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Green search engines are increasing in popularity, particularly since more people are looking to conserve and protect the environment for generations to come. It’s not always easy filtering through search results on broad topic search engines to find high quality green sites, as many businesses are now using this popular topic to sell their products—green or not. (A growing concern known as “green washing.”)

It’s no secret that a number of green search engines have been sprouting over the Internet, but do they review the sites they list? The answer: some do and some don’t.

Using Google Custom Search, a service offered by good ol’ trusted Google, the editors at the green search engine, Green Link Central, hand pick sites to be listed in their search results. While the company receives numerous search engine submission requests, only topic specific, high quality sites actually get listed. (Of course, as with any humans, occasional hiccups can happen, which are quickly fixed once noted.)

Anyone can submit their favorite websites to GreenLinkCentral.com to consider listing in the search results. Many of the submissions come from website owners and SEO specialists.

A comprehensive resource, GreenLinkCentral.com also has separate sections for blog articles and website reviews. The blog articles are categorized by popular topics such as Carbon Footprint, Eco-Friendly Products, Green Building, Green Living, Public Health, Solar Power, and Sustainable Travel. The website review article section is a resource to help people get a glimpse of what other sites have to offer to help them quickly and easily make a decision about entering the site. Website reviews are only for quality sites that are listed in the search engine results.

Do you want a one-stop resource for everything green? Try out GreenLinkCentral.com for yourself. And have a green day!

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The internet has opened up vast new worlds for local unsigned bands that previously were reserved to the very fortunate, sometimes less talented bands that had the great fortune to be seen by a record executive an signed to a distribution and touring contract. With the popularity of the Internet many of those things have changed. Advancements in home recording have allowed unsigned bands the ability to put out professional quality recording that used to be reserved for those lucky few. Websites have allowed bands the ability to grow massive online fan bases that rival some of the biggest bands in the world.

MySpace music and websites like Soundclick have really been advocates for local talent but they have all failed at one thing. Driving revenue into local concert venues. The one big plus for online bands is the massive fan base but the one big drawback to that is the fact that those fans are usually not local to the band or their touring circuit. So, this results in moderate CD sales but ends up in lack luster turn out on show night.

So how do you draw your Internet fans to your show? Asking them to drive a thousand miles to see if you is one option but in all seriousness, it will rarely happen. Most fans travel less than 75 miles to see their favorite bands let alone a band they like but has no really record label backing. The best way to grab the attention of those Internet fans is to set up an online pay per view via live event video streaming . It’s really the wave of the future for pay per view events and it’s relatively cost efficient. Best of all it’s the best way to reach every possible fan that you can reach.

It works easy enough. Just contact a provider and set up a time and date. They will almost always provide you with a crew equipped to handle your concert. You can go with a package that meets your needs. From one cameraman to several you’ll be able to give your fans what you want and what you can afford. You will be provided an access website so your fans can log on, make their payment and then view your show in the comfort of their computer rooms. It’s a win, win situation for your fans and for the band. It will allow them to view your concerts thus driving your internet revenue You’ll also receive payment for each pay per view buy so if your marketing is good enough, you’ll be able to cover the cost of the show and if you are really good, you’ll make a little cash. This obviously beats pay-to-pay environments you are likely to encounter in local venues.

Reaching your fan base has become easier with the Internet but driving that fan base to your show will prove to be a challenge for a long time to come. Maximizing your ability to get those fans exposure to your live performances is a key to your bands future success in the music business. Take advantage of programs like live event video streaming and you’ll have a leg up on other local talent!

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Streaming media is basically technology that enables you to listen to music and view video in real-time over the Internet without lengthy downloads. There are many things to consider when participating in or offering an interactive course live via satellite using streaming media webcasts. Here are the main concerns:

The students should have access to a classroom setting that has the proper resources to support participation in live streaming media broadcasts and distance learning in general. Communication between the students, instructor and support staff is extremely important as well. Contact information for technical support, including the broadcasting site’s technical support group, and the technical support for the remote sites, should be readily available to students as well as instructors. It cannot be stressed enough that technical support is absolutely necessary on both ends of the spectrum for live satellite webcasts to be successful. Should there be an issue with the webcast, a means to fix the issue should be readily available.

Once the correct setting, for receiving the live satellite webcasts as well as the broadcasting site itself is ready, there are a few more things to consider. It is imperative that archives of the streaming media broadcasts; copies of the presentation, lecture notes, and worksheets should be available and accessible. Course broadcasts should be accessible to those people with disabilities. For example, a person who is hearing impaired would have difficulties participating in the course if the type of course delivery relied heavily on audio materials.

