Amateur Love Music

Print-On-Demand: A Definition and a Comparison

The purpose of this article is to consider Print-On-Demand
publishing as an alternative for the aspiring author. It has its
strengths and its weaknesses. You may wonder as you begin reading
this, but in the end I’m going to say some good things about it.

The title explains the technology. The way that literature has
traditionally been printed involves running many copies simul-
taneously in order to bring the price per copy down. Smaller
print runs, such as advertising, brochures, or concert programs,
cost more per copy because they are small print runs. Until
recently, printing a single book was all but unthinkable.

In the case of novels, the traditional print publisher begins by
printing several thousand copies. His goal is to run off the
smallest number of copies he can while getting the best possible
price per copy.

These books are then sent to bookstores, which tend to prefer
something along the lines of what has succeeded before. The
remainder sits in a warehouse somewhere. Perhaps to be shipped as
the orders come in, perhaps to be joined by any “remaindered”
copies the bookstores couldn’t move.

This represents an investment on the part of that publisher,
hence his paranoia about experimenting with new formats or (more
importantly) new authors.

Print-On-Demand (POD) uses a completely different process. The
end result is, the price per copy on a small run is much lower.
How small of a run? Try one book. Zero inventory. The book is
economically produced when the reader orders it, not before.

This technology was probably invented for sales literature. Then
someone realized it might be a pretty cool way to get ARCs
(Advance Review Copies) out to the book reviewers before the book
was actually available. Finally, someone decided to get it into
the publishing mainstream.

Why is it so much cheaper to publish a single book via POD? The
reasons really aren’t relevant to this article, besides which
they’d probably bore you. But if you care, the first link below
spells it all out.

http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_01.htm

http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_02.htm

http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_03.htm

http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_04.htm

http://www.jdwrite.com/writing/pod_05.htm

I recommend reading (or at least skimming) all five of those, by
the way. It’s quite a comprehensive analysis of how. Then come
back to this article to determine why. Or if.

Have you ever heard of the author who self-published and wound up
with a best-seller? They do exist!

Now look at all the self-published authors who couldn’t do that.
They’re the vast majority. The author who uses POD faces similar
longshot odds.

POD has a definite advantage over other self-publishing, in that
you don’t wind up with a few hundred (or more?) copies of a book
in your basement because you can’t sell them. Thus, it’s cheaper,
with no difference in quality unless you hook up with losers.

But neither option will bring you the readership that you’ll get
from a successful book with a traditional print publisher.

I have self published. I went to a local print shop back in the
pre-POD days, ran off 80 copies at $3 a copy, and sold them to
local bookstores for $6 a copy. Lots of fun, and lots of
learning, but I didn’t get rich. My wage per hour stunk, but that
was fine with me because I honestly didn’t care. I broke even and
gave away the rest. A pleasant way to spend lunch hours during
the work week.

Most of us, though, just don’t have that kind of time. And even
if we do, why bother? Take the money you’d have invested and buy
some Microsoft stock, then take the time you’d have invested and
write more books. You’ll be happier and you’ll make more money.

Having said all that, why am I recommending POD at all? In my
case, it’s because I’ve written some books that no print
publisher will ever pick up. That’s my honest appraisal.

If I were a mercenary type, I’d follow that up with something
like “Why’d you even write those books then?” But if you’re a
REAL writer, you know the answer.

It’s always about writing first, marketing second. Two different
hats. I’m assuming you already did the writing and now are
wondering what the heck to do with it.

As an example, my EPPIE 2002 finalist is too short. I wrote it
back when print publishers wanted 40,000 words. Now they want
50,000. But it doesn’t take 50,000 words to tell that particular
story, and I’m not padding it. Even if I were willing, it’d stink
and nobody would buy it. Give the publishers some credit. They
know padding when they see it. The same goes for the readers.

As another example, consider my short story collection.
Critically acclaimed and selling moderately well, but no
traditional publisher wants short story collections from unknown
authors. It’s just that simple.

So, I simultaneously published these books in e-book format and
POD format. E-books are cheaper and more environmentally friendly,
but the paperback option is still there for those who can’t or
won’t ever read an e-book.

(Daddy is in that group, by the way. How about your family?)

Places who publish only POD began by accepting anything sent
their way. Pay your money, and do your own editing and marketing.
This gave POD a credibility problem. There are POD outfits who
don’t operate this way, but the credibility problem will take
time to heal.

