FIFTY GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS TO READ THIS SUMMER

FIFTY GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS TO READ THIS SUMMER

By Valerie Strauss May 30

Here, from Scholastic Instructor, is a list of 50 great books for kids to read over the summer. The list, which was assembled with the help of teachers and others, offers books that will appeal to students from pre-K through eighth grade. Categories of books are humor, fantasy and adventure, nonfiction, realistic fiction, magic and mystery, picture books.

HUMOR

Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer

By Kelly Jones, illustrated by Katie Kath. Grades 4–6.

In letters to her dearly departed abuelita and others, Sophie worries about missing L.A., her dad’s unemployment, and poultry thieves. Her voice rings true in this tale of family, adventure, and raising chickens.

Return to Augie Hobble

By Lane Smith. Grades 4–7.

“This has a little bit of everything: twisted fairy tales, werewolves, bullies, and humor.”

—Karen Arendt, librarian, T. J. Connor Elementary, Scottsville, NY

The Terrible Two

By Jory John and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Grades 4–6.

Far be it from us to condone pranking, but if we were to, we’d recommend this very funny manual on the art. Plus, there are cows, goofy drawings, shouting principals, and other stuff preteens will find hilarious.

Petlandia

By Peter Hannan. Grades 2–5.

A fiendish alpha cat, her dim-witted canine nemesis, and a lovesick hamster declare independence from humans and form the nation of Petlandia. Power struggles ensue as rats, snakes, and even fleas demand a voice. Sublimely immature.

Frank Einstein and the ¬Electro-Finger

By Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Brian Biggs. Grades 3–6.

“It has action and adventure, it’s graphic-intensive, and it has a superhero vibe. I just won’t mention the science part too loudly.” —Kendra Patterson, librarian, Andrews (TX) Middle School

Cassidy’s Guide to Everyday Etiquette (and Obfuscation)

By Sue Stauffacher. Grades 3–7.

Worst Summer Ever? That’s what it looks like to tomboy Cassidy, who is dreading the five weeks she must spend in etiquette classes. Not to mention her mother’s tendency to use words like obfuscation.

Dragons at Crumbling Castle

By Terry Pratchett. Grades 4–7.

From the fertile imagination of the late best-selling author comes a ridiculously droll collection of stories that are one part Roald Dahl, one part Monty Python, and the rest pure Pratchett.

Rude Cakes

By Rowboat Watkins. Grades K–2.

This pretty pink cake is a nasty piece of work—pushy and rude—until it’s taught a lesson about manners by a goofy troupe of colorful Cyclopses.

FANTASY AND ADVENTURE

Circus Mirandus

By Cassie Beasley. Grades 4–8.

“Some books take readers to different places or let us experience fantastical lands, but Circus Mirandus brings the magic to our world.” —Jen Vincent, coordinator of instructional technology, School District U-46, Elgin, IL

Last of the Sandwalkers

By Jay Hosler. Grades 4–7.

In this funny, adventure-filled graphic novel deeply rooted in science, a society of beetles, led by young scientist Lucy, explores the precarious desert world outside its palm tree.

Ratscalibur

By Josh Lieb. Grades 3–7.

With his super-heightened sense of smell (chicken bones—yum!) and a magical spork dubbed Ratscalibur in hand, kid-turned-rat Joey fights to save a kingdom of fellow rats.

The Princess in Black

By Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Grades K–3.

Princesses in black are bored by teatime, gallop breakneck on jet-black ponies (not pink-maned unicorns), and rescue boys from monsters. Finally, the perfect role-model princess!

Nightbird

By Alice Hoffman. Grades 5–8.

In a place where monsters might be real, 12-year-old Twig stores up her hurts “as if they were a tower made of fallen stars”—until she finds a friend to help her break a curse and release her family’s secrets.

Pip Bartlett’s Guide to Magical Creatures

By Jackson Pearce and Maggie Stiefvater. Grades 3–6.

High-strung unicorns and lilac-horned Pomeranians are a few of Pip’s allies as she battles villains like government functionary Mrs. Dreadbatch in this fantastical field guide to magical creatures.

The Lost Track of Time

By Paige Britt, illustrated by Lee White. Grades 4–7.

“For fans of The Phantom Tollbooth, Alice in Wonderland, puns, space-time continuums, philosophy, and, most of all, those who know the value of a good idea, this book is a must-read.” —Brian Wyzlic, teacher, Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, Marine City, MI

Interstellar Cinderella

By Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Meg Hunt. Grades K–3.

Antimatter hammers and sonic socket wrenches are the tools a space-age Cinderella uses to win the heart of the prince—and the happy ending involves her agreeing to be his chief mechanic, not his royal bride.

NONFICTION

Welcome to the Neighborwood

By Shawn Sheehy. Grades K–2.

This intricate pop-up book explores the dwellings of seven animals that share the same forest home.

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

By Laurie Ann Thompson, illustrated by Sean Qualls. Grades K–3.

Emmanuel was born with only one functioning leg, but that didn’t stop him from achieving great things. As a child, he hopped to school two miles each way; as an adult, he bicycled 400 miles across Ghana for disability awareness.

