Wednesday, June 9, 2010

How to Protect Yourself from a Stray Dog

When encountering an unknown dog without an owner (a "stray"), many people's first instinct is fear. However, with a little knowledge, you can feel more secure and know what to do if this happens, to you.

Steps

  1. Gauge the dog's demeanor. Is it aggressive or afraid? Signs of aggression include: baring teeth, lifted tail, raised ears and hackles (the fur behind the neck, in many large breeds the hackles are very easy to see when they are lifted). Signs of fear include tucking the tail, laid back ears and also snarling or barking. Barking is a sure sign that the dog doesn't want you any closer than you already are.
  2. Do not be mislead by breed stereotypes. Look for body language to understand what the dog is trying to convey. A dog's behavior is determined more by its training (or lack thereof) than its genetics.
  3. Most dogs, big and small, are not aggressive and are likely to be afraid of you. The most common situation is that a dog is lost, scared, and doesn't trust you. Even if they look frightening, their first instinct will be to repel you and get away.
  4. For scared dogs, back away slowly until the dog is at ease. Do not try to command them. Note your location and, if the dog is unknown to you, call animal control immediately. If you know who the dog belongs to, of course, call them first!
  5. For an aggressive dog, the first priority should be to protect yourself. Do not run, as the dog will catch you and will be encouraged to bite. Many dogs instinctively know how to "take down" a runner, and the last place you want to be is on the ground. Search for something to climb onto and call for help.
  6. If there is nothing that can safely remove you from an aggressive dog, you should use your arm to deflect or absorb any bites. Do not aggravate an aggressive dog by shouting at it or staring into its eyes. Eye contact is aggressive and will likely spur an attack.
  7. Very few dogs will actually bite a human being, if unprovoked. Stay calm and try to keep your stance tall and confident. Walk away, if you aren't being chased, and call animal control at the first opportunity. Dogs are pack animals. When they are alone, they are not usually looking for confrontation.

Tips

  • If you talk in an angry voice, this might frighten the dog and could lead to aggressiveness.

  • Don't try to pet the dog.

Warnings

  • If a dog ever attacks you, it is best to not let it knock you down. Stand your ground, and shield yourself. Keep the dog in front of you, and keep anything between you and the dog.
  • If a dog knocks you to the ground, you should curl into a ball and cover your head and neck with your arms. Some dogs may lose interest if you "play dead."
  • If you are bitten, go to a doctor ASAP and get a rabies vaccine.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

How to Become a Motivational Speaker

Are you an engaging speaker who has had many interesting, rewarding experiences? Motivate yourself to motivate others and get paid for doing so.

Steps:

  1. Evaluate your special "message". Consider what it is that you have to say that would be of value to others--have you experienced great adversity, or received some special education? In order to succeed as a motivational speaker, you must have something special to deliver.
  2. Carve out your niche. Motivational speaking is, in many ways, a product that must be sold. Why should someone pay to hear you impart your message? Be able to articulate your unique experiences and explain exactly how you can inspire others.
  3. Create an outline of your presentation. This will be used not only to provide a framework for your talk but also as a marketing piece for potential clients. Furthermore, many people are visual learners and can gain more from a visual representation than a spoken one.
  4. Contact large, not-for-profit corporations and professional groups and make it clear you are available. While there is nothing wrong with directly asking for a gig, announcing your availability will let them feel privileged to work with you.
  5. Contact speakers' bureaus and notify them of your availability. Some speakers' bureaus charge you to list your services, others charge nothing. Most bureaus take a percentage for acting as your agent. Search for "speakers' bureaus" on the Internet.
  6. You must be willing to work for free to get your name out. Once others hear your interesting story or experience, they may want to hire you. Inform everyone you know that you are looking for organizations who want a good motivational speaker. Volunteer to speak at service clubs in your area.
  7. Write and publish articles or books if possible, in order to establish yourself as an authority in your subject. You do not need to publish a book people will find in the local bookstore. Post to websites like wikiHow and submit to on-line magazines and blogs.
  8. Draw up a written agreement, or contract, for all engagements. The written agreement should contain, among other matters, how the fees will be paid (e.g., cash, check, over time), how long you are expected to speak, whether you will be reimbursed for travel expenses, and the time and date. This will help to avoid any disputes at a later time.
  9. Always ask for feedback every after a presentation even if you feel confident that you have nailed it. Whether you prefer that the audience fill-up a standard form or just ask them to drop you a note at a fishbowl on a side table, chances are good that you will be a better motivational speaker if you develop this habit. Positive feedback will inspire you while negative feedback will make you aspire to do better. After all, FEEDBACK is indeed the breakfast of champions.

