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Complaints Procedure
LIF is committed to providing high quality services. Our users include our members, voluntary organisations and those agencies and individuals who are stakeholders in the voluntary sector.
We are committed to providing our users with a quality service and to continuously improving those services, but we realise that there are times when we don't always succeed. LIF is working towards developing standards to improve its services and to clarify what users can expect.
If you are unhappy about the services that we provide to you we want to hear about it, without your feedback we cannot improve.
How the system works
At LIF the Chief Officer is responsible for making sure that all complaints are logged and followed up and who will monitor complaints to make sure that they are being dealt with. The Chief Officer will be responsible for reporting to the Board of Trustees. In the absence of the Chief Officer or where the Chief Officer is the subject of the complaint, responsibilities under this procedure will fall to another member of the Senior Management Team (SMT)
How to make a complaint
If you are not happy about a service that you receive it is usually best to let the person who is providing the service know, either by telephone, letter or in person. If you don't know who to contact you can telephone, e-mail or write directly to:
Noelette Hanley (Chief Officer)
Luton Irish Forum, Kathleen Connolly House, 102 Hitchin Road, Luton LU2 0ES
Tel: 01582 720 447 Email: email@example.com
The Chief Officer will log the complaint and make sure that it is assigned to the most appropriate person. You will be contacted within 5 working days to confirm that the complaint has been received and telling you the name of the person who is dealing with your complaint.
We will contact you with the outcome of your complaint within 15 working days. If we cannot respond in this time, then we will notify you and give you date by which you can expect a response.
Communication will usually be in the same format as the complaint is received but LIF reserves the right to respond in an alternative format.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint, contact the Chief Officer. The complaint will be progressed so that somebody else can investigate it for you and you will be advised on when you can expect a response.
Acting on results
We will do everything we can to put things right and will review our procedures where necessary to stop problems happening again.
Your personal information
LIF retains records of complaints as long as it is required to meet the requirements of our funders and quality marks. For details of how your personal information is handled please refer to our Data Protection Policy a copy of which can be obtained from our website or by asking a member of staff.
Your voice
We hope you agree that most of the time we do provide a good quality service. We value all feedback from our users and would also like to hear from you about what you think we do well.
Last Review Date: July 2019
Next Review Date: July 2021


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Keeping It Neat – A Youtube Channel about all things Whiskey!
Just in case you missed the live show, here is the video of our tasting of Ragged Branch Rickhouse Ramblings Reserve and Wine Barrel Finish with Derek and Nick of Keeping It Neat. Please make sure to give them a follow and subscribe to their Youtube Channel at Keeping It Neat.
Thanks again to Derek and Nick for having us on!!

subset: commoncrawl


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You are able to log in as anyone. Be careful!
You are able to log in as anyone. Be careful!
n49 2000-2015 | N49 is proudly made in toronto
7400 Boul. Des Roseraies, Anjou, QC
Geek Squad is a Best Buy brand offering peace of mind for all your tech related needs. With 1,300+ Geek Squad Agents across all provinces, we offer support services in every Best Buy store ... Read more
7400 Boul. Des Roseraies, Anjou, QC
Electronics store chain specializing in computers and accessories, mobile devices through Best Buy Mobile, TVs and home theatre, video games, and many other product categories. Customers can reserve products online and pick up in-store ... Read more


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No matter where you live, having access to hot water is necessary — especially here in Edmond. However, hot water for your business and home comes at a price. According to the DOE, water heating is the second-largest household expense, as it accounts for 14-18 percent of a home's total utility bill. This makes choosing the right water heater a vital decision because the right balance between performance and cost-effective water heating could help you keep more money in your pockets. In this blog, we are going to go over the pros and cons of the two most popular water heaters in the United States; the gas water heater and an electric water heater.
Pros and Cons of Gas and Electric Water Heaters
Gas Water Heaters
The Pros of a Gas Water Heater
Gas water heaters use propane to heat your water and come with plenty of benefits.
Rapid Heating / High Recovery Rate
Gas water heaters are known to heat your water quickly. Compared to electric water heaters, gas tanks are twice as fast due to their fast recovery rate. A high recovery rate refers to the amount of water the tank can heat to the desired temperature in a given period. This makes them perfect for businesses and big families.
Lower Operating Costs
In Edmond and the rest of the United States, gas is cheaper than electricity. Getting a gas water heater installed or repaired will pay off in the long run, as it's more economical.
Gas Water Heaters Don't Need Electricity
One of the most significant advantages of a gas water heater is that as long as you have gas, you will be able to get hot water, even during a power outage.
Cons of Choosing a Gas Water Heater
Initial Costs
If you plan on utilizing a gas water installation service, the initial cost can be expensive. This is due to the requirement of laying down the ventilation system for its exhaust.
Convenience of Installation
Because of the ventilation system that needs to be installed and the size of the tank, gas water heaters have minimal locations they can be placed.
Electric Water Heaters
Electric water heaters are very similar to gas water heaters. The main difference is evident as one runs on gas and the other electricity.
Electricity Water Heater Pros
Convenience and Ease of Use
The electric water heater is easier to use compared to a gas water heater because the tank runs purely on electricity. Don't worry about turning the gas on!
Easier and Lower Installation Costs
Electric water heaters do not require venting, and installing an electric water heater is a lot easier and convenient, leading to lower installation costs.
Power Source
Electric gas heaters tend to be more accessible and less dangerous. Gas water heaters have to connect to gas lines, which can be hazardous, and some homes and businesses don't have access to gas lines.
Electricity Water Heaters Cons
Can Be More Expensive In the Long Run
While the initial installation cost is cheaper, the operational costs of running an electric water heater are generally more expensive over time. Electricity is a more costly resource than gas.
Longer Recovery Time
Compared to the gas water heaters, the recovery rate is slower. This means that if a household has a high peak usage, the amount of hot water generated by an electric heater may not cover the household or business' needs.
Contact Water Heater Man
Still have questions or concerns? Visit our water heater tank pages to learn more about our sizes, installation process, and more. Or, contact Water Heater man today, and our knowledgeable and experienced team will get you on track to consistent hot water for your home or business in the Edmond area.


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Anna Maria Island Sunset
$24.00 – $170.00
Classic take on a gorgeous Anna Maria Island Sunset with some "retro" lettering giving it a postcard feel
Original Oil 18×32
Interested in purchasing this original painting?
Click here to request more information.
Purchase your very own signed giclee prints and limited edition, signed canvas reproductions.
Classic take on a gorgeous Anna Maria Island Sunset with some "retro" lettering to give it a postcard-like feel!
Paper Giclee
Vibrant giclée prints are set in a crisp, white custom matte and hand-signed by Robert Johnson (Robert The Artist). Printed on Epson matte paper with the highest quality Epson inks, these prints will last for generations. The mattes are standard-size for simple framing and easily fit into pre-made frames.
Canvas Giclee
The gorgeous giclée on canvas reproduction looks like the original. The sumptuous canvas wraps around the sides (Gallery Wrap) so your new artwork is ready to hang immediately. No framing needed.
Each numbered, limited edition, canvas is hand-signed by Robert Johnson and is protected by a UV resistant semi-gloss coating, ensuring the lustrous artwork retains its vibrancy and pristine condition.


