Sunday, February 26, 2012

Don't get rolled: AR-15s are pretty much pinned together, so learn to install them correctly.(UP on ARs)

Assemblies ranging from the gas tube to magazine catch, bolt stop, bolt components, forward assist, sight parts and more are secured using roll pins. I'm not trying to talk anyone into banging on their AR-15, but there certainly may be times when a part replacement is in order, and something really simple, like replacing a bolt catch with something from the aftermarket, requires little more than a small collection of tools and a little insight into the process.

A roll pin is a hollow pin with a split. It's oversized to the hole it fits into by about the gap width of the split. It squeezes down as it enters the hole and this tension keeps it in place. They are beveled on their ends but that's often not nearly enough to get one started gracefully, and that is the trick--gracefully or no, of getting one started. Of course there is a specialty tool: a roll-pin punch. Get some. For a basic build, you'll need Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Polish

The ends of roll pins are often craggy, out of round, or both. These are not precision-made parts. Smooth and polish the ends of every roll pin you install. This doesn't take much effort or time and is a worthwhile step. The easiest thing is to lightly chuck one into a drill and spin it against some emery or a stone. I do both ends but only the entry is necessarily smoothed. Removal is easier when both ends are polished. Steel pins going into aluminum holes make life way harder on the holes than on the pins. I can also tell you that a drop of oil helps and will never diminish the effectiveness of a roll pin. That also reduces any corrosive "sticktion" potentials, meaning they come back out easier.

It doesn't take much effort to drive a roll pin (with a couple of exceptions), but true hits count. They can bend. Most roll pins are a little shorter than the full span of the hole, so a sano job finishes with the pin ends at equal depths, and that should have each end a tad below flush with the part surface. A roll pin should never protrude above the surface to ensure no snagging potential.

Punch Size

You'll notice there are punches of varying lengths used in the work shown and the shorter ones are a little easier to operate. The longer ones are necessary for some installations simply because they protrude freely and clearly beyond rifle parts you don't want to accidentally miss-hit with a hammer or have the larger diameter handle portion in contact with a rifle receiver.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

I often chuck up a small punch and polish its outside. They're not all perfect, and sometimes these little imperfections are annoying, if not damaging. This is especially true when using one as a capture punch such that it has to extend fully through the hole set. Same sort of procedure for polishing most anything: spin against emery cloth until the metal is smooth. Likewise, with use they often get a little deformed around their edges, and that's easy enough to true backup with a stone.

If a punch is too small for the pin, it will tend to deform and also expand the pin end. One that's too large may do the same and also won't ultimately enter the pin's hole to seat the pin's end correctly.

Use a brass-headed tap-hammer for punching punches. It has plenty enough power and a slip won't cause undue marring.

I can't tell you much about running a punch you won't learn on your own, but make sure the end is centered and the punch is in-line with the pin. A "follow-through" sort of strike is usually better than mimicking a woodpecker.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

As mentioned, oil pins before installation. It sure makes them seat easier and will in no way affect their holding power.

Oh, and tape. Use masking tape all over the immediate work area. it is not a sign of weakness. Tape the fool out of everything around the installation and it's less likely to need touch up afterward. However, touch up finishes any pinning job and gives it a "factory fresh" appearance. I use a flat-black paint marker from Birchwood Casey. It works wonders.

Last words. Aluminum alloy cracks, or dang sure can, if it's subjected to sharp impacts. Back up the receiver especially on the triggerguard, and also rear-sight windage knob (the screw is easily bent). A piece of wood is all that's needed.

Can you reuse a roll pin? Sure. As long as it's not been unduly damaged from removal. That means the ends are still tapered and the pin is still straight. This probably won't happen with some of the larger pins on the rifle, but something like an ejector pin can be reused without worries.

Consider your sources. I just have to comment on this because it's stupid. I've seen many places on the Internet where folks are showing all about how to install pieces-parts on AR-15s and they suggest a pair of pliers with its jaws coated over with tape to install roll pins. The idea is to press the pin in place. That will bend the pin and no matter how much tape is used mar the opposite point on the rifle part. Just don't do that. Pin punches aren't expensive. Rifle parts can be.

Shameless Plug. The preceding is a specially adapted excerpt from the book The Competitive AR-15: Builders Guide by Glen Zediker and Zediker Publishing. For more information visit www.zediker.com or call (662) 473-6107.

BROWNELLS

200 S. FRONT ST.

MONTEZUMA, IA 50171

(641) 623-4000

WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/BROWNELLS

BIRCHWOOD CASEY

7900 FULLER RD.

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344

(952) 937-7933

WWW.GUNSMAGAZINE.COM/BIRCHWOOD-CASEY-LABORATORIES

CAP GEMINI: Eastgate and Cap Gemini to launch unique e- e-commerce platform.

