BlackHat Success: Never give up!

Author Michael Jeffreys personally interviewed 15 top motivational gurus in 1997 for his then upcoming book. After talking to gurus from Brian Tracy to Dr. Wayne Dyer, he distilled 8 Secrets to Success they all agreed upon. These secrets are still good today and are as follows:

1. Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life – In a society where people blame everything from their parents to the government for failure, those who don’t buy into this mentality or succumb to the “victim” thinking succeed. To blame something or somebody outside yourself is saying they have control of your life and not you. Someone else’s opinion of you doesn’t have to become your reality.

2. Live Your Life On Purpose - What separates motivational thinkers from the unsuccessful is that they believe they’re doing what they were put her to do. The difference between this and just living, is that the latter is just getting through the week with the least problems. But when you live your life on purpose, your main concern is doing the job right. For the entrepreneur this means finding a cause you believe in and building your business around it.

3. Be Willing to Pay the Price - Be willing to pay the price for your dreams. Wanting a big house, a luxury car, and a million dollars in the bank is all very nice, and everyone wants these things – but are you willing to pay the price to get them? This is one of the major differences between the successful and unsuccessful.

4. Stay Focused – Every day we’re bombarded with hundreds of tasks, phone calls, messages, and everyone competing for our time. Focusing requires giving up something in the present because you are investing your time in something that will pay off big-time down the road. Jack Canfield and Mark Hanson were turned by 30 publishers when they submitted the first “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book. Instead of giving up, they stayed focused on their goal and did four or five interviews per day for radio, TV, and newspapers, for five days a week for a whole year. Eventually, a small publisher decided to take a chance, and of course now it’s a best-seller that spawned an entire series that have sold more than 10 million copies.

5. Become An Expert in Your Field One striking factor all successful people have in common is how seriously they take their profession. They strive to be the best at what they do, and do almost anything to improve. If someone followed you around all day with a video camera at your business, would it be a tape you’d be proud of or embarrassed about? Make the decision today to work at being the best in your field. How? By finding out what the “best” in your field are doing, and do what they do.

6. Write Out a Plan for Achieving Your Goals - Write out an action plan/map for how you’re going to achieve your goals. Trying to reach your goals without a plan is like trying to drive from Los Angeles to Chicago without a map. A goal that isn’t written down is merely a wish or fantasy.

7. Never Give Up - Never, never, never give up. When you’re fully committed to achieving your goal, giving up is not an option. You must be willing do whatever it takes to make it happen. The power of perseverance is an awesome force. As someone once said, “inch by inch it’s a cinch”. Think of the lowly inchworm – if it pondered the length of the trip from start to finish before it started, it probably would never move. To a worm’s point-of-view, the garden path must look like a trip to Mars. Never give up! Keep on going like the Eveready battery bunny, and pretty soon you’re there.

8. Don’t Delay - Nobody knows how much time they have left to accomplish their dreams, and we must remember that we don’t have forever. The clock is ticking, and sooner or later your number comes up and you’re gone. Successful achievers know this too, but they don’t view it as a “negative”. Achievers use it to “spur them on”. They go after what they want as energetically and as passionately as possible, for as long as they have.

I had a friend who used to say, “Today is a check – cash it! Yesterday is an I.O.U. – forget it! Tomorrow is a promissory note, don’t bank on it!” I think that’s a pretty good summation of life, so go out there and cash in on that “today” check.

How to Connect a Nintendo Wii With a Linksys Wireless WRT160N

The Nintendo Wii game console allows users to connect to the Internet using the system's built-in Wi-Fi adapter. Although the Wii is compatible with almost every wireless router available, certain routers--including the Linksys WRT160N--require gamers to make minor adjustments to the Wii and the router in order to get a stable wireless connection.

Instructions

 Customize the Linksys WRT160N Settings

 1. Use your computer to log into the Linksys WRT160N wireless router by typing "http://192.168.1.1" into a web browser's Internet address bar.

