The Best Article Every day

Written by racketboy Note from racketboy: Special thanks goes to andymol21 for putting the majority of this guide together! It s pretty easy to find a list of The Top Nintendo 64 Games or some similar ranking, but most of them were written back when the system was cutting edge and almost all of them only compare the games against other N64 games. This is all fine if the N64 is the only console you own and ever plan to own. Because of this, I thought it would be a good idea to develop a list of games that are still relevant in today s market because of their unique gameplay that has not been improved upon on other systems. Our basic rule of thumb for this list is to determine which games are still worth playing today, even if you have a Gamecube and/or a Wii with its more modern game library at your fingertips. (But other consoles are considered as well) I thought this was an especially good metric to use as Nintendo has a habit of upgrading their biggest games each generation. Even if you don t plan on getting an actual N64, this could also serve as a list of ones to look out for on the Virtual Console (although not all of them are available for the service) Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time It should come as no surprise that the highest-ranked games of all time is the number one reason that the N64 is still relevant. The Ocarina of Time tells the story of a young boy, Link, whose destiny leads him on an adventure that crosses two time periods and the entire land of Hyrule, in order to become the Hero of Time. The defining game of the N64, OOT was Shigeru Miyamoto s masterpiece, and is praised by many as being the best game ever made. Whether you enjoy western RPGs, action packed combat, fiendish puzzle solving, or just a damn good story, this game has it all, and would still be regarded as one of greatest games of all time even if it was released tomorrow for the PS3. As the story develops, and the game progresses, you are drawn into the world of Hyrule and care about its inhabitants and future, you form a strong sentimental attachments to you horse Epona, and you dive deep into a world full of secrets and treasures to be discovered. Never is the games direction linear; If you ever feel like you ve had enough dungeon crawling then you can come out and search for Gold Skultula s, or play some of the games in Hyrule Town Market, or just watch the sun set across Hyrule Lake as you ride Epona to the fishing gallery for a go at catching the Hylian Loach. On the other hand you always know what is expected of you, and what needs to be done next. Never in my life have I played a game that is so utterly engrossing, that offers so many diversions and distractions to the main quest, and that tells a story so brilliant, that I would happily pay money to go and see it at the cinema. If there is just one N64 game that you must own today, it is The Ocarina of Time. Full Review of Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Find Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: ( eBay / Amazon) Super Mario 64 Even after 12 years (yes, it s been that long!) Shigeru Miyamoto s portly plumber is still used as the yardstick by which all 3D platformers are measured against. The reason for that is simple; it is still one of the best, if not the best, examples of its genre in gaming. On Nintendo s first strike, they hit the ball out of the park! Every level in the game is a masterpiece, from the simple opening stage of Bob-omb Battlefield, to the magical cloud journey of Rainbow Ride, all 15 levels are distinct, challenging and interesting, and are a joy to play on. The simple graphical style means that the graphics have not aged much over the years, the music and sound effects are spot on for the actions on screen, and the mechanics are nigh on perfect. Every jump of Mario can be judged to pinpoint precision, every shot from the cannon angled perfectly to get you to the place you want to be. This, I feel, is the main reason it is still relevant. The physics engine used in Mario 64 is so predictable that you never feel out of control, and that is something that a lot of platformers, even to this day, lack. Full Review of Super Mario 64 Find Legend of Super Mario 64: (eBay / Amazon) Conker s Bad Fur Day Ah Rare…. I remember when I was a lad, reading N64 Magazine, being so excited about the new Conker game that was to come out. With gameplay that would rival their own great Banjo Kazooie, it was going to be the pinnacle of N64 platformers. How things changed! Conker s Bad Fur Day is an adult oriented game involving a hung-over squirrel, a good looking bunny, and a giant poo. The brilliance of Conker comes from its writing and voice acting. The wit and charm that can be put into such despicable creatures is amazing, and a testament to Rare during their glory years. You have to sympathize with Conker, who, after a heavy night of drinking, wakes up the next morning in a field, just wanting to go home. The game is hilarious the whole way through, though it does sink quite low with its toilet humor (see giant poo). The reason that it is worth playing today is the same reason that it was a good buy when it was new, it s a one of a kind game, and the humor, unlike the graphics (which are still some of the best on the N64), have not succumbed to age. On a side note, in 2005, after Rare was acquired by Microsoft, an XBox remake was made of this game featuring update graphics and sound, and an improved multiplayer. In my opinion, do not bother with this remake. Microsoft brutally censored the game, removing many of the jokes (The Great Mighty Poo Song being a notable absence) and leaving just the core Conker platforming mechanics. The N64 version is getting harder to find, and sells for high prices on eBay, but don t go for the semi-skimmed version. Full Review of Conker s Bad Fur Day Find Conker s Bad Fur Day: ( eBay / Amazon) Sin s well-known shooters (such as Gunstar Heroes and Alien Soldier) Sin and Punishment is filled frenetic, high-energy action that keeps pulling you further into the game. Armed with a gun and a sword, you character continues along a path while you jump, double jump and roll to avoid obstacles and enemy attacks. Much like other on-rails shooters like Rez or Panzer Dragoon, you can manually shoot your weapon in different places or set it to lock on to enemies. The sword is primarily to be used for defense and deflection for those pesky missiles that can be bounced back with a well-timed melee strike. Sin and Punishment is one of Treasure s few 3D games, but as usual, the skilled development house pushed the N64 hardware to the max with some impressive visuals, massively detailed levels, intricate character and enemy models and, of course, action that will make you dizzy with excitement. Full Review of Sin and Punishment Find Sin t too bad for the N64 and complement the game quite nicely. Of course it doesn t have quite the polish that the Gamecube installments have, but it is a definate step up from the original StarFox on the SNES. So when it comes down to it, if you want the best pure-on rails shooting in the StarFox universe, StarFox 64 is still your best bet. Full Review of Star Fox 64 Find Star Fox 64: (eBay / Amazon) Blast Corps Who doesn t love blowing stuff up and causing massive damage to the world around them? While open-ended destructive abilities may show up in a number of more modern games, very few, if any have destruction as such a large percentage of their focus as Blast Corps. In Blast Corps you control around ten different vehicles and machines in order to