Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Role of Stock Exchange:
Role of Stock Exchange:
Raising capital for businesses
The Stock Exchange provides companies with the facility to raise capital for expansion through selling shares to the investing public.
Mobilizing savings for investment
When people draw their savings and invest in shares, it leads to a more rational allocation of resources because funds, which could have been consumed, or kept in idle deposits with banks, are mobilized and redirected to promote business activity with benefits for several economic sectors such as agriculture, commerce and industry, resulting in a stronger economic growth and higher productivity levels.
Facilitate company growth
Companies view acquisitions as an opportunity to expand product lines, increase distribution channels, hedge against volatility, increase its market share, or acquire other necessary business assets. A takeover bid or a merger agreement through the stock market is one of the simplest and most common ways to company growing by acquisition or fusion.
Redistribution of wealth
By giving a wide spectrum of people a chance to buy shares and therefore become part-owners (shareholders) of profitable enterprises, the stock market helps to reduce large income inequalities. Both casual and professional stock investors through stock price rise and dividends get a chance to share in the profits of promising business that were set up by other people.
Corporate governance
By having a wide and varied scope of owners, companies generally tend to improve on their management standards and efficiency in order to satisfy the demands of these shareholders and the more stringent rules for public corporations by public stock exchanges and the government. Consequently, it is alleged that public companies (companies that are owned by shareholders who are members of the general public and trade shares on public exchanges) tend to have better management records than privately-held companies (those companies where shares are not publicly traded, often owned by the company founders and/or their families and heirs, or otherwise by a small group of investors). However, some well-documented cases are known where it is alleged that there has been considerable slippage in corporate governance on the part of some public companies (e.g. Enron Corporation, MCI WorldCom, Pets.com, Webvan, or Parmalat).
Creates investment opportunities for small investors
As opposed to other businesses that require huge capital outlay, investing in shares is open to both the large and small stock investors because a person buys the number of shares they can afford. Therefore the Stock Exchange provides an extra source of income to small savers.
Government raises capital for development projects
Governments at various levels may decide to borrow money in order to finance infrastructure projects such as sewage and water treatment works or housing estates by selling another category of securities known as bonds. These bonds can be raised through the Stock Exchange whereby members of the public buy them, thus loaning money to the government. The issuance of such municipal bonds can obviate the need to directly tax the citizens in order to finance development, although by securing such bonds with the full faith and credit of the government instead of with collateral, the result is that the government must tax the citizens or otherwise raise additional funds to make any regular coupon payments and refund the principal when the bonds mature.
Raising capital for businesses
The Stock Exchange provides companies with the facility to raise capital for expansion through selling shares to the investing public.
Mobilizing savings for investment
When people draw their savings and invest in shares, it leads to a more rational allocation of resources because funds, which could have been consumed, or kept in idle deposits with banks, are mobilized and redirected to promote business activity with benefits for several economic sectors such as agriculture, commerce and industry, resulting in a stronger economic growth and higher productivity levels.
Facilitate company growth
Companies view acquisitions as an opportunity to expand product lines, increase distribution channels, hedge against volatility, increase its market share, or acquire other necessary business assets. A takeover bid or a merger agreement through the stock market is one of the simplest and most common ways to company growing by acquisition or fusion.
Redistribution of wealth
By giving a wide spectrum of people a chance to buy shares and therefore become part-owners (shareholders) of profitable enterprises, the stock market helps to reduce large income inequalities. Both casual and professional stock investors through stock price rise and dividends get a chance to share in the profits of promising business that were set up by other people.
Corporate governance
By having a wide and varied scope of owners, companies generally tend to improve on their management standards and efficiency in order to satisfy the demands of these shareholders and the more stringent rules for public corporations by public stock exchanges and the government. Consequently, it is alleged that public companies (companies that are owned by shareholders who are members of the general public and trade shares on public exchanges) tend to have better management records than privately-held companies (those companies where shares are not publicly traded, often owned by the company founders and/or their families and heirs, or otherwise by a small group of investors). However, some well-documented cases are known where it is alleged that there has been considerable slippage in corporate governance on the part of some public companies (e.g. Enron Corporation, MCI WorldCom, Pets.com, Webvan, or Parmalat).