 2. Enter your user name and password to access the Linksys WRT160N's options.

 3. Select "Basic Wireless Settings," then click the "Wireless" tab.

 4. Change your "Channel" to either "1" or "11."

 5. Log out of your Linksys WRT160N by closing the web browser.


 Connect the Nintendo Wii to the Linksys WRT160N

 1. Click on the "Wii" icon on the bottom left corner of the screen on the Wii's main menu.

 2. Select "Wii Settings."

 3. Choose the "Internet" option. It is the third option from the top of the list.

 4. Open the "Connection Settings" menu.

 5. Pick any available "Connection" on the list, and choose the "Wireless" option for that connection.

 6. Click the "Search for an Access Point" button.

 7. Choose the Linksys WRT160N wireless connection once the Wii displays a list of available connections. Your Nintendo Wii will immediately connect to the wireless router.

Review: AmpliTube iRig

Connect the iRig to your iPod or iPhone and combine the Amplitube parts in different ways. You can create a host of sounds to use in various music styles.

Last month IK Multimedia announced AmpliTube iRig for iPhone iPod iPad. It became available zeromartz.com for $16.34 recently, and looks like one of the truly unique products for budding musicians. This hardware and software set up gives you a mobile guitar amp with sound effects software.

 

The Hardware

The simple hardware, the iRig interface adapter, looks plain, but packs a punch. It uses a 1/4" mono instrument input, feeds the signal into an iPhone or iPod touch, and sends the resulting output to an external source via a 1/8" stereo jack.

It is roughly the size of a standard guitar slide, so you can easily be throw the iRig into a guitar bag without taking up much space, which allows you to bring the device wherever you take your guitar. The overall build feels solid and I can’t imagine it breaking from the normal wear and tear of lugging it around with my other guitar gear.


iRig Next To Guitar Slide

The Software

I am a long time fan of IK Multimedia’s desktop amp modeling software, Amplitube, so I am excited to see how the experience transfers to a mobile platform. I must admit, the first time I launched the application I had low expectations, but was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality of the default clean setting. While obviously not a substitute for a real amplifier, Amplitube can create a variety of very usable sounds. After taking some time to become familiar with the software’s interface, I created several different tones that sounded similar to those that I could create with my own equipment.


Amplitube Main Display

I tested the full version of the modeling software, AmpliTube, which includes 11 stomp box effects, 5 amp models, 5 cabinet models, and 2 microphone simulations. By combining the various parts in different ways, you can create a host of sounds to use in various music styles. I think that Amplitube’s strengths lie in its clean settings, as many of the distortion sounds tend to sound similar, with more of a fuzz sound then a classic overdrive. I do not mean to say that the overdriven sounds are unusable. With the right tweaking I was able to get some great sounding Blues tones with just a little bit of distortion, in addition to some Jimi Hendrix-esque fuzz sounds.


Amplitube Settings

Luckily, to go along with the thousands of effect combinations, IK Multimedia has included a system for storing and recalling presets. You can store up to 32 different presets, which allows for a wide variety of tones. It would be nice if you could add custom names or tags to distinguish the tones, but presently they are only numbered. After I added more than 15 presets, it was too easy to forget which number is associated with each tone.

In addition to the tone modeling features, Amplitube includes a built-in metronome and tuner. This application’s best use may be for practicing, so these two tools are extremely handy. The tuner rests in the bottom tool bar and you can see it at all times for quick tuning changes, while the metronome rests in the dedicated “Tools” window. Unfortunately, the metronome lacks features and only offers tempo settings ranging from 60 BPMs to 240 BPMs, with no options for beat division. However, I appreciate the inclusion of a tap to set the tempo feature. Also included is the ability to import songs, so you can play along, with the added functionality of looping sections. Unfortunately, they include no direct iPod access, which means you must import songs into the application separately over a Wi-Fi connection.


Amplitube Tools

At the end of the day, what it all really comes down to is how the software sounds, and in Amplitube for the iPhone, the results are surprisingly good. I did not believe that I could use my phone to create such workable guitar tones. While I will not hook the iRig into my setup for a live performance, the overall quality and expandability blows away any other portable, practice rig that I have come across. I can easily see myself using this setup nightly to extend practicing hours.

