Shopping Product Reviews

Minecraft (XB360)

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Unless you’ve lived under a rock for the past few years, I’m sure you’ve heard of the smash hit title. Minecraft. Last year there was a marketing frenzy with all kinds of Minecraft toys, posters and t-shirts. Minecraft has now become a household name, similar to Pokemon Y Skylanders, to the dismay of many confused parents. The experience has also been quite strange for the casual gamer, as Minecraft it was the first in an open beta for PC and you could actually pay for the game while it was still in development. Finally, developer Mojang and creator Markus Perrson aka Notch released the fully finished game for PC in November 2011. The game was released to Xbox Live Arcade last summer and finally in June 2013 it had a full commercial disc. .

What most confuses people Minecraft It is exactly what it is, but imagine a survival-based LEGO-type sandbox. You will face monsters; They use a deep and robust crafting system and above all they have the ability to make whatever structure your heart desires … or for which you have time. There have been many occasions in my experience with the game (since the beginning of 2011) that have left me in awe. I have seen a variety of custom cities to famous places like the Arch of St. Louis or the Empire State Building. It’s embarrassing to say, but my friend and I even recreated Blizzard’s Karazhan raid dungeon. World of warcraft (Nerds!).

But before you get started on this, you’ll want to learn the basics first. Fortunately, with the Xbox 360 version of the game, they have included a very useful and intuitive level of tutorial before you start your own world. It will cover the basics of digging, farming, combat, structures, and even the basics of lighting to ward off potential enemies at night. If you have never played Minecraft, I recommend that you start here. Heck, I found it useful as a veteran of the PC version only because the controls on the Xbox 360 controller take a while to get used to.

When you finally start the beginning of the game, you will find yourself stranded and very lonely. It is literally a race against time to gather materials to build your first house and locate you before dark. Once the moon and stars come out, a long night awaits you. Monsters like spiders, skeletons and even zombies come out to play and harass the player. This adds up to a very harrowing adventure as a gamer and most of the time it can feel very rewarding when setting up your first base of operations.

However, this does not leave you defenseless. You can make weapons of varying quality to fight the creatures. Take for example a sword, you will need to cut wood from trees to create a workbench, then collect various supplies to make a low quality wooden sword or a basic stone sword. The beauty of the game is that there are so many options and choices available to the player. Just don’t expect the combat to be as refined as let’s say Elder Scrolls: Skyrim.

As the title suggests, you can excavate and extract various materials. In fact, I’d say this is where most of the beginning of the game will take place. The best crafting materials are usually underground, such as the Fundamental Diamond that is the Holy Grail of any Minecraft player. I will say that if you can’t bear to do the same thing over and over again, this can be an uneventful part of the game. Although if you are lucky or steadfast, you will eventually discover a rare crafting material or a lost cavern to explore.

That’s the best of Minecraft en: even the most mundane or boring parts of the game can lead to something extraordinary. With such a vast area to explore (although the Xbox 360 version of the game map is actually smaller, but still gigantic) you will surely find something to do. One of the best parts of the Xbox 360 version of the game is the split-screen multiplayer. You can have 4 people on one screen at the same time. Sure, it can be difficult to read certain text on TV, but it’s still fun to invite your friends over and share the experience with you, or heck, even online.

If you’ve played the game on PC, there’s no real reason to choose it on Xbox 360. The various things exclusive to the PC game make it superior, like free character skins and faster updates, but that’s not to say that the Xbox The 360 ​​version is a black sheep. It is very rewarding and an incredibly different game than any you have ever played before. Again, if you’ve somehow avoided playing this game for so long, get off the computer and buy this one-title watch right away. Also, come to Slackers and buy a Minecraft Creeper t-shirt, poster or action figure!

Sports

Buffalo Bills NFL 2009 Season Betting Picks Preview

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The 2009 NFL season is fast approaching and fans on each team are eager for some NFL betting action. Nothing beats the excitement of betting on live games and the next NFL season should be no different. Buffalo Bills fans are cautiously optimistic this year (almost like every year) that they will be a playoff contender again. However, if you’re checking out NFL football picks on the internet, you probably still haven’t found Buffalo entered into the Super Bowl. Many questions remain at the start of the 2009 campaign. Let’s see what to expect.

