selective logging http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for selective logging Copyright 2008 Mon, 01 Dec 2008 23:46:21 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/selective+logging Sustainable Logging To Be Allowed In Amazon Rain http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-logging-to-be-allowed-in-amazon-rain http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-logging-to-be-allowed-in-amazon-rain#comments Tue, 11 Apr 2006 10:00:07 +0000 amazon rain forestforest loggingillegal loggingselective loggingsustainable logginglogging practicesamazon area http://www.artwoo.com/article/sustainable-logging-to-be-allowed-in-amazon-rain Amazon rain forest. The objective of the law is to reduce while giving rural Brazilians employment. The plan is also aimed at generating revenue for forest management and protection.

Logging licenses will be restricted to private Brazilian companies, and by changing logging patterns, it is hoped that less damage will be done to the rain forest.

Current illegal , which account for most of the production, pay little heed to environmental regulations. A 2005 study found that "stealth logging" -- the of mature trees carried out under the protective canopy of the forest -- causes considerable damage to the forest.

In fact the study found that such selective logging is almost as harmful as if the forest was just cleared. Selectively logged areas are up to 8 times more likely to be settled and eventually cleared because of the access roads that are cut into the forest.

Logging itself is not thought to be the main cause of deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. That honor goes to agricultural expansion -- cattle ranching, soybean production and subsistence farming.

The has lost more than 132,000 square kilometers of rainforest since the end of the 1990s.

The hope is that Brazilian firms will be able to operate profitably in the Amazon without damaging or diminishing the forest. Given the importance of the Amazon district to the ecology of the entire world, this is an experiment that all of us should hope will be successful.

**Brazil automakers sustained by exports

Although the Brazilian domestic market for new automobiles was down slightly in February, exports increased, keeping the overall level of vehicle production moving upwards. February production was up 3.3% over January and 3.9% over February of 2005.

Analysts had expected exports to decrease as the value of the Brazilian real strengthened. The real has gained almost 25% against the U.S. dollar since the beginning of 2005. But, in fact auto exports increased -- a sign that the Brazilian economy is stronger than expected.

Although domestic auto sales were down by 3.8% from January, this is an increase of 11.3% over February 2005.

Flex-fuel vehicles continued to be the biggest sellers, accounting for 93,000 or 76.6% of the total sales. Flex-fuel vehicles run on any combination of gasoline and ethanol. About The Author: Rick Hendershot publishes Linknet News -- http://www.linknet-news.com | Brazil Eco Tours - trips across Brazil -- http://www.brazilecovip.com.br | Forex and Futures Trades - 95% Winning - 100% Rebate Offer -- http://primepathnetworks.com ]]> Parks Protect Amazon in Perul http://www.artwoo.com/article/parks-protect-amazon-in-perul http://www.artwoo.com/article/parks-protect-amazon-in-perul#comments Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:29:27 +0000 commercial timber productionperuvian amazonlogging concessionsdeforestation ratesrainforest canopyforest disturbancecarnegie institution http://www.artwoo.com/article/parks-protect-amazon-in-perul Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology studying satellite date have found that only 1 to 2 percent of in the occured in protected areas, which means that land-use and conservation policies have been successful. Protected areas are 18 times more effective at reducing deforestatio than unprotected areas.

Lead author Paulo Oliveira said, "We found that only 1 to 2 % of this disturbance in Peru happened in natural protected areas. However, there was substantial forest disturbance adjacent to areas set aside for legal logging operations. This leakage of human activity outside of is a concern."

Peru's tropical forests are larger than France, which stretch 661,000 sq km and is second only to Brazil's forest area. The Peruvian government has been conscientiously putting aside large areas as parks and reserves while allocating around 40,000 sq miles of forest for long-term by 2005. With of less than 1%, Peru has comparatively lower rates when compared to its neighbors.

Scientists used the Carnegie Landsat Analysis System (CLAS), a "satellite-based forest-damage detection system" that penetrates the to reveal the impact of logging. The CLAS system can uncover forest changes at a resolution of less than 100 by 100 ft.

GP Asner said, "Our approach has improved over the past eight years, but relies on a core set of methods that have consistently worked. We spent years developing them in Brazil, then went to Peru and completed this study in only a year. We are now operating over Borneo. Our approach is proving a good way to monitor rain forest disturbance and deforestation anywhere in the world."

Researchers found that Peru's forest disturbance and deforestation rates between 1999 to 2005 were only 0.2% a year, with an average of 244 sq miles and 249 miles a year. More than 85% of the damaged forests were in Madre de Dios and near Pucallpa. 75% of the damage was found within 20km of roads. Even within those limits, forests set aside by the government were more than 4 times better protected than areas not designated for conservation.

The authors said, "Overall, only 2% of the forest disturbances and 1% the deforestation detected in the entire study area occurred within the boundaries of natural protected areas. Furthermore, territories occupied by indigenous communities contained 11% and 9% of the total forest disturbance and deforestation, respectively. These results clearly show that these two forms of land-use allocation can provide effective protection against forest damage."

"The establishment of protected natural areas, the titling of native territories, and the sanctioning of selective logging activities, have combined with the Peruvian Amazon's traditional conservation allies--its remoteness and a complex hydrological network--to ensure a moderate level of success in the conservation of its forest ecosystems. Economic development of the forest sector, which employed 279,000 people nationally in 2001 (24), is essential for the well-being of human populations, but poorly monitored logging concessions, along with the challenges of uncontrolled road access, may hinder efforts to maintain ecological function and diversity in Peruvian rainforests in the future," the authors continued.

"Increased satellite monitoring of logging and other forest disturbances will thus be essential to conservation, management and resource policy development efforts in Peru and other rainforest nations," they concluded.

"This is another study from the Carnegie group showing the world how tropical forests can be systematically monitored amazingly quickly and at a reasonable cost." said Michael Wright of The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which helped support the research. "I foresee that CLAS-like satellite analysis systems will become the standards routinely used by local conservation agencies to track rain forest disturbances and deforestation in the future."

The study was published in the on-line edition of Science Express this month.L. S. Sya [please visit Deforestation Watch.]Deforestation Watch was established to drive sustainability mainstream. Striving to be a center of green news, solutions and all things green, we also help corporations looking for green guidance.]]> Time Logging To Increase Your Personal Productivity http://www.artwoo.com/article/time-logging-to-increase-your-personal-productivity http://www.artwoo.com/article/time-logging-to-increase-your-personal-productivity#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:20:01 +0000 personal efficiencyefficiency ratiopersonal productivitylogging timeprecious assettime logtime logging http://www.artwoo.com/article/time-logging-to-increase-your-personal-productivity precious asset, especially when establishing your career or business. Proper use of your time can help you do more and even earn more. An intelligent approach to increase your is by ging.

is a good way to better manage your time since you know how you are currently spending your time. When keeping a detailed time log, record the time each time you start or finish any activity all throughout the day. You can simply use a stopwatch to record the intervals for every activity, doing this during your working hours or the entire day. Then, sort the time into categories and determine how much time was being spent for each type of activity.

