Wakatobi Resort in Ecotourism Resort Awarded the Best in the World

WARN Earth Day on March 31, 2012, CNNgo travel sites list hotels and inns throughout the world's best ecotourism. Amazingly, Wakatobi Dive Resort in Wakatobi, Indonesia, also included in the list.

The resort is in South Sulawesi was called as a resort with one of the best diving sites around the world, which also continues to focus on issues of marine conservation and community development. "Wakatobi Dive Resort to help the environment around it, preventing the surrounding coral reefs damaged," said Justin Francis, founder responsibletravel, tourist sites are also able to assess how this resort hotel on the list of world's best ecotourism.

"The resort employs 150 local people and creating a program Collaborative Community Based Reef Management, which is made ​​of coral reef sanctuary," said Justin again.

Surrounding villages also receive financial incentives to improve their infrastructure. Other contributions from this resort is for educational and strengthen local support to protect the precious marine life in the region. Currently, the conservation program to protect more than 22 miles of coral reefs in the region.

Any guests staying at this resort can explore an underwater paradise Wakatobi is located just a few minutes from the resort so it did not take long to get there. Also in this resort are rented boat rentals, as well as diving equipment. There are also spa facilities to pamper yourself after a weary dive in the sea.

source at : okezone.com

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The Vanishing Painting Leonardo da Vinci Answered

MILAN - After more than 30 years of searching for mural painting of Leonardo da Vinci's long lost, Maurizio Seracini found evidence that the legendary mural was hidden in the wall where he painted in 1503.

Some time ago, Seracini and his colleagues report that they have found chemical evidence that the painting titled The Battle of Anghiari work of da Vinci, was behind a mural younger.

The Battle of Anghiari a mural depicting the work of da Vinci battle between Milan and the Italian League-led Republic of Florence, in the field in 1440 Aghiari ago.

Mural is in the Palazzo Vecchio's Hall of the 500 (Florence town hall), then in 1563 lost and art historians argue that the work was destroyed when Giorgio Vasari's hall remodel. Vasari to paint six murals along the walls of the new hall from east to west.

Proclaimed Live Science, Friday (03/16/2012), a new mural was made by Vasari did not destroy it. An evidence reveals that da Vinci's mural covered only by a mural titled The Battle of Marciano work of Vasari.

To see the mural behind Vasari's work, researchers led by investigators Seracini entering the camera through the six-point, by choosing a position that will not break Vasari painting.

"Although we are still in the early stages of research and there is still much to be done to solve this mystery, evidence has shown that we are not misplaced," said Seracini which is the Founding Director of the Center of Interdisciplinary Science for Art, Architecture and Archaeology at the University of California San Diego.

Support the hypothesis of the location of da Vinci painting, Seracini and his group reported four evidence. First, one of which successfully obtained a sample containing a black material that has a chemical composition similar to the black pigment on the painting of Mona Lisa and St. Petersburg. John the Baptist.

Second, fragments of red material found estimated that consists of organic matter associated with varnish. Third, through the high definition image obtained by surveillance cameras, investigators found a cream-colored material on the original wall, and they can only be made with a paint brush.

Finally, the researchers confirmed the spaces left between the brick wall where the mural work of Vasari, the wall behind him. It has also been found in an earlier study using a radar scanner. (FMH)
source at: okezone.com

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To Keep Customers, Brick-And-Mortar Stores Look To Smartphones

Best Buy must live in fear of shoppers like Ave Lising. He and a group of friends walk through the Stanford mall in Palo Alto, Calif., their cellphones clutched in their hands.

Lising visited the electronics retailer recently, shopping for a video game.

"I went to Best Buy [and] looked at the price," Lising says. "I was like, 'Ehh — I'm sure I can find this cheaper online.' "

So he whipped out his smartphone and scanned the barcode, found it cheaper and ... no sale for Best Buy.

There's a word for that kind of in-store comparison shopping: "showrooming."

Bryan Wargo, co-founder of a startup called Nearbuy Systems, says everyone in retail "knows they're being showroomed. But they don't know by who, for what products, when it's happening [or] what kind of consumer does that."

A mobile shopping revolution is under way, and brick-and-mortar retailers are worried.

Consumers using smartphones and tablets are changing the way stores market, set prices and track customer tastes — leaving mobile technologies poised to roil the $4 trillion U.S. retail industry.

Learning More About Brick-and-Mortar Shoppers

When you shop online, marketers are following your every click. But when you walk into a store they know almost nothing about you.

That detailed information about in-store shoppers is exactly what retailers want.

Nearbuy Systems/YouTube A screen shot from a Nearbuy Systems demo video shows how the company's technology can help retailers track where consumers are in a store.

Wargo's company is using mobile technology to try to give it to merchants. Inside a drafty warehouse in Menlo Park, less than a mile from Facebook's sprawling new headquarters, Nearbuy has created a mockup of a big-box retail store.

There are fake shelves — the floor is laid out in a grid with blue masking tape — and there's a network of security cameras overhead. But instead of tracking real customers around the space, they're tracking a group of little robots.

