text:
A computer method and device for intercepting contracting client's sent electronic messages, scanning the message body content for key words, sending the key words to a remote central computer server which analyses the key words and enhances the message by attaching a relevant, contextual advertising tag line or image/banner/words/HTML/Flash, etc to the electronic message, and transmitting the enhanced message to a receiver.
1. In a computing system having access to a third party content database and including a server system configured to receive and analyze electronic communications and route the electronic communications to recipient addresses, a method for enhancing electronic communications with contextually relevant third party content, comprising:
the server system identifying a list of keywords determined to be relevant to third party content stored in the third party content database;
the server system receiving electronic communications from a plurality of different senders, at least some of which electronic communications specify different recipient addresses and contain message bodies that differ from those of other electronic communications received by the server system;
the server system analyzing each of the electronic communications and determining, for each of the electronic communications, whether they contain words that match and/or contextually relate to any keywords determined to be relevant to third party content;
upon analyzing electronic communications containing differing message bodies and finding words that match and/or contextually relate to different keywords, the server system identifying, for each of the electronic communications, contextually relevant third party content stored in the third party content database that differs based on the different message bodies contained in the electronic communications;
the server system routing the electronic communications and any contextually relevant third party content to the specified recipient addresses so as to be displayed together when the electronic communications are later accessed by recipients,
the third party content routed by the server system to some recipients differing from third party content routed to other recipients based on differences in the messages bodies contained in respective electronic communications; and
the server system determining which one advertiser of a plurality of advertisers has paid the most for advertising and changing at least one word in the message body authored by a sender into a hyperlink which corresponds to a keyword selected by the one advertiser that is determined to have paid the most for advertising.
2. A method as recited in
3. A method as recited in
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8. In a computing system having access to an advertisement database and including a server system configured to receive and analyze e-mail communications and route the e-mail communications to recipient addresses, a method for enhancing e-mail communications with contextually relevant advertisements, comprising:
the server system identifying a list of keywords determined to be relevant to advertising content of advertisers stored in the advertisement database;
the server system determining which of the advertisers has paid more money and creating an advertisement hierarchy;
the server system receiving e-mail communications from a plurality of different senders, at least some of which e-mail communications specify different recipient addresses and contain subject lines and/or message bodies that differ from those of other e-mail communications received by the server system;
the server system analyzing the subject lines and/or message bodies of the e-mail communications and determining whether they contain words that match and/or contextually relate to any keywords determined to be relevant to advertising content;
upon analyzing subject lines and/or message bodies of the e-mail communications and finding words that match and/or contextually relate to different keywords, the server system identifying, based on the advertisement hierarchy, contextually relevant advertising content from the advertisement database that differs as between different e-mail communications based on differences in respective subject lines and/or message bodies contained in the e-mail communications; and
the server system routing the e-mail communications and any contextually relevant advertising content to the specified recipient addresses so as to be displayed together when the e-mail communications are later accessed by recipients,
the advertising content routed by the server system to some recipients differing from advertising content routed to other recipients based on differences in the subject lines and/or message bodies of respective e-mail communications,
wherein routing the e-mail communications and any contextually relevant advertising content comprises the server system changing initially un-enhanced text in the message body of an e-mail communication into a hyperlink that points to a website associated with the contextually relevant advertising content.
9. A method as recited in
10. A method as recited in
11. A method as recited in
12. In a computing system having access to a third party content database and including a server system configured to receive and analyze electronic communications and route the electronic communications to recipient addresses, a method for enhancing electronic communications with contextually relevant third party content, comprising:
the server system identifying a list of keywords determined to be relevant to third party content stored in the third party content database;
the server system receiving electronic communications from one or more senders that are addressed to one or more recipient addresses, each electronic communication including text that is initially un-enhanced when received by the server system;
the server system analyzing each electronic communication and determining whether it contains one or more words that match and/or contextually relate to any keywords determined to be relevant to third party content;
upon analyzing an electronic communication and finding one or words that match and/or contextually relate to any keywords determined to be relevant to third party content, the server system identifying initially un-enhanced text in the electronic communication to be changed into a hyperlink that points to a website associated with the third party content;
Supplemental Amendment �K� dated May 26, 2009 the server system contextually enhancing the electronic communication by changing the identified text in the electronic communication into a hyperlink that points to a website associated with the third party content; and
the server system routing the electronic communication to one or more recipient addresses.
13. A method as recited in
14. A method implemented by a computing system comprising:
identifying by the computing system a first keyword that is contextually related to a first advertisement;
identifying by the computing system a second keyword that is different than the first keyword and that is contextually related to a second advertisement that is different than the first advertisement;
receiving by the computing system a specific email that is sent from a specific sender and that is addressed to a specific recipient;
the computing system performing a keyword search on the specific email for both of the first keyword and the second keyword;
the computing system identifying both of the first keyword and the second keyword within the specific email; and
the computing system, upon identifying both of the first keyword and the second keyword within the specific email, causing both of the first advertisement and the second advertisement to be simultaneously displayed with the specific email.
15. A method as recited in
16. A method as recited in
17. The method recited in
This invention is a continuation-in-part application of the Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/370,478 entitled �Method and Apparatus for Adding Advertising Tag Lines to Electronic Messages filed Apr. 5, 2002
1. Field
This invention pertains to business methods and apparatuses related to electronic messages or peer-to-peer communications (SMS messaging, Instant Messaging, email, message components of File Sharing applications (Napster, Kaaza, Morpheus, Knutella etc). In particular it pertains to a computer device intercepting sent electronic messages, scanning the message body content for key words, sending the key words to a remote central computer server which analyses the key words and enhances the message by attaching a relevant, contextual advertising tag line or image/banner/words/HTML/Flash, etc to the electronic message, and transmitting the enhanced message to the receiver.
2. State of the Art
A number of global network advertising systems are known which are used to sell advertising attached to global network messaging applications. In the early 1990's Hotmail (hotmail.com) pioneered the concept of intercepting personal electronic communications and appending third-party content in-side the message of the sender and intended for the recipient to see. Many other messaging systems also followed suit and began appending additional third-party content to personal electronic communications subscribing users. The appended third party content currently is and has usually been very general in nature or somewhat targeted based on dated advertising survey data of user preferences that may have been obtained during sign-up for the service. For example, the following companies attempt to append and/or combine third-party advertising content into electronic messages such as Hotmail, MSN (Microsoft Network), Yahoo!, Mailround, Junglemate, and more specifically Lycos Mail as part of the Terra Lycos Network. Terra Lycos is a global Internet company and leading provider of Internet access & content and provider of various Internet communication technologies. Terra Lycos has developed an electronic communications marketing system that appends various third-party advertisements, sweepstakes etc. in emails that are transmitted by subscribers. In particular Lycos Mail is used to enhance personal email messages by appending hyperlinks, (URL's), text advertisements and general HTML type content along side a sender's original message. This process gives the advertiser a trusted introduction and personal recommendation from the sender to the recipient and is intended to entice the recipient to view and/or click the third-party content.
Other products that are similar and common in the industry are policy and �disclaimer� company content that can be appended and/or prepended to all outgoing corporate email. One company in particular Red Earth Software provides such a product, as does Direct Communications Software Limited based in the United Kingdom. Their product eXclaimer allows companies to: �Add legal disclaimers, boilerplates and signatures to your emails. With this feature you can attach text and images to any incoming or outgoing email, above, below or even to the sides of the original email body. eXclaimer can be used simply to add standard legal disclaimer text to the footer of every outgoing mail, or it can be used to make professional-looking emails that conform to a particular style, with company logos and colors. eXclaimer includes the ability to use a number of variable fields from the Active Directory. These fields behave in much the same way as mail merge fields in a word processor. When used with these fields, the text that eXclaimer attaches can be highly personalized automatically. By integrating with the Active Directory, this feature can be customized for every individual or for whole groups or departments.� (www.exclaimer2000.com).
