Internet Fraud and Web Scams - How to surf the web safely
Use our internet safety tips to protect you and your family from internet scams so that you can make purchases online and surf the web without fear
The internet today is one of the widest reaching forms of media the world has ever seen. Many people feel safe and anonymous when exchanging emails, chatting on-line, purchasing items and doing research.
All scams that have been done via other mediums over the years can be done even easier because of the anonymity of the internet. The con artists will use the chat rooms to tout their product, send unsolicited emails and build web sites to attract you to them. Try to keep aware of these scams and recognize them for what they are. A little caution will go along way.
Email Scams are a top concern
Unsolicited emails are a top complaint among web users. They are annoying and make it hard to go through your email without accidently deleting a real message. There is one important fact you need to know about these email messages: A lot of them are scams. Email scams work very well. That's why there is so much spam. If it didn't work no one would bother sending them.
Some of the more popular email scams are chain letters, bulk email solicitation, credit repair, guaranteed loans, diet scams, vacation giveaways, investment opportunites, online dating scams and cable descrambler kits. These are just a few of the email scams that arrive in mailboxes every day. Responding to unsolicited emails is risky business. Legitimate businesses don't advertise using this tactic.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
surf school 49
Florida, a mere 150 steps from beautiful white sand beaches and gorgeous emerald water. Blue Surf features an unobstructed view of the Gulf and is located within easy walking distance of restaurants, bars, a winery and shopping...and just a short drive from the Silver Sands Outlet Mall and numerous golf courses. Blue Surf in Destin offers something for everyone
surf school 48
In essence, Audiosurf is a music visualizer with rhythm/music gameplay. The game's environments are dynamically generated based on any song the player picks from his music library, supporting file types such as cda (music disc), mp3, ogg, wma and songs from iTunes. Most of the levels are futuristic floating worlds, where the song is represented as a race track. With the tag line Ride Your Music, colors are bright, elevation and hills match the game's tempo and synchronize the visuals. Intense actions go downhill at a fast speed or take place in tunnels, while slow build-ups go up slopes. Beats usually lead to small and regular hills. There are many objects along the track that move along the game's rhythm. As a game, it introduces a vehicle on the race track with an overall design similar to the Wipeout games. Players are not able to alter the vehicle's speed, which is controlled by the current song's rhythm, but can move left or right.
Next to freerides with no specific goals game elements, gameplay has been divided into different modes based on three difficulty levels. Players usually have to hit or avoid certain blocks, or use the different colors to build combinations of blocks on a grid. As well as the environment, the series of blocks match the game rhythm and a small sound (from four variations) can be set to go along with the music. The core elements mix the matching system of Guitar Hero with the dynamic gameplay of games such as musika or Phase, even carrying hints of Lumines or Klax.
The music can be chosen from anywhere on the hard drive, but the game also includes a radio where freeware songs can be played. The vehicle on the tracks can be controlled using the mouse of the keyboard, but in the Double Vision mode with two vehicles both have to be used at the same time, or are controlled by two players simultaneously. There are no weapons, but certain modes allow the player to push objects to another column on the grid, hold on to blocks, shuffle them or destroy certain colors. In the modes with multiple colors, there are special blocks with additional points, multipliers and icons that turn all blocks on the grid into a certain color. The player cannot die. Instead, a short respawning phase is shown where no blocks can be hit. There is a tutorial, and a freeride mode where the scenery can be admired without gameplay elements.
Next to points acquired during the race, additional trophies are awarded afterwards based on skill. The tracks are automatically divided into three levels of achievements (bronze, silver and gold) with a set amount of points. Individual rankings are kept for each of the songs, divided over the game modes and difficulty levels. Further filters can limit the lists to the player's country, friends on his list or recent plays. The player can also alter the colours of the different blocks.
Next to freerides with no specific goals game elements, gameplay has been divided into different modes based on three difficulty levels. Players usually have to hit or avoid certain blocks, or use the different colors to build combinations of blocks on a grid. As well as the environment, the series of blocks match the game rhythm and a small sound (from four variations) can be set to go along with the music. The core elements mix the matching system of Guitar Hero with the dynamic gameplay of games such as musika or Phase, even carrying hints of Lumines or Klax.
