1.78 million Facebook users may die in 2011

Facebook has defined an "active" user as one who has logged in within the last 30 days

1.78 million Facebook users may die in 2011 -- Does Facebook really have more than 500 million "active" users?

According to data from digital-legacy planning firm Entrustet, a big portion of these users will soon no longer be considered "active," by any reasonable measure.

The company compared Facebook usership data with average death rates from the Center for Disease Control, and discovered that this year, around 480,000 Facebook users may pass away in the U.S., and 1.78 million worldwide.

These figures are only likely to grow year to year, especially as Facebook expands pass the 600 million user mark.

So many profiles now fall out of the range of an "active" user. Beyond the deceased, there are endless duplicate accounts -- Entrustet found that 150% of 20- to 24-year-olds in the U.S. are on Facebook -- not exactly a plausible tally.

What's more, a recent Gartner report estimated that in the coming years, roughly one in every ten of your friends on Facebook and other social networks will be nonhuman, meaning they'll be "social bots," automated profiles created by brands and organizations to engage consumers.

With profiles of the departed presumably being left untouched, with social bots soon to be plaguing the network, and with duplicate accounts running amok, how can Facebook ever provide an accurate "active" usership count?

For the deceased, Facebook has created a system of "memorializing" accounts, which adjusts a profile's privacy settings to be seen only by confirmed family and friends. Immediate family members may also request the removal of a loved one's account.

But the onus is on the deceased's relatives -- if the "memorializing" feature is not activated, Facebook will continue to assume the profile still represents an active user. The same assumption goes for duplicate accounts as well -- Facebook relies on users to merge accounts and report fake profiles.

To address this issue, Facebook has defined an "active" user as one who has logged in within the last 30 days. Thus, a month after a user passes away, that user is no longer considered "active," appropriately.

For organizations and businesses registered for the social network, Facebook distinguishes their accounts as "profiles" rather than "user pages," and does not count them as active users.

But for duplicate and fake accounts, keeping them accountable is more difficult, as users might be willing to log in to multiple accounts.

So while the company's latest partner Goldman Sachs has been boasting of Facebook's 600 million-plus userbase, it's unclear just how accurate those figures will be if investors -- and advertisers, for that matter -- ever choose to parse the details. (Fast Company)

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How Positive Thinking Can Improve Your Finances

How Positive Thinking Can Improve Your Finances - Have you ever attempted a task that you thought was insurmountable? Go back in your mind as far as you have to. Perhaps it was as a child, when you thought you'd never run faster than your best friend. Or maybe, as a teenager, you thought you'd never get that driver's license. Or the time at work when you thought you'd never finish that big project. If you've succeeded in any of these goals, you did it through goal setting and a positive attitude--whether you know it or not.

This is the same approach you'll need to reach your financial goals. Though they can seem intimidating and unreachable, your financial goals are absolutely achievable. You'll just need create of series of smaller steps that lead you towards your goal--and begin with step one today.

Let's break the process down further.

How to Create Goals

Creating goals is an extremely effective tactic in improving any area of your life. Here's how to do it:

--Decide how you want your life to be different. In the case of finances, that will likely mean eliminating debt, then creating emergency funds and savings accounts, and finally investing your money in appreciable assets and investments.

--Find out where you stand. You can't know where you're going if you don't know where you are. No matter how dire your financial situation, you have to calculate your current state. It may seem difficult, but your problems certainly won't go away by ignoring them.

--Plan the steps that will lead to your goal. The reason that having a million dollars in your bank account sounds intimidating is because, well, it is. But saving $10,000 every year for 25 years doesn't sound quite as ominous. And with interest, that pace will get you there. All you'll have to do is find ways to earn more and spend less until you reach your $10,000 annual savings.

--Stay focused. Mapping out your path is usually the easy part. The tough part is staying on that path. You have to constantly remind yourself of your goal and why it's worth achieving. This is where a positive outlook will save the day.

How to Create a Positive Outlook

It's been said that "attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." I couldn't possibly agree more. Your mind is a thought factory, and the thoughts it produces become your actions in life. Produce positive thoughts and you'll find ways to move forward to your goals. Produce negative thoughts and you'll wallow in stagnancy. Here's how to build a positive outlook:

--Become aware of your thoughts. Listen closely to that voice in your head. When you think, "I can get out of debt" or "I can be a millionaire," how does the voice respond? If it says, "No you can't, and here are a list of reasons why," then you have at least a partially negative factory. That's okay; becoming aware of that is the first step toward change.

--Force your mind to think positively. Just like a real factory can stop production or begin building a new product, your mind can begin creating positive thoughts. One of my favorite quotes on this says, "Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can't be." Begin by simply searching for ways to approach a problem. Your brain is extremely complex and intelligent, and it will naturally begin to find solutions.

--Speak positively. If anyone asks what you're focusing on in life, don't be bashful about telling them your goal. If they begin giving you reasons why it isn't possible, don't be afraid to tell them that you're sorry they don't agree. Remember, this is your life; you'll be the one to enjoy the benefits or face the consequences of what you do today.

How to Maintain Your Positivity

Important goals, especially financial ones, can take a long time to reach fruition. This process can be extremely trying, especially when you witness the bad spending habits or negative attitudes of others. You must create a bubble of support and positivity around you.

--Control your first thoughts of the day. When you wake up, lay still. Take a few minutes and reiterate your goals. Remind yourself why these goals are important. Consider your plan for the day and make sure it aligns. This brief period of focus can have a major impact.

--Surround yourself with affirmative reminders. Reminders don't always have to come from within. Hang pictures and quotes around that will make you feel confident about reaching that future state. Some of my favorites are, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty," and "Whether you think you can or you can't, you're right."

--Spend more of your time with positive people. It's been said that your success will be determined by the five people closest to you. If these people are pulling you back, saying you can't, and refusing to support you, it will be much harder to succeed. Choose a team who wants to learn about your aspirations, help you get there, and even to hold you accountable. This will make your path much, much smoother.

Stay Positive and You'll Succeed

The way to accomplish any task, no matter how big, is to break it into smaller pieces and start with the first step. With this approach you'll create a linear trail of dots which begin with this moment, right now. and end with your goal. Consider positivity to be your jetpack, allowing you to surge from dot to dot, breaking through every obstacle and pushing forward to success. With the right plan and the right attitude, anything is possible! ( usnews.com )

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Taking Care of a 'Hairy' Situation

Taking Care of a 'Hairy' Situation - It's funny how something so natural and universal can lead to so much discussion and opinion: why we have it; what we should do with it; why we even care -- all seem to be topics of discussion. The thing is, it’s not exactly appropriate dinner conversation.

Over the years, its style has certainly changed -- in the 1970s, it was cool for a woman to have ‘unkempt’ hair down there; today, she would never go on a date without waxing first (or at least shaving). These days, even men are known to trim things up in that area.

It can be hard to discuss even with your partner, let alone friends or family. Still the questions remain. So, here’s a little insight when it comes to five of the most commonly asked questions regarding pubic hair.

