Category: Guns & Ammos

Offering a read that simultaneously compels, repels, and excites, author Bill Pinnell’s The Offspring, peers into the dark side of human nature via family relationships, secrets, and racism, shown through a multi-layered, multigenerational, multi-perspective lens bringing together a set of characters whose lives intersect in interesting and at times intense ways.

First, the curiosity is piqued by an intriguing prologue which fundamentally sets the tone of this complex character-driven story, as a vivid memory quickly turns from pleasure to horror, within the mind of a character seemingly beguiled by scenes from the past. Next focus moves to the backstory of the romance between Lemuel Decker and Irene Baxter. Both are students at Logan High School during the 1940s in rural Nebraska. Set apart by an age gap and personality the two almost seem to be polar opposites while Lemuel is a shy athletic farm boy, Irene is pretty, popular, and outgoing. Because of the difference in age in school their paths rarely directly cross. However, once they do each makes an impression on the other not soon to be forgotten. Shy farm boy Lemuel holds a soft spot for the pretty and friendly Irene, but his timid demeanor continues to keep him seemingly hopelessly infatuated and at a distance.

However, after Lemuel graduates, fate comes into play creating a set of circumstances combining love and chivalry that would bring the two together to build a life as a family but with Irene pregnant, leaving a cloud that hangs over the relationship, an unspoken secret within the family dynamic. Moreover, as time goes on, the happiness fades as life for the Decker family dissolves into dysfunction with life becoming increasingly difficult for the couple as the financial stressors of managing a farm and a family lead to arguments and tension which clouds the atmosphere of the once happy couple. Also, at play is the way the sons are raised with son Tommy (the oldest) always at odds with the preferential treatment that brother Hughie always seems to get especially from their father Lemuel. Consequently, life takes a turn for the worse as things deteriorate when Irene, longing for a different life away from the farm, leaves the family. The Decker boys wind up growing into very different people without their mother and stuck with an irascible father.

Next, the story focuses on Harold Simpson, the sheriff in Milrose county. He is one wicked racist son of a gun. His backstory, although somewhat sad, leaves no room for excuse for his wicked, self-satisfying antics and interactions with the people he is supposed to protect. As the story progresses, his presence stimulates a deep desire to see him get his just desserts as he terrorizes the people within his jurisdiction essentially, he is the town bully with a badge and a gun.

Moving on the narrative brings into view the Lake family, Joseph and Audrey, and sons Kenny and Sammy. Originally from Chicago, the family gets the opportunity to move from city life to a farm in Nebraska; however, they are the only black family within a hundred-mile radius and are neighbors to the Deckers. The Deckers are friendly to them with an amicable relationship ensuing between the two families, especially for sons Hughie Decker and Kenny Lake, who become quite close and what follows after is a journey through self-discovery, for the boys which culminates into a longtime friendship and holding onto a secret that remains submerged in the murky waters of the past.

Altogether, I enjoyed The Offspring. It was a read that held my interest until the intense finale. I enjoyed going through the layers of this intriguing tale, replete with well-developed characters, and an interesting storyline written with a crisp, eloquent style that keeps you engaged. This would make a great summer read and I look forward to more works by this author.

Not so long ago surveillance has been considered a government or spy agency priority. However a lot has changed. The rapid research and development in information technologies and electronic devices, along with their shrinkage in size has made surveillance obtainable to each of us. All you have to do is Google for GSM tracker, spy camera, hidden voice recorder. Don’t be surprised to see hundreds of thousands or even millions of espionage gear offers. And it only depends on the commitment and financial constraints for one to start secret surveillance. Thanks to the Chinese manufacturers tiny cameras, microphones and other tracking devices have become easily obtainable at a ridiculous price. The statistics of such equipment sales shows that many people are taking advantage of this hassle free access to modern eavesdropping technologies. The temptation to spy on the surrounding comes not only to perverted maniacs.

This article focuses on surveillance carried in interest of businesses, politicians and simple ordinary (or not so ordinary) people.

The threat of eavesdropping & information loss has never been greater. Nowadays most exposed to eavesdropping are famous people, individuals with access to highly confidential information, companies and individuals as objects of corporate espionage, offices and individuals involved in political campaigns, investment bankers and other investment companies.