clear out buildings and landscapes to make way for an out-of-control truck carrying nuclear missiles. The equipment you use to take care of business range from a speedy bulldozer to a robot with a jet-pack and ground-pound capabilities to take out large buildings. Since you don t always know exactly what you need to do at the beginning of each level, there is a bit of puzzle solving and experimentation involved. Even for experienced players, it will test your efficiency in accomplishing your goals. Even if you take care of the required damage, you can always cause extra destruction to rack up extra points. You might think that a game like this would get boring after a while, but Rareware did an excellent job of increasing the difficulty as you go along and the diversity of the equipment you use (each of which takes some learning) keep things interesting. If you want a fast and furious game that is unique enough to keep your attention, Blast Corps should definitely be in your library. Full Review of Blast Corps Find Legend of Blast Corps: ( eBay / Amazon) The Legend of Zelda: Majora s Mask Initially, I had Majora s Mask on the Honorable Mentions list, but after reconsidering, I ve added it to the main list. While it isn t on my list of favorites in the series, there are quite a few Zelda fans that adore it due to its originality and involving storyline. The main turn-off with Majora s Mask with most gamers is the three-day cycle that the game revolves around. Many people found it annoying and hard to get used to. However, as reddit commenter, satertek mentioned I guess it comes down to whether or not you liked the 3-day aspect. That was the game. Having all these people that would go about their schedules whether you were there or not made the game feel alive, and then getting to relive those 3 days over and over so that you get to meet and help every one of them. In the end, there are many other Zelda games I enjoy playing more than Majora s Mask, but considering you can find it affordably, there isn t a a good reason you should skip it if you are a Zelda fan. Full Review of Legend of Zelda Majora s Mask Find Legend of Zelda: Majora Mask: ( eBay / Amazon) Mario Kart 64 Due to popular demand, I ve also included Mario Kart 64 on the main list. Personally, I have more fun with Mario Kart DS, but there are many die-hard Mario Kart fans that swear by the first 3D installment. While Mario Kart Double Dash and Mario Kart Wii have more refined graphics, Nintendo added new gimmicks that focused on teamwork instead of the flat-out competition and multiplayer moded. I think a comment on Reddit from ickingfudiot was what convinced me most to include it in the main list, Sadly, he (and Nintendo in releasing Mario Kart Wii) completely missed out on the utter glory of FFA Balloon Battle on Block Fort or Skyscraper. We still bust that out on Virtual Console. Sadly, MK Wii turned it into a team-based snorefest, particularly because of the removal of permadeath. RIP Balloon Battle Also just recently, racketboy member, Ack shared his fond memories of Mario Kart 64 s Battle Mode, I used to go to all-night parties where all we played were Mario Kart 64 s Battle Mode. Some of the most fun I ve ever had at parties, to be honest. It was a feature that I don t think ever got enough attention, and to this day I still say Mario Kart 64 was one of the two best in the series, if not the best(I can t in good faith say that something was better than the original…I love them both). Even though some of the graphics might be a little rough around the edges, Mario Kart 64 still puts up a mean fight against its newer siblings and it a cornerstone of N64-based gaming parties. Full Review of Mario Kart 64 Find Mario Kart 64: (eBay / Amazon) Ogre Battle 64 Ever since Squaresoft transitioned the bulk of their development from the Super Nintendo to Sony s Playstation, Nintendo has never had a very strong RPG lineup. However, the Japanese development house, Quest, took it upon themselves to create a wonderful RPG that makes the most of its cartridge-based limitations. As you could expect from the Ogre Battle series, the N64 sequel is a wonderful blend of both RPG and Tactical elements. And of course, instead of only focusing on the strategy, experience points, and item management, Ogre Battle also is blessed with an engaging story and plot that will keep you coming back for more. Ogre Battle 64 also bucks the trend of many of the games on the N64 in that it doesn t use 3D just because it can. Instead, this sequel actually stays true to the original game with sprite-based graphics being the focus and using 3D elements in places that they are suitable such as the overworld map and as subtle accents. It s actually quite refreshing to see such beautiful 2D graphics on a console that had such a focus on 3D. Strategy RPG fans seem to fall in love with just about any installment in the series (on both the SNES and Playstation), but the N64 version still falls right in line with the level of quality and enjoyment. And when you look at the Gamecube and Wii lineup, the only other games that really match up would be the Fire Emblem series. The Fire Emblem series gets very high marks, but I don t think it should disqualify Ogre Battle 64 from this list. Full Review of Ogre Battle 64 Find Legend of Ogre Battle 64: (eBay / Amazon) Wetrix The best way to describe Wetrix is by imaging a 3D Tetris that has been drowned underwater… with rubber ducks thrown in. The objective of the game is to build lakes on a flat playing board step by step, raising the ground level with uppers to form lakes, lowering it with downers and filling these lakes with water. As more pieces fall, you have to constantly adapt your lakes to accommodate the extra water, or divert the water away from a hole in your land created by a bomb. As water leaks off the side, it is collected into a tank on the right hand side of the screen, and once this tank is full, it s game over. You can lower the amount of water in the tank by dropping a fireball into one of your lakes, evaporating it and allowing you to fill it again. Wetrix is a novel twist on the simple block-based puzzle genre established by Tetris and is one of the few games of this type that works in 3D. It s an addictive, but challenging game which rewards solid playing hours with the sight of rainbows and the aforementioned rubber ducks sprouting up across your lovingly crafted lakes. The multiplayer in Wetrix is one of the best of its kind, with a game between two good players being a highly enjoyable frantic dash to get ducks and evaporate water, while throwing earthquakes and ice at the other player to hamper them. A sequel, Aqua Aqua, was released for the PS2 but failed to capture the magic of the original. All in all, a very good original puzzle game, and by far the best on the N64. Full Review of Wetrix Find Wetrix: (eBay / Amazon) Pilotwings 64 Pilotwings 64 is the sequel to the popular SNES game, Pilotwings. In it, you take to the skies in an assortment of flying contraptions, ranging from Gyrocopters to Rocket Belts, in order to complete a series of predefined tasks, such as flying through floating rings or taking pictures of the pretty scenery. You are judged after each event on several factors and given an overall score. The goal of the game is to achieve as high as possible score in each event, unlocking new challenges and vehicles. What separates Pilotwings from most other flight sims is the sense of freedom, of exploration, of flying! Like most of Nintendo s greatest games, a lot of the fun of Pilotwings comes from jumping into the assortment