text:
Most Popular Titles With Mark Rhino Smith
- Job Types
- Movies or TV
- Genres
- Keywords
- IMDb Rating
- Instant Watch Options
- In Theaters
- On TV
- Release Year
1. The Last Ship (2014– )
60 min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
The crew of a naval destroyer is forced to confront the reality of a new existence when a pandemic kills off most of the earth's population.
Creators: Steven Kane, Hank Steinberg | Stars: Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra, Adam Baldwin, Charles Parnell
Votes: 23,707
2. Batman Begins (2005)
PG-13 | 140 min | Action, Adventure
After training with his mentor, Batman begins his war on crime to free the crime-ridden Gotham City from corruption that the Scarecrow and the League of Shadows have cast upon it.
Writers: Bob Kane, David S. Goyer, Christopher Nolan | Director: Christopher Nolan | Stars: Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Ken Watanabe, Liam Neeson
Votes: 849,308
3. Creed (II) (2015)
95 min | Drama, Sport | Post-production
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Creed, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
Writers: Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington, Sylvester Stallone | Director: Ryan Coogler | Stars: Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan, Wood Harris, Graham McTavish
4. No Good Deed (I) (2014)
PG-13 | 84 min | Crime, Thriller
An unstable escaped convict terrorizes a woman who is alone with her two children.
Writer: Aimee Lagos | Director: Sam Miller | Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Idris Elba, Leslie Bibb, Kate del Castillo
Votes: 10,103
5. Argo (2012)
R | 120 min | Drama, History, Thriller
Acting under the cover of a Hollywood producer scouting a location for a science fiction film, a CIA agent launches a dangerous operation to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran in 1980.
Writers: Chris Terrio, Tony Mendez, Joshuah Bearman | Director: Ben Affleck | Stars: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, John Goodman, Alan Arkin
Votes: 402,440
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
PG-13 | 136 min | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Jack Sparrow and Barbossa embark on a quest to find the elusive fountain of youth, only to discover that Blackbeard and his daughter are after it too.
Writers: Ted Elliott, Terry Rossio, Stuart Beattie, Jay Wolpert, Tim Powers | Director: Rob Marshall | Stars: Johnny Depp, Penélope Cruz, Ian McShane, Geoffrey Rush
Votes: 327,095
7. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
PG | 109 min | Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Mere seconds before the Earth is to be demolished by an alien construction crew, journeyman Arthur Dent is swept off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher penning a new edition of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy."
Writers: Douglas Adams, Karey Kirkpatrick | Director: Garth Jennings | Stars: Martin Freeman, Yasiin Bey, Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel
Votes: 143,505
8. The Frozen Ground (2013)
R | 105 min | Biography, Crime, History
An Alaska State Trooper partners with a young woman who escaped the clutches of serial killer Robert Hansen to bring the murderer to justice. Based on actual events.
Writer: Scott Walker | Director: Scott Walker | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Vanessa Hudgens, John Cusack, Dean Norris
Votes: 39,485
9. EastEnders (1985– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Crime, Drama
The everyday lives of the inhabitants of Albert Square in the East-End of London.
Creators: Tony Holland, Julia Smith | Stars: Steve McFadden, Adam Woodyatt, Pam St. Clement, June Brown
Votes: 5,334
10. Criminal (2016)
Action, Crime, Drama | Post-production
The memories & skills of a deceased CIA agent are implanted into an unpredictable and dangerous convict.
Writers: Douglas Cook, David Weisberg | Director: Ariel Vromen | Stars: Gal Gadot, Ryan Reynolds, Alice Eve, Gary Oldman
11. The Hungover Games (2014)
R | 85 min | Comedy
After celebrating Doug's upcoming wedding in a cut rate hotel in Laughlin, NV, hungover guys Bradley, Ed and Zach wake up in a futuristic dystopia, having lost their pal, Doug. With the ... See full summary »
Writers: Kyle Barnett Anderson, David Bernstein, Jamie Kennedy | Director: Josh Stolberg | Stars: Ross Nathan, Sam Pancake, Ben Begley, Herbert Russell
Votes: 6,472
12. Robin Hood (2006–2009)
60 min | Action, Adventure, Comedy
After 5 years of fighting in the crusades, Robin returns to England and leads a band of outlaws to outwit the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Creators: Dominic Minghella, Foz Allan | Stars: Jonas Armstrong, Gordon Kennedy, Sam Troughton, Joe Armstrong
Votes: 12,203
13. Blue (2012– )
30 min | Drama
Blue is a mother with a secret life. She'll do anything to keep it from her son. But her past has other plans.
Stars: Julia Stiles, Uriah Shelton, Brooklyn Lowe, Kathleen Quinlan
Votes: 813
14. Bad Ass (2012)
R | 90 min | Action, Comedy, Crime
A Vietnam veteran who becomes a local hero after saving a man from attackers on a city bus decides to take action when his best friend is murdered and the police show little interest in solving the crime.
Writers: Craig Moss, Elliot Tishman | Director: Craig Moss | Stars: Danny Trejo, Charles S. Dutton, Ron Perlman, Patrick Fabian
Votes: 14,534
15. American Gladiators (1989–1997)
TV-PG | 60 min | Action, Game-Show, Sport
The teams compete in such events as Power Ball, Assault, The Wall and Hang Tough. The Eliminator round decides the winner of the tournament.
Stars: Mike Adamle, Jim Starr, Raye Hollitt, Larry Thompson
Votes: 1,252
16. Trial & Retribution (1997– )
Crime, Drama, Mystery
Det. Supt. Michael Walker, teamed with DI North and DCI Connor, follow each case from crime committed, through the pursuit of justice, to the law courts where the efforts of the force will be tested - sometimes to breaking point.
Creator: Lynda La Plante | Stars: David Hayman, Dorian Lough, Victoria Smurfit, Kate Buffery
Votes: 373
17. Ambushed (2013)
R | 96 min | Action, Crime, Drama
In the frenetic underbelly of Los Angeles, Agent Maxwell closes in on an international cocaine smuggling operation run by criminal mastermind Vincent Camastra. When Agent Beverly Royce goes... See full summary »
Writer: Agustin | Director: Giorgio Serafini | Stars: Dolph Lundgren, Vinnie Jones, Randy Couture, Gianni Capaldi
Votes: 1,023
18. What Now (2015)
Not Rated | 100 min | Comedy
Three best friends explore the world of online swipe dating in Los Angeles and quickly find out that anyone who judges you based on your salary or number of social media followers is someone who has their own soul-searching to do.
Writers: Ash Avildsen, Lorenzo Antonucci | Director: Ash Avildsen | Stars: Ash Avildsen, Joseph Cassiere, Lorenzo Antonucci, Bizzy Bone
Votes: 184
19. Life Outside
Action, Crime, Thriller | Pre-production
A former Detective turned homeless man, comes out of hiding after 15 years to save his daughter.
Writers: Alexander Poroso Cuenca, Mark Ken Goodwin, Martin J. Thomas | Director: Martin J. Thomas | Stars: Vinnie Jones, Rob Schneider, Mark Rhino Smith, Fred Williamson
20. Gladiators (1992–2000)
60 min | Action, Game-Show, Reality-TV
Members of the public are pitted against superfit Gladiators in trials of strength, speed and stamina.
Stars: Ulrika Jonsson, John Sachs, John Anderson, Kim Betts
Votes: 304
21. Blankety Blank (1979–2002)
30 min | Game-Show
Comedy game show with celebrity guests and cheap prizes.
Stars: Les Dawson, Terry Wogan, Paul O'Grady, Lorraine Chase
Votes: 89
22. Rollin' with the Nines (2006)
96 min | Crime, Action, Drama
Too Fine and his friends Finny, Pushy and Rage hope to set up a successful urban underground garage act and escape the lives they're trying to leave behind. But this dream all goes ... See full summary »
Writers: Julian Gilbey, Will Gilbey | Director: Julian Gilbey | Stars: Vas Blackwood, Robbie Gee, Naomi Taylor, Terry Stone
Votes: 1,006
23. The Hunchback (2016)
120 min | Action, Drama, Fantasy | Pre-production
Writers: Victor Hugo, Julio Ponce Palmieri, Max Ryan | Director: Robert Alonzo | Stars: Steven Berkoff, Max Ryan, Mark Rhino Smith, Hazel D'Jan
24. The Americans
Drama | Pre-production
Three friends embark on a journey of self discovery, financing their trip with a series of underground boxing matches.
