Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Benefits of Forex Trading

The truth is that there are millions of forex traders all over the world. In fact, even your own government invests in the market through the use of government bonds, which are considered to be one of the most secured forms of securities. You may ask then, "Why are there so many who are going crazy over it?" Here are some of the best possible reasons:

1. It operates 24/7. Unlike other businesses, forex market operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during the weekends. This means that you can trade your funds as many times as you want at any given day. Moreover, since this can already be accomplished online, you can be anywhere in the world too and still reap profits out of your investments.

2. It is not equal to gambling. Here is the common misconception of forex sceptics. They would like to think that investing your money in forex is actually time-wasting because it is almost equivalent to gambling.

It is not. First, you have all the predetermined factors and analyses tools that you can use to come up with your own prediction of the future. If you know how to read trends very well, you can already determine if you are going to earn profits or lose money if you are going to trade today or in the coming days. If you lose, therefore, it is going to be your fault, not on chance.

3. It is liquid. What do we mean by liquid? It means that your money is easily converted to cash without any price discount. If you can just make your decisions properly, it is not impossible for you to obtain thousands of dollars and international currencies into your account within the day.

4. Asking for help is very easy. You do not really have to do trading on your own. It is even recommended that you work with a forex broker if you are totally new into the market. Forex brokers have intermediate to expert knowledge when it comes to currency trading. They can also represent you during the trading, just in case you are planning to do other things on the side. They can analyze reports for you and simply provide you with summaries for easy reading. Most of all, if you need suggestions or confused with what decision to make, you can always rely on their experience and expertise.

5. You can have more control over what you do with your account. Forex does not have any restriction when it comes to directional trading. This means that you can buy certain currencies if you think that they are going to increase in value later. You can also sell what you have if you believe that their exchange rate will drop anytime soon.

6. It aids in international trading. Banks and governments depend on forex trading if they wish to make investments on certain countries. It allows them to decide the best times to make an import or amass funds they need for their export.

Autotrade Forex Robots Do All the Work For You

Autotrade Forex Robots Do All the Work For You
The Forex foreign currency exchange market has changed for the better, by now implementing a system where trades are performed automatically by an autotrade forex robot.
This is good news because the market does not need to be physically watched anymore as a robot does it all.

With automatic trading, or the autotrade forex robot, a trade is done without any emotion whatsoever involved in the process. Some of these great new systems listed are, the Forex Fap turbo, which is very simple to install and comes with its own forum. Forex Megatroid has been shown to have many successful trades and is quite popular with those a little more conservative.
LMT formula doesn't trade but gives hints to the investor when a trade should occur. Forex Robot trader is another easy to install program and makes quite a few successful trades. The final three are the Forex Auto Pilot software which is an independent robot, the Pro-Signal which makes trading possible for anyone, and the Net Pix which will trade and deposit into the investors account.

Obviously there are autotrade forex robots for everyone and the choices are varied according to the needs of each investor. Trading can be risky, but with an initial investment with losses kept to a minimum, most traders can easily reap profits of four to ten percent returns monthly and more. Much more. The key is to know when to trade and when to sit it out. With a robot trading system in place, the work is already done for the investor to the highest quality standards. Auto trading opportunities abound for all investors interested in expert trading. The software is connected twenty four hours per day and another is a platform which can be logged into and kept running for twenty four hours without shutting down.

Some of the trades with autotrade forex robots are appropriately titled scalp trading, trend, and swing trading. The robot makes the decisions so the investor will not have to. This is what many investors want; Simple, automatic trades which they can have running twenty four hours a day, while at the same time devoting their attention and time to other ventures.
Also pay close attention below...

Starting off with FOREX trading can be a hassle. However, if you are looking for quick profits there are a couple of software programs that trade on autopilot for you and all you have to do is press one button and see the profits rolling in.

Forex Robots - Is it Worth the Hassle and Your Money?

Forex Robots are software used to identify and trade in profitable currency pairs. These software identify trading signals and monetary stories that impact foreign exchange trading. In Forex trading, the money of the different states is where you get a profit. It involves proper timing when to buy and when to sell your currency. The key is to buy low, meaning to purchase currencies when they are at low price and then to trade high, which is to sell your currencies when it will bring the best profit.

Many have already earned a fortune in Forex trading. Some of these people, like Albert Perrie and John Grace, the creators of the Forex Megadroid, decided to make profit out of their experience in the Forex trading market by making their own automated Forex trading software. They figured there is a huge market for people who want to try Forex trading but does not have the needed experience, resources and time and they thought of making a product that will ease the burden for newbie Forex traders.

Because of this, a new influx of Forex robots have come out on the market in recent years. The FAP Turbo, The Forex Megadroid and the IvyBot are some of the more popular Forex robots out on the market today.
Automated Forex robots offer big promises and they have their own hits and misses. Their main promise is that you do not need to know which trades to make, the robot will be the one to decide that for you. Being automated, these Forex robots also promise that it will work on its own, you just need to have the program up and running and it will keep on making trades and bring you profit even when you are sleeping. They promise that you do not need any experience trading in the Forex market, you just need to purchase their program and plug it in and leave your computer on and you will earn more money. Quite a lofty promise but some of these programs do have money-back guarantees.

If you really want to try in Forex trading but have limited experience and have some cash and patience to spare, you can try one of these Forex robot software. Read first on the reviews of each robot and find out which one fits your resources. The best advice: try the ones with money-back guarantees to be on the safe side.

Forex Trading Signal Software - How to Find the Right Ones

There is a lot of forex trading signal software on the net that traders find very helpful to their business. However, some traders lack experience and knowledge in finding the right trading signal software. There is trading signal software that is costly, very complicated to use and the quality is not that good. When purchasing a program, make sure that it does not follow the irregular substantial market swing. Consider a software that is programmed to grab gains per day one step at a time and see your earnings multiply.

Firstly, you will need to know what is forex signals. They are information that you can buy, just like forex tips. In this way, by following the right forex signals, you can go into your account and start earning.

The fact is that finding the most efficient forex software is not easy to come by, but there are available. Forex trading signal software is your weapon of massive destruction against hard work, analysis and decision for you... and you can learn a lot if you want in your home too see all the strategies and tactics going on.

This is a way to trade the market based on somebody else's trading system, many times for free. The forex software is clearly your best friend when it comes to forex trading. You do however need to look at buy and sell trades to confirm another forex trading signal software is valid. Forex signal software is being used by upwards of 30% of all traders these days.

Despite having software to do this, there are also personalized signals which more adept platform traders can get the information and do the trading by themselves.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

How To Do Good Investment Research

In a previous article we learned that fundamental and technical analyses are two types of research to do. Technical analysis is the most popular but fundamental analysis is the better kind because it looks at a variety of factors to help you make good decisions. In this article, we're going to look more closely at fundamental analysis and see what you want to look at if you want to perform good fundamental analysis.

Start at the top: Find out how the economy as a whole is doing. Is it good? Is it rough? Is the current situation going to last for a while? Don't look just at the economy of the country your target stock's company is in... don't forget to look at the countries where the company does a majority of its business. A strong economy in the US, for example, won't necessarily save a company who exports a majority of its products to Japan... if their economy tanks. Consider government decisions like fiscal and monetary policy.

* Visit www.federalreserve.gov and the sites of the individual banks to get a handle on the economy.

Drill down: Now that you've got your finger on the pulse of the economy, drill down to just the investment world, which can drive the economy. Is the Dow Jones rocky right now? Is the S&P 500 trending upwards? Is the NYSE dipping? Looking at exchanges and indexes will help you get a handle on the investment world. If you're looking at buying bonds, remember that they are influenced by interest rates.

* Visit www.standardandpoors.com and www.dowjones.com to see how the investment world is doing.

