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Only a few weeks ago Netflix launched FAST, now it is Google's turn with a glorified version of Google PageSpeed Insights it seems. The tool measures how mobile friendly your website is and how fast it is loading for it's users.
It analyses your website and gives the design and loading speed a rating on a scale from 0 - 100. It looks at css, js and images to determine how long it takes to load the website on mobile and desktop. Additionally, they also provide an option to receive a detailed report with all their remarks and tips about your website.
Google says an average user leaves the site if it doesn't load on mobile within three seconds, so if your site takes much longer than that, you might want to check that out and try to get that down.
Your customers live online. When they need information or want to find a nearby store or product, they grab the nearest device. On average, people check their phones more than 150 times a day, and more searches occur on mobile phones than computers. But if a potential customer is on a phone, and a site isn't easy to use, they're five times more likely to leave.
You can give it a spin on https://testmysite.thinkwithgoogle.com.

subset: commoncrawl


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Like to take "selfie" pictures and post them to social media? You can win a cool Wildwood Crest T-shirt after doing so.
For the second straight summer, the Borough of Wildwood Crest is holding its Photo Spots Contest, in which visitors and residents can post "selfie" pictures near a variety of Wildwood Crest locations and win a T-shirt featuring the new Wildwood Crest logo.
Participants in the contest are required to take "selfie" pictures with at least five of 10 different designated Wildwood Crest landmarks in the background and post them to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Participants are required to tag Wildwood Crest on Facebook, @VisitWildwoodCrest on Twitter or @Visit_Wildwood_Crest on Instagram while using #VisitWildwoodCrest when posting.
The first 200 people to post photos from at least five of the 10 designated photo spots will receive a Wildwood Crest T-shirt. Photos can be posted separately or together as a collage.
Winners will be contacted by the Wildwood Crest Recreation Department. Winners must pick up T-shirts in person at the Wildwood Crest Pier Recreation Center.
The 10 Wildwood Crest landmarks include the ocean end of the Wildwood Crest Beach Pier at Heather Road, Sunset Lake between Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue, the Centennial Park entertainment pavilion at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue, Coleman-Callahan Veterans Park at Rosemary Road and Park Boulevard, the Gazebo-by-the-Sea at Sunrise Park at Rambler Road, baseball statues at Morey Field at Aster Road and Ocean Avenue, the Wildwood Crest Bike Path Arch at Cresse Avenue, any lifeguard boat or lifeguard stand on the Wildwood Crest beach, the Wildwood Crest Bike Path at Rambler Road and the new Wildwood Crest branch of the Cape May County Library at Wisteria Road and Atlantic Avenue.
Signs are posted at each of the photo spot locations.
For more information about the contest, log on to visitwildwoodcrest.com or call 609-523-0202.


text: A North African refugee crisis Will unrest in the region see an influx of refugees into Europe? 19 Mar 2011 14:21 GMT | Politics, Bahrain, Japan, Malta, New Zealand Lawrence Gonzi, the prime minister of Malta, and Jonathan Ellis, the director of policy at the Refugee Council in Britain, discuss the likely influx of refugees from North Africa to Europe.Plus, Robin Lamb, the former UK ambassador to Bahrain and director-general of the Libyan British Business Council, talks about recent events in Bahrain.And, finally, former athlete and Olympic medalist Carl Lewis looks ahead to the London 2012 Olympic Games. John Key, the prime minister of New Zealand, talks about the earthquake that struck his country in February and the recent disaster in Japan.Plus, Michael Meacher, the UK's former environment minister, discusses the future of nuclear power after the crisis in Japan.And, actress and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Mia Farrow reflects on her recent visit to South Sudan.This episode of Frost Over the World aired from Friday, March 18, 2011.Source: Al Jazeera


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September 7th – October 7th, 2017
Opening reception: Thursday, September 7th from 6–8pm
New York, August 3, 2017— Mike Kuchar, recipient of the United States Artist award in 1993, and a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2017, was born in 1942. His teachers in public school recognized his ability to draw and suggested he attend a high school geared for commercial art because, "fine artists starve!"
After graduating from the School of Art and Design in Manhattan, he worked as a 'retoucher,' retouching 'high fashion' photos for Harpers Bazaar, Vogue and the New York Times fashion magazine while producing his own, low budget 16 mm movies at home, –This swept him into the 'underground movie' scene of the 1960s. Later, he moved to California where the 'underground comics' movement was in full swing. Mike painted the cover and illustrated three stories for a comic book titled 'Gay Heart Throbs.' Editors for other publications saw his work and asked him to contribute to their magazines…And so; Mike got back into drawing pictures! –He still makes movies, but likes to create with pen and brush too, hence; this 'exhibit' of original drawings from his private collection that have never been published. [Mike Kuchar]
In conjunction with the exhibition, a screening of select films, including Kuchar's seminal Sins of the Fleshapoids, will be shown at the Core Club Cinema on Friday, September 8, 2017 from 7 p.m. RSVP is required for this event. For more information please contact Nadia Fristensky at firstname.lastname@example.com. The gallery will remain open until 7 p.m prior to the screening.


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Eve ate the fruit first, and then gave some to Adam. According to Genesis 3:6, "She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."
The fruit eaten by Adam and Eve is not specifically identified in the Bible, but it is often referred to as the forbidden fruit or the fruit of knowledge. It is identified by God in Genesis 3:3 only as the fruit from the tree in middle of the garden, which was forbidden to Adam and Eve to eat, or else they would die. The serpent, when tempting Eve, said that eating the fruit would open her eyes and she would know of good and evil.


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Protesting detention
Bill would shield companies involved in wiretapping
House and Senate leaders have agreed to a compromise surveillance bill that would effectively shield from civil lawsuits the telecommunications companies that helped the government wiretap phone and computer lines after the 2001 terrorist attacks without court permission. The House was expected to pass the bill today, potentially ending a monthslong standoff about the rules for government wiretapping inside the U.S. The Senate passed a bill that immunized the companies from lawsuits, but the House bill was silent on the matter. The White House threatened to veto any bill that did not shield the companies, which tapped lines at the behest of the president and attorney general but without permission from a special court established for that purpose, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. Associated Press
Alaska Denali National Park
Two backpackers rationed peanut butter sandwiches and granola bars, growing hungrier as they wandered for six days in Denali National Park, they said Thursday. Erica Nelson and Abby Flantz were down to their last granola bar Wednesday, the day they were rescued. Trekking through the remote park, they regularly clicked on their cell phone until they finally found reception that led to their rescue. Associated Press
Reporters should be allowed to withhold the identity of their sources in most federal court cases, more than two-thirds of state attorneys general now say. The Newspaper Association of America said Thursday that 37 attorneys general have signed a letter to Senate leaders in support of a media shield bill. A shield bill won passage in the House in October, after a similar measure cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee. Yet it faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where there is strong opposition from some Republicans. The White House has threatened to veto the legislation, arguing it would encourage leaks of classified information. Associated Press
Tipsters revealing caches
of weapons in Iraq
Weapons caches are turning up with increasing frequency in public places in Iraq – from a bakery to a fish farm – as recent security gains embolden more civilians to come forward with tips, U.S. and Iraqi military officials say. The odd locations of many of the discoveries reflect the fine line separating civilians from the Shiite and Sunni extremists who don't wear uniforms and often live among them. Many would-be tipsters had previously looked the other way because of intimidation or because they sought protection from local militias.
"These are people who in the past weren't willing to come forth because of the threats from militias," said Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond, the top commander of U.S. forces in Baghdad. "Now they're telling the Iraqi army they've had it with the militia. 'Don't leave. We want you to stay here.'" Associated Press
Belgium Brussels
The EU has agreed to lift sanctions against Cuba, but it imposed tough conditions on the communist island, officials said Thursday. The decision does not affect the U.S. trade embargo imposed nearly 50 years ago. The EU conditions include the release of political prisoners; access to the Internet; and a double-track approach for all EU delegations arriving in Cuba allowing them to meet opposition figures and members of the Cuban government. Associated Press


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Form conflict with prefilled
Form conflict with prefilled
I'm testing an AB hidding first name in a landing page to see what results performance.
Problem : when the landing page form are pre filled with param in GET url, datas are inserted in "value" from input but dont appear on front office of the page.
The problem is only when I start the test.
Could you help me?
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
i suppose you remove the input field? Have you tried to transform it into a hidden input field? If you do not know how, please provide a url :-)
Kind regards
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
When I do this, all field aren't reached.
With a CRTL + U a can see the data into value but not into the field.
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
Just to be sure:
Do you set the visibility to hidden or do you have an input of type hidden?
Kind regards
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
I changed the <input> to hidden instead of text in HTML.
My field can be empty but should exist in PHP test
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
Ok, so without a view it is hard to help you. Can you provide an URL or a Screenshot, if it is an internal system, so one can get a better idea of your problem?
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
Ok it's a little confidential but I can say this :
For example :
into HTML code when test is active I have :
<label for="email">E-mail*</label> <input type="text" name="email" id="email" value="firstname.lastname@example.com" placeholder="Votre e-mail..." />
But field input type="text" is empty in front office.
When I turn off testing, the email are reached into email input
PS : I can't share picture sorry
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
In this state and with this information your problem is not 100% reproducable for me in order to get further ideas which might help you.
Re: Form conflict with prefilled
Unfortunatly I can launch the campaign because my partner wouldn't without pre filled field, because worst conversion rate.
Thank you for your help


text:
#Twitter10k is the latest announcement keeping us on our toes, meaning my tweets could be…Read More
Here at Found we're always looking for new and exciting ways to produce stronger link…Read More
Content Marketing is the buzzword in digital marketing today. How many of you have heard…Read More
Creating data visualisations can sometimes be tricky, it's easy to fall into the trap of…Read More
Working in content marketing many of us know that one of the toughest and most…Read More
A well-executed inbound marketing campaign has the ability to bring in new customers who were…Read More
The November 2013 Content Marketing Show brought together some of the UK's greatest content creators…Read More
Last week, we were given the opportunity to deliver a presentation on content marketing for…Read More
The last day in May was an exciting one for London content makers. We had…Read More


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nichole gronVold roller
Nichole Gronvold Roller is a mixed media artist who graduated from Minnesota State University of Moorhead with a BFA in Art Education in 1997 and in 2013 received her Master of Arts in Art Education from Boston University. Currently, Nichole is working towards her Master of Arts in Studio Art from Bradley University. In addition to being an artist, Nichole is a full-time high school art teacher in Tremont, IL where she has been teaching for the past nineteen years. Nichole lives in Illinois with her husband and three children.
Nichole Gronvold Roller is represented by the BoxhHeart Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA and the Jefferson Street Studio and Gallery, Morton, IL
"The innovation of materials, needs of a society, geographical, and cultural influences of architectural design, inspires the content of my art making. The formal aspects of incorporating deconstructed architectural elements in my art are to further disorient the invented spaces I create."


