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..... ketika negeri ini berada dalam cengkraman Order Baru, prestasinya pernah membanggakan, berhasil swasembada beras, 1986. Sayangnya kebanggaan itu, suburnya negeri ini, tidak berlajut lama.

Lantas pertanyaannya apa resep keberhasilan dengan kisah M.Yunus dan Bank Grameennya, menggunakan sistem jaringan. "Waktu itu, semua sarana pertanian dan kebutuhan petani, diperdagangkan melalui, "jaringan(Network) tertutup "lewat Koperasi Unit Desa (KUD)", jelas Amal Algozhali, Ketua Penanggungjawab Ketahanan Pangan & Dewan Koperasi Indonesia (Dekopin).

Dengan jaringan itu, otomatis semua kebutuhan petani dipenuhi oleh Koperasi, entah itu jaminan supply yang tepat, tepat dosis, tepat mutu dan tepat harga. Petani juga tidak kesulitan pupuk, bibit dan permodalan. Lewat cara ini "Jaringan tertutup", mata rantai pekerjaan menjadi pendek, sehingga tidak adalagi kesempatan tengkulak bermain. Sayang aturan main yang mensejahterakan petani ini, tidak dipertahankan dalam era reformasi, dibelokkan menjadi perdagangan bebas.

Jika KUD diberik kewenangan mendistribusikan pupuk lewat "Jaringan Tertutup", maka cerita penyelewengan terserbut tidak akan terjadi. Alasannya selain disubsidi, Koperasi akan terus dikejar oleh anggotanya bila pupuk menjadi langka.

Kendati namanya berbeda, Koperasi dan Network marketing, punya kemiripan. Keduanya tidak ada pemegang saham mayoritas, punya anggota yang banyak, saling bekerjasama untuk saling mensejahterakan. "Jadi saya pikir, substansinya sama, memberikan kesejahteraan bagi anggota" jelas Amal Algozhali.

Karena luasnya Indonesia, ditambah permintaan yang terbilang tinggi, sebuah inovasi dilakukan, mengingat kesuksesan swasembada beras dengan "Jaringan Tertutup" lewat KUD, membuat semangatnya menggebu untuk "merger" dengan Network Marketing. Alasannya, sistem ini dapat mempersingkat "Mata Rantai" distribusi, sehingga tepat waktu, tepat mutu, tepat supply kepada konsumen, khususnya para petani.

sumber : Bisnis Plus Edisi 24

"A Network Marketing business is a new and revolutionary way to achieve wealth. A Network Marketing system- a system I often call a personal franchise (or an invisible big business network)- is a very democratic way of wealth creation."

Robert Kiyosaki
The Business School, for People Who Like Helping Other People.
Best-selling author of the Rich Dad series of books.

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paz

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Yahoo Messenger digunakan sebagai sarana yang untuk melakukan online recitation, namun untuk hari ini ada yang membuatku sedikit jengkel. Ya karena YM-ku tidak bisa untuk melakukan voice, karena beberapa hal.

Yahoo Messenger Voice tidak bisa dijalankan melalui komputer yang terhubung ke internet melalui proxy, jadi untuk user yang ingin menggunakan YM Voice harus memiliki IP Public masing-masing

Namun ada solusi untuk hal ini yaitu menggunakan VPN atau langsung dialup menggunakan HP sebagai modem atau Modem Leased Line dari sambungan telepon rumah.

Yang Kedua Yahoo Messenger yang belum terupdate tidak bisa diinstall pada Windows Vista, jadi gunakan update YM terbaru.

Yang Ketiga Yahoo Messenger juga masih belum sepenuhnya bisa berjalan di Windows Vista, untuk melakukan koneksi voice dibutuhkan software tambahan berupa TrueSpeech codec yang bisa di download disini

Yap semua yang dibutuhkan untuk YM Voice sudah tersedia, IP Public, YM Current Release, serta TSP Codec-nya, duh senangnya mendengarkan ulama menjelaskan al-quran lewat YM, pake English pula coz yang mengikuti online recitation ini from all around the world.

Happy online recitation ^o^, mo ngikut???

In an effort to reduce my debt load, I have taken an additional job in order to increase my accelerator margin payments. The good news is, in the 4 months I've been doing this new routine we've paid off four credit cards as well as a vehicle loan. The great news is that this new job offers a SEP account. Well, what exactly is a SEP account, is it just a different term for a 401k? Let's take a look and find out.

