Saturday, May 1, 2010

Make your own sound effect minesweeper pillows

Make your own sound effect minesweeper pillows


Make your own sound effect minesweeper pillows

Posted: 01 May 2010 01:07 PM PDT

How To Do Great Makeup

How To Do Great Makeup


How To Do Great Makeup

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:36 PM PDT

Make-up! It's every woman's best friend. However, it's very important that you know how to properly work with make-up so that it will bring out the best of your features. Here are some ways to do great makeup: 

1. Know your colors. Your choice of shades and colors depend largely upon your skin tone, your eyes color and your hair color. When it comes to makeup colors, women can be generally classified as "cool," that is, light-skinned women; or "warm," that is, women with darker toned skin. Those belonging to the cool category should opt for lighter pastel colors while those belonging to the warm category usually look better with deeper, golden hues.

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How To Reconnect with an Ex

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:35 PM PDT

At some point in a relationship, breaking up becomes inevitable. The reasons vary on a case-to-case basis. It could be that any or both of you have found another interesting person that caught your fancy. It could also be that you had petty quarrels that escalated to big time fights and before you knew it, you had drifted apart.

Whatever the reasons for your break up, a time also comes when you realize you want to reconnect with your ex. It may not be for the purpose of getting together again, but perhaps to just mend things over and be friends with one another for your own peace of mind. If you are in this situation, here are some tips on how to reconnect with an ex:

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How To Determine the Value of Vintage Comic Books

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:34 PM PDT

Comic books used to be a reading hobby for pre-teens and teenagers. But since the industry has flourished, some comic book titles have become collectible items and adults are now also into the hobby. An old title still in mint condition could fetch a pretty high price in the collector's market. If you happen to have kept your old comic books and are thinking of profiting from them, here are some guidelines on how to determine the value of a vintage comic book.

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How To Determine the Value of Old Glassware

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:32 PM PDT

Glassware, along with furniture and china, are among the household items that can be considered antiques. For all you know that old set sitting in your cabinet could be a collectible and actually fetch a high price in the antiques market. Here are some guidelines on how to determine the value of old glassware.

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How To Deter Deer from Your Yard

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:30 PM PDT

Deer are beautiful and majestic creatures. They thrive in forests feeding on foliage. But since the intrusion of humans in their places of habitat, these animals have been encountering problems with their food sources. This is the main reason why deer are a common sight in neighborhoods of the United States. They cause disturbances by feeding on cultivated garden flowers. Deterring deer from your yard is then the best recourse. Here are some tried and tested ways to deter deer from your yard.

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How To Determine How Much to Offer on a Home for Sale

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:29 PM PDT

Determining how much to offer on a home for sale can be difficult for a first time buyer. Here are the important factors you should look into when trying to determine how much to offer on a home you're interested in bidding on.

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How To Determine Software Requirements

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:28 PM PDT

Software developers need to gather important information from their clients before developing the software product. Clients usually know what they want the software to accomplish but not how the software will function, how the end product should look and how it will meet the end user's expectations. Determining software requirements will provide the critical information that software developers will use to create a software product that would meet the client and end user's expectations.

1. The software's function
Clients can provide developers with the answer as to what the software should do and the developers then has the difficult task of designing the software's functionality. Each component will be determined to identify the product's features. A similar product may already be out in the market so developers need to create unique features or improve on the existing ones.

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How To Detect Nearly Any Form of Cancer

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:23 PM PDT

Cancer is a serious disease that cannot be simply detected on your own or self-diagnosed. To know if you have cancer, you will have to go through certain medical tests. That entails initially consulting a physician and from there determine which type of tests to take. Usually a series of examinations are needed so that the doctor can formulate a more complete diagnosis.

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How To Dress for a Casual Night Out – Women

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:22 PM PDT

Going for a casual night out?  Put on the right outfit and you are sure to have fun!  Your outfit should be dictated by where you are going and what activities you have in mind.  Dressing for a quick bite and a movie is different from having drinks at a bar, going dancing or attending a poetry reading.  The fancier the place, the dressier your outfit should be.

The Clothes

Shiny tops in a variety of sleeve-lengths are great to wear at night.  V-necks are appropriate just make sure to keep the "girls" in tow.  Spaghetti straps, halter tops and one-sided numbers can be flattering on women with toned arms.  Bring a nice short jacket, bolero or a not-your-grandmother's-shawl in case it gets cold later in the night. For a more casual night out, twin sets and layered tops are great too.

