The Press Hacker

The Euromillions lottery was in the beginning set up by the national lotteries of the United Kingdom, Spain and France and was unveiled on Feb-04. The 1st lotto draw was on February 13-04 in Paris. The Spain, France and the UK were the only nations partaking in the beginning but lotteries from Luxembourg, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium and Ireland also got active on Oct-04.

The Euromillions lotto or the Euro lotto, as it is commonly renowned, gathers the ticket revenues of the 9 partaking European countries delivering a huge Euro Millions jackpot. With the amount of nations joining the EU on the increase, this will without a doubt lead to more states participating in the Euro Millions lottery. An increase in the number of individuals partaking in the European Lottery will lead to a lasting growth of the already giant Euro Millions “jackpots”.

Q. How Would You Play The Euromillions Lottery

Every player has to select five main numbers from 1 to 50 and 2 Lucky-star numbers from one to nine. During the lottery draw, 5 primary and two lucky star numbers are then picked out at random from 2 draw machines containing numbered balls.

Euro Lotto Prizes

The prospects of scooping up the Euro Lotto jack-pot is a remote 1 in seventy six million but the odds of acquiring a cash prize is a fairly decent 1 : 24. If the jack-pot is not won in a given week, it is brought forward to the following lottery draw which results in an ever increasing “jackpot” value. Recent regulations added on the 9/02/2007 limit the amount of successive roll overs to 11, with the jack-pot rolled out to lower value levels on the 11th draw when the prize is not collected.

The new regulations also initiated Euro Millions Super Draw which go on twice each year plus they offer jackpots in the region of 100 million pounds. The difference with Super Draws is that the jackpot has to be collected during the calendar week of the lotto draw; as a result, when there is no lottery ticket matching, all the numbers drawn and the top prize will then be allotted to the ticket holder(s) in the next winning prize tier.

Custom colour printing using cheap printer inks is quite popular for the creation of unique documents and brochures for promotional and presentation purposes. Usage of special coloured ink and inkjet print cartirdges is quite common in custom colour printing services.

Custom Colour Printing: The New Trend

We all want to have a unique document with different colours and combinations that suit his/her needs. This is possible through specialised ink cartridges and inkjet ink that enable printers to provide custom printing services, such as poster printing, brochure printing, business cards, catalogues, banners and labels. and printouts are much in demand for their beautiful and lively presentation. Coloured inkjet print cartirdges are generally used for printing graphics and other specialised products.

Until now,, the quality of colour printing was largely dependent on inkjet printing. Some companies, such as Samsung, have however, recently introduced laser printers that include toners that are kept in bottle shaped cylinders that slide into colour coded ports in the printer itself.

Features of Good Colour Inkjet Print Cartirdges

The quality of printing depends on the quality of the being used and the continuous supply of ink. Superior printing and perfect images are essential for providing high quality custom colour printing services. that are resistant to smudging provide clear and crisp printouts. Another essential feature of all quality ink is that it dries quickly and captures the true colour and even the smallest detail of the graphic and photo image.

Supposing you do not understand betting room risks and options, please continue to read. By common definition a gaming establishment is a structure that focuses on games of luck. At such a place, guests can take a chance handling the one-armed-bandits or trying out another games. Betting establishment games as a rule include logically determined balances constituting them which insure the management retains the upper hand versus the gambling aficionados.

Countless betting house games can goad you into being overly obsessed speedily. Take, for example, the time-honored one-armed bandit, a coin gobbling contraption with three reels which circle once an arm latched onto it is moved. The machine as a rule returns referring to an array of designs visible on the front panel of the gadget. Disastrously, betting room pastimes tend to convey the false impression of manageability, tricking the gaming enthusiast – the punter is given over alternatives, but they don’t really level the patron’s long term disadvantage. This is due to the gaming hall not paying out the full wager as hoped for. This systematic pattern will persistently be noticeable in popular casino games such as five card stud poker, dice games, roulette or blackjack.