M2 PRESSWIRE-11 October 1999-CAP GEMINI: Eastgate and Cap Gemini to launch unique e-commerce platform (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:071099

The Eastgate Group, Europe's leading insurance services provider, has joined forces with Cap Gemini, the European leader in IT services and management consultancy, to develop a unique E-Business trading solution, including full back office processing, for the insurance market.

Consumer Direct will enable insurers, affinity and scheme brokers and retailers to provide a wide range of personal lines products through a number of distribution channels including retail internet sites, in-store kiosks, digital TV, personal digital assistants and corporate intranets.

The distribution infrastructure will be completely integrated in to Eastgate's full cycle business process outsourcing service (BPO). This will include policy processing, claims management, help-lines and assistance services. Users will be able to make adjustments and updates to policies, arrange renewals and notify claims. Using Cap Gemini's proven service delivery framework, it will provide both existing and new entrants to the insurance market with a complete e-commerce trading solution whilst significantly reducing operating expenses.

Max Carruthers, Chief Executive of Eastgate's General Insurance Division said: "This strategic partnership combines Eastgate's insurance knowledge and experience with Cap Gemini's proven IT systems expertise. We believe that Consumer Direct will offer the most complete and reliable framework for the distribution and servicing of insurance products. It will reinforce Eastgate's position as leader in the development of branded outsourcing solutions."

Carruthers continues: "Consumer Direct's pricing will reflect the desire of distributors to have the cost structure tied to premium volumes rather than massive up front costs."

"Technology has become the Insurers' secret weapon," said Trish Henry, Director at Cap Gemini. "Technological Innovations, such as the Service Delivery Framework, can help Insurers reach and service their customers better than ever before at significantly lower costs. Consumer Direct combines innovation in technology, products and best practice to offer Insurers a complete E-Business solution." Notes to Editors:

The European Press Federation voted Cap Gemini 'The European Company of the Year'. They are the European leader in IT services and management consultancy. Shares trade on the Paris Bourse. With revenues of GBP2.6 billion in 1998, they employ 39,000 people round the world, of whom around 8,000 work in the UK and Ireland. They focus on helping people use IT to run their business better. The Eastgate group is Europe's leading insurance services provider. It offers the insurance market a range of services including insurance run-off, business process outsourcing, claims management, IT outsourcing and facilities management, legal expenses insurance, telephone help-lines, accountancy services and insurance consultancy. These services support virtually all classes of insurance business. Since 1991, the group has made reinsurance recoveries in excess of $8 billion, and claims of $6 billion. Each year it manages approaching 1 million general insurance claims.

CONTACT: Christina Mavromatis, Cap Gemini Press Office Tel: +44 (0)870 9043989 e-mail: christina.mavromatis@capgemini.co.uk Pippa Rodger, Harrison Cowley Tel: +44 (0)171 4046777 e-mail: pippar@harrisoncowley.com

*M2 COMMUNICATIONS DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED WITHIN M2 PRESSWIRE. DATA SUPPLIED BY NAMED PARTY/PARTIES.*

Research and Markets: A Digital Health NOW Spotlight Report: How the Application of Cloud Technologies in Healthcare Will Require a Paradigm Shift.(Report)

M2 PRESSWIRE-June 15, 2011-: Research and Markets: A Digital Health NOW Spotlight Report: How the Application of Cloud Technologies in Healthcare Will Require a Paradigm Shift(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:15062011

Dublin - Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/501207/digital_health_now) has announced the addition of the "Digital Health NOW Spotlight Report: Application of Cloud Technologies in Healthcare" report to their offering.

As someone associated with technology in the healthcare industry, you must have come across several references to cloud computing and how it offers the potential to drastically alter the way professionals leverage technology in the delivery of healthcare to Canadian citizens.

Executives at healthcare organizations interviewed by Branham, however, acknowledge that moving to the cloud requires a paradigm shift in the mentality of both the policy makers and hospitals. The paradigm shift is as large a technology jump as the shift from mainframe computing to PC use, or the vault from standalone PCs to today's highly distributed and collaborative internet. The inevitable shift to cloud computing is expected to have an equally profound impact on how healthcare is delivered.

Key Topics Covered:

- What is Cloud Computing

- Cloud Computing in Healthcare

- Market Leaders

- Where Does Canada Stand

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/501207/digital_health_now

CONTACT:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager,

press@researchandmarkets.com

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

Market Maker Surveillance Report. STRS, BCSI, CSC, SIGM, EDE, GU, Losing Stocks With Lowest Price Friction For Thursday, May 26th 2011.

