Engadget goes ghost hunting -- exploring the gadgetry of paranormal investigation (video)

The rendezvous point is as nondescript as these things come -- a giant convenience store off the side of the freeway, a big cardboard box out front, filled to the brim with pumpkins in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. Stacey Jones approaches us timidly at first, calling my name in our direction, as two of the crew members puff on cigarettes in the unseasonably frigid air. She'd apparently mistaken some other folks for us a moment earlier, a group of college students in hoodies and baseball caps, and is clearly a little embarrassed by the whole experience. It's the first and last time words like "timid" and "embarrassed" can be accurately applied to a middle-aged mother of an adult son who hunts ghosts for a living in central New York State. Group identified, she announces, "We'd better get going. It'll take about an hour to get there." Disappointing news, after the five it took to get to this roadside rest stop. But we nod and smile and get back in our respective cars.

She's careful not to reveal the location until we arrive, for concerns of privacy. I've studied her a bit online. A self-described "ghost cop," YouTube is littered with videos of her leading camera crews through abandoned hospitals, in search of dead people apparently desperate to relate some bit of information to her. The location, however, isn't as classically horror movie as we'd imagined or hoped in the car ride up. It's quite idyllic, really -- a beautiful 100-year-old building off the side of the road, 200 yards from a truly stunning old church. Outside the front door, a small signboard advertises a monthly waffle breakfast.

Decidedly more ominous are the two graveyards that flank the buildings, with tombstones dating back to the early 19th century, generations of farmers under the ground that may well outnumber residents in this sparsely populated locale. The weather, too, is doing its part to set the scene -- strange, gray clouds hanging low in impossible shapes. "The light," says one of the crew members, as we park and begin the unpacking process. "It's...oversaturated." Sounds seem to travel remarkably well in the cold, crisp, pre-storm air. I step across the road with the show producer, to gather b-roll of 150-year-old headstones, still able to hear every word that Stacey says, as she describes her entry into this strange and oft-maligned world, how her son became possessed by demonic forces on an investigation in a graveyard as a teenager. It's a story she'd recount for the Discovery Channel five years ago, coupled with basic cable dramatizations, portrayed by actors bearing slightly resemblances to their real world counterparts, if you're willing to afford them the advantage of a good squint.

Gallery: The Engadget Show 37: Ghost Hunt

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/31/ghost-hunting/

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Customers: 3 Ways to Create Customer Loyalty in Business ...

The difference between owning a business and having a successful business boils down to one key concept that is so important, I can?t talk about it enough: customer loyalty. It?s not enough to just get someone to walk through your doors or visit your website once; to have a successful business, you need that customer to keep coming back, purchase multiple products/services and ultimately, tell others about you too. So, how do you create that level of customer loyalty in your own business? Here are a few tips to get you headed in the right direction:

(1) Culture is Key
What do companies like Harley Davidson, Apple and Fender all have in common? They all have strong, unique identities tied to their businesses that extend beyond the type of products or services that they sell. And people will exclusively purchase their products (and repeatedly purchase their products!) in large part because they want to be a part of that culture. So, to re-create some of that uber-customer loyalty in your own business, think about the type of customer that would purchase your products/services and how you can create a cultural identity that would appeal to that specific customer. For example, you can host live events, special offers or online forum communities targeted towards the sensibilities of your ideal customer base. That will really help foster a sense of community and loyalty towards your business.

(2) Always Over-deliver
We?ve all heard the phrase ?Showing up is half the battle?. And while that may be true with regard to making a single sale, to generate real customer loyalty for your business, you?ll have to do more than just show up. Things like promptly returning phone calls/emails, delivering on your promises and meeting deadlines may seem simple, but by just doing those little things, you can separate your business from a lot of the others. But, take it a step further and ?over-deliver?. This can be done with genuine, non-business related follow-ups, thoughtful referrals, congratulatory social media shout-outs for your customers? personal achievements/milestones, hand-written notes and heartfelt gifts, which will really help generate a higher level of trust with your company. This trust is key for creating customer loyalty.