Writer: Craig Pinkston | Director: Sean McEwen | Stars: Craig Olejnik, Mark Rhino Smith, Nick Richey
25. Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (2002– )
50 min | Comedy
"Don't just watch the ads, win them!" Saturday Night Takeaway is a game show hosted by Ant and Dec, filled with stunts, sketches, and appearances from stars like Phillip Schofield, Alan Carr, Fearne Cotton, and many more.
Stars: Anthony McPartlin, Declan Donnelly, Kirsty Gallacher, Little Ant
Votes: 467
26. Renford Rejects (1998–2001)
Comedy, Drama, Family
A bunch of teenagers come together to form a football team
Creators: Steven Bawol, Patrick Buckley, Chris Wilson | Stars: Roger Davies, Matthew Leitch, Martin Delaney, Holly Davidson
Votes: 191
27. Getting the Kinks Out (2015)
100 min | Comedy, Romance | Filming
An out-of-the-box romantic comedy about Chuck (Jordan Lawson), a sex addict, who meets and helps a prostitute named Daisy (Tuesday Knight) escape from her abusive, drug dealing boyfriend and falls in love.
Writer: Michael Charles Lopez | Director: Michael Charles Lopez | Stars: Jordan Lawson, Tuesday Knight, Max Aria, Rodney Eastman
28. Moving Targets (2015)
Thriller | Announced
A private eye and his sidekick go undercover into the adult industry to find a missing girl and stop a crime boss who's dealing chemical weapons to the Korean mob.
Writer: Chris Tasara | Director: Chris Tasara | Stars: Mark Rhino Smith, Gary Hudson, Korrina Rico, T.J. Hoban
29. Surprise Surprise! (1984–2001)
60 min
Stars: Cilla Black, Bob Carolgees, Gordon Burns, Christopher Biggins
Votes: 38
30. Guns for Hire (2015)
Crime | Announced
A murder-for-hire operation is being run out of an exotic dancer club.
Writer: Chris Tasara | Director: Chris Tasara | Stars: Mindy Robinson, Mark Rhino Smith, Caitlin O'Connor, Chelsea Pereira
31. Sinchronicity (2006– )
Comedy, Drama
Stars: Paul Chequer, Jemima Rooper, Daniel Percival, Navin Chowdhry
Votes: 375
32. Fighting Back (2016)
Action, Crime, Thriller | Announced
A former United States Marine embarks on a brutal personal mission to find his Cousin's murderer.
Writer: Martin J. Thomas | Director: Martin J. Thomas | Stars: Mark Rhino Smith, Sonita Henry, Eaddy Mays, Matt Sigloch
33. Go Deep Inside the Hungover Games (2014 Video)
Unrated | 15 min | Documentary, Short
Director: Michael Toubassi | Stars: Ben Begley, Ross Nathan, Herbert Russell, Rita Volk
Votes: 5
34. The Friday Night Project (2005– )
TV-MA | 48 min | Comedy
Stars: Justin Lee Collins, Alan Carr, Debra Stephenson, Kevan Allen
Votes: 405
35. Don't Shoot! I'm the Guitar Man (2015)
Drama | Post-production
A 'failed' musician tries to save the souls of at-risk youth and San Quentin prisoners and along the way discovers the true gift of his music...and the deeper meaning of freedom.
Writer: Laurie Lamson | Director: Rocky Capella | Stars: Brian Krause, Mark Rhino Smith, Brandon Molale, James Carraway
36. Service Man (2015)
120 min | Action, Comedy | Announced
Follows a young Boxer who joins the Royal Air Force as a way out of his troubled life. Whilst in the Royal Air Force, he is also able to continue his passion for Boxing, which results in a climatic Military Boxing Match.
Writer: Martin J. Thomas | Director: Martin J. Thomas | Stars: Mark Rhino Smith, Wil Johnson, Marc Zammit, Martin J. Thomas
37. Fortune 500 Man (2011)
90 min | Crime, Drama
Fortune 500 Man is a tale of one young man's dream to be the CEO of a fortune 500 company and his roller coaster journey to achieving his dream. Small town, top collegiate, business savvy ... See full summary »
Writers: Michael Marcelin, Richard Ryan | Director: Richard Ryan | Stars: J.D. Amoro, Carlo Astuti, Dewey Bonner, Wesley Claggett
Votes: 15
38. Michael Carroll: King of Chavs (2006 TV Movie)
48 min | Documentary
Michael Carroll was just 19 when he picked up a cheque from Camelot for £9.7 million. He was wearing an electronic tag at the time for a series of criminal offences. After celebrating his ... See full summary »
Directors: Keith Allen, Ned Parker | Stars: Keith Allen, Anne Aubrey, Michael Carroll, Mark Rhino Smith
Votes: 16
39. Gladiators Ready! - The Gladiators Story (2008 TV Movie)
45 min | Documentary
Director: Verity Maidlow | Stars: Laila Ali, John Anderson, Steve Bunce, Robin Coleman
40. Bad Influence! (1992–1996)
25 min
Weekly review show of the week's biggest games releases.
Stars: Andy Crane, Violet Berlin, Andy Wear, Z. Wright
Votes: 24
41. The Scary City (2008– )
Creator: Yumiko Aoyagi | Stars: Evelyn Edwards, Mark Rhino Smith, Gabrielle Salinger, Mark Hengst
42. Nocturne (II) (2009)
5 min | Short, Action
Late one night a young skateboarder bumps his head and is visited by deathly visions. But rather than succumb to them, he leads them on a chase through the dark alleyways of downtown Los Angeles.
Writer: David Nelson | Directors: Vincent Laforet, Stuart T. Maschwitz, David Nelson | Stars: Luke Vexler, James Peak, Mark Rhino Smith, Sophie Nelson
Votes: 12
43. Cowboys, Indians, & Lawyers (2006 TV Movie)
57 min | Documentary
Writer: Julia Dengel | Directors: Julia Dengel, Jonathan Oppenheim | Stars: Ben Alexander, Christine Arbogast, Anna Aurilio, Tom Bartels
44. Service Men
Action | Announced
For Jason's 1st military posting, he is sent to an RAF Air-Station and must face a tougher opponent in a new fight challenge.
Writer: Martin J. Thomas | Director: Martin J. Thomas | Stars: Mark Rhino Smith, Mark N. Nairn, Darren Matthews, Mike Sheelan
45. Gladiators A to Z (2008 TV Movie)
70 min | Documentary
Directors: Richard Dean, Alex Leigh | Stars: John Anderson, O.J. Borg, Steve Bunce, Sarah Cawood
46. Fortune (I) (2011)
20 min | Drama
Brad tries to break into the upper class business world and begins his quest to the top.
Writers: Richard Ryan, Ryan Stauffer | Director: Richard Ryan | Stars: Dewey Bonner, Wesley Claggett, Bryan Dodds, Carrie Goldstein
47. Gladiators: The Ashes (1995– )
50 min | Game-Show, Sport
Stars: John Anderson, Kim Betts, James Crossley, John Sachs
48. Sport Relief 2004 (2004 TV Special)
330 min | Sport
Stars: Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan, Tess Daly, Jamie Theakston
Votes: 7
49. The Scary City (2009)
Writer: Yumiko Aoyagi | Director: Yumiko Aoyagi | Stars: Mark Rhino Smith, Cole Carson, Evelyn Edwards, Mark Hengst
50. The One That Got Away (I) (2011)
5 min | Short, Action, Comedy
A suburban husband is cheerfully oblivious to his wife's secret past until her prior life comes knocking on the front door.
Writer: Devin Lawrence | Director: Devin Lawrence | Stars: Lance Lee Davis, Erin Ross, Mark Rhino Smith


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo presents materials on the Philippines to Swansea City Lord Mayor Cllr Dennis James
(LONDON) – Members of the Philippine Embassy in London travelled to Swansea
, Wales to engage local officials and leaders of the Filipino community, and stage a consular outreach mission for kababayans living and working in the area.
On 6 July, Ambassador Enrique A. Manalo met Swansea City Lord Mayor Cllr Dennis James and other key officials of the local government. The open and friendly meeting discussed possible tourism, cultural and economic linkages between Swansea and the Philippines, as well as highlighted the significant contributions of Filipinos in Wales.