M2 PRESSWIRE-May 27, 2011-BUYINS.NET: Market Maker Surveillance Report. STRS, BCSI, CSC, SIGM, EDE, GU, Losing Stocks With Lowest Price Friction For Thursday, May 26th 2011(C)1994-2011 M2 COMMUNICATIONS

RDATE:27052011

BUYINS.NET / www.buyins.net, announced today its proprietary Market Maker Friction Factor Report for Thursday. Since October 2008 market makers are now required to be on the bid as much as they are on the offer and for like amounts of stock. This Fair Market Making Requirement is designed to prevent market makers from manipulating stock prices. On Thursday there were 2689 companies with "abnormal" market making, 3274 companies with positive Friction Factors and 1676 companies with negative Friction Factors. Here is a list of the top companies with the largest percentage loss per share Thursday and low price friction (bearish). This means that there was more selling than buying in the stocks and their stock prices dropped faster with less Friction. STRATUS PROPERTIES INC (NASDAQ:STRS), BLUE COAT SYSTEMS INC (NASDAQ:BCSI), COMPUTER SCIENCES CORP (NYSE:CSC), SIGMA DESIGNS INC (NASDAQ:SIGM), EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC CO (NYSE:EDE), GUSHAN ENVIRONMENTAL ENE-ADR (NYSE:GU). To access Friction Factor, Naked Short Data and SqueezeTrigger Prices on all stocks please visit http://www.buyins.net .

Market Maker Friction Factor is shown in the chart below:

Symbol Change Percent Buy Volume Buy %% Sell Volume Sell %% Net Volume Friction

STRS $-4.550 -30.64% 31,422 744.24% 32,600 772.15% -1,178 -3

BCSI $-2.710 -11.62% 1,450,645 48.75% 1,453,063 48.83% -2,418 -9

CSC $-5.710 -12.94% 4,181,353 29.80% 4,191,236 29.87% -9,883 -17

SIGM $-2.260 -20.55% 1,212,399 43.95% 1,542,552 55.92% -330,153 -1,461

EDE $-3.400 -15.18% 809,160 31.46% 1,027,471 39.94% -218,311 -642

GU $-0.770 -18.29% 130,595 28.36% 144,612 31.41% -14,017 -182

Analysis of the Friction Factor chart above shows that each of the six stocks mentioned above have high net dollar losses (Change) and extremely low price friction in their stocks. The Friction Factor displays how many more shares of buying than selling are required to move a stock higher by one cent or how many more shares of selling than buying moves a stock lower by 1 cent.

For example, the chart above shows STRS with a dollar loss Thursday of $-4.55000 and a Friction Factor of -3 shares. That means that it only took 3 more shares of selling than buying to move STRS lower by one penny. This means the Market Makers are allowing the stock to drop quickly (low friction). The combination of low friction and negative market direction can drive prices lower faster than normal.

STRATUS PROPERTIES INC (NASDAQ:STRS) - Stratus Properties Inc., a real estate company, engages in the acquisition, development, management, operation, and sale of commercial, multi-family, and residential real estate properties located primarily in the Austin, Texas area. The company also owns undeveloped commercial property in San Antonio, Texas. As of December 31, 2009, its investment in real estate includes approximately 2,273 acres of land located in Austin, Texas. The principal holdings consisted of 1,513 acres of residential, multi-family, and commercial property; and 122 developed residential estate lots within the Barton Creek community. Stratus Properties also holds approximately 35 acres of commercial property under development and 352 acres of undeveloped commercial property within the Circle C Ranch (Circle C) community. The company was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.

BLUE COAT SYSTEMS INC (NASDAQ:BCSI) - Blue Coat Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and sells products and services that secure and optimize the delivery of business applications and other information to distributed users over a wide area network (WAN) or the public Internet/Web. The companys products include ProxySG Appliance that serves as the foundation for secure Web gateway products and WAN Optimization offerings; ProxySG Virtual Appliance, a software that provides WAN optimization functionality; CacheFlow 5000 Appliance for telecommunications service providers; Blue Coat ProxyAV Appliance to use with ProxySG appliances to provide inline threat protection and malware scanning of Web content at the Internet gateway; and Blue Coat WebFilter Software, a content filtering database that operates on ProxySG appliance and includes client-based software for remote workers. Its products also include Blue Coat Reporter Software that collects data and generates pre-defined and custom reports to provide an IT administrator with better visibility into the enterprises Web-related user activity; Blue Coat Director Appliance, which enables an IT administrator to centrally manage an enterprises Blue Coat ProxySG appliances; Blue Coat PacketShaper Appliance that helps IT administrators to monitor applications running on the enterprises network to obtain information on its LAN/WAN/Internet traffic; Blue Coat IntelligenceCenter Software, which provides application performance monitoring for PacketShaper appliances deployed across the distributed enterprise; and Blue Coat PolicyCenter Software that helps IT administrators to centrally manage the configuration, policy management, software distribution, and adaptive response tracking of a distributed PacketShaper environment. The company was formerly known as CacheFlow, Inc. and changed its name to Blue Coat Systems, Inc. in August 2002. Blue Coat Systems was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