Gingerbread for Liberty!: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution

By Mara Rockliff, illustrated by Vincent X. Kirsch.  Grades 1–4.

Young history buffs will love this story about a Philadelphia baker who helped change the course of the Revolutionary War with gingerbread—and kindness.

Growing up Pedro

By Matt Tavares. Grades 2–5.

This picture-book bio captures the struggles, and the deep brotherly bond, of MLB legends Pedro and Ramón Martinez—from their impoverished upbringing in the Dominican Republic to their glory days in the big leagues.

A Nest Is Noisy

By Dianna Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long. Grades K–3.

Whether it’s the foamy home of a frog or the sandy one of a sea turtle, this book reminds readers that all nests bustle with activity.

Why’d They Wear That?: Fashion As the Mirror of History

By Sarah Albee. Grades 5–8.

Ever wonder why ruff collars became all the rage during the Renaissance or how sneakers came to be? Learn from this detailed account of fashion through the ages.

The Founding Fathers!: The Horse-Ridin’, Fiddle-Playin’, Book-Readin’, Gun-Totin’ ¬Gentlemen Who Started America

By Jonah Winter, illustrated by Barry Blitt. Grades 3–5.

“Kids will love learning about the early leaders of our country, and the good, the bad, and the ugly character traits of each one.” —Holly Mueller, fifth- and sixth-grade ELA gifted intervention specialist, Kings Local School District (OH)

I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives

By Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda, with Liz Welch. Grades 6–8.

Caitlin and Martin lived a world apart—she in the U.S., he in Zimbabwe—but they were brought together by a pen pal exchange that lasted six years. This uplifting memoir will have students reaching for their pens.

REALISTIC FICTION

A Handful of Stars

By Cynthia Lord. Grades 3–7.

“Lord weaves themes of acceptance, friendship, and bravery into a novel that also celebrates the beauty of nature and the richness that animal companions bring to our lives.” —Jennifer Brittin, K–5 media teacher, Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School, Hammonton, NJ

The Penderwicks in Spring

By Jeanne Birdsall. Grades 3–7.

The fourth installment of this series finds the Penderwicks with a new sibling named Lydia. It’s an endearing story about friendship and family.

Listen, Slowly

By Thanhhà Lai. Grades 5–8.

On a trip to Vietnam, California-born protagonist Mai struggles to find a balance between the culture she was raised in and her family’s roots. Unlike Lai’s award-winningInside Out and Back Again, this story is told in prose instead of poetry, but it’s equally as powerful.

Gone Crazy in Alabama

By Rita Williams-Garcia. Grades 4–6.

The award-winning author rounds out a trilogy about three sisters as they travel from Brooklyn to Alabama to visit their grandmother.

Dear Hank Williams

By Kimberly Willis Holt. Grades 4–7.

Eleven-year-old Tate P. Ellerbee writes a series of letters to country music star Hank Williams as part of a class assignment in a relatable story of family, tragedy, and love.

Ice Cream Summer

By Peter Sís. Grades K–3.

Sís cleverly slips lessons on history, vocabulary, and math into this tale of summer fun as Joe narrates everything he’s learned in a letter to his grandfather.

The Way Home Looks Now

By Wendy Wan-Long Shang. Grades 4–7.

Amid family loss, a boy turns to baseball in hopes of bringing some normalcy back to his homelife. This touching story is more than a sports book—it’s a testament to the healing power of family.

Fish in a Tree

By Linda Mullaly Hunt. Grades 4–7.

Ally struggles with dyslexia, which she covers up with troublemaking antics. Mr. Daniels—who reminds his students of the maxim that no one should “judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree”—is a wonderful role model.

Lost in the Sun

By Lisa Graff. Grades 5–8.

Perfect for students preparing for middle school, Graff’s latest is all about making a fresh start. Trent struggles with a tragic accident in his past while trying to start anew.

MAGIC & MYSTERY

The Island of Dr. Libris

By Chris Grabenstein. Grades 3–7.

Stuck at an old cabin with a broken iPhone, 12-year-old Billy braces himself for a boring summer—until he opens a book.

Echo

By Pam Muñoz Ryan. Grades 5–9.

Set before and during WWII, this magical tale follows an enchanted harmonica and the lives it touches as it travels through space and time.

Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective: The Sweetest Heist in History

By Octavia Spencer. Grades 4–7.

“The diverse cast of characters solves an intriguing mystery that is more interesting than ones in many clue-oriented books.” —Karen Yingling, teacher-librarian, Blendon Middle School, Westerville, OH

Pieces and Players

By Blue Balliett. Grades 3–7.

Thirteen masterpieces go missing from a museum, and finding the perpetrator might be tough—but it’s nothing compared with becoming a teenager.

Smashie McPerter and the Mystery of Room 11

By N. Griffin, illustrated by Kate Hindley. Grades 2–5.

When Room 11’s hamster goes missing, Smashie and best friend Dontel are on the case. Great for developing logical reasoning skills.

Wiilliam & the Missing ¬Masterpiece

By Helen Hancocks. Grades K–2.

