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Many immediate and complex issues overwhelm educators today. With positive and negative global influences, educators must look beyond the surface of education. Students are not just products of their schools but will become shaping forces in society, determining the success and failure of their nation's future. Curricularists, educators, and everyone in leadership need to work together to develop a well-rounded curriculum, which includes the learning of different cultures. Our next generation will need to cope with cross-cultural matters and grow into sensible adults who are fair and just to the global society.

Technology plays an essential role in our education today and will even more so in the future. Especially in countries where economic and political situations are stable, the accessibility of the Internet and computers to maximize curriculum and to act as a means of communication among educators, even to the extent of intranets, must become available. This technology should be available in every school funded by taxes and donation from private industry.

Technology can also close the gaps between the educational levels around the world. Because of the political and socio-economic differences among countries, it would be impossible for this degree of technology to reach all parts of the world, yet effort should be made to see that education is fairy distributed to all children everywhere. This will require volunteers, donations, and assistance from the capable countries internationally. Even if there was just one computer in every town for those countries for school children, it would make a difference.

Another reason technology is significant to our curriculum development is for cultural knowledge expansion. The need to understand different cultures is an emergent issue in today's education and societies as relationships among countries become more intertwined. The United States has always been a country of diversity; however, for the longest time, the contents of its curriculum were selectively western-focused.

For example, high school world history courses emphasized primarily European and western history. We now can make use of technology to design a world history curriculum that includes not only that part of world history but extends farther. San Diego University, in cooperation with the National Center for History in the Schools at the University of Los Angeles, offers Internet information on world history and assists teachers in delivering a whole curriculum without excluding a major part of the world's people, events, or times (San Diego State University, 2007).

We should also take advantage of technology to form a curriculum for creating international awareness, understanding various cultures, and learning different opinions and values. Curriculums
need to focus on melting down barriers against others who are different and to encourage mutual respect and understanding for other cultures and beliefs. One way to promote cultural exchange is through technological communication. Thanks to the advancement of technology today, students all over the world can actually use computers to see and to talk to each other. More effort on promoting such communication should be encouraged and assisted by the government, various organizations, and individuals with the means to do so. One day, through the help of technology in education, people will learn that we are all part of the world community.

Reference

Dunn, R. (2008). World history for us all. San Diego State University. Retrieved April 3, 2007, from http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/dev/default.htm
Kame'enui, E. J., Carinem, D.W., Dixon, R.C., Simmons, D.C., & Coyne, M.D. (2001). Effective teaching strategies that accommodate diverse learners. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Lieberman, A., & Lynne, M. (2005). Teachers as leaders. The Education Forum, 69, Retrieved March 29,2007, from http://www.proquest.com
Ornstein, A. C., & Hunkins, F. P. (2003). Curriculum: Foundations, principles, and issues (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Allyn & Bacon.
Tanner, D., & Tanner, L. (1994). Curriculum development: Theory into practice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.

Have you ever wanted to download your games instead of going out to the store and wasting gas, or download games instead of waiting for your game to come through the mail, and pay the extra shipping fees. Or have you ever wanted to download your games, instead of trying to rent your games and not being able to find the game you want? There is an easy solution, and it is possible, and it's legal! Download your PSP Games, and not have to worry about going to the mall, and dealing with the traffic, just point, click and start playing the newest PSP games.

Most PSP games will cost you $40 to $50, and trying to find your games out in the store is impossible, and trying to rent PSP games is even harder. Why not just download them and be able to play Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, or Ratchet & Clank, or the new Secret Agent Clank, or Ironman. All the games are available, and for a one time fee you could have them all. What if you could go to a store and buy one game, and then when you were done with that game, you could just simply get a new one, for free, and no questions asked. Or even better, what if you bought one game, and when you went back to the video game store you just got five or six games, with not questions asked, it's just like that. There are no problems with this, you will be able to find everything you want.

You will be able to find all the games you, along with that you will be able to download all the movies and music you want for your PSP. The selection is fantastic, and it's easy to use, just point, click and start playing or watching or listening to your PSP. Enjoy!!

