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Tipperary Air Esprit Vest review - big pictures
Thanks in equal parts to License2Ill's long-winded rants and my personal fear of broken ribs, I ordered a Tipperary Air Esprit equestrian rider's vest. It arrived this past weekend, just too late to take it along to the Neduro Clinic at The Farm.
Since I haven't seen any other reviews of the thing, I'll start one here.
I bought this vest to assist in protecting against broken ribs and similar torso trauma, including the bar-end-in-gut effect. The reason I chose a horse-riding product instead of a moto-specific item is because of the stricter performance standards equestrian items meet compared to bike stuff.
Breaking news: This vest is not BETA Level 3 certified:
However, other, similar items are. See the posts following the above link for examples.
In short, BETA 3 vests are roughly TWICE as good as the very best cycle gear at absorbing impact energy.* For more details than you probably care to read on that front, including numbers, data, criteria, and analysis, see here:
and here:
This vest provides full wrap-around coverage of the entire rib cage, something no cycle product does. And it does all that and only costs $135 shipped. So it seemed like a good deal. I bought the vest from Four Winds** in Colorado, here:
I'm 6' 1" and 165 pounds, more-or-less rail-shaped. I'm between sizes M and L per the sizing chart. I ordered a large, but it turns out a medium is just as long, and probably would have provided a leaner, closer fit for me. But the large works okay.
The vest is adjustable enough that getting a good fit is pretty simple. Three main portions are connected by large velcro swatches: the back and two wrap-around front pieces. There's velcro at the shoulders and sides, so the vest can be adjusted for both girth and length. Once fitted, there are no gaps in coverage; the whole torso is protected, all the way around. There's even a supplementary panel behind the zipper to add impact protection there.
When I got it fitted, the back came down to my tailbone, and the front to just above my belly button. This is as low as I'd want it in front, since any longer would make it difficult to bend forward at the waist. But my solar plexus and upper abs are covered, which is nice.
The shell is made of very light nylon and mesh; the interior is all mesh. It seems durable enough to last, but as light as possible for air flow. The protective panels are harder than you'd think on the outside, and slightly squishy on the bumpy parts on the inside. Unlike the CE pads in my textile jacket, the Tipperary vest places the bumpy part of the pad next to the rider, to allow air to flow between the bumps. Given that, and the largely-mesh shell, it seems it'll be not-too-hot to wear. Probably no worse than any of the Pressure-Suit style torso protectors. I may choose to add to the few holes in the panel; I doubt that would compromise protection much.
The protective panels actually do look at a lot like CE pads; same color, same general texture and feel, very similar thicknesses, though the Air Esprit stuff is just a touch thicker and firmer. I picture this vest as being one big CE pad that I can wrap myself in. Only better. Note how much bigger the back is than the pad from my jacket.
The vest fits under my mesh jacket pretty well (MC jackets seem to be made for folks bigger around than me anyway). I might even use this thing for street or track use should I desire maximum torso protection, but I'll probably save it for dirt riding most of the time. My mesh jacket will go over the top to provide shoulder and elbow pads.
I haven't had a chance to ride with it yet, but it'll get a good shakedown during my trip to Colorado at the end of the month. In the meantime, here's a summary:
What the Tipperary vest does do:
1) Offers good (but not best-in-class) impact protection. See the BETA 3 vests for that.
2) Wraps all the way around the torso, providing full rib coverage, including adjustable fit for girth and length.
3) Provides air gaps next to the rider to help with cooling.
4) Costs $135 shipped.
What the Tipperary vest doesn't do:
1) Offer shoulder or elbow pads
2) Make you look like Ricky Carmichael, a Stormtrooper, or an extra from Mad Max.
3) Give you an excuse to go shopping at your local cycle store.
I'm pretty sure the Air Esprit will help reduce injuries from all manner of impacts, including the bar-in-gut, the inconveniently-located-rock, the fall-on-my-own-elbow, and the slam-flat-on-back-after-nasty-highside. I'd like to think I won't be field testing it, but history shows that's just not the case. It'll get a good test in a couple weeks when my dad and I (he bought one, too) go trail riding in Colorado.
* Velocity Gear offers a back protector that claims 4.5 kN transmitted force at 50 J impact. That's roughly the same performance as required by BETA 2000 level 3, which the regular Esprit and several Charles Owen protectors at least meet, and may well exceed (though I don't know that). But equestrian vests cover the whole torso, not just the back.
** FourWinds lost my order, resulting in a two-week delay. Other tales of poor service follow in this thread. A couple other shops carry the vest for slightly more money, here:
and here:
I recommend at least calling Four Winds to verify inventory before ordering.
ldbandit76 screwed with this post 06-12-2007 at 11:02 AM
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Dave, is this foam one-shot type (like a bicycle helmet) or does it retain (or regain) its protective properties after being compressed?
I'll be interested to hear how it does in the heat.
Nate in N.E.
Yes, I have a Dakar problem -- that there are 50 weeks of the year without Dakar!
They don't expect you to finish. That's why it's the Dakar. -- PPiA
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I'm also curious how it'll do in the heat. More than likely it would be fine on its own, or with separate elbow pads, but with my jacket over it, it'll be a touch warm. That shouldn't be a problem at 9000 ft.
Mod Squad
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Location: Toronto, ON
Oddometer: 57,125
Very interesting item.. thanks for the detailed review
Joined: Dec 2003
Oddometer: 715
Thanks LD, you are the man.
Does it restrict motion or get in the way at all? How about on the shoulders, can you get into a tuck at all while wearing it? Do the shoulder pieces in your jacket still fit properly when worn underneath? What about wearing it over the top of tighter-fitting stuff?
I've been back and forth with Davies O'Dell recently regarding their new Forcefiled rib/torso piece, and they have had some serious questions about the ergonomics of such equipment and manufacturing something they consider wearable and apporpriate for motorcyclists while still trying to meet the most apporpriate levels of force transmssion for the ribs/chest. I've brought up the Beta2000 standard requirements, as well as the simple CE levels with them, and they have now apparently hired-on Paul Varnsverry to consult about it. Right now they say their new front torso protector only provides down to 15.8kN at the 50J CE 16212-2 impact energy level, and they are obviously hitting the limits with that, because they're trying the approach that the CE testing provides more severe conditions due to the bars and anvils used which are not flexible like the human rib cage from which the levels of force in the medical research have been extrapolated from. So, basically they are trying to justify not being able to meet the stricter levels of EN1621-2 or BETA Level 3, of the thicker/bulkier horse riders protectors as of right now. However, they are trying, and are aware of the fact that more of the mc riding community is more aware of these concerns and prefomance values. Varnsverry seems legitiamte in his expertise, but his new relationship with T-Pro may not allow him to be forthright in regards to that particular product or issues anymore. I'm glad to see them seeking outside consult from the leading expert in the filed, but I am a bit disappointed that he now seems to be under obligation to defend there moves, regardless of whether they are entriely correct at this point. We shall see how it all pans out. Hopefully there wil lbe one more feasible option in the T-Pro piece soon, and perhaps it will be an even more ergonomically functional piece in the end.
One other thing to note from the pics is that the Knox CE backpad from your riding jacket is not an EN1621-2 piece, but a 1621-1 piece, so the size requirments have likely been completely ignored by that piece as a proper motorcyclist back protector marked to EN1621-2(level 1 or 2), as well as the stricter force transmssion requirements for that standard. It looks entriely too small to pass EN1621-2 in any size garment, except maybe XXS.
license2ill screwed with this post 08-08-2006 at 03:02 PM
Life is good.
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Location: Madison, WI
Oddometer: 482
The plan is that it'll be mostly for off-road stuff. I fall down a lot more (a whole lot more) when I'm in the dirt, so protection is a bigger issue there. If it fits properly, I may use the Esprit to replace my old Knox back protector for track days and such. I'll have to see how it works with my leather and/or kevlar jackets.
I consider the vest overkill for street riding, too much stuff to put on and take off, since I need a jacket over it anyway. It'd work under the Darien, I'm sure. I'm just not going to do that.
I'll be spending several days in it at the end of the month. I'll follow up.
Life is good.
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How do I remove Vista's Boot loader?
Posted 02 March 2006 - 04:27 PM
Posted 02 March 2006 - 09:21 PM
Posted 02 March 2006 - 09:38 PM
I can't get Vista to install...keeps failing. Boot loader is intact, though. Is there any way to remove this without reformatting? I tried using fixmbr in recovery console but it did nothing.
Did you try doing the "FIXBOOT" option in the Recovery Console? I do this all the time and never had a problem yet. Use both the "FIXMBR" and the "FIXBOOT". Cheers
Posted 02 March 2006 - 10:11 PM
Did you try doing the "FIXBOOT" option in the Recovery Console? I do this all the time and never had a problem yet. Use both the "FIXMBR" and the "FIXBOOT". Cheers
What my Boot.ini looks like with Vista installed
you can go into your boot.ini and take out the entry out of there so that xp boots first
To remove Vista Boot menu do this
;Warning: Boot.ini is used on Windows XP and earlier operating systems.