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How To Dress for a Fifties Party

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:20 PM PDT

Getting ready for a Fifties party?  Make sure you dress right so you can rock-around-the-clock all night!  There are so many 50s fashion that are still popular today.  So, don't worry, looking for the right outfit is a cinch.

Women

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How To Dress for a Career Fair

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:19 PM PDT

Dressing for a job, employment or career fair is no different from dressing for a job interview.  Granted, career fairs are less formal than in-company job interviews, still you have to dress appropriately.

Not sure what to wear?  Here are some ideas.

Find out if there is a dress code.  Organizers of some career fairs do suggest the type of attire that is acceptable to wear.  Check the flyer, website or promo materials if there is any mention of the dress code. Otherwise, don't be shy in contacting the organizers. Better to ask than go to the fair dressed too casual or too formal.  If unsure, being overdressed is always better than being underdressed.

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How To Draw Chinese Dragon Tattoos

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:17 PM PDT

The Chinese dragon designs have been a long time staple of body art. Aside from the belief that these are lucky ornaments, these colorful creatures look good as body tattoos. You can draw a Chinese dragon with a nasty, mean, kind, or pleasant look. You can also modify the Chinese dragon body type by giving it wings of unusual shapes and sizes.

The Chinese dragon design is a detailed design that is made simple in this article. Here are some of the basics in being able to draw the dragon tattoos.

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How To Draw Camouflage

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:16 PM PDT

Camouflage is a type of design pattern used to hide or disguise something. In fact, hunters are known to wear camouflage gear when they go into the woods so that they will not be easily noticed by their prey. In the military, camouflage gear is also worn to disguise a soldier from the enemy. Aside from the various gear made with camouflage, this pattern has also caught the attention of artists. There have been many uses for camouflage patterns.

The following are a few simple steps on how to draw camouflage:

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How To Reconnect with Classmates on Facebook

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:13 PM PDT

No matter how busy you have been with your life, work and family, there always comes a time when you pause, look back and ask yourself, "Where have all my classmates and friends gone?" Not that you want to bask in yesterday, for it will never come back. It's just that you want to know how they have been doing and perhaps exchange updates on each other's lives, for old time's sake.

Of late, Facebook has become the hottest venue for reunion and reconnection with old friends and classmates. Facebook provides an easy way of finding people who were once part of your lives. So if you wish to reconnect with classmates through this social network, here are the ways to do it:

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How To Dress for Judo

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:12 PM PDT

Judo is a type of martial art where most of the moves consist of grabbing an opponent and throwing him over, or grappling with an opponent. If you're new to judo, you should know that as with every other sport, it's very important that you wear the correct apparel. Wearing the correct outfit for judo would enable you to do the moves with maximum efficiency. Here are some great tips to remember if you want to find out how to dress for judo: 

Inquire at your dojo. If you are enrolled at a dojo or a judo class, it may be easier and more practical if you buy your judo uniform from their in-house store. This way, you'd be sure that the set you are buying is indeed the most appropriate one for your training. Be sure to inquire also if they have second-hand uniforms that they sell at a discount. They should be able to assist you in finding the perfect sizes for you.

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How To Dress for Indoor Climbing

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:11 PM PDT

Indoor climbing has become a staple activity for many health and sports enthusiasts. It offers training on endurance, coordination, strength, flexibility and balance. This is a total-body workout, which could be modified to accommodate different levels and capabilities. And the best part about climbing indoors is it is situated in a safe, controlled and easily-accessible environment. As with any other sport, however, it's very important that you dress appropriately for indoor wall climbing. This will enable you to maximize your workout and avoid accidents and injury as well. So if you're looking to find out how to dress for indoor climbing, read on:

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How To Dress for Divorce Court

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:09 PM PDT

Going to divorce court for divorce proceedings may not exactly be a fun time, but it's possible to make it less unpleasant by dressing well. Yes, how you look will be a large factor in how you'd feel and how others will perceive you during the entire process. So if you're looking to find out how to dress for divorce court, read on:

Remember, the image you want to project is polished and respectable. Go to divorce court, as you would go to a job interview. You would want to appear professional and stylish to make a positive impression. This is also your way of showing respect, and also a way of showing your maturity and self-possession even amidst a difficult time.  