Here’s the list of those who intercept most:

• Competitors or partners
• Employers against their employees
• Subordinates against their colleagues and superiors
• Tenderers against other bidders or against the clients
• Spouses and lovers
• Intrusives, maniacs
• Neighbors

The most commonly used espionage tools and methods are:

• Micro video cameras and recorders, often disguised as various household items such as watches, key chains, lighters, etc.
• Wireless and wired microphones of various types (radio, Wi-Fi, GSM, Bluetooth, laser, infrared, stethoscope, parabolic or shotgun microphones, etc);
• Eavesdropping software monitoring GSM phones, computers, laptops and tablets.
• Microphones transmitting information through the electrical grid, internet cables or security systems wiring.
• Devices intercepting the electromagnetic radiation of the computers, phones and other equipment for data processing and communication.

All the listed methods and devices can be considered just an illustration, as the actual number of can hardly be enumerated.

What’s common for the above listed methods and devices that they are widely available, quite cheap to buy and their operation does not require any special technical skills. The equipment having the access to internet either through Wi-Fi, cellular or stationary networks could be operated in any part of the World.

Detecting the bugging devices is not an easy and simple work. The term describing this type of activity is TSCM which is the abbreviation of Technical Surveillance Counter Measures. TSCM survey is a service provided by qualified personnel to detect the presence of technical surveillance devices and hazards and to identify technical security weaknesses that could aid in the conduct of a technical penetration of the surveyed facility. A TSCM survey normally consists of a thorough visual, electronic and physical inspection inside and outside of the surveyed facility. In conducting surveillance protection one has to be familiar with the tapping methods; hardware and software products; engineering solutions used for this purpose as well as their unmasking signs. Without this knowledge it is not possible to detect a well hidden bug.

For the successful implementation of this activity is necessary to have a properly trained personnel, good working methodology and appropriate set of technical means.

As there are lots of methods of eavesdropping and much more devices used for each method, there are lots of instruments to detect a bug. Example of the necessary equipment for the detection of radio microphone is radio frequency spectrum analyzer, wideband radio receiver and a nonlinear junction detector ( NLJD ). And this should be considered an absolute minimum.

The issue of interception and eavesdropping protection is a complex. Both activities are developing very dynamically. Unfortunately there is no way to point all aspects in one article. Practice shows that the systematic work and the funds invested for eavesdropping protection are sooner or later paid off.

This is a slightly older game now but it’s still one of the most fun flash games around. It also involves in-depth strategy not often found in flash games beyond the tower defence genre. You play a special forces operative who has holed himself up in a facility and must fend off the zombie hoards.

In order to fend them off you need to understand the balance between exploration and defence right away. The more you explore, the more areas you open up and the more windows, doors, and wide open spaces the zombies have available through which to climb in and get you. Zones which you haven’t explored are blanked out, and zombies don’t bother trying to get through there.  The F key will upgrade your barricades and space will take you to your inventory where you can buy weapons.

You start off with a pistol, but you can unlock a free rifle by signing up for a free Mochimedia account and buying the free rifle in the premium tab (other special upgrades cost mochi-coins). You can also claim the free grenades to get you started. The rifle will serve you well until you’re out of your first area. The best strategy is to fend zombies off the first area until you have about 300 dollars of in game funds, then leave the area and immediately pick up the Uzi sub machine gun unlock. Then press space and go over to the inventory screen to buy the sub-machine gun you just unlocked. This Uzi will serve you well, and just as well because you now have a larger area to defend.

Make sure you keep your barricades up and bottleneck the zombies at the door to the first area until you’ve killed enough zombies and gained another 250 dollars in game. Then run down and unlock the car porch. This isn’t going to effect the number of zombies coming in because the lower areas are open anyway, but it will give you access to an AK47 and give you more places to run should everything go pear-shaped.

