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|Authenticator card and system
This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/686,157, filed Jul. 24, 1996 which is a Div. of Ser. No. 08/407,577 filed Mar. 30, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,121 issued Feb. 4, 1997.
a housing;
a scanner supported by the housing, for scanning at least one of a light beam directed at an indicium to be read, and a field of view extending over the indicium, said scanner having a component energizable by DC voltage; and
an energy collector supported by the housing, for collecting energy radiated from a radiant energy source for supplying the DC voltage to power said scanner component.
a) scanning at least one of a light beam directed at an indicium to be read, and a field of view extending over the indicium, said scanning being performed by a DC voltage-powered component; and
b) collecting energy radiated from a radiant energy source, for supplying DC voltage to power said component.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an apparatus for and a method of electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, for example, bar code or matrix array symbols, and, more particularly, to optical readers powered by radiant energy sources.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various optical readers and optical scanning systems have been developed heretofore for reading indicia such as bar code symbols appearing on a label or on the surface of an article. The bar code symbol itself is a coded pattern of indicia comprised of a series of bars of various widths spaced apart from one another to bound spaces of various widths, the bars and spaces having different light reflecting characteristics. The readers in scanning systems electro-optically transform the graphic indicia into electrical signals, which are decoded into alphanumeric characters that are intended to be descriptive of the article or some characteristic thereof. Such characteristics are typically represented in digital form and utilized as an input to a data processing system for applications in point-of-sale processing, inventory control and the like. Scanning systems of this general type have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,251,798; 4,369,361; 4,387,297; 4,409,470; 4,760,248; 4,896,026, all of which have been assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. As disclosed in some of the above patents, one embodiment of such a scanning system resides, inter alia, in a hand held, portable laser scanning device supported by a user, which is configured to allow the user to aim the scanning head of the device, and more particularly, a light beam, at a targeted symbol to be read.
The light source in a laser scanner bar code reader is typically a gas laser or semiconductor laser. The use of semiconductor devices as the light source is especially desirable because of their small size, low cost and low voltage requirements. The laser beam is optically modified, typically by an optical assembly, to form a beam spot of a certain size at the target distance. It is preferred that the cross section of the beam spot at the target distance be approximately the same as the minimum width between regions of different light reflectivity, i.e., the bars and spaces of the symbol. At least one bar code reader has been proposed with two light sources to produce two light beams of different frequency.
The bar code symbols are formed from bars or elements typically rectangular in shape with a variety of possible widths. The specific arrangement of elements defines the character represented according to a set of rules and definitions specified by the code or "symbology" used. The relative size of the bars and spaces is determined by the type of coding used as is the actual size of the bars and spaces. The number of characters (represented by the bar code symbol) is referred to as the density of the symbol. To encode the desired sequence of the characters, a collection of element arrangements are concatenated together to form the complete bar code symbol, with each character of the message being represented by its own corresponding group of elements. In some symbologies, a unique "start" and "stop" character is used to indicate when the bar code begins and ends. A number of different bar code symbologies exist, these symbologies include UPC/EAN, Code 39, Code 128, Codeabar, and Interleaved 2 of 5, etc.
In order to increase the amount of data that can be represented or stored on a given amount of surface area, several new bar code symbologies have recently been developed. One of these new code standards, Code 49, introduces a "two dimensional" concept for stacking rows of characters vertically instead of extending the bars horizontally. That is, there are several rows of bar and space patterns, instead of only one row. The structure of Code 49 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,239, which is herein incorporated by reference. Another two-dimensional symbology, known as "PDF417", is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,786.
Still other symbologies have been developed in which the symbol is comprised of a matrix array made up of hexagonal, square, polygonal and/or other geometric shapes. Such symbols are further described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos., 5,276,315 and 4,794,239. Such matrix symbols may include Vericode, Datacode, and MAXICODE (all trademarks of their respective owners).
In the laser beam scanning systems known in the art, the laser light beam is directed by a lens or other optical components along the light path toward a target that includes a bar code symbol on the surface. The moving-beam scanner operates by repetitively scanning the light beam in a line or series of lines across the symbol by means of motion of a scanning component, such as the light source itself or a mirror disposed in the path of the light beam. The scanning component may either sweep the beam spot across the symbol and trace a scan line across the pattern of the symbol, or scan the field of view of the scanner, or do both.
Bar code reading systems also include a sensor or photo-detector which detects light reflected or scattered from the symbol. The photo-detector or sensor is positioned in the scanner in an optical path so that it has a field of view which ensures the capture of a portion of the light which is reflected or scattered off the symbol. This light is detected and converted into an electrical signal. Electronic circuitry and software decode the electrical signal into a digital representation of the data represented by the symbol that has been scanned. For example, the analog electrical signal generated by the photo detector is converted by a digitizer into a pulse or modulated digitized signal, with the widths corresponding to the physical widths of the bars and spaces. Such a digitized signal is then decoded, based on the specific symbology used by the symbol, into a binary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and subsequently to the alpha numeric characters so represented.
The decoding process of known bar code reading system usually works in the following way. The decoder receives the pulse width modulated digitized signal from the digitizer, and an algorithm, implemented in the software, attempts to decode the scan. If the start and stop characters and the characters between them in the scan were decoded successfully and completely, the decoding process terminates and an indicator of a successful read (such as a green light and/or an audible beep) is provided to the user. Otherwise, the decoder receives the next scan, performs another decode attempt on that scan, and so on, until a completely decoded scan is achieved or no more scans are available.
Such a signal is then decoded according to the specific symbology into a binary representation of the data encoded in the symbol, and to the alpha numeric characters so represented.
Moving-beam laser scanners are not the only type of optical instrument capable of reading bar code symbols. Another type of bar code reader is one which incorporates detectors based on solid state imaging arrays or charge coupled device (CCD) technology. In such prior art readers the sides of the detector are typically smaller than the symbol to be read because of the image reduction by the objective lens in front of the array or CCD. The entire symbol is flooded with light from a light source such as lighting light emitting diodes (LED) in the scanning device, and each array cell is sequentially read out to determine the presence of a bar or a space.
The working range of CCD bar code scanners is rather limited as compared to laser based scanners and is especially low for CCD based scanners with an LED illumination source. Other features of CCD based bar code scanners are set forth in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/041,281 which is hereby incorporated by reference, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,398. These references are illustrative of the earlier technological techniques proposed for use in CCD type scanners to acquire and read indicia in which information is arranged in a two dimensional pattern.
In an attempt to enable the user readily to position the hand-held reader so as to readily read the symbol, a variety of techniques of aiming the laser light at the indicia are known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,835,374 describes an aiming light arrangement to assist the user in visually locating and aiming the head at each symbol, the aiming light being a visible non-laser light source. Although the use of a discrete aiming light arrangement did assist the user in reliably aiming the head at the symbol for some applications, another system, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,098, used a multi-position trigger switch in a hand-held laser scanner. The head was arranged to be aimed at the symbol to be scanned during a first operational state in which an aiming pattern was emitted. Once the user had aligned the head properly with respect to the location of the symbol, the trigger switch was actuated again to put the device into a second operational state in which the beam was scanned across the symbol in the normal scanning or reading mode, and the symbol decoded. The same laser was used both to create the aiming pattern and the scanning beam.
European Patent No. 0355355 describes a combination bar code reader and EAS tag deactivator, including an embodiment with a multi-position trigger.
Another bar code reader with a multi-position trigger switch (for a rather different purpose) is disclosed in the article by Grabowski and Wohl, an IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, page 78, Volume 5, No. 5, October 1962.
Yet other aiming and scanning arrangements in which changing from one mode to another is performed in an automatic (i.e., non-manual) manner are described in the series of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,933,538; 5,229,591; and 5,250,791 assigned to the present assignee.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved indicia scanner without the limitations of prior art readers.
Another object of the invention is to power a reader by a radiant energy source, e.g., solar energy.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure, including the following detailed description, as well as by practice of the invention. While the invention is described below with reference to preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those of ordinary skill in the art having access to the teachings herein will recognize additional applications, modifications and embodiments in other fields, which are within the scope of the invention as disclosed and claimed herein and with respect to which the invention could be of significant utility.
In keeping with these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of this invention resides, briefly stated, in an optical reader for reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, e.g. two-dimensional or one-dimensional symbols having bars and spaces, which is manually and independently controllable, for performing one or more of the following functions in any desired sequence: (i) aiming; (ii) range finding; (iii) zooming, focusing or spot size adjustment; (iv) image capturing; and (v) flying spot scanning.
In accordance with this invention, a radiant energy source is employed to power the reader. Advantageously, a solar light collector is mounted on the reader in a location exposed to ambient light. The collected light is employed to charge a battery for hand-held, portable operation of the reader.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment, which is described by way of example only, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.
FIG. 1 is a view of a bar code reader system with dual trigger switches in a point-of-sale application environment according to the present invention;
FIG. 2a is an enlarged top plan view of a bar code reader with a trackball joystick) and a graphical user interface display according to the present invention;
FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the bar code reader of FIG. 2a;
FIG. 2c is an enlarged top plan view of the display of FIG. 2a; and
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred embodiment of the internal optical and electronic elements of the present invention.
The invention, in the preferred embodiment, takes the form of a portable, hand held optical reader contained within a housing (or body) 10 of appropriate shape. The exact form of the housing 10 is not of importance, and may depend upon the particular application. A conventional gun-shaped housing would be suitable in many cases. The reader may also be arranged for hands-free use and could be fixed instead of being portable.
In the most rudimentary implementation, the invention provides a system for reading coded symbols with a light source for generating a beam directed toward a symbol to be read, a detector for receiving reflected light from the symbol to produce electrical signals corresponding to data represented by the symbol, a first actuator manually displaceable from an off position to a first selectable position for initiating reading of a symbol, and an independently operable second actuator is manually displaceable from a first position to a second position to transfer said data represented by the symbol. As an example, the data may be transferred to a printer, or to a display for visually displaying the data. The data may also be transferred to a radio frequency or IF transmitter for wireless communication of the data to a remote receiver.
In the point-of-sale system depicted in FIG. 1, merchandise or articles 85 having a one-dimensional bar code symbol 14 are arranged on a counter 87 on which the bar code reader 10 is mounted. The articles 85 are shown placed in a shopping tote 86 which includes an RF identification (ID) tag 88. In one application, the bar code symbols may identify the merchandise, while the RF ID tag 88 may identify the shopper or customer. In another application, the tote 86 may be a shipping container, and the RF ID tag denotes the destination, routing, or shipping address. An RF ID tag detector 69 (shown in FIG. 3) may be included as part of the system. The system may employ both methods of identification, as will be subsequently described.
FIG. 1 shows a bar code reader 10 capable of both stationary and hand-held operation with dual triggers according to the present invention. The reader housing is depicted in the shape similar to the gun-shaped housings known in the prior art. The reader 10 may be picked up by the user for portable use, or mounted in a stand 80 in which the reader can function operating in a fixed mode. In the fixed mode, it is positioned to read the bar code symbol 14 on a target within the field of view of the reader, such as a region of the counter 87. The reader 10 may make electrical contacts to the stand 80, which in turn may be connected to a cash register 89 and/or host computer 82 which may include elements such as a display 83 and a printer 84. In the present invention, the handle position 72 of the housing 10 (i.e., the portion of the housing which is gripped by the user's hand in normal use) includes two discrete trigger switches 70 and 71. The upper switch 70, designed to be activated by the index finger, controls one function or operation, while the lower switch 71, designed to be activated by different fingers, controls a different operation, as will be described below. The switches 70, 71 are independently operable and, hence, either one can be operated before, after, or simultaneously with, the other.
