VoIP Softswitch - The Heart of the Voip Revolution

Many innovations within the telecommunications industry, one can hardly overlook the significance of the development of Softswitch technology. To gain a proper appreciation of the benefits of Softswitch, let's get down to basics of what this technology is all about.

What is a softswitch? A softswitch is a centrally located device within a telephone network that is used to link calls from one telephone line to the other, through the use of specialized software. The functions of the softswitch were earlier undertaken by hardware, with physical switches being used for the routing of calls.

The softswitch is generally housed in a building belonging to the telephone company. This is called the central office and is linked to other properties owned by the particular telephone company and to other telephone companies.

Softswitch literally implies the operation of switches made from electronic textiles a trend that combines the efficiency of electronics with the visual appeal of textiles. In layman's terms, the basic function of the softswitch is to separate the hardware and software of a circuit switched network.

How does it work? There are different components in the system that manages the different functions. The Softswitch is controlled by the Call Agent. This is a sort of administrator that regulates applications such as services, billing, signaling and routing of calls. The Call Agent has the capacity to monitor a number of Media Gateways over areas that are separated by considerable distance. This has become possible through the use of a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol or TCP/IP connection.

The Media Gateway functions by linking different kinds of media streams to set up an end-to-end pathway for the voice and data transmission in the call. It may be equipped with a number of interfaces of different kinds, allowing for connection to different kinds of networks conventional Public Switched Telephone Network or PSTN systems involving DS1 or DS3 (Digital Signal) ports.

On the other hand, it may be equipped to accommodate interfaces linking up to ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) or IP systems. Modern systems will also accommodate Ethernet interfaces for VoIP applications. The Call Agent directs the media gateway to link media streams between the interfaces, making it possible to connect the call.

The Media Gateway may also be linked to any number of accessing gadgets. These could be analog telephone adaptors or ATAs (Analog Telephone Adaptor) with a single RJ (Registered Jack)11 socket for the telephone jack; the Media Gateway could also be connected to a PBX (Private Branch Exchange)or an Integrated Access Device (IAD), which has the capacity to accommodate hundreds of telephone connections.

Normally the larger access devices are housed in buildings in close proximity to the clients for whom they are intended. All it takes is a pair of copper wires to link the end user to the IAD.

PBXs and devices of medium size would be suitable for use on commercial properties. Single line devices would be more suitable for residential premises.

Recent developments. The International Softswitch Consortium or ISC is attempting to upgrade conventional networks to enhance their efficiency and accommodate more softswitch features. So far there has been a limited degree of success in that the principal elements of conventional networks have been delinked. The transmission function of telecommunications networks is expanding to make better use of Internet Protocol or IP.

One aspect of the drive towards delinking is demonstrated by the use of specialized mediation and gateway equipment to link circuit based networks to IP based networks to facilitate the use of VoIP. Even so, there is much more involved in this process than simply delinking the components of the system.

The delinking of Intelligent Networks or IN has only been partially successful. This has fallen short of the expectations of those who support softswitch technology. They claimed that the separation of the components of intelligent networks would provide better scope for the inclusion of more services.

The general feeling is that Intelligent Networks would not harmonize with call controls that are dependent on activation by voice. It was felt that new controls would be required which could be based on sessions and be receptive to multimedia services as well as voice and data applications.

Another initiative with a similar objective has been undertaken by the Internet Engineering Task Force or IETF to stipulate the potential for networks that combine features of Internet Protocol and Intelligent Networks. The goal of such endeavors is to create a softswitch that does not operate on circuit-based switches and that makes use of intelligence and logic-based features.

The dispersal of functional tasks will result in improved efficiency and cost effective operation. The function of switches will then be restricted to switching alone, while other components will be geared to furnish service logic and network monitoring. The dispersal of service logic implies that there will be greater flexibility in the development and deployment of applications and services at different locations within a network.

Rocky road ahead? Nevertheless, it is expected that there may be some problems along the way. For one thing, more conventional service providers have their reservations about going along with the initiative to advance Softswitch technology. Apart from that, Softswitch will have to be integrated with conventional networks since Softswitch will not become functional everywhere at the same time.

Another factor that is causing concern is that there may be special requirements to enable dissimilar networks to function together. Such requirements will involve issues such as verification and endorsement of network components and applications. Conventional networks utilize protocols such as SS7 to manage these functions. However, as networks become more and more sophisticated, these issues will also become far more complex.

Companies investing in Softswitch can avail of various advantages offered by this technology. One of the most important of these is the de-linking of call processing functions from the process of physical switching monitored by the Media Gateway. This kind of separation of functions allows a single software platform to be utilized for different kinds of media.

Apart from the fact that Softswitch offers scope for greater adaptability, it also enables less prominent vendors with greater potential to concentrate on the application of their choice. However, as a result of reservations about the reliability and financial implications of deploying this technology, migration has taken place in stages. Since the majority of recognized carriers have made a substantial investment in TDM or time division multiplexing technology, they are hesitant about replacing it with Softswitch unless it proves to be more economical.

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VoIP Softswitch Advantages To VoIP Providers

A VoIP softswitch is the most crucial and important factors in any VoIP business. Covering all the major roles in connecting and routing calls, a softswitch carries out all main functionalities within a VoIP business. Being a more advanced and capable system, the softswitch, apart from its main purpose, even contains various other features within it. This makes for a more feature rich yet, simplified software for VoIP providers.

For a VoIP provider the advantages that a softswitch brings are numerous. Being an innovative and advanced way of running a VoIP business, the VoIP softswitch is more than just software.

# Replacement for Older Physical Switchboards

The Softswitch is definitely an upgrade from the older switchboard in many ways. With a softswitch being software, the users can easily install it unto their server and start using it straight away. Another upgrade is the fact that by using a softswitch, the users can assign and route calls from there server while using the softswitch application, when compared to manually connecting each call. Once assigned, the softswitch carries out its duties and does not require a frequent change every time a customer wants to make a call.

# No Additional Hardware Required

Being software, the softswitch does not require any additional hardware to run. By simply installing the software onto the server (system), the VoIP provider can then use the softswitch to run their business. Unlike the traditional switchboard, the softswitch does not require any additional purchases to be made, a onetime investment can be made, leading to which the users can directly start availing its benefits.

# Cost & UI (User Interface)

The cost to own and run a softswitch is also far lesser. Instead of having a huge set of devices laid out and an operator to manually assign calls; they deliver all these facilities within a cheaper budget. The UI of a softswitch is simple as it explains the basic functionalities and operations in the most convenient way possible.

# Billing

An additional task that the softswitch handles is the billing facility. By being able to generate accurate invoices straight from the softswitch software, the users do not have to manually enter down details and form an invoice of their own. An Invoice directly based of the calls that have occurred through the softswitch can be pulled out saving time, energy and money.

# No Additional Hiring of Employees (or) Services

With the softswitch doing all the needed functionalities and duties more than what has been expected of it, a company can avoid hiring resources or service for those tasks. As the tasks that have been done by the softswitch are numerous the need to have separate employees run those particular task is a waste of time and money.

# Flexible Management options

The softswitch usually comes with a flexible management option for its users. This gives companies a wider range of options to pick from to choose the services best suited for them. With option such as Managed and Hosted softswitch, the users can use the software irrelevant of the fact if they have a server of their own or not. With the Hosted service, user can buy the software, run it on the provider's server, and use it straight from there, whereas the Managed service is completely owned by the users, and the software is installed onto their own server.

The softswitch is a definite upgrade and advancement in the VoIP field as it brings together many features and covers numerous functionalities within it. Hence, it is perceived to be a very helpful tool for VoIP providers, and those dealing with VoIP.

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How to find the best VOIP softswitch

Thinking about starting a business as a VoIP provider, then one of the first things to consider on your path will be purchasing a softswitch platform. Now that there are more companies on the market that offer such specialist products, which of these offers will be the most professional and will meet your even the highest expectations?

If you work in the VoIP phone industry, then you would have surely heard of the popular Class 4 or 5 softswitches. But what do they do? The main task of Class4 platformsis to maintain high traffic levels for long distance calls. Within its standard features are billing, transcoding and protocol support and conversion. Using the Class 5 platform you can go one step further. It not only has all the features mentioned above, but also dial tone, IVR functionalities, local switching and access to the rest of the network. Its main task is to work for the end-user; so you can add modules to this switch such as IP PBX, Calling Cards Module, Callshop, Callback and many others. When choosing the platform, you should firstly think about how you want your business to work. If you find yourself working directly with retail clients, then go for Class 5.

