tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7936227116688880752024-02-20T09:06:56.031-05:00Flare's BlogThis is more or less my life.
And stories, information, and anything else I want to put up on here.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-67994675718016392152009-11-22T16:40:00.000-05:002009-11-22T16:41:10.059-05:00Blog Moved<p>This blog as been moved to my wordpress blog: http://flare183.wordpress.com</p>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-87462082431469810172008-11-27T13:06:00.002-05:002008-11-27T13:10:44.479-05:00Oracle SQL Answers LinksHere a the links to the Oracle SQL Answers:<br /><br /><ul><li><a href="http://tinyurl.com/sqlanswers">Link One</a></li><li><a href="http://tinyurl.com/sqlanswers2">Link Two</a><br /></li></ul>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-29209296251274116112008-04-20T15:38:00.004-04:002008-04-21T17:52:12.000-04:00Female Computer NerdI am looking for a Girl Computer Freak, nerdy female that is really computer savvy like I am. I don't care if you think that you aren't good enough please respond.<br /><br />So sum it up, I am looking for a 14-17 female computer nerd.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-34975623532109623462008-03-19T22:02:00.001-04:002008-03-19T22:44:05.034-04:00Bull Crap and my website<div class="entry"> <div class="snap_preview"><p>I am soooo bored. This is a dumb post</p> <p>Anyway, I finally have my own personal website/domain. The address for it is: http://flare183.org/</p> <p>Ubuntu SHS is also on my website.</p> </div> </div>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-6634354739273813132008-02-10T16:41:00.002-05:002008-05-17T13:22:27.225-04:00Transparent Menus in CompizSee the link. It's a awesome!<br /><br /><a href="http://arstechnica.com/journals/linux.ars/2007/11/08/configuring-conditional-window-transparency-in-compiz">Compiz Menus</a>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-13737955727405173232007-11-14T17:18:00.000-05:002007-11-14T17:21:05.145-05:00Paper Mario<span name="storytext" id="storytext" class="storytext"><p align="center">Paper Mario</p><p align="center">Legend of the Star Rod</p><p align="center">Prologue: A Plea from the Stars</p><p>“<i>Today… I’m going to tell the story of Star Spirits and Good Wishes.”</i> The page turns revealing a starry sky. Right in the center of it was what looked like a sort of town. The buildings looked like they were made of night sky auras and little figures that looked like stars walked around the town. The town appeared to be held up by seven, giant, different colored stars. These stars were known as the ‘Seven Stars Pieces’. (Super Mario RPG.)</p><p>“<i>Far, far away, beyond the sky, way above the clouds, it’s been said that there’s a haven where the stars live.”</i> The page turns again, this time revealing a path and a staircase leading into what looked like a shrine. The shrine had somewhat of a heavenly radiance to it. <i>“In the sanctuary of Star Haven, there rests a fabled treasure known as the ‘Star Rod’, which has the power to grant all wishes.”</i> The page turns once again showing the inside of the shrine, in the center of the shrine, on a pedestal, sat an ancient looking item. It looked like a rod that was red and green, with a yellow star at the end. Watching this ancient treasure, and sitting on pillars that circled the pedestal, were mid sized stars each holding a different a trait that separated them. One of the notable ones was a yellow star with a big white mustache. <i>“Using the powers of the wondrous Star Rod, the seven revered ‘Star Spirits’, watched over our peaceful world. Carefully… Very carefully.”</i></p><p>The page turned again, showing an even bigger picture of the shrine and some more of the seven revered Star Spirits. However, there was something else there. There was a figure that appeared to be taped onto the page. It looked like a female turtle like creature known as a koopa, and an old one at that. It wore a dark blue cloak with a hood over its head, had bleached looking hair, and wore a pair of glasses. The koopa appeared to be riding a broom like a witch. <i>“And then… Oh dear… What the? Who stuck this weird thing into the story?”</i> Suddenly the tape disappeared and the animations on the page seemed to come to life!</p><p>The old koopa witch turned her head towards the outside of the page, gave an angry look, and yelled on the top of her lungs, shaking her fist. “I’M NOT WEIRD LOOKING!!!”</p><p>Just as soon as the old koopa said that, a humongous shadow appeared on the outside of the page. It seemed to be riding on some kind of semi circle craft with helicopter blades on the bottom. “HA, HA, HA! Yeah! I did!” His voice was deep and beast like, almost. Once he said that, he laughed an evil laugh, the tone of it was dark, and just seemed to scream that this was a character to fear. “So I can, at long last, defeat my old archenemy Mario! I’ll take this Star Rod!”</p><p>The page turned once again making a close up of the old koopa witch. “Do it Kammy Koopa!!!” Kammy raised her wand and energy started to charge. The energy had a sort of dark feel to it and was powerful in appearance. There was a flash of light and in an instant a new character was floating in the air next to Kammy Koopa. It was the same creature from outside the page; it was a koopa like Kammy, only it was male and much bigger. The body was a regular koopa shell aside from the white, somewhat yellowish spikes on the green shell back. On his head was fiery red hair, horns, the skin or scales, whichever one it is, was green on the head while the mouth area was yellow. His arms were covered with yellow scales, on his wrists were what looked like spiky black collars, and there was another black spiky collar around his neck as well. The vehicle he was riding in appeared to be a semi circle, with helicopter blades on the bottom, and what appeared to be a frowning clown face like design on the front The Star Spirits looked on in fear; it was none other then ‘Bowser, the koopa king.’</p><p>As soon as Bowser made his entrance, the Star Spirits were suddenly attacked by strange bolts of dark energy, preventing them from moving. As that happened, Bowser breathed fire on the Star Rod; riding it of the barrier that prevented anyone from touching the grand treasure. <i>“No! You mustn’t do that!”</i> The narrator called, but Bowser refused to listen, taking the Star Rod.</p><p>“Yeah!! Now let’s try using it!” Bowser said with glee holding the Star Rod above his head. Upon making an unknown wish, the Star Rods energy traveled across the room until it hit all seven of the Star Spirits. After a few seconds of struggling, the Star Spirits were eventually overtaken and they were forcibly zoomed in and were imprisoned into their own individual card like seal.</p><p><i>“Stop it! Cut it out, Bowser! You’re changing the story!”</i> The narrator called, but it was impossible to stop Bowser from where he was. Soon all the Star Spirits were imprisoned.</p><p>“TE, HEH, HEH, HAH, HAH!!! We did it!!!” Kammy said; screeching with laughter at their victory.</p><p>“That was a piece of cake!” Bowser said then laughed evilly. Having said that, his vehicle took off out of the shrine and disappeared to parts unknown, Kammy and the card prisons close behind him.</p><p><i>“Now Star Kids may rise to grant people’s wishes, but those wishes will never come true… Whatever will they do?”<hr noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%"></i></p><p>A small groan is heard… After a few seconds the darkness lifts, and light slowly peeks in. It is the sight of someone waking up. The boy that is waking up is a young looking character around the teenage years. He is also a toad, a kind of people commonly seen in the Mushroom Kingdom. The boy sits up, yawns as he stretches, and rubs his eyes. The toad has a white mushroom hat with black spots on it, with a few specks of blonde hair poking out from the front, not to mention his attire right at the moment was pajamas. He slowly crawled out of bed and turned on the lights. He stared at himself in the mirror, saying the first thing that came to mind. “Well it’s a brand new day.”</p><p>His solitude is suddenly interrupted by someone knocking on the door. The young toad just lowered his head and shouted to the door. “Go ahead and come in!” The door opened, revealing another toad only this one was an adult, and had the typical look. (Blue jacket, white pants, white hat with red spots, and brown shoes)</p><p>“Sorry to disturb you, but are you alright?” The adult toad asked. The younger toad stared at his visitor, somewhat confused.</p><p>“What do you mean, ‘Am I alright?’ Did you think I was sick or something?” The older toad stared at his young guest with an incredulous look.</p><p>“Well I’ll tell ya’ why I’m worried! Not too long ago, there was some kind of Earthquake!” The adult toad shouted, a look of concern on his face.</p><p>The teenager looked at the adult through the mirror, gave a smug grin and said, “Well I didn’t feel anything.” After saying that he crossed his arms. “Musta’ slept through it.”</p><p>The teen looked about ready to laugh his fool head off when he saw the look he got from the adult toad. “<u>SLEPT THROUGH IT!?!?</u>” When he said that, he slapped his forehead in disbelief. “You become more unbelievable everyday Zane, you know that?”</p><p>The teenage toad named Zane simply chuckled at the adult toad’s comment. “Well I try... Anyways I need to get changed so I can go and get the object of my chore here in Goomba Village… So… If you don’t mind.” Zane said, making the hand motion that easily meant ‘please leave’ to the adult toad. The adult toad sighed in disbelief, and left closing the door behind him.</p><hr noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">A few minutes later outside, the adult toad had just explained about Zane to a middle-aged Goomba. The town they were in wasn’t at all big, but it was enough. The town was made up of three buildings, two appeared to be two story houses for any of the residents, while the third was a small one story, two room house with a small sign in the front yard. The sign had a yellow mushroom with a white top and red spots. Just below the mushroom shape, the words ‘Toad House’ were imprinted. “So the boy was unharmed?” the middle-aged goomba asked amazed. The goomba had a black mustache and somewhat thick eyebrows, which were raised in surprise.<p>The toad nodded. “A few things in the room fell off the shelves, but the boy seemed relatively unaffected.” After saying that, he once again slapped his forehead in disbelief. “That boy just continues to amaze me.”</p><p>They heard a sound coming from the Toad House. They turned to see the one and only Zane, now in his casual garbs which was a martial arts jacket, followed with a pair of black pants and blue shoes, walking through the door which he closed behind him. Zane looked to the originally conversing Toad House owner and Goompapa, as the middle-aged goomba was known to his kids, and gave a friendly wave. The two waved back and went right back to conversing. Zane’s head then turned to the forest just outside of town. He walked towards it slowly, allowing his mind to wander back to the strange dream he had the night before. ‘Star Haven, Star Spirits, the Star Rod? It’s the same dream, again… Although Bowser’s presence in the end was new.’ Zane thought.</p><p>For as long as he can remember since he was found outside of Toad Town some years ago, he had dreams about this strange place called Star Haven, and it’s great treasure, the Star Rod. For reasons beyond the young teen, everything he heard in the dream almost sounded familiar… And not familiar as if he read it before, but familiar in the sense that he had actually seen those things before. The boy groaned trying to get the dream out of his head so he could focus on the new day… Just like he did the day before… And the day before that, and the day before that…</p><p>However, what felt like fear seemed to creep into the boy’s being. “I know it isn’t real… But still, Bowser with the power to grant all wishes no matter how great? Now that’s a scary thought.” Zane then shrugged it off and smiled. “Aw, why am I scaring myself? Even if the treasure did exist, what I saw was still a dream.” He took another step…</p><p><u>‘CRASH!!!’</u> Zane was now on the ground, keeping himself from going into an unconscious state. Once that was taken care of he saw the thing, or person in this case, was another goomba. This goomba was a somewhat smaller then the other members of the Goomba family that lived in the village and was definitely female. She had pink skin and a big pink bow on top of her head. The goomba, he remembered, was the youngest member of the family, and her name was Goombaria.</p><p>She quickly got back on her feet; so did Zane, who immediately dusted off his jacket. After a second, Zane lowered himself down to Goombaria’s eye level and asked the obvious coming question. “Golly squirt, where’s the fire?”</p><p>If Goombaria had hands she’d probably use them to grab Zane’s shoulders and shake him so hard, his head would spin. That was how frantic Goombaria looked when she told him what was going on. “No fire!.. Get Dad, Goompa, and Goombario, and come quick!!! You-are-NOT going to believe what I found out in the woods!!” Her words sounded fearful and somewhat frantic.</p><p>Now, in most cases Zane would just think it was some kind of joke just to ‘get his goat’… But when he saw Goombaria’s face and how fearful it looked, he knew right and then it couldn’t have been a joke. He nodded and went to find the other members of the Goomba family.</p><p>After gathering up the necessary members of the Goomba family, everyone went into the woods. Upon arriving in a small clearing, he found that Goombaria was right… Quite frankly, he <u>couldn’t</u> believe what he was looking at. Laying face down on the ground was what appeared to be a middle-aged man with a black mustache on his face. He wore a tattered pair of blue overalls, which was over a red shirt, he also had light brown working boots, and topping a head of black hair was a red cap with a small white circle and what appeared to be a red ‘M’ in the center of it. Zane had to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn’t seeing things, but as soon as he did he found that he wasn’t… Laying there on the ground, as real as he was, was Mario… The famous, one and only, Mushroom Kingdom hero… And to boot he looked pretty darn beat up!</p><p>“Holy!...” He quickly turned to the goomba’s. “Quickly! Lets get him to the Toad House!” The goomba’s nodded in agreement and went to each side of the tattered Mario, save for Goombario (A young goomba with brown skin, and wore a blue baseball cap, he was the older brother of Goombaria,) who stared at Mario’s unconscious body, he seemed very concerned. Zane knew why too. 1.) Who wouldn’t be concerned to see the Mushroom Kingdom’s resident hero, beaten like a punching bag and then found in the woods, and 2.) Goombario was one of Mario’s biggest fans, so seeing ‘said hero’ down for the count would make him somewhat more concerned.</p><p>Zane approached Goombario’s side and placed a hand of comfort on the goomba’s shoulder… Well, <u>if</u> you can call them shoulders. “It’ll be okay.. Now could you give me and your folks a hand here?” Goombario looked up to Zane and nodded there was now a determined look in his eyes.</p><p>“Yeah, lets help Mario!” Goombario came up to Mario’s side and the goomba’s slowly started lifting. While the goomba’s lifted up Mario from his top side, Zane came up from behind and lifted Mario up by his ankles. Once he had a firm grip, the goomba’s and the toad, slowly carried Mario into Goomba village. From the Inside, Zane was filled with determination, just like Goombario… But deep inside he wondered if he would truly be okay.</p><hr noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">After some work, Mario was safe in the Toad House and the owner of the establishment went inside to examine Mario’s injuries. After an hour or so, the Toad House owner finally came back outside. He was now wearing a doctor’s scrub over his old clothes to almost emphasize the hullabaloo. Goombario looked worried for a second, until he asked the obvious coming question. “Well Doc? Is he going to be okay?”<p>Doc <b><u><i>(“I’ll just call him that from now on.”)</i></u></b> took off his face mask and stared at the boy. At first he held a frown on his face, but after a second he started to explain. “Well he has a few claw marks, is suffering from a slight third degree burn, which shouldn’t leave any mark later, and he seems to be experiencing a bit of trauma…” Goombario looked down to the ground almost as if expecting the worst… Which he didn’t get. Doc smiled, “But, surprisingly, he’s going to be alright.”</p><p>Goombario looked up to Doc and gave a huge smile. Zane patted the little goomba on the head. He was nothing but smiles. “See? I Told ya’ he’d be okay.” However something was off about this smile… It seemed to lack it’s usual shine. Outside he was smiling but deep inside… He was worried… Very worried indeed.</p><p>Later that night, as everyone was preparing to go to bed, Zane was approached by Doc. “Hey Zane… I just thought of something.”</p><p>Zane, who seemed to be off in his own little world at the moment, popped into attention and looked to Doc. “Huh? Oh yeah, what is it?” Doc stared at Zane confused, he was hardly, if not ever, like this.</p><p>However, Doc decided to ignore that fact… For now. “Where are you going to sleep? Mario will be taking your own bed.” Zane didn’t seem at all bothered by this.</p><p>“Oh don’t worry I’ll fix a hammock, uh…” Zane took a good look around until he saw two tree’s close enough together to make a hammock. “Right over there.” Zane pointed at the two trees as he finished.</p><p>Doc looked at the two trees and then at Zane, after a second, he nodded and stepped out of the way. “Okay then… Go ahead.” Zane nodded as well and he left to the two trees.</p><p>Doc stared at Zane utterly confounded. Something was definitely wrong with young man. He almost seemed… Spooked by something. He watched Zane until the boy finished the hammock, then went into the Toad House. ‘Something’s really bothering that kid,’ Doc thought, ‘he almost seemed spooked by something… and if this thing spooks someone like him… Heaven knows what that means.’</p><p>Doc would never know how right he was… As Zane finished the hammock, his thoughts turned to the dream he had before all this happened. Somehow, no matter how much it scared him, he really knew that the dream of the stolen Star Rod and Mario’s sudden injured appearance were connected somehow… and that scared him more than anything.</p><p>He crawled into his hammock, minding his weight distribution, and lie down in it. It wasn’t long before he fell asleep and dreams filled his head… It also wasn’t long before Zane grunted in his sleep, a strange nightmare now filled his head.</p><hr noshade="noshade" size="1" width="100%">The image was almost unbearable… It showed a grand hallway, probably one from the castle. The hallway was tattered, the rug was disheveled, the walls had burn marks, and in the center of the hall, where one of the biggest windows were, well more like used to be, four figures stood. One figure, unmistakably Mario, was lying on the floor, out cold. The second figure was a beautiful woman wearing a radiant pink dress, had long flowing blonde hair, a crown on her head, and diamond slippers stood above Mario, her hands were to the sides of her face in panic. This was the unmistakable figure of the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess ‘Peach’ Toadstool. She screamed in panic. “Oh no!!! Mario!! Please get up!!!”<p>The other figures there were more recognizable. They were none other then Bowser and Kammy Koopa. Bowser seemed to be celebrating something, and Kammy was sitting on her floating broom, looking with pride at Bowser. “Yahoo!!! I did it!!! I finally beat my old rival Mario!!! YEEEEEESSSSS!!!”</p><p>Kammy chuckled, and started to congratulate the Koopa King. “Congratulations on your victory, your Viciousness! That’s why you’re the king!” Having said that Kammy’s screeching laughter came after it.</p><p>Bowser turned to look at Kammy and pulled out the one item that helped him win this battle… The Star Rod. “So long as I have this Star Rod, any wish I make, comes true! I’m now invincible!!!” After that gloat, he turned to the beaten hero of the Mushroom Kingdom. “Well I might as well get rid of Mario… He’s no good to anyone now that’s for sure.” Bowser suddenly lifted up the Star Rod; it flashed with almighty power, and from a lightning bolt flashed down and slammed Mario. The force knocked the poor plumber out the big broken window.</p><p>As he flew outside, there was a sight of the Mushroom Kingdom Castle’s current plight. It was sitting on a big stone castle that resembled Bowser, riding his clown hover cart, and both were hovering above the clouds! Mario continued falling to earth below, as Peach went to the broken window and gave her final plead to Mario. “Oh no!!! MARIOOOOOO!!!!!!” As she continued screaming Kammy turned to a patrol of armor wearing koopa’s called the Koopatrols.</p><p>“You there, take Princess Peach to her room immediately!!” The Koopatrols nodded and obeyed their order without question. Meanwhile outside Mario had continued his descent to the ground below… He kept on falling…</p><p>And falling…</p><p>And falling…</p><p>And falling…</p><p>Until he finally disappeared into the clouds, to continue his plummet to the ground…</p><p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p>End Chapter 1<br /></p></span>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-33141459060756610392007-11-08T14:49:00.000-05:002007-11-08T14:53:04.121-05:00compizconfig-settings-manager problemMy compizconfig-settings-manager program is so messed up. The icons for the pictures in the window are missing and they were their. I have reinstalled it removed it and then installed it again. And I have even went and looked for the icons myself, which I found in the spot they are supposed to be in. Is there any way to fix this?Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-39044434023702142122007-09-02T11:55:00.000-04:002007-09-02T11:56:43.027-04:00Super Mario RPG; I'm Invinicable!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc6R9mbs4msQNlqTPDcmuMg_6qsCA2rOqqAws_RLWvGUk9qdebzauIWewCM17tPeNY3P7ncdoLwjPGdO98-pyofzBpEHDD-FDCLIGoFSCEGbaYWXl2UUYxHIqmaViXYhXYUaWqx_bajw6/s1600-h/Screenshot5.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc6R9mbs4msQNlqTPDcmuMg_6qsCA2rOqqAws_RLWvGUk9qdebzauIWewCM17tPeNY3P7ncdoLwjPGdO98-pyofzBpEHDD-FDCLIGoFSCEGbaYWXl2UUYxHIqmaViXYhXYUaWqx_bajw6/s400/Screenshot5.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5105636073754043986" /></a>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-48891021630177428552007-08-24T19:03:00.000-04:002007-08-24T19:04:21.227-04:00Linux Not Afraid<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/richardson183/LinuxUnafraid.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/richardson183/LinuxUnafraid.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-51961699673740894602007-07-13T14:00:00.000-04:002007-07-13T14:04:01.664-04:00FreelanceI really can't stand people who say they can do the job and won't let other people have a chance to do the job. Esp. people who think they know a lot about Linux/Unix but they really don't know that much at all.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-72352085680107343852007-05-16T09:11:00.000-04:002007-06-10T15:01:27.599-04:00Stickfigure Animation 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgx2qUDCol1zhDmebQCZpR5-9ocQlP6bN8VRNqetpgtf9uvX2zdni6v5IdN9snh-o_dadVAGBDc1n6Xv_h7wTmzT2qmXJwOKTOaFaImTmi9-7GzgyKJTSvan_iKwJ7nrwA06F-fVsdULm/s1600-h/Boulder+Dash.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgx2qUDCol1zhDmebQCZpR5-9ocQlP6bN8VRNqetpgtf9uvX2zdni6v5IdN9snh-o_dadVAGBDc1n6Xv_h7wTmzT2qmXJwOKTOaFaImTmi9-7GzgyKJTSvan_iKwJ7nrwA06F-fVsdULm/s320/Boulder+Dash.