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In 1969 Bill Lefakinis a Greek born and United States bred businessman envisioned a dream, which has since become a reality - Greece, The Yachting Capital of the World.

Bill left Greece at the early age of 13 to pursue a better life and future for himself and his family. Bill attended the Hackley School and The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business on full scholarships and served in the US Army and the Greek Air Force. Having worked and traveled extensively as Chief Executive Officer of Filtrine International Co., Bill finally returned to Greece in 1969 where he started his own company, Valef Yachts.

At that time there were no marinas in Greece and only about 30 yachts, 20 of which were for private use. There was no national concept of the wealth Greece had to offer to the yachting world. Its unique history, civilization, hospitality, 4,000 islands and 13,000 miles of seashore (twice that of the USA where only 18% was yacht friendly compared to Greece’s 99%) made it most ideal for the world of yacht chartering. Bill, after realizing the immense potential of Greek yachting, went to work applying his know-how taken from his Greek and American business exposure. He convinced four of his friends to let him charter their yachts and after almost forty years of constant work, marketing, public relations, pressure to the various Greek Governments to promote this unique tourist feature that is second to NONE, Bill’s dedication finally paid off. Today, Greece has over 20,000 yachts for charter and for private use, and over 50 marinas. Valef Yachts became a successful and trusted company with offices in the states and in Greece. Bill began his company and single-handedly created a vision and a revolution in the yachting world in Greece with his motto since 1969 being, “Discover The Yachting World of Greece.”

To accomplish this, together with Panos Tsafos, Bill founded and presided over The Professional Yacht Owners Association, became Secretary General of the Hellenic Yacht Brokers Association and Consultants Association, and organized the Association of Greek Yacht Crews in order to coordinate efforts to improve yacht chartering in Greece. He also started a magazine called “Sea and Yachting” to enlighten Greeks about the beauty of their islands, their potential as well as the importance of participating in seawater sports. He constantly wrote caustic articles addressed to the Greek Government regarding their apathy about improving conditions and laws to govern properly professional yachting in Greece. Bill also became co-publisher of the English Daily Newspaper “Athens Mirror,” in 1971, became a member of the Foreign Press Association, The Greek Travel Agents Association, Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce, Greek Ship owner’s Club and many others.

In his efforts to promote Greece internationally, Bill brought the Miss Universe Contest to Greece in 1973 (it was the first time they held the competition overseas); movies James Bond in 1980 & 1983 and The Greek Tycoon; TV series The Love Boat in 1980, Heart to Heart, The Life Styles of the Rich and Famous with Robin Leach, The Evening Magazine (which featured Greece for one entire week), The Arthur Frommer Show, Eyes on LA, Canadian and Japanese Government television; magazines Playboy and Penthouse, Conde Nast’s “The Traveler” and dozens of other international TV shows, movies and magazines continuing to the present. Internationally noted personalities were brought to Greece by Bill to promote yachting. To name a few, Hugh Hefner and daughter Christina, Bob Cuccione, John and Bo Derek, John Wayne, Anthony Quinn, Christina Onassis, Baron Hans Heinrich von Thyssen, Patricia Gucci - fashion designer,
Claude Arpels - Van Cleef and Arpels jewellers,
Garavani Valentino - fashion designer, Max Fisher, John Clinton (Chairman of Dunhill and Rothman Group), Ernest Gallo, Giovanni-Yanelli of Fiat, Henry Ford II of Ford Motor Corporation, Roger Smith, ex-CEO of General Motors, ex-Chairman of the Board of Intercontinental Hotels Corp. Mr. Hans Sternik, ex-German President Richard Fon Weizsacker, internationally acclaimed cellist Mr. Rostropovich, Bruce Springsteen, Sting, John Denver, Kenny Rogers and Charlton Heston. He has been an advisor to the Greek National Tourist Organization, Greek Ministry of the Merchant Marine and member of the Greek Government’s Advisory Council for the Development of Greece, yachting marinas, and the yachting infrastructure.

In 1978, with the increasingly heavy air pollution in Athens and water pollution in the Hellenic Seas, Bill co-founded “PAKOE” (The Panhellenic Ecological Research Foundation) together with a group of volunteer scientists and doctors. As the Secretary General of the organization, he chartered airplanes and helicopters to take hundreds of air samples by University and Government scientists (including reporters abroad) to analyze the contents for air pollution around the Acropolis, Athens as well had several Valef Yachts with the same groups to test for water pollution in the seas. All evidence was confirmed by Government scientific laboratories and independent research centers. The high extent of pollution was widely published with articles, photos to all the media as well as full reports to the Greek Authorities including the President, Prime Minister and all parliamentary members. As a matter of fact, pollution was the main subject for the next year’s election. Now the Greek Seas are the cleanest in Europe according to the findings of the European Union and the air pollution has dropped dramatically, the Parthenon is protected and many laws have been made to protect the environment.

Bill and Kathy, his wife of 27 years; run the North American Headquarters of Valef Yachts and Bill travels frequently to the Greek headquarters always keeping his finger on the pulse of the market. Kathy and Bill met in 1978 while she was traveling in Greece. Within months they were married and moved to Greece where they settled and began working together. Kathy and Bill realized in 1981 the need to establish a USA North and South American Headquarters for more direct contact and more efficient response and information for potential clients. Running two offices half way around the world from each other keep Kathy and Bill quite busy.