1. Why do we have it?

Even the experts can’t agree on this one. Warmth? Maybe. But then it would make sense for it to be on the shaft of the penis. To trap pheromones? Perhaps. But even without it, the pheromones still manage to do their job. To keep germs out? Could be. But then it should probably be present at the tip of the penis too. Evolution is a funny thing. Maybe we did need it at one time. But these days, no one has proved it to be a necessity.

2. Why do some choose to leave it be?

Some people prefer the natural look and feel, and there’s not a thing wrong with that. It’s certainly easier, of course, as it doesn’t require the maintenance and care that trimming, shaving and waxing do. Folks who prefer this look and feel often say that anything else seems fake -- or even bizarre. Some people take particular issue with the complete removal of the hair, as it leaves the person looking, to their mind, pre-pubescent. Followers also often say that the natural look adds to a natural musk of sorts that can develop when the hair is there, something that people either love or hate. But, the truth of the matter is, it’s all about personal preference.

3. Why do others choose to trim, shave or wax it?

One reason to trim, shave or wax some or all of the hair is purely for aesthetic reasons. There are men and women alike who simply prefer a manicured look. Some argue that this preference is based on pornography, which often portrays this look. But that’s really a question of whether life imitates art or art imitates life, you know? But, regardless of the impetus, tending the hedges has simply become part of our culture, just as it is not a part of other cultures throughout the world.

Of course, looks are not the only reason the bare or nearly bare look has garnered popularity. It’s also because it allows direct access to one’s naughty bits both for solo and partner play. A tongue, a touch, or a toy on bare skin creates a much different -- and many argue far better -- sensation than one that results when the natural look is sported. Some women say they really enjoy how it feels during the day to be bare, saying it makes them feel sexier and experience more sensation that inspires a desire for even more sensation when they get home. (If you get my drift).

Some also suggest that a man’s “package” appears larger when it is free of hair…

4. How do I tell my partner I'd like him or her to try a new ‘do’ or that I'd like to try something new myself?

It can be tough to talk to your partner about wanting to change the look of your personal ‘do’ or wanting them to change theirs. The key is to come at it from a place of “I” and to assure your partner that it has nothing at all to do with how much you love them and being intimate with them. It’s simply something you’d like to explore.

Here are some suggestions:

• “Honey, I would like to get a Brazilian wax. I love having sex with you and I’m curious what it would be like if you could see and feel me without distraction.”
• “Sweetheart, I was wondering if you’ve ever considered trimming, shaving or waxing your nether regions. I think it could be really sexy. And even if either or both of us don’t end up preferring it, it certainly would be a fun experiment!”

The point is to keep the conversation light and assure that it really is just about something as simple as hair and not about control or other deeper issues.

5. So, what are the options?

The sky’s the limit, my friends. Some people simply tidy things up. Others wax it bare. Some people take care of business themselves. Others go to spas or salons that will take care of the dirty work. Women sometimes leave a small patch of hair in a shape as simple as a triangle or a thin line. (The latter of which is commonly called a Brazilian). Others get various designs shaved into their pubic hair.

Believe it or not, there are even dyes made specifically for pubic hair. Do not, however, use bleach or any product designed for the hair on your head.

You can even decorate around the hair or where the hair once was with a practice called Vajazzling, where crystals in various designs are glued to the skin.

The bottom line is this -- it’s yours, it grows back; and no one has to see it but you and those you choose to show it to. So, there’s no reason not to do whatever turns you on. Besides, what a fun and sexy little way to express yourself and a great secret to carry with you and keep you feeling in the mood! ( foxnews.com )

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Designer clothes can help you bag a better job

Designer clothes can help you bag a better job - They may burn a bigger hole in your wallet – but designer clothes are a sound investment, a study suggests.

Wearing well-known brand labels makes you appear wealthier, more worthy of respect and can even help you bag a better job, the research found.

In one test, women who wore a well-known brand on their polo shirt were given almost twice as much money when they solicited for charity than when they wore non-designer outfits.

Interview: Wearing branded clothes not only increased a man's chances of being judged suitable for a job but even increased his salary

In another, wearing branded clothes not only increased a man’s chances of being judged suitable for a job, but even increased the salary those surveyed would offer him by 9 per cent.

The study, at Tilburg University, in the Netherlands, involved four experiments. They tested reactions to well-known brands when judging status and wealth, responding to an invitation to take part in a survey, assessing a potential employee and being asked to give to charity.

Researchers Dr Rob Nelissen and Dr Marijn Meijers said humans are failing to see beyond the surface and that we are being sucked in by advertising for designer brands. ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Why Preschool Shouldn't Be Like School

Why Preschool Shouldn't Be Like School - New research shows that teaching kids more and more, at ever-younger ages, may backfire.

Ours is an age of pedagogy. Anxious parents instruct their children more and more, at younger and younger ages, until they're reading books to babies in the womb. They pressure teachers to make kindergartens and nurseries more like schools. So does the law—the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act explicitly urged more direct instruction in federally funded preschools.

There are skeptics, of course, including some parents, many preschool teachers, and even a few policy-makers. Shouldn't very young children be allowed to explore, inquire, play, and discover, they ask? Perhaps direct instruction can help children learn specific facts and skills, but what about curiosity and creativity—abilities that are even more important for learning in the long run? Two forthcoming studies in the journal Cognition—one from a lab at MIT and one from my lab at UC-Berkeley—suggest that the doubters are on to something. While learning from a teacher may help children get to a specific answer more quickly, it also makes them less likely to discover new information about a problem and to create a new and unexpected solution.

What do we already know about how teaching affects learning? Not as much as we would like, unfortunately, because it is a very difficult thing to study. You might try to compare different kinds of schools. But the children and the teachers at a Marin County preschool that encourages exploration will be very different from the children and teachers in a direct instruction program in South Side Chicago. And almost any new program with enthusiastic teachers will have good effects, at least to begin with, regardless of content. So comparisons are difficult. Besides, how do you measure learning, anyway? Almost by definition, directed teaching will make children do better on standardized tests, which the government uses to evaluate school performance. Curiosity and creativity are harder to measure.

Developmental scientists like me explore the basic science of learning by designing controlled experiments. We might start by saying: Suppose we gave a group of 4-year-olds exactly the same problems and only varied on whether we taught them directly or encouraged them to figure it out for themselves? Would they learn different things and develop different solutions? The two new studies in Cognition are the first to systematically show that they would.

In the first study, MIT professor Laura Schulz, her graduate student Elizabeth Bonawitz, and their colleagues looked at how 4-year-olds learned about a new toy with four tubes. Each tube could do something interesting: If you pulled on one tube it squeaked, if you looked inside another tube you found a hidden mirror, and so on. For one group of children, the experimenter said: "I just found this toy!" As she brought out the toy, she pulled the first tube, as if by accident, and it squeaked. She acted surprised ("Huh! Did you see that? Let me try to do that!") and pulled the tube again to make it squeak a second time. With the other children, the experimenter acted more like a teacher. She said, "I'm going to show you how my toy works. Watch this!" and deliberately made the tube squeak. Then she left both groups of children alone to play with the toy.

All of the children pulled the first tube to make it squeak. The question was whether they would also learn about the other things the toy could do. The children from the first group played with the toy longer and discovered more of its "hidden" features than those in the second group. In other words, direct instruction made the children less curious and less likely to discover new information.

