Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

May 14, 2012

OPINI PUBLIK

TEMA: 
Kecelakaan Transportasi Udara Terjadi lagi

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Hindarkan Berspekulasi, Tingkatkan Evaluasi!

Untuk kesekian kalinya, kecelakaan terjadi lagi di negeri kita. Pesawat udara yang merupakan sarana transpotasi yang notabene highclass dan bagi kalangan masyarakat yang mengutamakan kenyamanan dan efisiensi waktu, kini berubah menjadi ancaman yang menakutkan. Lihatlah jenazah-jenazah di sekitar jurang yang ditemukan secara mengenaskan oleh tim Save and Rescue (SAR). Tidakkah ini merupakan pukulan telak bagi dunia penerbangan yang merupakan sarana penghubung transportasi internasional.

Bagaimana tidak? Sukhoi Super Jet 100 (SSJ100) buatan negara pecahan Uni Sovyet, Rusia tersebut pada Hari Rabu, 9 Mei 2012 menabrak lereng Gunung Salak, Bogor. Kecanggihan dan inovasi yang terus diterapkan pada pesawat yang awal kemunculannya pada tahun 2008 tersebut tidak bisa mengelak pada tragedi naas ini. Apa yang sebenarnya terjadi saat detik-detik kecelakaan tersebut? Banyak pihak berasumsi pada berbagai sektor, baik itu human error, faktor cuaca, dan faktor-faktor lain.

Benarkah seorang Alexander Yablontsev, Pilot SSJ100 yang telah berkiprah di dunia penerbangan selama puluhan tahun serta telah menerbangkan sekitar 221 pesawat itu keliru dalam mengambil keputusan? Apakah pesawat yang tadinya mengudara pada ketinggian 10.000 kaki dari permukaan laut diturunkan menjadi 6.000 kaki dari permukaan laut? Sedangkan ketinggian Gunung Salak berada pada 7.000 kaki.

Selain itu, menurut tayangan berita di salah satu stasiun televisi nasional, yang menjelaskan bahwa komunikasi antara Pilot dan Air Traffic Controller (ATC) terganggu akibat frekuensi radio saat akan terjadi kecelakaan itu. Ataukah faktor cuaca yang mengaburkan penglihatan di sekitas pesawat? Seluruh warga negara hendaklah jangan terlalu banyak berspekulasi apa yang telah terjadi dan penyebab kecelakaan SSJ100 tersebut.

Seharusnya, tunggulah sampai pihak yang berwenang dalam pengidentifikasian kecelakaan pesawat naas ini selesai dan dapat mengumumkan apa yang menjadi titik fatal kecelakaan ini dapat terjadi. Merupakan sebuah pekerjaah bagi pemerintah, khususnya perusahaan penerbangan untuk lebih memprioritaskan keamanan para pengguna pesawat terbang. Benahi segala sudut pesawat, mesin, memaksimalkan sistem komunikasi ATC serta perbaiki sinyal-sinyal yang dapat mengakibatkan missed communication antara ATC dan Pilot.

Jika tidak segera ditindaklanjuti, bagaimanakah pandangan masyarakat mengenai transportasi udara di negeri kita? Setelah sekian banyak tragedi tragis pesawat yang menabrak bumi. Tidakkah mereka berpikir ulang untuk menggunakan salah satu transportasi elit ini? Karena pada dasarnya, pesawat merupakan angkutan yang membawa banyak nyawa, merupakan tanggung jawab bersama demi menyelamatkan banyak passengers agar pesawat merupakan pilihan transportasi yang aman, nyaman dan praktis. Semoga setelah peristiwa SSJ100 tersebut, akan menjadi teguran bagi pihak yang terkait dalam memperbaiki dan mengevaluasi sistem terbaik yang dapat diandalkan. Sebab, teknologi super canggih pun bukan menjadi jaminan aman tidaknya sebuah penerbangan.
Oleh :Desy Purwati

Komunikasi Dalam Kecelakaan Penerbangan

Kecelakaan pesawat terbang Sukhoi Super Jet 100 yang terjadi di Gunung Salak Bogor menyentakkan kembali pentingnya keselamatan penerbangan. Keselamatan penerbangan adalah hal-hal yang berhubungan dengan keamanan dan keselamatan penerbangan dan pencegahan terjadinya kecelakaan penerbangan melalui pembuatan peraturan dan pelatihan.

Penerbangan merupakan media yang menjembatani jarak geografi antara tempat asal dengan tujuan melalui udara. Fungsi ini harus diikuti dengan terjaminnya orang maupun barang yang diangkut sampai ditempat tujuan dengan selamat. Tanpa itu fungsi angkutan udara tidak akan berarti.

Pelayanan Lalu Lintas Penerbangan (ATC) dan Penerbang (Pilot) dalam melaksanakan tugasnya harus senantiasa berpedoman kepada Peraturan Keselamatan Penerbangan Sipil (ACSR). Untuk tinggal landas (take off) dan pendaratan (landing) mengacu pada ketentuan jarak pandang minimal yang berlaku di bandar udara dan/atau sesuai dengan OCH/OCA pada prosedur pendaratan instrumen (IFP) bandar udara setempat.

Pada saat kecelakaan menimpa, keluarga korban berada dalam keadaan bingung, cemas dan putus asa. Dalam kondisi ini mereka butuh segala bentuk pertolongan dan uluran tangan. Mereka perlu informasi agar bisa mengambil tindakan dalam suasana yang bingung itu. Rasa aman dan dorongan motivasi sangat dinantikan oleh keluarga yang cemas tentang nasib keluarganya yang tertimpa musibah.

Pihak yang menjadi tumpuan harapan dan perlindungan adalah pemerintah. Pengelola negara ini dituntut mampu memberi rasa aman dan kepastian. Termasuk dalam memberikan informasi maupun petunjuk tindakan. Kesigapan dan ketegasan pemerintah menjadi tuntutan.

Melekatnya sejumlah harapan kepada pemerintah baik kondisi biasa maupun saat terjadi musibah itu membuat kehati-hatian patut menjadi pegangan para pejabat negara. Jangan sampai melakukan tindakan yang tidak bisa dipertanggunjawabkan.

Pemerintah perlu berkomunikasi dengan baik. Komunikasi dilakukan baik dengan pengelola transportasi, masyarakat pengguna dan juga keluarga korban kecelakaan. Robbins (1996) mengatakan bahwa penyelenggara pemerintahan harusnya menguasai karakteristik dalam komunikasi pemerintahan. Salah satu yang erat dengan kondisi ini adalah kepiawaian dalam menangani kondisi seburuk apapun termasuk berita jelek dan tidak menguntungkan.

Kepiawaian seperti ini bisa mengubah sesuatu yang buruk menjadi lebih baik. Akhirnya kemungkinan terjadinya kecelakaan bisa dicegah atau bila kecelakaan menimpa bisa meringankan beban para korban dan keluarganya.

Komunikasi yang efektif menjadi kebutuhan untuk mewujudkan hal di atas. Komunikasi efektif membutuhkan pendekatan faktual dan aktual. Maksudnya komunikasi pemerintahan tidak bisa meninggalkan realita. Informasi juga tidak boleh basi atau ketinggalan jaman. Perlu penguasaan dan pemahaman komunikasi komprehensif. Artinya pemahaman yang dilandasi kejujuran komunikasi dan komunikasi atas dasar hati nurani.

Komunikasi pemerintahan perlu memiliki karakter yang completeness atau lengkap baik data maupun medianya. Sifat lain claryteness yakni memiliki tingkat kejelasan yang tinggi serta sifat correctness atau memiliki nilai kebenaran yang bisa dipertanggungjawabkan. Hal ini akan menjaga agar pemerintahan bisa melakukan komunikasi dengan masyarakat dengan baik.

