Katie Couric and the Perky Problem

Why is there so much concern about Katie Couric moving to the evening news? The problem is that shes considered too Perky.

Perky Women have problems being taken seriously because their quick and friendly approach makes them seem less thoughtful than their quieter colleagues. Perky people can be very serious, but they feel that its important to keep the atmosphere light and friendly.

That's what causes a problem for Katie Couric. Her friendly approach seems perfectly suited for a morning show. The evening news is a different story. Many viewers don't want friendly people presenting the evening news. They want serious newscasters.

So how can someone like Katie Couric appear serious enough to do the job?

This is the same issue that many other Women in business face. If youre a Perky person, you may be concerned that people you work with are not taking you seriously. Fortunately, there are some slight adjustments you can make to help other peopl e see you in a different way.

Facts vs Feelings Perky people tend to focus more on Feelings. They may share their feelings more quickly and be concerned about other how other people are feeling. Their faces and body language show their emotions.

In order to look more serious, Perky people may want to control their facial expressions and smile less. They may also want to limit the personal information they share with other people.

Thinking vs Action Perky people tend to be more Action-oriented. They talk and act quickly. This may give the impression that they dont take time to thoroughly think through what they do. In fact, they just may think very fast.

If you want to look more serious, take more time before you answer a question or take action. Add more pauses to your conversation and let people know that you need some time to think the information over.

You can get a full list of suggestions in the book, Why Cant You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results At Work. You dont need to change who you are, however, you may want to make small changes in how you communicate so people will take you seriously and pay attention to what you have to say.

So if you are Perky and friendly like Katie Couric, don't be afraid to show your more serious side. It may make doing your job much easier.

Laura Browne is the Perky author of a practical & easy-to-use book for Women, Why Cant You Communicate Like Me? How Smart Women Get Results At Work. To register for Lauras Free Teleconferences, go to http://www.getheardatwork.com (This book is available at the website and at Barnes & Noble online.)

When Laura isnt writing, she helps Women be more successful through WOMEN Unlimited, a nationally recognized resource for cultivating leadership excellence, http://www.Women-unlimited.com

Author:: Laura Browne
Keywords:: Katie Couric, Perky, Women, Communication
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Audio and Video File Formats: An Introduction

FILE FORMATS

There are several audio file formats in common use. There are fewer video file formats, but audio video file extensions can be confusing. This is just a brief description of what the more commonly used audio and video file formats and systems are.

AAC:Advanced Audio Coding This is the audio file format used by Apple for the iTunes Music Store, and it may appear with the M4A filename extension. It is better than MP3 for sound quality. It was developed as part of the MPEG4 group owned by Dolby (see below).

AU: This audio file format is the standard used by Java, Sun and Unix.

MPEG: Moving Pictures Expert Group There are a number of MPEG types now, described below.

MPEG-1: This is used in digital cameras and camcorders for small video clips. VHS quality playback can be expected from MPEG-1.

MPEG-2: Used for digital satellite TV, professional movie recording and recording of home DVD recordings. Provides provision for multi-chan nel surround sound recordings.

MPEG-3: MPEG-3 was propose as an entity, but eventually merged into MPEG-2.

MPEG-4: This is the newest MPEG system and is used for streaming internet content. It is also used in portable video recorders and for internet downloads. Required for DivX. It improves digital broadcasting and interactive graphics and multimedia.

MP3: Digital audio files, most commonly used to store and playback music. It compresses the files to about 10% of a normal audio file, and a normal music track will be about 5 -6 MB in size. MP3 stands for MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3, not MPEG-3 as many people think. A typical MP3 audio file is near CD quality.

OGG: An audio file format supporting a variety of Codecs, the most popular of which is the audio codec Vorbis. However, MP3 files are much more broadly supported than Vorbis.

RA: Real Audio This format is designed for streaming audio over the Internet. It is a self-contained file format with all the audio information stored within the file itself.

WAV: The simplest of the audio file formats, developed by Microsoft and IBM, and built into Windows 95. It is an uncompressed audio file format with large file sizes (10 x MP3), and does not need further processing to play. The WAV file consists of three blocks of information: The RIFF block which identifies the file as a WAV file, The FORMAT block which identifies parameters such as sample rate and the DATA block which contains the actual data, or music sample.

WMA: Windows Media Audio A digital system invented by Microsoft, and is used in portable digital audio players. Using WMA, a file can be programmed so that it cannot be copied, and can be used to protect copyright.