Reiner, U.S. Patent No. 20020029250 issued Mar. 7, 2002 entitled �Method and apparatus for transmitting an electronic message on electronic letterhead� creates and distributes computer-enhanced artwork for use in electronic messaging. Reiner is primarily �a process for transforming artwork, for example a logo, into a computer-readable artwork which can be computer-enhanced, optimized and distributed to a client computer.�
Tuvey et al, GB Patent No. 2369218 published Feb. 14, 2002 discloses a method of appending compatible graphic or text-based content into electronic messages after intercepting the message and analyzing the messaging system format. The methods employed specifically by Tuvey et al. are not message content specific but are rather general advertisements (with a focus on large intrusive banner ads) that are generated based on user preferences in very high-level general categories such as �books�, �Internet� or �shopping�. The current sign-up process of Tuvey et al. requires the subscriber to �Select a minimum of 6 interests� stating that �It helps us to make sure you only see the stamps you're really interested in!� This process clearly limits the Tuvey et al system to a minimum of six general interest categories and more importantly Tuvey et al. makes no attempt to determine the focus of the actual message content or to derive keyword essence to deliver highly targeted, highly relevant, contextual third-party advertisements. The result is that, the Tuvey et al system will not place third-party content (i.e. ads) that are message content specific and cannot deliver �on-the-fly� contextual content exactly when the advertiser and/or recipient needs it.
Tuvey et al. specifically states in patent No. GB2369218, �Adding information to an electronic communication or e-mail�: �[0040] (a) Embed advertising material into emails; or to [0041] (b) Add reference information to emails�for example an organisation's mail server may be controlled to add information to incoming mails about the sender of the received email where this information was available from a resource to which the organisation has access, or alternatively information about a sender's particular area of expertise or information specifically targeted at the recipient or the organisation they work for may be added to an organisation's outgoing emails.� (original spelling included).
Both of these patented methods and processes fail to deliver contextual, relevant, message specific, message related content exactly when the advertiser needs it to be seen and more importantly exactly when the recipient of the message needs to see the advertisement or other relevant third-party content as it relates to the topic of discussion (i.e. message body content) between the sender and receiving parties. The general enhancement claims made by the applicants are artwork, logos or general graphical banner ads that are wholly unrelated to any specific message content. Accordingly, there remains a need to provide a more efficient means for delivering relevant, contextual third-party content via personal electronic messages utilizing �Just-in-Time-Delivery� to put the content in front of the user when it's needed and when it's relevant to the immediate situation of the sender and receiver.
The current methods in use in the industry render the advertising unfocussed which results in lesser revenues from the sales of lower cost random advertising rates. There thus remains a need for a method adapting advertising directed to particular users of a global marketing network.
In summary, the methods described in the above patent applications and methods do not analyze the message content to append relevant advertising messages. Instead, they append intrusive, blatant, predetermined dated third party advertising to the message. Nor do these methods provide a means to alter, modify, enhance or change the actual content or words of the message body text (as written by the sender) in any way. These applications therefore fail to harness the true potential of personal electronic messaging as a means for a contextually intelligent delivery of third-party content. The current methods fail to tap into what is the essence of the communication, extract that essence, and relate to it. There thus remains a need to employ a process whereby one can deliver third-party advertising content based on an electronic messaging user's current interests as reflected in the message context itself to make the appended advertisements significantly more relevant to the current topic of conversation between the individuals doing the message exchanging. The method and apparatus described below provides such an invention.
The present invention is:
Said messages will be enhanced, more intelligent, more intuitive, more informed after reaching the intended recipients. The present invention can deliver highly targeted, �on-the-fly� contextual third-party content to instant messaging messages, email, SMS and nearly any other type of messaging system typically involving two or more individuals.
It comprises a method and system for attaching and transmitting advertising tag lines to electronic email transmissions. Specifically, it comprises a service provider agreeing, using a computer network with a central server, to provide financial incentives to clients transmitting emails who consent to attach advertising tag lines to their email transmissions. The service provider is compensated for these services by charging and collecting from advertisers fees for attaching advertising tag lines to electronic emails. The service provider receives, using a computer network, client consents to attach advertising tag lines to their email transmissions through a global information network. After the consents are acquired, the service provider intercepts and scans consenting clients email transmissions (body content and subject) for key words and contextual essence by the computer networks' central server. Based on the key word and contextual analysis, the service provider attaches tag line advertisements by activating the central server to directly add tag lines relating to the key words of the intercepted email. The central server then transmits the tagged emails to the clients' intended recipient. The service provider then periodically compensates the participating client for each email transmission sent with a tag line attached.
In another variation of method and system for attaching and transmitting advertising tag lines to electronic email transmissions, the service provider may provide periodic financial compensation to recipients of emails with advertising tag lines. The method and system for attaching and transmitting advertising tag lines to electronic email transmissions may thus compensate either or both of the client and recipient with a portion of the funds paid by advertisers to priority list their services in advertising tag lines attached to emails. It is contemplated that advertisers will be listed in ascending priority tag line listings based on the amount paid by advertisers based on a bid system, which increases depending on hierarchy tag line listing in the electronic email.
In another preferred embodiment of the method and system for attaching and transmitting advertising tag lines to electronic email transmissions, the client is compensated for each email with a tag line sent by its recipient to a third party user. It is also possible for participating user's to receive multi-level compensation for each downline recipient of a transmitted email incorporating a tag line sent by each level of its recipients' third party senders.
Preferably, the method and system for attaching and transmitting advertising tag lines to electronic email transmissions utilizes a central server which does not retain the contents of the email after the tag line is attached to maintain message confidentiality. In actual operation the processes of the technology are thus completely transparent to the end users.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the interaction of the sender's personal message body content with third-party content (i.e. ads) display and ranking from the advertiser perspective works as follows:
Preferably, the tag line advertisements are appended in a non-obtrusive manner to the body of the text of the electronic message, such as at the bottom or on the side of the message.
The advantages to the participants are numerous. For example, from the participating sender's perspective, the sender receives compensation for every tagline appended to the message body text. From the receiver's perspective, the receiver receives advertising taglines of current interest to the subject to the message body text. In addition, the receiver may receive a portion of the compensation for the appended tagline. From the advertiser's perspective, the advertiser receives more focused advertisements directed to current topics of discussion between the sender and the receiver. The advertisement is carried by a trusted transmitter and therefore is not screened by scanning software. The advertiser also receives tiered advertising listings directly related to the size of its advertising budget. From the tag line service provider's perspective, the tag line service provider receives compensation for every appended tag line.
In another preferred embodiment, the tagline service provider, Sponster� of Salt Lake City, Utah, has a Web driven server associated with an analysis software package known as �Contextus� to provide a processing engine as it relates to email is comprised of a PC with an Intel processor running Microsoft Windows NT Server software and IIS or Internet Information Server Web server software. IIS is configured with an Object based programming language called ASP/VBScript used to create the Sponster� Web application. The Web application also uses HTML, JavaScript and other relevant Internet based languages. Subscribing users change their outgoing SMTP email setting to point to an OpenMX mail server (mail.openmx.com etc) and then all outbound email from that user will arrive at the OpenMX server where the processing occurs.
Once an email arrives at the server it is picked up by the Contextus processing engine that parses the email subject, body and all MIME parts. All necessary message and attachment decoding is done (Base64, Quoted Printable, Uuencoded, BINHEX etc.). All header data; Date, Subject, From, Priority, Recipients etc. are parsed through. All parts including text, HTML, XML and other body parts, every, attachment, and all other MIME parts of the message are parsed.
The Contextus processing engine gives particular attention to the Subject and Body text of the message. Every word of the Subject and Body are parsed and analysed and compared against key word and key phrase data from the Sponster Media advertiser/third-party content database.
