Robbie Cano, New York Yankees' Slugger

New York Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano got his name from his father, who admired how Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier.
On Nov. 13, 2012, Cano got another layer to identity: American citizen.

Early Life in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic:

Robinson Jose Cano Mercedes was born Oct. 22, 1982 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, the birthplace of so many outstanding baseball players, close to 100 of them making it to the majors. The city is often called “The Cradle of Shortstops” because so many of them have come out of this city of about 200,000 people
His father, Jose Cano, had played briefly with the Houston Astros as pitcher in the 1980s and quickly introduced his son to the game. Cano spent most of this childhood in the Dominican Republic, though he spent several years in New Jersey and played baseball at Barringer High School for one season. As a teen, he played for the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican Winter League.
Cano has said his father taught him not to take his mistakes too hard: “He said just keep your head up and keep playing.”

The Yankees Sign Him, New York Embraces Him:

The Yankees signed Cano out of high school in 2001 and gave him a $100,000 bonus. By 2003, he had worked his way from Class A to Triple-A and was regarded the top prospect in the New York organization. Cano began the 2005 season with Columbus and was called up by the Yankees in May and has ranked among the top American League infielders since.
By the end of the 2012 season, he had been selected to four AL All-Star teams, won four Silver Slugger awards, two Golden Gloves and helped lead the Yankees to a world championship in 2009. He also won the 2011 Home Run Derby.
His career batting average, through eight seasons, is .308 with 177 home runs and 715 RBI, hitting a career-high 33 homers and 94 RBI in 2012. He was a finalist for the league’s most valuable player award.
In October 2012, the Yankees signed him to a one-year contract worth $15 million for the 2013 season. Many expect him to test free agency after that, though he is exceptionally popular in New York, where immigrants and Dominicans are uncommonly appreciated.

Becoming a U.S. Citizen and Telling the World:

Cano wears No. 24, which is Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 transposed. His charity foundation, called RC24, “exists to provide a lasting and sustainably positive contribution to our communities for generations to come,” according to its website. Cano’s charity work has gone to hospitals, the Red Cross and cancer patients in New York and underprivileged children in his Dominican homeland, among other causes. He has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a major league player for humanitarian service.
“I play here, I work here, so why not become a citizen?” Cano told the New York Daily News.”He said he started studying for the naturalization test before spring training in 2012.
After passing the test and taking his citizenship oath, Cano tweeted this message with a smiling photo of himself holding a U.S. flag: Very proud day for me, I just became a US citizen, God bless America! — Robinson Cano (@RobinsonCano) November 13, 2012.

Help Your Kids Find Their Own Personal Style

Kids begin to develop personal style in early childhood. As soon as children start showing other signs of individuality, they’ll demonstrate preferences for particular colors, patterns and motifs. Give kids some room to engage with those natural affinities, and their style will further evolve.
Don’t worry if your kids are already past the point of self-sufficiency when you first set out to help them develop a sense of style; just start where they are.

Give Kids Confidence in Their Abilities

Kids allowed to dress themselves will develop a sense of accomplishment that will encourage them to keep at it. Before long they’ll have mastered the basics. The physical process of getting dressed will also build motor skills. Set the stage for success with easy pull-ons for everyday, and give plenty of time to practice when there’s less pressure to get out the door. Encourage dress-up play, and stay hands-off when it comes to all those wardrobe changes. Your kids will develop creative methods of securing sashes and capes early on, and the bridge to tying shoelaces won’t be so shaky.

Talk About the Art of Fashion

As your son grows more aware of how colors play off each other, begin pointing out complementary colors and values. Recognize his successes, and be specific with your praise. For lessons that last, integrate fashion advice with other learning. If your daughter is studying symmetry in art, talk about balance and proportion in dressing. Note how a full skirt looks great with a fitted top, but less pleasing with a bulky sweater. This early education could prevent her from falling into the teen trap of pairing tight with tighter.

Enhance Features and Boost Self Esteem

Teaching kids to accentuate assets when they’re young will help set the stage for later discussions. Also point out differences, like colors that complement your daughter’s complexion but wash out your own. These conversations will make it easier to one day discuss how best to dress for body proportions, and consider any shape as a feature to be flattered instead of a flaw to work around.

A girl expresses her personal style.

© Whitney Ferrall

Establish Boundaries

Make it clear that there are times when you will be the deciding factor on what is worn outside the house. Consider giving kids free rein most of the time, as long as the clothing is age and weather appropriate. You may cringe to see them walk out the door looking short of your style ideal, but those are often the outfits they’re most proud of. For occasions when you have something in mind for your daughter to wear, try presenting a few acceptable options. She makes the final call, but you would be happy with any of them.

Take Note of Fashion Trends

Get a feel for current styles the kids in your area are wearing. Sampling trends is a fun way to explore the boundaries of personal style. If your daughter doesn’t have a strong sense of style yet, being aware of what's in fashion may help her feel more comfortable in her social environment, whether she chooses to blend in or stand out.

Seek Style Inspiration

Pick a few magazine pages, catalogs or websites with clothes you approve of and share them with your kids. Sit down one-on-one, so there’s no swaying of opinions. See what they’re drawn to. You may discover that your four-year-old has a penchant for ‘80s punk, or that your tween’s fashion muse is Grace Kelly.

Hybrid Central

Here’s your starting point for learning the basics about hybrid vehicles. Wondering how they work? Whether or not you have to plug them in every day? From mild and full hybrids to regenerative braking, begin with the basics for a solid foundation of understanding.

Hybrid Buying Guide

Get the low-down on the hybrid models currently available, plus the new releases. Whether you’re looking for an SUV or sporty sedan, this is where you can read our reviews and test drives, plus find hybrid pictures and photo galleries of current models.

Hybrid Maintenance and Safety Issues

Wondering what it takes to keep a hybrid running its best? We’ve pulled together maintenance schedules to help you keep that set of wheels in top running order. From batteries and oil changes to safety issues, here’s what you need to know about day-to-day and year-in and year-out hybrid ownership.

Hybrid Tax Credits & Rebates

After all, it’s where the rubber meets the road. How much money will that hybrid save you? It’s not only the fuel savings that add up when you’re crunching the numbers on a hybrid. The Hybrid Motor Vehicle Credit provides for a tax credit that will directly slash those taxes due on April 15. Find out which hybrid vehicles are eligible and how much—to help make the most of your hard-earned cash.

