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Location: KualaLumpur, Malaysia
Commence: Aug2009
Duration: Permanent
- Manage the cost control services in support of project activities, including cost estimating, data base management, progress and analysis, VOWD analysis, trend analysis, forecasting, variance analysis and budgeting.
- verification of costs that are charged in terms of contractual validity and conformance with contractual compensation provisions.
- Bachelor degree in Engineering or equivalent
- 10years cost engineering experience with both fixed and variable cost analysis procedures in O&G
- 5years with routine cost estimating methods
- experience and thorough knowledge in Cost control data bases such as MS-ACCESS and MS Excel Pivot Table, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and Standard Codes of Account (SCOA),
- Reconciling VOWD estimates with commitments and actual costs plus accruals,
- Performing variance analysis and distinguishing between scope of work, currency, escalation and timing differences,
- experience in reviewing contracts and extracting of relevant cost information for contract analysis is required


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|Fiddler crab, Montaña de Oro State Park on California's Central Coast. Photo by Ronn Koeppel.
|Anemone, snails and Franciscan mélange; near Piedras Blancas on California's Central Coast.
|La Puríssima manzanita, Arctostaphylos purissima, is endemic to sandy soils
in western Santa Barbara County, California.
|Blue euphorbia, Euphorbia rigida, San Luis Obispo Botanic Gardens, El Chorro Regional Park. Coming to the Central Coast from early spring in Wyoming, the amazing colors I see every day are close to psychedelic.

subset: commoncrawl


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Race the clock in this action packed two player game set underneath London. As you try and solve the puzzles that have been left for you, you also need to try and stop London from being destroyed.
Fun and immersive as you wear wireless headphones to hear the sounds of London from below ground.
Will you be able to solve the puzzles this mad man has set for you? Will you be able to work together to stop a runaway train?
You'll need to rely on your puzzle solving skills, your communication and your dexterity as you work your way from station platform , to train and back to street level.
A two player game with twists and turns designed to be challenging and fun.
The game is at our Mile End Studio in London - E3.
During the game players wear wireless headphones to hear the sounds of the underground and secret messages. Check our diary for available dates.


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seriously? where did the weekend go? Actually I must say it went awfully fast cause it was just way too much fun!
"Bling it on Canada" was all that we expected and so much more!
It is alway so much work preparing but the end result is so worth it! Teresa Collins was amazing as always, she is the sweetest most sincere person ever!
And of course we met some fabulous new friends as well!
Can't wait until our next event in April!
Here are some hilights from the weekend!
The group shot is from Susans camera so if you would like to have it emailed to you please contact the store!
It actually turned out pretty good considering how hard the poor guy had to work to get it! lol
I have to say thank you to all of you that attende the event, it was so great to have you there! You are all fantastic!!
Here is my layout for the Shabby class this week!
see you all soon!


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Hey everyone! It's Monday!! And I'm so sorry I haven't posted in 2 weeks but I really needed a break from blogging since I have been so busy with moving. But for today's post I wanted to diy an old clear CD and make it a cut diy donut for decoration! I really like how it turned out and I would definitely make this again. Let me know in the comments if you have any suggestions for any future posts and I'll try to make it happen. So let's get started!
Step 1: To start you are going to need to gather your supplies. You will need, a clear CD, a sheet of colored paper (your choice,I went with pink), markers,scissors, and glue.
Step 2: Start by tracing the size of your CD onto your paper. Then using your scissors cut out your perfect circle with a small whole in the middle.
Step 3: Using your markers make sprinkles on your circle. Make sure to not make to many or it will cover up your whole donut.
Step 4: You are going to need a tissue for this part to spread the glue in one side of your CD. Then place your paper on to with the sprinkles touching the glue.
And your done!! Have a great day and I'll see you on Monday!! -BloggerGirl


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This, my friends, is the kind of pattern you can whip up in half an hour or less probably. Pre-shrinking your fabric definitely takes longer than cutting out and sewing this baby. It's four seams (if you're doing the chevron like I did) or two if you're doing a solid colour and a waistband. That's it. That's all. Easy peasy.
|Nice, neat and narrow. Borrowing the Jade Skirt waistband.
I finally got it ironed, put it on and got (BF)G to snap a few photos for me while our Easter supper was cooking this afternoon. It's freezing outside (literally and with a windchill none the less). Five minutes before I ran in the house to change into my spring outfit I was actually wearing my parka, toque and mittens. As soon as the photos were done I was back into jeans and winter wear again. Brrrrrr. Oh the sacrifices I make. LOL
I can see adding more yoga skirts to my wardrobe for spring and summer. I really like the ease and comfort of them. Hopefully though my next ones will be done in a timely manner instead of the ridiculous long term plan I used for this particular one.
I have another skirt that I started early in the fall - the Miette skirt from Tilly and the Buttons that I finished up too the other day, but I need to do some major repair work to it. I tried it on yesterday and noticed it was hanging really funny, which seemed sort of odd since I haven't seen any other Miettes in the blogosphere hanging the way mine was. After close and painful inspection of it I realized what the problem was. I don't know what I was up to the day I cut it out in the fall, nor the day a few weeks ago when I finally hemmed it and put the waistband on (yes... another waistband delay) but the hem is a good 3/4" out on one side compared to the other. I'm really hoping I can selvedge it and still have it wearable. I was going for a similar length to my yoga skirt, but I'm worried it's going to end up much shorter when all is said and done. Wish me luck! I'll either be back next with a new skirt or a sad tale of woe...


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Work with a Local Builder in Newcastle to Build your New Home
Finding the best residential builders in Newcastle can be tricky. You might choose the wrong residential builders if you are not careful. That is why it is important for you to learn how to pick the right builders. There are some tips that can help you locate the right residential builder. What happens if you hire wrong residential builders? They might not meet your expectations, and they will not do a perfect job. These residential builders are a waste of time and money. Use the tips mentioned below to find a residential builder in Newcastle, who is qualified for this job. They won't waste your time and they will do an excellent job. The following are the top tips for finding the best residential builders in Newcastle.
1: References
The residential builders in Newcastle have been working for years and some have worked for some months. This means that they have worked with different people. Ask them for references. Some of these builders will give you their references. Check the references and make sure that they are genuine. Some builders might fake their references. Contact these people and ask them to tell you more about that residential builder. They are going to tell if they liked the services of that builder. However, do not depend on references alone. These builders know that people use these references to make their decisions. That is why they only put the contact information of their best clients. That means that you will only talk to the people who love the service of these home builders.
2: Experience and Qualifications of the Residential Builders
The best home builders in Newcastle are those that have been working for several years. They are more experienced and they know how to build the best residential buildings. That is why you need to hire them. They have been building buildings for several years, so they won't disappoint you, especially if they have a good reputation. A lot of people have used these builders, and they liked their services. They have employers who are highly qualified for this job. In fact, they know how to pick the right building materials. That is why you need to use them. However, avoid the residential builders that were started recently, because they might know what they are doing. They might not meet your expectations. So, hire only the residential builders who are experienced and qualified.
3: Check if the Residential Builder use Sub-Contractors
Some home builders in Newcastle use sub-contractors. It is important to check this because there are some sub-contractors who are not qualified for this job. You don't have to use them, and if the residential builders you want to hire use them, you need to avoid them. Search for other residential builders who use the best sub-contractors. Ask the residential builders if they use sub-contractors. This is important because you want to want to make sure that these sub-contractors are right for the job. Spend a lot of time researching these sub-contractors. And check out the buildings that they have built. This helps to know if the sub-contractor is right for the job or not.
4: Insurance
Residential or home building is very risky and accidents might happen. That is why you should check if the residential builder has insurance or not. Some of these residential builders will give their insurance certificates. Call the insurance companies to confirm if these certificates are valid. This is because there are builders who might use fake their insurance papers. Avoid the ones who don't have insurance. If something goes wrong when the employees are working on your building, you will have pay for their medical bills. But if the residential builder was insured, the insurance company will take care of everything. You don't have to spend money on the things that you can avoid.
5: Detailed Quote
Ask the residential builder you want to use for a detailed quote. And check how long the price is guaranteed for. You want to make sure that you know how much you will pay the residential builder before they begin working on your building. That is why you should ask for a quote before hiring a home builder. These home builders will give you their quotes and you can go through them. This can help you pick the right residential builder, because you can compare their quotes. You can pick the one that has the quotes that you can afford. However, never depend on these quotes when you are hiring a residential builder. Do a proper research if you want to choose a good builder. These are best ways for choosing the best residential builders in Newcastle. You can use these tips to find experienced and highly qualified home builders. The best residential builders have highly qualified employees, so you will never have a problem with them if you use them.


