text:
An Internet enabled, business-to-business computerized transaction system is disclosed in its preferred embodiment for use in providing rental car services for high volume users and comprises an Internet web portal through which the high volume user may access a plurality of service providers including an integrated business computer network for at least one rental vehicle service provider. The rental vehicle services provider computer network is configured to interconnect a geographically diverse plurality of branch offices, cataloguing their available rental vehicles and schedules for same as well as handling all transactional data relating to its business. The Internet web portal provides ubiquitous connectivity and portability for a multi-level business organization who regularly places high volumes of rental purchases with its business partner and also those other service providers who may or may not have the same integrated business computer system and software. Utilizing the method and apparatus of the present invention large volumes of rental transactions may be placed, monitored, altered during performance, and closed out with financial accounting and payment being made virtually without human intervention.
1. An Internet-enabled rental vehicle reservation management system, the system comprising:
an Internet web portal in communication with the Internet, wherein the Internet web portal is configured for access by an authorized purchaser computer via the Internet to provide a user of the authorized purchaser computer with an ability to book a rental vehicle reservation with any of a plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers, wherein the Internet web portal is further configured to provide a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) menus to the authorized purchaser computer for display thereon, wherein at least one of the GUI menus is configured to accept a selection by the user as to which one of the plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers that a rental vehicle reservation is to be booked with, and wherein the Internet web portal is further configured to transmit the rental vehicle reservation to the selected one of the competitive rental vehicle service providers;
a computer network operated by one of the competitive rental vehicle service providers, the computer network being in communication with the Internet web portal, the computer network comprising a mainframe that is configured to execute a rental vehicle software program;
wherein at least one of the GUI menus is configured to interface a user of the authorized purchaser computer with the rental vehicle software program; and
wherein the rental vehicle software program is configured to (1) automatically book, in response to input from the user, a rental vehicle reservation with the competitive rental vehicle service provider that operates the computer network without human intervention on the part of personnel of the competitive rental vehicle service provider that operates the computer network and (2) manage the booked rental vehicle reservation in response to input from the user.
2. The system of
a second mainframe in communication with the first mainframe;
a database in which rental vehicle reservation data is stored, wherein the database is in communication with the second mainframe; and
a plurality of branch office computers of the competitive rental vehicle service provider that operates the computer network, wherein the plurality of branch office computers are in communication with the second mainframe; and
wherein the second mainframe is configured to execute a software program for access by the branch office computers to fulfill rental vehicle reservations that are stored within the database and that were booked and managed by the rental vehicle software program in response to input from the user.
3. The system of
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18. A method for creating and managing a plurality of rental vehicle reservations, the method comprising:
providing an Internet web portal in communication with an authorized purchaser computer via the Internet;
providing a user of the authorized purchaser computer with an option through the Internet web portal to select a rental vehicle service provider with which to book a rental vehicle reservation from among a plurality of competitive rental vehicle service providers, wherein at least one of the competitive rental vehicle service providers maintains a computer network in communication with the Internet web portal, wherein the computer network comprises a rental vehicle software program;
in response to a selection by the user of a competitive rental vehicle service provider that maintains the computer network, (1) interfacing the user with the rental vehicle software program via a plurality of graphical user interface (GUI) menus that are displayed on the authorized purchaser computer, (2) receiving input at the Internet web portal from the user through the GUI menus, (3) in response to the received input, providing a series of commands to the rental vehicle software program, and (4) executing the rental vehicle software program in response to the series of commands to thereby (a) automatically book a rental vehicle reservation with the competitive rental vehicle service provider that maintains the computer network without human intervention on the part of personnel of the competitive rental vehicle service provider that maintains the computer network and (b) manage the booked rental vehicle reservation; and
in response to a selection by the user of a different competitive rental vehicle service provider, transmitting a rental vehicle reservation from the user to the selected different competitive rental vehicle service provider through the Internet web portal.
19. The method of
20. The method of
21. The method of
22. The method of
23. The method of
executing software resident on the second mainframe to (1) retrieve a rental vehicle reservation booked and managed through the rental vehicle software program and (2) process the retrieved rental vehicle reservation for fulfillment at one of the branch offices when the third party picks up a rental vehicle in accordance with the rental vehicle reservation.
24. The method of
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26. The method of
27. The method of
28. The method of
customizing the GUI menus on a per user basis.
29. The method of
30. The method of
providing the user with a single set of GUI menus through the Internet web portal for booking a rental vehicle reservation with all of the competitive rental vehicle service providers.
31. The method of
accommodating through the Internet web portal a plurality of varying data requirements for rental vehicle reservations with the competitive rental vehicle service providers.
32. The method of
33. The method of
creating and administering a plurality of workgroups, wherein each workgroup comprises a plurality of users, and wherein each workgroup shares a workload of management functions for rental vehicle reservations among its users; and
providing a GUI menu for display on the authorized purchaser computers through the Internet web portal that presents each user with an action item list that identifies a plurality of management function actions for rental vehicle reservations that have been assigned to the user's workgroup.
34. The method of
assigning each user of the authorized purchaser computers with an authorization limit that limits an extent of functionality available to each user when managing a rental vehicle reservation through the rental vehicle software program.
35. The method of
36. The method of
37. The method of
positioning the Internet web portal behind a firewall maintained by the same competitive rental vehicle service provider that maintains the computer network, wherein the Internet web portal is in communication with the Internet via the firewall.
38. The method of
providing a layer of computer architecture that interconnects the Internet web portal with the Internet, the computer architecture layer comprising a plurality of networked servers and a firewall, wherein the firewall connects the Internet web portal with the plurality of networked servers, and wherein the plurality of networked servers are configured to provide order to data communications to and from the Internet.
39. The method of
40. The method of
41. The method of
This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/641,820, filed Aug. 18, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,275,038.
This application includes a computer program listed appendix submitted on a compact disc, the compact disc containing the files "Exhibit A.txt" (file created Dec. 28, 2010; file size of 316 kilobytes), "Exhibit C.txt" (file created Dec. 28, 2010; file size of 534 kilobytes), and "Exhibit D.txt" (file created Dec. 28, 2010; file size of 261 kilobytes), these files being incorporated herein by reference.
The invention disclosed and claimed in the parent cross referenced above relates generally to the field of an Internet enabled business-to-business intelligent communication link allowing a first business organization to have intelligent interaction with a second fully integrated business organization to facilitate the placing of orders or reservations for business services or goods, with the services or goods provider having a computer network linking multiple levels of its organization to provide for the smooth conduct of business between the two organizations. More particularly, this field relates to an Internet enabled automatic rental vehicle transaction system to facilitate the conduct of rental vehicle transactions between two multilevel business organizations, one of which provides such rental vehicle transaction services in an integrated manner through business enterprise software to a high volume user of such rental vehicle services wherein an Internet web portal is defined by the rental vehicle service provider which interconnects the two business organizations at multiple levels, providing a graphical user interface (GUI) for the transaction of large amounts of rental vehicle services automatically and virtually without human intervention upon entry. The invention of the present continuation-in-part application extends the functionality of the parent invention by providing an intelligent portal that is readily configurable to suit any particular customer and any particular provider data requirements or method of doing business. This added functionality allows the invention, for example, to provide the user with access to other suppliers in the same seamless and integrated manner. In other words, the user now has access to not just one integrated business but multiple businesses, some of which may but need not be, integrated businesses thereby extending the invention for use in a generic application to satisfy a user's needs for a good or service not just from one vendor but all vendors connected to the invention.
