BATTERY MEMORY EFFECT - FACT OR FICTION ?

Battery Memory Effect - What it is and what you can do about it ?Almost anyone who uses rechargeable batteries has heard of the memory effect problem.For those who have not heard of this problem it is commonly believed that when rechargeable batteries are not fully discharged between charge cycles that they remember the shortened cycle and are thus reduced in capacity (length of use per charge).This problem was very common with rechargeable batteries up until about 5 years ago. With improvements in batteries and charging technology this 'memory effect' is becoming a thing of the past. Little known facts:'Memory Effect' is the common term used to replace the more accurate term 'Voltage Depression.' Voltage Depression is more a problem with incorrect charging than a battery problem. Voltage Depression does not necessarily permanently damage a battery. It can most likely be corrected by fully charging and discharging the battery.Voltage Depression ('Memory Effect') is often incorrectly used to explain low battery capacity that should be attributed to other problems, such as inadequate charging, overcharge, or exposure to high temperatures. Voltage Depression can be affected by the discharge rate of a battery. Generally speaking, the depth of discharge will be less on discharges at the higher rates. This increases the capacity loss as less of the active material in the battery is cycled.Voltage Depression occurs primarily in NiCad batteries. NiMH batteries are almost never affected and Li-Ion batteries are NEVER affected. So how can you maximize the use of your rechargeable batteries? Here are a few steps to take to get the most use out of your batteries:1. Invest in a good charger. NiMH batteries should not be charged in a NiCad charger, unless the charger is specifically made for both chemistries. If you have solar powered lights or a cordless phone that uses NiCad batteries DO NOT replace them with NiMH batteries as they can overheat or even explode. There are cheap chargers and there are expensive chargers. Make sure the charger you get has good reviews and is well made. Chargers with micro-controller chips are usually the best choice.2. When charging your batteries occasionally discharge them fully before recharging them. This is especially helpful to NiCad batteries. Be careful not to discharge too deeply. (Less than 1v per cell for NiCad and NiMH. E.g., a 3.6v pack to no less than 3v.) Discharging to absolute zero will make your battery useless. It's best if you have a charger with a conditioner that will cycle the battery for you.3. Be sure to store your batteries properly. Do not leave your batteries in a hot car, or in humid conditions. The best storage conditions are a cool, dry place. The refrigerator is fine if you stick in a packet of silica gel with your batteries in a sealed bag to keep them dry. It is a good idea to charge your NiCad or NiMH batteries fully before use if they have been in storage.4. Most cordless phones use NiCad batteries. To maximize your cordless phone battery life, make sure to leave your phone off the base every once in a while until it is dead. Then leave it on the base until it is fully charged. You should leave your phone on the base for at least 24 hours to charge it fully. There is no need to avoid rechargeable batteries. They can save you significant amounts of money over time. Don't be scared off by the 'memory effect'. It is easily manageable if it ever occurs.

Jewellery Jewelry Gold Diamond Valuation Beware !!!

Ever had jewellery valued ? ever been confused because of major price differences in what you've been told ? probably not - because most people only get this done once and take to heart what they've been told !The big issue is What is Jewellery Worth

FAKE GHD

BEWARE OF FAKE GHDs. APPARENTLY THERE ARE A LOT COMING OUT OF VICTORIA. THEY LOOK LIKE THE REAL DEAL - BOX AND ALL - BUT INSIDE THEY'RE MADE WITH THE CHEAPEST MATERIALS AND ARE WORTHLESS. WHEN I TRIED TO GET MY MONEY BACK MY SELLER SUGGESTED I SHOULD TRY TO SELL IT AGAIN ON eBAY!!! SOME PEOPLE NEVER LEARN.I WOULD RATHER WARN OTHER BUYERS TO BE VERY WARY WHEN BUYING SECOND HAND ELECTRICAL GOODS ON eBAY.

The Real Benefits Of Using A Gym Exercise Spin Bike

If You Find This Guide Informative Please Click the Yes Button at the Bottom of the Page. Thank You.Spinning is a term for indoor, stationary cycling.They usuallyhave fixed racing handlebars, pedals with shoe straps so that you don't slide, anadjustable bike seat and adjustable handle bar crank. This is great, because it's important that you are sitting in the right position depending on your height for maximum comfort and results. The intensity of your spinning workout session on the spin bike can be adjusted with either a resistance knob or gear lever. Depending on the type of bike you're looking at, some of the higher quality bikes come with a gear lever which offers up to 8 gear changes for harder workouts. While spinning classes are very popular, more and more people are buying spin bikes for home use as time restraints, and hectic lifestyles make it very difficult to get to scheduled spinning classes on time.While a typical class lasts for up to 40 minutes, every minute working out does count! Remember...your muscles can't count time so if you've only got 12 or 5 or 17 minutes....go for aride on your exercise bike! It will still make a difference! Like all exercise programs, start out with a warm up and gradually build up speed and resistance as your fitness levels increase! People of all ages and fitness levels can enjoythis typeof trainingbecause the impact is so low. If you're after an exercise program that doesn't add stress to the joints, but still want to burn maximum calories, then a spinning exercise program may be what you're after!An exercise routine using your spin bike will work out a few different muscle groups. These include the quadriceps (thighs), hamstrings (back of the thighs), hips, gluteus maximus (bum), and abdominal muscles. As you can see...your exercise routine can really get great results if you go for it!Spinning indoors is a perfect way to exercise all year round because you never have to worry about the weather. You can watch TV, read a book or really ramp it up for an intense training session! It all depends on the outcome of your exercise session.I recommend investing in a pair of proper cycling shorts as after a while you may need the extra padding! For those looking for an exercise that really works your bum, spinning will give you great results here! By the way, make sure you drink plenty of water during your exercise program. Very important!If you have any ailments, injuries or queries, firstly consult with your personal trainer, a fitness instructor or a physician. Make sure your seat is in the right position and the handlebars have been adjusted to suit you. Your knees should be slightly bent when positioned at the bottom of the stroke pedal. Your elbows should be slightly bent, with your arms a comfortable distance from the handlebars. Keep adjusting them until you've got it right!Riding your spin bike in the comfort of your own home is an excellent, safe and fun way to burn those unwanted kilos while increasing your fitness level. Because you can jump on your bike any time of the day (even if it's only for a few minutes), you will see results fast if you keep it up! Mixed with a healthy eating plan, spinning will have you feeling like an athlete in no time at all!My name's Amanda and I'm one of Australia's leading Personal Trainers, thanks for stopping by and reading my guide. For more information drop by my eBay store and check out what a quality Elliptical Bike should look like.AmandaJoin My FREE NewsletterCLICK HERE For More Information About Spin BikesI'm eBay's Only Online Personal Trainer CLICK HERE To Ask Me A Question

PayPal Scam

Just thought I'd alert everyone to a PayPal scam I received the other day.I had an email purportedly from PayPal which looked quite legitimate.It stated that suspicious activity had been noted on my account andthat activity had been limited until I logged in and "tookaction". The email very helpfully provided the links for me to doso!This one was a little more professionally produced than most others -looked just like a PayPal email, had my name and email address, used aspecific date for the supposed suspect activity and had lots of linkswithin the email.I forwarded it immediately to PayPal (spoof@paypal.com.au), who confirmed that it was fake.Important points: NEVER follow a link on an email - access PayPal through My EBay. When accessing PayPal check for the security icon (padlock) at bottom right of your browser

How to make your own Rub Ons

These are really easy to make. and in expensive, and and don't take a lot of time to makeeither Rub on embellishments have become more and more popular on scrapbook pages. and in Cardmaking, Theyre a great product to use when you want to add text or an embellishment across several layers of paper this is an enviromentally safe way of making them as you can re use the plastic over and over again Unlike store bought rub ons where you throw away the plastic. what you will need is Your computer Ink a sheet of transperency plastic. and a ice block stickDesign an image. Design a title or embellishment on your computer in a word processing program.Print on the shiny side. Insert the transparency or page protector (cut to 8 x 11) into your printer so that the ink will be deposited on the shiny side of the transparency. Change to a mirror image. Change the print properties so that your document prints as a mirror image of itself. Print the document on best quality. This will deposit a thicker amount of ink onto the slick surface so that you can transfer it to a piece of paper. Let it dry. Let the ink dry onto the transparency for at least ten minutes. Do not touch the ink -- it will smear. Place the design. Once the ink has dried, place the title or embellishment over the piece of paper with the printed side touching the paper. Transfer the ink. Press firmly onto the transparency and use the end of a popsicle stick to rub over all of the text. This transfers the ink to the piece of paper. Admire your work. Gently remove the transparency from the paper, and admire your custom-maderub onOnce youve transferred the image, the transparency you used can be wiped clean and re-used.

