Thursday, July 26, 2012

High Payouts Via Paid Surveys ? headline news

Can you really earn money taking surveys? The answer is YES! We?ve all seen them, advertisements, banner ads, even spam emails promising us extra cash just for taking the time to fill out a survey. But how much can you really make? What exactly do these companies want in return? Read on below to find out. First, the survey companies actually do get a lot in return for their money. Whether they are researching and developing new products or experimenting with new advertising methods for existing products, the information these companies gleam from your consumer responses is invaluable to them. They can use your responses to find the right market for their product, gauge interest in certain products and even test advertising before they spend a huge amount of money on a national advertising campaign. Not only do the companies get a goldmine of information from consumer responses, but they can even use the aggregate information to form very specific ideas of what a certain market segment wants or needs. Consumer testing and surveys are one of the most important methods of research and testing that the big brand names use to research, develop and market their products, it?s a win-win for them, for the consumer and for the people taking the surveys.

There are different types of paid surveys and they each have their own pros and cons, I?ll list the two major types below: Surveys For Cash ? This type of survey is the most prized, because you give them your time and they pay you in real money. These survey companies will usually send you a check, but some of them send actual cash in the mail. Ranging from $2, $5 all the way up to $10 and $20. Higher payouts happen, but they are more rare and usually require much more time and information from you, such as keeping a daily journal of your shopping habits, Internet surfing habits or your banking habits or testing out actual products. Surveys For Rewards ? Some survey companies will offer you points for each survey you take, say 50 points or 500 points. Then these points can be redeemed for products, gift certificates, gift cards, airline miles and other items. Sometimes, the points can even be redeeemed for cash. There are more of these types of survey programs available since you must commit some time to faithfully taking the surveys they send in order to gain enough points to be redeemed for something worthwhile. However, these companies tend to send more surveys than the companies that pay cash, so you may have more opportunities to redeem your accumulated points for cash or a tangible prize in the end. Avoiding The Scams Most survey companies are legitimate, but some you may want to watch out for. Listed below are some ways to make sure you are taking surveys for legitimate companies: Reputation ? Before signing up for a survey program, check it?s reputation by doing a bit of research to make sure the company actually pays it?s members or sends out their prizes. You can check with the Better Business Bureau online, check Google and the many message boards and forums dedicated to taking surveys and making money online in general. It should take you just a few minutes to find out if a company is for real or is just collecting information to spam you. Privacy Policy ? Make sure the site has a clearly stated privacy policy and be sure to read it carefully. Make sure they aren?t going to keep and sell your personal information to third parties and that the information you do give is used for reasonable purposes. Survey Directories ? You can find some excellent listings of paid survey companies on the web. These directories will often have a description and review of each company. You?ll often be able to see what types of payment or prizes they offer. Be sure to check these out. An excellent paid online survey directory is PaidSurvey24.com. Helpful Tools There are some helpful tools available for those that would like to take surveys but don?t type very fast or well. One of the best is the Google Toolbar. It?s completely free and installs right to your browser. Once it?s installed, you should click the OPTIONS tab on the bar and check the box next to AUTOFILL. Then click the AUTOFILL SETTINGS button and fill in all the information there. This enables the auto fill form tool so that you can fill out forms asking for your name, address, email address etc. just once and then you can simply click the AUTOFILL button on your browser to fill in each of these fields. Extremely handy and a HUGE timesaver! With the Google toolbar, you can also search Google without having to go to Google main page, so you can research paid survey companies even more easily. You can get it from Google site, just go to their main page and click on MORE, then EVEN MORE and then click on TOOLBAR. In summary, while you may not be able to make a living taking surveys, you certainly can make some extra money and earn some nice prizes. So the question is not, why would you want to take paid surveys, its why wouldn?t you want to take paid surveys?! It?s easy, often fun and has many benefits! Good luck! Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips & hints, Points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques & insights pertaining to Google Ad sense, Do please browse for more information at our website :- http://www.freeearningtips.com

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Source: http://headlinenews.talkposts.com/2012/07/25/high-payouts-via-paid-surveys/

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The Benefits of Computer Programming - The Bustard Blog

If you have even a passing interest in the topic of Computer Programming, then you should take a look at the following information. This enlightening article presents some of the latest news on the subject of Computer Programming.