Negara ini didirikan adalah untuk melindungi segenap bangsa dan seluruh tumpah darahnya. Pemerintah sebagai pemegang amanat rakyat harus siap menjadi pelindung bagi rakyatnya. Muaranya rakyat akan merasa tenteram hidup dinegerinya sebagai sebuah negara bangsa.
oleh: Suyatno, SIP., M.Si


Marijuana relieves muscles tightness, pain of multiple sclerosis: Study

Marijuana relieves muscles tightness, pain of multiple sclerosis: Study


Smoking marijuana can relieve muscle tightness, spasticity (contractions) and pain often experienced by those with multiple sclerosis, says research out of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
The findings, just published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, included a controlled trial with 30 participants to understand whether inhaled cannabis would help complicated cases where existing pharmaceuticals are ineffective or trigger adverse side effects.
MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord.
The disease attacks the myelin, the protective covering wrapped around the nerves of the central nervous system, and — among other symptoms — can cause loss of balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis.
The average age of the research participants was 50 years with 63 per cent of the study population female.
More than half the participants needed walking aids and 20 per cent used wheelchairs.
Rather than rely on self-reporting by patients regarding their muscle spasticity — a subjective measure — health professionals rated each patient’s joints on the modified Ashworth scale, a common objective tool to evaluate intensity of muscle tone.
The researchers found that the individuals in the group that smoked cannabis experienced an almost one-third decrease on the Ashworth scale — 2.74 points from a baseline score of 9.3 — meaning spasticity improved, compared to the placebo group.
As well, pain scores decreased by about 50 per cent.
“We saw a beneficial effect of smoked cannabis on treatment-resistant spasticity and pain associated with multiple sclerosis among our participants,” says Dr. Jody Corey-Bloom of the university’s department of neuroscience.
Researchers found that, although generally well-tolerated, the cannabis had the expected short-term but acute cognitive effects.
Corey-Bloom says larger, long-term studies are needed to confirm findings and determine whether lower doses can result in beneficial effects with less cognitive impact.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada says Canadians have one of the highest rates of the disease in the world. The disease is the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults in this country and every day three more people in Canada are diagnosed with MS.

Air Terjun Niagara Mini di Bandung

Air Terjun Niagara Mini di Bandung




Curug Malela, Bandung ---disparbud.jabarprov.go.id

ANDA tidak perlu terbang jauh ke Amerika untuk menikmati keindahan air terjun Niagara yang mendunia, karena Curug Malela di Bandung menawarkan pemandangan yang tak jauh berbeda. Kondisi curug dengan bebatuan berundak menampilkan keunikan tersendiri bagi yang melihat. 

Ketinggian curug mencapai 60m dengan lebar 70m. Meski ukurannya lebih kecil dibanding Niagara, namun keindahannya tak kalah. Lingkungan sekitar curug ditumbuhi pepohonan hijau sehingga membuatnya nampak asri. Keindahan alamnya berpadu dengan udara yang menyejukan.

Curug Malela terletak di Bandung Barat, tepatnya di Kampung Manglid, Desa Cicadas, Rongga. Lokasinya berada jauh dari permukiman. Anda harus terlebih dahulu melewati jalur yang terjal dan berbatu. Sehabis hujan biasanya jalanan becek dan berlumpur.

Konon, penamaan curug berasal dari salah seorang nama tokoh masyarakat sekitar, yakni Lord Spurs Malela.

Saat berkunjung Anda harus merasakan kesegaran air curug. Namun hindari berenang di bawah aliran air terjun karena sedikit berbahaya. Anda bisa berenang di kawasan yang tak jauh dari air terjun dimana keadaan air lebih tenang.

Bawalah persediaan makan dan minuman sendiri karena dikawasannya tak ditemukan warung atau kios. Sangat dilarang untuk membuang sampah bekas makanan sembarangan. Jagalah selalu kebersihan kawasan curug agar keindahannya tak terusak oleh sampah.(*/X-14) 

Dec 23, 2011

Bom Bunuh Diri di Suriah Tewaskan 30 Orang


Damaskus - Dua bom mobil meledak di dekat pos keamanan di Damaskus, Suriah, menewaskan sejumlah warga sipil dan tentara. 30 Orang diperkirakan tewas dalam ledakan tersebut.

"Ada lebih dari 30 orang tewas dan lebih dari 100 terluka akibat serangan ini," kata Wakil Menteri Luar Negeri Suriah, Faisal Meqdad, seperti diberitakan oleh AFP, Jumat (23/12/2011).

Stasiun berita televisi setempat melaporkan banyak korban jiwa berasal dari warga sipil. Stasiun televisi itu juga menyebut pemboman itu adalah bom bunuh diri dan menyebut Al-Qaeda berada di balik serangan itu.

Dalam siarannya, diperlihatkan jalan-jalan yang penuh dengan lumuran darah dan mayat dalam kondisi hancur. Target ledakan tersebut adalah petugas keamanan Gedung Administrasi Negara dan pos keamanan setempat.

Pihak oposisi Suriah menyebutkan 250 orang tewas sejak Senin (19/12) lalu, sehari sebelum kedatangan tim pemantau independen. Pihak oposisi mendesak Dewan Keamanan (DK) PBB untuk segera mengadakan pertemuan darurat dan meminta PBB menciptakan zona aman di wilayah Suriah.

Perserikatan Bangsa Bangsa (PBB) melansir data sudah hampir 5.000 orang tewas akibat bentrokan sejak aksi protes terhadap pemerintahan Assad bergulir di Deraa 9 bulan lalu. Kabarnya aksi protes ini terinspirasi pemberontakan-pemberontakan yang terjadi di beberapa negara Arab.

Wow! AS Janjikan Rp 90 Miliar Bagi yang Menangkap Bendahara Al-Qaeda



Washington - Wow! Amerika Serikat (AS) menawarkan hadiah US$ 10 juta atau setara Rp 90 miliar bagi yang bisa menangkap bendahara kelompok Al-Qaeda. Ini adalah kali pertama seorang bendahara kelompok yang diduga teroris menjadi target penangkapan AS.

Seperti diberitakan AFP, Jumat (23/12/2011), adalah Ezedin Abdel Aziz Khalil yang juga dikenal sebagai al-Suri Yacine lahir di Suriah pada tahun 1982 yang menjadi buruan AS.

Asisten Direktur Investigasi Departemen Luar Negeri, Robert Hartung, mengatakan Khalil masuk daftar hitam Departemen Keuangan AS. Pria itu digambarkan sebagai salah satu fasilitator tingkat tinggi Al-Qaeda.

Departemen Keuangan menyebutkan Khalil beroperasi di Iran sejak tahun 2005 dan bekerja sama dengan pemerintah Iran.
"Khalil adalah penggalang dana penting bagi Al-Qaeda dan telah mengumpulkan uang dari para donor dan penggalang dana di seluruh wilayah Teluk Persia," begitu yang tertulis dalam pernyataan Departemen Luar Negeri AS.

"Dia telah menyalurkan uang dalam jumlah besar melalui Iran untuk pimpinan Al-Qaeda di Afghanistan dan Irak," tambahnya.

Khalik juga disebut bekerja dengan pemerintah Iran dan mengatur pelepasan anggota Al-Qaeda dari penjara Iran. Pria yang berumur 29 ini adalah penggerak dan pengumpul uang Al-Qaeda dari seluruh kawasan Timur Tengah hingga Pakistan dan Iran.

Pengumuman pencarian Khalil merupakan program dari "Rewards for Justice" yang telah dimulai pada tahun 1984. Tujuannya untuk memburu para tersangka pelaku teror terhadap AS.

Khalil saat ini disebut sedang berada di Iran yang menjadi target dalam program Deplu AS. Deplu AS telah menyiapkan US$ 100 juta untuk pertukaran informasi para tersangka yang diinginkan. Sayangnya, pemerintah AS menolak membahas secara rinci tentang siapa saja yang telah mereka tangkap. Alasannya untuk melindungi informannya.

Kepala pimpinan Al-Qaeda, Ayman al-Zawahiri, adalah orang yang paling mahal dihargai oleh AS. Kepala al-Zawahiri dihargai US$ 25 juta.

Taliban Culik & Ancam Eksekusi Mati 15 Tentara Pakistan



Islamabad - Lima belas tentara Pakistan diculik puluhan milisi saat menyerang sebuah benteng di Provinsi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Milisi Taliban mengaku bertanggung jawab atas penculikan dan serangan tersebut.

Seperti diberitakan PressTV, Jumat (23/12/2011), pihak milisi Taliban mengaku bertanggung jawab atas serangan tersebut. Mereka bahkan menyebut 30 tentara Pakistan telah diculik dalam serangan itu.

Seorang polisi lokal, Ejaz Abid, menceritakan serangan tersebut dilakukan pada Jumat pagi ini di sebuah distrik di Provinisi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Juru bicara Taliban, Ehsannulah Ihsan, mengatakan serangan itu sebagai pembalasan atas kematian seorang komandan lokal Taliban. Ihsan menambahkan para penculik tersebut berencana untuk membunuh para prajurit Pakistan yang saat ini ditahan.