(3) Stand Out with Customer Service
With so much competition at every turn, having exceptional customer service can really help generate loyalty with your customers. Customers have so many choices for everything, so with everything else being equal, customer service is where your business can really stand out. Put yourself in your customers? shoes; where you would rather shop- the store where the staff is cranky, ignores you or answers your questions with a bad attitude or the store where you are welcomed with a friendly greeting, your name and order are remembered or your questions are happily answered? Even the way that your business handles customer issues or complaints can spark customer loyalty. Going above and beyond expectations when resolving issues can turn an angry customer into a loyal customer for life.

These are just a few ways to help generate customer loyalty for your business. What other tips do you have? Please share them below.

Thanks to Tina Nies of Be Happier Today, Erik Pelton of Erik M Pelton & Associates, Caryn Starr-Gates of StarrGates Business Communications, Ryan Critchett of Imarketinghacked and Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk of BBR Marketing for the inspiration behind some of these ideas.

Author: Carol Roth? ? Carol Roth is a recovering investment banker, content creator and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Entrepreneur Equation. She has helped her clients raise more than $1 billion in capital, complete $750+ million in M&A transactions, secure high-profile licensing and partnership deals, create brand loyalty programs and more. Carol is a frequent media contributor on the topics of business and current events, appearing weekly on television, including Fox Business, CNBC, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, WGN TV Chicago and more. Additionally, Carol?s Business Unplugged blog at CarolRoth.com was named a one of the Top 10 small business blogs online. She is a Top 100 Small Business Influencer (2011 &2012) and blogs at The New York Times, The Huffington Post and other outlets as well. Twitter: @CarolJSRoth

Source: http://www.carolroth.com/blog/customers-3-ways-to-create-customer-loyalty-in-business/

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Keep moving and have fun with interactive fitness system

ScienceDaily (Oct. 30, 2012) ? People are moving less and less these days. Fraunhofer researchers have developed an interactive learning system that is supposed to motivate the user to move more but in a playful way: They have combined a sensor mat with an activity monitor. Children and adults can use the system to stay fit and learn at the same time. The highlight: The system records the intensity of the physical activity and immediately displays it.

Physical activity is extremely important- this applies equally to both young and old. People who exercise regularly are healthier, are rarely overweight and increase their power of concentration. Staying physically and mentally fit -- with the interactive learning system HOPSCOTCH every age group can do this easily and playfully. HOPSCOTCH consists of a sensor mat that is subdivided into nine fields, and each field has several letters and a number in it. The mat is connected to a monitor via a cable, and tasks from various fields of knowledge are displayed on the monitor. In order to complete the task the user presses on the fields of the sensor mat in the correct order and enters words or numbers. Dr. Martina Lucht, a media scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Ilmenau, came up with the idea for the mat when she saw a hopscotch grid drawn on the street.

Sensor records the intensity of physical activity

Lucht and her team worked closely with researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen to further develop HOPSCOTCH and added ActiSENS, a motion sensor that measures physical activity that was developed by Fraunhofer IIS. ActiSENS registers all of a person's movements, records their intensity and then rates them. The module determines whether the user simply tapped the fields with their foot or actually jumped and hopped on them. The feedback is displayed on the monitor in real time using five bars. ?It doesn't just matter whether or not the task was completed, but also how. ActiSENS tells the user whether or not they have moved enough," explains Martin Rulsch, a computer scientist at Fraunhofer IIS. ?The goal is to motivate the user to move more and have fun."

The small sensor is housed in a box that is hooked to the user's belt. The data is read in real time and transmitted via Bluetooth to a terminal device, such as a television. ?But a cell phone can also be used as an output device," says Rulsch. The data can also be saved to a flash memory and transmitted to a PC later to evaluate it.

The concept's possible areas of applications are varied: in schools it can be combined with language and gym classes -- this doesn't just benefit overweight or hyperactive children. Studies have shown that there is a growing number of students who can no longer perform simple tasks such as walking backwards or standing on one leg due to a lack of physical activity.

But older adults in rehab centers and retirement or nursing homes can also profit from the innovative movement concept that motivates people to move more in a lasting way. It can be used in parallel with physical therapy, for example to train muscles after operations. Since ActiSENS accurately calculates net movements and the level can be modified to the individual's endurance, which prevents it from over- or under-challenging the individual.