Does direct teaching also make children less likely to draw new conclusions—or, put another way, does it make them less creative? To answer this question, Daphna Buchsbaum, Tom Griffiths, Patrick Shafto, and I gave another group of 4-year-old children a new toy.* This time, though, we demonstrated sequences of three actions on the toy, some of which caused the toy to play music, some of which did not. For example, Daphna might start by squishing the toy, then pressing a pad on its top, then pulling a ring on its side, at which point the toy would play music. Then she might try a different series of three actions, and it would play music again. Not every sequence she demonstrated worked, however: Only the ones that ended with the same two actions made the music play. After showing the children five successful sequences interspersed with four unsuccessful ones, she gave them the toy and told them to "make it go."

Daphna ran through the same nine sequences with all the children, but with one group, she acted as if she were clueless about the toy. ("Wow, look at this toy. I wonder how it works? Let's try this," she said.) With the other group, she acted like a teacher. ("Here's how my toy works.") When she acted clueless, many of the children figured out the most intelligent way of getting the toy to play music (performing just the two key actions, something Daphna had not demonstrated). But when Daphna acted like a teacher, the children imitated her exactly, rather than discovering the more intelligent and more novel two-action solution.

As so often happens in science, two studies from different labs, using different techniques, have simultaneously produced strikingly similar results. They provide scientific support for the intuitions many teachers have had all along: Direct instruction really can limit young children's learning. Teaching is a very effective way to get children to learn something specific—this tube squeaks, say, or a squish then a press then a pull causes the music to play. But it also makes children less likely to discover unexpected information and to draw unexpected conclusions.

Why might children behave this way? Adults often assume that most learning is the result of teaching and that exploratory, spontaneous learning is unusual. But actually, spontaneous learning is more fundamental. It's this kind of learning, in fact, that allows kids to learn from teachers in the first place. Patrick Shafto, a machine-learning specialist at the University of Louisville and a co-author of both these studies; Noah Goodman at Stanford; and their colleagues have explored how we could design computers that learn about the world as effectively as young children do. It's this work that inspired these experiments.

These experts in machine learning argue that learning from teachers first requires you to learn about teachers. For example, if you know how teachers work, you tend to assume that they are trying to be informative. When the teacher in the tube-toy experiment doesn't go looking for hidden features inside the tubes, the learner unconsciously thinks: "She's a teacher. If there were something interesting in there, she would have showed it to me." These assumptions lead children to narrow in, and to consider just the specific information a teacher provides. Without a teacher present, children look for a much wider range of information and consider a greater range of options.

Knowing what to expect from a teacher is a really good thing, of course: It lets you get the right answers more quickly than you would otherwise. Indeed, these studies show that 4-year-olds understand how teaching works and can learn from teachers. But there is an intrinsic trade-off between that kind of learning and the more wide-ranging learning that is so natural for young children. Knowing this, it's more important than ever to give children's remarkable, spontaneous learning abilities free rein. That means a rich, stable, and safe world, with affectionate and supportive grown-ups, and lots of opportunities for exploration and play. Not school for babies. ( slate.com )

READ MORE - Why Preschool Shouldn't Be Like School

Sexual assault of American women soldiers on the rise

Sexual assault of American women soldiers on the rise - In a bid to address sexual crimes within the American defence forces more effectively, the United States Air Force will release a survey later this week in which it states that one in five women have been sexually assaulted since joining the military service.

The survey conducted by Gallup, interviewed 18,834 male and female airmen between July and August 2010 and had a response rate of nearly 19 percent.

Experts say the results, which will be published on the Air Force website will be important for the Air Force and the entire military, as top officials will be forced to acknowledge and confront the scope of the problem for the first time.

Charlene Bradley, an air force assistant deputy for force management integration said: " If we're ever going to get to the point where we know how much progress we're making or not making, our leadership has to find out the extent of the problem," adding that the Air Force leadership was "very concerned" when they reviewed the survey's findings.

She added: "They were concerned before, but they were very concerned when they saw this."

According to the military sexual assault includes a number of things including "sexual contact without consent." Out of the 18.9 percent of the female airmen who reported having been assaulted, 58 percent said that they had been raped and 20 percent said they had been sodomized, which the military defines as nonconsensual oral or anal sex.

It is expected to serve as a new base for tracking the crime. The survey is likely to be conducted every 18 to 24 months, says Bradley.

The survey has brought out that a majority of assaults were against women, nearly 80 percent and the perpetrators are fellow US service members.

Bradley says: "The survey was designed to help the Air Force evaluate its prevention programs to find out "how much progress we're making or not making."

The survey makes it clear that only a small percentage of victims reported the crimes and in order to control this it was important to change this fact.

A majority of those who were victims of unwanted sex said they did not think it was serious enough to report.

Nearly 60 percent of women who were raped said they did not want their superiors to know and 63 percent, said they did not want their fellow airmen to know." Nearly half said that they did not want to cause trouble in their unit, The Christian Science Monitor reports.

To overcome this problem, the Air Force is making large scale efforts on a bystander training program as the findings suggest that many victims of assault do tell a friend or fellow airmen, whether they officially report the crime or not.

Bradley said that the Air Force has full-time trained sexual assault response coordinators (SARCs), at every base, as well as volunteer victim advocates.

David Lisak, sexual assault specialist and clinical psychologist at the University of Massachusetts, Boston said that the Air Force is also focusing on better training for military lawyers who in many cases have little experience compared to the specialized civilian sexual-assault defense lawyers that many alleged perpetrators hire. ( news.yahoo.com )

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How Facebook Intends to Kill Gmail

How Facebook Intends to Kill Gmail - The technology industry's latest rivalry takes centre stage this week when internet powers Google and Facebook lay out their competing visions to create a new generation of web services at a high-profile conference in San Francisco.

The relationship between the two internet icons has become increasingly confrontational, and the battle will most likely intensify on Monday US time when Facebook is expected to introduce a revamped version of its messaging technology that could pose a challenge to Google's Gmail.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, left, and Google CEO Eric Schmidt.

Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg and Google chief Eric Schmidt will each take the stage, with dozens of other internet industry heavyweights, during the three-day web 2.0 conference that starts on Monday.

With reports swirling that Yahoo! is being eyed for a takeover by private equity firms, possibly in co-ordination with AOL or News Corp, Yahoo! chief executive Carol Bartz's talk at the conference on Tuesday will also be closely watched.

And investors hoping for an eventual wave of initial public offerings by a new generation of fast-growing web start-ups will keep an eye on appearances by executives from Twitter, Zynga and LinkedIn.

But all eyes will be on Zuckerberg and Schmidt, and the pitched struggle for web surfers' time online, advertising dollars and increasingly costly Silicon Valley talent.

Investors are waiting for details of Google's social networking strategy. Google has acquired several small social networking companies in recent months and Schmidt has said the company would begin to add social "layers" to its existing products in the autumn.

Clash of web titans

Google's internet search engine and Facebook's social networking service have grown into billion-dollar businesses, amassing vast numbers of users. Now, the two are increasingly on a collision course.

"Once you have that many [users], you want to try to be all things to all people in some sense, and I think everything falls out of that," said a person familiar with Facebook's thinking.