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What can you do with C#, a Raspberry Pi, a Pi-DAC, and a Matrix Orbital GLK Display?
Build a HiFi component that receives Internet streaming audio! But see for yourself:
The wonderful GLK series HMI unit comes from Canadian display manufacturer Matrix Orbital in either USB, Serial or I2C flavour. I develop the Firmware on my Windows machine, and not on the Raspberry Pi itself, so the prototype uses the USB version. Easy for me, because I can connect the display straight to my workstation for development and debugging purposes.
Good single malt and good audio boards come from Scotland, it appears. IQaudIO's Pi-DAC employs a Burr Brown (now TI) chip, the PCM5122. Not as audiophile as the legendary PCM1704 perhaps, but listening to it is certainly a pleasant experience. The engineers at IQaudIO designed the power conditioning with great care, and the output signal is very clean. This is indeed a high quality line output card for the Raspberry Pi!
A 15W Mean Well SMPS feeds its 5VDC supply to the distribution rails, where a 10k uF capacitor provides additional stability and reduces ripple. The display, the Raspberry/Pi-DAC-Combo, as well as the external USB port each have their individual power feeds from the power distribution rails. The USB port has an extra 3300uF capacitance added, to smooth out any load surges that might occur when operating power hungry USB devices.
I chose professional (read: expensive) Neutrik connectors for Ethernet and USB on the prototype, as they are particularly sturdy and durable. The line out has isolated, gold plated RCA receptacles. A 500 mA fuse protects against catastrophic SMPS failure while still allowing for (theoretical) 110VAC operation. I took utmost care not to produce any ground loops in the internal wiring harness: Power distribution and grounding follow a pure star topology while the analogue line output ground is isolated from the (earth ref'd) chassis.
I wrote the SDD# open source firmware platform in C#. While the Stream One hardware runs SDD# on Raspbian ARMv6 Linux, SDD# executes on Windows, too. The software is a prototype framework design, composed of subsystems for audio streaming (built around the BASS audio library), LCD display abstraction, GUI and user interaction, general input/output and for application software management (Apps). With the project further serving as a technology demo, the Stream One Internet receiver is implemented as an actual App running on top of the SDD# core.
Instead of navigating through lists of tens of thousands of stations available on both Shout- and Icecast, I gave the Stream One a "TV-style" memory that holds up to 99 presets. Programming these presets is conveniently done through a web interface (yet to be developed as of today). The receiver also provides gap-less transitions between station presets and displays extended real-time information about the current station and the streaming conditions (buffer level).
A special effect, the Raspberry Pi controls the blue enclosure lighting by GPIO pin. I plan to use the illumination for an alarm clock feature.
Build time for the hardware was 14 hours, for the software 200+ hours so far. And I spent close to $500 on materials – including shipping, handling and taxes.
Further information about the project can be found in this PDF: Building Stream One.2


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|The Soccer Brain is The Difference Maker
An increasing body of sports science research is highlighting the importance of the cognitive skills of the players when playing the game.
determinant factor in achieving elite level performance, and subsequent success or failure in competition.
|Decision Making
Decision making is the most obvious of the cognitive elements of performance. The player who consistently makes the better decisions continuously throughout the match undoubtedly has a competitive advantage over his opponent. However good decision making relies upon a multitude of other cognitive abilities playing their part in the process. A player can only make good decisions based on what they are aware of otherwise all they have done is made a guess!
|Awareness - Game Awareness = Situation Awareness
Good awareness is essential if players are to excel during performance. The fast-paced dynamic nature of soccer dictates that the game situation is continuously evolving, therefore the player must constantly update their "pictures" or they will be acting upon out-of-date information - that is their situation awareness must constantly change. Endsley's three -level model for situation awareness has been adapted to provide an easily accessible model for game awareness in soccer, which provides important frames of reference when developing this key skill in players.
|Active Scanning - Visual Search Strategy & Visual Exploratory Activity
During the game, players should engage in continuous active scanning of the environment in order to assess what is going on around them.
|A study into the English Premier League highlighted the significant difference in frequency of looking around even amongst players competing at the highest level, and revealed how this impacted upon pass completion rates.
|Perception - Advance Cue Utilization & Pattern Recognition
Players use the postural cues from opponents and teammates and the recognition of patterns (where players are in relation to each other) to inform them of what is happening, and what is about to happen, in the game. Research has shown that expert players are able to identify and interpret meaning from these patterns and cues much earlier and more accurately than non-experts.
|Focus of Attention - Dynamic, Distributed, Selective & Sustained
Where a player places their focus of attention (in simple terms, what they look at) is incredibly important. Too many players are ball focused for too long and at the wrong moments in the game. Although the ball is the primary point of reference for players the old coaching mantra of "keep your eye on the ball" is only essential at very specific moments in the game. In fact, as almost 98% of the game is spent of the ball and a players role and responsibility at any moment in time is dictated by ball, teammates and opponents This means that during the game players should largely be keeping their eye off the ball!


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Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Hard Work is the key to any successful venture and unlocking this secret is the beginning of a successful journey. We aim to do just that.
Our motive is not only to empower you with the handiest and most relevant knowledge, but also to enforce within each of you, the discipline to implement this knowledge. Each one of us has the potential to scale the pinnacles of glory, yet most of us fail to do so. Why?? Our motive is to answer this question.
Discipline and regularity are the pillars of our institution. Reading materials etc. are available at every corner, but a structured programme like ours is a rarity. We plan on a routine assessment of progress, so that we can work on your weaknesses and bolster the strengths. We seek to improve the perfection that each one of you already have.
We also aim to build a strong base of the subjects and inculcate the habit of regular studies
We Aim to
Our Vision
We appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today and hope that we can provide some insight into the benefits of the programme offered by us to the students of Chartered Accountancy, Company Secretaries, Cost Accountancy Course today as well as in future
Education today is the fuel for the New Economy. On one hand the importance of education is widening and on the other the competition level that a student faces is on the rise. Therefore it becomes much more essential for a student to have a strong foundation and be systematic in planning his/her studies to gauge the performance level and build up confidence.
Now is the time to take that next big step in your career and start focusing on regular performance tracking, the key to your success. The corner stone to every endeavor is dedicated hard work, but even more essential is to focus this hard work along the right channel.
The Test Series offered by us has been designed to initially help you to get transformed from a normal, rank hungry, guideless student to one trying to break the shackles of lowliness and achieve what others around you had never even dreamt off. The Test Series will not only give an opportunity to identify the areas where you face problems but will also help to develop the correct temperament that you must have on the EXAMINATION DAY!


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Subscriber only lesson.
Sign up to this course to view this lesson.
About this lesson
When and where to use hyperlinks to aid end user navigation.
Exercise files
Download this lesson's related exercise files.Hyperlinks.xlsx
14 KB Hyperlinks - Solution.xlsx
Quick reference
Discover how to use a Hyperlinks in a workbook.
When to use
Hyperlinks are a great way to move around a file. If you create a central worksheet with hyperlinks to all of the other worksheets, you are only ever two clicks away from anywhere else in the workbook. They make life very easy for end users and once you know how to construct them, they take mere seconds to insert.
- Accessing:
- Insert -> Hyperlinks
- Properties:
- Cell reference (destination cell)
- Displayed text
- Screen Tip
- To insert a Hyperlink which links back to a table of contents:
- Insert
- Hyperlink
- Select 'Place in this Document'
- Ensure you have named the cell that you want to link and select the name from the list
- You can insert a screen tip by selecting the 'ScreenTip' button and write a message such as "Go to Table of Contents"
Lesson notes are only available for subscribers.


