horse saddle

2009 November 7 Kwun Tong HONG KONG

Duration : 6 min 29 sec

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

For someone who is fairly new to web hosting, choosing the platform you are going to use for your server can be a difficult and even mind-boggling decision. Although there are several obscure choices still available, the most widely used Operating Systems (OSs) are the enterprise, or server, versions of Linux and Windows.
There seems to be a limitless source of information regarding hosting, but it seems that the waters have been muddied by many authors’ self-important personal opinions. This has resulted in some of the issues becoming rather unclear to intermediate users. Some technology bloggers have put quite a few hours, even years, into research on the subject, only to conclude that it really does not matter what server you decide to use. They claim that you should just make sure to choose a really good web host, instead of worrying about the type of server software they are running.
Are they right? Does it matter what kind of server hosts your site? Why? What is the difference between the two OSs, anyway?
Cost considerations
Microsoft manufactures and owns the rights to the entire Windows OS, from the recently retired XP to various flavors of Vista. Linux, on the other hand, is “open source” software and is usually free. What that means is that it can be more costly to install and run a Windows server, but this really would not affect you unless you are setting up the server personally – and if your eyes are glued to this article then it’s a safe assumption that you are not doing so.
What this article will do for you is give you the rundown on how to make the right decision about the web-hosting server you choose. The costs inherent in running a server do not always affect the price of the hosting package as you might suspect. The fact that a single Windows server would be more costly to set up and run doesn’t apply to a web-hosting firm that has installed several dozen or more. Getting the Window hosting package is usually a bit more expensive than the Linux hosting package, but not so much that you should disqualify it on price alone.
Make no assumptions
Individuals often assume that just because their PC operates on Windows, they should purchase a Windows hosting package. Not necessarily. Gaining access to your web account will usually be done through FTP or a control panel, and all servers support these methods. The most important difference in administrative site access is that some FTP commands are a bit different in Linux than in Windows and, of course, the FTP programs will usually be created for only one or the other.
Think about how you intend to put the server to use. Make your decision based on those facts. The web features that will run just fine on both platforms include PHP and the e-mail protocols, IMAP and POP. On the other hand, using ASP, Frontpage, the .Net environment, Access, Windows Streaming Media or other Microsoft technologies will likely require a Windows host. Linux offers only limited support, or none at all, when it comes to these technologies, meaning your “workaround cost” will be quite high and may lack the features you need.
Stability and growth
Different server platforms’ reliability and stability records have been raised in many discussions, some rather contentious. The focus of many anti-MS rants has been that Windows is not a secure environment and is only popular because it is the OS for the majority of home-based PCs. As the most commonly used system, Windows has flaws and people tend to spend a lot of time looking for them, as well as exploiting them for harm.
However, Linux may just be the most common server type out there and, surprisingly, the success rate for hackers has been higher than expected, although not as high as for Windows. After all is said and done, the platforms and their security boil down to systems administration and server company management. If security is the main focus for you, then be sure to take the time to investigate the company that is hosting your site. Make sure that they have a reputation that is corroborated by other companies, not just their own marketing materials. This way you will have fewer worries about the server you are using.
Too close to call?
When it comes to the performance of the two servers, there is not a huge difference. Linux has been known to perform faster than Windows on some “cookie cutter” hosts that install Windows in its default, “all in one” package. Linux distributors, using an open-source application with more flexibility, can implement “extensible” packages with greater customizability. In normal situations, the performance of the two is comparable, but if system functionality is most important to you, this may have an impact on your final decision. Which direction that will send you depends on what you wish to compare, as the OSs do have some different strengths and weaknesses.
It is arguably a better use of your time to look for a good host rather than a good server model or OS. Linux and Windows developers are always working on ways to improve both systems. At this point they seem to be roughly equivalent when it comes to the security, features and reliability expected by the average home and small business user. This is not likely to change for some time. You must base your decision on the factors most important to you and your business, and in this neck-and-neck horse race, a clear winner is impossible to call. Eventually you will just have to saddle up with one or the other, and hit the track.

Amy Armitage
http://www.articlesbase.com/information-technology-articles/key-comparisons-of-linux-vs-windows-servers-692388.html

{ 3 comments }

There are so many and so beautiful wedding traditions and ceremonies in the world. The following introduces a traditional Mongolian wedding.

