Aircraft Models Hobby Center

Posts Tagged ‘software’

« Previous123Next »

Why is it dangerous to roll open the top drawers of a fully loaded file cabinet that is not secured to the flo?

Why is it dangerous to roll open the top drawers of a fully loaded file cabinet that is not secured to the floor?

if it is fully loaded, you should have no problem (as long as it is not one of those little two drawer ones)

I have learned the hard way that if you are filling a new cabinet, it is best to start with the botton drawer

Is it possible to open a turtle shell with your hands?

Don't worry, I don't plan on doing this, but I need to know for a project I'm working on. Would an average adult male be able to pull a turtle shell apart with his bare hands? Obviously it'd take a lot of force, and I'd imagine younger turtles probably would be easier...but I'm just curious.

I do not endorse anyone trying! I just wonder if it would be possible without tools.

Not with the turtle in it. However, a cleaned shell is not that strong. Now I curious about why anyone would want to do such a thing.

If you mean prying open a closed hinge, fuhgeddaboudit. Unless the turtle is morbidly obese, you couldn't even get a fingernail in there to pry with.

What are the top ten producers of PVC resin (domestic or overseas)? A growing industry, looking for stock!?

I am relatively new in the Plastics industry, but seeing as how PVC pipe, etc usage seems to be growing and more widely accepted in building codes, I figure this may be a "sleeper" industry to do some investing. I am looking into the actual Resin producers, but I seem to have difficutly finding names and company info. Help is appreciated, thank you!

Sorry, but I can only think of two: Dow ( DOW) and Dupont ( DD)...of the two Dow is probably the better stock right now...but its more because of agricultural chemicals than plastic.
Maybe get some quotes on those two and see if the quote box lists " competitors"...they sometimes do.
Oh ! try moneycentral/msn...go to the " stockscouter"...somewhere on their profiles you can compare " stocks in the same industry"

Automotive maintenance and service records software?

On off days, I do work for family and friends on their cars... I'm a tad OCD about keeping records, but it's getting annoying just keeping a bunch of Excel files around.

Anybody know of software that can keep track of people's cars that i work on, and the work I do?

MS Access

We did not find any matches for your request.

Tour Operator Software

Since time immemorial, travel has been an integral part of human life. In the early days, man traveled in search of food, they led a nomadic life. As time passed humans learnt to settle down in one place, learnt agriculture to meet their food requirements, the concept of travel took on another hue. Now one could travel by boat, by road or by train. With further development and exciting discoveries humans learnt to do business and commerce. Trade between places became the norm. Soon came the era of the tourists. Now travel was not just for business it was also for pleasure and this realization brought in the very lucrative business of travel agencies and tour operators.

Today tours and tourists is a booming industry. There are millions of people moving around the world in planes trains and ships even as we read. With advancements in technology, travel agencies found life easier and business much better if they used computers to aid their enterprise. Today one can book tickets round the world in minutes all due to tour operator software that brings details in seconds.

So what is tour operator software? Well, since computers are such an integral part of any tour operator business, software developers came up with tour operator software that would aid the user to conduct their business without wading their way through pages and pages of data looking for flights, bus and train reservations and even ship, ferry and boat timings. The travel software is designed in such a way that it does the internet surfing and brings up only the results that have been asked for. Today one can do bookings anywhere in the world sitting in one office and you can get confirmed reservations at your fingertips.

Tour operators generally combine the travel, the actual touring and the accommodation aspects of any trip. There are tour operators who specialize in niche activities like skiing or surfing and they would then provide your itinerary accordingly. People want to plan their business related activities like conferences and seminars along with a short break, or then there are people who want only a holiday where everything is taken care of like pick-up and drop from the airport or the train station, all touring aspects like bus bookings, hotel bookings, transit details, tours and guides, camps and excursions etc. people also like to know before hand what they are booking and what they are going to get. So this kind of a tour operator software helps the tourism agency to provide the client with everything hat they want.

Tour operator software makes all these complicated aspects of booking etc very easy to do. A client only has to outline what his or her requirements are and the tour operator keys in the relevant data into his tour operator software run program. Most tour operator software incorporates an integrated reservation system along with relevant accounting aspects. There are web interfaces for client, agent and even supplier based transactions.

There is a number of tour operator software available in the market and one needs to find out which will fit specific requirements of the tour operator in question. The business could be a small one or even a mid-sized one; there is tour operator software for all. Each comes with a variety of features and aspects that are user friendly and will aid user requirements.

Tour operator software has been developed over a period of time in a manner that it can now be used for all aspects of the tourist business. Schedule management, pricing, reservations, motor coach bookings and efficient automated quotations are just some of the features that good tour operator software can offer its clients. With online sales and bookings gaining popularity this is an easy, reliable and efficient way of getting your travel details sorted out.

There is tour operator software that can start at a single entry point for accommodation and run through the entire travel requirements to end with the online booking engine which will complete your travel plans with confirmed authenticated and guaranteed reservations and even seat bookings wherever possible.

If you are in the travel and tourism business then your best option is to look for tour operator software that will meet all your requirements and make your work easier, more efficient and quick. The internet is the best place to look for the right kind of tour operator software. There are lots of sites and companies who offer some of the most comprehensive and versatile tour operator software varieties one could hope for.

Make a list of all that you need your software to do and then look for the company that can meet your requirements without making a hole in your pocket. There are specific kinds of tour operator software available that cater to small, medium and big tour operator outfits. You can select a tour operator software to suit your requirement.

About the Author

We did not find any matches for your request.

The 20 Most Important Questions In Business

1. What is your value proposition?

If you can't explain—in three jargon-free sentences or less—why customers need your product, you do not have a value proposition and thus, you do not have a business. Period.

2. Does your product address a viable market? 
Seinfeld's Kramer was convinced that the Mansierre (a bra for men) was his ticket to riches. Not that he did any research to confirm that there was a viable market, let alone one large enough to attract investment capital. Never assume you can create demand where it hasn't already been expressed. Don't hawk the next Mansierre.

3. What differentiates your product from the competition?
It's true that Starbucks ( SBUX - news - people ) made people believe they wanted $4 caffeinated concoctions, and Louis Vuitton lulled people into shelling out $1,500 for denim handbags. But marketing alone won't cut it. If you want to win in business, you need to deliver tangible value where other companies don't. Examples: rock-bottom prices (Wal-Mart (WMT - news - people )); ingenious product design (Apple (AAPL - news - people )); extreme convenience (FedEx ( FDX -news - people )). Find your edge and hammer on it.