Industry analysis: Now it's time to turn your attention to the general industry in which your target stock operates. If they fabricate steel for automakers, don't just look at how other steel fabricators but also consider how automakers are doing. Consider, also, their suppliers. If you are looking to buy stock in a home building company, consider the price of lumber. Is it going up or down? If it goes up, will that put a squeeze on profits?

* Visit http://finance.yahoo.com/.

Company analysis: Next, turn your attention to the company itself. Who is the management team and what is their experience in the company and the industry? What is the financial history of the company itself? Check to see if they serve only one industry or several because the diversity of several clients among different industries will help to weather economic downturns. How is the company perceived among the buying public?

* Visit http://finance.yahoo.com/ and browse for the company and visit the company's website.

Fundamental analysis seems like a lot of work at first... and it is... but it won't always be that way. Spend a few hours getting to know the information then just a few minutes a day monitoring it.

The Truth Behind Stock Market Trading

If you happen to watch a business show or business news on TV, you'd probably hear words or phrases like "stock market," 'trading," "stocks" or "stock market trading." What are these things and what is their significance? To answer your questions, here's an overview on what stock market trading is.

Definition

In simple terms, stock market trading is the voluntary buying and selling or exchange of company stocks and their derivatives. Stocks refer to the capital raised by a corporation by means of issuing and sharing shares. These are traded in a stock market just as commodities like coffee, sugar, wheat and rice are traded in a commodity market. The physical or virtual (as trading may take place online) marketplace for trading shares on the other hand is called stock exchange.

Trading Process

Stock market trading takes place as one sells his stocks and as the other buys them. Usually buyers and sellers of stocks meet in stock exchanges and there they agree on the price of the stocks. The actual stock market trading happens on a trading floor-the one usually shown on TV when news on stock market trading are reported. Here investors raise their arms, throwing signals to each other. That auction-like picture of a stock market trading is the traditional way stocks are traded. It's called "open outcry" since the traders cry out their bids.

Key Players in Stock Market Trading

Stock market trading participants vary from persons selling small individual stock investments to institutions trading collective investments, hedge funds, pension funds, mutual funds, etc. Big investors can be banks, insurance companies and other huge companies.

Importance of Stock Market Trading

Stock market trading is required to foster economic growth. It does this by helping companies raise capital or by helping them handle their financial problems. Stock market trading helps ensure that the capital is saved and is invested in most profitable business. Moreover, stock market facilitates the transfer of payments between traders.

Online Stock Market Trading

With the emergence and popularity of the Internet, almost everything can now be done conveniently online. You can go shopping online, join conferences online, read news online and communicate with business partners wherever you are. Even stock market trading can now be done virtually and this has made entering into a business much easier for anyone interested. Aside from conducting stock market trading over the Internet, you can also conveniently check status of your investments online.

The benefits of online stock market trading are just endless. Aside from the above mentioned, choosing where to invest is also much easier online. You can find virtually all kinds of stocks over the Internet; however, it would be best to invest in stocks with moving prices to ensure profitability in the long run.

Disadvantages of Stock Market Trading

One of the greatest drawbacks of stock market trading, whether online or not, is its lower leverage compared to other forms of trading like Forex trading. Also, you cannot easily short sell stocks as it takes time for stock prices to go up. This means that increasing your profit may also take time.

6 Trading Habits To Strive For

There are many methods to build superior trading habits. Good trading habits will make trading a part of routine, rather than a task. Getting in the habit of doing everything exactly to plan will boost trading profits, marking one more step in the path to financial freedom.

1.Trading Discipline - Following your own trading plan is very important to success. When emotions are left to go as they please, it is easier to lose track of your portfolio. Proven techniques and strategies should not be edited for any reason; follow the plan and let it work for you.

2.Look at Every Time Frame - Even when trading short 5 minute ticks, it is important to evaluate all timeframes for market data. It just might happen that a 200 day moving average is acting to support your position. You’ll never know this unless you take the time to study all timeframes rather than just a few. Long term trends can and do impact short term trading positions. Day traders are more susceptible to trading in only one timeframe because of how time-sensitive their investments are. Swing traders are probably used to checking multiple timeframes for entry points.

3.Trade As Your Capital Allows - Day traders are able to access high levels of margin that can greatly exceed their trading capital. Overextension of credit is dangerous and can compound losses just as easily as gains. Momentum trading with many different entry points can end up in costly mistakes if your account becomes overextended.

4.Understanding Risk - Managing risk is the difference between gambling and investing. Profitable traders can quickly calculate how much of a drawdown they are willing to incur before cutting a position. It is important to have a plan for pruning losses and minimizing the damage of drawdown. 5.Stick to Your Niche - Niche trading or only trading in your specific area of study is the best way to stay profitable. Too often do traders get bored with inactivity, only to take positions that are out of their trading knowledge. Sticking to what you do best keeps your account from being overextended in too many positions and minimizes loss. If you are best in high volume trading, then only trade during periods of high volume. Finding your trading niche will help you to become more a more efficient trader.

6.Trading is Affected by Emotion - It can be difficult to get away from trading. Holding positions overnight can only double the amount of stress that comes with having open positions. For the day trader, try to limit your exposure to overnight markets and keep stress levels low.

Understanding Technical Analysis

Charts are important tools used in making a technical analysis of the stock market. Though the fluctuations are marked daily on the charts, for an untrained eye it could be a bit of time before it would be able to fully understand the implications of the variations in the charts from one day to another. Candlestick charts could be very confusing at the outset, mostly because the number of indicator shapes in use is about twenty in number. However, once the person is well-familiarized with the charts, he/she would be in a better position to predict the price movements precisely.

Patterns are something that a technical analyst needs to understand fully well. These go a long way in helping to predict market trends. The analyst will often encounter the Cup and Handle pattern, in which the prices would begin at a high, reach a low level and then begin to rise again, forming a pattern much like a cup. If the cup levels out for a while before rising, then that region is known as a handle on the pattern. Those investors who buy at the handle are buying at the time when the prices are predicted to break out higher. So they stand making very good profits.

One more interesting pattern is the Head and Shoulders. This pattern consists of three peaks – the first is a tiny bump-like peak, followed by a big peak and then another tiny peak. It looks like a head surrounded by two shoulders. This pattern is not a good pattern to invest in. It is indicative of a bearish pattern, which is likely to dip more after the second peak.

Apart from the patterns there are several indicators that an analyst must be aware of. The four most important kinds of indicators are the moving average indicator, relative strength index, money flow index and the Bollinger bands.

1.Moving Average Indicator – This is the most commonly used indicator which shows the average price of a stock over a period of time. It works like an average. Suppose the moving average indicator is for thirty days, then the closing prices of the thirty days must be added and then divided by thirty. Commonly used periods are twenty, thirty, fifty, hundred and two hundred days. More the number of days considered, more stable is the index. Representation of the moving average indicator is done with a line graph. When the price falls below the line, it tends to keep on falling; but if it rises above the graph, then it tends to keep on rising.

2.Relative Strength Index – This index compares the number of days the prices are up with the number of days the prices are down. The average of the number of up days is divided with the average of the number of down days. 1 is added to the number obtained, and then it is divided from 100, and then 100 is subtracted from it. The number so obtained is the relative strength index. The relative strength index is calculated from smaller time spans, such as for 9 or 15 days. Relative strength indices range from 0 to 100. If this index goes below 30, then it may be a good time to buy as the stocks could be overbought. Bullish or bearish nature of markets has a strong influence on whether this index would be of any use or not.

How to trade with Stochastics

Stochastics ( Slow and Fast) are amongst the most popular technical indicators used in Forex Trading. To use them correctly, we must understand their nature. In this article I will mainly discuss about this Stochastics and how to trade using them.

The stochastic oscillator is a momentum indicator to compare the closing price of a commodity to its price range over a given time span. The idea behind this indicator is the prices tend to close near their past highs in bull markets, and near their lows in bear markets. Transaction signals can be spotted when the stochastic oscillator crosses its moving average.