Buying a Trombone

Buying a Trombone isn't always as easy as it would seem at first. There are many things to think about - what kind of music are you going to use it for, how much to invest...and the list could go on. I've been playing the trombone for 26 years now, from jazz to symphony orchestras, so I think I know what I'm on about!My suggestions:1) Always buy the best instrument that you can afford 2) Never buy a brand that isn't sold in a real Australian music shop3) Know what you're looking for - don't just buy anything because its a bargainIf you're a beginner and your plan is to play in a school band or a jazz band, a small-bore student instrument will do although generally the more you pay, the better the instrument and the more satisfying the experience will be. Sometimes you're better off buying a better quality second hand instrument, than a cheap new instrument.If you're a medium standard player, you might want to consider a mid-range insutrument - possibly with a lage bore, and depending on the sound you want, you might choose the more mellow-toned 'red brass' bell, or stick with the standard bright 'gold brass bell.If you're right up with the pros, or if you want to be...find out what they're playing and then go get one!There's nothing wrong with a second-hand Trombone, but make sure you know a few things from the seller:The condition: Is the slide straight, with a smooth action...and are there any dings in it (both the inner slide and the outer slide)? If there are dings...avoid this bone. Also avoid it if there's any corrosion of the inner slide - occasionally on a cheap bone you'll find corrosion or even rust - all evidence of a poor manufacturing process - don't touch this instrument at all!A few small dings to the rest of the instrument won't be tragic, nor will lacquer that's chipped or flaked off - those things happen with general wear and tear. Avoid an instrument with a badly dented tuning slide (the bit that sits just behind your shoulder) - these things are strong and reinforced in a good instrument precisely because they do get knocked around occasionally. If they're battered, then someone sure didn't take good care of the instrument, and you don't want to buy it!Take a look at whether the bell (the flared-out bit where the sound comes out) seems straight - I once came across a bone that had been dropped, and when put together in the normal right-angled way, the bell touched the slide!! Wrong! It cost a couple of hundred to get it realigned.In a second-hand bone, ask the seller if the inside tube of the mouthpiece is smooth - if it's got tiny lumps, you can bet your bones that someone was eating while they were playing - the lumps are tiny bits of food. Yuck! If the mouthpiece is like this, then the rest of the bone will be seriously gross inside too - and depending on how you feel about that, maybe don't go buying it. If the owner loved their bone, then they will have cleaned it from time to time - and bits of meat-pie and chewing gum won't be stuck all over the inside.Which reminds me...when you buy a new second hand bone, clean it! I once got a nasty staph infection around my mouth and face from playing someone elses' trombone - you HAVE to be careful. It's not worth having a scabby horrible face for a few weeks!How do I clean it? For the last 26 years I've done it this way and it works great:Run a warm bath and throw in a couple of caps of Dettol (avoid Pine-o-clean). Put an old towel on the bottom (yes, in the water) then carefully pull all the parts of the trombone apart and lay them on the towel. Leave them to soak for a good 1/2 hour or so. After a while, get them out, rinse them out and towel dry 'em (with a nice clean dry towel).Find fishing sinker about 1" (2.5cm) long - a narrow one will be best. Tie it to one end of a piece of fishing line. Tie a small piece of lint-free rag (maybe 4cm x 8cm) to the other end (a bit of old sheet or old t-shirt will do). Drop the sinker carefully down the tube and wriggle it around until it comes out the other end. Pull the fishing-line through until the rag comes out - you'll probably see anything from just clear water on the rag to full-gross green slime. If slime aint your thing, then run a clean piece of rag through a few more times until it comes up clean (either that or give it another soak and repeat the whole process).You can by flexible bristle-ended slide cleaners, and these are pretty good too, but always run a rag through after the bristles...they tend to leave bits of loose junk inside the instrument.Go and buy a mouthpiece brush! They look like a tiny bottle-brush, are shaped a bit like a christmas-tree, and cost only a couple of dollars...but they're great for getting out any fresh gunk or meat-pies that are stuck inside the mouthpiece. Gotta keep things hygienic! Just a couple of other things...Ever wondered what people with short arms do when they have to reach the 7th position? They cheat, and buy a Bflat/F tenor trombone. This one has some extra 'plumbing' around the area that sits on your shoulder, and a trigger the operates the plumbing. Just so you get the picture, a trombone played with a closed slide in 1st position, can play notes from the 6th position if the trigger is depressed. Likewise, roughly the 2nd position with the trigger depressed equates to notes from the 7th position. There are a few advantages in a Bflat/F Tenor for those who have ordinary length arms too - if you have to play a series of notes rapidly, sometimes it's much faster to hit the trigger than have the slide go all over the place just to get all the notes in.Thinking about buying an Alto trombone? Looks like a bargain? Don't do it unless you've got your heart on Symphonic music - you'll never use the thing anywhere else.Bass Trombone? Bass trombone is for someone with a large lung capacity, and a passion for being at the bottom of the heap! The bass underpins the whole bone section...and a great bass bone player can bring a bone section to life.Finally...you might wonder what I play, and what I've played...I started in a school band on an old matte-silver 'Besson' pea-shooterI graduated to a lacquered gold 'Olds' pea-shooterI saved up and in 1981 or so I bought a King 3B Bb/F which I still play today - and it plays as well now as it did when it was new. It has a few minor dings, a bit of a scratch here and there, but it's a brilliant trombone and I will never ever part with it (so please don't ask!). It has a bright tone, and I've used it for both Jazz and in orchestras.I also play a Yamaha 682G professional trombone- a large-bore 'red brass' seamless bell, symphonic monster with the most mellow European style tone on earth.For fun I bought a Jupiter Soprano trombone (similar in tone to a bugle, with a tenor-tuba sized mouthpiece) but I've never found a place to use it - it was more of a novelty purchase.A lot of people will recommend the Conn 88H to you - and that's fine, but while I've played a few, I've always been disappointed by them (which is why I bought the Yamaha). Some of my friends have picked up second-hand 88H's that they're happy with though, so don't be put off by my experiences. I've never found a Bach trombone that played as well as either my King or my Yamaha...maybe avoid Bach trombones...and check Yamaha student or mid range models for a nice slick slide too - I've seen quite a few that don't glide as well as they should.From my perspective...and yes, I am biased, a good second-hand King 3b or 4b or 5b will be an excellent investment for players of any standard. Just don't touch the imported junk from China. Stick to a reputable brand! And whatever you do, unless you've got some weird valve-fetish, stay away from the valve trombones (the ones without slides). They're inferior and useful only for marching bands and trumpet players that want to show off.Good luck with your purchase, and if you have any questions I'm happy to recieve emails.

I Got CONNED! A List of Known Frauds!

This Guide will be a List of Frauds for Anyone who has been Conned to submit there story. PLEASE EMAIL me: catzzmandu@hotmail.com your short story (200 words max) It will be added here. The frauds names will be mentioned, why shouldn't we know who is a con artist, I think we all deserve to know just in case. Also check out my Safe Trading Guide.When I first started on eBay 2002, I bidded on a Mini Disc for $400 from a guy in NSW named Joel Richards, I lost the bid but was contacted by him to say he would sell to me instead because the original sale fell through. He did not send me anything, I think he never had it

It's an Mp3 whats the difference?

It's an Mp3 What's the Difference?'Motion picture experts group layer 3' is too much of a mouthful, so it's no wonder why the abbreviation Mp3 has taken over. In fact, Mp3 has become the shorthand for allthe portable music players whether they use that format or not.Online music stores and most file-sharing networks use Mp3. Every month there are more Mp3 players on the market which definately confuses us. Not only do these devices have so many different features but the file format means that the Mp3 player you choose will dictate where you can buy your digital music. They come in a range of shapes and sizes, use different types of memory and support different formats, they can be brand names or the Chinese look alikes, which in most cases are assembled in the same factory where the name brands are assembled to. However you should choose the player that both meets your needs and suits your personality.The Mp3 player market covers such a range of shapes, sizes, features, storage capacities, file formates and download services. With such a variety, how can we choose? Hopefully this guide will help you.An Mp3 player can have heaps of features, but if the design isn't what you were after or you can't work the interface then you won't be able to enjoy it. You'll need to look closely at the Mp3's performance and sound as well as the battery life, especially if you travel or if you have a well developed ear for your music. Be sure you know exactly what your player does and what comes in the box before you buy, for example, some players can be used as recorders, capable of capturing voice or audio from another source, like a CD player. These are handy features for people who want to save interviews, lectures, songs or radio shows to their Mp3 player's memory.The newer Mp3 players are equipped with USB 2.0 interfaces. This type of connection is fast amd will allow you to transfer up to a song per second however your computer must also have a USB 2.0 port in order for you to take advantage of the faster 2.0 transfer rates. If your PC only has the standard USB, also known as USB 1.1 port, the USB 2.0 player will still work but it will transfer the songs at a slower speed.It's important to understand the types of Mp3 players available to you before you start checking out specific models. You may see mention of various formats in the advertising of Mp3 players such as WMA, ATRAC3, OGG, or AAC these are different formats but they are still referred to with the Mp3 format.A common query is about "MB's" and "GB's" and how much music they can store. A "MB" is the abbreviation for megabyte which is a unit for measuring data. A "GB" is the abbreviation for gigabyte which is a larger measurement of data and there are 1024 megabytes in a single gigabyte.It may be helpful to compare the Mp3 players capacities and look at the storage capacity in hours of Mp3 music at near CD sound quality. If you are purchasing a 128mb - 2hrs, 256mb - 4hrs, 4gb - 66hrs, 20gb-333hrs, 40gb - 666hrs.Hard drive-based playersIf you choose a high-quality palyer you can load every song you've ever bought onto it. These hard drives vary between 10gb Mp3 players to the larger 60gb players like the Apple iPod Video which is a Mp4 player because as well as music files it will play the video files or the 60gb Creative Nomad Zen Mp3 player. Usually these Mp3 players can hold upwards of 15,000 to 17,000 songs. Remember though the hard drives have moving parts, as a result they may jump and skip, so they might not be your first choice if you want to use it when excercising. Most of te Mp3 players you'll find will use rechargable batteries lasting anywhere between 8 to 20 hours per charge. They will usually have more features such as larger screens and are on the whole easier to use.Micro hard-based playersThese models aim to give you the best of both worlds by using minature hard drives(about 2.5cms in diameter) with capacities of up to 6gb. Mp3 players such as the Rio Carbon can't store as much music as a 20gb Creative Zen Touch, but they are a lot lighter in the pocket. They're smaller than the high-capacity players but still hold more tunes than flash-based models with the same price. You get fewer megabytes per dollar than you do with the larger hard drive-based units, including the moving parts that limit physical activity and non removable batteries that eventually wear out and need to be replaced.Flash-based playersThe design of the original Mp3 player had no moving parts and is known for their shockproof operation and ultra compact dimensions. Devices range in capacity from32mbs to 2gb. Flashed-cased Mp3 players are tiney. They have no moving parts , so their batteries last longer, and you can jog or even bungee jump with them without causing skipping or damage. Many flash players include lots of features such as voice and line-in recording, but these additions make them a little harder to use. They will have a higher per-megabyte cost.Mp3 CD playersThese look just like portable CD players, except thay can read data CD's filled with digital music. You can burn approximately 150 Mp3 songs (10albums) on one 650mb disc. But if you want to take your CD collection with you then you will be able to as these devices can play the standard CD's as well. These will be the least expensive of all tyoes of Mp3 players and they use incredibly cheap replaceable medica CD-R/RW discs. However they are large and they will skip when moved.With any Mp3 player, you have to consider where your music is coming from to ensure your device will play your music. You may find the following information useful when thinking about your music compatability.Usually you will have music on your computer, or CD's, online music stores, subscription based music services, peer2peer networks, (however the sharing of music and movies through the use of file sharing software available on the internet is discouraged due to copyright and security issues) and vinyl records and cassettes.Music management software is a really important part of using your computer for organising your music. If you're going to rely on the software that comes with your Mp3 player then you should select your Mp3 player very carefully. Software will usually state its requirements and specify what operating system is required as well as howm much memory is needed. Make sure the Mp3 player you buy has the software that will work with your computer.Music on your computerIf you already have lots of music on your computer then you should choose the Mp3 player that will support the formats that youuse already for sorting. If the files are Mp3's, then you'll be OK with any Mp3 player, but some of the rarer formats are supported by only certain devices.Compact discsIf all of your music is still on CD's, you can buy just about any Mp3 player since you'll first need to convert your discs to Mp3, WMA. OGG, or one of the other formats mentioned earlier. Normally, necessary software is included with the player, but if not, you could try Musicmatch. Musicmatch Jukebox 10 is a powerful and easy way to find and organise your music. You'll use that software to organise your music files, set up your various play lists and transfer music to your device.Online music storesIf you plan on buying music downloads from an online music store such as iTunes or Music Store or Napster, you'll need to make sure your player will work with the formats offered. Always ensure that the music you purchase is in a format that is supported by your Mp3 player. If you know you're going to buy tunes online, youll first have to select a store you like, then a player that supports the store. Some Mp3 players play normal, unprotected WMA's that you have created from your own CD's but will not play the secure WMA's sold online at music stors like BuyMusic or Musicmatch. Sometimes these restrictions can cause device compatability problems.Subscription-based music servicesIf you choose a subscription based music service you can legally download and fill your 40gb iriver with music which is about 10,000 songs. To buy this number of songs using this option is pretty cheap but instead of actually buying the songs you arereally renting them.File sharing networksMost tunes available on file sharing networks alsocalled peer2peer or P2P networks are already in the mP3 format, so you don't have the file compatability problems but sometimes the audio quality of these files may vary.Vinyl records or cassettesIf you have to have lots of music on vinyl records or cassettes you can record the music onto the computer and turn the files into a Mp3. Once you've done that you can transfer the music to any Mp3 player. If you wanted to do this you may condisder buying a player that has line-in recording and this will allow you to encode Mp3's directly from your stereo. If your stereo has a digital optical output you can record this way if your Mp3 player has a digital optical input. Having this will maintain the sound quality when you are recording your music. If there's no digital optical output on your stereo then any player with an analogue input is OK as well.If you like to listen to FM radio then you should look for an Mp3 player that incorporates a tuner. You may find that having a LCD display will be helpful too, especially when you are able to see what track is playing and of course the larger the display the more information can be seen. Also consider one with a backlit LCD as it will make it very easy to find tracks in low light.If you can look for a Mp3 player with a rechargable battery or an AC adapter included in the box it will help in savingmoney for those batteries. Pay attention to how long you can listen to your Mp3 player between charges because it can vary between the players. Since the flash players need to be synced more often it is easy to recharge them as you sync but flask players with rechargable batteries are usually preferrably.I hope you have found this guide useful.Please visit my ebay storefor great bagains where I will often have Mp3 playersfor sale.