In 1986 Bill, as President of Valef Yachts and President of the Yacht Owners Association, invited 200 American yacht brokers on 20 yachts to “Discover the Yachting World of Greece.” They went to many islands where mayors of the islands greeted all with parties and festivities and the famous Greek Easter was celebrated with the traditional roasted lamb on the fire and great fun was had by all.

Such hard work leads to an appreciation and understanding of a proper vacation. This has given them further insight into the development of the ultimate holiday vacation that caters that caters to the clients every desire. The personal touch and hands on approach offered by the yacht owners make chartering a luxury yacht with Valef Yachts a true pleasure.

Bill and Kathy’s two daughters, Alexandra and Kassandra, have spent numerous summers working in the yachting business, learning the ropes from the ground up. Having been brought up in both countries spending quality time in Europe and cruising the Aegean, they have a great head start in knowing Greece, what yachting is all about, and what the client ultimately desires. Alexandra and Kassandra both passionately work where Valef Yachts has its roots; and continue to infuse fresh energy into their family business and one of the first names in Greek Yachting.

Valef Yachts remains a company that continues to flourish, raise industry standards and client expectations while remaining firmly anchored in the ever-flourishing Greek yachting community. All of the above activities have finally helped establish Greece as the Center of the Yachting World!

submitted by Lee Ann Pughe

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Way back in 2003, the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine’s Oct. 9th issue reported a study finding that Tai Chi “could decrease blood pressure and results in favorable lipid profile changes and improve subjects’ anxiety status. Therefore, Tai Chi could be used as an alternative modality in treating patients with mild hypertension, with a promising economic effect.” This study laid out a way to save our society, perhaps billions of dollars annually, and possibly save some patients with mild chronic hypertension the potential negative side effects of chronic lifelong medication. However, this largely hasn’t occurred.

I caught a glimpse why when I was staying in the beautiful mountain town of Otavala, Ecuador, with a woman known for her knowledge of traditional Indian medicines. A tour of young American medical students stopped here to listen and learn from the Indian woman’s tour of her herbal gardens. As I followed them, I asked a group of young bright medical students if they were aware that Tai Chi was found to reduce high blood pressure. One lovely young woman replied, “Oh, yes, I’ve heard that, but I would never prescribe it.”

I asked why, and she responded that she couldn’t because she didn’t know if it would work. Although Tai Chi studies do show that Tai Chi indeed helps lower high blood pressure, it is true that it does not reduce it in every person. However, it is also true that every drug prescription does not work on every person either. I suggested to the young medical student that she consider that many times I’ve been to the doctor, and he’s pulled out a prescription pad and explained, “Let’s give this a try, and see how it works for you, and if it doesn’t do the job, we’ll try something else.” Most of us are familiar with this, and by the confused look on the student’s face, I’m assuming her memory banks were bringing up similar images.

So, why are our medical universities giving students the impression that they should not be prescribing Tai Chi, since we know it can help lower high blood pressure for many, who if it is successful with them, can enjoy a lifetime free of chronic and costly medications? And not only do that, but offer a plethora of GOOD SIDE EFFECTS including a stronger immune system and healthier respiratory system. This is a deep and important question we need to be asking as patients and consumers, and health professionals must begin asking this question regularly in order to fulfill the duties of their Hippocratic oath. For, today we have even a much better understanding of Tai Chi’s potential than we did a few years ago, so ignorance or inconclusive data is not an acceptable explanation from our medical universities that train our future doctors, without teaching them about Tai Chi research, and what it portends for their future patients.

Today, we are clearer on exactly why Tai Chi is such a powerful therapy for high blood pressure sufferers. In a March 17, 2005, article by the Mayo Clinic staff posted at mayoclinic.com they lay out what a “stress response” is, and the effects it has on the body. This is at the core of high blood pressure problems and the physical changes chronic stress responses illicite that creates or aggravates hypertensive conditions.

In their article, they explain that a stress response, or “fight or flight” reaction involves our pituitary gland releasing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which sets a domino effect signaling other glands to produce additional hormones, such as adrenal glands which flood the blood stream with stress hormones, such as “cortisol” and “adrenaline.”

When ordinary life’s daily frustrations trigger this effect over and over again, the results can be damaging to the mind and body. Many of us experience this domino effect of triggers and hormones daily, which is why about 1/3 of Americans, or over 90 million Americans, suffer from high blood pressure.

Cutting edge scientists like Dr. Herbert Benson, President of the Mind/Body Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, are discovering a stunning reality through their research. In a wonderful article by Jeanie Lerche Davis at WebMD Medical News entitled The Mysterious ‘Medication’ of Meditation (http://my.webmd.com/content/article/25/1728_
57992.htm), she writes of how such researchers are discovering that “meditation can indeed be medication - creating long lasting physiciolgical effects that reduce high blood pressure and even help unclog arteries to reverse heart disease.”

