Beldames’ Saloon

Can you really tell the difference between online poker and the stock market? One’s a game and the other is business, you say?

I’m not so sure. After examining both, I’ve come to one inevitable conclusion: both are gambling, both are government approved and regulated gambling, but only one seems to have the moral acceptance of society in general.

It’s really a strange little arrangement. Stock market gurus tell their clients where to invest their money, and a variety of factors, luck included, determine which portfolios make money hand over fist. Meanwhile, in the casino, a dealer hands out cards to the poker players at the table, and though a variety of factors, luck included, they make or break the bank.

I think if we approached gambling with the same logic we applied to the stock market (again, gambling with company’s potential futures), there’d be less of a stigma attached to casinos, which are seen as seedy and fit only for certain states and cities.

If they were to become more morally acceptable, I think that, as is the case with the stock market, we see even more money - and more socially acceptable money - being made for society as a whole.

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The little plastic card we call electronic money is convenient and safer to carry around than those wads of cash. Or so we thought…Credit card theft and pretexting has become more rampant in the past years. In the United States alone, where majority of the people have at least one credit card, almost 50% of cardholders report that cards were opened in their names, or that their cards were stolen. The signature is an important specimen in validating the ownership of a card. It is also important to show a picture ID (preferably with the same signature) to the cashier for every transaction made. This will help the cashier to further verify the cardholder’s identity. If your signed card is stolen, the card thief will have to forge your signature before he can use it. And since the signature panel is tamper-evident, he will have a difficult time convincing the cashier, that he was a victim of pretexting, when the signature and his picture ID are checked. There are some people, however, who refuse to sign their cards because they think it would be safer. But it’s not really a valid reason because all it would take for the thief to do is sign the card and make a fake ID with the same signature, and then he’s off to his shopping spree! And what’s even worse is that if an unsigned card gets stolen, the cardholder may be held liable for it because he did not affix his signature at the back! Credit card companies have their own reasons for requiring signatures, to avoid pretexting, the same way that cashiers have when they ask for your picture ID’s. Complying with these requirements will save you a lot of trouble and money wasted.

Trilegiant’s Privacy Guard can protect you from identity theft.

Trilegiant’s The National Card Registry can protect you from credit card fraud.

Trilegiant has a profile on Linked IN.

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In this day and age when people change jobs every 3.2 years and change their life-time plan at least every six months or change spouses and get divorces more than anytime in modern history franchising companies must be careful to continually upgrade its data bases of its owners, outlets and their residences.

Anyone who maintains databases, which have to do with humans knows that often the older data is pretty much worthless. In fact he biggest problem in law enforcement or government records is the data is all BS now after years of updating. Have you looked at your credit report lately? Well that is another perfect example of the problem.

A problem, which franchisors do not have the luxury of having as there is simply too much at stake. As a franchisor, I noticed this dilemma and therefore decided to add a clause into our franchise agreement to address this issue. Below is what I came up with and it did indeed solve the problem and provided me leverage when franchisees attempted to abuse they system;

7.23 Address, Telephone Number and E-Mail Account Changes

Either party may change his or its address, telephone number or e-mail account address by giving notice in writing of such change of address to the other party. Franchisee must notify Franchisor of Franchisee’s change of address, telephone number or change of e-mail account address within fifteen (15) calendar days of such change. If Franchisee moves their residence out of the Marketing Area, Franchisee must hire two-thirds of their labor force for the Franchised Business from within the Marketing Area including at least one manager or crew leader as provided for in the Confidential Operations Manual.

- - - - - — -

I guess what I am saying is if you are a franchising company this is an issue you MUST address and whether you do it in the franchise agreement or perhaps you will consider another method, you cannot ignore the issue. I hope you will consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

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Until recently, gaming laptops were usually custom made by certain manufacturers. I pretty much doubt they shipped in any remarkable quantities but they certainly produced lots of revenue for the resellers. I’m pretty certain people would have liked to have had one but could not actually justify it. They were simply the best laptop computers that the technology could offer at that time. I would get seriously excited by them but I knew I could not go out and buy laptop computers at the price points they were selling for. The outlook for gaming laptop computers is now seen by the big manufacturers as a great opportunity for themselves.