WMF: Windows Media Format These are audio-video files comprising W MA and video Codecs. They provide high quality and media security for streaming and download and play applications on computers.

WMV: Windows Media Video Used in the Windows media Player, this is used to stream and download and play audio and video content.

When dealing with audio and video file formats, you will sometimes notice the term 'codec'. A codec is simply short for encoder-decoder (or compressor - decompressor). A main function of a codec is to compress audio or video data streams so that transmission of digital audio samples and video frames can be speeded up and storage space reduced.

The objective of all Codecs is to reduce the file size to a minimum while maintaining audio and video quality. A quick indication of the codec's place in the path of transmission and reception is:

Video device (e.g. camcorder) - video capture card - video digitized - codec (compresses digital info) - result (MPEG2, AVI, WMV etc) - codec (decompress) - video frames - display device.

Between the two Codecs the compressed result is transferred to the display device transmitted, stored on file, etc). So to condense the flow even further, we could basically describe it as:

raw data - codec - transmit - codec - play

This is simplistic, but it shows where the Codecs are used. Therefore, in order to play a movie, video or piece of music of a certain format, you need a codec in your computer to allow you to decompress the file and play it.

Here is some free software which checks what codec a video system uses, and what codec your system needs to play it:

Codec Tool.

The different video file formats are required to meet the requirements of various video devices. Similarly, audio file formats are designed to meet the needs of the specific delivery methods and storage and playback devices introduced by large corporations such as Microsoft, Sony and Apple. Thus, Sony invented the UMD (Universal Media Disk) for the PSP (Playstation Portable), and Apple introduced AAC (M4A) for its iPod.

Peter Nisbet is the author of many articles on audio and video file systems, their transmission, playback and conversion. More information is available on his websites http://www.legalandfree.com and http://www.online -free-movies.com

Author:: Peter Nisbet
Keywords:: audio file formats, video file formats, audio video files, Ogg, Codecs, mp3 formats, wav format
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Stanley King

The Shining, brought to screen by the genius of Stanley Kubrick, is this adaptation of the Stephen King book by the same name. The movie has been called the most thrilling of all time and one of the most carefully thought out Film ever. Many critics will agree that there is something special about this movie, something about the way it manages to enact an emotional response from the viewer. Kubrick uses many devices in the creation of these emotional responses and certainly one of the most important elements used to create suspense and the sense of surreality is his particular use of plot in The Shining. This essay will examine the movies plot, looking at how it contributes to the creation of suspense in the Shining.

The story is essentially about an uninspired writer, Jack Torrence who takes a job at the Overlook, an old hotel, as the winter caretaker. He then progresses into madness and attempts to kill his wife and son. Like the crazy, unbelievable sequence of events that make up the plot, so to, the timeline that the story follows seems to exist within very little order, jumping in a meaningful, yet sporadic manner, from, 2 months later, to a few hours later, compressing progressively the audiences involvement and scope from the wide open, as in the title sequence of the mountains, through to the final detailed shots of the end. It is through these divisions that the plot is outlined.

The protagonist of the Film is the little clairvoyant boy, Jacks son, Danny. It is mostly through his eyes that we see the story unfold. He is the wisest of the characters and one in whom we vest our interest and conc ern. It could be argued that Jack is the main character, or indeed one who displays many of the archetypal protagonist characteristics. In many ways the story revolves mostly around his degeneration into madness.

The antagonist is undoubtedly the house itself. We get the clear impression that Jack is merely acting out the wishes of the house. It has the sinister hidden agenda, the motives for which the audience is left open to interpret. Nonetheless, through the dubious ghosts the house drives Jack into raving lunacy and homicidal tendencies.

At the overlook, Jack is given the job, while back home the hypersensitive Danny has a premonition. He asks Tony, the little boy who lives in his mouth whats wrong with the hotel. Then he sees torrents of blood gushing out of some elevators, in a strikingly vivid, colourful shot, followed or preceding a shot of two young girls, ghosts? The murdered daughters of the mad caretaker? Kubrick adds a serious element of danger. Thi s I feel serves as the turning point/climax of act one. The stage is now set and the characters must now deal with the unfolding body of act two.

The transition into act two takes place as we see the family on the road to the hotel. The conversation turns to the story of some pioneers who, trapped in the same mountain range, resort to cannibalism to survive. Again, a commentary on the inhumanity of humanity, as well as hinting toward the upcoming danger and violence.

