Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One Review

Feature-wise, the Lexmark X9350 is impressive, especially for the price. Not only does it cover the basics, including having PictBridge and Bluetooth interfaces for picture printing, it also has wireless 802.11g (802.11b compatible) networking and duplex printing. The scan and fax features are networkable which is also nice. It works well with Windows, including Vista, and Macs. But, do all these features perform well?

Unfortunately, the printing quality of the Lexmark X9350 isn’t all that great. Sure, it does fine on quick black-and-white copies but the 4 ink system it uses produces poor photographic prints as compared to better, dedicated, photo printers with more inks. The duplex printing seems to streak occasionally as if the ink wasn’t drying quickly enough or the unit was putting out too much ink. The duplex printing and copying also seemed to jam a lot. That was kind of disappointing but I guess that being used to $1000+ duplex copiers at work kind of spoiled me in that regard. I suppose one shouldn’t expect that level of performance out of an inexpensive home printer/copier/fax/scan unit.

One problem I’ve encountered with some inkjets in the past is ink clogs. It seems like the Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One suffers from that as well. One way I get devices to test is working with a local electronics store computer repair tech and he has told me that he’s gotten several of these units back with gummed up jets plus he’s gotten complaints about the level of ink usage being high. Another common complaint by purchasers has been that the wireless networking fails. Of course, wireless can be kind of tricky sometimes due to router placement but this seems more like an out and out failure since even an on-site service call couldn’t correct the problem.

Another common complaint about Lexmark printers in general is that they have poor customer service and durability. Sadly, you get what you pay for in a lower end unit. If we were still paying $1000 or more for an all-in-one we might expect good tech support but when we pay $100-200 for one we’re probably lucky to get someone to read a page from the manual to us over the phone. That said, Lexmark, in my experience, is one of the worse when it comes to supporting customers.

The bottom line is that the Lexmark X9350 Wireless Office All-in-One has some impressive features for its price point but that you’re likely to be buying a more or less disposable printer that may not work as well as you might wish. It also isn’t a good choice if you want to do photo printing. For small office/home office (SOHO) work or college and other educational work I think that there are better, more reliable, options out on the market.

Sources: OpTempo

Kawasaki Syndrome Brings Death for Jett Travolta

Watch Online Youtube Video Of John Travolta s Son Dies as Kawasaki Syndrome

News: Jett Travolta Dead Due to Kawasaki Syndrome illness. Kawasaki Syndrome Jett Travolta Found Dead John Travolta s Son Dies Because Of Kawasaki Disease. John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s 16-year-old son Jett Travolta died Friday.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston has been the subject of much criticism over speculation that their son had autism Jetta rather than a rare disease called Kawasaki syndrome as the couple insisted.

Jette Travolta, the actor John Travolta's son is dead today of a seizure while the family was on vacation in Bahamas.Kawasaki syndrome is a fever causing disease in children. The cause of Kawasaki syndrome is unknown. About 15 cases a year are reported in Wisconsin.Complications of Kawasaki Syndrome include coronary artery dilations and aneurysms. It is a leading cause of acquired heart disease in the United States.

Most cases occur in infants and children under five years; disease rarely seen in children older than 8 years old.
Kelly Preston has said that she believes toxic cleaning products in her family's home caused her son's health problems early in life.

TMZ is also reporting that Jett’s body will be transferred to Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium in the Bahamas on Monday.Our hearts go out to John Travolta family in this difficult time, and may God bless Jetta.

Sources: 24 Time Pass

Kettlebell Exercises - The "Next Generation" Style To Keep Fit?

Do kettlebell exercises offer any performance advantages over regular freeweights and dumbbells? Not necessarily. An athlete must be very selective over the training they choose to integrate into their program. They have a limited amount of time and energy and each element of conditioning must take the whole into account.

Unless you are a Girevik (Girevoy Sport is made up exclusively of kettlebell exercises), think seriously before replacing proven training methods for kettlebell routines.

Kettlebell Exercises

It goes without saying that should perform a throrough warm up before any exercise session. And with these kettlebell exercises it's doubly important. Do 5-10 minutes of light aerobic activity followed by stretching exercises to all the major muscle groups.

Kettlebell Cleans

1. Keep torso straight but bent forward at the hips slightly.
2. Explosively raise the kettleballs by extending the hips, knee and ankle in a “jumping action”.
3. Keep your elbows out and shoulders directly above the kettleballs as long as possible. Keep the kettleballs close to the body.
4. Once you have extended the lower leg shrug your shoulders and at maximum elevation of the shoulders start pulling with the arms. Keep the elbows high during the pull until the highest point.
5. Rotate elbows around and underneath the kettleballs. Rack your hands across the front of the shoulders. Slightly flex the hips and knees to absorb the weight.
6. This should be a fluid motion where all the steps flow together.