Computer technology has been embraced by many businesses in order to handle their ever increasing order flow as well as to mitigate the increasing blizzard of paper required to be produced to document this business. A significant benefit which often drives the implementation of technology is its further advantage in increasing productivity to thereby allow fewer people to handle greater volumes of business. One such good example demonstrating the efficiencies and value to be gained by implementing technology is the business model developed and followed by the assignee of the present invention. A rental car company at its heart, the assignee transacts an ever increasing number of time sensitive, relatively low dollar volume, vehicle rentals which in many instances require authorizations to be made in advance, reservations of vehicles from available geographic and vehicle type selections, monitoring of the rental as it progresses including possibly extending the rental under certain circumstances, communications between the various parties involved in the transaction to ensure ultimate customer satisfaction, and financial accounting for the transaction including generating invoices and processing them for payment. While a significant portion of the vehicle rental business involves rental for leisure, business travel, etc., another significant business relationship has developed with insurance companies and the like in what has been termed as the replacement car rental service business. In this business, a vehicle insurance company may have many thousands of policyholders who are eligible to be involved in accidents, and other dislocations of use, requiring that a vehicle be rented for that customer's use while his own vehicle be made ready again for use. Thus, for this business segment, a multi-tiered business organization such as a vehicle insurance company represents a significant customer for repetitive vehicle rental services. To conduct this business in an orderly, time efficient and cost efficient manner, it is necessary that this insurance company has as its business partner a vehicle rental company which is itself multi-tiered, such as the assignee of the present invention. This is because the needs, both geographically and in volume, are significant which require the dedication of a significant amount of resources. To satisfy these needs and to respond to other business growth, in its embrace of technology the assignee hereof has succeeded in developing an in-house computer system and related software which has integrated its business internally. This business integration has been massive and company-wide as is needed to integrate a company having a central office with literally thousands of individual branches located nationally, and even now internationally, with hundreds of thousands of vehicles available for rental. Furthermore, other business partners including other service providers such as vehicle repair shops have also been given access to this system to allow for input of information relating to progress of vehicle repair, extension of rental time, etc. as the rental progresses. This integrated business computer network and software generally includes a mainframe server at the heart of a wide area network (WAN) which facilitates the transfer of vehicle rental information and orders company-wide. This integrated business model is most efficient and needed in order to satisfy the vehicle rental service needs of a vehicle insurance company which itself may be national or even international in scope.
As a first step in extending the integration of technology into this business model, the present assignee has previously developed and implemented a computer system which has provided improved communication capabilities between the two business partners. This system generally comprised a second mainframe computer linked to the first mainframe of the integrated business network, with dedicated access lines being provided from this second mainframe to various levels of the multilevel business organization comprising the insurance company. In effect, with this additional mainframe and dedicated pipeline access, various individuals at the insurance company were permitted to directly interact with the integrated business computer network of the vehicle rental company as well as other selected service providers such as body shops where wrecked vehicles were being repaired. The implementation of this system provided a great step forward over the people intensive business activity previously required in order to handle the large number of transactions encountered in this business relationship. Historically, the replacement car market engendered large numbers of telephone calls being placed between the insurance company, the rental company, and the body shop where vehicle repair was being performed in order to authorize the rental, select and secure the desired replacement vehicle to be provided, monitor the progress of the repair work so that scheduling of the rental vehicle could be controlled, extending the vehicle rental in the event of delays in repair, authorizing various activities involved in the rental process including upgrades of vehicles or other charges for services, and subsequent billing of the rental service and processing the billing to the insurance company for payment.
While the implementation of this system was successful and represented a tremendous step forward in automating the business relationship between the insurance company and the vehicle rental company, it did have certain limitations. For example, a specific communication link had to be established between the rental vehicle company and the particular users at the insurance company designated to have access to this system. Thus, special attention and some modicum of expense was required to establish these "pipelines" and maintain them. Still another aspect to the system implemented was that it was not "browser" based nor did it provide graphical user interface (GUI) menus. Thus, each user had to be specifically trained in the particular "language" used by the system and learn to work with specific menus nested in a specific manner as well as codes for entering commands which were not similar to other computer software programs. This software design thus necessarily required additional training in order to insure that users could gain the full measure of advantage provided by the system and in order to minimize the opportunity for erroneous information or incorrect reservations from being entered or otherwise confusing the business transactions. Furthermore, user efficiency was not immediate and required skill beyond that ordinarily found in casual computer users, as we are all becoming in this computer age. Still another disadvantage to the system was that access was required to a designated entry point in the system in order for a person authorized to be on the system to work with it. As the nature of the insurance and replacement car business requires extreme mobility at multiple levels of both business partners, this represents a limitation to the usefulness and time efficiency with which various business functions could be performed. Therefore, while implementation of the second mainframe allowing for pipeline connections at various levels of the multi-tiered insurance company was a significant step forward in automating the business relationship between the two business partners, significant limitations to this solution were readily apparent to the users thereof.
In the parent application cross-referenced above, the inventors herein have succeeded in designing and developing a means for substantially enhancing the business to business communication link between these two businesses which provide significant advantages over its prior embodiment. More particularly, the inventors have succeeded in replacing the dedicated pipeline access of the existing system with a web portal allowing Internet access to the mainframe with a browser based graphical user interface (GUI) presentation. This also made the system more readily accessible to smaller business partners as the expense of the "pipeline" was eliminated. The parent invention offers several important technical advantages over the previous system. First of all, by taking advantage of the ubiquitous nature of the Internet, the ultimate in portability and connectivity for this system is now provided in a business environment where mobility and connectivity are at a premium. In other words, a claims adjuster, body shop, or any other business employee authorized to have access to the system may gain access at any site offering Internet access. In present day technology that includes many mobile devices and appliances which are Internet enabled. As technology advances, it is conceivable that this access will extend to permit "24/7" access by any authorized person at any geographic location. This is a marked improvement providing immediate benefit and advantage over the dedicated pipeline access of the prior art system.
A second major advantage of the parent invention is its graphical user interface. The inventors have taken full advantage of this browser based GUI to streamline and organize the presentation of information to a user to actually guide him as he interacts in doing his business. One such example is customized design of the menus such that the user is guided and directed to answer only those questions required to be answered in order to conduct the particular transaction being addressed, and further to present choices to the user for his selection to minimize the need for the user to rely on his own memory or to be familiar with complicated and specialized codes to enter data or request transaction activity. With the recent and continuing explosion of the Internet, more people are becoming familiar with browser programs and their operation through their own daily activities in their personal lives. This familiarity paves the way for easier training and quicker orientation of a new user to the present invention. For large business organizations communicating at multiple levels, this significant advantage cannot be minimized as there are large numbers of people who must be continuously trained due to the growth of the organizations, as well as the replacement of employees due to the inevitable attrition. Thus, the parent invention provides an immediate increase in worker productivity, and makes that improved efficiency available to many more workers who are not particularly skilled otherwise in computer usage.
Still another advantage provided by the parent invention is through the implementation of additional functionalities which are engendered by the browser/GUI interface. As the system is continuously used, and feedback is continuously monitored and analyzed, additional features that add value through providing management information as well as by speeding transaction activity over the system may be implemented. For example, several of these features include the ability of a user to create an on demand report for transaction activity including summaries of transactions handled by a particular user or group of users which might either be open or closed. Another example of additional functionality which improves the efficiency of a user is the ability to create a repair facility call back list which allows a user to sort existing open vehicle rental reservations by repair facility (body shop) and date such that a user is presented with the list of open reservations at a particular repair facility which can be readily handled in a single telephone call while at the same time having the system on line to implement any needed changes such as extensions of reservations, etc. Additional functionality has also been provided to speed the processing of invoicing which of course also speeds their payment and cash receipts. For example, it was found that even despite the built-in error checking and correction facilities provided to the users of the system, a repetitive pattern of mistakes involving incorrect claim numbers was discovered. To speed the processing of these, an additional functionality was provided as an "electronic audit" known as invoice return which returns an invoice to a particular adjuster upon detection of an incorrect claim number for his human intervention and correction of the claim number. In this manner, problem invoices exhibiting one of the most common problems encountered may be readily handled within the system and in an efficient manner, instead of manually as before.
The parent invention also has as a significant advantage the ability to be further customized to meet the individual business partners' needs and desires as well as to provide additional functionality by offering additional features which become desirable upon accumulation of user data based on user experience. Furthermore, once implemented, they are immediately available system wide. While this allows for consistent usage, it is limited in the sense that all of the system users are forced to use the same menus, data definitions, etc. This is not seen as a limitation for the one-to-one business application intended to be primarily addressed by the parent invention.
Still another advantage of the parent invention is that the graphical user interface incorporates point and click interaction, using buttons and tabs to present or conceal data for the user's attention or inattention as the case may be, and provide a much more robust interaction capability through the creation of menu designs that allow for access to the most commonly needed features from any point in the menu architecture. This is to be contrasted with the prior system which consisted of a main frame character based interface while the parent invention with its GUI interface allows a user to point and click to navigate and to make selections by pull down selection, thereby reducing errors. As users become more experienced with the system, and their confidence level grows, they are much more likely to become bored and aggravated with the rigid structure of the prior system requiring them to follow along a certain menu architecture in order to complete certain tasks. On the other hand, the parent invention generally increases the interest of the user in using the system. These advantages of the parent invention over the prior interface promote employee productivity by allowing a user more control over his work which is critical in achieving savings in human resources to operate the system which is one of its main goals.
