Secretaries and Administrative Assistants

Secretaries and administrative assistants perform a variety of administrative and clerical duties necessary to run an organization efficiently. They serve as information and communication managers for an office; plan and schedule meetings and appointments; organize and maintain paper and electronic files; manage projects; conduct research; and disseminate information by using the telephone, mail services, Web sites, and e-mail. They also may handle travel and guest arrangements.

Secretaries and administrative assistants use a variety of office equipment, such as fax machines, photocopiers, scanners, and videoconferencing and telephone systems. In addition, secretaries and administrative assistants often use computers to do tasks previously handled by managers and professionals, such as: create spreadsheets; compose correspondence; manage databases; and create presentations, reports, and documents using desktop publishing software and digital graphics. They also may negotiate with vendors, maintain and examine leased equipment, purchase supplies, manage areas such as stockrooms or corporate libraries, and retrieve data from various sources. At the same time, managers and professionals have assumed many tasks traditionally assigned to secretaries and administrative assistants, such as keyboarding and answering the telephone. Because secretaries and administrative assistants do less dictation and word processing, they now have time to support more members of the executive staff. In a number of organizations, secretaries and administrative assistants work in teams to work flexibly and share their expertise.

Specific job duties vary with experience and titles. Executive secretaries and administrative assistants provide high-level administrative support for an office and for top executives of an organization. Generally, they perform fewer clerical tasks than do secretaries and more information management. In addition to arranging conference calls and supervising other clerical staff, they may handle more complex responsibilities such as reviewing incoming memos, submissions, and reports in order to determine their significance and to plan for their distribution. They also prepare agendas and make arrangements for meetings of committees and executive boards. They also may conduct research and prepare statistical reports.

Some secretaries and administrative assistants, such as legal and medical secretaries, perform highly specialized work requiring knowledge of technical terminology and procedures.—for example, by verifying quotes and citations in legal briefs. Additionally, legal secretaries often teach newly minted lawyers how to prepare documents for submission to the courts. Medical secretaries transcribe dictation, prepare correspondence, and assist physicians or medical scientists with reports, speeches, articles, and conference proceedings. They also record simple medical histories, arrange for patients to be hospitalized, and order supplies. Most medical secretaries need to be familiar with insurance rules, billing practices, and hospital or laboratory procedures. Other technical secretaries who assist engineers or scientists may prepare correspondence, maintain their organization’s technical library, and gather and edit materials for scientific papers.

Secretaries employed in elementary schools and high schools perform important administrative functions for the school. They are responsible for handling most of the communications between parents, the community, and teachers and administrators who work at the school. As such, they are required to know details about registering students, immunizations, and bus schedules, for example. They schedule appointments, keep track of students’ academic records, and make room assignments for classes. Those who work directly for principals screen inquiries from parents and handle those matters not needing a principal’s attention. They also may set a principal’s calendar to help set her or his priorities for the day.

Agricultural workers

Agricultural workers play a large role in getting food, plants, and other agricultural products to market. Working mostly on farms or ranches, but also in nurseries, slaughterhouses, and even ports of entry, these workers have numerous and diverse duties. Among their activities are planting and harvesting crops, installing irrigation, delivering animals, and inspecting our food for safety. While most agricultural workers have relatively few technical skills, some have college degrees that train them to breed animals with specific traits or to inspect food, protecting us from harmful bacteria.

More than 80 percent of agricultural workers are farmworkers and laborers. Crop, nursery, and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers perform numerous activities related to growing and harvesting grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, fiber, trees, shrubs, and other crops. They plant and seed, prune, irrigate, harvest, and pack and load crops for shipment. Farmworkers also apply pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to crops and repair fences and some farm equipment. Nursery and greenhouse workers prepare land or greenhouse beds for growing horticultural products, such as trees, plants, flowers, and sod. Their duties include planting, watering, pruning, weeding, and spraying the plants. They may cut, roll, and stack sod; stake trees; tie, wrap, and pack plants to fill orders; and dig up or move field-grown and containerized shrubs and trees.

Farm and ranch animal farmworkers care for live farm, ranch, or water animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses, poultry, finfish, shellfish, and bees. The animals are usually raised to supply meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, or honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, castrating, branding, debeaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. On dairy farms, farmworkers operate milking machines; they also may maintain records on animals, examine animals to detect diseases and injuries, assist in delivering animals at their birth, and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides. Many workers clean and maintain animal housing areas every day.

Other agricultural workers known as agricultural equipment operators use a variety of farm equipment to plow, sow seeds, and maintain and harvest crops. Equipment may include tractors, fertilizer spreaders, haybines, raking equipment, balers, combines, threshers, and trucks. These workers also operate machines, such as conveyor belts, loading machines, separators, cleaners, and dryers, used in moving and treating crops after their harvest. As part of the job, workers may make adjustments and minor repairs to equipment.

Agricultural inspectors, another type of agricultural worker, are employed by Federal and State governments to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing the health, safety, and quality of agricultural commodities. Inspectors also make sure that the facilities and equipment used in processing the commodities meet legal standards. Meat safety is a prime responsibility. Inspectors work to ensure that meat is free of harmful ingredients or bacteria. In meat-processing facilities, inspectors may collect samples of meat suspected to be diseased or contaminated and send them to a laboratory for identification and analysis. They also may inspect livestock to help determine the effectiveness of medication and feeding programs. Some inspectors are stationed at export and import sites to weigh and inspect agricultural shipments leaving and entering the country to ensure the quality and quantity of the shipments. A few work at logging sites, making sure that safety regulations are enforced.

Computer operator

Computer operators oversee the operation of computer hardware systems, ensuring that these machines are used as efficiently and securely as possible. They may work with mainframes, minicomputers, or networks of personal computers. Computer operators must anticipate problems and take preventive action, as well as solve problems that occur during operations. The duties of computer operators vary with the size of the installation, the type of equipment used, and the policies of the employer. Generally, operators control the console of either a mainframe digital computer or a group of minicomputers. Working from operating instructions prepared by programmers, users, or operations managers, computer operators set controls on the computer and on peripheral devices required to run a particular job.

Computer operators load equipment with tapes, disks, and paper, as needed. While the computer is running—which may be 24 hours a day—computer operators monitor the control console and respond to operating and computer messages. Messages indicate the individual specifications of each job being run. If an error message occurs, operators must locate and solve the problem or terminate the program. Operators also maintain logbooks or operating records that list each job run and events that occur during their shift, such as machine malfunctions. Other computer operators perform and monitor routine tasks, such as tape backup, virus checking, software upgrading, and basic maintenance. In addition, computer operators may help programmers and systems analysts test and debug new programs.

A greater number of computer operators are working on personal computers (PCs) and minicomputers, as the number and complexity of computer networks continues to grow. In many offices, factories, and other work settings, PCs and minicomputers are connected in networks, often referred to as local area networks (LANs) or multi-user systems. While users in the area operate some of these computers, many require the services of full-time operators. The tasks they perform on PCs and minicomputers are very similar to those performed on large computers and include trying to keep the computer networks secure.

As organizations continue to look for opportunities to increase productivity, many tasks formerly performed by computer operators are now being automated. New software enables computers to perform many routine tasks, formerly done by computer operators, without human interaction. Scheduling, loading, and downloading programs, mounting tapes, rerouting messages, and running periodic reports can be done without the intervention of an operator. As technology advances, the responsibilities of many computer operators are shifting to areas such as network operations, user support, and database maintenance.

