??? By integrating technology with centuries old culinary arts ICS has been able to make an effective teaching aid that is also a handy reference for when consumers need to use a seldom used herb or skill. With over 125 video demonstrations, herb & spice guide, substitutions guide, ingredient dictionary and even a pasta guide "Essentials of Cooking" works on home computers and set top DVD player.???"We will be releasing at least 2 more titles this year starting on April 23 with the release of "Essentials of Cast Iron Cooking with Lodge" at the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, TN" said Chef Barnes. "This will be followed by "Essentials of Cake Baking and Decorating" that is currently in production and will be released later this summer."???Founded in 2003 by interactive media and culinary professionals in Auburn, AL, Interactive Cooking School, L.L.C. is the first interactive media production company to produce a library of interactive cooking programs for the home cook.???? For more information about the company and their products visit the Interactive Cooking School website at www.learnhow2cook.com, Essentials of Cooking will be released to retailers later this spring. "Cooking Basics", the first program released by Interactive Cooking School last November is currently available at department stores throughout the southeast..

See for Producer information: http://www.sweetjusticetheband.com/theguys.htm. "We wanted to make a record that would embrace all the things that made Thor's classic albums so fun and great, yet update into the new millennium and make it cool and hip," says Messiaz/Sweet Justice collaborator Frank Meyer, who co-produced and co-wrote much of the material. "The main ingredient was strong songs, of which Thor www.thorcentral.com had plenty of." "Between Jon's blow-down-the-walls vocals, Brian Kehew's elaborate synth playing, Vince's MVP harp and sax, not to mention the soon-to-be hits that both Jon and Frank brought to the table, the album was a total joy to work on," chimes in Messiaz/Sweet Justice partner Duff. "I think people are going to be surprised to discover a fun, hard-rocking album along the lines of Alice Cooper's '70s favorites." "What I liked the most about it is that the songs -- lyrically and musically -- remind me of my older material, yet sound fresh and modern," adds Thor. "Going into this, I really wanted this album to reflect where I'm at in my life now? and I think we achieved that." Thor and his manager?partner Michael Hektoen (See latest news http://www.thorcentral.com/mp_redesign/html/news_pages/other_news.html#smog )explain about their choice of record label for the release.

"Frank Mauceri the boss of Smog Veil Records www.smogveil.com is a great visionary." "We really like his fast growing multi-media company. The industry is rapidly changing and Smog Veil is getting involved with downloading, ring tones, DVD's and movies. They truly see where the future of technology is headed and have their finger on the pulse. Were honored to be part of the Smog Veil Family."Equipped with a new multi-media deal with Smog Veil Records that will see the July release of Thor Against the World and a career retrospective DVD now in post production, Thor is entering the fray with his greatest weapon yet, an incredible album. "Those who have heard the new album feel it is Thor's best work ever," says Frank Mauceri head of Smog Veil Records.

KNAC Radio has the new Thor Video link at: http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3595Thor brims with enthusiasm when asked about his plans for the upcoming show "there will be theatrics. am concentrating mainly on the music, energy and showmanship" Thor explains "and I will do things like wrap a microphone stand around an opponents neck on stage!" he quips. "Usually I have half nude female warriors on stage," he adds "but this time we are planning a rock ?n' roll "all cock and balls band" set. We think there may be some scantily clad women in the audience though. We hope so anyway!" Thor's set list for the Knitting Factory performance will include "Megaton Man," "Easy Women," "Glimmer" (from the movie), "Thunder On The Tundra," "Anger," and "Let The Blood Run Red."Thor's discography spans over 28 years and over 20 full-length albums.

This body of work recently earned him a place on the Classic Rock Magazine List of Top 100 Greatest Front Men of All Time (alongside winners like Robert Plant, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Steven Tyler, Ozzy Osbourne See: http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/ ). Body building titles Thor has held include Mr. North America, Mr. Canada and Mr. Teenage USA.