;Warning: Use BCDEDIT.exe to modify Windows Vista boot options.
[boot loader]
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Test Install 002" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(1)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Family XP Use This" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Test Install 001" /NOEXECUTE=OPTIN /FASTDETECT
1:\ Enable hidden files and folder in the folder options
2:\ Go to C:\ after this is enable
3:\ Delete this file C:\bootmgr
4:\ Delete this folder C:\Boot
this should remove Vista boot menu
Posted 03 March 2006 - 04:03 AM
This allows you to switch between the XP and Longhorn styles of the boot loader (the former using BOOT.INI which is ignored by the latter).
I don't have 5308 installed so I don't know whether you need to run FIXNTFS or BOOTSECT, but if you open a command prompt and run C:\BOOT\FIXNTFS /? it will tell you what you need to know.
Make sure you read what I put next time
Edited by Mr Snrub, 04 March 2006 - 09:34 AM.
My TechNet Blog
I have CDO. It's like OCD except the letters are in alphabetical order, as they should be.
Posted 03 March 2006 - 06:58 AM
Edited by gunsmokingman, 14 March 2006 - 11:31 AM.
Posted 03 March 2006 - 09:28 AM
<cdrive:\boot> bootsect /nt52 C:
this will reapply the boot code for NTLoader back to the c: volume
Attached Files
Posted 03 March 2006 - 10:51 AM


text:
A multimode system that allows communicating to different modes of servers, simultaneously. A special interface is used.
1. A method, comprising:
operating a portable communication device in a way that supports a number of different modes of communication, including at least a voice communication mode and a data communication mode, and where all of said modes accept input from the portable communication device to be sent in the mode, and provide output to the portable communication device, in the mode;
sending a request from the portable communication device to a database for specified information, said requests being sent in a first mode; and
returning an answer to the request in a second mode, different than the first mode.
2. A method as in
3. A method as in
4. A method as in
5. A method as in
6. A method as in
7. A method as in
8. A method as in
9. A method as in
10. A method as in
11. A method as in
12. A method as in
13. A portable communication device, comprising:
a communication part which allows communicating in at least first and second modes, wherein at least one of the modes is a voice based mode that communicates between the communication part and the server, and a second of the modes is a text based mode which communicates text between the portable communication device and the server;
a request sending part, which uses the communication part to send a request to a server, based on an initiation in a first mode and which includes a command within the request requesting that an answer to the request be sent in a second mode different than the first mode.
14. A device as in
15. A device as in
16. A system comprising:
a communication gateway, that receives messages and information from at least one cellular telephone, and which allows multiple modes to operate simultaneously on the same session with the same phone.
17. A method, comprising:
using a portable telephone to request information;
receiving a response to the request as a text based response including text based response to the information, and a telephone number; and
automatically dialing the telephone number to hear a voice based response to said request.
18. A method as in
19. A method as in
20. A method, comprising
communicating from a client in a portable telephone to a gateway by first using a session initiation protocol to establish a session, and once establishing the session, using a real-time transfer protocol to establish a real-time transfer link to an information server, said real-time transfer protocol including commands which request specified types of information, and receive said information in real-time responsive to said commands.
21. A method as in
22. A method as in
23. A method as in
24. A method as in claim 222, further comprising recognizing that spoken speech has been entered, and automatically sending a session initiation protocol message to recognize the entered speech.
25. A method as in
26. A method as in
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(1) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/464,557, filed Apr. 21, 2003.
This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/040,525, filed Dec. 28, 2001, entitled INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM INCLUDING VOICE BROWSWER AND DATA CONVERSION SERVER, and to co-pending United States Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/336,218, filed Jan. 3, 2003, entitled DATA CONVERSION SERVER FOR VOICE BROWSING SYSTEM, and to co-pending United States Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/349,345, filed Jan. 22, 2003, entitled MULTI-MODAL INFORMATION DELIVERY.
The present description relates to method of intercommunication among different information gateways such as a messaging gateway (SMS, EMS, MMS), a WAP gateway (WML, XHTML etc), video gateway (packet video, real etc.), a voice gateway (e.g., VoiceXML, or MRCP), and rendering of information to various mobile devices in multiple forms such as, but not limited to, SMS, MMS, WML, XHTML, VoiceXML etc.
The Internet has revolutionized the way people communicate. As is well known, the World Wide Web, or simply "the Web", is comprised of a large and continuously growing number of accessible Web pages. In the Web environment, clients request Web pages from Web servers using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol ("HTTP"). HTTP is a protocol which provides users access to files including text, graphics, images, and sound using a standard page description language known as the Hypertext Markup Language ("HTML"). HTML provides document formatting and other document annotations that allow a developer to specify links to other servers in the network.
A Uniform Resource Locator (URL) defines the path to Web site hosted by a particular Web server. The pages of Web sites are typically accessed using an HTML-compatible browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer) executing on a client machine. The browser specifies a link to a Web server and particular Web page using a URL.
The information revolution has evolved from desktop to various handheld devices such as mobile phones, pocket PCs and PDAs. Earlier, the handheld devices used relatively primitive forms of messaging, such as short message service or SMS to send messages to other handheld devices. This worked well for sending small amount of information such as alerts, small pictures etc., but is not optimal for sending larger amounts of information.
In order to fetch content from the web, the handheld devices may use the proven WEB model. Standards such as WML, xHTML, iMODE, SMS/EMS/MMS allow content suitable of being viewed using the handheld devices. These devices use HTTP to access information using a URL as discussed above. With the limitation of having a small display screen and tedious input methods, existing handheld devices have met with consumer resistance with respect to accessing content over the web. A VoiceXML may be used for rendering content over a voice channel which uses voice as the primary mode of input and output. However, using voice as a mode of communication may cause the user to lose comprehension, if information of considerable size is provided to the user in voice form.
Multi-Modal standards such as SALT, IBM's X+V, and W3C Multimode have been designed specifically to provide interaction to content with combination of both voice and data. The Multi-Modal technology is expected to provide a way of accessing information in its most natural form. The user is not restricted to either using voice or using data. Multi-Modal technology allows user to choose the form of information depending on the context of the user.
This allows the handheld devices to be used with different information methods depending on the application. If the information to be sent is a small text message, a user can use SMS. Richer messages can be sent using EMS/MMS, that includes formatted text, video clips, animation etc. If the information resides on a server, browsers or Push technology can be used to fetch information from the server. The VoiceXML browsers can be used to access information in voice form, and Multi-Modal technology can be used to access information in combination of both voice and data form.
Devices that are installed with JAVA/BREW/Symbian can be used to render information in specific form not limited to standard SMS/MMS/PUSH/xHTML/WML form.
The above information methods for handheld devices require an information gateway to deliver the information in requested form. The messaging gateway (SMSC/MMSC) is used to send SMS/EMS/MMS. The video gateway such as from packet video/real is used to send streaming video. The WAP gateway is used to fetch information from the web in WML/xHTML form. The VoiceXML gateway delivers information in the form of dialogues and prompts. The MultiMode gateway controller or veGateway renders content based on the context of the user combining both data and voice.
However the above gateways restrict a handheld device to receive/send information using only one of the gateways at a particular instant. The usability would likely increase if a user could use multiple information gateways in a single session such as sending a SMS message using an SMS gateway while the user is in dialogue with the VoiceXML gateway.
The present application teaches a system and protocol, allowing multiple modes and communications to be carried out simultaneously.
The present disclosure describes a Multimode Gateway Controller that enables a device to communicate with different information gateways simultaneously, in different modes while keeping the user session active, as a form of Inter-Gateway Communication. Each of the modes can be a communication mode supported by a mobile telephone, and can include, for example, voice mode, text mode, data mode, video mode, and the like. The Multimode Gateway Controller (MMGC) enables a device to communicate with other devices through different forms of information.
One form of multimedia gateway controller is the veGateway, and these terms are used herein to refer to the same structural components.
The MMGC provides a session using session initiation protocol, "SIP" to allow the user to interact with different information gateways one at a time or simultaneously, depending on the capability of the device. This provides an application that renders content in a variety of different forms including voice, text, formatted text, animation, video, WML/xHTML or others.
The Multimode Gateway may reside at the operator (carrier) infrastructure along with the other information gateways. This may reduce latency that is caused while interfacing with different gateways.
There are believed to be more than a billion existing phones which have messaging (SMS) and voice capability. All of those phones are capable of using the MMGC 110 of
2G devices with SMS functionality can interface with the SMS gateway and the VoiceXML gateway. This means that basically all current phones can use the MMGC. The functionality proliferates as the installed base of phones move from lower end 2G devices to higher end 3G devices. The more highly featured devices allow the user to interface with more than just two gateways through MMGC.