Fashion designers

Fashion designers help create the billions of dresses, suits, shoes, and other clothing and accessories purchased every year by consumers. Designers study fashion trends, sketch designs of clothing and accessories, select colors and fabrics, and oversee the final production of their designs. Clothing designers create and help produce men’s, women’s, and children’s apparel, including casual wear, suits, sportswear, formalwear, outerwear, maternity, and intimate apparel. Footwear designers help create and produce different styles of shoes and boots. Accessory designers help create and produce items such as handbags, belts, scarves, hats, hosiery, and eyewear, which add the finishing touches to an outfit. (The work of jewelers and precious stone and metal workers is described elsewhere in the Handbook.) Some fashion designers specialize in clothing, footwear, or accessory design, but others create designs in all three fashion categories.

The design process from initial design concept to final production takes between 18 and 24 months. The first step in creating a design is researching current fashion and making predictions of future trends. Some designers conduct their own research, while others rely on trend reports published by fashion industry trade groups. Trend reports indicate what styles, colors, and fabrics will be popular for a particular season in the future. Textile manufacturers use these trend reports to begin designing fabrics and patterns while fashion designers begin to sketch preliminary designs. Designers then visit manufacturers or trade shows to procure samples of fabrics and decide which fabrics to use with which designs.

Once designs and fabrics are chosen, a prototype of the article using cheaper materials is created and then tried on a model to see what adjustments to the design need to be made. This also helps designers to narrow their choices of designs to offer for sale. After the final adjustments and selections have been made, samples of the article using the actual materials are sewn and then marketed to clothing retailers. Many designs are shown at fashion and trade shows a few times a year. Retailers at the shows place orders for certain items, which are then manufactured and distributed to stores.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is increasingly being used in the fashion design industry. Although most designers initially sketch designs by hand, a growing number also translate these hand sketches to the computer. CAD allows designers to view designs of clothing on virtual models and in various colors and shapes, thus saving time by requiring fewer adjustments of prototypes and samples later.

Depending on the size of their design firm and their experience, fashion designers may have varying levels of involvement in different aspects of design and production. In large design firms, fashion designers often are the lead designers who are responsible for creating the designs, choosing the colors and fabrics, and overseeing technical designers who turn the designs into a final product. They are responsible for creating the prototypes and patterns and work with the manufacturers and suppliers during the production stages. Large design houses also employ their own patternmakers, tailors, and sewers who create the master patterns for the design and sew the prototypes and samples. Designers working in small firms, or those new to the job, usually perform most of the technical, patternmaking, and sewing tasks, in addition to designing the clothing.

Fashion designers working for apparel wholesalers or manufacturers create designs for the mass market. These designs are manufactured in various sizes and colors. A small number of high-fashion (haute couture) designers are self-employed and create custom designs for individual clients, usually at very high prices. Other high-fashion designers sell their designs in their own retail stores or cater to specialty stores or high-fashion department stores. These designers create a mixture of original garments and those that follow established fashion trends.

Elevator Installers and Repairers

Elevator installers and repairers—also called elevator constructors or elevator mechanics—assemble, install, and replace elevators, escalators, chairlifts, dumbwaiters, moving walkways, and similar equipment in new and old buildings. Once the equipment is in service, they maintain and repair it as well. They also are responsible for modernizing older equipment. To install, repair, and maintain modern elevators, which are almost all electronically controlled, elevator installers and repairers must have a thorough knowledge of electronics, electricity, and hydraulics. Many elevators are controlled with microprocessors, which are programmed to analyze traffic conditions in order to dispatch elevators in the most efficient manner. With these controls, it is possible to get the greatest amount of service with the fewest number of cars.

Elevator installers and repairers usually specialize in installation, maintenance, or repair work. Maintenance and repair workers generally need greater knowledge of electricity and electronics than do installers because a large part of maintenance and repair work is troubleshooting.When installing a new elevator, installers and repairers begin by studying blueprints to determine the equipment needed to install rails, machinery, car enclosures, motors, pumps, cylinders, and plunger foundations. Then, they begin equipment installation. Working on scaffolding or platforms, installers bolt or weld steel rails to the walls of the shaft to guide the elevator.

Elevator installers put in electrical wires and controls by running tubing, called conduit, along a shaft’s walls from floor to floor. Once the conduit is in place, mechanics pull plastic-covered electrical wires through it. They then install electrical components and related devices required at each floor and at the main control panel in the machine room.Installers bolt or weld together the steel frame of an elevator car at the bottom of the shaft; install the car’s platform, walls, and doors; and attach guide shoes and rollers to minimize the lateral motion of the car as it travels through the shaft. They also install the outer doors and door frames at the elevator entrances on each floor.

For cabled elevators, these workers install geared or gearless machines with a traction drive wheel that guides and moves heavy steel cables connected to the elevator car and counterweight. (The counterweight moves in the opposite direction from the car and balances most of the weight of the car to reduce the weight that the elevator’s motor must lift.) Elevator installers also install elevators in which a car sits on a hydraulic plunger that is driven by a pump. The plunger pushes the elevator car up from underneath, similar to a lift in an auto service station.

Installers and repairers also install escalators. They place the steel framework, the electrically powered stairs, and the tracks and install associated motors and electrical wiring. In addition to elevators and escalators, installers and repairers also may install devices such as dumbwaiters and material lifts—which are similar to elevators in design—as well as moving walkways, stair lifts, and wheelchair lifts.

Once an elevator is operating properly, it must be maintained and serviced regularly to keep it in safe working condition. Elevator installers and repairers generally do preventive maintenance—such as oiling and greasing moving parts, replacing worn parts, testing equipment with meters and gauges, and adjusting equipment for optimal performance. They insure that the equipment and rooms are clean. They also troubleshoot and may be called to do emergency repairs. Unlike most elevator installers, those who specialize in elevator maintenance are on their own most of the day and typically service the same elevators periodically.

News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents

News analysts, reporters, and correspondents gather information, prepare stories, and make broadcasts that inform us about local, State, national, and international events; present points of view on current issues; and report on the actions of public officials, corporate executives, interest groups, and others who exercise power. News analysts—also called newscasters or news anchors—examine, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources.

News anchors present news stories and introduce videotaped news or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters. News correspondents report on news occurring in the large U.S. and foreign cities where they are stationed. In covering a story, reporters investigate leads and news tips, look at documents, observe events at the scene, and interview people. Reporters take notes and also may take photographs or shoot videos. At their office, they organize the material, determine the focus or emphasis, write their stories, and edit accompanying video material. Many reporters enter information or write stories using laptop computers and electronically submit the material to their offices from remote locations. In some cases, news writers write a story from information collected and submitted by reporters. Radio and television reporters often compose stories and report “live” from the scene. At times, they later tape an introduction to or commentary on their story in the studio. Some journalists also interpret the news or offer opinions to readers, viewers, or listeners. In this role, they are called commentators or columnists.

Newscasters at large stations and networks usually specialize in a particular type of news, such as sports or weather. Weathercasters, also called weather reporters, report current and forecasted weather conditions. They gather information from national satellite weather services, wire services, and local and regional weather bureaus. Some weathercasters are trained meteorologists and can develop their own weather forecasts. (See the statement on atmospheric scientists elsewhere in the Handbook.) Sportscasters select, write, and deliver sports news. This may include interviews with sports personalities and coverage of games and other sporting events.

