Some words that you might search for at a search engine may have more than one meaning. For example, the word fencing can mean a sport involving swords, a man-made barrier enclosing an area, or activity to make a profit from illegally gained goods. Words or phrases that can have two or more are sometimes referred to as polysemous words.

That can pose challenges for:

• Search engines - trying to identify the intent behind searches.
• Searchers - seeing results unrelated to what they were trying to find.
• Site owners - finding their pages in search results surrounded by sites offering something very different from what they offer
• Advertisers - who may bid on certain words or phrases as sponsored results for searchers who may have absolutely no interest in those ads

If someone enters the word [fencing] into a search engine, the search results they see will likely be filled with pages related to all of the different meanings of the word such as, electric fences, local search maps for fencing companies, Olympic moments relived at the United States Fencing Association web site, the wikipedia entry on Fence (criminal), and others.

Chances are that the person searching was only interested finding information about either the sport, the barrier, or the criminal activity.

How would you solve this problem if you were creating the algorithms behind how a search engine worked?

The Problem with Query Refinement Suggestions

One solution might be for a search engine to show query suggestions along with search results, adding more words to the original query based upon previous queries from other searchers.

A search engine could look at its query logs to see how often searchers made changes to their queries, and associate those followup queries with the original ones. Many searchers, faced with a mix of results like those for fencing might change their original query to include an additional word or words to their search that might make it more likely that more of the search results will be relevant to what they intended to find.

So, someone searching for information about the sport of fencing might add a word like “epee” to the search. An epee is a kind of sword that a fencer would use when they compete against someone else. If enough people refine their searches in that way, then a search engine might start showing [fencing epee] as a link within search results for a search for [fencing].

So, what’s the problem? It could take months for a search engine to collect enough data to decide which additional query refinements to show. And it’s possible that a search engine might only show query refinements for one type of meaning for a word. For example, the suggested query refinements presently at Google on a search for [fencing] are all related to the barrier meaning except for the first one listed:

• history of fencing
• wire fencing
• aluminum fencing
• wood fence
• yard fence
• privacy fence
• chain link fence
• building a fence

Using Related Words to Understand Meaning

Another approach might be to look at documents on the Web where polysemous words appear, and look at the other words that appear near them to find words or phrases that might be related to the different meanings of those polysemous words.

For example, one meaning of the word “Saturn” is the name of a planet, and it may be possible for a search engine to figure out that is how the word is being used if it appears near words such as “Earth,” and “Mars,” and “Jupiter” and “Solar System.”

Another meaning for the word “Saturn” is the make of a car, and a search engine might glean that meaning if it sees words such as “Ford,” or “Lincoln,” or “Mercury,” or “automobile,” or “engine.”

Being able to distinquish between the different contexts of a word that has more than one meaning is a significant undertaking because a search for Saturn, the car, is a different search than one for Saturn, the planet.

A patent application from Yahoo describes a process that could be used to determine if a word or phrase has more than one meaning based upon the words that tend to co-occur in documents with that word.

Method and Apparatus for Discovering and Classifying Polysemous Word Instances in Web Documents
Invented by Richard Michael King
US Patent Application 20090157648
Assigned to Yahoo
Published June 18, 2009
Filed December 14, 2007

Abstract

A method and apparatus for discovering polysemous words and classifying polysemous words found in web documents. All document corpi in any natural language have words that have multiple usage contexts or words that have multiple meanings.

Semantic analysis is not feasible for classifying all word occurrences in all documents on the web, which contain trillions of words in total. In addition, semantic analysis typically cannot distinguish multiple usages of a given meaning of a given word.

In one embodiment of this invention, polysemous words in natural languages can be discovered by analyzing the co-occurrence of other words with the polysemous word in web documents. In one embodiment, the multiple meanings and usages of a polysemous word can be determined by analyzing the co-occurrences of other words with the polysemous word. In one embodiment, counting overcorrelations is achieved probabilistically to minimize use of network bandwidth.

The patent filing provides details on how they might count the frequency of words that appear in different documents on the Web, and how often those words appear with other words, and how infrequently they may appear with other words.

There are some interesting twists to this process. One of them involves breaking down the words found within documents into smaller blocks. An example given in the patent application is of blocks of 200 words. There are a few reasons for breaking down a document into smaller, overlapping blocks.

One is that some pages may be very long, and relating words found on those long pages may result in creating relationships between words that aren’t necessarily related.

Another is that a page from a blog may contain a number of different entries that aren’t related, and if a whole page of different blog entries was analyzed, that might provide results that aren’t very useful as well.

Conclusion

I’ve kept my look at the process behind the patent to a fairly simple overview, and the patent application does go into much more depth on how it might distinquish between different meanings of words based upon how frequently those words appear near related words on pages upon the Web.

