Google Visualization API now in PHP

Here at the Google Visualization HQ we focus hard on making the Visualization API the easiest and simplest platform for visualizing and reporting data on the web. We're always excited to see the community uptake and develop our product, making it even more useful and accessible to other developers. One such initiative is the PHP wrapper class that Thomas Schaefer wrote for the Visualization API.

The class wraps the API and enables PHP application developers to quickly integrate visualizations into their code. Thomas even published reference applications that enable you to get started even quicker.

We love your work Thomas, keep it up!

Two new ways to location-enable your web apps

First, there's the AJAX API property that provides a simple way to get an approximate, region-level estimate of a user's location based on their IP address. It's as simple as referencing google.loader.ClientLocation, which is made available using the Google AJAX API Loader. This API does not require users to install any client-side software. You can see this new AJAX API in action as part of the 2008 US Election gadget -- the "News by State" will show local news for the state associated with the user's IP.

Second, the Gears Geolocation API provides a way to get a more precise estimate of a user's location. On mobile devices with Gears installed, the Geolocation API can use the cell-ID of nearby cell towers or on-board GPS (if either is available) to improve the postion fix. In the near future, we'll be adding data from your WiFi connection to improve accuracy even further, on both desktop and mobile. In all cases, Gears takes care of assimilating the results from each source and returning the best available position estimate.

The Geolocation API has two JavaScript methods: getCurrentPosition() makes a single, one-off attempt to get a position fix, while watchPosition() watches the user's position over time, and provides an update whenever the position changes. Both methods allow you to configure which sources of location information are used. Gears also keeps track of the best position fix obtained from these calls and makes it available as the lastPosition property. This is a simple way to get an approximate position fix with low cost in terms of both network and battery resources.

The privacy of users' location information is extremely important. The first time your site calls the Geolocation API to request a user's location, that user will be shown a permissions dialog where they can choose to allow or deny your site access. Users can change that decision at any time via the "Gears settings" dialog in the browser menu. Google does not keep location information about users when your site uses the Geolocation API.

To use the Geolocation API your users may need to install the Gears browser plugin, a simple process on both desktop and mobile. The Geolocation API is available on platforms currently supported by Gears, including Internet Explorer, Firefox and IE Mobile (selected devices only). For users to be able to use location-enabled features on mobile they will need a Windows Mobile device that supports GPS or cell-ID lookup (for example the Samsung BlackJack II and the HTC Touch Dual, see list of supported device models in our FAQ). We are working hard to bring Gears to more mobile platforms soon. You can download and install Gears at gears.google.com. Or try out some of the first location-enabled mobile web apps using Gears.

Like the rest of Gears, this new Geolocation API is open source. We're also doing our best to work with existing and emerging standards. Gears now implements the current editor's draft of the W3C Geolocation specification, which we've helped to define in collaboration with Microsoft, Mozilla, and others. We're committed to continued collaboration around the emerging HTML5 standard and the APIs specified by the W3C Web Applications Working Group. The goal for Gears is to advance browser capabilities, and part of that is helping define future web standards.

Finding College Education Funds to Help You Fulfill Your Dream

The cost of going to college can be a daunting prospect for many high school students. When there is a choice between earning a wage straight away or paying thousands of dollars to go to college it is understandable why many choose the former. Even though it is well known the paying for a college education is one investment that always gives huge rewards, that doesn't make it any easier for students to find the funds.

Luckily, there are many ways of getting financial aid to add to your college education funds. The most common way of raising the money required is to get a college loan. There are many different loans available and most allow you to pay off the loan over a long period of time which considerably reduces the financial strain on the students.

The other way is to get a college grants to raise funds. Usually grants don't ever have to be paid back which makes them a lot more attractive than loans. Depending on your financial status and choice of subject a grant may be available for you. You can find out more by searching on the internet.

It's important to look at the college education funds available before making a decision not to go into higher education. With the extra funds the cost of college is often a lot less than advertised which can make a big difference to your final decision. Going to college could be the smartest investment you'll ever make, so taking your time is essential

Are you having trouble deciding whether college is for you? To learn more about why going to college can give you an advantage, please read good reasons for going to college.

ImportanceOfCollege.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Edward_Henderson

Speaking Up For Your Career Finances

Public speaking can be very satisfying. Apart from the ability to boost your career finances, it is a source of self-actualization and of building both confidence and self-esteem.

