Loneliness is a painful condition that afflicts everyone from time to time. It is a sad situation that in the modern world, loneliness is at epidemic proportions. Despite technology making it easier than ever to connect and communicate with people all over the world, never have so many people been so lonely. Being Alone is aimed directly at helping you to transform the experience of being alone from a negative to a positive one. If you already enjoy solitude, it can show you how to deepen the experience to be even more rewarding. If you are alone and not enjoying it, it shows you how to change your thinking so that you experience a rich inner life that is more than a substitute for the company of others. There are of course many reasons why people find themselves alone. It is unavoidable sometimes. Other times we are alone through choice or circumstance. This book is for everyone who is suffering from loneliness and would like to know how to feel better about being alone. Knowing how to turn loneliness into enjoyable solitude is something you can learn. This book takes a positive therapeutic approach to the treatment of loneliness. It does not give the standard advice of 'join community groups' and other motherhood suggestions, though this is good advice. This ground has been well covered already. Instead, we take the approach of helping you to understand the underlying nature of loneliness followed by a series of suggested ways that you can change your thinking around this whole area. At the risk of over-simplifying the situation, there is a dynamic tension within all of us. It is created by the competing needs for solitude on the one hand, and for company on the other. We all have these competing needs, though the degree differs between individuals. Sometimes we are able to get the balance just right. Other times not so much; we might feel the need to be alone when we in company and of course times when we are alone and crave company. We cannot change this aspect of human nature. It is hard-wired into us at a fundamental level. What we can do is learn live constructively with it. That is what this book aims to do, show you how to turn painful loneliness into enjoyable solitude. LONELINESS & SOLITUDE There is a world of difference between loneliness and solitude. Solitude is when you are alone, but not feeling lonely; not sad, not depressed. It is a positive state of mind in which you are experiencing some aspect of your inner life. This introspection can lead to intuitive insights about yourself or your life that can be very rewarding. Loneliness, on the other hand, is a state of painful social isolation in which you might want to be in the company of others, but for a variety of reasons are unable to. Remember, what you experience when you are by yourself is something you control, or at least have the capability to control once you learn how. It really depends on your attitude, on how you are thinking about the situation. As Shakespeare's Hamlet wisely observed; there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.

Do you enjoy a drink or two in the company of others, or does it go beyond that? Where do you draw the line between what is good for you and what might be doing you harm? It is not always easy to know. As a general guide, if you can stop after a couple of drinks, then you don't have a problem. But if you have difficulty stopping, when one drink is too many and twenty is not enough, then yes, maybe your drinking has moved into the red zone. This book shows you how to stay in the green zone by giving you strategies to limit consumption and advice on how to live life the fullest. Not everyone who drinks heavily is an alcoholic. Alcoholism, like dependence on any drug, has three clear characteristics; preoccupation with acquisition, compulsive use, narrowing of interests, denial, and relapse. If alcohol was all good, or all bad, it would be easy. We could simply declare it so. We all know water is good for you and you should drink plenty of it for good health. Likewise we know that cyanide will kill you stone dead in moments. No ambiguity with these substances. But it is more complicated with alcohol. In small amounts, it is not harmful; it can even be good for you. And because it feels good, it is easy to want more, and then some more. Long before you stop feeling like having more, a line is being crossed between what is doing you good and what is harming you. If we stopped wanting more when we actually cross that line, there would not be a problem. With small amounts of alcohol, you feel relaxed. Problems fade into the background, a bad mood is changed, a good mood is improved. Unfortunately though, like any drug, you develop a tolerance for it. Higher and higher doses are needed to get the same good feeling. Incidentally, the word alcohol comes from the Arabic 'al kohl' meaning 'the essence', perhaps a reference to the distillation process by which spirits are obtained.