Searchers, web publishers, and advertisers should keep in mind that there are many words that do have more than one meaning when they perform searches or create content for web pages, or choose keywords to advertise with.

It can be helpful to think about words that might be related to those multi-meaning, or polysemous words when searching or writing content for pages or using a keyword based advertising system. Yahoo shows us with this patent filing that they may start taking advantage of such relationships between words.

The [WINDOWS KEY] usually found on your keyboard on either side of the space bar, or possibly on the outside of the [ALT] keys by pace-bar. If you don't have a [WINDOWS KEY] then this article can't help you, other then to have a general knowledge of the actions, but it seems to me that people are usually keyboard or mouse driven people, and if you don't use these commands on a regular basis, then you'll forget and never use them.

Most people use this key as a single keystroke to activate the start menu.

This key is actually used for more then your Start Menu and I use it a ton, especially when I'm using someone else's machine.

• [WINDOWS KEY] + [E] = Launch Windows Explorer
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [R] = Same as Start | Run
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [M] = Minimize all Windows
• [SHIFT] + [WINDOWS KEY] + [M] = Undo Minimize all Windows
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [D] = Toggle Desktop On|Off
  • This is the same as [M] but when you toggle all your applications are still in place, instead of being minimized.
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [U] = Launch Utility Manager
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [F] = Same as Start | Find
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [L] = Lock Computer - Same as [CTRL]+[ALT]+[DELETE] and then click or select "Lock Computer" 
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [CTRL] + [F] = Find Computers
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [TAB] = Start Bar Focus, on the application list
  • Then use [RIGHT] and [LEFT] arrow keys to move back and forth, press [ENTER] to activate application.
• [CTRL] + [WINDOWS KEY] + [TAB] = Ever wanted keyboard access to your system tray?
  • This is VERY helpful if you end up mouseless.
  • It's kinda weird, some systems make you [WINDOWS KEY] + [TAB] to set focus to the start bar application list, then [CTRL] + [WINDOWS KEY] + [TAB] will move over tot he System Tray.
• [WINDOWS KEY] + [BREAK] = Launch System Properties

If you know of more, send me an e-mail ( scottc@myKBPro.com ) and I'll get them posted.

Happy Coding

Techno is a type of dance music featuring electronic instruments, principally electronic synthesizers and drum machines. Also its production is largely undertaken with music sequencers such as Cubase, Pro Tools and Logic. Originating in Detroit towards the end of the 1980s Techno now has many subgenres but its initial inspiration was the fusing of European synth based music with Afro American styles of music like House, Electro, funk and even electric jazz. There is a futuristic and aesthetic quality to Techno which some see as a marriage between technology and spirituality and even the transfer of spirituality from humans to machines... scary stuff!

Suitable for all kinds of media productions, especially science fiction film, experimental film, science and technology documentaries, web development and video game production.

Composed by Martin Thompson. Other music by this composer.

This is Royalty Free Music from White Beetle Ltd and is subject to our Royalty Free Music License.

Preview as MP3 (80kbps)

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Brazil is seen as the birth place of the Samba but the roots of the music show a remarkable combination of African, Native Indian, and Iberian influences. The movement and dance of the Samba shows the African and Native Indian influence whereas the intricate harmonies and harmonic instrumentation originate from Europe. Though seen as similar to Jazz, Samba's development was not really influenced greatly by Jazz and this can be seen in the highly percussive nature of Samba and whereas Jazz tends to focus more on instrumentation.

Today's Samba was developed from an twentieth century Brazilian music called Choro. Both Samba the music and the dance have many forms many different styles, from the call response of samba de enredo, Carnival Music to samba-canção or song samba which is a more relaxed using guitar and percussion. Bossa Nova (New Wave) of course, is a more relaxed form, for instance Antonio Carlos Jobim's "The Girl From Ipanema".

Composed by William Peklinsky. Other music by this composer.

This is Royalty Free Music from White Beetle Ltd and is subject to our Royalty Free Music License.

Preview as MP3 (80kbps)

Full Article

1. The Unbound Word – 2 Timothy 2:8-9
2. Know, Preach, Teach the Word – 1 Timothy 4:13-16
3. The Preacher As Servant of the Word

  Spanish audio FlashCards software to learn over 3800 common Spanish words and expressions.

Declan s Spanish Flashcards 1.4 Main Features :
* Over 50 free audio wordfiles for free download
* Every word includes a native speaker s audio recording
* Flashcard review and exercises to aid memorization
* Learning-list testing technique ensures word retention
* Manually create your own custom wordfiles
* Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version also available

The Learning List technique
The Learning List technique means that if you get an answer wrong in any of the exercises, that word will be marked as incomplete in all exercise and will have to be attempted again. Only when all exercise have been completed will the word move off the Learning List and another, yet unlearned word, move onto the Learning List to replace it. This process continues until all words in a WordFile have been mastered.

