UseCenter

Encompix (www.encompix.com) has filled the manufacturing software requirements of Engineer-to-Order companies since 1992. The company name reflects the commitment to developing business application solutions that encompass the complex areas of project-based and job-based manufacturing. Encompix provides ETO manufacturers with a competitive advantage by improving bottom line results. Q3 2005 has been exceptional for the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), manufacturing software leader. The new clients include:

Shick Tube-Veyor Corporation was founded in 1956 by William F. Ungashick, an aeronautical engineer. Today, Shick is an industry leader in providing single source automated ingredient handling systems and equipment. Shick designs, manufactures, installs and services systems for customers primarily in the baking industry. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, Shick has approximately 165 employees located in Missouri and Singapore.

Global Vehicle Systems, located in Tilbury, Ontario, provides automotive and non-automotive parts production from single cells to complete line automation. They offer plastics and metal tooling and assembly, interior trim module gauges and fixtures and the finest and most complete fuel tank assembly systems.

Air-x-hemphill (AXH) combines more than 40 years of experience and leadership in the air-cooled heat exchanger industry. This fast-growing company went from zero to 120 employees in less than six months, located at their corporate office in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and their plant in Claremore, Oklahoma. To cope with this explosive growth, AXH needed ERP software to support their engineer-to-order business. After an extensive search, AXH selected Encompix.

Komline-Sanderson, located in Peapack, New Jersey, builds equipment that is used in industrial and municipal plants for process/production filtration, indirect heat transfer, sludge and biosolids processing, wastewater clarification, and dry scrubbing of off-gas. Komline-Sanderson sees the Encompix CRM module as a key component to improve their estimating and sales process. The implementation is scheduled to be completed first quarter 2006.

Pattern Equipment & Prototype (PEP) in Windsor, Ontario, is a division of Tooling & Equipment International (TEI), Livonia, Michigan. TEI is a leader in Design, Engineering and Manufacturing of Tooling, Prototype, Pre-Production and Mass Production Equipment for the Metal Casting Industry.

According to Thomas R. Cutler, spokesperson for the ETO Institute (www.etoinstitute.org), “Encompix has experienced this level of success because few other manufacturing software companies truly understand the specific issues and nuances facing the engineer-to-order segment of the manufacturing market.”

Encompix www.encompix.com Roger Meloy 513-733-0066

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1. Bad layout formatting.

Try to use your judgment when it comes to layout. They will serve as your best guide. Do not just center on your body text. The text and content should be offset, and not overrun by graphics. Sentences should wrap nicely from left to right. Navigation should not take up half of the screen. Body text should not be 60 pixels high. Basically common sense issues that anyone with a clear head can understand and appreciate.

2. No content or outdated content.

No information or content to go along with the site is a terrible mistake many are making. It is not surprising why your visitors leave at first glance. Know that people wait and spend money to view your pages. So it is a courtesy and a necessity to provide something to reward their efforts. By content, it means something people would want to see or read. It is not just a string of clipart, GIF animations or “under construction” signs.

3. Sloppy navigation and orphan pages.

Allow easy access to pages. Always include a link back to the main page. Oftentimes, only a “back” button is all that is provided when a guest has penetrated into an inner page. Many sites, especially those with frames, can be accessed by search engines into a portion of a complete page. These have no links to the main page and leaves visitors stranded and can be considered “Orphan Pages.” Try to put a link back to your main page on every page, so that visitors would not be trapped.

4. The use of technology.

Do not bombard visitors with technology just for the sake of using them. Technology is great fun to use, if used with wisdom and care. You may think it is cool, but 99% of the world does not think so. All Javascripts, Java applets, VRMLs, and other high-tech and possibly error-prone technology should be used only when the page calls for it. Do not use it just because it is there for the taking.