In operation, a 3G device with simultaneous voice and data capability can receive a video stream through a Video gateway 160, such as Packet Video, while still executing a voice based application through a VoiceXML gateway 170 over the voice channel.
An interesting example could be a user searching for a movie using the voice channel. That user sees the video clip of the movie as part of the search result. In this example, the user interfaces with a voice gateway and video gateway. In another useful example demonstrating the capability of the MMGC, a user searches for latest movie running in a nearby theatre using the voice channel which uses an interface 170 with a VoiceXML Server.
After finding the movie of interest, the user receives the details of the movie on the mobile phone screen using an interface 130 with a WAP gateway. The disclosed MMGC helps in initiating a data session while a user is in a voice session.
The user wants to forward the details of the movie/theatre to his friends.
The user sends the details as SMS messages to a friend whose phone device only supports SMS using the interface 120 with the SMS gateway.
The user sends the details as formatted text, along with a picture of the movie and a small animation of the movie to his friend whose phone device has support for EMS/MMS using an interface 144 with EMS/MMS gateway.
The user sends the details as formatted text along with a streaming video clip of the movie to his friend whose phone device has capability to receive streaming video using an interface with video gateway 170.
The above example demonstrates how an application can interface with different information gateway through the MMGC, depending on the capability of the device.
The veANYWAY solution can be used on variety of device types ranging from SMS only devices, to advanced devices with the Java/Brew/Symbian/Windows CE etc. platform. This veANYWAY solution moves from a server only solution to a distributed solution as the devices move from SMS only devices to more intelligent devices with Java/Brew/Symbian/Windows CE capability. With intelligent devices, a part of application can be processed at the client itself, thus increasing the usability and reducing the time involved in bringing everything from the network.
The veANYWAY solution communicates with the various information gateways using either a Distributed approach or a Server only approach.
In the distributed approach, the veCLIENT and veGATEWAY form two components of the overall solution. With an intelligent device, the veCLIENT becomes the client part of the veANYWAY solution and provides a software development kit (SDK) to the application developer which allows the device to make use of special functionality provided by the veGATEWAY server.
In the case of browser only devices where no software can be downloaded, the browser itself acts as the client and is configured to communicate with the veGATEWAY 100. The veGATEWAY 110 on the server side provides an interface between client and the server. A special interface and protocol between veCLIENT and the veGATEWAY is known as the Vodka interface.
If the veCLIENT can be installed on the mobile device, it allows greater flexibility and also reduces the traffic between client and server. The veCLIENT includes a multimodal SDK which allows developers to create multimodal applications using standards such as X+V, SALT, W3C multimode etc and also communicates with the veGATEWAY 112 at the server. The communication with the veGATEWAY is done using XML tags that can be embedded inside the communication. The veCLIENT processes the XML tags and makes appropriate communication with the veGATEWAY. In case of a browser only client, these XML tags can either be processed by the veCLIENT or by the veGATEWAY server. The veCLIENT component also exports high-level programming APIs (java/BREW/Symbian/Windows CE etc.) which can be used by the application developers to interact with the veGATEWAY (instead of using XML based markup) and use the services provided by veGATEWAY.
First, the V-Enable Client (veCLIENT) 200 is formed of various sub-clients as shown. The clients can be dumb clients such as SMS only or Browser Only clients (WAP, iMode etc.) or can be intelligent clients with installed Java, Brew, Symbian, Windows platforms that allow adding software on the device. In case of dumb clients, the entire processing is done at the server and only the content is rendered to the client.
In case of an intelligent client, a veCLIENT module is installed on the client, which provides few APIs for application developers. This also has a multimodal browser that can process various multimodal markups in the communication (X+V, SALT, W3C Multimodal 1) in conjunction with the multimodal server (veGATEWAY). The veCLIENT also provides the XML tags to the applications, to communicate with the information Gateways special veAPPS form the applications which can use the veCLIENT functionality.
The Carrier Network 210 component forms the communication infrastructure needed to support the veANYWAY solution. The veANYWAY solution is network agnostic and can be implemented on any type of carrier network e.g., GSM, GPRS, CDMA, UTMS etc.
The V-Enable Server 220 includes the veGATEWAY shown in
The server (veGATEWAY) also includes clients 222, which may include a MMS Client, SMS Client, and WAP Push Client which is required in order to process the request coming from the devices. These clients connect with the appropriate gateways via the veGATEWAY, sequentially or simultaneously, to deliver the information to the mobile device.
The content component 230 includes the various different forms of content that may be used by the veANYWAY solution for rendering. The content in multimodal form can include news, stocks, videos, games etc.
The communication between the veCLIENT and veGATEWAY uses a special interface, called the Vodka interface, which provides the necessary infrastructure needed for a user to run a Multimodal application. The Vodka interface allows application to access appropriate server resources simultaneously, such as speech, messaging, video, and any other needed resources.
The veGATEWAY provides a platform through which a user can communicate with different information gateways as defined by the application developer. The veGATEWAY provides necessary interfaces for the inter-gateway communication. However, these interfaces must be used by an application efficiently, to render content to the user in different forms. The veGATEWAY interfaces can be used with XML standards such as VoiceXML, WML, xHTML, X+V, and SALT. The interfaces provided by veGATEWAY are processed in a way so that they take the form of the underlying native XML markup language. This facilitates the application production by the developer, without worrying about the language they are using. The veGATEWAY interprets the underlying XML language and processes it accordingly.
In an embodiment, the interfaces are in the form of XML tags which can be easily embedded into the underlying XML language such as VoiceXML, WML, XHTML, SALT, X+V. The tags instruct the veGATEWAY on how to communicate with the respective information gateway and maintain the user session while across the different gateways. The XML tags can be replaced by the API interface for a conventional application developer who uses high-level languages for developing applications. The conventional API interface is especially useful in case of intelligent clients, where applications are partially processed by the veCLIENT. The application developers can use either XML tags or APIs, without changing the functionality of the veGATEWAY.
The further discussion describes on XML markup tags as the interface being used, understanding that the concept can be ported to an API based interface, without changing the semantics.
The communication with different information gateways may require the user to switch modes from data to voice or from voice to data, based on the capability of the device. Devices with simultaneous voice and data capability may not have to perform that switching mode. However, devices incapable of simultaneous voice and data may switch in order to communicate with the different gateways. While this switch is made, the veGATEWAY maintains the session of the user.
A data session is defined as when a user communicates with the content. The communication can use text/video/pictures/keypad or any other user interface. This could be either done using the browsers on the phone or using custom applications developed using JAVA/BREW/SYMBIAN. The data can SMS, EMS, MMS, PUSH, XHTML, WML or others.
Using WAP browsers to browse web information is another form of a data session. Running any network-based application on a phone for data transaction is also a form of a data session. A voice session is one where the user communicates using speech/voice prompts as the medium for input and output. Speech processing may be done at the local device or on the network side. The data session and voice session can be active at the same time or can be active one at a time. In both cases, the synchronization of data and voice information is done by the server veGATEWAY at the server end.
The following XML tags can be used with any of the XML languages.
Note: The names of the tags used herein are exemplary, and it should be understood that the names of the XML tags could be changed without changing their semantics.
<switch> tag while executing a voice based application such as VoiceXML is used to initiate a data session while the user is interacting in a voice session. The initiation of a data session may result in termination of a currently active voice session if the device does not support simultaneous voice and data session. Where the device supports simultaneous voice and data, the veGATEWAY opens a synchronization channel between the client and the server for synchronization of the active voice and data channel. The <switch> XML tag directs the veGATEWAY to initiate a data session; and upon successful completion of data initiation, the veGATEWAY directs the data session to pull up a visual page. The visual page source is provided as an attribute to the <switch> tag. The data session could be sending WML/xHTML content, MMS content, EMS message or an SMS message based on the capability of the device and the attributes set by the user.
The execution of the <switch> may just result in plain text information to be sent to the client and allow the veCLIENT to interpret the information. The client/server can agree on a protocol for information exchange in this case.
One of the examples for sending plain text information would include filling in fields in a form using voice. The voice session recognizes the input provided by the user using speech and then sends the recognized values to the user using the data session to display the values in the form.
The <switch> tag can also be used to initiate a voice session while in a visual session. The initiation of the voice session may result in the termination of a currently active visual session if the device does not support simultaneous voice and data session. In case of a device supporting simultaneous voice and data, the veGATEWAY opens up a synchronization channel between the client and the server for synchronization of the active voice and data channel. The <switch> XML tag directs the veGATEWAY to initiate a voice session, and upon successful completion of voice initiation, the veGATEWAY directs the voice session to pull up a voice page.
The voice source may be used as an attribute to the <switch> tag. The voice session can be started with a regular voice channel provided by the carrier or could be a voice channel over the data service provided by the carrier using SIP/VoIP protocols.