Flashcards and Review
After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the FlashCards feature. With It can be fully configured including which elements to display and their order, and the delay between items when auto-progressing. After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the Review feature. By clicking the Next.. each word can be reviewed. The Review Options button brings up a dialogue windows that allows users to customize that order in which audio is played. Words can also be marked as complete, and added to or dropped from the Learning List while being reviewed.

Exercises :

  Audio FlashCards software to learn over 3600 common Russian words and expressions.

Declan s Russian Flashcards 1.4 Main Features :

* Over 50 free audio wordfiles for free download
* Every word includes a native speaker s audio recording
* Flashcard review and exercises to aid memorization
* Learning-list testing technique ensures word retention
* Manually create your own custom wordfiles
* Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version also available

The Learning List technique
The Learning List technique means that if you get an answer wrong in any of the exercises, that word will be marked as incomplete in all exercise and will have to be attempted again. Only when all exercise have been completed will the word move off the Learning List and another, yet unlearned word, move onto the Learning List to replace it. This process continues until all words in a WordFile have been mastered.

Flashcards and Review
After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the FlashCards feature. It can be fully configured including which elements to display and their order, and the delay between items when auto-progressing. After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the Review feature. By clicking the Next.. each word can be reviewed. The Review Options button brings up a dialogue windows that allows users to customize that order in which audio is played. Words can also be marked as complete, and added to or dropped from the Learning List while being reviewed.

Exercises :

  Italian audio flashcards software to learn over 3800 common Italian words and expressions.

Declan s Italian Flashcards 1.4 Main Features :
* Over 50 free audio wordfiles for free download
* Every word includes a native speaker s audio recording
* Flashcard review and exercises to aid memorization
* Learning-list testing technique ensures word retention
* Manually create your own custom wordfiles
* Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version also available

The Learning List technique
The Learning List technique means that if you get an answer wrong in any of the exercises, that word will be marked as incomplete in all exercise and will have to be attempted again. Only when all exercise have been completed will the word move off the Learning List and another, yet unlearned word, move onto the Learning List to replace it. This process continues until all words in a WordFile have been mastered.

Flashcards and Review
After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the FlashCards feature. I can be fully configured including which elements to display and their order, and the delay between items when auto-progressing. After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the Review feature. By clicking the Next.. each word can be reviewed. The Review Options button brings up a dialogue windows that allows users to customize that order in which audio is played. Words can also be marked as complete, and added to or dropped from the Learning List while being reviewed.

Exercises :

  Audio FlashCards software to learn over 3600 common Chinese words and expressions.

Declan s Chinese Flashcards 1.4 Main Features :

* Over 50 free audio wordfiles for free download
* Every word includes a native speaker s audio recording
* Flashcard review and exercises to aid memorization
* Learning-list testing technique ensures word retention
* Manually create your own custom wordfiles
* Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version also available

The Learning List technique
The Learning List technique means that if you get an answer wrong in any of the exercises, that word will be marked as incomplete in all exercise and will have to be attempted again. Only when all exercise have been completed will the word move off the Learning List and another, yet unlearned word, move onto the Learning List to replace it. This process continues until all words in a WordFile have been mastered.

Flashcards and Review
After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the FlashCards feature. It can be fully configured including which elements to display and their order, and the delay between items when auto-progressing. After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the Review feature. By clicking the Next.. each word can be reviewed. The Review Options button brings up a dialogue windows that allows users to customize that order in which audio is played. Words can also be marked as complete, and added to or dropped from the Learning List while being reviewed.

Exercises :

  German audio flashcards software to learn over 3000 common German words and expressions.

Declan s German Flashcards 1.4 Main Features :
* Over 50 free audio wordfiles for free download
* Every word includes a native speakers audio recording
* Flashcard review and exercises to aid memorization
* Learning-list testing technique ensures word retention
* Manually create your own custom wordfiles
* Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version also available

The Learning List technique
The Learning List technique means that if you get an answer wrong in any of the exercises, that word will be marked as incomplete in all exercise and will have to be attempted again. Only when all exercise have been completed will the word move off the Learning List and another, yet unlearned word, move onto the Learning List to replace it. This process continues until all words in a WordFile have been mastered.

Flashcards and Review
After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the FlashCards feature. It can be fully configured including which elements to display and their order, and the delay between items when auto-progressing. After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the Review feature. By clicking the Next.. each word can be reviewed. The Review Options button brings up a dialogue windows that allows users to customize that order in which audio is played. Words can also be marked as complete, and added to or dropped from the Learning List while being reviewed.

