Grading the Gold Sovereign (Part I)

WEAR ZONES ON THE AUSTRALIAN SOVEREIGNThe highest zones of a coins design wear away first. In order to assess a coin's grade, examining these zones with a good eyeand a magnifying glass is essential. Nevertheless, for the uninitiated, determining the wear zones of Australia's sovereigns sometimes requires a bright lamp, a couple dozen sovereigns for comparison, and a good deal of patience. In point of fact, I havedone some of the work for you and highlighted the wear zones on all* the main sovereign types; a short commentary accompanies each illustration.Sydney Mint (1857 - 1870)On the obverse, Victorias wreaths generally wear first. Lustre remains in the legends of above average coins. The reverse of the Sydney Mint sovereign is generally hardwearing. However, its open fields are susceptible to detracting marks and other imperfections. The crown and its devices, as well as the pair of encircling wreaths are the first to show wear. Coins in Very Fine generally exhibit lustre about the wreathes and in the legend. Shield Reverse (1871 - 1887)The Shield obverse wears in similar pattern to the St George obverse. Contrastingly, the reverse is hard wearing, and tends to wear generally evenly when it does. Lustre usually predominates the reverse, even on pieces in Fine. The Harp of Ireland (highlighted) wears first; however, that zone on the shield is poorly struck on some dates. Unfortunately, eBay does not allow more than ten images per guide, so I had to cull the image of the Shield obverse. Nevertheless, the wear zoneson the Shield obverse are similar to those on the St George Young Head obverse (image below) except that the Victorias bun on the Shield obverse is not as susceptible to wear.St George Reverse (1871 - 1887)As a relatively flat and simple design, the Young Head obverse wears somewhat evenly, beginning with those zones highlighted. Lustre remains in the legends in average coins. Contrastingly, the reverse shows considerable signs of wear after some time in circulation, beginning with St Georges chest and the dragons prominent wing. On both verses, fields are relatively susceptible to detracting marks. Jubilee Head (1887 - 1893)An intricate designed coupled with a rather filling effigy results in an obverse that wears very easily indeed. Australian Jubilee sovereigns are also notorious for bagmarks; genuine Choice Uncirculated pieces are scarcer than their Uncirculated Young Heads cousins. At the end of their lives, Jubilees are so worn that only Queen Victorias worn-down silhouette is visible.Veiled Head (1893 - 1901)The Veiled Head obverse wears in zones as indicated above. Because the effigy fills much of the obverse, the design wears somewhat easily. Sometimes Veiled Heads exhibit light wear on Victorias cheek, accompanied by detracting marks and other imperfections. The Veiled Head is also called the Old Head and Widow Head by some collectors.Edward VII (1902 - 1910)The obverses of sovereigns minted during the reign of Edward VII are shallowly struck, and feature the smoothed-skinned and lightly-bearded head of the King; these obverses wear rather evenly. The first zone to exhibit wear is the tip of the Kings beard as well as the base of his neck. The hair follows suit quickly, as do the eyebrows. George V Standard and Small Head (1911 - 1931)The first place to look at a Large Head George V obverse is the tip of the effigys moustache. If it is flat, the coin has most likely been in circulation and experienced some wear. The same can be said for the Small Head, which exhibits wear with greater ease than its predecessor. Average coins are worn from the tip of the effigys moustache and right over the kings side burns.* * *CLICK HERE TO READ PART II.Notes*Unfortunately, I did not have a Type I Sydney Mint sovereign on me at the time of writing; I therefore have not included it in this article; I expect to put it in soon.

BINDEEZ - What are they and how do you use them?

Feb 2008 - Bindeez are coming back. They are about to be re-released with a new name BEADOS! Watch my store for new products, expected soon.Friday Nov 9th - 4pm The final returns process has been completed. Please visit the web address below for full returns and refund details. All your questions should be answered and the details you need to return your products for refunds are available here. This is for AUSTRALIAN PRODUCTS ONLY - www.bindeezrecall.comThursday Nov 8th - 1.30pm The final returns procedure is still being finalised by Moose Enterprises. I have spoken with them again today and I understand that refunds will be issued for ALL products, with or without a receipt. I have also been advised that refunds may be issued on goods that have been opened and used, however I have not seen this information in writing. We will need to wait until that final process is announced. The contact details below are still valid and you can call the Bindeez Enquiry Line and leave your details, and someone from Moose Enterprises will call you back. (remember that there will be a LOT of people for Moose to call back, so the call back may not be immediate)Wednesday Nov 7th - 2.30pm Moose Enterprises has released a statement advising that all returns and refunds will be handled by Moose Enterprises directly. A Bindeez enquiry line has been created and the number is 1800 303 895. Alternatively you can email your details to returns@moosetoys.comThe exact process on how items can be returned HAS NOT been finalised and it is expected to be finalised within 24 hours. PLEASE NOTE - AS AT NOVEMBER 6TH 2007 - The New South Wales Government has temporarily banned the sale of all Bindeeez Products. Magic Beads that join with a spray of water.No Heat, No Glue, No MessSome of the Bindeez products that are available are as follows:Starter PackPrincess Starter PackActivity CentreSuper StudioUltimate Bead PackPortable PackContainer PackVarious Themed and non themed RefillBindeez is the new art and craft craze that is taking the world by storm. They are a fun and educational tool that encourages the development of finer motor skills, colour recognition and children are only limited by their imagination.At the 2007 Australian Toy Hobby and Nursery Fair, Bindeez Super Studio won the following awards:2007 Toy of the Year2007 Australian Development Award2007 Craft and Activity Category WinnerTo make a Bindeez design, all you have to do is make, spray and stay.MAKE - Using the templates provided or create your own design, fill up the unique Bindeez Pen with the beads. Press the button on the side of the pen to release the beads onto your Bindeez tray. SPRAY - Spray your design with water using the Bindeez sprayer.STAY - Once dry your Bindeez are ready for play or display! With the new Tray and Spray packs you get keyring danglers so your completed Bindeez can be added to your mobile phone, bag, pencil case, keyring or more.

Dating Hummels - A Guide to Hummel Backstamps

Hummelfigurines are highly sought after, with some pieces attracting very high prices. Condition and rarity will affect the value, however, so when buying a Hummel product look carefully for the two marks of its authenticity; the M I Hummel signature on the side of the base and the Goebel backstamp. Whether buying or selling Hummels on Ebay,it is to your benefit to understand the marking system used by the Goebel company on M I Hummel items. There are some excellent publications that give accurate and lengthy information about these highly collectible figurines, which includes current market prices, butthis guide is only intended as a general introduction to the Hummel Goebel trademarks to assist your trading on Ebay,.Trademark 1The crown markwas used on Hummels produced in 1935. The earliest figurines had this incised on the underside of the base, with the letters W G, which stood for William Goebel, one of the founders of the company intertwined beneath it. Occasionally the Crown Mark if found both incised and stamped and this is known as a double crown mark. Figurines also had M I Hummel incised on the side of the base. Trademark 2In 1950 the Goebel Company incorporated a Bee in a Vee, beginning with the incised Full Bee followed by the stamped Full Bee. These were followed by several variations, which attracted their own identification terminology,The High Bee - The Small Bee - The Baby Bee - The Vee Bee, but all are accepted as Trademark 2.Trademark 3In 1957 the Stylized Bee was introduced in 1957 and used until 1964.It came in two sizes, referred to as the Small or Large Stylized Bee. The Large Bee had the words W Germany placed to the right, while the Small Bee has these words underneath. In addition,the words West Germany occasionally appeared elsewhere on the base.

Intro to Cigars, sizes, history of some Cuban brands

An introduction to Cigars includingsizes, wrappers, factories, history.THE STRUCTURE OF A CIGARA cigar has three components: the filler, the binder and the wrapperFillerThe biggest mass of a cigar is the filler and in the case of hand made cigars it is usually strips of tobacco cut to the length of the cigar. This is known as long leaf. Short leaf indicates smaller, cut-up pieces normally used for machine-made cigars. There are three different types or styles of leaves in use for the filler blend: Ligero, Seco, Volado.

Too good to be true? A guide to no reserve auctions

I have been using ebay for a number of years now and find it a fun and convenient way to find goods at an oftenunbeatable price. It is the place to go to first for online bargains. I have purchased everything from jocks (new of course!)to CDs, and have even usedebay to help find a friend a car. I often search for cars and car parts on ebay to see what is around as I am quite the enthusiast.One thing I have noticed though is that sometimes people who are new to ebay will list an item at an extremely low staring price and with no reserve. Some of these auctions seem too good to be true. This is because they are. Oftenthese people are not awareof the rules and list the item withouta reserve even though theyhave a minimum sell price in mind and are not prepared to accept anything less. This is my experience...I was searching through various car parts and came across a clever personalized number plate 'IXIIIX' (929 in roman numerals) and thought that these plates would look good on my Mazda. Starting bid was about $5 and there was no reserve. Seeing a brand new set of personalized plates retail for around the $500 mark, I was very keen and placed a proxy bid for $200.Anyway, I returned from work one night, checked the auction and foundI had won the plates for an unbelievableprice of only $51 plus postage. An absolute bargain!I contacted the seller and asked for banking details so I could arrange payment. What happened next still sickens me!The seller, strick929,replied to me by saying they were expecting the plates to sellfor more so were relisting them on ebay starting at, wait for it, $200. I was furious! Ihad won the plates fair and square and regardless of what I was prepared to pay for them originally, they were rightfully mine.I sent several emails with out reply. Enough was enough. I contacted ebay who put me on to square trade. Unfortunately they were unable to resolve the issue as the seller did not reply to them either. Thankfully no money changed hands, but this was still not acceptable. This seller is no longer a registered user under the name strick929, but could still be using under a different name.I have seen cars up for auction worth around $60,000 with ridiculously low starting bids, a 'buy it now' option for what the car is worthand no reserve. Sellers, please understand the rules before placing items for sale. Buyers, if an auction looks too good to be true, ask the question, don't assume. It will save a lot of frustration later on.I'm sure I wasn't the first and I doubt I will be the last!Happy ebaying!xdionx

Cheaper to buy costumes online than hire!

Fancy dress costumes are amazing, you can be whoever you want to be!And now, with the ability to buy affordable, quality costumes online, it is often cheaper to buy than to hire a costume!Benefits are:~You don't have to worry so much about damaging it or spilling your drink down it, which would often result in charges from the hire shop you got it from! There's no hurrying to get it back to the hire shop the morning after the night before! And it's far more cost-effectivesince after your event, you get to keep it for use time after time after time!There is now an incredibly wide range of costumes available to purchase, to suit all pockets and tastes, ranging from budget costumes to quality deluxe costumes and accessories Sometimes all you need is a fake tash, beard, mask, and/or hat to achieve the desired result! I hope that this guide was of some help to you.Read my other guides

How to report sellers sending perfumes illegally.