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History of Protection Relays
The first protection devices based on microprocessors were employed in 1985. The widespread acceptance of numerical technology by the customer and the experiences of the user helped in developing the second generation numerical relays in 1990.
Conventional electromechanical and static relays are hard wired relays. Their wiring is fixed, only their setting can be manually changed. Numeric relays are programmable relays. The characteristics and behaviour of the relay are can be programmed.
First generation numerical relays were mainly designed to meet the static relay protection characteristic, whereas modern numeric protection devices are capable of providing complete protection with added functions like control and monitoring.
Numerical protection devices offer several advantages in terms of protection, reliability, troubleshooting and fault information.
Typically, they use a specialized digital signal processor (DSP) as the computational hardware, together with the associated software tools.
Measuring Principles
The input analogue signals are converted into a digital representation and processed according to the appropriate mathematical algorithm. Processing is carried out using a specialized microprocessor that is optimized for signal processing applications, known as a digital signal processor or DSP for short. Digital processing of signals in real time requires a very high power microprocessor.
The measuring principles and techniques of conventional relays (electromechanical and static) are fewer than those of the numerical technique, which can differ in many aspects like the type of protection algorithm used, sampling, signal processing, hardware selection, software discipline, etc.
These are microprocessor-based relays in contrast to other relays that are electromechanically controlled.
Function of Relay
Modern power system protection devices are built with integrated functions. Multifunction like protection, control, monitoring and measuring are available today in numeric power system protection devices.
Also, the communication capability of these devices facilitates remote control, monitoring and data transfer.
Traditionally, electromechanical and static protection relays offered single-function, single characteristics, whereas modern numeric protection offers multi-function and multiple characteristics. Numerical protection devices offer several advantages in terms of protection, reliability, and trouble shooting and fault information.
Numerical protection devices are available for generation, transmission and distribution systems.
Numerical relays are microprocessor based relays and having the features of recording of parameter used as disturbance recorder flexibility of setting & alarms & can be used one relay for all type of protections of one equipment hence less area is required.
Numeric relays take the input analog quantities and convert them to numeric values. All of the relaying functions are performed on these numeric values.
The following sections cover:
- Relay hardware,
- Relay software,
- Multiple protection characteristics,
- Adaptive protection characteristics,
- Data storage,
- Instrumentation feature,
- Self-check feature,
- Communication capability,
- Additional functions,
- Size and cost-effectiveness.
The disadvantages of a conventional electromechanical relay are overcome by using microcontroller for realizing the operation of the relays.
Microcontroller based relays perform very well and their cost is relatively low.
Operation of Relay
A current signal from CT is converted into proportional voltage signal using I to V converter.
The AC voltage proportional to load current is converted into DC using precision rectifier and is given to multiplexer (MUX) which accepts more than one input and gives one output.
Microprocessor sends command signal to the multiplexer to switch on desired channel to accept rectified voltage proportional to current in a desired circuit.
Microprocessor Based Numerical Relay
Output of Multiplexer is fed to analog to digital converter (ADC) to obtain signal in digital form. Microprocessor then sends a signal ADC for start of conversion (SOC), examines whether the conversion is completed and on receipt of end of conversion (EOC) from ADC, receives the data in digital form.
The microprocessor then compares the data with pick-up value.
If the input is greater than pick-up value the microprocessor send a trip signal to circuit breaker of the desired circuit.
In case of instantaneous overcurrent relay there is no intentional time delay and circuit breaker trips instantly. In case of normal inverse, very inverse, extremely inverse and long inverse overcurrent relay the inverse current-time characteristics are stored in the memory of microprocessor in tabular form called as look-up table.
Advantages of Numerical relays
Compact Size
Electromechanical Relay makes use of mechanical comparison devices, which cause the main reason for the bulky size of relays. It uses a flag system for the indication purpose whether the relay has been activated or not.
While numerical relay is in compact size and use indication on LCD for relay activation.
A variety of protection functions can be accomplished with suitable modifications in the software only either with the same hardware or with slight modifications in the hardware.
A significant improvement in the relay reliability is obtained because the use of fewer components results in less interconnections and reduced component failures.
Multi Function Capability
Traditional electromechanical and static protection relays offers single-function and single characteristics. Range of operation of electromechanical relays is narrow as compared to numerical relay.
Different types of relay characteristics
It is possible to provide better matching of protection characteristics since these characteristics are stored in the memory of the microprocessor.
Digital communication capabilities
The microprocessor based relay furnishes easy interface with digital communication equipment. Fibre optical communication with substation LAN.
Modular frame
The relay hardware consists of standard modules resulting in ease of service.
Low burden
The microprocessor based relays have minimum burden on the instrument transformers.
Greater sensitivity and high pickup ratio.
With static relays, tripping time of ½ cycle or even less can be obtained.
Fast Resetting
Resetting is less.
Data History
Availability of fault data and disturbance record. Helps analysis of faults by recording details of:
- Nature of fault,
- Magnitude of fault level,
- Breaker problem,
- C.T. saturation,
- Duration of fault.
Auto Resetting and Self Diagnosis
Electromechanical relay do not have the ability to detect whether the normal condition has been attained once it is activated thus auto resetting is not possible and it has to be done by the operating personnel, while in numerical relay auto resetting is possible.
Other Advantages
- By combining several functions in one case, numerical relays also save capital cost and maintenance cost over electromechanical relays
- Separate connection is not required, zero sequence voltages and currents can be derived inside the processor
- Basic hardware is shared between multiple functions, the cost of individual protection functions can be reduced significantly.
- Loss of voltage feature helps block the relay in case of momentary/permanent loss of voltage.
Limitations of Numerical Relay
Protection quality
Numerical relay offers more functionality, and greater precision. Unfortunately, that does not necessarily translate into better protection.
Faster Decisions
Numerical Relay can make faster decisions. However, in the real world, faster protection itself is of no value because circuit breakers are still required to interrupt at the direction of the protective equipment, and the ability to make circuit breakers interrupt faster is very limited.
Risk Of Hacking
Numerical Relay protection often relies on non-proprietary software, exposing the system to potential risk of hacking.
Numerical Relay protection sometimes has exposure to externally-sourced transient interference that would not affect conventional technology.
Failure Impact
Numerical Relay protection shares common functions. This means that there are common failure modes that can affect multiple elements of protection.
For example, failure of a power supply or an input signal processor may disable an entire protective device that provides many different protection functions.
But it remains something to be aware of.
A multifunction numeric relay can provide three phase, ground, and negative sequence directional or non-directional overcurrent protection with four shot recloser, forward or reverse power protection, breaker failure, over/under frequency, and over/under voltage protection, sync check, breaker monitoring and control.
It would take 10 – 11 single function Solid state or electromechanical relays at least 5 to 6 times the cost.
Additionally Numeric relays have communications capabilities, sequence-of-events recording, fault reporting, rate-of-change frequency, and metering functions, all in an integrated system.
9 Comments
- Prateek BakshiJul 19, 2019
Thank you sir. It is a very precise and illustrative information.
- HareeshMay 04, 2017
Thank you Jignesh sir The way you have explained is good. fresh graduates will easily understand the concept .
- LarsenToubroOct 23, 2015
Thanks for sharing this information with us.This post has shared good concept of Relay.We can totally understand working of Relay,functionality of Relay ,importance of Relay,types of Relay.Relays are very important in sensing any kind of fault in power system & it is very reliable.Larsen & Toubro has some registered product.You may visit at Larsen & Toubro
- Pushpinder kansalJun 02, 2015
sir , i want to study configure of numeric relays i-e different types of settings in different types of numeric relays(DPR, Differential, ref etc)
- dhiruJan 05, 2013
i'm really grateful to u sir for this kind information.i m a 8th semester student but b4 this i hv no idea ab8 working of numerical relays. thanx a lot sir……
- Thomas J. ZazulakDec 28, 2012
Reliability of numerical relays is still questionable. There have been far too many failures to say they are reliable. The manufacturers need better burn in and quality check of the parts they are using to assemble the printed circuit boards.
However, I do agree that as an industry that uses a great many relays we still have to keep going forward and use these numerical relays because they save us a lot of money. Second the life of the internal parts is still in question. Maybe going to IEC 61850 design that less of these questional internal parts will be used.
- senthemekmrDec 28, 2012
wow edward sir nice.really i got more information this site.post more about relay information….


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Home / Product Selection / Internet / Security / What security features are included with BT Total Broadband?
- Question
What security features are included with BT Total Broadband?
- Answer
BT Broadband includes the following security features for all customers:
- Email anti-virus - scans your BT Yahoo! email attachments for viruses.
- Spam blocker - diverts junk emails to a separate folder.
- Anti-spyware protection - scans your computer for spyware and adware.
- Pop-up blocker - stops pop-up windows appearing when you browse the Internet.
BT Total Broadband Option 2 and 3, BT Infinity customers also get BT NetProtect Plus, a PC and Mac comprehensive security suite provided by McAfee. This includes:
- VirusScan - protects you from the latest security threats, including viruses, Trojans, tracking cookies, spyware and adware.
- Personal Firewall - acts as a security barrier against hackers and other online threats, allowing you to access the Internet, but keeping unauthorised intruders locked out.
- Parental Controls - lets you filter potentially inappropriate websites, turn on age-appropriate searching, and set web browsing time limits. Parental Controls also lets you universally restrict access to specific Web sites, and block access based on associated keywords.
- SiteAdvisor - warns you before you interact with a dangerous website by checking for threats such as spyware, online scams, and spam.
It's included free of charge with BT Total Broadband Options 2, 3 and BT Infinity. To download now, go to www.bt.com/netprotectplus If you're on BT Total Broadband Option 1 you can buy BT NetProtect Plus for a small monthly fee. To buy now, go to www.bt.com/netprotectplus
- View Answer at http://bt.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/12629/c/346,510,512
- Not the answer you were looking for?
- Click a problem area below for more Internet solutions
- Not sure where to start, try searching our site


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Nest has unveiled its new 'Nest Cam IQ indoor security camera.'
Although Nest offers other indoor security cameras, the company says that this one is its smartest yet, which why it decided to go with the "IQ" branding. The new camera can differentiate between objects and people and it will also zoom in if it detects a person so that homeowners can get a better look at whoever is their house.
Best-in-class security camera. Top-of-its-class brains. Introducing #NestCamIQ: https://t.co/H0d8RagCg3 pic.twitter.com/Cu0FAqXw7j
— Google Nest (@googlenest) May 31, 2017
The Nest Cam IQ includes Nest Aware technology that allows it to detect familiar faces versus the faces of strangers. However, in order to get these alerts, users need to have a Nest Aware subscription.
The Nest IQ camera also comes with a speaker and microphone so it can listen-in if a dog is barking or if someone is intruding, while the speaker can be used to communicate with strangers.
Spec-wise, the IQ features 4K HDR sensor. The camera will still only capture video at 1080p, but the extra resolution allows users to zoom in without any image quality loss. The Nest IQ also has a three-microphone array, its speaker is seven times more powerful than the Nest indoor cam and it includes a six-core Qualcomm processor.
The security camera also comes with to infrared LEDs that allow it to see record video in the dark, therefore users will always be able to see when people are intruding no matter the time of day or night. The IQ features Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) meaning it consumes less energy and can connect with any Bluetooth device 4.0 or higher. Furthermore the wireless camera, has a USB-C charging port whenever it does run out of energy.
The camera isn't on sale, as of yet, those interested can pre-order the IQ for $399.99 CAD and the website says it will ship in four to five weeks.