Exercises :

  

Special Offer : Order now and receive our Exlusive Coupon 10% OFF! the regular price!

French audio flashcards software to learn over 3600 common French words and expressions.

Declan s French Flashcards 1.4 Main Features :

* Over 50 free audio wordfiles for free download
* Every word includes a native speaker s audio recording
* Flashcard review and exercises to aid memorization
* Learning-list testing technique ensures word retention
* Manually create your own custom wordfiles
* Windows Mobile/Pocket PC version also available

The Learning List technique
The Learning List technique means that if you get an answer wrong in any of the exercises, that word will be marked as incomplete in all exercise and will have to be attempted again. Only when all exercise have been completed will the word move off the Learning List and another, yet unlearned word, move onto the Learning List to replace it. This process continues until all words in a WordFile have been mastered.

Flashcards and Review
After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the FlashCards feature. It can be fully configured including which elements to display and their order, and the delay between items when auto-progressing. After selecting a Word File on the Main Page, words in the Word File s Learning List can be systematically reviewed using the Review feature. By clicking the Next.. each word can be reviewed. The Review Options button brings up a dialogue windows that allows users to customize that order in which audio is played. Words can also be marked as complete, and added to or dropped from the Learning List while being reviewed.

Exercises :

Tahoe Keys Luxury Home Neighborhood, South Lake Tahoe, CA: Current Real Estate Activity.

We’ve just updated all Tahoe Keys neighborhood real estate activity in South Lake Tahoe, including all 2009 luxury home sales, current escrow and all active listings. Please note “Tahoe Keys  (CA)” found in our left sidebar.

2009 Tahoe Keys single family home luxury sales, here.

Current Tahoe Keys, South Lake Tahoe single family luxury homes in escrow,  here.

Current Tahoe Keys, South Lake Tahoe single family luxury homes listed,  here.

Also note that we have added information about distressed sales to our reports so that you can easily determine if a house is bank owned, a short sale or not.

Current Tahoe Keys, South Lake Tahoe  Neighborhood Sales Recap : 

There are  8  Tahoe Keys single family home sales in 2009 at present. Three of these were distressed properties (either a bank owned or short sale).

There are  59  Tahoe Keys single family homes listed and available for sale that are not in escrow right now. At least five of these are distressed properties.

There are 11  Tahoe Keys single family homes in escrow at present. Six (54%) of these are distressed properties.

Sales Statistics:

We offer this information as a public service. It is the most complete information on   Tahoe Keys  (CA) available.

If you like what you see here and find it helpful, please call or email us for further help with buying or selling a Lake Tahoe home. We’re also always interested in comments and suggestions too. (Use comments box below.)

14 Great Games to Play with Reference Materials!
By Kathy Grubb

Are you feeling trapped in the house this winter? Looking for a solution for the mid winter blahs? Break up the boredom by opening up a few reference books and playing a few games.

Reference books can be as dry as toast made in the Sahara and as boring as watching paint dry on a rock, but with gentle competition, your family can practice using reference materials and still have fun!

Here are several games to play as individuals, teams, or a family using a dictionary, a set of encyclopedias (the old-fashioned kind, not the computer kind), an atlas, and a phone book (like the Yellow Pages). These games will not only break up the long winter day but also reinforce skills that might have been overlooked during the course of the year. Most of these games are suited for fourth graders and older, but younger readers can still benefit with assistance from a parent or older sibling.

Dictionary

Dictionary skills include alphabetizing, using guide words, and recognizing parts of speech. These games reinforce those concepts while adding a bit of fun. Nearly any dictionary will work for these games, but the more complete the dictionary, the more fun the game and the more the student will learn. Picture dictionaries are not recommended.

Guide Word Trap
2+ players
Guide words are the words at the top inside and outside corners of each page in the dictionary. One player opens to any place in the dictionary and reads the two guide words aloud. The other players must say or write a word that they think should come between the two guide words. For example, the guide words might be "candle" and "carry." Players who say words like "carpenter" or "cantaloupe" are correct and get a point because those words are alphabetically correct. Points can be acquired with each correct word. Players should take turns finding the guide words, looking through the dictionary for hard words to try to stump the other player.

Word Drills
3+ players Each player needs his own dictionary. One player says a word (either from another dictionary or off the top of his head). Players wait with their dictionaries closed until given the signal to go. When the signal is given, players try to find the word as fast as possible. Points are given to the fastest finders, and players take turns coming up with the word to look up.

The Biggest Entry
1+ players
Ordinary words like walk, play, or read have multiple definitions. As a group, or even individually, brainstorm for simple words that have many meanings. With a ruler, measure from the top of the first line of the definition to the bottom of the last line to find out which of these words has the longest entry, using centimeters, not inches. Record which words have the longest entries, or even estimate their length before measuring. Words to consider: plane, house, bear, set, rock, run, stand, cup, pitch, sink.

