bank foreclosure

Blogger Andrew Trench recently presented a theory on the threshold of when Internet penetration starts to matter, writing:

Social networks have also been given plenty of credit for the revolution unfolding in Egypt.

So I went and had a look at the numbers over on www.internetworldstats.com to see what they could tell us about these two scenarios. Well, fascinatingly, both Egypt and Tunisia have seen a massive growth in internet users and internet penetration over the last 10 years.

Both have now got internet penetration of over 20% and in Tunisia's case it was as high as 34%.

While it is clearly simplistic to over-state this factor and there must be many more drivers contributing to such a rapid political uprising, it is obviously a factor as evidenced by the Egyptian regime pulling the plug on the country's internet access to try and block the rising tide of revolt.

My back-of-napkin theory is this: that a rapid increase in internet penetration in a repressive regime does play an important role as it provides an unfettered channel of communication allowing disaffected citizens to share views - and more importantly - to rapidly organise and mobilise.

If Egypt and Tunisia are valid case studies, it looks like internet penetration of around 20% is the mark.

Geopolitics & Macroeconomics adds:

Internet penetration: Social networking sites were critical to sustaining the momentum in the recent protests. The internet penetration in Egypt is 16%. In Libya, it is a meagre 5% [1]. The unrest in Libya has thus far remained concentrated in regions that are geographically distant from the seat of ‘real' power (see more on this below). The dependence of momentum on internet communication is far greater in Libya than in Egypt where protests began in Cairo itself.

Taking the conversation to Pakistan, Sabene Saigol writes, on BrandRepublic:

Perhaps one reason for this is that we're still not that used to communicating via the ‘net - maybe we need greater broadband and internet penetration. Personally I think it is more to do with culture - while Pakistani internet users are savvy to using social media to connect with friends, I feel they have not yet ‘crossed over' to seeing SM as a means for professional communications - or even wider social communications that go beyond their immediate circle. Yes, there are no doubt savvy people - both within marketing and tech circles, and outside - however, these people are likely a tiny proportion of the total number of ‘net and social media users.

Another day, another honking big funding for another online start-up (and yet another broken embargo too!).

It’s like Groundhog Day in Silicon Valley as usual.

Today, Cambridge, Mass.-based HubSpot wins tech’s version of the lottery, grabbing $32 million from Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures and also Salesforce.com.

It is unclear what the valuation for HubSpot is now, although it is likely high given it has raised $65 million now.

HubSpot makes marketing software for businesses, who use it to find prospects and generate leads, along with tools to analyze the process. It claims it has “4,000 customers, over 50 percent market share, five million leads managed, and 70 million page views tracked monthly.”

The Series D financing included HubSpot’s existing venture investors–General Catalyst Partners, Matrix Partners, and Scale Venture Partners–and part of it will be used to cash out existing shareholders. In previous rounds, the start-up has raised $33 million.

Here is the official press release:

Sequoia, Google Ventures, and Salesforce.com Invest $32 Million in HubSpot

Marketing Software Company Attracts New Strategic Investors

CAMBRIDGE, MA–(Marketwire – March 8, 2011)–Today, for the first time ever, Sequoia Capital, Google Ventures and Salesforce.com all invested together in one company, providing HubSpot with a Series D round of financing through a $32 million investment. HubSpot provides all-in-one marketing software used by over 4,000 businesses to get found by more prospects, convert them into leads and sales, and analyze the entire marketing process.

“The fundamental way that people shop, learn, and buy has changed radically in the last few years. HubSpot helps transform the way businesses market from outbound marketing (cold calls, email blasts, and direct mail) to inbound marketing (Google, blogs, social media, mobile, etc.),” said Brian Halligan, co-founder and CEO of HubSpot.

Sequoia Capital has a long history of partnering with founders to help them build long-term, multi-billion dollar companies, including Google, LinkedIn, AdMob, YouTube, Yahoo!, Apple, and Oracle. “We back companies that are transforming their industries,” said Jim Goetz, General Partner at Sequoia Capital. “HubSpot is the emerging category leader in the SaaS marketing sector. Their customer base exceeds that of all the other relevant marketing software companies combined, including Eloqua, Marketo, Genius, and Manticore.”

“Today, every company needs to succeed in search, social, sales, and marketing–I can’t think of a more powerful trifecta than Google, Salesforce.com, and HubSpot. With 4,000 customers, HubSpot is already a clear marketing leader–now, with this new infusion of capital and recognition by Google’s venture arm and Salesforce.com, HubSpot has a great opportunity to separate itself from the pack and become the leading marketing platform in the small and medium business space,” said Brent Leary, co-founder of CRM Essentials.

Google Ventures Partner, Rich Miner (formerly co-founder of Android) said, “We agree with HubSpot’s belief that search engines, social media, and mobile devices have fundamentally changed how businesses should market themselves. We’re thrilled to support their efforts to help thousands of small and medium businesses reach potential customers.”

Dharmesh Shah, co-founder and CTO of HubSpot commented, “We founded the company based on a simple premise: Businesses want an easy-to-use, complete and integrated marketing platform that helps them get more leads and customers. We plan to use this new capital to further invest in this ambitious vision and further our existing lead in the marketing software category.”

Surface Encounters

2011 Spring training: Brian Wilson of San Francisco Giants unlikely for Opening Day

San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson isn't likely to be ready to play by opening day for the World Series champions.

Surface Encounters

The Truth About Twitter: It&#39;s The Evening <b>News</b>

Twitter is a media platform, not a social network.

Surface Encounters

FOCUS: Courageous workers at troubled nuclear plant endure tough <b>...</b>

Each of the employees of Tokyo Electric Power Co. and other workers engaged in containing damage at the stricken Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is given 30 survival food crackers and a 180 milliliter pack of vegetable juice for ...

Surface Encounters

Apple advertises its products as magical. They’re at the intersection of “technology and the liberal arts,” Steve Jobs said today. Something that moves your heart, not just your lust for technology. Will consumers still buy that in 2011?

The big picture question of the day is whether Apple has done it again. With the original iPad, Apple crushed its rivals, taking more than 90 percent of the tablet market in 2010 and selling more than 15 million units. Jobs predicted today that 2011 will be the year of the iPad 2. Based on what I have seen today, I think he’s mostly, but not entirely, right.

Competitors will discover that Apple has a lot of inherent financial advantages, including being a low-cost leader. That may not sound intuitive, but I believe it has to be true. It is selling so much volume of its products that it can get discounts on parts and manufacturing services that no one else can get.

When it sells its products in stores, it also doesn’t have to give away 20 percent of the margin to a retailer. That is a huge financial advantage. Carriers are also willing to subsidize the costs of Apple products in a way that they won’t with other tablet vendors. All of these things may explain why the Motorola Xoom, a very cool product, is selling for $800 while Apple has priced its new devices at $499 to $829, (and dropped the price of the old iPad to $399). Apple has also left very little room for rivals here, since it has signed up both AT&T and Verizon. Perhaps there is room for rivals to sell $199 machines, but users probably aren’t going to like them.

Those are reasons why any cool Apple mobile product could beat other rivals. But Apple has also done some smart things with the iPad 2. It has created another rev of its microprocessor, the A5, which has two cores, or computing brains. And it has nine times faster graphics than its old A4 chip. Since Apple designs this chip itself, it doesn’t have to give away much margin to a chip design firm. It only has to give a small margin to a chip manufacturer such as Samsung to make the chips.

Apple has also custom-designed the A5 to run Apple applications on a device with a 10-hour battery life. Apple should have an edge there, as it won’t sell the A5 to rivals. But if this is an advantage, it isn’t likely to last long, as Nvidia is being very aggressive with a new quad-core chip that it could sell to any Android rivals.

The design of the iPad 2 is where Apple has more advantages. The iPad 2 will have faster web-browsing with a new version of Safari. It has two cameras that will inspire a lot of video and photo-related apps. The availability of the Mac applications — iMovie, Garage Band, and Photo Booth — on the iPad 2 will make a lot of users happy. More interesting features will come with new releases of the iOS, or Apple’s operating system in the fairly near future.

There are some users who won’t like the restrictions of Apple’s ecosystem. If they want universal serial bus (USB) and SD card ports, they are out of luck. Apple didn’t change the resolution of its screen either, leaving it at 1024 x 768. Competitors could add these options and put emphasis on them as selling points. (Critics are disappointed that Apple did not improve the display, but that’s a big cost issue others have too).

Apple has also made great improvements in the feel of the product. It’s 33 percent thinner, 2 ounces lighter, and it has a wonderful new screen cover that doubles as a stand for the device. (It wakes up the device when you peel it back and it has micro-fibers that clean the screen when the cover is on).