Click Here

AP - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin testified for two hours Friday in an abuse-of-power investigation that has been a distraction to her Republican vice presidential campaign. Palin's leadership was questioned this month in a stinging but largely toothless legislative report that found she violated state ethics laws by letting a family dispute influence her decision-making.

It's not easy to be a hardcore gamer. It's hard. Wouldn't it be easier if you had a job in the videogames business? Think about it: working for a software company, being able to play games during office hours, with people who share your passion. Free games, industry parties, lots of fun and good money.

Well, think again; working in the PC Games business is nothing like that. Chances are you'll end up dealing with people who just care about the financial success of the company, with marketing executives who don't give adamn whether the game is good or not because "We'll put two-million bucks behind it and it'll sell like donuts", with programmers who cannot understand why an arcade-style racing game cannot have the intricacies of a complex simulator. Still, you'll get some free games plus a decent salary.Still interested? Good.

The easiest way to get a chance to work in the videogames industry is to start as a game tester. Mind you - the job is actually tougher and less exciting than you think. While it is true that you'll spend most of your day playing games, you must bear in mind that this means testing to death the same game again and again, since the earliest days of development until it's finished, and this can get really boring.

The game tester starts working as soon as either the graphic engine or some of the AI routines are ready (and even earlier in some occasions: sometimes testers have to check the game design documents in order to make sure that there aren't weaknesses in the game structure.) It means checking the graphics and the control system or testing the AI routines, moving around coloured dots (it's often the case with sports games) or extremely unappealing chunks of graphics around the screen to check how the code reacts.

Reporting bugs is not an easy or exciting task either. You need to assess the exact circumstances (if any) of a bug taking place and its consequences on the game. More often than not this means playing the same bit of the game again and again and again until you are able to repeat the same bug whenever you want to (or better: whenever the programmers ask you to) or until you're sure that it was a one-off bug, something which happens in situations which cannot be repeated.

If you don't like PCs, you'll probably find an absolute nightmare having to cope with all the compatibility issues (does the game work fine with all the graphic accelerator cards? And what about the sound cards? And the joypads/joysticks?) but you'll get used to it in a matter of weeks. Other downsides of the job is that office hours can range from your usual 9-5 to a very stressful round-the-clock when you're under deadlines and you don't have any guarantee that you'll be mentioned in the credits unless you're one of the lead testers. (Let's face it; you want your friends to know that YOU were part of the team who made that brilliant game, don't you?) Put in the frustration coming from dealing with programmers and/or artists who don't know what does make a good game (the industry has many such people...) and you'll get an even worse picture of the job.

Being a game tester is not all that bad, though. It's the perfect way to get into the biz for many different reasons: the first one and more obvious being that you'll be constantly in touch with both the programmers and artists. In a few weeks' time you'll understand problems concerning polygons (polys, for friends...), frame-rate and its relationships with the responsiveness and precision of the control system, how to address RAM-related problems and much, much more. Hold on - let me make myself clear: you will NOT become a programmer but you will understand which compromises you must have in the game in order to have it work in its best possible form, given the capabilities of the system it is working on and the skills and talents of the developers.

Another obvious plus of the job is the money. In Europe, an internal tester is usually paid somewhere between US$15,000 to US$23,000, assuming he's employed full-time. However, some companies have part-time testing jobs, so that you don't have to leave school to be a tester.

The real highlight of being a game tester is that in many occasions you'll be required to play an active role in the making of the game: rather than limiting your task to just testing existing code, sometimes testers are asked to suggest alternative solutions to problems in either playability or game structure. It often happens that, during the development stages, the game feels and plays differently from what it should according to the game design document. It could be the control system which is too complex, the physics model, the AI or any other element of the game which doesn't work as well as it should. The testers' main task is to flag any problems arising but they are often asked to give their precious input in order to improve the game.