If you can observe your thoughts, who exactly is doing the observing? It is not the 'I' that has a name and a life history -- your egoic self. This simple question is at the centre of the great religions and spiritual traditions in the world. Mindfulness in the Buddhist tradition is one source of answers. Beyond the spiritual benefits, there are numerous health benefits for the mindfulness practitioner. At the physical level, mindfulness has been proven by recent research to help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, treat heart disease, reduce chronic pain, help you sleep soundly, alleviate gastro-intestinal problems to name a few. At the mental level, psychotherapists are using mindfulness as an effective therapy. It is showing good results in helping with depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, relationship conflicts, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The techniques outlined in this concise, plain-language eBook are easy to understand. You have nothing lose and everything to gain by learning this ancient healing technique to help you towards a happier, healthier life. MINDFULNESS: A PRIMER It is surprising how many folks in the world around you are operating at a largely unconscious level, which is to say they are driven by habit and instinct; displaying the same stimulus-response behavior time after time. I am not suggesting that people are unconscious in the sense of being asleep. If they are driving cars and walking about, they have enough awareness to avoid accidents -- most of the time. They are unconscious in the sense that they allow their social conditioning and innate drives to determine how they live and act. When something happens, they react in their usual way without much awareness of what they are doing. This explains why people make the same mistakes over and over. In this habit-driven state, a person is unlikely to be aware of the web of cause and effect in the world around them. They are unaware of how their actions in the past have created their present circumstances, so they have little sense of control over their lives. Mindfulness changes all of that, allowing you to consciously choose your actions, moment by moment, in order to create the future you want. It confers on you that uniquely human privilege of free will; the ability to transcend the primitive instincts that still reside not very far below the surface of your otherwise civilized life. Mindfulness opens the door to higher consciousness. For the traveller on the spiritual path or simply someone who want a higher quality life, this eBook can help. YOU ARE NOT YOUR MIND Does this statement unsettle you? That the real you is not your mind is a spiritual truth expressed in many religions and traditions, in slightly differing terms. Your mind and the thoughts that run through it may seem to be everything, but it is not the totality of who you are -- far from it. There is a much greater reality beyond your mind that is waiting to be recognized. So, if you are not your mind, then who are you? Your consciousness has evolved as a survival mechanism. All living creatures have some degree of awareness of their surroundings, sufficient for their survival. We humans have a very highly developed mind, but it is still basically a survival mechanism that is dedicated to strategizing ways to stay alive The human mind is a product of millions of years of evolution. We could write volumes about how it all came about, but for the purposes of understanding mindfulness, let us just say that while we think of ourselves as an entity that exists in the world, with a name, a title, and a place in society, all of that is really no more than a stream of thoughts passing through.

The task of developing comprehensive Software Design Descriptions (SDDs) is greatly assisted by this book. Written for software development project managers and staff, it is basically a plain-English, simplified version of the IEEE Std 1016 Recommended Practice for Software Design Descriptions. While it infringes no copyright, it still embodies the essential detail of IEEE 1016. It describes the: - Software development context in which an SDD should be created, - Minimum requirements for SDD format and content and, - Qualities of a good SDD. Who is this document for? The SDD is created by the System Architect or designer and is the major deliverable from the detailed design process. What are the Prerequisites? The prerequisite document required for an SDD varies according to the size and complexity of the software product to be developed. For large systems the prerequisite is the System Architecture Specification. In this context the SDD represents a further refinement of the design entities described in the SAS. An SDD may provide descriptions of one or more design entities. For small systems, the SDD prerequisite is a Software Requirements Specification. In this context it is the single source of design solutions to problems stated in the SRS. Who uses the SDD? The SDD is the primary reference for code development. As such, it must contain all the information required by a programmer to write code. Contribution to IS Quality A structured and comprehensive approach to software design is known to be a major factor contributing to Information Systems Quality. Adequate design is however often not performed, contributing to a higher number of software defects which impact the real and perceived quality of the software, as well as leading to time and expense being spent on rework and higher maintenance costs. How to Write Software Design Descriptions is a plain-English, procedural guide to developing high quality SDDs that are both systematic and comprehensive. It contains detailed instructions and templates on the following test documentation.