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The key to virtual reality succeeding commercially on a global scale may lie in the hands of a team of volunteers working to create a royalty-free standard.
But the clock is ticking.
"We're trying to do this as fast as we can," said Nick Whiting, who is the chair on the working group trying to come up with a solution. VR headsets "are already out there and have been out there for a year. We want to do something as soon as possible, this isn't a long-term project."
The Khronos VR initiative is the latest effort by the Khronos Group, an American nonprofit that focuses on creating open standards for technology. The group, which was founded in 2000 by a collection of powerful tech companies, previously helped to create or oversee a variety of royalty-free, open-standard application programming interfaces (APIs) such as OpenGL, Vulkan and WebGL.
The group held a gathering at the 2017 Game Developers Conference this week to discuss virtual reality and its OpenXR initiative, which aims to create open standards for VR, augmented reality and mixed reality.
A key issue, though, is that there are already multiple standards being used that are tied to developing for headsets from Sony, Microsoft, HTC and Valve, and Oculus.
Whiting said that the key is that all of the systems already require a relatively similar "deep tech stack" to work, and that the OpenXR working group hopes to create a royalty-free, open API that will be common to all the headsets.
"A bunch of us on the software and hardware side realized there is a lot of common group and that people are reinventing the wheel," Whiting said. "There is this gigantic web of dependencies. So we decided it would be a good idea to create a single API."
Those involved, like Oculus, Valve, Google, Nvidia, AMD, Unity, Epic and Samsung, agree that the API shouldn't be owned by a single company. Two notable companies not listed as members are Microsoft, which recently floated its own API, and Sony. We've reached out to both for comment.
The group of those involved seem to realize that the market is so relatively small right now that they need to come together to ensure that it is as easy as possible for a developer to create VR experiences across all existing platforms.
"The big concern we see at Epic is that the VR market is a little nascent," said Whiting, who is also the technical director of AR and VR at Epic Games. "It's not necessarily large enough numbers to support a big game team.
"We're hoping through standardization that might change."
The group announced the Khronos VR initiative's name last week, along with a call for standardization.
"VR and AR have experienced a boom of interest recently, and with that, a flood of hardware and software companies have begun spinning up efforts in the field," Khronos said in a news release. "While variety is great, the growing number of devices, each with their own incompatible APIs is increasing fragmentation."
The key issue now, Whiting said, is timing.
The group has to move fast, but before it can create the API, it needs to make sure everyone can agree on what common bits of the software should be included.
Once it rolls out, Whiting believes it will be a large component of virtual reality's commercial success.
"Coming from Epic, the biggest thing I see is developers trying to decide which device or market they should target," he said. "They have a game or an experience to make but don't know where to bring it.
"We're trying to make the market more viable by combining all of these smaller markets."


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Snow—it's one of my favorite elements to photograph in! My dogs have a blast playing in it and it makes everything looks so pretty! But it also can be hard to shoot in. Getting the exposure right can be challenging (gray snow, anyone?) and taking action shots while it is snowing is even harder. Here are seven of my best tips for taking better photos of your dogs in the snow. (And if your cats go out in it, these all apply to them, too!)
- Increase your exposure. Cameras want to make everything middle gray, so when your camera reads all the white in a snow scene, it thinks it is too bright and reduces the exposure, making the snow look gray. If you're using a DSLR, you need to increase your exposure almost two stops. And don't worry about photographing white or black dogs in the snow. Getting the exposure of the snow correct means the exposure of the rest of the photo will be correct, too.
- Use the snow as your backdrop. Shooting from a higher angle, above your dog, creates a nice, clean background…just your dog(s) and the snow. This eliminates distractions and makes your pup the star!
3. But also, include elements that show how pretty the snow looks on them, including your dog's face.
- If you're photographing your dogs running or playing while it's snowing outside, be prepared to take a lot of shots. Even though your dog is a much bigger target than a snowflake, your camera has a hard time focusing on your pup. It will focus on the snow, especially if it snowing heavily. I took *a lot* of photos of Lola chasing her ball in the snow. She is in focus in this picture, but in many of the others, either the snow behind her or in front of her was in focus and she was not.
- Action shots after the snow has stopped are much easier. Try photographing your dog catching (or trying to catch) a snowball. That explosion of snow when it hits her face is a fantastic moment! Running through the snow is also a great shot. Use a high shutter speed to freeze action, including the snow as it flies up in the air!
6. Now is a great time to photograph your dog's footprint. The best way to do this is shooting straight down on it. Also, try to find an area of snow that is less disturbed so the footprint really shows up.
- If it's really sunny outside, avoid shooting at mid-day. Your photos will be contrasty, with harsh, unattractive shadows. It also makes it impossible to get your exposure correct on the snow and a darker dog. If it's sunny outside, try getting out earlier or later in the day, when the sun is at a lower angle. I took this photo of Lola fairly early in the morning, while the sun was still behind the trees.
Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you have any questions!
Ellen Zangla Photography: Your pet's personality, your bond, captured forever!
M.Photog., Certified Professional Photographer
International Award-Winning Photographer, Professional Photographers of America
My pets, two dogs and four cats, are an integral part of my life. I absolutely adore them. Like other family members whom we love, I feel that it is incredibly important to have portraits of them that capture the essence of who they are, whether they're regal or goofy (or both!) or somewhere in between. If you feel the same way about your dog, cat or other fur or scaled kid, here's how you can learn more about a pet photoshoot with me works. Or feel free to contact me.
I am a pet photographer, specializing in photographs of pets and pets with their people. I serve all of Northern Virginia, including Loudoun, Fairfax, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Reston, as well the DC Metro area, and I would love to create portraits of your pets that reflect how you feel about them and that you will treasure for a lifetime!


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Back to {homeschool} I mean, home holiday! It's two weeks of trying to spend nothing, go nowhere and lose lots of hair/rounds of Scrabble/useful gadgets in an attempt to entertain 3/4 different brains/interests. *delete as apparent
I will get lots of things done by bribery, to be honest. Children are building wish lists for spending pocket money and I have negotiated for jobs I really don't like, and Easter seems as good a time to start this enterprise as any. It includes grass cutting which could definitely be done again, two weeks after the first cut. Smallest wants to make tea twice a week. I need to get Stack the Dishwasher made into a great big sign and 'put the breakfast things away' on my list of things to put on auto repeat.
But there are loads of seeds to plant still. Some to be scattered around the garden and others to be done in trays. I flicked through several garden catalogues and I could easily spend £500 quid (if I had it) on my garden wishlist. I feel the urge to garden tomorrow but there is housekeeping and the ice cream cake to collect tomorrow for a 10-year-olds birthday. I should add that a rainy day meant present wrapping has all been done. Sunday night will see balloons being blown up! Birthdays under lockdown are hard to make special when you're ten!
We shall make the best of it!
After my feature in Momentum I have seen my viewers rising! Hello lovely garden enthusiasts! I hope the trials and tribulations of a gardening year in my garden city are of interest! Leave a comment?


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Our Top 5 moments of 2020
As the 2020 winds to a close and we begin to reflect on a year like any other, it was important to remind ourselves that not everything in 2020 was about COVID-19.
We'd like to first take this opportunity to thank all of the frontline and essential workers around the world working tirelessly to keep us safe and healthy, and able to look forward to when we can all travel and experience this great big world together. We're excited to see what 2021 brings us all, but before we do, we're sharing our Top 5 highlights of 2020:
1 - Sayari relaunches with a complete redesign and the Serengeti's first solar-powered microbrewery.
In August, we reopened Sayari. The camp has been completely redesigned with beautiful new interiors, an improved plunge infinity pool, a new spa and the first microbrewery in the bush. The camp has opened to rave reviews and we can't wait to welcome more of you to experience the world renowned Great Migration.
2 - We doubled down on our positive impact efforts.
Our Positive Impact partners needed support more than ever this year. Working with organisations like The Maa Trust, the Tarangire Lion Project and the Honeyguide Foundation, we helped ensure local communities and wildlife could thrive in these challenging times through scholarships, food parcel donations and more. We also were able to hold our flagship Twende Porini programme.
3 - Manja the melanistic serval at Namiri Plains had melanistic kittens!
In November, our guides at Namiri Plains discovered that Manja — the melanistic serval first spotted in 2019 — took up a mate and had kittens! This was especially exciting because melanisim is a recessive gene; there was no guarantee that any kittens he had would be melanistic, too!
4 - Asilia was one of the only safari companies to stay open in light of COVID-19.
We are proud of how quickly we developed health and safety COVID-19-specific protocols and trained up our staff, ensuring that we could not only keep a multi-country circuit of our camps open, but also keep our camp staff employed during one of the most challenging periods of our lifetime.
5 - We redesigned our website!
After months of hard work and preparation, our digital, brand and product teams unveiled a brand new website. We're confident that this website better showcases the Asilia promise and safari experience, making us the provider of choice for your East African safari.
We can't wait to see what 2021 brings and are sure it'll be filled with more amazing moments like these. Until then, we wish you and your loved ones all the best for a happy, healthy and safe remainder of 2020. We'll see you in the new year!
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The most heartwarming reactions to people finding out they're going to be grandparents
Get the tissues!
Most people think there's no better feeling in the world than finding out you're about to become a parent. Those people have never had grandchildren.
There is no news more exciting than finding out your little ones are expecting offspring of their own. And that might be because you know it means you're about to get all of the benefits of having a new baby in the family, but without a lot of the commitment.
You can be the one to feed them Haribo after dinner without worrying that they'll be bouncing off the walls all night. You can be the one to tell them jokes that should be saved another couple of years.
Then of course there's spoiling them rotten with presents, chocolate and staying up late watching films without feeling guilty. Plus you never need to tell them off because they only behave perfectly when you're around.
These grandparents-to-be know exactly what a treat they are in for, and are finding it a little difficult to control their excitement;
1. The ones who can't quite hear
Inspired by a viral game which requires participants to decipher messages while being played loud music, these new parents decided to relay the news via lip-reading.
Except there's a hitch. Grandma guesses straight away (a woman's intuition and all that). It takes grandpa a little bit longer...
But it's worth the wait. His reaction is priceless.
2. The one who is lost for words
Image:YouTube/Jessica Vigansky
Jessica Vigansky posted this video to YouTube of her father finding out he was about to become a grandparent for the first time.
When the video first surfaced in 2014, Jessica explained that her mother had died and as an only child, her dad was desperate for some good news for the family.
We think his excited squeals confirm it was exactly the news he was hoping for.
3. The one who doesn't know what to do with her arms
Normally grandparents have nine months or so to prepare for a new addition to the family, but grandma Sharon Bloomingdale had less than nine seconds.
The new parents, Laura and her husband Josh Dell, 34, are not biologically able to have children and had been trying for years to start a family of their own.
So instead of presenting Sharon with a pregnancy test, they are able to bring the baby! Sharon just completely loses her cool. In fact daughter Laura has to give her a time out; 'Sit down on the couch mom so you don't pass out'.
4. The one who plays it cool
These new parents decided to use a visual metaphor for their new sprog - giving the grandparents-to-be an apple seed to unwrap as their baby is currently a similar size.
Dad plays it so cool. Although we're sure we see a smile in there...
5. The one who is completely hysterical
We're not sure what sort of pranks this grandma has had played on her in the past, but she is really not too sure about opening the box.
Inside daughter Casey Bellamy has put a positive pregnancy test, but mum is certain it's a new mug... or a cockroach? But we're pretty sure she was made up with the actual gift. Cue the kitchen erupting into hysterical shrieking. Even the dogs decide to join in.
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodTo is the ultimate online destination for mums. Established in 2007, our 15-year-strong archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles, 1,500 how-to videos, and 7,000 recipes.
30 of the best self-care ideas to boost your health and manage stress – and they're all free
Feeling out of sorts? Give yourself a lift with these tried-and-tested self-care ideas
By Rose Goodman • Published
7 surprisingly easy ways families can save money without even trying
Saving money is hard during a cost of living crisis, but make sure you know the ways you can save a bit more without feeling the pinch
By Rachel Lacey • Published


