Donnette

When it comes to fishing, quality-fishing boats are easily on the top of any angler's wish list. While it may be a great day on the docks for some while they cast their lines in leisure, many anglers would easily prefer they chance to get out to deeper waters on a fishing boat. With so many different species of fish, and so many different ways to fish having the right fishing boat can make all the difference in the world come the end of the day. In the dog eat dog and eat cat too world of sport fishing, those who have a good boat separate them from the rest of the pack.

There are many great names attached to fishing boats, with the likes of Lund and Tracker that have been associated with some of the best tournaments available to enter when it comes to fishing. These fine names along with many others offer people the opportunity to get out in the deeper waters or in areas that are harder to reach by land. When you are in the position to get to these locations with fishing boats, chances are you will be bringing home that prized catch.

Many of the new fishing boats on the market offer anglers many great tools for them to succeed with the fish. With GPS and fish finders becoming standard equipment on some of the newer models of fishing boats, anglers are now able to locate and track schools of fish that otherwise would have been elusive or not seen at all. Many of the newer fishing boats also offer trolling motors that are bow mounted and are whisper quiet for those slow moving tracking maneuvers. All of these great fishing tools are not the only sources of appeal when it comes to fishing boats these days however, as many of the boats come equipped with many features that offer comfort as well.

With finely crafted seats, stereos, and sometimes-even televisions these great fishing boats are more of a tool to relax and escape than a dedicated tool for the trade. There are many expos that allow you to view the new fishing boats on the market, such as a boat show in civic centers around North America, these shows give you a peek at the latest and greatest of what the fishing boat industry have to offer, and you can gain much in the way of information as well as purchase right on site. Check your local dealer and see what could very well be the best piece of equipment you can purchase for your day out fishing, and hook yourself up with a great fishing boat.

Check out http://www.1-stop-fishing.com/ for more articles on alaska salmon fishing vacation and fly fishing canada.

Here is your weekly Summary of important computer security news, tips and fixes, to keep you safe and sound on the Internet.

Stay protected and up to date quickly and easily by reading this Summary.

Your Company May be Phishing for You

It has recently been revealed that several large American companies, and even some state agencies, are phishing their own employees. The workers are sent to or tricked into going to a fake web site, where they may give out sensitive or proprietary information.

In fact, in one test, 30% of employees did just that, although they later admitted they should have known better. Some employees might be outraged at this tactic, but if you surf the Internet at work, be careful. Companies are becoming more aggressive in protecting their interests, be they legal, commercial or otherwise.

More than three-quarters of companies monitor web surfing and connections, and almost as many use software to block connections. Half of them keep and review all email.

As Ive pointed out many times, people (or kids!) are often the weakest link in computer security. The best anti-virus or anti-spyware programs will not protect you unless you use common sense on the web, and think before you click.

At the office, you must assume that your every keystroke and every visited web site is being monitored, or at least recorded. Be careful, and familiarize yourself with your companys Computer Policies.

By the way, a new version of Adobe Reader, 8.1, is now available. To get it, click here: www.adobe.com

Beware of Headlines and Add-Ons

The latest spam malware circulating on the Internet uses real, arresting headlines to grab your attention and get you to open the email, which may then cause your computer to be infected or attacked. If you do not recognize the sender, just delete the email.

In spite of the constant threats of viruses, spyware, and spam, experts say that 75% of security threats to companies come from within the organization. I am mostly concerned with protecting the home user, but the same principles apply to businesses. You must have a full suite of security programs and keep them up to date, and follow good computing practices.

Another flaw has been found in the Google Desktop, that could allow a hacker to launch a program already installed on your computer. It is complex and hard to do, and probably could not actually install new software on your PC.

However, other malware has been shown to use various Firefox extensions to plant malicious code on your computer.

The basic problem is that these extensions and add-ons compromise and reduce your browser security. Minimize your use of these add-ons such as toolbars. Do not install them on your computer unless you really need them and will use them.

