Phone cards can be used in a variety of ways. It could be used to call from a land line, mobile or payphone to any regular phone. First times should not be afraid of not being able to understand and use it. All phone cards work in a similar way and its dialing instructions are very simple. These dialing instructions can be found at the back of each prepaid phone card. The first step, usually, is entering the access number. The next is the PIN code and lastly, the number of the destination that you want to reach and access.
In order to activate prepaid phone card, you must follow the processes instructed in your e-mail account after your request has been approved. If approved, you will be receiving immediately the PIN number in your e-mail account and you can use it immediately.
It is highly recommended that you should read the instructions at the back of the prepaid phone card before purchasing it so that you will be able to decide which prepaid phone card gives the best value for you money. Remember that the beauty of using a prepaid phone card is that you are able to make calls at a cheaper rate than regular phone subscriptions. It is cheap because you are able to keep track of your calls. After each call, you will hear a recorded message informing you of how much is left in your card and how many more minutes you can still consume. This service is important as you are able to gain control of the minutes that you have used.
Prepaid phone cards have lots of other services to offer their consumers. Most cards, for example, can be used from Payphones, Mobiles, and Hotels. Others also offer PINless dialing options for some countries like the United States and Canada. This PINless dialing option gives you a more hassle free experience when making your calls. It allows you to register several numbers and these numbers can be accessed without having to go through the hassles of entering your PIN number every time. Some prepaid phone card companies offer wireless cards. These cards are not used for making international calls. These cards give their users the easy recharging of their cell phone credits. Another service that consumers can enjoy is calling from ones computer to regular phones or cellular mobile phones anywhere in the world. This service offers amazing rates for its users by using their consumers’ internet connection to establish high-quality but low call costs.
Using prepaid phone cards using your telephone landlines at home is also a service that gives you a degree of control over your future telephone bills. For instance, if a local call is made then it would be charged through your regular telephone bill. However, international calls will not be included and its cost will only be reduced from the balance of your prepaid card. This type of accesses is advantageous to users since it gives them better rates for their international calls and can still be used from any type of telephone.
There are also prepaid cards that allow toll-free accesses. With this service, you are able to perform calls from a toll-free access. The total cost of your calls will be discounted from the balance of the calling card. You would not have to fear of being charged with additional fees. This service has a nationwide coverage. However, there are some hotels and payphone that restrict the use of this particular feature.

The history of the police scanner goes clear back to the early 1930’s. The police would broadcast through a local AM radio Station. Anyone with a radio could hear the calls. A conventional radio system is basically full of frequencies. Frequencies are the channels of communication.

To hear transmissions you must program certain channels into the scanner. The first type of police scanners were crystal controlled with about four channels. To listen you would have to have a quartz-crystal tuned to that frequency and plugged into an internal slot. Each of those crystals would cost around $7.00 and eventually become very expensive to upkeep.

Then in the late 1970’s scanners that were programmable were invented. It had a keypad that you would enter frequencies with and the memory of the scanner would save all your frequencies. Then the trunked radio system came out and it allowed you to keep track of five to thirty channels or frequencies. A site controller is where users were automatically assigned frequencies. Like the emergency departments would have one frequencies or truckers would have another frequency. These types are harder to monitor because you are often switching channels even in between conversations.

Today, you have digital trunking scanners. It is a computer that encodes a voice transmission into streams of data and then the receiver will decode it so that an audible voice can be heard. They were first introduced in 2002 by Uniden and then in 2003, Radio Shack released their digital scanner. These are great to use because you can say things over the radio and it not be heard, but only by those who can decode it, which would be a few people. The only people who could decode the codes is those who are programmed for the channel.

Police scanners are nice to have because they are something different from TV and radio. You can sit in your backyard and understand why the police are going up the road and you know that it would be something to become alarmed over or something not to frit over. Police scanners are purchased because a person belongs to one of the emergency departments or just for the interest in the community.

Many times, there are announcements on a police scanner that will first be aired before any TV stations get a hold of the information. For example, you will be notified first from a police scanner about any tornados that touchdown or if the weather gets too sever before the news airs the information. This type of information is announced from the National Weather Service and is completely trust worthy. Police scanners can also be entertaining as much as informational because of all the silly things people will say over the air.