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065145768785801586" /></a>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-38729021013203074962007-04-28T19:53:00.001-04:002007-05-02T09:13:31.167-04:00Super Mario RPG: The Legend ContinuesBowser sat in his Koopa Clown Car. It had been a year since his adventure with "Doll-thing", "Frog-thing", Peach, and Mario. But he had sort of forgotten about it for the time. Ever since he got his castle back, he had worked on the ULTAMATE plan to defeat Mario. He underwent intense training to ready himself for his fight. He would sit for weeks at a time under waterfalls that were so hot they steamed. He lifted weights, and trained under several martial art styles. He also had some MagiKoopas train him in their ways, too.<br /><br /> He recalled the first time he captured Peach. He thought she so was hot. Then Mario came and beat him. So he tried again and again. But over the years, he became more bent on destroying Mario and less concerned with Peach. She was now almost used like bait to lure in Mario. He didn't want to be powered up by a spell or a star rod this time; he'd defeat Mario with his own bare hands.<br /><br /> Deep within the halls of a grand, palace, its walls constructed of black onyx, embroidered with figures of ghastly apparitions, a dark king sat upon an icy throne.<br /><br />"My lord, you cannot be serious about coming to the mortal world!" a voice spoke. The figure was clad in crystal armor, and glistened in the moonlight as he bowed before his master.<br /><br />"I am always serious." The one sitting on the throne said.<br /><br />"With all due respect, your omnipotence, Smithy was your ultimate creation. How do you expect to win? You lost last time."<br /><br />"This time things will be different. I will lead you. And I shall claim the orb."<br /><br />"What do you mean?"<br /><br />"Long ago, an orb of power was created, giving the owner nigh limitless strength. Forged from darkness, created with blight, it expels a mighty energy that cannot be from the known dimensions of the earth. And in fear of this very power, it was sealed away in a shrine in star Haven, and the keys were hidden on a small continent. But no one knows where this continent really is. However, I shall demand that information from the denizens of Star Haven, and use Bowser's castle as a ground base. Then I will take the orb of power, and claim this and every other world."<br /><br />Peach was taking a walk through mushroom kingdom. It was a beautiful day. The serene clouds hovered above the sky, the sun shined through nicely, and Bowser's Clown thing was flying toward her...huh?<br /><br />"EEEEEEEEEEEKK!!!!!" Princess Peach screeched as she ran through the city. But it was too late, Bowser swooped from the sky and grabbed her, carrying her off to his castle.<br /><br />Mario took another sip of his KeroKeroKola and looked up at the sky. It was a nice day. Luigi joined him and pulled up another lawn chair and sat next to him. All was peaceful until a Toad ran frantically up to them both.<br /><br />"Mario! Mario! The Toad shouted, out of breath. "P-p-p-princess Peach has been captured by, by, by HIM!!!!" (the Toads were so horrified of the word "Bowser" they wouldn't even speak it. Instead, they called him Him)<br /><br />Mario sat up. "I'm on my way!<br /><br />"Me too!" Luigi said, jumping up as well.<br /><br />Mario shook his head. "No, you stay and look after everything."<br /><br />"Hmph...I never get to do anything, damn you..." Luigi muttered, going back into the house.<br /><br />"Sorry Peachy, nothing personal," Bowser said as he tied Peach over a pit of boiling lava. "You're just bait to lure in Mario."<br /><br />"Bowser you asshole!" Peach said as she struggled to break free. "You'll never defeat Mario!!"<br /><br />Bowser laughed. "hmhmhmhmhahahaBwahahahahaha!!!! Come now, Peach, I have been in intense training for a year now, while Mario sat on his rump watching Dragon Ball Z. I'm going to kick his ass!!" He turned around and smiled. "Ah, and there's our little friend now, right on cue."<br /><br />"Let her go, motherfucking bitch!!" Mario demanded.<br /><br />"heh heh heh heh heh!" Bowser laughed. "Come now, Mario, you know I can't do that. You'll have to fight me for her!"<br /><br />Bowser used his typical vertical slash technique, which Mario knew all to well. It was the same move he tried right before the sword crashed through his castle a year ago. Mario laughed to himself. This was all too easy. He jumped to avoid Bowser's attack, but Bowser, with his other arm, quickly grabbed one of Mario's legs and slammed him to the ground. He jumped on top of Mario, all five hundred pounds. Mario felt some of his bones being crushed under the massive weight. Still on top of Mario, Bowser then quickly burnt Mario with a seemingly unending supply of fire from his mouth. After a few seconds, he got off Mario, looking down upon him. He saw Mario faintly breathing.<br /><br />"Unbelievable," Bowser thought to himself. "No one can survive that! Oh well, THIS will finish you!" He said as he charged up an energy ball. "Ghahahaha!!" He laughed. Suddenly, he heard the sound of glass being shattered. He looked up and saw Luigi falling down toward him, who smashed his fist into Bowser's face before he even hit the ground. Bowser got up.<br /><br />"Luigi?" Bowser said in surprise. "Haha! What a wimp! Well, I know your weakness. Boos! Come here!!"<br /><br />Bowser snapped his fingers, and in an instant, the room was filled with boos, who all swirled around Luigi.<br /><br />"Heh heh heh." Bowser chuckled. "Scared, little Luigi?"<br /><br />"Scared Hell! Scare THIS!" Luigi shouted as he ran up and socked Bowser in the face again.<br /><br />Bowser was serious by this point. He leapt into the air and prepared to crush Luigi, once and for all.<br /><br />All was peaceful in Star Haven, the stars and whatever else lived there were doing what they normally did. The clouds majestically parted to reveal a city forever endowed with the moons light, where buildings were constructed from a beautiful, translucent material. Star Haven was a large floating island miles above the sky. On star Haven, an awe-filling rainbow arched high above Star Haven and led to the shrine that held the orb of power. This rainbow was known as Star Road. It was actually composed of hundreds of stars, but only seven of them broke during the incident a year ago.<br /><br />Then, a swarm of dark figures began to approach from the east. As they drew nearer it could be determined that approaching Star Haven was a swarm of mechanical warriors. Each one was actually a hollow suit of armor fit closely together and filled with a dark essence. Myriads began streaming in from behind clouds and other places, all growing closer and closer to Star Haven. Led in command under Drewguard, the arch-knight, the android-like things began to question the people about the location of the mysterious continent on which the keys to unlocking the orb of power were held. Drewgaurd was a tall knight, clad in armor said to be worn only by the divine angels themselves. His sword was long and extended five feet from the hilt, yet Drewgaurd could wield it easily in one hand. Drewgaurd had long wings that even the most heavenly beast envied. They shined with a radiance unrivaled by mortals and immortals alike, and over his armor he wore robes of beauty again unrivaled by the fabrics of men. Drewgaurd worked for the "great lord Zeto" and killed or destroyed anyone and anything in his path. He burned homes and buildings, stopping only until he found what he was looking for. Finally, one of his troops reported.<br /><br />"Sir!" The soldier reported "The information of the location of the continent is said to be inscribed in the shrine itself."<br /><br />"Excellent." The grim mechanical captain said. "You and two others follow me. The rest, don't harm anyone else until we find out if this information is true. After that, you can have your fun."<br /><br />Drewgaurd and three of his men followed him to Star Road. Because of its unique architecture, it was impossible to fly to the shrine. You HAD to cross star road. But blocking their path was a star, of medium size.<br /><br />"Get out of my way and I may spare your worthless life." Drewgaurd said, obviously annoyed.<br /><br />"Heh! You're crazy if you think I'm going to let you pass." The star said resolutely. "I sealed the orb away, and there's no way I'm just going to GIVE it to you.<br /><br />"So, you're the fool who dared inconvenience lord Zeto by sealing away the orb." Drewgaurd said.<br /><br />"Actually, it's a crystal." The star said matter-o-factly. "Now go home."<br /><br />"How dare you order me around!" Drewgaurd demanded. He began to cross the bridge, but once again the star blocked the way. Finally, Drewgaurd knocked the star from the path and sent him hurtling down to earth.<br /><br />The star knew that in that form, he could do nothing to protect the crystal/orb of power from falling into their hands. To protect it, he needed an earthly body; he needed to return to the doll called "Geno"<br /><br />The little Toad from Rose Town had long since lost his old Geno doll, but his mom, who still worked at the inn, bought him a "super-mega-deluxe- special-edition-action-Geno" doll. Who was similar to the original, but could use better weapons and wore a much longer cape that covered his entire body except for the head. It also had black clothes instead of blue, and carried a sword at his waist, hidden by his cape/cloak thing. But the boy could not treasure it for long, for once again the star who sealed away the orb of power would once again require an earthly body to save mankind, and once again would require the service of a Geno doll.<br /><br />Luigi and Bowser engaged in an intense fight. Luigi fought with a sharpness and fine-tune Mario lacked due to laziness and lack of practice. And to the amazement of Bowser, Luigi fought much better than Mario. It was a well- matched fight, with neither seeming to give in.<br /><br />"Well...you fight pretty well...tell me, where'd you learn to fight like that?" Bowser asked, smirking confidently.<br /><br />"I watch Karate Kid," Luigi commented sarcastically.<br /><br />Bowser laughed. "Ha! Well, wherever you learned to fight, you must have been training pretty hard behind your lazy brother's back to rival even MY strength.<br /><br />"Ha!" Luigi shot back. "Your strength is nothing. Now, fight me!"<br /><br />Bowser lunged at Luigi and the two quickly erupted into a fierce battle. But soon a deafening explosion and a short, violent earthquake stopped both of them in their tracks.<br /><br />A Goomba rushed in and reported to Bowser that his castle was being invaded. After only minutes, every chamber was taken over, except for the room in which Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Bowser were in. It was a very large room, and on all sides far below was an abyss filled with lava, ideal for fights. There was a large door on one end, but it could not be barricaded long, and the Goomba who reported to Bowser bravely gave his life trying to hold it. Thousands of troops swarmed in the room, all looking like large mechanical insects. Bower and Luigi bravely fought off a few hundred, for the beasts did not fight well, but were soon overwhelmed by their sheer number. Staggering and beaten, Bowser and Luigi were on their knees, constantly being hit from all directions, until a dark figure entered the room. All the mecha-insects stood their distance and let the figure approach Bowser and Luigi.<br /><br />"Well well well..." The figure said. "Hello Bowser. I am Zeto. Thank you for letting me use your wonderful castle as a base."<br /><br />"I don't know who you are", Bowser said. "But I'll get you..."<br /><br />"Oh is that so?" Zeto asked. "Ha!" He laughed, kicking Bower, sending him skidding across the floor, near Mario's barely breathing body. Punching Luigi nearby Mario as well, he slowly approached the three.<br /><br />"Hmm...Mario's here, too. I guess that means Peach is lying around here as well." Zeto said as he walked toward them.<br /><br />"Hey, leave Peach alone!" Bowser shouted. "I stole her fair and square!"<br /><br />Zeto looked around and spotted Peach. He walked up to her.<br /><br />"Well well, my pretty," He said coldly. "So you are the Peach from the we've heard from in the other dimension. You'll be safe, although I can't say the same for your friends."<br /><br />"No!" Peach shouted struggling to break free.<br /><br />"Heh heh heh." Zeto laughed as he approached Mario, Luigi, and Bowser.<br /><br />Suddenly, a voice shouted "Stop right there, Zeto!!"<br /><br />Zeto looked up to see Geno (actually it's super-deluxe-whatever-Geno, but it's the same star dude who was in the other Geno) fall from the sky.<br /><br />"Who are you?!" Zeto demanded.<br /><br />"I serve......a higher authority." Geno answered. "I have come to stop you from getting the orb of power. Surrender now."<br /><br />Zeto began to laugh. "Surrender to YOU? Never! Guards, seize him!!<br /><br />Geno calmly clutched his sword that was hidden from view due to his cloack. He drew it quickly and began to slash his way through the hoards of insect like things. But he too, was soon overwhelmed. He cut his way to where Bowser and the two Mario bros. were. Grabbing them, he shot off with his rocket-powered boots.<br /><br />If Bowser were in a healthier state, he might have protested to being taken away from his beloved castle, but he was too weak to even care. Geno brought them to Rosetown, to recover, but they had to act quickly, for Drewguard returned to Zeto with the information he wanted, and soon, the world would plunge into darkness once again.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-21835605404296187822007-04-28T19:51:00.000-04:002007-04-28T19:52:18.675-04:00Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars 21 Part 1: Geno's Return<br /><br />Bowser was just about done repairing his keep, and he was getting exited about the next time he would capture Princess Toadstool. Well, Princess Toadstool is the name most of society called her. Very close friends called her "Peach." Bowser was working on a "new and improved" plan to capture her this time: "This time, it'll be different!" Bowser bellowed, "Mario won't know how to react! This time, while poor unsuspecting Toadstool is picking flowers in her little garden, I'll come in my huge flying clown thingy and garb her! Mwa, ha, ha! I'm too brilliant for my own good! Mwa, ha, ha!" As he was laughing to himself, a goomba approached him and said quietly, "Um, I'm sorry to disturb you, King Bowser, but that's what you always do." Bowser spun around and yelled "DON"T QUESTION MY AUTHORITY! IT'S JUST TOO ORIGINAL FOR YOU TO HANDLE!" The Koopa King paused for a second, and thought of something to say that would be better for his ego. In a softer tone, said, "Well. I see your line of thinking, and it's not illogical. Since ALL of my plan's are so brilliant, I see how someone like you could mistake then for the same plan." The goomba turned around and started walking away. "Why do I even bother?" he asked himself under his breath.<br /><br />But as they were working, the whole castle suddenly darkened, with the exception of a single tiny star fluttering down to a crack in the floor. Boswer walked up to the crack, and saw the star, still fluttering downward. He watched it for about fifteen minutes, until all of a sudden, something, or someone burst through the crack, turning it into a hole. Bowser lifted his head to see what it was, but the image was out of focus. He could barely make out a brown figure with blue clothing. As he gradually saw the figure better, he realized who it was. He turned around and muttered to himself, "Please tell me I'm insane. Please tell that he hasn't come back to haunt me. Please tell me I don't have to join MARIO again!" He turned around once more, hoping to see his soldiers looking at him strangely (because of the way he was acting) instead of Geno. He saw Geno. He was about to scream like a girl, but instead, cleared his throat, realizing that his reputation was still on the line, and asked, "What is it now?! Does this have something to do with that, Star Street?" "That's "Star Road," my good friend. And yes, it is concerning it." Bowser then grabbed Geno by the collar and yelled, "This better not be a rehash of last time you came! Not every adventure gets a good sequel you know!" Geno pushed Bowser claw away and replied, " Don't worry, it's not a rehash, you DO have to join Mario again, your reputation is NOT on the line, and it is far more important than last time!" Bowser looked stunned. "Man, he's good," Bowser thought to himself, having just seen Geno answer all of the question's he was about to ask. "Well, judging by your answers, we need to go get the other guys. And you can tell me the whole story along the way." Bowser then looked back and said, "Everyone, continue to work, and Kamek is in charge until I come back!" He and Geno then left the keep, and Geno told him the story.<br /><br />1 Part 2: The Prophecy<br /><br />"You're lucky I'm in a good mood, Star Boy," Bowser said. "If I wasn't, I would have kicked you out of my castle instead of helping you!" Geno and Bowser were walking down Vista Hill down to Mario's Pad, as it was the closest place where they needed to go. "No, I am not lucky," Geno said, "It was destined tom happen. You aren't in a good mood; it is just that it was fate that made you come with me. I know that from the great prophecy." The way Geno said drew Bowser in, which was an effect Geno created on purpose, so Bowser would pay attention. "What prophecy?" Bowser asked. "The Second Coming of Exor," Geno replied. Bowser jumped backward, scared out of his wits (which he obviously doesn't have) by the idea that his Keep would be destroyed again. "Don't worry. It doesn't involve your castle," Geno said in a reassuring tone. "But it DOES involve something FAR more important," Geno continued in a not-so reassuring tone. "Wishes," Geno said to Bowser, in a VERY serious tone. "Wait a minute," Bowser said, "Wishes? Are you trying to tell me that it really is a rehash, and you lured me under false pretenses?!" Geno looked at him very strangely and cocked an eyebrow. "No. That's not what I am trying to tell you. You haven't even listened to the whole story yet!" "I don't care!" Bowser yelled, "I know where this is going! And I know where I'm going too!" At that Bowser turned around and started turning back to his keep. "Good luck making it across," Geno muttered under his breath. He raised his gun-arm and aimed at the bridge. He started to work up some power, and released a huge blast of energy. Just as he planned the entire bridge was wiped out. Bowser looked down into the pit of debris where the bidge to his Keep once stood. He turned aroundin anger and yelled at Geno, "HEY! YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" Geno smirked and replied, "Then we should have discussed the rules BEFORE playing the game. NOW ARE WE GOING OR WHAT?" Bowser grumbled and walked back to him.<br /><br />As soon as Bowser got back, Geno started talking again. "Bowser," he said. "Remember two years ago, when I came to tell you, Mario, Peach, and Mallow how Star Road was destroyed and no wishes could come true until it was fixed? Well, since we fixed it, up in Star Kingdom they rewarded me by making me official royalty of the kingdom. That allowed me to update Star Road. When I did update Star Road, I made it so it still exists, and allows wishes to come true, but each piece that makes up Star Road means nothing. The true power in Star Road now lies in seven separate stars, each at different corners of the Earth. I did this so if something destroys Star Road again, the damage would be minimal. But according to the prophecy, my plan will backfire. I don't know how or when Exor will come, but it will do something that, because of the placement of the pieces, will reverse the energy of the Star Pieces from positive to negative." "So, uh," Bowser said, scratching his head, a little confused, "what does that mean?" Geno sighed and answered, "It means that, not only can wishes not be granted, the Star Road will do the EXACT OPPOSITE of what people wish for!<br /><br />For example, if someone wished to be rich, all of that person's money would go straight down the drain! So, we need to prevent this from happening!" Bowser, who now understood all of it said, "How, may I ask do we prevent this? I mean if we don't, EVERYONE will look down upon me, I will never kidnap Princess Toadstool, I will be a complete wimp, and Mario will completely ignore me!" Geno placed his hand on Bowser's shoulder and replied, "Calm down, calm down. Let me explain. There are six basic key- points of elvation in this world: undersea, underground, the land, Nimbus Land, Star Kingdom, and the Kingdom of Chaos. The Kingdom of Chaos is where we need to go. But the most powerful evil forces are the ones who dwell there. That's why we need to be as prepared as possible." With all the talking, Bowser and Geno didn't realize that they were already at Mario's Pad. Bowser took one look at it and said, "Gee. Mario sure has a pathetic house." Geno ignored him and walked up to the door. He raised one of his arms and started to knock.<br /><br />1 Part 3: Mushroom Kingdom<br /><br />As usual, no one answered. Geno knocked again, a little harder. No one answered. He knocked again, this time with his gun hand. No one answered. Geno started shooting the door down. No one answered. Meanwhile, Bowser was climbing the roof, holding a sack of bob-ombs, chomps, fireworks, and rock candy, all of which were secretly stolen from Booster's Tower. As Geno continued to shoot down the door, Bowser dropped the sack down the pipe. They heard tons of noise, and it blew out the back wall of the house. But Mario still slept through it. Geno and Bowser stopped for a second when they saw Toad come by. He walked up to the door, which now had several holes in it, and quietly knocked. Immeadiately, the door was open, and Mario was standing right there. After seeing that, Bowser (who was still on the roof) said, "I find that offensive!" Toad was hopping up and down as if he had some urgent news for Mario, because in truth, he DID have urgent news. "Mario! This. THING has been attacking the Mushroom Kingdom!" As Toad continued to jump up and down, Bowser said, "The Mushroom Kingdom is just a magnet for terror, isn't it?" As a response to Bowser's comment, Geno reached into his pocket and pulled out a floating star. "Yes. They do seem to be a magnet for terror. They've had 78 major attacks in the last year! There have been 212 attacks total!" Toad turned to Geno and said, "We don't have time for that right now! You have to get rid of this guy!" Geno put away the star and replied, "As you wish." Geno, Toad, and Mario each looked at Bowser. "FINE! Now stop staring at me!" Bowser jumped down from what was left of the house, and they all continued into Mushroom Way.