As an author, your goal is to write what’s in your heart, find
people who like to read what you like to write, and get it out to
them. (That’s my goal, anyway.) If your name happens to be Tom
Clancy, that equals many readers. But that’s simply luck of the
draw.

Many of us don’t have such mass appeal. Possibly you’re the sort
of writer who knows exactly where you stand in that respect. But
many don’t, and they’re flooding the POD market with stuff that
most readers just plain don’t want. Add to that the badly edited
stuff, and the credibility problem with POD is understandable.

Ideally, what you want is for your e-publisher to simultaneously
release your book in both formats without charging a POD setup
fee. That way, you can direct all your promotional efforts to
that single URL. However, these e-publishers have a real problem
with backlog now, so if you want to travel the road I did, you’ll
need much more patience than I did.

Taking advantage of a free POD option with your e-book will also
help your promotional efforts. Many reviewers just plain won’t
touch an e-book. If you’ve done the POD bit, in addition to being
able to tell all your friends and family, “Look at this, I’m a
real author because here’s the paperback,” you’ll be able to send
review copies via POD to those book reviewers.

If you find yourself with an e-publisher who doesn’t offer free
POD, you may wish to shop around for a POD publisher. As you do
this, remember the business model. If a publisher makes all its
money from writers, it doesn’t need to sell a single book to a
single reader to stay in business.

No matter how much praise they send your way, that’s the bottom
line. Writing is a calling, but publishing is a business. Those
authors who can’t distinguish between the two are what keep the
opportunists in business. I was such an author for most of my
life.

Some POD places are no more than thinly veiled vanity (or
subsidy) presses. They have a role to serve, but let’s be
honest. Most do no editing, and they don’t care. They may not be
making a massive profit from your setup fees, but they’re making
enough to stay in business. Even if you don’t sell any books to
anyone except your Gramma.

Earlier, I recommended e-publishing before print publishing for
the free editing you’ll receive. If you’re going with POD,
consider it mandatory. Either that, or pay an editor. The author
who can write a mistake-free manuscript does not exist.

Still interested in POD publishing? Here are the questions you
should ask yourself when you select a POD publisher:

A) Sale price of each book

1) Who decides what it is?

2) Will readers pay that much?

B) Profit per sale vs. your setup cost

1) How many copies must you sell to break even?

2) Can you do it?

3) If not, do you care? How big of a financial hit are you
willing to take just to see your name in print?

As a rule, US$100 or less setup cost is good and US$1000 is very
bad. The latter, no matter how much publicity they promise you,
is only a thinly disguised vanity publisher. You won’t sell enough
books to recoup that $1000 unless you’re a real marketing machine.
Even then you shouldn’t pay the $1000. It won’t get you anything
that $100 won’t.

If the POD place only prints “trade paperbacks,” which are the
larger ones, your cost per book (and sale price per book) will be
higher than if you can print “mass-market paperbacks.” The choice
is yours, but whatever you decide, visit the local bookstores and
price similar-sized books. If you write like Stephen King but
charge twice as much per book, readers are going to buy the
author they’ve heard of, and that’s probably not you. Yet…

A comprehensive list of POD publishers, along with descriptions,
can be found on-line at http://dehanna.com/database.htm

It fails to mention Booksurge (http://www.booksurge.com), also
known as Digitz (http://www.digitz.net). US$99. I have no
experience with them, but I’ve heard only good things about them.

Another that isn’t mentioned is Digital Print Australia at
http://www.digitalprintaustralia.com. I’ve used them. My setup
cost was AUD$35 (roughly US$18 back then), which compares rather
favorably to those listed.

Their price per copy is also excellent. The quality equals what
you’ll find in the bookstores. If you’ve ever bought a paperback
from Writers Exchange, you’ve seen it. If not, Digital Print will
send you a free sample. They sent mine to China.

Two problems you may have with them, though, are shipping charges
from Australia if that’s not where your readers are located, and
the fact that they don’t offer a way to sell the books on their
site.

Copyright 2005, Michael LaRocca

Michael LaRocca’s website at http://www.chinarice.org was
chosen by WRITER’S DIGEST as one of The 101 Best Websites
For Writers in 2001 and 2002. His response was to throw it
out and start over again because he’s insane. He teaches
English at a university in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province,
China, and publishes the free weekly newsletter WHO MOVED
MY RICE?

