How to Select Your First Date Meal Without Gaining Weight

By April Braswell 

Moderns single men and women are going on a lot more First Dates with the advent on Internet Dating to jet propel their singles social life. However, if you're eating dinner out more than 2 nights per week, you run the risk of putting on weight, jeopardizing your attractiveness with the opposite sex.

What are some practical strategies you can apply to First Date menu selection to keep the calories down and avoid putting on weight? LA's leading internet dating expert shares tips and insights to empower singles for peak attraction while looking for love online and enjoying great First Dates!

If you've managed to publish a great internet dating profile and started searching for love and your Soul Mate at the singles dating websites, congratulations to you! You're taking action to improve your chances at finding love. Using the popular internet personals ads sites is an excellence option where singles of all ages are finding their life partner.

Once you find a few prospective dates and start exchanging messages, within a few of your great conversational messages, the two of you find that you have sufficient mutual attraction and interest that you're both interested in meeting for a first date. He asks her out and for her phone number. She responds yes she'd be delighted and gives him her mobile phone number. He phones to work out the logistics of the first date. They both dress to impress for first date success. They arrive, flirt and greet.

As the two of you are sitting down at the table where your wait person seated you, you smile, ask for a glass of water each, and then you each open the menu and start to peruse your options.

You glance your eyes over the photos of the meal options and your eyes bulge out slightly in response. Oh my goodness! The portion size of American restaurants is quite massive. If you were to actually eat the whole meal, plus perhaps share an appetizer together, you would be eating more than the calories recommended to you to consume in one whole day, let alone at the sitting for one meal.

What are you to do? Is there something you can say or do to display social poise and self-assured confidence while putting your date at ease? Indeed, you can breath exhale a sigh of relief because yes there is.

First of all, do you really need an appetizer? Maybe you don't. If you avoid the majority of selections in the appetizer menu, you'll avoid many deep fat fried starchy foods.

Instead, focus on the entree selection of the main course dishes. Pasta can be very caloric and too filling for a date. Plus the man runs the risk of getting the sauce on your tie and the lady to spill that on your dress. Better to focus on the simpler meat selections with minimal sauce. The sauce is often where there are a lot of hidden meal calories. Peruse the beef, poultry, pork, seafood, and lamb options which are served grilled.

Green leafy salads can often be an excellent choice if you have an option to add beef, chicken, or shrimp on top of the fresh greens to round out the dish with the addition of a protein component. Watch the salad dressing selections for calorie laden dressings. Optimally request your dressing be served on the side so you can dip your fork tips into the dressing for just a taste as you enjoy mouthful of greens for dinner with your date.

Before you place your dinner order, reflect on the side dishes which come along with your main course. White rice, steak fries, and mashed potatoes offer the lowest nutritional value for your calories. Instead, look for options of cole slaw, sliced tomatoes, steamed vegetables, and brown rice featured and request those.

Lastly, when you meal does arrive, take a real look at it. Consider simply cutting your main dish in half and pushing it aside for the time being. Keep sipping your water throughout the meal. In all likelihood, with the great flirtations and conversation exchange you'll have with your new date, you'll find you are full before you even know it. At the end of the meal, just request a to-go container for the remainder of your meal. Take to the office for lunch.

By following these expert dating advice first date menu managing guidelines, as you pursue finding love online, you'll maintain the fit body you have now! And what could be more attractive than that!

Computer Dating Expert and Professional Internet Dating Profile Writer helps empower single men and women to find lasting love in the Web 3.0 Age of Facebook, whatever your age. Combining her fun humor with a compassionate approach, Online Dating Coach and Dating Expert, April Braswell leads singles classes and workshop in the LA area of Southern California, specializing on After 40 Singles Dating coaching. Enjoy tons of free dating advice and tips articles plus services and products to help boomer singles looking to find love this year at her website and top Best Dating Blogs.

To grab your FREE copy of 10 Secrets to Get a Boyfriend or Girlfriend Fast go to now: www.AprilBraswell.com
Copyright April Braswell. All Rights Reserved.

