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In Canon S95, why the largest size for JPEG is only 1.6MB?
Started Aug 23, 2011 | Discussions thread
Veteran Member • Posts: 7,414
Yeah, Canon got rid of Superfine, and there was a lot of bitching, moaning, and complaining - but I saw several people post that they reenabled it with CHDK, took a bunch of test shots, and...couldn't tell the slightest difference. Assumably they found a clever way to implement the jpg encoding algorithm in a way that led to smaller files without giving up anything.
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Parisian couturier Christian Lacroix's has done it again with this gorgeous lay-flat notebook. It has all lavish details one would expect from the maximalist designer. Lacroix's fashion illustrations are so beautiful; it will inspire your own written masterpieces. 128 ruled pages with a ribbon marker. Measures: 4in. x 6in.
Beautiful paper, haute journals and fine stationery are par for the course at Kate's Paperie, THE paper store in New York. Be sure to peruse our collections of unique packaging, gift wrap and cards for every occasion!

subset: commoncrawl


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Researchers: Could Portland Harbor clean-up actually yield more pollutants?
Oregon State University plans to test new ways of measuring toxicity levels in environmental chemicals.
The school, which will collect data from work performed at the Portland Superfund site, hopes to ascertain whether cleaning up hazardous waste sites generates "even worse chemicals" than the items being eradicated.
The school nabbed a $15.4 million, five-year grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for the project.
"The focus is to improve technologies for identifying and measuring the levels and toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons found at a large percentage of Superfund sites, including the Portland Harbor, and to better assess the impact of PAHs on human health," said OSU's Dave Williams, the project's lead scientist, in a release.
PAHs are produced when coal, gas, oil and wood are burned. Some forms can cause cancer or harm neurological and reproductive systems.
OSU chemists Staci Simonich and Kim Anderson will collect PAHs in the sediment, soil and water from the McCormick and Baxter Creosoting Co. site and Portland Harbor, as well as the Lower Duwamish Waterway in Seattle and 10 other sites nationally.
At several sites, OSU scientists will identify whether cleanup efforts help convert PAHs in soil and sediment into other chemical compounds.
Such cleanup strategies could include heating the contaminated soil and sediment, exposing it to ultraviolet light and adding chemicals, bacteria, fungi or charcoal to break it down
"We don't know what's being formed during remediation," said Simonich, a science and agricultural science professor. "We're going to investigate that and figure out if it is bad for human health."
Anderson will test a device with a silicone membrane that absorbs chemicals much like a person's skin cells would.
"Knowing which chemicals can be absorbed by a human body is key, she said," according to OSU's release. "If they can't be absorbed, then it might be safer to leave the waste in place rather than dredging it up and possibly creating even more dangerous chemicals that can indeed enter the body, she said."
OSU biochemist Robert Tanguay will examine the original PAHs as well as any derivatives that could form during cleanup efforts.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is a partner on the NIEHS grant and is participating in the research. OSU is one of 18 Superfund Research programs backed by NIEHS.


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About New York City
Get Inspired
From Wall Street's skyscrapers to the neon of Times Square to Central Park's leafy paths, New York City pulses with an irrepressible energy. History meets hipness in this global center of entertainment, fashion, media, and finance. World-class museums like MoMA and unforgettable icons like the Statue of Liberty beckon, but discovering the subtler strains of New York's vast ambition is equally rewarding: ethnic enclaves and shops, historic streets of dignified brownstones, and trendy bars and eateries all add to the urban buzz.
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Eataly is a glorious food hall that celebrates everything gourmet. Swirl sugar into an espresso or slowly sip a prosecco. Just enjoy.
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New York's best free attraction is as good now as it was when it started operation, over 100 years ago. Jump on board and get a snap of the Statue of Liberty.
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Michael O'Leary thinks he works fifty times harder than his employees [1]
by Alex Hern [2] Published
I'm paid about 20 times more than the average employee and I think that gap should be wider. I probably work 50 times harder. I was paid €1.2m last year for carrying 80 million passengers. Aer Lingus's boss [Christoph Mueller] got €1.3m for carrying nine million passengers. I think I'm the most underpaid and underappreciated airline boss in Europe.
Via the Economist's Daniel Knowles [3], Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary gives a characteristically frank interview to Management Today [4].


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What It's Like To: Feed Zoo Animals
Giraffes eat from guests' hands, kangaroos accept pats and lemurs jump into laps at Tanganyika Wildlife Park near Wichita, Kansas.
You don't realize the impact that you can potentially have on a kid's life, or even an adult's life. by providing this kind of experience. It's one of those deals where, if you can just wake up one or two people a day to the importance of what we're trying to do with nature and with conservation and awareness, if you will, then we're doing a good thing here. It's one thing to stand there and look at those lories in a cage. It's quite another to have those lories climbing on you. The tactile thing...you know...everybody wants to reach out and touch, right? I mean it makes a big difference. It's amazing to watch, you know, how people really want to touch and experience that. It's so much more of an experience than just being able to stand and look.


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Home > Kitchen & Dining > Food Prep & Processors > Cooking Utensils > Jacob Bromwell Original Tin Traditional Funnel
Jacob Bromwell Original Tin Traditional Funnel
Our handmade funnels will bring ol' time quality and charm to your kitchen.
Lookin' for a funnel made the ol' fashioned way? Your search is over as our traditional funnels are just what you need to bring back the past at a time when quality was king. These here funnels were made almost 20 decades ago by Jacob Bromwell and are now used by chefs and cooks from coast to coast. They continue to be handcrafted in the USA and made with the same quality and care… even after all these years. We know you'll enjoy these funnels just as Ma and Pa did in days gone by. There's no 'beating around the bush' - our funnels are the best in the West, East, North, and South.
Tid Bits O' Information Aboutcher Traditional Funnel:
- Made with authentic materials, just like it was nearly 200 years ago. America's frontiersmen wouldn't have it any other way, and neither should you!
- Used during the pioneering days of the Gold Rush, it was easy to carry by horse and buggy across those dirt trails, which later made up our roads and streets.
- Perfect for your country kitchen and your favorite recipes, everyone needs a funnel for one reason or another!
- Handcrafted with Pride in the U.S.A.
1/4 Pint - 3" Dia x 4.5" H; Weight: 0.1 lbs.
1/2 Pint - 4" Dia x 6" H; Weight: 0.1 lbs.
1 Pint - 6" Dia x 7" H; Weight: 0.15 lbs.
1 Quart - 7" Dia x 8" H; Weight: 0.2 lbs.
2 Quart - 8" Dia x 9" H; Weight: 0.3 lbs.
3.6 Quart - 10" Dia x 11" H; Weight: 0.5 lbs.
Jacob Bromwell Original Tin Traditional Funnel
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1. Preheat the oven at 450 degrees F.
2. In a wide bowl, nicely mix the plain flour, wheat flour, salt to taste, garlic powder and chopped coriander leaves.
3. Make a well in the center and add the yeast, sugar and water.
4. Cover it and let it stand for 5 minutes for the yeast to get frothy.
5. Mix everything well, add little water at a time and knead well into a soft and smooth dough.
6. Spread a little oil inside the bowl and roll the dough over to cover with oil.
7. Place the dough in the middle, cover it and let it rise for about 10-15 minutes.
8. Then pull out a big apple sized portion of the dough, roll into a ball and flatten slightly between palms.
9. Sprinkle the surface with flour and roll it to about 1/2 inch thickness.
10. Sprinkle baking tray with flour and spread the rolled dough over it.
11. Spread minced garlic over the rolled naan.
12. If desired cover the naan with a cloth and leave it to rise for 10 to 15 minutes.
13. Place the naan in the oven and bake for about 8 - 10 minutes.
14. Remove from the oven and smear with butter.
15. Sprinkle some more cilantro and serve as it is or curries.


