Skechers Sketchpad

Monday, September 7, 2009

How To Set Up Your Wii

Published by info

Now that you have fought off the nasty crowds at the electronics store, and secured your Nintendo Wii system, got it home without incident and into your house, this is what you should do. Follow these steps to set up your Wii:Â

1) Remove the Wii from the box
2) Remove the AV cable and the AC adapter
3) Remove the stand plate, vertical stand, sensor bar and sensor-bar stand
4) Remove the Nunchuk and Wii Remote
5) Choose your location near the TV for your Wii and set it up vertically or horizontally
6) Connect the AV cable and the AC adapter to the Wii
7) Plug the AC adapter into a power outlet. Connect the AV cable to the input on your TV. Connect the yellow cable to the video input and the red and white cables to the audio inputs
8) Get out the remote control and put in the batteries
9) Turn on your Wii
10) The onscreen instructions will appear and you will be required to choose your language, location, time of day, etc.

How to set up your Wii Control

The Wii Remotes do not automatically bond with you Wii console. You will have to tell it to do so. The remote controls and arrives with your console is prebonded, but any additional Wii Remotes you purchase will have to be synchronized with your Wii in order to work smoothly with your console. There are two ways to accomplish this: the Standard Mode and the One Time Mode.

Standard Mode

To use the Standard Mode for connecting additional Wii Remotes to your Wii system permanently follows these steps:

1) Press the power button on your Wii console to turn it on
2) Remove the cover for the batteries on the back of the Wii Remote
3) Press the Sync button inside the cover
4) Open the door located over the SD card slot and on the Wii console
5) Press the Sync button inside that compartment
6) When the LEDs on the remote stop blinking, your synchronization is complete

One Time Mode

The One Time Mode does just that and allows your Wii Remote to work with a Wii other than the current synchronized remote. This is handy when you are at a friend’s house. Follow these steps:

1) Press the Home button on the Wii Remote that is already synchronized with the Wii Remote that you intend to use
2) Select the Wii Remote Settings option
3) Select the Reconnect Option
4) Simultaneously press 1 and 2 buttons on the remote that you want to sync to the Wii console
5) When the lights stop blinking and your remote vibrates your remote has temporarily synchronized with that particular Wii console
6) The attachment of the remote should be shown on the screen as well

About The Author
James Kronefield. Are you a computer gamer? Have you tried the new Nintendo Wii? Find out all the info you need about it at http://www.gamingmaniacs.com/

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Touching the Future - Touch Screen Interfaces and Mobile Phones

Published by davlak

The touch screen interface is one that has been a long time developing. The first touch interfaces used in computers were Wacom graphics tablets, which were developed by a Japanese company to support writing Japanese ideograms as a text input method.Â Wacom’s means to measure both the pressure area and direction of a touching pen or stylus has led to the innovative handsets and touchscreens we have today.

As a smart phone interface, touch screens started out with the original Apple Newton, but unfortunately it didn’t take off - the form factor was too large to be convenient, and battery technology made them heavy. It was greatly improved by the Palm Pilot, which enjoyed immense popularity in the late 1990s, becoming more powerful but requiring less battery power to operate. Their modern day descendant the Palm Treo has since foregone the touch screen in favour of a thumb-driven keyboard.

Touch screen phones started taking off again in the first half of 2006 - nearly a year and a half before the iPhone made it “the must have” feature on any mobile phone. The phones got some dedicated followers, but the overall prospect of using the touch screen for carrying out any significant data work was daunting and frustrating - mostly because the software wasn’t up to it, and the menus weren’t built around the user experience.

With the iPhone, we saw the first example of someone creating a touch interface right - the touch screen on an iPhone or iPod touch is amazingly sensitive to both multiple points of contact and to noting the direction of travel. It’s this software/hardware integration that makes the iPhone such an elegant piece of equipment, with the ability to pinch to zoom out, stretch to zoom in, and a fingertip flick to roll through your contacts or playlist.

New Smartphones, new touch technology

With the popularity of the iPhone, it’s no surprise that other mobile phone companies are going to be hitting the market soon with their own touch screen models. Samsung, for example, is releasing the Tocco which is smaller and thinner than Apple’s model. It has a touchscreen and allows for the dropping and dragging of widgets for the user’s convenience.

Still at the forefront of mobile phone sales, Nokia isn’t going to be left out of the smartphone race. They are currently working on a touchscreen model prototype currently referred to as Tube. With built-in GPS and a nice widescreen display, the phone will fit in nicely with the competition. It’s also believed to support handwriting recognition.

Clearly, Apple has led the touchscreen revolution and it promises to be a great year in smartphones both for consumers and for the industry.

What’s next? Well, probably two things taken from gaming consoles - sensitivity to direction of motion for the unit as a whole (think of the Nintendo Wii), and something called haptics. Haptics is all about the study of touch. Integrating haptic technology within a touch screen could enable phones and other devices to allow us to experience a whole new set of senses.

Insure and Smile offers competitive mobile phone insurance for all models of mobile phones and smartphones. Mobile insurance from as little as Â£2.99 a month against theft, breakdown and water damage with gauranteed 48 hour replacement.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Spy Cams and What They Could Do to You

When talking of spy cams, one of the initial things that you would perhaps consider is James Bond films, possibly even conspiracy movies when you possess a mind that entertains such thoughts. Yet needless to say, they're not as out-of-this-world as Hollywood makes them to be. They're only surveillance cameras that are smaller than what we commonly notice. As a matter of fact, spy cams aren't meant to be noticed. That's why they're commonly little then put in casings made to look like the dullest objects such as ballpens, watches, lipsticks, sunglasses, even buttons.