It sometimes happens that the most critic and capable testers move onto design positions, which is a much more rewarding (both in terms of financial success and self-fulfilment) job with many more responsabilities. Another way to climb the ranks of the company is to become Quality Assurance Manager, supervising and directing the work of several testers for one or more titles. Therefore, starting as a game tester can take you to higher floors while making many interesting contacts in the industry. The perfect game tester can express himself quite well in both written and oral form, knows how to work in a team and know games inside out - both new and classic titles. Needless to say, to do this you must play a lot: explore all the possibilities of a title, do things the developers couldn't think you would do (such as killing a friendly character, throwing away a useful item, going out of the track in a racing game or standing in particular areas where you're not supposed to stay) and see what happens. Be curious while playing, and be critic.

If you have what it takes ring the bell; this industry needs you. Don't let the first negative replies write the word END to your career in this industry. Keep trying until a door opens, then put your foot in. Start writing your cover letter now (keep it short, nobody likes lengthy cover letters)) and be ready for the interview. Sooner or later you'll have your chance, so don't waste it.

Mary works in US for a media company, occasionally writing for the biggest PC Games Reviews portal, and drinking too much coffee.

Reuters - The U.S. government took further steps to prop up the U.S. banking system on Friday, starting to inject capital into a new group of banks, and helping to finance a $5.2 billion takeover of National City Corp by PNC Financial Services Group Inc .

You've heard your students talk about the various podcasts they are downloading to their ipods, but you are wondering what it is and how it can apply to your classroom.

A podcast is a digital media file that is distributed over the internet. The word podcast comes from the two words "iPod" and "broadcast." A podcast is different from other digital media formats by its ability to be syndicated, subscribed to, and downloaded automatically when new content is added. The easiest way to understand a podcast is to think of a radio show that you like to listen to often. Instead of having to tune in at a specific time you are able to download it to your iPod and listen at your convenience. By subscribing to the show you don't have to remember to go and look for the newest shows, your computer will automatically bring all of the new shows to your computer and then to your iPod.

Podcasts began as just audio files. Now you can find podcasts that are just audio or audio, video, and combinations of media.

The easiest way to begin podcasting is to choose one topic and ask each child in the class to respond to the topic and record their voice. A simple way to do this is to use an iPod and a voice recorder. A voice recorder plugs in to the iPod at the bottom where the dock cord connects. By using this setup the child can take the iPod to a quiet location. After each child records his contribution, bring each comment into an application such as Garage Band or Audacity. The pauses and repeated words can be edited out to save time and to make the listening more enjoyable.

The first podcast I ever made with a class was to ask kindergarteners to share everything the preschoolers would need to know for their upcoming move to kindergarten. One bit of advice is to build suspense with the children and encourage them to keep their ideas to themselves and to try to be different from what they think everyone else with say.

Before making your first podcast, take some time to search online and through iTunes to listen to various examples of what children around the world have shared. When you find something that matches what you teach in your classroom, try that idea with your students! Keep trying what others have successfully done to grow your repertoire of ideas and experience.

Some ideas to begin podcasting:

*Reading and recording writing pieces

*Give advice on various topics

*Ways children avoid doing homework

*Techniques for avoiding eating food you dislike

*Responses to a piece of literature

*Places in the world/country/state/city each child would like to visit and why

Once you've made a few podcasts you might want to consider some of these ideas

*Class newsletters given in an audio format with different groups responsible for different aspects of the class news

*Reporting of learned concepts about any subject of study

*Weird fact of the week

*Word of the week

*Internet safety tips

*An interesting aspect of the city or state that you live in

*Public service announcements

*Interviewing historical figures

*Literature responses

*Podcast school concerts

*Complete and Explain what clichs mean (such as "People in glass houses shouldn't.....or A stitch in time saves nine.")

Besides being great fun and an excellent way to show understanding of a concept, podcasting with your students will encourage them to read fluently when they know that their voice will be heard by the world.

Look at some podcasts made by elementary students at http://ipodsinschool.com/

Kathy Cothran is an elementary media specialist committed to helping teachers turn toys into learning tools. Her vast teaching experience ranges from preschool through Master's level education classes.