Sejak akhir 2009 telah terjadi lonjakan serangan militan di Pakistan. Lebih dari sekitar 35.000 orang Pakistan telah kehilangan nyawa mereka dalam pemboman dan serangan militan lainnya sejak tahun 2007.

Ribuan warga lainnya mengungsi akibat gelombang kekerasan dan militansi yang mengantam seluruh negeri.

Mar 1, 2010

Free Download MP3 Gratis Lewat MiRC




Mau Download lagu baru tapi susah cari Download MP3 Gratis ? Sekarang ada Trik buat para pencari Download MP3 yaitu lewat MiRC. MiRC bukan hanya berfungsi untuk cari cewek cantik pengisi Malam Valentine, namun sekarang bisa kita manfaatkan untuk Download MP3 Gratis lagu-lagu terbaru. Kemarin aku dah coba untuk Download lagu Perang Jalur Gaza We will not Go Down, ternyata juga ada. Karena penasaran dengan lagu-lagu yang ada maka aku coba cari Lagu tembang lawas dari Iwan Fals dan Slank..Eh ternyata ada juga. Jadi kecanduan deh Download MP3 Dari MiRC ini. Achiles sendiri gak tau apa trik ini masih baru ataukah aku yang ketinggalan jaman :D soalnya taunya MiRC tuh ya cuma buat sekedar Chating dan Chating, gak pernah kepikiran untuk cari Lagu baru atau cari Logo Friendster dari MiRC.
Download Logo Mirc lagu artis
Jadi inget pertama kali kenal Internet itu ya kecanduan Chating lewat MiRC. Bisa kenal banyak cewek yang ngakunya cantik dan imut seperti LinaImoet_17FS atau DianCantique_kulSBY dll. Trus berlanjut tukeran alamat Friendster. Karena waktu itu gak punya Friendster ya aku tulis aja FS nya temanku :D Trus meningkat belajar YM, tukeran alamat YM biar bisa lanjut Chattingnya dilain waktu. Karena bosen cuma chating aja dan kadang ngomongin yang gak jelas jadi sekarang belajar ngeblog aja karena selain bisa kenal banyak orang, juga punya kesempatan monetize blog, entah itu lewat program PPC, PTC, Paid Review, Affiliate, Download lewat Ziddu dll.

Oh ya balik lagi ke Download MP3 Gratis lewat MiRC tadi, kok malah jadi ngelantur ke masa lalu :D . Ok deh nie dia Trik untuk Download lagu MP3 terbaru secara Gratis lewat MiRC.

- Ubah server ke : efnet
- lalu join : #indomp3z
- Ketik contohnya : @server Ex:@blitzo untuk minta Downlaoad lagu
- Untuk minta lagu langung / mencari lagu dengan menuliskan judul lagu atau penyanyinya : !find lagu Ex: !find BBB


Silahkan Download lagu MP3 Gratis sebanyak-banyaknya deh, sebanyak SMS Valentine yang nanti kita kirimkan di malam Valentine

Feb 2, 2010

Google Reader Bisa Langganan Konten Berita Dari Website Non Feed


Anda senang berlangganan berita di internet? Tentu tak asing bukan dengan RSS ataupun Atom Feed yang memudahkan kita membaca berita apapun tanpa harus mengunjungi website aslinya. Cukup menggunakan Google Reader saja misalnya.

Kali ini Google Reader hadir menawarkan fitur canggih terbarunya, dimana kita bisa berlangganan konten berita dari website manapun walaupun website tersebut tidak memasang RSS ataupun Atom Feed sama sekali. Walaupun keduanya bukan lagi teknologi yang baru bagi banyak website seperti website berita, blog ataupun website yang secara rutin mengupdate kontennya kini telah memiliki feed, tapi beberapa jenis website dengan katalog produk tetap tak memilikinya.

“Feeds memudahkan kita untuk mengikuti update konten dari berbagai halaman website, dari blog hingga situs berita menggunakan Craigslist Queries, tapi sayangnya tidak semua halaman web memiliki feeds. Saat ini kami tengah mengubah Google Reader sehingga Anda dapat membuat feed sendiri untuk melihat update web tertentu yang tidak memiliki feed-nya sendiri,” papar Liza Ma, product manager Google. “Kustomisasi feed ini akan sangat berguna jika Anda ingin tahu kapan konten suatu halaman tersebut telah diubah.”

Dengan mengklik tombol “Add a subscription” pada Google Reader kini dapat memudahkan pengguna untuk mengisinya dengan alamat URL apa saja dan selanjutnya Google akan membuat feed sendiri terhadap halaman tersebut jika sebelumnya tak menemukan ada feed sama sekali di web tersebut. Setiap kali konten halaman web tersebut diubah, pengguna akan dapat melihat perubahan tersebut pada Google Reader. Lebih menarik lagi, Google dapat membuat feed yang cukup aktual sehingga Anda bisa mengambil URL tersebut dan berlangganan menggunakan reader apapun nantinya.

Selain itu pihak Google juga memberikan hak khusus kepada pemilik website yang tidak menginginkan konten mereka diambil menggunakan fitur baru Google Reader ini. Caranya adalah dengan menambahkan beberapa baris kode pada web tersebut. Pihak Google sendiri tak menyebutkan secara spesifik mengenai perubahan ini. Tapi yang pasti adalah butuh waktu berhari-hari dalam implementasi fitur ini.

Feb 27, 2009

De Bandung Free Magazine

Edisi #Januari 2009


Edisi dari De Bandoeng Free Magazine sudah terbit, Kami akan menyajikan produk nyata yang eksis dan konsen untuk mengangkat kembali Budaya Daerah Jawa Barat. De-Bandoeng Free Magazine juga hadir sebagai informasi media bagi Backpaker kalangan anak-anak, muda mudi, dan orang tua yang haus akan tantangan wisata-wisata yang murah namun tetap menarik.





Tentang Kami

1. LATAR BELAKANG
Adanya inisiatif-inisiatif untuk mengangkat kembali suatu kebudayaan yang menjadi kebiasaan khalayak luas tentu merupakan sesuatu yang menyegarkan di tengah-tengah dominasi tekhnologi yang semakin maju dengan cepat. Berbagai jenis budaya yang ada di tanah sunda menjadi suatu perhatian khalayak luas dengan rasa keingintahuan yang lebih dalam lagi, tentunya ini harus ditanggani secara serius oleh pihak-pihak yang terkait, mengingat semakin majunya tekhnologi. Berbagai jenis budaya sunda hadir di tengah-tengah khalayak luas tanpa disadari bahwa itu merupakan sesuatu yang dapat menarik simpatik para pendatang untuk melihat dan mempelajarinya.

Untuk itulah kemudian, De Bandoeng Free Magazine mendorong dan mengajak masyarakat luas khususnya masyarakat Kota Bandung untuk kembali melestarikan kebudayaan yang ada disekitar mereka. Mengingat visi misi kota Bandung menjadi kota Pariwisata dan Budaya, tentunya ini menjadi suatu langkah untuk mengajak masyarakat kembali mengangkat tradisi seni dan budaya yang ada di lingkungan mereka. Ketertarikan wisatawan untuk datang ke Kota Bandung, mengingat Bandung dikenal di luaran sana sebagai Parijs Van Java tentu ini membuat kita wajib sebagai urang Bandung untuk memperkenalkan apa yang ada di Kota Bandung.

Semua ini dapat dilakukan di berbagai media, dan media cetak merpuakan salah satu alat untuk menyampaikan keanekaragaman seni dan budaya yang ada. Selain melalui media, tahap sosialisasi secara langsung juga merupakan salah satu cara yang harus di tempuh dalam memperkenalkan kembali seni dan budaya yang sempat termakan oleh waktu. Maka dari itu di adakannya diskusi publik guna untuk melihat respon sejauh mana pribumi mengenal jenis seni dan budaya yang ada di lingkungannya masing-masing.

sementara itu di masing-masing simpul/wilayah terdapat beberapa tradisi seni dan budaya yang sudah hampir punah atau terlupakan, sehingga diperlukan suatu alat untuk kembali mengangkat tradisi tersebut agar ketertarikan masyarakat luar semakin tinggi untuk mengenal dan mempelajari tradisi tersebut. De Bandoeng hadir di tengah-tengah masyarakat guna sebagai alat untuk akses penyaluran informasi tentang tadisi seni dan budaya yang ada di lingkungan masing-masing, karena De Bandoeng Free Magazine tidak untuk diperjual belikan. Sehingga siapa saja bisa mendapatkan dan memberikan informasi tradisi seni dan budaya tanah sunda.