2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid is Family-Friendly Sedan

Having shopped for, and purchased, a new car recently it's difficult not to compare every vehicle I test-drive to my current ride. When that current ride consisted primarily of a 200,000-mile-plus bucket of bolts, any car I reviewed started out looking pretty well. But now that I'm the happy new owner of a 2012 Ford Focus, decked out sharp with sport trim, it gets a whole lot harder to get my attention. Happily, the Ford Fusion Hybrid still managed to do just that.

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a stylish sedan offering plenty of room and excellent handling.

Photo: Lori Weaver

When I told my contact out at Paul Miller Ford here in Lexington that I wanted to test drive a new Ford Fusion Hybrid, I'm sure their first thought was that they'd had quite enough of me after going through the car buying process with me only a week or so earlier. But they're good sports and soon I was back in their parking lot, ready to take the Fusion Hybrid though its paces.
 
Roomy Interior
My very first impression of the Fusion was that it was much larger from the inside than an exterior view would predict. I'm sure part of my impression about Fusion's roomy interior were colored by the fact that I drive a smaller car, but I always feel I have plenty of room in my own vehicle and so when I experienced Fusion Hybrid's roomy interior, my first impression was that this was a car a family could take over the road for a long spring break vacation together without any complaints that one sibling was "touching" the other.

Since my first impression had to do with the interior, let me talk a little bit more about the inside before going further. While roominess is a definite plus and the Fusion's unique gauge cluster, named SmartGauge, does the job with a pair of color display screens anchoring each side of a more-traditional speedometer. As with most of today's cars, the driver can flip through a number of displays to gain all sorts of information. One of the features that is particularly green is a graphic of a plant with animated leaves and branches that grows right along with your ability to economically drive the car. The greener you are, the greener this animated little plant becomes. It's a cute visual and a quick way to get a read on how various driving techniques or maneuvers may be impacting your fuel economy.

The interior itself appears to be well-built with quality materials. My only reservation, which is truly a matter of taste, was that I found the interior dash and surrounding area in particular, to be just a bit bland. I'd had about a week or so to enjoy the very European, very sporty dash and interior of my Focus and moving to the Fusion actually seemed a bit of a letdown. But then again, the two cars are targeted at different consumers and it's hard to be too critical of the Fusion's clean lines and excellent functionality. In addition, the Fusion Hybrid I drove had the optional rear view video camera, an excellent safety feature that is also fun to utilize. Rear leg room is more than adequate, even for a couple of adults. Interior storage is adequate.
One more word about Fusion's interior: for those who find the MyFordTouch system found in the Focus, Edge and Explorer, you might prefer to get the available Sync system in the Fusion which integrates audio and Bluetooth functionality with voice-recognition technology to provide hands-free operation of cell phones and portable MP3 players. The navigation system is optional but some consumers have found its touchscreen easier to use than the MyFordTouch system. 

Style and Trim The 2012 Fusion Hybrid is equipped very much like the Fusion SEL which adds to the standard equipment offering with different 17-inch wheels, keyless entry pad, heated mirrors, automatic dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable driver seat lumbar, a four-way power passenger seat, heated front seats, ambient interior lighting and Sync. However, the Hybrid brings its specialized gauge cluster and adds leather seating as an option.
 
Turning to Performance
A 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine delivers 156 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. It is buddied up with an electric motor that helps boost power output up to 191 hp. A specialized continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) sends power forward and acceleration to 60 mph from a standstill in 8.7 seconds can be realized, which is fairly impressive for a hybrid.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid can be commended for its excellent handling. Don't let the roominess fool you, this is a car that holds the road and does what you ask.
The trunk has plenty of room, even though the Fusion Hybrid's truck area is 11.8 cubic feet compared with the non-hybrid's 16.5 cubic feet. They Hybrid version still give you plenty of room for groceries or luggage for the entire family.

Pros: Roominess, fuel economy, handling

Cons: A bit dull in its interior styling

Fuel economy: EPA-estimated 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 39 mpg combined.

10 Easy Ways to Help Marine Life

The ocean is downstream of everything, so all of our actions, no matter where we live, effect the ocean and the marine life it holds. Those who live right on the coastline will have the most direct impact on the ocean, but even if you live far inland, there are many things you can do that will help marine life.

Eat Eco-Friendly Fish

Our food choices have a huge impact on the environment - from the actual items we eat to the way they are harvested, processed, and shipped. Going vegan is better for the environment, but you can take small steps in the right direction by eating eco-friendly fish and eating local as much as possible. If you eat seafood, eat fish that is harvested in a sustainable way, which means eating species that that have a healthy population, and whose harvest minimizes bycatch and impacts on the environment.

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Limit Your Use of Plastics, Disposables and Single-Use Projects

Blue Ocean Society

Have you heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? That is a name coined to describe the huge amounts of plastic bits and other marine debris floating in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, one of five major ocean gyres in the world. Sadly, all the gyres seem to have their own garbage patch.
What is the problem? Plastic stays around for hundreds of years, can be a hazard to wildlife and leaches toxins into the environment.  The solution?  Stop using so much plastic. Buy things with less packaging, don't use disposable items and use reusable bags instead of plastic ones wherever possible.

Stop the Problem of Ocean Acidification

Global warming has been a hot topic in the ocean world, and it is because of ocean acidification, known as 'the other global warming problem.' As the acidity of the oceans increases, it will have devastating impacts on marine life, including plankton, corals and shellfish, and the animals that eat them.
But you can do something about this problem right now - reduce global warming by taking simple steps that will likely save money in the long run - drive less, walk more, use less electricity and water - you know the drill. Lessening your "carbon footprint" will help marine life miles from your home. The idea of an acidic ocean is scary, but we can bring the oceans to a more healthy state with some easy changes in our behavior.

Be Energy-Efficient

Along with the tip above, reduce your energy consumption and carbon output wherever possible. This includes simple things like turning off the lights or TV when you're not in a room, and driving in a way that increases your fuel efficiency. As Amy, one of our 11-year old readers said, "It might sound strange, but being energy efficient helps the Arctic marine mammals and fish because the less energy you use the less our climate heats up - then the ice won't melt."