COMPUTER SCIENCES CORP (NYSE:CSC) - Computer Sciences Corporation offers information technology (IT) and business process outsourcing, as well as IT and professional services to the commercial and government markets. The companys outsourcing services include the operation of customers technology infrastructure, including systems analysis, applications development, network operations, desktop computing, and data center management. Its business process outsourcing services consist of procurement and supply chain, call centers and customer relationship management, credit services, claims processing, and logistics. It also provides IT and professional services comprising systems integration services, such as designing, developing, implementing, and integrating information systems; and consulting and professional services that include advising clients on the strategic acquisition and utilization of IT and on business strategy, security, modeling, simulation, engineering, operations, change management, and business process reengineering. In addition, the company licenses sophisticated software systems for the financial services and other industry-specific markets and provides a range of end-to-end business solutions; offers enterprise modernization, telecommunications and networking, managed services, base and range operations, and training and simulation; and provides computer equipment repair and maintenance services and credit reporting services. It offers its services to the aerospace and defense, automotive, chemical and natural resources, consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and distribution, telecommunications, and technology industries. The company has operations in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region, including India and Australia. Computer Sciences Corporation was founded in 1959 and is based in Falls Church, Virginia.

SIGMA DESIGNS INC (NASDAQ:SIGM) - Sigma Designs, Inc. provides integrated system-on-chip solutions (SoC) for the Internet protocol television (IPTV), media processor, connected home and media player, prosumer and industrial audio/video, high definition television, and PC-based add-in markets. The company offers semiconductors with a suite of real-time software that enables synchronous processing of video, audio, and graphics streams for various applications. Its media processor product line represents a family of SoC solutions that are a component of multiple consumer applications, which process digital video and audio content comprising IPTV, connected media players, and portable media players. The companys home networking product line consists of wired networking solutions based on HomePNA, HomePlug AV, and G.hn standards, as well as wireless connectivity solutions based on Ultra-wideband technology. Its standards are used for transferring Internet protocol content across coaxial cables, phone lines, and power lines to enable service providers to deliver IPTV solutions and other media-rich applications. The companys video image processor product line comprises of semiconductors that provide video output for professional and prosumer applications. Its home control and energy management automation product line includes wireless transceiver devices along with a mesh networking protocol. The company offers its home connectivity products under the CopperGate; wireless connectivity solutions under the CoAir; video image processors under the VXP; and wireless transceiver devices under the Z-Wave brands. It also provides software elements, such as multimedia library, security management software, and porting adaptations. In addition, the company offers PC-based solutions. It sells its products through direct sales force, manufacturer representatives, and independent distributors primarily in Asia, Europe, and North America. The company was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California.

EMPIRE DISTRICT ELECTRIC CO (NYSE:EDE) - The Empire District Electric Company, together with its subsidiaries, primarily engages in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The company generates electricity from steam, hydro, coal, and natural gas with fuel oil and tire-derived fuel (TDF) sources for residential, commercial, industrial, wholesale on-system, and wholesale off-system transactions customers, as well as for public authorities. As of December 31, 2009, it owned generating facilities with an aggregate generating capacity of 1,257 megawatts; transmission system of approximately 22 miles of 345 kV lines, 434 miles of 161 kV lines, 745 miles of 69 kV lines, and 81 miles of 34.5 kV lines; and distribution system of approximately 6,905 miles of lines. The company also owns and operates water pumping facilities and distribution systems consisting of a total of approximately 87 miles of water mains in 3 communities in Missouri. In addition, The Empire District Electric Company provides natural gas distribution to customers in 44 communities in northwest, north central, and west central Missouri. Its principal gas utility properties include approximately 87 miles of transmission mains and approximately 1,118 miles of distribution mains. Further, it engages in leasing fiber optics cable and equipment. The company was founded in 1909 and is based in Joplin, Missouri.

GUSHAN ENVIRONMENTAL ENE-ADR (NYSE:GU) - Gushan Environmental Energy Limited, through its subsidiaries, produces biodiesel and its by-products. Its biodiesel is used to produce chemical products, primarily produced from various feed stocks, such as vegetable oil, animal fat, and recycled cooking oil; to fuel a range of diesel engines in trucks, mass transit vehicles, marine vessels, and generators; and as fatty acid methyl ester in the chemical industry. The companys biodiesel by-products include glycerine, plant asphalt, erucic acid, and erucic amide, which are used in various commercial applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries. The company serves direct users, including marine vessel operators and chemical companies; petroleum wholesalers, such as local subsidiaries of state-owned enterprises or privately owned companies; and individual retail gas stations in the Peoples Republic of China. Gushan Environmental Energy Limited was founded in 2001 and is based in Fuzhou City, the Peoples Republic of China.