Telemarketing has changed a great deal over the past few years. With innovative technologies being released such as Spitfire predictive dialers and other call center software and products, your telemarketing team can now be more productive than ever. Computerized telemarketing tools and the recent integration between the Internet and telephone systems enable your telemarketers to spend less time dialing and more time actually giving their presentation to potential customers. Below are some unique telemarketing services and products that have revolutionized the way telemarketers conduct their businesses. Predictive Dialers A predictive dialer was developed to dial phone numbers automatically and then monitor calls and the types of answers it receives when dialing. It then connects telemarketing agents to the call once it recognizes that a real person is on the line. Predictive dialers are used in many call centers today, and have helped thousands of telemarketers maximize their efforts and waste less time dialing non-responsive numbers. How It Works With a hosted predictive dialer system, you'll only need a computer, Internet connection, and a telephone line for each telemarketing agent. With a Spitfire Predictive Dialer, for example, you'll receive outbound and inbound dialing capabilities, and can integrate the system with your T1 or analog lines without having a separate database server. Other features include query-based dialing, and time zone sensitivity. You'll also have the capability to run multiple campaigns simultaneously, alternate number dialing, and monitor and record calls. This setup is an easy-to-use system and requires minimal effort to get started. This amazing CRM (customer relationship management) software drastically reduces the number of answering machines, voice mails, busy signals and hang-ups that your telemarketers may encounter during the workday. Auto Dialers Auto dialers were available prior to predictive dialers. These can dial telephone numbers automatically for your call center agents, but do not use algorithms such as the predictive dialer to connect the agent to only successful calls. The auto dialer is a handy tool if you have a limited budget but want to automate your telemarketing efforts. Monitoring Systems A monitoring system enables you to monitor calls for testing, training, motivation and assistance. You can ensure better quality service by keeping an "ear" on your telemarketers during their training. Amplifiers Amplifiers are great for ensuring good sound quality for each telephone call. With an amplifier, you can control the volume and enable muting. With some amplifiers, you can switch from your telephone to your computer easily. Headsets With headsets, your telemarketers can have free hands to write, type or do anything else while talking with potential clients. This prevents dropping of the receiver or the need to hold the receiver in an odd position while trying to write or type the client's information. There are many types of headsets including voice tubes, in the ear, over the ear, noise canceling, wireless, and convertible. These are just a few of the basic tools every telemarketer should have to be successful. In today's ever-changing marketplace, you have to stay ahead of the game with innovative call center software and products like predictive dialers to be a success. Telemarketing is still a great way to contact potential customers once you have all the tools you need.

Have you had it? Are you tired of the same routine that is increasingly stressful and less fun? Have you talked about making a change but another month passes and nothing changed at all? Here is how you can make some big changes that will put back the time, fun and intimacy in your strained relationship. These ten tips on Change-Talk will help transform your warring partner into a willing and involved team player.
1. The I Statement. If you start out with “You” we have already lost! Say, “I want…” You must decide what is most important to you, right now. Focus on only one subject. The quickest way to become ineffective is to dilute your message. If you ask for multiple things all at once, you are definitely not going to get them, and then you start a pattern of failure. Your partner stops paying attention. Spreading your demands all over the map renders you powerless and ineffective. The important thing is that you establish a pattern of getting what you want and especially getting what you need. Say, “I want a change in the quality of our relationship.” Who can argue with that!
2. Make an Appointment.
Next, agree on a quiet time early in the day when you and your partner are able to talk uninterrupted for at least an hour. This is a time to discuss and listen, maybe with a third party, like a counselor, trusted friend or family member. The third person, acting as a mediator, can help keep it more of a discussion and less of a fight.
3. It’s Your Fault. As you each discuss the problem, somebody’s feelings may get hurt. The more frightened the dog, the more likely it will bite you, so be prepared to get nipped. Exploring the un-chartered waters of your relationship is scary and threatening. Cut your partner some slack and be compassionate, even while he or she is acting ridiculous.
4. It’s All My Fault. Avoid letting one person take on all the blame for a current situation or the discussion will mire down in self-pity and guilt-inducing wailing. If you are willing to split the blame then you can move forward and the discussion will progress.
5. Anger and Tears.
Loud “barking” may occur. As you or your partner get close to revealing dark, hidden, secret fears and insecurities, you may defensively lose your temper. This is when that third party can divert and calm things down. Fear changes to anger very quickly. Try to stay focused on talking to your frightened Beloved’s inner child and just ignore the obnoxious, angry, foot-stomping façade that is hurling accusations.
6. Stroke and be patient.
As you take turns freaking out, also take turns steadying each other. Give reassurances that you believe in them, love them, respect them and want them so that they can get control of their runaway emotions. Only then can you get back to talking about the subject that you want to discuss. This is where most couples give up and never allow their partner to work through their terrifying anxiety about making a change. Their idea of change may include a fear that the relationship might get worse, rather than better. This stubbornness may be misdirected love for you, and although annoying, is also sweet. Remember that it takes great courage to make changes in what you care about the most.
7. Let it rest. After the hour of emotional bombing of each other, reason and logic now have an opportunity to surface. Watch for that brief moment when your partner sees it from your side. When that happens, both of you take a break and let the ideas cook and rise like yeast bread. If you touch it too soon it will collapse! Agree to a second time to talk more and leave it alone, or you will have to start from scratch all over again.
8. No cheating. Couples can approach huge conflict and change by allowing Change-Talk to run its bumpy course without trying to skip or shorten the steps. Once the ideas have been fully stated, listened to, emotionally reacted to and then pondered on alone and undisturbed, a satisfying resolution is just around the bend.
9. Know your Matchline Gap. The key is to understand that you and your partner have different capacities to give and receive in the relationship called the Matchline Gap. When the Gap is large, people must work harder to keep a relationship balanced. If you are more capable in the relationship, then the responsibility for establishing and maintaining that balance is mostly up to you. Everyone deserves love and happiness.
10. List your relationships’ priorities. There are your needs and your partner’s needs. Your relationship, a third and separate entity, has needs too! Both of you must nurture your relationship. Even a great relationship will die if ignored - just like a like a lovely flower. Ask yourself if you are starving your relationship of time, energy, resources and laughter. Give your partner a chance to catch up to wherever you are with Change-Talk and then commit to goals and restructuring that will allow you, your partner and your relationship to thrive.