For years Kathy has been a "Gadget Girl." She loves technology! Tie that to her extensive teaching background and she has been able to interest, invigorate, and inspire children and teachers to use technology in a rich, exciting manner.

Interested in other ways that toys can become learning tools? Visit http://turningtoysintotools.com

AP - Terrorist strikes on four American cities. Russia rolling into Eastern Europe. Israel hit by a nuclear bomb. Gay marriage in every state. The end of the Boy Scouts.

If we were of Video games>to review the history of Internet, we would observe distinct phases that were brought about by the innovation of a new online product. First came electronic mail which was then followed by online search, journaling, video sharing, book marking, and now social networking. However, due to the large volume of profiles listed on any social networking website, it is difficult to maintain a unique identity. A distinct skin for your profile page can assist you in creating a unique identity on the social networking portal.

For social networking profiles, there are a stunning number of choices for skins. Picking an individual one can seem like an impossible task. For musicians, and particularly for guitarists, guitar hero skins provide a great option. Plenty of sub-categories exist among guitar skins, as well.

There is intense passion in the connoisseurs of rock music about their musical preferences.Thus the best bet at forging an online identity on a social networking website might be a rockband skin.The major rockbands are depicted in skins which are performing at concerts and are available easily.

You can choose to include guitar hero 3 faceplates as part of your very own customized guitar skin. They are only one of the wide variety of possibilities available to make the skin as unique as the user; other options include decorated quotes and musical notation.

Can you guess what is the best thing regarding guitar hero skins? No, it is not the skin's visual appeal or cult following. Rather it is the ability to customize these skins that scores brownie points over all other features. You can pick any photograph of your revered guitarist, and make it the theme of your guitar skin. In addition, you can select a particular song and the chords and strings of that song will get displayed on the corners of the skin.

Find the right skin for your social networking profile page by selecting a revered guitarist and a rock band. Next, choose one of that bands songs which has some good-looking notes. After that, do a online search for guitar hero skins to match your preferences. Finally, install your new skin onto you profile and personlize it to your own tastes with the available guitar hero skins customizations.

For social networking profiles, there are a stunning number of choices for skins. For musicians, and particularly for guitarists, guitar hero skins provide a great option. Rock music connoisseurs are very passionate about musical preferences. As such, a rockband skin may be the ideal bet at forging online identities on social networking websites. Skins that are specific to a particular rock band have an array of extra features available to you after choosing the skin. Among these features are face plates, quotes from band members, and animated lyrics. Guitar hero 3 faceplates are one example of what is available as an add-on.

AP - In a gruesome case with powerful echoes of the dragging death of James Byrd a decade ago, a black man was killed underneath a pickup truck in East Texas and two white men have been charged with murder.

If you want to be the richest and the most experienced Warlock on World of Warcraft, then you need to have the smart Warcraft instruction. Such warlock strategy guide was created by expert gamers that know what you need to be a pro warlock and they have created this Horde and Alliance warlock leveling guide to give you the upper hand. Not only will you learn about the leveling up, but also with the horde & alliance warlock guide, you will find out all the hints for gold making, and talent build.

With the Warcraft warlock quest guide, you will be able to accomplish level 70 in 10 days while learning the talent builds for raiding, the arena, and soloing. Nothing is left out of the WOW warlock guide. Tired of losing duels? The warlock leveling guide will provide you with the resources so you can win 9 out of 10 duels every time. From the noob to the pro, you will find valuable secrets that you must have to conquer all your foes. Do not let others get the upper hand; get the jump on them by learning from the experts with this nice warlock guide.

Do not be the noob left behind with your character, learn all the hints, tips, and trick in the Warcraft Warlock Quest guide and get the jump on all your friends. With the WOW Warlock strategy guide, you will have the answers to finding the quests, conquering the quests, and of course using all the best weapons to become the best warlock in World of Warcraft. So, do not let another day go by and run around trying to figure out what to do next to level up get your hands on this smart e-book and level up fast.