At the overlook, they are shown around the mansion. Wendy and Danny meet with the head chef, Mr. Halloran. We learn from him that he and Danny share the gift of sight, the Shining, also that the hotel is somewhat dangerous especially the ominous room 237, and that Danny should at all costs stay out of it.

Mr. Hallornan, senses the on goings at the overlook and decides to go up there. Meanwhile, in a great, truly disturbing scene, Wendy discovers her husbands writings; pages and pages of the rep etition of the same sentence. She now knows absolutely the extent of her husbands madness. He finds her there and throws sarcastic remarks at her, in perhaps one of the funniest scenes in the movie.

In the end it is Mr Halloran who inadvertently saves the day. He arrives and distracts Jack only to become a corpse himself. Jack peruses his son into the maze and in a terrifying chase sequence, shot with the same unique very engaging steadicam technique in what comprises the pinnacle of the climax. Jack meets an icy grave and Wendy and Danny escape in the ice-mobile.

This movie definitely needs a couple of watchings to fully be appreciated. I feel there were many subtleties in its plot, which make it the engaging, and terrifying story it is. Kubrik uses visions to add the element of suspense. He portrays the house as an ominous almost omnipotent entity on its own. I personally found Jacks slip into madness a bit unbelievable. Perhaps it was to rapid, or through insu fficient dialogue we were not given enough to go on to accept his rapid degeneration. I found the plot distinctions in this story rather vague and difficult to spot. Certainly this movie deviates from many of the norms. From the length of the shots, to the nature of the shots. Nonetheless a Film with a successful difference and the sporadic nature of the plot does indeed contribute to the success of the Film.

The article was produced by the writer of masterpapers.com. Sharon White has many years of a vast experience in ACM dissertation writing and APA dissertation consulting. Get free samples of essays, courseworks and English essay.

Author:: Sharon White
Keywords:: Shining, Film
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Rudolph The RedNosed Reindeer (DVD) Review

One of a plethora of animated Christmas classics created in the 1960's - A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) come to mind - this rendition of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is unique in that it uses stop-motion animation instead of cartoons to tell its story. Voiced by Burl Ives, Sam the Snowman brilliantly narrates the tale of an awkward reindeer and his firsthand struggle with discrimination. Along the way, Ives sings a number of holiday classics such as Silver and Gold, Holly Jolly Christmas, and of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Our story begins when Rudolphs father, Donner, tries to cover up his newborn sons shiny, bright red nose with a disguise. When Rudolph attends a flight training school for young reindeer, he encounters Clarice, a young doe who thinks that Rudolph is cute. This revelation causes Rudolph to leap into the air and fly around the sky like a seasoned aviator. But when he lands, the false nose fall s off and Rudolphs red honker is exposed to the scorn and ridicule of young bucks everywhere. Clarice is the only one who doesnt condemn Rudolph as a freak, but her father soon forbids her to congregate with such a monster.

Following this episode, Rudolph runs away only to meet up with an outcast Elf named Hermey who has committed the unforgivable sin of not wanting to make toys. Contrary to the social conventions of his time, Hermey wants to be a dentist. Rudolph and Hermey decide they will run away together. But in due time, they encounter the dangerous Abominable Snow Monster, a giant hairy beast who crushes anyone who leaves Christmastown. Aiding in their rescue is Yukon Cornelius, a burly prospector who chops off a piece of ice with his pick ax, allowing Rudolph, Hermey, and himself to float away from the Abominable Snow Monster (who cant swim).

After floating through the night, the three characters discover The Land of Misfit Toys an island of handicapped, screwed-up toys rejected by elf quality-control managers and forced to live away their best years in an icy wasteland. Our three heroes can relate to the misfit toys, and Rudolph promises to inform Santa of their status the next time he sees him.

But in order to reach Santa, Rudolph, Hermey, and Yukon Cornelius must first facedown the Abominable Snow Monster. Can they get past the angry monster? And if so, can they get to Santa in time for his Christmas deliveries? Will the weather put a halt to Santas Christmas plans?

This breakthrough Claymation classic is essential for any childs Christmas experience (and that of adults who grew up watching the much-anticipated holiday special on TV). Thats why this ranks as a definite must-see by any standard. But undoubtedly, we all owe a special thanks to J.C. Penny, the giant retail chain that created Rudolph as part of a promotional gimmick one fabled Christmas season many decades ago. Because it just wouldnt be Christma s without Rudolph

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (DVD).