Many of the technologies we enjoy today are the result of computer programming. Technologies that allow us to utilize and enjoy the Internet, desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones, video games, even those that run automated processes in homes, offices, banks and airports are available thanks to the genius of computer programming. However, the uses of computer programming are not limited to these alone. It actually has numerous benefits, such as:

It allows the programmer to have a better understanding of computers.
Computers are run by programs. Without programs, computers are nothing but steel, plastic and alloy, essentially useless. With a background knowledge in programming, it makes it easier to understand how computers work, which helps users view the equipment as more than a tool.

A better understanding of computers also allows users to determine the hows and whys of the system, which helps them become more effective in using the equipment. Knowing how programs work makes it easy to understand their limitations, such as what they can and cannot do. This helps users maintain realistic expectations about computers and learn how to maximize their equipment.

Programmers are able to create newer, more useful programs.
Computer programming is responsible for creating very valuable programs. Operating systems, for example, the heart and soul of every computer, are made up of thousands, even millions of smaller programs. If you have the right skills in computer programming, it will be easy to literally build a program from scratch and create a very useful tool that may be utilized in many different fields or industries.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you?re fully informed about Computer Programming, keep reading.

Programmers are able to correct bugs in a program.
A background in computer programming will allow you to look at a problematic program and do more than just sit helpless. If there is a glitch or bug in the program, it will be easy for a trained individual to look at the system, detect and locate the problem and make the necessary corrections. Testing the program will then be easier once you understand what the defective issue was.

It allows programmers to improve an existing program.
Modifying a program is the realm of programmers who deal with specialist applications. Computer programmers, especially those who have the training and experience, can take a look at an existing program and determine whether or not it has the necessary components to become a highly optimized program. If it is not, they can modify the program and improve it, creating a newer, better version. This is usually done if the program is problematic or if there are bugs in the system.

It provides programmers more creative ways to entertain.
There is a huge market for games and other forms of entertainment that computer programming can support. New video games, mobile games, animations, graphics and file types are the results of programming.

Computer programming is an exciting career.
For individuals looking for a great future in information technology, computer programming is an excellent career path to follow. According to the figures estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of computer science will continue to grow. The need for programmers, for example, is predicted to increase by more than 70% by 2010, which is more than a 50% increase in the number currently required.

Computer programming and the future
One of the most exciting benefits of computer programming is that it offers us a glimpse of the future. The possibilities being offered today, such as CGIs, voice-automated technology, artificial intelligence, more sophisticated programs and the like are just a few of the things we can expect. With computer programming, many aspects of our lives have gotten easier, quicker, safer and much more interesting.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, now offering the host then profit baby plan for only $1 over at Host Then Profit

Source: http://www.bustardblog.com/computer-programming/the-benefits-of-computer-programming.htm

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Zynga shares slump on fading "Farmville" fortunes

(Reuters) - Shares of Zynga Inc slumped 42 percent to their lowest ever on Thursday, after fading fortunes of hit games such as "FarmVille" on Facebook forced the company to slash its outlook.

The slide wiped $1.5 billion off Zynga's value, taking it to just $2.2 billion -- a far cry from the Internet gaming firm's IPO launch value of nearly $9 billion last December.

A slew of analysts cut their ratings and price targets for Zynga after it reported lower-than-expected quarterly results on Wednesday and forecast a much smaller 2012 profit.

Zynga has been hit by user fatigue for some of its long-running games and a shift in the way Facebook Inc's social platform promotes games.

"The biggest factor impacting current performance appears to be the way Facebook is surfacing gaming content on its platform," JP Morgan's Doug Anmuth wrote in a note to clients.

Surfacing refers to how a website displays content.

Facebook recently tweaked the way users find games in its app center -- giving prominence to newer titles and pushing down older games -- making it difficult for users to find some of Zynga's most popular titles.

"FarmVille", which contributed 29 percent of Zynga's second-quarter revenues, slid to 20 million users this month from a high of about 80 million in March, according to Appdata.com, a Facebook tracking service.

Zynga's weak outlook spooked Facebook investors who are waiting for the social networking company to report results for the first time on Thursday.

Zynga, which relies on Facebook for more than 90 percent of its revenue, was the most heavily traded stock on the Nasdaq on Thursday morning and the biggest percentage loser.