The Sponster Web application makes a request to or communicates with the Structured Query Language (SQL) Ad Database via Active Data Objects (ADO) or via an HTTP request that calls an ASP script that uses ADO to communicate with the SQL database.
Once the ads are pulled from the SQL database they sent back to the OpenMX Server for the Contextus processing engine to continue the process of appending the ad listings to the email message text file. Once appended, the contextually enhanced message is then sent to its intended destination across the global information network. This is done using DNS and the SMTP protocol. Thus email sent to firstname.lastname@example.com will trigger a domain name search (DNS) lookup on somewhere.org. The lookup will be first for a mail exchanger (MX) record, then a normal address (A) lookup if this fails. MX records contain a preference value (to chose among multiple MX records for a particular domain), and the DNS name of the host receiving mail for the domain.
The modified email then arrives at its intended destination. Under optimal conditions the entire process should only take a few seconds.
The invention thus employs conventional global communication network components associated with Sponstemm software for using the same adapted to hook up via a modem, network card, Bluetooth interface or any other interface to any known data transmission networks such as terrestrial and wireless phone networks, optical data transmission networks, local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN) and all other known and unknown transmission networks and mediums to access a central computer, which provides analysis and selection of an appropriate email tags for the intended recipient. It will communicate directly and autarkic (without means of a PC, Laptop, or personal organizer) directly with a local or remote server or computer, which handles and keeps track of all individual QueryStrings. This allows confidential access only by authorized screening devices to a large continually updated database.
The device is also capable of receiving the necessary advertising data directly from the database stored in the remote or local server. After the advertising database has been entered successfully, the Sponstemm activated transmission network (terrestrial or wireless phone network) automatically downloads and tags the email with an appropriate current advertisement or website. This data update connection could also be done by a dialup connection via a built-in or attached modem (analog, ISDN etc.), via a connection to a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) or other techniques. The modem connection may include the use of mobile phones and the direct access to the Internet or intranet via interactive computer screens.
The method and apparatus thus provides a more focused advertising system where all parties are provided with compensation and current advertising information to provide services or products directly related to current topics of interest.
Specifically, OpenMX retrieved all ads related to Travel and Baby and then displayed all ads in the ad listing as part of the email body as shown in
This hierarchy listing process is a key aspect of the Sponster� Media system and invention and was included to motivate third-party content providers to bid up for the highest spot in the advertising tag listings. No other listings get an in-message Hotlink except for the highest bidder in the advertising tag listing. Having a contextual Hotlink directly in the message body text is far superior to having just an ad appended in the returned ad listings where the desire is to generate direct click-throughs to the advertiser content.
The method and apparatus thus provides a cycle of benefits for all participants. Third party Dynamic Content Advertising Providers provide contextual and non-contextual commissionable and non-commissionable content for sender, enhancing message content. Message content can be directly acted upon via key word hyper linking or simply appended to via template wrapping. Content Advertising Providers compete for ad placement based on a key word bidding process in the case of multiple and similar contextual content placements. Sender's route outgoing messages through an OpenMX Server and by default their everyday communications provides a distribution channel that results in a trusted introduction and tacit approval for the Content Advertising Provider, presently blocked by various messaging software. The sender's distribution channel is usually comprised of but not limited to friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers etc.
The post OpenMX Sender transmission output includes enhanced relevant content to receiver messages, which are non-intrusive to the content. The enhanced content was determined by analyzing the message content in an anonymous, non-personally identifying way for specific key words that have been deemed valuable by third party Content Advertising Providers. The key word content of the message is then contextually matched to the advertising tag lines. If there is no contextual related content from any Content Advertising Provider then a random content pull is done.
The receiver who may be unrelated to the tag line service provider but in most cases not unrelated to the sender, finds enhanced content relevant to the current email session, or discussion or for other varied reasons decides to view the added third-party content. The view event or �click-through� event results in a commission payment event where a portion of that commission is credited to the sender. The percentage payout amount is determined by the tag line service provider's variable depth compensation program that is part of the tag line service provider's multi-tier affiliate program.
The Advertiser benefits from increased exposure, greater brand awareness, increased sales and other general and related benefits that result from a trusted recommendation or referral, which bypasses message-blocking (spam blocking) software. The receiver benefits with the unexpected addition of relevant, contextual tag line advertisements, to the message topic of email discussion.
The sender receives a portion of the advertising compensation for each down line tagged message recipient. The end result is that we have a system that can intelligently and contextually determine in-session, commissionable third-party content placement and ranking without ANY invasion of privacy in any way and it's non-intrusive.
Although this specification has referred to the illustrated embodiments, it is not intended to restrict the scope of the appended claims. The claims themselves contain those features deemed essential to the invention.
Patent Citations
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text:
- Publisher: Activision
- Release Date: Nov 15, 2013
- Also On: PC, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
- Summary: This new chapter in the Call of Duty franchise features a unique dynamic in which players are on the side of a crippled nation fighting not for freedom, or liberty, but simply for survival. 10 years after a devastating mass event, the nation's borders and the balance of global power haveThis new chapter in the Call of Duty franchise features a unique dynamic in which players are on the side of a crippled nation fighting not for freedom, or liberty, but simply for survival. 10 years after a devastating mass event, the nation's borders and the balance of global power have been permanently redrawn. As what's left of the nation's Special Operations forces, a surreptitious group known only as "Ghosts" leads the fight back against a newly emerged, technologically-superior global power. There are over 20 NEW Kill Streaks in Call of Duty: Ghosts — such as Juggernaut Maniac, Helo-Scout, Vulture and the ODIN Strike. You can even bring in Riley, from the single-player campaign, as your guard dog to warn you when enemies approach, and to attack enemies if they get too close to your person.… Expand
- Developer: Infinity Ward
- Genre(s): Modern
- Cheats: On GameFAQs
- More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
Positive: 35 out of 49
Mixed: 14 out of 49
Negative: 0 out of 49
Nov 5, 2013Infinity Ward could quite easily have rested on their laurels, stayed in their comfort zone to release Modern Warfare 4 this year with little negative critical reception. Instead, they've done something bold with the franchise they gave life to, and as a result have created the best Call of Duty game since Modern Warfare 2. Big, brash and absolutely stunning.
Jan 30, 2014Playing into the new generation, Ghosts gains a new edge with DualShock 4 and beautiful graphics.
Mar 10, 2014Call of Duty: Ghosts isn't treading any new ground, but the single player campaign is still a memorable one. But with each installment it's getting harder and harder to get excited about Call of Duty's multiplayer. Refining the same ideas over and over again is no longer enough, the multiplayer is in dire need of a complete re-design. [Nov 2013]
Nov 5, 2013Even if it isn't a drastic departure from what some have grown to hate or love, it is still a product that is tremendously fun to play with your friends and has enough options to keep you playing for hundreds of hours.
Nov 5, 2013The franchise's arrival to PlayStation 4 was intended to be a step forward, given the graphical improvements. Despite being a better version thanks to its 1080p resolution and 60fps, this is by no means a blockbuster title, as it is a very limited game and its graphical aspects are still a far cry from PlayStation 4's maximum capabilities.
Dec 13, 2013It's not the second coming of Christ, it's merely another good product in a different wrapping. Ghosts is a great FPS but this time it's not necessarily a great Call of Duty game. [13/2013, p.46]
Nov 5, 2013Call of Duty is a series that's getting stagnant. This latest edition is a solid shooter, with highly tuned mechanics, an addictive multiplayer offering, and a plethora of content to play through – but it very much feels like a familiar game with a few minor adjustments. The new Extinction mode is particularly good, but it's the highlight in a title that's following a tired recipe.
