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Reporting of perinatal health indicators for international comparisons—enhancing the appearance of geographical plots
Background: Tabulating annual national health indicators sorted by outcome may be misleading for two reasons. The implied rank order is largely a result of heterogeneous population sizes. Distinctions between geographically adjacent regions are not visible. Methods: Regional data are plotted in a geographical map shaded in terms of percentiles of the indicator value. Degree of departure is determined relative to control limits of a corresponding funnel plot. Five methods for displaying outcome and degree of departure from a reference level are proposed for four indicators selected from the 2004 European Perinatal Health Report. Results: Spread of indicator values was generally largest for small population sizes, with results for large populations lying mostly close to respective European medians. The high neonatal mortality rate for Poland (4.9 per 1000); high low-birthweight rates for England and Wales (7.8%), Germany (7.3%) and Estonia (4.5%); and high caesarean section rates for Italy (37.8%), Poland (26.3%), Portugal (33.1%) and Germany (27.3%) were statistically significant exceptions to this pattern. Estonia also showed an extreme result for maternal mortality (29.6 per 100 000). Conclusion: Extreme deviations from EU reference levels are either correlated with small population sizes or may be interpreted in terms of differing medical practices, as in the case of caesarean section rate. EURO-PERISTAT has now decided to use 5-year averages for maternal mortality to reduce the variance in outcome. Use of two colours in three intensities and solid fill versus crosshatching is best suited to display rate and significance of difference.
The chief objective of any collection of indicators of health for a number of countries will be to highlight and interpret differences found between countries, with the ultimate aim of suggesting possible causes associated with risk factors or health care. Current applications of international comparisons of health and health care are published on the websites of EUROSTAT1 and WHO2 and in the European Community Atlas of Avoidable Death.3 In addition, a wide range of commercially available databases and programs can be found on the Internet.
In the perinatal field, each country collects data used to derive indicators through civil registration, hospital discharge systems or specialist registers. The indicators include mothers' and children's health, clinical practices and maternal risk factors. Thus, in the European Union, all countries produce sufficient data to construct at least 10 core indicators, to describe their situation.4 Comparison of these indicators across countries is an essential tool for defining national policy priorities, or generating hypotheses on factors that might explain differences such as risk factors or health policies. To achieve this aim, it is essential to display data in a way that is simultaneously accurate as well as informative without being too cumbersome and voluminous to digest.
The recent claim that the validity of international comparisons is compromised by variations in the registration of births at the borderline of viability5 may hold for some publications, although not so for the European Perinatal Health Report,6 as care was taken to ensure comparability by appropriate censoring of indicators at the lower end of the gestational age distribution.7 After due consideration and suitable adjustment for methodological difficulties8 and availability and comparability issues,9 however, there remain questions of presentation of these data, e.g. how to order a table or what to display on a geographical map.
A tabular presentation is attractive because it can provide a large amount of numerical information such as rates for each country or population size and because of its naturally inherent ranking option. An alphabetical ordering such as adopted in the European Perinatal Health Report6 may be considered objective, as reporting sequence is solely a function of lexical ordering. However, this objectivity is at the expense of any form of structured data display that might help interpretation. On the other hand, the ranks of countries in terms of observed rates will be instable10,11 because absolute differences between observed rates are frequently small. An instable ranking may lead to misinterpretation of observed raw outcome rates.
Longitudinal variation is best displayed graphically. Although graphs of temporal trends can reveal valuable additional information, we cannot always expect data to be available for long time series. This is so especially for the more sophisticated perinatal indicators. These may not be available for all countries on a yearly basis.
Funnel plots of rates against population size, as pioneered by Macfarlane12 and later adopted for the National Health Service more generally by Spiegelhalter,11 are increasingly used in performance monitoring. A major advantage is the inclusion of a formal assessment of degree of departure from specified reference levels with simultaneous display of outcome–volume relationships. Funnel plots were recently proposed for monitoring and assessing improvements13,14 in surgical interventions in Germany.
The plotting of performance indicators for countries in a geographical context is possible because of the availability of graphical information software. This encourages and facilitates regional interpretation. Correlations between rates in adjacent states are immediately apparent3,15. Holland3 suggests a number of steps that might be taken in studying geographical variation. One is to see how these differences change over time; another is to map individual deaths and to investigate clustering.
In this article, we take these ideas one step further and suggest moving the information contained in funnel plots into choropleth maps to improve their legibility and enhance their interpretability. The proposed method is applied to perinatal health indicators from the European Perinatal Health Report.7
EURO-PERISTAT data
The EURO-PERISTAT6 data are available for 25 European Union (EU) member states plus Norway. Data to construct a number of indicators were compiled for the year 2004, in most cases at national population–based level. In the absence of population-based data, data were provided on a survey basis for the province of Valencia in Spain and for France. Population-based data for the Brussels and Flanders regions of Belgium, for the countries of Northern Ireland, Scotland and England and Wales jointly were available separately, thus yielding 25 European countries/regions for analysis. The data were mainly obtained from civil registration based on birth and death certificates or from other national sources, including specific perinatal databases.
Selection of indicators
To explore the effects of various forms of presentation, four indicators were chosen from the EURO-PERISTAT set of 'core' indicators for 2004. They were chosen because they differed with respect to their average rate and with the further requirement that comparable observations were available for the majority of countries. In ascending order of mean incidence, these are maternal mortality (ratio of number of pregnancy and childbirth-related maternal deaths to live births) with a ratio of ∼4–6 per 100 000 live births, crude neonatal mortality (deaths at 0–27 days after live birth) with a rate of ∼3–5 per 1000 live births, birthweight below 2500 g among all live and stillbirths with a rate of ∼6% and caesarean sections (all elective and emergency caesarean sections combined) with a rate of ∼15% per total number of births.
Owing to its low overall incidence, maternal mortality was compiled for the years 2003–2004 combined, except for Germany (2004), Italy (2002) and Luxembourg (2000–2004), to increase the stability of these estimates. For countries with extremely small population sizes such as Estonia and Malta, only 2-year averages were available. No data were available on maternal deaths from Cyprus, Ireland and Slovakia. No data were available for neonatal mortality for Ireland, which only provided data on early neonatal mortality (deaths at 0–6 days after birth), whereas Cyprus provided no data on the distribution of birthweight, and no data were available on mode of delivery for Greece.
Throughout, the data sets are defined by observations (ci, ri and ni) denoting country, number of cases in the numerator and denominator, respectively, with the subscript i running through all 25 countries/regions. The raw rates are computed as yi = ri∕ni with 0 < yi < 1.
In addition to a tabular summary, standard choropleth maps and funnel plots were constructed for these four selected indicators of perinatal health. An enhanced choropleth map was constructed for caesarean section rates. This indicator was chosen because of its status as a core indicator, its availability in all but one country and its good quality of documentation.
Tabular summary
A table of denominators ni, observed rates yi and p-values indicating significance of departure from respective EU medians y0 was constructed in alphabetical order of country. The median was selected to prevent large countries from dominating the comparisons. The p-values are computed as pi = Φ−1(zi) from the inverse normal distribution function where
Standard choropleth maps
We plot the observed rates using colour coding derived from six percentiles of the distributional characteristics of the outcome measures and with upper limits at 10, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 100. We chose shades of the neutral colour blue, with dark shades corresponding to high rates, in keeping with the examples in the European Perinatal Health Report.6
The maps were constructed with the SAS GMAP16 procedure. The perimeters of country boundaries were extracted from the SAS/MAPS16 database and linked to observed rates through the country identifiers ci. Version 9.1 of SAS16 provides data at national level. Subsets of the database corresponding to the country of Scotland and the Flanders and Brussels region of Belgium were generated by straight-line dissection of existing national coordinate files. Countries for which no data were available are left blank.
Funnel plots
Funnel plots were constructed using R17 by plotting the observed outcome against population size as a proxy measure of precision. Control limits were drawn vertically around the median rate for all countries. To assess degree of departure from the median rate y0, statistical control limits were computed from the standard normal approximation to the binomial distribution as for α levels of 5.0 and 0.1% and 0 < y0 < 1.
Enhanced choropleth maps
Two basic options for indicating significance of difference from a reference level were considered, either by superimposing suitable symbols or by application of different shading patterns. The five variants of these two approaches are listed in table 1 and figure 1. Whereas colouring schemes A, B and C use a neutral colouring of percentile bands, schemes D and distinguish deviations above and below the reference by different colours. Schemes A and B use superimposed symbols, schemes C and E differentiate by pattern and scheme D uses bold perimeters to indicate significant differences. A significance level of 0.001 was used throughout.
Table 2 shows denominators, rates and significance of departure from respective EU medians for the four selected indicators at regional or country level. The denominators vary considerably according to the demographic characteristics. The population of England and Wales is ∼160 times that of Malta and ∼50 times that of Estonia and Luxembourg. The median rates are 7.3 per 100 000 for maternal deaths, 6.7% for the proportion of births below 2500 g, 2.7 per 1000 live born for neonatal deaths and 20.5% for caesarean sections.