 

 

 

5in1 Camera Connection Kit Card Micro SD USB for iPad 2

Have you seen that most iPad/iPad accessories from Apple do one thing and one thing only? Why can’t they fit a camera connection kit, the AV dock, the card reader to one device and charge a little bit more for that? It all has to do with profits, of course: why sell one 45$ accessory when you could sell three dedicated ones for 30$ each, right?

Well, I kind of hate that and that’s why I’ve decided to tell you about the third party 5-in-1 Connection Kit from an unknown iPad accessories manufacturer. It’s available at zeromartz.com for $25.50

So let’s see the main functions of the 5 in 1 Connection Kit for iPad:

• TV connection for Video Playback (not HDMI)
• SD card reader for Data transfer (needs a  DCIM folder to be able to transfer data)
• Micro SD (T-Flash) card for Data transfer (also needs a  DCIM folder to be able to transfer data)
• Computer for Data Sync / USB Port for charging
• Keyboard for data input / DC for picture and video input

That’s a lot of functions this small dongle can do and it’s compatible with the iPad and iPad 2 running iOS versions 4.1.0, 4.2.1 and 4.3. Other firmware versions won’t work, so make sure you have updated you iPad to one of these. Also consider the fact you can only connect one device at a time, but that’s hardly an issue.

1900mAh External Battery Cover For iPhone 4

1900mAh External Battery Cover For iPhone 4

This External Power Battery Pack Air and integrated case for iPhone 4 / 4G is an ideal and powerful companion for your endeared iPhone4. It acts both as a protective case and also as an excellent external battery pack. The potent built-in 1900 mAh Lithium-ion Polymer battery can be engaged using the On/Off switch button at your will and it is able to provide additional talk time by up to 6~7 hours for your iPhone4 and stand time by 5 days. This case is stylish and portable with textured Black non-slip finish: 2 in 1 battery & Docking as well as provides full body coverage for your iPhone4.

Bluetooth Wireless Slide Keyboard Hard Case for iphone 4


This Bluetooth Sliding Keyboard Case for Apple iPhone 4 frees you from the pains of having to use an on-screen keyboard! It pairs over Bluetooth using wireless connectivity and features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that includes Home and Search buttons. It's powered by a lithium rechargable battery and is charged via its USB mini B port. Its on/off switch lets you conserve its battery life, too! Simply snap in your iPhone 4 (AT&T or Verizon), pair your devices, and you've got a fully functional keyboard ready to slide out whenever you need it! Get yours today!

AmpliTube iRig interface adapter for iPad iPhone iPod

AmpliTube iRig is a combination of an easy-to-use instrument interface adapter and guitar and bass tone mobile software.

With AmpliTube iRig, you can plug your guitar into your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad and jam anywhere with world class guitar and bass tone right in the palm of your hand - from the leader in studio-class guitar and bass software.

Simply plug the iRig interface into your mobile device, plug your instrument into the appropriate input jack, plug in your headphones, amp or powered speakers, download 'AmpliTube FREE' version for iPhone or for iPad, and start rocking!

You'll have at your fingertips the sound and control up to 4 recombinable simultaneous stompbox effects amplifier cabinet microphone just like a traditional guitar or bass stage rig!

Add amps and effects as you need them - you can expand your rig with up to 11 stomps, 5 amps, 5 cabinets and 2 microphones in the AmpliTube iRig app custom shop.

3-Channel MiNi Metalic RC Helicopter Play With iPad iPhone iPod

This is a 3-Channel Mini Metal RC Helicopter for iPad iPhone, and iPod Touch, to enjoy flying helicopter with your iPad iPhone, and iPod Touch, this is it! The remote helix helicopter features ultra-micro size and light weight, perfect for indoor flying. With high quality balance beam and blades, the rechargeable helix helicopter flies stably. In particular tail and undercarriage designed to be easily achieved progress, from top to bottom, left and other basic manipulation. And the rechargeable helix helicopter is with super light-weight and strength shell with fancy finishes detailing, which provides great protection and attractive shape. Great fun for you, do not miss it, you will get more than you paid!