text:
Best Dressed - Elle's Women in Hollywood Celebration 2012
Check out what some of Hollywood's most stylish stars wore to Elle's 2012 celebration.
Red Carpet Flashback - Then & Now
Take a look at the dramatic style transformations of 30 of our favorite stars!
Behind the Scenes at Brad Pitt's Chanel No. 5 Shoot
Check out these behind-the-scenes shots from Brad Pitt's Chanel campaign.
200 Gorgeous Engagement Rings to Obsess Over
No matter what your budget, there's a gorgeous ring for you.
Best Dressed - Chanel's Little Black Jacket Viewing, London
Of course there were gorgeous clothes at the London private viewing of Chanel's The Little Black Jacket.
Quirky Stuff to Buy for Breast Cancer Awareness
Show your support for Breast Cancer Awareness with these creative and quirky products that give back to the cause
Best & Worst Dressed - amfAR's 2012 Los Angeles Gala
Check out what some of Hollywood's biggest style stars wore to amfAR's 2012 Los Angeles Inspiration Gala.
Best & Worst Dressed - Target's 'Falling for You' Event
Check out which celebrities were right on, um, target and who missed the mark at Target's "Falling for You" Event
You Voted - The Top 10 Stars with the Best Retro Style
The results are in: Hollywood's top 10 most fabulously retro-tastic ladies!
The Best & Worst Dressed at Chanel's Fine Jewelry Celebration
Our favorite Chanel loyalists were in full force last night. From Blake Lively to Alexa Chung, check out all the fantastic looks!
30 Breast Cancer Awareness Products That Give Back in a Big Way
Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with these extra charitable clothes and accessories!
Best & Worst Dressed - 3rd Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic
Check out the best and worst looks from this year's Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic
Candie's Launches Beauty - Gorgeous New Nail Colors to Covet
Add a little sparkle to your fingertips this season.


text:
Formula 1 is over – what do I do now?
Published at 11:07, Friday, 30 November 2012
I ONLY follow one sport – Formula 1 motor racing. Potentially, I could follow more, but I suspect the disapproval from the other end of the sofa might be bad for my health.
As the season culminated in Brazil last Sunday, I'm now stuck with an F1-free existence until March next year, whilst the Footballerist community enjoy their cosy conversations about which star gets paid the most, and who's speaking with an amusing French accent this week.
Still, I have happy memories to keep me warm on the long winter nights, as 2012 was a scintillating season, which started with seven different winners in the first seven races. This left the championship wide open until the end of the season, as the top teams struggled to out-develop their competitors.
The final race couldn't have been more exciting if you'd asked a panel of F1 geeks to write the script. The impossibly young double World Champion, Vettel, headed into the event just ahead, but found himself clouted into a spin on the first lap, facing the wrong way in oncoming traffic doing terrifying speeds.
This allowed his rival, the experienced double World Champion Alonso, to get himself into a position where he would win the title if they finished in the same order.
Rain caused all the drivers to struggle for grip, some failing to stay on the track, and some (step forward, Mr Raikkonen) to go off the circuit and head somewhere up a side road.
Those SatNavs can be tricky to programme though.
As Vettel fought his way through the order from last place, Britons Button and Hamilton battled for the lead, joined by a cheeky youngster whose name is a cross between a green chappie and something you don't want to run into on a boat – Hulkenberg. The Hulk eventually crashed into Hamilton, ending his final race at McLaren, and leaving the way clear for Button to take his third win of the season.
Whilst Alonso drove valiantly to second place, Vettel coming home in sixth was enough to give the German his third, straight, title.
So now I have to console myself with my F1 underpants, out-of-date Damon Hill T-shirt, and VHS of the 1998 World Championship until the spring. I can't even do my Murray Walker impersonation, as apparently it upsets other library users.
On the upside, my Nigel Mansell moustache is coming along well, and saying "For sure" at the start of every conversation, whilst thanking "The Team", is definitely going to make me the life and soul of the party over Christmas.
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
More Columns
Hot Jobs
Featured companies
- UPDATE: Millom woman arrested after allegedly stabbing man in the legs
- Barrow worker charged with attempted murder of colleague due in court
- Carlisle dad killed himself after cocaine row
- Vicious attack on Cumbria schoolgirl caught on film
- "Fantastic victory" for Barrow after massive increase in train services announced
- Ulverston man found dead in layby (1 comment)
- UPDATE: South Cumbria woman killed in crash (16 comments)
- Barrow store to sell off stock in closing down sale (9 comments)
- Pub chain's £3.5m hotel bid for Barrow granted (11 comments)
- Barrow paedophile trio sentenced
- BIG DEBATE: Is parking outside schools in Barrow and Furness a big problem? (3 comments)
- "Fantastic victory" for Barrow after massive increase in train services announced
- Hunt for Nigel Farage Barrow gnome villain
- Barrow worker charged with attempted murder of colleague due in court
- Bradley Wiggins set to bring team to Barrow (3 comments)
- Wig wearing Barrow MP in fresh challenge to comedian Russell Brand (69 comments)
- Fan's campaign to honour Barrow footballing hero with statue (27 comments)
- Dalton secondary school relaxes coat rules as temperatures plunge (24 comments)
- Barrow set for pound shop wars as chain plans store (26 comments)
Resource Cumbria | Walk to remember |
Choosing a secondary school | Homes and Gardens |
Post 16 education | Resource Cumbria |
To save our contact details direct to your smartphone simply scan this QR code |
Evening Mail Going Out |

subset: commoncrawl


text:
2BR Apartment , Ocean View Las Americas Tenerife
From $151 / night
Hide Property Details
- 2 bedrooms
- 1 bathrooms
- Sleeps 6
- Apartment
Description from the manager
Lovely two bedroom apartment in the very much sought after Club Atlantis Aparthotel in Puerto Colon, Playa de Las Americas.
This is one of the most popular resorts in the whole of South Tenerife, due to the prime sea front location and fabulous local amenities. Situated in the Puerto Colon area of Playa de Las Americas, this complex overlooks the beautiful Puerto Colon Marina and the Atlantic Ocean. The swimming pool and expansive sun terrace are a fabulous place to relax and partake of the food and drinks provided at the pool snack bar and dining terrace. Other facilities on-site include a hairdressers and beauty salon, launderette, TV lounge ...Read more
2BR Apartment , Ocean View Las Americas Tenerife
Costa Adeje, Canary Islands, Spain
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
San Eugenio is another off-shot of big brother Playa de las Americas. You're ideally placed here for excellent beaches, and just a short walk from Puerto Colon harbour and numerous diving and pleasure boat trips.
The pace is definitely slower here than in the heart of Playa de las Americas, and is a self contained resort with all you could need for a relaxing beach holiday. You won't be short of watersports choice, you've everything here from pedaloes to banana boat rides to jet skis and scuba diving.
Nearby beaches in this area are all ideal for families, with excellent amenities close at hand. Access to the motorway is easy from here for those wishing to travel the island exploring.
The new Siam Park has just opened and is within walking distance, and is said to be an Oriental adventure, not to be missed.
More About This Location
Beach or lakeside relaxation, Waterfront
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
- Housekeeping Optional
- Towels Provided
- A/C or climate control
- Internet Access
- Sauna
- Hot Tub/Jacuzzi
- Shared outdoor pool (heated)
- Waterfront
- Mountain Views
- Ocean or water views
- Parking
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Stove or Oven
- Toaster
- Freezer
- Satellite or cable TV
- Balcony or terrace
- Pet friendly - no
- Smoking allowed - no
- Suitable for children - yes
- Suitable for the elderly - yes
- Wheelchair accessible - yes
Have you stayed here?
This rental is awaiting reviews from past guests. Help out travelers and the owner by being the first to write a review!


text:
Get the Best Priced Chevrolet P20 Fuel Pressure Regulator
- Fast Shipping
- 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
- Lowest Prices
Chevrolet P20 Replacement Fuel Pressure Regulator Information
Search our online fuel pressure regulator catalog and find the lowest priced discount auto parts on the web. We sell wholesale to the public. We offer high quality new, OEM, aftermarket and remanufactured Chevrolet P20 Fuel Pressure Regulator parts. We specialize in a wide-variety of high-quality car parts and accessories for your car, truck or SUV. Call toll free to order or place your order online via our secure checkout system. Our online parts catalog uses real-time inventory, so you can be assured the parts you buy are in stock at the time of ordering. Most orders are shipped the same day. They are available for the following Chevrolet P20 years: 1989, 1988, 1987, 89, 88, 87. This part is also sometimes called Chevrolet P20 Regulators. We stock fuel pressure regulator parts for most Chevrolet models including Silverado 1500, Cavalier, S10, Impala, Camaro, Blazer, Corvette, Tahoe, Trailblazer, Silverado 2500 HD, K1500, Monte Carlo, Lumina, C1500, Suburban 1500, Malibu, Colorado, Astro, C3500, C2500, Caprice, S10 Blazer, K1500 Suburban, Tracker, Corsica, Venture, Avalanche 1500, Express 1500, Silverado 2500, P30, K2500 Suburban, K2500, Celebrity, C1500 Suburban, Silverado 1500 HD, Beretta, Express 3500, K3500, Suburban 2500 and Lumina APV.
We stock these Fuel Pressure Regulator brands for the Chevrolet P20: Standard Motor Products.
88 1988 Chevrolet P20 Fuel Injector 6.2L V8 VIN: J A1 Cardone
87 1987 Chevrolet P20 Idle Control Valve 5.7L V8 Delphi
89 1989 Chevrolet P20 MAP Sensor 5.7L V8 Delphi Original Equipment
87 1987 Chevrolet P20 Oxygen Sensor Bosch
87 1987 Chevrolet P20 Throttle Position Sensor 5.7L V8 VIN: M CARB Naturally Aspirated GAS Walker
The part arrived much sooner than I expected, which was a big plus. It was also less expensive than other sites, even with shipping, so I can't complain at all. I installed it on Saturday and now my window is working again.
easy site to use and the parts were delivered quickly


