Tennis Heads

Posts Tagged ‘entertainment’

Double Yellow Dot

Double Dot Double-Sided Textured Cardstock 12X12(Pack of 1) $51.75 Double Dot Double-Sided Textured Cardstock 12"X12"-Mellow Yellow. BO BUNNY-Double Dot Double-Sided Textured Cardstock. Colors were designed to coordinate with Bo Bunny collections. Double Dot cardstock features non-embossed dots on one side and a mottle

Yellow Polka Dot Bikini $6 Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - Brian Hyland

YELLOW 2 PIECE POLKA DOT BANDEAU SWIMSUIT $39.99 YELLOW 2 PIECE POLKA DOT BANDEAU SWIMSUIT

Instant Murals IMD511 50 Yellow Polka Dot Wall Transfers $20.15 Create all kinds of fun designs double dots or more. Pick more than one sheet to come up with your own color combinations. Dot sizes range from 4.75 to 3/4 (12 065 to 1 905 CM) in dia. Color: Yellow. Total Transfers: 50. Dimensions: 9.5 x 8 x 6 .

Instant Murals IMD211 25 Yellow Polka Dot Wall Transfers $18.2 Create all kinds of fun designs double dots or more. Pick more than one sheet to come up with your own color combinations. Dot sizes range from 4.75 to 3/4 (12 065 to 1 905 CM) in diameter. Dot sizes range from 4.75 to 3/4 (12 065 to 1 905 CM) in diameter

Polka Dot Mambo Stationery $1.21 This yellow stationery features a subtle polka dot design.

Yellow Dot Fabric by the Yard $80 From window treatments to upholstered furniture, the possibilities are endless for creating cute, coordinating finishing touches for the room with Yellow Dot Fabric by the Yard. Choose from a large assortment of fabrics available by the yard in full yard increments.. Minimum purchase of two yards is required ($40/yard).. Please note that while it is a goal to ensure color consistency, there may be some variation in color based on the dye lot..

Yellow Red Polka Dot Heart Belly Ring $7.99 Yellow Red Polka Dot Heart Belly Ring You will be spot on with this polka dot belly ring. A yellow and red belly ring. Showcase your standout style with this heart navel ring featuring a fun polka-dot pattern. Specifications: 14 Gauge (1.6mm), 7/16" (11mm), 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel

Dot $19.47 Dot

Gibson Les Paul

Origins

The Les Paul model was the result of a design collaboration between Gibson Guitar Corporation and the late pop star, electronics inventor, and accomplished jazz guitarist Les Paul. In 1950, with the introduction of the Fender Telecaster to the musical market, electric guitars became a public craze. In reaction, Gibson Guitar president Ted McCarty brought guitarist Les Paul into the company as a consultant. Les Paul was a respected innovator who had been experimenting with guitar design for years to benefit his own music. In fact, he had hand-built a solid-body prototype called "The Log", a design widely considered the first solid-body Spanish guitar ever built, as opposed to the "Hawaiian", or lap-steel guitar. This guitar is known as "The Log" because the solid core is a pine block whose width and depth are a little more than the width of the fretboard. Although numerous other prototypes and limited-production solid-body models by other makers have since surfaced, it is known that in 19451946, Les Paul had approached Gibson with "The Log" prototype, but his solid body design was rejected.

In 1951, this initial rejection became a design collaboration between the Gibson Guitar Corporation and Les Paul. It was agreed that the new Les Paul guitar was to be an expensive, well-made instrument in Gibson's tradition. Although recollections differ regarding who contributed what to the Les Paul design, it was far from a market replica of Fender models. Since the 1930s, Gibson had offered electric hollow-body guitars, such as the ES-150; at minimum, these hollow-body electric models provided a set of basic design cues to the new Gibson solid-body, including a more traditionally curved body shape than offered by competitor Fender, and a glued-in ("set") neck, in contrast to Fender's bolt-on neck joint design.

The significance of Les Paul's contributions to his Gibson guitar design remains controversial. The book "50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul" limits Paul's contributions to two: advice on the trapeze tailpiece, and a preference for color (stating that Paul preferred gold as "it looks expensive", and a second choice of black because "it makes your fingers appear to move faster on the box", and "looks classyike a tuxedo").

Additionally, Gibson's president Ted McCarty states that the Gibson Guitar Corporation merely approached Les Paul for the right to imprint the musician's name on the headstock to increase model sales, and that in 1951, Gibson showed Paul a nearly finished instrument. McCarty also claims that design discussions with Les Paul were limited to the tailpiece and the fitting of a maple cap over the mahogany body for increased density and sustain, which Les Paul had requested reversed. However, according to Gibson Guitar, this reversal would have caused the guitar to become too heavy, and Paul's request was refused. Another switch: the original Goldtop was to be all mahogany and the later Custom was to have the maple cap/mahogany body. Beyond these requests, Les Paul's contributions to the guitar line bearing his name were stated to be cosmetic. For example, ever the showman, Paul had specified that the guitar be offered in a gold finish, not only for flashiness, but to emphasize the high quality of the Les Paul instrument, as well. The later-issue Les Paul models included flame maple (tiger stripe) and "quilted" maple finishes, and once again contrasted the competing Fender line's range of car-like color finishes. Gibson was notably inconsistent with its wood choices, and some goldtops or customs have had their finish stripped to reveal beautifully-figured wood hidden underneath.[citation needed]

Models and variations

The Les Paul guitar line was originally conceived to include two models: the regular model (nicknamed the Goldtop), and the Custom model, which offered upgraded hardware and a more formal black finish. However, advancements in pickup, body, and hardware designs allowed the Les Paul to become a long-term series of electric solid-body guitars that targeted every price-point and market level except for the complete novice guitarist. This beginner guitar market was filled by the Melody Maker model, and although the inexpensive Melody Maker did not bear the Les Paul name, its body consistently followed the design of true Les Pauls throughout each era.

Beyond shaping and body design, there are a number of characteristics that distinguish the Gibson Les Paul line from other electric guitars. For example, in a fashion similar to Gibson's hollow-body instruments, the strings of Les Paul guitars are always mounted on the top of the guitar body, rather than through the guitar body, as seen in competitor Fender's designs. The Gibson also features a variety of colors, such as Wine Red, Ebony, Classic White, Fire Burst, and Alpine White. In addition, the Les Paul models offered a variety of finishes and decorative levels, a diversity of hardware options, and an innovative array of electric pick-up options, some of which significantly impacted the sound of electric music. For instance, in 1957, Gibson introduced the humbucker which revolutionized the sound of the electric guitar, and eliminated the 60-cycle noise which had previously plagued guitars with single coil magnetic pickups.

Goldtop (19521957)

The 1952 Les Paul featured two P-90 single coil pickups, and a one-piece, 'trapeze'-style bridge and tailpiece, with strings that were fitted under (instead of over) a steel stop-bar. The weight and the tonal characteristics of the Les Paul were largely due to the mahogany and maple construction: maple is a hard and quite heavy wood, but was restricted to a cap over somewhat lighter mahogany, to keep weight under control. In addition, the early 1952 Les Pauls were never issued serial numbers, did not have bound bodies, and are considered by some as "LP Model prototypes". However, the later 1952 Les Pauls were issued serial numbers and also came with bound bodies. Interestingly, the design scheme of some of these early models varied. For instance, some of the Les Pauls of this issue were fitted with black covered P90 pickups instead of the creme colored plastic covers that are associated with this guitar, even today. Of note, these early models, nicknamed "Goldtops", have begun to gain the interest of collectors, and subsequently, the associated nostalgic value of this instrument is increasing. In fact, re-sale prices of the vintage Les Pauls have begun to compete with already high priced, but more practical (and usable) Les Paul versions issued in later years.

Custom (19541960)

Main article: Gibson Les Paul Custom

Paul McCartney playing a 1960 left-handed cherryburst Les Paul

The second issue of the Les Paul guitar was introduced to the public in 1954. Called the Gibson Les Paul Custom, this entirely black guitar was dubbed the Black Beauty. The Les Paul Custom featured a mahogany top to differentiate the instrument from its Goldtop predecessor's maple top. It also featured the new Tune-o-Matic bridge design and a pickup with an alnico-5 magnet in the neck position. In addition, since 1957, the Custom was fitted with Gibson's new humbucker pickups, and later became available with three pickups instead of the more usual two. The three pickup model retained the standard Gibson 3-way switch so not all pickup combinations were possible. The neck and bridge-only settings were retained, but the middle was changed to switch in the middle and bridge pickups. A common modification was to restore the standard neck/both/bridge switching combination and add a switch to enable the middle pickup on its own.[citation needed]

Junior (19541960) and TV (19551960)

Main article: Gibson Les Paul Junior

In 1954, to widen the solid-body electric market still further, Gibson issued the Gibson Les Paul Junior. Although previously the Melody Maker was marketed toward the novice guitarist, Gibson targeted to the beginner again with a Les Paul Junior design. Over time, this Gibson design has proven well-suited for even professional use.

There were marked differences between the other Les Paul models and the Les Paul Junior. For instance, although the Junior's body outline was clearly reminiscent of the original upmarket Les Paul guitar, the Junior issue was characterized by its flat-top "slab" mahogany body, finished in traditional Gibson Sunburst. The Junior was touted as an inexpensive option for Gibson electric guitar buyers[citation needed]: it had a single P-90 pickup, simple volume and tone controls, and the unbound rosewood fingerboard bore plain dot-shape position markers. However, as a concession to the aspirations of the beginning guitarist buyer, the Junior did feature the stud bridge/tailpiece similar to the second incarnation of the upscale Gold-Top.

Later, in 1955, Gibson launched the Les Paul TV model, which was essentially a Junior with what Gibson called a natural finish. This finish was actually more of a translucent mustard yellow through which the wood grain could be seen, and was not unlike the finish that competitor Fender called butterscotch yellow. The idea behind this TV Yellow was that white guitars would glare too much on early black and white television broadcasts, whereas TV Yellow guitars would not cast a glare.

In 1958, Gibson made a radical design change to their Junior and TV models: with the design change came cosmetic changes to these guitars that would later take on enormous importance. To accommodate player requests for more access to the top frets than the previous designs allowed, Gibson revamped both these electric guitar models with a new double-cutaway body shape. In addition, the Junior's fresh look was enhanced with a new cherry red finish, while the re-shaped TV adopted a new, rather yellow-tinged finish for its new design.