Crisis in Paris: The Mona Cheesa is missing! William, cat detective, agrees to put his vacation on hold and use his observational skills to save the day.

Honey

By Sarah Weeks. Grades 3–7.

When Melody overhears her widowed father calling someone “honey,” she sets out to track down the mystery woman—and discovers a connection to her mother.

Bayou Magic

By Jewell Parker Rhodes. Grades 3–7.

New Orleans native Maddy is nervous about spending a summer with her grandmother, but she soon discovers the magic of the bayou—and her own ancestors.

Book Scavenger

By Jennifer Chambliss Bertman. Grades 4–9.

Emily’s family is always moving. One constant: Book Scavenger, a game where players solve puzzles to find books. When the game’s creator is attacked, Emily embarks on the ultimate scavenger hunt.

PICTURE BOOKS

Last Stop on Market Street

By Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Grades 2–5.

CJ’s nana helps him see beyond poverty to the beauty around them. De la Peña tackles questions of class and privilege in a way that will resonate.

Sea Rex

By Molly Idle. Grades K–1.

Cordelia enjoys a day of fun with her little brother, a basket of beach supplies, and a few dinosaurs. Kids will absorb summer safety tips while laughing out loud at Idle’s subtle humor.

An Ambush of Tigers: A Wild Gathering of Collective Nouns

By Betsy R. Rosenthal, illustrated by Jago. Grades K–3.

“Who could resist the shiver of sharks with their scarves and hats? I highly recommend this for any language arts class.” —Suzanne Costner, library media specialist, Fairview Elementary School, Maryville, TN

Duncan the Story Dragon

By Amanda Driscoll. Grades K–2.

Duncan has a problem: He loves to read, but when he gets excited, his fire-breath burns the story up!

Marilyn’s Monster

By Michelle Knudsen, illustrated by Matt Phelan. Grades K–3.

In a world where every kid has his or her own monster, Marilyn hasn’t found hers yet. Rather than wait as told, she sets off to find her monster—and prove that it doesn’t always pay to play by the rules.

999 frogs and a Little Brother

By Ken Kimura, illustrated by Yasunari Murakami. Grades K–2.

When the smallest tadpole in the family meets a baby crayfish, he is thrilled to be mistaken for the crayfish’s big brother. What begins as a funny misunderstanding becomes a sweet friendship.

How to Read a Story

By Kate Messner, illustrated by Mark Siegel. Grades K–3.

Messner takes young readers from the library shelf to “the end” with time-tested tips such as “Find a cozy reading spot…just be careful not to get stuck.” What better way to get kids excited about reading?

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl’s Courage Changed Music

By Margarita Engle, illustrated by Rafael López. Grades K–3.

Based on a true story, this vibrant book stars a Chinese-African-Cuban girl who dreamed of playing the drums at a time when female drummers were taboo. The poetic verse has a beat of its own.

Cell phone radiation: A self-defense guide (What precautions can I take to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation?)

What precautions can I take to reduce exposure to cell phone radiation?


• Don't put your cell phone right next to your body. Moving a cell phone even an inch from the body can greatly reduce radiation exposure. Signal strength falls off as the square of the distance to the source. This means that if you double the distance to the source, which is the cell phone to your head, the signal strength would be four times less, since two squared is four. If you triple the distance, the signal strength would be nine times less, and so on. At 10 times the distance between the cell phone and your head, the signal strength is 100 times less, and at 100 times the distance, it would be 10,000 times less.


• Keep conversations short. The less you talk on your cell phone, the less exposure to radiation you will have. So by keeping voice conversations short, you're limiting your exposure.


• Use a headset. Experts recommend using either a wired headset or a Bluetooth headset. While you may still be exposed to some radiation using either type of headset, it's still a lot less than holding the phone to your ear. If you do use a Bluetooth headset, I'd recommend taking it out of your ear when you're not using it. There's no need to continue to expose yourself to low levels of electromagnetic radiation when you don't need to, since we still don't know the long-term effects of radiation exposure at these low levels.


• Use the speaker phone function of the cell phone. For the same reason you'd use a headset, using a speaker phone is another good option. It keeps the cell phone away from your body, and you don't have to worry about using a headset. Of course, the downside is that everyone around you will hear your conversation, so this may only be something you do when you're at home or somewhere private.


• Turn your cell phone off when you are not using it. For example, turn off your phone when you go to sleep at night. Or at the very least turn off the cellular radio in your phone. Many smartphones, such as the iPhone, allow you to put your phone in "airplane mode." This shuts down the cellular radio portion of your phone. You can also turn off the Wi-Fi radio, too, just to be safe.


• Avoid using your cell phone in places where you get a poor signal. Many consumers also don't realize that cell phones emit different amounts of radiation depending on where they are with respect to a wireless operator's cell phone tower. Cell phones are constantly communicating with cell phone towers, but the further away the subscriber is from the cell tower, the weaker the signal. In order to connect to the cell tower, the device must boost its power, which increases the amount of radiation emitted. This means that if you get poor reception in your basement, you should move upstairs to your living room, where you have better reception, to talk on your cell phone. Tawkon's Friedlander noted that a minute of talk time in a "red zone," where the radiation is likely higher because of a poor cell phone signal, is equivalent to the amount of exposure you'd get talking on the phone for three hours in a "green zone," where reception is good and the radiation emitted from a cell phone is much less.