The good news: The biggest news in Buffalo Bill Land is the addition of Terrell Owens. That’s right … TO is in town. He brings with him a lot of experience and skill to break the game. When he’s motivated, his talent level is as good as any receiver in the league right now. Although it may be a slower pace than it used to be, it still has some play. This signing not only brings with it a certain ability to help the team on the field, but it also energizes the fan base. The Bills finally got a big-name player to come to their team. This means a revitalized group of fans should be lining up to watch the team in Week 1. The Bills also landed a good running back spot in Dominic Rhodes. He probably won’t come in and unseat Marshawn Lynch any time soon, but he will be there to run the ball if Lynch can’t stay healthy. They also got a good defensive end from Penn State in Aaron Maybin. They got a good football player in their first round who can team up with Penn State alumnus Paul Posluszny and anchor the defense.

The bad news: Although TO obviously brings a lot of talent and style with him, he obviously has some baggage too. Buffalo fans are hoping Trent Edwards can block the constant abuse that is sure to draw from TO on the sidelines. TO has a notorious reputation for being a locker room cancer, so why would it be any different here? The only advantage of this situation is that Owens knows that he must behave in the best way. There weren’t exactly many teams pounding on his door after Jerry Jones gave him the ax last year. In addition to the TO saga, the Bills also lost two good offensive linemen in Jason Peters and Derrick Dockery. Peters was a Pro Bowl left tackle, which isn’t exactly easy to find. While many would say he’s overrated, considering he gave up more sacks than any other LT last year, he still has some game left. Can the offensive line come together without two cornerstones from previous years? That remains to be seen.

Panorama: Although the Bills have some talent, don’t look for them to win the division this year. They still play in the same division as the Patriots and a certain Pro Bowl quarterback is healthy again. Look for them to fight the Jets for third place in the division this year. If you’re looking for NFL free-bet picks, I still wouldn’t put my money in the Bills to win their division.

Tours Travel

A luxury weekend in Washington DC

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The capital of the United States and the home of American politics and government, Washington DC is anything but suffocating. Despite the unrivaled history that draws visitors each year, travelers will find an exciting and often modern metropolis awaiting them, with plenty of alternative things to do and magnificent luxury hotels.

Get in and move

As you would expect of a capital, Washington is well connected by air and rail. Once inside the city, it is a walker’s paradise: compact and easy to navigate, all the sights can be reached on foot. For those who want to go a little further, the subway offers excellent service to Georgetown and beyond. Alternatively, taxis are more expensive but reasonable within city limits.

Luxury Hotels in Washington DC

Thanks to the large number of visitors who come to the city each year for both business and pleasure, there are many luxury hotels in Washington DC that offer great locations and comfort for a cozy weekend. Try the ultra-chic Hotel George: a boutique hotel with a chic French restaurant, plenty of nods to the city’s favorite dad George Washington (including a pop-art portrait in the lobby), and commendable eco-friendly credentials.

Sightseeing in the mall

The National Mall in Washington DC is where crowds inevitably go – this unique park is filled with monuments, museums, and government buildings that not only personify American history, but are also recognized by people around the world. Infamous sights include the White House, the United States Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Reflecting Pool. There is certainly no need to worry about a map here, just take a stroll and marvel at the power that emanates from every corner.

Inside, tourists can also enjoy a collection of world-class museums along the Mall, such as the National Gallery of Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Air and Space Museum, and the International Spy Museum. These are mainly on the east side.

Alternative attractions

Although the mall is not to be missed, and has more than enough to keep travelers busy for a month, there are plenty of other attractions away from the hordes. Visit the National Zoo in Woodley Park or the National Arboretum (northeast) and Kenilworth Water Gardens in Anacostia if nature sparks your interest.

Or, if you love architecture, head to Embassy Row for a breathtaking view of historic and modernist mansions. Picturesque Georgetown is another perfect area to stroll and visit the beautiful colonial buildings and the Jesuit university campus. Further afield, the magnificent National Catholic Sanctuary is equally worth the trip.

Technology

Aeon Guide Review – How Does SWTOR Aeon Guide Work?