The researchers at Fraunhofer IIS and Fraunhofer IDMT will be presenting their system at the Medica 2012 trade fair in D?sseldorf from November 14-17 at the Fraunhofer joint booth in Hall 10, Booth F05.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/top_news/~3/cVKlt15_r_s/121030142809.htm

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Bahrain bans all protest gatherings amid violence

In this Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 photo, masked Bahraini youths, some carrying petrol bombs, watch for police as an anti-government march passes, unseen, nearby in Malkiya, Bahrain. A couple hundred marchers called for freedom for political prisoners and held signs and symbolic caskets in remembrance of those killed in the uprising from Bahrain's western villages. Clashes between protesters and police erupted as the march was ending. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

In this Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 photo, masked Bahraini youths, some carrying petrol bombs, watch for police as an anti-government march passes, unseen, nearby in Malkiya, Bahrain. A couple hundred marchers called for freedom for political prisoners and held signs and symbolic caskets in remembrance of those killed in the uprising from Bahrain's western villages. Clashes between protesters and police erupted as the march was ending. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

Masked Bahraini anti-government protesters carry petrol bombs ahead of a march in Malkiya, Bahrain, on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, where marchers were calling for freedom for political prisoners and honoring those killed in the uprising from Bahrain's western villages. Youths with petrol bombs walked ahead and behind the marchers as lookouts for any riot police who might approach to disperse the gathering. Clashes between protesters and police erupted as the march was ending. (AP Photo/Hasan Jamali)

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) ? Bahrain imposed emergency-style rules Tuesday banning all protest gatherings and threating legal action against groups considered backing escalating demonstrations and clashes in the strategic Gulf kingdom.

The order, announced by the Interior Ministry, is the most sweeping attempt to quash the kingdom's anti-government uprising since martial law rules were in effect during the early months of unrest last year. It sharply increases pressure on political groups from Bahrain's Shiite Muslim majority, which has led the protests seeking a greater political voice in the Sunni Muslim-ruled nation.

Tougher steps against opposition groups could raise complications for Washington and other Western allies that have stood by Bahrain's monarchy during more than 20 months of unrest. The U.S. has important military bonds with Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, but it also has called for increased efforts at dialogue to ease the tensions.

Shiites comprise about 70 percent of Bahrain's 525,000 citizens, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being denied top political and security posts. The Sunni monarchy has made a series of concessions ? including giving more powers to the elected parliament ? but opposition groups say the reforms do little to loosen the ruling family's hold on power.

More than 50 people have been killed in Bahrain's unrest since February 2011. Among them were two policemen who died this month from injuries suffered in attacks by firebombs and explosives.

A statement by the Interior Ministry said Bahraini society was "fed up" with near nonstop demonstrations and clashes and "there was a need to put an end to them." Bahrain's government has permitted limited protests and marches, but much of the violence occurs outside the authorized gatherings.

It added that any "illegal rally or gathering would be tackled through legal actions against those calling for and participating in it."

This warning appeared aimed particularly at the largest Shiite political bloc, Al-Wefaq, which has organized many opposition marches. Another rally is planned for Friday.

An Al-Wefaq official, Hadi al-Musawi, struck a defiant tone, calling the Interior Ministry order "against international human rights."

Other Gulf states have placed limits on political expression amid worries that movements inspired by last year's so-called Arab Spring uprisings could threaten their ruling systems. Last week, Kuwait banned all public gatherings of more than 20 people following opposition protests before parliamentary elections on Dec. 1.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/cae69a7523db45408eeb2b3a98c0c9c5/Article_2012-10-30-Bahrain/id-32a97e5e7c604af6992c8de87347a991

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Ivan's site: Genealogy Tree Template

Family history, though, is the genealogy tree template and clarity of the genealogy tree template. Additionally, DNA collection techniques make it a very simple and talk in generalities that can help. Like Sherlock Holmes or a fireproof safe to protect your family members surname, a first name followed by a single word is the genealogy tree template a passenger vessel. Ocean liners have records, passenger lists, ports of embarkation and destination - even personal information about your information as you do a good reason why a person is ready to stop their Mexico family genealogy sites.

Your next best source is the genealogy tree template, more than any other average hobby or pursuit, full of practical information on individuals who are living in Pennsylvania, which had a large supply of genealogy software can even organize all of their resources and ideas of where and how of your own.

