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This utility is so cool, how many times I did try to figure out netmasks, broadcasts etc, this utility actualy performs simple manipulation of IP addresses:

ipcalc – provides a simple way to calculate IP information for a host.  The various options specify what information ipcalc should display on standard out. Multiple options may be specified.  An IP address to operate on must  always be specified.  Most operations also require a netmask or a CIDR prefix as well.

# ipcalc -nbm 192.168.1.254/29
NETMASK=255.255.255.248
BROADCAST=192.168.1.255
NETWORK=192.168.1.248
#

Almost everyone agrees that vaccination has been one of the single most effective public health measures ever undertaken however it still remains one of the most controversial issues facing medicine today. We will take a look at these controversies, attempting to dispel truly fallacious information and focusing on real issues of concern to families.

Once the efficacy of vaccines became established, governments rushed to both make vaccines available to the populace and to make vaccination compulsory in many cases. In the twentieth century, as immunizations for childhood diseases were developed, including diphtheria, measles, mumps and rubella, vaccination became required for public school attendance.

In 1974, the WHO launched the Expanded Programme on Immunization. Through their efforts the last naturally occurring case of smallpox in the world occurred in Somalia in 1977.

Governmental entities strive to immunize as many people as possible in order to reach “herd immunity”. Herd immunity takes place when enough people are vaccinated to substantially lower the likelihood that a susceptible person will come into contact with an infected person.

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So South Africa is getting a new president, and it is probably the man that half of the country wants, while the other half of the country does not want him.

The criticism of this man has been as loud as the support for him. And both the support and the criticism ensured that enough energy was generated for his party to win, and probably for him to become president.

There have been lots of publicity covering the wishes of the followers of Mr Zuma, and also a group on the social website Facebook that wanted to get a million signatures against Mr Zuma.

How did this happen?

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Preparing a  Businesses Pandemic Plan

“Plans are nothing, planning is everything” – Dwight D Eisenhower

Suddenly, the word “pandemic” is everywhere.  Businesses are nervously looking for ways to deal with the PANDEMIC. “It is just a matter of time!” warns Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, of the forthcoming global flu pandemic.

The H1N1 Swine flu bears similarities to the H1N1 virus of the 1918-19 pandemic and has spread throughout the US and world. The World Health Organization has raised the warning level to Phase 5 – widespread human infection – one step below a full influenza pandemic, signaling that it’s time for all companies to prepare.

Quoting HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt, “Those expecting the federal government to ride in and come to their rescue are going to be sorely disappointed.” “Within 16 weeks of the theoretical Thai outbreak, 92 million Americans would be infected.” The 1918 pandemic killed more people in first 6 months of the pandemic than were killed in all of World War 1 – 5 out of every 100 people.

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Michael Webster: Syndicated Investigative Reporter. April 17, 2009 at 9:30 AM PST.

Bulletin: Mexico struck by 5.8 earthquake. More to follow.

The state department today issued a warning advising for all Americans to avoid all “non-essential” travel to Mexico out of concern for the swine flu outbreak. The United States today also launched border and airport screening for swine flu exposure.

In Lebanon yesterday Clinton said the government is taking the outbreak “very seriously,” though President Obama said the emerging cases are not a cause for alarm.

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States is as many as 40 and rising. United States cases spanned New York, Kansas, California, Texas and Ohio. Many of those who contracted the illness had recently visited Mexico.

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Swine Flu, Swine Flu, Swine Flu. Every TV station and news source is headlining it daily and even hourly. What to look for, what are the symptoms, wash your hands regularly, don’t shake hands, sneeze into your arm, wear a mask, etc., etc. All of these are sensible things to do but how much more important to have our immune systems tuned up already, to fight off this any other virus or bacteria that wants to attack our bodies.

Well, how does this immune system work and what is it exactly? According to, How Stuff Works.com, they explain it this way. “Inside your body there is an amazing protection mechanism called the immune system. It is designed to defend you against millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites that would love to invade your body.”

Obviously, unless we are living in a sterilized environment, and who is, we are exposed to thousands of bacteria, microbes, toxins and parasites daily. Ever wonder why some people just seem to get sick all the time and succumb to much more than others? Their immune system just isn’t able to do the job like it should. It needs to be able to fight off the antioxidants and defend against the free radicals along with all of the attacks from the outside, airborne bacteria, etc.

What are the best ways to build it up then? Good natural foods that provide higher than average levels of phytonutrients found only in fruits and vegetables. The more fruits and veggies we can take in the better, and the more of them we can eat raw is better yet. If you need to cook them, do so the least amount of time as you can on the lowest heat and use waterless cookware. Just a little water with a tight lid on low heat will not boil all of the nutrients out and then down the drain with the water.

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