Score distribution:
Positive: 104 out of 315
Mixed: 47 out of 315
Negative: 164 out of 315
Nov 5, 2013I wanted to hate this game, I really did. The taste left in my mouth after MW3 made me fearful that the franchise had peaked. But after a fewI wanted to hate this game, I really did. The taste left in my mouth after MW3 made me fearful that the franchise had peaked. But after a few hours I really found my groove and had good old fashioned fun. An improvement over MW3 in every way, and I feel, the true successor to MW2., where MW3 felt like MW 2.5. MAp are a little on the large size, but I'm sure that all will be fixed on the next gen.… Expand
Nov 25, 2013I have played all the Call of Duty's since the first Modern Warfare. Each year the game has taken a smaller step forward from previous years.I have played all the Call of Duty's since the first Modern Warfare. Each year the game has taken a smaller step forward from previous years.
However, I've been blown away by how great the next-gen PS4 particle effects and graphics look. It's stunning how pretty this game is. Bravo !!!
Then as far as the single player campaign it's a 5 hour thrill ride. Short... yes... but quality over quantity. I can't think of but a handful of games that even attempt anything this grand. Again... a lot of fun, and a wild ride.
The multiplayer has continued to be refined and is a smooth play with amazing graphics. The changes is are small, and all in all it just feels like quality COD, but nothing very new about it.
I've had a blast playing this game, and hats of to Infinity Ward for putting out a high-quality product.… Expand
Jan 22, 2014Call of Duty: Ghosts is a great shooter. But it's exactly what you'd expect from a Call of Duty game, and that's where I think people start toCall of Duty: Ghosts is a great shooter. But it's exactly what you'd expect from a Call of Duty game, and that's where I think people start to dislike it. It feels familiar and stretched out, but at the same time it puts little twists on the great franchise. The campaign isn't bad, it's short, but only if you play in one sitting, stretch it out and enjoy it. The only bad thing about the single-player stroy is that Riley, the dog, doesn't play a bigger role. Early on, when news started to come out about Ghosts, it showed an emphasis on Riley, and that's what I want. I didn't much like the over-the-top battles of single player and was happy to find that Infinity Ward added some stealth. I want to play as the two brothers, lost in an unforgiving, post-apocalyptic America. Instead, they tease this and quickly put you in the middle of the action. Multiplayer isn't new, just "different." It's a little tricky to get a handle on the perks menu, but after a couple days of trying the different options, you'll find one you like. The gameplay is fun and for the first time ever, equal. A new player can jump in the action and have as good of a chance of winning as a veteran player. I was never too into multiplayer games, I need a story, but this game is fun and kept me well-entertained for a couple months. Extinction is a great addition as well. It's challenging and fast-paced, unlike the rival, Nazi Zombies. I found that the zombies mode in Treyarch's Call of Duty games got old after the first couple maps. Sure the new maps will seem cool at first, but after a couple days, I found myself playing the same three maps. Extinction is a bold adventure, and it is executed flawlessly. The map does get old, but the first maps always have little problems. With more variety, extinction could become a big side game. People are rough on Ghosts, I don't like most multiplayer games and even I enjoyed this one. If you want something new, don't buy it, but if you want to play the Call of Duty franchise you fell in love with, by all means, buy it. Give it a chance.… Expand
Mar 12, 2014This call of duty is the same stuff we get every year. The story is forgettable and the multiplayer has issues that keep this call of duty myThis call of duty is the same stuff we get every year. The story is forgettable and the multiplayer has issues that keep this call of duty my least favorite in the series. If activision doesn't make the next game good I'm done with call of duty… Expand
Feb 2, 2014At the moment this game is not boding well. I have a common bug which means that when you download the game, this blue bar comes up and saysAt the moment this game is not boding well. I have a common bug which means that when you download the game, this blue bar comes up and says 'please wait'. This happens between the first campaign mission and the second and squads, multiplayer and extinction mode all have this. This game might be pretty decent, but it is very disappointing, that from the company that brought me Modern Warfare, it can only deliver this.… Expand
Nov 23, 20131. Activision completely gave up on the storyline. It can be beaten in 2-3 hours tops. You use the dog like twice in the first two missions1. Activision completely gave up on the storyline. It can be beaten in 2-3 hours tops. You use the dog like twice in the first two missions and that is it. And somehow they try to make a storyline where the impoverished countries of South America can actually have a chance of beating the USA in a war...? I don't know.. they tried.. they really did.
A) You do not need any skill to get a kill anymore. You can seriously just put a laser sight on any gun and never have to press down aim once and you can kill anyone.
B) Because of this 95% of players are now hardcore campers meaning SMGs are pretty much obsolete as are pretty much any chance you have of exploring and learning the maps. All you ever need to know now is your favorite corner to sit in. And worse yet, the maps are all gigantic and even if everyone did rush it would take you a while to actually find an opponent unless you're playing ground war.
3. To prove the fact that they have created a game to spawn a generation of campers, they added a class of weapons SPECIFICALLY for camping. Basically semi-auto snipers that are way overpowered with awesome scopes like red dot and holograph.. Yup..
5. This game will give Battlefield players bragging rights for a full 1-2 years.. so shy away from any Battlefield players.
6. It takes twice as long to rank up in multiplayer now.
7. The characters in the character creation screen are all hideous (besides the ghillie suit outfit.. again stressing that point of hardcore camping).
8. If you have ever played zombies on Black Ops or World at War and enjoyed it and then play Extinction on ghosts.. you will vomit out of pure disgust.
So far I have been playing this game for 6 hours (not including the storyline) just hoping something in me would trigger and I would love this game but it has not.. I spent $200 on the prestige edition of this because it never crossed my mind that a company could utterly destroy such a beautiful gaming franchise such as this.... The only good thing about this game is the Infected game mode.. Which is why I gave it a 1 rating instead of 0. I never thought I would ever have anything bad to say about Call of Duty.. I was wrong.. This could possibly be one of the worst games I have ever played and that is not an exaggeration by the least bit. Please fellow Call of Duty fans.. Let us band together and stop playing this garbage and becoming camper-fodder. Let us show the Call of Duty executives we want that Call of Duty we played on World at War.. or Modern Warfare 2.. or any Call of Duty besides this one We are stuck in this hellish prison until the next installment of Call of Duty.. God save us
P.S. Fellow Playstation 4 players. If you ordered the Season Pass for Call of Duty ghosts and are hoping to also receive the Team Leader Pack that comes along with it.. think again Many players have not gotten it and Activision support pretty much does not exist.… Expand
Dec 31, 2013The campaign mode was very good for the 30 minutes that I did play it. The Online mode was good for about 1 day, but after that it seems likeThe campaign mode was very good for the 30 minutes that I did play it. The Online mode was good for about 1 day, but after that it seems like the amount of people dragged down the servers... because it became unbearable to play. LAG LAG LAG... Same stuff you've heard before i'm sure... dying from one bullet(on your screen), shooting someone point blank with 6 bullets and they end up killing you when they turn around... Stuff like that. You can adjust yeah... start camping more or less and you might get a few more kills... but who wants to do that? You buy the game to have fun, run around shooting people, getting into gun battles. I stopped playing for about 2 weeks and picked up the sticks again yesterday and the lag was all but gone... but I don't know how long that will last. People probably just stopped playing.… Expand
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RECIPE: Tuscan Baked Beans
1 lb dried cannellini beans
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 oz. Pancetta, roughly chopped
3 leaves fresh sage (if fresh not available, use 4t chopped fresh parsley).
1 Leek, finely sliced
1x14 oz. can plum tomatoes, chopped with their juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper.
1. Carefully pick over the beans, discarding any stones or other particles. Place the eans in a large bowl and cover with water. Soak for at least 6 hours or overnight. Drain.
2. Preheat the oven to 350. In a small saucepan, cook pancetta until crisp. Remove pancetta from pan and set aside. Heat the oil and sautee the garlice cloves and sage leaves for 3-4 minutes until garlic is tender but not brown. Remove from the heat.
3. In a large deep baking dish combine the beans with the leek and tomatoes. Stir in the oil with the garlic and sage. Add pancetta. Add enough fresh water to cover the beans by 1 inch. Mix well. Cover the dish with a lid or foil, and place in the center of the oven. Bake for 1 3/4 hours.