Two stochastic oscillator indicators are typically calculated to assess future variations in prices, a fast (%K) and slow (%D). Comparisons of these statistics are a good indicator of speed at which prices are changing or the Impulse of Price.

The two Stochastics lines:
%K – Is the main line and is usually displayed as a solid line

%D – Is simply a moving average of the %K and is usually displayed as a dotted line

There are two well known methods for using the %K and %D indicators to make decisions about when to buy or sell stocks. The first involves crossing of %K and %D signals, the second involves basing buy and sell decisions on the assumption that %K and %D oscillate.

In the first case, %D acts as a trigger or signal line for %K. A buy signal is given when %K crosses up through %D, or a sell signal when it crosses down through %D. Such crossovers can occur too often, and to avoid repeated whipsaws one can wait for crossovers occurring together with an overbought/oversold pullback, or only after a peak or trough in the %D line. If price volatility is high, a simple moving average of the Stoch %D indicator may be taken. This statistic smoothes out rapid fluctuations in price.

In the second case, some analysts argue that %K or %D levels above 80 and below 20 can be interpreted as overbought or oversold. It is recommended that buying and selling be timed to the return back from these thresholds. In other words, one should buy or sell after a bit of a reversal. Practically, this means that once the price exceeds one of these thresholds, the investor should wait for prices to return back through those thresholds (e.g. if the oscillator were to go above 80, the investor waits until it falls below 80 to sell). In currencies we mainly use the Stochastic Oscillator on the 15 and 60 minute charts.

Use Stochastics in Trending market
The key is when the market is trending up, we will look for oversold conditions (when the Stochastics fall below the oversold level (below 20) and rises back above the same level) to get ready to trade, and in the same way, when the market is trending down we will only look for overbought conditions (when the Stochastics rise above de overbought level (above 80) and falls back below the same level.

Use Stochastic in Trend-less market
Buy when %K falls below the oversold level (below 20) and rises back above the same level.
Sell when %K rises above de overbought level (above 80) and falls back below the same level.

Mistakes Novice Make in Forex Trading

There is one mistake made more often by novice traders than any other. If you make this mistake you will never win and never achieve currency trading success, lets take a closer look at it.

The mistake that most novice Forex traders make is:

They think that they must predict price direction in advance to make money - It’s a fatal error for the following reason:

If you predict you are hoping or guessing that the market goes your way. If you hope or guess, you are going to lose and lose quickly. You can win without predicting but let’s first look at why this mistake is made by so many fore traders.

The Myth Of Prediction

The myth of prediction is common and as vendors selling forex trading systems use it all the time - to appeal to the greed and naivety of traders and the main culprits are those that say markets move to scientific theory.

King of them is Elliot wave and Fibonacci numbers but there are many more who will tell you that you can predict market tops and bottoms with accuracy. Of course, if markets were scientific we would all know the price in advance and there would be no market. Markets move because of opinions and thats a fact and no one can predict these opinions with scientific accuracy.

If the people selling these systems had discovered how to do what they claim they wouldn’t need to bother you - they would be making to much money!

So How Do You Trade?

You don’t predict - you CONFRIM price momentum is going your way then trade. For example – You see prices moving to support, but you don’t just jump in and hope - you wait for price momentum to turn up above support and then execute your trading signal.

If you trade with price momentum on your side you are shifting the odds in your favour.

Two great indicators for doing this are the stochastic and Relative Strength Index – Look them up in our other articles if are not familiar with them. These are not only good for entering trades but also for exiting them as well and you need to use momentum indicators if you want to win at forex trading.

The biggest error a trader can make is trying to predict - always confirm and you will have the odds on your side, which will ultimately lead you to currency trading success.

What to look for in an online Forex Brokerage Firm:

1. Low Spreads
In Forex Trading the 'spread' is the difference between the buy and sell price of any given currency pair. The lower the spread saves the trader money. Most firms offer 4-5 pip spreads in the Major Currency pairs. The best firms offer clients 3-5 pips.

2. Low minimum account openings
For those that are new to trading, and for those that don't have thousands of dollars in risk capital to trade, being able to open a mini trading account with only $200 is a great feature for new traders.

3. Instant automatic execution of your orders
This is very important when choosing a Forex firm. You want instant execution of your orders and the price you see and 'click' is the price that you should get. Don't settle with a firm that re-quotes you when you click on a price or a firm that allows for price 'slippage'. This is
very important when trading for small profits.

4. Free charting and technical analysis
You need a firm that gives you access to the best charting and technical analysis available to active traders. The firm that I recommend gives clients FREE professional charting services and even allows traders totrade directly on the charts!

5. High Leverage
You want high leverage-the ability to trade a large amount with a small margin deposit. Some of the best firms offer .25% or 400:1 leverage.

6. Hedging Capability
You want the flexibility of opening positions on the same currency pair in opposite directions without them eliminating each other and without margin increase!

7. A realistic demo account trading capital balance that reflects the actual dollar amount that the trader will start live trading with. It does the demo trader no good to start out demo trading with a $50,000 account, when in real life he will only start out with $1,000. A forex brokerage needs to offer the trader a demo account starting balance other than the standard $50,000.

After alot of research and personal experience, the firm that I recommend with the above-mentioned benefits is Capital Markets Services LLC (CMS Forex LLC).

Open a free unlimited demo account and start practicing!

The goal of the Day Trade Forex System is to instruct and teach potential traders how to day trade the currency markets and what to look for in an online forex brokerage.

The objective of day trading is to trade the intra day market moves to try to gain small to medium sized profits in any given trading day. This is how this guide will help. Most readers will not have the time or resources to 'position trade' like the major institutions and banks do. They tend to look at the big picture holding onto trades for weeks or months.

The Day Trade Forex System is specifically designed for use with the 1, 5 or 10-15 minute charts, with the goal of taking 5-30 pip profits per trade - closing bad trades out using tight stops, or hedging any losing trades. The ability to trade right off the charts makes the CMS trading platform our favorite.

We feel that the CMS trading platform offers traders the most features that fit the criteria listed above.

Quoting Currency Pairs

Currencies are quoted in pairs, such as EUR/USD or USD/JPY. The first listed currency is known as the base currency, while the second is called the counter or quote currency. The base currency is the "basis" for the buy or the sell. For example, if you BUY EUR/USD you have bought Euros (simultaneously sold dollars). You would do so in expectation that the Euro will appreciate (go up) relative to the US dollar.
Currency AbbreviationsSymbol Definition Symbol Definition
EUR Euro NZD New Zealand Dollar
GBP Great British Pound AUD Australian Dollar
USD US Dollar CAD Canadian Dollar
CHF Swiss Franc JPY Japanese Yen


EUR/USD

In this example Euro is the base currency and thus the "basis" for the buy/sell. If you believe that the US economy will continue to weaken and this will hurt the US dollar, you would execute a BUY EUR/USD order. By doing so you have bought Euros in the expectation that they will appreciate versus the US dollar. If you believe that the US economy is strong and the Euro will weaken against the US dollar you would execute a SELL EUR/USD order. By doing so you have sold Euros in the expectation that they will depreciate versus the US dollar.
USD/JPY

In this example the US dollar is the base currency and thus the "basis" for the buy/sell. If you think that the Japanese government is going to weaken the yen in order to help its export industry, you would execute a BUY USD/JPY order. By doing so you have bought U.S dollars in the expectation that they will appreciate versus the Japanese yen. If you believe that Japanese investors are pulling money out of U.S. financial markets and repatriating funds back to Japan, and this will hurt the US dollar, you would execute a SELL USD/JPY order. By doing so you have sold U.S dollars in the expectation that they will depreciate against the Japanese yen.
GBP/USD

In this example the GBP is the base currency and thus the "basis" for the buy/sell. If you think the British economy will continue to be the leading economy among the G8 nations in terms of growth, thus buying the pound, you would execute a BUY GBP/USD order. By doing so you have bought pounds in the expectation that they will appreciate versus the US dollar. If you believe the British are going to adopt the Euro and this will weaken pounds as they devalue their currency in anticipation of the merge, you would execute a SELL GBP/USD order. By doing so you have sold pounds in the expectation that they will depreciate against the US dollar.
USD/CHF

In this example the USD is the base currency and thus the "basis" for the buy/sell. If you think the US dollar is undervalued, you would execute a BUY USD/CHF order. By doing so you have bought US dollars in the expectation that they will appreciate versus the Swiss Franc. If you believe that due to instability in the Middle East and in U.S. financial markets the dollar will continue to weaken, you would execute a SELL USD/CHF order. By doing so you have sold US dollars in the expectation that they will depreciate against the Swiss franc.