Participate in a Cleanup

© Jennifer Kennedy / Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation

Trash in the environment can be hazardous to marine life, and people too! Help clean up a local beach, park or roadway and pick up that litter before it gets into the marine environment. Even trash hundreds of miles from the ocean can eventually float or blow into the ocean.  The International Coastal Cleanup is one way to get involved - that is a cleanup that occurs each September. You can also contact your local coastal zone management office or department of environmental protection to see if they organize any cleanups.

Never Release Balloons

Balloons may look pretty when you release them, but they are a danger to wildlife, who can swallow them accidentally, mistake them for food, or get tangled up in their strings. After your party, pop the balloons and throw them in the trash instead of releasing them.

Dispose of Fishing Line Responsibly

Monofilament fishing line takes about 600 years to degrade. If left in the ocean, it can provide an entangling web that threatens whales, pinnipeds and fish (including the fish people like to catch and eat). Never discard your fishing line into the water - dispose of it responsibly by recycling it if you can, or into the garbage.

View Marine Life Responsibly

If you're going to be viewing marine life, take steps to do so responsibly. Watch marine life from the shore by going tide pooling. Take steps to plan a whale watch, diving trip or other excursion with a responsible operator. Think twice about "swim with dolphins" programs, which may not be good for dolphins and could even be harmful to people.

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Volunteer or Work With Marine Life

Maybe you work with marine life already, or are studying to become a marine biologist. Even if working with marine life isn't your career path, you can volunteer. If you live near the coast, volunteer opportunities may be easy to find. If not, you can volunteer on field expeditions such as those offered by Earthwatch as Debbie, our guide to insects, has done, where she learned about sea turtles, wetlands and giant clams!

Buy Ocean-Friendly Gifts

Give a gift that will help marine life. Memberships and honorary donations to non-profit organizations that protect marine life can be a great gift. How about a basket of environmentally-friendly bath or cleaning products, or a gift certificate for a whale watch or snorkeling trip? And when you wrap your gift - be creative and use something that can be re-used, like a beach towel, dish towel, basket or gift bag.

How Do You Protect Marine Life? Share Your Tips!

Are there things you do to protect marine life, either from your home or while visiting the coast, on a boat, or out volunteering? Please share your tips and opinions with others who appreciate marine life.

Copycat Twinkies Recipe

With a little patience and creativity, you can make a reasonable facsimile of those beloved Twinkies® at home. They won't be quite the same, but close. You might even like these little filled cakes better than the popular commercial brand. This would make a great supervised project for the kids.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• Supplies:
• 1 round spice bottle, the size of a Twinkie
• 12 (12 x 14-inches each) pieces non-stick aluminum foil
• Pastry bag
• Toothpick
• Vegetable oil spray
• .
• Cake:
• 16-ounce box golden pound cake mix
• 4 egg whites, beaten until stiff
• 2/3 cup water
• .
• Filling:
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 2 teaspoons butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 1/3 cup evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 drops lemon extract

Preparation:

Faux twinkie cakes: Fold each piece of foil in half with the nonstick side out. Then fold in half again. Roll foil pieces around the spice bottle to form a tube. Fold down edges to seal, leaving one end of the tube open to be filled with the batter. Remove the spice bottle. Spray the insides with vegetable oil and set each tube open-end-up in a muffin tray.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Beat cake mix, whipped egg whites, and water on medium speed until completely blended, about 2 minutes. Carefully fill the foil tubes, leaving 3/4-inch headspace. Bake about 30 minutes until golden and toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let cakes cool, then remove foil. Use a toothpick to make 3 holes along the length of each cake. Wiggle the toothpick around the center to make room for the filling, taking care not to poke through to the other side.

Filling: Cream shortening and butter together in a medium bowl. With mixer running on medium speed, add powdered sugar and granulated sugar, a little at a time, until smooth. Add evaporated milk, vanilla, and lemon extract. Continue mixing until fluffy.

Spoon filling into a pastry bag with a No. 5 tip. Inject filling into each of the 3 holes in each faux twinkie cake and place hole-side-down on a serving platter or store in a covered container.

Yield: 12 faux twinkie cakes 

Facial Masks for Your Skin Type

If you're looking to add a beneficial step in your skin care regime, a weekly facial mask is a great addition. No matter your skin type, there is a facial mask suited for you. Usually used once or twice a week, facial masks can deep down clean your face, tighten your pores, or brighten and exfoliate your face. Masks are not a "one size fits all" product though. There are clay masks, fruit extract masks, yogurt masks, and gel masks, just to name a few in a long lineup. Before you buy a facial mask, you must recognize your skin type and buy accordingly.

Oily or Combination Skin

Image Courtesy PriceGrabber

People with oily or combination skin do best with regular use of a clay mask. Clay is great for removing excess oil, deep cleaning your pores and preventing and clearing up blackheads. Natural clay is a great detoxifying treatment for your face without leaving your skin extra dry. Most clay masks work fine with sensitive skin.
Freeman Superfruits Detoxifying Clay Facial Mask is a great example of a natural based clay mask that will deep clean your skin and leave it smooth and soft.

Dry Skin

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

People with dry skin use a mask for a very different reason than those with oily skin. You are not looking to reduce oil, but add moisture. Using a moisture mask will rejuvenate and plump your skin. Many masks for dry skin include at least a bit of “sink-in” effect. You leave the mask on your skin for up to 10 minute and then rub it in a bit more before wiping off the excess. You’ll notice immediately smoother, softer skin.
Get immediately noticeable results with Dermalogica: Intensive Moisture Masque.

Dull Skin

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

If you’re looking for a boost of radiance, exfoliating masks will certainly help you. Look for a peel off mask which will exfoliate your skin leaving it smooth and fresh. Many exfoliating masks use fruit extracts to naturally exfoliate and usually smell fantastic.
When peeling off some exfoliating masks, your mind will wander back to peeling off Elmer’s glue in elementary school. But not all exfoliating mask are uncomfortable. You'll be so glad you tried it when you see how happy you are with the noticeable results. Try Zia ZIA: Pumpkin Exfoliating Mask.