"They have similar aspirations and goals," the person said of Google.

The latest flashpoint appears to be email, with Facebook due to unveil "across the board" changes to its messaging service on Monday, according to the source.

Blog TechCrunch reported on Friday that Facebook would unveil a full-fledged web email product, along with "@facebook.com" email addresses for users, and noted that the product was referred to within Facebook as a "Gmail-killer". A Facebook spokesman declined to comment.

Last week, Google began blocking a Facebook feature that allows users automatically to import Gmail contact data into the social networking service. Google accused Facebook of siphoning up Google data without allowing for the automatic import and export of Facebook users' information.

They are also increasingly vying for engineering talent in Silicon Valley. Last week, Google internally announced plans to boost salaries by 10 per cent, according to media reports, in a move viewed as an effort to staunch an exodus of engineers and managers to Facebook.

But the social network itself lost a star engineer on Friday, when Paul Buchheit said he was leaving Facebook to join Y Combinator, a firm that invests in and provides services for technology start-ups.

Buchheit, who worked at Google from 1999 to 2006, is best known as the creator of Google's Gmail. But he would not discuss any Facebook product plans when reached on the phone on Friday.

When reports of Facebook building an email product first surfaced in February, Buchheit said he was not working on anything related to email at Facebook and that he didn't plan to. ( reuters )

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Women believe men should take out bins and mow lawns

Women believe men should take out bins and mow lawns. Mowing the lawn, cleaning the windows and putting the bins out are jobs that women believe should be carried out by the man of the house, a study has found.

The list of 'his 'n hers' chores emerged following a study of 5,000 adults into which sex is responsible for everyday jobs around the house.

Women also ruled out getting things out of the loft, removing sticky lids from jars and unblocking the lavatory.

Meanwhile men believe women's jobs include remembering birthdays and anniversaries, organising the social calendar and replacing the toilet roll when it runs out.

A spokesman for www.TheBabyWebsite.com, which carried out the survey, said: "There is a very clear divide between the chores men and women will do, but at least it shows that both sexes are responsible for the running of the household.

"There seems to be a general trend that women are responsible for the day to day chores, such as keeping the house clean and tidy.

"But men make sure things are fixed and in good working order. Neither sex is afraid of getting their hands dirty.

"We're sure that in some households there will be a point where a man is forced to do a pink job, and a woman finds herself carrying out the odd blue job.

"The delegation of these chores has nothing to do with our ability or inability to do various tasks.

Women believe certain chores such as taking out the bins and getting things out of the loft should be carried out by the man of the house

"It's just that men tend to be better at more hands-on chores, and women are naturally more organised and methodical in their approach to running the house."

While the study found cooking meals is often shared it emerged men are more likely to be delegated tasks of bravery and courage – such as investigating strange noises in the night and removing spiders from the bath tub.

Keeping the garden looking its best also fell into the male domain – with men in charge of mowing the lawn, edge-trimming and hedge-trimming.

The top 20 men's jobs according to the survey:

1. Getting things out of the loft
2. Investigating strange noises in the night
3. Putting out the bins/ going to the tip
4. Topping up oil / radiator / screen wash /washing the car
5. Mowing the lawn
6. Edge and hedge-trimming
7. Reading instructions for new gadgets
8. Getting spiders out of the bath
9. Unblocking the lavatory with a plunger
10. Putting up shelves
11. Fixing broken toys
12. Building flat-pack furniture
13. Removing sticky lids from jars
14. Washing up after dinner
15. Setting the television to recording programmes
16. Anything car-related
17. Sunday morning paper-run
18. Cleaning windows
19. Sweeping the driveway
20. Carving the roast

The top 20 women's jobs:

1. Remembering birthdays / anniversaries
2. Treating the children's head lice / verrucas
3. Changing bed linen
4. Buying presents
5. Pairing up clean socks
6. Organising the social calendar
7. Washing clothes
8. Baking cakes for the school
9. Organising the children's social life 1
10. Removing the children's ear wax
11. School packed lunches
12. Ironing
13. Binning out-of-date food
14. Dusting
15. Cleaning the oven
16. Replacing the lavatory rolls
17. Attending children's parties
18. Changing nappies
19. Booking the babysitter
20. Cleaning up if the children are sick

( .telegraph.co.uk )

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To Catch a Thief on Facebook

To Catch a Thief on Facebook. Khayree Billingslea, 19, a freshman at Arizona State University, was given an unpleasant surprise when police showed up at his honors dorm room, handcuffed him and escorted him out of the building.

He and some friends had sneaked into a closed dining facility over Thanksgiving weekend and stolen cereal and soda. But it wasn't a fellow student who turned them in. It was Facebook.

The Arizona State University Police Department uses social media as a tool to find leads.

(LOIC VENANCE/AFP/Getty Images)

Officials visited the students' profile pages on the social networking site and compared the surveillance images with their pictures on their Facebook profiles.

The ASU Police Department said they use social media as a tool to find leads and involve the community.

Although charges of burglary against Billingslea and his friends were dropped, he said he does not like the idea of police looking him up on social media Web sites. But he does acknowledge that all of the information he publishes is up for grabs.

"If businesses use it to hire employees, why shouldn't the police be able to access it?" Billingslea said. "It's public. It's on the Internet."

Crime prevention officer Brian Kiefling called it a way to keep up with the times.

"We need to adapt with them," Kiefling said. "We're still doing things the old-school way, with fliers that students pick up and then they'll just throw it away."

Kiefling set up an "ASU PD" page on Facebook last year to make students feel more comfortable asking questions to police about university policies. But so far, the page only has about 100 fans.

Big Brother?

Billingslea, who admitted to taking the items from the cafeteria, understands why not all students would want police combing through their online profiles.

"It is, in a sense, sort of [like] 'big brother,' but only because of our perception of Facebook," Billingslea said. "It's not something that's private, but we have the feeling that it is."

Lauren Peikoff, 21, a journalism and political science major at Arizona State University, has not had any run-ins with the law. She sees Facebook as just another tool at their disposal.

"I don't necessarily think it's [like] 'big brother,'" Peikoff said. "The information is out there, you can elect to put or not put whatever you want."

If students do not want law enforcement to see it, don't post it, Kiefling said.

"They don't have to have a Facebook page," he said. "By opening themselves up, they've lost all of that privacy that they think that they have. If you want to be private, then I wouldn't open up a Facebook or MySpace [page]."

Privacy settings on Facebook allow users to hide their own photo albums. A user can make the uploaded photos visible only to friends, to the entire network they belong to, such as their university or to no one but themselves.

If a person posts pictures of a second person, the first person may "tag" the second, meaning connect his or her name to the photo. The second person then can untag himself or herself to remove the attached name. But the picture remains on the Internet.

"I wouldn't be too happy about police looking at my profile, but I try and limit the information viewable, like pictures my friends tag me in, because that's not my choice," Peikoff said.

Police Departments Turn to Facebook

ASU's is not the only police department using social networks in such a way.

Tyrone Parham, deputy chief officer with the Pennsylvania State University Police Department, counted at least three recent incidents in which Facebook helped his department catch a criminal.

In one case after a home football game, many students, some apparently intoxicated, rushed the field and several police officers said they were assaulted. What they later discovered on Facebook led to the arrest of the students who were involved.