2.TUJUAN
1.Mengangkat kembali tradisi seni dan budaya
2.Merumuskan potensi wilayah/simpul
3.Menganalisa dan memetakan jenis seni dan budaya yang masih bertahan atau yang sudah terlupakan
4.Meningkatkan minat menulis yang mungkin selama ini terpendam karena sulit untuk mencari alat penyaluran tulisan tersebut.


Visit Website : www.de-bandoeng.com

Feb 9, 2009

Membuat Banner Blog

Jika kita perhatikan hasil jadi desain banner saya yang sederhana meski kecil tapi cukup bisa menarik perhatian (benarkah?) ^_^ mungkin karena tulisan pada banner kecil tersebut berkedip-kedip. Susah membuatnya? Tidak juga, malahan mudah kok! Syaratnya Anda bisa mengoperasikan dasar-dasar penggunaan Adobe PhotoShop CS2 dan Image Ready. Silahkan ikuti tutorialnya di bawah ini.

Ukuran banner pada tutorial ini disesuaikan dengan postingan saya terdahulu tentang Penyeragaman ukuran Banner Blogger. Jika Anda ingin banner yang lebih besar silahkan saja setelah Anda mempelajari tutorial ini.

Oke, kita langsung saja,

Bagian Pertama (Membuat Bingkai dan Teks):

  1. Buka Adobe Photoshop CS2
  2. Buka file baru dengan mengklik menu File>New. Pada kotak dialog New

a. Name: Beri nama file dengan nama Anda.

b. Width: 81 pixels

c. Height: 16 pixels

d. Resolution: 72 pixels/inch

e. Color mode: RGB 8 bit

f. Background Content: Transparent.(*)

g. Color Profile: Working RGB: sRGB IEC61966-2.1

h. Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square

i. Klik OK

  1. Perbesar ukuran window kanvas dengan menarik ujung bagian bawah.
  2. Perbesar kanvas dalam dengan menggunakan Zoom Tool (Z) (+).
  3. Buatlah background untuk banner Anda dengan menggunakan Rectangle Tool (U). Sesuaikan dengan ukuran kanvas. Jika sudah ubahlah menjadi Shape dengan mengklik menu Layer >Raterized >Shape.Buatlah bidang seleksi berbentuk Marquee (kotak) dengan menggunakan Rectangular Marquee Tool (M) di atas background lalu klik menu Edit >Clear, sehingga background Anda berbentuk list kotak (bingkai) seperti pada banner saya (contoh).
  4. Buatlah teks nama Blog Anda (contoh, Hakimtea) di tengah-tengah bingkai menggunakan Horizontal Type Tool (T). Sesuaikan ukuran teks dengan bingkai menggunakan Move Tool.
  5. Tambahkan efek Bavel and Embos dengan mengklik menu Layer >LayerStyle >Bevel and Embos (tambahkankan pengaturan lain jika Anda mau seperti drop shadow, inner shadow, outer glow, dll) klik OK jika sudah.
  6. Save dahulu pekerjaan Anda bagian pertama ini.

Bagian Kedua (Membuat Animasi Teks Banner “berkedip-kedip”)

  1. Masih di Adobe Photoshop CS2 dengan banner Anda yang sudah setengah jadi pada bagian pertama di atas.
  2. Berpindahlah sekarang ke dalam menu editing Adobe ImageReady CS2 dengan mengklik menu File >Edit in ImageReady (Ctrl+Shift+M). Tunggu sebentar, maka lembar kerja Adobe ImageReady CS2 akan terbuka.
  3. Perhatikan, untuk membuat animasi “teks berkedip” Windows Animasi harus tersedia, jika belum ada, Anda bisa memunculkannya dengan mengklik menu Window>Animation.
  4. Untuk membuat animasi, pertama-tama kita akan bekerja dengan menu Layers. Klik ikon mata pada layer teks nama Anda. Sehingga ikon mata tidak terlihat dan otomatis teks nama Anda pun tidak terlihat. Sedangkan untuk bingkai biarkan saja terlihat.
  5. Pindahlah ke jendela Animation, lalu klik ikon Duplicate Current Frame. Anda sekarang mempunyai dua frame di jendela animation. Klik ikon mata pada layer teks nama Anda sehingga terlihat. Hasilnya frame pertama teks nama Anda tidak terlihat sedangkan pada frame yang kedua teks nama Anda terlihat.
  6. Sekarang aturlah waktu “teks berkedip” pada jendela Animation. Klik pada Selects Frame Delay Time di bawah frame pertama dan kedua di jendela animation. Contoh: Beri waktu 0.5 pada kedua frame.
  7. Untuk mencoba animasi teks Anda klik Plays/Stops Animation masih di jendela animation.
  8. Kalau waktu berkedipnya sudah terasa cukup (tidak terlalu cepat juga tidak terlalu lambat)
  9. Langkah berikutnya, simpan pekerjaan Anda dengan mengklik menu File >Save Optimized (Ctrl+Alt+S). Pada Save as Type Anda pilih extensi Image Only (*.gif) klik Save.

Bagian Ketiga (Ubah File GIF Anda Dalam Bentuk URL):

  1. Untuk mengubah file gif dalam bentuk URL, Anda memerlukan web yang menyediakan layanan tersebut. Dan ternyata banyak sekali web yang menyediakan layanan secara gratisan, free atau orang malay biang ‘percuma’ ^_^ diantaranya Photobucket, servimg, dan layanan gratis lainnya. Atau jika Anda sudah memiliki account gmail Anda bisa mengaktifkan googlepages dan mengupload file photo disana, atau bisa juga dengan menggunakan layanan Picasa dengan menggunakan account gmail juga.
  2. Namun untuk mempermudah saya anjurkan untuk menggunakan layanan dari servimg karena Anda cukup mendaftar dengan account email yang manapun dan tanpa adanya email aktivasi. Cukup mendaftar, login dan Anda bisa langsung mengupload photo.

Bagian Keempat (Memasang Banner Di Blog Sendiri dan Menyediakan Tag HTML untuk Tukar Link)

  1. Diantara keempat bagian ini, rasanya bagian terakhir yang paling menarik dan mendebarkan ^_^. Khususnya untuk saya. (karena salah sedikit saja memberikan tag HTML bisa hancur semuanya)
  2. Ok, setelah mempunyai URL banner, Anda memerlukan Tag HTML agar bisa disimpan pada elemen html yang ditempatkan di sidebar blog sekaligus untuk memudahkan bertukar link. Dan saat seseorang mengklik banner Anda di blog lain (yang telah bertukar link) langsung di arahkan menuju blog Anda, seperti halnya di bawah,
hakimtea.com

Tukeran Link Yuk…!

Silahkan copy kode di atas…!

Saya akan segera link balik…!

Tag HTMLnya sebagai berikut,


NAMA-ANDA.BLOGSPOT.COM



Tukeran Link Yuk...!
Silahkan copy kode di atas...!
Saya akan segera link balik...!

Anda tinggal mengganti:

  • URL-BLOG-ANDA: (contoh, URL blog saya yang “dulu” http://hakimtea.blogspot.com)*
  • NAMA-ANDA.BLOGSPOT.COM: (contoh nama blog saya, Hakimtea.Blogspot.Com)*
  • URL-GAMBAR-ANDA: (contoh URL gambar saya, http://i27.servimg.com/u/f27/11/83/04/92/banner10.gif)*

* NOTE: perhatikan pergantiannya 2 kali; satu agar tampil langsung sebagai banner Anda dan yang satu lagi tampil di teks area untuk memudahkan blogger lain mengcopy-paste kode HTML banner Anda.

Sebagai contoh saya masukan URL Blog, Nama blog, dan URL gambar “saya” ke dalam tag HTML di atas, maka kodenya jadi seperti di bawah ini,


hakimtea.blogspotcom



Tukeran Link Yuk...!
Silahkan copy kode di atas...!
Saya akan segera link balik...!