Figure 2 shows a corresponding panel of standard choropleth maps, with intensity of blue corresponding to percentile band for all four indicators. Countries for which no data were available are left blank. The percentile grading is reflected in the broader ranges at the extremes of the distributions. Some of the subranges are not contiguous owing to their automatic generation by SAS/GRAPH software16 based on the actual distribution of observed rates.
Figure 3 shows the corresponding panel of funnel plots. In the case of maternal mortality, most countries fall within the control limits. Estonia stands out with eight maternal deaths in 27 028 live births between 2003 and 2004 (29.6 per 100 000 live births vs. 0.0–12.2 for the remaining countries/regions). For neonatal mortality rates, the majority of smaller countries (with <150 000 births) lie within the limits. Although there are several other countries with high neonatal mortality rates, all new member states of the European Union as well as Poland stand out due to its large population. The distribution of low birthweight shows countries largely falling either below, within or above the control limits, irrespective of population size. In the case of caesarean sections, only one, Denmark (DK) alone, lies close to the European median rate. All other countries deviate considerably from the median, again seemingly irrespective of population size. Italy stands out due to its high caesarean section rate and its large population size.
Figure 4 shows an enhanced choropleth plot for caesarean sections using scheme E from figure 1. The width of the upper percentile band is ∼5 times that of the lower band as a result of the skewed distribution, with Italy and Portugal showing comparatively high caesarean section rates. All countries except Denmark, Latvia and France show significant differences from the EU median rate of 20.5% (table 2). Twenty-two countries deviate significantly from the EU median, 11 above and 11 below.
Standard choropleth maps
The chief advantage of choropleth maps lies in making regional patterns transparent. At a glance, one can discern the strong contrast in neonatal mortality rates between the Eastern European states and Nordic states or the high caesarean section rates in Italy, Germany and Portugal (figure 2). Displays such as these were used for reporting perinatal indicators,7 and joint inspection may help to generate hypotheses about possible common causes for rates in selected regions.
Panel plots are also well suited for comparisons across different performance indicators, which are highly correlated. For instance, one may see that the Nordic states have lower rates for caesarean sections, for low birthweight and, with the exception of Finland, for maternal mortality. A further advantage lies in the information contained in geographical size of the region. This, albeit rough, proxy measure of population size can be of help in interpreting the results.
Six categories were chosen for grading the outcome rates in terms of distribution percentiles for all performance indicators to differentiate countries with respect to the median. Although this indicates distinct categories of absolute rates, it allows no conclusion about the significance of departure of this rate from a reference value. This can be misleading, especially for small countries. It must be borne in mind that although identically coloured regions imply identical percentiles across different choropleth maps, this will not in itself indicate how far an individual rate differs from the mean or median.
Funnel plots
This shortcoming is remedied with funnel plots. They reveal a considerable heterogeneity in spread not only between countries but also between selected indicators of perinatal health (figure 3). This strongly suggests non-random causes for the differences in perinatal health, which is particularly marked for low birthweight and caesarean sections. Presenting indicators of perinatal health in a panel facilitates the generation of hypotheses about differences in the provision and effectiveness of health care. This form of presentation also makes the fact that population size differs between units more visible. EURO-PERISTAT has now decided to collect maternal mortality for a 5-year period because of the difficulties associated with low sample sizes. This is expected to result in a lower maternal death ratio for Estonia and conversely a higher ratio for Malta, where data were available only for 2 successive years. When data are presented as rates, it is easy to forget how few maternal deaths there are.
Choice of pattern
Although initially favoured due to their widespread use, quintile grading was not considered, as this would lead to ambiguous colouring and shading in the case of countries within the central quintile deviating significantly in opposite directions. Symmetrically arranged percentiles were selected, with a focus on extreme lower and upper 10%. The use of superimposed symbols may lead to distortions and graphical difficulties for small countries such as Luxembourg. In scheme A, there is an inherent bias towards higher rates because of the larger appearance of the 'plus' sign, which is not present in scheme B. Although initially appealing, the discrimination of significance in terms of thickness of country perimeters has the serious disadvantage that bold black borders are less distinct for regions with darker shadings. To avoid this bias and also because of obvious problems for small regions, scheme D was dropped. In the trade-off between colour bias (scheme E) and difficulty in readily identifying countries above from those below the median (scheme C), the final choice fell on scheme E.
Interpreting an enhanced choropleth map
Figure 4 illustrates the advantage of enhancing a standard choropleth map with colouring scheme E applied to caesarean section rates. The distribution of caesarean section rates is noteworthy, as one observes that most countries have either significantly high or significantly low rates, with only Denmark, Latvia and France in between, reflecting a bimodal distribution. It is attractive to use these data to entertain a hypothesis about patterns of mode of delivery across Europe. Local choices made by pregnant women and clinical custom varying across countries as well as interactions between these factors may well account for the observed pattern.
Supplementary data
Supplementary data are available at EURPUB online.
The EURO-PERISTAT project is funded by the Public Health Programme of the European Commission, Directorate General of Public Health (Agreement 2010 13 01). The Directorate General of Public Health had no role in the collection of the data, the writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit for publication. Data collection for Estonia was supported by grant numbers EE ESF SF0130018s11 and EE ESF 8325.
Conflicts of interest: None declared.
Key points
Tabular summaries of rates, population sizes and z-scores provide a maximum of statistical information, while being unwieldy and not easy to read.
Funnel plots also contain most of this information and enable rapid identification of outliers; however, they do not provide information on regional patterns.
Choropleth plots with enhanced patterns where colour reflects polarity of a country from a reference level, intensity of colouring to indicate size of deviation and solid fill versus crosshatching to indicate significance of difference can add valuable additional information and facilitate the interpretation of regional data.
As customary geographical maps of indicators of perinatal health tend to exaggerate differences between regions, the indication of significance of such differences is expected to improve monitoring and assessment of public health policy and practice.
The EURO-PERISTAT Scientific Committee: Gerald Haidinger (Austria), Sophie Alexander (Belgium), Pavlos Pavlou (Cyprus), Petr Velebil (Czech Republic), Jens Langhoff Roos (Denmark), Luule Sakkeus (Estonia), Mika Gissler (Finland), Béatrice Blondel (France), Nicholas Lack (Germany), Aris Antsaklis (Greece), István Berbik (Hungary), Sheelagh Bonham (Ireland), Marina Cuttini (Italy), Janis Misins (Latvia), Jone Jaselioniene (Lithuania), Yolande Wagener (Luxembourg), Miriam Gatt (Malta), Jan Nijhuis (The Netherlands), Kari Klungsoyr (Norway), Katarzyna Szamotulska (Poland), Henrique Barros (Portugal), Mária Chmelová (Slovak Republic), Živa Novak-Antolic (Slovenia), Francisco Bolúmar (Spain), Karin Gottvall (Sweden) and Alison Macfarlane (United Kingdom). Further acknowledgements to contributors to the 2008 European Perinatal Health Report can be found in the accompanying supplementary file.
- © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.


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hi i am a freshman i college and i got an expressive word project. I need to select 4 of these words and use type in an expressive way to emphasize them. I just have no ideas at all. anyhing will help. here are the words:
• moving • noise • dark • stolen
• stumble • whisper • bend • light • drop
• grow • lost • empty • scramble • reach
Do your own homework.
If you need help, you should have asked or met with the professor. How much are you paying for college? The audacity of recently graduated high school children.
G-d I'd immediately fail or drop a letter grade if one of my student were to come here and ask for solutions.
So which set excites you? Makes you think? Claws at your soul?
I can think of many permutations and combinations with all of these, but you need to choose which set of words gets your heart beating.
no ideas. hahaha! awesome. see you in the industry ... probably as a CEO.
Paul Ducco
Graphic Design, Melbourne
Little Mischief
Set them all in Helvetica, 156.5pt at 75% gray at 4.75 degree clockwise rotation - then come up with an outlandish explanation as to why Helv is appropriate for each word - you could use your fave search engine to look for reasons why Helv is appropriate. You'll get an 'A' for sure!
hi i am a freshman i college and i got an expressive word project. I need to select 4 of these words and use type in an expressive way to emphasize them. I just have no ideas at all. anyhing will help. here are the words:
• moving • noise • dark • stolen
• stumble • whisper • bend • light • drop
• grow • lost • empty • scramble • reach
First at least try do something yourself. On the basic of that people here can give you the feedback..wheather they are working or not.
I think you can easiely solve these words...they are very simple words.
Am a student too and we had a same kind of exercise last year. I'll show you my solutions..but first solve it yourself;)
all the best.
sii: Oh, come on. It should at least be in Arial, not Helvetica.
Sheesh, my six year old kid puts more serious thought into the fonts to use for the little sign we're making reminding him of the reward he'll get for brushing his teeth. Of course, his main criterion right now is to use fonts that I've designed. The kids really love the idea that they have a proprietary font for just their use, until I get around to finishing it, which at the rate I'm going will be a while. (It's the Christian Gothic I posted a year and a half ago).
group ROFL anyone?