Creates investment opportunities for small investors
As opposed to other businesses that require huge capital outlay, investing in shares is open to both the large and small stock investors because a person buys the number of shares they can afford. Therefore the Stock Exchange provides an extra source of income to small savers.
Government raises capital for development projects
Governments at various levels may decide to borrow money in order to finance infrastructure projects such as sewage and water treatment works or housing estates by selling another category of securities known as bonds. These bonds can be raised through the Stock Exchange whereby members of the public buy them, thus loaning money to the government. The issuance of such municipal bonds can obviate the need to directly tax the citizens in order to finance development, although by securing such bonds with the full faith and credit of the government instead of with collateral, the result is that the government must tax the citizens or otherwise raise additional funds to make any regular coupon payments and refund the principal when the bonds mature.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Coke Studio 3 - Musical Wallpapers
The first episode of Coke Studio 3 (The Reason) premiered on Pakistani television channels with six exemplary artists on the bill: Abida Parveen, Arieb Azhar, Arif Lohar and Meesha Shafi, Karavan and Zeb and Haniya. Reason features a total of five performances: three Sufic pieces, each rendered in a different style, and two melodious pop-funk numbers.
Earth Seen during the Night
You’ll see different continents and how they look at night. You’ll also see the difference of illumination.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Coke Man made with 2,500 used Coca-Cola crates
Developed for Coca-Cola by Porky Hefer of Animal Farm, the “Fan Man” is an innovative sculpture that is made entirely with 2,500 used Coca-Cola crates. Looking like a Lego statue, this massive Coke Man weighs 25 tones and stands 16.5 meter tall. Placed in the Fan Park, Johannesburg, the sculpture apart from being a creative piece of art also helps in sustaining the environment by recycling old Coke crates.
Factors that contribute to stress
There are a number of factors that contribute to stress... Mental, Physical, Emotional (and perhaps Spiritual).
As mentioned above, exercise can increase endorphins and 'burn up' or convert chemicals and hormones that are part of the chemical cascade of Stress. These 'Stress Chemicals' are designed to increase our ability to survive, primarily through movement (think: run, fight).
Our current lifestyle generally does not often include much physical exertion but it does includes a lot of stimulation that triggers the Stress Response. Therefore we are building up the 'I need to Move to Survive Hormones and Chemicals' but not moving much to utilize them properly.
Movement does more than 'burn up' stress hormones... When we walk we stimulate a 'cross crawl' patterning in our brain which tends to balance the electrical activity which helps change our perception and therefore help us feel better. It is possible with brain wave training to 'unstress' in a few minutes. An accomplished meditator can do this.
When we are stressed our attention is on problems (past, future) and therefore feel the emotions and feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, grief, anger and frustration.
When we exercise there is a good possibility that our attention is on the present moment which allows feelings like joy, appreciation, happiness and being 'connected to something greater than ourselves' to be present. This in itself changes the chemicals that our bodies make which then affects how we feel.
In Chinese Medicine there is a lot of understanding and practice of balancing the 'Chi' or energy in the body. When we move we change the blood flow and the 'Chi' flow which directly affects how we feel. An acupuncture treatment can often quickly affect how you feel without the movement of exercise.
Part of the stress response is a contraction of various muscles... unconscious and instinctive. When you exercise often it will disrupt the unconscious contractions you are doing and then you will feel more relaxed, unburdened and more free.
On another level, it is possible to measure various kinds of electrical activity of the body (like brain, heart, muscles) using various BioFeedback techniques. Exercise changes these electrical patterns, usually for the better!
As mentioned above, exercise can increase endorphins and 'burn up' or convert chemicals and hormones that are part of the chemical cascade of Stress. These 'Stress Chemicals' are designed to increase our ability to survive, primarily through movement (think: run, fight).