Perhatikan penyimpanan URL BLOG ANDA, NAMA BLOG ANDA dan URL GAMBAR ANDA… silahkan dicoba! Saya rasa cukup mudah dan tidak akan ada masalah! Seandainya ada, tinggalkan komentar di bawah :)

______________

(*) Transparent: Agar banner Anda bisa menyesuaikan diri (warna) di blog mana saja dia berada.

Oct 29, 2008

Diabetes drug costs soaring, top $12B last year

CHICAGO -Americans with diabetes nearly doubled their spending on drugs for the disease in just six years, with the bill last year climbing to an eye-popping $12.5 billion.
Newer, more costly drugs are driving the increase, said researchers, despite a lack of strong evidence for the new drugs' greater benefits and safety. And there are more people being treated for diabetes.
The new study follows updated treatment advice for Type 2 diabetes, issued last week. In those recommendations, an expert panel told doctors to use older, cheaper drugs first.
And a second study, also out Monday, adds to evidence that metformin — an inexpensive generic used reliably for decades — may prevent deaths from heart disease while the newer, more expensive Avandia didn't show that benefit.
"We need to pay attention to this," said Dr. David Nathan, diabetes chief at Boston's Massachusetts General Hospital, who wrote an editorial but wasn't involved in the new studies. "If you can achieve the same glucose control at lower cost and lower side effects, that's what you want to do."
The studies, appearing in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine, were both funded by federal grants.
In one, researchers from University of Chicago and Stanford University looked at which pills and insulin doctors prescribed and total medication costs. Diabetes drug spending rose from $6.7 billion in 2001 to $12.5 billion in 2007, a period when costs dropped for metformin.
More patients got multiple prescriptions as new classes of drugs came on the market. And more patients with diabetes were seeing doctors, increasing from 14 million patients in 2000 to 19 million in 2007.
"There's been a remarkable change in diabetes treatments and remarkable increases in the cost of treatments over the past several years," said study co-author Dr. Caleb Alexander, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago. "We were surprised by the magnitude of the changes and the rapid increase in the cost of diabetes care."
Nearly 24 million Americans, 8 percent of the population, have Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure, blindness and heart disease.
Current guidelines say doctors should prescribe metformin (about $30 a month) to lower blood sugar in newly diagnosed patients and urge them to eat healthy food and get more exercise. Other drugs can be added later, on top of metformin, to help patients who don't meet blood sugar goals. The updated guidelines don't include Avandia, which costs about $225 a month.
Dr. Susan Spratt, an endocrinologist at Duke University Medical Center, said she prescribes whatever it takes to lower her patients' future risk of blindness and amputations. That can mean coupling more costly drugs with metformin to hit blood sugar goals.
"I think cost-analysis is important from a public health standpoint," Spratt said. "But when you're sitting across from a patient, you want to use whatever is going to help them get control of their diabetes."
In the other study, Johns Hopkins University researchers analyzed findings from 40 published trials of diabetes pills that measured heart risks. Compared to other diabetes drugs or placebo, metformin was linked to a lower risk of death from heart problems.
The findings hint that Avandia has a possible increased risk for heart disease death, but that increase wasn't statistically significant, meaning it could have been the result of chance.
Few of the studies lasted longer than six months. The researchers cited a "critical need" for long-term studies of diabetes pills and heart risks.
Last year, the Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert on Avandia, made by British-based GlaxoSmithKline PLC, after another pooled analysis of studies found a risk of heart attacks. And in July of this year, FDA advisers said the agency should require drugmakers to show new diabetes drugs don't increase heart risks.
GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman Mary Anne Rhyne said FDA-approved labeling for Avandia says available data on the risk of heart attack are inconclusive. The medication, approved in 1999, has been used by well more than 7 million patients, she said.

US Student Faces Murder Trial in Italy

PERUGIA, Italy (Oct. 28) - An American college student and her former boyfriend were ordered Tuesday to stand trial in last year's slaying of her roommate, while the judge also convicted an Ivory Coast man in the killing, lawyers said.
The judge indicted Amanda Knox, 21, of Seattle and Raffaele Sollecito of Italy on charges of murder and sexual violence in the stabbing death of Meredith Kercher of England, said Francesco Maresca, a lawyer for the victim's family. Trial for the two, who deny wrongdoing, will start Dec. 4.
US Exchange Student Charged With Murder
Pier Paolo Cito, AP
6 photos

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American college student Amanda Knox was ordered Tuesday to stand trial in the slaying of her British roommate. An Italian judge indicted Knox, shown on her way to a Sept. 26 court hearing, and her Italian ex-boyfriend on charges of murder and sexual violence in the death of Meredith Kercher. A third suspect, a West African man, was convicted of the same charges, lawyers said.
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A third suspect, Rudy Hermann Guede of the West African nation of Ivory Coast, was sentenced to 30 years in prison after being convicted on the same charges in a fast-track trial requested by his defense, Maresca said. Prosecutors asked for life in jail.
Knox's attorney, Luciano Ghirga, said his client "was quite disappointed" by the ruling. "She is ready to start again," Ghirga told reporters. "The (first) hearing is very close, we have to reorganize our defense line in time."
Judge Paolo Micheli emerged with a verdict after almost 12 of hours of deliberations. All the proceedings were held behind closed doors and the three suspects awaited the ruling in separate cells at the courthouse.
Lawyers for Knox and Sollecito, who were jailed shortly after the slaying last Nov. 2, had asked that their clients be granted house arrest if indicted. Lawyers leaving the courthouse said Micheli did not rule on the request and a decision was expected in the coming days. If convicted, Knox and Sollecito could face life in prison.
Kercher's family, including her mother, father, two brothers and a sister attended the hearing.
"We are as pleased as we can be with the decision. At the end of the day, we are here because our sister Meredith was murdered," brother Lyle Kercher said at a news conference.
The victim's other brother, John, said he was "overwhelmed" when the judge handed down the guilty verdict for Guede.
Knox's divorced parents, Curt Knox and Edda Mellas, said in a statement they were "extremely disappointed and surprised" by the judge's decision, "given the weakness of the evidence against" their daughter.
"We believe that she will eventually be proven innocent of all charges against her and we will support her in every way possible as we work toward her complete exoneration," the parents said.
Kercher, a 21-year-old student from England, was found dead in the apartment she shared with Knox. She had been stabbed in the neck.
Prosecutors allege Kercher died during what began as a sex game, with Sollecito holding her by the shoulders from behind while Knox touched her with the point of a knife and Guede tried to sexually assault her. Prosecutors say Knox then fatally stabbed Kercher in the throat.
Guede, also 21, admitted being in the house, but denied any part in the killing. He said that he was in the bathroom when Kercher was attacked and that he rushed into the bedroom to try to rescue her. He said he fled Italy after the slaying because he was frightened. Guede's defense said it would appeal the verdict.
Sollecito, 24, has said that he was in his own apartment in Perugia at the time of the killing and that he doesn't remember if Knox spent part or all of that night with him.
Knox initially told investigators she was in the apartment when Kercher was killed and covered her ears against the victim's screams. Later, Knox said she wasn't in the house.
Prosecutors say Knox's DNA was found on the handle of a knife that might have been used in the slaying, while Kercher's DNA was found on the blade.
They say they found Sollecito's DNA on the victim's bra, although Sollecito's defense team says the bra bore multiple DNA traces and argue the evidence might have been inadvertently contaminated during the investigation.

Serbian Student Wanted in US Arrested

BELGRADE, Serbia (Oct. 28) - A Serbian basketball player who fled the United States after a bar brawl that left a fellow student in a coma was arrested Tuesday in Belgrade, police said.
Miladin Kovacevic was detained on suspicion that he "inflicted severe bodily harm" on Bryan Steinhauer during the fight in a bar in upstate New York last May.
Miladin Kovacevic
Srdjan Ilic, AP

Serbian basketball player Miladin Kovacevic is wanted in the United States on assault charges for allegedly beating a student during a bar fight. Kovacevic was arrested in Belgrade, but so far Serbia has refused to extradite him.


