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Now we see thousands of people playing online games such as tetris, ping pong, mario bros, super mario etc for free but despite its history dating back to 1970s, for most people online gaming began with the explosion of Internet in 1993 and with the advent of Doom and Warcraft sometime in 1994 or 1995. This got further boost with publishers starting to add Internet connectivity to computer games in 1994-95.

The media, in fact, have themselves been ignorant about online games history. As far as they are concerned, online gaming just coincidentally happened when their advertisers started producing Internet-capable games. But it isn’t so…

Early Years of development

In early 1950’s a college student created a game much like Tic-Tac-Toe for a class project to be played on dinosaur computers of those days complete with cathode ray tubes for the screen display. The 1960’s had MIT students programming a game called “Space war” that could be played with two people over a primitive network. The late 1960’s brought the first “real” video games like table tennis and shooter games.

The 70s – the game begins

Serious online gaming began with the first interactive online game called ADVENT. In fact networked gaming got conceptualized with ADVENT. Networked gaming had users playing against each other within an online fantasy world. The first networked game was called Mazewar, a game which involved networked players traveling through a maze and attempting to kill one another.

Next came the interpersonal interaction in a multi-player environment. The first such game was called DUNGEN. DUNGEN had players competing against one another to complete a series of quests. DUNGEN provided with new settings and players each time the user logged on.

The late 1970’s saw the start of video game craze with more and more households getting computer savvy. As a natural corollary, people started writing their own games for the home computers. These programming hobbyists traded and sold these home-grown games in local markets.

Other changes in the 1970’s were home gaming consoles which used game cartridges. That meant the people could collect games cartridges for one base unit instead of having bulky game console systems.

The 80s – some pause before the storm

1980’s saw growing craze for the video and computer game craze, but online gaming wasn’t on the horizon yet. New games with better sound and graphics were introduced and gained popularity. Pole Position and Pac-man were two that achieved big popularity. It was during 1980’s when Nintendo introduced its first gaming system.

The 90s – revolution begins

The 1990’s saw the phenomenal growth in both popularity and technology mostly because of the rise of 3-D and multimedia.

Myst, the intellectual adventure game introduced gaming on the CD-ROM format. Fancier 3-D graphics hardware made FPS (first person shooter) games such as Quake possible.

The late 1990’s saw the exponential growth of the Internet, MUDs (multi-user dungeons) which made online games wildly popular. New and improved graphical interfaces had people all over the world playing against each other not only in FPS games but also in real time strategy games (RTS games) as well as third person games like Grand Theft Auto.

This was also the period when websites started offering online games such as tetris, ping pong, mario bros, super Mario, and other free online flash games and non-flash based games free for playing after registering with them. This really pushed online gaming into the popular psyche.

The 21st Century – world is just a playground

Early years of the 21st century were dominated by the DVD-CD-ROM. It has changed the way online games are played. The latest gaming systems such as Sony’s play station and Microsoft’s X-box have networking capabilities to enable people play with each other in real time from all over the world. Exponentially growing broadband internet services have made playing these online games possible in true sense of the word.

The only drawback to the constantly evolving technology for online games is that what you buy today might become obsolete by the next year. Luckily, for the serious gamers, the resale industry for these online games is huge. This resale industry is just another element to the ever-changing history of online game.

The music business has found the answer to its mounting ails, which all the iPod world knows: album sales being replaced by singles downloads, Tower Records closing, and Borders apparently not having a clue about what music to stock.

But now there seems to be hope on the horizon. Columbia Records is trying a radical new experiment. The record giant and a principle perpetrator of musical nonsense on an overly obliging public has retained a canary, much as songbirds have been employed to detect, by passing out, the presence of poison gas.

The job of the tuneful bird is to provide the executives in the A & R department with a reality check as to what a good song is.

Here’s the new protocol. First the staff listens to a new track. If they think it has potential, they play it for the tweety bird. If it starts to sing along, they can present the ditty to management for probable release.

On the other hand, if the canary just stares in silence or falls off its perch, the track is to be considered not music.

Rumor has it that the music business may be remade toward a new melodiousness. So far the hipsters in pop and rap at Columbia’s A & R department have played over a hundred selects for the canary. Yet they have not managed to play even one that has inspired the bird to sing along.