Now here is why Jobs is not entirely right. Apple has come up with a stunning machine at prices that the competitors will have a hard time beating. But it is almost inevitable that Android-based tablets will gain market share on Apple.

So far, I don’t see the Android machine that will beat the iPad 2. But the potential is there, given ingredients such as Android 3.0, Nvidia Tegra 2 chips and other fast microprocessors, and 4G LTE. The latter is the main weakness in Apple’s armor.

LTE is fast, with a minimum speed on Verizon at around 12 megabits a second and actual speeds running much higher than that now. Getting access to 4G LTE is as big a benefit as having access to lots of cool apps, from my point of view. Right now, the timing of the still-young LTE technology means that Apple cannot yet put it into its mass-produced, lowest-cost tablet computers.

If LTE costs come down sometime soon, then Apple can launch a new version of the iPad to incorporate the technology. But it’s not a simple upgrade, as it means that the hardware of the machine — including the radio chip — has to change. And for now, LTE chips are larger than their 3G equivalents, so the heat dissipation and product size are affected. In other words, LTE can force Apple to redesign the iPad.

Apple can do that. But Android tablet makers might be able to move faster than Apple directly into the 4G LTE tablet market. If they do that, then they will have found a scenario where they could steal a march on Apple. Apple is not likely to let that gap last for a long time, but it might be enough for Apple to lose some share this year.

Apple’s leadership position in this market will be hard to beat, but the collective weight and reach of Android rivals could erode it. And here’s a sobering thought: If Apple eventually winds up with only 30 percent of the tablet market, it could still be No. 1, and its place as the largest technology company in the world will not be at risk.

Check out Apple’s overview video on the iPad 2 and Jobs’ comments on technology and the liberal arts below.

Next Story: Loot Drop banks on talented game designers as it takes on social gaming’s giants (exclusive) Previous Story: Electric car startups to square off against Big Auto competition

Editor’s Note: Jim Dalrymple has been writing about Apple for more than 15 years. You can follow him on Twitter @jdalrymple and on his Web site at The Loop.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Wednesday introduced the iPad 2 at a special event in San Francisco, taking even more momentum away from its competitors.

I’ve had a lot of people in the last 24 hours tell me that the iPad 2 isn’t as revolutionary as the first generation device. Yes, that’s true. But not every device a company releases has to be or can be revolutionary.

Apple has released three revolutionary products in the last decade alone: iPod, iPhone and iPad. I really can’t think of any products from Apple’s competitors that fit in the revolutionary category in that same time period.

People also said that Apple wasn’t very forthcoming with the specs of the iPad 2. Again, that’s true, but there’s a good reason for that—nobody cares.

Well, some people care. Those of us who are geeks care about specs. However, have you ever noticed that when you sit with your non-geek friends and start listing off specs their eyes glaze over and they rest their chin in their hand.

That’s because they couldn’t care less.

The iPad 2 is no slouch either. It lost one-third of the thickness of the previous generation, and therefore it is one-third less than the size of the iPad competitors too. It also has new technologies like a gyro built-in that will launch another round of cool apps.

Yesterday’s iPad 2 announcement wasn’t about the geeks—it was about all the other people who will buy an iPad. What those people want to know is “what can I do with it?”

If it fits into their lifestyle, most people are good with that. Apple showed many ways how the iPad 2 can fit into your lifestyle.

From the very beginning, Apple was very smart with how it marketed the iPad. The first thing it did was get the device into businesses and promote the fact that it could be used to get work done. And it was quite successful with that.

In an analyst call in October 2010, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said the iPad was already being used in 65 percent of Fortune 100 companies. That was four months ago and the iPad has grown since then, so we can only imagine where that number is now.

This strategy allowed Apple to do two things. If it came out with the iPad and pushed the gaming capabilities of the device, the business world would have looked at it as a toy. That would have certainly meant slower adoption. It also allowed them to work on some consumer software, two of which we saw yesterday.

In addition to the iPad 2, Jobs also unveiled iMovie and GarageBand for the iPad. This is what people want to know about—what can I do with the iPad that’s exciting and new.

Obviously, creating movies and being able to edit and share them with friends and family is a very popular thing to do these days. iMovie makes that easy.

Creating music, whether a novice or pro is also a cool thing to do. GarageBand is a great app to get that done and you can move your projects to your Mac and continue working on them.

It’s not just about the hardware. Apple delivers the whole experience that nobody else can. Jobs said yesterday that there are 65,000 apps on its App Store specifically designed for the iPad. That’s a lot of things you can do.

If you think Apple’s competitors are jumping for joy because the iPad 2 isn’t revolutionary, I believe you are wrong. I think they’re scared. Yesterday, they figured out Apple’s strategy too, but a little too late.

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Surface Encounters

In our second installment of The Business of Blogging, we speak to the uber-talented Tommy Ton, founder of Jak & Jil and streetstyle photographer for Style.com and GQ.com

PARIS, France — “It was the summer of 1997 and I was 13 years old,” recalls Tommy Ton, now 27, describing the moment when a self-professed comic book nerd from the suburbs of Toronto first became interested in fashion. “My sister asked me to record Fashion Television and all of a sudden Tom Ford comes on and talks about women, and his idea of sex. He was so eloquent in his choice of words. It was love at first sight.”

From that moment, Mr. Ton embarked on what has been described as a something of a fairytale, becoming the world’s most influential street style fashion photographer today. But achieving such success is rarely that simple — or easy.

More than just a skilled photographer with a good eye and encyclopedic knowledge of fashion, Ton has proven himself to be a savvy digital operator with a potent mixture of ambition, work ethic and strategic thinking that has enabled him to discover and hone in on his special talent. His humility throughout it all has endeared him not only to the stylish women he has made famous, but also to fellow fashion bloggers and his growing list of paying clients.

Yes, Tommy Ton is building a business, and he’s proud of it.

At first, Mr. Ton says he simply became infatuated with fashion. “I’d bike to the library, tear out ad campaigns, and make collages of Gucci and Versace,” he explains over dinner during Paris Fashion Week. At age 15, he interned with the Toronto designer Wayne Clark and then in the women’s accessories department of Holt Renfrew, Canada’s leading luxury department store.

From the beginning, Ton has been a fervent but charming networker, not afraid to approach and build relationships with the industry’s top players. “I made an effort so Barbara Atkin knew who I was,” he says, referring to the Holt Renfrew’s highly-respected fashion director. This ultimately landed him a gig in the store’s buying office, furthering his understanding of the fashion business, but still not quite sating his fashion appetite.

“I was there in the Summer of 2004 when web magazines first started popping up,” he says. Ton started taking classes in digital photography and met with friends who did graphic design, before deciding to start Jak & Jil, which was initially conceived in 2005 as a lifestyle website focused on the product and people in Toronto.

“Then my guardian angel came along,” says Ton, referring to Lynda Latner, proprietor of vintagecouture.com. “She hired me because she saw my site and thought I could help her.”

In 2007 when Latner offered to send Ton to Europe to attend the shows in London and Paris, he had his first opportunity to experiment with street photography during fashion week, a trend which was just beginning to take off due to the pioneering work of Scott Schuman and Garance Doré.

“My first show in Paris was Balmain. I had no idea what Balmain was at the time, or what it was going to be, but all the girls were in that that show, like Daria, Irina, and Anja, and they played the Cure on the soundtrack. As soon as that show was done, it was raining outside…and I was dancing in the rain. I just felt so uplifted. I could not believe what fashion could do for you,” recalls Ton nostalgically. “To have that moment in Paris, at your very first show…it was magical.”

Using his “Canadian connections,” Ton also managed to get into Chanel, YSL, Dries van Noten and Rick Owens that first season. But in all the excitement, Ton says he didn’t know who or what to shoot. “I just shot what I thought was visually amazing. I didn’t know who Emmanuelle Alt was, or Kate Lanphear or even Anna Dello Russo.”

Almost immediately after this first trip, the Canadian fashion media took note of Ton’s photography, beginning with Flare magazine editor Lisa Tant. “Because of that trip, I got a page in Flare which gave me a validated reason to go back,” he says.

By 2008 Ton was already seeking a way to stand out from the growing hordes of photographers outside the shows who were mostly aping Schuman’s photographic style. “I thought, ‘I’m so tired of taking head-to-toe shots. No one can touch Scott at those photos — he is the king.’ I wanted my photos to stand out. That’s when I stated taking the candid shots.”

