
   • Week 4: Brisk 5 minute warmup walk, then:
     • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
     • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
     • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
     • Walk 1/4 mile (or 2-1/2 minutes)
     • Jog 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
     • Walk 1/8 mile (or 90 seconds)
     • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
   • Week 5:
     • Workout 1: Brisk 5 minute warmup walk, then:
       • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
       • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
       • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
       • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
       • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
     • Workout 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
       • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
       • Walk 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
       • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
     • Workout 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog two miles (or 20 minutes) with no walking.
   • Week 6:
     • Workout 1: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
       • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
       • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
       • Jog 3/4 mile (or 8 minutes)
       • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
       • Jog 1/2 mile (or 5 minutes)
     • Workout 2: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then:
       • Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
       • Walk 1/4 mile (or 3 minutes)
       • Jog 1 mile (or 10 minutes)
     • Workout 3: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2-1/4 miles (or 25 minutes) with no walking.
   • Week 7: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.5 miles (or 25 minutes).
   • Week 8: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 2.75 miles (or 28 minutes).
   • Week 9: Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then jog 3 miles (or 30 minutes).

Tips:

• Ease into your running program gradually. You can go from inactivity to running three miles (5K) on a regular basis in just two months. It’s easy to get impatient, but don’t skip ahead in the program, even if you are already physically fit or otherwise feel you can. Two months is not that long!
• Don’t worry about speed at first. In fact, you should really run more slowly than you think you should. You’re not running a race yet; you’re increasing your fitness level. For now, focus on gradually increasing the time or distance you run. The racing can come later, if you choose!
• Make sure you don’t start off your runs too fast, and try to keep an even pace throughout. Use the “talk test” to figure out if your pace is appropriate. You should be able to talk comfortably while running; slow it down if you’re running out of breath.
• You can measure your running by distance or time. Either method is fine and the choice is simply a personal preference for measurement.
• Running with a partner or group increases your motivation to run. Especially at first a running buddy can really help you make running a habit. Make sure you are working at the same fitness levels and agree on your running plan. When running with a group, try to keep pace with the others, accelerate when they do but only if you feel comfortable with it. Do not force yourself.
• Prevention is the best method of avoiding shin splints, which could otherwise delay your running routine for months while you recover. The problem is the imbalance in strength between your Calf and opposing muscle groups. Stretching the muscles once warm and strengthening them on off days can save you a lot of pain.
• If you’re like most people, when you run, you exhale as your right foot hits the ground. This puts downward pressure on your liver (which lives on your right side), which then tugs at the diaphragm and creates a side stitch, according to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Men. The fix: Exhale as your left foot strikes the ground.
• For additional challenge, try running up and down hills. Gradually find slopes that are steeper. You can also run in loose sand or water (or both, at the beach); but don’ run in large gravel, the risk of injury is great.

Warnings:

• Always stretch after you run. It may not seem like you need to stretch after, but it helps you get rid of lactic acid, which is what makes your muscles ache! Also, by stretching after your run, you need not worry that you are stretching cold muscles. Pre-run stretching, while not inherently unsafe, is more likely to cause injury if not preceded by a warm-up.
• Please consult a physician or other health-care professional before beginning any running program. This is most important if you are over 35, have bone or joint problems such as arthritis, or have risk factors for heart disease. Your body will thank you later for starting out at your healthiest.
• Don’t feel pressured to continue faster than you’re able. Repeat weeks and move ahead only when you feel you’re ready.
• Don’t skip the warm-up, and be sure to walk for a bit when you’ve finished, to allow your body time to cool down gradually.
• Always consume adequate amounts of fluids before after, and during (if runs last more than 45 minutes or so) your runs, especially in the heat. If you feel at all thirsty, you are already dehydrated.

1. You sit right next to a window but you still just look at your ForecastFox icon to see what it’s like outside.

2. You fumble with the TV remote for a minute before remembering that you can’t open another channel in a new tab.

3. Everybody else says “Google it” now, but in addition you can also Yahoo it, Wiki it, and eBay it.

4. Your sole measure of a celebrity’s popularity is whether they appear on Stumble-Upon.

5. You have to think hard to remember what a pop-up or a banner ad looks like.

6. You think Debian should have backed down on the whole Iceweasel thing.

7. Your distaste for Internet Explorer has branched into an irrational phobia of the letter ‘e’.

8. You message your spouse through ChatZilla to find out what’s for dinner instead of just going upstairs.

9. A web page without CSS looks naked to you.

10. Your spelling used to be terrible until version 2.0 came out

OpenOffice - office suite
PC Suite 602 - office suite
AbiWord – text editor
Atlantis Nova – text editor
Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer - power point files viewer
Adobe Reader – pdf reader
Foxit PDF Reader – pdf reader
PDFCreator – create pdf documents
Doc Convertor - document convertor
Convert – unit convertor
Converber – unit convertor
Sunbird – calendar/organizer
EssentialPIM Free – calendar/organizer
PhraseExpress – speed up your writing
ATnotes – create notes on the desktop