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AFCEA International awarded a total of $2,250 to three teams competing in the PlugFest contest, providing innovative solutions to interoperability problems. PlugFest is a demonstration of information technology interoperability using pre-integrated standards based components, from a variety of providers, which run in open standards based run-time environments across a particular enterprise.
For the September issue of SIGNAL, I wrote an article about a new effort at AFCEA designed to spur innovation and rapid acquisition in defense technology. Dubbed PlugFests, the events are managed by the Rapid Integration Innovation Process (RI2P) special interest group, which is dedicated to showing the value of such events to government and industry.
Members of government and industry are taking concrete steps to address long-standing problems in the procurement community through plug fests--events that test the interoperability of network devices by plugging them into functioning networks. Various organizations within and outside of government have hosted such programs, but recently a group of public and private partners in the defense industry decided to organize plug fests specifically to address problems in the military arena.


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Granbury Resort Conference Center
Granbury, Texas
June 2-3, 2009
Using Pheromone Traps to Predict Infestation by Grape Berry Moth in the Texas Gulf Coast Region. Fritz Westover, Texas AgriLife Extension
Physiology of Field-Grown Cool, Warm, and Hot-Climate Grape Varieties in West Texas. Dr. Thayne Montague, Texas Tech University and Texas AgriLife Research
Evaluation of Regulated Deficit Irrigation in West Texas. Dr. Ed Hellman, Texas AgriLife Extension and Texas Tech University
Using Rootstocks to Enhance Grape and Wine Quality and Vineyard Sustainable Practices. Dr. Peter Cousins, grape rootstock breeder and geneticist, USDA-ARS
Enterprise Budgets as a Tool for Commercial Vineyard Management in Texas. Daniel Pate, Texas Tech University
Fungi Associated With Grapevine Dieback in Central Texas Vineyards. Penny Adams, Texas AgriLife Extension
Chemical Properties and Anti-Cancer Effects of Texas Wines. Dr. Susanne Talcott, Texas A&M University
Nutrient Status of Texas Winegrapes and Potential Impacts to Wine Stability. Dr. Brent Trela, Texas Tech University and Texas AgriLife Extension
Sensory Evaluation of the 2007 Texas A&M Commercial Wine Chemistry Trials. Mike Sipowicz, Texas AgriLife Extension
Characterizing the Winegrowing Regions of Texas: An Application of GIS Technology. Elvis Takow, Texas AgriLife Research
Characterization of Nematode Species on the High Plains and in West Texas and Development of Appropriate Cultural Practices to Reduce Impact on Wine Grape Production. Teresa Burns, Texas AgriLife Extension
Todays Choices: U.S. Wine Consumption Trends. Dr. Natalia Kolyesnikova, Texas Tech University
Market Segmentation Analysis to Target Texas Wine Consumers. Dr. Natalia Kolyesnikova, Texas Tech University
Wine and Juice Oxidation. Patricia Howe, research enologist and winemaker, Napa Valley, California
Biology of the Green June Beetle and Achrastenus griseus, a Bud-Boring Weevil, Fran Pontasch, Texas AgriLife Extension
Influence of Wind on Gas Exchange of Field-Grown Cabernet Sauvignon in West Texas. Dr. Thayne Montague, Texas Tech University and Texas AgriLife Research
Leafroll Virus in Texas. Penny Adams, Texas AgriLife Extension
Investigation of Spray Timing of Boron and Effects on Yields of Blanc du Bois Winegrapes. Fritz Westover, Texas AgriLife Extension
Evaluation of Abscisic Acid to Delay Budburst of Grapevines. Dr. Ed Hellman, Texas AgriLife Extension and Texas Tech University


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Lena Wettergren
Dr. Lena Wettergren is a Visiting Scholar in HDRP's Outcomes Research Branch (ORB). She earned her doctorate in medical science (nursing) from Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, where she now holds a position as a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor. She co-leads a research group focusing on quality of life and health outcomes in persons with long-lasting conditions, primarily cancer. Cancer survivorship is a major area of focus in her research, with a growing emphasis on fertility and sexual concerns among young cancer survivors.
From 2009 to 2011 Dr. Wettergren was head of the Division of Nursing at Karolinska Institutet and she has held several academic appointments within research and research education. She recently received a six-year research position funded by the Swedish Children's Cancer Foundation to evaluate interventions to overcome sexual dysfunction and fertility distress among young adults with cancer.
While at NCI, Dr. Wettergren is working on analyses using data from the Adolescent and Young Adult Health Outcomes and Patient Experience (AYA HOPE) Study, focusing on fertility preservation and quality of life. She is also working with the SEER-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS) linked database.
Last Updated: 01 Apr 2015


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February 27, 2014
These 5 sweet oatmeal recipes are perfect for the cookie jar and when you just want a sweet treat that isn't too far off your healthy food list.
Neiman Marcus Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
A classic cookie, if you have a craving for sweet chocolate chip cookies with a twist, these Neiman Marcus Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are for you!
Baked S'mores Oatmeal
This Baked S'mores Oatmeal, is ramped up with delicious chocolate and marshmallow flavor.
Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies
Once you make these Oatmeal Cream Pies, you will never buy those packaged types again.
Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
If you love the oatmeal cookie, yet want to try something a little bit new, check these Oatmeal Coconut Cookies out.
Oatmeal Soda Bread
Although not sweet on it's own, this Oatmeal Soda Bread will taste fantastic, slathered with a homemade jam.
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Tim Tingle
Governor Isaac Shelby Records
Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives Frankfort, KY 40601-0537 USA
Collection is open for research.
Governor Isaac Shelby Records, 1812-1816, Ky-Ar1164, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort.
1.0 cubic ft.
Governor Issac Shelby served a second term from 1812-1816 as a Jeffersonian Republican. Originally from Maryland, Shelby resided in Lincoln County, KY. His occupations were a Soldier and Farmer. Shelby's second term was devoted mainly to the War of 1812.
Copyright has not been assigned to the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives.
Hosted by the University of Kentucky
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Latest Moms
- 13 things all men should know about pregnant women — HuffPost Parents
- How to deal with bad-influence kids — Real Simple
- Should celebrity moms serve as role models? — BabyCenter Blog
- David Arquette's a dad again — Celebrity Baby Scoop
- Sneak a peek at Daphne Oz's sophisticated nursery — People Moms & Babies
- See all the hot mamas on People's most beautiful list — The Bump
Hi! I'm Katy and I am the mom of an 11 year old boy that has a strong mindset, vision and an amazing understanding of life. He taught me long time ago to trust him. He can make dec ...