Seven-card stud is undoubtedly an immensely trendy casino game. The gambling enthusiasts, holding partially guarded hands, are betting in a principal pot that is given to the last participant controlling the leading combination of cards. (Obviously, the bluffer may well prevail) Like blind poker, blackjack too is an incredibly popular casino pastime. Plenty of its acclaim is a result of the mix of chance and savvy and choice making, not to mention a routine called Card Counting. It is an approach by which gaming devotees may switch the arm of chance of the game for their own ends both by wagering and fundamental opetations in correlation to the cards shown.

“Craps” is a well-known game utilizing the roll of two dice. Gamesters must bet on the outcome of of one cycle, or on a string of cycles of two dice. Dissimilar to blackjack, there can’t be a practicable sustainable winner strategy you can employ to improve the odds. Roulette is a famous gambling pastime. A croupier rotates a roulette wheel that holds thirty-seven (French roulette) or, alternatively precisely thirtyeight (in the case of American or Vegas roulette) uniquely marked compartments in which the white pellet will come to lie, thereby establishing the winning number and its connected odds. Whenever our punter bets on a particular number and makes it, in other words it’s their lucky day, the guaranteed accolade is going to be thirty five to 1, the original pledge being given back. Consequently in totality the pledge itself is increased by 36.

Do your best to stay very much watchful all the same for each of these betting hall games are massively addictive. Way too many lives have indisputably been spoilt in the course of uncontrolled gambling + although it admittedly may be entertaining, endeavour to moderate your gaming.

best online casino bonus

For all the future travelers that have the opportunity to read this story, I would hope that after you finish this article, you would highly consider Travel Insurance!

As a former travel Agent, when I read sad stories about travelers that have bad medical experiences abroad, it starts to make my stomach turn because I would quickly check all my client files to make sure they have all purchased some form of medical and/or cancellation policies from me prior to their travel.

However, when he awoke in the Costa Rica hospital where he had admitted himself, he quickly found out that his kidney was removed! This young man’s jaw was never fixed and the medical doctor in Costa Rica claimed several of his internal organs were damaged, and out of all the organs that were injured, they had to remove one of his kidneys. Makes you go Hmmm!

Now in my professional opinion, I would classify Costa Rica as a popular destination that I would recommend to many of my past clients to visit for their ecotourism and exotic vacation appeal. The problem is that when we suggest these destinations that are glorified as paradises, we sometimes forget to tell them that these vacation destinations don’t have medical facilities that are comparable to North American standards, and also not all facilities operate in the best faith.

All the facts about this incident are not proven yet, but the truth of the matter is in this incident, having the proper travel medical insurance coverage could have been the difference in this gentleman coming home safely with a fixed jaw and his kidney intact.

How Does Medical Travel Protection Policies Eliminate Situations Like This, You Ask?

Keep this in perspective due to the nature of the incident. The facts are still coming in about this mans occurrence Costa Rican hospital, and I’m not totally certain he did not have travel coverage, but in my professional opinion, if he did have a reputable comprehensive travel medical policy, I truly believe this situation would not have happened.

Here is my explanation that you can apply to having quality medical coverage. When you visit your travel agent, or decide to book your vacation online, many of the agencies and online companies will offer you an insurance policy that is designed specifically for your travel protection while away from your originating country. Due to a large percentage of your medical costs that may not be covered by the country you live in, travel medical emergency policies are there to protect you from the additional costs that your country will not be covering.

Let’s take this one step further. While you’re away on vacation, the Travel Medical/Cancellation Company you purchased your policy from now has a vested interest in your physical and financial protection. However, they also have a reputation and a financial interest in their company! By saying this, they must make sure that claims that are paid out are legitimate, and are not abused by many of the un-regulated foreign medical facilities that treat patients for emergency situations.

To control these illegal practices, most, if not all, travel insurance providers (including online Insurance companies) establish worldwide relationships with a great number of medical facilities in the tourist areas, and in this relationship, the selected Travel Insurance Company regulates them with very strict rules and guidelines.

This is why it’s important to read the policy terms and conditions, and understand what is required as the policyholders must follow these terms for their own protection under emergency situations. What many conditions state are that the people who get injured due to an unexpected situation, must contact the insurer prior to admitting themselves to a hospital, or a large percentage of their claim may not be paid.