Paul Ducco
Graphic Design, Melbourne
Little Mischief
> moving • noise • dark • stolen
• stumble • whisper • bend • light • drop
• grow • lost • empty • scramble • reach
You have a whole erotic novel there.
Ivan, maybe we should restart this thread. What were the instructions given to you by your teacher? Did you ask for more instruction after the teacher gave you the assignment?
Maybe I'm giving too much credit to the student and too little to the teacher, but it seems to me if a student feels a need to come to Typophile to ask a question like this there isn't enough communication (and instruction) from the teacher.
This is a classic typography 101 assignment. I had it when I was a student. I did the word ECLIPSE and the typeface Trajan (gasp!). I took the C and reshaped it into a sliver of a moon. I still look at it as a breakthrough in my education as before that the teacher had made me cry and embarassed me in front of the entire class with my previous attempts. Instead of quitting something inside of me accepted the challenge and I went back to my sketchbook (ok I probably used the computer) and started playing with words, typefaces and shapes.
The assignment is to visually interpret a word. A typeface can help with the interpretation, but the letters also have to do some of the work. So, you should define each word as you know it and then turn that into something visual. Start sketching and see what happens. I'll bet you'd be surprised.
This gets me about so many of the requests in the Design forum: here's my project, what font should I use? And I wonder (not in this case of course) how much the designer is being paid... that they can't at least start to come up with something on their own and then perhaps bring it here for feedback. I've been ignoring these requests unless they pay US for our time.
>The kids really love the idea that they have a proprietary font for just their use
This is true, my five year-old loves to type on my laptop using the Zune UI font.
here's my project, what font should I use?
I too love those threads, particularly since I get paid to do that for a living. If I had known I could get people to do my work for me I would've gotten an MBA. :)
I love those threads as much as you guys. But I think, in this instance, in many maybe, instead of shutting it down, why can't we turn into something educational?
Agreed, Tiff, but it would be more productive for all concerned if we had a scamp, no matter how rough, to feedback on rather than a shortened version of a brief. That said I think your advice about sketching out ideas is probably the best that can be given at this stage (closely followed by an erotic novel:), oh and don't do whisper as a 5% tint or a gradation, people will point and snigger.
I too agree, Tiff. I just think with all things, you have to give a little to get something back. An attempt first, critique later.
>Agreed, Tiff, but it would be more productive for all concerned if we had a scamp, no matter how rough, to feedback on rather than a shortened version of a brief.
But could think of this as being sub-contracted to work on a project and only getting part of the brief - that happens in the real world, no?
thank you for your help for those who actually decided to help out.
Isn't it funny that my thread became a discussion about something else?
"gimme answers i need it right away thanks"
There's a whole set of "challenges" here and they have nothing to do with type or expression.
Isn't it funny that my thread became a discussion about something else?
dear ivan, you have to wait for the proper replies/answers, U're a member of typophile for hardly 16 hrs..and u dont know much abt the members, they all are very busy people, and have lots of work. u're lucky that you got these much answers, and its totally depends on what you're asking...and second thing you didnt showed anything yet..,Im still waiting:)
plz dont mind.
>Isn't it funny that my thread became a discussion about something else?
No, not funny at all. That's typophile - someone asks a rather dull, uninteresting or silly question and the community either ignores it or goes off on an interesting tangent. I assume most forums (not just on-line) are like that if there's not a written agenda or moderator to keep people on-topic.
I tried to take his original request and answer it with more questions instead of answers. Education is a two-way street. The teachers need to be as willing to communicate as the student.
I'm glad you guys don't think I'm being impossible. I was worried about that.
Terry, I agree. You can't get something for nothing. That is why I turned it around and asked for more.
The reason we are a community is because we do talk. Talking has tangents. You can't help that. But I do hope that you, Ivan, will take the initiative so we can help you.
Go to myfonts.com and look at type, use keyword searches. See what YOU think starts to "say" the words. There is no learning without struggle. Instead of begging for one fish, learn to fish.
Tiff: you are very kind, just this side shy of too kind. Typophile would be a much less friendly place if it weren't for the work you and the other moderators do holding it together.
Thanks, Raph.
A really fun little book which exemplifies this assignment, for me anyway, is Watching Words Move -- shown here too.
the first thing you should do is pick four of the words. if you can't decide, pick four out of a hat. however, be aware that should you decide to continue in design, your academic and professional life will contain millions of artistic, aesthetic, programmatic, and strategic decisions.
second, write the four words out. then define them so that you have a clear idea of the concept each word represents.
third, define "expressive." either from the dictionary, or for yourself, or better yet, in both ways.
fourth, and this is the kicker, you absolutely must generate your own creative ideas. draw the words. draw them with different pens and pencils. paint them. type them on a computer. print them out small, print them out so each letter fits on an 11x17 (or A3) page. buy some blocks with letter on them and rearrange them. take pictures of type all around you for a whole day, print them, cut out the letters and make collages. these are just a few suggestions - the point is that you should open yourself up creatively. don't be afraid.
fifth, draw pictures of the words. by that i mean, images that express the ideas. find stock photography (gettyimages.com or istockphoto.com) that express the ideas. take your own pictures.
steps 4 and 5 will have to come together.
DO, then think. then DO again. repeat as often as you can stand it, because it will probably help you improve.
while you are THINKING, always keep in mind the concept of the word. look at the creative things you have done. try to imagine how steps 4 and 5 come together.
finally, i've suggested some steps. this is only to get your started - you can find your own process as well.
oh, and post some of the stuff here that you've done and you will get at least some constructive feedback.
good luck. have fun.
here are the few solutions from a similar kind of assignment i was given during my first typography course last year. Everything was hand done(cutting/pasting/xeroxing)...I know lots of them aren't working at all..but thats was a part of learning:)
Ivan, these are not very great solutions but yeah you can get an idea.
cutting/pasting was really a fun.....
at least he didn't set the title in all caps.... oh wait.
so how is the project going anyway?
"I just have no ideas at all."
Are you being lazy, or seriously have no ideas at all? If just being lazy, fine. But if you seroiusly have no ideas at all, it might be time to rethink your major.
OH come on! Cut him some slack! He knows how to key in a bullet!
Hey go to Borders, look at Stop Steeling Sheep and find out how type works. It has a little shpeel on matching type to like sneekers and things.
"if a student feels a need to come to Typophile to ask a question like this there isn't enough communication (and instruction) from the teacher."
Why not? In the UK we were encouraged to make the most of all resources, so even if we were assigned a tutor for a specific project we were encouraged to go see other tutors, read, talk to the professionals, look for inspiration and advice everywhere so I don't see why not Typophile, after all he asked for ANY kind of help, not for solutions. Maybe he just wanted to see how YOU would approach this task (in general).
I find it silly to insinuate that because he's paying for college, college should provide all the anwers. Is that the relationship we want students to have with their universities? One of a client that pays for a service?
"why can't we turn into something educational?"
Again: I don't think he was asking for you guys to do the job on his behalf. Ivan is just interacting with professionals, trying to find out, outside the classroom, what are the different ways to approach this exercise. So if someone asks you for advice you want to be paid, but if it's "educational support" you are willing to do it free of charge? Typophile is an educational tool as well so why all this arrogance? Generosity is what makes Typophile such a great place. I asked for help many times, it was never intended as "can you do it for me?". It was always more of an attempt to interact with people and see how their mind work. Plus Ivan's clearly a student, so what's the fuss about a student asking for help. What's so outrageous about it? Begging for a fish? Learn how to fish? Stop being lazy? Sorry but THAT was patronizing. Listen to yourselves... People seem to be too busy to give you a hand but are never too busy to give a little moral lesson, free of charge.....so what he has no ideas, it doesn't mean he's stupid. It happens to all students to panic a bit in front of a new task, big deal! Do your homework! What do you think he's doing?? This is actually part of his homework!
Ivan's not being lazy, he's doing what he's supposed to do: he's looking for advice outside college. Good for you, mate. Ivan, you have all my support. In fact, I'll have a look into it and let you know as soon as I can if I come up with something original, free of charge of course.
Welcome to Typophile, who recommended you to come here, by the way? Your tutor? Good for him.
I tell you how I would start...(it's just my personal way of dealing with this sort of thing): look up in a dictionary and try to find out all possible meanings of the same word. Moving for example could relate to motion but it could also refer to the act of producing emotions so you have more than one option and you can pick the one that inspires you most or the one that you think may surprise your tutor (maybe your fellow students will all use the word in relation to motion, so if you use the word as in "producing emotion" it'll be less obvious and slightly more original). I know it's just an idea but I hope it'll give you something to think about before you proceed with the actual graphic representation.
As Tim said in realtion to the word whisper: stay away from the obvious, try to evoke an atmosphere rather than seek for a literal representation ( I think that was what Tim meant).
