relevant documentation http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for relevant documentation Copyright 2008 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:32:57 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/relevant+documentation Being A Paperwork Prepared Tourist http://www.artwoo.com/article/being-a-paperwork-prepared-tourist http://www.artwoo.com/article/being-a-paperwork-prepared-tourist#comments Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:19:59 +0000 getting a passportpassport officescruise vacationcruise linepaperworklushdeeper waters http://www.artwoo.com/article/being-a-paperwork-prepared-tourist cruise vacation, you probably think of being a pampered tourist, enjoying accommodations and fabulous service. However, there is a lot of work to be done to prepare for a cruise before you get to enjoy the cruising life.

Documentation is key. Depending on where you are going the documentation items you need could be limited or extensive. If you are just going on a one or two day cruise that is in the U.S., you may not need much. But, if you are going into and to foreign ports the rules are a little different.

Even if you are only going on a few day cruise to somewhere like Jamaica you are going to need a passport. While it is an island that is very close to the state of Florida, it is still a foreign country, and therefore you need the proper documentation to show your citizenship.

If you don't have a passport, you need to get one well in advance of your trip. Also, if you do have one, make sure it is not about to expire. Generally, you should give your self up to six months to get your passport, at a minimum two. around the country are backed up and these days takes longer than it did before. If you're within a few months, you may want to pay extra to get your passport expedited.

There may be even more documentation to be had if your family has some children who are from previous marriages and do not have the same last name of the parent taking them on the trip. If this is the case in your family, you may have to file some extra pieces of to get a passport, and then to make sure the authorities know it is ok for the child to be traveling out of the country with one parent.

Some countries actually require those who want to stay for a little while to apply for visas, which would mean even more paperwork. The rules for what documentation is required to go into and out of a country will differ by nation, so check with your about this possibility.

For other countries, you will need to have proof of some medical vaccinations due to the possibility of illnesses in their region.

If you normally book your vacation through a travel agent, they may well help you take care of all of this. They know that for the most part tourists really want to focus on what they will see and what accommodations they will have on their cruise, not the little paperwork details, so they will usually compile a list of all the documentation and any medical certification you will need in order to be allowed to go on your trip. In addition, a good travel agent will know enough about the cruise industry they may be able to recommend great deals on wonderful destinations for your cruise. Leroy Calstard repeatedly writes detailed reports on subjects relating to Costa Calida and Guardamar. His publications on weather in alicante can be encountered on http://www.alicante-spain.com/alicante-weather.html and also different web publications. ]]> What Your Real Estate Lawyer Does For You http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-your-real-estate-lawyer-does-for-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-your-real-estate-lawyer-does-for-you#comments Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:50:06 +0000 real estate lawyermortgage informationlegible copyproperty taxsaleencumbrancestransfer deed http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-your-real-estate-lawyer-does-for-you real estate lawyer. The buyers will have their own lawyer. The roles of each lawyer is not set in stone, but the traditional role of the sellers' lawyer include:

• Reviewing the s contract • Making sure the titles and documentation for any chattels included in the sale are in order. • Reviewing and ensuring the calculations are correct. • Reviewing bills. • Pro-rating to the adjustment date any utility costs, municipality fees and/or condominium costs. • Determining the amount of any refunds due. • Preparing a statement of adjustments. • Preparing the . • Making sure you can deliver a clear title to the buyer on the closing date.

The buyers' lawyer typically completes the title search and verifies that there are no on the property.

It is important to give your lawyer all the necessary information. Some of the documentation your lawyer will ask for includes:

• A of the accepted offer. • The latest property tax bill. • Utility bills for the past year. • All your mortgage information. • Any transfer documents available from when you purchased your home. • Documentation for any items you agreed to leave in the house for the new owners • Any additional information that is relevant to the condition or ownership of your property.

Giving your real estate lawyer all the information he needs will help make sure your deal closes as smoothly as possible.

After the sale of your home, you need to keep some money aside to cover the closing costs. Here is a list of some of the fees that will have to be paid.

1. Commission- If you used a real estate agent, you can expect to pay the agreed upon commission. Always check to be sure the amount is correct.

2. Transaction Fee- Some real estate agencies have started to charge a transaction fee in addition to commission. Check your original agreement. If you didn't agree to pay a transaction fee, be sure to challenge this charge.

3. Taxes-You are required to pay the taxes related to the period of time from the beginning of the year to the closing date.

4. Insurance- If the buyers are taking over your fire and homeowners insurance, be sure to get reimbursed for the unused portion.

5. Liens and assessments- You'll normally be expected to pay off any liens or assessments before the title can clear. Make sure to check that all the dollar amounts are correct.

6. Title Insurance/Escrow Charges-You should know in advance what portion of the title insurance and escrow charges, if any, you need to pay. Be sure that you aren't being overcharged.

7. Inspection fees-These include termite inspection fee, termite removal costs, recording deed costs, home warranty plan costs, attorney's fees, documentation preparation fees and mailing costs ( if any).

There may be other fees and costs in addition to those listed here. There is not much you can do to eliminate the costs, but you can watch out that you are not being overcharges, or being charges for things that weren't done. J.P. Lee published a resource site for people who want to sell their home privately at http://www.forprivatesalesite.com ]]> Documentation For a Legal US Passport http://www.artwoo.com/article/documentation-for-a-legal-us-passport http://www.artwoo.com/article/documentation-for-a-legal-us-passport#comments Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:22:19 +0000 passport acceptance agentus passport applicationsocial security numberacceptance facilityus department of statebaptismal certificatehospital birth http://www.artwoo.com/article/documentation-for-a-legal-us-passport US Department of State is responsible for the issuing and regulating of US passports. As such, it is important to keep in touch with current regulations of where and when to carry your US passport. As anyone who has applied for a US passport can tell you, documentation of who you are is extremely important in the process. Knowing what documentation to bring with you when applying or to show while applying will hasten the process and get you what you need without any excess hustle and bustle.

These documentation are correct as stated by the US Department of State as of July 22, 2008. As always, these requirements are apt to change as necessary. Therefore, if you have questions, please contact the appropriate department or investigate your choice of websites to verify current regulations and policies concerning the documentations necessary to obtain a US passport.

Application for Passport, Form DS-11

The application for passport form DS-11 is the updated and modified application you will need to fill out for each person applying. These can be obtained either online for download or via an of your choice. This form is 6 pages in length and contains laws, guidelines, and regulations you must know to fill in this form to satisfaction. Remember, other than the , you are not required to give the information. However, failure to disclose the information can lead to the denial of the application.

NOTE: Do not sign the form until instructed to do so by !

Present Proof of US Citizenship

You must provide (a) intact previous US passport or (b) certified birth certificate. The certified birth certificate will have the registrar's embossed, raised, impressed or multicolored seal, the registrar's signature, and the date.