A spy camera is a surveillance gadget used in situations where hidden surveillance is badly needed. For instance, you're doubting that one of your employees is dishonest in one form or another. To stop them from letting their guards up and allowing you to catch that certain individual in the act on record, you employ the use of a hidden spy camera to regulate your individuals without them learning about it. You can also opt to bring them around should the need arise by using wireless spy cameras. It's basically somewhat fundamental, but it gets the work done! Nanny cameras also became very popular forms of spy cameras after news of nannies as well as maids misbehaving and mistreating the children when the employers are not around.

A spy camera is available in numerous designs. There are a couple that are put in inanimate items made to blend into the common atmosphere rendering them hidden, such as those disguised as or concealed in lamps, clocks, or speaker systems; and spy cam glasses and button cameras which are also called body worn, mini spy cameras. Still a spy cam doesn't necessarily imply a little surveillance technology. A well-concealed, regular security camera could also be considered a spy cam.

These kinds of security cameras might be more dangerous than usual CCTV cams. At least, with the latter, you're aware that you are being videoed so you tend to get your act together. With hidden spy cams, you don't know when that tiny all-seeing eye is trained on you and there you are doing whatever you feel like doing. Which is the main objective of having spy cams: to find out what you are doing when you think nobody is watching. These tiny devices destroy marriages when a spouse is caught philandering, discredit an otherwise credible person, as well as bring down people in high statures.

As you may notice, when something as tiny as a mini spy camera may ruin a reputation, how sensitive can reputation be? I guess all we should do is take great care of it. However, respect can sometimes be so elusive. Temptation is a part of living, but if you surrender to temptation kindly, you're likely to leave out of the predicament unscathed, if you get into a mess at all! All I am saying is, get your act together before those concealed video cameras catch you. And when you have to give in, take into account the aftereffects. I'm sure you'll find a way around it.

Source: Free Articles

Friday, July 24, 2009

Intel® Remote Wake Technology

Intel Corporation recently made known an innovative power-saving technology called Remote Wake that will allow operational computers to snooze in a power-

saving mode ,like a sexy lady on wait, until an appropriate message is received over the Internet, either via a VoIP call or another messaging medium. The Wake on LAN protocol has been around for some years, allowing computers with the right Ethernet card and software to monitor a network even while sleeping for a Sleeping Beauty like magic kiss. But here, Remote Wake goes far beyond that. Intel Remote Wake Technology is built upon the Intel® Manageability Engine. Consumers can remotely wake up home PCs from 'energy efficient' sleep mode over the internet from an enabled application or service. This unique feature enhances many existing usages such as remote media access, remote downloads, Instant Messaging, and accepting VOIP calls.

Intel is working with Jajah, CyberLink, Orb Networks and Pando Networks. Because of Remote Wake, a PC will also be able to make and receive calls over the JAJAH network and wake up from sleep mode to receive a call. This is improvement over the current scenario, where you can’t quite use your PC as your phone, because when it’s in sleep mode, you miss the calls. Pando’s service could deliver video at a dedicated time to a PC after waking it up remotely, an option that could make Pando quite viable as a desktop-oriented content delivery network.

Remote Wake would have to maintain a persistent network connection with a central server to function as Intel intends, as most computers in homes are behind Network Address Translation (NAT) gateways that prevent direct access. It's possible that a combination of UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) and Remote Wake are required to leave an external port on the Internet-facing side of the gateway active, which can be used to route traffic to the dozing system. The home PC's Internet configuration requires a router connected to the PC via an Ethernet cable. Requires third party applications and services enabled for Intel® Remote Wake Technology.

Remote Wake could be used to let a computer sleep unless there's a download needed, a user wanted to access files (like media to stream) from a home computer, or a call was coming in via VoIP. Remaining in a standby instead of active state could reduce usage by hundreds of watts a day for a computer that's normally left on in a full-power mode with its monitor off.

Standby modes need to be made more efficient, too. The standby modes of all home electronics, including televisions, toaster ovens with electronic displays, and wall warts for DC conversion consumers hundreds of terawatt hours per year, the output of hundreds of power plants. Standby power can't be eliminated entirely, of course, but newer equipment and smarter engineering could drop standby power use by 90 percent or more.

Energy consumption has become a key topic worldwide, and consumer awareness around energy efficient performance is mixed. The problem facing many consumers who want to take advantage of innovative applications and services is whether or not to leave the PC on or turn the PC off. Intel® Remote Wake Technology solves this problem.

See a demo on usage models enhanced by Intel® Remote Wake Technology

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Friday, April 18, 2008

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Online Billiard at Billiard Magic

When I was browsing the internet and try to look for the best entertainment that I could have while I still have the chance and have my free time, I happened stumble across with Billiard Magic and I have learn that online billiards is fun to play. I went over on the other games that I could play in the online billiard at Billiard Magic and I have learn that they are also offering 9 ball pool just like what is played in the traditional billiards. For more information, you can visit them in their website at www.billiardmagic.com now.

