Playboy Takes Its Back Catalogue into the Digital Age

December 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Whether or not people actually buy Playboy for its articles, the magazine has held a prominent place in publishing for over 50 years. That’s a hefty back catalogue of inspiring stories, revealing essays and provocative photographs. Playboy, ever the innovative company, has decided to make it much easier for fans to hold on to those old copies. Rather than storing them in a footlocker tucked away in a dark corner of the basement, readers can now hold every issue printed from 1953 to December 2009 in the palm of their hand.

That’s because Playboy has released all of those issues on one 250 GB USB hard drive. The USB drive contains every page of the issues. If you’re looking for a particular playmate, then you can find her there. If you want to settle an argument about whether one of the ladies was wearing Apple Bottoms or not, then the answer is just a click away. Of course, there are all of those articles as well.

The USB drive will cost about $300. If you don’t want to drop a lot of cash on all 650 issues, then you can choose to purchase box sets that focus on each individual decade. These cost $19.95 per each decade.

The material is fully functional with any computer that has a USB port. In order to view the content, you just have to download and install Cover to Cover, a piece of software designed to make browsing the issues easier.

Now that Playboy has released the material in an all-digital format, you will almost certainly be able to track down pirated versions. Given the amount of material, though, it would take some time to track every issue down. Besides, Playboy has always been a leader in publishing, so it is likely that they will find a way to block content or fine those who steal it.

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Nonfiction Literature for Thrifty Readers

November 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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In this economy, it seems that everyone is looking to boost their financial skills. Luckily, it’s often as simple as picking up a great nonfiction read. Whether you’re looking to get out of debt, save money, or grow the money that you already have, take a look at our picks for nonfiction books for thrifty readers.

The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn

This book was originally published as a series of newsletter. The author discusses a myriad of ways to save money on everything from Halloween costumes to the grocery budget, all with a terrific sense of humor. If you’re looking for tips on how to cut back, this is a guide to recession living at its best.

Women and Money by Suze Orman

Frequently, women are left out of investing decisions. However, Suze Orman has changed the game with her book Women and Money. She offers a guide for women on how to earn money, spend money, and invest their money wisely. If you’re a women and are interested in learning how to make your money work for you – this is the book you’ve been looking for.

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence: Revised and Updated for the 21st Century  by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

This book serves as a guide for breaking the paycheck to paycheck cycle that many Americans find themselves in. If you’re interested in stepping off the treadmill and learning to live a simpler life, this book can help. The authors approach the idea of work-life balance in a new way, allowing you to evaluate how you exchange your time for money. Learn how to balance your home and work lives, how to save your money, and how to invest your money in the things that really matter to you.

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Cameroon Cuisine

November 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Republic of Cameroon is a country of cultural diversity. With a population upwards of 18,879,301 people, this West African country has given passage to the development of roads and rail, agriculture and petroleum production. Cameroon has deep historical ties to both England and France. They are no strangers to European pastries and desserts, as well as French bread. However, the essence of tradition remains in the flavors of this countries edible fare.

Each of the ten regions of Cameroon have their own style of cooking. Many root vegetables are grown and eaten as dietary staples. Tubers such as cassava (also known as yucca), yams, and potatoes are enjoyed regularly. Other widely eaten foods include plantains and various types of fish. Where you live influences what you eat.

A classic dish eaten in many areas of Cameroon is called Fufu. Fufu is made much like mashed potatoes are in European and American culture. Root vegetables, which may be mixed with plantains, corn and other ingredients, are boiled and pounded into a thick paste that is typically served with a hearty soup or spicy stew.

Ndole is considered to be the food that best represents the country of Cameroon. This national dish is eaten in various regions of the republic. A stew made from nuts, seeds and fish or meat, Ndole also contains the bitter leaves of the Ndoleh plant. A plant native to West Africa.

In general, meat is a highly priced food item in Cameroon and is not typically the focus of a dish, but added to it. Bush meats, or animals hunted in the wild, is more commonly eaten. Types of bush meat that may be found on the dinner table include porcupine and pangolin.

It is common for Cameroonians to share their meals. Eating together is an important aspect of social relationships. It helps solidify a bond of generosity and trust. Evening meals are usually the biggest meal of the day.

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Is a Media Arts Degree Right for You?