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External Hard Drive - Six Things to Consider Before Buying One

By Nicholas James Shipley 

An external hard drive is a device where computer files can be stored outside of the internal hard drive. Why is it important? There are many reasons, from lack of internal storage capacity to file contamination to privacy, etc. In any case, it's good not to take chances with any of these risks, especially when you're dealing with vital information or large files. Since these devices are not all created equal, you need to look into a few things before buying one.

Types of External Hard Drive
There are two general types of external hard drive-portable and desktop. The portable type is small, around 2.5 inches, and housed in a slim casing that makes it easy to carry around. As its name indicates, its main advantage is portability, which also means it works without a separate power supply unit. On the other hand, the desktop external hard drive is slightly larger, around 3.5 inches, and comes with fans to help keep it cool while being used. Although it is still portable, it is designed to provide a larger storage capacity, hence its size.


Capacity
Looking around for an external hard drive best buy also involves considerations regarding storage capacity. The portable type is rather limited in this department because it depends mainly on the storage capacity of the computer to which it is attached, and how many other USB-powered devices are connected. However, when using a desktop device, 2TB is the storage capacity that may be expected. This simply means more space for more files, including videos, movies and other files, where the maximum capacity of portable device, is not enough.


Compatibility
compatibility is yet another issue that needs to be looked into because obviously, no drive works when its connector doesn't match the port on the computer where it is to be attached. There are three types of connectors-USB, eSata and Firewire. Therefore, a Firewire will only work with a Firewire port, a Mac will only work with a Mac port, and so on. USB's are the most commonly used connectors today, but they're not nearly half as good as eSata and Firewire when it comes to performance.


Cost
Of course, an inevitable issue to be considered when buying a drive is cost. As expected, the prices of drives vary, depending on the manufacturer and the store where they are sold. However, one rule of thumb for determining whether a certain product's price is fair enough is to divide this amount by the number of gigabytes. External hard drives are immensely cheaper today than they were five years ago, and can be bought for a very cheap price of $o.25 per GB. More expensive brands can cost anywhere from $o.60 to $0.70 per GB.


So Do You Really Need an External Hard Drive?
An external hard drive provides more storage space, and with some of your files saved in this device, you can free up some space in your computer and expect better performance. This drive is also easy to upgrade, so if you need even more space, that will not be a problem (except for flash drives.) If your computer crashes, files saved on your external drive will still be safe. You can even stash away your most personal files in this device and have the privacy you need. Do you really need an external hard drive? If any of these things matter to you, yes.


What Do You Need it For?
In the event that you are sure you need an external hard drive, you have to be clear on what you want it for. Do you plan to use it for personal document safekeeping, or are you planning on saving a whole library of songs and movies on it? Will you use it for storing back up files at the office, or will it just be for copying files from one computer to another? It's important to be sure about this because a large part of what makes an external hard drive right for you has something to do with the nature and volume of files that you will be saving on it.

It can get confusing having to choose from the many different brands and types of this device today, but sites that feature external hard drive reviews are a great place to start. Whether you're planning to buy a Western Digital, Samsung, Vertex, Plextor or seagate external hard drive, it pays to know exactly what you're for based on these six important considerations and a few pointers from other users.

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Why Decide on a 1TB External Hard Drive?

By A. Durand 

A 1TB External hard drive is something that will add a lot of memory to even the cheapest computers and get them to perform better. You can purchase such a drive offline or online. Simply plug it into a USB port to immediately add more storage to your computer. There is no need to take up the device apart and play around with anything else. This is an external device which is easy to install on the external part of your computer and will instantly help it function better. You really don't need to be a computer wizard to operate and use such a device. It's as easy as plug and play!