The arrest followed a decision earlier this month by U.S. authorities to hand over a file on Kovacevic's case to the Serbian judiciary, Tomo Zoric, a spokesman for Serbia's prosecution office, told The Associated Press.
Serbia has refused to extradite Kovacevic to the United States, saying its laws do not allow it. The case has strained relations between the two countries.
Sen. Charles Schumer, a leading Democrat from New York, thanked Serbia's government for its actions — but made clear Kovacevic should be extradited.
"It is far better to have Kovacevic detained than on the basketball court and now we must work to ensure that he is returned to the United States as soon as possible to face justice," Schumer said in a statement.
"This arrest should be a wake-up call for Mr. Kovacevic and for anybody complicit in his flight from justice," said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. "While Mr. Kovacevic's arrest is a step in the right direction we must continue to work together to ensure that he returns to the U.S. to face prosecution."
It was not immediately clear if or when Kovacevic, 21, would be formally charged in Serbia. An investigative judge ordered him to remain in prison for at least 30 days pending a formal investigation.
Kovacevic's lawyer, Borivoje Borovic, said Kovacevic used silence as his defense during the judge's questioning Tuesday. Kovacevic's father, Petar, told the AP that his son "voluntarily went to a police station for questioning."
Serbia's police media office said that a former Serbian consul in New York also was arrested Tuesday. The consul allegedly helped Kovacevic by providing emergency travel documents that helped the 21-year-old flee the U.S. last June.
Both the ex-consul and Kovacevic are suspected of forging the travel documents, Zoric said. The former consul, Slobodan Nenadovic, was also ordered to remain in jail for 30 days pending the formal inquiry.
Kovacevic, who played basketball for Binghamton University in upstate New York, jumped bail after being charged with assault. Steinhauer, 22, only recently emerged from a coma.
Kovacevic has signed a contract to play for a basketball team in a regional Serbian league.
DETROIT (Oct. 28) - A judge sentenced former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to four months in jail Tuesday for a sex-and-text scandal, calling him "arrogant and defiant" and questioning the sincerity of a guilty plea that ended his career at City Hall. Kilpatrick declined to speak in court, but his lawyers urged the judge to look at his entire career, not just the crimes that threw local government into disarray for months.
The punishment was part of a plea agreement worked out last month. Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner followed that deal but said Kilpatrick would not get time off for good behavior, potentially up to 20 days in this case.
Motor City Scandal
Paul Sancya, AP
9 photos

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Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced Tuesday to 120 days in jail for lying under oath about an affair -- a scandal that ultimately led to his ouster from City Hall. Wayne County Judge David Groner said Kilpatrick, 38, would not be eligible for early release.

European stocks up after Dow surge

LONDON -Europe's stock markets opened mostly higher Wednesday after a stunning rally on Wall Street and further gains in Asia overnight as investors awaited possible interest rate cuts from central banks in the U.S. and Japan.
The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was 149.47 points, or 3.8 percent, higher at 4,075.85 and France's CAC-40 was up 184.53 points, or 5.9 percent, at 3,299.45.
Germany's DAX index though was sharply lower as shares in Volkswagen AG, which have risen fivefold since Friday, dropped back by over 40 percent after the car maker's biggest shareholder Porsche AG said it will offer some stock to ease liquidity constraints.
Earlier, Japan's Nikkei index closed 589.98 points, or 7.7 percent, higher at 8,211.90 in the wake of the Dow Jones' 889 point, or 11 percent, rally Tuesday. The Dow's percentage rise Tuesday was its second biggest ever.
The renewed buying has been stoked by expectations that both the U.S. Federal Reserve and the Bank of Japan will cut interest rates this week and provide a further stimulus to the world economy which should foster some renewed risk appetite in markets.
The Fed is expected to cut its target fed funds rate by half a percentage point to 1 percent later Wednesday. Markets are also holding out the hope the Bank of Japan would trim its interest rate a quarter percentage point from the already low 0.5 percent.
The European Central Bank and Bank of England are also expected to follow suit and cut borrowing costs at their next scheduled rate-setting meetings next Thursday.
Despite signs that investors are looking for bargains after the turmoil of the last month, a sense of unease still prevails with the world economy and financial system fragile, evidenced overnight by the $25 billion package to help Hungary.
"This is still a volatile world as the bizarre 11 percent rose in the Dow overnight demonstrates," said Daragh Maher, an analyst at Calyon.
"Given that this was reportedly on the back of bargain hunting, one has to query why the market did not see similar value on Monday when the Dow continued to languish," he added.
Wall Street is expected to give up some of those gains when it opens later with futures markets predicting signaling a weaker opening for the two main U.S. indices in Wednesday trade. Dow and Standard & Poor's index futures were both down about 2 percent.
"After such huge gains yesterday a degree of profit taking at the open on Wall Street would pose few surprises," said Matt Buckland, a dealer at CMC Markets.
Elsewhere in Asia, the regional rally fizzled by the afternoon as traders cashed in profits amid fresh worries about company earnings.
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, up nearly 5 percent in early trading, trimmed its gain to just under 0.9 percent in volatile trade after a spectacular 14.4 percent rise the day before. Australia's S&P/ASX200 climbed 1.3 percent, helped by higher commodity prices.
South Korea's index pared its morning gains and dropped 3 percent as bank stocks pulled back on fears they may cut dividends after the government guaranteed their foreign currency loans.
Japan's stocks were helped by another fall in the value of the yen, which prompted investors to buy exporters like Toyota Motor Corp., which shot up 10.4 percent. Honda Motor Co. jumped 18 percent even though on Tuesday it reported a 41 percent drop in quarterly profit and lowered its forecast for the full year.
The yen has softened since jumping to about 91 to the dollar Friday. On Wednesday, the dollar was trading at about 97 yen after surging above 98 yen Tuesday, but up sharply from 94 yen late Monday.
Oil prices have also risen on the back of the rebound in global stock markets. Light, sweet crude for December delivery advanced $1.70 to $64.43 a barrel in London trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract slid 49 cents overnight to settle at $62.73, the lowest closing price since May 15, 2007.
On the currency front, the euro was 0.1 percent higher at $1.2744, while the pound was up 0.5 percent at $1.60.

Top 5 Jobs for Attention Lovers

Admit it: You are an attention seeker. You are the first to show up at friends' parties and the last to leave. You're drawn to karaoke bars and open-mike nights like a moth to a flame. Normal jobs are not for you. You don't want to waste away in a solitary office cubicle. You need a trade that lets you express yourself, grab the spotlight, and take charge and feel appreciated for your expert people skills and vibrant personality. You should check out these five great careers for people who love attention.

TV Pundit


From Al Franken to Bill O'Reilly, TV pundits passionately broadcast their points of view to people across the globe. Since it can take time to break into the TV business, many novice television pundits start by volunteering with local TV stations or newspapers while working salaried jobs as lawyers, businesspeople, or public administrators. Pundits come from diverse educational backgrounds. For instance, Bill O'Reilly has a master's degree in public administration (MPA). In contrast, Jon Stewart studied psychology and James Carville holds a law degree. Law degrees may be especially handy for aspiring pundits -- these programs improve your understanding of modern justice while sharpening your ability to argue clearly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that TV news analysts earn an average yearly wage of $71,470.

Police Officer


Everyone pays attention when police officers cruise by -- especially the bad guys. If you are physically fit, mentally agile, drug-free, and committed to enforcing justice, you should think about becoming a police officer. As an officer of the law, your duties may include obtaining warrants, patrolling unsafe neighborhoods, collecting evidence, and distributing tickets. Although some police jobs do not require college-level education, most police departments prefer to hire people with a strong background in criminal justice or law enforcement. Whether you study online or on campus, your bachelor's or master's degree in public administration, criminal justice, or legal studies may catapult your police officer application to the top of the pile. The BLS states that police and sheriff's patrol officers earn a mean annual salary of $50,670.


Fashion Designer


Do you have creative talents that match your larger-than-life personality and flair for fashion? Look into a fashion design career. You should first enroll in a two- or four-year fashion design program, where you can build a portfolio of your very best designs. During your program you may study computer-aided design (CAD), fashion marketing techniques, textiles, and consumer trends. Also, you can use your school's career office to track down an internship with an established designer. If possible, try to attend a fashion school in an urban area with a thriving fashion scene -- the BLS reports that the highest concentrations of designers work in New York and California. Fashion designers garner an average annual salary of $71,170.