Later that evening, Ambassador Manalo met with leaders of Philippine organizations in Wales to discuss local concerns and areas of cooperation between the Embassy and the Filipino community.
On 7 July, the Ambassador and Consul General Bernadette Fernandez led a consular outreach mission at the Western Residence of the Singleton Hospital. The activity was attended by over a hundred people with as many consular transactions processed, including 40 e-Passport applications, 25 Overseas Absentee Voting registrations and 19 citizenship re-acquisition and retention oaths administered.
Assisting the Embassy in the outreach activity were leaders and members of different Filipino organizations in South Wales, including the Royal College of Nursing-Wales, the Filipino Community in Wales, the Samar-Leyte Organization of Wales, and Filipinos from Bridgend, Ammanford, Cardiff and Swansea.


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Dated: 16 February 2009
Yokohama ADVAN Sport, the OE fitment of choice
Nissan has joined other manufacturers, such as Porsche, Bentley, Audi, as well as the new Tesla Roadster, the world's first electric sports car, in choosing Yokohama ADVAN tyres as the original equipment on their latest sports car. Yokohama has announced that the new Nissan 370Z, which is to be rolled out globally in 2009, will be fitted with the ADVAN sport tyre.
The 370Z, follows on from the success of the 350Z, and again features the "Z" brand, famous for signifying Nissan sport vehicles. Featuring a 3.7 litre V6 engine which delivers 332bhp to the rear wheels, the 370Z requires top of the line tyres to deliver the highest levels of grip, safety, performance and driver comfort. It is to meet these requirements that Nissan has chosen the Yokohama ADVAN sport tyre, which gives instant driver response, excellent levels of high and low speed grip and stability in the dry and wet, combined with low interior road noise and exceptional levels of driver comfort.


text: Frito Bastien is a Haitian painter, recently come to Philadelphia. His life story is illustrated by, and juxtaposed with, his paintings. In addition to being a portrait of Frito, this piece is intended to help students think about the place of art in someone's life: how it can help a person express himself, express unpopular or taboo views in safer ways, remember home, find solace and comfort in a new place. 9:17 minutes. 1997 $12


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The Girl Scout cookie program has decided to open its doors to the online world.
Even with the new changes, customers can still support their local Girl Scout Troop by choosing their favorite cookies online, and purchasing them.
According to CNN, girl scouts are now using an app called Digital Cookie, which connects the buyer with a troop to support.
They also offer another app called Cookie Finder. This app will direct buyers to the nearest cookie booth, which can be found outside many market places.
"The program is not available in central Ohio yet, just in other parts of the country," said Grace Floring, who has been a girl scout for ten years.
Floring's Troop has actually decided not to sell cookies this year.
"Our troop has a healthy bank account at this time," Floring said. "We are able to focus on other things."
Selling cookies can affect the experience girls get out of Girl Scouts and can bring unnecessary stress.
"When I was younger, there was always pressure to hit some ridiculous number like 1000 boxes to win a special prize," Floring said, "I remember they offered a wii gaming system one time. I would never get that far, and [I felt] disappointed."
Cookies sales may teach girls valuable skills, but can also bring disappointment to them. This pushes parents to help with the sales.
"I do most of the cookie sales," said Kim Young, mother of two girl scouts "I ask friends and family and I post on [facebook] and on school e-mail. They are allowed to walk around our neighborhood and ask people, but I go with them".
On the plus side, the addition of the online cookie shopping option will secure the safety of many young girl scouts, but the fact remains that many parents don't want their kid to be talking to strangers.
So many kids will be selling cookies to the same people even with the online option that there might not even difference in cookie profits.
Along with the new online option, girl scouts are also starting to offer gluten free cookies. According to CNN, Three cookies are being added including, Toffee-tastic,Trios and Rah-Rah Raisins.
Young, with one of her girls having celiac disease says that she will be buying the Toffee-tastic for her daughter, which are the only gluten free cookies available in our region.
In the end, Girl Scouts will continue to find new ways to improve their cookie marketing and customer base to meet the needs of the 21st century.


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I am trying to decide on which handheld console to buy. What should I focus on when trying to decide between the 3DS and the Vita? If you have played different versions of the 3DS, which was most comfortable? Has the Vita got enough games? How well does the 3DS serve the core demographic? I know this is difficult to answer. Although I am interested in opinions, where would you recommend me to do more research? Thanks in advance. :-)
- Forum Posts: 1225
- Wiki Points: 49
- Followed by: 26
- Reviews: 3 Lists: 6
For the 3ds you get the XL without a doubt. The vita has some games but not a lot. There seems to be some good ones coming later in the year. I got my vita in today with the free one year subscription to ps plus, so that's nice.
Best games so far are mlb the show 13 if you like baseball, Guacamelee, sound shapes, DOA5 Plus and Persona 4 Golden.
- Forum Posts: 3182
- Wiki Points: 6419
- Followed by: 23
- Reviews: 1 Lists: 1
The 3DS is destroying the Vita right now in terms of games and is a good bit cheaper. I would say get that.
- Forum Posts: 293
- Wiki Points: 548
- Followed by: 0
- Reviews: 1 Lists: 4
3DS is great go with the XL and get fire emblem super mario 3D land and animal crossing those are the best ones out right now and they are all amazing fire emblem took over about 3 months of my life.
I bought a Vita at launch for FFX and because I felt like a manchild with the DS in public transit, tbh. As a general rule I'd say, if you want "console experiences" on a handheld get a Vita, if you want quick fun games with a Nintendo polish get a 3DS.
Is there anywhere people would recommend me to look for best game lists? Maybe that would help people make a decision.
- Forum Posts: 3942
- Wiki Points: 1348
- Followed by: 21
- Reviews: 30 Lists: 26
You need to look at the games available on each system and pick based on that because there's very little overlap.
I went with Vita mainly because I already had a PS3 and PS+ so it was a no brainer.
Vita games are more to my taste anyway though, Gravity Rush is one of the best games I've played so far this year and most everything else I've played on it has been decent.
The only games I feel like I'm missing out on not having a 3ds are Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon and that strategy game that Dave quicklooked months back which I can't remember the name for...
Is there anywhere people would recommend me to look for best game lists? Maybe that would help people make a decision.
Here's a recent list of Vita games from /vg/, if that helps.
- Forum Posts: 855
- Wiki Points: 84
- Followed by: 4
- Reviews: 0 Lists: 0
@rustysanderke: I'd actually disagree with that. The Vita is probably the better handheld for smaller indie releases, whereas the 3DS has made itself home to a lot of major Japanese releases (many of which span dozens for hours) and superior first party games.
@funkasaurasrex: Please don't get me wrong. I was talking about the platform appropriate pickup-and-play nature of many Nintendo handheld games like Animal Crossing, not their length.
Thanks for your help, guys. Is there an appropriate list I could look at for 3DS games?
In terms of what I'm thinking, so far I think Vita is winning my heart a bit, but the new Sonic game looks like it is going to be fantastic. I really hope I don't end up buying both, my university budget couldn't handle it.
- Forum Posts: 1713
- Wiki Points: 291
- Followed by: 65
- Reviews: 27 Lists: 7
3DS without any regret. Sony talks big about their handheld every E3 and then goes silent for another 12 months.
@gerbilsinspace: Maybe check out the Amazon best seller list for 3DS games? That will give you perspective on the software.
I have both. I upgraded to a 3DS XL when Monster Hunter Tri came out, and if you were to go that route I'd highly recommend it. The original always felt too small (the trade-off is pixel density (?): the two devices have the same resolution).
Vita shames 3DS on the hardware front. It's just gorgeous. The screen in particular. I watch a lot of media on it. It's definitely the 'portable console' that they promised. Lots of great games, lots more coming, and with Sony doubling-down on indies, as a platform Vita has the most unique 'voice' in the industry right now.
But a Nintendo handheld is a Nintendo handheld, and I haven't put down my 3DS for more than a few weeks since I got it last year. The device may feel like a cheap plastic piece of crap and every other little screen you have around you looks better, but my god, the games have been great.
That's your choice, I think -- do you want to play solid, diverse, console-y content from a ton of genres and a lot of exciting indie games (and have a ready-made second-screen for PS4), or do you want some of the best software Nintendo and friends have ever made?