• Text, IM, or use the Net more than talking on your phone. When you're texting or using your phone to access the Internet, you aren't holding it up to your head the same way you would if you were talking on it. So texting and using other forms of communication that don't require you to put the phone to your head or right next to your body are good ways to reduce exposure.


• Carry your cell phone in your purse or backpack instead of in your pocket. Again, it's all about creating distance between you and your cell phone. So if you carry your phone away from your body, then you are reducing your exposure.


I've heard device makers warn that cell phones shouldn't be held too close to your head. Is this true?

User manuals from most cell phones suggest keeping the phone a certain distance from your head rather than pressed up against your ear. The iPhone 4 manual says: "When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or for wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) away from the body, and only use carrying cases, belt clips, or holders that do not have metal parts and that maintain at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) separation between iPhone and the body."


Many people have interpreted this as a warning from Apple about keeping the device a certain distance from your body. But the disclosure is written that way because that is how the cell phones are actually tested.

In the testing procedures the FCC uses to certify that cell phones don't exceed the 1.6 watts per kilogram SAR limit, the commission chose to test the phones at a distance of between 0.59 inches and 0.98 inches (1.5cm to 2.5cm) from the body. It also tests the devices in a "body-worn" configuration and specifies that this should be done with the device in a belt clip or holster. If a belt clip or holster was not supplied with the phone, the FCC has told testers to assume a separation distance of between 0.59 inches and 0.98 inches (1.5 cm to 2.5 cm) during a test.
In other words, the FCC's testing protocol does not test for phones that are broadcasting at full power while inside your pants pocket or pushed up against your ear, two of the most likely ways cell phones are actually used.
Given the current testing guidelines, it's hard to say whether cell phones sold in the U.S. would exceed 1.6 watts per kilogram if they were in a pocket or against your ear. But officials at the FCC have said that there is enough of a cushion built in to the current standard that they believe that all cell phones in the U.S. are safe.


I've seen advertisements for cell phone radiation shields that supposedly block cell phones from emitting radiation. Do these shields work?

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, says that manufacturer claims regarding so-called "shields" are mostly baseless.
According to the FTC, there is no scientific proof that these "shields" significantly reduce RF radiation exposure from cell phones. The agency warns that some of the shield products that claim to block radiation from the earpiece or another part of the phone can interfere with the phone's voice signal, which may cause the device to use even more power to communicate with cell phone towers. And this could lead to the cell phone emitting even more radiation.


What about the app from Tawkon that was mentioned earlier in this article? Is that app useful in reducing radiation exposure?

The Tawkon app supposedly monitors the SAR level and alerts users when it gets above a certain limit. To be honest, I don't know how accurate the Tawkon application is. There are a lot of factors that go into calculating the SAR level of a phone at any given moment. But the company claims its application uses an algorithm that measures your SAR by using the phone's GPS technology and accelerometers to gauge the position and proximity of the device to the body to determine the amount of radiation that's being absorbed by the person using the phone.


The company is also using anonymous information culled from its users to provide free access to a radiation map, powered by Google Maps, that makes radiation exposure levels publicly available to users worldwide.
The app also provides an in-home or office map that lets users predict where radiation would be the lowest and highest, based on their individual usage. The idea is that given this information, consumers can choose to use their mobile phones in areas where radiation is the lowest, or they can reduce exposure in areas with more radiation by using a headset. The app also provides personal statistics based on usage that give wireless subscribers an indication of how much radiation they've likely been exposed to during the last call, day, week, month, or six months.
So assuming that the way it measures SAR is accurate, the Tawkon application could provide you with more information about when and where your phone is likely to emit more radiation, and then it allows you to decide how you will change your behavior to minimize exposure.


Tawkon initially released its app for Research In Motion's BlackBerry operating system. And now it offers the app for the Google Android OS. The company submitted its app to the iPhone App Store, but it was rejected. However, iPhone customers can still use the app if they jailbreak their phone and get the app through Cydia, a software application for iOS devices that lets a user find and download software for jailbroken iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads.
Because the application must be tested and calibrated for each individual piece of hardware, it is not yet available for every BlackBerry or Android device. So potential users should check Tawkon's Web site for device availability.
The app can either be purchased from the BlackBerry App World or Android Market for $9.99, or users can get the app for free if they agree to accept mobile advertisements. The iPhone app for jailbroken devices is free and does not include
advertisements.


Are children at an increased risk for cell phone radiation exposure and its effects?