Built in billing system

Currently, some VoIP software providers can offer you a softswitch augmented with a billing system. It is worth finding such a solution, because this feature will significantly advance your everyday work. Thanks to the billing system it will be easy for you to set up call rates for the end-user and create different tariffs, which you will be able to adapt to different types of customer. In addition you'll be able to simply control your users' payments.

No extra hardware needed

Pay extra attention to the fact that when you purchase a VoIP system, you will also need to invest in additional hardware and software. Typically, to start a business in the VoIP industry, you need no more than a server with an internet connection. If you decide on a rental solution, you do not even need these things

Managing modules available

Conducting business as an Internet telecom provider should not cause you any major problems. Convenient control modules should allow you to easily and intuitively manage the whole system. Using them, you can create your end-users' accounts and control their payments. Make sure you ask for a management module that works online, so you can use itthrougha browser on your PC,a Smartphone or even a tablet. This will give you full control over your clients, regardless of your location.

Freedom of choosing

Whether you want to offer Calling Cards or you are planning to open a Callshop, your softswitch should allow you to attach the appropriate modules to adjust the system into your business profile. The most frequently chosen modules are IP PBX, Calling Cards, Callback, and Call Shop. Most professional companies will offer you a set of additional features too, so you could expand your VoIP business in any direction and advise which of them will be the most suitable for you. They will also offer you the appropriate softphones and other necessary applications and patiently answer all your questions or concerns.

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Symptoms and Signs of Low Potassium

Potassium or Kalium (K) is present as potassium chloride (KCl) and potassium ions (K+) in the cells and fluids of our body. The total potassium content of a healthy individual is 50 mEq (milliequivalent) per kg of body weight. 98% of this potassium is present inside the cells, whereas only 2% is present in the interstitial fluid, and in blood at a concentration of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.

Decrease in the potassium level of blood (hypokalemia) may occur due to abnormal distribution of potassium in the body. It may also be the result of increased excretion of potassium through urine, potassium deficiency, vomiting and diarrhea, or even a side effect of certain medications including diuretics, chemotherapeutic drugs, etc.

Hypokalemia influences the ratio of intracellular to extracellular potassium, which affects several cellular processes.

The effects of such an imbalance are seen through muscle weakness, cardiac problems as well as abnormal neuromuscular functions. Severe hypokalemia is characterized by a drop in potassium levels below 2.5 mEq/L, and needs immediate medical attention. Given below is a detailed account of the signs and symptoms of low blood potassium.

Mild Hypokalemia

The signs and symptoms experienced due to moderately low levels of potassium (generally between 2.5 to 3.5 mEq/L) are as follows:

• Fatigue
• Muscle pain (myalgia)
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Depression
• Mood swings
• Slow reflexes

Severe Hypokalemia

Potassium content below 2.5 mEq/L results in muscle malfunction giving rise to the following physiological effects.

► Skeletal Muscle Malfunction

Low level of potassium influences the contractions of skeletal muscles. It also reduces the blood supply to muscles which may lead to the breakdown of muscle fibers (rhabdomyolysis). The symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Severe myalgia
• Muscle stiffness
• Joint pain (occasionally)

► Gastric Problems

Bowel motility or intestinal peristalsis is reduced leading to paralytic ileus characterized by a partial or complete blockage of the intestine. These effects are manifested as:

• Nausea
• Anorexia
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal cramps
• Abdominal fullness

► Altered Renal Function

Potassium depletion leads to increased thirst along with resistance to anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), which is responsible for maintaining the concentration of urine. Increased thirst and altered kidney functions lead to an increase in the production of dilute urine.

Also, under normal conditions, the reabsorption of sodium ions occurs in exchange for potassium ions. But in response to the low levels of potassium, such reabsorption occurs in exchange for hydrogen ions. This leads to metabolic alkalosis characterized by an increase in sodium bicarbonate content of blood. These effects can be observed as:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination (polyuria)
• Breathing problems
• Cyanosis
• High blood pressure
• High blood pH
• Increased levels of ammonia in urine
• Increased level of sodium bicarbonate in blood

► Abnormal Cardiac Function

Under hypokalemic conditions, the electrical conduction system of the heart gets disturbed leading to abnormal and premature contractions. This leads to irregular or ectopic heartbeats. The signs and symptoms observed in these cases are:

• Anxiety
• Palpitations
• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Abnormal ECG

ECG of a hypokalemic individual typically reveals:

• Prominent U waves
• Flattened or inverted T waves
• ST depression
• Longer PR interval

► Liver Damage

The increased production of ammonia (by kidneys) affects the normal liver function of converting ammonia to urea. This causes hepatic encephalopathy, wherein excessive amounts of ammonia accumulate in blood. This alters brain function leading to:

• Poor concentration
• Poor judgment
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Seizures

Potassium regulates the neuromuscular activity of the skeletal, cardiac and other smooth muscles. However, the appropriate amount of this predominantly intracellular mineral, and its correct distribution is crucial for maintaining the electrolyte balance of the body.

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The Side Effects of Low Potassium

Potassium is one of the most vital minerals required by the human body. It has an important role to play in several body functions, including the smooth functioning of heart, kidney and skeletal system. Along with other electrolytes, such as magnesium and sodium, potassium produces electricity in the body. The deficiency of potassium - either because of low intake or unrestricted loss, initially surfaces in form of certain side effects, and turning a blind eye to these side effects only worsens the person's condition in the long run.

Low Potassium (Hypokalemia)

Hypokalemia, also referred to as potassium deficiency, is caused when the level of potassium in the body falls below the optimum level. Though rare, the chances of a person suffering from hypokalemia because of low potassium intake through his daily diet do exist. In most of the cases, this condition arises when high amount of potassium is lost through urine or vomiting. At the same time, there are cases wherein hypokalemia is caused as a result of the person's dependence on medications like Amphotericin, Antacids, Corticosteroids, Fluconazole and Insulin; all of which are known to decrease the levels of potassium in the body. Regardless of what the underlying cause is, lack of potassium in the body can hamper several body functions and trigger some life-threatening conditions which have to be treated at the earliest to avoid fatality.

The condition characterized by high potassium levels in blood is known as hyperkalemia, while the condition wherein less than required level of potassium is found in the bloodstream is known as hypokalemia. Both these conditions can lead to severe complications, and thus it is important to ensure that the optimum levels of potassium are maintained. Experts put the optimum level of potassium in our bloodstream in the range of 3.5-5.3 mEq/L. Only around 2 percent of the total potassium available in the body goes to the bloodstream, and minor discrepancies in this amount can surface in form of some obvious side effects on the body.

Side Effects of Low Potassium

Low potassium side effects usually surface in form of various signs and symptoms of potassium deficiency, including weakness, irregular heartbeat, stomach disturbances and frequently occurring muscle cramps. The person also experiences excessive fatigue, constant thirst, dryness of skin, and recurring chills. As these signs of low potassium are often associated with several other disorders, they are often misdiagnosed for some other health problem - which results in treatment delay. In such circumstances, the person has to go for certain tests, like the electrocardiogram, which are useful in diagnosis of this condition.

Other than these signs and symptoms, this condition also triggers other side effects on the body - most of which are attributed to the body functions wherein this mineral has a key role to play. The adverse effects of this condition also include relentless nausea, accompanied by frequent vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. Similarly, frequently occurring headache and insomnia are other low potassium side effects to watch out. People who consult a doctor with these seemingly minor problems are often asked to go for a tests and electrocardiograms as a part of hypokalemia diagnosis.

If the initial side effects of low potassium are ignored, the person's health can further worsen and result in severe health complications, such as heart attacks, high cholesterol, low blood pressure, etc. It has also been observed that the low potassium levels for extended periods lead to permanent scarring of the kidney. The inclusion of dietary supplements is one of the numerous methods to tackle this condition, but one needs to make sure that he opts for such supplements only after consulting a medical practitioner or a certified dietitian - these supplements do have certain side effects of their own.

Low Potassium Levels: What to Do?

As we said earlier, this is a condition which shouldn't be taken lightly, and it is in the best interest of the individual to consult a doctor when any of the symptoms of potassium deficiency surface. While the doctor will study the case and prescribe the treatment process, there are some simple things which can be done (alongside the medical treatment prescribed by the doctor) to tackle this condition. Ideally, an individual suffering from hypokalemia has to opt for a healthy, potassium rich diet to reverse this condition and return to normalcy. This would mean including potassium rich foods such as avocados, bananas, lima beans, tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, chicken and salmon in their daily diet. If he is taking any medication which is interfering with the body potassium levels, he should promptly consult a medical practitioner to decide the future course of action.