Normal Skin

Image provided by Sephora

If dryness or breakouts are of no real concern for you, you have many options when it comes to masks. You can use one that will give you radiance, one for deep cleaning or a gentle one for sensitive skin. Regardless of how “normal” your skin may be; you’ll see benefits from using a weekly mask.
Try the Yogurt Velvety Moisturizing Mask from Korres to get a boost of hydration with a cooling sensation.

Mature Skin

Photo provided by Nordstroms

If you’re looking to firm up the skin on your face and neck, chances are good you have dry skin. You can either use a mask meant for dry skin or a mask specified “firming”. A firming mask will boost your skins moisture content which will reduce fine lines caused by your skins dehydration. This will give the appearance of a more youthful, firmer face. Massage onto your face and leave for about 10 minutes before you rinse off.

Antioxidants - What Are Antioxidants

Question: Antioxidants - What Are Antioxidants

I'm 30 years old. I keep hearing about antioxidants in skin care products, but I'm not sure if I need to use them. What are antioxidants, and should someone in their 30's use antioxidants?

Answer: Absolutely.
To make it really easy to understand, antioxidants prevent and actually repair damage to your skin caused by free radicals such as the sun, pollution and smoke. All of these things cause your skin to show signs of aging, such as wrinkles and discoloration. By using products with antioxidants such as serums and moisturizers, you're skin is soaking in the antioxidants to protect your skin.

Because you're just starting your 30's this is a great time to add antioxidants to your skin care regime. You'll get a head start on the aging process that's to come in the next decade. Stick with products that you don't wash off. Serums in particular are a great way to get antioxidants into your skin because they sink a bit deeper into your skin's layers than a moisturizer. If you have oily or combination skin, a serum may be all you need to get the moisture needed. If you have dry or normal skin, you may want to add another moisturizer to your face after your serum sinks in.

Lip Balm with SPF - 6 Top Lip Balms with SPF

You always remember to put on sunscreen when you go outside, but do you remember to protect your lips? Your lips are more susceptible to burning than most parts of your body, yet many people don't think about protecting them from the sun. If you replace your regular lip balm with a sun safe lip balm, you can play in the sun without worrying about peeling lips.
Here are 6 lip balms with SPF levels ranging from 8 to 25.

1. Biotherm: Aquasource Moisturizing Balm Protective Lip Care SPF 8

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

Biotherm Aquasource Lip Balm will sooth and moisturize your lips with macadamia oil, and will leave a beautiful glossy shine. You can this alone, or you can put this gloss over your lip stick for style and protection.

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2. Rilastil - Suncare Lip Balm SPF 10

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Rilastil Lip Balm is perfect for not only your lips, but other areas of your body as well, such as the tops of your ears. If you're an athlete or love to swim at the pool or beach, you'll love the fact that this is water resistant.

3. The Naked Bee: Lip Balm SPF15

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

Get the recommended SPF 15 protection with The Naked Bee Lip Balm. Your lips will not only get sun protection, but will get super hydration with organic olive oil, beeswax, soybean oil and honey. With a name like The Naked Bee, and a price of only $3, you can't go wrong.

4. Dirty Girl: Raspberry Lip Balm SPF 18

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

For all of the "girly-girls" in the group, or those who just love their fruity scents, this raspberry lip balm is for you. Dirty Girl's best selling lip balm leaves your lips super soft and has a sun protection level of 18.

5. Juara: Candlenut Lip Balm SPF 20

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

I fell in love with this citrus-flavored lip balm by Juara. Coming in an adorable compact, you'll feel glamorous while being smart about sun protection. With candlenut, jojoba and olive oils to soothe your dry lips and a protection level of 20, you'll be set.

6. MD Skincare: Powerful Sun Protection SPF 25 Lip Balm

Image courtesy PriceGrabber

5 Dry Skin Remedies For Your Shower and Bath

If you deal with dry skin on a regular basis, you might think it's a problem you'll always have to deal with. If that's the case, you're wrong! You may be committing some of the easiest skin care sins to fix.
Dry skin isn't mandatory, no matter the season or the location. There are easy things that you can change in your daily routine that will make a big difference to the health of your skin.
Follow these 5 dry skin remedies and see how quickly your skin makes a turn-around.

1. Watch the Temperature of the Water

If you're anything like me, you love a hot, hot bath. While it may feel relaxing, it's no good for your skin. Hot water will strip the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it parched, dry and scaly.
As hard is it may be, use warm water instead of hot water, and limit your bath to 15 minutes at the most. Showers, even less. You shouldn't have to wipe the steam off of the mirror when you step out. You'll notice that your skin is less dry if you play it safe and watch the time and temperature.
And as a side note, that hot water is going to make your hair frizzy and dry. It's best to rinse your hair in cool water.

2. Skip the Bubbles

Who doesn't love a bubble bath? It's something that most of us have grown up with, and many of us carry it on into adulthood. A few cap fulls of bubbles is almost a ritual. But, did you know that many of the bubbles you put in your bath will leave your skin stripped of the oils your skin needs?
Instead of using a bubble bath, find a soothing oatmeal or milk powder that will enhance your bath experience, and leave the oils where they belong. Another product you could try is a bath oil. A cap full of oil will leave your skin even more hydrated than before you hopped in, so you may be able to skip the moisturizer.

3. Skip the Shaving Mistakes

You probably have heard the age-old advice to shave in the direction of your hair growth for safe shaving. And while that's a nice thought, realistically most people shave in the opposite direction of hair growth to get the closest results.
If you want the safest shave, go with your hair growth. If you just can't follow that rule, make sure you follow these shaving tips:

• Use a moisturizing shaving gel or cream. The $1 bottle at the drug store is likely to leave your skin dry and more susceptible to nicks.
• Look for a product that offers moisturizing components such as aloe and essential oils.
• Skip the ones that have alcohol listed in their top few ingredients.

You can always use hair conditioner in a pinch for a close, nick-free shave.

4. Pat Dry, Don't Rub Dry

When you get out of the shower and grab your towel, gently pat the water off of your skin instead of rubbing your skin dry. This will save your skin the misery of "towel abuse" most men (and some women) hibitually inflict on their skin.
By patting dry (or gently rubbing), your skin will be able to retain more of the moisture you're going to seal in with our next step: body moisturizer.