Vintage HiFi the pros and cons revealed

Vintage Hi-Fi - I'll attempt to explain what many audiophiles debate day in day out - the truth about vintage Hi Fi, is it better than new? the pros? cons? hopefully my experiences and opinionswill be useful to those reading this.enjoy! To fully appreciate the hype around vintage hifi, we need to cast ourselves back to a time where quality, craftsmanship and innovation were king and high margins and share prices were less significant. That time of course was the late 60's and 70's where many famous manufacturers such as Marantz, Sansui, Pioneer and Akai to name a few made their mark on the audio world. their aim was to 'out do' their competitor through quality, innovation and craftsmanship where the product sold itself rather than a cheap price point. if you ever get the opportunity to read old advertising articles - you will know that each brand markets attributes such as quality, strength, durability and power!price hardly gets a mention!In fact, the importance of such attributes lead most of the top manufacturers into bankruptcy. Many of them invested so much into the product that their profit margins were so low that they became unsustainable forcing acquisitions and mergers. From this point on the agenda changed forever. It was all about profit there after hence why so many have renewed their interest in vintage hifi as an alternative. So with all these thoughts in mind, whats better you may ask? new or old? My opinion through owning and listening to over 100 vintage amps and receivers, is that vintage hi-fi provides better value for money and differentiation. To explain the value for money equation it is important to note that its very easy to spend a few hundred dollars on a system, however the game does not end here, the trick is to do research and buy a mid to top end unit in its day. A quality vintage amplifier or receiver will vary between $150 and $1500 depending on the brand, model, rarity and specifications. Remember that price does not dictate how loud or good the product will be. Having said that, people do pay for quality and if a vintage piece appears to expensive there's generally a good reason why it is! Make sure you keep within your budget and more importantly understand what purpose the system will be used for. For some a vintage piece may be used in the rumpus room, for others it will be their prime set up - either way is fine as long as you have the right product to support your needs. As a general rule try to stick to a reputable brand and model - don't be mistaken, there are some brands and models out there thatI call 'sleepers' that can offer a surprising listening experience for a fraction of the price of the more well known brands. However if you prefer to be more mainstream, as a general rule, most mid to top end vintage units from the major manufacturers from the 70's such asLuxman, Marantz, Sansui or Pioneer (there are many others depending on your taste and budget)will definitely impress you witha clean detailed listening experience for a fraction of the price of a new amplifier. If you wanted to match the quality of sound and power of a vintage amplifier with new you would need to spend many thousands and more importantly none of today's equipment carry the sweet characteristic finesse and class of a vintage amplifier. Nothing beats in my opinion brushed metal fascia's, VU meters, plenty of metal control knobs and some weight! The best you'll find today is boring dark boxes with flimsy plastic buttons....Convinced yet? So far, we have spoken about the benefits to owning a vintage hi-fi system, but what about the cons? My biggest criticism would have to be the servicing component. Don't be alarmed, vintage hi-fi can be reliable as new if they are properly serviced and maintained. Its important to note that even thou these products were made with higher levels of precisionand stricter quality control measures, they are still 25 years old. Would you wait 25 years to service your car? Probably not so why would you wait to service your treasured piece of vintage hi-fi? Key electrical components such as resistors and capacitors or globes may need replacing to maximise the efficiency and listening experience. If you do find a quality hi-fi system you want to keep, i strongly recommend that you invest in replacing these key electrical componentsto ensure you truly have the best possible listening experience. Many parts are available through your local technician or online.I hope this review has given you a better understanding of the many advantages to vintage hi-fi and invites new comers to an increasingly popular hobby..enjoy!

Guide to growing Dockrillia orchids

DockrilliasDockrillias are a relatively new genus, having been removed from the genus Dendrobium only very recently. They differ from normal Australian Dendrobiums in that the leaves and canes gave been fused to form a solid tube or Rat TailThe other noticeable difference is that the blooms are upside down to what we know as normal. In the wild they grow as far south as eastern Tasmania (Bicheno) and as far North as the tip of Cape York. There are about 25 or so species in the genus.A few may be grown in shallow pots or terra cotta trays but most are best suited for mounting. The hosts or mounts we recommend are either black Cyathea tree fern slabs or slabs of cut virgin cork.A little homework is needed before either mounting or potting to find out what it is you have purchased.Dockrillia striolata is a rock face grower and is best mounted on Cyathea. Dockrillia bowmannii prefers Cork as does the unusual cucumberinum Dockrillias require a little more water than typical Dendrobiums mainly because they are mounted. Feeding is with Peters Excel Hi K year round at 1 gram per liter of water. Cyathea mounts can be soaked in a bucket for better absorbency.Correct names and spellingDockrillia bowmaniiDockrillia brevicauda Dockrillia calamiformis Dockrillia casuarinae Dockrillia caudiculata Dockrillia chordiformis Dockrillia convoluta Dockrillia crispata Dockrillia cucumerina Dockrillia delicata Dockrillia desmotrichoides Dockrillia dolichophylla Dockrillia fairfaxii Dockrillia flagellum Dockrillia X foederata Dockrillia fuliginosa Dockrillia nothofageti Dockrillia nugentii Dockrillia pugioniformis Dockrillia racemosa Dockrillia ridgida Dockrillia schoenina Dockrillia striolata Dockrillia teretifolia Dockrillia vagans Dockrillia wassellii

How to buy/sell internationally

Purchased or sold an item on eBay USA or another eBay international site?The benefit or buying/selling internationally is the wide breadth ofproduct available, not to mention the chance to 'meet' someone half-wayacross the world! International trading also ensures you can find thebest price on eBay. Here are some tips and hints on shipping wheneither the buyer or seller is overseas, to ensure a smooth andsuccessful transaction.For buyers: Remember to complete Checkout by clicking the button at the top of the auction page at auction end. When checking out, ensure that international shipping isselected. Some sellers may offer you various forms of internationalshipping (ie. standard Airmail vs Global Priority). Contact the sellerif you are unsure which to choose. International payments are most often made via Paypal, a safe way to transfer payments online. Most sellers notify buyers when they have shipped the item. If you are concerned, contact the seller to request a status update. Standard Airmail shipping will take approximately 10 business days to reach after it has been shipped. Express shipping is usually delivered within 5 business days If you prefer insurance, contact the seller if you can include extra for insurance costs. Do remember to leave your seller feedback after you have received the itemFor sellers: Calculate your international shipping costs before listing your auction. You can do so at http://auspost.com.au.Rates start at $8.50 for a package, however it is variable by weight soit is wise to weigh your item to ensure you are charging the rightamount for postage Do offer the option of insurance on your auctions. Buyers arehappy to bear the cost of these if it ensures the items safety.International Insurance is approximately $7.50 for an item value up to$100. All international shipments will require a form ofidentification, and you will be required to fill in a customs form,declaring your packages contents and value. Do ship promptly after payment is received. Your buyer is eagerly waiting for the item they just bought from you! Do present your packages in the way you would like to receivethem. Wrap breakables up in bubble wrap. Iron and fold clothes. PlaceCDs/DVDs in a box to ensure they do not break. A thoughtfully wrappedpurchase will be well-received, which will translate into a glowingpositive feedback from your buyer! Do remember to leave your buyer feedback Happy eBay-ing!Thanks for Voting for this guide, and do read more of my guides at Myfashionpassion's eBay Guides!