I had a quick look in my dictionary but I'm sure you can do a better job. Good luck. Oh and please make your cheque payable to...: )
1) in motion
2) producing strong emotion as in "a moving book"
3) relating to the process of changing one's residence
1) trip por momentarily lose one's balance; almost fall
2) trip repeatedly as one walks
3) make mistake or repated mistakes in speaking as in "he stumbled over the words"
4) find or encounter by chance
1) speak very softly using one's breath without one's vocal cords, especially for the sake of privacy
2) poetic or literary: of leaves, wind or water , rustle or murmur softly
3) be whispered: be rumoured as in " it was whispered that he would soon die"
I think you completely mis-read what I wrote. Or at least partially. I never (meant to have) said that students shouldn't be encouraged to use as many resources as possible. I agree with you and what you have said about "making the most of all resources." He said he had no ideas and so I tried to respond in a way which would help, but without taking away from what he might learn should he explore
I think I did give him suggestion as to how I would approach the project.
The reason I posted was to try to turn the conversation toward the right direction and help instead of insult.
Please re-read what I wrote. I only wished to help him and get the others to try to help as well.
First of all, kudos to the kid for looking for professional resources. But, in the same breath, I do believe he can give it a whirl on his own first. I think it's imperative for design students to explore their own thoughts and ideas - that is the point of a college education. Ideation developement is essential in the creative process. My advice as a design professional and educator is to research and seek ideas, yes, but think independently as well. If you learn that now, you'll be more successful in your senior-level classes and beyond.
I disagree lore. I HAVE NO IDEAS. Who considers themselves creative ( with an actual interest in their major) and couldn't have ANY ideas while looking at those words? True, sometimes people get jumped on tp for nothing. This isn't one of those times.
Either you missunderstood my post or we have completely different concepts of what "help" is. In my years of teaching and parenting, I have always struggled to find the best way to "teach" that individual at that moment in a way that befits that instance. I believe that what Ivan needed just then was a bit of a wake-up call that he must do "something" first even if it is wrong before he gives up saying he has no idea. I also gave him a way to get started. I firmly believe that the struggle in learning is imperitive and the best teacher of selfreliance. The young man is a college student now, not a child. He needs to push himself to action. He could then bring the results of his actions here for help. You learn far more from trying and being wrong than you do by doing nothing and hoping for divine intervention.
As far as I am concerned, the most helpful post on this thread was by Satya, a young student himself. Satya said, "First at least try do something yourself. On the basic of that people here can give you the feedback..wheather they are working or not."
He later said, "I am still waiting" after getting no reply and offered to show his own work--still no reply. Satya may be young and inexperienced but was exactly right in his assesment.
I stand by every word I said above without apology. I truly want Ivan to learn to fish. To do that, he must first go out and stick his line in the water. That works far better than waiting for a cooked fish to jump into your plate at home.
I think you are projecting what Ivan thought and intended. His message isn't articulate enough for all of that. Ivan himself hasn't responded so defensively.
I still think that, considering he's new on typophile, you guys could have been a little bit more supportive and less condescendent. And yes, I re read the thread and I feel exactly the same. We don't know if he's a "young man". I took a degree in graphic design when I was well over 30. I had another degree before that and I had travelled all over the world. Still, in front of my first brief I felt very insecure and I remember it was very important for me to look at other people's work. Nothing wrong with that. I think it's clear that Ivan was having difficulties getting started, maybe he's a hell of a designer but it's still insecure about his ideas and concepts. Maybe he came across Typophile and thought that this is what was all about: exchange of ideas and who knows maybe he would have helped YOU next time but he'll probably think twice about coming back now. If that was the first reception, can you immagine how comfortable he feels about showing you guys his sketches? Can you blame him? And why all this sending him back to his tutor then? Why do you assume he doesn't communicate with his tutors? Maybe he feels he needs the input from outside, that his tutor is not God and may not always be right. Plus at Typophile you have people from different backgrounds and culture, what beats that? Carl, I agree I don't have enough information to determine that he had nothing but good intentions but we don't have enough information to decide he's a slacker either.
Serious guys: if you don't feel like giving a hand: fine. If you feel like you should be paid for that: fine, contact him by email or something and make an arrangement. It would not be the first time this happens at Typophile!
But please think about before you call him lazy or before you suggest he should consider studying something else instead.
sorry but am not at all agree with what you're saying. Dunno why, but you've just turned everything other way. Am a student too, and I never had any problem with any of the members here. I think everyone here is very very co-operative and helpful, specially for the students. And this is why its a great place.
I, too, have just reread this thread, and I stand by my post despite the penetrating Freudian psychoanalysis of the student's mind. You can detect an insincere undertone in his request for help: the help-me-do-the-problem-for-me kind of request.
Satya: what I don't understand is this urge to be so judgemental and patronising. People do ask for help. If you think they don't deserve it, move on to the next thread.
What you said about people being busy doesn't make much sense because it's their choice to read the thread and reply. Nobody's forcing anyone to be here!
If it's a question of payment, then let those who think they should be paid, work out a contract or a price table.
I don't see the need to determine if the student is kosher or not, or if his/her request is legit or not. Simply, I didn't "detect any undertone" (not even using my penetrating Freudian psychological analysis skills) and I happened to have the time to give a little encouragement. I didn't see any diabolical-immoral-unethical-shameless-conspiracy-against-the-poor-typophile-member in Ivan's few lines. So maybe it's not me who's turning things the other way (whatever that means).
It doesn't make any difference to me if Ivan presents or not a sketch, to be honest, but that's me. I don't feel the need to put rules in everything. I simply don't feel offended and don't feel the need to "scold" the "vile slacker".
Why put the guy on trial, you help if you feel like. If you don't, just ignore the message and let those who don't feel offended do what they think. He asked for ideas, which could also be suggesting a book (like someone did) or just share a similar experience. I don't think it should be a rule that the guy/girl should first show a sketch. You may ask for it but you don't have the right to "expect" this and feel betrayed and cheated because the person doesn't comply with your request. He never promised anything.
He said in his 2nd post that he was grateful to those who had decided to help him, what else do you need: the naughty naughty boy on his knees?
Satya, I think some typophile members are simply awesome, and I have a great experience of typophile myself, which is why I'm surprised to suddenly see all this resentment and all this detecting-insincere-undertones between the lines. Oh well...
I think I am going to put the word VERBOSE in the list of words I will be assigning to my students.
Hear hear, James!
I also agree with whoever said that if somebody has no ideas they don't belong in graphic design. I mean even if your first stab is trite how can you not see anything at all for 'grow', 'dark', 'drop' or 'scramble'? Being a designer is about being to visualize and conceptualize and I think we would NOT be doing Ivan any favor by handing him easy answers.
"I think we would NOT be doing Ivan any favor by handing him easy answers."
very true,
and sometime not helping is itself a big help:)
Well, what can I say? Maybe not everyone is as perfect as you are, James.
Education (assuming Ivan was actually looking for education...) is something you offer, not something you impose.
Exactly: don't help, isn't it what I was saying all this time? If you don't want to help Satya, don't help!
So Ivan doesn't belong here or even in the industry. What are you going to do about that? Make a petition and send a letter to West Lafayette's college of graphic design and have him removed? I don't get it, Patricia, you are being incredibly harsh. I thought your issue was money, now it's about education principles? Who talked about easy answers, did you read my post? I said it's possible he was only looking for general advice.
Months ago some guy from a typographic magazine asked us to help him find a name for his e-newsletter or something (Satya you were not around yet). Anyone here remembers? He promised a prize ( I can't remember what it was...). A huge amount of people contributed, some names were actually really good. What happened to the guy and the reward? Anyone knows? Anyone said anything?
That was actually something to make a fuss about because:
a) he was in the creative industry, why couldn't he find a name for his magazine ?
b) he had the means to financially reward contributors
c) he actually promised he was going to reward the winner
d) he disappeared without saying a word. Nope, not even a thank you.
Has anyone demonstrated outrage? I think not. That, in my opinion, was not a very honest attittute and it went completely unnoticed.
Now all this fuss because a first year student is not creative enough and needs a push, like this is something new...
>As Tim said in realtion to the word whisper: stay away from the obvious, try to evoke an atmosphere rather than seek for a literal representation ( I think that was what Tim meant)
Yes (although at least one student will do that).
Many people get into graphics to specialise in different disciplines other than type, students often don't appreciate the inter-connection of disciplines, but I don't want to defend Ivan, if he feels the need he can do that. I expect now most of us would love a project with a brief as free as this, but in the dim and distant (in my case) it was daunting and I was aware of type (or rather lettering), a situation that Tiffany acknowledged, although the purpose, I believe, of the exercise is multi-fold, one of which is the use of resources, the darkroom & studio, type department, library, print and model-making departments (the astute will guess it was before easy access to digital). For that reason I don't condemn Ivan, although I wish he had shown some inclinations, on the other hand many students have asked questions here and demanded to be treated as children and received some barbed advice, that will, hopefully, reveal to them the difference between school and college education.
That'll be ten quid, I'll send an invoice.
Did I say I was perfect?
A straw man for a no brainer.