Tips:


  • Join a local Toastmasters Club. You will learn and practice everything you need to know when presenting a Motivational Speech, as well as any other type of speech.
  • Proceed through a speaker certification class like the one offered through Blue Star Business Institute. Those kinds of classes pick up where Toastmasters leaves off. They teach you how to actually solidify your talk and seek out paid speaking engagements.
  • Dress consistent with the perception you wish to convey. If you want to convey professionalism and success, business attire is probably best. Some motivational speakers use clothing to make a point in their presentation.
  • Speak clearly and repeat your main messages at least three times.
  • Keep it fun and lively. Audience participation is a great way for adults to learn, and you can do this in any number of ways. For example, one speaker handed out raisins and slowly took the audience through the life of that raisin and all that had to happen for that raisin to be in their hands. This kind of activity makes the audience feel part of the speech and facilitates learning. Remember that any activities must be relevant to the topic you are speaking on.
  • Avoid using filler words like: um, uh, eh, etc. Also, try not to have an awkward pause fill your speech because you forgot what to say. This drastically decreases the power of your speech. No matter what anyone tells you, people WILL remember that pause. However, don't get nervous because of this fact. Be confident and well rehearsed.
  • Keep current business cards and contact information with you at all times. A chance encounter can lead to a speaking engagement. For example, one speaker landed a job after passing a business card to a woman he met while waiting in line to order a pizza. Free and low cost business cards are available from VistaPrint.

COMPUTER

WHAT IS COMPUTER?

Computer programmable machine. The two principal characteristics of a computer are:
  • It responds to a specific set of instructions in a well-defined manner.
    • It can execute a prerecorded list of instructions (a program).

    Modern computers are electronic and digital. The actual machinery -- wires, transistors, and circuits -- is called hardware; the instructions and data are called software.

    All general-purpose computers require the following hardware components:

  • memory : Enables a computer to store, at least temporarily, data and programs.
  • mass storage device : Allows a computer to permanently retain large amounts of data. Common mass storage devices include disk drives and tape drives.
  • input device : Usually a keyboard and mouse, the input device is the conduit through which data and instructions enter a computer.
  • output device : A display screen, printer, or other device that lets you see what the computer has accomplished.
  • central processing unit (CPU): The heart of the computer, this is the component that actually executes instructions.
  • In addition to these components, many others make it possible for the basic components to work together efficiently. For example, every computer requires a bus that transmits data from one part of the computer to another.

    Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable overlap:

  • personal computer : A small, single-user computer based on a microprocessor. In addition to the microprocessor, a personal computer has a keyboard for entering data, a monitor for displaying information, and a storage device for saving data.
  • workstation : A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor.
  • minicomputer : A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to hundreds of users simultaneously.
  • mainframe : A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously.
  • supercomputer : An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of millions of instructions per second.
  • What is Software?

    Computer software, or just software is a general term used to describe a collection of computer programs, procedures and documentation that perform some tasks on a computer system.

    The term includes:

    • Application software such as word processors which perform productive tasks for users.
    • Firmware which is software programmed resident to electrically programmable memory devices on board mainboards or other types of integrated hardware carriers.
    • Middleware which controls and co-ordinates distributed systems.
    • System software such as operating systems, which interface with hardware to provide the necessary services for application software.
    • Software testing is a domain independent of development and programming. It consists of various methods to test and declare a software product fit before it can be launched for use by either an individual or a group. Many tests on functionality, performance and appearance are conducted by modern testers with various tools such as QTP, Load runner, Black box testing etc to edit a checklist of requirements against the developed code. ISTQB is a certification that is in demand for engineers who want to pursue a career in testing.
    • Testware which is an umbrella term or container term for all utilities and application software that serve in combination for testing a software package but not necessarily may optionally contribute to operational purposes. As such, testware is not a standing configuration but merely a working environment for application software or subsets thereof.

