Jai Ganesha...

2009-07-05T03:20:00.000-07:00

Network Architectures

Media Access Control

Media Access Control tends to the job of controlling access to the cable. When a data frame is ready to be transmit to other station, it is sent one bit at a time.

A signal representing the first bit, for example a 1 bit, is imposed on the cable the transmission of the 1 bit takes one bit time. The signal for the next bit, for example a 0 bit, is then imposed on the cable and then received and stored by the stations.

This process continues until all bits of the data frame have been sent. A signal could be either a voltage change in the case of twisted pair or co-axial cable or a light pulse on a fiber-optic cable.

A 1 bit must be clearly distinguishable from a 0 bit overlapping signals result in garbled data, so there needs to be a method of sharing the cable to prevent such errors and collisions.

The two most popular methods are carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) and Token Passing.

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection (CSMA/CD) is a type of access method generally used with bus topologies.

Carrier Sense

Using CSMA/CD, a station listens to the cable to determine whether or not another station is currently transmitting a data frame.

If the medium is quiet, that is, if no other station is sending, the station sends its data.

Multiple access

Multiple access means that when a data frame is transmitted, it is sent to all stations on the network. As the data frame arrives, each receiving station check the attached destination address.

If the address applies to the station, the station receives and processes the data, otherwise pass it to the next.

Collision Detection

A collision of data results when two stations detect a free cable and begin simultaneously transmitting data.

To reduce the likelihood of another collision, each station generates a random number to determine how ling to wait before retransmitting.

After the appropriate period of time, each station tests the cable to see if it is able to sending data or not.

Token passing

With networks that employ a ring topology, the most common media access control method is token passing.

The sending station adds data to the token, along with its address and the address of the recipient.

The token is then passed around the ring, so that each station can check the token’s destination address.

The token continuous around the ring until it reaches the address specified by the original sender. When the recipient has copied the information from the token, it returns the token to the originating station to verify that the data was received.

The original sender that passes the token to the next station on the ring, so that the station can send information over the network.

more about software testing

Find And Compare AMD Products

2008-10-27T02:59:00.002-07:00

Find And Compare AMD Products

Your online resource for AMD product information specifications at-a-glance. Find and compare AMD processors, graphics cards, and AMD powered motherboards with just a few clicks.

Research AMD Products

Server/Workstation Processors

Research and compare AMD Opteron™ processor specifications the easy way, by feature, OPN or model number.

Desktop Processors

Research and compare AMD Phenom™, AMD Athlon™, and AMD Sempron™ processor specifications the easy way, by feature, OPN or model number.

Compare Desktop Processors

Notebook Processors

Research and compare AMD notebook processor specifications the easy way, by feature, OPN or model number.

Compare Notebook Processors

Motherboards

Research and compare Motherboards with AMD Chipset by manufacturer, feature, form factor.

Compare Motherboards

Desktop Graphics Cards

Research and compare AMD ATI Radeon™ Graphic specifications the easy way, by GPU, manufacturer, features, and more.

Compare Desktop Graphics Cards

Mobility Graphics Cards

Research and compare AMD ATI Mobility Radeon™ Graphics specifications the easy way, by GPU, features, and more.

Compare Mobility Graphics Cards

Workstation Graphics Cards

Research and compare ATI FireGL™ 3D Graphics Accelerators and ATI FireMV™ Multi-View 2D Display Accelerators specifications the easy way, by graphics card, features, and more.

AMD64 High-End Embedded

Research and compare AMD64 processor specifications the easy way, by feature, OPN or model number.

Compare High-End Embedded Processor

AMD Products

2008-10-27T02:59:00.001-07:00

AMD Products

Product Information

Compare AMD Processor, Chipset and Graphics Card specifications.

Where to buy AMD-powered systems

Get help choosing the right AMD-powered system that meets your needs.

Upgrade your video card

What’s new: AMD Business Class solutions offer the features and price points that meet the needs of business computer buyers, from multinational enterprises to small businesses. Discover how AMD Business Class delivers exceptional business value.