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Want to learn more about the recently released SWTOR Aeon Guide and the types of strategies included in it? These guides include the latest information on the game Star Wars: The Old Republic. It is a set of professionally written guides on this game, and there are very few strategy guides in the game at the moment. The guides cover all aspects of the game, including PVP, leveling, solos, missions, items, stats, endgame, tank, DSP, healing, bundling, and endgame tactics.

1. How have the Aeon Guide Strategy Guides worked for me so far?

This guide has definitely saved me many hours of research and play compared to what I was doing before I started following the methods in this guide. It has helped me set the perfect build and save time by maximizing all of the characters’ abilities. PVP strategies have been some of the most effective I’ve used in this game so far, leveling up my guys far better than any other method I’ve learned on the internet and game forums.

2. Why is it important to learn the best optimized builds in Aeon Guide when playing the SWTOR game?

If you have experience playing this game, you probably already know how important it is to have the proper settings to progress quickly through the game. Many players are willing to do a lot and spend a lot of time just making small adjustments.

The Aeon Guide covers healers and tank builds, as well as item and gear strategies to maximize those builds. All research is documented in PDF guides, which show all test results and mathematical results of using various elements and rotations for different builds.

3. Does the Aeon Guide really work? Can its creators be trusted?

From what I’ve seen inside so far, the guides are written by some of the best players in the MMO guilds. I must admit that I was not very used to some of the faster and more advanced strategies and how to apply them. If you’ve been too used to doing things your way, you’ll probably be amazed at the advanced PVP builds and leveling methods it contains. The included class guides showed me exactly where to put each talent point I earn to maximize my spells and abilities.

Business

IRS Payment Plans: Why Keeping Up With Estimated Tax Payments Is So Important

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An IRS tax official has told you to be up to date on your federal tax filing and payment. So what does it mean to be up to date with estimated tax payments from the IRS? How important is this to getting a tax ruling from the IRS? Read on for the answers to these questions and other related concerns.

Making Estimated Tax Payments: What Does It Mean to Stay Current?

You are trying to negotiate with the IRS to end last year’s tax problems, however the current year is still underway. As the current year draws to a close, you will incur a new liability for that year. By April 15 of the following year, the US tax authorities expect you to pay what is owed regardless of whether you have paid tax owed from previous years or not, as they want you to avoid accumulating new tax debts. In order for the IRS to allow you to pay your taxes for your previous years, you must make sure that your current year’s taxes are paid.

Why You Should Follow Estimated Tax Rules

If you are not up to date with your tax payments, the IRS or local tax authorities will not consider any of your proposed payment plans (although there are some exceptions that apply). A question that is often asked is: “Why can’t these tax authorities transfer my tax debt from the current year to the monthly installments I pay to eventually pay off my debt?”

This is one of the most common misconceptions about back taxes. The IRS does not operate like a credit card company that allows you to make a partial payment each month while adding new liabilities to your balance. No, the federal tax system is unique. A new automatically incurred tax liability will violate any previous agreement you have had with the IRS. The IRS will now consider you a “bad” taxpayer who repeatedly falls behind on payments, making your situation worse. (Side note: You must be current if you want the Notice of Federal Tax Lien withdrawn.)

The above principle also applies to an Offer in Compromise (OIC) accepted by the IRS. Once an OIC is accepted, the taxpayer cannot incur new tax debt for the next five years or until the offer amount is paid in full. If you incur new tax debt within that time period, the IRS will default on your offer in compromise and will reinstate the full amount of your original liability with interest.

Additionally, to negotiate installment agreements, you must also be up to date with estimated tax payments and federal tax deposits. Taxpayers often fail to negotiate a payment agreement with the IRS because they do not submit the proper documentation and their estimated tax payments on Collection Information Statements.

In general, the requirement to “stay current” is extremely difficult for most people and we fully agree on this. For salaried employees (W-2), estimated tax may be easier to manage since only a deposit is required. But for companies with unpaid payroll taxes, it is much more difficult. Unfortunately, whether it’s simple or difficult to administer, the fact is, you must be tax compliant to get a ruling from the IRS.