The <switch> tag may have a mandatory attribute URL. The URL can be:
The MMGC converts the URL into an appropriate form that can be executed using a VoiceXML server. This is further discussed in our co-pending application entitled DATA CONVERSION SERVER FOR VOICE BROWSING SYSTEM, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/336,218, filed Jan. 3, 2003.
Whether the user switches from data to voice or voice to data, the veGATEWAY adds capability in a specified content so that the user can return to the original mode.
The <switch> interface maintains the session while a user toggles between the voice and data session. The <switch> results in a simultaneously active voice and data session if the device provides the capability.
Besides sending plain text information, the data or voice session can carry an encapsulated object. The object can represent the state of the user in current session, or any attributes that a session wishes to share with other sessions. The object can be passed as an attribute to the <switch> tag.
<switch> syntax:
<switch url=WML|xHTML|VoiceXML|Text|X+V|SALT object=OBJECT Source/>
Whether the user is in a data session or in a voice session, the user can use the following interfaces to send information to the user in different forms through the veGATEWAY. Of course, this can be extended to use additional XML based tags, or programming based APIs.
The <sendsms> tag is used to send an SMS message to the current user or any other user. Sending SMS to the current user may be very useful in certain circumstances, e.g., while the user in a voice session and wants to receive the information as a SMS. For example, a directory assistance service could provide the telephone number as an SMS rather than as voice.
The <sendsms> tag directs the MMGC to send an SMS message. The <sendsms> takes the mobile identification number (MIN) and the SMS content as its input, and sends an SMS message to that MIN. The veGATEWAY identifies the carrier of the user based on the MIN and communicates appropriately with the corresponding SMPP server for sending the SMS.
The SMS allows the user to see the desired information in text form. In addition to sending an SMS, the veGATEWAY adds a voice interface, presumably a PSTN telephone number, in the SMS message. The SMS phones have the capability to identify a phone number in a SMS and to initiate a phone call. The phone call is received by the veGATEWAY and the user can resume/restart its voice session e.g. the user receives an SMS indicating receipt of a new email, and the user dials the telephone number in the SMS message, to listen to all the news emails in voice form.
The <sendems> tag is used to send an EMS message to the current user or to any other user. Sending EMS to the current user is useful when a user is in a voice session and wants to receive the information as an EMS e.g. in a directory assistance service. The user may wish to receive the address as an SMS rather than listening to the address. The XML tag directs the MMGC to send an EMS message. The <sendems> takes the mobile identification number and EMS content as input and sends an SMS message to that MIN. The veGATEWAY also identifies the carrier of the user and communicates appropriately with the corresponding SMPP server. The EMS allows user to see the information in text form.
As above, the veGATEWAY may also add a voice interface, e.g., a telephone number in the EMS message. The EMS phones have capability to identify a phone number in an EMS and initiate a phone call. The phone call is received by the veGATEWAY and the user can resume/restart its voice session e.g. the user receives an EMS indicating receipt of a new email and the user dials the telephone number in the EMS message automatically to listen to the news emails in voice.
<sendmms> tag is used to send an MMS message to the current user or to any other user. The XML tag directs the veGATEWAY to send an MMS message. The <sendmms> takes the mobile identification number and MMS content as input and sends an MMS message to that MIN. As above, the veGATEWAY based on the MIN identifies the carrier of the user and communicates appropriately with the corresponding MMS server. The MMS allows the user to see information in text/graphics/video form. In addition to sending an MMS, the veGATEWAY adds a voice interface e.g., a telephone number, in the MMS message. The MMS phones have capability to identify a phone number in a MMS and to initiate a phone call. The phone call is received by the veGATEWAY and the user can resume/restart its voice session e.g. the user receives an MMS indicating he received a new email and user dials the telephone number in the MMS message automatically to listen to the news emails in voice.
The <sendpush> tag is used to send a push message to the current user or to any other user. The XML tag directs the veGATEWAY to send a push message. The <sendpush> takes the mobile identification number and URL of the content as the input to it and sends a push message to the user identified by the MIN. The veGATEWAY gateway identifies the carrier of the user and communicates appropriately with the corresponding push server.
The veGATEWAY identifies the network of the user, e.g., 2G, 2.5G or 3G and delivers the push message by communicating with the corresponding network in an appropriate way. The WAP push allows the user to see the information in text/graphics form. Besides sending a WAP PUSH, the veGATEWAY adds a voice interface, e.g., a telephone number in the PUSH content message. The WAP phones have capability to initiate a phone call while in a data session. The phone call is received by the veGATEWAY and allows user to resume/restart its voice session.
The <sendvoice> tag is used to send voice content (e.g., in VoiceXML form) to the current user or to any other user. This XML tag directs the veGATEWAY to initiate a voice session and to execute specified voice content. This tag is especially useful for sending voice based notifications. The voice session can be either initiated by either using the PSTN calls or using SIP based calls.
The tags <sendsms><sendems><sendmms><sendpush><sendvoice> can be used to send information to the other users or current user while a user is in a multimodal session. Each of these tags adds a voice interface or data interface in the content that they send. The voice interface enables to start a voice session while user is in a data mode and vice-versa.
The above mentioned XML markup tags for intercommunication are either processed at the client by veClient software or are processed by veGATEWAY server at the server end based on the client capability.
The following examples illustrate the use of <switch>, <sendpush>, <sendsms>, <sendems>, <sendmms> in one single application. For demonstration purpose the XML languages used are VoiceXML and WML. However any other markup languages could be used as mentioned above. The example consists of few VoiceXML source and WML source. Few source markups are generated dynamically based on the user input.
The application is network and mobile phone agnostic and can run on devices of different types.
The operation proceeds according to the flowchart of
The application starts in voice mode when the user dials into a VoiceXML compliant server at 300. The dialing could either be a PSTN call or VoIP call using SIP/RTP. The VoiceXML server executes the VoiceXML source moviefinder.vxml described above.
At 302, the VoiceXML server prompts the user to speak the name of the city where it wants to locate the movie theater running the movie. The user says La Jolla, Calif. at 304. 306 prompts for the name of the movie and at 308, the user says "Two weeks notice".
The VoiceXML server looks for nearby theaters at 310 by executing the theater finding script, and brings up a list of movie theaters in La Jolla, Calif. currently running movie "Two weeks notice".
The VoiceXML server prompts user with the list of theaters in the chosen area at 312.
The user is prompted at 314, to say "show me" and the user says it at 316. Here, the <switch> tag is used, switching from voice to data at 318).
At this point, veGATEWAY server initiates a data session at 320 and closes the currently active voice session.
The data session is initiated on the user's mobile device.
The browser on the mobile device pulls up the visual page containing the list of movie theaters at 322.
The user can now see the list (324) and can pick the closest movie theater at 326.
The user also finds a small description of the movie and buy options. If the users device is capable of MMS than the user can also see a small video clip of the movie.
The user can buy tickets for himself and for his friends. The user now wants to send the movie theaters details and movie information to his friends.
The users gets the option to either send using SMS, EMS, MMS, Push depending on the capability of the recipients device. The user just says "send this information to" (following users) and specifies the content at 330.
The veGATEWAY queries the device capability of recipients and sends information accordingly at 332.
The veGATEWAY not only provides the inter-gateway communication but also carries out state management when a user interfaces from one gateway to another gateway. The synchronization is provided wherever needed. The state manager is important, especially when the user switch from one mode to another and the device is not capable of providing simultaneous data and voice. The synchronization is needed between the voice session and data session if the device is capable of simultaneous modality and both the channels are active at the same time.
In case of simultaneous modality, any changes in the voice session may need to update corresponding changes in data. For example, when the user speaks the word "Boston", the voice session recognizes it and the synchronization subsystem communicates Boston to the data session. The data session may display Boston on the mobile screen.
When the user changes mode from either data to voice, or from voice to data, the state manager components maintains the necessary information that may be lost because of the mode switching. The synchronization is provided when needed.
The veGATEWAY uses the XML tags for communicating with other information gateways. The XML tags are processed by the veGATEWAY and converted into low-level software routines that conform to underlying software such as Java/C/JSP etc. When the user switches from one gateway to another gateway, the veGATEWAY maintains the session of the user.
The user uses the WAP browser in the mobile device to connect to the veGATEWAY.
The MMGC fetches the application moviefinder.vxml, which may be written in VXML. It processes any V-Enable specific XML tags in the code, applies multi-coding and converts the VXML source into MultiMode VoiceXML as described in our application entitled: MULTI-MODAL INFORMATION DELIVERY SYSTEM, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/349,345, filed Jan. 22, 2003.