General-assignment reporters write about newsworthy occurrences—such as accidents, political rallies, visits of celebrities, or business closings—as assigned. Large newspapers and radio and television stations assign reporters to gather news about specific topics, such as crime or education. Some reporters specialize in fields such as health, politics, foreign affairs, sports, theater, consumer affairs, social events, science, business, or religion. Investigative reporters cover stories that may take many days or weeks of information gathering.Some publications use teams of reporters instead of assigning each reporter one specific topic, allowing reporters to cover a greater variety of stories. News teams may include reporters, editors, graphic artists, and photographers working together to complete a story. Reporters on small publications cover all aspects of the news. They take photographs, write headlines, lay out pages, edit wire-service stories, and write editorials. Some also solicit advertisements, sell subscriptions, and perform general office work.

Pharmacy Aides

Pharmacy aides perform administrative duties in pharmacies. Aides often are clerks or cashiers who primarily answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other clerical duties. They work closely with pharmacy technicians.

Pharmacy technicians usually perform more complex tasks than do aides, although in some States the duties and titles of the jobs overlap. (See the statement on pharmacy technicians elsewhere in the Handbook.) Aides refer any questions regarding prescriptions, drug information, or health matters to a pharmacist. (See the statement on pharmacists elsewhere in the Handbook.)

Pharmacy aides may establish and maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, and stock and take inventory of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Accurate recordkeeping is necessary to help avert dangerous drug interactions.

In addition, because many people have medical insurance to help pay for prescriptions, it is essential that pharmacy aides correspond efficiently and correctly with third-party insurance providers to obtain payment. Pharmacy aides also maintain inventory and inform the supervisor of stock needs so that the pharmacy does not run out of vital medications that customers need. Some aides also help with the maintenance of equipment and supplies.

Work environment.

Pharmacy aides work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their feet. They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. Aides work the same hours that pharmacists do. These include evenings, nights, weekends, and some holidays, particularly in facilities that are open 24 hours a day such as hospitals and some retail pharmacies.

Computer Programmers

Computer programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs that computers follow to perform their functions. Programmers also conceive, design, and test logical structures for solving problems by computer. With the help of other computer specialists, they figure out which instructions to use to make computers do specific tasks. Many technical innovations in programming—advanced computing technologies and sophisticated new languages and programming tools, for example—have redefined the role of a programmer and elevated much of the programming work done today. Job titles and descriptions may vary, depending on the organization, but computer programmers are individuals whose main job function is programming. The programmer codes these instructions in a conventional programming language such as COBOL; an artificial intelligence language such as Prolog; or one of the more advanced object-oriented languages, such as Java, C++, or ACTOR.

Different programming languages are used depending on the purpose of the program. Programmers generally know more than one programming language, and because many languages are similar, they often can learn new languages relatively easily. In practice, programmers often are referred to by the language they know, such as Java programmers, or by the type of function they perform or environment in which they work—for example, database programmers, mainframe programmers, or Web programmers.

Programmers also update, repair, modify, and expand existing programs. Some, especially those working on large projects that involve many programmers, use computer-assisted software engineering (CASE) tools to automate much of the coding process. These tools enable a programmer to concentrate on writing the unique parts of a program. Programmers working on smaller projects often use “programmer environments,” applications that increase productivity by combining compiling, code walk through, code generation, test data generation, and debugging functions. Programmers also use libraries of basic code that can be modified or customized for a specific application. This approach yields more reliable and consistent programs and increases programmers’ productivity by eliminating some routine steps.

Work environment.

Programmers spend the majority of their time in front of a computer terminal, and work in clean, comfortable offices. Telecommuting is becoming more common, however, as technological advances allow more work to be done from remote locations.

Most computer programmers work about 40 hours per week. Long hours or weekend work may be required, however, to meet deadlines or fix unexpected technical problems. About four percent work part-time, compared with about 15 percent for all occupations.

Printing Machine Operators

Printing machine operators, also known as press operators, prepare, operate, and maintain printing presses. Duties of printing machine operators vary according to the type of press they operate. Traditional printing methods, such as offset lithography, gravure, flexography, and letterpress, use a plate or roller that carries the final image that is to be printed and copies the image to paper. In addition to the traditional printing processes, plateless or nonimpact processes are coming into general use. Plateless processes—including digital, electrostatic, and ink-jet printing—are used for copying, duplicating, and document and specialty printing. Plateless processes usually are done by quick printing shops and smaller in-house printing shops, but increasingly are being used by commercial printers for short-run or customized printing jobs.

Machine operators’ jobs differ from one shop to another because of differences in the types and sizes of presses. Small commercial shops can be operated by one person and tend to have relatively small presses, which print only one or two colors at a time. Large newspaper, magazine, and book printers use giant “in-line web” presses that require a crew of several press operators and press assistants.

After working with prepress technicians (who are covered in the Handbook statement on prepress technicians and workers) to identify and resolve any potential problems with a job, printing machine operators prepare machines for printing. To prepare presses, operators install the printing plate with the images to be printed and adjust the pressure at which the machine prints. Then they ink the presses, load paper, and adjust the press to the paper size. Operators ensure that paper and ink meet specifications, and adjust the flow of ink to the inking rollers accordingly. They then feed paper through the press cylinders and adjust feed and tension controls. New digital technology, in contrast, is able to automate much of this work.

Work environment.

Operating a press can be physically and mentally demanding, and sometimes tedious. Printing machine operators are on their feet most of the time. Often, operators work under pressure to meet deadlines. Most printing presses are capable of high printing speeds, and adjustments must be made quickly to avoid waste. Pressrooms are noisy, and workers in certain areas wear ear protection. Working with press machinery can be hazardous, but the threat of accidents has decreased with newer computerized presses that allow operators to make most adjustments from a control panel.Many printing machine operators, particularly those who work for newspapers, work weekends, nights, and holidays as many presses operate continually. They also may work overtime to meet deadlines. The average operator worked 40 hours per week

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing

Nature of the Work

Sales representatives are an important part of manufacturers’ and wholesalers’ success. Regardless of the type of product they sell, sales representatives’ primary duties are to make wholesale and retail buyers and purchasing agents interested in their merchandise and to address any of their clients’ questions and concerns. Sales representatives demonstrate their products and explain how using those products can reduce costs and increase sales.Sales representatives may represent one or several manufacturers or wholesale distributors by selling one product or a complementary line of products. The clients of sales representatives span almost every industry and include other manufacturers, wholesale and retail establishments, construction contractors, and government agencies

The process of promoting and selling products can take up to several months. Sales representatives present their products to a customer and negotiate the sale. Whether in person or over the phone, they can make a persuasive sales pitch and often will immediately answer technical and non-technical questions about the products. They may also record any interactions with clients and their respective sales to better match their future needs and sales potential.

Sales representatives have several duties beyond selling products. They analyze sales statistics; prepare reports; and handle administrative duties, such as filing expense accounts, scheduling appointments, and making travel plans. They also read about new and existing products and monitor the sales, prices, and products of their competitors.

Sales representatives working at an independent sales agency usually sell several products from multiple manufacturers. Additionally, these firms may only cover a certain territory, ranging from local areas to several States. These independent firms are called “manufacturers’ representative companies” because their selling is on behalf of the manufacturers.

Work environment.