How to avoid estimated tax penalties and ensure the best tax resolution

If you are an employee, make sure enough tax is deducted from your base salary so that you can avoid paying estimated taxes. If you are an employer, follow the deposit schedule diligently and file Form 941 quarterly and Form 940 annually. If you are self-employed, calculate and make estimated tax payments using Form 1040-ES. This form contains four pay stubs that you can use to make your quarterly payments for the current year. Complete the appropriate voucher, attach your check, and mail it to the IRS every quarter to stay current.

Home Kitchen

Pantry Cabinet Features

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Pantry cabinets are a great kitchen cabinet to have in your home for many reasons because they have certain attributes and characteristics that make them unique. They are the ideal place to store food in order to keep it fresh for as long as possible. They are a great way to save money and also a way to stay organized. If you have a true pantry cabinet in your kitchen, your family will be better off with it.

One of the main reasons homeowners like to have a kitchen pantry is to save money. Ways to save money with pantry cabinets are by staying organized and buying in bulk. I don’t know how many times I’ve bought a can of something at the grocery store only to find that I already had a can hidden in the back of my kitchen cabinet where I couldn’t see it. We end up spending money on food that is buried in the back of normal kitchen cabinets and then replaced because we don’t know we already have it. The pantry shelves are either very shallow so you can see the entire shelf or can be moved so you can see the items in the back more easily. If your pantry shelves are moved, they will do so in two ways. Some pantry shelves pull out like drawers because they are on rails. Other shelves in the pantry are Lazy Susans that rotate around three hundred and sixty degrees in either direction. If you can see the food you have, you won’t spend money buying things you don’t need.

Most pantry cabinets have another feature that contributes to the other way of saving money with pantry cabinets. That second attribute is that they are tall and large cabinets and are not restricted to the space above or below the kitchen counter. Because kitchen pantries are generally large, they can store much more food than you might need in a week or even two. Because you have the storage, you can buy your canned goods and dry foods in bulk, saving you money. Also, if you have several different types of canned goods on hand, you may be able to whip up a fairly inexpensive meal on short notice instead of spending money on takeout or delivery.

Another benefit of having kitchen pantry storage is that it is better organized and therefore your kitchen is more efficient. Pantry shelves and pantry organizers are a natural way to stay organized. Knowing exactly where to look will help you prepare food more quickly, and your movements and actions in the kitchen will be more purposeful and you will be more efficient with your time and energy.

Auto

Six cheapest and best-selling hybrid cars

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If you are planning to go green, then you must take that passion and apply it to your cars as well. Today, you will find a multitude of fuel-efficient cars that consume less fuel than normal ones, helping to conserve the environment. These hybrid cars are equipped with a gasoline engine and an electric motor. But going green doesn’t necessarily mean skipping the style and the exterior. As manufacturers have now begun to combine the two, hybrid cars are selling like hotcakes.

Here is my list of the most popular and top-notch hybrid cars. The next six best-selling hybrid cars also have a lot of luxury features, which makes them so attractive and expensive, of course.

Toyota Prius hybrid:

It’s definitely not as big as the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (mentioned later), but the Escalade’s sales are nothing compared to the Prius’s selling power. In reality, the Prius is the best-selling hybrid car on the market. Eco-friendly people love it for its excellent fuel economy and exterior design, which has become their trademark style. The latest version is bigger and more comfortable and it also has solar panels on the roof (which don’t ruin its overall look if that worries you). The cheapest of all on the list, it is attractively priced at $ 24,200.

Cadillac Hybrid Escalade:

This fabulous car is a perfect example of how you don’t have to skip the glitter to save the environment. It’s the world’s first full-size luxury hybrid SUV and therefore comes at a whopping $ 73,850 price tag. I wouldn’t skip this one if I were you because it has features that are worth the price. It has a powerful V-8 engine and can seat eight passengers. Its high-tech interior features include: an ultrasonic rear parking assist, a rear-view camera, and music control that automatically adjusts for background noise. It comes with a 25% improvement in fuel economy when evaluated with the standard Escalade. Obviously it doesn’t save as much fuel as smaller standard hybrid cars, but if you’re looking to combine luxury, space and utility and a greener vehicle, then I’d recommend the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.