4. Remove the dish from the oven, stir the beans, and season with salt and pepper. Return the beans to the oven, uncovered, and cook for another 15 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 7-8 minutes before serving. Serve hot or at room temperature.
**For vegetarian version, simply omit the pancetta.
Very nice recipe, thanks Adrienne.
Makes me think of a question..............
I don't use a lot of dried beans, but when I do I always examine them and 'pick them over'. I've never found anything to throw away, no stone or anything, and I am 56 years old and have been 'picking' for a few years!
Do we really have to pick them over?
I have picked over many, many beans at my restaurant for soups, and black beans that come with our huevos, and have found LOTS of stones and debris. The small packages most people buy in stores are almost always clean.(And the really fancy, expensive ones are very clean). But if you buy in bulk, trust me there are things in there. I bet most of it falls to the bottom so you won't get much in the top of the bin but if you are taking the bottom of the bin BE CAREFUL!
The bags & boxes I get my stuff in says raw agricultural product and they mean it!
This looks like a great recipe.
Reporting in on the Tuscan Baked Beans
We made them on Saturday and served them with a grilled turkey breast half and tomatoes stuffed with spinach and topped with parmesan cheese.
I didn't have pancetta so used triple smoked bacon from the butcher shop. Also didn't have fresh sage but added about a Tbs. of chopped fresh basil. Otherwise, I followed the directions as posted. They were absolutely delicious and I would definitely make them again.
We mixed the leftovers with some tuna, basalmic vinegar, sliced purple olives and olive oil for a lunch salad today.
Thanks, Adrienne.
I made them too!
I used mixed dried beans... though.. so they took twice the time:) And added some ail confit that I made this week and lots of chopped Rosemary..Bacon as I didn't have Pancetta on hand...I usually keep some frozen..but had none:(
Keepers for me..Glad I have leftovers..they will be my main meal Friday night.
I love beans.
And I am reading A Thousand Days in Tuscany~ Thus the final inspiration..Thanks!
Parmesan would be good w/:)


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Cheshire, CT USA | Member Since 2013
"Preferred Others"
I'm a bit disappointed with this book, being that it won both Hugo & Nebula Awards. I think that's because it's so genre self-referential that it gives the voters goosebumps (much like 'The Artist' in 2012's Oscars).
"Great setup, then stalls despite fast pace"
Like a lot of threequels, this read isn't for those who haven't already digested the previous installment novels. Not only do many of the background conflicts and events rely on an understanding of those books, but the history between the major characters is found there, too. This is no criticism, however. A lot of series these days try too hard to be a 'big tent' for an expanding readership, that early chapters drag with exposition and 'catch-me-up' material. If Tolkien felt compelled to do this, he would have needed another hundred pages. I personally prefer when authors treat the reader with enough respect to trust us to remember (or re-read) important previous material- that's what all the fan Wikis are for, right?
No, my peeve with this story is that it starts off extremely promisingly, with a collection of characters and motives that are all appealing, both new and returning, with those in the latter category having undergone substantial personal evolution between novels. They are drawn together and undertake a hero's journey in the form of an expedition into hostile alien territory, further outside of human space than anyone has ever traveled before. And then, with this spectacular set up, the remainder of the story devolves into a finger-pointing mystery among the characters to uncover the infiltrator in their midst. This would have been welcome in a moderated dosage; a sideplot that allows the greater focus to move on to more wondrous, alien, Space Opera, big concepts. However, the story really spiraled into one betrayal after another, and while this kept the tension and action quite high, I feel like it missed an opportunity to accomplish both of those things more engagingly using external threats. It's possible I feel this way only because of how stupendous the epilogue was in this regard, and it reminded me of all the things that later half of the story proper missed. While this bodes well for my enjoyment of the 4th installment novel, Marauder, it did cause my attention to drift at moments.
"Enjoyable, but not as innovative as earlier books"
After the undeniable SF pedigree of the earlier two novels in the series, this entry felt entirely too devoted to politics and diplomacy, although still enjoyably so. The smirky protagonist (found in all of Scalzi's books, as far as I know) brings a dry humor to the narrative. In this series, the character is named John Perry, and along with his wife and fellow former soldier, Jane Sagan, find a way to avert disaster for underdog humanity in a hostile universe. The pair are bit too idealized, however, and would be more interesting with some character flaws or blind spots. Another missed opportunity I noted was that while the novel is full of plenty of alien species and characters, there are practically no descriptions of their appearance, physiologies, or philosophies. They could all very conceivably stand-in for humans in all their nationalities and factions, operating from some non-SF setting. The cookie-cutter approach reminds me of the TV aliens in Star Trek, ironically something Scalzi quite successfully lampooned in 2012's "Redshirts". For this level of multi-layered strategic diplomacy, one could just as easily have picked up a thriller from the current NYT bestseller list in the Fiction aisle, but as a SF fan, I would have liked to see something more exotic from the characters, settings, motives, etc. A final criticism is one I've spotted in other Scalzi books: An overuse of the verb "said" in dialog. After a string of several, my ear was straining for some variety. Where the novel succeeds, however, is in the moderate humor and clever solutions to the tough spots the characters find themselves in. There are some very satisfying 'back from the brink' moments here, and on the strength of the earlier novels in the series, I'm willing to continuing reading the series after this bridge book.
"Humorous look at the futility of fighting progress"
There seems to be an uncomfortable amount of bashing the Russian Revolution in the themes found here. A brittle authoritarian monarchy with a deep distrust of post-industrial technology is confronted by an external visitor that turns everything in their society on its head with a deluge of free information. When undercover agents from a freer, more liberal and technologically advanced society insert themselves into the military response, it's hard not to think of cold war cat-and-mouse thrillers. To make the parallels completely undeniable, Stross has loaded the Soviet-style civilization (ironically named the New Republic) with Eastern European surnames. There's not a lot of surprises in the plot, however, as the adversaries are so overwhelmingly mismatched. The rigid commanders of the New Republic refuse to realize this, so the reader is treated to a very rapid illustration of a society entering into a technological singularity. Here, I was reminded a bit of Iain M. Banks' Culture novels where the practically omnipotent Culture society often comes into well-meaning conflict with it's mortal neighbors. There were also some intriguing possibilities brought up regarding FTL travel and its implications on Causality, as well as some practical economic effects resulting from cheap nano fabricators. Separately, a lot of these ideas are explored in other Space Opera books, but they came together nicely here and serve as a reminder of what foundations must be in place before certain technologies safely come into a society's grasp.
"Villains return for more beat-downs"
In this trilogy-capper, true to the title, when the characters aren't engaged in life-and-death battles, they're gearing up for such fights. Somehow the defeated tyrannical forces of the previous installments have regrouped enough to once again pose an existential threat to the unbeatable anti-hero, Alan Saul- 'The Owner'. His overpowered infallibility is paired with an increased detachment from human-scale relationships in this novel, so Asher has wisely spread the burden of the POV protagonist flag to other, more relatable characters. Another welcome development is that a few of the previously antagonistic 'villains' undergo some transformation and serve more redeemed roles. The story structure is a fairly straightforward build-up to inevitable conflict, although there's some clever tactical twists that are rewarding to watch unfold. The only theme I identified was a continuation from the rest of the series: violent revenge will visit the guilty.
"Moral dilemmas of digitalization"
This exploration of digital consciousness is heavier on the philosophy than hard SF, although enough near-future exposition and tech is provided to support the premise: supercomputers allowing for digitization of living minds. Once that platform is established, Egan is free to play with all the high concept questions that result from a physics-free playground subject to will and desires. In the virtual environments that these uploaded consciousnesses inhabit, every sensation and perception can be modified to the individual's tastes, as can those tastes and indeed- the individual's own personality. The story's drama comes, in part, from characters altering their very selves to accommodate circumstances. Additional moral questions come into play when system-generated additional personalities are introduced to provide community, and when intelligent life evolves from scratch in the VR and begin to seek their own origin. When these intelligences come into conflict with one another, or with the outside world, where the same computer resources are in demand for improving life for the billions of our reality, additional dilemmas ensue. All in all, the novel does a great job extending the trope and giving it the full examination it deserves, although it's a bit weak on the characters or action.