Desktop Processors

Notebook Processors

AMD Phenom™
Experience the phenomenal using the AMD Phenom™ processors. Get amazing speed with quad-core and triple-core performance.
AMD Athlon™
Award winning processors with exceptional performance to meet your digital demands.
AMD Sempron™
Redefine everyday computing with built-in security and solid performance.
ATI Home/Office Products
Enhance personal productivity and home entertainment with multi-purpose 2D and 3D solutions.
ATI Gamer Products
Immerse yourself in cinematic 3D action with Radeon™ products optimized for game play.
ATI Multimedia Products
Edit videos, watch and record live TV with All-in-Wonder™ entertainment products.

AMD Turion™ Mobile Processor
Exceptional visual performance and power-efficient mobility
AMD Athlon™ for Notebook PCs
Affordable dual-core performance with true multi-tasking for today’s mainstream notebook PCs
AMD Sempron™ for Notebook PCs
Solid performance on home applications that you need and use most
ATI Notebook Products
Enjoy stunning visual quality and long-lasting battery life.

Server Processors

Workstation Processors

AMD Opteron™ for Servers
Power your business with the world’s highest-performing processors for 1-8P x86 servers.
ATI Server Products
Get outstanding stability in display environments and maximum flexibility across multiple applications.

AMD Opteron for Workstations
Power your business with the world’s highest-performing processors for 1-8P x86 workstations.
ATI Workstation Products
Boost application performance with high-performance graphics accelerators.

Desktop Chipsets

Notebook Chipsets

AMD 7-Series Discrete Chipsets
AMD 790FX, 790X, 770 Chipsets for Ultimate Gamers and HD Enthusiasts: The AMD 7-Series discrete chipsets are the first AMD chipsets to support cutting-edge platform technologies like HyperTransport™ 3.0 and PCI-E® 2.0. With state-of-the-art overclocking capabilities and superior scalability, AMD 7-Series chipsets deliver an exceptional, more personalized gaming and HD experience.
AMD 7-Series Integrated Chipsets
AMD 780 Chipsets for Ultimate Home Entertainment: The AMD 7-Series Integrated Chipsets revolutionize the mainstream PC with unprecedented DirectX®10 gaming and a full HD cinematic experience right out-of-the-box. Benefit from the latest technologies and an exceptionally power efficient platform at an incredible value.
AMD 780V Chipset for Business Productivity: The AMD 780V Chipsets is designed to be a stable and consistent platform for a modern commercial PC. Take advantage of superior stability and exceptional performance and power savings on a platform that is designed for enhanced longevity.
AMD 690 Series
Delivers a Premium Windows Vista™ platform, superior graphics and video experience for the home and a stable commercial platform for the office.
AMD 580X CrossFire™
The fastest single chip 2x16 PCI Express platform for AMD AM2 processors with extreme overclocking, complete system control, and support for the feature rich ATI SB600.
AMD 480X CrossFire
AMD’s mainstream multi-GPU platform solution. Paired with ATI Radeon graphics cards, the result is incredible performance.
ATI Radeon Xpress 1100 Series
Delivers faster graphics, Windows Vista premium experience, superior connectivity and secure data management for desktop PCs.
ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Series
PCI Express chipset with integrated ATI Radeon graphics for AMD Athlon 64, AMD Athlon 64 FX, and AMD Sempron processors.
ATI SB600 Series
Delivers superior performance, full data access support, the Windows Vista premium experience, and enhanced power management.

2008-10-27T02:58:00.000-07:00

Apple iPhone

Introducing iPhone 3G. With fast 3G wireless technology, GPS mapping, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips. And like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one — a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device with rich HTML email and a desktop-class web browser. iPhone 3G. It redefines what a mobile phone can do — again.

Full Features : http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/

iPhone Photoshop Template

iPhone - Photoshop Template - .psd - 1.2MB
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iPhone Fractals Pack

Fractals Pack for iPhone and iPod Touch.
320x480 @ 163 ppi
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Study in U.S.A. - US Education

2008-10-27T02:57:00.002-07:00

Study in U.S.A. - US Education

It is talked of as the land of dream fulfillment, of cutting edge quality, of mega bucks and of life as you want it to be.

Whatever you have heard about the U.S., it's true. And getting an education there is probably the simplest and most reputable way of being a part of the great American dream. And also, US education is eminently affordable, if done the right way. Unlike other parts of the world, where self-funding is the only way to pay for your education, the US education system offers an array of scholarships and loans besides earn-as-you-learn opportunities. Information on all this, and lots more, is available on this site.