If you do not have (a) or (b), you will need a "Letter of No Record". In addition, you will need as many of the following as you can obtain issued within 5-years of birth: certificate, , early school record, census record, doctor's record of post-natal care, and family bible record. In addition, you will find an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, filled out by an elderly blood relative useful. This must be notarized.

Present Proof of Identity

This documentation is similar to a photo verification of your identity. You can use (a) state issued driver's license, (b) military identification, (c) government identification via state, local, or federal agencies, (d) previous intact passport, or (e) naturalization certificate. A Social Security Card is NOT acceptable identification. If none of these are available, there are other options available.

Current Passport Photo

You will need to provide two, identical passport photos. These must be 2 by 2 in size, and taken within 6 months to your application.

When it comes to applying for your US passports, you will find having the documentation on hand will save time and money. In addition, when you know what to expect, you will not be ruining your own plans for a wonderful adventure due to the fact you do not have your application approved because of lack of documentation.Nance Leighton owns and operates VIP Passports Inc from Houston, Texas. She proudly offers services associated with passports, birth certificates, photos, and much more. If you need it, she has it!]]> Self Cert Loans - Especially For The Self Employed http://www.artwoo.com/article/self-cert-loans-especially-for-the-self-employed http://www.artwoo.com/article/self-cert-loans-especially-for-the-self-employed#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:15:00 +0000 self certloan borrowersself certificationself employedrisky businessbank statementscreditworthiness http://www.artwoo.com/article/self-cert-loans-especially-for-the-self-employed self employed can cause a lot of problems when trying to secure a loan. Many lenders prefer to have a lot of documentation and proof of income. Self employment is seen as because the income is not guaranteed and is not often steady.

Lenders like to deal with people who have a steady income that is not likely to change. For the self employed, though, there is a special loan, called a ification loan.

A self cert loan is ideal for the self employed. A self cert loan requires no documentation or limited documentation of income. Instead the borrower declares their income. Some lenders will want to see so they can get an idea of the borrowers income.

Like most loans that are considered risky, a loan is going to be more expensive then a typical loan. The lender is going to charge higher interest and fees.

In order to help lower costs, bringing in some documentation can help the borrower. They may wish to provide any proof of their income for a one year period or longer, if they have it.

In general, lenders want proof of three years of income fro a self employed person. This may be difficult or not at all possible for some borrowers. That is where a self certification loan comes in handy.

With a self cert loan, the lender is going by the borrowers word. This alone is a risk. The lender can not be guaranteed that the borrower earns what they say they do. This is why many lenders will still ask for some type of income verification, such as bank statements or earnings statements.

Providing something to the lender to prove can help. Current loan payments or other regular payments, like rent, can be used as proof of reliability. Additionally, a borrower can provide whatever they have to show income, such as bank statements or eve customer documentation.

Self cert loans are best used to get started with a loan. Borrowers should look into a self certification loan as their first loan choice only if they have never borrowed before as a self employed person.

Once they have secured a loan as self employed and maintained a good payment history on such loan for about two years, they should not have difficulties getting a different type of loan later on. This can be a big money saver, since they will then qualify for more traditional loans at lower interest rates.

A self cert loan is something offered as an alternative. If a person can qualify for a different type of loan then they should, by all means, go with that loan. As mentioned, self certification loans are risky and costly.

Lenders prefer to try to find an alternative before jumping into a self certification loan. Borrowers should feel the same way, but if a self certification loan is the only option, then it is a better choice then not being able to secure a loan at all. James Copper likes to write on a number of different areas of real estate and mortgages. He works as a Mortgage and Loan Broker for Any Loans who offer Self Cert Loans - http://www.any-loans.co.uk/self-certification-secured-loans.shtml ]]> 7 Ways To Ensure You're Paying The Right Creditor http://www.artwoo.com/article/7-ways-to-ensure-youre-paying-the-right-creditor http://www.artwoo.com/article/7-ways-to-ensure-youre-paying-the-right-creditor#comments Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:25:01 +0000 collection agencydelinquent accountcreditordelinquent accountscollect moneycompany letterheadname and address http://www.artwoo.com/article/7-ways-to-ensure-youre-paying-the-right-creditor delinquent account is reported to a a consumer has a short amount of time to pay the bill. This is because collection accounts are put on a nationwide registry and each collection agency in the country gets notified of a collection account. However, only one collection agency has a legal right to on a delinquent account.

It can be very difficult trying to make payments on a collection account because a collection agency holds a collection account for a few months, it they are unsuccessful in collecting on the debt owed the account is forwarded to another collection agency. This process continues until the account is paid or legal action is taken against the consumer.

Collection agencies don't want you to know that as a consumer you have a legal right to question the validity of a collection agency which is called debt validation. Many consumers have paid money on to a particular company only to find out that the company did not legally have a right to collect money on that account. As a result the consumer still owed the money on the delinquent account. To prevent this from happening to you, here are 7 ways to validate a debt and ensure you are paying the right or collection agency:

1. Request the creditor, collection agency or attorney to provide documentation that the company is authorized to collect on the debt. Ensure the of the collection agency appears on the documentation which should be on .

2. Ask for proof of the total amount of the debt including payment history from with the original creditor and status of the account. Verify the documentation against your own records.

3. Request the collection agency to provide the original contract or other documentation showing the agreement you made with the original creditor including the name and address of the original creditor.

4. Ask the creditor to provide a copy of their business license to prove they are licensed in their state to collect money on delinquent accounts. However this varies from state to state.

5. If the creditor use profanity, harasses you, is rude or threatens you inform the collection agency that they are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), they might argue and say they are not but they are considered debt collectors and are covered under the act.

6. If the creditor cannot verify the debt they cannot collect any money owed on your account and is not allowed to contact you about the debt. They also cannot report the account on your credit report.

7. A creditor may respond to your debt validation letter by sending you a summons to appear in court. This is a scare tactic and is illegal. A creditor has to validate the debt before they can file suit against you.

Keep records of all documentation you receive and all documentation you mail. Send all documentation via certified mail with return receipt. If you find that the creditor or collection agency is violating the FCRA you can file a complaint with your local small claims court, notify the credit bureaus and file complaint with the Federal Trade Commission, http://www.ftc.gov.

Article originally published at EzineArticles. Harrine Freeman is the CEO of H.E. Freeman Enterprises, a credit repair and personal finance services company and author of "How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating for Free." Visit http://www.hefreemanenterprises.com. ]]> What it Takes to Get Easy Loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-it-takes-to-get-easy-loans http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-it-takes-to-get-easy-loans#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:01:18 +0000 pay stubsproof of identificationproof of incomeself employed taxmain keyloan processloan request http://www.artwoo.com/article/what-it-takes-to-get-easy-loans main key to an easy loan is being prepared.