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Scout and Morgan Books is inviting children in 1st through 5th grades to participate in their summer reading program Let Your Imagination Soar. Students who read eight books this summer will get a free book as well as be entered in drawings to win other great gifts such as Folkmanis puppets, Emotion...Read More
Scout & Morgan Books
Isanti Primary School 2nd Grade teacher, Jenny Ryan and her student, Keagann Olson, share a special moment with Joyce Sutphen, Minnesota's Poet Laureate at Scout and Morgan Books on Friday, April 20. Sutphen was at that location signing her books as part of Cambridge's Community Wide Read progra...Read More
by Elizabeth Sias As far as Debra Pangerl is concerned, anyone can make positive changes in the world. Twenty years after her first trip to Tanzania, the girls she sponsors through the IMAGE Project attend the same school she helped build on that first trip. And now Pangerl has a book out, A Full Ci...Read More
The Community Wide Reading program began in 2007. It is modeled after the One Book, One Community program already taking place across Minnesota and other states. The goal of the Cambridge Community Wide Reading program is to bring the community together through a shared reading experience, promote l...Read More
Jill and Deanne Johnson to visit Scout & Morgan Books Dec. 10 Scout & Morgan Books welcomes Minnesota author and photographer Jill and Deane Johnson for the release of their new book "Little Minnesota, A Nostalgic Look at Minnesota's Smallest Towns." Jill and Deanne will be in the boo...Read More
Ryan Jacobson will visit Scout & Morgan Books Nov. 12 Scout & Morgan Books welcomes local children's author Ryan Jacobson on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jacobson is the author of the best-selling Choose Your Path book, "Lost in the Wild." Three new books in the series,...Read More
Scout & Morgan Books welcomes Minnesota journalist and author Chuck Frederick on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Frederick will be reading from and signing copies of his new book, "Spirit of the Lights." "Spirit of the Lights" tells the story of Marcia Hale who persuaded her h...Read More
Book signing Sept. 24 at Scout & Morgan Books By Elizabeth Sias Cambridge native Kendare Blake now resides in Seattle, but she'll return to her hometown next month for a book signing for her upcoming young adult novel, Anna Dressed in Blood, to be released Aug. 30. The event will be held at S...Read More