@jdh5153: Interesting choice. I have a nexus 7 that I can plug a console controller directly in to play games. It is a bit of a hack, but it works for simpler games. the buttons are mapped a little weird with my xbox controller though. What games would you recommend on the App Store? Is there any way to use a controller with the Ipad, without jailbraking?
In terms of my decision, I think I will choose one of them first, play some awesome games, and them most likely grab the second a month or so later, if I can afford it.
In my head, after all this, it comes to whether I want to play Persona 4: Golden or Animal Crossing: New Leaf first. Obviously screen resolution points towards PS Vita, and I do love a good indie... I will own both. And I will love it.
- Forum Posts: 5026
- Wiki Points: 329
- Followed by: 160
- Reviews: 0 Lists: 0
The 3DS is destroying the Vita right now in terms of games and is a good bit cheaper. I would say get that.
Games I like on my vita:
- Mortal Kombat 9
- Wipeout 2048
- Lumines
- Littlebigplanet vita
- Motorstorm RC
- Sound shapes
- Guacamelee
- Retro city rampage
- Playstation allstars
- Mutant blobs attack
- Jetpack joyride
- Rayman origins
Upcoming/unplayed vita games I'm looking forward to:
- Bit.trip runner 2
- Hotline Miami
- Rayman legends
- Killzone Mercenary
Games I like on my 3ds:
- Mario kart 7
- Crashmo
- Pushmo
- Donkey kong country remake
Upcoming/unplayed 3ds games I'm looking forward to:
- Super smash bros 3ds
- Animal crossing new leaf
Different markets, I personally think the vita is way better in terms of games and support than the 3DS.
- Forum Posts: 9280
- Wiki Points: 32051
- Followed by: 144
- Reviews: 0 Lists: 11
If playing on the go is a concern, I'd get a 3DS. It has significantly more games that are easily played in bite-sized chunks. I own and love both, but I almost never take my Vita out with me.
The responses I have received have made it more clear to me that, as I expected, they are too different to compare. My main worry is that if I get a 3DS all I will play is first party titles. Is there enough of those to make buying a 3DS worth it?


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Texas Politics
All Texas politics all the time from the San Antonio Express-News and Houston Chronicle
Monthly Archive for December, 2009
Katz and his 'millions'
Austin restaurant owner Marc Katz officially filed today as a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor and announced that his campaign on Friday will disclose how his family has donated "millions" to his campaign — enough money to get on television and have his message heard. Also in the Democratic field is former Travis County District […] [Read More]
More than one way to skin a cat
An anonymous blog that has been following the governor's race today posted an memo from Gov. Rick Perry's campaign manager bragging the governor is ahead of U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. I post it here for your consideration. You provide the salt. [Read More]
Rep. Frank Corte announces retirement
State Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, who has represented District 122 since 1993, just announced his retirement. His mother and father, Frank and Rose Corte, stood at his side as well as "folks who stood with me 18 years ago" when he first announced for election to his office. Corte choked up momentarily before announcing […] [Read More]
Report: Karl Rove divorces
Politico is reporting that former presidential adviser Karl Rove has divorced his wife Darby. [Read More]
U.S. Border Watch backs Medina
The citizen border patrol group U.S. Border Watch announced it is supporting Republican activist Debra Medina in the governor's race over U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry. Border Watch President Curtis Collier put out this statement: Debra Medina offers a fresh perspective on these issues. She is not burdened with years of […] [Read More]
Hutchison video hits Perry on health care
Catching up on the governor's race as we return from vacation and down computers, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has a new web commercial describing herself as a fighter against health care finance reform while claiming Gov. Rick Perry has done little on the subject. Just before the holiday, Perry wrote a letter to other […] [Read More]
San Antonio lawyer reappointed to DPS commission
Gov. Rick Perry has reappointed Allan B. Polunsky of San Antonio to the Texas Public Safety Commission. The term runs until Dec. 31, 2015. The commission is responsible for formulating and overseeing policies for the Texas Department of Public Safety, the state's chief law enforcement agency. DPS Chairman Alan Polunsky Polunsky is managing partner and […] [Read More]
Lawmaker writes a message for kids
The assignment for state Rep. Joe Pickett was to write a short book for children and to create a message – in English and Spanish. "Two Apples Two Cookies" A message for kids The El Paso Democrat came up with "Two Apples Two Cookies" or "Dos Manzanas dos Galletas." Pickett turned to Denis Prouix for […] [Read More]
Aggie governor makes bet on Independence Bowl.
Gov. Rick Perry, a graduate of Texas A&M University, announced he is placing a friendly wager with Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on the outcome of today's Independence Bowl game between the Aggies and the University of Georgia Bulldogs. "Georgia has a tremendous football program, but they're going to find out the hard way just why […] [Read More]
Sen. Hutchison steals some snow time with the kids
If you're a mom whose job is U.S. senator from Texas (not to mention the candidate hoping to unseat GOP Gov. Rick Perry) — and there's a big health care vote coming up, unfriendly-to-flight DC weather threatening and Christmas looming — what's your schedule like? U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's campaign provided this taste: SATURDAY: […] [Read More]
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Gear Review
Plush comfort without the weight
This pad literally changed my whole backpacking experience. For the weight it's amazingly comfortable. However it's not the warmest pad so you may want to double it up with the Z-lite pad if you are camping in cold or 4-season conditions. Don't forget to order the repair kit - I personally think it's a crime they don't ship it with the pad. For this reason I'm giving 4*
View More Details on Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleeping Pad


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A-Z Leadership Styles
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Summer 2015 Newsletter
It's hard to believe that summer is upon us. As you watch the growing season unfold, do me a favor and ask yourself a question: What do I wish I knew right now about seed production, plant breeding, or the politics of seed? Read full newsletter here.
New Report: Purple Sprouting Broccoli 2014-2015 Trial Results
A new report from OSA that details variety trial results for purple sprouting broccoli grown in Oregon and Washington is now available. Purple sprouting broccoli is an ideal crop for winter food production in the Pacific Northwest, and is gaining popularity as a produce item distinct from traditional broccoli. Download the report here.
Looking for 'Abundant Bloomsdale' and 'Who Gets Kissed?' Seed?
Are you looking to purchase seed of our newly released varieties? All companies selling 'Abundant Bloomsdale' spinach and 'Who Gets Kissed?' sweet corn are currently sold out due to popular demand, but more will be available this autumn. Check back soon.
You Can Support Thousands of Farmers Today
For more than a decade, OSA has worked side by side with farmers to save and improve non-GMO seed on their farms. Our research and education results in new stewards of this invaluable resource and more high-quality organic seed. Help us continue building partnerships that deliver seed developed by and for the organic community by making a tax-deductible donation today.
You Helped Us Achieve Great Things in 2014!
We are making tremendous progress in building regional seed systems, monitoring the state of organic seed at a national level, and, ultimately, protecting and expanding not just the diversity of seed available to farmers, but the knowledge necessary for stewarding seed now and into the future. Read the full electronic 2014 Annual Report here or download the physical report here (opens to PDF).
OSA on the Screen
OSA was featured in Growing a Greener World, an award-winning show on public television that showcases organic food and farming. The episode, "The Seed Farmer," explores our innovative approach to protecting and improving organic seed diversity. Watch the episode here
Save the Date for the 8th Organic Seed Growers Conference
the 8th Organic Seed Growers Conference to be held February 4 - 6, 2016 in Corvallis, Oregon. We are currently offering conference sponsorship opportunities. What is it all about? Here's what our participants' have to say about this one-of-a-kind gathering (video below or click here).
About Us
Organic Seed Alliance advances the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. We believe seed is part of our common cultural heritage – a living, natural resource that demands careful management to meet food needs now and into the future. We accomplish our mission through research, education, and advocacy. Learn more about OSA here.
"Organic seed is the foundation of organic agriculture and sustainable food systems, and the only true response to GMOs. I support OSA because it provides the technical expertise and organizational structure to establish regionally appropriate organic seed systems."
Tony Kleese
The Earthwise Company
Chapel Hill, North Carolina


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Library Information Services
The Alegent Health Medical Libraries provide information to the public, physicians, patients and families, and hospital staff. Medical librarians are available to help you with your information needs. In addition to easy-to-understand consumer health materials, there are many resources of information on the internet, books, journals or in medical databases available for your use. Support group information is also available.
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There are two Alegent Health libraries, Bergan Mercy Medical Center Library and the Immanuel Medical Center Library.