"We were able to look at Facebook pages and there was a specific page set up for people that rushed the field," Parham said. "So we were able to identify a number of people trespassing on the field."

The University of Richmond, in Richmond, Va., set up a Facebook page to post crime prevention tips and even added an "Ask An Officer" section so that students could interact with officers.

Other police departments outside of universities also are utilizing Facebook.

Police in Auburn, Maine, posted surveillance video on their own Facebook profile page that allowed community members to help police track down suspects.

In another case, police in Medina, Ohio, searched Facebook for local residents wanted on warrants, which led to at least one arrest.

Beware Too Much Information

While Parham said the Pennsylvania State University police use Web sites like Facebook only on a case-by-case basis, he warned that he often sees students posting too much information on their profile pages, such as home addresses and phone numbers. He advised students to take advantage of the privacy settings to prevent personal information from being published.

"It's like a regular bulletin board on the grocery store or the student union," Parham said. "It's public information. Anyone that has access to the Internet and has a Facebook account has privilege to anything that's open."

Kiefling agreed that Facebook and other sites, like MySpace and Twitter, can be a breeding ground for identity theft. His advice is plain and simple.

"Don't accept people [as friends on Facebook] that you don't know," Kiefling said.

"I try to be as conscious as I can," Peikoff said. "I have limited profiles for people I don't want seeing all my photos and statuses."

In addition to using these sites for identification, photo lineups and personal information gathering, ASU police created a series of podcasts to spread awareness about on-campus issues such as bike theft and sexual assault.

But Kiefling said students don't need to worry about police "stalking" their profiles.

"We don't have the staff to just go through students' Facebook pages looking for pictures of them drinking, things like that," Kiefling said.

Peikoff agreed that since employers use Facebook to search for potential employees, other organizations should be able to use it if the site can be useful to them.

"I see it as just another way for people, and in this case, police, to gather information and to help them." ( ABCNews.com )

READ MORE - To Catch a Thief on Facebook

Being away from each other was kind of a blessing'

Being away from each other was kind of a blessing'. The 6-foot guard for the Washington Wizards had been friends with Glass for four years by then, and he loved hanging out with the pretty schoolteacher who got along so well with his family. But at 31, he couldn't bring himself to call Glass his girlfriend, much less make her his wife -- and those commitment issues certainly didn't improve with the announcement in 2002 that she was expecting.

"Oh man," he says. "I was frantic."

The two first met in 1999 when a friend of Glass's, who worked in community relations for the Wizards, arranged for Whitney to speak to a group of fourth graders at Lamont Elementary School in New Carrollton. Whitney, who can be shy at times, was hesitant to walk into the classroom alone, so Glass, a special education teacher at the school, marched him down the hall and introduced him to the awe-struck 9-year-olds.

Glass often joined her friend at Wizards games, and in time, she and Whitney fell into the same social circle, gathering at clubs and restaurants to celebrate victories or hang out on off-days.

"I had feelings for him the whole time," says Glass, a Washington native. "He was very funny and nice and honest . . . and he had been through some struggles in his life, so he could appreciate what he had."

Whitney came to care for Glass, too, but, "I wasn't ready for a relationship," he says. As a professional athlete, there was too much travel and too many distractions, too many people grabbing for him and not enough confidence in whom he could trust.

"Both men and women, they get intoxicated with the lifestyle, the fame. You go somewhere and there's a line around the corner, but I walk to the front . . . some people love it," says Whitney, who grew up in Kentucky. "So you have to try to figure out who's there because, 'Hey, I like Chris. Chris is really cool.' "

If he'd asked her, Glass would've married Whitney when she found out she was pregnant. But it didn't go that way: Many of his friends and advisers were warning him to be careful.

"He still had people in his ear saying, 'Oh, she just wants the money,' " recalls Glass, who was also 31 at the time. " 'She's having a baby by you, so now she's in this category. She's trying to get this. She's trying to get that.' "

Two months after Casaan was born, Whitney was traded to the Denver Nuggets, leaving Glass to raise their son by herself. Even when Whitney returned to Washington the following year, he had limited contact with Casaan. "There was a lot of strain," Glass says.

Eventually the couple's relationship deteriorated completely: They stopped speaking for four years. Whitney went on to have three more sons with other women. Glass adopted a teenage boy whose parents passed away and had another son of her own.

In August 2008, four years after Whitney last played in the NBA, he switched to a new money-management firm and asked to meet with Glass to discuss their child-support arrangement. Standing face to face by her car, they lingered, catching up and looking at recent pictures of Casaan.

"It was like we never missed a beat. We just talked and talked . . . about things we never talked about before," Whitney says. "And the next thing you know, we were just always hanging out together. We did everything together."

But for a while, they did everything together in secret. Glass knew what her friends and family would think about a reunion between the two. For years she hadn't allowed his name to be spoken in her house -- even the friend who first introduced them worried Glass would be hurt again.

"It's shocking in a lot of people's minds," she says. Had someone predicted her relationship with Whitney would be rekindled, "I would've told them they were crazy."

But something had changed in Whitney since she knew him last. "Being away from each other was kind of a blessing -- it gave us each time to grow. To figure out what we wanted," Glass says. "He had focused so much on basketball all his life that he never took time out to think about family and what family means."

After four months, Glass invited Whitney to start spending time at her house with Casaan and the other boys. Like his father, Casaan, now 7, always had a painful shy streak. "But since his dad came home? It's like this child has blossomed," Glass says, now 38. "It's just been wonderful."

Whitney, also 38, began packing lunches, driving the kids to school and trusting that Glass liked him for who he was, not what he'd done on the basketball court. "She became my best friend -- somebody I could confide in and talk to," he says. "I'd never had anybody I could tell everything to before."

That winter he made a suggestion: "Let's become a family." They tattooed each other's names around their ring fingers and officially got engaged last September.

Glass is the type to turn everyone she meets into a friend, and keep them for life, so nearly 500 people were invited to the New Year's Day wedding at the St. Paul Baptist Church in Capitol Heights. Whitney walked down the aisle with Casaan, who served as best man as his parents exchanged vows. After a 70-minute ceremony that included a gospel band, a serenade from a guest and a nine-person wedding party they referred to as their "entourage," the couple left for a reception at the Glenview Mansion in Rockville.

Both sometimes think about why the bond that exists between them now didn't materialize 10 years ago.

"We just weren't ready for it," says Glass. "We wouldn't have known it if it flew in our face. But now it's like this road we traveled together." ( washingtonpost.com )

READ MORE - Being away from each other was kind of a blessing'

Ten Healthy Careers

Ten Healthy Careers. Every year, one of the most popular New Year's resolutions is to "be healthy and lose weight." Easier said than done. Of course, everyone wants to be healthy, but when it comes time to put in the effort, it's hard for many to find the time.

For others, however, finding the time to be healthy is all in a day's work. If you're interested in a career that lends itself to staying active or promoting a healthy lifestyle and environment, check out these 10 careers and the requirements you'll need to meet to get started:

1. Activities coordinator

Why it's healthy: Activities coordinators plan and conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. They focus on keeping individuals fit and active, whether they are in a nursing home or day camp.

