CSS, Tips & Tricks

Check your blog’s rank at Popuri (Hattip: Daniel Blake Saltman)


popuri logo In the past couple of weeks I’ve been telling you what it takes to get your blog ranked and how the big 3 ranking sights work. There are a couple more but they are not really as important as the big 3. Today I’m gonna tell you a little about where to go to check your ranking.

Popuri is my favorite one because you can check all of the different ranks in one place. They also make it extremely simple to put a widget on your blog listing your ranking. I’ve put the one for this site at the bottom of this post. You just go to the website, put in your blogs URL, and voila. Your ranks appear. You can see the ranks for this site below. This site is so new that our ranking is pretty low but I’m sure it will grow with time. Right on the main page you will see your Google PageRank, Alexa Rank, Compete Rank, Quantcast Rank, Google BackLinks, Yahoo BackLinks, Live Search BackLinks, Technorati Links, del.icio.us Bookmarks, and Bloglines subscribers. As a matter of fact I just discovered Compete and Quantcast ranking. Not real sure what they are but I will research them between now and next week for you.

My Popularity (by popuri.us)

popuri, Google PageRank, Alexa Rank, Compete Rank, Quantcast Rank, Google BackLinks, Yahoo BackLinks, Live Search BackLinks, Technorati Links, del.icio.us Bookmarks, Bloglines
Blogging Tools 3 Comments »



The stats for the stataholics are PR4, Alexa rank of 4,278,362 and a Technorati Authority 135.
Great Blogs 2 Comments »
Paid Blogging: A List of Companies


 Today’s post on paid blogging is a list of companies that offer paid blogging options. Each has its own unique way of doing things, and some may work better for you than others. I’ve found that by trying them, I favor some over others. Everybody has a different feel or experience with a company, so poke around the sites, read the terms of service and learn more about them. I have not worked with every company listed, but I have worked with most of them (11 out of 14). You may find you like one company better than others, and you may end up working with many of them, or choose that they aren’t working for you. Some offer more work than others, and some are more selective in assigning work. With multiple companies comes multiple opportunities, so be sure to explore all your options.

If you would like to add one to the list that isn’t here, feel free to leave it in the comments. Next week, I’ll be doing another review on a specific paid blogging site. For now I’ll leave you with this list of companies. Happy exploring!

1.  PayPerPost
2.  Blogitive
3.  Blogsvertise
4.  Review Me
5.  Sponsored Reviews
6.  Loud Launch
7.  PayU2Blog
8.  Smorty
9.  Blogging Ads
10. CreamAid
11. BlogToProfit
12. V7N
13. Dewitts Media
14. Linky Love Army

Happy Blogging, Deb
Paid Blogging 6 Comments »
CSS Design part 3b: Images in DIVs

This is a pretty easy lesson in what to do with DIVs and images. It is all about how you want to place your elements within the page. DIVs are always broken up into layers. Each layer can be displayed in a certain order to make a page look the way you expect it to. Let’s say, for instance, that you have a picture that you want overlain by the text. You can do that with the z-index tag. This tag tells the internet how to display the layers of your page.

Let’s play around with this. I am going to take this picture:
 Which constitutes this code being placed between the body tags:

<div id=”image”>
<img src=”http://test.blogulalmighty.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/testtitle.gif”>
</div>

and create some text to go over it. In this case, I am going to use the words “Bloggers R Us”.

<div id=”pictext”>
<h3>Bloggers R Us</h3>
</div>

The code that goes between the style tags looks like this:

div#image {
position:absolute;
left:350px;
top:20px;
}

div#pictext{
position:absolute;
left:350px;
top:20px;
}

This renders a page that looks like:

test 3

Now we are going to take control over where the text shows up. The code between the style tags now changes to look like this:

div#image {
position:absolute;
left:350px;
top:20px;
z-index:2;
}

div#pictext{
position:absolute;
left:350px;
top:20px;
z-index:1;
}

You will notice that the text has disappeared now. It is actually BEHIND the picture. Switch the z-index numbers and see what happens now. The text shows up again. The z-index works up from the bottom. The first layer is the background and it builds up like a tower from there. The higher the number, the higher the precedence in order on the screen.