Ton’s landscape-style images focused in on the little details that caught his well-trained fashion eye — a towering Louboutin stiletto here, a pop of colour there on his favourite subjects as they walked into the shows. He rarely asked them to pose. Ton was developing a photographic style that that has now become instantly recognisable as his own, capturing the raw energy and excitement of fashion week. Fellow blogger Tavi Gevinson later remarked, “You always know what a Tommy Ton photograph looks like.”

He re-purposed Jak and Jil into a blog, and started posting two or three of his new style of photographs each day. This caught the attention of influential bloggers like Susanna Lau of Style Bubble and Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast, who helped to spread the word.

Two and half months later, Ton received an email from the head of marketing at Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, asking him to shoot their Spring/Summer 2009 campaign.

“I said yes, but I didn’t even know what my worth was,” says Ton. “After talking to my business friends in the industry, I threw a figure at Lane Crawford. It was a bit too much, but we negotiated, and I was proud of myself because I was able to get an amount that I was satisfied with and which they were willing to pay.”

With his reputation spreading, Ton’s confidence began to grow. “During the Fall/Winter 2009 season, people started to know who I was. Scott [Schuman] actually knew my work. I was officially blogging and shooting for Lane Crawford at the same time. That was the season I knew what I was doing, and I knew what I wanted to shoot. It was the beginning of something.”

Another important shift came the following season in Milan, when Ton was seated in Dolce & Gabbana’s front row, alongside Doré, Schuman and Bryanboy, an image that was plastered in the fashion media around the world, signalling the arrival of fashion bloggers. “That was a huge moment. It was all due to Anna Dello Russo. She was the one who told Domenico and Stefano: ‘These are the people who are changing things.’”

From then on, the front row tickets came in fast and furious. Everyone wanted Ton to shoot at their shows, knowing his images would be seen by thousands of fashion enthusiasts and influencers around the world. The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and others came calling. “They were emailing to buy photos,” he says.

Ton went from ultimate fashion outsider to insider almost overnight.

But the real turning point came a few weeks earlier when Style.com’s editor-in-chief Dirk Standen asked Ton to step into the formidable shoes of Scott Schuman, whose own photography career had gone stratospheric, in no small part due to the platform given to him by Style.com. Schuman had decided to leave Style.com to focus on other projects, and Ton now had the most high-profile streetstyle photography gig in the business.

“Being associated with Style.com is a huge deal for me. It’s what everyone looks at every day. People go to Style.com like you brush your teeth in the morning. It’s something you just do,” enthuses Ton.

By now, the time had come for Ton to seek professional representation. An introduction to elite agency The Collective Shift—which also represents top fashion photographers Inez and Vinoodh and super-stylist Melanie Ward—instantly felt like the right fit. Ton also signed on Trunk Archive to act as his image licensing agency, removing the burden of negotiating image rights and contracts on his own and dramatically increasing what he could earn from selling his images to the likes of American Vogue, Elle UK, and Vogue Nippon.

“Before, I was underselling myself, getting about $50-100 per image.” Today, Ton reports that he can earn from as little as $100 up to $2000. “The the thing I’ve learned is that you have to really consider whether it’s a one page image or a ½ page image or ¼ page image. It’s a really big deal when it’s one image over two pages in Grazia for example, whereas if it’s ⅛ of a page in Vogue, it is much less. I’m lucky to have Trunk Archive to deal with all that now.”

But image licensing only makes up about 30 percent of the revenue he earns. The remaining 70 percent comes from a variety of projects, including his gigs for Style.com, GQ.com, but also for retailers and brands such as Topshop, Selfridges, Sergio Rossi and Saks 5th Avenue.

Ton says he has made an intentional decision not to have advertising on his site. “It’s an association with your brand. I didn’t want my blog to be associated with any type of branding,” he explains.

But would he ever take pay for editorial placement on Jak & Jil itself? “Yes,” he says matter-of-factly. “But that requires a discussion between my agent, my client and me. The thing about the development of the Tommy Ton brand and the Jak & Jil brand is that everything is strategically selected and carefully monitored. We have to see potential growth in it, and understand what’s in it for us.”

When pressed on the criteria he uses for this kind of paid content, so as not to alienate his audience, he pauses to think. “It’s definitely gut instinct. It just has to be of the moment and relevant for the time.” His readers shouldn’t be able to tell the difference, he says, because the images he creates would be the kind he would post anyway. The standards are the same, and the images are just as powerful.

All the same, Tommy Ton also realizes this is his moment and it may not last forever. “I don’t even know if I will be able to earn the money I do now in a few years. I don’t know if I will be relevant or not. I am just lucky that people want to associate with me and their brand right now.”

And what about all that competition from the hundreds of streetstyle bloggers outside the shows? “You always have to stay on top of your game, and the only way to do that now is to have exclusive content,” he asserts. Recently, Ton has been invited to shoot behind-the-scenes at the Proenza Schouler studio and the Victoria’s Secret fashion show.

“I’m not making any money from it, but it gives me access no one else would have. I take a lot of pride in that. I am so, so happy I am invited to do these things,” he says, recalling that 13 year old kid watching Tom Ford on TV back in Toronto. “In some ways I still feel like an outsider, even though I am acknowledged by these designers. I am still in awe of what is going on.”

Imran Amed is founder and editor of The Business of Fashion

The Business of Blogging is a new series on the rarely discussed business side of fashion blogging. Previous articles are listed below:

Susie Bubble

What is your social media brand? Do you have one? Sure, many small business owners and entrepreneurs are coming around to the enormous importance of social media as a marketing, customer service, and, yes, even sales tool. But if you haven’t thought about how social media can define your brand, you are probably missing a HUGE part of what social media tools can do for your business. Here’s more…

Tools & Techniques

Creating a great brand with these blog tools. Tools that improve the look and functionality of your blog also improve your brand. A well-maintained small business blog is one of the most obvious and least expensive branding tools at the entrepreneur’s disposal even more so than social media channels like Facebook and Twitter because of how a blog can be customized to fit your needs and personality. This list of tools is a great way to start. EpicLaunch

What Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi can teach you about social media. One of the stars of the hit reality show “Jersey Shore”, “Snooki” is a perfect example of personal brand, but social media entrepreneurs could also learn much about building their own online presence from Snooki. Being yourself and using a simple, short tag to indelibly brand your identity are also great techniques in social media. One site is already trying to apply the starlets techniques in the social media space. Brand-Yourself

Tito Philips doesn’t want your comments on his blog! At least, not if they’re the wrong kind. And the wrong kind would be comments left for no other purpose than to get the blogger and his/her readers to visit your blog and perhaps comment on it in return. Why is comment trading bad? Don’t get Tito started! There are many ways to engage in social media marketing. Be sure you understand and respect some of the attitudes you may face. Blogging Bookshelf  

News & Trends

The best of the best. Want to get a look at arguably the 20 best Facebook fan pages for business on the planet? By now you should know the value of a Facebook fan page to your branding efforts. What’s also true, however, is that not all Facebook sites are created equal. If you want to take your social media marketing to the next level, have a look at this list of cream of the crop sites. Inc.com

Even churches use social media marketing! In this article on the growing market for tech services among religious organizations, we learn that many churches have also already entered into the social media space. As houses of worship, particularly huge mega-churches, expand and build congregations, it’s easy to see how social media can work as a marketing tool here as well. Is your religious organization using social media for branding? WSJ

Tips & Tricks

20 tips that will make you a Twitter star. Among the tools popular in the new digital space is Twitter. The microblogging platform can be used for business or non-business purposes and it can be the key to your small business’s success. Learn how to use Twitter like a pro and you may be surprised at the benefits your small business gains as a result. Global Copywriting

Valuable lessons in social media. Gary Vaynerchuk, author of The Thank You Economy and a successful social media entrepreneur in his own right, has many insights to share with small business leaders seeking a new way to define their brands in an age of social communications. Read some of the takeaways Vaynerchuk shares with those trying to define their businesses with social media. E-Marketing Associates

Success Stories

Doubt the power of FB to create brand for almost anyone? You won’t after you read the story of Princeton English Professor Jeff Nunokawa and “Jeffbook”, a collection of 3,221 brief literary essays on Facebook, that have created an incredible cult status for Nunokawa in the process. His motivation? Not too different from those of most marketers. Nunokawa simply started sharing where he knew his audience already spent lots of their time. The results speak for themselves. Fast Company

Increase exposure with niche social media. Blogger Mavis Nong talks about the importance of niche social media sites including social bookmarking sites as a key method of creating exposure for your online business. Mavis talks about her experience with our sister site BizSugar.com (thanks for the shout out! ) and explains how smaller more focused social sites can sometimes have a surprising impact even larger than the big guys. Attraction Marketing Online

Opportunities

Sponsors wanted for new SugarTone Sweet Business Blogging Contest. Put the power of social media to work for your brand. We’re looking for sponsors to help with a brand new blogging contest involving two of the fastest growing small business communities on the Web, BizSugar.com and Bloggertone.com. Learn more about the contest by reading the full announcement and get in touch today! BizSugar Blog

From Small Business TrendsSmall Business News: Social Media Brand

Surface Encounters

New York Yankee <b>News</b>: Granderson, Chavez, Joe West and Barry Bonds <b>...</b>

All the Yankee news you need. ... News links: Feliciano, Romulo, Chavez and the Canseco twins. Mar 2011 by Travis G - 51 comments. Around SB Nation. Game Thread #-1: Brewers @ Padres. Mar 2011 from Brew Crew Ball - 4 comments ...

