The first samurai swords were actually straight bladed, single edged weapons imported from Korea and China which were later replaced with the curved blade variety at the end of the 8th Century. The reason for this transformation was samurai found that a curved sword could be drawn from the scabbard more swiftly and provided a far more effective cutting angle.

The point of a samurai sword is called a Kissaki. This is the hardest part of the sword to polish and forge and to hand create a quality one would require an extremely skilful artisan. The value of a sword is determined largely by the quality of the point.

Samurai would use wooden swords (Bokken) for practice for safety reasons as well as for preserving their real swords from unnecessary damage.

The samurai would give names to their swords as they believe in the sword lived their warrior spirit.

There are three main types of samurai sword. 1: Katana: The longest type of sword, over 24inches, generally used for outdoor combat. 2: Wakizashi: Around a third shorter than the Katana at between 12 and 24 inches, this was worn in indoor establishments by samurai for its obvious better maneuverability indoors. 3: Tanto: A small knife used in much the same manner as a Wakizashi.

As part of the samurai sword making process a sword tester took the new blade and cut through the bodies of corpses or condemned criminals. They started by cutting through the small bones of the body and moved up to the large bones. Test results were often recorded on the nakago (the metal piece attaching the sword blade to the handle).

Shogun is the name of the most powerful samurai, and they would wear two samurai swords. A Katana and a Wakizashi. They had a license to dismember anybody who offended them.

Early samurai would fight on horseback, and they’re weaponry in addition to samurai swords was bows and arrows.

If there is one thing which people should be happy for, it is technology. Because of this, people have been going through an easier life. Communication is indeed a vital part of our lives today. One of the most integral things that people have is their phones. Walking down the street, you will see that people are constantly holding their cellphones either texting, calling or playing games. Since there are so many people who are using cellphones these days, people have been constantly looking for ways to personalize their phones.

Accessorize your cell phone with ringback tones.

What better method to make your phone stand out but to get unique ringtones? That’s right! Your cellphones can be tailored depending on the ringtone which you are using. As time passes, ringtones have been greatly used for this function. This has changed from the monophonic, polyphonic tones until it has become possible for the mp3 songs to become ringtones. Yes, with the abilities of technology, you can now have your much-loved songs as your ringtone. You can now call up or text in style!

Way back, ringtones have been considered as a luxury you have to pay for a price just to avail your ringtones. Now, you can effortlessly download your ringtones from the net for free! If you are hunting for free ringtones that you can download on to your computer, there are a couple of websites which you might want to check out. A few of these are zedge.com, ringophone.com, besttones.com, ringtones4all.com and mobiles24.com are among the best sites where you can acquire free ringtones for your cellular phone. All you have to do is to look for your town and download it to your phone. It is just that easy! If you want to liven up your phone a little bit, check these websites out! Cellphone use has never been this enjoyable!

This is an abstract from a dissertation by Hjalti Sölvason MBA student at the University of Edinburgh on developing market entry strategies as one of the main challanges facing companies wishing to expand into new market segments.

Managers are always under pressure to maximise shareholder value, and when they face a saturated market at home, they begin to search for new markets outside their home country. In other words they seek geographic diversification.

It makes a foreign market even more attractive if it is growing faster than the home market itself, and as improved communications might be considered a supportive reason for opening up new markets overseas.

Improving productivity is one reason for going abroad in order to obtain greater profits and revenue. Greater profits on overseas investments can be a strong motive for going abroad. Service companies frequently follow customers overseas to prevent competitors from gaining access to their clients.

By using foreign production to lower cost the company can move part or all of its production facilities to the country from which its competition is coming, and enjoy such advantages as less costly labour, raw materials, or energy. Protecting foreign markets is often necessary, which can lead to a change from exporting to overseas investment.

Another reason why a company should be interested in entering new markets is by following the competitor. Once a competitor has set up a production plant in a country, management must decide rapidly whether to follow suit or risk losing the market forever.

„In many cases it is a forced move by the company to enter into new markets because if not, the company would stagnate and be left behind by its competitors.“ – Hjalti Sölvason, August 1996.

Being able to claim that the firm is a “multinational” creates the impression of importance, which can influence its customers. Stockholders and financial analysts expect firms to continue to grow, and those companies operating only in the domestic market have found it increasingly difficult to sustain that expectation. The faster growth of a company, helps also satisfy the management’s desire for expansion.

A company should ask itself the reasons for entering the market and assess the internal forces and capabilities of the company itself. There are also various ways to enter new markets: Exporting, wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture, licensing agreement, franchising, contract manufacturing, management contract and strategic alliances.