Alternatively, in another embodiment, a single two-position trigger switch may be used in place of dual trigger switches. Examples of functions that may be performed by activation of the first and second positions of a dual or two-position trigger switches are as follows:
1) Position One--aim; Position Two--scan.
2) Position One--scan; Position Two--EAS deactivate.
3) Position One--scan; Position Two--RF ID.
4) Position One--scan; Position Two--transfer data or operate peripheral (e.g., printer, communication and display)
Examples of functions that may be performed with a single trigger with three trigger positions are as follows:
1) Position One--aim; Position Two--scan; Position Three--EAS deactivate.
2) Position One--aim; Position Two--scan; Position Three--RF ID.
3) Position One--scan; Position Two--RFID; Position Three--EAS deactivate.
As used above, the term "EAS deactivate" refers to an operation of deactivating an EAS tag on the article. Reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,125 to describe EAS systems and tags, and their method of deactivation, and to European Patent No. 0355355. The term "RF ID" refers to reading an RF ID tag, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,328.
The sequence and operations described above are merely illustrative, and a particular point-of-sale check-out, shipping, a distribution system or other application may use other sequences or combinations rather than the ones described above.
FIG. 2a illustrates the top plan view and FIG. 2b a perspective view of the reader 10 now shown as incorporating a display 100 and a trackball, also known as a joystick 101. The joystick may be moved by the user's thumb to move an arrow-shaped pointer 102 or indicating cursor on the display screen 100. As best shown in FIG. 2c, the display 100 may display icons 103 which in a particular programming environment or graphical user interface may be used to refer to specific program applications, documents, or data records that may be accessed by the system. Thus, FIG. 2c shows an "AIM" icon 103a, a "SCAN" icon 103b, a "DEACTIVATE" icon 103c, and a "DATA TRANSFER" icon 103d. When the pointer 102 is moved among the phantom line positions shown in FIG. 2c, and is aligned with the desired icon, the user can select the application or document represented by the icon by activating a switch by pressing the joystick 101 to cause it to "click" and thereby register to the system the selected icon as representing the particular application, document, or data record desired to be accessed, executed or displayed. Thus, aiming, scanning, tag deactivating and data transferring are executed in response to selecting icons 130a-d, respectively. As examples of the type of documents which may be displayed, two "windows" representing distinct programs P1 and P2 are displayed with the "active" or overlapping one 105 displaying data 106.
FIGS. 2a and 2b also illustrate a solar cell collector 107 which functions to power the reader and/or charge a battery contained within the reader housing 10. In applications in which the stand 80 may be utilized in a location remote from the host computer 82 or other power source, it is advantageous to provide separate means for powering the reader. A solar power battery charger coupled to the solar cell collector 107 achieves this objective in one embodiment of the present invention.
As alternatives to the use of solar cells, microwave or heat energy sources could also be used. In the first variant, a microwave transmitter is installed in the close vicinity of the device (e.g., in the cash register around which a cordless scanner is used). This could be either the transmitter utilized to communicate with the portable device or one which is specific to this task. For both cases, its frequency could be either the same as the one utilized for the communication channel or a different one. Because of regulatory and safety/health issues, in most practical situations only low power levels should be generated.
Alternatively, heat generated in the device could be used, derived from the inherent inefficiency of its components. For example if Ω1, is the device inefficiency (which results in heat generation), and Ω2 is the process efficiency of converting heat to electricity, then a fraction of Ω1 ×Ω2 of the battery energy can be used for its charging.
Thus, another feature of the present invention is to provide a system for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, a scanning head with a housing; a DC voltage-powered light source mounted in the housing for generating a light beam that may be directed toward an indicium for reflection therefrom; a sensor for detecting light of variable intensity reflected off the indicia and for generating a signal indicative of the indicia; a battery in the housing for supplying DC voltage to the light source; and a solar cell powered charger for charging the battery in the housing.
In one embodiment of the invention, a primary battery is placed in the device: Primary (non-rechargeable) batteries generally have energy density larger than that of secondary batteries (e.g., .perspectiveto.100 Wh/kg for an alkaline cell vs. .perspectiveto.30 Wh/kg for a standard Ni--Cd cell). However, this large capacity is substantially reduced at large discharge rates. Devices that operate in short "bursts" during the session (e.g., bar code scanners), do create a high rate of drain on the battery. In the preferred embodiment, the primary battery provides a substantially small charge current to the second battery. The secondary (rechargeable) battery is the power source which directly powers the device, and is continuously recharged at a low level ("trickle charge") throughout the session, while maintaining the cordless mode of operation. The secondary battery can be used to deliver the same overall apparent capacity to the user. In this particular case, at the end of the session the primary battery is replaced and the secondary battery is recharged. However, the overall combination provides for a session which is longer than if a single battery type were used (assuming the same total battery weight).
The following is an illustrative example (specific values used are approximate only). Assume that a device is powered by a 3.6V battery (a series combination of three 1.2V cells) and a maximum of 100 g is allocated for the battery. If only a primary cell is used, then its density is 40 Wh/kg (because of the assumed high drain rate). This will translate to a capacity of (40 Wh/kg×(0.1 kg)/(3.6V)=1.11 Ah. Similarly, if a secondary battery is used, the resulting capacity is (30 Wh/kg)×(0.1 kg)/(3.6V)=0.83 Ah. If a combination of 50 g primary and 50 g secondary are used, (where the primary battery is used to trickle charge the secondary one, and thus its higher density is achieved), then the total capacity for this case is (100 Wh/kg)×(0.05 kg)/(3.6V)+(30 Wh/kg)×(0.05 kg)/(3.6V)=1.39 Ah+0.42 Ah=1.81 Ah, which is a substantial increase over the previous alternatives.
The following is another illustrative example. Assume a device which normally operates at 3V with a 500 mAh battery in 8-hour shifts ("sessions"). Using the concept of this invention, the device is redesigned to operate with a 250 mAh battery. The additional 250 mAh capacity is to be supplied via the trickle charge. The required charging current is thus (250 mAh)/(8 hours)=30 mA. At 3V operation, this corresponds to 90 mW. Assuming 10% power conversion efficiency of solar cells, about 900 mW of ambient light is required to impinge upon the solar cell area. In full sunlight, the intensity is approximately 100 mW/cm2, and in this case a total solar cell area of 9 cm2 will be required. Indoor operation with normal lighting conditions will require substantially larger areas.
Turning to FIG. 3, the housing 10 has a window 12 therein, which is arranged to be positioned by the user opposite a bar code symbol or other indicia 14 to be read. Behind the window 12 is an illumination source, such as a laser 16, with optics 18, an illuminating LED or laser 20, with optics 22, and collection optics 24. Behind the collection optics 24 is a detector or a two-dimensional imaging array 26 such as a CCD array which is arranged to be read out by signal processing circuitry 28. Instead of being a CCD array, the array 26 could comprise any two-dimensional solid-state imaging device; it could, for example, comprise a random-access device. Also provided is a detector 30 coupled to range finder circuitry 32, the purpose of which is to automatically determine the distance d between the window 12 and the indicia 14 which is to be read. The range finder may operate by any desired means, such as by ultrasound or optically. There is also an ambient illumination detector 34 which senses the ambient illumination conditions. The solar cells 107, battery recharger 110, primary battery 111, and secondary battery 112 are also depicted.
Operation of the device is overseen by a common microprocessor or controller 36, operated by means of a keypad 38 and a trigger mechanism 40. The trigger mechanism incorporates dual trigger switches 70, 71, such as shown in FIG. 1, having first switch contact 42 and second switch contact 44.
In use, the operator first pulls the first trigger 70 back to a first position, in which it meets the contact 42. This causes the controller 36 to actuate the laser 16 to produce a visible aiming beam 46 which the operator then manually aligns with the indicia 14. The aiming beam preferably produces a static pattern, or designation pattern, preferably a point or a line which is easily visible. Ideally, the optical system 18 incorporates a cylindrical lens, such as that previously described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/268,913 noted above in the Reference to Related Applications, to produce a solid line of light which can quite easily be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the bar code symbol.
Once the operator has properly aligned the reader, the operator then pulls the second trigger 71 which closes the contact 44. This causes the controller 36 to instruct the range finder 32 to determine the distance d. On the basis of that determination, and on the basis of information provided by the ambient illumination detector 34, the controller 36 determines the optimal focusing, magnification and illumination parameters that will be required to decode the image. The controller then sends signals to a focus and magnification control mechanism 48, which adjusts the imaging optics 24, to an illumination control 50, which adjusts the illumination provided by the laser 20, and to a further control 52 for adjusting the optics 22, thereby adjusting the area and/or intensity of the illuminating beam 54 which will subsequently be produced.
Once all the parameters have been determined, and the necessary adjustments made, the controller 36 switches off the laser 16 and switches on the LED or laser 20 for a predetermined period, thereby illuminating the indicia 14 with the beam 54. If the adjustments have correctly been made, the beam will be an optimized match with the size of the code at the measured distance d. An estimate of the apparent size of the code, as seen from the window, can be determined from the known actual size of the code (where available), which may have been entered in advance by means of the keyboard 38.
The indicia 14 is imaged onto the two-dimensional semiconductor array 26, which is then read out by the signal processing circuitry 28. The signals are then decoded by a decoder 56. Feedback is provided to the operator by means of a display 58 and/or audio feedback means 60.
Once the image has been satisfactorily captured, processed and decoded, the controller may automatically instruct the reader to switch itself off, or alternatively to move into a low-power quiescent mode.
In a first variation of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the rangefinder 32 and the detector 30 may be omitted. Instead, determination of the distance d may be achieved by analyzing the reflected light 62 which is returned from the symbol as it is being illuminated by the target beam 46. For example, the beam 46 may be pulsed, and temporal measurements may be taken to determine the distance. Alternatively, the beam 46 may be scanned across the indicia, in which case the spectral characteristics of the received signal may provide some indication of the distance. Yet a further alternative is to calculate phase relationships within the reflected light.
A further variation is to replace the lasers 16,20 with a single laser, and the optics 18,22 with a single set of optics. In such an arrangement, the same laser operates to produce the aiming beam (designating pattern) 46 and the imaging illuminating beam 54. Such an arrangement is, of course, only of assistance where the laser produces light of a wavelength which can easily be seen by the operator.
Instead of the trigger 40 being a dual trigger, or two-position trigger, it could be a multi-position trigger. The various trigger positions could undertake a variety of functions; for example, one trigger position might produce a first static pattern (designation pattern), with a second position producing a second pattern, and a third position producing the measurement illumination. This type of arrangement could be useful where the device is to be used in a variety of situations, or with a variety of different bar code symbols, since it would then be possible for top operator to choose an appropriate designation pattern for the indicia which is to be measured. Other trigger positions of a multi-position trigger could provide an on/off function, or other functions for controlling the information shown on the display 58, such as deactivation of an EAS tag, reading of an RF ID tag, or activation of a peripheral device, such as a modem, radio, infrared transmission unit or other communications device, or a peripheral device such as a printer. One example would be initiating wireless communication of the data represented by the symbol through a communication unit 113 connected to the controller 36. Different trigger positions could also be provided to alter the measurement characteristics of the device, for example to provide at least a certain level of manual control over the focusing and/or magnification, such as zooming or spot size adjustment. All of these features will, of course, be controlled by the controller 36.
Instead of, or in addition to, the trigger 40, the aforementioned graphical user interface depicted in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, is useful in performing system functions. Thus, as described above, the user's thumb is used to move the joystick 101 and position the pointer 102 on a selected icon, thereby "highlighting or selecting" the function associated with that icon. Thereupon, either the thumb, is used again to depress the joystick, or one of the user's other fingers is used to depress one of the trigger switches 71 or 72, thereby "choosing or executing" the selected function.
While the preferred form of the optical reader, already described, is a portable, hand-held device, various other options are possible. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 could, instead, represent a fixed embodiment which is arranged to be built into a point-of-sale unit, for example above a conveyor. The automatic magnification/focus controls enable the device to deal with a variety of different sized packages, passing along the conveyor, thereby presenting bar code symbols at a variety of different distances from the device.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or any two or more together, also may find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in an optical reader having an independent triggering mechanism and graphical user interface, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should be and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the following claims.
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims.