The involves paperwork and documentation. It involves the lender looking over everything and making a determination about whether to approve or deny the . The process can be hard and long, but it does not have to be.

A borrower who is prepared for the loan process will find they can make it so much easier. Being prepared requires having all documentation, knowing what type of loan and amount needed and having a down payment or collateral. By having these things the loan process can be made easy.

Documentation is a big part of the loan process. It is how lenders verify what a borrower is telling them. Documentation generally involves , and proof of any current financial obligations. A borrower should come to the lender with their for the past six months or, if self employed, tax returns for the past two years. They should also bring their identification, a driver's license or other form of legally recognized identification. They should also bring information about any financial obligations they have like child support or other loans they may have. This documentation should include the current status of the account and the amount of the total obligation.

The borrower should also figure out before hand how much they want to borrow. They should also look around and determine the interest rate they are looking for and how long they wish to finance the loan. It is important for a borrower to keep in mind that their credit history is going to effect the final determination of these factors.

It helps if the borrower knows their credit history, including their credit score. By knowing this they can properly handle their loan request. The lender will eventually find out about the borrowers credit history so the borrower should be prepared to discuss any problems that may be present. By knowing their credit history the borrower can also be more accurate in how much they can likely borrow and what type of interest rate to expect.

Lastly, to help make the loan process easy, the borrower should come prepared with either a down payment or collateral to secure the loan. Secured loans are much easier then unsecured loans. The lender is more likely to be able to speed up the loan process if the borrower has something to secure the loan with.

Getting an easy loan is all in the hands of the borrower. By being prepared the borrower is going to save a lot of time and hassle. They will have everything ready and the lender should be able to fill out the paperwork and process the loan quickly. This is the key to an easy loan.James Copper is a writer for http://www.any-loans.co.uk where you can get information on low rate loans]]> Tips For Planning Your Student Travel Trip http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-planning-your-student-travel-trip http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-planning-your-student-travel-trip#comments Sat, 24 Feb 2007 16:27:03 +0000 charity organizationsimmunizationspassport requirementswork visaexchange studentstudying abroadscrutinize http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-planning-your-student-travel-trip


You will want to make sure that you take into consideration any , , visas, driver's license, and other information that you will need to under a microscope before you go. Just make sure to figure out all the documentation that you will need to be able to go to the country you have chosen. Also ensure that you have received the immunizations that you will need as documentation for the travel. You will be asked for it at some point in your trips, so be prepared.

In regards to being prepared, also be sure to pack everything you need to be able to make the trip safely and without needing to purchase anything beyond food and drink. You will find that your trip is much cheaper if you do take everything you need up front. If you plan to go backpacking, make sure that you pack light, but also make sure that you have included all the essentials. You can find resources online or through a travel agency that will allow you to create a very dependable list of items you will need.



Determine your purpose for going to the country. Do you want to work while you are there? Are you just going to school as an ? Will you be creating time for the in the area? Creating a plan of what you are going to be doing while in the new country is always wise. You need to look at the possible documentation that you will need such as a to work in that country. You may need other documentation for , or to for volunteering your time to a charity of your choice.

You will want to determine the cheapest means of getting there safely. Take into consideration where you will be staying, how you will get around, where you will be going to visit, and other side amusements. You can create a creative itinerary that allows you to do everything you want on a very distinctive budget. You will also need to take into consideration the ability to maintain contact with loved ones who are in the country you are presently in. You will want to add this expense to your budget also by calculating the exchange rates or international calling rates from the country you will be in to the country you presently live in.

In conclusion, you can travel abroad, be safe and see a lot. You will be able to create a favorable introduction to other cultures, all the while contributing in some way to their culture. Always respect them and remember to take a book with common phrases with you everywhere so you can communicate effectively with the people in the area. You should have a basic comprehension of the language already so that when they speak to you, you can understand them. Get expert Student Travel help at http://www.adventurestudenttravel.com/ ]]> Homeowner's Insurance Advice: Taking Inventory Of Your Home http://www.artwoo.com/article/homeowners-insurance-advice-taking-inventory-of-your-home http://www.artwoo.com/article/homeowners-insurance-advice-taking-inventory-of-your-home#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2006 10:27:20 +0000 homeowners insurancetake inventorytaking inventoryadditional insuranceinsurance agentinsurance policyinsurance companies http://www.artwoo.com/article/homeowners-insurance-advice-taking-inventory-of-your-home take inventory of your home.

There are two reasons to take inventory of your home for your homeowner's . The first reason is many homeowner's will ask for an inventory of your home before they offer you a policy. The second reason is having an inventory of your home will make it easier for you to prove what was stolen or damaged, therefore making the process of filing a claim and being reimbursed much quicker.

However, of your home goes beyond just jotting down a list of expensive items and tucking it away in a drawer somewhere. Keep reading for advice on how to properly take inventory of your home for your homeowner's insurance.

Make a detailed list of everything you own. Don't panic -- you can exclude things such as that shabby rug in the guest room that you only keep around to hide Fido's first accident before he was house-broken, but do make sure to include everything of value -- art, jewelry, expensive china and silverware, electronics -- everything. Take pictures of the items, dig up receipts if you have them, and even consider taking a video of these items, as well. For electronics, you should also note the make, model, serial number, etc.

Regardless of how you choose to document these items, don't keep the documentation in your home -- that defeats the purpose should your house burn down. Keep the documentation in the bank, at your parents', in a big safe you've buried in a secret location in a far off country -- where ever. Just not in your home.

Finally, take your list, and other documentation if you like, to your homeowner's to find out if everything you own is covered under your policy. You may need to purchase if it's not. http://www.myquoteguide.com/Term-Policy.shtml http://www.ezquoteguide.com/home/ http://www.ezquoteguide.com/car/ ]]> Lemon Laws - Documentation Is The Key http://www.artwoo.com/article/lemon-laws-documentation-is-the-key http://www.artwoo.com/article/lemon-laws-documentation-is-the-key#comments Tue, 18 Apr 2006 01:50:02 +0000 fortunatelylemon lawwarranty periodstate lemon lawsreceiptsautomobilelemon car http://www.artwoo.com/article/lemon-laws-documentation-is-the-key Fortunately, all states have a which allows consumers to address financial and legal issues that may result if they have bought a defective . A vehicle may be considered a lemon if it continues to have a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, its value or your safety. Generally, if the car has been repaired 4 or more times for the same defect within the , and the defect has not been fixed, the car qualifies as a lemon.