Play Backgammon at Mister Gammon

Try internet backgammon at Mister Gammon and you will surely have the enjoyment that you have never tried playing once in some of the online backgammon websites. Today, Mister Gammon is one of the top leading websites where you can play backgammon in its best. For you to know more about their services and other features, you can visit their website at www.mistergammon.com now.

Backgammon Tournament at Gammon World

Learn how to play backgammon online like the professional players in the casino and join the online backgammon tournaments at Gammon World. There are many websites in the internet that you can play at but only at Gammon World has the best gaming environment when it comes to online backgammon. For you to learn about their services, you can visit them in their website at www.gammon-world.com.

Gamblux Review

Today, if you feel like playing online casino when you do not feel like going out and go in the traditional casinos, the best thing that you can do in to play over the internet. One of the best places that you can go and play is at Gamblux. They can give you the best casino online reviews and you will know more about the website that you will play at. To learn more about their services, you can visit their website at www.gamblux.com.

Ultrasound Technician Career

Today, you can have the option to choose ultrasound tech career if you will try to visit Medical Career Training. The course is one of the most needed opportunity today and if you would like to have the best school for your ultrasound technician career, they are the best place you can go as they have listings for different ultrasound schools for you to choose from. For more details and information, you can visit them in their website at www.medical-career-training.com soon.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Power Payday Loan

Because of this simple layout of the site, so he turns to someone who no technical background. The first time that I said in the Web, I would have to say that great efforts have been made to, in fact, a good choice, I can say that it has been worked for a time and was polished until the creator was pleased. You feel as if you are in good hands, and you know that you are in a position to everything you need on this site.

PowerPayDayLoan.com charge up to $ 1500 on the next working day, if you opt for payday loans to pay with its lenders and that is what is in the foreground, the loans to pay for other manufacturers.

PowerPayDayLoan.com provides one of the best online faxless needs loans to pay. You can count on it!

N ° Fax Payday Loans

Power Payday Loan games with the lenders, you have the resources you need, as soon as possible. Why wait until your head of liquidity, if you can run it on the next working day (if adopted)? The cheque for pay advances are 100% safe, and the form is completely online - if you need to control rebounded to your account, they should be for your liquidity.

It is always better! Lenders have incredibly easy to benefit from an advance paid by a process of recording very simple, not beaten. If you are at least 18 years old, will receive a regular source of income, and have direct deposit in your bank account, you can already pre-qualification - not wait for your short term not covered by the loan guarantee!

Easy Online Payday Loan

Many emergencies currency led to disasters. Finding warm when in need of liquidity of time was always easy for most people. Of all afford payday loan in cash and on the websites that I have found the best site easyonlinepaydayloan.comas compiles all the best in the world tour of sites give me the payday types ready, without too much trouble.

The advance payments in cash, which recommended these sites are the easiest to use, ready to wage service on the Internet. They ensure that consumers will be able to maintain the security, online, pre-flow and loans to pay. Once you have, and get a loan to pay, which is quick and simple, with this site, they have fast procedure for the approval. In many cases, there are no documents, fax, making our work easier. Once you for the advance payment of cash, electronically submitted to the amount of the loan to pay directly into your account, savings or checking on any compatible. These sites offer easy payment afford elections and the various services that you benefit from the money that you need to make the time.

So, the next time you short-term liquidity, or is between paychecks. It is sufficient to deal with this site and see how many people are raring to help you!

Health Insurance Online

Many Americans today have no health insurance online. They achieve not only the neccesity, or they think they can not afford it. Some people are confused and do not really know how we decide what kind of regime is best for them. There are places, however, as Ez-InsurancePortal.Com that describe how the various types of projects you can take, and help you make a decision to make, illuminated, resulting in this plan could better suit your needs. It is even possible to have health insurance now online. Simply select in the health area, as you want to your needs, you will have your template free health insurance by filling out a simple form. Ez-InsurancePortal.Com health insurance card has a FAQ to help you stay on the various fonts, and health insurance issues. They also offer free car insurance prices, as well as recording and life insurance. There is an insurance-blog on the website that you informed about issues such as brokers, insurance, the insurance company can be found if you are older than 50 years and the taxes on the life insurance. If the answers to questions such as "How much life insurance do I need?" Or, "Where can I find cheap motor insurance online?" If you go to Ez-InsurancePortal.com of insurance blog. You get precise answers to these questions and many others, as well as useful tips for the best coverage of health or plans for the life insurance there.

No Debt Today

Now, almost every person in this world has debt. Even the richest man in the world have debts. No debts, the non-financial nature, but those who are actually in the money. Of course, as the debt, you have to take into account the performance of the payments in the future. It is very important, because you are in a situation, a lot of freaky. If you have not been able to all for your debt, you could be sure in trouble in bad debt.

Suppose that you are not just problems. I would say in your vicinity "of death" disorder characterized by your debts are a short matter of time. How are you not able to pay your debts. Liabilities, the bills and the taxes are just some elements of this. And when does the due date, it certainly terrible experience. But do not worry if you never reach this stage, then you are not the only one who are able to live this experience,. There are a large number of them around the world. And for this problem, it is sufficient to search the words "debt consolidation". Or maybe you want a website, the services on this issue. For more information by clicking on the link above or by your browser NoDebtToday.com.