    Software includes websites, programs, video games, etc. that are coded by programming languages like C, C++, etc.

    "Software" is sometimes used in a broader context to mean anything which is not hardware but which is used with hardware, such as film, tapes and records.

    Relationship to computer hardware:

    Computer software is so called to distinguish it from computer hardware, which encompasses the physical interconnections and devices required to store and execute (or run) the software. At the lowest level, software consists of a machine language specific to an individual processor. A machine language consists of groups of binary values signifying processor instructions that change the state of the computer from its preceding state. Software is an ordered sequence of instructions for changing the state of the computer hardware in a particular sequence. It is usually written in high-level programming languages that are easier and more efficient for humans to use (closer to natural language) than machine language. High-level languages are compiled or interpreted into machine language object code. Software may also be written in an assembly language, essentially, a mnemonic representation of a machine language using a natural language alphabet. Assembly language must be assembled into object code via an assembler.

    The term "software" was first used in this sense by John W. Tukey in 1958. In computer science and software engineering, computer software is all computer programs. The theory that is the basis for most modern software was first proposed by Alan Turing in his 1935 essay Computable numbers with an application to the Entscheidungsproblem.

    Types of software:

    Practical computer systems divide software systems into three major classes: system software, programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary, and often blurred.

    System software

    System software helps run the computer hardware and computer system. It includes:

    • device drivers,
    • operating systems,
    • servers,
    • utilities,
    • windowing systems,

    The purpose of systems software is to unburden the applications programmer from the details of the particular computer complex being used, including such accessory devices as communications, printers, readers, displays, keyboards, etc. And also to partition the computer's resources such as memory and processor time in a safe and stable manner.

    Programming software

    Programming software usually provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. The tools include:

    • compilers,
    • debuggers,
    • interpreters,
    • linkers,
    • text editors,

    An Integrated development environment (IDE) is a single application that attempts to manage all these functions.

    Application software

    Application software allows end users to accomplish one or more specific (not directly computer development related) tasks. Typical applications include:

    • industrial automation,
    • business software,
    • computer games,
    • telecommunications, (i.e., the internet and everything that flows on it)
    • databases,
    • educational software,
    • medical software,
    What is Hardware?
    computer hardware as the electronic, magnetic, and electric devices that carry out the computing functions. Hardware is the physical components of the computer like microprocessor, hard disks, RAM, and motherboard. The peripheral devices such as monitor, mouse, keyboard, printer, and speakers can also be included in the list of hardware parts.

    WAP

    WHAT IS WAP?
    WAP stands for "WIRELESS APPLICATION PROTOCOL". WAP is a standard for mobile communication systems. WAP allows wireless/mobile devices to access and retrieve information from a number of information sources mainly from world wide web.In short we can say that WAP converts mobile phone into a mini web browser.

    PARTS OF WAP ENABLED SYSYTEM:
    There are three major components of a WAP-enabled communication system:
    WAP-gateway
    HTTP web server
    WAP- device (i.e. mobile phone)

    FUNCTION OF WAP:
    WAP allows us:
    To read internet based Email.
    To send internet based Email.
    Retrieve informationfrom internet.
    M-commerce (mobile commerce).

    LIMITATION OF WAP:
    Yes, it is the size of the screen of your mobile phone that is the greatest hurdle in the way of WAP.You know very well that your mobile phone is a pocket sized device with very small screen, therefore, it is not possible to view high resolution eye catching images and heavy text at a time.WAP supports only grey scale images in ".wbmp" format.

    HOW WAP WORKS?
    WAP source files are located on the web server and these files are transported by using HTTP to WAP gateway.Gateway behaves as a compiler for source code and converts it into byte code and finally send it to your mobile phone via WAP.

    Wednesday, March 24, 2010

    Internet

    How to use Internet

    BACKGROUND

    · The Internet as we know it today began around 1969 with ARPANet, a network created by the United States Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

    · Originally connecting four universities, the network allowed scientists across the country to share information and resources through their computers.