"Lemon" is not a term that can be applied simply because you no longer like certain aspects about your car, and it does not refer to all defects the vehicle may have. If the transmission doesn't work, the car won't go into reverse, the rear door opens all by itself, the driver's seat wobbles, or the car can't reach minimum required highway speed, then you may have a lemon. It is essential however, that the dealer has been given an opportunity to correct the problems before the courts will determine the automobile is a lemon. In most states, ten different defects during the warranty period won't classify the car as a lemon. In some states, a single defect that might cause serious injury could qualify your car as a lemon; if the manufacturer hasn't fixed the problem after 1 repair attempt.

If you think you may have purchased a , the key to winning your case is documentation. Keep any and records for the repair of the defects in your vehicle, and any receipts pertaining to the vehicle's breakdown (such as cab fare). Retain any notes you write to the company, as well as names of employees you have talked to about the problems. Any costs or problems caused by the buyer's neglect or abuse will be specifically excluded by .

Purchasing a lemon is an unfortunate but not irreparable circumstance if you follow the correct lemon law procedures. Be diligent with your documentation, even during the frustration. Read your state's lemon law and follow the documentation requirements to the letter. If you must hire an attorney, this will not only save you tremendous time, but some States provide some portion of attorney's fee in lemon law resolutions. copyright©2006 conferencewebs.net. Visit for more http://www.conferencewebs.net/articles">http://www.conferencewebs.net/articles articles, resources for http://www.conferencewebs.net and video conferencing. ]]> Computer Photo Enhancement Progression - Save Those Childhood Photos And Information http://www.artwoo.com/article/computer-photo-enhancement-progression-save-those-childhood-photos-and-information http://www.artwoo.com/article/computer-photo-enhancement-progression-save-those-childhood-photos-and-information#comments Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:35:01 +0000 child custody casesaccurate generationage progressionpolice authoritiesforensic artistchild adultwal mart http://www.artwoo.com/article/computer-photo-enhancement-progression-save-those-childhood-photos-and-information Wal Mart or other big box store. Often children disappear or drop from sight. Sometimes this is a matter of where one parent or another has abducted a child against the other spouse's or the court of law's wishes or rulings. Other times it is a case of disappearance by choice or misadventure. In these cases "Computer "has become a more than useful tool in locating these missing persons. "Computer Age Progression" can erase the changes of time and the aging process to produce images of the people involved as they now appear with the standard passage of time and the aging process. After all the passage of time and the ticking of a clock stops for no one.

Age progression is a combination of both science and art. It enables a trained to create from older photographs a portrait with a likeness of what a missing child, adult or other person would like today in the here and now.

When a child has been reported missing it is essential that the investigating police officer or other authorities have a complete and full description of the victim, along with any other important relevant or perhaps even non relevant information. When a child has been missing over an extended period of time, the original photographs of that child or person become outdated. It is important that the investigators and authorities have proper up to date photographs of the child and other people involved in the case of the missing people. This is more than important for simple verification of sightings, for use on flyers and posters. Of course having proper and accurate photographs are of great use in generating new and of new leads and clues for the involved in the case.

It is an obvious fact that if the police are looking for a child or person that has been missing for several years, and if that child has aged more than a year or to , that people would spot the missing child from a photograph that portrays the child at a much younger age. Thus computer age progression can really help in tracking down lost and missing children and people.

What can you do to prepare for such an eventuality if such a tragedy ever occurs within your, your family's or friend's circle of acquaintances. First it is a good practice over time to have an album of your child. The photos should be taken on a regular basis and stored in an album or on a computer in a manner that they are readily accessible and catalogued. Along with the photos should be notations =96 especially of the date of the photo and the age of the child or person at the at time. Next there should be similar photos of the biological parents and. / or brothers or sisters at the same or a similar age of the missing child or person. Again these are not current photos, but rather photos of the victim or victims at the same or similar age of the disappeared person or child. Any photos are of help. The most useful are those in which the relevant person in the photos is in a similar position in the photo or posing in a very similar manner to that of the missing person. These photographs can be in color or even black and white. Any information is of help. Just make sure that you do not smudge or mark on the photographs in any way or manner. Remember that your photos are the raw materials that the computer age progression technical expert artist will work with. Any specific comments or specific detailing information (such as date, place, identifying birth mark) can be noted on a separate piece of paper. The very best photos for the documentation experts to work with are of the "school picture "type or even yearly photos with Santa.

In the end in order to locate missing persons the more photos and specific identification markings that you can provide the greater your chances for the forensic documentation artist to create a good and even more exact likeness. http://www.badgerlinux.net http://www.adgerlinux.com http://www.tratfor.com http://www.g2analyst.com ]]> How To Build Up Your Credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-build-up-your-credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-build-up-your-credit#comments Sun, 16 Apr 2006 21:50:14 +0000 contactchargescreditorswritten communicationbooksbad creditstep by step advice http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-to-build-up-your-credit creditors from bothering you, and in order for you to get a loan with a reasonable interest rate, you need to learn how to build your credit. The best place to start is to not buy things that you don't need. If you always make impulse buys, you will find yourself in deeper debt very quickly. And if you have no credit history at all, you must keep that in mind.

Building good credit if you have

If you have bad credit, consult one of the many available written by qualified financial advisors in order to get started on the right path. You can find books like these at your local library. In these books you will find checklists and step-by-step advice that will help you turn your credit around. There are also guides available at the library that can instruct those in debt on how to write letters to their creditors. Letters are probably a more effective avenue to take rather than communicating by phone, since most creditors will not be sympathetic to your situation.

Another value of the is that if you should end up in court, the written documentation will be easier to submit. Verbal commitments can be easily denied without written documentation. Any documentation that is relevant to your credit issues should be stored in a secured place. Make copies of any communication with credit agencies (both to and from you), and keep it under lock and key. If you notice any errors on your bills or credit, be sure to the correct agencies and dispute and resolve the right away.

If you have used your credit card to purchase an item or service and the item you bought was defective, you DO NOT have to make payment on the charges. You do need to dispute the charges with the service provider that sold you the product. If the proprietor does not exchange the item or reimburse you for it, you have the right to deny payment. Once you have disputed the charges with the proprietor it is then your responsibility to contact your credit card company to dispute the charge.

If you have bad credit and have a credit card, you can use the card to repay your other debts and then make monthly payments on the credit card. Ironically, you are getting out of debt while remaining in debt. In other words, if you use your credit cards to pay other debts, your debt on your credit card will continue to increase. Since credit cards charge significant interest rates, your debt will continue to increase unless you can make significant monthly payments.

No Credit, No problem?

If you think that you do not need credit at all, that is simply not the case.