"Disorientingly delightful Big Idea SF"
A satisfyingly rich worldscape is presented, so dense that it's possible to immediately get disoriented and be tempted to walk away from this book, but for readers who opt to enjoy the ride cresting on the top of the fast-moving waves, and not worrying too much about the depths below, there's a terrific thrill in store. While there is a recognizable whodunnit mystery plot at it's core, the juiciest bits are all the posthuman concepts introduced. Or rather, never formally introduced: Rajaniemi's style is to drop ideas, reference backstory, factions, etc conversationally on the reader as if you were as familiar with all of it as the citizens of the story. This can sometimes take many dozens or even hundreds of pages to gather enough exposition (often inferred from context) to explain, making this book a good candidate for a multiple-read approach in order to fully appreciate- perhaps with a glossary or wiki near at hand. Fortunately, it also has plenty of fast-paced action sequences and consistently well-crafted language to make a re-read welcome. The central theme is reminiscent of Plato's Cave: In a society where every thought and every personality is digitized and mediated by ubiquitous personal encryption, what constitutes reality, ownership, freedom, or memory? In this utopia, personal privacy is so highly regarded that conversations, interactions, and even observations of an individual can be erased from all memories if that individual desires- even retroactively. Of course, such a system becomes an immediate target for corruption, so plenty of dramatic possibilities here.
"Foundational Space Opera"
While there is well-deserved respect for this classic, I think it lacks some of the complexity and economy of more contemporary space opera stories. Admittedly, many of those modern works stand on the shoulders of this novel, relying on concepts pioneered here or in Larry Niven's 'Ringworld' when using shorthanded jargon such as 'orbital', 'arkships', 'generation ships', etc. Clarke has created a fantastically mysterious alien artifact that evokes both the reader's wonder, and frustration. The thoughtfully imagined engineering is very internally consistent, and completely soaring in its wonder and scope. Lacking any apparent passengers, Rama qualifies as one of the genre's original inscrutable BDO's (Big Dumb Object), and is the center of the story's plot and focus. In fact, very little interpersonal drama or secondary conflict appears in the story aside from some brief nationalist sword rattling which never transcends sideshow status. The only tension that ever seems high enough stakes is that provided by Rama itself, and in each case Clarke returns to the theme of cosmic indifference towards microscopic mankind. Likewise, Clarke's treatment of characters is fairly superficial, allowing just a peppering of distinct personalities to differentiate the cast a bit. For me, the most interesting, yet unexplored of these was Rodrigo, a devout member of the Fifth Church of Christ, Cosmonaut. These "Cosmo Christers' hold a belief with a xenopomorphic deity, and I feel could bring many questions and dilemmas to this or just about any Space Opera story. However, much like the 'Simps' (genetically engineered SuperChimps), they are a concept introduced and then largely ignored in the text. Narratively, the novel is structured to bounce between a first person perspective through protagonist explorer Commander Bill Norton, and third person scenes from the chambers of government, providing some exposition and perspective. All in all, this story gives a thoughtful, slow examination of BDO concepts- rare in more contemporary works- at the expense of drama and characters, and provides helpful historical background to newer genre readers looking to gain perspective and appreciation for the Space Opera libraries.
"Love story between the author & the military"
This military SF piece indeed begins indistinguishably from several other 'new recruit' stories it has been compared to (Scalzi's 'Old Man' series, Haldeman's 'Forever War' series). A first-person protagonist, Andrew Grayson is recruited into the Space Military (my generic coinage) and goes on to discover that war is Hell. More so that either of those examples, however, this story pays a more muscular respect to the details of military life, and the author's soldiering history is apparent. Military jargon and abbreviations abound, and the reader truly is immersed in the life. For the first half of the story, however, this presents a risky problem for the reader; many will be drawn to its realism, but many may become disinterested in the dearth of significant SF material to distinguish it from mainstream fiction.
Around the 60% point of the novel, however, there is a drastic setting change that shifts the balance of tone back into the SF corner while backing away from the military realism. As this portion of the narrative takes place with a naval setting, I'm assuming Kloos's first-hand knowledge ends with the infantry experience. Details that were thick in the earlier chapters become thinner, and feel abbreviated in the later chapters. Both halves prominently feature a 'parent-figure' commanding officer, and both share a can-do-no-wrong, too-good-to-be-true air about them. Sargent Fallon & Lt Commander Campbell are insufficiently flawed characters, I feel, and represent wish-fulfillment. Neither makes any mistakes, and both will go to extremes to defend every individual in their command.
The plot holds plenty of shoot-em-up action throughout, and the slightly exotic settings of the later chapters provide some SF backdrop, but no new SF concepts or questions are ever presented. Thematically, this is a straightforward love story between the protagonist and the military. The appearance of aliens in the story's climax arc feel like they are mindless targets inserted to simply provide an enemy for the hero, although things are left vague and mysterious enough to possibly have a more complexly-structured sequel where the reader will presumably learn more about the unfolding threat. Still, 'Terms of Enlistment' would make a good summer read, and does entertain even if, like a drill sergeant, it doesn't ask it's readers to think for themselves.
"Wins on both concepts AND character levels"
This well-structured space opera manages to deliver both a engaging character-driven drama as well as some jaw-dropping wonders of an alien BDO (Big Dumb Object). Baxter tells a multi-narrative story from various character perspectives over a lifetime, and divides the action across two star systems.
One protagonist, a press-ganged colonist named Yuri Eden, is dragged across interstellar space to be abandoned on a hostile new world to establish a human foothold along with a scattering of other unwilling exiles. Their story of survival over several decades brutally demonstrates both the dangers of human psychological isolation as well as an unfamiliar and alien environment. There is some interesting and exotic biota, although he keeps it to only three or four varieties, which I was engaged enough to have wanted more. A good deal of research and calculation must have gone into determining what the conditions of such a world must be, and Baxter goes into convincing depth of detail describing weather, geology, etc.
Where I thought the story really shined, however, was in the other main narrative back on the Earth, where a catastrophic conflict is brewing between two power blocks. A physicist named Stephanie Kalinski finds herself caught in between the two as the alien artifacts she's spent her career studying become the central prize that they are contesting. Neither the miracle alien power source nor the alien wormhole gateway are all that unique in SF literature, but Baxter introduces an unexpected twist when Stephanie's first encounter with one of the artifacts generates a full-grown twin sister, complete with an altered history and memory of this new character for all but Steph herself, who alone recalls her sister-less past timeline. This mid-story twist came quite unexpected, and is among the many teased mysteries left for the subsequent series installment(s) to further address.
"This risk wasn't worth it"
This is the first of the novellas in the "Expanse-iverse" I've read, and I have to admit I was a bit disappointed. While the amazing novels are all complex, multi-narrative, loaded with hard SF and trademark dialog, this shorter work was a lot more… terrestrial. The protagonist, teenage chemist David Draper, is fairly archetypical as a nerdy dreamer who falls for the prom queen. However, in this story, she's a junkie and her boyfriend isn't the captain of the football team, he's a drug dealer with a quietly menacing demeanor. Some of the backdrop to the story connects to the larger events of the novels, but very peripherally so. The one crossover character from those books, David's aunt, Bobbie Draper, is disappointedly underutilized, as she is a fan favorite character who really only has one scene at the climax. The biggest miss for me however, was how completely pedestrian the setting is. One would imagine an author could do a lot of impressive things, setting scenes in a Martian habitat, but here it's actually very unremarkable, and could be interchangeably substituted for any city. Even the events of the plot could have been written within a contemporary 21st century setting without putting anything out of place. This story really is only recommended for the most devoted Corey fans, but none of these should feel like they've missed anything critical if they never get a chance to pick this one up.