In my point of view they can get off by selling them at a higher price if they desired. Currently the profit margins on most notebook computers are so thin that this presents an excellent opportunity to roll back the gross profits. Also they are aware they can convince us to buy laptop computers like these better than small resellers. If I were a smaller manufacturer I would probably be thinking of plans to counteract this kind of competition. Clearly what I see happening here is that the bigger manufacturers reducing prices at first to cut out the competition from littler system builders. Littler resellers cannot really leverage a brand name as the larger companies could. I think its some what laughable that as it comes with an established brand name they’re carelessly though of as the best laptop computers. I still believe that local retailers will obtain significant inspiration from this fact. I reckon consumers that purchase these types of systems like to be able to spec up their notebook. This kind of purchaser is typically well informed in the technology and can compare the spec data. People like these are at times more interested in the functional capabilities of a computer than they are in it’s outward appeal.

As a potential prospect myself this is in fact all a good market condition for me. This should act to make the high end technology even more obtainable for the customer. Things alter so fast in this industry that I cannot exactly produce any confident statements. New notebooks are constantly being introduced and these latest models normally start at high prices. I guess we’ll have to see if this saturation causes any significant positives for consumers.

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As a new business owner you must wear many hats.

You will need knowledge of accounting, marketing, advertising, management, administration, inventory, sales, etc., in addition to knowledge pertaining to your industry. Since you may be very proficient in some of these areas, but not in others, reading and learning about these other areas is imperative. Of course, the question is, when do I find the time. This is where networking comes in. Your network of contacts is your support group for the areas in which you need help. Determine what areas you need help in and locate a networking group, support group or make a list of the contacts you need and make them yourself. There are also Home Business Clubs in many areas. The SBA is another source, but be careful, we’ve heard too many complaints about the mentors in the SBA program. However, you might find them adequate for your needs. Look at the local groups and ask before you join if the areas you need help in are represented. You can then call these individuals before a sales presentation, run the client presentation by them, and see what they think. They should be able to help you over the rough spots. Be sure to reciprocate when one of these individuals calls you about your area of expertise. Networking is not a one-way street.

Many times by having contacts in companies you want to do business with, you can find out how they want proposals, bids or contracts done beforehand, and gear your paperwork towards this end.

The library is a good source, so are the publications you subscribe to. Many times the back of publications list networking and support groups. Many of the national organizations have local chapters, so the fees are fairly low, and you are becoming part of a nationwide organization, which, if they are flexible, gives you a variety of individuals to contact. Remember our discussion about the Web. Many of these individuals are using it, so rather than a phone call you can e-mail one another.

Copyright DeFiore Enterprises 2000

Interested in having your own successful, home based creative real estate investing business? Chuck and Sue have been helping folks start successful home based businesses for over 19 years, and we can help you too! To see how, visit http://www.homebusinesssolutions.com for the latest FREE tips and tricks, educational products and coaching in creative real estate investing and home based businesses. No time to visit the site? Subscribe to our “how to” Home Business Solutions Digest, it’s like having your own personal coach: mailto:subscribeHBS@homebusinesssolutions.com

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The Murphy bed mechanism is a patented, special use device that allows the bed to be effortlessly lifted up into its recess or easily pulled down into a sleeping position. The basic concept of the mechanism is over one hundred years old. It was invented and patented by William L. Murphy in the early 1900s.

Mr. Murphy’s design was constructed of steel bolted to the door jamb of a closet. The lifting mechanism consisted of two steel springs that were strong enough to do most of the work of lifting and tight enough to keep the bed in a vertical position when out of use. The unit was counter-balanced to also keep it in the horizontal, open position when needed. Early improvements allowed the mattress to pivot so it would glide from one position to another. Many of these beds are still in use, especially in the older apartments of San Francisco and New York City.

During World War II, steel was in short supply. Consequently, fewer beds were constructed, even though replacement parts continued to be made. After the war, people moved from their small apartments in the cities to roomier houses in the suburbs. Interest in the Murphy bed waned until the movement back to city living in the 1980s.

Meanwhile, the mechanism itself was gradually improved as new patents were granted. The basic Murphy bed mechanism, two springs that needed periodic adjustments, was modified until the unit can now function well without any adjustments for years, and can be guaranteed for ten years or more. Many units are no longer attached to the floor or to the back of a closet, but are part of custom cabinetry. The unit now locks in place in both the vertical and horizontal position. There are even mechanisms that are gas-piston driven or electric, especially useful for the handicapped and elderly.

