Wednesday, May 18, 2011

How To Import Contacts From Facebook To Gmail


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Recently, Yahoo announced Facebook Connect integration, which is a step that aims at importing all your contacts on Facebook, to your Yahoo mail address book. Since, Facebook doesn’t allow importing all your contacts in a CSV format, this indeed is a great step that would enable you to catch up with your buddies on Facebook, via email. Along with Facebook, Yahoo also allows you to import your Windows Live contacts.
To get all your Facebook contacts to your Yahoo mail, you have to follow following steps.

1. Go to the Contacts tabs besides Mail tab on your Yahoo Mail interface.
2. Down there, you’ll see Popular Tools. Select “Import your contacts from other accounts to Yahoo”

3. Click on Facebook.
4. Yahoo will authorize your account. Click Allow when an application access dialogue box pops up.
5. After that, your import process will begin.

6. That’s it. All your Facebook buddies are in your email address book now.

How To Get The Imported Address To Gmail

Since Gmail doesn’t support this thing directly, you have to follow an indirect route. After you’ve successfully imported all your Facebook contacts to your Yahoo Mail, just export your address book in a CSV fomat.
1. On your accounts tab in Yahoo Mail, click Export
2. Select the third option, which is Yahoo! CSV
3. A file will be downloaded, containing all the imported addresses in CSV format.
4. Now, open Gmail and click on Contacts tab

5. Upload the CSV file downloaded form Yahoo Mail and all your Facebook contacts will be there in your Gmail address book.
Bonus Tip : Since all your Facebook buddies are now in your Gmail contact list, you can find all of them on Google Buzz!

Top 10 Tips For Travelling Around The World

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You’re not just looking for a vacation, you’re looking for a trip that will change your life and challenge your reality. It’s not a business trip, a family adventure or a romantic weekend.
It’s trekking around the world for as long as you can carry a pack on your back, and we love the idea.
Before you set out on your journey, however long, arm yourself with the essential know-how.
Pick a place, any place. The first thing you need to do when searching for flights around the world is to make a list of all destinations you want to visit. Start by continent and then narrow it down to country, city, town and so forth. Move geographically in order.
The simplest itineraries are the cheapest. Basic trips keep costs down. Adding in the likes of South America or India will up the price, and you'll need to factor in the cost of travel insurance, transport, visas and, oh yes, food and accommodation.
Time it just right. To snag the best bargain, plan your trip for between mid-April and the end of June, which is the cheapest time to take off. The most expensive times to fly away on your round the world adventure are high summer and during winter holidays.
Build your own itinerary. Star Alliance is another prominent airline network that has extensive coverage. Its airlines (Air Canada, Air China and Air New Zealand to name just three) fly a total of 21,000 flights per day to 1,160 airports in 181 countries. It has a Book-and-Fly tool that helps travelers to build their own itineraries, however complex.
Weigh the cost. Using low-cost carriers to plan your round-the-world jaunt might net you some savings but make sure your travel insurance policy is watertight. Remember that pesky Icelandic volcanic ash cloud?
Look for combination tickets through an airline’s route network. For example, Qantas lets you choose from one of its combinations that usually includes up to six routes. One possible itinerary is: London Heathrow - Bangkok - Sydney - Cairns - Queenstown surface Auckland - Fiji or Hawaii - LA surface San Francisco - UK (or vice versa).
Airline alliances help you go global. Oneworld offers two packages - the oneworld Explorer, which offers travel to at least three oneworld continents and the Global Explorer, which allows round-the-worlders to choose which tier they wish to buy (up to 26,000 miles or up to 39,000 miles).
Read the fine print on your travel insurance. Check your coverage carefully to make sure it includes everything you need it to. Five bungee jumps in Queenstown,New Zealand? Medical evacuation? Life insurance? Dental?
Make a great comeback. Several airlines will only allow the return booking for 11 months ahead despite the ticket being valid for 12, so book a date anyway, and change it locally if you need to.
Watch your back. Health and safety issues are no-brainers, but can change or become complicated each time you switch locations. Five things to consider in each place are:
- Food safety (where can you eat raw fruit and veggies?)
- Personal security (are you sure you want to stay in that neighborhood?)
- Belongings (keep cash, documents and first-aid handy)
- Disease (keep up with hygiene and medications)
- Rest (don’t overdo it)
Starting with a safe and healthy foundation is the rock of a worldwide journey.