Since the canary is nature’s own expert on song, there’s just no way to get around the fact that the singing creature is the ideal arbiter of tuneful music.

Of course, A & R has grown somewhat impatient with the rigorous new standard, but management cannot afford to relent.

In fact, the chairman of Columbia has posted a sign in the A & R department that says, “If going into the woods to listen to birdsong was good enough for Beethoven, it’s good enough for us.”

So the A & R staffers, much to their reluctant tutelage, find themselves with only one choice: Listen to that bird.

Apart from providing source to life, nature is meant for all to enjoy. Natural surrounding is at its best when it is undisturbed my man. Some would adapt nature’s beauty at home. Transporting replicas of lush sceneries in their own garden so that they may enjoy it everyday in the comforts of their own home. Resting in suitable patio furniture will then be a necessity to them. A wide variety of patio furniture to choose from. And this is just half the enjoyment.

Obviously, outdoor furniture is needed. Take for instance, the patio in the home. It is an area in which one can still enjoy the outdoors even without stepping onto the grass. The patio is an extension of the home but without the shelter or rooftop to obstruct it. In this way, one can appreciate favorable weather conditions! Patio furniture comes in all forms such as hammocks, swings, tables and chairs, canopies, cushions, fire pits, bird baths and feeders, rugs and even ponds or fountains!

Hammocks give the best comfort while you need to be in the snooze mode. With a few cushions, you will be more contented to drift away in the lazy afternoons. Hammocks can be enjoyed by anyone from children to the aged. What would a patio be without a table and chairs? Having these in the patio would allow family activities to take place. A fire pit for barbeque and you can have activities together a lot more often. Other things can invite a fresh look to your garden is a bird bath or feeder. Pond or fountains will give it a refreshing effect too.

But there are bad days when weather takes the upper hand and dares to destroy the effort you put into your patio. Or there may be days when the weather doesn’t look very promising yet you want to enjoy the outdoors anyways. So what can you do to protect your patio furniture? And what can you do to enjoy the outdoors despite disagreeable weather?

The patio umbrella is exactly the thing you need for those outdoor uncertainties. Furthermore, for those who worry about the harmful damages of the rays, you can be sure that a good patio umbrella will protect you. These umbrellas come in different shades of color. It is interesting to note that the darker the shade, the more protection it guarantees. If the sun’s ray is not the one you are worried about, you can therefore settle for lighter colors.

When the weather gets tough, your outdoor furniture will suffer. Recognized for its stability and durability, teak is the best type of furniture you must have in the outdoor patio. Water resistant timber will not let you down. It will never rot, twist or splinter. Teak is also on one the most elegant looking wood. It will give your patio that classy look. With low cost maintenance, there is no need for you to run out of the house to cover your furniture in plastic anymore.

What if you want to be outdoors during fall and early spring? Outdoor heaters allow you to enjoy your patio longer during these seasons. Although these heaters won’t transform the dead of winter into a summer day, the heaters operate on adjustable temperature settings. This allows the ideal atmosphere for a spirited evening barbecue, an early morning breakfast or any other outdoor activity. These heaters are economical and easy to operate and most outdoor heaters require no electricity at all.

So whatever the weather, don’t let it bother you! Enjoy the outdoors as much as you possibly can. Nature is beautiful whatever form it is in. So enjoy it at its purest!

Repetition is a creative tool. When you repeat a certain size, shape, or color you add strength to the overall image. Repetition is a basic concept in the art world. A really good photo tip worth remembering is: if you repeat something once or twice it becomes more interesting. If you repeat something many times it becomes a pattern and takes on a life of its own. Patterns give us order in an otherwise chaotic world. There’s something fundamentally pleasing about seeing order in a photo and knowing what to expect. In most cases, repetition is a tool used to calm the viewer, making them feel comfortable and at peace while enjoying the view.

A single, simple subject with a plain non-distracting background definitely has its own strengths, but it is NOT the only way to keep a viewers attention. Patterns are to photography, what Rhythm is to music. Without the limitation of just a single point of interest, repetition helps your eye dance from point to point with pure delight. You are not asked to make a judgment of the subject, simply to explore it. Like music, you are not expected to just listen to a single note, but to take in the high notes, low notes, the movements, and the beat. The goal here is not to just look a good photograph, but to experience it. Thus, when repetition is used correctly . . . it can greatly increase the emotional impact of your images.