Now I know many of you may be saying that if you were not conscious at the time you were admitted to a hospital, that’s beyond your control, and you’re right! However, upon becoming aware, you must at your earliest opportunity advise the Insurance Company where you are, and if it’s not a regulated hospital on their list, they will make arrangements to remove you to their preferred medical facility.

Why Does A Travel Insurance Company Go To All This Trouble?

This is where we continue from the story about the young man that had his kidney removed. Again, I’m going by my own opinion and no one else, and like I mentioned prior I don’t have all the facts, but in my profession I strongly believe that if this person had coverage with a reputable Travel Insurance Company, he would have more than likely contacted their toll free worldwide number, and talked to professional staff that are trained in the medical field.

He would have been directed to the correct hospital, and when he arrived, upon the instructions of the Insurance staff, he would have passed this information on to the medical staff at the Costa Rican hospital. This does one of two things, it gives the Insurance Company the power to regulate and make sure that only the necessary surgeries are taking place, and because they’re paying the bill, they will ensure that every situation is medically documented for any future liability.

I can’t guarantee that having the medical coverage would have avoided this situation, but I have to say when you eliminate all the risks by working with the Medical Insurance provider, you have a better opportunity in walking out of that foreign hospital with the peace-of-mind that you’re not going back home without all your valuable functioning organs.

About the author: William Lezubski (Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC), and Certified Travel Counsellor(CTC) – William is a professional in the Travel Industry and is the owner and author of “Discount Caribbean Vacations Web Site” available at www.discount-caribbean-vacations.com Not only a great source for Discount Caribbean Vacations, but also providing important Travel Insurance information to protect your vacation investment! We encourage you to visit our website to read many of our informative articles and tips on how you can make your vacation safe and worry free!

Whether you’re leaving the city heading to the Mammoth Mountain/Lake Tahoe High Sierra country for its beauty and relaxation, or planning that ski trip from Scottsdale to Snowbowl, here are some tips for a safe and pleasant journey, and how to deal with trouble, should it arise.

Slow down. A highway speed of 65 miles per hour may be safe in dry weather, but an invitation for trouble on snow and ice. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so keep your seat belt buckled and leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react. Remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes. Do everything slowly and gently. Anticipate turns and stops. Leave plenty of distance between you and other cars. Drive as if there were eggs on the bottom of your feet; step on the gas and the brake pedals so gently that you don’t break the eggshell. Trucks take longer to stop, so don’t cut in front of them.

Watch out for fog; it drifts rapidly and often is patchy. In foggy conditions, drive very slowly using lowered headlights. Don’t hang on to the taillights of the vehicle in front. This gives you a false sense of security and means you may be driving too close. Don’t speed up suddenly, even if it seems to be clearing. You can find yourself suddenly back in thick fog.

If you should find yourself stuck, turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way. Keep a light touch on the gas, and ease forward. Don’t spin your wheels; you’ll just dig in deeper. Rocking the vehicle is another way to get unstuck. (Check your owner’s manual first, as it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift gently from forward to reverse, and back again.

The best approach to recovering from a skid is the same for both front and rear-wheel drive vehicles. If your rear wheels start to skid, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right. As you continue to correct, you may have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.

If your front wheels skid, take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go and accelerate gently.

If your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS), keep your foot on the pedal. If not, pump the pedal gently, pumping more rapidly as your car slows down. Braking hard with non-anti-lock brakes will lock the wheels and make the skid worse.

Do not use a mobile phone while driving. Stop somewhere safe or ask a passenger to make the call. On a freeway, it is better to use a roadside emergency telephone, because the emergency services will be able to locate you easily. If you have to use a mobile phone, make sure you know your location from the numbers on the marker posts on the side of the road.

If your car gets stuck out on the road run the heater every 10 minutes but never fall asleep with the car running. In blizzard conditions, especially overnight, make sure one person stays awake, because help could take some time to arrive. Maintain circulation by moving your feet, hands, and arms. Avoid alcohol. It lowers body temperature and will cause you to become drowsy. Stay in the vehicle. Don’t wander and get lost or frostbitten. Leave one window cracked open. Freezing winds and wet, driving snow can quickly seal a vehicle. Clean any snow from around the end of the tail pipe to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Clear outside heater vents — that’s the grill under the windshield.