Syllable Score
2+ players
Students take turns rolling three dice to come up with a three-digit number, which becomes a page number. For example, player 1 rolls a 1, a 3, and a 5-135. He turns to page 135 in the dictionary and finds the word on that page with the most syllables. The number of syllables in the word is the number of points he receives for that turn. In my dictionary, the longest word on page 135 is bouleversement, which has 5 syllables. I would get 5 points. The next player rolls the dice, turns to that page (1, 3, and 5 could be page 531, 351, or 153), and finds another long word, hopefully one longer than five syllables. As the students take turns, they collect points. Whoever gets to 25 points first is the winner.

Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia skills are similar to dictionary skills, because alphabetization and guide words are used. However, other skills, such as finding the main idea, timeline, and summarizing can also be reinforced with these games. These games require a full set of books, such as World Book or Encyclopedia Britannica, but it doesn't matter how recently they were published.

Six Degrees of Biography
1+ players
Each player selects a famous person such as Queen Elizabeth I and searches that person's entry for the name of another famous person, such as William Shakespeare. The student then goes to the second person's entry to find another famous name. The student continues with this process until he finds the name he started with. Many famous people in history are connected to each other. The point of this exercise is that within six entries, the original entry should be found. No fair looking up people who were partners, spouses, or known adver- saries. Your six "degrees" may look like this: Elizabeth I, King Henry VIII, Thomas Cromwell, Pope Clement VII, Martin Luther, and so on. This can be a time-consuming project and is recommended for upper grades.

Where Am I?
1+ players
Find where your name, as well as the names of your friends and neighbors, would fall alphabetically in the encyclopedia. What entries would be before and after it? Do any seem funny or fitting to the person's name?

Apples to Apples, The Encyclopedia Version
4+ players
This game is played much like Apples to Apples. Using your green adjective cards from your Apples to Apples game (or a lengthy list of adjectives), each player opens a volume from his encyclopedia set, say, the G book. Each player chooses an entry from the volume that best describes the adjective (or green card) given by the judge (for instance, "clumsy"). The judge then chooses which entry is the best fit for that adjective (or the most humorous, if you play like my kids do).

Thesaurus

A thesaurus, a collection of antonyms and synonyms, requires dictionary skills. These games can familiarize a student with how to use a thesaurus and build vocabulary, all while having a bit of fun.

ABC Opposites
2+ players
With a thesaurus for each player, write down a pair of antonyms for every letter of the alphabet (for example, antecedent and after, bulky and bantam, cheerful and complaining). Once the lists are completed, or after a set amount of time, compare lists. Any duplicate answers between the players are omitted and only original answers count as a point. The player with the most points wins. Recommended for sixth grade and older.

Who Has the Most?
1+ players
Choose one of these simple words: big, happy, pretty, fast, smart. Each player predicts which word has the most synonyms, antonyms, or both. Look each word up in the thesaurus to find out. Can you find other words that have more? Brainstorm for your own words and find their entries too. Recommended for lower grades.

Describe Yourself
1+ players
Think of ten words that describe yourself, such as short, funny, cheerful, compassionate, and cute. Then with the thesaurus find multi-syllable synonyms of each of these words (for the given words, for example, diminutive, whimsical, effervescent, commiserative, and pulchritudinous). Try describing others in your family, your pets, or your friends.

Phone Book

A phone book also requires dictionary skills. Even though this isn't an academic pursuit, learning to use a phone book is a necessary life skill, especially during an emergency. The following games require commercial telephone listings (Yellow Pages)-the bigger, the better.

Fairy Tale Fix-It
1+ players
Consider your favorite fairy tale, such as "The Three Bears." What businesses might the Three Bears consult in order to avoid the whole Goldilocks fiasco? A home security company? A furniture repairman? A caterer who might provide a breakfast that is "just right"? Search the phone book for businesses that might help the poor bear family and discuss their ads, the words they use to market their business, and their location. Try this same exercise with "Cinderella," "Little Red Riding Hood," "The Three Pigs," and any other stories in your memory.

It's a Dirty Job
1+ players
Each player creates the columns "Jobs I Would Want" and "Jobs I Would Not" on a piece of paper. Search through the Yellow Pages for 10 jobs to list in each column. To make this a competition, compare lists with other players, eliminating duplicates and assigning a point per original job. For an even greater challenge, find 26 jobs you do or don't like, one for every letter of the alphabet.

