Designing Web Success

Picture yourself walking down the street, all alone. It’s late at night. It’s a bit brisk, and the wind is blowing through the tall buildings on both sides of you. Suddenly, from out of nowhere, someone runs by you, knocks you over, grabs your wallet, and takes off.

It sounds like a scene from a movie, and there may come a time in the future where this type of person-to-person crime is only found in movies. Why would anyone rob a bank, or rob an individual, when they could simply use a person’s information to obtain employment, credit cards, and lines of credit?

By now, everyone knows what Identity Theft is. Identity Theft has been showing up in the news for several years, and there has been a large public awareness campaign since the FTC Report in September 2003.

In their report, the FTC shared that the average Identity Theft victim spends over $1,400.00, and more than 200 hours, just to clear their good name. Reports now are saying that victims can end up spending much, much more in terms of time, money, and frustration.

Other people may be willing to spend that kind of time and money, but if you don’t have an extra $1400 or 200 hours, read on!

What is Identity Theft?

Identity Theft couldn’t happen to me, right?

What can I do to protect myself?

There is good news.

Identity Theft Insurance?

What is Identity Theft?

ID Theft happens when someone takes any piece of your personal information, and fraudulently uses it to obtain access to your credit, bank accounts, or to obtain employment.

How can it happen?

There are literally thousands of ways your information can be stolen, and, as Harris County district attorney Chuck Rosenthal knows, if it can happen to him, it is proof that identity theft and fraud can happen to anyone. “Rosenthal said nearly $8,000 was stolen from his account before it was discovered […] He said that he still has problems because of the crime — his check was refused when he tried to buy supplies for his daughter.”

There are thousands of stories like this one, which you have already been hearing about in your local or national news.

What can you do to protect yourself?

To be proactive, here are what the “experts” are telling you to do. Read this list carefully, and while you do, think about what it would mean in added time and frustration for your life:

Avoid giving out your Social Security number…Shred or destroy bank and/or credit card information…Shred or destroy any credit card or other direct mail offers…Create passwords containing numbers and letters…Avoid buying or making donations via the phone…Buy goods online only from a reputable Web site…Install a computer firewall at home… Read the privacy statements for all your accounts and your bank’s liability clauses…Check your credit report more frequently… Use only one credit card for purchases… Avoid shopping online… Update your computer virus protection daily… Install Spyware software on your computer to be sure that you’re not accidentally having your keystrokes recorded… Drop your mail in the blue post boxes, not in your mailbox… Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends… While you’re at it, sign up for a locked mailbox, because you can’t trust that your mail will stay in your mailbox… The list goes on…and on…and on…

The “experts” are telling you to rearrange your entire life to proactively defend yourself against Identity Theft. However, what no one is telling you is this:

There is no 100% guarantee that your information won’t be used. No matter what you do, you are as likely a target for Identity Theft as any other person you know.

Approximately 2,500 Washington County (Maryland) Board of Education employees discovered this when their Social Security numbers, names, birth dates and other private information were accidentally posted on the school system’s web site for up to 45 days during 2004.

Consumer Reports states, “It is an equal-opportunity crime, affecting victims of all races, incomes, and ages. Overall, more than 33 million Americans, about 1 in 6 adults, say they have had their identities used by someone else sometime since 1990.”

There is good news

If you become a victim of Identity Theft, you basically have two choices. You can try to handle it on your own, or you can let a professional help you.

If you try to handle it on your own, you might try to contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB). A visit to the BBB’s web site reveals this statement:

“If your complaint is against the identity thief, it is unlikely that the BBB can assist you. We urge you to report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.

So you visit the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) web site, where you read the statement: “The FTC serves as the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of Identity Theft. While the FTC does not resolve individual consumer problems, your complaint helps us investigate fraud, and can lead to law enforcement action.”

In other words, the BBB and FTC will give you information on how to spend 200 hours and $1400, and will let you report information to them which can “lead to law enforcement action.”

Beyond that, you’re on your own, because they will not work to restore your individual credit. But they will send you a 25 page book with some very helpful information. Good luck.

This is not to fault the BBB or FTC. It’s only to say that they do not have the resources to, on a daily basis, help over 27,000 people restore their good name and credit. Clearly, Americans need a different kind of help to resolve this issue.

Identity Theft Insurance?

Several companies, including Citibank and the three credit repositories, are offering different kinds of credit monitoring services. You have probably seen the very funny Citibank ads, promoting the protection of your information from thieves, and as a result of the ID Theft epidemic, Citibank now offers protection for their credit cards. This is an excellent idea, but credit card fraud only accounts for approximately 40% of Identity Theft cases.

What about the other 60% of identity theft cases? Well, most often, they happen when someone is using your name to obtain credit or employment. The three credit bureaus have stepped in to offer you credit monitoring services, which will let you track what is going on with your credit on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. This way, if your information is being used by someone you don’t know, you will know about it the day it happens and, ideally, you’ll be able to do something about it. The cost ranges from $4.95/month to $19.95/month. With these services, you’re generally still on your own to get the issue resolved, but hopefully the early detection will help you be able to resolve the issue in less than 200 hours, and with less than $1,400.00.

Another company has stepped in, because they have seen this trend, and the need that consumers have for protection from identity theft. Kroll Worldwide is the world’s foremost risk consulting company. They’ve been responsible for things like:

Tracking Saddam Hussein’s money after the first Gulf War, creating an evacuation plan for the Sears Tower and many of the world’s tallest buildings, and handling high profile cases such as the Enron debacle.