5. Midis and non-stop animations.

Nothing on pages should be continuous and without a way to stop them. MIDIs are nice little add-ons that can add atmosphere to a page. Provide a way to stop it before your readers become irritated. If you doing these things to your site, stop now before it is too late. For those who does not, do not even think about it.

For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.ucreative.com

When it’s bad, college football can really suck. But when it’s good…oh boy.

Last weekend, it was very, very good. I have two TVs in my living room, side-by-side, and in the span of about 15 minutes, Wisconsin won their ridiculous game over Minnesota thanks primarily to a blocked punt, Michigan topped Penn State’s gutsy drive with one of their own (aided by two phantom seconds added to the Big House clock) and Matt Leinart somehow got the clock stopped when he fumbled out of bounds (it’s not supposed to do that) and made his QB sneak into history, helping Southern Cal overcome a nation’s worth of Irish rooters in the best football game I remember seeing this century.

Wow.

Add to that Alabama’s clutch drive against Ole Miss leading to a game-winning field goal with no time left, West Virginia’s tackling of Louisville QB Brian Brohm just outside the goal line, stopping what would’ve been a tying two-point conversion in that game’s third overtime, and UCLA’s outrageous comeback on Washington State, including a third-and-three from the Wazzou nine with precious little time on the clock, whereupon the Bruins scored the tying TD and sent the game into OT. No, my crummy cable company didn’t let me see all those games (though I did get the Tide and some of the Mountaineers), but all I can tell you is this: whenever your know-it-all brainiac friend with the pocket protector and mounds of statistics about how big-time intercollegiate athletics are leeches on the forehead of American universities, think back to last Saturday, remember play after play of pulse-pounding excitement that only sports can consistently give, and offer your friend a winsome smile.

He just wouldn’t understand.

The White Sox are in their first World Series in 46 years. How does that play in the handicapping world? Are a lot of bettors (including you) on that bandwagon? What were the odds on them winning the AL before the season started? Do you find them to be an appealing team to root for?

Rob Gillespie, BoDog.ws: Not really. I think bettors were shocked to see the Yankees and Red Sox out so fast and were playing wait and see. On the year, the White Sox got no love from bettors. They opened at 35/1 last fall and moved as high as 50/1 in the offseason. Their fast start drew a couple of large bets but bettors never really showed support in any numbers. I don’t find the team itself particularly appealing, but its tough not to like Ozzie Guillen and the way he has his team play.

Assuming the Astros win one of the next three NLCS games, who do you like between them and the White Sox in the World Series? Do you expect the world to care, or will this be one of those Series that no one watches?

RG, BoDog.ws: Pujols hits a clutch monster Home Run Monday night, the Colts come back from 17 down early to destroy the hapless looking Rams and all anyone is talking about at the water cooler today is USC/Notre Dame. I think this will be the World Series time forgot if you live outside of Texas or Illinois. I’ll take the White Sox starters and rested bullpen and say Chicago in 5. Just guessing here of course!

How about that USC/Notre Dame game? Boy, was that an Instant Classic, or what? How did Vegas do on that one, and what were your impressions of the Trojans. Are they going to win the national championship?

RG, BoDog.ws: Action was so balanced on that one that we got to be true fans for a game, and what a game. I stood in front of my TV and applauded at the end. I wonder how the Houston Texans would fare against either team right now? That was an instant classic for sure. I would worry about a letdown next week if wasn’t Washington up next on their sched. USC has not played championship caliber ball in the first half of their last three games and they will give Cal and UCLA shots to beat them if they don’t get that sorted out quickly.

In the NFL, is New England in serious, serious trouble, or do you expect them to get healthy and make another run?

RG, BoDog.ws: I put my back out once. The most surprising thing was how much other muscles hurt from having to compensate. I think the same is true of the Pats right now. The more that bench gets stretched, the more guys are going to get banged up. They have the mental make-up to recover quickly but there may not be enough time left in the season to physically recover given how good the AFC looks this year. Bruschi’s return is likely to give a small emotional lift, but I don’t think he will make enough physical difference to stop the bleeding. The bye week will help as well. Buff/Ind/@Mia the next three games: winning two is a must if they want to get back to the Super Bowl; winning all three would show they are still the team to beat; losing two or more of those and it’s time to build for next year.