subset: commoncrawl


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5 classic horror.mattymark | 18/11/2009 | See all mattymark's reviews (531)A great stephen king book brought to life .. sissy spacek is brilliant.Best part is towards the end, may seem a little cheesy today but its still a great movie.
5 My Favourite Filmskinnyfish | 12/09/2008 | See all skinnyfish's reviews (13)I don't get scared of films so this didn't really scare me but i think the thing that makes this movie so good is the storyline and the acting. It's soo sad and has so many wonderfully made scenes. It's not like anything i've ever seen before and it's one of the only films i can't get sick of. Just buy it now!
5 A GENRE DEFINING HORROR CLASSIC!Quiggan | 21/05/2012 | See all Quiggan's reviews (166)Top 100 Reviewer Top 100 DVD Reviewer Top 100 Music Reviewer Young Carrie White (SISSY SPACEK) is a High School misfit who, with no confidence and no friends, lives a lonely existence under the strict guidance of her overbearing and deeply religious mother, Margaret (PIPER LAURIE).Naive in the ways of the world, Carrie has her first period in the school showers after games, sees the blood and panics, believing she is dying. This merely fuels the vicious cruelty of her bullying classmates including Chris Hargenson (NANCY ALLEN) and Norma (P J SOLES) until the timely intervention of the sports teacher Miss Collins (BETTY BUCKLEY), who allows Carrie to go home early.One of the classmates, Sue Snell (AMY IRVING) takes pity and decides that Carrie should interact more with the group and convinces her handsome boyfriend Tommy Ross (WILLIAM KATT) to invite her to the upcoming Senior Prom Night. Carrie is at first reluctant but Tommy persists and, after Miss Collins assures her that it is not a cruel trick, Carrie finally agrees to go with him.Meanwhile, after a heated exchange with Miss Collins on the sports field, Chris is banned from attending the Prom and decides that Carrie is to blame. With her boyfriend Billy Nolan (JOHN TRAVOLTA) in tow, Chris hatches a devious plan that will humiliate Carrie in front of the whole year, a plan that involves a rigged dancing contest on Prom Night and a bucket of pig blood.Yet Carrie harbours a dark secret, a power that she is now able to control and is seemingly growing stronger day by day. Her special ability is telekinesis, allowing her to move object with force of mind alone. Nobody else knows of this power yet, but they soon will.For on Prom Night, Carrie White is to face a final public humiliation. On Prom Night, Carrie White will become an unrestrained powerhouse seeking vengeance on her classmates and anyone else who stands in her way, an Angel of death the likes of which her small hometown community has never witnessed before!Famously holding his casting auditions with GEORGE LUCAS, who was seeking talent for a film named STAR WARS, Director BRIAN DEPALMA has created a fantastic horror thriller filled with good performances. Many of the young cast became Hollywood stalwarts in their own right but before CARRIE they were virtually unknown. Indeed, both LAURIE and SPACEK were Oscar nominated for their roles as mother and daughter.Based on the popular debut STEPHEN KING novel of the same name, CARRIE is regarded as a cinematic classic of the genre, with its blood soaked finale interwoven with moments of delicious black comedy. It set the benchmark for future horror films and even today remains a riveting thriller of the tallest order and one of the very best of the KING adaptations.Special Features on the DVD include the documentaries Visualising Carrie and Acting Carrie (at 41 minutes and 42 minutes respectively), with interesting interviews with the cast and crew, and the Singing Carrie feature running to 6 minutes. Also included are an animated Photo Gallery of dozens of (mainly black and white) production photographs, the Original Theatrical Trailer and a couple of text screens giving details of STEPHEN KING and the evolution of CARRIE.All in all, an excellent package which will delight fans. The recently announced remake will have much to live up to!
5 no beating the 70's horrorsSMART1AN | 27/11/2011 | See all SMART1AN's reviews (16)a truly brilliant adaptation of a stephen king novel. sissy spacek is excellent in this film, and you have to feel sorry for the character she plays. first time watching this, the bit at the end made me jump!!
5 Classic Horror!jwadtrader | 02/11/2011 | See all jwadtrader's reviews (4)My favourite horror movie of all time. Brilliant performances from Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie. Chilling, dramatic, tragic and an amazing piece of film history. A must in your collection.


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La Queveda: La Queveda
This is a small café we stopped for a beer after visiting some of the museums of Tarragona. It is located on placa del Forum so you have a nice ancient stone gate for background while you enjoy your beer :)
It was very relaxing there in miday, just some people around, a nice contrast with the busy Barcelona we left behind that morning. We paid 3 euros for a beer (estrella as usual) and café con leche. -
Restaurant Barquet: Elegant local Catalan foods
Barquet is an elegant restaurant, serving well prepared Catalan dishes. Being one of the main cities in Catalunia, Tarragona has its share of Catalan cuisine. Barquet is a favorite among many of the locals that I know.
Its menu is only available in Catalan, but the servers will be happy to explain things in Spanish. Unfortunately for those who do not speak any Spanish, the servers that I've met do not speak any English.
The rations are on the small side, but the flavors are fairly rich in Catalan styles. The setting is above casual with white linens and soft music. The problem here is that it is a little on the expensive side (~30+ EUR per person).
They are closed Sundays and Mondays. Open hours are 1pm ~ 3:30pm for lunch and 9pm ~ 10:30pm for dinner. First phone listed is the restaurant, the second is the mobile to be used to make reservations outside of restaurant hours.
Favorite Dish: They serve some good stakes here, but primarily it is a seafood restaurant being a product of local Catalan cuisine and being on the coasts.
If you like tuna and paella, may I suggest the Romesco d'Arros. It is a serving for two, but it is quite savory and the tuna has a good infused flavor and texture even for those who do not typically enjoy fish.
Update : the restaurant even recently made the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/20/dining/the-allure-of-romesco-sauce-spreads-beyond-spain.html- Food and Dining
- Wine Tasting
Degvsta: Excellent Catalan and excentric foods
This rather quiet restaurant is tucked in the quieter streets of the old town. Its serves excellently prepared local Catalan foods, with a modern touch. The restaurant is within reach of the main Placa de la Font, but far enough away that you don't hear all the commotion nor feel the crowds. The old stone walls are complimented by white linen tables and well mannered staff. Menus are available in Catalan and Spanish only.
Favorite Dish: Many of the dishes that we had were on the menu were repeats of typical foods found on local menus (bistec, risotto, conejo, merluza, etc.), but the sauces and flavors were much more rich and complicated than the typical restaurant.
The dishes mentioned above were all excellent, as were the desserts such as the fried truffles and the mousse. -
Forti de La Reina: Good Seafood & View of Sea
UPDATE: This restaurant was closed for renovations. Call in advance to confirm it is open.
An excellent taste! Gastronomic flavors with restaurant style portions. The wine list is also quiet extensive.
The restaurant is situated inside the old Fortress. You have a wonderful old atmosphere that has undergone renovations recently to make the interior modern and convenient. The windows over look the sea, beach and city of Tarragona.
Favorite Dish: They do offer a few meats, but any and all seafood and fish is excellent!!
I last had the parrillada del mariscos!- Food and Dining
Patagonia Bella: Best steak in town!!
I stumbled upon this restaurant by recommendation from some of my Argentine friends living in Salou. They all said it was the best Argentine restaurant in the area. And you know what?! They were right!!
I've been there several times, taking many friends and visitors with me. When they return, they always want to go back and hit the restaurant again. Its a small venue, that fills up quickly. But if you give your name, you can walk the old town for a few minutes, return and they should have a table for you.
I came back and found that name had changed, but the restaurant's reputation had only improved. They have since excavated the ancient Roman cellar so can host large parties and groups in wonderful ambiance.
Favorite Dish: Everything here is good, and I mean everything. They have leg of lamb, steak, sausages, roasts, grilled vegetables... all done Argentine style.
And like all places in Spain and Argentina, the wines are abundant and delicious!- Food and Dining
- Wine Tasting
Rambla Nueva: Food with a view
After walking the Rambla, you can easily see the abundance of restaurants and shops. Almost all of the restaurants serve great food. But if its the afternoon or evening and you've worked up a sweat in the heat, take an ice cream or cafe at the end of the Rambla near the cliff. You'll have a good view of the sea, the Rambla and the people!
It is a little more expensive than the back street restaurants, but location and people watching is the trade off.
Favorite Dish: pizza & pasta
ice cream and cafes
Chinese -
Café de la Font: Placa de la Font
In one end of Placa de la Font is the Town Hall. Around the square are many bars and restaurants and I guess it is a very lively place, especially in summer when people sit at the outdoor tables. I visited Tarragona on the 1st of March and I was happy it was warm enough to sit outside (too cold at home that time). The tables outside the café nearest the Town Hall were all occupied, and I was not sure they had food there so I walked to the other end of the plaza and had a pizza and coke at Café de la Font (it was 7.95 Euro). It took a long time until the pizza arrived and it was nothing special, but okay. There were not a lot of people sitting at those outdoor tables at that moment, but it is a good place for watching people go by.
Fleca Flaque: With a view at the beautiful Mercat.