The robots spend hours cruising around, towing cardboard cutouts of a Stormtrooper and Boba Fett from Star Wars, both holding iPhones.

Wargo and Nearbuy co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Marc Jamtgaard are using their technology to track the Stormtroopers — or real people — to within a couple feet of where they're standing.

"It's tracking my iPhone right now, so it is using Wi-Fi, which gives us about 10 meters of accuracy," Jamtgaard says. And because Wi-Fi is often imprecise, "we are augmenting that with the video surveillance system that is in this warehouse," Jamtgaard says.

"Our challenge was, take what we already have, and most stores have — Wi-Fi and ... video for security and things — and mix those two signals together to create something that is more accurate," Wargo says.

Related NPR Stories

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Following Digital Breadcrumbs To 'Big Data' Gold

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Few Consumers Are Cracking The QR Code

Retailers could use this technology to build apps to guide customers through their store aisles to specific products, or even deliver discounts and coupons based on where people are standing in any particular store.

"The vision everyone has for this technology is that you walk in front of the soda. And then Coke and Pepsi in the background are going to bid up to see who can send you that coupon," Wargo says.

This kind of technology could also let stores know if you are on your phone checking prices — or even buying something from a competitor.

In other words, it could give those retailers who are being showroomed a fighting chance to win back your business before you walk out.

In short, it could save you money.

But, as Wargo says, "people need to opt-in. People need agree to be tracked or provide location-based services, or else we're not going to do it."

A Fine Line Between Convenience And 'Creepy'

These kinds of technologies "are really walking a fine line," says Julie Ask, a mobile marketing guru at Forrester Research.

Ask says most new mobile shopping apps are making more or less the same bargain with their customers, trying to strike a balance between using the information they're collecting "in a way ... that makes me smile and say, 'Yeah, you know, I'm having a better day; I like this,' — versus something that seems creepy, as if I am being watched or followed," she says.

And when companies get this trade-off right, she says, consumers love it. She's totally comfortable, for example, scanning her prescriptions into a mobile app created by Walgreens. "It's about refilling a prescription in less than 20 seconds," she says.

Back at the Stanford mall, Lising and his friends agree. They like the idea of the Fandango app that tracks users everywhere they go, to tell them nearby movies that will start within an hour. "That would be helpful for sure," they say.

Like Lising, most customers are comfortable giving up all sorts of sensitive information if they feel like it is being used to help them — and if they believe it's not going to be abused.

So right now, brick-and-mortar stores are trying to figure out ways to get all of us to share more and more personal details through our mobile devices as we shop.

source at: http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/03/27/149463201/to-keep-customers-brick-and-mortar-stores-look-to-smartphones

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online marketing strategy

s aligned with and draws guidelines from the >> online brand strategy.

The online marketing strategy starts when a web site is being planned and requires constant monitoring of the web site when launched. Management of the site to generate Return Of Investment (ROI) is necessary. The most important part is to put the user central of all your activities.

Knowledge required to handle online marketing strategy professionally

A well thought through online marketing strategy demands thorough understanding of the internet. It requires knowledge of the rules of search engines, restrictions, possibilities and costs of the technical aspects and understanding of programming possibilities of web site development. How to deal with a web site based on a >> Content Management System (CMS) for example is of high importance, because it demands a professional approach. It also requires to know about branding as well as being able to evaluate the >> User Tracking and Web Analytics results. A CMS can cause a web site to loose rapidly on quality after a successful launch because images are not properly resized simply because the knowledge is missing and rules of formatting the content properly are ignored.

Applying marketing strategy online

The achievement having a web site that is truly successful is based on the proper online marketing, lots of continuous technical improvement, evaluation of stats and a solid support for your users and customers.

After the launch of a web site it must be managed. This reads: monitored and constantly improved and adjusted to the market needs and user demands. Continuous improvement, within the web sites' >> brand strategy, in combination with online advertisement is applied.

Search engine optimization based on >> real-time insights into your users' behavior also used to measure the response of online campaigns and the feel good factor of how they experience the site are the most powerful tools a successful online marketer has, to apply the marketing strategy effectively.

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internet branding - online corporate brand image

We offer firms the development of web applications true to the corporate brand image and branding for the Internet. Visual Orange covers all required activities, to target successfully the global audience and to conduct business worldwide on the web. The >> branding services we offer, consider all your major fields of brand communication, when taking you online.

How to conduct branding on the Internet and online marketing properly and how to avoid pitfalls, is presented throughout the site. Visual Orange proved to be a source of information for students, studying marketing and practicing marketers, this is why we took our site one step further, re-structured the Visual Orange web site and re-designed it, to provide the content people were attracted to and which supports them most. Our field of expertise is the Internet and specifically internet branding applied during development and web site design for small and medium sized companies.