Requirements: Educational and training requirements vary based on the institution in which you will be working. They range from a high-school diploma to a bachelor's degree.

Salary: $31,390

2. Athletic trainer

Why it's healthy: Athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and healing of injuries for athletes. They usually focus mostly on the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injured athletes, but can spend time educating them on preventing injuries.

Requirements: A bachelor's degree and, in most states, certification.

Salary: $46,049

3. Chiropractor

Why it's healthy: Chiropractors deal with conditions of the spine, but their approach is more holistic in that it's focused on a patient's overall health. They are concerned with diet, exercise and other issues related to well-being, and they provide natural, drugless and nonsurgical health treatments.

Requirements: Chiropractors must be licensed, which requires two to four years of undergraduate education, completing a four-year chiropractic college course, and earning passing scores on national and state examinations.

Salary: $115,289

4. Dietitians and nutritionists

Why it's healthy: Dietitians and nutritionists constantly think about foods they put in their clients' bodies and in their own. They promote healthy eating habits by recommending dietary modifications, planning food and nutrition programs, supervising meal preparation and overseeing the serving of meals.

Requirements: At least a bachelor's degree. Licensing, certification or registration requirements vary by state.

Salary: $52,911 and $54,301

5. Exercise instructor

Why it's healthy: Exercise instructors are constantly moving their own bodies and teaching others to do the same and how to do so correctly. Multiple days of the week, hours at a time, are spent sweating, so there is no question you'll be in tip-top shape.

Requirements: Depend on the specific type of fitness work. For most fitness workers, certification is critical and you are expected to know how to do your job without any on-the-job training.

Salary: $30,189

6. Health educator

Why it's healthy: Health educators must practice what they preach, as they work to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellness. They educate people and communities about healthy living, disease prevention, proper nutrition and the importance of exercise.

Requirements: A bachelor's degree is required for entry-level positions; other employers prefer a bachelor's degree and some related experience. A master's degree and even a doctorate may be required for some positions and is usually required for advancement.

Salary: $63,817

7. Personal chef

Why it's healthy: Personal chefs offer meal preparation to clients for a fee and can personalize your menu to any special nutritional needs you may have.

Requirements: Most culinary schools offer personal chef training; you may also choose to be certified by the American Personal & Private Chef Association.

Salary: Varies

8. Personal trainer

Why it's healthy: A personal trainer's job is to help individuals lose weight, get in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle. They get tons of exercise through working out with clients, and part of their training is to learn about nutrition.

Requirements: Personal trainers usually must be certified to work with clients or with members of a fitness facility.

Salary: $46,049

9. Massage therapist

Why it's healthy: Massage therapists promote their clients' general health, helping people become more aware of their body and taking care of it better. They focus on relaxation, muscle recovery, treating painful ailments and reducing stress.

Requirements: Most states require massage therapists to complete a formal education program and pass a national certification examination or a state exam.

Salary: $32,399

10. Weight reduction specialist

Why it's healthy: Weight-loss specialists help clients devise and carry out a weight-loss plan, using established dietary programs and positive reinforcement procedures.

Requirements: At least a bachelor's degree. Licensing, certification or registration requirements vary by state.

Salary: $32,368

( msn.com )

READ MORE - Ten Healthy Careers

When Job Search Desperation Kicks In

When Job Search Desperation Kicks In. Desperation isn't an attractive trait in most people -- maybe anyone. If you've ever witnessed desperation in a relationship, you know how unappealing it can be to see someone willing to settle for something. Anything. It makes you wonder just how much that person values himself or herself.

A job search isn't the same as a quest for true love, but it can often result in desperation. Think about it: If you don't have a job, you don't have money to pay the bills. For many people, a job search is linked to survival. Who wouldn't get desperate after awhile?

Just like in a romance, however, being too eager and needy can backfire. Even if you're feeling as though you'll take any job that comes your way, don't let employers know that. You might be desperate for a job, but you don't have to act like you are.

Why desperation doesn't help you

You might think, "Won't I impress my future boss if I prove I'm willing to do anything to get the job?" You would be wrong. To help you understand what hiring managers think when they come across desperate interviewees, we went straight to the source.

Tony Deblauwe is the founder of HR4 Change and has 15 years of human resources experience. In his career, he has seen more desperate job seekers than most people. Sometimes things go so wrong they're almost criminal.

"I had a case once where after not hearing from the recruiter (from just a résumé submission), the candidate came to the office and waited in the parking lot for the CEO," Deblauwe remembers. "It was easy, since the CEO's picture was online. [The candidate] felt that HR and staffing were a roadblock and the best way to prove his 'inventiveness' was to approach the CEO directly. It turned out badly, as you might imagine -- we had to get security involved."

Not all candidates are as extreme. In fact, desperation is so common that Deblauwe sees certain traits appear time after time.

• "I'm willing to take any job."

"People who have been searching a long time or who have limited leads respond to job posts that they will take any job even if it's clearly a step down," he says. "Sometimes this is due to the economy; sometimes they want to get into a company at whatever the cost. I have personally known of candidates doing this to get into Apple or Google."

• "I'm willing to temp first."

"Sometimes [starting as a temp] works, but when a candidate offers it first against a full-time posted job, it's a turnoff," Deblauwe cautions. "Rather than show confidence that you can do the job as presented, you offset the discussion by saying you will be a temp. Not a good move and very desperate."

• "Money doesn't matter."

"It's one thing to say your salary is negotiable, but making a point in the phone screen or first-round interview about not caring about the pay not only reflects bad judgment but low self-esteem," Deblauwe warns. "I ask myself, 'What else will you cave on if you had this job?'"

• "Why haven't you called me back?"

According to Deblauwe, being pushy is one of the most classic signs of a desperate job seeker.

"After sending in a résumé or getting an initial call back, a candidate loses all sense of how staffing process timing works," he says. "They will e-mail [or call] after one or two days. Candidates forget that many back-end processes slow job updates -- not because people forgot about you or don't care. This behavior doesn't show you are determined and eager; rather it makes you appear annoying and distracting. Almost always, people who do this, even if they appeared to be a great fit in the beginning, get eliminated."

What you can do

First off, don't say any of the above phrases. More importantly, prove that the company would be lucky to have you, and not vice versa. Don't be cocky, but act like you're ready for the job because it's the right fit, not because it's available now. Even if you are desperate for a job, remember these tips because they're important to every job search.

• Have proof of your accomplishments so you can show the hiring manager that you deliver results.
• Show interest in the company. Employers like to know that you care about more than dollar signs, so do a little research on the company and even the interviewers if possible.
• Practice your interview answers so you don't blurt out a bad answer. For example, your answer to "Why do you want this job?" shouldn't include the low balance of your checking account.
• Make a list of the reasons you are the best candidate for the job. You can't convince a hiring manager that you're the best choice for the position if you don't believe it yourself. The best way to convince yourself is to look at all your best qualities. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - When Job Search Desperation Kicks In

Should You Fake Your Job References?

Should You Fake Your Job References?. Every day, William Schmidt gives job seekers with a not-so-great job history, a gap on their résumé or even a criminal record, a second chance. How does he do it? He fabricates job references to cover up their sordid pasts.