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How-to articles, tricks, and solutions about WRAP
How Not to Wrap the Contents of <p>, <div>, and <span> Elements
In this snippet, we want to demonstrate how you can make the contents of the <p>, <div>, and <span> elements not to wrap. Use the CSS white-space property.
How to Disable Word Wrapping in HTML
In this snippet, we're going to demonstrate how you can disable word wrapping. For that, use the white-space property either with the "nowrap" or "pre" value.
How to Wrap a Long String Without any Whitespace Character
In this snippet, we'll demonstrate how to wrap a long string without any whitespace character. Use the CSS word-wrap property with the "break-word" value.
How to Wrap Text in a <pre> Tag with CSS
The <pre> tag inserts a preformatted text into an HTML document. Since the <pre> tag doesn't support wrapping, we'll show how to do it with the help of CSS.
How to Wrap the Content of a Table Cell
In this tutorial, we'll demonstrate how to wrap the content of a table cell. For that, you need to use either the CSS word-wrap or word-break property.


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Tonight I made the Mongolian Beef & Noodles from Blue Apron.
This was…fine. I just had such high hopes. This sounded so good and it was just bland. I ended up adding salt, pepper and soy sauce to the dish while eating it, and it still just tasted like cornstarch. It was almost gummy.
So I would probably not order this kit again, but I may make it again. I would just use way less cornstarch and add some more flavoring to the meat before cooking. Maybe that would help.
Anyway, I made a short video if you want to see it.
But here's the end result.


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Erica peziza
Erica peziza Lodd.
Family: Ericaceae
Common names: woollysnow heath, velvet bell heath, white heath (Eng.); kapokkie (Afr.)
A beautiful fynbos shrub that turns snowy white when it flowers in spring.
An erect, densely floriferous, well-branched shrub, usually about 0.6–1 m tall, but it can reach up to 2 m in height. The branches are ascending or nearly erect. Leaves are dark green, linear, simple and whorled. It has masses of small, hairy, white, bell- to urn-shaped flowers, up to 5 mm long. The flowers are entirely covered in white woolly hairs and when in full flower, it appears that the bushes are covered in snow. It flowers in winter to spring (Aug. –Nov.).
Many very small seeds are produced in loculicidal capsules i.e. capsules that split open along the walls of the locules, which are chambers of the ovary.
Conservation Status
According to the website http://redlist.sanbi.org, checked on 8 December 2015, the conservation status of Erica peziza is Least Concern (LC).
Distribution and habitat
Distribution description
This species is endemic to the Western Cape and occurs in the mountains of the Montagu, Robertson, Caledon, Riviersonderend and Swellendam Districts. It is a fairly common species in its range that can form dense populations. It is mostly found on moderate rocky slopes at relatively low altitudes, sometimes in partial shade on south-facing slopes, in well-drained, sandy soil derived from sandstone.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
Erica peziza was first described by Conrad Loddiges, published in volume 3 of the Botanical cabinet, in 1819. The genus name Erica is from the Greek Ereike, the name for heath that was used by Pliny and Theophrastus. The origin of the name peziza is doubtful, but could refer to the resemblance of the flowers to the fruiting body of mushrooms of the genus Peziza.
The Afrikaans common name kapokkie means 'the little one with kapok', and kapok means snow. This is generally taken to mean that when in flower it appears as if snow covers the bush, or it could mean that each, small, hairy flower appears to be dusted in snow flakes or cotton-like kapok fibres.
The flowers are probably pollinated by insects.
Erica peziza has no medicinal uses. It is cultivated as a decorative garden and pot plant and can be used as cut flower, both as filler and as a specimen.
Growing Erica peziza
Grow Erica peziza in soil that is well drained, with an acidic pH of 5.5–6.5. It is well suited to rockeries, rocky slopes, retaining walls and raised beds. It is also suitable for containers. Water well, but carefully; it needs regular watering but it does not like to be permanently wet as it will get sick and die in waterlogged, soggy soil. It needs a sunny situation, where there is free circulation of air through its branches; it will not thrive in a humid situation. Once planted, leave its roots as undisturbed as possible. Mulch regularly with well-rotted compost, pine needles or bark chips, and feed where necessary with a diluted, organic or a slow-release fertilizer, such as 3:1:5 but take care not to overfertilize. Prune lightly to encourage branching.
Erica peziza can be propagated from cuttings and seed. Sow seed in late summer or autumn. Use a well-drained, slightly acidic, sandy medium such as equal parts of river sand and decomposed pine bark. Sow the seeds onto the surface of the sand. Keep lightly shaded and moist. Seed germinates in about six weeks. Pot them up when they are at least 10 mm tall and grow them on for at least another twelve months before they can be planted into the garden.
Take semi-hardwood heel cuttings in late summer to autumn or spring. Treat with a rooting hormone and place in a well-drained, well-aerated rooting medium in a mist unit with bottom heat of ± 24 °C. Pot the rooted cuttings in a well-drained, acidic soil medium and harden off in light shade for a month or two.
- Goldblatt, P. & Manning, J. 2000. Cape Plants. A conspectus of the Cape flora of South Africa. Strelitzia 9. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria & Missouri Botanical Garden, Missouri.
- Jackson, W.P.U. 1990. Origins and meanings of names of South African plant genera. University of Cape Town.
- Powrie, F. 1998. Grow South African Plants. A gardener's companion to indigenous plants. National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
- Schumann, D., Kirsten, G. & Oliver, E.G.H. 1992. Ericas of South Africa. Fernwood Press, Vlaeberg.
- Sheat, W.G. & Schofield, G. 1995 Complete gardening in southern Africa. Struik, Cape Town.
- Smith, C.A. 1966. Common names of South African plants. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa No. 35. Government Printer, Pretoria.
- Hortipedia En.hortipedia.com/wiki/Erica_peziza, accessed 2 December 2015.
- iSpot southern Africa https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/southern-africa
- Masons Garden Centre http://masonsgardencentre.co.nz/hints-and-tips, accessed 2 Dec 2015.
- The Plant List http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl/record/kew-2794105, accessed 8 Dec 2015.
Nomama Mei and Alice Notten
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
December 2015
Plant Attributes:
Plant Type: Shrub
SA Distribution: Western Cape
Soil type: Sandy
Flowering season: Spring, Winter
PH: Acid
Flower colour: White
Aspect: Full Sun
Gardening skill: Average
Special Features:
Horticultural zones
Zone 2 Coastal winter rainfall, frost free
Zone 3 Winter rainfall Karoo, light frost
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Learn to Draw Digitally: Create Cute Animals
Shelley Seguinot, Illustrator and Surface Pattern Designer
Watch this class and thousands more
Watch this class and thousands more
Lessons in This Class
1. Intro1:28
2. V1 Penguin9:57
3. V2 Owl12:21
4. V3 Fox10:40
5. V4 Raccoon7:14
6. V5 Mouse7:16
7. V6 Bunny5:11
8. Class project1:44
- --
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Community Generated
The level is determined by a majority opinion of students who have reviewed this class. The teacher's recommendation is shown until at least 5 student responses are collected.
About This Class
About This Class
A beginner's guide to drawing in Adobe illustrator. You will learn how to create cute drawings using only basic shapes. No art experience needed! We will go over some of the basic tools in Adobe Illustrator to get you started. By the end of this course, you wil be able to create cute animals using mostly basic shapes. This is a step by step class that you can follow along.
Who is this class for? Everyone! If you are just starting out in Adobe Illustrator, or you think that you cannot draw, this is the class for you. Even season artists may learn a tip or two along the way.
Class Outline:
- We will discuss basic shapes
- Draw a penguin
- Owl
- Fox
- Raccoon
- Mouse
- Bunny
Lastly we will discuss the class project.
If you do not own a copy or have a subsciption to Adobe Illustrator, you can get a free 30 day trial here: FREE 30 DAY TRIAL
Below is are a few sites where you can find free fonts, just check for copyright use and licenses prior to downloading:
My Pinterest Color Board for inspiration: Color PinBoard
Meet Your Teacher
See full profile
I am an illustrator, surface pattern designer and momma of 3. I have been doodling as far back as I could remember and work with various mediums. I love crafts, color and all things cute! my passion is character drawing and surface pattern design.
Hands-on Class Project
Design a pillow:
Once you have drawn your cute new furry friend, be sure to display it on a pillow. you can either use a mock up, there are plenty online, or you can upload your work to Zazzle and email the file to yourself. Zazzle is a great site to get your pillow created.
Be sure to post your project to the class so that we can all see your great work!
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Photo by Tara Winstead
You may wonder about the relevance of the featured photo. It reminds me how we are all inclined to imitate or create things to imitate another, and I am not an exemption.
Like the photos of a banana and citrus fruits, the plastic toys looked like exact copies. But if you look more, you will find the difference.
I think it is the same with people. We may be so different, but we may have similar aspirations. We may have different living standards, but we may share the same passion in some situations.
One of my greatest aspirations is to be a better, if not the best, content writer. The kind of content writer who can make a steady kind of living.
I am still in the process of honing my skills and creating a formula. Right now, I want to share what I plan to do to achieve my goal – imitate top content writers to be a successful content writer:
- Review my target audience and my niche.
- Use strategies to generate interest from possible clients, consisting of updating my blog and promoting and marketing my skills via LinkedIn.
- Undergo pieces of training to hone the needed skills to improve my craft.
- Brace me against possible rejections or negative feedback, and work on being magnanimous.
- Share what I learn and help others in their endeavor to be successful in writing.
This is how I see imitation as not a bad thing. After all, everyone basically started by copying from an original.
Do you have an idea of what I am talking about? Can you share some tips to help me become a better content writer?