Some sales representatives have large territories and travel considerably. Because a sales region may cover several States, representatives may be away from home for several days or weeks at a time. Others work near their home base and travel mostly by car. Sales representatives often are on their feet for long periods and may carry heavy sample products, necessitating some physical stamina.Sales representatives may work more than 40 hours per week because of the nature of the work and the amount of travel. Since sales calls take place during regular working hours, most of the planning and paperwork involved with sales must be completed during the evening and on the weekends. Although the hours are long and often irregular, many sales representatives working for independent sales companies have the freedom to determine their own schedules.

Architect

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Architects design houses and buildings. They plan offices and apartments. They design schools, churches, and airport terminals. Their plans involve far more than a building's looks. Buildings must be safe and strong. They must also suit the needs of the people who use them. Architects look at all these things.The architect and client first discuss what the client wants. The architect sometimes helps decide if a project would work at all or if it would harm the environment. The architect then creates drawings for the client to review. They may be involved in all stages of the construction of a building.

If the ideas are OK, the architect draws up the final plans. These plans show how the building will look and how to build it. The drawings show the beams that hold up the building. They show the air-conditioner, furnace, and ventilating systems. The drawings show how the electricity and plumbing work. Architects used to use pencil and paper to draw their plans. Today, more and more architects are using computers. Architects generally work in comfortable conditions. They spend most of their time in offices. However, they spend some time at building sites to see how projects are going. Architects may feel stressed sometimes. Most architects work 40 hours a week, but they may need to work nights and weekends in order to meet deadlines.

How do you get ready?

Architects must be licensed before they can practice. In order to get a license: 1) You need a degree in architecture. Courses include architectural theory, building design, math, and science. 2) You must finish an internship. 3) Finally, you must pass all sections of a license exam. Architects sometimes take new classes to keep their skills fresh.

Architects must be able to visualize things and communicate well visually. Art classes are very helpful in doing this. Speaking, writing, and creativity are also important. Architects should be computer literate.

Payment for the job

The middle half of all architects earned between $49,780 and $83,450 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $39,420. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $104,970 a year.

Future for the job

BLS expects the number of jobs for architects to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016. Despite this growth, however, new architects face competition. This job attracts many people, so there are lots of applicants for openings. Applicants who have gained experience working for an architectural firm while in school have a competitive advantage. Those who know about computer-aided design and drafting technology also have a better chance of getting a job.

Real Estate Agent

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Real estate agents help people buy and sell houses. They must be able to say approximately how much money a house is worth. They need to know what the neighborhoods in their towns are like. They must know the laws that have to do with buying or selling a house. They also can tell home buyers where to get a loan if they need more money to buy a house. In return for selling a house, real estate agents get to keep a small part of the money that the buyer paid for it. Real estate agents work for real estate brokers. Real estate brokers manage real estate offices.

People who want to buy a house often ask a real estate agent to help them. They meet with the agent to tell him or her kind of house they want. They must also discuss how much money they can afford to spend. The agent then takes them to see houses for sale. Buying a house is a very important decision because houses cost a lot of money. This means that buyers often want to look at many houses before they decide which one to buy. Real estate agents also sell houses for people. They help the seller set the price for the house. To do this, they must know what the house is like. They must also figure out what people would be willing to pay for the house so that it will sell quickly. They make sure that people see ads for the house so that they can think about buying it. Once a person agrees to buy a house; real estate agents still have work to do. They must fill out special forms that let everyone know that the house has a new owner. Both the buyer and the seller of the house must sign these forms for the sale of the house to be legal. Often, the agents must help the buyer to get a loan from the bank to pay for the house.

Get ready for job

Real estate agents must have a license from the State in which they work. To get a license, a person must have graduated from high school. The person must be at least 18 years old and pass a written test. In some States, a person who wants to be a real estate agent must go to a special school for a few months. Sometimes it helps to take some college courses about real estate. This is because the process of selling a house can be hard to understand.

Good real estate agents must get along well with buyers and sellers. It helps if real estate agents are pleasant and dress neatly. They should be well organized and be able to remember people's names. They should deal honestly with people and have good manners. They must also be very eager to sell houses, which is sometimes a lot of hard work.

Cost of the job

Most real estate agents do not get a regular paycheck. Instead, they get part of the money that the home buyer pays to the home seller when a house is sold. This means that agents who sell more houses earn more money. It also means that agents who sell more expensive houses earn more.

The middle half of all real estate agents earned between $26,790 and $65,270 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $20,170. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $111,500 a year.

The future

The number of jobs for real estate agents is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2016.

It should be rather easy to find a job as a real estate agent. This is because many agents find that they cannot sell enough houses to be successful, so they quit their jobs. Only people who enjoy selling, and are good at it, should try to become real estate agents.

Cost Estimator

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Cost estimators figure out how much a project or product will cost. This helps business owners and managers decide whether to build a structure or manufacture a product. If a business doesn't think it can make enough money, it will not do it. Cost estimators also find out which jobs are making a profit. The exact method of figuring out the cost varies, depending on the industry in which you work.Cost estimators study information on all of the things that can change the cost of a project. This includes supplies, labor, location, and special equipment, like computer hardware and software.

In construction, they look at drawings and visit the site of the project. They determine the amount of materials and labor the firm will need. They also consider the costs of things like unused materials, delays due to bad weather, and shipping delays. They tell the architect, construction manager, or owner if they think the project will be profitable or not, and they write their findings in a detailed report. In large companies, they may specialize. For example, one may estimate only electrical work and another may focus on concrete.Estimators use computers a lot to do all of the necessary paperwork. This allows them more time to study and analyze potential projects or products.They spend most of their time in an office. However, construction estimators visit project worksites. These worksites can be dusty, dirty, and sometimes unsafe. In manufacturing, estimators spend time on the factory floor. It can be noisy and dity.Estimators sometimes works extra hours. They work under pressure because if they make a mistake, their firm can lose a lot of money.

Get ready for job

How to prepare for this occupation depends on the industry in which you want to work. In construction, employers want people with a college degree in building construction, construction management or science, engineering, or architecture. In manufacturing, employers prefer to hire individuals with a degree in engineering, physical science, operations research, mathematics, or statistics. They can also have a degree in accounting, finance, business, economics, or a related subject.Math and computer skills are very important. Strong communication and analytical skills are also important. Cost estimators must present their estimates to supervisors and others. They need training on the job because every company has its own way of handling estimates. During training, cost estimators usually work with an experienced inspector. After years of experience, some move into management positions, while others may go into business for themselves as consultants. They get paid to provide estimates to government or to construction or manufacturing firms.

Cost of the job

Salaries of cost estimators vary widely by experience, education, and the size of their employer. The middle half earned between $40,320 and $69,460 in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $31,600, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $88,310.

The future of the job

The number of cost estimators is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. Those with work experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field will have the easiest time finding a job. The expected increase in construction and repair projects on buildings, roads, airports, and other structures will lead to more jobs for estimators. This means that many of the new job opportunities will be in the construction industry.

Actuary job

This job like

Actuaries deal with risk. They decide how likely things such as death, sickness, injury, disability, and loss of property are to occur, as well as the costs of these things.