For instance, note how much time you eat, surf the Internet, read the newspaper, spend in the bathroom, etc. If you want to be more detailed, consider doing this step for a week. Depending on your activities and your consistency, you can be surprised at how many log entries you can make for a day. Moreover, you may even be surprised to find that you are only spending a small portion of your working time on what should be considered as actual work.

Studies show that an average office worker spends only about 1.5 hours of actual work in a day, with the rest of the time spent engaging in non-work tasks. In fact, s/he does not eve begin doing actual work until at 11am and starts to wind down at about 3pm.

Your time log should help you analyze your results and make changes, when necessary.

The next step is to measure your ratio. This can be computed by recording the time spent on "actual work" divided by the total time spent "at work." However, you should keep in mind that while it is important to get as much of the job done as possible, it would also be foolish to work longer than you should. You may want to consider cutting back on the total hours to boost efficiency.

If you try to discipline yourself by doing something that does not really motivate you, chances are that you are most likely to fail. Trying harder can, in fact, actually de-motivate and drive your even lower. For instance, if your time log indicates a low efficiency ratio, try limiting your total working time per day and see the result.

This is because when the brain recognizes that working time is limited, it sends you a signal to get working. Usually, you will find a way to get the job done and be more efficient with time constraints compared to having the luxury of time. Then, you can gradually increase your total hours at work while keeping peak efficiency.

Time logging is a great way to ensure peak productivity without necessarily increasing your work hours. It only takes little effort and time to do it, but it can produce long term benefits. If you are interested in personal productivity, check this web-site to learn more about increase productivity. http://www.measureproductivity.com/ ]]> Choosing A College; How To Start http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-a-college-how-to-start http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-a-college-how-to-start#comments Mon, 29 May 2006 00:32:18 +0000 colleges and universitiesselective collegesadmissionacademic profilesfinancial aid deadlineshalf dozencollege search http://www.artwoo.com/article/choosing-a-college-how-to-start colleges and universities from which to choose, every student who takes the time to intelligently explore his or her educational options (and adheres to application and ) should gain to at least three or four institutions in which they are highly likely to be happy and successful. Students and parents will therefore not find the college application process an anxiety provoking experience if they understand there is no single "right" college, if they maintain reasonable expectations, do a little planning, and take full advantage of the many informational resources available to them.

It is important to realize that only about five percent of the colleges and universities in the United States deny admission to more than fifty percent of their applicants. Therefore, unless you plan to apply to those highly selective institutions, the odds of your gaining admission to the colleges to which you do apply are probably very strongly in your favor. And, if your grades and SAT or ACT scores are high enough so that applying to the most is a reasonable and realistic option for you, you can almost be assured of admission to any number of excellent but slightly less competitive institutions.

The extent to which a college can afford to be selective is a function of its perceived quality and/or popularity. Thus, while it is true that the colleges and universities with the highest tend to be the most selective, many fine institutions do not enjoy the luxury of receiving applications from a significantly greater number of students than they are able to admit, and are therefore only moderately or even minimally selective.

Keeping in mind what we have just discussed, you are now ready to begin your .

Your first and most important step to identify at least a institutions which offer the academic programs and co-curricular activities of interest to you, provide a campus environment in which you will feel comfortable, and are likely to offer you admission. Begin by meeting with your school counselor to:

1.solicit his or her college recommendations. 2.discuss the courses you plan to take in future years. 3.sign up for the SAT and ACT. 4.learn which college representatives will be visiting your school. 5.find out about upcoming college fairs in your area.

Don't forget that the web is a great source of information. Do a few searches for terms like colleges", "college scholarships", "financial aid" and "college admissions" to identify some good online resources.

After completing the above steps, you're off to a good start. Enjoy your search! About the Author: Dan Rosenfield is a university dean who has created college admission, scholarship, online degree and distance education websites which include http://www.college-scholarships.com, http://www.online-degrees-and-scholarships.com, and http://www.guaranteed-scholarships.com as a hobby. ]]> Instant Message Monitoring - Chat Watch http://www.artwoo.com/article/instant-message-monitoring-chat-watch http://www.artwoo.com/article/instant-message-monitoring-chat-watch#comments Sun, 11 Mar 2007 08:27:05 +0000 aol instant messengerchat watchchat logsmailgoogleinstant messengersicq http://www.artwoo.com/article/instant-message-monitoring-chat-watch chat watch 3 and 4, chat watch 5 has many new features and enhancements and we can import chat watch 3 and chat watch 4 into chat watch 5 easily. That is a very practical program that each parent should own now.

Chat watch 5 is an instant message monitoring and logging software fo today's most popular . With this software, we can monitor all the instant messaages sent and received on the computer and then organize the , and we can log all chats on , Talk, , MSN/Windows Live Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger.

With this software, we can search the chat logs by category, keyword, user, date, and instant messenger; we can use plugins function to add support for logging other instant messengers quickly and easily; we can view the chat logs in real-time remotely suing chat watch with chat watch.net and synchronize with chat watch.net too; if we want to view the chat logs on the mobile, we can use chat watch mobile edition; those unwanted chat logs will be moved to the thash before they are deleted permanently; it's very fashion, it can be used in windows vista system.

In this software, it's acronym translator function can replace obscure acronyms with their meanings quickly. For example, replace AFK with away form keyboard and it offer a full list of acronyms.

The software can monitor the content. The content monitor can highlight those chats which may contain offensive words and notify us via e- of the chats. Moreover, we can add custom words to the content monitor watch list.

We can save the chat logs as PDF documents and print it within chat watch.

Now, the chat watch SPEAR Edition is available. This version is for investigations especially. So, those people who must be an agent or a representative of a law enforcement agency can get a trial kit. Its development is very quickly. Software Reviews and Downloads http://www.softsea.com http://www.softsea.com/review/Chat-Watch.html ]]> Are Your Memories Depressing You? http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-your-memories-depressing-you http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-your-memories-depressing-you#comments Sat, 19 Aug 2006 12:27:05 +0000 stress depressionanxietyfamily occasionsinconveniencerelationship breakdownsenjoying lifefamily celebrations http://www.artwoo.com/article/are-your-memories-depressing-you anxiety affects sufferers is in the way they recall events from their lives. I call this "Selective Thinking" and in this article, you'll discover how selective thinking fuels stress, depression and anxiety.