How an FX Trade Works

In the FX market you can buy or sell one currency for another. When you buy a currency, you are said to be "long" in that currency and when you sell a currency, you are said to be "short" in that currency. As the value of one currency rises or falls relative to another, traders decide to buy or sell currencies in order to make profits - since the objective is to earn a profit from their position. Placing a trade in the foreign exchange market is simple and the mechanics of a trade are virtually identical to those found in other markets. Because of the symmetry of currency transactions, you are always simultaneously long in one currency and short in another. An open position is one that is live and ongoing. As long as the position is open, its value will fluctuate in accordance with the exchange rate in the market. To close out your position, you conduct an equal and opposite trade in the same currency pair. For example, if you have gone long in one lot of EUR/USD you can close out that position by subsequently going short in one EUR/USD lot (at the prevailing bid price).

Find Trusted Income Potential

Click here to start trading with HY Markets

Friday, September 4, 2009

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Margin Requirements and Policies

GCI's margin requirements are the most advantageous in the industry:


ICTS Forex Account: $25 per lot on all instruments. Equivalent to approximately 0.25% margin or 400:1 leverage.

CFD/Share Account: 5% on individual shares, $25 per lot on indices and other instruments. Click here for exact
margin requirements on each product.

MetaTrader Account: $250 per lot on Forex, $25 per 0.1 lots. Equivalent to approximately 0.25% margin or 400:1 leverage. 5% on individual shares. About 1% for indices and commodities. Click here for exact margin requirements
on each product.

GCI is able to maintain these low margin requirements by enabling automatic liquidation of positions once a margin call is reached. This policy also provides for the protection of client account balances in the event of rapid price movements.

A margin call is reached if a client's account equity falls below the required margin. For example, in an ICTS Forex account, if a client has 10 lots of open positions a margin call will occur if account equity drops below $500. At this point, some or all of the client's open positions will be closed immediately at current prices.

Traders are also able to monitor both usable margin and used margin in real-time from the "Account Information" window of the online trading platform. Positions will be automatically closed once usable margin drops below zero.

Learn Forex

CFDs Explained

The "CFD", or "Contract for Difference", was developed to allow clients to receive all the benefits of owning a stock without having to physically own the stock itself. For example, instead of purchasing 1,000 shares of Microsoft from a stock broker, a client could instead buy a 10 lots of Microsoft on the GCI CFD trading platform. A $5 per share rise in the price of Microsoft would confer to the client a $5,000 profit, just as if he had purchased the actual shares that are traded on the exchange. A major difference is that there are no exchange fees and many of the inefficiencies of trading the underlying shares on the exchange are eliminated. GCI can therefore offer CFDs with zero commissions and very attractive margin requirements. CFDs have grown in popularity dramatically over the past few years, and we believe that this will increasingly be the preferred way to trade the financial markets.



The other major benefit of trading a CFD is the fact that the client can trade on margin. CFD trading means clients can trade a full portfolio of Shares, indices, or commodities without having to tie up large amounts of capital. Using the example above, a client purchasing $50,000 worth of CFD Shares will only be asked for $2,500 margin.



CFD Performance
As with Shares, CFD investors benefit from normal market movements. Clients' open positions are valued in real time, with every tick of the market. Profits or losses similarly are credited to or debited from the clients account equity in real time.



Margin

Unlike physically purchasing stocks, clients only have to deposit approximately 5% of the value of the Shares. So if you want to buy $50,000 worth of Shares, you only need to have $2,500 on deposit with GCI.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Casio Exilim EX-Z33 Digital Camera with Best Shot





Casio has announced its new entry-level digital camera to its Exilim lineup with the model Casio Exilim EX-Z33 Digital Camera.It comes with the Best Shot function that can be programmed to automatically adjust to the scene being shot.Casio Exilim EX-Z33 is a 10 Megapixel digital camera that features a 3X optical zoom lens and a 2.5-inch LCD display.Casio Exilim EX-Z33 Digital Camera is a compact stylish camera.Casio Exilim EX-Z33 Digital Camera offers face detection and Auto shutter function.It also has the YouTube capture mode that records and saves movies at the ideal settings for YouTube. Recorded video can be easily uploaded to YouTube using the special included computer software.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Most Expensive Cars In The World





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Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000




Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000. The first true American production certified super car, this cowboy is also rank 3rd for the fastest car in the world. It has a top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. If you are a true American patriot, you can be proud to show off this car.

SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400.




SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400. Don't let the price tag fool you, the 6th most expensive car is actually the fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and reaching 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. This baby cost nearly half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, yet has enough power to top the most expensive car in a speed race. It is estimated that only 25 of this exact model will ever be produced.

Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321




Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321. Produced by a small independent company in Italy, the Pagani Zonda C12 F is the 5th fastest car in the world. It promises to delivery a top speed of 215 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.

Ferrari Enzo $670,000




Ferrari Enzo $670,000. The most known supercar ever built. The Enzo has a top speed of 217 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Only 400 units were produced and it is currently being sold for over $1,000,000 at auctions.

Friday, August 28, 2009

McLaren F1 $970,000



McLaren F1 $970,000. In 1994, the McLaren F1 was the fastest and most expensive car. Even though it was built 15 years ago, it has an unbelievable top speed of 240 mph and reaching 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Even as of today, the McLaren F1 is still top on the list and it outperformed many other super cars.

Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000

Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000. The most powerful and the most expensive Lamborghini ever built is the second on the list. It takes 3.3 seconds to reach 60 mph and it has a top speed of 211 mph. Its rarity (limited to 20) and slick design are the reasons why it is so expensive and costly to own.

Most Expensive Car In The World

What is the most expensive car in the world? The 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe was sold for $8,700,000 in 1987. However, that car and many alike will not be included in this list because it is not available on the market today. It is hard to imagine someone would actually spend 8 million dollars on a car instead of using it for something more productive. However, if you have the money and the opportunity, you will definitely spend a small fraction of it to place a few of these super cars in your garage. Here is the 10 most expensive production cars on the market.

Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000. This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today. It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.6 seconds. It claims to be the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+. However, the title for the fastest car goes to the SSC Ultimate Aero which exceed 253 mph pushing this car to 2nd place for the fastest car.


Thursday, August 27, 2009

HP Wireless Comfort Stylish Mouse

HP has introduced its new wireless comfort and stylish mouse.There are three different designs are available in these mice.HP Wireless Comfort Stylish Mouse comes in whispy blue and white lines, the HP Wireless Comfort Mouse in Red gets a flowery design and the HP Wireless Comfort Mouse in Expresso features a modern black design.HP Wireless Comfort Stylish Mouse offers a sculpted fit for maximum comfort and has a 4 way tilt scroll wheel, and 2 programmable buttons.HP Wireless Comfort Stylish Mouse uses 2.4GHz RF wireless technology and comes with a USB wireless receiver.These mice are available in the range of US $14.99 to $49.99.