Lexus LS600h

For those of you who wish to opt for a smaller but equally luxurious car like the Cadilac Hybrid Escalade, this is for you. It is the largest and most luxurious car produced by Toyota (which is the parent company of Lexus). It is different and unique both in external and internal aspects. The electric motor can propel the car at slower speeds to save gasoline and provide a power boost to the gasoline engine’s fuel economy at its best. I would recommend this if you want to combine an exciting ride with eco-driving. Its interior is equally beautiful with a combination of elegant leather and wood. All Lexus vehicles have a remote touch interface (RTI), but this particular 12.3-inch version is more eye-catching than the road. It even has a rear seat entertainment system with a cool underarm footrest for cool drinks. Obviously, with all these wacky features, this car is priced at $ 119,910, which beats that of the Escalade.

Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

If you are looking for a family vehicle that can carry a large number of people as well as luggage and is environmentally friendly, then the Toyota Highlander Hybrid is the perfect fit for you. It seats seven people and has plenty of room for luggage, sports equipment, etc. It has a sophisticated powertrain with a 3.5-liter V6 engine accompanied by two electric motors instead of the usual one. It gives you up to 37 percent more fuel economy. It is also quite strong externally and is capable of withstanding tough conditions and uneven dirt roads without any problems. Internally, as mentioned above, it is spacious with plenty of legroom. It is equipped with the latest technology, such as a “Display Audio” multimedia system with a 6.1-inch touch screen and Toyota’s Entune service, which offers applications such as Bing search services, iheartradio.com and Pandora music. The $ 46,370 price tag in my opinion is quite reasonable and affordable considering all the features it has to offer.

Honda Civic Hybrid:

The Honda Civic Hybrid is one of the most affordable hybrid cars on the market, so it automatically earns a spot on this list. It is not much different from the standard Civic model, which makes it difficult to distinguish. Its gas-electric powertrain consists of a 1.5-liter inline four-cylinder i-VTEC engine that is combined with an electric motor to deliver 110 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque. The exterior is the same as the Civic, but the latest model has been updated with slightly different features and a better interior as well. The air vents have been revised and the cabin has been made more soundproof. In general, the driving experience is also quite pleasant; it is easy to handle and accelerates well. It is reasonably priced at $ 24,360. However, lately its price has been overtaken by the cheaper Honda Insight.

Toyota Camry hybrid:

Another Toyota car on the list, which is not surprising considering that Toyota offers some of the best-selling and most popular hybrid cars. Like the Highlander Hybrid, this all-in-one also offers excellent performance and a comfortable, spacious interior. The engine is a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle inline four-cylinder gasoline combined with an electric motor. The car is available in two versions: LE and XLE. The former has all the basic features like air conditioning, keyless entry, cruise control, etc. The XLE is a more advanced version with extra cool features like a 6.1-inch touchscreen and a leather-strap steering wheel with audio control. In contrast to the standard Camry, overall, there is a 26% improvement in fuel economy. Pricing is reasonable at $ 26,140 and the XLE version costs $ 1,530 more.

Digital Marketing

5 Social Media Marketing Strategies to Improve Your Efforts in 2017

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Social media is considered the number one daily activity among Americans and 76% of Facebook users worldwide visit the site on a daily basis. An average time spent sending emails and to Google is more than anything else. An investigation concluded that 93% of marketers use social media platforms to promote their business. Social networks are getting bigger every day. If you are not using social media for your brand, you are simply ignoring a large number of customers. Here are some social media strategies to boost your online presence.

Create a game plan and stick to it

Not having an execution strategy means your content is a total waste. Set limits on the number of tweets you want to post per day. This number can vary based on requirement, but you need to post at least four tweets in a day just to set a benchmark. Before setting a fixed number, first study your competitors, study SMO Company, how much they are publishing in a day because it is important to be active but not too active. Compile your content so that it is easy to read and useful when needed. Prepare your content a week in advance, but also be ready to make the appropriate changes.

Treat each social media platform as an individual entity

Each platform must be treated as a different or separate entity. There is content that you can share on all platforms and there is other content such as a joke that is not suitable for LinkedIn. You need to make a strategy so that the content is suitable for each platform. You can share business related stuff on LinkedIn, but since Instagram is a more visually driven platform, you need to share more images to attract more audience to your account. While most of the time you can share anything on Twitter and Facebook, these are platforms where you can share your opinions on a particular topic or you can ask others to share their opinions as well. Paying attention to the demographics of your followers on each platform will help you prepare content that may appeal to them.

