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Want stunning panoramas with fool proof results?  Try these simple hints...

1.  ALWAYS use a tripod.  If your tripod doesn't come with a level, you can purchase one to slide into the hotshoe of your camera.
2.  Shoot in manual mode.  Turn off the auto focus and focus manually on your subject.  Turn off auto-anything.  This will keep your camera from making adjustments in shutter speed or aperture as your pan.
3.  Overlap your shots between 20-50%.
4.  For better resolution, rotate your camera 90 degrees and shoot vertical shots.

Assembling your photos...
You can opt for lining up your photos manually in Photoshop.  It's time consuming but it can be done.  After seeing a demo for ArtSoft's Panorama Maker at a photography seminar, I was sold.  

Select the pictures to be included in the panorama and click a button.  You're done.  The program automatically detects where the shots should line up and puts them together seamlessly.  The Maroon Bells Panorama was 7 photos stiched together.  www.deviantart.com/deviation/5…

This 180 degree panorama was 24 photos stiched together with Panorama Maker Pro 4 (file is too large for DA) s81.photobucket.com/albums/j20…

If you decide to try the product, they have a 30 day free trial.  You can also sign up for their club and receive a 15% discount off the price.  Ends up being around $67 for a download.  

Resources:
I shoot a Nikon D70s and these sample shots were taken using a 18-70mm zoom lens and a tripod.
Software is ArtSoft Panorama Maker Pro 4 available at www.arcsoft.com > products > stitching > Panorama Maker Pro.