I start from telling you about communication. The word ‘communication’ has been derived from Latin word ‘communis’ that means ‘common’. Acc. to Wiber Schramn “When we communicate, we are trying to establish a ‘commonness’ with someone. The essence of communication is getting the receiver and the sender ‘turned’ together for a particular message. Communication takes place when one person transfers information and understanding to another person.

So, it is clear that communication involves at least two persons.

BUT, ”Does communication necessarily involves at least two persons?”

If we talk of commonly written process of communication in various books, it is summed up in following steps:

1. SENDER

2. IDEAS

3. ENCODING

4. SELECTING CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION

5. RECEIVER

6. DECODING

7. ACTION

8. FEEDBACK

This also shows that communication involves at least two persons.

BUT, “Does communication necessarily involves at least two persons?”

If someone asks from me I would reply “NO”. This can be proved very easily. To arrive at the answer “NO” you have to take an example. I request everyone reading this article to think of a morning when you are not in a hurry and you are getting ready for your office or what ever. Then to get dressed you go to the cupboard and open it and start searching for trouser with matching shirt, a suit or any similar dresses. Normally, we first two or three dresses and then decide which one to wear. And imagine you are alone.

So here lies the answer.

If we go by process of communication it is as follows: you are sender, you have a message that is “what to wear?”, you encode via uttering slowly or thinking, you choose a channel which is abstract to communicate (i.e. mind), then your inner mind is the receiver it decodes the message and at last action is taken with feed back i.e. you decide to wear a dress. So communication is complete. And it doesn’t need two persons in this process.

As humans become more technologically advanced and are able to see our environments from the outside looking in, we gather insight to our 3D space that we normally would not be able to do, these leaps in understanding which leads to increased technological advances appears to be increased due to such abilities. We have been able to increase our understanding of our total world and space through sea exploration, aircraft observation and space flight. Watching an Earth Rise from the moon would indeed be such a moment, watching it on TV or by way of video link also gives way to additional total populous insight and makes available to our culture to take another huge leap into the such understanding.

Ancient peoples who lived in the hills and mountains developed better spatial reasoning than those cultures, who dominated flat lands. Flat land civilizations often put up castles, pyramids, and temples and from the tops of these they could better see the land, study the terrain and space and better adapt to their environments. Perhaps a ruler or advisor could look out over the lands and develop plans for better use of the land, strategic defense of the area and control over the territorial innate needs of the region. Perhaps this also was the first version of today’s urban planning methodology. Such a view from above would give humans, like birds a better perspective of their environment, for a species of prey such as a bird flying over the fields in search of small rodents, humans also were able to use advantage of the mountains since they were unable to fly. I can vouch the increased ability of understanding from an aerial perspective having a father take me up in a light aircraft often when I was very young and then teaching me to fly at age nine through my teens.

Those who build scale models, especially train set ups have another advantage over others in that they begin to see the world from another perspective and this brings to mind additional thinking in how the world works and our place in it as surface dwellers limited by gravity, perhaps ideas in how best to adapt our world to serve us better. Drawings and paintings also achieve this additional cognitive ability allowing us to see from someone else’s perspective, point of view or actual place of viewing, without ever having been there or had such a thought previously. Such thought provoking images trigger our brains to a new perspective and increase cognition.

Now then what if we take the Athens 2004 Olympics Synchronized Swimming Event and then videotape it and then put it on large screen plasma TV monitors and play it outside the pool where non-stressed and happy Dolphins are and can view it, they will watch it and smile. We know cats and dogs will sit for hours beside a TV set and that some will in fact may eventually realize that if in front of a mirror that they are looking at themselves in reflection. We can have at least 15 hours of the Synchronized Swimming Olympic Event if you take into consideration all the different teams, it would be good PR for the Olympics and all those countries submitting videos. This will help increase the Dolphin Cognition and increase the Dolphin’s Visualization since they will be looking at screen in virtual reality signifying and simulating another pool of water from the outside perspective looking into their own type of world which they are familiar with. This could be considered similar to humans watching a videotape, which is taken looking out the window of an aircraft flying over their cities. We know that this does help humans understand things much better.

I believe that such vide tapes of the cities should be played in grade school for kids, to show the kids a better idea of their true environment from another perspective. This concept is similar to the idea of unlocking the prisoners in the Plato’s “Cave Allegory” and allowing them to see the larger picture. Also as the Mars Rovers send back video the video should be played on ten surround a sound screens for a virtual reality environment for kids to see, this will develop their spatial cognitive abilities so they can think and understand. If we are to move the human race to the next level and understanding of multi-dimensional space and help them grasp the current theories and reality of the future we need to insure now that their brains are adapted in such a way to think there. Imagine what this can do for early childhood cognitive development? In Mesa Union School District in Phoenix, NASA has a Space Shuttle VR Machine that the kids can use, this type of things should be available everywhere in all United States Schools, we cannot now afford to slack off, because in the future we need generations thinking here to propel our country and the future of all mankind.

