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Windows Vista is Microsoft's most important software release in more than a decade. It offers users an abundance of new and upgraded features that were more than five years in the making: a gorgeous, glass-like visual overhaul; superior searching and organization tools; a multimedia and collaboration suite; and above all, a massive, top-to-bottom security-shield overhaul. There's scarcely a single feature of the older versions of Windows that hasn't been tweaked, overhauled, or replaced entirely.
But when users first encounter this beautiful new operating system, there's gonna be a whole lotta head-scratchin', starting with trying to figure out which of the five versions of Vista is installed on the PC (Home, Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate).
Thankfully, Windows Vista: The Missing Manual offers coverage of all five versions. Like its predecessors, this book from New York Times columnist, bestselling author, and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue illuminates its subject with technical insight, plenty of wit, and hardnosed objectivity for beginners, veteran standalone PC users, and those who know their way around a network. Readers will learn how to:
This jargon-free guide explains Vista's features clearly and thoroughly, revealing which work well and which don't. It's the book that should have been in the box!
David Pogue, Yale '85, is the personal-technology columnist for the New York Times. With nearly 3 million books in print, he is also one of the world's bestselling how-to authors, having written or co-written seven books in the "for Dummies" series (including Macs, Magic, Opera, and Classical Music), along with several computer-humor books and a technothriller, "Hard Drive" (a New York Times "notable book of the year").Pogue is also the creator and primary author of the Missing Manual series. Titles in the series include Mac OS X, Windows, iPod, Microsoft Office, iPhoto, Dreamweaver, iMovie, and many others. His Web page is www.davidpogue.com, and his email address is email@example.com.
View David Pogue's full profile page.
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(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Windows Vista - The Missing Manual
By gregorywest
from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
About Me Educator
Best Uses
Comments about oreilly Windows Vista: The Missing Manual:
Review: by Gregory West[@]t Member of the Computer Operators of [@]Windows Vista The Missing Manual by David Pogue Published by O'Reilly Media Inc. ISBN-13: 978-0-596-52827-0 Pages: 827 USA: [$] missingmanuals.com This book is designed for basic users to advanced users and everyone in between. If you want to learn everything about Vista, the easy-to-follow way, this book is the one. This book gets high marks for the very extensive, and easy to use, 23 page index. Finding what you need to know in a hurry is fast and easy. The layout of the book has a nice a blueish tinge to the sidebars and screenshots that make reading and scanning a pleasant journey. Throughout the 8 Parts of this book you go from learning all about the desktop, software, and how to work and surf online, securely. Backing up and troubleshooting your computer is set in an easy step-by-step guideline that explains the entire process, both the how and the why. These 8 parts take you on a journey, from learning about the Desktop to "The Vista Network", especially since more homes are getting into networking computers and peripherals. For first time users, this book utilizes sidebars that are named: "Up To Speed". This aids the beginners in becoming more familiar with the operating system while moving along with the "advanced-beginner". Here is where the information is explained in easy-to- learn language. Advanced users will find boxes named: "Power Users' Clinic". This is where anyone can get quick tips to make their computer experience run smooth. It is also a great spot for the newbies to peek in on to see what is available at a higher level. To set up your own "Media Center" at home is made easy in chapter 16. It starts out by giving you the "gear" list of things you need to begin. In here you will learn how to hook up your TV and record shows, fine tune music selections and work with with both photo and video software. Once you are well into the book you can learn how to set up your own Virtual Private Network (VPN) which many home users are now doing. You will love this section. If you ever need to reformat your computer, this book, in its' "Appendix A" section: "Installing Windows Vista" gives you an simplified instructions, with photos, on how to perform this function. This is a section, not only for newbies before they call the service tech, but a great refresher for everyone at any level. Simply put: Pogue does it again with Windows Vista, The Missing Manual. I highly recommend this book for all users as a learning tool, as a quick reference guide, and something to use before you call a service technician or a computer tutor. Take yourself to the next level and get a copy of this book.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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One Vista _ One Viewpoint
By Alan German (Ottawa PC Users' Group)
from Ottawa
Windows Vista - The Missing Manual by David Pogue is certainly no lightweight at an inch and a half thick and 827 pages. Clearly, a brief review cannot do complete justice to such a weighty tome, so here we will just take a peek into various sections of the book.For new Vista users, i.e. those migrating from Windows XP, the book's introduction describes the new features in Vista _ with an interesting section on "Version Hell" _ the different features offered by the various versions of Vista. In addition, the final section of the book is entitled "Where'd It Go?" and indicates features of XP that are no longer available in Vista, or aren't where XP users think they should be. For example, XP's Clipbook Viewer is no longer available, and to remove an installed program, previously part of "Add and remove programs" on XP's Control Panel, you now need to look under Start _ Control Panel _ Programs _ Programs and Features.Apart from the above, the book kicks off with a description of navigating through Vista's menus and how to configure various options. One of the major new features of Vista is the Aero (glass) user interface, and considerable detail on how to customize the look and feel of the display is provided. Even if you have the horsepower to run Aero, there may be specific features that you don't particularly like, so it's good to know that the interface is highly customizable. For example, I used the book's instructions to turn off the transparent window edges (Control Panel _ Appearances and Personalization _ Personalization - Windows Color and Appearance), and to increase the font size (Right-click on the desktop _ Personalize _ Adjust font size (DPI) _ Custom DPI). Throughout the book, screenshots of Vista's features are supplemented by sidebars with gems of information. For example, "The Solution to Tiny Type" notes that with smaller pixels on modern displays, text can be difficult to read, and then indicates the means to access the DPI scaling box.One of the features promoted in Vista is an enhanced search capability. Some twenty pages are dedicated to search techniques, from entering text into the Search Box on the Start menu, to using filters in Windows Explorer. The associated descriptions and diagrams are laid out such that the information necessary to use these tools effectively can be readily assimilated.In discussing Internet Explorer 7 (IE7), the version of Microsoft's browser distributed with Vista, the book provides the basics of things like tabbed browsing and custom printing of web pages. But, the section does lack some details of IE7's security settings. By default, the browser will prevent you accessing certain sites, for example because of pop-ups, and may even stop you from accessing files on your local hard drive or CD's due to included "active content". Some additional assistance here would have been useful for some users.Now that we almost all possess digital cameras, Vista includes Photo Gallery, a combined image management and image editing package. The book devotes about thirty-six pages to describing the various features of Photo Gallery such as importing pictures from a camera; including files in disk directories other than the default "Pictures"; adjusting brightness, contrast and colour levels; cropping, fixing red eye; using image tags; and the slideshow controls. An FAQ sidebar points out one of the program's shortcomings in that Photo Gallery doesn't allow you to drag images around to create a customized sort order, a feature offered by many other image management programs.One of the changes made in Vista is that Disk Defragmenter is set to run automatically but, the default start time is 4:00 am on Sunday morning, which may not be terribly appropriate if your machine is normally powered off at this time. Instructions are given for modifying the defragger's schedule, and how to run the program manually. However, what is left unsaid is that, because the process is supposed to be undertaken in the background, the program no longer provides any feedback on its progress. Fortunately, there are free, third-party solutions that are both fast and informative (e.g. http://opcug.ca/public/Reviews/auslogics.htm).One of Vista's most contentious features is User Account Control (UAC). This has been widely described as an exceedingly intrusive security system, popping up warnings and confirmation requests almost incessantly. Surprisingly, The Missing Manual condenses the information into a single table. The bottom line is that the extra security is well worth the effort. UAC only kicks in when you try to perform an "administrative task", such as installing new software, or trying to modify a system file. The UAC dialogue box pops up, and the surrounding screen is dimmed, to indicate that Vista has entered a secure desktop mode. Pressing return, if you are logged on as an Administrator, or entering the Administrator's password for normal users, allows the process to continue. In practice, such warnings are very infrequent and little effort is required to comply with the security requirements. Since the process is designed to prevent rogue software from being able to load without your direct intervention, the additional effort is well worth it. The Missing Manual provides good coverage of the major topics of the Vista operating system, with lots of details as might be expected in a book of several hundred pages. I particularly like the many sidebar items that provide insights into various features, tips on how to efficiently use the operating system, and general information about different aspects of computers and computing. Anyway, that's my view!
