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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Money matters

Snap Shots

Modern Medicine

Heart to Heart with Hillary

PC Blues - News and Views

Personal Directions

Social Commentary by Khai Khem

Money matters: How good a job is your advisor/broker doing?

Graham Macdonald
MBMG International Ltd.

Generali International recently conducted an analysis to assess how well its clients’ investments were actually performing. One piece of data that this highlighted was that those clients who were advised by Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs) achieved average annualised returns more than 2 percent higher than those who had no advisor appointed (i.e. advised themselves).

Every year since opening its doors for business almost 10 years ago MBMG International has compared its own forecasts and advisory results with those of the big multinational investment organisations like Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley. Additional analysis at that time showed that in terms of portfolio allocation advice, many of the big boys were failing to achieve average sector performance.

The difficulty of course for any client of these organisations or indeed of any other organisation is knowing how well their investment has really performed. The industry has shown great creativity in producing a multitude of ways of proving what a great job it does in terms of added value, not least the dreaded ‘benchmarking’.

Both private investors and the majority of pension plans have historically favoured traditional investment assets that have been allocated in line with and whose performance has been assessed in relation to selected benchmarks.

The last 3 years have, however, highlighted that such a benchmark-driven process can be extremely inappropriate in situations where the performance of the selected benchmark can be at such odds with the delivery of returns that is actually required by the investor. This applies equally to either a fund of a pension programme of several hundred thousand employees, or an individual endowment policy designed to repay a home loan. Not only does a portfolio that generates 10% per year for 2 years achieve a 5% higher return that one which makes 20% one year and then loses it another, but it delivers these returns in a way that allows greater security of budget planning and less sleepless nights whether you’re a pension fund manager, financial planner or private investor.

It probably doesn’t do much to promote the invasive omnipresence of business media, such as CNBC, but we wouldn’t necessarily see that as a drawback. If each day’s events can have such a dramatic impact on your strategies as the newshounds would like to imply, then you probably have the wrong strategy! Information is undoubtedly a good thing. However we find the random presentation of the spurious, side-by-side with the insightful, adorned with liberal dollops of self-interest and self-promotion about as appetizing as those Vegas casino breakfasts where jam, honey, muffins and whipped cream are served up with bacon & eggs.

Few investors expect the equity market returns of the past decade to return anytime soon. Hence there has been increasing recognition that benchmarking is an unsatisfactory strategy. MBMG International has argued this long and loud for many years, even during the bull run, but sadly it often takes a bear market to allow reflective re-assessments to take place.

In this new paradigm, investors should now be seeking to identify strategies that can provide additional returns and create greater consistency of delivery of these returns, by broadening their investment flexibility. Moving expectations from benchmark-driven to new evaluation methodologies is a difficult process. In some cases this has required small steps at a time, including the use of the “portable alpha” concept and core-satellite approach, both of which reflect the additional freedom in asset allocation that can stem the control of risk that comes with the use of market neutral strategies.

Ultimately we hope to arrive at the Nirvana of enhanced indexing that was discussed in recent articles, but until then, our aim has to be all out war against a method of performance measurement that allows an advisor to say that losing 20% of your portfolio in 2001 was a good performance, when you might not readily agree! If it’s a positive return that you require year in, year out your advisor should be flexible enough to design a portfolio that delivers that, but if that’s not on offer because you’re only asked which benchmark you want to compete against, then maybe you’re being offered the wrong menu because you’re dining at the wrong restaurant.

Investment flexibility is out there, but the biggest institutions don’t need to offer it when they can achieve record profits by serving the same fare all the time and telling you that’s all there is. Investments shouldn’t be a short order menu!

The above data and research was compiled from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither MBMG International Ltd nor its officers can accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the above article nor bear any responsibility for any losses achieved as a result of any actions taken or not taken as a consequence of reading the above article. For more information please contact Graham Macdonald on graham@mbmg-international .com


Snap Shots: How to get great holiday snaps!

by Harry Flashman

A camera is one item that just about everyone takes on holidays, but the results when you come back home may not be all that you hoped. This is particularly so if it is an overseas trip and you can’t just dash back and take the shot again. This of course is one advantage of digital photography over conventional print film - however, it is very difficult to see just how good or bad the shot really is when squinting at an image 2x2.5 cm in size. You certainly cannot judge sharpness, for example.