Get The Best Auto Loan Fast and Easy

Today, in the remaining loans as personal loans, mortgages, auto loan and mortgages are very demanding and wins his popularity in the field of vehicles. The best car loans can getthebestautoloan.com. It is the most popular car site are facilitated by people from different possibilities in terms of car functions. It provides the best price, for each of its car owners and enthusiasts. Interest rates are very low, and also, each customer with monthly payments can be at a reasonable price. It also ensures low interest rates compared with other donors of the market. The loan is easily accessible and all works of paper are to be taken by the company. So it much easier to get the loan approved and easy. Even people can apply for loans are on the line, and through the use of supplemental insurance can be ready, even quote effect within fifteen days. He also contributes to refinance for those who already own the loan. Then wait no longer log in to the site and apply for a car loan and the car purchase.

Today's Car Insurance Rates

With a car insurance is important because it can make your car safe in the future problems, protect it, you and your car. But the purchase of insurance is quite expensive, so the important means to reduce the total cost of the insurance is to avoid buying the insurance policies that you do not need. If you have a car insurance, you buy what is called politics. Their policy is based on a variety of factors, in particular the type of car that you drive, as well as the type of insurance, the interest you. If you like, the proper insurance for his car, then carinsurancerates.com have the solution to help you to find what's good for you. It allows you to magasiner and compare the policy rate to choose the policy for your needs. It is an online site provides instant auto insurance rates.

This site have their own leaders, to help you to reduce your rate, motor vehicle insurance. You can also use the advanced search function to search for topics in their database. If you think that you are ready to receive an offer, it's enough if you quote to use, in the upper left part of the page. The process is simple and fast. To learn more about the security of this site and read more articles that talk about the issues of vehicle insurance.

The Best Mortgage Finders Network

If you are having difficulty in finding loans for your house and your mortgage, and through an election, the types of loans, your best combinations for your needs, in the search for someone who is an expert in the mortgage bank, to help with their Experience in the best mortgage and financial world. All these kinds of problem is resolved, if the right place to get a certain place, you the best solution to your mortgage, can be found mortgagefindersnetwork.com. It is not important whether you are a first time buyer when buying your second or third house, or just a refinancing of the current mortgage interest, you can find out how to get the right kind of mortgage banks with the help of the mortgagefindersnetwork. Com.

They can mortgage bank, a major research and maintains a database of all the leading suppliers for the financing. Find your mortgage, he called the selection into 3 categories on the drop-down list, which included, by the purchase of a house, the house of a new finance and justice line, the type of property for a family, multi-family , condo, house in the city, caravans and your credit rating card. They are experts in the areas with new homes, refinancing, the house of justice and mortgage

You can also use their mortgage bank blog posts, where they have a large article respond with various ready, as are the requirements:

* What is a loan Libor?
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* Mortgage companies can refuse the payments in arrears?
* The disadvantages of a reverse mortgage
* Home Buying Smart Moves
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* What are the costs for a home equity loan?
And much more ....

In the end, the purchase of a house is exciting, but it can also be stressful, with so many decisions to be taken in relation to the types of loans that the lender to obtain. "When you directly with a lender or a broker? Questions continue to roll, but there is a page that will help you find answers to these questions will give you light, a solution and a great support for your mortgage in the mortgages Finders Network.

YourCreditNetwork.com

Credit cards are a blessing for the new era of age, where you not to carry your cash, but also your entire bank balance is with you, not to forget, particularly theft is gone.

And do you think, if you have a credit card may not decide, then choose yourcreditnetwork.com you can help with this problem. Yourcreditnetwork.com specializes in the provision of all essential and important information on several credit cards in the market today. You can also visit their Web site and on their compare the various funds cards.They also to keep with you with all the tips and information necessary for the management and wise use of credit cards.

The acceptance of credit depends on a number of factors, such as the strategies for the bank, the nature of the offer and the information from the statement of the customer's credit cards. The credit score is very important, as strong credit Show receives approval rapid and effective annual interest rate is lowered. But the catchment area of the information necessary for all customers of the licence number, social security number and mailing address.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Bad Credit Loans Online

If it goes badly, in your household, and you have bad credit loans because you are not in a position to pay interest on your time, you need not worry that more, because there is a bad credit offers, to help you.

They have their experts for you if you have the wrong folder of bad credit credit cards For more information about how to solve your bad credit, visit the Web site at www. Badcreditlaons.com and a round.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Nervous Pet Rat? How to help her become more confident

Patience is a virtue when dealing with nervous rats. A little understanding goes a long way. If your new rat hasn't been handled much by the pet shop/breeder or rescue centre you got her from, she will be nervous, but don't panic, you can still build up a wonderful relationship with your new pet.

Let her settle in

Give your rat a couple of days to settle into her new home. Some rats take to their new environment straight away, whilst others need a little more time. Make sure she has somewhere to hide in her new cage, so that she doesn't feel overwhelmed by all the changes. Speak to her through the cage, so that she gets used to your voice. Don't feed treats through the bars, as this may encourage her to nip your fingers.

Let her come to you

Sit next to the cage, with the cage door open. Be quiet and patient. You can even read a book. Let your rat come out of the cage to investigate. It may take a while, but you will probably find she will come and sniff you and explore her new environment. Have a few tasty treats on your lap to reward her with, if she manages to make it all the way to your lap, let her take a treat and talk to her in a soft, reassuring voice. You will find she gains confidence over time.