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Throughout the summer holidays a space will be made available for parents with babies/toddlers/children of preschool age to come on a Thursday afternoon (2-4.30 from July 23rd to August 27th inclusive). This will be a stay and play session with songs at the end. Please see the events calendar for details of individual sessions.
This will be a way to introduce the church environment to children and parents, some of whom already know it from the Wednesday community coffee shop. It is hoped this will encourage families to consider not only being with us for those days, but to also consider us for worship. It allows us to do something that is not in direct competition with the other churches provision and also allows us to provide some much needed group/community support during the long summer holidays.
Further details are available on flyers from the Community Coffee Shop.

subset: commoncrawl


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It's quite certain that WhatsApp is the most popular messaging application in developing countries like India and Brazil. Despite not evolving into a capable platform like Facebook's Messenger or WeChat, users prefer WhatsApp mostly because of its simplicity and comparatively lesser data consumption. However, due to the sudden rise in smartphone sales, WhatsApp penetration has also grown rapidly by almost 14% according to a recent Jana report.
WhatsApp's share in India has increased from 81% to 95% in the past six months pointing at a near extinction of SMS. Additionally, the messaging app has made significant improvements in Brazil growing from 87% share to 94%. The analysis further claimed that 100% of daily active users in India and 99% in Brazil regularly use messaging apps. Hence, the predictions evidencing the downfall of the SMS legacy might soon become a reality as companies keep pushing their services.
Messaging apps are gradually turning into standalone platforms through the onset of bots and native third party integration. Users now have the ability to execute a wide variety of everyday tasks like summoning a cab or ordering flowers or book a restaurant table. Facebook, a few days back, introduced a dedicated home screen on Messenger to improve interaction and offer a sense of familiarity while chatting with automated robots.
With these constant additions, messaging applications might soon turn into the ultimate destination to get things done. SMS is most certainly dead other than promotion and verification messages. WhatsApp, moreover, is continuously adding requested features including Documents and GIF support, desktop apps and more. It will be definitely interesting to watch how these messaging services evolve into a sophisticated platform and eliminate the need for a person to ever leave the app. As far as SMS is concerned, it will be either completely submerged into these platforms, something Facebook Messenger is doing or will be shown the exit door in the next couple of years.
Source:Jana Blog


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Little white lies are still lies
"It's just a little white lie. No one was hurt." An internal argument raged. "But it's still a lie. You didn't tell the truth."
It started over a blob of tangled crayon lines.
"Awesome picture of a tree," I told my grandson. But I lied. It didn't look anything like a tree. Or anything I could identify.
I cleared a place on the refrigerator to mount his masterpiece. "Taa daa!" I trumpeted, bowing toward his picture with a grand hand gesture.
I could have truthfully said, "This is the best tree drawing you've ever done." Instead I said, "This is the best tree drawing ever."
Christians easily recognize the harm in lies that misrepresent God and misinterpret his Word. Deception that takes advantage of others is also obvious sin. But other liberties with the truth can seem not quite wrong. Sometimes justifiable. For instance:
- Hypocritical lies that promise to allow us escape from the consequences of our convictions. (Have you pretended that living together outside of marriage is acceptable in order to escape ridicule?)
- Convenient lies that rescue us from situations we find distasteful. ("I'd love to go shopping, Honey, but my foot is killing me. I should just sit here and watch the Packers.")
- Fairy tale lies that lead children to believe in Santa, the tooth fairy, and other implausible fables.
- Protecting lies that are meant to shelter others from life's hard truths. ("Your father doesn't have a drinking problem. He's just under a lot of stress.")
- Privacy lies that save us from sharing what we want to keep to ourselves. ("Missing that party doesn't bother me a bit.")
- Caring lies, like the one I told my grandson, that are intended to avoid hurting others.
Our Father, the God of Truth, makes it clear in his Word of Truth that his grateful children are to be people of truth. "Do not lie to each other," he says, "since you have . . . put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator" (Colossians 3:9,10).
God's grace calls on us to be tactful and careful in the way we use truth. But, before all else, the truth of God's grace compels us to be truthful.
Truth-telling is a life lesson our children and grandchildren need to see lived out in us. And when we fail, they need to hear us admit it, claim our cross-won forgiveness, and pledge to do better.
Little white lies are still lies. God's children gently tell the truth. Even about trees grandchildren draw.