I N T R O D U C T I O N Configuration management (CM) is the regulation of the way in which a software product evolves during the development and maintenance phases of the product lifecycle. It is the process by which the individual components of a software system are identified so that any changes to the configuration of these components can be systematically traced and therefore controlled throughout the complete span of the development cycle. CM thus forms the basis for product and project measurement. This How To Guide is based in large part on ANSI/IEEE 1042. S C O P E This How To Guide describes the application of configuration management (CM) principles to the management of software development projects. CM consists of two major aspects; planning and implementation. For those planning software configuration management activities, this standard provides guide-lines into the aspects which must be considered. For those implementing software configuration management disciplines can use the sample Configuration Management Plan attached. This How To Guide outlines the essential concepts of CM, including libraries and tools. O B J E C T I V E S To achieve the above, the objective of a project manager will be the identification and establishment of baselines; the review, approval, and control of changes to the project components; the tracking and reporting of such changes; the reviews of the evolving product; the control of documentation; and the control of the interfaces to the clients and supplier. However it should be noted that this How To Guide specifies the minimum requirements, and therefore the project manager has the option where required, to expand and supplement as necessary for the development of specific project activities. In specific terms, the objective of CM procedures are to provide methods for: - Version identification - Obtaining approval to implement a modification - Ensuring that modifications are correctly integrated through formal change control pro-cedures - Controlling the identification of development status - Ensuring that nonconforming software is identified and segregated Contribution to IS Quality. A structured and comprehensive approach to software design is known to be a major factor contributing to Information Systems Quality. Adequate configuration management is however often not performed, contributing to a higher number of software defects which impact the real and perceived quality of the software, as well as leading to time and expense being spent on rework and higher maintenance costs. How to Write Configuration Management Plans is a plain-English, procedural guide to developing CM Plans that are both systematic and comprehensive. It contains detailed instructions and templates.

I N T R O D U C T I O N How to Perform Software Metrics is a plain-english, simplified version of IEEE Std 1061 Standard for a Software Metrics Methodology. This how to guide defines the standard for software quality metrics methodology. It is meant for people involved with the purchase, development, use, assistance, maintenance or review of soft-ware. The standard is especially directed at those measuring or reviewing the quality of software. S C O P E How to Perform Software Metrics supplies a methodology for founding quality requirements and recognising, implementing, analysing and validating process and product software quality metrics. This methodology applies to all software at all stages of any software life-cycle structure. Sections 1 through 4 provide, scope, definitions, and background information which is the basis of this standard; all parts of Section 5 are compulsory. Appendices A through D are incorporated for illustrative and reference reasons only. This how to guide does not assign specific metrics. However, the appendices include models of metrics together with a finalised example of the use of this standard. O B J E C T I V E S The objectives of How to Perform Software Metrics are to provide definitive software metrics reference to the following categories of person: - Purchasing/project managers to identify, state and priori-tise the quality requirements for a system. - System developers to identify definite features that should be assembled into the software in order to meet the quality requirements. - Quality audit/assurance/control company and a system developer to review whether the quality requirements are being met. - System maintainers to aid in change management during product development. - User to help in distinguishing the quality requirements for a system Contribution to IS Quality. Software metrics form an indispensable part of any software process improvement program. Without the means to measure improvements (or otherwise) in software quality, it cannot be determined whether process improvement is being achieved. This how to guide is an valuable aid for project and quality managers to address the important process of keeping software metrics. It is is an easy to use checklist, as defined by IEEE Std 1061, and template to achieve this end.

I N T R O D U C T I O N Good manuals are a scarce commodity - expensive to produce, difficult to maintain, the province of experts. Not any more. With this new step-by-step guide you can produce successful manuals at a fraction of the normal cost. Software user Documentation: A How To Guide for Project Staff is a detailed reference guide to the preparation of effective user documentation for computer software applica-tions. It is intended for people who wish to develop software user documentation. The format and arrangement of this manual re-flects the principles outlined within it - it 'practices what it preaches'. No prior knowledge or experience of user documentation writ-ing is assumed. The manual is designed to equip a person with at least average written expression skills with a blueprint of how to prepare a software user manual. Provided the person is prepared to follow the instructions through to completion, the result will be an effective piece of documentation. It can be used by practicing user documenters and technical writers as a checklist of what to include in a piece of documen-tation. The information given in this manual conforms with the interna-tionally recognised IEEE Standard 1063 which relates to the requirements for software user documentation. S O W H A T M A K E S A N E F F E C T I V E M A N U A L ? Organisation - Good manuals are well-structured with comprehensive table of contents and index. Content - The material focuses on user tasks, provides clear instructions and is concise. Appearance - The presentation is attractive with plenty of white space, and are packaged in booklets that are easy to use. Language - The text is easy to read and aimed specifically at the users. What to Avoid - Users dislike manuals that are: inaccurate, contain too much detail, talks down to people, is too formal, is poorly presented and/or organised.