of vehicles and taking to the skies with no aims in mind, just to see what you can do. Personally, the joy of Pilotwings didn t really display itself to me until I unlocked the Birdman stage. There are no objectives in this stage, no stress of fuel supplies or ground rushing towards you. Just you, the sky, and a pair of feathery wings attached to your arms. This stage really captures the freedom of flight. Flying through the well constructed islands, exploring each crevice, then soaring high above the skyline of a city, makes for a relaxed gaming experience and one that just can t be found on modern games consoles (well, until Pilotwings Wii comes out) Full Review of Pilotwings 64 Find Pilotwings 64: (eBay / Amazon) Body Harvest Around the time of the N64 launch, a small company by the name of DMA Designs Limited started work on two projects: A top down racer codenamed Race n'Chase for the PC, and a free roaming shooter for the then under development N64. The PC game morphed several times and eventually became the original Grand Theft Auto, which, of course, propelled DMA (now known as Rockstar North) into the limelight and made them a lot of money in the process. However, their other game, Body Harvest, came out to a muted fan fare. It was given very positive reviews at the time of its launch, but was generally forgotten as the N64 progressed. Body Harvest is a 3rd person shooter in which your character is a genetically enhanced soldier sent back in time to defeat a human devouring race of aliens that landed on Earth, killing most of the population. You travel through 5 different areas at 5 different times of the invasion: Greece 1916, Java 1941, America 1966, Siberia 1991 and finally the Alien Homeworld 2046. You might say that Body Harvest is a pretty standard 3rd person shooter, but the thing that makes Body Harvest stand out from other shooters of its time is the interactivity of the world and the ability to hop into any vehicle on the map. Essentially, Body Harvest was the foundation blocks for GTA3, where the developers were first trying out the designs and techniques that would later go into their prime franchise. Although the graphics have dated a bit, the manic gameplay and free roaming elements make this an enjoyable and overlooked game. If you are interested in the heritage of GTA, or are just looking for a fun way to kill a few bugs, Body Harvest is well worth your time. Full Review of Body Harvest Find Body Harvest: ( eBay / Amazon) Space Station Silicon Valley Space Station Silicon Valley is gem by DMA Designs, and is still a classic to this day. To be honest, I can t quite put my finger on what makes this 3D action platformer so good. The level design is superb, ranging from pathetically easy in the opening stages to joypad-crushingly-difficult as you reach the games climax. The animal switching mechanism (another nod to future GTA projects) works wonderfully, meaning that each new level usually has you playing as an entirely new character, with different abilities and stats. This also means that any enemy that you kill within the game can be possessed and you can use all of their own abilities against other animals, leading to a leap frog effect as you climb the food chain up to the top. The game plays for the most part like a puzzle game, with challenges being presented to you through the environment and the tools to solve them given by the animals you can inhabit, but has some hardcore platforming stages too, which rival some of the best in the business. The most striking thing about the game though, is its style. Diesel-powered foxes chase electric mice with sharp tails and turbo boost, while buoyant penguins throw snowballs at steam powered polar bears, who are laying mines in order to kill the wolves on skies, as they fire missiles launched from their back. The wackiness and brilliance of the character design meant that there is always something to come back to, always some new and inventive way of killing that damn Rocket Dog! Needless to say, Space Station Silicon Valley absolutely floored me when it came out, and has continued to impress me every time I plug the cartridge in. Full Review of Space Station Silicon Valley Find Space Station Silicon Valley: ( eBay / Amazon) Honorable Mentions: You may be wondering why one of your all-time favorites are not included on the list above. There are many games that were ground-breaking in their day and are still very fun, but have either been much improved upon or are in a genre that has experienced a great leap in quality since the N64 era. Here are a few of the most popular N64 games that aren t quite as good as their newer counterparts. Goldeneye 007/Perfect Dark - When these games came out, they were the best console shooters ever made. I cannot recommend them highly enough, they are easily two of the best games for the N64, BUT (and it s a big but!), the console FPS market has moved on leaps and bounds in the past 10 years. These days, brilliant FPSs are 10 a penny on home consoles. Halo, Team Fortress 2, Bioshock, Half Life 2, Timesplitters Future Perfect or even Metroid Prime! All of these games are just better than the Rare duo, and they cannot stand up against the quality of games with nostalgia alone. Super Smash Bros - An absolute classic, but really very outdated now, especially with the two sequels out. Good fun when it came out, but just has dated extremely badly with time. Try it on an emulator; you ll see what I mean. However, some experienced Smash Bros players claim that each installment has its own unique flair to it. So it would be understandable if some prefer the original. To each his own. The Mario Party Series - I m not a huge fan of the games, but they can be fun if you are in the mood. Many fans of the series claim that the earlier N64 version are actually the best in the series. (Personally, I m been more of a fan of the minigames on New Super Mario Bros on the DS.) Rayman 2 - Still an excellent 3D platformer, but you could find better one a newer console or you could even play the higher-quality Dreamcast or PS2 versions as well. Banjo Kazooie/Tooie - Another duo of Rare games, and another honorable mention. The Banjo Kazooie games are so much fun to play, but pale in comparison to Super Mario 64. That s not to say that I wouldn t highly recommend them to anyone who is looking for quality N64 titles, it s just that they didn t do anything that Mario hadn t done before, and do not have quite as much sparkle to them now. They are old games, and I think you can see that when you play them. Bakuretsu Muteki Bangaioh - This insane import shooter from Treasure is definitely worth trying out, but the Dreamcast version (known simply as Bangai-O) is has enhancements and will be much more affordable. Paper Mario - The original Paper Mario is still and excellent RPG adventure, but I would probably still recommend the newer installments first and then maybe come back to this one if you still want more of the same. Jet Force Gemini - One of the later N64 games, I remember it being hyped for months leading up to its release. Like every game in this list, it was very good new, but just like the Perfect Dark/Goldeneye duo, 3rd person shooters are very common on consoles now, and Jet Force Gemini doesn t have any unusual or different features to make it stand out from the prettier games of today. Wave Race 64 - Yes it was quite groundbreaking at the time with its amazing water effects, but Wave Race Blue Storm on the Cube nailed that as well. Star Wars Episode I Racer - Great fun, but there were superior ports on the Dreamcast, PC, and Mac ShareThis