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- Introduction
- Getting Started
- Installation of the theme
- Activate the theme and Import the demo content
- Setting up the Homepage
- Theme Features
- Theme Customization
- Adding the Images to Revolution slider
- Widgets
- Customization
- Localization
- Email Templates
- Adding Custom Icons
- WP All Import plugin compatibility
- Import Makes & Models
- Hooks & Actions
- Content
- Setting up Content pages and posts
- Blog page
- Inventory - Single Listing
- Inventory - Listing Categories
- WooCommerce shop
- Classified layout features
- New VC custom modules
- Classified Inventory page
- Classified Users
- Pricing Plans
- Pricing table shortcode
- Pay Per Listing
- Car Rental layout features
- Rental products
- Offices
Motors – Car Dealership Business Wordpress Theme
A short guide and general information to help you get to know your new theme.
Above all, We would like to thank you for purchasing this theme, your contribution is very much appreciated.
This document covers the installation and use of this theme and reveals answers to common problems and issues - We encourage you to read this document thoroughly if you are experiencing any difficulties. If you have any questions that are beyond the scope of this document, feel free to pose them in the dedicated support forum.
Getting Started
Installation of the theme
Installation of the themeTo install this theme you must have a working version of WordPress already installed. For information regarding the installing of the WordPress platform, please see the WordPress Codex - http://codex.wordpress.org/Installing_WordPress
InstallationWhen you are ready to install a theme, you must first upload the theme files and then activate the theme itself. The theme files can be uploaded in two ways: FTP Upload - Using your FTP client, upload the non-zipped theme folder into the /wp-content/themes/ folder on your server WordPress Upload - Navigate to Appearance -> Add New Themes -> Upload. Go to browse, and select the zipped theme folder. Hit "Install Now" and the theme will be uploaded and installed.
Some webservers have a limitation for the maximum allowed size of files being uploaded to them and that value may be exceeded by the theme file. If that is the case you can receive an error that states: The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini. or Are you sure you want to do this? Please try again. If you get any of these errors please increase the values of upload_max_filesize and post_max_size directives in your php.ini file to 20M or follow the Installation via FTP section described above.Once the theme is uploaded, you need to activate it. Go to Appearance -> Themes and activate your chosen theme. After that you need to activate the pre-installed plugins:
1. WPBakery Visual ComposerAdditional plugins:
2. Woocommerce
3. STM Post Type
4. Breadcrumb NavXT
5. Revolution Slider
6. Contact Form 7
7. Motors - Classified Listings
8. MailChimp for WordPress
9. Instagram Feed
10. Custom Icons by Stylemixthemes
11. STM Importer
12. Bookly Lite
2. Woocommerce
3. STM Post Type
4. Breadcrumb NavXT
5. Revolution Slider
6. Contact Form 7
7. Motors - Classified Listings
8. MailChimp for WordPress
9. Instagram Feed
10. Custom Icons by Stylemixthemes
11. STM Importer
12. Bookly Lite
1. Subscriptio - WooCommerce Subscriptions (only for Classified layout)
2. STM Import Makes & Models
3. STM WP All Import Addon
2. STM Import Makes & Models
3. STM WP All Import Addon
All the plugins which are not free come under our EXTENDED License, so you don't need to pay for their license to use them. Some of them might have messages requiring activation, but they are already activated on our side. No purchase code needed. When using them under our license you will need to wait for the plugin updates in our regular theme updates. If you want to be able to auto update them from wp-admin, you will need to buy your own personal license for that.
Also you can update included plugins via upgrading the theme. We include latest versions of plugins in every update of the theme.Here you can see video tutorial of Installation the theme:
Activate the theme and Import the demo content
Activate the theme and Import the demo contentAfter completing installation of the theme, you need to activate your product under Motors -> Product registration following these instructions:
1. Click on this Generate A Personal Token link. IMPORTANT: You must be logged into the same Themeforest account that purchased Motors. If you are logged in already, look in the top menu bar to ensure it is the right account. If you are not logged in, you will be directed to login then directed back to the Create A Token Page.After this you can choose and install the demo content under Motors -> Demo Import:
2. Enter a name for your token, then check the boxes for View Your Envato Account Username, Download Your Purchased Items, Verify Purchases You've Made and List Purchases You've Made from the permissions needed section. Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions, then click the Create Token button.
3. A new page will load with a token number in a box. Copy the token number then come back to this registration page and paste it into the field below and click the Submit button.
4. You will see a green check mark for success, or a failure message if something went wrong. If it failed, please make sure you followed the steps above correctly.
2. Enter a name for your token, then check the boxes for View Your Envato Account Username, Download Your Purchased Items, Verify Purchases You've Made and List Purchases You've Made from the permissions needed section. Check the box to agree to the terms and conditions, then click the Create Token button.
3. A new page will load with a token number in a box. Copy the token number then come back to this registration page and paste it into the field below and click the Submit button.
4. You will see a green check mark for success, or a failure message if something went wrong. If it failed, please make sure you followed the steps above correctly.
You can use the demo content as a starting point for your website and modify the content to suit your needs. In that case, select the demo layout that is most appropriate for your website.
Please note: All demo site images replaced with placeholders due to licensing policy.Each demo layout requires a number of plugins to function properly. Fortunately, StyleMix Themes has made it easy for you to install the plugins and they will be installed automatically during demo setup proceed. In order to start the import proceed, click on the Setup layout button.
Depending on the speed of your Internet connection, it may take some time to install all the plugins and import the demo content.
If the import fails or stalls, please try to reload the page and click on Setup layout button once again or see the previous section: What to do if the theme installation fails.
All the plugins which are not free come under our EXTENDED License, so you don't need to pay for their license to use them. Some of them might have messages requiring activation, but they are already activated on our side. No purchase code needed. When using them under our license you will need to wait for the plugin updates in our regular theme updates. If you want to be able to auto update them from wp-admin, you will need to buy your own personal license for that. However, we always include the latest versions of the plugins in every update of the theme.Setup Layout feature installs all required plugins, imports the chosen demo layout and widgets. After finishing the proceed you can visit your site front page in order to see all ready features.
If you want to start from scratch after viewing the demo content, you can remove the demo content using the Reset WP plugin (https://wordpress.org/plugins/reset-wp/). This plugin resets the WordPress database back to its defaults. It will delete all customizations and content, but it does not modify files; it only resets the database. Please see the above link for more details.
What if the Import fails or stalls?If the import stalls and fails to respond after a few minutes You are suffering from PHP configuration limits that are set too low to complete the process. You should contact your hosting provider and ask them to increase those limits to a minimum as follows:
- max_execution_time 600
- memory_limit 128M
- post_max_size 32M
- upload_max_filesize 32M
Setting up the Homepage
Setting up the HomepageTo set up the homepage you must create a new page, you can do so by navigating to Pages > Add New. The title for this page can be up to your liking. Under Settings -> Reading or Appearance -> Customize -> Site Settings -> Static Front Page please setup the new Homepage. Actually you can set any page to be your homepage. Once it's created you can compose your homepage layout. The design layout is created under Bootstrap framework which is split into 12 columns grid. Each widget has its own maximum and minimum widths, so depending on that you can work out the layout for each page. As you can see the homepage just like any the page is now 100% constructible out of the modules we have in Visual Composer. The homepage can be created by any element in Visual Composer. To view the short manual on how to use the Visual Composer, please follow this link:
http://codecanyon.net/item/visual-composer-page-builder-for-wordpress/full_screen_preview/242431 The detailed documentation of Visual Composer can be found here also - http://vc.wpbakery.com/video-tutorials/
Theme Features
Theme Customization
Theme CustomizationWordPress Customize allows you to setup the general styling of the website visually. In WordPress menu go to Appearance > Customize. Here you can setup most important options of your theme. Site Settings:
- Static Front Page: You can select default Front and Blog pages here.
- Logo & Title: You can setup basic site options like: Site title, Tagline, Logo & its dimensions and Favicon.
- Style: There are Color Skins and default Layout options. Here you can select one of one of the basic color schemas or set your custom colors, enable/disable Boxed version and show/hide Frontend Customizer.
- Typography: Set up the fonts out of free google fonts. Besides this you can setup font weight, font size and line height also.
- One Click update: You need add Your Envato Username and Envato API Key (Theme Purchase code https://help.market.envato.com/hc/en-us/articles/202822600-Where-Is-My-Purchase-Code- ) in order to auto update your theme.
- Main settings: You can enable/disable Header background & Sticky menu and your company contact information.
- Top Bar: Here you can enable/disable Top Bar & WPML Switcher and add your company office addresses, contact information, working hours and Top Bar background color.
- Header Socials: You can enable/disable Header Social buttons here.
- Inventory settings: You can select Listing archive page, Filter Position, add/change Title background, Listing archive page Title and enter your Price currency. Besides this here you can enable/disable main Car features for archive page.
- Single Car Settings: Here you can enable/disable main sections/features of Cars for a Car detail page.
- Compare: It's possible to select Compare page here.
- Main settings: Here you can change the footer background color, the copyright text and split the footer into widgets. Besides this you can enable/disable Copyright Socials.
- Additional Scripts: You can put your additional scripts like analytics, counter etc.
Footer area setup
Footer area setupThe footer is the same on all pages. You can see whole options via Appearance -> Customize -> Footer -> Main settings. Here you can set up:
- Footer logo and its dimensions;
- Count of additional Widget Areas;
- Footer Text;
- Copyright;
PS: Please note the Demo Content doesn't contain these widgets. So they need to be added manually.
How to set up the sidebar
How to set up the sidebarIn this theme we paid special attention to Sidebars for your biggest convenience and on multiple previous requests. We have two types of sidebar: right sidebar and left sidebar, which can be selected for both of archive and single posts/pages. In addition to that, you can add/create a new sidebar with VC Widgets/Elements, in this case you will need to go here: Edit or create a new sidebar, and add any sections you need by means of Visual Composer For single pages/posts you can add sidebar via Widgetised Sidebar or STM Sidebar VC element
Adding Images to Revolution slider
Adding Images to Revolution sliderYou will need to upload various images to the Layer slider. You can add items from Revolution Slider plugin in the WordPress backend. When you go there first you need to create the new Slider, and add new slides. More detailed manual you can find here - http://www.themepunch.com/revslider-doc/slider-revolution-documentation/.
MenusThere are two navigations on the site – Header menu and Footer menu, so you can adjust them under Appearance -> Menus This is standard Wordpress functionality, you can choose from the pages, post categories, or custom links.
WidgetsDemo Content doesn't contain WP Options and Widgets, so you need to insert them manually via Appearance -> Widgets. Here are a few examples how to do this: For example, in order to add Photo Gallery, you need to install Instagram Feed plugin and set it up. Then you will be able to add its shortcode via standard Text widget. MailChimp Sign-Up Form also needs MailChimp for WP plugin to be installed and set its API up in order to work properly.
LocalizationYou can change your site main language via Settings -> General -> Site Language It's easy to localize your site using Loco Translate plugin. Here you can see related tutorial - https://localise.biz/help/wordpress/translate-plugin/beginners. Another way is to add your translations via creating your own .po files. Before adding translations for static strings it needs to rename language files correctly according your site languages. Theme language files are located in a ../wp-content/themes/theme-folder/languages/ folder. You can find a list of language codes at WordPress in your Language. As an example, the language code for English is en_EN, so you would save the translated files as en_EN.po first, then en_EN.mo. There are several ways to fill up translations. One of them if using PoEdit platform. You can add translation via editing your .po file and at the end PoEdit generates .mo file for you. Then you needs to upload ready translation files to primordial folder (../wp-content/themes/theme-folder/languages/).
Motors theme includes ready translation files for 6 languages: Arabic, Germany, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.
Email Templates
Email TemplatesMotors 4.2 and higher versions allows you to manager Email Templates via Tools -> Email Templates Manager Here you can modify all available Theme Email Templates.
Adding Custom Icons
Adding Custom IconsApart from Theme and Visual Composer Icons you can include your own Icons in your site. Firstly it needs to generate fonts of your custom icons. You can do it via uploading your ready .SVG and generating fonts here - https://icomoon.io/app/ Then you can upload your fonts .zip archive file (which you have downloaded from IcoMoon) via Appearance -> STM Icon Manager -> Upload New Icons.
WP All Import plugin compatibility
WP All Import plugin compatibilityWe have included this feature according to our clients' needs. If you want to use WP All Import plugin for importing your Listings, you need to just install and activate STM WP All Import Addon plugin, which is included in the main theme package. Meanwhile, here you can download the latest version of this plugin. This plugin doesn't need to set up any settings/configurations. Then you can go to All Import -> New Import and upload your own import file. Here you can download example import files - Inventory_CSV and Inventory_XML. At the 3rd Step STM Addon plugin automatically creates needed fields under STM Listing Add-On section and you can drag your fields suitably inputs.
Import Makes & Models
Import Makes & ModelsMain theme package includes archive file of the plugin named STM Import Makes & Models. This plugin allows you easily import Make and Model categories in your site. This plugin automatically sets up categories relationship. It only needs to upload CSV import file (with your own categories) and set up a few options. Here you can download the latest version of this plugin. After installing this addon plugin, you need to go Tools -> Import Makes & Models and upload your own import file. Please check and be sure that you are setting correct Column Name from your import file. Example CSV file is located in the plugin folder - CSV_sample.csv or you can download it here.
Hooks & Actions
Hooks & Actions
- stm_filter_listing_filter - Hook in filter response(json).
- stm_filter_locate_template - Hook in template loader.
- stm_filter_price_view - Hook in price view (Also simply changes in WP Customizer).
- stm_filter_price_currency - Hook in price currency (Also simply changes in WP Customizer).
- stm_filter_ajax_filter - Hook in filter response after ajax (json).
- stm_filter_user_restrictions - Hook in user restrictions.
- stm_filter_user_fields - Hook in user fields.
- stm_filter_display_user_name - Hook in user displayed name.
- stm_filter_custom_login - Hook in custom login (json).
- stm_filter_custom_register - Hook in custom registration (json).
- stm_filter_price_view - Hook in price view.
- stm_filter_add_a_car - Hook in add a car (json).
- stm_filter_add_car_media - Hook in add a car media (json).
- stm_filter_add_car_page_url - Hook in add a car page url (link).
- stm_listing_filter_before - Before filter inside.
- stm_listing_filter_after - After filter inside.
- stm_car_user_info_before_action - Add a car user info Before.
- stm_car_user_info_after_action - Add a car user info After.
Setting up Content Pages and Posts
Setting up Content Pages and PostsAll pages can be created as simple content pages or built by means of Visual Composer page builder. You will need to first set up the page and then add and set up content blocks. Just add a row and add the modules to row from the Visual Composer dashboard. Now you can choose how to compose your template. Add Content modules, Testimonials, etc. You have everything to realize your imagination. We have also included extension packages for Visual Composer. You can use them free. Just pick the module you like and add it to the row. Then you can edit it. You can also edit the row background, add video or parallax images to the background. Just click on Row edit icon and you will see the options & features, which are available for this row. Custom added shortcodes in our theme are on a separate tab: Besides this, each page contains these options which include header color or background image, title fonts and colors, breadcrumbs and button settings:
Blog page
Blog pageTThe Blog page is a usual blog, formed from the posts which belong to categories created by you, which have tags and featured images that show in the post listings on the blog page. You can set a page as a Blog posts archive page via Appearance -> Customize -> Site Settings -> Static Front Page: The blog page can have the sidebar on the left, right or no sidebar, and the contents of the sidebar, as described above, are set under the Appearance -> Widgets. Other settings of this archive page you can setup via Appearance -> Customize -> Blog: Blogs can be posted by someone who has the access to the backend of the site with admin or author role. Anyway that person will be able to log into the WordPress panel and have a user profile. Default blog layout is grid layout and once you set up an empty page in the theme setting where it is said blog, it will show posts in grid layout.
Inventory - Single Listing
Inventory - Single ListingThere is a custom post type to describe listings your company offer via any element visual composer offers you: For each listing you can specify description, standard Singe Car Page Options and customizable Car Options. For the Description we use standard Content area with Visual Composer, where you can insert any shortcode you would like to display. All car options are available under Car Manager settings: Details: Here you can set up Static car options and see their position via Preview link. Options: You can set and add Listing Categories under this tab. Features: Additional features for Single Car and Compare pages. Prices: All Price options can be set up here. Specials: Sepicial car for special offers carousel module and Featured Listing on Classified layout can be set up under this tab. Images & Videos: Here possible to set additional images and videos for the Listing. Here You can see the difference between VC and Classic Editor:
Inventory - Listing Categories
Inventory - Listing CategoriesYou can modify or add your own filter options via Listings -> Listing Categories. Via editing a Listing Category you can set up filter option, visualization and other settings. In order to modify Listing taxonomies you need to go via manage icon. And manage their default conditions/values: Main Inventory page options you can setup via Appearance -> Customize -> Listing. There are three main section like Inventory settings, Single Car Settings and Compare. Also you can add Listings as a tabs or with Filters for any page using custom STM VC elements:
WooCommerce shop
WooCommerce shopWooCommerce is the most popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress. Now you can have a shop with all e-commerce features on WordPress. Before you start adding products, please go through the WooCommerce plugin settings and specify everything you need for your shop: Adding the products: You can easily add new products via Products > Add Product
Classified layout features
New VC custom modules
New VC custom modulesYou can find new added modules under STM Listing Layout and STM Listing Single Car modules. Please note that these modules work only with Classified Layout version of the demo content. STM Listing layout tab contains modules like STM Listing Search (tabs), STM Blog grid, STM Listing tabs style 2 and etc. which are most important in this layout. There are several modules for single Listing post page under STM Listing Single Car tab. Classified layout Home page was built use above VC shortcodes. You can also customize this page easily through VC Editor:
Classified Inventory page
Classified Inventory pageYou can easily add STM Classic/Modern filter VC module in your inventory page in order to get such result in your Inventory pages. Besides this there are several additional settings under Listing car options Respectively there are different layout for a Single Car page and additional fields like Reviews, Seller info, Car details and Features.
Classified Users
Classified UsersThere are 3 types of users in Classified version of the theme. They are:
- Administrator
- STM Dealer
- Simple user
It's important to set your Paypal Live account IPN like //yourdomain.com/?stm_check_membership_payment=1 - https://developer.paypal.com/docs/classic/ipn/integration-guide/IPNSetup/
Pricing Plans
Pricing PlansAs it was mentioned above, there are three types of payment features for Users, which can be set up under Appearance -> Customize -> Listing -> User/Dealer Options:
- Default User limits;
- Default Dealer limits;
- Enable Pricing Plans (Woocommerce);
Pricing table shortcode
Pricing table shortcodePricing tables – is one of the new features of the Classified Layout. You can build Pricing page using VC Editor and additional VC shortcodes. You can and setup STM Pricing Tables module in your pages in order to display Pricing tables. It's possible to select Tables count (1, 2 or three ) and set Price Label under General tab of STM Pricing Tables module settings. Under Table tabs it's possible to set Pricing section Title, Periods, Features, Label, extra Link and its options. You need to set these fields for each Tables under respectively tabs.
Pay Per Listing
Pay Per ListingYou can enable Pay Per Listing feature on your site under Customize > Listing > User/Dealer Options. And here you can set each Listing Price. This feature does not depend on Pricing Plans and can work together or separately with this system. After user completes Order, you will receive an Order Notification and then you need to publish the Listing manually via Dashboard. When User/Dealer modifies the Listing, you will receive a notification with revision link (with changes on Title and Content). Then only site admin can see those changes and approve or decline modification.
Rent a Car
Rental products
Rental productsRental products were built based on WooCommerce plugin - https://woocommerce.com/. And there are 2 types of these products:
- Car Option
- Standard WooCommerce Products
OfficesOffices are one of the required detail of the Rental cars. Users need to choose an office during reservation. Offices can be added through Dashboard -> Offices. It's possible to add several options for each office, like:
- Office address
- Google Maps latitude and longitude (You can find them on http://www.latlong.net/)
- Fax
- Work hours


