Best Ways to Avoid Cancer by Rebecca Ruiz

Forget fad diets or avoiding food additives.

Experts say neither will do much good in the battle to prevent cancer, the nation's second leading cause of death. The disease is expected to claim the lives of 559,650 Americans this year, according to the American Cancer Society. A sobering statistic, no doubt. Still, the good news is that cancer-related deaths are decreasing annually at 2.1%, doubling the rate of years previous. Researchers attribute the decline to improved methods of detection, increased levels of screening and changes in lifestyle.

But while the list of such preventive measures can be overwhelming, there are very basic steps, including regular screenings and positive habits, that can both lead to a healthier body and minimize one's risk of cancer.. Vilma Cokkinides, program director for Risk Factor Surveillance at the American Cancer Society, suggests a simple approach. "Don't think of it as following guidelines," she says, "think of it as a lifestyle."

Screening And Detection
If you fear exams or postpone checkups for months, wait no longer to march over to the doctor's office and discuss cancer risks and detection techniques. Research has shown that screening drastically improves the chances of preventing cancer and cancer-related deaths, especially those due to colorectal, breast and cervical cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Regular screening begins at different points depending on age, gender, medical and family histories, and the type of cancer. Cokkinides recommends that adults discuss testing for breast, cervical, prostate, endometrium, colon and skin cancers with a physician. There are myriad screening techniques, so be inquisitive with a physician or specialist about which might elicit the clearest results.

Lifestyle Lessons
There are good habits, like regular checkups and screening, and bad ones, like smoking, drinking, eating poorly and exercising infrequently. To many cancer experts, the scourge of high-risk behavior is smoking, followed by obesity. Half of smokers will die from tobacco-related diseases, and tobacco use is responsible for 30% of all cancer-related deaths each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

The obesity epidemic similarly worries researchers.

"The underlying mechanisms implicating weight are very complex," says Cokkinides, "but it's thought that it has to do with fat and sugar metabolism, immune function, hormone levels and cell growth."

Obesity and being overweight have been linked to an increased risk for breast, colon, endometrium, esophagal, kidney and pancreatic cancers, among others. Roughly two-thirds of all Americans are considered overweight or obese.

In combating weight issues, Cokkinides says, people can also cultivate better eating and exercise habits, which have been shown to positively affect cancer risk. Instead of trying to find the next miracle food, consistently eat a diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and minimize foods high in fat and refined sugar as well as consumption of red and processed meats and alcoholic beverages. Regular exercise -- at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week -- can also decrease the risk of developing certain cancers.

The Future of Prevention
Dr. William Nelson, a medical oncologist and the director of translational research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, envisions a future of "personalized medicine" in which current preventive measures are combined with cutting-edge technology to provide patients with precise indications of their risk factors.

This includes preventive drugs and genetic testing, which are both currently available to the public, but benefit a small fraction.

"Our tools for informing people about their risks," he says of preventive drugs and genetic testing, "have the promise to describe risk for a disease and risk for treatment side effects."

Those with high risk for breast, prostate and colorectal cancers should consult a physician about preventive drugs. Anu Chittenden, a genetic counselor at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, recommends genetic counseling for those with a strong family history of cancer. Though the procedure is available for different cancers, it is largely known for detecting genes linked to breast and ovarian cancer. About 10% of women with breast cancer will have a gene mutation. Chittenden urges patients to first have a relative with the cancer tested to yield important genetic information, and to consult a genetic counselor trained to interpret the results.

Though Nelson anticipates that new technologies will have a profound impact on how cancer is diagnosed and treated, he still believes the best prevention is done daily.

"Cancer is giant risk-benefit analysis," he says. "Go after the broad lifestyle changes."

Copyrighted, Forbes.com. All rights reserved.

Time to refinance is now LizPulliamWeston

Rates on 2 million mortgages are scheduled to rise by the end of 2008. If yours is one of them, consider refinancing now -- if you can.

Falling home values are eroding people's equity rapidly enough that some who can refinance today might not be able to do so in a year, notes mortgage expert Dick Lepre. Even those who have plenty of equity now may face more limited options and higher costs in a few months.

That's because much of the refinance math lenders do depends on how much equity you have in your home:

• If your mortgage and other home loans equal 80% or less of your home's worth, you'll typically have the most choices and be offered the best rates, contingent on your credit scores.

• As your equity shrinks, though, rates tend to get higher and terms get stricter, said Lepre, a California loan officer who writes a weekly newsletter on the mortgage business. Every time you slip over an equity benchmark -- 85%, 90% and 95% -- rates tick up and your options decrease.

• Once you owe more on your house than it's worth, your alternatives pretty much decline to none, at least in today's mortgage market. Lenders who were once eager to make 100% or more loan-to-value mortgages have either gone out of business or turned away from these high-risk loans.

Risk is in waiting, not acting

What a difference a few months makes. In the recent past, the only folks who had to worry about not having enough equity to refinance were those who had already gobbled it up with home-equity borrowing. Even that was a temporary situation, as ever-rising home values continued to supply more equity.

Now that home prices are dropping in many areas, the easy equity gains have turned into equity erosion. Someone with a $200,000 mortgage would have an 80% loan-to-value on a home worth $250,000, but if that home drops 10% in value, to $225,000, the same loan now represents 89% of the home's worth.

When Will Housing Hit Bottom? by Rex Nutting

The housing market is just getting worse. Home resales tumbled 8% in September to the lowest levels in this decade, prompting the obvious question: When will it all end?

The honest answer is no one knows. Optimists have been saying for more than a year that the worst is behind us, while the pessimists have been saying recovery is still a year, or years, away.

So far, the pessimists have been right about the weakness in the housing market, but their forecast that the collapse in housing would lead to a general economic malaise has, at least so far, failed to pan out. The economy has slowed, but has not fallen into recession, as consumers and investors adjust to a world in which home prices don't automatically rise 5% or 10% a year.

The only thing that's clear now is that the housing market has gotten worse since the spring. The market was in a free fall in September. Sales of existing home fell 8%, while inventories of unsold homes rose to a 10.5-month supply. It could take 320 days for a home to sell.

Sales of existing single-family homes are down 20% in the past year, the fastest decline in 16 years.

Median prices have dropped 4% in the past year, in part because fewer expensive homes are being sold, but also because the typical home is worth less than it was a year ago.

Homes are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them, and right now, most homes on the market have no buyer in sight. Prices may have to fall much more to bring supply and demand back into balance, economists say.

Builders have almost no confidence. The home builders' index fell to a record low in October (the index dates back to 1985). New construction on single-family homes has plunged 31% in the past year, but still the inventory of new homes on the market, after adjusting for cancellations, is at the highest level since the early 1990s.

As if the fundamental sickness in the housing market weren't enough, a secondary infection has developed. The credit crisis in the mortgage market that erupted in the summer has left huge numbers of potential buyers without any access to mortgages.

The subprime sector has essentially died, with the newly reinvigorated Federal Housing Administration able to replace only a tiny segment of what was once a huge market of home buyers.

The top end of the market was also frozen out, as jumbo loans (those with mortgages above the conforming level of $417,000) became more expensive or completely unavailable.

The jumbo freeze-out devastated sales in pricey areas such as the San Francisco Bay area, where jumbo loans had accounted for about 52% of purchases in August, but just 39% in September.

There's some evidence that the jumbo market is slowly returning, but it's not functioning normally yet.

So where does the market stand now?

"We are seeing the first buds of spring" in the recovery of the jumbo market, said Stephen Stanley, chief economist for RBS Greenwich Capital. "It's a slow, glacial recovery."

Stanley believes home sales will be "really bad" for two or three more months, before the credit markets begin to function more normally. "It won't return to where we were six or 12 months ago."

At that point, the secondary infection would be gone, but the underlying illness would still be there. The market will really begin to recover only after sellers capitulate on prices.

And then home sales might level out, Stanley said, acknowledging that he's one of the more optimistic analysts.

Historically, housing corrections take a long time. After the market softened in the late 1980s, sales fell for five years, then took three more years to return to the peak level. Prices took just as long to recover.

Some analysts say the fundamentals will worsen in coming months. The main problem is that so many adjustable-rate mortgages will reset to a higher interest rate. The typical family with an ARM will see mortgage payments rise by $10,000 a year, according to Andrew Jakabovics of the Center for American Progress, a progressive Washington think tank.

Millions of these home owners will be unable to refinance their current loan and will either have to scrounge to make the payments, or lose their home through a fire sale or foreclosure. That would throw even more supply onto a saturated market.

"The mortgage crisis is neither wholly contained nor likely to abate in the near future," said Jakabovics. "Default and foreclosure loom ever more menacingly as borrowers are unable to find a reasonable payment option and unable to sell their homes."