text:
3 Stars Patio panel
Linda from IN wrote (February 09, 2015):
The drapes are fairly nice, have several pin holes around the pleats and 1 place where the backing was scrapped off but they look better than what I had.
4 Stars
Melissa from FL wrote (January 28, 2015):
The curtain was really nice and was decent quality for the price. The only complaint I have is that the whole seam line let light threw, the seam line its definitely an eye catcher.
5 Stars Thermalicious
Susan from IL wrote (January 14, 2015):
The dark red is a great color for hiding spaghetti stains. It blocks light well, and really makes a difference in room temp! Nice quality product- not easy to find pinch pleats these days.
5 Stars Matching set
Judy from IL wrote (December 28, 2014):
I wanted a double window and patio doors to match. My prior custsom-made drapes cost nearly twice as much about 20 years ago. So happy I found these drapes and this on-line merchant!
4 Stars
sheila from NH wrote (November 15, 2014):
very good color was exactly what I wanted quality good
5 Stars Good Product
Lenore from AZ wrote (October 21, 2014):
Nice looking panel with good insulating qualities. Love the traditional pinch pleated style which is difficult to find at the moment. Be prepared to spend some time ironing. The panel arrives quite wrinkled. This drape is well worth the price.
5 Stars pati door panel
Sherry Caminetti from WI wrote (July 08, 2014):
I was very impressed with the panel. After looking for something that was just right I finally found it. I used a steamer to release the wrinkles after they were hung, and they hang just great!
4 Stars Good Quality
Jan from OR wrote (February 28, 2014):
Drapes seem to be well made. Nice fabric. Dimensions were accurate. Color matched the swatch. They arrived quickly. I haven't tried to wash them yet, so time will tell about that. A lot of people complained about wrinkles, so I put them in the dryer with a damp towel before hanging them. Also used a hand-held steamer. They're not perfect, but definitely acceptable.
4 Stars Pinch Pleated thermal drapes
Lindy Studt from IL wrote (January 01, 2014):
My husband is opposed to change. He would have to install an new curtain rod, so I replaced my puppy chewed drapes with the same pinch pleated drapes that I had before. I still have to get the creases out, but they keep out the cold, look much better, and cleaner than the old puppy chewed drapes. Just what I needed.
5 Stars
Tammy from MA wrote (September 17, 2013):
The curtains are beautiful. Just as described.
5 Stars beats the heat
betty from NY wrote (July 17, 2013):
Got my thermal lined patio door drapes just in time to keep the intense summer sun out! It's so hard to find pinch pleated drapes!! Love them, despite the fact it took a while to iron out the creases.
3 Stars Crosby Drapes, sage
Gram from IN wrote (July 07, 2013):
One panel has a poor seam that lets light show through. Very disappointing for the full price I paid. I noted the sale price today - On a positive note, they are true to size and color. I couldn't return as these were a gift and needed to hang. Otherwise, they would have gone back.
4 Stars
Carol Scott from TX wrote (May 18, 2013):
The three dislikes I have about the product are: There were two brown-black stains on the curtain; there is a lasting ordor from the curtain that may be due to the backing of the curtain; and there are no instructions on cleaning care of the curtain such as is washable, needs to be dry cleaned, etc. Other than these concerns, I am very pleased with the curtain.
3 Stars Crosby Pinch Pleat
Pat Twigg from CA wrote (May 01, 2013):
They were nice for the price. They had a few pin holes but I wasn't looking for perfection.


text:
Search this site:
our campaigns
get informed
Action Center
First to Finish College
ALL IN for Opportunity
#JJDPA Matters
Presidential Youth Council
Federal Budget
Early Childhood
Top 24 Under 24 Drug Mythbusters
Top 24 Under 24 Youth Changemakers
KIDS COUNT Info Challenge
Spark Opportunity Challenge
Ask Arne, Secretary of Education
Our Newsletter
Features & Blogs
Youth Voices
Success Stories
Topics A-Z
All New
Act Now
Fund Your Work
Evaluate Your Work
Find Local Media
Communicate Better
The Latest - Education
show only:
Filter by Content Type
Polls, Public Opinion
Multimedia (audio, video, etc.)
January 17, 2013
Hear Our Voice: A Children's/Youth Inaugural Address
A new video features unscripted voices and experiences of young Americans who know they have a stake in the next four years. Children and youth ages 5 to 25 from ...
January 17, 2013
How to Increase Parent Involvement in the Schools
Connect for Kids explores ways to work around both teachers' and parents' busy schedules to improve children's overall success in school.
January 13, 2013
First in the Family: New Media Tools for First-Generation Students
We like
: the youth-generated What Kids Can Do project has a "First in the Family" series with multimedia resources, advice and a new ...
January 11, 2013
Code of Conduct: Safety, Discipline, and School Climate (Quality Counts 2013)
As a shocked nation struggles to come to terms with the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn., policymakers, school leaders, and the public alike have renewed ...
January 10, 2013
Chicago Youth Take a Stand Against School Suspensions
Students from the Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE) have been fighting against an overreliance on suspensions for minor behavior offenses in Chicago ...
January 9, 2013
5 Reasons To Complete the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a free online application that anyone applying to college can fill out. The application puts you in ...
January 3, 2013
Students Spark a Food Recovery Movement on Campus
Ben Simon, the young founder of the Food Recovery Network, sparked a national movement for food recovery while a student at the University of Maryland.
December 18, 2012
Arts Education Seen as Common-Core Partner
"At the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, the painting 'El Jaleo'—a canvas spanning 11 feet that features a flamenco dancer—is a ...
December 18, 2012
This Is My Place: Middle Schoolers Talk About Social and Emotional Learning (VIDEO)
What most helps young people thrive in a challenging academic environment?
Answers from students bear out what research has found: social and ...
December 13, 2012
VIDEO: Young Leaders Share Stories with Dept. of Education
A video highlighting the National Council of Young Leaders' meeting with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in October 2012.
December 6, 2012
Do Value-Added Methods Level the Playing Field for Teachers?
Value-added models have caught the interest of policymakers because, unlike using student tests scores for other means of accountability, they purport to "level ...
December 5, 2012
Inseparable Imperatives: Equity in Education & the American Economy
For most of the last sixty years, the United States has labored to provide a quality education to all children, regardless of their skin color or socioeconomic ...
December 4, 2012
Solving a National Crisis: Youth Employment and Opportunity
Youth unemployment is at the highest level since World War II. A Casey Foundation report looks at what we know and what works, and we break it down.
December 3, 2012
In Chicago, Public Schools & Teachers Work Towards a 'Common Core'
Some states, including Illinois, have recently adopted new public school curriculum guidelines called the Common Core State Standards. While some teachers feel relief ...
December 3, 2012
VIDEOS: Presidents Helping Children & The American Dream for Kids
These new videos and an accompanying report show how past Presidents have invested in children--and why the current administration needs to do the same.
November 30, 2012
Failure is Not an Option: How Ohio's High-Achieving & High-Poverty Schools Succeed
This study from Public Agenda, a national, nonpartisan research and public engagement organization, suggests that high-poverty schools can succeed, in spite of ...
November 20, 2012
Unlearning is Critical
Unlearning is the key to high school reform.
November 19, 2012
Kids Online: Opportunities and Challenges in Social Networking Forums
As readers of this blog already know, many people are hopeful about the opportunities that online environments can provide for children. There is great promise for ...
November 15, 2012
Youth Invincibles Cuts Through the Noise & Offers Real Reforms to Federal Financial Aid
Young Invincibles interviewed thousands of college students on student debt - here are their finding and policy recommendations based on what they heard.
November 14, 2012
Big Ideas: Children in the Southwest
The Southwest is home to more than one-fourth of America's children. This unique set of publications brings some of America's most innovative thinkers ...
« first
‹ previous
next ›
last »


text:
Boys Hockey: Red Wing wins in double overtime
The shots kept coming and coming and coming and ... you get the point.
Red Wing let loose 86 shots Tuesday in the first round of the Section 1A tournament, but it took the seventh-seeded Wingers two overtimes to come away with a 3-2 victory over 10th-seeded Austin at Prairie Island Arena in Red Wing.
Packers goaltender Rainer Londino-Green made 83 saves, including numerous sprawling game-saving stops in both overtimes.


text:
Les Miserables SAG Screening | Pictures
Anne, Amanda, and Hugh Bring Les Mis West For a SAG Screening
Like us on Facebook
What's Your Reaction?
Thanks for your reaction
Don't forget to share this with your friends!
Anne, Amanda, and Hugh Bring Les Mis West For a SAG Screening
The Les Misérables crew got together in LA yesterday for a special Q&A session following a screening of their Tom Hooper-directed musical for the Screen Actors Guild. Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Anne Hathaway, and Hugh Jackman spoke about their work on the project. It was a big week for the Les Mis gang. Despite the fact that it's not hitting theaters until Christmas Day, Dec. 25, Les Misérables had already garnered award season love. Anne and Hugh both received Golden Globe and SAG nominations for their roles, and the film's in the running for best musical or comedy at the Globes.
Link Love
- India didn't even like the edited version of Fifty Shades — Us Weekly
- This Clueless star was almost cast in Titanic — HuffPost Celebrity
- Find out about Nicholas Hoult's latest project — Lainey Gossip
- Which star was Cupid for Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard? — Dlisted
- Demi Lovato talks about a possible Eminem collaboration — ET
- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is well aware of her privilege — JustJared
- Eva Longoria is still in magnificent shape — Hollywood Tuna
- Guess which celebrity quit Instagram? — Pink Is the New Blog
- Chelsea Handler did not get a breast lift, OK? — The Superficial
Latest Celebrity


text:
App Description
Lovely designed weather app for your iPhone.It do small but do it well.
You will always beware for bad weather with this app.
i wish best weather for you.
App Changes
May 27, 2014 Initial Release
App Detail » iWeatherAppPublished by: GameEra Inc. iPhone App - Designed for iPhone, compatible with iPad
Price: $1.99 |