Dr. Benson, who is also associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, sought to prove how this effect could be shown objectively, and had five long-time meditation practitioners take MRI brain scans while meditating. Dr. Benson informed WebMD in the aforementioned article by Davis, “There was a striking quietude across the entire brain which was documented through MRI . . . The areas of the brain that became active from that quietude were those that control metabolism, heart rate, etc., . . . We knew meditation caused a relaxation response, but we couldn’t prove it. We knew that if you thought in a certain way, with repetition, that physiologic changes would occur in the body. Here now is proof that mind, in the form of repetition, is affecting the brain, which affects the body . . . “

Stroke Magazine reported on a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, conducted by Dr. Amparo Castillo-Richmond, from the Maharishi University, more specifically on high blood pressure afflicting black people. The meditating group saw a reduction in the thickness of one of the arteries that supplied blood to the brain. Which indicates that blood flow is increasing. The group only using diet and exercise saw their artery walls getting thicker, which indicated that less blood was flowing through to the brain. This finding led Dr. Castillo-Richmond to make the profoundly exciting assertion, “It’s possible to reverse heart disease through meditation.”
In fact, not only hypertension, but up to 90% of other illnesses sending us to the doctor are being caused by stress, according to Dr. Herbert Benson. Which makes Dr. Benson’s and Dr. Castillo-Richmond’s findings that meditative techniques can so dramatically alter our stress producing “fight or flight” response in healthy ways even more wonderful.

Dr. Benson explains, that the relaxation response triggered by repetitive forms [like tai chi, yoga, etc.] can result in decreased metabolism, heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and also slower brain waves.” Benson asserts that it is the repetitive nature of acts like praying the rosary, yoga, or tai chi’s physical repetitive muscular actions that provides the profound hope for reducing anxiety, mild and moderate depression, anger and hostility, hypertension, cardiac irregularities, and all forms of pain, which are made worse by stress.

This concept of Tai Chi being an effective tool for reducing or even avoiding incidence of high blood pressure or other illnesses all together, is echoed elsewhere. Mayoclinic.com also recommends Tai Chi for relaxation training in an article entitled, “Relax: Techniques to help you achieve tranquility” which also explains why relaxation is important and what you might experience by practicing tools that will help you relax.

They detail how you can improve body responses to stress, such as: Slowing your heart rate; Reducing blood pressure; Slowing your breathing rate; Reducing the need for oxygen; Increasing blood flow to the major muscles; Lessening muscle tension.

They go on to explain that practicing relaxation techniques may help you experience: Fewer symptoms of illness, such as headaches, nausea, diarrhea and pain; Few emotional responses such as anger, crying, anxiety, apprehension and frustration; More energy; Improved concentration; Greater ability to handle problems; More efficiency in daily activities.
So, time and time again as we begin to examine one particular benefit of Tai Chi, such as lowering high blood pressure, we see a whole universe of potential opening up before us.

An article from Archives of Internal Medicine, as reported on NBC’s local WCAU Health (http://wcau-tvhealth.ip2m.com/index.cfm?pt=itemDetail&Item_ID=112735&Site_Cat_ID=77) explained a Tai Chi research program at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston revealed a great deal. The article authors wrote, “Overall, these studies reported that long-term Tai Chi practice had favorable effects on the promotion of balance control, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness and reduced the risk of falls in elders . . . Cardiovascular and respiratory function improvements were noted in healthy people and those who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery as well as people with heart failure, hypertension, acute myocardial infarction, arthritis and multiple sclerosis . . . Benefit was also found for balance, strength, and flexibility in older subjects; falls in frail elderly subjects; and pain, stress and anxiety in healthy subjects.” They add the actual ways that Tai Chi provides these benefits are not well known.

The fact is that less than .5% of the National Institute of Health’s budget goes to research alternative therapies, leaving yoga, meditation, tai chi, massage, herbal therapy, aroma therapy, and the entire massive field of alternative health systems to struggle over .5%, or a little over $100 million of the $28 billion (approx.) annual budget. Given the above studies, it boggles the mind that such a small portion of the health research dollars are going to Tai Chi.

To recap, about 1/3 of the American population suffers high blood pressure. Tai Chi is proven to be a beneficial therapy that not only has no bad side effects, but dramatically improves immune function, respiratory function, lowers the incidence of anxiety and depression, and profoundly improves the balance of practitioners. Tai Chi does more, but for our purposes here these profound realities are enough to show exactly why it is truly unbelievable that Tai Chi is getting so little scrutiny in medical research dollars, when it can save so many from chronic suffering and perhaps some from a lifetime of chronic costly medications.

It is time we all began to ask the question that all good consumers should ask, “What is the best way/product for my health?” If Tai Chi is that product, the next question is, “Why isn’t every physician offering it as an option to their patients with hypertension, as a prescription?” “Why aren’t all insurance policies covering such prescriptions for Tai Chi?” Ask and ye shall receive. We must become informed and demanding health consumers, in order to get the best health options available.

This article does not advocate self-treatment, and encourages all to make health choices in conjunction with their physician. However, if your physician is close-minded to anything but a certain group of health options, even when research indicates your choices may be wider, than it is time to have a good talk with your physician about possibly widening your options.

Copyright 2005 Bill Douglas

Bill Douglas is the Tai Chi Expert at DrWeil.com, Founder of World T’ai Chi & Qigong Day (held in 50 nations each year), and has authored and co-authored several books including a #1 best selling Tai Chi book “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to T’ai Chi & Qigong.” Bill’s been a Tai Chi source for The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, etc. You can learn more about Tai Chi & Qigong, and also contact Bill Douglas at http://www.worldtaichiday.org

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Sure, you could measure the rather narrow results achieved by tactical subsets of your public relations program like special events, brochures, broadcast plugs or press releases. On the other hand, you as a business, non-profit or association manager might better measure the results of your strategic efforts to alter individual perception among your key outside audiences leading to changed behaviors, which then help you achieve your managerial objectives.