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I registered for RCIA last night. It was only an informal setup to meet the people running the classes and to fill out forms, give them your baptism certificate, find out how the program works, when classes start (in two weeks), etc. I talked to the lady who does the organization part of RCIA for a while. She asked all about my family and why I was there, initially very carefully and diplomatically, probably in case I was a skittish Protestant. So I ended up going through the whole story of how Chris and I met, and how he was able to convert after moving to America, how I became convinced of the truth of the Catholic Faith, etc. She was very excited by it, and said this story topped any she's heard. At one point she used the phrase "become one of us" and I almost laughed. At least I know there is a Church-faithful Catholic involved in RCIA at our parish. It's a fairly liberal parish, in a rather liberal city, so I'm wondering how this is all going to go.
I'm looking forward to joining the Church. I'm most looking forward to my first communion, which is one of the things that has moved me to go ahead rather than give this any more time to percolate. I really want the life that Christ has promised in his Body and Blood. I'm nervous though, and feel a little like I'm rolling down a steep incline uncontrollably toward my inevitable future. I dread telling my parents, on the level of when I told them I was pregnant before we were married, although I'm sure I'm working myself up over nothing and will get little overt response. I'll probably get more sarcastic below the belt remarks like when I told my parents, "Hey, I wanted to ask you something." and my dad answered, "No, we're not going to become Catholic." It's not like they don't expect it. I'm sure they'll just take every opportunity to remind me of the "truth" and as my dad says "go back to the basics" that we agree on. He almost chants "saved by faith through grace" sometimes. I want to say "Yes, dad, but what exactly do you think that means?"… "saved by surrender to Christ through the gratuitous gift of God enabling us to do His will." I'm not sure he'd agree with that understanding, but what fault can he find with it?
As a side note, I'm considering getting a Masters in Theology from the Augustine Institute, part time and long distance. I read so much already, it'd be nice to have some instruction and direction. Yet, I'm not sure that a physics/math B.S. is a sufficient preparation for it. And I really don't know what I'd do for a recommendation letter. My astronomy professor I interned for and keep in touch with would write a letter, but has no idea what they're looking for. Neither do I, really. Thoughts?


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Friday, April 20, 2007
April 20 aka A Very Adventurous Day
It's cold in these parts the last couple of days, so our play is mostly indoors.
First thing this morning Trev dumped out his piggy bank to see if he has enough money to replace his Star Wars game that Papa got for him for Christmas. The wire got broken, so it's done for. So we played around with the coins - identified, sorted, and counted, discussed value and how many coins makes up a dollar.
When I got too enthusiastic, Trev was done and ready to play Kitchen Garfield.
This game consists of Trev being John, myself playing Garfield, and Maddie being Otie. It always involves the kitchen, and adventures like going to the market, thwarting cat/dognapping plots, and playing house.
As I had things to do in the larger kitchen, we drug the little one up from downstairs, along with the appropriate paraphernalia and put it in the big kitchen.
A few highlights of the morning's play:
Trev gets on the phone, and says "It's getting pretty hard around here. Garfield and Otie are fighting with eachother. Our day is getting pretty unsettling."
I did a pretty good job of containing my smile. "Who'd you call?"
"An old friend of mine."
Later John went to the market. Ordinarily I go with him, but the other me was scrubbing kitchen counters. Me/Garfield: "Did you go the the neighborhood market? The new one?"
Trev/John: "Yeah. It's the only one in the culdesac."
Then later still:
"I know you're curious about this, Garfield, but I need to make another phone call."
He pushes a whole lotta numbers, naming them as he goes.
Now he's waiting for someone to pick up the phone.
"That was a lot of numbers. Sounds like long distance. Does your friend live very far away?"
"Yeah, he lives in Caraland. Caralano."
"Oh, is that like Carolina?"
He said that it was.
Shortly thereafter it's Prehistoric Park and the dinosaur encyclopedia, and Trev read 'microraptor' and 'diplodocus'. We also read about a new one that we didn't know, the Neovenator.
Back to Prehistoric Park, and then I went into the other room to find a prehistoric animal living in a cave in my very own livingroom! It was a saber-tooth cat!
Next was some of this ruckus. Yes, she on the dog.
And then this particular activity went on for well over an hour.
Maddie dressed herself for the very first time today. Never mind that it's the second pair of britches.
And now Maddie comes toddling into this room, saying "I'm cold", and I look up, and this is what I see. It's yougurt, if you're curious. Soy, thank goodness, as she's allergic to dairy!
It was on the couch, of course, but I had already planned to was the cushion covers today!
Welp, that takes us half-way through the day!
I wonder what's to come?
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Everyday Icons: The Juicing Expert
Juicing has been all the rage these days, and for good reason: the back-to-basics approach to consuming fruits, veggies and fresh ingredients is a smart alternative to combat the winter doldrums that tend to creep up this time of year. Luckily, we've taken the guesswork out of juicing by chatting with acupuncturist, herbalist and certified Chinese nutritionist Neka Pasquale, CEO and founder of Urban Remedy (our favorite organic juice program to date!) Read on to hear Neka's advice on how we can better take care of the bodies we've been given (hint: sleep is key!):
You're certified in Traditional Chinese Nutrition and an acupuncturist - how has this career shaped your everyday life?
I have my Masters in Traditional Chinese medicine, going through this program I had to deeply change the way I view the body. Growing up in the US we look at everything through "Western eyes," focusing on the parts and functions of the body. In TCM the body is looked at in a truly holistic perspective: every organ in relation to the whole, emotion and it's connection to the physical body, meridians and how energy flows through the body. To practice this medicine you have to live it and embody it or you cannot be an effective practitioner. After finishing my program over 13 years ago I can say it's permeated the way I look at life. If someone tells me they have been irritable and frustrated I immediately think liver congestion. I am aware of the taste and temperature of foods and how they effect my body. When my son is sick I can make him medicinal soups that not only taste good but help him get well faster. This medicine is a lifestyle and balance is the goal. A balance of body, mind, and spirit...always striving.
Why do you think women should approach their wellness holistically, and what are some ways they can infuse this advice into their daily lives?
I think if you approach life from a holistic perspective you will end up a more balanced and healthy person. Listening to your body and it's cues is one of the most important things you can do.
What are some simple ways we can better care for our bodies?
1. Make sure you get a good night's sleep. Sleep is important to keep our adrenals balanced, brain functioning properly and rejuvenating the body.
2. Take your fatty acids. Flax oil and chia seeds for Omega 3's, this helps prevent inflammation and support brain function.
3. Eat your greens.
4. Express your emotions. Repressed emotions get stored in the body and show up as a pain in the neck, migraine headaches, anxiety, fatigue, irritability and more.
As a single, working mother, how have you prioritized your family and business?
Being a single mom and CEO of a growing business is not easy. My son always comes first; he's still young and needs his mom. I bring him with me on business trips and so far everything has worked out great. But I have zero time to myself and am constantly trying to find balance. I am lucky because my work is my second love and being able to do what you love and are passionate about is everything. I want my son to see me doing what I love and I hope he will be inspired to do the same.
What priorities have you had to shift along the way, and what expectations have you had to let go of completely?
I used to be a very social person. Dinner parties, going out, catching up with friends are all pretty much a part of my past. My life revolves around work and my son, that's all I have time for these days.
I have learned a few hard lessons along the way. I used to trust everyone that worked for me to a fault. After dealing with the normal things employers go through when you have more than 20 employees, I have learned to not be so trusting of others and first let people prove themselves. Employees want structure and thrive in a structured environment.
What are a few everyday products you wouldn't want to live without?
Honestly I am so lucky that I get to eat and drink Urban Remedy products every day. I always have a Time Machine (acai lemonade), green juice and a fresh salad or other healthy option. My other favs are coconut oil, turmeric, kale chips. I'm really into Lyla's chocolate sweetened with stevia only 1 gram of sugar in a whole bar. I also try and drink a lot of water infused with ocean minerals for ultimate hydration.
What are some great resources for a beginner's guide to holistic living?
I like to keep it simple for beginners: eat fruits or veggies at every meal. Try and eat foods in their natural state with as many hues as possible reds (raspberries, tomatoes), greens (kale, broccoli), yellow (peppers, lemons), oranges (butternut squash, yams), blues (blueberries, blackberries). All these foods are delicious and filled with phyonutrients. Even if you are in a rush grab a handful of raw almonds and an apple instead of a donut and keep your blood sugar balanced. Avoid all overly processed foods like cookies/bagels/crackers/pizza/baked goods/sugary foods and feel your energy increase.
There are so many health books out there I say read all you can, take what speaks to you and makes you feel vibrant. We all have different constitutions and not one thing works for every body. Find what works for you and go with it.
p.s. Looking for ways to integrate new healthy habits into your routine? Check out Lisa Hirsch's interview for additional inspiration!