In today's world, in order to make many major purchases, it is often a requirement that you have at least one major line of credit. Most lenders will not consider lending money or give credit to someone that has no established credit history. We are expected to establish a credit history when we are young, and if we do not lenders often wonder why, which makes you look like a high risk.

They have no way of knowing your payment record, or if you are able to pay off the debt at all. There are several reasons that lenders will refuse you a loan if you have not established a credit history. The best way to establish good credit is to have a credit card, make your monthly payments on time, and keep your spending under control. Good credit means managing your money each month and paying your bills on time. To learn more about credit repair visit http://www.reviewcreditrepair.info ]]> Debt Consolidation Loan Online: How To Prepare To Apply For A Debt Consolidation Loan Online http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loan-online-how-to-prepare-to-apply-for-a-debt-consolidation-loan-online http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loan-online-how-to-prepare-to-apply-for-a-debt-consolidation-loan-online#comments Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:35:01 +0000 debt consolidation loanjunctureinterest ratereputable lenderproof of incomecopy documentationlack of knowledge http://www.artwoo.com/article/debt-consolidation-loan-online-how-to-prepare-to-apply-for-a-debt-consolidation-loan-online debt consolidation loan online is to shop around for the best deal on such a loan from the most reliable lender. Regardless of your reason for obtaining a debt consolidation loan online, the process is going to be about the same. After you have done your research on the different kinds of debt consolidation loan online options that are available and are armed with latest data on s and costs, it's time to make a particular decision regarding which debt consolidation loan online lender is the best choice for you.

You need to be fully aware of all costs and fees associated with a debt consolidation loan online in addition to the interest rate that will be charged on such a loan. A should be more than willing to clearly explain all of the fees and costs that are associated with a debt consolidation loan online. If a debt consolidation loan online lender will not give this information to you, look elsewhere. You will not want to obtain a debt consolidation loan online from such a lender. Such a lender of debt consolidation loan online products may use your of their fees against you in very detrimental ways. Get a commitment regarding the fees and costs -- and interest rate -- associated with a debt consolidation loan online in writing.

When you have chosen your lender, you will have to get your documentation in order as part of the application process for a debt consolidation loan online. While some debt consolidation loan online lenders have gone the paperless route -- the route where you do not have to pull together hard -- many will still require supporting documentation such as tax returns and .



At this point, you will want to make certain that all of the materials and information that you are preparing to provide to a debt consolidation loan online lender is accurate. By the time you reach the at which you are going to submit an application to a debt consolidation loan online lender over the Net, you need to make certain that all of that information that you will be sending is completely correct.

By properly preparing to apply for a debt consolidation loan online, you will be in a far better position of obtaining approval for such a financing package. Thomas Erikson is co-founder of http://www.your-debt-consolidation-loan.com which provides debt consolidation information and solutions. Find out how you can quickly and easily get your finances under control with a Debt Consolidation Loan Online. ]]> Feeling The Squeeze With A Potential Car Lemon? http://www.artwoo.com/article/feeling-the-squeeze-with-a-potential-car-lemon http://www.artwoo.com/article/feeling-the-squeeze-with-a-potential-car-lemon#comments Thu, 20 Apr 2006 12:50:06 +0000 car lemon lawunfortunatelyroutine maintenanceinvoicelemon lawscar statisticswarranty work http://www.artwoo.com/article/feeling-the-squeeze-with-a-potential-car-lemon car lemon law. , that means always being diligent about documentation and keeping paperwork, no matter what is involved.

According to most , a vehicle is considered a lemon when it has a defect or malfunction that continually pops up despite repairs and could be a potential hazard to the driver's safety. Every state is different and has special requirements on the number of times a vehicle should be brought in for service for the same defect before it is considered a car lemon. The lemon law of California states that four attempts should be made to repair the same defect. However, the lemon law of Florida states that it is three attempts.

It is every man for himself, so that is why documentation is so important. Sometimes, the vehicle you bought new is not presumed a lemon until the warranty is out of date or the number of miles on the odometer is over the limit specified in your state's lemon law. The documentation you keep - repair visits, , etc. - will help uphold your rights under the car lemon law.

When you are getting done on your car, make notes on each and every person you talked with about your maintenance and repairs. Ask for quotes as well as actual work done in writing. Just because some repair work may have been done under warranty and therefore covered by the manufacturer does not mean you are not entitled to an . The burden of proof lies with you.

Another tip is to have the authorized repair center make note of your complaint on your invoice. Make sure that every time you receive a receipt or any piece of paper with your that it has your car's odometer reading listed too. Write down the date and time of all of your phone conversations. Sometimes, managers and other decision makers will claim that they did not receive any messages from you. Be sure to get last names and employee titles where applicable. It will be harder for anyone to 'pass the buck' with your documentation.

As a consumer, you have certain rights under your state's lemon laws. If you have any trouble with the manufacturer making good on your car, you can consult with lemon law attorneys. They will help you understand your rights. The lesson to be learned when buying a new car, is always expect a car lemon. That way you will be prepared for anything that happens. Earl Powers, US Lawyer and Lemon Law In expert at Aquest Group LLC ( http://www.free-car-lemon-check.com ) publishes other articles related to Lemon Law In at http://www.lemon-law-lawyers.com and http://www.used-car-lemon-laws.com ]]> Planning Your Dream Wedding In Mauritius http://www.artwoo.com/article/planning-your-dream-wedding-in-mauritius http://www.artwoo.com/article/planning-your-dream-wedding-in-mauritius#comments Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:30:05 +0000 weddings in mauritiusgetting married in mauritiuswedding organizersflowers photosbirth certificatesbook flightscivil ceremony http://www.artwoo.com/article/planning-your-dream-wedding-in-mauritius weddings in Mauritius is second nature to many of the tour operators that offer this service. Dedicated staff are on hand to assist in all the arrangements, help you choose your venue, , organize the flowers, photos, wedding cake, food and drink and put together all the finishing touches for your special day.

will research hotels and check for special group discounts if you are sharing your special day with family and friends. Weddings are tailor made to your requirements whilst staff at many of the islands luxury hotels will endeavour to make your day as special as you deserve.

Before you get swept away by the romance of having a wedding abroad, you will also need to consider the practicalities of . UK residents planning to marry in Mauritius have the choice of a or a Religious Ceremony. The following checklist is designed to act as a guide to planning your luxury wedding in Mauritius and is by no means comprehensive.

=95 Before you fly out you will need to apply for a Certificate of Non-residence by sending a request to the Registrar of Civil Status at least one month before your intended wedding date. It should be sent with copies of both of your full and a copy of the first three pages of your passports, as well as any relevant divorce/death documentation. The certificate is then issued by the Prime Minister's Office in Port Louis, so you need to allow at least 10 days for processing before your wedding date. It is worth enquiring as to any other relevant documentation that you may need on application of your Certificate of Non-residence.