I don’t recommend buying the AK 47 as it doesn’t offer significant improvement over the Uzi, but will set you 300 dollars less towards your next upgrade (one that matters). Don’t upgrade the barricades either, as these upgrades can be used strategically later on. At this point, the best thing to do is to defend yourself with the Uzi, using the available terrain to your advantage, until you can reach about 1600 then unlock the central door that takes you into the canteen and then down into the kitchens, there you will find the SCAR Assault Fifel for 1250 or a G3 Assault rifle for 1500. Both are very good, but the G3 has the edge due to its stopping power. Zombies will physically stop when you blast them with it giving you more time. The SCAR has some plus points though, its rounds pass right through zombies allowing you to finish off several zombies at once. It is however better to go for only one of these and save up your remaining funds towards your first turrets.

The turrets are in the small room that needs to be unlocked in the lower left of the map. Once you have around 600 to unlock that door it’s a good idea to go and do so and pick up the turrets to unlock them. Later, once you have the funds (4,000) you can start placing your turrets. Turrets will eventually run out of ammunition, but you can reload them by pressing F, just in the same way as you fix the barricades. Because of this, turrets are a great investment.

There are two methods to using your turrets. You can either cluster your turrets in a room so that you will be able to easily access them to reload them. Many people instead chose to reinforce all the barricades by placing turrets behind them to kill zombies before they even reach them.

Which tactic is up to  you, but having played and replayed, the clustering tactic is the one that seems to work the best. When you cluster your turrets they are all accessible enough that you can run around them and reload them. If you have chosen to shore up all the barricades, there will be times when you’re unable to reach certain turrets to reload them and they are sitting there doing nothing. The clustering approach certainly helps to ensure that you have all of your firepower turned on the zombies at any given time.

Once you reach this stage, all that remains is to fend off the zombies until you hit the final wave. Good luck.

Arts of Power: Statecraft and Diplomacy is a book about the diplomat’s weapon and the knack of managing a state’s relationship with other states- issues as old as recorded time. In this comprehensive treatise, the author outlines the basic tenets the art of statecraft and the skills of diplomatic rhetoric.

Using his experience as a foreign diplomat and his knowledge of many nations, as a backdrop, Charles Freeman provides a detailed roadmap to successful negotiation. He discusses the roles of politics, culture, intelligence gathering, military measures and economic power, as well as the art and rhetoric of diplomatic statecraft as applied under international law.

Arts of Power is a thesis on negotiation, the diplomat’s weapon. The author describes the usefulness of the applications of force and intelligence to international relations. He emphasizes the nuts and bolts of statecraft, the practical side of a diplomat’s job and the application of a code of ethics to international law.

In the first part of the book, Freeman discusses intelligence gathering, covert activities, power, political influences, cultural measures, economic measures of the states, military tactics and non-violence, as well as changes in the international state system, the international order, the interests of other states, and the constant evolution of international law as part of the interests and concerns of a nation.

In the second section, the author progresses to the importance of negotiation, the diplomat’s weapon, and the strategies, tactics and manoeuvres, as well as the relationship between the states and why and how diplomats are used. He talks about the traditions of the international system and the reordering of relations between states during peacetime.

The third portion of the book involves a description of the job of a diplomat and the importance of diplomatic rhetoric, advocacy and stewardship. Freeman also discusses the fact that states have different cultures, traditions, and historical experience and how they must bridge these differences in order to function under an international state system. This is a powerful book, easily one of the most comprehensive guides to the art of statecraft in existence today. It is an interesting read because it offers professionals and non-professionals alike an important guide to understanding diplomacy and international ethics. It is a valuable guide for the professional diplomat, an informative manual for students, and even the non-diplomat reader who wants to the secrets of power.

There have been a few other books written on this subject. Arts of Power provides a bridge to fill in the gaps between the few available works on this topic. It is different because it is written by a real diplomat, an ambassador tasked with maintaining peace at all costs.

2011 Moira G Gallaga©

We are, unfortunately, in a slow growth economy, which has businesses – large and small – in a wait and see mode regarding expansion plans. The Labor Department reports that there are 4.6 unemployed (not even counting long-term unemployed now off the benefit rolls) for each job opening. That is an improvement from the depths of the recession of nearly 7 to 1, but not much solace for those facing an average of nearly 5 others competing for every open job.