Patterns and repetition can be found all around us: a row of trees, a field of sunflowers, or a line of children waiting for a bus. When you get into the world of Close-Up Photography, you will start to discover a whole new world of patterns. Often things that you perceive as solid or even as a single texture are made up of much smaller patterns. Look at the surface of an orange for example. Each dimple, each bump, each hill or valley contributes to what most viewers consider one smooth surface. Of course not all repetition is 100% uniform. Think of a choir in a concert, every individual may be wearing the same robe to represent their organization . . . but they are still all individuals.

Obviously too much of a good thing; can, sometimes become bad (or stale or boring). It’s like when you first start taking photos using a star filter. Occasionally, it makes some really cool effects and you have some unique images. But if you used it ALL the time; what at first seems unique now becomes common place, or worse yet . . . out of place. A shot of a race car, doesn’t really need a star shinning off his front windshield, to be interesting. There is a time and place for everything, and repetition will not cure all boring shots. In fact . . . if you’re not selective about when you use it, it could make things worse.

Another photo tip to keep repetition from becoming boring is to deliberately “break” the pattern. Think of a fruit stand with an entire box of big red juicy apples. Now take one of those apples out and replace it with an orange. This technique is often referred to as creating a “Spot”. A spot is nothing more than the deliberate use of opposition to force the viewer to look again and again. It may seem overly simple, but changing a single element in your shot can often make the difference between boring and fascinating.

Keep patterns and rhythm in mind when you line up a number of people for a group portrait. Here you will be dealing with similar shapes. Try to place them in a pleasing pattern. Start with three people and have them line up so that their heads form a triangle. As you add people form another triangle. You are adding to the pattern by creating a rhythm of triangles that dance together. A group of nine people on their own could form an ugly mob . . . or they could form a very pleasing family portrait if you use the concept of repetition. Remember repetition is a tool, what you build with it determines if people consider you a Master Photographer or just “weekend warrior” who takes snapshots.

The term “subliminal” refers to anything that exists just below your consciousness awareness i.e. at the subconscious level.

It has long been known that in order to create lasting measurable change in yourself it is necessary for you to access the subliminal or subconscious part of your mind. One excellent method of doing this is through the use of subliminal programming. By using subliminal recordings in the form of Cds, Tapes and Mp3s, you can bypass the conscious mind and reprogram your inner mind through the use of carefully selected subliminal messages.

(ref: http://www.SubliminalMp3s.com ) which offers free subliminal programs online. No other site offers such a large assortment of free subliminals online.

Subliminal messages can be constructed for a great many things like reducing stress, inducing relaxation, creating motivation , for better study habits, smoking cessation or losing weight, to name but a few!

The subliminal messages that are passed to your subconscious mind really do begin to change your thinking patterns and physical habits. So lets look at exactly how do their work.

Subliminal programs contain positive affirmations (subliminal messages) that are designed to help the listener achieve a change in a specific area they have chosen or to achieve a particular goal they have set. The physical brain receives these affirmations at a subconscious level and because there is no interference from the critical conscious mind the subconscious mind, which is where are beliefs and attitudes are stored, immediately begins the work of making the subliminal messages a reality in your life.

Subliminal messages accelerate the process of changing your attitudes because they bypass the analytical critical conscious mind and begin to reprogram the subconscious mind much like reprogramming a computer.

When subliminal messages, which are usually embedded in a piece of music or masked with ocean waves, are played, the beliefs that are stored in the subconscious mind are slowly and gently replaced by powerful new positive beliefs. It is an automatic and effortless method of changing yourself from the inside-out.

However, having said that, you should be aware that most of your subconscious programming has taken place over an entire lifetime and it is unlikely to be changed in a few hours or days. In addition you may have several issues that overlap and may require more than one subliminal recording to reprogram. A example my be self confidence issues. You may have low self esteem and listen to a subliminal recording to increase this area but find that after listening to it for several weeks you still lack self esteem. In such a case you would need to also ensure the subliminal confidence messages on the recording included self esteem affirmations or you could purchase/make two different subliminal recordings. However, I would advise getting a recording that helps to totally restructure your entire self image. This type of overlapping issue can apply to almost anything in life so real, true, honest introspection is needed to determine what area of your life needs changed before you de!
cide which subliminal recordings and subliminal messages are right for your particular circumstances and needs.