Archive managers

7-Zip - compression program
IZArc - compression program
TugZIP - compression program
CabPack – compression program
Universal Extractor – extract files from any type of archive

Internet

Firefox – web browser
Internet Explorer- web browser
Maxthon – web browser
Opera – web browser
Avant Browser – web browser
Thunderbird – email client
PopTray – check for emails
Free Download Manager – download manager
FlashGet - download manager
WellGet – download manager
Download Master – download manager
WGET – commandline download manager
HTTrack – offline browser
WebReaper – offline browser
Yeah Reader - RSS reader
GreatNews - RSS reader
RSSOwl – RSS reader

P2P

µTorrent – torrent client
Azureus – torrent client
BitComet – torrent client
ABC – torrent client
BitTornado – torrent client
eMule – p2p client
SoulSeek – p2p client
Shareaza – p2p client
DC++ – Direct Connect network client
PeerGuardian – IP blocker

Chat

Miranda – chat client
MSN Messenger – chat client
Yahoo Messenger – chat client
QIP – chat client
Gaim – chat client
JAJC – chat client
HydraIRC – IRC client
Talkative IRC – IRC client
IceChat – IRC client
Skype – VOIP client
Google Talk - VOIP client
VoipStunt – VOIP client
Gizmo – VOIP client
Wengo – VOIP client

Security

AVG Free – antivirus
Avast Home Free – antivirus
AntiVir PersonalEdition – antivirus
BitDefender Free – antivirus
ClamWin – antivirus
CyberDifender - Internet Security Suite
Ad-aware – anti-spyware
Spybot: Search & Destroy – anti-spyware
Windows Defender – anti-spyware
SpywareBlaster - anti-spyware
Spyware Terminator – anti-spyware
Tootkit Reveaker - rootkit detection utility
Winpooch - system protection
HiJack Free – system protection
HighJackThis – hijackers detector and remover
Kerio Personal Firewall – firewall
Sygate Personal Firewall - firewall
ZoneAlarm - firewall
AxCrypt – file encryption
Simple File Shredder – securely delete files
PuTTy - SSH client
KeePass – password manager
LockNote – password manager
nPassword – password manager
Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer – identify security misconfigurations

Network

Hamachi – VPN client
RealVNC – remote control
UltraVNC – remote control
Ethereal – local area network administration
The Dude – network administration
Wireshark – network administration
Angry IP Scanner – IP scanner
IP-Tools - IP scanner
Free Port Scanner – IP scanner
NetMeter – network bandwidth monitoring

Servers

FileZilla – FTP client
FileZilla Server – FTP server
EFTP – FTP client/server
XAMPP – integrated server package of Apache, mySQL, PHP and Perl
WAMP – Apache, PHP5 and MySQL server

Audio

Foobar2000 – audio player
WinAmp – audio player
1by1 – audio player
JetAudio – audio player
XMPlay – audio player
Xion – audio player
Apollo – audio player
MediaMonkey – music organizer
The GodFather – music organizer
dBpowerAMP – audio converter
Audacity – audio converter
WavePad – audio converter
Kristal Audio Engine – audio editor
Exact Audio Copy – CD ripper
Audiograbber – CD ripper
CDex – CD ripper
Mp3 Tag Tools – tag editor
Mp3tag – tag editor
Taggin’ MP3 – tag editor
Monkey’s Audio – APE compressor/decompressor
mpTrim - mp3 editor
WavTrim - wave editor
EncSpot Basic – analyse mp3 files

Video

Windows Media Player – audio/video player
VLC – video player
Media Player Classic – video player
MV2Player – video player
CrystalPlayer 1.95 – video player
Zoom Player – video player
GOM Player – video player
viPlay – video player
DSPlayer – video player
VirtualDub – video editor
CamStudio – video screen recording
AviSplit – Avi splitter
Video mp3 Extractor – rip audio from video files
Free iPod Converter – convert all popular video formats to iPod video
MediaPortal – turning your PCinto a Media Center
The FilmMachine