Go the extra mile in customer service

Whenever a visitor doesn’t get a response when they post to your Facebook page or tweet to your account, trust is lost. Due to this lack of communication, you will turn to your competitor (SMO Media Agency) for all the answers to your questions. But if you respond in time, you will be very impressed and flattered by your company. The chances of you becoming one of your loyal customers increase. Responding on time and solving problems are two of the key points to win the heart of your client and retain your brand forever. It is humanizing to take the time to respond to a personal inquiry that also strengthens your authority. Sometimes people make negative comments about their accounts, at that point without panicking, see what you can do to change that negative comment into a positive one. Increase the level of its services; Ask each client what are the things or areas in which they think they are lacking. Improve those things so that the next time the customer comes back to you, they can feel the change and appreciate it for not ignoring their feedback.

Accept setbacks

In this fast-paced world of social media, mistakes are inevitable. Accept these setbacks instead of just ignoring them. Little mistake like missing comma is not that important to make ad, people must have already noticed and decided to ignore it, but if you keep posting it will only create disaster. But sometimes the problem is bigger than that, such as wrong product delivery, in that case, proactively respond by being active and apologetic and letting your customer know what your next step will be so that your customer knows that you are actively working. to do things right. No matter what big mistake he made, don’t feel sad, hug him, apologize for him, and correct things.

Track & Talk

Follow-up is often seen as slow and tedious. But it only takes a few hours a month to track things, to track whether your strategy is generating correct results or not. What are the things you can change to increase your production further? Always keep track of your follower count, your post reach, post sharing, likes on a particular post, what time frame the audience responds the most. Keep a list of hashtags that are suitable for your business and others that may not be suitable for your brand but are powerful. Study what your competitors are doing, follow them and get ahead of them.

Relationship

The 15 best Christian books for children

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One way to instill godly principles in your children is to read Christian books to them from an early age. Even babies and young children benefit from hearing God’s truth on a daily basis, and colorful picture books are a great way to expose them to biblical principles.

As editor of the Christian Children’s Book Review, I see a lot of books published for children of Christian families. Some are boring at best, but here are some gems no family should be without.

Adeline by Kathryn Rathke. In this charming tale, a girl who loves Valentine’s Day learns a lesson about the ultimate Valentine: God. For children ages 4 and up. (Baker Books, 2004)

Animal Bible Friends by Matt Mitter. With vivid illustrations, googly-eyed animals, and rhyming text reminiscent of popular nursery rhymes, babies, toddlers, and preschoolers will love this volume. This book is a great way to start introducing Biblical stories like Balaam and his donkey, the Egyptian plague, how ravens fed Elijah, and more. (Multnomah, 2007)

Big thoughts for little thinkers by Joey Allen. This is actually a series of four books: Scripture, The Gospel, The Trinity, and The Mission. Here’s a clever talk about what the Bible and specific Christian tenants are, explained in a way that young children (3-7 years old) can understand and enjoy. (New Leaf Press, 2005)

God’s wisdom for girls by Elizabeth George. If you have a girl, one of the key things you can teach her is what a Proverbs 31 woman is. George does an excellent job of explaining this important passage to girls ages 5 to 8. (Harvest House Publishers, 2000)

I can talk to god by Debby Anderson. When it comes time to teach your children to pray, this book is an excellent tool. The images are bright and colorful, and the truths of how to pray (and how God might respond) are told in an engaging and fun way. For children ages 2 to 5 (Crossway Books, 2003)

I would be your hero Y I would be your princess by Kathryn O’Brien. For children ages 4-8, these books (one designed for boys, the other for girls) explain the divine characteristics and how important they are. I would be your princess won the Gold Medallion Book Award in recognition of excellence in evangelical Christian literature. (Standard, 2004 and 2005)

Biblical Storybook for Little Girls Y Biblical Storybook for Toddlers by Carolyn Larsen are great choices for children ages 6 to 9. Each tells Bible stories in an engaging way, and there are study sections to help children understand important Bible concepts. Best of all, there are ideas for parents on how to discuss these concepts with their children. (Baker Books, 1998)