Many experts believe that if risks exist owing to cell phone radiation, children will likely be affected more than adults. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, children today are likely to begin using cell phones at a much younger age than their parents did, which means they will be exposed to this low-power radiation for a much longer period of time over their lifespan than today's adults.
And secondly, children have smaller heads and thinner skulls than adults. And as a result, radiation is believed to penetrate more deeply into children than adults. What's more, cell phones may have a greater effect on children's brains because their brains are still developing.
Some researchers have suggested that children might be more likely to suffer from memory loss, sleeping disorders, and headaches as a result of cell phone radiation exposure, as well as be at increased risk of some cancers later in life. Several countries, including Russia, Germany, France, Israel, Finland, and the United Kingdom, have issued warnings against children using cell phones.
In the U.S., meanwhile, efforts to require warning labels or requirements to provide more information about the SAR of a particular phone at the point of sale have so far been largely unsuccessful. Check out CNET Reviews editor Kent German's recent story that surveys the current state of cell phone radiation warning legislation.


Read more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-20068419-266/cell-phone-radiation-a-self-defense-guide-faq/#ixzz1OZtL92Hq

Book Review - Work with Passion: How to Do What You Love for a Living (3RD ed.)

Work with Passion: How to Do What You Love for a Living (3RD ed.)
Contributor(s): Anderson, Nancy (Author)


ISBN: 1577314441
Publisher: New World Library
Binding: Paperback
Language(s): English
Pub Date: June 03, 2004


In this perennial bestseller, Nancy Anderson shows readers how following their passion and finding that special niche in whatever realm they are truly passionate about is the most effective and rewarding approach to business and career success. "Work with Passion" follows the step-by-step program she initiates in her career counselling practice, carefully guiding readers through each stage. The program follows the ten "Passion Secrets" of successful people, and topics include clarifying goals, trusting instincts, doing research, and meeting others who are equally passionate about their work. This fully revised edition includes a new introduction by the author.
"I have found that we love to hear success stories," Anderson writes, and each chapter tells those powerful stories of people who have overcome adversity and realized their dreams. "Work with Passion" has a wealth of inspirational guidance, from the broadest kinds of visionary encouragement to very practical tips on networking, developing a resume, and writing a query letter that gets results. This comprehensive course in career consulting is for everyone who would rather brag about their career than complain about their job.

Working with Passion is a book that inspires me a lot, I discover that your productivity lies inside of you and one of my early trainings in JCI, Awaken the Passion Within by JCIN (Ambassador) Steve Akadiri taught me that you're limited when you don't trust your instincts.

I have a passion for books and also feels good when I discover people who are voracious in the art.

Pick up a copy of this book and discover that as much as would be out there looking for what you have a passion for; you could as well tune your instinct and awaken the passion within you towards what you presently do not like. Which ever way you want it, this books wets your appetite.

Book you copy by mailing me on aina@axiomconsults.com, hi@axiomconsults.com or call 07031644591. I'll be oblige to be of service. Few copies left and 24hrs delivery within Lagos or Abuja.

Thank you.


Aina Segun Aina
Axiom Consulting Limited
Suite 1, Yasuha Plaza, Wuse II, Abuja
24 Awoniyi Elemo Street, Ajao Estate Lagos

Blogger Pictures

The Best Business Networking Products

The Best Business Networking Products
These eight offerings can boost your business by making your network more secure, increasing its reach and efficiency, and turning it into the backbone of a powerful, cost-saving interoffice phone system.

Knowing the business end of your small business is hard enough but not good enough. The corners poorly illuminated by your understanding can conceal ugly surprises. If they concern the data and communication systems you depend on, they can be particularly unpleasant. To give your knowledge about those networks a quick boost, we've plowed through scores of our recent hardware and software reviews, sifting out the eight best products.

As your business grows, so will your network, both in size and complexity. At a certain point, your intrepid little unmanaged switch won't do the trick. When your infrastructure requirements start including voice over IP, multicast streaming, virtual LANs, a fast backbone, and the like, it's time for a managed switch. The D-Link xStack DGS-3627 is a good place to start. If you don't have an experienced networking person on staff, you'll need a consultant to make full use of this device's deep capabilities, but network applications will greatly benefit.

If the demands on your network are somewhat lighter—say those from general office networking as well as a moderate amount of VoIP and video traffic—the Netgear ProSafe GS724TS is ideal. It costs considerably less than the D-Link xStack yet has that product's most important features.

Enterprises that need management features but can get along with an eight-port device will save a bundle with the SMC EZ Switch 10/100/1000 (SMCGS8P-Smart). It costs around $300 or less yet has many enterprise-level features. That makes it one of the best deals you'll find in managed switches.

Maintaining your network is critical, but software to assist with diagnosing problems and tracking help-desk activity is often difficult to use and can strain a small business's budget. Spiceworks solves the problem. It's surprisingly easy to use, provides hardware and software monitoring, and even includes basic help-desk capabilities. Since our last review, the company has added support for Mac and Linux systems in addition to Windows PCs. We can't vouch for how well the additions work until we retest the product, and you might be annoyed by the ads that appear—but it's free, so trying it out is worth your time.

Security can be another costly headache, but it's not one you can afford to skimp on. If keeping out attackers and detecting attacks is especially important to your business, and you want a set-and-forget system, eEye Digital Security REM Security Management Appliance 1505 can provide it. You'll pay a pretty penny and the initial install can be difficult, but once installed the eEye Digital Security system provides a complete, hardened security solution.