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Hang tight!
Recipe by Devin
"A bright, beautiful, and delicious fruit salad. This goes well with jerk chicken or another island meal."
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pineapple - peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
mangos - peeled, pitted, and cut into small cubes
papayas - halved lengthwise, seeded, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
bananas, sliced
Simple and delicious! I like the addition of the banana. They balance out the tartness from the pineapple and mango. I'm not normally a huge fan of papaya, but it's very good mixed with the other fruits. I think next time I might sprinkle some coconut over the top. Great recipe!
Edited to add: I would recommend eating this the same day. It tends to get mushy when stored for more than a day.
1 Rating
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Tropical Island Fruit Salad
Serving Size: 1/14 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 14
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 94
Calories from Fat: 3
Hard to believe, but many kids will be back in school at the end of the month. Get ready.
You won't believe all the things you can do with cauliflower. It's a great low-carb option.
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A rainbow of color and flavor, this truly is the Perfect Summer Fruit Salad!
See how to make a quick-and-easy ambrosia salad.
A fruit and romaine salad with a tangy lemon and poppyseed dressing.


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An integrated circuit is designed by determined the devices comprising the integrated circuit and determining the desired parameters for each device. A flow of process steps is determined and the 1-D and 2-D simulations are performed on the process flow. The process steps are modified until the simulations determine that the desired parameters are met.
1. A system for designing an integrated circuit comprising:
means for determining semiconductor devices comprising the integrated circuit;
means for determining desired device performance parameters for the devices;
means for determining a flow of process steps to fabricate the devices;
means for simulating said flow of process steps in one dimension to derive device performance parameters associated with the devices;
means for comparing said derived device performance parameters with said desired device performance parameters;
means for modifying one of said process steps of said desired device parameters if said derived device performance parameters from said derived performance parameters, are more than a selected difference; and wherein the modified process steps are resimulated and redetermined until the derived parameters meet the desired parameters;
means for simulating said flow of process steps in two dimensions to derive 2-D device performance parameters associated with the devices;
means for comparing said derived 2D device performance parameters with said desired device performance parameters; and
means for modifying one of said process steps or said desired device parameters wherein the flow of process steps is resimulated in one dimension if said derived 2-D device performance parameters are more than a selected difference from said derived device performance parameters.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for simulating said process flow in one dimension comprises means for calculating dopant concentrations in one dimension.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said means for simulating said process flow comprises means for calculating voltage threshold characteristics of one or more of said desired devices.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means for simulating said process flow includes means for simulating junction breakdown characteristics of one or more of said desired devices.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein said means for simulating said process flow includes means for simulating voltage breakdown characteristics of one or more of said desired devices.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein said means for simulating said process flow comprises means for calculating voltage-current characteristics of one or more said desired devices.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for simulating said process flow in two dimensions comprises means for calculating dopant concentrations in two dimensions.
8. The system of claim 1 and further comprising means for preparing a layout of said integrated circuit.
9. The system of claim 8 and further comprising means for fabricating said integrated circuit.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for determining a flow of process steps comprises means for determining a process flow using a top-down approach.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said devices are selected from the group consisting of capacitors, EPROMs, EEPROMs, transistors, thyristors, diodes, resistors, or combinations thereof.
12. A system for designing an integrated circuit comprising:
means for defining specifications for the integrated circuit;
means for selecting devices to be used in implementing the integrated circuit;
means for defining a range of predetermined targets for said devices of said integrated circuit;
means for defining a flow of process steps used in forming the devices on a semiconductor wafer;
means for performing simulations on said process flow to determine dopant concentrations in one dimension; wherein the process flow is redefined and one-dimensional simulations are performed until said predetermined targets are met until said dopant concentrations are within a selected range of said predetermined targets;
means for performing two-dimensional simulations on said process flow to determine electrical parameters associated with the devices; wherein the process flow is redefined and two-dimensional simulations are performed until predetermined electrical parameters are met; and
means for performing circuit simulations of a circuit comprising said selected devices.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for performing two-dimensional simulations comprises means for performing simulations to determine two-dimensional dopant concentrations associated with the devices and calculating device parameters responsive to said two-dimensional dopant concentrations.
14. The system of claim 12 and further comprising means for performing three-dimensional simulations to determine electrical parameters associated with the devices based on dopant concentrations in three dimensions.
15. The system of claim 14 and further comprising means for repeating said steps of defining a process flow and performing three-dimensional simulations until predetermined electrical parameters associated with the devices based on dopant concentrations in three dimensions are met.
16. The system of claim 12 and further comprising means for fabricating a test model of said integrated circuit alter said step of performing circuit simulation.
17. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining voltage threshold and transconductance parameters for MOS transistors.
18. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining nominal capacitance, voltage coefficient of capacitance, temperature coefficient of capacitance, and breakdown for capacitors.
19. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for of defining parameters includes means for defining turn on voltage and reverse blocking voltage for thyristors.
20. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining forward voltage drop and reverse ledge current for diodes.
21. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining nominal resistance and temperature coefficient and voltage coefficient for resistors.
22. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining gain and base-collector breakdown voltage for bipolar transistors.
23. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining a programming voltage for EPROMs.
24. The system of claim 12 wherein said means for defining parameters includes means for defining a programming voltage for EEPROMs.
25. The system of claim 12 wherein said devices are selected from the group consisting of capacitors, EPROMs, EEPROMs, transistors, thyristors, diodes, resistors, or combinations thereof.
This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/632,256, filed Dec. 21, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,543.
(C) Copyright, Texas Instruments Incorporation 1990. A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
This invention relates in general to integrated circuits, and more particularly to integrated circuit design.
The design of an integrated circuit is a complex process which requires substantial effort and time. Increasingly, integrated circuits are required for custom applications requiring memory (volatile and nonvolatile) and logic. Two important factors in designing an integrated circuit are the design time and the reliability of the integrated circuit. While programmable logic arrays can be used in some simple applications to reduce design time, more complex functions must be designed from scratch, thus requiring a significant engineering effort.
In the prior art, a circuit designer generates a rough schematic of the circuit to determine what devices will be needed. Typically, the devices include capacitors, resistors, EPROMs, EEPROMs, thyristors, diodes, and transistors (including CMOS, DMOS, bipolar and drain-extended (DE) transistors)). Further, the parameters of the needed devices are defined. The circuit designer consults with the process flow engineer to develop a set of devices which will meet the criteria previously defined.
After deciding on the devices and the parameters, the process flow engineer determines a process flow for fabricating the devices. Importantly, the process flow designer will determine implant doses and diffusion times, high temperature oxidation times, sheet resistances, and a proper sequence of process steps. Once the process flow has been determined, a test wafer may be fabricated which forms the desired devices.
Defining a process flow is an inexact science, which is made more complex because of the process variations which normally occur during wafer fabrication. A typical wafer fabrication cycle is 3-4 months. Once the wafer is fabricated, the devices may be tested and compared to the predetermined parameters. Generally, one or more of the devices will not meet the specifications and changes to the process flow or the circuit design must be made and another wafer fabricated.
Repeated test wafer fabrications result in significant delays in the design of the integrated circuit. If problems occur, it is difficult to determine which processing steps are at the source of the problem. Further, it is extremely difficult to design a circuit which is tolerant to process variations, since the process variations cannot be accurately imitated. In some instances, it may be fruitful to force processing variations during the fabrication of the test wafers; however, for every intentional variation, several unintentional process variations will likely occur.
Thus, there is a need in the industry for a method of designing integrated circuits which reduces the design time and increases the reliability and resistance to process variations of the integrated circuits.
In accordance with the present invention, a method and apparatus for designing integrated circuits is provided which substantially reduces the problems associated with prior such methods and apparatus.
In one aspect of the present invention, the devices comprising the integrated circuit are determined along with their desired associated parameters. A flow of process steps to fabricate the devices is determined. The process flow is simulated to derive parameters associated with the devices. The derived parameters are compared with the desired parameters and the process steps are modified until predetermined target values are met.
The present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. The simulation of the devices may be performed in a short time period and the process flow may be modified immediately after the simulation until the desired device criteria are met. Further, the simulation allows a single process step to be modified without confusion caused by unintended process variations. Accordingly, a more reliable design may be produced.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a flow chart describing the overall operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed flow chart of the preferred embodiment;
FIGS. 3a-b illustrate a NMOS transistor model and an associated 1-D dopant concentration curve; and
FIGS. 4a-b illustrate parameter data generated by the 2-D electrical simulator.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings.