Special (19551960)

Main article: Gibson Les Paul Special

Neil Young playing Old Black

The Les Paul Special was released in 1955, featuring two soapbar P-90 single coil pickups, finished in a TV Yellow variation (but not called a TV model).

In 1959, the Special was given the same new double-cutaway body shape that the Junior and the TV received in 1958. However, when the new design was applied to the two-pickup Special, the cavity for the neck pickup overlapped with the neck-to-body joint. This weakened the joint to the point that the neck could break after only moderate handling. The problem was soon resolved when Gibson's designers moved the neck pickup farther down the body, producing a stronger joint and eradicating the breakage problem.

This stabilized version of the Special is currently offered only by Gibson's Custom Shop in the "VOS" series in TV Yellow.

Standard (19581960, 19682008)

In 1958, Gibson changed the top finish on the regular Les Paul model from the gold color used since 1952 to the Sunburst finish already being used on Gibson's archtop acoustic and hollow electric guitars such as the J-45 model. This model started to be produced from 58 to 60 and in 61 was modified into what is today known as the Gibson SG. Only 2,000 of these early models were made. These Sunburst-finished guitars were later referred to as Les Paul Standards to differentiate them from the earlier Goldtop. The hardware specification was the same as that of the '57 Goldtop, featuring PAF humbucker pickups with some models carrying the Bigsby vibrato tailpiece along with the tune-o-matic bridge, with some models also carying the Kahler Tremolo System. Today, the Gibson Les Paul Standard has BurstBucker pickups on the Vintage Original Spec models and Burstbucker Pro on the lower end models bearing the 'Standard' name.

2008 Standard (2008)

Gibson's new version of the Les Paul Standard. Released August 1, 2008, it features a long neck tenon, an asymmetrical neck profile to make for a comfortable neck, frets levelled by Plek machine, and locking Grover tuners with an improved ratio of 18:1. With the 2008 model Gibson has introduced their "weight relief" chambering, which includes routing "chambers" in specific areas of the mahogany slab body as specified by Gibson R&D. Before 2008, Les Paul Standards were "swiss cheesed." In other words, it had holes routed into the body, but it was not chambered like most of Gibson's Les Paul lineup now is. In 2008 Gibson also introduced the Les Paul Traditional. The Traditional is built using the traditional Les Paul specifications; such as Kluson style tuners, 57 Classic pickups, and an unchambered body.

1961 Les Paul SG

Main article: Gibson SG

In 1960, Gibson experienced a decline in electric guitar sales due to their high prices and strong competition from Fender's comparable but much lighter double-cutaway design: The Stratocaster. In response, Gibson modified the Les Paul line. This 1961 issue Les Paul guitar was thinner and much lighter than the earlier models, with two sharply pointed cut-aways and a vibrato system. However, the redesign was done without Les Paul's knowledge. When the musician saw the guitar, he asked Gibson to remove his name from the instrument and parted ways with the company. Although this separation occurred in 1960, Gibson had a surplus stock of "Les Paul" logos and truss rod covers, and so continued to use the Les Paul name until 1963. At that point, the SG guitar's name was finally changed to "SG", which stood simply for Solid Guitar. In addition to the SG line, Gibson continued to issue the less expensive Jrs and Specials (and the Melody Makers) with the newer body style. These were the standard Gibson electric models until the reintroduction of the Les Paul Standard Goldtop and the Les Paul Custom guitars to the market in 1968.

Renewed interest in the Les Paul models

Les Paul Standard, PAF-Pickups with Mahogany Body, Maple Top

In 1964, The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards obtained a 1959 sunburst Les Paul. The guitar, outfitted with a Bigsby tailpiece, was the first "star-owned" Les Paul in Britain and served as one of the guitarist's main instruments through 1966. In 1966, Eric Clapton also recognized the rock potential of the late '50s Les Paul guitars (particularly the 19581960 Standard sunburst models), and gave them wide exposure. He began using Les Pauls because of the influence of Freddie King and Hubert Sumlin. Soon artists such as Peter Green, Mike Bloomfield, Mick Taylor, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page began using the Gibson model. These 1950s models featured the thicker, more sustaining tone of Gibson's humbucker pickups with the original units known as "Patent Applied For" (PAF) pickups. These PAFs were designed by Seth Lover while working for Gibson in 1955 (U.S. Patent 2,896,491), and debuted on Les Pauls in 1957. This innovation became a standard pick up design for Gibson, and subsequently, many other guitar companies followed suit, outfitting their electrics with copycat versions of the humbucking pickup altered to avoid infringing Gibson's patent. Gretsch had their Filtertron pickups, and when Fender entered the humbucker market in 1972, it was with the radically different Fender Wide Range pickup. "Standard" humbuckers from other guitar manufacturers and third party replacement pickups from the likes of DiMarzio and Seymour Duncan were only offered after Gibson's patent had expired. Over the years, authentic 1950s Les Pauls have become some of the most desirable and expensive electric guitars in the world. Only 1700 were made between 1958 and 1960[citation needed] Although in re-sale today, a 1959 Les Paul in good condition can be easily priced between $US200,000 and $US750,000, even by the mid 1960s prices for Les Paul guitars had begun to increase. (However, a reissue of the 1958, 1959, or 1960 Les Paul can be purchased for less, between $US3,000-$US6,000.) With this value in mind, and with increased pressure from the public, Gibson re-introduced the single cutaway Les Paul in July 1968.

Les Paul models in the Norlin era

Subsequent years brought new company ownership to the Gibson Guitar Company. During the "Norlin Era", Gibson Les Paul body designs were greatly altered, most notably, the change to the neck volute. Because the Les Paul had the reputation of having an easily broken neck joint, the volute strengthened the neck where it joined the headstock to avert breakage. To further increase the strength, the neck woods were changed from mahogany to a three-piece maple design. The LP body was changed from a one piece mahogany with a maple top into multiple slabs of mahogany with multiple pieced maple tops (also called a "pancake body').

In this era, as well, Gibson began experimenting with new models such as the Les Paul Recording. This model is often eschewed by guitar purists[citation needed]: considered "too full of gadgetry".[citation needed] The Recording featured low-impedance pickups, many switches and buttons, and a highly specialized cable for impedance-matching to the amplifier. Less noticeable changes included, but were not limited to, maple fingerboards (1976), pickup cavity shielding, and the crossover of the ABR1 Tune-o-matic bridge into the modern day Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge. During the 1970s, the Les Paul body shape was incorporated into other Gibson models, including the S-1, the Sonex, the L6-S, and many other experimental models.

DeLuxe

The DeLuxe was among the "new" 1968 Les Pauls. This model featured "mini-humbuckers", also known as "New York" humbuckers, and did not initially prove popular. The mini-humbucker pickup fit into the pre-carved P-90 pickup cavity using an adaptor ring developed by Gibson (actually just a cut-out P90 pickup cover) in order to use a supply of Epiphone mini-humbuckers left over from when Gibson moved Epiphone production to Japan. The DeLuxe was introduced in late 1968 and helped to standardize production among Gibson's USA-built Les Pauls. The first incarnation of the DeLuxe featured a one-piece body and three-piece neck in late 1968. The "pancake" body (thin layer of maple on top of two layers of Honduran mahogany) came later in 1969. In late 1969, a small "volute" was added. 1969 DeLuxe's feature the Gibson logo devoid of the dot over the "i" in Gibson. By late 1969/early 1970, the dot over the "i" had returned, plus a "Made In USA" stamp on the back of the headstock. By 1975, the neck construction was changed from mahogany to maple, until the early 1980s, when the construction was returned to mahogany. The body changed back to solid mahogany from the pancake design in late 1976 or early 1977. Interest in this particular Les Paul model was so low that in 1985, Gibson canceled the line. However, in 2005, the "DeLuxe" was reintroduced with more popularity due to its association with Pete Townshend and Thin Lizzy.

In 1978 the Les Paul Pro DeLuxe was introduced. This guitar featured P-90 pickups, instead of the "mini-humbuckers" of the DeLuxe model, an ebony fingerboard, maple neck, mahogany body and chrome hardware. It came in either Ebony, Cherry Sunburst, Tobacco Sunburst or Gold finish. Interestingly it was first launched in Europe, rather than the USA. It was discontinued in 1982.

Studio

See also: Gibson Les Paul Studio

The "Studio" model was introduced in 1983, and is still in production. The intended market for this guitar was the studio musician; therefore, the design features of the "Les Paul Studio" were centered around optimal sound output. This model retained only the elements of the Gibson Les Paul that contributed to tone and playability, including the carved maple top and standard mechanical and electronic hardware. However, the Studio design omitted several stock Gibson ornamentations that did not affect sound quality, including the binding on the body and neck. The two notable exceptions to this are the Studio Standard and the Studio Custom. Both models were produced in the mid 1980s, and included body and neck binding, though with dot fingerboard inlays instead of more ornate trapezoids. The first Studios from 8386, except for Studio Standard and Studio Custom, were made with alder bodies rather than mahogany/maple. The current Studios come with either a chambered mahogany body with a maple cap, or a chambered mahogany body with a mahogany cap. The latter also include "faded" finishes.[citation needed]

Gibson Les Paul Studio.

Custom Shop models

Due to the popularity of the Les Paul guitar, hundreds of unendorsed imitations or copycat versions began to sell in the U.S. and overseas. Due to the lack of U.S. legislation addressing patent infringements or restricting import sales, the cheaply priced imitations created legal and financial problems for the Gibson Guitar Corporation. Although troublesome, there were overseas copycat companies that produced very high quality Les Paul and Stratocaster imitations. In fact, during the 1970s and early 1980s, a Japanese company, Tokai, made superb replicas of the 195759 Les Paul designs.

Modern Les Pauls

In January 1986, Gibson changed ownership and began manufacturing a range of varied Les Paul models to suit different user needs. The 1980s also saw the end to several design characteristics that were classic to the Les Paul, including the volute and maple neck. However, due to consumer demand, The Gibson Les Paul guitar is available today in an array of choices, ranging from guitars equipped with modern digital electronics to classic re-issue models built to match the look and specifications of the guitar's earliest production runs from 1952 to 1960.

