Archive for the ‘Fun With Children’ Category
Protecting Against Pornography In The Digital Age
It was inevitable with the birth of the Internet that pornography would wind its way into this new digital territory. With all of the value provided by online information and communication technologies, these advancements have nonetheless also become inextricably linked with developments in pornography distribution. Fortunately, new technology brings not only new outlets for pornography, but also new ways to protect against it.
There are several sources of unwanted pornography. The web is the most obvious one, but adult content also makes its way on to external drives (floppy, CD-ROM, DVD and flash), into email attachments and on to files that may be shared in a networked environment. The right software can protect you across all of these distribution avenues.
The first factor to evaluate when choosing protection software is how the software does its job. Many products designed to protect against pornography rely on databases of known pornographic web sites. Unfortunately, the speed of life on the Internet means that web sites are added and edited around the clock, and databases quickly grow outdated. The best software solutions use technology that dynamically blocks offensive images before they are displayed and viewed. This type of technology, unlike database-driven software, means that even new threats are recognized and blocked before they hit your screen.
Monitoring computer usage goes hand in hand with detecting pornography on the PC. Strong protection software uses two monitoring weapons: a visible deterrent that lets users know they are being monitored, and a reporting function that keeps detailed records of what, when and where pornography is viewed. Sometimes the visible deterrent is enough to ward of inappropriate behavior. When it’s not, automated record-keeping tracks behavior so that you can handle it at your own discretion.
Flexibility also impacts the effectiveness of a software solution, which means the software you select should be customizable. The right level of protection depends on the audience, and you need to be able to set the appropriate controls accordingly. This includes both setting sensitivity levels and defining your own known safe (white) and unsafe (black) web sites.
The last two key components in protection software are where it works and how much it costs. The where is important because, as the world moves to laptops, a server-based solution is no solution at all. Protection must extend to stand-alone PCs or mobile computers (when not connected to a network). Wherever the user goes, the software shield against pornography should follow.
Cost can be either a one-time fee or an ongoing subscription. Are you are willing to shell out dollars on a monthly or annual basis, or would you rather spend money once and avoid ongoing payments? Most filtering protection software products require ongoing payments via a monthly or annual fee, but others that are installed on home computers or business networks are obtained through a one-time license fee. If you prefer to “buy” a solution rather than “rent” it at an ongoing cost, look for one that offers that option.
There are a lot of products on the market designed to protect against pornography. Choosing the right one for your home, office or organization will make a critical difference in the quality of your digital life. Evaluate your options and select software that blocks offensive images at the point of display, includes monitoring capabilities and meets the specific needs of your environment. These key elements will steer you toward the highest quality solution for improved online security and productivity.
Nate Baslow enjoys writing about Internet security topics, and recommends Guardware products to block pornography: www.guardwareinc.com.
You Must Excel in Math
You must excel in math for many reasons. Math by its very nature is a rigorous subject which conditions the mind to work more efficiently than it otherwise would. One of the reasons I teach my short-cut arithmetic techniques is so that people who learn them can exercise their brains regularly. Indeed such exercise not only stimulates the mind, but also helps keep your brain younger and less prone to degenerative diseases and decreased cognitive functioning. And there is no better brain stimulation than that obtained while you navigate within the mathematical disciplines, trying to work and solve problems of myriad levels of difficulty.
Scientific research has shown that mental stimulation not only improves brain function but also fosters the growth of new neurons. In fact decreased mental function is not just the result of old age or disease but more likely the result of a person’s lack of mental exercise. Just as physical exercise promotes well-being for the body and mind, mental exercise has a direct impact on cognitive functioning. From a purely empirical viewpoint, this aspect is not hard to fathom: one need only consider the effect that practice has on one’s ability to play an instrument. Virtuosity comes from one’s continual plodding of the instrument in question. From continual practice, the virtuoso is pushing the brain to learn a task that was previously unattainable. Similarly, by doing purely mental calisthenics, one is in effect forcing the brain to create new neural pathways as well as alternative routes along already connected neuronal passageways.
To achieve such advantageous benefits, you need only do some mental arithmetic which requires some light mental strain. Try mastering any of my arithmetic techniques as laid out in my numerous articles or ebooks and performing these mental exercises regularly. And if you want your children to have huge advantages in life, teach these techniques to them and watch the positive benefits that resultnot only in their school work and grades but in their own self-perceptions as well. Remember, if you want to be healthy in mind and body, you must excel in math.