Top 10 Websites To Purchase Goods

Amazon


Amazon is the best website in the world for online shopping and offers everything from books to digital downloads and much more.

eBay


eBay the world’s largest consumers auction site and you can buy every thing online from this site.

Walmart


It provides apparel & Jewelry, baby, electronics, home accessories, books and much more.  Pretty cool website like Amazon.

Target


Target is owned by Target corporation which is the second largest retailer in the US and you can shop anything from it.

Net Flix


Netflix is the world’s largest online movie rental website with low price per month.

Costco


Costco is the one of the best website in US offering thousand’s of items with a brand name.

Best Buy


Best Buy is the best website in the US for buying electronic items of the best brands like HP, Sony and much more.

Macys


Macys is the site for buying clothing, apparel, accessories and department store items.

Jcpeney


J. C. Penney Company, Inc. is one of America’s leading retailers, operates over 1,100 department stores throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as one of the largest apparel and home furnishing sites on the Internet, jcp.com.

Barnes & Noble


This is one of the best website for shopping books, textbooks, toys, games online.

Over Stock


Overstock.com is an online retailer offering a wide variety of high-quality, brand-name merchandise at discount prices, including bedding, home decor, appliances, watches, jewelry, electronics, sporting goods, clothing and shoes. We give customers an opportunity to shop for bargains conveniently, while offering manufacturers, distributors and other retailers an alternative sales channel.

Sears


Sears.com/International offers shipping to over 90 countries across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Canada. Browse hand & power tools, clothes for the entire family & for all the seasons, shoes for men, women & children, lawn & garden equipment, beauty products, jewelry for all budgets, house-wares for the those little things needed around the house, and more at sears.com/international.

Gap


The best website to buy online clothes for women, men, maternity, baby and kids.

Buy


A cool website for buying computers, electronics, digital cameras, books, dvd, games and toys online.

New Egg


A best website for buying computer parts, pc components, laptops, hdtv, electronic items and cameras.

Ikea

World’s largest growing website for buying home furnitures and house accessories.

Kohl


The best website owned by Kohl’s Illinois, Inc. for buying household items and clothes online.

Tiger Direct


A popular online website featuring Computer Parts, Computer Components, Netbooks, Electronics and more.

Pixmania


Online shopping site featuring digital cameras, camcorders, DVD players, TVs, hi-fi, sound, scanners and printers

Game Stop


Gaming the best thing to spend your time and you can buy here PS3, PS2, PSP, Wii, DS, PC Games, Consoles and much more.

Mount Rushmore Facts

Mount Rushmore Facts

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Tour Includes A Ride On The 1880 Train
Tour Includes A Ride On The 1880 Train

There are many interesting facts behind the faces of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and some are more well-known than others. Most of us know the when and the why behind the monument: carving began in 1927 and finally was completed in 1941. Obviously the sculptor, Gutzon Borglum wanted to create a lasting tribute in grand form of these 4 former presidents, which is as logical a reason as any for why it was constructed. It is believed that Borglum created the monument not just as a tribute to the four men depicted on it, but also to the high ideals they each brought to America and represented within themselves. They were chosen because they "commemorate the founding, growth, preservation, and development to the United States." But, what is known concerning the "behind the scenes" of the construction of this monumental creation? Project establishment was anything but easy, as you might expect. Once Borglum was hired as a sculptor, permission had to be granted. Senator Peter Norbeck and Congressman William Williamson were instrumental in getting the carving legislation passed. Two bills were submitted to Congress and the State Legislature by Williamson. Easily passed was the bill requesting permission to use federal land for the monument. The bill sent to the State of South Dakota was an uphill battle. It was defeated twice and nearly a third time, when finally, on March 5, 1925 it was signed by Governor Gunderson and passed. Established later that summer was the Mount Haney Memorial Association.
The project hit a slump when President Hoover took office. Although he did quickly appoint the final two members to the organized Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission(created by President Coolidge to authorize federal funding for the project), Hoover never met with the commission. Borlgum grew frustrated at the delay, and attempted to get in to see the president, however, after a heated dispute with the president's secretary, his appoinment was cancelled. Eventually, Borglum did succeed in meeting with Hoover, and convinced him of the importance of the project, and voila, the first commission meeting was set up! Soon, the commission was organized, the funding completed so the work could began.
In 1933, a major change came that infuriated Borglum. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Executive Order 6166, placing Mount Rushmore under jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Borglum detested the thought of being under the "watchful eye of the government."
In 1939, the project was threatened because of potential loss of funding, because of "creative differences." Borglum's son was in charge of Project Lincoln for the final two years. In 1941, Borglum died, just short of seeing the final dedication in March of 1941, which is ironic, to say the least.
Here are a few more Mount Rushmore facts for inquiring minds
  • Borglum was 60 years old when he began working on the monument.
  • Rushmore's granite faces tower over 5,500 feet above sea level.
  • The carvings are scaled to men who would stand 465 feet tall.
  • Each President's head is as tall as a six-story building.
  • Over 800 million pounds of stone was removed from Mount Rushmore during the construction.
  • Imagine climbing 506 steps to reach the top of Mount Rushmore-this was how many steps the workers had to climb each day!
  • The president's noses are 20 feet long, their mouths 18 feet wide, and their eyes are 11 feet across!
  • Did you know that Gutzon Borglum was a student of renowned French artist Auguste Rodin, and was one of America's most successful artists before even considering Mount Rushmore? His Mares of Diomedes was the first American work purchased by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. He also has 5 statues on display at the U.S. Capitol Building.
  • Here is an astonishing fact: no deaths occurred during the whole period of carving, just a few minor injuries.
  • Can you imagine that with all the dynamite used?
Learn more about Mount Rushmore with a Mount Rushmore Tour.