(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)
Windows Vista: The Missing Manual
By Bob Dickson, North Orange County Computer Club
from Orange County
As a long time user of Windows operating systems, I am very familiar with all versions from 3.1 through XP, but Vista is different, by design. Microsoft added lots of security features, which have to be mastered and they wanted to make it more intuitive. The former they did, the latter is questionable. I could eventually figure out what to do and how to do it, but I wouldn't say it's any more intuitive than other versions of the Windows operating system. But it works.I like the book physically: the pages are not glossy (no glare from overhead lights), the paper weight makes the pages easy to turn and the print size is easy to read. It's a friendly book to use.Although an experienced computer operator and user of Windows operating systems, I like to start at the first page and read a text just as the author wrote it. I find that most authors do a good job of introducing the subject and guide the reader from the simple to complex in an understandable manner. Certainly, the first time the reader encounters the subject matter it is the best method to follow. I highly recommend that you start at the beginning and patiently work your way to the end. Part one introduces the Vista desktop. Read this. The Vista desktop needs some explanation. You might bull your way around it, but don't rely on your Windows XP experience. The text covers the essentials of using the desktop and introduces the new Aero look. I like the Aero desktop. Later in the text the author reveals how to revert to the older, classic Windows desktop, but I'm staying with Aero. I like the smooth opening and fading of the windows and the transparency feature. I think after a few days you will become comfortable with it.A word of caution: the text uses the Microsoft 'standard' Vista in it's illustrations but it quickly became apparent that the manufacturer has made some customizations in my version. I purchased an HP Compaq SR5130NX with Vista Home Premium version. Compaq has replaced a few of the security and maintenance features to direct the user to HP's support rather then to Microsoft. I was able to work around the difference without much difficulty. You will, too. It doesn't really detract from the text's presentations of those features.The text reveals in friendly detail the many new features that Vista introduced on the desktop and in the windows panels. One can simply point and click and get useful results without clicking down through a series of submenus. These features aren't intuitive so I was happy to have the text introduce them and explain how to use them. Once through the exercises in the text and practicing using the new features, the operator, you, should enjoy considerable productivity gains. Some of the 'new' features are actually available in Windows XP but, since I 'knew' how to use XP, I didn't take the time to read a book about XP so I didn't know many of these features existed. This text points out certain features that were introduced in XP so my knowledge of XP has been improved by reading this text on Vista. I like the new Windows Flip feature in Vista. It's neat the way one can flip through many windows, going forward and backward searching for a particular window and bringing to the front. For the power user who likes to have a dozen windows open, the flip feature makes it far easier to work with that many windows. Of course, this assumes you have several gig of RAM installed in your computer. Vista's features work best when it has lots of RAM.Another nice feature is the thumbnail view of active tasks. Place the cursor over an item in the taskbar and a thumbnail picture of the window for that task appears just above the taskbar. When you have many tasks that are active, having thumbnail pictures of the screens is very helpful to making a selection to jump to.The text clearly introduces how revised features function. Cut, copy, and paste are just one example of how the text covers useful tools in the Vista system. I'm glad I took the time to read about the usual desktop features and followed the text in using them as they have been redesigned to work.A new feature on the desktop is the sidebar down the right side of the screen. Here's where you can display and use the new Gadgets. Gadgets are useful tools that are displayed in the sidebar. They can be activated easily with a simple left-click of the mouse. They are little programs that used to be run and minimized on the task bar. Now they each have an active window in the sidebar without cluttering the task bar. The sidebar can be hidden if desired. There are many of the new gadgets, and more available to be downloaded from the Internet, if desired. On my sidebar, I have displayed a clock, a calendar, and news feed showing headlines. Yes, they do need RAM so have lots of it! It's cheap!Vista has incorporated many functions for which you used to have to buy separate programs. For example, burn a CD or a DVD, work on a movie, work with photos and audio. If available in XP, the application has nice new features in Vista. The text provides a friendly and easy explanation of these apps in Vista.Don't look for Outlook Express: in Vista it's now Windows Mail. This took a little getting use to but I adjusted to the change after using it. Windows Mail has been redesigned to be more like a Web window (as have most windows in Vista which means you have fewer differences in appearance as you jump from window to window). The address book has been replaced with Contacts. The Contacts file does not appear separately as did the Address Book in XP, however, it is available on the Start menu and a shortcut can be created so it can be accessed from the desktop if desired. I resisted the urge to create shortcuts and fill my desktop with logos. I decided to stay with Microsoft's approach of keeping the desktop free of clutter.Security is important in the Vista operating system, as the new user will quickly find out. A new feature in Vista is the User Account Control (UAC). This is explained on page 127 and how to turn it off, but I decided to use it. After all, Microsoft worked hard to make Vista safer so why should I not use the new securities features they built into the system? I quickly accommodated to clicking 'continue' when initiating some admin function or feature. The UAC requires authentication of the operator by clicking a 'continue' button before proceeding to execute the desired action. This prevents nasty geeks from taking over my PC with their malware. It works for me.I'm pleased with the book but I have to admit it could use a good proofreader. I came across more than a few typos, a couple of missing section headings, and a couple of sentences that were incomplete. It appears the book was rushed. Hopefully, the next version will have fixed these imperfections. They do not detract from the overall usefulness and readability of the book.
By Howard
from Undisclosed
When I was getting ready to build my new computer earlier this year, I decided that it was going to be ready to run Microsoft Vista. However, as with most new software (applications and operating systems), there is a certain feeling of uncertainty over any upgrade. I was pleased when I saw the O'Reilly & Associates was releasing another book in their "Missing Manual" series on Windows Vista. I immediately ordered a copy to assist in my endeavor to install and learn a new operating system.I must say that this book has proven to be an excellent investment as it covers all of the new features and idiosyncrasies of the new version of Windows. The book covers the new Welcome Center, Desktop, Start Menu, Search and Gadgets. If/when you upgrade to Windows Vista, I would strongly recommend this book to help you through some of the trying times that everyone encounters as they learn new software.
By Frederick J Eccher Jr
Title: Windows Vista: The Missing Manual First Edition: December 2006 Series: The Missing ManualsISBN 10: 0-596-52827-2ISBN 13: 9780596528270Pages: 848Book description from O'Reilly:"Windows Vista: The Missing Manual offers complete and comprehensive coverage of all five versions of Vista. In his inimitable witty style, New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Pogue illuminates this subject with clear technical insight and hard-nosed objectivity. He explains Vista's features clearly and thoroughly, revealing which work well and which don't. Written for beginners, veteran stand-alone PC users, and those who know their way around a network, this jargon-free guide is the book that should have been in the box!Windows Vista is Microsoft's most important software release in more than a decade. It offers users an abundance of new and upgraded features that were more than five years in the making: a gorgeous, glass-like visual overhaul; superior searching and organization tools; a multimedia and collaboration suite; and above all, a massive, top-to-bottom security-shield overhaul. There's scarcely a single feature of the older versions of Windows that hasn't been tweaked, overhauled, or replaced entirely.But when users first encounter this beautiful new operating system, there's gonna be a whole lotta head-scratchin', starting with trying to figure out which of the five versions of Vista is installed on the PC (Home, Premium, Business, Enterprise, Ultimate). Thankfully, Windows Vista: The Missing Manual offers coverage of all five versions. Like its predecessors, this book from New York Times columnist, bestselling author, and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue illuminates its subject with technical insight, plenty of wit, and hardnosed objectivity for beginners, veteran standalone PC users, and those who know their way around a network."This description can hardly start to reveal how good this book is. I did both types of installation: the complete wipe [second] and that other install I will not name. The author claimed the "other install I will not name" would take 5 days, but it only took 4 for me. The performance was not there and I was too research oriented to take his remarks seriously. I thought if the first type of install did not work right, the other would make up for it. The clean install 'might take 15 minutes' according to the author. It took about 4 hours and I still ended up with three partitions and 12 GB of stuff on my hard drive when I was looking for about 4-5GB. Sounds like a book of my own to write someday...I do love Vista, do not get me wrong. This book really helped me do things I did not think of before I got the Business edition. It would have been very hard to figure out problems that occurred if you were not online to get the Windows version of the fix without this book. It would take at least two computers: the one you are loading with Vista and the other one that is online and searching for fixes.There are some mistakes in the book, but you can deal with most of them. Page 58, the author means 'translucent' when he writes 'transparent...blurry image...underneath'. Some errors are more troublesome, such as page 350 where 'personal folder==>appdata==>roaming==>etc' does not exist.This book is worth 5 stars and every penny charged for it, taking everything into account. A balanced point of view is being used by the author in parts of the text. Well done.I really like Windows Vista: The Missing Manual and find it to be an impressive book and operating system.Frederick J Eccher Jr MBA M.S. Management of Information Systems A.B. Psychology B.A. Biology CIO, Community Partners President, Board of Directors, Saint Louis Visual Basic Users Group
By dave graham
David Pogue's "Missing Manual" for Windows Vista does exactly what it says on the tin _ it is "the book that should have been in the box" _ a clear, jargon free guide to Vista for newbies through to veterans of XP and beyond.The first thing to strike you about this book is the simple but elegant layout which is liberally scattered with handy tips and screenshots (all monochrome but I don't think it suffers any because of this). Each section also clearly indicates whether the topic for discussion applies to all versions of Vista or is restricted to the high-end implementations: something that can save a lot of head-scratching given the plethora of different flavours of Vista that Microsoft unveiled.Pogue strikes a good balance between step-by-step instructions that make life easier for the beginner and being over simplistic which would put off more experienced Windows user and his sense of humour is apparent but never oversteps the mark to being irritating. The book comprises seven main sections _ starting with the revamped Vista desktop including the new Aero interface, before moving on to cover the Vista Software (the gadgets and utilities that come with Vista), Vista Online (getting connected to the online world and keeping it safe), Multimedia in Vista, Hardware and Peripherals, "PC Health" (keeping Vista running efficiently) and finally a section on networking your machine in Vista. Appendices cover things like installing or dual-booting Vista and a definitive list of keyboard shortcuts, plus "Where'd It Go?" which lists all the things that used to be there in XP and have now been re-located or replaced. Only three and a half pages but an excellent resource to prevent you pulling your hair out trying to find where the "Run" command has gone or how to "Add and remove programs".I first picked this guide up after about a month of playing with Vista, having upgraded from XP and almost every page has something in it that I hadn't picked up just through diving into Vista. Its excellent indexing and structure make it ideal for a reference manual or you can read it cover to cover and unearth lots of useful hints and tips.Definitely recommended _ it really is the book that should have been in the box.