Kroll has created a product which not only monitors credit on a daily basis, and (like the credit repositories) gives you credit reports in a way that you can understand them, but they also assign a personal licensed investigator to you, who will do the work along side of you, to get your credit and identity restored and to track down the thief who committed the crime. This saves you time and money

Identity Theft shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, many state and federal law enforcement agencies are predicting that the problem will get worse before it gets better. Other companies are sure to follow the lead of Kroll in providing Identity Theft solutions. Probably no other company will be able to match the background and experience of a company like Kroll, but they will create similar products to help consumers, and within the next 3-5 years, Identity Theft protection will become an important part of the insurance-type products we use to protect ourselves on a daily basis.

In short, what the experts aren’t telling you is this:

There is no guaranteed way to protect your information,

In an advanced age of rapid and electronic banking and communication, your information is publicly available to anyone who wants to find it,

If you’ve been a victim before, you’re more likely to become a victim again, and

Identity Theft, as a crime, is here to stay.

Changing the way that you do things reduces the likelihood that you will become a victim, but you have no way of being sure that your information will stay your information.

The real state of affairs today is that you are walking down that dark street on a windy night, and someone robs you, but you don’t know it, or feel it, for days, weeks, or months.

Having Identity Theft protection with highly qualified companies like Kroll is like walking down that street, knowing that you have a highly trained personal bodyguard watching your back and walking by your side.

About The Author

Jonathan Kraft is a specialist in computer-related Identity Theft and options within the legal system. For more information on how you can protect yourself and make sure that your information stays your information, visit www.consumerfairplay.com/idtheft.html

Mankind is blessed with an invaluable asset of life. But to enjoy this precious gift endowed, one needs desired health. “Health is wealth” – and this is the driving force that makes us feel high all the time. Sex is one such manifestation of good health – a desire to enjoy. But even a slight aberration in body metrics results in a complete disillusionment of sexual life. Erectile Dysfunction is one such misfortune where one cannot enjoy his sex life.

But the latest breakthroughs in medicinal research and cutting-edge health care systems have redefined the primeval conventions in healthcare. Once in human wish lists, it has now turned to reality. So now on you can add a fresh lease of life to your sagging love-story with a sexual impulse using the power of wonder drug - Sildenafil Citrate. A panacea for sexual problem- ED, it is used worldwide for treating this ailment. Popular as Viagra it also comes in varied generic versions as Cialis, Penegra, Caverta, Kamagra, Zenegra, Edegra, etc for treatment of male impotence.

So no need to stress, frustrate or grieve anymore. This wonder drug will say an end to all your miseries. A healthy solution to your sexual problem it will revive your sex drive. But this is not the end of story as the cost factor of the brand name drug is the major impediment in realizing its expected results. But thanks to the generic pills for treatment of Erectile Dysfunction which costs significantly less as well help you ward off this disease at the same time. Basically cost-effective these generic drugs are exact chemical equivalents of the brand name drugs with same dosage, strength, purity, intended use, quality and performance. These generic drugs are manufactured by FDA approved renowned pharmaceutical companies worldwide adhering to strict international laws and standards. All generic drugs manufacturers meet FDA, WHO and GMP approval.

But at this point it is quite apparent to have a doubt as why do these generics cost less when they are at par to the brand name drugs in all aspects? The reason for this cost variance is that generic drugs manufacturers do not bear the investment and other cost overheads of manufacturing, research, development and marketing of the drugs as do the brand name drugs. Also brand name drugs are marketed under a specific trade name by a pharmaceutical manufacturer. In most cases, these drugs are under patent protection, meaning the manufacturer is the sole source for the product but in many countries around the world this is not the case and a generic alternatives are readily available.

So don’t loose heart, and get Generic drugs and win over this deterring health problem at significantly low prices. No more anxieties as you can now get rid off this scourge and bounce back to life with wonder generic pills such as Kamagra, Edegra, Penegra, Silagra and Cialis available at affordable prices. Get complete health remedy for your sexual needs and enter fitness regime with Generic Viagra.

Stop feeling low, as you too have equal right to enjoy life. Say an end to this vexing problem of impotence forever with Generic Viagra- which proves health is wealth.

For more information on generic Viagra click ==>Generic Drugs

The prospect of mortgage debt elimination is something that many Americans are dealing with today. If you are concerned about your current debt situation, constantly trying to eliminate debt from your life, you are not alone.

In fact, over half of all American households have trouble meeting their minimum monthly obligations, driving them further and further into debt.

Mortgage loans will be secured by your house.

Secured debts usually are tied to an asset, like your house for a mortgage. If you stop making payments, lenders can foreclose on your house.

Unsecured debts are not tied to any asset, and include most credit card debt, bills for medical care, signature loans, and debts for other types of services.

Morgage Debt Elimination shows that if you fall behind on your mortgage, you must contact your lender immediately to avoid foreclosure, dont wait 2 or 3 months. Most lenders are willing to work with you if they believe you’re acting in good faith and the situation is temporary, please tell the truth.

Some lenders may reduce or suspend your payments for a short time, mortgage debt elimination shows you that when you resume regular payments, you will only have to pay an small additional amount toward the past due total.