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Fooding: Ma-Ni Thai Cuisine In Tanjung Malim, Perak
In love to try all kinds of food, I prefer to point my attention towards those restaurants or cafes which are unique or hidden. Headed over to "Ma-Ni Thai Cuisine", a Thai Restaurant which serves all kinds of food. Since it was an early lunch and on a weekday, we were the only one in the restaurant.
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I would love to hear from you. Contact me by filling out the form below. Please type in your name and e-mail address to be sure your feedback will be sent.
FOR BOOKING: If you are interested in booking Jan, just put request in the comment box and she will contact you.


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"This record will give people a peak into the kind of things that influence us musically. We really like all of these songs along with the bands who actually wrote this stuff because first and foremost we are huge music fans." After thirty years of Melvins and twenty studio records, you'd have thought you might know a little more about Buzz Osbourne, Dale Crover and company, but each regular release seems to detail yet another nuance of their onionskin nature. 2012 was an obscenely busy year for the group, they had "100 shows and put out three different records with three different line-ups of the band," and "set a world record in the process by playing 51 shows in 51 states in 51 days." So, for the laymen of the world like me, this album seems an individual opportunity for clarity and a precise idea what Buzz is aiming for, whilst reiterating just how freaking hardworking the Melvins are.
Everybody Loves Sausages is a covers release which spans from the deepest depths of David Bowie's 70s drug addiction, to potent splatters of Venom and a picture book of influence with The Kinks. It really is the sound of what was on Osbourne and Crover's turntables in 83, recalled with sentiment by the Seattle-group and appearances from friends. These include: Clem Burke of Blondie, contemporary Mark Arm of Mudhoney, Scott Kelley of Neurosis, whose growls we can hear on 'Warhead' within twenty seconds of pressing play.
There's a rewarding immediacy to this release. The Commodore-64 type squelches of 'You're Best Friend' had me in stitches on the first listen; it's just so well-balanced, charming and melodious, yet you can still hear that these guys are singing through a smile. Yet the overbearing pleas of Mark Arm on the angst-riddled 'Set It On Fire' are so grasping, it's as refreshing an homage to Australia's 'The Scientists' as you're going to find.
After four and a half minutes of industrial clattering, grinding synthesisers and a cyclical, rhythmic groove, the wonderful 'Station to Station' begins: "the return of the Thin White Duke, throwing darts in lovers' eyes." This Bowie track version is multi-climaxing and jagged, reaching so many different levels in its twelve minute lifespan.
After googling your third obscure 70s punk band, you can't help but feel like you're being given an education. Osbourne is sitting you down above his parents garage and diggin' through his favourite-battered box of art-punk. Except the Jam, Roxy Music and Queen covers, nothing on there is conventional or especially renowned; I cite you the rolling, lo-fi nature of the electric 'Female Trouble'.
"Death is a coming, death is a coming in" is the mantra of The Fugs' poetic 65 album track, 'Carpe Diem'. Melvins' version is expectedly darker, juxtaposing the unrelenting poetry of the young girl and soldier with the ruling spikes of guitar. Whether it's 'If Every Dreamhouse A Heartache' or 'Heathen Earth', you can't help but live the rest of the record with this message rallying about in your head.
This is a self-serving record of a concept nature. The idea alone is refreshing, and its off-kilter nature proceeds to evolve and reform on every listen. Whilst there's only so much you can really do artistically by playing and re-arranging covers, I have no doubt that the Melvins had a brilliant recording this album. This is communicated with the listener in a really invigorating, instructive and enjoyable way.


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U2 Share Stop-Motion "Volcano" Video From "Films of Innocence" Series
11 artists share their take on U2's Songs of Innocence songs
Update: The 24-hour-period has passed, and "Volcano" is no longer available on Pitchfork.tv.
The songs from U2's Songs of Innocence are getting a series of visual companion pieces. "Films of Innocence" is a collection of short films by 11 artists from around the world. It's out tomorrow, December 9. One of the participants is Ganzeer, the Egyptian graphic designer/graphic novelist/videographer, who created the clip for the song "Volcano".
Watch it below, via Pitchfork.tv, for the next 24 hours.
U2's inspiration for the project was political murals seen around Northern Ireland. The films are meant to show "the unique democratic power of urban art". Other participants in the multidisciplinary project are Oliver Jeffers, Robin Rhode, D*Face, Mode 2, Chloe Early, Vhils, Maser, ROA, DALeast, and Todd James. Jefferson Hack (of Dazed & Confused magazine) serves as the project's Creative Director. The other 10 films are being posted on various websites today.
The video is a stop-motion film made up of 862 different posters, an impressive technical feat. "I was only given three weeks to work on the thing from start to finish," Ganzeer said in a statement. "An impossible number of posters to design in three weeks, let alone print, and film, frame-by-frame, stop- motion style, and then finally edit into a video synced to the song. So my approach mainly differed in having to deprive myself of sleep and shower much less. That sorta thing :-]"
Ganzeer described his inspiration for his film:
Before the advent of the music video, our only visual representation for a song, band, or album was pretty much whatever existed in print, primarily gig posters and record sleeves. I figured it might be interesting to bring that back into the music video world, by creating a stop-motion film using nothing but posters. Especially given that Songs of Innocence is supposed to be directly inspired by '70s era punk, a time when the gig poster was pretty much the visual representation of punk and rock'n'roll.
Tickets for U2's iNNOCENCE + eXPERIENCE tour are on sale today.


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A fully-online master's program for roles in educational administration and leadership.
School Administration Master's Degree (MSE)
School Administration Master's Program
Every school needs a leader, and we're here to help you fulfill that role. With an online master's degree in school administration from Wayne State, you'll be well prepared for an administrative position in an elementary or secondary school setting. Our online graduate courses for school administration will help prepare you for leadership roles such as principal, assistant principal, or director. Course concepts include administration and leadership, school law, finances and facilities, supervision and instruction, and school organization. You'll then solidify your skills by participating in a practical internship arranged cooperatively with Wayne State College.
Master's degree and certificate (non-degree) options:
School Administration (7-12)
School Administration (PK-8)
School Administration (PK-12)
Athletic Administration (optional focus area)
School Administration Certification
In Nebraska, you may be certified as a principal at the PK-8 or 7-12 level. Iowa requires a PK-12 endorsement to be certified as a principal. If you are in another state, you should check with your school administrator licensing agency to see which endorsement is required. To be eligible for administrator certification in Nebraska, you must have a master's degree in education and two years of verified successful teaching experience. If you are seeking certification for the first time in Nebraska, you may be required to complete additional course work in human relations and special education.
School Administration Endorsement Programs
If you already have a master's degree in education from an accredited institution, you may be certified by completing an endorsement program that does not lead to an additional degree. If you have not previously completed a master's degree program, you will be required to take one of the MSE degree program options for school administration. If you've already completed a PK-8 or 7-12 degree, you may extend your endorsement to the PK-12 level by completing one of the endorsement options.
Endorsement program options:
7-12 (9 hours) or PK-8 (9 hours)
Transfer Credit
A maximum of 18 graduate credits, subject to evaluation by the Dean of Education and Counseling, may be transferred from another regionally accredited graduate institution and applied toward a degree. Graduate credit accepted must meet a minimum course grade of B and be an appropriate substitute for courses in a WSC program. Credit that has been applied toward a previously earned degree will not be accepted, except for the 9 credit hours that are a part of the professional education core. All classes within an MSE degree program must fit into a 10-year timeframe for degree completion.
Fast Facts
Degree offered: MSE
Hours required:
7-12 degree or certificate program: 36 hours
PK-8 degree or certificate program: 36 hours
PK-12 degree or certificate program: 45 hours
Athletic Administration additional focus area: 12 hours
7-12 endorsement only: 9 hours
PK-8 endorsement only: 9 hours
Delivery Method: Fully Online
School: Education and Counseling
Department: Educational Foundations and Leadership
Accreditation: Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), Nebraska Department of Education
Recognized for Excellence
Master's degrees in educational administration and leadership programs at Wayne State College are continually recognized for incredible value, successful graduates, and innovative learning.
No. 1 in the U.S.
Best College for Educational Leadership Degree Programs, 2018-19
Best College for Educational Leadership Degree Programs, 2018-19
No. 1 in the U.S.
Wayne State College has earned the distinction of having the best educational leadership degree programs in the U.S. for 2018-19. If you're passionate about education and feel that your strengths would be best used in the upper tiers of administration, educational leadership degree programs are your stepping stone to the next level. Training in educational leadership can give you the skills you need to provide the best experience possible for your students, staff and teachers. Criteria used in ranking the top educational administration programs included tuition and fees, graduation rate, accessibility, student-to-faculty ratio, size of the program, and more.
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 6 in the U.S.
Best Online Master's in Educational Administration, 2019
Best Online Master's in Educational Administration, 2019
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 6 in the U.S.
Wayne State College's online master's degree in school administration was recently ranked No. 6 in the U.S. by Top Education Degrees. Ranking factors were based on the U.S. News and Word Report, tuition, and admissions criteria.
The Top Education Degrees' mission is to provide the facts students need to find the degree programs that best suit their personal career goals. Their goal is to educate prospective students about everything they need to know as they embark on their dream educational careers.
No. 3 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees, 2018-19
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees, 2018-19
No. 3 in the U.S.
EDsmart's ranking of most affordable online master's programs is the most comprehensive and well-rounded to date.The ranking includes only fully accredited schools that offer a master's program online. Rankings are based solely on average in-state graduate student tuition as published in the National Center for Education Statistics database.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 6 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Graduate School, 2018
College Choice
Most Affordable Online Graduate School, 2018
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 6 in the U.S.
College Choice
College Choice has ranked Wayne State College as the best online college in Nebraska for master's degrees, and No. 6 overall in the U.S. To be included in the rankings, a college must first be accredited. College Choice then collected and analyzed data on the basis of the five things that matter most to the broadest array of students.
- Quality – A rigorous education backed by the best educational practices
- Reputation – From a school that's respected throughout the nation
- Affordability – At a price that makes sense
- Value – A degree that will increase earning potential
- Satisfaction – From a college where students will be happy and fulfilled
No. 15 in the U.S.
Best Online Master's in Educational Administration, 2019
Best Online Master's in Educational Administration, 2019
No. 15 in the U.S.
OnlineMasters.com, a trusted source for unbiased college rankings and higher education planning, has ranked Wayne State College's online master's in school administration at 15th in the U.S for 2019. The top-ranked programs were selected based on curriculum, program flexibility, affordability, and graduate outcomes. OnlineMasters.com analyzed graduate schools across the country with only the top 50 making it to the final 2019 list.
In addition to interviews and surveys from current students and alumni, they also leveraged insight gained from human resource professionals. The methodology incorporates the most recent data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and statistical data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Most importantly, only programs from accredited nonprofit institutions were eligible.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 3 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Master's in Educational Administration Online, 2018
Grad School Hub
Most Affordable Master's in Educational Administration Online, 2018
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 3 in the U.S.
Grad School Hub
Grad School Hub has ranked Wayne State College as having the most affordable online master's degree in education administration in Nebraska, placing us 3rd overall in the U.S. The Grad School Hub staff decided on the principal universities for cheap online master's in educational administration programs by accessing the National Center for Education Statistics' College Navigator tool.
Their search criteria demanded only public or private nonprofit graduate schools where degrees in educational or school administration, not leadership, were available at least 80 percent online. After ensuring no master's degrees were missed, they cut down the initial pool of 137 by affordability. They used the 2016-17 NCES data to sequence the list from highest to lowest mean in-state graduate cost and kept the 10 cheapest.
No. 20 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Education Master's Degree Online, 2018
SR Education Group
Most Affordable Education Master's Degree Online, 2018
No. 20 in the U.S.
SR Education Group
SR Education Group ranks Wayne State College as No. 20 in the 2018 Most Affordable Online Colleges for a Master's in Education. This ranking represents online schools across the nation that are making an effort to provide economical options for students. The company manually researches the tuition of every college offering fully online degrees to determine and rank the most affordable choices.
Affordable School Administration Master's Degree
Online master's degrees at Wayne State College are among the lowest priced in the nation. Online tuition is a flat rate, regardless of residency.
Take the Next Step
Online classes are available throughout the summer, fall, and spring. Advance your career and get started today!