Les Paul's guitar

Until his death in August of 2009, Les Paul himself played his personal Les Paul Guitar onstage, weekly, in New York City. Paul preferred his 1972 Gibson "Recording" model guitar, with different electronics and a one-piece mahogany body, and which, as an inveterate tinkerer and bona fide inventor, he had modified heavily to his liking over the years. A Bigsby-style vibrato was of late the most visible change although his guitars were formerly fitted with his "Les Paulverizer" effects.

Epiphone Les Pauls

Main article: Epiphone Les Paul

The Gibson-owned Epiphone Company makes around 20 models of the Les Paul, which are copies of the original. Made in places outside the U.S., the Epiphone Les Pauls are made from more commonly-available woods and have less hand detailing than the Gibson models, and, as a result, sell for a lower price. Epiphone Guitar Co. has been owned by Gibson Guitars since the 1950s. Once Gibson purchased Epiphone they quickly began making lower quality guitars based on Gibson designs.

Epiphone currently produces several models of the Les Paul including The beginner/entry level guitar the "Les Paul Special II" which typically costs about $US170. It is generally made of a basswood body and a thin veneered top, bolt on neck (with dot inlays instead of the usual trapezoid inlays), lacks a binding, and has simplified electronics.

The next model up is the "Les Paul 100", which costs approximately $US300, has similar setbacks but it has the standard Les Paul wiring, mahogany body and a higher quality paint job. The standard models are the "Les Paul Standard Plain Top" and the "Les Paul Standard Plus Top". They cost $US550 and $US650 respectively. They both feature a solid mahogany body with a maple veneer and carved top.

Epiphone also makes several less common models of the Les Paul such as the "Les Paul Goth", "Les Paul Goldtop", "Les Paul Ultra" and "Les Paul Ultra II", "Les Paul Custom", "Les Paul Black Beauty", "Les Paul Prophecy Series", "Zakk Wylde Custom Les Paul Model", "Slash signature Les Paul Models" and the "Les Paul Studio".

Gibson Robot Guitar

Main article: Gibson Robot Guitar

Gibson Robot Guitar (alongside assorted guitar effect pedals).

In 2007, Gibson announced an idea to create a computerized Les Paul, dubbed the "Robot Guitar". It was released on December 7, 2007. The guitar has a computer integrated into the body with a "master control" knob next to the volume knobs, which can be pulled out, turned, or pressed to issue different commands to the guitar. One of the more notable features is the ability to tune the guitar to standard tuning simply by pulling out on the master control knob and strumming the guitar, while the tuning pegs adjust themselves to standard tuning. Another use of the master control knob is to be able to tune the guitar to alternative tunings, such as drop D, by pressing on the control knob to fit the setting. The new Les Paul has a new custom silverburst blue finish. While the product was advertised in the American popular press as a "world's first", similar systems, some external, have been in use for decades.

Gibson Dark Fire

Main article: Gibson Dark Fire

Gibson announced a new interactive computerized Les Paul that produces more sounds, named the Dark Fire. It was released on December 15, 2008. The guitar has a computer integrated into the body and controlled by the "Master Control Knob" (MCK) The MCK allows players the ability to change the pickups and coils, adjust each tone and tunings automatically and simultaneously, even during a song being played. Like the Robot, the Dark Fire features the ability to tune the guitar; however, in an improvement over the Robot, the player can tune it up to 500 times per battery charge, allowing the tuning pegs to adjust themselves to different tuning styles. Using the "Chameleon Tone Technology" Gibson claims this guitar will produce every imaginable guitar sound. In addition to the improved and advanced tuning features, the guitar has three various types of pickups, which includes: Burstbucker (humbucker), a P-90 single-coil and a bridge-mounted piezo acousticll of which contribute to organic blends of original sounds.

Gibson Dusk Tiger

Gibson has made another guitar in the robot series. The Dusk tiger. This 3rd robot guitar has lightweight 45 gram tuners. A chameleon tone editor support(which means you can make your own sounds by modelling in chameleon tone)

Signature models

Slash Model

Slash also created his own signature Gibson Les Paul. Since the VOS model, the next Slash Signature model was a Les Paul Tobacco Burst. It features Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro 2 pickups and Slash's custom neck profile. Following this model was an 'Inspired By' Les Paul guitar. It was a Goldtop model that wasn't much different to the original Goldtop. Both guitars carry Slash's pickups, the Seymour Duncan Alnico Pro 2s and the line also has his custom neck profile. The Slash Signature Tobacco Burst and 'Inspired By' Goldtop Les Paul, are both produced by Epiphone as well with the same pickups and neck profile as the Gibson models.

Gary Moore Signature Model

Northern Irish blues/rock guitarist Gary Moore also created his own signature Gibson Les Paul in the early 1990s. Characterised by a yellow flame top, no binding and a Gary Moore truss rod cover. It featured two open-topped humbucking pick-ups, one with "zebra coils" (one white and one black bobbin). Gary formerly owned Peter Green's vintage Les Paul with the accidentally reversed pick-up magnet that gives it its unique sound.

In 2009, Gibson released another Gary Moore signature guitar, the Gibson Gary Moore BFG Les Paul. The Gary Moore BFG is much like their previous Les Paul BFG series, while having the style of Moore' 1950s Les Paul Standards.

Jimmy Page Signature Model

The Jimmy Page signature model has two extra mini-switches fitted, hidden just underneath the lip of the pick plate to provide addition pick-up routing options; some settings are reputedly electrically duplicates of others. It also has non-standard neck shape, to reflect that of the original which Jimmy reputedly shaved down himself and upgraded Grover machine heads. Sunburst finish (faded cherry sunburst/honeyburst/desertburst?).

Ace Frehley (KISS) Signature Model

The Ace Frehley signature model has three humbucking DiMarzio SDHB (Super Distortion Humbucking) pick-ups, a dessert sunburst finish and a black and white image of Frehley's face in his Kiss make-up on the headstock.

Billy Gibbons / "Pearly Gates" Signature Model

Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top has a signature model and pick-up based on his favorite "Pearly Gates" Les Paul.

Buckethead Signature Model

Electric Guitar virtuoso Buckethead's signature model has an oversized alpine white chambered body, a baritone neck, a push/pull pot on the tone knob for the bridge pickup, Gibson contemporary-voiced Ceramic series humbucking pickups. (496R in the neck, 500T in the bridge) The electronics are also re-wired to make use of the two arcade style "killswitch" buttons on the guitar.

Sammy Hagar Signature Model

Sammy Hagar's signature Les Paul model is equipped with dual "zebra-striped" humbuckers on a red quilt maple top. The headstock is inlayed with the logo of Sammy's new supergroup, Chickenfoot.

Joe Bonamassa Signature Model

Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

Notable Les Paul users

Main article: List of Gibson players

Les Paul imitations

Gibson Les Paul specifications during 1958-60 varied from year to year and also from guitar to guitar. Typical 1958 Les Paul Standard necks had a thicker "club-shaped" neck, thinner fret width and lower fret height which changed during the course of 1959 to develop into typical 1960 necks with a thinner shape, wider fret width and higher fret heights. On the other hand, Les Paul Customs from the same period had totally different frets and were referred to as "The Fretless Wonder", which were designed for jazz guitarists of the day with thick flat-wound strings and they are generally unsuitable for modern blues-based playing. Coupled with a luxurious use of selected naturally seasoned quality tone wood with its harmonic qualities and causing notes to sustain and the hand-wound "PAF" humbucking pickups, the original Les Paul Standard became the most desirable electric guitar in the history matching the status of Stradivarius. The huge premium it started commanding as early as in the late 60s following Eric Clapton's recording with Bluesbreakers, began inspiring replicas and imitations.

Although early Les Paul imitations in '60s and '70s such as those made by Hofner, Hagstrom, Harmony and Greco differed visibly from Gibson's design, different electronics, and even bolt on necks, in the late '70s some Japanese companies came very close to perfecting copies of the original 1958-60 Standards. In particular, starting in 1978, under the guidance of Tommy Hidaka of Garo, who was the first professional musician to perform in the public with a 1958 Les Paul in Japan and also an avid collector of vintage Les Pauls, the Japanese manufacturer Tokai made an imitation 1958 spec vintage Les Paul initially called "Les Paul REBORN" and later, the "Love Rock" that featured such a perfect reproduction of the vintage top arch, body construction, neck construction, flame top, nitro cellulose finish and trademark headstock profile as well as tonal characteristics of 1958-60 Standards that Gibson Guitar Corporation sued them. The headstock on Gibson instruments has a recognizable profile called an "open-book" cut. The lawsuit ended with victory for Gibson with a court-mandate that the necks on Tokai models for the U.S. market could not have the Gibson trademark headstock profile. Following on from Tokai in 1980, Greco who manufacture Ibanez guitars also began making very high quality vintage Gibson imitations under the banner "Super Real Series". These replicas were marketed to satisfy the demand for vintage spec Les Pauls during a time period when guitars of Japanese make were both affordable and of superior quality to the 70s mass manufactured US Les Pauls, and effectively became forebears of Gibson made re-issues, Historic Collections and VOS models.

It is considered among vintage guitar experts that the early- and mid-70s marked a low point in the quality of guitars from the major manufacturers including Gibson, which helped contribute to the popularity of the Japanese-made vintage replicas. These guitars later became known as "lawsuit" guitars. The actual lawsuit referred to was brought by the Norlin Corporation, the parent company of Gibson guitars, in 1977, and was based on an Ibanez headstock design that had been discontinued by 1976. Ibanez settled out of court, and by 1978 had begun making guitars from their own designs.[citation needed]

ESP Guitars makes seven types, the Eclipse series, James Hetfield Truckster, and Kirk Hammett KH-3 from ESP, the LTD EC series and Truckster, the Edwards E-LP series, and the Navigator N-LP series, that are based on the Les Paul design. Certain EC models have 24 fret necks and active electronics using EMG pickups instead of the standard passive pickups and 22 frets found in the traditional Les Paul. The Edwards and Navigator lines are made in Japan, and only available retail on the Japanese market, they come standard with Gotoh hardware and Seymour Duncan pickups (EMG pickups in a few models), and unlike the EC and Eclipse series guitars which are updated variants on the Les Paul, these are made to be as close to the Gibson '59 Les Paul design as possible, in the vein of the late '70s and '80s "Lawsuit" model guitars from Tokai, Burny, and Greco, complete with Gibson style headstocks.