After maybe the second or third time I was asked to speak in public I began to enjoy it; being able to communicate ideas to a group or even influence that group is a powerful feeling. When people accept you and your ideas as a public speaker, it has a measurable impact on your feelings of achievement and as you build your public speaking confidence you can also measure the impact on your career finances.

As you develop your public speaking skills, you find that people ask for your views more often, you become more visible to decision-makers in your organization and you know how this can be massively important to your career. It can boost the apparent authority you have, especially when you are requested by senior, influential people.

If you want to advance your career and hence give your career finances a boost, you could do no better than by immediately brushing up your public speaking skills and volunteering to give a speech or lead a session in a seminar.

Perhaps you have tried it before and didn't enjoy it? There are a number of simple techniques to help you which do not take too much to master. Try 'The Ten Habits of Highly Effective Speakers' to see what I mean.

Many people think that the greatest measure of success is discerned by how long you have been in your job or what level of qualifications you hold. However research has shown that people who give more speeches tend to command higher salaries than those who give fewer or no speeches.

In some of the, lets say more 'practical' roles, such as engineer, the value of being able to give powerful presentations is often underestimated, yet notice how the one who can give a good speech, perhaps communicating some complex idea to laymen, is often the one who gets the promotion and the boost to their career finances.

In other jobs, say a client-facing role, you know you will have to give speeches so you better do what you can to be the best at them.

Whatever your role in employment or even in life, there will be instances when you simply have to talk in public. If you have opinions of any kind, the day will come when you have to speak to defend them or inform others publicly.
Peter Fisher is Coach and Webmaster for http://www.Your-Career-Change.com where you can download your free Special Career Change Report and 63 page PDF e-book "Big Book of Job Hunting Tips". SEE ALSO SUCCESS UNIVERSITY

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Fisher

High School Graduation Speeches - 10 Golden Rules For Including Stories

Good high school graduations speeches should wow audiences. Not an easy task when you consider the typical audience includes friends, classmates, family and teachers.

It is a nerve racking experience to have to stand up and talk in front of so many people, but that is no reason to give a dull speech. Using worn out quotes and clichés will bore your audience. Teachers would have heard them so many times before, classmates will find them uninspiring and family, well they will just smile politely. The solution is to include a well prepared story.

We tell stories every day, talking to our friends about what we did the night before, or explaining why we need an allowance increase. Whatever the reason, you are probably an expert storyteller already, so including one in your speech should be simple. Apply the golden rules for including stories and you are well on your way to impressing your audience.

* Be inclusive - Rather than just talking about yourself, use stories that involve your classmates. Not only will this interest more of your listeners, it will show you have done some research. Think about events, sports days, charity events, class projects, writing competitions etc. that you as a class got involved in.
* Link it to your theme - Stories are an excellent way to get your message across. So when you decide on your theme, think about stories you could tell to illustrate your point. Class projects, where you all had to work together demonstrates teamwork, whilst stories that focus on overcoming obstacles are great for inspirational speeches.
* Relive your story - No matter how great your account is, unless you tell it with some excitement you will lose your audiences' attention. Tell it so vividly that your audience actually feel they are there with you and so they can experience your emotions - anxiousness about waiting for class results, or your joy at finishing a project.
* Personalize it - Make it specific to your classmates, include names of places and events they know and can relate to. It will also make it easier for them to feel like they are there with you.
* Use facts and figures sparingly - few people find them interesting. If you really want to use them in your story weave them in rather than just listing them.
* Keep It Short - Stories, particularly those with a punch line, are more effective the simpler and shorter they are.
* Remove irrelevant details - Although you want to paint a picture, you don't want to bore your listeners. Get rid of any information that isn't required.
* Keep it Simple - Long sentences and unusual words may sound impressive, but if your speech is difficult to understand, your listeners will find it too difficult and stop listening.
* Appeal to everyone - Ensure most people can understand your story. If it contains inside jokes or a lot of explaining choose something else.
* Props - Using props reduces the need for words. Imagine the amount of words you need to describe the class mural you painted, when a picture will be much quicker and more effective.

Combine these 10 golden rules for including stories with free high school graduation speeches tips and advice to create a speech that will impress your audience.

FOR MORE INFO VISIT SUCCESS UNIVERSITY

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Russell