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1800 $5 AU58 NGC. BD-2, High R.3....
2013 April 24 - 28 CSNS US Coin Signature Auction - Chicago #1184
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Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
1551 North Thoreau Drive
Schaumburg, IL 60173
|Printable auction results for all items in the 2013 April 24 - 28 CSNS US Coin Signature Auction - Chicago.
1800 Half Eagle, BD-2, AU581800 $5 AU58 NGC. BD-2, High R.3. Bass-Dannreuther Die State c/d. Star 8 on the obverse touches the Y of LIBERTY, while the last star, 13, is farther from the bust tip than on the BD-1. The 1 in the date is blunt on top. On the reverse, the beginning and ending A's in AMERICA touch the third feather and the eagle's claw, respectively. Small die cracks appear on each side of this scarcely circulated golden-yellow coin, which still shows much mint luster. Minor planchet adjustment marks are confined to the left and lower reverse rims, and the obverse is notably free of marks, even for the high grade.
Relatively Unmarked Example
Relatively Unmarked Example
From The Fairfax Collection.(Registry values: P2) (NGC ID# 25NW, PCGS# 8082)
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Arkansas Bill of Sale Form for Motor VehiclesBill of sale requirements & information for the state of Arkansas.
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In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for enhancing the value of prerecorded works such as movies and music, as well as computer games, by randomly choosing alternative content segments at different points within the work, thereby potentially offering the user a different experience each time the work is played. This invention is suitable for use with specially prepared music, movies, videos, computer games and the like, wherein a plurality of interchangeable parallel or sequential content segments are specified. At each time point where such content segments are specified, the instant method selects randomly from them for presentation to the user.
1. A method for the presentation a work to a user, comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a base work;
(b) selecting at least one randomization position within said base work;
(c) selecting, for at least one of said randomization positions, a plurality of alternative content segments associated therewith;
(d) for any randomization position so selected, randomly selecting one of said plurality of alternative content segments associated therewith; and,
(e) performing said base work and any alternative content segments so selected, said alternative content segments replacing at least a portion of said base work during said performance.
2. An apparatus for the presentation of a work to a user according to
(a) a microprocessor, said microprocessor being in electronic communication with said computer-readable medium, said microprocessor at least for processing information read from said computer-readable medium;
(b) computer memory in electrical communication with said microprocessor, said computer memory containing at least a plurality of computer instructions defining the method of
(c) an output interface, said output interface being in electrical communication with said microprocessor and receiving information therefrom for purposes of presenting said base work and said alternative content segments to the user according to said plurality of computer instructions executed by said microprocessor; and,
(d) a display device in electrical communication with said output system, said display device for presenting said base work and any selected alternative content segments to the user.
3. An apparatus according to
4. A method according to
5. A method according to
6. A method according to
7. A method according to
(c1) executing an interactive computer program until one of said randomization positions is reached,
(e2) executing any computer instructions contained within said selected alternative content segment associated with said reached randomization position.
8. A method according to
9. A method according to
10. A method for the presentation of a work to a user, wherein is provided
a base work,
a logic tree associated with said base work, said logic tree defining at least one randomization point within said base work, and,
a plurality of alternative content segments for use with said base work and said logic tree, at least two of said plurality of alternative content segments being associated with said at least one randomization point
comprising the steps of:
(a) reading at least a portion of said base work;
(b) reading at least a portion of said logic tree;
(c) performing said base work for the user at least until said at least one randomization point is reached;
(d) selecting randomly among said at least two alternative content segments associated with said randomization point;
(e) reading said selected alternative content segment; and,
(f) performing said selected alternative content segment for the user.
11. A method according to
12. A method according to
13. A method of preparing a work for presentation to a user, comprising the steps of
(a) selecting a base work;
(b) selecting at least one randomization position within said base work;
(c) for each of said at least one selected randomization positions, selecting a plurality of alternative content segments associated therewith, wherein
(c1) each of said selected alternative content segments is interchangeable at said randomization point
(c2) each of said alternative content segments has a pointer associated therewith, and,
(c3) each of said alternative content segments has a probability associated therewith;
(d) storing within a logic free a marker representative of each of said selected randomization positions;
(e) for each of said selected alternative content segments, storing said associated pointer and said associated probability within said logic tree, wherein each of said stored pointers and said stored probabilities is associated with a stored marker within said logic tree;
(f) storing said base work in a first computer-readable medium;
(g) storing said selected alternative content segments in a second computer-readable medium; and,
(h) storing said logic tree in a third computer-readable medium, thereby preparing the work for presentation to the user.
14. A method of preparing a work for presentation to a user according to
15. A method of preparing a work for presentation to a user according to
(i) reading said base work from said first computer-readable medium;
(j) reading said alternative content segments from said second computer-readable medium;
(k) reading said logic tree from said third computer-readable medium;
(l) presenting said work to the user by:
(l1) using said markers within said logic tree to determine said randomization positions,
(l2) sequentially playing said work for the user,
(l3) as each of said randomization points is reached, randomly selecting from among said alternative content segments associated with said reached randomization point according to said probabilities associated with each of said alternative content segments.
(l4) playing for the user said randomly selected alternative content segment instead of a corresponding portion of said work, and,
(l5) after said played alternative content segment has ended, continuing to play said work for the user until either a next randomization point is reached or an end of the work is reached.
16. A method according to
17. A method according to
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the display of movies, music, videos, television programming, and the like. Additionally, it pertains to computer gaming and other activities that heretofore have been experienced in linear start-to-finish fashion. The instant invention pertains to the delivery of music, videos, movies, and games, etc. to an end user.
It is well known that all forms of digital entertainment are experiencing an explosive growth in popularity. Whether it takes the form of music, video, games, etc., the demand is growing and is not likely to reach a peak at any time soon.
Of course, the buying public demands value for its dollar. Thus, there is constant pressure on sellers to find ways of enhancing the value of their products. However, there is a fundamental limitation with most of these sorts of products: they offer only one "version." That is, once a conventional music CD has been played, it will forever thereafter yield the same listening experience: each tune will be heard from start to finish in exactly the same sequence. Similarly, once a movie has been viewed, it will subsequently yield the same viewing experience each time, i.e., the plot moves along a linear path and repeat viewings will always yield the same sequence of scenes and events. This property tends to limit replay value of linearly performed works such as music movies, and videos and, hence, limits the value these sorts of products might have to the consumer as is reflected in the amount that the seller can expect to charge.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will know that this problem has certainly been recognized previously and that considerable effort has been expended in making these sorts of products "interactive" in order to increase their appeal to the buying public. For example, DVD movies now allow the user to selectively view different linear segments (or choose a viewing position) under direct control of the user. Similarly, it is relatively common to find that audio CD's might offer alternative mixes of the same musical work which can be selected under the direction of the user. Finally, in the case of computer games, it has long been the practice to provide for "random events" within the program which are presented to the user in an unpredictable fashion. However, even in this case the underlying story moves along in a linear fashion and the user is only temporarily inconvenienced (or assisted in some cases) by these random events.
Of course, the common element in all of the foregoing is that in the past the focus has been on providing the user with the capability of adjusting the listening/viewing experience to suit his or her taste. In each case, it is the user that ultimately controls the end result and, as a consequence, the user is never really "surprised" by the product, originating as it does in his or her own preferences.
Heretofore, as is well known in the music and video arts, there has been a need for an invention to address and solve the above-described problems. Accordingly, it should now be recognized, as was recognized by the present inventor, that there exists, and has existed for some time, a very real need for a method and apparatus that would address and solve the above-described problems.
Before proceeding to a description of the present invention, however, it should be noted and remembered that the description of the invention which follows, together with the accompanying drawings, should not be construed as limiting the invention to the examples (or preferred embodiments) shown and described. This is so because those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains will be able to devise other forms of this invention within the ambit of the appended claims.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for enhancing the value of prerecorded works such as movies, music, video, and television programming, as well as computer games. In brief, the instant invention operates to enhance a user's viewing/listening experience of a particular work by randomly substituting alternative content segments at fixed locations within the work. At each such fixed location, the candidate content segments for that location will be specially selected and prepared so as to be interchangeable. Thus, each time the work is played/experienced, the user will likely see a different combination of the interchangeable segments, thereby prolonging the novelty of the purchased work.
Thus, and according to a preferred embodiment, there is provided a new and useful improvement in the technology of delivering music, movies, video, and games to end-users which helps maximize the entertainment value of such a work by randomly selecting among alternative segments at different points during the playback. In more particular, the instant invention is designed to operate on a base work such as movie, video, musical work, etc., which has been specially prepared to include a plurality of alternative parallel or sequential content segments which are designed to be interchangeable. Each of these segments is associated with at least one particular randomization point in the work. At each such randomization point, one of the plurality of assigned content segments is randomly selected for presentation to the user. Subsequent playing of the work will potentially yield a different selection at each randomization point, so that the net result is that successive replays will yield a different user experience.
Through the smooth incorporation of such randomized selections into the underlying work, it is possible to a create a viewing/playing experience that varies each time the work is played, thereby, causing the user to maintain a higher degree of interest in the work over time than would otherwise be the case.
The foregoing has outlined in broad terms the more important features of the invention disclosed herein so that the detailed description that follows may be more clearly understood, and so that the contribution of the instant inventors to the art may be better appreciated. The instant invention is not to be limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various other ways not specifically enumerated herein. Further, the disclosure that follows is intended to be pertinent to all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Finally, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting, unless the specification specifically so limits the invention.
While the instant invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
Turning first to
According to a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, there is provided a method and apparatus for varying this static arrangement of information in a way that will enable the user to derive more enjoyment from his or her entertainment investment. As is generally illustrated in
Turning now to
As is illustrated in
In practice, a player 500 (e.g., a specially programmed DVD or similar player, a specially programmed CD player, or a computer game) will begin presenting the work 200 at its start. The work will then be played linearly until randomizing point 210 is reached. Then, one of a predetermined number of possible content alternatives will be selected (content segments B1, B2, or B3) and played. Note that each of the content segments will be designed to mesh smoothly at time point 220, so that a single thread may be continued after the main path through the work has been resumed. At randomizing point 230, one of two predetermined content segments (D1 or D2) will be randomly selected and presented. The main thread will then be smoothly rejoined at time 240. Additionally, it should be noted that although the instant disclosure might refer to a player 500 that reaches a particular time point and then makes a random choice among the alternatives, in reality the choice would typically be made in advance of the player 500 reaching the randomization point, so that the chosen selection can be buffered for output to the user. This is all well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Turning now to
Stored on input medium 535 will preferably be the base work, the alternative content segments, and the logic tree (discussed in more detail hereinafter). Of course, it may be that not all of these items are stored on a single device 535, and it is certainly possible that, for example, the logic tree and/or content segments might be stored separately from the base work (e.g., they might be downloaded from the Internet) and downloaded as needed. In electrical communication with CPU 920 will be some amount of computer RAM 910 and, preferably, some computer ROM 930. The ROM 930 would typically be used to store computer instructions that control the playback of unit 500 according to the scheme of the present invention (e.g., it would preferably contain the program of
As a specific example of how the instant invention would operate in practice, and continuing with the illustration contained in
Note that it is not essential that all of the alternative content segments have the same temporal length.
Of course, there is no reason that the start of the work itself might not be subject to randomization, i.e., a randomization point might be included at the start of the work. Those of ordinary skill in the art will immediately perceive how this might be done.
By way of a more complicated situation, the schematic of