About BUYINS.NET

BUYINS.NET, www.buyins.net , monitors trading in all US stocks in real time and maintains massive databases of short sale and naked short sale time and sales data, short squeeze SqueezeTrigger prices, market maker price movements, shareholder data, statistical data on earnings, sector correlation, seasonality, hedge fund trading strategies, comparable valuations. Reports include:

REGULATORY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

Friction Factor -- market maker surveillance system tracking Level II market makers in all stocks to determine Price Friction and compliance with new "Fair Market Making Requirements"

RegSHO Naked Shorts -- tracks EVERY failure to deliver in all US stocks and tracks all Threshold Security Lists daily for which stocks have naked shorts that are not in compliance with Regulation SHO

INVESTMENTS & TRADING

SqueezeTrigger -- 29 billion cell database tracks EVERY short sale (not just total short interest) in all US stocks and calculates volume weighted price that a short squeeze will begin in each stock.

Earnings Edge -- predicts probability, price move and length of move before and after all US stock earnings reports.

Seasonality -- predicts probability, price move and length of move based on exact time of year for all US stocks.

Group Trader -- tracks sector rotation and stock correlation to its sector and predicts future moves in ALL sectors and industry groups.

Pattern Scan -- automates tracking of every technical pattern and predicts time and size of move in all stocks.

GATS (Global Automated Trading System) -- tracks all known trading strategies and qualifies and quantifies which are working best in real time.

DISCLAIMER:

BUYINS.NET is not a registered investment advisor and nothing contained in any materials should be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. BUYINS.NET has not been compensated by any of the above mentioned companies. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please visit our web site, www.buyins.net , for complete risks and disclosures.

Contact:

BUYINS.NET

Thomas Ronk

800-715-9999

tom@buyins.net

www.buyins.net

((M2 Communications disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

Digitas Unveils 2011 NewFront.

Digitas announced the return of the annual online content marketplace, The NewFront.

According to a release, the half-day session brings Digitas' clients together with content creators, distributors and talent in a dialog on digital programming opportunities.

The 2011 themed program, entitled "Pipe Dreams / Pipe Reality," will focus on the fortunate challenges for marketers resulting from the proliferation of media opportunity. The "Pipe Dreams" of converged and co-viewed content are now a "Pipe Reality." Through The NewFront, Digitas will continue to advise marketers on how to fully engage and maximize the exploding content options, the next big phase of the Internet.

"Publishing content that's valuable and sharable is an imperative for a brand--whether it's informational, entertaining, or even providing a service. People demand nothing less," said Laura Lang, CEO, Digitas. "We help our clients navigate the multi-screen world to identify the right audience design, content and media distribution. Through our annual NewFront marketplace we give our clients access to preview new concepts and foster brand content creation opportunities at a very early stage."

The event takes place June 9, 12 PM EDT and can be viewed online at TheNewFront.com.

Digitas partners for The NewFront include Google/YouTube, Digital Broadcasting Group, Revision3, and NewTek.

2010's event featured a keynote discussion from Arianna Huffington, Martha Stewart moderated by Kira Swisher. The program had more than 600 client and partner attendees, as well as 250,000 live streams on syndicated channels.

More information:

www.digitas.com

((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Business Appraisers; BUSINESS VALUATIONS, R. E., EQUIP., PATENTS, DISCOUNT STUDI.

Recent assignments for my office: Business Valuation: Plastic Pipe Mfr. - $30MM Revenues - 706 Filing,buy-out Trademark valuation: Famous jeans mfr. - $20 million Rev. - Licensing Business & Real Estate Valuations: Ready Mix Concrete - $8MM Rev. - Estate plan Forward looking Business Valuation: Large-scale Electric Car Developer u Raise Capital Business Valuation: Discount Study u Blueprint Co.; $3MM Rev. - 706 Filing Inventory Appraisal: Parts, Vehicles, Electric Car Mfr. - SFAS141R Business Valuation: Direct Mail: $15MM Rev. Purpose: Stock swap. Equipment Appraisal u Restaurant Chain. - Bank Financing Business Valuation: Car Wash u Partnership Dispute. Business Valuation u Recycling Co.: $300MM Rev.- Buy-Sell Agreement Real Estate Appraisal: Land, Buildings, 26 acres, Riverside, - Move R.E. out of Corp. Business Valuation: ARCO Retailer - 4MM Rev. - Sale by BP. Feasibility Study: Hampton Inn. - Bank Financing Business Valuation: Medical Practice - Litigation Support. Result: Prevailed! Business Valuation: Minority Interest, Aerospace Parts - $22MM Rev. - Estate Planning Business Valuation: Metal Fastener Mfr. $1MM Rev. - Estate planning Business Valuation: Tire retread co. $4MM Rev. - 706 Expert Witness - Business Valuation: Medical Practice u Family Law - Mediated Settlement Business Valuation & Discount Study: Entertainment Prod. Mfr. $100MM Revenues - 409A Business Valuation: Oil well interests. - Purpose: 706 Expert Witness - Business Valuation: Wood Products, Litigation in Shareholder Dispute. Result: Prevailed! Business Valuation, Discount Study: Internet Co. $20MM Rev. - Shareholder Dispute Real Estate Appraisal: Mobile Home Park, 200 units, - Estate Tax Filings River Water Rights Contract - Estate Tax Filings

Area of Specialization: Business Valuations for all industries Certifications/Credentials: All Website: www.TheMentorGroup.Biz State or Country: CA Category: Listing #:57951 [To receive the contact name for this listing, reference the five-digit number which follows each listing and e-mail to FirstList, mergers@firstlist.com. FirstList will forward the contact pertaining to the principal or intermediary representing the business for sale in order to obtain additional information.]