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How To Dress for Church

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:08 PM PDT

The church is a place of worship, and it is just right to want to dress appropriately for church, in the same way that you would want to dress appropriately for an official visit to the White House. In fact, it's even more important to dress well for church, since there you'd be one with other churchgoers in worshiping God Himself! Here are some of the guidelines to remember when you dress for church:

Go to the venue beforehand. You may want to scope out the church the Sunday before so that you will get an idea about how the other members of the congregation dressed up. This is because different churches have different degrees of conservativism, and there are even some traditional churches that strictly enforce dress codes among its members. The easiest way to navigate through these dress codes is to see the regular, old-time members of the church yourself, or at least inquire with somebody who regularly attends the church.

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How To Dress for Breastfeeding

Posted: 01 May 2010 04:06 PM PDT

If you're breastfeeding, that's good news for your baby! Breastfeeding is, hands-down, the best way to properly feed and nourish your newborn. However, that's not to say that this is the easiest. You would have to make some adjustments with regards to your time, eating habits, as well as outfits, in order to breastfeed effectively.  The good news is, all these challenges are highly achievable. With regards to dressing for breastfeeding, for example, there are many solutions that are available for you. So read on for some great tips to help you out:

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How To Dress for a Casual Dinner Party

Posted: 01 May 2010 03:57 PM PDT

If you're invited to a casual dinner party, and you're wondering what to wear, fret no longer. A casual dinner party is one of the easiest occasions to get ready for, and it's very likely that you already own a wardrobe piece or two that will fit the bill perfectly. However, there are some things that you would have to consider before you take out that Hawaiian-print polo shirt your aunt gave you for Christmas. If you want to learn tips on how to dress for a casual dinner party, read on:

Decode the meaning of casual. Casual is less than semi-formal, and it could cover wardrobe pieces such as (for women) a comfortable, flowy dress with sandals, dressy jeans or slacks, and any flattering blouse; and (for men) dark jeans or khakis with a button-down dress shirt or collared polo. Go with a few timeless pieces and opt for neutrals in classic cuts, and you should do fine.

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How To Dress for an Engineering Job

Posted: 01 May 2010 03:55 PM PDT

Dressing appropriately for a job – any job – is a huge factor that determines your level of success. Dressing correctly will help you be perceived as a true professional, and it could also help determine whether you'd be taken seriously or not. This is especially crucial if you're vying for a promotion. In addition, dressing appropriately is simply a way of ensuring that you'd be able to get your work done. So if you're an engineer and you're looking to find out how you can dress appropriately for an engineering job, here are some tips that could help you out: 

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How To Dress for a Military Wedding

Posted: 01 May 2010 03:53 PM PDT

Military weddings are exciting to attend, since there's little else more charming and thrilling to see at a wedding than polished, refined men in uniform. If you were invited to attend a military wedding, know that the dress code doesn't have to be too much of a challenge. Here are some of the tips to remember for dressing up for a military wedding: 

If you're an active or retired officer, you have the option of wearing your uniform. Be guided by the type of affair the wedding is going to be; that is, whether it's very formal, semi-formal, or informal. If it's a formal wedding, you may wear your military dress uniform; the mess dress or tuxedo-type uniform is appropriate for a semi-formal wedding; and the dress blues are good for an informal wedding.

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How To Dress for Cheerleading Tryouts

Posted: 01 May 2010 03:51 PM PDT

Want to be a cheerleader? Super! Remember, if you are about to go through cheerleading tryouts, you have to make sure you look the part. This will help the judges realize that you're the cheerleader that they've been looking for. So if you want to find tips on how to dress for cheerleading tryouts, read on for some great tips:

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How To Dress for a Football Tailgate Party

Posted: 01 May 2010 03:49 PM PDT

A football tailgate party is an outdoor party that aims to celebrate a football team or a football game. It is named a tailgate party because it is often held at the open tailgate of a car. These tailgate parties are usually held at football stadiums or arenas, mostly during a game so the party attendees could watch the game together, or after a game in celebration of a win. The food commonly served during tailgate parties are barbeques and other grilled food, soda, salad such as potato salad or coleslaw, and finger food such as chips, hot dogs, and hamburgers.

If you are going to a football tailgate party, it's important that you are dressed for the occasion, to ensure your maximum enjoyment. Here are some helpful pointers to remember when choosing an outfit for a football tailgate party:
 
Dress for fun. A football tailgate party should be all about casual, relaxed fun, and so it's great to dress with that aim in mind as well.

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How To Determine a Stock's Intrinsic Value

Posted: 01 May 2010 12:00 PM PDT

The intrinsic value lies behind the assessment of an asset's real worth while taking into account all business aspects in terms of intangible and tangible factors. An asset's intrinsic value does not necessarily equate to its current market value as there are times when the asset's actual value exceeds the present suggested market value. If you are a stock holder and would like to find out what your stock's intrinsic value is, read up on the following items that discusses some steps in order to determine a stock's intrinsic value.