When a son becomes an adult, his father finds him a proper bride. After that he sends a messenger to the bride’s parents and informs them about his intention to marry his son to their daughter. The matchmaker gives them presents and arranges marriage in a poetical form. If the parents refuse to take the presents, that means they do not agree but if they accept them, both parties negotiate about the marriage portion and next appointment. Bride’s parents take the marriage portion, mainly, in the form of cattle.

Wedding reparation lasts several months. A week before wedding parents tell their daughter about her future husband, they dress her with special clothes and together with her girlfriend the bride has to go and visit her relatives. A day before celebration the groom has to build a yurt which should be at the East of his father’s yurt. After that he together with his parents and the matchmaker have to go to the bride’s place. The father of the bride gives him an arrow. It means that his son in law is to be the head of the family. Bride’s mother gives him some clothing and tea bowl of milk symbolizing his adoption. At down the groom comes together with five or seven young men in wedding trim carrying a bow, an arrow and a saddled up horse for the bride. At parting, the bride’s parents give her cup of tea and milk. When the groom arrives, the bride comes out of the yurt. Their hair are braided together thereby showing a physical closeness. The bride is covered with red cloth and rides together with the groom. They ride around her father’s yurt three times and then head for groom’s yurt. On their way home there are organized games, competitions etc. When they are getting close to groom’s yurt, they are met by a rider who gives them food and builds two fires as a sign of prosperity. The newlyweds are to ride between the fires overcoming difficulties cross path. Then they enter in a special tent called mayhan. There the bride puts on ladies’ wear and silver jewellery and both with the gromm they go to the groom father’s yurt. The bride is put on saddle covered with white felt which means that she is marrying with all her property. In front of the yurt are staying two men with girders symbolizing that the woman is the family fundament. The groom builds up fire and the bride prepares tea. The first tea bowl is for God. The next are for the father in law, mother in law and the guests.

The bridal banquet begins. There are speeches about the new family and the wedding. The wedding ceremonies end at the sunset. Guest’s are leaving. The mother in law puts near bride’s skirt a stone or iron saying: “This family is strong as stone or iron. So, my daughter, be honorable, faithful and nice”. The next day the young bride wakes up early and prepares tea showing that she is the hostess of this house. She does not show her face three days after the wedding. On the fourth day her father arrives and gives her permission to show her face to her husband’s parents. Following the advices of their parents during the honeymoon, the newlyweds go to visit bride’s relatives. The parents now meet their daughter as a member of the other family. They come back home with a lot of presents and begin to live separately from their parents like any other family.

Iavor Angelov
http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/mongolian-wedding-668994.html

{ 2 comments }

Animal footage.

Duration : 41 sec

[click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Texas Tech University, which is located at Lubbock Texas, was established on February 10, 1923. This public university was originally called the Texas Tech University System, which is known for being one of the largest contiguous campuses in the US. Also, this institution is the only one in Texas that houses undergraduate, medical, and law schools at the same campus or location. When it comes to sports, the athletic teams that represent this school are called the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Women teams are also called Red Raiders, except for the women’s basketball team which is called the Lady Raiders.

The Texas Tech University has two mascots, Masked Rider and Raider Red. The former is actually the oldest mascot of the university. Although the Masked Rider was first used by the athletic teams of the school in 1936, it became an official mascot only in 1954 when Joe Kirk Fulton together with his horse Blackie led the Texas Tech Red Raiders football team into the field at the Gater Bowl. An Atlanta Journal writer, Ed Danforth, even wrote that there is no team in any sports bowl to have ever made a sensational entrance such as the one that Fulton, along with the rest of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, pulled that day. To commemorate this unforgettable tradition, a statue of the Masked Rider created by renowned artist Grant Speed was unveiled in 2000.

The other mascot of Texas Tech University, Raider Red, is a fairly recent addition to the team. This mascot was actually unveiled during the 1971 football games because the Southwest Conference did not allow the inclusion of live and breathing animal mascots on the games unless the host school explicitly consented. So, in games or situations where the home team cannot bring the beloved Masked Rider’s horse, the raiders usually bring Raider Red, which was created by Jim Gaspard. Although the true identity of the Masked Rider is known to everyone, the identity of the one who is wearing the Raider Red costume is not public knowledge, at least until the end of the student’s tenure. However, one thing is for sure, the one who dons Raider Red should be a member of the High Riders or the Saddle Tramps.