    · In 1983, ARPANet decides to use TCP/IP as a standard protocol for all computers connected to the network to talk to each other.

    · In 1993, the World Wide Web (www) came into being.

    · World Wide Web uses hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and hypertext links that change the way information can be organized, presented and accessed on the Internet.

    WHAT IS THE INTERNET?

    · The Internet also referred to as the Net, Information Superhighway, or Cyberspace, is the largest electronic network which enables computers connected to the network to share data and resources

    · The Internet is not owned by any one organization but rather made up of individual networks which own their own servers (to hold the data) and routers and switches (to allow users to access the data).

    WHAT IS A URL?

    · Just like every house has a unique address, each web page has a unique address, called a Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

    · The first part of the address indicates what protocol to use, and the second part specifies the IP address or the domain name where the resource is located.

    · The remaining information identifies specific directories or files within the domain.

    · You can display a web page by simply typing its URL into the address line of your web browser (a program or application that uses internet).

    · The most popular domain extension is .com for commercial websites. Other extensions include .org for non-profit organizations, .edu for educational institutions, or .gov for governmental sites.

    WHAT IS A HTML?

    · HTML is short for Hyper Text Markup Language, the language used to write or create documents on the World Wide Web.

    · HTML defines the structure and layout of a Web document by using a variety of tags and attributes.

    WHAT IS A BROWSER?

    · The term browser is short for Web browser, a software application used to locate and display Web pages. The most popular browser is Microsoft Internet Explorer.

    THE ISP (Internet Service Provider)

    · Your ISP is the gateway (or middleman) that provides connection to the Internet.

    · An ISP provides cables, fiber optic, and telephone lines along which data can travel between computers.

    · In Pakistan, Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited (PTCL) is the biggest ISP.

    OPENING THE INTERNET BROWSER

    To open your browser and see all that the World Wide Web has to offer:

    · Double-click the Internet Explorer Icon on your desktop

    OR

    · Choose Start > Programs > Internet Explorer

    FEATURES OF A BROWSER WINDOW

    TITLE BAR

    · It displays the name of the program (Internet Explorer), and the name of the web page.


    MENU BAR

    · As in all windows-based programs, click a word on the menu bar to display a menu of additional program commands.

    STANDARD BUTTONS

    · Navigational buttons that aid in viewing, searching, saving and printing web pages.

    ADDRESS BAR

    · Display the current web page’s URL.

    · You can also type a URL into the Address bar and press Enter/Return to view the URL.

    PAGE AREA

    · The portion of the window that displays web pages

    LINKS BAR

    · You can use it to add web pages that you visit often.

    STATUS BAR

    · The status bar has two uses: first it notifies you of the status of loading web pages, and second, the status bar displays the security level

    VIEWING TOOLBARS

    To display or hide toolbars, choose View > Toolbars and make your selection.

    OTHER BROWSER CHARACTERISTICS

    · To change the text size, choose View > Text Size and select an option from the submenu

    · To change the default font or colors, choose Tools > Internet Options and click the Font or colors buttons on the General tab. Click OK to save the changes.

    · To change all fonts and colors, choose Tools > Internet Options and click the Accessibility button. Click OK to save the changes.

    Browser standard buttons

    · Click the Back button to move to the previously viewed web page Or

    · Click the arrow next to the icon to choose any of the previously viewed web pages.

    · Refresh button is used to refresh a web page

    · Home button is used to go to home page (your default web page)

    · Stop button is used to cancel the action of downloading or opening a web page.


    · The Search button is used to enter appropriate information and search for it.

    · Click the Favorites button to display your list of favorites. You can organize, edit, delete, or view your favorite web pages

    · Click History button to get a list of dates and pages viewed on those dates. Click a page and it should appear in the page area.

    Other actions for Internet Web Browser include:

    · SETTING THE HOME PAGE

    · ADDING FAVORITES

    · VIEWING A FAVORITE

    · ORGANIZING FAVORITES

    · SEARCHING OVER THE INTERNET

    KEYWORDS

    · Most recent browser versions allow you to type keywords into the Address bar, press Enter and the browser itself acts as a search engine.