Click to read more about Warlock leveling guide for 1-70 Alliance and Horde leveling.

AP - Terrorist strikes on four American cities. Russia rolling into Eastern Europe. Israel hit by a nuclear bomb. Gay marriage in every state. The end of the Boy Scouts.

Video streaming is the process of converting video and audio into a compressed digital format, then distributing the data through computer networks. This compressed data can be more easily delivered using computer networks because of its smaller size. The video and audio can be live or pre-recorded content, and can be continuously streamed or delivered as on demand content.

Internet video streaming is similar to standard television broadcasting. Software is used to convert video and audio into a format that is suitable for delivery using a computer network. Television stations use special hardware to convert video and audio data into a format suitable for broadcasting. Special computer network transport protocols enable the delivery of multimedia content to the end user ( viewer ) versus using broadcast transmitters to send the video and audio content to individual television sets.

The first step in the video streaming process is to digitally compress the audio and video content. This is required to conserve bandwidth that is used for the delivery of the content. Specially developed software applications, called codecs, are used to compress the video and audio data. Codecs use mathematical algorithms to compress the data. Most codecs use a method of data compression known as lossy data compression. This method allows the compression of the content without losing the quality of the original video and audio content. Advanced codecs require large amounts of computer resources for high definition video and audio data compression. A balance must be established between the compression quality, bandwidth consumed and computer resources used. This balance ensures a quality viewing and listening experience for everyone.

The next step is to distribute the encoded video and audio content. Special server software is required for the continuous distribution of multimedia content. This specialized software can be installed and run on various computer operating systems including: Windows, Linux and Macintosh; in addition to several other computer operating systems. Individual files can be distributed using on demand content delivery, without the need for specialized server software. On demand content can be hosted using a standard website account.

The final step is to prepare the compressed content for delivery. The method of data delivery used to transport the content via computer networks is determined by several factors that include: software used for the compression of the audio and video data, architecture of the computer network used for content delivery and end user requirements. Delivery of this data over computer networks uses special software or hardware instructions to route the video and audio content to the end user. Each computer network transport protocol has its own unique characteristics that make it applicable in specific situations. Methods of multimedia data transport include: HTTP, RTSP, IP Multicast and P2P.

No broadcast license or technical certification is required for Internet streaming, unlike a standard television broadcast station. Standard television broadcast stations are required to have a broadcast license and certified broadcast engineers. The only requirements for Internet video streaming are: specialized data delivery server software, special audio and video encoding software and large amounts of bandwidth. Bandwidth is required for the delivery of the video and audio content to the end user. The formula for determining the amount of bandwidth required for video streaming is: Bandwidth required = data encoding speed x number of desired consecutive users.

All multimedia content is subject to applicable intellectual property regulations. These regulations differ from country to country; however the general rule for audio and video content is the station originating the Internet stream must own, or have a license to distribute material that is covered under copyright regulations. Content that has been released under creative commons, public domain or has fallen out of copyright protection is not subject to intellectual property regulations and can be streamed with no special content licensing requirements.

You can view a continuous video stream using a hybrid HTTP transport protocol ( Shoutcast ) here: http://www.scvi.net/tvpls.htm
You can also view a continuous streaming multimedia presentation that uses on demand content delivery here: http://www.scenicradio.com

Dave Childers is a freelance Internet broadcast consultant, writer and webmaster of http://www.scvi.net, The Winamp TV, NullSoft Video information website.

AP - Carbon dioxide isn't the only greenhouse gas that worries climate scientists. Airborne levels of two other potent gases - one from ancient plants, the other from flat-panel screen technology - are on the rise, too. And that's got scientists concerned about accelerated global warming.

More research and development is put into military technology and innovation then any other industry or field. The evolution of the battlefield has occurred right in front of us, yet many people are unaware of how advanced the weaponry of the United States army and its allies has become. The battlefields our troops currently fight on are occupied by drones known as MQ-9 reapers and Predators, as well as a variety of unmanned land vehicles such as the SWORDS weapon system. Also we can't forget about the advances in Fighter technology with the F-22 Raptor being on the forefront of aviation innovation.