Each person that plans to have a web site to present the company loyal to the corporate brand image online and is interested in how to get the most out of a site that the business can benefit from it, is now able to access detailed information about what is required and what needs to be done. Misconceptions rule when the online presence is on focus. Going online means work there is no system which makes money for you without proper investment or maintenance and online marketing.

What is really important and how-to protect a brand online is a controversial theme and when browsing the internet and looking at web sites be it small firms or be it large enterprises, we can see that online branding must be also a confusing one. We hope that we can contribute through sharing knowledge and that you might benefit from it. How to push the site into >> top positions of search engines takes much effort, time and is mostly costly. The internet is a market place and advertisement and promotion is necessary to make a web site profitable. There is no other way or your visitor numbers will stay below expectations.

Branding is focused on creating customer loyalty

All communication channels have to be true to the brands image and have to be aligned with the perspectives of the company and its business goals and additionally cover the needs, wants and expectations of your clients, to be successful.

Corporate branding is the all encompassing parameter of your business and is composed of many elements that are related, yet distinctly different. Branding serves one purpose:

to evoke positive responses of the target group (I like it)

to generate customer loyalty (my brand)

to expand the number of loyal clients

to present the brand consistent throughout all available media channels.

Your >> corporate web site design, presenting you globally, is just as important as the printed material of your firm, in the form of catalogs and brochures or the presentation internally on the intranet. The interior design of your office/store is not less important than the packaging of your products. All this presents and projects your brand image and as such, you will be memorized, classified and recognized by the public, your partners/affiliates and your clientele.

We focus on the establishment of the brand online and by creating an additional value to the brand portfolio. A web site is a corporate asset and can achieve great value if >> web site management is properly executed and >> online marketing strategy is handled with knowledge of the technical aspects of the Internet. Satisfying users' needs, expectations and wants must be given absolute priority.

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Seo tutorial

We have listed some of the most important things and recommendations which are necessary to know when doing SEO for your website.

Meta Name Guidelines
To understand the guidelines of the meta name tags is most important for optimization of your website. Meta names play a major roll to rank well in search engines. The content and title tag is the most important factor when optimizing your website. We try to cover all these different requirements, which is because of its diversity not easy...
» Meta Name Guidelines

Title Tag
The title in the head of your code is the most important element of your website. This is the place, where to put your keywords or search terms. You enter those keywords the users will use, to find your kind of business or services, when searching the web. Also keep in mind that the title is displayed in the left top bar of the browser window and is visible to your visitors...
» Title Tag

Description Tag
The description tag is one of the meta data. This tag has no effect on the ranking of your site in search engines. The search engine will read the description tag of the website and display it under the listing. It's recommended to use descriptive description about the services or products you provide to make the user click on your listing in the search results...
» Description Tag

Keyword Tag
In this section we will talk about the keyword meta tag that you insert into the head of your HTML code. How important is this tag? Most of the consultants in the SEO world say, that it has no impact on ranking results. The cause of this is that many people misused this tag in the past to spam search engines with a large amount of keywords and stuffing them excessively...
» Keyword Tag

All Meta Tags
If you would like to know what kind of neta tags are available you're at the right address. SEO-WATCH is up to date and well informed about what is new and what is old on the Internet. Here we will list only the most important tags which you should have inside your HTML code, this will tell the search engines how to handle your website...
» All Meta Tags

Robots Meta Tags
What are robot meta tags and how do they look like and how can you use it? Webmasters and search engine optimization companies make standard use of this meta tag. The tags help you to tell search engines which pages they should index and which ones not. You can place them were you want in your meta data section...
» Robots Meta Tags

Google Commands
These special commands can help you when doing search engine optimization in Google. Typically these commands modify the search results in some way or even tell Google to do a totally different type of search, for example "link:" is a special Google command, and the query will only show websites that will link to your site...
» Google Commands

Create a Mailform
Below we have listed an example how to create a mailform for your website. You can use it for your contact or any other page you require. It's a really basic one for free which requires 4 files only, easy setup and install...????
» Create a Mailform



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Download Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended v12.0

Download Adobe Photoshop CS5 Extended v12.0. Adobe® Photoshop® CS5 Extended software is the ultimate solution for advanced digital imaging, delivering all the editing and compositing capabilities of Photoshop CS5 plus breakthrough tools that let you create and edit 3D and motion-based content.

DESIGN AMAZING IMAGES

Keep pushing creative boundaries with world-class 2D and 3D design. Use powerful new selection, painting, and warping capabilities to create standout images.

Make your web pages pop

Get just the right look for each client’s site. Easily select intricate image elements for placing in layout. Create 3D artwork for logos and buttons.

Enhance 3D for video

Create and enhance 3D and motion-based content and prepare still images and text for all your projects. Work fast with cross-platform 64-bit support, and create stunning HDR images for video backdrops.

CREATE RICH INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES

Design cutting-edge looks for interactive web content and experiences. Create 3D artwork, warped graphics, and realistic painting effects for all your projects.

