Rarest Words

One of the easiest places to find authoritative public domain content is … your local used bookstore or library!

True — virtually everything contained in the books you’ll find at these locations were protected by copyright. But … it’s also true that many of these copyrights have expired — making the contents of those volumes completely public domain.

US copyright law has gone through several iterations — but the two things you need to remember are “75 years from copyright date” and “Sonny Bono”!

The copyright law originally stated that a copyright would last for 75 years. Thus, if a book were copyrighted in 1900, the copyright would expire in 1975. If a book were published in 1920, the copyright would expire in 1995. If a book were copyrighted in 1922, the copyright would expire in 1997. But … if a book was copyrighted in 1923 or later, then things take on a whole new slant … courtesy of then-Congressman Sonny Bono.

You see, a particular item was originally copyrighted in 1923. It’s copyright was due to expire in 1998 — sending this item into the public domain. This is normally not a problem — truthfully, most people don’t care about things copyrighted so far back. Expiring the copyright can actually grant these works new life in the public domain.

In this case, though, the item due to expire was a mouse — Micky Mouse!

It’s interesting that Disney has no problem using stories that are already in the public domain - Sleeping Beauty, Treasure Island, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Three Musketeers, etc, etc - but they’re not too crazy about their flagship icon becoming available in the public domain.

Disney lobbied Congress heavily and Congressman Sonny Bono introduced legislation to extend copyright protection for an additional 20 years. This legislation passed in 1998 — but only applied to items that were not yet in the public domain. Thus, an item copyrighted in 1992 was public domain after 75 years — but anything copyrighted in or after 1923 was protected for 95 years.

So — to play it perfectly safe and legal — if the copyright date on a published work is 1922 or earlier, the item is now in the public domain and may be freely used (but not necessarily re-copyrighted and sold). If the copyright date is 1923 or later, it’s best to leave it alone till at least the year 2018!

So what good is a book published and copyrighted prior to 1923? Well, if it’s a book of sheet music — or a book of classic poetry, literature, or theater — or a book of formulae, travel, or … well, you get the idea. Some things become dated — but some things are just as current today as they were when they were originally published.

This doesn’t mean you can find a book by Mark Twain in the bookstore and freely copy and distribute it. You’ll likely find the copyright on that published work is fairly current. However, if you find an old version of the same book published and copyrighted prior to 1923, then you can safely use it!

The best places to spot these treasures — try your local public library, used bookstores, or estate sales.

About the Author

Joey Robichaux maintains the Free Sheet Music site at http://www.freesheetmusic.net; he’s using copyright law to make public domain sheet music available for download.

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Article describes the ‘how tos’ of creating interesting and unique characters.
Without dialogue the novel becomes a travelogueinteresting, perhaps, but the endless descriptive content soon puts the reader to sleep. The characters live through their words, not their actions. In High Rise, Mike Calvert, is more than just an aging, burned-out cop. The novel starts out with the typical cop stereotype, but Kim transforms Mike from a one-dimensional cop to someone who is capable of love and commitment. Kim’s independence and competence draws Mike to her. Likewise, Mike’s offensive, four-letter words and male chauvinism, create the tension between the two protagonists. One wonders on one levelhow in the world can these two be attracted to one another? But during the middle of the book, the two begin to draw strength from each anotherMike relies on Kim to let go of his past fears of measuring up to his father (also a cop) while at the same time confronting his pending retirement and obsolescence. Kim draws upon Mike’s strength to confront her own vulnerabilitiesfear, insecurity, fear of failure.

The dialogue in the beginning might be offensive with a plethora of four-letter words. Throughout the book, the use of “babe” as a term of endearment, while offensive to some women (okay, maybe most) does not deter Kim from seeking closer understanding of this aging cop, going nowhere, and afraid of his future. Likewise, Kim uses “Hon” to engage Mike’s softer side, and not as a flippant expression of okay, I know you’re there.