FIG. 1 illustrates a flow diagram of the general operation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. More detailed steps of the preferred embodiment are described in connection with FIG. 2.
In block 10, the initial circuit design is performed. The first step in the initial circuit design would be defining the product. For example, if the product is a multiplier, the size of the operands and the product would be specified along with the maximum propagation delay. Further, the operating conditions, such as supply voltage, high-level output voltage, low-level output current, and operating temperature range would be specified. From the product definition, a rough circuit is formed in order to determine what devices will be needed to realize the circuit. Along with selecting the devices, the necessary characteristics of each device are specified. For example, if a MOS transistor is selected, voltage threshold and a transconductance parameters would be specified.
After the initial circuit design, the process flow for fabricating the selected devices is designed in block 12. Typically, the process flow is designed in stages, using a top-down approach. In a top-down approach, the latter stages of the process are designed first, moving sequentially backward through the stages. By designing the process from back to front, all high temperature cycles to be performed in later processing steps are known.
In block 14, the 1-D simulation is performed. In 1-D simulation, dopant concentrations through the wafer in a single direction are calculated. This data may be used to calculate parameters such as voltage threshold. 1-D simulation assumes devices have a long, wide channel to derive parameters such as voltage threshold.
In decision block 16, it is determined whether or not the targets specified in block 10 associated with the parameters derived through the 1-D simulation have been met. If not, the process flow is adjusted in order to meet the target. The loop of adjusting the process flow and performing the 1-D simulation is performed on a processing stage until the targets are met. In some instances, it may be necessary to modify the initial circuit design of block 10 if targets cannot be met for the specified devices.
Once the targets are met in decision block 16, 2-D simulation is performed in block 18. The 2-D simulation includes 2-D process simulation to get two dimensional doping profiles to be used as input to a 2-D electrical simulator, which generates i-v curves.
If targets are not met in decision block 20, the process flow design in block 12 is readjusted and the 1-D and 2-D simulations in blocks 14 and 18 are repeated until the targets can be met. Again, in rare instances, it will be necessary to adjust the initial circuit design in block 10. Once the targets are met, the final design, layout and fabrication is performed in block 22.
The preferred embodiment described above provides significant advantages over the prior art. First, the time to simulate processing steps is exceeding fast in comparison with the time needed for fabrication, which ranges in the 3-4 month range. Further, simulation allows processing steps to be isolated in order to determine their effect on the overall process. Third, process simulation allows "top-down" approach described above, in which the process flow for the later stages may be defined first, continuing with the process flow design for successively earlier stages. Fourth, process variations may be simulated while holding other process specifications constant, in order to determine each process step's effect on the overall process. Fifth, as more merged technology processes, such as biCMOS or Smartpower, are developed, the interaction between processes and devices become very complex. Compromises in device parameters need to be evaluated, which is very difficult without simulation.
FIG. 2 illustrates a more detailed block diagram of the preferred embodiment. In block 24, the product is defined. The specifications for the product would depend upon the particular product, but would include specifications such as propagation delay, settling time, input voltages, output voltages, and other specifications typically found on a data sheet for the device.
From the product definition, a circuit is developed which will implement the defined functions and meet the defined parameters. TABLE 1 provides a list of devices typically used in designing a circuit. Some devices, such as capacitors, may be fabricated using a number of different structures. For example, a MOS capacitor may be desirable from a process flow standpoint because of its simplicity of fabrication, while a polysilicon-to-polysilicon capacitor may be desirable from a circuit standpoint due to its voltage coefficient of capacitance. Thus, the circuit designer and process flow designer will normally communicate during the device selection in order to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the various options.
TABLE I______________________________________ Capacitors EPROMs EEPROMs Transistors MOS DMOS DE (drain extended) Bipolar Thyristors Diodes Resistors any bipolar or MOS structure______________________________________
Additionally, the desired characteristics of each device are decided upon. The parameters for each device typically correspond to the parameters needed for a SPICE evaluation of the circuit. TABLE 2 provides a list of SPICE parameters for each device listed in TABLE 1. While device sizes may be determined at this point, the other layout depend criteria, such as emitter area and channel length, are not determined until after defining the process flow and performing simulation.
TABLE II______________________________________Spice Parameters for Representative Devices______________________________________Capacitors nominal capacitance voltage coefficient temperature coefficient breakdown voltageEPROMs/EEPROMS programming voltage, Vt, t'TransistorsMOS Vt, k',breakdown voltageDMOS, DE Vt, k',drain breakdown voltageBipolar beta/hfe (gain), base- collector breakdown voltageThyristors turn-on voltage, reverse blocking voltageDiodes forward voltage drop, reverse leakage currentResistors nominal resistance, temperature coefficient, and voltage coefficient______________________________________
In block 30, the process flow to build the devices is determined. Determining the process flow involves determination of the sequence of process steps and the conditions of those steps. The sequence of process steps would involve determining the types of tanks in which to build the active devices, the oxide thicknesses, the number of levels of polysilicon and the number of levels of metal. The conditions of steps involves the implant dose and implant energy, the oxidation temperature, oxidation times and oxidation ambient (oxygen or steam) and the diffusion temperature, diffusion times and diffusion ambient (typically oxygen or nitrogen).
In order to simplify the variables which affect the process flow, a top-down approach is used, as described hereinabove. In the top-down approach, the later process steps are defined and simulated first. For example, the source/drain implants are generally performed in the later cycles of a semiconductor fabrication process flow. The important parameters for the source/drain implants are the implant doses, implant energy, diffusion temperature, diffusion time and diffusion ambient. The source/drain implants must meet targets for sheet resistance and junction depth. Once the source/drain implants meet the desired criteria, the process steps for forming the low voltage CMOS transistors may be defined. For the low voltage CMOS transistors, the channel regions are simulated separate from the diffused regions to determine Vt, K' (transconductance), and breakdown voltage. For a merged process, after defining the low voltage CMOS transistors, the process steps for the high voltage tanks may be defined. Since the temperature cycles for the rest of the process are known at this point, it is easier to develop accurate processing steps at an earlier stage.
Another method of improving the speed with which the process flow may be defined to meet the desired parameters is to simulate multiple devices with varied implant doses, energy, diffusion times, and so on, in order to determine which device provides the optimum performance for its intended function.
In block 32, the 1-D simulation is performed on the process flow determined in block 30. The 1-D simulation provides information on diffused regions, specifically the dopant concentration as a function of distance. The concentration information is developed from a single point which extends from the top of the device through the substrate (a "cross section").
Referring to FIG. 3a for exemplary purposes, a NMOS transistor 50 comprising a p type tank 52 formed in a p- epitaxial layer over a p+ substrate (collectively referred to by reference numeral 54) is illustrated. The MOS transistor 50 is isolated by field oxide regions 56. A gate 58 is formed between the field oxide regions 56 and diffused regions 60, forming the source and drain of the transistor 50. The source and drain of the transistor 50 are formed in the p type tank 52 adjacent the gate 58. Various cross-sections are defined for the NMOS transistor 50; the illustrated cross-sections are named "LV-- N-- field, LV-- N-- VT and LV-- N-- SD". Depending upon the device, different cross-sections may be desirable.
In FIG. 3b, a concentration profile is shown for a specified voltage threshold adjustment implant. The 1-D simulation program can be designed to vary one or more parameters, such as the voltage threshold implant dose, until a target value, such as a calculated voltage threshold, is met.
Referring again to FIG. 2, of the preferred embodiment, the 1-D simulation program used in block 32 is the "SUPREM" simulation program distributed by Technical Modeling Associates (TMA) of Palo Alto, Calif. The source code of an exemplary program, which modifies the voltage threshold dose until a target voltage threshold of 0.85 is met, is illustrated in the Appendix A.
The voltage threshold can be determined from the dopant concentration profile by assuming the MOS device has a wide, long channel. Generally, the 1-D simulation is intended to determine a rough process sequence which is within an order of magnitude of an optimal sequence. If, for example, short channel transistors are being used, it can be deduced that the voltage threshold will be lower and thus, the voltage threshold adjust dose will be lower. The optimal dose can be determined when the 2-D simulations are performed in block 42.