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Damask rose gift. Care?
I was given 4 rose bushes by a Persian man who makes rose water from the flowers. I don't have access to this gentleman anymore and the roses, which were healthy and fragrant and bloomed magnificently the first season after being transplanted from pot to garden, are now, in their third year with me, not doing so well. They have more than one flowering. Does this mean they are Autumn Damasks?
I am not sure what approach to take with pruning, feeding etc.
Currently they have a lot of foliage that is yellow and black but I can't remove these canes altogether, I think, because the foliage is green at the top and there are blooms there.
I joined this forum today. Please forgive me if I am too amateur to belong here but I would appreciate some help with these roses which I adore!
If they repeat, they probably are Autumn Damask. They are very prickly, yes?
If the foliage really looks bad, you can probably just remove the leaves. But . . .
It's tough to even begin to diagnose the problems without being able to SEE. Could you get us some photos? Without that, anything we say is guesswork, and likely the reverse of helpful. :-)
We would like to see the plants. Then, some close up images of the "bad" leaves.
It would also be helpful to see the healthy leaves, the canes, and maybe a flower.
The image below will give you an idea of what we'd like to be able to see. Plant, leaves, canes, blooms . . .
Thanks for such a prompt response, Jeri. Getting the photos up posed a problem I hope it is OK.
Yes they are very prickly. Maybe they are too crowded where they are or because they have not bee pruned properly... Knowing that they are Autumn Damasks, which they probably are because they are blooming quite strongly again right now, will give me more guidance about how to prune and other care.
To tell the truth the photo on the top right could be a damask (or other old rose). But the bright green, distinctly rugose (wrinkled) leaves and muddled blossom of the top left and bottom right look like rugosa to me. Rugosa is very fragrant with a delicious clove like scent ... so. Most of them bloom all summer.
Damask leaves tend to be smooth. I could be wrong. The real give away would be the tomato-like round hips of rugosa. They come with single and double flowers (like those in your pic) and tend to cerise colors. Damasks on the other hand do get that kind of disease -- could you have two distinct kinds of bushes there?
Here is a link that might be useful: Rosa rugosa
I think the bushes are all the same as each other. They do have crinkly leaves. This photo shows the beginnings of the rosehips. I have not noticed them being particularly showy as the rugosa ones seem to be, according to my little bit of research since I got your response.
See also (cut and paste in your browser): http://www.psn3.com/Rosa,Rugosa/Aspect/720.html
Since I am not allowed two links.
My understanding is Rugosa roses like acid sandy soil and do not like to be pruned or sprayed or even fertilized much. If they show yellow leaves the conditions might be too alkaline for them. They are native to Japan and are happiest by the sea side. Linked below are some nice pics of typical damasks from a German website. I couldn't find pictures of the hips.
Here is a link that might be useful: nice pics of damask - note long sepals on buds
Good point SCG. I am in North Vancouver about a block away from the sea (Burrard Inlet/Indian Arm).
I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you, as I am still learning about old roses myself. I just wanted to say 'Welcome to the Forum". Don't feel shy or otherwise intimidated - I knew NOTHING when I first came here, but everyone was extremely patient and helpful. I now know tons more than I did then, though I am still ignorant about so much to do with old roses. I volunteer at the Historic Rose Garden in the Sacramento Old City Cemetery, which is like getting a free class, besides spending time in a lovely and serene garden.
Now I'm going to make a point of learning more about the Damasks and the Rugosas!


text:
Abstract available in
Claims available in
Description (OCR text may contain errors)
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.1w/5.'. of my? fan A. LREBSCHER VOLTAGE INDICATOR Filed May 23, 1944 o-c M23/0M Vdi T465 v o c//A/vaf (M01/maia) .A
ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 28, 1948 s 2,457,515 y VOLTAGE mnrcs'roa Arthur Liebscher, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware 'Application May z3, 1944, salariat. 530,592
This invention relates to a voltage indicator, and particularly to an electron ray tube voltage indicator which includes signal input electrodes and a fluorescent target electrode.
The use of such electron ray tubes to indicate the polarity of direct current voltages is well known. Generally such tubes are used to indicate unvarying voltages, such as those derived from the automatic volume control circuit oi a radio receiver, the indication consisting in the reduction of the angle of the shadow visible in the fluorescent target of the tube when the applied voltage is negative. Conversely, a positive voltage causes an increase in the shadow angle; but since substantial positive voltages applied to the grid of the electron ray tube would cause such a iiow of grid current as to ruin the tube, it has been necessary to include voltage dividers in prior art devices of this type, with a consequent reduction in sensitivity.
Various methods have been proposed for indicating and identifying alternating voltages, whether regularly or irregularly alternating, by means of an electron ray tube. In the absence of auxiliary apparatus, and particularly at alternations of high frequency, such fluctuation in and overlapping of the differently illuminated portions of the target occurs as to fail to give a completely satisfactorily identifiable indication of the nature of the applied voltage. l
An object of the invention is to provide an improved indicator which will show the polarity ci voltages in the range from .5 volt to 1,000 volts without use of an attenuator, which will distinguish between low, intermediate and high voltages in that range, and between steady and alter hating voltages, and which will indicate the presence of inconsistent composite waves and interruptedcontinuous waves.
A further object of the invention is to provide an improved voltage indicator including only one electron ray tube and associated clrcuit'for indicating and identifying both direct current and alternating voltages.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved circuit tester by means of which failures s claims. (c1. 11s-lss) any increase in the voltage applied to the grid oi the tube beyond a predetermined value causes no corresponding increase in the electronic current iiowing in the anode circuit of the tube. By this means, the target of the tube always gives a discernible and identiilable indication oi the voltage applied to the grid. A resistor in the grid circuit limits flow of current in that circuit on the application to the grid of positive voltages in excess of a predetermined value. A variable cathode resistor provides for suitable adjustment of bias, and a time delay circuit connected between the grid andv ground stores energy derived from the applied signal to be indicated, so that on removal of the applied signal, the time of discharge of the stored energy provides a measure of the value of the applied voltage. The discharge is eiected through an input resistor oi' substantial value which serves, also, to prevent loading oi' the cir- 1, and
in electrical, radio and electronic circuits may be quickly 'and easily determined, which is substantially indestructible in ordinary use, and which will not affect the electrical characteristics of the circuit under test.
These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by providing a variable resistor in the anode circuit of an electron ray tube. The resistor may be so adjusted that Figure 3 illustrates voltage indications which will be obtained from the terminals o! a multielectrode tube of the type ordinarily used in radio receivers.
Fig. 1 shows an electron ray tube I0, which may be an RCA type 6E5, having a cathode i2, a grid or signal input electrode I4, an anode I6 and a fluorescent target Il. The anode and target are connected to a source of supply (not shown) which may have a potential of from 180 volts to 230 volts. The connection from the anode to the source of supply includes a variable resistor 20, which may have a value of 10 megohms. An anode resistor is essential to the proper operation of an' electron ray tube because it provides the voltage drop between anode and ray control electrode, winch causes the shadow to be seen in the target. Ordinarily, a fixed resistor of 1 megohm or .5 megohm is used for this purpose, depending on whether the anode potential is of the order oi 250 volts or volts, respectively; but as'iar as I am aware, resistors in excess of 1 megohm have never been used in the anode circuit of an electron ray tube, nor have variable resistors been used for; that purpose. The object of using a variable resistor of so high a value is to limit anode current in manner hereafter explained.
A variable resistor 22 is connected between the cathode l2 and ground. The preferred values of all circuit elements are shown on the drawing.