Written by R J Evans How Do They Do That? Flash animation still represents the cutting edge of internet animation. Here are 9 of the best on the net at the moment. Whether you are new to flash or a seasoned professional, these sites will make you sit back in wonder: 1. Bird on a Journey A little bird flies on his way home to his lady, avoiding some pitfalls on the way. This brilliant animation combines drawing and photography to stunning effect, together with a weird and wonderful soundtrack. 2. Drum Machine If you love oriental music - and drums - then you will love this animation. Seven Japanese drummers deliver the goods in this beautifully constructed piece of Flash. The skill and time that went in to this beggars belief! 3. Online Shopping Be patient with this one. At first glance it looks like just another website that offers you household goods to buy. But hold on a second - didn t that mug on special offer just fall over! That s just the beginning of the fun - a joy to watch! 4. Icon War These desktop icons decide that they don t like each other any more. War breaks out! Who will be the ultimate winner as icon fights icon! Oh, the humanity! Extremely entertaining flash animation. 5. Kaleidoscope This is an amazing pattern generating piece of flash animation. You can choose from lots of different varieties and the patterning effect follows your mouse around in a myriad of colors and shapes. Inspirational! 6. Silhouette Sounds A single silhouette becomes several then becomes many, with each producing a different sound to produce a tune. Fantastic black and white animation that is eye catching and very, very different! 7. Doorway All the guy wants to do is get through the door! Unfortunately, there are lots of things that do not wish to grant him passage. Superb European style flash animation you will want to watch again and again. 8. Falling Dude Superbly irritating but extremely watchable, this animation has a roughly drawn boy falling, and falling - oh, and then falling some more! You will love it! 9. Jackson Pollock Ever seen a Jackson Pollock painting and thought I can do that! Well, here is your chance! Let your mouse do the walking as you produce works of art that the Saatchis will be after in no time at all! ShareThis