After the 1-D simulation is performed, it is determined whether the targets have been met in decision block 34. If not, iterations of the process flow definition (block 30) and 1-D simulation (block 32) are performed until additional process changes are not possible in decision block 36. If additional process changes are not possible in block 36, then the device parameters and targets may be changed in block 28. If further parameter changes are not possible, it may be necessary to alter the list of devices provided in block 26.
Once the targets are met in decision block 34, the next portion of the process flow is defined in block 30, if there are remaining stages of the process flow to be defined. The loop of defining a process and performing 1-D simulations is continued until all stages of the process flow have been defined such that the targets associated with the 1-D simulation are met.
After all stages of the process flow are met, the 2-D simulation is performed on the process flow in block 42. In the preferred embodiment, the "SUPRA" 2-D simulation program from Technical Modeling Associates is used for the 2-D process simulations which provide doping profiles and the "PISCES" program from Technical Modeling Associates is used to perform the 2-D electrical simulations. The doping profiles generated by the SUPRA program are used as inputs to the PISCES program, which generates i-v (current-voltage) curves.
As opposed to the 1-D simulation, 2-D simulation programs take channel length into account. The ultimate goal of the 2-D simulation is to generate i-v curves, such as drain current vs. drain voltage, from which important data on breakdown voltage, junction breakdown, capacitances and resistances may be determined. The derived parameters are compared to the targets in decision block 44. If the targets are not met, the process flow may be adjusted in block 30 or device parameters and targets may be changed in block 28 as described hereinabove for the 1-D simulation. In some instances, the device selection will need to be changed in block 26 if further changes to the process flow and to the parameters are not possible.
Referring to FIGS. 4a-b, a BVDSS (Breakdown voltage drain-to-source, with gate shorted to source) and a diode simulation generated by the PISCES program is illustrated.
Generally, the most critical problems ascertained by the 2-D simulation involve the breakdown voltages and the junction breakdowns, both of which relate to the doping of the tank regions. Since the doping of the tanks is an early step in the process flow, changing the tanks requires modification of the other process steps for devices built in the changed tanks. Hence, a 1-D simulation is generally performed after changing the process flow taking into account the changed tank parameters.
Referring again to FIG. 2, after the targets are met in decision block 44, an optional 3-D simulation may be performed in block 45a. A 3-D simulation program is available from Technical Modeling Associates under the mark "DAVINCI". The 3-D simulation is necessary to model transistors with both a short channel and a narrow width. Since very few narrow transistors are used in circuit design, this step is typically not necessary. If the 3-D simulation is used, an iterative loop is performed as described hereinabove in connection with the 1-D and 2-D simulations, controlled by decision block 45b.
After the targets are met for the 3-D simulation, (or if the 3-D simulation is not used) a layout of the circuit using the devices specified in block 26 and the parameters specified in block 28 is designed. A SPICE simulation using the parameters derived from the I-V data of the 2-D simulation program is performed to simulate the entire circuit. Once the SPICE model is complete, wafers using the layout may be fabricated and tested to ensure proper operation of the circuit.
During the iterations through the process flow definition block 30, various combinations of process steps may be tested to determine the effect of process variations on the device parameters. Since each processing step, or a desired combination of processing steps, can be isolated from the other processing steps, accurate information on the effect of process variations may be derived through the simulations.
The present invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. First, the time for development of complex circuits is drastically reduced, since each simulation requires minutes rather than months to complete. Second, testing of the process flow is more accurate, since the effect of a change in a processing step may be isolated. Third, devices can be more easily optimized by simulating the processing steps for a plurality of similar devices and determining which provides the optimum parameters.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
__________________________________________________________________________APPENDIX A__________________________________________________________________________ASSIGN NAME-LVP.DOSE N.VALUE=2.5E12ASSIGN NAME-LVN.DOSE N.VALUE=8.0E12ASSIGN NAME-HVP.DOSE N.VALUE=1.4E12ASSIGN NAME-HVN.DOSE N.VALUE=2.5E12ASSIGN NAME-EPI.TOP N.VALUE=5.0E14ASSIGN NAME-SUBSTRAT N.VALUE=5.0E14ASSIGN NAME-HVN.TIME N.VALUE=250ASSIGN NAME-EVTP.DOS N.VALUE=5.5E11ASSIGN NAME-EVTN.DOS N.VALUE=7.35E11ASSIGN NAME-IN.FILE C.VALUE="ee-- nmos-- pwell.1"COMMENT INITIALIZE EPI SUBSTRATEINITIALIZE <100> SILICON BORON-&SUBSTRAT THICKNESS=4.00$+ SPACES=50 XDX=0.0 DX=0.2GRID LAYER.1 DX=0.002 SPACES=300 XDX=0.0COMMENT >>>>PROCESS STARTS HERE<<<<$EPITAXY TIME=30, TEMPERAT=1200 BORON=&EPI.BOT THICKNESS=10.00 DX=0.2$+ SPACES=A50 XDX=0.0COMMENT INITIAL OXIDE 400A - STEAM$DEPOSITION OXIDE THICKNESS=0.04$DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=48 NITROGENCOMMENT N-BL ANTIMONY IMPLANT$IMPLANT ANTIMONY DOSE=1E16 ENERGY=80 RP.EPICOMMENT N-BL ANNEAL$DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=1100 TIME=30 NITROGENCOMMENT ETCH 1ST OXIDE$ETCH OXIDE$EPITAXY TIME=30, TEMPERAT=1200 BORON=&EPI.TOP THICKNESS=15.00 DX=0.2$+ SPACES=100 XDX=0.0COMMENT INITIAL OXIDE 400A - STEAM$DEPOSITION OXIDE THICKNESS=0.04$DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=48 NITROGENCOMMENT INITIAL NITRIDE LPCVD - 1300A$DEPOSITION NITRIDE THICKNESS= 0.13 TEMP=800COMMENT N-TANK PATTERN - LEVEL 01COMMENT ETCH NITRIDE AND OVERETCH 1ST OXIDE 100A$ETCH NITRIDE$ETCH OXIDE THICKNESS=0.01COMMENT N-TANK PHOSPHORUS IMPLANT$IMPLANT PHOSPHOR DOES=$HVN.DOSE ENERGY=80 RP.EPICOMMENT HIGH-VOLTAGE N-TANK DRIVE$IFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGEN TED$DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=40 NITROGEN T.RATE=5.0DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=1200 TIME=&HVN.TIME NITROGENDIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=1200 TIME=120 NITROGEN T.RATE=-2.5$DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGENCOMMENT N-TANK OXIDE 5300A - PYRO$EPOSITION OXIDE THICKNESS=0.53$IFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGEN TED$IFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 THICKNESS=0.53 WETO2DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=325 NITROGEN$IFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGEN$RID LAYER.1 DX=0.002 SPACES=300 XDX=0.0COMMENT TANK ETCH - NITRIDE & 1ST OXIDE ON P-AREA$ETCH NITRIDE$ETCH OXIDE THICKNESS=0.04COMENT PAD OXIDE 1 - 400A 02/H2/HCLDEPOSITION OXIDE THICKNESS=0.04DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGEN$DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 THICKNESS=0.04 WETO2 HCL%=4.5DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGEN$RID LAYER.1 DX=0.002 SPACES=300 XDX=0.0COMMENT LV P-TANK BORON IMPLANT$IMPLANT BORON DOSE=&LVP.DOSE ENERGY=40 RP.EFFCOMMENT HV P-TANK BORON IMPLANTIMPLANT BORON DOSE=&HVP.DOSE ENERGY=40 RP.EFFCOMMENT N-TANK & P-TANK DRIVEDIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGEN TEDDIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=40 NITROGEN T.RATE=5.0DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=1100 TIME=500 NITROGENDIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=1100 TIME=80 NITROGEN T.RATE=-2.5DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGENGRID LAYER.1 DX=0.002 SPACES=300 XDX=0.0COMMENT EE-- VTP BORON IMPLANT$IMPLANT BORON DOSE=&EVTP.DOS ENERGY=40 RP.EFFLOOP OPTIMIZE PRINTASSIGN NAME=EVTN.DOS N.VALUE=5.0E11 LOWER=1.0E11 UPPER=1.0E12 OPTIMIZECOMMENT EE-- VTN BORON IMPLANTIMPLANT BORON DOSE=&EVTN.DOS ENERGY=40 RP.EFFCOMMENT GATE OXIDE FOR EEPROM HIGH VOLTAGE TRANSISTORSDIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGENDIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 THICKNESS=0.05 WETO2 HCL%=4.5DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=900 TIME=20 NITROGENGRID LAYER.2 DX=0.002 SPACES=25 XDX=0.0COMMENT POLY GATEDEPOSIT POLYSILICON THICKNESS=0.45 TEMPERATURE=620DIFFUSION TEMPERATURE=950 TIME=20 SS.PHOSPHOROUSELECTRICAL STEPS=18 VTH.ELEC LAYER=1 FILE=&IN.FILE".elec.out" PRINT$+ MIN.REG=2BIAS LAYER=3 V-0.0 DV=.1 ABSCRISSAQSS LAYER=1 CONC=5E10END$ IF THERE IS AN N REGION ON A P SUBSTRATE, YOU WOULD$ ALSO SPECIFY MIN.REG=2 TO INDICATE THAT YOU DID NOT$ WANT TO INCLUDE THE CONDUCTANCE OF THE P SUBSTRATE$ (REGION 1) IN THE VT CALCULATION (DETERMINED FROM$ THE MAXIMUM SLOPE OF THE HOLE CONDUCTANCE FOR ALL$ INCLUDED REGIONS IN PARALLEL).EXTRACT NAME=VT V.THRESHOLDEXTRACT V.THRESH NAME=VT TARGET=0.85L.ENDPRINT LAYERSPLOT BORON ACTIVE BOTTOM=1E14 TOP=1E17 RIGHT=2.0LABEL X=1.0 Y=5E16 LABEL=HV-- PWELL-- DOSE:LABEL X=8.0 Y=5E18 LABEL=&HVP.DOSESAVEFILE FILE=&IN.FILE".save" ALLCOMMENT P.O DEPOSITION - PSG (6000A) + OXIDE (8000A)PRINT NET ACTIVE CONCENTRATIONSTOP__________________________________________________________________________
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Practical aspects of measuring [Ca2+] with fluorescent indicators.