This guide follows on from our previous guide:Perfumes are a dangerous good - postage restrictions In light of Australian State and Federal laws, International conventions, and the recently announced eBay Australia policy, which prohibits businesses/sellers from utilising Australia Post services to send fragrances without a consumer commodities dangerous goods contract, it is important for consumers to know that businesses/sellers who use Australia Post without this contract are putting public safety at risk, and they should be reported to the relevant authorities.This guide will briefly explain to you what the packaging requirements are for Class 3 Flammable Liquids (Perfumes/Colognes) and how to go about reporting violators. This guide has no bearing upon alcohol-free fragrances which can be sent via all methods, however, part 3) of the packaging requirements should be followed for all liquids to ensure that any spillage is contained and other mail isn't damaged as a result.When we received our contract with Australia Post we were advised of what the packaging requirements are for our products, which include:1) The packaging has to withstand a sustained drop from a height of 1.5 metres2) The packaging has to withstand a weight of up to 15kg being placed on top of it3) The fragrance and fragrance packaging has to be secured in such a way that if a breakage was to occur, the majority of any spillage would be contained. This is usually done via the use of a sealable bag and/or multiple layers of wrap and packing beads or absorbent paper.Below is an example of how a fragrance should be packaged for delivery with Australia Post. (For delivery, the various boxes on the eParcel label would be completed with delivery and return addresses, barcodes and a few other bits and pieces)

Djembe Drums Buying Guide

Djembe Buying Guide...Buy from a reputable dealer who has a return policy. Remember, unless you are purchasing a synthetic, mass-produced drum, all drums made of wood and goat skin have a distinct voice. It's ok to purchase a drum on the internet as long as they provide clear contact information and have a good return policy. Ensure the dealer provides support not just cheap drums, you often get what you pay for.Which wood is best?.... Different woods produce different sounds. It's hard to know what type of wood you are going to prefer. This really just requires you to play a lot of drums. Some woods from Africa are very hard and subsequently very heavy. This does not mean they will sound better. In fact, I prefer a drum that does not weigh a ton. Lighter drums are easier to handle and thus you are less likely to damage them. Mahogany makes a very fine wood for drums. Mahogany is a relatively stable wood, does not weigh a ton and is dense enough to produce a nice open sound. This is why many drum set manufacturers build drum shells with Mahogany. Mahogany is also often plantation grown which is an important environmental aspect. Be careful of some of the thin and/or two piece shells on the market. If they don't say their drums are made from a single piece of wood, don't buy it. It won't sound good and it's sure to crack sooner or later. Thin shells will not produce a good bass tone either. Look for drums laced with Alpine rope and not just heavy string. What should you listen for...Listen for open, deep bass tones and a nice sharp crack when slapped. Look for a drum that's easy to play. You should not have to use a full force blow to extract a nice tone. The drum should sound good or respond at all volume levels. The tone should have a nice sustain without strange overtones or pitch shifts/bends. If you do encounter these symptoms, they can sometimes be corrected with tuning. They can also be the result of a poor quality head or an uneven bearing edge. If it's just a tuning issue, you can sometimes test this by placing the drum on the floor, holding it down with one hand, striking the drum and pulling up on the lacing. If the pitch evens out or improves, it's likely just out of tune.Size does matter... A general rule of thumb is the bigger the drum the deeper the base tone. Other factors which alter the tone are the skin (head) thickness, thicker heads produce deeper tones. Wood density and neck size (the hole between bowl and the base). Seller who pride themselves in selling good soundingdrums will take the time to sellect a good quality skins.When buying a Djembe consider where and when you will be playing it. A large woodendrum of 65cm in height or more is quite heavy and not easy to carry any distance. It isok for drum circles for people whom want to sit and playthen drive home. The more popular size drums are the 50 cm to 60 cm. The 60cm is the drum of choice for those whom want a good all round sound without excess weight. The 50cm Djembe will not produce as deep abase but is great as a lead drum.FAQThe 2 questions I am most asked are: 1."I want to buy a Djembe for my ** year oldson/daughter, what size would you recommend?"I believe if your Child is genuinely interested in learning to play the Djembe or you wish to encorage them to develop their natural rhymn you should buy a drum they can "grow into". I wouldn't recommend spending a lot of money on a large drum but a drum which will fit comfortably between their knees when seated and something they can get a solid beat from when they are in their teens like a 50cm Drum. 2. "I am new to Djembe drumming and confused about which drum to buy. I have seen drums for $600 in the music shops, why are yours soo cheap?. What size and price range do you recommend for the beginner?"Usually the expensive drums you see in shops have gone through manufactures, inporters,buying agents,wholesalers etc all taking a slice adding on their costs and all takingprofits. Buying direct from the manufacturer significantly reduces the costs therefore the price is reduced. You should expect to pay from a starting price of $150-$250 for a plain entry level 60 cmDjembe. The 60 cm Djembe is the most popular size andI believe the best all round size for the beginner to the intermediate player.More experienced professional players don't mind paying more to individually pick and finish the shell, skin, rings and ropes for their drums and usually like to assemble and tune the drum themselves to suit their own playing style.The best thing you can do is just make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer with a clear return policy. As with many other products, there are plenty of people out there buying large quantities of cheap drums (poorly made drums made for the tourists)and dumping them into the market. Price Range.. You don't need to spend $400.00 or $600.00 on a drum to get something that sounds great. While there are some great pro quality drums on the market from both Ghana and Bali, there are some great sounding ones for just $150.00 (entry level) to $350.00 as well.If you found this guide useful please click YES. Ebay Store: Tribal Direct

ANYONE can sell on eBay, but NOT everyone CAN sell

ANYONE can sell on eBay, but NOT everyone CAN sell on eBay(Understanding this statement will go a long way to increasing yourchances of making a success of your selling experience on eBay)Anyone can join eBay

Full list of REGION FREE XBOX 360 games

http: forum.lowyat.net/lofiversion/indies.php/t262839.htmlNTSC/U - North American GamesAmped 3 (NTSC/U) works on PAL systems, NOT on NTSC/J systemsBlazing Angels (NTSC/U) works on PAL

Video Card X1900XTX / 7900GTX / 7950GX2

To start off this guide, I will state that I personally am an ATI fan, I don't know why, I just am. That being said, let's get down to business.A X1900XTX will outrun a 7900GTX, and a 7950GX2 will outrun a X1900XTX.These are with the reference clock rates only. At the moment, certain manufacturers (say XFX for instance), are producing stock overclocked 7900GTX's. These cards are no different from the reference ones I mentioned earlier, its just XFX have gotten their hands on some HIGH quality chips, and manually tested them by overclocking them. Those that 'passed' were called the Extreme and xXx editions, those that didn't are what is placed on the 'regular' boards. The same thing has happened to the 7950GX2's. There are no new fancy heatsinks or pipes, and software improvements, or hardware changes. They have flashed the bios to run at a faster clock rates.Many will ask are the new improvements worth it, and it depends what you are going to do with the card. If you need to be the fastest kid on the block, then yes.... yes they are. If not, save yourself a good stick of RAM in money and buy a standard one. But for those of you planning to overclock a stock card to the Extreme or xXx speeds, then I would recommend buying the faster models, as they come with a warranty for these speeds, AND WARRANTY = GOOD.So, that being said, a 7900GTX can run faster than a stock X1900XTX. But when you look at the 'TOXIC' X1900XTX with the water cooling and all, Im sure if you tweak its clocks a bit it will be back on top. The water cooling on this card is awesome, I saw one in action and it definately has an impact. Everyone knows how loud ATI cards are (be honest now), and that a 7900GTX will run quieter.As for SLI, this is a different story. Normally the cards run in as 7900GTX --