Written by Kyle Roderick This article is come from Popular Mechanics Before long, RFID tags in the kitchen will be reminding you when it s time to buy more milk and eggs. Hitting the market now, however, are brilliant everyday home appliances that can perform next-gen tasks with everything from anti-snoring tech to remote-control flushing. The Brainiac Dishwasher (pictured above) /// $799-$899 Using its SmartDispense technology, GE s Profile suds machine spits out detergent on the fly, crunching the numbers so you don t have to squeeze a blob yourself-or waste any Cascade for a smaller load. With a 45-fluid-ounce bottle of liquid or gel in tow, the dishwasher calibrates for soil level, size of load, water temperature and water hardness (which you can also test against your home pressure thanks to an included test kit). The Robo Toilet /// $2000 Toto s Neorest 600 is a toilet/bidet combo that makes the Jetsons look like the Flintstones. After you re done with the heated seat, activate the quiet Cyclone Flushing engine, then let the Washlet air deodorizer and SanaGloss bowl cleaner finish the job for you. And since it s rigged with sensors, you can regulate pressure and temperature with front-and-back aerated water spray, step back for an auto flush on your way out the door and close the lid-all by wireless remote. Just make sure you wash your hands first. The Modded Mattress /// $20,000-$50,000 While you may need to be making seven figures to justify owning a bed with an integrated 1080p LCD projector, four pop-up subwoofers and 1.5-terabyte solid-state hard drive, there is a breakthrough amidst all the technophile gluttony: Leggett s Starry Night Sleep Technology bed will come loaded with military-grade anti-snoring capabilities when it goes on sale next year. Using a vibration-detection system, Starry Night adjusts the angle of your position in bed to open nasal passages-then leaves you where your sinuses are as comfy as you are on a coil-rigged, preheated mattress. The Zen Clock /// $49.95 Sure, you ve been reading about luxury alarm clocks in seat-back SkyMall catalogs for more than a decade. But how many clocks offer a slow buildup of ambient light, four different scents and six packets of nature sounds instead of a snooze button? Thirty minutes before your set time, Hammacher Schlemmer s Peaceful Progression Wake-up Clock s lights start glowing, with its warmth triggering the preloaded aroma beads. Just when you get used to that Ocean Surf soundtrack, the buzzer finally sounds. The Intelligent Toothbrush /// $21.47 (Three-Pack) The dop-kit-on-a-brush hasn t quite arrived, but Radius s Intelligent toothbrush at least annoys you enough to make sure you give a good scrub before bed. Two architects developed a new ergonomic design for the 3080 onboard bristles, but it s the 2-minute timer that ensures thorough cleaning, beeping once before flashing every 30 seconds, up to two minutes. And so much for your old dentist s three-month rule: After 180 uses, the Intelligent s light changes to red-time to swap in a new brush head. ShareThis

