Attacks on The Blade Classified

Three classes of fencing actions are commonly termed preparations of the attack: (1) footwork preparations, (2) attacks on the blade, and (3) takings of the blade. The objective in each case is to create conditions in which the fencer is able to score a touch; the role of individual technique in creating those conditions results in the identification of them as preparations. Among the preparations, the category that appears instinctive is the attack on the blade.

Attacks on the blade are preparatory actions directed at the opponent's blade to remove the blade from the line, creating an opening through with a direct attack can be made. Alternatively they may remove the blade by provoking a lateral or circular response to the pressure which can be deceived by the attacker, for example, by disengage, coupe, or counterdisengage.

Although the term "attacks on the blade" has been criticized on the basis that a fencer cannot attack the blade, but only the opponent, I believe the term is the best description of what actually happens. These actions work by percussion, the application of quick, sharp force to the blade to set it in motion. The fencer applies force to the opponent's blade to move it as part of an attacking action.

There are three common attacks on the blade:

The Press - executed from engagement, the press displaces the opponent's blade by momentary lateral or semi-circular pressure on the blade until the actual attack is launched. The press is not as obviously threatening as the beat or froissement and may be maintained for a relatively long period before the final action of the attack.

The Beat - executed from a position where the blades are not in contact as a crisp impact on the opponent's blade, displacing the blade from the line. The beat can be executed from engagement, but in this case requires detachment from the blade, potentially losing the element of surprise.

The Froissement (also termed Expulsion) - executed from engagement, this is a sharp grazing action which starts using the forte near the tip of the opponent's blade and progesses down and in to violently deflect the blade, often ending with the attacker's point out of line. This is the most difficult of the attacks on the blade to control, and probably the easiest to deceive. As a result it is not commonly used.

Attacks on the blade generally can be used to achieve four tactical objectives:

... to open the line by removing the opponent's blade, allowing a direct attack,

... to provoke a reaction creating an opportunity to follow with an indirect attack,

... to fix the opponent's attention creating an opportunity for attack while the opponent is distracted, or

... with the press to provoke a change of engagement which could be deceived.

As a practical matter the modern fencer will most likely use either a press or a beat, depending on whether or not the blades are engaged, the level of threat desired in the earliest stage of the attack, and the type of reaction desired. Both of these actions demand precise control of blade movement and the level of force used, correct distance and integrated footwork, and excellent timing. Although beginner's stumble onto the beat early in their development as fencers, both the beat and the press require practice and focus on the goal of the attack, not on whacking the opponent's blade, to ensure their success.

What You Need To Break Into The Billboard Market

Many times, it has been predicted that large format digital printing is the way to go for those involved with digital printing. To prevent being stagnant and unproductive, most providers tend to venture to another area in the industry to develop their craft and field of expertise. And billboard printing seems to be the trend these days.

There is a ready market for this kind of industry. Wherever you go, there's no way for you to ignore their presence, because they're just there for the entire world to see- in big, bright and larger-than-life sizes of digital prints. From busy highways to the smaller roads and streets, billboards are everywhere.

Although the field of large format digital printing is vast and lucrative, many providers are providing caution and tips to those who want to venture into the business. So when you want to break into the billboard market, you need to...

Invest in high-end large format digital printers

The market for large format digital printing is a very competitive one. It is full of aggressive prices, optimum print quality and quick turnarounds. Almost all of the providers can guarantee to provide you these things. But to be able to meet these expectations, one must invest in a high-end large format digital printer particularly designed for this kind of printing.

One provider, who was into the silk screen printing business for so many years decided to shift to billboards. After careful planning, he went for a high speed, solvent-ink printer that is not only expensive but ensures production of even the maximum size for billboards, as well as optimum speed rate. According to that provider, what you invest in equipment will definitely show in your output. And an output of less quality and brilliance will reflect how you manage your business.

Use connections and current roster of clients

One of the key advantages of having previous business experience is that you can bring your roster of clients into the new business. Unlike those starting from zero, you can offer your new business to people and clients who already know you and the kind of service you provide. Just as long as you have a good reputation, former clients will definitely go where you are.