Malware & Botnets

A new type of malware called image spam has appeared lately. It looks like wallpaper for your Desktop, but has text embedded in it which fools traditional filters and blockers. A recent example used stationary backgrounds in an email promoting a pump-and-dump stock s cam.

This type of junk seemed to be in decline over the past few months, but may now be making a comeback. As I have said many times, do not open or read spa m emails, and do not download wallpaper or screensavers. Windows has lots; pick one and enjoy.

On a different subject, the FBI together with some private partners including Microsoft, have determined that there are more than one million victims of botnet crime.

A botnet refers to thousands or literally millions of computers that have been infected and hijacked. Then they are used to send out a flood of spa m or to attack other computers, all without their owners knowledge or, of course, consent.

Several top spammmers have been nabbed, and are before the courts. To protect yourself, keep all your security programs up to date and always practice good surfing habits.

Syd Tash is a noted security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online - A Complete Guide. He has been keeping surfers safe since the last century. For more free Daily Tips and info to keep you safe online, visit http://mypcsecuritysite.com and bookmark it!

As always, the grand creator puts things in my path to point in which direction my column should take each month. It is laid before me in such a manner that I become passionate about writing the experience in detail. Because many publications allow only 700 words, I have to chop my column to fit the criteria, yet in my books I let it flow naturally.

I recently made a trip to a well-known drug store to purchase a few items and browse through their new store. I permitted my two teenage sons to accompany me so they could peruse the new establishment as well. Predictably, they did not follow me to the check out but dragged behind me causing delay.I called to them to come or I would check out without any items they decided to purchase.

The young cashier who stood before me was not much older than my youngest sons are. Yet the amused smile showing on his face told that he had once been the straggler delaying his mom. As I stepped up to the counter, he told me about how his mother had threaten him and his siblings and yet it was obvious he had the utmost respect for his mother. Those threats were not remembered as verbal abuse, but as the very tool that helped him grow up to be who he was. He spoke of her with such love and yet with great admiration for the authoritarian that molded and assisted him into becoming a healthy and happy young man.

As we chatted and laughed, he checked me out and handed me my change. I folded it up inside my receipt without looking and stuck it in my purse as I herded my teenagers toward the car. As we traveled home, I made a remark to my sons that I felt the young man was truly a good person. He made me smile.

It was late that night when I organized my purse before going to sleep. When I unfolded the receipt, I saw that the young man had given me a twenty-dollar bill in addition to my correct change. It was too late to call the store, as their closing time was 10:00pm. I tossed and turned that night in fear of his being dismissed from his job.

As morning came, I made the call to management to inform them of the incident. The management explained to me that he had written up the young man for being 20 dollars short. However, what he told me next not only disappointed me in their rules but in the manager as a person. He explained that he would have never known whose cash drawer was short if this young man had of kept quiet. Instead, he had spoke up and brought this action upon himself. The young cashier had informed the manager he mistakenly given a customer a twenty by mistake.

I told the manager the twenty would be returned within an hour, and begged him not to penalize the young man for his honesty. I explained to him how his presence at the counter was warm and inviting and how this punishment was a larger error than the monetary inaccuracy. Finally, his supervisor agreed to tear up the report that would mar this young mans employment history when I returned the money. However, he added that not many people were as honest as I was so he stood by the reasoning of his previous decision. I immediately returned to the drug store with the twenty in hand. Upon asking for management, another man came to the front to meet me. When he saw I was holding a twenty, he casually told me he had heard the story. He took it from my hand and headed behind the counter. He spoke to me with his back turned while he was still walking. Yeah, I will put it in the safe here- in one of these cash drawers, you have a nice day mam. I asked the turned back if he would inform the young man that I had returned and brought the change back. Yeah was the reply I received. With this, I was dismissed and my encounter was over. I left the store feeling rather let down and as if I accomplished nothing. I unquestionably did not feel as appreciated as the young man made me feel the day before.