Girl on a bicycle at Siem Reap bridge (Photo by Ernie Kuehnelts)

However, to come back with some cracker holiday shots is not all that difficult, it just needs some thought and time. Not taking the correct amount of time in shooting is probably the number one reason for getting disappointing results. The corollary is that by taking time, you will get good results!

Take a look at the shot of the Cambodian girl on the bicycle. This was taken by keen amateur Ernie Kuehnelts (whose results are getting more professional every year) and took one hour. No, he did not get the girl to cycle back and forth for 60 minutes, but he stayed in position (in the shade) close to a bridge in Siem Reap for one hour. During that time he snapped interesting looking subjects and this shot was one of the best. It is a wonderfully evocative shot that shows the life of a Cambodian peasant girl. By the way, the shot was taken on an AF Nikon using the follow focus facility, and it certainly worked well. Ernie showed me the shot blown up well past A4 size and the eyes remained sharp.

Battambang Temple (Photo by Ernie Kuehnelts)

The second shot is one of a temple, again in Cambodia in Battambang, and again taken during Ernie’s last holiday there. This shot is notable for the use of the ‘frame within a frame’, picturing the temple framed by the entrance gateway. Frame within a frame always works in my book, and Ernie moved around until he could get the framing to his satisfaction. Verticals were difficult, but he has done a great job.

What is worth noting from Ernie Kuehnelts’ photographs is that he has come back with images of Cambodia, not photographs of “me beside a temple” or “me taken with our guide”. Your camera should be used to record the place you visited, not just you on your holidays. The former kinds of photographs are interesting. The latter are not!

A perennial question with going overseas is when do you process your film? Every time you go through a security check in an airport, they X-Ray your baggage. Sure, there’s little signs up which say “Film safe”. Don’t believe them! By the time your film has been through a few of these checks, it has had a significant dose of rays, and the effect is additive. One pass may be OK, but a few passes are not.

The answer is to process as much film as you can “over there” before you come back. Of course, if you are holidaying in Iran or Nigeria, I’d take the risk and bring the film back here for processing.

Finally, think about how you are going to present the results. It is always a huge temptation to bring out folders of photos as soon as you get back. Wait! Sort them, keep the good ones, throw away the bad. Show only your best shots and everyone will be amazed at your superb photographs! Like Ernie’s friends!


Modern Medicine: P’d Off! - Preferable to being P’d on!

by Dr. Iain Corness, Consultant

My stimulus for this week’s article was being pee’d upon by my young daughter while she sat peacefully (peesfully?) on my knee. I am assured by her mother that this is a show of affection, but I think I am being led by the nose up the proverbial garden path. At two months of age, you just pee any time you want to - something like the local song taew drivers!

There are many euphemisms for urinating (to use the ‘correct’ term). One I really do love is having a twinkle! It is amazing just how many words are used by the average Anglo-Saxon family to describe one of nature’s most basic and instinctual acts. From pee-pee, to passing water, to number ones, to doing a “wet” - the list is endless. When asking a young child about bladder habits I always speak to the parents first saying “What do you call it in your house?”

And that roundabout beginning leads us to Urinary Tract Infections, otherwise known as UTI’s in the med bizz. This is a condition which can result in Cystitis, another very common in women. This is an inflammation of the bladder and the body responds by sending you messages that you have to quickly go to pass water, but all you get is a burning and scalding teaspoonful and half an hour later it is a repeat performance.

It is said, and probably with some correctness too, that the female short Urethra (the tube from the bladder to the outside world) is the reason for this, while the male, with the longer Urethra does not have the problem. One wonders if this was the start of the so-called “penis envy”?

The usual symptoms of a UTI are burning and scalding and frequency (going to the toilet many times a day) and sometimes there is blood in the urine too. If the infection is coming from the kidneys there can also be pain in the loin region and the patient can be quite ill, with fevers and rigors (uncontrollable shaking).

Diagnosis begins with examination of the urine, and the best way is a Mid-Stream Urine (which we call an MSU because we love acronyms). If you are going to see the doctor you can save time by taking along your MSU. The MSU is obtained by passing water into the toilet, then passing some into a clean bottle and then finishing in the toilet bowl again.

The doctor may elect to have the urine examined and cultured for the micro-organism involved, or it may be just a simple dipstick test, with the doctor quite sure of the diagnosis.