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A report by HM Inspectorate of Probation on the supervision of offenders convicted of domestic abuse offences by Community Rehabilitation Companies (CRCs) has found that CRCs are failing to sufficiently supervise domestic abuse perpetrators and are therefore putting women and children at risk.
Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge, said:
"It is alarming that the outsourced supervision of low- and medium-risk offenders is failing to keep domestic abuse victims safe and prevent future incidents of violence.
"Vulnerable women and children are being put at risk on a daily basis by probation staff, who lack understanding of domestic abuse and have insufficient skills and time to accurately assess the threat to victims. This is a shocking indictment, but all the worse in the context of it occurring in as many as seven out of ten cases, according to this report.
"We congratulate the Inspectorate on such a rigorous review and for drawing much-needed attention to this vital issue. Domestic abuse is a devastating crime affecting one in four women in the UK at some point in their lifetime, meanwhile hundreds of thousands of children are growing up in homes where domestic violence is taking place.
"The Ministry of Justice is responsible for ensuring the probation system delivers for the people of England and Wales. As it consults on reforms to these services, improving the protection of victims of domestic abuse should be its top priority, especially in the light of the picture painted by today's report."
Read the full report, 'Domestic abuse: the work undertaken by Community Rehabilitation Companies', here.


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Here's a sneak peek at some projects that currently have my attention.
First there's this:
A humor book that's the brainchild of my old friend and former Disney colleague Jeff Shelly. This is a "found" travel guide that reveals a long-hidden truth: Martians have been vacationing on earth for centuries! The book teaches Martians what to check out, how to blend in and all sorts of other essentials to get the most out of their visit to their blue planetary neighbor!
This is the teaser poster we're using to promote the upcoming title.
This is Jeff's illustration style for the book. There will be LOTS of pictures.
Then there's this:
A grown-up thriller novel about gambling, internet shaming and serial killing. It's called Owned, and here is an exclusive, first-ever teaser image. (Sorry – that's all you're getting for now.)
And this:
Bookstache, a children's fantasy adventure in which a boy discovers his grandfather's bookstore is a portal to a goblin world!
And of course . . . this:
We printed "Book 1" on the cover of Rocketboy: The Return of Dr. Megaton for a reason. The adventure WILL continue! Stay tuned for updates on what Skyler and his friends will be taking on next!
And lastly . . . this:
What's next after writing an award-winning update of Hamlet? A sequel, of course! I know that sounds like a bad joke (Hamlet 2????) but I'm actually serious. An outline for a new novel titled I Know Not Seems is well underway.


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terms of use
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You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password and for restricting access to your computer, and you agree to accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account or password. If you are under 18, you may use the Jack + Jade Home web site only with involvement of a parent or guardian. Jack + Jade Home reserves the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, remove or edit content, or cancel orders at their sole discretion.
changes to terms and conditions to site
Jack + Jade Home reserves the right to modify or change the terms of use of this site with or without notification.
user warranties
In placing an order, you warrant that you are over 18 years of age, and that you are providing accurate, true, and complete information, and that you have the authority to place the order.
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You expressly understand and agree that your use of this site is at your sole risk and that this site is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. Jack + Jade Home makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of this site or the information, content, materials or products included on this site.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Jack + Jade Home and its officers, directors, employees and suppliers, from any claim, demand, action or damage, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made or incurred by any third party arising out of or related to your use of this site.
We reserve the right to terminate your account and restrict your use of this site if we have reason to believe you have violated any of these terms and conditions, including providing us with false information.
Jack + Jade Home strives to keep our pricing competitive. We reserve the right to change our posted prices without notice due to such events as fluctuating international exchange rates and price increases from our suppliers and freight carriers.
errors on our site
Prices and availability of products and services are subject to change without notice. Errors will be corrected where discovered, and Jack + Jade Home reserves the right to revoke any stated offer and to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions including after an order has been submitted and whether or not the order has been confirmed and your credit card charged.
order cancellation
Orders cancelled after 24 hours may be subject to a minimum 25% or maximum 50% cancellation and restocking fee in addition to any shipping charges incurred.


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|Table of Contents
ATTRA Resources on Rotation Grazing
The ever-useful ATTRA website provides a wide variety of resources of livestock management. This page discusses rotational grazing and provides links to other ATTRA livestock publications on multi-species grazing, pasture management, organic transition, and nutrient cycling.
Forage Resources – University of Wisconsin Extension
An older, but information-rich website on topics including pasture management, water systems, fencing, animal health, and weed control.
Grass-Based Dairy Studies
Several studies conducted by Wisconsin Integrated Cropping Systems Management researchers with Altfrid and Sue Krusenbaum to evaluate their seasonal, grass-based dairy operation, including pasture productivity, profitability and rotational grazing.
University of Vermont Livestock and Grazing
There is a lot of information available from the University of Vermont Toolshed series including pricing, regulations and whole animal buying guides.
Energy Conservation for Livestock and Poultry Production Webinar
This SARE webinar covers ideas to reduce energy (and costs) while keeping animal well-being in mind.
FairShare farmers write fact sheets for other farmers about a variety of topics, including livestock. The PDFs of the fact sheets are available on the FairShare website here.


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I saw this news on TV, last night.
Article from Channel News Asia.
SINGAPORE : An accident between a double-decker bus Service Number 87 and a large tree-pruning vehicle left a 50-year-old male passenger dead and several others injured on Friday.
The collision occurred along Chai Chee Street in Bedok.
Police have arrested a 33-year-old Bangladeshi worker from the landscape management company for causing death by negligence.
Shattered glass windows, a fallen tree, and major traffic congestion were the results of the accident which left one dead and eight passengers - including a pregnant woman - injured.
The bus was behind the lorry when it went to the middle lane. But little did the bus driver know that the head of the crane was protruding into the middle lane, and this scraped against the side of the bus.
The loud sound from the collision attracted hundreds of residents from nearby blocks.
One resident said: "Like glass shattering. It sounded massive and sharp."
A second commented: "I saw them moving the victims down from the upper deck. It looked quite serious."
Three bus passengers were taken to hospitals, while others refused treatment, citing minor injuries.
Both the bus driver and crane operator were not injured in the accident.
They remained calm and silent while clean-up work was going on. - CNA/ms
Some photos...
* * * * * * * *
It seems the 50-year-old male passenger was sitting at the upper deck, and the whole row of the upper deck windows, all shattered, leaving him dead.
My condolences to the man and his family.
Personally, i always like sitting on the upper deck, its like you are so much higher up in height and closer to the sky. =]
* * * * * * * *
Ok, dear all friends, i will be on my first business trip (after 5+ years in the company) to Malaysia(Penang), and will be back on Wednesday.
Will be trying my best to update, as i'm not so familiar with the data auto-roaming stuffs.. Haha!!
Anyway, see ya !