text:
Square's name, design influenced by a meeting at Apple
For a while now it's been known that the popular iPhone credit card payment system known as Square was originally known by a different name and had a very different look.
The familiar white plastic square-shaped plug-in dongle was originally made of wood and shaped like an acorn (no joke) and its name was "Squirrel." However, the current name and shape of the credit card reader we all know and love came about after Square CEO Jack Dorsey had a lunch at Apple's Caffé Macs.
On Wednesday night, according to TNW, Dorsey told the attendees of San Francisco's Commonwealth Club, where he was accepting the 21st Century Visionary award, that he was set on the "Squirrel" name until he was having lunch with Apple's senior vice president of iPhone Software Scott Forstall. Dorsey noticed that the point-of-sale system used in Caffé Macs was from Squirrel Systems so he had to change the name of his device.
While Dorsey didn't say Forstall had anything to do with the change of the dongle's shape, it's easy to assume that the Apple's SVP took one look at the wooden acorn and said "I have a better idea."
Square first launched in 2010 and just a few days ago announced that it has shipped 500,000 Square card readers and processed 1 million transactions in May to the tune of about US$3 million worth of mobile payments a day.
Software Updates
more updates- Apple Remote Desktop updated with Yosemite support
- OS X Yosemite 10.10.2, iOS 8.1.3 updates now available
- Sports Illustrated 120 SPORTS channel comes to Apple TV
- Logic Pro X update brings AirDrop support, new effects, tools, and more
- Parallels Access 2.5 released, adds file manager, computer-to-computer remote access
- The Google Translate iOS app is about to get a lot smarter


text:
Dictionary » M » Mammary dysplasia Mammary dysplasiaMammary dysplasia An obsolete term for fibrocystic condition of the breast. Please contribute to this project, if you have more information about this term feel free to edit this page
This page was last modified 21:16, 3 October 2005. This page has been accessed 661 times. |
© Biology-Online.org. All Rights Reserved.
Register | Login
| About Us | Contact Us | Link to Us | Disclaimer & Privacy | Powered by CASPION


text:
Comfort Suites Airport 2521 Elm Hill Pike Nashville, TN 37214 Phone: (615) 391-3919 Fax: (615) 391-5995 |
Bars & Cafes
Ugly Mugs
1886 Eastland Avenue
Nashville, TN 37206
+1 615 915 0675
Mo to Fr from 06:00 AM to 10:00 PM,Sa to Su from 07:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Ugly Mugs is a great place in East Nashville to drink a delicious, hot cup of coffee in a relaxed environment with a trendy vibe and free WiFi. Bring your laptop along and get some work done outside the office. The decor is simple with clean lines, great colors, and a comfortable local feel; something the nation chains don't have. Like most hot spots in East Nashville, the clients are mostly young business professionals looking for the perfect place to think alone or spend time with friends. In addition to the great vibe, the coffee and service at Ugly Mugs is also top notch.
Earn valuable points toward free nights.


text:
Article Preview
GOP hopes Obama heath care woes have staying power
Published 10/26/2013, Associated Press
For nearly five years, Republicans have struggled to make a scandal stick to President Barack Obama's White House. One by one, the controversies — with shorthand names such as Solyndra, Benghazi, and Fast and Furious — hit a fever pitch, then faded away.
Word count: 966Log In
The full article is available to newspaper subscribers. If you are a subscriber please log in to continue reading.


text:
dc.contributor.author | Kulić, Danica | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2010-01-16T19:23:11Z | |
dc.date.available | 2010-01-16T19:23:11Z | |
dc.date.copyright | 2006 | en |
dc.date.issued | 2010-01-16T19:23:11Z | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/2429/18378 | |
dc.description.abstract | This thesis develops human-robot interaction strategies that ensure the safety of the human participant through planning and control. The control and planning strategies are based on explicit measures of danger during interaction. The level of danger is estimated based on factors influencing the impact force during a human-robot collision, such as the effective robot inertia, the relative velocity and the distance between the robot and the human. A danger criterion is developed for use during path planning based on static and quasi-static danger factors, such as the relative distance and the overall robot inertia. A planner algorithm is proposed that minimizes this criterion. A danger index, developed for the real-time safe control module, tracks dynamic danger parameters such as the relative velocity and the effective inertia at the impact point. The safe control module uses this index to identify and respond to real-time hazards not anticipated in the planning stage. Both the planning and the real-time safe control strategy have been tested in simulation and experiments. Another key requirement for improving safety is the ability of the robot to perceive its environment, and specifically the human behavior and reaction to robot movements. This thesis also examines the feasibility of using human monitoring information (such as head rotation and physiological monitoring) to further improve the safety of the human robot interaction. A human monitoring module is developed using machine vision and physiological signal monitoring. The vision component tracks the location of the human in the robot's workspace, as well as the human head orientation. The physiological signal component monitors the human physiological signals such as heart rate, perspiration rate, and muscle contraction, and estimates the human emotional response based on these signals. If anxiety or stress is detected, the robot takes corrective action to respond to the human's distress. The planning, control and human monitoring components are integrated in a robotic system and tested with human subjects. A systematic and safe interaction strategy utilizing the methods described above, and applicable to a range of human-robot interaction tasks, is presented. | en |
dc.language.iso | eng | en |
dc.relation.ispartofseries | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] | |
dc.title | Safety for human-robot interaction | en |
dc.type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation | |
dc.degree.name | Doctor of Philosophy - PhD | en |
dc.degree.discipline | Mechanical Engineering | en |
dc.degree.grantor | University of British Columbia | |
dc.date.graduation | 2006-05 | en |
dc.degree.campus | UBCV | en |
Files | Size | Format | Description | View | |
ubc_2006-130113.pdf | 20.51Mb | Adobe Portable Document Format |
View/ |
All items in cIRcle are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved.
UBC Library | Hours | Site Map | Contact Us
UBC Library
1961 East Mall
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6T 1Z1
Tel: 604-822-6375
Fax: 604-822-3893


text:
Apple posts new iTunes + iPod video
During Apple's World Wide Developers Conference Keynote on Monday, Steve Jobs introduced a new promotional video touting the success of iTunes and iPod. The iPod, iPod mini, musicians, music video snippets, Airport Express, Airtunes and the recent BMW iPod integration are featured.
Related Stories
- Revamped Apple music service not coming until WWDC; new Apple TV later this year?
- Larger iPad production delayed until later this year, USB 3.0 ports to be added?
- Apple, others likely to reach $415M settlement in poaching lawsuit [Update: settlement approved]
- Apple and HBO in talks for 'HBO Now' service launch
- Report: Next-gen 'iPhone 6s' to feature 2GB RAM, Apple SIM
- Apple looking to settle with electric car battery company
Hi, does anybody know the song from the clip??
Posted by Karsten on July 1, 2004 at 9:41 AM (CDT)
The song is:
Walkie Talkie Man by Seriogram
Hope that helps.
Posted by Ross on July 1, 2004 at 9:54 AM (CDT)
That video makes me so happy I have an iPod.
Posted by Bobby on July 1, 2004 at 11:07 AM (CDT)
:) me too, its groovy!!
Posted by yarin on July 1, 2004 at 4:32 PM (CDT)
Does anyone know the name of the last rock tune they used to promote the iPod on TV???
Posted by DC on July 1, 2004 at 8:07 PM (CDT)
ride - by the vines
Posted by yeah on July 1, 2004 at 8:14 PM (CDT)
That was SO COOL!
Posted by RSM in Tupelo, MS on July 2, 2004 at 1:14 AM (CDT)
Apple seem to have a thing for Aussie and NZ bands of late…
Posted by Nathan on July 2, 2004 at 1:17 AM (CDT)
Nathan, that's because Aussie and NZ bands are so damn good!
Posted by birdseed on July 2, 2004 at 1:49 AM (CDT)
Australia/NZ: No Mini yet… No iTunes Music Store yet… If Apple loves the Australian/NZ talent so much you would think they would reward the public that supported these bands? (Jet, The Vines & Seriogram)
Posted by JA on July 2, 2004 at 3:03 AM (CDT)
The song is actually by Steriogram not Seriogram
Posted by Roostar on July 2, 2004 at 3:32 AM (CDT)
Apple have used the 'Walkie Talkie Man' in TV ads here in the UK promoting the iPod and the iTunes store, But you can't even buy this track from the UK store….
Posted by Paul Reynolds on July 2, 2004 at 10:05 AM (CDT)
its spelled Seriogram—-not steriogram. haha.
Posted by Marie on July 7, 2004 at 7:43 AM (CDT)
What is the name of the song or group playing in the iPod BMW commercial when the punk rocker is in the back seat of the car?
Posted by Mike on July 7, 2004 at 8:31 PM (CDT)
The guy with the skelotor gloves?
Posted by Burt on July 17, 2004 at 6:51 AM (CDT)
Yeah i was wondering about the guy with the misfits style gloves too and i can't find who it is anywhere.
Posted by kevin on July 17, 2004 at 1:36 PM (CDT)
who is the hardcore punk band in the new bmw ipod comercial , i have been looking to its killing me i want tabs also the first guy to get in after the driver guy
Posted by john on July 22, 2004 at 12:23 AM (CDT)
Yeah all the bands in the BMW ad are not real. I asked on Suicidegirls.com and everyone agreed that they were just actors. If you liked that sound you might want to check out the Coachwhips they have a dirty garage sound that
Posted by Ben on July 22, 2004 at 2:52 AM (CDT)
Love the BMW! :-)
Posted by ipod case on July 27, 2004 at 6:32 AM (CDT)
I just love the BMW bit. Just have to save up to get the BMW to go with my iPod. LOL
Posted by ipod cases in New Zealand on July 27, 2004 at 6:38 AM (CDT)
If you have a comment, news tip, advertising inquiry, or coverage request, a question about iPods/iPhones/iPad or accessories, or if you sell or market iPod/iPhone/iPad products or services, read iLounge's Comments + Questions policies before posting, and fully identify yourself if you do. We will delete comments containing advertising, astroturfing, trolling, personal attacks, offensive language, or other objectionable content, then ban and/or publicly identify violators.
Recent News
- Revamped Apple music service not coming until WWDC; new Apple TV later this year?
- Larger iPad production delayed until later this year, USB 3.0 ports to be added?
- Apple, others likely to reach $415M settlement in poaching lawsuit [Update: settlement approved]
- Apple and HBO in talks for 'HBO Now' service launch
- Report: Next-gen 'iPhone 6s' to feature 2GB RAM, Apple SIM
- Apple looking to settle with electric car battery company
- Apple pushing out fix next week for 'FREAK' security flaw
- Report: Apple Watch retail strategy aims to push iPhone sales
- Apple back on top in phone sales for first time since 2011
- Phishing scam targets iCloud credentials of iOS device theft victims
Recent Reviews
- Gumdrop Cases Drop Tech Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
- Uniq Aircraft+ for iPhone 6
- Speck MightyShell + Faceplate for iPhone 6 Plus
- Mobile Home Siri remote
- Olloclip Macro 3-in-1 Lens, Telephoto + CPL Lens for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
- ExoLens Professional Photography System for iPhone 6
- Incipio offGRID Shine for iPhone 6
- Seidio Obex for iPhone 6
- RooCase GlacialTough for iPhone 6 Plus, VersaTough for iPhone 6 + 6 Plus
- CM4 Q Card Case for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus
Recent Articles
- Can I transfer the existing version of an app to my new iPhone?
- How do I quickly erase all of the contacts on my old iPhone?
- How do I disassociate my phone number from iMessage?
- How do I stop Siri from randomly waking up?
- How do I cancel a print job on iOS?
- How do I make my camera LED flash when my iPhone rings?
- How do I re-sync contacts to my vehicle after switching to a new iPhone?
- How do I move away from a shared Apple ID for iMessage?
- How do I consolidate iTunes purchases into a single account?
- How can I more easily Handoff a web page from my Mac to my iPhone?