The end result is generally some antibiotics and something to make the urine more alkaline if there is a lot of pain, but one of the cornerstones of all UTI treatments is for the patient to drink lots and lots and lots and lots of water. Really flush the urinary tract through, taking the bugs away and out of the body.

Of course, if the UTI’s are recurrent, then it will be necessary to investigate further and see why this is so. Sometimes the Ureters (the tubes from the kidneys to the bladder) are malformed, or there can be stones in the kidney which may predispose the patient towards this condition. Generally we would begin with an ultrasound and work on through from there - but the majority of UTI’s are a simple infection.


Heart to Heart with Hillary

Dear Hillary,
Your column is not only for foreigners, is it? I have a few words to say. I have read your column and learnt that many foreign guys complain that they get ripped off by Thai ladies. It seems that many of them think all of us are gold diggers. They complain they are being betrayed and bla bla bla. I personally think that they should look back at the way they treat the ladies before they complain they are being ripped off. Some start their evening with drinking and spending time at the pubs and the bars while their ladies are at home awaiting for their return. Many end up at short time hotels with service girls. I actually was with a foreign guy. He drank every day and usually take bar ladies home while I was away. I’d never asked for even a single baht from him and I didn’t rip him off either. There are always white and black side when you are looking at a certain thing. Therefore, please do not blame that all Thai ladies are after farang’s wallets. There are a lot of us who are not seeking for a financial supporter but a fine lifetime partner.
A Thai girl

Dear Thai Girl,
Strange as you might find this, but Hillary is actually on your side. As you say, there is more than one way of looking at things, and it would definitely be wrong to say that all Thai girls are only trying to get into their farang’s wallets. But undoubtedly some are. And it is also wrong to say that all farang men spend their days drinking and going to short time hotels. But undeniably some do. The problems is getting the good girls to meet the good guys, and this generally does not happen in the ‘bar’ scene. The other problem is that the farang men out there usually take the ‘easy’ way to meet Thai women, and again it is with working girls in the bars. Easy way and ‘easy’ women are the recipes for disaster that ends up with the farang men writing to Hillary, saying how they have been ripped off. Each week I try to tell these men that they actually asked to be ripped off. The way to a good Thai girl’s heart is just as difficult, if not more so, than in their own country. I certainly do not blame you or the great majority of Thai ladies who are looking for that “fine lifetime partner.” Best of luck, Thai Girl, but make sure you are in the right places too!
Dear Hillary,
Why do you print all those letters from the poor saps who spend their afternoons in the bars, their nights with the bar ladies and their mornings complaining about their headaches and being used? They bring it all on themselves. They don’t need sympathy, they need tickets back to where they came from. The rest of us do not have these problems with the local ladies.
Fed Up Listening

Dear Fed Up Listening,
That’s the difference between you and me, my complaining Petal. You don’t have to listen to them. I do. My function is to give advice to those who request it. The letters are published to help others who are in the same kind of predicament. You are very obviously not, so you should be thankful. And perhaps a little bit more sympathetic towards your fellow man.
Dear Hillary,
There is a young woman who works in an office I go into regularly. She seemed a nice enough sort of gal, so I asked her out to a party. Since then, I have taken her out to the movies a couple of times, and that was OK too. This relationship has been above board at all times (I am just getting over a divorce in my home country and don’t need hassles right now). I thought this was OK, but now she has been ringing me up to say that she cannot stay in her unit because they are a) repairing it or b) painting it, or c) her friends have come for a visit and the young baby will keep her awake or now the builders are in the street and she cannot get any rest because they start work so early. Each time this means that she comes over to my unit during the day and then sleeps over. So far I have put her in the second bedroom, but I can see this will not last. What advice have you got for me?
South Pattaya Sam

Dear South Pattaya Sam,
You are becoming “set up South Pattaya Sam”, my Petal, if you have not cottoned on to this already. Or then again, I may be wrong and perhaps she just has an interest in hydrodynamics and wants to inspect your plumbing. I am concerned that your house is in need of repairs too, especially since you are worried that your second bedroom “will not last”. Hillary suggests you get the builders in and repair and redecorate it, and don’t answer your phone. You have been warned!