SCAMS – Be Aware – And Report When Necessary

The Internet is a vast International Network of people and businesses – and a place where people can make a fairly decent living. However, it is also a place where certain unsavory characters can freely roam – to take your dollars and run. Scams – the human mind can be either pure or devious – and it is the devious mind that you have to look out for and be aware of at all time.

The easy marks to a scam are those that are new, inexperienced, or those that are desperately looking for a way to make some money, that the swindler will usually target. Emotional hype and false sincerity are their ticket to a scam. Some are obvious, but others are not. Now, I mean no insult if you have been scammed – Why – been there and done that. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed – be aware– and vow to be ever vigilant in your choices. And remember to reassure yourself, that next time – if, heaven forbid, you should encounter another scam, you will definitely handle it differently.

Affiliate Scams

What constitutes an affiliate scam?

1. No contact information

2. Commissions to high — (I know what you are saying – but the commission looks so good? Are you sure?) Research – people do no remain silent when they have been scammed on the Internet.

3. Your emails go unanswered.

4. Worse of all – your affiliate checks bounce.

Work-At-Home Scams

Work-At-Home scammers will gear their sights to the Mom, who wants to work at home, or the individual who lost their job, or the individual who wants to supplement their income from an on-line venture. If you’re looking for a work-at-home position remember these warning signs:

1. If you have to pay to get access to the site or database to make money – could be a scam.

2. If you receive an email – before joining – that says something on the order of “No BS – this is a legitimate offer!” Stay clear – it is BS!

3. If you’re not been paid – strong indicator you have been scammed.

4. They change rules and pay days (to, of course, to string you along and avoid paying you).

Well, I can say I haven’t encountered an affiliate scam, however, I’ve been hit with a work-at-home scam. It was my first initial attempt at finding work on the Internet before going into affiliate marketing. Anyway, I remember sending an email asking a question regarding, of all things, being paid. I received no response. So, I sent another email, stating that I could not access the link to their website and I was getting a 404 Error, and I was wondering if they could fix it. Yes, devious – but wanted to know if they would reply. And yes, they did. I knew then, it was a scam.

Report Your Scams

The Internet may be a vast network of International players, but the word scam travels quickly and people listen. If you think the telephone was a good communication tool, well, the Internet is just as good – and sometimes faster if you know where to go.

If you have been scammed and wish to prevent the scammers from getting richer and any new victims from getting poorer – use the list below – and report it.

However, please do not take this responsibility lightly — if you are wronged, or treated badly — but not scammed, do not report it. And remember — a scam occurs when a program or a business misrepresents or makes promises that they do not keep.

Report A Scam (http://www.homebasedbusinessreviews.com/reportascam.html)– You will report information here if you believe a program or business opportunity is misrepresenting itself or making promises that are not being kept.

Fraud.org (http://www.fraud.org) — This is a site where you can report different types of scams: Telemarketing scams, Elder scams, Internet Fraud, Scams Against Businesses.

Rip-Off Report (http://www.rip-offreport.com) — Rip-off Report is a consumer-to-consumer site, which is seen by over 2,892,077,866 people.

Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org) — Never forget the Better Business Bureau — when you file a complaint — they will contact the organization to try and resolve the issue for you.

Web Assured (http://www.webassured.com)– You can file a complaint, as well as, look at their watch list. Companies are placed on their watch list when they blatantly disregard Internet standards.

Federal Trade Commission – (http://www.ftc.gov)

ScamWatch (http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/scams/scams.asp)– Scam Watch covers scams from financial to investments, pyramid schemes and miracle cure.

ScamBusters (http://www.scambusters.org)
To conclude, when beginning work on the Internet, you will encounter obvious scams, and not so obvious scams. The key is research, and as always, Buyer Beware. If your gut gets an uneasy knot in it and, if you hear yourself saying, “This is just too good to be true?” — Take note, it probably is.

Vickie J Scanlon has a BBA degree in Administrative Management and
Marketing. She left the corporate world as an Reports Programmer,
to begin her journey as an Internet marketer.

Visit her site at:
http://www.myaffiliateplace.biz for free tools, articles, ebooks, and how to info, income opportunities, affiliate opportunities, or check her blog for additional insights to the Affiliate Business – http://myaffiliateplace.blogspot.com

Motivation: Change Can Start Out Slow and Then Pick Up Speed

Do you know how to get the changes in your life that you desire? Here are some powerful suggestions for making changes.

Sometimes change can start out slowly and then pick up speed as momentum builds and builds.