Other lenders may agree to change the terms of the mortgage by extending the repayment period to reduce the monthly debt. Ask whether additional fees would be assessed for these changes, and calculate how much they total in the long term.

If you and your lender cannot work out a plan, contact a housing counseling agency. Some agencies limit their counseling services to homeowners with FHA mortgages, but many offer free mortgage debt advice to any homeowner who’s having trouble making mortgage payments.

Call the local office of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the housing authority in your state, city, or county for help in finding a legitimate housing counseling agency near you.

For More Infomation Visit: http://www.debt-elimination-program-reviews.com
They review and then list some of the best debt elimination, programs, software and books available online in 2005!

The most important thing to remember is that the room is small,
and keep furnishings on a par with the room. In other words, no
huge pieces, nothing that dwarfs the room.

Go for wood framed furniture in pine or maple with loose
cushions, simple, plain and comfortable. Use clean lines, and
give the room that lodge feeling with wall hangings and curtains
that carry out the motif. Stay clear of frills, and use braid
rugs, unless you have carpeting. The key is the use of wood,
rather than overstuffed pieces.

Take a look at furniture catalogs like those put out by Ethan
Allen or Yield House, both of which should have web sites. Also,
T.David Smith in Ohio manufactures reproduction colonial
furnishings, everything from deacon’s benches to tables, to
accent pieces. Bring the lodge theme to it subtly, as I said,
with signs, other wall hangings (mounted old pistols–usually
replicas), pictures of wild life (keep them small), and use
fabrics in both upholstry and curtains that have a small
outdoorsy print or simple, small check.

Nothing, no one item, unless you have an antique desk or
something of that nature, should completely overwhelm or control
the visual impact of the room. Look for ideas in a magazine
called Early American Life, because much of what is used in
those settings are what could be called primitive, and can
easily move into the kind of setting you want to achieve.

Celebrating a Special Occasion with Jewelry

Jewelry and gems, The Buying Guide

Colorful choices in colored Gemstones
Important advice before you buy colored gemstone

What to ask when buying the gemstone

Asking the right questions is the key to knowing what you’re getting when it comes to buying gemstones. It is also the only way you can be sure what you are comparing when considering gems from different jewelers. Be sure the jeweler can answer your questions, or can get the answers for you. Then, be sure the jeweler is willing to put the answers in writing on your bill of sale. Finally, verify the facts; double check that the stone is as represented, by having it examined by a qualified gemologist appraiser. In this way you’ll have no doubt about what you are getting, and you’ll begin to develop a solid relationship with the jeweler from whom you make the purchase, based on confidence and trust. And, in the event the stone is not as represented, you’ll know in time; and have the information you need, to get your money back.

Questions to ask when buying a diamond

You should always have very specific information before purchasing a fine diamond weighing one carat or more. For smaller stones, the information may not be so readily available, since most jewelers don’t take the time to grade them precisely. An experienced jeweler, however, should be able to provide information regarding quality for stones from a half carat and up, or offer to find it for you. Indeed, some laboratory are now providing grading reports for diamonds from 0.47 carats and up.
Also keep in mind that since it is not possible to grade mounted diamonds accurately, we recommend that fine diamonds weighing one carat or more be purchased unmounted, or moved from the setting and then remounted. In jewelry containing numerous small diamonds, the stones are graded before they are set and information may be on the sales tag. If not, it is extremely difficult to know for sure what the true quality is, and much can be concealed by a setting. We recommend buying such pieces only from a knowledgeable jeweler with a good reputation.
Here are the basic questions to as and information that needs to be included on the bill of sale of your diamond:

1. What is the exact carat weight? Be sure the stone’s weight is given, not its spread.
2. What is its color grade? And what grading system was used?
3. What is its clarity (flaw) grade? Again, ask what system was used?
4. What shape is it? Round, pear, marquise?
5. Is it well cut for this shape? How would the “make” be graded: ideal, excellent, good?
6. What are the exact millimeter dimensions of the stone?
7. Is this stone accompanied by a diamond grading report or certificate? Ask for a full report.

Be sure to find out what system was used to grade the stone. If GIA terms are used, ask if GIA standards and methods have been applied to grading the stone (Diamond).

Be sure to get the exact millimeter dimensions of the stone; the dimensions can be approximated if the stone is mounted. For a round stone, be sure you are given two dimensions for the stone’s diameter; since most are not perfectly round, you need the highest and lowest. For fancy shapes, get the dimensions of the length and width. Always get the dimension from the table to the culet as well, that is, the depth the stone.

Be especially careful if the diamond is being taken out on consignment, on a jeweler’s memorandum or sale slip, or on a contingency sale. Having the measurements in writing helps protect you from being accused of switching should you have to return the stone for nay reason.

Always ask if the stone has a certificate or diamond grading report and, if so, make sure it accompanies the stone; if you are taking the stone (diamond) on approval, ask for a copy of the report. If there is no report or certificate, find out who determined the color and flaw grades; make sure the seller puts that information on the bill of sale, and insist that the sale be contingent upon the gemstone’s actually having the grades represented.

Additional questions to help you make your selection

Is it large enough?

This is a valid question and one you should be honest with yourself about. If you think the diamond is too small, you won’t feel good about wearing it. Remember that such other factors as clarity and color can be judged several grades with little visible difference, and this might enable you to get a larger diamond. And remember that the color and type of setting can also help you achieve a larger look.