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NEW BRITAIN, Conn – The Sacred Heart Pioneers scored four runs with two outs in the ninth inning to tie Central Connecticut State and then walked off for an 8-7 win in 13 innings Thursday afternoon at CCSU Baseball Field. The second game of the scheduled doubleheader was suspended in the top of the seventh inning with SHU trailing the Blue Devils 4-3. With the win in game one, the Pioneers clinched a berth into their sixth consecutive NEC Tournament. SHU is now 12-9 in the NEC this season.
A week after winning NEC Co-pitcher of the Week, junior right-hander James Cooksey (Norwalk, CT) was once again masterful for the Pioneers. The side-throwing reliever did not allow a run in all four extra innings, improving to 5-1 on the season. With the four scoreless innings, Cooksey lowered his NEC-leading ERA to 1.01 in 53.2 innings this season.
Senior right-hander Kody Kerski (Waterbury, CT) earned a no-decision after allowing four runs in 7.1 innings.
CCSU struck first in the fourth inning with starting pitcher Dom Severino smacking a two-run home run over the left field wall to give the Blue Devils an early 2-0 lead.
The Pioneers thundered back in the sixth, as sophomore Jayson Sullivan (Charlton, NY) blasted his fourth home run of the season to give SHU a 3-2 lead. Freshman Zack Short (Hurley, NY) and sophomore Jesus Medina (New York, NY) started the inning with back-to-back hits.
Back and forth all afternoon long, CCSU stormed back with four runs in the eighth. Franklin Jennings started the rally with double to left-center field. Following a walk to Anthony Turgeon, and a SHU pitching change, Josh Ingham knocked a two-run base knock to center field to push CCSU up 4-3. Then after a SHU error extended the error, back-to-back RBI singles from Connor Fitzsimons and Nick Hayes gave CCSU a 6-3 lead.
The Blue Devils added another insurance run in the eighth with another RBI base hit by Ingham.
Down four with two outs in the ninth, the Pioneers saved the best for last. With the bases loaded and two down, Short knocked a base hit through the left side to cut the lead to three runs. Sullivan followed with a clutch double through the left-center field gap to clear the bases and tie CCSU at seven. Then after a SHU error extended the error, back-to-back RBI single from Connor Fitzsimons and Hayes gave CCSU a 6-3 lead.
The Pioneers and Blue Devils exchanged zeros for three extra innings before SHU was able to strike in the 13th. Ted Shaw (Southington, CT) took it upon himself to end the marathon, tripling to left-center field and then scoring the game-winning run on a CCSU wild pitch.
In game two of the afternoon, CCSU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top half of the first inning on a Turgeon home run to right field.
SHU immediately came right back with two of their own in the bottom of half of the first. After Medina walked to start the rally, Short and Sullivan knocked singles to cut the lead to 2-1. Sullivan notched hit seventh RBI of the afternoon. The Pioneers then tied the game at two on a Matt Charmello (Rossmoor, CA) fielder's choice.
Sacred Heart added another run in the bottom of the fourth to take back the lead. Charmello started the rally with a double to left-center field. After back-to-back outs, freshman Keith Klebart (Orange, CT) knocked an infield single to score Charmello and take a 3-2 lead.
Down once again in the sixth, the Blue Devils came back with two more runs to take the lead. Ingham was once again in on the action, tripling home a run to tie the game at three. After an intentional walk to Severino, Pat Sirois singled home Ingham and CCSU led 4-3.
The Pioneers will resume game two of the series tomorrow afternoon, starting in the top half of the seventh with no outs.


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You are currently browsing the monthly archive for April 2009.
A few weeks ago I wrote about Kurt Anderson's TIME magazine story entitled The End of Excess (post: 4/10/09) in which the writer and radio host found surprising hope and optimism in our current gloomy economic straits. Anderson suggests that the unpredictability and flux that will come in the months and years ahead will be a time of fruitful opportunity for creative thinkers and entrepreneurs. I just came across an INC. magazine interview with Jim Collins, author of Good To Great and founder of the research firm ChimpWorks, and I found synergy with Kurt Anderson's article. Collins and expands on Anderson's theme in some intriguing ways—I particularly appreciate his holistic view of entrepreneurship.
"I take a broad view of it. The traditional definition—founding an entity designed to make money— is too narrow for me. I see entrepreneurship as more of a life concept. We all make choices about how we live our lives. You can take a paint-by-numbers approach, or you can start with a blank canvas. When you paint by numbers, the end result is guaranteed. You know what it's going to be, and it might be good, but it will never be a masterpiece. Starting with a blank canvas is the only way to get a masterpiece, but you could also blow up. So, are you going to pick the paint-by-numbers kit or the blank canvas? That's a life question, not a business question."
Collins also takes a refreshing view on the notion risk, one of the great barriers to entrepreneurship.
"As an entrepreneur, you know what the risks are. You see them. You understand them. You manage them. If you join someone else's company, you may not know those risks, and not because they don't exist. You just can't see them, and so you can't manage them. That's a much more exposed position than the entrepreneur faces."
Doug Hall, a columnist for BusinessWeek's SmallBiz offshoot agrees with the theme that our current economic flux presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs in his April/May column. "Small, incremental changes are considered a waste of time," writes Hall, "Now's the time to be bold. And by that, I mean that it's time to be a radical innovator of products, services, and business models"
BusinessWeek is an excellent (and relatively design-friendly) resource for business news, and I've found the INC. Magazine website to be bookmark-worthy too…although the INC. blogs don't seem to be as content-rich as I would hope.
As this recent NY Times article about iPhone app development illustrates, we are in the midst of an absolute gold rush of entrepreneurial activity around the release of these (sometimes) amazing bits of software. Stories abound of "kitchen table" developers cranking out the next great app in a matter of weeks and turning outrageous profits. But with more than 30,000 apps now on the market, this trend must be waning, right?
With such a deep history and strong connection between Apple and the communication design profession, this seemed like an obvious topic for Merge to explore.
Terry Anderson is a co-founder of Tiny Wonder Studios which released their first app, Pixi, in January. In Part 1 of my conversation with Terry, I discuss the overall trend of app the development and the process of creating Pixi.
I'm sitting in on Marcia Lausen's Design Colloquium class at University of Illinois Chicago today as students present their designs for a personal experience mapping project. The students have taken a variety of—mostly mundane—life experiences, from the micro, like "what I do in the morning before school" to the (relatively) macro, like "friends I've known over the last ten years" and developed graphic interpretations of them. I'm seeing some outstanding solutions using thoughtful information design and we're having a vibrant discussion about what lies at the essence of a story—a process which is, of course, at the core of what we do as communication designers.
As you know, I've been struggling with how to integrate business planning—on the surface a rigid and mundane process—into the entrepreneurial experience for designers and creative thinkers. Today I'm seeing that experience mapping is part of the solution to this dilemma—I'll be writing more about this soon.
Here is a selection of designs from the student work:
I hope to achieve a rhythm with Merge between the micro and the macro. Examples of micro topics will be tactical stuff like business plans and online advertising, while the macro will come through in an ongoing discussion of business and cultural trends and how they relate to design and entrepreneurship. Today, we go macro.
Kurt Anderson is one of those annoyingly multi-talented guys. An author (latest novel: Heyday), a former journalist, and the host of the design-friendly weekly public radio show Studio 360. His cover story in the April 6 issue of TIME Magazine (yes, the one that has ink on paper) is an exquisitely clear-headed snapshot of the current cultural/economic/creative moment entitled: The End of Excess: Why This Crisis is Good for America. And a snapshot that is relevant to entrepreneurs.
With all of the hyperbolic commentary about the current state of the state, Anderson pushes the pause button in this essay and puts a surprisingly hopeful spin on our seemingly grim circumstances. Looking back at our recovery from previous economic and cultural crises, he discovers that those hard times were followed by periods of great innovation and progress.
"Recall, please, the national mood in the mid-'70s: after the 1960s party, we found ourselves in a slough of despondency, with an oil crisis, a terrible recession, a kind of Weimarish embrace of decadence, national malaise — and at that very dispirited moment, Microsoft and Apple were founded. The next transformative, moneymaking technologies and businesses are no doubt coming soon to a garage near you."
Or maybe a design studio near you? I would suggest that another area on the cusp of a great leap forward is communication. As designers of communication, we are the ones to lead this trend—and not by waiting for our clients to hire us to design their innovative communication products for them, but to innovate ourselves. Kurt Anderson continues:
"This is the moment for business to think different and think big. The great dying off of quintessentially 20th century businesses presents vast opportunity for entrepreneurs. People will still need (greener) cars, still want to read quality journalism, still listen to recorded music and all the rest. And so as some of the huge, dominant, old-growth trees of our economic forest fall, the seedlings and saplings — that is, the people burning to produce and sell new kinds of transportation and media in new, economic ways — will have a clearer field in which to grow."
Designers, let's take the field.
Special thanks to my friend, mentor and new social media user, Eric Madsen for the tip on the TIME article (more on Eric another time).
As you know if you've read any of my previous posts, I'm a big proponent of the business planning process for entrepreneurial designers. Despite how painful it can be for creative thinkers to complete, the business plan is an absolutely vital tool when, inevitably, we need to pitch our ideas to the non-creative "majority." There is no shortage of resources, templates and guides for b-plans, the problem is that most of them are outrageously lame: overly complex, rigid, redundant, and (of course) horribly designed.
I'll continue to revisit this topic periodically, but for now, I want to point you to Tim Berry, who writes, speaks and blogs extensively about business planning (I referred to him in an earlier post along with Guy Kawasaki). Berry is the founder of Palo Alto Software, which creates Business Plan Pro software (which I have never tried—let me know if you have experience with BPP) and author of many books, most recently The Plan-as-You-Go Business Plan.
This short video is an interview with Berry that gives a good overview of his thinking.
What I like about Tim Berry is that he is not rigid in his approach to business planning. He offers a basic structure but insists that the plan really needs to work for you, not vice versa, hence there are many forms it can take. His mantra that "business plans are always wrong" is a refreshing approach that highlights the organic nature of the planning process he endorses. This will resonate with designers because it allows us to be creative with the process and format of the plan—essentially, to treat the business plan as a design project (aha! more on this another time).
Here's a link to Tim Berry's blog (he blogs for many different outlets, but his own version seems to be the best).
More on business planning to come!


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When the water is turned on, an LED screen in the showerhead or hand shower alerts the users to the current reading of the temperature sensor. Too hot or too cold? They can move the handle to adjust the temp, while keeping their eye on the screen until they reach water nirvana. If they prefer a more visual clue, they can check out the three-color indicator: A blue LED screen symbolizes that the water is below 80 degrees; magenta means it's between 80 and 110; red indicates water is higher than 110 degrees.
Temp2O™ showerheads come with six spray settings, including massage, shampoo and drenching. The shower head, as well as the handheld uses only two gallons of water per minute, which is a 20% savings over most standard models, says Leah Schubert, a Delta Faucet associate product manager. It's good for a customer's budget and Mother Earth.
Nope, not even one. The temperature sensor is powered by the water running through it. As soon as the water is turned on, the LED screen starts functioning; as soon as it is turned off, it shuts down. This isn't low maintenance—there's no maintenance.