Spatial reasoning, thinking, outside the box cognition will be fully necessary in the future for mankind’s next evolutionary step, we need to be ready because here we come. If we can share our environment with the Dolphins and understand the basics of how mammals learn and think we are well on our way to a world-class educational system, which crosses species and uses the whole brain. For instance taking dolphins up in a hot air balloon over their environment, letting them literally fly with the birds. We should be measuring their brains also to see what they think of all of this, through our advances in TMS and fMRI. We should indeed not limit our observational perspectives to only mammals, as it does appear that many other species of fish, reptiles, birds, marsupials also contain many similar traits with regards to genetic code and therefore perhaps insights into cognition of higher life forms. Such studies and experiments will give us the abilities needed to progress Artificial Intelligence in computing, robotics and the creation of organizational swarms and socialization which will be necessary to co-evolve amongst non-organic manmade machines.

Establishing moon bases and continued video from Space and NASA on websites, VR portable truck mounted machines traveling to our schools, Discovery Channel TV and picture books will do the same thing to awaken our current human evolutionary process as did the cultures which had the look out advantages of their own lands, as such previous civilizations did have a huge growth spurt over similar peoples in flat lands. Mapping, GPS visual handheld devices, Satellite photography, Aerial pictures should be shown in schools and today they are more available than ever, now we should up the ante and provide better visual images to our entire population to bring them to the next step. We have found life on Mars and realize that we are not alone now and will no longer be able to maintain the thought that we are so special a life form that none other exists anywhere else in the universe. Such a thought is now as silly as the notion of a flat world.

Is it possible to show pictures and videos to Dolphins of the Synchronized swimming from our perspective, then show them the perspective of the birds on their water world, then show them the perspective of the space shuttle or space station on the Earth to a point they can understand it? Surely it should be, since their brains are the same size and they are very well adapted for spatial reasoning, Dolphins can fly in their world of water in the 3D that humans cannot without artificial wings, balloons, parachutes, aircraft, etc. So in essence their evolution has an advantage over us in spatial reasoning, is this to say Dolphins are smarter or have better cognitive abilities than humans? I did not say that, but I certainly wouldn’t bet either way, in fact they are much better adapted to their environment then we appear to be in ours. What would a Dolphin think in space, floating around in near zero gravity? What would that Dolphin say when he got back to his buddies in the water? The first step of my project concept would be to entertain the Dolphins with our synchronized swimmers, much the way they might entertain us at sea world, but using 3D. We know that Dolphins like to entertain and be entertained and have showed up at huge surfing events in record numbers simply to say, “Here we are, we can do this too!” Perhaps bringing both the species together in a common cause and help each other understand one another we can learn more about ourselves and our current environment, current perspective and increase our cognitive abilities to understand what comes next.

As the human race increases their work with frequency modification, gravity waves, sound and light and discover new ways and uses for these, we may find our selves unlocking time, quantum physics and many other great discoveries which will forever change the way we perceive the world we are in. By bringing up our next generation and current generation to a higher and current level they can be ready for what comes next, without rejecting it, calling it evil or refusing to adapt to it. Taking chimpanzees into the international space station is not as silly as it seems. Teaching them to communicate with us through computers they can control with their minds is a worthy and minimal investment in the possibilities of the future. Taking them into a submarine to visit the Dolphins is a great idea. Showing them the water level and submerging below it to meet with the Dolphins and then allowing them to meet, play and attempt communication, whether assisted through Virtual Reality, computers or human go betweens is a smart thing to do. It is time we all got together and learned because it is readily apparent that millions and millions of years of evolution has created some unique and very well niche adapted species here. Our most recent technological advances of the last 200 years is shocking considering the previous 2000 and yes we are moving quite fast and almost at a break through point of the next innovations of computer-human interfaces, life extension, space exploration, time travel, gravity and weather manipulation to mention only a few; however the possibilities of the future are so intense, that we must not leave stones un-turned. There are many species on this planet with extremely high intellectual capacity and we should be thinking in terms of their perspectives, as well as our own to get to the next level of human understanding of the life experience and world’s we live in, effect and move through.

It is possible to put a device on a comet which can not only steer it to distant lands, but also use it’s tail as a communication banner. This idea is not too far fetched as scientists are figuring out ways to encode photons. Atomic Photon Cloud Communications:

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/physics-04zi.html

Right now this experiment is allowing communication between sets of atoms, which has major implications for quantum computing. Also experimenting is being done at Los Alamos National Labs with encoding light with data and so far they have been able to send data over ten miles away on a beam of light. What does all this mean? Well it means unbelievably fast computing speeds, over vast distances. Data and communication at the speed of light, is a fascinating future. As we discuss this it appears we can send data even faster than light itself:

http://kh.bu.edu/qcl/pdf/chiao__r1993751f1505.pdf

When intelligent life wants to contact us, what method might they use? Well, perhaps they have already discovered the concept of Atomic Photon manipulation and are able to communicate using that, perhaps there is data in the light itself? Is intelligent life trying to contact us using the photons sent thru light to our planet in the latest waves of energy waves? Although this sounds like science fiction, we are learning it is quite possible to do that ourselves.