Once we arrived at the Plaça Corsini we saw numerous of restaurants available to have a bite. For no particular reason we seaded at Fleca Flaque. I honestly don't remember, but it could be that it were the only chairs empty that made us have a seat at this particular place. It was a good choice anyway and had a great lunch with the beautiful Mercat in front of us.
We both wanted something light and there was a choice between a salad with chicken or gazpacho with tuno. The kids received French fries and our salads were topped with slices of very good ham and came with a portion of very tender and very tasty chicken breast. It was pointed out to us that the flower on top was eatible, how about that! Both our plates were cleaned! All in all, the food was very good, especially for the price we had to pay, and its presentation was simply fantastic!- Food and Dining
- Beer Tasting
- Family Travel
Raco d'En Manelic: Open very early.
After a day of hiking the Old Town of Tarragona, Relinde and I were determined to eat well for lunch, the main meal of the Spanish day. Wondering the streets in the morning, we already had spotted this little restaurant, or more specifically, we spotted the menu. We were surprised to see it open at 10 o'clock in the morning, but anyway we already saw the card and they offered a menu of the day at a very reasonable price (€11.-) that consisted of three courses with two choices for each of us.
We entered the building and climbed a set of small stairs and we saw that once it was a magnificent residence. We were led to the back, to the terrace (and it is not obvious there's a terrace when you enter the restaurant), where there were a number of tables under large umbrellas. One large glass table was placed directly over a small fountain - you have to be careful not to dip your feet in. But anyway ... the food was great, the service was amazing, just everything was right!- Hiking and Walking
- Food and Dining
- Family Travel
Bar Piscina La Mora Tarragona: Very bad service!
What to expect of the restaurant near the swimming pool of the campground? We had no idea, so we tried it. Knowing that whenever it was good, it would be a nice option for more occassions, beacuse of its location near our bungalow. The first thing we noticed was that the service. It was quite obvious that the Spanish waitresses were definately more focussed on the Spanish guest and not on tourists like us. We could ask, we could wave a hand, we could do anything, but nothing happened. It was very frustrating that it took almost 25 minutes before they attended our table, while the Spanish guest already had a drink and their food! Besided that none of the waitresses seemed to speak English. Pretty weird for such an international campground.
Unlike many other restaurants, where the menu 'del dia' changes each day, here the menu changes every week. We both ordered from the set menu and bread was brought to us. This, of course, was not included, and we were charged €1,50 for each small bun! A small quibble, but the food to follow was very good. So it's a shame that, as tourists, we were ignored and therefore we never returned. Shame on them!
Favorite Dish: It's not really a dish, but the view at the swimming pool.- Water Sports
- Beer Tasting
- Family Travel
The La Savinos Beach area: Picnic time!
When we booked our trip to Tarragona we knew that our wooden house would be situated very close to the La Savinosa Beach. This is a semi urbanized beach, 350 x 30 metres of fine golden sand with calm and slightly deep water. When we first arrived at this beach we noticed that the stretch at the east is becoming closer as it approached a few rocks that stops the winds. The La Savionosa Beach is not so crowded and to reach it we passed some small dunes and certain vegetations.
Pack a beach day worthy picnic. It doesn´t have to be a gourmet masterpiece since salty air and a good hearty appetite make every sandwich taste ten times as good as they do at the kitchen table. Be sure to pack a hearty sandwich for everyone, fresh fruit, a lot of water, a salty treat such as crackers or chips, and a dessert that won´t melt in the sun. Drink boxes and water bottles will stay colder if they are frozen before packing.- Beaches
- Food and Dining
- Family Travel
tabernas lizarran: tapas
located on the placa de font tabernas lizarran is an excellent tapas bar. great selection at moderate prices. located on the beautiful placa de font they offer outdoor seating on the plaza. the placa de font is located in the center of the old quarter and is the site of the roman circus.
- Archeology
- Historical Travel
- Architecture
Pizzeria Pulvinar: Pizzeria witha touch of class.
This is a pizzeria but quite a classy one with several options other than pizza. Like most restaurants in Tarragona, seafood featured prominently on the menu and I was very tempted by the tuna marinated in Salsa. The location was perfect, just off the Baixada Misericordia and above Placa del Sedassos where whole chunks of the Roman Circus walls are exposed. It's quite small and wasn't crowded so lunch there was relaxing and a perfect opportunity to sit back and admire the great surroundings.
Favorite Dish: I had the Pizza Romana con Jamon y Atun, which was a delicious concoction with ham and tuna. For a substantial but not over-heavy lunch it was ideal.- Architecture
- Arts and Culture
- Historical Travel
Bodega: Wine to your heart's content
The Bodega is a quiet shop to sit down, sample hundreds of wines from all over, strike up a conversation with others in a laid back atmosphere. The walls are decorated with theme works of the wineries and the barrels are stacked in the back and above the bar.
Favorite Dish: Wines of all types- Wine Tasting
Il Pastificcio: If you think you've had the best pizza...
Okay, okay. We try not to make it a habit to eat food that isn't local but, after walking around Tarragona, we found a large number of Pizzeria/Italian-style restaurants... we decided that must mean they do it well.
Well was an understatement.
We picked the one that seemed to have the most local people in it, on Rambla Nova and ordered a pizza.
Favorite Dish: Thin crust, non-doughy pizza... it was cooked in a wooden oven. One side of the crust was rolled over itself and stuffed with pesto and cheese...
I will never be able to adequately describe how yummy it was - we went back the next day to have some more.- Family Travel
- Food and Dining
Show Prices
Show Prices
Show Prices
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- Public Forum
- Watch Talk
- Brand Forums A-H
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- Community
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Wristwatch Marketing: Image vs. Reality
On September 16, 2002
Wristwatch Marketing: Image vs. Reality
Using tiny hidden cameras, deployed in thousands of watch shops around the world (right by the candy dish), field scientists from Project I.D.I.O.T. have been taking surreptitous snapshots of every customer who buys a watch. All the photos are then scanned into a computer, and special software allows the team to blend a composite image of the ultimate consumer of a given brand, using all the photos combined.
They issued this reference chart, comparing the image that the watch companies are selling, with the composite image of the actual customer.
The results can be unsettling, and the manufacturers may not want us to see this, but we need to know. Feel free to print out the chart, and refer to it any time you feel you are about to be the victim of marketing ploys.


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PlantFiles: Scarlet Indian Paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea
Family: Orobanchaceae Genus: Castilleja (kas-tee-LEE-uh) (Info) Species: coccinea (kok-SIN-ee-uh) (Info) Synonym:Bartsia coccinea 3 vendors have this plant for sale. 14 members have or want this plant for trade. Category: Height: Spacing: Hardiness: Sun Exposure: Danger: Bloom Color: Bloom Time: Foliage: Other details: Soil pH requirements: Patent Information: Propagation Methods: Seed Collecting: | Click thumbnail to view: By Texas By Texas By DaylilySLP By DaylilySLP By Jeff_Beck By GD_Rankin By GD_Rankin There are a total of 10 photos. |
2 positives
2 neutrals
No negatives
Gardeners' Notes:
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Huntington, Arkansas
Golden, Colorado
Erie, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Cole Camp, Missouri
Lees Summit, Missouri
Sedalia, Missouri
Dillon, Montana
Germanton, North Carolina
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2 reports)
Arlington, Texas
San Antonio, Texas (2 reports)
Savery, Wyoming


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Atlanta Lyric Theatre presents Mel Brooks' The Producers: Tony-Winning Musical Comedy
* Additional fees apply. No coupon or promo codes necessary to enjoy the displayed discount price.
The last date listed for The Producers was Sunday August 25, 2013 / 2:00pm.
Currently at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre - Cobb Civic Center
High-Flying Musical Catch Me If You Can by Atlanta Lyric Theatre
- Full Price:
- $37.10 - $47.70
- Our Price:
- $18.55 - $23.85
Based on the hit film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and the incredible true story that inspired it, … More
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Featured review from Goldstar Member
view more less of this reviewHave seen productions at the Fox for the last 15yrs. This rivaled them all. VERY funny, super acting, just a delight! The entire cast was exceptional! We are going to subscribe to Atl. Lyical Theatre instead of the series at the Fox from now on!!!!!!
star this review starred report as inappropriateGreat seats and really good performance.
star this review starred report as inappropriateThis was a wonderfull show, great cast, great songs. The Atlanta Lyic theatre's new location at the Cobb Civic Center is wonderfull too. We used to go to see the Encore Series there and always enjoyed it. Glad they were able to find a new loation...continued


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Anybody see this story last night on 60 Minutes?
Pretty nifty non-lethal yet still creepy weapon. It shoots a concentrated blurst of Everybody Loves Raymond at it's target, creating the feeling of being briefly scalded by boiling water. This forces anyone in it's path to turn back or risk being further fried. Might be useful for controlling unruly mobs in Iraq or possibly at Arge shows.