Make her feel safe

You want your ratty friend to associate you with safety. She will see your hands as these big, blurry shapes coming towards her and that sounds pretty scary. Always pick her up to put her back into her cage, so that she associates you with going to a place of safety. Have her food ready for her when she returns to the cage. She will think, "Hey everytime I go out, when I come back there is food for me".

Give her time

I have two beautiful boy rats, Billy and Ringo, who had never been handled before they came to me. It has taken 4 months of quietly and patiently building up their confidence, before they truly trusted me. This is an extreme case. It doesn't usually take this long. Now the boys love tummy tickles and playing chase with my hand and grooming my hair. It shows what can be achieved if you just give them time. Try not to make any sudden movements or loud noises, especially in the first week.

All rats can be lovely companions if they are just given a chance. Put yourself in your new ratties position and see how scary it could be. If you rat is a rescue and has never been handled, or a lab rat that may have been abused, you are changing their lives for the better and eventually they will understand this andf hopefully learn to love you, as much as you love them.

The Secret of a Happy Ferret - lots of play time

Do you have at least 3 hours a day free for supervised out of the cage "ferret play time," and additional time for grooming and cage cleanings? This is what you will need to have a truly happy fuzzball. From a ferret’s point of view, the more playtime the better.

Play for a ferret will often involve hide-and-seek games, or some form of predator/prey game in which either the human attempts to catch the ferret or the ferret to catch the human.

Ferrets are social animals and need company and someone to play with when you are out; they can suffer from depression you know. So think about getting two ferrets, rather than one. That way they can tumble and play when you are not in.

Sometimes their play will appear quite rough. Ferrets establish their dominance by play fighting, and the winner will grab the other by the neck and drag them across the floor, however ferrets are very social and love the company of another ferret.

Ferrets are good jumpers, and many owners find that interactive cat toys such as a "kitty teaser," a simple wire or plastic-string toy with a securely attached feather or other object, bring out the gymnastic abilities of their fuzzballs.

You can also get the ferret Kong. It is a rubber toy that you fill with peanut butter, or another yummy mixture and your ferret can roll around trying to get the food out.

Ferrets are loyal, playful, intelligent, affectionate, and full of hilarious antics. They can easily help chase the blues away after a hard day. Ferrets can also learn to come when you call them, respond to "squeaky" toys and perform simple tricks (rolling over, standing up for a treat etc. Ferrets are very persistent, intelligent and curious animals who will try to get into everything-- especially things they are not supposed to. Many ferrets like to chase their human's feet and nip at ankles.

After playtime ferret’s love to snuggle in a comfy hammock, or fleecy tunnel.

If your ferret is going to spend a lot of time in the cage, a larger cage with ramps and tunnels should be purchased.

It is recommended that you spend a good hour of your pet's playtime interacting with him.

And please remember no pet should be acquired UNLESS you are going to take on the full responsibility of owning and caring for them for life.

Toilet Train Your Ferret

So your little rascal is leaving gifts all over the house?

Luckily ferrets can be trained to use a litter tray just like cats. They are very intelligent and like to be clean, so they should pick it up quickly. Your whole family should be involved in your ferret training. You can begin ferret litter training any time, although the sooner you start, the happier you and your ferret will be.

Even if you have not trained your ferret you will notice that he will pick a spot, usually in a private corner somewhere, and return to that spot when he has to poop. Ferrets do not relate having their noses rubbed in their poop with the fact that they missed the pan, so please don’t do it. Ferrets do not cover their waste, so scooping is a daily necessity and will help minimize odour. Ferrets are more likely to use a clean pan. You will find that ferrets who feel their litter box isn't clean enough will often go next to it.

Training

Training techniques must be adapted to individual personalities, but some basic principles apply. Put some faeces into your ferret’s new pan and then put him in there. He will probably have a sniff around and should get the idea. If you see him go to the pan and go to the toilet praise and maybe even offer a healthy treat.

If he goes outside of the pan, do not scold him. Simply place him and his poop into the pan. Eventually he should get it. For some older ferrets this may take time. Most of the time, gently reminding him where the litter box is can be enough.

Litter

Clumping cat litters should not be used, unless you place the powder under other forms of litter so the ferret does not have access to the clumping litter (make sure the ferret is not a digger). Some ferrets don't like the feel of clay litter between their toes. Additionally, ferrets "wipe their bottoms" after using their litter pan, and clumping litter particles can adhere to the ferret, and absorb too much moisture from soft tissue. Most of the time, gently reminding him where the litter box is can be enough.

Be careful not to use anything that will give off dust particles.

In conclusion it may take some time, but it will be worth it when you have a fully toilet trained ferret running around the house. Maybe then you could move onto some other more advanced training?

Rat Food - what to feed your pet rat for a longer and happier life

Rats are omnivores, which means they will basically eat anything. You can buy rat and mouse food from the supermarket or a pet shop, but to keep your rat super happy you should supplement their basic cereal food with something a bit more exciting. Improved nutrition can lengthen your rats lifespan to 5 years.

You will discover what your pets favorite food are with a bit of experimentation (don't mention that word in front of the ratties). Try out lots of healthy, fresh foods like carrot sticks dipped in hommous, juicy apples and pears and you will soon see what they eat straight away, what they hide for later and what they just can't be bothered with at all.