The writing on the tail of a comet is interesting in that as the comet passes planets it leaves its Comet Dust for all to see. Perhaps we should collect some Comet Dust ourselves and de-code it? Aerial Advertisers have often used the heat from the combustion of the aircraft engines at to make smoke signals and clouds with writing on them. The Atom Photon Manipulation is along this line of thinking and can you imagine the amount of data you can send and receive over vast distances using such a method? Scientists have been working on this stuff for quite a while and the age of quantum communication and computing is nearly upon us. Fifty years ago it was more or less science fiction in Arthur C Clark’s books, now it is almost here. If we encode the ice crystals coming off a comet’s tail with messages we have a way to send a messenger across the galaxy.

The ice crystals tail of the comet can contain both a large-scale message and a micro message within the molecules making up the Comet Tail itself. A robotic attachment which uses some of the comet tail for fuel and propulsion will steer the comet to other solar systems and encode the ice crystals as it passed distant planets to deliver a message, a portable message greeting. It will also make ice patterns on the tail so that all who visualize this can see that this comet contains a message.

With the rapid advancement of technology, many of us feel that our right to privacy is being threatened. Unlisted phones numbers were at first introduced just for this reason, to protect our privacy. Unlisted numbers made it very hard to discover information about you without paying a lot of money for private investigation services. These days you can find directory assistance services even for phone numbers that are unlisted.

Reverse cell phone lookup has only added further discomfort to our already growing discomfort regarding our privacy. These days the only thing you have to do is to type in the number in one of many free internet reverse phone lookup services and provided that the number in question is not unlisted, you will have the persons name, address and many other personal information right before you.

So how can you protect yourself?

1. Always, always have all your phone numbers unlisted. Provide your phone number only on a need to know basis, to your family and close friends.

Even if someone wants to pay for that information, it will be very hard to obtain your personal information in this way, if your phones are unlisted.

This should be your first line of defense, and in case that your number is already listed ask your service provider to change it, and then have it unlisted.

2. Use caller ID blocking system. Most cell phone models have that function ready for use, so why not use it if you have to call someone not on your friends list.

When calling friends however it is always good to let them see who is it that is calling them. You can always dial *67 before actual phone number, that will prevent your number from showing up.

The person you are calling will see just blank space with a message unknown or private being displayed instead of your number.

3. Government laws. Government has many regulations and laws in place that protect your private information. OK, so maybe these laws are not perfect, but they do limit the amount of information that can be gathered about you without your approval. Actually in this case reverse cell phone lookup is safer then most other information gathering services. For example, information from your drivers license or social security card can be far more dangerous and easier to use if someone would want to steal your identity.

Communication is a basic tool of success in modern days. Communication means interaction between persons, or to a crowd. Interpersonal communication efficacy is considered as a skill since the bond of relationships relies on the power of it. The focus of the communication is to makes others understand about what you want to make them know. The primary need of the communication is that it must be clear and evident. The modern days are mentioned as the communication age since an evolution in the communication modes has been taking place. The developments in the communication have helped to shrink the world indeed into a global village. However, as the communication modes evolves, the necessity to streamline the communication also increases.

While streamline your communication, you must be conscious to use words, which are sufficient to convey your idea. The communication has to be molded considering various factors such as the occasion, mode of communication, and the person to whom you are communicating. Communication includes all the means of interaction such as speaking, writing, gestures, and expression. The basic protocol, which the person has to maintain in the communication, is considered as the etiquette of communication.

Streamlining of the communication has to be done according to the context of interaction. In case of business relationships, communication is extremely important. The special feature of business communication is that it must be short, and precise to the matter. In public speaking, communication has to be interesting. You have to adopt a sort of demonstration in public speaking, to make it appreciable for the whole crowd. Context relevant examples and jokes will make it really attractive. The preference in the personal communication has to fix in accordance with the other person. However, prior preparation for communication is advisable, in common to all types of communication.

The advent to new technologies has raised the necessity of streamlining the communication. From face to face interactions and mails, now, the horizon of communication has extended to telephone, fax, mobile phone and internet. The etiquette of communication has to be readjusted, with accordance with the peculiarities of the mode of communication such as for telephone speaking manners is important and for internet quick reply is the requirement. However, in streamlining, the general requirements for communication must be retained, such as it has to be interesting and pleasing. Any how, if you want the expected response, you definitely have to be an active listener too.

“I don’t know the first thing about professional design!”

You say your MBA program didn’t include training to work with creative professionals? Perhaps your degree is from the Seat-of-the-Pants School, and didn’t include experience in outsourcing creative work. Don’t know what a designer actually does? Don’t even know where to find one?

Relax. You’re not alone. Few executives are trained to make these kinds of decisions or to work effectively with creative professionals. This puts them at a distinct disadvantage when hiring creative consultants.

We’ve run into this situation with many of our clients. That’s why we’re offering this white paper to fill in this critical information gap. What you learn from this paper will give you the power to approach marketing projects with confidence. It will help you understand:

• The benefits of hiring a professional designer

• Where to look for the pro you need

• How to choose the right one for each particular project

• How to work effectively by taking a sensible approach to project management:

— Establishing clear project parameters and expectations

— Maximizing the talents of your chosen designer

— Setting an optimal amount of your own involvement in the project

— Designating appropriate liaisons to your designer and other creative talent

When do I need a designer?

Unfortunately, many business owners know little to nothing about what a designer actually does. This results in them making the mistake of not knowing when they need one. Design professionals are still sometimes referred to as “graphic designers,” based on the old definition of their duty: to attract attention to the message. However, with the advent of digital technology, they have become so much more than creators of a pretty layout.

