Let go of your grudges

Hello there!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan, president of Sterling Creations (www.sterlingcreations.ca).

I hope that everyone is getting ready for the new year and in preparation for it, I wanted to shatre the following with you.  Taken from Melanie Mama's corner.

Enjoy your day.

 

 

Let Go Of Your Grudges

 

As we approach the New Year, it's a good time to clean out the clutter in our lives.

 

That means disposing of useless papers and unused stuff but also throwing away old grudges.

 

The prevalence and durability of grudges proves Maya Angelou's observation that people don't always remember what you said or did, but they do remember how you made them feel.

 

Grudges are nothing more than toxic memories of how someone made us feel.

 

But Confucius taught that "To be wronged is nothing unless we continue to remember it." So why do so many of us choose to consciously preserve and revisit toxic feelings that detract from our happiness?

 

Perhaps we fool ourselves into thinking we can inflict some sort of pain on the person who wronged us. In fact, holding on to a grudge is like holding on to a hot stone.

 

It doesn't hurt the stone or the person who gave it to us; it only hurts the one holding it. Carrying a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.

 

It doesn't matter how justified the bitter feelings are or how right we are. Holding on to a grievance turns pain into suffering. In a peculiar way it empowers the wrongdoer to hurt us again and again.

 

So start out this New Year by giving yourself a great gift. Muster the good sense and strength to root out and release deep-seated and long-held resentments.

 

If you can, forgive and forget. But all that's really necessary is a firm decision to let go of

 

Michael Josephson

 

________________________

 

 

The top 15 things that were talked about in 2009

Christmas greetings everyone!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan, president of www.sterlingcreations.ca and I'm just dropping by to see how you are doing.

I hope that everyone is enjoying their time off with their families and today I wanted to share a little something with you.  Something that makes for very light reading.

Hope you enjoy.

Have a great day.

 

 

Thursday, December 24, 2009
Just as we did at the end of 2008, we have gone back through our entire archive for the year 2009 and picked out the articles that received the most conversation from our readers. As we approach the new year, we thought it would be fun to go back and reflect on some of the things that got people talking in the one that's wrapping up.

 

Note: Please keep in mind that some of the articles are a bit outdated now as new developments have occurred throughout the year.

 

1. eBay Wants its Sellers Back

 

This article received the most commentary by far from WebProNews readers out of every article we produced this year.

 

2. Top 10 Frustrations for eBay Sellers

 

Another article on a related subject was also discussed frequently.

 

3. Does DMOZ Still Have a Place in Search?

 

Indicating that DMOZ is still definitely a topic worthy of discussion, DMOZ's value was debated thoroughly in the comments on this article.

 

4. Do You Respect DMOZ After 11 Years?

 

DMOZ was also a hot topic after the company had its 11th birthday. It was quite interesting to find out what people thought after 11 years of the directory's existence.

 

5. eBay Competitor Bonanzle Continues Big-Time Growth

 

As was made clear in a number of eBay articles we ran, a lot of users of that site were not very happy. Competitors took advantage. This was a look at the success of one competitor in particular.

 

6. House Says Bloggers Don't Count As Journalists

 

The bloggers vs. journalists debate is always a hot one. Of course when the government gets involved with that debate, some heavy commentary will ensue.

 

7. Apple Fans Respond To The "Droid Does" Advertising Campaign

 

Apple fans love to talk. So do Apple haters. That point was very clear in the comments we received on this article.

 

8. Netbooks: Moving in Right Next Door to Useless

 

Mike ruffled some feathers with his criticism of the Netbook phenomenon. Although he certainly had plenty who agreed with his views.

 

9. Can eBay Win Back Sellers with a Shift in Focus?

 

eBay sparked some interest yet again when it announced its focus on the "secondary market".

 

10. eBay Unleashes Changes Galore for Sellers

 

Any time eBay makes changes that affect sellers, you can pretty much guarantee that people are going to talk.

 

11. Is MySpace Toast?

 

MySpace's future is discussed as Facebook takes over as the dominant social network.

 

12. Google: Page Speed May Become a Ranking Factor in 2010

 

Google's Matt Cutts dropped a hint that page speed may be considered as a ranking factor by the search engine soon. Some think this is a great idea, others think it's horrible.

 

13. The AP's Desperate Attempt To Outlaw Search Engine Links

 

A discussion about the Associated Press and fair use of content.

 

14. Murdoch On Blocking Search Engines: "I Think We Will"

 

News Corp. CEO Murdoch said some interesting things about how it plans to distribute its content in the future. This is still a hot topic.

 

15. Shocker: Facebookers Not Happy With Redesign

 

I'm sure you recall the big Facebook redesign. A lot of people are still bitter about it.

 

Looking back at some of these articles, it's hard to believe they've all come from just this year. It's amazing how much has happened in search, e-commerce, and social media. The rate at which everything changes and evolves is really quite astounding. I guess that can be attributed to the real-time nature in which we consume information now, and the sheer amount of content that is poured onto the web every minute of every day.

 

To get an idea of what I mean, just go to any of our tag pages and look back through our coverage of any given topic. Go to the Google tag, for example, and look at the enormous amount of things Google has been a part of this year alone.

 

What kinds of topics would you like to see covered more in the future? Share your thoughts here.

 

Was this article interesting?    

 

Comment Now...  Subscribe to our Newsfeed 

 

About the Author:
Chris Crum has been a part of the WebProNews team and the iEntry Network of B2B Publications since 2003. Follow WebProNews on Facebook or Twitter. Twitter: @CCrum237
 
12.24.09

 

 

The spirit of Santa

Merry Christmas everyone and a happy Ho Ho Ho to everyone!

Just dropping by to share a really sweet email with you.

Take care now.

Donna Jodhan; president  Sterling Creations

 

He's seen in the smiles

The whole world is sharing,

He's found where there's friendship

And loving and caring,

He's felt in warm handshakes

When people are meeting

He's heard in the cheer of

A Christmas time greeting

His spirit's behind all the

Gifts we receive

He's everywhere, always

To those who believe!

 

 

Cruising on the night before Christmas

Christmas greetings all!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan, president of Sterling Creations and I thought that I would drop by with a really great email to share with you.

Hope everyone is enjoying the festive season.

Have fun now!!!