text:
North Korea: Economy at the Crossroads
The "hermit country" is one of many apt descriptors for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (also known as North Korea). A recent string of iron fist moves by the new supreme leader, Kim Jong-Un –including the public execution of some eighty citizens (including his own uncle) and inveterate attempts for developing missiles and nuclear weapons – has reaffirmed its path towards isolation. There have been tantalizing signs, however, that this regent is considering something of an open-door policy. Since 2011, Chairman Kim has pursued the establishment of over a dozen of economic development zones, encouraged family-based farming, and invited in foreign investors by normalizing the exchange of foreign currency in private markets.
Such seemingly aberrant policies from the last remaining communist dynasty are in fact a recommencement of the economic reforms that were alight from 1999 to 2003. And to most people, it was already a decided fate due to the disintegration of the Eastern-bloc, a stronghold for the North's industrial architect, and the clobbering by natural disasters that led to the de facto collapse of the North's state-socialist economy.
Much remains unclear about how far North Korea wishes to walk the fine line between a market economy and a planned socialist economy. To some, the country has followed, or at least attempted to follow the classic equation of a market economy – decentralized resource allocation, price arbitration by supply and demand, free market entry, and competition. Throughout the varying stages of reform, the government restructured much of the administrative structure of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The "socialist goods exchange market" was introduced to permit SOEs to independently decide the means of exchanging goods at the market price, the self-accounting system was enacted to warrant SOEs' greater autonomy. As a result, SOEs are now evaluated based on their profits than the execution of state plans. Farmers' markets, the centrifugal force to the country's marketization, too, were legalized, and even unleashed the birth of other municipal markets. As previously mentioned, efforts to recruit foreign investors to generate vibrant economic environment are swirling as well.
On the other hand, the new administration still has not let go of certain desires that would put a serious halt to marketization. In 2009, the North Korean government introduced a new currency, allowing the people to exchange their old money for new at a rate of 100 to 1 as a deliberate attempt to revamp the state planned economy by collecting money from the non-national sector. Even more telling is that the government budget takes up over 60% of the national GDP, and the Central Bank in charge of the supply and demand of money operates largely under the commanded plan.
Unsurprisingly, the North has chosen to focus on export-oriented growth by employing its cheap, disciplined labor and rich natural resources for realizing a successful transition to a market economy. This requires strong international cooperation which the North probably cannot cultivate in the current political atmosphere. Its obstinate stance on nuclear weapon development has triggered international criticism and severe sanctions. China no longer serves as the North's safe haven as China's own standoff with the U.S.-Japan alliance has pushed China to pursue a friendly relation with South Korea. In a nutshell, despite Commander Kim's currency reform and semi-free market formation to attract foreign capital, a political environment with high security risks and low incentives for investment is probably detrimental enough to shoo capital inflows.
One stroke of luck for North Korea lies in that it is located at an economically dynamic center, having China, South Korea, Russia and Japan as its neighbors. As the North has an economically and politically deficient position to start with, the reform will presumably come slowly and with much confusion, and thus in desperate need for external assistance. Amidst the ever intensifying political tension in East Asia, the North's construction of a healthy economic system could build momentum for breaking this tension and building more cooperative relations. It is unclear what North Korea will choose to do at this crossroad. Its commitment to impartial economic reforms through relatively loose foreign policies could be a cornerstone for upending its infamous history, and realizing peace both at home and abroad.
The Economics of Ebola
The US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, ended the first week of August, and brought together more than 50 African leaders to discuss Africa's growing influence on the global stage. The summit came at a crucial time, in light of the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Ebola has infected more than 1,700 people in Guinea, Liberia Nigeria, and Sierra Leone – half of whom have died. The current Ebola outbreak is the largest on record and is expanding, despite great efforts to contain and combat it. Liberia's president has officially declared a state of emergency. In response, the World Health Organization announced a $100 million plan to combat the disease.
West Africa, the epicenter of the outbreak, is one of the poorest regions in the world. GNI Per Capita as of 2012 (current USD) in Guinea was $493.50, $413.80 in Liberia, and $633.50 in Sierra Leone. Such extreme poverty leads to unsuitable living conditions, a lack of sanitation, unreliable healthcare, and the consequential spread of lethal diseases. It is unsurprising to find such a vicious feedback loop in West Africa where poverty, economic volatility, and disease is the norm.
Beyond taking innocent lives, the Ebola outbreak may have severe consequences for the region's economic growth and progress. Since the outbreak began, borders in West Africa have been closed, hotels are empty, and flights have been cancelled. Rio de Janeiro-based Vale SA (VALE5), the world's biggest iron-ore producer, sent all foreign workers home and cut all operations by half, following the example of many other foreign companies in the region. Previous economic progress made in the region is sure to take a major hit. Such a devastating outbreak comes after years of relative peace among these three countries. Not long ago, all were involved in years of interconnected wars and civil strife. Today, they are working together to battle the Ebola outbreak.
Liberian Finance Minister Amara Konneh recently stated that the current outbreak has already cost his country's economy $12 million USD. Liberia has shut down schools and many local markets in response to the outbreak. The finance minister also noted that GDP will expand 6.8% this year, a 2.5% drop from last year. Similarly in Guinea, the World Bank and IMF estimate that the countries GDP will fall from 4.5% to 3.5%. To add to the misery, economists agree that food prices will rise as staples and other supplies in the region become scarce. Sando Johnson, a senator in the province of Bomi, northwest of the Liberian capital Monrovia, stated, "the restrictions were 'severe' and warned that people would die of starvation if they are not relaxed." In Liberia, a bag of rice selling for 1,300 LD ($15.76 USD) now goes for around 1,800 LD ($21.8 USD).
West African countries have deployed thousands of soldiers and policemen to enforce the quarantines at borders. These officials are tasked with conducting intensive searches of individuals and vehicles, only allowing essential goods to cross. This level of enforcement is believed to be necessary to contain the virus, or else we could be dealing with the next "bubonic plague" of our time. Such circumstances demonstrate the far-reaching effects of the current Ebola outbreak, and the need to end it.
Limited education, skyrocketing food prices, and closed borders, all byproducts of the outbreak, are becoming problematic. iF the virus spreads beyond West Africa, so will its negative consequences. It is now clear that Africa is at a critical point, and the response from global and African leaders will be essential in controlling the disease and limiting its effects on the worldwide economy.
Like fashion, international development is guided by trends. While some trends come and go, others withstand the test of time. If recent events are any indication, a new international development trend is on the horizon: development banks, governed by developing countries.
Just before the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference in Bali last October, China announced the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). As its name suggests, the bank will devote its resources to finance national and regional infrastructure development projects throughout Asia. Startup capital for the new bank is expected to be $50 billion, with aspirations to match. One of the new bank's notable plans is constructing a railway from Beijing to Baghdad. Though ambitious, China is willing to devote its resources to the cause. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, China spent 8.5% of its GDP on infrastructure from 1992 to 2011, more than any other country in the world.
While plans for the AIIB are still underway, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) recently announced plans for their own bank. Like the AIIB, the New Development Bank (NDB) will finance infrastructure projects, with initial assets reaching $50 billion. An additional $100 billion will be designated for the Contingency Reserve Arrangement (CRA) for member states with suffering from severe current account deficits. Unlike the general infrastructure fund, to which all member states contributed equally, the CRA is dominated by Chinese assets. Of the $100 billion, the Chinese will contribute $41 billion with South Africa contributing $5 billion and Russia, Brazil, and India each contributing $18 billion. With the CRA, the NDB could prove a viable alternative to the IMF, and likely with fewer conditions.
In less than a year, two new development banks have taken root. Does this trend have staying power?
If anything, the new banks will remind the development community of the importance of infrastructure development. However, to be successful, the banks' leaders must have realistic expectations with respect to international cooperation and lending capacity.
The AIIB and NDB challenge the structure of current global development institutions. The Bretton Woods system, created in 1944, reflects the economic structure of a bygone era in which the BRICS had not yet emerged. Decades later, the economy has changed though voting structure has not. The BRICS hold only 11% of the votes in the IMF, though their economies claim 20% of the world economy. A 2010 IMF agreement will redistribute some of the votes to give more weight to developing countries, thereby reducing the importance of financial contributions. The agreement, however still awaits ratification from the U.S. Congress. Until then, China, poised to be the world's largest economy this year, will have fewer votes than Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg combined.
The World Bank estimates a $1 trillion infrastructure gap for low- and middle-income countries, and the AIIB and the NDB could help to close the gap through their own financial contributions, a collective $200 billion. Cooperation with preexisting institutions, however, could be more complicated. Though sizeable, the initial capital of the AIIB and the NDB is much smaller compared to the World Bank or even the Asian Development Bank, with $232 billion and $165 billion, respectively. Cooperating with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other institutions could mean that priority projects for both banks are deferred due to the financial might of its development predecessors. To be a serious alternative to preexisting institutions, both AIIB and NDB must raise additional capital.
Perhaps the most notable shortcoming is both banks' lack of involvement in any African country save for South Africa. According to the World Bank, approximately 70% of people in sub-Saharan Africa live without access to electricity. It is puzzling as to why other African countries are given the cold shoulder, particularly Nigeria and its 170 million people, the largest in Africa. Coupled with increasing GDP growth and decreasing inflation, the country is Africa's second largest economy, and is expected to be one of the world's top economies by 2030. China is Africa's largest trading partner, though the country's trade with the continent is only a 5% share of China's global trade. Given that Africa has some of the world's most pressing infrastructure needs, Africa's lack of inclusion is questionable at best.
Both banks must exercise caution in their financial management and project execution. In plans for both banks, China is set to be a chief financial contributor, however the country remains a top beneficiary of World Bank funds. China, along with Brazil and India owe a collective $66 billion in outstanding loans. Additionally, both banks must remain cognizant of the impact of infrastructure in the least developed areas. In a 2013 Center for Economic Performance paper, economist Ben Faber found that small countries with only recently connected highway systems experienced GDP growth that was on average 19% less than small countries unconnected to highway systems. This was due to the inflow of inexpensive goods that replaced demand for local goods.
While the benefits of infrastructure are numerous, it is by no means a poverty-eradicating panacea. But it is very helpful. Increased productivity and competition make infrastructure investment key driver of economic growth and a lasting trend.
Do development banks governed by developing countries have lasting power? Only time- and perhaps the international community- will tell.
Haven "Of the People, For the People, By the People"
It sounds reasonable to assume that a high crime rate correlates with political, economical, and social turbulence. But Nicaragua, a country lying in the center of Central America, defies this apparent logic. Despite its reputation as the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, Nicaragua has made remarkable strides in public security compared to its regional neighbors, the Northern Triangle– El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. In 2012, the homicide rate in Nicaragua was 11.3 per 100,000 persons, less than one-third of the rates seen for its three northern neighbors.
Nicaragua's public safety profile is an even bigger surprise once you consider its economic, political, and geographical reality. As mentioned, Nicaragua's living standard is one of the lowest among its regional neighbors with almost half the population in unemployment and homelessness. The wage rate for police officers, set at $120 a month, as well as their availability, 18 per 10,000 persons, is just as bad as the country's poverty level. Politically, it has only been forty years since the revolutionary knock-over of the Somoza family dictatorship, and the foreign-intervened guerilla war against the subsequent authoritarian Sandinista regime. Such a short history of recovery is a fair enough excuse for Nicaragua to have security irregularities as past remains. What takes people aback the most is probably that Nicaragua has eschewed violence by drug traffickers and youth gangs like the MARAS or BARRIOS that have defined Central and South America for centuries. While Nicaragua shares a border with Honduras, a country pegged as one of the most dangerous areas in the world with the largest presence of the Maras, it has little identified indigenous terrorism and organized crimes.
It is neither stellar sociopolitical stability nor geographic prerogative that undergirds Nicaragua's peace-mongering environment. Then, what? The most sounding answer lies in "preventive, proactive, community-oriented police model."
Four decades of civil war the in Northern Triangle occurred at the end of the twentieth century, though they all differed in intensity, nature, and longevity. These conflicts caused these nations to develop national security policies that engagee the military in reactionary and repressive fashion. In contrast to their iron-fist policies, Nicaragua's police system, while still retaining the pattern of military engagement in public security, proactively seeks to create a safe social environment. For example, the Nicaragua National Police (PNN) has created specialist bodies for youth violence and intra-family and sexual violence, which take up 20% of the national crime rate. These bodies carry out comprehensive three stage responses – transforming local environments, cooperating with local NGOs and health centers for victim support, and vocational training and education.