Windows Vista - the Missing Manual Review by TedL from NOCCC
By TedL
Now that Microsoft has finally released all five (or is it 10?) of its versions of the Vista operating system, the book publishers have rushed to get their entries to market as well. This one, from O'Reilly, is part of The Missing Manual series and was written by well-known author and technology columnist, David Pogue. It is big (over 825 pages) and covers most everything you need to know whether you are a novice or "budding power user." The author does a commendable job of highlighting information aimed at newbies (Up to Speed Sidebars) and advanced users (Power Users' Clinic Boxes). He also indicates what features can be found in which version of Vista. Pogue's style of writing makes for easy reading and understanding with enough humor to keep you interested. The book is well-illustrated, but unfortunately, there are no color graphics, even for the "Aero look" which loses much when viewed in black-and-white. And you can read it "cover-to-cover" or just look at the chapters of interest, except perhaps for the introductory material.The book is divided into seven parts with several chapters each. It starts with the Vista Desktop (everything that you see on the screen), then covers software use, doing the Internet, multimedia stuff, hardware questions, backing up files and trouble-shooting (do they go together?), and finally, running Vista in a network (a particularly important area for many of us today). Unfortunately, there isn't too much information on problems and fixes (maybe that warrants a special book?). For that you have to rely mostly on the various community web sites where people post questions and hopefully get useful answers or talk to a guru from your computer club. Of course, you could try Microsoft Tech Support (which costs), but you are most likely to wind up dealing with someone overseas and a difficult-to-understand accent. As an example, I had a problem with getting Internet Explorer 7 to work and the book wasn't much help although one Web site did have a related question. That is, until I discovered with the help of my guru that my pre-installed Vista Ultimate put both 32-bit and 64-bit versions on my laptop and set the 32-bit one as default. Unfortunately, the machine is a 64-bit system! Go figure. Yes, the book mentions both versions, but didn't say anything on what is installed by default.Now although it is true that Vista doesn't come with a printed manual "in the box," it does have a big electronic Product Guide as well as a much-improved (vs. Windows XP) built-in/online Help system with illustrations and useful links that is easy to query. (The 315-page Product Guide exists in print form, but I don't know if Microsoft offers it for sale _ I did get a copy as part of the Vista promo campaign.) So, on the question of whether to buy a book, it really gets down to the question of whether (1) you're a do-it-yourselfer and like to learn as you tinker, (2) you don't mind reading electronic manuals, or (3) you're an old-fashioned print-book person (like me) who favors that method of learning and inquiring. My Bottom LineI like the book as I have Pogue's previous offerings. It was useful not only for navigating Vista's capabilities, but also as a desktop reference in doing a review of Vista Ultimate. Too bad it wasn't available when I participated in the beta test program! The book could benefit readers more, in my view, if it paid greater attention to the myriad of problems that computerists encounter with a new operating system; hopefully, when the first revision is published? The price is reasonable at $35 list less a 35 % computer-club-member discount and free shipping. So, if you prefer print books over the electronic kind as I do, you probably will enjoy Pogue's latest offering and find it useful in getting up-to-speed quickly and then as a handy reference. Corrections and updates, if any, can be found at www.missingmanuals.com. More information on this book can be found at the O'Reilly web site: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/9780596528270/. Finally, it should be noted that a slimed-down version, Windows Vista for Starters _ The Missing Manual, also is available from Pogue-O'Reilly. At $20 a pop (less 35 %) and 400 pages, it should appeal to new computerists (at least new to Vista) who don't want "the whole nine yards" that is provided in the regular Missing Manual.
WV:TMM Delivers on it's promise
By ArsGeek
Windows Vista: The Missing Manual is 800 plus pages of tips, tricks and knowledge concerning all 5 (or is it 8? Or 16?) versions of Microsoft's latest offering, Windows Vista. It exhaustively covers every edition, from Home Basic to Ultimate and does so with wit and style.With 27 chapters, divided into 8 sections and 4 appendices this book delivers in it's promise of being "The book that should have been in the box."Starting with Part One: The Vista Desktop, Pogue and his compatriots examine every aspect of the Desktop, from how to find your way around Vista's new look and feel, customizing and an examination of just about every menu item in the Start Menu.Part Two: Vista Software brings us through all of the software offerings that are bundled with Vista from the mundane to the absurd.Part Three: Vista Online walks users through the basics of getting their new Vista install online and using Internet Explorer 7 and the newly renamed Windows Mail (Outlook Express as most of us know it).Part Four: Pictures, Movies, and Media Center tells us all about just that. Vista comes loaded with ways to store, organize, view or listen too and perform some basic manipulation of photos, media files, even television.Part Five: Hardware and Peripherals brings us through printing and faxing and the basics of installing new hardware or attaching gadgets.Part Six: PC Health is a look at the various tools Microsoft packages into Vista to keep your computer healthy and happy, from your hard disk's health to Windows Update.Part Seven: The Visa Network briefly covers some more advanced topics in networking such as local accounts versus domain accounts, workgroups, networks, sharing and collaboration.Part Eight: Appendixes contains some useful information about the actual install process, a few registry hacks, a comparison of older built in programs (from XP or 2000) and their new and newly named counterparts in Vista and an extremely thorough keyboard shortcut list.Overall the book reads well. It's designed as a technical reference that will be useful to both the computer illiterate and the longtime support guru. It's impossible for a single book to be all things to all people who span these categories and Pogue realizes this. His book is concise if a bit brief on some subjects and a bit wordy on others, perhaps showing a bias towards some features. Yet he still manages to write a book that will be useful to a huge range of readers.The approach of writing a technical manual that is funny and appealing to the average reader has worked well with other series (most notably the For Dummies books) and it works well here. If your a veteran Microsoft support person you may find yourself skipping whole paragraphs to get to the nitty gritty but you'll still find the book as a whole very useful.Even some of the non-technical talk may catch your eye _ the book is full of little gems like "The Control Panel continues to be an object of bafflement for Microsoft, not to mention it's customers; from version to version of Windows, this window undergoes more reorganizations than a bankrupt airline." This in reference to what Pogue classifies as "Control Panel Terminology Hell".Vista isn't perfect and while the gems are highlited, the rough spots and blunders are also noted with useful tips on how to work with or around them.Windows Vista: The Missing Manual contains a ton of tips and tricks within its pages that will be very useful for power users and administrators. From keyboard shortcuts to a registry hack that hides all the icons on the Desktop, I found lots of useful information.I thought it a bit odd at first that the installation of Vista section is contained in the Appendix at the rear of the book but after a little thought it makes more sense. Any veteran of windows installs or (dare I say it?) upgrades will be able to handle a Vista install without problems. Folks newer to windows or computers will most likely not be attempting this at first, if at all.Pros: Easy to read and chock full of great tips. I'm eager to get into my Vista installs and try out a bunch of new features and tricks that aren't immediately obvious on install. If you're not terribly technical then this book is going to be a godsend for you. If you are technical, you'll still pick up a lot of information. Both the good and the bad in Vista are presentedCons: Some of the humor is a bit much and probably not necessary. Is it good to laugh while reading about an operating system? Sure but I would have liked to see more effort put into including more neat tricks and less off the cuff humor. I found myself skipping whole paragraphs to get to the meat of the book.If you're going to be working with Vista or using it at home, this book will be very helpful too you. I've had it in my hands for just under 5 days now and I've already completed reading it and implemented several suggestions. Plus I got to play with a neat voice recognition system that comes with Vista. I'd heard about it but this book convinced me to try it.If your a novice, you'll find this book an easy read. You'll soon be much more productive on your computer. If you're a veteran, you'll find plenty of tidbits that will make this book worthwhile and increase you're productivity as well.
Windows Vista: The Missing Manual" A Review by: John Inzer - MS Digital Image MVP"
By John Inzer
Generally, I am not a fan of manuals...theycan be boring, vague and for the most partyou even wonder if the writer has actuallyseen the product being discussed.Enter: "Windows Vista: The Missing Manual"Written by: David PoguePublished by: Pogue Press - O'Reilly.Vista truly is a new experience and all aspectsof the various features are explained in detailin this comprehensive, easy to read manual.If you are a first time computer owner or aveteran from the days of DOS this is a bookyou will find yourself referring to over and over.Everything from the graphically appealingWindows Aero interface to tips on how toinstall Vista is covered. 32-bit vs. 64-bit,organizing your files, Gadgets, hooking upto the net, Internet Explorer 7, Windows Mail,Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, transferring yourfiles, tweaking the Registry, making backups,maintenance...it's all in there and much more.Finally, I must say the RepKover binding of thismore than 800 page treatise is excellent. Youcan actually open it flat on the desk and it won'tslam shut like many books will. This can bequite useful when you are trying to read andimplement the instructions while sitting at yourkeyboard.Wow! This really is the book that should havebeen in the box.-- John Inzer, March 1, 2007
A User Friendly Introduction to Vista
By Jan :)
I found the book very easy to understand and "User friendly." It is well written with lots of good screen shots for clarification of specific features, tasks and events.The book covered the variety of features that are available in the various Vista editions. While there were features I thought needed more detailed coverage, such as the difference in the User Administrator and *Secret* Administrator, as well as the loss of Restore Points, Shadow Copies and all but current PC backups as a consequence of dual booting with XP, it was otherwise very informative. As a Microsoft software instructor for two Community Colleges, and owner of my own business that deals in software training, data and computer services, it is a Windows Vista information resource I can feel comfortable and confident in recommending to my students and clients. Jan :)
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116 Responses to "Happy Neeeeeeeeew Year!"
January 1, 2014 at 7:44 am
Happy New Year Chips, amk, VC, Vick C, and all other TOD Family. Looking for a very eventful 2014 in the political world this year. Good think I don't have cable anymore, just my computer. 🙂
January 1, 2014 at 8:02 am
Happy New Year to the TOD family. My wish for you … laughter, friendship, love and great health.
January 1, 2014 at 8:17 am
So the presidents pick it the Supreme Court Sotamyor orders that the contraception mandate STOP, they have until Friday to comply.
Talk about a stick in the eye, so that's done now it's over with!
No more contraceptions for the Catholics. I guess??
January 1, 2014 at 8:23 am
Happy New Year………
They have until Friday to " reply " , not comply…….
January 1, 2014 at 8:24 am
Reply to what though? It's the Supreme Court ! Reply to God?
January 1, 2014 at 8:32 am
Happy New Chips and everybody. It great to start another year with TOD.
January 1, 2014 at 8:33 am
Happy 2014 to everyone in the TOD family.