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Surface Encounters

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The Truth About Twitter: It&#39;s The Evening <b>News</b>

Twitter is a media platform, not a social network.

Surface Encounters

Making Money Internet

This was supposed to be an article about monetizing your life as an amateur musician. It’s become an opinion piece on my experience of Google AdSense.

Google Adsense allows you receive revenue through placing content-specific adverts on your website. The system makes Google around $8 Billion a year.

I signed up for Adsense several years ago. I had a travel blog which was general only for family and friends. If I remember correctly, my travel blog made me about £0.05 across 2 years or so.

Fast forward to 2011 and I am trying to investigate means of being a little more business-like about my hobbies (mostly music). By the end of January I had manned up and started to promote my blogs. I had created several different blogs, which were contributed to by friends and colleagues. I promoted these activities through Facebook and Twitter.

After a few weeks, I was looking at around 2,000 hits a month across all my content sources. I was feeling pretty proud of myself. My Google Adsense balance was approaching £10, and I hoped I could make around £50-100 a year. Google then disabled my account.

When your Adsense account is disabled you receive a standard email which tells you there has been "invalid activity". It directs you to a help URL. The only response you can take is to make an appeal.

Taking the matter particularly seriously, I spent some time writing the appeal which outlined my thoughts on the invalid activity. My guess is that I have violated their "don’t click on your own ads" policy when I’ve been proudly showing off my sites to friends and family. Since my IP address is logged on Blogger etc. and my clicks are less than 1% of the total hits received from countries far and wide, I assumed that they would realise my site was genuine.

Continued on the next page

Comcast Chief Executive Brian Roberts let investors in on a little secret Wednesday during his keynote speech at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom conference in San Francisco.

The 51-year-old executive's biggest concern over the last  year was nothow best to fold NBC Universal into Comcast.  No, Roberts said, it was the transition to replace his No. 2 executive, Steve Burke, who had been in charge of the day-to-day operations of the company's lucrative cable business.

Last month, when Comcast took control of NBC Universal, Burke became chief executive of the television and movie company.  Burke surrendered his role and title of chief operating officer of Comcast.  Neil Smit -- who joined Comcast 13 months ago from cable company Charter Communications -- is now executive vice president in charge of all of Comcast's cable operations.

Roberts called the executive changes Comcast's "most important transition."

After all, Comcast's core business of cable TV, Internet and telephone service brings in $36 billion in annual revenue.  Comcast's programming business, which now includes NBC Universal, generates a little more than half that amount.

Despite dramatic changes underway in the media business, Roberts remains bullish on the company's prospects. Comcast raised its dividend last month and plans to buy back $2 billion in stock. The Philadelphia-based company, Roberts said, took control of NBC Universal at a particularly advantageous time. The NBC Universal businesses are now doing better than when the deal was first announced in late 2009, and Comcast needed less money than it had anticipated -- $6.2 billion in cash versus $6.5 billion at the time of the announcement -- to pay General Electric Co., which now has a minority stake in NBC Universal. 

The television advertising market has rebounded in the last year, and there's a new stream of revenue as cable companies begin to pay the broadcast networks for their programming.

Roberts said he expects NBC to help bolster Comcast's Golf Channel and Versus, a cable sports network. On the movie side, Comcast can use its clout to shorten the traditional period of time before movies become available on DVD and video-on-demand services, a benefit to Comcast customers.  And soon, NBC Universal programming will be available, joining Turner channels, HBO, Starz and Showtime, on Comcast's anytime, everywhere TV service, Xfinity TV, which now has an application available for the iPad.   

On Wednesday, Roberts suggested that the company's jewel is its broadband Internet service, which now has 17 million customers. That makes Comcast the largest Internet provider in the nation at a time when consumers are increasingly watching news and entertainment online.

"In the next 10 years, people will want more bits in their house than ever before," Roberts said, referring to Internet network capacity. And Comcast's investment in its high-speed networks should help it battle rivals that have cut into Comcast's customer base:  satellite TV providers and telephone companies AT&T and Verizon, which now offer Internet and TV channels.

"We are focused on broadband,"  Roberts said.  "The bet we are making is to be the best pipe. It's as simple as that."

-- Meg James

Photo:  Brian Roberts. Credit: George Widman / Associated Press

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<b>News</b> FAIL - Epic Fail Funny Videos and Funny Pictures

epic fail photos - news fail. ... Fox News… not impressed… Reply � letitbito says: March 28, 2011 at 8:19 pm. like it. Reply. Jordan says: March 28, 2011 at 8:35 pm. Chuck Norris is scoring with your mother, you should be thankful. ...

Plutonium detected in soil at Fukushima nuke plant | Kyodo <b>News</b>

''We must control the water well so it won't ever go outside'' the complex, said Sakae Muto, vice president of TEPCO, at a news conference. On Monday, TEPCO continued to remove highly radioactive water from inside reactor buildings at ...

The Funniest Fox <b>News</b> FAILS (PICTURES)

News bloopers are some of the best ones, especially when the flub involves a hilariously erroneous chyron or graphic. Fox News has had some of the funniest FAILS the Internet was able to capture, and we've corralled all the best ones ...

Search engine optimization Vancouver For A Better Marketing Solution

 

When you start your personal website there are lots of ways you'll have to sell it off and something the best way is to use Search engine optimization Vancouver if you happen to maintain that area. The SEO or seo services would be the top method of getting good visitors to your site and for that reason making more sales.

 

Now, you need to know that you will not use SEO service if you are not an internet business - however, if you do not come with an online presence if you are a offline business, then you'll not make it very far.

 

It's a well known proven fact that if you are planning to make it within the offline world you must have an online presence. This really is something which all people are learning hard way. Something that you should also know is that it's not as simple as just establishing the web site and leaving it to complete its things.

 

This can be done in all types of ways, but these companies usually make use of multiple methods to create an ideal marketing technique online. You will be able to employ them to write articles for you, post on forums and blogs, create meta tags and meta descriptions, clean up the code, add alt tags towards the images and much more.

 

It is crucial that you do this because otherwise the organization you have worked so difficult for could wind up losing the money. If you have an internet site you want to create, then you'll also use the expertise of an SEO company, which stands for seo company. What the corporation does is basically take the best parts of your site, look into the code, create keywords and write various articles and documents to ensure that your website is placed near the the surface of the list for the major search engines.

As a result the Search engine optimization company can not only increase your traffic, but also make sure that your website is fully optimized for that internet search engine spiders that'll be brought to it. These spiders are utilized to analyze your site and put it in a few positions determined on certain keywords.

 

If you want to make use of the SEO services Vancouver then all you've got to complete is discover the top companies. It is through these how the SEO gets done effectively and efficiently. Because of so many SEO companies to select from you need to be certain the main one you are going for is reliable. You ought to be able to ask for a failure of what you want, and also the company also needs to be able to let you know know long they've been operating for. This can limit their email list to reveal the very best ones.

 

Search engine optimization Offered by Different Vancouver Web Companies

The Vancouver SEO company services are very good for business growth because they provide quality services. If you're planning to produce a website for the online business, then you've come to right article as I will be explaining below how Search engine optimization Vancouver company services can increase your website ranking and make it popular.

Before that, you should know what Seo is. It's not that complicated and I'm sure you're going to get a grasp of it after reading my article. The main goal of SEO is to have increased traffic to your website and target audience. It is a good decision to choose a Vancouver SEO company that are experts in this sort of work, which means that your website could be indexed by search engines like google.

There is no reason for you using a website without any website ranking whatsoever as you won't have any business and profits to survive. It's a very tough atmosphere available because there are so many internet business people just like you, who desire their share of pie. You must be aware of the fact that nearly 85% of internet traffic could be got from websites.

Whenever a user types in a keyword or keywords for what he/she really wants to know in different sites, these use crawlers to obtain websites with the relevant content and index them based on algorithms. You don't have to worry about the algorithms which these websites use as that isn't important.