The present invention extends the parent invention and expands its capabilities and functionalities. With the present invention, a user may not only have access to its business partner, but also one or more competitors of its business partner through the same Internet portal. In this way, at least two needs are satisfied. First, the user can have access to a variety of providers to choose from where business needs or desires require. This allows the user to use a single portal and not have to sign on to a number of different portals, even should they be available. Furthermore, the user isn't troubled to learn how to access and use different portals even should they be available. Presently, not all providers are operating an Internet portal for offering their services, so by allowing business competitors to be accessible through the same portal, independent development of other portals is forestalled. This is a benefit to the operator of the main portal as it creates and maintains a competitive advantage by handling all of the order flow which creates a data base of useful information for marketing purposes. Although initially the portal services might be offered for no additional cost to a competitor, eventually a fee might be charged which would at least partially offset the cost for owning and operating the portal.
The design of the portal is elegant and offers great flexibility for customizing not only the menus for presentation to the user, but also in the design of the data base entries needed or desired by the user and/or the competitive provider. For example, some users might not know or care about the features of a vehicle rented and so those data entries may not be provided space on the menu for the user to fill in. The data base as handled by the networked computer system then need not keep track of that data for that customer. This feature is readily accommodated by the data base programming and is conveniently implemented.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the web portal has the capability to accommodate the varying data requirements also of the various competitive providers, but also the level of their sophistication as evidenced in their respective computer systems and interface facilities. For example, the web portal may be configured to communicate the user's order to the competitive provider via email, phone, or even through a connection directly to an integrated computer system having the same or substantially the same inter-operability as the integrated computer system of the assignee hereof. This capability extends to accommodating and matching the competing data requirements of the user and the competitive providers, and having the flexibility to design and implement menus that readily meet these competing needs. Furthermore, the present invention allows for changes to be implemented by simple re-programming of the web portal which minimizes the effort and enhances the "user friendly" aspect to the present invention.
Not only are these "global" improvements made available with the present invention, there are other more particularized improvements that add functionality within the operating framework of the parent invention. For example, one such improvement is the ability to "virtually" assign work groups within the user so that, for example, multiple adjusters might be made into a team with a shared work load so that all of the team members have access to the same pool of work, such as the placing of reservations for the same group of drivers. With this "virtual team" assignment capability, work groups may be readily re-assigned to match changing work loads without worrying about re-configuring hardware or internal network connections. This can be a very valuable feature to accommodate staffing issues over geographical distances that can be nation-wide, with access through the web portal to reservation facilities which are themselves nation-wide.
Still another feature is the ability to customize an individual user's authorization limits. As can be appreciated, one of the mixed blessings of providing enhanced functionality to the individual user's of any integrated computer system is that it places great power in the hands of the user which at the same time creates the potential for abuse. There have been well publicized instances of "rogue" employees making financial decisions or placing instructions which have far reaching financial consequences well beyond the intended authority of an employee, with disastrous results. With the present invention, one feature is the ability to limit the financial commitments that a user may make during any pre-selected time period. For example, the user's profile may limit his ability to make only a certain dollar limit of vehicle reservations over any certain number of work days. In this way, added safe guards may be conveniently provided, monitored by reporting capabilities, and changes as circumstances warrant, all with simple programming changes at the web portal.
There are still other features that are provided by the present invention that find their genesis in the different approach taken over the parent invention and owing to the inherent increased flexibility of using a web based programming for the web portal to interface between the user and the providers on the web server and eliminating the need for any custom software on the user's terminal. The details of these are to be found and described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. Examples include the ability to send confirmatory communications to the user that the reservation has been received and entered into the provider's system for fulfillment, custom report design including the capability to save and re-generate the custom report upon user command, increased flexibility to process and pay invoices, etc.
While the principal advantages and features of the invention have been discussed above, a greater understanding of the invention including a fuller description of its other advantages and features may be attained by referring to the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment which follow.
The overall system architecture for the parent invention 20 is best shown in
It should be noted that the particular computer configuration chosen as the preferred embodiment of the parent invention may itself be subject to wide variation. Furthermore, the term "mainframe" as used herein refers solely to a computer which can provide large scale processing of large numbers of transactions in a timely enough manner to suit the particular business application. Preferably, as is presently used by the assignee hereof, an IBM AS/400 mainframe computer is used as each of computers 32, 38. However, as is well known in the art, computer technology is subject to rapid change and it is difficult if not impossible to predict how these computer systems may evolve as technology advances in this art. For example, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that in the not so distant future a network of computers would provide the processing power to conduct these business operations as presently handled by "mainframe" computers. Thus, the term "mainframe" is not used in a limiting sense but merely to indicate that it is descriptive of a computer suited to handle the processing needs for a large scale business application.
It should also be noted that the communication link 46 extending between the server 42 and each of the branch offices 44 may have alternative configurations. For example, in some applications access over the Internet may itself be adequate, recognizing the vagaries of Internet service availability, reliability, and processing speed. Alternatively, this communication link 46 could well be a dedicated pipeline providing broadband service connection full time with back up connections to ensure continuous communication between a particular branch office or groups of branch offices and the service providers business operations computer system 36. Some branch offices might even be served through satellite links. Indeed, it is even possible that a mixture of these wide variations of service level be present within a single organization's structure depending upon communication link cost and availability balanced against service needs. It should merely be noted for present purposes that this communication link 46 serves as the electronic umbilical cord through which branch offices 44 communicate with the business computer system 36 of the present invention.
Attached hereto as exhibits are functional descriptions of the software programs resident on the computers comprising the two computer systems 32, 38 which implement the parent invention. More particularly, attached hereto as Exhibit A is a functional description of the software to implement the integrated business functions resident on the AS/400 or mainframe computer 38. Attached hereto as Exhibits B and C are related flow diagrams (see
As a further example of the flow of data and the functional advantages provided by the parent invention, reference is made to
The last phase of the process involves closing the transaction. During this phase of the transaction, the contract is indicated as being closed and invoiced, the services purchaser can approve invoices, reject invoices, and also remit invoices. Such invoice remittance may also include the actual transfer of funds through an electronic funds transfer medium, or otherwise as previously arranged between the business partners.
It should be understood that this is a streamlined description of the handling of a transaction, and by no means is exhaustive. For example, much more functionality is available to the user including accessing the data base to generate production reports regarding status of open or closed reservations, preparing action item lists to allow a user to organize and prioritize his work, obtaining information available in the system from having been entered by others which would otherwise require phone conversations which are inefficient and occupy still another person's time. A more detailed explanation of the functionality provided is found in the exhibits.
In summary, the parent invention creates almost an illusion that the services purchaser, and the great number of users at various levels of the multi-tier purchaser users, are actually part of the services provider organization in that immediate online access is provided to significant data which enable the user to make reservations for services, monitor those services as they are being provided, communicate with those providing the services, obtain information relating to the status of services as they are being provided, and close transactions, all by interacting with the services provider business organization over that user's PC and without human interaction required by the business providers personnel. By way of contra-distinction, for many years business has been conducted on a human level by customers picking up the telephone and calling services providers and talking to their human counterparts in order to convey information, place orders, monitor orders, including obtaining information as to status, canceling orders, questioning invoices and paying invoices, along with a myriad of other related interactions. Not only did the conduct of business in this manner entail significant amounts of human resources at both ends of the transaction, but it also led to inefficiencies, mistakes and delays all of which increase the cost of doing business and contribute to an increased risk of services being rendered in an unsatisfactory manner in many instances to the end user. The parent invention has taken the preexisting solution of providing electronic communication between the business partners to another level by "web enabling" this system for improved connectivity, improved usability, reduced training, enhanced mobility, and other advantages as described herein.