As in case of high potassium levels in blood, even low potassium levels can lead to grave consequences on the individual's health. It's important to tackle potassium deficiency signs and symptoms at the earliest, as there are high chances of the condition worsening with time. Potassium deficiency is one of the major health concerns in this era of junk food, and has to be tackled properly at the earliest. If that's not done, all the body functions wherein potassium has a key role to play will be hampered, and that will have a drastic impact on your overall health.

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Importing Your Blog Into Facebook

Facebook has made the impact over the worlds today, can be gauged by the fact that President Obama himself chose to visit the social networking site's headquarters recently. With more than 500 million regular users and counting, Facebook is one of the biggest platforms to share your views with a worldwide audience. What better way to promote your personal blog, than sharing its posts on Facebook. That way, all of your friends can read your latest blog posts, as and when they are published.

Two of the most powerful features of the Facebook website are the 'Share' button and the 'Like' button. Whatever you share, appears directly in the recent news feed of all your friends. Instantly your thoughts, links, videos or any kind of shared content can reach hundreds of people. When any one of them 'Likes' what you've shared, the post further appears in the news feed of his or her connected friends.

Thus the 'Like' button triggers an avalanche effect which multiplies the number of people who see and may read your post. That's why, importing your blog into Facebook makes abundant sense and you should know how it's done. Once you have imported the blog, you don't need to individually share every post. The posts that you publish thereafter will automatically appear on Facebook as you publish them. In the following lines, I will guide you through the procedure of importing your blog posts to Facebook automatically.

How to Import your Blog Entries into Facebook?

The facility to import blogs into Facebook and automatically share posts has been made available through an application called 'Notes'. In case you haven't used it already, it's an exclusive Facebook application that lets you share your thoughts and publish them in a plain note form. It's a great application to share insights, thoughts and excerpts from texts which you like. This Note application has a built in function to share your blog post by importing them via an RSS feed link. Here's how to go about it.

Type 'Notes' in the search box provided at the top of your Facebook home page. Go to the Notes application. On the left hand side, you will see a link called 'Edit Settings'. Click on it and a new page will open with a box where you must enter the RSS feed link of your blog. Once you have copy-pasted that RSS link from your blog homepage, hit the 'Import Blog' button and your job is done. The RSS feed will automatically provide the link of any new posts you publish on your blog, which will then be visible on Facebook news feed as entries in the 'Notes' application. Your previous posts will also be made visible as notes.

If you still have any doubts regarding import of your blog into Facebook, refer to the help section of the social networking site, which has a detailed FAQ section regarding the same, that should take care of any doubts you might have. As mentioned before, it's essential that you enter the RSS link of your blog in the Notes application settings to have your posts shared on Facebook. It saves you the hassle of having to post every one of your post links whenever you have blogged. The integration of blogs into Facebook and linking of Twitter account with the Facebook can make your life simpler. Connect your blog with Facebook and watch the number of your blog followers soaring.

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Choosing The Best Bluetooth Headset for iPhone6

Bluetooth headsets have been in demand as they make it a lot more convenient to have a conversation on the move. iPhones are some of the most expensive handsets out there, and many people buy them for their symbolic value. So, when people decide that they want to have a Bluetooth for their iPhone, they look for something that will complement their device.

Top Bluetooth Headsets for iPhone 6

Jawbone Era

Jawbone is one of the highest-selling Bluetooth devices and its new offering Jawbone Era has garnered positive reviews. It has introduced an accelerometer in the gadget which allows you to pair the device by shaking it four times, and tapping the device (when it is connected) twice will allow you to answer an incoming call. Another feature that has impressed most is that it can remember up to eight devices, out of which two can be connected simultaneously. The audio clarity is great, courtesy its wideband HD speaker. It is priced at $98 (Amazon) which is a fair price considering the features it has to offer.

Jawbone Icon HD + The Nerd

Jawbone Icon HD + The Nerd is second on the list courtesy its HD quality audio and simultaneous A2DP multi-point capabilities. And all of you who are wondering what role does 'Nerd' play, well, it is just an audio adapter which acts as an automatic pairing device, making it easier for you to use the headset for taking calls on your laptop. The voice clarity is superb and the Nerd makes it relatively easy to receive calls. Some cons are that the Nerd is only available in the pack, that is, you can't buy it separately. Also, at the price of $108 (Amazon), there certainly are better options to consider, like the Plantronics Voyager Pro +.

Plantronics Voyager Pro +

If you are someone who looks for substance over style, then Plantronics Voyager Pro Plus can very well be the headset for you. Its design may not impress all, but the audio quality on this headset is by far the best in this segment. Its long battery life ensures that it doesn't die in the midst of that important call. It supports stereo Buletooth, and the music quality is commendable. Overall, a very good package if you don't mind a bulky design. Priced at $74.50 (Amazon).

Jabra Easycall

Jabra is one of the leading manufacturers of Bluetooth headsets. Its range of headsets has been received well over the years and Easycall continues the legacy. The setup is easy and it pairs easily with the iPhone 4. Like other headset devices, it offers you the convenience of selecting the best-fitting earpiece which you can select from over four different sizes. The Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology ensures that the voice clarity is good even when you there are external disturbances. With a 6 hours of talk-time and 8 hours of standby, the battery life is among the best. A word of caution for music aficionados - the headset doesn't support music playback, but you can always rely on your phone for that. It is strategically priced at $50 (Amazon), which makes it a value-for-money device.

When the iPhone 6 had just come into the market at first, many people complained that the Bluetooth pairing on it did not work well with headsets and other similar cell phone accessories. Constant disconnection was noticed, but Apple fixed this problem with their subsequent releases of iOS updates. Today this is not a problem anymore, and even the new iPhone 6 that will work on Verizon will be work fine when paired with a Bluetooth headset.

The headsets can be bought from a number of sources, but if you want to get a feel of the weight and the look of the device, you can very well head off to a retail store. People who regularly drive and talk on the phone will find these Bluetooth headsets especially useful.

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Making Your iPhone as Dialup Modem

People who has plenty of travels due to several work reasons and may require Internet connection at any given point. Let's say you're at the airport, waiting to catch a plane. You have your laptop with you and it's vital that you send certain documents right away. The airport doesn't have proper Wi-Fi or wireless Internet access connectivity but your cell phone does; wouldn't that be the best deal? Wondering how to use iPhone as a modem? Read on to find out.

Use iPhone as Modem for Laptop

Along with other useful iPhone apps, the device can be used as a attached modem for your PC or laptop. Before using iPhone, you need to first enable it via iPhone dock-connector-to-USB cable. If your phone has a 3G connection, you can even make and receive calls on your phone while using it as a dial-up modem. The directions aren't very long or tedious. All it takes is few simple steps and you'll be good to go.

Step #1 ~ First and foremost, make sure that tethering has been enabled on the phone. What this means is, your other devices will be able to receive the Internet connection made available by an Internet-capable cell phone.

Step #2 ~ On your iPhone menu, go to Settings icon. The location of your "Settings" icon will be different as you can change it as per your own requirements. So it could be on the first page of the menu or somewhere else. If you're new to iPhone, this icon looks gray in color and has a cogs design. Click on Settings icon.

Step #3 ~ Now you need to go to the page where all the other subcategories are. So go to General category which will be towards the bottom of the phone's screen. The icon has similar markings as the Settings menu. Click on General and then click on Network subcategory.

Step #4 ~ After the Network icon, click on Internet Tethering option. Slide the option from Off to On. The Off icon is gray in color, and once you slide it to On icon, it will turn blue. This is where you have activated your iPhone to work as a modem.

Step #5 ~ Next, connect your cell phone with the laptop with the iPhone to USB cable. Once you connect the cable, a pop-up window will appear prompting you for approval. Click on iPhone and then select Apply. Your laptop has been connected to the Internet.

Step #6 ~ You have successfully turned your device into a modem. Now you can launch the web browser for quick Internet access. You can easily check the connectivity on the desktop toolbar, located on the bottom-right side of the screen for Windows and top-right side of the screen for Mac.

See, was that difficult? All you have to do is follow few necessary steps and you'll be online in no time. You can also read about how to set up Wi-Fi. In order to maintain Internet connection, you need to make sure that the USB cable is intact. If you turn your phone off, the Internet connection will be disconnected. So, make sure it has enough battery life and stays on at all times. The connectivity needs to be strong so that you can work online without any disturbances.

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Share My Top 10 iPhone Apps

About 60,000 Apple iPhone applications available till date and making the list of top 10 apps, is certainly a daunting task. Some applications are best for users who access social networking sites, while some work great for music lovers. Some work as virtual assistants to photographers and some guide students round the clock to minify their distance to academic propensity. Here is an attempt to enlist the top 10 iPhone apps for one and all.

Top 10 iPhone Apps of All Time

Pandora Radio

This list will be incomplete if Pandora Radio is not included in it. Pandora Radio creates customized radio stations and you can listen to your favorite tracks and singers without changing the radio stations every now and then.