After the explosion at Kim’s business in Round Rock, she expresses her first out-of-character remarks on page 138″Oh my God, Ron, Ron, Ron.” Her boss has just been dismembered in an explosion and she becomes the antithesis of everything female she abhorslack of control of her emotions. Her hysterical sobbing is interrupted by Mike’s interrogative style, not to appear uncaring, but to snap Kim back to reality with his simple question “Who can notify next of kin?” There was much work to be done and little time for grieving. A romance novel might have spent an entire chapter on these two exchanges, but a mystery thriller, is about plot and fast pacing. There was little time to exchange pleasantries; that would come later, as is typical with most couples: in the privacy of their bedroom where intimacies and vulnerabilities are freely reciprocated.

Kim’s leaving her father to return to Mike in Austin is but another example of a strong father nurturing his daughter. Beginning on page 228: “Daddy, I can’t believe it’s over.” “It is for now, honey . . .” “I can now go back to Mike. I miss him so much.” “I know you do, Kim. He loves you too. It’s time for you to go home now.” “I know, daddy. I’ll miss you.” “Me too, Kim.”

The above exchange comes after a harrowing pursuit of the mastermind killer and crazed surgeon. The tension all but leaves Kim after the gun fire, helicopters, high-speed chases, and near misses. One imagines Kim falling helplessly into her father’s arms, not knowing if she will ever see him again as she prepares to leave New Haven for Austin.

The final dialogue between Kim and Mike comes full circle to the secret of their attraction: playful repartee. Look at their final exchange in the book on page 246: “Well I’m sure you noticed Alexander’s wife in her low-cut dress.” (Kim) “Ah, yes. She was mighty proud of her new silicone implants. Gives new meaning to the word push-up.” “Mike you’re such a chauvinist.” “Hey, babe, I’ve spent a lifetime as a detective and I make it my job to be observant.” “Yeah, Okay, Mister Gantry. Tell me another one.” They laughed.

Characters come to life through their words. Relationships are defined by verbal exchanges. Good, tension-filled dialogue is what screenwriters dream for when adapting a novel to a screenplay. Scenes become alive and the characters, multi-dimensional. It’s difficult to write good, meaningful dialogue because the writer must assume the persona of each character and move into the first persona more daunting task than the omniscient, third-person, objective narrator.

For those of you interested in a good resource book, go to Writing Mysteries: A Handbook by the Mystery Writers of America, edited by Sue Grafton with Jan Burke and Barry Zeman, Writer Digest Books, 2002. There is an excellent chapter on “How to Write Convincing Dialogue” by Aaron Elkins.

About the Author

The Creative Process of Writing is a Creative and Therapeutic Experience!

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Omaha poker is very similar to Texas Holdem poker in that each player needs to make a five card poker hand from their pocket cards and the community cards.

The only difference between these two hugely popular online poker games are the number of pocket cards each player is dealt and the make up of the poker hand. In Omaha poker each player is dealt four pocket cards, while in Texas Holdem poker each player is only dealt two poker cards. Each player must use two of their pocket cards and three community cards to create their five card poker hand.

On average Omaha poker hands are much stronger than those in Texas Holdem poker because players have nine cards to create a poker hand from.

A single deck of 52-cards is used in this game and there may be a maximum of ten players in any Omaha poker game.

The game progresses through four rounds before the winner is determined, as long as there are at least two players left in the game.

Round 1: PreFlop
Each player is dealt four cards face down on the table. A round of betting occurs.

Round 2: Flop
Three community cards are dealt face up in the center of the table. A round of betting occurs.

Round 3: Turn
One community card is dealt face up in the center of the table. A round of betting occurs.

Round 4: River
The fifth and final community card is dealt face up in the center of the table. A round of betting occurs.

The best place to play Omaha Poker online is at Trident Poker’s online poker rooms. There you will find many opponents and a large variety of poker tables to choose from…

Read more: Omaha Poker Beginner’s GuideStanley Majors is an experienced online poker journalist who writes articles on a range of poker topics. His numerous articles found on Texas Holdem Net,provide useful and factual poker information and insight.