 

'Twas the night before Christmas, and far out at sea
Our vessel was sailing, as smooth as could be

The stockings were hung from the balcony chairs
With hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there

The children were nestled all snug in their uppers
Having just settled down from a Christmas Eve supper

And ma and myself, we were covered in aloe
A bit too much sun, in a pool, warm and shallow

When up in the sky, there arose such a clatter
I leapt from my bed to see what was the matter

To the sliding glass door, I flew like a flash
Well, more like a saunter, and less like a dash

And what to my skeptical eyes should appear
But a great shiny sleigh, and eight flying reindeer

They circled our ship, from starboard to port
As the moon lit the driver, a jolly old sort

Who called to his team, in a happy retort
"Now Dasher, now Dancer," so on and so forth

We raced through our cabin and into the hall
To the very top deck, in time for us all

To be awed by the sight of Old Santa's sleigh
As he lightly touched down, by the midnight buffet

With a bundle of goodies thrown over his back
He rose in the air and dropped down the smokestack

Santa went straight to work, and later we learned
He found every child's cabin, from the bow to the stern

Insides and oceanviews, balconies and suites
Santa filled every stocking, with toys and with treats

Until all his deliveries had been handled with care
Then he noted he still had a minute to spare

So he surfed the wave rider, with nary a fall
While Dasher and Dancer scaled the rock-climbing wall

And Prancer, who had always been fond of the cold
Tried the ice-skating rink, a sight to behold

And then with a whistle, Santa summoned his team
And he bade us farewell, silent nights and sweet dreams

And I heard him exclaim, as he flew out of view
Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good cruise.

Written by Alan Fox, with appreciation and apologies to Clement Clarke
Moore, author of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

 

Holiday tips from Sterling creations

Dear readers,

It gives me great pleasure to extend to you personal Christmas holiday greetings on behalf of the team at www.sterlingcreations.ca and we'd like to offer you a few holiday tips to help keep you safe and sound.

We wish  you a very merry Christmas, Joyeux Noèl, and Feliz Navidad.

 

 

The Sterling Creations holiday tips

 

1. Be careful when you purchase those gift cards for friends and family.  Check the terms of purchase to ensure which products and services are being offered.  What is included and what is not.  Check too the expiry dates.

2. Be sure to pay attention to those scamming Santas.  Yes, they're out there and just lurking in the shadows.  Just waiting to pounce.  Some of them are just fakes looking to reap havoc with your kids or just be mean to them.

3. Some companies may want to offer you warrantees on your purchases as an enticement for you to buy.  Remember, if the product is good you do not really need a warrantee.

4. Say no to anyone phoning you with an offer that is too good to be true.  Keep your banking details safe; do not give them out to strangers calling you.  The same for your personal data; date of birth, mailing address, and license and social security card numbers.

5.  Keep your credit card safely tucked away from prying eyes.  Never let them out of your sight.

6. If you are planning to send overseas packages to friends and relatives and hope to have them delivered in time for Christmas, make sure that the post office can do it.  Check with the friendly folks at your post office to ensure that your delivery dates can be met.

 

I hope that these tips are of help to you. 

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan.  Ho! Ho! Ho! 

 

Canada ranks fourth in quality of life

Greetings!  I'm Nico Trimoff, manager of accessibility and transcription services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I'd like to end my year on an upbeat note; an article about one of the best countries in which to live in the world.  May I wish you and your family the very best for the Christmas season.  Happy holidays to you all, and the very best for 2010.
See you next year.
 
 
Canada ranks fourth in quality of life

 

The Canadian Press
UN's annual Human Development Index takes into account life expectancy,
literacy, school enrolment and per capita gross domestic product in 182
countries

 

Globe and Mail, Monday, Oct. 05, 2009

 

Norway enjoys the world's highest quality of life, while Niger suffers the
lowest, a United Nations agency said today, as it released a ranking that
highlights the wide disparities in well-being between rich and poor
countries.

 

Canada was listed fourth.

 

The annual Human Development Index, unveiled in Bangkok by the UN
Development Program, takes into account life expectancy, literacy, school
enrolment and per capita gross domestic product in 182
countries.

 

"A child born in Niger can expect to live to just over 50 years, which is 30
years less than a child born in Norway. Furthermore, the differences in per
capita income are huge for every dollar earned per person in Niger, US $85
are earned in Norway," UNDP said.

 

Canada's life expectancy was among the highest with a child at birth
expecting to live up to 80 years. Norway was followed by Australia and
Iceland on the overall list, which drew on statistics dating from 2007,
before Iceland was hit hard by the global economic crisis.

 

Afghanistan and Sierra Leone rounded out the bottom of the ranking.

 

The United States was in 13th place.

 

NYT
The global Financial crisis has brought low the economies of just about
every country on earth. But not Norway. With a quirky contrariness as deeply
etched in the national character as the thousands of fjords carved into its
rugged landscape, Norway has thrived by going its own way.

 

Trends in the index since 1980 showed an average improvement of 15 per cent
in countries' scores. The greatest long-term improvements have been shown by
China, Iran and Nepal, but progress has been concentrated in education and
health rather than income, said
the agency.

 

Afghanistan is new to the list this year - reliable statistics were not
previously available - but otherwise leaders and laggards are largely the
same.

 

Five countries rose three or more places - China, Colombia, France, Peru and
Venezuela while seven countries dropped more than two places - Belize,
Ecuador, Jamaica, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta and Tonga.

 

The index was released as part of the UNDP's annual Human Development
Report, which this year highlighted migration. "Most migrants, internal and
international, reap gains in the form of higher incomes, better access to
education and health and improved prospects for their children," said the
report. "These gains often directly benefit
family members who stay behind as well as countries of origin indirectly."

 

It also suggested that as the populations age in developed countries, they
could benefit from increased migration to boost their work forces.

 

Through analyzing data taken in 2007, Canada's migrants were found to
account for nearly 20 per cent of the population. The UN agency did caution
that encouraging migration should not substitute for "efforts by developing
countries to achieve growth
and improve human well-being."

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

Google Says It's Possible to Benefit From Them

Greetings!  I'm Mark Micheau, manager of research and translation services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have an article to share with you; one that makes for interesting reading.  One that centers the attention on Google.
This is my last post for this year and I would like to wish you all great things for Christmas, and a great holiday season to you.  See you in 2010.

 

Google Says It's Possible to Benefit From Them
Chris Crum | Staff Writer

 

Google Says It's Possible to Benefit From Them

 

If you write for the web, whether that be on a blog or any other content site, there is a good chance your content has been scraped at some point, if not on a continuous basis. The good news is that it's probably not that big of a deal. At least that is what Google's Matt Cutts imples.

 

Answering user questions as he so often does, Cutts took on the question, "Is there a way to benefit from content scraped from your site?"

 

The simple answer to this is yes. You actually may be able to slightly benefit from having your content scraped. According to Cutts, if you make sure the pages on your site have links to you in them, the scrapers may leave the links in and end up linking to you. He says these links can "help you along."