I mean, can we agree that managers MUST plan to do something positive about the behaviors of those important external audiences of theirs that most affect their operation?

And especially so when they persuade those key outside folks to their way of thinking by helping to move them to take actions that allow their department, division or subsidiary to succeed?

But it takes more than good intentions for any manager to alter individual, key-audience perception leading to changed behaviors, something of profound importance to ALL business, non-profit and association managers.

He or she needs a plan dedicated to getting every member of the public relations team working towards the same external audience behaviors which insures that the organization’s public relations effort stays sharply focused.

The plan could be based on a foundation that looks like this: people act on their own perception of the facts before them, which leads to predictable behaviors about which something can be done. When we create, change or reinforce that opinion by reaching, persuading and moving-to-desired-action the very people whose behaviors affect the organization the most, the public relations mission is accomplished.

Results can materialize faster than you might suspect.For example, bounces in showroom visits; new proposals for strategic alliances and joint ventures; customers making repeat purchases; prospects starting to work with them;membership applications on the rise, and capital givers or specifying sources looking their way.

Watch the real performers at work. They find out whoamong their key external audiences is behaving in ways that help or hinder the achievement of their objectives. Then, they list them according to how severely their behaviors affect their organization.

Next they must determine how most members of that key outside audience perceive the organization. If the resources to pay for what could be costly professional survey counsel aren’t there, Ms. or Mr. manager and his or her PR colleagues will have to monitor those perceptions themselves. Actually, the PR folks should already be quite familiar with how to gather and assess perception and behavior data.

Doing so means meeting with members of that outside audience and asking questions like “Are you familiar with our services or products?” “Have you ever had contact with anyone from our organization? Was it a satisfactory experience?” And if you are that manager, you must be sensitive to negative statements, especially evasive or hesitant replies. Watch carefully for false assumptions, untruths, misconceptions, inaccuracies and potentially damaging rumors. When you find such, you will need to take steps to correct them, as they inevitably lead to negative behaviors.

Now comes the challenge of selecting the specific perception to be altered which then becomes your public relations goal. You obviously want to correct those untruths, inaccuracies, misconceptions or false assumptions.

The core reality of the whole drill is that a PR goal without a strategy to show you how to get there, is like corned beef and cabbage without the cabbage. It’s justnot the same. So, as you select one of three strategies (especially constructed to create perception or opinion where there may be none, or change or reinforce it,) what you must do is insure that the goal and its strategy match each other. You wouldn’t want to select “change existing perception” when current perception is just right suggesting a “reinforce” strategy.

Now the time has come when you must create a compelling message carefully constructed to alter your key target audience’s perception, as specified by your public relations goal.

Remember that you can always combine your corrective message with another news announcement or presentation which may give it more credibility by downplaying the apparent need for such a correction.

The content of the message must be compelling and quite clear about what perception needs clarification or correction, and why. Naturally you must be truthful and your position logically explained and believable if it is to hold the attention of members of that target audience, and actually move perception in your direction.

Occasionally, folks in the PR business will allude to the communications tactics necessary to move your message to the attention of that key external audience, as “beasts of burden” because they must carry your persuasive new thoughts to the eyes and ears of those important outside people.

Luckily, there is a wide choice because the list of tactics is lengthy. It includes letters-to-the-editor, brochures, press releases and speeches. Or, you might choose radio and newspaper interviews, personal contacts, facility tours or customer briefings. There are scores available and the only selection requirement is that the communications tactics you choose have a record of reaching people just like the members of your key target audience.

Of course, you can always move things along by adding more communications tactics, AND by increasing their frequencies.

Right about now, the subject of progress reports will arise,but you will already be hard at work remonitoring perceptions among your target audience members to test the effectiveness of your communications tactics. Using questions similar to those used during your earlier monitoring session, you’ll now be on sharp alert for signs that audience perceptions are beginning to move in your general direction.

Throughout, keep your eye on the core of this approach: persuade your most important outside audiences with the greatest impacts on your organization to your way of thinking. Then move them to take actions that help your department, division or subsidiary prevail.

Thus, instead of measuring the rather narrow results achieved by the tactical subsets of your public relations program like special events, brochures, broadcast plugs or press releases, you will have discovered the only true measure of public relations: the results of your strategic efforts to alter individual perception among your key outside audiences leading to changed behaviors, helping you achieve your managerial objectives.

Bob Kelly counsels and writes for business, non-profit and
association managers about using the fundamental premise of public
relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola
Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport
News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S.
Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The
White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia
University, major in public relations. mailto:bobkelly@TNI.net Visit:www.PRCommentary.com

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Trying to sale your hot dogs or ice cream but need to find something to take them around in? As long as you have your licensing that shouldn’t be a problem with used concession trailers. These are tiny trailers you’ll find full of concession snacks inside at fairgrounds and such.

There are two types of concession trailers you might want to get, one of course is new and the other is used concession trailers. Buying used will definitely save you which can help fill it up more. Otherwise you’ll get a brand new one at a high cost and you’ll have less to spend on your business. Both of which will be able to be a write off during tax season.