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Cypraea asellus Linnaeus, 1758
Description: Teeth extend almost half way across the base. Shell white, with three broad dark brown or black bands across the dorsal surface.
Size: Length up to 31 mm, typically about 15 mm.
Distribution: The Indo-West Pacific region, from east Africa to Samoa, including northern Australia. In Australia, from North West Cape, WA, to Shellharbour, NSW.
Habitat: Under rocks in the intertidal and shallow subtidal. Uncommon in its tropical range, rare in NSW.
Synonym: Evenaria latefasciata Schilder, 1930
Figs. 1,2: Bulli, NSW (C.084931)
Copyright Des Beechey 2000


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UT Researchers Propose $43 Million Sports Complex For Turf Studies
27 October 2016
Build it and they will come – that's what UT turf researchers hope for. They're proposing a $43 million plan that will include a sports complex to ultimately fund more turf studies.
What looks like a big place to study grass could actually turn into a huge revenue source for East Tennessee.
"If we could build the vision of the sports complex, just one basketball tournament weekend would generate $3 million of Knox County or Blount County revenue to the area," said John Sorochan, UT Institute of Agriculture, Turf Science.
The University of Tennessee wants to build a new research center that will include a huge revenue generating sports complex, as well as research opportunities for state of the art turf and field studies.
UT has been studying turf for more than a decade, but now the university wants to apply that research to players.The idea is that players of all ages will be able to come out and try all different kinds of turf so they would know, depending on what field they were playing on, if they needed to adjust equipment or even wear a different type of shoe on that field.
"Let's say Eric Berry can come back home to Knoxville ,knowing his schedule next year, and he can look at all the different surfaces that he'll play next year and find out what shoes and footwear and how to perform on each surface before the game," said Sorochan.
The complex wouldn't just be for professional athletes. Players of all levels and ages would be able to use the facility and people involved in local sports think that's a huge draw.
"For the local community itself, you could have kids who could come play, use the facility, be tested. So who knows, Knoxville could have the next world class athlete in each of the sport centers targeted," said Knoxville Soccer Academy Director Derek Broadley.
So far, this is just a proposal. UT is still looking for partners and seeking funding.
Source : wate.com


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Cannabidiol [CBD] is a natural supplement that is extracted from hemp. CBD is not psychoactive, unlike the THC in marijuana. There are many CBD products in the market, and one of the most popular is CBD oil.
CBD Oil
CBD oil doesn't make you high or affect your cognitive functioning. A regular dosage helps without causing overdose, addiction, or dependence.
This makes CBD an active and healthy way to treat and manage some diseases daily without having the severe side effects that come with prescription medications. CBD interacts with the body's natural endocannabinoid system.
Cannabidiol is continuing to gain massive popularity across the world. Some countries have already legalized it, such as Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United States (in most states).
Researchers say that CBD oil is going to be the next big thing as far as treating and managing ailments is concerned. It has shown great potential in relieving pain, treating anxiety and depression, treating insomnia, treating cancer, etc.
What is Asperger's Syndrome?
Asperger's syndrome is a mild form of autism. According to a recent survey, 1 out of 59 people in the United States have autism. Although the exact cause of Asperger's is unknown, researchers are exploring the link between Asperger's and genetics. They are also exploring the connection between Asperger's and environmental factors.
Patients with Asperger's syndrome have stronger intellectual abilities than people with other forms of autism. Despite the stronger intellectual capabilities, Asperger's comes with plenty of challenges such as anxiety, depression, difficulty with conversation, hypersensitivity to sound, light, and taste.
This condition affects people differently. The symptoms may improve with age, or they may even disappear. Anger management, cognitive behavioral therapy, support groups, family therapy, and psychotherapy, are some of the things that can help autism patients to socialize and function well.
Some of the signs that should alert you to take your child to a doctor for Asperger's include:
- Poor eye contact
- Delayed speech
- Lack of response to name
- Doesn't express emotions
- Speaks with an abnormal tone
- Difficulty recognizing nonverbal cues
- Repeat words or phrases verbatim, but does not understand them
- Unusual sensitivity to touch, sound, or light
Symptoms of Asperger's Syndrome
Experts have identified several symptoms of Asperger's. Some of the most common include:
Children and teenagers with Asperger's syndrome usually have it hard with keeping friends or making new friends. Their social skills are limited, and they are also short-handed in creating close connections. Not knowing how to express emotions or feelings can be quite devastating.
This usually causes people with Asperger's syndrome to sink into depression because of their limited social support.
The amygdala is a section of the brain which controls fear response. The amygdala in Asperger's patients is usually dysregulated. A dysregulated amygdala is one of the leading causes of anxiety.
The amygdala can detect threats, and alert the body, hence keeping you in check. For patients with Asperger's syndrome, that means they are always anxious and alert. It can be very stressful, and it's made worse by the fact that most people with Asperger's struggle with expressing their emotions.
Social anxiety
It is worth noting that even though anxiety and social anxiety are similar, it is possible to have one and not the other, or you can have both of them. Asperger's syndrome patients are likely to suffer from low self-esteem and social isolation since they have limited social skills.
How Can CBD Oil Be Used To Treat Asperger's?
CBD has shown great potential in treating Asperger's. First, CBD works as an antipsychotic. In other words, it can help to regulate the brain functions that control mood, perception, and thinking. Consequently, it can help Asperger's patients live a normal life.
What Does Research Say About CBD Oil For Asperger's Syndrome?
Anecdotal evidence has shown that CBD could be used to manage the symptoms of Asperger's. However, anecdotal evidence should be taken with a pinch of salt. We need to know what actual experts are saying about using CBD oil to manage Asperger's.
Some studies have suggested that CBD oil could be used as a way to manage Asperger's syndrome. Researchers found that a significant number of children who used CBD to manage Asperger's noticed a significant improvement in their health.
Although these studies paint a bright picture, scientists are calling for caution. The effectiveness of using CBD oil to treat Asperger's needs more research.
How Can CBD Oil Help To Mitigate Symptoms Of Asperger's Syndrome?
CBD can help to mitigate symptoms of Asperger's symptoms in the following ways:
To manage depression
Depression is one of the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome. Research has shown that CBD is very useful in helping people manage depression.
It has anti-depressant properties, and it can also help enhance the production of a chemical responsible for neurogenesis.
Managing anxiety
As we had previously mentioned, anxiety is one of the symptoms of Asperger's. Dealing with anxiety is difficult on an average day, and we can only imagine how difficult it must be to deal with anxiety and Asperger's at the same time. Luckily CBD can come to the rescue of people with Asperger's.
Several studies have shown that CBD oil can help to manage anxiety by regulating amygdala activities. It can also help to reduce repeated anxious thoughts or to overthink. These two benefits can help an Asperger's patient to live a more comfortable life.
Shopping For CBD Oil
There are thousands of CBD products that are available in the market. For you to get quality products, there are some key features that you should look out for. One of the most important things you need to find out is whether the CBD oil has gone through third-party testing. This will ensure that you get unbiased reviews for the CBD oil.
Before you give your child a CBD product,
- Check with the doctor if the child has allergies or sensitivity that could cause a reaction.
- Confirm if CBD is legal in your country
- Research more on your potential brand to know if it is appropriately licensed.
The notion of using CBD oil to treat Asperger's syndrome is continuing to gain popularity within the autism community. There is a lot of evidence that indicates that CBD oil can help manage Asperger's syndrome and other conditions on the autism spectrum.
Researchers are working hard with the hope that one day, they can create a CD-infused drug for people with Asperger's. For the time being, CBD oil seems like an excellent alternative for people with Asperger's. Thank you for reading with us today! Check out "CBD and Dogs: Tips on Dosage & More" for tips on how to treat your pal at home with CBD oil.
Join us on Instagram and Pinterest for more amazing content from the world of medical marijuana to spark up your knowledge…see what we did there. See you there!


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Slather on that sunscreen – the Summer Season returns to RCT Touch! Our new update is now LIVE!
– Collect all 39 Summer cards, including the NEW healthy Poke Bowl restaurant and the most thrilling Family ride ever: The Naga's Trial!
– To progress in the Summer Event, make sure to upgrade summer cards to claim rewards and boost your park revenue. Reach the final milestone to obtain a Legendary Donut Train for one of your coasters!
– Earn more seasonal cards by finding the Shark Entertainer around your park!
– This update also includes various bug fixes


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Group Connection
PAT group connections are held each month with families that are in the program as well as those in the community. It is a social connection in a learning environment for parents and their children. We spend one hour teaching fun hands on activities that increase the child's early development. Parents learn from and support one another with the encouragement of parent educators.
The benefits of a PAT group connections are:
- Language development
- Hands-on learning opportunities
- Small/gross motor skills
- Interaction with other children
- Musical development: Singing and Instruments
- Social skills; sharing, taking turns, etc.
- Creative development
- Self confidence
- A connection from your home to a school setting
- Having fun!