Reprogramming of the subconscious mind takes time and you will usually see permanent results after about twenty-eight days. It is my rule of thumb to give all personal development tools at least a month before looking for real tangible results.

However, like all good self improvement techniques subliminal reprogramming can lead to initial irritation in some people as the subliminal messages being offered conflict with their established beliefs. In this instance the subconscious mind fights back in a vain attempt to keep the status-quo, it hates change. Remember that your beliefs and attitudes were programmed into your subconscious mind to protect you! If this happens don’t be disheartened it is a sign that your new beliefs are taking hold and that change is happening. After you have made a few changes like this the subconscious mind gets the message and realises who is really the boss and the discomfort is unlikely to occur again if you decide to make more inner changes.

Subliminal reprogramming can be achieved through the use of subliminal CDs/tapes, videos/DVDs and it is even possible to purchase software that allows you to create your own custom subliminal recordings.

To those of you who are unsure of the effectiveness of subliminal messages I would ask this. Have you ever heard a piece of music in the morning without paying much attention to it yet had it in your head all day, perhaps even humming or singing it throughout your day? I bet you have! Have you ever been in a crowd totally unaware of all the conversations that were taking place until someone mentions your name? Are you also aware that you are receiving subliminal messages every day? The vast majority of advertising campaigns are filled with subliminal messages in the form of visual input designed to elicit a specific response from you.

Would it not be better to ensure the subliminal messages reaching your subconscious mind are of your choosing and that they are creating the person, life and circumstances you want? Yes? Then why not give them a try?

As we’ve seen, the design and manufacture of iPod cases is in itself a growth industry. The first crop of cases is the “Hope” line, in which $3 of each of the seven models sold—including the Remix Metal and Sport Armband for iPod nano—will go to the Susan G. The difference between high-quality and low-quality iPod cases is generally apparent pretty quickly: fit and finish, materials, and “feel in the hand” tend to be a lot better on the higher-quality cases. The detailing on the cases is particularly charming, with some of them having divine little touches such as satin bows, felt buttons, flowers, or embroidery.Handmade cases can command a price premium over standard cases, and branded fashion a premium over even handmade cases. There are so many protective cases for your iPod that wading through the options can be daunting and the range of iPod cases is too wide, seductive and cost effective to be neglected.

iPod cases can also come in a variety of different materials, ranging from leather, to hard cover cases ,to silicone type iPod cases. New iPod armbands also have a casing to place your iPod in, instead of a clip to clip it on. The best use for these types of cases however, is for people who are constantly on the go and who love to use their iPod to workout with.

PDA-ish cases are a tired breed, and aside from its use of a quality Nappa leather exterior and complementing suede interior, Venom mini is highly similar to other cases we’ve seen. A standard PDA case keeps your iPod on your belt when it’s opened, which has the virtue of not tugging on your headphone cord like Venom mini, but the disadvantage of being much harder to see and use. However, if you’re thinking of buying one of the cases, you’re likely doing so for the name and the workmanship.

If you’ve ever wanted to listen to your iPod while swimming, snorkeling or navigating an inhospitable environment then the H20 Audio line of Waterproof iPod cases is for you. H2O’s patented case design is complete with a Commander™ Scroll Wheel control assembly, allowing seamless song switching even while wearing gloves. Capable of depths of up to 10 feet (or 200 feet using the DV model), the H2O Audio iPod Cases are highly recommended when you can’t let a simple thing like Level 4 white water rapids deprive you of your rocking tunes. The case is a water tight compartment, lined with what they call a “T Seal” type of gasket. By using a dual locking hinge system, H2O is able to ensure a tight compression around the entire iPod thereby keeping water out.

The best way to store coffee is a question that is always on coffee aficinados’ mind, but one that is seldom “tackle”. Think about it, in most coffee maker reviews, you have the best brewer, best grinder, best roaster and so on, but have you ever heard of a best container?

Folks all over the world are looking for the freshest brew, but not a lot of people are concerned about storing the coffee, which is actually a key element in the coffee experience. Unless, you have access to a coffee store near your house, and would never buy more than that day consumption. If not, you would definitely have to store the coffee.