Try new ways to compete with the existing market

Despite your capability of being able to produce quality work with quick turnarounds, you still have to depend on new ways to offer the service to your clients.

One provider relates that he dropped his prices to be competitive with the existing providers of large format digital printing. And he went after volume of jobs to keep the press running. Sooner or later, he found himself with a steady source of clients with volume jobs.

Be ready to face challenges... with a dedicated purchasing agent

Large format digital printing is full of challenges and complexities. Despite having polished and planned everything, there will come a time when you will overlook some elements.

A provider cautioned that you have to be ready to face challenges along the way. Trial and error is required particularly with identifying the inks and media that you're going to use for your printer. Aside from time, the best way to work out this part of the business is to hire a dedicated purchasing agent. For issues on materials, a good and reliable purchasing agent will help you get loads of hassles and problems off your chest; so much so that you'll be able to dedicate more of your time to more pressing matters.

Breaking into the billboard business needs careful planning and management, as any business would. To be successful, one requires a focused sales effort. People have come to a point where price don't matter much. And at the end of the day, clients will always look for quality and on time delivery first, and price second.

Financial Planners

"Financial planners are like dentists: they may occasionally inflict pain, but in the end, you will be better off for following their advice!"

Whoever wrote these lines must have either been a financial planner or someone who relied heavily on planners for finance management. We all know that planning our finances is vital. Why, then, do most people stall the process? Perhaps visions of being buried under balance sheets and calculators plague you, and ultimately tempt you to put off your money matters to "some other day"!

For people with such visions and worries, there is only one saviour - a financial planner. Financial planners specialise in solving money messes. They plan and manage your finances so that you can better your prospects for the future. Financial planners help you to establish your short-term and long-term financial goals and determine ways to meet these goals.

Financial planners provide finance advice of any nature, and in order to do so, they delve into every realm of your financial status. They interact with one's legal advisors, bankers, accountants, and the like to understand a person's aspirations and targets. As such, they even conduct interviews and surveys to establish an accurate client profile, complete with financial goals, investments, taxes, insurance coverage, income, retirement schemes, medical plans, and other relevant data. From these, financial planners derive a workable plan for finance management. This plan features suggestions and recommendations for a person in the form of dos and don'ts, strategies to follow regarding insurance, asset management, investments, property planning, retirement, and more.

Mind you, financial planning is necessary for each and every one of us - we often make the mistake of thinking that only big spenders or the super-rich need financial planners! The truth of the matter is, financial planning is a way of life, something you acquire as a lifelong habit. Financial planners can make this easy for you, as quite often, money management becomes arduous and complicated if your know-how on finance is weak. What's more, financial planners are adept at tailoring customised strategies, to best suit a range of needs and lifestyles.

Financial planners serve for the ultimate desire - peace of mind that one's money is in safe hands. At the end of the day, a penny saved is a penny earned, and a financial planner is someone who can chalk out the most convenient way for you to save those pennies!

Integrating Social Media and Email Marketing

It's a well-known fact that linking your email and social media initiatives together can boost your marketing return on investment. Recent studies in the United States have shown that 17% of Facebook users are more likely to buy from you after 'liking' your page, avid social media users spend 13% more than the average user and refer business equal to 45% of the money they spend.

I've not seen a recent UK study but we tend to follow the US in many social media trends so I don't see it being much different. So, with the percentage of avid social media users across all ages going up year on year, you just can't ignore it. With this in mind, how can you use your email campaign to drive up 'likes' and get people sharing your content and, in turn, how can you use social media to drive up your email subscribers? Here are some very simple tips:

Using 'follow us' or 'like our page' social links in your email are very easy to incorporate and will help you drive traffic. Better still; create an email campaign to promote specific social events such as a new Facebook competition or a new group that you have created on LinkedIn. Use your email to raise awareness of your social media footprint and steer people towards it.

Use 'share' icons so that people can share your email content whether it be a special offer, a particular promotion or an event that you are planning. Encourage your email recipients to 'share the good news!' and make it easy for them to do it.