For the longest time, the rivals of the Texas Tech University in athletic competitions have been the Texas A&M Aggies and the Texas Longhorns. The students and fans of Texas Tech usually camp outside the Jones AT&T Stadium the night before important games against the Aggies, the Longhorns, and even the Oklahoma Sooners are held. Aside from the mascots, another popular school tradition of Texas Tech is the Double T Logo. Whenever you see this symbol, it is a good bet that the one wearing it is a student, alumni, or a fan of the Texas Tech teams. The first one who used this symbol to decorate the football team’s sweater is EY Freeland, who is also the first coach of the Texas Tech football team. The logo was updated in 2000 to make the Double T look more three-dimensional.

Freddie Brister
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/texas-tech-university-729775.html

{ 2 comments }

In November our church put together a two day Men’s retreat. This is the second year for this event. Last year I was unable to attend because I was in Cincinnati, Ohio working. This year I had every intention of participating, unfortunately, as the close of registration drew near I found myself in an unusual situation. Somehow I had managed to commit myself to attend three different events this particular weekend. When our associate pastor heard I would not be attending, he expressed genuine sadness and disappointment. This expression of love overwhelmed me. Two days before the retreat, after scrambling desperately to rearrange my schedule, plans fell into place. As it turned out I was even able to carpool with four other guys to the retreat. The retreat was held the weekend of Nov. 14 – 16th, at a working ranch approximately 2 hours east of Dallas. The ranch is located not too far from the Louisiana border.

We bunked in a large log cabin with three different sleeping quarters, two downstairs and one upstairs. The restroom and shower facilities were located inside between the sleeping quarters. Inside running water in rural Texas? I was dumbfounded! There was a large open area inside the cabin. The mess hall was in another building located fairly close to the cabin.

About eighty guys from church attended. The first night after dinner we gathered around a bonfire for some fellowship. The bonfire pit was located on a small hill 100 yards behind our cabin. The peaceful tranquility of the moonlit night, with the stars glistening upon us, with the night air filled with sounds of wood crackling from the fire, and the joyous sounds of country living went unappreciated due to the fridge temperature. The weekend before the temperature hovered around 75 degrees, now winter was rearing its ugly head with a bone chilling 35 degree temperature. The wind decided to dance among us and through us further enhancing our misery. Please do not get me wrong. I am not complaining. With three layers of clothing and a warm coat I was far from totally frozen. This being a church activity, no one thought to bring a bottle of brandy to warm our insides. What a shame! Well it would not have done me any good anyway, I stopped drinking last April.

How I forced my semi-frozen limbs to carry me back to the cabin, I will never know. At last warmth! The reprieve only lasted temporarily. My bunk was situated next to a window. I had planned on bringing my warm sleeping bag, but at the last moment decided all I needed were a couple of sheets. After all, we were sleeping inside. I figured, surely the cabin was heated to 70 -75 degrees. Wrong. Either the thermostat was broken or they purposely set it at 55 degree. (At least that is what it felt like). I awoke after a fitful night, sleeping in my coat, to a desperate need for several hot cups of coffee.

Breakfast consisted of scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, sausage, and hot coffee. I was in heaven. When breakfast was finished, we all gathered back in the cabin for some worship time and a message from our pastor. After lunch we had our choice of different activities. Horseback riding, hiking, a rope obstacle course, fishing, or swimming were on the menu. Although the weather was gracious enough to warm up to around 50 degrees with no wind whistling about, swimming was not on anyone’s agenda.

I skipped lunch and took a nap. When I awoke the guys were starting to go off to the different activity areas. I decided to take a long solitary walk. I would use this time to reflect upon different areas of my life. Fifty yards past the cabin’s front door my time of reflection ceased. One of the guys (Daniel) whom I had meant the previous night was also out walking. He was waiting for the horseback riding to begin in 45 minutes. After some discussion we decided to walk together, the ¼ mile, to the horse corral and then hang out till he rode off on his horseback riding adventure. I had not signed up for this activity and all the available slots were full. Anyway I am not an avid horseman. In my 51 one years of life, only twice prior have I been on a horse. I know this is hard to believe. I live in Texas and do not own a pair of cowboy boots nor ride horses. What kind of Texan am I?