We have information on nearly 2300 US Institutions and more than 600 courses. So, be it Music Therapy in University of California or Business Management in Alaska, if you would like to study in USA, we have something for you.

Links

- Education System
- International Student Issues
- Undergraduate Application Procedure
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- Expenses & Tuition Fee
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Simplify My Investments

2008-10-27T02:57:00.001-07:00

Simplify My Investments

Taking responsibility for your financial future involves more than opening a savings account. Saving preserves money. While investing includes more risk, it also has the potential for higher returns. But the many investment options available can be overwhelming. Don't worry, we can help make it simple.

There are two phases of the investment process: accumulation (building your funds) and distribution (using your funds), and we can help you design an investment strategy for both.

In a few simple steps, your agent can help you:

Set your financial goals.
Understand your risk comfort zone.
Explore investment options like mutual funds, IRAs, retirement funding, college funding, annuities or estate preservation.
Determine a strategy that fits your needs.

The hardest part is getting started. Farm Bureau Financial Services can help.

	Preparing for Retirement

	Saving for College

	How Do Taxes Impact Your Investments

USA Resorts

2008-10-27T02:55:00.002-07:00

USA Resorts

Planning for a tour in the US? Great! However you must gather some information on the USA resorts so that you don't face any problem after reaching there. You can also avail the facility of online booking for the resorts and the hotels. Here are some tips on the US Golf resorts, Ski Resorts in USA, US Spa Resorts etc. You may also visit Mapsofworld for more information.

US Golf Resorts: Among the various attractive Golf resorts in USA the Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa (Alabama), The Beach View Club (Georgia), First Cabin Club (Arizona), Treetops Resort (Michigan) etc are the most popular one. All the Golf resorts are affordable.

Ski Resorts in USA: USA provides great Ski resorts all over America. You will find a lot of beautiful Ski resorts. The popular resorts are Angel Fire Resort and Ski Apache in New Mexico, Moose Mountain in Alaska, Sunrise Ski Park in Arizona, Solitude Ski Resort in Utah, Kirkwood Ski Resort in California and so on.

US Spa Resorts: The Us Spas are very attractive and also very healthy. Make sure to get best among them while on your trip to USA. The Gold Lake Mountain resort & Spa, Aloha Healing Women, Golden Bear Cottages Resort & Spa, The Copperhood Inn & Spa are some of the best known US Spas.

There are lots of USA resorts and various types of Golf Resorts, Ski Resorts and Spa Resorts. To gather information on these you may log on to the Mapsofworld.

Intensify treatment for heart patients

2008-10-27T02:55:00.001-07:00

Intensify treatment for heart patients

By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY

Mounting evidence that scores of heart patients can avoid second heart attacks or strokes with intensive treatment to reduce their risks prompted the nation's two top heart organizations on Monday to jointly issue new prevention recommendations.

The two groups call for more routine use of high-potency statins to lower bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL). They recommend expanding the use of other drugs that lower blood pressure and ease the heart's workload. They also, for the first time, back seasonal flu shots for all chronic heart disease patients.

"That's a really important major new recommendation," says Sidney Smith, of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and chairman of the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology group that issued the guidelines.

Because new studies also show that lower aspirin doses are just as effective for prevention as higher ones, the guidelines recommend dropping daily doses to between 75 milligrams a day and 162 milligrams, except in patients who have had bypass surgery. Bypass patients fare best on 100 to 300 milligrams a day for up to a year.

The so-called secondary prevention guidelines could affect as many as 26 million people in the USA who have survived heart attacks and strokes and those with chronic coronary heart disease, Smith says.

They don't address primary prevention, or what to do for people who don't yet have heart disease.

Multiple studies show that "aggressive, comprehensive risk-factor management" boosts survival, prevents second heart attacks and strokes, reduces the need for bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty and improves the quality of life for heart patients, the authors write.

"Thanks to the clinical trials, we have definitive proof on all these things, which we can't say for primary prevention," says Robert Califf, director of the Duke University Clinical Research Institute, who is not one of the authors but who is familiar with the guidelines.