The drive allows those computers that do not have a lot of memory on their hard drive to have more. It will also save you money as you don't have to buy the most expensive computer to make the most of this device. In fact, the beauty of an external drive is that you can get away by buying the cheapest computer out there and make it to work better and have more memory to store those files you desire, family photos, music, and videos for example. The more memory a computer has, the better it is. One of the main complaints of users of cheap computers, is the lack of storage space on their device. This issue can be easily resolved by adding a 1TB external device to their computer. If you decide to purchase such a drive, please make sure that you do so from a reputable website/company. The best sites should allow you to have access to real reviews from customers who have purchased and used the device and have come back to the sites to give their personal views on the item they have purchased without it being edited.

At the end of the day, although an expensive computer can offer you better features than a cheap computer, the drive is actually what makes a computer function at its best.. The more memory the device can store, the better it functions. Drives that are portable, particularly the 1TB external drive, have lots of benefits with the first and foremost being its application without overhauling the system.

If you are searching around for the best 1TB external hard drive then the following information would be of great help to you. Most of these external drives have similar features and usually have the second version that is a 2td external hard drive. In addition to similar features, most of the time the price is also relatively similar between these portable devices. I personally think that Western Digital, Seagate and laCie are the leading manufacturers in external hard drives. I've reviewed several hard drives on my website.

If you are looking for in depth reviews of all the best 1TB External Hard Drives such as the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex, visit our reviews website. We also reveal where to purchase online, the cheapest 1TB External Hard Drives.
http://www.1tbexternalharddrivereviews.com

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Are You Vulnerable Online? 5 Ways Hackers Get In

By Robin Hale 

In the past few years, there have been countless reports of hackers compromising the security of big name companies like Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, and Amazon. So, what makes you think your company is any safer than they were? Hackers are sneaky; they can find the most minuscule opening in your system and take complete advantage of it.

Do you know where your computers and mobile devices might be vulnerable? Are you leaving yourself open to hackers? Here are just a few ways a hacker might be able to get into your system and compromise your valuable and private information.

How Hackers Get In

• Spam- Ever notice how your junk e-mail folder always seems to stay full? Many hackers use this type of spam to sent you enticing and believable messages like "Free Gift!" or "Where were you?" to make you think the e-mails aren't actually spam, but correspondence from individuals you trust. These spam e-mail are used to trick you into giving the hackers personal information, downloading programs, or visiting harmful sites online. Hackers are smart, and giving them just a little bit of information can allow them to access much more off your computer.
• Downloads- Downloading programs from the internet is wildly popular these days, but you should be careful. When you download videos, music, software, and images, you could be getting more than you bargained for. Hackers use these downloads to infect your computers with viruses, adware, and spyware that can put your information at risk and give hackers that little window they need to infiltrate your system.
• Popups- Like junk mail, popups are yet another tool hackers use to trick you into putting your personal and corporate data at risk. While they may seem like legitimate advertisements for services and products, these popups are often filled with hidden spyware and viruses, just waiting for you to click on them.
• Software Updates- Many individuals don't realize it, but forgetting to update their software, like anti-virus and anti-spyware programs can make them extremely vulnerable to attacks. These updates contain security patches for new viruses, worms, and Trojans that may be present on the internet.
• Shared Files- While sharing files with other computers on your network may make work easier around the office, it can also place you at greater risk for hacking. Once a hacker has accessed your computers, he can easily look through your files, gather personal and sensitive information, and even delete the folders and files you have created so you no longer have access to them.

What to Do to Prevent Hacking

• Install an anti-virus program- then use it regularly. Pay attention to what it says and get rid of any viruses, worms, or Trojans it finds. Keep an eye out for updates as well, as these can help fill those holes hackers use to gain access to your computers.
• Use encryption software to make your data unreadable to anyone who might gain access to your computer. Use this encryption on all of your information, even if you do not think a hacker can use it to infiltrate your system. Remember, hackers are very sneaky, and if you give them an inch, they'll take a mile.
• Disable all file sharing on your computer. This can easily be done on Window Explorer. To do so, open your browser and take a look at your folders. If there is a small hand under a folder, it means you are sharing it with your network. Right click on that folder and then click on Sharing and Security. Select the tab that says 'Sharing' and then click the 'do not share this folder.'