One example situation in which the arrangement of
Further examples of how this technology could be applied include the following. In the field of music, each alternative content segment could be a different mix of the same song or each could be taken from a different live recording of the same musical work, etc. In the movie/video field, each content segment might be a different cut or version of the same scene. Many other variations are possible and well within the capabilities of one of ordinary skill in the art to devise.
It should be noted that it might be necessary to modify conventional CD and DVD players to incorporate this technology, preferably by changing the programming that is present within their on-board firmware. Alternatively, in the event that the CD or DVD player has been designed to run software that has been stored on the CD/DVD or elsewhere, the necessary instruction may be uploaded into the player for execution during the playback. Alternatively, any CD or DVD player that can be controlled externally could be used in conjunction with a computer that has been appropriately programmed to randomly access and display, for example, different chapters stored on the DVD for presentation to the user in the order determined according to the programming.
In a preferred embodiment, a specially prepared disk would be inserted into such a modified player. The player (whether CD or DVD) would sense that the inserted disk is of the sort that is designed for random play. Then, according to the randomization points, alternative content segments, and joining points specified by the programmer, the disk would be played according to the previous description. Obviously, such random switching of story paths could easily be implemented within a conventional computer game program by so-programming it.
As a next preferred step, the player will determine whether or not the digital work that has been presented is encoded for random play 615 according to the instant invention. If it is determined that the work is not so encoded, it will be played conventionally 620. However, in the case that the proper encoding is present, the logic will typically instruct the player to begin displaying the work at the first content segment 618. Of course, and has been discussed previously, rather than automatically playing the first segment, it may be in some instances that the encoded work will contain multiple "first" segments that are to be selected between, either by the user or via randomization.
Given the first segment to play, the player will then play that information 618. At the end of the first segment, the player will determine whether another randomization point has been reached 630. If not, the program would typically play the next content segment in sequence 628. However, if a randomization point has been reached, the player would typically determine the number of alternative content segments 635 and then choose randomly from among them 640. After the content segment has been selected, it will be played 625 and the process repeated.
It should be noted that although the preferred embodiment utilizes simple random sampling of the content segments, i.e., content segments are randomly selected from among the available alternatives according to a uniform random variable (i.e., each alternative will be equally likely to be selected), it is certainly possible that alternative schemes could be utilized. For example, random selection between the alternatives could be made, but wherein some alternatives are given a higher probability than others (e.g., according to a Gaussian or other distribution). Further, such random selection may be intentionally biased based on the occurrence of earlier events. For example, within the context of a computer game the randomization process might assign the probability that a "snow" event will be chosen as 0.5 if the user's previous actions had placed him or her in the mountains, but a probability of only 0.1 if the game were currently situated on the sea shore. Many alternative combinations are possible and have been contemplated by the instant inventor.
In order to prepare a work for use with the instant invention, it should be clear that the provider will preferably begin by assembling at least one base work, together with a number of different content segments for inclusion therein. For purposes of specificity in the text that follows, it will be assumed that a single such base work has been selected, although many variations are possible. For example, consider the case where two or more roughly parallel works are to be randomly "mixed" together (e.g., concert footage of the same musical group that has been recorded in two different cities). In such an instance, there could actually be two or more "base works", although for purposes of specificity herein, it will be assumed that one of the works has arbitrarily been selected to be the "base" work. As another example, consider the case where a writer has produced a script that specifically calls for two alternative endings. In this case, there is no obvious "base" work that would normally be played from start to finish. Thus, for purposes of clarity only, it will be assumed that one or the other endings, together with the remainder of the work, represents the base work. Finally, in some cases there may not be any particular pre-existing work or theme that can be readily identified as the base work (e.g., in the case of a video game which has multiple parallel and sequential branching alternatives and could consist entirely of alternative content segments as that term is used herein). In such a case—e.g., where there is no "original" work which is being varied, or where there is no portion of the work that is presented in every replaying—the term "base work" will be interpreted to include any arbitrarily chosen realization of the logic tree, i.e., any arbitrarily selected combination of the alternative content segments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many variations of this theme are possible and well within the ability of such a person to design and implement.
The alternative content segments might take many forms, but typically they will be specifically selected and edited for the purpose described herein. It should also be noted that one of the content segments could certainly be taken from the base work, so that if it were randomly selected the base work would play as it was originally recorded. Beyond that, the editor will typically want to ensure that there is continuity in the overall work no matter which content segment has been inserted. Continuity here certainly implies at least continuity in the plot or theme of the movie/music/game work. Additionally, in the case of music it might be necessary to adjust the pitch or tempo of the alternative segment to allow it to blend seamlessly with the base work. In the case of movie footage, it might be desirable to adjust the volume, brightness, contrast, color saturation, aspect ratio, or any number of other variables related to the content segments so that they match more closely the base work. That being said, in other circumstances the producer might want to emphasize the fact that alternative content segments have been inserted and, in some cases, further enhance the differences between the substituted segments and the original work. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many such variations are possible and well within the skill of one who practices in this art.
As a next preferred step, a logic tree or a similar data structure will be prepared that will define at least the random components of the playback. For example, the logic tree would typically contain a listing of the locations within the base work at which randomization would take place. In the case of movies and video, the time-locations of the randomization points might be recorded as SMPTE time codes. In other applications such as music, the randomization points could be, for example, either time from the beginning of the work or a digital sample number (e.g., a randomization point might be defined to occur at the one-millionth digital sample of the work, no matter where in time that sample was processed). In the case of computer/video games, the randomization might be tied to "places" in the game (e.g., randomization occurs when the user reaches the "sea shore") or keyed to the occurrence of a specific event (e.g., randomization occurs after the "green dragon dies"). That being said, for purposes of specificity in the discussion herein, it will be assumed that the randomization points are specified in "time", although that term should be broadly construed to include any sort of marker within the base work.
Note that the information stored in the logic tree would typically be recorded onto any DVD or CD that is designed to implement the methods of the instant invention, although alternatives are certainly possible. For example, the DVD/CD might be sold to a user with the understanding that he or she would have to download an encrypted logic tree via the Internet, thereby ensuring that only authorized users could access the material stored on the DVD or CD.
Given the central/underlying work of choice, the assembled content segments will each be associated with a marker where they might be inserted into the work. Those segments that are suitable for insertion at the same time will typically be defined to be alternative content segments.
In summary, current DVD/CD/game technology provides content in a static, sequential format, and does not provide for the possibility of differing outcomes in content delivery. On the other hand, there is often excess content which has been edited from a work in advance of its publication. Such additional content can easily be incorporated into such a structure as has been suggested here, by making different cuts, recordings, etc., random alternatives in a playback scheme such as that described herein. By presenting random content segments to the end user, a movie, CD, or game is more likely to be viewed again, thereby providing the user with increased return on his or her entertainment dollar.
It should be noted at the outset that there are many variations in the invention disclosed herein that the instant inventor has specifically contemplated. As a first example, although it is preferable that each of the alternative content segments rejoin the underlying work at the same point in time (e.g., time point 220 of
Additionally, it should be noted that, although the preferred embodiment discusses the use of alternative content segments that completely replace the corresponding matter in the original work, that need not always be the case. For example, in the case of a movie or video work, it might be only the accompanying musical score that is randomized. That is, the background music could be subject to randomization so that alternative musical selections are chosen to be played behind the same movie footage. Thus, each viewing of a particular scene might yield all or part of a new musical score that has been randomly selected. Most probably, the alternative music selections will be tied to specific scenes which, depending on the particular random selections, will impart a different mood, etc., to the work.
Further, and in another arrangement, in the case of movies or video, the alternative content segments might be colorized or non-colorized versions of the same work. That is, the same scene will be shown each time the work is played but the instant invention will randomly select either the colorized or non-colorized version for presentation to the user. Presumably, the base work will be a black-and-white film, although that is not essential. Additionally, the instant invention can be used to enhance the syndication value of previously broadcast weekly network shows such as situation comedies, dramas, etc., by including as alternative content segments scenes that were cut from the original broadcast, different versions of the broadcast scenes, etc.
In other variations, the alternative content segments of a musical work will be sung by different artists so that the user will potentially hear different artists perform each time the work is played. This same idea could be applied to movies and video, wherein the same scene is acted by a different actress or actor.
Note that, in the case of a computer game, the alternative content segments could be sections of computer code that are only executed if they have been randomly selected. Additionally, or in the alternative, graphical and database elements might also be included as part of the content segment, depending on the organization of the base computer game. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are many such variations that could be implemented depending on the desires of the developer. Thus, for purposes of the instant disclosure, the term "computer instructions" should be interpreted in its broadest sense to include the instructions found within conventional computer programs, as well as the graphics and data base elements that might be used by the program to present its story to the end user/player.
Another area of applicability of the instant work lies in the field of education. For example, in the case where a student is viewing a base work which might consist, for example, of a historical documentary, the instant invention could periodically insert questions, based preferably on the previous few minutes of viewing, that tested the student's retention and understanding. At the randomization locations, a printed or oral question would preferably be laid over the base/assigned work, and the student given an option to answer the question in real time. Alternatively, the play back of the work could be stopped at each randomization point and the student queried. Certainly, many different variations of this configuration are possible and have been specifically contemplated by the instant inventor.
Additionally, although the instant invention preferably operates with parallel alternative content segments, it could also be used with sequential segments, if that were desired. That is, at a randomization point, rather than selecting a single segment to replace a portion of the base work, the algorithm might instead select a plurality of such content segments and play all of the selected segments, one after the other. This would, of course, create a random order of presentation which might be desirable in some settings.
Finally, it should be noted and remembered that, within the context of the instant disclosure the terms "view", "listen", "play", "experience", etc., are all interchangeable and should be interpreted in their broadest sense to include any exposure of a user to the work. That is, although a user typically "views" a movie and "listens" to a musical work, usage of one or the other of those terms should not be interpreted as excluding the other sort of experience. That is, in the claims that follow the term "view" should not be interpreted as excluding musical works or games, but instead given its broadest interpretation to include both of these other forms of entertainment. Similarly, "listen" should also include "viewing" (in the sense of movies and videos), "playing" (as in music and computer games), etc. For purposes of the claims that follow, the term "performing" will be used in its broadest sense to describe any sort of playback, including playback of movies, video, music, as well as computer games, etc.
Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the instant invention, an apparatus and method of operation that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art and in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit of the appended claims.
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[quote=628701]I'm probably more qualified to be the crash dummy, than the bow tester. Lol[/quote] Just having some fun and playing with you.
Got my dealer to swap cams on my Z7 Mag and sold it with a promise to get first notice when the ChillX comes in ... Now, I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas Eve ... well, not quite ... lakes are starting to ice-out so maybe I'll disappear for a week or two, then check back in.
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Comforting tearful Gazza at Italia '90 and what I was really thinking
It is hard to believe 25 years have passed since Paul "Gazza" Gascogine shed tears in England's World Cup semifinal against West Germany at the 1990 World Cup. My memories remain so vivid.
Even though England ended up losing the semifinal on penalties, that game -- and the tournament -- is rightfully credited with helping Britain fall in love with football again and create the momentum for the start of the Premier League era.
People have asked me what soothing words I said to Gazza as he walked...