    INTENET EMAIL USING YAHOO

    · Yahoo is a facility to open and maintain an E-Mail Account in Internet without paying additional charges.

    · The cost is covered within Internet usage charges.

    · Yahoo is a web site. To access Yahoo, you must have an Internet connection.

    HOW TO OPEN YAHOO ACCOUNT

    · Open Internet Explorer Type www.Yahoo.com (in Address Bar) and press Enter

    · Click Sign UP now! After some moments, you will see terms and conditions. This is a long page. At the end of the page, click I Accept

    YAHOO MAIL REGISTRATION FORM

    · You will see a registration form. Follow the instructions of your trainer and fill up carefully. Do not leave any column blank.

    · Make sure to remember your Username and Password as these are the two you will use in future to open your email account.


    HOW TO ACCESS YAHOO ACCOUNT

    · Open Internet Explorer and type www.Yahoo.com (in Address Bar) and press Enter.

    · On the yahoo web page, click on Mail using your mouse.

    · Type Yahoo ID or Username and Password in the specified boxes and click Sign In or press Enter

    · Now click Continue (at the end of the page) that appears when you have signed in for the first time.

    · Yahoo will take you to your Inbox. You will see a message from Yahoo Staff. Click Yahoo Staff

    HOW TO SEE IN-COMING MAIL

    · When you are given access to your Yahoo Account, you are in your Inbox. You can see the list of in-coming messages.

    · To read the message, click on relevant message under the heading FROM

    HOW TO PREPARE NEW MESSAGE

    · To prepare new message: Click New / Compose

    · Type E-Mail Address (correct and complete address of the person to whom you want to send mail).

    · Click in Subject box Type Subject (Do not leave TO box and Subject box blank) Click in the main box.

    · Type the message. Type your name at the end of the message

    HOW TO SEND E-MAIL MESSAGE

    · After preparing E-Mail message: Click Send from Toolbar above. You will have the following message:

    Sent Message Confirmation

    Your message has been sent to the following recipients:

    emailaddress@yahoo.com

    · Click OK

    · You will come back to your Inbox

    HOW TO SEE SENT MESSAGE

    · While you are in Inbox: Click Folders Sent Messages You can also see Drafts (if you have clicked Save Draft in Compose Window).

    HOW TO ATTACH A FILE WITH E-MAIL MESSAGE

    · You can attach a file (available in your computer) with your E-Mail-mail message. After typing the message:

    · Click Attachments and then click Browse. (Select folder .and double click the relevant file)

    · Attach to Message and then click DONE

    · The file will be attached with your message. Now: Click SEND.

    OPEN A FILE ATTACHED TO A MESSAGE IN YOUR INBOX

    · Once you open the email, click on the file name that is attached to the message.

    · Click Download Attachment

    · Click Open or Save to take necessary action for the concerned file.

    HOW TO DELETE MESSAGE FROM INBOX

    · When the Inbox is open, click in the small box on left of the message(s), which you want to delete. Now: Click Delete.

    HOW TO SEE DELETED MESSAGES

    · Deleted Messages are stored in Trash Can automatically. To see deleted messages:

    · Click Trash Can.

    HOW TO MAINTAIN ADDRESS BOOK

    · You can maintain address book in Yahoo. This will save your time in typing addresses in Compose Window.

    · For this: Click Addresses and Create New.

    · Type particulars of the addressee carefully (you can leave some columns blank)

    · Click OK In future, when you want to send E-Mail to any person from Address Book: Click Addresses, Click -on the relevant address, under the heading Mail to: Compose Window (with address typed) will open automatically. T

    · To delete an address: Click Delete in front of the address (and wait for some moments) Click Delete again

    HOW TO CHANGE PASSWORD

    · Click Options and then Password. In relevant boxes: Type Old Password and then type New Password. Then type New Password again. You will have the following message:

    PASSWORD CONFIRMATION

    Your Password has been successfully changed. Please remember your new Password.

    HOW TO CLOSE YAHOO

    · Click x at top right comer. Internet Explorer will also be closed.

    HOW TO SIGN OUT

    · At top of Window, click Sign Out Message.