Joe is a prolific writer of self-help and educational material and an award-winning former teacher of both college and high school mathematics. Under the penname, JC Page, Joe authored Arithmetic Magic, the little classic on the ABC’s of arithmetic. Joe is also author of the charming self-help ebook, Making a Good Impression Every Time: The Secret to Instant Popularity; the original collection of poetry, Poems for the Mathematically Insecure, and the short but highly effective fraction troubleshooter Fractions for the Faint of Heart. The diverse genre of his writings (novel, short story, essay, script, and poetry)particularly in regard to its educational flavor continues to captivate readers and to earn him recognition.
Joe propagates his teaching philosophy through his articles and books and is dedicated to helping educate children living in impoverished countries. Toward this end, he donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every ebook. For more information go to http://www.mathbyjoe.com
Encouragement
Everyone needs encouragement. So many people in this world feel discouraged, pressed in, cornered, unworthy, unlovable, or completely
overwhelmed by the circumstances of their lives. You can make a difference in one moment if you will honestly and sincerely encourage them. Let them
know that they are capable, that they can do the task before them.
Adults, children and senior citizens all need
to be encouraged. One way to do this is to talk with them,
give them a clear picture of how you see them doing
something well. Give them your vision when they
don’t have their own. Be gentle. Encourage one
moment and empathize the next. Let them talk about
their dreams and how they used to be or in moments when
they felt strong. Sometimes it is necessary to be firm
or decisive about the positive picture that you hold of
them. Don’t waver in your thoughts, be sure that they will
be able to do what they want and do it well. Encourage them to do it one step at a time. Praise these little
accomplishments. Encourage them to something a little
more challenging. Keep recalling that vision of strength
for them. Encourage the positive in them; don’t let them
have a self-pity party.
People may not know what they want to do, and it
is not your job to tell them what they should do.
But you can encourage them towards what they like to do,
what makes them joyful, what makes them feel strong
and empowered. You can encourage them to make choices
that feel better for them.
You can encourage anyone exactly where you are.
If you are in school, or if you are working, find the positive right there. Sometimes a smile is all it takes. If
they are feeling down, a hug can do wonders to make
someone feel worthy or lovable. You can encourage with
your words and your thoughts, by listening, by being a
sounding board, by leading them with your own actions or
way of being.
When you need to be encouraged, come to me, or
go to another person who can offer encouragement
to you. Don’t go to anyone whom you know will
condemn your actions or judge you. Go to the people
with vision and strength of their own who are making
some positive impact. Every creature on this planet can be
and needs to be encouraged at one time or another.
Be that person who encourages others. Encourage with
kindness, with love, by examples, with praise, with your words.
It is as simple as saying ” You can do this.” To encourage
is one of the greatest things that you can do for someone.
This doesn’t mean that you do their work for them. For
anyone to become everything for which they are capable
they have to do it. They have the opportunity to embrace
a new choice, a new way of being, and they have to walk
through it. You can be with them every step of the way.
You can uplift and strengthen by your words of
encouragement.
Also remember to encourage yourself. “I know
you can do this.” “Come on now, you can do this.”
One step out is all it takes to transform a situation,
or yourself. Step after step consistently will bring you
into a new place. Only you or I can take that first step,
and the second and the third. Sometimes you are
the only person with words of encouragement for
someone who is doing something outstanding or great.
Great teachers or mentors need encouragement too;
they can doubt themselves sometimes. They wonder if they are
making the difference, or if they are doing enough. It’s not
easy being the odd man out or to stand up and have
convictions about something when everyone else is going
along with the crowd. If you don’t have any words to
say, a touch on the arm or shoulder, a pat on the back, a smile,
or a spontaneous gift can go a long way. Find ways to
encourage someone. Do so sincerely. Receive
encouragement yourself. Be open to moments when you
can impact someone’s life in a positive and gentle manner,
or a profound way.
I encourage you, my daughter, to embrace
your life, and reach every height that you can! YOU CAN DO IT!!
Yoga Kat–aka Katheryn Hoban is a yoga teacher with twelve years experience. She teaches children’s yoga ages 3-6, and 7-12 and Adults privately in NJ. She is the author the book DAUGHTER BELOVED which will come out next year. She has created a children’s affirmation CD (ages 3-6) and an affirmation CD for adults. Yoga Kat is available for speaking or writing and can be reached at katscoolcorner@yahoo.com or 201 970-9340