Actuaries also decide how much money it will take in order to get a certain amount of retirement income. They help design insurance policies and pension plans and try to make sure that they are sound. Actuaries may need to explain their findings to company executives, government officials, and the public. They may also testify in court as an expert.Most actuaries work for insurance companies. Some work in life and health insurance. Others work in property and casualty insurance. Actuaries make tables that show how likely it is that a claim will be made by a customer. They use these tables to decide how much the company will have to pay in claims. They make sure that the company charges enough to pay these claims. This amount must be enough for the company to make a profit. It must also be in line with what other insurance companies are charging.

Actuaries work in offices. They often work at least 40 hours a week. Some actuaries may travel to meet with clients.

Get ready for job

Actuaries need to know a lot about math and general business. Those just starting in the field often have a college degree in math, actuarial science, or statistics. Some have a degree in economics, finance, or accounting. There are about 100 colleges and universities that have an actuarial science program. Most colleges have degree programs in math, statistics, economics, or finance. Some companies hire people who have degrees in other areas. However, these people must be good at math and able to pass the actuarial exams. The exams are held two times a year and it is good to pass all of the exams as soon as possible. More companies are hiring people who have some training in liberal arts and business. It is also important to be able to communicate well. Computer skills are becoming more important too.

The future of the job

Employment for actuaries is expected to grow much faster than the average for all jobs through 2016. Examinations to become an actuary are very difficult; those who pass have a good chance for a job. Actuaries working on health care issues will have good chances for a job because many more people will need health care in the future. Actuaries also will be needed to work on other issues.

Accountant

What is this job like?

Accountants and auditors keep track of a company's money. The company's managers and people outside the company read their reports. Managers look at the accountants' reports to see how well their companies are doing. Governments use the reports to tell how much tax a company should pay. Some people read them to decide if they want to do business with the company. Others use them to decide if they want to lend money to the company or not.

There are four kinds of accountants.

• Public accountants work for public accounting companies. They do accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting work. Some have their own businesses. They do many different kinds of accounting for people outside the company.
• Management accountants keep track of the money spent and made by the companies for which they work.
• Internal auditors make sure that a company's accounting records are right. They check the records to see that no one in the company is stealing. They also check to see that no one in the company is wasting the company's money.
• Government accountants and auditors make sure that government accounting records are right. They also check the records of people doing business with the government.

Accountants and auditors work in offices. They generally work a standard 40-hour week, but some work 50 hours a week or more. Tax accountants often work long hours during the tax season, from January to April. Accountants working for the government and public companies travel to audit other companies or branches of their own company.

How do you get ready?

Most accountants have a college degree in accounting. Public accountants have to take a special test as well, resulting in a certification. Public accountants also must have a special license from the State in which they live. Some employers want accountants who have a master's degree in business or accounting. Most employers want accountants who know quite a bit about computers. Previous experience in a summer or part-time internship is also a plus. People who want to be accountants should be good at math, and have good analytical skills. They also should be able to write well, so that they can tell others about their findings.

How much does this job pay?

The middle half of all accountants earned between $42,520 and $71,960 a year in 2006. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $34,470. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $94,050 a year. Earnings of accountants depend on how long they have been working.

How many jobs are there?

There were 1.3 million accountants and auditors in coming year. Most of them worked in cities, because that is where the large companies tend to be.

What about the future?

Employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016.Accountants have good job opportunities. This is because there will be new and changing laws that will increase the need for accountants; also, there will be more private companies that will need accountants. Accountants who have a lot of special skills, such as certified public accountants (CPAs) and certified management accountants, should have the easiest time finding a job.

Software Testing

Software Testing is the process of executing a program or system with the intent of finding errors. Or, it involves any activity aimed at evaluating an attribute or capability of a program or system and determining that it meets its required results. Software is not unlike other physical processes where inputs are received and outputs are produced. Where software differs is in the manner in which it fails. Most physical systems fail in a fixed (and reasonably small) set of ways. By contrast, software can fail in many bizarre ways. Detecting all of the different failure modes for software is generally infeasible.

Unlike most physical systems, most of the defects in software are design errors, not manufacturing defects. Software does not suffer from corrosion, wear-and-tear -- generally it will not change until upgrades, or until obsolescence. So once the software is shipped, the design defects -- or bugs -- will be buried in and remain latent until activation.Software bugs will almost always exist in any software module with moderate size: not because programmers are careless or irresponsible, but because the complexity of software is generally intractable -- and humans have only limited ability to manage complexity. It is also true that for any complex systems, design defects can never be completely ruled out.

Discovering the design defects in software is equally difficult, for the same reason of complexity. Because software and any digital systems are not continuous, testing boundary values are not sufficient to guarantee correctness. All the possible values need to be tested and verified, but complete testing is infeasible. Exhaustively testing a simple program to add only two integer inputs of 32-bits (yielding 2^64 distinct test cases) would take hundreds of years, even if tests were performed at a rate of thousands per second. Obviously, for a realistic software module, the complexity can be far beyond the example mentioned here. If inputs from the real world are involved, the problem will get worse, because timing and unpredictable environmental effects and human interactions are all possible input parameters under consideration.

A further complication has to do with the dynamic nature of programs. If a failure occurs during preliminary testing and the code is changed, the software may now work for a test case that it didn't work for previously. But its behavior on pre-error test cases that it passed before can no longer be guaranteed. To account for this possibility, testing should be restarted. The expense of doing this is often prohibitive.

An interesting analogy parallels the difficulty in software testing with the pesticide, known as the Pesticide Paradox every method you use to prevent or find bugs leaves a residue of subtler bugs against which those methods are ineffectual. But this alone will not guarantee to make the software better, because the Complexity Barrier principle states: Software complexity (and therefore that of bugs) grows to the limits of our ability to manage that complexity. By eliminating the (previous) easy bugs you allowed another escalation of features and complexity, but his time you have subtler bugs to face, just to retain the reliability you had before. Society seems to be unwilling to limit complexity because we all want that extra bell, whistle, and feature interaction. Thus, our users always push us to the complexity barrier and how close we can approach that barrier is largely determined by the strength of the techniques we can wield against ever more complex and subtle bugs. Regardless of the limitations, testing is an integral part in software development. It is broadly deployed in every phase in the software development cycle. Typically, more than 50% percent of the development time is spent in testing.

Data entry

What is Data Entry?

Data entry basically involves typing specific information into forms on your computer, and submitting them to a particular website as instructed. It is a pretty routine job, but most companies would rather outsource it than do it themselves. Most online data entry is filling out forms for PPC (Pay Per Click) advertisements although there can be other types of data entry as well.

Data Entry Scams

I would love to be able to tell you that I’d never fallen victim to an online data entry scam. However, I’d be lying if I said that, because unfortunately, in my quest to make money online I’ve fallen foul of quite a few. I was a student, desperate to make a bit of extra cash, and the promises made by many of these sites - easy money with little work - got me believing that I’d be raking in the cash very quickly. I was naive, I know that now, but I’m only one of thousands of people who have been scammed by the online data entry scam.

Data Entry Made Easy

I tried quite a few, and made a bit of money here and there but the data entry company that I’ve always chosen over all the rest is Data Entry Made Easy. The sky’s the limit with regards to earnings in the program - the more you work the more you earn. I only tend to do a few hours a day as I use other programs so if you wanted to do it part time you could. Although they are not typical, there are a few members of Data Entry Made Easy earning around $10,000 per month. Personally, I’m too lazy to do the kind of work that would merit that kind of payment and I’ll stick with my $1000 a week!