Copyrighted, MarketWatch. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MarketWatch content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MarketWatch. MarketWatch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

NBA season preview: Northwest Division

By Johnny Ludden, Yahoo! Sports

Seattle sent Ray Allen to Boston. Kevin Garnett soon followed. Portland shipped Zach Randolph to New York. Rashard Lewis found a $118 million contract in Orlando and Andrei Kirilenko offered $63 million to get out of Utah.

Then there's the entire SuperSonics franchise, which might be headed to Oklahoma City by season's end.

Welcome to the Northwest Division, the NBA's Grand Central Station. Looking for greener pastures? Just take the No. 9 out of town.

Keeping track of the Northwest's daily transaction report this summer became quite the chore. Greg Oden, the league's top draft pick, didn't even make it to training camp before Portland shelved him for microfracture surgery. Which, of course, is why the two teams with the smallest turnover are the two most likely to contend for the division title.

Predicted order of finish within division:

1. Utah Jazz

Allow us to introduce: Jason Hart, Ronnie Price, Morris Almond, Kyrylo Fesenko

Dearly departed: Derek Fisher, Dee Brown, Rafael Araujo

Is that confetti in your hair? After an impressive run to the Western Conference finals, the Jazz made only a couple of minor tweaks to their roster. Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, quickly resembling another formidable Utah pick-and-roll combo, anchor the team's impressive core. Mehmet Okur is coming off an All-Star season and second-year guard Ronnie Brewer is making a strong bid to start.

How's Cancun in June? Shortly before camp opened, Kirilenko announced he no longer wanted to play for the Jazz. He didn't find much sympathy from his teammates. Williams criticized Kirilenko's work ethic and shot selection on a local radio show. And that came after both Williams and Boozer seemed to complain about the performance of some of their international teammates during the conference finals.

In the crosshairs: Since a trade that would have sent him to Phoenix for Shawn Marion failed to materialize, Kirilenko has been on his best behavior. The Jazz now hope former guard Jeff Hornacek can fix not only Kirilenko's shot, but also his confidence.

2. Denver Nuggets

Allow us to introduce: Chucky Atkins, Stacey Augmon, Steven Hunter, Bobby Jones

Dearly departed: Steve Blake, Reggie Evans, DerMarr Johnson

Is that confetti in your hair? Allen Iverson didn't appear to have much trouble playing alongside Carmelo Anthony by the end of the regular season. The Nuggets went 10-1 in April and gave the Spurs a scare in the first round before losing in five games. Anthony has continued to steadily improve each season and Denver also hopes Kenyon Martin is ready to contribute again.

How's Cancun in June? Blake's departure to Portland could end up hurting the Nuggets. He's not in Atkins' class as a scorer, but he proved to be a willing distributor and an active defender – a good fit for a team that rarely lacked for points. Marcus Camby returns as the Defensive Player of the Year, but staying healthy always seems to be a problem. J.R. Smith, meanwhile, has worn on coach George Karl with his immaturity – the same way he earned a ticket out of New Orleans.

In the crosshairs: After undergoing microfracture surgery on both knees – procedures that have limited him to 58 total games the past two seasons – Martin now claims to be pain free. His minutes have been limited during the preseason, but any court time for the bruising forward figures to be a plus for the Nuggets, who could use his toughness.

3. Portland Trail Blazers

Allow us to introduce: Greg Oden, Steve Blake, Channing Frye, James Jones, Taurean Green, Josh McRoberts

Dearly departed: Zach Randolph, Ime Udoka, Jamaal Magloire, Fred Jones, Dan Dickau

Is that confetti in your hair? Losing Oden for the season certainly didn't help the Trail Blazers' playoff chances, but they have another talented young big man poised for a breakout season. LaMarcus Aldridge, whose development made it easier for Portland to part with Randolph, has frustrated opponents with his inside play. With Brandon Roy, last season's Rookie of the Year, quickly growing into a leader, Portland's young roster could contend for a playoff berth sans Oden.

How's Cancun in June? Roy has already been slowed by a sore left heel – the same injury that caused him to miss 20 of Portland's first 25 games last season. And among all those young legs, the Trail Blazers have just two true veterans: Joel Przybilla and Raef LaFrentz, the latter of whom played in only 27 games last season.

In the crosshairs: Given a $12 million contract and an opportunity to start, Travis Outlaw showed up at training camp and promptly failed the team's conditioning test. Even worse: Outlaw's greatest basketball skill, allegedly, is his athleticism. He also arrived late for the Blazers' first preseason game, quickly earning him another meeting with coach Nate McMillan and general manager Kevin Pritchard.

4. Seattle SuperSonics

Allow us to introduce: Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Kurt Thomas, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West

Dearly departed: Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis, Andre Brown, Mike Wilks, Danny Fortson

Is that confetti in your hair? New Sonics GM Sam Presti quickly made Durant the team's new cornerstone by shipping out Allen on draft night. With Lewis leaving for Orlando, Presti and fellow Spurs alum, P.J. Carlesimo, are building for the future. But the team isn't devoid of talent. Depending on how quickly Durant and Green develop – and whether Carlesimo can get consistent production from at least one of his three young big men – the Sonics could spoil someone else's playoff chances even if their own don't look too good.

How's Cancun in June? Cancun? Try Oklahoma City. The Sonics aren't generating much positive press while trying to wrestle their way out of KeyArena. For now, the only win-loss that seems to matter is the team's impending arbitration battle with the city of Seattle.

In the crosshairs: Szczerbiak is due $26.6 million over the next two seasons. That's a lot of change for someone who has missed at least 30 games in three of the previous five seasons.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

Allow us to introduce: Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Sebastian Telfair, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Juwan Howard, Corey Brewer, Greg Buckner

Dearly departed: Kevin Garnett, Mike James, Trenton Hassell, Troy Hudson, Justin Reed

Is that confetti in your hair? This figures to be the first time in four seasons the Timberwolves don't fail to meet their fans' expectations. Of course, few people are expecting much of anything from the team this season. Trading Garnett to Boston left Minnesota with a promising young forward in Jefferson and a lot of question marks.

How's Cancun in June? Minnesota likely will use the season to evaluate and develop its younger players. Jefferson could become a franchise cornerstone, but Telfair and Green have yet to show much. If nothing else, the Timberwolves should be able to position themselves for a high lottery pick.

In the crosshairs: Unable to surround Garnett with enough talent to make the Timberwolves a legitimate contender, GM Kevin McHale will now try to rebuild them from the ground up. Most Minnesota fans don't have faith he'll succeed.

Loan Modification, Part Two: Benefits of Shared Price Appreciation

The first article in this series pointed out that, when a mortgage borrower is unable to make the required payments, the servicing agent has an obligation to the owner of the mortgage to resolve the problem in the way that is least costly to the owner. The usual method is foreclosure, but an alternative is to modify the loan contract to make the payment more affordable.

In making their decisions, loan servicers usually ignore an asset possessed by the borrower that could shift it from foreclosure to modification. This asset is the right to a share of the future appreciation in the value of the borrower's house.

Comparing the Costs

To make the decision process easier, I have designed a new calculator, numbered 7e on my Web site. The calculator compares the cost of a subsidy provided under a contract modification to the estimated value of a share of the appreciation, over any future period up to 10 years. Because costs are incurred monthly while appreciation is realized at the end of a period, all figures are translated into present values to make them comparable.

For example, in 2005, John Subprime took out a two-year adjustable-rate mortgage for $100,000 at 5 percent. It was a 100 percent loan, but the balance had been paid down to $97,237. The initial payment of $537 was affordable but lasts for only two years.

The interest rate will be reset in two months to equal the value of the rate index, currently 5 percent, plus a margin of 3 percent. If the index stays where it is now, the rate will go to 8 percent, and the payment to $724. John cannot afford this payment.

Using the formula developed in the first article of this series, John convinces the servicer that he can afford no more than $580 a month for the next three years. The modification keeps the rate at 5 percent and adjusts the payment to $580. Over three years, the difference between the affordable payment and the scheduled payments with an 8 percent rate sums to $5,190, which at 6 percent has a present value of $4,739. This is the cost of the payment subsidy to the owner of the mortgage.

In addition to the payment subsidy, there is a balance subsidy because keeping the loan at 5 percent allows a more rapid pay-down of the balance. The subsidy is equal to the difference between what the balance would have been at the end of the contract period had there been no modification and what it will be with the modification.

Over the three years, the balance subsidy amounts to $3,670 with a present value of $3,067. The present value of both the payment and balance subsidies is $7,806. This is the cost of contract modification to the investor.

