Submitted by: Chris Angus

One question that commonly pops up is Do you really need a picture for a blog? The answer is no. Imagery is there to enhance your content. Above all the purpose of including an image with your blog should not be to make up for weak content.

Pictures are also more appropriate for certain types of blogs rather than others. For instance a blog about modern art or architecture might require pictures more than a blog about the latest computer chip would.

However there is no reason why the occasional picture can t be used to augment your writing even if you are using a blog to sell a very dry product such as computer software. The true purpose of an illustration or photograph is to enhance your blog, not detract from it. If the image enhances the point you want to make or is even a well-attuned metaphor for what you are trying to say, then by all means use it.

One problem is that some blog templates are not that friendly when it comes to uploading pictures. In this case it is possible to have the image open in a separate web page so it does not interfere with the layout of your blog. This also gives your reader the choice of whether they want to bother looking at the image or not.

One design rule regarding images is to keep them all the same size. There is nothing that messes up the look of a well designed blog more than having differently sized photographs scattered all over the page. Another problem that you may likely encounter when uploading images onto a blog template is the issue of having to fit the image into a predetermined size. This can mean the image is squished, elongated or stretched laterally. If this is a problem, then don t bother uploading an image at all.

About the Author: Christopher Angus is a SEO and Website Marketer. He can be contacted at: Sales (at) Brilliantseo.com

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Submitted by: Nia Peters

Selecting the 10 best hotels in Hawaii is not an easy task. Being a vacation paradise and with tourism and the mainstay of its economy, the islands have an extremely well developed hotel infrastructure. There is accommodation to fit all budgets. But beyond that there are hotels dedicated to honeymooners / romantic getaways, family holidays, water sports and beach activities and much more. But on the basis of guest responses and overall reputation, here are 10 hotels that should be considered by anyone planning to visit the islands. The hotels listed below are not presented in any particular order or hierarchy.

The island of Oahu has 3 hotels that fall into the best category. The Royal Hawaiian is the best known of them all. Although older than other hotels, it has recently been renovated and the results are impressive. Each of the 528 rooms and suites combines modern comfort with old world luxury. The original structure, called the Historic building offers elegant period furnishings and an aura of old world sophistication. The rooms in the newer Royal Tower all have a lanai offering a private view of the beach and ocean.

Set in 880 acres of verdant tropical gardens, the Turtle Bay resort is a true full service luxury hotel. Only 45 minutes from Honolulu, guests have 5 miles of pristine beach and 12 miles of ocean trails to enjoy. With all the comforts one could ask for and great meeting facilities, this is the perfect place for both work and play.

Those wishing to follow in the footsteps of presidents, royalty and celebrities will find the Kahala Hotel and resort ideal. In 2006 it was chosen as the best resort hotel in the state. The hotel offers a full range of activities, spas, great cuisine and extremely well appointed rooms.

On the Big Island, The Fairmont Orchid with its 540 luxurious rooms and suites offers the perfect place to enjoy a great vacation. Situated amidst 32 acres of lush greenery, the beach front property is also adjacent to a world class golf course. With nightly entertainment, great food, spas, and a range of activities, it is a complete vacation hotel.

The Kona Village Resort is the only all inclusive hotel on the Big Island. Offering rooms with all modern comforts and amenities and great cuisine options this hotel is best known for the range of entertainment and activities that are part of the all inclusive package. There is also a special childrens program to keep the young ones occupied.

On the island of Kauai, the Grand Hyatt provides all the class and comforts that the Hyatt chain is known for. Rooms have either an ocean or a garden view and have floor to ceiling windows to maximize the viewing experience. A variety of eating options, a great bar, live entertainment, the beach, golf and tennis are just some of the attractions available.

Situated atop lush emerald cliffs is the St. Regis Princeville Resort. From the hotel you will get spectacular views of crystal clear water, pristine beaches and fabulous sunsets. Luxury is exemplified by the gracious butler service. After playing golf, walking through the rainforest or spending a day at the beach, the spas are great places to unwind.