Today’s successful graphic designers are actually information managers, using visual techniques to corral similar ideas together, then lead the reader’s eye through the material in the most efficient and effective way. After all, they not only need to make sometimes dry information interesting enough to read, but also fight the time deficit that every busy, modern person deals with. If your designer doesn’t know how to hold the interest of the reader and move the eye along at a reasonable pace, the reader may just give up and your entire investment becomes just another expense…and a wasted one, at that.

Those professionals able to not just attract a reader’s eye, but also to hold it until the end of the message, are true communications designers. Their skills make sure the communication — that elusive connection between words and visuals and the reader’s mind — actually happens.

So, the answer is: You need to hire a professional communications designer when you want to produce some kind of material, whether traditional print or new media, that must communicate to today’s preoccupied, harried audiences.

What should I look for?

Communications designers bring all the talents, knowledge and understanding of the graphic designer to the table:

• effective information layout

• readability through sound typography

• color theory and psychology

• effective use of illustration and photography

But then they add the expertise of someone who understands the purpose, potential and the limitations of digital media:

• the Internet, intranets and extranets

• email

• CD-ROMs & DVDs

• Touchscreen technology & kiosk displays

Communications designers are familiar with the many different programming languages and “applets” that allow such media to work. You may be familiar with some of their names:

• Java

• CGI/Perl

• Shockwave

• Flash

• Cold Fusion

This knowledge doesn’t necessarily equate to the ability to perform such coding themselves, but some really advanced communications designers are also proficient programmers in these languages. When you hire these well-rounded individuals, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

But do I really NEED to hire a professional?

Some business owners and managers, even when they need top-flight communications materials, opt not to hire a professional designer. They mistakenly believe they are “saving money” by using a staffer who may have some creative ability, or by trying to do the work themselves. Usually, the results make them regret such a decision.

The fact is, really good communications design is an alchemy of art, science, training, experience and creativity. Simply having access to the tools of the designer’s trade—a computer and some page layout software—doesn’t make someone a designer, any more than owning a toolbox makes one a mechanic, or having a piano makes one the next Beethoven. We’ve all seen the sorry results of “garage design,” and the proliferation of low-end desktop publishing software has only exacerbated the problem.

The argument that professionals cost too much money is one that doesn’t hold much water. The fact is, you get what you pay for. So if you’re tempted to go “on the cheap,” ask yourself if it’s worth saving a few bucks to negate the impact of the rest of the budget. Remember: No matter how much time, effort and money is spent crafting the message, if no one reads it everything is wasted.

When a real designer is brought in at this point, much time has frequently been lost, tempers are frayed, and everyone is beginning to feel under the gun. Now-looming deadlines frequently require lots of budget-busting overtime on everyone’s part. The designer must be brought up to speed, and then come up with the creative concepts that should have happened at the beginning. And face it: no one produces their best work under unrealistic pressure.

Okay, we want a pro. But how do we find one?

There are many places you could start your search. There are trade associations whose members include professional designers, and membership in such organizations usually signals a certain seriousness about the members’ careers. Many of these associations have websites, several of which even feature search criteria for member specializations.

One such organization is the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). You’ll find an interesting treatise on information design, and other useful topics on their Clients page at http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm?alias=clientsview.

Other organizations that will help you locate professional designers include:

• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) at www.iabc.com

• Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) at www.gag.org

• Creative Business at www.creativebusiness.com.

There are many websites that help you locate freelance designers that allow you to key in your project specifications and let the designers contact you. Two of the most reputable of these are

• VendorSeek at www.vendorseek.com

• Elance at www.elance.com

The very best way to find professional design talent, however, is the same way you find other critical service providers: leverage your professional network. In other words, ask your colleagues whom they recommend.

But you mentioned all the different things designers might know. How do we find the RIGHT one for our project?

Hiring the designer that fits any given project is equally as important as making sure the candidates are professionals. Just as there are different kinds of designers for certain kinds of clothing (fashion designers), automobiles and other products (industrial designers), and buildings (architects), there are different types of designers for certain kinds of communications materials.

Step #1: Project Parameters

Project Planning & Management Structure

The first step in hiring the right designer is to determine your project’s parameters. Once you decide on the end result you want, it’s fairly easy to use logical processes of elimination to decide who is most likely to help you reach it. The most logical way to establish parameters is by using the “five W’s” system: Who, What, Why, Where, When (and How).

Who

• Ask who comprises your target audience. Establish a primary and secondary focus; all other audiences are extraneous to this project. The rule for your most effective piece is “one piece, one audience,” whether you’re talking about a brochure, an ad, or a website.

• Ask who in your organization will be responsible for gathering all the data, information and images that will be used in the piece. This is your content point person, and is critical to getting things moving.

• Determine who in your organization will be responsible for final approval of the piece. Try to assign this responsibility to no more than three people: “Design by committee” is the kiss of death to fresh, creative ideas.

• Who in your organization will be responsible for acting as liaison between the person providing data, the designer, and the approval panel? This project manager or coordinator should be highly organized, a good listener, personable, and capable of impartiality.

What

• Decide what is the most important overall message your piece must communicate. All other messages should be subordinate to this message, and should be few, if any.

