Monday, May 21, 2007

Woodworking works its magic over the Web

Estimates vary widely, but from 9.6 million to 17 million people across the United States do woodworking as a hobby, and many more do the occasional project or strip an old table for refinishing. While even good newsstands carry only a handful of woodworking publications, the World Wide Web has blossomed into a rich collection of how-to articles, how-not-to articles, and advertisements and commentary on all manner of tools, schools, techniques, hardware and accessories.

Woodworking has, after all, become a big business.
David Sloan, the editor and publisher of American Woodworker, a Rodale publication with a circulation of 300,000, puts the number of woodworkers at close to 17 million. Rodale estimates that these hobbyists spend about $7 billion a year on tools and supplies. Larry Clayton, the editor of Wood Magazine, the largest of the woodworking publications with a circulation of 600,000, leans toward the 9.6 million figure for the number of woodworking hobbyists in the country. But, he adds, "Interest in the hobby is increasing." A relatively small number of those millions of woodworkers are die-hard hand-tool buffs. A site called Old Tools is where these Neanderthals (a badge of honor) engage in tool drool ("rapturous description of a newly acquired tool"). They are tailless because they don't have power cords to drag around, and they are Galoots by definition because they are members of the Old Tools list. Not surprisingly, perhaps, those in the power-tool mode of Norm Abram, the star of PBS' television show, "The New Yankee Workshop," are called Normies. They have tails, often quite long ones. Now, with all these Neanderthals roaming the Net, the neophyte woodworker might be excused for thinking that the Stanley Bench Plane Dating Page was an electronic matchmaking service for those seeking romantic interludes around the shop and probably a site to be avoided. Not so. The site is a way of finding out when that old, say, Bedrock plane inherited from granddad was made. But if tracing the old plane's roots seems a waste of time, a new one modeled on older and better ones can be bought from a Maine plane maker, Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Inc., where the motto might be that they only build 'em the way they used to. While the traditionalists might spend their time at Old Tools or at The Electronic Neanderthal, an excellent staging area for links to a wide variety of other sites is through Woodworking Mega Links, run by the University of Georgia. Here are sites to see: Old Tools: www.pangea.com/%7Erock/oldtools The Electronic Neanderthal: www.cs.cmu.edu/alf/en/en.html Woodworking Mega Links: nespal.cpes.peachnet.edu/wood Fine Woodworking: www.taunton.com Wood: www.woodmagazine.com Highland Hardware: www.highland-hardware.com Woodcraft: www.woodcraft.com Lie-Nielsen Toolworks Inc.: www.lie-nielsen.com The Stanley Works: www.stanleyworks.com Good Wood Alliance: www.goodwood.org/goodwood

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4196/is_19971019/ai_n10373390

SCORE and HP Launch 2007 Business Matchmaking

Southeastern Regional Event Set For Atlanta
WASHINGTON -- SCORE-Counselors to America's Small Business and HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced scheduled regional events for the continuation of their highly successful Business Matchmaking initiative for 2007.

Business Matchmaking is a public-private partnership sponsored by SCORE and HP in cooperation with other leading corporations. It brings together buyers from all federal agencies and many Fortune 500 companies to meet with small businesses offering various products and services. Business Matchmaking has, through regional events held all across the country and in online sessions, generated more than 50,000 one-on-one appointments resulting in more than $750 million in contracting opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Four regional Business Matchmaking events are planned for 2007: Atlanta on April 17, Chicago on Aug. 28, Dallas during October, and Little Rock, Ark. on Dec. 11.
Advertisement

This past year, Business Matchmaking added an online network. This dynamic online resource offers web-based educational tools including the Virtual Business Matchmaking Workshop, monthly "webinars" featuring procurement and supplier diversity experts, access to important downloads of articles and links to helpful resources.

"Business Matchmaking has been a remarkable success and continues to help thousands of small businesses with opportunities to sell to government agencies and major corporations. We are particularly pleased at our expanding relationship with HP in serving the small business community utilizing their outstanding technology and corporate resources," said SCORE CEO Ken Yancey. "Last year, SCORE provided expert business advice to clients through face-to-face meetings throughout the country and we look forward to continuing to provide this vital service to America's entrepreneurs."