A schematic diagram of the present invention is shown in
The next layer of architecture 68 is noted in the figure as the "Enterprise private network" and is comprised of a plurality of servers 70 network connected with a network connection 72. Again, although the choice of hardware, is not considered critical by the inventors hereof, Sun Microsystem's server/work station hardware is preferably used to provide the platform for running the application software for processing the various rental vehicle transactions, as will now be explained. Attached hereto as Exhibit E are a series of functional design specifications for the ARMS/WEB application software resident on servers 70 and which provide the detailed description of the operational features of the software and system. With these functional design specifications for the individual modules, it would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that programmers of ordinary skill would be able to write software to execute these functional specifications without using inventive effort. Furthermore, the details of this implementation are not considered to provide any aspect of the best mode for carrying out the invention which is defined by the claims below. Generally, the ARMS/WEB application software permits a user to sign on and, when recognized, provides the series of menus presenting choices for the user to indicate the parameters for his reservation. A plethora of information is provided and accessible to the user through the various menus provided from which the user selects and enters data to process the reservation. An important feature of the ARMS/WEB application software is that it provides the user the opportunity to select to place his vehicle rental reservation not only with the integrated business computer system represented by the third level of architecture 74, described below, but also to route the reservation information back through the first architectural level 50 and into the Internet 54 for transmission to a competitive service provider 76. Although the interconnection is depicted in
With the present invention, the Internet portal provided by the AMRS/WEB network configured servers 70 provide an Internet portal for communication with not only the integrated computer enabled business system of the resident services provider, but also a portal for placing reservations to other competitive services provider 76. Thus, the user 52 enjoys the capability of accessing multiple service providers for competitive services through a single Internet connection using a single set of protocols, menus, etc. for the conduct of this business activity. Furthermore, the software configured network of servers 70 is readily configured in Web Logic to adapt to changing user requirements, data requirements, unique competitive service provider requirements, and other upgrades or modifications in a convenient manner by simply modifying the software resident therein. No special browser software of other interface software is required by the user and any special interconnecting software or server/hardware requirements may be satisfied as between the service providers such that the user is presented with a seamless interconnection. As the present invention is configured and works well with the integrated business and computer systems as disclosed herein, it is anticipated that such interconnection and usability may be readily translated to any other such integrated computer system as might be found in other competitive service providers, as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, with the present invention, a user is provided with Internet access through a single portal to a plurality of service providers and, to the extent possible, to their integrated computer business systems.
Various changes and modifications to the preferred embodiment as explained herein would be envisioned by those of skill in the art. Examples of these changes and modifications include the utilization of computer systems configured in any one of a myriad of ways using present technology alone. For example, mobile computers are presently available and wireless technology could be used to extend the integrated business network of the services provider, as well as match the mobility needed by the various users connected to and using the present invention. The particular software, and various aspects and features of its design, have been adapted for particular application to the vehicle rental business. Of course, computer software applications satisfying other business needs would necessarily require adaptation to their particular business models. Thus, it is envisioned by the inventors herein that the various software programs described herein would be matched to the particular business application to which the invention is utilized. These and other aspects of the preferred embodiment should not be viewed as limiting and instead be considered merely as illustrative of an example of the practical implementation of the present invention. These changes and modifications should be considered as part of the invention and the invention should be considered as limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto and their legal equivalents.
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Biggest hypocrite award: President Obama who proclaimed his concern about the American taxpayers, the middle class and the deficit make two round trip flights on Air Force One to Hawaii for a total cost of vacation transportation expense – that we paid for – to more than $7 million. Because it's Obama, it's ok?
Ban ammunition
The solution to getting rid of military assault weapons in America is not by banning them, it is by banning ammunition they use. This wouldn't violate anyone's Second Ammendment rights to own these type of weapons. It would just make the ability to use them impossible. Therefore, we should just pass laws to make the buying, selling, trading, possessing and manufacture of the ammunition that these weapons require a felony. Requiring a minimum of 10 years in prison for violating these laws. If people are willing to step up and pass these type of laws, we will not only be safer but we can do this without any Constitutional problems.
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WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – City Council voted to rezone roughly 7 acres on Scurry Street as light industrial, which is a change from the landowner's initial request.
Originally the owner wanted to rezone most of the land as industrial.
The zoning would accommodate offices, a distribution center or even a warehouse facility.
In April, the City Planning commission failed to endorse the project, because some members were concerned about exactly would go on the site.


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Bring dog to the Hoops & Hounds game Sunday for cool escape with your best friend
By Talk About It! Only in San Antonio can you get out of the 100-degree heat and watch a WNBA basketball game with your best friend. The San Antonio Silver Stars basketball game on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 3:30 p.m., will be their annual Hoops & Hounds game. Fans can buy a ticket for their […] [Read More]


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A spectacular feat of engineering and creativity that you have to see to believe. And just guess what inspired its making. Just marvelous!
How do we prime our brains to take the meandering mental paths necessary for creativity? New techniques of brain imaging, Rex Jung says, are helping us gain a whole new view on the differences between intelligence, creativity, and personality. He unsettles some old assumptions — and suggests some new connections between creativity and family life, creativity and aging, and creativity and purpose.
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is an Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of New Mexico and a practicing clinical neuropsychologist in Albuquerque. He's a Distinguished Senior Advisor to The Positive Neuroscience Project based at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Read The New Yorker article on brainstorming that Rex Jung and Krista discussed in the show, which includes discussion of MIT's Building 20.
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If you liked this story, Fresh Air did a show this week on a nearly identical topic. Dave Davies interviewed Jonah Lehrer on his new book Imagine, and touches on many of the same issues that Krista did with Rex Jung. I happened to listen to the podcasts back-to-back and it was a little freaky, not realizing beforehand that the topics were the same.
Because our brain stores information based on invariant patterns and is this prediction machine. This is based on the work of Jeff Hawkens. It seems to me that creativity is about the mis-storing based on invariant patterns. I often find some of the most creative people also have ADD or what I call inattention. Which seems to me prevents this Stove Piping that Rex Jung is describing.
I am challenged by the anti-brainstorming notion. I wonder about how it is executed and facilitated. Often I find the best way to generate the best ideas is to have a group take time on their own to ideate before they share the ideas. When they share it, I find it generates even more ideas once they begin to hear others thoughts.
I am a serial entrepreneur and help elevate leaders become stronger leaders thru executive coaching.
Could it be that the condition of "transient hypo-frontality" is the portal designed through which God can communicate with us? The path for "clear small voice"? "Be still, and know"?
I have not listened to the
I have not listened to the show yet, but wanted to respond to your posting. I am fascinated by the topic. I started writing, creatively, 6 years ago. And little by little learning to trust myself to yield into something greater. I am very close to God, but it seems more intimate than God, even though I belief a piece of God is within. There seems some lovely hugeness that wishes to dance its own language into poetry, prose poetry, or prose. And to do it with me. As I have learned to co create, trust it, integrate it, my writing is amazing. (Not the kind of writing I am doing in this moment. People clap and gasp when I read it. I have had 10 of my poems published in a women's quarterly and another 5 accepted for another quarterly. (The only ones I have submitted) . I find this ride quite extraordinary here in my 78th year. I wonder if the aging brain that surrenders to less functioning then yields more easily to this creative force... all in caps. And that is the Greater Self of me, who I am behind the personal, personality self, the little one I am writing to you.
Of late I find myself wondering what civilization -- presumably a construct driven by intelligence and creativity -- is "for." The question behind that is "what drives creativity and intelligence -- and what are they for?" Your celebration and exploration of these two qualities opens that discussion for me. Thank you for going well beyond the "pop ideology" that the everyday mind usually deploys in response to creativity and intelligence -- the rhetoric that values "thinking outside the box" only as a route to business advantage, and lionizes Einstein because of the atom bomb, but sees him as a kind of alien whose brain must be kept in a jar for study. Cultural ambivalence toward intelligence and creativity is an index of their potential to gift and to disrupt. Too often the ambivalence hardens into suspicion and hostility.
Your discussion with Dr. Jung opens a deeper window into these qualities as distinct-but-inseparable aspects of mind. Perhaps they exist, first and foremost, to be themselves and to build a Gestalt that supports their continued survival. In exchange, perhaps as a kind of symbiosis, they offer some compensation for mortality by enriching the experience of life for all who can accept them as natural and human. For those who cherish intelligence and creativity, the main challenge is to make benign and constructive contact that nurtures them for as long as possible.
I teach art to children with Cerebral palsy at HMS school.and Sculpture to blind and legally blind students at Philadelphia Museum of Art. It is great to hear what we do in creative process can make some physical change in the brain.When he explained practicing repetitious juggling made change in the brain, made me think repeating to paint or make sculpture can give permanent positive physical effect in children's brain. I know brain can store so much, I have 92 years old blind student who is colorist in her sculpture. She uses color paper and paste to color her sculpture. She has not seen color since she was 8 years old.She has vivid memory of farm life from before she lost her sight. In her case creating is her reason to live. I would love to see MRI image of her brain when she thinks of color.and invent ideas for new sculpture.