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Microsoft/Bungie's Halo series is one of the bigger (if not the biggest) pieces of IP around. Its games have made billions and helped propel the company's Xbox console system to global success. While additional money has been made in merchandising, there is one area where this IP has had serious problems: live action video adaptations. Years ago we were promised a dark and suspenseful film adaptation, produced by Peter Jackson, based on the original game, however due to a multitude of reasons, this film was never made.
Now it seems, good things come to those who wait. Renowned film director and producer Ridley Scott (of Alien and Prometheus fame) has returned to work on his own, dark interpretation of the Halo universe. Coming in the form of a new video series entitled Halo: Nightfall, this production will bridge the story gap between Halo 4 and the forthcoming Halo 5.
Watch the intense new trailer just released for the Halo: Nightfall below!


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Contact Client Care
Contact Details
To contact Deb or her staff directly, use the following information. We are here to help.
Hours of Operation:
Hours: M-Fri 7AM – 3PM EST
Closed Weekends & All Holidays
Need community? (Don't we all!)
--> Join Our "It's All About Breakthrough" Group on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/allaboutbreakthrough
We are here to help you break THROUGH!
- Deb Hollis | Faith Solutions Home Base: Sacramento, California
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Keele Research Repository
Explore the Repository
Morris, AM, Clipstone, S, Stockton, W and Crawford, RM (2017) Longitudinal Investigation of Medical Student Perceptions of a Video-based Guided Study Resource used to Facilitate an Eight Week Module in Medicine. Journal of Pedagogic Development, 7 (1). ISSN 2047-3265
A Morris - Longitudinal Investigation of Medical Student Perceptions of a video-based guided study resource....pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.
Download (721kB) | Preview
We use an action research approach to evaluate three successive cohorts of medical student perceptions of using a multi‐faceted video‐based guided study resource which provides academic (skills‐based), social (motivation‐based) and professional (clinical‐based) interventions aimed at facilitating and enriching learning across an eight week module in the second year of the MBChB medical degree. Our findings show that whilst students value these video resources both as a revision tool and an aid to learning during the semester, they have specific critiques about several areas which would improve the project. We interpret our data to evidence a tangible beneficial argument for the use video‐based learning objects to support student learning that is reliably reaffirmed by our longitudinal data.
|Item Type:
|Uncontrolled Keywords:
|Motivation, Guided Study, Medical Education, Web 2.0
|R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
|Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine
|Depositing User:
|Date Deposited:
|20 Mar 2017 10:10
|Last Modified:
|26 Mar 2019 16:48


text: Mix tops and bottoms (sold separately) to suit your style. Combine sizes for a perfect fit LYCRA® Xtra Life™ spandex, lasts up to 10 times longer than suits made with ordinary spandex Resists breakdown from chlorine, sunscreen and sweat High Waisted: sits at your natural waist; Approximately 14.5" long Contoured waistband Adjustable side ties for your just-right fit Tummy control lining helps slim and smooth Attached panty for comfort and coverage Full coverage in back 83% nylon/17% spandex. Hand wash. Imported Fabric provides UPF 50 sun protection How to care for your suit The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends this fabric as an effective UV protectant only for covered areas. It's adjustable … and all about you. With our swim collection, you can build an entire water wardrobe with just a few easy pieces. Start with a swim skirt that you can wear to the beach and beyond, making it one of the most versatile pieces in women's swimwear. This one has adjustable side ties so you can find your just-right fit. The comfy, wide waistband that sits right below your waist and just-right thigh coverage provide ultimate confidence, wherever the day may lead.


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Where do man's best friend, live music and obstacle courses meet? At the Pet-a-Palooza! If you and your pupster (as long as she's on a leash and current on all shots!) head over to Rusch Park in Citrus Heights this Saturday, June 19, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., you can both enjoy, among many other things, the Barenaked Ladies and the dock jumping Splash Dogs—and Fido can even take his turn going through an obstacle course! The best part? This event is free, so stop by for awhile!
Parking is available up and down Auburn Blvd. (where it designates parking is allowed), at Grand Oaks Elementary School located at 7901 Rosswood Drive (map), and at Fireside Lanes Bowling Alley 7901 Auburn Blvd. (map).


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Mason Cash Mixing Bowl
The classic Mason Cash Mixing Bowl has been a European kitchen staple since the early 1800's. This ingeniously designed bowl has a uniquely textured finish to give you a better grip while mixing, even when you have wet hands. Plus, its glossy white interior makes it simple to check the consistency of your mixes and batters. Handcrafted from durable earthenware, this Mason Cash bowl is oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe.
Features of the Mason Cash Color Mix Mixing Bowl include:
- Authentic and classic British design since 1800
- Made from durable, chip resistant earthenware with a lead-free glaze
- Shaped for even and consistent batter mixing, dough kneading, and more
- Textured exterior provides secure grip and white interior makes it easy to monitor ingredient color and consistency
- Oven, freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe
Free Shipping on orders of $59 or more!


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I grew up in Dallas, Texas, and have lived all over the United States. I have a BFA in stage management from The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University in St Louis, Missouri. I met my husband while working in summer stock theater. We married in 1994. We have two kids, and always a few dogs around the house. I started my career in creative and visual arts, and I have worked in Accounts Payable and now in HR . My passion in both my work and personal life is helping other people to grow themselves. I am also a painter, avid reader, and work with dog rescue.
"Meaningful work isn't about impressing others. It's about expressing your values." - Adam Grant


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Le Fruit - seen from the Genepy
The second day was harder. Perhaps we shouldn't have taken a 650m walk so soon. But the scenery was really rewarding.
Mountain byres
The cows in this valley produce Appellation Controlée Beaufort d'Alpage cheese. Having seen the rich flowers, we have a much better idea why the alpine cheeses are so rich!
The Cirque du Génépy
Here is the glacier that gives the walk its name. We were going to have our picnic on the grass plateau at the centre of the picture, just above the falls (about 2400m). I have now seen other people's photos of this glacier, and I am pleased to relate that I'm not the only one who can't wholly compensate for the brightness of the snow.
Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe
The elderly gentleman in centre shot lives in a 7th floor flat with no lift. He seemed to have no trouble with the steep climbs!
Looking across from Génépy
Crossing the Névé
Here we are, crossing the névé. You can see how warm we are by the fact that no-one is wearing their sweater.
M-C on the slippery slope
The Glacier
Just around the corner from here we saw the chamois - but with no telephoto attachment, there was no chance of a photo.
Email Mike Murphy


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It's good to hear advice from people who have pioneered, who have accomplished something, who have then struggled to communicate a kernel of wisdom that may help us see our way forward. For this, no season is better than commencement ceremony time. LinkedIn has compiled the Top Graduation Speeches for our open minds.
Sleep evangelist Arianna Huffington suggests that the women from Smith College sleep their way to the top (okay, you have to watch the speech). She also asks them to "redefine success. Because the world you are headed into desperately needs it…. what I urge you to do is not just take your place at the top of the world, but to change the world." Richard Branson: You'll never be so unburdened, do something bold. Adam Bryant urges graduates to Go Play in the Traffic. Maria Shriver suggests periodically pushing the Pause button:
Jesus fasted for forty days and nights in the desert. Henry David Thoreau went to Walden Pond. Ann Morrow Lindberg went to the sea. Buddha, Gandhi, Mother Teresa — the greatest and wisest have often stopped and withdrawn from active lives to journey within themselves. The wisdom they garnered there and shared with us has impacted the world.


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At noon on August 9, 1870, at the county jail yard in Leavenworth, the State of Kansas hanged convicted murderer William Dickson in a public execution before a large audience, including many children. State law forbid such public displays and the resulting controversy inaugurated a curious thirty-five year episode in Kansas history (1872-1907) in which death sentences were handed down but never ordered. Selected documents on capital punishment in Kansas are now available on Kansas Memory.
Following Dickson's hanging, the 1871 Kansas legislature passed a bill revising the state's punishment for murder but it failed to become law. In 1872 the legislature succeeded with Senate Bill 18 which made two major changes. It confined the convict to the state penitentiary for one year pending execution and it transferred the power to order the execution (the signing of a death warrant) from the trial judge to the governor.
But the law did not compel the governor to sign the death warrant, and from 1872-1907 no governor ever did. From governors James Harvey (1869-1873) to Edward Hoch (1905-1909) and the eleven other governors in between (be they Republican, Democrat, or Populist) all chose not to sign death warrants. Although the courts issued many death sentences during this period, the governors' refusal to sign the warrants effectively banned all state authorized executions.
The law did require the Governor's Office to keep records of all death sentences and copies of all death warrants. The State Archives at the Kansas Historical Society holds these records in two bound volumes: "Death Sentence Warrants, 1872-1908" and "Record of Death Sentences, 1872-1906." Both books were created by the Governor's Office.
Dickson's would be the last state-authorized execution in Kansas for more than seventy years, the next occurring in 1944 (Kansas repealed capital punishment for murder in 1907 but reinstated it in 1935). Although the state's moratorium on legal executions lasted from 1872-1935, at least ninety illegal hangings or lynchings occurred during that period.
As Kansas continues to struggle with the question of capital punishment, the State Archives & Library at the Kansas Historical Society holds many documents demonstrating the history of the death penalty in the state. Selected documents of the principal changes and events related to capital punishment in Kansas are now available on Kansas Memory.