Skeleton in the closet?

Byline: James Tozer

IF you are preparing to go exploring in your family tree, beware offallen branches.

A study has shown that amateur genealogists, hoping to find an aristocratic orcelebrity connection, often trip over something painful.

Around one in five who research their ancestors on the internet findillegitimate children.

Seven per cent apparently discover a convicted criminal in their clan, and 14per cent come across someone who has forsaken the family name for some reason.

Six per cent discover secret adoptions or that their parents or grandparentswere unwed.

The findings are from genealogy website Ancestry.co.uk. Its survey found thatmore than one in three adults have conducted research of this type online inthe past decade, and an estimated 1.4million have made contact with newlydiscovered family members.

The hobby is becoming increasingly popular - and much easier - as more recordsare placed online. Registers of births, marriages and much easier - as morerecords are online. Registers of births, marriages and deaths, as well ascensus information and emigration records are now readily available.

The site's managing director, Simon Harper, said: 'This research confirms thatfor most Britons, the odds are that somewhere in their family's past there is asecret just waiting to be discovered.' Many of these discoveries are excitingones. The survey found that 23 per cent confirm links to the aristocracy,famous historical figures or rich landowners.

And four per cent claim to have found connections to royal blood.

But there is always the chance of turning up a bad apple - as severalhigh-profile figures have recently discovered.

Actor Stephen Fry learnt that his great-great uncle Ernest Pring was an inmateof Knutsford prison in 'It can be very emotional' Cheshire in 1893, and hiswife was committed to a workhouse.

Similarly, fellow television presenter Griff Rhys Jones learnt that far fromdying in a Victorian train crash as he had always believed, hisgreatgrandfather Daniel Price died after cracking his head during a drunkenfight outside a pub in Llanelli in 1897.

Both found out the truth through BBC series Who Do You Think You Are?, whoselatest subject, actor John Hurt, revealed that his cherished Irish ancestryturned out to be a family myth and that his forefathers hailed from Croydon.

Mr Harper said: 'With billions of historical records now available online, theinternet has made it possible for us all to put our family's tall tales to thetest.

'It can also put speculation and rumours passed down through generations torest and can even bring members together for the first time.' He added:'Exploring family history can be very emotional as we start to comprehend howdifficult the lives of our ancestors often were.

'Yet discovering more about them, their successes failures and choices, alsohelps us to appreciate them as people - even if we never knew them personally -and in doing so their contribution to our own lives.'

Ancestry.co.uk claims to have access to 730million records in its UK recordcollection and five billion internationally.

james.tozer@dailymail.co.uk

TOP FAMILY SECRETS

1. Illegitimate children 18%

2. Changed names 14%

3. Secret adoptions 6% = Missing persons 6%

= Unmarried parents 6%

= Unmarried grandparents 6%

7. Links to royalty 4%

8. Convicted thieves 3%

9= Convicted murderers 2%

= Bigamy 2%

= Other convicted criminals 2%

REGION BY REGION

Percentage with family secrets

North East 53%

Lancashire 47%

Wales 47%

Midlands 45%

South West 42%#

South England 40%

East of England 36%

London 35%

Yorkshire 34%

Friday, February 24, 2012

CONSUMER INSIGHT: Why many consumers believe choice is a chore.

Choice is not always a good thing if the consumer feels overwhelmed by it. Younger consumers may welcome abundant options, but for older, less cosmopolitan people, too much choice is annoying

Consumer choice has vastly increased in the past 20 years. Across the widest variety of markets, choice has simply mushroomed.

Successive governments have pursued a policy of encouraging choice as a means of improving the well-being of the nation. The great variety of choice was once seen as a purely benevolent force and something to be celebrated - an expression of the affluence and contentment of the developed economies of the West.

But is choice always a good thing? Can it actually start to be a deterrent for consumers? Future Foundation research has shown that in a number of areas, consumers are experiencing choice paralysis - too much choice is making consumers' lives more difficult, rather than easier.

Deregulation and flexible manufacturing processes have encouraged a much greater range of goods and services. Supermarkets can now stock anything up to 70,000 lines. People shop on a much more individual than household level. The average household has three different cereals and shampoos. Younger people are especially likely to maintain a wider repertoire of goods.