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Sony Playstation3 uptodate 2011 new

for those who like to play playstation, there is now the latest model and style with a display picture and sound quality

Slimmer and lighter than ever, the PS3 120GB system comes with free access to the PlayStation Network, built-in Wi-Fi, Blu-ray Disc player and hard disk drive storage for games, music, videos and photos.

It Only Does EverythingTM

Boasting blistering processing speeds and eye-popping graphics, the PlayStation3 will change the way you think about gaming. In addition to an ever-growing catalog of games, the PS3 features the Cell Broadband Engine, integrated Blu-ray Disc player and 120GB hard disk drive to deliver the ultimate high-definition entertainment experience.

Your Favorite Movies Just Got Better

More than a gaming system, the PS3 delivers a whole new world of entertainment. A built-in Blu-ray Disc player lets you watch movies in stunning Full HD 1080p resolution with theater-quality sound. It also upscales your DVDs to near HD quality with DVD upscaling1 and with BD-Live2 technology, you can download bonus content, games, trailers and more.

Surf the Web

Thanks to built-in Wi-Fi, the entire web is at your disposal. You can set up a wired or wireless internet connection3 and download games, movies, TV shows and more straight to your PlayStation3 system via PlayStation Network or at the PlayStation Store. Hook up a USB-certified or Bluetooth-enabled keyboard and mouse to make browsing even easier.

Free PlayStation Network Membership

Take your gaming to a new level with your free PlayStation Network account4. Connect with other players and partake in online multiplayer games, enter tournaments, and create and share content with other PlayStation Network users. Plus, you can keep track of what games your friends are playing with Friend’s List.

All-in-One Media Center

Share your music, photos and videos with friends and family from one convenient location. Designed to support all major codecs, you can play virtually any digital file as well as Blu-ray Disc movies, DVDs, CDs, or connect a compatible USB device5 to the PS3 system’s hard drive and enjoy your photos, videos and music anytime you like.

Entertainment Beyond Games

More than an high-definition gaming system, the PS3 lets you rip music to the hard disk drive, import, store and display photos from any digital camera or memory unit, as well as upload digital videos. You can also play your existing library of DVDs, CDs and any new Blu-ray Disc formatted movies.

Welcome to the Future of Compatibility

Experience total entertainment on the road as well as at home with Remote Play. Use your PlayStation Portable (PSP) to access your PS3 system via a wireless internet connection4 and enjoy all the music, videos and pictures stored on your PlayStation3. Plus, the PSP system can even fire up your PS3 system remotely from stand-by mode with Remote Start.

Product Specifications :

CPU :

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I/O :

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GPU :

* RSX

Power Consumption :

* Approximately 250 watts

Weight :

* Approximately 7.055 lbs (3.2 kg)

Hard Drive :

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Outputs :

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* Wireless Controller Bluetooth (up to 7)

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Info 2011

May 16-18, 2011, Tel Aviv Hilton , Israel

We are delighted to invite you to participate at INFO 2011, our 26th Annual

Conference & Exhibition, to be held on May 16-18, 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Tel Aviv.

The Leading Israeli Event for Search and Discovery Solutions, Social Networking, e Resourse Management, Digital Libraries, ePublishing Solutions, Knowledge & Information Management.

The INFO Annual Conference & Exhibition is the largest event of its kind in Israel.

Organized by Teldan Information Systems, which has led the information industry in Israel for over 30 years, the Teldan INFO Conferences have been the most prestigious and professional events of the Library & Information community in Israel for over two decades.

The INFO 2011 Annual Conference & Exhibition is the major event in the information community in Israel. This year, the conference will address topics such as: Search and Discovery Solutions, the world of Social Networking, Information on Mobile Platforms, Business, Scientific and Technological Information, ePublishing Solutions, Competitive Intelligence, Knowledge Management .

Founded and organized by Teldan, the conference now celebrates its 26th Anniversary.

Traditionally, INFO conferences have been the largest professional meeting of all involved in information: information specialists, librarians, researchers and academics, business intelligence and content managers, marketing managers, strategic and business development managers, information systems managers, project managers, managers and executives in organizations in various sectors: academic, industrial, commercial, government, medicine and law.

The INFO 2011 week offers a wide variety of unique and innovative seminars, exposing participants to new products, technologies and tools, and using the best lecturers from Israel and abroad issues of information, mobile platforms, content management, databases and digital projects.

The conference will also host a professional exhibition, showcasing the latest developments in the industry. On display at the Israel INFO 2011 Exhibition will be publishers and aggregators, electronic publishing, databases and vendors, information retrieval systems, e-Journals books management systems, library and information center, technologies business and financial Information, electronic document delivery, electronic commerce (eCommerce), Web 2.0, 3.0, social networking platforms, new media solutions, SEO - search engine optimization, knowledge management, business and competitive intelligence and mobile platforms.