What has exacerbated the situation is that businesses saw worker productivity rise by a phenomenal 6 percent at the end of 2009, after the all the bloodletting (layoffs) during the recession. Each remaining worker was able to produce more and now companies want to see solid signs of economic growth prior to re-employing workers – and these are almost non-existent in housing, consumer confidence, and yes, jobs! (It takes a job to buy goods and services.) The US is not yet even generating enough new jobs to cover the new entrants into the workforce each year – students graduating from colleges and high schools – let alone jobs for the unemployed.

Jobs Web sites are really just the electronic equivalent of “help wanted” ads of the past. Posting your resume on these sites is really a shotgun approach to finding employment, since companies have the luxury of only selecting candidates to interview who have the “exact” skill set they are looking for. If you don’t know the requirements of the position and customize your resume, by highlighting your near-perfect match to the job skills sought, it is a waste of your time.

The Internet is a great tool to find jobs in two ways: First, by giving you an easy and convenient way to stay connected to your network of friends, extended family, former co-workers, classmates, and industry colleagues. This is where you will have the greatest odds of finding jobs that mesh with your unique skill set and you may get someone in your extended network to walk your resume into the hiring manager. But the number one rule of networking is “give before you receive.” You cannot simply ask people for assistance finding a job until you have established a give and take relationship with them – by first offering to make introductions or other help they may need. Secondly, the Internet makes researching companies to find jobs in your field as easy as it has ever been. There is so much information available from company Web sites, press releases, competitors, and other public information that you can learn about what companies employ people with your skills, which ones are expanding and those likely to hire in the near future. Use your network connections in Web sites like LindedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to locate people who know people in these companies for an “in” for you. Use these same sites to connect with recruiters through recruitment Tweetchat sessions like #jobhuntchat, #tchat, and #hirefriday. You will be amazed at how many people are willing to help you get back into the workforce.

You may also be looking in the wrong places. In the past two decades, small businesses have created over two-thirds of all new jobs. Determine what transferable skills you have to offer to a small business and target some to make connections. It may be you will have to convince them it is time to expand and to bring you on as a contract worker to prove you can help grow their business – without the risk of hiring a full-time employee.

On this last point, find two or three temporary employment companies that specialize in your field or one closely related. There is no better way to get your foot in the door to determine if you blend in with the company’s culture and they offer what you desire in an employer. You will not get the salary you are looking for right away, but over one-third of these contingent positions end up becoming a full-time job. It also gives you the opportunity to keep your skills honed and a good story to relay in future job interviews about what you’ve been doing. A good temp company will help you broaden your search base by assisting you to identify your transferable skills and open new doors for you. In today’s job market, there is no negative sigma associated with temporary or contingent employment – and they will find you a job. Good luck in your search. We all hope for a stronger recovery to materialize shortly.

.The year was 1954, 17 Sikh was located at Agra and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Shamsher Singh, whose outstanding leadership and exploits in the 1947-48 war in Jammu and Kashmir were part of regimental lore. The unit was out on a training camp in a forest near Shivpuri, which was to culminate in a test exercise.

One day, Sepoy Fauja Singh, who was part of the officer’s mess staff, went to collect firewood for the mess kitchen. Suddenly, a tigress jumped out from a thicket and pounced on him. Instinctively, he tried to fight her off with his bare hands. After a brief struggle, the tigress caught Fauja Singh’s turban in her mouth and thinking that she had got the kill, disappeared back into the thicket. Fauja Singh was badly mauled and he was evacuated to the military hospital immediately, but more to the point, he was extremely upset about the loss of his turban.

More reports poured in about the tigress with four cubs, who had turned into a man-eater, it seemed. She had killed two persons from a village nearby. True to the Indian Army tradition, this didn’t stop the training, which continued as per plan, and the test exercise was cleared with honors.

At the end of the exercise Lt. Col Shamsher Singh proposed to his Brigade Commander, Brigadier Danny Misra, that since the tigress had turned into a maneater and the area was used by the brigade for training, it would be prudent to kill the tigress. Back in those days, shikar was allowed in the Army and a hobby for some. In that spirit, Brig Danny Misra agreed to the proposal, but with a rider.