So, what is the best way to store coffee? Remember the coffee freshness rule and you would know how long you can store that “coffee”. Raw green coffee beans can be fresh for years, so they are the easiest to store. Roasted beans, which are what you can easily find in Supermarket, would lose their flavour after a week.

And if you were to ground the coffee, the flavour would be lost within hours. And you probably can forget about keeping brewed coffee as it begins to lose its flavour after minutes.

Based on the above, the easiest to store would be green coffee beans and personally, I think they are the best way to store coffee. All you need to do is to store in a cool location, in a tightly sealed container and you can keep it for more than a year!

Sure, you need to purchase a roaster and a grinder in addition to your coffee maker but you would not have to throw away any unused coffee and you would have the freshest coffee.

For roasted beans, it is similar to green beans, store in an airtight container and try to use ceramic as plastic or metal would contaminate the taste of the beans. Keep away from sunlight and try to store in dark places. This allows you to keep the beans fresh for at least 2 weeks.

And if you really want it to keep a longer time, keeping in the freezer can probably last for another 2 more weeks. To use it, just take it out and grind. Do take note that it is to keep in the freezer and not the fridge, never keep coffee beans in the fridge as it would simply absorb the odour of the other food and spoilt your coffee…

If you really want to store the roast and ground which cannot be store past a few days. Keep it with a good airtight container and away from the sun. This would allow the freshness to stay for a week. For the ground, freezer cannot help much as the surface area is too wide and it would still go stale.

If it is not green beans, the coffee beans would not last more than a month. To me, the best to store coffee is to go “green”, however, let me go through the savings and convince you on this as well!

1 kg of Green beans can last you probably for a year and cost about $25.00. Assuming you have a fully automatic espresso machine which comes with a grinder, you would be buying roasted beans. You would have to buy them every month and it cost about $15.00 per 100g.

In one year, your roasted beans would cost you $150.00. So, between the roasted and the green coffee beans, that is a savings of $125.00. Sure, you have to get a roaster, let say you get a “Fresh Roast” roaster for $70.00, you still have a savings of $55.00.

Now, would you not agreed with me that the best way to store coffee is to go “green”. Storing the Green coffee beans allows you to buy coffee in bulk (get discount from bulk purchase), roast your own coffee and have the freshest cup possible and not forgetting, it saves you some money in the process…

I inherited 9 pieces of lovely china plates my mother had hand painted when she was a young woman. What a treasure these are to me. I have quilts I have made that I will be leaving to my daughters. Each of us has in our homes something we see as being heirlooms that someday we will pass on to those we love and we hope they will cherish them because they came from us and are a part of our family. Here are some timely tips on how to properly care for them so they can become treasured family heirlooms for generations to come.

China, Porcelain and Glass

Even the best china can gather mysterious spots or stains, but “never bleach stains on pottery or porcelain,” warns conservator Mildred Sheppard, of Arlington, Va. “It can get under the glaze and cause greater damage.” Her advice: Remove stains with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and distilled water activated by a few drops of ammonia. Use as little as possible.

Avoid abrupt temperature changes. Wash in temperate suds. “Tempered,” as we know it, doesn’t apply to heirloom glass. Never put fine porcelain in the dishwasher. Detergent will remove or damage hand-painted trim.

Don’t store liquids in valued decanters or vases. Vinegars, spirits, or other acidic liquids will cause what is known as sick glass. Sheppard explains even water will in time leave a line on glass.

By all means use your silver, but “it’s unwise to wash stainless with sterling. It will pit the silver,” says Boris Paskvan, whose clients include the White House.

Never heat soft or plated metals in the oven. Heat can melt pewter, soldered joints, and soft metals used under silver plate.

Polish with nonabrasive liquids or creams. After polishing, wash, rinse, and dry metal objects by hand. Paskvan adds: “silver will tarnish less quickly if wrapped in specially treated cloth or stored in drawers lined with it.”

Consider waxing or lacquering decorative metals that aren’t heated or used for eating. “Wax retards oxidization. A high-grade auto wax will do. Lacquer will prolong the life of a brass chandelier or bedstead,” says Paskvan.