=95 For a civil ceremony you must be present on the island up to 24hrs before the wedding. However it is advisable you arrive at least 3 days before to complete formalities. For religious ceremonies arrive at least 15 days prior to the ceremony and note that if you decide to have your wedding at one of the hotels you will normally be required to book a minimum stay of 7 nights.

=95 When you arrive in Mauritius you will have to visit the Civil Status Office ensure you have all your original documents with you otherwise you will not be able to collect your non-residence certificate. You must swear an affidavit before a judge in chambers in Port Louis. The Civil wedding may then be celebrated one day after the publication of your marriage banns, providing you have confirmed time and location with the Registrar. Weddings can be held Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays.

=95 Civil Ceremonies are conducted by a Civil Status Officer commonly at the local register office or at a location of your choice from a hotel to a secluded beach. If you opt for a wedding ceremony at a hotel check whether they guarantee only one wedding per day at the resort as do Beachcomber Hotels, so you don't have to share your special day with anyone else.

=95 Two witnesses are required to be present throughout the proceedings.

=95 Expect the ceremony to last between 20-30 minutes after which you will receive your Wedding Certificate. Clarify with the Civil Status Office to ensure that your Wedding will be registered in Mauritius and in doing so will be legal back home in the UK.

=95 If you would like a religious ceremony it is possible to have an Anglican or Catholic wedding in Mauritius. However although possible Catholic weddings are very difficult to arrange for non-Mauritians. You must first have a Civil wedding in either the UK or Mauritius, preferably in the UK. If you or your partner have been divorced it will not be possible to have a religious ceremony.

=95 If your marriage certificate is written in a foreign language you will need to ensure it is translated on your return to the UK.

For planning of luxury weddings in Mauritius you should contact the countries embassy in the UK for further information. For further information on weddings in Mauritius please visit Beachcomber Tours at http://www.beachcombertours.co.uk or call 01483 445610. ]]> All That Documentation Makes Real Estate No Fun http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-that-documentation-makes-real-estate-no-fun http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-that-documentation-makes-real-estate-no-fun#comments Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:25:00 +0000 residential lease agreementreal estate transactionsbinding naturelogical senselegal documentationlegal implicationsgeographies http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-that-documentation-makes-real-estate-no-fun
When we think about transacting in real estate, one of the first big hurdles tends to be the large tickets to such transactions. But that is not the only big hurdle. I would say that the very fact that you have to go through so much of documentation is also a huge impediment.

Of course, you will go through all that. But I still feel that the process is exceptionally tedious. I am sure that this is all required in the case of a rainy day when we have to end up in court litigating over something.

Here are some of the basic types of documents that I have seen during :

One of the most common types of document is the "Offer to Purchase." As is implied by the very name, this is the letter that you would use to make an offer to someone when you are interested in buying his or her property. Of course, you need to know all the details that should be mentioned in this doc. You should also be careful about the and of this form.

Then there is the . This is something that a large number of us get exposed to. For some reason or the other if you have relocated, you have quite likely rented an apartment or a home. There are severe regulatory issues that go into making a lease agreement. So make sure that you are clear about all those matters before you go ahead and finalize the contract.

Like all other , the contents should make . But there is a little beyond that too. For instance when it comes to matters related to real estate, there are often covenants that are local to different and territories.

Those were two examples that I pulled out of a hat. Of course, the real world, if it exists, is far more complex than the two types of legal forms that I mentioned. For instance, did you know that if you are in the business of real estate you might find yourself dealing with a legal form about Lead Based Paint Disclosure?

And if that is not "exciting" enough, please look forward to the likes of: 30 Day Notice, Counter Offers, Extension Of Lease Contract, Land Contract Form, Land Contracts, Promissory Notes, Quit Claim Deed, Rental Application.

Are we having fun yet? Now you know why dealing in realty is not for the faint hearted. Sometimes it might seem like there is much more legality involved than is bargained for. Then you think of the stakes involved and you see what is going on here.

In your journey to becoming a real estate mogul, you need to be armed with the right information and also have a friend and guide who can take you through the maze that this business is all about. I am happy to point out some resources for real estate forms at http://www.legalhomeforms.com Find a quit claim deed at http://www.legalhomeforms.com/quitclaim-deed-form.htm or real estate purchase agreement at http://www.legalhomeforms.com/real-estate-sales-agreement.htm ]]> DNA Sample: Is It A Requirement Of The Mortgage Documentation Process? http://www.artwoo.com/article/dna-sample-is-it-a-requirement-of-the-mortgage-documentation-process http://www.artwoo.com/article/dna-sample-is-it-a-requirement-of-the-mortgage-documentation-process#comments Mon, 05 May 2008 07:21:05 +0000 first time homebuyerfirst time homebuyersmedical collectionsguideline changesloan productdocumentation requirementscredit score http://www.artwoo.com/article/dna-sample-is-it-a-requirement-of-the-mortgage-documentation-process
I often joke with customers when giving them the list of documentation that I need to process their loan that they will also have to bring me a DNA sample. Usually, these customers are s or their loan is a government product. But, it begs the question as to what documentation will a lender request from you when processing your loan? Why do some people need to bring a wheelbarrow of documents to the lender and some people can show up empty handed?

It all depends on your credit history, the loan to value of the property you are buying or refinancing, the you are using and the type of loan you need. Change any aspect any of the aforementioned, and your can change. Also, recent underwriting resulting from widespread foreclosures have resulted in a tightening of the documentation regulations.

If a borrower is buying a home, has a above 720 and is putting at minimum a 20% down payment on the property, it is very likely the documentation required from the borrower to process the loan is nada. Zilch. Zero. The lender will still need a fully executed and legal sales contract, a good appraisal, and will independently verify employment, but that's it. See ya at the closing table. And, if your loan to value is low enough (i.e., you're putting a ton of cash down), the lender might not even care about getting an appraisal of the property. Now how easy is that?

However, at the other end of the spectrum is the DNA sample. Say you have an "iffy" credit score, below a 620. Maybe you had in the past. You perhaps you're a first time homebuyer who qualifies for a government program. Or, you could be self employed. You own multiple properties, too. Ok, then you might as well be prepared to leave a hair sample. All kidding aside, be able to document a lot of information. Possible bridges to cross depending on which of the previous scenarios applied may include that your lender wants a 3 year rental history, and will have your landlord(s) verify at least the last twelve months. Your lender will want a 2 year work history, but you might also need to write letters of explanation to address any gaps in employment. They will have to make sense to boot. They lender may contact HR and have them verify everything you've told them and, in addition, you'll have to give your lender your last couple of pay stubs. You may have to drive down to your cable, cell phone and utility provider and get them to verify you've paid your bills on time for the last twelve months. You might have to dredge up your income tax returns and W-2's for the past two years. You may need 2-3 months worth of bank statement printouts, recent 401(K) or stock statements or anything of the like. The lender may ask to see your divorce decree and/or marital resolution. You may be asked to show you have received child support, deposited into your account for twelve months and that it will continue for the next three years. You might have to dig through your filing cabinet and get out lease agreements for rental properties you own. And don't forget if you're self employed, it only gets worse. K1's, partnership returns, and W-9's are common fare.