Personal Directions: Discuss but don’t argue

by Christina Dodd

Developing interpersonal skills is integral to improving professional skills and to becoming a capable manager in today’s business world where managers are expected to be miracle workers. Here are some thoughts by Shiv Khera on a most important part of our behavior which can help equip anyone - not only managers - to create a more harmonious and productive life both personally and professionally.

“There are some personalities that can be labeled as argumentative and that shows in their behavior and relationships.

Arguments can be avoided and a lot of heartache prevented by being a little careful. The best way to win an argument is to avoid it. An argument is one thing you will never win. If you win, you lose; if you lose, you lose. If you win an argument but lose a good job, customer, friend or marriage, what kind of victory is it? Pretty empty. Arguments result from inflated ego.

Arguing is like fighting a losing battle. Even if one wins, the cost may be more than the victory is worth. Emotional battles leave a residual ill will even if you win.

In an argument both people are trying to have the last word. Argument is nothing more than a battle of egos and results in a yelling contest. A bigger fool than the one who knows it all is the one who argues with him.

Is it worth it?

The more arguments you win, the fewer friends you have. Even if you are right, is it worth arguing? The answer is pretty obvious. A big no. Does that mean one should never bring up a point? One should but tactfully by saying something neutral such as “based on my information ...” If the other person is argumentative, even if you can prove him wrong, is it worth it? I don’t think so. Do you make your point a second time? I wouldn’t. Why? Because the argument is coming from a closed mind trying to prove who is right rather than what is right.

For example, at a social get-together, especially after a few drinks, someone may say authoritatively, “The current year’s export figures are $50 billion.” You happen to know his information is incorrect and the right figure is $45 billion. You read it in the paper that morning or you heard it on the radio on the way to the get-together and you have a bulletin in your car to substantiate it. Do you make your point? Yes, by saying, “My information is that the export figure is $45 billion.” The other person reacts, “You don’t know what you are talking about. I know exactly what it is and it is $50 billion.”

At this point you have several choices:

1. Make your point again and start an argument.

2. Run and bring the bulletin from your car and make sure you prove him wrong.

3. Avoid it.

4. Discuss but don’t argue.

The right choice is number 3 only. If one wants to accomplish great things in life one has to practice maturity. Maturity means not getting entangled in unimportant things and petty arguments.

What is the difference between an argument and a discussion?

* An argument throws heat; a discussion throws light.

* One stems from ego and a closed mind whereas the other comes from an open mind.

* An argument is an exchange of ignorance whereas a discussion is an exchange of knowledge.

* An argument is an expression of temper whereas a discussion is an expression of logic.

* An argument tries to prove who is right whereas a discussion tries to prove what is right.

It is not worthwhile to reason with a prejudiced mind; it wasn’t reasoned into him so you can’t reason it out. A narrow mind and a big mouth usually lead to interesting but pointless arguments.

In order to discuss, let the other person state his side of the case without interruption. Let him blow steam. Don’t try to prove him wrong on every point. Never let him drag you to his level. Treat him with courtesy and respect; that will confuse him.

Regardless of the cause, the best way to diffuse the situation is to:

1. Give a patient hearing.

2. Not fight back or retaliate - that will confuse the other person because he was expecting a fight.

3. Not expect an apology. For some people apologizing is difficult even if they have made a mistake.

4. Not make issues out of petty matters.

Discussion entails not only saying the right thing at the right time but also leaving unsaid what need not be said. Children should be taught the art of speaking up but not talking back. As adults we should learn the art of disagreeing without being disagreeable.

The way a person handles an argument reflects their upbringing.

Steps to opening a discussion:

1. Be open-minded.

2. Don’t be dragged into an argument.

3. Don’t interrupt.

4. Listen to the other person’s point of view before giving your own.

5. Ask questions to clarify. That will also set the other person thinking.

6. Don’t exaggerate.

7. Be enthusiastic in convincing, not forceful.

8. Be willing to yield.

9. Be flexible on petty things but not on principles.

10. Don’t make it a prestige issue.

11. Give your opponent a graceful way to withdraw without hurting his pride. Rejection can be hurtful.

12. Use soft words but hard arguments rather than hard words and soft arguments.

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument. His strong and bitter words only indicate a weak cause.

During a discussion it may be a good idea to use phrases such as:

It appears to me ...

I may be wrong ...