Employers will typically offer one of these plans: 401(k), 403 (b), TSA, SIMPLE, SEP, or Keogh.

401(k) is the most popular type of employer sponsored retirement plan. This is also the most complex and costly to maintain for the company. The employer can elect to make a matching contribution to the employees salary-deferral contribution . Within 401(k)'s you can take out loans, set up a vesting schedule, and profit-sharing plan. Maximum annual contributions are $15,500.

What all this means is that you can invest dollars that have never been taxed, thereby lowering the amount of your paycheck that is taxed. Depending on the plan with your company, for every dollar you invest your employer might throw in 50 cents up to a maximum amount, usually 3%. So if you contribute 3% of your salary, your employer will give you another 1.5% on top of it for 'free'.

With a vesting schedule, your employer is basically insuring their investment in you. Once you are employed with the company for a certain amount of years, all of the company's portion becomes 100% yours. However, if you leave the company early, after a year or two, you have to return a percentage of the company's contribution.

While the funds are invested and growing, you do not owe any taxes. This is a tax-deferred arrangement where you will owe taxes when you pull the money out, taxed at a rate dictated by your current tax bracket. Keep in mind there are penalties for early withdrawal. On top of owing taxes due on that amount, you're also required to pay a 10% penalty! Loaning yourself money out of this account is also an option, however you have to stick to a repayment plan and have the money back within 5 years. The loan amount can be any amount between $1,000-$50,000 and might carry a nominal fee.

403(b)'s are essentially the same as 401(k)'s except that these are offered to government employees, not-for-profit organizations and ministers. Tax-Sheltered Annuities (TSA) are a type of 403(b) where funds can be invested in annuities through insurance companies or in mutual funds as a custodial account.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is an equivalent plan that the military offers.

Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP) is most often utilized by self-employed persons. If the business owner has employees he must offer this benefit to them as well. A SEP operates similarly to an IRA where funds can be invested just as they would within an IRA shelter at the control and discretion of the owner (employee). The funds are taxed at ordinary income tax rates, withdrawals can be made at 59 1/2 years of age, and contributions are deductible. For employees to qualify, they must have worked 3 of the previous 5 years with the employer, be 21 years of age, and earned at least $500 of compensation for the tax year. Max annual contributions are the lesser of 25% of employees compensation or $46,000 (for 2008).

Saving Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) is also set up by self-employed persons. Employees of the business owner are eligible if he has 100 or fewer employees who received $5,000 or more in contributions in the previous two calender years. Maximum annual contributions are $10,500 (for 2008). The employer has two choices in funding the employees account: matching 1-3% of employees contributions with pre-tax dollars or a flat 2% non-elective contribution regardless of whether the employee makes any contributions himself.

Keogh plan is named after the Senator who created it. Keogh's tend to be more complicated than SEP's but allow you to set aside more money for retirement. Same as a SIMPLE, if you fund a Keogh as self-employed or an unincorporated business you will also need to do this for your eligible employees. Keogh's offer two types of plans money purchase or profit-sharing. For money purchase plans, used by high-income earners, you can put away the lesser of 25% or $46,000 (for 2008). With profit-sharing plans, you can contribute the lesser of 3-25% or $46,000 (for 2008). This plan offers annual flexibility based on profits.

Many benefits can be gained in pursuing an employer sponsored retirement plan. You will be able to put away more towards your retirement than you could with an individual account of just $5,000 a year for IRA's. You will also reduce your taxable income by contributing to a 401 (k) or SIMPLE with pre-tax dollars. Keep in mind you will still owe taxes but these with be taken out at the time of withdrawal.

If your company offers any of these you should immediately take advantage of the offer. No matter how large your debt or small your income you should ALWAYS accept and participate in the highest company matching program. You'll never be able to afford to turn down free money!

Game Plan Scenarios:

1-Your Company Offers a Retirement Plan with a Match

Invest fully in this account up to the point of the full match AND then fully fund a Roth IRA.

2-Your Company Offers a Retirement Plan but no Match

First priority is fully funding a Roth IRA and then the employer sponsored account.

3- You don't have the money to invest in both accounts

Invest in the 401(k) only if your company matches, if not, fund a Roth IRA.