The net cost of foreclosure to the investor is the estimated expense of foreclosure less the equity in the borrower's house, which is available to offset foreclosure expenses. Equity is the difference between the estimated proceeds from a foreclosure sale and the mortgage balance. For example, if foreclosure expenses are $5,000 and net equity is $2,000, the net cost of foreclosure is $3,000.

If net equity is zero in my example, foreclosure costs at $5,000 are lower than the $7,806 cost of modification, and the servicer will opt for foreclosure. But factoring a share of future appreciation into the equation can change the result.

Suppose the servicer estimates that John's house may increase in value by 2 percent, 3 percent, and 4 percent over the next three years. On these assumptions, the appreciation will be $9,262, with a present value of $7,740. Using this number, a 50 percent share of the appreciation would reduce the net cost of modification to $3,936, which is lower than the cost of foreclosure.

Borrowers with payment problems who have a lot of equity in their homes have the most to gain from pledging a share in future appreciation. Such borrowers are otherwise unlikely to qualify for a contract modification because foreclosure will be less costly to the investor.

Providing Support for Your Case

Borrowers in trouble, however, can't assume that the servicer will take the initiative in proposing any modification deal, let alone a more complex variety that includes a pledge of future appreciation. The culture of loan servicing discourages such initiatives because they raise costs and do not generate any additional revenue.

Troubled borrowers with the best chances of negotiating a contract modification are those who are persistent and who provide the information required to support their case. If they have significant equity in their home, this should include a proposal to share future appreciation with the investor, including reasonable estimates of what that might be worth. The more of the servicer's job they do, the better their chances are of success.

Loan Modification: What You Should Know, Part One

A loan modification is a change in the loan contract agreed to by the lender and the borrower. The modifications of major concern today are those designed to reduce the payment burden on borrowers faced with impending rate increases that will make the mortgage payment unaffordable to them. Many are subprime borrowers.

Home owners faced with this prospect, whether they are already delinquent or not, should request a modification. They are very unlikely to get one if they don't ask, and they should make the investment required to make their case. The stakes are very high: They can save their house and their credit.

The Decision Process

In most cases, the decision on a modification is not made by the firm that owns the loan. It is made by a firm servicing the loan under contract to the owner. The owner could be a single lender, or it could be a group of investors who own pieces of a mortgage-backed security collateralized by a pool of loans.

Whoever the owner, the servicing firm is contractually obligated to find the solution to payment problems that will minimize loss to the owner. If the lowest-cost solution is a contract modification, great -- everyone involved prefers a modification to a foreclosure. But if a foreclosure would generate lower costs for the owner, the decision will be to foreclose. The cost of foreclosure to the borrower does not enter the decision.

Yet the decision is far from cut and dried, and it can be materially affected by whether and how the borrower presents his case. On this issue, I have benefited from an exchange with Warren Brasch, an attorney who represents borrowers seeking loan modifications.

The Equity Factor

Perhaps the most important factor affecting the modification decision is the amount of equity the borrower has in his property. If the borrower has enough equity in the property to pay any deferred interest plus foreclosure expenses, foreclosure is usually the lower-cost solution.

Equity depends on property value, which the borrower is much better positioned to know than the servicer. The borrower knows or can easily find out how many houses in the neighborhood are for sale and what the trend has been in recent sale prices. In a weakening market, it is easy for the lender to overestimate value, and the borrower must prevent that.

The Moral Hazard

Servicers fear that, if they are liberal in granting modifications, borrowers who don't need a modification will seek one anyway. They protect themselves against this by entertaining modification proposals on a case-by-case basis, while placing the burden of proof on the borrower.

Borrowers must accept the burden of proof. In addition to the data on property value, they need to document that they cannot afford the payment increase that is pending, and they must document exactly what they can afford.

For this purpose, borrowers should calculate their total debt ratio: the sum of mortgage payment, other debt payments, property taxes, and homeowners insurance as a percent of their gross (before tax) income. This number should be calculated for what it is now, what it will be after the rate adjustment, and what they will be able to afford. On the last, Brasch suggests that a servicer may be willing to accept 45 percent as a reasonable maximum.

The Servicing Cost

Servicers have a self-interest in minimizing modifications, because they add to costs. They try to minimize costs by computerizing the servicing process to the maximum degree possible and standardizing customer-support procedures so that low-paid and easily trained employees can perform them.

Modifications must be handled by a special group that is more highly trained and better paid, and the increased costs from expanding their number cuts into the bottom line. Hence, there is a tendency to be non-responsive in the hope that the borrower will go away.

Borrowers have to be persistent. According to Brasch, "If a servicer says they will call you back...forget about it. You need to call them and call them constantly. They will lose your paper-work, fail to return calls, put you on hold, and then hang up. It's what they do. Keep fighting, calling, faxing. This does work!"

In making their decisions about whether a modification would be less costly than a foreclosure, servicers usually ignore an asset possessed by the borrower that could tilt the balance toward modification. This is the right to future appreciation in the value of the borrower's house. In exchange for a modification that might otherwise be more costly to the owner than a foreclosure, the borrower could pledge a percent of the future appreciation, which could shift the balance to modification. This will be discussed in the second article in this series.

Borrow From a Bank, Credit Union, or Finance Company

Banks and credit unions usually offer set, nonnegotiable rates, often less expensive than dealer financing. (They are also less likely to push the unnecessary expense of credit life insurance, which ensures that the loan will be paid off if you die prematurely.) Membership credit unions that offer auto loans typically offer lower rates than banks and finance companies. But finance companies -- often the most expensive of all -- may accept borrowers who are greater credit risks.

In 1991, the IRS eliminated the income tax deduction for interest on most personal loans. The major exception is interest on a home equity loan, which is tax deductible on principal up to $100,000 no matter how you spend the money.

Some banks now offer "tax-smart" loans to give back the car-loan deduction to consumers. A tax-smart loan combines the ease of a regular auto loan with the tax deductibility of a home equity loan. With a tax-smart loan, you do not have to go through the closing procedures and expense required by a regular home equity loan. And you can usually borrow up to 100% of the equity in your home. Unlike a regular home equity loan, the primary collateral on a tax-smart loan is the automobile. To earn the tax benefit, a lien is placed on the home as well.

While tax-smart loans may be smart for the bank that offers them, they may not be such a great deal for the borrower. A tax-smart loan is safe for a bank to make: it has the security collateral of both your car and your house. The bank usually charges the same interest rate on a tax-smart loan as on a regular auto loan, which could be significantly more than the rate charged on a home equity loan.

Not only are you tying up the equity in your car and home for this loan, the savings you realize on the tax deduction may be less than the money you save with a lower-rate loan.

Financing a New Car

Unless you're among the minority of people who pay cash, you need to quickly become an informed consumer on the subject of financing if you're considering buying a new car. For most new-car buyers, one of the biggest costs of purchasing a new car is interest on the loan that makes the purchase possible. But there are a variety of ways to finance a car, and knowing your options can help save you money.

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Five ways to boost your sex life

Forget oysters and chocolates and use these practical suggestions instead.

	Open up "I ask couples to talk about their fantasies in the presence of one another, to close their eyes and describe how they like to be touched and what they want to receive from their partner," says sexual psychotherapist Dinah Berlin. "Often, they find it's a complete surprise what the other desires."
	Eat Right "A good protein source and a slow-release (low GI) carbohydrate, such as a chicken pasta meal, would be fantastic to give you a little bit more energy throughout the evening," advises Brisbane-based dietitian Kate Di Prima.
	Flirt "Sex doesn't begin when you turn out the lights;" asserts Scott Hays in his book Built For Sex (Rodale, $35). "Couples who report being happiest with their sex lives invariably spent a lot of time flirting, teasing and playing. They trade sexy phone calls, full body hugs and quick kisses that are more than a peck on the lips."
	Quit Smoking Men who smoke have a higher risk of erectile dysfunction. Sydney researchers have found that men who smoke a pack or more of cigarettes daily are 40 per cent more likely to be impotent than non-smokers.
	Exercise Exercise affects your endorphins and your mood; if you feel good about yourself, you will feel better about your relationship and your sex life," enthuses exercise scientist Martha Lourey Bird.