LP Record buying - the fun way!

Buying records on ebay can be a fun and entertaining past time. Imagine finding albums which are no longer in print or has a cover which in itself is artwork, or if youre wanting the feeling of nostalgia generated by a slowly spinning record on a turntable itself! Yay!Fun as it may be, buying second hand records can potentially be a risky venture. You are basically buying something which inherently could be fraught with problems. Records can be scratched, mouldy, dirty - right down into the grooves, they could be warped or worst, a combination of some or all of these factors which makes an anticipated arrival of a purchase turn into a depressing exercise. I have basically found a way to minimise those risks, while possibly making a little money and having a lot of fun at the same time! I have found that buying record lots are the way to go. Buy from people who are trying to offload their records 20 to 50 pieces at a time. Go through the listing of records and find out how many of them you want to actually keep. Based on the asking price and how much you are willing to bid, work out the average price per record based on only those you want. How does the price per record stack up? Based on the average price per record (ones you like), set a price you're willing to pay including postage, then cap your price and bid up to that. Dont worry about the records you dont want, as youll be able to resell them. Who knows? If you play them you might even be tempted to keep it. Consider it as a cost effective way to learn or be exposed to music beyond your normal listening space!

fakes illegal copies CHANEL Louis Vuitton Tiffany

You want to buy a designer label or popular brand name product on ebay and the price is really good or it appears to be a bargain or too good to be true - you could end up getting more than you bargained for.If one purchases products (knowingly or unknowingly) that are fake/pirated/counterfeit/copied/bootleg/reproduction - whether it is a bootleg copy of a dvd or a cd, knock-off of a brand name or designer label it violates copyright laws. It is illegal to produce those items, illegal to sell those items, illegal to export, illegal to import those products.It is illegal to bring into Australia illegal/fake goods - that 'good' value purchase could end up costing one a lot.Ifone brings in illegal goods, (mail/courier - does not matter how) and if Customs opens the parcel and if theydetect one is bringing in illegal/fake product(s), Customs will seizethe product(s), the illegal item(s) will be destroyed by Customs, onemight also get a fine from Customs and Customs can also inform the copyrightowner(s) that one tried to bring in fakes of their product, and thecopyright owner(s) can take legal action against one if they wish to do so.If one getscaught will be in trouble with; Customs, and maybe also the copyrightowner(s), could be fined by Customs and could also end up being sued by the copyright owner(s), and will also be out of pocket for the purchase one made.There are many listings on ebay that are illegal - the sellers who are selling illegal goods usually do not admit they are selling illegal goods - a lot of pirated/fake goods come from Asia.If you have bought a brand name item on ebay, for example, a Louis Vuitton hand bag or a piece of jewellery which the seller states is Tiffany

EBAY SCAMS, WHAT TO LOOK FOR

BUYER BEWARETHE SCAMS THAT HAPPEN ON EBAYEbay is sfae place to shop 99% of the time. There unfortunately is always someone who is in it for themselves and will willingly step outside the guidelines and rules to ruin it for everyone else. Here i have comprised a list of the most common ebay rules that are broken, hereby known as EBAY SCAMS.SHILL BIDDINGThis affects the BuyerShill bidding is the name given when unfortunately a seller doesn't play fair and bids on his/her own auctions with another id, or gets family and friends to bid so that the price is raised.This type of action has been around for years in actual car, artwork auctions, and unfortunately is now here.Check a sellers history, if you suspect shill bidding, and there is a very prominent bidder on sellers auctions that never seem to win, or if they do the same item is relisted, then report them, they won't know it was you and if it turns out innocent there is no harm done as they are not told ofit until ebay says they are guilty.BID SHIELDINGAffects the sellerBid shielding effects mainly the seller as it is used by people who collate together to drive the price of an item they want up to a limit that is totally ridiculous, then retract their bids minutes before the item ends.It usually strats with 1 bid at the maximum price they want to pay, then another bidder will come along and place a super ridiculous amount, thus scaring potential bidders away, a third party will bid an even higher amount, and the 2 nd bidder retracts their bid. The 3rd bidder or if there is more the last bidder, places their bid as close to the end of auction as possible, ruling out the chance of someone genuine biddinghigher, minutes before close the retract.Sellers, look at your buyers history, if it looks as though they have a habit of bid retractions block them.NEW FOR OLD RETURNAffects the sellerThis is the sneakiest move of all a buyer can pull on a seller, and unfortunately it is happening all too often.A buyer will purchase an item from you, usually it is something of value, they will then proceed to conatct you and return the item damged or broken for a refund, Unfortunately this is where the dishonesty lies, as the item being returned is in fact not the one you sent them, but one thay have had for a while and somehow damged but don't want to bare the cost of getting a new one or repairing it.It's sad to say, but be extremely wary of buyers who are extremely interested in your return policy, if selling electrical goods, try get the actual serial number from the machine not the box, that's one thing extremely hard to change.Some dishonest buyers will purchase your item, receive it and then return it. The scam: The item they return is not yours but theirs and is an attempt to upgrade their item for free at your expense. Watch for bidders who are overly interested in your return policy. FAKE ITEMS AND REPRODUCTIONSAffects the buyerUnfortunately alot of gorgeous designer items, handbags, clothes, shoes are also extremely pricey, and we are all guilty of trying to find that elusive item at a bargain price. Problem is, if it's a bargain price it's usually a fake.You can never take a certificate of Authenticity as face value, they are so easy to fake. Some handbags now have special serail number tags in them, as do alot of designer jeans, but copy cats are learning this trick easily.SOme wording to look out for in auctions of high profile items are : To the best of my knowledge it's an original......, I think it's an original........, or even where it is coming from, alot of great stuff comes out of China, but alot of fakes do to, the panlties of importing fakes range from fines up to jail, and you as abuyer bare some of that responsibility.The best bet, if you are not sure, for certain that it's genuine, don't purchase.C.O.D. BRICKLastly beware for sellers...A buyer buys a high price item from you, decides it's damaged or broken (but it's not) says they will mail it back C.O.D. you get to the post office, pay for the item only to find you've been mailed a brick, or worse.Sounds like fiction, unfortunately it's not, it has happened and ends up costing you your money and the item.Never allow the buyer to send the item back C.O.D. also it's prefferable not to send C.O.D unless you can guarantee they'll pick it up, you will wear those costs too.In the end, these crooks will keep getting away with it unless you report them to ebays Security and Resolution Centre.

Basic chinese bike troubleshooting guide

Hi everyone!Since I wrote a couple of guides relating to our experiences with a 110 chinese quad and a 250 dirt bike, I've had a few queries from people who have had some difficulties with their bikes. I'm not an expert in any way, nor a trained mechanic, but I've had some experience with keeping our bikes running and troubleshooting issues as they've happened. I thought that I'd put them down into a guide that may help other people. As I find more information and resolve issues with our bikes, I'll add the details to this guide.At the moment we have a 110cc Quad, a 125cc Quad, a 125cc Pitbike and a 250cc dirt/trail bike in the family. A friend has a 110cc Buggy.Bike brands vary, but there are zongshen and loncin motors in them.Anyway, here are some queries I've received that may be of help.Here we have a Quad that is proving hard to start and keep runningHiI was hoping your still doing your guides to 110cc quads if so I've just bought a second hand one put a new battery in it. It starts only with full choke and ifI turn the choke off it runs for about 15 seconds then stalls.I have had it going around the yard but it stalls every time after a short while. Im suspecting its the carby, any help would be great thanks. Here is my response:Hi Mate,Sounds like a carby problem for sure.Running on full choke and then dying when you turn the choke off sounds like there's just not enough fuel getting through.You can take the carby apart and give it a good clean, make sure nothing's blocked and fuel can get through. You can have a play with the mixture screw on the side of the carby as well. You never know, the previous owner may have fiddled and set it wrong. Note that there will be two screws, one for idle speed setting, the other for mixture. If you don't have any luck with that, a spare carby will only cost you around $15-$25 from the bikes spares category here on ebay. Do a search for 110cc and have a look to see that yours looks similar to the one on the listing. Best of luck mate and let me know how you get on..Here is another Quad that is proving hard to startDear Farnk666, Hi, Noticed your guides and am wondering if you could help me with my 110cc quad which is approx 3 years old and won't start at all. I have replaced coil, spark plug,