Kaleidoscopic change

Remember the kaleidoscopic you played with as a child? Each time you turned it, there was a little bit of movement, and then the whole picture changed.

Sometimes it takes hanging in there during the little changes to get to the big changes.

Change requires focus

Although change can happen quickly, there are times when it takes much more focus to create change.

Several years ago the clutch went out on my two year old car. After the repair, the mechanic asked me a few questions about how I drove. I discovered I was a champion clutch rider. If there was any opportunity to have the clutch in, it was in.

So there I was, with 20 years of driving experience, having to pay conscious attention to changing something I did by habit.

As I focused on learning how to drive differently, it occurred to me that I really did not have to change.

I could still drive the car the same way I had been, and it would get me where I wanted to go. I would just burn out a clutch every two years.

It was time to change.

Visit The Article Guy for more leading edge tips and tools for writing articles that bring you prospects, publicity and profits. You can also subscribe to our monthly Article Writing & Marketing Tips Newsletter. You are also invited to visit my Express-Start Article Writing Program for more information on the next article writing tele-seminar.

Fun and Games with Kids

If you are ever bored and need to put a lot of laughter in your day, call your cousin, sister or brother, whomever has children and tell them you are coming over. Stop by on your way there and buy some coloring books, maybe some toys depending on your budget and definitely some ice cream. You will definitely be greeted with lots of hugs and screaming and if there are more than two kids they will all be fighting for your attention, they love hang out with people that they don’t get to see us much. Bring out the ice cream, of course with the parent’s permission and you will be their favorite person of the day. As far as your share of the ice cream, make sure that you take your Acceletrim Weight Loss before. Simply sitting there at the table watching them eat and say funny stuff will make your day a lot better. They are really smart and honest, they mean what they say and there is no way around it. They love to play and color so go ahead and join in, if they let you and simply try to remember how much fun it was when you were a kid and how life seemed so easy, and fun. If you hang out for a couple of hours and really see how simple and happy they are maybe you will live that house with a different picture about life in you mind, and really see the positive of life and how a solution for everything can be found.

Acceptance

This is a great poem to check out. Go to our website and vote on our poems to help us choose a winner!!!Runners can out do themselves by completing the race before it’s finished. Dogs that itch and scratch are known to be fairly normal unless the hair falls off, then to the doctor they go. To find cures for all the wrong that happens in the world is challenging. Still it’s possible to explain… When friends lose their jobs because the economys bad or the employer is looking for ways to save money and salvage his business it sure is hard to accept. If a husband abuses his wife verbally for years it’s unlikely a savior is close at hand to distill the rot that his excess extols. We wonder why the world has lost it’s loyalty. We wonder why the husband forgets his. It’s hard to accept the abuses that come. Hard to understand how to fix a world, a life, a woman, a dog all in turmoil. It’s hard to accept the way things are, yet we do and when we can, we try and fix that which is fixable. It’s hard to accept defeat. Hard to accept a world that can beat us.Hard to accept failure. So don’t…

http://www.originalpoetry.com/hard-to-accept

Tears, Thanksgiving and Mom

For us, holidays were a bad memory. This time in our life became something that held you back from doing things like other kids. They didn’t face the turmoil you were going through.

I remember it to this day. Coming up from the lower floor of the house, I notice mom running down the stairs to the same floor I was headed. My sister was not noticeable around then, being in her room. “Their coming to get us”. Mom said, her voice trembling and the look of fear in her face. “Who”? I asked, not knowing what to do. “The police, their coming to get us”…Again her voice trembled and mom running back up the stairs she came from and into her room. I was terrified. Mom was the same way. That day rings loud and clear for me. My heart sinks as I realize today, mom was suffering from a mental breakdown. My mother was gone. Yes, she was there in the physical being, but departed mentally.

Later dad told us it was a sickness. Mom was indeed taken, but not by the police. She was taken to a special hospital in a little town far from where we were. As I recall this, I try to think about the holidays at this time. Then I shake my head, knowing that for us, till mom got well there was no holiday.