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Charles E. Richardson
My problem with Thanksgiving has nothing to do with the holiday
I only have one beef with Thanksgiving — and it has nothing to do with Thanksgiving. It has to do with Christmas. I saw my first Christmas commercial before Halloween. The years are flying by fast enough without our help of trying to skip a couple of months in the name of commerce.
I know this newspaper and others are supported by ads, but can we define timely? Friday's newspaper was huge and that's fine by me. We didn't put it out before the trick or treaters had their go at the candy in October. No, I'm not naive, if advertisers had wanted a Christmas ad on Sept. 1, we would have sold it to them, but, I would hope our classy advertisers are smarter than that.
Now that I've got that off my chest, I've noticed a number of my friends down in the dumps. They are worried and confused. They believed folks thought better of them than they obviously do. And it is more than the political situation that has us off balance. In fact for me, politics has nothing to do with the funk I found myself in. I grieve for our law enforcement officers. We've lost four in such a short period of time, three in the last couple of weeks. When people start taking pot shots at deputies, they'll take pot shots at anybody. We should all be very nervous.
My heart also aches for Westside High School. The Seminoles have lost two students this year and it's not half over — one student to a car accident and another to a house fire. How do you explain to a grandson who believes he is invulnerable, that life is like fine crystal that can unexpectedly shatter at any time?
I went down that dark road for but a moment and it was Thanksgiving that pulled me away from the cliff. If you're like me — and I'm sure you are — all it takes is a look around to understand why we have good reasons to be thankful. Sometimes you just have to take inventory.
My pastor, Dr. Tolan Morgan, says the top five reason to praise God are: 1. He woke us up this morning. 2. He woke us up this morning. 3. He woke us up this morning. 4. He woke us up this morning. 5. He woke us up this morning. If you're like me — and I'm sure you are — answer this question: How many funerals have you attended this year? Yeah, that's what I thought. And we've got more to attend before the year's out.
Longtime voice of WDDO Willie Collins passed away last week. A nicer man has never walked the Earth. He followed in the footsteps of Walter Jackson, the dean of gospel announcers. Frank Dean Martin, who sold ads for the station, passed away earlier this year — and the station they both loved passed away too. It's off the air. I can see the three of them, Walter, Willie and Frank, sitting on their clouds telling stories. Frank will be doing most of the talking. Nothing's changed.
Frank Johnson, the mayor of Unionville, also went to his heavenly home last week. I can still hear his booming baritone singing, "Ain't nobody goin' to turn me around, turn me around, turn me around," as he led marchers from Unionville to downtown each Martin Luther King Jr. March.
My inventory starts with my wife. Why she continues to put up with me is anybody's guess. I'm not handsome or debonair (don't tell her that), and she sees the side of me that's unedited — and she still loves me — at least that's what she tells me.
I'm thankful that I get to write exactly what I want to write. How cool is that? Maybe I shouldn't let that secret out of the bag. I write what I believe and I'm grateful for that freedom, because it's the only way I can do what I do.
I'm thankful for the Middle Georgia community. I've got friends all over the area. I really believe I could pull my truck into the driveway of complete strangers having a barbecue, introduce myself, and before a couple of minutes passed, I'd be sitting down chomping on some ribs telling stories about who makes the best barbecue sauce. Do you realize how special that is? I wouldn't try that in California.
But most of all, I give thanks to all of you who pour into me. I couldn't do what I do without your constant input — sometimes praise, sometimes criticism — but that goes with the territory and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Charles E. Richardson: 478-744-4342, firstname.lastname@example.com, @crichard1020


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This August, E.W. Scripps (SSP) newspaper Naples Daily News will crank to life a new printing press and move into a new 186,000-square-foot office building. Total cost: $95 million.
Plans for the new building and press were formulated five years ago. Given the current state of decay in the newspaper industry one might reasonably question whether it was such a good idea to carry through with them.
If one does ask, however, and if one is an E.W. Scripps shareholder, one will probably get a helpless shrug from E.W. Scripps management.
"We do get questions from investors from time to time about it," Mark Contreras, head of the company's newspaper division told a Daily News reporter.
"We plowed ahead with the best information we had. I don't think anybody could have foreseen the enormity [sic] of the real estate bubble affecting Florida."
And what does plowing entail for the Daily News?
"In challenging times, innovation is a big focus for newspapers," reads the paper's coverage of its own news.
"The Daily News is venturing into social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, to reach more readers and get more information."
Photo: Daily News


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Occasionally, not often, things just seem to fall into place... having been invited to a party by a model I'd worked with some years prior, along with a few other creatives, a couple other models, a few more photographers, things got weird, and this image happened.
Digital proofs were printed on Canson Fiber Rag, 5x7 proofs were printed on Ilford Cold Tone Fiber. All prints should ship this week.
To get in on monthly print releases and to support my work, visit https://patreon.com/jszymanski/.
If you're interested in purchasing this print you can find it in my shop... Here's the link: https://www.josephszymanski.com/shop/no-043025a
Happy New Year… and enjoy…


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Mobitel unveils the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S for the first time in Sri Lanka
The National Mobile Service Provider, Mobitel partnered with Samsung to provide customers a special opportunity to experience the Samsung Galaxy Tab S, which was introduced for the first time in Sri Lanka. A host of Samsung Galaxy fans witnessed a preview of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S at the Mobitel Flagship Store at Ramanayake Mawatha, Colombo 02 on 10th July, 2014. The new slim and light Samsung Galaxy Tab S contains a number of special features including multi windows, an adaptive display and finger scanner. Customers had an exclusive opportunity to pre-book the Samsung Galaxy Tab while those who visited the showroom to witness the latest addition to the Samsung range received a free book cover, keypad and Bluetooth.