2008 Chevrolet Corvette 430hp V8 Review

2008 Corvette: Iconic Sports Car Receives Larger, More Powerful LS3 6.2L V-8 And Host Of Driving, Interior Refinements. New for 2008

All-new LS3 6.2L V-8 engine for Coupe and Convertible:
430 hp (321 kW)*
424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm)*
436 hp / 428 lb.-ft. (325 kW / 580 Nm)* with new, optional dual-mode exhaust system
High-flow cylinder heads
Enhanced valvetrain
High-flow intake manifold
Larger-bore block with structural enhancements
Improved manual transmission shift effort
Quicker shift times on paddle-shift six-speed automatic
2.73 performance axle ratio available with six-speed paddle shift; included with Z51 package
Improved steering feel
Standard split-spoke cast aluminum wheel design for Coupe and Convertible (Competition Gray finish optional)
Available polished forged aluminum wheel design
New Keyless Access remote key fob with integrated key
Interior trim enhancements for all models, including wrapped center trim plate with Cyber pattern and new, brushed aluminum accents
Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package available for all models in exclusive, new Linen and Sienna colors
New sill plates
iPod/MP3 jack included on all sound systems except navigation (Personal Audio Link available as accessory for navigation system)
OnStar and XM Satellite Radio standard on all models
Auto-dimming mirrors with compass standard on all models
Two new premium exterior colors: Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat



Get comfortable. There’s so much new and exciting with the 2008 Corvette that you’ll want to grab a hot drink, sidle up to your computer screen and absorb all the details.

The changes involve everything from an all-new, larger and more powerful V-8 engine to refinements in driving characteristics that solidify the Corvette’s position as the preeminent American sports car – and further the argument that it is one of the world’s best. There are also a host of exterior and interior refinements that raise the Corvette’s luxury status and enhance the feeling of craftsmanship.

“Corvette is an uncompromising sports car that rewards its owners with impeccable performance and great comfort,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “The changes and enhancements to the 2008 Corvette reflect continual improvements that speak to Chevrolet’s unflagging commitment to building the best sports car – and with nearly 55 years of experience, the Corvette just keeps getting better and better.”

Also back again for ’08 is the 505-horsepower Corvette Z06, an American super car that has won over enthusiasts, journalists and racers around the world for its balance of racetrack-bred performance, daily-driving civility and value.

Here’s a look at the new and enhanced features for ’08 Corvette models:

Engine – A new, 6.2L LS3 small-block V-8 is the standard engine in Coupe and Convertible models. It is rated at 430 horsepower (321 kW)* and 424 lb.-ft. of torque (586 Nm)* with the standard exhaust system; with the new, optional two-mode exhaust system, power ratings increase to 436 horses / 325 kW and 428 lb.-ft. / 592 Nm. As a result, the standard Corvette is true supercar, capable of 190 mph. The LS3 with the six-speed paddle-shift automatic is the fastest automatic-equipped Corvette ever, with 0-60 mph capability of 4.3 seconds.

This new iteration of the storied small-block family features a revised, larger-bore cylinder block – 4.06-inch / 103.25 mm vs. the previous 6.0L’s 4.00-inch / 101.62 mm bores – high-flow, LS7/L92-style cylinder heads; larger-diameter pistons; revised camshaft and camshaft timing; revised valvetrain with offset intake rocker arms; high-flow intake manifold; high-flow fuel injectors from the Z06’s LS7 engine; and a new engine beauty cover.

The LS3 features an aluminum cylinder block with cast iron cylinder liners. In addition to its larger bores, which help create a 376-cubic-inch displacement, the block casting also features revisions and machining in the bulkheads that enhance its strength and improved bay to bay breathing. But while the bore of the 6.2L engine is increased when compared with the previous 6.0L engine, the engine’s stroke remains at 3.62 inches (92 mm). The pistons for the larger 6.2L engine also are new and are designed for its high-rpm performance capability.

Breathing for the new 6.2L engine is accomplished via new, high-flow cylinder heads. They’re based on the large port/large valve design found on the LS7 engine and other GM L92 engines, with larger-capacity, straighter intake ports. The design optimizes intake flow to the combustion chamber and the exhaust ports are also designed for better flow.

Complementing the larger-port design of the heads are commensurately sized valves. The intake valve size alone increases from 2.00 inches (50.8 mm) to 2.16 inches (55 mm) – an increase of nearly 9 percent. The intake valves feature lightweight hollow stems, which enable the engine’s 6,600-rpm capability. The exhaust valves also are large, measuring 1.60 inches (40.4 mm) in diameter.

To accommodate the engine’s large valves and enable more direct intake port flow, the intake-side rocker arms are offset 6 mm between the valve tip and the push rod. Actuating the valves is a new camshaft, with intake-side lobes providing more than a 5-percent percent in increase in lift, from 0.521-inch to 0.551-inch (13.25 mm to 14 mm). Exhaust-valve lift remains unchanged from the LS2. The camshaft timing was revised to optimize performance with the higher-lift intake cam profile.

Ensuring the cylinder heads receive all the air they can handles falls to a new, acoustically tuned intake manifold. The composite design is manufactured with a “lost core” process that improves runner to runner variation and reduces airflow losses. An acoustic foam material is used to reduce radiated engine noise; it is sandwiched between the outer top of the manifold and an additional “skull cap” acoustic shell. Also new beauty covers atop the engine shield the rocker covers and also feature a noise-reducing, acoustically tuned insert to provide a more refined engine sound.

Exhaust system – Optional on ’08 Coupe and Convertible models is a new, two-mode performance exhaust system. Similar in design and function to the system used on the Z06, the dual-mode exhaust uses vacuum-actuated outlet valves, which control engine noise during low-load operation, but open for maximum performance during high-load operation. It is not identical to the Z06 system; the Coupe/Convertible uses a 2.5-inch-diameter exhaust, while the Z06 uses a three-inch system.

With the new, dual-mode performance exhaust, power output for Coupe/Convertible rises from 430 horsepower (321 kW) and 424 lb.-ft. of torque (575 Nm) to 436 horses (325 kW) and 428 lb.-ft. (580 Nm). This system gives the Corvette a more aggressive exhaust sound character that will appeal to performance enthusiasts.

Transmissions and axle ratios – The shifting efforts for both the six-speed manual transmission and paddle-shift six-speed automatic transmissions have been improved in ’08 Corvette models. The manual transmission shifting improvements include a more positive and direct feel during gear changes, with better gate-to-gate location.

The six-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission on Coupe and Convertible is improved with new hardware and a new controller calibration that deliver quicker shifts. This change bolsters the feeling of performance and driver control when using the shifting paddles.

Also new for ’08 models is the availability of the 2.73 performance axle ratio with the automatic transmission. It is included with the Z51 package.

Steering system – The Corvette’s precise rack-and-pinion steering system is revised to provide improved feel at all speeds. The revisions are due to a new, premium machining process of the system’s internal components, a new, stiffer intermediate shaft and controller calibration changes.

Wheels – Corvette Coupe and Convertible models come with a new split-spoke wheel design for ’08. The design was introduced on the limited-edition ’07 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car replicas with a Sterling Silver finish. The standard 18-inch front wheels and 19-inch rear wheels feature a Sparkle Silver finish, with a Competition Gray version optional.

Also new is a distinctive, performance-oriented forged aluminum wheel for Coupe and Convertible. It comes in a polished finish.

Exterior colors – There are two new premium exterior colors available with 2008 Corvette models: Jetstream Blue Metallic Tintcoat and Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat; they replace Le Mans Blue Metallic and Monterey Red Metallic Tintcoat.

Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package – Available on Coupe, Convertible and Z06 models, the new Custom Leather-Wrapped Interior Package offers a stylish, two-tone leather-appointed cabin with details that enhance the feeling of Corvette’s craftsmanship. Details include:

Two-tone, leather-wrapped upper and lower instrument panel, door pads and seats
Choice of new, exclusive colors: Linen or Sienna, with unique color breakup
Padded door panel armrests
“Corvette” embroidered on passenger-side dash pad
Embroidered crossed flags logo on headrests
Unique center trim plate with Bias pattern.

Interior enhancements – All models feature a new wrapped instrument panel center trim plate, with bright surrounds for the shifter and cupholder. There are also new metal-finish door sill plates that greet passengers as they step into the vehicle, as well as a new lighted control knob for the available Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

Feature changes and enhancements – All Corvette models now come standard with features that were previously optional or part of equipment packages. They include:

OnStar with available Turn-By-Turn Navigation
XM Satellite Radio
Auto-dimming rearview mirrors (with compass)
Audio input jack on all radio systems except navigation; Personal Audio Link is available as a dealer-installed item with the navigation system.

The ’08 Corvettes also come with a new Keyless Access fob, which features the key and remote-function controls integrated in a single unit.

Corvette design and interior details
Dramatic fender forms and exposed headlamps combine with the grille to create a strong visual identity for the Corvette, while the tapered rear deck and fascia improve high-speed performance. The lean rear design sports round taillamps and center-exit exhaust. The fixed Xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps provide superior lighting performance. With a 0.286 coefficient of drag, the Coupe models are the most aerodynamic Corvettes ever.

The 2008 Corvette Convertible features a power-operated soft top with the 3LT package; an easy-to-operate manual top is standard. Both configurations use a five-layer fabric that conceals the underlying structure for a good top-up appearance, plus it helps preserve the car’s excellent aerodynamics and reduces road noise.