The music can be chosen from anywhere on the hard drive, but the game also includes a radio where freeware songs can be played. The vehicle on the tracks can be controlled using the mouse of the keyboard, but in the Double Vision mode with two vehicles both have to be used at the same time, or are controlled by two players simultaneously. There are no weapons, but certain modes allow the player to push objects to another column on the grid, hold on to blocks, shuffle them or destroy certain colors. In the modes with multiple colors, there are special blocks with additional points, multipliers and icons that turn all blocks on the grid into a certain color. The player cannot die. Instead, a short respawning phase is shown where no blocks can be hit. There is a tutorial, and a freeride mode where the scenery can be admired without gameplay elements.
Next to points acquired during the race, additional trophies are awarded afterwards based on skill. The tracks are automatically divided into three levels of achievements (bronze, silver and gold) with a set amount of points. Individual rankings are kept for each of the songs, divided over the game modes and difficulty levels. Further filters can limit the lists to the player's country, friends on his list or recent plays. The player can also alter the colours of the different blocks.
surf school 47
Next up in the download queue is Audio Surf, distrubited by valve for the PC.
JUNG
It’s a music adaption game, which builds a track and sets the race speed and theme based on which song you select to race with. Think R-type meets screensaver meets guitar hero meets coloumns. It comes packaged with the orangebox soundtrack as well.
BAJO
There’s nothing like groving out to your own music, and interacting with it at the same time. There’s three difficulty settings and about 11 characters to choose from each with their own abilities, such as picking up blocks and moving them, or jumping over solid blocks.
JUNG
But you can customise the game to suit your play style – so you can just chillax and freeride with some beach music, or go nuts with some techno and really stress yourself out.
BAJO
You get points by lining up colours, and you can play co-op with a friend. You get points by lining up colours, and you can then compare them against local or global leaderboards. It was actually kinda fun to chill out to, but it didn’t really hold my attention for long. I’m giving it 7/10.
JUNG
I thought there could have had a bit more variety in themes and sound effects, but we only have an early build of the game so the final version may have more. I’m giving it a tentative 7.
JUNG
It’s a music adaption game, which builds a track and sets the race speed and theme based on which song you select to race with. Think R-type meets screensaver meets guitar hero meets coloumns. It comes packaged with the orangebox soundtrack as well.
BAJO
There’s nothing like groving out to your own music, and interacting with it at the same time. There’s three difficulty settings and about 11 characters to choose from each with their own abilities, such as picking up blocks and moving them, or jumping over solid blocks.
JUNG
But you can customise the game to suit your play style – so you can just chillax and freeride with some beach music, or go nuts with some techno and really stress yourself out.
BAJO
You get points by lining up colours, and you can play co-op with a friend. You get points by lining up colours, and you can then compare them against local or global leaderboards. It was actually kinda fun to chill out to, but it didn’t really hold my attention for long. I’m giving it 7/10.
JUNG
I thought there could have had a bit more variety in themes and sound effects, but we only have an early build of the game so the final version may have more. I’m giving it a tentative 7.
surf school 45
own music to create your own experience. The shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song you choose. You earn points for clustering together blocks of the same color on the highway, and compete with others on the internet for the high score on your favorite songs.
Audiosurf on Steam includes The Orange Box soundtrack, integrated with the game to enable"Still Alive"surfing and more. In addition, Audiosurf is one of the first titles to leverage the recently announced Steamworks, offering full support for the Steam Achievements that appear on Steam Community profile pages.
Play with any music from your own collection--the game supports MP3s, iTunes M4As, WMAs, CDs and OGGs
Valve's The Orange Box Original Soundtrack is included.
Online scoreboards for each song you play.
Choose your strategy from 14 available characters.
Audiosurf on Steam includes The Orange Box soundtrack, integrated with the game to enable"Still Alive"surfing and more. In addition, Audiosurf is one of the first titles to leverage the recently announced Steamworks, offering full support for the Steam Achievements that appear on Steam Community profile pages.
Play with any music from your own collection--the game supports MP3s, iTunes M4As, WMAs, CDs and OGGs
Valve's The Orange Box Original Soundtrack is included.
Online scoreboards for each song you play.
Choose your strategy from 14 available characters.
surf school 44
While the world of PC gaming may be in "disarray" for those still turning out big beefy blokey shooters, for those who like to take their gaming with just a dash of indie spirit and bedroom coder verve the PC is in pretty good shape. In large part this is down to digital distribution nozzles like Steam, which allow smaller developers to get their games into our grasping paws without the need to jump through the traditional publishing hoops.