There are many days that we have lived in our lives that we simply don't remember. Days where we went to school, went on holiday, went for a day out, went for interviews, went to work, days spent relaxing at home or just days spent performing the usual routines and chores that make up daily living.

Throughout your life, there have been lots of days where you had a good time, where you were happy and . A celebration dinner, a weekend away, special , watching a great film, and playing games or sports.

There's the hundreds of days you spent at school. Dozens of days spent on vacation. Numerous and of course, hundreds of days spent at work. We remember some good times but an awful lot of them gradually lose the detail as we age. We know we were happy, but we can't recall the precise details.

But life isn't all about routine days and happy occasions. For all of us, life has its less happier times where we have to face some pretty trying events: Confrontation with others, loss of a job, death of a loved one, and scores of times where we made a mistake and screwed up. Sometimes, our mistakes are minor and cause us irritation, and embarrassment. Other times, we screw up big time and the consequences have a major, life-changing effect.

I write from painful experience here and I know I'm not the only one who made a big mistake which altered the course of my life and caused me enormous pain and contributed to my descent into anxiety and depression.

One of the reasons I entered into anxiety and depression lay in the selective ways I thought about my life. I have had a fantastic life: I worked for 10 fabulous and rewarding years in the entertainment business. I had a brilliant IT career and I enjoyed immensely my childhood and my family life.

Can I remember all of the happy times I spent throughout my life? No. I remember a few in detail but the rest have faded away. How about you? Can you remember all of the happy times you've enjoyed throughout your life?

Here's the point: I can remember in detail all of the bad times I've endured. My relationship breakdown, deaths of my family, all of the times I made mistakes --even ones from 20 years ago -- I can recall all of them in detail with ease.

This kind of selective thinking is performed by most sufferers of stress, anxiety and depression. It is selective because more weight and focus is given to the bad times in life than to the good times. Continually going over and over all of your mistakes, all of the bad times, all of the times when you felt an injustice had been done and when others let you down badly or you let others down. All are repeatedly played over and over again in your mind.

If that wasn't enough, sufferers also start to replay these times with various "If only" alternative scenarios which do nothing other than compound the misery and keep the pain ongoing by locking the sufferer into stress, depression and anxiety.

To stop this kind of selective thinking, accept that what's done is done. It can't be changed no matter what. So accept it and then learn from it, then forget it. Start remembering all of the times when you were happy and when you were enjoying life. They are of much more importance than the bad times.

You're human and this means you will make mistakes and experience some fairly trying events that cause you pain and suffering. But you'll also experience many happy times too. It's all part of human life. Always keep this in mind when the urge to selectively recall the bad times strikes. Former anxiety sufferer Chris Green is the author of "Conquering Stress", the internationally acclaimed program which will help you to permanently conquer stress, depression and anxiety without taking powerful drugs in just 90 days. For more information please click here => http://www.conqueringstress.com ]]> Finding the Advantages of a Reward Credit Card http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-advantages-of-a-reward-credit-card http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-advantages-of-a-reward-credit-card#comments Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:36:14 +0000 cash back credit cardsannual percentage rateback cardsairline companiesmonthly budgetcash cardscard providers http://www.artwoo.com/article/finding-the-advantages-of-a-reward-credit-card Cash back credit cards offer you cash back benefits on your purchases. Offers vary from one cash back card firm to another. A few may offer high incentives only for selective items, while others offer incentives on any kind of purchases that you make. By these cash , you can save considerable amount of money on your . With , you also benefit from cash refund, if you spend within a certain limit.

Rewards of credit cards vary from one creditor to another. The lowest incentive on these cards is 1% and the highest incentive is generally 6%. Banks and card companies usually offer incentives, if you buy some particular items from a particular store. Generally, purchases made at drug stores, grocery stores and gas stations carry a high percentage of cash back rewards varying from 4% to 6%. Some ask you to spend only a certain amount on your cash back credit card to avail the cash back facility.

Some Top Advantages:

There are three main advantages from your cash back credit cards such as discounts, points and air miles. Numerous card companies affiliate with certain brands and firms and when you decide to purchase any items from these firms, you get discounts. Credit points are those points, which you earn by purchasing items. You can then use these points to buy stuffs at any selective stores.

You also have the benefit of getting free air miles, since many tie up with credit card companies. Here, you are rewarded with one mile for each dollar that you spend on your card. Some credit card companies even offer two air miles for every dollar, which cardholders spent on their cash back credit cards. Other travel benefits include free hotel stay, concession on auto rentals and financial assistance to purchase a new automobile. Cash back cards generally have a zero percent interest rate. In addition, you get 0% (APR) balance transfer in the first year.

If a credit card company offers you cash back card with a 5% money back facility on gas purchases, it is the greatest benefit that will help you to save considerable amount on your financial budget. This is because, whenever you purchase gasoline from a local gas station, you tend to pay the bills through this card and when you pay often through this card, you get gasoline services at a minimal price. In turn, this increases your bonus points too, thus increasing your chances to buy things from selective stores.

Cash back credit cards also offer special benefits, provided you pay your monthly bills on time. Late payment is one such thing, which prevents you from getting these benefits. You need to read the terms and conditions properly before using these cards. It is wise to evaluate the rewards offered by various card companies and then apply for the most suitable one for your financial needs. Researching and taking a little time out of your day can go a long ways.Find rewards credit cards and more of Tom's work at FINDcasbhackcards.com]]> Holiday Apartments... Let The Vacation Begin! http://www.artwoo.com/article/holiday-apartments-let-the-vacation-begin http://www.artwoo.com/article/holiday-apartments-let-the-vacation-begin#comments Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:20:00 +0000 budget holidaysstaying at homestay at homehome comfortsfinancial realitiesreminiscentnotwithstanding http://www.artwoo.com/article/holiday-apartments-let-the-vacation-begin staying at home is just not going to cut it!

This of course entails several decision making processes where budget and destination will certainly play a big role. Popular amongst many travelers are where everything is included in the starting price such as the plane fares, the hotels and in some cases tourist park attraction once you have reached your destination. The advantage of this possibility is of course that you don't have to do much. All you do is chose a budget that fits in with your own and choose the destination available within that budget. The restrictions are obvious but at least you don't have to do much deciding and you think you are saving a bunch of money!