Paintings and Other Art

Hang your framed or wall-mounted objects well. Check them now and then to make sure both wall and hangers remain secure. If you spot a slight bulge along the bottom of a painting and it doesn’t disappear when you turn it upside down, call a museum for advice. A bulge can pop paint off the canvas if not repaired carefully. Art on paper (drawings, watercolors, photographs) needs space behind the glass to expand and contract.

Samplers and Other Textiles

Samplers, quilts and other textiles should be kept out of strong light to reduce fading. Store textiles flat. The best place to store a quilt is on a bed. Creases magnify the possibility of thread breakage.

Linens can acquire mysterious stains. Sun bleaching can help remove some of them. Wash aids such as OxyClean, Linen Wash etc., can also help. Use these carefully. Do not store linens and other textiles in plastic bags, use 100% cotton bags or cloth boxes instead. Use bags without zippers as zippers can get rust stains on the article.

Rugs

“Keep beater-type vacuums away from older rugs,” says fifth generation carpet merchant Achot Ouzounian of Ouzounian Fine Designer Rugs, Holladay, Ut. “Use gentle suction only,” Washington, D.C. restorer David Zahirpohr warns. “Vacuums grab and can cause surface breakage that ultimately works its way to the inside of the rug.”

Padding can prolong the life of a fine rug. The absolute best padding is made by ‘No Muv’, both Ouzounian and Zahirpohr say, because it permits air circulation, does not attract odor, is firm, unobtrusive, and will not slide on hardwood or marble floors.

Fine Furniture

Stephen Rice of Heritage Restorations in Kensington, Md., says with fine woods, “keeping the finish properly sealed is the best single thing one can do for fine furniture.” Alonzo Durrant of Alonzo’s, Salt Lake City, UT and Rice both agree that varnished woods are best left alone, although Durrant recommends using a fine finishing oil to seal the unseen, unfinished parts of furniture to retard drying in western climates. A twice yearly application of a Boston Polish (beeswax) to unfinished woods, says Rice, will act as a sealer-preservative.

A treasured heirloom that’s deteriorated is worth repairing or refinishing to restore both its character and its value. Even cracks can be beautifully repaired. If you fail to repair it before you bequeath it, it’s likely to become a donation to a thrift store.

Overall, the best way to care for any prized possession is to choose the gentlest route. Knowing the proper care for your treasure and then taking care of it can make passing the heirloom on to its future heir a generational joy.

Some of this information was gathered from Cycles newsletter published in the Fall of 2007 for retired members of the Utah retirement systems.

Yoga, the twin sister of Ayurveda is one unique science that deals with the physical and mental health of a person. Since ancient times, Yoga and Ayurveda were natural part of one’s life. Over time, both sciences got buried in the history. A newfound enthusiasm on Yoga is visible all around the world, especially in the US, Germany, Australia and the UK.

Different universities in India today offer Graduate and Diploma programs in Yoga. There are only a few universities that impart training on Yoga. The certificate one gets after successfully completing the courses include BA, BSc and Diploma certificates, based on the intensity of Yoga training one has undergone.

Employment Opportunities for Yoga Professionals

Today Yoga has worldwide acclamation and people from all over the world today practice Yoga. Yoga instructors are now from almost all countries of the world and these Yoga instructors impart scientific yoga knowledge to people. These Yoga instructors conduct basic Yoga awareness classes and Yoga workshops. These are the most common type of employment opportunity in Yoga. Being a certified Yoga instructor takes dedication and hardwork for good reputation.

Yoga Ashrams set up in different parts of India is another place where Yoga instructors get employment. These yoga ashrams are usually situated at secluded locations, at scenic spots full of greenery and calm atmosphere. These are real places of practicing yoga as the atmosphere itself is relaxing and people find it easier to concentrate, learn and find peace of mind.

Tourist resorts like hill resorts, beach resorts, backwater resorts, forest side resorts too offer excellent employment opportunities for qualified yoga masters. Such tourist resorts are expected to grow large scale in the coming years in India. Tourism sector in India shows a continuous upward trend. The interest in Yoga is also increasing all around the world. Thus qualified yoga masters will be in great demand.

If you are interested in practicing Yoga full time, you can join reputed Yoga training programes offered by a university in India or the training programmes offered by recognized training centers.