November 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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So you are thinking about pursuing a Media Arts degree. Guess what? That might not be such a bad idea. Why? Not only does a degree in Media Arts give you a range of careers to choose from but those careers do not pay too bad either. According to the Bureau of Labor, the median annual income of an Animator and Multimedia Artist is around $50,000. Also the same bureau’s statistics stated that careers in the fields supported by a degree in Media Arts will continue to grow through 2014.
Sound good so far? So now that you are leaning even more in the direction of choosing media arts as a career, you need to decide whether or not you want to get a Certificate/Associates Degree or go all out and get a Bachelor’s Degree. Both of these choices will empower you to begin working in the field of media arts. However, the Bachelor’s Degree will take longer and will offer you higher skill-level work and higher salaries.
Let’s take a quick look at both so you can make a more educated choice. Students taking the Certificate/Associates Degree route will often take more classes that focus on digital media. When they finish the program, they are often employed as graphic designers, web designers and other entry-level positions in digital media.
A Bachelor’s Degree Program will often focus concepts like 2-D and 3-D animation, interactive media design, special effects and other more advanced digital media concepts. With a Bachelor’s Media Arts Degree you will be highly-skilled and prepared for employment in almost any position the media industry offers.
So now you are definitely going to pursue a degree in Media Arts but are not sure where to start. You can search the internet and easily find institutions like The Art Institute that offer programs in Media Arts. In fact, many of these institutions offer online Media Arts degrees. Start your research online and good luck pursuing your new career.

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Peruvian Author Wins Nobel Prize in Literature

October 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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The Nobel Prize in literature recently went to a writer from Peru. The international honor is handed out by the Swedish Academy. Mario Vargas Llosa, who once ran for president of Peru in 1990 and lost, is known for penning books that paint pictures of society’s power structures and those people who fight against the establishment. He is hailed as a writer who has a keen way of describing the political climate in Latin America. However, he’s also known as a versatile author who has produced works in a variety of genres including murder mystery, humor, historical, and thrillers. Among his most popular books (written in Spanish) are The Time of the Hero, The Feast of the Goat, and The Green House.

Mario Vargas Llosa has spent time teaching in the United States. He did stints on the faculty at Georgetown in the 1990s and 2000s. In fact, Vargas Llosa was working as a visiting professor at Princeton University when he received the news that he had won the Nobel Prize. When the news came in the form of an early morning phone call, the 74-year-old author reportedly thought it was a joke. Shortly after receiving the call, he said the prize recognized more than just his own work. He said it recognizes the Spanish language and how important it is to millions of people around the world.

Past winners of the Nobel Prize in literature include such well-known writers as Toni Morrison, Saul Bellow, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus. There was much speculation about who would win the prize in 2010. Many experts believed that Mario Vargas Llosa had only a long shot at receiving the coveted prize. Some speculated that a poet would likely win. However, other observers noted that this international recognition for Vargas Llosa was long overdue.

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How Technology is Influencing the Objectivity of Newspapers

October 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Recent technological advances have drastically changed the face of newspaper journalism. To keep up with the competition of other media sources, newspapers are now migrating online and are offering more interactive options to draw in readers. However, regardless of how the newspaper platform continues to change, one thing must remain constant – a commitment to objective reporting.

Objectivity is a defining aspect of newspaper journalism and is something that has always set this type of work apart from other media forms. Objectivity includes always quoting sources accurately as well as maintaining a dedication to getting both sides of the story. The following are a few examples of how recent changes to newspapers are reducing their commitment to journalism as well as how those influences must be resisted.

Sales Influences

To remain in operation, newspapers must sell advertisements. It’s the revenue from these advertisements, not newspaper subscriptions that bring in the required revenue. However, with many newspapers now struggling financially as they work to meet the new demands of readers, some are falling under the influence of advertisement purchasers. Companies that purchase large advertisements in newspapers are now using their influence related to the sales they are giving the newspaper to influence the stories that are put into those newspapers.

Newspaper owners, editors, and writers must do their part to resist the influence of unethical advertising purchasers because as soon as the articles are altered to meet the preferences of those advertisers, the newspaper loses all credibility.

Online Influences

Online consumers want information as quickly as possible. This is a drastic change from the old days of newspaper journalism where the papers were printed once each day. Now, journalists for the online versions of newspapers must update their websites throughout each day with fresh news. This pressure for speed has caused some reporters to slack on their responsibility to always double check the facts that they write about. If you are a journalist or an editor for an online newspaper, you must always double check the information in your articles even if it means posting the story a little late.

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What Defines a Successful Work of Literature

September 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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It seems that every generation has a few works of literature that define their times, were widely popular and were read by most people. The authors of these works often times never expected to have such immense success and are often taken aback by the love that people hold for the words they have written. When comparing the top literary pieces from most generations, many similarities begin emerging. A few of the top similarities are listed below.

Speak to the Times

Most literary pieces that have achieved immense success speak to the generation they were written in. Every age group has certain events and emotions that define their times and those authors who can seek out those emotions and call to them in their writing are the ones that are often most successful. Most people want to feel that others understand the emotions they are dealing with or hold the same desires that they do. The interesting part is that most people have the same emotions and desires but most aren’t willing to voice them out of embarrassment or in fear of being labeled an outsider. When an author is able to make a connection with the emotions of their generation and isn’t afraid to write about those things, they often experience immense success.