But what if your expectations of a memorable vacation, the holiday of a life time simply go beyond a package deal? What if you are selective in your choice of destinations or simply what if you are bringing with you wife and kids and do not think you can last your next holiday in the confinement of a hotel?

Well, for you, oh selective traveler, seeker of the unusual thrills, but eager to preserve some sort of home comfort at the end of each day there is an ideal opportunity to have your cake and eat it!

Holiday apartments also called self catering or furnished suites are the ideal alternative. Fully equipped and furnished to offer of the home you have left behind they offer much more buck for your money the fact that with the savings you'll also make if you for at least a meal a day, you'll probably be able to take your family on that last shopping trip you might not have been able to afford other wise.

To find the vacation home you could start by visiting holiday apartments where you will find quite a large selection of properties throughout the world. Not an agency this website's income comes in the form of advertisement on the part of the property owners and thus you can deal with them directly! http://www.holiday-apartments-rentals.com provides a selection of privately owned apartments, cottages and other vacation homes ]]> Big Ten Conference Universities: Quality and Pride in Action http://www.artwoo.com/article/big-ten-conference-universities-quality-and-pride-in-action http://www.artwoo.com/article/big-ten-conference-universities-quality-and-pride-in-action#comments Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:15:28 +0000 student admission requirementsleading edge researchworld class facultyselective institutionsrate facultyacademic credentialsmember institutions http://www.artwoo.com/article/big-ten-conference-universities-quality-and-pride-in-action member institutions that largely account for the stature of the Big Ten.

First of all, the quality of the faculty and students is first-rate. Many of the faculty at Big 10 universities are leaders in their field, having achieved national and international recognition for themselves and for their institutions. Faculty at Big 10 universities are not only held to high standards for teaching, they also are expected to conduct in their respective fields, and their writing appears regularly in books and in the most highly-respected and most exclusive scholarly journals.

Of course, some Big Ten universities are more selective in their than others, but on a continuum from least selective to most nationwide, Big Ten schools are definitely toward the most selective end. Generally, only students with solid and good ACT or SAT scores are admitted. Because of the high quality that Big Ten schools demand of their faculty and students, there tends to be a feeling of accomplishment and a certain level of pride among students and faculty at being associated with an institution that features such high quality students and a first-.

The high quality of the academic programs at Big 10 universities is a second factor contributing to the stature of the Big 10 Conference. Given the combination of world-class faculty and high-quality students, it is not surprising that Big 10 universities feature some of the top-rated academic programs in the country. Of course, not every program at every Big Ten university is top notch. Prospective students definitely need to research the particular programs they are interested in and identify the institutions with the best programs. Graduating from one of the top-ranked programs in the country is certain to increase a student's chances of being hired quickly. In fact, some employers actively seek graduates of certain programs at certain Big 10 institutions because they know that these students have received superior training.

Finally, the athletic successes of Big Ten Conference universities also contribute to the respect and recognition the conference has received. Big Ten schools have won their share of national championships in a variety of sports. Furthermore, the Big Ten is generally regarded as one of the power conferences in the two big revenue sports (football and basketball), with several Big Ten teams regularly appearing in the Top 25 rankings, BCS bowl games, and NCAA basketball tournaments.

Along with bringing recognition and respect to the conference, the athletic successes of Big 10 teams also provide a huge source of pride to students, alumni, faculty, staff, and fans of member institutions. The Big 10 boasts some of the most loyal and most committed fans in the country. Since the 1970s-for over 30 consecutive years-the Big 10 Conference has led the nation in college basketball attendance. While the Big 10 Conference ranked second last year in college football attendance, three Big 10 schools led the nation in attendance, each averaging well over 100,000 fans at each home football game. Clearly, those associated with Big 10 universities take great pride in their sports teams, just as they take great pride in their academics.

In today's society, getting a college degree is more important than ever to your future financial success. However, if you want to give yourself a competitive edge in the job market, you need to get a degree from a reputable university. Because Big Ten Conference universities are prestigious and well-respected, earning a degree in a high-quality academic program at one of these universities will most likely make you more attractive to potential employers.Dr. Art Garmon is a retired university professor who enjoys life and loves people, traveling, sports, and learning. As an alumnus of a big ten conference, he is a huge fan of the Big 10 and Big 10 sports, especially Big 10 basketball and football. He recently started a new social networking website dedicated to the Big 10 which can be found at www.BigTenU.com.]]> The Reproduction Patterns Of A Tropical Tree http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-reproduction-patterns-of-a-tropical-tree http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-reproduction-patterns-of-a-tropical-tree#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2007 08:20:01 +0000 tropical treescanopy treescontactel ninoreeking havocreproduction techniqueshorrendous event http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-reproduction-patterns-of-a-tropical-tree tropical trees on planet Earth have seen better days. Today, the world's second largest tropical rainforest is on death row. Is there a way to save this jeweled segment of this ecosystem? If this tropical tree dies off, a unique ecosystem will vanish, a place where trees have learned to pattern their . Tropical trees in Indonesia pattern reproduction by coinciding with the recurring arrival of .

There are global implications likely to occur that go along with this about to transpire. So, just how do tropical trees reproduce? More importantly, can they survive?

Tropical trees vary in terms of the timing, extend, and intensity of flowering and fruiting. Most tropical trees do not produce reliable fruit crops. The majority of trees rely on animals to help pollinate the flowers and spread out the seeds released to the forest floor. It is more likely than not that seeds will come into animal prior to germination. This unfortunately is a fatal meeting for the seed.

Mother Nature, specifically El Nino is another player in the reproductive cycle of tropical trees. Speaking of El Nino's relationship with tropical tree reproduction, there are climate conditions of the El Nino that activate immediate fruiting. This fruiting is essential for seed reproduction to continue in all varieties of tropical trees.

According to Lisa M. Curran, tropical ecologist at the University of Michigan, masting, the ability for trees to provide abundant seeds on the forest floor to feed animals in the ecosystem, offers a key strength. In a normal six-week masting period, a tropical canopy tree can release over 180 pounds of seed. Due to the fact that an abundant amount of seed is produced simultaneously, there is enough to germinate and foster new growth on the forest floor.

Yet, there are other adverse human conditions on this tropical tree's ability to reproduce: Logging, for one. In 1998, despite a major fruiting event that transpired during the 1998 El Nino year, no new seedlings were found. Even though a park under study is off-limits to logging=97at least it's supposed to be off limits=97the forest continued to lose the ability to regenerate itself.

Seed predators, for example, are unable to find food beyond the perimeter of the park. So, they venture inside and eat up the tropical seeds awaiting germination. This is but one issue surrounding the near extinction of various tropical rainforest.