The INFO 2011 program will include seminars, workshops and presentations and will be built around the following themes: content management - ECM/CMS/MOSS, semantic Web, Web 2.0 and 3.0, search engines (i.e. Google, Yahoo, AOL, BING, Twitter, YouTube) and information retrieval, SEO and internet PR, Library 2.0, Info 2.0, Libraries, Information Centers - the Next Generation, Information Professionals: Driving the Social Network, Disaster Response and Social Networking - Earthquake in Haiti Reviewed, Internet Marketing: "Meet us on Twitter", Is Facebook for Kids?, mobile platforms, information tools in action, Viral Marketing and SEO, Workplace 2.0: Networking and Optimizing Enterprise Resources, Digital PR, Reputation Management and Crisis Communications, eBooks and eJournals Update, Web 2011- Current Development, NextGen information services, Knowledge Management update, Enterprise Search, Who Runs the Internet?, Competitive Intelligence, Business Information and Business Intelligence, digital archive update, Medical KM applications, digital books and electronic readers, Libraries, Museums and Archives - under the same roof, Librarians as Agents of Change and more.

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10 companies with the most untaxed foreign income

1. General Electric

Untaxed foreign profit: $94 billion

Perhaps it's not surprising that General Electric, known for aggressively minimizing its tax bill, by far tops the list.The multinational conglomerate operates in nearly every corner of the world, whether it's supplying technology to hospitals in Malaysia, medical imaging equipment to England, or water systems in Ghana. It sells its products and services in more than 100 countries.A recent story in The New York Timesclaimed that GE paid nothing in federal income tax last year despite its $5.2 billion in domestic profits. It sparked a new debate over corporate tax reform, even though the company later told Fortune that it expects a small tax liability for 2010.

2. Pfizer

Untaxed foreign profit: $48.2 billion

The health care industry keeps more profits overseas than any other industry, according to Ciesielski. Pfizer, the world's largest drug maker, is among a number of large American companies pushing for a one-year tax holiday on foreign earnings. Along with companies like Apple, Cisco, and Duke Energy, Pfizer is lobbying for a temporary break on the regular corporate tax in order to repatriate its profits and invest more domestically.

Pfizer develops and markets a wide variety of prescription drugs and is best known for its blockbusters like Lipitor and Celebrex. It has grown mostly by acquiring other large pharma companies, including Warner-Lambert, Pharmacia, and Wyeth.

3. Merck

Untaxed foreign profit: $40.4 billion

Merck operates in more than 140 countries, delivering prescription medicines, vaccines, biologic therapies, and other pharmaceutical products to consumers and health care facilities around the globe.

While the pharmaceutical giant has kept large sums of its earnings overseas in order to avoid U.S. taxes, it has also found ways to bring some of it back without paying the full tax. According to Bloomberg, Merck brought more than $9 billion from abroad in 2008 without paying any U.S. tax to help finance its acquisition of Schering-Plough. Tax consultants have made a mint advising companies on loopholes to the repatriation tax over the years.

4. Johnson & Johnson
Untaxed foreign profit: $37 billion
The world's sixth-largest consumer health company has dozens of subsidiaries operating in 60 countries. J&J has had its troubles over the years, but it's still best known for some of the most common products found in any bathroom cabinet, from Tylenol to Neutrogena to Band-Aid. It also sells medical devices to hospitals and develops prescription drugs treating everything from cancer to infectious diseases.
Although it hasn't always been an easy ride for J&J shareholders, the company has rewarded them with 48 consecutive years of dividend increases.

5. Exxon Mobil
Untaxed foreign profit: $35 billion
Despite the economic downturn, Exxon Mobil invested a record $32.2 billion in energy projects in the U.S. and around the world in 2010. The oil giant anticipates global energy demand will increase by 35% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels -- which is why it plans to invest more than $125 billion over the next five years in new projects.
As with any oil conglomerate, Exxon does most of its business on international soil. More than 80% of the company's 2009 earnings came from outside the U.S.

6. Citigroup
 Untaxed foreign profit: $32.1 billion
Few banks are as global as Citigroup. The company has more than 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 140 countries. It's the top credit card issuer in the Asia Pacific, it maintains a physical presence in 55 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and it operates nearly 2,600 retail bank branches and point of sales in Latin America.
Citigroup has faced more criticism than most multinationals over its U.S. tax rate ever since it received a $45 billion bailout from the government during the financial crisis. Since then, however, Citigroup has divested many businesses and announced plans to focus on its international footprint. Taxpayers, meanwhile, made a profit on the Citi bailout, even though they won't likely see much more from the company's tax returns.

7. Cisco Systems
Untaxed foreign profit: $31.6 billion
Cisco is leading the effort to convince Congress to pass a tax holiday for repatriated income. The company's CEO, John Chambers, co-authored an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal arguing for it, and he recently told 60 Minutes that the company had nearly $40 billion overseas that would be brought back to the U.S. if the corporate tax rate were lower.
In fact, 50% of Cisco's sales are outside the U.S. and that's only going to grow -- IDC estimates that 71% of total information and communications technology spending will be outside the United States by 2014.


8. IBM
Untaxed foreign profit: $31.1 billion
The technology giant's expertise spans 17 industries across more than 170 countries. It's headquartered in Armonk, NY, but you can find its products and services in far-flung corners of the world, from Johannesburg to Tokyo.

