How Safe is the Internet?Written by Rosalyn Bronstein
The Internet was originally designed in 1969 as a convenient way for scientists to communicate. Decades later, when PCs were beginning to become popular, Internet was viewed as a wonder tool by many. There weren’t vast array of millions and millions of web pages to surf, and e-mail was a simple matter to send and receive. The commercial implications were only slowly beginning to emerge.As its popularity grew, so did opportunities for exploitation. Increasing numbers of Internet marketers saw value in capturing e-mail addresses and sending out their advertising. This led to excessive spam, which has totally spiraled out of control, and need for opt-in e-mail lists. Concurrent with spread of spam, expansion of pornography sites and related unpleasantness exploded online. These sites could be found everywhere, and it wasn’t necessary to search for them – their owners brought them to anyone’s monitor, regardless of age. Along with this came advertisements for sexual products and services, scams of every description, chat room predators, disruptive computer viruses, and list goes on and on. Not exactly sort of environment one would want for impressionable youth or someone’s granny. More and more people feel that there needs to be some options for those who want to use Internet without having to endure a negative experience. Perhaps a closed site, where only those invited to join would be allowed? The site would need to be easy to use, with nothing to download. It would have to be a place free of predatory behavior, free of unwanted advertising and annoyance, where users – and especially children --could interact in safety. .
| | 7 Tips for Burning the Perfect CandleWritten by Chere Deshayes
Tapers, columns, votives, containers, pillars and novelty - chances are you have at least one of these types of candles in your home. Surveys done by candle manufacturers suggest that 7 out of 10 U.S households use candles, 96% of which are purchased by women. The basics for candles are easy, just light them! However, if you want to get most out of your candles and not watch your money go up in smoke (literally), here are seven tips to follow.1. KEEP THE WICK TRIMMED One of best things that you can do for your candles is to keep wick trimmed to ¼ of an inch. Wicks that are allowed to get larger than ¼ of an inch tend to burn faster and smoke. If you are noticing black soot accumulating on your container candles, wick is too long. Nail clippers are a great tool for trimming wicks that can’t be reached with scissors. 2. AVOID DRAFTS Burning candles in drafty areas can cause uneven burning and excessive smoking. Not to mention that your candle will burn faster. If you notice flame of candle flickering in any direction other than straight up, there is a draft. Prevent drafts by keeping burning candles away from heating and air-conditioning vents and open windows. 3. REFRIGERATE THEM Candles that are cold will burn slower. To cool you candle, first wrap in foil or cling wrap to prevent wick from absorbing any moisture. Pop them in fridge for about an hour and light! Make sure you don’t put them in freezer instead. They will break!
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