Thor is known for his ability and willingness to perform amazing feats of strength and endurance during his shows. He has had a pile of bricks stacked on his chest and then broken with a pneumatic drill. He has bent steel bars with his teeth, performed motorcycle stunts on stage and mock-slain gladiators while flames and thunderbolts explode around him. Thor is still an immensely powerful man and is in incredible shape and continues to be a dedicated performer. During Thor's long career he has shared the stage with other rock and entertainment luminaries including Metallica, Arnold Schwarzeneger, Motorhead, The Dictators, D.O.A., John Candy, Wasp, Donald Sutherland, Manowar and Liberace, to name but a few.

"It's Great to be re-united with Jon Thor - The original Hard Rocker" says John Fasano, the multi-talented producer, director and screenwriter.The media and musicians have always embraced Thor, littering magazines and newspapers with their praise for the man, the myth and the music. Melody Maker wrote "Thor is a genial host for an evening of some murderously effective and hard music....Thor is a showman, his expression and antics are all there to enliven the proceedings, but the quality of his band and his voice should not be underestimated." Kerrang! unabashedly gushes "Thor flew into town and put on one of the most outrageous shows I've ever seen." Henry Rollins enthuses "No one rocks like the mighty Thor. He's been going strong for decades. Let the blood run red, mother--ckers!" SF Weekly "Thor, the original rock warrior, has returned to walk among his people and safeguard his dominion. Since his emergence in 1977 with Keep the Dogs Away, he has had countless imitators -- girlie-men musicians who thought a few well-placed chest plates and a foam ax or two could mask their puny physiques and poofy lineage -- but none was Thor." Visit: www.smogveil.com for more THOR information and tour updates.

Thor Tour Dates TBA in the following markets: Los Angeles, CA, Vancouver, BC, Cleveland, OH, Chicago, IL, Pittsburgh, PA, Detroit, MI, Toronto, ON, New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, Boston, MA, Montreal, QC, Minneapolis, MN. For press materials on Thor or Smog Veil Records please contact: Fly PR (http://www.flypr.net/tier_1/about_us.asp / e-mail protected from spam bots). For additional Thor information contact: e-mail protected from spam bots.

The DVDs also include an English subtitle track for the Hearing Impaired, along with a subtitle track devoted to relevant keyboard shortcuts. Viewers with DVD-ROM equipped computers can access project files and source footage to follow along with each lesson.The Avid? Editing Series with Xpress Pro & Xpress DV includes:Level 1: Avid? Editing Essentials - Teaches the fundamental concepts of Avid editing, including system setup, video capturing, editing, trimming, transitions, audio, and output.Level 2: Workflow and Media Management - Explains ways to increase speed and efficiency by mastering interface customization, timeline styles, project management, bins and superbins, media transfer, and file import and export.Level 3: Advanced Editing Techniques - Streamlines the production process with time saving tips for capture options, advanced editing and trimming, audio recording and mixing, titling tools, multi-camera editing, and motion effects.Level 4: Special Effects and Color Correction - Explores the image processing capabilities of the Avid system, including color correction, 2D effects, advanced keyframing, 3D DVE and Warp effects, realitime and rendering, and third party plugins. Pricing and AvailabilityAvid? Editing with Xpress Pro & Xpress DV is available now through Desktop Images (www.desktopimages.com) or their worldwide authorized seller network. The complete set of four DVDs including Avid Editing Essentials, Workflow and Media Management, Advanced Editing Techniques, and Advanced Editing Techniques is available for a suggested retail price of $249.95. Individual DVDs are each available for a suggested retail price of $69.95 each.

The series is region encoded 0, allowing playback in DVD players throughout the world.About Steve BayesSteve Bayes is a consultant, writer and instructor specializing in Avid? products for video, film and HD. For 8 years he was the Product Designer for Media Composer, Symphony and DS Nitris at Avid? Technology. Steve has specified the design of Avidproducts based on his years of editing, instructing and interviewing Avid users. He is the author of the book "The Avid Handbook: Basic and Intermediate Techniques for the Media Composer". He is currently certified by Avid as an Avid Certified Instructor (ACI), AvidCertified Support Representative (ACSR) and Unity Media Network.