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Maryland's Tuesday evening weather forecastUPDATED 6:13 PM EST Feb 26, 2013
During the Tuesday evening weather forecast, Tom says we can expect rain in the region early Wednesday.
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Reviewed By Anthony S (PLANO, TX) —5/3/2015 4:18 PM
This fluid does what it said it does. Works very well for me on the street and track
Reviewed By Bill V (Piqua, OH) —9/13/2012 6:18 AM
I don't mind the noise it makes because I can't hear it when the motor is running. It works great plenty of brake. It was hard to mount because it has to be horizontal I fabricated a bracket and mounted it on the core support. I can feel the vibration but I can live with it if the car will stop. Overall very satisfied good quality a little expensive.
When it comes to do-it-yourself automotive repair, one of the most misunderstood and daunting repairs is the brake system. Not only are there a lot of parts and components to contend with and a ton of mystery behind the mechanics of it, but brakes are hands-down the most essential safety feature on any vehicle—so you don't wanna mess it up. Which is why the questions we see more than any others are always about how to bleed your brakes.
Know before you buy! Read customer reviews about Brake Accessories.
What do brakes do? Well, the easy answer is, stop your car. But, how many of us know how brakes work really? The following is a quick overview of how your vehicle's disc brakes system actually works, and a few tips on purchasing brake components.