Christopher Harris is a man of many talents, including head writer for The Professional Handicappers League at http://www.procappers.com

My niece is turning eighteen in four months. Suddenly I feel very old. Well, when I asked her what she wanted for her birthday she told me the same thing she did when she turned sixteen, a new car. Well, she is out of luck on that one, but I did find 18th birthday gift ideas for her on the Internet. I’ll be honest with you, I am quite glad that she is a girl because I find that girls are much easier to buy for than for guys and there is a lot to choose from for her that all fall in the category of the “perfect gift.”

Meanwhile, as a woman I can honestly say that sometimes shopping for a man is such a pain. Take my husband for example, he is a drummer and the only things he ever wants cost in excess of five hundred dollars. Then there is my dad who has a boat and an RV and all he ever asks for are things for use on either of those things. Well, this year when I asked about birthday gifts for dad I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he wanted some tools. I cannot tell you how glad I am that he wants something that I can actually purchase for him.

Golf is a $60 billion per year industry. Much of that staggering figure comes from money spent on new “technologically advanced” equipment. Equipment the manufacturers claim will let us hit the ball farther and straighter than ever before. Another large area of spending is golf instruction. Today’s golfer has access to a vast number of highly qualified PGA teaching professionals to correct swing faults and give cues on how to make better ball contact. With all this high tech equipment and expert instruction, the average golfer must be playing better and shooting lower scores than ever…right? Wrong! The average handicap has not dropped in over 18 years. Why is this? The reason is great new equipment and great teachers but the same old body.

Let’s take a look at what factors control the flight of a golf ball. This may help us better understand why most golfers get less than spectacular results from investments in new equipment and expert instruction.

The golf club directs the golf ball due to the following factors:

• Club Face Alignment
• Swing Path
• Angle of Impact
• Club Head Speed

The flight of the golf ball is primarily controlled by external factors such as clubface alignment, swing path, angle of attack, and club head speed. PGA teaching professionals are highly qualified to provide excellent cues and make corrections in your stance, grip, etc. in order for you to improve your swing and allow you to make better contact with the golf ball. After a lesson with cues you find yourself striking the ball better than ever. You just can’t wait to get to the course to show your stuff. A few days later you get to the course and it’s the same old ugly swing or wicked slice. Sound familiar? Why it is so difficult for most golfers to consistently reproduce that beautiful swing developed during a golf lesson? The reason is … The club controls the ball but it is your body that controls the club!

Your body controls the golf club due to the following internal physical factors:

• Postural Stability
• Muscle Balance and Flexibility
• Proprioception*
• Strength and Endurance
• Power

*Proprioception = the bodies awareness of its position in space.

The path of the golf club is controlled primarily by internal physical factors. These internal physical factors include precise coordination of muscle contraction and relaxation (muscle balance and flexibility), postural stability, balance and body awareness (proprioception), muscle strength and endurance. Without adequate training of these internal factors it is nearly impossible to consistently repeat the perfect golf swing and produce optimal power to get the most out of your clubs. Without adequate training of these internal factors it is also extremely difficult to prevent the common overuse injuries affecting many golfers. Statistics show over 50% of all golfers will suffer a golf related injury.

So, instead of spending all that money on the latest and greatest driver you ought to think about upgrading your most important piece of equipment… your body! Arm yourself with a qualified golf fitness professional along with a PGA teaching professional and you will not only play better golf but you’ll feel better doing it.