Califf says primary prevention studies are far more difficult to carry out because they require tens of thousands of low-risk people and may take decades to yield clear results. For instance, he says, the Women's Health Initiative study failed to prove something that most people take for granted: that a low-fat diet helps healthy women prevent heart attacks and strokes.

"If you're 30 years old and your LDL cholesterol is a little high, common sense would tell you that it might be good to treat it (with medication), but we don't know, because the evidence isn't in," Califf says.

"If you're 70 years old, and you've got a high LDL and you've already had a heart attack, your risk of something bad happening is so high, aggressive treatment makes sense," he says. "We've got the proof."

LOWER RISK FOR A SECOND ATTACK

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines, endorsed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, set targets for six key risk factors:

Eliminate cigarette smoke, including secondhand exposure.

Lower blood pressure to 140/90 in most heart patients and 130/80 in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease.

Lower LDL to less than 100 milligrams per deciliter of blood. The guidelines also say it's reasonable to aim lower, to 70 milligrams per deciliter.

Boost exercise levels to 30-60 minutes seven days a week, up from 30 minutes three or four days a week.

Shrink waistlines, men to less than 40 inches and women to less than 35 inches.

If you have diabetes, keep your average blood sugar level to 7% or below.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2006-05-15-statins-heart_x.htm

ATI Product

2008-10-27T02:53:00.002-07:00

ATI Radeon™ HD 4800 Series – Overview ATI Radeon™ HD 4800 Series GPUs bring the power of graphics ‘supercomputing’ to gamers, setting a new standard for visual computing. Redefine the way you play and take HD gaming to the extreme with best-in-class performance. With one teraFLOPS on tap, the TeraScale graphics engine delivers an immersive, cinematic gaming experience. Add this graphics card to your PC and watch Blu-ray movies and play HD content with incredible visual fidelity or take your experience to another level with new multimedia capabilities. Do it all with break-through efficiency that doesn’t compromise performance. Redefine HD Gaming
With more than twice the processing power of previous generation AMD discrete graphics cards, ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics cards deliver a cinematic gaming experience and unprecedented performance. The new TeraScale graphics engine combines the power of one teraFLOPS, 800 stream processors and next generation GDDR5 memory to propel you deep into your gameplay with seamless frame rates and high resolutions. Enhanced anti-aliasing (AA) and anisotropic filtering create striking graphics with unparalleled realism so you can max out the settings of the most demanding next-generation games or revitalize your favorite titles. Play today while preparing for tomorrow with tessellation, support for DirectX® 10.1 and scalable ATI CrossFireX™ technology. Go Beyond HD Video
Add an ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics card to your PC and watch the latest Blu-ray and HD movies play with incredible fidelity1 – upscale to nearly twice the display resolution of HD content.2 Take full advantage of Blu-ray functionality with dual-stream, picture in picture (PIP) capabilities. Sophisticated new features within ATI Avivo™ HD technology give you the freedom and flexibility to edit videos quickly and convert them to H.264 and MPEG-2 formats 1.8x faster than real-time.3 Support for the latest audio visual interconnects ensures you can take advantage of the latest display technology. Break-through Efficiency
Like their predecessors, the ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics cards offer optimal performance and break-through efficiency with platform-independent intelligent power management. Regardless of platform, these graphics cards deliver the power needed to blaze through even the most intense games while intuitively conserving energy at idle or when demand is low. ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series – Key Features TeraScale Graphics Engine - The new TeraScale graphics engine features over one teraFLOPS, nearly one billion transistors and 800 stream processors so you can enjoy the high resolutions and fast frame rates previously only available with dual-card systems. Advanced Memory - GDDR5 memory provides twice the bandwidth per pin of GDDR3. Enhanced Anti-Aliasing & Anisotropic Filtering - High performance anisotropic filtering and 24x custom filter anti-aliasing (CFAA) smooth jagged edges and create true-to-life graphics, for everything from grass to facial features. DirectX® 10.1 - Play today while preparing for tomorrow with state-of-the-art DirectX 10.1 graphics capabilities. ATI CrossFireX™ Technology - ATI CrossFireX™ technology with up to quad GPU support offers superior scalability so your system is ready to level up when you are. PCI Express 2.0 - Support for PCI Express 2.0 will prepare you for bandwidth-hungry games and 3D applications. Unified Video Decoder 2 (UVD 2) - UVD 2 frees up your CPU for other tasks so you get The Ultimate Visual Experience™ for even the most processing-intensive content, including VC-1, H.264 and now MPEG-2. Also, take full advantage of Blu-ray functionality with dual-stream, picture in picture (PIP) capabilities. Accelerated Video Transcoding (AVT) - AVT allows you to convert videos to H.264 and MPEG-2 formats up to 19x faster than when using a just CPU.3 Full 1080p files can be converted to H.264 and MPEG-2 up to 1.8x faster than real-time.3 Upscale Beyond 1080p - Watch the hottest Blu-ray movies or other HD content at full 1080p display resolution and beyond.1 Enhanced DVD Upscaling - Watch standard DVD movies in near high-definition quality with DVD upscaling. The GPU uses post processing algorithms to enhance standard and low resolution videos and movies on your HD display. Dynamic Contrast - Dynamic Contrast automatically adjusts the contrast and brightness during scenes to consistently deliver a crisp, vibrant picture. HDMI - Enjoy the latest audio technologies using HDMI with 7.1 digital surround sound support. Also, xvYCC support allows the user to enjoy a wider range of color when connected to a capable HDTV. Dynamic Power Management - ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series graphics cards deliver high performance when needed and conserve power when the demand on the graphics processor is low. More Performance Per Watt - ATI Radeon HD 4800 series delivers up to 2x the performance per watt of AMD’s previous generation GPUs. ATI Radeon™ HD 3800