January 1, 2014 at 9:02 am
I thought the ceremony was at noon today?!? 🙂
I guess the official swearing in is done earlier….
January 1, 2014 at 9:12 am
Right, hf.
Noon at City hall. I hope millions of people watch Harry Belafonte, The Clintons, Andrew Cuomo and many others join in the fun.
New Day dawned in NYC.
Right wing in deep mourning now that their hero Bloomberg has let go of the steering wheel.
This is a most positive New Years' day!!!!
January 1, 2014 at 8:38 am
Good morning and Happy New Year TOD ohana!
So grateful to Chips, the mini-blog tyrants and all who have kept me informed, inspired, and amused all in support of our dear PBO, his family and administration, and each other.
I was off-line for most of the evening yesterday, but when I opened my email links to the site, Oh, my, my my, the fine-ness that is PBO in those jeans (Michelle must have bought those for him). He is so cool and slim and_________!! Off to drool!
January 1, 2014 at 8:39 am
Happy New Year from St Kiitts and Nevis, may your New Year be filled with love, health, happiness and blessings. A most joyous, prosperous, healthy and politically full filling New Year to President Obama and all Dems
A Dem Congress is in the cards if we all work extra hard to make it happen…Happy New Year one and all in spite of all aches, pain and losses. Have a great day I am off to visit friends and then to work..
Is the MSM WHPool being spiteful by limiting the Hawaii Holiday Pics…(Of course they do need privacy but this seems unusual) Chips we need our own photo guys/gals
January 1, 2014 at 9:22 am
I'm glad there are not that many pictures, because this is a vacation and the First Family need some privacy sometimes. It can't be easy with the camera in your face 24/7. I hope they are enjoying their time together with each other, with family and friends.
January 1, 2014 at 11:19 am
With you on this, ab, the entire family is long overdue for this break and relief from the public eye. The attention has been relentless, and the family have all been unfailingly gracious and graceful in the face of unprecedented publicity! So, we miss seeing them for a few days, big deal. We can appreciate why! Love you, anniebella! 🙂
January 1, 2014 at 8:44 am
Chips, I am wondering if Danny was in Tiawan. The Rubber Duck burst and deflated on Tuesday, leaving locals shocked and disappointed.
January 1, 2014 at 8:55 am
Happy New Year to all from the Jersey shore. Thanks to Chips , UT and all the BT's who keep us informed. Today the minimum wage goes up in NJ.
January 1, 2014 at 9:27 am
Let's keep the Obamacare good news coming.
January 1, 2014 at 9:24 am
Happy New Year everyone!
January 1, 2014 at 9:48 am
Happy New Year Everyone!!! Happy Wednesday.
January 1, 2014 at 10:04 am
The hold on the contraception mandate is temporary and it was done right before the jan. 1st deadline. I think that some people should calm down and wait for all the facts because time and again people start hyperventilating for no good reason.
January 1, 2014 at 1:07 pm
Happy New Year, TODville Community.
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Inca Rivers Trek - Choquequirao to Machu Picchu
Stunning views of snow-covered Andean peaks, ancient cloud forest, abundant wildflowers and the Inca ruins of Choquequirao are just some of the highlights of this outstanding trek. Our route follows a mountain traverse between two sacred Inca rivers - to the west the Apurimac and to the east the Urubamba. These mighty rivers are the main tributaries of the Amazon. Between them lies the great Vilcabamba Mountain Range - the last stronghold of the Inca Empire. Unique to this area is the spectacular 'lost' ruins of Choquequirao. Built by the Incas in the 15th century, like Machu Picchu, it became lost in high jungle which engulfed the ruins until being rediscovered in the early 20th century. A day is set aside to explore this impressive site before continuing our trek to the Inca site at Patallacta which provides a stunning and rarely seen view of our final destination - Machu Picchu.
Brief Itinerary
|Join Cusco
|In Cusco
|Drive to Sacred Valley of the Incas
|Day walk in Sacred Valley
|Drive to Capuliyoc and commence trek
|Take in superb views of the Apurimac canyon en-route to the ruins of Choquequirao
|Trek over mountain passes with stunning views of Pumasillo, Salcantay (Salkantay) and Humantay peaks and descend through cloud forest to arrive at Machu Picchu
|At Machu Picchu, afternoon train to Ollantaytambo, drive to Cusco
|In Cusco, trip concludes
traveller reviews
Awesome experience, culture, history and trekking the Inca trail is a not to be missed experience. Guides and support crew were knowledgeable and catered to our every need. Jose and Ruben, great
combination. Thank you.
D. Parr Wheelers Hill, VIC Australia
Trip Notes
MEALS: *14 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 8 dinners ACCOMMODATION: *comfortable and central hotels GUIDES: *expert bilingual guide TRANSPORT: *airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 15 *private internal transportation EQUIPMENT: *group medical kit *gear pack including sleeping bag, fibre filled jacket and sleeping mat *group camping equipment PLUS: *porterage on trek *sightseeing and site entrance fees as listed
World Expeditions has competitive airfares to get you to the starting point of your chosen adventure. CONTACT US for a full quotation including airfares, stopovers and any additional travel you wish to organize pre or post tour.
World Expeditions hold informative and inspiring info night presentations covering all of our adventures and journeys across the globe. CLICK ON THE INFO NIGHTS AND EVENTS TAB AT THE TOP OF OUR WEBSITE and join us for an informative evening in a location near you!
How to make your booking
You can book your trip online by clicking the 'Book Now' button against your desired departure date. If you prefer to book offline please click here to download a booking form and more information.
Upcoming Trip Departures
All World Expeditions adventure tours are small group departures and therefore places can fill quickly. To avoid disappointment, we suggest you book your trip as soon as possible.
|trip dates
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Note: prices valid up to 31/12/2017. For trips departing after this date, the price will likely increase subject to local inflationary pressures on operational costs.
Now there are 3 ways you can book your next World Expeditions adventure.
1. Online
You are now able to book your trip online!
First, search our website to find the trip you are interested in.
Then, click the 'Dates & Bookings' tab to check availability. If a trip is available click 'Book Now'.
2. Phone
If you would like to speak with a Reservations Consultant, call World Expeditions on 0800 350 354 (during office hours 9.00 am - 5.30pm Mon - Fri) or email us:
Complete your details and fax or post to your nearest World Expeditions office along with your non-refundable deposit of NZ$400 per person per trip, or 25% per person for Antarctic, Arctic and Russian Far East tours (or USD$1500 on the Ushuaia or USD$2500 on the Polar Pioneer).
3. In person
You can also visit our Auckland Office and bring your completed booking form with you.
Download a copy of the booking form so you'll know what information we need to process your booking.
Click here to download a booking form.
What happens after I book?
Receive your pre-departure information
On receipt of the booking form, we will confirm your booking by phone or email and our reservation staff will post to you a comprehensive Pre-Departure Kit. This kit will contain all necessary pre-departure information pertaining to your country including visa information, insurance information, a medical and personal details form, comprehensive gear list, our award winning Responsible Travel Guidebook as well as other information tailored to your adventure.
We can also handle your extra arrangements
World Expeditions is a licensed travel agent and we are able to handle every aspect of your booking from issuing travel insurance, booking your flights, stopovers and other travel related services. Our reservation staff are eager to help so please do not forget to include any extra arrangements that you may need.
Note: If you cannot download this Booking Form contact your nearest World Expeditions office on and we will post or email you a copy.
traveller reviews (5)
Awesome experience, culture, history and trekking the Inca trail is a not to be missed experience. Guides and support crew were knowledgeable and catered to our every need. Jose and Ruben, great
combination. Thank you.
D. Parr Wheelers Hill, VIC Australia
We had a great time and felt we were in safe hands with World Expeditions and with the local team in Peru. No one got sick and everyone made it safely to the end. It was a real adventure and we were very excited to be going and the trip didn't disappoint. It was our first trek over 5 days and we were pleased with how we managed it and look forward to many more to come. World Expeditions have a good name and reputation for very good reason - we couldn't fault them.
E. Day NSW, Australia
My holiday to South America was perfect, although only five weeks in duration. The first half included this trip from Cachora via Choquequirao, after acclimatisation time and tourist activities in Cusco and Ollantaytambo, to Machu Picchu. Afterwards I flew to Ecuador, enjoying two extensions: the first a week cruising the Galapagos Islands and the second at Sacha Lodge in the Ecuadorean rainforest. It was a well balanced trip. Socially, it was very enjoyable. Rather than arriving home tired, I was positively energised and happy.
R. Hall Adelaide, Australia
Pepe provided excellent healthy advice based on his 30 years experience trekking in the Andes. This enabled me to commence the 9 day Choquequirao trek in good shape. Good environmental practices followed by staff and clients. I like direct contact with people who know; thus Andreas Holland gave good advice re: Inca Rivers Trek. South American group support provided useful assistance as required.
Dr. Hall SA
The tour leader, Pepe, exceeded our expectation!
P. Bedford NSW, Australia
World Expeditions
World Expeditions is one of the world's leading adventure travel companies offering ground breaking itineraries on every continent. The company has been operating small group trekking and adventure travel holidays and vacations since 1975.
We are widely recognized for ground breaking Responsible Tourism initiatives. In particular, the award winning Community Project Travel Program helps to improve the living conditions of some of the world's most remote communities
Today, with offices around the globe, we offer more than 500 stand alone itineraries; small group active adventures and expeditions, cycling and walking tours and cultural journeys. Each itinerary has several scheduled departure dates throughout the season.
Supported by some of the world's most experienced and respected adventurers, including mountaineers Peter Hillary and Tim Macartney-Snape working with us as specialist guides, World Expeditions' has helped shape the adventure travel industry standards since its inception almost four decades ago.
Our all-inclusive, no hidden extras pricing policy combined with longer, creative itineraries and the use of quality ground services attracts people who have high expectations of their travel experiences.