Like many multinationals, IBM has capitalized in recent years on the fast pace of growth in large emerging markets, such as India, China, Brazil and Russia. And under CEO Sam Palmisano's leadership, international expansion -- especially into smaller emerging markets -- has been a priority. Palmisano spends his time traveling the world promoting IBM's "Smarter Planet" initiative, a program to use technology to address social problems such as access to health care or traffic congestion. The company was #12 on Fortune's World's Most Admired list this year.



9. Procter & Gamble
Untaxed foreign profit: $30 billion
From Tide detergent to Crest toothpaste, Procter & Gamble brands are a part of consumers' lives in 180 countries. Approximately 127,000 employees work in about 80 countries worldwide helping the company to expand in foreign markets, which account for 58% of its sales.

Last year, Fortune traveled to Chinawith P&G to find out how the company manages to sell $2 products in places where people earn $2 a day. "Our innovation strategy is not just diluting the top-tier product for the lower-end consumer," says Robert McDonald, P&G's CEO and chairman. "You have to discretely innovate for every one of those consumers on that economic curve, and if you don't do that, you'll fail."







10. Microsoft
Untaxed foreign profit: $29.5 billion
The world's largest software company has been criticized for taking advantage of tax loopholes in some of the markets where it operates. Microsoft shifted its income to Ireland, then the Netherlands, then to Bermuda -- tax strategies known as the Double Irish and the Dutch Sandwich, which are completely legal.

Like Apple, Microsoft is known for maintaining a war chest of cash on its balance sheet -- but many investors may not know that much of it won't ever be spent back in the U.S. As of the end of 2009, the company had $29.5 billion in earnings invested indefinitely offshore.







source of....http://money.cnn.com

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How to Buy a Private Island

The process of buying a private island is similar to that of buying a house, only the cost is much greater. When considering a house, you check for the general condition, the foundations, if it has rising dampness, and if there are termites present. Buying an island is similar, but there are far more things to consider, and in most cases, the buyer of an island has no experience on which to base his or her judgment apart from an emotional attachment. Considering the amount of money that you have to spend to buy a private island, it's critical that you are aware of the following issues.

Step 1

Set your price. It’s stating the obvious to say that the bigger your budget, the better an island you can afford, but some people have very unrealistic expectations of what they can afford. It’s better to spend as much as possible to buy the island, even to the extent of waiting until you have funds for development. Saving money in the short term will generally get you a poorer quality island and once you have bought the island and developed, there is no changing your mind. It's better to have a more attractive island than purchasing a poorer quality island just to save money.

Step 2

Choose your location. The location of an island is one of the most crucial factors in most people’s decision to purchase. It’s very important that you strongly consider this when purchasing. You're not just buying an island, you're buying its surroundings. There should be a village nearby where one can get supplies and an airport close at hand, for instance. In other words, what makes an island feasible is the infrastructure that is available to it. Some islands are close to villages which is good because you can obtain staff and supplies, but on the other hand, it then lacks privacy. Again, islands that are remote offer complete privacy, yet at the expense of accessibility. An island that is in the middle of the ocean usually has no view, and islands that are located in bays have both shelter and nice views. Also, remote islands that are less sheltered are more prone to bad weather and rough seas.

Step 3

Make sure there's a reliable water supply. You'll find water is the most important element of living on an island, and the second largest factor affecting the choice of an island. In general, the smaller the island, the less water. This applies in reverse, except if the island is rocky (even large rocky islands have problems producing water). Every island has some variety of options to obtaining fresh water. Look for a ground water table high enough to dig a well. If a well already exists, have it inspected to ensure it's dependable. This can be done by pumping the well dry and seeing how many minutes it takes to fill again. The amount of water that you'll be able to get from a well determined by using this method will give you a figure called cubic meters or cubic feet of water. However, poor water supply isn’t as big a factor in the tropics, because a good rain water cistern can supply enough water over the dry season saved up from the monsoon season and the occasional shower.

The tank can be topped up from the well, thus stopping the well from running dry and damaging the water table of the island. Check the annual rainfalls. The estimated amount of water needed annually for part-time island living is 30,000 to 100,000 gallons, which for full-time living will require about forty inches of annual rainfall. Technology has also come to the rescue and state-of-the-day desalination plants suitable for a normal house are now as cheap as $20,000. It should be noted the fresh water creates what is called the “Lens Effect". This means that a low sandy island just a few feet above sea level can have a water table which can be 3-4 times the height of the island because the fresh water forces the salt water out and creates a lens-shaped aquifer under the island. Another factor to consider is that if your island is close enough to a water source on the mainland or another larger island, you can run a PVC several kilometers as long as the water between is not too deep.