My Wombat rat loves grapes. He holds them so delicately, takes off the top and the licks out the inside like a crème egg.

It's ok to give your rats treats too. They like the fruity treats you can buy in the pet shop for rabbits and guinea pigs and carob drops that you get for dogs. My rats like a bit of my dog's dried biscuits too.

Try out raisins and bread and peanut butter, spread thinly, to avoid choking (on a carrot or celery stick) and you will see what they like best. Just like us, they like variation in their diet. My rats, Ginger and Mr T just love chocolate soy milk and a lot of rats like yoghurt too. Regular soy in our rats' diet is proven to reduce their chance of getting mammary tumors. Hard boiled eggs and bacon rind are other things your ratties might enjoy.

Ginger in particular is rather greedy and will actually try and grab things from my mouth! What a cheek!

Try hiding special treats around their cage in secret places and your ratties will love spending time searching for their favorite food, just like they would in the wild.

Remember not to overfeed your rats. If they get fat they can be more susceptible to tumors and other nasty things, so everything in moderation and try and feed lots of healthy living foods as well as the odd treat.

Of course you must always provide plenty of fresh water, ideally from a dripfeed bottle, fixed to the cage, that you can get from the pet shop. Try to clean the bottle and the food bowl out regularly to help keep your rats nice and healthy. Also make sure you change the food every day.

Don't feed male rats oranges. They have a component called d-limonene that builds up in the male rats kidneys and can cause cancer. Avoid all citrus flavours, oils and fruits. D-limonene is not shown to have any effect on female rats, but perhaps it is best to avoid these fruits anyway and stick to other foods your rat likes. Rats don't need to eat as much vitamin C as humans, as they are able to make their own.

When you find out what your ratties favorite food is, you can use it to train him. Rats are very intelligent and will do anything for their favorite food. They also like to please their favorite person too. My rats love to do tricks for a piece of Nesquick chocolate cereal or a spoon of chocolate soy milk (note the chocolate theme).

Rat Intelligence - why rats are the smartest pets out there

We know are rats are intelligent, just by being around them. The knowing looks they give us, the way they solve simple problems and work out how to cause even more mischief. Here is some more info on what we already knew. Our Rats Are Smart!

Learning

Rats pick up new behaviors and tricks very quickly. They try hard to please their owners and you may be surprised how much your rat can learn.

In the wild, rats, like humans are survivors and generalists. They have to cope with every eventuality that nature throws at them. They learn to raid human food and stores and avoid being caught.

Rats have been trained to press a button for food. If they are given food, every fourth time they press the button, they will quickly press it four times to get the food.

They can also learn to turn a light on and off, with no reward. They will simply do it as they like the change. They also like to feel they have power over these things.

Rats have amazing senses of smell and hearing and have been trained to sniff out land mines and bombs, in the place of dogs.

Mazes

Rats are also very good at mazes. It is actually quite fun to make up a maze for your ratty and put their favorite treat at the end. The first time it may take a while for them to get to the treat, but the next time you will see they are much faster.

In one incident a rat was placed in an eight arm maze, with a treat at the end of each arm. The rat learnt how to empty the maze, without going down the same arm twice. It didn't follow a set pattern, so it's route could not be predicted. Someone suggested that the rat was leaving a scent mark at each tunnel entrance it had been down, so that it would know not to go down that one again. However, further tests eliminated this possibility. They then turned the maze around and the rat became disoriented.

It turned out that the rat had used visual markers to remember what arms of the maze it had already been down. Some arms were near a window, or a light. This showed that the rat could picture the maze and the location of the tunnels it had been down. It then reflected on this experience and could find food with minimum effort.

Social Intelligence

Rats are incredibly social creatures, who have very complex relationships with other rats. As you probably know, they can have a very strong bond with people too.

In the wild and in horrible labs, rats can die from social stress. Their relationships are so important to them that there have been report of rats dying from heart break after their partner has died.

Shy rats have been proven to die younger than their more confident peers. It is important to be patient with him, if you have a shy ratty. If you are gentle and quiet and consistent in your efforts you may have a breakthrough.

Rat Dreams

Yes, rats do dream. Have you ever seen your little ratty twitching a little in his sleep? Or even squeaking? Well, it has been proven that rats dream, in very much the same way as humans. They dream about what they have done that day and you may see them moving as they dream.

Treating Respiratory Infections In Rats

Unfortunately our ratty friends are rather prone to respiratory diseases and Mycoplasma Pulmonis (MP) is the most prevalent one.

Symptoms of MP

Laboured breathing, chattering, weight loss, sneezing, sniffling, squinting, rough hair, Porphyrin staining (red staining) around nose and eyes.

In more severe cases your rat may have pneumonia, infertility, miscarriage and death.

MP can also cause an inner ear infection, so watch out for head tilting in your rat.

Prevention of MP

Your rat will be more susceptible to MP if he is stressed. Try to keep his life as stress free as possible by keeping him stimulated (see toys and games page) and keeping his home clean.

Pollutants and exposure to ammonia and faecal material (pooh) will also make your rat more susceptible to MP. Keep you rat in a clean, uncrowded and well-ventilated cage with clean and safe bedding. Do not use shavings, as these will aggravate MP and may cause other diseases too.

If you get a new rat keep them in a separate cage, in a separate room from your other rats for two weeks. This is a quarantine period. As MP can spread to other rats easily.