Instapaper

If you frequently visit blog sites then you must have this iPhone application. Instapaper enables you to save the online stories and blogs and you can read them in your free time. To use this iPhone application, you have to register on Instapaper.com and create an account.

AroundMe

AroundMe is a must have application for people who roam a lot. This iPhone application provides you information about important services that are available in your surrounding, which include, coffee shops, petrol stations, bars, banks, restaurants, movie halls and hospitals.

ShoZu

ShoZu is a handy and useful application for those who frequently upload images and videos on the web. With this application you can upload videos and photographs on almost 50 sites at a time. These include, Flickr, Facebook, Twitter, Blogger, Photobucket, WordPress, MySpace and Photoshop.

Jott

This iPhone application transcribes your voice memos into text. All you need to do is simply tap on the record button and start speaking. You can record the voice messages and save them for future use. This application is useful for saving addresses and phone numbers on the go.

Google Mobile App

With this iPhone application you can make a quick and easy search of any data in your iPhone. Whether it's searching for a contact number or finding an address, Google Mobile App scans your mobile and helps you find the required data. This application also supports Google Docs, Gmail, YouTube, Picasa and Blogger.

Tweetie

Tweetie is a must have iPhone application for active users of Twitter. With this iPhone application you can access to more than one Twitter account at a time and perform all the tasks that can be performed on a desktop. You can download this application at $2.99 at your App Store.

Meebo

With this iPhone application you can stay connected to your friends and chat them by instant messaging on Yahoo, MSN, AIM, Gtalk, etc. Using Meebo is a nice way to cut down SMS and you can chat with your friends on the go.

WritingPad

A must have iPhone app for those who send e-mails and need to type text frequently. While using this application all you need to do is drag your finger along the letters and spell out the words. Initially the application is difficult to use, but with gradual use it becomes quite easy to handle.

Facebook

Having a Facebook application is need of the time! With this free iPhone application you can stay online on your Facebook profile and go social all the time. You can chat, check your wall, upload and view photos and do many more things.

Top 10 Apps for Kids

• Mad Libs Lite
• Toddler Teasers: Shapes
• Airport Mania: First Flight Lite
• Freshwater Aquarium
• Sneezies
• Squiggles
• Weetwoo! Kid Videos
• Chuzzle
• Itsy Bitsy Spider
• Old MacDonald

Top 10 Apps for Business

• ClockIn
• eBay Mobile
• Evernote
• iTerminal
• Encamp
• mbPointer
• iBank
• Analytics App
• LinkedIn
• Quickoffice Mobile Office Suite

Top 10 Free iPhone Apps

• iBooks
• GodFinger
• Windows Live Messenger
• Apple Store
• Find My iPhone
• Chop Chop Tennis
• Facebook
• Pandora Radio
• Twitter
• Skype

Top 10 Apps for Students

• BigWords
• iStudiez Pro
• EZ Read
• SimpleMind
• EverNote
• Wikipanion
• Dictionary.com
• myHomework
• PI83 Graphing Calculator
• Chegg

Top 10 Apps for Photographers

• PhotoArtista Oil
• Image Blender
• AutoStitch Panorama
• SketchMe
• Pano
• Photoshop Express
• Pro HDR
• ShakeItPhoto
• Instagram
• Iris Photo Suite

I now wrap up this piece, content, that you have digested some information on the top 10 iPhone apps. So, how about finding the best iPhone application that suits your need and getting it from the App Store... Now!

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How-To iPhone Data Recovery

iPhone being the giant star in the world of mobile telephony that it is, is prone to a number of untimely damages, both external and internal. If you're clueless about how to recover the lost photos, e-mails, messages, and other important data that were trustfully put into your iPhone, because of the fact that a wonderful information repository this device is, allow me to discuss a few easy software you need to install for successful data recovery on your iPhone. Mind you, the ones discussed here are not free of cost. However, they ensure the recovery of data of even a formatted iPhone. Let's awaken the pirates in us, and locate the lost treasures with the help of the methods discussed below.

Data Recovery Software

While the iPhone is a complicated device, loss of data is no new thing. However, without panicking, you can recover your lost data by using a popular data recovery software specially designed for Apple devices. Follow the steps given below:

1. Before downloading any software, make sure you stop uploading new music or image files into your iPhone. The moment you realize that your data is lost, you should not transfer any file from iPhone to Windows OS, and vice-versa. Chances are that they will end up being corrupted too.
2. Download a good data recovery software for your iPhone that is capable of searching for the deleted files onto your phone's hard-drive. There are many techniques and software available on the Internet, many of which are free of cost. However, paid software such as iCare Format Recovery, iPhone Data Recovery Software, and DriveSavers are brilliant picks for the recovery of all kinds of data lost from your iPhone.
3. Make sure you have 50 MB of hard-disk space available on your phone, and approx. 512 MB of memory free. The reason behind this is the fact that the software would not be able to operate properly if there is no adequate space free in the system.
4. When the software is downloaded, install and run it on your phone. It will take a while to crawl through your iPhone's hard-disk in search for all the lost data.

Tip: After a thorough crawling, the data recovery software will recover all your data back to its original place. Remember, you should go for such software only when you have never backed-up your data on your computer before. However, if you've already made a back-up of all your files on your PC with the help of iTunes, in three simple steps, you can get all your data back to your iPhone. Some more software options are lined up below:

• iPhone Backup Extractor
• Paraben's iRecovery Stick
• MiniTool Power Data Recovery
• Data Recovery Mac

Take the following method into consideration if you've created a backup of your iPhone's data into your PC/Mac with the help of iTunes.

Recovering Lost Data: iTunes

Just a single sync, and you have all your data backed up in iTunes. If you're convinced you backed up all the data on your iPhone before any data was lost, iTunes can very well help you out in recovering it. Here's how:

1. The first step is to connect your iPhone with your PC in the very normal way you sync both.

2. Look for the back-up of your files on your computer. You'll find it in the C drive of your computer, unless you have saved it manually somewhere else. Here go the paths:

For Windows XP or Vista: C:\Documents and Settings\USERNAME\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup

For Mac: Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup

3. When you're successful in following the path, you will see a filename that has an .mdbackup extension. This is your back-up. Click on it.

4. Select the option that says Restore, and your files will be sent to the phone from your PC. Note that, restoring contacts is difficult in this case, and you have to get them in a file, and manually feed them. However, it's much better than losing 'em all mysteriously.

Method Two is always advisable for the DIY kinds, and is definitely the very first option (cheapest too) for iPhone users. However, for those who know their lost files don't exist in the iTunes backup folder, Method One is highly recommended. Some of them might cost a bomb, but the results are satisfactory. As the last bit of advice, always create a backup of your data in your iTunes folder to avoid all kinds of data loss.

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Download Google Chrome Standalone Offline Installer

As we all know about Google's web browser Google Chrome are becoming more and more popular among netizens and all Internet users. You can download it using this link. Once you start downloading, as you may noticed it downloads a very small file installer which again downloads the required setup files from Google server.

The problem using the above link Google Chrome installer is when your are not connected to internet so there's no way to install the Google web browser, an alternative is the so called Google Chrome standalone installer or the offline Google Chrome installer this will let your install the Google web browser even your PCs is not hook to the internet.

New Links: (always download latest release version)

• Google Chrome Standalone Offline Installer (32-bit)
• Google Chrome Standalone Offline Installer (64-bit)

Alternative Links: (other working download links)

• Google Chrome Offline Installer (32-bit)
• Google Chrome Offline Installer (64-bit)

For All User Accounts: (if you want to install Chrome for all user accounts)

• Google Chrome Offline Installer (32-bit)
• Google Chrome Offline Installer (64-bit)

The above URLs will always provide the latest Google Chrome version. So enjoy it.

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Acid reflux cure

Heartburn or acid reflux has become such an problem among buyers during the last couple of years, that it is made an solely of drugs to remedies for gerd. As a result of the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives rarely present us the chance to have a minute and response our personal requires, we miss the selections to make ourselves healthy, acid sensitive meals. We miss the opportunity to need a morning operate or allow it to be towards health club just before it closes.

When we lack the chance, time or even motivation to take care of ourselves as we should, we operate the danger of developing diseases like acid reflux. The erosion of your esophagus is what turns gerd into a painful and dangerous illness and may be caused by eating as well quite a few spicy foods, not exercising correctly and not letting ourselves digest healthful meals as we should. But, this is fantastic news to companies and doctors who make and promote the use of supplements to assist treatment gerd.