Bill Scibetta, RN, NSCA-CPT
Bill is the founder and President of Precision Fitness – Personal Training Centers in the Charlotte, NC area and co-author of the book Play Better Longer! – Peak Performance and Injury Prevention for Golf. Bill is a licensed Registered Nurse as well as a National Strength and Conditioning Association – Certified Personal Trainer. After spending years practicing in the specialty of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Bill has dedicated his career to helping individuals identify and overcome obstacles that stand in the way of optimal wellness and peak physical performance.

Exercise training for golf is what every golfer who is serious about improving their golf swing power and mechanics should be focusing on…especially senior golfers in the “off-season” or winter months.

If you’ve read any of my articles you’ll know where I’m coming from.

“Your body dictates your golf swing!”

“A broken body will never achieve optimal golf performance”.

“You are only as good as your ‘physical limitations’ will allow you.”

You heard it hear first. My quotes above are “my quotes” that I have used for over 10 years with golfers of all ages, abilities and sexes.

I have seen it thousands of times throughout the past 10 years. Golfers getting so frustrated they want to quit the game.

They’ve taken lessons. They’ve practiced til their hands bled. And they own the latest/greatest equipment.

And…

They are NOT playing any better!

Why?

Because their body is keeping them from what they think they can do. There is a gap between the mind and the body.

You can will a great game in your mind as much as you want, but if your body isn’t capable…it will NEVER happen!

Those are the cold hard facts.

The sooner you realize your body is the “magic bullet’, the sooner you can start your exercise training for golf and see real results.

These results will be long-lasting too!

No band-aid swing fixes that don’t even last for 18 holes.

Your exercise training for golf program should focus on your personal, physical limitations to save time and money. Eliminate your limitations and watch your golf game soar!

I’m here to MOTIVATE you…not sugar-coat it!

It’s time to regain those lost yards off the tee, and get back to shooting scores you did years ago!

Get started right now on your program of exercise for golf.

About The Author: Mike Pedersen is the featured expert for Golf Magazine’s GolfOnline.com site, one of the top golf performance experts in the country, author and founder of several cutting-edge online golf performance sites. Take a look at his just released golf performance dvds and manual at his golf fitness exercise site – Perform Better Golf.

Nature Screensavers are extremely popular with nature lovers. Options in this category of screensavers range from those that display scenic beauty to those that show animals and their antics. Screensavers that seem to catch the fancy of a lot of nature lovers are those that ‘play’ with water. From screensavers that show the rippling effect of water, to waterfalls, to streams, oceans and beaches – the range is simply astounding.

Sometimes people are unable to decide between screensavers. This can lead to quite a predicament as it is possible to spend days downloading, installing and trying out screensavers, and still not be satisfied. A situation like this can be tackled based on two insights: an insight into what the user wants to see on the screen depending on a personal preference and an insight into what the user wants to be seen to be using. It is natural and human for people to want to be perceived as hip and happening based on the screensaver that they use, in addition to other things, of course.

When it comes to personal preferences, people often wonder whether a “very bright” screensaver would work for them or whether a “very sober” one would do the trick. Sometimes, they also mull over whether or not the screensaver of their choice should have accompanying audio. Graphics also make people think; they’d like a lot of graphics but can’t decide whether these will be compatible with the configuration of their computer or not.

An appropriate Nature Screensaver can be selected if all factors are taken into consideration and a balanced decision is made. Screensavers that are too bright often disturb people rather than give them a ‘visual break’ from whatever they are doing. At the same time, those that are too sober sometimes dull the senses and inflict monotony and boredom. An attractive and effective Nature Screensaver is one that has a balance of bright and dark colors. It may or may not be accompanied by music. If it is accompanied by music, the music should have a distinct rhythm, though not a jarring one.

Nature Screensavers with complex graphics are visually appealing but place additional pressure on the computer to perform, sometimes causing it to freeze or even crash. Nature Screensavers with minimal graphics can prove to be as good as non-existent. Therefore, it is a good idea to select a screensaver that has graphics, but not one that has them in excess. They are, in fact, the ones that feature water in different settings. These are interesting, relaxing, and visually attractive for the user and those in the vicinity.