Dog - Foods Plants Toxins Poisons Dangers to Dogs

Our Boxer is part of the family so I am always interested to know what is bad or dangerous/poisonous to dogs. Information below is not a complete list of all known toxins/poisons.There are some human foods that contain certain chemicals which can be deadly for dogs.The following are bad or poisonous:Chocolate. Cocoa powder and cooking chocalte are the most toxic. Semi-sweet chocolate and dark chocolate. The smaller the dog the smaller the quantity needed to make them sick. Can cause seizures, coma and death. (I buy dog chocolate treats specially made for dogs from the pet shop).Onion and garlic, onion being more dangerous than garlic. All forms of onion, dehydrated, raw or cooked, table scraps containing onion and garlic, left over pizza, chinese dishes, commecial baby dood contasining onion. (garlic is less toxic and larger amounts need to be eaten to cause illness). Onions destory red blood cells and can cause anemia.baby food if it contains onion powderMacadamia nuts and macadamia butter.nuts in general due to their high phosphorus content which might lead to bladder stones. Exception seems to be peanut butter, use salt/sugar free organic peanut butternutmeg when ingested in large dosespear pips, apple core pips, kernels of plums, peaches, apricots. (apples, cheeries, peaches are good for a dog but not the pits/seeds as they contain cyanide)potato peelings and green looking potatoesrhubarb leavesany food that has mould on it or even slightly spoiled food, if it is not fresh enough for you then it is not fresh enough for your dog (makes me wonder about those meaty bones she buries then at a later date digs them up and chews on them)alcohol. Hops used in home brewing.Yeast dough. Bread dough can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines.caffeine, coffee grounds, beans and tea, tea bags. Cause many of the same symptons chocolate causes.tomato and tomato plants, particularly leaves and stems, then unripe/green tomatoes then ripe tomatoes. Can cause tremors and heart arrhythmias.broccoli in large amountsraisins and grapes, cause kidney failure.tobacco products, nicotine patches, nicotine gumcigarettes, tobacco, cigarsmushrooms, poisoning can be fatal if certain species are eaten (have read only safe food mushrooms are shitaki, maitake and reishi). Mushrooms growing wild in the garden not to be eaten.stink horns, belong to the mushroom familyavocado and the seed pit is also toxic, guacamole dipcandy/sweets and sugarless candy containing xylitol, even a small amount of xylitol can cause liver failure and death.cat food is generally too high in protein and fats for a dogcherries due to the seed pit which can cause cyanide poisoningraw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain salmonella.play dough, home made play dough has high levels of saltrich fatty foods; turkey skin, bacon, sausages, hot dogs, fruit cake, plum pudding, deep-friedanimal fat and fried foods, fat trimmings - excessive fat can cause pancreatitissalt, iodized salt and salty foodsstagnant water from ponds, bogs, creeks. Toilet water with freshner or cleaners in the tank or bowl contain toxic chemicalscooked bones can spliter and damage a dog's inernal organs.human vitamin supplements containing ironlarge amounts of liver can cause vitamin A toxicity which affects muscles and bonesmilk and other dairy products due to the lactose in milk. There are lactose-free or lactose reduce milk products one can buy for petsstring and dental floss can cause blockage, can get caught, twisted around the intestines and cutCertain plants, trees, vines are poisonous. The list of toxic plants seems to be huge. I try to remember to ask at the nurseries if a plant is poisonous to dogs before buying. Or I try to remember to do research before buying a certain plant/tree.Some Trees, vines, plants that are poisonous: (there are a lot more than what is listed here)azaleasjasmineoleanderglory lilybulbs of daffodils, jonquils, tulips, spider lilies, nerines, crocus, narcissusbleeding heartbuttercupdelphiniumhydrangearhododendronroots of the peony, iris and hyacinthleaves of eggplant ornamental yew treeapple, stem and barkapricot, almond, peachwild cheery, cheerybalsam pearoakdevils' ivy , english ivy, jasminasparagus fernelephant's earumbrella plantaloe veramistletoemountain laurelmonkshoodmock orangeburning bushdaphnesweet peascyclamensPoisonous chemicals such as insectides, fertilziers, snail baits, rat/mice baitsGarden dangers:cane toads, possums, snakes, ticks, bees/wasps, diseased birds, rodents that have been poisonedGarden plants/grasses that cause allergic reactions in dogs:wandering jew, paspalum and rye grassesIf our Boxer scratches or mouths at her paws or crazily rubs her face on the floor/carpet something she has eaten has caused an allergic reaction (certain commercial dog foods and certain dog treats). Grasses can make her itchy.Have a lovely day - sunflowercastle

Body Jewellery for eBayers with Allergies to metals

"HELP! I seriously want a belly bar (tongue bar, nipple piercing etc...) but can't wear metals ... what can I do?"This is a question often asked of LG's (Lindy's Goodies) staff. What can a buyer wear when they have an allergy to metal?Well Lindy knows this sad situation only too well ... Lindy can only wear solid gold ... or the wonderful new range of Flexi body jewellery. LG's have these items available for piercings of eyebrow, tongue, belly, nipple (bars only) and are available as straight bars, curved, captives, circular, monroes, noseetc.Just a few examples of what's available - more instore!Great Flexi belly bars for everyday wear.Flexi Eyebrow bars - available also without dice ends, in a wide range of acrylic balls, or silver cones ...Flexi tongue bars - can also be used for Nipples ...Flexi body jewellery can even be used for fresh piercings. Lindy's own experience is with a freshly pierced monroe which caused a huge gland infection in the throat with pain radiating to the ear. The doctor prescribed antibiotics and suggested removing the new piercing. Lindy changed the piercing over straight away to a flexi monroe with the swollen gland and associated pain greatly improved within 24 hours (not a result of the antibiotics - only 1 had been taken!). (This is in no way suggested as a treatment for everyone - simply a comment on a personal experience.)Do consider the alternative to 316L surgical steel - you'll be thrilled with the results!This Guide has been written with the best of intentions for those who avail themselves of our information. It is not intended to offer ALL available situations/options/responses etc. but we feel it's a 'good beginning'.Take care and have fun eBaying. Oh! If you think this Guide may be of interest to someone else you know, please ask them to have a read and perhaps show us what you think, by reviewing it for us? Many thanks,Lindy's Goodies

When you are naughty on the community boards:

You have come to the boards ready to share your views and in the excitement of the debate, said something that perhaps wasn't meant as it was typed. Anything you say may fit into one of the categories as follows Comprehensive explanation of what will be slapped Explanation of board rules Oops! You get your first pink slap (moderation notice):

BONSAI TOOLS - ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

If you have ever looked at purchasing bonsai tools anywhere - the web, hardware stores, specialist bonsai shops or ebay, you would have noticed that there is a massive range of prices between tools. This guide is designed to tell you what to look out for when buying bonsai tools.There is a huge range of tools for bonsai, which have mainly been developed by the Japanese and the Chinese over the centuries they have been practicing the art of bonsai. These tools are specifically for the various tasked involved in forming and maintaining miniaturized trees. Due to the delicacy of such trees, these tools must be of high quality, otherwise damage to the tree may occur.Types of tools:There are several main types of tools available for bonsai:Concave cutters: Used to remove branches and create as little scaring to the tree as possible. They do this by removing a little of the inner trunk cells of the tree, and in doing so, prevent a large bulging scar from developing when the bark heals.Trimming shears: There are two main types of trimming shears, the traditional shear and the long handled shear. Both are used to trim the ends of branches and leaves. The long handled shear allows you easier access to the inner branches of the tree.Tweezers: used to pull off leaves, needles or shoots.Rake: Used to comb the roots during repotting.Broom: Used to brush away trimmed leaves and needles, and generally to keep things tidy.Wire cutters: Used to remove wire on a tree that has been trained, without damaging the bark of the tree.There are also many other tools used for specific tasks, such as bending a trunk.Quality:The quality of bonsai tools that are for sale is highly debatable. 'Japanese quality' is the term often used to describe the higher quality tools. These are usually crafted in Japan by people who have been making the tools for hundreds of years. If genuine, these tools fetch prices of around AU$60 to AU$200 a tool. 'Chinese quality' is the subtle term used to describe cheap tools of lower quality. These are made in China, often very cheaplyin factories. These range from AU$5 to AU$40. 'Good value for beginners' is also often used to describe cheap low quality tools, and rage from AU$5 to AU$20. There is also a grading system, but this is quite confusing, and often misleading. To find out more about the grading system, search for it - there are plenty of sites explaining it.Overall when buying bonsai tools you get what you pay for. An important thing to remember is that a high quality (Japanese quality) set of tools will often last you a lifetime, if not more, if cared for properly, whereas a cheap set of tools will often have to be replaced every 3 years. Another thing to remember is that if it sounds too good to be true (ie. a Japanese quality tool for AU$10) - it almost certainly is.By Sam Axford

All about coffee tampers

What is a coffee tamper and what does it do?A coffee tamper is used to compress ground coffee in the process of making espresso coffeeTwo popular hand-held coffee tampersWhy is it necessary?As a rule of thumb, you should be aiming to brew about 30mls of espresso in 25 seconds (from a single coffee basket) to get 'good espresso', and to do this you need to get several factors right all at the same time. Espresso machines produce very high pressure water (typically between 900 - 1500kpa, or 9-15 bar) which is required to properly extract the flavour from the ground coffee, and with no restriction a 15bar pump will flow much more than this amount of water. Therefore, the ground coffee must present a significant amount of resistance to the water flow to reach the above figure. To achieve this,the coffee beans must be ground to the correct size, andthe ground coffee must be compressed tightly with a coffee tamperThe importance of these factors can be seen by thinking about the following example.Imagine you want to pour a bucket of water into a metal sieve but you only want a slow trickle of water to come out the other side. If the sieve contains large pebbles, the water will just run straight through (which correlates to having the coffee ground too coarse). Nothing you can do to the pebbles will significantly slow the flow. A similar result might occur if the sieve was full of loose flour. However, if you packed that flour into the sieve very tightly (which correlates to correctly ground and tamped coffee), the water would take a lot longer to get through, and this is the purpose of a coffee tamper - it compresses the ground coffee to increase the water resistance, and doing this helps achieve optimum extraction of the coffee.What is the single most important thing to look for?With the above information, it should be clear that the coffee needs to be compressed evenly. Imagine if you only packed down half the sieve of flour? The water would pick the path of least resistance and just run through the loose part. In coffee terms, this means the loose part would be 'overextracted', which tastes very bitter, and the packed part would be 'underextracted', or barely touched by the water. Therefore, probably the single most important factor is that, to pack the coffee down evenly, the coffee tamper needs to be the right size for your filter basket. If the tamper is too big, it won't fit your filter basket; if it's too small, it will only tamp some of the coffee and you'll need to tamp several times. It's normally impossible to exactly repeat a multi-tamp process, so an undersized tamper should be avoided. A correctly sized tamper will compress all the coffee in a single tamp, and leave no untamped coffee around the edges of the basket.There are many different sizes on the market and the correct size tamper depends on your machine. Your machine manufacturer should be able to tell you what size you need, although this will only be an approximate figure. Your coffee tamper supplier may be able to help, and at least one reputable coffee tamper supplier in Australia will actually offer to measure your filter baskets to ensure you get the right size tamper. This really is the only way to get the right size tamper for your machine.What sorts of tampers are on the market?Most tampers are hand-operated, as the one shown in the picture, where you use manual force to compress the coffee. However there are also machine-mounted or grinder-mounted tampers. These don't take any extra bench space so may be good when space is very tight, but they require a lot more force as tamping upwards is against gravity and is an unnatural motion for most people. There are also some mechanical tampers which resemble a small drill press. As hand tampers are the most common, this guide looks mainly at this type.There are tampers on the market made from plastic, aluminium, stainless steel, brass, copper, wood, and a mixture of these materials. As you can imagine, prices vary significantly depending on what they're made from and the build quality of the unit. So long as it's the right size, any of these will do the job, though some will do it much better than others. Which is best for you depends on your personal style preferences, how much you're prepared to spend and how comfortable you want it to be during use. A good tamper will fit correctly, look the part, be comfortable to use and last for many years, whereas a cheap one may be uncomfortable, look ugly and only last a couple of years. The choice is yours depending on what's important to you.Another difference is that some tampers have flat bases and some have curved bases. There are many discussions on the internet about which is better - to me a flat base will pack more evenly than a curved base, but I'll leave you to make up your own mind.But my coffee machine came with a coffee tamper - do I need another one?Most coffee machines will come with a tamper, but it's often very loose, which means you have to tamp many times, or tamp in an 'around the clock' motion to compress all the coffee. Both these methods lead to unrepeatable results. If your tamper has hardly any wobble when it's in the filter basket, chances are you don't need to replace it, although you may feel a cheap black plastic tamper doesn't match your expensive espresso machine. However if your tamper has a lot of wobble in it, you would definitely notice an improvement with a correctly sized tamper.Where can I learn more?There are several forums on the web dedicated to coffee knowledge. Specific links are not allowed in these guides, but coffeegeek (United States) and coffeesnobs (Australia) are two good places to start, and a Google search should easily lead you to both. Otherwise feel free to click on my member name to bring up my profile, and click on the 'Contact Member' button and I may be able to help you out.