 

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"There are some people who really hate scrapers and try to crack down on them and try to get every single one deleted or kicked off their web host," says Cutts. "I tend to be the sort of person who doesn't really worry about it, because the vast, vast, vast majority of the time, it's going to be you that comes up, not the scraper. If the guy is scraping and scrapes the content that has a link to you, he's linking to you, so worst case, it won't hurt, but in some weird cases, it might actually help a little bit."

 

»»Have you actually benefited from a contentscraper?
Tell us your story

 

It's the same principle that Cutts talked about when talking about having links in low-quality directories. He says Google tries not to score the low-quality directories too high, but it doesn't hurt your site at all for being listed there.

 

He says that most of the time, you don't really need to worry about scrapers, because they don't have a large effect in terms of the actual impact on users very often. He does add that if you see a scraper ranking higher than you, you can consider doing a Digital Millennium Copyright Act request (DMCA), or if it's a true spammer (gibberish, etc.) you can go ahead and do a spam report on them.

 

Are You Ready to launch your mobile campaign against the competition?
Click Here Now!  
 

 

The Web Weighs In On Twitter's $1 Billion Valuation
Doug Caverly | Staff Writer

 

The good, the bad, and the funny

 

We first reported that Twitter was raising funds at a $1 billion valuation eight days ago. Since then, the amount of money Twitter's supposed to be raising has doubled, and more details about who's supplying the cash have surfaced. As you might imagine, all of this has generated quite a lot of discussion.

 

Below, we'll try to provide a roundup of people's reactions. Fair warning: incredulous takes appear to outweigh supportive ones by a significant margin. And also, in case you've missed all of the big headlines, here are the latest facts as reported by the Wall Street Journal: Twitter is raising $100 million from investors including T. Rowe Price.

 

What do you think about T. Rowe Price investing in Twitter?
Tell us about it in the comments

 

As for responses, Jason Fried's Onion-like comeback is perhaps getting the most attention. In a fake press release, he wrote, "37signals is now a $100 billion dollar company, according to a group of investors who have agreed to purchase 0.000000001% of the company in exchange for $1." The piece has received more than 160 comments, most of which amount to pats on the back.

 

 

 

Then there's the observation of Dan Frommer and Kamelia Angelova to consider. In an article titled "Twitter Raises Cash Pile As Traffic Growth Slows," they noted, "During August, the company attracted 55 million unique visitors (worldwide) to Twitter.com, according to comScore. That's up about 3 million, or 6%, over July. That's solid, but nothing like its go-go month of April, when it grew by 13 million uniques (~70% m/m) or June, when it grew by 7 million uniques (~20% m/m)."

 

Still, there were some neutral and even positive remarks about the investment round. David Carr just went for a sort of comedic approach with the following tweet: Then Larry Dignan raised a very good point about T. Rowe Price's involvement. "This mutual fund firm, which I know well, isn't exactly a run-and-gun investment house," he wrote. "These folks play long term and tout planning for the long run."

 

So perhaps Twitter's strategy to make money - which at this point, may consist of selling premium accounts and/or data analytics services, along with introducing ads - is further along than most critics thought. Anyway, we'd be interested to hear your opinions concerning the $1 billion valuation in the comments section.
 
 
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If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

Overcoming the Language Barrier with a Software that Can Translate ...

Overcoming the Language Barrier with a Software that Can Translate ...
By Donna J. Jodhan

 

Believe it or not, many persons often find themselves in front of barriers that prevent them from either learning a second language or working in a second language; and there is nothing strange about this.  It is already difficult to learn one's mother tongue let alone learn a second language.  However, think of the wonderful possibilities and opportunities that can suddenly open up for you if you were to learn a second language.
 
In today's world where communication is becoming more and more important, where global trade continues to grow and will grow for as long as the world exist, and a world that is becoming smaller and smalller by the day because of bigger and better communications; the importance of learning a second and even a third language is becoming more crucial.  Of course it is important to take courses that would enable you to communicate in a second language but consider this alternative:  Overcoming the language barrier through the use of a translation software.  Not impossible and extremely probable.  Translation software has come a very long way and there are more and more developers out there who are hell bent on making translation software more efficient, proficient, and accurate.
 
I am going to leave you with a great reference to check out.  A reference that gives you an introduction to a very useful piece of software.  Please see below.
 
Overcoming the Language Barrier with a Software that Can Translate ...
TranslateIt! is a program for your computer that eliminates these problems and helps reduce that language barrier. Once installed, the program allows you to use an innovative technology known as mouse over translation. ... The advanced technology of the program allows it to break down the words and find the meaning that way so you won't end up getting no response the next time you need to translate words from English, German, Spanish, or Russian. ...
Most Recent Articles | ABC Article... –
http://www.abcarticledirectory.com/ 
 
 
I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day.
Donna J. Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all)
 http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link) 
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues concerning diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)

Jobs and careers identified

Greetings everyone!  I'm Jill Christiansen, manager of writing services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have important headlines to share with you on the meaning of a healthy retirement.  I invite you to read on.
As this is my final post for this year, may I take this opportunity to wish you and yours compliments of the season, and I extend to you the very best for 2010.

 

Jobs and careers identified

 

Is it possible to have a healthy retirement?
If so, how so?
Please read on.
For a Healthier Retirement, Work a Little - Health News - Health.com
By timeinctemp
Compared to those who quit working altogether, those who described themselves as officially retired but who continued to work part-time or in temp jobs were less likely to be diagnosed with eight diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, ... Finances are a primary motivator, said Colin Milner, chief executive officer of the International Council on Active Aging in Vancouver, British Columbia. Baby Boomers — the generation born in the post-World War II years — have taken ...
Health News -
http://news.health.com/ 
 
How much do you know about the mature market?
What exactly is the mature market all about?
Please read on.
        Buddy, Can You Spare a Job
        TheMatureMarket.com (press release) - Grenoble,France
        They are all unemployed late in their careers, but they do not want to retire. ... The accompanying MetLife Aging Boomer Job Market survey confirmed the ...
Read more at:
http://www.thematuremarket.com/SeniorStrategic/Buddy_Can_You_Spare_Job-10881-5.html      

 

How much do you know about the term planned phase retirement?
Could this new term be the answer to a sounder and healthier retirement?
Please read on.
Plan Phased Retirement | Go To Retirement
By Mr. GoTo
I don't have any statistics to cite but my belief is that more baby boomers are thinking about a phased retirement. There seem to be fewer folks who can. ... Keep in mind that many part time jobs do not include benefits. Even when health coverage is theoretically available, some group health plans require a minimum number of hours worked for eligibility. You don't want to phase yourself right out of coverage. 3. Try to Stay in Your Field. Ideally, your phased retirement ...
Go To Retirement -
http://gotoretirement.com/ 
 
 
If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

Christmas is for giving

Greetings!  I'm Scott Savoy, editor of writing services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
As today is our last weekend editorial for the year, I am delighted to present you with a Christmas editorial written by our president Donna J. Jodhan.
Donna has a special Christmas message for our readers.
I wish you a merry Christmas, a happy 2010, and see you early next year.
 