Some Possibilities to Solution Acid reflux

Nexium, also known as the minor purple pill has produced headlines from the medical business as a single within the better medicines meant to treatment method acid reflux disease. They have extensive coverage on television commercials and in print ads, claiming the capability to relieve gerd signs, and to remedies for the condition altogether just by taking a single pill a day. The treatment is doctor prescribed and your medical doctor should be consulted previous to deciding if or not this medicine is best for you.

Over the counter remedies which are meant to solution heartburn or acid reflux signs are frequent choices for millions of men and women day-to-day. Merchandise like Tums, Pepto Bismol and Rolaids are convenient, inexpensive and really do not demand a doctor’s prescription. They job properly in calming heartburn and other signs or symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux or indigestion. On the other hand, they do not give a treatment method for that acid reflux disorder disease like doctor prescribed medications are thought to do.

If over the counter solutions please don’t relieve your acid reflux or you’re seeking for the a bit more lengthy term solution but you’re not positive which product is best for you, talk to your doctor. Make a list of inquiries to request and bring it along. Ask as many queries as you possibly can, get as many pamphlets as you can. With your doctor’s assist, you can find a cure on your acid reflux.

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Foods that cause Acid Reflux

Heartburn or acid reflux occurs when the reduced esophageal sphincter is weakened or forced open by precise ingredients or diet regime options. Every person will have their own triggers in terms of acid reflux disease, having said that you can find particular ingredients that root cause heartburn or acid reflux inside the majority of those who endure from the affliction.

Caffeine will not be considered a food, but it’s higher relating to the list of food that lead to acid reflux disorder. This contains coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages. Sadly, these are vices for a lot of us. Some can barely stand to face the day ahead of a cup of coffee or 3. Carbonated beverages are practically addictive. Giving up these comforts can be hard, but will surely assist alleviate occurrences of acid reflux disorder.

It will be no surprise that fried food and other great fat ingredients are on the exceptionally top with the list of meals that trigger heartburn or acid reflux. This can be as these your foods take a long time for that body to digest. This increases strain inside abdomen, which in turn puts demand relating to the decrease esophageal sphincter and lets for reflux to occur.

Other standard meals that grounds acid reflux disorder incorporate citrus foodstuff and juices, tomatoes and tomato based products, and chocolate. Whilst it is not a food, tobacco can also be a prime offender. Every single of these meals that explanation heartburn or acid reflux weakens the minimize esophageal sphincter and facilitates for stomach contents and juices to rise up.

Methods to Battle Again From Meals that Bring about Heartburn or acid reflux

Gerd can be a circumstance that some put up with as a result of, but one can find methods to prevent flare-ups. The easiest way is always to prevent the foods that result in acid reflux disorder to occur. Every single individual ought to eventually be able to recognize their trigger meals and prevent them. In other instances, medications could be essential so that you can combat again in opposition to these foods that induce acid reflux.

There are actually other, organic methods to combat foods that cause acid reflux. A single would be to not eat also much. When the stomach is also total, it places force at the minimize esophageal sphincter. It is critical not to lie down directly following eating and is recommended not to lie down until two to 3 hours once consuming. Each one of these can without difficulty be done and will lessen the occurrences of acid reflux.

Foods that cause acid reflux are some of this foods that customers appreciate most, which can be why acid reflux is such a common difficulty. Luckily, there are options to fight again against these foods that cause acid reflux!

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11 Natural Remedies to Lower High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure-also known as hypertension or “the silent killer”-affects 1 in 3 adult Americans, or roughly 67 million people, and that number only continues to grow. 90-95% of cases are known as primary hypertension, which is hypertension with no underlying medical cause. The small left-over percentage is caused by conditions such as kidney disease. But what is this mysterious silent killer?

Blood and its circulation are vital to sustain life. They supply crucial nutrients and oxygen to all the cells and organs in our body. They also remove waste and carbon dioxide. When the heart beats it creates pressure that pushes blood through your arteries and veins. This pressure, if you haven’t guessed, is our blood pressure. Two forces pump the blood through our bodies, the first being created by the heart pumping blood out into the arteries, and the second occurs when the heart rests between beats and blood is drawn back into the muscle. When your blood pressure rises, damage can occur that upsets this system.

If you have hypertension, your heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through the body. And while healthy arteries are made of semi-flexible muscle, the force of high blood pressure will lead to overstretching their walls. This overstretching can lead to tiny tears in blood vessels (known as vascular scarring) that leaves tissue that catch things such as cholesterol/plaque, and other blood cells. Building off of the latter, this leads to an increased risk of blood clots. The walls will also become weakened over time. Tissue damage from being oxygen depleted occurs in parts of the arteries on the other side of a blockage or build-up of plaque, depriving it of fresh oxygenated blood, and heart attacks and strokes are the result if the pressure becomes too high.

Before starting drug therapy, try lifestyle changes and some home remedies for high blood pressure. Not surprisingly, things such as diet and exercise play a big role in lowering blood pressure, so always keep those two things at the forefront of your mind. Medications can be harsh, and while best avoided if possible, if you are on them, know that natural remedies can interfere with their functioning.

1. Cut the Salt

Salt is not the problem when it comes to high blood pressure, per say, but rather its chemical component sodium. A little bit is fine, but too much sodium disrupts the balance of fluid in the body. To “flush” the excess salt from your system, water is drawn from surrounding tissues. The higher volume of liquid results in the heart working harder to pump the blood-hence, high blood pressure. Sure we use a lot of table salt on our foods, but still, that amount isn’t enough to account for the rise in blood pressure. Actually, only 6% of our salt consumption comes from the table shaker. The vast amounts of salt we consume daily (on average 1-2 generous teaspoons) couldn’t possibly be caused by the salt we sprinkle on our food alone. No you have to dig a little bit more to get to the source-processed foods. Such an extraordinary quantity of excess salt is added into processed foods it’s easy to stray over the healthy limit of sodium intake. A specific example-a single microwave “roast turkey” meal can have salt in the meat, the flavoring, the gravy, the stuffing, and the potatoes, to equal a whopping 5,400 milligrams of sodium. The utmost maximum daily limited is listed at 2,300 milligrams-even less for African Americans, men, and anyone over the age of 51. If you fall into one of those categories, you should only consume less than ½ teaspoon a day. Even foods that are labeled low-fat or low in sugar can still contain a boatload of sodium. Food companies do this to, logically, increase the value of their products. We get hooked on the flavor. Of all the flavors (sweet, sour, etc.,) it is the hardest to live without. How do you fight it to lower your blood pressure?

You will need…

-the power of will

Directions

In short, slowly add less and less to your cooking. And of course, read the labels on the food you buy carefully. Remember the number 2,300 for daily intake of sodium-any higher than that, and it’s a no-go. You’ll find yourself turning to home cooked meals, where you can control the amount of salt added, instead of processed foods. Stick with it, and you will find if you go back to an excess amount of salt after adjusting your taste buds to less, you will be close to repulsed at the flavor.

Intensive research has shown that the more salt you eat, the more you need. If you eat less salt, you only need to add less to your food or have less in your food, to be satisfied with a smaller amount. We are not born liking salt. A baby will get joy from a droplet of sugar water, but there is no taste, no craving, for salt until 6 months of age. When studied children were fed salty foods, versus children who ate more fruits and vegetables, a craving was created in the former group where none existed before. These cravings can shape you’re eating habits for years. Soups, chips, crackers, pizza, sauces, fries, etc. etc., it’s easy for even the young generations to get hooked on salt at an early age. Keep your wits about you!

2. Sip Some Hibiscus

Cultures across the world have used hibiscus to naturally manage blood pressure, but it wasn’t until the past decade that studies were actually conducted that showed there was more to the remedy than just folklore. First, hibiscus acts as a diuretic, which draws sodium from the bloodstream, thus decreasing the pressure on the arterial walls. Even more interesting is how it can mimic angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are a common group of pharmaceutical drugs used to treat high blood pressure. They work by hampering the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which plays a crucial role in the renin-angiotensin system- a hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance. As a result of this inhibition, blood vessels relax and blood volume is lowered, decreasing blood pressure. While certainly not as potent as those ACE drugs prescribed, it can still be surprisingly effective.

You will need…

-1-2 teaspoon of dried hibiscus
-1 cup of fresh, piping hot water
-Honey, lemon, or 1-2 cinnamon sticks (optional)

Directions

Bring water to a boil and add the hibiscus and cinnamon sticks (if using them) and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Add honey or lemon to taste, and drink 2-3 times daily. This also makes a lovely iced tea for those sticky hot summer days.