Even more telling of the country's success, is the community-oriented aspect of the police model. A 1995 Constitutional Reform has given the PNN its own General Directorate and greater independence, which allows it freedom from political games. Under the centralized leadership, its operation is enrooted in a strong police-society partnership in a decentralized manner. There are usually broad channels of communication with local residents such as community assemblies and direct linkages with the people. In each district, there is a sector police chief, responsible for paying door-to-door visits to residents, building close ties with them, and inviting them for neighborhood watch activities. Among 100,000 volunteers nationwide assisting the PNN in both crime detection and victim support are some professionals like law and psychology students, as well as some experienced former gang members and victims of violence, and NGOs. The fact that Nicaragua has social culture of parochialism and small-township, resulting in close community ties, complements the picture.
Nicaragua is not completely spared from the threats of violence. There are still 25,000 or so youth gangs. They are small in scale and often do not have foreign connections. But it is a logical sequence that the Mara gangs, contained in the North for now, may move south and reach these youths, especially at the wake of the Central America border control agreement which allows free movement of citizens between Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Threats from a Mexican Mob, the Zetas cannot be ignored, as well. The persistence of low income, high poverty level further "legitimizes" participation in cocaine smuggling and investments. Above all, fraud in 2008 municipal elections, and the Police Directorate's neglect of the limit on a five-year term, a writ-large departure from democratic order, pose a greatest disturbance to the philosophy of the country's legal system.
Nicaragua has done a fair job so far, fair enough for the neighboring countries to learn from, though not replicate, its police model. Whether it will continue to be exemplary depends first on the collective effort by its regional partners to contain and ultimately eradicate organized crime groups. What remains of greater importance is to strive to live by a pillar that ensures equality of all people both politically and economically.
Overpromise and Under-Deliver: Growth in Mexico
Over the past three decades, and despite great hopes to the contrary, Mexico's economy has under-performed. In the early 1908s, Mexico introduced aggressive political and economic reforms in an attempt to gain footing among the world's strongest economies. These reforms embraced global markets and decreased the state's role in the economy. An independent central bank was introduced along with more developed financial markets, as the country faced a tough macroeconomic stabilization period. Additionally, the country liberalized foreign trade and investment by privatizing nearly 1,000 state-owned enterprises. By 1994, Mexico joined the OECD, a sign that the country was on the right track. Despite these efforts, Mexico has seen capita income grow by an anemic 1.1% per annum over the past 25 years. Compared to other countries with similar economies (see below), Mexico's relative stagnation seems all the more acute..
In 2012, Enrique Peña Nieto took office as Mexico's 57th President, eager to tackle the country's growth challenge. So far, President Nieto seems to be heading in the right direction promoting an ambitious reform agenda that seeks to not spur economic growth, but also develop and enforce anti-monopoly regulation. The President's agenda highlights two main reforms: energy and education. His education reforms target the quality of working educators by introducing a series of rigorous tests that may cost teachers their jobs if they fail. The energy reforms aim to reduce the market share of Pemex , which will go along way in strengthening the energy sector through increased competition.
President Peña Nieto intends to have all reforms approved by the end of 2014, but this is just half the battle. The most challenging part of these reforms will be enforcing all the regulations once implemented and winning over the general population.
Early last year, Elba Esther Gordillo, the powerful leader of Mexico's teacher's union, was arrested on massive charges of embezzlement of over 2 Billion Pesos (159 Million USD). The arrest came the day after President Nieto signed the education reforms into law. Shortly after, thousands of teachers stormed the streets to protest the education reform package. This forceful disapproval of the president's reform agenda is a much-needed reminder that optimism for growth in Mexico is far from reality, and that Peña Nieto still has much to accomplish.
According to researchers at the Wilson Center's Mexico Institute, the principal cause of Mexico's stagnant growth is misguided education reform and dismal worker productivity. Worker productivity in Mexico has failed to increase over the past three decades despite the steady increase in school enrollment over the past five decades (see figure below). Educational facilities in Mexico focus on teaching cognitive skills rather than the technical skills that employers demand. The lack of technical skill-focused education in Mexico has lead to disappointing levels of worker productivity. This will continue unless the government seeks further reform focused on increasing the quality of educators and the type of education, not just the amount of people who receive an education.
In the past, the government's answer to dismal growth has been disjointed. The Mexican Government has managed isolated efforts with no comprehensive strategy to patch up the economy. This erratic policymaking has led to many conflicting reforms, hindering growth in an economy that has been dreaming of development for decades. President Peña Nieto's aggressive reform agenda brings newfound optimism for growth in Mexico. In his four remaining years in office, Peña Nieto is expected to accomplish what many have failed to do. Is it finally Mexico's time to shine?
Matatus and Mobile Money: Bridging the Gaps in Kenya
In the United States, there are some planes, a few trains, and many automobiles. In Kenya, it is all about the matatu.
Though there are other forms of transport, Kenya is best know for the omnipresent and chaotic mass transit system. Larger than vans and smaller than full-size buses, matatus are known to be one of the most utilized and certainly most colorful of Kenya's transportation systems.
While concentrated around the capital, Nairobi, matatus operate throughout the country, linking urban and rural settlements across a complex network of poorly-maintained roads. In Kenya, such convenience comes at a price, or in the case of matatus, a severe safety risk. In 2010, the World Health Organization estimated over 8,400 traffic-related deaths. And while data from Kenya's National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicates that traffic-related fatalities have declined since 2010, Nairobi still ranks as the world's fourth worst commute according to IBM's Commuter Pain Index. With over 5,000 matatus serving the greater Nairobi area, it is likely the mini-buses are part of the problem, not the solution.
In June, as part of a series of reforms, the NTSA decided to modernize the matatu system by mandating cashless payment methods for the country's estimated 20,000 privately owned matatus. Prior to the NTSA mandate, matatu drivers relied on cash transactions. This allowed drivers to set their own fares, negotiate with customers, and keep their own loose records of the number of passengers. As a result, matatu owners may not know how much profit their vehicles make. Matatu drivers, with no incentive to report the proceeds often pay a flat fee to the owners and keep the remaining revenue for themselves.
In an effort to provide a uniform system NTSA is calling for a payment system similar to London's Oyster card. Matatu patrons have the option of filling cards at various locations throughout Nairobi or using a mobile banking service such as M-Pesa. With a multitude of payment options, government officials anticipate a streamlining of transportation payments, a decline in corruption, and an increase in tax revenue.
Despite some concerns about cashless payments, the NTSA's system is tried and true. Last year, Beba Pay, a joint venture between East Africa's largest bank and Google, announced a cashless payment system that would work for select bus fares throughout Nairobi. With prepaid fare cards, passengers simply tap their card to an onboard card reader, the first system of its kind in Kenya. Though many commuters enjoy the convenience of going cashless, not all bus lines accept the prepaid cards.
While the United Nations still classifies Kenya as "developing,"the country is poised to be Africa's economic powerhouse. Perhaps the greatest indicator of Kenya's progress lies in widely available technology. In 2013, a record 70% of Kenyans used cellphones, the fastest cellphone use growth rate in all of Sub-Saharan Africa. With the lowest phone tariffs on the continent and continued deregulation of the telecommunications industry, mobile phone use is expected to continue to grow, perhaps becoming on par with 91% user rate in the United States.
The popularity of mobile phones has also encouraged the growth of mobile banking. Popular programs like M-Pesa allows Kenyans to manage their finances without actually having a bank account. M-Pesa users can transfer money to and from individual accounts with a simple text message, making the service easy to use and more convenient than visiting an actual bank. The program is so widely used that 25% of the country's GNP is filtered through the service and 60% of Kenyans use their M-Pesa accounts to shop, pay bills, and transfer money to relatives or friends, especially in rural areas where banks are unavailable.
With a cashless payment scheme, the NTSA expects increased tax revenue. In a cash-dominated payment structure, drivers arenot held accountable for reporting the number of passengers or making due payments to matatu owners. . In a cashless payment system, governed by prepaid cards, tax revenue is bound to increase as records become more transparent and more accessible. Currently, matatus and similar mass transit vehicles are taxed by whichever is more of their maximum passenger capacity or a flat fee of 2,400 KES (27.35 USD). With increased tax revenue, the Kenyan government hopes to meet its 2030 plan to build more roads and improve its mass transit system.
Ideally, all of Kenya's estimated 20,000 matatus will adopt the cashless payment scheme, though the transition will not be simple. Cashless payment methods were supposed to be fully implemented by early July, but only 2,000 matatus have forgone cash-only payments. This is due to the Matatu Owners Association's calls for extension of the deadline to implement the new payment systems. Further criticism from matatu drivers asserts that new cashless systems will deprive drivers of their "fair share" of wages by forbidding them to adjust prices and negotiate at their own discretion.
Mobile banking and matatus have something in common: they connect people and goods across Kenya. Whether urban or rural, within Nairobi or to its sprawling suburbs, both signify Kenya's progress as a developing country and regional leader of development. Though the matatu is met with government demands and some backlash from the public, one thing is certain: the matatu is here to stay.
Into the Twilight
An aging population can pose many challenges to both families and developing nations. In China where the dominance of traditional filial pieties have dictated social norms, manly elders fear having no warrant for filial support after retirement due to changing norms. At this juncture, a brilliant trend-spotter, Starcastle offers a promising alternative. Starcastle is a Shanghai-based joint venture company between a large Chinese conglomerate, Fosun Group, and an American hedge-fund giant, Fortress Investment Group, that caters to hospitable senior living communities for retired elders. A stereotypical life of quiet retirement is unheard of at Starcastle. Instead, classy, up-to-date activities like tai chi, calligraphy, dances, social media messaging, and gaming in open-air cafés invigorate the facility and the lives of its residents.
The vibrant scenes playing out in this "castle" reflect a prominent trend in China's social service market. Attracted by the country's aging population, major U.S. firms including Emeritus Corp., Life Care Services LLC, and John C. Erikson have broken into the Chinese market in a tight consultation with Chinese firms, developers, and government officials. Small-scale government sponsorship like tax incentives and direct financial support for private nursing institutions dates back to as early as the 1950s. The number of institutions established, however, was not even close to being enough to care for the country's elderly population, and poor infrastructure, service quality, and prices never appealed to the Chinese people. Reflecting on its past failure to build up the senior services market, the Chinese government made some effort itself to increase participation by allocating a huge block of land in Beijing for senior housing, overtly relying on the private sector in developing senior care.
Services for the aging population in China do in fact need a serious overhaul. In 2000, China's 60-year-and-older population reached approximately 10% of the total population. Chinese government officials project that one third of China's population will be over retirement age by 2050. Many blame the demographic fallout on the 1979 One-Child Policy, which dramatically shifted population balance. Increasing life expectancy has also contributed to the problem. In 1980, life expectancy for both sexes was 64 years. In 2001, it rose to 78.1 years. When these numbers are tied together with the average retirement age – 55 for female and 60 for male – it turns out that the elderly have a significant portion of their lives left after retirement.
The developing senior care sector is also in response to another noteworthy demographic trend – the rise of the urban middle class. The increase in China's middle class population has been extraordinary. By 2022, more than 45% of the population is expected to be categorized as middle income earners. Right now, the mass middle class accounts for more than half of that number, but many expect the upper middle class, who can pay a premium for quality products and discretionary services, to become the new mainstream. Senior care does not come cheap. Starcastle primarily targets wealthy business owners in Shanghai who are capable of paying high costs for independent-living apartments, nurse care, housekeeping, and healthy meals. Rising labor and service costs, prices for land-use rights, and costs involved in the overall process inevitably drive the industry to target the rich for profitability. Senior care communities are attainable only for the powerful middle class, at least for now.
Of course, current efforts by foreign firms and domestic developers are not enough to entirely fend off the burden of caring for the aging population. There is still a large chunk of the population, mostly in rural areas, who cannot take part in this upmarket industry. China's remarkable economic growth may also stall, dragging down middle-class ambitions with it. Chinese government's ambiguous guidelines on its censorship and regulations on private, especially foreign, firms may put a halt to the deluge of development efforts in elderly care, as well.
In most developed countries, social benefit programs along with the long-lived culture of planning for post-retirement have been a cornerstone for caring for the elderly. China's unique social, economic, and cultural environments requires a new or revised development model that suits China's characteristics. Amidst many uncertainties, one thing seems to be clear though; greater government participation and subsidies beyond allowing foreigners to participate is needed, so that all can comfortably live out the twilight of their lives.