 
Christmas is for giving
 
Christmas should be the time of year when we stop and take stock.  Christmas is a time when we should do our best to be nice to each other but most important of all, we should not only be nice to each other just at Christmas time; it should be all year through. 
 
Too often, we seem to miss the true meaning of Christmas.  We get caught up in the commercial side of things.  We spend so much money on gifts for each other.  We go out to the supermarket and buy oodles and oodles of goodies.  We shop till we drop and during all of this we fail to remember the less fortunate, those who are lonely with no one to call or talk to, and those who are unable to put food on their table.  We forget the down trodden, those who have lost their jobs, and most of all, the elderly.    
 
Let us not forget the true meaning of Christmas this year.  The spirit of giving instead of receiving.  The good deeds, the efforts to forgive and forget, and the helping hand to those in need.  When we sit down to our Christmas Day meals with our families, let us take a few seconds to remember those who are unable to put food on their table and those who are far away from home, like our soldiers fighting the good fight in Afghanistan.
 
Christmas is for giving and for forgiving.  Merry Christmas to you.  Happy Holidays, Joyeux Noèl, and Feliz Navidad.
See you next year.
 
 
I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca
a monthly editorial on business issues and concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html 
weekly editorials on accessibility issues in Canada
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php
Editorials:  An International perspective on issues of accessibility and disability
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
A general perspective on issues of access and accessibility
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 

Your best American cities! Happy holidays

Hello there!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan and today I am here to give your holidays a push by giving you some ideas as to where you may want to travel for the season.  This is my last trip for the year and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you the very best for the Christmas holidays.  Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noèl, and Feliz Navidad!  See you early next year. 

 

Week of December 12 2009:
 
Your best American cities
 
1. Tacoma Washington
If you're seeking a city with a reputation for being one of the best in wich to live, then Tacoma is it.
A city with acres and acres of parkland to explore, historic museums, and employment opportunities that range from high tech to manufacturing.
Tacoma possesses one of the best Internet communications systems in America an this makes it the envy of many other cities. 
There are a magnitude of home styles to choose from; from modern condos to simple apartments, and town houses and bungalows to magnificent waterfront homes.
If you are seeking a healthy city in which to live, and one with all of the modern amenities, then Tacoma is it.
 
2. Glendale California
Are you lookking for simply a pretty city?
One that is really artful and artistic?
One that is adorned with murals of landscapes, abstract art, and so much more?
A city that offers lots of employment opportunities in industries such as food and banking?
Well, imagine no more.
Come to the fair city of Glendale California and see for yourself.
 
3. Fayatteville Arkansas
If you want to live in a city that is probably one of the best in which to live, work, and play, then Fayetteville is for you.
This fair city has been the recipient of several awards for its quality of life.
It is a young person's dream of finding gainful employment along with being able to attend one of the best universities in the country.
Fayetteville Arkansas is known as the athletic capital of the world and can provide you with lots of opportunities and careers in health care, education, plus much more.
If you are seeking a quality city with something to really boast about, then Fayetteville is for you.
 
4. Richmond Virginia
A pretty city with lots to offer so many.
A city with excellent educational facilities, great entertainment, and fine dining.
A city that has an abundance of real estate to offer.
From modern condos to magnificent riverfront homes, vacation hide aways, and second homes.
A city that can offer the retiree paradise in rambling retirement homes.
If you're seeking a city with almost everything to offer, then Richmond is it.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Worst Case: Choosing Who Survives in a Flu Epidemic

Greetings!  I'm Nico Trimoff, manager of transcription and accessibility services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have a very sobering article to share with you; one that focuses squarely on priorities when it comes to the H1N1 flu.  I'll let you be the judge for yourself.
I wish you a pleasant day.
 
 
Worst Case: Choosing Who Survives in a Flu Epidemic 

 

James Estrin
The New York Times

 

New York state health officials recently laid out this wrenching scenario
for a small group of medical professionals from New York-Presbyterian
Hospital:

 

A 32-year-old man with cystic fibrosis is rushed to the hospital with
appendicitis in the midst of a worsening pandemic caused by the H1N1 flu
virus, which has mutated into a more deadly form. The man is awaiting a lung
transplant and brought with him the mechanical ventilator that helps him
breathe. New York's governor has declared a state of emergency and hospitals
are following the state's pandemic ventilator allocation plan - actual
guidelines drafted in 2007 that are now being revisited. The plan aims to
direct ventilators to those with the best chances of survival in a severe,
1918-like flu pandemic where tens of thousands develop life-threatening
pneumonia.  Because the man's end-stage lung disease caused by his cystic
fibrosis is among a list of medical conditions associated with high
mortality,

 

the guidelines would bar the man from using a ventilator in a hospital, even
though he is, unlike many with his illness, stable, in good condition, and
not close to death. If the hospital admits him, the guidelines call for the
machine that keeps him alive to be given to someone else.  Would doctors and
nurses follow such rules? Should they?

 

In recent years, officials in a host of states and localities, as well as
the federal Veterans Health Administration, have been quietly addressing one
of medicine's most troubling questions: Who should get a chance to survive
when the number of severely ill people far exceeds the resources needed to
treat them all? The draft plans vary. In some states, patients with Do Not
Resuscitate orders, the elderly, those requiring dialysis, or those with
severe neurological impairment would be refused ventilators, or admission to
hospitals. Initially, hospitals would apply triage rules to residents of
mental institutions, nursing homes, prisons and facilities for the
handicapped." If an epidemic worsened, the rules would apply to the general
population. Federal officials say the possibility that America's already
crowded intensive care units would be overwhelmed in the coming weeks by flu
patients is small but they remain vigilant.

 

The triage plans have attracted little publicity. New York, for example,
released its in 2007, offered a 45-day comment period, and has made no
changes since. The Health Department made 90 pages of
 public this week only after receiving a request under the state's public
records laws.

 

Mary Buckley-Davis, a respiratory therapist with 30 years experience, wrote
to officials in 2007 that "there will be rioting in the streets" if
hospitals begin disconnecting ventilators. "There won't be enough public
relations spin or appropriate media coverage in the world" to calm the
family of a patient"terminally weaned" from a ventilator, she said.