Does this diamond have a good make?

Does this stone have good proportion? How do its proportions compare to the “ideal?” Remember, much variance can exist and a diamond can still be beautiful, desirable gem even if it does not conform to the ideal.

Nonetheless, you won’t want a diamond with poor proportions, so if you have any question about the diamond’s brilliance and liveliness; if it looks lifeless or dull in spots, you should ask specifically about the proportioning of the cut. In addition, you should ask if there are any cutting faults that might make the diamond more vulnerable to shipping or breaking, as for example, an extremely thin girdle would.
Has this diamond been clarity enhanced?

Be sure to ask whether or not the diamond has been laser treated, or fracture filled. If it is accompanied by a GIA diamond report, the report will indicate lasering, if present. However, GIA won’t issue a report on a fracture filled diamond and some jewelers don’t know how to detect them. If there is no GIA diamond report, be sure to ask explicitly, and get a statement in writing that the diamond is or is not clarity enhanced, whichever the case may be. Getting this fact in writing may save you a big headache should you learn later that the diamond is enhanced.
Does this diamond show any fluorescence?

If a diamond fluoresces blue when viewed in daylight or under daylight type fluorescent light, it will appear whiter than it really is. This can be desirable quality so long as the diamond has not been graded or classified incorrectly. A diamond may also fluoresce yellow, which means that in certain light its color could appear worse than it actually is. If the diamond has a diamond grading report, any fluorescence will be indicated there. If there is no report, and if the jeweler can’t tell you whether or not the diamond exhibits fluorescence, the diamond’s color grade may be incorrect.

Special tips when buying a diamond

Ask the jeweler to clean the diamond

Don’t hesitate to ask to have the diamond cleaned before you examine it. Cleaning will remove dirt, grease, or indelible purple ink. Cleaning is best done by steaming or in an ultrasonic cleaner. Cleaning also helps to ensure that you’ll see the full beauty of the diamond; diamond can become very dirty just from customers handling them, and, as a result, look less brilliant and sparkling than they really are.

View the diamond against a dead white background

When looking at unmounted diamonds, look at them only against a dead-white background such as white blotter paper or a white business card, or on a grading trough. Examine the stone against the white background so that you are looking at it through the side, not down through the table. Tilt the diamond toward a good light source; daylight fluorescent lamp is the best. If the diamond shows any yellow body tint when viewed through the girdle, if it is not as colorless as an ice cube, then the diamond is not “white” or “colorless.”

Get the facts on a bill of sale

Ask that all the facts concerning the diamond be put on the bill of sale. These include the carat weight, the color and flaw grades, the cut, and the dimensions. Also, be sure you obtain the report on any “certificated” diamond, as diamonds accompanied by laboratory reports are sometimes called.

Verify facts a with a gemologist

If a diamond is one carat or larger and not accompanied by a respected laboratory report, make the sale contingent on verification of facts by a qualified gemologist, gem testing lab, or the GIA. While the GIA will not estimate dollar value, it will verify color, flaw, grade, make, fluorescence, weight, and other physical characteristics.

Weight the facts

Decide what is important to you and then weigh the facts. Most people think color and make are the most important considerations when buying a diamond, but if you want a larger diamond, you may have to come down several grades in color, or choose a slightly spread stone, or select one of the new shapes that look much larger than traditional cuts. The most important thing is to know what you are getting, and get what you pay for.

What to ask when buying a colored gemstone

As with diamonds, it’s very important to ask the right questions to help you understand the differences in gems you may be considering. Asking the following questions should help you to gain a greater understanding of the differences, determine what’s right for you, and have greater confidence in your decision.

1. Is this a genuine, natural gemstone, or a synthetic?
Synthetic stones are genuine, but not natural.

2. Is the color natural?
Most colored gemstones are routinely color enhanced. However, gemstones such as lapis should not be, and you must protect yourself from buying dyed material that will not retain its color permanently.

Be especially cautious when buying any blue sapphire; make sure you ask whether or not the gemstone has been checked for diffusion treatment. Today, with diffused sapphire being found mixed in parcels of natural sapphires and unknowingly set into jewelry, it’s possible that one may be sold inadvertently.

3. Clarify what the name means.
Be particularly careful of misleading names. when a gemstone is described with any qualifier such as Rio Topaz (which is not topaz), ask specifically whether or not the gemstone is genuine. Ask why the qualifier is being used.

4. Is the clarity acceptable, or do too many inclusions detract from the beauty of the gemstone?
Are there any flaws, inclusions, or natural characteristics in this stone that might make it more vulnerable to breakage with normal wear? This is a particularly important question when considering a colored gemstone.
While visible inclusions are more common in colored gems than in diamonds, and their existence has much less impact on value than they have on diamond value, value is nonetheless reduced if the inclusions or blemishes affect the gemstone’s durability, or are so numerous that they mar its beauty.
Be especially careful to ask whether or not any inclusion breaks the stone’s surface, since this may weaken the gemstone, particularly if the imperfection is in a position normally exposed to wear, like the top of the stone or around the girdle. This would reduce the gemstone’s value significantly. On the other hand, if the flaw is in a less vulnerable spot, where it can be protected by the setting, it may be of minimal risk and have little effect on value.