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The following photos were taken at Fairview.
A list of articles that have shocked, mortified, inspired or amused me:
- Most countries prosecute individuals, who have perpetuated terrible crimes such as kidnapping and murder. Israel prefers to expropriate (steal) the land.
- Georgia, USA restores gun rights to a former cop, who wanted attempted to anally penetrate a woman with his gun.
- This blog post has made me want binge watch "True Detective".
- This news reader shuts down the ice-bucket challenge by succinctly stating that "ice is for keeping fresh produce fresh, beers cold and nipples hard."
- Carlotta recently went to Madagascar. Her photos are brilliant and I'd love to visit the island one day.


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Leeds North West KS2 Cross Country
11 schools participated in the North West SSP Cross Country competition in Otley, Thursday 22nd September. Each school brought male and female teams from Y4,5 & 6. We were blessed with another sunny day in Otley, and children displayed a fantastic effort completing courses 900m -1500m long. Sixth formers from St Mary's helped deliver the event as part of their Btec event management module along with fantastic Y10 sports leaders from Prince Henry's. The top two teams and top 5 individuals per category have now qualified through to the Leeds final Wed 22nd February at Middleton Park.
The following schools took part:
All Saints
St Margaret's
Adel St John
Yeadon Westfield
West End
Ireland Wood
Westbrook Lane
St Josephs Otley
The Whartons
Tranmere Park


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Espresso bundt cake with dark chocolate cinnamon glaze!
Hammers & High Heels
A wreath made of silver platters…how clever.
Daydreamer Desserts
Would it be wrong to make this cinnamon bun eggnog martini nightly?
Martha Stewart
Cool DIY gift packaging from Martha.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Link Love
Posted by Hip Hostess at 8:00 AM
Labels: Link Love, Tuesday Inspiration
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More German businesses buying cyber insurance: MarshPosted On: Sep. 30, 2015 12:00 AM CST
Insurance broker Marsh L.L.C. said that more German firms are taking cyber insurance owing to rising cyber attacks, reports Reuters.
Marsh estimated that although cyber insurance premium volume in the nation is expected to total about $10 million in 2015, the market is likely to grow 30% each year in the future.
"We are seeing a wave of enquiries that will lead to many more contracts in the coming months," an official at the broker's German business said.


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New Middlesbrough Centre Square offices really needed?
"This is a Damming photo of premier empty offices overlooking the beautiful nature lake Middlesbrough Council plans to bulldoze so they can build yet more offices and a car park! You couldn't make it up. We were asked by the public to look into this", said Rob Tucker, Co-ordinator for Middlesbrough & Redcar Friends of the Earth. "While we all want the Boro to prosper the council should scale back or cancel these plans in Centre Square and listen to people. There is clearly good office space available here and in Middlehaven, as well as empty plots more suitable for development ".
Fountain Court, the huge office that was missing from Mbro Councils report on Empty office space and the Evening Gazettes article, is overlooking the very Nature pond they want to turn into more offices and a car park! Notice the TO LET sign on the left of the building in the photo clearly visible from the Civic centre and town hall. Fountain Court is a 3 storey modern building built in 1990. The ground floor is empty and the TO LET sign indicates that the other two floors may be available if required. Far from housing staff with high incomes that the report said would be attracted to Middlesbrough by posh offices, stories 2 & 3 houses a call centre with most folk on £7.50ph. The KPMG economic report that suggested blue chip companies would come to Middlesbrough but had been put off by a lack of premier office space, is still held as confidential by the council and is off limits to the general public. How substantial is the evidence for this? Before the premier office scheme, the council had other ideas of building a 5 star hotel on the land as well as extend Mima.
Melrose House, (below photo) is another mainly empty office building, located just yards behind Fountain Court and the nature pond.
A consultation exhibition canvassing opinion on the proposed scheme is being held at the Central library, for two weeks starting Friday 24th Feb. You can object to the development (or support it, here)


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Insurance Risk Management
Changing technology, economics and globalization have made a distinct impact on insurance risk management—for the better. Candidates in this growing, dynamic profession must possess an entrepreneurial spirit, innovative, critical thinking, and keen business savvy. We can help you develop all of that.
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You'll study the latest tools, technologies and best practices, and gain critical real-world experience in the field. And, before you graduate, you'll build and present a risk management proposal just as you would in real life.
Get a jumpstart toward earning professional designations in the insurance risk management industry. Apply today.


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The first born in our "Distiller's Art Series" this clear spirit is our Gold Medal award winning Copper Fox Single Malt Whisky, bottled at barrel strength prior to aging. Our spirit is hand crafted from 100% Thoroughbred barley developed and grown locally, exclusively for Copper Fox Distillery.
Unlike neutral grain spirits, which are distilled at 190 proof and above, our spirits are hand crafted and carefully distilled at just under 160 proof, utilizing a process which allows the complete essence and flavor of the barley grain to come through
Enjoy this Single Malt Spirit as a foundation for creating marvelous cocktails; substituting it for many other spirits in your favorite recipes. In addition, we invite you to replicate the aging process at home in our new lightly charred American white oak barrels. The cask strength (124 proof) spirit is the best strength to optimize the reaction of spirit and wood.
The first bite of a crisp, ripe apple with a hint of toasted almond. Silky finish somewhere between subtle vanilla and licorice fade. A tantalizing bouquet and surprisingly full flavored.


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We are a highly competitive league with nearly 50 teams playing regularly in snooker and billiards league and cup action. We also have a busy calendar of representative matches and welcome the chance to play other leagues across the South East.
Our players also compete in annual competitions, across all formats, and these culminate in an end of season finals day.
If you are a member of one of our regions clubs, and want to participate, please speak to your club's snooker rep and get involved.
Lindfield's Chris Carter in action
James Dew: "Total Focus"


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Patty - posted on 12/22/2008 ( 36 moms have responded )
I decided a while ago that I was going to use cloth diapers on my children. Well I am now expecting my first and started doing some research on them. Unfortunately everytime I go to a site its so full of informaion and now I am confused more than ever. What type of diapers are the best ones to use? What is the difference between a pre-fold, fitted, all in one, and homemade? Which are easier pins, snaps, or velcro? I noticed that some use liners and others don't and some require a cover, how can I tell which ones do? Thank you in advance for any help!!


text: Get a secret code to mobile cash Mobile sites are very in demand today.There are thousands of business owners who currently DO NOT feel the need to get a mobile version of their site. Business owners are struggling to get advertisement, and it definitely is common for the majority The powerful resource will reveal 3 powerful strategies and methods that only the elite offline marketers actually know. how to communicate with people without cold calling. Bonus email templates of how to deliver quality content.Above we mentioned part of what inside this content If you love to know these secrets please fill out form and comment below .Comment below and share this to get this BOOK FREE


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Also found in: Wikipedia.
Maisons-Alfort(māzôNz-älfôr`), suburb SE of Paris (1990 pop. 54,065), Val-de-Marne dept., N central France. There is some agriculture, but it is mainly an industrial town producing chemicals and metals. A 13th-century church and a veterinary school are in Maisons-Alfort.
a city in France, located on the Marne River; a suburb southeast of Paris, in the department of Val-de-Marne. Population, 54,000 (1968). Local industries include machine building and metal working.