 

State and federal officials defend formal rationing as the last in a series
of steps that would be taken to stretch scarce resources and provide the
best outcome for the public. They say it is better to plan for such
decisions than leave them to besieged health workers battling a crisis.

 

"You change your perspective from thinking about the individual patient to
thinking about the community of patients," said Rear Adm. Ann Knebel of the
Department of Health and Human Services.

 

But some health professionals question whether the draft guidelines are
fair, effective, ethical, and even remotely feasible.

 

Most existing triage plans were designed for handling mass casualties. They
sort injured victims into priority categories based on the urgency of their
medical needs and their potential for survival given available resources.
Much of the controversy over the state plans focuses on two additional
features.

 

These are "exclusion criteria," which bar certain categories of patients
from standard hospital treatments in a severe health disaster, and "minimum
qualifications for survival," which limit the resources used for each
patient. Once that limit is reached, patients who are not improving would be
removed from essential treatment in favor of those with better chances.

 

A version of these concepts was outlined in a post-9/11 medical journal
article that suggested ways to handle victims of a large-scale bioterrorist
event. The author, Dr. Frederick Burkle Jr., said he based his ideas in part
on his experiences as a triage officer in Vietnam and the gulf war and on a
cold war-era British plan for coping with a nuclear strike. Dr. Burkle said
that during the gulf war he once instructed surgeons to halt an operation
and work on another patient who was more likely to survive. Surgeons later
returned to the first patient.

 

Dr. Burkle's ideas were key aspects of
 after SARS to plan for avian flu and other pandemics. This approach and
were modified by groups developing similar guidelines in the United States.

 

There were important distinctions. Dr. Burkle's original paper did not
anticipate withdrawing care from patients and stressed the need to reassess
the level of supplies "sometimes on a daily or hourly basis" in a fluid
effort to provide the best possible care.

 

Some states' triage guidelines are rigid, with a single set of criteria
intended to apply throughout the severe phase of a pandemic. That disturbs
Dr. Burkle.

 

"I have said to my wife, I think I developed a monster here," he said.

 

Recent research highlights the problem of a one-size-fits-all approach to
triage. Many state pandemic plans call for hospitals to remove patients from
ventilators if they are not improving after two to five days. Studies show
that people severely ill with H1N1 flu generally need a week to two weeks on
ventilators to recover.

 

There is also controversy over what values and ethical principles should
guide triage decisions, how to engage the public, and whether withdrawing
life support in the hospital and withholding it at the hospital door are
distinct.

 

Normally, removing viable patients from life support against their or their
families will would be considered murder. The New York-Presbyterian Hospital
employees who participated in the recent exercise said they would not comply
unless given legal protection.

 

They also never figured out what to do with that hypothetical patient who
had his own ventilator, said Dr. Kenneth Prager, a pulmonologist and
ethicist.

 

"The issue of removing patients from ventilators," he said, "was so
overwhelming that it precluded discussion of further case scenarios."

 

, an M.D., is a staff reporter at ProPublica, the independent nonprofit
investigative organization.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/weekinreview/25fink.html?_r=1

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

Facebook, Twitter, and Wikis

Greetings!  I'm Mark Micheau, manager of research and translation services at www.sterlingcreations.ca. 
Today, I have a great article to share with you; one that focuses on Facebook, Twitter, and Wikis.  It's a good article for reading and I invite you now to read on.
Enjoy your day.
 
 
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
 Most Engaged Brands Reaping Financial Benefits

 

Companies have long had problems putting numbers on social media marketing results. Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group have now released a study looking at how engagement with consumers through social media correlates with financial performance. How much emphasis does your company put on social media efforts? Tell us.

 

The "ENGAGEMENTdb study" shows that companies who measured as having "the greatest breadth and depth of social media engagement" grew revenues by 18% over the last year, while the companies that were the least engaged dropped 6% on average.

 

 "This is the first study of this depth on the top global brands and we think the results provide a good guide for corporations and brand marketers in every industry," says Charlene Li, Founder, Altimeter Group. "The success stories we have uncovered provide a blueprint for companies making decisions about how to best apply their marketing and consumer relations resources."

 

Channels taken into consideration for the study were:

 

- Blogs
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Wikis
- Discussion Forums

 

 

Brands looked at were the 100 most valuable ones as identified by the 2008 BusinessWeek/Interbrand Best Global Brands ranking. In case you were wondering what the top ten brands are according to the ENGAGEMENTdb study, they are as follows:

 

1. Starbucks
2. Dell
3. eBay
4. Google
5. Microsoft
6. Thomson Reuters
7. Nike
8. Amazon
9. SAP
10. Yahoo!/Intel (Tie)

 

 

 

So what are these brands doing right?

 

According to Wetpaint and the Altimeter Group, the companies that scored well have dedicated teams (of varying sizes) who are active in the social media channels they utilize. Basically, it shows that it pays (literally) to have a team working full time on engaging with customers via social media. Even if that team consists of one person, it means they will not be distracted by other tasks and can give the social channel the attention required for it to make a significant impact.

 

As the social web continues to grow (meaning more people joining social networks, more people blogging, and more sites becoming social), there is a growing number of channels that require said attention.

 

 "The ENGAGEMENTdb study goes a long way towards validating the importance of social media for business," says Ben Elowitz, CEO of Wetpaint. "The closer any company is to its customers, the better, and it's hard to argue with the ability for social media to create such proximity. In this day and age, companies should feel much more comfortable investing in social media -- the correlation to results is so clear."

 

It is in fact that clarity that many companies have had a hard time seeing in the past. Social media is still in its early stages though really. In the grand scheme of things, it's still a relatively new concept. Keep in mind, that many businesses still do not even have websites, let alone a social media presence.

 

It is going to take studies like this and concrete data showing the financial benefits for more small businesses to truly get on board and engage. Having dedicated teams is a strategy that will likely become more commonplace as companies realize that half-assing it is just a waste of time.

 

A couple of other highlights from the study:

 

- The study found that the most successful teams evangelize social media across the entire organization to pull in a broad range of stakeholders.

 

- These companies view social media as an indispensable tool to help them achieve results, and their approach is conversational.

 

Along with the study, the ENGAGEMENTdb site was launched as a tool where companies can measure themselves against the top 100 in terms of the strength of their social media efforts. It's probably not a bad idea to take a look if you're serious about those efforts.

 

Would you focus more effort on social media if you knew it would increase your bottom line? Do you think the study holds water? Please share your thoughts.

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

Website Translation - How to Earn More Money by Localizing Your ...

Top of the day to you!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan and today I'd like to give you a bit of a head start when it comes to using translation to earn more money through your website.
 