Remember 401 (k)'s, 403 (b)'s, TSA's, and TSP's are not tax-free. You just pay the taxes at the end instead of at the beginning. However, be aware, the taxes are based on your tax bracket, more than likely the younger you are the lower the tax bracket you'll find yourself in. Also, taxes will rise. In some instances, there are more tax advantages to taking the tax hit now, while you're in a lower bracket and before taxes inevitably increase.

Words work on me, push against my better judgment. Even trite words, cliche phrases, if they connect with each other in a certain way then I’m fucked. Music too, because it’s like poetry, meaning that it is poetry, which is really nothing more than metaphor which goes slightly farther. Like sex. 

I like change. I like novelty. I like suddenness and I like force. Between the sheets and between the lines my weakness is for something I anticipate just beyond the edge of experience. Again, and again, I attempt to write myself in (until the world should end), seduce my way through. The next experience, the next edge of reason, I used to believe that if I pushed it far enough I could transcend. There are too few people who attempt to understand, but why strive to comprehend unreason? Don’t ever tell anybody anything. You’ll just end up missing them.

I feel a lot about the Smashing Pumpkins. Too many years. Disgust, apprehension, regret, until it all becomes surreal. The concerts are better than a fist fight; they go beyond where sex fails and where words, my words, fear to tread. I hate myself like this: anticipating.

(I don’t cite my sources.)

Seven years later that was shattered, first by the band, and then by their fans. “Why is it that you say ‘I don’t want to fight’ in one song but then in ‘United States’ say that you want to fight? Aren’t you kind of contradicting yourself?” An awkward pause as the fan’s question hung in the air and then Billy Corgan turned and walked away. The crowd dispersed, some shocked by the question, a few by the response. I wondered then, and not for the first time since the band had reformed, what effect the seven year breakup had had on the fans, who they even were anymore. 

I remembered who they had been, how they had been. Young, naive, in-love. Fickle, misunderstood, empty. I knew one fan who dropped out of high school while following the band from state to state. I expected to see her in San Francisco, now that they had decided to stay in one place for twelve sold-out shows; she, however, had a nine to five job in Chicago and would not come. 

Many of the fans who were there had similar responsibilities, but still I saw them in line, arriving late each day in worn-out tour t-shirts and faded enthusiasm, bearing apologies fraught with traffic and prior commitments. I spent a few hours each day standing with them while they waited. We talked about our children, our absent spouses who “would never understand,” how far we had traveled, and when I noticed their extramarital affairs unfolding on the sidewalk I looked the other way.

From the balcony I watched them, too pregnant to venture onto the floor. They were still in the front row though, still part of the crowd, albeit a very small part. I watched the apathetic mass behind them too, as it came to life only for the current single and hits like “1979.”

The music was better this time. The band was better. I had never expected to see the Smashing Pumpkins perform with a lineup that did not contain at least one person who clearly did not want to be there. The significance of this seemed lost, however, on the crowds that filled the lobby during the last half hour of a three hour set, unwilling to leave before the club staff released the commemorative “sold out show” posters for which the Fillmore is famous.

A different crowd waited by the stage door each night; here fans complained about the band’s refusal to sign autographs after the shows as they waited to ask Billy Corgan their questions. A story circulated about a girl who had gotten an autograph: Billy Corgan stopped and signed her arm as he was walking into the club to rehearse. She then did what any fan would do and ran to the nearest tattoo parlor to have his signature preserved. 

I have my own tattoo, the logo found on the inside of Siamese Dream, the album which it is fashionable for fans to claim that Zeitgeist is not. True, but irrelevant when it is no longer the year of our Lord Grunge, no longer 1994. There is a danger in relevance when what is current is what people fear. I went to three tattoo parlors on my eighteenth birthday desperate for that tattoo; but it was September 11th 2001, they were all closed, all afraid.

Fanatic. A person marked by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm. I listen to Zeitgeist when I am driving in the car; it soothes the baby in the back seat. I listen to Zeitgeist because it overpowers me. I listen to it because I like the songs and it seems pointless if anyone understands. I want to believe again: in seven years, second chances, self-fulfilled prophecies. I want to believe that the effect is that it is about the music this time.  

“An Ode to No One” was the last song played in San Francisco.