The importance of screening markets, analysing market indicators and factors are also factors to address when entering new markets. What does market research say about trends in the industry and other factors like financial risk, have been discussed.

Identifying and analysing competitors in order to bring to the surface their strengths and weaknesses, and the field trip should be made in order to smell and taste the market, and collect primary data. Segment the market into those areas where the company can position its services or products by gathering information about the customers.

Entry strategies and entry modes do vary between competitors. Two companies may perceive different risk as they evaluate the same market and therefore choose different entry modes.

Hjalti Sölvason graduated as a Systems Analyst from the Copenhagen Business School in Copenhagen and is now studying for an MBA at the University of Edinburgh. Hjalti has experience in the IT industry and has worked as a software system designer and programmer.

The other day I was sitting at my computer staring at the screen thinking I don’t know about you but the wallpapers that come with either vista, xp or Mac OSX are really boring.

With this in mind I decided to check on line to see what desktop backgrounds are on offer for free download and what was the quality of the images being offered -low resolution snap shots or high quality stock images for free?

What I found was a confusing amount of free computer backgrounds from the usual celebrity snaps to photo’s of places around the world. This is fine but most are pretty low resolution and not that great. Not much better than my gran could take. Add to that the fact that most have really annoying pop up adds etc that drive me mad.

Then I found a great site that really does offer free desktops pictures that make brilliant cool backgrounds without having to wade through treacle to find them. It has all you could need no matter what your taste in photography. They had beautiful images of clouds, flowers, seascapes, sunsets and trees. Also, cool animal pictures of things like deer and lambs which I love. The bonus is they are a decent resolution for my monitor and don’t look pixelated. 

Also of note is a section of fractal art which I have always found beautiful and if you like stars then there are some fantastic pictures of star trails. All together I would recommend this site to anyone.

Looking for a particular accessory that immediately adds pizazz and zing to every attire no matter what event? You’ll have everything you’ll ever require in an accessory with hoop earrings.

Hoop earrings are classically styled, circular or semi-circular earrings that are creating a thunderous buzz in the fashion industry. These accessories are so popular among women that their design and style have expanded to consist squares, stars, heart and other unique designs, double to triple hoop styles and dangling adornments. Because of their flexibility and wide range in designs even the picky fashioner is sure to find a ideal pair. Shop this hoop earrings site for additional styles.

For those who are into hoop earrings that are uncomplicated and more conventional, shopping for solid gold and sterling silver hoop earrings that are either large or petite, broad or slim is the perfect answer. Every woman should have more than one pair of luxury pair hoop earrings in different metals, sizes and shapes, as they complete and flatter any clothing collection. From denims and a t-shirts for a relaxed day for errands, for a very busy day at the workplace with a breasted suit, a alluring tube dress for a painting the town red, and every possible outfit in between, hoop earrings are definitely must-haves.

Apart from the gold and sterling silver variety of the gold hoop earrings, don’t overlook about the white gold hoop earring variation. Trimmings make the hoop earrings more tasteful and attractive. Several hoop earrings are covered diamonds, Swarovski crystals, rhinestones, cubic zirconium, and pearls. These embellished hoop earrings are available in all sizes and shapes and are placed around the hoop’s circumference and along the inside or outside border.

Hoop earrings are the in accessory nowadays that even personalities are going gaga over them. In fact, they spent hundreds of dollars in just one hoop earrings. Hoop earring lovers include Angelina Jolie, Eva Longoria, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, Hilary Duff and a whole lot more. Most of the celebrities wear hoop earrings on the red carpet as well as on the streets doing errands.

Melinda Maria’s 18 karat Large Mesh Hoop Earrings are a classic piece that has been sighted worn by various celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Hayden Panettiere, It has also been presented in several magazines such as InStyle and InTouch. The Large Mesh Hoop Earrings by Melinda Maria is offered in sterling silver, gold and gold with turquoise beads. The hoop earrings are 2 inches in diameter and are sold for $166 to $238.

Since not every woman can afford the brands of hoop earrings that celebrities wear, several earring manufacturers have come up with their own economical yet good-looking hoop earrings. Charlotte Russe feature imitations of the beautiful hoop earrings worn by the likes of Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie. The Chrome Metal Mesh Hoop Earrings by Charlotte Russe has a 2.5″ diameter and sells for only $4.

No matter what brand of hoop earrings you purchase as long as you carry it confidently, it will always look chic and fashionable.

How-to find increased power in your golf swing? 