Steps must be taken to aid in the reproduction patterns of tropical trees. For one, government action must take place. Since deforestation through logging has been a key element in the lack of tropical reproduction, it's up to us to find government subsidies or financial incentives to help in promoting progressive harvesting of tropical trees. Secondly, although it sounds obvious, we must prevent clear-cutting and burning of trees for industrial plantations. Without human intervention, many tropical ecosystems will die off. Avid full time hobby bonsai grower. Owner of http://www.mishobonsai.com a website with ressource for Bonsai seeds and Bonsai tree care. ]]> Promotional Kites: The Sky's the Limit http://www.artwoo.com/article/promotional-kites-the-skys-the-limit http://www.artwoo.com/article/promotional-kites-the-skys-the-limit#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:29:55 +0000 bewellpromotional itemwindy daykitestheyrekitepromotional items http://www.artwoo.com/article/promotional-kites-the-skys-the-limit promotional items need to meet the needs of the consumer so they'll use it, but they also need to meet the needs of the business by making sure the customer thinks of them every single time they touch that promotional item. That is literally constant marketing to one single person. But what if you could market to all sorts of people while allowing your customers to have fun? What kind of promotional item could that be?

Well, that promotional item is the promotional . Promotional are something that an entire family can enjoy. Give a family a kite and they are out there on the first showing what kind of moves they can pull off with a kite. They don't always care what the kite looks like. What they care about is that it works. If it's free, they're going to be ecstatic.

Personalising promotional kites

Promotional kites are personalised. How this is done is that your business information or the name of your organization is printed onto the kites and you then distribute them to your customers. Your customers are going to be more than appreciative for the free gift and they're actually going to look forward to the first windy day in which they can actually fly it. Customers with children will want to attempt to fly it when they get home regardless of whether there is wind or not.

It is true that your information may not be well seen when the kite is flying. Your logo may be seen, but contact information may not be when it is too high, but that's not saying that it is impossible. Anything is possible. Others are going to see it when the customer is getting it up in the air. Most importantly, you are constantly marketing to that particular family.

Giveaway ideas

There are so many ideas that you can use when it comes to promotional kites. You can simply give them away to everyone who walks through the door until you are out of them or you can be a bit more selective. When being selective you're either going to only give them away on one particular day, one particular month, or you're going to give them away to a particular group of people.

When giving promotional kites to a particular group of people you're going to give them to those with children, those who sign up for a certain promotion or buy a certain product, or you're going to give them as a contest prize. Many businesses will have customers play a small game for a prize. You can be creative in any way that you need to be so that you can market your business in the most effective way possible. This makes promotional kites something unique that you should pursue when you're looking for great to give away to those who make your business a success.Matt Franks is director of Fluid Branding, the UK's largest supplier of promotional Kites and other Promotional Products at www.fluidbranding.com. For Eco Friendly promotional products, including Recycled, Organic and Sustainable items visit www.ecoincentives.com]]> North Carolina Homeowner's Insurance Saving Money http://www.artwoo.com/article/north-carolina-homeowners-insurance-saving-money http://www.artwoo.com/article/north-carolina-homeowners-insurance-saving-money#comments Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:35:00 +0000 homeownerreputable insurance companynorth carolinafollow these tipssaving moneycharlotte residentsstorm damage http://www.artwoo.com/article/north-carolina-homeowners-insurance-saving-money North Carolina 's insurance can be affordable =96 and even cheap! Simply for on North Carolina homeowner's insurance.

Choose your home wisely. If you're getting ready to move to North Carolina, or are already a resident looking to relocate within the state, choose your home with care. Actually, choose the location of your home with care. Some parts of the state are susceptible to more severe weather than others, which means the homes in those parts are more susceptible to weather-related damage, too. For example, Wilmington residents are more likely to pay higher homeowner's insurance premiums than . Why? They are closer to the water, i.e. closer to storms.

Safeguard your home against hurricane and . If you aren't willing to choose a home =96 or relocate =96 based on saving money on North Carolina homeowner's insurance, you can take steps to safeguard your home against hurricane and storm damage. Obviously having sturdy home and garage doors, as well as strong windows, helps. However, you should check local building codes to make sure your home is up-to-date with what's required. These building codes were most likely created with storm-resistance in mind. You may also want to talk to your neighbors about the kinds of safety precautions they take =96 especially if you're new to the area.

Be selective when it comes to the homeowner's insurance company. Most people don't want to be considered a snob, but when it comes to keeping a homeowner's insurance company from gouging your bank account, it's alright to be selective. Choose a with a strong financial rating. Make sure the insurance company is licensed to sell homeowner's insurance in North Carolina; otherwise, you could end up losing more money than you save should you have claim and settlement problems with them. As long as the company is licensed in North Carolina, the state can assist you with any problems. http://ezquoteguide.com/home/ Cheap North Carolina Homeowner's Insurance http://www.myquoteguide.com/Mobile-Home.shtml Complete Mobile Home Insurance ]]> Tips For Care And Landscaping Your Real Turf http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-care-and-landscaping-your-real-turf http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-care-and-landscaping-your-real-turf#comments Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:27:30 +0000 water evaporationwater loggingturf caredefinitelygrasselatedlawns http://www.artwoo.com/article/tips-for-care-and-landscaping-your-real-turf lawns. The green looking lawns are a result of painstaking efforts and some real . It is not very difficult to maintain the green turf as in golf courses or the horse races. Read all about it here

Easy and simple Real Turf Care Guidelines

A green looking turf that you see in the catalogues of golf clubs is not very difficult to maintain. You too can do this landscaping . All it takes is work and some common sense tips. You will be surprised if I were to tell you that you could have a good lawn if you follow the rule of 25 mm and the rule of third. Let me explain,

Watering of Lawn: You should water the lawn just enough so that the evaporation loss is replenished and the gets its due share. The rule of 25 gives the value of water loss through evaporation.

When watering the lawn. Take a dish and keep it in the area where watering is being done and allow about 25 mm height of water to get stored in the dish. After watering is complete, place the dish in the same where it was filled up and allow the water to evaporate. Note the time required for water to evaporate. You should water the lawn after this time interval.

The watering should be heavy and infrequent rather than frequent and shallow. When you water the lawn shallow, the root system starts looking for water and the root system does not penetrate deep in the ground. At the same time there should be no in any area. The water logging would destroy the grass in that area.

Over-watering will not kill the grass but water logging will do it. In fact over-watering is good. Infrequent over-watering coupled with generous use of nitrogen rich fertilizers will help in developing spongy grass on which you will feel when walking.