"As a one of the largest procurers of goods and services from small businesses as well as a company that develops technology with small businesses in mind, we see great value in our work with SCORE to foster the small business community," said John Dayan, vice president of marketing and business development - Americas, Personal Systems Group, HP.

Complete details on Business Matchmaking, including the 2007 schedule and the new online network, may be found at www.businessmatchmaking.com.

About HP
HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world's largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $94.1 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2007. More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" has assisted more than 7.2 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners through counseling and business workshops. More than 10,500 volunteer business counselors in 389 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small business. For more information about starting or operating a small business, call 1-800-634-0245 for the SCORE chapter nearest you. Or, visit SCORE on the Web at www.score.org.

Disclaimer: The SCORE Association is funded by the SBA (Cooperative Agreement No. SBAHQ-06-S-0001). Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested, at least two weeks in advance. Contact: information@businessmatchmaking.com. Cosponsorship Authorization Number: 06-6100-04.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_April_16/ai_n19003072

Dating - Are You Shy With Opposite Sex

Many of us are shy talking to the opposite sex. That takes us no where. We are scared of talking to any person of opposite sex. Something happens that stops us. Why do we get scared? We are not scared of talking to persons of our own sex. We are confident about ourselves. We have enough self-esteem, and we value ourselves as desirable. Then why? It is as if there is a switch in the mind that is switched off and says no when it comes to talking with persons of opposite sex.

What can be done about this? This problem has to do with our mind. Our mind tells us that we are not worthy. We may be rejected. We may be laughed at. Our mind warns us to defend ourselves from this and says no - you are not to approach anyone from the opposite sex. This is the mechanism of mind. Fight or flight. In this case, we resort to flight. But with this running away, we will never get a desirable partner. We will always remain alone and only wistfully watch other couples going around. So what should we do?

The very first step in such cases is to evaluate our self and compare ourselves with our friends. Are we as smart as they are? Are we as intelligent as they are? Are we as confident as they are? Are we as presentable as they are? Is our personality equally good? On most of these issues you may find that you are scoring more points than your friends. So one thing is established. You are a desirable person. If your friends are not shy, why are you? Gather the strength and approach persons of opposite sex with confidence. Don't worry about rejections. There can be many reasons for that. Approach smartly and you will surely get some one good to date. Good Luck.
To learn more about dating and relating to opposite sex, you can read - Dating Advice, Relationships Advice and Love Advice on http://www.yourromanceguide.com

About the Author

http://www.articletrader.com/society/dating/dating-are-you-shy-with-opposite-sex.html

Dating Online - The new way to meet people

A lot has changed since the days of matchmaking and escorted evenings out. Dating in the 21st century has taken many turns, among these the emerging popularity of meeting partners online.

Online dating has many benefits. The shy dater can open up and get to know a person without having to deal with first-date jitters that often come from fear of the unknown. By the time he or she meets the potential paramour, they have already established a comfort level that allows the date to flow much more smoothly.

At the other end of the spectrum, social butterflies love online dating because of the number of fish in the sea. With so many people to choose from, booking several dates in a short amount of time is easy. Online dating allows you to be discreet, and it also enables you to be choosy. You choose partners based on common interests gleaned from dating profiles. This is an attractive alternative to approaching a potential mate in a bar going on looks alone.

As the online dating community has grown, so too have the number of vendors willing to help you promote yourself. Professional writers and photographers offer services to assist you with your dating profile. They hawk services to help you attract more hits to your online profile, which obviously helps lead to more dating options.

Dating websites vary. Some require a fee to enjoy certain benefits, such as the ability to post a picture or short video. Other dating sites offer free private e-mail accounts and access to thousands of profiles without paying a dime. When engaging in online dating, however, it is important to exercise caution.

Remember that anyone with Internet access has access to these sites. It is virtually impossible for dating sites to weed out the bad seeds; the online dater must take care in setting up dates with strangers. When first meeting face-to-face, choose a public place. Don't divulge too much information until you have a good idea of the person's character. Be careful not to tell too much too soon. With a responsible attitude and an open mind, online dating can be fun, safe, and exciting.