This is a question that every golfer wants answered. Many golfers are ready to do what it takes to start hitting long powerful drives, and there is all kinds of information around, that can help a golfer hit 300-yard drives.So lets get started and gather the proper information needed, to hit the golf ball 300-yards. The golf swing power is achieved by three distinctive elements. Two of these elements play a much larger role than the third, but the third does have a bearing on how far the golf ball will travel.Those three elements of the golf swing are golf swing mechanics, golf strength, and golf equipment.I bet you are not surprised to see swing mechanics on the list. But the second one “golf strength” is probably the least recognized of the three. But for many golfers it is the key to longer drives, and it’s one of our three elements that gets the least amount of attention.”Golf strength” is described as how well your body is conditioned to swing a golf club with ultimate power. Of our three factors in gaining addition power, golf strength is probably the least known, but could be the most crucial for a good majority of golfers looking to power the golf swing

As for golf equipment: Yes, equipment does make a difference in how far you drive the ball. The equipment manufacturers remind us of this constantly, and I bet we all have gone to buy golf equipment more than once to pick up a new driver that promises to give us another 20 yards on every drive. That extra 20 yards might not be down the middle of the fairway, but it will give you an extra 20 yards - could be left, could be right, or could be in the center of the fairway. That all depends on points one and two, swing mechanics and golf strength. Equipment and technological advances have definitely lengthened the distance of our drives. But without better swing mechanics and without getting your body in better golf shape, new technology will not help your game. A bad swing will produce a bad result, regardless of any new driver you may have just purchased.

“Swing Mechanics” All golfers are aware of how important the mechanics of the swing are when it comes to driving the ball down the fairway. Good swing mechanics are essential. If you are over the top with your swing or come inside too much, you’ll see that dreaded slice or snap hook. The drives will be short, too low, too high, left, right, or any combination of these if you are putting bad swings on the ball. It is essential for a golfer to work on the mechanics of his swing, week in and week out, to improve his game. If swings mechanics weren’t that important, why would tour players - the best players in the world - have swing coaches working with them on a consistent basis? The golf swing is such a fine, mechanically complex movement, it requires constant work to keep it highly efficient.

If you are a baseball fan and a history fan, then you probably know a bit about the famous Chicago Cubs. Their history stretches back to 1871. At first they were called the Chicago White Stockings and they were part of the original National Association.

The great Chicago fire of October 10, 1871 wiped out much of the city, including the Chicago White Stockings. But they were back by 1874 and just two years later they joined the new National League. The most famous players of that team were first baseman Cap Anson and pitcher Albert Spalding.

For a few years they were called the Colts, but by 1906 the name Cubs became official and has stuck ever since. In the early 1900s the Cubs won the National League championship four times and the World Series twice. That 1906 team had a winning percentage of .763 when they won 116 games, but they lost to their cross-town rivals the White Sox in the World Series that year.

The Cubs were perennial contenders during those years, winning the league championship in both 1907 and 1908 when they also won the World Series. The team repeated as league pennant winners in 1910 but lost the World Series to the Philadelphia Athletics.

From 1918 to 1945 the Chicago Cubs won the National League title six times, but could not win a World Series. Those years featured many memorable moments, including Babe Ruth’s called shot in 1932, winning twenty-one consecutive September games in 1935, and the “homer in the gloamin”, which occured in 1938 when Gabby Hartnett hit a walk-off homer into the gathering twilight to win the game.

A World Series title has eluded the Cubs since 1908, which means they have not won a world title in more than one hundred years. That is the longest drought of any team in professional sports.

According to some diehards their bad luck goes back to the Curse of the Billy Goat. The story goes like this. A fan named Billy Sianis decided to attend game four of the 1945 series. He purchased two box seats, one for his pet goat, the other for himself.

Billy had fun showing off his goat for part of the game, but it wasn’t long before some patrons began to complain about the smell. Cubs owner P.K. Wrigley succumbed to the pressure and ejected the culprits.

As he and his goat left the stadium Billy was heard to utter those fateful words: “the Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” Sure enough, the Cubs went on to lose that game, and the World Series. And they haven’t made it to the World Series since. Still thousands of faithful fans consider Chicago Cubs tickets a prized possession. Indeed many seem to wear that unique 100 year record as a special badge of honor.

Since the kitchen is used for many purposes, such as dining, cooking, and often as a family meeting room, the lighting you use should be versatile to meet each of these needs.

When it comes to the lighting in your home, the kitchen is one room that you need to pay close attention to. That’s why you should take a look at new bathroom lighting fixtures or track lighting as a way to enhance its features.