Many, many businesses depend heavily on the Internet, but not all are in areas with reliable service (or any). The ZyXEL ZyWall 2WG wireless router solves that problem and has some other impressive capabilities. Should your wired Internet fail, the ZyWall automatically switches over to a 3G modem (you supply the card) for wireless broadband, supplementing that with a modem dial-up connection. The versatile device also functions as an entry-level UTM (unified threat management) appliance.

When you move your operation into larger quarters, you'll likely need to extend your network's reach. These days, some portion is probably wireless, and the signal carries only so far. The combination of the Ruckus Wireless ZoneDirector 1000 and ZoneFlex 7942 access points creates a robust mesh network that gives you coverage over a large area at a relatively low cost.

Are you currently spending money on two incompatible networks—one for data and another for voice? You might not need to. If your network has the extra bandwidth, stop wasting it—switch to a VoIP PBX, such as the RingCentral DigitalLine VoIP Service. For far less than an analog system, you'll get as many powerful features (probably more), along with a system that's much easier and cheaper to install, maintain, and reconfigure.

17 Cheap or Free Marketing Ideas

How can you get your business noticed? And, what's more important in these tough economic times, how can you get noticed without breaking your budget?

Buzz up!on Yahoo!
In this economy, you need all the help you can get to ensure that your business is noticed amid all the noise. Marketing is key, but which approach to take? The first thing that may pop into your mind is to send out e-mail blasts or hire a consultant. While these are good ideas, everyone's already doing the first, and the latter can be pricey. Besides, there are lots of things you can do on your own that are cheap or free.


So get creative! Use the Web and other resources at hand to try to rise above the fray.

Increase visibility in your community.
Join local organizations that provide business networking opportunities, or start your own. Do volunteer work for a large charity. You'd be surprised at the marketing support such activities can bring.

Participate in online marketing groups.
Search Twitter and other social-networking sites for groups meeting to discuss marketing. For example, Understanding Marketing holds a chat and Q&A session on Twitter that focuses on small-business marketing. It's live each Tuesday from 8 to 9 p.m. eastern time. Search #smbiz on Tweetgrid.com.

Submit information to blogs.
Blog writers are always looking for content for their sites. Target appropriate ones and send them press releases or descriptive e-mails.

Reward existing customers.
Offer an exclusive incentive to your regular customers—only your regular customers. Notify them via e-mail or other contact methods, and direct them to an otherwise inaccessible page on your Web site where the offer appears.

Get your customers to bring in new customers.
Offer an incentive like a discount to customers who get a new customer to make a transaction with your business.

Spruce up your Web site.
Stale sites don't attract business. Fresh, frequently updated Web sites show your customers you're a vibrant and active business. Let users subscribe to get update notices, then update frequently.

Provide free, helpful information to your customers.
Such content should be related to your type of business and can include tips, hints, reviews, and other information that can help drive sales. For example, a business selling paint can provide a guide to selecting the best paint for different uses. Such informative content is often available from suppliers. Use it.

Offer your noncompeting business customers a link exchange.
A link exchange is much like a bulletin board at your business that holds your customers' business cards. The more links your business has to its Web site, the better your search engine placement, and the greater the number of people who see your business's links, the more will visit you.

Use downtime for marketing.
When times are slow, keep employees busy contacting customers. Create e-mail marketing documents your employees can send to individual customers. Personal contact with customers gets results. Mass e-mails are less effective and, given today's e-mail spam filters, may not be seen by many. Go for quality contacts rather than quantity.

Visit your own Web site frequently.
Look for ways it can be improved. Too often, small business Web sites load slowly, are poorly organized, and are difficult to navigate. Fix bottlenecks that impede customers and look for ways to get customers to act. Make sure all links work and lead to up-to-date content. Test campaigns with printable coupons and other incentives. For more tips, see our story "Build a Better Web Site."

Get active in the online community.
Encourage employees to do the same. Don't spam discussion forums or other social sites, but don't be afraid to use signature lines containing links to your Web site. Establish common-sense rules for yourself and your employees regarding these social-networking and discussion sites, and always strive to be positive and helpful on them.

Check out your suppliers' Web sites thoroughly.
Add links on your site to informative and helpful content on those sites. Many corporate sites offer instructional videos and other material that can inform your customers and lead them back to you, ready to do business.

Get a toll-free phone number.
It makes you look more professional and encourages business—and the fees aren't as high as you might think.

Launch a blog on your site and update it daily.
Nothing reads "I don't care" like a blog whose most recent entry is days old. Assign this task to employees who can write and spell—an illiterate blog is worse than no blog at all. Introduce people to your company and its staff. Highlight products. Run contests and give away company swag. Announce specials and upcoming product-line changes. Establish a "customer-of-the-month" tradition and do regular write-ups. Surely there's something you can say to your customers daily.