Opposites
1+ players
Your community is full of businesses that have opposing or contradictory jobs or services. Flip through the phone book for examples of this, such as obstetricians and funeral directors, construction and demolition, swimming pool supplier and snow removal, wedding chapels and divorce lawyers. Brainstorm for more examples and count them up. With more than one player, compare the number of pairs each player can identify to determine the winner.

Try these reference book games on a snowy afternoon. You might break up a dull routine, learn a great word or two, and perhaps even have a little fun!

Copyright 2008.
Originally appeared in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Winter 07/8.
Used with permission.
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com

About the Author

Kathy Grubb lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with her supportive husband and her five enthusiastic children. Before she was married, she was a public school teacher and a professional writer. She also had no idea just how much work it takes to be a mother, much less one with two fifth graders, one second grader, and two toddlers.

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It only makes sense. The Florida Keys is a series of over 1700 islands. Therefore, it only makes sense that the variety of water sports offered in the Florida Keys would be tremendous. In some places the islands are only a mile wide that separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Atlantic Ocean. This convenient division allows vendors to offer a wide variety of different water sport activities, which are perfectly suited for either environment.

First, the most popular water sport of all in the Florida Keys is sport fishing. Whether you are someone who enjoys chartering a boat and deep sea fishing for larger varieties of fish or if you enjoy sitting quietly on shore as you cast your line; the Florida Keys can offer you the perfect fishing experience.

Nearly a thousand of the islands are uninhabited and unexplored. This ensures that the waters in and around these islands, called the backcountry are perfect fishing grounds. Take your own small boat out or charter a boat and quietly explore the backcountry while fishing for tarpon, bonefish, grouper or snapper. If you wish to try your hand at deep-sea fishing, head out into the Gulf Stream and enjoy the hunt for some of the Gulf's craftiest, such as marlon or sailfish.

Nearly every weekend, at least one of the towns in the Florida Keys holds some sort of fishing tournament. Many of these tournaments are open to the public. For instance, there is "Fish 'Til You Lose It". This competition has the participant fishing for the elusive bonefish in and among the mangrove trees roots. The twist of this competition is that once you lose your original lure you are done fishing. The competitor who catches the most fish with a single lure wins.

Although fishing is by far the most popular water sport in the Florida Keys, it is not the only one. On almost every beach, in every town and near every recreational area you will find locations where you can rent a variety of water sports equipment.

Because of the natural coral with which the Florida Keys are made up, snorkeling and scuba diving are the next most popular water sports in the Florida Keys. The beauty that lives just under the surface of these clear, blue waters is breathtaking. Many people who do not wish to scuba dive elect to snorkel instead. This is a great way to see the underwater beauty without having to take the training classes and suffer the feelings of claustrophobia that scuba diving may cause. It is also much less expensive.

Along with fishing and diving, there are many other water sports that you could enjoy. You could rent a Jet Ski or WaveRunner for a few hours and zip around the islands with the wind in your face. If you still love the wind in your face, but would like something a little quieter, you could windsurf. There are many businesses that rent the equipment and also offer beginner and advanced lessons. The average price to take windsurfing lessons is about $75 an hour.

Yet another water sports activity offered in the Florida Keys is kayaking or canoeing. This is a great way to explore the backcountry and observe nature as you quietly paddle your way around. You can also try your hand at parasailing and get a bird's eye view of the beach and islands. There are so many water sports to enjoy while you are staying at the Florida Keys that you may never see the inside of your hotel room!

Useful Resources:

http://travel.yahoo.com/

http://translate.google.com/

http://photobucket.com/recent/images/

http://www.perfspot.com/join3.asp?p=99363&t=

http://www.amazon.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/

http://www.apsense.com/user/vinzon215

http://johnny546.livejournal.com/

http://bert5123.insanejournal.com/

http://hansen5413.blip.tv/

http://denver554.vox.com/

http://denvert.tumblr.com/

http://www.apsense.com/article/127375.html

http://johnny546.livejournal.com/737.html

http://bert5123.insanejournal.com/

http://blip.tv/journal/7943/

http://www.xanga.com/bert2641/692383630/the-best-family-fun-in-the-big-apple/

http://denver554.vox.com/

http://orangecounty.tumblr.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/Molokai-1

http://www.quizilla.com/stories/8850576/top-20-places-to-stay-when-visiting-the-bahamas

http://erick89.vox.com/

http://www.xanga.com/sergio85

http://www.squidoo.com/Shopping-Experience---Bahamas

http://erick89.vox.com/library/post/the-florida-keys-offer-many-water-sports-activities.html

http://www.xanga.com/sergio85/weblog

http://www.squidoo.com/Enjoy-Chicago-s-Nightlife

http://erick89.vox.com/library/post/enjoy-the-fine-cuisine-of-orange-county-california.html

http://www.xanga.com/sergio85/692921715/for-a-delightful-twist-try-an-eco-safari/

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• Macro-actions
  The macro-action constitutes a complete action performed by the subject, such as finish a purchase, download a whitepaper, subscribe to an e-zine, register at the website, become an affiliate, recommend the website to a friend and so on. This is the big action you want your subjects to take.
  