Another way to diffuse arguments is by showing ignorance and asking questions such as:

Why do you feel that way?

Can you explain a little?

Can you be more specific?

If nothing works, it may be worthwhile to politely, gently, and with courtesy, agree to disagree.”

If you would like to write to me or contact me further about any of our personal or business skills programs, then please email me at Chris tina.dodd@ asiatrainin gas sociates.com I’d be very happy to hear from you.

Until next time, have a tremendous week!


Social Commentary by Khai Khem:  Peace, tranquility (and sane traffic)

It’s a multi-tasking world. And when you’re a journalist working on a computer, you’ve literally got your back turned to it. Then you swivel around to take a peek and find that all Hell has broken lose in more ways than even a writer can imagine. I’ll save the gory details for another column. I digress. I finally came out of my fog in time for another public holiday, but unlike this year’s ball-buster Songkran, VisakaPucha was a thousand blessings rolled up into a day of peace and harmony – for me, anyway. And I hope for readers as well. It was one of the most human and friendly days in Pattaya that I can remember. And I’ve got a loooong memory.

Many people work behind the scenes on public holidays, everywhere in the world. In reality, life doesn’t stop for a red-letter day on a national calendar. Public holidays can be a real pain in the neck for those who have agendas; regardless. Thailand has a lot of them, and sometimes we get stressed out and they get in our way, so to speak.

In our determination to get the job done, we lose track of the real meaning of each country’s special days of celebration and joy. I know I did. That’s why I dropped everything on VisakaPucha and took that day for myself and used it anyway I wanted. Yummy. Better than a hotel buffet! (And it’s not as fattening.)

Thai people in our region were so unanimously “Thai” for that that single day, it made me realize how close they have come to losing their ancient values without actually doing so. I spent most of the day alone in my car watching Thais be Thais. Our whole region was so charming, civilized and well-behaved on the roads, in the sois and on the highways I was completely under their spell. Ordinary Thai people in every walk of life took control and behaved with such educated common sense, wise good will, and automatic cooperation that even old cynical Khai Khem was aghast!

Even huge shopping centers were less hectic, although they were crowed and the employees were very busy. The teamwork was so apparent I could almost taste it. By the way, in the workplace, wherever you may find it, there is a new generation out there in the trenches. An older, wiser Thai is standing behind them who may not be tri-lingual, and is perhaps out of sight, but make no mistake; the young Thais we are dealing with now are this country’s future and are a New Breed.

And if any tourists missed this special Thai holiday, I’d advise them not to miss another. On June 2, Pattaya and the whole of Chonburi Province showed what it was truly made of. The Thai way! Of course the bars and shops couldn’t sell booze which may have accounted for much of the incredible order I witnessed when I drove around the city, but to give credit, the atmosphere in Fun City was reverent but still jolly.

If my column is a little short this week and not as turgid, I know you will understand; I’m still in a peaceful trance steeped in harmony, curtsey, reverence and gratitude to this great society. And thankful to the people in this community who worked so hard to make that day possible. Buddha Bless.

I came back home to work, but lost myself in a spectacular sunset and paused. What a joy it is to celebrate this holy day in Thailand. “Take time to be kind” – as the Hard Rock would say! If we rise above all the racket going on around us, there are many voices calling out the directions to a better life – trust me - we just need to tune in.

As the sun set in yellows, pinks, reds and blues, I remembered some old wisdom that comes down through generations of time and experience, and the concepts can be translated in every human language. The ‘work ethic’ in the West came to mind since I write in English. “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” China says, “To get rich is glorious.” “A stitch in time saves 9,” refers to trend-spotting and those who spot trouble coming and prevent small problems from becoming unmanageable through quick response, not procrastination! Oh heck-readers get the point, right?

VisakaPucha may have been only ‘The pause that refreshes’ or the lull before the storm. While I’m in the jingoism mode, I may as well throw out the traditional signs above small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the USA that read, “In God we trust; all others must pay cash.” During troubled times, mainly economic, social or political, up-country Thai villagers say, “When elephants fight (the rich and powerful) the ants get trampled.” They also say it’s bad luck to whistle in the kitchen, but who cooks in this city of fab’ restaurants in the land of the “Kitchen of the World”?