text:
New council legislation: Third Church, WMATA compact, and more
Last year, Councilmember Jack Evans introduced a bill to exempt recently-designed churches from historic preservation. I and others argued that it could exempt other properties that might be, at the very least, less controversial. Evans withdrew the legislation amid criticism and the primary election; Marion Barry later reintroduced it, but it didn't come to a vote.
Now, as promised, Evans has introduced new legislation (PDF). This time, it specifically only exempts this one property from the historic preservation law. I'd suggest that the bill specifically clarify that if the church ceases to own the property, the exemption would end. Barry also reintroduced the broader bill once again.
Jim Graham introduced a bill to amend the WMATA Compact under the terms of the deal worked out between the federal government and DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Each jurisdiction must contribute $50 million per year to WMATA, and the feds will match the $150 million total. Under the bill, as promised in the deal, they also get two board seats, appointed by the General Services Administration, as long as they're holding up their end of the bargain and contributing their share.
In addition, the bill requires one of the federal representatives to be a regular rider of Metro services. Good idea; how about demanding that of all board members? It also adds a position of inspector general.
Other measures introduced recently include a resolution to confirm Gabe Klein, and this bill by Barry and Harry Thomas, Jr. that seems to seek to reestablish a Museum of the City of Washington, DC at the Carnegie Library building in Mount Vernon Square. The museum closed in 2004 from low attendance, and now the Historical Society occupies the building including some public exhibits.
So which is it: no landmarking while a church or no landmarking after it's a church?
The riders you suggest are well-intentioned, but at this point we just need a bill.
how can jim graham introduce a bill requiring a federal representatives for the wmata board be a regular wmata rider when he himself, as chair of the board for this year, is well-known for riding everywhere in his VW bug, and not on transit? it seems like he could help set the example as well.
Add a Comment
- 2.5 minutes of extra walking is not nothing
- I can take the bus from my neighborhood to just about anywhere in DC
- Sidewalk snow shoveling hall of shame: "DC government is the worst offender" (and Arlington too)
- DC like Amsterdam? We can only hope
- Shovel your sidewalks!
- Media reports downplay the dangers of driving while sensationalizing everything else
- How well do you know Metro? It's whichWMATA week 40