In markets where choice did not previously exist, it has been introduced deliberately. For instance, British consumers now have a wide choice of television, gas and electricity suppliers. They are also faced with a choice of hospital.

Choice is still often very beneficial for consumers. They love a bargain or a range of clearly differentiated products.

However, in many markets, consumers do not gain the same advantages from wider choice. The development of behavioural economics has illustrated the paralysing effect that choice can have. Barry Schwartz's work - outlined in his book, The Paradox of Choice - has robustly argued this case.

The research shows consumers' desire for choice varies widely between markets. In high-cost or high-prestige sectors, consumers often appreciate the benefits of a wide range of products - but this quickly diminishes in commodity or low-prestige markets.

It also tends to be the case that the consumers who are most receptive to wider choice are younger or more affluent, in no small part because they are the best at managing choice.

These are also the groups where access to various choice managing tools is most common. The Internet has proved especially useful in this regard, with websites such as uSwitch, Froogle and Amazon offering consumers highly efficient ways through the maze of rapidly-spreading variety.

However, this is also a situation from which brands can benefit. Consumers look to trusted brand names to simplify their decision-making process. In the conversation economy, familiar brands can be invaluable as reliable sources of information and advice. This will become even more the case as the media becomes more fragmented and user-generated as it too falls under the same influences of choice creation.

Choice remains a positive thing for consumers in many senses. But the sheer scale of it, particularly in low-ticket or low-interest markets, can actually be a negative influence.

In these circumstances, an opportunity develops for marketers and brands to position themselves as advisers and choice-editors. For firms already having to adapt to the newly empowered consumer, this offers a chance to adapt their brand for the future environment and aid the transition to the conversation economy.

Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

Cricinfo and Mobile 365 partner to engage cricket fans in India via SMS; Deal enables Cricinfo to reach cricket fans all over the world, wirelessly.

M2 PRESSWIRE-6 March 2006-Mobile 365: Cricinfo and Mobile 365 partner to engage cricket fans in India via SMS; Deal enables Cricinfo to reach cricket fans all over the world, wirelessly(C)1994-2006 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:06032006

Singapore - Ardent cricket fans in India can now stay up-to-date with developments in the cricket world from news updates, live scores, statistics, and player profiles, and gain exposure to a wide array of entertaining mobile content-all via SMS.

Cricinfo, the largest cricket Website in the world and Mobile 365, the global leader in mobile messaging and data services, today formed a strategic alliance to offer premium short message services (SMS) to mobile subscribers in India. The service was launched today.

Cricket is a passion found in most of the Commonwealth, and Cricinfo is the only online property providing relevant updates and exciting content via the Web and mobile, reaching more than 17 million cricket fans across the globe. Cricinfo has been providing a range of content to mobile operators in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK and Australia.

"Cricinfo is excited by Mobile 365's global footprint and best practices in integration and billing across the many different kinds of operator interfaces," said Ramesh Kumar, COO, Cricinfo India. "We aspire to be an `on demand cricket information and entertainment' service on the mobile platform for cricket fans across the globe. We see ourselves ideally placed to exploit this opportunity-since we understand customer engagement on digital media-and together with the global fulfillment expertise provided by Mobile 365, we see Cricinfo mobile growing stronger over the next few months."

Tapping Mobile 365's unparalleled global distribution footprint-including direct premium connections to more than 120 mobile operators worldwide-Cricinfo Mobile will first be launched in India and then rolled out to markets such as the Middle East, the U.S., and the UK in coming months.

"Mobile 365 is the only messaging and applications company who can deliver and monetize content to literally any handset anywhere in the world, " said Matthew Talbot, Managing Director, Mobile 365 Asia. "By pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this highly popular sport, Cricinfo is setting new benchmarks for the rest of the mobile content industry and Mobile 365 is helping the company deliver around the world.".

Having rolled out its services on the white label shortcode 6365 in India, Cricinfo is currently working with Mobile 365 to set up its own dedicated shortcode, as well as to develop exciting mobile applications and games delivered via GPRS.

About Cricinfo

Cricinfo is the world's leading cricket website, ranked number one in all of its major markets. The site was founded in 1993, and its continuing success is built on the combination of live ball-by-ball coverage of all Test and one-day international matches, news and features written by some of the world's best cricket writers, and in-depth statistics on every one of the 3,000 international and 45,000 first class cricketers to have played the game.