<br /><br />At the sight of the goombas and flying koopas, Toad ran immeadiately and hid behind Bowser's shell, as it gave the most protection. Bowser smirked, and then bellowed, "POSITIONS!" Although they were wild goombas, he seemed to have a miraculous influence on them. They all ran in front of Bowser to form a straight line. The Koopa King lifted his claw, and punched the goomba in front with extreme force, which sent a shockwave through the rest of the line, which knocked all of them down. "I don't think that they are a problem any longer," Bowser said. After that, they all passed freely through Mushroom Way. When they got there, they saw what was attacking the kingdom, and they recognized it all too well: Belome. People (which were all mushrooms, of course) were running around screaming as the thing ate, spit out, and duplicated, everyone. Luckily, the doors too the palace were well sealed, so Belome could not get in. As Belome was about to swallow another man, Mario immeadiately jumped and pushed him out of the way, while shooting a Super Fireball into the beast's mouth. As he "digested" the fire, Belome turned red from the heat. Then, in an a Italian accent, he said, "MAMA MIA! That's-a spicy meat-a-ball-a!" But they oon learned that they had underestimated Belome's abilities. The hungry sewer beast turned to Mario, and spit out an evil duplicate of the fireball. It's impact sent Mario flying backward into a house. Bowser and Geno knew that there was no time left for strategy, so they had only one option: Open up a can of whoop- ass! They started to charge toward Belome, but they stopped when they heard the sound of reloading a gun from inside Belome. They stepped backward slowly, but then started to run. Just as they had expected the huge gluttonous being exploded.<br /><br />They both turned back to find out what it was, and where Belome was standing, there was the Mushroom Kingdom head-guard, Remus (who looked almost exactly like Toad), carrying a gun bigger then he was. "Aren't you glad that I didn't forget my bazooka today?" <br />Part IV: Family Matters & Royal Pains<br /><br />"Very glad," Geno replied, picking the ruptured pieces of skin off his cape, completely missing the reference to when he HAD forgotten his bazooka, which he had not been around to see. Mario just fell flat on his face, much like they do in various anime cartoons when their eyes get all spirally. but that's beside the point. Remus looked around at the Kingdom, realizing how big a mess he had created, and said, "Uhhhh. I guess I'll be, ahem, cleaning this up?" No one there except Remus really cared about the mess at the time. The citizens of Mushroom Kingdom were glad to know that Belome had been destroyed (for the time being at least), and the heroes had been wondering how Belome had gained the ability to duplicate fireballs. "He wasn't this powerful before." Geno whispered to himself under his breath. Mario spun around dizzily and said, "Mama-mia!" That was apparently the ONLY thing Mario could say, as all of his communication seemed to come from body language. The Chancellor ran out of the palace jumping up and down. Thank You, Mario! You have saved us all!" Mario shook his head as to say "No," and pointed to Remus as to say, "He did it," but didn't, since he isn't really allowed to talk in this story. The Chancellor looked at him and said, "Oh," with a disappointed look on his face. He then hesitantly handed Remus the medal he was intending to give to Mario. "Wait!" Bowser perked up suddenly. "Why did we come here?" Mario and Geno both fell on their faces again, both because of Bowser's stupidity and because they realized that they also forgot. "You came here to destroy what's-his-name," Toad politely answered, "Which you didn't, I might add."<br /><br />Bowser glared at him and said, "You don't make comments like that in the presence of us. ESPECIALLLY when I'm the leader." Geno rolled his eyes, but the Chancellor realized something important. "Wait! Why are you three banded together again anyway?" Geno, Mario, and Bowser stepped up. "Well," Geno started, "Our problem now is essentially dealing with the same, ahem, "stuff" as when you me last." Mario physically demonstrated by forming himself into a star, and the Chancellor understood. "This time," Bowser continued, "When you wish for something, instead of it not coming true, it will be like it's coming true, except backwards, like in a bad way." "Opposite, Bowser," Geno whispered. "I knew that," he said. "I was just putting it into simpler terms." Everyone rolled they're eyes, except for Mario, who fell face first one the ground, because he has to make more "distinct" physical motions, and it's a rule that while he's not fighting, he has to fall face first as often as possible. "And besides," Geno continued. "You left out a considerable amount of the story. So." Bowser cupped his claw over Geno's mouth and yelled. "No way am I gonna let YOU tell the story! You're gonna take five hours trying to get in every single little detail, and they'll fall asleep anyway, making everything you said completely useless! That's why I am going to tell them (in a "condensed" version).<br /><br />So, it all starts when some guy in whatever place Geno lives promotes him for saving the world. Geno makes it so Star Boulevard or whatever can't be destroyed. But then Geno finds out that he screwed up big time, and Exor, that big sword dude, is gonna come back without Smithy and reverse the Stars' power and make it so whenever you wish for something, only the, uh. opposite will come true! For example." Mario started once again with his overzealous physical motions, and depicted a man with a thought bubble over his head (so what if everyone can see Mario's thoughts) showing himself being covered with money. He then shifted, turning into a man covered in rags, who is apparently very hungry. This of course meant that a man who wants to be rich would be stricken with poverty. However, this needed no further explanation, since everyone knew what he was talking about anyway. "Well that's not very good," the Chancellor said in response to all of what Bowser had just said. "I assume that you are going to continue "wrangling" members for your little club, so to speak, just like you did, ahem, last time."<br /><br />"That's why I'm coming, too," they all heard come from the back of the room. It was a feminine voice, and everyone knew almost immediately whom it was the voice belonged to. It was Princess (soon to be Queen) Toadstool, or Peach, as she preferred to be called by her close friends. "I'm coming no matter what anyone says. It is my duty as Princess to make sure everyone in my kingdom is happy (being that I have no other real political value), and that obviously isn't going to happen if the Stars can't grant wishes properly!" Everyone (okay, a very small minority) stared in awe, both meaning fear and amazement, because they didn't know what they were going to do without their beloved Princess. The Chancellor, and many of the people of the kingdom still weren't aware of the fact that Peach had left thee Kingdom with Mario before, to do almost the exact same thing, so naturally, they were appalled at the idea of her leaving now. "Princess,' the Chancellor said, "You can't LEAVE. You have a kingdom! Hundreds of people who all look up to you for wisdom, knowledge, happiness, and the newest trends in fashion! People will be utterly hopeless and devoid of stylish clothing!" Obviously the Princess disobeyed what she was being told, and demanded that she go with them, and of course, the argument ended in her favor, with a single statement: "Fine. If you don't want to grow up to be beautiful. rich. famous. happy. or any of those things, that's fine with me.' That convinced everyone that the Princess should go, even though they were still all temporarily sad that she would be gone for quite some time doing who-knows-what. Toad spoke up: "I'm going too! Where the Princess goes, I go!" The Chancellor was appalled. Not so much in anger, but more in a mix of fear, confusion, and anguish. "B-but we need you for important political issues!" Toad folded his arms and looked into the Chancellor's eyes: "You know as well as anyone here that nothing political ever happens here. People just do whatever they want, and hopefully, whatever they want isn't bad. And besides, no one cares if you just barge into someone else's house (no one ever does in these RPGs). There is no law, no punishment, no big important decisions, and no reason why I shouldn't leave." Remus handed him a spare bazooka he had in his closet, and the group left the kingdom without saying anything else.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-15738975038845015212007-04-28T19:50:00.001-04:002007-04-28T19:50:46.504-04:00Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars<br /><br /> Prologue: The Day the Sky Fell<br /><br />It was a perfect day for Princess Peach to visit Mario's Pad, just outside of the Mushroom Kingdom. The sun was shining, the butterflies were fluttering around Mario's garden, and so she decided to pick some flowers until Mario came outside. But suddenly, the sky turned black and thunderbolts filled the sky. Peach stood up and looked around for Mario, unaware of a certain spiky-shelled, fire-breathing turtle hovering around above her in his Klown Kar. By the time Peach noticed Bowser it was already too late. He swooped down to where she was and grabbed her, prompting her to scream "HELP!!"<br /><br />Mario had heard Peach's yell, and immediately ran off to save her. Bowser again, he thought. Doesn't he ever give up?<br /><br />Mario followed Bowser's Koopa Klown Kar all the way to his castle, on the other side of Vista Hill. The castle, also known as Bower's Keep, was made out of gray stone and had black stone rings, similar to the Koopa King's studded bracelets, around the turrets. The only way to the huge wooden double doors was a long stone bridge and below was a Bowser's face carved into the rock.<br /><br />As Mario approached the castle, the huge wooden double doors opened. "Hmm, he must be expecting me. Might as well accept his invitation," Mario said to himself as he ran inside. The doors then closed behind the heroic plumber.<br /><br />Inside, Mario saw a corridor with a red rug (With Bowser's face where it began, of course) with a row of statues of Koopa Troopas holding hammers at either side of the path leading up to some similarly colored double doors. In the next room, he saw some more statues lining either side of the room, as well as a red carpet, and some Koopa Troopas wearing armor calling themselves Terrapins patrolling the room. One Terrapin saw Mario and immediately attacked. Mario could have jumped on the Terrapin, but discovered that one punch was enough to knock him out. Two more Terrapins came up to Mario, but he defeated them both, although one had managed to punch him. Mario took care of all of the others except the two guarding the red double doors to the next room, which called two others to the fight. Mario took out one Terrapin, but barely blocked a punch from the second, and took punches from the other two. He knocked out the second Terrapin, but only one of the other two fought back. The third one fell, and the last one punched Mario in the nose, or so he would have if Mario had not jumped up and landed on him.<br /><br />With all of the Terrapins defeated, Mario proceeded to the next room, which contained a lava pit, but fortunately for him, two wooden bridges far above it. Living fireballs called Sparkies jumped out of the lava pit, but were too far to be any trouble. Mario had crossed the second wooden bridge, and suddenly an earthquake caused it to collapse. Mario wasn't worried, though, because he knew he could jump across it if he had to, and moved on the next room. Inside there was a red carpet leading to a doorway that was shaped like Bowser, except there was a door-shaped hole in the middle. Above him were two chandeliers and Bowser standing on one of them. Peach was tied up and was dangling from the ceiling on a thin rope. Mario gasped as he saw her, while Bowser laughed at him, thinking he was to high up for his enemy to reach him. But he wasn't laughing long, because Mario jumped up the chandelier next to his. And so Mario and Bowser began to fight for the Princess once again.<br /><br />From where she dangling, Peach cheered Mario on. "Don't let Bowser's attacks bruise you, Mario."<br /><br />But Bowser responded "Mario! Prepare yourself for the great beyond!"<br /><br />Mario stated the battle by jumping on Bowser's head. Bowser countered with a slash form his claws. Mario jumped again, Bowser slashed again. Suddenly, Peach saw that the Chain Chomp has struggling to keep Bowser's chandelier in its mouth and yelled toward Mario.<br /><br />"The chain! Mario, aim for the chain!"<br /><br />Mario noticed the Chain Chomp as well and said Thank you for the tip, Peach." He threw a straight punch it and followed with an uppercut. But Bowser continued to slash at Mario. Mario finally made the Chain Chomp lose its grip on Bowser's chandelier with a jump kick to a weak link in the chain.<br /><br />"What was that sound?" Bowser asked when he heard the yelp from the Chain Chomp. He looked behind him and realized what had happened.<br /><br />"Oh, no. It's a chain reaction! HOLD ON KINKLINK!" But the Chain Chomp opened its mouth and dropped the chandelier, and Bowser with it. But the Koopa King did not give up.<br /><br />"Coming, Mario?" he taunted, as he threw a hammer right at the Chain Chomp holding Mario's chandelier. Mario was shocked by the attack and almost fell down, but he grabbed the edge of the chandelier and got back up.<br /><br />"Fight, Mario, fight!" called Peach as she watched.<br /><br />"This should finish you." Bowser threw another hammer and Mario's chandelier was sent falling towards the floor. As the two chandeliers were falling, Bowser turned to Mario.<br /><br />"Did you really think I was just going to GIVE her to you?"<br /><br />"I was hoping you would, but then you just wouldn't be you, would you, would you?" was Mario's response.<br /><br />"You're always ruining my plans," Bowser roared, as he was getting ready for one last attack. "This is it! This time I'm taking you out Mario!"<br /><br />But as Bowser charged at him to make one last attempt to slash him with his claws, Mario jumped off of Bowser's head and straight up towards Peach.<br /><br />"Fungah! Foiled again!" were the last words Bowser said before his chandelier crashed upon the floor.<br /><br />Mario had jumped just high enough to reach the Chain Chomp that was once holding up Bowser's chandelier and climbed it to a very relieved Princess Peach.<br /><br />"Oh, Mario! You had me so worried. Let's get out of here."<br /><br />"Okey-dokey, just let me untie you so we can go-"<br /><br />Suddenly the whole castle began to shake. Peach shrieked, "Mario! I'm going to fall!"<br /><br />High above the castle, a giant sword with a face on its hilt broke through the clouds, surrounded by seven star-shaped objects. The sword spun around while hovering in the air, then it spun faster and faster as it descended towards Bowser's Keep. It mad a huge impact on the castle when it landed, sending Mario, Peach and Bowser flying in different directions. Unknown to anyone the seven star-shaped objects then also fell in different directions.<br /> Chapter 1: A Giant Sword and Heavy Hammers<br /><br />Toad had just arrived at Mario's Pad, intending to pick up Princess Peach. As he wandered around the garden in front of Mario's house, Toad could not find the plumber or the princess anywhere. No voices where coming from inside, so he wondered where they could be. Suddenly, Toad heard Mario's voice from above. He looked up and saw Mario falling from the sky and into the green pipe that doubled as the chimney for his house. Upon hearing the loud crash Mario made when he landed, Toad ran inside. There he was, hanging one of the hooks where he usual kept his clothes. Toad said sarcastically, "I know you like going through pipes, but the preferred way to enter and exit places is by way of something called a 'door'." Mario just groaned, while Toad continued. "Seriously, though, I came over to take Princess Peach home, but I haven't seen her." After Toad left, Mario freed himself from the clothing hook and followed Toad outside.<br /><br />"Toad, I'd hate to say this but-" Toad already knew what Mario was about to say.<br /><br />"Bowser has kidnapped her again, hasn't he?"<br /><br />Mario nodded.<br /><br />Toad sighed and asked, "Look, would you go to Bowser's Keep and rescue her, as always?"<br /><br />Mario nodded again and left for Bowser's Keep. When he had finally made it back, he was shocked to see a giant sword sticking out of the gloomy castle. The sword had also noticed Mario and glared down at him.<br /><br />"Halt! Who goes there?" it said in a low, booming voice. It didn't give Mario a chance to respond. "A trespasser! Hear this, trespasser, I hereby claim this castle in the name of Smithy. It will be a perfect place for us, the Smithy Gang, to invade this planet, and we'd OWN this world if meddlers like YOU couldn't just walk in on us." Then the sword grinned evilly. "Let's see how you handle THIS!"<br /><br />As the sword started laughing, it created an earthquake, which caused to bridge to collapse. Mario barely made it back on solid ground before it fell down the chasm below. With the bridge out and the gap between Vista Hill and Bowser's castle too far to jump, Mario could only take one last look at the sword before leaving.<br /><br />When he came back to his house, Toad was surprised to see Mario back so early and without Princess Peach. "Did you forget something?" Toad inquired.<br /><br />"Nope," Mario answered.<br /><br />"What happened then?"<br /><br />Mario jumped on a table. "I was on my way to the castle." He walked on thin air like it was the bridge to Bowser's Keep. "And then this sword claimed the castle for itself and destroyed the bridge." He jumped back on the table.<br /><br />"The bridge is out now? Just great!!" Toad complained. "We MUST inform the Chancellor of this tragedy immediately!" He quickly ran out of the house. Mario soon followed, but ran right into a scared Toad running back to safety.<br /><br />"Ow! That hurt!" Mario moaned<br /><br />"Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe one of these will make you feel better." Toad gave Mario one of the Mushrooms he had in his pocket. "Now why did I come back here?" Three Goombas, Bowser's weakest soldiers, walked in and one tried to attack Toad. "Ack! Now I remember," Toad said when he ran from the Goomba. "Mushroom Way is swarming with Bowser's troops! Would you take care of these three?"<br /><br />"No problem," said Mario. He quickly disposed of the three Goombas, but two of them bit him before they were defeated.<br /><br />"Good work, Mario!" Toad cheered after the battle. "Now why did I come back here for?"<br /><br />Mario rolled his eyes.<br /><br />"Oh, yeah! We have to inform the Chancellor about Peach right away. Take these three Mushrooms just in case." After that, Toad left. Mario felt a little tired, so he took a quick nap before departing for the Mushroom Kingdom.<br /><br />As Toad had said, Mushroom Way was full of Bowser's soldiers. Goombas were lurking around, while red-shelled Koopa Paratroopas, also called Sky Troopas, flew low in the air. There were also some floating treasure boxes strewn about. Mario decided to open the boxes and found some coins inside. The Goombas were easily beaten, but the Sky Troopas were a bit tougher. Finally, Mario found Toad being harassed by a Goomba. Mario decided to attack, but two more came out of the bushes and helped him. After a quick battle, Toad walked up to Mario.<br /><br />"Thanks a lot, Mario! I thought I was a goner! I had just found this when the Goomba attacked. Here, you can have it." He gave Mario a bottle of Honey Syrup, and ran off. Mario sighed, and followed him.<br /><br />In the next area, there were steep hills with treasure boxes floating above them. The hills had no pith to walk on, and they were too high to jump onto. However, Mario found a red spinning flower among the normal blue flowers. Mario jumped on it, timed his jumps and was launched high enough to land on a hill. Inside the treasure box was a flower. He jumped off, used the spinning flower to get to the next hill and collected another flower after defeating the Goomba that was guarding it. Across the next hill, he saw Toad being carried off by a Sky Troopa. Mario quickly came to his rescue. Toad was very grateful and gave Mario a Flower Tab. However, he rushed off again. Mario went off the hill, found a Mushroom that instantly healed his wounds, and moved on to the next area.<br /><br />He found a Lakitu throwing Spikeys down onto the ground The Spikeys were covered with sharp spikes on their backs, so Mario couldn't jump on them, but whenever a Spikey attacked, Mario could punch him in the face, which was not covered in spikes, to defeat it. He finally found Toad near the exit, but he was blocked by the Hammer Brothers. One of them spoke when he saw Mario.<br /><br />"Yo! Are ya lookin' at me? My hammer and I don't like you."<br /><br />"Yeah! We won't let ya go past us!" His brother added.<br /><br />Toad warned Mario, "They definitely look mean. So be on your guard."<br /><br />"Don't worry, they probably aren't as tough as they look," Mario responded.<br /><br />He walked up to the Hammer Brothers, but as he got close, one hit him with his hammer, knocking him on his butt, and said, "So, ya wanna challenge us? We don't like that!"<br /><br />"Now ya got our hammers angry! Ya shouldn't have done that!" Mario got back on his feet and the battle began.<br /><br />Mario started by jumping on one of the Hammer Brothers, landing on his head, hard. That Hammer Brother came up to Mario and hit him with his hammer. The other one yelled, "Hammer Time!" and threw several hammers at him. Mario did a one-two punch combo on the Hammer Brother he had jumped on before and knocked him out. The second Hammer brother said, "You won't find me so easy to defeat. Vigor up!" a blue light surrounded him. Mario did his one-two punch combo, and found out what the Hammer Brother had meant. The Hammer Brother hit him with his hammer. Mario blocked it, and took a Mushroom to heal himself. The Hammer Brother hit Mario with his hammer, but Mario blocked it again. Mario jumped on the Hammer Brother, and the Hammer brother did his Hammer Time attack. Mario jumped on the Hammer Brother once more, and he fell unconscious.<br /><br />"That was great, Mario!" Toad exclaimed when the battle was over. Then, he noticed a hammer that one of the Hammer Brothers had thrown and something sticking out of a Hammer Brother's shell. "Why don't you take these, Mario?" he suggested. Mario took the Hammer and the Flower Jar. "The Mushroom Kingdom's just past this route. C'mon, let's go!" and so they went.<br /> Chapter 2: The Frog (?) and the Crocodile<br /><br />"All right, we're ready for takeoff," said a red humanoid creature holding an axe. "It's time for our invasion of this planet to begin." The many mechanical creatures, which include four different colored humanoid creatures similar to the red one, a creature wearing a red mask and riding on what seemed to be a mix between a sword and a pogo stick, a red-haired, cross-eyed creature shaped like a bow, a gray spear-headed creature wearing a red cape, and several lesser creature loaded onto the airship that was shaped like a giant axe before it took off toward a hole in the sky, which was a gateway from their world to Mario's world. As they flew through the dimensional gateway, the red humanoid put the airship on autopilot and began to address its fellow creatures.<br /><br />"Our leader, the great Smithy, has given us these assignments, based on the description of the other world that Exor has given us. Mack," it addressed the creature on the pogo stick "You and your men will go for the kingdom closest to us. Bowyer," it spoke to the bow-shaped creature, "Your group will take the forest in the southwest. And Yaridovitch," it told the spear- headed creature, "You will secure the town in the southeast coast of this continent. The Axem Rangers and I are to ." it couldn't believe what its group's assignment was "take over the volcano just to the east of our base?! As well as take the others to their assigned locations and pick them up when they're done?!" The others laughed.<br /><br />"What's the matter, Axem Red? Don't think you can handle such an easy assignment?" Mack taunted.<br /><br />"Especially since greatest warriors in Smithy Gang, you claim to be?" Bowyer added.<br /><br />"Yeah, everyone knows that I'm in highest esteem of our lord," Yaridovitch said.