Watering of lawns should be done in the morning so that the water has time to penetrate to the ground. is highest during noontime. Watering at this time, would only allow higher evaporation. You do not want water to evaporate, you want it to reach the ground and penetrate the surface, so water in the morning or evening when evaporation rate is minimal.

Mowing The Lawns Second Real Turf Care

Mowing the lawns carefully and timely is the second care that you will give to the lawns. The rule for the real turf care is rule of third. When mowing the lawns, do not cut the grass more than the third of the existing blade length. A marine crew cut is not the best way to develop green grass. In fact, you are killing the grass if you give it a marine crew cut.

The root system does not develop properly when you give it a close shave and the growth of grass is reduced. Hence, the grass should never be cut close to ground. Depending on the type of grass the blade length could be between 20 to 40 mm. For example, the buffalo grass should be allowed to grow 30 to 40 mm in summer and winter before cutting. Follow the rule of third and the minimum blade length will be maintained.

When you cut the grass, you may leave the cut grass instead of removing it so that the grass gets its food from the cut grass. Care should be taken to see that thatching of soil should not occur; otherwise, grass growth could be restricted.

With two simple rules, you can get good-looking lawns. Andrew Caxton is the webmaster and successful author of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A guide on lawn mowers and garden tractors and how to choose the right type for your garden, including synthetic turf for different garden styles at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/synthetic-turf.html ]]> Making Life Simple With Wireless Technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology#comments Sun, 19 Aug 2007 13:20:01 +0000 wireless hot spotswireless cardswireless networkingwireless fidelitylocal computer storesecurity safeguardsinternet signal http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology Wireless fidelity , or WiFi, is an amazing technology that allows you to network your computers, office, home, etc. without the need for wires. This makes networking so much easier and less messy because wires are not used. The computers simply connect to the network via radio signals.

Because of this easiness, many businesses, schools, malls, restaurants, cafes, stores, airports and other businesses have set up that allow anyone to log onto the network. This is amazing for individuals that need to be able to work from any location, however there are some disadvantages because hot spots can be used by unauthorized users if not adequately protected through different .

Hot spots are relatively new, but are growing in acceptance and popularity because of the incredible access it gives to students, travelers, business people and the like. Some hot spots are free, while others charge an hourly rate.

These days, if you go to an airport or hotel you will see signs that say internet zone or hotspot and will either say free or how to pay. Because of this evolution, individuals are able to work and study wherever they are, which makes traveling and working much easier and less downtime which is very important.

can also be installed in your home, which means you can work in any room in your home or even outside if you so choose. Many individuals are starting to realize how much easier this makes their lives and are installing the equipment necessary for a wireless network.

To get started, you will need an Internet connection, a router, and then for your respective computers. The router allows the to be routed throughout the home and the wireless cards that each computer has picks up the signal which eliminates the use of wires. All of this equipment can be purchased in your or online if you are looking for extra discounts.

If you are interested in installing a wireless network in your home, office, or business, then you can do some research online and install it yourself if you know even a little bit about computers. However, if you have a lot of computers you want to connect or are unsure of what you are doing, then you might consider hiring a professional to handle your wireless solution for you.

Once you have the wireless network setup anyone in your "hotspot" will be able to log onto the server as long as they are within range. However, if you want to exclude just anyone from logging on then you can use a virtual private network, Internet Protocol Security, or other security programs that will protect unauthorized users from logging onto your network. Robert Michael is a writer for Dvdn Wireless which is an excellent place to find wireless links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.dvdnwireless.com ]]> Making Life Simple With Wireless Technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology#comments Sat, 05 Aug 2006 02:27:11 +0000 hot spotswireless networkingwireless cardswireless fidelitycomputersrouterlocal computer store http://www.artwoo.com/article/making-life-simple-with-wireless-technology Wireless fidelity , or WiFi, is an amazing technology that allows you to network your , office, home, etc. without the need for wires. This makes networking so much easier and less messy because wires are not used. The computers simply connect to the network via radio signals.

Because of this easiness, many businesses, schools, malls, restaurants, cafes, stores, airports and other businesses have set up wireless that allow anyone to log onto the network. This is amazing for individuals that need to be able to work from any location, however there are some disadvantages because hot spots can be used by unauthorized users if not adequately protected through different security safeguards.

Hot spots are relatively new, but are growing in acceptance and popularity because of the incredible access it gives to students, travelers, business people and the like. Some hot spots are free, while others charge an hourly rate.

These days, if you go to an airport or hotel you will see signs that say internet zone or hotspot and will either say free or how to pay. Because of this evolution, individuals are able to work and study wherever they are, which makes traveling and working much easier and less downtime which is very important.

can also be installed in your home, which means you can work in any room in your home or even outside if you so choose. Many individuals are starting to realize how much easier this makes their lives and are installing the equipment necessary for a wireless network.

To get started, you will need an Internet connection, a , and then for your respective computers. The router allows the Internet signal to be routed throughout the home and the wireless cards that each computer has picks up the signal which eliminates the use of wires. All of this equipment can be purchased in your or online if you are looking for extra discounts.

If you are interested in installing a wireless network in your home, office, or business, then you can do some research online and install it yourself if you know even a little bit about computers. However, if you have a lot of computers you want to connect or are unsure of what you are doing, then you might consider hiring a professional to handle your wireless solution for you.

Once you have the wireless network setup anyone in your "hotspot" will be able to log onto the server as long as they are within range. However, if you want to exclude just anyone from logging on then you can use a virtual private network, Internet Protocol Security, or other security programs that will protect unauthorized users from logging onto your network. Robert Michael is a writer for Dvdn Wireless which is an excellent place to find wireless links, resources and articles. For more information go to: http://www.dvdnwireless.com ]]> Domesticating The Dog (Part 1) http://www.artwoo.com/article/domesticating-the-dog-part-1 http://www.artwoo.com/article/domesticating-the-dog-part-1#comments Sat, 14 Jul 2007 12:35:00 +0000 dogscanis familiarissmart animalsleadership hierarchydomesticationsmart creaturesdingoes http://www.artwoo.com/article/domesticating-the-dog-part-1 Dogs are and so are humans. A long time ago, the human race saw the value of befriending canines, recognizing all the potential benefits to a partnership with these . Dogs are loyal to their , making them very trainable. Once the dog recognizes who the leader of the pack it, it will do almost anything to support that leader. Because of this relationship, a very diversified species of has resulted due to the selective breeding efforts of humankind.