Kettlebell row exercise Single Arm Kettlebell Row

1. Stand with feet hip width and knees slightly bent. Bend at hips with back straight and knees bent.
2.Take one hand and place on stationary object that is approximately waist height to support upper body.
3. Hold kettleball in other hand with a neutral grip and let arm hang straight down (perpendicular to floor).
4. Keeping elbows close to body, pull kettleball up to body and squeeze shoulder blades together at top of movement.
5. Return to start position. Remember to keep back and head straight - hyperextension, flexion, or trunk rotation may cause injury.

Kettlebell press exercise Alternating Floor Press

1. Lie on your back holding a kettleball in each hand.
2. Alternating with your arms push up one kettleball at a time.
3. Slightly rotate your trunk when pressing the kettleball up. Repeat with the other arm.

Kettlebell exercises squat Kettlebell Front Squat

1. Grasp kettleballs and hold them at chest level in front of you.
2. Stand with feet slightly wider than hip width apart. Knees should be slightly bent.
3. Lower body by flexing at the hips and knees. Upper body can flex forward at the hips slightly (~5°) during movement. Be sure to “sit back” so that knees stay over the feet.
4. Once thighs are parallel to floor, return to start position.

Kettlebell Jerk exercise Single Arm Kettlebell Jerk

1. Stand with feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent. Position kettleball to ear level with an overhand grip (palms facing forward).
2. Go into a quick ¼ squat. Immediately extend legs and stand up and at the same time press hands up above head keeping wrists over the elbow and arm moving parallel to body at all times.
3. Return to start position. This is an explosive exercise and the legs are used to be able to lift more weight overhead

Kettlebell swing exercise Kettlebell Swing

1. Hold one kettleball between your legs and your body is in a bentover stance with your back flat.
2. Swing the kettleball backwards and then forcefully swing the kettleball forward to a chest level. Keep your arm straight and forcefully extend your hips, knees, and ankles.

Kettlebell windmill exercise Kettlebell Windmill

1. Place one arm overhead full extended with a kettleball. Bend forward at the hips keeping back flat to grab the other kettleball with the free hand.
2. While holding one kettleball overhead continue to raise and lower the other kettleball.
3. Continue for the desired repetitions and repeat with the other arm.


There are literally dozens of kettlebell exercises you can perform. Just as with other free weights, the combinations and variations are endless. However, athletes should remember the principle of specificity. Pick kettlebell exercises that most closely match the movement patterns of your sport.

Kettlebell exercises may not be as effective as more traditional free weights for developing maximal strength - an important phase in the athlete's overall program. The movement patterns and loads they incorporate makes them better suited to converting maximal strength into explosive power and / or strength endurance. See the Strength Training Programs for Sport article for more details on how a resistance training plan should be structured.

The Doobie Brothers to Play the Orange Bowl Halftime Show, Thursday

Ahhh... the sweet sounds of classic Seventies California pop. No one has ever embodied that sound more than the Doobie Brothers. And now that the style the Doobies perfected has become a musical archetype (see modern artists like the Autumn Defense, Beck, and so on), it's all too easy to look back through the lens of nostalgia, rather than give the band the credit it deserves. Looking at the Doobies catalog from a more objective, musical standpoint -- and sober of the pop-culture fetishism we place on the era -- the band expertly concocted a blend of soft pop, funk, blue-eyed soul, and light jazz under an infectious glaze of polish.

Much like the sunny Pacific atmosphere in which they incubated their approach, the Doobies sound washes past you like a cool breeze. That's even as it percolates with hooks and rousing grooves, as best captured on radio staples like "China Grove" and "Black Water." And, though certain key elements from the classic era - Michael McDonald, Jeff "Skunk" Baxter - are long gone, the band has impressively retained longtime core members Tom Johnston, Patrick Simmons, John McFee, and Michael Hossack.

Sources: New Times

2009, The Year of Ox - Predictions and Forecasts For Chinese New Year

The Chinese method of identifying every year with animals has greatly influenced most people, even those living in western influenced countries. So much is its influence that people’s personality and character are often regarded in relation to their Chinese horoscope more than that of its western counterparts.

The 12 animals representing the Chinese calendar years, in no particular order are: Pig, Rat, Monkey, Ox, Snake, Dragon, Horse, Goat, Rabbit, Dog, Tiger and Rooster. In the Chinese year, 2008 is represented by the Rat, while the following year 2009 will be the year of the Ox, which will start on the 26th of January. This will mark the beginning of the 15-day festivities, which will continue until February 9, 2009.

This early, preparations are already undergoing to make the celebration of the entry of the year of the Ox a magnificent one. As we await this celebration, let us see what is in store for the year of the Ox.

With the Chinese New Year represented by the 12 different animals in as many year cycle, it is believed that the individual’s traits, characteristics and personality is greatly influenced by the animals of the particular year they are born in. With this belief, what then can we expect for the babies who will be born in the year of the Ox? What particular features and characteristic of the Ox are we going to see in them?