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Sacrilidge, Satisfaction, Social revolution, the Sixties and Fado
I was stumbling around the internet trying to quiet the hunger of my musical addiction when I came across a strange version of the Rolling Stones "Satisfaction," by Carlos Bastos. Carlos Bastos is a Portuguese Fado singer who in the sixties began to combine the traditional melancholic sounds of Fado with the ephemeral rhythms and lyrics of pop. His album, "All That Fado" , is a collection of covers from the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. At first glance, the idea seems kind of gimmicky, a attempt to make a quick buck of the backs of musical giants. But listening to songs like "Satisfaction" covered by Bastos, one starts to build an appreciation for this peculiar bridge between 60's pop and Fado. Bastos takes the Stones classic and wrings every drop of desperation out of the tune, creating something original and much more nefarious. Bastos received a bit of a mixed response from the general public. From the guardians of Fado the reaction was a bit stronger. To hear Fado sung in English was akin to sacrilege and he was denounced as a musical heretic.
Satisfaction from J. Sprig on Vimeo.
Ultimately music acts on it's audience through the the basic physics of sound, moving the air an arousing sensations in our bodies.
Very simply, sound is the vibration of any substance. The substance can be air, water, wood, or any other material. When these substances vibrate, or rapidly move back and forth, they produce sound that our ears gather and these vibrations allow us to interpret them. Physiologically music works the same way it does on me as it does on another person. But emotionally we have very different responses. A song can have one affect on me and a completely different affect on someone else. Sometimes a song can meaning beyond it's tones.
"Grândola, Vila Morena" is a Portuguese song by Zeca Afonso, that tells the story of fraternity and brotherhood shared among the people of Grândola, a town in the Alentejo. Salazar, and his "Estado Novo" regime considered the song to be Communist, and banned it from being played or broadcast. On April 25, 1974, at 12:20 a.m. the song was broadcast on Portuguese radio as a signal to start the revolution that peacefully overthrew the regime; it thus became commonly associated with the Carnation Revolution and the beginning of democratic rule in Portugal.
Dostoevksi said that taking a new step is what people fear most. Usually the first steps toward any revolutionary change are forced. There must be an accompanying frustration, sense of defeat, and complete failure to see a future, that letting go of the past and chancing the future becomes the only option. Other times change comes from the combination of generations brushing up against each other in an awkward cultural tango of clashing social attitudes and sometimes just a bit of insanity is all it takes. Being that We Hate Tourism Tours was born from a combination of all of the above, we always admire and salute those kindred spirits with which we share the same rebellious DNA.
Purveyor of Travelling Lifestyles


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Our most recent industry index for the construction industry in the Reno MSA showed that while the index increased slightly between December 2015 and January 2016 (0.35%), it actually decreased by 5.31% compared to January of previous year.[1] Historical graph for the construction index is shown below, showing the index declined since July 2015 with a slight increase in January 2016.
The major reason for this decline, as shown in the table below for January 2016 is a decline in the number of commercial building permits between December 2015 and January 2016. Both the number of commercial building permits and commercial permit valuation declined between January 2015 and 2016.
The graph below shows Washoe County's number of commercial permits issued and the value of these permits. The data is the graph is monthly moving average (MMA) data, which means that for each month, the data is the average of that month and the 11 previous months. Based on MMA data, the graph shows a peak in commercial building permits and permit valuation in July 2015 (consistent with the index) before falling through January 2016. Commercial building permit data has been released for all three jurisdictions (Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County) for February 2016 showing a total of 13 building permits issued and valuation of $11.0 million. This is greater than in terms of the number of building permits of 9 in January 2016, but lower in value compared to $15.1 million. March 2016 commercial permit data has been released for the City of Reno only, showing 26 building permits valued at $15.2 million. As a result, March 2016 will exceed both January and February permits data.
While of some concern, the decline in the number of commercial permits needs to be considered in its historical context. Permit data for 2014 was at the highest level since 2008, just before the full impact of the recession in the region. There were 240 commercial permits valued at $365.4 million issued in 2014. In 2015, 196 permits were issued with a value of $231.9 million, representing another strong year of activity, but lower than 2014.
The total number of permits in January and February 2015 of 34 was higher than the 22 permits issued in the first two months of 2016. However, the valuation of these permits in the first two months of 2015 was $20.5 million compared to $26.1 million in 2016. As a result, while our late 2015 and 2016 commercial permit levels have been lower than the stellar commercial permit year we had in 2014, these levels are still the highest commercial permit activity the region experienced since 2009. If March 2016 City of Reno activity is any indication, this activity will continue to improve.
On the residential construction front, single family permits continue their increase since the bottom in 2010-2011, with permit activity increasing in terms of both the number of permits and value of permits issued, as shown below on an MMA basis.
Multi-family permit activity spiked in 2015, before declining to permit valuation levels seen during the real estate boom. The decline in the number of permits issued is attributed to normal construction cycles of the large number of multi-family projects approved and planned for the area, not because of lack of demand for these projects.
[1] Please find our economic and industry indices on our website: http://ekayconsultants.com/research.


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Linoleum floors fresh with that watered-down Pine Sol coating. Unexplored hallways, stretching out, curving around endlessly, creating dark corners and an expansive, well-lit cafeteria. There I stood, in my stylish black embroidered top just bought from Kohl's, with the full, flared sleeves sensuously sliced down the middle from the shoulder, and tied loosely at the elbow. I wore this same shirt on picture day, because I was convinced it was by far the sexiest shirt I owned. Lizzie McGuire had popularized the look on her Disney Channel show. It was decided.
I was almost 12, standing underneath the blinding fluorescent lights in a huge, three-tiered, amphitheater-style lunchroom. At that time, I had braces and a horrific device called a Herbst appliance (look it up), which barely allowed me to close my otherwise no-vacancy mouth. Slightly frizzy hair, slightly pimply complexion. A usual suspect on the first day of Middle School.
I looked around for my seat, the multiple rows of already paired-off preteens stretching upwards, ominously. I decided to avoid the hassle and sit at the sparsely populated table directly next to the lunch line. At the lowest level, about 20 feet from mine and situated at the dead center of the cafeteria, like a sort of King's table, sat the popular kids. So joyous in their first-day revelry, they were packed like sardines onto the creaking benches, nearly spilling over. Nearest to the head sat Cody Kincaid, a shoe-in for the football team and one of the most well known kids in school. He caught my eye, and to my shock, got up from his seat and started walking toward me, as his whole table watched.
When he sat beside me, straddling the seat sideways (so cool), he paused for the briefest of moments as I felt my first middle school flop sweat begin to materialize. "H-hi", I said. He stayed silent, drawing out the awkward pause. And then he raised his hand, and gently petted me, as the King's table erupted with laughter. Before I knew it he was back there, a triumphant knight returning from conquest.
I was confused, and angry. Never the one to be left with unanswered questions, I shot up from my uneaten food and trudged straight over to the merriment. This caused the group to fall silent, and by now more tables had begun to take notice. I looked straight at Cody.
"What did you just do to me?", I said. Silence.
"Why did you do that?" Silence.
And with their heads looking down at their ankles, snickering, I finally heard one voice faintly let out a word, as if choking on the comedy of it.
Another girl repeated it at the same volume. Then another, slightly louder. horse, Horse.
They were chanting it now, gaining confidence with every repetition. I staggered back, as if shot by an arrow.
"Why?" I asked, breathlessly.
"Your frizzy hair, your big teeth!" One girl replied.
It began to dawn on me that what I'd thought was a long sought-after show of attention was actually a trip to visit a farm animal in a petting zoo. The whole cafeteria could see me, wilting, as the table continued chanting Horse.
I grabbed my backpack, left my tray and ran out of the room towards the nearest door I could see, which was the band hall. I peeled into an empty practice room with a piano, and as I clicked closed the heavy soundproof wood, so retreated my tormentor's voices. I sat crying there for the rest of the hour, and took my lunch in that same piano room for the rest of the year.
My name is Allie Farris, and I want to be a star. Not solely for superficial reasons (although you will learn that I do love fancy things), but also for the purpose I feel deeper and stronger than anything: I want to make people really happy. I do want to be regarded as one of the best songwriters of my time, and be a Kennedy Center Honoree (if there is still such a thing by the time I'm eligible). I want to travel the world and have the resources to never have to worry about paying for something again. But above all, I want to leave this world better than how I found it.
The beginning of this entry was the closest thing I guess I have to an origin story; if I'm bold enough to think of myself as some kind of superhero. But the meaning of this thing as a whole is to hopefully document my entire story, as I currently strive towards my ultimate goals. Because of that nightmarish scenario that took place at the beginning of middle school, I spent an hour out of every day for the next year on a piano, writing poetry and primitive songs. It soothed my aching ego, like it does to this day after a hard show or a long week.
The following stories are looks back at my past as an unflappable young artist bounding around my Dallas hometown, my three years as a touring musician driving across the country with my piano in my back seat, and everything in between. But I also want to look forward, as I'm hopefully now closing in on the dreams held tightly inside my heart since I was 15 years old. I have Big Teeth, and many other reasons why I shouldn't be famous, but I plan to be in spite of them. Or because of them. You decide.