As we were conversing (guys don’t gab, they converse) another guy showed up to wait for the horseback riding to begin. A few minutes later he asked me if I wanted to take his place riding, because he wanted to try out the rope obstacle course. Well, I said “why not“? Thinking I could somehow control a beast that is much larger than myself. The joy of foolish ignorance.

Our pack leader finished his instructions with saying, “just sit back and enjoy the ride.” Then the moment of truth arrived. It was time to pick our horses. I forgot to mention the funny little helmet we were required to wear. I was not worried about falling and hitting my head, I was fearful of falling and breaking a leg or an arm. The horse I picked appeared calm and gentle. I looked deep into his eyes, summoning all the powers of the “Jedi “ mind trick I learned from Star Wars, while trying to hypnotize this beast into submission, all the while fervently praying I would survive this encounter. Now, time to mount up.

Left foot in stirrup, and then propel your right leg up and over the horse. Easier said then done. With my left foot locked three feet in the air, firmly secured in the stirrup and my body crying out “You don’t bend this way”, my right foot refused to move higher than one foot off the ground. Three strikes and your out! Right? Not in this case. On my fourth attempt I was assisted up onto the horse (in other words, someone lifted me). If horses could laugh, mine would have keeled over. I hope this was not a prelude to what was in store.

High oh silver! Off we went, 15 horses single file, majestically strolling calmly out the corral gate and down a well worn path. I can handle 30 minutes of this, I thought. Slowly, the well marked path started to disappear until only a faint outline existed. I realized our guide was not kidding when, during his instructions he said, “I like to change up the trail”. Up a small hill we went, under low hanging tree branches, through tall grass, till we reached the summit. Then the fun began. My horse instantaneously transformed it’s self into a demon. No more gentle walking for this horse, now we were going to gallop quickly down the hill. Holding on for dear life and crying “whoa horse” while pulling back on the reins was my futile effort to slow this horse. Apparently this procedure had the opposite effect on this creature, he galloped faster. Fifty yards later (seemed like miles), when we reached a small valley, the horse finally slowed back to a normal walk. I swear this horse snickered at me.

Three, four, five minutes passed as we continued our leisurely pace, following the other riders single file over the unseen trail. Down into a small ravine, through a nearly empty creek, my horse behaved superbly. Then as I was starting to relax, once again a demon possessed this beast. Galloping up the creek’s embankment, under even lower hanging tree branches, off this horse rode. Bouncing up and down in the saddle, thinking each time I rose up, surely this time I was going to fall off and be trampled by the riders behind me. Eventually, we reached a cattle pasture where the horse casually slowed back to a nice calm walk. Praising God for keeping me upright, my heart rate began to return to a somewhat normal rhythm. The possibility of having a heart attack did cross my mind.

Walk awhile then gallop some, walk awhile then gallop some, this frightening pattern continued throughout the remainder of the ride. Someone forgot to tell me this horse had a Dr. Jeckell/ Mr. Hyde complex. Mercifully, I arrived back at the corral in one piece. Amazingly still upright in the saddle also. Maneuvering next to the metal fence which surrounded the corral, I used the fence to help with me dismount off the horse. The dismount procedure went a lot smoother then the earlier mounting fiasco.

Gingerly walking away, the idea light bulb went off inside my head. Horseback riding can definitely be used as a birth control method for guys. Bouncing in the saddle creates a major “discomfort“. The creative wheels began to grind. How can I profitably market this profound revelation?

Several fellow riders mentioned they thought I was going to bite the dust during the ride. “No worries,“ I replied, mustering the final reserves of my manly dignity. Laughing, trying desperately to hide my bruised and battered ego, I told them, “I was only demonstrating the finer points of horsemanship“. Next time I am demanding a horse with a built-in shoulder harness seatbelt (like the racecar drivers use). Or better yet maybe I should stick to riding motorcycles. I know I can control them.