Corvette’s interior is inspired by the car’s dual-cockpit heritage. High-quality materials, craftsmanship and functionality help deliver premium quality meant to enhance performance driving. The instrument panel and doors are covered with cast-skin foam-in-place trim that looks like a leather-wrapped, padded panel. It is warm and inviting and has double the life of conventional trim materials.

An AM/FM/XM radio with CD player and audio input jack is standard. An optional Bose audio system with an in-dash six-disc changer adds to the choices available to the audiophile owner. Steering-wheel mounted audio controls – introduced in ’07 – are included with the Bose premium system.

A full-function OnStar system is standard and an onboard navigation system with voice recognition is available. Using a 6.5-inch (165 mm) color touch-screen display, the DVD-based system contains all the map data for the 48 contiguous states and most of Canada on one disc.

Driving dynamics

Corvette Coupe and Convertible have a hydroformed steel rail backbone structure, which features cored composite floors, an enclosed center tunnel, rear-mounted transmission and aluminum cockpit structure. Suspension cradles, control arms, knuckles, springs, dampers, bushings, stabilizer bars and steering gear have all been redesigned. New Goodyear Extended Mobility Tires (EMT) take advantage of the latest sidewall design and compound technology for run-flat capabilities.

Three suspension choices allow drivers to choose the setup that best suits their driving style. The standard suspension is tuned for a balance of ride comfort and precise handling. Corvette is now more poised at even higher handling levels, yet easier to drive.

The optional Magnetic Selective Ride Control suspension features magneto-rheological dampers able to detect road surfaces and adjust the damping rates to those surfaces almost instantly for optimal ride control. Cross-dilled brake rotors are included when this feature is selected, allowing customers to combine the larger brakes from the Z51 performance package with the comfort of Magnetic Selective Ride Control.

The Z51 Performance Package brings Coupe and Convertible performance very close to the widely admired previous generation Z06. The Z51 offers more aggressive dampers and springs, larger stabilizer bars, Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar EMT tires, enhanced cooling and larger cross-drilled brake rotors (13.4 inches / 340 mm in front and 13 inches / 330 mm in rear) for optimum track performance while still providing a comfortable ride.

With each suspension, three standard dynamic chassis control systems – anti-lock braking, traction control and Active Handling – operate in concert. In all, the dynamic chassis control systems are smarter, less intrusive and more adept at making the total driving experience precisely what drivers have come to expect from their Corvette.

Flower-Power Party for 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Review

The millionth Volkswagen New Beetle will run off the production line this summer. To mark the occasion, enthusiasts from all over Europe will meet in exactly one month’s time on the New Beetle Sunshine Tour. In addition to standard models from the New Beetle and New Beetle Cabriolet range, many custom cars with special paint finishes and completely revamped bodies will be joining the parade along the Baltic coast. The Baltic Sea Tour starts on Sunday 14 July in Lübeck. It will finish with a flower-power party featuring the New Beetles at the Grömitz promenade.

The private initiative "Beetle Sunshine Tour" was launched by New Beetle Cabriolet owner Gabriele Kraft from Lübeck in 2004. She is organizing the tour for the fourth time. "This meeting is not just about beautiful cars, but about the people that love the New Beetle," she says. 135 entry forms have been received from all over Germany and its neighboring countries. Gabriele Kraft is optimistic that the cars meeting at Grömitz beach will number 250 for the first time.

This does need a large amount of planning as there will be a stage at the finish on which everybody can present their favorite car. There will be concert by a surprise act later on. "In the morning, the cars will be on show in the P+R car park at VfB-Lübeck/Lohmühle football club before we head towards Grömitz promenade with a few fun stop-offs along the Baltic," says the organizer.

Any interested New Beetle drivers can register free of charge on the website at www.beetle-sunshinetour.de. The New Beetle Sunshine Tour is supported by Volkswagen and Grömitz council.

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Euro Sedan

Mitsubishi will present in Frankfurt the European version of the Mitsubishi Lancer sedan . The European Mitsubishi Lancer sedan will have three engine options:
- 1.8 liter DOHC MIVEC engine with aluminum cylinder block [max. output 105 kW (143 PS)] mated to either the INVECS-III 6-speed Sport Mode CVT or a 5-speed manual transmission
- 2 liter turbocharged diesel engine [103 kW (140 PS)] mated to a 6-speed manual transmission
- 1.5 liter DOHC MIVEC engine [80 kW (109PS)] mated to a 4-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission

Mitsubishi Press Release:The new Lancer sedan has already been launched in North America, Russia and Japan (Japan-market name: Galant Fortis) and has been well-received as a "global standard sporty sedan" that achieves the optimum balance between quality of ride, road performance, safety, environmental and comfort performance.

To meet European market requirements, three engines are available in the new Lancer: a new 1.8-liter DOHC MIVEC with aluminum cylinder block [max. output 105 kW (143 PS)]; a 2-liter turbochargeddiesel [103 kW (140 PS)]; and a 1.5-liter DOHC MIVEC [80 kW (109PS)] unit.

New European Lancer sedan product features

- The packaging realizes generous living space with a body that is wider and taller but only slightly longer than the current model. The wider track realizes better stability.

- The exterior design creates a body with vibrant looks and a strong road presence using proportions comprising a large cabin wrapped in sporty, wide-stance styling and by combiningthe Mitsubishi Motors hallmark inverted-slant nose with a trapezoidal grille. The new Lancer is the first model to employ the new design identity that will mark Mitsubishi Motors sedans to be introduced in future.

- The following powertrain configurations are available: A new 1.8-liter DOHC MIVEC engine with aluminum cylinder block [max. output 105 kW (143 PS)] mated to either the INVECS-III 6-speed Sport Mode CVT or a 5-speed manual transmission; a 2-liter turbocharged diesel engine [103 kW (140 PS)]mated to a 6-speed manual transmission; and a 1.5-liter DOHC MIVEC engine [80 kW (109PS)] mated to a 4-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic transmission. All the powertrains deliver responsive power and excellent environmental performance. The high-rigidity platform, used on the Outlander and Delica D:5*3, delivers outstanding crashworthiness; a revamped suspension underpins and supports high levels of handling and response together with safety performance.

- Features enhancing passive and impact safety include: SRS airbags (driver and front passenger airbags, driver knee airbag, side and curtain airbags); adaptive front lighting (AFS) that improves the driver's field of vision at night; and rain-sensitive auto wipers.- The European Lancer's utility and convenience specification includes a Rockford Fosgate premium sound system, giving superior sound reproduction, as well as with paddle shifters that allow the driver to change gear without taking his hand off the steering wheel. Standard on all models is Mitsubishi Motors Cocochi interior that includes a pollen-removing air filter in its occupant-friendly specification.

2008 Lancia Musa and Ypsilon Unveiled Review

The absolute star is the New Musa which makes its first public appearance at an international motor show. Two Musa Platinos are on display with two different engines, the 100 bhp 1.9 Multijet and the 90 bhp 1.3 Multijet with DPF. The first version has Masaccio Black paintwork with leather and Alcantara® Starlite upholstery, while the second features a two-tone body (Peyrano and Rouge) combined with Chocolate upholstery in leather and Alcantara® Starlite. Both cars are lavishly equipped: in the safety field, for example, they feature an ESP system, 6 airbags, foglights, the Blue&Me® system and TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System); where comfort is concerned, they are offered with automatic dual-zone climate control, cruise control, satellite navigation, parking sensors, radio controls on the steering wheel and electrical rear windows. And finally, the two new Musa Platino sport 16” alloys, a leather-covered steering wheel and gear lever knob with contrasting stitching and the GranLuce sunroof.

The display is completed by a car equipped with the 95 bhp 1.4 16v engine, with a DFN (‘Dolce Far Niente’) robotised gearbox in the Oro specification, and the following safety features: 6 airbags, ESP, TPMS, foglights and the Blue&Me® system. The attention paid to occupant comfort is underlined by the dual-zone automatic climate system, cruise control, a radio with CD and MP3 file player, parking sensors, radio controls on the steering wheel and electric rear side windows. And that is not all: Airtex fabric also guarantees excellent transpiration. The 16” alloys, leather-covered steering wheel with contrasting stitching and two-tone body (Masaccio Black and Botticelli Grey) complete the model’s elegant, refined livery.

There is also space for the Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign, the most outspokenly sporty, but nonetheless fashionable version that was the fruit of collaboration between Lancia and MomoDesign, two Italian industrial concerns that are famous throughout the world, now united by innovation in design, the use of cutting-edge materials and attention to detail.

There will be two examples of the Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign on the catwalk in Germany, one powered by the brilliant 95 bhp 1.4 16v engine and the other by the 105 bhp 1.3 Multijet, the most powerful diesel in its category.