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The event will start on Saturday, October 20 at 8:00am. I've already talked to my FLGS, Hypermind, and tentative plans are to camp out there for 24 hours, finishing up at 8:00am on Sunday, October 21. Extra Life itself isn't all that strict on how you get in your time, but I think it would be a much bigger event if we really stick to it, vowing to stay there the whole time and play games more or less continually. So in that vein, I've already talked to Chick-fil-A about possibly supporting us with some sustenence, and I'm making plans to contact some other local restaurants as well to keep us alive and munching all day long.
So in addition to just announcing the birth of this team, Exploring Games for Kids!, I'm also asking for your help. For those of you in my game group or even just somewhat local to the Burlington area, I'd love to have you join the team. Just let me know, or go straight to the team page and register directly with Extra Life. You can also check out the BGG guild for the Hypermind Boardgamers, where we'll be talking about logistics and making plans.
But for everyone else out there, what I and the kids really need are financial donations. By going to my Extra Life page, you can click on Support Me! to make a pledge right there using almost any credit card. You can pledge whatever you can and want to give, either as a one-time donation or on a subscription basis over a number of months. And all donations are tax deductible, of course. I've set a personal goal of $300 and a team goal of $1,500, but I really think that we can blow way past that with all of your help.
I'll be mentioning this again from time to time, and you'll be able to track our progress with the little widget thingy on my sidebar. But more than anything, I ask that you just look for whatever opportunity you can take to get involved in helping these great hospitals and the children they serve.


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By completing your order, you understand that the products(s) you are purchasing are U.S. models and may have power / voltage requirements different from that of your country.
Prices shown in currencies other than US Dollars are estimates based on current exchange rates. We will charge your credit card in US Dollars on the day your order is shipped, and the conversion to your local currency will be done at the prevailing rate by your credit card issuer.
PSSL will not mark your parcel as a "gift", declare a value lower than the actual price paid, or otherwise prepare false customs information.
Get ready to be immersed in rich, powerful sound created by the designers of some of the world's most beloved and popular professional live sound and recording systems with FreePlay GO. Its compact size and attractive design offers exceptional clarity and high-headroom power you won't find in most speakers this sleek. Connect your device to FreePlay GO over Bluetooth, and even link it to a second FreePlay series speaker with enhanced control via the FreePlay Connect™ app. Use it at home, or take it with you; its high-capacity rechargeable battery offers up to 15 hours of room-filling sound. Plus, you can even use it as a power bank to recharge your USB devices. When you want to be moved by your music, look no further than the Mackie FreePlay GO Portable Bluetooth® Speaker.


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Hi @HRD,
Are you thinking of the release note that says the account can be added? There is a new feature that if you log into your 1Password.com account in a web browser, and that account isn't already added to 1Password for Mac, it will ask you to automatically add it.
Or am I misunderstanding your questions?
Hi @ag_kevin,
This is what it says in the release notes:
[NEW] Finally, items from 1Password.com accounts can be added to your Apple Watch!
But I can't get it to work.
Watch App says this requires pro features, which I have with my subscription account. Maybe this is different to an 1Password.com account?
@HRD: Oh! I know what you're talking about: the new Apple Watch app! I hate to admit it, but you beat me to it; I wasn't around earlier when the new beta was released!
I hope you don't mind, but I've split this conversation off into the iOS beta category of the forum so we can focus on getting this setup for you.
I'm sorry for the trouble here. I think I encountered a similar problem initially. The new app doesn't seem to be loading existing "Apple Watch" items, but you should be able to get them to show up (instantaneously, I might add!) by "removing" and then "adding" them again. I had a number of these myself, so I found that doing a search for "watch" in "everything" (since that will include tags) helped me quickly find these to re-add them. I've filed a bug report for this. I hope this helps. Thanks for bringing it up!
ref: OPI-3731
Hi @brenty,
Thanks but I am coming to the conclusion that I made the wrong decision in switching to the subscription model. To be frank, it is a messy migration and lacks key features that were NOT stated at the time.
I'll give your suggestion a try and report back but in an ideal world this should just work!
No luck. Doesn't work.
@HRD: I'm sorry that you had trouble migrating your data, and that you're also having difficulty with the new Apple Watch beta! Can you give me an idea of what's happening in your case? Your feedback could make a big difference with this first beta release, so that we can address any issues affecting you (and perhaps others) in the next. That's why we have public betas in the first place.
If you're still having trouble, the best thing to do will be generate a diagnostic report and send it to [email protected] so we can look at the logs to determine exactly what is happening:
*In 1Password Settings > Advanced > Diagnostics > Log Settings, enable App, In-App Purchase, and Watch App.
Just be sure to include a link to this forum thread and your username in the email so we can 'connect the dots'. Once we see the report we should be able to better assist you. Thanks again for volunteering to be a beta tester!
Thanks but I am coming to the conclusion that I made the wrong decision in switching to the subscription model. To be frank, it is a messy migration and lacks key features that were NOT stated at the time.
Fortunately you can use 1Password with local vaults instead if you wish, even if you prefer the subscription for the simplified licensing. That way you can use 3rd party integration without having to wait. Cheers!
Hi @brenty,
Can you give me an idea of what's happening in your case? I followed your instructions and nothing is shown in the Watch App.
My point to you is that the subscription model is NOT complete and the shortcomings should have been stated when you shipped the service.
Diagnostic report sent.
@HRD: Thanks for clarifying. It seems odd that you're seeing nothing at all now, since you mentioned seeing the "requires Pro Features" message previously. We'll get to the bottom of this! However, I don't see anything from this address. Please post the Support ID you received here and we'll take a look!
I'm having a similar issue with the new watch app. Logins that were already on my watch will not show up, but I can add new things. Any way to get those old items back?
Yes, I can confirm that the latest beta, 650033, breaks items on the Watch. Removed the tags, restarted the Watch then added tags to some items but nothing shows.
@maquinn78: As I mentioned above, currently the only way to get the watch app to load them is to
Remove from Apple Watch and then
Add to Apple Watch again. We've made some improvements in the latest beta, but this particular issue has not yet been resolved. We're working on making it possible for the watch app to load all of the existing Apple Watch items automatically though, so keep an eye out for beta updates!
@HRD: I'm sorry to hear that! Thanks for letting me know! It sounds like that means you're unable to get the watch app to display anything from 1Password. Is that correct? Have you tried reinstalling it? This is a bit troublesome, since it needs to be done from the TestFlight app (as opposed to the Apple Watch iPhone app). Let me know if it's working after that. And if it's not, please send a fresh diagnostics report and post the Support ID here so I can take a look. I'm anxious to get these bugs worked out so we can release the new app to everyone! Thanks again for your persistence on this!
Hi @brenty,
Tried to reinstall. No luck.
Sent report: ID is [#CGS-83376-224]
Separate Subject. 3rd party integration broken also. See here, https://discussions.agilebits.com/discussion/comment/336268/#Comment_336268
[Edit by AgileBits: that issue has been resolved with the latest Alfred beta build]
Thanks! We'll get back to you on both of those once we take a closer look. Cheers!
ref: CGS-83376-224
No I can add things that have never been on my watch but things that I had before, removing and readding doesn't do anything.
I am unable to get the Apple Watch app to display any items with the latest build 033 release. The app just says "Add items from 1Password on your iPhone. Requires Apple Watch device pin."
I have tried deleting and reinstalling the Watch app, removed and re-added the Apple Watch tags, no success.
@maquinn78, @FolsomRider: Sorry for the inconvenience! We're working on getting these issues ironed out. Thanks for participating in the beta and giving us your feedback on this!
ref: OPI-3731
@FolsomRider: I just wanted to follow up to clarify this in case there's any confusion: that particular message is saying that a PIN needs to be set on the Apple Watch itself in order for 1Password to ensure that the data is encrypted. Nothing will be sent to your watch if you do not have a PIN set on it.
The message is definitely a bit confusing since this is new in the beta, and because 1Password has its own PIN setting, which is completely separate. We'll see if we can make things clearer too as we continue to work on the new app. Let me know if that helps!
@FolsomRider @HRD @maquinn78 Hey all, I'm the dev working on the new Apple Watch app, and please be assured I'm reading all of this
As Brenty just said, It is a bit confusing that there is an Apple Watch system PIN AND a 1Password Apple Watch PIN - let me try to explain. The mechanism we use to store your information on the watch is called the secure keychain. If the Apple Watch system PIN is not set, this keychain is essentially a free-for-all and is not encrypted at the operating system level. We have made it a requirement with the new app that your watch system PIN be enabled for this reason. As for the 1Password watch PIN (the one you set in the 1Password app, under Apple Watch in settings), that is used to encrypt the actual items themselves, i.e. even if someone got your system PIN, the item information in the keychain would be an encrypted jumble. Now, the system PIN is mandatory, but the 1Password PIN is optional. We trust the system encryption enough that we do give you the option to store your un-encrypted items there, but we added the system PIN requirement so that nobody would go around with an unencrypted keychain AND unencrypted item details. An added benefit of setting the 1Password watch PIN is that the transmission between the phone and the watch only sends encrypted items - not the case if the 1Password watch PIN is disabled!
I hope this helped, even though I rambled a bit
As for the "legacy" (for lack of a better term) items not being synced to the watch, I'm working on fixing that and I think I have it figured out. I wasn't able to reproduce it locally but I think (with the help of some beta tester diagnostics) that I'll be able to fix it for the next beta.
Thanks to everyone who's been testing, and please let me know if there's any more feedback you'd like to share! You can always send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "1Password Apple Watch Beta" if you'd like to have a more detailed discussion, and my lovely coworkers will point all the tickets to me.
<3 to Brenty as well for being so awesome!
I have an Apple Watch PIN and a 1Password Watch PIN set.