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It is strange how in our 24 hours a day wired and connected world we can not truly escape nature's deep, slow rhythms. This November I've been working on some scarves in a range of colours I thought I'd chosen as I'd seen this pleasing combination from the Canadian Interior Designer Jane Hall of Jane Hall Designs.
As I have mentioned before, when I'm painting I often listen to an audiobook and for a couple of weeks I've been listening to 'Wolf Hall' by Hilary Mantel. She has a superb historical imagination and a descriptive writing style that evokes a sense of place without being overdone. As I was busy preparing my autumn colours I heard this phrase from Wolf Hall
"wearing their fallen fruit silks of mulberry, gold and plum"
Reflecting on the natural colours of fallen fruit retrieved from the fading garden and looking at the colours I'd mixed up, I realised how unconsciously I'd absorbed and then responded to the changing scene. I've had a few peaches, figs, apples, pears and plums filling the kitchen fruit bowl from this year's domestic harvest. It's been the best year so far for the fan pear, though I have lost all the cobnuts to the squirrels, again. But what a bonus – the muted colours of fallen fruit.


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If you rent your living space, you need insurance to protect your belongings. The landlord does not insure your personal property in case of loss or damage. This article will review what is covered under a renter's insurance policy.
Renter's Insurance Policy
Most insurance companies use a standard renter's insurance policy which covers losses to your personal property such as:
Floods and earthquakes are excluded from most personal insurance policies; you will need to buy a separate policy or a rider for those natural disasters (for flood insurance, check with the National Flood Insurance Program at www.fema.gov/nfip). In some coastal regions where hurricanes pose a threat, you might also need to buy a separate rider to cover wind damage.
Actual Cash Value versus Replacement Cost
One thing to look at is whether the insurance company offers "actual cash value" (ACV) or "replacement cost coverage" for your belongings. As the name implies, ACV coverage will pay only what your property was actually worth at the time it was damaged or stolen. For example, if you bought a television five years ago for $300, it would be worth significantly less today. While you would still need to spend about $300 for a new TV, your insurance company will pay only the current depreciated value, minus your deductible.
Replacement cost coverage, on the other hand, will pay what it actually costs to replace the items you lost. An insurer will generally make an advance payment for the 'used value' of the property, less the deductible. Then if the property is replaced, you can receive reimbursement for the actual price paid. The claims representative will explain this part of the claim process in more detail.
Let your agent know about any particularly valuable items you have. Jewelry, antiques, musical instruments, and electronics might be covered up to a certain amount. If you have some items that are unusually expensive, such as a diamond ring, you'll probably want to purchase a separate rider/endorsement. If you don't talk to your agent about an expensive item when you buy the policy, you probably won't be able to recover a loss later.
Take Inventory
To ensure you are compensated for any belongings you lose from a fire, storm or other catastrophe, you should take inventory all of your personal belongings. The easiest way to inventory your belongings is to videotape them. Keep the videotape, as well as receipts for major items, in a fireproof place (or safe deposit box).
Additional Living Expenses
If your apartment or condominium becomes uninhabitable due to a fire, burst pipes, or any other reason covered by your policy, your insurance will cover your "additional living expenses." Generally, that means paying for you to live somewhere else.
This coverage has a limit of about 20 percent of the total value of the policy. So, if you're insured for $40,000, your "additional living expenses" limit will be $8,000, depending on your policy terms. Your insurance company will continue to pay while your home is being repaired or rebuilt, or until you permanently relocate. Sometimes 12 months is the longest an insurance company will continue paying. With some policies, you're limited to what the insurance company considers a "reasonable length of time."
Liability Insurance
Your renter's insurance policy will include liability coverage. This means if someone slips and falls in your residence, you're covered for any costs, up to your liability limit. If the person sues you, you're covered for what they win in a court judgment as well as your legal expenses, up to your policy's limit.
Most policies will also include a Medical Payments to Others coverage amount that provides monetary benefits to an injured party. For example, if someone slips on your walkway, your insurance policy will help pay for any immediate medical costs (e.g., those incurred at an emergency room). This coverage is minimal (usually under $5,000), but may encourage the injured party not to sue you for additional medical costs.
Just like any other type of insurance policy, your premium depends on a number of factors: where you live, your deductible, your insurance company, and whether you need any additional coverage. There are ways to reduce your renter's insurance bill:
Protect your home and vehicles at competitive rates.


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Nov. 4, 2018
By: Michael Feldman
Researchers at University of Manchester have constructed the world's largest neuromorphic supercomputer, paving the way for real-time brain simulations.
The new million-core system, which is based on the Spiking Neural Network Architecture (SpiNNaker), was switched on for the first time on November 2. According to its developers the machine is capable of performing more that 200 trillion operations per second.
Million-Core SpiNNaker supercomputer. Source: The University of Manchester
Unlike conventional architectures, SpiNNaker mimics biological neural networks, but does so with standard processing technology, in this case Arm9 processors. Specifically, the building block of the machine is the SpiNNaker SoC, comprising 18 Arm968 processor cores integrated with a network-on-chip that performs packet-switched asynchronous communications.
The basis for its brain mimicking capability is in the way those digital assets are utilized. Instead of using a virtual model of the brain, SpiNNaker mirrows how neurons communicate with one another, sending billions of pieces of information in parallel to different processor cores. By doing this, the system can imitate the way biological neurons process information.
Twenty years in the making, the million-core SpiNNaker based on a machine half that size, which consisted of 25 24-board enclousures. Even at the that scale the system was capable of simulating hundreds of millions of neurons, equivalent to a few mouse brains. SpiNNaker's developers expect the million-core version will eventually be able to model up to a billion neurons. At
"The ultimate objective for the project has always been a million cores in a single computer for real time brain modeling applications, and we have now achieved it, which is fantastic," said Steve Furber, Professor of Computer Engineering.
According to Furber, up until now, these large-scale real-time brain simulations were not possible on previous versions of SpiNNaker or any other neuromorphic system. That said, a billion neurons represent only one percent of a human brain, so this latest SpiNNaker machine will still be limited to piece-meal simulations.
To date, the project has been able to model an 80,000-neuron segment of the cortex, the most highly developed part of the brain where things like perception, cognition, awareness, and language are processed. The system has also been used to model the Basal Ganglia, an area of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease. And outside of biological simulations, SpiNNaker has been employed to control a robot.
The project was initially funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and is now supported by the European Human Brain Project.