I was going to talk about the relative attribute, but I will save that for next week. Don’t forget to check out the code we have worked with on the test page. Ctrl-U to see the code.

Happy coding!

REMEMBERING THOMAS JEFFERSON ON NEW YEAR’S EVE

“I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.”   -Thomas Jefferson

What would he say if he were here today?

A lot of numbers get tossed around when the conversation turns to the bailout and the ultimate tax payer bill for the excesses of the aggressively deregulated, greed-is-good, free-market ideology of the past 40 years.  None of them are as startling and disconcerting as that claimed recently in an article from Bloomberg:

“The U.S. government is prepared to provide more than $7.76 trillion on behalf of American taxpayers after guaranteeing $306 billion of Citigroup Inc. debt yesterday. The pledges, amounting to half the value of everything produced in the nation last year, are intended to rescue the financial system after the credit markets seized up 15 months ago. The unprecedented pledge of funds includes $3.18 trillion already tapped by financial institutions in the biggest response to an economic emergency since the New Deal of the 1930s, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The commitment dwarfs the plan approved by lawmakers, the Treasury Department’s $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. Federal Reserve lending last week was 1,900 times the weekly average for the three years before the crisis.”

Think about that.  Can you even wrap your brain around those figures?

And the banking industry recipients of TARP funds, loans, and loan guarantees have responded to recent requests for some accounting of their employment of these funds with comments ranging from “we don’t keep track of that,” to “we’re not going to tell you.” Nice.

Then there is Bernard Madoff, former chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange and crown prince of greed, whose own sons apparently tipped off investigators and brought down a financial empire with tentacles reaching around the globe.

What have we learned from all this?  I’m not sure yet.  But if there is one lesson that I hope we can all take away from this–from homeowners who gambled on housing to the Bernard Madoffs of Wall Street–it is that greed is in all of us, and it is not good.

Here’s to 2009 and to hope for wisdom, humility, and hope.  I wish you a prosperous new year.

Basic Automotive Repair: Checking Fluids

Article By: Daniel Saltman
Keeping your car ready for anything is all part and parcel of car ownership. There are some who ignore such things and those who keep an eye on them. Ideally, we

would like you to be one of the latter. Checking engine fluids is the most basic automotive repair tasks there is, and the easiest. We shall discuss it further here.

Much like our bodies, a car runs on fluids. It uses gas, water, oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid and screen wash. We are all used to checking the gas, but not everyone is familiar with checking the others. That’s a shame because it only takes ten minutes and is a simple, but important part of auto maintenance.

First up, we should check the engine oil. This fluid is essential to allows the engine to run freely, stay cool and keep the motor free from dirt and particulates. If there isn’t enough oil, all these things are compromised, shortening the life of the engine and making it run inefficiently.

Fluids should only be checked when the engine is switched off and cold. This is for safety and accuracy. When heated, some of these fluids expand and circulate around the engine, meaning any readings you take won’t be accurate.

Look to the front of it for a small loop, often colored yellow, which should be the dipstick. Pull it out, wipe it down and put it back. Remove it once more and check the oil level. There should be two marks near the bottom called Min and Max. The point at which the oil stops should ideally be between the two.

If the level is nearer Min than Max, add some oil through the filler cap on the engine. Take care to use the right type of oil for your engine and pour carefully. Your manual will tell you which type of oil is best.

Next check the water. It isn’t just water, it is a mixture of coolant and water to keep the engine cool and to prevent it freezing when the weather turns cold. Most cars have a water overflow bottle, which saves you having to open the radiator. This too will have Min and Max markings on the side. Ensure the level is somewhere between the two.

Transmission fluid is present in both kinds of gearbox, but only checkable in an auto. There should be a dipstick similar to engine oil near the back of the engine on the passenger side. It should be labeled transmission fluid. If it isn’t check the manual. This too should have Min and Max.