The generated VoiceXML is passed to a VoiceXML compliant server for execution. The VoiceXML server prompts the user to input the name of the city and the name of the movie. Upon receiving the city and movie name from the user, the VoiceXML server executes the theaterfinder.script. The theaterfinder.script uses the name of the movie and city name for the search and returns the search results in form of a VoiceXML results.vxml. The execution of results.vxml prompts the user to say "show" to see the search result on the screen, rather than listening to all the results in voice. The user says "show" to see the results on the screen. At this point, the veGATEWAY initiates a data session and pushes the visual content through the WAP gateway. Based on the application design, the veGATEWAY can make the connection with VoiceXML server or it can keep the connection. In this application scenario, the connection with the VoiceXML is terminated and a data session is started.
The user selects the first option from displayresults.wml, which requests veGATEWAY to execute a script theater.jsp that searches for the details of the movie "Two weeks notice" in the La Jolla area.
The output of the script execution is another WML which displays timing information. The file twoweeksnoticetimings.wml presents the show timings, provides option of buying tickets and an option to see a full description about the movie.
The user selects "description" causing the veGATEWAY to render twoweeksnoticedescription.wml. This visual source provides following information about the movie:
This information may be displayed based on the device capability. A WAP browser phone without video capability will only be able to access following information about the movie
The sending can be based on the capability of the device that the recipient(s) are used. The information is sent as SMS, EMS, MMS, WML, or Voice using V-Enable XML tags <sendsms><sendems><sendmms><sendpush><sendvoice> respectively.
The above example description describes a fairly simple application scenario using XML markup languages as the source of the application, and using existing standard browser (WAP and VoiceXML) technologies for execution. The concept of inter-gateway communication can easily be implemented to support other applications written using high level languages such as Java/Brew/C/C++ etc and running proprietary systems.
The VODKA interface enables the communication between the veCLIENT and veGATEWAY and provides necessary infrastructure to run a multimodal simultaneous application on a thin client.
As mentioned above, an intelligent device (e.g., a Brew/Symbian/J2me enabled handset) has two components of the veGATEWAY multimodal solution (Distributed approach), the veCLIENT and the veGATEWAY. The veGATEWAY, server part of the solution, provides a platform using which allows the user/client to communicate with different information gateways as defined by the application developer. The veCLIENT forms the client part of the solution, and has the multimodal SDK that can be used by the application developer to use the functionality provided by the veGATEWAY server, to develop multimodal applications.
The SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) component of the Vodka interface is used for user session management. The RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) component is used for transporting data with real-time characteristics, such as interactive audio, video or text.
The client opens a data channel with the veGATEWAY and uses the SIP/RTP based Vodka interface to request the veGATEWAY to communicate with one or more information gateways on its behalf. Both the voice and data packets, if required by the application, can be multiplexed over the same channel using RTP avoiding the need for a separate voice channel.
The Vodka SIP interface supports standard SIP methods such as REGISTER, INVITE, ACK and BYE on a reliable transport media such as TCP/IP channel. The REGISTER method is used to by the user/client to register with the veGATEWAY server (veGateway). The veGATEWAY server does some basic user authentication at the time of registration to validate the user credentials. After registering with the veGATEWAY server, the user/client may initiate one or more sessions to communicate with one or more information gateways as required by the user application.
The INVITE method is used by the client to initiate a new session with the veGATEWAY server to communicate with any one of the information gateways as required by the user application. The information gateway is to be used for a session is specified using SDP (Session Description Protocol), in the form "a=X-resource_type:<VOICE|MMSC|SMSC|WAP| . . . >" and "a=X-resource_name:<name>: param_name1=param_value1; param_name2=param_value2; . . . " in the INVITE method body. The ACK method is used by the client to acknowledge the session setup procedure. The BYE method is used to terminate an established session.
For example if user application/client needs to access two information gateways after registering with the veGATEWAY server, the user application would initiate two sessions using the SIP INVITE method.
The Vodka RTP interface supports a new multimodal RTP profile on a reliable transport medium such as TCP/IP channel. The RTP multimodal profile defines a new payload type and set of events namely VE_REGISTER_CLIENT, VE_CLIENT_REGISTERED, VE_PLAY_PROMPT, VE_PROMPT_PLAYED, VE_RECORD, VE_RECORDED, VE_GET_RESULT and VE_RESULT. These events are used by the user application/client with in a session to request the veGATEWAY server to communicate with the information gateway defined for this particular session, during session establishment procedure using SIP INVITE method, to play voice prompts or get voice recognition results or text search results or the like.
Table 1 specifies the payload definition for the new multimodal RTP profile in the Vodka RTP interface:
Table 2 specifies the event data details for various events defined in the RTP multimodal profile:
The veCLIENT multimodal SDK includes generic API's such as Register, RecognizeSpeechInput, RecognizeTextInput, GetRecognitionResult, SendSMS, SendMMS etc. Each of these generic multimodal SDK API's internally initiate one or more SIP/RTP messages defined in the Vodka interface to interact with the appropriate information Gateway and achieve the desired functionality. For example, the RecognizeSpeechInput API internally initiates a new SIP session with the veGATEWAY server using the SIP INVITE method and reserves an available Voice information gateway for the session. Then, the recorded user speech is sent to the veGATEWAY server for recognition by the voice information gateway. The voice recognition results are retrieved using another API, here, the GetRecognitionResult, of the multimodal SDK.
All the Vodka interface details related to the SIP/SDP and RTP protocols is hidden from the client by the multimodal SDK provided in the veCLIENT part of the veANYWAY multimodal solution. The application developer needs to use the generic multimodal SDK API's to build a multimodal application. The SDK handles all the Vodka interface specific parsing and formatting of SIP/RTP messages.
A high level architecture and brief description of various modules of veGATEWAY server with respect to the Vodka interface is shown in
The listener is formed of an SIP listener 800, and an RTP listener 802. These listen for new TCP/IP connection requests from the client on published SIP/RTP ports, and also poll existing TCP channels (both SIP/RTP) for any new requests from the client.
The module manager 810 provides the basic framework for the veGATEWAY server. It manages startup, shutdown of all the modules and all inter module communication.
A session manager 820 and resource manager 822 maintains the session for each registered client. They also maintain a mapping of which information gateway has been reserved for the session and the valid TCP/IP connections for this session. Based on this information, requests are routed to and from the appropriate information gateway specific adapters. Parsing and formatting of SIP/RTP/SDP messages is also done by this module.
One or more information gateway specific adapters/interfaces 830 are configured in the veGATEWAY server. These adapters abstract the implementation specific details of interaction with a specific information gateway e.g., the VoiceXML server, ASR server, TTS server, MRCP server, MMSC, SMSC, WAP gateway from the client. The adapters translate generic requests from the client to information gateway specific requests, thereby allowing the client to interact with any information gateway using the predefined Vodka interface.
A message flow of a sample "Directory Assistance multimodal Application (DA application)" is described. DA application has been built using the veCLIENT multimodal SDK. DA application allows users to search, find, and locate business listings. It is multimodal in the sense that the user can choose to speak or type the input on his/her mobile device and receive output from the application using both voice and the visual display. The message flow specified below assumes the use of Voice information gateway provided by Phonetics systems. The concept however is independent of a gateway provider and can work with different vendors.
The process follows the flows shown in
The server 804 which includes the Gateway portion 900 and the phonetic voice adapter 902, and the phonetic information voice server 905. The phonetic operations start with an initialization at 910 which sets up the TCP client for API calls, TCP events, and other events. At 912, the client establishes a TCP/IP channel, and registers on the SIP and RTP channels. This also includes basic user validation and also license validation.
Internally, once the speech is recognized, the server initiates the session at 915 using the SIP invite at 916.
During session initiation it also specifies which information gateway is to be used for this session using SDP attribute "a=X-attribute_type:VOICE" in the INVITE message body. The veGATEWAY server sends ALLOCATE_RESOURCE event to the corresponding information adapter as specified in the INVITE message body to carry out information gateway specific initialization if any needs to be done at 917. The Information adapter is RESOURCE_ALLOCATED event after the initialization is complete.
Upon receiving this event, veGATEWAY server sends a SIP 200 OK response to the client at 918. The SDK acknowledges the session establishment procedure with the SIP ACK message at 919 to complete session establishment.
The application now invokes the GetRecognitionResult SDK api at 927 to display the matching candidate list to the client. If the requested number of candidates are available in the buffered candidate list available with the SDK, the same is immediately returned. Otherwise, the SDK sends VE_GET_RESULT to the veGATEWAY server to fetch the candidate list from the server as shown in
The user can then scroll the list to get the desired information.
Although only a few implementations have been described above, other modifications are possible. For example, while only a few kinds of languages have been described, other languages, and especially other flavors of XML can be used. All such modifications are intended to be encompassed within the following claims.