The good news is that most required documentation falls somewhere in between requiring a handshake and requiring a DNA sample. If you are pulling cash out of the property during a refinance, you will have to show some type of documentation. If you are only putting 3% down payment on the loan, your income will be examined more closely than putting 30% down. The risk factor is higher for the lender. The layering of risk was once explained to me as layers of an onion. For some reason, this analogy made sense to me. The more layers you have to peel back, the more risk is involved. Lower credit score, self employment, adjustable rate mortgages, ownership of multiple properties and cash out refinancing are examples of different traditionally identified risk factors. Alone or combined together, you can expect increased documentation requirements.

So, be patient with your lender when they pluck that hair sample from your head. They're not being nosy, they're just being thorough.

Please email your home loan financing questions to Kristin Abouelata, Mortgage Specialist, at question@kristinmortgage.com. Kristin will try to answer all questions on her website http://www.kristinmortgage.com. Some questions and answers may be published with future articles. Let My Experience Work For You! Email your home loan financing questions to Kristin Abouelata, Home Loan Specialist, at question@kristinmortgage.com or call 1-800-489-8910. Kristin will try to answer all questions on her website http://www.kristinmortgage.com / Home Loans "Plain Talk" ]]> Health And Safety Advice For Contract Cleaners Part 1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-and-safety-advice-for-contract-cleaners-part-1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-and-safety-advice-for-contract-cleaners-part-1#comments Sat, 02 Jun 2007 10:24:58 +0000 health and safetyhealth and safety proceduresill healthcleaning contractsrisk areadaunting tasksafe working practices http://www.artwoo.com/article/health-and-safety-advice-for-contract-cleaners-part-1 Health and Safety is a vital key in running a Cleaning Company successfully. The Cleaning Industry is a high- for work related and injury, and regulations are put in place for exactly that reason. As an employer you are responsible for ensuring the Health and Safety of everyone who may be affected by your work. The benefits of implementing and guidelines at work are not confined to simply meeting the requirements of the relevant Legislations. Having such procedures in place in each of your contracts will not only mean that you can be safe in the knowledge that you are protecting the health and safety of your employees and others who may be affected by your operations, but will also mean that your reputation as a professional and trustworthy company is protected.

For Cleaning Companies in the early stages of business this can be a . By reading the following advice you can start to think about ways in which you can manage your and staff in an effective way.

When visiting a new site on quoting for a contract ask yourself =96 Is the site a safe place to work? Do you have any concerns about access, ventilation, and storage? Premises that are cluttered with obstacles will not only affect the ease to which your staff can carry out their tasks, but can pose fire risks, trip hazards and other potential dangers to your staff. Remember =96 they are your responsibility. You have a duty of care to them and cannot put them at risk.

Are your employees fully trained, competent and confident in carrying out their work in the safest possible way? All of your employees should be familiar with your company's Health and Safety Policy, emergency procedures, Method Statements, COSHH assessments and such as storage of chemicals, materials and equipment, and the means of disposal for certain chemicals. Remember =96 this is not just a matter of providing documentation, all staff must fully understand all aspects of Health and Safety in their work. This is a particular problem for employees who may have English as a second language, or anyone who, for whatever reason has difficultly understanding written English. If you know or suspect that this may be the case for any of your employees, then consider the provision of Health and Safety documentation in picture format for them, as well as lengthier and heavily supervised training sessions. Always make special considerations for those who may be vulnerable through inexperience, age, disability, and in their ability to understand written and/or spoken English. It is your responsibility to ensure that all your employees fully understand all aspects of Health and Safety. This will be continued in part 2. Laura Elizabeth Smith is a Director of Sparkle Cleaning Services (UK) LTD which can be found at http://www.wesparkle.co.uk and is responsible for health and safety ]]> All About Software Engineering And Development http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-about-software-engineering-and-development http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-about-software-engineering-and-development#comments Thu, 15 Feb 2007 12:27:07 +0000 software engineering developmentdefine realizecomputer science engineeringcomputer usesapplication domainsrelevant documentationcomputerized information systems http://www.artwoo.com/article/all-about-software-engineering-and-development application domains, project management, digital asset management and interface design.

The conception, development and verification of a software system is what software engineering is all about. It is necessary to identify, define, realize and verify the resultant software's required characteristics. Necessary testing is required for attributes such as reliability, functionality, testability, maintainability, ease of use, availability and portability. In software engineering, software can be verified to meet these requirements by having design and technical specifications prepared and implemented correctly. The characteristics of the software development process are also important in software engineering. Development itself, development duration and risks in software development are examples of such characteristics.

A software as part of its system that allows the hardware to operate properly. Software can be system software or application software. System software includes the main operating system and a variety of other utilities that enable the computer and its applications to run. Application software includes the computer programs and responsible for end-user data processing tasks. This kind of software is developed for such tasks as word processing, payroll, inventory and production control.

Software Development

A series of processes undertaken systematically to improve a business through using is what is known as software development. There are two major components to software development, which are systems analysis and design.

Systems analysis is the specification of what exactly the system is required to do, or the main objective. Design is about how to make the system do what is required of it. For system analysis, it is required to study the current system by certain procedures in order to gather and interpret data and facts, identify any problems and use this data to improve the system currently in use. System design refers to the process of developing a new system, concentrating heavily on the technical specifications and other specifications that make the system operations.

Software Development Life Cycle

Software Development Life Cycle, or SDLC, is a sequence of events done by designers, analysts and users to develop and execute an information system. There are a number of stages to this practice, which can overlap. The stages are Preliminary investigation (which is feasibility study), Determination of system requirements (which is analysis), Design of system, Development of software, System testing, System Implementation and System Maintenance in that order. Visit the Software Management Institute, an association and resource for software professionals: http://www.softwaremanagementinstitute.com ]]> Great Technical Writing: Improve Your Readers' Access With A Visual Index http://www.artwoo.com/article/great-technical-writing-improve-your-readers-access-with-a-visual-index http://www.artwoo.com/article/great-technical-writing-improve-your-readers-access-with-a-visual-index#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 16:24:59 +0000 visual indexthis article describespipvideo disk recordervisual indexessoftware producttool that enables http://www.artwoo.com/article/great-technical-writing-improve-your-readers-access-with-a-visual-index
People are visual creatures. They look at your product, and see, for example, a button or display. They want to find out about that control or indicator. A is a simple but powerful document access your Readers to find the information that they want.

the Visual Index concept and tells how to create one for your document.