As I sit here today, typing to you, I continuously keep editing this and trying to improve my Fleishman-Kincaid scale unsuccessfully. I believe my heart is more in my hands than my intellect as I am typing what I feel rather than the proper format of English and literary structure. Therefore, following a struggle within myself, I have decided to let it go and let my heart be open to your reading rather than impress you with literary skills. When did business become an entity that punishes employees for integrity and honesty? In this particular case, it was demonstrating to a young impressible teenager, that honest was NOT the best policy. It was attempting to reverse years of a mothers training of her son. As I attempted to sleep that night, I could only battle of emotions he could be feeling. I saw how this would affect my own sons had it been them, and it broke my heart. After speaking with this manager, I wondered if he had such dreams afterwards writing his disciplinary report on the employee record. You might be asking yourself where the usual humor in my writing is. My response would have to be, that first and foremost, lessons have been my priority and humor has been its seasoning. I believe this lesson will have to do better without humor, for I find none within it. I ask that this Little Lesson in Love and in life attract the attention of supervisors, companies and their customers. Revise your rules, revise your vision, and revise your stance on punishing employees for showing honesty, integrity, and morals. I remind you that Karma is a mirror that reflects. When you hire a young adult, you hold in your hands the future of the world.

Where is there dignity unless there is honesty? Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC) Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain - and most fools do. Dale Carnegie

Rhiannon Waits is a syndicated Columnist and Talk Show Host. In Addition, she is a published author, public speaker and spiritual counselor. http://www.rhiannonwaits.com

Whether you are building a new porch or remodelling an old one, you do need to consider the type of porch flooring you want to have. Ezy-Deck is a type of flooring that comes in interlocking wood tiles. You can easily install it over any existing flooring - even concrete. Withy many designs to choose from you can create very unusual patterns in your floor. If you do get tired of the pattern, all you have to do is take up the tiles and lay them again to create another pattern. The tiles click together and form a sort of floating floor.

If you want to have real wood on the porch floor, Southern Pine is the one most often used. Because the porch may be exposed to the weather, the effect of moisture coming in constant contact with the wood may be of some concern. This is where Southern Pine excels. It has a built-in resistance to rot and insect infestation and the wood you buy is pressure treated to withstand the effects of moisture.

When choosing wood, you do have to look at the size and the grade. These factors have to depend on the amount of exposure that the porch has to the outside. If there is no roof protection, then you may have to add a further preservative treatment to ensure the wood is thoroughly protected. For an inside porch, the recommended flooring generally has a thickness of 1 to 1.25 inches, while outdoor porches require thicker wood. To make things easier, most homeowners apply the finish to the wood before they start the installation process.

Since the wood used for porch floors is tongue and grove, it is easy to install. Simply fit each board together when you install it and then nail or screw it to the base. You will need to have a hammer and a saw as well as a tape meaasue to fit in small pieces and to fit in corners and around pipes.

For lots of helpful information on porch plans and related topics, visit The Porches Guide at http://www.porchesguide.com

Common sense might suggest that summer is a bad time to make new business connections people are gone on vacation, leave town on weekends, and there are fewer business events to attend. However, summer is actually a great time to develop new connections and deepen current ones. People are more relaxed and not as busy. And theres no reason you cant have some fun while connecting with others!

Here are some ideas that will hopefully inspire you to take advantage of the summer to get out of the office and grow your network:

Get tickets to a sports event and invite people youd like to know better. A baseball game? If you like tennis, how about the U.S. Open in late August? Drinks at a sports bar for soccer fans? Invite people who dont know each other so they can expand their networks.

Have lunch at a scenic outdoor restaurant with a business friend. The Boathouse in Central Park, Rock Center Cafe, and Caf St. Barts are convenient in midtown Manhattan. If youre downtown, the Southstreet Seaport and World Financial Center have terrific water front restaurants; check out www.riverToriverNYC.com for a wide array of downtown events. If you can, go for a late lunch and take the rest of the day off.

Fishing? Golf? Hiking? Shakespeare in the Park?

Attend charitable and company events: golf outings, picnics, sailing, softball games. Dont worry that you arent any good at the activity think of the PR value of winning the prize for the worst score (spoken from first-hand experience).