4. Does the business scale?
The difference between modest wealth and obscene riches is "scale." Scalable businesses are those that can produce the next widget at a fraction of the cost. Think software: OnceMicrosoft ( MSFT - news - people ) shelled out to develop the code for its Windows operating system, the incremental cost of printing each additional copy was next to nothing. What models don't scale? Think service businesses, where the need for people grows with revenue.

5. How committed are you making this happen? rYou have a family and two kids. Are you ready to burn 100 hours a week for the next two years to get your start-up off the ground? Fair warning: If you want to run the show, get ready to give everything—and then some.

6. What are your strengths?

Google writes powerful search algorithms; Steinway works wonders with wood; Cisco sniffs out promising new technologies and buys them. Figure out what you're good at and stick to it. An obvious notion, perhaps, but plenty of zealous entrepreneurs lose their way—especially when the world seems so full of possibilities.

7. What are your weaknesses?

Know what you do well, and know what you don't. Example: Apple doesn't make the cameras in its iPhone; it buys them from somebody else. Countless online merchants farm out the design of their websites and back-office payment systems. Wasting resources just to be mediocre is suicide: Stick to what you know and find trusted partners to handle the rest.

8. What price will your customers pay?

Why will people pay twice as much for Clorox as they will for generic bleach? Who knows, but nailing the upper limits of what customers will pay, be it for an iPhone or a bottle of bleach, is one of the biggest levers in any business model. Consultants get paid handsomely to help companies arrive at the right price. For more affordable advice, check out "The Six-Step Guide To Pricing Your Product." Wannabe consultants should read "How To Price Your Consulting Services."

9. How much power do your buyers have?

No business wants to sell squeegees to the only window washing company in town. If that customer demands big price cuts, walks away or folds, the business is done. Spread your risk by diversifying your customer base.

10. How much power do your suppliers have?

The fewer number of suppliers, the more sway they have. A knotty-pine grandfather-clock business may sound great, but what if there's only one source of knotty pine? Answer: You're going to pay. On the flipside, beware getting hooked on hungry, low-cost providers who don't keep an eye on quality.

11. How should you sell your product?
Dell ( DELL - news - people ) Computer bypassed retailers and sold directly to customers, with limited tech support. General Motors and Coca Cola ( KO - news - people ) rely on distributors to move their cars and cans. Clothing companies like Ralph Lauren ( RL - news - people ) work both internal and external channels. And Apple keeps adding more of its own airy and fashionable outposts, complete with live product tutorials and throngs of geeky customer-service agents. Whatever sales method you choose, make sure it aligns with your overall business strategy.

12. How should you market your product?
Getting the word out about your company—without going broke—is no mean feat. In the mid '90s,America Online spent so much money flooding the planet with free trial software that it tried to mask the bleeding by capitalizing those expenses on its balance sheet. (Regulators later nixed that accounting treatment, wiping out millions in accounting profits.) For a host of innovative and affordable marketing techniques, check out "16 Must-Try Marketing Maneuvers."

13. How big is the threat of new entrants?

If there's money to be made, the competition will come. If not a direct rival (think what Microsoft did to Netscape in Internet browsers), then a substitute technology might take out your legs (look at what digital film did to Kodak). Construct barriers to entry—by filing a patent, securing an enviable lease, building a loyal following—long before that happens.

14. How do you protect your intellectual property?

A quick follow-on to the previous slide: Say you invented a car that can go 150 mph on solar power alone. A few months later five savvy rivals have reverse-engineered it and are now bringing their versions to market. Before you crank out prototypes for the public, file for a provisional patent. It protects your idea for a year while you work out the kinks. For more on intellectual-property protection, check out "Protect Your Prototype" and "The Patented Path To Profits."

15. How much start-up capital do you need?

Any early-stage investor or small business consultant will tell you that most businesses fail because they were undercapitalized. While there are no absolute rules here, "you probably want to double your initial estimate," says Jim Pack, chief executive of Curve Dental, an Orem, Utah, maker of dental office software.

16. How will you finance the business?

You have a few choices, including Aunt Sally, credit cards (dangerous), angel investors, venture capital (if you're really onto something), bank loans (good luck finding them) and the most expensive route, equity. Beware, though: Selling shares to the public comes with a host of headaches, including dilution of ownership, loss of control and regulatory hurdles. Bottom line: Bootstrap the business if you can. Finally, always remember to match the timing of cash inflows from your assets and the outflows to cover liabilities. A mismatch can sting

17. How much cash do you need to survive the early years?

For those who slept through the previous section: Again, mind your cash. Plenty of entrepreneurs boast hockey-stick-shaped financial projections but turn out their pockets before the good times have a chance to kick in. (Remember all those busted dot-com companies from the tech boom?) Hold back on the Aeron chairs and mongo Mac computers until more cash is flowing in than out—and then add plenty of extra cushion.

18. What are your financial projections?

You can't lead if you don't have a destination. Two critical milestones: 1) the point where more cash is coming into the business than going out in a given period, and 2) the point at which you finally recuperate your cumulative initial investment (including an adjustment for the time value of money). Financial projections should be reasonable. Paint too rosy a picture and seasoned investors will run; more to the point, you might run out of cash.

19. How do you keep the help happy?

What is American Idol without Simon Cowell? We'll all find out soon, but many people think the show won't have nearly the same draw. If you're lucky enough to find great talent, do your best to encourage them—and pay checks are just part of the equation.

20. What is your end game?

Looking to flip your business to the first guerrilla that comes along? MySpace did, Facebook hasn't. Different end games require different strategies. Always be mindful of yours. Not sure whether you want to build the next great empire or just make a decent buck? Ask yourself the following 13 questions.

 

Gustavo A Viera CPA

CPA in Miami Since 1983

www.vieracpa.com

 

About the Author

 

Gustavo A Viera, a Miami CPA, is a Licensed CPA in Florida with a Masters in Taxation. A Miami CPA Firm in for more than 25 years. His Miami Accounting firm was founded in 1983.

Small business accountants serving a wide array of clients in a variety of industries.

 

• In addition to his Public Accounting experience, Mr. Viera has also held the following positionbs:
  • Sr. Audit Manager - PriceWaterHouseCoopers (2nd largest CPA firm in the US)
  • Director of Finance - Hewlett Packard Latin America (9th largest U.S. Company)
  • Chief Financial Officer Supra Telecom
  • Chief Financial Officer Tracfone Wireless
  • Global Treasurer- CHS Electronics
  • Corporate Controller Telefonica of Spain, Latin American Division
  • Mergers & Acquisition Team Member for Hewlett Packard during the Acquisition of Compaq Computers.