I suggest looking around before you make your purchase whether you will buy a new or used concession trailer. Look inside and make sure it’ll fit you, your possible staff and your food. If you plan on selling ice cream you’ll want one with a freezer inside. Never forget to advertise on the outside of your concession trailer so people know what you are selling. Make it fun, make it look alive. People tend to stay away plain looking trailers.

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Climber from Nepal, 76, oldest man to reach the summit of Everest “Chomolungma or Mount Everest this year became a political pawn,” he said with some frustration.

They flexed their muscles this year all the in name of the Olympic spirit, but it was hardly spirited at all.”

As he planned for the climb, Sherchan told reporters he wanted to inspire fellow senior citizens. He also said many Nepalese have established records on the Mount Everest, so it was only fitting that the record for the oldest climber to reach the summit should also belong to a Nepali. “The Chinese weren’t allowing anybody on Mt Everest. They ended up commandeering it for themselves, even though Chomolungma is shared by two countries. Andrew Brash and four climbing guides reached the 29,035-foot (8,850-meters) summit of the world’s highest mountain early Sunday, said Ramesh Chretri, an official with Nepal’s ministry of tourism.

Further, the decision to actualize a long-time personal goal left Bahadur Sherchan with some internal uncertainties, he cited the political actions of China and Nepal as providing the greatest adversity he faced on his journey. However, he was all too aware of the potential dangers Mount Everest could bring. Certain parts of the climb are more dangerous than others and it is important for climbers to remain focused More than 3204 people have climbed to the summit since it was first conquered in 1953 by New Zealander Edmund Hillary, who died in January, and Nepal’s Tenzing Norgay.

Sherchan just 23 days away from his 77th birthday beat the age record set last year by 71-year-old Japanese teacher Katsusuke Yanagisawa.

Andrew Brash returned this week from Nepal after successfully climbing to the summit of Mt Everest. His first found him within 167 metres of the peak when his team stopped to help a fellow mountaineer who was left for dead. Two years later, Min Bahadur Sherchan, a University of Calgary alumni, returned to Mount Everest to finish what he had started.

The 74-year-old man from Nepal is now the oldest person to have reached the top of Chomolungma. The Chinese were flying their airplanes over the Mount Everest and had Chinese officials in Kathmandu. They basically coerced the Nepali government to not allow any climbers past camp two on the Nepali side. Bahadur Sherchan last attempt resulted in the rescue of Lincoln Hall, an Australian climber who was left by his team in the “death zone.”

With the Chinese preparing for the impending summer Olympic Games, Andrew Brash noted that the government’s actions hardly reflected the Olympic spirit. This year Anthony Loeff the French mountaineer is reporting the scales for Everest after reaching the peak of earlier this season.

Now that Min Bahadur Sherchan has successfully scaled the tallest mountain in the world, he is once again ready to focus on his family. Hall was frostbitten and severely disoriented due to altitude sickness. Andrew Brash returned a hero to Calgarians.

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South Africa is a wonderful place, the open planes teaming with animals and one of the lowest population densities in the continent. South Africa comes with some of the very best natural landscapes in Africa, the marvellous blend of beautiful fields, surroundings and swamps makes the total place come to life. Not only might you be seduced at the forests, you will additionally be facinated at the cheerful lakes and waterfalls. A real heaven on earth.

In South Africa you will be able to see the leading waterfall of all, the Victoria Falls. This impressive waterfall has been a location for many wild dogs with tons of big cats & elephants coming to enjoy the pure waters that run here. Also make sure one see the crocodiles and hippos in the Zambezi River, & don’t forget to hire a guide as the river will be a little bit aggressive. you yourself may also wish to book a photography safari in South Luangwa National Park & get yourself near with the different wildlife. On a photography tour you yourself will see tigers & highly rare wild dogs. If you are lucky enough you may view a heard of giraffes with their young. The opportunity to be so close with these amazing animals is amazing. Try a safari in Zambia with Kaingo.

Accommodation in Southern Africa can often range from five star luxury hotels right through to tents without any electricity. Whichever accommodation type you select one will be sure of a marvellous time.

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Currency markets update 26th April 2006

Sterling Falls Against Majors

Sterling hit a fresh two-week low against the euro and also lost ground against the dollar on Wednesday after UK growth data which came in line with expectations prompted some position adjustment.

Britain’s economy grew 0.6 percent in the first quarter of 2006 with the annual rate of 2.2 percent, exactly in line with analysts’ forecasts.

Service sector growth slowed to 0.6 percent, after growing 1 percent in the last three months of 2005, due to weaker retail and car sales.

“The data was bang in line with expectations,” said Ian Stannard, currency strategist at BNP Paribas. “We are seeing cable coming under pressure in a corrective pullback after the gains we have seen in the past couple of weeks.”

By 0845 GMT the pound fell to the day’s low of $1.7806, down 0.3 percent on the day, off Tuesday’s seven-month high of $1.7943.

Elsewhere, ECB executive board member Lorenzo Bini Smaghi said that if the European economic recovery strengthened, the central bank would adjust rates to avoid inflation, in comments published in an Italian newspaper.

Meanwhile, ECB governing council member Axel Weber told Bloomberg television that risks of second-round inflation effects had risen.