So it is for Audiosurf, which made us say nice things when it paraded around in a metaphorical swimsuit at the gamesy beauty pageant we call Independent Games Festival. We only looked at it one month ago, and yet here's the game - ready and waiting to be downloaded by anyone with USD 9.95 (or your local equivalent). So big whoops and kisses for digital distribution, and a cheeky pat on the bottom for Dylan Fitterer, the talented programmer responsible.
As those who've been paying attention will know, Audiosurf is a bit like Rez. And a bit like Amplitude. And a bit like Tetris. And a bit like Vib Ribbon. Yet rather than coming across as a gruesome mash-up of other people's ideas, it cleverly takes the best ideas from each and turns them into something that's both instantly familiar and enjoyably fresh all at the same time.
'Audiosurf' Screenshot 1
Double Vision mode requires one player on the keyboard, one on the mouse. It can be done solo, but only be ambidextrous freaks.
You control a vehicle speeding along an undulating track. There are three lanes, each populated by colour-coded blocks that reach the bottom of the screen in time to the music. Shoulder lanes on either side are free from blocks, allowing you to catch your breath. Superimposed on the track is a grid, seven squares down by three across. Any blocks you hit appear in the grid relative to their location. So if you pick up a red block in the right hand lane, it goes into the right-hand column of the grid. The aim is to match blocks in groups of three, which removes them from the grid and makes room for more. Allow any column to overflow, and the blocks are destroyed leaving you unable to pick up any more for a short time. Confused? Just watch a quick video and it'll become clear.
So it is for Audiosurf, which made us say nice things when it paraded around in a metaphorical swimsuit at the gamesy beauty pageant we call Independent Games Festival. We only looked at it one month ago, and yet here's the game - ready and waiting to be downloaded by anyone with USD 9.95 (or your local equivalent). So big whoops and kisses for digital distribution, and a cheeky pat on the bottom for Dylan Fitterer, the talented programmer responsible.
As those who've been paying attention will know, Audiosurf is a bit like Rez. And a bit like Amplitude. And a bit like Tetris. And a bit like Vib Ribbon. Yet rather than coming across as a gruesome mash-up of other people's ideas, it cleverly takes the best ideas from each and turns them into something that's both instantly familiar and enjoyably fresh all at the same time.
'Audiosurf' Screenshot 1
Double Vision mode requires one player on the keyboard, one on the mouse. It can be done solo, but only be ambidextrous freaks.
You control a vehicle speeding along an undulating track. There are three lanes, each populated by colour-coded blocks that reach the bottom of the screen in time to the music. Shoulder lanes on either side are free from blocks, allowing you to catch your breath. Superimposed on the track is a grid, seven squares down by three across. Any blocks you hit appear in the grid relative to their location. So if you pick up a red block in the right hand lane, it goes into the right-hand column of the grid. The aim is to match blocks in groups of three, which removes them from the grid and makes room for more. Allow any column to overflow, and the blocks are destroyed leaving you unable to pick up any more for a short time. Confused? Just watch a quick video and it'll become clear.
surf school 43
Laguna Surf is set right on the ocean in Laguna Beach, one of California's most popular seaside resorts. Set atop a bluff, the resort overlooks a one-mile stretch of beach. Disneyland is only a 45-minute drive from the resort. In addition, Knott's Berry Farm, the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and the Del Mar Racetrack are within a 60-mile radius. Enjoy the view from the observation deck or while soaking in the whirlpool spa on the rooftop sundeck.All units at Laguna Surf are air- conditioned and have a fireplace, television, dishwasher, microwave oven and refrigerator with ice maker. All units 1BR OCC: Max 4/Pri 4 have 1 or 2 baths, 1 queen bed, and 1 double murphy bed. Each unit is assigned 1 parking space: guests will be charged a daily fee for additional parking spaces. Please contact the resort for details. The City of Laguna Beach requires a Transient Occupancy Tax to be collected by the resort. The tax is approximate US$14 per night and is subject to change without notice. No pets are allowed on the property. There are very few Ocean View units at this resort. Most units overlook a busy downtown street of the quaint City of Laguna Beach and guests may experience traffic noise. An ocean view unit cannot be guaranteed for owners or guests making an exchange. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE RESORT REQUESTING A SPECIFIC UNIT LOCATION Please contact the resort in advance if you will be arriving after office hours. Resort office hours are Sat - Thur 8:00AM -8:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM-10:00PM. No cancellation fees when purchasing cancellation insurance. Certain restrictions apply.
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