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Monday, July 29, 2013
Recapping and talking about waiting. That sort of thing.
draining journey, and we are in exactly the same spot that we were when we began, so it makes a whole lot of no sense. Around the same time, we also found out that our initial suspicions from a few years ago were correct, and that our sweet son does have Aspberger's... he's on the very high functioning side of the spectrum. It's life. It ebbs and flows and you've got to make up your mind to face it with faith and a smile. I won't talk about it on here at all with the exception of this sentence, but it's a part of our world right now and we're figuring it all out so it plays a part in what I say.
Pete Wilson says, "I don't want the plan where a dream is crushed, a crisis is experienced, or I feel like I'm walking alone for way too long... and then God gets the glory.... We don't like God's glory plan- not if it involves our suffering. Not if it involves waiting for God and wondering if he's ever going to act.... You've felt that frustration in your life, haven't you! 'God, I need you to help me. I promise I'll start reading the bible again. I promise I won't drift away from You again. I'll be a missionary or whatever. Just help me.' And nothing. Nothing changes. Nothing gets better. If God is doing anything, you can't tell. It's like you take the same dang prayer request to your small group or Sunday school class every week. Even they are tired of hearing about it. They write your request down before they even get to you. And still you wait. And nothing seems to change..."
That's the kind of non answer that generally makes me want to hurl the book through the nearest window. Which of course I'd never do. He goes on to say, "If you're in the midst of waiting for a miracle or waiting for a dream to be realized, you probably feel helpless. You may feel frustrated and grumpy or just plain old tired of waiting. You may feel like the waiting is a waste of time as if you're doing nothing....What you're doing is allowing your hope to grow up. And if you can't be still and wait and hope, even when you have no reason to hope, you can't become the person God created when He thought you into existence. So no matter how it may seem, how frustrating and painful and pointless it may seem, your waiting does have a purpose. Sue Monk Kidd reminds us; 'Waiting is the in-between time. It calls us to be in this moment, this season, without leaning so far into the future that we tear our roots from the present. When we learn to wait, we experience where we are as what is truly substantial and precious in life.'"
I am once again reminded and encouraged that waiting is seasonal. Every season has an end as a brand new season begins. If like me, your present season seems to be stretching on into an endless eternity before you with no end in sight, remember that it's only a season.
A new one might be right around the corner.
24 comments:
Your post hit right where I am today. So know I am in the waiting section of life also. One thing I'm noticing (again) is that waiting causes me to slow down - shift into a lower gear - stop being distracted. It reminds me to treat each task with honor and surprisingly tasks are often accomplished that have been left undone. It also allows me to look at what I may have taken for granted (not intentionally) and look deeply for hundreds of things to be thankful for.ReplyDelete
In regards to your son - how blessed he is to have a loving family to walk his journey with. I know there have been and will be hard days but there will be blessings that could never have been experienced.
So thank you.
Debbie - Deliciously Inspired
I loved this whole post...a whole lot. If you can't hope when there seems to be no reason to continue hoping then you don't know who God is....I LOVE that part and am going to be holding on to it really tightly for this season. God bless you in your season right now!ReplyDelete
Waiting is HARD. Will there ever be a light at the end of the tunnel?
Same old prayers requests, huh? Job for hubby.
Jim got called for an interview today. I was excited . . . for a minute. But, I don't want to get my hopes up, you know.
So, you can tack that on your prayer list . . . Jim's interview is Friday morning for a teaching job down near your hubby's job. :) Just in case you need something extra to pray about.
Hugs & Prayers . . . at least we always know how to pray for each other.
:) :) :)
Ugh, that quote was good to read and frustrating too. I'm guessing people have always hated waiting, but our society right now is especially bad at it. My head understands that God has a total and complete purpose, but the day to day confusion can really be a drag (to put it mildly). It has been a loooong season!ReplyDelete
I read a quote on Pinterest that said "Sometimes you are delayed where you are because God knows there's a storm where you are headed. Be grateful." I try to think of that when I am feeling frustrated. He knows his plan, and we can only wait, and be present in the now, and know that in HIS time it will work out according to HIS purpose.ReplyDelete
Hang in there! Blessings for your all.
I loved reading this. What an encouragement you are. Yes, waiting is hard. When I'm having a hard time with it, I like to reflect upon the prayers that God has answered in my life, and it gives me hope for the future. Because his plan is always best, and he's proven it time and again.ReplyDelete
I also enjoyed the Flight museum pictures. I live in the Seattle area too, and my son loved that museum!
This was beautifully-written. Thank you for sharing your heart with all of us.ReplyDelete
Yes, the waiting...I too have experienced much of that.
My son also has Aspberger's. It is what we are living right now too. Now I know how to better pray for you.
Thank you for that post. Please be encouraged that you are where God wants you to be, physically, spiritually and emotionally.ReplyDelete
We too have only just had a our son diagnosed with Asperger's and he is 18. It is an emotional rollercoasters because as parents we have such dreams for our kids. Many years ago when I was struggling with my older son's reading and learning problems, the following song was one that allowed me to give it all to God. Not that it has been all an easy ride but the line 'All of my ambitions, hope and plans, I surrender these into your hands" broke me down and in that moment I surrendered my children to God. There is nothing I can do but pray and allow God to be my all and their all.
Thank you again.
Ephesians 3:20 ESV
English Standard Version
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
It's hard to know the right words to say when someone keeps getting hit by wave after stormy wave of difficulty, distress, discouraging situations. But I do know that every time in the Bible it talks about valleys, difficulties, stormy times, it uses the word THROUGH...in other words, these things are not our final destination. If we keep putting one foot in front of the other we will get through, this season, this valley, this storm. Praying for you to have the strength and courage to just keep on walking, til the light at the end of this tunnel is finally in view.ReplyDelete
What an amazing place. I have to laugh when you talk about Joe and "information heaven", because my boy is exactly the same way. These are some of the blessings of Asperger's. And I wouldn't trade it for any other reality in the world. Continued blessings...ReplyDelete
Waiting for God's plan can be just plain hard. I have a sign in my house that says "God always answers your prayers. Sometimes His answer is no." It reminds me that my plans are not always the same as His. Stay faithful. Your kids are precious and that museum looks cool. My girl loves WWII history and I am sure that our kiddos would be friends(: SusanReplyDelete
Thank you for sharing your heart. Prayers and blessings for you in this season.ReplyDelete
Sometimes I think figuring out what you do or how to live once you arrive at your destination is just as hard as the waiting. I'm here. Now what? There is purpose to waiting, but figuring out how to live once you get from point A to point B can make you feel just as lost at times as the waiting to get there if you have forgotten how to live along the way. Trying very hard to re-boot here.ReplyDelete
I recently decided that I need to focus on LIVING in the waiting. Even though Jarrod's job woes were kinda sorta absolved, it really didn't answer our permanent situation. I've had a hard time with this. I've crying rivers. I've hated where I live and been thankful. Every day feels like an uphill battle. But with having Vera and knowing she's my last, I decided I can't live like I'm waiting...even though I am. Because that *(^&*^ thing about waiting is its really easy to miss all the beautiful things happening in the meantime. I love your heart, friend. I know there's answers coming. Just remember to live in the season too. Waiting can be a joy-killer. I don't want to let waiting win.ReplyDelete
i love what alicia said. so good. so true. praying you will continue to find glimpses of hope and joy in this waiting season.ReplyDelete
i also love the thought of our tears not being wasted... this idea has been a comfort to me so often and frequently. one day He will either redeem our tears and/or wipe them all away. what joy that will be! love you sweet lady.
Oh, girl. I haven't been on here in so long. Missed your beautiful photos and equally beautiful lens through which you view life. I was so hoping to see that change had come, that the season had shifted. Yet what I see is that you've continued to keep your heart open to learning in and through the really painful parts of waiting. Wow. So few do this well or at all.ReplyDelete
Ours is a God of hope! Hope is growing in you for good purpose. Prepare to get your socks blown clean off by blessing. I'm praying it chases you down.
I know we don't "know" one another but I just love your heart and want you to know I sent a little prayer up for you and yours. You are lovely.
Hi Sasha, I love your blog and read it daily. It's such inspiring to me. I'm a senior now and I remember all the trails of raising children years ago. Bless you it will all come together. I was wondering where you moved from??????? I recall you aren't from the Northwest but just can't remember where you moved from. Just was wondering. . . . Thanks...ReplyDelete
We're ebbing & flowing over here too.... I watched THIS earlier tonight and than read your blog post. I encourage you to watch it start to finish - than bookmark it and watch it start to finish on another day when things seem low and lonely. Chin up, sweet girl. xoxoReplyDelete
Your boy looks happy and loved, not sure what he will have to get through but he will. It will come whatever it is you're waiting on, in the meantime go use your creativity to paint someting or make a beautiful cake you have talent that is inspiring.ReplyDelete
Have a great day sweet friend!
I'm doing this study right now by Jennie Allen called STUCK. Get it!ReplyDelete
If you find some time check out her website, this girl speaks my language, I think you will love her.
every time i think of you, i pray for your sweet family, as you wait in faith and trust in God.ReplyDelete
that book seems to be saying all that you've felt and are still feeling in this extra long season that he has you in, which i'm sure is of some help....to know that the author experienced enough of what you're going through to write a book about it.
the hardest part has been and will continue to be to LIVE while you wait.
whatever makes your soul come alive...I pray you do a LOT of it in this season...
I love your blog and I'm not sure that I have ever commented before, but this particular post hit home to me so hard that I had to tell you thank you. I too am in a 'waiting season' and I am almost drowning in it. I have been so hopeful for so long, but lately I feel like I just can't wait any longer. I need some action! I need to see a glimpse of change!!! Thank you for this encouragement!
I found your blog from FarmGirl Paints, and I am so glad I did. This post is pounding in my heart as my life is at a similar place. We are on the edge of a new season, so close we can feel the wind changing, but God just hasn't seen fit to allow the first leaf to fall. Thanks for the encouragement while we wait.ReplyDelete
I am sure this was one of the harder posts you have written, but please know that your honesty and words are encouraging to so many. I love that you write about real life. You are honest in sharing the ups and downs, and offering your readers a glimpse into your heart (the heart ache and the hope). I love that you share the hope that God gives you to help you through. Thank you for that.ReplyDelete
My 7 year old son also has Asperger's. There are so many hard things that we could dwell on, but there are also really good things too. I have to make a daily decision to choose to focus on the good. God made him and God gave him to me and my husband to parent him and help him through this life.
I will be praying for you. Just know you are not alone. Hugs.