Stamps Australia 2 Pound Kangaroo On Map Of Australia

Stamps Australia OnlineVFU CofA WMK 2 Pound Black

Tips

First things first. What do you need to build a computer? Believe me, it's not as complicated as it seems. Let's start with the case. The variety is staggering, with hundreds of styles, shapes and sizes available. We recommend that you look closely at the features. Some gorgeous PC cases are nightmares to work with, or are cheaply built. Get the best case you can afford, we recommend you ask for "tool-less" case design, which enables you to click---open, click---closed. Most cases and motherboards use the ATX Formfactor, standardizing the sizes of the components and all of the power connections. Speaking of power: Although many PC cases are sold with a pre-installed power supply, check it carefully---your power requirements may exceed the capacity of the pre-installed unit. How do you know? Here's a quick guide:Component Wattage RequiredMotherboard 15-30Low-End CPU20-50Mid To High-End CPU 40-100RAM7 per 128MBPCI Add-In Card 5Low To Mid-Range Graphics20-60High-End Graphics 60-100IDE Hard Drive 10-30Optical Drives 10-25Do the math. You may need to purchase a higher-output power supply for your new PC. Once you've selected a case and power supply, be sure that you have the following items: A set of screwdrivers (small, large, slot, Phillips), or a PC Tool Kit An anti-static wrist strap Needle-nosed pliers CPU (processor) CPU cooling fan and heat sink Sound Card Motherboard One or more hard drives Graphics card One or more RAM DIMMs (Memory modules) An operating system That's basically it. And these days, anyone can build or upgrade a computer. It's really very simple and it can save you hundreds of dollars. Why build or upgrade your own PC? If you're short on hard-disk space Add a new drive. Getting creamed in the latest games because they run so slowly? Time for a new graphics board. But maybe you need a whole new system. With just a little more technical know-how than a typical upgrade requires, you can build a PC yourself from handpicked parts. Obviously, determining which parts to use---and getting the RIGHT parts---is critical to successfully building the perfect PC. To get you started on the right track, we've assembled a guide to the main components in a PC, including recommendations for each part (based on what you intend to do with your machine). Building Your Own System1. Before you dive in Before you start the job, you have to take inventory of your parts. It does little good to begin your build when you don't have everything you need. Once you've determined you have everything you need, it's time to start! Make sure you have plenty of working room and a few hours to proceed with minimal interruption. Please note that carpeting represents some real dangers to your computer. The carpeted surface has the potential to create static electricity that can fry your components. An inexpensive antistatic wrist strap (they are often priced at less than 6 bucks) is the perfect preventive measure if you have no alternative to working on carpet. Remember, a bare floor is always the best place to build your system. Now, grab hold of a good set of screwdrivers, a pair of needle-nose pliers, and an antistatic wrist strap, and make sure you're wearing your antistatic wrist strap (it does you no good at all if you don't wear it!) Finally, download the latest drivers from the vendors' Web sites for each component you'll be installing, and copy them to a CD to avoid headaches later on; the drivers that come in product boxes are often several versions out of date.2. Dive in!Installing the MotherboardHere comes the fun part! Installing the motherboard. First, take the board out of its packaging and put it on top of the antistatic bag it came in. Remember, you always want to safeguard your components from potentially hazardous static electricity. Before you secure the mobo onto the PC case, you should install the processor, heat sink and the memory modules on it. If you aren't sure which socket is which, or what goes where, consult your motherboard's user manual for guidance. User manuals are extremely helpful, easy to read and include illustrations. First, lift the lever on the processor socket so you can install the CPU. Carefully line up the pins and place the chip in its socket; it will fit only when oriented the proper way. An arrow or a missing pin on one corner of the chip will show you how to line things up. Lower the lever to lock the CPU into place.Next, follow the manufacturer's directions to install the heat sink and the fan that will cool the processor. If you bought an OEM CPU and a separate heat sink, you may need to spread a thin layer of the thermal grease that came with the heat sink over the chip to ensure proper transfer of heat (some heat sinks come with this grease already applied). Attaching the clip that holds the heat sink in place may require a fair amount of force. Again, the instructions that came with the heat sink will show you how to know whether you've fitted it correctly. Plug the fan's power connector into the proper connector on the motherboard.TECHNIQUE: This part can get a little tricky. But stick with it and you will have no trouble at all. In order to install the memory modules, insert them into the proper sockets and push down firmly but evenly until the clips on both sides of the socket pop into place. If your motherboard supports dual-channel memory, consult the user manual to determine which pairs of RAM sockets you should use. The motherboard and the CPU are the brain and nerve center of your PC, so selecting these components might just be the most important decision you'll make.TIP: Choose the processor first: Despite running at slower clock speeds than their Intel-based rivals, AMD-based systems have maintained a significant performance lead in documented benchmark testing for a while now. At the high end, Athlon 64 FX CPUs are the fastest around. There are positive and negatives to each CPU, so do a thorough investigation before making your buying decision. Remember, an informed buyer has a much higher probability of being a satisfied one.TIP: Choose the motherboard after selecting the processor: The processor you choose usually determines which motherboard you select: Motherboards are designed to work with specific CPUs, indicated by the type of socket that the processor fits into. Socket A, Socket 939, and Socket 940 are designed to work with Athlon processors, while Socket 478 and the new LGA socket 775 are for Intel CPUs. Many dealers offer bundles consisting of a processor, a motherboard, and memory; these can be a good way to save some money. The system chip set (the chips that pass data between the peripherals and the CPU) is the other component that differs among motherboards; it determines which integrated components (graphics, sound, Ethernet, etc.) will be included. Though integrated graphics aren't generally as good as dedicated cards, they're usually adequate for simple tasks.3. Placing the Motherboard into YourCaseFirst, a word about cases. The right one can make working with your system a dream, but picking the wrong one will come back to haunt you. Though you can find a case plus power supply for less than $50, we recommend that you invest a bit more to obtain a case that will last through many upgrades and that you'll enjoy looking at.Case Formfactor: Most cases and motherboards use the ATX form factor--a set of design standards that specify things such as the size of the motherboard and the connectors on the power supply. It's critical that your motherboard match the form factor of your case. Be aware of other standards--for example, Shuttle-style cube-shaped systems that come with their own custom motherboard. Check carefully and note the formfactor when shopping.Case Construction: Steel cases weigh more than aluminum ones, they cost less, and they muffle the noise from components such as hard drives better than aluminum cases do. On the other hand, aluminum boxes tend to be more stylish, and they are certainly easier to carry around.Case Convenience: Even the best-looking case will seem ugly if installing your components becomes a pain. Look for helpful features like a removable motherboard tray, tool-less drive carriers, and multiple fan locations for cooling the system.TIP: Does this PC case include a power supply? Cheaper cases often come with cut-rate power supplies that may not be up to the task of powering a high-end PC. Some expensive cases don't come with a power supply, which lets you choose your own. If you've added a lot of new components to your PC, you may be overtaxing your existing power supply, so look at getting a bigger, better one. Power supplies can cause problems--including random crashes or even component failure--if they are asked to produce more power than they are designed to generate. Reputable manufacturers will typically include a chart of acceptable components.Memory: The More, The Merrier.Because it's an easy upgrade to perform and can significantly improve performance, boosting a PC's RAM is one of the most popular hardware enhancements people undertake. This 5-minute procedure can let you keep more programs open, accelerate memory-hungry graphics programs and games dramatically, and sharpen your PC's responsiveness. The memory modules that most recent systems accept are 184-pin DDR DIMMs of varying speeds, such as DDR333 or DDR400; the number describes the RAM's clock speed. You'll sometimes see memory referred to by the bandwidth it offers, such as PC2700 (DDR333) or PC3200 (DDR400). The type you should buy depends on the motherboard and processor you choose: For best performance, opt for the fastest type of memory module that works with both. A new type of memory (called DDR2) offers even speedier performance, but this can be used only on new systems equipped with the latest Intel chip sets.TIP: Get at least a gigabyte: Sure, you can save money by installing less, but 1GB of RAM puts you comfortably above the point at which most speed gains occur, and it should enable you to run the most demanding applications and increase the speed of your system when you keep more than one program open at a time.TIP: Opt for dual-channel if possible: If your motherboard supports it, use dual-channel memory. This type of memory boosts performance by increasing the speed at which data can be read and written. But for it to work, you have to install matched RAM modules in pairs. Some early dual-channel boards came with only three RAM sockets. If two of those sockets are already filled, you must either upgrade with a single DIMM (and lose some performance) or replace your two existing DIMMs.TECHNIQUE: Some PC cases have a removable motherboard tray. If yours does, remove the screws holding it in place and pull it out of the case. Note the pattern of the holes in your motherboard, and screw brass standoffs into the motherboard tray or into the PC case in the correct locations. Check the layout of the sockets on the motherboard, and confirm that the ports on your motherboard's back panel match the holes on the I/O shield that is installed in your case. If necessary, remove the old I/O shield by tapping it firmly a few times with the butt-end of a screwdriver, and then replace it with the shield that came with the new motherboard.TECHNIQUE: Carefully position the motherboard on top of the brass standoffs, line up all the holes, and use the screws that accompanied the case to fasten down the motherboard. If you are using a removable tray in your system, slide the tray and motherboard back into the case and then secure the tray.4. Connecting The Color-Coded Power Cables. Obviously, making the proper connections is crucial to your successful PC system build. Fortunately, manufacturers now provide color-coded power cables to make the job easy. First, plug the large ATX power connector for your power supply into the matching port on your motherboard. Next, locate the smaller, square processor power connector ( you can't miss it - it's the one sprouting the yellow and black wires) and attach it to the motherboard. Note: your connector is usually located near the processor. Now it's time to get out your motherboard user manual and find the description about front-panel connectors. Be forewarned - you're going to be doing work now that requires attention to detail and can be quite frustrating if you don't go into it with the right attitude. Okay, now that we've warned you, attach each of the tiny leads from the power and reset switches, the hard-disk activity lights, the PC speaker, and any front-panel USB and FireWire ports to the corresponding pin on your motherboard. If you have to, don't be afraid to use your needle-nose pliers.

eBay Lingo - deciphering abbreviations

This guide is written for the purpose of assisting eBay members with the various types of jargon used on auction pages, as well as on the eBay chatboards. This is by no means a complete list, if you see something that I am missing, please feel free to send an email through to me so it can be added to the list.All the abbreviations

Termites, Simple prevention.

I am a licensed Pest Control contractor, of many years experience, and I am writing this because I want to help people avoid the expenses sometimes imposed on unwary people, who may be persuaded to buy expensive treatments, or devices, they don't need. I have encountered many elderly people who have been taken advantage of in this way, and I think it is wrong that they are targeted. So here are some commonsense ideas about termite control to think about:Firstly, understand that these creatures are just insects, and therefore generally behave predictably. Their function in nature after all, is to recycle timber, and it may well be our mistake to build houses in their part of the environment for them to recycle. The house is the real problem, not the termite!Secondly, The cheapest form of pest control is a trip to the library, to find out about termites and other insect pests. Because they have such a simple and predictable nature, it is not complicated to learn what aspects of the environment attract them, and either use that to an advantage to make traps, or to avoid making your property so attractive to them. Ususally they need Moisture, Warmth, Food and Dark.Thirdly, If you want to know whether there are termites near your property, then put out the ideal meal for them in a location where you can inspect it easily and treat them before they get to your house. What is the ideal meal for a termite? Termites like soft wood, like oregon or pine (that hasn't been treated) and corrugated cardboard. Alternatively, use the sort of timber that you may see that has already been atttacked on the ground. Pack thin strips of the timber and cardboard tightly upright in an old plastic flower pot with holes in the base, and bury it up to the rim in a place where the soil is moist, preferably away from the house. Put a lid of solid material over the top to keep out light and heat. Inspect it regularly, every month or so, and if termite activity is found, don't disturb it. Now is the time to make enquiries about powder termiticides, that can be obtained for you by a licenced Pest controller, who will be able to advise how to dust the termites with the powder. There are safer chemicals available to do this with these days, but they do take some months to wipe out the whole colony. It is obviously cheaper to have several traps like this around your house, then to have to pay thousands of dollars when it is too late. Finally, if you're building a house, buy a copy of the Australian Standard on Termites and building ( AS3660), and consider building with materials that termites don't eat. eg Glass, Steel, Earth. Stone.etc.

Secret Garage Sale Tips

A lot of people start selling on EBay by selling unwanted things from their homes.But what happens when you have sold everything?Bargain Hunting, for some, is almost equivalent to a sport.Garage Sales, Op Shops or Auction/Clearance Sales are the next logical step in finding a wide variety of products to sell on EBay.Practicing these tips at Garage Sales will help you become a better Bargain Hunterand help you to avoid making bad purchases.1. Keep your eyes and ears open. To find out where the Garage Sales are, regularly check your local newspaper. Always check for future Clearance Sales. Many people advertise in the classifieds of the local newspaper.2. Write a list and mark down dates on a calendar. Occassionally multiple households will hold a Super-Sale and advertise their phone number for you to inquire. This may be an opportunity for you to strike a bargain before anyone else.3. Plan out a route for visiting multiple Garage Sales. Write down the addresses of each Garage Sale and locate each on your Street Directory and use the information to come up with a logical order to follow once on the road.4. Go out early. Most Garage Sales open at 8 am. Be there when they open to find the best selections. You are competing with hundreds of other people for the same thing. Remember the saying - the early bird catches the worm.5. Go frequently. If you rarely go to Garage Sales, you'll rarely find goodies. The more Garage Sales you attend the higher your chances are of finding something unique and interesting. Each week in Op Shops, new items arrive and you may never see the same thing twice again. If you are serious about finding good quality bargains you should go often, especially early in the week after people have donated items on the weekend.6. Grab it and Keep it. Make sure you thoroughly shopped the Garage Sale before leaving. If you see an item that you may or may not want, pick it up anyhow and carry it around a bit, then decide. Because if you don't, by the time you decide that you want it, someone else will have bought it and you'll be kicking yourself the rest of the day.7. Carry small change. It's good to bring a lot of small notes and change especially if you plan on making small purchases. Don't be afriad to haggle a price down if you feel it's too high. A lot of sellers price things so they can haggle. Buying things as a group or in boxes is a good way to buy and haggle the price. I think it's in very bad taste to haggle a price down from $1 to 50 cents only to whip out a $20 note to pay for it.8. Check and Double check. When buying electrically powered items, ask to plug them in before buying.Make sure the item runs, lights up, plays music or otherwise fulfills its basic function. Open up board games and jigsaw puzzles and make sure all pieces are included. When buying something that is battery operated, open the battery compartment to make sure there aren't some old batteries in it that are corroded.9. Broken or Incomplete items. Items that are broken are often purchased by people who repair them in their spare time and then resell them on EBay for a profit. You will be able to purchase these for next to nothing and in many cases they will be free because no one thinks they have any value. Incomplete items also sell well. People often break or lose parts and will still have the software, cords, adapters and the rest needed to make them work. They will purchase yours because it is much cheaper than purchasing a complete one.10. Haggle. Finally, don't be afraid to make an offer. If you see an item you would like (but is priced too high and the seller won't negotiate), give the seller your name and telephone number and tell them you are interested if it doesn't sell by the end of the day and they are willing to come down on the price.ConclusionI hope that you've found this guide useful. If you have, I would appreciate your vote below. Otherwise, please let me know if you find any errors or have any questions or comments on the guide. I'm only too happy to correct discrepancies or help with problems. Thank you for your time!