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Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Grand Canyon All American Helicopter Tour. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Click here for tour details, schedule and pricing
Excellent trip, very friendly pilot. Highlight of my holiday
The entire trip was a blast and extremely amazing. Seeing everything from the helicopter was spectacular. Would do again in a heart beat and our pilot Erica was fantastic,
The trip was an amazing experience we absolutely enjoyed every minute. Having lunch down in the Canyon was so lovely and the lunch was lovely too. Well worth every penny . Would definately do this tour again and would recommend to anyone.
This is a must do trip it was brilliant!!!!!! The sights are amazing the captain makes you feel confidant and at ease all the way of your trip and its a must do truly brill!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Outstanding trip, on our originally booking the weather was turning bad so we were given the option to reschedule who h we did, I really liked that from sun dance. Picked up in a limo from out hotel on itme, the flight was amazing, pilot was fun and very professional, the tour commentary was informative. At the Grand Canyon we had a nice lunch and glass of bubbly, pleasant chat with the pilot travis. I would recommend this trip, the sun set trip is the one to go for but book up well in advance.
We very much enjoyed the tour, very pleasant and capable Pilot also.
This tour was fantastic we had a brilliant time and the pilot was very polite and informative. I would highly recommend doing this trip.
Everything about our tour was excellent. As a group of 8, we enjoyed the private limo to and from the airport, and we had a great weather day to enjoy the ride, and all the sights. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Las Vegas!
the tour was well planned out. staff and pilot were very professional.well worth the money. i will tour with viator again.
Amazing trip.
This tour was amazing!
Great time and amazing views!
Highly recommended! The pilot was awsome!
The experience was great. Picked up in a stretch limo, treated awesome, Chad (the pilot) was terrific, and the view was one of a kind!
This tour was amazing. The pilot was great and very informative. I would recommend this tour to everyone. It is a must do while in Vegas.


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Software Companies Claim Educational Gains
Software companies are claiming huge gains in test scores in schools because of their computer programs. But is there evidence to back this up? Baltimore Sun reporter Alec MacGillis, recently investigated the use of technology in schools. MacGillis says that No Child Left Behind gave schools more leeway to spend federal money on technology, but that in many cases the software products are unproven and the glowing claims are questionable. Hear MacGillis and NPR's Renee Montagne.
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What Handwriting Supposedly Says About You
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Man's Best Friend Helps Him Get to Work on Time
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How Older Men Are Building Muscle
14 Most Bizarre Medical Conditions on Earth
9 Questions That All Bar Employees Are Tired of Hearing
13 Photos That Shouldn't Have Been Taken
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10 Weird Secrets from Service Industry People
Man Skips Rocks on Frozen Lake & Gets the Surprise of a Lifetime!
You May Feel This Man Is Making A Bed But It Is not So
See How This Mother Submerges Her Own Baby Into The Water
Things That Will Make You Feel Very Uncomfortable
Make Sure To Watch This Incredible Audition Performance
9 Things People Shouldn't Be Able to Do in Restaurants
25 Things You Probably Google When You're All Alone
Brutal Female Bodyguards Training in China
You Won't Believe What This Shadow in the Sea Is!
25 Mind-Blowing Things You Didn't Know Before Today
15 Idiotic Laws That Only Exist in America


text:
Follow Us
(Picture BC photo)
For information on all festivals and events in this location, check out the map and event listings below.
124 All Events in Vancouver Island
Daily from March 6, 2015 to April 9, 2015
6 Great Films, 5 Fun Weeks, 1 Low Price Immerse yourself in IMAX where enormous images and digital surround sound transport you to an incredible world of wonder. Film Festival 6 pack of tickets can be shared. Single film tickets also available. Discounted single film ticket prices for children and seniors. Shows hourly from 10am.
More Details
Daily from February 28, 2015 to April 2, 2015
In its 87th year since inception, the Upper Island Musical Festival celebrates a thrilling season of talented dance and musical performances from Nanaimo and area youth and young adults.
The event has sections in piano, brass and woodwind, strings, vocal, speech and dramatic art and dance. It offers all participants an opportunity to perform and appreciate the performances of others. Please check website for list of events and venues over the period of February 28-April 2, 2015.
Weekly on Friday February 27, 2015 to Saturday December 26, 2015
With over 100 vendors and 25 farmers, Moss Street Market is Victoria's premier farmers market, now running year-round. The regular market is on Saturdays (10am to 2pm), May to October. The winter market (indoors) is on Saturdays (10am to noon).
Daily from February 20, 2015 to March 9, 2015
Victoria's most anticipated dining event! Tickle your tastebuds and dive into Victoria's culinary scene at over 60 participating restaurants. View the selection of three-course menus, but be warned, your stomach may start growling immediately in expectation of a taste of Victoria.
Don't just come for a bite either, choose to stay the night! Many of Victoria's hotels offer accommodations during the event with rates from $69 to $129.
Weekly on Friday February 20, 2015 to Saturday April 11, 2015
Ring of Fire is a jukebox musical celebrating Johnny Cash music. The cast tell his remarkable story through some of the greatest songs of one of America's brilliant singer/songwriters. The story travels from Cash growing up on a farm, to the Grand Ole Opry, to meeting June Carter and falling into the "Ring of Fire". A mosaic of American experience featuring "Five Feet High and Rising", "Daddy Sang Base", Ring of Fire", "I Walk the Line", "I've Been Everywhere", the show features the music of Johnny Cash at his highs and lows. . Ring of Fire gives the music the spotlight, as a core group of talented actor/musicians celebrate the songs that are such a part of our collective experience.
Weekly on Sunday February 8, 2015 to Sunday March 29, 2015
Milner Gardens is open every Sunday from February 8th to March 29th. The Gardens and Tea Room will be open from 11:00am to 3:30pm, with last entry at 3:00pm. Adult admission $5, students $3 plus GST. Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult free admission. Come watch the blooms as they unfold and stop in for a cup of tea or a hot bowl of soup. Enjoy the woodland trails, and check out the ocean activity and the view to the islands and mainland with the viewing scope.
Enjoy the early Spring bulbs from 11:00 am-3:30 pm daily with last entry at 3:00 pm. Stop by in our Tea Room for a delicious snack of soup and scones.
Admission is adults $5.25, students $3.15 (includes tax). Children 12 years old and under receive free admission when accompanied by an adult.
Daily from December 12, 2014 to April 6, 2015
Celebrating 50 years of images, Wildlife Photographer of the Year showcases award-winning images that tell the astonishing stories of our natural world while pushing the boundaries of technical skill. With more than 42,000 entries from 96 countries, this exhibition celebrates the beauty and magnificence of the world in which we live, as well as acting as a stark reminder of the fragility of nature.
The striking exhibition features 100 large-scale, back-lit photographs that include some of the world's most respected nature photographers and wildlife experts.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is co-owned by the Natural History Museum, London, and BBC Worldwide.
Daily from June 21, 2014 to June 30, 2017
Discover the incredible diversity of First Nations languages in BC and the groundbreaking work underway to keep them alive in this new exhibition. The Royal BC Museum has partnered with the First Peoples' Cultural Council on this innovative exhibition that celebrates the resilience and diversity of First Nations languages in BC in the face of change. BC is one of the planet's most linguistically diverse regions. From a global perspective, it's known as a linguistic "hotspot" because of the diversity and vitality of our First Nations languages, of which 34 are spoken here. Visit this new exhibition and learn to say "welcome" in one of 34 languages. royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/languages
Daily from May 31, 2014 to December 31, 2023
Grand Opening May 31, 2014 of our latest and greatest creation - King Arthur's Camelot Our expansion includes eleven new exhibits depicting this timeless legend! Join us this Saturday and beyond to view Merlin's lair, Camelot castle, the lady of the lake, battlefields of jousting knights, the holy grail, the sword in the stone plus much more!
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ABC News' David Wright, Yunji de Nies and Sunlen Miller report:
"Well this is not how I expected to woke up this morning," the president said off the bat, remarking that just five hours before his press secretary woke him to tell him the news that he had won the Nobel Peace Prize.
"I am both surprised and deeply humbled by the decision of the Nobel Committee. Let me be clear, I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations."
President Obama acknowledged that he doesn't feel that he deserves to be in the company of those who have won this prize in years past.
"To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize, men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace."
The president said that throughout history the award has "has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes."
Obama said this is why he will accept this award, "as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century."
Using the opportunity to outline his global agenda – the president reiterated his desire for a world without nuclear weapons, for all countries to take responsibility for climate change, and to pursue a new beginning among people of different faiths, races, and religions based on mutual respect, and a commitment to realize the right of all Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security.
"And even as we strive to seek a world in which conflicts are resolved peacefully and prosperity is widely shared, we have to confront the world as we know it today. I am the commander in chief of a country that's responsible for ending a war and working in another theater to confront a ruthless adversary that directly threatens the American people and our allies. I'm also aware that we are dealing with the impact of a global economic crisis that has left millions of Americans looking for work. These are concerns that I confront every day on behalf of the American people."
The president said that some of the work confronting the administration will not be completed during his presidency – some, like nuclear weapons will "not be completed in my lifetime," he said.