Heritage Guitars, founded in 1985 by four long-time Gibson employees when Gibson relocated to Nashville, continues to build high-quality guitars in the original factory at 225 Parsons Street in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Many of their models evoke memories of Gibson's late-'50s/early-'60s "golden years." The H-150 and H-157, for instance, are reminiscent of the original Les Paul and Les Paul Custom, while the H-535 is a modern version of the Gibson ES-335. Because Heritage guitars are built in the original factory, some don't consider them imitators at all, but a continuation of the Kalamazoo legacy.

In 2006 Gibson lost a lawsuit against PRS Guitars, Gibson claiming PRS was stealing the Les Paul shape and design.

The music retailer Rondo Music produces several popular models that are similar to the Les Paul, under the Agile brand.

Gibson lost the trademark for Les Paul in Finland. According to the court, Les Paul has become a common noun for guitars of a certain type. The lawsuit began when Gibson sued Musamaailma, which imports Tokai guitars, for trademark violation. However, several witnesses testified that the term "Les Paul" denotes a character in a guitar rather than special guitar model. The court found it also aggravating that Gibson had used Les Paul in plural form and that the importer of Gibson guitars had used Les Paul as a common noun. The court decision will become effective, as Gibson is not going to appeal.

In other media

In the movie This Is Spinal Tap, guitarist Nigel Tufnel (a.k.a. Christopher Guest) shows off a Les Paul Standard in his collection, attempting to demonstrate its impressive sustain without actually playing a note. When the interviewer states that 'he can't hear anything', Tufnel replies, "You would, though, if it were playing".

In the anime K-On!, the main character Yui Hirasawa plays a Heritage Cherry Sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard electric guitar that she nicknames 'Giita' (?). K-ON! was also famous for pointing out (through Azusa Nakano) that the Les Paul tends to be somewhat unwieldy due to its relatively heavier weight and thick neck.

In an episode of George Lopez, George's son Max possibly breaks George's guitar, to which George says that it's "a genuine Les Paul." His wife Angie responds that it's a Los Paulo that he had bought at the swap meet.

Notes

^ a b Gibson USA: Gibson Les Paul Standard Guitar, The Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Facts and Pictures

^ Image of "The Log"

^ Wheeler, Tom (1992). American Guitars. Harper. p. 140. ISBN 0-06-273154-8. 

^ Freeth, Nick; Charles Alexander (2004). Ray Bonds. ed. The Illustrated Directory of Guitars. Barnes & Noble, Inc.. pp. 290293. ISBN 0-7607-6317-8. 

^ Wheeler, Tom (1992). American Guitars. Harper. p. 141. ISBN 0-06-273154-8. 

^ Duchossoir, Andre (1998). Gibson Electrics: the classic years. Hal Leonard. p. 44. ISBN 0-7935-9210-0. 

^ >Duchossoir, Andre (1998). Gibson Electrics: the classic years. Hal Leonard. pp. 4243. ISBN 0-7935-9210-0. 

^ >Duchossoir, Andre (1998). Gibson Electrics: the classic years. Hal Leonard. pp. 4243. ISBN 0-7935-9210-0. 

^ Nonetheless, most guitarists consider a standard Lester to be a very heavy guitar, especially at the end of a long set

^ a b "Les Paul Custom Guitars". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitars/Gibson/Solid_Body/Les_Paul_Custom/index.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ Gibson Les Paul Classic Custom Guitar, Black Beauty Custom Style Guitar Pictures and Specs

^ "Les Paul Custom (1957)". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100685-Les_Paul_Custom.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ "Les Paul Junior". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitars/Gibson/Solid_Body/Les_Paul_Junior/index.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ Gibson USA: Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong '57 LP Junior Electric Guitar, Pictures and Information, Buy Electric Guitar Online

^ gibsoncustom.com

^ "Les Paul Junior". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100403-Les_Paul_Junior.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ "Vintage Guitars Info's Gibson Solid Body Model". http://www.provide.net/~cfh/gibson5.html. Retrieved 2008-08-16. 

^ "Les Paul Junior Double Cut". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100536-Les_Paul_Junior_Double_Cut.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ "Les Paul Special". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitars/Gibson/Solid_Body/Les_Paul_Special/index.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ "Les Paul Special Double Cutaway". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100538-Les_Paul_Special_Double_Cut.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ a b "Les Paul Standard". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100404-Les_Paul_Standard.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ Gibson guitar Weight relief chambering

^ "SG". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitars/Gibson/Solid_Body/SG/index.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ Burrluck, Dave (September 2007). "'The Keithburst Les Paul'". Guitarist Magazine: 5558. 

^ Bacon, Tony (2000). Electric Guitars:The Illustrated Encyclopedia. Thunder Bay Press. pp. 123. ISBN 978-1-59223-053-2. 

^ Bacon, Tony (2002). 50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul. Backbeat Books. pp. 38, 50. ISBN 0-87930-711-0. 

^ "Les Paul Deluxe". Zuitar.com. http://www.zuitar.com/guitar/100393-Les_Paul_Deluxe.html. Retrieved 2008-08-12. 

^ Yuri Kageyama (The Associated Press) (December 3, 2007). "World's first robot guitar takes care of the tuning". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004051225_guitar04.html. Retrieved 2007-12-04. 

^ "Gibson's computerized Dark Fire Les Paul". Gear-Vault.com. http://www.gear-vault.com/gibson-dark-fire-electric-guitar/. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 

^ "Gibson Dark Fire Les Paul Guitar". Gear-Vault.com. http://www.gear-vault.com/gibson-dark-fire-electric-guitar/. Retrieved 2008-11-13. 

^ "Buckethead Les Paul". http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Les-Paul/Gibson-USA/Buckethead-Signature-Les-Paul.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-17. 

^ PRS win victory over Gibson guitars

^ Les Paul loses trademark in Finland

Further reading

Electric Guitar Man: The Genius of Les Paul (Library Binding). Edwin Brit Wyckoff. Enslow Elementary (April 2008). ISBN 978 0766028470

50 Years of the Gibson Les Paul: Half a Century of the Greatest Electric Guitars (Paperback). Tony Bacon. Backbeat Books 1st edition (April 26, 2002). ISBN 0879307110

External links

Gibson's Les Paul front page

Les Paul Guitars User Reviews

v  d  e

Gibson Les Paul submodels

Custom  Doublecut  Junior  Melody Maker  Standard  Studio  Robot  Dark Fire

Categories: Gibson electric guitars | Gibson Les Paul submodelsHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from May 2008 | Articles with unsourced statements from July 2008 | Articles with unsourced statements from August 2009 | Articles with unsourced statements from February 2007

About the Author

I am a professional writer from Frbiz Site, which contains a great deal of information about frigidaire washer parts , recirculating range hood, welcome to visit!

3 Ways to Make Your Own Informational Products

Make Your Own Someday $4.99 For everything you do, there's a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go.

Barbie Make Your Own Natural Beauty Products Kit $16.95 "Recipes and supplies to make your own facial, hair and body products. Great for spa parties or to give as gifts. Mattel Barbie. By Fashion Angels."

Hygloss Products Inc. HYG32906 Make Your Own Calendar $26.23 Make Your Own Calendar is an enaging way to teach students about the calendar as part of your lesson plan. With their own personalized calendar book students can learn about the months weeks and days and include their own holidays birthdays and special days. Make Your Own Calendar 6 Books

97 Ways to Make Your Baby Laugh $5.93 Set your inhibitions aside. Completely nutty yet effective, 97 WAYS TO MAKE A BABY LAUGH, now with over 702,000 copies in print, is the perfect, charming gift book for parents who want to tickle their baby's funnybone, and their own. It's like a book of p

Make Your Own Drinks: $11.21 Make Your Own Drinks

Make Your Own Cocktails $7.96 Make Your Own Cocktails

Make Your Own History $9.49 Make Your Own History

Make Your Own Masks $27.15 Make Your Own Masks

Make It Your Own $9.8 Make It Your Own

Make Your Own Girl Band Karaoke - Volume 3 $4.99 For everything you do, there's a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go.

Make Your Own Boy Band Karaoke - Volume 3 $4.99 For everything you do, there's a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go.

Make Your Own Luck $17.95 Make Your Own Luck

Make Your Own Danger * $13.06 Make Your Own Danger *

Make Your Own Fun $9.99 Make Your Own Fun

OSHA Informational Signs - Think The Life You Save May Be Your Own $16.8 Informational OSHA Signs are a visual reminder for a safer, more efficient workplace. Informational OSHA Signs are available in flexible self-adhesive vinyl, rigid plastic or heavy-duty aluminum with 4 mounting holes Choose from 10"W x 7"H or 14"W x 10"H sizes Extend the life and performance of the sign by upgrading to Seton UltraTuff™ overlaminate Message reads "The Life You Save May Be Your Own" with a "Think" header

Make Your Own Twinkly Tiaras $11.39 Everything your child needs to create royal crowns, wands, and jewelry! Award winner! Includes 3 foil tiaras, 6 punch-out tiaras, 25 jewels, 16 pom-poms, 27 jewel stickers, 75 sequins, and glue.

50 Ways to Make Google Love Your Website $5.41 Google is now a dominant force on the Internet, guiding millions of searches and online purchases every day. Understanding how it works and how to make the most of it is therefore essential to anyone building or running a website, whether for business or as a hobby. This easy-to-follow guide explains not only how Google actually sifts the billions of pages of information its index contains, but shows you how you can improve the performance of your own website in Google's search results, giving specific and detailed instructions about the sort of priority issues you need to address. 50 Ways to Make Google Love Your Website will teach you how to: - Use Google to help you understand how people search for the sort of things you are offering - Create a website that your customers will quickly find in Google - Make your website irresistible to links from other sites - Help Google understand what your site is about - Think like Google and win more traffic

Make-Your-Own Sensory Cups $21.99 Listening, shaking, and smelling are engaging activities that build children's sensory skills. These plastic cups, with solid and perforated lids, are ideal for creating activities where children can match like sounds or like-scents. A variety of items of your choosing may be placed in the cups. Activity Guide included. Set includes 12 solid yellow cups with perforated lids and 12 transparent cups with solid lids. Set of 24 Cups and Lids. Ages 3 years +.