Schools are not the only groups who choose to use live satellite webcasts for educational purposes. More and more hospitals and health education centers are also using live satellite webcasts to reach the general public. Often times parents and health officials are invited to watch a webcast regarding the latest in research and technology regarding a particular health issue. In some cases, those who participate in viewing a webcast will receive continuing education credits.

The advancement of technology has made it easier for many people to either state their cause to a large audience, educate those who want to learn as well as allow those who are physically unable to leave their home a way to participate. If you take all of the above into consideration and prepare everything according to what needs to be done, live streaming media webcasts can be effective and viable alternatives for participating in or delivering many different types of courses.

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No longer is video purely for graduations, weddings and births – but social video messaging is for everything from strange talents to insightful product demonstrations. With the internet, live video webcasting services means you can literally shoot and stream your live video webcast virtually invite viewers from anywhere in the world to have a glimpse into the most intimate or mundane aspects of your life. While some people have taken this to the extreme, this capability has proven to be quite beneficial for professional videographers looking for better ways to attract clientele. Live video webcasts offer people quality live video webcast via satellite, transcending time and space. Services like Vator.tv or Todocast.tv, literally allow videographers to extend their exposure and market their services to anyone with an internet connection. Offering the ability to view listings by sport, event, or genre means that viewers can browse through live or archived video to get the best of video events. From concerts, sporting events or breaking news, videographers can instantly broadcast their video content within a matter of seconds, bypassing traditional media outlets and mainstream communications. Videographers can leverage multiple feeds, capturing the event from numerous angles to present the day in real time footage to online viewers. This advanced live video webcast technology not only provides an opportunity previously unavailable to videographers, but it gives viewers the flexibility to physically or virtually attend events. With the price of gas and hard economic times, travel is too costly, budgets may not cover or schedules don’t permit attendance. With the benefit of live video, videographers can offer viewers the additional viewing opportunities that live video content provides. In addition, viewers can view the event live or at a later point in time by browsing through the archives and using their login information provided by their videographer of choice. For those who wish anyone and everyone to be a privy to their event, it can also be opened up to the public. This is a huge revenue potential for events like celebrity weddings, a dream solution for publicists looking to get as much coverage for their client without compromising privacy or security. Live webcasting services provides a seamless solution for wedding event organizers, concert promoters, or event specialist to reach an entirely new audience that would otherwise be inaccessible. The quality broadcast, fast deployment and complete mobility, offers videographers the ability to leverage countless opportunities, both in exposure and convenience.

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When it comes to the green home, ratings matter. There are a number of eco certification for home based appliances and white goods. Plus you can get your home professionally assessed for energy efficiency.

Residential homes can be given a rating based on the National House Energy Rating (NatHERS) which is an index of the home’s thermal performance. It is done through a professional analysis by a qualified assessor working in conjunction with the builder of the home. NatHERS provides a baseline for assessment software to rate a home’s energy efficiency potential. Most homes in Australia currently fall below a 5 star rating, but the current tool has now been adapted to allow for a potential 10 star rating (which would be equivalent to zero conditioning energy). This system is based purely on the home’s infrastructure and does not include appliances or hot water systems. Find out more about energy ratings for your home.

Good insulation is a key feature in any energy efficient home. And homeowners are keen to take advantage of Kevin Rudd’s important announcement last week, with funds for ceiling insulation becoming available from the federal government. The Federal Government will be providing eligible homes wiht free ceiling insulation worth $1600. Landlords and renters can benefit too with rental properties being included in the package.

Yet with all the available insulation out there, which one should we consider?

Eco Home Tip #16 – Ask about the R value – the measure for insulation materials is the R value. A high R value means better insulation potential. For example, Pink Batts offers a range ceiling insulation products that have an R value of up to 6.0.

Eco Home Tip #17 – Natural insulation – Take your insulation innovation even further and look for ceiling insulation made from sustainable materials, such as Goldenfleece wool insulation. All natural wool fibre has great insulating properties, with the CSIRO claiming, “wool insulation performs better because of it’s ability to rapidly absorb and desorb moisture from the air.” And you’ll be helping out the rural farmers!

Eco Home Tip #18 – DIY insulation – there are lots of simple insulating ideas homeowners can adapt to protect their homes against the elements. Seal draughts with door snakes or hang some thick curtains on your windows to keep out the coming cold.

Insulation is the first step to a great energy efficient home that will save you money. Well designed homes that incorporate insulation, thermal mass design and sustainable energy alternatives, such as solar panels, can save some homeowners up to 50% on their annual energy consumption. Plus you get to enjoy the comfort of having a pleasant living environment year round.

You can find more great eco home ideas on the Green Pages.

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