  Knowledgeable in all aspects of Accounting and Auditing. Extensive Tax Experience in both Domestic and International Markets. Well versed in Financial and Tax Strategies for Foreign Investments into the United States, from the Start-up level to Large, established U.S. Subsidiaries of Foreign-Owned Entities. Initial Public Offerings (IPO)
  Certified QuickBooks Pro Advisor

CPA in Miami Since 1983

Professional Landscape Maintenance

Professional landscape maintenance is the systematic growth management of the organic synergy of your property. All vegetation ultimately works together to both the foundation for and keynote elements of every traditional-style landscape. What you pay good money to install continues to develop after the landscape designer leaves, and it needs professional landscaping maintenance to grow in a healthy and aesthetically pleasing direction. If maintained professionally, vegetation on all levels will literally evolve the landscape before your very eyes. If shortcuts are taken with DIY maintenance attempts, or if vegetation care is turned over to amateurs, the landscape will lose its value.

Understanding what professional landscape maintenance truly entails will help you better make an informed decision about what to invest in, and in whom to invest your money.

Gardens

Expensive gardens require professional landscape maintenance that will ensure their continued vitality and intended aesthetic function. All share a common need for the basics of plant maintenance that include the essentials of trimming, fertilizer, and water. While these may appear at face value to be very simple tasks, they can become very complicated in direct proportion to the style of the garden and the type of plants that are growing in it.

This is due to the fact that specialty gardens may feature unusual plant species that cannot be maintained with generic methods. One species may benefit from a certain cultivation or fertilization technique, while a species growing right next to it can wither and die from the very same treatment. Investing in a professional landscaping maintenance agreement that retains the original landscaper as the "gardener on call," so to speak, ensures that your investment in that special French garden, Italian landscape, or Renaissance-style knot garden will continue to beautify your yard beyond the first few seasons of its planting.

Parterre gardens,

Parterre gardens rely on shrubbery for border and basic form. This shrubbery has to be trimmed from the perspective of the big picture of the garden and not just the individual plant. Additionally, the gravel foundation of parterre gardens functions as a drainage system for the plant life it surrounds. This gravel has to be turned over periodically to prevent standing water from forming that can damage the plant life in the garden. Professional landscaping maintenance agreements help ensure that both the aesthetic and functional elements of the parterre garden remain true to form and viable in expression throughout the year.

Knot Gardens

Knot gardens go hand in hand with a passion for flowers and a love for herbs. The first knot gardens, in fact, were fragrant herb gardens carefully planted to mimic Elizabethan embroidery designs and pre-Roman Celtic symbols. As such, this type of garden has always relied on a blend of very diverse plant material arranged to encourage the intention of intertwining different species into a new synthesis of organic expression. Maintaining such a blend of vegetation without knowledge of each interdependent species is virtually impossible from the perspective of generic yard services. Professional landscaping maintenance is an absolute must for preserving the vitality and ensuring the continued growth of a classic knot garden or any of its many modern derivatives.

Trees

Turning amateurs lose on your trees is the equivalent of evolving your landscape in reverse. A big tree looks virtually indestructible when you stand underneath it. It is easy to assume that pruning the tree, landscaping around it, and lighting it is a simple task that anyone with a ladder, a pair of gloves, and a few basic tools can do.

This is a great way to kill a tree by cutting off too many limbs or severing a vital root. Damage to bark, as insignificant as it may seem, leaves the tree vulnerable to parasites and bacteria that can kill it with infestation and disease. Never trust people who mow lawns to sculpt the pillars of your landscape. Such people may assist in tree removal after a hurricane blows one down, but asking them to maintain the vitality of a tree often takes the tree down before the hurricane has a chance to arrive.

Instead, hire a professional landscaper for any and all tree maintenance, including installation of any garden or flower bed around the base and root system of the trunk. Never try to install tree lights yourself or let a freelance "tree lighting contractor" around your favorite oak. Let a professional landscaping maintenance contractor find you an outdoor lighting design company who will safely light the tree without damaging it.

Shrubbery

Maintaining shrubbery involves more than trimming the top of shrubs. Many shrubs are sculpted to resemble other forms and need an artistic touch beyond simple pruning. As resilient as the shrubbery itself may be to amateur attempts at maintaining it, its form and function as a design element can be significantly damaged to the point it no longer works with the landscape. Professional landscapers should always be brought in to handle any trimming that needs to be performed to maintain the appearance of garden or perimeter shrubbery. They should also be called anytime there is an anticipated hard freeze during the winter or a particularly violent windstorm brewing on the horizon. Professionals can cover your bushes and shrubs to protect them from severe elements and give them a better chance at surviving harsh weather in a form that continues to work with your landscape.

Written Agreements

Professional maintenance can be obtained from a reputable, established landscaping company anytime you recognize a need for it. However, pay as you go services can quickly add up to considerable costs if you think only of short term investment and immediate gain. Exterior Worlds is always willing to work with any client to establish a written landscaping maintenance agreement that allows the homeowner to invest in ongoing services at a reasonable price with expected intervals of service and consistently satisfactory outcomes.

About the Author

Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share information about that passion. At
Exterior Worlds
you can read more about
Professional landscape maintenance
or
Landscaping Design

« Previous123Next »

Exhaust Skill Stop Machine: An In-depth Review

Before play the poker games, players should acquire adequate knowledge not only on how to play the game, but also on various poker machines. If players want to get unlimited fun, they can use the Exhaust skill stop machine. Players can get detailed information on this particular machine through this description. This poker machine is heavy but easily moveable. Users do not need to take other person's help while they are changing the placement of the machine. Users have to set the machine plug in the right side of the wall.

No installation is required for this particular poker machine. Since, 110 volt is always store in the machine; players can play the game with great deal of concentration. Exhaust Skill Stop machine features several useful keys including reset switch, volume control system, video screen or animated display etc. these features make the machine more profitable. Companies authorities have tried to recreate new look so that these machines look gorgeous more than before and customer can easily attracted by the machines and buy it quickly.

There is an important key available in the Exhaust skill stop machine, which can be beneficial for the users to access the entire machine in a short time. They can change the odds by pressing reset switch. Company developers have installed custom-made labels. For this installation procedure, users can control the machine volume and quickly locate to the reset switch. While they are playing, users have to put one, two, or three coins, not more than 3 coins. Otherwise, machine will not accept more than three coins. This process is applicable for bit older and newer Exhaust skill stop machines.

Animation works has wonderfully represented in this particular machine. Players might think that the machines are unable to recreate the same casino environment in their house. However, it is not true. These machines give all the facility so that players do not need to go outside their house to get the flavor of the game. Company authorizes give their customer 2-year warranty period.

If any machine related problems occur in that period, company would change the machine or any parts of the machine. This facility is not applicable for the light bulbs located in the Exhaust skill stop machine. They have to pay the repair cost for the light bulbs. These machines have inspired by Japanese slot machines. These are almost similar like Japanese slot machine.