Regarding the discussion about the source of MIT's Building 20's creativity: my father David L. Bobroff, a physicist, worked in Building 20 for a number of years right after WW II. His explanation for its creativity was in part that the building had been thrown up so quickly during the war that its scientists were allowed to do whatever they needed to the building itself. The building was no architectural gem. So if physicists wanted to try an experiment that required, say, wires running from a lab on one floor to somewhere on another floor, they were welcome to rig it up however they wanted to, drilling holes through ceilings and walls or whatever - because everyone expected that scientific experimentation would create exciting progress for human beings. So it was partly that freedom for scientists and engineers to remake their environment experimentally that was key - something like kids' dream of being free to play messily and creatively together.
I do also remember the wonderful friendships my father had with his international colleagues, who used to come to our house on weekends. He was happier during those years, I think, than any time I knew him afterward.
So fun hearing of your father
So fun hearing of your father's joy and happiness! And how sad that his life let go of that and let it "run away".
I truly appreciate the On Being segment and Krista's bringing to listeners information about the news, thinking and people who speak to the humanistic side of living which promotes infintessimly more important dialog than the typical news we are forced to absorb. The interview with Rex Jung introduced to me ideas about how my brain works in creative mode, but that I have not known how to express. And, Krista's voice is as melifluous as her marvelous ability to connect to listeners - I so enjoy her interviews.
Homosexuality and creativity in the arts seem to coincide so often, I wonder if they share a neuro-anatomical basis? Consider the links below on art, music and their apparent synchronicity with same-sex orientation. While it might be easy to attribute the creativity of gay persons with social pressures and sensibilities driven by tensions within identity, I wonder if a clue to understanding homosexuality could be found in Dr Jung's research into the brain and the creative process?
Thanks to this episode with Rex Jung, as well as several other public radio shows I listen to (including RadioLab and Soundcheck) I got ideas for this personal essay I wrote on the brain, memory, and my mom, who recently died of brain lymphoma.
The Blue-Eyed Man in a Suit
I've written quite a bit about my mom over the last year. Other pieces I'm proud of include these:
Mom, 1938-2011
Eating Sushi at Stoplights (published in Crate Literary Magazine)
And the eulogy I read at her funeral:
Thank you for your show. I enjoy it very much and it gives me a lot to think about in my life.
David Olimpio
Brain plays an vital role in
Brain plays an vital role in every step of our life. All the creative things should be done only by brain.
It's too bad that Rex Jung
It's too bad that Rex Jung doesn't know any assertive people, or any people that thrive in a brainstorming environment. I still consider it the best possible dynamic group process for generating new ideas, and have been involved in using it successfully many many times.
It's too bad that Rex Jung doesn't know any assertive people, or any people that thrive in a brainstorming environment. I still consider it the best possible dynamic group process for generating new ideas, and have been involved in using it successfully many many times.
The assertives do indeed "thrive" in the brain-storming environ, but generally, top-notch ideas aren't produced. You end up with the "best" of the "so-so" ideas bandied.
The elusive but coruscating, "ground breaking" idea will come from the silent loner of the group. Why? He/she's been thinking and pondering while the assertives are busy being assertive.
Try this: after the brain-storming session has convened, sit down and over a cup of coffee have a tete-a-tete with the reticent guy or gal for the really "great leap forward" idea.
The assertives do indeed
The assertives do indeed "thrive" in the brain-storming environ, but generally, top-notch ideas aren't produced. You end up with the "best" of the "so-so" ideas bandied.
The elusive but coruscating, "ground breaking" idea will come from the silent loner of the group. Why? He/she's been thinking and pondering while the assertives are busy being assertive.
Try this: after the brain-storming session has convened, sit down and over a cup of coffee have a tete-a-tete with the reticent guy or gal for the really "great leap forward" idea.
I really enjoyed listening
I really enjoyed listening the Rex Jung's perspective and insight regarding intelligence and creativity. I hold his opinion in high regard because he has looked at both sides in great depth. Being in neuroscience teaches how the brain works and functions while being involved in events such as the "Special Olympics" adds a whole different element.
I think that no matter what level of intelligence we are at, creativity is the factor that makes life enjoyable and purposeful. Jung stated, "it is human characteristics that provides meaning in life" and I couldn't agree more. My sister works in a nursing home and her daily goal is to make the residents' day better. She has found that by simply playing a game, doing an activity or even talking about life events changes the moods and outlook of those she comes in contact with. There is so much "intelligence" that still exists within the patients in every nursing home, but when they are no longer allowed to exercise "creativity" all is lost.
steve jobs developed more his
steve jobs developed more his ornery side for the purpose of a creative vision because he had to. he worked not with a paint brush or writing instrument but thru thousands of people who were inclined to wanting to remain in their comfort zones, that he had to challenge for results. those who understood that were those who were his best employees who understood this dynamic.
What a great way to start my
What a great way to start my Sunday morning. Just caught the end of this interview on VPR and was really moved by what Jung had to say. This was one of the best interviews I've ever heard, in part because of the quality of the conversation and in part because of what I'm personally struggling with right now. I was so impressed with Krista's questions and Rex's perspective, insight and wisdom - he is truly wise. I especially loved his description of a beautiful mind and the impact his experience with Special Olympics athletes had on him. I can't wait to pursue this topic further and explore Jung's work I also feel very lucky to have happened upon "On Being" and plan to make that part of my routine.
I am writing this as I listen
I am writing this as I listen now to your interview with Dr. Jung on creativity. It is very interesting. Brain development is always of interest to me, especially in the area if dyspraxia.
I would like to request your assistance in ridding our society of the use of the "R" word to describe persons who face daily challenges with intellectual/ development disabilities (IDD). As the mother of a son who faces life with IDD it is hard for me to hear the "R" word used as a description. My son does face life with intellectual disabilities but is physically very capable and in some ways creative as he deals with life. He is a long distance runner in Special Olympics, even serving as a torch runner and cauldron lighter for the National Games in Lincoln, NE in 2010. He has by no means reached his full potential intellectually but thanks to his continued training programs at the age of 28, he is working hard to get there. I have no doubt that his brain continues to develop.
THANK YOU for the morning on
THANK YOU for the morning on Creativity - I LOVE YOUR SHOW! I listen almost every week - and always garner jewels...thank you for helping me to grow in such delicious ways!
Listening to your talk with
Listening to your talk with Rex Jung allows me to clearly see once again how mesmerized we are by science and the accumulation of facts, and how it somehow winds up being taken as the form of knowledge par excellence. Our subjectivity about it is endlessly reinforced, making us believe that science truly has all the answers, or that there is very little which we can't figure out scientifically, given time. We are in a such a deep materialistic trance that we can't seem to snap out of it, and perhaps this kind of hard-wiring, as a seeming result of this over-emphasis, is very difficult to undo. Rejecting this outward focus, many have been turning more inwardly - via meditative practices, more spiritually oriented exercises and body work like yoga and chigung, and doing self-inquiry via advaita satsangs - and are thus consciously moving away from this paradigm. Hopefully this activity by more recent generations represents a more selective trend towards an expanded sense of reality, and an even more noble gesture of what our evolution is producing… if we allow it to unfold.
It would be of interest to
It would be of interest to have you interview Even Alexander, a neurosurgeon, who has a different conclusion on continuation of consciousness after brain death, in opposition to the neuroscientist you had on your program tonight. Alexander wrote a book, after his own NDE, called Proof of Heaven.
Creative, novel and useful is
Creative, novel and useful is the best way to describe your show. Your playlist is a nice addendum.
You talk and the statement
You talk and the statement that the brain structure changes reminded me of Jiddu Krishnamurti. I quote him here:
" Insight is not a matter of memory, of knowledge and time, which are all thought. So I would say insight is the total absence of the whole movement of thought as time and remembrance. So there is direct perception. It is as though I have been going North for the last ten thousand years, and my brain is accustomed to going North, and somebody comes along and says, that will lead you nowhere, go East. When I turn round and go East the brain cells have changed. Because I have an insight that the North leads nowhere.