Signal to other motorists that you’re stranded by using flares or flashlights, or by tying a piece of brightly colored cloth to the radio antenna and using your “Help” sign.

So, whether you wish to stay at an Aspen resort and spa or luxury Vail hotel, there’s much more involved than just finding discounted hotel accommodations; be sure to plan a safe and pleasant trip — and ski safely, as well!

Loren Varner is a Contributing Editor at AreaMaps.org, a site providing quick and easy access to city and resort area information, coupled with dynamic maps detailing many local accommodations, restaurants and attractions. It will furnish everything you need to reference in order to plan a memorable and successful trip, whether you wish to stay in Aspen, Scottsdale or Vail.

The Dutch Wadden Islands

The west coast of Holland is almost a beach from north to south. The natural protections against the sea are the dunes. These products of wind, sun and water are one of Holland’s most interesting creatures of nature. They are the natural habitat of endanger species and therefore well protected by the Dutch government.

The northern parts of the Dutch shore are the Wadden Islands. These Islands, Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog are now considered as World heritage. This decision has a great impact of the people living on these islands. Due to the new regulations it will be more difficult to build, or to propose for building, industry or business permissions.

The Dutch Wadden islands are very popular among the German and Belgium tourists. Texel is the biggest Dutch Wadden Island, and is also the island with the most possibilities. The island can be reached by a ferry which leaves from Den Helder.

It’s a short journey by the ferry takes about twenty minutes. Texel is famous for its vast flocks of sheep and birds, and for the pleasant villages. The variation in landscape on Texel is such that the island is often termed as ‘the Netherlands writ small’. These landscapes are worth seeing, too. Because
of their special value, the dunes of Texel have been designated as a National Park.

Vlieland is Next Island close To Texel. A great sandbank between Texel and Vlieland is the breading chamber of seals. Texel, Vlieland and Terschelling are situated close together. Yet those visiting these islands will discover completely different worlds. It’s possible to hop between these islands by small ferries.

Between the islands and Holland is the Wadden Sea. The Wadden Sea is teeming with life. Twice a day, the current of the flood tide brings water from the North Sea, rich in sediment and plankton, much of which sinks to the sandy bed.

In addition, the shallow water of the Wadden Sea warms up rapidly in summer. This means that algae and seaweeds are able to grow quickly. They form the basis of the enormous wealth of food that supplies the inhabitants of the Wadden Sea -countless fish, birds and seals.

It’s worth visiting the Wadden islands of Holland. To reach the islands you must to take a ferry from Den Helder for Texel. A ferry from Harlingen for Vlieland and Terschelling, A ferry from Holwerd for Ameland and a ferry from Lauwersoog for Schiermonnikoog.

Gert Folkerts operates the http://www.hollandtravelweb.com site where you can find comfortable Netherlands Travel Info, recreational, and vacation information and information on Hotels and flights.

When looking to eat out in Antigua, you’ll find menus and choices to suit all tastes and desires. You’ll also find something to suit all budgets.

This is Stay-in-Antigua’s mini-guide to our favourite restaurants and eateries on this beautiful Caribbean island.

Restaurants and eateries in Antigua offer a wide range of cuisine to suit most palates. Those located in tourist areas or hotels offer mainly European, American and fusion options, with a few local and traditional dishes thrown in for good measure. Dishes are made largely from local ingredients.

As with all of the Caribbean islands, seafood choices are plentiful, with Antigua being renowned for its Red Snapper, Lobster and Mahi-Mahi.

Outside resorts and tourist areas, restaurants are generally low-key and laid back. Service is friendly, but can be exceedingly slow. On the upside, you’ll have lots of time to sample island life and mix with the charming locals while waiting for your meal to arrive.

Although variety is somewhat limited for vegetarians, the choices are growing and most menus will carry one or two vegetarian dishes, made from ingredients such as Okra, Breadfruit and Pumpkin. Just to be careful, it is advisable to ring ahead, or even stop in at your chosen eatery to check out the vegetarian options.