“Shamsher,” he said. “Killing a tiger with rifles is too easy. Can the Sikhs do it with bayonets?” Never one to shy away from a challenge, Singh said, “So shall

it be, Sir!”

The die was cast. Shamsher returned and briefed his unit. He prepped his soldiers by telling them stories of how Hari Singh Nalwa, commander-in-chief of the Sikh Khalsa army, had once killed a tiger with his bare hands by catching hold of its tongue and choking it.

It was decided that the unit would assault the general area where the tigress was suspected to have hidden in traditional infantry manner. Once the tigress attacked an individual, he must use the bayonet to counter-attack it while the personnel on his flanks would turn inwards to attack the tigress with bayonets and finish the task. This drill was rehearsed to perfection. Next morning, two companies of 17 Sikh formed an assault line 200 yards long, with the Commanding Officer’s party in the center.

Bayonets were fixed on the Enfield.303 rifles and the assault commenced.

It was a surreal scene: bayonets glinted in the morning sun with soldiers of 17 Sikh shouting “Jo bole so nihal!”, out to kill a maneating tigress with only bayonets! On the far side of the suspected area, the Divisional Commander, General Dargalkar, and the Brig Danny Misra sat on a machan with sporting rifles. Misra didn’t believe the tigress could be killed with bayonets. His plan was that the assault by 17 Sikh would drive the tigress towards the machan, where Gen Dargalkar and he would kill her.

The movement of the assault line was laborious due to the broken terrain but after 20 minutes, the den of the tigress was located.

She had fled, but her three cubs were found, captured alive and later presented to the Agra zoo. Fauja Singh’s turban was also found in the den.

The assault line formed again and moved forward with a regimental war cry.

After 10 minutes, the roar of the tigress was heard. Singh shouted to his

boys, “Tagde ho jao!” (“Gird up and get ready for action!”). And then, suddenly, the tigress leaped out of the thicket and attacked the assault line. Sepoy Sucha Singh was directly in front and he adopted the traditional bayonet fighting stance, meeting the tigress’ assault head-on with his weapon. As she came at him, he plunged his bayonet into her chest. It got buried to the hilt, inside the tigress’ chest, but the momentum of her charge knocked Sucha Singh down.

Both he and the tigress fell 10 yards forward. As per the rehearsed drill, the soldiers on the flanks turned inwards and pounced on the tigress, pinning

her down with their bayonets. It wasn’t necessary. Sucha Singh had already pierced her heart.

It was then that the sound of a rifle shot was heard.

Shamsher was livid with anger, thinking one of his men had disobeyed orders. He

rushed to the scene and asked who had fired the shot. The company assured him no shot had been fired and the report had come from the direction of the

machan. Shamsher ordered the success signal be fired with the Very Light Pistol and 500 hundred voices joined him in the long jaikara of “Jo Bole So Nihal!’.

Then Shamsher rushed to Sucha Singh, who was badly mauled but on inquiry

about his wounds said, “Saab Ji main tan theek haan, par woh sali sherni meri rifle lai gayee.” (“Sir, I am OK but the damn tigress has taken off with my rifle”). The loss of a weapon is a very serious lapse in the army! Sucha Singh was assured that the rifle has been recovered and that he was now nearly at par with the great Hari Singh Nalwa for having single-handedly killed a tigress. He was evacuated to the military hospital.

A telegram was dispatched to Fauja Singh: “Revenge taken! Tigress killed!Turban recovered!” Sepoy Sucha Singh was immediately promoted to LanceNaik and on that day, 17 Sikh was rechristened the Tiger Battalion.

The bayonet of Sucha Singh had developed a 10-degree curve due to the force of the impact with the tigress. A most unusual occurrence, as bayonets are usually made of brittle metal designed to pierce and break when it hits a hard surface. Shamsher directed Sucha Singh’s bayonet must be kept as a trophy. The Quarter Master in his enthusiasm to get Sucha Singh his replacement mistakenly sent the bayonet back to the ordinance depot for replacement. Fortunately, it was located and brought right back to the unit. The bayonet, along with the skin of the tigress and news paper coverage of the event, still adorn the officers’ mess of 17 Sikh ­The Tiger Battalion.