Step 4

Choose one with a desirable climate. Islands can be divided into three climactic types: Temperate, Mediterranean and Tropical. In general, tropical islands are located between the tropics of Capricorn and Cancer - this encompasses what is termed the tropics. Mediterranean islands can be deemed to be those that may fall in areas where there are high temperatures but low rainfall, this is typified by islands in the Mediterranean, the Canary islands, Bermuda, Bahamas etc. Temperate islands are basically those that are in an area where it is generally cold such as northern Europe, Canada and northern USA. You should consider carefully what type of climate you prefer. Each has its pros and cons and while many people love the tropics, some find the heat and humidity oppressive. One person may find temperate islands to be his or her idea of hell, but some people love the change of seasons and the variety that produces. Obviously, Mediterranean climate produces the best balance of heat without the high rainfall and humidity of the tropics. Always be aware that the first day you visit an island may not be the typical weather that the island experiences on a day-to-day basis. The weather could be particularly uncommon in regards to the fact that it may be exceptionally beautiful, or exceptionally bad. You should ask local people, especially fishermen are very knowledgeable about the weather, the typical seasons and weather patterns for the island and surrounding area. Islands in the ocean are prone to flooding, storms, drought, seasonal tidal variations and strong currents. Islands located in lakes are the least prone to problems because they have no tides or large storms, but can be prone to seasonal variations in water level if the lakes are dammed. Islands that are located in rivers are obviously prone to flooding and droughts. Talk to the local authorities and ask them for the highest and lowest recorded levels for the river. Good anecdotal evidence can be gathered by talking to local people as well. Islands are located in bays and estuaries with shallow bottoms are prone to tidal variations, and access to these islands may be very difficult at low tide. Offshore islands also experience the usual tidal patterns, and are the most prone to dangerous weather.

Step 5

Check its accessibility.Accessibility is a prime factor in your choice of an island and directly depends on how much discomfort and traveling time you are willing to put up with. It also depends on how much experience you have with boats, and how comfortable you are with the ocean because the only way to get to an island is by boat. Travel time by boat is also affected by many factors such as what type of boat, its engine, and of course the seasonal weather conditions. You must take into account that no matter how sheltered an island may be, you must still put up with rough seas. If you are the kind of person who wants less traveling, you will find that the closer an island is to an established town, the more expensive it generally is.

Step 6
Determine how you will develop the island. The style of development you plan for the island is very important when choosing what type of island to buy.


Small Islands. For instance, if you only want a small holiday house, then an island between 1-5 hectares (2.5 – 12 acres) should be sufficient.


• Medium Islands: If you want a larger house and maybe some additional cottages for friends to visit, an island 5-10 hectares (12 – 24 acres) is best.

Large Islands:If you are planning a small scale resort, then an island of at least 10-15 hectares (24 – 37 acres) should be the minimum. If you are planning a large scale resort, then an island of 15-20 hectares (37 – to 48 acres) should be considered the minimum, and you will need a minimum of at least 6-10 hectares (14-24 acres) of flat land for building. The type of construction and how remote the island is will also affect the price that it costs to develop. In general you can expect to pay 30% more for development on an island than for a similar development on the mainland. The cost of building is higher because all materials and workers must be transported to the island.

Step 7

Note its anchorage.Anchorage is the island's firmness and stability to the ground. Select an island with good anchorage, because without this, it may be almost impossible to land on the island. Or, even worse, you may be stuck on the island and not be able to get off. A good anchorage should be sheltered from the prevailing winds, have a sandy bottom for good holding, and have a deep water access to the beach, without rocks or coral. If you aren’t experienced with boats, ask the captain that takes you to the island if he considers the island to have a good anchorage. Nearly all islands have some form of anchorage, but the quality varies dramatically. A good island should have a good gently sloping sandy beach with good access through the coral, and shelter from the prevailing winds. However, a mooring buoy and a tender can solve this problem. The ideal island should have both shelter and good spot to land a boat. So it's important to see the island at high and low tides.

Step 8

Note its topography.Islands vary from the perfectly flat Caribbean style island to the rocky cliffs and mountainous types. If you have a preference, it's important that you tell brokers you contact of the type of island you want. Most islands aren’t flat, and on what are called continental islands (the drowned tops of hills) there is only a small area of flat land. In general, the area of flat land on a continental island is approximately 10-12% of the island and this must be taken into consideration when planning your development.

Step 9

Find out about its beaches:Find out where the beaches are. In most islands the beach comprises only a portion of the island. It very rare to get islands with 360 degree sand. This means that where the beach is located is important. Firstly, the beach is generally on the opposite side of the prevailing winds, offering a sheltered anchorage. Most people prefer that island also have a western facing beach so that they can watch the sunset. But if this isn’t available, there may be hill or headland which offers a nice place to watch the sunset. While a western facing beach is ideal, sunsets only last for 30 minutes a day, and this should not be a deterrent when considering an island. The quality of the sand is another major consideration that most people dream of. Sand quality depends on two things, the degree of fineness and whiteness. The fineness of the sand is more important than color. Fine brown sand may be preferable to coarse white sand - it's not as nice to look at, but is nicer underfoot, and it's one of the joys of living on an island to walk barefoot along the beach at sunset and sunrise looking for shells. Another important factor you must consider is whether the beach is shallow or steeply dropping off and if it is rocky or sandy. Obviously the ideal beach is fine sand which drops off into deeper water ideal for swimming and snorkeling. If you have a preference that’s important you should inform your broker so they can take that into consideration.