Website Translation - How to Earn More Money by Localizing Your ...
By Donna J. Jodhan
 
Just a few suggestions for you on this topic.  Many businesses often fail to localize their translations and as a result they miss out on generating more revenue.  So many companies for example would develop websites that offer products and services to the Chinese market but where they go woefully wrong is when they use photos of Caucasians instead of photos of Chinese persons.  Most consumers are known to react more favorably when they see products being advertised by persons of their race and/or culture.
 
So, if you are advertising to the Latino market, then you need to show photos of Latinos advertising products to Latinos and ditto for the Chinese market, the Indian market, and so on; and one last thing.  Make sure to use the local language of the consumer market in question.  Example, if you are advertising to the South American market, then you need to use the Spanish that is spoken in South American and not Castilian Spanish as spoken in Spain.
 
I am going to leave you with a really great reference to check out.  One that will help you to get the picture more clearly.  Please see below.

 

Website Translation - How to Earn More Money by Localizing Your ...
By Laurianne Surchoix
Language. If you're reaching out to a Spanish demographic, it pays to localize the language of your website. Should the cost of a full-fledged translation be difficult to shoulder, you can opt to get a translation software instead. ... Instead of filling your Chinese-targeted landing page with blonde and blue-eyed models, why not look for pictures of yellow-skinned Asians instead? 3. Global English. If you're going to keep most of your copy in English, make sure to write ...
Technology Toolkit –
http://www.technology-toolkit.com/ 

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day.
Donna J. Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all)
 http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link) 
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues concerning diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)

Jobs and careers identified

Greetings everyone!  I'm Jill Christiansen, manager of writing services at www.sterlingcreations.ca. 
Today, I have important references to share with you with regard to the rapidly shifting landscape of jobs and careers for aging baby boomers and retirees.  I invite you now to read on.

 

Jobs and careers identified

 

Do you think that working past retirement may be healthier than retiring?
Not sure of what to think?
Please read on.
        Considering retirement? Working might keep you healthier
        Los Angeles Times - CA,USA
        As baby boomers reach retirement age, more are opting to continue to work, ... but only for those who kept working in their previous careers. ...
Read more at:      
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2009/10/as-boomers-reach-retirement-age-more-are-opting-to-continue-to-work-whether-for-economic-reasons-or-because-they-simply-li.html

 

Here's the flip side of the coin: 
Is it better to retire and keep on working?
Not sure?
Please read on.
        Want to Stay Healthy? Retire and Keep Working | Psych Central News
        By Rick Nauert PhD
        The authors say this may be because retirees who take jobs not related to their career field may need to adapt to a different work environment or job conditions and, therefore, become more stressed. ... help retirees transition better into full retirement and in good physical and mental health," said co-author Kenneth Shultz, PhD, adding that employers who are concerned about a labor shortage due to numerous baby boomers retiring might consider bridge employment options ...
        Psych Central News -
http://psychcentral.com/news/ 
 
Could full retirement be an unhealthy thing?
Or, is it just better to keep on working for as long as you can?
Please read on.
Study: Full Retirement May be Bad for Your Physical and Mental ...
By Sue
However, retirees who held jobs completely unrelated to their previous careers did not enjoy the same mental health benefit. Co-author Kenneth Shultz, PhD, of California State University, San Bernardino, says that the study should be considered by ... "Choosing a suitable type of bridge employment will help retirees transition better into full retirement and in good physical and mental health. Employers who are concerned about a labor shortage due to numerous baby boomers ...
ChattahBox News Blog -
http://chattahbox.com/ 

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

      

Is there an age limit?

Greetings!  I'm Christian Robicheau, assistant editor at www.sterlingcreations.ca.  Today, I am delighted to bring you the weekly editorial by our president Donna J. Jodhan.  Today, Donna discusses whether or not there is an age limit.
I wish you a great weekend.
 
 
Is there an age limit?
By Donna J. Jodhan
 
For some time now, I have wanted to write about this but for some reason I have put off doing it because I wanted to make sure that I am not the only one who thinks this way.  I have heard from many with their similar experiences so I know now that I am not the only one and for once in my life, my imagination has not gotten the better of me.  What am I focusing on today you may be asking?  Well, here is the question of the day.
 
Is there an age limit when it comes to how doctors view their patients?  I mean:  Does a doctor's attitude change towards their patients as they grow older?  I used to think not but after some time of pondering this and hearing from others, I have to say that sadly!  The answer may be a yes.  Is this a shocker or shaker?  I am not really sure but what I can tell you is that in the city of Toronto where I live, there are doctors who seem to believe that treatments for their older patients may not be needed or necessary because of their age.  I have personally heard of doctors telling some of their seniors patients things like:  "Well, you have lived a long life so now that you have been diagnosed with cancer, it's time for you to accept it.  You're going to die anyway."  Or:  "You're 80 years old and why would you want to prolong your life anymore if you are sick?"  I personally have had a doctor tell me that I should not bother trying to find a medical solution for my loss of vision because in my lifetime I will never see any type of medical break through for my problem.  The sad thing about this particular doctor is that he has served on the board of a prominent agency for the Blind. 
 
I have friends who have expressed to me that not only there seems to be an age limit on how doctors treat their patients but it also seems to extend to how they view their disabled patients.  I can speak first hand to how some doctors view their blind and visually impaired patients; many of them do not believe that it is worth their time to work towards finding ways to improve the vision of their patients.  Now, one could easily put forward the argument that here in Toronto, doctors as a whole are over worked and under paid or that the health system is just too cluttered and overloaded for doctors to be able to perform adequately.  These two arguments may be contributing factors but it still does not change my opinion that there seems to be a definite age limit when it comes to how doctors view their patients. 

 

One final question:  I wonder out loud whether or not there is an age limit for doctors when it comes to treating their own parents or other family members?  Would their attitude carry over when it comes to their attitude towards older or disabled persons?

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and rest of the week.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day and weekend.
To reach me, please send an email to info@sterlingcreations.ca and I would be delighted to send you an electronic copy of our latest newsletter.
 
Here is a complete list of where you can view Donna's blogs and editorials.
Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com 
a weekly feature on important answers to consumers concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm
Weekly blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html
A monthly editorial on issues on diversity
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca
a monthly editorial on business issues and concerns
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html 
weekly editorials on accessibility issues in Canada
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php
Editorials:  An International perspective on issues of accessibility and disability
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
A general perspective on issues of access and accessibility
http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 

Your best American cities

Hello there!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan and it's that time again to have some great fun.  Time to put on your imaginary travel suit and buckle up for a great flight.  So, let's go!
Have a great journey.
 