While Sucha Singh was being taken to the military hospital, Shamsher went to the machan to report the success of the mission to Misra and Dargalkar, who was still on the machan.

To his amusement and the embarrassment of the VIPs, Shamsher learned that in the excitement of the whole action, one of the rifles from the VIP machan had

dropped to the ground. That was the rifle shot Shamsher had heard!

Later, Misra along with Shamsher went to meet Sucha Singh in the hospital. The brigadier asked Sucha Singh, “Kya aapne hi sherni ko mara tha?” (“Are you

the one who killed the tigress?”) A peeved Sucha Singh replied, “Asli bayonet toh mainne hi mara tha, sir, par mari hui sherni par bad mein aur bhi maarte gaye. Aur mainne suna ki dar ke mare VIP machan se, kisi rifle nichhe gir kar fire ho gayee.” (“I’m the one who got her with the bayonet first, but others attacked the dead tigress too. And I heard that up in the VIP machan, someone got so scared that they dropped their rifle by mistake and fired it.”)

Nine years later, Colonel Shamsher as the Centre Commandant of the Sikh Regimental Centre at Meerut Cantonment, was interviewing soldiers going on a pension when he heard the familiar voice of Havaldar Sucha Singh. He reported that he was going on pension. Shamsher took a quick decision and directed the pension orders to be canceled.

Instead, Sucha Singh was promoted to the rank of Jemadar. There were objections from higher headquarters, but Shamsher had a simple reply:

“Sucha Singh is probably the only man in history to have killed a tigress with a bayonet. He deserves to be a JCO!”

There is a common complaint among many in our sport about the realism of the weaponry used – it just isn’t very realistic. Even some of the best tactical markers are still missing the mark in realism, leaving players still hungry for a more authentic experience. In most cases, it’s fairly easy to spot a paintball marker because of the large hopper that sits on top to hold it’s ammo. This is problematic for at least two reasons: 1) it takes away some of the realism of your gun, and 2) the hopper can easily give away your position on the field if you are trying to hide behind cover – this piece sticks up! This can defeat the purpose of “low-profile play”, which means stealthy and subtle styles of movement during the game, sometimes consisting of a complete non-exposure of the player and his position on the field.

Thankfully, there is a viable solution to this problem in both realism and profile – magazine-fed markers. Just like in a real rifle, magazine-fed paintball guns are fitted with a functional magazine which holds paintballs and uses spring-loaded pressure to feed them into the marker. This makes the gun look and function much more like “the real thing,” adding more realism and excitement to the sport of scenario paintball. These new markers provide a much-desired change to the traditional hopper fed paintball gun. While there is some cost associated with upgrading to this type of marker, many players are proudly making the switch. Best brands of mag fed guns include the Rap4 468 and MK5 series, Honorcore, Tiberius Arms, Spyder and even Tippmann is offering a new version.

There are many benefits to owning a good magazine fed paintball marker. The most obvious is that it looks completely real. To many players, this is a huge factor. Some of the best brands of magazine fed tactical paintball guns are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Removing the hopper also makes for much better low-profile play, making your weapon smaller and much easier to wield. A large, fully loaded hopper on top of your marker gives it a different balance making it trickier to be more accurate as compared with a good mag fed system. Once you pop in the clip, your gun is a closed system that won’t spill paintballs everywhere. It’s common for a hopper to come loose during play or lose ammo when taking it off. Compared to the sleek profile of the new magazine fed paintball guns, hopper fed systems are clumsy, bulky and make your marker look like a toy.

Mag fed markers are not without their critics however. Opponents of the magazine-fed movement make a few valid claims against this change. The biggest of these is that a magazine can’t hold nearly as much ammo as a traditional hopper. For lengthy scenarios that may require lots of shooting, you need to go in with as much ammo as possible. With the standard hopper holding at least 200 rounds, it will take at least ten 18 or 20 round magazines to match the same capacity; this is a lot to carry. Fortunately, there are other realistic accessories that offer ways to carry these accessories such as tactical vests. Much like their real life counterpart, a tactical paintball vest outfitted with several magazine pouches are a great way to pack numerous loaded magazines in a very balanced manner, close to the body. Not only does a good vest offer terrific help in carrying your mags, but it also brings a cool look to your scenario outfit and adds extra protection against incoming bullets.