Join a committee or volunteer to organize a program for a professional or non-profit organization summer is when the events for the fall and spring are planned and its a great way to build your brand name.

Organize a brown bag breakfast or dinner for friends, former colleagues or people you know with a particular interest; ask each person to bring another person. Meet in a park or in someones home that has a backyard or balcony.

Back to school if you have children from pre-K through college, you will likely have an opportunity to meet other parents at school orientations, move-in day, etc.

Reach out to a job seeker (or accept a networking request from someone who has contacted you); they are likely to be well connected from their job search efforts.

Too hot? Its cool inside Broadway shows, concert halls, and museums. If your group is all female, how about a day or half day at a spa?

Have fun! All work and no play make for a dull person. When business events start up in the fall and someone asks you how your summer was, you will have something interesting to say.

Wishing you a productive and fun rest of your summer,

2007 Laura Hill

Laura Hill is founder and managing partner of Careers in Motion ( http://www.cimllc.com ), a career coaching firm based in New York City. She works with individuals at all levels - from college graduates to senior executives - in the areas of career strategy and planning; market positioning; resume development; job search; interviewing skills; and negotiations. Laura is a Certified Career Coach with The Five O'Clock Club, an outplacement and career coaching organization.

You sometimes wonder how one little bodyyours--can produce so much hair. And not only does it grow hair with abandon, it grows it in places where hair has no right to grow. You are really, really tired of trying to control the hair equivalent of crabgrass on the million dollar lawn, and because you live in Chicago, you are in luck.

You can take the offensive against the offending hair with a single telephone call to a Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal expert, and be on your way to a hair-free, carefree life. You can arrange for Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal treatment simply by making an appointment with a dermatologist qualified in hair removal or an electrolysis or laser hair removal specialist.

The Windy City can relieve you of that unwanted hair both conveniently and cheaply; when compared to other US cities the cost of Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal is exceptionally reasonable. The multiculturalism of the Chicago community means that there will be someone to provide you with Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal regardless of your own ethnicity.

Chicago Electrolysis Salons

Chicago has more than thirty facilities offering Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal, so you will have no trouble finding one who can meet your needs. The Pure Laser hair removal and skin rejuvenation salon is just one of the most recent additions to the Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal salons.

These salons offer a variety of services from hair removal to body wraps to microdermabrasion, and are open during the hours most convenient for Chicagos very busy workers. They offer both early morning and late evening appointments, so you have no excuse not to pay one of them a visit.

The American Laser Center, a highly regarded nationwide chain of laser hair removal salons, recently opened in Chicago. With endorsements from both celebrities and ordinary customers, they are among the salons putting hair removal front-and-center in the public awareness. There are also some Chicago electrolysis and laser hair removal centers which allow you to book your first consultation over the Internet, so that there is no pressure for you to go through with a procedure.

When you are at last ready to expose your newly smooth skin to the winds of the Windy City, why not celebrate your successful hair removal with a trip to one of Chicagos famous pizza parlors and dig into a Deep Dish Pizza?

You can also find more info on professional electrolysis treatments and professional electrolysis machine. Electrolysisguide.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Electrolysis.

Are you trying to promote your business with a tiny marketing budget? Opportunities are plentiful for low or no cost marketing. Here are a few that won't cost you a cent.

1. Publish articles about your specialty. "How-to" articles are always welcome. Ensure you include your contact information.
   
   
2. Write letters to the editor of publications your target market reads.
   
   
3. Get involved in an organization or community project.
   
   
4. Build strategic alliances with non-competing businesses and cross-promote each other.
   
   
5. Publish a special report. A "super how to" list for your specialty area. Distribute freely. Ensure that your contact information is included.
   
   
6. Speak to groups and organizations. Make sure the audience is your target market.
   
   
7. Carefully target relationships with media sources.
   
   
8. Write newsworthy press releases and distribute to your special contacts.

Denise O'Berry helps small business owners take action to grow their business. To find out more, visit http://www.deniseoberry.com