Push the Envelope

Another element that often plays a part in the success of literary works is how far they push the accepted standards of their times. Certain people in each generation are always willing to push others beyond their comfort zones and those authors who do this with their writing often create scandals and buzz, which in turn, sells more books.
These are just a few of the top reasons why certain literary works in each generation become widely successful. At the core however, most authors of classic literary works understand how to speak to the hearts of others and spin beautiful inspiring stories.

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How to be a Literature Writer

September 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Many people dream of writing literature but feel that they don’t have the imagination or skills needed to become a novelist. If you are one of these people that feels compelled to write stories but always catches yourself doubting your abilities, you should put the fears aside and just dive into writing to see where it will take you. You will likely be pleasantly surprised at just how creative you are and how well you can write. The following are a few skills you can cultivate to help you make the leap to becoming a writer.

Become Inspired

Being a writer means having stories to tell. The more you venture into the world and expose yourself to new experiences, the more you will have to write about. Sure, many authors were recluses who preferred not to have contact with others, but chances are good that most of them ventured into the world during at least part of their lives. The more people you meet and places you visit, the more ideas you will develop for wonderful plots ideas and lively characters.

Keep Writing

There will be days when you want to do anything but write. It is on these days that you must dig down into the last ounce of willpower within you and keep writing. Sure, the words you get onto paper or a computer screen on those unmotivated days may not be prize worthy. However, you will prove to yourself that you have the drive to keep writing when things get tough or when you don’t have anything left. Remember, you can always go back and edit out the dull stuff from those days when the words weren’t flowing well. However, during the editing process, you will likely find that much of what you wrote was better than you originally thought it would be.

Apart from the tips above, one of the most important aspects of being a successful writer is simply believing in your abilities. Once you begin believing in your abilities and cast aside the self-doubt, the words will begin flowing and you will finally be a writer.

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The Importance of Diversitying Your News Sources

September 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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People are now bombarded with more news sources than ever before. From television to the Internet, you have access to a wide variety of information. With this increased number of news sources, you can customize the types of news you receive as well as which sources you receive it from. However, you should keep a few things in mind when deciding which news sources to pay attention to and which to ignore because these decisions can affect your worldview.

Diversify Your Information

Some people tend to only listen to the news sources that offer information in line with their viewpoints. For example, many people are passionate about a certain political party and only listen to news sources that provide the same viewpoints on the political party as they have. However, this is dangerous because it results in the filtering out of alternative opinions and viewpoints. When you filter out the opinions of those that are different from you, then you may be missing very important information that could potentially alter how you see things.

Therefore, as painful as it may be to listen to and read the opinions of those that differ from you, it is also important to know what else is going on in the world. If nothing else, these varying news sources can provide you with great argumentative material at your next dinner party.

Double Check Sources

If you mainly receive your news from the Internet, you should double check your sources depending on which online sources you are using. If you mainly obtain news through blogs and other unofficial sources then you definitely want to double check the information you are receiving. Many blogs don’t go through formal channels of editing and fact checking and therefore can contain inaccurate or biased information. By always verifying the information you receive with other sources, you will be receiving accurate and up to date information on the latest local and world events.

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Finding Sources for Newspaper Articles

September 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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When you are working as a newspaper journalist, obtaining quotes from sources is of utmost importance to your job. Quotes increase the credibility of your articles and also help increase the chances that readers will stick with the article from the beginning through to the end. However, there will inevitably be times when it seems impossible to find a source that will speak for a story. Sometimes, an even worse situation occurs when you find a source but they aren’t getting to the point or aren’t giving you the information you need to complete the article. Here are a few tips on what to do in these situations so you can get the story and submit it by deadline.

Keep a Source Bank

As a newspaper journalist, you should keep a source bank full of contacts from previous articles you have written in case you are ever in a crunch with future articles and need a source in a hurry. There are countless ways to keep a source bank such as including them on spreadsheets on a computer or keeping them in a notebook. The best way to keep a source bank however is to not only include the name and contact information of each person but also which stories they were previously used for and the topics of those stories. However, you shouldn’t keep returning to the same reliable source for multiple stories because this can reduce your credibility as a journalist and also annoy the contact.

Explain the Details

If you do find a source at the last minute that is willing to give you quotes for an article, be sure to explain the details of the story you are working on up front. This will reduce the chance that they will get off subject when talking to you and can speed up the interview process. The faster you complete the interview, the sooner you can submit the story. Additionally, you don’t want to take up too much of the source’s time because this could reduce the chance that they will give you quotes in the future.

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