Happiness is an elusive quality for many people in today's complex, often stressful world. There is however a powerful but little known secret in the pursuit of happiness. It can take a moment to learn and a lifetime to perfect. It is simply this; to not mind what happens and not react. The key to not minding what happens is to learn the gentle art of not taking offence at the things that happen to you in the course of your daily life, and not reacting to the provocation. Seen from another angle, the idea is to have low expectations. In a world where many people grow up with a sense of entitlement, this is much easier said than done because we have base-lined our expectations at a high level. Adding to this is the commercial world that sets a high standard of customer service as the necessary price of selling you something ahead of their competitors. We all enjoy good customer service, and feel we have a right to it, but consider how this might be distorting your perception of reality. They are only being nice to you so you will give them some money. The world is really not that nice in actual fact. Some of the time, even most of the time, our high expectations are met. But there will always be times when they are not met, and then you will be offended and aggrieved and trouble will inevitably follow. How dare you treat me this way? On the other hand, when your expectations are low, you are seldom disappointed and often delighted. There is an enormous pay-off for people who manage to not take offence. Not only do they not go through life feeling angry and aggrieved, they start to see the world in a much more positive light. When you allow the world to be what it is without trying to change it, you access an enormous wealth of intuitive knowledge that you can enjoy and use to live a happy, harmonious life. This is strategic non-action, and it is a powerful yet under-rated method of living and being effective in the world. In cultures where action is favoured over inaction, like in many western countries, direct action is considered a virtue while inaction is little more than laziness or cowardice. There is an advantage in being more subtle and nuanced in our understanding. There is a time for both action and inaction. Non-action gives access to a deeper intuitive awareness than that gained through action, since knowledge that comes through action is obscured by situation-specific reactions. Settle in for the ride as I reveal to you the secret of strategic non-action in the pursuit of happiness.

Assertiveness is a zone on the spectrum of human behaviour that lies between Passivity and Aggression. This book shows you how to find that sweet-spot, not always an easy thing to do in the ever more complex world of today. Being Assertive is fundamentally about rights; yours and those of others and finding a balance between them. An aggressive person violates the rights of others, while the passive person violates their own. The assertive person finds a win-win way to balance these sometimes competing interests. Learning to live in the zone of assertiveness has many benefits; your self-esteem will improve, the quality of your relationships with others will improve and deepen.

The nautical world has a language of its own; a rich lexicon that is well worth knowing, as much for its colourful language as for its more practical aspects. You will notice that many expressions heard in common everyday use come from a nautical background. Expressions like 'loose cannon', and 'son of a gun' plus many more. If you are interested in boating and want to learn more about it, this book is for you. Knowing the language goes a long way.

The Dhammapada is a guide for the Traveller on the Path to Enlightenment in the 21st Century. A foundational text of the Theravada Buddhist tradition, the Dhammapada is a collection of 423 verses, grouped into 26 themes that the Buddha was fond of telling to those who would gather around and listen. They are the oral teachings of the Enlightened One. How delightful it is to imagine him under a shady tree with a group of people around him, telling these gems of spiritual instruction. The collection of verses was compiled soon after the Buddha's death. Interested parties and disciples met and agreed that the oral teachings of the Buddha should be recorded so they would not be lost or corrupted in the absence of the author himself. The Dhammapada is the result of that worthy effort. The original text was expressed in the language and idiom of an ancient time and place (2,500 years ago in Northern India). After all, the authors wanted to reach the audience that was alive then and there, not at some far distant future world whose language and customs would be very difficult to understand. This edition with a commentary expressed in 21st Century language to make it accessible to a wide range of modern readers, is based on the work of Friedrich Max Muller (1823 -1900) at Oxford University. Muller, who was born in Dessau, Germany, was a notable scholar of comparative religions. While the Dhammapada has been translated many times in the centuries since it was written, Muller's version is considered one of the most consistent and accurate. Every effort has been made in the writing of this commentary to preserve the underlying message that the Buddha wanted to convey. This has been done through careful study of not just the Buddhist writings, but those of other major religions and philosophies. This study has been performed by the author over four decades, the objective of which has been to identify and understand the sub-text, the common underlying message that all religions express regardless of the language in which it is expressed. If an idea, such as the Golden Rule of doing unto others what you would have them do to you exists independently in every religion, regardless of time or place, then we have what is arguably an absolute truth, at least in relation human beings. There are many such truths to be found across various religions. Each verse has a heading and commentary that expresses in 21st century language the essence of the verse. Muller's translation of the verse then appears in italic script, complete with verse number. Readers are therefore able to easily compare and contrast the verses in this edition with those in other renderings of this classic work.