Yes, use Facebook and Twitter.
Having a Facebook page may not earn you any new business, but not having one may cause customers to ask why you don't. Take some good pictures of your offices and your employees (unless you'd rather leave those details to your customers' imaginations), or, in some fashion, put a more human face on your company identity. Twitter is a young technology, and everyone's scrambling to figure out useful applications. In the meantime, let your customers at least follow you, and implement a strategy similar to what you're using in your blog. In 140 characters, that is.

Visit online marketing sites.
Good Marketing Ideas is an excellent site, with plenty of useful tips. The suggestions here cost little or nothing to implement, and will likely lead you to resources you might never have thought of on your own.

Never surrender.
Getting new and potential customers to notice you is an ongoing—and sometimes uphill—battle, and one you can't ever stop fighting. Pick a new idea every week or two and implement it, no matter how small it is. Call a meeting of employees, order a pizza for lunch, and brainstorm; offer an incentive for ideas you implement. Before long, your marketing might just pay off in new sales—and happier, more involved customers.

CEO ACADEMY HOLDS IN GHANA

2009 CEO ACADEMY



LIVE IN GHANA(ACCRA & CAPE COAST)



14TH -20TH SEPTEMBER 2009




REGISTRATION FEE- #15,000 (TRANSPORTATION, ACCOMMODATION, T-SHIRT, MOFLA AND DELEGATE FEE)


PLEASE MAKE YOUR PAYMENT TO:


Bank: INTERCONTINELTAL BANK Number: 0253110000013107
Name: Akomolafe Afolarin (Dir. Int. Affairs)



PLEASE CALL OR TEXT -07032669008, 08023912002 OR
08033889342, 08072097545. AFTER YOUR PAYMENT

TEXT THE FOLLOWING DETAILS TO 07032669008 IF YOU ARE WILLING TO GO:

NAME
ADDRESS
PHONE NUMBER
E-MAIL
PET NAME OR NAME YOU WANT TO BE WRITTEN BEHIND YOUR T-SHIRT.

THANKS

N.B

DEADLINE FOR PAYMENT IS 28TH AUGUST 2009,LIMITED SPACES ARE AVAILABLE. HURRY NOW.
YOUR RECENT PASSPORT PICTURE WILL BE NEEDED TO PROCESS YOUR PASS THROUGH THE BORDER.

IF YOU WANT TO USE YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT ADDITIONAL CHARGES WILL BE PAID.
THIS YEAR PROMISES TO BE MORE EDUCATIVE, FULL OF FUN AND A MEMORABLE TIME TO NETWORK.VISIT TO DIFFERENT TOURIST ATTRACTION.

AKOMOLAFE AFOLARIN
IPP OAU
DIR.INTERNATIONALIS M AND TWINING 2009(AREA A)
THANKS AND GOD BLESS

Nokia launches its N97 'mobile computer' in Nigeria

By Benjamin Amu

July 22, 2009. Nokia yesterday launched the highly-anticipated N97 mobile phone touted by the Finnish technology company as a "mobile computer" into the bustling phone market in Nigeria.

Equipped with a tilting 3.5” touch display screen, a QWERTY keyboard and a fully customizable home screen, the Nokia N97 will offer integrated access to the newly opened Ovi Store.

General Manager Nokia Nigeria, Philip De La Vega , said at the Lagos launch that “the Nokia N97 is an important step towards our vision of delivering a highly personalized Internet experience, fuelled by a multitude of media and applications through the Ovi Store. The Nokia N97 transforms the internet into an experience that’s completely tailored to the tastes and interests of its users”.

The Nokia N97 is the first device to ship with Ovi Store, a one-stop shop for a full catalogue of applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services and features. Ovi Store has paid and free content from a range of global and local content providers and developers, including Facebook, Hi5, Paramount Pictures and Qik, as well as Twitter applications.

According to the Nokia executive, the beauty of the device is taking it out of the box just like the desktop PC as people can constantly improve and refresh their Nokia N97 with new features, functions and fixes so they can do even more with the device.

Nokia added that an exciting roadmap of new features and functions is planned to roll out in the second half of 2009, including software updates for Voice over IP (VoIP) functionality, an integrated Skype application and extended kinetic scrolling.

The Nokia N97 also has direct access to the huge catalogue of music in the Nokia Music Store. With multiple high-speed connectivity options and 32GB of storage (up to 48GB using a microSD card) it is possible to directly download and store tens of thousands of songs on the handset.

High-quality images and video clips at 30 frames per second (fps) can be captured using the 5 megapixel camera with integrated Carl Zeiss optics. Images can also be geo-tagged to specific locations and shared instantly with friends or uploaded online via Ovi Share, Twitter, Flickr or Facebook.

Other features includes free application downloads, N-gage games, Nokia Maps and Navigation are some of the services available on the N97.

The N97 comes with 12 months warranty and is available in leading Nokia retail outlets in Nigeria .