To look in the first page of the google listing, you will have to hire professionals and experts who can perform the needful to maintain your site one of the good books in these websites. These professionals can optimize your site content to ensure your website gets more traffic.

Once the traffic gets high, it is a sign that you're getting a service that will get you more revenues. SEO Vancouver company do the next to make your website appear within the first page of search engine results.

Use keywords that are popularly utilized on search engines like google in your website content.
Possess a web design for the website that is simple because top sites are allergic to flash and weird designs.
Submit your website to directories.
Submit your website to directory websites.
Postings on blogs and forums with back links to your websites. This really is considered as a very effective way to get more traffic aimed at your website as many internet users use blogs and forums.

SEO Vancouver company also perform site diagnostics which is a significant part in online optimization as research and analysis on finding keywords is the method to start a SEO campaign. So, be sure you choose the best SEO Vancouver company.

Are you looking for more info regarding SEO Vancouver? Visit http://www.seo4vancouver.com/seo-services.asp today!

 

What to anticipate Whenever Getting a Roofer

When the time comes to correct or substitute your homes roof, it can be a challenging job to find someone who is competent for the job. There are lots of roofing companies available, however the types who will do a congrats for any sensible price are not frequently simple to find. If you are in the marketplace for a contractor, use the ideas beneath with regard to interviewing as well as employing the right one.

Interview and Consultation

The majority of roofing companies offer totally free consultation services. This is especially essential, because it gives them a chance to evaluate exactly what your homes roof needs, also it gives you an opportunity to evaluate all of them. As with all of companies, trust your intuition about the people a person let up onto your roofing. No issue how great the contractor's status or recommendation, he ought to start by presenting a person having a company greeting card. If the contractor arrives looking and speaking within an less than professional method, chances are that the job he is going to perform may also be unprofessional. This is not to say that you should anticipate contractors to reach in fits. They will be climbing on your roofing, therefore the majority of will be dressed up in denim jeans as well as function footwear or even sneakers. If the contractor seems to be more interested in talking on their mobile phone during your homes roof than he is within analyzing your roof's needs, which may be another sign that he is not the main one for the job. For the lawful safety, be certain that the service provider offers sufficient legal responsibility insurance coverage.

Roofing Assessment

Expect that the service provider is going to be rising on your roof. Actually, any contractor who does not want to go up on your roof to judge the problem should be immediately discounted. Those who're seriously interested in their work will possibly create a drawing of your roof's surface and tag trouble spots on it because they undergo their evaluation, or they'll consider photos or even video of the surface area while they're up there. This is an extremely essential step, since it allows you to see just what the troubles are as well as know how they'll be fixed.

Estimation

The next phase would be the created estimate. The service provider will require away their loan calculator and are available up with a written estimation. Some companies goes out to their own truck or truck and write down the proposal, while some may crisis the numbers for the job prior to you. Once you are given the proposal, ensure that you comprehend which products will be used, just how long the task will require and if there are any additional or even hidden expenses that may arise during the repair from the roofing. The service provider should be able to answer all of these questions effortlessly as well as forewarn you of any additional costs that could be sustained should the roof's integrity be damaged within.

After you have received a few created estimations from roofing companies, evaluate what each organization or contractor is willing to provide for the price. Do not necessarily discount the highest bid, because occasionally the highest bid will actually be the contractor who the task correctly. Additionally, be wary of bids that are not nearly as expensive other people. They might be utilizing inferior items or perhaps be unethical concerning the possibility of hidden costs. Most importantly, believe in instincts as well as opt for the actual contractor who enables you to feel quite comfortable about giving over your hard earned money.

 

Seven Uyghurs Sentenced to Death

2011-03-23

Critics of the sentences say China has politicized the robberies as acts of terrorism.

 

AFP

A Uyghur man walks past armed Chinese security forces in Urumqi, July 17, 2009.

Chinese authorities in the northwestern region of Xinjiang have ordered the executions of seven ethnic minority Uyghur men convicted of "violent" crimes, official media said on Wednesday.

 

The death sentences were handed down by the Supreme People's Court in recent days, according to state media in the regional capital, Urumqi.

 

The men were accused in connection with three separate attacks late last year in the Silk Road city of Kashgar, according to the news website Urumqi Online.

 

According to another website, the Xinjiang-based Tianshan news site, Aimaiti Tuheti, Yiming Dawuti, and unnamed "others" killed a security guard at a pedestrian mall as part of a failed Aug. 7 robbery attempt.

 

In a separate incident on Oct. 12, it said, Nuermaimaiti Aobulikasimu and 11 others broke into a house, bound and killed the couple living in it, and took their possessions.

 

It said the group also broke into the homes of two brothers, robbed them, and killed six people in a Nov. 11 attack in Kashgar.

 

The report gave no information about the victims or the schedule for the executions.

 

Three of the men were sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve, a sentence that is normally commuted to life imprisonment in China's judicial system.

 

They were convicted of deliberate homicide and armed robbery by the Kashgar Intermediate People's Court in the first instance.

 

'Strike hard' campaign

 

A Han Chinese resident of Urumqi surnamed Yang said a reference to "terrorism" in official news reports on the case showed that it was being politicized by the authorities, who have launched a series of "strike hard" campaigns in Xinjiang following deadly ethnic violence in July 2009.

 

"There is an implied political meaning; that they were somehow engaged in separatist activities or ethnic divisions," said Yang.

 

Exile Uyghur groups said the trials had been conducted behind closed doors, with scant opportunity for public scrutiny.

 

"The entire process against these men, from the trial through to the judgment, was opaque," said Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uyghur Congress.

 

"There was also very little reasonable evidence to convict them on a legal basis, because all the evidence came from one side of the case," he said.

 

"We strongly condemn the Chinese government for continuing to pursue their policies of ethnic division," said Raxit.

 

"We are also strongly opposed to the death penalty in this case."

 

Earlier cases

 

Last month, the Supreme Court sentenced four Uyghurs to death for alleged involvement in an Aug. 19 bomb attack in Xinjiang’s western Aksu city.

 

The World Uyghur Congress pointed to concerns over lack of transparency in those cases too.

 

The Aksu blast left eight people dead, including two of the bombers, and 15 wounded after a man riding a three-wheeled vehicle threw explosives at a group of uniformed patrolmen. Four Uyghurs were arrested shortly after the attack.

 

State media characterized the cases as acts of terrorism and unrelated to longstanding ethnic tensions between Uyghurs and Han Chinese in the region.

 

Exiled Uyghur dissident Rebiya Kadeer has warned that attacks like those in Aksu will continue to occur until Beijing addresses the underlying source of tension in the region.

 

Millions of Uyghurs—a distinct, Turkic minority who are predominantly Muslim—populate Central Asia and Xinjiang.

 

Uyghurs say they have long suffered ethnic discrimination, oppressive religious controls, and continued poverty and joblessness despite China's ambitious plans to develop its vast northwestern frontier.

 

Those frustrations erupted in July 2009 in deadly riots that left nearly 200 people dead, by the Chinese government's tally.

 

At least 26 people, mostly Uyghurs, were sentenced to death in the aftermath of the riots, many of whom have been executed, according to state media.

 

China is believed to execute more people each year than the rest of the world’s countries combined, although the government does not publish official figures.

 

Rights groups say Beijing may execute as many as several thousand prisoners annually.

 

Chinese authorities blame Uyghur separatists for a series of deadly attacks in recent years and accuse one group in particular of maintaining ties to the al-Qaeda terrorist network.

 

New training scheme

 

China on Wednesday also announced a training scheme which places ethnic minority graduates from Xinjiang in work elsewhere in China.

 

Governments of the destination cities will spend 450 million yuan (U.S.$ 69 million) for the program, while Xinjiang will spend 400 million yuan (U.S.$ 61 million), the official Xinhua news agency reported.

 

The program targets some 60,000 jobless college graduates in Xinjiang, around 80 percent of whom are from ethnic minorities, and 60 percent of whom are women.

 

However, some commentators see the move as an attempt to assimilate non-Han Chinese into mainstream Chinese culture.

 

"From the point of view of ethnic minorities, the graduate work scheme is really taking the cream of youth from the minorities and using them to 'further cultural development,'" wrote one ethnic minority user on a popular microblogging service.

 

"In fact, the culture that is being advanced is Han culture, and this group of young people will have been totally brainwashed," the microblog update said.

 

An Urumqi resident surnamed Li agreed.

 

"They have run senior high school schemes like this before during the past few years," he said.

 

"Whether it's high-schoolers or graduate training programs, these are measures that are aimed at thought control and brainwashing, and the 'Partification' of their education," he said.