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Michigan's Gay Marriage Ban to Go on Trial in February
Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage will remain in place for now after a federal judge opted not to rule on the issue today and instead hold a trial in February — a decision that dashed the hopes of dozens of couples waiting at local clerks' offices with plans to wed that day if the ban was lifted.
By Tresa Baldas and Jim Schaefer
A federal judge on Wednesday punted the issue of gay marriage into next year, opting to hold a trial to determine the fate of Michigan's ban on gay marriage rather than issue a ruling based on what he's heard so far.
"I wish I could sit here today and give you a definitive ruling," U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman said in a courtroom packed with nearly 100 gay rights supporters. "There are issues that have to be decided ... I am in the middle. I have to decide this as a matter of law."
And it's a decision that's weighing heavily on Friedman.
"I'm a little nervous," Friedman admitted in court Wednesday. "I've never had a case like this before."
The case involves two Hazel Park nurses who are challenging the state's ban on same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption, arguing the bans unlawfully violate their right to get married and adopt each other's children. April DeBoer, 42, and Jayne Rowse, 42, filed their suit in January 2012, initially raising only the adoption issue, but then challenging the gay marriage prohibition as well.
Rowse has two preschool-aged boys; DeBoer has a 3-year-old girl. They argue the state has no "rational basis" for denying them the right to get married and adopt children.
Susan Horowitz, of Farmington Hills, who came to court to support the plaintiffs, said she had hoped for a ruling Wednesday. But she believes that change is coming for gays and lesbians who want to adopt children and get married in Michigan.
"I'm optimistic. I think the outcome is going to go well," Horowitz said of the trial. "We just have to be a little more patient."
The state, meanwhile, argues that the voters of Michigan have already spoken on the issue, and that a federal court should not be allowed to drown out the will of the voters. In 2004, voters approved a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as "the union of one man and one woman."
"The people of the state of Michigan should be allowed to decide Michigan law," attorney Kristin Heyse, of state Attorney General Bill Schuette's office, said in court.
Heyes said that the state's position "is not an attack" on the gay and lesbian community, and commended the plaintiffs for "doing a wonderful job raising their children." But, she said, "There is no fundamental right to same-sex marriage or adoption."
Heyes went on to say: "The ideal home environment is to have a mother and a father ... the state is not saying that same-sex couples cannot raise children. They certainly can."
The question, Heyse said, is who gets to decide the state's law _ in this case involving domestic issues: the people or the court?
"At the end of the day, the people of Michigan should be allowed to decide ... not the federal courts."
Attorney Carole Stanyar, speaking for DeBoer and Rowse, said the Supreme Court has provided guidance for the court. She said the will of the people should not be disregarded, but precedent allows for scrutiny of laws that may be unconstitutional.
Stanyar, quoting from a case, said that if discrimination was allowed, children would be drinking from separate water fountains. The 14th Amendment would not tolerate those events, nor should they tolerate discrimination against gays and lesbians, she said.
"These marriage bans ... are hurting the most vulnerable members of our society," Stanyar said.
The state has vowed a vigorous fight to uphold the voter-approved constitutional amendment and argues there are "legitimate state interests" in defining marriage as such.
"Michigan supports natural procreation and recognizes that children benefit from being raised by parents of each sex who can then serve as role models of the sexes both individually and together in matrimony," the state has argued in court documents.
(Detroit Free Press writers Gina Damron, Eric D. Lawrence and Niraj Warikoo contributed to this report.)
(c)2013 Detroit Free Press
We invite you to discuss and comment on this article using social media.