5. Never Ever Skip the Moisturizer

The very most important step to remember is to moisturize every single time you get out of the shower or bath. It is never OK to skip, so find a favorite lotion, butter or oil and keep it in your bathroom.
When you skin has been dried off, it's important to seal in the moisture from the shower, and the quicker you do this after your shower, the better your skin will look and feel. And if you moisturizer of choice is a body oil, it's actually best to apply it to damp skin. Make sure you are careful for drops that might spill, oil will make your tub or floor very slippery.

O’Reilly Doesn’t Get Success of “Gangman Style”

A university student recently interviewed me about the ways that race relations and music overlap. One point I made during the interview is that the popularity of Psy's "Gangnam Style" is a sign of racial progress. While K-Pop's popularity in the U.S. has been growing for years, just a decade ago the idea of a Korean rapper topping the music charts in the U.S. would have been unthinkable. But not everyone's happy about Psy's success. Bill O'Reilly just doesn't understand why "Gangam Style" is the most viewed YouTube video ever.

On a recent episode of "The O'Reilly Factor," the conservative commentator even brought in a psychiatrist to discuss the phenomenon that "Gangnam Style" has become. I know that pop music isn't everyone's cup of tea, but O'Reilly took shots at Psy that seemed racially-tinged. He not only referred to Psy as a "little fat guy from Yongyang or some place" but also cracked that he knows a lot of guys in Long Island with the same name and "none of them look like him." In other words, they're white guys named "Cy." O'Reilly and the on-air psychiatrist also repeatedly called the song unintelligible. Um, the song is in Korean. That doesn't make it unintelligible. That makes it a foreign language.

O'Reilly also remarked that he understands why Elvis Pressley, the Rolling Stones and even Justin Bieber are popular, but he doesn't get Psy's appeal. Why is it so hard to believe that a dance song with a catchy chorus would be popular? Silly dance songs have topped the charts for years--from the "Macarena" in the 1990s to "Hey, Mickey" in the 1980s to the "YMCA" in the '70s. But it's "Gangnam Style" with which O'Reilly takes issue? Hmmm.

Start Your Child in Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a wonderful sport for kids, and can help them develop coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and so much more. It can also build self-esteem, and improve skills such as self-discipline and concentration. Plus, being a gymnast is a lot of fun!

The Right Age

Children can start in gymnastics as young as 18 months in a "Mommy and Me" class with a parent. If your child is older (usually around age three or four), s/he is ready to be enrolled in a beginner gymnastics class. Gymnastics clubs vary, but usually classes are grouped by age, and as your child progresses in the sport, s/he will later be grouped by ability level.

Finding a Gym

First, find a local gymnastics club in your area. This tool will help you find one that is a member of USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Clubs that are members of USAG have to meet minimum requirements for liability insurance and coaching expertise, and must pledge to follow USAG's Code of Ethics. Also, check out our reader reviews of gymnastics clubs. You may want to pick a few gymnastics clubs in your area and go in for a visit. Gyms vary significantly in the facilities they have -- some are enormous buildings with all sorts of equipment and mats, while others are much smaller. Oftentimes, beginner gymnasts have a lot of fun on some of the "extra" equipment such as climbing structures, foam pits and trampolines. Visiting a few gyms may help you decide what's important to you and your child. Be sure to look for:

• A visitors' viewing area where you can see your child during his/her class
• A well-lit, clean facility
• An office manager who will help you with administrative items (registration, payment, assistance with any questions that you may have)
• A gymnast-instructor ratio that seems appropriate (there is no magic number, but the children should look as though they are being monitored at all times by an instructor)
• An emphasis on safety: Are instructors spotting (helping) the children? Does it seem as if there is adequate padding (mats) throughout the gym? Are there signs up describing safety procedures and rules? Also ask if the instructors are safety-certified by USA Gymnastics.
• Happy-looking gymnasts enjoying themselves and the sport.

Gymnastics is a wonderful sport for kids, and can help them develop coordination, strength, balance, flexibility and so much more. It can also build self-esteem, and improve skills such as self-discipline and concentration. Plus, being a gymnast is a lot of fun!

The Right Age

Children can start in gymnastics as young as 18 months in a "Mommy and Me" class with a parent. If your child is older (usually around age three or four), s/he is ready to be enrolled in a beginner gymnastics class. Gymnastics clubs vary, but usually classes are grouped by age, and as your child progresses in the sport, s/he will later be grouped by ability level.

Finding a Gym

First, find a local gymnastics club in your area. This tool will help you find one that is a member of USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Clubs that are members of USAG have to meet minimum requirements for liability insurance and coaching expertise, and must pledge to follow USAG's Code of Ethics. Also, check out our reader reviews of gymnastics clubs. You may want to pick a few gymnastics clubs in your area and go in for a visit. Gyms vary significantly in the facilities they have -- some are enormous buildings with all sorts of equipment and mats, while others are much smaller. Oftentimes, beginner gymnasts have a lot of fun on some of the "extra" equipment such as climbing structures, foam pits and trampolines. Visiting a few gyms may help you decide what's important to you and your child. Be sure to look for:

• A visitors' viewing area where you can see your child during his/her class
• A well-lit, clean facility
• An office manager who will help you with administrative items (registration, payment, assistance with any questions that you may have)
• A gymnast-instructor ratio that seems appropriate (there is no magic number, but the children should look as though they are being monitored at all times by an instructor)
• An emphasis on safety: Are instructors spotting (helping) the children? Does it seem as if there is adequate padding (mats) throughout the gym? Are there signs up describing safety procedures and rules? Also ask if the instructors are safety-certified by USA Gymnastics.
• Happy-looking gymnasts enjoying themselves and the sport

 

A Prayer for Our Married Community

King of Kings, Prince of Peace,
We exalt You and praise Your name.
We daily delight in your endless love
And bask in Your saving grace. 

We come to You on bended knee,
In earnest prayer and petition:
Help us to live in harmony;
This is our goal and our mission. 

"United as one, till death do us part,"
We lovingly spoke our pledge.
Help us defend and keep safe our cause;
In marriage we became one flesh. 

Where there is brokenness, we ask You to mend it.
Where there is weakness, we ask for Your strength.
Where there is sin, we beg Your forgiveness.
Where there is doubt, we invite more faith. 