 

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.

Copyright © 1998-2011 Radio Free Asia. All rights reserved.

 

Wikileaks and also the Uyghur People

through holly on December 20, 2010
Henryk Szadziewski, Supervisor, Uyghur Human Rights Project

If it were actually in doubt, information acquired by the whistleblower web site, Wikileaks, has confirmed Chinese federal government fears more than it's ongoing charge of the location this phone calls Xinjiang, which is also known as Eastern Turkestan. The leaked wires from Ough.S. diplomats demonstrate the degree that Chinese government bodies attempt to convince government authorities worldwide to consider its position upon problems affecting Uyghurs. The actual wires additionally show the actual United States' issues as well as sights concerning the ongoing repressive steps in the region.

Most illuminating associated with Chinese federal government pressure are the cables directed in order to Chinese language frustration, or even the specter of Chinese ire, over the release of Uyghur detainees within Guantánamo to 3rd countries. A December Twenty nine, 08 cable applies exactly how Chinese Helper International Minister Liu Jieyi met with the Ough.S. Ambassador to China in order to voice Beijing's strong opposition of release to any country apart from China, and that if the Ough.S. did certainly accede to this ask for it would "avoid harm to bilateral relationships and also to co-operation ‘in important areas'". In addition, the February '09 cable explains the way the Chinese Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Zhang Yannian, regarded as the possible discharge of Uyghur Guantánamo detainees as "an unfavorable behave towards us" and a "slap within the face". That the U.Utes. federal government was firm within not liberating the detainees in order to The far east demonstrates the extent of the politicized character of the Chinese judicial program. Legitimate issues over terrorism tend to be easy to understand, however in the U.S. government's observe the detainees might most likely encounter do-it-yourself torture and delivery if they returned to The far east

Chinese language federal government pressure in regard to the Uyghur Guantánamo detainees was not just applied to the actual Ough.Utes. federal government, but additionally to Brand new Zealand and a number of Western government authorities that were thinking about resettlement. Albania, Germany as well as Finland, as well as Eu fellow member states all have the symptoms of borne the actual impact associated with Chinese language federal government disappointment. Regarding Indonesia, which was at first willing to consider two Uyghurs on solely relief grounds, Uyghur Guantánamo cases were less preferable to additional detainees because of the unwanted effects taking Uyghurs would have on relationships along with China. The May Eight, '09 cable television relates how "German Ambassador Michael Schaefer documented which Germany experienced informed China from the Ough.Utes. request to simply accept a few Uighur detainees kept at Guantánamo and had already been subsequently warned through China of ‘a large burden upon bilateral relations' if Indonesia had been to simply accept any detainees".

The diplomatic cables also discuss the actual unrest in Urumchi, the actual local funds, within This summer 2009. The This summer 13, '09 cable talking about mass incidents within The far east says:

"Ethnic riots such as those in Xinjiang July 5-7 as well as in Tibet within March of 08 vary substantially within origin as well as character through bulk occurrences, XXXXXXXXXXXX emphasized to PolOff [Political Officer] upon XXXXXXXXXXXX. Both existing severe trouble for the actual Party, XXXXXXXXXXXX said, however the Celebration leadership wouldn't hesitate to spread out fire upon Uighurs or Tibetans when they deemed this essential to restore purchase. Bulk incidents present a different kind of threat, he said, since the leadership is actually ‘afraid' to fireplace on Han rioters with regard to anxiety about causing massive open public outrage that would change from the Celebration."

This can be a relaxing viewpoint, especially when 1 views the evidence presented in two reviews released this year by the Uyghur Human Privileges Task (UHRP) as well as Amnesty Worldwide which detail eyewitness company accounts of the utilization of lethal reside fireplace towards Uyghur protestors in July '09. Additionally, the actual declaration that fireplace wouldn't be deployed against Han Chinese protestors offers resonances for that various strategy used through Chinese protection causes within Urumchi in order to Han Chinese language protests in Sept 2009. Throughout individuals direct orders, then Celebration Assistant, Wang Lequan, addressed demonstrators, that experienced demanded he inform them about federal government reactions to protection concerns. An identical request to meet with the Celebration Assistant by Uyghur protesters within This summer was not fulfilled.

The actual wider consequences of the unrest additionally saw a brief dialogue about the impact it would have on Iran-China relationships, as well as on relations along with Sydney after World Uyghur Congress Leader, Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, talked in the National Push Club within Canberra in July '09. Within the second option case, china government "privately warn[ed] a major Aussie financial institution which vendors the National Press Club to make use of it's impact to block a Kadeer speech there".

The actual U . s . States' issues concerning the situation in the Uyghur area are available through in the cables. Inside a dialogue on plan path within Tibet, Ough.S. authorities clarify that it will end up being not possible with regard to Chinese frontrunners to adopt the much softer line "if they appear like they are doing this under worldwide pressure". The cable television out dated April Sixteen, 2008, one month following the episode associated with unrest in Tibetan areas, additionally relayed the actual observation "that domestic stability continues to be leadership's main concern most of all, which means there will ‘almost surely' end up being absolutely no relaxation of the present difficult collection upon Tibet or perhaps in locations like Xinjiang." The information included in the cable television additionally sheds gentle on the severe sensitivity that the Chinese federal government sights territorial integrity, and also the feasible spill over of unrest through Tibet.

The prospect associated with methods to stress within Tibet and Xinjiang arising from municipal society are discussed in a February Twenty-four, 2008 cable. Whilst recommending that China's financial success increases it's potential to deal with democratic change, the cable television also discusses exactly how Chinese leaders begin to see the effectiveness associated with "a restricted growth associated with municipal society, such as enhancements within the rule of regulation and a stronger role with regard to approved religions, NGOs, charities and other stars within areas which contribute to social stability and don't problem Communist Party guideline." This is a notable change in thinking, which has seen U.S. authorities market the notion that Chinese language economic improvement, as well as financial relationships with The far east will bring in regards to a steadily democratic culture; nevertheless, much more belief appears to be put into the grassroots movement compared to one which starts from the top quantity of a Chinese language federal government. Nevertheless, the cable proves that "[i]n places for example Tibet and Xinjiang, driving a car of separatism leads to tight restrictions on the development of municipal culture." This method is viewed as counter-productive by the recognized, who shows that the U.S. government "should continue to express...serious issues over Beijing's individual privileges report and attract China's developing consciousness which greater regard for human privileges, religious independence and also the rule of regulation assists to advertise the very improvement and social balance that The far east looks for in addition to to enhance China's international image." This type of technique would take substantial diplomatic skills considering "China's paranoid concern the United States secretly encourages regime change as well as ‘separatists' in Taiwan, Tibet as well as Xinjiang".

The actual wires provide insight into the actual every day business of diplomacy that is rarely owned by everyone, which is fascinating to note the amount of function done behind closed doors upon Uyghur problems. The importance of the actual role of the United States like a keep track of of Uyghur human rights problems in private conversations is created clear, and contrasts with its tactful public stance. Employees of the Uyghur Human Privileges Project is actually comfortable with the pressure china federal government exerts upon Uyghur activists; still, the details of Chinese language government stress upon its alternatives is illustrative from the degree that Chinese language authorities make an effort to suppress contrary stories. With more revelations in the future through Wikileaks, concerns over Uyghurs may not grab the actual headlines, however the wires have shed brand new light on the paperwork of human privileges problems within the Uyghur area.

 

Wikileaks and the Uyghurs

by holly on December 20, 2010
Henryk Szadziewski, Manager, Uyghur Human Rights Project

Whether it were actually uncertain, info acquired by the whistleblower website, Wikileaks, has confirmed Chinese language federal government fears over its ongoing charge of the location it phone calls Xinjiang, also is referred to as East Turkestan. The actual leaked cables through U.Utes. diplomats demonstrate the degree that Chinese government bodies attempt to persuade government authorities worldwide to adopt it's stance on problems affecting Uyghurs. The actual cables also display the U . s . States' issues and views concerning the on going repressive measures in the area.