An insulated probe 32 and shielded test lead or cable 34, which serves to prevent stray pickup, are connected to the grid I4 by means of a conductor 36 and a grid resistor 24. Connected in series between the conductor 36 and ground are a resistor 26 and a capacitor 28; and in parallel with this resistor-capacitor combination (and, therefore, also connected between the conductor 36 and ground) is a resistor 30 which serves as a high resistance input for the tester, as well as a direct current grid return circuit.
The operation of the device is as follows: Suitable potentials having been applied to the heater, anode and target of the tube, a shadow having an angle of about 90 will be seen in the target if the grid is at zero bias and no' input signal or external voltage is applied. Thescathode bias resistor 22 should now be adjusted to increase the bias and reduce the shadow angle to about one-third of normal (see Figure 2a). It has been found that more satisfactory voltage indications are given when this adjustment has been made, partly because positive voltages to be indicated are ordinarily greater in value than negative voltages, and partly because the relation between the value of a negative voltage appliedA to the grid and the reduction in shadow angle caused thereby appears to be'somewhat logarithmic.
The next step in calibration of the indicator is to apply a regularly alternating voltage to the grid of the tube; and for this purpose, the 6.3 volt,v 60 cycle per second heater supply is preferred. This causes two illuminated portions to appear on either side of the shadow, intermediate in light intensity between the shadow and the remainder of the target. The anode resistor is then adjusted until the edges of these two illuminated portions are in contact, without overlapping each other. This adjustment having been made, the source of alternating voltage may be disconnected; and thereafter the application to the grid i4 of a voltage in excess of about 6 or 7 volts will not cause any increase in anode current, and therefore no overlapping of the differently illuminated portions of the target will occur. Other means may, if desired, be employed for determining the point at which an increasing grid voltage causes no increase in `probe from the point in the circuit whose voltage i's to be indicated), the charge will leak oil mainly through the resistors and 26. The time oi' this discharge depends on the value of the voltage originally applied to the grid, so that with comparatively low positive voltages, the shadow will immediately return to normal on removal of thel Y anode from screen, and either from cathode or anode current. Thus, a milliameter may be connected in the anode circuit and direct current voltages of successively increasing amounts applied to the grid. Observation of the meter readings will determine when anode current becomes constant, notwithstanding an increase in grid voltage.
An unvarying negative voltage applied to the grid (as by means of the probe 32) will cause a partial or complete closing of the shadow angle, depending on the value of the voltage applied (see Figure 2b). An unvarying positive voltage causes an increased opening of the shadow angle (Figure 2c) but it never becomes as great as 180, and the relative value of the applied voltage is determined by means of the time delay circuit constituted by the resistor 26 and the capacitor 28. When a steady voltage is applied to the grid, a charge is assumed by the capacitor 28 and, on removal of this voltage (as by removal of the grid. Satisfactory indications of both positive and negative voltages have, by this means, been obtained in the range from .5 volt to 1000 volts. The grid resistor 24 has no effect when a negative voltage is applied but limi-ts the flow of grid current on the appliction of a positive voltage. which might otherwise ruin the tube, or at least unduly load the circuit from which that voltage is derived.
Now, since regularly alternating voltages include positive and negative peaks, and since no overlapping can occur because of the adjustment of the anode resistor, alternating voltages applied to the grid are indicated by an alternate increase and decrease of the shadow angle. At frequencies of 30 cycles per second and less, these alternations are discernible by the human eye; but at higher frequencies, the deflection area is characterized by partial illumination, intermediate in light intensity between that of the shadow and the remainder of the target (see Figure 2d) Satisfactory indications of alternating voltage have beenobtained in the range from .4 to 1000 volts R. M. S. When the negative peak is less than is sufficient to close the eye, there will be a reduced shadow with partially illuminated portions on either side (Figure 2e); by the same reasoning, speech or other irregular modulations at ordinary frequency are indicated by a flickering of the partially illuminated portions in two directions (Figure 3), and flickering in one direction only is caused by interrupted or pulsating direct current voltages. v
The indicator is particularly useful in the Itesting of radio and other electrical circuits. The grid resistor 24 makes it indestructible in ordinary use because comparatively high voltages 1 may be applied without damage to the circuit, such as might be caused to a voltmeter having mechanical parts, if that meter were not being operated on the proper scale. The tester is also quick and easy to use. Once the two calibrations before-mentioned have been made, al14 that is necessary is to apply thev probe to the point whose voltage is to be indicated. The indicator will then identify the polarity of a voltage and distinguish between direct current voltages, regularly alternating voltages, modulated voltages at ordinary frequencies, and -the various other kinds of voltages before mentioned. The presence of the high input resistor 30 and of the grid resistor 24 enables these indications to be given with a minimum of loading of thel circuit under test.`
The voltage of a bias cell, for example, will beindicated through a high impedance circuit (such as is found in a radio receiver) and this would be extremely difficult with any other comparably simple indicator. Bucking voltages are indi-cated by their predominant polarity, or, when they balance, by an absence of change in the shadow angle. Leaking capacitors, a frequent source of failure in a radio rece-Iver, will be indicated by a change in the shadow angle caused by the direct current voltage which they permit to pass. With circuits which carry both direct and alternating voltages, the indicator will show the predominating component with greatest intensity, and minor components in proportion to their respective values. With such mixed voltages, a capacitor in series wi-th the input of the indicator will prevent direct voltages from reaching the grid, so that an indication will be obtained of the alternating component. Similarly, if the capacitor is connected between the input or the indicator and ground, the alternating component will be bypassed and the direct current component shown by the tube.
There has thus been described a voltage indicator including an electron ray tube having a variable resistor in its anode circuit for limiting anode current on Ithe application to lthe grid of a voltage in excess of a predetermined amount, so4
that overlapping of the differently illuminated portions of the target does not occur, and satisfactory indications may be obtained of voltages having many different characteristics. A resistor in the grid circuit limits the flow of current in that circuit, so that comparatively high positive voltages may be applied without damage to the tube, and without excessive loading of the circuit from which such voltages are derived. By means of a time delay circuit. the relative values of potentials applied to the grid may be distinguished: and all of these indications, and combinations and applications of therrnmay be obtained without -anecting the electricalzcharacteristics oi the circuit whose voltage is to be indicated.
While the invention has been described primar- I claim as my invention:
`1. A voltage indicator including an electron ray tube having a signal input electrode, a cathode. an anode, anda fluorescent target electrode, a circuit interconnecting said anode and said target electrode, a source of positive voltage, means connecting said circuit to said voltage source, a variable resistor included in said interconnecting circuit and positioned between said anode and said connecting means, the value of said resistor being such that any increase in the voltage applied to said signal input `electrode beyond a predetermined value causes no corresponding increase in the current owing in said interconnecting circuit, a circuit connecting said signal input electrode and said cathode, said last mentioned circuit including a grid current limiting resistor and a series connected resistor-capacitor series combination, lthevalue of the resistor in said combination being relatively low, a. relatively high value resistor in parallel with said combination, and a variable cathode resistor in series with said comblnation for controlling the magnitude of .the nominal plate current derived from said tube.
2. A voltage indicator according -to claim 1, which includes an insulated probe connected to said signal input electrode for applying a signal thereto.
REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:
UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,105,410 Daniels Jan. 11, 1938 2,150,467 Stain Mar. 14, 1939 2,167,842 Jackson Aug. 1, 1939 2,175,690 Hoppe Oct. 10, 1939 2,219,506 Steimel et al. Oct. 29, 1940 2,235,173 Shepard, Jr.' Mar. 18, 1941 2,280,607 Roberts Apr. 2l, 1942 2,291,648 Rider et al. Aug. 4, 1942
Patent Citations
Referenced by
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text: We ordered delivery from the restaurant and enjoyed the pizza despite the ridiculously long wait for the order. The next night, we ordered from there again and got pickup. The staff were friendly but the restaurant was filthy and it was not at all appetizing to think about eating food that was... read more