Screensavers provides detailed information about screensavers, free screensavers, nature screensavers, animated screensavers and more. Screensavers is the sister site of Computer Projector Rentals.

Performing shoulder exercises and stretches are important to ensuring that you have a good swing. Stretching the rotator cuff muscles, those found in your shoulders that allow you to move your shoulder in a circular motion, increases flexibility and ensures a more natural and fluid golf swing.

Good shoulder stability and strength is vital to your golf game, since your shoulders are involved with every swing of your clubs. Include shoulder stretches and exercises in your regular fitness routine, as well as use them as part of your pre-game warm-up. Here are two important stretches that will help you get your shoulders in top shape.

Rotator cuff stretch: This movement is designed to stretch out the rotator cuff muscles. Hold the club in the middle of the shaft with one arm extended straight out. Rotate the club to the right and then to the left. When complete, switch to the other arm and repeat the stretch.

Shoulder towel stretch: This movement is designed to stretch the muscles in your shoulders. Begin by standing with your feet shoulder width apart. Grab a golf towel or other small towel and place it behind your back. Raise one arm, bend it at the elbow and reach down towards the opposite shoulder blade. With the other arm, reach behind your back towards the opposite shoulder blade. As you hold the towel in between the two arms, pull the upper arm straight down. Next, raise the lower arm straight up. Reverse your arms and repeat the stretch.

Essential to your fitness routine is a regular stretching program for the muscles of your shoulder. You can use stretches for your shoulders as a pre-round warm up in addition to stretches you may do at the gym or at home as part of an ongoing.

Susan Hill is a nationally recognized golf fitness trainer, CHEK golf biomechanic and sports nutrition specialist. For more information on golf specific nutrition, exercises or stretches, visit www.fitnessforgolf.com.

Joining a golf club has many advantages and benefits, compared to playing at different golf clubs. Lets take a look at some of the benefits and reasons to join a local country club.

(1) Most golf clubs, if not all golf clubs have a handicap tracking system, to keep track of your scores. You do not have to send your scorecard to a golf association for a legitimate handicap, to play in golf tournaments.

(2) Golf clubs have a facility with a locker room and restaurant as a meeting place. Therefore you get to know more fellow members, which make it a lot easier for you to find players to team up with.

(3) You’re more likely to drive down to your local country club to practice, than you would at an unfamiliar golf course. More practice, means playing better golf.

(4) Belonging to a golf club makes you play with a better game plan approach, because of the familiarity of the golf course. Being familiar with a golf course and knowing what lies ahead, tends to make you think about your club selection.

(5) The yardage at the golf course on most golf holes becomes embedded in memory, which in turn gives you a better understanding of your golf club yardage capabilities.

(6) A lot of golf clubs have a trade off system, which allows you to play at different golf courses in return for other members from other clubs, to play your golf course.

(7) You are more likely to play in more golf tournaments. Golf clubs have a member’s bulletin board, keeping you informed on what upcoming events are coming up.

(8) Once you pay a yearly green fee at a country club, you get to play unlimited golf. Certain days may be restricted for after certain hours.

(9) If you join a golf club that has shares, the shares typically go up on the majority. It may have something to do with the golf frenzy.

(10) Last minute tee times are a lot easier to book, if the pro knows you belong to the golf club. The pro will simply find you other members to join up with. Members enjoy meeting other members of the club.

(11) If you play golf a lot. Belonging to a golf club will save you a lot of money in the long run.

There are numerous advantages and benefits in joining a nearby country club. Check out the phone book, for some local golf courses, or browse the Internet for courses near your hometown. Play a few golf courses first; to see which golf challenge you would enjoy the best.

Learned to play golf as a caddie. Now running a discount tee time site at www.golfanchor.net

Wagering on NFL games is not guesswork. It requires time, patience, and careful analysis. Here are some notes to keep an eye on regarding NFL games this weekend.