Most analysts expect the ECB to wait until June before raising rates from 2.5 percent after ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet earlier this month doused widespread expectations for a move as soon as the May 4 meeting. Even so these comments will serve to put further pressure on Sterling in the coming months.

Interbank rates
GBP/EURO - 1.4340
EUR/GBP - 1.4389
EUR/USD - 1.2379
GBP/USD - 1.7790
USD/GBP - 1.7850
GBP/AUD - 2.3880
GBP/NZD - 2.8370
GBP/CAD - 2.0140
GBP/CYP - 0.822
GBP/AED - 6.535
GBP/ZAR - 10.95
GBP/CHF - 2.2610
GBP/PLN - 5.5790
GBP/CZK - 40.767
GBP/THB - 67.17

Toby is a senior FX manager who writes daily articles concerning the Euro Pound currency exchange markets and how this affects theBulgaria property market.

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Slot machines, or slots, are the very popular for gamblers who love to see all the colors and sights that is associated with gambling with these machines. Indeed, slots are the eye candy to the otherwise drab interior and finishing of the casino setting. It even has wonderful sounds that will perk up the interest of casino newbies. With the advent of online casinos and gambling, these colorful machines are now available 24/7 and its popularity continues even in the World Wide Web. People gamble because they want to take the chance in winning and since gambling is largely won by chance, so is winning at online slots. Just as actual house slot machines, one has to remember that the house will always have the edge even in online slots. Because of this, it is very crucial for one to choose the game that has the highest pay-out. Slot machines also differ in such a way that some are purely by chance and others are by skill. The player must decide beforehand if he wants to play for fun or to earn money. Slots like you can find at online gambling sites such as playsportal.net do not have a mathematical system, contrary to what most vendors are saying, so one should not be fooled by these claims. Slots are random machines so no matter how others are claiming that they found a way to win at slots, these are just wishful thinking and a ploy to get money out of one’s pockets. In playing online slots, bigger risks will result to bigger winnings so it is very good to play progressives with a larger amount. However, it is important to make sure that the bet made on online slots is actually something one can afford to lose because chance plays a large factor in determining winnings and there is always a possibility of losing.

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Executive Summary

Unsolicited commercial email, also commonly known as spam, has developed a negative reputation because it is at best a waste of valuable time and at worst an offensive intrusion into one’s desktop. It is estimated that 56% of all mail that passes through the Internet is spam which is an increase of 40% from one year ago today. In addition, it is estimated that spam costs an average of $874 per employee per year, with a loss of approximately 1.4% of productivity due to managing spam on the desktop.

Introduction

Internet email is an electronic system through which messages are transferred between systems on behalf of their users. It is a trusting system in that the mail server will deliver a message to the receipt that it is addressed to. This level of trust becomes a problem when anyone in the world can send an email to anyone. Individuals and organizations that send unsolicited email (spammers) are taking advantage of this trusting system.

Currently, there is very little that can be done to prevent spammers from creating and sending emails. At this time, the only effective remedy to this nuisance is implementing a filtering system to aid in the management of spam.

Determining the Nature of Spam

It is fairly obvious to a person who is reading an advertisement for Viagra that the message is spam. However, to a computer the email is just strings of numbers, letters, and symbols. This is the first challenge in the process of managing spam: how to get a computer to analyze these strings to recognize and differentiate the welcome from the unwelcome emails.

The simplest method for avoiding spam is to only accept mail from authenticated senders. This is easy to implement but would result in the receipt of almost no email from outside organizations. This is due to the trusting nature of the email system which treats every incoming connection as a valid connection. Building a “white list” of known peer servers from trusted organizations (i.e., business partners and clients) is, unfortunately, impossible to maintain for a large organization.

One method for determining whether or not an incoming message is spam is by testing the sending server for full compliance with RFC 2821 and correct DNS setups. RFC 2821 is the specification used to describe how messages are to be sent between SMTP mail servers, and the correct DNS setups have to occur with the cooperation of the ISP who owns the IP address assigned to the mail server. This method of testing for compliance with the RFC’s and collaboration with the sender’s ISP allows the receiving server to block the incoming connection once it has determined that the sending server is probably not a mainstream server. This system works because, traditionally, many spammers have built very basic bulk emailing engines, and many of these engines are so poorly constructed that they are barely capable of sending mail at all. The downside to this method is that there is a high likelihood of a false positive when interacting with some open source or low-cost email servers.

Freeware code or low cost systems are commonly used by small organizations for budgetary reasons. Another issue with this method is that many spammers send their mail through valid mail servers that have been inadvertently left available to act as relays (mail forwarders), and the relay servers will pass all of these initial configuration tests.

Another common manner of avoiding mail classified as spam is to identify the sending server as it attempts to send mail by using a third party mechanism called a Blacklist server. These servers, such as the Open Relay DataBase or SpamCop, offer a free service by holding databases of identified addresses of numerous spammers and open relays. When a mail server attempts to send mail, a simple query of one or more of these services is typically sufficient to reduce the volume of spam by 25%. However, these services are not perfect and can result in false positives or negatives due to either overly aggressive databases or latency in reporting. For instance, one of the most reliable databases of server addresses, ORDB.org, only tests to see if the server is misconfigured as an open relay. If a spammer sends mail from a properly configured server or from one that has not yet been reported, then the mail will pass this test. In addition, many companies have had difficulty getting their valid servers out of these databases, which causes an issue with irresolvable false positives.