-original application for the Smashing Pumpkins Media Militia February 2008

I wanted to call this channeling innocence, not even consciously writing about it but being there once again, nostalgic despite my hatred of it at the time. But misnomers abound and the days (the reflection of, absence of, tricks of light) I had thought to find cannot have been innocent: lack of guile and corruption and (also but separate) purity: freedom from adulteration, contamination, immorality. Freedom being unrestricted by outside hindrances. Me, innocent, pure, free from where/what/when? Then or now? What things could I compare or mean and how can I find my way out of the state of speculation? 

It is something to go round and round about. The problem is that the same definitions (the same cliches) have to be applied to everything at once. I know that I was not free (and therefore not pure, not innocent) in many many ways most of them not of my choosing. Yet I was wrong in so many ways that I must have been free from all incriminating knowledge that would force morality or in any way dilute the purity of my ignorance and if pure in that sense then innocent as well. Play the same logical tricks with the present. It seems that the words must lie or else none of these ideas ever existed at all.

-posted on smashingpumpkins.com 8.1.8

-posted 6.9.7 on smashingpumpkins.com

fan n. An ardent devotee; an enthusiast. [Short for fanatic.]

fanatic n. A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause. 

In the past few weeks, I have come across a great deal of anxiety surrounding the notions of a Smashing Pumpkins band and Smashing Pumpkins "fans." I refer both to what/who *is* a fan (aka the "kind"/"quality" of fans) as well as brief cynical statements from those whom it would never occur to me to not refer to as a fan, even were they to begin burning the band's albums in protest of not a single Chicago show. 

Doubts concerning the line-up. 

Doubts concerning anything which Billy Corgan might do after (what many view as) the debacle of the last few years. 

Doubts and they take the form of "MySpace" "politics" "Christianity." 

Doubts and if they are anything like me revolve around an unwillingness to go back, to do it wrong, the hysteria of vulnerability. I have learned to always define my terms. My mind struggles right now with the notion of "fanatic" and its application to any of the adult fans I know. There is something which I want to be an easy dichotomy of "that was then, this is now." 

Because I remember when listening to music was serious business. Not just the Pumpkins but any "real" band. The only people who mattered were other "serious" fans, maybe some were into Nirvana and others Nine Inch Nails, but the odds were high that nearly every single person you knew had acquired tickets to the Garbage concert that night. 

I never knew a casual Smashing Pumpkins fan. Sure, there were a few people (always older) who owned only Siamese Dream, but they never came across as "fans"; they just had good ("credible") taste. I was familiar with many more who positively loathed the band, but that too was acceptable because everyone knows that it is impossible to summon that kind of vitriol against merely mediocre guitars. And then there were The Real Fans. 

Dedication, obsession, a fervency which went beyond infatuation to border on hysteria. It was a kind of intensity of focus which manifested itself in varying ways. Every single one of them did not dumpster dive, compulsively collect, own an album containing pictures of a certain purple house. There was not a unanimous consensus that it ought to be one's highest ambition to sleep with Billy because some preferred Jimmy and others merely wanted to have their hair cut like James. Some were ostentatious and aspired to follow the band around the world (or at least a continent or two) while an over-worn Zero shirt was as public as others got. 

The thing is, (the thing I can't let go), that they were all teenagers, all under twenty-one. I will admit here that my perception is a perception (is a limited personal experience, subjective, always skewed). Because if I was twelve when "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" hit the air, there are others who can say the same in regards to "I Am One." So I will amend, there were some who held on through the entire span of the nineties, despite day jobs and without the encumbrance of parents who "would never understand," but for the most part, in the band's final few years, those behaving most irrationally were referred to as fans and were all quite young. 

To the revelations of fresh faced youth,
No one will come to save you.
So speak your peace in the murmurs drawn,
But youth is wasted on the young.
Your strength is my weakness, your weakness my hate. 

I try to avoid explicating Corgan's lyrics for anyone other than myself. Especially when I'm not 100% certain about the accuracy of the text ("Tarantula"). A forum to voice my doubts instead. This is coming at a time when I have little more to do than hold my laptop hot against my legs, incubate, and practice my parenting skills on my small dogs. Hardly a conformation to the general schema of "what is a Smashing Pumpkins fan." A large part of my teenage experience was my inability to relate; that remains true at twenty-three. The panacea that was the Smashing Pumpkins, however, was not just the illusion that Billy could relate, but that through him x,y, and u other strangers could as well. Since hearing "Tarantula" I want to return to my belief in the former with a tenacity, but I've learnt better than to trust in my own impulse toward that kind of zeal; the sympathy which I fancy I feel will have to remain just that, because while a certain brand of enthusiasm may be becoming at fifteen, later it is the foundation for a monomaniacal way of being. And the latter, the transference of that original trust to other fans, is something too akin to notions of romance to which I've failed to subscribe. 