The evolution of military technology has allowed the US military to move many of its troops out of harms way by implementing precision weaponry coupled with unmanned technologies. In the near future our battlefields could look like something from the movie Terminator with robots fighting each other and actually operating on artificial intelligence. The machines deployed in unfriendly territory will actually be linked to each other and communicate with soldiers and commanders to warn them of enemy positions or suspicious activities. Also systems like the YAL-1A airborne laser that the United States air-force has developed will keep our skies clear of ballistic missile threats.

Not only have the ground and air reconnaissances and attack vehicles been converted to unmanned applications, rifle and gun technology has developed at an incredible pace with applications such as the as50 British accuracy Sniper Rifle or the objective individual combat weapon. The Military technology that the soldier will be working with in the future will include upgraded ammunition and assault rifles as well as better and lighter armor such as the Dragon Skin system. There are many more new weapons system applications that seem lifetimes away but are being developed as we speak.

For the most up to date pictures of Military Technology, Aerospace Defense, and great videos and pictures of the newest battlefield innovations, check out my website:

http://www.futurefirepower.com

AP - The mother and brother of Jennifer Hudson were found shot dead Friday at a South Side home, and police were seeking a missing child who is the nephew of the singer and Oscar-winning actress. "We can confirm that there is an ongoing investigation concerning the deaths of Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson, and her brother, Jason Hudson," Hudson's personal publicist, Lisa Kasteler, said in a statement. "No further comment will be made and the family has asked that their privacy be respected at this difficult time."

It's common sense that the personal or business data found on computers and networks everywhere, which cost its owners precious time and money to acquire, is very valuable and unquestionably should be protected from loss. It should also be common sense that the data designated for storage and protection should be encrypted to secure it from being misused if stolen by unauthorized users. Unfortunately, many companies that use, for example, tapes for data backup, do not encrypt their stored data. This practice is akin to placing valuables in a safe, but leaving the door unlocked. Data backup encryption is a must for full data protection.

The two most common acronyms you should understand in relation to the function of data backup encryption are AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) and SSL (Secure Socket Layer). Secure Socket Layer encryption refers to the encryption of data as it is transferred over the Internet. The Advanced Encryption Standard applies to data in storage. SSL and AES encryption are used in tandem for online backup, in which data is copied and transmitted from its original server to a secure server in a remote location.

AES encryption is also used for tape backup. For example, LTO-4 tape (fourth-generation Linear Tape-Open, the open alternative to DLT, Digital Linear Tape) supports AES 256-bit encryption on tape drives. Another acronym associated with tape backup encryption is IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). The IEEE issues standards expressly for tape technology. Its latest tape technology standard, IEEE 1619.1, is adhered to by the LTO-4 technology.

In-depth understanding of backup encryption requires knowledge of complex technological jargon and processes. In layman's terms, backup encryption uses a code to convert data into a format that is unreadable without a key. For example, if I were to write a message and convert each letter to the number of its place in the alphabet, I am creating a code (The correct technical term is cipher or algorithm). The key would be the piece of paper or other medium stating 1=a, 2=b, 3=c, etc. Of course, with computer data backup encryption, ciphers and keys are digital and far more complex. For example, even a supercomputer would take 149 trillion years to decipher an AES 128-bit encryption.

Backup encryption of data serves as a safeguard in the rare but serious event that anterior levels of building or Internet security are breached and data stored on tapes or the Web falls into the wrong hands. To ensure maximum protection of data, it should be encrypted and stored either online in a secure server in a remote location, or on tape. (Data already recorded on tapes can still be encrypted after the fact.) Too many companies have learned the hard way for anyone not to know now that backup encryption is a necessity.

Source: Onlinedatabackupinc dot com, Louis Zhang

Read our reviews of online secure backup services and solutions at http://www.onlinedatabackupinc.com

Time.com - Analysis: McCain and Obama may spar over when to quit Iraq, but that decision may now be in Iraqi, not American hands

Diablo III is in the works!!!