Where there is pride, help us be humble.
Where there's resentment, help us find peace.
Where there is threat, we ask for protection.
Please shelter our love beneath Your wings.

Where there's a need, let us help one another.
Where there's temptation, help us resist.
Where we stumble, help us recover.
Where praise is needed, let it come from our lips.

Where there is pain, we ask for healing.
Where there is hate, replace it with love.
Where all seems hopeless, we beseech Your blessing.
From the depth of our heart we ask all the above.

This is our prayer and our deep desire,
This is the passion that consumes our hearts.
Help us to be an example for others—
Living happily forever 'til death us do part.

Prayer for the Work Day

Almighty God, thank Thee for the job of this day.
May we find gladness in all its toil and difficulty,
its pleasure and success,
and even in its failure and sorrow.
We would look always away from ourselves,
and behold the glory and the need of the world
that we may have the will and the strength to bring
the gift of gladness to others;
that with them we stand to bear
the burden and heat of the day
and offer Thee the praise of work well done. 

Amen.

Prayer for Comfort in Loss

Loss can come upon you suddenly and overwhelm you with grief. Giving yourself time and space to heal, and being real with the Lord about your pain can help. Consider these sure words of comfort from Scripture and pray the prayer below asking the Father to give you new hope and strength to go on.

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18 (NLT) 

 "The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, 'The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!' 

The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. 

For the Lord does not abandon anyone forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion according to the greatness of his unfailing love."
Lamentations 3:22-26; 31-32 (NLT)

Dear Lord,
Please help me in this time of loss and overwhelming grief. I don't understand why my life is filled with this pain and heartache. But I turn my eyes to you as I seek to find the strength to trust in your faithfulness. I will wait on you and not despair; I will quietly wait for your salvation. My heart is crushed, but I know that you will not abandon me forever. Please show me your compassion, Lord. Help me through the pain so that I will hope in you again. I believe this promise in your Word to send me fresh mercy each day. Though I can't see past today, I trust your great love will never fail me.
Amen.

A Prayer for Salvation

If you believe that the Bible offers truth about the way to salvation, but you have not made the decision yet to become a Christian, it's as simple as praying this prayer. You can pray by yourself, using your own words. There is no special formula. Just pray from your heart to God, and He will save you. If you feel lost and just don’t know what to pray, here’s a prayer of salvation that you can pray: 

Dear Lord,
I admit that I am a sinner. I have done many things that don’t please you. I have lived my life for myself. I am sorry and I repent. I ask you to forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross for me, to save me. You did what I could not do for myself. I come to you now and ask you to take control of my life, I give it to you. Help me to live every day in a way that pleases you. I love you, Lord, and I thank you that I will spend all eternity with you.
Amen.

Getting a Mortgage When You're a Contractor

If you're contracting for a living, getting a mortgage is a lot tougher than you might expect. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to get your financials together and buy a property like a regular employee.

Walk into any high street bank looking for a mortgage and no matter how big your deposit is, they're going to be nervous about lending you money. May high street banks refuse contractors outright, or their rates will be excessive to say the least.

This is because they're only set up for people with a regular income from permanent employment, and because that's what their staff are trained to deal with as well.

This is why freelancers, contractors, consultants and tradesmen often go through contractor mortgage brokers in order to get a decent mortgage like everybody else.

Get Your Financials in Order
But before you start calling up mortgage brokers to get you a good deal, as a contractor you need to account for a number of things, just like a permanent employee, plus a few more.

High street banks base how much they will lend on percentage, times salary plus dividend. For tax reasons, both those figures will be low for many self-employed people, but this can mean that it's difficult for contractors to get the mortgage that they need.

This is why a good broker or mortgage provider will calculates mortgages on daily rates or gross revenue for contractors instead.

For example, the Halifax will accept the gross value of the contract as evidence of income whether you're employed, self-employed or being paid through an umbrella company. The only condition is that you need to have been contracting for at least 1 year.

It's also a good idea to show them the best contracts you're working on to give them an idea of how much you actually earn. You will also need a good credit score and demonstrate evidence of consistent contracting for the future.
However, before you walk into a high street bank, it's always worth talking to a broker to see if they can negotiate a better deal on your behalf. Sometimes a good broker will eat into their sale commission a little to get you what you need rather than lose you as a customer.

When choosing a broker make sure they are working for you and not the lender. This is because many brokers get an incentive from the lender based on the interest rate the loan is sold at. So it can be difficult to figure out if the advice you're getting really is impartial.

Alternatively...
If your partner has a high enough income from permanent employment you may find that they can get a better interest rate than even a joint mortgage with someone self-employed. This is because contractors are considered a higher risk by many banks.

Also, if you trade as a limited company, ask your accountant about the necessary paperwork as an employee not a director. This can open a few more doors when it comes to borrowing large sums of money. However, this is a little more involved, so it's always best to have a chat with your own financial adviser about how this works.

There are also ways to invest in properties on behalf of your limited company and effectively rent the premises back to yourself. But once again, it's best to talk to an accountant about how all this works while ensuring that you stay honest in your business practices.

And Finally...
It's always worth reading the small print, but in the case of contractor mortgages, check for any mortgage related insurance policies for things like redundancy or loss of earnings cover. This is because you may find that your lender will not pay out if you are self-employed.
You may also find that you are paying a premium for those policies. And since you cannot claim on them, you might be able to change them or save money by simply cancelling them.

Summary
So be sure to get all your accounts in order, demonstrate at least 12 months of consistent contracting, have a good credit rating and look at all the options from both banks and brokers. Then simply take your pick of the best offers that suit your circumstances.

Finding a contractor mortgage that's right for how you generate income may take a little bit longer than the average contractor mortgage, but that's not to say there isn't a good deal out there if you don't do some digging around.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7391933

How to Exercise in College

Finding time to exercise in college can be a challenge for even the most diligent of students. At the same time, however, being physically active can be an important part of staying healthy during your time in school. So how can you find the time -- and energy -- to make sure you exercise in college?