<br /><br />Their teasing made Axem Red lose is temper, as he was known to do, but then his comrades spoke up for themselves and their leader.<br /><br />"More like you are Lord Smithy's biggest brownnose, Yarid," the black Axem Ranger, who always wore sunglasses retorted Yaridovitch's remark.<br /><br />"And unlike the rest of you, we have never failed to conquer a planet," a female Axem Ranger, clad in pink said.<br /><br />"And besides that, we've always saved you whenever you have failed your assignments," the skinniest Axem Ranger, the one in green added.<br /><br />"And besides, the five of us are a lot stronger than you, anyway," the second female Axem Ranger, the fattest one, clad in yellow, boasted. (Author's Note: in my story, Axem Yellow is female.)<br /><br />"Stronger, eh?" challenged Mack. "You wanna try to beat me?"<br /><br />They were about to fight when Axem Red spoke up. "Don't waste your energy fighting each other! We've already crossed the dimensional gateway. Mack, we'll arrive in your assigned area in just a few minutes. Prepare your troops and-"<br /><br />"I don't need you to tell me what to do," Mack interrupted Axem Red. "Your group may be stronger than mine, but we have more experience, I'll show you how a REAL general of Smithy's army invades a world." With that, he signaled the smaller creatures on pogo sticks and jumped off the airship.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />It was nighttime when Mario and Toad finally arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom. The townspeople had gone home for the night. Mario and Toad went straight to the castle. Toad told Mario to wait while he told the Chancellor that he had arrived. As soon as he came back, he led Mario down the hallway to the throne room. "Mario, so nice to see you," greeted the Chancellor, "Sorry about my being nervous, but I had heard a huge noise earlier today. It was so loud I almost dropped my spores. Oh, by the way where is Miss Toadstool? She was supposed to return hours ago!" The Chancellor always referred to Princess Peach by her last name. Mario explained to him that Bowser had kidnapped her again.<br /><br />"He has? Then you must go and rescue her immediately!"<br /><br />"I can't," Mario replied sadly. He went on to explain that he had already went to Bowser's castle and defeated him, but as he was about to untie her from the ceiling, a giant sword crashed into to the castle; the great force of it ejected him from there. He had tried to enter the castle again, but the sword broke the only bridge. It was a sight to see as Mario somehow changed into Bowser and Peach and acted as they would.<br /><br />"You mean that Bowser's Keep is inaccessible now? This is terrible! What can we do?"<br /><br />"Wait a minute, you don't suppose that the force of the sword crashing into the castle also ejected Bowser and Peach?" Mario suggested.<br /><br />"Then that would mean that the Princess is out there somewhere," the Chancellor said. "Please, Mario, go out and find Miss Toadstool. But before you go, please rest for the night in our guest room to the left of the entrance to the castle. You may also take whatever you may need in the vault in the morning."<br /><br />Mario nodded, and began to leave. But the Chancellor called out his name, and he tripped on the stairs and took a tumble all the way down to the door. "Forgive me Mario, but please take this map. I don't know if it will be of any use, but take it anyway."<br /><br />Mario turned toward the door, but the Chancellor said his name again. "I'm sorry, but it's just that I'm so worried about Miss Toadstool." With that, Mario went out the door and headed to the guest room. The servant inside told him to sleep well for his journey the next day.<br /><br />The next morning, Mario woke up, showered, got dressed, and went straight down to the vault across from the guest room. The guard told Mario about the Flower Tab and Flower Jar he had found earlier, and that they were used to increase his Flower Points, used for his jumping ability. He also told him that groups of people used the same Flower Points when they travel together and had special abilities. Mario took a huge coin worth ten small coins, a Mushroom that healed him immediately, and a Flower from the treasure boxes. Finally he left the castle and heard someone yell, "Come back, here!" Mario saw a purple crocodile carrying a bag running away from a white puffy person. The crocodile skillfully jumped down from a small ledge, but the puffy guy fell on his face. The puffy guy continued to chase the crocodile, yelling, "Come back here!" The crocodile jumped back on the small ledge. The puffy guy tried to do the same, but failed miserably. When the puffy guy got back up and realized he had lost the crocodile, he started to cry; as soon as he did, suddenly, it started raining.<br /><br />Needless to say, everyone outside, including Mario, got wet. Mario decided to talk to the puffy person and try to get him to stop crying. When the puffy guy stopped crying, the rain stopped.<br /><br />"Geez, you're soaking wet, aren't ya mister?" The puffy guy said. "Nothing beats a good cry, but why was I crying?" Mario facefaulted.<br /><br />"Oh, I remember! I was going to the store to buy some things for my grandpa. Oh, yeah! That thief stole my grandpa's rare coin! I tried to catch him, but he's way too fast." Just then a woman walked up to Mario.<br /><br />"Show me how you're going to beat Bowser," she asked. The plumber jumped into the air, and the puffy guy was surprised.<br /><br />"You're THE Mario?" he yelled. "I've heard of you. You can jump better than any frog I know. Will you please help me catch that thief?"<br /><br />"Yes, I will," said Mario. "By the way what is your name?"<br /><br />"My name is Mallow. I'm a frog; but, can you believe it, I can't jump too well."<br /><br />Mallow didn't look like any kind of frog Mario had ever seen. He was white except for a single strand of purple hair, while most frogs were green. Mallow's legs didn't look like they were made for jumping like a frog, either. But Mario didn't tell Mallow that, and the two of them went on their way.<br /><br />They decided to go to the store to tell the owner what had happened. The storeowner saw Mallow and greeted him. "Oh, hi, Mallow! I've been expecting you. I've already heard from your grandfather that you'd be arriving to pick up this pie."<br /><br />"I'd love to," said Mallow. "But this thieving crocodile stole my grandpa's coin. But Mario's going to help me get it back."<br /><br />"Crocodile? You mean Croco the thief? I heard he's been stealing all sorts of stuff from town lately. He's hanging out at Bandit's Way. But before you go, take one of these. You should also buy any other items you may need with any regular coins you may have." The storeowner gave Mario a brown bottle with a star on the label. The item was a Pick Me Up. Mario bought a shirt for himself, some pants for Mallow, and as many Honey Syrups, Pick Me Ups, Able Juices and Mushrooms as he could afford.<br /><br />When Mario and Mallow left the store, a guard was calling to Mario. "I've seen the thief just a minute ago! He zoomed right past me."<br /><br />Mallow asked the guard, "Why didn't you stop him?"<br /><br />"Because I left my bazooka at home! Sheesh, gimme a break here!" replied the guard, and both Mallow and Mario facefaulted. A voice came from behind them "Come back here!" it yelled.<br /><br />Croco taunted the men chasing him. "Har! Har! Har! Youse mugs'll NEVER catch me! A snail could outrun youse morons! Lata!" then he ran past Mario, Mallow and the guard, causing them to spin.<br /><br />Mallow was the first to stop spinning. "Hey! That's HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM! C'mon, Mario, let's catch him!" and they chased after Croco.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />The two pursuers caught up with Croco at the entrance of Bandit's Way, where he was digging in his bag of stolen valuables. Mallow whispered to Mario that his coin was likely in the bag, but Croco heard him and turned around.<br /><br />"Hey! Yer that kid I stole that weird coin from!" He said. "So you think you can catch me? Better go home to yer mommy before ya get hurt, kid!" As he said that, he snapped his fingers and two Spikies and a Frogog walked up from behind him and he ordered them to attack. Mario grabbed his hammer and pounded the Frogog, while Mallow punched a Spikey. The Spikies rolled into balls and both ran into Mallow. The Frogog opened its huge mouth and bit Mario. Mario tried to pound the Frogog but missed. Mallow threw his hands in the air, his upper body separated from the lower half, and suddenly a bolt of lightning came down, electrocuting the three foes. Mario stood there in shocked before asking, "How did you do that?"<br /><br />"I don't know. It's just something I can do," Mallow answered. Then they realized that Croco had escaped during the battle. Fortunately, there was only one path along the way and they followed it to where Croco was yet again digging in his bag of loot. When Croco saw them again, he jumped on a hill and taunted them.<br /><br />"You can't jump to save yer life, kid. And this cliff is to high for even Moustache-face to jump upon, so I guess this is goodbye!" Not wasting time, he ran onto a floating platform and grabbed a coin floating high in the sky. Mario spotted a spinning flower and grabbed Mallow as they jumped on it. When they were pointing to the hill Mario carried Mallow on his back and jumped. Then, when they jumped on the floating platform another platform circled it. They jumped form platform to platform, collecting the floating coins. They made it to another hill where they could jump down and follow the path.<br /><br />Croco was surprised and angered to see them again. "Persistent little buggers, ain't ya?" He snarled. "But I'm 100 miles ahead of youse." He then ran away as fast as he could. The two ran after him, losing him in a crowd of Goombas, Spikies, and K-9s. Whenever they caught sight of Croco, he kept running. They chased him down the path until the saw him on a floating platform with another slowly circling it. They noticed that he was trying to reach a floating treasure chest. When Croco saw them He said to himself, "they just won't give up, will they? That treasure chest looks tempting, but I can't waste time trying to get it." With that, he got off the platform and ran, past a pack of K-9s. Mario wondered what was in the chest, and so he jumped onto the floating platform and waited until the other platform was under the floating chest. He jumped onto it, and grabbed an invincibility star form the chest. The K-9s, being attracted to Mario's flashing, ran towards him. Mallow was going to warn Mario, but was surprised to see the K-9s bounce off of Mario. More K-9s came, but each time one came close, it bounced off of Mario's body. This continued until the invincibility wore off. Mario and Mallow ran past the piles of unconscious K-9s and to where Croco was hiding. This time Croco had run into a dead end.<br /><br />"Guess I have to go into hiding." He said when he saw his pursuers. He then ran behind a small hill.<br /><br />"Let's sneak up behind him. We should be able to catch him," Mallow whispered. Mario nodded silently and they quietly walked around the hills until they saw Croco. Unfortunately he saw them first.<br /><br />"What's this? You guys couldn't chase down a pumpkin," he taunted them before running behind another hill. Mario and Mallow walked quietly until they could sneak up on Mario. This time Croco didn't see them. But as soon as he felt something touching him, Croco turned around.<br /><br />"At this rate, it'll take ya 100 years before you catch me," he said before he ran off. Mario and Mallow followed him silently, and almost caught him, but when he felt something touch him, he turned around.<br /><br />"At this rate, it'll take ya 50 years before you catch me," he taunted them before he dashed off. Mario and Mallow decided to split up.<br /><br />Mario found Croco and waited until he wasn't looking his way before trying to grab him. When Croco felt Mario touch him, he turned around and said, "You again? This is getting old. It'll still take ya." Just then Mallow came up from behind him and grabbed him.<br /><br />"All right! All right! I give up! I'll give you back your coin."<br /><br />Mario and Mallow looked at Croco as he dug into his bag to get the coin. But Croco sneered and said, "Did you really believe I would give you the coin back? I was lying!" Then he attacked them.<br /><br />Mario began the battle by raising his arms in the air to gather power. Then he balled his right hand into a fist and fireballs shot from his hands. Croco yelped in pain as the fireballs slammed into him and burned his skin. Mallow followed up with a Thunderbolt. It didn't affect him as much as the Fire Orb attack, but he was still trying to put out the fire on his tail and unable to attack. Mario and Mallow used Fire Orb and Thunderbolt again. Croco recovered from the attack and threw a bomb at Mario. Mario was barely able to get back on his feet and was about to reach for a Mushroom, but he realized that a little rain cloud was floating in his direction. The little cloud rained on Mario and his wounds were healed. Mario then used another Fire Orb attack. Croco dug into his bag and pulled out a Mushroom. Some of his wounds healed. Mario attempted another Fire Orb attack, but suddenly couldn't. Then he remembered what the vault guard told him about how groups of people drew magic power from the same Flower Point supply. So he drank some Honey Syrup. Mallow used his Thunderbolt attack. Croco tackled Mallow. Mario used his Fire Orb attack while Mallow drank another bottle of Honey Syrup. Croco grabbed a bomb out of his bag and threw it at Mallow. Mallow healed himself with his rain cloud as Mario used one last Fire Orb attack. Mallow ran towards a very tired Croco.<br /><br />"Give me back my coin or I'll belt you again!" the odd looking frog demanded before punching Croco. That caused Croco to drop the coin, as well as some other items.<br /><br />"I'm gonna pay ya back in spades, kid!" Croco responded as he tackled Mallow. "Go ahead! Keep the grubby coin! I'm outta here!" After that, the thief ran away.<br /><br />Mallow turned around and grabbed the coin. "We did it! We got my grandpa's coin back!" he said happily.<br /><br />"He also dropped these," Mario added as he picked up a wallet and a Flower Tab.<br /><br />"Anyway, I can finish my errand. Let's go back to town so I can buy that pie for my grandpa."<br /><br />Suddenly, a trampoline fell from out of nowhere. They concluded that it was safe and used it to go back to the entrance of Bandit's Way and back to the Mushroom Kingdom.<br /><br />******************************************************************<br /><br />A group of mechanical monsters, which looked like Shy Guys, riding on pogo sticks, arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom. Lead by a huge monster, wearing a red mask, and riding a sword like a pogo stick, they wreaked havoc upon the town and the castle. Coming from Mushroom Way, they brought a shiny light blue star-shaped object with them as they went into the castle and took over.<br /> Legend of the Seven Stars<br /><br /> Chapter 3: Panic in the Mushroom Kingdom<br /><br /> When Mario and Mallow arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom, the streets<br /> were filled with strange bouncing creatures. Almost no Mushroom People<br /> were outside their homes, and the creatures, which looked like<br /> mechanical Shy Guys riding pogo sticks, were attacking what few people<br /> were around. One such creature was chasing the town guard. Mario and<br /> Mallow defeated the monster, and the guard gave them ten coins.<br /> Another Shyster, as the guard called the creatures, was attacking a<br /> young man. When Mallow and Mario defeated it, the man noticed the<br /> wallet they had. They gave it back, and he rewarded them with a Flower<br /> Tab. Yet another Shyster was bouncing repeatedly on and off the roof<br /> of a house, causing it to shake. This one went down as quickly as the<br /> other two. Mario and Mallow went inside to check if the people there<br /> were all right. The people inside were Raz and Raini, friends of<br /> Mario, and a young couple who had lived together for a while.<br /><br /> "Hi, Mario," said Raini "Raz and I are finally engaged to be married.<br /> We even decided to have the wedding in Marrymore,"<br /><br /> "That's great, isn't it? But no one can go outside because of the<br /> monsters," said Raz. Then he noticed Mallow, "Hello, what's your<br /> name?"<br /><br /> "This isn't the best time to introduce right now, but my name is<br /> Mallow," the puffy would-be frog said.<br /><br /> "Do you think you can get rid of the monsters, Mario?" asked Raini<br /><br /> "I think Mallow and I can handle them," said Mario.<br /><br /> "I hope you're right," said Raini. "Good luck, though."<br /><br /> Mario and Mallow headed out until they heard screams coming from the<br /> two- story house south of the castle. A family was being terrorized by<br /> some Shysters were bouncing around in the kitchen. Mallow's<br /> Thunderbolt attack destroyed them all, but somehow didn't harm the<br /> house. The mother, the father, and the older son were relieved until<br /> the mother realized that the younger son was still upstairs. The<br /> father, Mallow, and Mario ran upstairs and found another Shyster<br /> bouncing on the little boy's bed. The father was too scared to do<br /> anything but hide in the corner, so it was up to Mallow and Mario to<br /> defeat the creature. When the Shyster was defeated, the father gave<br /> them a Flower Tab and told his son to grow up to be just like Mario.<br /> The boy, who had always admired Mario and practiced jumping on his<br /> bed, has thrilled.<br /><br /> Outside, Mario and Mallow saw a trail of Shysters coming from Peach's<br /> Castle.<br /><br /> "We've got to hurry, Mallow!" Mario said. "Toad and the others are in<br /> trouble!"<br /><br /> Inside the castle, there were Shysters everywhere. They headed for the<br /> hallway between the guest room and the vault and found the guest room<br /> servant being attacked by two Shysters. After Mario and Mallow rescued<br /> him, the servant complained about the vault guard.<br /><br /> "I came out here to save him, and he ran inside the guest room." They<br /> found the vault guard cowering in a corner. When they spoke to him, he<br /> muttered something about a gold coin. As they left, he yelled, "Wait!<br /> Here's something you can have, Mario." And he gave him a Wake Up Pin.<br /> After they left, they saw Toad running from a Shyster. Mario flattened<br /> the Shyster's head with his Hammer.<br /><br /> "Thank you very much Mario, " Toad told him. " Everyone else except<br /> the Chancellor is in Peach's room. I tried to escape those monsters<br /> but one caught me. Let me take you to the others."<br /><br /> Toad lead the two to the stairway to Peach's room, where two Shysters<br /> where waiting. Mario and Mallow took care of them and the three<br /> continued up the stairs. However, two Shysters were guarding the door.<br /> They stopped bouncing when they saw Mario.<br /><br /> "Not so fast, pal!" the first Shyster said, bouncing as he spoke.<br /><br /> "Look at him, can't even bounce," said the second one. "Hey, maybe we<br /> can bounce on his head!" Mario ducked as Mallow sent a Thunderbolt<br /> their way. With the guards defeated, Toad, Mario, and Mallow walked<br /> into Peach's room. The other servants and Peach's maid, Grandma,<br /> greeted them.<br /><br /> "Toad! You came back!" one said.<br /><br /> "Thanks to Mario, of course," said Toad.<br /><br /> "What about the Chancellor?" a second one asked.<br /><br /> "He's still in the throne room."<br /><br /> "But now that Mario's here, he'll save the Chancellor from that big<br /> monster, right?" the third one asked.<br /><br /> "Don't worry, leave him to me and my new friend," Mario reassured<br /> them.<br /><br /> "All right!" everyone cheered. Then Toad spoke up.<br /><br /> "Wait a minute, Mario, I want to give you something. He ran to Peach's<br /> dresser and pulled out a Flower Tab. He then brought it to Mario.<br /><br /> "Peach would be glad to give you this," he told him. Mario took the<br /> Flower Tab, and then asked Grandma to heal him and Mallow.<br /><br /> "Okay, just as long as you don't try to sleep in Peach's bed, because<br /> that would be rude" she said as she gave him the special type of<br /> Mushroom that healed wounds and restored Flower Points. After that<br /> Mario and Mallow went to the throne room, destroying any Shysters<br /> getting in their way.<br /><br /> In the throne room they found six Shysters, the Chancellor shaking in<br /> the upper-left corner and the big monster the servants were talking<br /> about.<br /><br /> "Well guys, it looks like that, Thanks to Master Mack, we have a new<br /> home," one of the Shysters said.<br /><br /> "Yeah! And everyone here is too scared to stop us," a second one said.<br /><br /> "That means that we can bounce around all day and all night," said a<br /> third.<br /><br /> "And no one will dare to stop us!" said a fourth.<br /><br /> "Yahoo! Let's bounce the night away!" a fifth said. And they bounced<br /> up and down contentedly until Mario and Mallow walked up to them. Two<br /> of the Shysters tried to bounce on Mario's head, but he ducked and<br /> they crashed into each other. The other four Shysters bounced around<br /> Mario and Mallow angrily. Then the huge monster addressed them.<br /><br /> "Listen up!" Mack announced. "These two are trying to put an end to<br /> our party. What do you think about that?"<br /><br /> "Oooh, you're in for it now!" the first Shyster said to Mario and<br /> Mallow as he bounced towards them.<br /><br /> "You two are in real trouble!" said the second Shyster as he did<br /> likewise.<br /><br /> "No one messes with Mack and gets away with it!" said the third.<br /><br /> "How'd you like a fat lip to go with that ugly moustache?" threatened<br /> the fourth. And Mack and the four Shysters attacked.<br /><br /> The Shysters bounced on Mario and Mallow's heads and Mack chanted a<br /> spell. A fireball flew above him and landed on Mallow. Mallow fell<br /> unconscious form the attack, so Mario had to use a Pick Me Up. When<br /> Mallow got back up he used his HP Rain to heal Mario. One Shyster<br /> bounced on Mario's head, another on Mallow's. Then the other tow sent<br /> Drain spells at Mario, which sent a small fireball at the plumber.<br /> Mack jumped up and disappeared. Mario pounded one with his Hammer, and<br /> Mallow used his Thunderbolt attack. The Thunderbolt destroyed them<br /> all. Mack reappeared and used his Flame spell at Mario. Mario used a<br /> Mushroom and Mallow used another Thunderbolt. Mack was stunned and<br /> took a Fire Orb and another Thunderbolt before recovering.<br /><br /> "Let's see if you can survive this. FLAME WALL!" the spell sent a huge<br /> wall of fire, which burned both Mario and Mallow. Mario ate a Mushroom<br /> while Mallow cast HP Rain. Four more Shysters came from the ceiling.<br /> Mario used Fire Orb on Mack and Mallow used Thunderbolt on them all.<br /> When the four Shysters died, four more replaced them. Mario and Mallow<br /> each drank some Honey Syrup. Mack jumped up and disappeared and the<br /> Shysters attacked. Mario realized that if they killed the Shysters<br /> while Mack was fighting him and Mallow, he would have to wait until<br /> they stayed alive before he disappeared. He told Mallow to kill these<br /> Shysters, so Mack would reappear and to keep killing them when more<br /> came. Mallow used Thunderbolt on the Shysters, and Mack reappeared and<br /> cast his Flame Wall Spell. Mario and Mallow healed. And four more<br /> Shysters came. Mario used his Fire Orb while Mallow used Thunderbolt.