Guitar Strings

Guitar Strings are an individual choice by the player, each player uses different strings to suit their needs. At AUStrings we work with each player seperately to find the perfect set of strings. The most common sets we sell (to men, women, begginers and professionals) are as follows. For Example: Most Men Prefer:Acoustic Phosphor Bronze 'Medium' 12-54

EFFECTIVE USE OF EBAY STORE TRAFFIC REPORTS

A lot of people are scared by stats and analysis charts, but these are very simple to use, follow and understand. Knowing what the mean is one thing, but knowing what to do with them - well that's where I hope this guidewill help!! OK, so this is only truly relevant if your have a shop on ebay, but it is possible to find out exactly where your shop traffic is coming from.After selecting Manage my Shop, there is an option tucked away at the bottom left navi-bar marked Traffic Reports. This opens up a third party site called Omniture Site Catalyst.The first page shows some graphs of visitor numbers to various pages in your store - homepage, about me page etc.There are at least 3 options depending on your store level - Site Traffic, Finding Methods and Custom Reports - all in light brown at the left side of the screen.Select Finding Methods, followed by Referring Domains and this will display a chart showing who has directed the traffic to your store. Under the chart is a breakdown of referrers - eBay.co.uk will be at the top by a huge amount, followed by other eBay sites - .com, .ca .au etc. There will also be some other familiar names, such as Google, inside-eBay.net and Goofbay.Now the clever bit is hidden behind the tiny magnifying glass to the left of the name. Click on this and a pop-up window appears, listing the exact URL of the link through.I have found that there is a Premiership football club discussion forum that has a link to one of my items, courtesy of a satisfied customer. This one comment on his post has got me 22 hits! I can also see the forums where I use a signature line also refer a number of hits through. I have also found a specialist website in the USA that deals in a category that I am currently listing in. Thanks to their affiliate programme with eBay, half a dozen of my listings are now on their homepage - another 70 unique visits from them, and no cost to me whatsoever! I am now moving more of my appropriate listings to that category for more free exposure!When I clicked on the eBay.co.uk magnifying glass, the one page on all of eBay that directed most traffic to my site was my mobile phone unlocking review, so far in the last 12 days, it has generated 380 unique hits to my store. Proof if ever it was needed that a popular review does increase traffic! Just underneath the Referring Domains option, is a further category - Search Keywords. This clever report shows you all of the keywords that potential buyers used to find your items. Knowing what people are looking for is crucial if you are to sell successfully. The final particularly useful option is in Custom Reports and marked Most Popular Pages. On one page, this report will show you the most viewed pages in your store - shop front, Feedback, About me etc. It will also show in order your most viewed auctions - saves having to click into each one and view the hit counter! From this information you will see what people are looking at and compare it to how they are bidding. If 100 people look at the item, but it receives no bids, then it may be time for a description revision. Check your price against the other sellers, and more importantly try to think objectively - would I buy that item? Is there enough or even too much, information? Does the advert look appealing, and does it keep your attention? There must be a reason why so many people are looking, but not bidding.Thank you for reading my guide. If you foundit to be informative or helpful, Please click the "YES" button below, your vote is appreciated.Please take a few moments to have a look at My Other Guides,and why not have a look at Shelfridges - My eBay Shop! I also have more information on my About Me page.

Buying a dog coat/ jacket confused?? Read this guide

Buying a dog jacket or coat can be quite confusing and i have decided to share some tips to make the process that much easier.Get out the tape measure!!!To measure your dogs LENGTH for fitting one of our dog jackets. Just measure from where their neck ends (between the shoulder blades) to where their tail starts (You do not want the coat covering their tail especially if they are the type ofdog to have a raised tail) This will give you an idea on the total length the coat needs to be. Most dog coats come with adjustable velcro straps to keep the coat in place so the most important part of the buying process is to get the length correct.We have found through personal experience that the Velco strap are more user friendly then studs and if you have a shorter breed ie/Dash Hounds merely cut the straps down to suit.Dog jumpers also require the WIDTH measurement as they tend to stretch around the dogs girth (Belly). Other considerationsIf you are buying for a puppy remember that they tend to chew everything especially the strips that keep the jacket in place!!! (A safety pin that moves the end of the strap out of reach is perfect to solve this common problem)Fabric type!!The Polar Fleece jackets are really handy as they are a wash and wear material and are coumfortable to sleep in too. They come in two styles with plain polar fleeceor the articial fur lined collared type.The water repellantdog jacket is similar to an Oil Skin and comeslined with an artificial fur in both the styles; collared andun-collared.There are so many option out there as as an owner of a spoilt chihuahuait is important to take into account the type of fabric. Be wary of any silky/ nylon fabric types as they can causeskin irritations so whilst the outfit looks gorgeous on it does not allow their skin to breath. Hope this helpsMillie

eBay, PayPal and Shipping Scammers - READ!!!!!

Their are many people out their that are ripping people off everyday on eBay at no rick what so ever.Their are 5 ways that i have picked up on.

Samsung e715 Remote Unlock Instructions FREE INFO! = )

I won one of these unlockcodes for $15 here on eBay on Sept. 8th.They simplynever sent me an unlock code and the second I asked themrefundmethe charges they sent it to Me with an email saying that no refunds would be issued since they sent me the code (a week late) so since I had to pay for it Ill give it to anyone for free!I bet they'll hate me for this but oh well. My gift to YOU! Happy Holidays 2007! Unlock for a Samsung E715Samsung e715 Remote Unlock Instructions:-1. Switch OFF your phone.2. Put in a SIM of a different network provider.3. Now turn your phone back on. You will see an error message saying "Wrong Card".4. Type *#9998*3323# in to your phone.5. If you've entered the code correctly as outlined in the Step 4, you shall see a screen telling you to press exit. So hit the right soft key.6. Now you will see a Menu of choices. Scroll down and select option 7 (Jump to Null). As soon as you select option 7, your phone will turn black and reboot itself. After your phone reboots, the SIM will be recognized and your SIM will work. (Please be patient while your phone reboots and DO NOT press any keys.)7. Now, at your welcome screen type in *0141# and hit your call button! This will give you a message saying your phone is Personalized.8. Power OFF your phone and insert your original SIM.9. Once done, power ON your phone.10. At the SIM Code prompt, it will ask you to enter a password. Type 00000000, (that is 8 Zero's). After you enter the code, hit "ok" and your phone should power up.Your phone is unlocked!!!You can now put the SIM of your choice into the phone and use it at your will! Without ANY RESTRICTION!!!

Adding Backgrounds To Your eBay Listings

Stamps Australia OnlineAdding Background Images To Your ListingUpload the image you want to use as your background to www.imageshack.comMake a note of the 'Direct Link To Image' address that is presentedto you once the upload has finishedPress the

Playstation 3 - Game Format

Got yourself a brand new Playstation 3 and what to know what games work.. on itWell with Playstation 3... the Answer is Any..All Ps3 games from any Country will work on your PS3..

Poppy Growing Guide for Spectacular Flowers and Pods

Poppy Planting 101ThePoppy is God's Gift to Mankind!You too, can have these gorgeous flowers in your garden without a green thumb!This is poppy planting 101. Just the simple growing instructions for gardeners and non gardeners alike. I am not getting technical here, or going in depth to the different types of Papaver Somniferum. I'm not going into my background of how I came to grow poppies, my views or opinions. Perhaps I will write something else later, but for now, you don't want to wade through a bunch of my ramblings just to find out how togrow a poppy.Disclaimer: I am not a botanist, a hortoculturist or any other ...ist. I am just an ordinarygardener (who happens to grow some stunning poppies if I do say so myself). OK, lets start with some clarification. These instructions are for annual strains of Papaver, such as Somniferum,Gigantheum, Paeoniflorium and Laciniatum and others, that are also known as "breadseed poppies" because they are the source for commercial seeds used in baking, salad dressings etc. The pods arethe type found at craft stores and florists. These instructions are NOT for Perennials such as Oriental Poppies.They are distinctive because of their gray-green almost hairless stems and "lettuce" looking foliage. They also grow quite tall compared to other forms of poppies.Poppies are very hardy and in fact will adapt to ALL climate zones according to my Sunset Western Garden Book. I live in the Pacific NW and you may have to vary your planting times somewhat to adapt to your zone. Always save some seeds to plant at a different time. The best way to judge when to plant is by taking your clue from Mother Nature herself. Here in Washington, the plants have fully gone to seed by the end of August and begin "Self Sowing" by wind, rotting pods etc. This should tell you that early September is a good time to start planting.There are two times of year that are best for planting seeds. The Spring and the Fall. Assuming you are a first time grower, we want you to get the best results. If it VERY cold where you live, plant in Spring after it is done snowing and/or freezing. If it is VERY Hot where you live, plant in the Fall. Everywhere else, you can plant them either time. I use the term Spring and Fall very loosely as the planting period is a long one. To keep it simple, Spring is after all frosts, and Fall is when it isn't hot any more.Prepare the gound Properly.Poppies need loose soil. They do not have a root system but rather a large tap root like a weed would have. In order for them to grow large, they need at least 12 inches of loose soil. Tilll the area you want to plant. Of course a power tiller works best, but who has one of those? I sure don't, so use a shovel, or my favorite garden toolthat I call a "chopper digger" I think the real name for it is an Adz. It is kind of like an axe, well not really. It's kind of like a pick, but very heavy. I should have taken a picture. oops, I promised I wouldn't ramble. If your soil is anything but perfect, then amend it. Add compost/organic material. My soil is sandy and rocky, so I had to sift out all the rocks which left me with only half the amount of dirt I had before. The rest is added compost mix that you can buy in bags at any garden store. Once you have prepared the ground it is time to plant your seeds.Planting the seeds.Poppy seeds are very small. Of course you've seen them in a muffin or on a bagel, same thing. The best way to plant them is to sprinkle them right on top of the soil. This can be done by taking a pinch in your fingers and sprinkling, or another way is to mix sand with the seeds and broadcast. Then, just tamp the soil down over them with your hands or feet. The object of this phase is to NOT get them all together in bunches. The seeds WILL come up every where you put them and if you put them too close together you will have a carpet of microscopic seedlings that won't grow verylarge because they have too much competition. Poppies do Not transplant easily. Plant them where you want them to be.When the Seedlings SproutIf you plant the seeds in late fall, they will most likely lie dormant until conditions are just right in the spring. The seeds germinate at around 55F. Mine often come up in the fall, get to about 8 inches, and then will "winter over", but most wait until spring to start sprouting. If it is very hot where you live, then plant in the fall.When the seeds decide it is time to germinate,it takes about 10 to 25 days for them to sprout. When they do, they are almost microscopic. Whenever you decide to plant them, I would save half of them in the refrigerator and plant the next season. If you plant in the fall, save some for spring, and vice versa. That way you will be able to determine which time is best for your climate.If it ishot where you are, you will need to keep the ground moist. This is also true if you plant them in the summer. I usually don't have to worry about it because it rains all fall winter and spring. Once they come up, the next leaves to show will be the "lettuce" looking ones. As you can see in the following picture, the "lettuce" leaves have come out. Also notice that these seedling are awfully close together. These are seeds that have "self sown".They stayvery smallfor quite some time. It is amazing to me that a seed and seedling this tiny can produce a plant that is 4 to 5 feet tall, but they do. It is a good idea to make sure they get water if it doesn't rain. When the plants are 5 inches, you may want to thin them out. POPPIES NEED ROOM! If you thin them out, they have room to grow and you can control how many of them get large. If you do not thin them, this is what happens: A few of them will get large with many many blooms. Most will grow tall and skinny and only have one or two blooms and the rest will stay microscopic and I mean microscopic, even the flower will be a tiny miniature. So, I know it hurts, but it's best to thin them. Now is also the time to use some mild fertilizer such as Miracle Grow or Alaska Fish Fertilizer... the kind you mix with water, not the powdered stuff. Follow the directions on the label, but for the most part, they don't really even need any unless you have poor soil.Here is a picture of the root system and stem shown next to a garden hose for scale. This is NOT a small hose.Let Nature Take OverYour part is done. Your plants will grow long stems with the flower capsule at the end. This is the hardest time for me.The timebetween when theflower buds form and the time they mature enough to bloom can be two weeks. I often can't stand it because I want to see what color is blooming and I pop them to see inside... (not a good idea and I'm not suggesting that you do it..)This is the most amazing part for me as well. I watch them daily. They start with their heads bent down to the earth. As they mature, the heads slowly lift themselve upright to face the sun. When they do this, the time is near. Any minute, they burst out of their capsule to reveal their full glory!The flowers last from three to eight days. They make stunning floral arrangements and keep well. When they are done blooming, the petals start falling off. At this point the plant uses it's remaining energy to reproduce. The pods will grow fat with seeds and are beautiful at this point also for flower arrangements. Eventually the pods will begin to dry out and the vents will open to release the seed. HarvestingNow is the time to harvest your seeds. They are excellent for cooking or for sharing with your friends. Most varieties, the vents will open and they will freely re-seed. On some varieties, the vents do not open very much or not at all. You must drill (or break the crown off the top) to get the seeds out. If left in the garden you can simply cut the heads off and crush the pods. This is also the time to dig up the plants. They compost extremely well, or you can keep the pods for dried floral projects. One person I know uses the pods to paint pictures on. The plants are now dried and quite unsightly, so it is best to pull them up. They pull up quite easily.Enjoy your beautiful flowers! Thank you for taking the time to read my guide. If you found the information useful, I would really appreciate if you could click on the "yes" button below.Note:My seeds are viable. They will ALL grow! If you have problems, please consider:A. Birds love the seed and will eat them. That is why I send a LOT of seeds.B. If it is too hot, they will not germinate. They need to be planted in the early spring or in the early fall. If you planted them in the summer they most likely will not come up or if they do they will be tiny.They will probably still come up the followingspring so be patient. Example: I gave my neighbor some seed. They grew and then they were done. She then covered her whole yard in beauty bark, so no flowers the following year. Then they decided to re-do their yard and rototilled the whole thing and made beds... Up came poppies from 3 years ago (she didn't plant any new seeds). They just got rototilled to the surface.C. They could be planted to deep. The need to be sprinkled on the soil and then tamped down.D. If they are planted too close together, they willmost likely be microscopic. If Iplant a thousand seeds, in the end, I might get 100 huge plants, because of birds and thinning them out.