Your computers could be much more vulnerable to hacking than you might think. Use this information to determine where the holes in your security are, and begin using an ant-virus program and data encryption program immediately to ensure your computer is safe from attack.

Whether your business is looking for Anti Virus solutions, email security, analysis and reporting software, two factor authentication, data encryption, or other network security solutions, TekData is right for you. TekData provides as much or as little assistance as you desire or need. With state of the art software and solutions, we offer training, webinars, troubleshooting, and installation assistance.

When you choose TekData, you choose to partner with a leader in the industry. You're partnering with integrity and success. Visit Tekdata for more details on the services we provide.

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Comparing iPhone Vs Android

By Philip Hannigen 

With many people deciding to enter the smartphone market everyday, there comes the issue of whether to buy an Android phone or Apple's iPhone. With the expansion of iPhones to all the major cell phone providers, this decision can become more confusing. In the days that iPhone was strictly an AT&T phone, there was a simple choice between whether or not an AT&T plan was a viable option. Now, in this new landscape, you will be faced with an array of phones to thoroughly confuse you. Thankfully, there are people who have used and tested many devices and are willing to offer their opinions to you.

The first point to consider is that Android is purely an operating system and not a phone manufacturer. This can lead to some confusion when trying to come to a decision about which phone to choose. Many comparisons around the internet put iPhones up against far less comparable devices that run Android and then claim that iPhones are the supreme leader. The fact of the matter is that there are a variety of phones running Android and they are not created equally. The best way to make an appropriate comparison is look at Android phones that are in the same price range as the iPhone in question. Taking this step will ensure that you are making an appropriate analysis between the features being offered by either device.

The highest-end Android devices compare very well to the newest iPhone model in many aspects and continue to outshine Apple's product in other areas. iPhones have some of the best 8MP cameras on the market. But, many Android phones come with 8MP cameras as well and take comparable photos. While many phones may not be as slim and light as the iPhone, there are certainly options that come quite close to matching the design specifications of the Apple smartphone.

Android outshines Apple in the realm of customization, which can be a big deal for many savvy smartphone users. There is something about having a device that does not look and feel exactly like all of the similar phones on the market. Every single iPhone will look and feel exactly the same, while delivering the same user experience. There are good and bad things to be said about this very homogenized approach to user interaction. For the novice smartphone user, there can be an allure to the simplicity that goes into using an iPhone. But, for a slightly more technically savvy individual, the Android phone can feel a lot more personalized.

iPhone's new "Retina Display" is one of the most beautiful screens available on the market on any device. There is realistically no comparison of any Android device to the pixels that are jammed into Apple's screen. While an entry-level smartphone user will likely never notice this, it can be easily distinguished when the devices are operating side by side. But, many Android devices offer considerably larger screens, which can be preferable when consuming media.

The bottom line is that the choice between the two major operating systems is a personal one and can be a little bit confusing. The advice many people give is that entry-level smartphone adopters should probably choose and iPhone. While people who are experienced in technology and smartphones should probably give Google's operating system a run. No matter which one you choose, getting a smartphone is becoming more necessary in this society.

Visit this site for more on smartphone operating system comparisons and more tablet and electronics comparisons can also be found here.

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Know The Advantages of Alloy Wheels

By Emma Heuton 

Alloy wheels are basically automobile wheels, which are manufactured from the alloys of magnesium and aluminum. These automobile wheels are similar to the regular automobile wheels made from steel. They have some added features, which make them better than the regular wheels. Alloy wheels have become popular since second half of the 20th century due to their lighter weight, aesthetic appeal and better performance. These wheels gained a huge success across the world, as soon as they were launched. Today, majority of the car manufacturers prefer installing wheels manufactured from alloys in the new car models.

Alloy wheels are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and materials. Different types of alloy automobile wheels available in the market today are:

Three Spoke Wheels: The three spoke automobile wheels are suitable for smaller vehicles. These slim spoked equipment became very popular when they were first introduced in the market. Today, this type of wheel has become outdated and very few people prefer using this type of wheel.

