Archive for June 2010
Passing The CCNA and CCNP: Home Lab Shopping On Ebay
June 17, 2010, 5:34 amWhether you’re just getting ideas for your Cisco home lab or adding to your existing lab, ebay is a great place to get ideas for your lab as well as pick up some great bargains.
Of course, the internet being what it is, there are always going to be a few people looking to take your money while shipping you inferior merchandise, or worse, no merchandise at all. While these “dealers” are in the minority, you still need to be careful when purchasing Cisco equipment on ebay. In this article, I’ll give you several tips on browsing ebay ads for home lab ideas, and a few things to look out for when purchasing equipment on ebay.
For those of you just starting your Cisco certification pursuit, the idea of purchasing a home lab kit — a set of routers, switches, and perhaps some cables and study guides — seems like a good idea. Instead of putting your lab together one piece at a time, these kits allow you to get a head start on your studies.
One thing to watch out for in these kits is outdated equipment, or the inclusion of outdated study guides. Often, vendors will use these kits as a way to get rid of unwanted inventory.
The Cisco 1900 family of switches falls into this category. A recent search on ebay for “ccna lab” showed seven different CCNA lab kits that contained 1900 switches. The problem here is that the current CCNA exams do not test on the 1900 switches, which are menu-driven and do not have an IOS. You’ll need to be well-versed with switches that do have an IOS, such as the 2950s.
The plus side here is that you will probably save money by using 1900 switches. If you’re on a tight budget, having a 1900 switch is better than no switch at all. If at all possible, though, get a Cisco switch with an IOS.
The cables and transceivers included with these kits are generally exactly what you need to set up that particular kit, and this can be very helpful to those CCNA candidates who are new to the various cables needed to physically configure a home lab. Just make sure you’re not buying a kit with 10 transceivers (used on AUI ports) when you’ve only got two routers with Ethernet ports.
Watch out for kits that include outdated study guides. I’ve seen four-year-old CCNA books included with some kits. If you already have your study guides, feel free to ask the vendor how much the kit costs without the books.
That leads me to the most important point. Get to know the vendor before buying anything. Visit their website and check their ebay feedback. If buying from an individual as opposed to a reseller, find out what conditions the router or switch has been kept in, and make sure to define the terms under which they will accept returns.
There’s nothing wrong with buying equipment from someone who’s selling their CCNA/CCNP/CCIE home lab, but just make sure you ask the right questions first. Professional resellers generally have their return policy right in their ebay ad; if they don’t, ask for a copy.
Building your own CCNA and/or CCNP home lab is a little intimidating at first, but speaking as someone who has climbed the Cisco certification ladder from the CCNA to the CCIE, I can tell you that it is the best investment you can make in your career. Use a little caution, ask the right question, and soon you’ll be leaving the world of “router simulators” behind – and you’ll be developing your skills as a true professional should: On real Cisco routers and switches!
Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage (www.thebryantadvantage.com), home of free CCNA and CCNP tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages. Video courses and training, binary and subnetting help, and corporate training are also available.
For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” or “How To Pass The CCNP”, send a request to chris@thebryantadvantage.com today !
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(posted in the Technology category)
Press Release – Man’s Restored Image
June 1, 2010, 5:46 am**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:
Promotional Services Department
Tel: 800-839-8640 ext. 244
Fax: 812-961-3133
Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com
Gloria Minatti
Man’s Restored Image Ministries Inc.
(301) 404-7447 Office
(240) 524-8406 Fax
gloriaminatti@mansrestoredimage.org
(Please provide a street address for review copies.)
Man’s Restored Image
Author Offers Motivational Story Inspired by Basketball Legend Michael Jordan
LAUREL, MD. —- In her riveting new book, Man’s Restored Image (now available through AuthorHouse, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com), Gloria Minatti depicts mankind in all its attributes – spiritually, mentally and physically.
The book announces humankind’s beginning and heralds it end. It leads humanity on a path never before walked due to people’s fears of the unknown and brings out the true authentic potential within every man and woman. Its conception was inspired greatly by the author’s personal and spiritual encounter with basketball legend Michael Jordan, whose strength, vitality and focus are major themes in the book.
In 1998, God revealed his destiny to Minatti, and from that unforgettable meeting, she was inspired to write this spiritual, motivational story, which encompasses innumerable aspects of God’s plan for humanity.