And I still believe that I cannot be saved. 

Can I find a moral, a point, a fucking thesis in all of this? They can be manufactured from anything, so maybe "no." Rereading this, there is only one which is easy for me to suggest offhand and it might worsen my credit: I am not a fan. Not in the way that anyone who is overly serious about words would mean. Colloquially I own the shirts, the tickets, the heart shaped tattoo, the signed memories, yet many of these are things which I had barely considered for seven years and a greater number of others have been discarded, lost. An admirer, a well wisher, a believer in magical thought and the power of words and intent. 

No thesis. The questions with which I began remain neglected. And if I keep returning to the first time I heard "I of the Mourning" transmitted over the phone and what I believe "Tarantula" to be about, the urge to explicate for an audience does not grow any stronger.

-posted on smashingpumpkins.com on 27.5.7

Fan. Fanatic. I was. I was not. I am, but not the way I anticipated. An explanation, a full accounting, confession, diatribe, would necessitate using this box in the manner for which I already assumed is its intent. I will not. Partial truths are more sincere than a well-crafted lie; any composed attempt at adoration would through its nature be only that. 

It began with Billy's leather pants. An album insert pinned to a Catholic schoolgirl's bedroom wall, pillow level. At an age (a time, an experience) when it is still possible to not understand sex how many other things might be misunderstood? Everything was instinctual then. Alienation, emotion, connections with other fans. There are many moving words which I could write in reflection upon a topic so vast. 

But letters are what fans are meant to write, throw on stage, but not have answered. Is that why I'm a fan? Because I have broken so many rules that my favorite band must too? You gave me only a few not to break--stay in school, never fall for another Virgo, don't date a man more than twice your age--and I broke them. And the band broke up. Not cause and effect, but it's hard to be sure in a magical universe. 

If a man is bitten by a snake is he murdered? Bill Burroughs said "yes." If a girl writes that she doesn't believe in rock stars but she still believes in you does all contact cease? I stopped kissing Virgos and figured out sex, mythology, resignation. Ten years after I first heard "Tonight, Tonight" the implications are finally here for me to make. The temptation is great. The Band, the momentum, the sold out dates, a past locked away. It will be as easy now as it seemed momentous then to claim that I understand.

-posted on smashingpumpkins.com 23.5.7

I can never give up music, its part of me. I picture myself singing and playing for all my grandkids one day. And they'll say, "once upon a time Grandpa was a Pastor by day, Rockstar by night. Having said that, once I dove into ministry I got to meet so many dudes doing some crazy amazing things for Jesus and they aren't these creepy sweaty fat dudes ripping my hat off my head in church. I read Erwin's books and I'm like how the heck did he think of that? Rob Bell, is the newness and some! Does God co-write and produce with you? Seems like he does.

I read the Ragamuffin blog and I'm like this guy has got to be the coolest Pastor ever. I listened to Dave Ferguson at exponential conference, this guy has taken the great commission to heart and soul, Travis, this guy dreams beyond his means and somehow God makes it happen. He's challenged me to dream beyond the dream. And he signs my check! Pete Wilson, I read this dudes Blog everyday and everyday I'm encourage on so many different levels and his Church seems super cool. 1 of the 5 churches I'd really wanna visit. In the past year I have written to these Revolutionaries on different occasions. I never expected a response cause I figured these dudes have got to be eating and drinking scripture 24/7 but believe it or not a few have actually written back. That has encouraged me beyond words. Thanks for taking the time to help ignite the fire in a young buck trying to make a difference in this universe. Even if you read this blog or not, maybe one day I will be a Giant like "yous guys". Even though I already feel I am living the most amazing life ever. It's a good a thing God had a better plan for me than my own...Que chevere!!!!