Written by Inside CRM These quick tweaks will help you keep visitors engaged. A webmaster s work is never done. What may have worked a few years ago when could be outdated today, so it s important to constantly improve your Web site. However, a massive overhaul is just too much work to undertake at one time. Instead, tackle these quick fixes over time, and you ll be able to improve your Web site with minimal pain. Copywriting Content, specifically text, is perhaps your site s most important asset. Make sure that it s up to snuff by following these improvements. Tell readers why they should perform a task. If your site is full of passive suggestions, toughen it up. People are trained to follow a request, as long as you give them a good reason to do it. Make the most highly trafficked pages easier to scan. If your current site consists of large blocks of text, break it up so that it s easier for the average Internet user to read. Convey a sense of trust. If you re experiencing skepticism, offer social proof like testimonials or risk-mitigating offers like a free trial. Stress benefits. Ensure that your copy always shows users exactly how your site will benefit them. Make headlines meaningful. Be sure to change any vague or cutesy headlines to something more up-front and meaningful. Repeat yourself. Check over your copy to make sure that you re really driving the point home by making it in a number of ways. Tell visitors what to do. Revise your site to ensure that people know exactly what the next step is. If you want a visitor to click a link, tell them Keep the reader engaged. Make sure that your current content gives visitors a reason to keep reading throughout the entire piece; otherwise, you need to spice things up a bit. Stay consistent. Check your copy for consistency, or else your site may be seen as unstable or flighty. Stay simple. Simplify your message simply to avoid confusing visitors, while at the same time improving conversion rates. Structure content persuasively. Restructure your content so that it s more focused, specific and credible. Offer social proof. Seek out testimonials and case studies to show just how effective your services are. Keep offers simple. If you re offering lots of different options, pare them down. Make an offer that visitors can t refuse. Check out your site to make sure that you re giving your visitors a reason to pick your company out of an overcrowded field. Avoid making hollow promises. Check out your guarantee, and ensure that you re backing it up with something of substance, like a money-back guarantee. Keep each block of text to a single topic. Make sure that your text isn t too overwhelming with many different thoughts in one place. Offer comparisons. Make it easier for your reader to understand and relate to your business by offering metaphors, similes and analogies. Be concise. Make sure that your copy is only as long as it needs to be to get your point across reasonably. Go with what works. Study other copywriters to adopt the words and methods that have worked for them. Customize these words and phrases until they become your own. Usability If your site isn t usable, visitors will not stick around. Take these small steps, and you ll have a more user-friendly site that s ripe for conversions. Add a short about page. Put a real person behind your site by allowing your visitors to learn a bit about you. Make navigation consistent. Make sure that your site s navigation is on the same place on each page so that visitors don t get confused. Make text links clear. Be sure that your links are descriptive enough so that visitors know exactly where they re going. Use underlined link text. Get rid of your fancy link navigation. Visitors expect to click underlined links. If you dislike underlines, use CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to employ a different method of highlighting, like a different text color or font. Never ask for more information than you need. If you re currently asking for excessive information, rethink your data-mining tendencies. When you get greedy for data, you ll turn off some visitors. Always have text links. Although your JavaScript menu might look great, some browsers and users have JavaScript disabled. Have a text-based site map. With a text-based site map, lost visitors can find their way, and you ll make it easy for search engine spiders to find your pages. Link the site logo to the home page. Visitors will expect your logo to link to the home page, so make it easy for them to find it. Add a search box. Are your current visitors lost? Make it easy for them to find exactly what they re looking for with an internal search box. Use plenty of contrast. If text seems to melt into the background, change things up and make your text easy to read by using colors that highly contrast one another. Customize the error page. If you have a standard set of error pages, you need to step things up. The error page should not only reflect your site s design but also provide useful links that will get your visitor back on track. Ask for feedback. Create a contact form that makes it easy for customers to speak with you about your site. Test the site on real users. Ask regular people to navigate your site to find usability problems. Create specific landing pages. If you want to sell, make sure that you have landing pages for specific campaigns and that each of those pages has a purpose. Add more internal links. If you d like to get more traffic to your income-producing pages, add some internal links to your most highly trafficked pages. Search Engine Optimization Follow these tips if you d like to see an improvement on your search-engine rankings. Replace underscores with hyphens. In search-engine results, words separated by underscores will run together, while hypens will create a space between each word. Implement 301s to consolidate page rank. If your site lives on both non- www and www domains, redirect one to the other in order to consolidate. Add a dynamic meta description. Make sure that your meta description makes sense so that your excerpt in search-engine results is more appealing. Use heading tags. Let search engines know what s important by highlighting titles and more in header tags. Update content often. Give search engines a reason to keep coming back with fresh content. Ensure that your host is up to snuff. Make sure that your host is providing maximum uptime so that your site is visible at all times. Create a robots text file. Make life easy for crawlers by creating a file just for them. Make sure that your domain is brandable. If your name isn t easy to say or remember, you need to find something that is. Build link popularity. Actively seek out relevant, inbound links to your site to build trust and profile with search engines. Turn off music. No one wants music to greet them every time they click a link, so turn off the music - or at least offer an easy option for disabling it. Give pages real names. For example, if your page is about red widgets, its filename should be, or at least include, the words red and widgets. Take off the black hat. If you ve used tactics like keyword stuffing, remove them from your site. They may be working now, but in the long run, they ll only hurt. Open up the drop-down menus. Let your user see all of the navigation options available, or you ll confuse them. Ditch registration. Don t turn off users by forcing them to register to access content. Ditch frames. Frames are horrible for search-engine optimization and design in general. Just stay away from them. Fix broken links. Don t send search engines and users down dead ends. Clean up links for better search-engine optimization and usability. Avoid resizing the user s window. Let the user be in control of their browser, or your site will lose credibility. Accessibility If your site isn t accessible, you could be making things frustrating or even impossible for visitors with disabilities. Take these steps to make your site more inclusive. Create accessible forms. Make sure that your forms can be filled out by all visitors. Specify spacer images as empty. Make sure that nonvisual browsers know to ignore your spacer images by noting them as empty. Set captions on tables. This will ensure that your captions render correctly even in visual browsers. Modify color. Ensure that pages are readable by using appropriate colors. Summarize tables. Add a summary of tables so that visitors with screen readers will understand what they re all about. Provide real lists. Use list tags to ensure that lists render correctly for disabled browsers. Remove text from images. Using image text will make it difficult for those using screen readers to read text. Offer an alternative to JavaScript links. Many browsers for the disabled don t support JavaScript, so make it easy for them to have access to real links. Identify the language. Screen readers need to know how to pronounce words, so let them know what language your site s content is in. Add titles to links. Ensure that links are descriptive enough for visitors by adding link titles. Create accessible tables. Make sure that tables are accessible to all by using scope, header and ID attributes. Allow text resizing. Make it easy for readers to resize text if necessary. Supplement navigational aids. Offer additional navigational aids to help visitors who use text-only browsers. Define keyboard shortcuts. Set up keyboard shortcuts so that disabled users can navigate your site with ease. Provide alternate text for images. Alternate text will let disabled visitors know what images represent. Set a document type. Let readers know what sort of programming language your site uses so that content can be displayed correctly. Present content first. Make sure that text-only browswers aren t being presented with your navigation before main content. Set horizontal rules. Instead of just using an image to break up your pages, use horizontal-rule tags and CSS to display them properly for disabled users. Accessible pop-up windows. If your site uses pop-up windows, make sure that they re accessible. Create meaningful page titles. Make sure that your site s page names make sense for their content. Design Spruce up your site s appearance using these design fixes. Place important information above the fold. Move your most important content high on the page so you can be sure that visitors will see it. Keep background colors and images at a minimum. Backgrounds are often less than visually appealing and can make your site load slowly. Reduce choices. Avoid overwhelming your visitor with lots of different options. Design small. Cut your Web pages down to 50KB or less so that they load quickly for anyone. Nix banners. Abandon banners for a more effective design element, or they ll be ignored. Stay consistent. Check to make sure that colors and design are in the same general scheme so that visitors know they re still on your site. Validate design in alternative browsers. See how your design renders in browsers like Safari, Opera and Firefox to make sure that it looks right no matter who is viewing it. Minimize columns. Reduce columns to avoid distracting the reader with excessive visual choices. Lose the splash page. No one wants to sit through a fancy Flash introduction. Replace it with a helpful home page instead. Create a tagline. Stand out with a striking tagline that will draw visitors in. Ditch frames. If your site uses frames, you need to move on to another method, like CSS or SSI (Server-Side Includes). Make sure that text outnumbers HTML. Provide good content with text rather than HTML. Slow down the technology. Although you may have state-of-the-art computers, many of your visitors don t. Get rid of memory-hogging technologies like JavaScript. Remove link cloaks. Make sure that your visitor knows exactly where they re going, or you ll lose credibility. Limit each page to one topic. Give each page a singular purpose to avoid confusing visitors. Ditch crazy fonts. If you re using a ransom-note font, it s time to switch to something simpler. Chances are, your visitors browsers are rendering it as Times New Roman anyway. Reduce your graphics. Graphics not only slow pages down, but they also steal attention away from what s important: content. Add functional links to the footer. Make it easy for visitors to find contact information or your privacy policy just by scrolling down. Standardize link colors. Make sure that users know which links they ve visited and which they haven t. Update information. Put on a fresh coat of paint with a new header, logo or other design element. Convert PDF files to HTML. Make browsing flow a little smoother by converting PDF files to a format that s more easily readable in a browser. Legal Keep your site safe and protect your content using these improvements. Update the privacy policy. Ensure that your site s privacy policy fully discloses everything it should. Revise deep links. Update links so that they point to the home page of a site rather than a specific page, or make sure that you re attributing them correctly. Legitimize images. If you re using images that you don t legally own, it s time to update them with your own images or those that you ve purchased. Pay taxes. If you re making money from your site, it s a business and is taxed as such. Take care of your taxes or you could end up in hot water with Uncle Sam. Protect content. Keep your content safe from thieves by copyrighting it and taking steps to shield it from unscrupulous eyes. Form a legal entity. Get liability protection by forming an LLC (limited liability company) or other formal legal entity. Register a trademark. If you own your domain name but not a related trademark, a trademarked entity with the same name could take it from you, so be sure to register it before someone else does. Store a Web site cache. Keep a copy of your site handy in case of copyright disputes or loss. Revise the email campaign. Make sure that your email campaign complies with the CAN-SPAM Act. ShareThis