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AT&T Sunsetting 2G Services on 1900MHz
Article Comments 47
Mar 5, 2012, 9:07 AM by Eric M. Zeman @phonescooper
AT&T recently begun suggeting to some customers in the New York City metropolitan area that they upgrade from their existing 2G phones to more current 3G phones. In a letter sent to these customers, AT&T said, "Your current, older-model 2G phone might not be able to make or receive calls and you may experience degradation of your wireless service in certain areas." According to AT&T representative Mark Siegel, who spoke to MarketWatch, AT&T eventually plans to cease offering 2G services on its 1900MHz spectrum so that it can use that spectrum for other services. For the moment, Siegel said the program is voluntary. AT&T did not say exactly when it will stop offering 2G services in the 1900MHz band, but said that it is supporting the 2G network for the time being and that the majority of its customers will be unaffected by this eventual chage. AT&T recently lost its $39.5 billion bid to acquire rival T-Mobile USA, whose spectrum it planned to use to augment its LTE 4G network. AT&T has since begun seeking spectrum from alternate sources.
CTIA Says Smartphones Better Protected Against Theft
FCC Keeps Auction Reserve at 30 MHz
Justice Dept. Suggests FCC Limit AT&T, Verizon Auction Participation
more AT&T news AT&T phones
Sprint Allowed to Settle Cramming Charges for $50M
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European Union to Ban Roaming Charges
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We waited a bit - unsure how to proceed, but decided not to push our luck trying to go up to the actual set... instead we chatted with a crew member and figured out (as if the wold wasn't enough) that it was New Moon filming.We did *NOT* find out who was up there - My assumption is that it would be the scene where Bella and Laurent meet and the Wolf Pack comes - or it could be background shots or other Wolf Shots.Because we just saw the Grey Wolf I thought - which wolves were grey? ALthough they could change the colour in editing - - - in which case it could be when Sam rescues Bella - - which would make sense based on TwiCrack's recent entryI found someone's post about the wolves different colours - Embry's fur is gray and he has dark spots on his back.Here is the quote that says what color fur he has:Embry was clearly the thinner gray wolf with the dark spots on his back Quil: is a deep chocolate brown that is lighter over his face.Here is the quote that says what color fur he has: Quil who was a deep chocolate brown, lighter over his face, twitched constantlyLeah: is light gray Here is the quote that says what color fur she has:Leah's gray body slid out of the trees behind him. Seth: is sandy color (brown color of sand)The taller, sandy-colored Seth was right behind her. Here is the quote that says what color fur he has:Sam: is blackHere is the quote that says what color fur he has:Sam the bigger wolf, the black one joined Seth thenJacob: is russet, or a red-brown color.Here is the quote that says what color fur he has:In his [Jacob's] place was an enormous, red-brown wolf with dark, intelligent eyes.This was the great russet wolf I'd stood half a foot from in the meadow, just a week ago.Paul: is silver, or grayish. Here is the quote that says what color fur he has:Paul seemed to fall forward, vibrating violently. Dark silver fur blew out from the boy, coalescing into a shape more than five-times his size. Do with that what you must.... analyze away ;)We also know that they plan to use Computer Graphics to make "wolves the size of horses with the actors eyes"hmmmm....Thoughts on what we saw?Anyways - - we enjoyed seeing the wolf, hung out a bit before a security we know from before told us the park closed at 10pm and we couldn't be there... he walked with us back towards our car since it was dark and was pretty nice about it - although I am sure he didn't have to be....Not sure if they are there today or not....Start at Bella's soon I assume....eek - off to work - another half day ;)
Current Mood: rejuvenated


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OSO LOCO!! KTM 990s attack Colorado, Utah, and the best of the TAT
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You can do it!
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: behind BigWan, trying to keep my feet tucked in :)
Oddometer: 1,792
Originally Posted by
for the update. Starting my Monday morning with a Wans RR update and a cup of coffee, Awesome.
Originally Posted by
In. Thanks Little Wan for another RR. It's great to wake up with a nice cup of Joe and read another day's report!
Aw, sorry you guys - got you all excited about morning updates and then I blew it today...
I got stalled out on Day 3 and started working on Day 4 instead...
Now I need to go back and do Day 3.
Originally Posted by
Look at these guys - tired, but still smiling!
(Edit - matt saw this pic and said he's the only one smiling! Hmm.
I think they're all smiling
on the inside.
looks to me like at least three of them have a mouthful of food...its hard to smile with a mouthful of food (if you have any manners, that is). anyway, there are smiles in their eyes.
Good point, sion!
yeah, I'm shy about making people pose for photos.
I tend to do a shoot and run...
Originally Posted by
A little late to the party, having just got back from my own week long BIG BIKE ride in Colorado yesterday 8/25, but IN! Thanks for all the hard work in putting these RR's together . . . . You guys are GREAT riders and all of your RR's rock!
I need to find the time to do a RR myself, you are my inspiration
Thanks, CamelBill -
hope you had a great time in Colorado!
We had lots of rain, but maybe things have dried out by now?
Originally Posted by
For once I'm in on a LittleWan ride report that's ongoing!
Hi docwyte!
How's your bike doing? did you get your "bent bits" fixed up?
Originally Posted by
Awesome report, Kelly, just like all your other ones, actually!
I love reading all about your group's adventures, and trying to get a better understanding of how the heck did Lica's bike get that bit up
. Now it all starts to make sense
And by the way, I know at the time it wasn't funny for you, but you guys sure look funny on that bike with the blown shock (in Radek's video)
But I'm glad you managed to fix it and to continue the ride, so we can all enjoy this great report
Hola Camelia!
Thanks for signing in!
Hope you had a wonderful time in Europe, while Lica was busy destroying his bike.
OMG - that broken shock was a crazy mess!
look funny, though...
I should have used a lowrider link for that post...
like this one:
Why would anyone do that on purpose???
Originally Posted by
One Less Harley
yep still not watching..LOL...KTM's falling carnage I'm enjoying this...
..more..more...heh heh heh
Wow, I can actually see you tenting your fingers and saying,
Well, definitely keep NOT watching, there's more...
Originally Posted by
Quick question: I see some Camelbaks on people in your group. Have you always ridden with a Camelbak? How is that mouthpiece in the helmet, especially with a microphone for a com system? On our most recent trip, I definitely felt dehydrated, but it was such a pain in the butt to keep stopping for a water break. I'm thinking a Camelbak might be the answer...
Thanks, and please keep posting!!
Hi Andrea -
We only started wearing h2O packs (both of us) in the last year.
Before that, we always carried lots of water, but like you, had to stop to drink it.
We definitely stay better hydrated with the packs, especially on long days in the desert.
Mouthpiece is no problem with a microphone.
The main problem is that when Matt's pack is really full and we're in deep sand or loose rocks,
it's harder for me to hold on. The pack keeps me pushed back.
In the past, I've worn a pack and we share the water (I can hand him the hose),
so that's an option, too.
hope that helps!
good luck with the RR, it's a lot of work (but a lot of fun too).
Originally Posted by
Hey Little Wan!
I found out you're having another party!
So, I'm IN!
Now I gotta go back and R E A D all the cool stuff, not just click the links!
Hiya Nicky!
What's shakin'?
Aw, there aren't as many good linkies in this report.
Youtube is driving me crazy. The best stuff
gets taken down,
the rest are ruined by ads.
It sucks.
But I'm trying my best.
OK, see you guys later - with Day 3
Oso bored? you can find the rest of our ride reports
make stupid your favorite!
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Category Archives: Sustainability
Safety in numbers . . . of species
[Hot off the presses, from Eurekalert. Also covered in Science Daily and various other venues. ] Will loss of plant diversity compromise Earth's life-support systems? Meta-analysis and reflections on two decades of biodiversity research provide some answers and reveal new … Continue reading
How not to end world hunger
Food prices are rising. Again. And the scramble is on to figure out who to blame: climate change? Biofuels? Good old capitalist greed? Just this morning the New York Times published a discussion panel on the issue: "Is the world … Continue reading
Who pays for overfishing? Poor people in Africa (and elsewhere)
[Based in part on my evaluation for the Faculty of 1000, accessible only by subscription I'm afraid] The pervasive detrimental impacts of overfishing on marine life and ecosystems have been widely publicized in recent years, ratcheting up calls for stricter … Continue reading
Empathy, Enmity, and the Future of Civilization
[The alternate post title that I really wanted to use: "My brief reign as one of the world's leading intellectuals"] It smelled a little off from the beginning, I'll admit. But, as I say, I'm not immune to flattery. So … Continue reading
The future of marine fish
[This article was an invited piece for the American Institute of Biological Sciences' Action Bioscience online site. I had occasion to mull its content afresh recently after a visit to the University of British Columbia's Fisheries Centre, whose "Sea Around … Continue reading
Turning pollution into fuel
To ease into the groove of the revived Natural Patriot, I'm starting with the easy stuff: some of the arguably noteworthy developments that transpired during the touch-and-go months of social-networking coma. First up: the latest on our algal biofuel project, … Continue reading
Ashes to ashes
All things considered, I really can't complain. I'm stuck in a hotel room thousands of miles from home, no way to get back to the family and normal life, with no end in sight. Looking at my last little package … Continue reading
Look upon me! I am one of the world's leading 30 intellectuals, scholars, and scientists!