Create a YouTube account for your company and include informative videos about your products or services that you can link to in your emails. Videos on YouTube can become viral and help promote your business in many unexpected ways. They can also be embedded into your website and help with SEO.

Create a blog and become the voice for your industry. Link to your blog in your email campaigns and be seen as an industry expert and the 'go to' person for your particular product or service. Use your blog to drive 'opt ins' for your email newsletters.

Highlight your email campaigns on your Facebook timeline and provide links on your other social media sites to your email newsletter opt-in page on your website. This will help grow your email database.

There are numerous ways you can integrate social media into your email marketing and they can both power each other and ensure that your company gets talked about.

Earthquake Insurance: What to Look For

Perhaps you are one of those folks who already include earthquake coverage on your property, but really don't know what it is. Maybe you are looking into purchasing a home and trying to figure out what you do or don't need, or maybe you have opted not to obtain the coverage on your home and/or business because you don't think you need it.

Earthquakes are a very real hazard in the Midwest. There have been at least 12 earthquakes with at least minor damage in the St. Louis, Missouri area in the last 200 years. You can look at earthquake maps, as well as get preparedness tips online at the US Geological Survery website. Earthquakes are a very real event and the likelihood that the St. Louis will experience additional earthquakes is 100%. The veracity of the earthquake is what is unknown. We have been extremely fortunate to have had very few earthquakes that have actually been "felt" by the general populace during the last 30 years.

Since earthquakes are a very real risk, most people want to transfer the risk of damage to their property to an insurance company. Once the decision is made to carry earthquake coverage, you need to determine how much coverage. Most insurance companies have very little options available for earthquake insurance. The basic differences are between coverage limitations and deductible amounts.

Coverage limitations may be an aggregate limit or a separate limit on the building and contents. An example would be if you insure your home for $200,000 and your contents for $150,000, your earthquake coverage may mirror those limits or perhaps be an aggregate combined limit of $350,000 for building and contents. The real difference between how these limits are offered is based on the deductible.

Most earthquake insurance is added as an endorsement to your policy. This endorsement normally carries a separate deductible. Years ago, a 2% deductible was common. Today it is 20% or 25% that most people carry. The deductible can be applied to your loss in a couple of different ways. It is important to ask when obtaining insurance as to how this deductible is applied. A 20% deductible (or even a 2%) is huge. The deductible will, in most cases, be applied to the limit. Per the example earlier, a $200,000 home would have a $40,000 deductible on the home and a $30,000 deductible on contents. If an aggregate limit is applied, per the example of $350,000 mentioned earlier, then a $70,000 deductible would apply. In the event of a major loss, the deductible ends up being the same, but in a smaller event, the split deductible would be preferable.

So, in short, the real message on what to look for in earthquake insurance is: to make sure you have it! Opt for the lowest deductible option available and ask if you can choose how the deductible is applied, aggregate limit or split limits on property and contents.

Keep Your ATV Clean and Maintained for Years of Fun

All Terrain Vehicles, or ATVs, are an amazing combination of form, function, and fun. Designed to perform under the harshest and most rugged of conditions, ATVs go where no other vehicles can venture making them suitable for both transportation and recreation on tough terrains. Because they take such demanding and aggressive use and often in areas where no mechanic or service shop is to be found for many miles, maintenance is particularly essential to ensure a safe and enjoyable ATV experience.

Cleaning the ATV after every use is a good practice to keep it in excellent working order. Though they are designed to be used in dirty, muddy terrains, particles can get stuck and create problems for the ATV CV joints and boots that allow the vehicle to negotiate those steep turns and rough upward and downward motions of the suspension. Thoroughly cleaning the chassis can help to prevent problems as well as help to prevent damaging rust.

Periodically inspect the entire ATV to make sure that all parts are in good condition. Wear and tear of parts will become apparent in time and they should be replaced before they reach the point of failure to avoid costly repairs and unsafe riding conditions. Quality aftermarket parts such as ATV CV joint and rebuild kits, CV boot kits, CV axles, CV halfshafts, and other driveline parts are available for the do-it-yourselfers or professional ATV mechanics to save money over OEM parts to extend the life of the ATV and keep it in its best and safest running condition.