Author:: Britt Gillette
Keywords:: rudolph the red-nosed reindeer dvd review
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24 (DVD) Review

First airing in November 2001, 24 quickly established itself as one of the best television series around and solidified itself as a cult classic icon. Utilizing a novel premise, each season of 24 comprises a single day in lives of its characters, with each of the 24 episodes representing a one-hour time segment of that day. Kiefer Sutherland stars in the imminent role of Jack Bauer, a government agent periodically faced with enormous challenges within a single day. Each season is reminiscent of a fast-paced Hollywood action thriller, but it's only a busy day in the life of the heroic Bauer

Season one unfolds in Los Angeles during the California presidential primary as CIA agent Jack Bauer and his colleagues uncover a murderous plot to assassinate front-running candidate David Palmer. With only 24 hours to uncover the identity of the determined killer, Jack must race against the clock if he has any hope of thwarting the plot. Meanwhile, Jack is distracted by his crumb ling marriage and the disappearance of his rebellious teenage daughter. The clock is ticking Can Jack save the man who may become president? And can he do so while keeping his family intact?

The 24 (Season 1) DVD features a number of breathtaking episodes including the season premiere in which the groundwork for the series and the season is laid. Jack plays chess with his daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) before receiving a call from Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke), his colleague at the Los Angeles Counter Terrorism Unit, telling him to report in for an emergency meeting. Meanwhile, Jack and his wife Teri (Leslie Hope) realize that Kim snuck out of the house during the phone call When Jack arrives at headquarters, he's informed of a plot to murder Senator David Palmer, the first serious African-American presidential candidate Other notable episodes from Season 1 include (#8) in which Nina and Tony discover the identity of the mole who is working for Gaines, and (#23) in which t errorists threaten to kill Kim unless Jack complies with their wishes

Below is a list of episodes included on the 24 (Season 1) DVD:

Episode 1 (12:00 A.M. - 1:00 A.M.) Air Date: 11-06-2001
Episode 2 (1:00 A.M. - 2:00 A.M.) Air Date: 11-13-2001
Episode 3 (2:00 A.M. - 3:00 A.M.) Air Date: 11-20-2001
Episode 4 (3:00 A.M. - 4:00 A.M.) Air Date: 11-27-2001
Episode 5 (4:00 A.M. - 5:00 A.M.) Air Date: 12-11-2001
Episode 6 (5:00 A.M. - 6:00 A.M.) Air Date: 12-18-2001
Episode 7 (6:00 A.M. - 7:00 A.M.) Air Date: 01-08-2002
Episode 8 (7:00 A.M. - 8:00 A.M.) Air Date: 01-15-2002
Episode 9 (8:00 A.M. - 9:00 A.M.) Air Date: 01-22-2002
Episode 10 (9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.) Air Date: 02-05-2002
Episode 11 (10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.) Air Date: 02-12-2002
Episode 12 (11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.) Air Date: 02-19-2002
Episode 13 (12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.) Air Date: 02-26-2002
Episode 14 (1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.) Air Date: 03-05-2002
Episod e 15 (2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.) Air Date: 03-12-2002
Episode 16 (3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.) Air Date: 03-19-2002
Episode 17 (4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.) Air Date: 03-26-2002
Episode 18 (5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.) Air Date: 04-02-2002
Episode 19 (6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.) Air Date: 04-09-2002
Episode 20 (7:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.) Air Date: 04-16-2002
Episode 21 (8:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.) Air Date: 04-23-2002
Episode 22 (9:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.) Air Date: 05-07-2002
Episode 23 (10:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M.) Air Date: 05-14-2002
Episode 24 (11:00 P.M. - 12:00 A.M.) Air Date: 05-21-2002

About the Author

Britt Gillette is author of The DVD Report, a blog where you can find more reviews like this one of the 24 (DVD).

Author:: Britt Gillette
Keywords:: 24 dvd review
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X FACTOR It's New and Coming Soon the BLIND FACTOR

Talented but feared is how would be hopefuls in search of fame feel about entering a Show like the X Factor.

Contestants know what to expect and are prepared to listen to comments on their performance, but what do they get an ear bashing of abuse. You can not blame the next Whitney Houston and Marvin Gaye's holding back from entering the Show all because they need to visit weight watchers.

Most of the time the remarks projected from the judge's mouth can be very humiliating. Comments can be destructive not constructive towards the finalist where their appearance/weight or how they have a pimple to many is disclosed in front of millions.

God damn it. this is a Talent Show. How many of you sit back in shock when the results are announced and the most Talented are ushered through the exit door.

Let us change the rules of the X Factor so that everyone gets a fair crack of the whip, how you ask?