Image

Gimp – image editor
PhotoFiltre – image editor
Paint.net – image editor
ArtRage - image editor
Artweaver – image editor
IrfanView - image viewer
Picasa - image viewer
XnView – image viewer
FastStone Image Viewer - image viewer
FuturixImager - image viewer
Easy Thumbnails – create thumbnails from images
JoJoThumb – create thumbnails from images
iWebAlbum - create web photo albums
JAlbum – create web photo albums
3D Box Shot Maker - design quality box shot
FastStone Capture - screen capture
WinSnap - screen capture

3D

Blender3D – 3D renderer
3Delight Free – 3D renderer
SketchUp – 3D modeling
Maya Learning Edition – 3D modeling

Developers

AutoIt – task automation
SciTE4AutoIt3 - text editor for AutoIt
AutoHotkey - task automation
PHP Designer – PHP editor
Notepad++ – text editor
ConTEXT Editor – text editor
PSPad – text editor
FoxEditor - text editor
Crimson Editor - source code editor
Elfima Notepad - text editor
Notepad2 - text editor
Nvu – HTML editor
Alleycode - HTML editor
BlockNote - web page editor
Weaverslave – web page editor

CD/DVD

DeepBurner – CD/DVD burner
CDBurner XP Pro – CD/DVD burner
BurnAtOnce – CD/DVD burner
Express Burn – CD/DVD burner
Zilla CD-DVD Rip’n’Burn – CD/DVD burner
ImgBurn – ISO, BIN burner
Daemon tools – virtual CD/DVD
DVD Decrypter – DVD ripper
DVD Shrink – DVD ripper
Nero CD-DVD Speed - CD/DVD info and quality test

Codecs

GSpot - codec information
AC3Filter – audio codec
Xvid – video codec
QuickTime Alternative – video codec
Real Alternative – video codec
K-Lite Codec Pack – all codecs

System Ulilities

CCleaner – system cleaner
xp-AntiSpy – OS setup
jv16 Powertools – system utilities
XP SysPad – system monitoring utility
What’s Running – process guard
Registrar Lite – registry editor
WinIPConfig – replacement for “ipconfig.exe” and “route.exe”
Unlocker – file eraser
Eraser – secure file eraser
Undelete Plus – file recovery
freeCommander – file manager
ExplorerXP - file manager
Duplicate File Finder – find all duplicate files
Ant Renamer – file renaming
ReNamer – file renaming
Icons From File – icos extractor
Chaos MD5 – MD5 generator
HashTab - MD5, SHA1 and CRC-32 file hashes
Rainlendar Lite – desktop calendar
Weather Watcher – weather firecast
Subtitle Workshop – subtitles editor
Ant Movie Catalog – movie organizer
Disclib – CD organizer
Dexpot – virtual desktops
DriveImage XML – create partition images
MozBackup – backup and restore bookmarks, etc.
SyncBack – system backup
Atomic Cock Sync – syncronize your clock
Citrus Alarm Clock – alarm clock
TaskSwitchXP – Alt-Tab replacement
Launchy - application launcher
allSnap – make all windows snap
Sysinternals Tools – various system tools
StrokeIt - mouse gestures
Net Profiles – create profiles of your network settings
ResourceHacker – view, modify, rename, add, delete
Java Runtime Environment – java for Windows

UI Enhancements

RocketDock - application launcher
AveDesk – desktop enhancer
IconPhile - customize windows’s system icons
CursorXP Free – change mouse cursors
MacSound – volume control
LClock - Windows Longhorn clock
Y’z Dock – application launcher
Y’z Shadow – shadow effect to the windows
Y’z Toolbar – change the toolbar icons in Explorer and Internet Explorer
Taskbar Shuffle – rearrange the programs on the taskbar by dragging
Visual Task Tips – thumbnail preview image for each task in the taskbar
Badges - put badges on any folder or file
Folderico - change icons of the folders
Folder Marker – mark your folders
Folder2MyPC – add favourite locations to My Computer
Microsoft TweakUI – system settings
BricoPacks – shell packs
ShellPacks – shell packs
Tango Shell Patcher – shell patcher
XPize – GUI enhancer
Vista Transformation Pack - complete visual style
Vista Sound Scheme – Windows Vista sound scheme
Royale Theme - visual style