What is Mycoplasma Pulmonis?

Are you ready for the science bit?

Mycoplasma is a PPLO (pleuropneumonia-like organism). It is different from other forms of bacteria, as it doesn't have a cell wall (this is important to remember when treating it). There are 95 types of Mycoplasma, but rats get the kind called Mycoplasma pulmonis (MP). Mycoplasma is the organism genus and pulmonis is the organism species.

MP is carried in the upper respiratory system. It causes a blistering effect on the surface of the lungs and can cause secondary infection. However genital mycoplasmosis is common in female rats and although they do not always have an infection they will have reduced fertility.

MP is very fragile outside of the host (your rat) and it is very susceptible to heat, detergents and disinfectants. This means that washing your hands with hot water will kill MP.

People can't catch MP, but we can carry it on our clothes and skin for short periods of time. Mycoplasmas live in respiratory passages and lungs, so if we sneeze we could transmit it to our rats. MP can infect an entire rat colony as they transmit it by sneezing, grooming and sexual contact.

Although MP is very delicate and has a slow rate of growth, once it takes root in a rats system it can be difficult to get rid of. MP mimics your rats antigens fooling your rat's system into ignoring the invading organism.

Rats can be more susceptible to other respiratory diseases once they have MP, as it compromises the integrity of the lung wall.

Treating MP

Not all antibiotics work on MP. This is because some antibiotics attack the invading organisms cell wall and remember MP does not have a cell wall, so these antibiotics will be useless.

You must use the correct antibiotics as soon as possible. Remember there are other pathogens that effect rats, so make sure it is MP before you begin treatment.

Good antibiotics to use are:

Doxycycline combined with Baytril. This should be given in an oral form using a syringe, or dropped in your rat’s favourite liquid food (Ginger loves soy milk). Give your rat 2.5mg/pound (make sure you get an accurate weight of your rat using electronic scales). Give this twice a day for 14-30 days.

Aminophylline can be used if your rat has pneumonia to help it breathe more easily. Give 2.5-5mg/pound two times a day.

Prednisone can reduce inflammation, and can be used with other antibiotics. In the advanced stages of MP this will allow your rat to live more comfortably. Give 0.25-1mg/pound once a day. Only ever use this for a few days at a time, unless your rat is dying, in which case keep it up until he passes.

Make sure your rat is getting enough fluids. You may wish to use a syringe, or eyedropper to give water to your rat by hand. If your rat is not eating properly use a vitamin and calorie supplement, such as Nutrigel. This tastes nice, so your rat should take it easily.

Rat Vets - finding a good vet for your pet rat

There are loads of good vets out there for your rat, but it is not always the easiest task to find them.

Some vets may be wonderful with cats and dogs, but do not have the same knowledge about rats. Some vets do not respect rats and think it easier to let it die and buy a new one. Some may overcharge because they don't want to treat your rat.

But there are some who respect rats and have knowledge about them. There are others who respect rats and are open to advice. These are the ones to track down.

You should try and locate a good rat vet as soon as you can, so that if an emergency occurs you know who to call.

Never accept derogatory comments about your rat.

Call up your chosen veterinary practice and be upfront. Ask whether the vets there have dealt with many rats before. Maybe even talk to the vet and ask as many questions as you like. Ask them how many rats they treat and their surgery success rate (it should not be less than 95%)

You can even ask a trick question, such as "Should I withhold food before surgery?". If they know about rats they will know that they can't vomit, so you don't need to withhold food.

When you take your rat to the vets they should put a towel down for your pet, so that the cold table, doesn't make them uncomfortable.

Read up on your rat's symptoms, so that you can maximise the productivity of your trip to the vets.

And finally...if you find a good one spread the word and contact rat websites so that they can let others know.

Tumours in Rats - what to do when your pet rat has lumps and bumps

If you find a bump on your female rat, don't fret. It is usually a benign tumour. You should of course, still get it checked out by the vet. Female rats are very prone to lumps and bumps, especially around the mammary glands. Rats have nipples in odd places. There are a pair right behind their front legs, so this is a common place for a lump.

Benign tumours can grow very fast. They have been known to be the size of the rat itself. It is possible to have the lump surgically removed. If you catch the lump early, this is probably a good idea, as when it gets bigger it will make it difficult for your rat to groom herself and move around properly.

My beautiful rat Ginger has developed a benign tumour. Unfortunately the vet felt she was too old to operate on. There was too much risk involved. He also felt the lump would probably grow back elsewhere. The lump has grown over the last 4 months, but Ginger still seems happy. Sometimes she goes onto a course of antibiotics to help her feel better and she is more tired these days, but she still loves her cuddles and her best friend Mr T.

I have been giving her the following mixture to help her body fight:

Mix together the following ingredients:

3 capsules of CLA (Tonalin) (1000mg)
1 capsule Co-enzyme Q10 (10mg)
10 drops of echinacea/goldenseal liquid herbal extract
1ml of sublingual B vitamin complex liquid
1 capsule Super antioxidant formula (has vit C, E, beta-carotene and selenium - do not give this if Enervite or any other vitamin supplements are being given)
3 capsule Pau d'arco (500mg)
1 capsule Flaxseed oil (1000mg)
1" square of miso paste (pure organic, not flavored)

Divide into 14 parts and keep them in the fridge. If your ratty has a fast growing tumour give this twice a day, otherwise give it once.