Our current lifestyle generally does not often include much physical exertion but it does includes a lot of stimulation that triggers the Stress Response. Therefore we are building up the 'I need to Move to Survive Hormones and Chemicals' but not moving much to utilize them properly.
Movement does more than 'burn up' stress hormones... When we walk we stimulate a 'cross crawl' patterning in our brain which tends to balance the electrical activity which helps change our perception and therefore help us feel better. It is possible with brain wave training to 'unstress' in a few minutes. An accomplished meditator can do this.
When we are stressed our attention is on problems (past, future) and therefore feel the emotions and feelings of worry, fear, anxiety, grief, anger and frustration.
When we exercise there is a good possibility that our attention is on the present moment which allows feelings like joy, appreciation, happiness and being 'connected to something greater than ourselves' to be present. This in itself changes the chemicals that our bodies make which then affects how we feel.
In Chinese Medicine there is a lot of understanding and practice of balancing the 'Chi' or energy in the body. When we move we change the blood flow and the 'Chi' flow which directly affects how we feel. An acupuncture treatment can often quickly affect how you feel without the movement of exercise.
Part of the stress response is a contraction of various muscles... unconscious and instinctive. When you exercise often it will disrupt the unconscious contractions you are doing and then you will feel more relaxed, unburdened and more free.
On another level, it is possible to measure various kinds of electrical activity of the body (like brain, heart, muscles) using various BioFeedback techniques. Exercise changes these electrical patterns, usually for the better!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
How to Play MP3 Files In Ubuntu Linux 10.04
Problem:
I installed Ubuntu Linux 10.04 but I am unable to play Mp3 files in that Platform. From where can I download the Mp3 Codec ?
Solution:
Why must MP3/DVD codecs be downloaded separately?
By default, ubuntu does not come with this enabled.The reason is,the name "software patent" is a bit misleading, as it does not cover programs, but technologies (programs are covered by copyright, which is a different thing).
To take the example of DVD, libdvdcss, while being Free Software, violates the software patents on the CSS algorithm. Basically, the DVD Copy Control Association (which holds the patents on the CSS algorithm) said: "whoever wants to use CSS must buy a license from us." Same goes for MP3: it is the format that is patented, not the codecs.
Steps To Install Mp3 Codec For Ubuntu Linux 10.04:
1. Open the Ubuntu Software Center, found in the Applications menu.
2. Type “restricted extras” into the search box at the top-right. Find the Ubuntu restricted extras package and click Install.
3. Enter your password when prompted.
Ubuntu Restricted Extras
It Contains: mp3,avi,mpeg,TrueType,Java,Flash,Codecs
Installing this Pacakage supports for Mp3 playback and decoding,support for various other audio formats (Gstreamer plugins),Microsfot fonts, Java runtime envitonment,Flash plugin,Lame (to create compressed audio files), and DVD playback.
4. Once the install is complete, close out of Ubuntu Software Center, and you’ll be able to play MP3 files !
I installed Ubuntu Linux 10.04 but I am unable to play Mp3 files in that Platform. From where can I download the Mp3 Codec ?
Solution:
Why must MP3/DVD codecs be downloaded separately?
By default, ubuntu does not come with this enabled.The reason is,the name "software patent" is a bit misleading, as it does not cover programs, but technologies (programs are covered by copyright, which is a different thing).
To take the example of DVD, libdvdcss, while being Free Software, violates the software patents on the CSS algorithm. Basically, the DVD Copy Control Association (which holds the patents on the CSS algorithm) said: "whoever wants to use CSS must buy a license from us." Same goes for MP3: it is the format that is patented, not the codecs.
Steps To Install Mp3 Codec For Ubuntu Linux 10.04:
1. Open the Ubuntu Software Center, found in the Applications menu.
2. Type “restricted extras” into the search box at the top-right. Find the Ubuntu restricted extras package and click Install.
3. Enter your password when prompted.
Ubuntu Restricted Extras
It Contains: mp3,avi,mpeg,TrueType,Java,Flash,Codecs
Installing this Pacakage supports for Mp3 playback and decoding,support for various other audio formats (Gstreamer plugins),Microsfot fonts, Java runtime envitonment,Flash plugin,Lame (to create compressed audio files), and DVD playback.