text:
See items selected especially for you. Shop recommendations.
Exclusive finds with a new theme each month.
Shop: Pop-In
Our director of creative projects shares what she's into.
Read More
Stay updated with a steady stream of new info.
Signature logo buttons on the front pockets and waistband lend nautical appeal to preppy cuffed shorts.


text:
By Wendy Perilli | Article Rating: |
March 10, 2009 06:00 AM EDT | Reads: |
46,288 |
What's all the buzz about? Cloud computing is one of Gartner's top 10 strategic technology trends for 2009 – #2, right behind virtualization. Analysts say the economics of cloud for customers are truly compelling, with expected savings for business applications of 3-5x. That's not chump change – particularly in today's recessionary economy.
But the most compelling benefits of the cloud aren't just cost-savings. They're the increased flexibility, elasticity and scalability available to optimize efficiency and best serve the needs of the business.
What is Cloud Computing
Whether you're an enterprise or small to medium business, you'll soon be benefiting from the cloud. But what is cloud computing exactly?
Cloud computing is essentially the ability to acquire or deliver a resource on demand, configured however the users chooses, and paid for according to consumption. From a supplier's perspective, including both internal IT groups and service providers, it means being able to deliver and manage resource pools and applications in a multi-tenancy environment, to deliver the user an on-demand, pay-per-use service. A cloud service can be infrastructure for hosting applications or data storage, a development platform, or even an application that you can get on-demand, either off-site at a provider, such as SunGard or Salesforce, or built onsite within IT.
It's important to note that while many view cloud computing as services consumed externally, innovative CIOs have taken the steps to transform their IT groups into internal service providers. This strategic shift gives them control and accountability for usage and resources, while providing a dynamic, self service model to accommodate the needs and SLAs required by the business units. To see how one enterprise did this, you can view their video story online at: www.vmware.com/cloud.
For those of us who remember the good old dot com days, before the bust, we saw the concept of hosted services emerge. Everyone jumped on the ASP, ISP, MSP (application service provider, internet service provider, managed service provider, respectively) bandwagons and built offerings to deliver online services or variants thereof, such as on-demand software and software-as-a-service (SaaS).
Remembering back to the xSP days, however, we must also remember that there were issues with the services hosting model. One issue was that few were comfortable with the concept of having their information hosted outside of their immediate control, as well as the fear of being locked into a relationship with particular vendors.
So, as the new concept of the cloud emerges, many are asking how it's different this time around and what should we expect? Unlike those previous hosting models, we see well-established companies diversifying their business models to offer new services, based on established core competencies. This fundamental difference will help shape and stabilize the new concept of the cloud.
VMware CTO Steve Herrod keynoting SYS-CON's 3rd Virtualization Conference & Expo in New York. Read an Exclusive Q&A wth Herrod here.
But even more importantly, we have seen new technologies evolve over the past decade that are essential to the notion of the cloud. The key technology is virtualization. In addition to some amazing cost savings and goodness for the environment, virtualization's ability to separate the OS and application from the hardware give it ideal properties to best deliver these on-demand cloud services. Charles King, Principal Analyst at Pund-IT put it succinctly: "Without virtualization there is no cloud- that's what enabled the emergence of this new, sustainable industry."
Challenges of the cloud
Today, new and established vendors are vying to deliver cloud services. The challenge for users becomes choosing the right offering. Many of the offerings are really designed to encourage development on the vendor's proprietary platform, limiting switching abilities and propagating the offering through applications built for the external cloud only. This is appealing to the development community as it enables quick access to infrastructure and development platforms on which to create a cloud application. But this can become a nightmare for IT when the application has to come back into the enterprise for production-level support, as well as dealing with SOX and IP risks. The viability of this solution is potentially the unearthing of a more significant problem, the inability of IT to deliver infrastructure on demand to meet the dynamic needs of these groups. However in many cases, unless you're building an application from scratch, most businesses don't have the time or resources to rewrite their production applications to work in the cloud on a proprietary platform.
Users should choose a cloud strategy that enables the fastest development time for new applications, with the broadest support for various OSs and development environments, as well as the ability to support production-level applications on- and off-premise as needed.
The other challenge is mobility and choice in location for running applications, internally in a private cloud or externally in a public cloud. Another approach we see in the market is the "superstore phenomenon." Organizations such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google all plan to battle it out over whose superstore datacenter will be the place your developers will build and house their cloud applications. It is true that these are all stable brands and their infrastructure will likely be a safe place to run your applications; however, in the event of outages, downtime and the inability to access your applications, what options will you have? Additionally, how will you manage these instances, where they live long term and what risks will be imposed by keeping them off site? Users should be able to move their applications at will from one cloud to another, whether internally or externally.
Obviously, the encapsulation offered in virtualization and the mobility found in technology like VMware VMotion - which enables a live virtual machine to be moved with no downtime for the application - increase a user's ability to move virtual machines as needed. VMware's approach to the cloud is not about vendor lock-in , but is about enabling its ecosystem of partners to build and deliver services on a common platform, allowing users to simplify the federation of clouds, on or off premise as needed, to a broad base of service providers.
Lastly, you'll want to look at innovation and stability in providing the technology to leverage your virtualization investments into internal or external cloud options. If your production environments are running on VMware and you chose that platform due to the robust innovation cycles, reliability and technology advancements offered today, you want nothing less in a cloud services provider off-premise. Say you want to establish a relationship with a service provider to offer some flex capacity at the end of the quarter for financial reporting activities. You'll still want the reliability of your production system, control of that environment and the ability to move your VMs when and where you want. Also, as you build your internal clouds, look for vendors that are building for the future and whatever new technologies and application infrastructures might come along, visionary vendors that are future-proofed for new trends and have proven that they can deliver technology innovation in a timely manner.
Why does virtualization matter when building or selecting cloud services/vendors?
Clearly, there's a new trend emerging with lots of options, but also many challenges that could cost big money to reverse. How does virtualization address these challenges and allow a seamless transition to a cloud strategy, either on- or off-premise?
As mentioned above the key requirements you should demand from your cloud providers are: broad application support without lock-in, ease in mobility of environments, broad choice of locations (internal or external), and innovation that drives simplified federation of on- and off-premise clouds. Additionally, as an enterprise you'll want to look for innovation in building the internal (private) cloud to evolve your ability to offer dynamic services.
As noted, virtualization is the key. Most companies' first step on the virtualization path is to consolidate their servers, using virtualization to run multiple applications on each server instead of just one, increasing the utilization rate of (and getting more value from) every server and, thus, dramatically reducing the number of servers they need to buy, rack, power, cool, and manage.
Having consolidated servers, you realize that not only have you substantially cut the capital and operating costs of your server environments, but as a result the entire datacenter has become far more flexible. Along the way, you may have started to think about and to use IT resources - including servers, storage, networks, desktops, and applications - not as isolated silos that must be managed individually but as pools of resources that can be managed in the aggregate.
This means that you can now move resources around at will across the network, from server to server, datacenter to datacenter, and even out into the cloud, to balance loads and use compute capacity more efficiently across the entire global IT environment.
In other words, users are able to look at the compute power as a centralized resource that they can now allocate to business units on demand, while still maintaining control and operational excellence. Leveraging virtualization to better serve users gives your organization the obvious lower TCO, but also allows for accountability of usage, simplifies and meets the needs of on-demand infrastructure requests, and allows for your ability to serve, control and manage SLAs.
Hence, virtualization has played and will continue to play a huge role in cloud computing. It is the technology that has allowed service providers to deliver lower-cost hosting environments to businesses of all sizes today. Just as virtualization enabled you to consolidate your servers and do more with less hardware, it also lets you support more users per piece of hardware, and deliver applications - and the servers on which they run - faster to those users.
As the leader in virtualization, VMware recently launched its vCloud initiative. With its proven, reliable platform deployed in over 120,000 customer environments today, VMware is committed to working with enterprises who want to build internal clouds with the ability to federate to external providers to meet the changing needs of thier business. VMware's virtual datacenter operating system, enables internal clouds with features such as self-service provisioning, chargeback, and many other advanced automation and management features.
In addition, VMware is leveraging its huge ecosystem to bring new cloud offerings, such as security for clouds, to market. The virtualization market leader's approach leverages the infrastructure and expertise of hundreds of partners worldwide, including brand names such as Verizon, Hosting.com, SunGard, Terremark and Savvis to deliver the VMware platform and cloud services. This, in combination with the technology for internal clouds, lets enterprises run their applications where they want, when they want.
With the largest choice of location and interoperability of platforms, the broadest application and OS support, and leading virtualization and cloud technologies, VMware and its cloud strategy offer users a safe, reliable, and robust on-ramp to the cloud, whether on or off premise.
So, if you're a VMware user, you're in good hands and you've already taken steps toward the cloud simply by virtualizing your servers on a proven platform that offers rich management and automation features. You will see VMware continue to lead the market in delivering cloud innovation for both on- and off-premise clouds.
If you're not a VMware user but want reliable infrastructure on demand, many service providers offer VMware Infrastructure 3 with pay-per-use models. For more information about VMware vCloud or to find a partner that can help you realize the benefits of the cloud, visit: www.vmware.com/vcloud.
Published March 10, 2009 Reads 46,288
Copyright © 2009 SYS-CON Media, Inc. — All Rights Reserved.
Syndicated stories and blog feeds, all rights reserved by the author.
- Three Top Industry Thought Leaders To Keynote at SYS-CON's Cloud Computing Expo
- SYS-CON's 5th International Virtualization Conference & Expo: Themes & Topics
- An A to Z of Cloud Computing in New York City
- Exclusive Q&A with VMware CTO Steve Herrod
- The Top 150 Players in Cloud Computing
- VMware Coming Back Along with the Economy
More Stories By Wendy Perilli