If players have any question in their mind, they can easily ask the question to the customer care executive of the slot machine company. They would definitely answer their queries as quick as possible. Players do not need to pay for that. For the reason that, phone numbers are completely toll-free. If they want to know the machine related functions, they can also e-mail to the company website. E-mail Id is available in the company website.

About the Author

Visit Brian Garvin and Jeff West's Website and check out our
Exhaust Skill Stop Machine
and learn more about
Poker Chips
from Poker Stars Direct. You may use this article but please leave bio & all links intact.

« Previous123456Next »

Smart Car Repair is the Way to Go

Smart car repairs are changing the way customers have vehicles serviced at auto body shops. The acronym SMART stands for Small, Medium Area Repair Technique.

This revolutionary car repair technique is saving customers' money by repairing only damaged areas of a vehicle. There is no longer a need to repair an entire vehicle surface for a scratch on the bumper or a dent on the door panel. All vehicles experience the need for repairs somewhere down the line.

Dents and scratches can damage more than the exterior of the vehicle. There can be considerable damage done to the monetary value of the vehicle as well. For this reason, it is highly advisable that car repairs be completed as soon as possible to prevent any further damage from occurring.

Smart car repair services aide fleet operators, car hire services, car dealerships and consumers in obtaining inexpensive auto body work. This can be routine maintenance or large repairs caused by big dents or other exterior vehicle damage. Many utilize the services of a smart car repair shop for touch up work for cars, vans and motorcycles.

A variety of car repairs can be completed utilizing this revolutionary technique. A few items on the list include:

Scratches to door panels Scratches to front and back bumpers Scratches to wheel arches Dents to any portion of the vehicle exterior Smart car repairs are not limited to the cosmetic exterior of a vehicle. Interior blemishes can also be repaired. These include rips in the upholstery, small holes in plastic trim, windscreen chips and cigarette burns to seats, dashboard or other interior structures.

Repairs are limited to the damaged areas of the vehicle only. This dramatically cuts down on the cost of auto body work as it creates less time consuming repair projects. Specially designed paints and chemical based paints can be matched virtually identically to existing paint. This eliminates the need to repaint the entire vehicle for a repair job in a tiny portion of the vehicle.

This special paint dries in half the time of stock auto body shop paints. Repairs are done on site and all products needed are in stock. These two components alone significantly contribute to the dramatic cost saving methods of smart car repairs.

Some of the costliest auto body repairs lie in damaged or broken bumpers and spoilers. Smart car repair utilizes plastic welding and finishing techniques on the original vehicle pieces. This process eliminates the need for auto body shops to send out for replacement parts. In return, customers are not stuck paying a bill that includes costs for the down time between ordering replacement parts and having them installed on the vehicle.

Moving inside the vehicle, fabrics and upholstery can be repaired without needing to remove all of the interior fabrics, vinyl and leather. Cigarette burns, stains and spills brought on by everyday vehicle use can easily be repaired at little cost to the customer.

Smart car repairs are changing the way auto body shops do business in the future.

About the Author

LVV Services Ltd.Smart car repair specialists who are located in South Wales.Covering Cardiff, Swansea , Newport ,Bridgend and surrounding areas. http://www.lvvservices.com .

« Previous12Next »

2007 Was a Banner Year for Auctions Hosted by R.m. Smythe & Co. With

Manhattan, New York - January 31, 2008 - R.M. Smythe & Co. held 6

auctions in 2007 offering historical autographs, currency, coins,

stocks, bonds, antiques and even two cannons. While compiling a list of

the more interesting lots that sold in 2007, the one unifying factor

that fits all of the items listed is that collectors were looking for

quality merchandise. This relentless search for quality became evident

in heavy bidding activity resulting in final bids that in many cases far

exceeded pre-auction estimates and set new auction records. Of

particular note was the December 12-13 sale #275 of part 13 of the

Schingoethe collection of obsolete currency, which saw many notes

selling for up to 10 times their presale estimates, with 94% of the 1162

lots sold at the final gavel (See http://www.news-antique.com/?id=783436

). Although interest in obsolete currency was very high, it represented

just a small portion of the antique and collectible merchandise that saw

very active bidding on the Smythe auction floor in 2007.

Here are realized prices on some of the more noteworthy lots sold by

R.M. Smythe & Company in 2007. The listed lots include the sale#, the

lot# and the final bid. In most cases the presale estimate is also

listed. The realized price listed does not include the buyers premium.

Detailed photos of each lot listed can be viewed by visiting the online

catalog for the specified sale# and lot# at Smythe auctions. See:

http://www.smytheonline.com/prices_realized/index.php .

Sale #270 - Lot# 1136 - Final Bid $24,000

1838 Die Alignment III, Reeded Edge Judd-84 Brilliant Proof. As a type

Gobrecht dollars are quite scarce, and when they are encountered, they

are usually from the 1836 mintage of 1,600 pieces. The Restrike Pattern

Gobrechts of 1838 (Judd-84) are considered to be R.5. This piece has

dark slate gray toning, but when rotated under light, very attractive

underlying hues of copper, gold, aqua, and blue can be seen. The proof

flash is very visible under the layers of color. Fully struck up, which

they are often not. The eagle's feathers are quite distinct. Although

quite attractive, there are some of hairlines on the obverse fields

adjacent to Liberty, below STATES, and below the eagle. Not perfect, but

rare this nice.

Sale #270 - Lot#1219 - Final Bid $55,000

1911 Matte Proof NGC PR-66. There is no doubt that the double eagles

designed by Augustus St. Gaudens are the most beautiful coins struck by

the United States for general circulation. During this period of coinage

history, the US Mint was experimenting on ways to make our coinage more

artistic. One such way was the new process the Mint used to proof gold

coins, resulting in what we now refer to as "matte proofs." They were

not well received by the public, and the low mintages for gold proofs

dropped further. The mintage for 1911 was a mere 100 pieces struck. This

coin is a picture perfect example of the Matte proof type. Pale yellow,

deeply struck and nearly flawless.

Sale #270 - Lot#1683 - Presale Estimate $15,000 and Up - Final Bid $21,000

New York Ch.E923. /Brooklyn. /First NB. $10. Fr.624. 1902 PB.

No.D765506/1 A. Choice-Gem Uncirculated. An incredibly rare serial

number 1 red seal Brooklyn that has not appeared publically since the

Kriegsberg sale in 1965. Totally original and in nearly perfect

condition except for some minor handling. The highlight of our National

offerings which promises to generate very aggressive bidding.