Five and Six Spoke Wheels: These are the most popular type of alloy wheels. These versatile equipment suit almost any type of automobile. These wider equipment are more suitable for large automobiles.

Twin and Multi Spoke Wheels: These types of automobile parts are suitable for sports cars and luxury cars. Installing five or six spoke wheels in your luxury car can make your car look a little simple and understated. Installing twin or multi-spoke wheels will enhance the overall look of your car. They will make it look more stylish and classy.

Alloy automobile wheels are manufactured primarily by four different processes, including low pressure casting (LPDC), gravity casting (permanent mold and sand casting), high pressure die casting (HPDC) and forging. These automobile parts have several benefits over regular steel wheels, including:

Light Weight: These automobile parts are lighter in weight as compared to the steel wheels. Installing these wheels in your vehicle reduces the unsprung mass of the vehicle. Lower unsprung mass is important for maintaining an optimum contact with the surface of the road. Reduced unsprung mass results in improved performance, better balancing, better suspension and better handling. Reduced unsprung mass also enhances the vehicle's grip on the road and uneven terrains. Further, weight of a wheel has more importance as compared to the weight of a stationary automobile part. More energy is required to slow down or speed up a heavier wheel. Installing lighter alloy wheels will reduce the amount of energy (fuel) consumption. A lighter vehicle offers a better mileage. The alloy wheels manufactured from magnesium alloys are known as Mag-Wheels. These are one of the lightest moving automobile parts available in the market. These automobile parts are widely installed in racing cars.

Aesthetic Appeal: These automobile parts have become popular due to their intricate and shiny designs and unmatched visual appeal. These equipment can give an extraordinary makeover to your cars. Chrome alloy automobile wheels look great on dark-colored cars.

Emma Heuton is a writer who writes on several topics. Mostly she writes on SME, Business, products and manufacturing units. To provide useful insights, she prefers to study comprehensively. You can also find information on Alloy wheels in this article but if looking for more information on it, you may visit http://www.hellotrade.com.

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Explained: The Different Versions of Windows 7

By Tom Macmillan 

There are actually six different versions of Microsoft's current flagship operating system. This articles aims to describe the differences between them. We'll explore each one in order of sophistication, examining some of the features that each possesses. It's worth noting that each 'upgrade' contains all the features of the previous version, so there is no kind of trade-off when changing versions.

Firstly, Starter is the most basic, only available in 32-bit (all the other versions allow for 32- and 64-bit) and has very few features that can be modified by the user - the desktop wallpaper and other visual features are no editable. This version is suited to simple netbooks and other small, low-powered devices.

Home Basic is similar to Home Premium (see below) but is aimed at "emerging markets" (South America, Africa etc) and has fewer features.

Home Premium is the version that most people will be familiar with, as it is best suited to home PC use and includes Windows Media Centre for things like home movies and video editing.

Targeted at small businesses, Professional has some extra features suited to the corporate environment such as printer location tools, backups, and the useful XP Mode.

Enterprise is similarly aimed at the corporate sector but is sold through Microsoft's licensing channel (Microsoft Software Assurance). It contains a number of benefits such as a Multi-lingual user interface and support for UNIX applications.

Ultimate has all the same features as Enterprise but is available for home use. It is possible to upgrade from Vista to Ultimate without doing a complete re-install; this is not possible with Enterprise.

In conclusion, it's somewhat unclear why there are so many versions of the same basic OS. Home Premium is what is bundled with the majority of PC sold in consolidated markets (i.e the Western world, US, UK, Western Europe and so on) and can be considered, to an extent, the default or standard edition. The differences between Home Basic (for emerging markets) and Home Premium are puzzling: Microsoft seem to be differentiating for the sake of it. Market segmentation is important, and the advanced editions like Enterprise and Ultimate are understandable, but it seems odd to hobble certain users based on geographical location.

Finally, it's interesting to note that whatever version you have installed on your machine, it will contain every available feature (as in Enterprise or Ultimate) but you only have access to the version you have installed. Upgrading to a more advanced version simply means unlocking more features.

-Tom Macmillan

http://www.comms-byte.com

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