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Frontline to Finish Line: Eric McElvenny
How the Challenged Athletes Foundation helped this Marine Infantry Officer turn loss and into hope.
by Leeza Metrovich
December 9, 2011 began as a routine day for Eric McElvenny. He was a Marine Infantry Officer on his third deployment in the Middle East, leading a small team as advisors in the National Afghan Army. Then while on patrol and walking through a village, he stepped on a bomb hidden in the ground. The IED triggered a violent explosion and when Eric regained consciousness fifteen seconds later, his life was rapidly changing. A fellow corpsman jammed Eric's knee into his femoral artery to lessen the bleeding. A helicopter rushed him to the medical facility for an emergency operation. Eric looked down to see that his lower right leg was gone.
Eric was in bad shape, but he was alive. Lying in the hospital bed at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, he received a letter of encouragement from a friend in his battalion joking when he would be running his first marathon. Eric considered his second chance at life. The road to recovery following a limb amputation is certainly not a smooth one, and Eric knew that he would need a goal to get himself out of bed each morning. He decided to take his friend's challenge one step further (140.6 miles to be exact) and determined to complete an IRONMAN.
Only weeks after setting his sights on IRONMAN, Eric met Nico Marcolongo, manager of the Operation Rebound program at the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF). Operation Rebound provides veterans, military personnel, and first responders with permanent physical challenges access to sports and an active lifestyle. When Nico learned that Eric had lost his lower right leg, his first question to Eric was, "What sport do you want to do?"
With that surprising response to a limb amputation, Eric knew he had found his new community. Though a lifelong athlete, he had not gotten into endurance sports before the injury and had a lot to learn about the sport of triathlon, on top of learning to adapt with a prosthetic. He attended a paratriathlon camp through Operation Rebound in May 2012 and completed his first sprint triathlon that August. A month after that, Eric completed his first half distance race idn an arduous but accomplished six hours and 35 minutes.
Eric's recovery and rehabilitation were based on running, biking, and swimming a full IRONMAN. This goal helped his mind stay focused and his body followed suit. Through his incredible ambition and determined grit, he was ultimately selected to be part of the BECOME ONE team to train for and compete in the 2013 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona. Eric had the opportunity to not only complete his goal, but to do so in the most prestigious endurance race in the world, on a team with retired Pittsburgh Steeler and his personal hero – Hines Ward. Having grown up near Pittsburgh, Eric was a lifelong Steelers fan and had received an autographed helmet from Hines as motivation during his early hospital recovery. At their first meeting at CAF Headquarters, Eric brought along the football helmet to show Hines the honor. Eric had been uplifted in recovery, and was now ready to train and compete alongside the Superbowl MVP who had been an inspiration from the start.
Eric encountered many lessons in the months that followed. He spent hours with his prosthetics practitioner and learned to adjust for his own body and prostheses, to navigate transitions effectively, and to keep his focus on progressing for himself. In April 2013 Eric raced in his first IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside as lead-up to Kona. And that October, through countless hours of training, adapting, and training some more, Eric achieved the goal that had always kept him motivated. He completed the 140.6-mile course and crossed the finish line of the IRONMAN World Championship.
The intensity of this journey launched Eric's IRONMAN career, having now completed seven IRONMAN races and over 50 other races including 70.3s, intermediate and sprint triathlons, half marathons, 5ks, and a lofty run up the Empire State Building's 86 floors. His times are only improving, and Eric certainly isn't done yet. He's passionate about reaching new levels and continuously challenging himself. This past year, Eric competed in 70.3 Oceanside as an age-group finisher in 4:55:59 – a new personal best.
Though he no longer lives in California, Eric returns every year to his favorite course and the place where his journey began. Looping through the Camp Pendleton Marine Base where he had been stationed for five years, IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside is an emotional course to go through in this new light. "The military aspect of the race is incredible," Eric says. "Marines are volunteering and cheering you on, and whether you served or not, there's a very intriguing aspect to it." Security protocols are tighter than ever and there aren't many opportunities for civilians to get onto a marine base. As Camp Pendleton opens its grounds to IRONMAN triathletes of all backgrounds, veterans and community members get the chance to integrate and build cohesion.
CAF's Operation Rebound is the race's official charity partner and provides another unique touchpoint for veterans, non-veterans, those with physical challenges, and those without physical challenges to race side-by-side for an amazing purpose. Participants who race with Team Operation Rebound compete in the Half IRONMAN while fundraising for veterans with physical challenges to have access to sports. Competitors interact with and get to know the veterans who are also participating. There's a sense of mutual struggle and mutual accomplishment within the race, while everyone shares that same passion for CAF's mission. "You don't see that very often," Eric McElvenny says as a veteran supported by Operation Rebound. "Not only do you get to meet the people who are raising money, but you're running, riding, and swimming alongside them."
Taking place in the spring when everything is turning green once again, IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside is a season opener for North America, which means it's the first chance for many athletes to race. Professionals, age groupers, and physically challenged triathletes are all dusting off the cobwebs; you can feel the energy and excitement coursing through the salty air. The race is hilly and challenging – there's no easy way around it – but it's also beautiful and filled with an overwhelming sense of connection and encouragement. From crossing the Oceanside finish line to waiting for his final time (his watch had broken during the race), Eric recalls how great he felt this past April 2019. When the times were announced, he was thrilled to learn that he had beaten his 70.3 record by 11 minutes: "I did that because I was having fun!"
Eric McElvenny's story is a powerful testament to CAF's mission. He set a goal for himself, found support in a community, learned to adapt after an amputation, and trained hard to continuously improve himself. He aims to be the best triathlete he can be, while also paying it forward and supporting other injured veterans get from the frontline to the finish line. As a CAF mentor, Eric is passionate about using his own experiences to bring others to the sport he loves. To anyone considering IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside for the first time, Eric emphatically says Do it. Training is the hardest part. But once you get on the course and feel that sense of accomplishment, there's nothing else like it.
By racing with Team Operation Rebound in 2020, you become part of a community of people connected by a common purpose. Fundraising allows injured troops like Eric McElvenny to heal and excel through sports – there's joy in crossing the finish line while knowing your participation is making a difference. To learn more about Team Operation Rebound and support injured veterans while you race 70.3 Oceanside, visit CAF's event page.
CAF is the Official Charity Partner of IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside. Visit them at challengedathletes.org


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In the works: A seven-story hotel next to a Charlotte mall
A developer is planning to bring a new hotel and more commercial development to a mostly vacant site in the fast-growing area around Northlake Mall.
A rezoning request filed by a company affiliated with ABC Inns shows plans for a seven-story hotel on a 6.2-acre site, located at Point O'Woods Drive and Northlake Centre Parkway. That's next too the mall, an apartment community and other commercial developments.
The ABC-affiliated company bought part of the site in 2015 for $750,000, real estate records show. The other parts are owned by other individuals, who have signed on to the rezoning request.
A site plan doesn't give the number of rooms, but indicates the developer also plans to build two other commercial buildings on the site. Those could be used for restaurants, shops or offices.
Pritesh Nagarji, a principal at ABC, didn't return a request for more information about the site on Monday. ABC was founded in 1979, and has focused on developing hotels along the Interstate 77 and Interstate 85 corridors. The Northlake site is right off I-77.
The company's developments include a Comfort Inn & Suites in Statesville, a Comfort Suites near Charlotte Douglas International Airport and a Sleep Inn at I-77 and Sunset Road. Charlotte City Council will hold a hearing and vote on the hotel proposal in the coming months.
The area around Northlake has been growing fast. Last year, the mall's owner announced a $50 million expansion, while Woodfield Investments is working on a second phase of its Northlake apartments, with hundreds planned. Just south of Northlake, City Council approved in December a plan to build up to 235 more apartments on Reames Road.
Ely Portillo: 704-358-5041, @ESPortillo


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Overview - Understanding Pathways to Extremism and the Prevent Programme
The Home Office has approved this course to be included in the Home Office official catalogue of recommended products for Prevent Duty training.
Prevent and radicalisation awareness training is a way to ensure staff are able to identify children at risk of being drawn in to terrorism, as required by the Counter Terrorism & Security Act 2015 and the Prevent Duty Statutory Guidance.
This course is aimed at all professionals who work in sectors where they come into contact with people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, whether they are adults, children or young people.
The aim of the course is to give you an awareness of the radicalisation process so you can feel confident about being proactive in taking a multi-agency approach to early intervention and support.
After completing this course you should:
- Understand what extremism and radicalisation are and why it is important to discuss and address these
- Know the main elements of the Prevent strand of the government's CONTEST strategy
- Better understand what makes people vulnerable to radicalisation
- Know your responsibilities and recognise indicators that radicalisation might be taking place
A number of subject matter experts contributed to this course, including Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board, Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Board and Safe in Tees Valley.
Lesson Plan
- Welcome and Learning Outcomes
- Introduction
- Prevent Strategy
- The Radicalisation Process
- What should I do?
- Summary and Further Reading
The content of this course has been independently certified as conforming to universally accepted Continuous Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.
On completion of this course you will be able to download and print a certificate.
Approximately 1 hour - 1.5 hours. The length of time taken depends entirely on how quickly you can study and absorb the material. You can proceed as quickly or slowly as you like. However, this course also has several downloadable PDFs with additional information in, which you can print off and read in your own time.
Target Audience
All professionals who work in sectors where they come into contact with people who may be vulnerable to radicalisation, whether they are adults, children or young people.
Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this course.
Add this course to your existing LMS
Would you be interested in adding this course to your existing learning management system? Click here to find out more.
How it Works
This is an online course which is studied via the Virtual College Learning Management System, Enable. All of the training is taken online. The course is self-paced so you decide how fast or slow the training goes. You can also revisit the training material, even after you have completed the course.
Four easy steps to e-learning
Step 1: Find a course
You can buy one or more courses online for yourself or others and, whether you know what you'd like to study or would simply like to browse, finding a course is easy.
Here are some ways you can quickly find the information you need:
- Search for a course using search box
- Click "courses" on the top navigation. This page will show a complete list of courses, ordered by our best sellers and new releases
- Browse courses by category, for example Safeguarding
Step 2: Buy the course
When you've found the course you want simply click on "Add to basket". You can then continue shopping or check out and make a secure payment via the PayPal payment screen. This allows you to pay with most popular credit or debit cards or your PayPal account, and receive your receipt by email.
All our payments are dealt with by PayPal; one of the world's most well-known payment providers – Great Britain's no 1 preferred online and mobile payment method, so you can be sure that your payment will be safe and secure. Here at Virtual College we never even get to see your credit card details!
Once your purchase has gone through you will be able to continue to a login screen. Enter your name and create a password if prompted. This will log you into our Learning Management System (LMS) where you will be able to take the course or allocate it to other people.
You can purchase more than 10 courses online, however if you wish to purchase more than 10 courses, and you would like to be invoiced in advance, you can e-mail us on firstname.lastname@example.com or contact our sales team on 01943 885 085.
Step 3: Take the course
For the best possible internet browser experience we recommend you use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11 or Firefox.
You will get a better learner experience if you have sound enabled. Most computers come with built-in speakers, but the narration will generally be written in text on the screen for you to read if you don't have sound turned on.
The course is interactive and you may need to click on parts of the screen before you can advance. This will be obvious as the narration and text will tell you what to do or the links will pulse and flash. The system will remember where you left off and take you back there, but you can go over any part of it as many times as you want to and take as long as you want.
You can write your own notes for the course and print them off or simply store them to access later any time you view your course.
When you get to the end, you will be presented with an assessment to check your understanding. Don't worry; in most cases you can take this assessment three times at no extra cost, and we have policies and procedures in place for adding further attempts.
Step 4: Your certificate
You will be able to print your own certificate at the end of the course.
Some courses also include the option of a high-quality posted certificate, for example our Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene courses.
Bulk discounts
Bulk discounts are available on purchases of 10 or more courses.
If you wish to discuss a large individual order for this course, and/or would like to be invoiced in advance, please call our sales team on 01943 885 085 to make an enquiry.