Most illuminating associated with Chinese language government stress are the cables directed in order to Chinese anger, or even the specter associated with Chinese language ire, within the discharge of Uyghur detainees in Guantánamo to third nations. The Dec 29, 08 cable applies how Chinese Assistant International Reverend Liu Jieyi met using the Ough.S. Ambassador to The far east in order to tone of voice Beijing's strong opposition associated with release to any kind of country other than China, and that when the U.S. did indeed accede to this request it would "avoid harm to bilateral relationships and also to cooperation ‘in important areas'". In addition, a February '09 cable explains how the Chinese language Ambassador in order to Kyrgyzstan, Zhang Yannian, regarded the actual feasible discharge of Uyghur Guantánamo detainees as "an unfavorable act toward us" and a "slap within the face". The Ough.S. federal government stood firm in not liberating the detainees to China demonstrates the extent from the politicized nature from the Chinese language judicial system. Legitimate issues more than terrorism are understandable, however in the actual Ough.S. government's view the detainees would most likely encounter do-it-yourself torture and execution if they returned in order to The far east

Chinese language government stress in regard to the Uyghur Guantánamo detainees was not just put on the U.Utes. federal government, but additionally in order to Brand new Zealand along with a handful of Western government authorities that were thinking about resettlement. Albania, Indonesia as well as Finland, in addition to Eu fellow member says all have the symptoms of paid for the brunt associated with Chinese government unhappiness. Regarding Germany, that was initially willing to consider 2 Uyghurs on solely relief reasons, Uyghur Guantánamo cases were much less better than additional detainees due to the unwanted effects taking Uyghurs would have upon relations with The far east. A Might 8, 2009 cable television applies exactly how "German Ambassador Erina Schaefer documented that Indonesia had informed The far east of the U.Utes. ask for to accept some Uighur detainees kept at Guantánamo and had already been subsequently warned by The far east of ‘a heavy load on bilateral relations' if Indonesia were to simply accept any kind of detainees".

The diplomatic wires additionally talk about the unrest in Urumchi, the local funds, in July 2009. A July 13, 2009 cable talking about mass incidents within China states:

"Ethnic riots such as those who work in Xinjiang This summer 5-7 as well as in Tibet within 03 of 2008 vary substantially in source and nature from bulk incidents, XXXXXXXXXXXX emphasized to PolOff [Political Officer] on XXXXXXXXXXXX. Both present serious problems for the Celebration, XXXXXXXXXXXX said, but the Celebration leadership wouldn't wait to open fire upon Uighurs or Tibetans when they considered this necessary to restore purchase. Bulk occurrences pose another kind of threat, he said, as the leadership is ‘afraid' to fireplace upon Han rioters for anxiety about sparking massive public outrage that will turn from the Party."

This can be a relaxing opinion, particularly when 1 considers evidence presented by 50 percent reports launched this year through the Uyghur Individual Rights Project (UHRP) and Amnesty Worldwide which fine detail eyewitness accounts of the use of deadly live fire towards Uyghur protestors in July 2009. Additionally, the actual observation that fireplace wouldn't be deployed against Han Chinese language protestors has resonances for that different approach used through Chinese language protection forces in Urumchi in order to Han Chinese language protests in Sept '09. During those direct orders, after that Celebration Secretary, Wang Lequan, addressed demonstrators, that experienced required he inform them regarding government reactions to protection concerns. An identical request to satisfy with the Celebration Assistant by Uyghur protesters in This summer was not met.

The wider consequences from the unrest additionally noticed a brief discussion on the effect it might possess upon Iran-China relationships, and on relationships with Sydney following World Uyghur Our elected representatives President, Ms. Rebiya Kadeer, spoke at the National Press Club within Canberra in August '09. Within the second option situation, china federal government "privately warn[ed] a major Aussie financial institution which sponsors the National Press Membership to use it's influence to block the Kadeer talk there".

The U . s . States' issues about the scenario in the Uyghur area also come through within the cables. Inside a discussion upon policy direction within Tibet, U.Utes. officials explain that it will be impossible for Chinese frontrunners to consider the much softer collection "if they look like doing so under worldwide pressure". The cable dated April 16, 08, 30 days after the episode associated with unrest in Tibetan regions, also relayed the actual declaration "that household stability continues to be leadership's top priority above all else, which means there'll ‘almost surely' be no relaxation from the current hard collection on Tibet or in places like Xinjiang." The info contained in the cable also storage sheds light about the extreme level of sensitivity that china government views territorial ethics, and also the feasible spill more than associated with unrest from Tibet.

The prospect of solutions to stress in Tibet and Xinjiang arising from civil society are discussed in a Feb Twenty-four, 08 cable television. While recommending which China's economic success will increase its potential to deal with democratic change, the actual cable television additionally discusses exactly how Chinese language frontrunners begin to see the usefulness of "a limited growth associated with civil culture, including improvements within the guideline associated with regulation along with a stronger role for authorized religions, NGOs, non profit organizations along with other stars within places that bring about sociable stability and don't challenge Communist Celebration rule." This is a notable change in considering, that has seen Ough.Utes. authorities market the notion which Chinese financial development, and financial relations with China brings in regards to a steadily democratic society; however, more belief appears to be placed in the grassroots motion compared to one that starts in the best levels of the Chinese federal government. Nonetheless, the actual cable television concludes that "[i]n areas such as Tibet as well as Xinjiang, driving a car of separatism results in tight limitations about the development of municipal society." This method is viewed as counter-productive through the recognized, that suggests that the actual Ough.Utes. government "should still express...serious issues over Beijing's human rights record and appeal to China's growing consciousness that higher respect for individual rights, religious freedom and the guideline associated with law will serve to promote the very development as well as sociable stability which The far east seeks in addition to to enhance China's international image." This type of technique would consider substantial diplomatic abilities thinking about "China's weird fear the Usa secretly encourages routine change as well as ‘separatists' within Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang".

The actual wires provide insight into the daily company of diplomacy that's rarely owned by everyone, and it is interesting to note the amount of work carried out nowadays on Uyghur problems. The significance of the role of the United States like a keep track of of Uyghur individual rights conditions in personal conversations is made clear, and contrasts using its tactful open public position. The staff from the Uyghur Human Privileges Task is well aware of the pressure the Chinese federal government exerts upon Uyghur activists; still, the details associated with Chinese language federal government stress upon it's counterparts is illustrative from the degree which Chinese officials make an effort to suppress contrary stories. With more facts to come from Wikileaks, concerns over Uyghurs might not grab the actual headlines, but the wires possess get rid of new gentle on the paperwork associated with human rights conditions in the Uyghur area.

 

Search Engine Optimisation And Article Marketing Will Place Yourself on Page One

Search engine marketing and marketing with articles are a couple of the strongest strategies which you can use promoting your internet site and get the revenue and success that you desire for your internet business. These two things have been around for any really long time already nevertheless they still still be really effective. In reality, these have helped a lot of people free themselves from your traditional methods for money-generating options of society.

In the following paragraphs, I will be showing the ways on what it is possible to properly execute seo and marketing with articles for the betterment of your business enterprise website. In addition, I will also be discussing the different points that you have to consider if you are using these two website marketing strategies to market your website and obtain customers. Despite the fact that article marketing and Search engine optimisation have been established for a long time already, you have to know that the trends and choices as to how they are carried out are continually changing, which explains why you should stay up to date with this stuff through the help of Seo forum sites so that you can quickly adjust and learn how to make your strategies far better.

In the past marketing with articles to various web sites was previously so simple yet the effects they produce for websites was powerful. However, things have changed a great deal today. Nowadays submitting exactly the same article to several websites has stopped being a good suggestion because search engines have now changed to some huge extent in how they rank pages. They no longer rank contents that are identical like they utilized to in the past. This is the most effective samples of changes that exist in online marketing trends. This change has given birth to wide plethora of methods that web marketers are using today. Most of online marketers now produce articles and submit them in really popular article directory sites and await site visitors to make their pages. Be thought of as that most reliable Seo strategy that can be used. Aside from being effective, this provides positive outcomes regularly. The only problem using this strategy is that the caliber of traffic you will get out of this defintely won't be so good unless you do proper keyphrase research beforehand and rehearse in-links. You first need for carrying on these two things before you decide to submit your posts so that you won't end up losing huge amounts of targeted visitors. This means that you need to practice good levels of diligence if you'd like your advertising initiatives to function.

Apart from articles, you can even use blogging, which is another really powerful kind of internet marketing strategy today because it is highly popular with the major search engines. On this technique, you are able to choose to create a single web log that specifically targets your best market or else you can give rise to other weblogs which can be called experts in your niche.

Learn effective Vancouver search engine optimization techniques in the Vancouver SEO website.

Roofing Companies Vancouver WA

There are many things to take into account when looking for a new roofing contractor. Price, experience, along with referrals are a handful of the things you'll likely be concerned about. Keep reading for even more ideas.