I will put it differently. The whole movement of thought, which is limited, is acting throughout the world now. It is the most important action, we are driven by thought. But thought will not solve any of our problems, except the technological ones. If I see that, I have stopped going North. I think that with the ending of a certain direction, the ending of a movement that has been going on for thousands of years, there is at that moment an insight that brings about a change, a mutation, in the brain cell."
Questioning Krishnamurti, p 165
In my teens, I received a
In my teens, I received a brain injury that twisted and tore my corpus callosum. I think Sujata's point of view best illustrates the creative process. It's the openness that breathes inspiration into the spirit. Not struggling and controlling outcomes like a downhill skier controlling his momentum and direction (to create novel connections) --which is something brainstorming secretly tries to stumble into.
I thought this show was
I thought this show was interesting, but I think you might get a richer, more broader perspective on creativity and the brain by interviewing Iain McGilchrist, whose book "The Master and the Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World" puts recent brain science in literary, philosophical, and cultural historical perspective. He knows what Jung knows and lots more, and with McGilchrist one encounters a creative élan and synthetic imagination that one does not find so much in this show's interviewee.
As a composer, I too am
As a composer, I too am fascinated by the creative process. Krista, I thoroughly enjoyed your interview w Rex Jung. Toward the end of the podcast he stated that the personal residue we leave with this planet and community are "as close to immortality as your going to get." May I suggest he check out the book "Proof of Heaven," recently published by one of his neuroscience colleagues, Dr. Eben Alexander. Dr. Alexander's account of his "death" experience might cause Dr. Jung to reconsider his take on immortality. Krista, thanks for the fabulous, insightful work you do!!
Awesome site!
Awesome site!
I'm a professional musician
I'm a professional musician with a strong interest in neuroscience, so many of Krista Tippett's shows are right up my alley, since she obviously digs this subject area. Regarding Steve Jobs and his personality… It is clear that most leader types (and this includes "stars" in the world of entertainment, music, art, etc.) have immense egos. The huge ego is a necessity for the leader to be a leader, if you know what I mean. The strong ego often comes along with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, which many, many of these people have in spades. (I have certainly seen this among many musician colleagues over the years.) If you have studied this disorder you know that the person is basically a "bulldozer". It is unfortunate, but as I said, it sort of comes with the territory!
I would like to be in direct
I would like to be in direct contact with Dr. Jung to share ideas. I am a public intellectual who is thinking deeply and independently about the mind for non-scientists as a unique animate autonomous machine broadly analogous to a computer. I am 96 yeas young with a very creative mind. I introduced computer law to the world in 1960, which includes various legal ramifications of the use of computers. I now would like to introduce the law of the modernly perceived mind as such a machine, to consider relevant legal ramifications of the updated perception. I hope that I am striking a responsive chord with you..
Ideas have been, and can be,
Ideas have been, and can be, the solution of almost every human problem. As an artists-I'm obsessed with following this research. Thank you for putting it out there!
Because I have a dear friend
Because I have a dear friend who has help introduce me to your site, I once again have used my beautiful mind to investigate more of what I am. Thank you so much! May you be mindfully well. I look forward to watching some of your videos and many more.
I listened to 'creativity and
I listened to 'creativity and the everyday brain', an interview with Rex Jung. One of the first things he discussed was that intelligence is not linked to creativity. Someone can be very intelligent and have little creativity, while another can be extremely creative yet not very intelligent. This made me think of a youtube video about Derek Paravicini, a man that is mentally retarded and blind that has extreme musical talent and can play whatever he hears on the piano. Rex explains that with intelligence, the more brain mass and connectivity we have, the more intelligent we will be. However, the less connectivity and brain activity is what creates creativity. Much of the creative process is found in the frontal lobe, so the myth about the left brain (logic) and right brain (imagination) is not necessarily true. Both sides of the brain are necessary for creative thinking. Humor is a large indication of creativity. Many of the same mental process for creativity are used for humor.
Rex explains that creativity is both novel and useful. Art, music, dance, and other creative activities are seen as great things in our world. Yet we have to shut down our intellectual thinking in order to be creative, but this doesn't mean our creativity is useless. Most of the times we are making our brain concentrate on specific things, like when we study for a test. However for creativity, we actually let our mind wonder, the less we are trying to achieve a specific goal the more creative we will be. Thinking about my own life I see how this is true. I play guitar, and often while trying to make songs I have an idea in my head of how it should sound. The song never sounds good in the end. When I am super bored and just pick up the guitar for something to do I find myself playing a 'new song' that is ten times better than anything I have tried to write. When I stop thinking about what I'm playing and just play what pop into my head is when I come up with my best musical creation. This has to do with this creative process that Rex is talking about, the less activity in our brain, the more creativity we show.


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Of course Samsung is releasing a gold Galaxy S4
Less than a week after the iPhone 5s went on sale in gold, Samsung is now proudly showing off its latest creation; a gold Galaxy S4. We're not here to claim Apple was first with a gold phone, because obviously that's not true, but given all the 'copying' talk in recent months and years, it's almost predictable.
But, while – perhaps surprisingly so – Apple's gold iPhone 5s looks pretty tasteful, I'm not sure the same can be said for Samsung's effort. For one, we can't actually see the back of the phone, but the shade around the edges looks less Champagne, and more, well gold. It also comes in two very odd choices of front; brown and pink. While white and gold, or even black and gold would seem like the best option, brown and pink seems, well odd.
Samsung's Arabia Twitter account has been showing off the new phone, so it's quite possible it will only sell in limited markets. It's all in good fun of course, but what do you think to this? Gold seems to be the new black, but has Samsung gone a little mad?
Source: Samsung (Twitter)
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Reader comments
Of course Samsung is releasing a gold Galaxy S4
oh pleaaaasseee!
You must be an apple insider if you think Apple uses a swype keyboard. Plastic phone was copied? 3G and 3Gs much? Yeah quick settings was made by Android too huh? Weird that they appeared in custom skins/roms before google implemented them. Get your stuff straight before opening your unaware mouth.
wizzy, dick much?!
Okay, really? Gold and brown?
Are we sure this is not a rumor?
My Nintendo 64 was 64 bit. So time has been up for 17 years :P Elitists only make themselves look dumb. If android has 64-bit capabilities before your "years" that you expect, we will be coming back to your comment. Just remember that. I am an iPad and MacBook Pro user btw. Don't fall into the stereotype.
Android is already 64bit compatible. It has been for a while.
Samsung is better than Apple anyways. Plus Apple copies stuff from Samsung all the time FYI
Lol it is a well known DOCUMENTED fact that Samsung copies Apple not the other way around.
One really nice phone coming out very soon from Samsung is the S4 with a curved glass display with sick # of pixels. Pictures over at the verge. Say what you want about Samsung they do great things with mobile phones. I own a few Samsung phones, buying the Note 3 as well. I also have the 5S and think that is a great phone. The innovation going on at Samsung is over the top. I think their phones are top of the line, all this talk about cheap plastic is just cheap talk. Reason the phones feel different is very simple, they have backs that open. If the 5C had removable back, well, they would feel the same way. Android customers want removable backs, I prefer removable back with sd-card support. I am a mobile phone geek who enjoys both Operating Systems. Don't get me wrong I really enjoy my new 5S in white with 64gb of int storage, love it but I would be lying if I didn't say that I enjoy the hell out of hacking the Android OS with new roms like the new CyanogenMod and many others. Enough of my long winded comment. Samsung and Apple make great phones, that is why they are selling millions more than any other manufacturer. Just My Opinion
My old phone was a Samsung Galaxy S3 and I found it had major speed problems. I like android and iOS like you but I don't understand how samsung can release a phone that stutters all of the time due to additional software.
I got fed up of it and with the release of the iPhone 5S got one on contract. I'm loving that I can leave my phone on the desk and it will loose a few percent battery over my working day. I love that apple add new features all of the time but there are no UI laggyness. It's not perfect, I miss the keyboard changes for example.
As far as the copying goes everyone is copying each other and this is not a bad thing. All cars have 4 wheels, hell without 'copying' we wouldn't have SMS or any for of standard like HTML.
Twitter copied the hashtag from webos, Microsoft made (Granted bad) tablets and smartphones years before apple even entered the market, google copied the card UI from webos.
Copying a killer feature makes everyone's experiance better. I don't like them ripping off but being inspired by something great like google now's prediction would be great to see.
Who in the world thought about those color combinations? They are absolutely hideous!