4. Once the install is complete, close out of Ubuntu Software Center, and you’ll be able to play MP3 files !
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Soyabean and its benefits
Soyabean Benefits
The soybean is the great impostor. When used as a substitute for meat, which it does well because of its protein profile, a serving of soybeans can save you fat, especially saturated fat. You also get a fantastic fiber boost, both soluble and insoluble.
Though the United States is the world's largest grower of soybeans, more than half of the crop is exported. Soybeans are one of the best plant sources of protein, nearly mimicking the perfect protein profile of milk.
Health Benefits
For fighting fat, you just can't beat soybeans for their versatility. Though surprisingly high in fat for a bean, it's mostly the healthy unsaturated kind. By lowering your blood level of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) , soybeans' unsaturated fat is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease. Soybeans also happen to be one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which may aid in the battle against heart disease and cancer as well as arthritis.
Soybeans are loaded with a phytochemical called isoflavone, which may help combat breast tumors by dampening the ill effects of estrogen-like compounds. This fact may partly explain why Asian women, whose diets are typically rich in soybeans, are less likely to develop breast cancer than American women (soybeans are often poorly represented in American diets).
Isoflavones in soy products (not in isolate supplements) appear to help reduce cholesterol levels and offer other protection for your heart. One of the isoflavones in soybeans, called genistein, may affect the body's fat cells, reducing production of them and making them smaller. It showed promise in studies done in mice. Genistein's possible ability to help you stay lean is being studied further.
Most soy products contribute some calcium; tofu with calcium sulfate or calcium chloride is an even better source of the bone-building mineral.
Selection and Storage
When you buy soybeans, check for pinholes; these indicate insects have infested them. Soybeans take an extremely long time to cook, so you may prefer buying them canned; just rinse them to reduce the sodium. However, most of the soybeans you buy will probably be processed in some way, made into foods such as tofu or soymilk. Many people benefit from soy without ever seeing a bean. They simply rely on it in one of its many other forms.
Texturized vegetable protein (or TVP, which is a meat extender) is used in many soy-based products. Protein powders are often derived from soybeans. Soymilk holds a place in the dairy cooler next to cow's milk, but choose a plain soymilk to avoid added sugar. Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans formed into rectangular patties. Use them soon after purchasing or else store them in the freezer. Miso is a combination of soybeans and barley or rice that is made into a strongly flavored, salty paste to use like a bouillon. Roasted soybeans, called soy nuts, are sold as a snack food. To keep the calories down, choose soybeans that are not coated in chocolate .
Because of their high fat content, keep soy nuts refrigerated so they won't turn rancid so quickly. If they smell or taste "off" they are probably rancid, and you should throw them away. (Rancid foods are sources of free radicals.)
Edamame (fresh soybeans) may be found in the produce department of your grocery store or an Asian market, but you're more likely to find them in the freezer section. If you buy fresh edamame, store them in the refrigerator and eat within two or three days.
Tofu can be purchased in bulk, water-packed, or aseptically packaged. If you buy in bulk, follow safety precautions. Because it can harbor bacteria, tofu must be refrigerated, unless it has been aseptically packaged. So don't buy it if it's displayed unrefrigerated and hasn't been aseptically packaged. At home, refrigerate unwrapped tofu immediately. Put in water and change the water daily. For packaged tofu, check the "sell-by" date. Aseptically packaged tofu keeps without refrigeration for up to 10 months, but refrigerate it once opened.
Nutritional Values
Tofu, Raw, regular, prepared with calcium sulfate
Serving Size: 1/2 cup Calories: 94
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: <1 g Monounsaturated fat: 1.5 g Polyunsaturated fat: 3.5 g Calcium: 434 mg
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 2 g Protein: 10 g Dietary Fiber: <1 g
Sodium: 9 mg
Soy Milk, Calcium Fortified Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 98
Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 8 g
Protein: 7 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sodium: 96 mg
Vitamin A: 500 IU
Iron: 2 mg
Calcium: 368 mg
Potassium: 225 mg
The soybean is the great impostor. When used as a substitute for meat, which it does well because of its protein profile, a serving of soybeans can save you fat, especially saturated fat. You also get a fantastic fiber boost, both soluble and insoluble.