My mental wanderings came to an end with the approaching evening and I joined my neighbors in a walk to the next-door wat. Ah, how good it is to clear one’s mind and not think. Ooops! Just thought of another phrase that is soooo Thai; equivalent to “Don’t think too much.” Ooommmmm.


PC Blues - News and Views: Lindows bites the bullet

by Monitor

I received news recently that Micro$oft has successfully suppressed the use of the name ‘Lindows’. Lindows is, or was, the product of Lindows, Inc. Having failed to suppress it in USA, Micro$oft began lawsuits in many overseas countries, thus overwhelming the finances of Lindows Inc to defend themselves. Lindows Inc capitulated (except in USA) and changed the name of their product.

After some dithering about the name ‘Lindos’ (which happens to be the tourist capital of the Greek island, Rhodes), they have settled on a new name of Linspire (and a website to match - www.linspire.com). Their CEO, Michael, explains this as being a compound on ‘Lin’ for linux, and ‘spire’, which is the pointy bit on top of a church in England.

For a short period, the product, with its new name, can be downloaded for free: it is over 500 Mb, so it will take about a day over a 56kb modem connection.

What is Lindows/Linspire?

Lindows/Linspire is a replacement for Windows, but has at its core the Linux operating system. This is inherently more reliable than Windows, and has the support of a vast number of Open Source programmers. Linux is under continuous development, like the Porsche 911 was.

Of course, Windows is also under continuous development, but their source code is secret: Linux source code is publicly available, and open to public scrutiny, like a scientific theory. It seems that Linux had a better start position, and that open source development improves things better and faster than closed internal development. Small wonder, then, that Micro$oft is trying to make things awkward.

What is Linux?

Very loosely speaking, Linux is a freeware version of UNIX. Its roots lie in a kernel (www.kernel.org) developed by Linus Torvald, together with the toolset developed through the Free Software Foundation of Richard Stallman (www.gnu.org).

UNIX (encyclopedia.thefree dictionary.com/AT&T%20 Unix) in turn is a multi-user operating system developed by AT&T Bell Labs in 1969 and the early years of the 70’s. It was developed for in-house use, but was so successful that they licensed it publicly. It was taught in universities, along with the contemporaneous programming language, C. A whole generation of programmers left university demanding nothing else. (This was before PC’s became available.)

Unfortunately for the impecunious programmers, and their employers, AT&T charged a lot for their licence. All commercial companies jealously guarded their source code, as Micro$oft does today. Richard Stallman rebelled against this, and organised the production of openly available source code, and software tools which would replace the ‘licensed’ toolset of UNIX.

Linus Torvald provided the finishing touch to this - a kernel to replace the UNIX kernel. The kernel is the heart of the Linux operating system.

What do you get for your money?

If you buy Windows (from Micro$oft) you get a desktop operating system and a few simple office tools and toys.

If you get Linux, you get the kernel (the operating system is called the kernel) and a lot of tools (and toys): office tools and development tools: databases, compilers, interpreters and debuggers. In fact, you get everything you need to rebuild everything you have got, to adapt it to your specific needs, and to upgrade it whenever necessary.

If you are buying from Micro$oft, everything costs extra. To get a real word processor you have to pay. To get a real database you have to pay. To get a real compiler you have to pay.

But, Windows is for the office: secretaries can use it, and can explain what they are doing to their managers.

Linux is for technicians, who want to do something special.

Linux is ‘free’ - but there is a delivery charge

You can download all the components you want over the Internet, and all it will cost you is your connect time, which may be considerable. (See my note above on the download time for Linspire). Alternatively, you can buy a ‘distribution’ for a moderate fee, and there are lots of distributions. Some of the companies who produce these distributions have evolved into substantial businesses, and supply major commercial packages, with support contracts.

Linspire is such a ‘distribution’, and normally costs about US$60.

There are so many distributions that there is a website devoted to the subject, at www.distrowatch.com

Mandrake, I see, is top of the list, closely followed by Fedora. Now, ‘mandrake’ is a root, and a root is the start of a linux file system. A Fedora is a style of hat, and Red Hat (lying 7th) is one of the most well known distributions. Red Hat is falling probably because it has gone heavily commercial. SuSE (a German company, also gone commercial) is lying 6th. I used to use this because it stuck most closely to the standards. You can buy distributions for as little as US$1.99. Admire the prices at www.linuxcd.org - they ship worldwide.