How You Can Make Money

When you join Data Entry Made Easy, you'll get instant access to the Step by Step Tutorials in the exclusive members’ area. This access is good for life, so you'll have an incredibly simple way to make a never ending stream of money! It's constantly updated, so you'll be sure to always have all the latest info. Once inside you'll be given access to a massive database of companies that need you to fill out forms for them, and you can be making money within 5 minutes! There are litterly tens of thousands of companies to choose from. You can browse through the list and pick the companies you want to work with. Keep in mind, that there is no approval process and it's completely free to work with these companies! Every one of these companies will accept you. They NEED people like you to fill out these forms.

Next you'll create your accounts to submit data online. We provide all the info you need to submit these forms. You'll just copy and paste the info we have in the members’ area into the forms on these websites. Most members report back that they can't believe how easy it is to make money copying and pasting data into forms. Once you submit one form, you can start on another. You can do this anytime you want to make money. The more forms you submit, the more you can make! It's really that easy!

E-Commerce

What Is E-Commerce?

Simply put, e-commerce is the online transaction of business, featuring linked computer systems of the vendor, host, and buyer. Electronic transactions involve the transfer of ownership or rights to use a good or service. Most people are familiar with business-to-consumer electronic business (B2C). Common illustrations include Amazon.com, llbean.com, CompUSA.com, travelocity.com, and hotels.com.

E-commerce can be divided into:

* E-tailing or "virtual storefronts" on Web sites with online catalogs, sometimes gathered into a "virtual mall"

* The gathering and use of demographic data through Web contacts

* Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), the business-to-business exchange of data

* E-mail and fax and their use as media for reaching prospects and established customers (for example, with newsletters)

* Business-to-business buying and selling (B2B)

Step-by-Step Guide

Use these steps as a guide to creating your website and marketing your company overseas using the internet and key service providers.

1. Select a Domain Name

Selecting a domain name for your company's international website(s) is the first important decision you'll make and can potentially have significant marketing implications.

2. Register at Search Engines

Help potential customers find your website by registering with the major search engines in the countries you wish to target.

3. Choose a Web Host

Find a dependable web hosting service to house your localized website(s). Many hosting providers offer additional value-added services such as site maintenance, search registration, site development, etc.

4. Website Content – Localize and Internationalize

Target international customers by tailoring your website to local language and cultural tastes.

5. Execute Orders

Enable your customers a variety of payment options that meet local business practices and be aware of other considerations when doing international business such as taxes, shipping, customs duties, and after sales service.

BPO jobs

What is BPO?

BPO stands for Business Process outsourcing.

Business Process Outsourcing is the long-term contracting out of non-core business processes to an outside provider to help achieve increased shareholder value. Many IT professionals are familiar with the term business process outsourcing (BPO), but knowing how to distinguish it from other types of outsourcing requires some scrutiny.Though some forms of BPO may include both IT management and business operations, the approach is primarily about turning over functions such as payroll, accounting, billing or even real estate management to a third party. Though these business processes may depend on IT, they are separate functions from core IT operations, such as data center activities or network management.

Why BPO?

Free Your Resources and Work on Your StrategyAn important aspect of business process outsourcing is its ability to free corporate executives from some of their day-to-day process management responsibilities. Traditionally, executives spend 80 percent of their time managing details, and only 20 percent on strategy. Once a process is successfully outsourced, the ratio can be reversed. Executives get more control over their most valuable resource: time. Time to explore new revenue streams, time to accelerate other projects, and time to focus on their customers.

Improve Processes - Save Money

Companies that outsource business processes are often able to reengineer those processes and capture new efficiencies. Then they can reallocate resources to other important projects and leverage their investment in technology. For example, processes that are handled in a shared production environment for multiple companies save everyone money. In most cases, high-caliber subject-matter experts are brought in to design and manage these processes, bringing with them best practices, innovation, and years of experience that most companies don't have access to or can't afford on their own.

Increase Your Capabilities

With this expertise often comes increased capability. In addition to doing things more efficiently, you can expand your ability to deliver new products and services to your customers. Then there are the factors of scalability and scope. Companies that want to grow internationally must continuously invest in infrastructure and find talent around the world. Many outsourcing providers are already established globally and can help make the growth process

Medical transcriptions

Nature of the Work

Medical transcription’s listen to dictated recordings made by physicians and other health care professionals and transcribe them into medical reports, correspondence, and other administrative material. They generally listen to recordings on a headset, using a foot pedal to pause the recording when necessary, and key the text into a personal computer or word processor, editing as necessary for grammar and clarity. The documents they produce include discharge summaries, medical history and physical examination reports, operative reports, consultation reports, autopsy reports, diagnostic imaging studies, progress notes, and referral letters. Medical transcriptionists return transcribed documents to the physicians or other health care professionals who dictated them for review and signature or correction. These documents eventually become part of patients’ permanent files.

To understand and accurately transcribe dictated reports, medical transcriptionists must understand medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, and treatment assessments. They also must be able to translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms. To help identify terms appropriately, transcriptionists refer to standard medical reference materials—both printed and electronic; some of these are available over the Internet. Medical transcriptionists must comply with specific standards that apply to the style of medical records and to the legal and ethical requirements for keeping patient information confidential.

Experienced transcriptionists spot mistakes or inconsistencies in a medical report and check to correct the information. Their ability to understand and correctly transcribe patient assessments and treatments reduces the chance of patients receiving ineffective or even harmful treatments and ensures high-quality patient care.Currently, most health care providers transmit dictation to medical transcriptionists using either digital or analog dictating equipment. The Internet has grown to be a popular mode for transmitting documentation. Many transcriptionists receive dictation over the Internet and are able to quickly return transcribed documents to clients for approval. Another increasingly popular method uses speech recognition technology, which electronically translates sound into text and creates drafts of reports. Transcriptionists then format the reports; edit them for mistakes in translation, punctuation, or grammar; and check for consistency and any wording that doesn’t make sense medically. Transcriptionists working in specialties, such as radiology or pathology, with standardized terminology are more likely to use speech recognition technology. However, speech recognition technology will become more widespread in all specialties as the technology becomes more sophisticated, that is, better able to recognize and more accurately transcribe diverse modes of speech.Medical transcriptionists who work in physicians’ offices may have other office duties, such as receiving patients, scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, and handling incoming and outgoing mail. Medical secretaries, discussed in the statement on secretaries and administrative assistants elsewhere in the Handbook, also may transcribe as part of their jobs.

Work environment.

The majority of these workers are employed in comfortable settings, such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, transcription service offices, clinics, laboratories, medical libraries, government medical facilities, or their own homes. Many medical transcriptionists telecommute from home-based offices. Workers usually sit in the same position for long periods. They can suffer wrist, back, neck, or eye problems due to strain and risk repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The constant pressure to be accurate and productive also can be stressful.Many medical transcriptionists work a standard 40-hour week. Self-employed medical transcriptionists are more likely to work irregular hours—including part time, evenings, weekends, or on call at any time.

Computation in the brain

The Brain as an Information Processing System

The human brain contains about 10 billion nerve cells, or neurons. On average, each neuron is connected to other neurons through about 10 000 synapses. (The actual figures vary greatly, depending on the local neuroanatomy.) The brain's network of neurons forms a massively parallel information processing system. These contrasts with conventional computers, in which a single processor executes a single series of instructions. Against this, consider the time taken for each elementary operation: neurons typically operate at a maximum rate of about 100 Hz, while a conventional CPU carries out several hundred million machine level operations per second. Despite of being built with very slow hardware, the brain has quite remarkable capabilities:

Its performance tends to degrade gracefully under partial damage. In contrast, most programs and engineered systems are brittle: if you remove some arbitrary parts, very likely the whole will cease to function. It can learn (reorganize itself) from experience. This means that partial recovery from damage is possible if healthy units can learn to take over the functions previously carried out by the damaged areas.