How To Make Your First Information Product

Now if your new to online marketing, you may not be new you just may have promoted other peoples products, or perhaps you just want to build an information product for use in your everyday business,  the process of product creation is probably much easier than you may have thought it to be.
But there are many different ways to go about such a task.
Depending on who you are and how comfortable you are with the different aspects of product creation will probably determine which road you will follow.
If you are comfortable with language and enjoy writing, you may want to write an ebook or a course of ebooks around your chosen subject or niche.
Now if this doesn't appeal to you, you have the option to outsource the writing to a professional, outsourcing can be done at a reasonable cost and to very high standards, there are many different places to find writers,  Google is a good place to start.
However this also depends on your subject and what business you are trying to capture with your product, if it is a very specialized subject about your business, you should maybe think of doing the work yourself.

Outsourcing is good for more general subjects where there is lots of available information about them, the more specific or specialized the product you want it may be harder for wrtiers to gain enough quality information to satisfy your needs.
Also be careful with outsourcing, you must ensure when outsourcing product creation that you have full rights to the subject matter, otherwise you may incur a problem when selling the product ( infringement or possible copyright problems).

But even writing an information  product is fairly straight forward.
You just need to write bulletpoint notes of the main areas that you want to cover.
From these bulletpoints you then arrange them into sections and sub sections in relevant areas or your topic.
If your very knowledgable on the chosen subject you could then start writing an introduction about what this product is going to do for people, does it teach them new skills, or instruct them in any form, or does it build on previous learning etc.
Next you would follow your sections and subsections and bulletpoints to fill in the details around the statements they give.
Extra research is always a good idea, you want your product to be crammed full of good quality content, be precise and to the point.
The best learning curve in product creation is to actually give it a try. Start writing and see where it leads you, but stay on course with your key points, it is actually fairly easy once you get started.
You can start writing in any program on your computer and then paste it into word, or similar text editing software, set your headings, page numbers, contents pages, maybe even add graphics, graphs, images, all these just depend on you and what you want your product to look or feel like.
It would also be good to get a good cover for your ebook when its finished, unless your really good with design I would advise outsourcing this to someone there are many cheap designers that would make an ebook cover for a reasonable price
When its completed you can just export the whole document as a pdf and there is an ebook.

Always remember to check all the work, spell checkers are good, but these dont really check the grammar errors, a good method is to read your content out loud, reading out loud lets you know if it really makes sense.
Editing and proof reading are a must, even get a trusted colleague, friend or family member who is good with language to look over it.
So its been proof read, and edited accordingly, you have a good cover, export it as a PDF document and then its a product.

About the Author

I am Lee Kennedy and I am an internet marketer from the UK,
Im 39 and on my way to being really successful online,
I believe that  giving value to people in the things I do is all so important, helping someone else to grow or learn is an important part of my online work and knowledge and value should be shared.
"The more you put in to something, the more you get out" is a valuable motto for me and my business.  I like to think that giving is as good as receiving and the more you give the more that will come back to you in the long term.

coach dave tennis

Gary The Tennis Coach $3.99 Gary The Tennis Coach

Balls Out: Gary The Tennis Coach $19.99 Balls Out: Gary The Tennis Coach

Tennis $64.95 This addition to the Handbook series will allow the tennis coach, athlete, and medical professional responsible for their care to improve technique, training and performance, and to reduce the risk of injury. When injury does occur, Tennis will aid quick accurate diagnosis and treatment, and effective rehabilitation so that the tennis player can return to peak performance with the minimum of fuss.

Successful Tennis $11.36 Winning advice from a tennis champion and a professional tennis coach...

Bollettieri''s Tennis Handbook $17.78 Nick Bollettieri is the most famous and successful coach in tennis...

Balls Out Gary The Tennis Coach $9.83 Rated: RSynopsis: From the director of Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and Dude Where's My Car comes this raunchy comedy starring Seann William Scott and Randy Quaid. Gary Houseman (Scott) is an overenthusiastic high school janitor who steps-up to lead the school's loser tennis team to the state finals when the acting coach drops dead. The brash and often insulting new coach is intent on inspiring these underdogs not only to win, but also to stand-up for themselves. Although his coaching tactics may be unorthodox, including motivating his star player with a pre-game stripper, his heart is in the right place. Besides, sometimes it takes big balls to play hard-ball.

Gary The Tennis Coach(2008) (DVD) $4.93 The incompetent tennis team at the heart of BALLS OUT can't catch a break: it gets no respect from its football-centric high school, and its coach just dropped dead. But with the help of Gary (Seann William Scott), an insulting janitor with a state-trooper moustache and a heart of fiery passion, it just may win the state finals. It's up to Gary to pass along the skills he acquired playing tennis at Mexican donkey shows as a young boy, and it's up to his students to learn. This hilarious sports comedy co-stars Randy Quaid and is helmed by Danny Leiner, the director of HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE and DUDE, WHERE'S MY CAR? Cast List: Seann William Scott , Randy Quaid , Leonor Varela , Brando Eaton , Ryan Simpkins Produced: 2008 Running Time: 89 min

My Coach Dave $15.11 No Synopsis Available

Tennis Coach Sports Light T-Shirt by CafePress $23 Tennis Coach...Perfect end of the season gift or Christmas gift for any tennis coach. Sports Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit.

$20,000 In Tennis Lessons: Your Personal Coach $36.5 The ultimate guide for tennis players seeking to improve their game...

Coach Dave Shula Bengals Hand Signed Index Card $16.27 Coach Dave Shula Bengals Hand Signed Index Card COACH DAVE SHULA BENGALS HAND SIGNED INDEX CARDEvery signed item comes fully certified with a tamper proof hologram certificate of authenticity and is backed by the SportsMemorabilia.com Authenticity Guarantee.

Coach Dave's 300 Pitch Count - Baseball Coach/ScoreKeeper $19.99 Handheld, battery operated, Electronic Pitch Counter displays total pitches thrown, total balls and total strikes thrown. Tracks two pitchers and clears each separately. Alarms at Little League specified pitch counts , , , . Licensed and approved by Little League Baseball.Baseball Coach/ScoreKeeper - Baseball Coach/ScoreKeeper

Coach $10 Coach

Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach [WS] $12.7 An overenthusiastic high-school maintenance man attempts to lead an unlikely group of misfits to the Nebraska state tennis championship in Dude, Where's My Car? director Danny Leiner's underdog sports comedy. American Pie star Seann William Scott stars as the ambitious janitor who believes he has what it takes to coach the winning team. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Coach Dave's 400 Pitch Count - Baseball Coach/ScoreKeeper $39.99 Handheld, battery operated, Electronic Pitch Counter Stop Watch Displays total pitches thrown, total balls and total strikes Displays percentage of strikes thrown Tracks two pitchers, clears each pitcher separately Alarms at Little League Specified pitch counts , , , Alarm can be turned on or off. Licensed and approved by Little League Baseball.Baseball Coach/ScoreKeeper - Baseball Coach/ScoreKeeper

Dave $5.99 Dave

tennis captain software

Tennis $70 Tennis

This Is the Captain $11.13 This Is the Captain

The Captain $25.7 The Captain

Marvel Action Pack $19.99 MARVEL Action Pack! contains 10 arcade style casual games starring your favorite Marvel Super Heroes! This POW!erful assortment is jam-packed with hours of Marvel entertainment! Sharpen Your Skills with ?Wolverine MRD? and ?Wolverine Search & Destroy? Get Green with ?Hulk Vs.?, ?Hulk Bad Altitude?, and ?Hulk Central Smashdown!? Wield Your Shield to help Captain America defend his city in ?Captain America: Red Skull and Crossbones? Then Suit Up! with Tony Stark in ?Iron Man Armored Popper?,? Iron Man Flight Test?, ?Iron Man Amory Assault?, and ?Iron Man Flight Test 2.0?!

Captain Captain Captain $10 Captain Captain Captain

Captain Freedom $9.99 Freedom's fifteen minutes are over! Software pirates! Mostly extinct dinosaurs! Giant barbarians! Crooning criminals! Captain Freedom's beat them all, saved the world, and looked fantastic doing it—but he couldn't fend off middle management. The Superhero lifestyle is all that Captain Freedom has ever known. What's he supposed to do now? Enter politics? Write a children's book? Freedom's in a bad way and he's only a stint in rehab away from a lifetime of celebrity reality shows. But with the guidance of his new life coach, maybe Freedom can stumble in a new direction—even if it means having to make peace with his parents . . . or finally commit to a single long-term archenemy.