If you’re staying in a hotel or resort and want to try something truly different, why not ask the hotel staff where you can go to sample some local ‘Ital dishes’ – the traditional fare of the Rastafarians. Ital food is natural and vital, and very delicious. It is free from chemicals and contains no animal products. Ital dishes can contain rice, peas and beans, vegetables, sweet potatoes, coconut milk, soups, cabbage, cornmeal, pumpkin, cinnamon, bananas, okra and a multitude of other natural ingredients. They are ideal for vegetarians and vegans.

Most restaurants in Antigua open for lunch from noon, with dinner menus becoming available from 6pm-7pm. Many smaller restaurants operate based on how busy they are, and may close early if business is slow, so do bear this in mind. It is advisable to make reservations at restaurants, up to 2 days in advance.

In restaurants, you should tip between 10% – 15%. Service charges are not included on your bill.

Here is Stay in Antigua’s personal recommendations for places to eat in Antigua.

Vyviens – The Blue Waters Hotel
For a wide choice of Caribbean and International dishes, try Vyviens restaurant, upstairs in the Blue Waters Hotel, St Johns. Offering an al a Carte menu, and some of the friendliest staff we’ve met, Vyvien’s offers a truly elegant evening. The décor is nautical, with ship brassware, model ships and nautical equipment adorning the walls and ceiling, elegantly illuminated. You will also be treated to the chilled out tones of a live jazz band and singer, playing downstairs by the pool. You absolutely must try the lobster!

The Home Restaurant
Described as the ‘Best Restaurant in Antigua’ by BBC TV, Home restaurant, owned and run by Chef Carl Thomas and his wife Rita is on Gambles Terrace in St Johns. The restaurant is the converted childhood home of Chef Carl, and serves traditional West Indian dishes, made from fresh, local ingredients. Excellent choices are the Fish Cakes with Papaya-Pimiento Sauce as an appetiser, and the Snapper filet Stuffed with Crab Meat served with Lobster Sauce.

Calypso Restaurant – Amaryllis Hotel
The Calypso Restaurant, located within the Amaryllis Hotel, offers open air dining in beautiful gardens, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Calypso offers some of the best you’ll find in traditional and contemporary Antiguan cuisine, as well as international dishes.

The Calypso Restaurant has received recommendations by the New York Times, Conde Nast, and also featured on the US’s BET channel.

Sticky Wicket – Stanford Cricket Ground
The Sticky Wicket embraces and exemplifies the Caribbean passion for cricket. You’ll find yourself surrounded in memorabilia from years of cricket tradition, history and sportsmanship, in this most excellent example of sports bars. Located at the attractive Stanford Cricket Ground, just across from the V.C. Bird International airport, Sticky Wicket offers barbecue, burgers, combos, seafood, sandwiches and pasta among its wide menu selection. Try the Beamer Crispy Jerked Wings with Antigua’s own ‘Susie’s Hot Sauce’, and the Batsman’s Paradise Barbecue Brisket Sandwich. Sticky Wicket is a great place to eat, whether you’re a cricket enthusiast, a lover of hearty dishes or simply waiting for your flight.

Pizzas in Paradise – Redcliffe Quay
Located in an old 18th Century rum warehouse in Redcliffe Quay, and popular with tourists, Pizzas in Paradise offers a wide variety of pizzas made from the freshest ingredients. As well as pizzas, diners can choose from sub sandwiches, fresh salads, fruit crushes and cocktails. Diners can choose from eating indoors with views of the traditional wood beams, archways and photo-portraits of musicians, or eating on the terrace enjoying the breeze off the nearby harbour. Thursday nights offer live entertainment and sports enthusiasts can enjoy the bar’s gigantic satellite TV screen all week.
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I hope that our mini review has whetted your appetite. If you visit Antigua, do indulge in some of the wonderful cuisine that the island has to offer. And don’t just restrict yourself to your hotel’s restaurant – go out and try some of the island’s local restaurants to add a little home-grown spice and excitement to your dining experience.

Bon appetit, mon!

Michelle Payne-Gale is one of the partners behind ‘Stay In Antigua’, an online travel and tourist guide to the Caribbean island of Antigua. To find out more, visit http://www.stay-in-antigua.com. She is also the owner of Essence Business Services, providing Business & Marketing Administration services to small businesses – http://www.essence-services.co.uk.