About Desktop Images Desktop Images has been setting the standard for the production and distribution of training videos and DVDs for computer software and hardware products since 1992. Emulating individual one-on-one instruction, each self-paced program is professionally produced utilizing "Virtual Set Technology" that places the instructor in a virtual 3D environment as the program alternates between the instructor and a full-screen or close-up view of the computer interface. Each video also includes a time indexed reference card to easily locate subject matter for quick review, along with an English subtitle track for the Hearing Impaired and a subtitle track devoted to keyboard shortcuts. With step-by-step instruction from industry leading experts, the Desktop Images catalog includes training for Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, NewTek LightWave 3D, Aura, Video Toaster, Boris FX and Boris Red with new products announced regularly. For more information on Desktop Images, visit www.desktopimages.com..

It doesn't speak to your customers. It's just a waste of your customers' time and space. Rather than the worn out phrase, "Welcome to?" try a statement that captures the essence of your company, explaining it in terms that'll benefit your customers. Instead of "Welcome to Crazy Dave's CD Emporium," try "Crazy Dave's CD Emporium, where you can find quality CDs and crazy prices."Where do I go?If you track your site's metrics, look at your customers' paths. How many customers get past the home page? If it's less than desired, there might be a problem with your site's navigation.

If you're one of those people with mega-content sites, add an internal search to help your customers find there way. If you're a smaller site, add navigation bars that update automatically when your site's structures changes or evolves."It's all about me."Your site is supposed to be about your customers not you. Let's face it: Your customers don't care about your Nobel Prize or that you were the first person to sell a condominium on Jupiter, they do care, however, about how your expertise can help them. Quick tip: Visit your site. Does the copy contain more "we," "me," and "I" statements than "you" and "your?" Marco?PoloHave you ever visited a site to be sold on the product, then when you needed to ask a quick question, you couldn't find their contact information? The solution: Put at least an email address or phone number on each page, preferably at the top or bottom.

Then put more detailed contact information on your contact page.Rarely read but really important.Just the presence of terms and conditions and privacy policies instills confidence in your product. It also eases the minds of your more anxious customers. Vague, iffy, testimonialsTestimonials are the easiest and perhaps the best way to capture your customers' attention and confidence. But simple statements saying that your product is good, won't work. Detailed testimonials praising how much your product improved their life work best.

Another way to give testimonials more selling power, get a picture. Even better, get a picture with you customer using your product or benefiting from your service..

Available in four pastel colors.AfterPerfect Tank Top for Hot Summer DaysWhen the temperatures are steamy outside, this tank will help keep you remarkably cool. Made of breathable 100% nylon, you'll love how it sheds moisture. Available in four spring-fresh colors.See the difference? The latter paints a more vivid picture of the tank top than the former.Try this?BeforeThe Prestige Collection is a unique selection of ceiling fans available at Hastings Home Center. The Prestige Collection offers all the quality craftsmanship, and dependable performance, you expect from Hastings along with styles so pretty they take ceiling fans to the next level ? and dress your home for any occasion.AfterThe Prestige Collection is a distinctive selection of elegantly designed ceiling fans available exclusively at Hastings Home Center. The Prestige Collection offers all the expert craftsmanship, and whisper-quiet performance, you expect from Hastings.

In addition, you get styles so stunning they take ceiling fans to the next level ? and exceptionally dress your home for any occasion.What's the difference? Why are the "afters" so much more powerful than the "befores"? Because compelling adjectives were used. Adjectives let the reader know more about the product and develop a connection with it. But boring ordinary adjectives aren't the answer. You need Super Adjectives to entice your readers. For example, instead of just "cool nylon," we say "breathable nylon." The colors aren't just "pastel colors," they are "spring-fresh" colors.

When you read that, you begin to envision what the colors look like. They aren't deep, dark colors. They are delicate shades found during the springtime. Instead of saying "a unique selection," we said "a distinctive selection." Rather than "quality craftsmanship," it's "expert craftsmanship." Not just "dependable performance," but "whisper-quiet performance." Where do you find these Super Adjectives? They are all over the place! Here's a short list. You can also visit free sites like http://www.thesaurus.com for more.Adjectives vs.