Week of December 05 2009:
 
Your best American cities
 
1. Pembroke Pines Florida
A city with lots of warmth and character.
A city with a magnitude of homes to offer.
From lovely vacation homes and second homes, to grand riverfront homes with sweeping views.
There is much entertainment to enjoy, fine dining, and great educational facilities.
Pembroke Pines also offers a wonderful spot for retirement as well as fine living in modern condos.
If you're seeking a city with sun, and one that offers something for everyone, then Pembroke Pines is the place for you.

 

2. Allentown Pennsylvania
Are you looking to relocate to a city that can offer you the opportunity to live within a stone's throw of the Big Apple?
Yes!  YOu read it correctly.
A city with a cost of living that is below the national average, and one where you can still enjoy all of the luxuries, attractions, and excitement of New York City?
Allentown is a mid sized city that offers you much; great employment opportunities, lovely homes, and friendly neighborhoods.
Turn of the century architecture, quaint row houses, and beautiful condos.
If you are seeking a city with very affordable living in an area that is close to everything, then why not Allentown Pennsylvania.

 

3. New York City
Well, a wonderful city to visit for the holiday season.
Filled with lots of things to do and places to relax.
Shop till you drop!  Visit the many museums and galleries, and enjoy the night life.
Experience the magnificence of the Empire State Building and the excitment and wonderment of the underground transit system.
New York is the place to be for this holiday season.
 
4. Yonkers New York
Looking for a fresh new start?
Looking to live close to where the action is?
Well, for much cheaper, and to live in a city that is much less congested, you can certainly consider the city of Yonkers; a stone's throw away from Manhattan.
This beautiful city offers much to everyone; from modern condos to historic mansions plus more.
It is home to many historic museums, a fantastic golf course, and a top class race track with a dynamic casino.
If your desire is to live in a progressive city that is close to Manhattan, then Yonkers is for you.

 

I'm Donna J. Jodhan bidding you a happy travel time.
Visit me at www.sterlingcreations.ca if you would like to learn more.
Or send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.

Fresh approaches needed to address homelessness

Greetings!  I'm Nico Trimoff, manager of transcription and accessibility services at www.sterlingcreations.ca. 
Today, my selection of articles focuses on a very chronic and concerning issue of the day; homelessness in our society and this article really brings home the message to the reader.
I invite you now to read on.
Enjoy your day.

 

Fresh approaches needed to address homelessness; Society needs to stop
stereotyping, and start taking concrete action

 

Robert Roach
Edmonton Journal , Oct. 7, 2009

 

It's at the tail end of a recession that its human impact is felt most
acutely --jobs are scarce, emergency savings and credit dry up, charities
are stretched to the limit and hardship grips many Canadians. This reminds
us that recessions are not just about GDP and stock prices -- they are about
human beings, many of whom are in dire straits.

 

The human face of economic cycles points to another social issue that is
often dehumanized: Canadians who find themselves on the street. Some are
runaways who have fled abusive homes, some are suffering from mental
illness, heartache or addiction and some are families who just couldn't make
ends meet. Every person you see Dumpster diving, asleep in a park, lining up
for food in a church basement or forced into the sex trade has a story worth
hearing.

 

Despite this, there is no more marginalized group of citizens in Canada.
They are the forgotten, the nameless and, worse, a problem to be solved. For
every smile from a passerby, every dollar given to support a shelter and
every nonprofit staffer working late to help the homeless, there are a dozen
looks of disgust, a dozen complaints about wasting tax dollars and a dozen
calls for crackdowns to "clean up" the streets.

 

As a society, we are much more concerned about how white our teeth are than
figuring out how to repair holes in the social safety net. This is not
because Canadians are heartless people, but because of two mistaken
assumptions: Everything is being taken care of by someone else, and people
in the street deserve to be there.

 

We don't want to see the holes in the safety net because this would mean
that we would have to give something up to mend them. However, social
justice is not free.

 

We don't really want to hear stories that end with people on the street
because they would melt our hearts and force us to abandon the stereotypes
that define people on the street as lazy screw-ups who don't want to work.
Put yourself in the shoes of someone on the street and you will have a very
different perspective.

 

This does not mean that everyone on the street is an angel in disguise who
just needs a chance. Such idealism does not get us far because the reality
is more complicated. You don't reverse the effects of abuse, mental illness,
addiction, low self-esteem and poverty with a sandwich, a hug or job
sweeping up out back.

 

So what can we do? As a new Canada West Foundation report shows, a lot. The
many people and organizations dedicated to serving those who find themselves
on the street have learned a great deal over the years about what works and
what doesn't.

 

In addition to dumping the two assumptions noted above, four approaches
emerge as promising practices.

 

The first is harm reduction, which tries to reduce self-harm activities
without requiring the cessation of that activity. Common examples of harm
reduction include needle-exchange programs, medical prescriptions for heroin
and methadone treatment.

 

The second is housing first, which focuses on providing stable housing as a
prerequisite to assisting individuals who live on the streets. Housing-first
programs move individuals into stable and healthy housing directly from
their situation on the streets or in shelters. The newly housed resident is
then offered a range of support services such as mental health, income
support or addictions services.

 

The third is community justice. Rather than simply sending an offender to
jail, this approach demands that both legal counsel and judges examine the
circumstances underlying a specific crime, how these underlying causes might
be addressed, how reparation can be made to the victim and community, and
how a reintegration of the offender into the community can be successfully
achieved.

 

The fourth approach is community ownership. This is more than the practice
of community consultation and including a broad range of professionals,
service providers, businesses and government representatives in planning
solutions to social challenges.

 

Rather, it reflects the fact that community participation requires a
commitment to putting clients at the centre of planning, their full
participation in decision-making and their ability to make choices regarding
their own lives.

 

These approaches are not pie-in-the-sky idealism; they are difficult to
execute and their effects are not immediate. They also require reclassifying
people on the streets as citizens, rather than continuing to see them as
problems or pretending that they don't exist at all.

 

Robert Roach is director of the
West in Canada Project at Canada West Foundation. A copy of "Community
Solutions: Promising Practices and Principles for Addressing Street Level
Social Issues" by Dr. Jackie D. Sieppert can be downloaded from the Canada
West website ( www.cwf.ca)

 

If you would like to learn more about us and the services we offer, then please visit www.sterlingcreations.ca
If you would like to keep abreast of some of the most important happenings affecting your lives today, then please visit http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm.  There you will get the latest news roundups on such topics as:
Stress, anxiety, and depression. News for retirees, seniors, and aging baby boomers.  Security tips for home computer users.  Home business opportunities, Internet business opportunities, small business opportunities, business opportunities in Asia.  You will also learn how to obtain tremendous personal and financial satisfaction by selling your knowledge and experience.