It performs massively parallel computations extremely efficiently. For example, complex visual perception occurs within less than 100 ms, that is, 10 processing steps! It supports our intelligence and self-awareness. (Nobody knows yet how this occurs.)

Neural Networks in the Brain

Some brain areas the brain is not homogeneous. At the largest anatomical scale, we distinguish cortex, midbrain, brainstem, and cerebellum. Each of these can be hierarchically subdivided into many regions, and areas within each region, either according to the anatomical structure of the neural networks within it, or according to the function performed by them. The overall pattern of projections (bundles of neural connections) between areas is extremely complex, and only partially known. The best mapped (and largest) system in the human brain is the visual system, where the first 10 or 11 processing stages have been identified. We distinguish feed forward projections that go from earlier processing stages (near the sensory input) to later ones (near the motor output), from feedback connections that go in the opposite direction. In addition to these long-range connections, neurons also link up with many thousands of their neighbors. In this way they form very dense, complex local networks:

Neurons and Synapses

The basic computational unit in the nervous system is the nerve cell, or neuron. A neuron has:

* Dendrites (inputs) a neuron

* Cell body

* Axon (output)

A neuron receives input from other neurons (typically many thousands). Inputs sum (approximately). Once input exceeds a critical level, the neuron discharges a spike - an electrical pulse that travels from the body, down the axon, to the next neuron(s) (or other receptors). This spiking event is also called depolarization, and is followed by a refractory period, during which the neuron is unable to fire. The axon endings (Output Zone) almost touch the dendrites or cell body of the next neuron. Transmission of an electrical signal from one neuron to the next is effected by neurotransmitters, chemicals which are released from the first neuron and which bind to receptors in the second. This link is called a synapse. The extent to which the signal from one neuron is passed on to the next depends on many factors, e.g. the amount of neurotransmitter available, the number and arrangement of receptors, amount of neurotransmitter reabsorbed, etc.

Synaptic Learning

Brains learn. Of course. From what we know of neuronal structures, one way brains learn is by altering the strengths of connections between neurons, and by adding or deleting connections between neurons. Furthermore, they learn "on-line", based on experience, and typically without the benefit of a benevolent teacher. The efficacy of a synapse can change as a result of experience, providing both memory and learning through long-term potentiation. One way this happens is through release of more neurotransmitter. Many other changes may also be involved.

Vitamins

Vitamins are natural substances found in plants and animals and known as Essential nutrients for human beings. The name vitamin is obtained from "vital amines" as it was originally thought that these substances were all amines. Human body uses these substances to stay healthy and support its many functions. There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. The body needs vitamins to stay healthy and a varied diet usually gives you all the vitamins you need. Vitamins do not provide energy (calories) directly, but they do help regulate energy-producing processes. With the exception of vitamin D and K, vitamins cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from the diet. Vitamins have to come from food because they are not manufactured or formed by the body. There are 13 essential vitamins and each one has a special role to play within the body, helping to regulate the processes such as cell growth and repair, reproduction and digestion. Vitamin B-6, Niacin, Natural Vitamin E and Zinc: Support sexual function in men.

Types of Vitamins

Vitamins, one of the most essential nutrients required by the body and can be broadly classified into two main categories i.e., water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins.

Fat-soluble vitamins

The fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K - since they are soluble in fat and are absorbed by the body from the intestinal tract. The human body has to use bile acids to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Once these vitamins are absorbed, the body stores them in body fat. When you need them, your body takes them out of storage to be used. Eating fats or oils that are not digested can cause shortages of fat-soluble vitamins. Fat soluble vitamins should not be consumed in excess as they are stored in the body and an excess can result in side effects. An excess of vitamin A may result in irritability, weight loss, dry itchy skin in children and nausea, headache, diarrhea in adults.

Water-soluble vitamins

Water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored in the body, so you need to get them from food every day. They can be destroyed by overcooking. These are easily absorbed by the body. Human body doesn't store large amounts of water-soluble vitamins. B-complex vitamins and vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day. These vitamins are easily destroyed or washed out during food storage and preparation. They are eliminated in urine so, body need a continuous supply of them in diets. Proper storage and preparation of food can minimize vitamin loss. To reduce vitamin loss, refrigerate fresh produce, keep milk and grains away from strong light, and use the cooking water from vegetables to prepare soups. An excess of water soluble vitamins should not result in any side effects as they will disperse in the body fluids and voided in the urine. Nine of the water-soluble vitamins are known as the B-complex group: Thiamin (vitamin B1), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Biotin, Pantothenic acid and Vitamin C. These vitamins are widely distributed in foods.

Why We Need Vitamins?

Have you ever tried to find out the root cause of problems instead of running to a doctor every time you suffer? If No, then you must know that you are running through vitamin deficiency problem. So as you know that prevention is better than cure, it's better to intake proper vitamins in right time to check the problem from growing gruesome.
First of all vitamin is that component of a balanced diet which the human body generally cannot manufacture on its own. So you must consume vitamin directly in the form of food or through supplements as tonic or pills. The whole process of assimilation of vitamins depends on ingestion of food. Once you have it as a part of your meal, say for tomatoes, lemon, spinach and other stuffs, it is more helpful. Moreover you don't feel that you are a patient and need to have medicines for cure. But if the deficit of a particular vitamin is high, then supplementary dose of vitamins have to be given to the body for a particular period. The body's metabolism is also dependent on vitamins as on carbohydrates, fats, minerals and other basic components of a complete diet. But before adding the vitamin list to our routine diet, let's understand the importance of vitamins in life.

Safe-mail Secure Communication System

For some companies, securing electronic communications both internally and externally is critical to staying in business. Unfortunately, most solutions are too complex and costly and so many companies take the risk of not doing it at all. Outsourcing your secure communication needs to experts who know their job not only sweeps away the need to invest large sums in complicated hardware, it also removes the need to employ expensive resource to run it. We at Safe-mail have over ten years experience in the secure communications business. We know how to secure your communications.

System Features and their benefits

Safe-mail provides the following functions, features and benefits:

Feature-rich secure e-mail system including security of attachments providing private end-to-end e-mail communication among Safe-mail users and between Safe-mail users and non- Safe-mail users.

All messages are registered and tracked with read receipt so that users know when their e-mail are delivered and opened by recipients.

Address Book with secure grouping and sharing facility so that users' private address books may be securely exported and imported between Safe-mail users.

Folders and nesting of sub-folders enabling users to organize archived data content.

User level Authentication facility enabling users to filter communication and data access to specific user groups.

Scheduler with secure sharing facility enabling users' schedulers to be securely fully synchronized.

Secure Message Boards (Bulletin Boards) enabling users to open and administer their own bulletin boards.

Brief Case - document sharing with version control enabling users to securely collaborate in the construction of documents and project planning

Strong state-of-the-art data encryption (Patent Pending) giving the most powerful protection to the storage of users' data content.

100% PKI compatibility providing unequalled privacy to Safe-mail users when communicating with each other and with non- Safe-mail users.