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LOL, Android itself is a copy of iOS. Have you seen the Google phone designs before the iPhone. It took them another year to spruce it up. The guy who programmed & initially designed Android did it after hours while he was working for Apple. No wonder Steve had a s..tfit. Samsung is even being accused of copying the Dyson vacuum cleaner designs. God only knows whom else they've been ripping off. Most of the guys that started Palm were from Apple also because Steve wasn't enamored with PDA's. Remember the Newton.
You would have to pay me to use Android. The pedestrian version of iOS.
Bhahha, pedestrian version of iOS. That's a good one.
I love both iOS and Android, but I do know that when it comes to pedestrian, Android is not that.
Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of applause to the one, the only..... Mr. Me Too.
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Really is this how pathetic people are getting about colors being copied, BTW Samsung released a gold phone in China in August called the galaxy golden so it's not like they didn't do a gold colour before.. as for the gold on these s4s being more ''gold' I read somewhere that the gold is real gold hence why it's only being released in UAE for am guessing the super rich again if the rumours that it's real gold. Finally can we please stop with these pathetic copying arguments,the fact is everyone copies everyone, it really is sad that people are still in that ''your company copied my company '' mentality.
So what? Whaa. It's not a big deal. Like it's not a big deal that apple's multitasking looks like webos, or it's went flat after windows went flat, or that it there were plenty of black phones before apple's went black. Don't sweat the small stuff.
I think the all gold S4 looks a little overdone, instead of tasteful. I could see the gold/pink one selling to ladies like hot cakes on Sunday morning though.
Personally I like the gold 5S but wish Apple had made more of the front anodized. If I put a case on it, the gold will just disappear. Hopefully the 6 will be better, as that is what I'm waiting for.
it's ugly as shit!!! I'd be embarrassed to be with anyone who has this phone
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That's so ugly it stinks!
Bah, give it a rest. Samsung launches a leather back and people make fun of it. Two weeks later Apple announces leather cases. And do we really want to get started on how badly Apple is more or less just lifting huge swaths of OS design from Android and WP7 at this point. Apple no longer has UI style, it's simply a mashup of the two. Let's just enjoy our iPhones and move on with our lives.
Are you really saying that this fabled "Gold s4" is tasteless without actually seeing what it really looks like? Come on. These pictures are crap and don't show anything. Chances are, it's a mock-up and the colors are skewed.


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|Sheridan, OR
|Previous School:
|Stoneridge Prep
2012-13 Season (Freshman)
A starter in 26 of the 31 games ... Led the team with 30 blocks (0.9 bpg, #8 in the BWC) ... The 30 blocks were fifth-best for a single season in school history ... A double-digit scorer in three games including a season-high 17 points (7-for-10 from the floor) at CSF?(1/31/13) along with eight rebounds ... Grabbed a season-high eleven rebounds at USD?(11/15/12) and against Cal Poly (2/28/13) ... Grabbed ten rebounds at UCR(2/2/13) ... Averaged 4.3 rebounds per game.
Stoneridge Prep
Averaged 13.0 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.5 blocks per game against a very strong national prep school schedule in 2011-12 ... The schedule included games against national high school powers Oak Hill Academy (Va.) and Findlay Prep (Las Vegas, Nv) ... Chalked up 28 double-doubles (points-rebounds) at Stoneridge Prep ... Also produced five games in which he grabbed 20 or more rebounds ... In the season finale against La Jolla Prep, tallied 27 points and grabbed 27 rebounds ... Coached by Les Bean, who was Josh Greene's coach at Community Charter High School in Los Angeles ... In 2010-11, Tre played at Sheridan High School in Oregon where he also put up excellent numbers on both ends of the floor ... Averaged 14.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.6 blocks and 2.1 steals per game ... Helped Sheridan High School to a 22-8 record and a third place finish in the Oregon State Basketball Tournament ... Also excelled in track & field where he was state champion in the javelin (2009, 2010) and a standout wide receiver in football.
Matador Memo
Born December 31, 1992 in Stockton, Calif. ... His mother is Tarah Hale ... His favorite professional athlete is Larry Fitzgerald, a wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals ... His favorite actor is Will Smith ... Likes to watch "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" ... His favorite movie is Friday Night Lights ... Loves to eat pasta but stays away from mushrooms ... His favorite solo musical artist is Drake ... His greatest sports moment was when he broke a backboard while dunking ... The best thing about being a student-athlete, according to Tre, is meeting new people ... The toughest part about being a student-athlete is being tired ... Relaxes by sleeping and being with friends ... His favorite website is nike.com ... Would like to switch places for a day with Bill Gates ... Would save his money if he had a million dollars ... His advice to young people is to "take things seriously now so you can have fun later" ... Can't live without his cell phone ... Undeclared major.


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dustinmroberts wrote:Any chance you could give us a step by step on how you attached the mount to the falcon? I'd love to do something like this!
Gooker1 wrote:That's just brilliant work! I would love to see video on all the working functions! Hopefully you can load something on youtube down the road.
Andi wrote:thanks for the video. So you built this bracket with the black technic bricks, screwed these on the mount, and then connect the Falcon with these two red pins?
Users browsing this forum: Athos and 5 guests


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We can't get away from it any longer – there's under a month left until Christmas. *gasp* Lights and decorations are going up, and so is our blood pressure, thinking of all the presents that still need to be picked up.
Fear not, Alfred's here to help. Set up a few custom searches for your favourite shopping sites or just use the handy built-in Amazon web search to find gifts quickly. Let Alfred help you get your shopping done quickly, so that you can start relaxing early with a glass of mulled wine.
Custom searches for shopping
We know you have your favourite stores. So why not set up a few custom searches to get quick search results?
Click on any of the custom searches below to import them to Alfred on your own Mac:
- Search the Apple Store (US) (keyword 'apple')
- Search ThinkGeek (keyword 'tgeek')
- Search Firebox (UK) (keyword 'firebox')
- Search Threadless tshirts (keyword 'thread')
Need to create your own? Here's how you can create your own custom search for Alfred.
A quick way to search Amazon
Let's face it – all of these custom searches are superfluous. When inspiration (or panic) hits, odds are you'll turn to Alfred's default Amazon web search for a quick purchase. The quickest way to do this is to pop up Alfred and type "amazon black socks". And that's dad's sorted for another year!
Your favourite shopping sites
Please share your favourite shopping sites in the comments of this blog post. Note that we have found the old-school http://tinyurl.com/ a reliable way of shortening custom search links exported from Alfred.
Happy shopping – and don't forget the wrapping paper!
Andrew and Vero


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"FAMILY". Definition – Ancestry; descendants; lineage; clan….
Let me take you to the back-to back slums of Birmingham, 1892.
George Henry Spicer…….
has married Ellen Harwood.
Together they had 12 children. One of these children was Lily.
It was 1922 when Lily…..
….met Tommy.
Tommy and Lily got married.
Lily had two baby girls. The youngest they named Jean.
In 1952, Jean met a boy named Brian.
Brian and Jean got married.
Jean had two little babies. The youngest was a girl and they named her Helen.
This is Helen. Me.
Helen met Bob, and now they have two amazing boys.
My Family:- ancestry; descendants; lineage; clan.
Have you written any of your family stories yet? Seriously, what are you waiting for?


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Last night Britney Spears was spotted out on the town with cheeseball magician Criss Angel. The pair ended up partying at some hotel and then spent the night together in Angel's room. The worst part is that Brit's bodyguard was spotted running out to a 7-11 to buy condoms. Ugh. Criss couldn't just pull them out of a hat or something? This is the fourth hot Hollywood starlet Criss Angel has been linked to (see above for reference), and while his "illusions" aren't mind-blowing, his macking skills sure are. Maybe while he's at it he can work some magic on the current state of Britney's career, too. [X17, Us Weekly. Images: Getty]
Related Content
Britney's Naked Hot Tub Makeout Session
Browse Britney Spears Photos


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Who wears short shorts best?
Nothing screams LA like a pair of super-short shorts. Can you tell which of Hollywood's hottest wears this leggy style best?
Your score: 0
Who looks better in short shorts?
See how many out of 20 you can get right. Score by clicking on the photo with the most votes.
Good luck!


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Christopher sets out to prove himself at the race, John Ross tries to thwart him, Emma makes a bold move and shots ring out.