<br /> Four more Shysters appeared and Mario and Mallow repeated their<br /> attacks. Mario used a Honey Syrup when their Flower Points became low.<br /> Mallow used his Thunderbolt one last time and not only did the four<br /> Shysters die, but so did Mack.<br /><br /> Suddenly, a light blue star appeared from behind the throne. It flew<br /> around the room, stopped above Mario, and spun around rapidly before<br /> landing in Mario's hands. The last two Shysters in the front of the<br /> room saw this and spoke to each other<br /><br /> "This is not good," the first one said.<br /><br /> "This is not good," the second one repeated.<br /><br /> "The mustachioed one in strong"<br /><br /> "Strong, yes."<br /><br /> "We must warn Lord Smithy."<br /><br /> "Let's get out of here." And the two Shysters bounced out of the<br /> castle, and out of the Mushroom Kingdom.<br /><br /> Mario walked up to the Chancellor, who jumped up when he felt him.<br /><br /> "Egad!" the Chancellor exclaimed. Then he turned to see Mario. "Oh,<br /> it's you! Did you just get rid of those monsters?"<br /><br /> "Yes, I did,' said Mario.<br /><br /> "Saved by Mario again. How can we ever thank you enough?" said a very<br /> relieved Chancellor.<br /><br /> The next day, everything in Peach's castle went back to normal. Except<br /> for the fact that Princess Peach was still missing. The Chancellor<br /> paced around worried. "First, Miss Toadstool gets kidnapped, then<br /> monsters come and take over the Kingdom. Whatever are we going to do?"<br /><br /> "I know!" said Mallow.<br /><br /> "Excuse me, but who are you?" asked the Chancellor.<br /><br /> "I'm Mallow form Tadpole Pond, sir. I think Mario should come with me<br /> to ask my grandpa, the great sage Frogfucius, for advice. He knows<br /> everything."<br /><br /> "Very well, then. If you're Mario's friend, you're our friend as well.<br /> Please, Mario, please bring the princess back to us as soon as<br /> possible."<br /><br /> "Well, that's settled. Let's go Mario. But why did I come here in the<br /> first place?"<br /><br /> "Did you have an errand to do?" said Mario.<br /><br /> "Oh, yeah! Let's stop by the store now."<br /><br /> At the store the shopkeeper asked Mallow, "So, did you get your coin<br /> back?"<br /><br /> "Sure did, with Mario's help," answered Mallow.<br /><br /> "That's great. Now keep this pie in a safe place so it won't be stolen<br /> or eaten or whatever, Okay?"<br /><br /> "Okay, I will. Thanks again Mario. Grandpa will be delighted. Next<br /> stop, Kero Sewers." And with that the two travelers left the Mushroom<br /> Kingdom.<br /><br /> ******************************************************************<br /><br /> Could Mack, the sword-like creature who invaded the Mushroom<br /><br /> Kingdom; have anything to do with the star that Mario found? Our<br /> heroes<br /><br /> move on to Kero SewersFlarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-12421919975851745882007-04-11T11:56:00.000-04:002007-04-11T11:57:47.834-04:00Why?I am posting all this information because I need help! My topic is Why Should we have Contraceptives at school. On the pro side.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-65265231789613918902007-04-09T12:21:00.000-04:002007-04-09T12:22:17.376-04:00All Infomation<div class="Section1"> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Wikipedia:<o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span> <div class="Section2"> <p class="MsoBodyText">Jump to: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#column-one">navigation</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#searchInput">search</a></p> </div> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span> <div class="Section3"> <p class="MsoBodyText"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t202" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="202" path="m,l,21600r21600,l21600,xe"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:path gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t202" style="'position:absolute;" stroked="f"> <v:fill color2="black"> <v:textbox inset="0,0,0,0"> <![if !mso]> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tr> <td><![endif]> <div> <table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="'margin-left:1.4pt;border-collapse:collapse;mso-table-layout-alt:"> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;"> <p class="TableContents" align="center" style="'text-align:center;line-height:"><span style="'font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;line-height:">Intrauterine device<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:1'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableHeading"><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1030" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:.75pt;" bordertopcolor="navy" borderleftcolor="navy" borderbottomcolor="navy" borderrightcolor="navy"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\s\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.gif" title="150px-IUDCPCopperT380A"> <w:bordertop type="single" width="8"> <w:borderleft type="single" width="8"> <w:borderbottom type="single" width="8"> <w:borderright type="single" width="8"> </v:shape><span style="'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:2'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents" align="center" style="'text-align:center'"><span style="'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt'">Photo of copper-T 380A IUD<o:p></o:p></span></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:3'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;"> <p class="TableContents"><b style="'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'">Background<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:4'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">B.C. type</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">intra-uterine</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:5'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">First use</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">1909-1929</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:6'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;"> <p class="TableContents"><b style="'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'">Failure rates</b> (per year)</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:7'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Perfect use</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">0.6%</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:8'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Typical use</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">0.8%</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:9'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;"> <p class="TableContents"><b style="'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'">Usage<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:10'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Duration effect</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">12+ years</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:11'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Reversibility</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Immediate</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:12'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">User reminders</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Check thread position after each period</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:13'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Clinic review</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Annually</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:14'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;"> <p class="TableContents"><b style="'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'">Advantages<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:15'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Benefits</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Unnecessary to take any daily action. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception">Emergency contraception</a> if inserted within 5 days</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:16'"> <td width="260" colspan="2" style="'width:195.0pt;background:#CCCCFF;"> <p class="TableContents"><b style="'mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'">Disadvantages<o:p></o:p></b></p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:17'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">STD protection</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">No</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:18'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Periods</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">May be heavier and more painful</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:19'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Weight gain</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">No</p> </td> </tr> <tr style="'mso-yfti-irow:20;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes'"> <td width="89" style="'width:67.05pt;background:#DDEEFF;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Risks</p> </td> <td width="171" style="'width:127.95pt;background:#EEEEEE;padding:1.4pt"> <p class="TableContents">Small transient risk of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_inflammatory_disease">PID</a> in first 20 days following insertion</p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <![if !mso]></td> </tr> </table> <![endif]></v:textbox> <w:wrap type="square" side="left"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/s/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image002.gif" alt="Text Box: Intrauterine device Photo of copper-T 380A IUD Background B.C. type intra-uterine First use 1909-1929 Failure rates (per year) Perfect use 0.6% Typical use 0.8% Usage Duration effect 12+ years Reversibility Immediate User reminders Check thread position after each period Clinic review Annually Advantages Benefits Unnecessary to take any daily action. Emergency contraception if inserted within 5 days Disadvantages STD protection No Periods May be heavier and more painful Weight gain No Risks Small transient risk of PID in first 20 days following insertion" shapes="_x0000_s1026" align="right" height="871" width="264" /><!--[endif]--><i style="">This article is about contraceptive uterine devices that do not contain hormones. For hormonal uterine devices, see </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IntraUterine_System">IntraUterine System</a><i style="">.<o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">An <b style="">intrauterine device</b> (<i style="">intra</i> meaning within, and <i style="">uterine</i> meaning of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterus">uterus</a>) is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birth_control">birth control</a> device also known as an <b style="">IUD</b> or a <b style="">coil</b> (this colloquialism is based on the coil-shaped design of early IUDs). It is a device placed in the uterus and is the world's most widely used method of reversible birth control,<a name="_ref-0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-0">[1]</a> currently used by nearly 160 million women (just over two-thirds of whom are in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_China">China</a> where it is the most widely used birth control method, surpassing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_%28surgical_procedure%29">sterilization</a>).<a name="_ref-1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-1">[2]</a> The device has to be fitted inside or removed from the uterus by a doctor or qualified medical practitioner. It remains in place the entire time pregnancy is not desired. Depending on the type, a single IUD is approved for 5 to 10 years use (the copper T 380A is effective for at least 12 years).<a name="_ref-12_year_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-12_year">[3]</a><span style="font-size: 2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a name="toc"></a><span style="font-size: 2pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h2 style="">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=1">edit</a>] Types of IUDs</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">There are two broad catagories of intrauterine contraceptive devices: metal-based devices, and devices which release hormones similar to those found in oral contraceptives. Although U.S. organizations refer to all types of uterine devices as IUDs,<a name="_ref-2"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-2">[4]<span style=""></span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_ref-3"></a><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-3">[5]</a> in the UK the term IUD only refers to inert or copper-containing devices, and the hormonal uterine devices are considered a separate method of contraception termed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IntraUterine_System">IntraUterine System</a> or IUS.<a name="_ref-coils_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-coils">[6]<span style=""></span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_ref-4"></a><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-4">[7]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Most non-hormonal IUDs have a plastic T-shaped frame that is wrapped with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper">copper</a> and/or has copper bands. Some IUDs, such as the Nova T 380, also contain a small amount of silver.<a name="_ref-coils_1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-coils">[6]</a> The arms of the frame hold the IUD in place near the top of the uterus. The GyneFix does not have a T-shape, but rather is a loop that holds several copper tubes. The GyneFix is held in place by a suture to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundus_%28uterus%29">fundus of the uterus</a>. All copper-containing IUDs have a number as part of their name. This is the surface area of copper (in square millimeters) the IUD provides.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Availability of IUDs varies widely by country. Only one brand of copper-containing IUD (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragard">ParaGard</a> T 380A) is available in the <st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region>, while seven brands (Flexi-T 300, Multi-Safe 375, Multi-Load Cu 375, Neo-Safe T380, Nova T 380, T-Safe 380A, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GyneFix">GyneFix</a> - also called FlexiGard 330 or CuFix PP330) are available in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Great Britain</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<a name="_ref-coils_2"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-coils">[6]</a> One hormonal intrauterine contraceptive (Mirena) is approved for use in the <st1:country-region st="on">U.K.</st1:country-region> and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> <h2 style=""><a name="Effectiveness_and_mechanism_of_contracep"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=2">edit</a>] Effectiveness and mechanism of contraception</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">All second-generation copper-T IUDs have failure rates of less than 1% per year, and cumulative 10-year failure rates of 2-6%.<a name="_ref-population_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-population">[8]</a> A large <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization">WHO</a> trial reported a cumulative 12-year failure rate of 2.2% for the T 380A (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragard">ParaGard</a>) (an average failure rate of 0.18% per year over 12 years), equivalent to a cumulative 10-year failure rate of 1.8% following <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tubal_ligation">tubal ligation</a>.<a name="_ref-12_year_1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-12_year">[3]</a> The frameless <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GyneFix">GyneFix</a> also has a failure rate of less than 1% per year.<a name="_ref-5"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-5">[9]</a> Worldwide, older IUD models with lower effectiveness rates are no longer produced.<a name="_ref-update1_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-update1">[10]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The presence of a device in the uterus prompts the release of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leukocyte">leukocytes</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostaglandin">prostaglandins</a> by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrium">endometrium</a>. These substances are hostile to both sperm and eggs; the presence of copper increases this spermicidal effect.<a name="_ref-6"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-6">[11]<span style=""></span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_ref-7"></a><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-7">[12]</a> The same effect is believed to harm developing embryos. While the primary mechanism of the IUD is spermicidal/ovicidal, post-fertilization mechanisms are believed to contribute significantly to their effectiveness.<a name="_ref-8"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-8">[13]</a> Because many <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-life">pro-life</a> groups define fertilization as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beginning_of_pregnancy_controversy">beginning of pregnancy</a>, this secondary effect has led some to label the IUD an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortifacient">abortifacient</a>.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrier_contraception">barrier contraceptives</a> protect against <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_disease">STDs</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormonal_contraceptives">Hormonal contraceptives</a> reduce the risk of developing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_inflammatory_disease">pelvic inflammatory disease</a> (PID), a serious complication of certain STDs. IUDs, by contrast, do <i style="">not</i> protect against STDs or PID.<a name="_ref-farley_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-farley">[14]</a></p> <h2 style=""><a name="Contraindications"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=3">edit</a>] Contraindications</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization">WHO</a> <i style="">Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use</i> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_College_of_Obstetricians_and_Gynaecologists">RCOG</a> Faculty of Family Planning & Reproductive Health Care (FFPRHC) <i style="">UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use</i> list the following as conditions where insertion of a copper IUD is not usually recommended (category 3) or conditions where a copper IUD should not be inserted (category 4):<a name="_ref-who_mec_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-who_mec">[15]<span style=""></span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_ref-ffprhc_mec_0"></a><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-ffprhc_mec">[16]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Category 3. Conditions where the theoretical or proven risks usually outweigh the advantages of inserting a copper IUD:</p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum">Postpartum</a> between 48 hours and 4 weeks (increased IUD expulsion rate with delayed postpartum insertion) </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign">Benign</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_trophoblastic_disease">gestational trophoblastic disease</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ovarian_cancer">Ovarian cancer</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Very high individual likelihood of exposure to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonorrhea">gonorrhea</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydial">chlamydial</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_infection">STIs</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS">AIDS</a> (unless clinically well on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiretroviral_drug">anti-retroviral therapy</a>) </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Category 4. Conditions which represent an unacceptable health risk if a copper IUD is inserted:</p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pregnancy">Pregnancy</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postpartum">Postpartum</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puerperal_sepsis">puerperal sepsis</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Immediately post-<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septic">septic</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion">abortion</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Before evaluation of unexplained <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaginal_bleeding">vaginal bleeding</a> suspected of being a serious condition </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant">Malignant</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_trophoblastic_disease">gestational trophoblastic disease</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_cancer">Cervical cancer</a> (awaiting treatment) </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrial_cancer">Endometrial cancer</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Distortions of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterine_cavity">uterine cavity</a> by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterine_fibroids">uterine fibroids</a> or anatomical abnormalities </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Current <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_inflammatory_disease">PID</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Current <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purulent">purulent</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervicitis">cervicitis</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlamydial">chlamydial</a> infection, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonorrhoea">gonorrheal</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_infection">STIs</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-left: 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Known pelvic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuberculosis">tuberculosis</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Adverse reactions have been reported in women with metal allergies, both copper<a name="_ref-9"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-9">[17]</a> and nickel.<a name="_ref-10"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-10">[18]</a> An anecdotal report on a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiveJournal">LiveJournal</a> community group journal states that the wires wrapped around the T-frame of the ParaGard IUD are nickel wires plated with copper.<a name="_ref-11"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-11">[19]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">While <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parity_%28medicine%29">nulliparous</a> women (women who have never given birth) are somewhat more likely to have side effects, this is not a contraindication for IUD use.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Some doctors prefer to insert the IUD during menstruation to verify that the woman is not pregnant at the time of insertion. However, IUDs may safely be inserted at any time during the menstrual cycle as long as it is reasonably certain the woman is not pregnant.