A larger number of inclusions will usually detract noticeably from the beauty, especially in terms of liveliness, and will also generally weaken the gemstone and make it more susceptible to any below or knock. Such gemstones should be avoided unless the price is right and you’re willing to assume the risk.

Also, certain gems, as mentioned previously, are more brittle than others, and may break or chip more easily, even without flaws. These gemstones include opal, zircon, and some of the new and increasing ly popular gems, such as iolte (water sapphire) and tanzanite. This does not mean you should avoid buying them, but it does mean you should give thought to how they will be worn and how they will be set. Rings and bracelets are particularly vulnerable, since they are more susceptible to blows or knocks; brooches, pendants, and earrings are less vulnerable.

5. Do you like the color? How close is the color to its pure spectral shade? Is it too light? Too dark? How does the color look in different types of lights?
Learn to look at color critically. Become familiar with the rarest, and most valuable, color of the gem of your choice. But after you do this, decide what you really like, for yourself. You may prefer a color that might be less rare, and therefore more affordable. Be sure the color pleases you; don’t buy what you think you should buy unless you really like it.

6. Is the color permanent?
This question should be asked in light of new treatments (such as diffusion) and also because color in some gemstones is prone to fading. two examples are amethyst and kunzite (one of the new and increasingly popular gems). Just which ones will fade and which won’t, and how long the process might take, no one can know. This phenomenon has never affected the popularity of amethyst and we see no reason for it to affect kunzite’s popularity, but we feel the consumer should be aware of it. There is evidence that too much exposure to strong sunlight or intense heat contributes to fading in these gemstones, so we suggest avoiding sun and heat. It may be wise to wear these gems primarily for “evening” or “indoor” activities.

7. Does the gemstone need protective setting?
The setting may be of special importance when considering gemstone like tanzanite, opal, or emerald. They require a setting that will offer some protection; for example, one in which the main stone is surrounded by diamonds. A design in which the gemstone is unusually exposed, such as in a high setting or one with open, unprotected sides, would be undesirable.

8. Does the gemstone have a pleasing shape? Does it have a nice “personality?”
This will be determined by the cutting. Many colored gems are cut in fancy shapes, often by custom cutters. Fine cutting can enrich the color and personality, and increase the cost. However, with colored gems brilliance and sparkle are less important than the color itself. The most critical considerations must focus on color, first and foremost. Sometimes a cutter must sacrifice brilliance in order to obtain the finest possible color. But if the color is not rich enough or captivating enough to compensate for less brilliance, ask if the jeweler has something that is cut better and exhibits a little more sparkle. Keep in mind, however, that the more brilliant gemstone may not have the precise color you like, and that when buying a colored gem, color is the most crucial factor. Unless you find the gemstone’s personality unappealing, don’t sacrifice a beautiful color for a stone with less appealing color just because it may sparkle more. Compare, decide based upon what you like, and what you can afford.
When considering a pastel colored gem, remember that if it is cut too shallow (flat), it can lose its appeal quickly (but only temporarily) with a slight build up of greasy dirt on the back; the color will fade and liveliness practically disappear. This can be immediately remedied by a good cleaning.

9. What are the colorless gemstones?
In a piece of jewelry where a colored gemstone is mounted with colorless stones to accentuate or highlight its color, ask, “what are the colorless stones?” Do not assume they are diamonds. They may be diamonds, zircons, man-made diamond imitations such as CZ or YAG, or synthetic white spinel (spinel is frequently used in the Orient).

Special tips to remember when buying a colored gemstone

- When looking at unmounted gemstones, view them through the side as well as from the top. Also, turn upside down on a flat white surface so they are resting on the table facet and you can look straight down through the stone on the table facet and you can look straight down through the stone from the back. Look for evenness of color versus color zoning; shades of lighter or darker tones creating streaks or planes of differing color.
- Remember that color is the most important consideration. If the color is fine, the presence of flaws or inclusions doesn’t detract from the gemstone’s value as significantly as with diamonds. If the overall color or beauty deter is not seriously affected, the presence of flaws should not deter a purchase. But, conversely, flawless gemstones may bring a disproportionately higher price per carat due to their rarity, an larger sizes will also command higher prices. In pastel colored gems, or gemstones with less fine color, clarity may be more important.
- Be sure to check the gemstone’s color in several different types of light; a spotlight, sunlight, or fluorescent or lamplight, before making any decision. Many gemstones change color; some just slightly, others dramatically, depending upon the light in which they are viewed. Be sure that the gemstone is a pleasing color in the type of light in which you expect to be wearing it most.
If considering a gemstone with rich, deep color; especially if it is for special occasions and likely to be worn mostly at night, be sure it doesn’t turn black in evening light.
- Remember to give special attention to wear-ability. If you are considering one of the more fragile gemstones, think about how the piece will be worn, where, and how frequently. Also, pay special attention to the setting and whether the gemstone is mounted in a way that will add protection, or allow unnecessary, risky exposure to hazards.

Get the facts on the the bill of sale

If a colored gemstone is over one carat and exceptionally fine and expensive, make the sale contingent on verification of the facts by a qualified gemologist, appraiser, or gem testing lab such as GIA or American Gemological Laboratory (AGL).