NovaBackup Software for PCs-Laptops-Workstations. Automatic. Simple. Local and Online Backup $49.95 NovaBACKUP automatically backups and protects important PC/laptop computer files such as photos, images, personal files, business files, and system information. With easy setup and simple to follow step-by-step wizards, anyone can implement professional and reliable data backup and protection procedures in minutes. Backup your data to hard drives, tape drives, CD/DVD/BluRay drives (with full support for media spanning) plus get online data protection from your choice of world class storage providers ... all in the same, easy to use, software. Receive full peace of mind with automatic (set it and forget it) processes. local and online storage (Best Practices), and full disaster recovery protection to return your system exactly as it was in the event of disaster. With NovaStor’s patent pending technology, you can find and restore files easily and restore historical versions of files, from a single view, regardless of when or where the files were backed up. You don’t even have to remember which device you stored a file on. NovaBackup remembers and tells you! Copy & mirror functionality provides a simple method for twinning/mirroring of data and directories in native format and includes integrated Open File Backup. Fast Bit Technology updates your backups with bit level incremental changes. This makes for super fast backups both locally and online. Other great features include mapped drive recognition, virus scanning, data encryption, and Windows 7/Vista/XP/2003 support. NovaBACKUP claims countless technology and consumer award including TopTenReview Gold, PC World Best Buy , Tucows Five Cows, and more -- plus NovaStor has been protecting millions of PCs for over 10 years and is a proud Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

NovaBackup Business Essentials by NovaStor. SQL and Exchange Server Backup Software $299.95 NovaBACKUP Bus. Essentials automatically backups and protects all the important files stored on your Windows Server system with SQL/Exchange such as mission critical business files, databases, emails, shared images, shared media files, documents and all system information. With easy setup and simple to follow step-by-step wizards, anyone can implement professional and reliable data backup and protection procedures in minutes. Backup your data to hard drives, tape drives, CD/DVD/BluRay drives (with full support for media spanning) plus get online data protection from your choice of world class storage providers ... all in the same, easy to use, software. Receive full peace of mind with automatic (set it and forget it) processes. local and online storage (Best Practices), and full disaster recovery protection to return your system exactly as it was in the event of disaster. With NovaStor’s patent pending technology, you can find and restore files easily and restore historical versions of files, from a single view, regardless of when or where the files were backed up. You don’t even have to remember which device you stored a file on. NovaBackup remembers and tells you! Fast Bit Technology updates your backups with bit level incremental changes. This makes for super fast backups both locally and online. Other great features include mapped drive recognition, copy & mirror functionality, open file backup, virus scanning, data encryption, and Windows 2008 R2 and 2003 support. NovaBACKUP claims countless technology and consumer award including TopTenReview #1 Gold Award, PC World's Best Buy , Tucows' Five Cows Rating (out of five), and more -- plus NovaStor has been protecting millions of PCs for over 10 years and is a proud Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

TENNIS CAPTAIN Sports Light T-Shirt by CafePress $20 Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton Standard fit Sports Light T-Shirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Look cool without breaking the bank. Our durable, high-quality, pre-shrunk 100% cotton t-shirt is what to wear when you want to go comfortably casual. Preshrunk, durable and guaranteed.5.6 oz. 100% cotton. Standard fit.

NovaBackup Server. Software by NovaStor. Easy to use backup and restore for Windows Server Systems $199.95 NovaBACKUP automatically backups and protects all the important files stored on your Windows Server system such as mission critical business files, shared images, shared media files, documents and all system information. With easy setup and simple to follow step-by-step wizards, anyone can implement professional and reliable data backup and protection procedures in minutes. Backup your data to hard drives, tape drives, CD/DVD/BluRay drives (with full support for media spanning) plus get online data protection from your choice of world class storage providers ... all in the same, easy to use, software. Receive full peace of mind with automatic (set it and forget it) processes. local and online storage (Best Practices), and full disaster recovery protection to return your system exactly as it was in the event of disaster. With NovaStor’s patent pending technology, you can find and restore files easily and restore historical versions of files, from a single view, regardless of when or where the files were backed up. You don’t even have to remember which device you stored a file on. NovaBackup remembers and tells you! Copy & mirror functionality provides a simple method for twinning/mirroring of data and directories in native format and includes integrated Open File Backup. Fast Bit Technology updates your backups with bit level incremental changes. This makes for super fast backups both locally and online. Other great features include mapped drive recognition, virus scanning, data encryption, and Windows 2008 R2 and 2003 support. NovaBACKUP claims countless technology and consumer award including TopTenReview Gold, PC World Best Buy , Tucows Five Cows, and more -- plus NovaStor has been protecting millions of PCs for over 10 years and is a proud Microsoft Gold Certified Partner.

Murder at the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club $12.95 There has been a murder in the posh locker room of the Tokyo Lawn Tennis Club. After a bad set of doubles, popular nice guy Shig Manabe is found floating in the hot tub, turning pink, and beginning to bubble crimson. Captain Tim Kawamura, family man and hero of the American Club murder case, is sent on the trail of the racketing-wielding murderer in tennis whites. The solution to the crimes lies in the secret memoirs of the victim, but will Captain Kawamura unravel the riddle before the rising body count includes himself, his wife and his children?

Sony Hot Shots Tennis $20.99 1 4 98701 Multiple Characters to Choose: In true Hot Shots fashion, players can choose from a cast of wacky characters, all with distinct personalities and tennis skills. Spectacular Court Locations: Play on courts in various exotic locations around the world. Fun Unlockable Items: Customize and power-up each player with a plethora of collectibles unlocked throughout each game mode. Two-Player or Four-Player Doubles Matches: Players can compete head-to-head in a quick match against the computer or a friend, or engage in a doubles session (4 players) where fun and style go hand-in-hand with match strategy. Signature Hot Shots Look and Feel: From the zany character behaviors and designs to the colorful locales, dramatic camera angles, and realistic physics, Hot Shots Tennis delivers tennis action that fans of the franchise have come to expect. Clap Hanz, creators of the critically acclaimed and multi-million unit selling Hot Shots Golf series, serves yet another exciting addition to one of the most beloved gaming franchises in the industry with the new Hot Shots Tennis PlayStation Portable (PSP). Complete with Hot Shots' signature over-the-top visuals and pick-up-and-play fun, franchise fans will now be able to take the action on the go with original characters, new exotic court locations, fun-filled game modes, providing the wackiest tennis experience on the PSP to date. AdHoc Game Hot Shots Tennis Mild Suggestive Themes PSP RP (Rating Pending) Software Sony Sony Corporation Sports Game UMD www.sony.com

The Prince of Tennis, Vol. 38 $11.82 Reads R to L (Japanese Style). Clash! Ryoma and Kintaro''''s One-Point MatchSeishun''''s semifinal round against Shitenhoji continues with No. 1 Doubles, and now it''''s captain vs...

Sega Superstars Tennis $18.99 1 2008-03-18 4 Zany SEGA Characters with Superstar Abilities: Each of the 16 characters has their own superstar alter-ego, which gives them the winning edge on the court. Ten Fantastical Themed Courts: Guest umpires will supervise the action on a wide variety of colorful courts, from Sonic's lush Green Hill Zone to Ulala's galactic Space Channel 5 world, just to name a couple. Four Action-Packed Tournaments: As you slice your way through the competitive tournaments, you will unlock loads of bonus content. Classic Soundtrack: Faithfully recreated in full Dolby Digital 5.1, treasured SEGA tunes will entertain SEGA fans new and old. Sixteen fan-favorite SEGA characters from Sonic to NiGHTS are serving up non-stop fun in SEGA Superstars Tennis. Multiple madcap mini-games will keep the party rolling and up to four friends can challenge each other in tournaments, exhibitions and unlockable special events. With hilarious cameos and comical guest umpires from SEGA's rich gaming history, this fun-filled tennis party is guaranteed to be a smashing good time for the whole family! E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) Game Mild Blood Mild Fantasy Violence Mild Suggestive Themes No Not Applicable SEG65015 Sega Software Sports Game Superstars Tennis Wii Yes www.sega.com

Become A Habitual Peak Performer - Learn How To Get Into Flow Or - The Zone More Frequently

This Is NOT An Expert Paper On Getting Into "Flow"

This is not a technical article on the psychology of sports and how the brain functions when a person is engaged in competition. I am not a zone coach or psychologist, neither do I pretend to have conducted any experiments or studies on people who have exhibited the traits of persons who could be said to have been in "flow" at any point in time.

What I aim to do in this article is to share my considerable experience in delivering exceptional performances in virtually every area of endeavour I have chosen to apply diligent and committed effort. Most of my achievements have been made possible by my self-taught ability to almost willfully get myself into "Flow"(an unconscious state of mind that facilitates seemingly effortless achievement of optimal learning and/or performance) whenever I felt the need to do so, in order to achieve a set goal(s).

Because I have experienced what it feels like to get into "Flow" or "The Zone" on many occasions(and I provide graphic details of some of those instances in this article), I am able to share THAT experience with the reader, and explain how s/he can achieve the same result, frequently and repeatedly, if s/he so desires.

As I have stated earlier, I make no claims to being an authority on getting into "Flow" or "The Zone". However going by my personal experiences(which I need NO PhD degree qualifications to write or speak about), I strongly believe different individuals will find need to develop different levels of proficiency in their ability to get into AND STAY - for as long as may be necessary/desired - in "The Zone". Improvement in mastery of this skill will depend on how well each person applies him/herself.

The challenge is therefore for you to use the ideas offered in this write up to build up YOUR OWN ability to get into - and stay in - "The Zone" in a way that enables you meet YOUR needs to achieve.

What Exactly Does It Mean To Get Into "Flow" Or "The Zone"?(My Handball Semi-Final Match Case Study)

Before I make references to what others have said, I will describe this experience in my own words by narrating what happened to me during the 1992 finals of the University Of Ibadan's Inter-Halls Handball Competition. That year, I was captain of both the university team and the Independence Hall team. The latter had qualified - for the first time in their history - for the semi-finals of the inter-halls competition, and we were up against Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, our arch rivals.

The match commenced around 1.00pm when the sun was overhead and the heat was scorching. It was a very intense and closely fought battle. As one side scored a goal the other side replied almost immediately on the next attack. At half time my team led, by a single point. Although I had scored a number of goals en route to the finals, that first half had not witnessed a single goal by me.

However, because we had anticipated that some of our key players would be marked out by the opposition, our team had worked out an alternative plan that made it possible to create scoring chances for other players. This worked well, and we stayed ahead - but only just!

At a point, all I could think of was the single point lead on the score board and the voice in my head screaming that we needed to score another goal to avoid a tie. Each time I turned to receive or make a pass, I found I did not really see faces clearly. I saw the jersey colors and numbers, but the detailed features of each person seemed to be something of a blur...faded. Yet I could still tell my team mates from the opposition at any point in time.

Suddenly, for no obvious reason, the guy marking me out let me get COMPLETELY past him(for the first time since the match began) as a pass came to me from the left. In that split second, as I caught the ball, I saw a little space between the left foot of the goal keeper and the bottom left of the goal post. On reflex, I threw a hip shot with my right hand, and watched almost as if on TV, the ball fly into into the keeper's far left corner of the goal post. All this while I had stopped hearing most of the noise from the spectators who had completely surrounded the handball court and were cheering wildly.

Then I felt someone grab me, screaming delightedly, while another team mate patted me on the back. I looked to the sidelines and saw the University team coach - Mr. Nwosu - raise his hands in the air shouting 'Iyo"(a slang in my language Yoruba, meaning "Super!" even though - ironically - he was Ibo). That was when it clicked - at least enough for me to manage to raise my right hand in the air and jog back to the nine metre line of my team's half. I realised I had scored a good goal, but I could not explain how - it had been done on instinct, and I could not even recall "thinking about doing" or "planning" it.