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Are you looking to discover, visual, catalog, share, and reuse your Kafka event streams, but don't know how and or where to begin. Or does your organization look something like the picture below and you are struggling to understand what is the data that is really going through your Kafka clusters?
Well you have come to the right place, and in this guided walk through, we will show you how to:
We expect with this knowledge you will be able to scan your own Kafka clusters to discover & visualize new event streams or consumer groups you may not be aware off.
To make this walk through engaging and meaningful, we will make use of a real-world use, which we will jump into a bit, and ask you to transport yourself to be an employee of a new company. We also cover some foundational concepts so we all aligned on the same page.
So let's get started!
You are a member of the engineering team at the NYC Modern Taxi Co, a fictional taxi cab company based in New York City. Your team is playing from behind and racing to catch up with technology innovation introduced to the industry by Rideshare competitors such as Uber and Lyft. In order for the company to survive and eventually thrive your team has convinced the board that transforming the companies' IT systems is of utmost importance. Your team has done it's research and determined that moving to an Event-Driven Architecture is essential to future rapid innovation and has already kicked this initiative off by deploying a Solace Event Mesh and updating the taxi fleet to stream real-time events that include ride and location information. We know what the fleet is up to! Now it's time to start to continually improve and provide a world class customer experience.
In order to react in a real-time manner the team has decided that we want to process the updates as they stream in from the fleet of taxis instead of putting them directly into a datastore and then having to retrieve them to do processing later. To prototype this work, you'll see a high level design in the diagram below. Since we already have the taxi fleet streaming their updates into our PubSub+ Event Mesh we need to do three things:
Terms of Use: This dataset is publicly available for anyone to use under the following terms provided by the Dataset Source — [https://data.cityofnewyork.us/](https://data.cityofnewyork.us/) — and is provided "AS IS" without any warranty, express or implied, from Solace. Solace disclaims all liability for any damages, direct or indirect, resulting from the use of the dataset.
Before we dive deeper, let ensure we are all aligned with Kafka objects and concepts we will use in PubSub+ Event Portal.
Event Portal supports the concept of Kafka's consumer groups. A consumer group is used by Kafka to group consumers into a logical subscriber for a topic. In Event Portal, you can model consumer groups in Designer. This enables the Event Portal's runtime discovery to associate a discovered consumer group to an existing application.
Kafka consumers that belong to the same consumer group share a group ID. The consumers in a group divide the topic partitions, as fairly as possible, so that each consumer consumes only a single partition from the group.
A few examples of Consumers Groups from our NYC Taxi Analytics use case would be:
Topics are an important part of the Event Portal. Think of a topic as a concept of the publish-subscribe (pub/sub) architectural pattern. They are used to route data or events (in the form of messages) between distributed applications, often using a message broker or an event broker.
A Solace topic and an Apache Kafka topic might seem fundamentally the same but there are quite a few differences between them. Later in this CodeLab, when you run a discovery scan against a Kafka cluster the Topic Scheme for events discovered will be Kafka format.
Here are some examples from our use case:
In simple terms, a schema represents the contract to describe the payload of an event. Producers and consumers of an event can trust that the event's payload matches the schema definition assigned to that event. Schemas define a type of payload through JSON, AVRO, XML, Binary, or Text. JSON, AVRO, and XML schemas have content that describes each property of the schema.
In our use case all events are in AVRO Schema format.
An application domain represents a namespace where applications, events, and schemas can live. Within this namespace, you can create a suite of applications, events and schemas that are independent of other application domains. In our NYC Taxi use case we introduced earlier, we may group application into different domains, for ex. we may have a domain for our rideshare apps and services, one for our back-office apps where we invoicing and background checks are being processed, and maybe another domains for analytics where we group apps that are responsible for analyzing the successful operation of our rideshare services.
In the Event Portal you will associate all objects like Consumer Groups, Topics, Schema, etc, to one or more Application Domains.
You can further group multiple domains into a Workspace, which will make it easier to review our Discovery scan. So our Analytics, Operations, and Back-Office Application Domain in the NYC taxi example could be part of a single Workspace.
An application represents a piece of software that produces and consumes events. Applications connect to the event broker in an event-driven architecture and communicate with other applications via events. A single application represents a class of applications that are running the same code base; therefore, a Kafka consumer group can be associated with an Application object in the Event Portal.
A connector is used in Kafka for connecting Kafka brokers with external systems to stream data into or out of Apache Kafka. In the Event Portal, a Kafka Connector is an application class you select to configure associated published and/or subscribed events and a set of Kafka-native attributes like Connector Type, Class, Cluster ID, and Maximum Task.
With the foundational concepts out of the way, lets go through some prerequisites for running a Discovery scan.
In this walk through you have a choice to pick either of the following options:
You will find some prerequisites for both options below.
If you want run a live scan on a Kafka cluster, you will need to download and install the Offline Discovery Agent. As with everything in life, you have two options again:
The most easiest way install the agent is using Docker. Option 2 will require JDK/JRE 11; OpenJDK 11 is bundled with the agent installation package.
If you are on Mac OS or Linux and already have Docker for Desktop installed, then go ahead copy and paste the below command into a terminal window. The Discovery Agent may take a few minutes to initialize.
To launch the Discovery Agent go to: http://localhost:8120.
If you don't want to install the agent and run a live scan, you can still follow along in this CodeLab using the following pre-scanned JSON file.
Download:NYC Modern Taxi Co. Analytics Discovery File
Or run the curl/git clone command below to download the file:
curl -k -XGET https://gist.githubusercontent.com/dishantlangayan/dd050e4ea2e3a7d8b14fa4fdca03785a/raw/NYC_Modern_Taxi_Co_Analytics.json -o NYC_Modern_Taxi_Co_Analytics.json
Regardless of the option you chose above, you should also:
If you are scanning your own Kafka clusters, then the following event brokers versions are currently supported:
Once the Offline Discovery Agent is installed, you can configure and run a scan on our NYC Taxi Kafka cluster from your browser.
Go to http://localhost:8120
Here you'll see a list of Event Brokers the Discovery Agent supports. We are going to select Confluent as broker type, as that is the Kafka distribution our NYC Taxi service is using.
Under the Target Cluster Authentication, copy and paste the following:
Kafka Discovery CodeLab
No Auth
Select Add Connector and then copy and paste the Host and Port:
No Auth
Under Schema Registry Authentication, copy and paste the Host and Port:
No Auth
And finally for the Event Scan Details, select
Scan for all topics and click Start Scan.
The agent is now discovering the Topics that are being produced and consumed, inspecting the Scheme Registry, discovering consumer groups, and looking at various connectors that consuming or producing data with the cluster.
Once the scan completes download the scan file to your desktop. The scan file will be in JSON format.
Now on to the fun part where we will upload the scan to Event Portal and visualize the result.
This is where all the exciting stuff will happen with your Discovery scans. A few things you can do here:
So lets start by uploading the scan file first.
Open your PubSub+ Cloud Console account and navigate to the Event Portal Discovery. Here you can upload your scan file you download in the last step or use our pre-scanned file instead. For the purpose of walk through we will be using the pre-scanned file below.
One of the first things we want to do is to organize our work in a Workspace. Click on your scan file from the table and select Assign to Workspace.
Lets create a new Workspace called
NYC Modern Tax Co and select Run Synchronization Audit.
Once your workspace is created you'll see the Staging view. What you essentially have here is all the objects the Discovery Agent found in the Kafka cluster it scanned which includes
Now that you have uploaded your scan file and staged your events, let's go ahead and create an application domain to map topics, events and consumer groups
First we need to associate the Consumer Groups, Connectors, Topics, and Schema that were discovered from our NYC Taxi Analytics cluster to an Application Domain.
To do this click on the "+ Create" button and select *Create Application Domain.
Double click on the domain that was created to rename it. We will call this Domain:
NYC Modern Taxi Co - Analytics
Now lets assign our discovered Analytics Consumers Groups, Connectors, Topics, and Schema to the application domain we created.
Notice at the bottom of your discovery view, you can see a list of all Objects in the workspace
Assign the following objects to your newly created application domain:
This is done by
Filter and select Consumer Groups:
Repeat for Connectors, Topics and Schemas
With the objects associated to an Application Domain, click on the Domain name tab at the top navigation bar to see a graph view of what has been mapped.
The Event Portal will automatically attempt to reverse engineer to map those Consumer Groups, Connectors, and Topics to an Applications and Events.
You will notice that some consumer groups like the
taxinyc_analytics_frauddetection_group and topic like
taxinyc.analytics.fraud.alerted.v1 where not mapped to an application. These discrepancies are identified by the little orange circle icon on the object itself and need to resolved before we can commit our work to the Event Portal.
This is where your domain expertise will come in handy and considering you are part of the NYC Taxi Analytics team you know that the
taxinyc_analytics_frauddetection_group maps to the say the
Fraud Detection Application.
Click on the "+ Create" button at the top right corner of page and select Create Application. Call this application:
Fraud Detection Application. Then drag and drop the consumer group
taxinyc_analytics_frauddetection_group to the newly created application.
Similarly map the
taxinyc_analytics_passengersurgedetection_group to a new application called
Passenger Surge Detection, and the
taxinyc_analytics_driverincentivecalc_group to a new application called
Driver Incentive Calc.
Now we have one Topic,
taxinyc.analytics.fraud.alerted.v1 remaining that needs to be mapped. You being an expert in NYC Taxi Analytics team, you know this Topic is produced by the
Fraud Detection App. So we can drag the topic to that app now.
What about the
taxinyc.analytics.kpi.exceeded.v1 topic that is being consumed by the two Connectors (SolaceSinkConnectorOPS and the ElasticsearchSink-Connector)? After talking with our domain expert we identified that this is an event published by both the Passenger Surge Detection & Drive Incentive Calc application. So go ahead and make those association.
Alright, so now that we have associated and mapped all objects discovered during our scan it is time to commit this to the Event Portal so your architecture teams and developers can collaborate, design, and govern the NYC Taxi Analytics architecture.
To commit click on the Commit To Event Portal button.
And your done!! ...well almost. All the applications, events and linkages you made are now in sync with our Kafka cluster and have been cataloged, available for others in our teams to search and discover. For this we are next going to explore two other important features of the Event Portal, i.e. the Designer and Catalog.
Now that our Consumers Groups, Topics, and other objects have been committed to the Event Portal, they can be viewed and searched from the Designer and Catalog.
In short the Designer is a tool to design and view all aspects of your event-driven architectures. It is through the Designer that you can create new events and applications for our NYC Taxi service as the use case evolves. It provides a graphical representation of application domains, applications, schemas, and events. You can use Designer to visualize the interaction of events between applications and to provision your architecture into the Event Portal.
Whereas, the Catalog acts as a storefront for all the applications, events, and schemas you've created in the Event Portal. Objects discovered & committed from our scan earlier, or created in Designer are automatically available in Catalog. Using Catalog's searchable interface, you can access all the existing events, schemas, and applications.
We will first take Designer for a test drive, so go ahead on open the Designer in Event Portal:
You'll notice the
NYC Modern Taxi Co - Analytics domain we created in Discovery. Double click on that domain name or select the domain to see a quick summary and click on View Domain Details.
This is where you might want to spend some time to redraw you graph, maybe putting all custom apps one side and connectors on another, and have an understandable architecture diagram. Here is what ours looks like:
As we did this, we realized something that wasn't really right. From reorganizing the graph we noticed that there is an event
taxinyc.analytics.fraud.alerted.v1 that is produced by the
Fraud Detection Application but not really consumed by anyone. We look at this as a opportunity as that event has some value, and can be used for a new business use case, maybe to have a new insight or customer experience. Ideally you could create a new application in the Designer, associate this event to be consumed by it, generate an AsyncAPI spec from the Event Portal, run it through code generators or code it up, connect it to Kafka, and re-scan where the Discovery would say our design is in sync with Kafka runtime.
But we don't live in an ideal world and say we didn't follow the above process, developed a quick Kafka application that consumed that event, and maybe we forgot to update it in the Designer. So lets say that happened. What would our Discovery Scan show if we re-ran the Discovery Agent? Well lets find out.
We already have a pre-scanned file for you to use here, which you can download from here directly or use curl/git clone as shown below.
curl -k -XGET https://gist.githubusercontent.com/dishantlangayan/e597aeb4d4c48796320b923745796568/raw/NYC_Modern_Taxi_Co_Analytics-Audit.json -o NYC_Modern_Taxi_Co_Analytics-Audit.json
Once downloaded go back to Discovery and upload this new discovery file.
Like before we are going to assign the scan to a Workspace. Use the same Workspace you created last time and select Run Synchronization Audit. The Event Portal will now run an audit with your existing domain and check for any discrepancies. We noticed that there is a new Consumer Group
taxinyc_analytics_fraudapp_group that wasn't there before.
Assign this new group to the
NYC Modern Taxi Co - Analytics domain first. Then click on the domain from the tab menu. You may have to zoom out a little to see the Consumer Group that was discovered, which is now consuming the
taxinyc.analytics.fraud.alerted.v1 event.
We can right-click on this Consumer Group and Convert To Application, and finally Commit to Event Portal.
If you head back to the Designer, the new application is now part of the architecture diagram and our Kafka runtime is now synchronized with our design!
Hopefully your enjoyed the walk through of how to run discovery scans on a Kafka cluster, visualize them into an architecture diagram, and catalog all your Kafka event streams and applications for others in your organization to find and collaborate on.