Both have two-tone paintwork, which has always been a distinctive feature of Lancia and is now the result of a long, complex painting process. One combines an opaque Titanium grey roof with a Casorati Yellow body, while the body of the second car is Masaccio Black. In addition to the two-tone livery, the two Ypsilon Sport MomoDesign cars mount a wide range of standard and optional equipment: automatic dual zone climate control, a radio with a CD and MP3 file player, the Blue&Me® system and foglights.

The Frankfurt stand is completed by the Lancia Thesis and Lancia Phedra flagships, epitomising the marriage of ‘elegance and innovation’. Visitors will be able to admire a show car that is derived from the latest version of the Thesis, and a 7-seater version of the Phedra Emblema, the best example of the ‘Italian art of living’, powered by the brand new 170 bhp 2.2 Multijet engine. This engine incorporates a double sequential-parallel turboblower, thanks to which response times are limited even at low speeds, a factor which enhances elasticity, entertainment and performance. With peak torque of 370 Nm available at just 1500 rpm, the car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.8 seconds (compared to 12.5 second for the 136 bhp 2.0 Multijet version). Pick-up from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th is 11 seconds (0.7 seconds faster than the 136 bhp 2.0 version). Top speed is 200 km/h and consumption is also identical to that of the 136 bhp version. Overall, this outstanding performance means high cruising speeds, good acceleration and pick-up, but low consumption. Once again the Phedra tops its class, with a perfect combination of elegance, roominess and comfort even for 7 people, and it is always a pleasure to drive. And even emissions are low thanks to the DPF particulate filter.

The show car derived from the Lancia Thesis Sport has elegant two-tone bodywork (Maserati Quartz Dolomite, tone-on-tone) that sets off the lines of the model beautifully. The striking design of the 18” spoked alloys adds an extra touch of elegance, with a nuance that matches the colour of the roof. The same elegance is evident in the interior, thanks to the new Frau® Beige leather upholstery with coordinated black finishing elements and black ebony wood inserts. It is powered by the 2.4 Multijet 20v engine and a five speed self-adaptive sequential automatic transmission, and delivers a maximum of 185 bhp at 4000 rpm, with peak torque of 330 Nm at 1750 rpm. What is more, with this equipment, the car has a top speed of 222 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.7 seconds.

The public in Frankfurt will learn all about the concept of the Lancia Cafés, which are being opened all over Europe, where people can meet and enter the ‘Lancia world’, interfacing with the worldwide network of Lancia Cafés, to understand and appreciate every aspect of the historical values, modernity and future of the brand. The same spirit will animate the showrooms to be built in the coming years and the stands at the various international shows, like the one prepared for the 62nd Frankfurt Show. In fact, the stand is inspired by the concept of the Lancia Café, which is evident in the high quality level, where every detail is perfectly in line with the elegant temperament and quality of Lancia cars. Even the furnishings and materials of the stand reflect the refinement and craftsmanship of the interiors of all Lancia models. The whole effect is set off by architectural elements that create the effect of a deconstructed, filtered, dynamic space: an environment that is not perpendicular or conventional, in line with the unique nature of Lancia design. The concept of the Lancia Cafés has also given birth to the Lancia Boutique, a refined environment where people can admire the precious collection of accessories and clothing with the brand logo, created in collaboration with leading names in the fashion world.

The stand is therefore a shop-window onto the brand, with the relaxed, convivial atmosphere of a sophisticated lounge. In this superb display, Lancia confirms the amazing vitality of a brand which for a century has managed to maintain its identity as the maker of cars that combine comfort, elegance and cutting edge technology. And the brand intends to tackle the coming years with the same spirit and goals, constantly proposing superb new products. Suffice it to say that 2006 saw not only the debut of the new Ypsilon, today’s peak model, but also that of the new Delta HPE, which will be marketed in 2008. And now the New Musa faces 2007. But other novelties are in the pipeline. Lancia has set itself the goal of reaching the milestone of 300,000 registrations a year by 2010, exploiting the brand’s history, genes and unique styling. With these guidelines, it aims to consolidate its position on the Italian market and to grasp the good prospects on the major European markets, also targeting new markets like Russia, Turkey and Scandinavia and, subsequently, returning to right-hand drive markets in Europe and further afield, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Japan, Australia and South Africa.

South beach kihei maui hawaii

South Beach is a beachfront home with five bedrooms and lots of tropical character. With just a few steps separating you from the ocean, this is beachfront living at its most convenient.

Every room at South Beach was designed to maximize your relaxation while on holiday. Common rooms are soft and elegant, with cool marble floors sweeping through the open kitchen, living area and dining room. Its bedroom suites feature dark wood and details typical to the area. Where South Beach really shines, though, is outside: a freeform pool with smooth stone terrace invites guests to spend most of their time there and even dine alfresco under the shade of umbrellas. The ocean is in full view while you lounge. The villa comes fully-equipped with entertainment amenities, including TV/DVD and wireless internet, for those times you'd prefer to remain indoors.

Kihei is a largely residential area free of hotel congestion and a bit more authentic Hawaii than your average pocket of homes in Maui. It's bordered by beaches on all sides, so guests don't have far to go to sample the areas other stretches of sand. The popular town of Wailea, with restaurants, shops and nightlife is also just a few minutes away by car.

Note: the lot next door to South Beach is currently under construction. Please ask for up-to-date information on its status and how it might affect your stay.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster

After skipping model year 2007, Dodge has made its unruly Viper even more venomous for ’08. With a slight bump in displacement, to 8.4 liters, the addition of variable valve timing as well as other engine revisions, the Viper’s V10 engine now rips out 90 more horsepower, for 600 hp and 560 pound-feet of torque. That’s good for zero-to-60-mph times of less than four seconds, and thanks to improved, opposing-piston Brembo brakes, zero-to-100-to-zero times of less than 12 seconds.

Other improvements for the revised sports car include a new gearbox and clutch with smoother action, along with a revamped cooling system and a new speed-sensing limited-slip differential to help the rear wheels stay in check. The Viper also gets modest appearance changes that result in a more bad-boy appearance, the most obvious being the hood, which now has a larger air-intake scoop and aggressive-looking louvers. Inside, there are more color choices and improved materials for the ’08, which will go on sale this spring.

Installing Your Home Network's Wireless Routers and Access Points

Adapted From: Home Networking for Dummies:

Suppose that you want to share a digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modem with all the computers on your wireless network. Suppose that you have two computers on the first floor, and you're dying to do work on your wireless-equipped laptop while you relax in your bed (on the second floor), but the signal doesn't reach. Don't worry; manufacturers have come up with some clever hardware devices to overcome your problems.

Wireless routers

By definition, a router transfers data between multiple networks. In home networks, you can use a router to move data from one network (your home network) to another network (the Internet). This is how you share a DSL or cable modem Internet connection with all the computers on the network.

A wireless router (frequently called a wireless local-area network [WLAN] router) has an antenna that captures the signals from all the computers on your wireless network, effectively acting like a hub or a switch.

The router also has ports for Ethernet connections. For most wireless home networks, the Ethernet port is used to connect the DSL or cable modem to the router. However, you can also use those ports as a hub for an Ethernet network, essentially combining three networks: the wireless network, an Ethernet network, and the Internet.

A router also provides IP addresses to the computers on the local network. Because it does so, it's acting as a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server. The router provides a single point of communication with your DSL or cable Internet service provider (ISP). (The ISP sees only the router, not the individual computers that are on the network.) Some routers even come with built-in firewall capabilities.

WLAN routers are easy to install and configure. You must physically connect the unit to a DSL or cable modem using Ethernet cable. The port is usually labeled WAN (for wide-area network) or Ethernet. The manufacturer's instructions can help you make the connections.

Wireless access points

Unlike cabled networks, wireless networks don't need a hub or switch. If all you want to do is network a group of wireless computers, you just purchase a wireless adapter for each computer, put them all within 300 feet of each other, and voilà! - instant network.

But what if you already have an existing cabled network? For example, suppose that you have two computers in your den connected to each other with network cable, but you want to link up a computer in your bedroom without pulling cable through the attic.

That's where a wireless access point, also known as a WAP, comes in. It's a box that has an antenna (or pair of antennae) and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. You just plug it into a network cable and then plug the other end of the cable into a hub or switch, and your wireless network should be able to connect to your cabled network. A WAP actually performs two functions.

• It acts as a central connection point for all of your computers that have wireless network adapters. In effect, the WAP performs the same function that a hub or switch performs for a wired network.

• It links your wireless network to your existing wired network so that your wired computer and your wireless computers get along like one big happy family.

Wireless access points are sometimes just called access points, or APs.