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It’s risky business allowing your children to play games online. I know that may sound funny but I have a good argument to back up my opinion. If you continue reading I will share it with you.

I work from home on my computer; my computer is my livelihood and it is how I make my money. Allowing my kids to play on my computer also makes my computer susceptible to ad aware, spam and the like. For someone that works from home, this can be a very big problem if my computer ends up infected with a virus! Every single time I go to a cheat code site for my son, I have to go remove the entire ad aware I just picked up. Not to mention that due to my working, I can’t always let him sit and play his games and we were both frustrated.

We than saw an ad to rent games online, we have been happy ever since! I have the games shipped to my house, there are no late fees and the monthly fee is a flat rate for unlimited rentals. As you can see, this a win/win situation for us! He gets to play all games he wants and I get to keep my computer.

Rent games online will also save you time and money! No longer will you have to go wait in line to rent a game, you can now have them sent to your door - I have to tell you, this is my favorite part. Along with saving money of course!

About the author:

Jay Coleby is a writer that specializes in informational articles on various topics. His most recent projects include articles on cell phone batteries, rent games and
noni juice. Jim can be contacted if you need an article written on a specific topic.

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With the scale of development occurring in television technology lately it is definitely worthwhile to understand numerous of the most important advances. This guide to liquid crystal display tellies (LCD) scrutinizes the specific advantages of this equipment. This info brings you all the vital facts on how to obtain the excellent picture and makes clear numerous of the most important attributes to beware of with Liquid Crystal Display tellies.

There are currently 2 central advantages with LCD televisions over Plasma Televisions. The 1st is that LCD tellies may well be by far much easier to watch when contrasted to a traditional cathode ray tube (CRT) television. This is essentially because screens are considerably brighter with a higher contrast level and flicker free image. LCD tellies normally work properly in roughly any sort of environment lighting from bright to ambient. Subsequently, Liquid Crystal Display tellies also have a higher native resolution than plasma televisions of the identical size therefore making them great for HD output. While plasma tellies are at presently better for sheer display size, as more & more television programs come in hi-def TV (HDTV), LCD goods will likely come to the top. Find amazing prices on cheap 37″ LCD TV at Sound and Vision. Visit the Sound and Vision website.

How Do Liquid Crystal Display Televisions Essentially Work?

LCD technology is comparatively difficult and developing each day. This technology is founded upon the fact that liquid crystals are, in their daily state, twisted. The capability of the crystals to allow light through can be changed by submitting electric current. Very simply put, a light source is sent through a liquid containing crystals held in between two polarised displays. By permitting the exact degree of light to go through, the desired image is formed.

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The popular reality TV show, Miami Ink, which transformed a South Beach tattoo parlour into a hotspot television haven, has ended after three years on the air. The stars of the show and the parlour, Ami James and Chris Nunez have declined an invitation to produce more episodes, which has ultimately ended the three year series.

The show provoked three “ink” spinoffs in Los Angeles, London and Rio. LA Ink gathered double the ratings of Miami Ink when it aired last year and set a TLC rating record for reality television. The end of the show may be an end to the popular South Beach tourist attraction. Fans regularly stop by the tattoo parlour on Washing Avenue to catch a glimpse of James and Nunez and see the legendary Miami Ink logo which adorns the front of the shop. However, James and Nunez are rarely able to be spotted; they keep their art confined to when the cameras are present and the windows blacked out.

James is worried that Discovery Communications, which own the rights to the show and the brand name Miami Ink, will force him to change the name of his parlour. So far this has not happened, and the logo still remains on the shop. The parlour has been changed into a gift shop where Miami Ink clothes and accessories are sold. Those still eager to be tattooed by the stars of the show are encouraged to check out the new tattoo studio on the same block, dubbed Love Hate Tattoos.

The good news for fans is that James and Nunez now have more time for customers. They haven’t been able to have a regular customer flow since the beginning of the show. “Now we basically have to go back to work, he said. “We all still need to feed our families.” (Quoted on MiamiHerald.com)

By Christine Pinella for Black Cat Tattoo Aftercare

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