Mount Rushmore History

Mount Rushmore

Mount Rushmore Mount Rushmore National Memorial is as much a product of dreams and determination as it is the work of a talented sculptor.Â
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is as much a product of dreams and determination as it is the work of a talented sculptor.

The Father of Rushmore

In 1923, Doane Robinson, the aging superintendent of the South Dakota State Historical Society, had a vision of a massive mountain memorial carved from stone so large it would put South Dakota on the map. Robinson told all who would listen of his dream of giant statues of Western figures such as Chief Red Cloud, Buffalo Bill Cody, Lewis and Clark, and legendary Sioux warriors marching along South Dakota's skyline. Robinson spoke to local organizations and wrote letter upon letter.
Many South Dakotans be-lieved that a colossal sculpture would attract thousands of visitors with heavy wallets. Others found the notion ludicrous. Finally, when the newspaper stories stopped and the snickers ceased, Robinson enlisted the aid of the one man he knew could carry the torch—the respected U.S. Senator Peter Norbeck.
Norbeck, a frequent visitor at the White House, had the admiration of his peers in the Senate as well as that of the farmers and ranchers of South Dakota who had sent him to Washington. Robinson's mountain-carving proposal captured the senior senator's imagination and he encouraged the historian to seek a sculptor capable of commanding such a project.
Sculptor Gutzon Borglum, one of America's most prolific artists, received a letter from Robinson proposing the project in August 1924. It couldn't have come at a more opportune moment; he was fed up with the project he was working on. Borglum, a fiery and stubborn artist, lived for visions, not setbacks. He accepted Robinson's offer.

Mixed Signals

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Upon his arrival in September 1924, the flamboyant Borglum politely, but forcefully informed Robinson and Norbeck that his life's work would not be spent immortalizing regional heroes. The sculptor insisted that the work demanded a subject national in nature and timeless in its relevance to history.
By selecting four great presidential figures for the carving, the trio sought to create an eternal reminder of the birth, growth, preservation and development of a nation dedicated to democracy and the pursuit of individual liberty.
Borglum soon embarked on a site-searching trip to find a grouping of rocks massive enough to support a giant sculpture. He examined the Needles, as Robinson suggested, but found the rock too brittle for carving and the spires disproportionate to the human form. He left and returned next year. It was on Borglum's second trip that he found Mt. Rushmore August 13, 1925. Next, Borglum and his party climbed Harney Peak. At 7,242 feet, this is the highest point between the Rockies and the Swiss Alps. The surrounding vista inspired him.
"Here is the place!" Borglum exhorted. "American history shall march along that skyline."
He set his sights on the craggy, pine-clad cliff known as Mount Rushmore, near the isolated mining town of Keystone. It had southeastern exposure, giving it direct sunlight most of the day, and was made of sound granite relatively free from fracture. Borglum carefully explored the crevices and sampled the rock of Mount Rushmore. With each test, he reconfirmed that he had found his mountain.

The Waiting Game

Senator Norbeck and Congressman William Williamson easily secured federal legislation to allow a mountain carving in Harney National Forest. A similar bill in the state Legislature was passed in 1925.
But months passed as supporters of the Rushmore project scrambled for funding. Environmentalists suggested the project would deface the mountainside. Others asked how a mortal sculptor could hope to improve on what a higher authority had already designed. As the calendars changed to 1926, most South Dakotans dismissed the whole fanciful conception.