• Finding a Roofing Contractors

Before buying roofing contractor, make sure you have a general idea of the project that you need to did. By no means must you be an expert. If you have a Roof Certificate, read it extensively to find the details about your current roof. Should you not have a Ceiling Certificate, talk about documents authorized during concluding to locate your Roof Inspection sheet. These files should provide you with everything you need to find out about your roof. Ahead of contacting the roofing contractor, you need to have a list of needs and specs to help you make a decision exactly who is acceptable for your roofer project. Be sure to write down each and every potential roofing contractor's answers along with check them against one another. If you will find any mistakes, be sure to notice this along with take this into consideration when generating a final decision. There are no uncomplicated ways to choose a roofing contractor, in case you take heed to the info provided, your chances of a successful roofing project are greatly enhanced.

One of the best strategies to finding a roofers is by person to person. Try asking a friend or relative that has had roof covering work done, and was satisfied with the job. Get the identify of the company and their own contact details. If you have not sure of oral cavity referrals, try first hunting in the telephone book an internet-based. A large advert or elegant website is not necessarily an indication of the good quality of work, but tend to be a very good tool regarding measuring the amount of time and devotion they have used in their respective profession. Also, try discovering current worksites and appearance at the roof covering work that is done maybe in the process of becoming finished. In case you are visually satisfied, ask the exact property manager for your name of the roofing contractor along with their contact information.

• Preliminary research

When looking for any roofing contractors, it is imperative to very first do your background research. Acquire the best in the phonebook or on the web is a suitable place to find a builder, finding essential information on these kinds of businesses is going to be found in several other areas. 1st, check with spots like the Better Business Bureau, city, state, and region public records, and also local accreditation agencies. Question your roofer if they are a member of any roofer associations. These types of precautions will mitigate your current risks. In addition ask them what types of roofing that they specialize in. Also ask the roofing contractor regarding any extended auto warranties they offer on the installed roofing. Find out what precautions they decide to try avoid injury done to other regions of the home by simply workers. Products such as gutters, exterior siding, and fireplaces are close in proximity and for that reason susceptible to accidental damages.

Make sure all of this details are included in your created contract. Determine whether you need a covering permit and/or agreement from your home owners association before hand. These entities will let you know who's responsible for obtaining these enables and permissions. If it is the duty of the roofer, also have that included in your contract. Whether it is your obligation, get mentioned permits and permissions collated while using estimated roofer project and also have it obviously posted or perhaps readily available.

• Certification and Professional references

Roofing Companies are not needed to be qualified in all says. Contact community licensing organizations that oversee general building contractors for a list of demands. Once you have acquired the requirements, develop a list of detailed questions to ask the potential roofing contractor. This simple list should instantly help you to discount the skilled from the dodgy roofing companies. Qualified contractors should be able to effortlessly answer questions or even tell you that they must do more research just before giving a definitive response.

Even if a roofing contractor offers all essential licensing, you need to ask to see pictures regarding completed roofing jobs as well as speak to fulfilled clients. Use a list of concerns handy to ask recent clientele, such as the dynamics of the employment, timeliness, and all round satisfaction. Make certain these are current clients and cross guide if possible. When it comes to commercial covering, make sure that the particular roofing contractor will be bonded. Checking these personal references is another additional measure of security to limit the list involving potential roofer contractors.

Seo Through Article Writing

Article marketing could be a very powerful type of Search engine optimization to your company websites. Quality written articles be capable of improve your websites SERP and add quality in your company website. Writing informative keyword rich articles is important in gaining new backlinks for a business website. Articles can and should be written on topics that are unique to your business or industry. The articles can discuss numerous issues and ideas in your industry. Articles that offer the reader having a resource will always be one of the most popular and many likely forms of articles that may result in backlinks aimed at your website.

Focus your articles on your own potential readers or customers. Search engine optimization articles should address real questions which might be asked by current or past clients. Each article you are writing for you company includes detailed analysis and Seo keywords that can help associate your site while using content contained in the website. Focus your posts on up to 3 keywords and do not stray at their store. Consistency is very important when writing Search engine optimization articles. In case you are currently talking about Vancouver Seo ensure your carry on and write about information tightly related to the keyword.

Give each one of your Search engine optimization Articles an engaging Title which will encourage people to learn and bookmark your posts. Ideally, the articles you're writing can be as links from other websites which can be similar to yours. This one thing may help boost the power of each link all of which will aid in increasing your SERP. Make sure you end each article using a keyword anchored link (see Easy Small enterprise Search engine optimization). This link will enhance your rankings in the search engines and other major engines like google to the keyword coupled to the link. Submit the articles with a free article directory and Voila! Before long, your website might be around the first page of Google.

Appreciate your reading. Can't wait to talk to your Search engine optimization articles!

Vancouver Seo Company Aims For Google Places With Overall Success

When people type in a search term searching for a business in their local area, they are going to find that Google places and Google maps is showing listings of local businesses. It is extremely eminent to enable them to be optimized and for auction on this first page if they desire to generate business. Vancouver SEO companies have to be educated in this area for their clients.

There appears to be a large amount of new Vancouver SEO companies setting up, simply because the necessity is there. Finding a search engine firm which has the client's welfare at heart could be tedious. The number of keywords can they optimize for? What are keywords as well as the corresponding amount of searches? Do they discover how to optimize for Google places? Etc. Search engine optimization will be the business of landing at the very top and Maxim Edge you can get there.

"My wife i started our Vancouver Search engine optimization company by accident. We've got learned with the school of hard knocks and experimentation how to utilize the web to showcase any business. We began while using website, then the competition, then of course building quality back-links to push an internet site up inside rankings. It isn't pushing some control and watching what happens type of business. It will require a lot of effort, a lot of research and plenty of commitment. We work tirelessly for our clients and that we are very satisfied with a high retention rate." Randy Neale says.

For added information on Michael, a Vancouver Search engine optimization company, please visit their site today at seo4vancouver.com

Little about the Uyghurs

In the center of the desert landscapes of Taklamakan, in the northern-west part of China, the province of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region is a very least populated province whereas it covers close to a sixth with the nation's area. Having resisted during centuries the chinese control, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, or Old Eastern Turkestan, fell into under the Chinese Han control in 1949. From then, its population is mostly Uyghur People and Turkish - speaking System.

Muslim especially, the Uyghurs have a deep religious identification which usually, in particular, permitted them to preserve a solid big difference in opposition to the Chinese invader. Of course, the Uyghur Kingdom of Mongolia knew a brilliant civilization, until its absorption by the Mongolian Empire in the XIIIth century.

While in their own historical past, the Uyghur People successively taken on Shamanism, Manicheism, Buddhism and the Nestorianism before finally moving to Islam when the Arab conquerors beat the Chinese in year 751 BC., as a result opening the way to the Islamization of the entire Central Asia.

Under the effect of the religions which they taken, Uyghur People used successively, and at times in a competing way, a great number of written forms (turco-runic, brahmi, tokharien, soghdien) before developing their own graphic system.

The entrance of Islam was a great modification because it was supported by the assimilation of the Uyghur areas in the enormous Turco-Mongolian and Islamic Kingdom. Thus, the descendants of Genghis Khan slowly replaced their writing by a Arabo-Persan alphabet, still used today.

If their writing, their language and their religion mark a real big difference with the culture of Chinese Han, Uyghur People also are different from their aspect, so characteristic of Central Asia's people. A shiny skin, eyes representing a whole pallet of colors, from black to deep blue, features going out to the Mongolian, Turkish or Uzbek origins of these men and these women.

For a few years, China has included the proper identity of these remote people, though they represent only 8 million people - a trifle for this kind of big country. Therefore, the Uyghurs are now part of the 56 racial minority groups having been well known in an official way by the People's Republic of China.

This particular statute allows these people a few privileges in a country exactly where their difference is very often repressed. Thus, Uyghur families escape the "single child policy" and their language is accepted as the second official language in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The integration of the Uyghurs and their culture in the People's Republic of China, however, appears really illusory. The presence of all natural resources in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and its proximity with locations recognized as very sensitive, highly motivated the government to speed up the sinicization of this area. Million of Han thus came to settle in this new Chinese eldorado, monopolizing the more significant responsibility work opportunities.

In reaction to this true will to assimilate the Uyghurs into the Chinese culture, an independent party like East Turkistan Islamic Movement(ETIM) was born in the early 1990.

Asserting more flexibility, but in particular the recognition of their true identity, this movement was seriously repressed by the power authorities in area Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The events of September 11, 2001, were the perfect occasion for the Chinese government to justify true reprisals: they declared the "Uyghur freedom fighters" as dangerous terrorists linked to Al Quaida because of their Muslim origins and their proximity with Pakistan and Afghanistan... However, the terrible repression which followed did not calm down the anger. The Uyghur population continues today to proudly continue to keep their identification and their culture , though they become a minority on their own land.

To get more information about the Uyghurs, you can visit a Uyghur website called Uyghur News at http://www.uyghurnews.com