Hardware monitoring/Benchmarking

CPU-Z - cpu information
CrystalCPUID – cpu information
Central Brain Identifier – cpu information
Everest – system information
SiSoft Sandra - system information
SpeedFan - hardware monitor
Memtest86 – memory test
PowerMax – HDD test
3Dmark 06 - 3D game performance benchmark
Aquamark - performance benchmark
rthdribl – 3D benchmark
Fraps - 3D benchmark, fps viewer and screen recorder
Prime 95 - cpu benchmarking
SuperPI - cpu benchmarking
CPU Rightmark - cpu overclock
Core Temp - cpu temperature
ATiTool - video overclock
ATI Tray Tools – Radeon tweaker
aTuner - GeForce and Radeontweaker
RivaTuner – video overclock
Nokia Monitor Test - monitor adjustmets
UDPixel – fix dead pixels

Games

123 Free Solitaire - solitaire games collection
Arcade Pack - classic arcade games
Live For Speed – online racing simulator
Enigma – puzzle game
Freeciv – multiplayer strategy game
Tux Racer – race down steep, snow-covered mountains

Education

SpeQ Mathematics - mathematics program
Dia – diagram creation program
Google Earth – explore the world
NASA World Wind – 3D virtual globe
Celestia – explore the space
Stellarium – planetarium

Miscellaneous

nLite – Build your own custom Windows disk.
VirtualPC – create virtual machines
grabMotion - webcam capture
iDailyDiary – simple page-for-a-day diary
Pivot Stickfigure Animator – create stick-figure animations
Wink – create presentations
Scribus – professional page layout
FreeMind – midn mapping software
Windows Live Writer – WYSIWYG blog authoring

Wallpapers

Michael Swanson - 1920 x 1200; 1600 x 1200; amazing wallpapers
Mikhail Arkhipov - 1920 x 1200; 1600 x 1200; amazing wallpapers

The now infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) has been around since Windows 3.1.  However, by chance, this screen made an appearance back in Windows 1.0!  Have we finally discovered the original origins of this beast!  There are many causes for this error: Bad DLL’s, incorrect device drivers, bad memory, damaged registry, etc.  This error has become less predominant in later years. Receiving such an error now, is much more serious than it used to be in the Windows 3.1/95/98 days.  Below are some of the Top 10 Blue Screen of Death images!  Some of these might be fake images, unless I was to take them myself how could I be sure obviously.  Enjoy!

Also make sure you make time to check out the latest post,
Top 10 Funniest Videos on the Internet

1. Blue screen of death on a subway car.
   
2. Blue Screen of Death in New York City
   
3. With the introduction of the x86 processor to Mac, Blue Screen of Death has finally come to Macintosh!
4. Blue screen of Death at an airport.
   
5. Fidelity gets a visit from the Blue Screen of Death.
   
6. I hate seeing the Blue Screen of Death in airports.
   
7. World Famous Windows 98 Blue Screen of Death. This one occurred back at COMDEX, April 20th, 1998.  “So I’m just going to go ahead and plug in the new device.  You’ll notice that this scanner… Wow!.. Moving right along…”  “That must be why we’re not shipping Windows 98 yet.”
   
8. Not only are Macintosh laptops getting this great Blue Screen of Death upgrade!
   
9. Even your public phone and Internet portal systems receive visits from the Blue Screen of Death.
   
10. Finally.. The Original Blue Screen of Death in Windows 1.0! Although this is not the true “Blue Screen of Death”, it is funny to see this happened even back in the day!  The origins of the blue screen….
    

    

Bonus Blue Screen of Death Images

1. New York City, Corner of 42nd street and 8th avenue
   

Bonus Tips and Tricks

1. Did you know typing into Internet Explorer Version 4 through 7 “about:mozilla” in the address bar would cause a BSoD (well, humor me here, its just a blue screen, but still funny).
2. If the above doesn’t work, you are running Windows XP SP2, so type: “res://mshtml.dll/about.moz” and you will get it!

1. Loose for lose

No: I always loose the product key.

Yes: I always lose the product key.

2. It’s for its (or god forbid, its’)

No: Download the HTA, along with it’s readme file.

Yes: Download the HTA, along with its readme file.

No: The laptop is overheating and its making that funny noise again.

Yes: The laptop is overheating and it’s making that funny noise again.

3. They’re for their for there

No: The managers are in they’re weekly planning meeting.