Politician


From signing bills to setting budgets, politicians make many big decisions with community-wide effects. Politicians should have strong speaking skills and excellent negotiation talents. Also, they should feel comfortable in the public eye. Sound like you? If so, get your career training by garnering a law degree or a master's of business administration (MBA) degree, where you can deepen your understanding of statistics, economics, law, and tax policy. Lots of politicians hold degrees in law or business administration. For example, Hillary Clinton has a Juris Doctor law degree, as does her husband, Bill. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, has both a Juris Doctor degree and an MBA. According to the BLS, the highest 10 percent of politicians earn over $75,270 per year.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)


Not only could a CEO job practically guarantee you a spot in the limelight, it could land you a very generous salary: the BLS reports that top executives receive a mean annual paycheck of $151,370. Of course, you'll need to work your way to the top first. Most top executives hold bachelor's degrees or master's degrees in business administration, liberal arts, or related fields. You may also need specialized career training in your desired field: a department store CEO, for example, should have plenty of career training in retail. Besides your degree, you should have great interpersonal skills, an analytical mind, and an endless supply of energy.

Don't settle for a job that makes you feel unappreciated. With the right degree, you can turn your thirst for attention into a lucrative, emotionally rewarding career.

Joe Aguilar is a freelance writer in Boulder, Colorado. He has an MFA in creative writing from Oregon State University.

'Joe the Plumber' and Middle-Class Paychecks

Joe Wurzelbacher is getting his 15 minutes of fame and raising questions about what it means to be "middle class."

Better known as "Joe the Plumber," he stepped into the limelight earlier this month when he asked Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic contender for the White House, about his tax plan.

According to a New York Times story, Wurzelbacher asked Obama if he believed in the American dream, and voiced concern about having to pay higher taxes as a small-business owner. "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year," he told Obama. "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" Obama gave a lengthy response, toward the end saying, "I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

According to a New York Times breakdown of the candidates' tax plans, Obama would repeal the Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000, extend middle-class cuts, like the $1,000 child tax credit and the marriage penalty relief, and triple the earned income tax credit for workers earning minimum wage. McCain would make permanent nearly all of Bush's tax cuts, increase $3,500 personal exemption for dependents by $500 a year, until it reaches $7,000 in 2016, and offer the option to pay taxes under a simplified code with only two tax rates.

So what do the plans mean for middle-class workers like Wurzelbacher? Tax analysts in a NYT article said neither Wurzelbacher's personal taxes nor those of his business would be likely to rise under Obama's tax plan. However, a NYT graphic in the same story illustrates that the tax bill of a plumber in a situation similar to Wurzelbacher's would be slightly less under McCain's plan -- $20,468 -- compared to $21,068 under the Obama plan, assuming no retirement contributions.

Defining the Middle Class

Despite campaign rhetoric and political squabbling, Joe the Plumber is raising bigger questions: How do we define middle class? The middle class is obviously squeezed, but why?

There's no standard definition for middle class, according to FactCheck.org, but in opinion polls, a vast majority of Americans say they're "middle class" or "upper-middle class," or "working class"; very few consider themselves "lower class" or "upper class."

"The middle class in America is much wider and deeper than most people suspect," says Al Lee, PayScale's director of quantitative analysis. "The interesting thing is that a wide range of challenging and respected professions offer middle-class compensation."

Here are several tables reflecting PayScale data on the pay earned in typical middle-class jobs, as well as jobs where most employees make more than $250,000/year:

Typical Middle-Class Jobs in Battleground States, and What They Pay

Job/State/Average Pay/Top Earners' Pay
Plumber - Ohio - $47,500 - $81,700
Plumber - Florida - $54,800 - $111,900
Plumber - Colorado - $54,900 - $94,200
Registered Nurse - Ohio - $60,200 - $78,200
Registered Nurse - Florida - $62,800 - $87,200
Registered Nurse - Colorado - $68,900 - $90,200
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Ohio - $69,700 - $122,600
CPA - Florida - $76,900 - $138,200
CPA - Colorado - $67,600 - $134,300
Mechanical Engineer - Ohio - $78,800 - $111,100
Mechanical Engineer - Florida - $82,000 - $110,100
Mechanical Engineer - Colorado - $89,400 - $125,100

If you define middle class as those workers making less than $250,000 annually, the following are jobs that some may be surprised to find fall into the middle class bucket, on average.

National Pay Averages of Surprising Middle-Class Jobs

Job/Average Pay/Top Earners' Pay
Corporate Attorney - $141,000 - $357,000
Pediatrician - $151,000 - $239,000
Vice President, Operations* - $153,000 - $276,000
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)* - $167,000 - $302,000

*at a company with approximately 500 employees

So, who are the people who make up the upper class -- those earning $250,000 or more annually? Here is just a sampling:

National Pay Averages of Jobs Typically Earning Over $250,000/Year

Job/Average Pay/Top Earners' Pay
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)* - $251,000 - $576,500
Accounting Firm Partner++ - $267,600 - $457,700
Cardiologist - $270,500 - $429,700
Surgeon (all types) - $298,000 - $574,200

* at a company with approximately 500 employees
++ at 50 or more partners in firm

It's About More Than Taxes

Joe the Plumber seems like the average middle-class American -- working to provide for his family and pay the bills, concerned about his future finances and whether they'll improve.

His concerns about the American dream and his finances are reflecting the middle-class squeeze, which is about more than taxes. People are feeling squeezed because the traditional cornerstones of middle-class life are crumbling, says a report by American Human Development: wages in the middle have stagnated or fallen, while those at the top are soaring; job security has disappeared, the real-estate market has tanked, and public education is expensive. It's not excessive consumption by the middle class that's causing the problems, but the increasing costs of necessities (housing, food, energy, health care) coupled with stagnant wages, the report explains.

For example, median household income, which is $48,200, is down about $1,175 since 2000, while mortgage payments are up $1,730, gas bills are up $2,195, and utilities and food are up $330. To get by, more Americans -- particularly women -- are working, they're working longer hours, and they're accruing massive debt to finance their increasingly expensive existences. Millions are also doing without health care, skipping doctor visits and tapping into their retirement plans.

Easing the squeeze won't come easily. The more public debate we have about the issues causing middle-class angst, the better -- whether it's in the context of Joe the Plumber or not.

'Joe the Plumber' and Middle-Class Paychecks

Joe Wurzelbacher is getting his 15 minutes of fame and raising questions about what it means to be "middle class."

Better known as "Joe the Plumber," he stepped into the limelight earlier this month when he asked Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic contender for the White House, about his tax plan.

According to a New York Times story, Wurzelbacher asked Obama if he believed in the American dream, and voiced concern about having to pay higher taxes as a small-business owner. "I'm getting ready to buy a company that makes $250,000 to $280,000 a year," he told Obama. "Your new tax plan is going to tax me more, isn't it?" Obama gave a lengthy response, toward the end saying, "I think that when you spread the wealth around, it's good for everybody."

According to a New York Times breakdown of the candidates' tax plans, Obama would repeal the Bush tax cuts for households earning more than $250,000, extend middle-class cuts, like the $1,000 child tax credit and the marriage penalty relief, and triple the earned income tax credit for workers earning minimum wage. McCain would make permanent nearly all of Bush's tax cuts, increase $3,500 personal exemption for dependents by $500 a year, until it reaches $7,000 in 2016, and offer the option to pay taxes under a simplified code with only two tax rates.

So what do the plans mean for middle-class workers like Wurzelbacher? Tax analysts in a NYT article said neither Wurzelbacher's personal taxes nor those of his business would be likely to rise under Obama's tax plan. However, a NYT graphic in the same story illustrates that the tax bill of a plumber in a situation similar to Wurzelbacher's would be slightly less under McCain's plan -- $20,468 -- compared to $21,068 under the Obama plan, assuming no retirement contributions.

Defining the Middle Class

Despite campaign rhetoric and political squabbling, Joe the Plumber is raising bigger questions: How do we define middle class? The middle class is obviously squeezed, but why?

There's no standard definition for middle class, according to FactCheck.org, but in opinion polls, a vast majority of Americans say they're "middle class" or "upper-middle class," or "working class"; very few consider themselves "lower class" or "upper class."

"The middle class in America is much wider and deeper than most people suspect," says Al Lee, PayScale's director of quantitative analysis. "The interesting thing is that a wide range of challenging and respected professions offer middle-class compensation."