Always make sure that any item you purchase is clearly described in the bill of sale exactly as represented to you by the salesperson or jeweler. For diamonds, be sure each of the 4 Cs is described in writing. For colored gems, essential information also includes the following:

- The identity of the stone or stones and whether or not they are genuine or synthetic, and not in any way a composite (Doublet, triplet).
- A statement that the color is natural, if it has been so represented; or, in the case of sapphire, a statement that the stone either is surface diffused, or that it is not surface diffused.
- A statement describing the overall color (hue, tone, intensity).
- A statement describing the overall flaw picture. This is not always necessary with colored gemstones. In the case of a flawless or nearly flawless gemstone it is wise to note the excellent clarity. In addition, note any unusual flaw that might prove useful for for identification.
- A statement describing the cut or make. This is not always necessary, but may be useful if the gemstone specially well cut, or an unusual or fancy cut.
- The carat weight of the main gemstone or gemstones plus total weight if there is a combination of main and smaller gemstones.
- If the gemstone is to be taken on approval, make sure that the exact dimensions of the gemstone are included, as well as any other identification characteristics. The terms and period of approval should also be clearly stated.

Other information that should be included for jewelry

- If the piece is being represented as being made by a famous designer or house (Van Cleef and Arpels, Tiffany, Caldwell, Cartier, etc.) and the price reflects this, the name of the designer or jewelry firm should be stated on the bill of sale.
- If the piece is represented as antique (technically, an antique must be at least a hundred years old) or as a “period” piece from a popular, collectible period like Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian (especially if made by a premier artisan of the period), this information should be stated on the bill of sale, with the approximate age or date of manufacture, and a statement describing “condition.”
- If made by hand, or custom designed, this should be indicated on the bill of sale.
- If the piece is to be taken on approval, make sure millimeter dimensions; top to bottom, as well as a full description of the piece. Also, check that a time period is indicated, such as “two days,” and before you sign anything, be sure that you are signing an approval form and not a binding contract for its purchase.

When you are creating or using CGI routines, you must be careful
to keep good coding techniques, security and just plain common
sense in mind. Sometimes you can do things that cause serious
unexpected site effects. In fact, sometimes you may think you
are making your CGI routine secure only to find out it just
doesn’t work like you expected.

A good example of a this phenomenon is a simple CGI routine
called FormMail. This was written a number of years ago by a
fellow named Matt Wright to allow data to be entered in a form,
then emailed to a recipient.

I first looked at FormMail because I wanted to cut down on spam.
You see, my web site had my email address embedded on every
single page. I thought this was a good idea to allow people to
send me an email message when they wanted to contact me. In
fact, all of the web design books indicate that all good web
sites include an email link of this kind.

I soon discovered, much to my horror, that spammers use special
programs called Spam Harvesters to scan websites for email
addresses. They add these addresses to their mailing lists and
resell them over and over. The result is a large increase in the
amount of spam that I received.

After much research, I came to the conclusion that the best
defense against spam robots was to simply stop including my
email address on my web sites. This left the question of how to
allow users to contact me when they had questions or comments.

The answer is simple - use a form. The advantage is that the
email address is hidden within the CGI routine or a text file
and it is simply not possible for a spam harvester to pick it
up. As long as the email address is coded into the CGI routine
or in a database you are relatively secure.

However, many people use FormMail in a different way. Let’s say
you want to allow your visitors to “tell a friend” about your
site. So you include a form which allows visitors to enter their
message and a target email address. If you are not very careful
you could find that you have set yourself up as a spam relay.

You see, spammers are always looking for ways to hide their
identity. One common method is to search the internet for
occurrences of FormMail. Sometimes I wonder if spammers rub
their hands together in glee when they find sites which use
FormMail with user-entered email addresses.

The spammer essentially “hijacks” the FormMail CGI routine and
causes it to send out emails as fast and furiously as they can.
I know of one instance where a spammer sent over one million
emails in a single day before someone noticed that their web
server was going very slowly (I wonder how long it would have
taken had the spammer tried limiting the load on the server so
it didn’t show up as much). What happens here is very simple.
The FormMail CGI routine is simply called remotely by the
spammer, once for each spam email that he wants to send.

Ah, you say, but you could code the FormMail routine to check
the referrer field. This would surely prevent a spammer from
using it remotely, as his referrer would not be the website URL.

Sorry, no. The referrer field is actually a text string passed
to the CGI routine by the browser. The spammer is most likely
using a program which appears, to your web site, to be just
another browser. Since the spammer controls the program he can
code it to send the CGI routine whatever value he wants for the
referrer field.

As it turns out, it is very difficult to make a CGI routine such
as FormMail even relatively secure, and it may be impossible to
make it bullet-proof. All you can do is check enough things and
put in delays here and there to slow down and discourage
spammers.

You could, for example, only allow one posting per IP address
per hour. You could also check referrer just to block out the
more ignorant spammers. I suppose you could count the number of
times the routine is called, and have it just stop working after
a certain amount. For example, only allow one hundred calls per
day from anywhere.

The point here is not to tear apart the FormMail routine. The
goal is to show how difficult it can be to make anything secure
on the internet, and demonstrate that some assumptions (that the
referrer field is a valid check) may not be true in all cases.

What do you do? Before you implement any CGI or similar
interface, be sure and do a little research to be sure you
completely understand and handle the ramifications. If you don’t
do this, you may find yourself the victim of a hacker or spammer.

The forex trading market has become the biggest financial market in the world today and online currency trading is now one of the fastest growing investments. There are many ways to find information on forex trading and online currency trading but finding the best forex traders can be difficult if you don’t know where to look.