Dad worked hard to get us ready during this time mom was gone. We had friends who would take care of my sister while I was as school. I would come home to their house and wait till dad came and we would go home. Then I would cook dinner for us. The house would be lonely with no mother to comfort or guide us. No mom to wrap their arms around us and understand our hurts or problems. Dad was there, but an important part of our family was not. I cannot tell you how much this had an effect on me as a young man growing up. I became withdrawn and passive. Not getting involved in much of anything. I strove to help dad and my sister. Time was the enemy, for late at night, in my bed, I knew I would face another day without mom. As time went on, thanksgiving and Christmas came. Certain times when dad could get off, we would take a weekend to visit mom. The drive to go see mom was terrible for young minds. We would sit in the backseat of the car and drive endlessly it seemed. The hospital where mom was seems so far. It indeed was. The trip alone was six hours or so. Then with kids and stopping for various reasons the trip seemed so long. We would stay in a motel in the town where mom was. At first the visits actually meant for Dad to go inside and we kids had to wait in the car. Then at the proper time, mom would look out from a window with bars on them and wave at us kids. Later on, mom would be able to come and visit with us. But that never lasted long. She was much thinner now. Mom smiled and hugged us, but then she was gone. Time had come; we would pack up and leave that town which held my mother hostage. That was my holidays, painful. The gifts, the trees meant nothing. For a short while they would pacify my young mind and spirit. Then drifting, my heart would sink.

During those months I would try to help my sister and dad cope. Doing our best, we pulled together. All the while at school it was a nightmare. No one understood me. I was harassed by other kids. I was lonely and withdrawing more daily. I had one friend and at times we had fun. My sister being so young I never fully came to know how much an impact this had on her. Later on in life, she would reveal to me the heartaches she had come to know during this time.

After the holidays, birthdays came and went. The same thing would go on. Drive forever and visit for a short while, then come home. Without mom. Then one day, mom was released. The doctors, dad said had helped mom. The time of any person’s life, as least mine, was when mom came home.

You see, mom was sick allot during my life growing up and even into adulthood. She faced many problems, although she did better than most with her sickness. I have spent allot of years without her. For me, my mother was always sick; this created a hardship on everyone. But, for her, mom desperate fight to win this battle would eventually take her home to be with the Lord at an early age. Even though this battle of mom affected us all, for me Thanksgiving and Christmas was about having her there. Together we would celebrate and give thanks to the Lord. Without her, it seemed a dry and distant time. Devoid of reasoning. I have asked myself a thousand times why. In the last years of her life, there was only one time in five years I remember that I could hold a conversation like we use too. This talk with my mom lasted only five to ten minutes, and then in a flash she was gone. Her physical body was there, but she was somewhere else. I don’t know why, tears come as I think of this. My heart still sinks.

But, oh the joy of the holidays when mom was well. I can remember my grandparents coming in from the farm. We would all get together and enjoy our blessings. Pray over the food, give thanks to the Lord and dive in. The golden turkey, the oyster stuffing was the best, home backed rolls, and the smell of the pies whiffed through the house. The table was set with the finest silver mom had. The table cloth was one that had been crocheted. A white one. Upon this went the fixings.

During this time, it seemed time stood still for a moment. I can still see it, like a picture out of a painting. I see the table, grandmother, mom, dad, grandpa and us kids. The house is full of happiness. Christmas time was the same thing. Plenty of food, goodies, presents, and the tree. Lights, tinsel, pine, needles, and the special place below the tree. That was my place. I would snuggle under the tree and look up from the base of it. Peering along the tree trunk up through the branches to the top of the tree. Along the way was bulbs glittering and blinking. I would lay there with all the lights off in the living room where the tree was. Then take in a big whiff of pine, I would look up and enjoy the moment.

That was the holidays. This was the special time and moment in anyone’s life when blessings and knowing God has been good to you.

But, when mom was sick, this scene was not the one I had known. During that time I cannot remember the thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Nor the presents or any fun. I cannot think of anything good that went on. I don’t even remember being particularly blessed or thinking God had been good to me. In fact, I couldn’t believe the Lord would do that to us.

Over time, as I think back now. The Lord was good to us during that time. I may not remember the holiday, but there was a family. Short of one person, yes, but struggling to make it. Just one more day, one more hour, one more dinner, one more thanksgiving, one more Christmas, one more new year, one more birthday. That’s right, just one more. I lived that for the whole time mom was sick.

I thank the Lord today I had a dad that stuck with mom during those years. I told him so. Dad looked at me and said “I stayed with your mother all those years because of my conscience, and that one day I would have to face the Lord”. Dad later admitted to me that during those years mom’s sickness consumed him so much, he put the Lord on the shelf.