Sale #270 - Lot#3501 - Presale Estimate $25,000 and Up - Final Bid $30,000

$1000. A. T-1. Cr.1. No.129. PF-1. A crisp, bright, and remarkably vivid

example that until now has never appeared in any public sale. Its

existence was unknown to Criswell, Ball, Shull, or Fricke! VF or Better,

with seven light to moderate vertical folds. Neatly hammer cancelled,

with no pieces missing. Very boldly executed signatures of Clitherall

and Elmore. On the back are two lightly pencilled notations, stamp

hinges behind the cancellation, and an inconsequential water stain. None

of these are distracting, and they have no impact on the choice

appearance of the note when viewed from the front. Great eye appeal,

with brilliant green color, razor sharp black images and text, and ample

and even margins on all four sides. Strictly original , with no repairs

or ``conservation'' often encountered on Type 1 Confederate notes. This

is a note that would fit nicely into almost any museum quality

collection of CSA paper money. VF, CC. Ironically, the very first

Confederate paper money was engraved and printed by the National Bank

Note Company, in New York City. Shortly after the notes were ordered and

delivered, hostilities broke out at Fort Sumter, and Federal Marshals

moved in to the National Bank Note Company's offices and confiscated the

printing plates. Of the 607 $1,000 Montgomery notes issued, 116 are

known, 9 in Uncirculated condition, and two of those are cancelled.

Perhaps a third of the survivors are virtually unobtainable, locked away

in public and private institutions. The $1,000 notes were signed by

Alexander B. Clitherall as Register and Edward Elmore as Treasurer. The

fiery Mr. Elmore was not a man to be trifled with. Mr. Daniels, the

publisher of a Richmond newspaper, wrote an article claiming that Elmore

was a heavy gambler who was embezzling large sums from the Treasury.

Elmore immediately challenged Daniels to a duel and shot him! This

extraordinary Criswell Type-1 has never been offered publicly or

recorded in any census, and it was probably collected decades before

Confederate paper money rareties were considered to be particularly

valuable. This may account for the fact that other than having been

carefully dismounted from the two stamp hinges that held it to an album

page, the note has never been tampered with in any way. Worthy of a

premium bid.

Sale #271- Lot#35 - Presale Estimate $5,500 and Up - Final Bid $6,500

British statesman, war-time Prime Minister and Nobel laureate

(1874-1965). Choice Typewritten Document Signed /"Winston L.S.

Churchill,"/ 1-1/5 pages, 4to, on parchment, London, January 18, 1957.

Churchill's signature is penned at the conclusion [partially through

seal] and is witnessed by a solicitor. Bears embossed revenue stamp at

head. A / "Supplemental Agreement"/ to the existing book contract

between /"The Right Honourable Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill

K.G., O.M., C.H., M.P. of Chartwell Westerham in the County of

Kent...and Cassell & Company Limited...in the City of London"/ amending

the existing agreement between them /"to the extent that the Publishers

shall despatch proofs of the Third and Fourth Volumes of 'A History of

the English-Speaking Peoples'...as soon after the thirty-first day of

January one thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven as the printers can

provide them...Save as aforesaid the provisions of the Principal

Agreement shall remain in full force and effect..._"_/ In exceptionally

fine condition. Churchill's four-volume work A History of the

English-Speaking Peoples was published between 1956 and 1958, and was

the last major literary work completed by him before his death in 1965.

This great work had a somewhat checkered life however. It was

commissioned by Newman Flower and the contract was signed in 1933.

Although Churchill continued to work on the manuscript, his public

duties did not enable him to complete the work by the outbreak of war in

1939; when he returned to his old post as First Lord of the Admiralty he

delivered 450,000 words to the publisher in the best shape he had been

able to give them, covering his subject from the beginnings to the

assassination of Abraham Lincoln. When, after the mighty events of the

next six years and the loss of the election of 1945, Sir Winston had the

time and the inclination once more to take up his pen, it was to the new

project, his Second World War, that he turned first. With these six

volumes happily completed, he was able to look again at the unfinished

History of the English-Speaking Peoples which had been laid aside in

such ominous circumstances so many years before. Churchill had recently

served his last term as Prime Minister [1951-55], during which time he

had been awarded the Nobel prize in literature [1953]. An extremely

scarce agreement between Churchill and his publisher covering one of his

most important works.

Sale #271 - Lot#159 - Presale Estimate $3,000 and Up - Final Bid $4250

NELSON, HORATIO British naval officer (1758-1805); in 1800, he blockaded

Malta and Naples, held by French and Neapolitan Jacobins; annulled

Cardinal Ruffo's proposed terms to rebels, received absolute surrender;

restored Neapolitan royal family to power; became romantically involved

with Emma Hamilton, the wife of Naples consul Sir William Hamilton;

promoted Vice Admiral; created Duke of Bronte by Ferdinand I of Naples;

died in the battle of Trafalgar. Choice Manuscript Letter Signed

/"Nelson & Bronte" / as Vice Admiral of the Blue, 1 page, small 4to

[8-1/4" x 8-1/2"], on his ship, the /HMS Victory, "Off Toulon, the 13th

August 1803." / Addressing the /"Naval Storekeeper at Malta," /Nelson

directs /"that you receive into His Majesty's stores under your charge,

the Barge and Jolly (or four hand) Boat belonging to His Majesty's Ship

Victory, and keep them under a Shade or Cover 'till they are wanted for

the use of the said Ship..." /Paper repairs at folds, minor stain at

top, otherwise in very good condition. Nelson had been given command of

the /Victory/ just three months earlier, and joined the ongoing blockade

of the French port of Toulon. However, the French fleet managed to slip

past the blockade in 1805, and Nelson led a failed pursuit. Retiring due

to ill health, he was recalled in September of that year, and fought his

great and final victory at Trafalgar just a month later. A good naval

letter, showing how control of Malta, achieved in 1800, allowed England

to maintain a fleet in the Mediterranean, a key to its dominance at sea.

Sale #271 - Lot#722 - Presale Estimate $3,000 to $3,500 - Final Bid $5500

OXFORD: OXONIA ILLUSTRATA "Oxonia Illustrata." David Loggan. Oxford,

1675. Folio, red leather [by Bartlett?] with gilt cottage-roof design,

spine, six bands. Three engravings laid in. Minor dampstains and sparse

soiling, front free endpaper creased, front board slightly curled,

otherwise very good/fine.