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Lets break the ultimate ultimate record. This usually doesn't work, people are shy to write on my blog and when they do comment, they usually comment anonymously. Almost like wearing a bag over your head. So just for today...peace

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We all have an empty canvas ready for a masterpiece. Its colors describe our story, our brush strokes our emotions and ambitions...What's your story look like?...We hit this moment last night where people opened up and began sharing their dark side, their mountain, their mask, their doubts. God was in the midst of all of that last night. Something just amazing happened. I felt like a subtle sonic boom occurred in all of us. It didn't matter what we looked like, or where we came from. We are all searching. We are all craving. We are all on this journey together. It isn't about how much further we need to go, but rather looking at the distance we have already covered. God loves us for who we are and not for who we should be. Thats crazy!!! I think God totally admired our frailty and brokenness last night.

We dove into the past by sharing our stories. Too many of us remain in the past totally missing our on the present. We sort of feel the need to prove a point by holding a grudge, loving conditionally, embracing distrust, and______________ fill in the blank. It seems heartless to say this, but no one really gives a crap. In the end God is the only one there ready to take us in, with all our excess baggage. Don't miss out on right now, by making a point a decade ago. Especially with a crappy Time Machine... It doesn't make sense my friend. We left last night with a thought...Every second, minute, and hour that passes is a perfect opportunity. For what? That depends on you. Make it count. Today is unique in its own way and you will never have another "today".

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LPC

Join us for this free event featuring great music, dozens of tables with political action groups, alternative media, Food Not Bombs and more. We'll also have several guest speakers who will entertain and provide information about various political and environmental issues.

Are you interested in performing? if so please visit Sonicbids to submit your music/material online. Concert volunteers are also needed for The Harvest Rebellion. If you're interested please visit this link for details.

To learn about sponsorship opportunities and/or to obtain information concerning vending please contact Gary Gaskin with a description of your organization. 

The Harvest Rebellion
Saturday October 25th, 2008 - 12pm - 6pm
Tompkins Square Park
From 7th to 10th Streets between Avenues A and B
New York, NY 10003

After service we head over to the office for our short seminar on blogging and blogging. LOL. We had a good crowd. My Intern really surprised me today. She edited the whole Video cast for this week. All this time I thought she wasn't paying attention...Great job Annie.

After that, the family head to the pool with the Peña and Hollifields. It was a good time but I was drained and beat. Got home and lounged pretty much all evening. Diego and I lay on the couch and Jammed to U2's rattle and hum video. Diego sat there and didn't make a sound! He's gonna rock the stage like daddy!!! I got  inspired to write a few new tunes. I can't wait to record out album and change the world.

Thats that folks. I am gonna hit the hay and call it a night. Buenas noches paisanos

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LPC

Another classic genre overhauled by Retro64, now available for the Mac! Cosmo Bots is one of those games that you just can't stop playing! It's fun and easy, yet takes skill to master.

What's Included:

* Over 500 levels of action!
* Hours of Gameplay, for plenty of fun!
* Easy to control, easy to play - have fun immediately!
* You'll be playing in no time because Cosmo Bots Deluxe is only a 10.3mb download.

Download

From ftp2share - Download

Size 11.8 Mb

go ahead and bombard the link. Find your favorite TSP youtube video and submit it...Just in case...

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I have studied bayg29 for a month or so and have finally had a breakthrough. Using Excel and some home built software I've managed to dig deep into the problem. It's early days though. I'm now in the process of programming my method and will then test on other data. Unfortunately I can't really say much about how it works, though I can post up results as they come in.

Eventually I would like to make an attempt at solving the World TSP Problem using my method. The World TSP Problem is a 1,904,711 city problem. A bit bigger than the little 29 city problem, but I believe the method is scalable. The shortest tour found so far for the World TSP Problem is 7,515,949,189 units. So if this is the shortest tour, then my method must equal it, otherwise find a shorter tour. Sounds difficult.

The problem is this:

Given a list of cities, start at City A and travel to all other cities, only visiting them once, and return back to City A while covering the shortest possible distance.

Why is it so hard to solve? Well, for smaller numbers of cities, the problem is really simple to solve. We can try every possible combination and choose the shortest path. But if we increase the number of cities, things quickly get out of hand. Here's what I mean:

5 cities has 120 possible routes
6 cities has 720 possible routes
...
10 cities has 3628800 possible routes
...
13 cities has 6227020800 possible routes

...you get the idea.

Even using computers it takes a ridiculous amount of time to solve fairly modest sized problems. So there has to be a better way. There's many people around the world working on this problem... I'm one of those people. So I'll let you know how I get on.