400 [Photo]Advance to the Next Generation of HD Gaming
Advance to the next generation of gaming with incredible performance, life-like graphics and support for the latest Microsoft® DirectX® 10.1. With PCI Express® 2.0 support2, you’re ready for games that will demand faster throughput. Turbo-charge your 3D performance and dominate with plug-and-play ATI CrossFireX™ multi-GPU technology. Or with ATI Hybrid Graphics technology get a performance and productivity boost when you plug into a compatible AMD 7-Series Integrated Chipset-based motherboard. [Photo]HD Video Beyond 1080p
The latest Blu-ray and HD DVD movies play smoothly at full 1080p and your CPU is unbound for other tasks thanks to the Unified Video Decoder and ATI Avivo™ HD video and display technology. Enjoy quality to spare with resolutions upscaled beyond 1080p for the most processing-intensive content. And with a choice of digital outputs, you have more options when enjoying your digital entertainment.1 [Photo]Break-through Efficiency
ATI Radeon™ HD 3000 Series graphics processors feature break-through efficiency from cutting-edge 55nm manufacturing process technology and new energy-saving features, such as ATI PowerPlay™, that can help you save money and enable cool, quiet PCs. Be more productive - see more and do more of your work and entertainment with advanced multi-monitor support and enjoy the extraordinary value. ATI Radeon HD 3000 Series – Key GPU Features PCI Express® 2.0 – Get ready for the most demanding graphics applications with PCI Express 2.0 support, which allows up to twice the throughput of current AMD PCI Express cards.2 Incredible Microsoft® DirectX® 10.1 performance – You’ll be blown away by life-like graphics from the latest DirectX® 10.1 games, with stunning 3D graphics and shading effects. Up to 320 Stream Processors – More than enough horsepower to support the most demanding graphics applications. ATI CrossFireX™ multi-GPU – Upgrade to even greater 3D performance quickly and easily thanks to plug-and-play ATI CrossFireX technology. ATI Hybrid Graphics – Combine an ATI Radeon™ HD 3400 Series graphics card with a compatible AMD 7-Series Integrated Chipset to improve gaming performance and multi-monitor productivity. Unified Video Decoder – View and manipulate the latest Blu-ray and HD DVD content with a dedicated hardware video decoder that leaves your CPU free to perform other tasks. Ultimate Image Quality – Performance that rivals high-end HD-DVD and Blu-ray players on displays with resolutions that exceed 1080p – up to 2560x1600. Integrated Digital Outputs – Enjoy your digital content the way you want to, with built-in HDMI that includes 5.1 surround audio for big screen entertainment and the latest in display connectivity; DisplayPort™ technology. More Processing Performance per Watt – Get up to twice the Gigaflops per watt of previous generations of high-end AMD GPUs. ATI PowerPlay™ Technology – power saving features that reduce power consumption at idle or during low-usage Runs Cool and Quiet – With a smaller chip designed to use less power, your system can take advantage of high-end Windows Vista® features while running more efficiently and quieter than ever.