With the growing popularity of forex trading and the information publicly available on the internet finding the best forex traders is no longer as difficult as it may have been. The currency analytical reports are now available to the public online and you can even access live data if you know where to look. Finding the best forex traders has become even easier and more and more people are beginning to reap these profits.

What Are the Best Forex Traders

Forex traders are the currencies that are traded by investors and the best forex traders are the currencies that are making the most profit for their investors. Currencies fluctuate constantly and keeping up to date with the state of these currencies used to be extremely difficult for small time investors.

The forex traders that are most popular and the ones that should be monitored closely are the “majors”. These are the EUR/USD combination, the USD/JPY, the USD/CHF, and the GBP/USD. These combinations change constantly and knowing where these forex traders stand will allow you to make the profits you choose from your forex trading.

Forex trading guides and forex training education programs are available for anyone looking to earn money from this extremely lucrative system and most of these programs are designed with beginners in mind explaining all the technical language in simple easy to follow terms.

Forex trading could help you change your future; why not invest in it now?

We offer the best online Forex trading source. Check us out on Online currency trading experts. All about Forex on www.leandernet.com

A big decision: The decision of which of the many active adult communities in Florida to zero in on is a big one indeed. After having spent a lifetime slogging it is best to choose wisely when it comes to spending your nest egg on a new home. Thus there are many factors to take into consideration. Pick a retirement community where you can live with other people your age and with similar interests. Also, think of such things as the local weather, lifestyle, urban or rural, how accessible the place is and what facilities they offer. The prospect of living in the Sunshine State is too tempting for most but think carefully before making your choice. Because once you pick one of the many Florida active adult communities, it could be a choice you have to live with the rest of your life.

Many lifestyle options: Active adult communities are of various types. They can be Golf Communities, Tennis Communities or Pool Communities. Golf Communities are proving to be the most popular as they can be the best retirement communities. A Golf Community is nothing but an active adult retirement community with a golf course. Golf Communities are becoming every popular with active adults, that is, those who are 55+. Retiring to a Golf Community means endless days on the course without a care in the world.

Florida Golf Communities: Florida boasts of a range of Golf Communities of every type. You can take your pick of urban, rural, waterfront, standard or luxury Golf Community Homes. Central Florida is fast becoming a popular choice for the relatively less expensive Golf Community homes it offers compare to North and South Florida. Some of the best retirement communities in Florida are being built here today.

Central Florida: Central Florida is fast becoming the preferred destination for retirement. Its pristine surroundings – beautiful lakes, rolling meadows, winding rivers and charming towns has made it a haven for retirees seeking the best life has to offer in their golden years. The major attractions in Central Florida for retired communities are the bucolic landscapes and secure environment. In addition, all modern amenities are provided such as indoor and outdoor pools. The active adult community here is growing by the day with builders, in fact, unable to meet the demand.

Outside attractions: Active adults don’t want to be confined to their homes or community. Increasingly, attractions available outside the community matter. Active adults do look forward to stimulating their minds and bodies with plenty of things to and have places to go to when relatives, grandchildren and children visit them. Thus, most
Florida retirement communities have access to restaurants, museums, cultural programs, pro sports teams, universities and outdoor recreation, all available within a radius of 25-50 miles.

Decision Guide: Those who need help in choosing the right retirement destination can avail of a Decision Guide. The Decision Guide helps you through the decision making process of deciding where to retire. It does this in a structured way through a series of questions and depending on your answers filters out what won’t work for you. Flexible plans are thrown up to make the decision easier.

Over the past 25 years, CRF has developed and built over 30 retirement communities serving the needs for Active Adult Communities over 30,000 residents. CRF Communities’ comprehensive website, http://www.crfcommunities.com has extensive information to help anyone who is considering buying a home in one of the company’s retirement communities in Florida.

Why have you entered the swinging lifestyle? Has your spouse
become boring in bed and you want something more exciting? Have
you become a swinger in an attempt to keep your spouse from
cheating on you? Has your marriage lost it’s “spark” and you
feel that adding other sexual partners will correct your
relationship problems? The above are all reasons why NOT to
enter the swinging scene. The lifestyle WILL NOT fix a marriage
already in trouble, it may actually add to the existing
problems. Use your time and resources contacting professionals
who can help you to get your marriage back on track before
attempting to become active in the lifestyle.

Despite the massive efforts of the credit reporting agencies to convince you otherwise, there are many credit repair companies that are no different than most other services. Like all industries, less-than-honest companies do exist and are damaging to their clients and to the credit repair industry as a whole.

For example, you may have 20 car mechanics in your hometown. Most likely, 17-18 of these mechanics are honest, hardworking people who want to earn a living and give you the best service possible. The other 2 or 3 mechanics may not be so honest and will take your money while not giving you the quality or quantity of service you pay for… or, they may be out-and-out crooks who take your money and lie to you. This doesn’t mean that your town is a bad place to get your car fixed; it just
means that, like any industry anywhere, there are good companies, mediocre companies, and really bad companies.

As for credit repair- do your homework. Is the company you are selecting a non-profit organization? Are they claiming that they can delete accurate negative information? Do they provide you with consumer rights information? Do they charge outrageous fees? Consumers should take these things into consideration when hiring a credit repair company to help them with their
credit issues.