About the Author

Jeff Lakie is the founder of Dating Resources a website providing information on Dating Online

JEWISH SINGLES MATCH JEWISH SINGLES THROUGH SAWYOUATSINAI'S "SUGGEST-A-MATCH"

A Jewish matchmaking revolution has just occurred – and now you can be a part of it. SawYouAtSinai.com, the largest Jewish Dating and Jewish matchmaking network in the world, has just got even bigger. Along with the Jewish Dating site’s current 300 professional Jewish matchmakers, the recent launch of Jewish Singles’ “Suggest-A-Match” means that all Jewish Singles on the site can now make matches for other Jewish Singles.

“Suggest-A-Match” is the latest SawYouAtSinai creation that is making setting up Jewish single friends simple and effective. With “Suggest-A-Match”, Jewish Singles can easily suggest matches through the system for their friends and previous match suggestions. Each match then gets reviewed by one of the SawYouAtSinai Jewish matchmakers who can then set up the match. And what’s even better, if a person is not on the site, they will be contacted about a suggestion too!

Whether members decide to do this anonymously or not, this new feature has already been satisfying Jewish singles around the world. Jeiwsh singles that get sent a match that they decided to decline, or even ended up dating, now have the option to suggest this to a friend instead. Members need not worry about getting hold of the both parties, answering questions, finding references, giving dating advice or doing follow up – once the match has been suggested, the SYAS Jewish matchmakers handle the rest.

The Jewish singles that are receiving these suggestions are now even happier - knowing that not only has the match been approved by a SYAS Jewish matchmaker, but also by a friend of theirs too! One recipient of a “Suggest-A-Match” says, “I thought it was great to receive a match from someone I previously dated through the site. It hadn’t worked out between us, but I was really flattered that he set me up with his friend. I hope to do the same for others!”

Danielle Jacobs, Director of Marketing for SYAS comments, “We are delighted by the Jewish singles’ response to this feature (and by the accuracy of the suggestions too!) It’s the perfect opportunity for people to be proactive without it consuming too much of their time. We look forward to hearing about the additional engagements that will result”

With hundreds of matches that have already been suggested, accepted and are currently dating, it seems this latest SawYouAtSinai feature is keeping everyone happy. One user of “Suggest-A-Match” responds, “It’s addictive!”

To use this new feature, singles should create a Jewish singles profile on SawYouAtSinai, go to the “Suggest-A-Match” section and suggest away! Its easy to use, and the results are changing Jewish singles’ lives. For more info, visit www.SawYouAtSinai.com

About Author

SawYouAtSinai was created in December 2003 to satisfy the need for a more private and personalized approach to online Jewish dating. This Rabbinic-endorsed site uniquely combines the power of technology, the accessibility of the internet, and the personal touch of a matchmaker to serve its 13000 members. SawYouAtSinai has over 300 experienced Jewish matchmakers from diverse backgrounds, focusing on its Jewish Singles’ various age ranges, religious levels, locations and personalities. With 190 members successfully matched, SawYouAtSinai continues to benefit Conservative, Modern Orthodox and Yeshivish/Black Hat Jewish singles from Jewish communities throughout the world.

What To Do If Your Dating Partner Becomes Cold?

Have you ever had this experience? You have dated some body few times. Both of you had great time together. You are making plans for the future. Everything seems to go smoothly. And suddenly your dating partner goes cold. The phones are not answered. The mails are not responded. No meetings are discussed, as if past never existed. Why this happened?

This happens with many of us. Out of two partners, one takes a unilateral decision to break away and does not inform the other. There may be many reasons for going cold, including finding some body else. But is it worthwhile chasing the cold date any more?
No. But most of the break away partners don’t say so clearly and the change in relationship is not spelled out. That causes problem for a certain time. This is surely unethical. One should never behave like this. But you can do nothing about it.

You have no option but to wait for some time and then ask straight question. Are we separate now? Are you no longer interested in meeting me? After getting a clear yes, begin again. Don’t ponder and worry over why the earlier person behaved so strangely. Some people are like that. Imagine, if you had got married to somebody so unethical and unreliable?

This kind of behavior certainly shocks. But there is no use. Try to recover as soon as you can. This time, be more careful selecting your new dating partner and hope for the best. Despite many failures, success always comes. That is your right. Please claim it. You can find more resources on Relationships, Break-Ups and Dating advice here.

About the Author

Writing for romantic greeting cards, screensavers and desktop wallpapers is the hobby of CD Mohatta. You can download romantic screensavers and also solve fun quizzes on love & dating.