After our wonderful horseback riding experience, Brian and I decided to venture over to the rope obstacle area. Thirty feet up, among the tree branches several rope challenges were set up. One, where you walked across a rope, stretched between the trees, approximately 50 in length, your body dangling in mid-air, while you clutched (for dear life) the rope above you. Hand over hand, shuffling your feet, inch by inch until you reached the safety of the tree platform. Boy did this look like fun! Another event was where an attendant strapped you into a harness, and then attached the harness to a rope which was suspended between two trees. The other tree about 300 yards away. You were then launched off the tree platform, to zip along the rope high above the ground, hanging on for dear life, as you proceeded to fly through the air for 300 yards. This glorious contraption is called a Zip Line. Various other courage testing events, similar to these, were available.

With my feet securely planted on the ground, I watched, amazed as my brethren attacked these activities demonstrating a degree of zeal and faith unsurpassed by even the most professional daredevil. Where their faith came from, to perform these death defying feats, I haven’t a clue. Their faith was it grounded in their own abilities, or placed in the harness that secured them to the ropes, or did they all just trust God to keep them from falling out of the trees?

Considering my aversion to heights and combined with the horseback riding experience I had just endured, the burning desire to join these brave men, up in the trees, was nowhere within me. Yes, I had come to the retreat to draw closer to God, but I reasoned God would understand if I remained physically and securely on the ground.

Walking back to the cabin I reflected on how my life has dramatically and completely changed. Not too many years ago. if I were to attend a retreat, with a group of guys, there would have been a party atmosphere. A party overflowing with booze, raucous behavior, swapping lies, guys boasting about conquests with women, playing cards, and hopefully shooting pool. A strong Bloody Mary, with two aspirin, to minimize the hangover would be our breakfast of choice. Lunch would consist of plenty of beer with maybe some food. Dinner the time to break open the good strong liquor. Junk food would have been the preferred cuisine.

This retreat was about building strong relationships with other men who share a common faith and who are genuinely concerned for each other’s well being. Coming together as a group we can share testimonies, confessions, worries, concerns, and fears while encouraging, supporting, lifting up, and praying for one another. Trust, honesty, and love are the cornerstones of this gathering.

Dinner that night found us back at the fire pit. We grilled hamburgers and hotdogs as the darkness descended. Soon, ten feet from the fire darkness fully engulfed us. Stumbling blindly between the picnic tables we attempted to fill our plates with condiments. A flashlight balanced in one hand, your plate precariously balanced in the other, we all somehow managed to load up our plates with food. Thank God the temperature had risen from the previous night. Now, we were only cold, not frozen. At least the wind was gracious enough to leave us alone tonight. By mutual consent we all returned to the warmth of the cabin after we finished eating. No standing around the fire till midnight tonight.

After diner we gathered in the cabin for an enjoyable, spirit filled, time of worship and fellowship. During this time (Brian) the guy that drove four of us to the retreat, said he needed to leave that night instead of in the morning, as originally planned. He was apologetic about his change in plans. There were several people who stepped up and volunteered to have us carpool back to Dallas with them. This is a example of what I mean about the guys caring about one another.

Returning home Saturday night with Brian was actually a blessing. This would allow Kathy and me to attend church on Sunday morning and then spend the rest of the day together. The original plan had me returning in the middle of the afternoon Sunday. This was ok, except Sunday was our wedding anniversary and I felt spending the day together was preferred. Especially considering last year, on our anniversary, my plane did not arrive in Dallas till 8:00PM. I had been gone from home working in Ohio and Kentucky for 6 weeks.

With no cell phone signal out at the ranch I was not able to reach to notify Kathy of the change in plans. That’s ok I thought I will surprise her. She will be overjoyed when I come through the door. It was close to midnight when we arrived back in Dallas. When Brian drop me off in front of my house I realized my house key was setting on top of my dresser inside the house. No problem, I will knock on the door. When Kathy answered the door she was more frightened by my sudden appearance than overjoyed to see me. Her words, “You scared the s… out of me,” greeted me at the doorway. Apparently, surprising her was not one of my smartest moves.

The weekend of the Men’s retreat was a unique experience. Not one soon forgotten. New friendships were forged, current relationships were strengthened, and beautiful memories created. These were but a few of the remarkable benefits I received from this weekend.

The excitement, adventure, and memories that next year’s retreat will bring I can hardly wait to see.

Glen Hamilton
http://www.articlesbase.com/humor-articles/the-mens-retreat-736112.html

{ 5 comments }