The Ox years so far are 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 and of course 2009, and following the 12 year cycle, the next one will be on 2021. But unbeknown to many, the Yin and Yang also play an important role in the Chinese calendar years. These being the years ending in odd numbers are Yin, while the years ending in even numbers are represented by Yang. This means that 2009, is an Ox year that will have the Yin influence. The basic characteristic of an Ox is methodical and calm, hardworking, dependable and patient, materialistic and an ambitious character.

Babies who will be born next year in the Chinese New Year of Ox, 2008 will be expected to have the following traits: Dependable with leadership qualities, patient, strong and responsible, and they will be great in organizing. They are also honest, reliable and logical, that is why people go to them for advice.

Unfortunately, balancing these positive characteristics of the Ox are some negative traits associated with them. People born in this year are also said to be stubborn, narrow minded, and with low public relations skills.

Interesting combinations, I must say. These and lots more are sure in store for us in the Chinese Year of the Ox 2009. So let’s see what other things are coming for the Ox as well as those in the other animal year.

Year of the Ox 2009 Predictions:

• Born in the Year of the Goat - 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003
• Born in the Year of the Monkey - 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004
• Born in the Year of the Pig - 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995
• Born in the Year of the Rat - 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996
• Born in the Year of the Snake - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001
• Born in the Year of the Dragon - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000
• Born in the Year of the Horse - 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990
• Born in the Year of the Rabbit - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1999
• Born in the Year of the Rooster - 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005
• Born in the Year of the Tiger - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998
• Born in the Year of the Dog - 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006
• Born in the Year of the Ox - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 2009

Sources: Pinoy Business

First Baby of 2009 Goes To Who?!

GAINESVILLE - The first birth of the new year arrived at 2:50 a.m. Thursday at Northeast Georgia Medical Center.

Hospital personnel said Candida Hornal and Richard Vetere are the proud parents of Jayda Rose Vetere, the first baby born at the medical center in 2009.

As the first baby of the year for the hospital, Jayda was showered with gifts from the medical center and local businesses.

Hospital personnel said baby Jayda is just under 20-inches long and weighs 6 pounds even. She was delivered via cesarean section.

Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest 2009

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four years after a stroke, Dick Clark is relishing the prospect of another New Year's Eve celebration, determined to appear for his 36th year in Times Square. And he's hardly surprised by the current state of the music industry he helped build — he predicted this, after all.

Clark, who turned 79 last month and has been in front of the cameras for 61 years, said in a recent interview by e-mail that his involvement in "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2009," diminished though it may be, is a labor of love and "not really a job."

"Obviously, I'm not able to be as actively involved as I used to be out on the street, up on a platform and interacting with the crowds in Times Square" in New York, Clark wrote. "Thank goodness my friend Ryan Seacrest is able to handle that end of the activity on the show these days.

ABC-TV's 3½-hour live extravaganza will include performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, Solange and Robin Thicke. Fergie hosts the Hollywood segments.

Clark woke up with right-side paralysis on Dec. 6, 2004 — "Your life changes overnight," he said. (Regis Philbin filled in for Clark on the New Year's Eve show that year.) Clark still uses a walker or wheelchair, and speaking is difficult.

"I am one of the fortunate ones who survived and have been minimally impaired, so I'm just thankful I'm still able to enjoy this once-a-year treat of bringing in the New Year."

The "American Bandstand" icon and longtime producer of the American Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards and Golden Globes has long considered them "my television kids."

He's also watched their ratings plummet in recent years.

"There was a time when they attracted a huge audience," Clark wrote. "The audiences have dropped off as the years have gone by because of increasing television competition.

"What we are seeing is more and more talent and less emphasis on people getting awards. Television's award shows have now become gigantic showcases for variety."

Clark was there at the birth of rock 'n' roll ("American Bandstand" kicked off July 9, 1956), and he's watched dramatic changes in the music industry. Not that those changes would come as much of a surprise.

"I can remember writing an article several years ago where I let my imagination run wild," Clark wrote. "I said we'd see the day when music is delivered directly to our homes, and delivered to us in some form of wireless communication.

"The fun of actually holding a record in our hands will disappear and we'll all have our own individual library of our favorite songs that we'll listen to at home, at work, in the car wherever we happen to go."

These days, Clark divides his time between his Malibu home and Burbank office. There's an hourlong therapy session each morning, then he answers mail and phone calls, attends meetings and reads.

The day ends with his devoted wife Kari.

"My wife and I may join friends for dinner at a restaurant, attend a movie or just grab a bite to eat by ourselves away from home," Clark wrote. "Occasionally, we'll attend a music concert. Recently we've seen Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Frankie Valli and Cher."

Sources: The Associated Press