Configuring a wireless access point

The physical setup for a wireless access point is pretty simple: You take it out of the box, put it on a shelf or on top of a bookcase near a network jack and a power outlet, plug in the power cable, and plug in the network cable.

The software configuration for an access point is slightly more involved and is usually done via a Web interface. To get to the configuration page for the access point, you need to know the access point's IP address. Then, you just type that address into the address bar of a browser from any computer on the network.

A device's configuration page typically offers the following configuration options that are related to the wireless access point functions of the device. Although the options given here are specific to a particular device, most access points have configuration options similar to these:

• Enable/Disable: Enables or disables the device's wireless-access-point functions.

• SSID: The Service Set Identifier used to identify the network. Most access points have well-known defaults. You can talk yourself into thinking that your network is more secure by changing the SSID from the default to something more obscure, but in reality, that protects you only from first-grade hackers. By the time most hackers get into the second grade, they learn that even the most obscure SSID is easy to get around. So it's best that you leave the SSID at the default and apply better security measures, as described in the next section.

• Allow broadcast SSID to associate? Disables the access point's periodic broadcast of the SSID. Normally, the access point regularly broadcasts its SSID so that wireless devices that come within range can detect the network and join in. For a more secure network, you can disable this function. Then, a wireless client must already know the network's SSID in order to join the network.

• Channel: Lets you select one of 11 channels on which to broadcast. All the access points and computers in the wireless network should use the same channel. If you find that your network is frequently losing connections, try switching to another channel. You may be experiencing interference from a cordless phone or other wireless device operating on the same channel.

Switching channels is also a friendly way for neighbors with wireless networks to stay out of each other's way. For example, if you share a building with another tenant who also has a wireless network, you can agree to use separate channels so that your wireless networks don't interfere with each other. Keep in mind that this tactic doesn't give you any real measure of security; your neighbor can secretly switch back to your channel and listen in on your network. So you still need to secure your network.

• WEP - Mandatory or Disable: Lets you use a security protocol called wired-equivalent privacy.

Diamond-covered Mercedes SL-Class

The Mercedes SL legend began over 50 years ago and to celebrate 50 years the limited edition Mercedes-Benz SL550. This charming diamond covered Mercedes SL was on display at an auto show. It hasn’t been confirmed that the diamonds used are real or fake.

However, this glittering diamond shine automobile would be costing millions even if fake diamonds were used. It would be damn cool to drive this glittering car around the town?

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 Review by Howard Creech

The consumer digital camera market is currently flooded with compact and ultra-compact 7 megapixel P&S (point and shoot) digital cameras. This horde of very similar entry-level digicams offer reasonable prices and comparable features (like ease of use, quick operation, image stabilization, 3X zooms, 2.5 inch LCD screens, and good battery life), but in this mass of high-tech ubiquity very few digicams stand out.

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Buying Choices for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 (silver) Best Buy | $229.99 Dell Small Business | $195.49 Best Buy for Business | $229.99 view detailed pricing from 25 stores starting at $195.00 100.0% of people recommend this product - view 2 opinions | rate product

Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-W80 is a stylish auto-exposure only digicam that was designed to appeal to casual photographers, snap-shooters, first time digital camera buyers, and shutterbugs that value compact size and operational simplicity. At first glance, the W80 doesn’t seem much different from its legions of competitors, plus it has a few niggling negatives. The menu system is poorly designed, default images are slightly soft, the built-in flash is a bit anemic, and users can’t delete an image immediately after capture. However, I was impressed with the W80’s ability to consistently and easily capture excellent images in a variety of lighting situations.

NUTS & BOLTS

Viewfinder/LCD Screen

Most compact and ultra-compact digicams don’t provide optical viewfinders anymore, so for those who prefer optical viewfinders for framing and composition the W80 offers a solid benefit. That said, the W80’s optical viewfinder is small, rather squinty, only covers about 85 percent of the image frame, and provides no diopter correction adjustment for those who wear eyeglasses.

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Most of the W80’s target audience will use the 2.5 inch (6.35 centimeter) “Super HAD” TFT LCD screen to frame and preview compositions, track action, review (and save or delete) captured images, and access the camera's menu system. LCD images are bright, fairly sharp, color correct, and fluid. The LCD gains "up" (brightens) automatically in dim/low lighting and W80 users can also manually boost LCD screen brightness. The screen info display provides all the data the W80’s target audience is likely to want or need.

On the negative side of the scale, the W80’s LCD screen resolution is only 115,000 pixels, which makes for somewhat grainy preview images (most of the W80’s competition offer LCDs with screen resolution in the 200,000 pixel range) and that may affect the ability of the user to precisely confirm focusing. Unlike some of its competition, the W80 also provides a real-time (live) histogram which makes it possible to check for and correct (via exposure compensation) under/over exposure problems.

Zoom/Optics

The W80's f2.8-f5.2/5.8mm-17.4mm (35-105 in 35mm equivalent) Vario -Tessar zoom is built to a patented Carl Zeiss optical formula (6 elements in 5 groups with 3 aspheric elements). The zoom extends from the camera body automatically when the camera is powered up and lens retracts back into the body when the camera is powered down (a built-in lens cover protects the front element). Zoom operation is smooth, quiet, and very quick.

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Default resolution (sharpness) is a bit soft. Barrel distortion (straight lines bow out from the center) at the wide end of the zoom is slightly above average, but pincushion distortion (straight lines bow in toward the center) at the telephoto end of the zoom, is lower than average. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is remarkably well controlled. Very minor purple fringing is visible in high contrast edge/color transition areas at the wide-angle end of the zoom range, but essentially disappears at the telephoto end of the zoom range. There is some noticeable corner softness, but no visible vignetting (darkened corners).

Minimum focusing distance, in macro mode, is 1.8 inches (4.0 centimeters). Macro images (shot in natural light) are bright and relatively sharp with bold colors and good detail capture - typically, highlight detail is sacrificed to preserve shadow detail.

(view medium image) (view large image) Shiny green grasshopper on bright red Hibiscus bloom

Most photographers don’t like digital zoom (digital zoom just enlarges/magnifies the center of the image). The W80 (like several of its competitors) provides an ingenious method for getting a little extra zoom reach without the grainy washed-out look characteristic of digital zoom images. Sony calls this feature SmartZoom (Canon calls it Safety Zoom and Panasonic calls it Extended Optical Zoom). When SmartZoom is enabled the camera uses a smaller area at the center of the CCD sensor (creating a narrower angle of view) which allows the 3X zoom to magically grow to a 4.5X zoom (at 3 megapixels) without degrading image quality.

The W80’s zoom isn’t threaded, so filters and auxiliary/conversion lenses can’t be used.

Auto Focus (AF)

The W80 features a multi-point (9 AF area, center AF, and spot AF) closest subject priority contrast detection auto focus system. AF is very quick and dependably accurate, even in difficult lighting. Depress the shutter button halfway and almost immediately the camera locks focus and a green confirmation light appears. The W80 provides two AF modes - single AF (depress the shutter button halfway and the camera locks focus on what’s in front of the lens) and monitor AF - the camera focuses continuously (even when the shutter button hasn’t been pressed).

(view medium image) (view large image) This grab-shot, in poor lighting, nicely demonstrates the efficacy of the W80’s AF system.

The W80’s Face Detection function automatically isolates and locks focus on up to 8 faces (only 2 faces in soft snap scene mode) in the image frame and then optimizes all exposure (white balance, sensitivity, flash, etc.) parameters. The W80’s Face Detection AF option is only available in the auto mode and soft snap scene mode. Logically, Face Detection AF should be available in all shooting modes. The W80 also provides an automatic AF assist beam for quicker and more accurate focusing in dim/low light.

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)

Sony’s Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization system largely eliminates fuzzy images by quickly and precisely shifting lens elements in the Carl Zeiss zoom to compensate for shaky hands and camera movement during exposure. W80 users can shoot at shutter speeds up to 3 f-stops slower than would have been possible without image stabilization. The W80 offers two active IS modes (plus off) - in continuous mode IS is engaged when the shutter button is depressed halfway. IS can be also engaged just prior to exposure (called shoot only mode) which is equally effective and requires less power.

Manual Focus (MF)

Like most of its competition, the W80 doesn’t provide any manual focus capability.

Flash

The W80's tiny built-in multi mode (Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Synch) flash is fairly weak. Maximum range (according to Sony) is 21.7ft/6.6m @ ISO 3200. Real world (effective/useful) flash range is more like 6-8 feet @ ISO 100.