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Klientská podpora: (+357) 22314160
Dow +0.26 at 11499.51, Nasdaq +12.62 at 2649.93, S&P +2.67 at 1245.54
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Oil holds $88.09 and is +$0.39 on the session, in the upper reaches of the day's $87.01/88.52 range.
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Nomura says LEI "reinforces perceptions that the pace of economic activity has picked up speed in recent weeks."
IMF: Ireland's capacity to repay IMF aid remains satisfactory
US: Nov Leading Indicators +1.1%
US OUTLOOK: Barclays says US core infl probably bottomed in Oct at +0.6% YOY and they predict it will move above 1% in H2:11.
Before the bell: Stocks poised for flat open
OIL: January WTI Crude slips further to $87.01, with support below seen at $86.41 and $85.12. Crude trades $87.09/14
European session: The euro gained even as Moody's Investors Service cut Ireland's credit rating.
ECB WEBER: Criticizes demands for introduction of Eurobonds
|remaining time till the new event being published
Market Focus
All posted material is a marketing communication solely for informational purposes and reliance on this may lead to loss. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Please read our full disclaimer.


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During the recent Met Gala awards Selena Gomez, 22, reached out to 59-year old Kris Jenner so as to address some few issues which were on her mind. Gomez in particular wanted to address the relationship that Kris's daughter, Kendall Jenner, 19, was having with her former boyfriend Justin Bieber, 21. During the meet on May 4th the "I Want You To Know" singer appeared teary-eyed as she addressed the issue with Kris. One of the issues which she brought up was how she was feeling incredibly slighted by the relationship between Justin and Kendall.
A source close to Selena has revealed that, "Selena feels like her feelings have not been taken into consideration." "She also feels like they all talk about her behind her back." The concerns raised by Selena Gomez are actually valid if we are to go with past events. The two, Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner, have in the past dissed the singer in several occasions whenever they hang out together. The feelings must have been brought to light one more time when she saw the two together at the 2015 Met Gala awards. According to reports, Kris was very sympathetic to Selena and she asked her to set time aside so as to speak with Kendall.
However the singer never approached Kendall as she believes she will start making fun of her once they are done talking. All that said Selena is not that innocent as well, Selena together with Vanessa Hudgens have in the past reffered to the trio of Kendall, Justin and Hailey as "the three stooges!"


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|I received this product free for review purposes but all opinions are 100% honest.
So I have become quite the collector if you will with Diaper Bags. In general I seem to "collect" a lot of bags through my journeys. Typically if I see a bag on sale or just at a good price I feel the need to purchase it! I have to admit that price directly reflects quality! I received the Ju-Ju-Be BFF bag for review and they sell for $165, quite the investment, for me this would be two or three bags. Oh how wrong am I, I talked to tons of Moms who are on baby number 2-3 who have the BFF bag from Ju-Ju-Be!! This bag is made to withstand the "abuse" of use! It is so functional and sturdy!! There are zipper pockets on the outside for easy access to driver's license & money without fumbling around. Along with a key fob…Oh how I love key fobs (did I mention up until I had Sophia I never knew what a Key "Fob" was!) When your car is keyless, it's important to know that you always have your key in a spot that you can remember. I have on several occasions shut my car off and locked the doors only to realize that I shopped for three hours with my key in the car not in my bag! Definitley worth the price, and the luxury of not having to replace diaper bag after diaper bag! I just adore my new Diaper Bag....
The BFF is a convertible backpack, and amazing at that. What the peeps at Ju-Ju-Be had to say "Are you a hands free girl? If so, then you need one of the cutest backpack diaper bags around. We've got great straps, padding for the back, and a variety of great features that will keep you focused on holding your baby, not holding your bag."
The description says it all: From Ju-Ju-Be
This bag will be your BFF. It will also make you new BFFs because all the other ladies will want to be your friend. It might make your current BFF a little jealous, but that's OK because she wasn't all that good of a friend anyway. Just a few questions: Did she ever offer to carry all of your stuff in an ultra organized way? The BFF will. It has tons of pockets and organization...so much you won't know what to do with it all. Is she flexible? The BFF comes with detachable shoulder straps and messenger straps. Use it any way you want! Does she have spice and flair and elegance and style? If she does, then you better dump her right away, she might make you look bad! Just kinda sorta kidding mostly...but seriously, if she does, then you need a BFF just to keep up. Smooches, pinkie swears, and forever friends. XOXO
- Front mommy pocket holds keys (stretch key fob) and sunglasses (cleans lenses too!) with plenty of room for more!
- Memory foam changing pad included ... nice 'n comfy, super cushy.
- Quick reach pocket for cell phone.
- 2 exterior insulated bottle pockets … with Thinsulate by 3M. Keep it warm? Keep it cold? Sure!
- Unique main zipper closure system makes for easy access.
- Picture pocket to keep photos handy when bragging to friends.
- Detachable and adjustable messenger strap has removable memory foam shoulder pad & can be shortened to tote strap length.
- Optional shoulder straps ... so versatile!
- Inside organization includes 4 gusseted pockets, 3 zippered pockets & lots of wide open space!
- Back pocket works great for diapers and wipes organization.
- Structured bottom with luggage feet.
- Teflon ... so stains don't stick.
- AgION Antimicrobial Linings ... kills germs, mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and other bad stuff.
- Crumb Drains ... bye-bye mess!
- Metal Hardware ... we don't trust any of the cheap plastic stuff.
- Light-Colored Linings ... you can actually see what's inside; it's not just a big black hole in there.
- Machine Washable ... air dry.
Ju-Ju-Be offers an array of diaper bags in all shapes and sizes, literally something for EVERYONE! You have to check them out!
Stay Connected:
- Visit the Ju-Ju-Be Website: http://bit.ly/Ju-Ju-Be
- Like Ju-Ju-Be on Facebook: http://bit.ly/Ju-JuBe