John Ross and Sue Ellen smugly join a disgruntled Christopher and Bobby in their first board meeting. Pamela joins them. Christopher and Bobby declare they are yanking the lease so there will be no more drilling on Southfork. Unless John Ross and Sue Ellen give up the shares in Ewing Energies they took from Elena. John Ross won't have it. Attention turns to Pamela, who holds the deciding vote. Christopher tries to sway her by showing off his new energy with the racecar. He knows he can win the race against the standard fuel car and urges her to believe in him.
Gary comes to the Ewing offices. John Ross wonders who let Uncle Gary out of the cul-de-sac. Words are exchanged and Gary wonders where JR is. John Ross explains he is in Abu Dhabi closing oil leases. Gary meets with Bobby in his office. Val left him after he fell off the wagon and the separation is costing him a fortune. Gary needs to make sure Bobby's plan will work. Bobby assures him it will and offers to float him a loan in the meantime. Gary and Sue Ellen catch up in the break room. Sue Ellen warns him if Bobby bankrupts the company he could end up with nothing. Gary knows Bobby is the only one who has ever had his back. She suggests they go to the race together.
In another office, Christopher meets with a woman, who is the transportation commissioner, about his natural energy plan. He wants to show her committee what it can do at the race.
Drew meets up with his sister while she's running. He apologizes for the mess he created, but Elena thanks him for saving her life. He wishes he could have saved their father. He still wants to prove himself. He needs to know if there is oil on their father's old land. If there isn't he will let it go. Elena promises to talk to Christopher.
John Ross meets Pamela in her office. She tells him she spoke to her father. They think the company is stronger with both oil and alternative fuels. He's not happy, but she reminds him they are both just looking out for themselves.
John Ross meets with his investigator, who tells him about Christopher's pit crew guy Denny. It seems he has a penchant for the horses. John Ross visits him at his home and offers to pay off his gambling debts if he does him a favor. Meanwhile, the investigator updates JR on the car and the dirt on Harris.
Christopher returns home to update Elena on Pamela holding the deciding vote regarding Ewing Energies. She doesn't like it, but Christopher says she's a means to an end. He promises Elena she'll be back at Ewing in no time.
At the house, Judith and Harris tell Emma she is going back to London. She's clearly unhappy by the decision. Emma meets Ann at the stables. She relays a story about how controlling her grandmother is. Ann asks her to go for a ride. She agrees and revels in how free is she there. Back at the house, Harris knows Emma is with Ann. Judith orders him to keep control over Emma. She won't let him lose their daughter.
After Christopher works on his car in the garage, Denny emerges from the shadows.
Emma wakes up in bed to Harris, who knows she was with her mother. She wants to stay in Dallas to get to know Ann. Harris won't allow it. He asks if she's been taking her meds for anxiety. She hasn't, so he hands her a pill. When Judith comes for Emma to leave for their flight, she finds her room empty. She rails at Harris for bringing Emma back. She wonders what was so bewitching about Ann. She keeps pushing until Harris grabs her and says he loved Ann because she wasn't her.
Elena and Drew lay the groundwork to drill for oil. The first day leaves Drew encouraged. He wants to buy back the land from the Ewings and asks her to go into business with him.
At Ewing, Sue Ellen receives a bunch of letters from JR that were from when they were courting. There's a new one in there, but she won't open it.
Everyone gathers at the track for the race. As it gets started, Sue Ellen flirts with Gary who wonders why she's being so nice to him all of a sudden. After a solid start, Christopher's car starts having problems. Christopher scrambles to fix it, as John Ross nods at Denny. Christopher gets his car back in action and wins the race. After celebrating with his crew, Christopher talks with the transportation commissioner who thinks he's golden with the committee. Pamela throws her support behind Christopher because it's the right decision for the company. John Ross glowers. Christopher demands Elena's shares back, but John Ross won't back down. Christopher says his greed will be his downfall and he'll only have himself to blame.
Bobby and Ann return home to find Emma, who wants to stay there. Ann says, "Welcome home."
Alone in his office, John Ross receives a call from JR. John Ross relays the bad news, but says there is a play to be made. JR already has a plan. It will be his masterpiece. JR doesn't think John Ross should have to pay for his sins. He's proud of his son. John Ross is touched, but then hears gunshots. He yells, "Dad!" into the phone.
Lori's thoughts:
Well, that was sadly the last of JR. It's hard to think of "Dallas" without the notorious character or his portrayer Larry Hagman. John Ross is a chip off the old block and nice to look at, but no one can fill those scheming shoes. It was nice JR went out on a good note with his son though. John Ross really needed some positive reinforcement from his Daddy. I just want to know what his "masterpiece" is. Hopefully we'll find out and JR's presence will always be around mucking things up. The other notable points of the episode were having Gary back and Judith Light's deliciously creepy performance as Harris' too attached mother. I could do without the Ann/Emma storyline, but Ms. Light needs to stick around.
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All screen shots courtesy Zade Rosenthal/Dallas TNT.
- Lori Wilson


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Spring is here and along with it has come not only the new green leaves on trees and the sounds of peepers filling the evening, but also the intense smell of wood smoke as forest fire season has hit the region — and hit it hard.
Kristy Ritchie, a chief forester with the Kentucky Division of Forestry's Kentucky River District, said since the beginning of the spring forest fire season the division has seen 36 fires in Perry County; 15 of those fires have been reported just since April 1 totaling 2,002 acres burned so far in the county just since that date.
"Our spring season starts Feb. 15 and runs through April 30, and just in the past couple of weeks we've started really getting dry. We've not had much rain and it's kicking in full force," Ritchie said.
Ritchie said the division, along with local fire departments, have been battling fires this week in Rowdy, Fourseam, and Grapevine, where one of the biggest fires they've seen this season started near a community behind Fugate's Entertainment. She said that fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday and had since spread across the mountain.
"We've not got that one contained because last night (Wednesday night) the fire burnt so large that it burned 3-phase power poles down, so there was electric lines laid for a good two miles on the whole stretch of road that you take to get to the fire," she said. "We had to wait for the power company to get down there, and we're still actually waiting for them to get one end of it took care of before we can go back in there."
The majority of the fires the division deals with are arson, Ritchie said, though they're still not sure right now exactly what the cause of this fire is.
"It could be anything, the downed power lines might have started it, but I'd probably tend probably more towards arson. I'd say 90 percent of our fires are arson," she added.
To fight the fires, Ritchie said the division uses things like fire rakes and leaf blowers to clear away brush and dried leaves to try to contain the fire and let it die on its own.
"Where the fuel's removed, it can't cross what's called that containment line," she explained.
Ritchie said no one has had to evacuate their homes because of the proximity of any fires yet, and there is only one piece of advice she can give to those Perry Countians who are trying to make it through the season fire-free.
"If everybody would just not burn anything we'd be OK!"


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Attention all users of this forum - if you post or if you just lurk! Now's your chance to get involved and make a difference for the Preeclampsia Foundation, the organization that brings you this valuable Forum.
The 18 Walk Coordinators across the US and Canada are challenging you to beat them!
May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month and official walks are being held all across the United States and Canada. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and now everybody has a chance to participate. If you can't get to a walk near you, get involved online by making a pledge of any amount and, if you can, take a stroll around your neighborhood. The exercise won't hurt either. All the virtual walkers will compete against the official site walkers to see who can raise more money.
Follow this link to make your pledge: https://www.preeclampsia.org/pfwat/pfwalk.asp?WID=25
And check back as we let you know how we're doing in our quest to Beat the Walkers!


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Benson Henderson addresses fans about finishing rate - Mixed Martial Arts News
. Go ahead and ask any of my high school or college wrestling coaches. I was never picked 1st in dodgeball or basketball or soccer or football games growing up but one thing I always had was the will power and determination to NEVER give up, to not be afraid to open up my heart and give all of myself, to not hold anything back for the swim back to shore.
I guess I'm supposed to apologize that I'm no AndersonSilva or BJPenn, who is? I'm just that kid who would never stop, the kid whose older brother friends used to beat in 10 games of basketball (in a row) but would be pushing for the 11th game, yeah that's me. And just like back then I'm not going ANYWHERE, you want my belt, you're gonna have to pry it from my cold fingers.
No, I'm not the best but guess what, I've got the UFC LW belt and I'm just getting started, I'm getting better every single day...think about that, let that sink in.
A HUGE thanks to my growing family, faithful friends and real fans.
*Chap. 3 is done, on to the next...