 

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 30-45 minutes

Here's How:

1. Go to class in your gym clothes. Keep it appropriate for class, of course, but if you're already in comfy shoes, running shorts/pants, and a t-shirt, you'll be much more likely to pop into the gym after class. 
2. Walk to class the long way. Sure, you could take the campus shuttle, catch a ride with a friend, or cut through that creepy grove of trees behind the library, but taking the long way to class is a great way to sneak in a 20-minute workout during an otherwise-busy day.
3. Bike to class. You don't have to treat your ride like the Tour de France to have it be productive. But riding your bike to and from class is a good way to get a little exercise in -- and help the environment, too.
4. Hit the gym between classes. You know that hour you usually use to chat with friends, grab a coffee, and generally just mosey around? Mosey to the gym, catch up with your friends while on the treadmills, and grab a coffee en route to your next class. You'll still get your regular between-class activities in while also sneaking in a quick workout.
5. Exercise with a friend. One of the best tricks for making sure you get your workout in is to do it with a friend -- at the gym, in a pick-up game, playing touch football. No matter what you do, you can hold each other accountable, motivate each other, and make the time go quicker once you do start your workouts.
6. Do your homework at the gym. Have some less-than-exciting reading you just need to get through? Set yourself up on a bike at the gym, put in some headphones, and get through your reading while also getting through your workout.
7. Sign up for an exercise class and treat it like an academic class. Sign up for a yoga or other exercise class and treat it just like a "real" class. Make sure you show up every week and do what you're required to do each session. Added bonus: A scheduled class means you don't always have to feel like you should be going to the gym, since you know you'll be going every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3:30.
8. Sign up for an exercise class that is a real class. Many universities offer exercise classes that you can get credit for. True, they may be harder than your normal whenever-I-feel-like-it workouts, but they may make you more likely to workout.
9. Make a reward system. Consider setting something up, like a Google shared calendar or even something you hang up in your room, where your friend and you keep track of your workouts. At the end of the month, for example, whoever was most consistent, worked out the most, etc., gets treated by the others to something fun (dinner out? pedicure? iTunes gift card?).
10. Join an intramural sports team. Intramural teams are a great way to get exercise while in school. The workouts are fun and you can meet a lot of new people, learn more about a sport, and generally have a great time that doesn't feel nearly as dreary as running laps alone.

College Stress? Read to reduce it... :)

At any given point in time, most college students are stressed about something; it's just part of going to school. While having stress in your life is normal and often unavoidable, being stressed is something you can control. Follow these ten tips to learn how to keep your stress in check and how to relax when it gets to be too much.

 

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Minimum

Here's How:

1. Most Importantly: Don't Stress About Being Stressed This may seem ridiculous at first, but it is listed first for a reason: when you're feeling stressed, you feel like you're on edge and everything is barely being held together. Don't beat yourself up too badly about it! It's all normal, and the best way to handle stress is to not get more stressed about . . . being stressed. If you're stressed out, admit it and figure out how to handle it. Focusing on it will only make things seem worse.
   
2. Get Some Sleep Being in college means your sleep schedule is, most likely, far from ideal. Getting more sleep can help your mind refocus, recharge, and rebalance. This can mean a quick nap, a night when you go to bed early, or a promise to yourself to stick with a regular sleep schedule. Sometimes, one good night's sleep can be all you need to hit the ground running amidst a stressful time.
   
3. Get Some Food Similar to your sleep habits, your eating habits may have gone by the wayside when you started school. Think about what -- and when -- you've eaten over the past few days. You may think your stress is psychological, but you could also be feeling physical stress (and the "Freshman 15") if you're not fueling your body appropriately. Go eat something balanced and healthy: fruits and veggies, whole grains, protein. Make your mama proud with what you choose for dinner tonight! Lastly, if your meal plan itself is one more thing making you stressed, learn how to pick a plan that's right for you.
   
4. Get Some Exercise You may think that if you don't have the time to sleep and eat properly, you definitely don't have the time to exercise. Fair enough, but if you're feeling stressed, it may be that you need to squeeze it in somehow. Exercise doesn't necessarily have to involve a 2-hour, exhausting workout at the campus gym. It can mean a relaxing, 30-minute walk while listening to your favorite music. In fact, in a little over an hour, you can 1) walk 15 minutes to your favorite off-campus restaurant, 2) eat a quick and healthy meal, 3) walk back, and 4) take a power nap. Imagine how much better you'll feel!
   
5. Get Some Quiet Time Take one moment and think: when was the last time you had some quality, quiet time alone? Personal space for students in college rarely exists. You may share your room, your bathroom, your classrooms, your dining hall, the gym, the bookstore, the library, and anywhere else you go during an average day. Finding a few moments of peace and quiet - with no cell phone, roommates, or crowds - might be just what you need. Stepping out from the crazy college environment for a few minutes can do wonders for reducing your stress.
   
   
6. Get Some Social Time Have you been working on that English paper for 3 days straight? Can you even see what you're writing anymore for your Chemistry lab? You could be stressed because you're being too focused on getting things done. Don't forget that your brain is like a muscle, and even it needs a break every once in a while! Take a break and see a movie. Grab some friends and go out dancing. Hop a bus and hang out downtown for a few hours. Having a social life is an important part of your college experience, so don't be afraid to keep it in the picture when you're stressed. It could be when you need it most!
   
   
7. Get Some Fun You may be stressed about one particular thing: a final paper due Monday, a class presentation due Thursday. You basically just need to sit down and plow through it. If this is the case, try to figure out how to make it a little more fun and enjoyable. Is everyone writing final papers? Agree to work together in your room for 2 hours and then order pizza together for dinner. Do a lot of your classmates have huge presentations to put together? See if you can reserve a classroom or room in the library where you can all work together and share supplies. You may just lower everyone's stress level.
   
8. Get Some Distance You may be handling your own problems and trying to help others around you. While this can be nice for them, check in and be honest with yourself about how your helpful demeanor may be causing more stress in your life. It's okay to take a step back and focus on yourself for a little while, especially if you are stressed and your academics are at risk. After all, how can you keep helping others if you're not even in a state to help yourself? Figure out which things are causing you the most stress and how you can take a step back from each. And then, most importantly, take that step.
   
9. Get a Little Help It can be hard to ask for help, and unless your friends are psychic, they may not know how stressed out you are. Most college students are going through the same things at the same thing, so don't feel silly if you need to just vent for 30 minutes over coffee with a friend. It may help you process out what you need to do, and help you realize that the things you are so stressed about are actually pretty manageable. If you're afraid of dumping too much on a friend, most colleges have counseling centers specifically for their students. Don't be afraid to make an appointment if you think it will help.
   