Ok, now that I've got your attention . . . It's often struck me that, just as I am about to wander off and let the blog wither away to die a natural and dignified death, fading into obscurity like … Continue reading
The world with us
Alan Weisman recently published a book that got a lot of press attention for its novelty idea of considering The World Without Us — that is, what earth would look like if some unlikely event wiped out humans and left … Continue reading
Networking the Natural Patriot
One of these days I really have to write another real post, instead of sending out hat tips to other sites (as important as that is), rehashing my own posts under different cover, and other sleight-of-hand. But for the moment, … Continue reading


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The Barton Community College Lady Cougars volleyball program is offering volleyball camps for various ages throughout the month of June. All camps will be held at the Great Bend High School Panther Athletic Center. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Barton head coach Phil Shoemaker or online at www.BartonSports.com.
Barton Community College head baseball coach Mike Warren has announced seven in-state signings for the upcoming 2013-14 season.
Barton Community College men's soccer player Vinicius Braga became the latest player from the 2012 Region VI Championship team to commit to play at the next level, recently signing with Bellevue University of Bellevue, Neb.
Barton Community College women's head basketball coach Carter Kruger has announced the signing of eight incoming freshmen for the 2013-2014 season.
The cancer fight from Barton Community College baseball player Skylar Hill continues, as does the support from various sources from around the country.
HUTCHINSON - The Barton Community College track and field teams wrapped up their season Saturday at the National Junior College Activity Association Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship.
The Barton Community College women's golf team posted a 381 in the final round on Thursday at the National Junior College Athletic Association Women's Golf Championship held at Longbow Golf Course in Mesa, Ariz.
Barton Community College freshman Aaron Gile was recently named to the All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division honorable mention baseball team.
FORT RILEY - Barton Community College will sponsor its fifth annual Wounded Warrior Golf Scramble on Saturday, June 29, to benefit wounded soldiers from Fort Riley. The Wounded Warrior Scramble is an opportunity to not only support our soldiers but thank them for their dedicated service and sacrifice to our country.
TUCSON, Ariz. - The Barton Community College women's tennis team returns home from Arizona with an individual consolation title at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division I tennis championships this week.
After three straight days at Barton Community College's track complex, the National Junior College Athletic Association Region VI Outdoor Championship wrapped up on Saturday.
Barton Community College is hosting the 2013 National Junior College Athletic Association Region VI Outdoor Track and Field Championships, which started on Thursday and continues through Saturday
One of the most improved basketball players in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference Western Division this past season, Barton sophomore Andell Cumberbatch is moving on to the next level.
HUTCHINSON - The Barton Community College women's golf team won a National Junior College Athletic Association Region VI title on Monday.
The Barton Community College baseball team had more to play for on Saturday at Lawson-Biggs Field than keeping its National Junior College Athletic Association Region VI playoff hopes alive.
Page 32 of 75
Editor's note: The following is part five in a summer series of some of the most memorable moments in Barton athletics
It's the Fourth of July weekend and in Great Bend that means get your hard hat. I have never been in a town that allows more freedom of Independence Day than right here in Great Bend.
Several former Barton Community College athletes competed in their respective countries national track and field championships recently.
EUGENE, Ore. – There is still some speed in the feet of the former Barton Community College sprinter.
It was probably inevitable that Dennan Morrow was going to coach basketball. His father was a high school coach for 30 years and he grew up in gymnasiums.
It was a good season for the Barton Community College athletes on the field. There were All American honors, records broken and championships won.
Part four in a series of some of the most memorable moments in Barton athletics
The summer heat is upon us. With the summer beginning to hit full-stride that means it's time for wheat harvest and national track championships.
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Bill Rancic Defends His Wife Giuliana After Fashion Police Controversy: 'I Tried to Get Them to Release the Footage' 41 years, 2,185 covers and 55,435 stories from PEOPLE magazine's history for you to enjoy
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Search Results for: omnichannel
October 28, 2014
How to Transform Omnichannel Retail from Myth to Reality
As you're folding laundry at the end of a long day, you realize that your favorite pants are sporting stains from the tomato sauce-covered pasta that was yesterday's dinner. Try as you might, the stain is there to …More...
May 26, 2015
Olapic Announces Strategic Partnership with Listrak
Olapic, the visual marketing and commerce platform for collecting, curating and showcasing consumer-generated photos, today announced a strategic partnership and integration with Listrak, an omnichannel digital marketing retail platform that provides email personalization and retargeting specifically tailored for retailers. The …More...
October 27, 2014
Retailers Preparing for Surge in Omnichannel Holiday Shopping
With expectations higher than ever for a merry omnichannel holiday season, retailers are assertively preparing their shipping operations to avoid delivery and service hiccups.
According to Shop.org's eHoliday survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, nearly eight in 10 (78.8%) retailers …More...
In Fulfillment, News
May 20, 2015
The High Cost of Back Orders
How are backorders affecting your profitability?
From our consulting work with clients to improve their merchandise planning, forecasting and management processes and systems, we've seen a range of costs over 15 years to be between $7 and $12 for each unit that …
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May 18, 2015
NetSuite To Showcase The Power Of A Seamless Customer Experience At IRCE 2015
SAN MATEO, Calif., May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ – NetSuite Inc. (NYSE: N), the industry's leading provider of cloud-based financials /ERP and omnichannel commerce software suites, today announced its participation at the annual Internet Retailer Conference and Exhibition (IRCE), taking place June 2-5 …More...
In IRCE 2015
October 11, 2014
4 Ways to Enhance Your Omnichannel Holiday Strategy
During last year's holiday season, retailers worked hard to create an omnichannel shopping experience. Retailers brought the online, in-store and mobile initiatives together to provide a seamless experience. And though not quite perfect (yet), this allowed shoppers to buy …More...
In Blog, Must Reads
May 14, 2015
Macy's Says Several Adverse Factors Caused Q1 Sales Dip
Fewer sales from international tourists due to the strong dollar, growing pains in omnichannel, bad winter weather, the West coast port strike and lower-than-expected general merchandise, apparel and furniture sales all acted as a drag on Macy's sales and …More...
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October 9, 2014
Going Global in an Omnichannel World
A big trend today in retail is the convergence of retailers expanding their business globally while being an omnichannel retailer.
During a meeting at Shop.org, Borderfree chief strategy officer Kris Green told Multichannel Merchant that retailers need to make …More...
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BCBG Max Azria Group on Fulfillment Excellence
Alex Golshan, vice president of omnichannel and global ecommerce for BCBG Max Azria Group, talks with Multichannel Merchant Senior Editor Mike O'Brien on how the company excels at delivering a high-touch fulfillment experience that is in line with a …More...
September 30, 2014
What Omnichannel Shoppers Mean for Retailers and Customer Loyalty
If you were to ask a retailer what the most important tool of their customer loyalty efforts was 5 years ago, I bet the majority of them would say traditional loyalty and rewards programs. You know, the old "buy 10 get one …More...
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The Age of Empathy: Nature's Lessons for a Kinder Societyby Frans de Waal
Synopses & Reviews
Publisher Comments:
A pioneer in primate studies, Frans de Waal sees our better side in chimps, especially our capacity for empathy. In his research, Dr. de Waal has gathered ample evidence that our ability to identify with another's distress — a catalyst for compassion and charity — has deep roots in the origin of our species. It is a view independently reinforced by recent biomedical studies showing that our brains are built to feel another's pain.
—Robert Lee Hotz, The Wall Street Journal
"It's hard to feel the pain of the next guy. First, you have to notice that he exists…then realize that he has different thoughts than you…and different emotions…and that he needs help…and that you should help because you'd like the same done for you…and, wait, did I remember to lock the car?…and… Empathy is often viewed as requiring cognitive capacities for things like theory of mind, perspective taking and the golden rule, implying that empathy is pretty much limited to humans, and is a fairly fragile phenomenon in us. For decades, Frans de Waal has generated elegant data and thinking that show that this is wrong. In this superb book, he shows how we are not the only species with elements of those cognitive capacities, empathy is as much about affect as cognition, and our empathic humanity has roots far deeper than our human-ness."
—Robert Sapolsky, author of Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers and A Primate's Memoir
The lessons of the economic meltdown, Hurricane Katrina, and other disasters may not be what you think: Biologically, humans are not selfish animals. For that matter, neither are animals, writes the engaging Frans de Waal, a psychology professor with proof positive that, like other creatures who hang out in herds, we've evolved to be empathetic. We don't just hear a scream, it chills us to the bone; when we see a smile, we answer with one of our own. THE AGE OF EMPATHY offers advice to cutthroat so-called realists: Listen to your inner ape.