Beginner's Guide to Boating is everything an absolute beginner needs to get out there on the water and start enjoying life far from the madding crowd, out where it is just you and the sea and sky. If you're planning on buying a boat or already have one that's not being used, it's time to learn how to use it. You can start this great learning journey by reading Beginner's Guide to Boating. Beginner's Guide to Boating is a simple and no-nonsense approach to recreational boating. It's a manual that you will find useful from start to finish. This book lets you in on the secrets to boating success. For starters, the book lays out the fundamentals of boating by discussing the general topics every boater needs to know. This book gives you the knowledge and motivation you need to finally get your boat out on the water. One of the first things discussed is how to buy a boat. There are many different kinds of boats, each used for a different activity. Knowing what type of boat you want depending on what you plan to use it for is the first step. Also, this book will give you the tips on how and where to buy a boat, including information on financing. Setting up your boat is also discussed in this book. There are many things to consider before getting your boat out on the water. Ensuring safety and having the right equipment on your boat are only a few things you'll need to do first. It's important to make sure you, your guests, and your boat are sea-ready. To cater to the many boating activities, Beginner's Guide to Boating goes into detail on boat types. You will learn what boats are used for each kind of recreation. If you're not sure on what type of boat you want, your search ends here. You will know what boat type is best for you.

Doing a PhD is no easy thing. It rates as one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things a person will ever do. Much has been written on the process of doing a PhD, as a trawl through a book-store will confirm. In addition to these, universities generously provide detailed information on doing a PhD. The world does not need another book that goes over that same ground. What the world does need is information about the psychological factors that make a PhD student successful. They are the same factors that make a good researcher, someone who can make a contribution to knowledge in their chosen field. If you are reading this, you probably have an interest in what it takes to get a PhD. Maybe it is a burning desire, maybe more like a passing fancy. In any case, it is a major life-choice, one which you need to be fully informed about before you make it. If you decide to do a PhD, you should know what the success factors are before you start. Many candidates start out confidently but drop out along the way because they were not clear on this important point. So if you are trying to decide whether to do a PhD, or are wondering if you have what it takes, this book is for you. It is a portrait of the successful PhD student. Do you recognise yourself? There has never been a better time to do a PhD. The number of people in the world who have the desire and the access to higher education is rising exponentially. As more people, particularly in the developing world gain access to the Internet more options are now available to people. Few things contribute more to raising the overall standard of living and quality of life in a community than education. The established university model has endured for a thousand years and is still going strong. Long may it prosper. In the 11th Century there were just four universities in the world; Bologna, Salerno, Modena and Paris. In the 21st Century there are around 10,000 universities around the world and the number is rising. The traditional university is now being supplemented by the rise of the on-line university, offering everything from Associate Degrees up to PhDs across a wide range of subject areas. Thankfully, geographic location is now no barrier to getting an education.

For thousands of years people have tried to understand the elusive quality of Leadership. Still no consensus. What it means to be a leader differs according to the circumstances. This book examines the timeless, underlying qualities that must be present in a person if they are to be perceived as a leader by those around them. The distilled the essence of leadership is then formulated into a simple, easy to use process model for anyone to use, whether they be project managers, team members or simply people wishing to become embodiments of those leadership qualities. Leadership and the Tao is a fresh take on the timeless question of "What is Leadership?" Read what the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu had to say and marvel at how up-to-date is this 2,500 advice when seen in comparison with what modern day experts have to say. Come to understand Leadership as an aspect of the self-actualising person; someone who is in the process of expressing their fullest potential as a human being. This book combines the distilled wisdom of modern day thinkers like Peter Drucker and Warren Bennis with the timeless wisdom of the ancient sages. You might be surprised how useful this book turns out to be.