I am not ashamed to say that I have been a Diablo freak ever since the first game. It is my favorite game of all time. It is the only game that I have played for years. Yes, years! I played Diablo II since it first came out until about a year ago. I bought it when it first came out for $39.99 and have had days and days of fun playing it.

If you think about it from a financial or investment standpoint, I got 5 years worth of great entertainment for only $40! Where else can you find a return on investment than that?! Diablo III promises to be as good if not better than part 2. I have waited for so long for this game to come out and it is finally here. I feel like a kid again (I'm only 29, lol).

Teaser Video Released
I saw a teaser video on FilePlanet yesterday that got me all excited. I highly recommend you watch this video. Don't be afraid to install the download manager it installs. I download from here all the time and it is a great manager and does not pop up ads or anything. Plus you can always uninstall it later.

A Beautiful New Look
The game is programmed in DirectX 10 and it looks absolutely beautiful. They kept it in the old fashion 3rd person view which I am very grateful for. This game was not meant to be first person in my opinion. There is rag doll effects, lots of destructible environment objects, huge bosses, and a much improved combat system. The skills look great too!

I am head over heels for this game at the moment and I will probably get bashed for being such a childish geek about it. However, I am going to enjoy re-living this game once more which could be a bad thing. I fear that I might get hooked once again and it may disrupt my dedication to this blog. I know I should just ignore this game, but at the same time it is going to be impossible. Sometimes you got to just dive into the deep water and hope you can swim.

Author: Ben Moreno.

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Reuters - Oil slid nearly $5 a barrel on Friday as gloom about a global economic downturn that is sapping fuel demand took the steam out of an OPEC agreement to cut output.

Chess is one of those tricky games with a lot of different little strategies and little moves which can be enacted to help build a defense against the other player. While each and every piece on a chessboard has a certain set of rules regarding movement, and those rules must be strictly obeyed, there is one variation on those rules which allows two pieces to act outside of their normal boundaries. This technique is called "Castling," and it involves the player's King and one of their Rooks. This move is one of the most interesting moves in the game and is often considered to be one of the smartest strategical decisions that a player can make regarding their King.

When a player castles their King and Rook, there are a few rules which must be obeyed. Firstly, the King and the Rook is question must never have been moved from their starting locations on the board. If either piece had been forced to move at some point, castling is impossible between the two. All of the pieces that started the game in between the King and the Rook in question must have already been moved away from their spots. A completely open row between the two pieces is absolutely necessary. Furthermore, castling cannot be used by the player to get the King safely out of Check. The King must be completely free of danger when the move is made. Additionally, while this is true of every move made in Chess, the end result of the move must not put the King into Check by any means.

If all of the above conditions are met, Castling between the two pieces can occur. The King may Castle with either the Rook that is closest to him or with the Rook that was closer to the Queen, the move will work either way. When the Castling is to occur, the King will move two spaces toward the Rook. This is the only time during the game in which the King will ever be allowed to move more than one space at a time. In return, the Rook will jump over the King and move to the single space that the King passed through on his route. This successfully forms a Castling.

The move can be considered wise in the early stages of the game because it not only removes the King from the generally more dangerous center area of the board, but it allows the more versatile Rook access into the center from the far side of the board in which it was originally kept. This frees the player up to make more daring moves on the offense while keeping the King in a safer position, away from more of the fighting. Castling is a pretty frequented action that is taken in Chess, with both players often performing the shorter Kingside Castling. However, it should be noted that when one player performs the shorter Kingside Castling and the other player performs the longer Queenside Castling, the resulting battle is generally rather fierce, as each player's pawns are free to move into attacking position against the King without exposing their own. Castling can open up whole new avenues to explore within the game and should be a strategy that any novice Chess player should consider for the future.

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for board games, chess boards, and dungeons and dragons miniatures. You will find all these things and more if you visit used board games, castling on chess boards.

E! Online - Age is just a number for 15-year-old Miley Cyrus and her 20-year-old beau, Justin Gaston.