  
• Micro-actions
  Micro-actions are a series of smaller actions or steps that need to be taken by the subject to complete the macro-action. For example, the complete a purchase macro-action might constitute of the visitor viewing the product page, adding the product to the shopping cart, entering his shipping details, entering his credit card and confirming the purchase. 5 small steps needed to complete the big step.

Bryan argued that each micro-action is a potential leak, where you might be losing macro-actions. By measuring the conversion only at the macro-level marketers are missing the real optimization potential of the website, since in order to optimize the macro-action conversion, you first need to optimize the micro-level conversions.

Consequently it should be clear that measuring just the macro-action conversion rate won't take you far enough. You need to start measuring and optimizing on the micro-level.

Now, to better understand this concept and to add a third dimension, let's take a quick look at a model I've been presenting at seminars in Europe for a few years now: Internet Processing.

This is also the model I've tried to implement in any company I worked with, with varying success, since fully working under this model requires alot of measurement and optimization. But not to worry, you can also implement very basic variations of the model, which don't take that many resources.

Quick Internet Processing Overview

Internet marketing is a process, not an activity. Hence, measurement and optimization cannot take place only on a single activity level, but should be done for your entire internet marketing process.

I'd need alot more space and time to really explain all the aspects of this, so we'll just take a look at the simple version right now.

Internet Processing consists of five distinct elements:

• The Macro-Process
  The macro-process is your complete internet marketing process that takes an uninterested internet user (who still needs to belong to your target audience, of course) through a series of steps (micro-processes), which on the long-term aim to convert that internet user into an evangelist for your company ... or any other status you wish to ultimately achieve with that user.
  
  
• Micro-Processes
  Micro-processes are the smaller steps needed for the user to reach your desired status. Each micro-process step changes the status of the user to a higher level. A micro-process can also be understood as a macro-action, but I'm using the term micro-process because each micro-process consists of a series of smaller steps needed to complete the process cycle.
  
  
• Micro-Actions
  Micro-actions are the smallest steps needed for the user to complete the micro-process. These micro-actions are the same micro-actions as discussed above.
  
  
• Macro Elements
  Macro elements are the various campaign types you are executing to get the user from one status to another. These are your input activities that influence the user. Examples include e-zine publishing, e-mail sales campaigns, advertising campaigns, search engine marketing and so on. E-zine publishing in this case would be a macro element.
  
  
• Micro Elements
  Micro elements are individual campaigns that you're executing. For example, if e-zine publishing is one of your macro elements, an individual e-zine issue would be a micro element.

Consequently, Internet Processing demands that you measure your conversion and optimize it on each of these five levels. Today we'll just take a look at the 3 parts that are most important for conversion rate measurement, and leave the details of the model for a later time.

Macro-Process

Imagine the macro-process as a sequence of all of the big steps you need to complete with a user to reach your ultimate goal, converting him from one user status to another.

The macro-process will be different for every company, based on your internet marketing strategy. The macro-process needs to support the strategy.

Let's take a look at a quick example:

The image represents an overall macro-process, with the boxes representing the micro-processes within the macro-process, and the lines showing the current status of the user.

When measuring the macro-process conversion, you are measuring your conversion of getting the user from one stage to another, as displayed here:

For example, the 10% conversion rate from first-time visitor to e-zine subscriber tells you that 10% of your first time visitors are converting into e-zine subscribers. And then, 10% of your e-zine subscribers are converting into loyal subscribers.

What happens if we add some numbers?

• Internet users reached: 100,000,000
  (our online advertising campaign)
  
  
• First-time visitors acquired : 10,000,000 [10%]
  (the number of visitors we received from the 100,000,000 users reached at a 10% first-time visitor/internet user conversion)
  
  
• E-zine subscribers: 1,000,000 [10%]
  (the number of e-zine subscribers we converted from the 10,000,000 first-time visitors at a 10% conversion rate)
  
  
• Loyal subscribers: 100,000 [10%]
  (the number of loyal subscribers we generated from the 1,000,000 e-zine subscribers at a 10% conversion rate)
  
  
• Customers: 11,000 [10% & 0,01%]
  (the number of customers we converted from the 100,000 loyal subscribers at a 10% conversion rate, and the 1,000 customers directly generated from first time visitors at a 0.01% conversion rate)
  
  
• Satisfied customers: 1,100 [10%]
  (the number of satisfied customers we generated from the 11,000 customers at a 10% conversion rate)
  
  
• Loyal customers: 110 [10%]
  (the number of loyal customers we generated from the 1,100 customers at a 10% conversion rate)
  
  
• Affiliate partners: 11 [10%]
  (the number of affiliate partners we converted from the 110 loyal customers at a 10% conversion rate)
  
  
• New first-time visitors from our affiliate partners: 1.1 [10%]
  (the number of new first-time visitors we received from our 11 affiliate partners at a 10% conversion rate)

Micro-Process

Now, to understand the power of this model for optimization, consider what happens if you increase your overall conversion from first-time visitors acquired to e-zine subscribers acquired, keeping all the other numbers the same.