A third way for determining spam is through the use of content filtering. This method involves the filtering of mail by matching it against a list of words or phrases. This list of words and phrases is maintained on the server either by the local system administrator or through a subscription service. Although this method was popular several years ago, spammers have become adept in avoiding these filtering engines by masking their content with misspellings. In order to keep the list accurate and up to date, the system administrator or keyword service must continually increase the size of the list. This particular method tends to be fraught with false positives and false negatives. For example, one mail user might actually be using Viagra that would result in a false positive, and V1agr@ is still Viagra that would result in a false negative. This filtering method is considered by most as ineffective at filtering out anything but the most offensive email.

A final method of filtering spam is Bayesian filtering which is a very successful variation of keyword filtering. This method differs from traditional filters as it utilizes a statistical method for filtering messages based on the content of the message and the end user trains the system by providing feedback on what is and is not spam. Based on this feedback the filter builds an index of all of the words and phrases, including misspellings, which tend to occur in messages indicated as spam. The main reason this system operates better than conventional keyword filtering is that it is able to filter a message that misspells the primary keyword phrases or words. Essentially, if the spammer misspells everything in the message, then it cannot get through. The only significant drawback to this system is that there is a delay in implementation due to the need of training the system, and there is an ongoing need for the end users to inform the system of false positives and false negatives. The advantage of this system is the frequency of the required feedback declines over time. Also, the system reacts quickly to spammers new techniques because it is constantly learning based on feedback from the users.

Handling Spam

Once a message has been identified as spam, the recipient must determine how the message will be handled. One approach is to refuse to accept the message once it has been identified, or to delete the message before it is delivered to the end user. This method, although a common method for implementing controls on a mail server, carries the risk of deleting a valid message that has been improperly identified as spam.

An alternative way of managing spam is to clearly identify the message as such. This involves inserting an identifier of some sort into the header or subject line of the message that identifies it as spam. For instance, a spam filter can be configured to insert the word [SPAM] into the subject line so that the recipient can see the message and manage it appropriately. Once the message is identified, it is simple enough to set up a rule or filter on the mail client that will automatically sort the message into a folder marked “spam”. The end user can periodically review the messages in this folder to identify any false positives.

Implementing a Filtering System

Building a method for determining whether or not a message is spam is not sufficient, and until there is a major revision to SMTP, one that is less trusting, a mechanism needs to be built to somehow filter the spam out of incoming mail.

The simplest manner to accomplish this is by purchasing a spam-filtering appliance. This mechanism would be installed in front of the organization’s current mail server and would serve as a relay that would filter out spam as it passes through the server. Although this “black box” system is easy to implement, there are a few issues that might prompt a system administrator to look elsewhere for an alternative solution. The first notable issue is that these systems typically require some sort of subscription service to maintain functionality. Second, the level of control or optimization available is minimal and limited to the features or options planned and implemented in the appliance’s system. Aside from its ease of installation, this approach allows for very little change or adjustment to the systems that are already in place.

Another approach similar to the appliance method would be to implement filtering software in front of the mail server. Once the software is selected it can be installed on a mail server or on the same system as the organization’s existing server. The software acts as a relay server, forwarding and filtering messages into the existing mail server. Since this is a software-only solution, there are a few advantages over the appliance solution. One significant benefit is that there are a wide variety of software solutions offered. Another advantage is that this mechanism can often be installed directly on the mail server itself, avoiding the cost of maintaining another system. This system has the same disadvantage as the mail filtering appliance in that it is another system for the administrator to maintain.

Many of the more robust mail server systems implement some sort of spam control mechanism directly, as part of their receipt and delivery function. This is very easy to use and implement, but is dependent on how well the filtering mechanism was implemented in the mail server’s system and which method might be available. The advantage to this is tight integration with the mail server. For instance, if a mail server receives a message that is deemed spam, it may automatically reply with a message stating that the “user does not exist”. This may help to decrease the likelihood of the spammer sending additional messages to the address, but other systems that relay messages might not be able to provide this level of filtering.

Another approach for implanting a filtering system is spam control software being installed as a component of the mail client itself. Using this mechanism is simple and inexpensive to implement, but works differently than some of the server-based controls. For instance, some of these software controls simply key in on the sender’s email address and mark anything from an unknown sender as spam. In addition, many of these systems require a subscription to maintain keyword lists, as Bayesian statistical techniques are not effective for a single user’s small volume of mail messages.

An alternative option would be to outsource the entire filtering mechanism to an outside organization that specializes in mail hosting and filtering. This is a cost-effective approach, because it is often much less expensive compared to the purchase and implementation of a software filtering system on-site. In addition, outsourcing the function makes change very easy; if a third party provider does not provide sufficient or accurate filtering, then the provider can quickly be changed. This level of freedom is not available when a solution is purchased for local installation.

End User Training

It is important to train end users on how to handle spam when it comes into their mailbox. A few simple rules can be sufficient to help to reduce the ongoing impact of spam:

1. Regardless of the circumstances, a user should never respond to spam. Responding to the message tells the spammer that the email address is valid and makes the address worth more than it did before. In fact, one is more likely receive more spam after responding to try to get off the spammer’s list.