3. Drink Coconut Water

Coconut water is found inside the shell of green, unripe coconuts that retains its natural benefits in organic and raw form. It contains potassium and magnesium, both of which relate to regular muscle function, and of course, the heart is a big giant muscle. While there have been some limited studies on the effect of coconut water on hypertension, many people report anecdotally that it has helped lower blood pressure. In studies, it seemed to particularly affect systolic blood pressure, or the force that takes place when the heart pumps blood away from it. If you don’t have a problem with coconut water, it may prove to be a solid remedy for you.

You will need…

-8 ounces of fresh, organic coconut water

Directions

Drink 8 ounces 1-2 times daily. Morning is ideal if you drink it once a day, while morning and night works well if you opt to drink it twice a day.

4. Fabulous Fish Oil

Of course this is on here! You may roll your eyes because you’ve seen it everywhere, but fish oil and its bountiful omega-3 fatty acids are a beautiful thing when it comes to your heart. While studies have been wishy-washy on whether or not it actually reduces the risk of heart attacks or strokes, it has been viewed as successful when it comes to lowering blood pressure, while also reducing triglycerides and increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Heart transplant patients have been given fish oil to reduce the risk of hypertension following a transplant.

You will need…

-High quality fish oil

Directions

I prefer liquid fish oil taken in orange juice to the pills which can have some…unpleasant side effects. Take the amount appropriate for you as indicated on the back of the bottle.

5. Heart Healthy Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a staple herb when it comes to heart health as it is rich in flavonoids, namely, oligomeric procyandins (OPC’s) and quercetin. Flavonoids are touted as having many benefits, but one of the most intensely studied conditions that it affects is various forms of heart disease. This includes arrhythmia, palpitations, improve the function of capillaries, regulate glucose metabolism and, of course, reduce arterial blood pressure and the risk of hypertension. There are several different mechanical actions that flavonoids can take on the blood, but pertaining to hypertension the most important may be the widening of the blood vessels, which ultimately reduces the pressure of the blood. You can enjoy hawthorn in the form of a tea or in the form of “balls”, which is what is given below. The recipe also calls for cinnamon and ginger, which are great for helping circulation flow smoothly. It was the herbalist Rosemary Gladstar who taught me how to make these wonderful herbal balls, and while I’ve tweaked the recipe some, I’ll forever be grateful to her for tuning me into this wonderful way of enjoying herbal medicine!

You will need…

-4 tablespoons of powdered hawthorn berry
-1/2-1 tablespoons of cinnamon powder
-Raw honey
-Water
-Cocoa or carob powder

Directions

Place the cinnamon and hawthorn powder in a bowl and mix the two together. Add just enough honey and water to make a paste. Thicken the mixture with cocoa powder or carob powder until it has formed a dough that you can cleanly roll into small balls no bigger than your index fingernail. Place them on a cookie sheet and dry in an oven at a very low temperature (not more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit) until dry. Store indefinitely in a glass jar out of direct sunlight and in a cool place.

6. Exercise

Along with diet, exercise should really be number one on this list. Nothing can replace what exercise does for the body, and in a society where we are becoming increasingly sedentary, it can take a bit more effort to get out and get moving-but it’s worth it, especially if you have high blood pressure. The heart is a muscle, and it will grow stronger with exercise. It becomes easier to pump blood and takes less effort, keeping your heart in better condition and lowering how much force it exerts on your arteries, thus lowering blood pressure. Exercise is, in many cases, all that you need to get your blood pressure back on track. The top number in a blood pressure reading indicates systolic blood pressure, which is created by the heart pumping blood away from it. Exercise can lower this reading by an average of 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (a unit of pressure), which is easily as much as some prescription blood pressure medications. A pleasant side effect of exercise is weight loss, which also does your heart and arteries a great favor.

You will need…

-Willpower!

Directions

Try and get in at 30 minutes of exercise a day. You don’t have to run marathon-even simple chores like scrubbing the floors are good. Anything that gets your heart rate up and increases your rate of respiration. Make this a habit. You only get the benefits of exercise as long as you exercise.

7. Go For Garlic

Garlic is one of those home remedy staples. It is rich in beneficial constituents that address a wide range of ailments, once of which happens to be hypertension. There is just one little catch though. Allicin, the organosulphur-sulfur containing- compound responsible for several of garlic’s health benefits, doesn’t fare as well in the human body when garlic is eaten raw. Allicin is relatively unstable, and is typically deactivated when it comes in contact with a substance with a pH lower than 3, such as our stomach acid. However, when taken in tablet form, there is a guaranteed allicin yield that ensures you get the proper amount to have solid results when it comes to lowering blood pressure. Be sure when getting the tablets that there is a release of allicin in a significant, standardized amount-in several studies involved with blood pressure, 1.8 milligrams per dose lowered blood pressure by 10% within 12 weeks.

You will need…

-Good quality garlic tablets

Directions

Take as directed on the back of the bottle.

8. Melon in the Morning

Every morning, be faithful to watermelon. Often times watermelon as viewed as a strictly summer fruit, one for seed spitting contests and barbecues, but it can also help lower blood pressure. An organic compound called citrulline, an a-amino acid, was first isolated in 1914 from watermelon. Once ingested, the body can convert citrulline to the amino acid L-arginine, which is a precursor to nitric oxide. To translate, citrulline-found in watermelon- is converted into arginine-essentially a chemical building block-which leads to the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide talks to various cells and systems in your body that regulates, among other things, how hard your blood gets pumped through your entire body-also known as vascular systematic resistance. It will widen blood vessels, which lowers vascular resistance, which ultimately lowers blood pressure. Imagine trying to pump a certain volume of liquid through a small opening versus a wider opening. The wider opening will allow it to flow smoothly and easily-it’s the same with blood cells!

You will need…

-1-2 cups of fresh water melon

Directions

Every morning eat your melon on an empty stomach. If you have a home blood pressure device, monitor yourself and observe the changes.

9. Ginger-Cardamom Tea

A study done in December of 2009 published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics gave a group of participants 1 teaspoon of cardamom powder daily for several weeks. The results showed a significant reduction in blood pressure. While further research is needed to pinpoint exactly why it seems to help, it has still proven itself a useful home remedy for high blood pressure. Combined with ginger and cinnamon, both warming spices that improve circulation, you can make a lovely tea to help your heart get healthy. Interestingly enough, black tea seems to improve blood pressure in some instances. This is most likely due to the heavy concentration of flavonoid, however if you have blood pressure that leans towards the more severe side of the scale; the caffeine may do more harm than good. This is particularly delightful warm, spicy, tea to have on chilly winter days (and when we’re tempted from eating healthier thanks to the holidays!)

You will need…

-1/2 cup of water
-2-3 teaspoons of honey (or to taste)
-1 teaspoon of cardamom pods
-1/2 teaspoon ginger powder OR 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
-1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
-1 ½ tablespoons black tea or 1 teabag
-1/2 cup milk
-Mortar and pestle

Directions

Crush the cardamom pods to release the oil-there’s no need to grind them finely. In a saucepan combine all the ingredients except for the honey. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 6-9 minutes until you get a rich caramel brown color. Stir in honey and then strain into a mug and enjoy! Drink 1-2 times daily.

10. Cat’s Claw Decoction

Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa) is a woody climbing vine found in South and Central America, with its most notable use being in the Amazon rainforest. It is named after the thorns on the plant which are hooked, much like cats claws. It has been used as a traditional remedy in its native habitat for a long time, but test tube studies finally revealed evidence for promising benefits, one amongst them being lowering blood pressure. It does so by dilating the blood vessels (known as vasodilation) and therefore lowering the pressure by allowing blood to flow through more readily. It can also act as a mild diuretic, getting rid of unneeded salt and water in the body, which can again reduce hypertension. The tannins and flavonoid are most likely the main constituents that account for the herbs healing actions.

Here it is made into a flavorful decoction that will give you all of its benefits. A decoction is essentially a tea, but is simmered for much longer as it is made from the woody, tough, fibrous parts of the plant such as roots or (in this case) bark. There are two things to keep in mind when searching for your herb-first, make sure its scientific name matches the one above (there are several other plants known as cats claw) and secondly, make sure it is from an ecologically sustainable Cats Claw should be avoided by women who are pregnant.

You will need…

-1-2 tablespoons of dried herb
-1 ½-2 cups of cold water
-Honey or lemon to taste

Directions

Place the herb and water in a small saucepan over low heat and bring to a slow simmer. Cover, and let it simmer for 40-45 minutes. Add more water (or less) depending on how concentrated you want the tea to be. Strain, add honey or lemon if desired, and drink once daily.