Today, this family is short one member. Mom is gone. The holidays don’t quite have that sparkle when I was a kid and mom was there. The turkey, the table, grandma and grandpa and the whole holiday adventure is not the same. But, we are going on. We are very thankful to the Lord for His blessings. Times have been tough. They are for many people today. I have two grown children, a grandchild, and a son-in-law. I have a great wife of 32 years and my dad, well he is great. I love them all. Sure I miss mom, but the holiday this year will be a good one. For the Lord has seen me and my family through much. I know when we carve that turkey this year; mom will be looking on and smiling. She always wanted the part that “went over the fence last”…You know what that is the tail… I will just smile back and think Mom; this one is for you…

Get Camping Equipment Online

Outdoor camping has received huge popularity over the years to be a change from your accustomed busy life. Having some days away from hectic schedules gives much pleasure and amusement selection than any other holiday idea. If you plan to have a camping break this year then it is recommended that you try and find the best of camping accessories to carry with for the utmost pleasant camping experience.

Outdoor camping gear come in the form of camping beds camping lights camping clothing etc. As the camping places picked are often wide-ranging so are the camping tools that are used for specific tasks. A large number of people prefer to go camping in the plains, whilst some go in the mountain areas, some in fields and some in woods. This means that the camping gear needed will ultimately depend on the site you have chosen to camp in.

To enjoy the fun and excitement absolutely, it?s very important to carry camping accessories that you will need during your camping vacation. There are loads of hikers & campers who love to camp and discover the most extreme parts of the world. So the camping requirements differ from person to person.

Hence before going camping outdoors it is important that you get the things that you will need. To get the best camping accessories its better to locate a cheap camping equipment shop and order the equipment you require to carry along. The light weight tents, portable camping stoves, handy weightless chairs, disposable utensils, sleeping bags, hiking boots, light fabric weightless clothes and other camping accessories can be bought online at the greatest discount rates. It’s necessary to carry camping kit that is light so as to give you as much freedom whilst trekking & hiking.

Several kinds of camping accessories are not cheap to purchase & can be afforded only when you have a huge budget. Thus you ought to make a list of items that you cannot do without whilst camping. Depending upon how often you go for camping, renting camping gear is a great choice. Or else if you are a camping freak then having a collection of your own camping tools is worthwhile. Have a wonderful camping experience this spring by keeping all your camping requirements toned up. Find wonderful deals on camping kits.

Related topics of interest include: Formula One Merchandise & Buy Toys.

The Writer’s Mind

The Writer’s Mind

I’ve always felt that writers aren’t smarter or more creative than non-writers. I think the difference between a writer and a non-writer is that a writer doesn’t have enough sense to know this should be difficult. Writing and creativity are products of the mind- not extraordinary minds- every mind. You can also tap into this creative power by learning a few simple tricks. Recognize that your brain is awesome, but it has limits. It has a difficult time changing gears from one mode of thinking to another. Remember trying to get through math class right after lunch? Your mind was focused on the social realm and until it completed the transition, math was unnaturally difficult. The same is true for creativity. Learn the creative modes and keep them away from each other. Never try to do two of these at the same time. Each has it’s own place. Here are the modes: • Creative Freestyle- If you”ve ever sat down and scribbled out a great poem without much thinking, this is the mode you were in. This is also the mode you’re in when you’re in “the zone.” When you’re actually entering the prose and your mind opens like a floodgate- that’s the freestyle creative mode. In this mode there is no logic and no criticism. If you’re thinking critically or in logical, sequential terms- then you’ll and hamper your creativity. • Logical Freestyle- This is the plotting and outlining mode. You should be thinking in practical terms here. Times, dates, events, orders, locations. This is the mode of structure and planning. It is creative, but only in the sense that you creatively organize. Criticism is still out, and if you find yourself immersed in creative thought that’s not related to logical planning- you’re in the wrong zone. • Logical Formal- In this mode your creativity is turned off almost entirely. You’re thinking like a mathematician now. Outline and plot your writing, but only to enhance the structure- no new ideas here- just organizing. Think of this as the finial edit of your plan or outline. No major creative changes- just focus on the plot or outline itself. • Critical Freestyle- Get out your red pen and mark up your manuscript. Be merciless- let all of that self criticism and doubt flood onto the page in red ink. When you feel yourself arguing against an edit- ignore it. This mode is for criticism only. Criticism can be general or specific. You could mark up your comma usage, or you could make a note that this portion of the story is weak. Don”t think of solutions- not now. Just criticism. • Critical Formal- Go over your marks and look for technical reasons why the writing is not working. Write some suggestions for improvement, but not in a originally creative sense. For example, instead of thinking of a million ways to make the reader more sympathetic to your character, you would write, “Writing in this passage is weak. Lack of reader sympathy for character. Find way to increase sympathy.” If you were to go beyond that and start thinking of creative ways to do that- you’re in trouble. Wait, be patient. Always know what mode you need to be in. Keep each mode separate, and you’ll find writing is easier and more enjoyable.