Schmidt is the founder of CareerExcuse.com, a Web site that says it will fill any gap on your résumé by acting as your past employer. It will go as far as creating a new company with an accompanying phone number, logo, Web site and LinkedIn profile. He says the site is designed to "help our subscribers meet the needs of the modern day job market."

"Many of our subscribers tell me how a bad reference from a previous employer is akin to having a criminal record and is preventing them from providing for their family. All they ask is for a second chance," Schmidt says.

While Schmidt says he feels good about the service he provides for job seekers, naturally, not everyone shares his opinion. After all, not only is it unethical to lie about anything on your job application, but some argue that it puts those who have legitimate references at an unfair disadvantage.

"It's like using a professional photographer, who helps you look your best, versus using someone else's photo. One is enhancing your appearance, while the other is blatant misrepresentation," says David Wright, author of "Get a Job! Your Guide to Making Successful Career Moves." "People do make mistakes and bad choices. Winners learn from the mistakes while losers try to cover them up, hide them or keep making the same mistakes over and over while expecting different results."

Is the economy to blame?

Many people can agree that finding a job today is difficult and that not having anyone in your corner to toot your horn could be detrimental. Schmidt said he got the idea for his company after perusing posts on Twitter, where he said he saw many users asking strangers for references.

"We understand that there are over 12 million workers who have been fired or let go from former employers in the last eight years. With six applicants for every job today, anyone with a blemish in their career can be left out," Schmidt says.

Lauren Milligan, résumé expert and job coach for ResuMayday, says that it's sad that job seekers would think they had to fake their references, but that she can see how the poor economy could lead to making desperate choices.

"If a candidate was previously turned down because of a lack of reference, that otherwise honest person may decide to unethically stack the deck in his or her favor," she says. "It's kind of pathetic that anyone would have to [use a service for a reference], but perhaps it could be that 'rock bottom' that turns around bad behavior."

Is it worth it?

Some job seekers may think they need to use a fake reference because they were fired or need to cover a gap in their employment history. Experts say that paying someone to do that for you is likely a waste -- especially since many employers ignore the references you give them anyway.

"Having consulted on hundreds of hires, I don't care about the three personal references the candidate has given. Anyone can find three people that will swear they can turn water into wine," says Barry Maher, career consultant and owner of Barry Maher & Associates. "I check everything else I can. And not just the last job, which may be a service that will vouch for them, but the job before that and the one before that, all the way down the line."

Checking references all the way down the line has also become much easier with the advent of social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, which provide a place for you to list your employment history. Employers aren't stupid -- if a few things don't match up, they'll catch on pretty quickly.

"The good thing about social networking is that the world has become a much smaller, accessible place. The bad thing about social networking is that the world has become a much smaller, accessible place," Milligan says. "Within a few minutes, I believe that anyone with a mid-level of expertise in LinkedIn or Facebook (combined with an elementary-level [Internet] search) could identify fake information. Hiring mistakes are so costly; due diligence can really pay off in a company's recruiting process."

And while employers cross-reference information that candidates provide them, including references, services like CareerExcuse.com have an answer for that, too.

"CareerExcuse.com uses [social networks] to our advantage," Schmidt says. "As a matter of fact, it is the Internet and the reliance of the Internet by human resource managers that make our services work so successfully."

Consequences of your actions

Every action has a consequence, including providing a fake job reference to a potential employer. Although you may not get caught, you'll likely have to deal with trying to cover up your lies and forever worrying about if you'll get caught.

"Liars are always going to use lies to try and put themselves at an advantage over honest people," Wright says. "This may be effective in the short run, but over time, honesty wins out because eventually lies do get found out, and liars are exposed for who they really are. As in a great quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln: 'You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.'"

The truth will set you free

If you feel the need to use a fake job reference, try these three tips from our experts instead:

1. Turn your negatives into positives

"Nothing builds credibility like exposing your own negatives. You can turn them into positives, selling points, even bragging points," Maher says. He gives the example of Clyde Thompson, who "provided us with all the reasons why we may not want to hire him; all the ones that we probably would have brought up on our own once he was out of the room, and a few more we might never have come up. Clyde presented his unemployability in a light made it appear that he'd be a more reliable employee. And his honesty gained him a massive amount of credibility."

2. Don't give up

Before giving up and resigning yourself to having no references, Milligan suggests scouring LinkedIn and Facebook to try to reconnect with former colleagues. Or, consider if you've volunteered anywhere, played on a sports team or been a member of industry associations. Reach out to peers from these organizations for a reference.

"References don't only have to come from supervisors or co-workers," she says. "Perhaps company clients or vendors would have a few good things to say about you."

If you still can't find anyone to give you reference by the time an employer asks for one, Milligan suggests saying, "Unbelievably, I wasn't able to connect with any of my former supervisors or co-workers after ABC Co. shut down unexpectedly. Thanks to social networking, I'm in the process of trying to find people, but it just hasn't panned out yet. In lieu of that, I would assure you that I wouldn't have been able to achieve (insert career success here) if I wasn't good at my job and I fully expect to create more successes like that one, for you."

3. Tackle the issue head-on

Instead of trying to sweep the issue under the rug, be the first one to address it, Wright suggests.

"If you know you've got something bad that would probably show up on a background check, it can help to be proactive, particularly when you've established some degree of rapport with the hiring manager," he suggests. "Tell them that you want to be upfront with them -- you made a mistake in the past and they'll probably find out anyway, but you'd rather them hear it from you first. By being proactive, you have the opportunity to position it better as well, emphasizing your strengths or how you overcame that experience." ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Should You Fake Your Job References?

Not Getting Hired? 10 Reasons Why

Not Getting Hired? 10 Reasons Why. You don't understand. You updated your résumé, you're applying to jobs every day, you've cleaned up your digital dirt and you network every day. Yet here you still are on the unemployment list. What is wrong with employers?

Unfortunately, many job seekers don't stop to consider that the problem might not be employers but themselves.

It's a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads around, but applicants frequently (and inadvertently) display signs that tell an employer that they're not the best fit for the job.

According to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey, 47 percent of employers said that finding qualified applicants is their biggest hiring challenge. When asked to identify the most valuable characteristics in new hires, employers cited multitasking, initiative and creative problem-solving.

Do you lack what employers want? Yes, there are fewer jobs and there is more competition, but are you doing everything you can? Here are 10 reasons why employers might have passed you by.

1. You lie

Any lies you tell in your job search, whether on your résumé or in an interview, will come back to haunt you. In a 2008 CareerBuilder survey, 49 percent of hiring managers reported they caught a candidate lying on his or her résumé; of those employers, 57 percent said they automatically dismissed the applicant. Everything you tell an employer can be discovered, so it behooves you to be honest from the get-go. If you're concerned about something in your past, invention is not the answer. Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed.

2. You have a potty mouth

It's certainly tempting to tell anyone who will listen how big of a (insert expletive here) your current boss is, but a hiring manager for a new job is not that person. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 44 percent of employers said that talking negatively about current or previous employers was one of the most detrimental mistakes a candidate can make. Find a way to turn those negative things job into positives. If you can't get along with your co-workers, for example, tell the prospective employer that you're looking for a work environment where you feel like you're part of a team and your current position doesn't allow for that kind of atmosphere.