Best Books for Young Adults. Top selling Teen books

Young adult has become a welcoming genre for many readers young and old. Ever since the first Harry Potter book graced the shelves of the book stores young readers and readers of YA fiction has been searching for the next great read. many readers enjoying the vampire saga from twilight, the historical fiction in The Boy in Stripped Payamas and the fast teen spy books such as the very fast but emotional action adventure Fledgling Jason SteedTop Ten Young Adult books for 20091) Harry Potter Series2) The Twilight Saga3) Fledgling Jason Steed (The first in the Jason Steed series)4) The Boy in Striped Payamas5) Alex Rider Series6) The Book Thief7) Jimmy Coates series8) Chreub series9) Spy High series10) Young James Bond.Series.All of these books are available form Amazon or eBay.The best book reviews can be found on Amazon and where around the world.

What Is Mineral Makeup?

Ebay has a wonderful lot of Mineral Makeup listings. Below I have added a few links direct to some of these listings so you canhave a look for yourself.Mineral CosmeticsLoose Powder Mineral Makeup Mineral Makeup is taking the beauty industry by storm and with very good reasons!Mineral makeup is micro-formulated using the highest quality minerals and botanicals. Naturally preservative and irritant-free, mineral makeup is weightless and incredibly long-wearing.Mineral makeup will not clog pores, has high SPF naturally, helps to calm and soothe irritated skin with its zinc content, and is water resistant. You rarely need to reapply mineral makeup and it provides excellent coverage. Mineral makeup is suggested for people who have rosacea and acne.Minerals cannot support bacteria, so doesn't lose freshness like other cosmetics on the market that contain other ingredients.Many of these minerals have a special luster that when applied to skin give the face a lovely glow, lending a healthy, youthful appearance to blemished or aged skin.The most irritating ingredients in cosmetics are talc, dye, and perfume.Natural loose powder mineralproducts are free of all of these ingredients.Loose powder mineral foundation has thegreat coverage. Stop worrying about unattractive blemishes - with just a quick brush of powder, your face will appear completely unblemished, from morning until night.Mineral makeup does not "settle" into the lines and wrinkles like other makeup, instead it disperses light, giving a photogenic appearance.Even more importantly, the health and condition of your skin will actually improve with regular use of our mineral foundation. The minerals not only soothe inflamed skin, but have superior oil control.Loose mineral makeup is comprised of naturally occurring minerals that have been used for cosmetic purposes for thousands of years. These minerals are mined from around the world, purified, and crushed into fine powders. Cosmetic companies use these same minerals to add color, texture and luster to everything from eye shadow and lipstick to hair color. They're even in your tube of toothpaste! Many of these minerals have a special luster that, when applied to the skin, give the face a lovely glow, lending a healthy, youthful appearance to blemished or aged skin.Loose mineral cosmetics are catching on in popularity for a very goodreason. It is the most natural makeup available on the market. Just think about how your face feels when you apply a liquid foundation. In order to create a liquid foundation, manufacturers add water, oil, waxes, petrochemicals, synthetic humectants, gums, and fillers (like talc) to the mineral colorants. They also add dyes and preservatives. Our loose, dry minerals don't require preservatives, and all of those other irritatingingredients are completely unnecessary. The natural pigments blend easily on the skin and provide superior coverage due to the lack of cheap fillers. Large cosmetics companies are corporations that are designed to generate profit. Your skin's health is not their concern. Natural minerals cost much more than cheap synthetic fillers and dyes. The bottom line of these corporations is profit.Natural loose powder mineral makeup provides:quality, purity, and performance.They provide natural cosmetic products that will enable women to achieve the look that they want without chemicals.If you have sensitive skin, and have had bad experiences with cosmetics in the past, then natural mineral makeup is for you. While even a good quality natural cosmetic does not carry a guarantee, the likelihood of a reaction is rare. The most irritating ingredients in cosmetics are talc, dye, and perfume.All natural, loose powder mineralcosmetics are free of all of these ingredients.Mineral foundation has the greatcoverage. Usingloose powdermineral foundation will transform your life. Instead of worrying about unattractive blemishes or running to the mirror every few hours to do touchups, with just a quick brush of the powder, your face will appear completely unblemished, from morning until night.Even more importantly, the health and condition of your skin will actually improve with regular use of our mineral foundation. The minerals not only soothe inflamed skin, but have superior oil control.Loose powser mineralfoundation is virtually waterproof and wearproof.One of the main ingredients in loose mineral powder foundation is micronized Titanium Dioxide. This naturally occurring mineral effectively blocks both UVA and UVB rays, without an irritating chemical sunscreen.Loose powder mineralproducts have a very high SPF and we recommend wearing a sunscreen of some form on your face every day. Melanoma is on the rise and can be fatal. Also, if you notice tiny lines on your face, these symptoms of aging come primarily from sun-damage, not from dryness.Compare the cost of one multi-purpose loose mineralpowder to even a cheap eye shadow, and the value will immediately be apparent. Loose mineral powders can be used as eye shadow, eyeliner, lip gloss, blush and nail polish. If you use them every day, they will last you at least a year. Just one eye shadow at a department store costs three times more than loosemineral powder. Loose powder mineral foundation lasts months and acts as concealer, powder, and sunscreen, all in one. Comparethe cost to similar makeup lines and you will notice a savings of almost 50%.