Like most compact and ultra-compact digicams the W80’s flash is too close to the lens so redeye is an ongoing problem. Savvy users will elect to run the redeye removal tool automatically. Generally, when using/testing P&S digicams, I set the built-in flash to off, since I much prefer the realism of natural lighting to artificial looking flash-lit images. I didn’t use the W80’s built-in flash so I can’t comment on flash recycle times. Moderate and heavy flash users and indoor shooters may want to consider Sony’s optional HVL-FSL1B slave flash. The HVL-FSL1B will expand lighting options, but it is one of the ugliest slave flash units I’ve ever seen.

Memory Media & Image File Format(s)

The W80 saves images to 31MB of internal memory or to Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick PRO Duo media. Sony doesn’t include a starter card in the box.

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JPEG only, the W80 does not support RAW or TIFF image formats.

Connectivity

USB 2.0 out and A/V out

Power

The W80 draws its power from the Sony NP-BG1 3.6V, 3.4Wh (960 mAh) rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack. The W80’s battery life (power depth) is noticeably above average for compact/ultra-compact P&S digicams. I didn’t keep track of exposures (Sony claims 340 exposures) but I used the camera through several heavy full-day shooting sessions and I never ran out of juice - long weekends and short vacations may require a nightly recharge. A backup NP-BG1 is probably a good idea for those once in a lifetime trips and longer vacations.

The included Sony BC-CSG charger is the compact foldaway prongs type, but it is very slow (up to 4.5 hours for a full charge).

Included

NP-BG1 rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Battery charger, Wrist strap, USB and A/V cables, software CD-ROM, and a basic manual (printed).

EXPOSURE

The W80 is an AE (auto exposure) only digicam. Exposure options include – Auto (in Auto mode the camera sets all exposure parameters), and Program AE (in Program AE mode the camera selects the aperture and shutter speed, but users are free to choose most other exposure parameters). The number of lighting situations that can trick camera light metering systems into underexposing or overexposing images is legion. Shooters who want to make minor exposure adjustments like lightening up a dark scene or darkening a light scene (to add some detail and texture) are limited to the exposure compensation function. The W80’s base exposure can be incrementally adjusted over a 4 EV range (+/-2 EV) in 1/3 EV increments.

Users can also select one of the W80's Scene modes and the camera will automatically optimize all exposure parameters for the specific type of scene selected. Scene modes include: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, High Sensitivity, and Face Detection. There is no dedicated portrait, action/sports, fireworks, pets, or children scene modes – which is a bit strange, since most of the W80’s competition provides an almost dizzying array of scene modes.

Movie Mode

The W80 captures MPEG video at 640X480 @ 30 fps (and lower resolution/slower frame rate options) with mono audio – maximum clip size is 2GB. The W80 outputs video at HD (high definition) 1080i, but users must shoot their video clips in the 16X9 aspect ratio to take advantage of this option.

Metering

The W80’s default multi-pattern (evaluative) metering mode consistently provides accurate exposure information to the camera's processor, but there is a slight tendency toward over exposure (clipped highlights) in bright lighting. A spot metering option biases exposure on a small area at the center of the frame (useful for portraits, back lit subjects, and high/low contrast subjects). The center-weighted option allows savvy shooters to create traditional looking landscapes and Classic style portraits.

White Balance (WB)

The W80 provides a fairly typical (for compact/ultra compact P&S digicams) selection of white balance options, including Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, and Flash. Images made in the Auto WB mode show a slight, but consistent warmish cast. Most consumer and entry-level digicams boost color saturation a bit and the W80 is no exception – default color is noticeably over saturated.

Sensitivity

The W80's Sensitivity (ISO) options are fairly standard, but they should be adequate for the camera's target audience. The camera provides (default) TTL Auto sensitivity and user selected sensitivity values of ISO100, 200, 400, 800, and1600 – plus ISO 3200 (via the high sensitivity scene mode).

In-Camera Image Adjustment

The W80 provides shooters with a useful range of exposure tweaks including saturation (Black & White, Natural, Sepia, and Vivid).

Compact and ultra-compact digicams usually don’t provide the ability to bracket exposures, but W80 users can enable Auto Exposure Bracketing and with one press of the shutter button capture 3 exposures of the same scene in rapid sequence (varying the exposure incrementally between the three images).

Finally, the W80’s in-camera editing function (retouch) allows users to select various effects including soft focus, partial color, fisheye lens, cross (star) filter, and cropping.

DESIGN, BUILD QUALITY, CONTROLS, & ERGONOMICS

The W80 is a compact brick shaped metal-alloy bodied P&S digicam. The camera is solidly built and attractive, but I took some ribbing from a couple of my friends during the time I was testing the W80 because my sample camera was pink. The camera is also available in black, white, and silver. Controls are logically placed and easily accessed, but the menu system is cumbersome and unintuitive.

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PERFORMANCE

Image Quality

The W80, like most entry-level P&S digicams, suffers from “consumer” color interpolation - colors are conspicuously oversaturated and contrast is slightly harder than it should be. Image quality is dependably very good (outdoors in good light) and images are relatively sharp with a slight warmish cast. Chromatic aberration (purple fringing) is very well controlled. The W80’s auto exposure system is generally pretty accurate. Shadow detail (at the lower ISO values) is decent, but highlights are occasionally blown out – especially in brightly lit outdoor settings and close range flash-lit scenes. Noise is well managed - ISO 100 images are close to excellent with very good resolution and lots of snap (although very minor pattern noise is sometimes visible). ISO 200 images are very good, but with a tiny bit less pop than ISO 100 (and marginally higher noise levels). Results at ISO 400 are a bit flat and detail is starting to soften due to higher noise levels. ISO 800 images are seriously soft, colors are almost pastelish, and detail loss is evident. ISO 1600 images are useless. I didn’t try the High Sensitivity (ISO 3200) Scene Mode, but I’m assuming that the W80’s ISO 3200 images are twice as bad as the ISO 1600 shots.

Timing/Shutter Lag

The W80 is very fast, across the board, amazingly quick for a compact P&S digicam – it powers up quickly; locks focus (in good lighting) rapidly, and shutter lag with pre-focus (and from scratch once focus is acquired) is essentially real time. Shot-to-shot times are also very quick. The subject in the sample photo below is the fastest BMXer I have ever seen. I have tried repeatedly (without success) to get a good picture of him – static framing (pre-focusing on a specific spot and waiting for the subject to move into the image frame) and pre-focus were not good options because of his free-form riding style. I had to track him from the time he started his run and try to anticipate the decisive moment (and trip the shutter just before the action peaked). Surprisingly, I was able to do with the W80 what I couldn’t do with the Pentax K10D, the Olympus E510, the Canon S3 IS, and the Panasonic FZ8 – capture a mid-air image of this remarkably talented young athlete.

(view medium image) (view large image) Golden light shot of BMX biker in mid air.

A Few Concerns

The W80’s most egregious shortcoming is the clunky repetitive and completely unintuitive menu system. The built-in flash is weak and users can’t delete an image immediately after capture, they must first resort to the convoluted menu system.

CONCLUSION

The W80 should be just another pretty face in the seven megapixel compact digicam crowd, but where it really counts - the ability to capture super images easily and consistently, the W80 delivers in spades. Bottom line – if you’re looking for a compact P&S seven megapixel digicam – the W80 is worthy of your consideration.

Pros: Stylish, compact, fast, optical image stabilization, low noise (up to ISO 400), 2.5" LCD, optical viewfinder, and better than average battery life.

Cons: Slight overall default image softness, cumbersome unintuitive menu system, low resolution LCD screen, weak flash, and the full user’s manual is on CD.

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Buying Choices for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 (white) Best Buy | $206.99 Sony Electronics, Inc. | $249.99 Amazon.com | $239.95 view detailed pricing from 14 stores starting at $206.00 100.0% of people recommend this product - view 2 opinions | rate product

Technical Specifications

• Resolution: 7.2 megapixels (3072x2304)
• Sensor: 1/2.5” CCD
• Viewfinders: Optical viewfinder and 2.5 inch LCD
• Lens: f2.8-f5.2/5.8mm-17.4mm Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom
• Auto Focus: Contrast Detection
• Manual Focus: no
• Exposure: Auto, Program AE, and Scene modes
• Flash: Built-in multi mode
• Hot Shoe: no
• Metering: Evaluative, Center-Weighted Averaging, and Spot
• White Balance: TTL Auto, Cloudy, Daylight, Fluorescent 1, Fluorescent 2, Fluorescent 3, Incandescent, and Flash
• Sensitivity: Auto, and user selectable settings for ISO100, 200, 400, 800, and1600 – plus ISO 3200 (via the high sensitivity scene mode).
• Connectivity: USB 2.0HS, A/V out, and DC in
• Image File Format(s): JPEG
• Power: Sony NP-BG1 3.6V, 3.4Wh (960 mAh) re-chargeable Lithium-Ion battery pack