Not long after, the referee blew the final whistle, and we won. That year, someone using the pen name "Dancing Pen" wrote an article on me (which I still have a copy of in my files) which was pasted on the notice board in the hall titled "Tayo Solagbade - Steroid Man"*, in which the writer described the goal I scored as (to use his exact words): "the Fastest, Most Spectacular and Shocking Goal". He also quoted the University coach as having said "Indy (i.e. Independence Hall), played the match of their lives, and Tayo was at his best".

*("Steroid Man" was a nickname given to me by colleagues in the University team, because I never seemed to get tired in a match, even when we were losing badly).

How Does This Relate To Getting Into Flow/The Zone?

Well the truth is every time I got on to the handball court, I made a point of forgetting EVERYTHING else. For those who took note, minutes to the start of the match, I would become a bit pensive, and withdrawn. During this period, I tended to re-run in my mind specific moves I had practiced during the training sessions leading up to the match, which I hoped to use. Even as I exchanged greetings with other players, I would keep my mind firmly fixed on this mental pre-match "ritual".

Evidence that my achievements were recognised would come at the end of my final year in the University when I received merit awards from the university Sports Council and the Independence hall - in addition to graduating top of my class in my department. Not many active sports persons in the institution got to have the best of both worlds the way I did - and THAT was what caught the attention of the institution's sports administrators. Looking back I realise that my "intense focus" enabled me get into "flow"(though I did not know the word/concept then) quite frequently while pursuing both my academic and sporting interests on campus, so that I achieve the "balanced" success I eventually recorded.

Peak Performing As An Entrepreneur

Today, I build spreadsheet software and websites(among others) for a living - activities which require PC/Internet access AND electricity. Unfortunately, in order to make tangible profits, I have to DAILY explore ways to COST-EFFECTIVELY progress paying clients' projects IN SPITE OF extremely erratic power supply from my country's power generation company. Sometimes I do not have light for more than four(4) hours in a day - and even that iS often a case of ON...then OFF...then ON again, and not a continuous stretch.(FACT)

Despite these challenges, my client profiles have risen, and my fees quadrupled since the start of the new year! This has happened because I successfully transferred my ability to "peak-perform" by getting into flow, from my past life in school, sports, and paid employment into my present life as an entrepreneur. It did not happen overnight(took quite some practice/persistence because I had to LEARN all over again till I began to master my NEW vocation), but then nothing that has sustainable value ever does.

Getting Into "Flow/The Zone" Is NOT About Being(Or Becoming) Absent Minded!

In the process of pushing myself to achieve peak performance, I sometimes found myself being accused - especially by those I lived with(my wife being number one) of being absent minded - or even uncaring. Over time they however came to discover that it was not deliberate.

Being in "flow" is about getting into a state of mind that enhances your ability to perform at your best...your peak. Not everyone knows - or cares to call it - "flow" or "The Zone". But many who have seen someone under its influence (or experienced it) often mention the same "signs" when describing it. I once read that William H. Carrier(inventor of the Air Conditioner) was said to have been "absent minded" to the point that he once boarded a train and completely forgot his destination, while thinking about a solution to a problem! THAT is the "intensity" of focus or concentration on a SPECIFIC activity that can get ANYONE into "flow". No wonder James Cook referred to Carrier as belonging to the elite group of "Super Entrepreneurs".

Thomas Edison was also reputed to have been rather "forgetful". What I think many "critics" of these people failed to note however is the fact that these men - and others like them - were seldom, if at all EVER forgetful about their favoured vocations or interests! I am not aware for instance that Edison at any point in his life was unable to answer questions posed to him regarding his work because he "forgot". Instead it was the daily routine stuff that had little to do with the work he had a passion for, that he "chose to forget".

Many achievement-oriented people who feel the need to be at their productive best even do something that I like to call "Deliberate Forgetting". In fact I recall reading about a teenage girl who became an excellent violinist saying that she achieved her proficiency through what she called 'Planned Neglect". She explained this term by saying that each day she would put off cleaning her room (or other chores) UNTIL she had put in what she considered ENOUGH practice into playing the violin.

Before adopting this approach she had been unable to find enough time/energy to practice, and as a result was not making the progress she wanted. This happened because she often started each day doing her various chores, using up a lot of energy/time. By the time she eventually began practice there would not be much time left - and she would tire easily from all the previous exertion. So she decided some things had to enjoy less of her attention in order for her to FOCUS on those things or THAT ONE thing she most desired to do - and do WELL.

Getting Into "Flow" During Intellectual Activity Results In "Mental Ecstasy"

When you get into flow while doing something intellectual(e.g. writing), from my experience what you feel is what I believe can be called "Mental Ecstasy". You would feel "great pleasure" every time you are able to achieve that state of mind - even though the activity you are engaged in might require great effort or skill that would task other persons to the limits of their abilities! And that's why it can get a bit addictive, leading to a person acting seemingly "uncaring" or "distant".

To a considerable extent, getting into and STAYING in "Flow" requires that your mental attitude be almost the exact opposite of that required to be a caring, thoughtful and responsive partner to a mate or parent to a child etc. In my opinion however if a person can take the pains to learn how to control the process of deliberately going in and out of flow, s/he would live a more successful life.

You need to be able to strike a balance - delicate it might be, between being in flow and being human. Else what could happen is you end your sojourn on earth as having been one of the most exceptional performers in your chosen vocation in the history of mankind, but with the reputation of having been incapable of keeping a relationship or family together.

Daniel Goleman in his book on "Emotional Intelligence" explained that improving your ability to enter into flow is to become more emotionally intelligent. According to him getting into flow is the ultimate means of making use of one's emotions in the pursuit of performance and learning. To put it simply, a person who KNOWS how to get him or herself into "Flow" or "The Zone" deliberately and repeatedly as the need arises demonstrates a high level of Emotional Intelligence. This is because being able to do so requires a level of self-mastery that is seldom achievable without the ability to harness one's emotions effectively.

As is common knowledge today, your Emotional Intelligence and NOT your academic intelligence is MORE likely to determine your success in school and especially your adult life. Therefore to increase your chances of succeeding in life, you will want to learn how to get into "flow" more frequently, so as to boost your Emotional Intelligence.

Steps You Can Follow To Get Yourself Into Flow/The Zone Deliberately & More Frequently

1. Carefully think about and set SPECIFIC goals you want to achieve(in SPECIFIC areas of your vocation or interest) by getting into "Flow".

2. Identify the TASKS you will need to execute or implement in order to achieve those goals.

3. Develop your proficiency in the task(s) you wish to achieve peak performance in to the point that you can do it(or them) with practiced ease. Some people would say "with your eyes closed". I have watched labelling machine operators on a manned 45,000 bottles per hour bottling line feed labels into it almost without error continuously for over six(6) consecutive hours on a night shift. It takes plenty of PRACTICE to get to that level of competence.

And it is only after you have attained such a level of proficiency that you can reasonably expect to be able to deliberately/competently get in and out of "Flow", while engaged in your preferred activity.

4. Actively work to find and/or create the kind of environment(physical and psychological) that you KNOW will enhance your ability to get into and STAY in The Zone. For instance, you will need to master the art of focussing intensely or concentrating HARD on your subject of interest such that you "force" yourself into "The Zone". I often use this approach (especially) when I need to give a speech.

5*. Avoid the things/habits that keep you from getting into The Zone(e.g. undisciplined expenditure of sexual energy; worrying etc) and do more of those which boost your ability to "Zone Out"(e.g. staying fit through regular physical exercise, meditation etc).*

6. Engage as much as possible ONLY in tasks or vocations that you naturally ENJOY doing - else getting into flow and/or staying there will be VERY difficult. Your performance as a result will be erratic.

Knowing How To Get Into The Zone Will Help You Deliver Desired Results Under Pressure

As you may be aware, some people thrive under, and respond positively TO pressure - often delivering their BEST performances when exposed to it. I happen to be one of such people. It is my considered opinion, based on my personal experiences and successes in school, sports, paid and now self-employment, that if you truly want to be a peak performer, you MUST master how to deliver optimal performances in your preferred vocation or activity EVEN when(especially when!) you are under pressure.

Fail to do this and your transformation will be INCOMPLETE. You would be like a potential Michael Jordan who fails to achieve his/her full potential on the court during game time. What's that you ask? I mean everyone loved Jordan because he was a player who delivered when it mattered most(a "big match" player) - in the important games and at the MOST important time...scoring a match winning basket just a few seconds before the buzzer sounded. It takes an ability to DEAL with psychological pressure to do that. You CAN develop the ability to do it. If you learn how to get into "flow", as suggested here, you WILL end up with the ability to do it unconsciously - AGAIN and AGAIN!(The key word there being "UNCONSCIOUSLY")

Final Words: A Person In Flow/The Zone Will Make Doing What S/he Does Look Easier Than It Really Is

And THAT is something YOU can use as a measure of how well you have learnt to get into and STAY in the zone while doing what you do i.e when people start expressing surprise or even amazement about how well you do what you do, with some asking you "what is your secret?".

Another way to measure your progress, will be unsolicited testimonials people will give about your abilities. Below, I offer two examples of unsolicited written testimonials about me from former colleagues:

"Tayo, I honestly believe you are one of those who will succeed at anything he does... I don't need to wish you good luck. You have the ability to make your own luck..".

Read my article titled "Should You Quit Your Job Or Start Your Business Part-Time?" to read the full text of that handwritten message to me in December 2001 by the overall head(Operations Manager) of the brewery I worked in.

I once helped out a Utilities Manager colleague by automating his Engineering Services usage monitoring charts preparation using my skills in spreadsheet programming. This was done in respone to his request, after he saw what I had done in my spare time for my department. Well, here's what he wrote (in part) to me via email from the new company - a multinational Oil Service company - he had resumed working for, some months after my departure:

------------------------
To:olufelatks@xxxxxx.com
Subject:WANT US TO MEET
Date:Wed, 26 Jun 2002 09:59:16 +0100
-------------------------

Hi Tayo,...my main reasons for my search for you are... to involve you in my new task of computerizing my departmental reports....I believe you have the competence to transform our reports having seen your Midas touches in Guinness. The report will be in Excel spreadsheet, segmented into sheets but to be viewed and accessed by macro buttons. The report should be able to auto print and shows graphs. Presently, we have two mains Computerized Maintenance Systems from which some data need to be downloaded. The report must be able to give quick predetermined checks for immediate management decisions. In pursuit of this goal, I want us to discuss and agree on the execution modalities and other things. I am proposing to be in Lagos this weekend and wish to see you...Shola"

What made him so sure that I could help him? The answer is obvious: I had shown that I could deliver the kind of results he wanted in the past and he had witnessed it.