To make it fair we call the Show the Blind Factor whe re the judges at no time throughout the contest get to see the aspiring hopefuls, because all singing is performed behind a screen. This way you will be sure the Winner of the contest is judged purely on Talent alone.

There are loop holes where fellow colleagues that normally work alongside the judges will break the rules and give some inside information to influence the judge's decision in making the right choice. This is easily solved by whisking the panel of judges off to a safe house in the country where they have no contact with the outside world whatsoever.

Can you imagine Sharon Louis and Simon under the same roof? It would be a great making of a fly on the wall series.

Each week the judges of the X Factor will be allowed to ask the finalists questions in hope to build a bigger pict ure surrounding the background of the entrant. Then the panel have to provide an image of the person they have conjured up in their mind at the finals before the screen is pulled back revealing the Winner.

This is the only solution for fairness in a competition as big as this and a guarantee that the person going through each week is voted in purely for their Talent.

Carmen Miranda was never seen without a basket of fruit on head, Ian Drury was maimed and Stevie Wonder blind, regardless of their appearance or disabilities all these artists went on to top the music charts and why, because they had the X Factor.

This Show called the Blind Factor would be FULLER fun. Simon Cowell if you are reading this, remember this idea is mine. It would be a blind fool to say otherwise.

The sky's th e limit for Talented pop star hopefuls, but for others without vocal dreams. I suggest you market yourself in another field. We all have a hidden Talent so better it by furthering your education. http://www.allaboutonlineeducation.com

Author:: Kacy Carr
Keywords:: X Factor,Show,judges decision,simon cowell,Talent,Talented,Sharon,Louis series,Winner,
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Road Trip Survival DVD Movies Have Become the New Scenery on Family Road Trips

With the kids in the backseat buckled up tight, youre headed for grandmas house, an all-day drive. The great American family vacation road trip--a time for bonding and sharing each others interests. A time for pulling your hair out one by one.

As long as Americans pile the kids in the car for a family vacation, they are doomed for the anxieties that come with the mind-numbing boredom of a very long road trip. After a short while into the trip, the fidgeting starts. The inevitable discussion about who hit whom first is under debate. Good feelings gone.

As it happens, once the kids have seen a couple grazing cows and a horse pasture, they pretty much dont want to see it again. Rolling hills and scenic mountains served their purpose a great many miles back, but now, who really cares? And who really gives a hoot what theyre growing in those widespread fields anyway!

So here you are, only a couple hours into the trip, with the whole day ahead of you, an d the whining starts. Are we there yet?

Never fear! Remember those awesome car trip games we used to play as kids? The age-old I Spy game where the other player tries to guess your object. Then, of course, the license plate game options: See if you can spell all 50 states, make a phrase out of the plate letters or see who can add up the numbers correctly.

Car trip games are really terrific entertainment for the kids, but when 20 Questions suddenly turns into 20 reasons why youre bothering me, then its time to move on before the scuffling accelerates.

Unlike past generations, today there is a simple solution. Put in a DVD movie. Just slide that little disc boldly into the slot, and suddenly the family road trip takes on new scenery--Shrek, Nemo, Woody and Buzz. The whining stops. Restless little bodies settle down, and the car mercifully becomes surrounded by contentment. Suddenly, the trip becomes much easier.

Okay, so now youre thinking enj oyment of the journey is lost. The family vacation is a bust. Relax, already! True, the countryside is becoming just a faint flicker in the background, but consider the fact that if you make the most of getting to your destination, you will bring home good memories of the entire trip. In reality, TV provides a welcome sanity for todays long road trips. So, let modern technology take over. Enjoy it!

If youre still having a hard time accepting defeat to the state-of-the art, consider days gone by when fidgety children were free to move around. Perhaps you can recall sitting in the back of the station wagon or hatchback playing board games or working on little paper projects. Cant do that today. For safety, the little ones are strapped into their special seats and the older ones are buckled up tight. Not much freedom there. The great American road trip has forever changed.

So next time you hit the road, throw in those DVD movies. Your sanity may depend on i t.

A word of warning I must add. As parents come to rely on DVDs as their survival against hours of back-seat whining and clashing, DVD players wont solve all problems. There may be fewer are we there yets, but eventually new squabbles of its my turn to pick or I dont want to watch that will erupt. Isnt modern technology great?

http://www.travelwebbase.com/ provides information for vacation travel ideas, activities and entertainment.

Author:: Marguerite Pickett
Keywords:: road trip, family vacation, Dvd, Dvd movie
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