3. You don't show long-term potential

Employers want people in their organization to work their way up, so it's best to show that you want to and can grow with the company. If you were asked where you see yourself in five years and you gave an answer that wasn't related to the position or company you're interviewing with, kiss your chances goodbye. Ask questions like, "What type of career movement do you envision for the most successful candidate in this role?" It shows that you have envisioned your future at the company.

4. You have serious digital dirt

Social networking sites and online searches are the newest way that many employers are checking up on prospective hires. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 45 percent of employers use social networking sites to research candidates. Thirty-five percent of those employers found content that caused them to dismiss the candidate. Make sure to remove any photos, content or links that can work against you in an employer's eyes.

5. You don't know ... well, anything

In two separate 2009 CareerBuilder surveys, 58 percent of employers said that coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company was a turnoff, and 49 percent said that not asking good questions cost candidates a job offer. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

6. You acted bored, cocky or disinterested

A little enthusiasm never hurt anyone, especially when it comes to a potential new job. Forty-five percent of employers in a 2009 CareerBuilder survey said that the biggest mistake candidates made in the interview was appearing disinterested and 42 percent said appearing arrogant cost applicants the job. Every business wants to put their most enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers, so acting the opposite will get you nowhere.

7. You were a little too personal

Seventeen percent of employers said that candidates who provided too much personal information in the interview essentially blew their chances at the job, according to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey. Not only does personal information offend some people, but anytime you talk about topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you're setting yourself up for bias. Though it's illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless.

8. You were all dollars, no sense

As a general rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the employer does. Doing so is tacky and makes the employer think that you care about the money involved, not about helping the employer succeed. If the topic does arise, however, be honest about your salary history. Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so lying only makes you look bad.

9. You didn't -- or can't -- give examples

Hiring managers want people who can prove that they will increase the organization's revenues, decrease its costs or help it succeed in some way. If all you give to an employer is a bunch of empty words about your accomplishments, you don't demonstrate how you can help the company. In fact, 35 percent of employers said that the most detrimental mistake candidates make is not providing specific examples in the interview. The more you can quantify your work, the better.

10. You don't have enough experience

Managers don't have as much time as they used to to train and mentor new employees. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to hit the ground running without a lot of hand-holding. The best way to show that you know what you're doing is to give the employer concrete examples of your experience in a given job duty. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Not Getting Hired? 10 Reasons Why

Four Ways to Simplify Your Job Search

Four Ways to Simplify Your Job Search. It seems like everyone is obsessed with doing things faster and more efficiently these days. Consider, for example the 30-minute meal or 15-minute workout programs that have taken the country by storm.

Why the craze? Because these routines cut out the fluff, are easy to follow and promise positive results. While preparing a delicious meal in under an hour or toning your abs in five easy steps may save you time in your personal life, how about a program that benefits your professional prospects? Job searching can be an overwhelming and time-consuming task, so take heed of the following fundamentals, which can help make the process more efficient and productive:

1. Avoid verbosity when writing your résumé.

Job seekers can spend hours crafting their résumés, but according to a survey by Robert Half International, 56 percent of executives spend no more than five minutes reading the document, making it that much more important to present one that's succinct, relevant and free of copy errors. While the one-page rule is no longer strictly enforced, you don't want to inundate the reader with too much information. Use short bullet points when listing your skills and achievements, and avoid lofty and redundant language, puns, and clever wordplays. Remember, this isn't an exercise in creative writing. Also omit irrelevant facts about your personal life, such as your interests and hobbies, unless they relate specifically to the position.

2. Compose a clean, concise cover letter.

Similar to the résumé, brevity is key when it comes to crafting a cover letter. Skip cute introductions -- "Teamwork is my middle name" or "I am smart as a whip," for example -- and instead get to the point. Expand on one or two accomplishments from your résumé that align with the skills and responsibilities outlined in the job description. Painting a vivid picture of these select successes should compel hiring managers to learn about the rest of the achievements outlined on your résumé.

3. Network in a 'not-so-obvious' way.

Increasing your circle of professional contacts doesn't have to be a formal affair, but it should be an ongoing priority. In addition to getting involved in professional associations and other networking groups, focus on meeting people while doing everyday activities. Try striking up a conversation with those around you, from the coffee shop barista to the person sitting next to you at the doctor's office. These discussions can lead to job leads or other valuable contacts.

4. Don't be afraid to go overboard for the interview.

If there's one stage in the job search where you can pull out all the stops, it's the interview. You may have impressed the hiring manager on paper, but you'll have to shine in person, too, if you expect to land the job. Here are the essentials:

• Research the company and role-play with a partner beforehand.
• Arrive to the meeting on time, looking your professional best and armed with a copy of your résumé and references.
• Mention at least two key accomplishments that demonstrate hard-to-measure qualities -- like teamwork or leadership -- that aren't apparent on your résumé.
• Send a thank-you note to reinforce your interest and ability to excel in the role within a few days of the meeting. With everything from cell phones to computers becoming more complex, the last thing busy professionals need is for the job search to be overly complicated. While you don't want to rush through the process, paring each step down to the most important elements can help you focus your efforts and increase the likelihood of success. ( msn.com )

READ MORE - Four Ways to Simplify Your Job Search

World's first inflatable seatbelt will 'soften blow' of a crash

Clunk, click ... hiss: World's first inflatable seatbelt will 'soften blow' of a crash. A car maker is introducing seatbelts that inflate like airbags to give extra protection to passengers.

Ford is fitting the back seats of vehicles with belts that inflate automatically during a crash.

Experts say they will be particularly effective at preventing broken ribs, internal damage and bruising in children.

The seatbelt inflates over the shoulder and torso in a mere 40 milliseconds

Frail and elderly passengers will also benefit particularly from the cylindrical airbag that stretches from the buckle to the shoulder and fits inside a pocket sewn into the belt.

The technology will be introduced on the latest model of Ford Explorer 4x4, which goes into production in the United States next year.

If the trials work well it could open the way for the belts to be used in Britain.

In a crash, sensors in the Explorer will calculate the severity of any impact and inflate the belts with compressed gas, stored below the seat, in 40 milliseconds - the time it takes a car to travel one yard at motorway speed.

The airbag breaks through the belt fabric and spreads the impact forces over an area five times larger than a traditional belt.

On impact the belts' air bags are filled with compressed gas that is stored below the seat

This helps to keep the passenger in the safest seating position - reducing pressure on the chest and controlling head and neck movement.

Sue Cischke, vice-president of safety engineering at Ford, said the belts would improve safety for all rear-seat passengers.

'Ford's rear inflatable seatbelt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes,' she said.

In everyday use, the inflatable belts work like conventional seatbelts and are safe to use with children's safety and booster seats.

More than 90 per cent of people who tested the belts said they were similar to or more comfortable than traditional belts.

Clarence Ditlow, of the Centre for Auto Safety, said they will help to reduce broken ribs, common in back-seat passengers involved in a crash, because the airbag inflates more gently than a conventional front-seat airbag. dailymail

READ MORE - World's first inflatable seatbelt will 'soften blow' of a crash