 

 

8 Reasons You Need to Stop Ignoring Twitter

Greetings!  I'm Mark Micheau, manager of research and translation services at www.sterlingcreations.ca.
Today, I have a brilliant article to share with you; why you should stop ignoring the benefits of Twitter.
I wish you a great day.
 
8  Reasons You Need to Stop Ignoring Twitter
November 7, 2009
http://www.WebProNews.com

 

Do you think Twitter is a waste of time or a valuable business resource?
Share your opinion with us in the comments

 

 

 

8 Reasons You Need to Stop Ignoring Twitter
Chris Crum | Staff Writer

 

Why Twitter is Becoming Increasingly Important to Marketers

 

There have been many articles written about why to use Twitter, and we've certainly published our fair share of them. However, the landscape is constantly changing. New trends, ideas, applications, and features come out, and they further emphasize Twitter's place in said landscape. Following are some reasons why it is becoming increasingly important to marketers.

 

»» Still not convinced Twitter is useful? Tell us why not.

 

1. Twitter Lists

 

Twitter Lists are changing the game. We recently looked at several reasons why, but also consider that with the Lists gadget, your tweets may appear all over the web if you can get onto lists. They will appear on sites and blogs, which are more than likely going to be related to the niche you are in anyway if you have the right audience on Twitter.

 

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2. The Openness of Twitter

 

The openness of Twitter, social media and the web in general, pretty much means that your messages on Twitter won't be limited to your Twitter audience. Facebook and other social networks will bring tweets in. People will share them, screenshot them, link to them on blogs, etc. Twitter is a means of getting your message out to more people, but it's not necessarily only the people on Twitter that will see those messages.

 

3. Building Valuable Relationships

 

Laura Fitton, the author of Twitter for Dummies, chalks up success on Twitter to four basic concepts: listen, learn, care, and serve. Basically, if you listen to the community, you will learn, and if you show that you care, you are more likely to get more out of your efforts. Serving means providing something of use to the community. If you what you're not doing that, you may be setting yourself up to fail, as Fitton talked about in this interview with WebProNews.

 

Watch the video interview of Laura Fitton
 4. Traffic That Cares

 

Twitter can bring you not only random traffic, but traffic from people who are actually passionate about the niche that you are a part of. Retweets are huge in this regard. Guy Kawasaki calls retweeting the sincerest form of flattery. He has a point. He notes that people are willing to risk their reputations by retweeting your content.

 

Watch the video interview of Guy Kawasaki

 

5. Staying Current

 

Being found in Twitter searches (not to mention real time search in general, which is starting to become a main area of focus for all of the big search engines, not to mention all of the standalone real-time search sites) provides a lot of opportunity for exposure. We discussed this here and gave tips for getting found in real-time searches.

 

6. Connecting with Local Customers

 

There are a variety of ways you can connect with local consumers and customers using Twitter and Twitter-related tools. There are tools like our own TwellowHood, which let you find Twitterers in your area, for example. Another thing to keep an eye on is Google's new Social Search. It's currently just a lab experiment, but could become more. It certainly has potential.
 A recent Search Engine Land article made some good points about the potential of local marketing with this tool, which delivers Google search results based on the communities you are a part of. It draws from Google profiles, which include the networks that people are connected to (based on what any person includes in that profile). If you're not familiar with this feature, watch the following clip, and you'll understand.

 

Watch the Social Search Demonstration Video

 

7. Going International and Multi-lingual

 

Twitter is expanding into more languages. If you thought Twitter was important to marketing already, consider that for most of its existence, it has only been available in a couple of languages. Now it's in Spanish, and many more languages will follow. That's not only going to be huge for international and multi-lingual marketing efforts, it's going to be huge for Twitter's growth, and the more Twitter grows, the more potential customers are out there.

 

8. It's Still Young

 

Consider that Twitter is just getting started in the grand scheme of things. It's still young. There are no doubt going to be a lot more features added in the future. And don't forget about the thousands of Twitter apps that are already out there that can make Twitter useful in different ways to different people and businesses. Take some time and explore them. Fitton's site OneForty.com, which is like Yelp for Twitter apps, is pretty good for that. It has reviews, and people tell why certain helps have helped their businesses.

 

»» Did we leave some reasons out? Please share with the rest of us.
 
 
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Why computer generated translation is not the best? | Translation ...

Top of the day to you out there!  I'm Donna J. Jodhan and today I would like to motivate some thought toward the benefits and disadvantages of computer generated translations.
 
Why computer generated translation is not the best? | Translation ...
By Donna J. Jodhan

 

There have been huge steps forward in the area of computer generated translation but there are still many pitfalls that companies need to be aware of.  For one thing, no two pieces of computer translation software would or could translate a document in the same way.  In other words, translation software A would not translate a document exactly the same as translation software b.
 
There are other considerations:  Computer generated translations may work well if the translation is from Spanish to Italian and visa versa because these two languages are very similar but in the case of translations to and from German to Chinese, then here is where the problem may occur.  In addition, there are often several variations of meanings for words and terms in several languages and often time, computer generated translation would not be always able to choose the correct meaning.  These are the reasons why in general, computer generated translations may not always be the best. 
 
I am going to leave you with a great reference to check out.  One that gives you a good picture of the pros and cons of computer generated translation.  Please see below.

 

Why computer generated translation is not the best? | Translation ...
By Ronald
However, all such software vary in terms of quality of the translation, and while translating from Spanish to Italian may be quite accurate because of the similarity in both languages, it may not be the case from German to Chinese. ... This kind of a problem occurs with other languages too, and not just English and French. For one sentence, if a person uses four different translation software or translation engines, it is most likely to happen, that he/she might get at ...
Translation Services - News - Blog –
http://blog.translationartwork.com/ 
 
 
I'm Donna J. Jodhan wishing you a terrific day.
Donna J. Jodhan is the president of Sterling Creations
Now you can view blogs and editorials written by Donna at:
http://www.donnajodhan.blogspot.com (Donna Jodhan!  Advocating accessibility for all)
 http://numpadplus.com/blog/?page_id=7 (access and accessibility)
http://www.accessibilitynews.ca/acnews/editorials/donna.php (accessibility issues in Canada)
http://www.accessibilitynewsinternational.com (under the editorials section, an international perspective)
http://www.onestopbookcafe.com (under the café talk link) 
http://www.sterlingcreations.com/businessdesk.htm (important answers to consumers concerns)
http://www.diversityintheworkplace.ca (monthly editorial on issues concerning diversity)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/magazine.html (monthly editorial)
http://www.sterlingcreations.ca/blog/blog.html (blogs for language professionals and accessibility consultants)