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Rhubarb Pie
|3⁄4 Cup (12 tbs)
|Grated orange rind
|1⁄2 Teaspoon
|Pink rhubarb
|1 Pound
|Frozen undiluted orange juice
|1 Tablespoon
|2 Tablespoon
Roll out 2/3 of the pastry, and fit into a deep 9-inch pie plate.
Trim the edge.
Combine flour thoroughly with the sugar and orange rind.
Pour over the rhubarb, and toss with a fork.
Scrape into the prepared pie plate.
Spread evenly, sprinkle with orange juice and dot with butter.
Dampen pastry edge.
Roll out remaining pastry into a 10-inch circle, and with a 1/2- to 3/4-inch cutter cut out evenly spaced fancy openings.
Save the cutouts.
Fold pastry in half, and lift to the center top of the pie.
Flip folded part over remaining exposed fruit, and press edges together.
Fold edge under bottom crust.
Lift up the pressed edges, and fold the overhanging 1/2 inch of pastry under.
Flatten the edge slightly, and flute or crimp.
Brush the top with ice water, and set a few of the reserved cutouts on solid sections of the top.
Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake at 425-450°F for 25 minutes; then reduce heat to 350°F and bake 20-30 minutes longer or until rhubarb is tender.
Cool slightly before cutting.
Note: For a clear thickened juice, use 2 tablespoons cornstarch in place of flour.