11. Beautiful Blueberry Syrup

Syrups are, hands down, one of my most favorite ways of incorporating the benefits of herbs and spices into daily life. While the word “syrup” may make you think of something sickly sweet and heavy-the opposite of what you want for heart health-that isn’t the case here. The “syrup” that you see on grocery store shelves may not be the best, but made at home it is a wonderful (delicious) way to give yourself a natural boost. And if we’re honest with ourselves, sometimes choking down bitter tea makes it hard to stay on track with a remedy. Blueberries are rich in the flavonoid quercetin, the benefits of which are explained in remedy number 5, as it is also found in hawthorn. You can mix in elderberries for an extra heart healthy kick as well-surprise, surprise they’re good for more than just warding off the cold and flu!

You will need…

-8 tablespoons of dried blueberries OR 4 tablespoons each of dried blueberries and elderberries.
-4 cups of water
-1 cup of honey
-A pot, strainer, and glass jar with an airtight lid

Directions

Add the dried berries to the water and bring to a simmer over low heat. Continue to simmer until the liquid is reduced by half. Strain the solids out, pressing on them to extract any extra juices, and pour the liquid back into the pot. Stir in the honey, warming the mixture just to ensure the two blend together thoroughly. Here there are two different paths you can take. For thicker syrup, heat the honey and berry juice over medium-high heat for 20 minutes. If you’d rather not cook the syrup, and are ok with one that is slightly thinner, skip this step. Once mixed, bottle and label and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 weeks. Take 1 tablespoon twice daily.

Understanding Blood Pressure Reading

When the nurse wraps the cuff around your upper arm and then announces two seemingly random numbers, what’s going on? Two forces pump the blood through our bodies, the first being created by the heart contracts and pumps blood out into the arteries, and the second occurs when the heart rests between beats and the heart muscle is refilling with blood. These two forces are known as systole and diastole respectively, and are the numbers you see on a blood pressure reading. The systolic pressure is the top number (or the first one read) and is the higher number, and the second number is diastolic, and is the lower number. So the next time you get your blood pressure read, remember the first number is referring the force of blood being pumped away, and the second number is the heart at rest refilling with blood. The systolic number should be less than 120, while the diastolic number should be less than 80. Anything higher and you enter pre-hypertension and hypertension.

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Homeopathic remedies for Acid Reflux

Plenty people who suffer from acid reflux disorder possibly will not be amenable to taking medications and seek out a homeopathic treatment for gerd. Individuals suffering from acid reflux ought to consult a medical qualified for an precise diagnosis from the reason, as extended periods of acid leaking into the esophagus can harm its lining as properly as causing other troubles this kind of as providing damaged vocal chords and throat.

The throat and voice box are alot more very easily damaged by abdomen acid than the esophagus is, and could be ruined even if the guy has no indications of acid reflux disease. To discover an appropriate homeopathic treatment for acid reflux disorder it’s important to realize the contributing factor. Normally, the lower esophagus sphincter muscle would be to blame, as it is allowing the belly content to reflux into the esophagus and so the acid during the belly irritates the lining. Nevertheless, a hiatal hernia may also motive severe heartburn with warning signs similar to a heart attack.

As with plenty of urged homeopathic solution for gerd what functions for a single man may very well not operate for an extra. Various persons have varied tolerances for organic cures, and it ought to be remembered that the timeframe homeopathic really should not be confused with normal. Most spontaneous cures are considered food products and by means of them far more regularly than urged might probably not pose any wellness risks.

Homeopathy Treats Total Entire body For Signs or symptoms

Chamomile, fennel and ginger root are some among the most common natural herbs employed as providing homeopathic solution for heartburn or acid reflux but just before beginning any regimen for indigestion contacting a qualified to insure the solution will not provoke further indications is generally recommended. As with all homeopathic remedies, it will need to be realized the intent would be to treat the total system also , the consequences of your certain ailment.

If people is utilising a homeopathic solution for heartburn or acid reflux plus the problems seem to disappear, replaced by other dilemmas, these as hoarseness in your throat, coughing or the need to constantly clear the throat, it is probably a sign of what’s termed silent heartburn or acid reflux. The pH level of 5. is sufficient to harm the throat tissues when not causing acid reflex indicators from the esophagus. It is necessary to contact a medical certified for these or other indications associated to acid reflex.

Left untreated acid reflex can contributing factor long-term wellness trouble like as developing caner of your esophagus or larynx and continued use of proton pump inhibitors can slow the body’s digestive course of action.

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Natural remedies for Acid Reflux

Heartburn or acid reflux is an uncomfortable feeling that causes irritation and frustration. In several circumstances, the symptoms of acid reflux disorder is usually taken care of with antacids like the ones you see on commercials all of the time, or heartburn or acid reflux can even be maintained with the help of doctor prescribed medications. For some folks, these choices aren’t ideal as most goods that provide heartburn or acid reflux relief have elements that aren't natural and aren't frequently desired.

In these events, buyers are likely to wonder what it’s they could do to grant themselves using a real cure for their acid reflux disease. Considering the businesses like Tums or Rolaids really do not want you to definitely turn to anything else for your acid reflux disorder relief, they make confident they monopolize the current market doing it difficult to obtain other treatments, let alone tips about organic treatments for acid reflux disease relief. In reality, one can find basic approaches to help keep acid reflux disease!

Real Cure Possibilities for Acid reflux disorder

Consume bread, rice and potatoes. These your foods are perpetually about the “do not eat” list due to their excessive carbohydrate count, but these meals do wonders for soaking up acidic fluids inside your abdomen. This way doesn't involve you to more than eat carbs, but by getting even 1 piece of bread, a half cup of rice or half a potato throughout a total meal, you’ll be able to dramatically lower the quantity of acid reflux you expertise right after eating.

Limit your ibuprofen. This form of medicine can extremely tear up your abdomen causing acid reflux disorder so bad that it wakes you up whilst you are sleeping at night. Attempt a various technique of curing headaches or entire body soreness to view regardless of whether or not the medicine you often get is adding to your heartburn or acid reflux dilemma.

Never smoke! Not just is smoking awful in your health all all-around, but it is regarded to induce and/or irritate witout a doubt present acid reflux. This suggests that smoking is really a double threat for buyers prone to acid reflux illness.

Stay aside from spicy your foods. Even foods you never consider taste spicy can enjoy a huge role in generating acid reflux, so figuring out what’s within your meals and knowing to stay apart from food with spices in them can be a great approach to naturally treatment acid reflux. This isn’t to say you are constrained to nothing but bland foods now, it just implies be as liberal as potential when eating spices which can irritate your belly to the point of getting in pain.

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Probiotics for Acid Reflux

For a variety of those who are lactose intolerant are becoming helped through the ingestion of probiotics to introduce helpful yeast and microbe into the digestive tract. A connection between probiotics and acid reflux ease is thought being presented for persons being affected by helicobacter pylori infection, a recognized set off of acid reflux disorder. Still, there remains dispute that a connection involving probiotics and acid reflux disorder reduction when its caused by other problems.

There have been patients utilising probiotics following a bout of meals poisoning or other stomach disorder that state they symptoms of heartburn or acid reflux disappeared with their use. This tie-in between probiotics and heartburn or acid reflux isn’t confirmed by any medical research, but analysis has shown that probiotics may help tremendously from the digestive structure, frequently a leading trigger of indigestion. Lactic acid bacterias is one of the most typical in use and has been utilized in food business for years for additional shelf life and earning it much less most likely that spoilage-causing germs can survive at the meals item.

Doctors, and way more recently nutritionists, have employed probiotics to rebalance the organic bacterias for the bottom in event of alcohol poisoning, stress, disease or other substances that can kill the good microbe created naturally through the physique. By obtaining the digestive structure back on track, and utilising probiotics and gerd seems to become minimized.

Probiotics Debate Continues To Rage

As a little more research are conducted for the results of probiotics on intestinal disorders, you’ll find extra hints connecting probiotics and gerd reduction. When anyone is using antibiotics, for example, the drugs can not distinguish concerning nice and bad micro organism, which can result in stomach disorders including gas and diarrhea. By replacing the fine microorganisms via the use of probiotics, these signs disappear. It also argued that gas and diarrhea also can result in indigestion, further supporting the argument linking probiotics and acid reflux disease comfort.

Additionally, scientific studies have proven that dairy solutions should be a predicament for those suffering acid reflux. Because probiotics are regarded to assist those that are lactose intolerant, the theory that probiotics and acid reflux alleviation might be determined for all those experiencing acid because of dairy ingestion.

Then again, experiments will continue to see if many forms of bacteria employed as probiotics can have a positive effect on acid reflux sufferers. Until solid evidence is presented it’s getting presumed that probiotics and acid reflux relief is an individual gain.

