Archive for June 16th, 2010

When computers were invented and went into “mainstream”, it would only take awhile when everything went digital (read: “computer able”) as well. Add the advent of what is now called the internet technology and then everything went “online”. It seems it is today’s mainstream media, with most businesses setting up web sites and stores setting up online merchant accounts so they cans start selling online.

I really think we reached a new level in multimedia. You have online shopping stores where everything can now be downloaded especially multimedia – songs, videos, movies and even books.

It is really true that digital publishing has changed the book publishing industry. With book readers like the Sony Nook, Amazon Kindle and Apple’s iPhone and iPad, it has certainly taken e-books into another level.

Ebooks have changed the economics of the publishing industry. Very soon, most people you know will have at least one and probably two convenient ways to read electronic books. They will take them on the plane or vacation to save space. They will read the books friends email them.

Digital publishing companies have added ebook publishing in the long list of things they can do digitally. With Aptara, you can have a current book in any format converted into eBook.  eBook creation involves producing them in all formats that are supported by eBook readers. Aptara’s PowerXEditorTM fast publishing tool enables collaboration between content professionals, subject matter experts (SMEs) and reviewers, for more efficient eBook creation, faster-time-to market for web-ready and print content, and lower cost of production.

Aptara provides eBook Production Outsourcing solutions that deliver significant gains in cost, quality and time-to-market for eBook publishers. Having converted tens of millions of eBooks pages for the world’s leading publishers, Aptara offers comprehensive solutions across all content source types and delivery media, including the Amazon Kindle, Apple iPhone/iPad, Sony Reader, and Blackberry devices.

1. You’re building your dream house. What’s the one thing that this house absolutely, positively MUST HAVE? (other than the obvious basics of course)
A reading room. One that has floor to ceiling high bookcases filled with books that I’d need a barcode scanner to keep track of things!

2. What is your dream car?
Ford Everest

3. What is your favorite website that isn’t a blog?
Lately it’s been Twitter.

4. iPhone 4 or Droid, which do you want?
iPhone 4. Now that I have an iPhone I already know the revisions they are going to make and it’s making me giddy!

5. When you’re feeling down or lonely or just generally out of sorts, what do you do to cheer yourself up?
Listen to music when I’m broke. Eat when I have the money.

6. Tell me about something or someone that you love that most people seem to hate.
I love Finn of Glee even if nobody seems to like him.

7. What do you want to be when you grow up?
A teacher.

8. Would you go on a reality show if given the chance?
No way on earth.

9. Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up. (Grade school, Middle School, Jr. High or High School only.)
Grade School 6th Grade Adviser. I even have her as a friend at Facebook.

10. You get one pass to do something illegal or immoral. What are you gonna do?
Steal a hundred million dollars.

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It has been a week and I only got to blog about the AMAZING Glee Season Finale last week. It makes me sad knowing it’s a Wednesday and there is no new GLEE episode for me to gleek about, but I find comfort in the fact that I can watch the 22 episodes again and again (and again).

While most viewers were raving about Glee’s performance of the Journey Medley for Regionals:

I was crying over their rendition of “To Sir With Love” – that one is veeerrrry nice.

Matthew Morrison’s rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” comes a close second:

My two favorite men from the show (it actually varies a LOT – but Mr. Shue is a constant!):

And even though Jesse is openly gay and in real life he is BFFs with Lea Michelle, you gotta admit these two have such chemistry on screen, even better with Finn.

It was a very good season and I would like to see how they will play out Season 2. Word has it that they conducted auditions for casting at MySpace.com – it seems a great way for employment screening and doing some PR too! Will Mr. Shue finally get on with Emma? Will Sue Sylvester change? What about Kurt and his Dad and his Dad’s relationship with Finn’s mother? Will Britney finally get a solo?

And I know – all questions also navigate towards Puck and Quinn and their baby girl named Beth adopted by Rachel’s mother.

6 Degrees anyone?

Fleas are common and annoying parasites that can infect dogs and cats of all ages. Almost all dogs will be infected at list once in its life. A flea infestation can be quite a nasty condition for your pet, causing discomfort, pain, itching, and irritation (of skin and temperament) ranging from mild to severe. Fleas come from the surrounding environment and can jump from one pet to another with ease. Flea eggs can collect in bedding, grass, and other areas indoors and outdoors. You may see the fleas themselves, or you may notice flea feces (also known as flea dirt), which looks like ground dirt and can be felt on the pet’s fur, especially behind the ears, between the legs, and around the tail and anal area. You may feel a rough patch on the pet’s skin because flea dirt usually binds together in clumps in relatively large amounts (fingertip size).

Flea infestation happens quickly and can be difficult to eradicate, so it is important to deal with an infestation as rapidly and as early as possible. Fleas can act as a conduit for other parasites such as tapeworms, and can even cause anemia in extreme cases. Fleas can be treated various ways, topically or orally, the most effective being Frontline Plus, a topical solution that can be used on dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Frontline Plus has been shown to kill adult fleas, flea eggs, and flea larvae for as long as three months, and it kills ticks and chewing lice for at least one month; therefore, a monthly application is advised. The solution is easy to apply—just place it where the dog or cat is unable to lick it off. You will want to also wash all the pet’s bedding in hot soapy water (or replace it) and vacuum all carpets and upholstery.