Let's say that you manage to increase this conversion to 30%:

• Internet users reached: 100,000,000
  
  
• First-time visitors acquired : 10,000,000 [10%]
  
  
• E-zine subscribers: 3,000,000 [30%]
  
  
• Loyal subscribers: 300,000 [10%]
  
  
• Customers: 31,000 [10% & 0.01%]
  
  
• Satisfied customers: 3,100 [10%]
  
  
• Loyal customers: 310 [10%]
  
  
• Affiliate partners: 31 [10%]
  
  
• New first-time visitors from our affiliate partners: 3.1 [10%]
  

Instead of 1,000,000 e-zine subscribers you now have 3,000,000, and this eventually converts to 30,000 customers as opposed to 10,000 customers ... just by optimizing your e-zine subscription process.

It needs to be admitted that this demonstration is taking a much to simplistic view of the conversion process, but it should be enough right now to show you the power of taking an overall look at your internet marketing process.

But, in order to get this kind of increase, you actually need to optimize the lead generation micro-process, which in this case is also 10% when we start with it.

So, we need to take a look at the lead generation micro-process:

What does this process tell us?

• 50% of first-time visitors clicked on the whitepaper banner, which eventually leads to the e-zine subscription
• 90% of these entered their e-mail address on the first step
• 40% of these entered the additional required information to register
• 56% of these confirmed their subscription
• In total, 10% of first-time visitors completed the lead-generation micro-process to convert into an e-zine subscriber

To optimize this micro-process to achieve the increase of the e-zine subscriber/first-time visitor conversion rate to 30%, we have two optimization routes, and one of them takes place on the overall micro-process level.

The simplest thing to do --> remove the confirmation micro-action:

By removing the confirmation micro-action, the total conversion rate for the lead generation micro-processes jumped to 18%. This is optimization on the micro-process level.

Micro-Action

The other optimization route is optimizing the actual micro-actions that form the micro-process, for example optimizing the whitepaper banner in such a way that a higher % of first-time visitors take notice of it and click on it.

At the same time, we optimize the field for entering additional information, perhaps removing some required fields to make things easier for our visitors.

• 60% of first-time visitors now click on the banner.
• 80% of these enter their e-mail address. As you will notice, this decreased from 90% from the previous example, since the more attractive banner generated more clickers that really weren't that interested in going forward once they saw what it's about.
• 63% of thee entered the additional information and completed the lead generation micro-process.
• The overall conversion rate for the lead generation micro-process jumped to 30%.

This was optimization on the micro-action level.

Again, all of these examples were fairly simplistic and did not take the entire complexity of the issue into account, but they should be enough to demonstrate the Internet Processing model, which we will cover in greater detail in the weeks and months to come.

eBay has been improving customization for eBay Stores.  eBay store owners do not have the flexibility of an independent ecommerce store, but they can still customize their eBay stores for good search engine traffic.

Remember on page optimization is only a part of SEO (Search Engine Optimization), and another very important part is off page optimization. You can read more about this at Daily SEO Blog On Page and Off Page Optimization article.

eBay Discussion Board has a very informative topic for eBay Stores Search Engine Optimization . Many experienced eBay store owners share their experiences about optimizing their ebay stores.  Also one of the authority forums in auction industry FreeAuctionScripts has an SEO section for auction sellers and ecommerce sites called SEO Tutorials, Articles, Tips and Tools . You can ask your questions about optimizing your eBay Stores.

If you had a chance to read the “On Page and Off Page Optimization” article at Daily SEO, you will understand the importance of getting backlinks to your eBay store. Every backlink with the right anchor text will increase your rankings in search engine result pages.

e.g.
Anchor Text: eBay Store Name
URL : http://stores.ebay.com/eBayStoreName/

Try to submit your ebay store URL to as many directories as possible with using your keywords in your “Anchor Text”.

Here's a list of directories where you can submit your eBay Store. It's categorized and for free directories category, you don't need to provide a reciprocal link.

With the increasing power of search engines, SEO is a must for an ecommerce business. Good luck with your search engine optimization practices.

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