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Tuning Application Server to Enhance Convergence Performance
Contributed by Russ Petruzzelli
Russ Petruzzelli is a Sun QA engineer currently conducting performance tests on Convergence.
This document contains the following sections:
- Convergence Performance Tuning Overview
- Tuning Application Server Config Parameters
- Tuning Parameters for HTTP Service-Request Processing
- Tuning Parameters for the HTTP Listener
- Configuring Application Server to Compress Files Sent to the Client
- Enhancing Browser-Side Caching of Static Files
- Tuning the JVM Options
- Activating the Garbage Collection Log
- Invoking the Java HotSpot Server VM
- Tuning the JVM Heap Size
- Setting Garbage Collection Algorithms
- Setting the Permanent Generation Size
- Tuning the JVM RMI GC Interval Parameters
- Sample List of JVM Options
- Miscellaneous Performance Tuning Tips
- Additional Tuning Tips
Convergence Performance Tuning Overview
Recent advances in storage, servers, and Java have affected how one tunes web containers for middleware. There are systems with multi-threaded chips having 32 effective processors, operating systems with virtualized containers like Solaris zones, and file systems like ZFS that can spread files out over many disks. Java 1.6 can automatically adjust itself based on dynamic conditions. The tuning options available are many, and you must choose what works for you.
The tuning guidance presented here offers options to examine and configure. However, these options do not address specific hardware configurations and are not guaranteed to improve performance for any particular hardware configuration, performance load, or type of load on your system.
Try out the options and tips that apply to your deployment, test their impact on performance, and tweak the option values as needed.
Performance Tuning for Application Server 9.1 Update 1
The Convergence application itself is a java application bundled into a war file that runs inside a web container. Currently, the supported web container is the Sun Java Application Server 9.1 Update 1. This document describes how to optimize the Application Server environment to allow Convergence to deliver the best possible performance.
For information about how the Convergence components are deployed to Application Server, see Introduction to the Convergence Service.
In general, you can follow the tuning information in the Sun Java System Application Server 9.1 Performance Tuning Guide. Additional references are listed at the end of this document.
We recommend that you use the Application Server's administration browser interface rather than directly editing the domain.xml file to make the changes described below. The changes do not take effect until the domain instance has been restarted. Hardware is assumed to have at least 2 CPUs and 2G of memory (a Server-Class machine).
Make the modifications described below to the Application Server domain/config/port in which Convergence is running. The operating system in these examples is Solaris 10.
Tuning Application Server Config Parameters
This section contains the following topics:
Tuning Parameters for HTTP Service-Request Processing
On the Request Processing tab in the HTTP Service page tune the following HTTP Request Processing settings. (To navigate to this page, in the Application Server Admin Console, select Configuration > HTTP Service.)
- Thread Count: 40 ## General Range: 20-80
- Initial Thread Count: 8
- Thread Increment: 2
- Request Timeout: 20 (Change this setting from the default value of 30 seconds.)
- Buffer Length: 16384 (Change this setting from the default of 8192 kilobytes.)
|Here is good information from Scott Oaks's blog:
Since Convergence communicates extensively with back-end messaging and calendar resources request blocking could be an issue. You will need to monitor your own deployment and adjust the Thread Count accordingly.
Tuning Parameters for the HTTP Listener
Increase the HTTP listener acceptor-threads. The default value is: acceptor-threads="1".
In the HTTP Service section of the Application Server Admin Console, on the listener for the port for Convergence (such as 8080):
Start with a value of 2, monitor the performance, and consider increasing to 4 or more.
To configure this setting, select the following items in the Application Server Admin Console: Configuration > HTTP Service > HTTP Listeners > Listener1.
(HTTP-listener-1 is assumed to be in use for Convergence.)
Take these steps:
- Increase the acceptor-threads value to the number of CPUs on the system. (This has not been tested beyond 4.)
- If you have only one interface (NIC), change the default 0.0.0.0 IP address to your IP for the host. For example: 22.214.171.124.
Configuring Application Server to Compress Files Sent to the Client
You can improve server response times by reducing the size of the HTTP response. One way is to compress file size by using the gzip utility. Not all files should be compressed (for example, images and some PDF files), but many files are compatible with this method.
To decide if this technique is right for you, search the Web for "gzip best practices" to find out more information. If you choose to implement this practice, realize that the server does more work to compress files into gzip format, which might impact the server's scalability under heavy loads.
To compress files sent to the client by using the Application Server Administration Console:
- In a browser, connect to the Application Server Administration Console.
GZIP is turned on by adding additional properties to the http-listener element.
- In the Administration Console, navigate to the HTTP Listeners:
Configuration >> HTTP Service >> HTTP Listeners
- Add the following properties the httplistener for Sun Convergence (normally httplistener1):
compression on compressionMinSize 1000 compressableMimeType "text/html,text/xml,text/css,text/javascript,text/json"
Alternatively, you can use the command line to compress files sent to the client by running the following commands:
asadmin set server.http-service.http-listener.http-listener-1.property.compression=on asadmin set server.http-service.http-listener.http-listener-1.property.compressionMinSize=1000 asadmin set server.http-service.http-listener.http-listener-1.property.compressableMimeType="text/html,text/xml,text/css,text/javascript,text/json"
While Gzip compression improves the response times for individual users, it does create extra work on the server and may impact scalability.
For more infomation, see http-listener in the Sun Java System Application Server 9.1 Administration Reference.
Enhancing Browser-Side Caching of Static Files
This section explains how to use Expires headers to enable long-term caching of static files in the browser.
When this feature is implemented, Application Server includes the Expires header in the HTTP response. The Expires header allows files cached in the browser to remain in cache for the time specified in the ExpiresFilter.class file.
Task Summary
To enable Expires headers, you must perform these tasks:
- Modify the Convergence application's web-configuration file deployed to the Application Server's domain directory
- Install a new class file
To Enable Expires Headers
The following steps assume that Convergence is configured in the Application Server's domain1 directory. (By default, the Application Server's domain directory on Solaris is /opt/SUNWappserver/domains/domain1).
Take these steps:
- Edit the ./domains/domain1/config/default-web.xml file. Add the following lines to the file:
Insert the new filter and filter-mapping at the top level, directly under <web-app>. For example:
- Create a subdirectory named iwc under domains/domain1/lib/classes directory.
- Copy the ExpiresFilter.class) to the directory domains/domain1/lib/classes/iwc.
- Restart the Application Server.
|The ExpiresFilter.class file provided has a two-year expiration time set. The Java source code is provided if you desire to set your own time interval. Modify the line c.set(c.get(Calendar.YEAR)+2, c.get(Calendar.MONTH) as desired.
|The ExpiresFilter.class file and Java source code provided here have been copied from the original files and modified. This code is not supported or maintained by Sun Microsystems, Inc. For more information about the history of this filter, visit the author's blog here.
Tuning the JVM Options
This section contains the following topics:
Activating the Garbage Collection Log
This log has negligible impact on server performance and provides valuable debugging and performance history data.
Add the following entry, using your own path. For example:
Note: This log is overwritten each time the server is restarted.
Invoking the Java HotSpot Server VM
Make sure that the JVM options in the domain.xml file for the Application Server instance specify -server, not -client:
Server Class machines are defined as having at least 2 CPUs and 2 GB of memory.
Remove the -client option if present and add the -server option. You can verify what mode the server actually started with by running:
grep 'HotSpot' server.log"*,
This will show either ...Client VM... or ...Server VM.....
Activating the 64-bit JVM Mode
To configure and activate a 64-bit JVM, take these steps:
- On Solaris, you can verify that the operating system kernel is running in 64-bit mode by running:
/usr/bin/isainfo -kv
- If needed, download and install the 64-bit jvm files on the JVM instance used by the Application Server on the machine. Verify the 64-bit files are available by running:
"/<appserver_java_dir>/java -d64 -version"
- On the Application Server, replace the JVM option, -server (or -client), with -d64
While running in a 64-bit JVM will increase the capacity available for the heap, it does not generally increase throughput. Some experienced users have found better results staying under the 4G limit, using a 32 bit JVM, and using multiple application server instances or Solaris 10 zones to scale horizontally. The JDK 1.6_11-and-below 64-bit-JVM imposes a 15-20% performance penalty (over the 32bit version). JDK1.6_12 and OpenJDK1.7 have resolved this.
Tuning the JVM Heap Size
In the Application Server Admin Console, under Common Tasks, select Application Server >> JVM Settings Tab >> JVM Options Sub-Tab >> Add/Modify the options...
The heap size option is: -XmxNNNNm.
Generally, you increase this up to nearly the available memory on your machine, leaving plenty of memory for the operating system and any other applications running on the machine. "Plenty" depends on your needs, but a safe value to set aside for the OS is around 300-500MB. Remember that both the PermGen Space and any Native Threads use memory over and above what you reserve for the JVM heap.
For example, you could set the heap size option to
JVMs running in 32-bit mode are limited to 4GB of memory. Convergence is installed (but not activated) with the full 64-bit JVM files.)
Setting Garbage Collection Algorithms
To increase the stability and predictability of the heap size and the ratios of its configuration, you can explicitly set the following parameters:
- -XX:+UseParallelGC. --This parameter is used by default on a machine qualifying as Server Class. This default collector is sufficient.
- -XX:+UseParallelOldGC. --This parameter is off by default. This statement makes the tenured generation run GC in parallel, too.
- -XX:-UseAdaptiveSizePolicy. --Turn off GC ergonomics. Note the minus sign in this statement. Specify min and max values explicitly. See the summary below.
- -XX:NewRatio=1 -- Optimize the Young Generation Size. Using a ratio (as opposed to setting a numerical size with NewSize) allows for the maximum possible young generation size relative to the overall heap, no matter your MaxHeap size.
Tests show that most of the objects created for Convergence are short-lived, thus benefiting from a larger young generation size.
The NewRatio means {New:Old}. So, when NewRatio=1, then new:old = 1:1. Therefore, the young generation size = 1/2 of the total Java heap. The young generation size can never be larger than half the overall heap because - in the worst case - all the young generation space could be promoted to the old generation. Therefore, the old generation must be at least as large as the young generation size.
For more information about the NewRatio option, refer to: http://java.sun.com/javase/technologies/hotspot/vmoptions.jsp. Monitor your own heap usage with the Jconsole monitor.
Setting the Permanent Generation Size
Be aware that MaxPermSize may need to be increased. But start with the default:
Use a tool such as jconsole to determine how best to optimize your own system. For more details, see Miscellaneous Tips, below.
Tuning the JVM RMI GC Interval Parameters
It is better if full Garbage Collections (GCs) on the Java heap do not occur frequently and are not called explicitly. It is best to let the JVM decide when to do full garbage collections.
Unfortunately, the Application Server has a couple of JVM options for RMI applications that invoke full GCs often. If you are not running any applications using RMI, you should increase the rmi.dgc... values, or configure them never to occur.
The default intervals are:
- Before JDK 1.6: 1 minute
- JDK 1.6: 1 hour
These intervals are increased to 10 hours:
<jvm-options>-Dsun.rmi.dgc.server.gcInterval=36000000</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-Dsun.rmi.dgc.client.gcInterval=36000000</jvm-options>
Removing them entirely from the domain.xml file will cause the full GCs to occur at the default interval.
You can also use either of the following two options to prevent the full GCs invoked for RMI:
- Disable explicit GC by adding:
- Use the 1.6 JVM and set:
-XX:+UseConcMarkSweepGC -XX:+ExplicitGCInvokesConcurrent
ExplicitGCInvokesConcurrent is only available in JVM 1.6+.
Ramifications of Disabling Explicit GCs
You should also consider the ramifications of disabling explicit GCs. When another application is connecting to the Application Server with RMI, memory for objects in the Application Server's heap will not be released and the calling application will not be able to release the reference to that object, thus possibly causing memory overflow on the other application.
Sample List of JVM Options
The following list is a sample section of the domain.xml file's JVM options:
<jvm-options>-server</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:+DisableExplicitGC</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:+UseParallelGC</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:+UseParallelOldGC</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:-UseAdaptiveSizePolicy</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-Xms1024M -Xmx1024M</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:NewRatio=1</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:PermSize=192M</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-XX:MaxPermSize=192M</jvm-options> <jvm-options>-Xloggc:/opt/SUNWappserver/domains/domain1/logs/gclog</jvm-options>
Miscellaneous Performance Tuning Tips
Class Data Sharing
Class data sharing (CDS) is a new feature in J2SE 5.0. CDS applies only when the "Java HotSpot Client VM" is used. Since we recommend using the "Java HotSpot Server VM," this feature does not apply.
Inspect Settings
Inspect your settings with the following commands:
To see all java processes running on your machine:
jps -mlvV
To view your settings in effect for the JVM for the Application Server:
jmap -heap <java-process-id for the app server>.
Monitoring the JVM
JConsole is a built-in JVM monitoring tool in Java 1.5 and higher. On the SUT, set the display variable to your local machine and run the following command: jconsole
For more information, read the following articles:
The intrepid system administrator may want to consider using UseConcMarkSweepGC instead of UseParallelGC. For details, see Tuning Garbage Collection with the 5.0 Java Virtual Machine.
New GC Algorithm
Look out for a new GC algorithm in Java 1.7 called G1. It is estimated to be released in 2009.
Additional Tuning Tips
You can find detailed guidance and additional performance tuning tips in these documents:
- Sun Java System Application Server 9.1 Performance Tuning Guide
- Java Virtual Machines
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Java HotSpot VM


text:
The Florida-Florida State rivalry is one of the most entertaining and deeply rooted rivalries in all of college football. However, the hatred that was once just reserved for players is seeping into a different social group — the cheerleaders. Tarin Moses, the girlfriend of Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel, took to Twitter in the week leading up to the sunshine showdown to express her disdain for the Seminoles. Moses was using the hashtag #FSUhateweek to label her tweets leading up to the big game, a game which Florida held on to win. Delighted with the performance of her school and her QB boyfriend, Moses decided to rub some salt in the wound of Seminole fans with a picture she retweeted from a friend. Check our Moses' message to Florida State below: Photo via Twitter/TarinMoses Thumbnail via Facebook/Tarin Moses Click here to check out photos of the Gators QB's biggest fan>>
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