Here are several tables reflecting PayScale data on the pay earned in typical middle-class jobs, as well as jobs where most employees make more than $250,000/year:

Typical Middle-Class Jobs in Battleground States, and What They Pay

Job/State/Average Pay/Top Earners' Pay
Plumber - Ohio - $47,500 - $81,700
Plumber - Florida - $54,800 - $111,900
Plumber - Colorado - $54,900 - $94,200
Registered Nurse - Ohio - $60,200 - $78,200
Registered Nurse - Florida - $62,800 - $87,200
Registered Nurse - Colorado - $68,900 - $90,200
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Ohio - $69,700 - $122,600
CPA - Florida - $76,900 - $138,200
CPA - Colorado - $67,600 - $134,300
Mechanical Engineer - Ohio - $78,800 - $111,100
Mechanical Engineer - Florida - $82,000 - $110,100
Mechanical Engineer - Colorado - $89,400 - $125,100

If you define middle class as those workers making less than $250,000 annually, the following are jobs that some may be surprised to find fall into the middle class bucket, on average.

National Pay Averages of Surprising Middle-Class Jobs

Job/Average Pay/Top Earners' Pay
Corporate Attorney - $141,000 - $357,000
Pediatrician - $151,000 - $239,000
Vice President, Operations* - $153,000 - $276,000
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)* - $167,000 - $302,000

*at a company with approximately 500 employees

So, who are the people who make up the upper class -- those earning $250,000 or more annually? Here is just a sampling:

National Pay Averages of Jobs Typically Earning Over $250,000/Year

Job/Average Pay/Top Earners' Pay
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)* - $251,000 - $576,500
Accounting Firm Partner++ - $267,600 - $457,700
Cardiologist - $270,500 - $429,700
Surgeon (all types) - $298,000 - $574,200

* at a company with approximately 500 employees
++ at 50 or more partners in firm

It's About More Than Taxes

Joe the Plumber seems like the average middle-class American -- working to provide for his family and pay the bills, concerned about his future finances and whether they'll improve.

His concerns about the American dream and his finances are reflecting the middle-class squeeze, which is about more than taxes. People are feeling squeezed because the traditional cornerstones of middle-class life are crumbling, says a report by American Human Development: wages in the middle have stagnated or fallen, while those at the top are soaring; job security has disappeared, the real-estate market has tanked, and public education is expensive. It's not excessive consumption by the middle class that's causing the problems, but the increasing costs of necessities (housing, food, energy, health care) coupled with stagnant wages, the report explains.

For example, median household income, which is $48,200, is down about $1,175 since 2000, while mortgage payments are up $1,730, gas bills are up $2,195, and utilities and food are up $330. To get by, more Americans -- particularly women -- are working, they're working longer hours, and they're accruing massive debt to finance their increasingly expensive existences. Millions are also doing without health care, skipping doctor visits and tapping into their retirement plans.

Easing the squeeze won't come easily. The more public debate we have about the issues causing middle-class angst, the better -- whether it's in the context of Joe the Plumber or not.

Big Bucks Without Big Debt

Don't be afraid to fantasize about earning six figures. Doctors and lawyers aren't the only professionals in the $100K club. In fact, there are quite a few well-compensated professions that are open to bachelor's degree holders. Even if you don't quite reach those elusive six-digits, the following careers can offer a hefty paycheck without the decades of student loan payback that can come with a master's or doctoral program. Best of all, if you're open to relocating, each of the five professions below holds the possibility of hitting that magic number--if you're willing to choose your zip code with care.

Police Supervisor

The Job: As a supervising police officer you'd be in charge of overseeing subordinate officers, keeping records of your force's activities, and assigning duties to station personnel. The ability to exercise good judgment in intense and high-pressure situations is crucial for this job. You'll also have to be willing to work overtime as well as weekends and holidays to ensure the round-the-clock police coverage your community needs.
The Debt: The minimum requirement for police supervisors in many states is simply a high school diploma. Since you're new to the field, get a jump on competition by earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in criminal justice or law enforcement.
The Zip Code: Check out 12123, Nassau, New York, where first-line supervisors of police officers made an average salary of $113, 810 in 2007, close to $40,000 more than the national average.

Registered Nurse (RN)

The Job: All RNs, regardless of their focus, are responsible for providing medical care and education to patients and their families. If you're an adrenaline junkie, you could thrive as an emergency room nurse. Can't get enough of newborns? Consider a career in neonatology nursing.
The Debt: Take your pick from an associate's degree in nursing (ADN), a bachelor's of science degree in nursing (BSN), or a diploma program in nursing.
The Zip Code: While median earnings of RNs nationwide are nothing to sneeze at (close to $60,000 in 2007), nurses in San Jose, California (95101), banked an average of $95,580.

Computer Software Engineer

The Job: Software engineers focus on designing and developing computer software to meet the needs of the rapidly growing population of computer users worldwide. In addition to being one of the fastest-growing careers in the nation, this profession lends itself to telecommuting, an added perk if you don't want to leave home to find a higher-paying position.
The Debt: In 2006, eighty percent of all software engineers had at least a bachelor's degree. If you're an aspiring computer software engineer, check out degree programs in computer science or software engineering.
The Zip Code: Average wages for professionals in this field in Haverhill, Massachusetts (01830), were $106,270 in 2007, while nationally the average was $85,660.

Dental Hygienist

The Job: It may not seem glamorous, but keeping people's mouths clean is a practical career choice offering job security, high wages, and even some flexibility in scheduling. Strong interpersonal skills are a must for these professionals, who spend their days up close with their patients.
The Debt: At the bare minimum you'll need an associate's degree or certificate in dental hygiene to practice in a private dental office or clinic. Earning a bachelor's degree could help you compete for higher-paying jobs.
The Zip Code: Most hygienists earn a comfortable living regardless of their location -- the national average was just over $64,000 in 2007. Zip code 98221 (Anacortes, Washington) tops the list of high-paying cities, however, where hygienist salaries average $97,600.

Interior Designer

The Job: Although reality TV shows have created a generation of amateur in-home designers, professionals in this field work in spaces ranging from airports to schools. In addition to combining paint colors, fabrics, window treatments and light fixtures, interior designers must also be able to read blueprints, understand fire codes, and collaborate with architects and contractors.
The Debt: You'll need at least an associate's degree to land an entry-level position as an interior designer. In 23 states designers must be licensed.
The Zip Code: Average earnings for interior designers were just over $50,000 in 2007. Head for Grand Rapids, Michigan (49501), however, and you could make double that.

You don't have to spend the next 10 years in school to make a comfortable salary. Choose your field of study and your future home with care and you could soon find yourself working your way to a six-figure paycheck.

Let's Do Lunch ... or Not

Chew on this: The traditional "lunch hour" seems to be going the way of the dinosaur. According to a new national survey by our company, senior executives say their typical lunch break is now just 35 minutes, down from 42 minutes in 2003. Moreover, respondents work through lunch three days a week on average.

Given that higher-ups tend to set the example for their employees, it's likely that you also frequently dine at your desk. While this means you rarely miss a call or impromptu meeting, there are significant downsides. After all, feeling chained to your chair can lead to burnout and stress -- not to mention crumbs in your keyboard.

Here are some healthy tips and tactics for making the most of the shrinking lunch break:

Become a morning person. When planning your day, set a few early goals for yourself. In addition to your daily to-do list, consider creating a "to-do by noon" list, for instance. Meeting these deadlines will give you a sense of relief and accomplishment, setting the stage for a more relaxing and enjoyable lunch.

Don't pile up peoples' plates. In today's decentralized business environment, some of your coworkers and clients are likely spread across the country or various continents. When arranging calls or videoconferences with people in different time zones, try to work around the lunch hours of all involved. If you are considerate of others' lunch schedules, they'll likely return the favor and accommodate yours.

Seek a change of scenery. During peak workload periods, it's difficult to escape to your favorite sandwich shop. If you don't have time to leave the office, at least step away from your workspace and eat in the lunchroom or break area. Even taking a quick walk outside can help clear your head. And if you absolutely must stay close to your computer or phone, roll your chair away from your desk for a short time and focus on a non-work activity such as reading a magazine or completing a crossword puzzle.

Finally, remember that the lunch break is not just about eating. It's also an important time to recharge and socialize, both of which are essential to maintaining morale and perspective. If you work in a fast-moving environment where group lunch outings are few and far between, find other times to socialize with colleagues.

Put simply, make a concerted effort to catch up and build rapport with fellow team members -- even if it's during trips to the vending machine.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices worldwide. For more information about our professional services, please visit rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.

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