Nokia 5230: Colors of Communication - Touchscreen Phone

Nokia 5230 a new model in the range of Nokia's touchscreen phone is designed for all those who lead an active life and use their mobile device as the primary tool for listening to music, take photographs, shoot films and share their experiences online.


Camcorder..Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11

Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 HD Camcorder
Sanyo has launched its new 720p HD camcorder and it is an upgrade to its previous version of DMX-CG10.The new version is called Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 HD Camcorder.Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 is a compact HD camcorder that features 10 Megapixel CMOs image sensor and a 5x optical zoom lens.Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 HD Camcorder records 1280×720p HD video at 30fps/9Mbps in MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format.Other features include an ISO sensitivity up to 1600, a 3-inch LCD display and an HDMI connector.Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 HD Camcorder also supports still images as JPEG at 10 Megapixel.Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 HD Camcorder has 40MB internal memory and supports SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB and is compatible with Eye-Fi SD cards for auto video sharing.Sanyo Xacti DMX-CG11 HD Camcorder will be available in September.

Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC




Acer has launched its new All-in-One PC with the model Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC in US.Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC has a 18.5-inch widescreen LCD display.Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC comes with Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz processor, 2GB RAM and integrated GMA950 graphics.Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC has a Hard Drive capacity up to 160GB and DVD SuperMulti burner, multi-in-one card reader and five USB 2.0 ports.Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC also supports WiFi 802.11b/g.Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC has 18.5-inch display that features 1366×768 resolution, 1000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, 250cd/m2 brightness and 5ms reponse time.Acer Veriton Z280G-EA271CP All-in-One PC is available at a price of US $499.

SPECIFICATIONS
Display Features
1366 x 768 Native Resolution
16:9 Aspect Ratio
1000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
250 cd/m2 Brightness
5ms Response Time

Other Features
Intel AtomTM N270 (1.60GHz, 512KB Cache, L2, 533MHz FSB)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
2GB Memory
160GB Hard Drive
SuperMulti Drive
Five USB 2.0 Ports
Multi-in-One Card Reader
18.5-inch Widescreen LCD Display
Gigabit LAN and WiFi 802.11 b/g WLAN
One Year Limited Warranty

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Largest & Beautiful Island of World

Island of Hawai (called the Big Island or Hawaiʻi Island) is a volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean and one of the eight main islands that comprise the U.S. state of Hawaiʻi. Larger than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined, Hawaiʻi is said to have been named for Hawaiʻiloa, the legendary Polynesian navigator who first discovered it. However, other accounts attribute the name to the legendary land or realm of Hawaiki, a place from which the Polynesians originated (see also Manua), the place where they go in the afterlife, the realm of the gods.

Asthma Medication

Types of Asthma Medication
&
Ruling on taking them during the day in Ramadaan

There are many kinds of medication for asthma, some of which break the fast and some do not. The most well known of these medicines and treatments are puffers, oxygen, vaporizers and capsules.

Puffer :

The puffer uses a compressed gas that is used by the patient, which reaches the lungs via the trachea to expand the lungs. It is not food or drink or anything resembling them. The scholars of the Standing Committee have ruled that the fast is NOT broken by using this kind of medicine. This is also the ruling of Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen and most of our scholars.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said:

This puffer evaporates and does not reach the stomach, so in this case we say that there is nothing wrong with using this puffer when you are fasting, and you do not break your fast by doing that.

The scholars of the Standing Committee said:

The asthma medication that the patient uses by inhaling it reaches the lungs via the trachea and does not reach the stomach, so it is not food or drink or anything of the sort… So it seems that the fast is not broken by using this medicine.

Fataawa Islamiyyah, 1/130

Oxygen :

With regard to oxygen, it too is neither food nor drink. Based on this, it may be used when fasting with no problems.

Vaporizers :

With regard to vaporizers, these are usually devices which change the medicine – which is usually carried in a sodium base – from liquid to gas and fine particles. The medicine is placed in a small vessel and when the device is activated, air is blown at high speed which causes the medicine to turn into a gaseous form, so it can be inhaled by the patient either via a mask that is placed over the mouth, or by means of a small tube that is placed inside the mouth.
It is inevitable that some drops of water and salt will reach the stomach via this device, and the patient will not be able to avoid that. Based on this, if he uses this method, he should break his fast and he should make up that day later on.

Capsules :

Capsules contain the medicine in the form of a fine powder. These capsules are placed inside a special device which crushes the capsules in order to release the medicine, which is inhaled from the device via the mouth. Using these capsules invalidates the fast, because some of this powder mixes with the saliva and goes down into the stomach.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009







Sunday, August 16, 2009

All About Swine Flu : Symptoms, Precautions, Treatment

Although the name 'swine flu' brings up a lot of extra fear and worry, it is important to note that swine flu is just an influenza A H1N1 virus. The big difference is that the current swine influenza A (H1N1) virus has components of pig and bird influenza viruses in it, so that humans don't have any immunity to it. That is what made it more likely that it would
become a pandemic virus (have the ability to cause a global outbreak) because it could easily spread from person-to-person. The Swine flu has been compared to other similar types of influenza virus in terms of mortality: "in the US it appears that for every 1000 people who get infected, about 40 people need admission to hospital and about one person dies".

Swine Flu Symptoms -

Symptoms of swine flu infections can include:

* fever, which is usually high, but unlike seasonal flu, is sometimes absent
* cough
* runny nose or stuffy nose
* sore throat
* body aches
* headache
* chills
* fatigue or tiredness, which can be extreme
* diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes, but more commonly seen
than with seasonal flu

Signs of a more serious swine flu infection might include
pneumonia and respiratory failure.

Swine Flu High Risk Groups -

Swine flu high risk groups, people who are thought to be at risk
for serious, life-threatening infections, are a little different and can include:

* pregnant women
* people with chronic medical problems, such as chronic lung
disease, like asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and immunosuppression
* children and adults with obesity

Precautions to keep swine flu at bay -

The deadly Swine Flu has reached the Indian shores following the
global outbreak and now, claimed one life. However, Swine Flu is
certainly one of those diseased where an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure. Here are five tips for you to keep away
from the pandemic.

1. Wash your hands frequently

Use the antibacterial soaps to cleanse your hands. Wash them
often, for at least 15 seconds and rinse with running water.

2. Get enough sleep

Try to get 8 hours of good sleep every night to keep your immune
system in top flu-fighting shape.

3. Drink sufficient water

Drink 8 to10 glasses of water each day to flush toxins from your
system and maintain good moisture and mucous production in
your sinuses.

4. Boost your immune system

Keeping your body strong, nourished, and ready to fight infection
is important in flu prevention. So stick with whole grains, colorful
vegetables, and vitamin-rich fruits.

5. Keep informed

The government is taking necessary steps to prevent the pandemic
and periodically release guidelines to keep the pandemic away.
Please make sure to keep up to date on the information and act in a
calm manner.

Treatment -

If a person becomes sick with swine flu, antiviral drugs can make the
illness milder and make the patient feel better quicker. For treatment,
antiviral drugs work best if started soon after getting sick (within 2 days
of symptoms). The U.S. CDC recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir)
or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or prevention of infection
with swine influenza viruses; however, the majority of people infected
with the virus make a full recovery without requiring medical attention
or antiviral drugs.

Vaccination -

WHO does not expect the swine flu vaccine to be widely available
until the end of 2009, noting that current production "yield" was only
about half as much as expected and would cause timeline delays.
There is also concern that countries which produce vaccines, 70
percent of which are in Europe, may delay sending swine flu vaccines
to other countries as they may come under "tremendous pressure to
protect their own citizens first," note some experts.

Many countries are planning full blown large scale vaccination camps
by the end of the year.