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Our Gift to You
Sign up for our newsletter and receive 10% off
your first purchase.
*some exclusions may apply
5-year Warranty from OMEGA
- Custom Bracelet Sizing Pre-Delivery
- Complimentary Watch Polishing
- Beautiful Packaging
- Expert Guidance & Client Care
The especially dramatic and enduring design concept of the OMEGA Constellation line is characterized by its famous "Griffes", or claws, and striking dials. This model features an engraved white mother-of-pearl dial decorated with a wavy pattern extending from the iconic claws. The dial is complete with 12 diamond indexes. The 18K yellow gold bezel, with its engraved Roman numerals, is mounted on a 27 mm stainless steel case body and is presented on a stainless steel bracelet with 18K yellow gold bars. This timepiece is powered by the OMEGA quartz calibre 1376.
For more than 170 years, our timepieces have recorded the planet's history. They have also served with distinction in space, in the oceans' depths and on the wrists of world leaders, explorers and men and women who appreciate OMEGA's blend of performance and design.


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After teasing us with short EPs, music videos, and mixtapes, werkin' girl Angel Haze has finally blessed us with a full album. Dirty Gold was originally scheduled to be released in early March, but a premature leak moved its release date to...today! As she expressed on her Twitter account, Ms. Haze was simply tired of waiting. And, so were we.
The album includes her singles "Echelon (It's My Way)" and "A Tribe Called Red." After reworking songs by Kanye West and Miley Cyrus (she covered "Wrecking Ball" and totally nailed it), Angel Haze is giving us something of her very own. Dirty Gold is streaming on Spotify and available on iTunes. Listen below:


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If there is one imperishable memory to be brought back from a trip to Kerala it is the fascinating Aranmula regatta. The snake-boats glide gracefully and majestically along the River Pampa and the hypnotic chanting of the oarsmen will echo in your mind like a happy refrain long after the race is over.
Although few foreign tourists come here, this peaceful village on the banks of the River Pampa is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and is famous for its Krishna temple and the "snake-boat" race held every year during the Onam festival. Aranmula also has another unique claim to fame: sacred mirrors called kannadi, Read More


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Mammoth Children's Activity Bundle Giveaway!
If you've been homeschooling for a while, you've probably heard of Math Mammoth, created by Maria Miller! If you haven't, you need to hop over to her website or to her author page on CurrClick right now. Maria is passionate about math and has created a full math curriculum for elementary students with higher levels in the works. I have read a number of reviews comparing it favorably with Singapore math and many that actually prefer it because it's easier to use with only one book rather than flipping back and forth between three with Singapore (teacher's manual, text, and workbook). My favorite feature of it is that all the books are available as digital downloads which is huge for those of us homeschooling overseas! The amount we can save on shipping is amazing! Plus the books are extremely affordable!
We haven't used a full-year's curriculum from her yet because I found out about it after bringing over all our Singapore math books. However, Maria is very generous with lots of freebies, especially for her newsletter subscribers so we have enjoyed a number of her products.
In one of her recent newsletters, Maria shared that two of her daughters own websites and are creating educational products for children as well. They were looking for people to review some of their products and host a giveaway of a massive children's activity bundle. I jumped at the opportunity!
I wasn't sure what to expect, and then when I saw the names of their websites, Animal Dot to Dots and Children's Best Activities, I thought it would probably just be a pack for preschoolers which I can totally use since I have two little ones. I was absolutely amazed when I finally downloaded the pack to see the high quality of the artwork and how they had managed to make the activities increasingly difficult even up to a 5th or 6th grade level! I found things for all four of my kids!
My favorite activities are the dot to dots. I never would have thought to make decimal dot to dots counting by 0.04 and leave a few blank for the kids to fill in! I mean, seriously! Even I had to stop and think about a few of those! There are some regular easy ones counting by 1s and then all manner of others gradually increasing in difficulty. I was really amazed. And the pictures are beautiful once you get the dots connected! You can actually hop over to Animal Dot to Dots any time and download some individually for free to try them out. Bignificent was shocked when I handed her a dot to dot page to do and then even more shocked when it was actually HARD! 🙂
Children's Best Activities is also full of freebies! (These girls inherited their mama's generosity!) There are coloring pages, more dot-to-dots, really fun mazes, find-the-twins activity sheets, star polygons to connect, word searches and copy the picture activities as well as a Thanksgiving pack these two worked on together.
Both websites offer bundles of their products on Currclick for your convenience so you don't have to download them piecemeal. And this massive bundle that we're giving away is usually sold for $34.40, but you can enter to win one of four downloads for free just by entering the Rafflecopter below! And if you don't want to enter or you don't feel like waiting, the bundle is on sale right now for $17.83 so you can just hop over there and buy it now! (I'm really excited to have just become a CurrClick affiliate so all the links to CurrClick are affiliate links. If you choose to buy any product I've linked to, I'll receive a 10% commission at no extra charge to you.)
Good luck!


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What are we?
Britannia is a rare example of the type of village which once served the thriving fishing industry with its canneries, boatyards, stores, homes and its mix of cultures. This national historic site is representative of the diverse community built on pilings and connected by boardwalks.
Who Are We?
The purpose of the Society is to preserve and promote West Coast maritime heritage with an emphasis on local wooden boat building traditions and the cultural mosaic and living conditions of the people who worked on the Steveston waterfront.
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Map of buildings at Britannia Shipyard (pdf file)
Take a 3D tour of some of our buildings!


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Nelson H. Head was born to money in Birmingham, AL, attended private elementary schools, boarded at the McCallie School in Chattanooga, and graduated from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA with a BS in Commerce. He joined the Navy where he earned his wings and flew F-4 Phantoms from the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. After serving, he returned to Birmingham and joined his father's data processing company. When his grandfather died, he took over his real estate holding company and started the Costa and Head partnerships which attempted to redevelop the historic downtown area in Birmingham. When that failed, he moved his then broke family to Washington, DC and continued in the real estate development and brokerage business. In 1991 he finally saw the light, decided he was weary of losing money in real estate, and entered the barbeque business. As he often says, "At least then he could eat." On his third restaurant attempt and with the frugal hand of his new partner, Kris Wolfe, they founded Dixie Bones which to his family's relief (and surprise) has become a success. Head also publishes his photographs at Nelson Head Photography
Kristine L Wolfe has many and varied interests – ranging from politics (top priority), to business, to primitive art. She attributes her 'eclectic' taste to having attended the University of Wisconsin during the sixties, a long exposure to Washington, DC and Chicago politics, and a practical grounding in Midwest attitudes. She has an avid interest in the this country and has developed an extensive understanding of southern food and heritage. Ms. Wolfe is working on her sense of humor.
Robert H. Koch helped found this Dixie Bones Post. He contributed several stories of his youth and his life in Lexington, NC. His most cherished works were stories about his journey through kidney cancer. Our good friend died in June 2012. He wrote the following biography when we started this Dixie Bones Post.
"He arrrived on this earth in the small town of Oshkosh, WI. Having donned his overalls at an early age, he attended a semi private elementary school attached to the Wisconsin State Teachers College at Oshkosh from kindergarten through ninth grade. There he and eighteen other classmates honed their skills at sizing up and breaking student teachers who were relentlessly thrown at them two semesters at a time for nine years. Following a three year stint at Oshkosh High (or the Magnet Bar and Pool Hall – he can't remember which) he graduated with less than sterling results and joined his fellow non-combatants avoiding the draft and Viet Nam by entering college. Here a funny thing happened – he woke up and learned how to study. Graduating from the George Washington University and still avoiding the draft he entered graduate school where he earned his master degree in Urban and Regional Planning. From there began a long and winding career or several careers spanning some forty years until one Sunday afternoon when stuck in an airport for the umpteenth time and facing another long delay he had had enough. He gathered his toys and belongings and set off to the lake to join his wife who had been living in the new abode blissfully for five years. Now the most important thing is life is making sure that he comes out of the wood shop with the same ten fingers still attached."


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Dust off Iran and Pakistan
High Resolution
Last update: November 22nd, 2019 at 11:00 am
Dust plumes blew off the coasts of Iran and Pakistan and over the Arabian Sea on January 4, 2007. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA's Aqua satellite captured this image the same day. Here, the dust plumes appear as pale beige wisps. One apparent source for the dust can be seen in Pakistan, perhaps 150 kilometers inland from the coast. South of the dust plumes, white clouds dot the sky. Aside from bands of greenish blue—resulting from shallow water and/or sediment—along the coast, the ocean appears dark blue.
Credit: NASA image courtesy Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Rapid Response Team, Goddard Space Flight Center


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- Additional Info
Help keep your hot food and drinks hot and your cold ones cold with this lightweight cozy made just for the BOT. Made of 3 mm thick neoprene, this cozy insulates the contents of your BOT while protecting your hands from burns or getting too cold. Also a great way to conserve stove fuel by allowing cooking to continue in an insulated environment. Perfect for foods like rice, beans, and freeze dried meals or turning your BOT into a insulated cup for hot drinks. Simply slide the BOT inside the cozy to use.
- 3 mm thick neoprene material
- Color: Black
- Weight: 1.1 ounces (32 grams)
- Height: 5.5 inches (140 mm)
- Width: 5.75 inches (146 mm)
Note: BOT cozy will not fit the BOT-700.
- Reviews
- Questions & Answers
Do you have any Question?Question: I have a question about the BOT Cozy. The description implies that you can cook in the BOT while it's in the cozy. I just want to confirm that this is the case and that the cozy itself will not melt or catch on fire when the BOT+Cozy are on the stove burner. Thanks. 23 Dec, 2015Answer: The BOT cozy will melt and ignite if place onto or close to a stove or flame. Food cooked in the BOT can continue cooking off the stove when placed inside the cozy as it will retain most of the heat produced for a longer length of time (e.g. boiling pasta in water for 2 mins then transferring the BOT to the BOT cozy to continue cooking in the hot water for another 10 mins.). The retained heat will continue cooking the food after it has been taken off the stove or flame.Question: Does this work with the Bot 700 ml, or do the handles on that inhibit its use. Thanks Scott 16 Feb, 2017Answer: Unfortunately, the BOT Cozy will not fit the BOT-700 dues to the handles.Question: Does this fit the titanium bot all the way to the top? 10 Dec, 2017Answer: The BOT Cozy fits all the way up the BOT until just short of the lip so it's not in the way when you eat and drink from it. Thanks!Question: Can you put vargo bot inside of cozy when bot is hot without burning your fingers? / can you put vargo bot inside of bot cozy without touching vargo bot with fingers? 14 Apr, 2018Answer: Hello! Yes, if you use the Pot Lifter it's easy to do and the preferred way. Alternatively, if you give the BOT a chance to cool for a minute or so, the metal lip should be cool to the touch and can then be put inside the cozy. Thanks!