Though the United States is the world's largest grower of soybeans, more than half of the crop is exported. Soybeans are one of the best plant sources of protein, nearly mimicking the perfect protein profile of milk.
Health Benefits
For fighting fat, you just can't beat soybeans for their versatility. Though surprisingly high in fat for a bean, it's mostly the healthy unsaturated kind. By lowering your blood level of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) , soybeans' unsaturated fat is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease. Soybeans also happen to be one of the few plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which may aid in the battle against heart disease and cancer as well as arthritis.
Soybeans are loaded with a phytochemical called isoflavone, which may help combat breast tumors by dampening the ill effects of estrogen-like compounds. This fact may partly explain why Asian women, whose diets are typically rich in soybeans, are less likely to develop breast cancer than American women (soybeans are often poorly represented in American diets).
Isoflavones in soy products (not in isolate supplements) appear to help reduce cholesterol levels and offer other protection for your heart. One of the isoflavones in soybeans, called genistein, may affect the body's fat cells, reducing production of them and making them smaller. It showed promise in studies done in mice. Genistein's possible ability to help you stay lean is being studied further.
Most soy products contribute some calcium; tofu with calcium sulfate or calcium chloride is an even better source of the bone-building mineral.
Selection and Storage
When you buy soybeans, check for pinholes; these indicate insects have infested them. Soybeans take an extremely long time to cook, so you may prefer buying them canned; just rinse them to reduce the sodium. However, most of the soybeans you buy will probably be processed in some way, made into foods such as tofu or soymilk. Many people benefit from soy without ever seeing a bean. They simply rely on it in one of its many other forms.
Texturized vegetable protein (or TVP, which is a meat extender) is used in many soy-based products. Protein powders are often derived from soybeans. Soymilk holds a place in the dairy cooler next to cow's milk, but choose a plain soymilk to avoid added sugar. Tempeh is made from fermented soybeans formed into rectangular patties. Use them soon after purchasing or else store them in the freezer. Miso is a combination of soybeans and barley or rice that is made into a strongly flavored, salty paste to use like a bouillon. Roasted soybeans, called soy nuts, are sold as a snack food. To keep the calories down, choose soybeans that are not coated in chocolate .
Because of their high fat content, keep soy nuts refrigerated so they won't turn rancid so quickly. If they smell or taste "off" they are probably rancid, and you should throw them away. (Rancid foods are sources of free radicals.)
Edamame (fresh soybeans) may be found in the produce department of your grocery store or an Asian market, but you're more likely to find them in the freezer section. If you buy fresh edamame, store them in the refrigerator and eat within two or three days.
Tofu can be purchased in bulk, water-packed, or aseptically packaged. If you buy in bulk, follow safety precautions. Because it can harbor bacteria, tofu must be refrigerated, unless it has been aseptically packaged. So don't buy it if it's displayed unrefrigerated and hasn't been aseptically packaged. At home, refrigerate unwrapped tofu immediately. Put in water and change the water daily. For packaged tofu, check the "sell-by" date. Aseptically packaged tofu keeps without refrigeration for up to 10 months, but refrigerate it once opened.
Nutritional Values
Tofu, Raw, regular, prepared with calcium sulfate
Serving Size: 1/2 cup Calories: 94
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: <1 g Monounsaturated fat: 1.5 g Polyunsaturated fat: 3.5 g Calcium: 434 mg
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Carbohydrate: 2 g Protein: 10 g Dietary Fiber: <1 g
Sodium: 9 mg
Soy Milk, Calcium Fortified Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 98
Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
Cholesterol: 0 g
Carbohydrate: 8 g
Protein: 7 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sodium: 96 mg
Vitamin A: 500 IU
Iron: 2 mg
Calcium: 368 mg
Potassium: 225 mg
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