Wireless Broadband Buying Guide 1

One of the key advantages of wireless broadband is, of course, theability to take your Internet connection with you. Although many peoplethink that all wireless broadband services are mobile, an importantdistinction needs to be made, between mobile broadband and portablebroadband. Even fixed wireless broadband (ie, confined to one building)is portable because you can move anywhere in the building and haveconstant access without being confined to a power point or externalmodem. Portable broadband means that you can access the Internet anywherewithin a certain coverage area. This normally means that you are in ahot-spot, near a base station or have an antenna to connect you to abase station. Mobile broadband is a newer phenomenon and one which is growingrapidly. Mobile broadband enables you to access your wireless broadbandwhile on the move, meaning you can use it while on the train, bus orferry. In Australia, true mobile wireless is available through iBurst'stechnology but this is set to change with the introduction of WiMAX(more on WiMax later). If mobility is important, be careful to check with your ISP aboutmobility options. OzEmail, for instance, which resells both Unwired andiBurst, makes the distinction between mobile and portable wirelessInternet. Veritel, another reseller of both services, calls its Unwiredservice "fixed wireless Internet," while its iBurst product is called"mobile wireless Internet." (Incidentally, we find the Veritelnomenclature a little confusing, since it is possible to take theUnwired modem from place to place and use the account wherever you maybe - you just can't use it while actually moving). WiFi Hotspots The idea of being able to access your wireless broadband outside yourhome began with Wi-Fi hotspots. These are places where you could go and(if you had a subscription to the service) access the Internet fromyour notebook through a local Wi-Fi access point. Wi-Fi hotspotservices are still around, especially in cafes, restaurants and otherpublic places. A number of service providers, such as Telstra, AzureWireless, Optus Connect, SkyNet Global and iPrimus, have set upnetworks of such wireless hotspots around the country. To access theInternet through one of their Wi-Fi hotspots, you need an account withthe provider and a standard Wi-Fi (802.11b or g) network card in yournotebook or PDA. Some providers will have 'roaming' partnerships withother providers which further extends the coverage available. Forexample, SkyNet Global will let customers use its own hotspots plusthose of its partners which include Telstra, Azure and Unwired. Checkeach provider's website to view a map of their coverage. However, wireless hotspots have largely fallen out of favour as wide-area mobile broadband services gain popularity. Led by iBurst and Unwired at the present time in Australia, theseservices offer metropolitan-wide reception areas and broadband speedsof up to 1Mbps. A single iBurst account, for instance, gives youbroadband access to the Internet from nearly anywhere in metropolitanSydney or Melbourne (along with several other cities as the networkconstantly expands). This is made possible by their network of aerialswhich act like uber Wi-Fi access points, delivering blanket coverage ofwireless networking over the metropolitan areas. Wireless access With wide-area wireless broadband services, you have one account, whichyou use to access the Internet from your home, office, park, or even onthe train. As long as you have your modem and a PC, and are in acoverage area, you have Internet access. This is a major benefit tothose who move around a lot, or want to have one Internet account forboth work and home. Wide-area wireless broadband providers have been careful to keeppricing parity with ADSL services. You can't get quite as good a dealon wireless broadband as you can on ADSL, but the gap is narrowing.With wireless, prices range from $50 to $80 per month for a 512Kbpsconnection and a reasonable quota (5-20GB), and around $100 per monthfor a 1Mbps connection with a similar quota. After reaching your quota,most providers either restrict you to dial-up speeds for the rest ofthe billing period or allow you to buy extra volume at a fixed price. While we're not covering it extensively here, there is another solutionfor users to whom coverage or mobility is paramount: using the mobilephone network data services. All the major mobile phone networkproviders offer GPRS services, and some offer 3G data services that candeliver Internet access at near-broadband speeds. However, these arenot consumer services; at present GPRS and 3G are extremely expensive(in some cases over a hundred times more than consumer Internet access)and targeted primarily at businesses. Availability The availability of wireless broadband works very much like that ofmobile phones. If you're in range of a wireless receiver (equivalent,in this sense, to a mobile cell tower), then you have an Internetconnection. If not, then you have nothing. In some cases, you may bejust in range but have poor or intermittent reception, which mightresult in slower than normal speeds. You do not need line-of-sight toget reception. Each of the providers has a range of wireless receivers stationedaround their coverage areas. Unwired, for instance, claims to haveenough receivers to cover the homes of more than 90 per cent of thepopulation of Sydney. The most important thing to look at when choosing a wireless broadbandprovider is whether they have coverage in all the areas you might wantto use your broadband connection. You need to check with the providervery carefully. At the moment none of the major providers have anythinglike mobile phone coverage, but they do cover the most denselypopulated areas of the major cities. If you want mobile phone-likecoverage, you need to look into GPRS or 3G data services. If you're in a marginal reception area, such as the outlying areas ofthe major cities, you may find the connection drops out occasionally,as weather patterns and other interference wreak havoc with yourwireless connection. For this reason, we recommend only going withservice providers that have some kind of money-back guarantee for thosewho can't get good reception. You don't want to be caught with anInternet connection that only works half the time.

BATHURST 1000 TICKETS 2008

**UPDATED**

Royal Doulton Series Ware - so many themes

Royal Doulton began producing series ware in 1889 when Charles Noke joined the company. He later became the art director. Noke decided that it would be useful for ranges of standard shapes (blanks) to be painted with popular images. There are many different ranges, which have been produced at different times. These include: Arabian Nights, Beggars' Opera, Robert Burns, Canterbury Pilgrims, Dickens (there's an enormous range of characters in this series alone), Don Quixote, Grimm's Fairy Tales, Shakespeare, Treasure Island, Robin Hood,and others. There are also series which deal with historical events, places and persons, such as Famous sailing ships, historic towns, Old English Inns, World War One. There are series which deal with Monks and Toasting scenes, Edwardian ladies and Old English Gardens, Coaching Days and Sea Shanty, Country Garden and haystacks, fox hunting and golfers. And there's the famous nursery ranges, particularly Bunnykins and Brambly Hedge.These have been made at various times over the last century, and some series have only a few images, while others have many images painted on many different shapes. Some people try to make collections of a specific series, others like to gather a representative sample of a number of pieces. Some collectors are only interested in one artist, such as Noke himself, or Kate Greenaway, or even Jill Barklem. In the latter part of the twentieth century, Royal Doulton also produced a range of cabinet plates which served as commemorative issues, usually limited to a set number of firing days, which could feature illustrations such as reproductions of famous paintings, or images of fauna or flora of a particular country. These are often collected as display plates, and are sometimes issued as parts of a series, or as singletons. Research is quite important so the books on Royal Doulton series ware by Louise Irvine are often recommended as a guide to some of what is available. Not all pieces of a series may be available, and not all series are easy to find, but that's part of the excitement of collecting- discovering that piece that you need for your collection. Happy hunting!