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Voluntary Environmental Compliance Program (VECP)
Environmental Management System/Compliance Program – Environmental Crimes Voluntary Disclosure Policy
Since 2002 ECM has been involved in a variety of independent roles on a number of instances where the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has pursued vessel owners, operators and/or managers for criminal prosecution of MARPOL violations.
When ECM acts in the capacity of a Court Appointed Monitor (CAM) or Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP) auditor, we do so on an independent basis representing both the vessel interests and the US DOJ.
Since 2005 ECM Europe is assisting ECM to conduct audits and inspections in Europe, required under agreements reached between the vessel owners and the U.S. DOJ, on an unbiased basis and to report our findings, observations and recommendations to all parties.
Over the course of the last few years some ship owners have requested ECM to conduct these same kinds of environmental audits in their shore side, in vessel operation office and/ or on board their own vessels. These clients have used this audit process to assess their own compliance policy and procedures, and improve upon what they currently have in place. In some instances ECM Europe has even assisted these clients in putting together their Environmental Management System (EMS) Manual to dovetail with their existing ISM Manual and/or Health, Safety & Quality Manual.
ECM has previously reported on the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) aggressive examination of and resultant pursuit of MARPOL violations with respect to such offences as, bypassing the oily water separator (OWS), misusing the OWS and improper recordings in the oil record book (ORB).
In such occasions, the USCG in cooperation with the U.S. DOJ have pursued such violations on a criminal basis resulting in fines, penalties, audit programs and probation periods.
On November 2007, the USCG has announced a formal policy on the voluntary disclosure of MARPOL violations.
In those instances where a ship owner, operator and/or manager promptly and voluntarily reports a MARPOL violation to the USCG, the USCG will NOT recommend criminal prosecution of the company provided certain criteria are in place as follows:
- The violation must be discovered AND reported, before the USCG and/or any other regulatory;
- The agency discovers the violation;
- The violation is reported in writing within 21 days from its discovery;
- The violation has not occurred previously on board the same vessel within the last 3 years or on board of another vessel in the fleet within the last 5 years.
In addition to the above, the company reporting the violation to the USCG under the voluntary disclosure policy must already have in place the same processes, policies and procedures that would have been required had the company been subject to an environmental compliance program (ECP) under an agreement with the US DOJ. That is:
- A company environmental policy that clearly prohibits such violations;
- A clear-cut environmental management system that spells out for all shore side and vessel staff the company's environmental processes and procedures;
- An audit system which includes third party audits to monitor and police the company's practices and procedures in the field;
- Corrective actions that promptly address any incongruities.
The formal establishment of the Environmental Crimes Voluntary Disclosure Policy is significant in that companies that value compliance, and particularly environmental compliance, and have a stringent compliance program in place, are now at an advantage.
Advice of counsel should be sought to verify that the EMS meets the Policy requirements, and in advance of a disclosure, to confirm that such disclosure meets the Policy requirements. This will help ensure that the company and its employees are protected to the maximum extent possible when disclosing potential environmental crimes to the Coast Guard.
ECM / ECM Europe has prepared and assisted various Shipping Companies in Europe in implementing an Environmental Management Systems / Compliance Program (EMS/CP) as required by the USCG / USDOJ. ECM Europe conducts office and vessels EMS/CP Audits on behalf of USCG/USDOJ under the instruction of ECM Maritime Services, LLC.
Our approach comprises the following steps:
- Performing an "Environmental Management System Gap Analysis";
- Development of the Environmental Management Compliance System (how-to manual and procedures);
- Training & Coaching for shore and shipboard personnel;
- Management Review assistance;
- Continuous Monitoring and Measurement Audits.
Download our EMS/CP presentation (English)
Download USCG Voluntary Disclosure Policy
Scarica la presentazione EMS/CP (Italiano)


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However, I soon hope that we will all know a lot more about this textile, as some of the Textile Design History Students are researching it.
For now, we can all enjoy how beautiful this textile is.
Musings and tidbits on textile design and creation, from prehistory to the modern day.
Such a gorgeous color and that lace is so interesting!ReplyDelete
Looks like an apron, part of the Sardinian traditional costume, southern part of the isle :). Excited to know the true answer.ReplyDelete
Moreover, a random check at several points doubly ensures that the final produce has the marks of fine craftsmanship. Moisture Management Tester


text: Following the death of her mother, a young Californian teen is sent to the Scottish highlands to live with her father. It is a wild, lonely place and her one friend is a hermit who has devoted his life to protecting and healing wild and domestic animals. The girl's life changes when one day she spies a ghostly white stallion on a foggy day. She tells her father, but he thinks it a figment of her imagination and that she is spending too much time with the strange loner. The hermit, however, believes the stallion is real. When poachers show up to capture the elusive horse, the girl and the hermit team up to protect him. Sandra Brennan, Rovi


text: Zookeeper is primarily the indie pop vehicle of Chris Simpson, ex-frontman for the influential, short-lived 1990s emo band Mineral as well as shoegazers the Gloria Record. Other contributors to Zookeeper's expansive sound (replete with horns, tambourines, and honky tonk piano) include an assortment of musicians ranging from his previous bandmates to members of labelmates Sad Accordions. After packing the lineup into an Austin studio to record a set of loose, exuberant songs, Simpson emerged with Zookeeper's debut material — a self-titled EP, released in November 2006 on Belle City Pop! (operated by Gloria Record drummer Brian Malone), and the full-length Becoming All Things, released one year later. ~ Andrew Leahey & Kenyon Hopkin


text:
The Mean Moms Club got together last night for another invaluable time of fun and wisdom sharing. I left with this profound sense of gratitude for all of our kids. Most especially, I was downright weepy in the car when I thought of how fortunate I have been with the girls.
If they have ever been embarrassed by me or my presence, they have never once let on to me. I have offered them an out on many occasions that they do not have to run and greet me or even act like they know me at certain functions, and they always act like I'm being silly.


text:
The Student Community Center (SCC), located in central campus, is home to dynamic student life centers and academic services at UC Davis. The SCC fosters a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all visitors. The building features more than 4,800 square feet of event space, including a multi-purpose room, five meeting rooms, and two adjacent patios.
Features and Amenities:
- Platinum LEED certification
- State of the art audio visual systems
- Zero Waste Accommodations
- Free wireless
- Natural lighting