Overview

The latest technology buzz is WiMAX wireless networks. We have heard many things about this wonderful new long haul wireless technology that it almost seems as though you are just a phone call away from having yours’ designed and installed. Well before you start assuming things like we all do, we thought as engineers and network architects we would share personal experiences and the experiences of colleagues from around the world, in a manner that is direct, helpful, educational, and certainly reality based. This is a backpocket Primer for anyone now dealing with the implementation of a WiMAX network.

First, there are several misconceptions surrounding WiMAX that need to be cleared up so that the business aspects and engineering basis have a common understanding.

Secondly, the people who make the various decisions within your organizations need to understand that there are differences between a private network and an interoperable network strategy. This subtle difference does exist and requires a plan which considers the final transition aspects, if considered now, to easily provide a lower cost upgrade to a true interoperable network, now incorporating diverse vendor equipment.

Finally, while WiMAX has been out internationally for several years, it is very new to the United States, only a few months old, with very little training and education available to those who have the responsibility to build these systems or those who will make the financial and technical decisions to have these systems built for them as part of their long haul wireless strategy.

Our experiences and the experiences of our collegues are offered here as contributions as well as tying these in to the standards and certification authorities all meant to provide a reality based quick reference education for anyone in the throws of How to Build a WiMAX network.

Primer

WiMAX is a standard designed for fixed broadband wireless access featuring a controlling base station, that connects subscriber stations not to each other but to various public networks, such as the Internet, linked to that base station. The acronym means ” worldwide interoperability for microwave access” or (WiMAX).

WiMAX, as a standards initiative, is based on a “set of profiles” supporting a wide range of frequencies (up to 66GHz)with channel sizes (1.25MHz to 20MHz) and applications (LOS and NLOS), and finally PTP and PTMP. The WiMAX profiles narrow the scope of 802.16 to focus on first service specific configurations. The IEEE titled the specification 802.16 and released it December 2002. The profiles addressed in that “profiles release” are 802.16-2004 (old d) and 802.16e as presented further down.

The WIMAX forum was formed eight months earlier in April 2002 to support, promote and certify compatibility and interoperability of devices based on the 802.16 specification, and to develop such devices for the marketplace. Founding Members of the organization include Airspan, Alvarion, Analog Devices, Aperto Networks, Ensemble Communications, Fujitsu, Intel, Nokia, OFDM Forum, Proxim, and Wi-LAN.

WiMAX is the IEEE 802.16 Point-to-Multipoint broadband wireless access standard for systems in the stated frequency ranges. WiMAX will initially provide fixed nomadic, portable and eventually, mobile wireless broadband connectivity. To that end there are two standards (802.16d (new -2004) and 802.16e respectively) although they will both perform similar functions because they must be interoperable. One clearly is a fixed solution and the other a mobile solution that must still communicate with a fixed solution. So one of the first considerations is whether you want to build out a mobile or fixed network. In many cases you would have already considered your target market segments, spectrum availability, regulatory constraints and your deployment need.

Which One do I Need?

Generally speaking, the current 802.16-2004 (originally 802.16d) fixed network products are less complex than 802.16e mobile network systems because; they can be used in a wider range of unlicensed bands, they offer a faster time-to-market, and in many cases a higher throughput than 802.16e equipment. On the other hand, there is better support for mobility and a wider range of terminal form factors advantages of 802.16e equipment.

It’s certainly a consideration but no matter what you chose the migration paths to move in either direction are easily achieved through overlay networks, software upgradeable base stations, dual mode devices and dual mode base stations. This consideration assures you are not stuck in one mode or the wrong mode and that your initial investment is protected. Makes the CTO and CEO happy.

WiMAX base stations transmit up to 30 miles, but because it is a cell-based topology, would yield a more typical range of 3 to 5 miles. WiMAX systems can deliver a capacity of up to 75 Mbps per channel, for fixed and portable access applications. This is enough bandwidth to simultaneously support hundreds of businesses with T-1 speed connectivity and thousands of residences with DSL speed connectivity as we have seen.