The Adelaide Pound - A Buyer's Guide

ON THE INVESTMENT POTENTIAL OF THE 1852 TYPE II ADELAIDE POUNDWhether profit motive or collector interest drives ones desire for numismatic acquisition, there is no doubt, I think, that the cream of our industry is Australias rare and historic coins and banknotes. Holey Dollars and Dumps, Adelaide Pounds, Square Pennies, rare gold, silver, and copper proofs and patterns, the 1922/21 threepence, the 1923 half penny, and the 1930 penny make up what is generally considered the connoisseurs collecting interest. Nevertheless, in recent years, large superannuation firms and lucrative tax benefits have helped to increase interest in our national currency, resulting in rocketing prices and spiralling returns for select examples. This increased investor interest has drawn many coins beyond the price range of the average collector, and continues to provide greater and greater average returns to those agents in possession of them. With respects to Australias investment rarities, of my particular interest is the Type Two Adelaide Pound. This article will analyse the investment potential of Australias first gold coin, beginning with an evaluation of its relative rarity amongst its valuable brethren, and concluding with a dissertation into historical and recent trends in its price.RELATIVE RARITYAn industry leader posits that around two hundred Type Two Adelaide Pounds remain in existence, and are in an average grade of Extremely Fine ; at any given time, about three per cent of its population is on the market either in dealers catalogues or in auction. Many inferior pieces have been mounted, while other specimens are poorly struck, especially around the rim and in the legend. When placed side by side to other numismatic rarities, it quickly becomes clear that Type Two Adelaide Pounds do not appear as frequently as 1930 pennies and 1923 half pennies, but show up in greater numbers than rare proof sovereigns and half sovereigns, and Square Pennies. An interesting comparison lies with the 1855/56 Type One Sydney Mint Sovereigns, which are Australias first official gold coin. Both the Adelaide Pound and its official counterpart are scarce or rare in any grade and, for pieces in Extremely Fine, relative prices have historically hung in between 1.05 and 1.20 (that is, the Extremely Fine Type Two Adelaide Pound has historically been valued at five to twenty percent more than an 1855/56 Sydney Mint sovereign in Extremely Fine). In a discussion with Belinda Downie, of Coinworks, it was generally agreed that the high relative price between Adelaide Pound and Sydney Mint sovereign was a market anomaly that did not account for each pieces absolute rarity. A collector and investor demand deficiency was cited as the cause.Between the Type Two Adelaide Pound and the Square Pennies, the Penny is clearly the winner. Since 1994, twenty-one Square Pennies, one hundred twenty-three Dumps, sixty-five Holey Dollars, about three hundred and fifty 1930 pennies, around six hundred 1923 halfpennies, and one hundred twenty-three overdate 1922/21 threepence have appeared in Noble Numismatics auctions. At the same time, almost one hundred Type Two Adelaide Pounds have appeared in those auctions since then; around fifty of those pieces were in Extremely Fine or better, and only three were graded Uncirculated. Now, while there are at least a dozen other auction houses in Australia alone, Noble Numismatics auctions are widely considered a microcosm of the industry, from which many a numismatist draws trends from its results. From the above data, it is clear that while Adelaide Pounds are less frequently available than 1930 pennies, 1923 half pennies, Dumps, and 1922/21 threepence, Square Pennies and Holy Dollars certainly give the Type Two Adelaide Pound a run for its money.HISTORICAL TRENDSHistorically, the Type Two has enjoyed moderate capital gains. Between 1979 and 1999, an example in Extremely Fine netted its owner an average return of about 8.4% per annum, compounded annually over those years. , While this figure is not profoundly exceptional (especially with respects to the boom of high yield term deposits in the mid 1980s), consistent long-term growth is an important benchmark by which the suitability of an investment is determined. In his August 1981 Numismatic Catalogue, Robert Jaggard listed three Type Twos available for sale in the relative grades of Uncirculated ($16 000), good Extremely Fine ($9 500), and Extremely Fine ($7 500). Over following month, one coin sold, while the coins in Uncirculated and Extremely Fine did not sell; he also acquired another example in about Uncirculated, with an advertised price of $11 750. Also for sale at this time were two 1855 Type One Sydney Mint Sovereigns in Extremely Fine and good Extremely Fine, each selling for $6 500 and $7 750 respectively. The relative price between the Type Two Adelaide Pound and the Type One Sydney Mint in identical grades stood at 1.15; that is, the Type Two Adelaide Pound was selling for 15% more than its Sydney Mint counterpart. By November and December, the Type Two remained unsold. Meanwhile, a good Extremely Fine example of the Type Two Adelaide Pound sold for $8 750 in the P. J. Downie Auction of August that year (Auction #25). Across the Harbour Bridge to Martin Place, Jim Noble auctioned off four Type Twos in his Spink Auction Number 11 in November 1983. They graded Extremely Fine, Extremely Fine with a tiny scratch, good Very Fine, and Very Fine, and sold for $8 800, $5 800, $5 500, and $4 200 respectively. Quality stood out: The Extremely Fine example sold for above estimate, while the three pieces of inferior quality sold quite below estimates. By April 1986, growth in Type Two Adelaide Pounds had slowed. One piece, in Extremely Fine, held an estimate of $8 500; in that same auction, a Very Fine Type One 1855 Sydney Mint sovereign had an estimate of $5 000. Later than year, prices rose slowly. In Nobles November auction, four Type Twos were available, each with estimates ranging from $8 000 for the coin in Very Fine and $14 000 for the example in good Extremely Fine. By 1989, prices had fallen back somewhat: the Uncirculated Type Two Adelaide Pound catalogued at $10 000; in Extremely Fine and Very Fine, the coin was valued at $7 000 and $5 000 respectively . In the same catalogue, the 1855 Uncirculated, Extremely Fine, and Very Fine Type One Sydney Mint sovereigns catalogued at $9 000, $4 000, and $2 000 respectively. In Extremely Fine, the relative price between the Type Two Adelaide Pound and the 1855 Sydney Mint Sovereign stood at 1.11. It is pertinent to note that during the high gold price days of the eighties, general interest in gold coins from both investors and collectors was significantly higher than it is today; this facet of the market reflected itself in the generally higher levels of prices paid for many average gold coins.With the upcoming 150th anniversary celebrations of the minting of Australias first gold coin, interest in the Type Two (and Type One) Adelaide Pounds accelerated. In 1993, the Uncirculated and Extremely Fine Adelaide Pounds catalogued at $20 000 and $12 000 respectively, representing rises of 18.9% and 14.4% per annum compounded annually over the previous four years . Between 1989 and 1993, the return on risk-free investments fell from a high of about 18% to a modest 4.5% ; in that respect, the Type Twos return was phenomenal. This trend had stalled by 1997, by which stage prices remained pretty much unchanged . Indeed, in March the following year, Kurt Jaggard was advertising an Uncirculated Type Two for a modest $17 500. By winter 1999, the piece had failed to sell. Meanwhile, Monetarium of Kogarah had for sale, amongst others, a Type Two in Extremely Fine for $12 500 . As the coins anniversary approached, its value began to rise in bounds: In Summer 1999-2000, Monetarium advertised a Type Two in Choice Uncirculated at $27 500 against a catalogue value of $25 000 . Extremely Fine Sydney Mint Type One sovereigns were selling at around $15 000 at this time, yielding a relative price of about 0.83. At the peak of the Adelaide Pounds popularity in 2002, an example in good Extremely Fine was selling at $28 500 and two years later, in the winter of 2004, Monetarium advertised an about Uncirculated Type Two at a massive $39 500. The Extremely Fine Type One Sydney Mint sovereign sat stagnantly at about $15 000; the relative price between the Adelaide Pound and the sovereign stood at about 1.67, the highest since 1979.RECENT TRENDSInferior Type Twos have performed ambiguously at recent auctions. Between June and December last year, around twelve inferior Type Twos went to auction, ranging in grades of Fair and Poor to good Very Fine. Six of those pieces came from Downies important Reserve Bank auction, where they sold for between $2 005 for specimens in Poor to $10 023 for a piece in Fine; incidentally, another example in Fine in that same auction sold for only $8 440; the example in Fair curiously sold for $4 484. All these specimens were ex-mount and exhibited some damage to outer rims. Of the few Adelaide Pounds to appear on eBay, none have reached prices of more than $10 000; all were in very miserable condition. In June, Kurt Jaggard sold via auction a piece in good Fine for $11 650, while, the following month, International Auction Galleries sold an example in about Very Fine for $14 950. In Downies September auction, a piece graded Very Fine with an estimate of $20 000 was passed in, while a polished piece in Nobles November auction in otherwise the same grade sold for $17 475.Of the better examples to surface, two pieces, one in good Extremely Fine and another in near Uncirculated, sold for $29 125 and $75 725, respectfully, through Kurt Jaggards Monetary auctions, while another piece, graded Choice Uncirculated, sold for $80 500 through International Auction Galleries; this particular piece is interesting in that reverse and obverse were upset by forty-five degrees. In that same auction, an about Uncirculated/Uncirculated example failed to generate interest; this piece was marred by adjustment marks, and the market determined its value by withdrawing its bids. A similarly faulted piece in the same grade failed to sell in Status Internationals November auction, with an reserve of $30 000, although the following lot, graded good Extremely Fine, sold for $36 115. During that month, a superior example was listed on eBid for $35 000, but it failed to attract attention. In Nobles November auction, another Type Two reached $33 785 before the fall of the hammer. One of the finer specimens to surface was the example from Downies Reserve Bank auction, which was graded Uncirculated and sold for around $75 000.* * *As it stands, the Type Two Adelaide Pound remains a valuable numismatic piece to own. According to Greg McDonalds Thirteenth Ed. of his catalogue, prices in Fine, Very Fine, Extremely Fine, and Uncirculated sit at $7 500, $16 000, $32 500, and $70 000, respectively. Similar rarities have followed the Type Twos strong upward movements in price, and have, in some cases, exceeded it. While I cannot provide a recommendation as to whether one should acquire a quality Adelaide Pound for investment purposes, I can say with some confidence that owning Australias first gold coin is certainly a pleasure.

How to avoid fake Pokemon Gameboy Games

.:How to avoid fake Pokemon Gameboy Games:.

GENUINE PRODUCTS AND THE WARRANTY

I find in the field of electronics the manufacture and the trade mark holder have incredible powers.let take this for example.i fly to singapore and i buy a brand new SONY CAMERA. And it is genuine, in the same box you would buy here in Australia and the same product made in Japan.so know i have a problem with it, so i ring Sony Australia to find the nearest service center. they guide me to right place to go.now here is where it all starts .1. he will tell me my machine is faulty.2. he will tell me where did i purchase it from.3. how long ago did i buy it.4. do you have a receipt.now as soon asd i say i got it duty free from singapore , he will tell me that its NOT covered by warranty. BECAUSE i bought it from overseas.so you would have to ask your self a few questions here1. why have duty free shopping2. is the product genuine or not3. is it really Sony product4. it must be with Sony on the machine and the box and R for trade mark is on it.SO BEACUSE THE CORPORATION ARE SO BIG AND CAN NOT BE CHALLENGED . U WILL EXCEPT IT.but i have a question to.Why would they spend billions of dollars on trade marks and making sure that no body can duplicate there name and product, so why is it when its there own product they will notcover it under warranty.They supplied the duty free store knowing it going to go to another country.or they supplied the trader in japan to sell on ebay there genuine product.Ibeleive that they should regardless where it is sold , cover the product under warranty. please do not tell me that some products are made for different countries. that used to work as an excuse in the 70's not now. They mass produce with power supply's ranging 100/240 volts. Which means that they know its going to all countries of the world.Hay allTV andDVD are now multi system. that way they can produce one product for the world.YOU FIND WHEN ONE PERSON HAS ENOUGH MONEY TO CHALLENGE IT IN COURT YOU WILL FIND I AMRIGHT.So if you vote a good guide for what i have written then it means that you agree with me,and ur support would be great

Don't get scammed with Counterfeit GBA games

Recently floods of fake Gameboy advance games are appearing all over ebay. This is mainly occuring with the popular Pokmon games.

CAUTION - Paypal identity theft

PAYPAL LOGIN SCAM

How to get a good deal on eBay !