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How to Prevent a Smelly Vacuum Cleaner

eHow - How To Do Just About Everything eHow of the Day

How to Prevent a Smelly Vacuum Cleaner

by Dave Donovan

It's Saturday morning, the sun is out and you're ready to do some cleaning around the house--but as you plug in your vacuum cleaner and turn it on--you're assaulted by a sour, smelly odor that permeates your very soul! It smells like your vacuum cleaner was doused in vinegar and left to sit in the sun for two weeks. So much for a nice smelling house!

It doesn't have to be this way. By following a few very simple steps--you can ensure that your vacuum cleaner never smells like spoiled buttermilk again.

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HowTo: Shrink Your Nintendo 64 into Mini Handheld Portable

HowTo: Shrink Your Nintendo 64 into Mini Handheld Portable


HowTo: Shrink Your Nintendo 64 into Mini Handheld Portable

Posted: 01 May 2010 07:00 AM PDT

HowTo: Shrink Your Nintendo 64 into Mini Handheld Portable Modder Bacteria presents his iNto64, a mini portable handheld of the classic Nintendo console. The iNto64 features:

Official Sony PSone 5? LCD screen
4 amps of battery power yielding a little under 3 hours play time between recharging
SuperPad 64 Plus controller
Nintendo 64 console motherboard
Combined memory pack and rumble pack
Expansion pack
Built in speakers
Weighs just under 1kg, is easy and ...more

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10 Rules For Dealing With the Po-Po

Posted: 30 Apr 2010 03:00 PM PDT

10 Rules For Dealing With the Po-Po Do you know your constitutional rights if stopped by the police? Washington Post recently ran an interesting article on "10 Rules", a docudrama produced by the D.C. nonprofit Flex Your Rights.

"The producers, D.C. residents Steven Silverman and Scott Morgan created the film to help people in urban areas understand their constitutional rights.

'I realized the majority of people are confused and o ...more

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HowTo: Get Rid of the Hair-Down-There

Posted: 30 Apr 2010 11:00 AM PDT

HowTo: Get Rid of the Hair-Down-There Jezebel has compiled 8 user-posed questions that address not just the hair-down-there, but any and all shaving and waxing concerns.

How do I avoid ingrown hairs?
How can I remove lip/chin/facial hair without causing blemishes or scarring?
How can I get my legs to stay smooth after shaving?
How do I remove/trim/shape my pubic hair/bikini line?
What's the best way to remove arm hair?
How can I avoi ...more

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How to Buy Eggs

How to Buy Eggs


How to Buy Eggs

Posted:

Purchasing eggs can be an easy task, you just pick a dozen with no broken ones in and you're done. But it's something every good cook should learn more about, as there are many things you can consider when making your choice. Below are tips on how to purchase eggs.

Steps

  1. Decide which kinds of eggs you need. Most people buy chicken eggs, but there are other kinds of eggs available at stores and markets that may better suit your needs:

    • Turkey eggs are very similar in nutrition and flavor to chicken eggs, but larger. Since these eggs are difficult to produce on a commercial scale, they are usually not available.[1]
    • Duck eggs - These eggs have more protein in the whites and fat in the yolks than chicken eggs[2] so substituting them for chicken eggs in certain recipes is not recommended unless you can adjust accordingly.
    • Goose eggs - These have more fat content than chicken eggs, so they can make for richer dishes, but they're not good for frying.[3]
    • Ostrich eggs - These massive eggs are usually opened carefully with a hammer. When scrambled, the texture is lighter and fluffier than that of a chicken egg and it has a milder, faintly sweeter taste.[4]
    • Quail eggs - They taste pretty much just like chicken eggs, but their small size can make for unique presentation. They are also hard to open without breaking the yolk.[5] Sometimes they are eaten raw in sushi.
  2. Become familiar with how eggs are graded in your area. Most countries have grading systems for chicken eggs, usually based on weight. See the section below for information from various localities showing the different standards used by consumers to purchase eggs.
  3. Look further into the standards for "premium" eggs.