Checking the brake fluid is exactly the same. You don’t have to open the bottle, you can just look on the side. You should also be able to see if the fluid is dirty through the bottle. If it looks cloudy or dark, it’s time for a change. Unless you know how to do it, take it to your auto repair shop.
Screen wash is exactly the same. Use the overflow bottle to ensure you have enough screen wash for when the road gets dirty.

Corporate Furnished Housing Spells Home Away from Home

There is nothing more hectic than corporate life. The corporate jungle doesn’t take any prisoners. You have to be on your toes to stay ahead of the game at all times. Your livelihood depends on it as well as your worth as a working individual. However, there are times when a person has to stop and take a breather every once and a while. Your employers do not expect you to work without giving you some reprieve from the daily grind. There are ways through which you can take your family for a well-earned vacation and work at the same time.

Corporate housing rentals are what you should be looking out for. Properties such as these are mostly meant for business people and can be rented out for a short term. These can include condos, houses and apartments. What you choose depends on your company’s budget as well as your own preferences. 

Business travelers usually choose these types of accommodations because on the amount of money they save. An expensive hotel room does not have the same luxuries as a rented house. Another thing furnished housing rentals provide to patrons is a level of comfort that is unparalleled by any other hospitality industry.


Moreover, they also provide you with quieter areas to work as compared to the noisy office buzz. Renting out furnished apartments to employees is also an ideal choice for companies especially if they plan on setting up a temporary office somewhere other than where they are currently located. Visiting executive managers or business partners are also accommodated within fully furnished housing accommodations in order to make their stay as comfortable as possible.

Corporate housing companies usually have a wide range of units to choose from. They include big houses, luxurious town homes and even lavish condos with many rooms and bathrooms. You would do well to choose one that suits you and your company’s tastes   the most. Your aim should also be to choose a dwelling that won’t interfere with your work.

There are also separate furnished apartment Denver companies that only cater to businesspersons. This means that the units they rent out will have all the office equipment you might need. In other words, you won’t need to go to a store in an unfamiliar area to buy any equipment and supplies. Such services also throw in LCD screens or projectors for business meetings. Other perks such as housecleaning and chauffeur services might also be included in the rental fee. The corporate housing industry is booming so you will be sure to find plenty that will vie for your undivided attention. In other words, there will be a lot of promising prospects for you and your company to choose from. The important thing is for you to get away from your work routine, take advantage of your newfound privacyand surroundings. You will get twice as much work done and relax at the same time. After all, you deserve it.

Selling Your Home as a Lifestyle

While some people are more interested in the way a home looks or how it will fit their family, other people buy homes with an entire lifestyle in mind. As such, be sure to note the unique aspects of your home and the surrounding area that may draw people in. If you are able to watch the sunset each night from your backyard, tell people about that. Perhaps there is a beautiful botanical garden walking distance from your home or a great little coffee shop and bookstore around the corner. All of these things are potential hooks for buyers. 

By giving your home more of an appeal by describing the lifestyle that people can have if they live there, you are opening up the minds of the potential buyers. Even if they don't love certain things about the home, they may be drawn in by the features in the surrounding neighborhood. Sometimes these same tactics are used when renting out furnished homes. When speaking with potential buyers, get to know their interests and a little bit about their family. If they have kids, let them know about any activities that are available in the area. If they are a young couple, clue them in to the nightlife or great places for Saturday night dates. 

Getting to know your buyer and what they're looking for doesn't stop at your front door. To increase your chance of selling your home, do a little people research and really sell your entire neighborhood or community instead of just your little lot. People are often just as concerned about where their new home will be as they are with how their home looks or feels. Take advantage of this knowledge and do your best to give a holistic view of the type of life a potential buyer could have if they choose your property.

Congratulations, Arizona

By a vote of 28 to 0 in the Senate yesterday (2 not voting) and 55 to 4 (one not voting) in the House today, the Arizona legislature has passed the Conference Committee’s version of SB 1291 (originally, the Get Zillow Bill). And they did everything right.