To better understand the credit repair business some background on the industry is necessary. Beginning in the mid to late 1970s, many unscrupulous entrepreneurs realized that millions of Americans have damaged credit report ratings and that they could make money by convincing these people they could remove all negative information from their credit files.

Because the industry was completely unregulated, hundreds of credit repair companies sprung up all over the place. Most of them were dishonest and were interested only in stealing money from gullible consumers. As a consequence, thousands of consumers were milked out of millions of dollars while receiving little, if any, of what was promised to them.
Federal and state authorities received numerous complaints about credit repair companies, and as a result, both federal and state governments began passing laws regulating the credit repair industry. In addition, credit repair companies must contract with all clients in writing before work begins and cannot collect any upfront fees unless they are a nonprofit
organization, a licensed attorney who specializes in credit repair, or a person who works in one of several other areas who are exempt from this requirement. Many states require credit repair companies to register with the attorney general’s office in their state and post a surety bond.

Despite such regulation, dishonest credit repair companies still operate. This bit of knowledge is used by dishonest credit repair services to perform credit repair for their clients. Their aim is to either overwhelm the Big Three with reverification requests ( letter writing ) with the goal
of getting as much negative information removed as they possibly can, or hoping that a few requests slip through and result in the removal of negative information.

It is important to note that not all credit repair companies are dishonest. Some companies offer a valuable service to those who find the whole process of credit repair too boring or complex, or just don’t have the time to learn about credit repair. Credit Repair Service is as legitimate and worthwhile as a tax preparation service — the IRS claims that everyone can do their own taxes, but most people hire someone else to do them.

A number of credit repair companies have been offering to give consumers a “fresh start” with their credit histories. These companies seek to obtain a second Social Security number or federal ID number for their clients. This is commonly referred to as “file segregation”. File segregation is a fraudulent practice and violates many Federal and State Laws. I strongly
oppose the abuse of consumers by companies and individuals which direct you to commit fraud in order to obtain “clean” credit reports. In this scheme, you are promised a chance to hide unfavorable credit information by establishing a new credit identity. That may sound perfect, especially if
you’re afraid that you won’t get any credit as long as bankruptcy appears on your credit record.The problem: “File segregation” is illegal. If you use it, you could face fines or even a prison sentence.

If you have filed for bankruptcy, you may receive a letter from a credit repair company that warns you about your inability to get credit cards, personal loans, or any other types of credit for 10 years. For a fee, the company promises to help you hide your bankruptcy and establish a new credit identity to use when you apply for credit. These companies also make pitches in classified ads, on radio and TV, and even over the Internet.
If you pay the fee and sign up for the service, you may be directed to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Typically, EINs — which resemble Social Security numbers — are used by businesses to report financial information to the IRS and the Social Security Administration. After you receive your EIN, the credit
repair service will tell you to use it in place of your Social Security number when you apply for credit. They’ll also tell you to use a new mailing address and some credit references.

To convince you to establish a new credit identity, the credit repair service is likely to make a variety of false claims. Listen carefully; these false claims, along with the pitch for getting a new credit identity, should alert you to the possibility of fraud. You’ll probably hear:

Claim 1: You will not be able to get credit for 10 years (the period of time bankruptcy information may stay on your credit record).

Each creditor has its own criteria for granting credit. While one may reject your application because of a bankruptcy, another may grant you credit shortly after you filed for bankruptcy. And, given a new reliable payment record, your chances of getting credit will probably increase as time passes.

Claim 2: The company or “file segregation” program is affiliated with the federal government.

The federal government does not support or work with companies that offer such programs.

Claim 3: The “file segregation” program is legal.

It is a federal crime to make any false statements on a loan or credit application. The credit repair company may advise you to do just that. It is a federal crime to misrepresent your Social Security number. It also is a federal crime to obtain an EIN from the IRS under false pretenses.

Further, you could be charged with mail or wire fraud if you use the mail or the telephone to apply for credit and provide false information. Worse yet, file segregation likely would constitute civil fraud under many state laws.

All the information in this article is provided to help clear up those “questionable” items on your credit reports. “Credit repair” is a general term usually used to describe a systematic process of rehabilitating an individual’s creditworthiness, or financial credit reputation. The process is generally started by obtaining copies of the individual’s credit report,
reviewing the credit report for errors, omissions, and misleading information, and requesting corrections to such information by means of a formal dispute letter. Many laws, regulations, and practices govern this process, and many organizations exist that will assist in guiding individuals through this sometimes complex process, though much, if not
all, may be accomplished by individuals by their own efforts.

When you identify inaccurate, erroneous, and obsolete entries on your credit reports and bring it to the credit reporting agency’s attention they must do one of two things by law. Correct it or delete it! The credit bureaus must investigate all disputes and respond to you within a reasonable time period which is around 30 days. If you are in the process of applying for a loan, immediately notify your lender of any incorrect
information in your report. Your lender will need to reorder your credit report and score once any changes have been made to your information at the credit bureau. Small errors may have effect on your score. If there are significant errors, however, the lender may turn down you’re application entirely or charge you a much higher interest rate. The three major credit-reporting agencies under the statutes of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) must deliver an accurate credit report to every American consumer.

Marco Carbajo is the President and CEO of UCan2 Opportunity,a national financial solutions company. He is author of many credit and debt related articles. If you are looking for help to repair your credit or eliminate debt please visit us at http://www.ucan2opty.com