Written by Valene If you think that iPods are used just for listening to music, you obviously haven t been keeping up with the latest technology The Apple-developed music player now features all kinds of accessories to help you study better, and now other companies are in a rush to get their designs in sync with the iPod. Pre-teens, college kids and even adults are taking advantage of the educational benefits an iPod affords them. From downloadable podcasts to just-for-iPod study guides and applications, learning on the go has never been easier. To find out about the many different ways you can transform your iPod into a learning device, check out our list below. Study Guides Stop trying to keep track of all your Spark Notes and endless study guides. Use these programs to upload study materials onto your iPod. Spark Notes: Long considered a busy high school or college student s best friend, the online study guide database now offers users an iPod-friendly version. Get summaries and analyses of books like A Tale of Two Cities, Beowulf, Hamlet and more. iPREPpress: This website provides study guides, travel guides and foreign language training, all compatible with iPods. Raybook: This company has turned popular study guides and flash cards like Cliff s Notes and Netter s into iPod-compatible study sessions. Programs use video, audio and interactive media to help you learn more effectively. VangoNotes: College students can browse this website for audio downloads in subjects like Sociology, Nursing, Business, Computer Science and other disciplines to access textbook study guides. NotePods: Currently offered for just $1.99 each, these iPod-compatible study guides give summaries on Jane Austen novels, Shakespeare plays, works by Tolstoy and more. WorldNomads Language Guides: Prepare for your next vacation by learning Spanish, Thai, French, Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Japanese, Chinese or any of the other languages offered here. CramSession: Computer and IT students studying for professional exams can find audio study guides here, ready to download. SparkCharts: This designed-for-iPod study charts help students prep for tests in biology, anatomy, chemistry, algebra, calculus, Spanish and other subjects. SAT Vocabulary Builder: Get test taking strategies and access to a flocabulary hip hop audio session that will help you remember tricky SAT vocab words. Cisco Study Guides: Students and professionals studying for Cisco exams can access iPod-compatible study guides here. Podcasts and More From podcasts to audio books and other downloadable learning devices, check out these tools that give new meaning to the phrase continuing education. GoogleGet: Get your Google News and iPod in sync by installing this software program. You ll stay current on all the top news stories, making you better prepared for class or work. Smithsonian Global Sound: Listen to and learn about music styles from all over the world by checking out the downloads available at the Smithsonian s Global Sound site. Soundwalk: This site currently only sells CDs and MP3s, but you can use an MP3-iPod converter to check out unique self-guided audio tours like The Bronx Graffiti Walk or The Paris St. Germain Walk. ESL Podcasts: Learn English by taking these ESL classes on your iPod. Pod CityGuides: This site has hundreds of city guides that are compatible with iPods, so no one has to know you re really a tourist. iPod Spanish to Go: Learn Spanish on your iPod with this program that teaches pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and culture. Mogopop: Use this online program to enhance iPod learning by adding notes, video and illustrations to audiobooks and study notes. BiblePLayer for iPod 1.1: Add the King James Bible to your iPod for free with this download. Brain Quest: This popular educational game is available at different levels for grades 1-7. Stedman s Medical Terminology Flash Cards: This set of iPod-friendly flash cards will help any healthcare, nursing, pre-med or medical student prepare for an exam. Teach Kids Valuable Lessons with Free Sesame Street iPod Videos: Lifehacker writes about the six free Sesame Street videos offered on iTunes, perfect for introducing your child to technology and other educational basics. The Education Podcast Network: Find this podcast at the iTunes store to access information, tutorials and other materials about teaching students at all levels and in a variety of disciplines. NPR Science Friday: Listen to clever, engaging discussions about science from National Public Radio s popular program. The Philosophy Talk: This is the program that questions everything except your intelligence. Find it on iTunes to save podcasts on your iPod. Tutorials These tutorials will help you make the most of your iPod by showing you how to learn new skills and create your own podcasts. iTunes Store - Audiobooks: Find audiobooks on any subject at the iTunes Store, including news, sports, technology, travel, languages, drama and poetry and more. Kaplan SAT Prep: Supplement your SAT prep with this iPod-friendly download from Kaplan. iPod Manuals, User Guides and Tutorials: Troubleshoot any problems you have with your iPod and new educational downloads using this collection of iPod manuals. Video iPod Tutorial: Learn how to add podcasts, videos and more to your iPod by checking out this easy how-to guide. Learning Podcasting: If you want to create your own podcast to share your skills or expertise on a particular subject, read this in-depth introduction to podcasting from Wise-Women.org. Podtender 3.0: This software program will teach you how to make all kinds of tasty cocktails for your next party. PodGourmet 2.0: Teach yourself to become a master chef when you get recipes for traditional and vegan meals with this iPod program. iPod Lesson Plans: Use your iPod in clever new ways to engage students in the classroom. Lesson plan ideas include learning math with music and creating an audio tour. Librivox: Access podcasts and recordings of book chapters from nearly all genres of literature. LearnOutLoud.com: This popular website offers free audio books, lectures and other educational material that can be put on an iPod. Browse categories like technology, religion and spirituality, languages, science, politics and business, among others. Applications Check out these applications and software programs that will make learning with your iPod even easier. iPodSync: Sync up your work or school Outlook accounts with your iPod by installing iPodSync. You can get automatic updates and transfers for notes, calendar appointments, e-mail, news feeds and more. MP3 to iPod Converter: Use this software to convert MP3s to iPod-compatible audio books. iGadget: Make your class notes, presentations, study guides and other materials iPod-friendly by using iGadget. You ll be able to move documents and files back and forth between your iPod and your computer easily and securely. Plato Video to iPod Converter: Use this app to transform all kinds of video formats into MP4 formats so that you can upload video clips and footage onto your iPod. Anapod: If you re a Windows user but love your iPod, use the Anapod to transfer files back and forth, including class notes, Web clips and more. CopyTrans: If you ve loaded up your iPod with tons of finals week study guides, formulas and translators, use the CopyTrans to back it all up and get in sync with your computer just in case. iSquint: Convert DVDs, TiVo, AVI, WMV and other video formats to iPod-friendly videos with iSquint. iPodifier: Sync up your iPod with TiVo, Windows Media Player or SageTV to view video streams of the news, educational programming or other TV shows on your iPod. iWriter: Talking Panda s iWriter gives you the tools to create your own iPod study tools with this application and quick tutorial. YouTube to iPod Converter 2.6: This free converter lets you watch educational videos, TV clips and more on your iPod so that you can review for tests, contribute to class discussions or add them to a presentation. WiPod v1.0: If you re looking for a place to study, do some research or prepare for a business meeting, use this application to help you identify the nearest public WiFi hotspot. More Downloads Find even more classes and audio books online here. Then, download them to your iPod and keep learning on your way to class, on the plane to your next vacation or anywhere else you have a few minutes to zone out. Telltale Weekly: This audio book store allows students and literature enthusiasts purchase AAC-formatted audio books and stories for just 25 cents each. Browse categories like Drama, Nonfiction, Humor and Popular Authors. Free Classic AudioBooks: Find books like Herman Melville s Typee, Huckleberry Finn and Swiss Family Robinson in iPod-friendly formats here. Made for Success: This popular personal and professional coaching program is now offered in an audio book format. Sound Book Emporium: Browse categories like Foreign Language Study, Self Help and Business to find a class that meets your personal, professional or academic needs. Talking Books Network: Students can quickly listen to key chapters of books they need to finish for class or hear