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According to the World Steel Organization's publication, Sustainable Steel at the Core of a Green Economy, global steel production has grown more than seven-fold since 1950. By 2050, steel use is projected to increased by 1.5 times that of present levels. Steel, once produced is 100 percent recyclable, without loss of properties, and therefore has potential for an infinite life cycle. Advances in materials science mean that today there are literally thousands of types of steel designed to meet the specific needs of end users, with small changes in the composition, structure, and process for manufacturing the steel alloy enabling desired changes in properties, such as strength, stiffness, ductility.
The industry continues to make serious efforts to reduce its environmental impact, and as such, World Steel has been collecting "cradle-to-gate" environmental inputs (resource use: raw materials, energy, water) and output (emissions to land, air, and water) data since 1995. Water is used throughout the steel-making processes, used mainly for cooling or heat transfer, and for descaling, dust scrubbers, etc.
Extremely sensitive, rugged, and reliable, Galvanic systems are ideally suited to help assure steel manufacturers meet process and regulatory requirements. From enabling real-time control of plating operations to headache-free compliance with effluent regulations − Galvanic's systems deliver the utmost in ease-of-operation, precise measurements, consistent, field-proven performance − and value.
We're here to work with you every step of the way. Our application experts can help you determine the best, most cost-effective way to meet the unique needs of your application.Contact us


text: I've been talking a lot recently about saving money when it comes to makeup. I recently posted my guide to what makeup you should buy from the drugstore and what you should buy high-end. I also shared over 30 dupes for high-end products! If you're not sick of the topic yet, and you want to learn how to save money while shopping at Sephora, keep reading!


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Plentiful peach crop possible in South Carolina this year
South Carolina could have a plentiful crop of spring peaches if there is no severe weather for the next month, say York County growers.
A wind-borne frost last April killed much of the York County peach crop, said Bob Hall, owner of Bush-n-Vine in York. And cold weather or a late frost has affected peaches regionally for the last three years.
"It's time for the region to have a good peach crop," said Jeb Wilson with Cotton Hill Farms in Chester County.
Late February and early March is the time peach buds start to come out locally, said York County growers. Ben Smith, owner of the Peach Stand in York saw his first buds Thursday.
Growers say the combination of a reasonable winter with sufficient rain has helped the crop, but they say it's too early to predict the size of the crop.
"We have a long way to go before we can say we'll have a bumper crop," said Arthur Black, owner of Black's Peaches. "But things are looking good."
The peach buds will be the most fragile for about the next month, Hall said.
About the only thing farmers can do now is to spray fungicide on the buds to protect them, Black said. Growers started spraying last week and will do the same next week.
Other growers are completing peach tree pruning, an operation that used to be done in December. But the season for pruning has been moved because a later pruning helps the trees and could increase the number of peaches, according to fruit researchers.
Wilson predicts it will be about a week before the peach trees are in full bloom.
Clemson University extension agent Andy Rollins said it has been warmer and wetter than usual in recent months. Rollins said peach trees need between 800 and 1,000 hours of temperatures below 45 degrees during the winter for good crop. Many areas received just about 1,000 hours.
"We still were able to get in all of our chilling hours," Rollins said in a prepared release. "This year could be one of the best years ever for our peach crop."
Jeff Hopkins, manager of Clemson's Musser Fruit Research Farm, said there's been enough cold for a potentially strong crop.
"We wound up with 1,000 (hours) on the nose, and we're good with that," Hopkins said.
Peach growers across the state were concerned at the end of December because most orchards had received only about 250 chill hours. That's about half the amount normally received by the end of December. But colder weather in February helped.
The number of chill hours also affect when peaches are ready.
In the unusually cold winter of 2014-15 more than 1,600 chill hours were measured at the research farm. That meant an earlier-than-normal crop. In the same way, this year's milder weather could translate into a later crop.
South Carolina produced about 70,000 tons of peaches last year, second in the nation to California.
The Associated Press contributed


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The Parents, Teachers and Friends Association (PTFA) is the fundraising and community group of the school. We are responsible for initiating and organising fundraising projects, such as the Spellathon, sausage sizzles, mufti days and the sale of School Calendars, as well as running the very popular and successful School Gala. We have monthly meetings in the School Board Room, and more frequent social gatherings in the PTFA Room (located next door to Room 20). If you are interested in joining the PTFA see your classroom teacher, contact one of the people listed below, or just pop in to the PTFA Room for a drink and a chat.
The PTFA Committee Members are:
Chairperson - Dutchie Low
Vice-Chair - Chloe Mexted
Treasure - Matelena McClutchie
Secretary - Marion Cain
Principal - Janice
Deputy Principal - Viki Trainor
Teacher Representative - Chloe Spencer
Teacher Representative - Chrissy Matthews
Lynn Vai
Tui McClennan
Ella Tahiru
Lucia Mahugo
Malcolm Thomas
Pesio Matiseni


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Darren Dunn has been Northern Colorado's athletic director for nearly six months, and it would have been easy — and perhaps conventional thinking in the wake of the Bears' on-field struggles — if Dunn had considered his holdover football coach "somebody else's" hire.
Instead, among the many moves on Dunn's watch was the recently approved two-year contract extension for football coach Earnest Collins Jr., taking him through the 2016 season.
The Big Sky Conference Bears are coming off a 1-11 season and are 6-28 in three seasons at the Football Championship Subdivision level under Collins, a former Bears defensive back and assistant coach.
"I really believe in Coach Collins and what he believes in," Dunn said. "Together, I feel like we're going in the right direction as far as academically and socially. Are we perfect? No. But I feel like he's trying to do right things the right way. He and his staff are trying to mentor these guys to be better people and graduate. Those things are most important to me.
"Now, we also have to win. More than anyone else I can think of other than president (Kay) Norton, (Collins) wants to win, and I think administratively we have to provide him with more tools to be successful. That's improving our facilities and recruiting budgets, things along those lines."
Dunn, a former University of Denver pitcher who graduated in 1991 and was most recently the deputy athletic director at Houston, said support from the Monfort family, which also owns the Colorado Rockies, has been monumental. Rockies owner/chairman Dick Monfort is chairman of UNC's board of trustees.
"They do so much for our program, it's incredible," Dunn said. "It's other people. We have to get a lot of other people; we need to embrace them a little bit, tell them how much we need them and show them why we need them. I get the sense, just in the first six months, that there's more people who want to help us."
Elsewhere in the UNC athletic department, considerable changes have been made since Jay Hinrichs was ousted as AD in June 2013 and Dunn ultimately came aboard. When women's basketball coach Jaime White departed for Fresno State, Dunn hired former Kansas State associate head coach Kamie Ethridge — a former college star at Texas and Olympic gold medalist — to succeed her, and Ethridge essentially brought the entire KSU staff with her.
The UNC board of trustees also approved a five-year contract for women's volleyball coach Lyndsey Oates.
Then on Monday, UNC announced the hiring of Troy Nickerson as the Bears' wrestling coach. Nickerson was a 2009 national champion wrestler and a four-time All-American at Cornell and comes to Greeley after serving as an assistant coach at Iowa State for two years. Dunn labeled him "a bright star" in the sport.
Terry Frei: email@example.com or twitter.com/TFrei
Northern Colorado: More from new AD Darren Dunn, including on baseball
Getting the job Dunn
A look at UNC athletic director Darren Dunn:
Native of Escondido, Calif.
University of Denver graduate, four-year baseball letterman
Master's degree in sports administration, University of New Mexico
Began career with stints in athletic departments at New Mexico, Tulsa and Northern Illinois
Associate athletic director, New Mexico, 1998-2007
General manager, Lobo Sports Properties/Learfield Sports, 2007-09
Deputy athletic director, Houston, 2009-14