Yes: The managers are in their weekly planning meeting.

No: The techs have to check there cell phones at the door, and their not happy about it.

Yes: The techs have to check their cell phones at the door, and they’re not happy about it.

4. i.e. for e.g.

No: Use an anti-spyware program (i.e., AdAware).

Yes: Use an anti-spyware program (e.g., AdAware).

Note: The term i.e. means “that is”; e.g. means “for example.” And a comma follows both of them.

5. Effect for affect

No: The outage shouldn’t effect any users during work hours.

Yes: The outage shouldn’t affect any users during work hours.

Yes: The outage shouldn’t have any effect on users.

Yes: We will effect several changes during the downtime.

Note: Impact is not a verb. Purists, at least, beg you to use affect instead:

No: The outage shouldn’t impact any users during work hours.

Yes: The outage shouldn’t affect any users during work hours.

Yes: The outage should have no impact on users during work hours.

6. You’re for your

No: Remember to defrag you’re machine on a regular basis.

Yes: Remember to defrag your machine on a regular basis.

No: Your right about the changes.

Yes: You’re right about the changes.

7. Different than for different from

No: This setup is different than the one at the main office.

Yes: This setup is different from the one at the main office.

Yes: This setup is better than the one at the main office.

8. Lay for lie

No: I got dizzy and had to lay down.

Yes: I got dizzy and had to lie down.

Yes: Just lay those books over there.

9. Then for than

No: The accounting department had more problems then we did.

Yes: The accounting department had more problems than we did.

Note: Here’s a sub-peeve. When a sentence construction begins with If, you don’t need a then. Then is implicit, so it’s

superfluous and wordy:

No: If you can’t get Windows to boot, then you’ll need to call Ted.

Yes: If you can’t get Windows to boot, you’ll need to call Ted.

10. Could of, would of for could have, would have

No: I could of installed that app by mistake.

1. Viagra
Men being treated for erectile dysfunction should salute the working stiffs of Merthyr Tydfil, the Welsh hamlet where, in 1992 trials, the gravity-defying side effects of a new angina drug first popped up. Previously, the blue-collar town was known for producing a different kind of iron.

2. LSD
Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann took the world’s first acid hit in 1943, when he touched a smidge of lysergic acid diethylamide, a chemical he had researched for inducing childbirth. He later tried a bigger dose and made another discovery: the bad trip.

3. X-rays
Several 19th-century scientists toyed with the penetrating rays emitted when electrons strike a metal target. But the x-ray wasn’t discovered until 1895, when German egghead Wilhelm Röntgen tried sticking various objects in front of the radiation – and saw the bones of his hand projected on a wall.

4. Penicillin
Scottish scientist Alexander Fleming was researching the flu in 1928 when he noticed that a blue-green mold had infected one of his petri dishes – and killed the staphylococcus bacteria growing in it. All hail sloppy lab work!

5. Artificial sweeteners
Speaking of botched lab jobs, three leading pseudo-sugars reached human lips only because scientists forgot to wash their hands. Cyclamate (1937) and aspartame (1965) are byproducts of medical research, and saccharin (1879) appeared during a project on coal tar derivatives. Yummy.

6. Microwave ovens
Microwave emitters (or magnetrons) powered Allied radar in WWII. The leap from detecting Nazis to nuking nachos came in 1946, after a magnetron melted a candy bar in Raytheon engineer Percy Spencer’s pocket.

7. Brandy
Medieval wine merchants used to boil the H₂0 out of wine so their delicate cargo would keep better and take up less space at sea. Before long, some intrepid soul – our money’s on a sailor – decided to bypass the reconstitution stage, and brandy was born. Pass the Courvoisier!

8. Vulcanized rubber
Rubber rots badly and smells worse, unless it’s vulcanized. Ancient Mesoamericans had their own version of the process, but Charles Goodyear rediscovered it in 1839 when he unintentionally (well, at least according to most accounts) dropped a rubber-sulfur compound onto a hot stove.

9. Silly Putty
In the early 1940s, General Electric scientist James Wright was working on artificial rubber for the war effort when he mixed boric acid and silicon oil. V-J Day didn’t come any sooner, but comic strip image-stretching practically became a national pastime.

10. Potato chips
Chef George Crum concocted the perfect sandwich complement in 1853 when – to spite a customer who complained that his fries were cut too thick – he sliced a potato paper-thin and fried it to a crisp. Needless to say, the diner couldn’t eat just one.