Learn how to deliver peak performances routinely and repeatedly by getting into flow often, and you WILL earn similar testimonials from others around you.

Useful References

1. Article: "Curse of the Succubus" by Andrew Corsello. A humour tinged but seriously educative article about a one time Tennis world No. 1 - Pete Sampras - who KNEW how to deliver peak performances by getting into and STAYING in The Zone. It was written in "GQ Magazine October 2002 - IN THE ZONE" and subtitled >>Why has Pete Sampras fallen so fast, so hard, so...willingly? Clearly the man who perfected the Zone has lost his formidable powers...2. Book: "Emotional Intelligence" by Dr. Daniel Goldman. In this excellent ground breaking book subtitled "Why It(i.e. "Emotional Intelligence") can matter more than IQ", Goleman explains, with useful anecdotes about(and testimonials from) real-life high performing individuals, backed by research findings, why the ability to get into flow in the pursuit of learning and performance is Emotional Intelligence at its best.

3. Resource: "The Internet" by Any Search Engine. I must NOT forget this one . Do a search on the net and you should discover additional/useful learning resources.

Self-Development

Now Pay Close Attention --

Using Video Testimonials to increase your websites sales and revenue is simpler than you've been told. Everyone with a website faces the same two problems:

[Problem #1] How To Build Credibility With Potential Customers

[Problem #2] How To Obtain Testimonials Which Have Been Proven To Improve Sales

Fast Video Testimonials has been solving these two problems for hundreds of satisfied customers. Fast Video Testimonials has been tried and tested and known to produce excellent results.

First: Click Here For Fast Video Testimonials
Fast Video Testimonials always supplies REAL VIDEO TESTIMONIALS created specifically for your website and business.

Second: Order Your Video Testimonials Package of 1, 5 or 10 original Video Testimonials for your website.
Your new Video Testimonials will arrive within 7 days and all Video Testimonials are done by REAL PEOPLE and are guaranteed to boost your sales by up to 30%. Buy Video Testimonials today and boost your businesses online presence overnight.

About the Author

Why Play Slots Online

SLOTS TRIPLE PLAY for PC $9.99 Bring the casino fun to your PC computer with the Slots Triple Play game. With over 125 slot machines, you can play with your favourite characters including Betty Boop, Popeye, Blondie and many more. Slots Triple Play features the largest collection of actual casino slot machines ever. Choose from reel spinner and video slots gameplay. Plus, bonus features and unique rounds will heighten your gambling entertainment. Game Features Maximum Number of Players: 1 Online Play: Yes Compatibility: PC Manufacturer: Masque Publishing Category: Casino Subcategory: N/A ESRB Rating: Teen (13+) ESRB Content Descriptors: Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco System Requirements: Windows 98, 2000, Vista, XP. UPC: 98252104102 Manufacturer's Part Number: 4581779

Reel Deal Slots: Gods of Olympus $19.95 Game Description: Following the amazing line of Reel Deal Slots games, Phantom EFX brings you the next exciting installment: Reel Deal Slots: Gods of Olympus! Dive into the Realm of the Gods and play 22 brand new slots with brand new features and bonus rounds. Gods of Olympus is fully compatible with Reel Deal LIVE providing full support for online play. Have the power of the gods and the excitement of Vegas at your fingertips as you spin your way to the top of Olympus!

Monopoly Slots Pocket Pogo Game $1 Your favorite games are now available in a pocket-sized package! Hasbro has teamed up with Pogo.com to offer our most popular Family and Kid Brands in hand-held games. Plus, you get 30 days of play online at Pogo.com with each purchase! Enjoy Monopoly Slots!

Hollywood Slots Hotel And Raceway $139 The fabulous Hollywood Slots Hotel is an impressive 7 towering stories of magnificent luxury, leisure and convenience

Yahtzee Slots Pocket Pogo Game $19.99 Enjoy Yahtzee Slots! The sleek and compact design of Yahtzee Pocket Pogo means you can play the classic dice-rolling game anywhere and everywhere you go! At the touch of a button, roll the dice and see what's shakin'. Feeling lucky? Roll again! Score 3 of a kind or full house, or roll again for a straight or a Yahtzee! Each 3 3/4-inch tall game unit also comes with a code so you can play games online and reap the rewards on Pogo.Com! 1 player. Ages 8 and up. Requires 1x "CR-2032" battery, included. Your favorite games are now available in a pocket-sized package! Hasbro has teamed up with Pogo.com to offer its most popular family and kid brands in handheld games. Plus, you get 30 days of play online at Pogo.com with each purchase!

Reel Deal Slots - Treasures of the Far East $19.99 Take a mystical journey to the Far East, the land of samurai, magic, and SLOTS! Reel Deal Slots Treasures of the Far East contains a huge variety of the most realistic and entertaining slots you'll ever find! Bring all the fun and excitement of Vegas to your home PC, with features including: - 27 brand new slots, each with unique and exciting bonus rounds!- Stunning high-resolution graphics on traditional 3-reel slots and all-new video slots!- Incredible music and sounds!- 5 varieties of Video Poker!- An all new Prize Vault, where you can summon an ancient slot and spin it for bonus cash, VIP points, prizes, and unlockable slots and bonus games! Play offline in single-player mode, or online in the Reel Deal LIVE 3-D Casino.

Strictly Slots $27.95 Strictly Slots is the magazine for slot and video poker players! Every issue of Strictly Slots is packed with tips and strategies to help you beat the odds and have more fun when you play!

Slots Conquest $14.4 Think all slot machines are the same? If so, that''s why you''re losing money. Slots Conquest will teach readers all the nuances of slot machines to improve the odds of winning...

Play to Win - Blackjack Craps & Slots $11.04 How does one learn the secrets and tips of winners in the casino? Just pick up this instructional set which teaches how to play to WIN at Blackjack, Craps, and the Slots.

Remember Why You Play $11.19 Remember Why You Play

Slots $7.49 Slots

SLOTS TRIPLE PLAY pour PC $9.99 Apportez l'amusement du casino a votre ordinateur avec le jeu Slots Triple Play. Avec plus de 125 machines a sous, vous pouvez jouer avec vos personnages favoris incluant Betty Boop, Popeye, Blondie et beaucoup d'autres. Slots Triple Play propose la plus grande collection actuelle de machines a sous de casino. Choisissez des jeux de hasard de la roue a tambour et les jeux vidéo a sous. Plus, des fonctions de primes et de tours uniques augmenteront votre divertissement de jeu de hasard. Fonctions de jeu Nombre maximum de joueurs: 1 Jeu en ligne: Oui Compatibilité: PC Fabricant: Masque Publishing Catégorie: Casino Sous catégorie: N.D. Évaluation ESRB: Adolescent (13+) Descripteurs de contenu ESRB: Jeu de hasard simulé, usage d'alcool et de tabac Exigences du systeme: Windows 98, 2000, Vista, XP. CUP: 98252104102 Numéro de piece du fabricant: 4581779

Online $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever.

Playing slots online

Slots are arguably a casino game that translate well to online play. The reason for this is that in both online and terrestrial slots you are playing against a machine. For many other casino games, including favorites like blackjack, baccarat, roulette and craps a good deal of the human interaction element of terrestrial gaming is lost when played online. And no matter how hard online casinos try to replicate the reality of a human dealt card or real dice tossed and interaction with fellow players, they will always be lacking in this regard.

But slots are the type of game that involves absolutely no human interaction when played at traditional casinos. In fact most slots players often seem lost in the mesmerizing flashing, spinning, ringing and clunking of their chosen slot game to the total disregard of any other activity going on around them. Try and strike up a conversation with a slots player mesmerized by their game and see what I mean. If you get a one syllable reply consider yourself lucky!

Online slots lose very little in terms of overall offering to the average slots player, aside from the need to do the hair and makeup and don a fetching frock. This is perhaps why most online casino software developers have massive slots ranges - some numbering over 200 different games.

Another advantage for online slots games is the ability to easily link progressive jackpots across any licensee casinos, meaning jackpot values can very quickly escalate through play at dozens of different casinos. Online progressive slots jackpots seem to be in the multi-millions regularly these days. Earlier this year a new record was set when over six million Euro was won when a player from Greece hit a well known progressive slot game jackpot.

An interesting element in any comparison between online and traditional slots is game returns. That is, for every dollar that is put into the game, how much is returned to the player. Unlike most casino games that involve an element of skill and therefore a return to player ("RTP") rate that can be influenced through optimal game play, slots are a game of chance and the returns are set to a predetermined rate.

This then begs the question as to how terrestrial and online slot RTP rates compare. Answering this question requires consideration of location of the terrestrial slot games in question as regulating authority prescribed minimum returns differ by jurisdiction.

But returns for online slots games at many online casinos can be easily ascertained by reviewing their published historical, third party audited, RTP rates. While these rates differ slightly from month to month and from casino to casino, what you will find is that broadly, RTP rates for online slots are around the 95% mark. How does this compare to traditional slots? Well to be of relevance to you, you really need understand slot RTP rates at casinos where you live. And this can be done by reviewing minimum RTP requirements stipulated at the relevant regulatory body website.

If you live in Colorado check the Colorado Division of Gaming; if you live in Connecticut check the Division of Special Revenue; if you play at Vegas check the Nevada Gaming Control Board; if you live in Montana check the Montana Gambling Control Division; if you live in Victoria, Australia check the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority website.

The list goes on and in our Google world you can easily find the relevant regulatory authority where you live, and prescribed slot RTP rate minimums. And you might be surprised at how your local slot machines compare to those online.

About the Author

Milton Shaw is a contributing writer for numerous online and general gambling websites like Online Slots Returns