Step 10

Analyze the existing infrastructure. An island with buildings on it will usually need an on-site caretaker, who will water the plants and keep the houses clean. Building infrastructure on an island can also be more costly than on the mainland as all supplies and workmen must be transported by boat. Many islands are virgin islands - they are completely natural, untouched and without infrastructure whatsoever. In that case, there's nothing to consider apart from the potential of the island. But if the island has existing infrastructure such as a resort or residence, then a detailed survey of the quality of those infrastructures should be undertaken before purchase. If you are buying an island with existing infrastructure, make sure that the buildings have all necessary government permits, and possibly take along an architect or building surveyor to give an independent assessment of the value and quality of the buildings, and any damage or repairs that may be necessary.

Step 11

Employ caretakers.

A good caretaker is the single most important thing you can do to protect such a large investment. Since an island is isolated, it is hard to protect while you are not there, and whether it is a short visit away, or you only visit the island seasonally, a caretaker provides much need protection. Most high-end island owners employ full-time caretakers (there's even a newsletter called Caretaker Gazette), while others pay local fishermen to keep an eye on things. Islands in the highly trafficked Caribbean are more susceptible to crime than those in entirely out-of-the-way locations, especially if they have a trespasser-friendly airstrip. Apart from securing the property against unwanted visitors and squatters, the caretaker can look after buildings and equipment, making sure they're all in good order and condition. This is especially important in the tropics where the monsoon can cause severe damage to buildings in a very short period if maintenance is not kept up regularly. While you are there, the caretaker can also act as gardener, handyman and obtain deliveries for you from town. Generally it's wise to employ a couple.

Step 12

Observe its utilities:

A prime consideration when purchasing an island is communications. An island is separated from the mainland, and thus communication is highly important; both for safety, and emergency situations, as well as just ordinary day-to-day living. It's extremely rare for an individual island to have regular utilities such as town water, electricity, telephone lines or even television reception. In the majority of instances, you'll have to be self-sufficient as far as water and electricity go, so that should be factored into your development costs. However, the island may have television reception, or access to a cellular telephone signal. Having access to a cellular network means that communication is cheap and readily available. In some instances, the cellular network can be used to access the Internet. It's a good idea when examining potential islands to take a cellphone, small radio, and hand-held TV set to see what signal is available. But even poor signal from a cellular network can be boosted by the use of an extension antenna. Telephone, Television, internet and radio are all relatively cheaply available nowadays using satellite technology. So don't worry if services are not available from the mainland.

Step 13

Never ignore the land tenure:

Determine your rights of ownership. In many countries ownership of an island only extends as far as the high tide mark, with the beaches below that belonging to the government. In general, this means that you own the island, but cannot develop below the high tide mark and the beaches may therefore not be yours. When buying islands in foreign countries, you should engage an attorney to do a full check of the island's documentation. At the time of inspection, find out who is living in the island, and if they have a legal right to be there. Squatters can be a problem, and great care should be exercised that they are not present before the deal is concluded.

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How to Invest in a Business

It takes money to make money. Once you have a little bit of capital, you can do the wise thing and invest it in a business to try and make your money grow. The challenges, unfortunately, are as large as the rewards, and investing usually isn’t as easy as simply writing a check. In order to make a wise investment in a business, you need to invest more than just your money. After all, you’re becoming a part-owner in the business. Here’s how to invest in a business and, hopefully, make money.

Instructions

1

Consider supply and demand. Does the company produce a product or provide a service that people will need? If it’s a regional business, is there enough of a market for what the business is selling? Be honest with yourself; it’s easy to get wrapped up when it comes to a big opportunity.

2

Finish your research by looking into the future. Representatives of the business in which you’re interested will provide you with all kinds of projections; what they expect the company to make over the next few years. Do these make sense? They’re using educated guesses to predict future revenues. A lot can go wrong and a lot of things can change, so decide if the company’s representatives are providing enough room for error.

3

Consult an investment professional. If you’re investing in a large, public business, you can speak with a broker to confirm or refute your suspicions about the business. The broker can also serve as the middleman between you and the business in which you’re investing.

4

Deal directly with the officers of the business. This can be a lot of fun, especially if you’re getting in on the ground floor of a new company. It’s exciting; knowing you’re a part of a new venture that could change the world. (Or at least provide a nice cushion or pay your child’s tuition.) Dealing with the owners of an established business is a different kind of fun, as some of the risk is reduced.

5

Purchase stocks to invest in a business. While you’ll have less influence on day-to-day operations, you’ll still own a little part of it. There are different kinds of stocks, too. Some allow you to vote on big decisions at stockholder meetings, and some do not. Consider which stocks will pay the highest dividends, giving you an additional source of income.

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