Buying brand name clothing at bargain prices

Here are 7 tips for finding bargain brand name clothing on ebay. These tips apply whether you are searchingfor new or second hand items.1) Make sure you know the item's recommended retail price otherwise you won't know for sure whetheryou are getting a bargain or not. Second hand items should be cheaper then new items even if only worn a few times. 2) Try searching for the item with a spelling mistake included. For example "Bilabong" instead of "Billabong". Sometimes a seller may list an item with a spelling mistake which can mean a lucky break foryou as the item may not get as many bids.3) Always check postage costs before bidding. Sometimes postage costs can push the price up too higheven if you are buying the item at a bargain price.4) If the seller lives near you ask them if pickup is an option as this can save you a fair bit of money,particularly on larger or heavier items such as jackets. Not all sellers will allow pickup but it's worth askingjust in case it is an option.5) Use smart bidding strategies. This often means not biding too early. Keep an eye on how the bidding isgoing towards the end of the auction to make sure you are not outbid and to make bids yourself if youhaven't already. 6) If you found a good quality bargain then add the seller you bought it from to your favourite sellers.Chances are he or she will have other quality listings in the future. You can do this through "My Ebay" byscrolling down to "--

Leadlight windows

This guide is written to help the novice buyer who is in search of leadlight windows on Ebay.In order to find windows in leadlight, as opposed to leadlight lamps and furniture, I search under leadlight, lead light, and stained glass in both the title and description, under ALL CATEGORIES.This will bring up leadlight lamps also (there are soooo many), so filter through the selections by using the categories listed in the left margin. The windows appear in three categories, under Building Materials there are 2 categories, the most useful category is blinds, curtains, windows, however they also appear in the windows section. The windows also appear in the Antiques section under Architectural fittings.Once you have found your window, there are a few questions to ask the buyer. The first question I ask is to find out the colours of the glass. This is because the colours can sometimes be very subtle, and depending on the conditions under which the photo was taken, they can be difficult to ascertain. (Recently I bought a set of windows on Ebay that were photographed against a fence, without any light coming from behind. I could only make out a few small sections that seemed light green, so imagine my surprise when they arrived by courier and had green, red, blue and amber glass highlights! I am still working out what to do with them, you may see them up for auction in the near future!).Some other questions I have learned to ask are the condition of the lead, and if there are any breaks or scratches in the glass. Regarding the condition of the lead, sometimes there are wobbles in the panels, which can be quite unstable. Also, sometimes the glass panels can be bowed in/out, but the unit itself can still be structurally very stable. This is not so much of a problem, as long as you can live with it! I have found out that the glass can sometimes move if it was put together too tightly, and a repair of this sort would require hours of recutting.Broken glass pieces are fairly easily repaired, the problem is whether or not you can match the glass. A good repairer will have their own stash of antique glass, so I haven't yet had any problems matching glass. As a guide to costs of repair, I recently had panel repaired with two12 cm clear glass sections, and a thin rectangular section in antique bubble glass and it cost $80. Even factoring in the cost of repairs, buying leadlight windows on Ebay definately beats buying from a salvage yard where you will be lucky to have change from $800.

A brief guide for the novice seller of postage stamps.

Thenovice seller of postage stamps should be aware of the following points:1. Do not expect to receive catalogue value for your items unless they are verysought-after indeed.A nice 5/- Sydney Harbour Bridge will do well, last year's definitives may not evenreceive a bid.2. Do not choose a too-high starting price in the hope that someone will beignorant enough tobuy your item at your own valuation. It is better, and cheaper, to start low.3. Old is not the same as valuable. A Sydney "Views" is worth something, a GB 1d red of the same date is usually worth almost nothing. 4. Do notscatter the words "Rare" and "Scarce" like confetti, particularly in your heading. Itonly irritates the browser, anddiscriminating buyers will in any caseknow without being told.5. Condition matters. The description should include your item's faults. Your buyer should be given no cause to think you have withheld relevantinformation. If your cover is a front only, or has a laundry list on the back, say so.6. Be specific. Your item will be seen by browsers all over the world, therefore the issuing country should be included in your heading and yourdescription should include the catalogue number or the year of issue. Where relevant, include details of perforations and watermarks.7. Usegood-quality photographs. A fuzzy picture taken with an Instamatic will not enhance your listing. If buyers cannot see any detail they will be much less likely to bid. In cases where a buyer would be likely to think it important, show the back of the stamp or coveras well as the front.8. Your charges for postage should be reasonable. Charging A$4.00 to send a single stamp across town may catch an unwary buyer once, but he will not buy from you again.9. Make sure your packaging is adequate. The postman, and the weather,can do terrible things to an unsuspecting envelope.10. Use courtesy in your dealings with your buyers. Do As You Would Be Done By.11. Be prepared for the unexpected. A gem Mint treasure may not receive any interest, a perfectly ordinary-looking cover may have buyers falling over themselves to bid. You never can tell.

Helpful Tips when buying on eBay

Why this guide?This short guide will (hopefully!) provide you with a few tips tomake your eBay shopping experience more enjoyable and successful.What makes me an expert?I don't tout myself as an expert, but I've bought and sold enoughitems on eBay to have learnt a few things along the way. I'vebeen asked to share a few of these hints by friends and family, andthought that you might find it interesting.The tips.... Set your maximum. It sounds obvious, but think of the maximum you want to pay, and enterit as your maximum bid for the item you want. Your winning pricemay be less than the maximum you set - eBay is smart enough to bid onlythe amount needed to win the item, up to your maximum. Review your email as often as possible. If you are outbid on an item, you'll be sent an outbid notice byeBay. Check your mail as often as practical. If you reallywant to stay in touch, consider using the eBay Wireless Alerts to your phone, PDA or pager. Click here to read more. Research your item. You don't want to be disappointed with your purchase, so it's up to youto make sure you've researched your item before you buy. As anexample, a particular camera may be a great buy on eBay, however if itdoesn't have the features you want, then you should look at othermodels. Research the seller's reputation In my experience 99.9% of transactions on eBay seem to gosmoothly. Sellers and buyers are almost always genuine, but it'sup to you to make sure you are happy with the seller before you bid. Check the sellers feedback rating. Go through some of the feedback and read the content. For extra protection you might consider Escrow services. Research the seller's location eBay allows sellers from other countries to list items on theAustralian site. Why not? It provides us with more products andopportunities, and that's good for competition. Before you bid,check the seller's location, and consider the following: Is the postage to my location shown? If not, ask the sellerbefore bidding. There's no point getting upset because you foundout AFTER you've bought the item that the postage is high. Will the item incur taxes on import? Some expensive itemswill be subject to duties or GST. You need to be aware of thesethings! Can I import the item? Make sure that the item you intend to buy can be legally imported. Will the item work? If the product is main powered, make sure it will work in Australia. What warranty will I have? Consider what will happen if yourpurchase (especially for electronic devices) stops working or has afault in 12 months time. Is the warranty valid here? Can I get itrepaired? Make sure you can pay! Again - sounds obvious, however if you intend to bid on an item, beprepared to buy and pay for it. If you have a budget, thendon't go over it! Open a PayPal account PayPal accounts allow you to use your credit cards for payment withoutproviding the details to sellers, and allow you to use your credit cardfor items where the seller doesn't have credit card facilities. PayPal will also make international transactions so much easier,because PayPal converts the currency for you. Best of all, it'sfree for the buyer! Of course, you need to check that the seller accepts PayPal! Click here to read more. Do you need to jump right in? If you are prepared to wait for a day or so, sometimes it's worthsearching for the item you are interested in, and adding it to yourwatch list. In this way you can see how much items are being soldfor, and you can determine whether your budget is realistic. This will obviously depend on whether the item you are trying to buy isunique, or plentiful. If your desired purchase is a once in alifetime car or collectable, then you may need to act quickly. REALLY Search for what you want. Many folks will search for an item using the excellent eBay searchfacility. That's a great start, but consider the following: Did you also search on the item description? Did you think about punctuation? For example "Rip Curl" and "RipCurl" will produce different results Did you search "Worldwide"? Sometimes the item you want can be bought from another country To narrow large search results, and to get exactly what youare looking for, try using the "Finders" which appear on the left incertain categories. Check the Postage Charges Many sellers will include the postage or delivery charges in theirlisting. Consider the these charges when setting yourbudget. Postage charges can vary between sellers for the sameitem, and will make a difference to the end price you pay for the item. If postage charges are not listed, then ask the seller for an estimate before you bid. Try "Buy It Now" If you want that item now, then look at listings which allow you to"Buy It Now". Some sellers also offer Express Post, so look forthe "Get It Fast" logo. When browsing categories or searchingitems, you can display "All Results", "Auctions" or "Buy It Now".Look the the tabs across the top of your search results. Ask the Seller a Question If you are not sure about any aspect of the sale, you shouldas the seller a question. Most sellers will be happy to respondto a genuine enquiry - after all, you are a potential buyer! How to ask the seller I hope this helps make your eBay experience more enjoyable! Happy bidding!My other guides are:My eBay Buying TipsTyre Markings Explained Buying Wheels for your HQ, HJ, HX, HZ or WB Holden eBay Searching Tips

Buying and Collecting Beanie Kids

Beanie Kids are a Wonderful Collectors item when they are in the right condition. Not only are they cute they go up in Value!!To buy the right Beanie Kid, you need to have a CREASE FREE Swing tag, you can hold the tag up to thelight and check the spine to make sure there is no creases also check the back of the Swing tag. The TUSH TAG on the under side of the Beanie Kid should also be clean and Clear!! Make sure there is no marks on the Beanie Kid itself as that can reduce value also. Even if you dont have a swing tag they still can be sold due to the rareity of the Beanie Kid.As they all retire eventually!!!To Make sure when you first start to collect the Beanie Kids, store them away from light as this can fade the swing tag, keep them protected from dust, smoke etc buy storing them in sealed bags(I use freezer Bags) you can also buy, BK tag Protectors from Beanie Kid Retailers to keep the Swing Tag Crease free.Buy the Beanie Kid Collectors book from Beanie Kid retailers, these are also handy to know the year they were retired.Every month Skansen bring out a Beanie Kid with a small red and yellow BK button, that is the Premier design and are retired immediately, they can only be bought from Premier Exclusive Stockists!! They also every now and again bring out Mutations in sealed bags,which are great fun opening to find thatrare BK Mutantbut even the Common ones have a BK button and are special as they too are instantly retired!!Skansen also have Cuddly Kids which are a larger version of the Beanie Kid and Great Big Kids which are all just as collectable!!But most of all have fun as they are not only for Children,with the bright colours and designs( my son learnt to count from Digit the Beanie Kid,with all the numbers on his body)Adults love them too!!

buying a tutu

Tutus come in many styles pancake, bell ,romantic- generally for a childs dance eisteddfodd a pancake is fashionable at the moment. They generally look as flat as the horizon when standing. In Australia young dancers wear lycra bodices- for ease of fit - either matt or shiny or lycra velvet. The more expensive are non stretch lined with coutil seamed heavily and boned. These tutus fit like a second skin- you would need to unpick and fit for your child if buying one of these sight unseen. the closure system should be large hook and eye not zipper for these boned tutus- zippers break easily and generally are considered poor. The nets of a tutu differ greatly from country to country- in Australia they are heavy stiff net cut into increasing widths applied to cotton and inserted- cheaper tutus have the net sewn onto the lycra. Net has a use by date and older nets will sag- check the age of the tutu. The quality of the net is also important the net is tacked together round by round to give that flat look in aust. The width of the skirt is important you should ask how long is the tutu skirt. The child should not look swamped and when standing with arms curved the edge of the skirt to meet the finger tips. I have noticed the english tutus are very short compared to ours and not tacked . Decoration really depends on the music and when your child starts learning a new classical your teacher will guide you to what colour- generally young children wear pastels -so save the blacks and red to the teens- some adjudicators are offended by dark tutus on littlies. Generally best quality diamontes /crystals are the most stage dramatic on stage. Presequinned trim is very cost effective for busy decorators however there is some snobbery about using sequins on tutus I am happy to use them in moderation. The older tutus have butt ruffles- most these days do not but thats a fashion thing. Some tutus have a hoop inserted a well made tutu should not really need one. The best indicater of a tutu is to ask for a photo on a person -you can then see any drooping- and the fit- decoration can always be added later- the sit of the skirt and bodice are most important. The headpiece should be linked in colour to the tutu- if you get to know a group of ballet mums you can create a headpiece pool to lend out to each other- this is cost effective.Inside bodice measurements and stretched lycra measurements would also be good to know. For a child to dance in a tutu on stage is an amazing sight- and be prepared for the tears.!!