Wendy Perilli is director of product marketing for cloud computing at VMware. She gathers market insight from analysts, customers, service and technology partners and many others. With almost 20 years in high-tech fields, Wendy's broad range of experience with various technologies offers unique insight into the role that virtualization plays in emerging markets and trends.
One of the biggest impacts of the Internet of Things is and will continue to be on data; specifically data volume, management and usage. Companies are scrambling to adapt to this new and unpredictable data reality with legacy infrastructure that cannot handle the speed and volume of data.
In his session at @ThingsExpo, Don DeLoach, CEO and president of Infobright, will discuss how companies need to rethink their data infrastructure to participate in the IoT, including:
Data storage: Understanding the kinds of data: structured, unstructured, big/small?
Analytics: What kinds and how responsiv... Mar. 4, 2015 05:00 AM EST Reads: 2,641 |
By Liz McMillan The Workspace-as-a-Service (WaaS) market will grow to $6.4B by 2018. In his session at 16th Cloud Expo, Seth Bostock, CEO of IndependenceIT, will begin by walking the audience through the evolution of Workspace as-a-Service, where it is now vs. where it going.
To look beyond the desktop we must understand exactly what WaaS is, who the users are, and where it is going in the future. IT departments, ISVs and service providers must look to workflow and automation capabilities to adapt to growing demand and the rapidly changing workspace model. Mar. 4, 2015 04:00 AM EST Reads: 1,081 |
By Liz McMillan Sensor-enabled things are becoming more commonplace, precursors to a larger and more complex framework that most consider the ultimate promise of the IoT: things connecting, interacting, sharing, storing, and over time perhaps learning and predicting based on habits, behaviors, location, preferences, purchases and more.
In his session at @ThingsExpo, Tom Wesselman, Director of Communications Ecosystem Architecture at Plantronics, will examine the still nascent IoT as it is coalescing, including what it is today, what it might ultimately be, the role of wearable tech, and technology gaps stil... Mar. 4, 2015 03:30 AM EST Reads: 2,727 |
By Pat Romanski The Internet of Things (IoT) promises to evolve the way the world does business; however, understanding how to apply it to your company can be a mystery. Most people struggle with understanding the potential business uses or tend to get caught up in the technology, resulting in solutions that fail to meet even minimum business goals.
In his session at @ThingsExpo, Jesse Shiah, CEO / President / Co-Founder of AgilePoint Inc., showed what is needed to leverage the IoT to transform your business. He discussed opportunities and challenges ahead for the IoT from a market and technical point of vie... Mar. 4, 2015 02:45 AM EST Reads: 3,814 |
By Liz McMillan Hadoop as a Service (as offered by handful of niche vendors now) is a cloud computing solution that makes medium and large-scale data processing accessible, easy, fast and inexpensive.
In his session at Big Data Expo, Kumar Ramamurthy, Vice President and Chief Technologist, EIM & Big Data, at Virtusa, will discuss how this is achieved by eliminating the operational challenges of running Hadoop, so one can focus on business growth. The fragmented Hadoop distribution world and various PaaS solutions that provide a Hadoop flavor either make choices for customers very flexible in the name of opti... Mar. 4, 2015 02:30 AM EST Reads: 1,171 |
By Pat Romanski The true value of the Internet of Things (IoT) lies not just in the data, but through the services that protect the data, perform the analysis and present findings in a usable way. With many IoT elements rooted in traditional IT components, Big Data and IoT isn't just a play for enterprise. In fact, the IoT presents SMBs with the prospect of launching entirely new activities and exploring innovative areas. CompTIA research identifies several areas where IoT is expected to have the greatest impact. Mar. 4, 2015 02:00 AM EST Reads: 3,125 |
By Elizabeth White Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are increasing at an unprecedented rate. The threat landscape of today is drastically different than just a few years ago. Attacks are much more organized and sophisticated. They are harder to detect and even harder to anticipate. In the foreseeable future it's going to get a whole lot harder. Everything you know today will change. Keeping up with this changing landscape is already a daunting task. Your organization needs to use the latest tools, methods and expertise to guard against those threats. But will that be enough? In the foreseeable future attacks w... Mar. 4, 2015 01:30 AM EST Reads: 3,519 |
By Elizabeth White Disruptive macro trends in technology are impacting and dramatically changing the "art of the possible" relative to supply chain management practices through the innovative use of IoT, cloud, machine learning and Big Data to enable connected ecosystems of engagement. Enterprise informatics can now move beyond point solutions that merely monitor the past and implement integrated enterprise fabrics that enable end-to-end supply chain visibility to improve customer service delivery and optimize supplier management. Learn about enterprise architecture strategies for designing connected systems tha... Mar. 4, 2015 12:30 AM EST Reads: 3,542 |
By Carmen Gonzalez Wearable devices have come of age. The primary applications of wearables so far have been "the Quantified Self" or the tracking of one's fitness and health status. We propose the evolution of wearables into social and emotional communication devices. Our BE(tm) sensor uses light to visualize the skin conductance response. Our sensors are very inexpensive and can be massively distributed to audiences or groups of any size, in order to gauge reactions to performances, video, or any kind of presentation.
In her session at @ThingsExpo, Jocelyn Scheirer, CEO & Founder of Bionolux, will discuss ho... Mar. 4, 2015 12:00 AM EST Reads: 3,088 |
By Carmen Gonzalez Even as cloud and managed services grow increasingly central to business strategy and performance, challenges remain. The biggest sticking point for companies seeking to capitalize on the cloud is data security. Keeping data safe is an issue in any computing environment, and it has been a focus since the earliest days of the cloud revolution. Understandably so: a lot can go wrong when you allow valuable information to live outside the firewall. Recent revelations about government snooping, along with a steady stream of well-publicized data breaches, only add to the uncertainty Mar. 3, 2015 11:15 PM EST Reads: 748 |
By Elizabeth White SYS-CON Events announced today that Dyn, the worldwide leader in Internet Performance, will exhibit at SYS-CON's 16th International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY.
Dyn is a cloud-based Internet Performance company. Dyn helps companies monitor, control, and optimize online infrastructure for an exceptional end-user experience. Through a world-class network and unrivaled, objective intelligence into Internet conditions, Dyn ensures traffic gets delivered faster, safer, and more reliably than ever. Mar. 3, 2015 09:15 PM EST Reads: 875 |
By Pat Romanski As organizations shift toward IT-as-a-service models, the need for managing and protecting data residing across physical, virtual, and now cloud environments grows with it. CommVault can ensure protection &E-Discovery of your data – whether in a private cloud, a Service Provider delivered public cloud, or a hybrid cloud environment – across the heterogeneous enterprise.
In his session at 16th Cloud Expo, Randy De Meno, Chief Technologist - Windows Products and Microsoft Partnerships, will discuss how to cut costs, scale easily, and unleash insight with CommVault Simpana software, the only si... Mar. 3, 2015 05:00 PM EST Reads: 963 |
By Carmen Gonzalez Cloud data governance was previously an avoided function when cloud deployments were relatively small. With the rapid adoption in public cloud – both rogue and sanctioned, it's not uncommon to find regulated data dumped into public cloud and unprotected. This is why enterprises and cloud providers alike need to embrace a cloud data governance function and map policies, processes and technology controls accordingly.
In her session at 15th Cloud Expo, Evelyn de Souza, Data Privacy and Compliance Strategy Leader at Cisco Systems, will focus on how to set up a cloud data governance program and s... Mar. 3, 2015 04:15 PM EST Reads: 927 |
By Elizabeth White Roberto Medrano, Executive Vice President at SOA Software, had reached 30,000 page views on his home page - http://RobertoMedrano.SYS-CON.com/ - on the SYS-CON family of online magazines, which includes Cloud Computing Journal, Internet of Things Journal, Big Data Journal, and SOA World Magazine. He is a recognized executive in the information technology fields of SOA, internet security, governance, and compliance. He has extensive experience with both start-ups and large companies, having been involved at the beginning of four IT industries: EDA, Open Systems, Computer Security and now SOA. Mar. 3, 2015 04:00 PM EST Reads: 1,443 |
By Carmen Gonzalez The industrial software market has treated data with the mentality of "collect everything now, worry about how to use it later." We now find ourselves buried in data, with the pervasive connectivity of the (Industrial) Internet of Things only piling on more numbers. There's too much data and not enough information.
In his session at @ThingsExpo, Bob Gates, Global Marketing Director, GE's Intelligent Platforms business, to discuss how realizing the power of IoT, software developers are now focused on understanding how industrial data can create intelligence for industrial operations. Imagine ... Mar. 3, 2015 03:15 PM EST Reads: 1,521 |
By Carmen Gonzalez Operational Hadoop and the Lambda Architecture for Streaming Data
Apache Hadoop is emerging as a distributed platform for handling large and fast incoming streams of data. Predictive maintenance, supply chain optimization, and Internet-of-Things analysis are examples where Hadoop provides the scalable storage, processing, and analytics platform to gain meaningful insights from granular data that is typically only valuable from a large-scale, aggregate view. One architecture useful for capturing and analyzing streaming data is the Lambda Architecture, representing a model of how to analyze rea... Mar. 3, 2015 02:00 PM EST Reads: 1,481 |
By Elizabeth White SYS-CON Events announced today that Vitria Technology, Inc. will exhibit at SYS-CON's @ThingsExpo, which will take place on June 9-11, 2015, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY.
Vitria will showcase the company's new IoT Analytics Platform through live demonstrations at booth #330. Vitria's IoT Analytics Platform, fully integrated and powered by an operational intelligence engine, enables customers to rapidly build and operationalize advanced analytics to deliver timely business outcomes for use cases across the industrial, enterprise, and consumer segments. Mar. 3, 2015 01:45 PM EST Reads: 1,369 |
By Roger Strukhoff Containers and microservices have become topics of intense interest throughout the cloud developer and enterprise IT communities.
Accordingly, attendees at the upcoming 16th Cloud Expo at the Javits Center in New York June 9-11 will find fresh new content in a new track called PaaS | Containers & Microservices
Containers are not being considered for the first time by the cloud community, but a current era of re-consideration has pushed them to the top of the cloud agenda. With the launch of Docker's initial release in March of 2013, interest was revved up several notches. Then late last... Mar. 3, 2015 01:00 PM EST Reads: 996 |
By Elizabeth White HP and Aruba Networks on Monday announced a definitive agreement for HP to acquire Aruba, a provider of next-generation network access solutions for the mobile enterprise, for $24.67 per share in cash. The equity value of the transaction is approximately $3.0 billion, and net of cash and debt approximately $2.7 billion. Both companies' boards of directors have approved the deal.
"Enterprises are facing a mobile-first world and are looking for solutions that help them transition legacy investments to the new style of IT," said Meg Whitman, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of HP... Mar. 3, 2015 01:00 PM EST Reads: 940 |
By Carmen Gonzalez The explosion of connected devices / sensors is creating an ever-expanding set of new and valuable data. In parallel the emerging capability of Big Data technologies to store, access, analyze, and react to this data is producing changes in business models under the umbrella of the Internet of Things (IoT). In particular within the Insurance industry, IoT appears positioned to enable deep changes by altering relationships between insurers, distributors, and the insured.
In his session at @ThingsExpo, Michael Sick, a Senior Manager and Big Data Architect within Ernst and Young's Financial Servi... Mar. 3, 2015 12:00 PM EST Reads: 1,455 |