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Blogging, Blog Marketing and Search Engine Optimization
Filed Under Blogging, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 2 Comments
Our blog marketing and search engine optimization series is under way.
In this ongoing series we are looking at blogs and blogging in connection with several online marketing channels:
Quite obviously blogs are not laid out sequentially like a book. Even if you write in sequence, your material will be presented to the blog's reader in reverse sequence. Therefore, I created this post to organize my blogging articles into a handy table of contents.
This is a good place to mention that I'm not writing a textbook or an all-encompassing reference on blogging and blog marketing. Rather, I'm raising issues that could be critical to your success and sharing my thoughts and opinions about them.
There are many books and blogs that deal extensively with the details of blogging, business networking and search engine marketing. I love reading such books, and as we progress, I'll tell you about many of them.
I am not giving you business direction or assuming any measure of responsibility for your business decisions. While I believe that my ideas are sound, it is you nevertheless who will determine your path and assume full responsibility for your business results.
Blog Marketing Articles
Top Reasons Why I Blog
Top 10 Blogging Success Factors
Don't Make This Mistake
Narrowing Blog Focus
Blogging and Search Engine Marketing
Blogs and Blogging for Fun and Profit
Blog Marketing
Before You Begin Blogging
Creating a Home for Your Blog
Web Hosting for Your Blog
To Blog, or not to Blog, that is the Question
My Personal Branding Strategy
Search Engine Optimization Articles
Keyword Research Paying Off Big
Website or Online Presence?
Google Reverses Recent PageRank Update
Blog Monetization
Blogs and Blogging for Fun and Profit
This page will be updated frequently. To return here again, bookmark the page in your browser or on your desktop — or look for the Blog Marketing SEO Training link on the blog's sidebar.
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Creating a Home for Your Blog
Filed Under Blogging, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines, WordPress | 7 Comments
Your web presence is an asset not unlike real estate.
You've probably heard about the three most important factors in real estate.
They are:
- Location
- Location
- Location
A little exaggerated, perhaps, but not much. Properties can always be fixed up, but they can never be moved. If you buy a lovely house in a bad location, you're stuck in that location.
What are the three most important factors in a creating a web presence?
- Content
- Content
- Content
Or are they?
Location is an important factor in the value of an Internet property too.
When you set up your blog in a blogging community such as Blogger.com or Wordpress.com, you benefit in several ways:
- You get free rent; you don't have to pay for hosting
- You're up and running very quickly; no WordPress.org set up and no upgrades to struggle with
- You might get indexed right away — no big deal — but you might also get page ranked quickly, and in the short run perhaps that helps you
- Your community might work a like a social networking site and give you extra exposure
- You could be safer from hackers, but sill shouldn't be complacent
The main thing you give up is control.
If you accidentally — or intentionally — violate the community's terms of service, they may very well terminate your blog. It happens, and it's painful.
After all your hard work, you discover that you built your house on a mushy landfill.
Certain widgets or other site customizations may not be as straightforward either compared to marking up a Wordpress.org blog.
Look at it this way. You're building a site for long term use. Do you really want to be under the thumb of a capricious landlord who can put you and your belongings out into the street on a cold winter night?
Having said all this, it's still your personal call. The advantages of a Blogger.com site may outweigh the disadvantages as far as you are concerned, especially if you're funds are tight right now.
And that's fine. As long as you're making a well thought out determination for yourself.
My personal choice was and still is WordPress.org. I use a variety of Wordpress plug-ins which I list and discuss separately in Why WordPress? Plus List of My Top Dozen WordPress Plugins.
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Before You Begin Blogging
Filed Under Blogging, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 5 Comments
The decisions you make and the actions you take before you set up your marketing blog are at least as important as the steps you take once your blog is up and running.
Proper planning can help you avoid many false starts and much backtracking.
Start by asking yourself basic marketing questions such as these:
- How will you monetize your blog? For ideas refer to Blogs and Blogging for Fun and Profit.
- What will you sell?
- Which are your target markets?
- Can you reach them through advertising? Offline business networking?
- Can you connect with them at social networking sites such as MySpace, Facebook, Direct Matches, Yuwie or Ryze? While you're building credibility with the search engines, you can use online social networking and forums to enlist subscribers and readers for your blog.
- What can you write about in your blog or what other content can you offer that will attract them?
- Which keywords are they searching for that are relevant to your project?
- Which keyword searches can you realistically compete for?
- How will you position your products and brand yourself?
Asking these questions up front will make it possible to develop a coherent plan of action, and we will consider them in coming weeks.
You will need to choose a home for your blog, and that raises another key question.
Will you join a blogging community such as Blogger.com or Wordpress.com — or will you host your blog independently? I explain in Creating a Home for Your Blog why serious bloggers usually prefer to host their sites independently, and later we'll look at what that entails.
And you will also need to evaluate your marketing and technical skills. Where are you on the learning curve? What will it take to get up to speed? Will you require some amount of personal guidance to get off to the right start?
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Blog Marketing
Filed Under Blogging, Communication, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines | 3 Comments
Blogging and Personal Branding
Personal blogs and business blogs often factor into the marketing mix of both large and small businesses.
Blogging is interactive and enables direct communication with the customer or end user, a subtle form of business networking.
Blogging as a form of networking is not as direct as attending a meeting of a chamber of commerce or a small business association — nor does it replace online social networking at social networking sites. However, it builds credibility while refining and reinforcing the blogger's personal or corporate brand image.
Search Engine Optimization
As I stated in Top Reasons Why I Blog, "Blogging endears me to the search engines."
Search engines love to deliver fresh content to their clientele, and that's what blogs are all about. Each blog post creates new content for search engines such as Google to sink their teeth into.
Search engines send visitors. Some of those visitors become readers and bond with the blogger and his or her company or cause.
Make Money Blogging
This bond presents opportunities.
For example, when bloggers are looking directly to monetize their blogs, as is very often the case in the world of blogs, their readers are often redirected to another site or to a sales page to purchase an endorsed product or service.
This transition is easy once a trusting relationship has been created between blogger and reader.
To learn how to make money blogging, my previous post, Blogs and Blogging for Fun and Profit, is a good place to start.
We'll continue to explore the relationship between blogging and search engine marketing.
Be sure to visit the Blog Marketing and SEO Training page.
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Blogs and Blogging for Fun and Profit
Filed Under Blogging, Networking and Marketing Strategy | 2 Comments
Blog Monetization
Time for another article that has little to do with social networking sites.
In Top Reasons Why I Blog I listed my main reasons for blogging. Many of them relate in one way or another to making money.
Reason #15: "I can use it to promote people, products and services."
In plain English I'm stating that I can make money with my blog by selling stuff.
Another great Inside CRM post begins:
"Blogging is big business these days, with some bloggers reporting six-figure or even million-dollar incomes. There are a number of ways that these bloggers earn such large paychecks, and the best know how to do it in a way that won't scare off readers."
Read 101 Ways to Monetize Your Blog Without Irritating Your Readers, and your eyes will open up to many exciting new money-making opportunities.
My personal favorite, one that suits my personality, is "If you've found success as a blogger, you probably have a lot of knowledge to share about mastering both the Internet and your field. Freelance as a consultant and get paid for sharing what you know."
I'll tell you about my new consulting practice once I finalize the details.
Considering too the many non-financial benefits of blogging outlined in my March 12th post, tell me, how can justify not blogging?
More on blogging, search engines and search engine optimization coming in future articles. So don't miss any posts. Register, it's easy, or subscribe to my RSS feed!
Business Networking Sites
Filed Under Best of 2008, LinkedIn, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 6 Comments
Online social networking sites such as MySpace or Facebook have become considerably heterogeneous over time. They support diverse agendas and activities.
One the other hand, social networking sites such as myYearbook or Linked In have retained their strictly social or business networking character.
Social Sites for Every Business
Business is embracing social networking, and most new social networking websites seem to lean more towards doing business than towards socializing.
I came across an excellent list of business networking sites and social media sites that will help you create a strong web presence for yourself or for your organization.
Inside CRM published a collection of 50 Social Sites That Every Business Needs a Presence On. The entries are listed in five categories:
- Social Bookmarking Sites – such as reddit and Digg
- Business Networking Sites — like Ryze
- Niche Social Media Sites – including Sphinn and Tweako
- General Social Media Sites — such as Wikipedia
- Job Sites – like Yahoo! Hot Jobs
I don't know whether their list will be updated periodically, but it is certainly an excellent jumping off point.
You can also consult Mashable's Catalog of 350+ Social Networking Sites, Seth Godin's Web 2.0 Traffic Watch List and Ning Social Networking Sites for additional ideas.
You Need a Strong Web Presence
Are you an established entrepreneur or manager?
Are you opening a small business, a network marketing business or a consulting practice?
Even if you're an employee in a corporation, you need a solid web presence to comptete in today's Internet-based world.
When somebody Google's YOU or your niche, what will the search engine return?
More on search engines and search engine optimization coming in future articles.
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Quasi Social Networking Sites
Filed Under Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | Leave a Comment
At social networking sites we communicate and build relationships. We can also share websites and other content with each other.
At social bookmarking sites we primarily share websites and other content with each other and with search engines. However, we can also communicate and build relationships.
What is the difference between a social bookmarking site and a social networking site?
Our priorities. Online social bookmarking emphasizes content, while online social networking emphasizes relationships.
Benefits of Social Bookmarking Sites
If you publish a blog or own some other website, you probably want visitors, and backlinks too. Social bookmarking sites will help you in these ways.
- You share your site with the community. They visit it and rate it. You can form relationships that lead to quality backlinks for your site.
- Search engines take note that your site is bookmarked. Bookmarking is a form of recommendation. Search engines react favorably to your site's presence in the community.
My Favorite Social Bookmarking Sites
The social bookmarking sites I use most often are StumbleUpon, Technorati, propeller, del.icio.us, Spicy Page and Digg. See the list on my sidebar and at Social Marker, a tool that streamlines the bookmark submission process.
I also use blog traffic sites, notably Entrecard and Link Referral. The latter can also be used to promote a static website. I've made valuable connections at Entrecard and have learned much from the blogs I visited there.
Regular participation at social networking sites will do wonders for your popularity. Reqular posting and participation at social bookmarking sites will do the same for your blogs and other websites.
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Wowzza Alert
Filed Under Alerts, News, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 5 Comments
I strive to write upbeat online social networking posts. However, sometimes I have to publish a bad report.
I told you that I had found the social networking site Wowzza Disappointing. I decided to withdraw during Wowzza's 10-day grace period, and I expected to receive a refund.
When my refund wasn't issued after more than a week, I contacted Jim Vigilante, the site's founder, who said that he would look into it for me.
Last week I wrote him again. This time I did not receive a reply.
If I eventually receive my refund, I'll post a comment to this article to let you know. As of now both social networking sites, Wowzza and Zion 5, are suspect.
If you already belong to either of them, enjoy! No need to quit.
But if you haven't joined them, you should consider taking your online social networking business elsewhere.
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Blogging and Search Engine Marketing
Filed Under Blogging, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines, Social Media and Social Networking Sites | 8 Comments
My First Effort
I launched my Online Social Networking blog on November 6, 2007 with my first post, Here We Are.
I was a blogging and search engine optimization newbie.
You might remember my earlier post, "You don't have to get it right. You just have to get it going!" I made a plan and got started.
My strategy was to attract readers at social networking sites such as MySpace and Yuwie, and at the same time build a strong presence in the search engines.
I chose to write about social networking because of the large amount of experience I had with online social networking and social networking sites, and I selected the name of this blog and its principal keywords accordingly.
My blog took form over a period of several months with a few false starts and reversals. I kept writing week after week and networking and strategizing while waiting for my search engine marketing to kick in.
I joined MyBloglog and Entrecard to connect with other bloggers and entice them to visit my site. At Entrecard I made new friends.
One, a gentleman named Marcus Hochstadt, has helped me enormously. Not only has Marcus given me lots of encouragement, but through a contest he organized and ran on his Internet Business Guide blog, he also helped me gain more than fifty good inbound links to my blog. This helped my Google Page Rank.
Moving Up in Google
Page rank is Google's measure of a site's authority. It's a major factor in Google's determination of a site's position in search results.
Having your site shown by Google and other search engines on page one of the results when people search for your targeted keywords is highly desirable and is the primary goal of search engine optimization.
As my credibility increased, and my page rank went from zero to one and from one to two I moved up in the search engine results and saw large increments in the number of visitors Google was sending my way each day.
I started tracking my blog's traffic late January using Google Analytics. At that time Google was already providing me with a couple of visitors per day. The following chart shows how my results improved over time. Click on the chart to view a larger much larger version.
On a good day now I receive about 30 visitors. This will continue to grow over time, and I'll keep you posted.
You Can Do It Too
I'm teaching a free course on blogging, search engine optimization and social media marketing. You'll learn all the techniques I've discovered and how you can apply them yourself.
A wide range of social media marketing training courses is available at My Private Classroom for Marketers.
Subscribe to my newsletter at my free social media training site.
If you're interesed in harnessing the synergy of blogging, social networking sites and search engine optimization, visit my Blog Marketing and SEO Training.
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Rationale for Social Networking
Filed Under Communication, Networking and Marketing Strategy, Search Engines | 2 Comments
Last November I examined the popularity of social networking sites.
In a series of four posts I examined the reasons I believed that online social networking was very relevant:
- "High Tech/High Touch" - As sterile technology increasingly impacts our lives, we crave greater and greater intimacy to offset it.
- Digital Age - Our technical capablity permits, even inspires us, to share multi-media digital files with our friends, family and colleagues that contain valuable information, memorable experiences and enjoyable entertainment.
- Communication - Online social networking sites are capable of providing us with the functionality that e-mail did in the past plus a big additional benefit, file sharing.
- Search Engine Optimization - More and more marketers are turning to social networking both to connect with users and to get free traffic. Traffic comes from within the community and, thanks to the search engines, from without as well.
On March 24th I looked at Social Networking vs. Advertising and how people tend to approach social networking with an advertising mindset. If you haven't seen that post, I highly recommend it.
My good friend Ivo Jackson, a very gifted writer, wrote a blog post April 8, the 7 Reasons Why You Should Do More Networking Than Selling that looked at networking from another angle.
Ivo provides an excellent rationale for social networking that applies to offline as well as online social networking. These are the points she makes:
- People don't like to be sold.
- Selling only works when people are ready to buy, and most of your network is not ready.
- People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
- Selling yourself or your brand is easier than selling your product or service.
- The law of averages is real - long term success is relative to the size of your network.
- If you help people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want.
- If you expect a great harvest, you must first plant some seeds.
Visit Ivo's blog and read the complete article.
I wish to add just one point that I made in my March 24th post. Networking allows you to determine what people really want so that you can customize your offer to them.
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