A VISUAL INDEX

A Visual Index is a picture of your product or process with links to the relevant information in the related document. Using a Visual Index, your Readers can look at the picture, and quickly jump to the place in your document that describes the item of interest.

Your document may include several (the plural of "index' is "indexes" not "indices").

STARTS WITH A PICTURE

The Visual Index starts with a picture of your product or process. There are various kinds of pictures to use, based on the product type:

* Physical Product (for example, a barbecue or ) Pictures of the product (all relevant views).

* A Procedure or Process: A flowchart of the steps and decisions in the procedure or process.

* 1: Screenshots of the software.

* Software Product 2: Before and after images of the work that the product does.

* Organization: An organization chart.

LABEL THE PICTURE

Label all the User-Product Interaction Points (U-) on the picture. A U-PIP is anywhere that your User and the product may interact. U-PIP's include controls, displays, and relevant physical features of the product (such as handles, latches, etc.). Provide a meaningful (to your Reader) label (name) for the U-PIP. (Use that same exact label everywhere you refer to that U-PIP.)

Aside: If your product uses sounds to inform the User, then include a table of those sounds, what they mean, and a link into the relevant area of your document (describing the sound).

LINK THE U-PIP's TO YOUR DOCUMENT

Up to this point, the Visual Index is just like any well-labeled picture of your product or process. However, when you add links into your document, the well-labeled picture becomes a Visual Index.

The link should be to a section of your document that you believe your reader would most want to reach to get the information about that U-PIP. (This is a fundamental question whenever you create an index: "does my reader want to come to this place in my document for this item?")

Your method of adding links to the picture depends upon the publishing mechanism for the document. If the document is published as:

* A Printed document, then use page numbers for the links;

* An Electronic Document, then use hyperlinks that a Reader can click on to follow. If the document is published as HTML, then the visual index can be an image map.

EXAMPLE 1: A PAIN IN MY FOOT

I have a pain in my foot when I walk. If I go to a website about feet, it would be very efficient for finding out about my pain, if I could see a picture of a foot with various areas where the pain could be. Links from the foot areas to specific web pages would enable me to find the information about my specific foot pain quickly.

EXAMPLE 2: PHOTO CORRECTING SOFTWARE

Show a picture with the errors that your software can handle, before and after correction. Here the U-PIP's are each of the photo errors.

EXAMPLE 3: A COURSE ON WRITING USER DOCUMENTATION

The Visual Index is a flowchart for creating the User Document. Since the Course is presented in HTML, the Visual Index is made from an image map, with hyperlinks into the sections of the Course relevant to each item in the flowchart.

BOTTOM LINE

A Visual Index is a simple concept. But like many simple concepts it is very powerful. Try to include one in your next document. You'll be doing your Reader a great service. Barry Millman, Ph.D., has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Psychology (Human Information Processing). Visit: http://www.greatuserdocs.com/ for resources to help you create the User Documents that your Product needs and your Users deserve. Visit http://www.greatuserdocs.com/ReadingRoom.htm for more articles like this one. ]]> How Private Are Your Documents? http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-private-are-your-documents http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-private-are-your-documents#comments Mon, 05 Feb 2007 08:27:06 +0000 electronic discoverydiscovery rulesoffice computer systemopen internet connectionfederal rules of civil procedurecomputer protectionlaw suit http://www.artwoo.com/article/how-private-are-your-documents office computer system, and often left vulnerable to theft or piracy via that firm's . As the power and potential of the internet expands, the threats to personal and document privacy increase proportionally. Whether you run a corporate office, a law firm or a small business, the secure protection of your private documents will often represent the difference between victory and loss in a .

A consistently open internet connection can act as an entryway through which various types of hackers or accidental searchers may access and leak confidential information. Failure to safely secure documents and implement efficient policies aimed at overall network and , can not only lead to the leaking of personal and confidential information, it may often times be used as evidence in a law suit. This reality is compounded by the recently passed amendments to the regarding of documents in legal actions. The electronic establish a preference toward the discovery of electronic documentation, which will include the trail of metadata that each document modification leaves behind.

Due to the recently passed electronic discovery rules, discovery of electronic information is presumably valid and accepted. Due to this new development in the discovery patterns of adversaries, information and documentation which was once thought to be private and confidential may now be disclosed, often unintentionally through the disclosure of electronic information. A well trained IT department can find embedded information and evidence in disclosed information that was never meant to be disclosed. Such dangers not only subject the company or firm to unintentional disclosure of private information, but may also subject them to personal liability if the information inadvertently disclosed detrimentally impacts a third party whose information was supposedly confidential.

Ordinarily, edits made to a document, while not apparent on the computer screen, are embedded in the document itself and can easily be obtained by a trained IT professional. These changes are recorded as metadata. In respect to document edits, one step that can be taken while using Microsoft Word programs is to render a document as a 'protected document.' To do so, it is necessary to go to the Tools menu and select 'protect document' prior to sending it to anyone else for edits. When you choose to protect a document, the only modifications that can be made to it are Comments and Tracked Changes. These modifications do not become part of the document until you choose to 'unprotect' it and modify the document yourself. This method therefore allows you to ask your reviewers to make comments directly in the Microsoft Word document you send them. This tactic can not ensure against all metadata trails, it is but one method and system which can be employed to help reduce risks. In order to mitigate the risks inevitably faced with the continued expansion of internet use and electronic commerce, combined with the more lenient electronic discovery rules, all types of companies must institute protectionist documentation policy.

While risk of confidential disclosure can never be completely eliminated, the key to implementing the optimally effective system is to find a balance that allows for an efficient managing of the risk. Secure and safe document production, storage, and disposal systems should be used by all firms and companies to help reduce exposure and protect private and confidential information from both legal adversaries and malicious hackers. In addition, an effective legal review system should be used to help determine the status of certain forms of documentation, in order to categorize said documentation as privileged or non-privileged information. Obtaining the assistance of a law firm or attorney experienced in dealing with privacy, document retention and production issues can help ensure a company's protection into the future, and is invaluable in the event of a pending law suit. An attorney with a clear understanding of relevant discovery rules and the emerging technology can serve as a key advisor in designing and determining the appropriate privacy protections contained within the ideal document protection system. This article was drafted by Nicholas Delaunt for the Law Firm of Goldstein and Clegg, LLC. Goldstein and Clegg is a http://www.goldsteinandclegglaw.com/bus_law.asp in Beverly, Massachusett ]]>