Maui is where you will find the Four Seasons resort. Guest coming here for the first time will soon understand why the Four Seasons name defines luxury and comfort. The hotel has recently be renovated and the rooms offer state of the art amenities like furnished lanais, marble bathrooms, large screen HDTVs, high speed internet and much more. And of course, the Four Seasons acclaimed cuisine. After a long day enjoying all the attraction that Hawaii has to offer, this is the place to come back to.

The Westin Maui Resort and Spa is situated on 12 acres of oceanfront property and all the 750 rooms have private balconies and classic wooden furniture to create a tropical aura. Besides all the other facilities you would expect from a world class resort, the Westin also has its own water park that is designed to be enjoyed by every age group.

Located on Mauis western coast and adjacent to Wailea beach is the Grand Wailea Resort. This 5 Diamond resort has luxurious rooms that include fully stocked refreshment centers. There is a water complex with 9 interconnected pools, besides all the other attraction a visitor would expect from a luxury resort in Hawaii. The Spa Grande is regularly featured among the best spas in America.

About the Author: Search for

Hawaii hotels

on all Hawaiian islands at

AlohaHawaiiHotels.com

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By Marie-Claire Smith

Considering your mortgage options in preparation for buying or refinancing your home? The most important thing you will need to consider is that of your monthly payment amount. After all, if you take out a loan whereby your payment is too high, you could end up not being able to swing your payments. This could put you at risk for foreclosure.

Why You Need a Loan with the Right Monthly Payment

The amount you owe each month to your mortgage lender plays a huge role in your monthly finances. A good rule of thumb is that your monthly housing expense (which includes your mortgage, homeowner’s insurance and property tax payments) should not exceed 30% of your monthly income. Any more than that and you could be setting yourself up to fail financially.

Of course, the maximum amount you should be willing to pay will vary depending upon other factors such as the amount of other debt payments (like credit card debt) and the amount you have available to put up as a down payment on the mortgage.

So, start by setting for yourself a maximum monthly mortgage payment you will be able to afford.

The Factors that Determine Your Payment Amount

Next, it is a good idea to understand the various factors that influence how much you pay in mortgage fees each monthly. These are: the principal of the loan amount (P), the annual interest rate of the loan (I), and the loan term (L) in years.

Before you start performing calculations, it is a good idea first to open up a spreadsheet application like Excel and start inputting the various assumptions you want to try. We’ll call each set of assumptions a “scenario.” For example, one scenario might be a loan amount of $125,000, an interest rate of 6.2%, and a repayment term of 30 years. Another might be the same as the first, but with a loan amount of $150,000 (etc.).

Obviously, you can reduce the number of scenarios by setting realistic figures for each item. Four scenarios is probably a good way to start (maybe try two different interest rates and two loan amounts, for example).

Loan Calculator: Knowing the Monthly Payment

So, with all of that in mind, here is how to calculate your future would-be payments using pen & paper or in a spreadsheet application. First, let’s review the variables we discussed above and add a few more (which are simply derivations of the first set).

Variables:

M = monthly payment (this is what you are going to calculate)

P = principal (initial amount borrowed)

L = loan term, in years

I = the annual interest rate (from 1 to 100)

J = monthly interest amount in decimal form, which is calculated: I / (12 x 100)

N = loan term, in months, which is just L x 12

Here is the formula (note that this formula assumes a standard loan wherein interest is compounded each month).

M = P * ( J / (1 – (1 + J) ^ -N)) For this notation, ^ means “to the power of”.

Step by step, here is how to figure out your monthly payment:

1. Calculate 1 + J, then take the result to the power of -N (minus N).

2. Subtract that from 1.

3. Take the inverse of this result (1 / X).

4. Now, multiply the result by J, then by P.

There you have it! Hint: if you use Excel, you can just set this up once and then copy/paste to create as many scenarios as you need. Then, plug in the different assumptions to see how they will affect your payment.

About the Author: Find financial calculators and the best mortgage rates at:

Approve My Home Loan

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