Another valid complaint about magazine fed paintball guns is the magazine clips themselves. Most magazines for tactical markers rely on a spring and mechanical actions to feed the ammo, thus creating a larger probability the marker will jam, misfire, or break altogether. While this was more of a problem in the beginning, most magazine fed paintball guns have been out long enough for these errors to have been ironed out, however some brands are definitely better than others. Rap4’s Dmags are some of the most user friendly in both durability, function and price. While most paintball gun magazines run between $25-$40, Dmags cost about $10 and even less if bought in a package deal. The best paintball gun magazines are also compatible with shaped projectiles like First Strike ammo; Dmags will also work with this precision paintball bullet.

If you are just beginning into the sport, be aware that a hopper-based system will be your cheapest, easiest and most common route. If you have been in the sport for a while and are considering the switch to a magazine fed system, weigh out the pros and cons before the commitment. Do play a position where you need lots of ammo quickly? Will you have time to reload if you run out? Is stealth critical in your scenario? Do you long for a realistic scenario but feel you’re using a “toy”? These are all valid considerations. So, the debate continues – and likely will from now on. Players have made it clear that they want options and want to step up the reality factor in their game. Manufacturers have heard this request loud and clear and magazine-fed markers are definitely moving in the right direction toward becoming the main choice in paintball.

If you feel excited to read this article, you probably already know at least a little about the advantages of retractable awnings. If this piece looks totally random (“20 Fast Facts About Kibbles Cat Food”), then what you’ll read here will probably surprise you. Here is a shotgun approach to the specifications and benefits of modern awnings to catch you up on why they are attracting a growing consumer base.

First, a quick disclaimer: As you read, you may wish certain points were explained in more detail. Since this article is a sort of “beach read” of awnings education, you won’t find a ton of background information here. But if you’d like to hear these facts expanded upon, feel free to check my site. And now, here are some quick and dirty facts about retractable awnings.

1. They are, in essence, over-sized swatches of water-proof fabric stretched on a frame and attached to your house. This is what you might call simple brilliance.
2. They need approximately 6 inches of open, lengthwise wall (or roof) space to be installed.
3. These awnings can be unfurled or retracted in less than a minute–either by hand or automatically via a remote control.
4. Recent models have weather sensors that automatically lower the awnings on bright, hot days and store them when a heavy rain storm or gale-force winds could damage them.
5. A phrase all home and business owners love: “No maintenance?”
6. By controlling sunlight, awnings serve a very useful function: they decrease heat and cut UV rays.
7. Awnings serve as an outdoor expansion of your business or residential space–and Do It Yourself-types like to design “outdoor rooms” with awnings that extend the styles and colors of the building interior.
8. If you own a business or manage properties, retractable awnings can expand your seating capacity and raise property values without the services of an architect or general contractor.
9. Next time you’re downtown, look around: there’s an increasing trend to use awnings as commercial signage for businesses.
10. Awnings positively affect the interior of your home. When installed over windows, they cut glare by 94 percent and exterior heat by 77 percent.
11. That means that they bring down inside temperatures by 8 to 15 degrees and reduce air conditioning costs by 25 percent.
12. When it comes to real estate, each dollar saved on utility bills translates into $10 to $15 of resale value. If you do the calculations, you see that awnings can add one to two thousand dollars of resale value to your home. And that’s a conservative estimate.
13. Realtors say that a building’s outside appearance is a huge factor in home sales. Awnings give your home strong curb appeal.
14. They also create unique new atmospheres. Have you ever had coffee and conversation “in the rain?” Ever lounged in a hot tub while snow drifts down around (but not on) you?
15. Retractable awnings let you sun-bathe, eat in the shade, enjoy a sun-warmed autumn deck and watch the stars–all in the same space.
16. They can be “strategically” used to cover unsightly rough patches on your home’s exterior, like that place where the utility man botched the repair job.
17. Awnings add more living area: eat, talk, and entertain.
18. When awnings are installed over windows, they make cooler, more spacious rooms inside the home, because there’s no need to fight harsh sunlight by pulling the blinds.
19. They make the most of patio, deck, balcony, and poolside areas, making them more than stretches of bleached-blond wood and fiery concrete.
20. Retractable awnings are environmentally friendly. They reduce electricity use, comply with EPA guidelines, and are made with sustainable materials.