Man’s Restored Image provides a map for life’s journey and incorporates meditation and proper breathing as guides. Coming full circle, it depicts man’s beginning and exemplifies his gestation of life. Minatti leads readers into a maze of information and knowledge that catapults them into an entirely new dimension of living. By revealing God by His ways and not just His acts, the author shows that one can be religious without ever fully knowing God.
Minatti also writes that it is not the body that makes a man human, it is his spirit. “As God’s self-knowledge lies in the eternal Spirit, so man’s self-knowledge is by his own spirit, and his knowledge of God is by direct union of the Spirit of God with the spirit of man. I cannot overstress the importance of this in our forward walk into our destiny as sons of God,” Minatti writes.
Minatti has ministered all over the United States and in March began her 2004 worldwide tour in the Philippines. She has taught classes on healing, prayer, praise and worship, Christian meditation and Spiritual studies. She is the founder of the Beyond the Veil newsletter, which is circulated monthly around the world, and also founder and president of Man’s Restored Image Ministries Inc.
The author resides in Laurel, Md., with her two sons. Recently widowed, she has reached hundreds with her ministry, declaring that God is a healer of all infirmities.
About the Author
She is founder of Beyond the Veil Newsletter distributed around the world, also Founder of Man’s Restored Image Ministries Inc.. She is an ordained minister with 18 years of experience in spiritual studies. Ms. Minatti’s spiritual journey directed her to minister to basketball legend/entrepreneur Michael Jordan. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and a licensed Fitness/Nutrition Specialist.
www.mansrestoredimage.org
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(posted in the World Library category)
12 Reasons You Should Learn to Play the Piano
June 1, 2010, 4:05 amAll right, folks, here you go: My 12 reasons why you should start learning how to play the piano. Immediately. As in today. This very minute.
Okay, fine, finish this article first, THEN get started. And yes, I know that there are more than just 12 reasons to play the piano. But I happen to like the number 12. 
1) Everyone should play at least one instrument. I truly believe that. Every person on Earth should be able to sit at SOME instrument and be capable of making beautiful music.
2) Playing the piano makes you feel (and look) sophisticated. Truly. No matter who you are or how many warts you have, you’ll just exude class the second you begin tickling those ivories.
3) Piano playing keeps your brain active. It’s very hard for your brain to rot when you consistently throw it the musical language to interpret.
4) You won’t run out of things to do when you’re bored. There’s always a new way to play, always a new approach to playing, and always, always, ALWAYS a new song to learn. (See number 8.)
5) Family members can live vicariously through you. I’m semi-serious about that. The reason I began taking piano lessons (back when I was 10) was because of grandparents who didn’t play, and over the years I’ve had numerous relatives enjoy playing through me. (I live to serve.)
6) People will automatically assume you’re a genius. Honestly, I’ve heard this a lot. People uttering “He/she plays the piano” in the same tone reserved for “He/she has an IQ of 174.” You just can’t help but admire someone playing an instrument.
7) Piano playing is good for your hands. Indeed it is. I probably have stronger hands/fingers than most people I know. And have you ever noticed the hands of a pianist? Beautiful, long, tapered fingers. Chances are that if you’ve ever admired someone’s hands, they play the piano.
Pianists never quit learning. There’s absolutely no way to memorize every musical piece on earth. You could learn 10 new songs a day for the rest of your life without scratching the surface of songs out there.
9) Piano playing is FUN. Really. It’s one of the funnest things I do. Think about it, why would so many of us do it if it weren’t a blast?
10) Deep down, everyone wishes they played the piano. Have you ever read other people’s New Year’s Resolutions lists? If you haven’t, then you’re just not nosy like me. No, seriously, if you haven’t, I’ll tell you which wish consistently pops up: “Learn to play the piano.”
11) Piano playing is SATISFYING. It’s truly one of the most satisfying things you can do. (Right after touching your nose with your tongue. Or so I hear.) There’s no feeling like playing a difficult song and playing it flawlessly. Quite an ego-boost.
12) Everyone loves a musician. ‘Nuff said.
Visit: The Piano Pages
About the Author
Please visit my website, The Piano Pages, for more articles, free piano lessons, piano sheet music, tips, products, and lots more. Also, feel free to send me comments, questions, or hate mail at: emily@thepianopages.com
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(posted in the Entertainment World category)
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