Little God made you by Amy Warren Hilliker. I started reading this book to my daughter when she was a child. She is now two years old and she still loves it! The text is extremely simple and establishes an important fact: God made you and loves you just the way you are. For children under 4 years old. (Zonderkidz, 2004)

Bible verses for the little one by Stephen Elkins is a great way to introduce the word of God to even the smallest babies. With sweet illustrations of children and babies, most notable quotes from the Psalms, this is an excellent first “Bible”. (Broadman and Holman, 2003)

Parables Jesus told by Ella K. Lindvall. Using simple words and colorful pictures, this book retells five parables, each ending with a brief explanation of how to apply the story to real life. The book is designed for children ages 4-8, but many younger children will enjoy it too. (Moody Publishers, 2000) Sidney and Norman, the tale of two pigs by Phil Vischer. The pigs Sidney and Norman are opposites. One is messy, the other is tidy. One seems to always be successful, the other never. Then they both meet with God. One pig learns that God loves him just the way he is, while the other learns that God loves everyone … even messy neighbors. (Tommy Nelson, 2006)

The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones is an ideal Bible for children ages 4-8, detailing 43 stories from Genesis to Revelation. Each story in some way relates to Jesus and who he is, giving children an overview of what God is. The text is attractive, as are the illustrations. (Zonderkidz, 2007)

The Lord is My Shepherd by Hans Wilhem. The greatness of this book is its simplicity. The text of Psalm 23, one of the most beautiful and comforting passages in the Bible, is paraphrased in child-friendly language that closely adheres to a modern translation. This book is another great way to introduce God’s Word to even the youngest children. For babies onwards. (Scholastic, 2007)

Wait till then by Randy Alcorn. Any parent who wants to explain what happens to us when we die, how to deal with the death of a loved one, and how to deal with serious disappointment will want to read this book with their child. Beautifully written and illustrated, for ages 9-12 (Tyndale, 2007)

Will: God’s mighty warrior by Sheila Walsh. Very few Christian books are specifically directed at children, so Willpower is a welcome addition. For children ages 4-8, this book teaches children about the armor of God in a child-friendly way. (Thomas Nelson, 2006)

Gaming

History of Tower Defense games

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Currently, one of the most anticipated and talked about flash game series in the world is undoubtedly Gemcraft. In recent years, tower defense games have become immensely popular and the end of the madness is not in sight. Let’s take a look at the origin of these games and find out which games contributed to the current success of the genres.

For those unfamiliar, Tower Defense or simply TD is a sub-genre of real-time strategy computer games like Starcraft. The player’s goal is to try to prevent enemies from crossing the map by building towers that shoot and damage them when they pass by. Enemies and towers often have varying abilities and costs and these get better and higher as the game progresses. When an enemy is defeated, the player earns money or points, which are used to buy or upgrade towers. The choice and positioning of the towers is the fundamental strategy of the game. Enemies generally run through a maze that allows the player to strategically place towers, but there are also versions of the game where the user must create the maze with their own towers, such as Desktop Tower Defense. Some versions are a hybrid of these two types, with preset routes that can be modified to some extent by the location of the tower.

Tower Defense has its roots in the strategy classic Rampart, an arcade game from 1990. The game consisted of defending a castle by placing cannons and making repairs between several rounds of attacks. Its success resulted in the game being carried over to various platforms including Super NES, Game Boy, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Gamecube, and most recently the PlayStation Network to deliver multiplayer action. In the new millennium, tower defense games began to appear on user-created maps for Starcraft, Age of Empires II, and Warcraft III. Using buildings or defensive units as towers, these custom maps filled the lobbies online.

Eventually, independent game developers began using Adobe Flash to create independent tower defense browser games, leading to the influential release of Desktop Tower Defense in March 2007. Hundreds of themes and variations have been tested in recent years. game, including space. and medieval settings. Kid-friendly versions appeared in which players were popping balloons or protecting a picnic from ants. Protector was released in late 2007 and was immediately ranked among the best, offering classes and specialization upgrades. More recently, it was Gemcraft who took the crown by offering a new twist to gameplay, the ability to combine towers.

The future looks bright for this genre and upcoming titles like Gemcraft Chapter Two and Bloons Tower Defense 6 are sure to set the bar even higher.