Choosing Your Best Colour For All Makeup Purchases

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY I am an avid buyer of cosmetics on eBay, and although you may view a basic guide of various shades of foundations, powders, lipsticks, eye shadows, blush, eyeliners, mascaras etc from the photographs supplied by eBay sellers, I also research the websites of the related cosmetics' companies to cross reference a product. In some cases, there has been an obvious discrepancy in the photograph submitted by the seller and that of the manufacturer. Most sellers will be happy to rephotograph an item they have on sale if you contact them and state you cannot see the shade or the picture may be too dark to judge the true colour in the photograph they have supplied. The Colour Resolution settings on your computer monitor also vary.Therefore, if you are looking to purchase a product for the first time and there is even the slightest doubt about what might suit your skin colouring, it is ALWAYS advisable to consult a department store/pharmacy/cosmetician for the most suitable product and shading. In other words, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY then come back to eBay to bid or "buy it now"!. Additionally, I constantly check for worldwide opinions and reviews on all cosmetic items at www.makeupalley.com. Through this forum I have discovered and purchased items on eBay that are not from major cosmetic companies and have had some excellent and unexpected results. So when selecting shades of colours that would be unique to your own skin and hair colourings, be safe and try first. This will eliminate disharmony between seller and buyer, and the inconvenience of paying, posting, returning and refunding of unsuitable items. Also, due to hygiene reasons, if cosmetic items have been opened and tested, then foundation, lipstick, powders, mascara etc should not be resold. This is where you should rely on a seller with a good reputation or better yet, be a consciencious seller or a vigilant buyer.Besides,when you do find your most suitable colours and shades, it will be easier to repurchase the product on eBay.

LCD versus Plasma what is better for your choice?

The most common question asked in our store by customers is LCD or Plasma which is better?12 to 18 months ago well over 85% of the flat screens we sold were plasma and that was because at that stage plasma we believed to be a far better choice for many reasons. Lcd tvs were very expensive then and had many issues with picture quality and overall performance so plasma was the preferred product. Now LCD tvs make up around 90% of sets being sold by us because for most applications they have some real benefits, they also are very competative in price and performance standards have lifted ten fold in the last twelve months. Some of the reasons people are buying LCD are as follows, anti refective screensno screen burn issuesless power consumptionbrighter image and colours1080p resolution standard on all better models from proven manufacturers100hz and new motion control circuitry has eliminated issues with fast moving imageslighter and easier to wall mountless heat given off than plasmamost people prefer the image when given a fair side by side comparisonYou have probably seen some great ads on tv telling you how great plasma is for fast moving images and a simulation of the difference, please be very careful of viewing these advertisements as fact and understand they are indeed promting a particular product without really informing consumers of the simulation. This style of promotion also does not take into account the huge range of different LCD tvs available and which type was the comparison supposedly conducted against? I think it is more likely designed to promote a particular style of product that the company wants to sell and really doesnt have much to do with a proper comparison at all.We still sell and recommend plasma and they do have some applications that they suit extremely well and we are not pro LCD, what we want is for people to fully understand what they are buying and not just make up their minds of a tv advert or the "expert" at the next BBQ you attend.The latest and greatest Tvs feature 1080p resolution which is as good as it gets and can support Blu ray dvd, they also now come with 100hz processing and motion flow mastering for those fast moving programs.Just one more thing i think is worth talking about, be vary wary of buying a no name brand, in the last few months this industry has seen the demise of many brand names and the consumers have been the ones holding the bag. Imagine that you are buying a tv and the decision is whether to buy a well established brand name with the very latest generation technology or you could save a few hundred dollars a buy a brand that you did not know even though the salesperson assured you that the no name brand uses the "same" panel as the name brand and has a good warranty. Sounds tempting at the time, now lets fast forward two years when the no name set no longer wants to go and you contact the seller only to be told that the brand has gone into liquidation and that warranty and spare parts are no longer availble, was is still the bargain? This may sound a bit far fetched right? In the last twelve months this has happenedto no less than four no name brands thatI know of with consumers left with nothing but a worthless non working tv.There is a reason why the leaders in the market are the leaders and promoting your product by saying it is the same panel as ******* does not mean that the finished product performs any thing like the genuine or will it have the same support if it fails. Brand name manufacturers are always going to have a superior product which is the latest generation and sure you may pay an extra 10-20% for it when you buy it but at least if you have a problem there will be some recourse.It can be really worthwhile to spend a little time and visit a couple of specialist hi fi dealers who can provide you with some solid advice on what would best suit your needs. Alternatively you are also welcome to contact Aussie Hi Fi on 07 38231111 and one of our staff will be more than happy to assist you.Thanks for reading and please register a vote if you liked this guide.aussiehifiUPDATE 9/3/09Well it has been a very interesting 12 months in tv land, prices have dropped so much and the tv technology has probably had the greatest leap in performance and affordability that i have ever seen. Lcd is now really holding the market dominance except possibly in the extreme budget setor of the market and the improvments that have occurred mean that anyone can now afford a new tv that handles all manner of image qualities and connectivity unseen in the past.Even though i have stopped selling televisions except for custom styled jobs here are some of what i beleive to be the inportant factors to consider when buying a new tv,1. Does it have at least 2-3 years manufacurers warranty? beware of small warranties with "extension" insurances. why should you have to pay for extended warranties, if the product is built well then surely the manufacturer should be able to confidently offer a good warranty dont you think!2. Does the warranty cover "In Home" service if you live in a metro area of one of our capital cities? If it doesnt then it is up to you to get the set to a repair agent which isnt always easy especially if you havent kept the original carton. All better brands should have in home service in capital cities for tv'v over 40 inch, otherwise keep looking for one that does.3. Do you plan on adding a media centre or blu ray dvd to the tv? if the answer is yes then ensure that the tv has a good range of inputs including HDMI version 1.3 and you should also check the resolution is full hd 1080p if you want to acheive the maximum picture quality.4. Does the unit have the latest generation of panel technology and video processing abilities? there are many brands that promote they use a major brands panel technology but that doesnt really mean anything if its two year old technolgy, this sector is moving so rapidly that two year old is ancient. Video processing also needs to be at the fore front to produce smooth seamless imaging and also helps with simple usabilty such as smooth channel changing and input selection.There are many more points that people find important but these cover the basics of what i think you should look for when buying a new tv.PLEASE take the time to cast your vote on this guide, I have 23 years experince in the hi fi industry but I can only be guided by the readers as to what they want to read about. By voting I can better understand what you are all interested in reading about and I can keep updating and adding further information to the guides.