    • Organic eggs generally come from chickens that are fed organic feed (little or no pesticide and herbicide use, non-GMO) and are not given antibiotics unless necessary to control infection. They are given access to the outdoors for at least some part of the year, although that does not mean they actually go outdoors.[6]
    • "Free range" and "cage free" are terms not regulated in the US, which means anyone can label any egg "free range" no matter how the chickens were raised. The best way to determine how the hens are raised is to purchase your eggs from a farmer whose farm you can visit to see for yourself.
  4. If you will be consuming the egg raw, look for pasteurized eggs. This will help you avoid food poisoning in raw cookie dough, homemade mayonnaise, eggnog or any dish that has uncooked or lightly cooked eggs.
  5. Look for the numeric number on the package, This is the day number in a year that the eggs were taken. If you want fresh eggs try to find the one with the number closest to the day of your purchase.

Grading Standards

US Eggs

  1. USDA Shield
    USDA Shield
    Egg packers may elect to use the voluntary United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grading systems. Eggs packed using the USDA grading system will have the USDA shield on the egg carton with the grade listed.
  2. Egg packers who do not participate in the USDA grading system will sell eggs without the USDA shield. They are typically monitored by state agencies.
  3. US egg size are based on weight per dozen. The following sizes of eggs are sold:
    • Jumbo --- 30 ounces
    • Extra Large --- 27 ounces
    • Large --- 24 ounces
    • Medium --- 21 ounces
    • Small --- 18 ounces
    • Peewee --- 15 ounces
  4. US Egg grading is based on the interior quality of the egg and the eggshell. The following grades of eggs are sold:
    • Grade AA egg.
      Grade AA egg.
      AA --- Egg yolks are from free from defects and stand tall. They will maintain their round shape when the egg is cracked. Egg whites are thick and firm. The egg yolk, white and shell are relatively free from defects.
    • Grade A egg.
      Grade A egg.
      A --- Egg yolks will maintain their round shape and stand tall. Egg whites are reasonably firm. The egg yolk, white and shell are relatively free from defects. This is the most commonly sold egg in grocery stores.
    • B --- Egg yolks may be flatter and the egg whites not as firm. The egg shells may show signs of slight stains. The egg shells will be unbroken.
  5. Storage: Purchase eggs from a refrigerator case at the store. Store eggs at home in their original carton, in the refrigerator, for up to five weeks after their purchase.

Canadian Eggs

  1. Canadian eggs are graded in size much like the US, except the weights are given in metric. Canadian eggs range from Peewee to Jumbo. The size of a Pewee egg is 42 grams for one egg and the Jumbo egg weighs in at 70 grams or more in weight. This is weight per egg, not per dozen of eggs.
  2. Canadian eggs are graded and sold using the following system:
    • Grade A --- Clean, uncracked shells that have a round centered yolk. The egg white will be firm.
    • Grade B --- Grade B eggs have uncracked shells that could have a rough texture. The yolk is slightly flattened and the white is watery. The Canadian consumer would not usually purchase this grade of egg as it's normally sold for commercial use.
    • Grade C --- Egg yolks and whites are loose and watery. These eggs are sold to commercial processors for further processing.

British Eggs

  1. British eggs are sold as A, B or C:
    • Class A --- Clean eggs with no less than 4mm of air inside the egg for Extra Fresh eggs. The egg yolks will remain standing and the egg whites will be firm.
    • Class B --- Certain eggs or preserved eggs.
    • Class C --- Sold for commercial use.
  2. British eggs are sold as
    • Very Large --- 73 grams and over
    • Large --- 63-73 grams
    • Medium --- 53-63 grams
    • Small ---53 grams and under

Australian Eggs

  1. Eggs are sold in the following sizes:
    • Jumbo --- 68 grams
    • Extra-Large --- 60 grams
    • Large --- 52 grams
    • Mega or XXXL --- 72 grams (Western Australia only)
    • Medium --- 43 grams (Western Australia only)

New Zealand Eggs

  1. Eggs are sold in the following sizes:
    • Jumbo --- 68 grams
    • Large --- 62 grams
    • Standard --- 53 grams
    • Medium --- 44 grams
    • Pullet --- 35 grams

European Egg Sales

  1. Most eggs sold in European countries are sold by how the eggs were farmed not based on grade of egg as in the US or Canada. Types of farming could include free range, barn laid or organic depending on locality.