How to get a good deal...This guide really is about getting a bargain. I mainly stick to certain areas like COINS, but the same applies to other areas of eBay. What causes an item to sell for a high amount ? what about a low amount ? There are some other guides so please check them too. I've listed some of the more important things to consider, and ones that have saved me money on valuable items like gold coins and banknotes.Surely it's not that hard on eBay, well here are a few simple tried-and-tested rules.1) Aim for 50% or less of the value of the item.Paying more should only come for hard to obtain items. Gather information about the item, ensure you are bidding on an item you know the true value of. Search for the item, then tick "completed items" and see what they sell for if sold recently ! Set yourself a hard limit of how much to pay, and write it down. If you go over this limit, you should stop bidding !2) Avoid low start items unless abundant.Quite simple. The reasoning is that unless there are a lot of this item available, bids will quickly mount up. 20+ people may be hovering to bid at the last minute, driving the price often over the real value of an item. The reason here is the heart, humans are quick to overrule their mind with their heart, WANTING something is enough to do this. We find ways to justify paying a certain amount, and then we do it !3) Avoid bidding too early.This is the tough one. It can be very tempting to knock in a bid early, however some items should be left well alone. The more you want something, the LESS inclined you should be to put in a bid. Put the item on watch, it's not going anywhere. Wait until the very last minute, unless you CANNOT be there. If not, wait until your last opportunity to bid (such as the night before) and put a reasonable bid.BUYNOW items are an exception, you need to decide if the price is affordable based on its real value.4) Search search search !The search allows you to search within descriptions, so take some time to do a broad search. I get online and search for Sovereign, and get a huge list. The time spent is often well worth it, as items can show up buynow and are there for the taking. Rather than doing specific searches, try a broad search first. You can easily change it and try again, and you'll probably find something you didn't know you were looking for !5) Patience.In general there will always be another day to buy the same item. If you see a bidding war starting, its best to sit back and laugh - you'll be watching that item starting "high" yet at a great price for its value ! Buy at the last minute and enjoy :)

Buying a wireless router

There is an awful lot of choice when it comes to buying a wireless router. The most important things to consider are:1) Speed/Standard. 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11a?802.11b is the most compatible, and slowest standard. It has a quoted throughput of 11mbits/sec, but expect to see around 7-8mbits/sec, depending on things like wall insulation or concrete floors. 802.11g is around 4x faster, at 54mbits/sec (real world around 40mbits/sec), but is generally a little more expensive. You also need to have compatible wireless cards in your access devices.802.11a is the fastest of the three. Whilst also quoted at 54mbits/sec, the real world throughput gets up to around 48-50mbits/sec. 802.11a also uses the less crowded 5.8Ghz spectrum, which means that cordless phones, bluetooth devices and other wireless networks in the area are less likely to cause interference.2) Regular or Extended RangeSome routers offer an "Extended Range", sometimes also called MIMO (Multi In, Multi Out) technology. This can be beneficial if you've got a challenging radio environment (Concrete floors, thick insulation), or if you're looking to cover a wide area. The number of metres extra you gain is not always that great, although it can often help fill out coverage "blackspots". If you think you'll need it, it's probably worth the extra money3) Other featuresMost wireless routers included some Wired ethernet ports also. Size according to how many wired devices you're likely to have in the house. Optional extras like booster antennae, VOIP Telephone sockets or USB Priner/External Storage support is available on various models4) Price$65 is about the rock bottom for a (new) wireless router. Vendors such as TP-LINK make perfectly good, feature-limited routers for that amount. They won't have bells or whistles, but are generally good, well made devices with fairly intuitive set up. Prices head up from there, topping out at around $300 for the home market. Any more than that and you want to be extremely sure that you know what you're buying. A solid performer, such as the popular Linksys WRT54G sells for around $110 new.

Misleading: items listed as new not actually new!!

Beware of people offering items that are listed as new and when you read the fine print at the bottom of the page, it actually states that the item has been refurnished, hence it is not new, but is listed as new. You can get caught with this when in a hurry for an item and not reading the small fine print.

Gassing your homebrew beer Forced carbonation method 2

To gas your kegs of home brew beer correctly, your kegs must be cold, this is a must, as the brew will not accept and asorb gas into the beer when hot.It is best to have your fridge set to around 4 C.Never set the fridge below 1 C.Once that your keg is cold you can apply the Co2 gas to the keg for approx2 days (48 hours)on the pressure 230 Kpa (32 Psi). It is best to leave the keg for a period of time to allow the gas etc to settle.Test for correct carbonation.After charging your keg, decrease the pressure to the approximate dispensing pressure 70 Kpa (10 Psi).You may need to refine the times given after you have sample your drop, depending is your brew is overcarbonated or undercarbonated.When charging your keg on higher pressures other than pouring, always ensure that you beer line is not connected to the keg.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Jersey Guide Vol 1 1947-1967

* Volume 1 * 1947-1967 * Humble Beginnings To 60's Contenders *

So You Want To Buy DVD's.... don't get scammed

Personally, I prefer genuine R4 Dvds, but if I cannot get certain films then Id go for a different region version (as long as you have a multi region player, which most newer ones are today). But there are also bootleg copies and fakes around. If you see a new release dvd being sold from Asia for $5, you can be fairly sure its a copy. Sometimes they dont even send it in the Dvd case to save postage, meaning its sure to be a copy. Basically, you get what you pay for. There are sellers who dropship, meaning they wait till they get your payment and order the Dvds from Asia, mostly from China. Ive had this happen with a TV series box set, all 9 seasons for $150. Again, you get what you pay for. But I must admit the quality of the copies was quite good and am still to watch all the discs! If the seller claim the dvd's are genuine factory released and they turn out to be pirated copies, thats false and misleading advertising, and should be reported to the seller first (they may not realise it's a copy) and if the problem isn't resolved then contact Ebay.Search Ebay for similar titles, and see if the cover art is different to other dvd's. If so, it's probably a copy. If there's foreign characters, usually Chinese, on the cover or disc, it's probably pirated. Spelling errors on the covers indicates a pirated copy, as do Asian subtitles.

The Real Benefits Of Using An Elliptical Exercise Bike

If You Find This Guide Informative Please Click the Yes Button at the Bottom of the Page. Thank You.Elliptical exercise bikes offer a perfect low-impact full body workout while minimizing wear and tear on your joints. Although low impact training is sometimes favoured due to injury or personal preference, lack of impact (like running, basketball, squash, tennis, etc) means you will burn fewer calories.If you're after a full body workout, with low impact but still want to burn maximum calories in minimum time, then the elliptical exercise bike will help you achieve your goals.These bikes are recommended for all ages and all fitness levels. The elliptical cross trainer exercise bike offers various combinations of workouts to suit all levels of fitness. You can simulate walking forwards and backwards, stepping, cycling and skiing all with zero impact on your joints. Great if you're bored with your current exercise program! Like all exercise programs, it's important that you start out slowly and build up to a more vigorous routine as your fitness level builds. For any pre-existing ailments, consult with your physician or personal trainer first. If you're the type of person who's lifestyle moves at a very fast pace, having an elliptical cross trainer exercise bike at home is the perfect in between fitness solution when you've only got a few minutes here and there to spare. You can even workout while you're watching TV or reading the latest magazine you're into!In this day and age, getting to the gym, or finding time to complete a full 40 minute workout just isn't possible for so many busy people. That's OK though, because every minute you're working out counts when your burning those unwanted calories! Even if it's for a quick 5 minutes!My name's Amanda and I'm one of Australia's leading Personal Trainers, thanks for stopping by and reading my guide. For more information drop by my eBay store and check out what a quality Elliptical Bike should look like.AmandaJoin My FREE NewsletterCLICK HERE For More Information About Gym Elliptical BikesI'm eBay's Only Online Personal Trainer CLICK HERE To Ask Me A Question

How long do batteries last?

The life of a rechargeable battery operating under normal conditions is generally between 500 to 800 charge-discharge cycles. This translates into one and a half to three years of battery life for the average user. As your rechargeable battery begins to die, you will notice a decline in the running time of the battery. When your two hour battery is only supplying you with an hour's worth of use, it's time for a new one.alhua

Belly Dangles - Body Jewellery - Normal Wear

Belly Dangles or in fact, just about any costume jewellery is generally gorgeous to look at, stunning to wear and often, changed regularly.Having said that ... Belly Dangles in particular should NOT be worn to bed or during vigorous exercise. For those situations, a general barbell with acrylic or jewelled balls should be used.This is an example of a typical flexi belly bar ... or you could use a jewelled one ... ... or you could even use a 316L Surgical Steel one, with acrylic balls ... Why? Simply because the gorgeous dangling belly bars you buy, such as these ..... ARE costume jewellery and will last indefinitely with normal wear and worn for special occasions. But please, don't expect the dangles to be able to withstand being caught on cotton threadsfrom your warm and snug flannelette sheets or pyjamas, or threads on your soft and fluffy towels ... the chances are the jump rings will get caught and when tugged on, either in your sleep or from drying your body when you hop out of the pool or the shower, and the tugging will break the link.This is NOT normal wear and tear and therefore not only will the item not be exchanged by your eBay seller, but if the ring is actually broken from the belly bar itself, it won't be able to be repaired. If it's only the jump ring that's broken, very often, a jeweller will be able to sell you another link to reattach the dangle. That's fine if you lost it in your bed, or your bathroom, but that can prove somewhatdifficult if you lost it somewhere in the sand at the beach!Hope that helps all you girls (and guys) lucky enough to have gorgeous, sexy bellys where you can hang just as stunning belly dangles!PS This obviously applies to other dangles such as nipple dangles.This Guide has been written with the best of intentions for those who avail themselves of our information. It is not intended to offer ALL available situations/options/responses etc. but we feel it's a 'good beginning'.Take care and have fun eBaying. Oh! If you think this Guide may be of interest to someone else you know, please ask them to have a read and perhaps show us what you think, by reviewing it for us? Many thanks,Lindy's Goodies

Negotiating with your eBay seller

There are a number of ways to 'deal' with your eBay trader ... and in particular here, we're discussing 'dealing' in the sense of negotiating when things go wrong between a buyer and seller.This Guide is written by a high volume seller who has certainly received their fair share of feedbacks - thankfully lots of great ones - but sadly some nasty unfounded ones too. What others don't see though are some of the amazing interactions we receive through emails from buyers who think that we're here on eBay simply to 'rip' them off even with over 30,000 positive feedbacks!We'd like to teach anyone willing to spend a few minutes reading ...WHAT TO DO and WHAT NOT TO DO ... when it comes to ....Successful Negotiating Successful Negotiating is powerful. Why? because ... It works - resolution IS success! Negotiating means Be Polite! Negotiating does notmean BeRude!Negotiating does not include Threats!The following TIP is appropriate for those who tend tolaunch into a nasty battle of vicious emails whichcould start offsimilar to this...... 'hey u thief! u took my $