2. Avoid viewing or previewing spam. There are telltale markers embedded in HTML-based spam that helps to identify that the message was actually read.

3. Don’t forward spam to a colleague, especially if utilizing a Bayesian filtering system, as this will lend validity to the content of the message.

4. Be judicious in how an email address is handed. Filling out every form on the Internet with a personal or business email address is bound to result in the receipt of more spam messages.

5. Take email addresses off from a personal or business website and replace them with forms that send email in the background from the web server via cgi. There are automated programs that simply scour the web for email addresses that might be embedded in web pages.

About ITX Spam Filtering

ITX offers a hosted anti-spam solution that provides a blended method of identifying and handling spam. Acting as an SMTP relay for incoming mail, ITX’s mail server starts with an identification of the sender by IP address and submitting for reference to a blacklist database from ORDB.org. Next, the content is checked for relevancy in a fully trained Bayesian database. These factors are combined to determine, with 99% accuracy, whether or not the message is truly spam. Messages identified as spam will be marked as such in the subject line, checked for virus signatures, and forwarded on to its final destination. Unlike most providers, ITX has a strict policy of never deleting or refusing mail that is earmarked to a client.

This conservative, blended approach has proved to be a stable and reliable solution that has been extensively tested in a production environment. Anti-spam filtering is available to both ITX mail hosting clients, along with POP3/SMTP services, and to Spam filtering clients as a relay mechanism.

About ITX

ITX is a business consulting and technology solutions firm committed to consistently providing superior products and services in nine practice areas including Business Performance, IT Solution Strategies and Implementation, Internet Marketing, Technical Services, IT Staffing, Internet Services, and Technology Research.

It is through the total commitment to process and quality that ITX combines the highest level of resources and expertise to ensure our clients operate effectively and efficiently. ITX’s ability to leverage the proper mix of skills results in providing high quality technology services and solutions both quickly and at a competitive cost. ITX clients return again and again for scalable products and services that perform reliably and assure a significant return on investment.

About Jonathan Coupal

Jonathan Coupal is the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of ITX Corp, a business consulting and technology solutions firm based in Rochester, New York. Mr. Coupal manages both the day-to-day and strategic operations of the Technology Integration Practice Group. Among Mr. Coupal’s greatest strengths are evaluating customers’ unique problems, developing innovative, cost effective solutions and providing a “best practice” implementation methodology. Mr. Coupal’s extensive knowledge and experience enables him to fully analyze client systems to recommend the most effective technologies and solutions that will both optimize their business processes and fulfill immediate and future goals. Mr. Coupal and his team build a high level of trust with clients, establishing ITX as their IT partner of choice. Mr. Coupal holds certifications with Microsoft and CompTia, including MCSE, MCSA, Security+, Linux+ and i-Net+, and served as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the development of the CompTia Linux+.

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If you’ve ever applied for a credit card or loan, you’ve
probably had your credit report reviewed by the lender. Your
credit report has a huge impact on your financial future, so
it’s well worth your time to be sure that you understand what
your credit report says about you.

Even if you’re not interested in obtaining credit, your
credit report can impact other areas of your life. Potential
employers view your credit report to assess your
trustworthiness as an employee. Landlords frequently check
the credit reports of their tenants before allowing them to
sign or renew their lease.

You can request copies of your report from the three major
credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A recent
amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act requires
each of these national consumer reporting companies to
provide you with a yearly free copy of your credit report
upon your request.

Basically, your credit report is a summary of how you pay
your bills; repay loans; how much credit you have available;
what your monthly debts are; and other types of information
that can help a prospective lender decide if you are a good
credit risk.

Your credit report is made up of several sections. The first
section contains personal identifying information such as
your name, current and previous addresses, social security
number, telephone number, birth date, and your current and
previous employers.

Your bill paying history with banks, retail stores, finance
companies, mortgage companies, and others who have granted
you credit is one of the most important parts of your credit
report.

Public records that might indicate your credit worthiness,
such as tax liens, court judgments, and bankruptcies are also
included in the section detailing your credit history.

Your credit report includes a comprehensive listing of all
credit granters and other individuals who have received a
copy of your credit report. In addition, lists of companies
that have received your name and address in order to offer
you credit are also included in your credit report.

Most credit bureaus allow both the consumer and the creditor
to make statements if there is a dispute about something on
the report. If applicable, your credit report will include
these dispute statements.

Your credit report does not include bank account balances,
race, religion, health, criminal records, driving records, or
annual income. You’ve probably heard about a FICO credit
score as well. Credit scores are based on formulas that use
the information in your report, but they’re not considered
part of your credit report.

Problems with your credit report will result in you either
being denied credit or receiving a higher interest rate. Red
flags on your credit report include excessive applications
for additional credit, a short credit history, a high debt
ratio, and late payments to previous creditors.

In most cases, negative information will stay on your report
for seven years. However, bankruptcy information stays on
your credit report for ten years.

To help improve your credit report, always remember to close
unused accounts, pay your bills on time, never use all of
your available credit, and don’t apply for unnecessary
credit.

Copyright (c)2005 by Michael Ambrosio. You may publish this
article on your site or in your newsletter provided this
resource box remains in tact. Michael Ambrosio is the author
of many credit related articles. Visit his website today:
http://www.yourcreditandyou.com and rebuild your credit.

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