Recessed lighting can serve this function in a way that doesn’t take away from the overall decor of the room. But there are some things you need to take into account before installing them.

As the name indicates, kitchen recessed lighting means that the lighting fixtures are recessed into the wall or ceiling, which makes it less obtrusive than other types of lighting, such a chandelier which hangs down from the ceiling and can take away from the beauty of the room. There are three parts to the lighting system, the housing, the trim, and the lamp.

The trim is probably the most important, because it will go a long way in determining the brightness and focus of the light that is produced. You also need to take into the account that because this type of lighting requires the use of hidden wires, there is some work involved when it comes to installation.

Some other factors to take into consideration when planning your kitchen recessed lighting are figuring out where the lights are going to go. It is a good idea to map out the placement ahead of time, taking a close look at what type of function generally takes place in each area.

This will go a long way in determining what type of lighting you need for each area. For example, for ambient lighting is good for general purpose areas and task lighting is good where more focused actions take place, such as cooking. And as a rule of thumb, you should place one recessed light for every 4 to 6 square feet of ceiling space for an even effect.

Man boobs or to give it ,its real name of Gynecomastia, troubles many men throughout the world be it men going through puberty to older men with hormone or weight issues.One thing is true for many of these men a good Gynecomastia Treatment is very vital. Because sadly many men do not know that there are many solutions to this problem

Surgery is often viewed by men as an effective gynecomastia treatment, and though with the right budget and the best surgeon there has been some great successes, it has to be said it is the most invasive of all the potential solutions to gynecomastia .

Though surgery can uplift a mans confidence with successful removal of their man boobs can not be denied. However this has to be weighed up with the potential risks and expense. to see if it is the Gynecomastia Treatment for you

The gynecomastia treatment surgery is normally an overnight stay, as with all surgery there are risks involved but it has to be said that the operations when performed by a top surgeon are delivering some fantastic results.

It must be said though that many men could use alternative Gynecomastia Treatments and get as good results without the high cost of surgery, and for some the risks that come with any type of invasive surgery. Another place to look at if surgery is not an option is that of a exercise program geared to reducing chest fat, in tandem with a high quality Gynecomastia Treatment supplement, this approach can be highly effective and in comparison to surgery can be very cost effective way to get a firm chest and to begin to build your confidence about your body and more importantly your self esteem.

At the end of the day the decision has to be your own, but it is a good idea to have all the facts to hand before you take the first step towards losing your man boobs

So are you ready to look at  surgery?as a way of losing chest fatPerhaps there are other methods to explore first before you make that vital decision. You may of heard of the supplement Ultimate Gynemax. Find out if Ultimate Gynemax is a Cure Gynecomastia.

I hate the job of purchasing a motorcycle. It didn’t matter if it was a new bike or a used bike. Sure, it was fun walking around the motorcycle lot on a Saturday morning and perusing the bikes. However, when it came to talking to a sales person and bargaining on a motorcycle on their terms I never liked facing it. Then one day I tried my first online motorcycle for sale auctions. I found that there were several things to like about these online motorbike auctions.

The first improvement over traditional buying is the number of bikes. There are a very large number of chances to buy a used motorcycle and also lots of new motorcycles to consider. Say you are desiring a particular type and color and you can’t find one at any nearby bike lot. You can surf to an online auction site and perhaps locate dozens of motorbikes of the make and color searching for. online motorbike auctions make available many more motorcycles than you are likely to find at your neighborhood lot.

The most attractive selling point of motorcycle auctions is the low price of your motorcycle. You can get lots of amazingly sweet cost savings if you hunt for them. In fact, you may easily find hefty discounts when you look to buy a motorcycle No matter whether they are normal used motorcycles or used bikes from bank repossession you may end up shelling out a lot less of your hard earned cash than you would outside an online auction. You would do well to look specifically at repossessed motorcycles as a way to spend less considering that banks only want to rid themselves of the bikes and may not expect a premium price. I’ve ended up with many incredible dollar figures on repossessed motorcycles.

A possible disadvantage to using Internet motorcycle auctions is that a lot of the bikes will not be within driving distance. You can modify your search by the postal code, but that restricts the variety of motorcycles. If you have many friends throughout the nation you should be able to make a deal to have them investigate the motorcycle in their town on your behalf. You also can acquire third party value determinations and motorcycle histories before you think about bidding on any fantasy bike.

If you are in need of a used or new bike you will want to buy from cycle auctions in the selection process. In the event you do not buy your motorcycle from one of the auctions you will have an opportunity to look at what is available and you can compare with the motorcycles your area motorcycle dealerships or classifieds have for you.