<a name="_ref-12"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-12">[20]</a> Insertion may be more comfortable if done midcycle, when the cervix is naturally dilated.<a name="_ref-pp_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-pp">[21]</a></p> <h2 style=""><a name="Side_effects_and_complications"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=4">edit</a>] Side effects and complications</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">Insertion of the IUD may introduce bacteria into the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uterus">uterus</a>. The insertion process carries a small, transient increased risk of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_inflammatory_disease">pelvic inflammatory disease</a> in the first 20 days following insertion.<a name="_ref-farley_1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-farley">[14]</a> It is very important that the provider use proper <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infection">infection</a>-prevention techniques during insertion.<a name="_ref-13"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-13">[22]</a> Antibiotics should be given before insertion to women at high risk for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocarditis">endocarditis</a> (inflammation of the membrane lining the heart), but should not be used routinely.<a name="_ref-14"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-14">[23]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">During the placement appointment, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervix">cervix</a> is dilated in order to sound (measure) the uterus and insert the IUD. Cervix dilation is uncomfortable and, for some women, painful. Doctors often advise women to take <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analgesic">painkillers</a> before the procedure to reduce discomfort, and some will use a local anaesthetic.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">After IUD insertion, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cycle">menstrual periods</a> are often heavier, more painful, or both - especially for the first few months after they are inserted. On average, menstrual blood loss increases by 20–50% after insertion of a copper-T IUD; increased menstrual discomfort is the most common medical reason for IUD removal.<a name="_ref-15"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-15">[24]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Complications include expulsion and uterine perforation. Uterine perforation is generally caused by an inexperienced provider and is very rare. Expulsion is more common in younger women, women who have not had children, and when an IUD is inserted immediately after childbirth or abortion. Women should check the string of the IUD at least once per menstrual cycle to verify that it is still in place.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The string(s) may be felt by some men during <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_intercourse">intercourse</a>. If this is problematic, the provider may cut the strings even with the cervix, so they cannot be felt. Shortening the strings does prevent the woman from checking for expulsion, however.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The risk of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ectopic_pregnancy">ectopic pregnancy</a> to a woman using an IUD is lower than the risk of ectopic pregnancy to a woman using no form of birth control. However, of pregnancies that do occur during IUD use, a higher than expected percentage (3–4%) are ectopic.<a name="_ref-16"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-16">[25]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Although the pregnancy rate during IUD use is very low (less than 1% per year), it is not a 100% effective method of birth control. If pregnancy does occur, presence of the IUD increases the risk of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miscarriage">miscarriage</a>, particularly during the second trimester. It also increases the risk of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_birth">premature delivery</a>. These increased risks end if the IUD is removed after pregnancy is discovered. Although the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalkon_Shield">Dalkon Shield</a> IUD was associated with septic abortions (infections associated with miscarriage), other brands of IUD are not. IUDs are also <i style="">not</i> associated with birth defects or other pregnancy complications.<a name="_ref-17"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-17">[26]</a></p> <h2 style=""><a name="Use_as_emergency_contraception"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=5">edit</a>] Use as emergency contraception</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">Intrauterine devices can be used as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception">emergency contraception</a> to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_intercourse">sexual intercourse</a>, or sexual intercourse during which the primary contraception is believed to have failed (e.g. a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condom">condom</a> was used, but it broke). Insertion of a copper-T IUD as emergency contraception is more than 99% effective, making it more effective than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_contraception">emergency contraceptive pills</a> (<b style="">ECP</b> or 'morning-after pill').</p> <h2 style=""><a name="Popularity"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=6">edit</a>] Popularity</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">The ParaGard T 380A was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1984 and became available for use in 1988. It is still the only IUD approved for use in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>, and is used by 1.3% of women of reproductive age.<a name="_ref-cdc_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-cdc">[27]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Usage in other countries has been determined by surveys of married women of reproductive age. In this population, IUD use ranges from 5% in <st1:country-region st="on">Belgium</st1:country-region>, to 18% in Scandinavia, 30% in <st1:country-region st="on">Russia</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on">China</st1:country-region>, and 40% in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kazakhstan</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<a name="_ref-18"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-18">[28]</a></p> <h2 style=""><a name="Hormonal_uterine_devices"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=7">edit</a>] Hormonal uterine devices</h2> <p class="ListContents" style="margin-bottom: 14.15pt;"><i style="">Main article: </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IntraUterine_System">IntraUterine System</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1028" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'" bordertopcolor="navy" borderleftcolor="navy" borderbottomcolor="navy" borderrightcolor="navy"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\s\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image003.gif" title="150px-IUDCPMirena"> <w:bordertop type="single" width="8"> <w:borderleft type="single" width="8"> <w:borderbottom type="single" width="8"> <w:borderright type="single" width="8"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/s/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image004.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1028" border="0" height="3" width="3" /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="_x0000_i1029" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:.75pt;height:.75pt'" bordertopcolor="navy" borderleftcolor="navy" borderbottomcolor="navy" borderrightcolor="navy"> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\s\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image005.png" title="magnify-clip"> <w:bordertop type="single" width="8"> <w:borderleft type="single" width="8"> <w:borderbottom type="single" width="8"> <w:borderright type="single" width="8"> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/s/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msohtml1/01/clip_image006.gif" shapes="_x0000_i1029" border="0" height="3" width="3" /><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Photo of LNG IUS</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Hormonal uterine devices do not increase bleeding as inert and copper-containing IUDs do. Rather, they reduce menstrual bleeding or prevent menstruation altogether, and can be used as a treatment for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menorrhagia">menorrhagia</a> (heavy periods).</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Although modern IntraUterine Systems use low doses of hormones, they still have the potential side effects associated with other <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormonal_contraception">hormonal contraceptives</a>.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Progestasert was the first hormonal uterine device, developed in 1976<a name="_ref-update2_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-update2">[29]</a> and manufactured until 2001.<a name="_ref-medpundit_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-medpundit">[30]</a> It released progesterone, was replaced annually, and had a failure rate of 2% per year.<a name="_ref-wyoming_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-wyoming">[31]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/As_of_2006">As of 2006</a>, the LNG-20 IUS - marketed as Mirena by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schering">Schering Health</a> - is the only IntraUterine System available. First introduced in 1990, it releases levonorgestrel (a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progestagen">progestagen</a>) and may be used for five years.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">A lower-dose T-shaped IntraUterine System named Femilis is being developed by Contrel, a Belgian company. Contrel also manufactures the FibroPlant-LNG, a frameless IUS. FibroPlant is anchored to the fundus of the uterus as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GyneFix">GyneFix</a> IUD is. Although a number of trials have shown positive results, FibroPlant is not yet commercially available.<a name="_ref-19"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-19">[32]</a></p> <h2 style=""><a name="History"></a>[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Intrauterine_device&action=edit&section=8">edit</a>] History</h2> <p class="MsoBodyText">Presenters at a family planning conference told a tale of Arab traders inserting small stones into the uteruses of their camels to prevent pregnancy. Although the story has been repeated as truth, it has no basis in history and was meant only for entertainment purposes.<a name="_ref-20"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-20">[33]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Precursors to IUDs were first marketed in 1902. Developed from stem pessaries (where the stem held the pessary in place over the cervix), the 'stem' on these devices actually extended into the uterus itself. Also known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Interuterine_device&action=edit">interuterine devices</a> (because they occupied both the vagina and the uterus), they had high rates of infection and were condemned by the medical community.<a name="_ref-slides_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-slides">[34]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The first intrauterine device (contained entirely in the uterus) was described in a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germany">German</a> publication in 1909, although the author appears to have never marketed his product.<a name="_ref-IUD_0"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-IUD">[35]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In 1929, Dr. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Gr%C3%83%C2%A4fenberg">Ernst Gräfenberg</a> of <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region> published a report on an IUD made of silk suture. He had found a 3% pregnancy rate among 1,100 women using his ring. In 1930, Dr. Gräfenberg reported a lower pregnancy rate of 1.6% among 600 women using an improved ring wrapped in silver wire. Unbeknownst to Dr. Gräfenberg, the silver wire was contaminated with 26% copper. Copper's role in increasing IUD efficacy would not be recognized until nearly 40 years later.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In 1934, Japanese physician Tenrei Ota developed a variation of the <i style="">Gräfenberg ring</i> that contained a supportive structure in the center. The addition of this central disc lowered the IUD's expulsion rate. These devices still had high rates of infection, and their use and development was further stifled by World War II politics: contraception was forbidden in both Nazi Germany and Axis-allied <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Japan</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The Western world did not learn of the work by Gräfenberg and Ota until well after the war ended.<a name="_ref-IUD_1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-IUD">[35]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The first plastic IUD, the <i style="">Marguiles Coil</i> or <i style="">Marguiles Spiral</i>, was introduced in 1958. This device was somewhat large, causing discomfort to a large proportion of women users, and had a hard plastic tail, causing discomfort to their male partners. The <i style="">Lippes Loop</i>, a slightly smaller device with a monofilament tail, was introduced in 1962 and gained in popularity over the Marguiles device.<a name="_ref-slides_1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-slides">[34]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The stainless steel single-ring IUD was developed in the 1970s<a name="_ref-21"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-21">[36]</a> and widely used in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region> because of low manufacturing costs. The Chinese government banned production of steel IUDs in 1993 due to high failure rates (up to 10% per year).<a name="_ref-22"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-22">[37]<span style=""></span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_ref-population_1"></a><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-population">[8]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Dr Howard Tatum, in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region>, conceived the plastic T-shaped IUD in 1968. Shortly thereafter Dr Jaime Zipper, in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chile</st1:place></st1:country-region>, introduced the idea of adding copper to the devices to improve their contraceptive effectiveness.<a name="_ref-slides_2"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-slides">[34]<span style=""></span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_ref-23"></a><!--[endif]--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-23">[38]</a> It was found that copper-containing devices could be made in smaller sizes without compromising effectivesness, resulting in fewer side effects such as pain and bleeding.<a name="_ref-population_2"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-population">[8]</a> T-shaped devices had lower rates of expulsion due to their greater similarity to the shape of the uterus.<a name="_ref-IUD_2"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-IUD">[35]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalkon_Shield">Dalkon Shield</a> (which had a multi-filiment string) was introduced in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> in 1970. It was banned after being linked to 200,000 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelvic_inflammatory_disease">PID</a> infections, more than 250 septic abortions, infertility, emergency hysterectomies, and 33 deaths.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources">[citation needed]</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Second-generation copper-T IUDs were also introduced in the 1970s. These devices had higher surface areas of copper, and for the first time consistently achieved effectiveness rates of greater than 99%. Worldwide today, with the exception of the new GyneFix, this is the only type of IUD available.<a name="_ref-update1_1"></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrauterine_device#_note-update1">[10]</a><b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <h2 style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><br /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br /> <!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: Arial;">Advancements in Health:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Release Date: May 28, 2003 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">SCHOOL CONDOM AVAILABILITY DOES NOT INCREASE SEXUAL ACTIVITY<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">By Ann Quigley, Contributing Writer Health Behavior News Service<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <div style="border-style: none none double; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color gray; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in;"> <p class="HorizontalLine"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Making condoms available in high schools does not increase adolescent sexual activity, but it protects those who are already sexually active from some sexually transmitted diseases, according to a survey of more than 4,000 adolescents attending <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:State> high schools.</span> <o:p></o:p></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“Condom availability was not associated with greater sexual activity among adolescents but was associated with greater condom use among those who were already sexually active, a highly positive result,â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">says Susan M. Blake Ph.D., of the Department of Prevention and Community Health at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services in Washington, D.C.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“When condoms are available in schools and are successfully used by sexually active adolescents, they may be an effective means of preventing potentially harmful outcomes such as HIV/STDs and pregnancy,â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">she adds. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Approximately half of all adolescents in grades nine through 12 report that they have had sex, with nearly 60 percent using condoms during their most recent sexual encounter, according to research cited in the study.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Blake and colleagues analyzed sexual risk behavior data from the 1995 <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:State> Youth Risk Behavior Survey with the goal of seeing how students attending schools with condom availability programs differed from those whose schools lacked such programs. Twenty-one percent of the 4,166 students who participated in the survey were enrolled in schools with condom availability programs.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The practice of making condoms available in schools is fairly controversial and many of the small fraction of schools nationwide that do so are in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Massachusetts</st1:place></st1:State>. There, the Department of Education’s HIV/AIDS education policy includes recommendations that district school boards consider making condoms — along with instruction on how to use them and HIV/AIDS education — available in secondary schools. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The researchers found adolescents enrolled in schools with condom availability were less likely to report being sexually active or to report having recent sexual intercourse. Also, sexually active adolescents in these schools were more likely to report having used condoms during their most recent sexual encounter. The study results are published in the June 2003 issue of the <em><span style="font-family: Arial;">American Journal of Public Health</span></em>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Blake and colleagues found no pregnancy rate differences between adolescents in schools with and without condom availability programs, possibly because sexually active students in schools without condoms available were more likely to use non-condom contraception. Twenty-five percent of sexually active students in schools without condoms available and 13 percent of students in schools where condoms were made available used other forms of contraception. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“We suspect that the benefits of increased condom use may have been offset by use of other contraceptives among students enrolled in the schools without condom availability programs,â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Blake says.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The researchers also found no differences in perceived access to condoms between those who could get condoms at school and those who couldn’t. Students may have been intimidated by the process of accessing condoms through school personnel rather than via a drug store or vending machine. Perhaps “because accessing condoms was likely to result in embarrassment, students did not perceive that access to condoms was greater,â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Blake says. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">But the finding remains that reported condom use was greater among sexually active teens in condom availability schools. Even if these teens were too embarrassed to get condoms at the school clinic, the program may have indirectly influenced them to use condoms: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“It may not have been making condoms available per se that was associated with greater rates of condom use,â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Blake says, “but rather the fact that the adoption of such programs reflected broader community mores, communicated positive social norms and environmental supports and facilitated communication of family values and norms promoting condom use.â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">The researchers note the cross-sectional “moment-in-timeâ€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">nature of their study as a limitation. Because the study was not designed to examine changes in condom use from pre- to post-program, they say, its findings don’t definitively prove the condom availability programs influenced teen sexual behaviors. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“Nonetheless, our results suggest that making condoms available, a clear indication of social and environmental support for condom use, may improve HIV prevention practices,â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Blake concludes. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">“There is a continuing need for effective HIV, STD and pregnancy prevention programs that discourage early onset of sexual activity and encourage protection among adolescents who are already sexually active.