WiMAX technology will be incorporated in portable computers and PDAs expected in late 2006 and early 2007, allowing for urban areas and cities to become “MetroZones”, the new buzz word, for portable outdoor broadband wireless access. In addition, Wireless service providers and telecommunication equipment industries are embracing WiMAX technology because of its tremendous cost advantages to provide that last-mile connectivity to large parts of the world that are too expensive to serve with wired technologies requiring all that trenching.

Security

Due to the security issues with WEP in the 802.11 Wi-Fi arenas, the standards bodies took no chances with WiMAX, and wisely prioritized security from the onset. Base station designers went to work to assure a dedicated high performance security processor. The WiMAX security standard requires that all traffic be encrypted with CCMP (which is Counter Mode with Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code Protocol).

According to the WiMAX forum, the group’s aim is for end-to-end authentication. WiMAX uses PKM-EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol), which relies on the TLS standard following public key cryptography. Having addressed this level of security from the start provides an excellent reference point to add multi-level security options as well, if your implementation requires an MLS approach. Secure (blacker) implementations would require such an approach.

What is Released?

The first certification release for 802.16-2004 fixed is out there already and includes products from certified vendors with two profiles in the 3.5GHz and the 5.8GHz bands supporting fixed and nomadic access. The profiles for 802.16e mobile are not available nor released as of this writing but are expected to be in the ranges of 2.3GHz to 2.5GHz when officially released. WiMAX profiles based on 802.16-2004 are better suited to fixed applications that use directional antennas because OFDM is inherently less complex than SOFDMA used in the mobile application. As a results, 802.16-2004 networks will be deployed much faster and at a lower cost. Our experiences are with these released systems in the US and around the world in ground applications, mobile military, public safety and maritime applications.

Planning for WIMAX

Companies, cities or projects in maritime or ground systems in the US that have decided to or are considering building and operating a WiMAX network will have a few important issues to consider. The initial spectrum for WiMAX in the USA is unlicensed spectrum in the 5GHz range. Given this spectrum is open it will have inherent interference issues and risks which will require attention. There are many ways of overcoming interference issues. The answers come from a proper site selection, following your RF survey training and from the actual selected equipment. So, the planning and site survey results remain the key to your confident success.

Summary

WiMAX provides optimized solutions for fixed, nomadic, portable and mobile broadband wireless access. There are two flavors in various release and implementation modes. The first is 802.16-2004 WiMAX with two initial frequency profiles – the 3.5GHz and the 5.8GHz bands supporting fixed and nomadic access in LOS and NLOS environments now. The other flavor is 802.16e WiMAX with expected profiles in the 2.3GHz and 2.5GHz ranges optimized for dynamic mobile radio channels supporting hands-ff and roaming –arriving by 2007. Another exciting technology for all of us. Have fun!
an extended version of this Primer is presented in our OnLine-CTO e-magazine.
Contact Gina Smith at onlinecto@networkanatomy.com

Doug Linman is an award winning and industry recognized domestic and international communication systems architect with over 30 years experience. He is also the CEO and Chief Product Architect of NetworkAnatomy, a wireless, wearable and transportable communication firm located in Pleasanton, CA. http://www.networkanatomy.com

Let’s face it, the Internet is here for good. Today’s Internet
reminds me of the California gold rush. There is a ton
of moeny and opportunities to be made by everyone who
wishes to participate in this modern day gold rush. Most people
have been drawn to the Internet, because of the ability
to leverage their time and make money even while they are
sleeping. Which makes it an even better opportunity than the
gold rush!

Just like any offline business, an online business requires
an address, or place on the Internet where your Web site is
located. You can’t have a Web site and just “stick it up” on
the Internet. Unless you own your own server, you use a
hosting company. A hosting company gives you an online
address. This online address allows the search engines
and
people seaching for your product or service the ability to
locate your website.

So what is all the confusion about regarding hosting sites.
Understanding a hosting provider’s websites is equal to
speaking a foreign language. They are full of numbers and
letters and if you do not know what they are describing, it
can be confusing and overwhelming. For example: there is
50
mg space, and 2 gig data transfer, and front page
extensions, secure servers. What’s it all mean?