Ravens at Bengals: Emotion and interest are more important than raw stats for analyzing this game. For instance, the Ravens have had a terrible season, especially offensively. If you look at their schedule, they’ve only got “up” to play just a few times this season. Pittsburgh is a big division rivalry game for this club. They got fired up to play at Pittsburgh last month and lost 20-19 as a two touchdown underdog. Then the Ravens went flat, losing 21-9 to Cincinnati and 30-3 to Carolina (0-2 ATS). Then last week they got fired up again when the Steelers came to town, pulling off a 16-13 upset in overtime. So will they pack it in on Sunday? After all, Baltimore is 3-7 overall and going nowhere. Their opponent, Cincinnati, is off an emotional game, losing a 45-37 thriller at home to the unbeaten Colts. Will they be up? Or emotionally spent? More likely they’ll be up, and the Bengals certainly have far more offensive versatility and balance than does Baltimore. Notice that the Ravens have really only played against three versatile offenses (Colts, Bengals, Jaguars) and went 0-3 ATS. I left out their two games against Pittsburgh because the Steelers were without QB Ben Roethlisberger both times. Baltimore is also 0-5 SU, 1-4 ATS on the road where they are getting beat by a 24-11 average.

Patriots at Chiefs: New England has a two game win streak, but they needed goal-area stands in the final seconds to top both Miami and New Orleans. And this secondary is still banged up, surrendering a ton of yards. The Patriots will be without Corey Dillon once again, the offensive line is still playing without its starting center and has two rookies in there. The Pats are also very thin at wide receiver, with David Givens missing last week’s game and out of practice this week. Kansas City is 4-2 SU/ATS the last six games and, at 6-4, there is a sense of urgency if they want to make the playoffs. Also note that Pats coach Bill Belichick hasn’t been with the team this week, tending to his father’s funeral.

Panthers at Bills: An interesting betting line, as Carolina is 2-3 ATS on the road and 3-5 ATS as a favorite. Public perception is certainly a huge part of this, as the Bills were embarrassed 48-10 at San Diego last week. Still, notice that Buffalo is 0-5 on the road, but 4-1 SU/ATS at home! They allow just 13 ppg at home.

Bears at Bucs: The reason to pay attention to this game is the Tampa Bay defense. They are still ranked very high in the NFL, but the last three games they’ve surrendered a mind-boggling 34, 35 and 27 points! What gives? Perhaps just as amazing is that they’ve won 2 of those games.

Dolphins at Raiders: One game does not a season make! Miami is 2-7 SU/ATS since upsetting Denver in the opener. Public perception has certainly caused Miami to be overvalued because of that season-opening win and the reputation that new coach Nick Saban brings after winning the national title at LSU just two years ago. By the way, as up-and-down as Oakland has been, the Raiders are 2-0 SU/ATS as a favorite.

Steelers at Colts: Best game of the weekend takes place Monday night. Pittsburgh is ranked ahead of the Colts in total defense, No. 6 vs. No. 8. What will be interesting will be the Steelers’ offensive line and deep running game behind Jerome Bettis, Duce Staley, Willie Parker and Verron Haynes. They’ve been rotating all four, a la Denver, and Indy has been weak against the run at times this season. Notice that the Bengals ran for 164 yards on the Colts, 6.3 yards per carry last week! If the Steelers want to upset the 10-0 Colts, they will need offensive balance, which means they need a healthy QB Ben Roethlisberger to return. Tommy Maddox is useless. The Colts are the 17th team in the 86-year history of the NFL to open a season 10-0, and only the ninth since 1970. Still, it’s hard to believe Indy is only 1-3 against the spread at home, but they are. Enjoy the post-Thanksgiving platter of games! Good luck, as always…Al McMordie.

Al McMordie is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League.
Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/Al_McMordie.htm