â€</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">ン</span></b><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">This study was conducted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Education as part of an evaluation of its HIV/AIDS prevention program<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <h1 style="">ISSUE AND DEBATE; CONTRACEPTIVES' PRESENCE IN SCHOOLS CREATES A DISPUTE AMONG EDUCATORS </h1> </div> <b><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span></b> <div class="Section4"> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; text-indent: -14.15pt;"><a name="toolsList"></a><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE4DD163CF930A25753C1A960948260&sec=health&spon=&pagewanted=print">Print</a> </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 35.35pt; 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font-family: Symbol;"><span style="">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="javascript:articleShare('permalink');">Permalink</a><span style="font-size: 2pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> <span style="font-size: 2pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span> <div class="Section5"> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr style="height: 39.75pt;"> <td style="padding: 0in; width: 69.75pt; height: 39.75pt;" valign="bottom" width="93"> <p class="TableContents" style="margin-right: 1.5pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span> <div class="Section6"> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">By JANE PERLEZ </p> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">Published: October 13, 1986</p> </div> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span> <div class="Section7"> <p class="MsoBodyText">At nine <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:City> high schools over the past two years, state-financed health clinics have provided health care to low-income students, including birth-control counseling. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Clinics at two of the schools dispensed contraceptive devices to students who had parental permission to use the health services; at the other seven schools, prescriptions for contraceptives were written and the students were referred to the affiliated hospitals and clinics to have them filled. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The health clinics, run by major hospitals or community health centers, were approved by the Board of Education in 1984. But at the time, members were not informed that the dispensing of birth-control devices and prescriptions would be among the services. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The availability of contraceptives, revealed in a report to the board 10 days ago, came as a surprise to board members with the exception of the president, Robert F. Wagner Jr., who said he had learned of it earlier. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">To Mr. Wagner, Schools Chancellor Nathan Quinones and Mayor Koch, the prescriptions and dispensing of birth-control devices was not a shock. ''Anyone who believes comprehensive health care for sexually active adolescents does not include birth control is crazy,'' Mr. Wagner said. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">There was considerable disagreement among the seven board members. Two said they opposed both prescription writing and distribution of contraceptives. Two others indicated they were opposed to distribution. Only three, including Mr. Wagner, fully supported the policy. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">One board member, Dr. Gwendolyn C. Baker, said she believed the distribution of contraceptives encouraged promiscuity, a view that was echoed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York City and the Diocese of Brooklyn. The Background </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In an effort to stem the rise of teen-age pregnancies around the nation, health clinics that provide family planning counseling have been rapidly increasing in public schools. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The Center for Population Options, a private nonprofit group based in <st1:state st="on"><st1:place st="on">Washington</st1:place></st1:State> that seeks to prevent unwanted teen-age pregnancies, says the number of school-based health clinics has grown from 12 in 1980 to 61 today. At least 10 clinics, the center said, dispensed contraceptives at the school clinic, and about 40 more have physicians who write prescriptions for the devices. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:City>, girls as young as 11 and 12 who attend junior high schools are becoming pregnant, according to Mr. Quinones. In 1984, 14,431 girls age 17 or younger became pregnant in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">New York City</st1:place></st1:City>. There were 1,259 pregnancies among girls under 15. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">A report this year by researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine showed that counseling and birth-control services to students at two health clinics at public schools in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Baltimore</st1:place></st1:City> delayed sexual activity and decreased pregnancies. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">With these statistics and the general need for student health services in mind, the New York State Department of Health made $1.5 million available for establishment of the nine school health clinics in New York City. <st1:place st="on">Chosen</st1:place> by the hospitals in consultation with the schools, the nine schools have heavy populations of low-income students, many of whom have never seen a family doctor, said Alice Radosh, the coordinator of Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting Services in the Mayor's office. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The nine schools and their health providers are: Andrew Jackson in Queens (Jamaica Hospital); William H. Taft in the Bronx (Bronx Lebanon Hospital); Boys and Girls in Brooklyn (Bedford-Stuyvesant Family Health Center); Louis D. Brandeis and Martin Luther King Jr., (St. Luke's Hospital); Manhattan Center for Mathematics and Science, and Julia Richman (Mount Sinai Medical Center), and West Side and Park East (Ryan Community Health Center) in Manhattan. For Contraceptives </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Mayor Koch, the United Federation of Teachers, the New York City Council of Churches, an array of children's advocacy groups, as well as Mr. Quinones and Mr. Wagner, vigorously support dispensing of birth-control devices at school clinics, although most add the caveat that parental permission should be obtained.</p> </div> <span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Nimbus Roman No9 L";"><br /> </span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">Search Your Love:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Sex is often a taboo topic in our society. Everyone knows about it, and most people do it, but few are comfortable discussing it. Sometimes, it's even too hard for parents to discuss with their children, so they rely on the schools and education system to do so. Leaving it up to them can result in your child being taught things you didn't necessarily want. Various religious and cultural attitudes exist about sex and the use of contraceptives, and what your school teaches may differ from your personal beliefs.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Certain religious practices believe in preaching abstinence to teens and young adulthoods. Having sex before you're married is considered to be a sin. They are against making condoms available in schools for two main reasons. They believe that sex is an act that occurs between a married man and woman for the sake of reproduction. Contraceptives are not necessary, as no one other than married people should have sex. More liberal religious attitudes are accepting of those who have sex out of wedlock and support the use of contraceptives in these situations. However, they believe that making them available to teenagers will just encourage them to be sexually active.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The other side of the debate wants to hand out condoms in schools. Although some do believe in the religious practices that teach only abstinence, they are realistic about the increase of sexual activity among teens and even pre-teens. They believe the teens are going to have sex whether or not you provide them with any contraceptives, so you might as well make condoms available to them.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Studies have shown though that the best way to get kids to wait to be sexually active until their older and to use contraceptives is a school program that combines a multi-facet sex education program along with making condoms available in school. Research has shown that these kids will wait longer than their peers to have sex, and they will be more informed about pregnancy and birth control. They will have a better grasp of the consequences of their actions and understand the importance of why they need to use contraceptives when they decide to be sexually active.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">If you are concerned with what a school teaches your child in sex education, you should remember that their primary educator, even surpassing their school is you their parent. The views and attitudes you have regarding sex may differ from the schools. It is your responsibility to discuss sex, pregnancy and birth control with your child, especially if you disagree with the school.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">No one knows for sure if making contraceptives available in schools just encourages teens to be sexually active or meets the demand of what is already occurring across the country. Therefore, it's your job as a parent to educate your child and make a decision regarding how you're going to prepare them. </p> <div style="border-style: none none solid; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color black; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 2pt;"> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;">If you choose to make contraceptives available to your child, it is your responsibility to educate your child about them and pregnancy and birth control. Teens must realize there can be serious consequences if they decide to be sexually active.</p> </div> <p class="MsoBodyText"><b style="">When a man and a woman have sexual intercourse and do not want the woman to become pregnant, they use birth control, or contraception, to try to prevent pregnancy. Deciding when to have a child and how much time should pass between the birth of one child and the birth of the next is important. It allows parents to have children when they are ready to love and care for them and be responsible for their many needs.<o:p></o:p></b></p> <div style="border-style: none none double; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color gray; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in;"> <p class="HorizontalLine"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a2"></a>Methods of Birth Control</h3> <p class="MsoBodyText">To understand how birth control works, you must understand some basic facts about human reproduction. About once every 28 days an egg cell, or ovum, is released from one of a woman's ovaries and begins to travel down a narrow fallopian tube toward the uterus. This is called <b style="">ovulation</b>. If this ovum is not fertilized by a sperm cell from a man, it will quickly die and pass out of the uterus during a normal menstrual period. But if sexual intercourse takes place while the ovum is in the fallopian tube, one of millions of sperm cells deposited in the woman's vagina by the man's penis may unite with the ovum. This is called <b style="">conception</b>--fertilization of the ovum. The fertilized egg may then attach itself to the inner lining of the woman's uterus, and a new life will begin to develop--the woman is pregnant. Some nine months later a baby will be born.</p> <h6 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a3"></a><i style="">Barrier Methods.<o:p></o:p></i></h6> <p class="MsoBodyText"> Barrier methods of birth control prevent pregnancy by blocking sperm from reaching the ovum so conception cannot take place. The <b style="">condom</b> is a sheath of thin latex rubber that is rolled down over the penis before intercourse to trap ejaculated sperm. A <b style="">diaphragm</b> is a dome of thin rubber that is inserted into the vagina before sex. It covers the opening of the uterus, blocking the entrance of any sperm. A condom for women was introduced in the 1990's. It looks similar to a diaphragm with a long polyurethane sheath attached. The <b style="">vaginal sponge</b> and the <b style="">cervical cap</b> can be inserted into the vagina; they function much like a diaphragm. Barrier methods of birth control are best used with a <b style="">spermicide</b>--a chemical that kills sperm cells. Condoms can be bought at a pharmacy; diaphragms and cervical caps must be fitted by a doctor. The vaginal sponge is not currently available in the <st1:country-region st="on">United States</st1:country-region>; it is marketed in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>. When used properly, barrier contraceptives are about 80 to 90 percent effective. In addition to preventing pregnancy, condoms reduce the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.</p> <h6 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a4"></a><i style="">Hormonal Methods.<o:p></o:p></i></h6> <p class="MsoBodyText"> Hormonal methods of birth control work by changing a woman's body chemistry so that eggs are not released from the ovaries. Some forms also make it hard for any fertilized egg cell to attach itself to the uterus lining and grow. In the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> the most widely used hormonal method of birth control is "the pill." Contraceptive pills containing hormones are taken by mouth every day and block ovulation as long as the pills are taken. <b style="">Hormonal implants</b> release tiny amounts of hormones into the woman's body daily. The implants are inserted under the skin of the upper arm and work for up to five years. <b style="">Injectable hormones</b> are given every one to three months and prevent pregnancy during that time.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Hormonal methods of birth control must be prescribed or administered by a doctor, who can discuss and monitor any side effects that may occur. When used properly, they are about 99 percent effective. Fertility returns shortly after the hormones are stopped.</p> <h6 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a5"></a><i style="">Intrauterine Device (IUD).<o:p></o:p></i></h6> <p class="MsoBodyText"> An intrauterine device is a small coil of metal or plastic that is inserted by a doctor into the woman's uterus. It prevents any fertilized egg cell from attaching itself in the uterus. Younger women who use IUD's are sometimes bothered by infections, cramping, or unusual menstrual bleeding. IUD's are used more easily by older women who have already had children. They are over 97 percent effective for preventing pregnancy.</p> <h6 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a6"></a><i style="">Natural Birth Control.<o:p></o:p></i></h6> <p class="MsoBodyText"> Natural birth control methods attempt to prevent conception without the use of artificial devices. The <b style="">Fertility Awareness Method (FAM)</b>, or rhythm method, depends upon avoiding sexual intercourse on the days before, during, and after ovulation--about 12 days each month--so that no sperm are present to fertilize the egg cell. It can be difficult to pinpoint the time of ovulation, so the FAM, like another natural birth control technique--withdrawing the penis from the vagina just before sperm are ejaculated--can be unreliable.</p> <h6 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a7"></a><i style="">Emergency Birth Control.<o:p></o:p></i></h6> <p class="MsoBodyText"> "Morning after pills" can be used to prevent pregnancy after intercourse when a birth control method failed or no method was used. The pills contain hormones that delay ovulation or keep a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall. The pills are available from a doctor. They are about 75 percent effective. Side effects include nausea and vomiting.</p> <h6 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a8"></a><i style="">Sterilization.<o:p></o:p></i></h6> <p class="MsoBodyText"> <b style="">Sterilization</b>--surgically cutting and tying off or sealing the woman's fallopian tubes (tubal ligation) or the man's sperm tubes (vasectomy)--is a way to prevent pregnancies permanently. These operations can seldom be reversed.</p> <div style="border-style: none none double; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color gray; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in;"> <p class="HorizontalLine"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a9"></a>History of Birth Control</h3> <p class="MsoBodyText">Birth control is a fairly recent idea in human history. Centuries ago large families were important for survival. Many babies died in infancy and childhood, and people had large families to be sure that enough children would survive to help gather food and have children of their own.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In the 1700's and 1800's, medical and scientific discoveries enabled many diseases to be controlled and food supplies to be increased. Large families were no longer necessary for survival. People lived longer, and the world's population began to grow rapidly.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">In 1798 Thomas Malthus, an English economist, predicted that the world's population would quickly outgrow the available food supply. He recommended people stop having so many children.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Malthus' prediction proved to be wrong. But as the world population increased rapidly in the early 1900's, the idea of family planning took root. Methods of contraception began to be developed, and a worldwide movement to encourage birth control began.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Margaret Sanger, a trained nurse, became a leader of that movement in the early 1900's. She published pamphlets and books about family planning and helped pass laws that allowed doctors to teach birth control methods. Sanger also established clinics to advise and educate people and founded the National Birth Control League. These were combined to form the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942.</p> <div style="border-style: none none double; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color gray; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in;"> <p class="HorizontalLine"><o:p> </o:p></p> </div> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="a10"></a>Birth Control Today</h3> <p class="MsoBodyText">The world now has more than 6 billion people, and the number is increasing rapidly, especially in developing countries. Different countries support birth control in different ways. In Europe and the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>, many birth control methods are readily and legally available. In <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">China</st1:place></st1:country-region>, rigid laws control family size. In <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>, vigorous efforts are being made to make birth control available to millions of people.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Not everyone favors the use of birth control, however. The Roman Catholic Church forbids artificial methods of birth control, believing that sexual love in marriage should never be separated from the possibility of conception. Only <b style="">abstinence</b> (refraining from sexual intercourse) or the Fertility Awareness Method of family planning are considered acceptable. Some people fear that governments may impose birth control in order to obtain political control over their people. Others charge that teaching birth control encourages people to have sex before marriage--an idea that is not supported by scientific evidence.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Doctors and other knowledgeable people you respect can help you understand the different methods of birth control and how they may affect your life and your health.</p> <div style="border-style: none none double; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color black; border-width: medium medium 1pt; padding: 0in 0in 2pt;"> <p class="MsoBodyText" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;">Alan E. Nourse, M.D.<br />Author, <i style="">Birth Control</i> and <i style="">Teen Guide to Birth Control</i> </p> </div> <p>n the spring, poppy seeds sprout. Poppy plants burst into leaf. They flower and produce seeds. In the fall, with the coming of frost, the poppies die. But their seeds survive and sprout the following spring. A new generation of poppies replaces the one that has died. Poppy plants continue to exist.</p> <p>Every kind of living creature, from tiny bacteria to enormous whales, makes new living things like itself. In other words, it <b>reproduces.</b> An individual plant or animal may fail to reproduce, but that does not hurt the individual. Nor does it hurt the species (kind) of animal or plant, so long as enough other individuals of that kind reproduce.</p> <p>Among living creatures there are two main types of reproduction. In one type the new individuals, or young, come from a single parent. Bacteria, for example, grow to a certain size and then divide into two equal parts. Each new bacterium is a small copy of the parent. This type of reproduction is called <b>asexual reproduction.</b></p> <p>The other main type is called <b>sexual reproduction.</b> In this type, young are produced by two parents or from two different parts of the same parent. When two deer mate, for example, living material from both animals is joined, or fused. In time a fawn is born, looking like its parents but not exactly like either one.</p> <p>Some living things can reproduce sexually at some times and asexually at others.</p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </div> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Asexual Reproduction</h3> <p>There are three main ways that living things reproduce asexually. They may divide like bacteria, they may form buds, or they may create spores. The simplest of these ways is dividing.</p> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Dividing</h3> <p>Bacteria, amoebas, and many other tiny one-celled creatures reproduce by dividing in half. Some larger creatures, too, may divide in half. This is true, for example, of a freshwater relative of the earthworm. The body of this worm slowly pinches in around the middle. Finally the body separates in two. The front end grows a hind end, while the hind end grows a front end.</p> <p>New plants may grow from pieces of an older plant. For example, if you set a sweet-potato root (the part you eat) in water, the root will sprout leafy shoots and new roots. In time you will have a sweet-potato vine.</p> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Budding</h3> <p>A number of living things, such as yeasts, sponges, corals, and grasses, can reproduce by forming buds. Unlike flower or leaf buds, these buds develop into complete new individuals. The threadlike hydra will serve as an example. This is a tiny water animal related to corals and jellyfish.</p> <p>Sometimes a hydra develops a bulge on its side. This bulge--which is a bud--slowly grows into a complete new animal just like the parent. The new hydra may separate from the parent and take up life on its own. Or it may remain attached to the parent and, in turn, produce buds. In some creatures entire colonies, or groups, may form this way, each individual a descendant of the one original parent.