Presidential Attention

Then, in the spring of 1927, President Calvin Coolidge decided to spend his three-week summer holiday in the Black Hills.
State officials immediately began preparing for the visit by remodeling the rustic State Game Lodge in Custer State Park, which was selected to be Coolidge's "summer White House."
On June 15, Senator Norbeck and 10,000 South Dakotans warmly greeted President and Mrs. Coolidge, their two dogs and the First Lady's pet raccoon, as they stepped from the train in Rapid City. They were soon settled comfortably into the Game Lodge and the Dakotan way of life. Their three-week visit turned into a three-month stay.
Coolidge couldn't have known that his fishing skills were greatly enhanced by park officials. Before the president's arrival, chicken wire was stretched across the creek upstream and downstream from the president's quarters. Lunker trout from a nearby fish hatchery were trucked in nightly—so many that Coolidge couldn't help but fill his creel as he "learned to fish."
This extended vacation allowed Borglum and Norbeck enough time to convince Coolidge to participate in the formal dedication of Mount Rushmore. On August 10, the president rode horseback to the mountain, sporting cowboy boots and a 10- gallon hat given to him by local residents.
"We have come here to dedi-cate a cornerstone laid by the hand of the Almighty," Coolidge told a crowd of 1,000 South Dakotans. In an impassioned speech by a man not known for his passion, Coolidge became the first to refer to Mount Rushmore as a "national shrine," then pledged federal support for the project.
After listening with satisfaction to the president's remarks, the 60-year-old Borglum climbed to the mountain's craggy summit and symbolically drilled six holes to mark the commencement of carving. The Mount Rushmore dream would em-brace the remaining 14 years of his life and leave a monument unlike any other.

Men and Mountain

At first, it was just a job, a way to put food on the table. But, as the four faces emerged from the granite, the men who helped carve the memorial began to share the sculptor's dream. These drill-dusty, unemployed miners, who had originally sought only a paycheck in the heart of the Great Depression, became caught up in a challenge that would produce a national treasure.
In the six-and-a-half years of work that occurred on and off between 1927 and 1941, Borglum employed almost 400 local workers. Some built roads, ran the hoist house, generated power or sharpened thousands of bits for the pneumatic drills. Others set dynamite charges or completed delicate finishing work on the sculpture.
Among the most highly skilled workers were those using dynamite. Using techniques he had developed at Stone Mountain and relying on skills his crew had acquired in mining, Borglum used the explosive in an innovative way that helped to remove large amounts of rock quickly and relatively inexpensively. His powder men became so skilled that they could blast to within four inches of the finished surface and grade the contours of the lips, nose, cheeks, neck and brow. In fact, 90 percent of the 450,000 tons of granite removed from the mountain was taken out with dynamite.

Model to Masterpiece

Borglum created a model of the four presidents on a 1-to-12-inch scale, meaning an inch on the model represented a foot on the cliff. This model has been preserved for viewing at the Sculptor's Studio. To transfer measurements from the model to the mountain, workers determined where the top of the head would be, then found the corresponding point on the model. A protractor was mounted horizontally on top of the model's head. A similar, albeit 12 times larger, apparatus was placed on the mountain. By substituting feet for inches, workers quickly determined the amount of rock to remove.
Drillers then used the same measuring system and air-powered tools to drill closely spaced holes to exacting depths, a process known as "honeycombing." The rock between these holes was then broken away using chisels and hammers. The final process, known as "bumping," used a pneumatic drill and a special bit to leave the finished surface as smooth as a concrete sidewalk.
A skilled driller could make $1.25 per hour on the project which was better than the mines were paying. But Borglum's crew often had to endure extended layoffs due to a lack of funds and harsh winter weather. When spring or more funding came again, the workers would report back to the mountain, eager to get back to work on their adopted cause.
As his dream neared its completion, Borglum's biggest fear was leaving a mystery for future generations. In 1938, Borglum began carving a giant vault in the canyon wall directly behind Mount Rushmore. Into this great hall, he planned to place records of the memorial, of Western civilization, of individual liberty and freedom. But Borglum's death and the country's entry into World War II intervened, and the Hall of Records was left unfinished. (In 1998, the National Park Service completed a scaled down version of the hall.)
After Borglum's death, his son, Lincoln, spent another seven months refining the monument. On October 31, 1941, he stopped construction on the sculpture, leaving Mount Rushmore as we know it today: a truly American icon.