Have A Nice Time

Friday, July 24, 2009

Teen Girls Bedroom Decorating Ideas





Modern Teen Girl Bedroom Decorating Ideas,opens up even more problems, especially if the girl in question is a teenager. If you’re the parent of a teen girl, then the first thing you should do is discuss her ideas. Although it’s your house, it is her bedroom after all, and she still needs to feel comfortable in what is essentially her haven. A teen girl’s bedroom is a very personal sanctuary where her dreams and ambitions take shape. It’s where a girl can express herself, explore her feelings, and develop her own personal style. For those of you who are looking for a teen bedroom here is an idea that is awesome for small spaces. As you can see from the pictures, with a simple gesture you can pull the bed. The movement is light and easy grasping the handle comfortable bed moves revealing corridor access. Under the bed is a small office where you can place a computer to check your favorite blogs in the morning.

Monday, July 13, 2009

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*Richest Country But No Leadership*

Think about Pakistan''''''''' If All The Oil Reservesof Saudia Arab & Iran Put Together These Are Approximately 375 Billion Barrels, But A Single Thar Coal Reserve Of Sindhis about 850 Trillion Cubic Feet, Which is More Than OilReserves Of Saudia & Iran. It Requires Just Initial 420 Billion Rupees Initial Investment, Whereas PakistanReceives annually 1220 Billion from Tax Only. Just 2% usage of Thar Coal Can Produce 20,000 Mega Watts of Electricity for next 40 Years Without any single Second of Load Shedding. Think About This, How We Can Help Our **Home Land**

Thursday, July 9, 2009

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20 Keys To A Happy Life by Aftab Ahmed

1) Compliment 3 people everyday!
2) Watch a sunrise
3) Be the first to say "hello"
4) Treat everyone as you want to be treated
5) Live beneath your means
6) Forget the Joneses
7) Never give up on anybodyย -ย miracles happen!
8) Remember someone's name
9) Be kinder than you have to be
10) Wish not for things, but for wisdom and courage
11) Be tough-minded, but tender hearted
12) Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated
13) Keep your promises
14) Leave everything better than you found it
15) Show cheerfulness even when you don't feel it
16) Remember that winners do what losers don't want to do
17) Remember that overnight success usually takes 15 years
18) When you arrive at your job in the morning, let the first thing you say brighten everyone's day
19) Don't rain on other people's parades
20) Don't waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them!

aftab.tlg@gmail.com
03009191871

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

"Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) Said this 1400 Years Ago"

Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W) Said this 1400 years ago!

Take a look.... Now this is told 1400yrs ago!!!!

* Camels will no longer be used as a means of transport;

* People will ride on saddles that aren't saddles (cars?)

* The distance on earth will become short;

* Horses will not be used in wars;

* Muslims will defeat the Byzantines which will end with the conquest of
Constantinople Istanbul);

* The Jews will gather again to live in Bilad Canaan;

* Very tall buildings will be built;

* The disappearance of knowledge and the appearance of ignorance, with
much killing;

* Adultery will become widespread, and the drinking of wine will become common;

* The number of men will decrease and the number of women will increase until there are 50 women to be looked after by one man.

* Islam will become worn out like clothes are, until no one will know what fasting, prayer, charity and rituals are;

* Allah will send a disease to fornicators that will have no cure (Aids?);

* People will begin to believe in the stars and reject AL QADAR (THE DIVINE DECREE OF DESTINY);

* Men will pass by people's graves and say: 'Would that I were in his place'; (large amount of suicidal deaths?)

* The Euphrates will uncover a mountain of gold for which people will fight over (the river of Alfurat that lies near Syria );

* Two large groups of people will fight one another, and there will be many casualties; they will both be following the same rel igion World War
II?);

* Approximately 30 DAJJALS will appear, each one claiming to be the messenger of ALLAH;

* Earthquakes will increase; * Time will pass quickly;

* Afflictions will appear;

* Killing will increase;

* Wealth will increase;

*Women will be wearing clothes but not wearing clothes.


THE PROPHET (SAW) SAID: 'IF MY UMMAH BEARS 15 TRAITS (QUALITIES), TRIBULATION WILL FOLLOW IT.' (DAY OF JUDGMENT) SOMEONE ASKED,'WHAT ARE THEY O MESSENGER OF ALLAH?' HE (SAW) SAID:

* When any gain is shared out only among the rich, with no benefit to the poor;

* When a trust becomes a means of making profit;

*When paying ZAKKAT becomes a burden;

* When voices are raised in the Mosque;

* When the leader of a people is the worst of them; when people treat a man with respect because what he may do;

* When much wine is drunk; red wind or the earth swallow them, or to be transformed into animals.'


*HAZRAT IMRAN IBN HUSSAIN SAID: 'THE PROPHET (S.A.W) SAID, 'SOME PEOPLE OF THIS UMMAH WILL BE SWALLOWED BY THE EARTH, TRANSFORMED INTO ANIMALS, AND SOME WILL BE BOMBARDED WITH STONES'. ONE OF THE MUSLIMS ASKED, WHEN WILL THAT BE O MESSENGER Of ALLAH?' HE (S.A.W) SAID, 'WHEN SINGERS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS WILL BECOME POPULAR, AND MUCH WINE IS DRUNK.''
THE GREATER SIGNS OF THE HOUR The Quran will disappear in one night, even from the people's hearts, and no Ayah will be left on earth. (Some groups of old people will be left who will say: 'We heard of fathers' saying 'LAILLAHA ILLALLAH' so we repeat it);

* The appearance of the IMAAM MAHDI;

* The appearance of the DAJJAL (Anti Christ);

* The appearance of Ya'juj an d Ma'juj (biblical Gog and Magog);

* HAZRAT ISSA (A.S) (Jesus) will come during the time of Dajjal;

* The rising of the sun from the west;

* The destruction of the KAA'BA and the recovery of its treasures;

* The smoke.

Just remember- ALLAH (S.W.T) is watching you. Prayer Wheel, Let's see the devil stop this one! Here's what the wheel is all about. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person that sent it to you.... There are no costs, but wonderful rewards.... Let's continue praying for one another.

As we look at this article we realize how true the Messenger (P.B.U.H) was these signs were prophesized 1400 years ago!!!


We have sent many Jokes and Non-sensible stuff, My sincere request is to let this mail go around the world to all Momeen and others to know more about Islam.

1- Don't let this message sit here.

2- Forward this message to all you know and by the grace of ALLAH (S.W.T) you will be blessed for each & every Dua by millions of people around the globe you forward this e-mail to.

THIS WILL BE AN ETERNAL REWARD EVEN AFTER YOU DIE THE MAIL WILL SOMEHOW BE CIRCULATED AND YOU WILL KEEP GETTING THE HASANAH FROM IT.


May ALLAH SUBHANA WATAALA Forgive For Any Mistakes In Compiling This Message (AAMEEN)

Friday, July 3, 2009

Are you tired of getting answers of typical first interview??????

Here is the solution of HR job interview.

1. Tell me about yourself?

I am down-to-earth, sweet, smart, creative, industrious, and thorough.
aftab.tlg@gmail.com

2. How has your experience prepared you for your career?

Coursework:
Aside from the discipline and engineering foundation learning that I have gained
from my courses, I think the design projects, reports, and presentations have prepared me most for my career.

Work Experience:
Through internships, I have gained self-esteem, confidence, and problem-solving
skills. I also refined my technical writing and learned to prepare professional documents for clients.

Student Organizations:
By working on multiple projects for different student organizations while keeping up my grades, I've built time management and efficiency skills. Additionally, I've developed leadership, communication, and teamwork abilities.

Life Experience:
In general, life has taught me determination and the importance of maintaining my ethical standards.

3. Describe the ideal job.
Ideally, I would like to work in a fun, warm environment with individuals working
independently towards team goals or individual goals. I am not concerned about minor elements, such as dress codes, cubicles, and the level of formality. Most important to me is an atmosphere that fosters attention to quality, honesty, and integrity.
aftab.tlg@gmail.com

4. What type of supervisor have you found to be the best?
I have been fortunate enough to work under wonderful supervisors who have provided limited supervision, while answering thoughtful questions and guiding learning. In my experience, the best supervisors give positive feedback and tactful criticism.