In 2004, we became the first adventure operator whose product was being distributed on Lonely Planet's Travel Services section on their website.
World Expeditions is truly global company with offices in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as Auckland, Ottawa and Montreal.
Why Travel with World Expeditions?
We own most of our operational bases around the world. This ensures that we can provide high quality trips of exceptional value with no hidden extras. Our trips are all inclusive, so there is little need to pay for anything once your trip commences until it ends. Our hands-on approach and years of experience has ensured a safety record second to none as we've pioneered some of the most unique itineraries in the adventure market place today.
World Expeditions has been seriously committed to responsible travel and true sustainability since we began in 1975 when we established our philosophy and stated ideal which was to "take only photographs and leave only footprints".
Almost four decades of pioneering adventure travel has proved the positive conservation outcomes when travel is managed for sustainability. We believe a responsible, long-term vision can deliver true sustainability and with the participation of all our clients and business partners the challenge is being met and achieved.
An example of this commitment to sustainability has been our efforts to preserve the forests of Nepal. This has involved changing an entrenched culture of burning wood for fuel. World Expeditions has pioneered the change to kerosene as an alternative to wood on all trekking expeditions in Nepal. We do not have camp fires and we strongly discourage trekkers from buying wood-fueled hot showers in lodges along the trail. As a founding supporter of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG) we also lead the way in porter protection by providing a good working wage for all Nepalese staff, food and extra clothing for those working above the tree line, life insurance cover and emergency helicopter insurance. Our efforts were recognized at the World Travel Mart in 2006 when our porter policies received a 'Highly Commended' in the Mountain Environment category.
Our philanthropic program ensures we 'give something back'. Our current initiative is Community Project Travel. The concept behind our Community Project Travel range of trips is based on the ethos of "travel with a purpose". It is a range of small group adventures, each about two weeks in length, whereby participants commit four to five days of their holiday to making a difference to a community in need. A portion of the traveller's participation fee contributes to the associated material costs of the project. In 2006 our travellers helped to refurbish the Saramthali school in Nepal, collected 7 tonnes of ghost nets from the Arnhem land coastline, helped to build a new school room for the Xo village in Vietnam as well as erect a footbridge for the village of Qelqanqa in Peru so that kids could access the school safely.
In recognition of our environmental policies, we are the only Travel Company ever to be fully endorsed by the Wilderness Society in Australia. In 2001, we received the National Travel Industry's Environmental Achievement Award, presented by WWF Australia, for our responsible tourism policies.
In addition, we create excellent adventures! Our trips have featured in the world's most prestigious magazines and newspapers including: OUTSIDE magazine, both National Geographic Adventure & National Geographic Traveler magazine, Wanderlust, The Sunday Times, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian, The Age, The Sunday Telegraph (UK) plus much more. Use the search widget top left of each webpage to browse our adventures, browse our Regions Of The World or Types Of Adventures pages for details of all our adventures.


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Freewill by Rush Songfacts
Geddy Lee (
, Dec 4 1989): "The song is about freedom of choice and free will, and you believing in what you decide you believe in."
Neil Peart: "Lotus-land as it appears in 'Free Will' is simply a metaphor for an idealized background, a 'land of milk and honey.' It is sometimes also used as a pejorative name for Los Angeles, though that was not in my mind when I wrote it."
From the Rush FAQ: Lotus-land is mentioned in
The Odyssey
, where Odysseus goes to the land of the lotus-eaters. The people hang out and eat lotus petals, and are perfectly happy but basically brainless.
Suggestion credit
Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington, for all above
In 1993, no movie was made about this song. You're thinking of
Free Willy
, which is about a boy and his love for a killer whale.
This song uses somewhat strange time signature changes. The time signature alternates 6/4, 7/4, 6/4, 7/4, 6/4, 8/4 and repeats during the first verse.
Suggestion credit
Billy - Miami, OH
The lyric, "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" was originally written "If you choose not to decide, you cannot have made a choice," but was later changed to make more sense logically.
Suggestion credit
Matthew Daubert - Mequon, WI
Permanent Waves
album marked the band's transition from epic length tracks to more compact songs, generating increases in both radio airplay and album sales.
Suggestion credit
Bertrand - Paris, France
This song can be seen as an atheist screed, as it champions the idea that we are in control of our own destinies and not listening to "some celestial voice" for guidance. Neil Peart is not an avowed atheist, but does question the existence of God.
More songs from Rush
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Comments: 47
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" - Yes, this is free will but a deeper meaning to it which I interpret is that this verse is telling those in contemplation that motions are already in place; time awaits for no one.
This is further reinforced with further elaboration of societal / psychological environment in the following verse "You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill"
and finally the 1st person perspective that while other are doing just that (as above), (s)he has made a move even with the above factor.
"I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose freewill"
Hayden H - Singapore
Yes, God could have made the world in millions-of-year-long days, but honestly, there's far more logical proof of the world being a chunk of floating rock. Period.
Oh, sure, it's written in the Bible that a mystic being made Earth, that's all well and good. The Bible also more or less states that gay people aren't people, women aren't the equals of men, and that a talking snake and an apple ruined the lives of humanity. But hey, believing that is up to you. If you want to interpret that as choosing freewill, all the more power to you. Indeed, much power to you, considering the wealth the Catholic church has.
I, however, choose to believe that the Bible was written by primitive, sexist, homophobic, and probably racist men who enjoyed having power over the people they told stories of a vengeful God to. I interpret this as freewill.
Have nice day.
Tyler - Here, On
One of my choices for Senior Quote was "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice"
I still wish I had used that.
Ryan - Red Hook, Ny, Ny
Free will is one of the most pressing issues in the field of philosophy. Its polar opposite is predestination which was covered in the Rush song, "Roll The Bones". Since time primordial, philosophers have pondered on the reality of our existence: are we totally free of anyone's leash or is everything really prearranged so that we're all resigned to the situation we're cast in. I think a case can be made that both concepts can apply to our lives. Now we have to put our courage to the test and then make the most important decisions we're ever going to make.
James - Norfolk, Va
In a 2009 interview in Heeb Magazine Geddy said he considered himself a Jewish athiest and that he was not down with religion at all.
Sam - Las Vegas, Nv
This is probably my favorite Rush song (although The Trees is a very close second). To me it's a statement against fatalism. I've known so many people who have the attitude that life or the universe has conspired against them, that they are completely powerless, just being tossed around by fate. The singer is saying, "Not me...I'm going to choose my own destiny."
Lisa - Rockford, Il
I am a christian and Richard that is kind of a dumb question. In all reality as a Christian you can believe that the earth is more than 6000 years old it could possibly be 10s of millions of years old or however much and this is easily shown in the bible. Well in Genesis it says that God took 7 days to create everything 1 day he created one thing and the next something else so on and so forth. Well for God time is non existent so say the one day to create the world could be 20 million years. So the world could easily be that old even by Christians and the bible. Stop being so narrow minded Richard.
That being said Rush is awesome and this song is awesome nice to see a band that is not just your run of the mill liberal thinkers. These guys think for themselves and their lyrics are so deep especially "The Trees" at least for me.
Josh - Flagstaff, Az
if you choose not to decide you still have made a choice means you have just chose freewill. duh.
Stacie - St.louis, Mo
Zach im proud man!!!
Not enough Christians are around!
Eli - Hesperia, Ca
My dad never liked this song because he thought it suggested to deviate from what's right (in his case "What's right" would be God). But I never thought like that. I think they're trying to say that whatever you choose, whether it be God or not, is right as long as it's right to you. And because of this song I will choose Freewill!
Bret - Coos Bay, Or
Now everyone, I want you to listen along with me as the chorus leads into the instrumental break. OK, chorus. Riff. oooh! Connecting phrase, something's about to happen. OK, here we go. Now count along with me (and the bass/drums), 1-2-3-4-5-6, 1-2-3-4-5-6, etc. Does everybody feel 1 and how 4 is accented in each measure? No? Rewind and try again. Ignore the syncopation although there is a lot of it. That's what's called 6/8 time!! Kind of like 4/4 except totally different.
G - Potomac, Md
oh yeah and that concert we had 1st row and i had so much eye contact with ged mostly...it was the best day of our lives even b4 we knew we created life!
Stacie - High Ridge, Mo
my daughter was conceived in cinci,ohio night b4 rush concert! her middle name is rush, her favorite song is freewill even while pregnant i would make her listen i could feel her dancing in my belly! we told the band and neil gave us drumsticks when she was 3weeks old! Rush always has and always will kick ass and be number one for me my husband and our little 'rush' baby!
Stacie - High Ridge, Mo
Zach.... Do you also believe that the world was created only 6,000 years ago?
Richard - Syracuse, Ny
As a christian i believe that God has given us free will. For example i can choose to rob a bank, God won't come down and hit me with lightning for it. However, i will pay for it someday. To be honest when Geddy sings he will choose free will its almost like he's choosing God. Also little side fact for those who think nature is the place for perfect harmony, that's because nature points to God. Nature recognizes the Creator, but humans somehow miss Him and take nature.
Zach Abbott - Caledonia, Mi
see William James' The Will To Believe and Pragmatism
Tristan - Los Angeles, Ca
This song means a lot to me. its all about who you choose to be and not letting anyone change that. I think that when one chooses to make ones own choices, no one can change those choices. This song illustrates the idea that man has his own mind. OUR MINDS ARE FREE!!! The song is about LIBERATION and FREEWILL
Allison - A Little Ol' Town In, Mi
I believe Rush to be the greatest band of of all time, simply because they are some of the most talented musicians and they put it all together in an amazing sound. The lyrics are deeper than what most bands sing about like girls, and they are one of only a few bands that have been able to make great music for so long.