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The Acid Reflux Tests

When somebody is struggling with severe indigestion, they will feel they have passed the acid reflux disease examination, but knowing what exactly is causing the issue is imperative to affecting a long term treatment. It will be feasible that hot and spicy foods have caused a temporary knowledge with heartburn, but for those suffering two or much more days a week have to see a medical specialist for an suitable acid reflux disease test to learn an accurate cause.

If the physician suspects gastro esophageal reflux illness a single generally the acid reflux disease tests they may likely use is mostly a pH experiment to discover the quantity of acid within the esophagus. For the period of this examination the health care provider will go along the nasal passage to insert a tube into the esophagus, stopping above the reduce esophagus sphincter when it’ll remain for 24 hours. Patients undergoing this type of heartburn or acid reflux experiment are advised to go about their usual eating habits and activities and to record any feeling of indigestion experienced through the 24-hour interval.

Coughing and sneezing can also be recorded to give the physician a complete picture of what the patent is experiencing. Following this gerd aaa the pH readings throughout the period along using the look of signs might help the health practitioner verify how a great deal acid is refluxing due to the reduce esophageal sphincter.

Abnormalities Observed With Barium E-Rays

One more variety of acid reflux examination utilizes barium x-rays to acquire feasible lesions, ulcers or hiatal hernia in a affected person. The affected person drinks a chalky mixture of barium when in front of an x-ray machine. The barium shows up for the x-ray and lets the technician to follow the path generally the liquid simply by the digestive technique. From time to time, the individual is going to be lying flat and is turned upside down to view how a great deal, if any, belonging to the barium flows back into the esophagus due to the LES or through a hiatal hernia.

A increased invasive test called an upper endoscopy is generally made use of for sufferers who’ve suffered acid reflux disorder for numerous decades. In the course of this heartburn or acid reflux test a tube using a tiny camera is attached as the medical professional inserts the tube from your mouth and into the stomach. It can detect cuts, lesions, ulcers and blockages that might be contributing for the dilemma.

The acid reflux tests are a needed prelude to beginning a cure regimen for acid reflux. Figuring out what is causing the reflux and how it can be affecting the digestive product could be the first phase in acquiring a cure.

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How to Use Daemon Tools Lite

What is Daemon Tools Lite?

Daemon Tools Lite is a version of the Daemon Tools virtual drive emulator. It basically emulates that you have a CD/DVD drive on your system when you may not actually have one installed. This allows you to boot a CD or DVD image that is stored on your hard drive; these images can be games, movies or other applications. This lets you download ISO or MDS images ripped from the actual source and play them on your computer without installing a CD/DVD drive. It also runs faster than a hardware-installed drive which makes things smoother during the playback process.

How to use Daemon Tools Lite

First, you want to download Daemon Tools Lite and install it on your system. When you open it for the first time, you will have to set what you will call the drive. If you already have a CD/DVD drive installed, you want to ensure there are no conflicts with what is already installed. Once the drive is set, you can mount ISO, MDS or other mountable images. You right click on the logo in the toolbar to change settings, preferences and other ways you utilize Daemon Tools Lite. You left click to mount the image and begin using what you want to watch, play or interact with.

What can you do with Daemon Tools Lite

Daemon Tools Lite is used to do two things: You can use it to emulate a CD, DVD, HD or Blu Ray Drive and you can use it to create disc images from external media. Just by installing Daemon Tools, you have access to utilizing it as an emulation device for a drive installed of installing one. You then download or gain access to mountable images, mount them and use them just like you would if you had the disc, popped it into the drive and booted it up from there.

If you want to create images to store on your hard drive, you need the next version of Daemon Tools to do it. You simply pop in what you want to create as a mountable image, let Daemon Tools run through the process and then you have an ISO or MDS image to run, share or use in other ways without actually needing the disc to do so. Daemon Tools now supports creating mountable images from CD, DVD, HD or Blu Ray discs.

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VMware ESXi – How to enable SSH Connectivity

VMware ESXi (formerly ESX) is an enterprise-class, type-1 hypervisor developed by VMware for deploying and serving virtual computers. As a type-1 hypervisor, ESXi is not a software application that one installs in an operating system; instead, it includes and integrates vital OS components, such as a kernel.

After version 4.1, VMware renamed ESX to ESXi. ESXi replaces Service Console (a rudimentary operating system) with a more closely integrated OS. ESX/ESXi is the primary component in the VMware Infrastructure software suite.

Step 1. Connect to ESXi console and press the Alt+F1 key combination.

Step 2. Type unsupported and then press . Note that nothing will appear on the screen whilst you type this.

Step 3. When prompted enter in the Root password and press.

Step 4. You will now be presented with a prompt on the console. From this prompt type vi /etc/inetd.conf

Step 5. vi (the file editor) has now opened the inetd.conf file. Using the direction arrows scroll through the lines until you reach the line that has #ssh and remove the hash (ie: #). This is effectively un-commenting this line so that the ssh service can be started.

Step 6. Now that you have made this minor file you want to save this change and exit out of the editor (vi). To do this press the ESC key (to put vi back into Command Mode) and then type :wq *Note: If you want to exit without saving any changes to the file then just press the ESC key (Command Mode) and then type :q!.

Step 7. With the SSH service now un-commented from this file we want to restart the ‘inetd’ process so that it starts again and reads in the newly altered file which will tell it to start the SSH service.

This is the part of the enabling SSH that has changed between minor revisions of ESXi as pre-ESXi Update 2 you would run the command ‘/sbin/services.sh restart’ though for any release of ESXi Update 2 and more recent we have effectively kill the ‘inetd’ process to make it automatically restart again.

To do this we first need to find out what the process ID is of ‘inetd’. From the console command prompt type ps | grep inetd which will give you a result similar to the following.

Step 8. From running this command we can see that the process ID for ‘inetd’ is 1331. Now type kill –HUP where is the process ID seen in the previous step.

Finished! Congratulations – you should now be able to connect to your ESXi server via a SSH client such as Putty.

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OpenMediaVault

OpenMediaVault (OMV) is a complete and free open-source software (FOSS) network-attached storage (NAS) operating system (OS). It is developed and designed primarily for home use. Developer Volker Theile began development of OpenMediaVault in 2009 Previously he worked with the FreeNAS project.

OpenMediaVault is based on the Debian Linux distribution. It is licensed through the GNU General Public License v3 as published by the Free Software Foundation. OpenMediaVault uses Debian's official standard for package management, the Advanced Packaging Tool (APT). OpenMediaVault is designed to be configured and administered via the Webinterface, which is written in Ext JS, and is currently compatible with 32 and 64bit hardware

Features

Through an Application programming interface (API),  OpenMediaVault is designed for features to be added to the Webinterface via the Plug-in System. The developer provides a group of core Plug-ins that can be installed via the Webinterface, while others are developed by the community. Many of the community supported Plug-ins are currently hosted in an unofficial plugin repository.

Other features include:

• Multi Language web based graphical user interface (GUI)
• Protocols: CIFS (Samba), FTP, NFS (Version 3 and 4), SSH, rsync, iSCSI, AFP and TFTP
• Software-RAID with the RAID-Level 0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 10 plus JBOD
• Monitoring: Syslog, Watchdog, S.M.A.R.T., SNMP (v1/2c/3) (Read-Only)
• Statistic reports per E-Mail
• Statistic graphs for the CPU-workload, LAN transferrates, hard disk usage and RAM allocation
• GPT/EFI partitioning >2 TByte possible, ext4 maximal 16TiB
• Filesystems: ext2, ext3, ext4, XFS, JFS, NTFS, FAT32
• Quota
• User and groupmanagement
• Access controls via ACL
• Link Aggreggation Bonding, Wake On LAN
• Plug-in system

Plug-ins

Core Plug-ins are developed by Volker Theile

• ClamAV - Antivirus software
• Digital Audio Access Protocol - provides audio files in a local network (also for iTunes)
• SAN and iSCSI - blockbased access datastores over the network
• Lightweight Directory Access Protocol - Information request and changes of an Directory service
• Logical Volume Manager - enables the possibility to create and administrate dynamic partitions
• Netatalk - File-, time- and printserver for Apple Macintosh
• Plug-in to support the use of an Uninterruptible power supply
• easy changes to the Routing tables
• Plug-in, which allows (automatic) backups to external USB hard disks

External Plug-ins are available via additional package repositories. The majority of those Plug-ins are developed by a group called OpenMediaVault Plugin Developers. The status of all Plug-ins can be viewed online.

Minimum System requirements

• IA-32 (i386/i486) or AMD64 platform
• 1 GiB RAM
• 2 GiB hard drive, solid-state drive, or USB flash drive with static wear leveling support (NOTE: The entire disk is used as a system disk. This disk can not be used to store user data.)
• 1 hard drive, solid-state drive, or USB flash drive for storing user data
• 1 network card

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