The main reason that dogs are easier to train than cats is not because of a difference of intelligence; it's because they have that instinctual allegiance to the pack and their pack leaders. Cats are not a pack animal and so do not have a well-defined group mentality (although lions and cheetahs are an exemption to this fact.) In the earliest time, human hunter-gatherers realized that the canine pack leader could be replaced by a human. The survival of the tribe at that time depended on the success of the leaders of the hunt. Humans have never been the physical equal of our prey - we are slow, low on endurance, and have inept senses in comparison to animals. The only advantages we had were our ability to work cohesively as a team (like the dog), our intellect and our tribal loyalty.

Early humans' chief competitors at the time included the wild dogs which hunted in well-choreographed packs. Humans were at a disadvantage, as dogs could run faster and longer than humans; they could operate masterfully as a team and pick up a scent where no scent was discernible to humans. By establishing a partnership with these dogs, early humans greatly increased their chances of a productive hunt.

But which species would be the best candidate for ? Wolves, African hunting dogs, and all have a well-defined pack hierarchy in place, and all exhibit complex social interaction. Because these two ingredients seem to help create greater cognitive ability, these animals were the most likely candidates for domestication.

On the other hand, the fox, is a solitary nocturnal creature and has no pack order at all. Coyotes and certain types of jackals form permanent male-female pair-bonds, but they do not establish permanent pack associations.

When it was decided to domesticate these dogs, it was determined that domestication required more than simply changing behavior patterns. The animal itself had to be physically changed through selective breeding to better suit our needs. For example, wild wolf females come into season only once a year, in harmony with their prey's season. Domestic dog females come into heat two to three times a year; this allows for more rapid selective breeding to occur. Also, most wild dogs do not reach sexual maturity until they are two years of age, whereas domestic dogs are sexually capable at six to nine months. Also, male wolves are potent only during the breeding season, whereas male domestic dogs are always potent. Find more dog information by Fredrick Von Hoffen here: http://furl.net/members/eshannon and here: http://www.google.com/notebook/public/14659004416250514855/BDQ-aSwoQ9ufuoLU= i ]]> Poor Credit Auto Financing - Getting Approved For An Auto Loan With Poor Credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/poor-credit-auto-financing-getting-approved-for-an-auto-loan-with-poor-credit http://www.artwoo.com/article/poor-credit-auto-financing-getting-approved-for-an-auto-loan-with-poor-credit#comments Wed, 23 Aug 2006 22:27:05 +0000 auto loanauto loansbounced checksfinanceused car dealershipshigh interest ratesbanks http://www.artwoo.com/article/poor-credit-auto-financing-getting-approved-for-an-auto-loan-with-poor-credit auto loan with poor credit may be easier than you think. are different from unsecured lines of credit because they use the car as collateral. If you are unable to make your monthly payments, then the creditor has the right to repossess the car.

Dealer d Auto Loan

There are several options for obtaining an auto loan. Many small, local, or offer buy-here-pay-here financing. You finance the vehicle through the dealership and send them your monthly payments. These programs are often less selective about the candidates they approve for financing, but they also generally charge very .

Bank Auto Loan

Another option is to obtain a loan through your personal bank. If you have a good history with the bank (few to no or account overdraws), and you can prove that you are capable of paying back the loan, they may offer to finance your purchase.

Most of the larger dealerships have that they work with exclusively. If you chose to finance through their banks, a loan officer will walk you through all of the paperwork. You can attempt to negotiate the terms of the loan prior to agreeing to make the purchase, but you cannot be sure that you are getting the best deal. Most large dealerships will charge higher interest rates so that they make a profit off of obtaining financing for your purchase.

Online Auto Loan

Perhaps the most active and selective means of obtaining an auto loan is to request quotes through an online database. Many companies have websites that are partnered with several loan companies who will consider your credit, income, and work history, and then present you with the terms of the loan they are prepared to offer. These services allow you to compare loans side-by-side and choose the one that offers the best terms.

If your credit is so poor that you have to accept a less-than-desirable loan offer, then make sure to always make your payments on time. Your credit score will improve with each timely payment. With one year's worth of good credit reporting, you should be able to refinance your car and obtain better loan conditions. Visit Car Loan Sense to view our http://www.carloansense.com online. Also, visit Car Loan Sense for more information about http://www.carloansense.com/Getting_a_Car_Loan_with_Bad_Credit.shtml. ]]> Compelling Evidence http://www.artwoo.com/article/compelling-evidence http://www.artwoo.com/article/compelling-evidence#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2007 08:43:58 +0000 irrelevant evidencemisunderstoodcredibilityabsorbtypes of evidencestatistical evidenceindependent expert http://www.artwoo.com/article/compelling-evidence absorbing all of the information you can gather. We are hit with data all day long and most of the time we don't absorb it. In fact, we are very selective in what we allow ourselves to retain. When we hit information overload, we turn our minds off and retain nothing.

A study on comprehension of television messages produced very revealing results. After watching commercials and other forms of messages, an amazing 97 percent of viewers some part of every message they saw. On average, viewers misunderstood about 30 percent of the overall content they viewed Information is just poured out too fast. The evidence that you choose must be selective, precise, and powerful. You can't afford to bombard your audience with too much information.

When creating the logical side of your message, you have to understand the concept of the number seven. This is also known as channel capacity, which is the amount of room in our brains capable of storing various kinds of information. George Miller wrote, "There seems to be some limitation built into us either by learning or by the design of our nervous systems, a limit that keeps our channel capacities in this general range." There is only so much room in your prospect's brain to absorb logical numbers and information. This is why phone numbers only have seven digits.

Spend the time necessary to fully research the you want to use to strengthen your arguments. You already know that using the right evidence from the right sources greatly increases the of your message. However, the opposite is also true; poor or undermines the credibility of your message. When compiling evidence, consider the following:

1.Use evidence supported by an rather than facts presented alone.

2. will be more persuasive when paired with individual case studies.

3.Document the sources of all testimonials.

4.New information is often more convincing than old

5.Evidence consistent with your audience's beliefs will be more persuasive because they'll evaluate everything from their own perspectives and attitudes.

6.Build credibility by also acknowledging and even including the other side of the argument. A two-way discussion will bear far more weight than a one-sided lecture Kurt Mortensen's trademark is Magnetic Persuasion; you should attract customers, just like a magnet attracts metal filings. Claim your success and learn what only the ultra-prosperous know by going to http://prewealth.com/mistakestoavoid and get my free report "10 Mistakes that Cost You Thousands." ]]> Oil and Gas Fears for the Amazon http://www.artwoo.com/article/oil-and-gas-fears-for-the-amazon http://www.artwoo.com/article/oil-and-gas-fears-for-the-amazon#comments Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:29:36 +0000 madidi national parkwestern amazonnational wildlife refugeoil and gas explorationnon profit organisationsarctic national wildlife refugearctic national wildlife http://www.artwoo.com/article/oil-and-gas-fears-for-the-amazon western Amazon, and have now completed a comprehensive map covering the area that shows the alarming extent to which the corporations have plans for commencing their destructive trade in their area.