Matt - Post Falls, Id
It's a pretty masterful song, lyrically and musically. It's really quintessential Rush to me. It's catchy, proggy, melodic...provocative.
John - Asheville, Nc
Can any of you say "Ayn Rand?" ANother great song influenced by Rand's philosophy: Objectivism. Well done, boys! Well done.
The song is an explicit rejection of mysticism and God belief for a clear, purpose-directed life through THINKING FREELY. Choosing free will is to reject the contraints of ambiguous, arbitrary dictates.
"My mind is not for rent to any GOD or GOVERNMENT" are lyrics from another one of thier songs, which shows philosophical consistancy with the song being discussed.
John - Toronto, Canada
This song might be refering to what the alchemists call true will. Which is found by breaking the will of the ego and find a being in a state of perfect harmony.
Bjørn - Vardø, Norway
This was the first Rush song I heard. I love it, I think everyone should listen to it.
Amanda - Phoenix, Az
One of my faves from Rush, because it also deals with taking responsibility for your life, and your actions.
Gomer - Mayberry, Nc
The lyrics are brilliant and it's my favorite Rush song. The problem is the lyrics are so difficult to understand and that's a shame because they have such incredible meaning. I'm a politics writer for a newspaper in Ohio and I love to quote great songs when they fit into articles. I've used the "choose not to decide" line in an article I once wrote about voter apathy.
David - Youngstown, Oh
This is one of my favorite songs by one of, if not my favorite, bands.
love how the lyrics flow so well with the music.
Ryan - Shoreham, Ny
Great song. "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice" is one of my favorite quotes of all time (sort of like "if you try to fail, and you succeed, which have you really done?" to some extent).
Voodoocat - Zimbabwe, United States
I like the bass in this song, some of the best I tell ya.
David - Port Hawkesbury, Canada
Great song, deep meaning
Mike - Santa Barbara , Ca
This is a great song talking about our frewill to do whatever we want. Alex,Geddy,and Neil you guys rock. I'm going to see you this summer in Canada. ROCK ON!!!!
Kevin - Erie, Pa
This song is about living for one's own convictions. It's similar to "Tom Sawyer" in that vein. There's a triumphant ring in the chorus, stating proudly, "I will choose a path that's clear / I will choose free will!" Then an almost disgusted tone to the verses as those who act like mindless sheep are described: "There are those who think / That they were dealt a losing hand / The cards were stacked against them / They weren't born in Lotusland."
Joe Public - Anytown, Al
Thats what it sounds like like, Joe.
This song talks about how some people believe that every aspect of their lives is being controlled because someone (a god) has already made the choice for them. Because there is no way in proving this, you might as well not blame everything on someone else and believe that you can control your own life.
Peter - Mountain View, Ca
Lyical studies aside the guitar solo is a tour de force!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Robert - Schaumburg, La
If you choose not too decide you still HAVE made a choice.
...and you have!
Stuart - Huddersfield, England
I love Rush, and I love this song.
Vote Libertarian!
Brad - Indianapolis, In
i believe the lyrics, written and sung are, if you choose not too decide you still haven't made a choice
Kelly - Houston, Tx
This is essentialy about the philosophical arguement between free will and determinism. It attacks both scientific and religious determinism:"The stars aren't aligned,
Or the gods are malign..." Of the arguement Rush develops the opinion that not only is a world that we can't control dark and purposeless but also that what ever we choose to believe in is itself a choice, illustrating logical proof of free will. It is obvious that they believe that free will is more in accordance with a divine plan and despite what science may offer we ultimately have soverignty over our own lifes, evidenced by our self awareness:"Each of us
A cell of awareness
Imperfect and incomplete.
Genetic blends
With uncertain ends."
It is also clear that they see a deterministic approach to life as an excuse fo moral ambivalence and lack of perseverance.
Ernest - Northfield Center, Oh
I think the lyrics are much more simple than they seem, dont over complicate
Sean - Newmarket, Canada
To me the lyric, "If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice" Illistrates the fact that somebody who is not strong enough to state that they don't believe in God ( by choosing not to make a choice and wait on the fence) has in fact made a choice by hedging his bets just in case there is a God. In a nutshell it takes as much belife, faith and commitment to say you don't belive in God as it does to say you do. But most people would prefere to wait and see, rather that get out there and make it happen for themselves.
Glenn - Swansea, Wales
probably just sang it wrong in studio but a listen back figured it sounded better good job geddy!
Rob - Las Vegas, Nv
When I hear this song, I always think of not letting government, religion, etc. control you and/or think for you. Just do what you believe you want to do!
Yolanda Morphinite - Bountiful , Ut
Good job Joe. That always made me think too.
Yolanda Morphinite - Bountiful , Ut
Way to go, Joe! Looking carefully at Rush! I like your style!
Koko - Bla, Al
In the sheet music the lyrics are written as "If you choose not to decide, you still haven't made a choice"
Mike - Rochester, Ny
Thanks, John.
Joe - Miami, Fl
Yes Joe, the printed lyrics from the old vinyl album did have an alternate lyric. I always assumed that the members rethought the lyric, as the recored one "...you still have made a choice..." is so much more clever and in keeping with the spirit of the song.
John - Santa Maria, Ca
quote from songfacts: "In 1993, no movie was made about this song. You're thinking of Free Willy, which is about a boy and his love for a killer whale." -This is correct but there was a film from 1993 titled "Falling Down" that might illustrate these lyrics fairly well.
Mike - Mountlake Terrace, Washington
My recollection is that the lyrics included in the album (yes, album) for Permanent Waves included the line "If you choose not to decide, you cannot have made a choice." This, despite that Geddy has always sang "If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice." Can anyone confirm this (sadly, I no longer have my old albums)? If true, does anyone have any information on the reason behind the discrepancy?
Joe - Miami, Fl
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9:51: OK, even the NFL Network guys didn't laugh over that lame, taped skit about how Commissioner Roger Goodell handles "complaints" from owners about the schedule. Memo to NFL Network and ESPN: keep these NFL schedule shows to 90 minutes, tops, in the future. By the end, they're gasping for air. 3 hours? Too much.
8:55: Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, who says he'll be ready for Week 1 after suffering a broken foot during Week 10 last season, indicates four road games in five weeks (Weeks 10-14) will be a tough test.
Wingo asks if the MNF matchup vs. Tom Brady and the Patriots during Week 14 could be a setup for the playoffs. Schaub says he doesn't like to skip that far ahead, but Wingo reminds him with three hours to fill, there's plenty to chat about.
8:37: Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall joins the action. On the Bears' three games on MNF: "For me, it's special. ... You definitely gotta worry about Week 1 first, but as a player when you see the schedule and see games on prime time, that's exciting.''
The three Monday games: Week 4 at the Cowboys, Week 7 v. the Lions and Week 11 at the 49ers.
Marshall reunites with quarterback Jay Cutler this season. The two played together in Denver.
8:35: And it's a 10-6 prediction for the defending Super Bowl champion N.Y. Giants.
8:30: ESPN analysts break down the Patriots schedule. Hoge, Schlereth and Wingo struggle with the prompter pen, but have Brady and the Patriots losing in Week 3 to the Ravens, Week 5 to Peyton Manning and the Broncos, Week 13 to the Dolphins and Week 14 to the Texans on MNF. That's 12-4.
8:08: ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski breaks down his top 15 marquee quarterback matchups. Among them: Andrew Luck v. Aaron Rodgers in Week 5. ''They are both outstanding runners. That's what intrigues me about that game.''
Tony Romo v. Eli Manning in Weeks 1 and 8.
Peyton Manning v. Tom Brady in week 5.
His No. 1 pick? Week 4's Drew Brees v. Rodgers showdown. ''If you're playing the quarterback position, does it get any better than that?"
Check out the full NFL 2012 Schedule.
7:57: ESPN analysts make fun of hideous, striped throwback uniforms that Pittsburgh Steelers will wear this season.
When will they wear them, asks Trey Wingo. "Hopefully, during the bye week," answers Mark Schlereth.
7:53: Another interesting game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Dallas Cowboys in Week 15. "This is a history game," says Merril Hoge.
Wingo adds: "You just can't help but think of the Super Bowls they played in together. Three times. It will be interesting to see which team is on the rise there in Week 15."
7:47: Anchor Trey Wingo of ESPN asks Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs about having to play the rival Pittsburgh Steelers twice in three weeks -- during Week 11 and Week 13. Suggs worries about the two teams dinging each other up heading into the playoffs.
"I guarantee you if we played each other in Week 1 and Week 2 I guarantee both teams would be a lot healthier for the rest of the year...A game of that physicality, of that magnitude, twice inside of three weeks? That's not going to be good," Suggs says.
7:40: Check out the full 2012 NFL Schedule. Also check out our colleagues at The Huddle for more info and details.
7:32: Michael Irvin getting razzed by other panelists for only talking about Dallas Cowboys games. Faulk with another good point. He likes how the NFL matchmakers are scheduling divisional matchups in Week 17. That way teams have to decide whether to play their starters -- or take their foot off the pedal. He notes Chicago Bears blew their chance to eliminate the Green Bay Packers in final week only to watch their rivals win the Super Bowl. Switching over to ESPN now.
7:17: NFL Network's Steve Mariucci says the San Francisco 49ers visiting Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 is a "playoff" game. "You know how important that is?...This could be a tie-breaker. Home field advantage. That's how good these two teams are..."
7:14: If Andrew Luck is chosen No. 1 by the Indianapolis Colts, he gets to visit the Chicago Bears and Brian Urlacher. Welcome to the NFL rook.
7:09: Bingo. Peyton Manning will open his first season with the Denver Broncos at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. Tough opponent. Huge matchup. NBC continues to get the best games. Peyton vs. the Steelers will be telecast on NBC's Sunday Night Football.