• What is the end result you hope to achieve with the production and distribution of this piece? State your goal in a measurable way, so you’ll be clear about whether or not the piece was successful.

• What is your budget and timeline for producing the piece? Include everything from preparatory staff meetings through delivery of the finished piece to the end user.

• What is the critical buying path (CBP) of your primary target audience? Knowing where to find your targets when they are in an information-gathering (shopping) or decision-making (buying) frame of mind, and intercepting them with your piece at those points, will give your campaign a much greater chance of success.

• What is the format for this piece? Print advertising, direct mail, brochure, catalog, website, opt-in email blast, CD-ROM, stationary on-site kiosk? This determines much of the form the content will take.

Why

• Why have you chosen the proposed format for the piece? Does it really make sense, or would it perhaps be more effective in another form? Weigh all characteristics against the result you are trying to achieve.

• Ask yourself why you have chosen the people designated for the approval board and liaison positions. Make sure it’s because their skill sets and availability match the needs of the project, and not just because someone’s ego needs servicing.

Where

• Where will the different facets of the project’s development take place? Consider where you’ll hold meetings for in-house project prep, designer interviews, concept brainstorming, incremental project review, and final approvals. Logistics are important to efficient administration of a project, especially one that may run over an extended period of time.

• Where will you want the actual creative work to take place? If you feel you need a great deal of control and so require on-site work, be aware that you are setting up a work-for-hire situation according to federal government definitions. This will likely limit the range of professionals who will be willing to work with you.

• Where will your piece be distributed? This, along with target audience and format, determines much of the form the content will take. For instance, catalogs that mail to a list of upscale office buyers will be designed very differently than those mailed to a list of hair salon managers.

When

• Determine when your project will need to start and end. Establishing and adhering to a schedule will make everyone’s job easier along the way, by establishing measurable production performance expectations.

• When will you need to meet with the designer to interview and issue a work order, then for status reviews as the project progresses? Use common sense to establish these benchmarks: Make initial meetings coincide with in-house prep meetings, and progressives coincide with such things as receiving final copy from your copywriter; delivery of first, second and possibly third-round proofs; and perhaps a press check, if your designer is to be involved in that phase.

• When will the finished product be needed at its final destination? This date will most likely act as the control for the final project schedule, as you back all other activities off from it.

How

• How will your project team, including your designer and any other creative professionals you hire, work together? Avoid having meetings be the only time your project team communicates. Such a scenario will rapidly deteriorate into one of missed deadlines and finger-pointing. Keep the lines of communication open and active by encouraging regular updates via phone, fax or email.

• How will you decide whether unscheduled extra meetings are necessary in the process? Most obviously, the liaison or project manager should be empowered to make this call, but you may find that other project team members also need this ability.

Fax machines are one of the most reliable tools in sending documents through the use of telephone lines. These are faster than regular mail and more affordable than overnight mail delivery. Although email has begun to supplant the fax machines in many businesses, there are still many types of fax machines that are widely used nowadays which very much include the laser fax machines.
Pros and Cons of Laser Fax Machines
Laser fax machines are heavy-duty machines that make use of the laser or what is known in technical circles as the light emitting diode printing engine, which is used in laser printers. One main advantage of laser fax machines over the older models is that such equipment no longer rely on thermal paper. They can quickly produce premium quality images with toner on plain paper and are quite reliable because they only need few services aside from toner and paper.
However, the major disadvantage of laser fax machines is their price. Laser fax machines usually cost several times the amount of thermal or inkjet fax machines. But in spite of this, many businesses still rely on laser fax machines because of their higher sending speeds. Such speeds help save a great deal later on in terms of reduced phone charges, since these costs come with the territory with regard to sending faxes.
These are the advantages and disadvantages of laser fax machines. If you are looking to purchase one, you must carefully consider these pros and cons in order to arrive at the best buying decision. Aside from these, you should also check on the other features such as memory, color, broadcast, and paper sizes. With all these in mind, you can be confident that you will get the quality laser fax machine that will suit your requirements.

Toll Free Numbers are clearly established in the business world and have in the past few years with lower cost found their way into the home. US based toll free numbers are widely known and used. In fact they became so popular in the 1990s that new 888, 877, and 866 needed to be added.
But did you know that US numbers can be made to "ring" overseas? Or did you know that a company or individual can get a toll free number in Non-US countries?
Most people do not, but many are learning fast the benefits of global toll free services.
People on the move like toll free numbers. You can send the incoming calls to a home, office, or even cell phone as needed. Many providers allow you to easily change online the number to which your toll free number rings.
NEW USES:
Now expatriates living far from family and friends get USA toll free numbers that forward incoming calls to their homes and cell phones overseas.
These include the military, Peace Corp and related volunteers, missionaries, and of course business people relocated for extended periods.
Using a toll free number makes it easy for people to reach them. They also know that people who hesitate to dial international numbers are more willing to call a toll free number.
And, of course, many companies in the world would like to have US and Canadian customers.
For example: A fishery in Costa Rica wants to easily reach the vast US market. They subscribe for a US toll free number and have it ring to their main office in San Jose, Costa Rica. And they can allow Canadian callers to reach them just as easily for just a few cents more.
Or a software designer in China would like customers in the US to feel it is easy for them to converse with the designers as needed. They would likewise get a US toll free number that rings directly to their design studio in Shanghai.
But these are still uses for US numbers that ring overseas.
There is also a burgeoning market for international business owners that want toll free numbers in other countries to communicate with their customers and clients AND establish a professional presence in globally.
When I say international toll free number now, I’m talking about a number you dial from another country (not the USA). An international toll free number can also be directed to any phone or cell phone number worldwide. International toll free numbers are NOT so cheap, so they are mainly used for business. For example, Globaltollfree.us can provide you with a toll free number in Germany that rings anywhere you want on the planet. BUT the setup charge is $20 and there is a $10 monthly fee. The per minute rates are dependent upon the countries involved and it pays to be sure your global toll free is cost effective relative to sales or customer service. For a bona fide global business, it can be extremely cost effective to encourage sales and service.
After all, a toll free number or 800 number boosts your perceived level of professionalism and represents you to be a credible prospect to potential markets. Things as small as assuming if the company wants to pay for the call, they must want to talk to their customers. People like that. When prospects see a toll free number, there is comfort that because they feel a safer connection with you. It has been said that putting your 800 number in your advertisements, you should increase your ad response by as much as 600%. And now your ads can appear worldwide via the web!