The study identified 180 "blocks" that have been ear-marked for , an area that stretches 170 million acres, an area just smaller than that of oil rich Texas. Understandably, these findings have caused a huge amount of concern that the businesses are instigating a plan to begin operating in this delicate, bio-diverse portion of the world. The threat to wildlife and indigenous people is obvious, and the report found that many of the oil and gas blocks overlie areas of the greatest ecological wealth, meaning that any activity in the area would come at the cost of species that are already under threat, amphibians for example.

Environmentalists should be under no illusions as to the amount of pressure that businesses can exert on areas that have been in theory protected from their activities. The Arctic in Alaska is an example of an area that was recognised as being environmentally vulnerable, was defended through legislation and has still found itself under the avaricious eyes of the Bush administration and their oil drilling friends. When president calls for congress to authorize oil prospecting in a wildlife refuge, you realise that the measured, protective legislation put in place to guard environmentally valuable areas is all to easily brushed aside for the immediate plans of big business.

This study fond that the highest concentration of these 'blocks' were concentrated in the most pristine areas of the Amazon, and that even the world famous national parks contained within, such as Bolivia's , were earmarked for exploration. Overall, the study found that there are a total of 64 'blocks' in the Peruvian Amazon, covering around 121 million acres or 72% of the total land. Peru, like many other developing, Amazonian countries, has been driving toward increasing its hydrocarbon exploration in its own borders, although it is not currently allowing such activities in its national parks.

The report focused on the impact that road building would have on these remote, potted havens of biodiversity. As well as destroying the rainforest beneath their path, roads make previously inaccessible areas easily accessible to human influence, including illegal loggers and poachers. Illegal logging is already a major problem in the vulnerable Amazon, where the sheer scale of the area makes effective policing very difficult. It is estimated that illegal logging accounts for around half of all logging globally, and would be devastating to a developing Amazonian country as it would cause a loss of biodiversity without bringing any of the economic benefits to the country as a whole due to the loss in tax revenue.

The report went on to highlight the huge impact that opening up these secluded areas of jungle would have to the indigenous people who currently inhabit the area. Many of these communities would be extremely vulnerable to disease brought in from the outside world, and there is a concern that traditional cultures and ways of life would be placed under threat through coming into contact with people from outside the forest.Matt Gammie is a writer for the green camparison website ecoswitch]]> Webwatcher - How Webwatcher Compares To The Competition http://www.artwoo.com/article/webwatcher-how-webwatcher-compares-to-the-competition http://www.artwoo.com/article/webwatcher-how-webwatcher-compares-to-the-competition#comments Sun, 10 Jun 2007 23:29:51 +0000 parental control softwareunwanted sexual solicitationsoffice of juvenile justiceinternet filtering softwareoffice of juvenile justice and delinquency preventionmonitoring softwarewebwatcher http://www.artwoo.com/article/webwatcher-how-webwatcher-compares-to-the-competition Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention indicates that increased proportions of young internet users were encountering unwanted exposures to sexual materials and online harassment, and 1 in 7 received . As bad as this seems the even more disturbing fact in the study is that the increase in exposure to unwanted sexual material occurred despite increased use of internet filtering, blocking, and in households of youth internet users. This means that either the being used was either ineffective or the parents were ineffective in their application of the . is claimed by many to be the most effective monitoring software on the market today. In this article we will examine three key features of monitoring software and how WebWatcher compares to other popular internet filter products on the market today in these areas.

Filtering Capabilities

This is what most parents look for in parental control software. A parents first thought is generally to have the ability to block access to inappropriate sites and material (i.e. keep the bad stuff out and let only the good stuff in). Filtering is done generally is two ways. The first is by direct blocking of websites and the second is blocking thru keyword lists and/or categories. Almost all control software will allow you to input websites to block. Only the more advanced and more expensive software will also provide the ability to filter by keywords. WebWatcher, in addition to direct and keyword blocking, will also allow you to block by category selection, which can be a big time saver (e.g. select gambling for example and all gambling websites are blocked). It also has the ability to create a white list, which allows the parent to block everything on the internet except for pre-approved websites (e.g. homework sites). Still, filtering, as advanced as it is, cannot totally block all unacceptable content. To overcome this inherent limitation in all monitoring software, the logging and monitoring capabilities are used to catch what might otherwise might me overlooked or missed.

Logging/Monitoring Capabilities

The logging and monitoring capabilities are generally what separate the good internet filters from the really excellent ones. Quality software will be able to record keystrokes (key logger), monitor internet activity, log chats, etc.. Instant messaging logging should include all popular networks including AOL, AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Windows Messenger and the currently popular MySpace chat (currently only the WebWatcher software appears to have the ability to monitor MySpace chat). The software should also be able to record email sent and received on all the popular email systems. And finally, make sure that the parental control software, in addition to performing the above tasks, also has the ability to properly format and display the results in a useable format. Raw keystrokes recorded in an unformatted form require too much additional time to try to decipher and can lead to frustration and eventually non use by the parent, which defeats the purpose of the software to begin with.

Ease of Use

The best internet filtering software in the world is completely useless if the parents cannot figure out how to quickly use and customize the software to suit their particular needs. Thus the ability to use the software and get the expected results are key to effective parental control software. Although WebWatcher rates well in its ease of use along with many other popular brands, it has two distinct additional features that appear to separate from the rest. Those features are its remote monitoring and multiple computer capabilities. WebWatcher is web-based, which means you have total access to the data from any computer, anywhere, anytime. Other parental control software with similar features charge an additional $10 per month for this feature. This can become quite expensive if the software is used for two or three years. WebWatcher is also designed to monitor multiple computers from one location. This is a great feature if you have several children and computers that you want to monitor from a central location (separate software purchase is required for each additional computer).

Despite all our best efforts it appears that the threat to our children's safety from the internet is still growing. It is our responsibility and duty as parents to protect our children while they are under our roof. Finding quality internet filtering software that can be used effectively is one way we as parents can protect our children. Matt Collins is a father, author, and the owner of several small businesses. He runs an informational website about parental control software products. To visit his website go to http://www.webwatcher-review.com ]]>