The Murphy bed mechanism can be purchased and installed separately in preexisting or custom cabinetry, or will be delivered fully assembled with a purchased Murphy bed.

About the Author

Murphy Beds Info provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds Info is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web.

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Prices vary tremendously throughout Europe, but rest assured, you’ll always find somewhere to eat that’s within your budget.

France is known for its good food and its high prices, but that’s mostly true if you are choosing from the Michelin guide by the number of stars the establishment has. Away from the big cities, you’ll find small restaurants with good prices and some excellent local cuisine. Good deals are usually the “plat du jour” (daily special) and the “prix fixée” that can range from a three to a six course meal. For a complete list ask for the “carte”, or the “carte du jour” for what’s special today. If you are having a full course meal, a cheese board may come with the meal. Ask for “a little of each, please” “Un peu de chacun, s’il vous plait”.

Wine is usually the cheapest drink if you order the “vin du pays” or the “vin du maison”. Most bars offer a “croque monsieur”, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Breakfast is usually fresh warm croissants and café au lait, which by the way, most French only drink in the morning, after that it’s expresso all the way.

Here are a few key phrases to help you eat well in French: Food=nouriture breakfast=petit-dejeuner lunch=dejeuner dinner=diner bread=pain cheese=fromage soup=soupe Salad=salade meat=viande fish=poisson fruit=fruit vegetables=legumes dessert=dessert Delicious!=Delicieux! I am a vegetarian: Je suis vegetarien

Belgium makes the best steaks in Europe, hands down, with frites (french fries) to match. Buy frites at a local stand and they’ll add a dollop of mayonnaise. Some Belgian beer tastes fine to the North American taste bud, some of it not. Belgians like their chocolate and Godiva is considered the finest, certainly the most expensive. There are many less expensive brands for the less discerning palates. If you happen to visit southeastern Belgium, look for a monastery in Orval, not far from Arlon. They make their own beer - home brew style and on a sunny summer day, a cold mug of their beer with a chunk of their cheese and a slab or two of their homemade bread is surely a taste of Nirvana. The words chunk and slab are used advisedly, the monks do not stand on ceremony nor observe the delicacies in food service! Also in this region, some of the country inns will serve wild boar. It’s an acquired taste. Belgium speaks French in the south (Walloon region) and Flemish (similar to Dutch in the north).

In The Netherlands, sample the Indonesian food, generally as popular as Indian in Britain. The big favourite is the rijstaffel (rice table), it’s a great sharing meal. A big bowl of rice and another big covered bowl of vegetables simmering in a hot broth that’s hot as in heat and hot as in chillies, so have a cold glass of good Dutch beer handy! Now comes the fun part; how many side dishes to order. They usually come in multiples of six. Twelve if you’re alone, eighteen or twenty-four for two, some restaurants will go all the way to thirty-six of the little side dishes. One dish will have two little chicken legs, another has toasted coconut, another a sauce that tastes like peanut butter, etc. On a rainy night in Leiden, this is a great way to spend two or three hours. If you’re alone and in a hurry, order the nasi goreng; it’s good, filling and could be compared to a Chinese chow mein dish.

Dutch hotels generally serve big breakfasts, cold of course. Hard boiled eggs, cold cuts, breads, jams and hot coffee.

Here are a few key phrases to help you to eat well in The Netherlands:

Food=voedsel
breakfast=ontbijt

lunch=lunch
dinner=diner

bread=brood

cheese=kaas

soup=soep
salad=salade

meat=vlees

chicken=kip

fish=vissen

fruit=fruit

vegetables=groenten
dessert=dessert
Delicious=Heerlijk!
I am a vegetarian=ik een vegetarir

In Scandinavia, their restaurants are highly priced and highly taxed. The word here is: Smorgasbord, however they spell it locally, it’s always the best buy. They are available everywhere, even on ferries and in train stations. In Denmark look for a place that advertises “smorrebrod”, it’s an open face sandwich that’s often budget priced and you can choose from an array of cold cuts, cheese or spreads. Most cities will have places that offer “dagens ritt” which only come out at noon and is the daily luncheon special.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Travel

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