10. Get Some Perspective College life can be overwhelming. You want to hang out with your friends, join clubs, explore off campus, join a fraternity or sorority, and be involved in the campus newspaper. It can sometimes feel like there aren't enough hours in the day . . . because there aren't. There's only so much any person can handle, but you need to remember the reason why you're in school: academics. No matter how exciting your co-curricular life can be, you won't be able to enjoy any of it if you don't pass your classes. Make sure to keep your eye on the prize and then head out and change the world!

Top Five Things Beginners Need to Know About Databases

Just getting started with databases? Here's a rundown of the top things that I wish I knew before I got started in the field. These facts are guaranteed to make your life easier!

1. SQL Forms the Core of Relational Databases

You can't avoid it. The Structured Query Language forms the core of all relational databases. It provides a uniform interface to Oracle, SQL Server, Access and other relational databases and is a "must learn" for all aspiring database users. In fact, I encourage you to take an introductory SQL course before you even attempt to learn any specific database software. The investment of time will help you build a proper foundation and get started in the world of databases on the correct foot. For a quick start, read SQL Basics or, for a more comprehensive introduction, take our free Learning SQL e-course.

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2. Selecting Primary Keys is an Extremely Important Decision

The selection of a primary key is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make in the design of a new database. The most important constraint is that you must ensure that the selected key is unique. If it’s possible that two records (past, present, or future) may share the same value for an attribute, it’s a poor choice for a primary key. When evaluating this constraint, you should think creatively. You'll also need to avoid sensitive values, such as Social Security Numbers, as they raise privacy concerns. For more information on selecting a strong primary key, read Choosing a Primary Key.

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3. NULL Is Not Zero or the Empty String

NULL is a very special value in the world of databases, but it's something that beginners often get confused about. When you see a NULL value, interpret it as "unknown". If a quantity is NULL, that doesn't necessarily mean that the quantity is zero. Similarly, if a text field holds a NULL value, that doesn't mean that there isn't an appropriate value, it's simply unknown. For example, consider a database containing information about children who attend a particular school. If the secretary entering the record does not know a student's age a NULL value is used to indicate the "unknown" placeholder. The student certainly has an age, it's just not present in the database.

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4. Converting Spreadsheets to Databases Saves Time

If you already have tons of data stored in Excel (or other) spreadsheets, you can save yourself mountains of time by converting those spreadsheets into database tables. Read our tutorial on Converting Excel Spreadsheets to Access Databases to get started.

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5. All Database Platforms Are NOT Created Equal

There are many different databases out there and all offer a variety of different features at different price points. Some are full-featured enterprise databases designed to host huge data warehouses serving multinational enterprises. Others are desktop databases better suited to tracking inventory for a small store with one or two users. Your business requirements will dictate the appropriate database platform for your needs. Read our article Database Software Options for more information.

Software for Making and Receiving VoIP Calls

A VoIP app (new word in the jargon, for application software) is synonymous to VoIP client. It is a piece of software that allows you to use VoIP on your computer and other devices like mobile phone or tablet PC, to make and receive phone calls.

Why Use a VoIP App?

This question brings us back to why we use VoIP. VoIP has a lot of advantages over landline and traditional mobile telephony (GSM). The main advantage is the cost. With a VoIP app, you can make calls worldwide for very cheap, and most of the time for free. Besides, there are a lot of interesting features that enrich the communication experience. Included are the benefits associated with unified communications. VoIP apps are also a fundamental element in cloud communication systems.

Requirements for Using a VoIP App

What you need for using VoIP software is most probably what you already have at home, in the office or in your pocket. They are:

• A computer or a mobile device
• An Internet connection, with sufficient bandwidth for VoIP communication
• Hearing devices (earphones or speakers) and a microphone, which are often embedded in the device you use (in the case of a mobile phone)
• A VoIP service that offers the calls
• A number or address that identifies you uniquely on the Internet. This number or SIP address is most of the time offered by the service provider, so if you have an account with the service, you won’t have to technically bother about this requirement. To know more on how this works, see what Enum is.

Types of VoIP App

VoIP apps are so many and so varied in their nature with overlapping features that it is difficult to categorize them. However, we can place them under the feature that characterizes them most.
Free vs. Paid. Most VoIP apps are free. They are those that come with a VoIP service like Skype; those that are offered by the prominent software manufacturers like Microsoft (Live Messenger), Yahoo! (Messenger), Apple (iChat); and those that are offered free for other benefits, like for advertisement or for promoting a web site, a line of enhanced paid products or services. Paid VoIP apps have something above the free ones, additional features that entitle the manufacturers to call for payment. You will want to pay for VoIP apps, for example, in the context of a business where you have a VoIP system deployed for advanced communication and collaboration processes, with business-related features like call recording, filtering, and all the other features related to IP PBXs. 

OS-Based vs. Web-Based. You don’t have to download every VoIP app you need. Some apps can be used embedded in your browser. An example is Gmail calling, which you can use within your GMail inbox. Also, when you download an app to install on your computer, you need to know whether there is a version for the operating you are using and get that one.

PC vs. Mobile. The way you download and install a VoIP app is not the same when you do it on your mobile device. In that case, you need to log on from your mobile device to a special page of the site and follow instructions. Also, the service needs to support the mobile model you are using, and needs to have provided a version of the app for it.

Service-Based vs. SIP-Based. Each VoIP user has an address or number through which the user is contacted. It can simply be a username (like for Skype), a phone number or a SIP address. Apps released by VoIP services allow you to use, in most cases, the username or phone number you got when you registered with the service. There are third-party apps that are service-independent, allowing you to use them with any service. These use SIP addresses. If you intend to use that kind of app, look for services that support the SIP protocol.

Drawbacks of Using VoIP Apps

VoIP apps have proved to be very useful and they form a complete paradigm in themselves in the communication context. There are however inconveniences with them, as there are with any other item of technology. They require you to have a computer switched on (in the case of PC-based apps). Imagine having to keep you PC on so as not to miss calls, or have a PC each time you need to make a call. But VoIP is now quite diversified and this problem is not as acute, with all the other types of VoIP services available.