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NFL Trivia: Can you name the other players left from the 1998 draft?
DOVE VALLEY — The Broncos' signing of Keith Brooking this week, the team now has two of the 10 players left from the 1998 draft class. The other, of course, is quarterback Peyton Manning, the No. 1 pick in that draft. Brooking was selected at No. 12.
As we waited for the start of today's Broncos training camp practice, Jeff Legwold and I played a trivia game with members of the Broncos' PR staff as we tried to come up with the other eight.
Now, you guys can play along, too. No cheating!
The others were also first-round draft picks. Two others are quarterbacks. Three were selected in the sixth round. Can you name them?
- This player is on the roster of the Broncos' Week 1 opponent and was active in the players' negotiations with the NFL during the lockout.
- This player is a linebacker for one of the Broncos' divisional rivals, and he's never been to a playoff game.
- This player is a defensive lineman who was a one-year member of the Broncos, and was very outspoken in the media.
- This often-disgruntled wide receiver has been close to retirement before, but is taking another shot with a west coast team this year.
- This player beat out Peyton Manning to win the Heisman Trophy in 1997.
- This player was a starting quarterback in the NFL last year. He was the starting quarterback for a different team in the Super Bowl within the last six years.
- This player plays on the offensive line for the Baltimore Ravens, and last year, won the league's Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
- This player will handle the long-snapping duties for the Broncos' first preseason opponent.
We'll post the answers in a blog later today! Until then, see if you can figure it out, and then go quiz your officemates.
Answers after the jump!
1. Charlie Batch. Then — Pick No. 60 by Detroit Lions. Now — backup quarterback for Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. Takeo Spikes. Then — No. 13 pick by Cincinnai. Now – Linebacker for the San Diego Chargers.
3. Vonnie Holliday. Then — No. 19 pick by Green Bay. Now — In his second season with the Arizona Cardinals. He played for the Broncos in 2010.
4. Randy Moss. Then — No. 21 pick by Minnesota. Now — Trying to revive his career in San Francisco.
5. Charles Woodson. Then — No. 4 pick by Oakland, as a cornerback. Now — A safety for the Green Bay Packers.
6. Matt Hasselbeck. Then — No. 187 pick by Green Bay, where he backed up Brett Favre. Now — In a competition with second-year player Jake Locker to be the starter in Tennessee.
7. Matt Birk. Then — No. 173 by Minnesota. Now — Center for the Baltimore Ravens.
8. Pat Mannelly. Then — No. 189 pick by Chicago, as a tackle. Now – The Bears' longsnapper, and the only one of the 10 remaining players from his draft class still with his original team.


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Helicopter Services Market in Slow Ascent
Despite a turbulent time for most offshore sectors over the past 2 years, Douglas-Westwood's (DW) latest analysis from the World Offshore Helicopters Market Forecast 2017–2021 projects USD 18 billion in oil- and gas- related expenditure over the next 5 years.
Since the oil price downturn, drilling and production activities have been falling across all regions, resulting in a 7% decrease in total oil and gas expenditure over the forecast period, compared to the preceding 5-year period. This effect has been compounded by the significant cuts in capital expenditure in the past 2 years and the current lack of project sanctioning.
In spite of this, the current global fixed and floating platform population, coupled with existing drilling and production activities from projects sanctioned prior to the oil price downturn will continue to drive demand for helicopter support services. With developments moving farther from shore, deepwater activity (>500 m) continues to be another strong driver, which has remained relatively sheltered from the downturn due to longer project lead times. Consequently, over the 2017 to 2021 period, DW expects a 3% compound annual growth rate in global oil and gas helicopter expenditure.
While projections for the coming 5 years are lower than previously anticipated in the 2015 forecast, the production support component of the market will remain more resilient to fluctuations in oil price compared to drilling. Passenger transfers to production assets will continue to account for the majority of spending, 60% on average between 2017 and 2021, as a large share of demand will arise from ongoing production support.
The coming years will remain an important time for the industry, as a new generation of medium-class helicopters, such as the Airbus H175 and the Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) AW189, have been introduced. These models have been developed to provide higher crew capacity, power, and range for a number of industries. The new-generation medium aircraft are highly efficient with advanced safety systems and are, therefore, expected to perform well in the offshore arena.
In the longer term, there is the prospect of high-speed rotorcrafts entering the market. Leonardo's AW609 is expected to be the first commercially available tiltrotor serving the offshore sector. Certification of the first aircraft is anticipated in 2018.
Following a serious helicopter crash in April 2016 near Bergen, Norway, the Airbus H225 / EC225 Super Pumas remain grounded by the UK and Norwegian Civil Aviation Authorities with the most significant impact likely to be seen in Western Europe.
Source: Douglas-Westwood's World Offshore Helicopters Market Forecast 2017–2021.
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It seems that weight loss pills are being advertised everywhere at the moment and for those people wanting to lose weight it must be very easy for them to think that these are the answer to their problems! I personally don't think that this solution is going to solve their problems especially in the long term. More importantly anyone considering taking these should ask themselves, "How safe are they and do they work?"
The answer to that question is not a simple one! To say that it is NOT OK to take weight loss pills is to perhaps deny the benefits of some of these pills. To say otherwise would be tantamount to advocating taking weight loss pills to shed off pounds which could ultimately lead to side effects!
quick weight loss tips, diet solutions program, dieting programs,
Before anyone considers taking pills, it is important for them to acknowledge that the all-time safest and proven way to lose weight and keep it off is through a combination of regular Physical Activity and a Healthy Diet.
Dieters should be particularly wary of weight loss pills that contain harmful ingredients such as chemicals and other artificial additives that can accumulate in the body and may cause problems later on in life. One should be aware of banned substances such as ephedrine, which is a strong stimulant that can affect a person's heartbeat and can cause severe heart palpitations. Although this substance is banned in the United States some weight loss pills being sold in elsewhere may still contain it.
If you really feel that you need to take weight loss pills then you should choose one that is made of natural ingredients. Green tea has been proven as a natural thermogenic. This means it can increase the body's temperature to aid the process of burning fat. Green tea comes in the form of tea bags or for more convenience, in capsule or tablet form. There are also forms of seaweed that have fat burning properties, although at present more research is currently being carried out to ascertain whether it really is effective as an ingredient for a weight loss pill.
I would suggest that weight loss pills are not really the best solution when trying to lose weight. Some may feel they cannot lose weight without them so I would advise that they research the market thoroughly before taking anything and along with that the very safest option would be to consult a doctor before you start on a course of tablets!
Finally, it is not as difficult as you think to lose weight by healthy eating and exercise, if you join a weight loss program you will be given support, guidance, knowledge, and a whole host of motivational ideas and techniques to help you achieve your goal. I feel confident that this method will result in a loss of weight which can be successfully maintained due to a whole new way of thinking, eating and living!
Give it a try - it will prove very much safer for your overall health and fitness!


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Sunday, April 15, 2012 | 2 a.m.
The natural tension between political party platforms and candidates is that parties generally stand for something and candidates often try to stand for nothing.
Also: Platforms inevitably are infested with goofy stuff and candidates like to win.
All across Nevada this weekend, county Democratic conventions are occurring and, after the suspense is over about whom they will endorse for the presidency and which obscure bylaw they will squabble over, the faithful will get down to the business of frightening their candidates by adopting various platform planks. If any platform explains why the candidates ignore the parties — because the parties actually have principles and some of them are not nutty — the Washoe County Democrats' draft proposal is it.
• "We support decriminalization of marijuana and that its use be regulated on an equivalent basis as alcohol."
• "We support abolition of the death penalty."
• "We support the repeal of the Nevada 'right to work' law."
A show of hands, please: Which elected Democrats and candidates for office support these planks? Hello? Hello?
I pick on the Democrats only because the counties are having their confabs this weekend, not because they are inherently weirder than Republicans and care any less about actually helping their candidates. But the real question is: Why bother to even have platforms theoretically outlining what a party stands for when the people who will be charged with advocating for those ideas have no intention of doing so?
Indeed, most of those on the ballot biennially run like college students away from a Latin seminar when asked about a platform, knowing there is no upside in embracing it (What, have to take a position?) and no downside in avoiding it (no one, including most of the media, pays any attention after the convention).
It's not just because of controversial planks that candidates shun platforms, though. It's also because they don't want to be tied down to any strong, ideological position that might hurt them in the campaign. You can hear the consultants, who have much more power in modern politics, whisper, "Try to fudge on that."
This year is especially obvious for the Democrats on one plank in both the Washoe and Clark platforms — the Southern Nevada party was a little more careful and mainstream in its document, but not on one subject.
Washoe: "We support the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. "
Clark: "We support the Affordable Care Act and oppose legislation that would repeal any or the entire original Bill." (No plank on English as a first language.)
OK, I'm looking for elected officials and candidates to speak on this at the state convention. Hello? Hello?
To be fair, there is some meritorious stuff in the lengthy Washoe draft platform, including one of my hobbyhorses (so it must be meritorious): "We support making campaign contributions transparent, therefore requiring disclosure of contributions over $250 within 24 hours."
And some of the stuff in platforms — and Washoe has this in spades — is so candidate-friendly as to be meaningless effusions. To wit:
"We believe the community is called to participate in the education of our youth and to advocate for successful educational outcomes." Bold.
"We believe that every registered voter must be afforded every opportunity to have her/his vote counted." Meaningful.
"We support safe and affordable communities based upon sustainable energy and environmentally sound public policies." Deep.
Or my favorite: "We support medical research aimed at curing disease and alleviating suffering." Visionary.
And then there is the idea that sounded good at the time but is of questionable utility: "We propose creation of a Commission on Black Affairs in Nevada to overcome the discrimination, disparity, inequity and disadvantage that have negatively impacted black people in Nevada. A Black Affairs Commission would cover all areas of significant disparity that currently exist in the black population of Nevada."
But perhaps I mock too much. The disconnect between parties and candidates is hardly new but grows more frustrating as embedded principles are routinely sacrificed for electoral imperatives. The conventional wisdom that you can't win if you take a strong stand, especially if it's not obviously popular (health care reform, tax increases, stimulus spending), induces candidates to fudge, spin and, if necessary, lie.
And the result is that campaign promises are broken, public confidence diminishes and the body politic suffers. So they might as well scrap the platforms because they are onanistic endeavors by a handful of people who attend conventions, full of sound and fury, consummating nothing.
But never let it be said that I am a divider and not a uniter. Shortly after I began tweeting about the platform Friday, the Washoe Democrats took the draft off the party's website. So, finally, the party and the candidates are on the same page: Both are running away from what they really believe.