7:02: You're not kidding Rich. Eisen notes the TV networks would love to show Peyton Manning or Tim Tebow every weekend in prime time. But NFL rules say no team gets more than 5 prime-time telecasts per season. All Week 17 games will be divisional games. But he's still holding out on where Peyton Manning's first regular season game will be.
7 p.m.: Welcome to our live blog of the unveiling of the NFL's 2012 schedule. We'll start over at NFL Network, then switch back and forth between the league's 24/7 network and ESPN as the two sports cable networks roll out 3-hour -- yes 3-hour -- shows around tonight's release of the schedule.
Find out where and when your favorite team will be playing. Where and when will Peyton Manning play his first game as a Denver Bronco? Where will Tim Tebow suit up for his first regular season game as s New York Jet? Will NBC Sports continue to get the primo games for Sunday Night Football because of flex scheduling? And will ESPN continue to get stuck with dog games on its Monday Night Football schedule? Let's find out.
Reid Cherner has been with USA TODAY since 1982 and written Game On! since March 2008.
He has covered everything from high schools to horse racing to the college and the pros. The only thing he likes more than his own voice is the sound of readers telling him when he's right and wrong.
Michael Hiestand has covered sports media and marketing for USA TODAY, tackling the sports biz ranging from what's behind mega-events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl to the sometimes-hidden numbers behind the sports world's bottom line.


text: AUTObiography: J-tec's 2001 VW Jetta Share Comments Want your car featured in a VWvortex AUTObiography? Tell us what it means to be a Volkswagen enthusiast, and show us how you and your car demonstrate those ideals! Send the completed form with pictures to email@example.com. Next up is VWvortex reader: J-tec How long have you owned this car? For 2 years and 10 days, but who's counting? Is there anything unique about the history of this car? The previous owner of it was the owner of some bio-chemical company. I found his card when installing an iPod connector to the back of my head unit. I called him and asked if he beat on it, and he replied no, it was a daily, his Ferrari was for that. Ha! Why did you choose this car to purchase? I always liked the modified styling of the Jetta, but I mainly bought it (at the time) because of the engine and the wheels (stock RXIIs). It just stuck out to me when I was looking through ads online. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was mine. What other cars did you consider? MKIV GTI 1.8T and VR6, dare I say Mustang GT, WRX, and last resort, RSX Type S. What was your objective with this car? At first it was to modify it slightly, to just enjoy the car, eventually chip it and call it a day. The first day I drove it and heard the turbo, that instantly changed. I never thought it would change the way I look at cars and how much money I would put into it, but I love that factor. What tuning style best describes this car (ex. Euro, bling, OEMplus, street racer, auto crosser)? Style? It's my own style. Except for the Euro plate. That's strictly Euro. Who helped you build this car? My dad bought me the car for getting great grades in school. Big props to pops on that. Then completely myself for mods until I went to college. I had two jobs my entire senior year to pay for all the parts. Wrench time goes out to my five best friends and I, Emil, Andreas, Richy, Jason and Todd. My boss Murat at Common Street Auto helped me out big time too, can't forget him. What makes your car special? I did everything (besides the K04 and Wavetrack limited slip differential) on a high school budget. It's a daily driver, which I love, and on the weekends it's a track monster. What is your favorite part/feature/function? My favorite parts are the K04-20 setup and the Wavetrack LSD I have on the car. The K04-20 kit is insane and completely transformed the car, while still maintaining that reliability factor I wanted. The Autotech (Wavetrack) LSD really helped getting the power to the ground. It's an unbelievable upgrade that I would recommend to anyone, as well as the K04-20 kit. Both of those matched together make a very worthy track car, while still maintaining that daily driver mentality. It was dyno'd at 254 whp/270 wtq. The Wavetrack LSD was not on then, but it will have another dyno run soon with a new tune. Who or what inspired the direction of modifications on this car? Vortex and an old, old Waterfest video I saw before I bought the car. I was instantly hooked. As well as many of my friends that had turbo'd cars, I always wanted to have to boost, and a lot of it. What don't you like about this car? That I don't have a sunroof. It's the only thing I hate about the car, and I swear it's the only 1.8T Wolfsburg Edition without one. What was your biggest obstacle in building this car? Money. How did you overcome the issue? Worked my bum off at two jobs for my entire senior year. What would you change if you could? The miles on the car, I just hit 98K, I wish I bought it at 35K. And the fact that I don't have a sunroof. On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with the outcome of this project? 9.999999 (the other .000001 will be added when I get a sunroof). What would you do to the car if money were no object? Sunroof, R32 interior, 3.2 6-cyl swap with an HPA Stage 5 kit and 4Motion kit, just make it insane, something no one's ever seen before. Who has been your biggest critic of this project? My dad always wanted me to be safe and not make it go faster. He told me once when I said I was going to chip it, "I bought you a Jetta so you wouldn't go as fast as that Mustang you wanted, now you're gonna go faster." Thanks for the compliment, pops. He'd always tell me to save my money and stop putting it into the car, it's just going to depreciate. I don't believe in saving money so it doesn't depreciate, I enjoy it. Hahaha. What do your family and friends say about this car? They love it, love the boost, how nice it is inside and out, how clean it is, how they love the front mount, the wheels, etc. They always ask me, "What's up with the Euro plate?" My mom thinks it's way too loud, my dad just wants me to be safe with it and my friends absolutely love it. Best quote after my buddy got a ride in it: "Dude, your car's tahded." What is your most memorable/humorous/embarrassing moment with this car? Memorable? Probably when my friends and I installed the FMIC and then the K04-20. Humorous? Definitely the time when I was coming back from "Staggered" in Connecticut with Darkstar Dubs. I was on the highway and saw a brand new Audi TT convertible and immediately decided move up next to it. A middle aged couple in the car, I come up next to the passenger window, wave and give the thumbs up. I get a smile in return, but I really wanted to see the TT move, hear that new K04 spool up. I encourage this, hitting full boost for a little and then letting off. As I come back next to the window, I glance over to see that they're smiling and laughing a little, the wife has a huge smile on her face. The husband leans over, gives me the thumbs up with a big smile on, and reaches down for something. He shows us a black, foldable, leather carrier, with something shiny in it. My thought process of about two seconds goes like this: "What is that? Why the hell would this guy show me his wallet… OMFG, it's a police badge!" Needless to say, I slammed on my brakes, waved, gave another thumbs up, and went on my way. Most embarrassing would be when I didn't see a little oil cover sticking up in the road, hit it, bent two wheels and popped two tires. That was a great night. Has this car competed in any events? Results? Track events, quarter mile mostly, best I ran was 15.2@92 (on the K03s). Recently I ran a 13.3@104 mph with the K04-20 installed. I can't wait until I can get it to the track now since the Wavetrack LSD is installed. What is your favorite place to drive this car? On this newly paved windy road by my house and on any road in my girlfriend's town in CT, they have the craziest bends and turns I've ever seen. Pretty much any road with new pavement, S turns, switch backs, etc. that let me have fun with the car. What is your ideal day with this car? In the summer, fresh wash and wax in the morning with the crew, some Dub/Audi meet in the afternoon, a nice cruise with all my friends to the beach, pictures of all the cars at the beach, go for a nice swim and go for a nice run on the sand, have a nice dinner at a nice burger place where I can see the car from where I sit, cruise home with everyone, blasting Incubus and Chili Peppers the whole way home. Who gets to drive this car? Me, my girlfriend has sometimes, and my best friends. What was your previous project? This was my first car. What is your next project? I had my next project, but had to sell it to get the K04-20 because my K03s was dying; it was a MKII Golf and it was sweet. I sold it to my brother though, so it's still in the family. But yeah, when I get more money I want to get a nice MKII Jetta, red, and do a VR6T swap, and it will have a sunroof! What one word best describes your car? Thick. Anything else you'd like to share? Doing the K04-20 swap was unreal. After getting the turbo in, it was like night and day. The only problem I had with it is getting the power to the ground, and after putting in the Wavetrack LSD, it made a hell of a difference. Without it, the car wouldn't be the monster that it is, with power at both wheels, the K04 can hurl the car across the track. I would recommend the setup I'm running to anyone. The K04-20 and the Wavetrack LSD is a perfect match. Something else I'd like to share is that I'm so glad I got into VWs. It's the place for me. There's no other car company out there that has the same type of hospitality and friendliness as VW/Audi does. It goes from getting waves from other Dubbers when driving, to having someone come over to your house 10 minutes after you put up a post on the forums saying your car's acting up and need VAG-COM. The VW community is the best car community out there, and I absolutely love being a part of it. Owner Information: Name: Jonny VWvortex username: J-tec Occupation: Student Club affiliations: Dark Star Dubs, Boston Euro Unit Vehicle Information: Year: 2001 Make: VW Model: Jetta 1.8T Wolfsburg Edition Mileage: 98,XXX Original color: Uni Black Current color: Uni Black Engine: 1.8T Engine modifications: K04-20 kit (manifold, injectors, 3" MAF, etc.), GIAC K04-20 93 and Race file, Wavetrack LSD, FMIC, N75 J valve, Intake, Forge 007 DV Exhaust modifications: Full 2.5" cat-less turbo-back Transmission modifications: Stage 2 VR6 power clutch with 14-lb flywheel Suspension modifications: H&R cup kit Brake modifications: GLI front brakes Wheels and tires: 337 BBS RCs with Eagle F1 GS-D3s Exterior/body modifications: 4Motion front lip, cut rear valence, Joey modded headlights, smoked side corners, badgeless grille, FMIC, tint, red calipers, S2000 antenna, GLI tails Interior modifications: Black GTI sport cloth seats, black door handles, HKS turbo timer, boost gauge and center gauge pod Audio/video/I.C.E.: Kenwood headunit, Infinity tweeters, Audiobahn A8000T amp, 2 12" Infinity reference series subwoofers, iPod hookup Thanks/Props: Definitely BIG THANKS to my Dad for buying the car and really supporting me throughout owning it, really couldn't have done it without him. To my Mom and Stewy for always helping with me with anything they can and dealing with tons of car parts being in the garage at all times. BIG BIG BIG thanks to The Crew and Co., Andreas, Emil, Todd, Jason, and Richy. These guys have always been there for me since before we could drive. Putting blood, sweat and tears into the Jetta, they've done some serious wrench time on the car. Countless good times fellas (baaacahk!), couldn't have done it without you. BIG props go out to DSD/Fridays clique: Jon, Blake, Jim, Troy, Adam, from getting staggered for staggered to pushing Adam's GTI out of the road to hangin' out at the dome, these guys have really been there for me over this past year and the car, helping me with anything they can. Thanks to Rob and Denny at Autotech and Angel at Forge Motorsports. Shout outs to Zych, Tek, Bee, Andrew, Matt, Jay, Jon, Rob and everyone else at BEU! And last, but certainly not least, thanks to my amazing girlfriend who thank God loves VWs as well, for being the incredible girl that she is and always supporting me with what I love to do. For more discussion on this story, click on the link to our discussion forums at the left.