"But I know these challenges can be met, so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone. This award is not simply about the efforts of my administration; it's about the courageous efforts of people around the world. "
The president opened with a funny – and lighthearted – anecdote from this morning in which his two daughters, and the Presidential dog, put the news of his win in perspective.
"After I received the news, Malia walked in and said, "Daddy, you won the Nobel Peace Prize, and it is Bo's birthday." And then Sasha added, "Plus, we have a three-day weekend coming up." So it's — it's good to have kids to keep things in perspective."
The president will travel to Oslo, Norway, in December to accept the award.
-David Wright, Yunji de Nies, and Sunlen Miller


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You Already Know How to Be Great
A Simple Way to Remove Interference and Unlock Your Greatest Potential
By Alan Fine; Rebecca R. Merrill
(Portfolio Hardcover, Hardcover, 9781591843559, 256pp.)
Publication Date: October 14, 2010
Other Editions of This Title: Compact Disc
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A bold new approach to performance by one of the top coaches in the country.
In trying to improve-on the playing field, in the office, or even at home-most people seek out new information to get to the next level. They read a book, attend a class, or hire an expert to give them an edge.
But Alan Fine, an accomplished tennis, golf, and executive coach and a renowned authority on peak performance, believes that this "outside-in" method is precisely what's holding you back from doing your best work. He's found the biggest obstacle to improved performance isn't not knowing what to do; it's not doing what you already know. Ironically, the quest for information and instructions designed to help you get ahead can often interfere with your ability to focus on doing something.
Fine reveals his simple and proven approach to achieving breakthrough performance. It starts with reducing the interference that blocks your potential through an amazing process called G.R.O.W. (Goal, Reality, Options, Way Forward).
No matter who you are or what you do, You Already Know How to Be Great will help you eliminate what is standing in the way of your goals.


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13th Month Pay: How is it Computed?
Time flies so fast and before you know it, the year-end is just around the corner. There's the thought of Christmas and, yes, 13th-month pay, which the law requires to be paid not later than December 24 of each year.
The law - Presidential Decree No. 851 - requires all employers to pay their rank-and-file employees, regardless of the nature of their employment and irrespective of the method by which their wages are paid, an equivalent to at least one (1) month of their wages as 13th month pay. To be entitled to 13th-month pay, these employees must have worked for at least one month during the calendar year.
The 13th-month pay of an employee is based on the "basic salary," which includes all remunerations or earnings paid by an employer to an employee for services rendered. However, 13th-month pay does not include cost-of-living allowances (COLA) granted pursuant to P.D. No. 525 or Letter of Instruction No. 174, profit-sharing payments, and all allowances and monetary benefits which are not considered or integrated as part of the regular or basic salary of the employee. Maternity benefits, like other benefits granted by the SSS, are are not included in computing the employee's 13th-month pay. Overtime pay, earnings and other remunerations are also excluded from "basic salary" in the computation of the 13th-month pay.
The phrase "earnings and other remunerations," which are deemed NOT part of the basic salary, includes payments for:
1. Sick leave
2. Vacation leave
3. Maternity leave
4. Premium for works performed on rest days and special holidays, pay for regular holidays and night differentials.
There's a catch, though. If these items, which are legally excluded from the computation of 13th month pay, are included by the employer in its previous computations and such act ripens into a "company practice," then these items can't be excluded without violating the prohibition against diminution or elimination of benefits.
What about Christmas bonus and 14th month pay? Both the Christmas bonus and 14th month pay, which are generally categorized as bonus, are different from 13th-month pay. There's a previous post on Bonus vs. 13th Month Pay.
[See also Basic Discussion on 13th-month Pay 1; Basic Discussion 2; Basic Discussion 3; Who are the Employees Entitled to 13th month Pay?; Thirteenth-month Pay Distinguished from Bonus; Thirteenth Month Pay and Salary Increases; PD 851 (full text of 13th Month Law); Labor Advisory 2 in 13th month pay; and previous Guidelines; Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the 13th Month Law; and Additional 14th Month Pay] Source: Producers Bank of the Philippines vs. NLRC.
binawasan ang aming 13th month pay dipende kung ilan ang absence namin at kung mag kano ang aming sweldo kada araw ganun ang binawas sa amin kayo halos wala ng natira sa i3th month pay namin. isang kasamahan ko nga nag kautang pa sa employer namin kasi mahigit pa ang naging absent nya kaysa makukuha nyang 13th month. tama po ba yun?
Hi Jumong, hindi po sa 13th month pay kinakaltas ang absences ng isang empleyado kundi sa SL/VL o mas kilala bilang Sick Leave and Vacation leave. Ang prebadong kompanya ay required na magbigay ng sampung araw sa SL at VL. Depende sa kompanya kung ang SL/VL na hindi nagagamit ng isang empleyado ay binabayaran nila base sa daily wage rate. Ang 13th month pay ay mandatory na ibigay ng kompanya sa kanyang mga empleyado. Gross Compensation Income/12 months= 13th month pay
gusto ko lang po itanong kung ang pagbibigay ng 13th month pay eh depende sa company? dbah by law po iyon? kasi mag 3 months na ako sa company ko at hindi kami kasali sa 13th month pay .may habol ba ako?kasi ang alam ko atleast 1 month dbah ung pagtatrabaho.
Hi Sel, 13th month pay ay mandatory pong ibinibigay ng kompanya sa kanyang mga empleyado. kahit 3-months kalang nag tatrabaho sa kompanya may makukuha ka. ganito ang komputatio ng 13th month pay: Let say, yong basic salary mo ay 10,000.
Gross Compensation Income/12 months
P10,000x 3 mos= P30,000/12=P2,5 00. yan yong 13th month pay na makukuha mo sa loob ng tatlong buwan sa kompanya na pinagtatrabahoa n mo.
Gross Compensation Income/12 months
P10,000x 3 mos= P30,000/12=P2,5 00. yan yong 13th month pay na makukuha mo sa loob ng tatlong buwan sa kompanya na pinagtatrabahoa n mo.
Clarify ko lang po kc yung binigay mo na example ay fix monthly paid. E paano kng daily at 5 days a week lang o di ba kaya 6 days. Sabi nyo po ang absences i deduct sa VL @ SL... Paano kng ubos na ang SL@VL nya. At paano kng nag VL sya pero hindi authorized.
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While some research-based pharmaceutical companies are moving cautiously into the area of generic products,…
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Antitrust Enforcement Agencies Face Unprecedented Challenges
Testimony Before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy
SOURCE: Center for American Progress
CAP fellow David Balto testifies before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy. Read the testimony (CAP Action).
Chairman Johnson, Ranking Member Coble and other members of the committee, I am David Balto, a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where my work focuses on antitrust enforcement, intellectual property, and health care. I am the former policy director of the Federal Trade Commission and have practiced antitrust law for over a quarter of a century. I am pleased to submit this testimony for today's important hearing on oversight of our antitrust enforcement agencies.
We have reached a critical juncture in antitrust enforcement. Increasingly, the markets consumers depend upon the most—health care, consumer goods, telecommunications and airlines, just to name a few—are becoming more concentrated. The bulwarks of the competitive marketplace, choice and aggressive rivalry, have been diminished and many of these markets are plagued by deceptive conduct. Moreover, our typical reliance on an entirely "free market" unshackled from any form of regulation has been shattered by recent economic events. Increasingly, we recognize the need for more intensive and thoughtful regulation as it is evident that the mantra, that deregulation or "regulation lite" is the best result is a recipe for consumer harm, not consumer welfare.
Fortunately, President Barack Obama selected exceptional leaders for both the antitrust division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. Both Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney and FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz bring a keen perception about the important role of antitrust enforcement as a bulwark to a competitive marketplace. Both are strong leaders who know how to make the most of the limited resources of their agencies, and both are supported by talented career lawyers and economists who are dedicated to the mission of protecting consumers.
My testimony today provides observations on four important areas.
- The role of regulation and the need for antitrust enforcers to support and strengthen regulation. For instance, this has been demonstrated by an innovative collaboration between DOJ and USDA addressing chronic competitive problems in agriculture markets. This innovative collaboration should be applied to other markets, especially health care.
- The need for a realignment of enforcement priorities to support health care reform. In particular, the need for far greater enforcement against health insurers and greater acceptance of collaboration by health care providers.
- The need for the enforcement agencies to use their full range of powers, especially when investigating and challenging conduct by dominant firms.
- The need for Congress to enact new legislation to eliminate some of the most harmful anticompetitive practices. These include manipulation of the exclusivity period in pharmaceutical patent settlements, declare resale price maintenance per se illegal, and eliminate the antitrust exemption for health insurance.
CAP fellow David Balto testifies before the House Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy. Read the testimony (CAP Action).
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text:
French Scottish History Tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Scots have fought for France and indeed the Auld Alliance between our two countries is the oldest alliance in the world.
Got a story of a Scots ancestor? Then do send it in for inclusion on these pages to Alastair McIntyre
Check out our page on France