The Conference version of the bill differs markedly from the amended version that the House returned to the Senate. A committee comprised of three members of the House and three members of the Senate rewrote the legislation to deal with more than the Zillow issue.

First, they eliminated the original bill’s amendment to the definition of appraisal. Thus, that definition remains as it was: clearly descriptive of a real appraisal, rather than the proposed broader definition that would have encompassed any estimate of value by any person using any means.

The Committee also adopted the Reagan amendment to the Bill that rejected an effort to change the composition of the Appraisal Board by creating an absolute majority of appraiser members.

Most importantly, perhaps, the Committee broadened the Reagan “exception” to appraisal-activity-for-which-a-license-is-required. The new language reads that the law shall not apply to:

A PERSON WHO PRODUCES A STATEMENT THAT IS PROVIDED TO ANY OTHER PERSON CONCERNING THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY THROUGH AN INTERNET WEBSITE, AUTOMATED VALUATION OR OTHER SOFTWARE PROGRAM OR OTHER MEANS OF COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS AND WHO DISCLOSES THAT THE ESTIMATE IS NOT AN APPRAISAL.

The exception applies, therefor, not only to Internet sites providing free AVM’s, but also to real estate licensees performing comparative market analyses and broker price opinions.

Why is this important? On the eve of its anticipated victory in getting the original SB1291 passed before anyone understood what was in it, the Arizona Appraisal Board sent at least one shot across the bow of the Real Estate Commission signalling that it intended to go after real estate agents who were preparing BPO’s (probably for beverly hills corporate housing). The amended definition of appraisal (that could have been read to encompass BPO’s) would have given them the ammunition for a sustained volley.

Why is the ability of real estate licensees to provide estimates of value (with the appropriate disclosures) to consumers and to banks important to the people of Arizona? Because CMA’s and BPO’s provide more cost effective alternatives to appraisals that are more than adequate for many uses. Where, after all, do many appraisers go to get market comps and local market information? Real estate agents.

Not to mention that a Federal banking law specifically permits banks to use “evaluations” (such as BPO’s) in lieue of appraisals in many real estate related loan transactions. Other state appraisal boards have sought state legislation or made their own rules in defiance of this Federal mandate - and ultimately failed because the Federal law in this area expressly overrules state regulation to the contrary. But it can result in costly, taxpayer-funded litigation to get to the inevitable result.

We applaud the Arizona legislature for taking a careful look at the Bill that almost got by them, giving it due consideration and then acting in the interests of its many consumers rather than its few appraisers.

Do any of you have friends in Tennessee?

Wikileaks leaked Moammar Gadhafi

Wikileaks hit again on Wednesday with cables but now surprise Moammar Gadhafi for his  in multi-billion dollar wealth and millions of dollar spending on private concert by pop singer diva Beyonce.

According to recent leaks by WikiLeaks website US diplomats revealed that Gadhafi was very much hopeful to curb the protest till his “Last Drop of Blood” and will not let down his 42 year rule on Libya. Not to forget 300 civilian died during protest due to crack down by government.

The continuous anger against Gadhafi’s children especially when his son Hannibal beat the servant in Switzerland hotel and latter was arrested for that matter .Current uprising among people most probably sparked due to this incident alone and decline of Gadhafi rule was predicted by Wikileaks a year ago in their cables.

US diplomats in Libyan capital Tripoli have described the treatment by Gadhafi’s family and treating the country like their personal property.

Following is the minor detail about favors given by Gadhafi to his family:

•     Mohammad (Son) Dominate Telecommunication
•     Muatassim(Son) serving National Security Adviser.
•     Hannibal (Son) in maritime Shipping
•     Khamis(Son) command top military unit
•     Saadi(Son) job was to establish Export free Trade zone
•     Aisha (Daughter) was running Qasi-Governmental organization.

What is your opinion about Moammar Gadhafi rule and departure ?