—O, The Oprah Magazine
Freshly topical….a corrective to the idea that all animals—human and otherwise—are selfish and unfeeling to the core.
—The Economist
Without question, de Waal's essential findings should become part of mainstream conversation. But we need to go further by joining them with a radical political analysis, one that spells out the cultural mechanisms that give rise to an empathy-deficient society. Only then can we reclaim the continuity of morality that emerges so eloquently from these pages.
—Gary Olson, The Baltimore Chronicle
De Waal, a renowned primatologist, knows the territory firsthand. He writes clearly and plays fair; he takes on the strongest arguments against him and is quick to acknowledge complexity. His book is popular science as it should be, far superior to the recent spate of "Darwin made me do it" books that purport to explain (or explain away) our behavior.
—Edward Dolnick, Bookforum
De Waal is an excellent tour guide, refreshingly literate outside his field, deft at stitching bits of philosophy and anthropology into the narrative. He is also pleasingly opinionated; he seems to have columnis
From an internationally renowned authority on primatology and psychology comes a fascinating investigation of empathy in both humans and animals.
"An important and timely message about the biological roots of human kindness."
Desmond Morris,
About the Author
FRANS DE WAAL is a Dutch-born biologist who lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. One of the world's best-known primatologists, de Waal is C. H. Candler professor of psychology and director of the Living Links Center at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University. He has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences. In 2007, Time selected him as one of the World's 100 Most Influential People.
Table of Contents
Biology, left and right — The other Darwinism — Bodies talking to bodies — Someone else's shoes — The elephant in the room — Fair is fair — Crooked timber.
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Rent-Way to sell 295 stores
Rent-Way Inc. plans to sell 295 stores to its largest competitor to reduce debt and cut costs.
The $101.5 million deal would deed nearly 30 percent of the Erie-based company's 1,062 stores to Rent-A-Center Inc. and would likely lead to job losses at its bayfront headquarters, according to William McDonnell, the company's chief executive officer.
Rent-Way executives announced the decision to the company's regional managers at a Wednesday morning meeting in Orlando, Fla. — a meeting that was called early this week.
Store managers were informed of the deal in a conference call.
The company is not yet releasing a list of affected stores, but McDonnell said none of the stores are in Erie.
The move marks the latest effort by Rent-Way to restructure its finances since the October 2000 revelation that company officials had manipulated its financial records. Rent-Way restated its earnings by about $127 million for its 1998, 1999 and 2000 fiscal years as a result of its improper accounting practices.
Although more than two years have passed since Rent-Way's accounting problems were made public, the episode continues to plague the company.
Rent-Way remains under investigation by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
It is also embroiled in a class-action lawsuit by shareholders who allege that they bought Rent-Way stock at prices that were artificially inflated by the company's bookkeeping practices.
In addition to the criminal investigation and the lawsuit, fallout from the accounting scandal continues to restrict Rent-Way's ability to compete.
At a time when interest rates are at historic lows, Rent-Way is paying rates of as much as 15 percent on its more than $300 million in debt — the result of its missing payments in the wake of the accounting scandal.
Company executives have been working to negotiate a new deal with lenders that would reduce the interest rate, but they have yet to reach an agreement.
Wednesday's deal to sell 295 stores is an important step in negotiating a new agreement. "It's going to go a long way toward that end," McDonnell said.
The company plans to use the $101.5 million it will receive from Rent-A-Center to reduce its debt by about one-third.
The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in 30 to 45 days.
Rent-Way will lose about $10.1 million a month in revenue by selling off the stores, which Rent-A-Center officials say employ 1,200 to 1,400 workers.
Rent-A-Center, the nation's largest rent-to-own company with nearly 2,700 stores, will control more than a third of the country's rent-to-own stores once the sale is complete.
"The benefit to us here is we get immediate access to nearly 300 stores," said David Carpenter, Rent-A-Center's director of investor relations. "It's a win-win for both companies. It helps us accelerate our growth. It helps them pay off debt."
The deal reflects the changing fortunes for both companies since Rent-Way's accounting troubles came to light.
Prior to the announcement, Rent-Way was the nation's second-largest — and fastest-growing — rent-to-own company and had set its sights set on overtaking Rent-A-Center as the market leader.
Rent-Way had grown from 179 stores on Jan. 1, 1998, to more than 1,130 stores by the summer of 2000.
Since the accounting troubles were made public, Rent-Way has been slowly paring its stores and trimming employees while Rent-A-Center has been thriving.
The Texas-based Rent-A-Center's net profits for the first nine months of 2002 totaled $127 million — an increase of more than 77 percent over its $71.5 million in profits during the same nine months in 2001.
Rent-Way, meanwhile, has been losing money. During its most recent quarter, which ended June 30, Rent-Way posted a net loss of $6 million.
Since Rent-Way's accounting troubles were made public, Rent-A-Center's stock price has zoomed from $26.75 per share to Wednesday's closing price of $48.20 — an increase of more than 80 percent.
During that same time, Rent-Way's stock has dropped from $23.44 per share to $4.04 per share — a decrease of nearly 83 percent. On Wednesday, Rent-Way's shares dropped 14 cents, or 3.35 percent.
Rent-Way officials said Wednesday's sale will help the company's bottom line by allowing it to negotiate a better deal with its lenders. It will also free the company of some of its worst-performing stores.
Carpenter said the 295 stores included in the sale average about $34,000 a month in sales, while Rent-Way's total store base produces an average of about $50,000 in monthly sales.
"This sale will allow us to significantly reduce our debt and focus on the markets where we have significant market share and operating strength," Rent-Way CEO William Morgenstern said in a written statement announcing the sale. "Once we rationalize our corporate overhead and refinance our outstanding senior debt, we expect to return to profitability and get on with growing our business."
Rent-Way investors will get a closer look at the company's finances this afternoon, when it releases results of its fiscal fourth quarter, which ended Sept. 30.
PETER PANEPENTO can be reached at 870-1707 or by e-mail.


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Artichokes With Butter Sauce
|10 Small
|3 , finely chopped
|1 Cup (16 tbs) (As Needed)
|4 1⁄4 Tablespoon (4 Tablespoons Plus 1 Teaspoon)
|1⁄4 Cup (4 tbs), finely chopped
|1⁄2 Cup (8 tbs)
|To Taste
|To Taste
Prepare artichokes by breaking off the 3 outer layers of leaves at the breaking point.
Slice off 1 inch of the tips and a small portion of the stem.
Slice in half and remove the purple choke.
Scrape upper portion and stem to remove the dark green.
Rub all cut surfaces with a cut lemon as you work and drop into a bowl of cold water into which has been mixed the juice of 1 lemon and the 4 tablespoons flour.
In a large casserole melt butter and in it saute the onion until golden and soft.
Stir in the 1 teaspoon flour.
Add enough water to cover the artichokes, salt and pepper, dill, and the juice of 2 lemons.
Bring to a boil, drain the artichokes, and add them to casserole.
Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes or until artichokes are tender.
Remove artichokes to a platter and keep warm.
Bring the liquid to a rapid boil and cook until reduced and thickened to sauce consistency.
Pour over artichokes and serve.


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Sugar N Spice Beans N Rice
|Extra light olive oil
|1 Teaspoon (With A Dash Of Sesame Oil (5 Ml))
|Yellow onion
|1⁄2 , peeled and finely chopped
|Cumin seed
|1 1⁄2 Teaspoon
|Brown sugar
|15 Milliliter (1 Tablespoon)
|5 Cup (80 tbs) (1.2 Liter)
|Bay leaves
|Dried great northern beans
|240 Milliliter (1 Cup)
|Brown rice
|240 Milliliter (1 Cup)
|1 , zest finely chopped and juiced (From 1 Orange)
|Green onions
|8 , finely chopped (White And Pale Green Part)
|1⁄2 Teaspoon, freshly ground
|Cayenne pepper
|1⁄4 Teaspoon
Pour the oil into a pressure cooker over medium-high heat, add the onion, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the cumin seed and the sugar and cook until the onion is translucent—about 5 minutes.
Add the water and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
Stir in the beans, making sure none are sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Fasten the lid, wait until the cooker starts to hiss, reduce the heat and simmer 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat, release the steam and remove the lid.
Remove the bay leaves, add the rice, refasten the lid, return to the heat and bring to a boil.
When the cooker starts to hiss, reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes.
Remove from the heat, release the steam and unfasten the lid.
Stir in the orange zest and green onions.
Season with the remaining cumin, the orange juice, salt and cayenne.
To Serve: I look upon this dish as a complete meal in itself.
There is sufficient for 6 servings when accompanied by ample servings of freshly steamed carrots and a dark green leafy vegetable such as Swiss chard, or collard or mustard greens.