Video

Tips

  • There is no nutritional difference between brown or white eggs. The only difference is the shell color.
  • Grade B eggs, if you can find them, are fine for baking.
  • Large eggs are the eggs most commonly found at the supermarket.
  • To tell if an egg is boiled try spinning it. A boiled egg will spin easily while a raw egg will not.
  • A fresh egg will sink to the bottom of a bowl of water. An old egg will float. This is because more air is encapsulated in an older egg causing it to float.
  • A fresh egg will have a much nicer taste than an older egg because of the enclosed air and its reaction to the proteins and sulfur inside. The best time to eat eggs for taste is within the first 7 to 10 days. Thereafter, they are better for baking or in a more mixed dish.
  • When you pick up a carton of eggs, open it and make sure each egg moves freely. Eggs broken on the bottom will adhere to the carton as the white or yolk dries, making them immobile.

Warnings

  • Always purchase refrigerated eggs. Store eggs promptly in the refrigerator.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

  • USDA [[1] Organic foods program FAQ
  • USDA How to Buy Eggs, Home and Garden Bulletin No. 144, Agricultural Marketing Service, December 1981, Issue date: February 1995
  • Image:Getfile_136.pdf PDF file from the USDA on purchasing eggs.
  • Egg Farmers of Canada [2]
  • British Departmentfor Environment Food and Rural Affairs [3]
  • Wikipedia [4]
  • Eggs.org.au [5]

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How to Collaborate

Posted:

With enough hands you can move anything
With enough hands you can move anything
Collaboration is the act of joining together to make possible that which cannot be accomplished alone.[1] Whether you are collaborating in the workplace, in school or as part of a creative project, collaboration can both help and hurt a project, depending on how it's done.

Steps

As a Group

  1. Have a clear goal in mind. Make sure everyone involved understands what the goal is and believes that the goal is worthwhile. The overarching goal of collaboration is to achieve something together that you would not be able to achieve alone. Sometimes that's in the nature of the finished product, but other times the gain is efficiency. Either way, the people who are collaborating should have some kind of shared vision. It may be helpful to make your first collaboration a mission statement.
  2. Create a results-driven structure within your team that is appropriate for the goal you want to achieve. There are three kinds of teams that are commonly used, based on the type of results desired:

    • Problem resolution teams The problem solvers. In order for this team to work, it's especially important that members are able to trust their co-collaborators in a secure atmosphere where they feel respected. Brainstorming should be encouraged, which means people must be able to suggest ideas without fear of getting immediately criticized.
    • Creative teams The innovators. This team needs to be independent of established systems and procedures, enabling them to explore new possibilities and alternatives.
    • Tactical teams The implementers. This team needs to have a well-defined plan.
  3. Give each member of the project a way to define his or her own role on the team. One way to approach this is to write down all the tasks that need to get carried out. For each task, ask who's interested in that task, and write their names next to it. Ideally, everyone will gravitate towards different roles, but many times a few roles are in high demand, and a few roles are unpopular. A solution to this is to rotate the most unpleasant roles (which are usually monotonous enough for this). Another idea is to outsource the unpleasant task(s).
  4. Establish a communications system. Make sure it allows collaborators to discuss team issues in a relaxed environment. Create ways of documenting issues raised and decisions made. Using wikis and shared documents can help with keeping everyone in the loop.
  5. Establish ways to monitor performance and provide feedback. Periodically, meet together to discuss ways to improve on the project. There should be some metrics by which you can monitor your progress. It might be as simple as how many pages of a book has been written, or as complex as a series of traffic analytics. Try to identify any bottlenecks--that is, areas where something isn't getting done, and that's slowing down the rest of the progress. If that bottleneck points to a single person, do not attack; ask the person what is making his or her tasks difficult, and seek ways to make it easier.
  6. Seek consensus. Disagreements are common in any group effort. When conflicts arise, seek consensus from all members on resolution. It's important that every person in the group stands behind the group decision, whether they agree with it or not.


As an Individual

  1. Create a collaborative climate. Prove that you are trustworthy. Respect others. Be consistent in your behavior and the way you respond to others.
  2. Be humble and open to others' ideas and suggestions. The opposite of collaboration is a form of dictatorship, where one person tells everyone else what to do, and nothing is open for discussion. Whereas a dictatorship is ego-driven, collaboration thrives on the quelling of egos. You need to accept that while your ideas might be good, someone else's ideas might be good too, and sometimes even better.
  3. Delegate tasks. Rather than trying to do everything, it is best to divide and conquer. Let everyone find his or her strength and work therein to contribute to the common goal. If you feel overwhelmed, speak up.
  4. Assume good faith. Collaboration is based on the common good, and we work most effectively together on the assumption of good faith of one another. If someone is not acting in good faith, it will reveal itself soon enough. But if you point a finger mistakenly, the spirit of collaboration can easily turn sour.

Tips

  • Decisions should be made based on consensus.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

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