5. What do you plan to be doing in five years' time?
Taking the PE exam and serving in supervisory/ leadership roles both at work and in professional/ community organization( s).

6. What contributions could you make in this organization that would help you to
stand out from other applicants?
In previous internships, my industriousness and ability to teach myself have been
valuable assets to the company. My self-teaching abilities will minimize overhead costs, and my industriousness at targeting needs without prompting will set me apart from others. Additionally, one thing that has always set me apart from my scientific/engineer ing peers are my broad interests and strong writing abilities. I am not our typical "left-brained" engineer, and with my broad talents, I am likely to provide
diverse viewpoints.

7. What sort of criteria are you using to decide the organization you will work for?
Most importantly, I am looking for a company that values quality, ethics, and teamwork. I would like to work for a company that hires overachievers.

8. What made you choose your major?
My academic interests are broad, so I sought civil engineering to achieve a great balance of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, and writing.

9. Have your university and major met your expectations?
The College of Engineering at MSU has exceeded my expectations by providing group activities, career resources, individual attention, and professors with genuine interest in teaching.
My major has met my expectations by about 90%. I would have enjoyed more choices in environmental courses, and would have preferred more calculus-based learning.

10. What made you choose this college?
I chose this college for the following reasons: my budget limited me to in-state schools, I was seeking an area with dog-friendly apartments, the MSU web site
impressed me, I saw active student groups, and the people were very friendly.

11. List 2-3 of your greatest achievements since you've been in college and why? Receiving the SWE Outstanding Member Award and College of Engineering StudentS ervice Award
I got involved with student activities to overcome my debilitating shyness. Receiving these awards signified that I had accomplished a transition from dragging myself to participate to feeling energized by it. Receiving the SWE Web Site Award
Without training in web design, I competed against not only the other student sections, but professional sections around the nation. Despite competing with more
HTML-experienced people, I brought this award to my section. After getting so much from SWE, I was able to give something back. Earning the highest grade in an organic
chemistry class of ~200 peopleI worked very hard for this grade and loved the subject, so it was a great feeling to see that the hard work paid off.

12. Which subjects have you enjoyed studying the most and why?
I have enjoyed hydrology, fluids, solid & hazardous waste management, water and wastewater treatment, and oceanography because I love water and environmental topics. Calculus and linear algebra excite me because I love logic. I enjoyed the writing and analysis in economic history. Business law thrilled me because I have a strong interest in legal matters.

13. Which subjects did you dislike and why?
Introductory soil elicited little interest in me, most likely because the professor was inexperienced, the book was ineffective, and I had little spare time that emester to look into other resources.

14. Do you have plans to continue your education?
Yes, but not immediately. I plan to continue part time with either an MBA or an environmental engineering masters, depending on which will be more beneficial to my work.

15. How would a professor who knows you well describe you? One who does not know you well?
A professor who knows me well would likely describe my personal qualities: sweet, down-to-earth, smart, hard-working, and conscientious. As specific examples of those who did not know me well, my soils professor and soils teaching assistant each considered me smart and respectful, and both thought that I must have enjoyed the class a lot, due to my performance.

16. Given the chance, how would you alter your education?
Knowing now what I like the most, I would have used my electives for extra math and psychology classes, since I tend to be well-rounded enough that a variety of classes are unnecessary; my personal reading is diverse enough. I have found that mathematics and psychology are helpful to all career and life paths.

17. Which part-time job did you enjoy the most and why?
Working for PM Environmental was most enjoyable to me, since I felt like I was significantly contributing to the company, and I enjoyed learning on my own.

18. Interests:
Some of my interests include dogs, hiking, snow-shoeing, water sports, writing, reading (especially Charles Dickens' novels), skiing, drawing, crafts, and computers.

19. What are your strengths?
My strongest strength is the ability to teach myself difficult material, regardless of the subject (with the exception of theater and drawing blood from dogs, which I have no talent for). Additionally, I have always excelled verbally and look forward
to writing opportunities.

20. What are your weaknesses?
I tend to try to do too many things, leaving little time for myself. I have worked on balancing myself for the last several months. I am also working on improving my public speaking skills.

21. What sort of serious problems have you experienced, and how have you handled
them?
My apartment building burned down at the end of January during one of my semesters at MSU. Before the fire got too bad, I was able to rescue my pets and the neighbor's dog, as well as my textbooks and backpack, but I lost most of my mementos and possessions. While the firemen were preparing their hoses, I drove to school (with the animals in the car) to meet my lab partners, who were waiting for me. I explained the situation, emailed my professors, and rushed back to the apartment.
Fortunately, I had renter's insurance. I missed about a week of school to deal with the insurance matters and find a new place to live. In order to salvage my grades and sanity, I dropped a course and honored my existing student group and research commitments. Staying active socially and keeping myself well-rounded were the best healing tools for me. Within a few weeks, I was caught up and had recovered reasonably from the loss of sentimental items.

22. Do you or have you in the past experimented with illegal drugs?
No. My only addictions are caffeine and sugar.

23. Would you be willing to take a drug test?
Of course.

24. Do you drink alcohol socially?
No, but I enjoy Shirley Temples quite a bit.

25. If you had your whole life to live over, what would you do differently and why?
I was always good in math, but I wish that I would have focused on math more. I
feel that mathematics can lead one anywhere, and is the basis of most disciplines.
On a personal level, I would have ensured that, despite pre-teen angst and insecurity, I would have been nice to everyone, even on especially bad days.

26. Which is more important to you, your salary or your job?
Salary is important, but I couldn't stay with a job that brought me misery when I could support myself doing something else; hence, my job is more important.

27. What have you found to be the biggest source of motivation in your life?
Taking advantage of my strengths so that they are not wasted. Since nobody is
lucky enough to be strong in every area, I think it is important to make good use of one's strengths.

28. What sorts of things cause you stress, and how do you deal with them?
Lack of organization throws me off. To deal with this, I come up with some kind of
system to organize things, even if it is only in my head, in the case when chaos is desirable.

29. What is your definition of success?
Being a good person by improving the quality of the lives of others, whether it be through work, doing sweet things, improving the environment/ community, taking care of one's family, etc. Superficially, I tend to measure success by level of education and abilities within one's career; however, I try to remind myself of the things that are more important.

30. What qualities should a successful supervisor possess in regard to job requirements and those who report to him/her?
A successful supervisor should be able to tactfully give criticism, guide, motivate,
encourage and foster a positive work environment.

31. How would you develop team spirit among the people that you supervise?
My experience in student groups has taught me that people work best when their friends (teammates) are counting on them to do well; therefore, I believe that bonding motivates people. I would also foster team pride by promoting our team's assets.

32. Do you like to work independently or as a team?
I like to work independently towards a team goal.

33. What kind of work environment do you like the best?
I enjoy working with friendly co-workers who can share a laugh while working hard
and overachieving.

34. How would you resolve conflicts with employees, coworkers, and supervisors?
If possible, I would refresh my memory on what I've learned about conflict communication, and then I would discuss things, honestly and tactfully. I am a big fan of kind sincerity and honesty, as well as humility (when appropriate) .

35. In what ways have you learned from your mistakes?
Upon getting myself overwhelmed with involvement in too many projects, I changed my
approach. When possible, I now start with less than I can handle and add more only as time allows, and in small increments.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Benefits of walking..