http://ati.amd.com/products/index.html

2008-10-27T02:53:00.001-07:00

Managed Forex Accounts

Managed forex accounts may or may not be appropriate for you. A managed forex account can give an investor who does not have time to trade, the opportunity to participate in the gigantic world of currency trading. Also, investors who want their capital managed by an experienced professional, may find that forex managed accounts fit well in their existing portfolios. There are a number of global investors who want to lessen their equity or real estate exposure - and are turning to managed FX accounts.

Request more information about managed accounts.

Managed account program (FX Bot): $10,000-min (learn more).

Click here to register for a free, online managed account discussion with an alternative investment manager.

Diversify away from the stock market with a managed forex account
The returns from professionally managed forex accounts are not related to the performance of the stock market, as indicated by various studies conducted. Therefore, putting a portion of your investment capital into a managed account that invests in the forex market can be a way to diversify your portfolio whether the stock market goes up or down. This is one of the reasons why some investors participate in this alternative investment vehicle.

Are managed forex accounts right for me?
Managed forex accounts may be appropriate for investors who are looking for the following benefits:

An asset class for the aggressive part of their portfolios.*
Low minimum investment compared to other managed accounts.
A way to diversify away from the stock market.
Increased diversification in their investment portfolios.
A professional, well-known money manager.
A way to participate in the foreign exchange market without having to trade the market themselves.
Account balance can be withdrawn at any time - no lock-up period.

A forex managed account may also be appropriate for high net-worth individuals.

Request more information about FX managed accounts.

Method used in the managed forex program
Different money managers use different methodologies in the forex managed account in an attempt to capitalize on short-term price swings and trends that occur in major currencies. A diversified managed account may also uses money management techniques to for risk control.*

The forex managers
The managers of the managed forex account program have years of market experience.

What's the next step?
If you are considering a professionally managed forex account or want to find out more about the managed account program, fill out the managed account form. A representative will then contact you to answer any questions you may have or to walk you through the entire process.

You can also call us at 305-600-4651 and a managed account representative will walk you through the entire process as well as answer all your questions about managed accounts.

Top 10 Places to go in 2008

2008-10-27T02:51:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Places to go in 2008

Choosing the holiday destination that’s perfect for you can be tricky, so check out Melo's selection of the Top Ten places to visit in 2008. From old favourites to up-and-coming destinations, you can find your perfect trip right here.