Now you have a basic idea of why retractable awnings are gaining in popularity. How does it feel to have a higher awnings IQ?

Hunting through the use of spears and other tools used to be the ancient man’s primary way of sourcing food. Today, hunting is still very much alive in the modern society, although it is being for various reasons.

One of the top hunting targets for men is the wild boar, a known ancestor of domestic pigs although they look different. Boars are classified as feral hogs, Russian wild boar or hybrids, a mixture of the first two kinds. Boars are called full bloods if they are pure wild boars and standard if they are a result of breeding domestic pigs and pure wild boars.

Feral hogs are hogs that have escaped domestication and became wild. The free roam farming, or the practice of branding hogs and releasing them into the open to roam free and breed, is said to be responsible for the existence of feral hogs today.

Feral hogs can be found in nine States, with the largest population found in Texas. Texas and other States consider hogs as nuisance animals so hunting rules are very lenient. In fact, hunters are allowed to hunt feral hogs using any kind of weapon or bait, at any time of the day. True Russian boars are said to exist only in Texas and New Hampshire.

The increasing population of feral boars is attributed to their ability to reproduce fast, the practice of free ranging husbandry methods and the existence of more water in arid areas. These boars can produce four to six litters depending on their breed and the availability of food in their area.

A hunter’s success in hunting boars using rifle will depend on the population of the wild boars, the hunter’s knowledge of the behavioral patterns of wild hogs, and the use of the right kind of rifle.

Feral hogs have keen eye sights and they have a very good sense of smell and hearing. A fully mature feral hog can weigh from 200 to 700 pounds while a wild boar or the Russian boar can weigh up to 400 pounds.

Wild boar hunters should consider the kind of gun they are going to use, the gun caliber, the load of the gun which should match their hunting style, the terrain where they expect to encounter the hogs and the range between them and the boars.

Very few of us are aware of the fact that BB guns were introduced in 1900 and are a part of Americana. This is considered to be a dream toy of various girls and boys. In year 1938 Red Ryder BB gun was introduced and it is the most popular gun ever made till now. BB guns are capable of firing a steel pellet and are mostly used for bird hunting and bird shooting purposes. Nowadays, airsoft guns are available and they can fire plastic pellet. The pellets which are used in these are larger than the pellets which are used in BB guns. This is one of the major reasons why Airsoft pellets are safer than BBgun pallets.

Also, it is known that the Airsoft pellets are unable to break the skin of the human beings. For BB pellets, there are mainly three principal methods; Gas pressure, spring power and electricity battery. In electric BB guns which are also called AEG, Automatic electric gun, there are rechargeable batteries. These are capable of producing fully automatic and semi-automatic electric guns.

There are various styles and designs of these guns available in the market. Some of the models include sniper rifles, hand guns and assault weapons. These weapons are available at varying price range and performance capabilities. The ones which are costly can be found in metal and have higher velocity and fire rates while the cheaper ones are made up of plastic and have lesser capability and are considered to be safer for humans.

It has also been brought into notice that various manufacturers also come up with replica of these bbguns to have the same feel and experience. These are available at lower rates as compared to their original versions. There are several people who buy these guns just to make them a part of their collections.

If you are looking for buying these guns, then internet is the best place for you. There are thousands of websites offering these guns in wide range. Depending upon your preferences, choice, budget and the purpose for keeping guns, you can select and buy on the internet. You can even compare the manufacturer and the features of these guns so that you can make best selection. You will add excitement to your life; however, you must be aware of the licensing terms for keeping these guns beforehand.