Sale #272 - Lot#1263 - Presale Estimate $1,500 to $3,000 - Final Bid $8500

Central Bank of Brooklyn (NY) 1854. #199. 20 shs. Jolly old Saint

Nicholas rides in a sleigh full of toys, pulled by reindeer. A classic

vignette by Baldwin, Adams & Co. Durand Vignette Type III. Santa Claus

vignettes are some of the most sought after of all vignettes. The

Schingoethe collection of Santa Claus vignetted obsolete notes

established many record prices. First we have seen from this company. We

expect the bidding on this certificate to be quite competitive. Light

staining, left. VF.*

Sale #272 - Lot#4842 - Presale Estimate $7,000 to $8,000 - Final Bid $14,000

$20. Fr.953b. 1914. No.B2522533A. Choice Uncirculated. A real blazer Red

Seal $20 that looks perfect from the front and only the slightly askew

back centering keeps it from a Super Gem grade. The originality and

strong embossing are clearly visible through the PMG64 EPQ holder. A

marvelous note.

Sale #272 - Lot# 4938 - Presale Estimate $10,000 to $15,000 - Final Bid

$37,000

LT. Uncut 18-Subject Sheet of $5 1953 Legal Tender Notes.

A00000001A-A00136001A. The last note on the sheet bears the autographed

signatures of the Treasurer of the United States, Ivy Baker Priest, and

the Secretary of the Treasury, George M. Humphrey. Almost Uncirculated,

with some corner bends, and a trace of paper clip rust on the #1 note.

These are mentioned for accuracy, as you can never obtain a better

example of this unique sheet. Accompanied by a copy of a letter on

official Treasury Department letterhead, signed by Edward F. Bartelt,

Fiscal Assistant Secretary, dated May 20, 1953, certifying that this is

the first sheet of the first run of this series. A wonderful addition to

any great collection of U.S small size currency.

Sale #272 - Lot#2501- Presale Estimate $25,000 and Up - Final Bid $52,500

$1000. A. T-1. Cr.1. No.88. PF-1. John C. Calhoun, states-rights

advocate, left. Andrew Jackson, right. A crisp, bright, and remarkably

vivid example that was purchased in 1987 from our auction of Dr. Douglas

Ball's personal collection. Described by Dr. Ball as "EF, plus, cut

cancelled."

According to the 1987 description, on the back there were two lightly

pencilled notations, stamp hinges behind the cancellation, and an

inconsequential water stain, but these have all been professionally

removed. Hauntingly attractive, with the full eye appeal of an

Uncirculated example. The cancellations were done so neatly that they

are virtually undetectable from the front, and the paper quality is just

extraordinary. No folds are apparent. The signature of Clitherall is

boldly executed. The Elmore signature is a bit lighter. This is a note

that would fit nicely into almost any museum quality collection of CSA

paper money. Ex Phillip H. Chase, Dr. Douglas Ball, and Frederick Mayer.

You can't ask for a more impressive provenance! Far superior to the one

we just sold in our April 2007 Western Reserve Historical Society Sale,

described as " VF, CC" which brought $30,000. VF, CC. Ironically, the

very first Confederate paper money was engraved and printed by the

National Bank Note Company, in New York City. Shortly after the notes

were ordered and delivered, hostilities broke out at Fort Sumter, and

Federal Marshals moved in to the National Bank Note Company's offices

and confiscated the printing plates.The $1,000 notes were signed by

Alexander B. Clitherall as Register and Edward Elmore as Treasurer. The

fiery Mr. Elmore was not a man to be trifled with. Mr. Daniels, the

publisher of a Richmond newspaper, wrote an article claiming that Elmore

was a heavy gambler who was embezzling large sums from the Treasury.

Elmore immediately challenged Daniels to a duel and shot him! Of the 607

$1,000 Montgomery notes issued, Approximately 116 are known, 9 in

Uncirculated condition, and two of those are cancelled. Perhaps a third

of the survivors are virtually unobtainable, locked away in public and

private institutions.

Sale # 272 - Lot#2521 - Presale Estimate $7,500 to $15,000 Final Bid $19,000

Act of February 28, 1861. $1000. Cr.Unlisted. B-8. Hand drawn mockup,

with pasted on proof vignettes on red silk fiber paper, with hand drawn

coupons. Wagon load of cotton. Sailor bottom. American Bank Note. Top

right panel separated. Vignettes loose. Worthy of some restoration. Has

the appearance of VF. Apparently the work on this bond started later

than the $500. The firm got the text of the bond, had it written in by a

scribe and then stuck in vignettes as appropriate. An important unique

and historical

Sale #274 - Lot#1595 - Final Bid $13,000

Colombia. 8 Escudo, 1779NR JJ. Carol(us) III. KM 50.1. (NGC MS-64).

obv.: Armored bust, facing right. rev.: Crowned arms in collar of the

Golden Fleece. Slight lamination on cheek, and rubbed forehead away from

Gem.

Sale #274 - Lot#1616 - Final Bid $9500

18th Century Spanish Bronze Breech Loaded Cannon. Typical form, 39 1/2"

in length. Bourbon arms of Charles III on top of barrel. Breach fired

cannon with breech block present. Minor damage to pindle. Nice surfaces

with only traces of verdigris. One of only 40 cannons that were reported

on the /El Cazador. /The fact that the breech block is present is simply

amazing. Cannon weighs 200+ pounds. Must be picked up-no shipping available.

"As you can see, 2007 was a great year for Smythe." said Mary Herzog,

Vice President of R. M. Smythe & Co. "We had some exceptionally high

quality consignments, which resulted in a great deal of bidder interest.

For 2008 we've got some wonderful auctions planned and our customer can

expect even more quality merchandise on our auction floor."

Accredited media interested in scheduling an interview to discuss this

release or past or upcoming auctions are encouraged to contact Mary

Herzog at 212-943-1880

About R. M. Smythe & Co.

R. M. Smythe and Co., established in 1880, buys, sells, and auctions

coins, paper money, stocks and bonds and autographs at their corporate

headquarters at 2 Rector Street in the heart of the Financial District

in New York City. To order a catalog, to contact any of the firm’s

specialists, or to make general inquiries, call 212-943-1880 or

800-622-1880, or visit the firm’s website at: http://www.smytheonline.com.

About the Author

Plastic Bins

Plastic Bins are used for storage purpose. Everybody wants synthetic or plastic bins. Bins can be seen everywhere, from kitchen to a production floor. Plastic bins are classified in various categories such as: Stackable Bins, Parts Bins, Bin Cabinets, Bin Storage Systems, Storage Bins, Cube Trucks, Tilt Truck, and Miscellaneous Bins.

Stackable Bins are the storage apparatus and are a very significant set of products. There are a few various types of stackable plastic bins, which can be considered like Economy Stacking Bin, Classic Stack and Lock Open Hopper Containers, Lewisbins Parts Bins, Giant Hopper Bins, Tough Stacking Bins. Economy Stacking Bins are always the finest and are employed in sharing and manufacturing all over. Giant Hopper Bins are big, massive and heavy-duty plastic bins. Open hopper stackable bins are an ideal key to stock up and systematize large parts. They have a mass capacity of up to 100 lbs and can pile up to 6 bins. Stackable Bins are of low cost and high class.