Virgin Mobile Launches Prepaid Broadband

Virgin Mobile USA today announced a prepaid mobile Internet system called Broadband2Go, which offers very inexpensive plans for relatively light users.
Broadband2Go runs on Sprint's national EVDO Rev A network and gives Windows XP or Vista PCs download speeds around a megabit. Unlike other national systems that sell monthly bucket plans and charge for overage, Virgin Mobile will sell chunks of megabytes on prepaid cards, like a prepaid phone top-up system.
Virgin will offer one modem, the Novatel MC760, a small USB device which got excellent results when we tested it on Sprint and Verizon. It will cost $149.99.
Virgin will offer four options for topping up your data account: $10 for 100MB, which expires in 10 days; $20 for 250MB, which expires on 30 days; $40 for 600MB, for 30 days; and $60 for 1GB, for 30 days. If you don't use the network for awhile, you don't pay anything. If you go over your limit, your Web browser will be redirected to a page asking you to buy more megabytes—you won't be automatically charged overage.
"Prepaid mobile broadband is ideal for students, families on the go, freelancers, anyone who needs wireless Internet access…and wants to pay only when they use it," Bob Stohrer, CMO, Virgin Mobile USA said in a press release.
For light users, this is a great deal. For heavy users, it isn't. Most other carriers charge $60 per month for a 5GB bucket; Cricket charges $35 or $40. Verizon charges $40 per month for a 250MB bucket. So, if you intend to use just a few hundred megabytes a month, or won't use your broadband every month, the new Virgin system may make excellent sense for you.
There's no credit check and no subscription involved. Since this is a prepaid, top-up-based system, customers can even buy additional megabytes at retailers with cash.
The system uses Novatel connection management software that includes a usage meter, so you can tell how close you are to your limit. A Web-based account portal also gives clear details of how much time and data you have left. Initially, there will be no Mac or Linux support, but Virgin Mobile told us that support for both of those platforms is coming soon.
The system's terms of use are similar to Sprint's, Virgin Mobile execs told us. That means you're not allowed to use it to run a server or peer-to-peer applications, but you can use it to stream video—though you'll use up your data allotment pretty quickly if you're streaming video.
Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go will be available exclusively from Best Buy stores starting in late June.

George Bush Encourages Service through Organizations such as JCI

George Bush Encourages Service through Organizations such as JCI

On Saturday, May 21, 2005, the President of the United States, George Bush, while delivering a commencement address at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, encouraged graduates to make a difference by joining organizations such as “Jaycees” (JCI). He referred to them as "armies of compassion and "great engines of social change":

… Finally, we must understand that it is by becoming active in our communities that we move beyond our narrow interests. In today's complex world, there are a lot of things that pull us apart. We need to support and encourage the institutions and pursuits that bring us together. And we learn how to come together by participating in our churches and temples and mosques and synagogues; in civil rights associations; in our PTAs and Jaycees; in our gardening and book clubs, interest groups and chambers of commerce; in our service groups -- from soup kitchens to homeless shelters.

All these organizations promote the spirit of community and help us acquire the "habits of heart" that are so vital to a free society. And because one of the deepest values of our country is compassion, we must never turn away from any citizen who feels isolated from the opportunities of America. Our faith-based and community groups provide the armies of compassion that help people who wonder if the American Dream is meant for them. These armies of compassion are the great engines of social change, they serve individual and local needs, and they have been found at the front of every great movement in American history...

President Bush praised “social entrepreneurs” such as JCI Members:

… From abolition societies and suffrage movements to immigrant aid groups and prison reform ministries, America's social entrepreneurs have often been far ahead of our government in identifying and meeting the needs of our fellow countrymen. Because they are closer to the people they serve, our faith-b ased and community organizations deliver better results than government. And they have a human touch: When a person in need knocks on the door of a faith-based or community organization, he or she is welcomed as a brother or a sister.

No one understood this better than another 19th century visitor to America whose name is well known to Calvin College: Abraham Kuyper. Kuyper was a Dutchman who would be elected his nation's prime minister, and he knew all about the importance of associations because he founded so many of them -- including two newspapers, a political party, and a university. Kuyper contrasted the humanizing influence of independent social institutions with the "mechanical character of government." And in a famous speech right here in Grand Rapids, he urged Dutch immigrants to resist the temptation to retreat behind their own walls -- he told them to go out into their adopted America and make a true difference as true Christian citizens.

The President encouraged Calvin College graduates to become involved:

… As your generation takes its place in the world, all of you must make this decision: Will you be a spectator, or a citizen? To make a difference in this world, you must be involved. By serving a higher calling here or abroad, you'll make your lives richer and build a more hopeful future for our world.

At Calvin College, you take this call to service to heart. You serve as "agents of renewal" across the Earth. … As the Class of 2005 goes out into the world, I ask you to embrace this tradition of service and help set an example for all Americans. As Americans we share an agenda that calls us to action -- a great responsibility to serve and love others, a responsibility that goes back to the greatest commandment…

The iPod family album

The iPod is everywhere, perhaps even in your pocket. And if not, maybe you're ready to get one with the recent launch of the updated iPod Classic, the fourth-generation iPod Nano, the ever-shrinking iPod Shuffle, or the Wi-Fi wielding iPod Touch. Our iPod resource page keeps you informed with the latest news, photos, and videos of the new players, as well as helpful reviews as soon as we write them.