You can mix it with yogurt or something else yummy that your rat loves, so as to disguise the taste.

If your male rat gets a lump, there is more chance it could be cancerous. Either way please take your rat to the vets straight away and be prepared for some nursing.

Warhammer 40k Bell Tower Project: WIP Part 1

In our article for today is all about building a bell tower. So lets just set aside some of our worries and focus our mind in creating something wickedly awesome a Warhammer 40K Bell Tower. The most important component in building a bell tower is a brass bell which can be purchased on a dollar store which is abundant during Christmas season. Now that we had already the brass bell we can already ready to construct. So pull up your socks, demist your glasses and repeat after me,”Warhammer is my life”. Did I say that out loud? Anyway, let’s build some terrain.

Materials list:

• 20?x30? foam board
• utility knife
• pencil
• ruler
• popsicle sticks
• white glue
• an Ipod playing Zeppelin and a little patience while cutting the foam board.(you’ll see what I mean)

Step 1 Marking the Windows

I tried making a Gothic/Imperial guard/city of death look to it. This is the part where your artistic instinct license comes in. Feel free to design and let your mind and basic instinct come to play in choosing your desired design of the windows. Draw your chosen design of the window on the foam board. It would be better to create a lot of windows on your tower. It creates a more clear feeling while looking through the building.

Step 2 Cut out your Windows

Cut out your windows according to what you have drawn, it should be pretty strait forward. This will test your patience sometimes cause you have drawn more windows so expect to cut more windows too. Although this is where you'll need to bite the bullet for a good while and just cut till you are so occupied in your work that when somebody come sup to bother you and call up your name three times, that only the time you begin to respond cause you do not want to be disturbed when cutting out the windows. After cutting out all the drawn windows its better to sand the insides to have a smooth sides.

Step 3 Cut out base

After cutting out the windows you're going to cut a base out so that the walls have something to stick in to. You can made it just large enough to fit two space marines along the outside of the building once in place.

Step 4 Glue popsicle sticks

Start this by slicing popsicle sticks width channels in each level. Next glue popsicles sticks according to its place. These will give enough support to the structure when everything is glued together and in order. Once finished gluing all the popsicle sticks let it sit to dry for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5 Glue structure together

This is where we make busted up flooring. Make it so it’s able to rest on both walls for stronger support. Hold the walls up perpendicular to each other and glue down the floors until it dries up. This will enable the building to stand by itself. Be sure that the wall can stand up all by itself. Next glue supports to the base. Use the windows that were cut from the walls.

Warhammer 40k Bell Tower Project:WIP Part 1

How to Make a Warhammer Gaming Terrain Board

The first thing to consider in continuing a Warhammer gaming hobby is to construct a terrain board that will fit all your models. This will give you a fun and exciting place to put all you Warhammer games on which is much better place to play on rather than on the kitchen table or on the floor.

It will also provide you more options on your terrain pieces and create more terrain pieces that will fit on the your table, creating a gaming environment that appears and feels impressive and realistic. It will also enhance your gaming experience and allows you to play more with its wide space area depending on the size you will be doing.

This article is a step-by-step guide on how to make your own gaming boards. There are many options in creating your own gaming boards, it includes the materials to be use, but this is the one which is the easiest and the cheapest as i have found out so far.

What size board should you create?

There are a few options to choose from. They include:

-2' x 2'

-4' x 4'

-4' x 6'

-4' x 8'

(’ denotes feet - one foot = 30 cm)

The 2' x 2' boards are very flexible and allow you to create terrain that you can move around and form into various pieces, especially if you build in hills or rivers.

However, our favorite size to choose is 4' x 4' boards, as it is a very good standard board size and it is very good for battles as high as a few thousands points on each side. It is also easy to add two of these boards together to form a 4' x 8' playing area for especially large battles, whereas with the 2' x 2' boards this is a little more clumsy and creates a playing area with a lot of gaps and unsightly lines.

But in the end it is always you that will choose on what board that will best fit your gaming mood.

Materials and Tools Needed

Here is a list of materials that you will need:

-1/2 sheet of plywood (4' x 4')

-16' of 2?x1? (pine is what we use, but it doesn’t matter)

-16 x 1 1/4? screws

-power drill

-small drill bit (3/16? should work)

-measuring tape

-pencil

-saw

-sandpaper

(WARNING: You should ALWAYS have adult supervision when using any tools or power tools.)

Step 1 - Cut 2?x1? to size

Our first step that will be doing is to divide the 2?x1? into four pieces, two 4 feet long and the other two is 46 inches long.

Step 2 - Create foundation

Drill holes first on the wood before putting in any screws. This will prevent the wood from splitting. After you have drilled holes on the wood you can then screw in the screws using either your power drill if you have or simply by hand. Be sure to screw it tightly to gain enough strength on your foundation.

Step 3 - Attach Top

Attach the plywood on the top of your frame. Once again drill holes wherever you will be putting in screws to prevent splitting. Three to four screws on each sides should be fairly enough. Once you are finish in screwing down the plywood on your frame, use the sandpaper to polish all corners to get rid of any silvered wood. This will give you a smooth edge on your table for better look.

That's it after polishing all the edges and the sides be sure to check all the screws if it screwed tightly you have now your gaming board with a strong foundation. The next step is to finish the top but will be discuss in another article.

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