I N T R O D U C T I O N Systematic and comprehensive testing is known to be a major factor contributing to Information Systems Quality. Adequate testing is however often not performed, leading to a higher number of software defects which impact the real and perceived quality of the software, as well as leading to time and expense being spent on rework and higher maintenance costs. How to Write Software Test Documentation is a plain-English, procedural guide to developing high quality software test documentation that is both systematic and comprehensive. It contains detailed instructions and templates on the following test documentation: Test Plan, Test Design Specification, Test Case, Test Procedure, Test Item Transmittal Report, Test Record, Test Log, Test Incident Report, Test Summary Report, How to Write Software Test Documentation is derived principally from IEEE Std 829 Standard for Software Test Documentation. It contains clear instructions to enable project staff with average literacy skills to effectively develop a comprehensive set of software test documentation. D E T A I L Test Plan: a document describing the scope, approach, resources and schedule of testing activities. Test Design Specification: a document that provides details of the test approach in terms of the features to be covered, the test cases and procedures to be used and the pass/fail criteria that will apply to each test. The test design specification forms the entry criteria for the development of Test Procedures and the specification of Test Cases on which they operate. Test Case: a document specifying actual input values and expected outputs. Test cases are created as separate documents to allow their reference by more than one test design specification and their use by many Test Procedures. Test Procedure: a document describing the steps required to prepare for, run, suspend and terminate tests specified in the test design specification. As an integral part of the test the document specifies the test cases to be used. Test procedures are created as separate documents as they are intended to provide a step by step guide to the tester and not be cluttered with extraneous detail. Test Item Transmittal Report: a document identifying the test items being transmitted for testing. Test Records: a suite of documents which record the results of testing for the purposes of corrective action and management review of the effectiveness of testing. Test records are represented as: Test Log: a document used by the test team to record what happened during testing. The log is used to verify that testing actually took place and record the outcome of each test (i.e. pass/fail). Test Incident Report: a report used to document any event that occurs during testing that requires further investigation. The creation of a Test Incident Report triggers corrective action on faults by the development team at the completion of testing. Test Summary Report: a management report summarising the results of tests specified in one or more test design specifications. This document informs management of the status of the product under test giving an indication of the quality of software produced by the development team.

Aussie Slang is a richly-textured, often ribald world of understatement and laconic humour. This guide aims to do three things; (a) to help the traveller decipher what they hear around them in everyday Australian life, (b) give the causal reader some insight into informal Australian culture, and (c) make a record of some old Australian expressions that are slipping into disuse now that English has become a global language. Readers will recognize both British and American terms in this list. Australian English has absorbed much from these two great languages. For depth of knowledge of their own language, no-body beats the British. Its their language after all. A thousand years in the making, the English language is embedded deep in the DNA of the British. No-one uses their language more skilfully than they do. On the other hand, American English has a creative power that recognizes no boundaries. Americans have taken a very good all-purpose language and extended it in all kinds of directions with new words describing the world as it is today. They do not generally cling to old forms out of respect for tradition. As Winston Churchill observed, Britain and America ... two great nations divided by the same language. Australian English sits comfortably in the space between the two. Australian English began in the early days of settlement as English English with a healthy dash of Celtic influence from the many Scots, Irish and Welsh settlers who came to Australia. Large numbers of German settlers also came in the 1800's, and their influence on the language is also clearly evident. For over a hundred years, Australia developed in splendid isolation its unique blend of English, tempered by the hardships of heat and cold, deluge and drought, bushfires and cyclones. The harsh environment united people in a common struggle to survive. People helped each other. Strong communitarian loyalties were engendered. It is from this that the egalitarian character of Australia evolved. There is a strong emphasis on building a feeling of solidarity with others. Strangers will call each other "mate" or "luv" in a tone of voice ordinarily reserved for close friends and family in other parts of the world. Everyone was from somewhere else, and no-one was better than anyone else. A strong anti-authoritarian attitude became deeply embedded in Australian English. This was mainly directed towards their British overlords who still ran the country as a profitable colony. The Australian sense of humour is generally understated, delivered with a straight-face, and is often self-deprecating in nature. No-one wants to appear to be "up themselves." Harsh or otherwise adverse conditions had to be met without complaint, so when discussing such conditions, it was necessary to do so with laconic, understated humour. Anyone not doing so was deemed a "whinger" (win-jer). Following World War II the American influence came increasingly to influence Australian culture and therefore the language. No-one is better at selling their popular culture to the world than the United States of America. Their pop culture is a beguiling instrument of foreign policy, so pervasive and persuasive it is. Young Australians enthusiastically embraced American culture, and since the 1940's the old established British language and customs have become blended with the American. If Australian English has a remarkable quality, it is the absence of regional dialects. It is spoken with relative uniformity across the entire nation. Brisbane on the East coast is a 4,300 kilometre (2,700 mile) drive from Perth on the West coast, yet there is little discernible linguistic difference between the two places compared with the difference, for example between Boston and San Francisco in the US. Nowhere else in the world do we see such linguistic uniformity across large distances.