Canon EF Upgrade Lens Guide For EOS Digital SLR Cameras

What is the best combination of better quality lenses to use withmy semi-pro or consumer grade Canon EOS digital SLR Camera? To answerthat question, I have compiled a list of lenses that I have personallyfound to be the best choices for my style of photography and budget(maybe yours too). This Buyers Guide specifically applies to owners of the Canon EOSDigital Rebel, Digital Rebel XT, XTi, EOS D60, 40D, 30D, 20D and 10DDigital SLR camera bodies. These particular models all share one very important attribute; they have a digital image sensor, which is smaller than the physicaldimensions of a full single frame of 35mm film. This has a profoundeffect on lens selection. These SLR cameras all have a crop factor of1.6 X, which must be considered carefully as you are shopping for alens for any particular application. The focal length of any lens thatwill be used on these models must be multiplied by 1.6 to reveal the Effective Focal Length (or more accurately, the apparent "Field of View"). This has certain advantages and disadvantages that you must takeinto account as you search for the right lens to capture the imagesthat you want. The good news is that an affordable 200mm long telephotolens instantly displays the apparent "Field of View" of a 320mm monster telephoto on these models, andthe extra visual reach comes with no additional cost! You also gain some extra "Depth of Field" and, most importantly, the maximum aperture (speed) of the lens still remains the same. Not a bad deal when it comes to your longer lenses. However, the bad newsis that if you need a true wide-angle lens, you must buy a much moreexpensive Ultra-Wide angle model to get the desired results. If you are into "birding" or sports photography, where you need afast, long telephoto, this can be a huge advantage! Conversely, if youspecialize in large group shots or interior architecture, get ready topay for at least one fairly expensive lens to meet your special needs. There are full frame Professional digital camerasavailable that eliminate the need for crop factor compensation. As anexample, the super expensive EOS 1Ds Mark II or the more reasonablypriced EOS 5D. These models do not have the same lens selectionrequirements as the camera models that are listed above, and therefore,these full Frame bodies are not the subject of this particular guide.With all of this taken into consideration, I can recommendan excellent combination of better quality upgrade Canon EFauto-focus lenses that will cover the most popular effective focallengths on your "small frame" or APS Digital SLR. These are the lensmodels that I personally use most frequently on my EOS 10D. Remember,this guide applies specifically to photographers who want professionalquality results, but need to get the best performance available for theprice. I know that there are numerous better and faster lensesavailable. I am trying to narrow the choices down to the high valuemodels that offer professional performance at a fairly reasonableprice. For photogs on a more limited budget, please read my otherlens guide, titled Canon EF Affordable Lens Guide For EOS DigitalSLRs. Canon EF Affordable Lens GuideI will start at the wide end, because it is the most critical range on these cameras. The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USMis a true ultra-wideto wide-angle professional zoom, ideal for landscapes, interiorarchitectural photos, large group portraits, artistic wide-angle shots,real estate and exterior architectural photography.The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM "Ultra-Wide to Wide Angle" Professional Zoom Lens This is a sensibly affordable alternative to the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 L professional lens.Unlike the 16-35 L, this one is within the budget of many serious photobuffs, but it is not quite as fast with a constant aperture of 1:4.It sells for about half the price of its one stop faster brother. This lens is threaded for 77mm filters and accessories. It has theHEAVY DUTY construction and weather protected design that workingprofessionals require. This beauty features a true ultra-wide anglerange, with an angle of view of 74 to 29. It has a very useful closeminimum focus distance of only 11 inches. There are 12 lens elements in9 groups, the rear group performs all focusing functions. This lens isvery comfortable to carry around, as it only weighs just 17.5 ouncesand is a mere 3.8 inches long. It is not a feather weight but for thetrue pro it is a very manageable size and weight. This outstandinglens employs Canons top-of-the-line, ultra fastand quiet, Ring Type Ultrasonic Auto-Focus design. Manual focusingand zooming are performed buy two very easy to grip rings that are wellpositioned for fast and accurate adjustments. Auto or Manual focusingis selected by an AF-MF switch, which is conveniently located to makeswitching very fast and easy. THIS IS AN FTM LENS, "FTM" stands forFull-Time Manual focus. This feature allows you to make focusadjustments at any time, even WHILE THE AF SYSTEM IS ENGAGED! This isan awesome feature that I use almost constantly. The front lens groupdoes not rotate while focusing or zooming, making it very convenient touse polarizing and special effects filters. The rear element InternalFocus design also means that the lens does not change in length duringzooming or focusing. These professional features insure that focusingwill always be lightning fast, very precise and dead silent, in anyenvironment. Image quality is superb! Sharpness and contrast arefantastic throughout the entire zoom range, truly equal to very goodprime lenses. Flare is very well controlled, thanks to the use of threeaspherical elements and Super UD (Ultra-Low Dispersion) glass. Thisis a very solid professional lens that will serve you well for many,many years to come. I think the EF 17-40mm L USM actually has some important advantagesover the more expensive EF 16-35mm L. Distortion looks slightly bettercontrolled and sharpness is maybe just a bit more crisp. Picturesproduced through this lens are absolutely tack sharp with greatcontrast and are very rich in color saturation. The EF 17-40 f/4L is considerablysmaller and lighter too. When it is used on a Canon Digital Rebel XTi or 40D, this isapproximately equivalent to a 28-70mm zoom lens. That's due to the 1.6X "crop factor" magnification. That makes it appear like more of a Wide-Angle toNormal Zoom on these cameras. This lens would probably stay on yourdigital camera most of the time. It covers most of your normal andwide focal range needs. At about $800.00 (US) new, it is not cheap, but asyour most versatile and heavily used lens, it will prove to be worthevery penny in the long run. To cover your normal focal range requirements, I canwhole-heartedly recommend a choice of two extremely good mid grade models that havebeen very highly praised for outstanding performance; The Canon EF24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM or the EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. Let's start with the EF24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. This affordable little lens is currently available and very easy tofind for under $400.00. This is a genuine bargain, when compared to theprofessional L lenses in this focal range which sell for well over$1,100.00 and up. This shouldbring a giant sigh of relief toanyone who has just shelled-out the big bucks for a 17-40 L. Thisvery compact ultra-wide angle to telephoto zoom lens is quitecomfortable to tote around and incredibly versatile. The Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM "Ultra-Wide to Telephoto" ZoomLensThis model was designed by Canon to be a little wider than the EF 28-105mm 3.5-4.5 II USM,but not quite as long in the telephoto range. It is light and compactbut it does not sacrifice anything when it comes to optical ormechanical performance. This lens has excellent optics, capable of capturing very crisp images with excellent color and very impressive contrast.TheEF 24-85mm USMalso has Full-Time Manual focus so you can make finefocus adjustments, while the AF switch is activated, just like the Llens. This is especially useful for setting the exact focus point in aclose-up shot. It will allow you to dramatically emphasize a particularpicture element while other parts of the image are intentionallyblurred by a narrow depth-of-field. This inexpensive little workhorse also uses the top-of-the-Line Ring type USM Ultrasonic Auto-Focus design.There are 15 lens elements arranged in 12 groups. Focusing is performedinternally, so the front lens does not move as the focus is adjusted,making it much easier to use polarizing and special effects filters.These are the samefeatures that are also found on the much more costlyL professional models! The zoom ring is very comfortable to useandquickly goes from 24mm all the way out to 85mm in about an eighth of aturn. The barrel extends out for zooming, but the front lens elementdoes not rotate at all. The position of the zoom ring relative to thefocus ring makes this lens very easy to use, but the focus ring is abit skinnier and rotates a little less smoothly than the focus griponthe expensiveLs. This is a very small "gripe", when you consider thereasonable price, and it does not affect the lenses "usability" at all. When mounted on a small frame Digital, this is approximately equivalent to a 38-136mm zoom lens.This is a great focal range for portraits, nature shots, streetphotography, landscapes and general normal range photography. This isa perfect mate to use with a Canon EF 17-40mm f/4 L ultra-wide anglezoom. This model is very compact in size, about 2.75 long at 24mm to4 at full zoom. It is very light-weight at only 13.5 oz. It has a nicesolid "feel" with fairly smooth operation, although not quite up to thesilky feel of the L models. Auto-focusing is lightning fast andwhisper quiet (even quieter than the L models with the exact samering type motor, for some reason). The ultra-wide angle to short telephoto range make this a fantastic walk around lens. You will find that it will probably stay on your camera at least as much as the EF 17-40 L. This is definitely one of the best and most versatile mid-grade lenses ever produced for the Canon EOS camera line.I have recently started using this model much more frequently, afterdepending upon the EF 28-105mm f.3/5-4.5 USM to cover the normal zoomrange for many years. As I have upgraded to more professional grade lenses, I began tonotice that I really needed my "normal" zoom to coverthe extra wideanglerange much more often than I needed the longer focal range of the28-105mm. The overlap of coverage with the EF 17-40mm f/4L is perfectfor most interior applications. I love my 17-40mm, there are manyapplications where this lens is indispensable, but there are times whenthe extra weight and the requirement of adding a Speedlight flash tothe camera can be an inconvenience. This is especially true for casualshots and impromptu family photos. The 24mm range allows me to use theEF 24-85mm in places where I would have been required to switch fromthe EF 28-105mm to the heavier ultra-wide lens. I still have the optionof switching to the L when I need to, but now it is a choice, not anecessity.If you prefer a "Normal" range zoom thatgoes a bit longer, The EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM would be an excellent alternative to the EF 24-85mm. A lot of additional information is available here: Canon EF 28-105mm USM Lens Buying GuideThe Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 MACRO USMThe EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 Macro USM is very affordably priced.However, be certain to find the best version. Avoid the earlier modelwith the yellow flower on it instead of the actual word "MACRO". Also,it is important to get one that was Made in Japan. As stated above (but well worth repeating), avoid the new replacement model, the Canon EF 28-105mm f/4-5.6 USM. It is simply JUNK by comparison!Thiswonderfully compact wide-angle to telephoto zoom lens is reasonablylight and incredibly versatile. This model was designed by Canon to bea great "walking around" lens at a reasonable price. It is light andcompact but does not sacrifice too much in performance. It has verygood optics, capable of capturing crisp images with good color and veryimpressive contrast. The Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 MACRO USM is still considered to be a"Wide Angle to Telephoto" Zoom Lens. This model also has Full-TimeManual focus so you can make fine focus adjustments while the AFswitch in activated, just like the L lens. This is especially usefulfor setting the exact focus point in a close shot. It will allow you toemphasize a particular picture element while other parts of the imageare intentionally blurred by a narrow depth-of-field. This inexpensivelittle workhorse also uses the top-of-the-Line Ring type USMUltrasonic AF design. There are 15 lens elements arranged in 12 groups. Focusing isperformed internally, the front lens does not rotate, making it mucheasier to use polarizing and special effects filters. Again, these featuresare also found on the much more costly L professional models! Thezoom ring is comfortable to use and quickly goes from 28mm all the wayout to 105mm in about a quarter turn. The barrel extends out forzooming, but the front lens element does not rotate at all. Theposition of the zoom ring relative to the focus ring makes this lensvery easy to use. Image quality easily outperforms all of the popularstandard kit zooms. Sharpness and contrast are impressive throughoutthe entire zoom range. Flare and distortions are also respectablycontrolled. When used on a small frame Digital, this is approximately equivalentto a 45-170mm zoom lens. This is a great focal range for portraits,nature shots, landscapes and general normal photography. This is anexcellent mate to use with a Canon EF 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 USM ultra-wideangle zoom. This model is very compact in size; about 3 long at 28mm to 4.75at full zoom. It is very lightweight at a bit over 13 oz. It has a nicesolid "feel" with fairly smooth operation, although not quite up to thesilky feel of the L lenses. Auto focusing is lightning fast andwhisper quiet. The wide angle to medium telephoto range make this asuperb walking around lens.The choice between these two excellent lenses is really a matter of personal preference. Youwill want the model that allows you to do most of your "normal"shooting with one lens, whenever that is necessary. If you need alittle more "reach" into the telephoto range, then choose the 28-105mm.If you take mostly interior pictures in limited spaces, you mightprefer the range of the 24-85mm. You would not be disappointed witheither of these outstanding models.I recommend at least one fast prime lens for use in low light situations, where the zooms just cant quite do the job. In this price category, I would suggest at least one ofthese two models. The Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 wide-angle prime or thediscontinued Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 MARK I normal prime lens. The Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Wide Angle Prime Lens This is one of the MUST HAVE lenses for every serious photographers EOS camera bag.This model has a very easy to use manual focusing ring, a real distancescale window with a depth-of-field scale and an infrared compensationindicator. Auto-Focus is very fast and accurate, using the Arc FormDrive (AFD) mechanism. It is threaded for inexpensive 58mm filters andaccessories. It features the heavy-duty stainless steel lens mount.Much more detailed information is available at this eBay review: Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 Prime Lens ReviewThis is an excellent quality prime lens, it has even been comparedto "L" series professional lenses and was found to be surprisinglyclose in optical performance, but at a very reasonable price. You canreally get excellent depth-of-field with this lens! You will be amazedby how much of your subject can be kept in focus within the frame. Thislens also has an awesome minimum "close focus" distance of only 10",which allows you to capture incredibly detailed close-up shots! Zoom lenses are very convenient, but they tend to be slower, with awidest aperture of 3.5 or more. The EF 24mm f/2.8 has a respectablyfast aperture of 1:2.8, it "drinks in" plenty of light to allow you toget nice sharp pictures in less-than-ideal lighting situations. One ofthe main strengths of this lens is the lack of distortion, especiallyconsidering the focal length. You might have to compose your shots byusing your feet as the "zoom mechanism" (by stepping closer or fartheraway from your subject). This becomes insignificant considering thesuperior picture quality that you will capture. On non-full frame Digital SLRs, this lens approximately equal to a 39mm focal length.It is well-suited for all of your slightly wider than normal lensphotography. It becomes just as important as a standard 50mm lens on afilm body. The Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Normal Prime Lens This is one more of the MUST HAVE affordable lensesfor every Canon EOS camera bag. You will have to find this little gemin the second-hand market. They can be hard to find, but it will bewell worth the effort. This older model also has a very easy to use manual focusing ring, areal distance scale window with a depth-of-field scale. Auto-Focus isfast and accurate, using the AFD AF drive. It is not a quiet as the Lmodel, but check the price difference. If silence is worth a fewhundred bucks to you, be my guest. This model is threaded forinexpensive 52mm filters. Unlike the newest Mark II version, this onedoes have the heavy duty stainless steel lens mount, which are muchmore durable than the cheap plastic mounts found on the current Mk IImodel. This is a superb quality prime lens, it has been frequently compared to "L" series lenses and is famous for being surprisingly close in optical performance. The EF 50mm f/1.8 has a very fast aperture of 1:1.8, it needs verylittle light to allow you to get nice sharp pictures. As with the EF24mm, you will have to compose your shots by changing your distancefrom the subject, but what the heck, you need the exercise anyway. On Digital SLRs with the 1.6 "crop factor" this lens captures the Field of View of an80mm focal length. It is absolutely perfect for portrait photography.Since you dont need a flash, you can really get some fantasticcandid photos. It is so light and compact that you will barely knowthat it is there (which can be very helpful if your subject is "camera shy"). It is affordable, sharp as a razor, super fast anddistortion free. This tiny gem also has a very useful "close focus"distance of only 15", to let you get in there tight for all of thoseintricate details. OK, now that we have covered all of the essentials, there is one more lens to consider, a long telephoto. Again, I am recommending a reasonably priced true professional L model. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens The Canon EF 70-200mm f/4 L USM Professional Telephoto Zoom Lens Ok, what can I say? It isnt cheap, but especiallyif you shoot outdoor sports, nature photography or bird watching thisis the ultimate long zoom lens for under a kilo-buck. You really command respect when you whip out your Canon EOS with this big white bazooka locked n loaded.You instantly become the Pro (whether you actually are or not). It isquite gratifying to watch the crowds part to let the realprofessional get a little closer to the action. If you prefer to notcall any attention to yourself, avoid this lens! Otherwise, be preparedfor the envious stares from the guys with the long skinny black lenses.On your 1.6 crop factor digital body, this offers the Field of View of a very long 112mm to 320mm super zoom.This is a real rough