J.P. Morgan Securities, Citi Investment Research, Lazard Capital Markets, Stifel Nicolaus, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs downgraded Zynga's stock to "neutral," or equivalent ratings.

At least six other brokerages slashed their price targets on the stock to as low as $3.00.

On top of the drop in users for core money-making games such as "FarmVille" and "Hidden Chronicles", a new game Zynga bought in March, "Draw Something", has also not lived up to its hopes.

Prospects for games on Facebook have deteriorated as users tire of games where players manage farms, zoos and other environments, analysts say.

A shift by users to accessing Facebook through mobiles, which have less space for advertising, adds to the pressure.

"As Zynga looks to grow its footprint in the mobile category, the traditional Facebook business was expected to act as a solid foundation, but is instead showing incremental weakness," said Piper Jaffray analysts.

The woes highlight the fading fortunes of consumer Internet stocks that were once heavily bet on. This month, an investment analyst said Facebook had shed users in both the United States and Europe over the past six months.

(Reporting by Rachel Chitra and Sayantani Ghosh; Editing by Tenzin Pema and Rodney Joyce)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/analysts-see-multi-quarter-hit-zynga-facebook-changes-110747434--sector.html

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Olympic VIP lanes baffle, anger London drivers

LONDON (AP) ? Sabir Karim, a lifelong Londoner, was alarmed to find this week that a familiar city road had suddenly turned into an impossible challenge.

Officials had redrawn its lanes, leaving him only two options: The bus lane on the left, or the new Olympic "Games Lane," restricted for the sole use of officials and athletes, on the right. The restaurant owner didn't know what to do, but he knew that fines awaited him if he drove in either lane.

"I was literally trapped," he said. "I panicked. It was a scary and horrendous experience."

Bafflement and long waits reigned on London's roads this week as drivers struggled to comprehend the new lane changes, diversions, banned turns and parking restrictions for the Olympics, which officially open on Friday.

As host city, London is as cosmopolitan as they come, but transport is its weak spot: Traffic often clogs up its narrow, historic roads, bus schedules can change at a moment's notice, and the subway (the famous Underground) suffers from daily delays and century-old infrastructure.

The road changes, which came into full force Wednesday morning, are causing additional pain. There were traffic backups in some parts of central London early Wednesday as commuters coped with the new restrictions, and there were signs that many motorists had switched to public transport to avoid the hassle.

"Drivers do have somewhere to go, but it's been a bit confusing," said Paul Watters, head of road policy at the British Automobile Association. "We know it's going to be tricky and difficult, and it's bound to be full of teething problems. We're almost there now so hopefully it will be better."

Even if it all goes smoothly ? a big if ? the 30 miles (48 kilometers) of Olympics-only road lanes are likely to remain deeply unpopular among Britons.

Critics argue that these lanes ? open only to Olympic athletes, officials, journalists, emergency services and games marketing partners ? are elitist and make life difficult for everyone else. Driving on the lanes, widely dubbed "Zil lanes" after the Russian limos granted exclusive use of special lanes on Soviet-era highways, can cost you a fine of up to 130 pounds ($202).

Britain relies on traffic cameras to spot infractions, so many people won't know they've been ticketed till the bad news arrives in the mail.

The International Olympic Committee had specifically demanded the lanes be created after learning lessons from previous games ? one of the worst being Atlanta in 1996, now remembered as the one where bus drivers got lost and some athletes arrived moments before their events.

In London, some of the loudest opposition to the Olympic VIP lanes has come from the city's cabbies, who have staged two demonstrations in the past two weeks that brought central London traffic to a standstill. Like the rest of the public, they're banned from the Olympic lanes, which they say jeopardizes their business by creating much longer ? and costlier ? cab rides for customers.

"We're not going to be able to drop passengers where they want to go," said Lee Osborne of the United Cabbies Group, which protested with about 50 cabs at Tower Bridge on Tuesday. "Traffic in London is pretty bad as it is, and now passengers are going to suffer with the meter just ticking away."

Even on a normal day, driving in London is rarely a smooth experience. For a city of its size, it has surprisingly few highways or wide thoroughfares, which means that most roads have multiple traffic lights and pedestrian crossings. Olympics organizers have repeatedly urged people to avoid driving their cars, to walk and bike ride around, and for spectators to go to events using public transport.