Back-Office for administering domain operation, users' accounts and usage reporting.

Scalability

The Safe-mail system can support any type and size of organization, from small groups of 20 users up to many millions of users. User groups can be located in one location or scattered across many locations. The sophistication of the Safe-mail design permits an installed and fully operational time. System maintenance costs are therefore much reduced. System to be simply updated to meet changing circumstances. In most cases, up-scaling the system can be done while the system is operating and without any down

Secure Internal Communications:

This means more security breaches result from sources within an organization than from external threats. Through state-of-the-art encryption and distributed infrastructure, Safe-mail secures an organization's internal communications from employee threats more securely than any other system. By using SSL encryption for shielding "live" communication and PKI for protecting stored content, only authorized personnel with assigned privileges can access the company's data.

Secure Site-to-Site Communications:

This means that although the majority of security breaches result from within an organization's infrastructure, the most damaging breaches result from external intrusions into a company's network. Conventionally, organizations that have multi-site locations protect their inter-site communications with a VPN system. These are very complex and costly and security diminishes as user numbers increase. The statistics speak for themselves. Safe-mail's patented protection technology for stored content secures site-to-site communication far more robustly than any VPN system and thereby constructs a powerful shield against external threats. As user numbers and site numbers increase, the strength of the protection remains the same.

Secure External Communications:

Organizations want to communicate digitally with their partners, suppliers and customers but connections need to be secure. A Local Area Network protected by a VPN does not extend beyond the company's boundary. Sending data via the Internet with current solutions is inherently insecure. Any solution that attempts to secure data across the Internet is costly and complex. Safe-mail empowers companies to exchange digital information with their clients and business partners in complete privacy using any computer at any time from any location. There is no download of software and no installation of mail client programs to user computers thereby enabling complete, secure and unfettered inter-communication between all levels of industry and the consumer without penalty of complexity and cost. Where customers are individual consumers, they can simply register to the free service public site (www.Safe-mail.net) to establish the secure two-way link to their suppliers or their suppliers can enable the Drop box function within Safe-mail.

Huge Cost Savings:

Drop box, a component of Safe-mail, enables companies to convert their existing paper-based output for statements, bills and notifications into a digital format for bulk mailing to large customer bases. Utilities, banks and telephone companies currently expend vast sums in printing and mailing costs to distribute payment related information to their customers. Moving this process to a digital platform will create significant operational savings. The problem with most current Internet-based solutions that deliver the "one-to-many" mails is that they are not secure. Safe-mail provides an Internet-based solution that guarantees huge operational savings without compromising the highest level of security. Receivers of electronic bills will have the opportunity to respond by clicking the "Pay" button to authorize payment via whatever method has been set up previously. Sending checks or completing on-line credit card information will be consigned to history.

Complete Mobility:

Because Safe-mail functions 100% in the virtual environment, no PC needs to be configured to enable a person to communicate other than to have an Internet connection and a standard browser program. Not only does this reduce the maintenance burden of office-located computers, it also provides secure, reliable communication for all staff outside the company building giving those 24 x 7 accesses to the company's Safe-mail system. If the laptop or handheld is left at home, an Internet café will suffice.

The Major Religions

Hinduism - 4000 to 2500 BCE*

The origins of Hinduism can be traced to the Indus Valley civilization sometime between 4000 and 2500 BCE. Though believed by many to be a polytheistic religion, the basis of Hinduism is the belief in the unity of everything. This totality is called Brahman. The purpose of life is to realize that we are part of God and by doing so we can leave this plane of existence and rejoin with God. This enlightenment can only be achieved by going through cycles of birth, life and death known as samsara. One's progress towards enlightenment is measured by his karma. This is the accumulation of all one's good and bad deeds and this determines the person's next reincarnation. Selfless acts and thoughts as well as devotion to God help one to be reborn at a higher level. Bad acts and thoughts will cause one to be born at a lower level, as a person or even an animal. Hindus follow a strict caste system which determines the standing of each person. The caste one is born into is the result of the karma from their previous life. Only members of the highest caste, the Brahmins, may perform the Hindu religious rituals and hold positions of authority within the temples.

Judaism - 2000 BCE

Judaism, Christianity, Islam and the Baha'i faith all originated with a divine covenant between the God of the ancient Israelites and Abraham around 2000 BCE. The next leader of the Israelites, Moses, led his people out of captivity in Egypt and received the Law from God. Joshua later led them into the Promised Land where Samuel established the Israelite kingdom with Saul as its first king. King David established Jerusalem and King Solomon built the first temple there. In 70 CE the temple was destroyed and the Jews were scattered throughout the world until 1948 when the state of Israel was formed. Jews believe in one creator who alone is to be worshipped as absolute ruler of the universe. He monitors people’s activities and rewards good deeds and punishes evil. The Torah was revealed to Moses by God and can not be changed though God does communicate with the Jewish people through prophets. Jews believe in the inherent goodness of the world and its inhabitants as creations of God and do not require a savior to save them from original sin.

Zoroastrianism - 1000 BCE

Zoroastrianism was founded by Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) in Persia which followed an aboriginal polytheistic religion at the time. He preached what may have been the first monotheism with a single supreme god, Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrians belief in the dualism of good and evil as either a cosmic one between Ahura Mazda and an evil spirit of violence and death, Angra Mainyu, or as an ethical dualism within the human consciousness. The Zoroastrian holy book is called the Avesta which includes the teachings of Zarathushtra written in a series of five hymns called the Gathas. They are abstract sacred poetry directed towards the worship of the One God, understanding of righteousness and cosmic order, promotion of social justice, and individual choice between good and evil. The rest of the Avesta was written at a later date and deals with rituals, practice of worship, and other traditions of the faith.

Christianity - 30+ CE

Christianity started out as a breakaway sect of Judaism nearly 2000 years ago. Jesus, the son of the Virgin Mary and her husband Joseph, but conceived through the Holy Spirit, was bothered by some of the practices within his native Jewish faith and began preaching a different message of God and religion. During his travels he was joined by twelve disciples who followed him in his journeys and learned from him. He performed many miracles during this time and related many of his teachings in the form of parables. Among his best known sayings are to "love thy neighbor" and "turn the other cheek." At one point he revealed that he was the Son of God sent to Earth to save humanity from our sins. This he did by being crucified on the cross for his teachings. He then rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples and told them to go forth and spread his message.

Islam - 622 CE

Islam was founded in 622 CE by Muhammad the Prophet, in Makkah (also spelled Mecca). Though it is the youngest of the world's great religions, Muslims do not view it as a new religion. They belief that it is the same faith taught by the prophets, Abraham, David, Moses and Jesus. The role of Muhammad as the last prophet was to formalize and clarify the faith and purify it by removing ideas which were added in error. The two sacred texts of Islam are the Qur'an, which are the words of Allah 'the One True God' as given to Muhammad, and the Hadith, which is a collection of Muhammad's sayings. The duties of all Muslims are known as the Five Pillars of Islam and are:

1. Recite the shahadah at least once.

2. Perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day while facing the Kaaba in Makkah.

3. Donate regularly to charity via the zakat, a 2.5% charity tax, and through additional donations to the needy.

4. Fast during the month of Ramadan, the month that Muhammad received the Qur'an from Allah.

5. Make pilgrimage to Makkah at least once in life, if economically and physically possible.

Muslims follow a strict monotheism with one creator who is just, omnipotent and merciful.