critiques of literary works to help them contribute to in-class discussions. Project Gutenberg: This large online library of audio books and e-books contains stories and books in languages from English to Greek to Danish to Korean. iJourneys: Take walking tours in cities like Salzburg, Vienna, Amsterdam, Paris and Ancient Rome by downloading iPod-compatible guides from this site. Audio Bibles for iPod: AllBibles.com offers iPod-compatible Bibles for theology and seminary students, or for those who just want a more portable version to take along with them. iLingo: This easy-to-use foreign language program is designed for the iPod and includes tutorials in Italian, German, Portuguese, Mandarin, Korean, Japanese, Russian and more. PodGuides.net: Create your own podguide to give visitors an insider s look at your community, or browse through other guides to enhance your next vacation to Melbourne, Brussels, France s Opal Coast and more. Classroom Help Supplement your class discussions with iPod tools like StudyGuideGuru and Portable Notes, which will keep your assignments fresh in your head all day. The Teaching Company: Supplement your class assignments and syllabi with courses and study guides from The Teaching Company. You can search topics like Ancient and Modern History, Religion, Philosophy, Science and Mathematics and more. Portable Notes: Use this guide to help you install Portable Notes on your iPod, making it easy to review class notes and study guides even if you re away from your computer. Merriam-Webster Reference Dictionary: Download the popular dictionary onto your iPod to look up words and definitions in class, on your way to class or anywhere else. StudyGuideGuru: This collection of literature study guides will help you prep for your next exam, paper or in-class discussion. iPod Learning Support New iPod users will appreciate these crash courses in iTunes, podcasting and downloading, while seasoned iPod veterans can find new tricks to maximize their iPod s portability. Get Tips for Podcasts: The iTunes Store publishes this tutorial with tips for searching for, purchasing and playing podcasts on your iPod. Download and Install iTunes: If you ve just bought an iPod, check out this quick training guide to get tips on searching for and downloading iTunes. PDA iPod Guide: This website features MP4 converters, iPod converters, software and tutorials that will help you turn your iPod into a learning device with all the bells and whistles. Podcasting Plus: This in-depth guide has everything you need to know about creating your own podcast. Podcasting Legal Guide: Understand the legal issues and limitations that affect podcasting with this guide. iPod in the Classroom: Take a look at Apple s collection of lesson plans for teachers who want to use their iPod for classroom work. iLounge: Get together with other iPod users to find out about new things you can do with your iPod. Rock Your iPod with an Open-Source Upgrade: Consider turning your iPod into an open-source device, allowing you to access even more videos, tutorials, online classes and more. 5 Tricks You can Teach iTunes: Maximize your iPod s potential by learning how to work these tricks, including sharing files, reversing sync and setting up smart playlists. Tools and Sites Turn to these websites for access to even more audio books and iPod learning devices. AudioBook-Megashop: Categories here include Arts and Drama, Fiction, History and Self Help. There are no monthly subscription fees; just pay once each time you purchase an audio book. ShowFootage: Browse through this site s library of video clips to make your presentations and projects more attractive. Audible.com: Find a large variety of books, newspapers and magazines ready to download to your iPod on this site. Categories include Romance, Classics, Business, History and more. iPod Tours: Apple s iPod Tour Guide store lets you search for and download audio tours like Chateau de Versailles, Jewish Museum Berlin and Disney Cruise Line. AudioLearn: This site offers all kinds of test prep guides for the SAT, MCAT, DAT, TOEFL and other exams, all ready to be uploaded onto your iPod. Homeschool eStore: Find SparkNotes in iPod-friendly formats here. English Tutor TeleCampus: Download test preps for your iPod to study for the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and other tests. Rocketbook Video Study Guides: These unique video study guides can be downloaded as MP3s, but use a converter to make them iPod friendly. Humorous videos include guides for The Great Gatsby, Romeo and Juliet and The Odyssey. Books on Board: Search for ebooks and audio books on this site, in categories ranging from Women s Reading to Textbooks to Classics to Business. iPlay Music: This set of music lessons is designed for a variety of multimedia devices, including the iPod. MyTrainingCenter.com: Access hundreds of video tutorials and how-to guides that provide computer and business training. Downloads are compatible with the iPod. Unerase Tool: Recover lost study guides, class notes and other materials with this handy tool made for iPods. Budget Travel Podcasts: The famed Budget Travel site now offers downloadable podcasts for vacations to Las Vegas, Miami and Quebec City. iTunes U These top schools offer classes on iTunes U. Start downloading now to listen to Ivy League professors lecture, brush up on your foreign language skills or just broaden your horizons. Stanford on iTunes: Take a class from Stanford by downloading one onto your iPod. Or, you can find interviews with faculty and lectures to help you better understand the course material at your own school. University of California Berkeley: Classes from this well-respected school are available in chemistry, the social sciences, journalism and much more. Duke University: Listen to the Duke Featured Speakers Podcast or check out notes from the Theatre department or listen to the lecture series sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Center for Interdisciplinary and International Studies. New York Law School: New York Law School has lectures on iTunes on environmental law, family law, adoption policy, legal education and other hot topics. MIT: This elite school shares lecture notes, project discussions and more on subjects ranging from engineering to philosophy to urban studies. Michigan Tech : Classes like Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering are all available in podcast form at iTunesU. Yale Books and Authors: Check out this collection of podcasts from Yale authors and faculty, on topics like education, slavery and more. Harvard Extension School: Take classes from Harvard from the comfort of wherever you bring your iPod. This program features podcasts of a variety of lectures and courses from the Ivy school. Wellesley on iTunesU: Wellesley College courses and lectures like Not Such a Small World: The Challenges of Globalization and Academic Frauds, Fictions and Fantasies on iTunes. Texas A s University: Canada s famous Queen s University provides lectures, sports events, news and more to people all over the world wanting to advance their education. Miscellaneous Read below for fun tutorials and podcasts that will enhance your educational experience no matter where you are. iPod in Education: Visit this site for advice, tutorials and downloads for using the iPod in educational settings. Research at Chicago: The University of Chicago sponsors this podcast, full of interviews and reports fro the latest research projects in psychology, physics, law and more. Business English: Learn how to communicate better and improve your professional English skills by tuning into the podcast on your iPod. History According to Bob: Professor Bob takes his listeners through history, from Ancient Greece to World War I to the Aztecs. Education Podcast with John Merrow: This PBS-sponsored podcast features correspondent John Merrow and his interviews and reports on the social, political, economic and cultural issues that affect our world. Openculture: Free Educational Podcasts: Check out this extensive list of free podcasts from colleges and universities like Columbia, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, Stanford Law and the London School of Economics. ShareThis

Sign Off

Installing web servers on OSX and XP

Part 3 of LAMP, Installing Mysql

Part 2 of LAMP, Installing Apache

Part 1 of LAMP, Installing Linux

Audio Update

Details of port forwarding, static DHCP, and MAC filtering

An update on some changes and new things

ARP tables, packet contents, internet hops, and stacking routers

I show you how to punch down cat5, and turn your current phone jack into a double jack, both network, and telephone. See Lanshack.com for FAQ on wire categories.

Just more excuses...lol

I answer a frequently asked question in front of CompUSA

How to move a DVD to your iPod for Mac OSX

Part 2 of 2, how to move a DVD to your iPod

Part 1 of 2, how to move a DVD to your iPod

I experiment with video podcasting from my car during my commute, and give an update on GIDUT. The audio quality is fair, but the location is interesting.....I think?

How to make a network cable

How to open your Mac Mini, and upgrade the memory.