Cricinfo now reaches more than 8.5 million users every month. The site's global reach, authority and brand recognition is unrivalled in the online cricket world. And Cricinfo now reaches beyond the Internet - so that you can get Cricinfo content on your mobile phone or on some of the world's leading Internet portals. www.cricinfo.com

About Mobile 365

Delivering two billion messages per month, Mobile 365 leads the world in the global delivery and settlement of mobile messaging and data services, including SMS, MMS, and WAP. With reach to more than 500 mobile operators around the world, Mobile 365 is at the forefront of mobile interoperability messaging and the distribution of premium content and value-added services. Headquartered outside of Washington, D.C., Mobile 365 has offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New Delhi, Paris, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Taipei. Major operator customers include Verizon Wireless, Vodafone, Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile, Telcel, Telefonica, O2, China Mobile, China Unicom, Hutchison, and Airtel. Major brand customers include Volvo, Sony Pictures, MSN, Citibank, Siemens, Ogilvy, Yahoo!, and Dunkin' Donuts. For more information, visit: www.mobile365.com.

CONTACT: Torsha Banerjee, Head Research, Planning & Sales Support, Cricinfo India Pvt. Ltd.Tel: +91 9886639058e-mail: torshab@wisdengroup.comJean Loh, Asia Senior Marketing Manager, Mobile 365Tel: +60 3 6203 2713e-mail: jean.loh@mobile365.comJann Yip, Asian Publicis (for Mobile 365)Tel: +65 6455 2812e-mail: jann@asianpublicis.com

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).

Action Products Sales Exceeded All of Last Year; Warrant Program Continues to Bring in Equity Funds.

Action Products International Inc. , a leading toy designer and manufacturer of educational and positive, non-violent branded toys for children in preschool through primary grades, announced today that on Oct 6, 2003, sales for the year surpassed sales for all of 2002. Lead by a break out in sales for JAY JAY THE JET PLANE WOODEN ADVENTURE SYSTEM(TM) coupled with support from the company's other branded lines, the management of Action Products International Inc. now expects the company to establish a new all time sales record by year end. The previous record was in 2001 when sales reached $8,171,600. In 2002, the sales slipped to $6,429, 300. Accordingly, the sales projections are being raised to $8.2 - $8.3 million for the year ending December 31, 2003. Action Products International, Inc. preliminary total sales guidance for 2004 is currently in the $10.0 to $10.5 million range will be reviewed in early November.

"The quality of our sales is much higher than in 2001. Our sales representatives are more focused on our branded lines and we are continuing to have a high degree of shipping on time against orders. We just received our first orders in the hospital gift shop market, the educational market continues to grow and our products will be appearing in over 7,000,000 holiday specialty mail order catalogs. Additionally, our retailers are reporting that our brands are selling through at record levels and many have significantly increased their Q4 orders -- in some cases doubling their current orders," said Bill Bordegon, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We are preparing for 2004 which we see as another break out year. Our products are 'evergreen' and not subject to fads. We are already getting orders for delivery in the new year including a significant size opening order from a big name attraction. The new specialty markets we are opening appear to be very promising."

"Our increasing revenue, current profitability, growing dealer network, and strong balance sheet, all reflect a strong turnaround from the conditions we faced at this time last year," notes Ronald Kaplan, Action Products' President/CEO. "We are proud and appreciative of the acceptance of our brands by consumers and our retail partners. I am especially proud of our dedicated team of retail dealers, sales representatives and internal team members. In addition, we are pleased to be joined by notable specialty and educational toy companies, such as International Playthings and Leap Frog, Columbia TriStar for DVD and Video and Penguin Putnam for Books in our mutual efforts to grow consumer brand equity in the still fledgling Jay Jay The Jet Plane brand. These developments will serve to build even greater consumer acceptance of this exciting new property which bodes well for our segment (the specialty toy industry) potentially marking an era of renewed growth and prosperity for specialty toy retailers."

250,867 public warrants and 60,000 privately placed warrants have been exercised as of Oct 10, 2003. 3,272.092 warrants were issued to all the shareholders.

ABOUT ACTION PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL

Action Products International, Inc. is a leading designer and manufacturer of educational and positive branded toys emphasizing fun, quality brands including Jay Jay The Jet Plane Wooden Adventure System(TM), I Dig Dinosaurs(R) and I Dig Treasures(R) excavation activity kits, Space Voyagers(R) ("The most authentic Space Toys on Earth"), Climb@Tron(TM) window-climbing animals and robots, Play and Store(TM) themed playsets, Kidz Workshop(TM) wooden projects, and Drop Zone Extreme(TM) parachute toys. Its products are marketed and sold to specialty retailers, museums, toy stores, theme parks, attractions, zoos, catalog companies, Internet retailers, and educational markets in the United States and worldwide.

For more information on Action Products toys, email marketing@apii.com

Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this release are forward-looking statements. It is possible that the assumptions made by management for purposes of such statements may not materialize. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Such statements may involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those relating to product demand, pricing, market acceptance, the effect of economic conditions, and intellectual property rights and the outcome of competitive products, risks in product development, the results of financing efforts, the ability to complete transactions, and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement for events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made.

CONTACT: Warren Kaplan, Chairperson, or Ray Oliver, Investor Relations, both of Action Products, +1-407-481-8007 Ext 723, investor@apii.com

Web site: http://www.apii.com/