Parts Bins are necessary in a storage, service or distribution operation. Parts bins are known by many diverse names like shelf bins, cabinet bins, corrugated cardboard or injected plastic. They are about 4 inches high and fits completely. Bin cabinets are required if you are stocking up lots of little or average size parts and want a bit good organization or safety of parts. There are many brands available like Hodge, Lyons, Penco, and Edsal for bin cabinets.

Types of Bin cabinets are Jumbo Bin Cabinets, Giant Bin Cabinets, Jumbo Economy Bin Cabinets, Bin and Shelf Storage Cabinet. Bin Storage Systems resolve the difficulty of not having sufficient bins. Bin storage systems let you to arrange a whole structure by one model number without killing your day counting bins and that is why you get utmost benefit of the room used. They are known by names Bin Systems, Industrial Bin Bulk Shelving, Bin Bulk Shelving, Giant Open Hopper Bin Storage System, and Shelf Bin Units. Bin bulk Shelving unit or industrial bin bulk shelving has the capacity of 750 pounds per shelf. Storage bins are must for many users. Economy Stacking Bin, Affordable Polypropylene Shelf Bin, Modular Dividable Stacking Boxes, Nest and Stack Totes are the examples of storage bins.

Cube Trucks are useful when there is a need to handle mass material. There are a number of different styles and sizes of cube trucks are offered to meet up the requirements of any size work. Economy Cube Truck, Poly Bulk Trucks, Toter Cube Trucks are the models of Cube Trucks. Tilt Trucks are used to store bulk products that need to be transported and then dumped. Plastic tilt trucks would let you to resourcefully get your work in advancement to where it is necessary, and then vacant the manufactured goods for the subsequently phase of manufacturing.

There are some miscellaneous bins like 180 Degree Stack And Nest Containers, 28 Inch Small Parts Carrier, Bin Cups, Bin Systems are also available.

About the Author

For additional information and resources for Bins visit Plastic Bins which offers Plastic Bins, Plastic Storage Bins and other industrial supplies.

« Previous12Next »

Lamps: History of Home Lighting

Lamps have been used to spread light since old ages, even before electricity was invented, and lighting was given a new meaning. The use of lamps can be broadly classified into two eras: The pre-electrical era and the post electrical era.

The Pre-electrical Era
The invention and first usage of lamp can be dated back to 70,000 BC. At that time, there was no metal or bronze to make lamps instead the then civilization used hollow rocks and shells. These hollow rocks were filled with moss and other natural substances and then soaked in animal fat. Animal fat acted as oil and this is how the first lamps were ignited.

With the advent of pottery, and the bronze and copper age, humans started to make lamps that imitated other natural shapes. Wicks came into existence much later and were used for controlling the flame or the rate of burning. In the 7th century BC, Greeks started using terra cotta lamps, which replaced the handheld torches. The word lamp has been derived from the Greek word lampas, which means torch.

Lamps and the Design Change:
There was a major change in the design of lamps in the 18th century, when the central burner was invented. With the invention of the burner, a separate fuel source was made from metal. Another small change made was the addition of a metal tube that could be adjusted to control the intensity of the flame or light.

This was an important discovery in terms of lighting because with adjustment, humans were able to diminish the lighting or make it bright as required. Another aspect was added to the new lamp, which was in the form of small glass chimneys. The role of the glass chimney was to protect the flame as well as control the air flow.

Swiss chemist Ami Argand used the hollow circular wick in an oil lamp for the very first time in 1783.

Fuels for Lighting
Different kinds of fuels have been used for lighting a lamp between 70,000 BC and now. Most of the early forms of fuel were beeswax, olive oil, animal fat, fish oil, sesame oil, whale oil, nut oil etc. These were also among the most commonly used forms of fuel for lighting a lamp till the late 18th century.

Around 1859, the first drilling process was initiated to find petroleum and with the advent of kerosene, which is a derivative of petroleum, lamp became more popular and usage increased. Kerosene enabled lighting was first introduced in Germany in 1853.

During the same time two other products were used for lamp lighting purposes and they were natural gas and coal. The first use of coal gas lamps was in 1784.

Electrical Lighting Lamps:
Lamps have actually come a long way from usage of coal gas to electricity. In 1801, Sir Humphrey Davy of England invented the electric carbon arc lamp, which was the first of its kind. The working principle for this lamp was simple and included hooking of two carbon rods to an electrical source.

The carbon rods were kept at a distance from each other so that electrical current could flow through the arc and thus vaporize carbon to create white lighting. Around 1857, A.E. Becquerel of France came out with the theory of fluorescent lighting in lamps. In the 1870s, the unthinkable happened with Thomas Edison inventing the first electric incandescent lamp. Since then incandescent lamps were used for lighting purposes in homes till about the early 20th century.

In 1901, Peter Cooper Hewitt patented his new invention, the mercury vapor lamp. This was another type of arc lamp that enhanced lighting using mercury vapors, which were enclosed in a glass bulb. The Mercury vapor lamps set the prototype for fluorescent lighting lamps.

The Neon lamp was invented by Georges Claude of France in 1911 followed by Irving Langmuir, an American who invented the electric gas-filled incandescent lamp in 1915. In 1927, Hans Spanner, Friedrich Meyer, and Edmund Germer patented the first fluorescent lamp. The fluorescent lamps provided better lighting as compared to the mercury vapor lamps because they were coated from inside with beryllium.

Since then we have been using different form of lighting in lamps, which includes Mercury vapors, incandescent lamps and even today, in some corners of the earth people still use the old wick and oil lamp for lighting their homes.

About the Author

Moe Tamani is an importer of Home Lighting as well as a designer of Henna Lamps.

« Previous1234Next »

GPS Tracking Using a Cellphone

The GPS-enabled cellphone market is forecast to more than double by 2012, hitting 550 million units. Put it all

together and GPS chipset revenue is expected to more than double to $1.3 billion in just three years time,

according to In-Stat. The GPS-based NextGen system, slated for completion by 2025, will straighten routes (blue)

and allow more planes to safely share the skies. Currently, Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) guide planes through

takeoff, then hand them over to a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility that keeps approach and

departure corridors orderly over the next 50 miles. The GPS system has been designed to be as nearly accurate as

possible. However, there are still errors.