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This is another winner design. It's simple and the art just pops in your face; "Look at us!", it could be saying.
This project runs on the Big Cartel Platform and the limited flexibility gave me a little bit of an experience to code, but nevertheless it was very enjoyable to learn new things.
Overall, everything went worked out and this amazing design came alive within a week.
You can view their website here: http://tattoosandtentacles.bigcartel.com
Their works are amazing!
Design by Lace Haire


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After Hours Entry into Academic Buildings
Although the academic buildings are made secure at closing hours in the evening and on holidays, it is recognized that students may have legitimate needs to enter these buildings.
Students may be admitted to the academic buildings after normal class hours if their names appear on a roster supplied to the Campus Police by their department chair or dean, and provided they have in their possession a permit issued by the Campus Police. However, no student who is alone may be admitted to Sims or Thurmond (safety precautions require that the student be accompanied by someone who will remain in the building with the student).Students granted admission to an academic building after hours are obligated to notify Campus Police at the time of departure.
A student who enters an academic building with approval must not use this advantage to admit other students. Security officers are authorized to evacuate any building wherein there has been an abuse of the privilege extended to a student.
Academic Affairs
November 2009


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You will need to make preparations for your stay in the UK and pack appropriate items to bring with you.
You will need to show your financial support to get a visa for the UK (see the visa information page). You will also need to consider what you will need to spend your money on. These links will help you:
You will be able to bring one small bag on your flight. Things to put in this bag:
Remember that there are restrictions on what you may carry in your hand luggage:
Heathrow Airport security information gives a useful guide.
You can check the weather forecast for Stirling at the Met Office.
The weather in Scotland is variable. Summer temperatures are usually 18-25 degrees celsius (daytime) while in winter the temperature can be as low as minus 5 degrees and high temperatures can be around 10 degrees.
Weather changes quickly – we can have both rain and sunshine within an hour
We suggest you bring at least one raincoat and warm coat or jacket with you. In winter you will need waterproof boots, gloves, scarf and hat. It is best to keep warm by wearing many layers of clothing rather than one thick layer. Winter coats and clothing can be bought in Stirling if they are not readily available at home.
We suggest you plan to buy some of your clothes in the UK after you have some experience of the climate.
Check with your accommodation provider what items are included in your accommodation – you may need to buy some kitchen equipment and bedding after your arrival in the UK so check what you will need for the first few nights.
It's best to buy heavier items in the UK to avoid exceeding your baggage allowance.
There are restrictions on bringing some goods to the UK (for example, alcohol, drugs and some food products).
For more information see the UK Border Agency web page on customs.


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MICon Cable for Your RODE Mic!
Here's a 4' cable for your small-format RODE microphone. RODE's MiCon Cable system is a modular, low-profile cable that lets you choose the terminator type for your RODE microphone. MiCon cables are compatible with small-format RODE microphones such as their Lavalier, HS1 Headset, and PinMic. You'll find MiCon terminators for almost every wireless microphone system manufacturer that Sweetwater carries.


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Our half-century storybook is a who's who of interesting names and spirited adventures. The beginning tells of a plucky Denver high school teacher, heaps of pennies and an international government program dreamt up by ol' Ike himself.
This video features a White House Conference given by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on September 11, 1956, establishing his administration's People-to-People Program. The People-to-People Program was made to enhance international relationships through education, the exchange of culture, and through humanitarian activity. The Program's intent was to bring about a peaceful climate to counter the Cold War.
Denver's first Sister City – Brest, France – is, in fact, the second oldest Sister City relationship in the US. It was formalized after Denver school children, led by East High School teacher Amanda Knecht, raised $32,000 in change to help rebuild the war-ravaged city. The money was allocated for the children's wing of the Brest hospital, and the gift led to the development of an ongoing Denver-Brest Sister City program.
Having himself experienced the devastation of World War II, President Eisenhower summoned a White House Summit for a free and peaceful world. Out of this conference came the genesis for a People to People program. President Eisenhower believed that if citizens only understood other cultures better, they would be more tolerant and accepting of differences: "I have long believed, as have many before me, that peaceful relations between nations requires understanding and mutual respect between individuals."
President Eisenhower's intention was to involve individuals and organizations at all levels of society in citizen diplomacy, with the hope that personal relationships, cultivated through "friendship" affiliations, would lessen the chance of future world conflicts. Thirty-three committees continued his original mission, the largest called National League of Cities – what would eventually become modern-day Sister Cities International.
1960 – 1983
In 1960, Denver befriends its second Sister – Takayama, Japan. In 1963, Denver Sister Cities International became a non-profit corporation under the organizational name of People to People Denver, and in 1983, the name officially changed to Denver Sister Cities International. The inauguration of Denver-Nairobi Sister Cities partnership was on March 2, 1975. The two-week Salute to Nairobi to commemorate the occasion consisted of folk-art, dances, handicrafts and other products from Kenya displayed at various downtown locations. Karmiel, northern Israel's youngest and fastest growing development town was founded in 1964 and become Denver's fourth sister city in 1977.
1983 – 2001
Leading up to the twenty-first century, the City of Denver befriends four more international Sister Cities: Potenza, Italy (1983); Cuernavaca, Mexico (1983); Chennai, India (1984); and Kunming, China (1985) – with official recognition and signing by Denver Mayor Federico Peña. The two most recent Denver Sister City relationships: Axum, Ethiopia (1995) and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (2001) are formalized by Denver Mayor Wellington Webb.
2001 >
Currently, the City of Denver has relationships with 10 unique Sister Cities around the world, cultivating close business, economic and social ties with municipal governments and citizens alike.
Sister Cities International is still headquartered in Washington D.C. and has continued to thrive under successive US Presidents. A full-fledged non-profit global citizen network, the organization represents 1,749 international communities in 134 countries.
As the world (our backyard) grows, communities and individuals are facing opportunities and challenges that increasingly require a global perspective. They are realizing the importance of forming international partnerships that foster economic development, cross-cultural exchange, and global cooperation. Sister City programs are leading citizen diplomacy organizations geared toward helping communities seize the opportunities and overcome the challenges of this new global era.


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DIRECTV's TV Service is Recommended by CableTV.com
We at CableTV.com have gathered data from a number of independent customer surveys, which we use to compare and rank the cable companies and other television services available in your area. This allows us to help you find the best provider for your needs. According to the data, DIRECTV is the best TV service provider out of all the satellite TV and cable companies in Santa Clara, NM.
Major networks are typically available nationwide, but smaller channels may only be offered with select TV packages in Santa Clara. This means that channel selection is as important to consider as affordability when it comes to choosing the best cable company in Santa Clara, NM. If you can't live without all the Dallas Cowboys and games, for instance, you'll be more likely to get what you need with a premier package that offers more channels. We provide information on channels, extra features, and prices for all the highest rated providers in Santa Clara, so you can be sure you're getting the service that you want at a price you can afford.
There's more than one factor that goes into CableTV.com's satellite TV and cable service recommendations. You see, we know that when you're looking for the cable company in Santa Clara, NM that's right for you, dependable coverage and friendly customer service are key. When you follow our recommendations on which TV provider in your area is best, you can be confident that both your needs and your expectations will be met.


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As part of the Save Darfur Coalition's efforts during this year's elections, Darfuri refugee Daoud Hari and SDC's Amjad Atallah were at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi on Wednesday and Thursday in advance of the Presidential Debate there.
Daoud and Amjad addressed a standing-room-only crowd of students and faculty, met with Darfur activists from Mississippi and sat down for interviews with local and international press.
Students, faculty and reporters who attended the midday event, "Voices from Darfur" sponsored by the Croft International School, were gripped by Daoud's eyewitness accounts of the crisis and his experience as a guide and translator for journalists covering Darfur. Daoud, who translated for New York Times writer Nicholas Kristof and was jailed in Sudan with National Geographic reporter Paul Salopek, reminded the packed room that without the leadership of the next US president, the people of Darfur have little hope for a peaceful future. Amjad, SDC's Senior Director of International Policy and Advocacy, fielded questions from the audience and evoked the role of the United States in halting the genocide that ravaged the Balkans in the 1990's.
It was clear that students and faculty wanted to be more involved in stopping the killing in Darfur. Many wanted to know how they could influence our government. Many more wondered why the US had not yet exerted effective leadership to unite the international community in stopping the genocide.
Some were not waiting for our advice. In Oxford, we met Anthony
Hervey, an Ole Miss graduate known locally as "Colonel Reb." Hervey,
flying the state flag of Mississippi, staked out prime real-estate on
the town square and engaged journalists and passers-by with his
compelling message for Senators McCain and Obama.