Super Adjectives

• Appealing ? attractive, alluring, fascinating
• Best ? excellent, unsurpassed, paramount
• Cool ? trendy, fashionable, hip
• Different ? unusual, exclusive, special
• Easy ? effortless, trouble-free, user-friendly
• Fabulous ? tremendous, magnificent, remarkable
• Handy ? functional, ideal, well-suited
• Improved ? enhanced, superior, refined
• Leading ? first-rate, top-notch, supreme
• Mouthwatering ? tasty, savory, succulent
• New ? innovative, fresh, inventive
• Powerful ? forceful, persuasive, compelling
• Reliable ? dependable, steadfast, trustworthy
• Safe ? secure, fully guarded, guaranteed
• Unique ? distinctive, rare, matchless
• Vivid ? vibrant, brilliant, stunning
• Wonderful ? magnificent, amazing, astonishing

There are various ways to do this, but today I'm going to show you three simple things you can do right away to make your sales letter more riveting. 1) The 25% Rule: Simply stated, if the first quarter of your sales letter isn't absolutely compelling and interesting enough your sales letter will bomb. So here's what you do. You craft an irresistible benefit laden headline and subhead that pull people into the first sentence of your body copy. You write the copy in such a way that to complete the thought forces your audience into the next sentence.

Next, your first paragraph will naturally flow into the second paragraph and then into the third and so on. The trick again, is to write the copy in such a way that you're using stories, case histories, testimonials news or even descriptions that take several paragraphs to write. Then you break this huge block of copy up into multiple paragraphs. As a result, the first 25% of your sales letter should become riveting. 2) Sentence Enders: At the end of key paragraphs you can add a special sentence that beckons your prospects to read into the next paragraph.

Here are several examples: "Stay with me." "Let me explain." There's more." "What happened next will surprise you." "I was blown away by what happened next." "Now here comes the good part." 3) Preview: Have you ever noticed on talk radio or on various news programs that the announcer or radio host will give you a preview of what's to come in their show in order to whet your appetite to know more? You can do the same thing throughout your sales letter. Note this technique is closely related to Sentence Enders. Here are a few examples. "As you read on, you're about to discover how XXX can boost your sales by 30% to 400% in just 7 short days." "I'm going to reveal my magic metabolism secrets that can peel off 20 lbs within 30 days time. But before I do ...

" "In the next 5 minutes as you read every word of this letter, you will know the 7 secrets to exploding your online profits without paying a single dime in advertising costs." "By the time you finish reading this eye-opening letter you will know how to take these three fighting techniques and stop any attacker foolish enough to get in your face." Here's the bottom line. You must keep your prospects focused on your sales message. If your sales letter is like most people's sale letters - boring - no prospect will take the time to read it and as a result you won't get sales. Use these three techniques and try inventing some of your own to keep your reader focused and riveted on what you've written. Build suspense in your sales letter.

As if you're constantly dangling a carrot before them. Do this and you should see your sales boost..

The Fury of 2004 takes viewers behind the scenes for a look at what emergency responders do during and in the days immediately following a disaster. It provides personal stories of residents, emergency responders, and the medical community from Fort Walton Beach and Pensacola to Arcadia, Punta Gorda, Stuart, Port Charlotte, and Jensen Beach about surviving and rebuilding. "Many videos only show the extensive damage caused by the hurricanes. I wanted people to see a side of hurricanes they don't normally see," says Christen."I wanted to help promote an awareness of the scope of disaster assistance efforts provided by our government." he adds.The DVD sells for $15.99 and a portion of all DVD proceeds is being donated to Florida One DMAT. A bonus feature of Hurricane ? The Fury of 2004 also offers viewers a brief glimpse into the Florida One Medical Disaster Assistance Team's deployment to New York City following the World Trade Center terrorist attack.

For more information or to purchase Hurricane ? The Fury of 2004, visit Christen's web site at www.rgcvideoproductions.com or contact him at (850)240-9652..

The reader will think, do I really want to buy a product or service from someone whose copy is sloppy?One way to ensure that your Web site message will be as perfect as possible is to invest in the services of a professional copyeditor/proofreader. In the twinkling of a well-trained eye, a topnotch editor can clean up your Web site copy so it sparkles in the sunlight.Misplaced modifiers, dangling participles, your's/yours, two/to, and other hair-raising/hare-raising errors will melt away. Skilled editors say that mistakes "leap off the page" at them. And potential clients will leap off the couch to e-mail or call you because of your magnetic Web site copy.Horror Stories about Unedited CopyWhen Web content is launched into the stratosphere raw and unedited, unfortunate occurrences happen:

• A national eNewsletter goes out with the headline "For Pubic School Educators" (the "l" is often left out of that pesky word Public)
• "And as we stand on the toes of those who have gone before us?" appears in a scholarly piece (should be "stand on the shoulders")
• A financial consultant offers a complimentary phone call (which would only have favorable news the word here would be complementary)
• $25,000. instead of $250,000.

  in a document might cause a legal nightmare

• The non-word its' (an apostrophe never follows its) works its way into an otherwise excellent story
• "We'd like to pedal your ideas" is sent worldwide in a magazine ad, and not just to bicycle owners (peddle is the operative word here)

• An editor writes "zingier" headlines ? so potential customers will be drawn into your Web site by the zingine
• An editor breaks up dense paragraphs ? so potential customers will actually read your copy because it is easy to read
• An editor introduces correct punctuation and good grammar ? so potential customers will be convinced that your product or service is high quality, since the copy that advertises it is high quality
• An editor has ideas about when to italicize or boldface words or phrases ? so potential customers will be interested in reading the text

It makes sense that you will want to present your company or services in as professional a light as possible.How to Hire a CopyeditorCopyeditors can be found through professional organizations such as Bay Area Editors' Forum, Bookbuilders West, consulting and marketing organizations, directories of editorial professionals, ads in newspapers and magazines, and by looking up copyeditors on search engines.Employing a good copyeditor to shape up your Web site text will ensure that your message is conveyed beautifully ? and that's not just editorial spin!.

Modifiers change the meaning of other words; the most common of these are adverbs and adjectives (words that describe verbs and nouns, respectively). They're used when the writer feels that the noun or verb needs a little something extra: "the shining sun", "run quickly", etc. Get rid of as many modifiers as you can and choose nouns and verbs that stand on their own.No lazy words. Every word should be doing real work, conveying necessary information and supporting other parts of the piece. Think of your sentences as support beams and rafters in a building, and analyze the piece word-by-word: are there any nails sticking out of boards? Anything that's there purely for show? Anything that doesn't strengthen your writing weakens it.

Strip your copy down to its most essential parts, and throw out the words that are sleeping on the job.Reduce it to a single sentence. Do you really know what you want to say? You might be surprised - try phrasing your entire piece into one simple sentence. Can you do it, or are you insisting that your message is too in-depth? Taking your point down to a single statement can give your copy new focus and clarity.One thought per sentence. Sentences and paragraphs are different things. Avoid long, complex sentences built up of multiple thoughts.

Keep your sentences to one thought each, keep them short and simple, and use your paragraphs for the complex ideas.When in doubt, cut it out. Every writer has written the perfect sentence that just doesn't play along well with others. Hemingway was right - kill your darlings. If you can't figure out how to ease that bit of poetry in with the rest of your marketing piece, cut it completely and don't look back. Be merciless.

You'll be surprised how often that's the best solution..

It accepts up to nine discrete video and 4 digital audio inputs, with 2 video and 2 audio outputs. This allows seamless connection of DVD players, satellite receivers, HDTV receivers, digital video recorders, video game consoles, VCRs, Laser Disc players, and PC video directly to the iScan HD+, which delivers high-definition quality video to virtually all display types, while also handling switching and synchronization of digital audio streams. The iScan HD+ functions as your complete A/V hub, providing simultaneous audio/video switching with automatic video upconversion/processing.Denon Electronics recently selected DVDO technology for their upcoming product introduction of their latest flagship DVD player, the DVD 5910, and this same scaling technology is available today for all sources via the iScan HD+.About DVDODVDO, an Anchor Bay Technologies brand, is an award-winning leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of semiconductor and system-level solutions for next generation HDTV and digital audio/video products. The DVDO iScan HD was awarded Electronic House's "Product of the Year" award, and the iScan Ultra Video Processor was the recipient of the Stereophile Guide to Home Theater Editors' Choice Gold Award for 2004.Contact:Gary M. ChappellSenior Director, WW Sales & MarketingDVDO Home Theater Products byAnchor Bay Technologies Inc.Phone: (408) 379-3836Fax: (408) 379-3845Email: e-mail protected from spam botsWebsite: www.DVDO.com.