EDI

Electronic data interchange (EDI), as the name implies, is a method of electronic information exchange between two business entities. It involves the usage of computer networks and related software to transmit information related to businesses. EDI is an efficient method of decreasing costs, overheads and errors that commonly occur during business transactions. Additionally, business information between partners can easily be interchanged. Apart from information exchange, EDI helps in coordinating business transactions by performing tasks such as invoice generation and initiating delivery orders.

EDI is basically a subset of electronic commerce. While electronic commerce includes all the facets of electronic business interaction such as money transfers, person-to-person interaction and information sharing, EDI involves only the exchange of business information. The information is passed in the form of messages. Each message contains a basic information unit called a data element. A single message may contain more than one data element. These data elements form a compound document that corresponds to a business form. A field definition table containing information on the data elements is also included in the EDI message.

EDI was first used by the automobile industry during the 1970’s. This system was then gradually adopted by other industries such as manufacturing, finance, healthcare, retail and shipping. The earlier EDI systems were operated on private company networks. Electronic data interchange is now increasingly done using the Internet. Even the open standard XML format is utilized for information exchange. Additionally, the older standard data entry forms are being replaced with custom designed interfaces. Special programming tools are provided so that companies can define their own interface.

Large corporations usually tend to build their own proprietary EDI systems. Small organizations have the option of utilizing the services of a VAN (value added network) provider. These providers act as third-party members in business transactions by providing transaction services, security, communication protocols and other services needed for an EDI system. Some VAN providers even offer the network required to implement the system.

EDI provides detailed information on EDI, EDI Outsourcing, EDI Software, EDI Services and more. EDI is affiliated with Contact Management Systems.

Cyberspace Gambling Keeps Gamers at Home

Internet sports wagering world wide web sites are in the main regulated with the help of three institutions. These are termed OSGA (the Offshore Gaming Association), IGC (Interactive Gaming Council) and the Fidelity Trust Gaming Association FTGA. Kentucky Derby 134 Update – Monday, March 31

The OSGA are a nonpartisan “watchdog” agency which currently regulates the overseas betting trade with a mission to deliver sports betting fanatics the capability to readily distinguish respectable organizations to play betting games on, without stress. It aims to champion gambling devotee’s rights, also they do not demand any affiliation charges. The association are a well qualified and neutral third party organisation who convey unprejudiced assessments, advised by customer feedback, unbiased investigation, chats, insider prompts and also dispenses industry information.

The IGC is a non commercially influenced agency. The organization has been set up to allow a forum for worried participants to talk through questions and in addition to improve collective worries in the multinational interactive gaming industry, in an effort to establish upright and duty-bound industry standards and patterns which endeavor to raise end user confidence in net based betting products and functions, and also to function as the gambling industry’s public procedure guardian not to mention it provides a data clearinghouse.

The Interactive Gaming Council have developed a reputation for upholding safety, candor and plausibility thanks to the tough integrity standards it displays, and in addition its allure for trustworthy business organizations. The IGC influences offshore sports betting through recommending a unique ten step series of guidelines and in addition charges sports gambling internet sites a license fee for displaying the council’s logo. Vexed customers may, should they desire, report any of their arguments to the Interactive Gaming Council.

The FTGA was set up in a venture to construct a standard which will upgrade the transactions of internet based sports gambling business enterprises. The IGC trust that by conducting trade only with honorable partners, they can found an affiliation of the fairest and most efficient offshore betting companies world-wide. So, in brief there are agencies who keep an eye on the conduct exercised by internet based betting and which should with luck help to allay a few of the uneasiness held by gamblers. Live sports gambling internet sites are at present entirely secure, since private details are no longer requested and in addition the payments and the gambling odds are always equivalent to a typical Vegas-style stake. These web sites lessen the traveling outlay, but nonetheless retain the character of a regular Vegas gambling web site, only now you are enabled to gamble at your leisure.