gentledang's Blog

How to Make you DVDs Stay In Good Shape

There are several ways of making sure your DVDs remain useable for DVD copying, DVD duplication and DVD printing. Some we already know such as, handling the disc by the edges. Always keep it dust free by putting it back in its case or sleeve. The data side always needs to be kept away from any oil based substances, fingerprints or anything that can leave a residue. Most importantly, keep DVDs away from constant sunlight, heat and anything that could scratch them. However, unlike the old VHS cassettes, magnetic signals and strong electrical fields can not affect discs. These do affect videotapes, credit cards or floppy discs.

DVDs will get worn/dirty after time and there are products to clean discs. There are plenty of cleaning kits you can find online. However, soap and water can do the trick or rubbing in alcohol. Remember, anything acidic or corrosive should not be used. You should use a lint-free cloth and very gently wipe the data side of the DVD. A light brushing motion starting from the hub/centre of the disc, rubbing outwards.

As with CDs, it’s not the data on the DVD that gets scratched from use or neglect but the plastic outer coating that protects the data. Therefore, the scratch dissects the path, which the laser must travel in order to be read. To repair these scratches on the plastic, you can fill the scratches or rub them down with optical material. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of cleaning/repairing kits online that one can use for this. Or even your regular toothpaste will sort it out!

source:http://www.articlealley.com/article_548156_48.html 

Online Piano Training for the Beginner

It used to be not too long ago that the only way to receive lessons for playing the piano were through a music studio or private lessons through an instructor or music tutor. That has all changed thanks to the Internet and the processing speed of the home computer.

Piano lessons in general were a fright for most kids growing up. Instead of being outside playing with their friends, they were stuck inside practicing their notes on the piano. Luckily this was only once a week as these private lessons were expensive. After some time, the tutoring stopped as the piano was never really grasped by the student due to disinterest. Now that these kids are grown up, they long to be able to play and wish they had practiced more. Still, private lessons from a qualified instructor are expensive, so where do they turn to when they wish to learn the piano but can't afford private lessons?

An online course is much cheaper than a private lesson. If a private lesson costs 30 or 40 dollars per week, just think about how quickly that adds up. You can take an entire online course in piano for a fraction of the costs that you would acquire taking weeks of private lessons. Also, private lessons are only usually one hour per week. If you have questions during the rest of the week, or if you forget something that your teacher said, you will have to wait for your next lesson to continue your learning. However online piano courses are quite different.

With an online piano course, you can work at your own pace. As long as you have a computer to access the internet, and speakers to listen to the lessons, you can learn as much or as little as you'd like. You can also take as many lessons per week as you'd want, or go back and listen to your last lesson if you have forgotten anything. Most adults who want to learn how to play piano enjoy being able to go back and listen to their previous lessons. It can give you a good idea of what you were doing right, what you were doing wrong, and what you should be doing before the next lesson.

Of course, if you need someone to sit beside you and offer you instant feedback as you are playing, you might not benefit from an online piano course. Most people find, however, especially adult learners, that they are able to tell when they are playing something right and when it is wrong, so they don't really need an actual instructor to sit next to them. The lessons online can be viewed at any time, or as often as you'd like, which means that you can get your own type of feedback from an online piano course. If you have the money for a private instructor, you might not choose to go with internet courses. However, most people will say that they benefit from the online courses.

Trying to find an accredited or worthy online virtual piano course might prove difficult if you don't know what to look for. Call around to companies that sell or service pianos; they are sure to have the information you need. Some also operate the online sites and are more than happy to get you online and more importantly into their stores.

There are lots of piano lessons out there. If you want to find the right one for you, we recommend that you check out online piano lessons
 

source:http://www.articlealley.com/article_547743_48.html 

Beauty in the Night
 

There is a beauty in the night
A twinkling of a star, Reaching
Pulsating

There is a beauty in the night
a moon showing reflection onto the lake

There is a beauty in the night
Romance and Love, Sensuality

There is beauty in the night
Lush tenderness, tantalizing dreams

There is beauty in the night

Kimberly Strothman