That's easier said than done. London's Tube network is the most popular way to get across town, but it groans with age ? its first line, the Metropolitan line, opened in 1863. Today, that line still runs alongside more than a dozen others in a half-modernized system that handles roughly 12 million trips a day.

Officials are expecting up to 15 million subway trips a day during the Olympics.

The British government has injected 6.5 billion pounds ($10 billion) to upgrade the network ahead of the Olympics, but it's still riddled with daily problems. On Tuesday, extensive delays hit the key Javelin high-speed train from central London to the Olympic Park, and on Monday, multiple key lines leading to the park broke down during the morning rush hour.

"It can't even cope in normal times, all it takes is one problem and the whole system gets paralyzed," said Tony Shelton, an accountant who was riding the Northern line. His journey was only slightly delayed but he said: "I'll probably avoid coming into town."

Not everyone is so downbeat. Many others are proudly standing by their Tube and their city.

"It was absolutely fine today. I'm sure it will be all right," said Amelia Alvares, a marketing manager. "It's not perfect, but it will work."

__

Sylvia Hui can be reached at http://twitter.com/sylviahui

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/olympic-vip-lanes-baffle-anger-london-drivers-060508684--oly.html

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Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) MDP benchmarks blow away the competition (update: video)

Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MDP benchmarks blow away the competition

As mentioned earlier, we've just gotten our hands on Qualcomm's latest development platform to see how its first quad core chipset fares. And boy, that APQ8064 really doesn't disappoint, but it should be no surprise -- we've already seen how the top dual core S4 chipsets already beat their quad core competitors in certain aspects, so it's only natural for the quad core S4 Pro to annihilate them. As you can see in our chart after the break, the APQ8064-based MDP easily beat the Tegra 3-based One X and Nexus 7, as well as the Exynos 4412-based Galaxy S III. And partly thanks to the Adreno 320 graphics core, the MDP even scored an astonishing 132fps in our GLBenchmark test, while the quad core Galaxy S III with Mali-400 graphics came second with 99fps, with the remaining devices lingering around 60fps only.

Obviously, the question remains how big of a trade-off there is on battery life in exchange for those two extra cores and the more powerful graphics chip. That said, we have a feeling that Snapdragon's Krait architecture and asynchronously clocked cores will again prove that Tegra 3's 4-PLUS-1 design isn't the best solution for battery efficiency -- as many of you might already know. We shall see when APQ8064-based products become available later this year. For now, take a gander at our numbers and photos.

Update: Hit the break for our hands-on video with the MDP. Also, we had a chance play with the 13-megapixel autofocus camera in the worst possible lighting conditions, and it acquitted itself rather well considering the circumstances. Check out the sample gallery below.

Myriam Joire contributed to this mind-blowing hands-on.

Continue reading Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) MDP benchmarks blow away the competition (update: video)

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Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) MDP benchmarks blow away the competition (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 18:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/24/qualcomm-snapdragon-s4-pro-apq8064-benchmark/

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Video: Paterno statue removed as Penn State receives harsh punishments

The female face of HIV: 'Everyone's at risk'

More than a quarter of new infections in the United States every year are in women, and of the 1.1 million Americans with the AIDS virus, 280,000 are female, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Black women are especially vulnerable.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/vp/48292991#48292991

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Statue of football coach Joe Paterno taken down by Penn State

A 7-foot statue of Joe Paterno, legendary football coach at Penn State University, was?

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A 7-foot statue of Joe Paterno, legendary football coach at Penn State University, was removed from its pedestal outside Beaver Stadium Sunday morning. Paterno?s legacy, which includes an NCAA record 409 wins over 46 season, has been scarred since reports surfaced that he concealed information from authorities regarding allegations of sexual abuse of underage boys by former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, writes Yahoo.

?I now believe that, contrary to is original intention, Coach Paterno?s statue has become a source of division and an obstacle to healing in our university and beyond,? Penn State?President Rodney?Erickson said in a statement according to ESPN. ?For that reason, I have decided that it is in the best interest of our university and public safety to remove the statue and store it in a secure location.?

The NCAA plans to announce sanctions against the university this morning.

Joe Paterno died on January 22, 2012, after the Sandusky scandal had already made international headlines.

Source: http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/07/23/statue-of-football-coach-joe-paterno-taken-down-by-penn-state/

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