</p> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Spores</h3> <p>Some plants reproduce by means of tiny specks of life called spores. You may have seen tiny black dots on the undersides of fern leaves. These dots are spore cases filled with spores. When the spores are ripe, they fall. Those that land on moist, cool ground sprout into tiny new plants.</p> <p>Mosses and a number of other plants reproduce by forming spores. So do yeast cells and certain one-celled creatures.</p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </div> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Sexual Reproduction</h3> <p>Most creatures, even those that can reproduce asexually, reproduce by sexual means. For example, let us look again at the tiny hydra. A bud develops on the parent hydra. This time the bud does not develop into a complete new individual. This bud contains sperm if the hydra is a male or eggs if the hydra is a female. Eggs and sperm are special reproductive cells.</p> <p>When the eggs or sperm are ripe, the bud bursts open and sheds its contents into the water. The eggs, as in all creatures, are bigger and rounder than the sperm. Eggs contain a food supply that will nourish the new individual as it develops. Unlike sperm, eggs have no means of moving about.</p> <p>Hydra sperm, like those of most species, have thin, whiplike tails that enable them to swim toward an egg. A sperm is very much smaller than an egg. It lacks a food supply of its own.</p> <p>Hydras produce many eggs or sperm in a single bud. Some of the sperm from the male hydras meet some of the eggs from the females. When a sperm fuses with an egg, the egg is said to be <b>fertilized.</b> A fertilized egg contains living material from two parents. It grows and develops into a new individual combining the traits of both parents.</p> <p>Sexual reproduction in most creatures is more complicated than in the hydra. However, it involves the same basic steps. First, reproductive cells must form. In most species the two sexes are separate. Eggs are formed by females, and sperm are formed by males. Next, eggs must be fertilized. Sperm need a fluid in which to swim to the egg. If sperm are not shed into water, the body must produce the necessary fluid. Finally, some sort of food and protection for the developing egg must be provided until the young can care for itself.</p> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Care of Eggs Shed in Water</h3> <p>Hydras and many other animals shed their eggs and sperm directly into water. They do little if anything to ensure the survival of their offspring.</p> <p>Many other animals have special ways of making sure that their eggs and sperm meet and that their fertilized eggs are protected.</p> <p>A female trout, for example, makes a nest. She uses her tail fin to scrape a hollow in a stream bottom. There she sheds her eggs. The male swims along beside her and covers the eggs with sperm. The female then scrapes gravel over the fertilized eggs. This helps prevent enemies from eating the eggs.</p> <p>The eggs of some water animals are protected with a thick jellylike coating. In such species the sperm fertilizes the eggs just as they leave the female's body and before the coating is formed. A male horseshoe crab, for example, clasps the female's shell and sheds his sperm directly over the eggs. The pair usually dig into the sand before depositing their eggs and sperm. As the mating pair withdraws, the sand drifts over the eggs, giving them extra protection.</p> <p>In many lobsters, crabs, and shrimps, the male clasps the female and fertilizes the eggs as they are shed into the water. Frogs and toads mate in a similar fashion.</p> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Fertilization Inside the Body</h3> <p>In salamanders, which are related to frogs and toads, eggs are fertilized inside the female. The male courts his mate and then deposits one or more jellylike packets of sperm on the ground or the pond bottom. The female squats over a packet and draws it up into an opening beneath her tail. The sperm fertilize the eggs before the eggs are shed.</p> <p>Male squids also produce packets of sperm. A male uses a special tip on one of his tentacles to place the packet inside the body covering of the female.</p> <p>Snails, guppies, sharks, rays, some crabs, and other water animals also fertilize their eggs internally. In some the eggs remain inside the female until they hatch.</p> <p>Among land animals, fertilization usually occurs internally. If eggs and sperm were shed directly onto the ground, they would soon dry out in the air. Moreover, the sperm would have no way of swimming toward the eggs unless dew or rainwater happened to be present.</p> <p>Male spiders deposit their sperm in a drop of fluid. Then they place the drop of fluid in an opening on the body of the female. She later spins a cocoon in which she lays the fertilized eggs.</p> <p>In most land creatures, however, fluid containing sperm is inserted directly from the body of the male into the body of the female. This is true of insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including man.</p> <p>In seed plants, such as pine trees and daffodils, both eggs and sperm have heavy coatings that keep them from drying out. The sperm, contained in tiny pollen grains, may be transferred by wind or by insects to the female part of the flower. Although the sperm have no tails, they are carried down into the egg in a special pollen tube. The fertilized egg is protected inside a tough seed coat and by the fruit.</p> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">Care of Eggs Fertilized Internally</h3> <p>Most insects lay their eggs in protected places where the newly hatched insects will find food. Insect eggs are very small and contain very little food. Insects hatch before they are fully developed, and most species pass through several stages before they look like their parents.</p> <p>The eggs of both birds and reptiles are well supplied with yolk and protected by shells. With a large yolky egg the young develop into small copies of their parents before food is needed from outside.</p> <p>Snakes, lizards, and turtles lay their eggs in holes in the ground, and many cover the nests with mud or sand. The eggs of some lizards and snakes remain inside the mother until the young hatch.</p> <p>Most birds build nests of some sort and hatch the eggs with the warmth of their own bodies. The parents take turns feeding and guarding the young.</p> <p>In most mammals the eggs are small and have little yolk. The developing individual gets the nourishment it needs from its mother's body. After birth the young suckle milk from the mother. The result is that the offspring are large before they have to fend for themselves.</p> <p>Small mammals, such as mice and foxes, may have from two to a dozen or more offspring at a time. Few of these offspring manage to grow up. Large mammals, such as horses and elephants, usually have only one offspring at a time. The parents feed and guard the young for a long time. Each offspring has a good chance of growing to full size and of reproducing in turn.</p> <p>Human beings usually produce babies one at a time. Their babies are helpless at birth. But they are so well taken care of that each has a better chance of growing up than any other kind of creature.</p> <p><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">N.</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">J.</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placename st="on">Berrill</st1:PlaceName><br /><st1:placename st="on">McGill</st1:PlaceName> <st1:placetype st="on">University</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> </p> <p class="smaller"><b>See also: </b><a href="http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2004880-h">Cells</a>; <a href="http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2008810-h">Eggs and Embryos</a>; <a href="http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2010460-h">Flowers</a>; <a href="http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2011520-h">Genetics</a>; <a href="http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2019000-h">Metamorphosis</a>.</p> <p><a href="http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2025100-h#topofpage">Go to Top of Page</a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"> <hr align="center" size="2" width="100%"> </div> <h2 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;"><a name="citation"></a>How to cite this article:</h2> <h3 style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">MLA (Modern Language Association) style:</h3> <div style="border-style: none none double; border-color: -moz-use-text-color -moz-use-text-color windowtext; border-width: medium medium 2.25pt; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;"> <p class="icite" style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in;">Berrill, N. J. "Reproduction." <i>The New Book of Knowledge®</i>. 2007. Grolier Online. 9 Apr. 2007 <http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2025100-h>.</p> </div> <p class="MsoBodyText"><o:p> </o:p></p>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-42880237766390201102007-04-09T11:54:00.000-04:002007-04-09T12:36:14.272-04:00Table<table face="ARIAL" bgcolor="#dcdcdc" border="1" cellspacing="0"><thead><tr><th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"><br /></th> <th colspan="7" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"><br /></th> </tr> <tr> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom"><br /></th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">15-44</th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">15-19</th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">20-24</th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">25-29</th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">30-34</th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">35-39</th> <th colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="center" valign="bottom">40-44</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Using any method</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>64.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>29.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>63.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>69.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>72.7</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>72.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>71.5</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Female sterilization</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>17.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.5</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>11.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>21.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>29.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>35.6</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Male sterilization</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>7.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.7</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>3.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>7.6</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>13.6</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>14.5</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Pill</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>17.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>13.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>33.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>27.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>20.7</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>8.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>4.2</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Implant</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.5</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.1</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Injectable</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>3.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.2</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Intrauterine device (IUD)</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.5</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.5</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.6</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.7</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.9</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Diaphragm</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.6</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.7</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.9</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Condom</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>13.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>10.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>16.7</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>16.8</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>13.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>12.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>8.8</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Female condom</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Periodic abstinence</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.5</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.6</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.8</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Natural family planning</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>--</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.4</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.2</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Withdrawal</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.6</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.1</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>2.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.4</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="left" valign="top"> <p>Other methods<sup><a href="http://find.galegroup.com/itx/retrieve.do?subjectParam=Locale%252528en%25252C%25252C%252529%25253AFQE%25253D%252528su%25252CNone%25252C14%252529contraceptives%252524%257E%2529_1&contentSet=IAC-Documents&sort=DateDescend&tabID=T001&sgCurrentPosition=0&subjectAction=VIEW_TOPIC_TREE&prodId=GRCM&searchId=R3&currentPosition=2&userGroupName=scschools&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&sgHitCountType=None&qrySerId=Locale%28en%2C%2C%29%3AFQE%3D%28SU%2CNone%2C16%29%22contraceptives%22%24&inPS=true&searchType=BasicSearchForm&displaySubject=&amp;amp;docId=A119452105&docType=IAC#wa..vit00360.t0001">1</a> </sup> </p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.0</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.2</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.3</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>0.9</p> </td> <td colspan="1" rowspan="1" align="right" valign="top"> <p>1.8</p></td></tr></tbody></table>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-48440966337987063772007-04-08T15:18:00.000-04:002007-04-08T15:22:52.825-04:00Microsoft Hate Picture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/richardson183/MicrosoftHatePicture.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q103/richardson183/MicrosoftHatePicture.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-43310086873552401622007-04-08T15:17:00.000-04:002007-04-08T15:18:31.081-04:00Beryl<p>Yes!</p><p>I finally got Beryl to work. All I had to do was change the device driver from ati to radeon.</p>Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-793622711668888075.post-36601528630526906042007-04-08T15:16:00.000-04:002007-04-08T15:17:28.080-04:00Broadcom Wireless CardFeisty Download _all.deb and double click it to install. Reboot. Enjoy wireless. Dapper and Edgy Put the CD that you installed Ubuntu with in the CD drive. Download this file to your Desktop (the Firefox default, so if you haven't changed it, that's where it went/will go). Open a terminal (click the Applications button, then Accessories, and then Terminal) Change the current directory to the desktop (copy and paste the following commands exactly into your terminal by right clicking anywhere on the terminal and clicking paste) Code: cd ~/Desktop Extract the compressed file Code: tar -xf bcm4318*.tar.gz Run the script, which will install ndiswrapper on your system, and set it up. Code: sudo ./ndiswrapper_setup Use the internet (you will have to open the System menu at the top of the screen, go to Administration, and then click Networking. Configure the interface eth1 or wlan0, and connect to your wifi network) If you are an Acer user, you will need to use the acerhk driver. If it doesn't work, reboot Here are some compiled logical steps that I retrieved from several posts in this thread and a few other places regarding the identification, maintenance, and installation of wifi hardware and/or firmware: Steps: --------------------------------------------------------------- Conventions: UN = your user name CN = your computer's name. Notes: = side-bar elaboratives to explain a step Warning: = Warnings are just that; you had better read them. Tip: You do not retype your UN@CN, just the code after the $. UN@CN:~$ and UN@CN:~/Desktop$ are place holders merely referencing that you should see a prompt in the terminal's window where UN is your user account's name @ your computer's name, both of which were assigned when you installed and configured your Linux O.S. distro. Warning: Do the steps in order and stick to the procedure, don't add any steps unless you know what it is that you are doing here.sudo apt-get install ndiswrapper-utils-1.8 ndiswrapper-utils-1.1 ndiswrapper-utils ndiswrapper-common --------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- 1.)Open your terminal (obviously). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.)UN@CN:~$ lspci | grep Broadcom Corporation A.)Press the Return/Enter key You should now see the following output return in your terminal's display: 0000:05:02.0 Network controller:Broadcom Corporation BCM4318 [AirForce One 54g] 802.11g Wireless LAN Controller (rev 02) If this is what your terminal command returns in the display you have nothing to worry about. Proceed to the next step. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.)UN@CN:~$ echo blacklist bcm43xx | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist A.)Press the Return/Enter key Your terminal will process the command and notify you that the 43xx driver file has been successfully 'blacklisted'. Warning: This will 'blacklist' an older version of the 43 driver series known as 43xx, which is pre-installed with UBUNTU Dapper Drake and possibly other Debian based Linux Distros. The 43xx driver will conflict with some other drivers in the 43xx genre. A lot of problems concerning oddly behaving cards could have something to do with the exclusion of this step, so just do it! It's better to be safe than sorry. ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5.)If you haven't already done so, go ahead and move your 'bcm4318[1].tar.gz' package to your desktop (a.k.a.- shell, be it Gnome ,KDE; etc.) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 6.)UN@CN:~$ cd /home/UN/Desktop A.)Press the Return/Enter key You should now see the following output return in your terminal's display: UN@CN:~/Desktop$ This output is telling you that the Desktop directory is your active directory and all actions will be initiated starting at this point. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Note: It works the same way a browser navigates through a web site. (Investigate this topic on your own as it is beyond the scope of this block of instruction.) The UN@CN:~/Desktop$ is your new base directory that you will be working out of. It stream- lines the process of file access. If you are going to working with a lot of files on your desktop you make the Desktop your base directory and the terminal will assume on your behalf that you will be doing all of your work in the Desktop "directory." This saves you time, in that, you do not have to write out the complete file path to every object on your desktop, just a command of execution and the file that the command will take action(s) upon. ------------------------------------------------------------------ 7.)UN@CN:~/Desktop$ tar -xf bcm4318[1].tar.gz A.)Press the Return/Enter key You should now see the output return in your terminal's display stating that the 'bcm4318[1].tar.gz' package is effectively being decompressed and extracted to the desktop. Once the terminal notifies you that the process of extraction was successfully completed and you see the prompt: UN@CN:~/Desktop$ ...proceed to the next step. ------------------------------------------------------------------- 8.)UN@CN:~/Desktop$ sudo ./ndiswrapper_setup A.)Press the Return/Enter key You will now witness the installation execution step by step as it is carried out automatically by the terminal. When the terminal returns a message stating that the installation was successfully completed you will be queried again with the terminal prompt: UN@CN:~/Desktop$ ...proceed to the next step. -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9.)System menu on your Desktop toolbar at the top of the screen,then: Administration > Networking, click the wireless connection of the 'Connections' tab and click the 'Properties' button. Click the "Enable This Connection check Box Radio Button", set your ESSID id to the active network name that you will use to access your router for wifi, and set your configuration to DHCP to automatically obtain IP addresses, just like in Windows. Warning: Make sure that your wireless lan is activated, only after inspecting the properties of your wlan connection setup properties, this will prevent wasted time, stupid questions, and people feeling stupid for asking stupid questions because they didn't pay attention to detail. Setting up WEP is simple, but you can consult your router's user/set-up documentation for the exact specifications of performing such a procedure. A.)Click "OK" ...and wait for the process to complete the update to your configuration settings. I have a Linksys 54G Wireless Router myself, and I use the router default for wifi which is "linksys," without the quotations, the ethernet ESSID is "Linksys." --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10.)Click "OK" of your "Network Settings" dialog window. ...and wait for the process to finalize your configuration settings. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 11.) Open your browser and surf to a web page like Google. Click the Google search text entry field, in the upper right corner of Firefox, and press the Retern/Enter key on your key-board and wait for Firefox to open Google's default Home Page. Close your browser and proceed to the next step... --------------------------------------------------------------------- 12.)UN@CN:~/Desktop$ ndiswrapper -l A.)Press the Return/Enter key Your terminal should return the following output in it's display: bcmwl5 driver present, hardware present At the terminal prompt: UN@CN:~/Desktop$ ...proceed to the next step. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 13.)UN@CN:~/Desktop$ sudo -i A.)Press the Return/Enter key B.)Key in your administrator password C.)Press the Return/Enter key 14.)UN@CN:~/Desktop# modprobe ndiswrapper A.)Press the Return/Enter key Now push the wifi network connect/disconnect button on your computer... - it should come on/light up, or turn off as the case may be. If you turned it off, turn it back on now. 15.)UN@CN:~/Desktop# ifdown eth1 A.)Press the Return/Enter key 16.)UN@CN:~/Desktop# ifup eth1 A.)Press the Return/Enter key 17.)UN@CN:~/Desktop# dhclient A.)Press the Return/Enter key 18.)UN@CN:~/Desktop# iwconfig A.)Press the Return/Enter key B.)Verify that the output displays the correct settings for your wifi network. 19.)Close the Terminal utility, and browse/surf as desired.Flarehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05856539186262404936noreply@blogger.com0