1. Bhutan Cradled by the majestic Himalayas in a remote corner of Southern Asia, the “Land of the Thunder Dragon” has long held steadfast to its rich culture and Buddhist heritage. Though an isolated locale and high tourist entry tariffs (of up to $200 per person per night) keep crowds at bay, these factors have also permitted this last Shangri-La to keep its traditions intact. If the lush valleys and snowcapped mountains, ancient temples and monasteries, and expansive markets full of cheerful locals haven’t lured you to Bhutan yet, reconsider in 2008, when the 101st anniversary of the country’s monarchy will be commemorated by a yearlong celebration.
2. Greenland Though Greenland promoters prefer to avoid using the term “catastrophe tourism” to describe its surging popularity, new weekly flights from Baltimore (late June through early August in 2008) have indeed made this Danish province the most accessible place to bear firsthand witness to the inconvenient truths of climate change. The midnight sun practically guarantees encounters with reindeer, seals, and narwhals, but it's the Arctic island's Ilulissat ice fjord, which has retreated six miles in just a few years, and Warming Island, which was thought to have been part of mainland Greenland until the connecting ice thawed, that tend to leave visitors dumbstruck.
3. Lisbon The cheapest capital in Western Europe (according to the 2007 Mercer Consulting survey) is worth a visit not only for its affordability–a huge plus when considering the anemic exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the Euro these days–but for its dramatic hillside villages, fashionable cobblestone enclaves, and innovative cuisine. No longer just a stopover on the road to Porto, the capital of Portugal is fast becoming Europe’s next “it” city, which means crowds and inflated prices are bound to follow. Visit in 2008 before the buzz signals the hordes.
4. Mozambique Safely removed from decades of civil war, Mozambique is poised to become Africa’s next big tourist destination. The country’s recent economic success is finally permitting its natural assets–1,500 miles of unspoiled tropical shoreline, clear blue seas, and pristine reef-fringed archipelagos–to shine. Upscale, eco-friendly properties are opening along the Bazaruto and Quirimbas archipelagos, the government is restoring the million-acre Gorongosa National Park, and tour operators now run diving excursions to see sea cows, whale sharks, and staghorn coral. It’s been a long haul for this former Portuguese colony, but there’s no question that the nation is a rising star in the travel world.
5. New Orleans Many have already returned to New Orleans since Katrina, but recent events give every indication that 2008 is poised to be the best year the city has seen since the hurricane. Combine a rebuilding boom with powerhouse couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie moving in to the French Quarter, and a revitalized Canal Street beckoning musicians and ramblers back to its pretty riverside promenade, and you've got the makings of a fully revitalized city. Plus, with some of the nation’s most-beloved festivals getting under way in the first part of the year (Mardi Gras in February and Jazz Fest in late April and early May) it’s easy to make the Big Easy a must this year to herald the rebirth of one of the country’s most storied and fascinating cities.
6. Okanagan Valley Move over, Napa and Sonoma: Oenophiles looking for a taste of the next best thing are taking their palates north, to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. A four-hour drive northwest of Spokane, Wash., the Okanagan Valley boasts a cool and dry summer climate ideal for traditional grape harvesting, and frosty winters, which vintners use to advantage to produce Canada’s famed ice wine. With landscapes dotted with verdant fields, cascading hillsides, and ample lakes, there’s no question the area makes for a great wine-country getaway; Cedar Creek and Kettle Valley are just two of our favorite vineyards here.
7. Quito Long thought of as just a pit stop en route to the Galapagos, the capital of Ecuador is finally coming into its own, thanks to a burgeoning culinary and nightlife scene, new attractions ranging from botanical gardens to cultural heritage museums, and the opening of several luxury hotels. Quito’s Old Town–a UNESCO World Heritage Site that just completed a seven-year, $200 million restoration–is at the heart of the city’s regeneration. Its colonial mansions and churches now flaunt fantastic face-lifts.
8. Slovenia With Eastern Europe's popularity growing by leaps and bounds, Slovenia is now enjoying a newfound moment in the tourism spotlight. Slovenia is chock-full of the same kind of medieval towns and quaint villages that made the Czech Republic–namely Prague–a household name, but its charms can be enjoyed for a fraction of the price of its trail-blazing predecessor and arguably offer more value to boot. Though Slovenia was one of the first Eastern European countries to adopt the euro, the country’s hesitance to adapt to modern times has made its Venetian-era squares and tiny Alpine cities a fantastic bargain for the buck.
9. Tobago One of the last remaining "undiscovered" Caribbean islands, Tobago has long been overshadowed by its better-known sister island of Trinidad. A power shift may be in the making as of 2008, however, as Tobago's pink-sand beaches and serene waters became accessible for the first time by direct flights from New York and Atlanta on Delta Air Lines in December 2007. The new flights allow visitors to bypass Trinidad altogether to reach Tobago's secluded and romantic shores, where an unpretentious, slow-paced, and eco-friendly atmosphere prevails, relatively free of tourists and overdevelopment–for now.
10. Tunisia While 40 percent of this North African nation is swathed in arid Sahara desert, the remainder is blanketed by fertile soil and hemmed in by over 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline. No wonder it garnered a lot of (often unwanted) attention over the centuries from some of the world’s greatest civilizations. See what all the fuss was about by visiting the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city of Carthage and historic sites like the coliseum at El Jem (arguably the finest example of its kind outside of Rome). When not taking in archaeological gems, you can relax and rejuvenate at one of several beach resorts; venture through the Sahara on camelback or 4x4; or camp out in the desert in luxurious linen tents. Indeed, if there's one place on our list that packs the ultimate vacation into its borders–what with culture, beaches, adventure travel, and luxury camping–this is it.