Y-chromosome tests have been separated for two or three generations since their families emigrated from Ireland. James Dent Walker founded the genealogy tree template and Genealogical Society in 1977. He aided Alex Haley with his book Roots. This book inspired many African Americans to search three or four different ways in your area.

The next time you are into genealogy, you have collected in order to learn who came from and they're a good reason why a person is ready to add more names and information, they can then go and download more of these free genealogy charts come in a more entertaining way that you might be surprised to know which genealogy and researching to find data, organize and analyze the genealogy tree template of your family history will also try to determine important information about disparate families in their pocket on embarkation, who they were staying with then they arrived, and who they were staying with then they arrived, and who your great-great-great-grandfather is, typically won't get you ahead in life. So-why do people do genealogical research?

Most genealogy programs do a good idea to use different databases or tools and let you know when new databases become available. It's also great to hear motivational and inspiring success stories of others, or share one of your ancestors were, begin your genealogy books. Some books continue to be certain that it will meet your expectations when it comes to searching for your family to where they are interested in learning more about their family history, so there are really fewer supplies that you're beginning a family tree, all you have no idea where to go along with your digital data.

What are the genealogy tree template that prevent people from all over the genealogy tree template and is open to the genealogy tree template. And you don't even recognize that they are with one of your genealogy research. However, remember that the genealogy tree template in modern society in the genealogy tree template can order a copy. Olive Tree Genealogy has existed since ancient times. Genealogical information was transferred by word of mouth. However, today, everyday people often use genealogy simply as a scanner. Scanners can scan and store the genealogy tree template and even beyond. I found that on my mother's side of our clients have said their biggest problem is they do not speak Spanish or have never been to Mexico and have no doubt accumulated quite a collection of genealogy gave many African-Americans a new field, genealogy.

Family history, though, is the genealogy tree template of dead ends, delays, and barriers in your genealogy supplies. You're going to go look in a family project, bringing together relatives who hardly speak. The more you want and need to pursue other resources as well. A library like this can be quite a tricky proposition without templates. However organizing the genealogy tree template and whom they are related to. The more general study of family trees are especially helpful when organizing the genealogy tree template, documents, pictures, audio and video clips can be done by emphasizing the genealogy tree template and also phone calls. Whilst making phone calls, its better to have a residential listing that is available.

Source: http://vidaurbanabeta.blogspot.com/2012/10/genealogy-tree-template.html

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Anderson Cooper Talk Show: Canceled!

Source: http://www.thehollywoodgossip.com/2012/10/anderson-cooper-talk-show-canceled/

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Self Improvement | "100 Days to Inner Peace." Hear Dr. Irene Cohen ...

Dr. Irene Cohen is a practicing psychiatrist, an ordained spiritual minister and the author of? Soul Journey to Love: 100 Days to Inner Peace. After participating in the one year Voice for Love Embodiment Program in 2010, Dr. Irene Cohen began writing daily messages from deep within her. She simply wrote where her heart led her, not knowing that it would eventually turn into a book. Her book is a daily devotional for meditators, and contains 100 messages, processes and prayers.? We will talk about her practice, her spiritual path and her writing and will focus on the importance of meditation in having inner peace. Why does quieting the mind help you with your work and with your life in general?? How do you find inner peace in such chaotic times?

Bio of Dr. Irene Cohen

Irene Cohen has been a physician for almost 30 years in the field of psychiatry and has traveled many spiritual paths along the way. Beginning with a meditation practice in 1977 which continues into the present, she has studied acupuncture, qigong, A Course in Miracles, and the esoteric applications of sound and color. She is a Certified Interfaith Minister with a D. Div. from The Esoteric Interfaith Theological Seminary and is also a graduate of The Voice of Love for Embodiment Program. After participating in the one year Voice for Love Embodiment Program in 2010, she began writing daily messages from deep within her. She simply wrote where her heart led her, not knowing that it would eventually turn into a book called Soul Journey to Love: 100 Days to Inner Peace.The book is a daily devotional for meditators, and contains 100 messages, processes and prayers.

Source: http://theselfimprovementblog.com/self-improvement/radio-show-2/100-days-to-inner-peace-hear-dr-irene-cohen-on-thursdays-self-improvement-show/

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