In my humble opinion you don’t have to be a brainiac to
have a great hosting service that serves your needs. You
want to be the recognized expert in your particular field,
and let the hosting company do their job, by providing
excellent hosting and service. All you need to have is a
general knowledge about what hosting is.

Let’s start from the beginning. Think of a hosting company
as the highway department that allows the traffic, search
engines, and people access to your website. The reason
that
this is so important boils down to money in your pocket.
You could have the greatest widget the world has ever seen,
and if your site is down, and not operating, people will
buy elsewhere and what good is that?

First things first. Set an expectation that you will find
the “perfect” hosting company. If you search the
expectation that your job will be difficult, then that’s
what will be your experience. The best way to find a good
hosting company is to ask other site owners and
webmasters
who they use. People love to share their knowledge and you
can often pick up many helpful ideas.

Once you find a company that looks promising, see what
kind
of customer service they offer. Having a “live” person to
talk to is a HUGE bonus and well worth any additional cost.
Talk to them on the phone, explain what you are doing and
ask them if they can provide what you are looking for. Are
they friendly, do they treat you like a human being, do they
make recommendations without being pushy? Are they able
to
grow with you, as your business grows? The answers to
these
questions will give you a good idea of how they do
business.
Now it’s up to you to determine if it is a good fit.

The author has been able to demystify “hosting” and break it
down into easy to understand language. She has shared
her insights with many colleagues and groups and enables
them to get clear around a normally complex subject.

Claudette Spedden is founder of Fast X Hosting an
excellent resource site dedicated to information on hosting

When you think of castles, such places as Windsor, Sterling, and London come to mind. One might not expect that San Francisco, California should be added to this list. Julius castle on beautiful Telegraph Hill is a little known secret; a treasure hidden away at the end of a secluded San Franciscan lane.

This castle was never used to defend a city. No King or Queen ever ruled from a throne here. However, a feast fit for royalty is prepared every night within this modern fortress. Looking out on the water from the Golden Gate to the Bay Bridge and beyond, Julius Castle provides one of the most amazing views in the city. If the food were not quite so delicious you could easily find yourself lost in a trance staring out at the rolling hills, slow moving ferries, and untouched islands.

Built to resemble a castle using Redwood trees, and maples from the Pan Pacific Expedition, Julius Castle dates back to the 1920’s. An Italian immigrant Julius Roz envisioned a “castle on the hill”, and his vision became reality when the doors opened in 1922. Patrons of the castle have watched the scenery outside its windows slowly change since then as the Bay Bridge began construction in 1933, and Treasure Island was literally built from the earth at the bottom of the bay for the 1939 World’s Fair.

In 1947 the film “Dark Passage” displayed the castle’s neighborhood for the world to see as Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall sought to help the falsely accused character Vincent Parry evade police, former friends, and small time crooks. The movie’s setting takes place only feet from where the castle stands and to this day a cut-out of Bogart watches diners as they approach the entrance.

If you find that you have enjoyed too much of the fine food and wine within the castle you may seek some after dinner activity by either venturing further up Telegraph Hill to Coit Tower, or down the hill via the Filbert Stairs. Located at the very peak of the hill Coit Tower overlooks the city both from its base, and even more spectacularly from the tip of its tower, another 63 meters high. The tower, which was built in 1933 with funds donated by Little Hitchcook Coit, offers more than just the scenic views outside. Painted murals adorn the interior of the structure depicting scenes from California during the great depression and other historic periods.

If climbing the hills of San Francisco has quickly lost its charm then traveling in the opposite direction down the Filbert Stairs may be a good choice. These stairs wind down to Sansome Street, right off of the famous Embarcadero through pristinely kept gardens and beautiful homes. As you marvel at the views on your 377 step journey down the hill make sure and appreciate that you are taking the only means of arriving at the 19th century cottages you pass, as there is no road access! Once you reach the bottom you are a short walk to the San Francisco ferry building, or Fisherman’s Wharf.

As you go off to explore these other exciting attractions, try not to forget that you just dined at a world class castle, right in the middle of modern California.

Nate Soule is a travel enthusiast and helps maintain the travel website AcrossDistance.com (http://www.acrossdistance.com).