Walking for fitness can help you achieve a number of important health benefits. For example, you can:
Reduce your risk of a heart attack. Walking keeps your heart healthy by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) and raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). A regular walking program also reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure, a factor that also contributes to heart disease.
Manage your blood pressure. If you already have high blood pressure, walking may reduce it.
Reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Regular exercise reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you're a woman, overweight and at a high risk of diabetes, walking can improve your body's ability to process sugar (glucose tolerance).
Manage your diabetes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, taking part in a regular walking program can improve your body's ability to process sugar, lower your blood sugar, reduce your risk of heart disease and help you live longer.
Manage your weight. Walking burns calories, which can help you manage your weight. For example, middle-aged women who walk more than 10,000 steps a day have lower levels of body fat than do women who are less active.
Manage stress and boost your spirits. Going for a brisk walk is a great way to reduce stress. Regular walking also can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
Stay strong and active. As you get older, walking for physical fitness can prevent falls, help you stay mobile and maintain your independence.
Prepare yourself before you go walking
Take time to prepare yourself to prevent injuries, such as blisters on your feet or muscle pain.
Wear walking shoes and comfortable, protective clothing
Before you set out, be sure to select comfortable footwear. Also dress in loosefitting, comfortable clothing and in layers if you need to adjust to changing temperature. If you walk outside, choose clothes appropriate for the weather. Avoid rubberized materials, as they don't allow perspiration to evaporate. Wear bright colors or reflective tape after dark so that motorists can see you.
Warm up
Spend about five minutes walking slowly to warm up your muscles. You can walk in place if you want. Increase your pace until you feel warm. Warming up your muscles reduces your risk of injury.
Stretch
After warming up, stretch your muscles for about five minutes before walking. Include the calf stretch, quadriceps stretch, hamstring stretch, lower back flexion stretch and chest stretch.
To help ensure your success: Start slow and easy
If you're a seasoned walker, keep doing what you're doing. If you've been inactive and tire easily, it's best to start slow and easy. At first, walk only as far as or as fast as you find comfortable. If you can walk for only a few minutes, let that be your starting point. For example, you might try short daily sessions of three to five minutes and slowly build up to 15 minutes twice a week. Then, over several weeks' time, you can gradually work your way up to 30 minutes of walking five days each week.
Use proper technique to avoid injury and setbacks
Walking is a great exercise because it's so simple to do. But if your posture is poor or your movements exaggerated, you increase your risk of injury.
Measure the intensity of your workout
As you walk, measure the intensity. Knowing your level allows you to increase the intensity to maximize your workout or slow down to avoid overdoing it. You have these options:
Keep track of your progress
Keeping a record of how many steps you take, the distance you walk and how long it takes can help you see where you started from and serve as a source of inspiration. Just think how good you'll feel when you see how many miles you've walked each week, month or year.
Record these numbers in a walking journal you create for yourself or log them in a spreadsheet on your computer. Another option is to use an electronic device to calculate time and distance for you. Options include:
High-tech devices. Devices that use GPS satellite technology cost more than pedometers do, but they can track the total and current distance you walk, and even calculate your speed or pace. You may have to program these devices. Some allow you to download stored data to your computer as a way of keeping track of your progress. You wear these high-tech devices on your wrist or attached to your waistband, shoe or arm.
Cool down after each walking session
To reduce stress on your heart and muscles, end each walking session by walking slowly for about five minutes. Then, repeat your stretches.
Stay motivated: Set goals, have fun and stay in the game
Starting a walking program takes initiative. Sticking with it takes commitment. But when you think of the potential health benefits, it's well worth your effort. Over time you'll likely feel more invigorated. To stay motivated: Set performance goals. People who stick with a new behavior for six months usually make it a habit.
Make it fun. If you don't like walking alone, invite your spouse, partner, friend or neighbor to join you. You might also join a health club and use a treadmill.
Vary your routine. Plan several different walking routes for variety. But if you're walking alone, be sure to tell someone which route you're taking.
Sometimes things happen to keep you from sticking to a regular walking program. Don't be too hard on yourself when this happens.
You don't have to let a few days off sabotage your plan to reach a higher level of fitness and improved health. Follow these tips to get back in the game:
Think positively. Don't let negative self-talk, such as "I'm a failure," get in the way of starting again. Shrug it off as a temporary break in your walking program.
Re-evaluate your goals. If your goal is to walk two hours a day 365 days a year, you might be setting yourself up to fail. Set realistic goals for yourself, such as 30 minutes five days a week.
Get going. Build walking into your schedule today. Just do it. Walk for 10 minutes on your lunch break.
Continually plan. If you're taking a trip or working overtime, think of strategies for incorporating short walks into your day to keep your plan on track.
Office exercise: How to burn calories while you work

Weight of person and calories burned

(one-hour duration).
160 pounds (73 kilograms) 200 pounds (91 kilograms) 240 pounds (109 kilograms)
Aerobics, high impact 511 637 763
Aerobics, low impact 365 455 545
Aerobics, water 292 364 436
Backpacking 511 637 763
Basketball game 584 728 872
Bicycling, < 10 mph, leisure 292 364 436
Bowling 219 273 327
Canoeing 256 319 382
Dancing, ballroom 219 273 327
Football, touch, flag, 584 728 872
Golfing, carrying clubs 329 410 491
Hiking 438 546 654
Ice skating 511 637 763
Jogging, 5 mph 584 728 872
Racquetball, casual, 511 637 763
Rollerblading 913 1,138 1,363
Rope jumping 730 910 1,090
Rowing, stationary 511 637 763
Running, 8 mph 986 1,229 1,472
Skiing, cross-country 511 637 763
Skiing, downhill 365 455 545
Skiing, water 438 546 654
Softball or baseball 365 455 545
Stair treadmill 657 819 981
Swimming, laps 511 637 763
Tae kwon do 730 910 1,090
Tai chi 292 364 436
Tennis, singles 584 728 872
Volleyball 292 364 436
Walking, 2 mph 183 228 273
Walking, 3.5 mph 277 346 414
Weightlifting, free weight, 219 273 327

Benefits of regular physical activity

Need motivation to exercise? Here are seven ways exercise can improve your life — starting today!
Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than old-fashioned exercise.
The merits of exercise — from preventing chronic health conditions to boosting confidence and self-esteem — are hard to ignore. And the benefits are yours for the taking, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing? Check out seven specific ways exercise can improve your life.
1. Exercise improves your mood.
Need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help you calm down.
Exercise stimulates various brain chemicals, which may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out. You'll also look better and feel better when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Exercise even reduces feelings of depression and anxiety.
2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.
Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent osteoporosis? Regular exercise might be the ticket.
Regular exercise can help you prevent — or manage — high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. Regular exercise boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol while decreasing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in your arteries.
And there's more. Regular exercise can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.
3. Exercise helps you manage your weight.
Want to drop those excess pounds? Trade some couch time for walking or other physical activities.
This one's a no-brainer. When you exercise, you burn calories. The more intensely you exercise, the more calories you burn — and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. You don't even need to set aside major chunks of time for working out. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk during your lunch break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Better yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk. Dedicated workouts are great, but activity you accumulate throughout the day helps you burn calories, too.
4. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs.
Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Don't throw in the towel. Regular exercise can leave you breathing easier.
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular exercise helps your entire cardiovascular system — the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet! When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep.
Struggling to fall asleep? Or stay asleep? It might help to boost your physical activity during the day.
A good night's sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. And, you guessed it, exercise is sometimes the key to better sleep. Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. The timing is up to you — but if you're having trouble sleeping, you might want to try late afternoon workouts. The natural dip in body temperature five to six hours after you exercise might help you fall asleep.
6. Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life.
Are you too tired to have sex? Or feeling too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Exercise to the rescue.
Regular exercise can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Exercise improves your circulation, which can lead to more satisfying sex. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise, especially as they get older.
7. Exercise can be — gasp — fun!
Wondering what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Looking for an activity that suits the entire family? Get physical!
Exercise doesn't have to be drudgery. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Push your kids on the swings or climb with them on the jungle gym. Plan a neighborhood kickball or touch football game. Find an activity you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new. If you're moving, it counts!