Letters, greeting cards, postcards - the heartfelt gestures and the most meaningful ones if you would agree with me. Do they still work like before? Yes! it can never lose the significance and the personal touch that it gives. Today, emails, ecards, everything techno seems to be making the world shrink smaller and smaller. Emails have taken the place of letters making it easier and easier to reach out to a person close to you or simply to pass an information.No doubt, this world has become a place where everything is just a click away.Short text messaging at the tip of our fingers, it feels closer to being home even when you are miles away from home.
The changing times and the advancement of technology have made us easily accessible to almost everything.Music, movies, news, communication.....these are all within our reach and they have certainly made life easier during times of emergency because in a much much lesser time we could finish up a lot of important things.
There yesterday, here today, travelling is such an easy trip too. You can go on chatting as though the person you are conversing with is right in front of you even if he may be in another continent. But despite the fact that the use of latest technologies is on the rise, with everyone preferring the easier ride, type a few words and mail it in a click of a mouse, wish somebody in the form of ecards, sms' ,etc, Letters and greeting cards still have the most personal effect on the reciever on the other end.The content may not be much but it says a lot about how much you care.Of course, emails and ecards are nice ways of showing you care too but when it comes to relating to people personally it is letters and greeting cards that still rule. They have this power of making people feel closer to you and seem to hold a bigger meaning. Today, writing letters and sending greeting cards might have become the last thing people use to keep in touch but they are the most wonderful ways of saying you cherish the person concerned.
True, internet is amazing and one of the things that top the list when it comes to satisfying our many needs - chattting, games, loads and loads of fun, meeting people from every walk of life, a platform where we can learn and grow, shopping, news from every corner of the world, Its simply incredible how its been designed to work.And i am so happy there is such a thing where we can expand our horizons too because i am learning everyday, which i am pretty sure, has been a saving grace to millions around the world.
Yes, the speed of a letter will never match that of an email but if you should think, letters have lost its impact on the present world, you got to have a second thought because its still the one trend that hasn't died and for ages to come, who knows it will continue to give a greater impact on one's lives.

Telemetry, literally meaning "remote measurement" or the remote collection of data, is an automated measurement process that enables data to be gathered at remote locations, and transmitted to receiving telemetry equipment for interpretation, display, and recording. Telemetered data can be biological, environmental or physical data. Telemetry is used to gather data from remote, inaccessible or dangerous locations, such as a satellite in orbit, to control stations on ground, where the information is decrypted. Space agencies like National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), European Space Agency (ESA) and other international space agencies employ telemetry equipment to collect data from orbiting spacecraft and satellites.
Communication channels are a major part of any telemetry system. When telemetry was relatively new, information was relayed over wires. Today it uses radio transmissions and GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) technology for data transmission. Telemeter is the apparatus used for recording the readings of an instrument and transmitting them by radio. A telemetry handler, collects, formats and stores the data in a dedicated buffer, and then relays it to the receiving station. The type of telemetry equipment required depends on the type and amount of data to be transmitted and whether remote control capability is desired. In the simplest system, the data are simply displayed on annunciator, indicator, and recorder. In larger systems, video display terminal and data logging is frequently used. Many times this data is analyzed by computer systems in order to put meaning to the readings being recorded.
The contribution of telemetry to basic biological and medical research cannot be overstated. Discoveries made during manned space programs led to development of complex physiological monitoring and telemetry equipment, typically to gauge the health and well being of astronauts. Since early 70s, the use of these devices to provide real time physiological monitoring in hospitals has become widespread. Cardiac patients are equipped with automatic recording, measuring, and transmitting devices. I even recall one time when I went into the hospital for chest pains and even in this small town hospital, they were equipped with telemetry devices. I wore one to go outside for some fresh air when I was stable. Incase of an emergency, an alerting function instantaneously summons the healthcare professional in charge of the patient. Telemetry also permits the tracking of endangered land and marine species tagged with customized telemetry equipment. These devices collect data on their patterns of movement, dispersion, and migrations. The daily positioning of these animals, coupled with continuous tracking gives an explicit representation of the way they utilize their habitat.