Cell phone GPS tracking can also be a useful feature to the emergency services or police when responding to a 911

call from a GPS cell phone. For this reason, the FCC has legislated that wireless networks provide location

information for 911 calls made from cell phones. Cell phone GPS tracking systems is touted as one of the most

advanced technological milestones in the history of mobile communication systems. Global Positioning Systems (GPS)

enables the users to trail his own location through the analysis of satellite signals beamed down from many

satellites. Cell phone GPS website Mandated in the aftermath of September 11th, the Federal Communication

Commission (FCC) required cell service providers to make GPS tracking of cell phone calls possible. All phones made

since 2005 are GPS-trackable.

Cell phone GPS tracking is one of those advances. Cell Phone GPS tracking can prove useful in many walks of life

and especially when any emergency arises. Picture the scene of a road accident where injuries have occurred.

Update: Nokia intend the N95 to be a powerful one for all replacement for a media player, digital camera, digital

camera, PDA and now a GPS navigation device. It features a 2-way slide concept to simplify switching between

different functionalities. Nokia, Motorola and Beneflon are just a few of the companies now providing GPS-enabled

phones. This will change as the other manufacturers catch up, then we will see this technology being installed as a

default inclusion.

About the Author

The inside information on GPS tracking and ancillary supporting technology such as GPS Cell Phone tracking can be found here.

« Previous1234567Next »

The way forward for Pakistan

As the Pakistan celebrated its 62nd birth anniversary last month and the national Defence Day on Sept 6, the national goals set by its founders largely remain unachieved. The country faces an existential threat due to a host of crises. Poverty, ignorance, bigotry and insecurity are the ‘hallmarks’ of this young and frail nation.

I don’t like to sound ominous but there is little to appreciate in the present state of state affairs. Isolated and humiliated from without, and bleeding and feeble from within, Pakistan has changed much, unfortunately for the worse, over a period of a couple of decades.

As I indicated, I am not a pessimist nor do I want to breathe gloom and pessimism into my country fellows. But then, cure is unthinkable of without recognising and admitting that one is ill.

Many of us believe the things would have not been such a bad had 9/11 and preceding war in Afghanistan not occurred. They might be true, but partially. The Sept 11, which is not merely an event but a phenomenon, just caused to surface the deep-seated fissures in our society and body politic. These cracks had to come to the surface sooner or latter; 9/11 just sped up the clock.

The second reign of Nawaz Sharif represents a watershed in our brief history of 62 years. At least at surface things seemed to be moving in the right direction then. Diplomatically, we seemed confident--not to mention we discovered in India a new neighbour-- our economy was relatively stable; we had peace on our borders; and a decade of civilian political control showed military was no more interested in gaining direct control on the steering wheel.

But behind this calm lurked questions and challenges we had long neglected, even aggravated with wrong choices, and that were to come to haunt us later.

Nawaz Sharif was not satisfied with the winning of heavy mandate alone. Through the 13th constitutional amendment, he wanted to use this mandate to redefine the power equation to his advantage. He he was a legtimate, elected prime minister, yet like the late military dictator, General Zia, he used religion for the furtherance of his personal goals.By courting old associates of military, the rightist Mullahs, the civilian government further strengthened their position, and thereby further thrown the society into the deep of extremism and sectarianism.

Kargil War was a great set back for the reconciliation process between Pakistan and India. But it was not just an adventure rather a part of a well thoughtout plan to serve a special purpose. Nor was it a war of choice, but of necessity. Army, which looked at ease because of silent guns on borders, was in fact greatly perturbed over the increasing presence of the Indian Army close to the LoC. It knew well that it did not have muscle to thwart any serious effort by Indians to steel territory across the LoC. India had successfully done so in Siachin and in some other cases. The Kargil plan was in fact aimed at creating such atmosphere in which India is forced to enter into some sort of agreement with Pakistan, giving a more permanent character to the LoC. The plan might have met with success had the civilian government shown some courage and diplomatic skill.

Military was in no mood to further reducing its influence on political affairs of the state and after Kargil debacle it was even prepared for direct involvement to ‘put the house in order’. Mistrust between Nawaz Sharif and General Musharraf had reached a level where both wanted to get rid of the other. Apparently, the military bosses were looking for an opportunity for direct action and they found one when Musharraf’s plane was refused landing.

Despite all of its shortcomings a civilian government is better to military rule; history of nations testifies this. Thus the coup should have been discouraged at all levels and costs. (Too much of idealism? But, remember, a nation without ideals cannot find salvation.) Instead, appeals were made to the ‘saviours in uniform’ to intervene in the ‘national interest’

Even the judiciary once again failed in fulfilling its obligation and most of the judges of the SC and the high courts accepted and even accorded legitimacy to the power usurper. The SC judges who took oath under the 1st PCO by Musharraf included our celebrated CJP Ifthikar Chaudhry, the ‘hero’ of the lawyers’ revolution.

Musharraf regime took extra pains and meticulously ruined the democratic febric of the state. Taking a leaf from General Ayub’s concept of basic democracies to manipulate the elections, Musharraf embarked on devolution of power to perpetuate his rule, and he remained successful to a great degree. He started to feel the heat only when, after seven long years, his policies turned the media and public opinion utterly hostile. His position became really weak when his court party, PML-Q, received a deadly blow in Feb 18, 2008 general elections.

Yes, the Lawyers’ Movement did play an important role in his final capitulation yet it did little to fulfil its professed objective--bringing justice to the whole society. At best it has brought some political corrections at the top, besides selective cleansing of its own cadres, yet it has utterly failed in providing justice to the common man.

I would not talk of the utter mismanagement by the present government and the pursuances of naked self-interest by the other parties as well for the memories are too fresh to need a recollection.

For last so many years we have been preoccupied with the lesser-issues and continued to neglect the daunting challenges that stare us in the face. We did nothing to reduce the widening gulf between the rich and the poor; control rising levels of inflation, poverty, unemployment; bridge the power supply and demand gap; arrest the declining standards of education; provision of food, water, healthcare and other basic facilities; curb the rising religious extremism, sectarianism, national disunity; and the list goes on.

But of these, education, national integration, and socio-economic justice are those few areas where neglect is unforgivable. If history is something to learn from, we discover that no state or society could last for long that ignored these vital areas. Another scourge, especially in our case, is religious bigotry and extremis; and again the solution is education. Improvement can be brought in these areas only by adopting well thought-out longterm policies, and then we will get stability and prosperity.

But we have enough of our politicians, military saviours and bureaucratic genius; all disappointed us. The only hope left is ‘independent intellectuals’ who should come forward piercing the crowed of ‘paid intellectuals’ and prepare a ground and push for broad scale reformation of the society.

About the Author

Mahmood Sadiq is a freelance journalist based in Lahore, Pakistan.
Address: 306-E2, Johar Town Lahore,
Cell: 0332-4474956
mahmood.sadiq@yahoo.com

« Previous12345...1617Next »