Citations & References
- Authors: Kao JP
- Journal: Methods Cell Biol (1994) 40:155-181
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Gregory Mellema, Professor, Philosophy
Hiemenga Hall 355
Weekly Schedule
(Portal login required)
Educational Background
MBA, University of Michigan, 1976
PhD, University of Massachusetts,1974
BA, Calvin College,1970
- Fundamental Questions in Philosophy (153)
- God and Philosophy (204)
- Ethics (205)
- Business Ethics (215)
- Introduction to Symbolic Logic (273)
- Contemporary Anglo-American (341)
- Moral Expectations in Film (Interim)
Research Interests
Ethics, both theoretical and applied
Complicity in Wrongdoing, forthcoming.
The Little Logic Book (Calvin College Press, 2013). Co-authored with Rebecca DeYoung, Lee Hardy, and Del Ratzsch.
The Expectations of Morality, 2004.
Collective Responsibility, 1997.
Beyond the Call of Duty, 1991.
Individuals, Groups, and Shared Moral Responsibility, 1988.
Recent Publications/Presentations
"Implication" in Ethics and Philosophy, ed., Robert Fastiggi, Gale Publishing, 2013
"Mild Dilemmas", Annales Philosophici, forthcoming.
"Moral Ideals and Virtue Ethics'', Journal of Ethics, XIV (2010), 173-180.
"Professional Ethics and Complicity in Wrongdoing," Journal of Markets and Morality XI (2008), 93-100.
"Facilitating Harm," Business Ethics in Focus, ed., Laura A. Parrish, (Nova Publications, 2007): 69-77.
"Collective Responsibility and Contributing to an Outcome," Criminal Justice Ethics XXV (2006), 17-22.
"Enabling Harm," Journal of Social Philosophy XXVII (2006), 214-220.
Hobbies and Interests
Classical music, sports


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Table of contentsToday's market'New-old' rules drive real estate marketHome-price outlook dismal through 2009See all stories »Buyer's boonGreat time for first-time homebuyersWhat will $400,000 buy today?See all stories »Seller's sufferingsUpgrades that help sell homesTech-savvy agents get resultsSee all stories »Standing your groundBailout help for struggling homeownersGood credit score of past not so good nowSee all stories »
Another spring, another dormant season in real estate?
Maybe yes, maybe no.
In 2008 alone, the housing bust wiped out an estimated $2 trillion in home values. But for the first time in a long time, we are finally seeing an upside.
The same falling home prices that wreaked so much havoc in the economy are queuing up as the end-solution to the bust.
With prices down about 25 percent from their 2006 peaks, homes and buying incentives are tempting bargain hunters once again. Many economists agree that we've seen the bottom of the market and can see a faint but discernible light at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Sale volumes are up in many parts of the country, but prices aren't.
In early April this year, the average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loan dropped under 4.8 percent to historic lows, according to Freddie Mac, prompting some qualified buyers to buy and others to refinance.
At a spring speech, Harvey Rosenblum, executive vice president and director of research for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, said the economy will improve markedly in 2010 and should be back on track by 2011. Housing, which led the country into this economic mess, could well lead it out, he said, partially because of the Obama administration's $75 billion mortgage relief plan.
The stimulus plan, in part, is offering first-time homebuyers a tax credit up to $8,000, plus a refinancing program that gives much-needed help to owners who are struggling with mortgages and incentive to their lenders.
Credit is finally starting to flow again, and prudent families with a reasonable down payment are for the most part getting the go-ahead to buy. Ian Shepherdson, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, noted this spring that falling housing prices are likely to slow heading into the summer months and possibly show improvement, cautioning that "foreclosures are weighing heavily on prices."
Years of robust health in the housing market prompted overinvesting, quick-flipping, overbuilding and credit overextension, enabled by cheap financing. Homes began to exceed their brick-and-mortar and land values vastly, and owners started borrowing against hoped-for run-ups in future values. Meanwhile, builders cranked into high gear to accommodate zealous investors and builders.
Caught up in the frothy market, lenders and buyers alike bucked basic risk-management principles by implementing unsustainable mortgage arrangements, zero-down deals and other dubious lending programs, many with upward-adjusting ARMs -- adjustable-rate mortgages that would later cut the legs out from under them.
Meanwhile, some financiers read aggressive federal anti-redlining guidelines as a green light to lend to everyone with a pulse. Lenders pushed these and other mortgage risks onto institutional investors the world over via mortgage-backed securities and bonds, which even some of the world's best financial minds failed to identify as ticking time bombs.
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Homemade grenadine??
I bought grenadine tonight and was really disheartened by the ingredient list - there's got to be something better tasting out there! Does anyone have any homemade grenadine recipes that they would share?
BTW, I'm using it to make hurricanes, so if anyone has any tips or recipes for that, I'd love to hear it!
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The opinions expressed herein are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway.
very nice series of video's explaining usages scenario's for UML within VS2010
My deck and demo's for TMap® meets Visual Studio®, München.
One funny thing I didn't know, in Germany they knock on the table instead off clapping...
the Deck [from SlideShare]
The 5 demo's [from YouTube]
and two pictures.
It is still a bit complicated, or better a bit confusing, how the different parts within Microsoft Test Manager are organized. This post is a try to clear things a bit [mostly for myself ]… please respond if I made a mistake!
On MSDN this image is shown to explain the organization of test artifacts, but this is a simplification, the reality is a bit more sophisticated and complex. For example test cases can exist in different suites, plans and even different team projects.
And again, correct me if I'm wrong… See image below; a project collection has multiple team projects and a team project only can live in one project collection. A test plan only exists in one team project, while team projects have multiple test plans and a test case belongs to a single team project, where team projects can have more test cases.
So far no problem… With test cases and test plans it gets confusing. When you read the diagram, a test case can live in different test plans from different team projects [within the project collection]. The proof is in the image below "a test plan with test cases from multiple team projects"… you can accomplish this by adding excising test cases, just change the query.
The only reason why you want to add test cases from other team projects in our current test plan is when you want to check something from another application before you continue testing your project, maybe the availability of a service where you depend on.
Anyway, it can get a bit confusing… the other thing what you need to keep in mind, it isn't a 'deep' copy of the test case when you copy-past test cases to other test plans, it is a link-copy, the ID stays the same..!
The relation and composition of test runs and test results is another dependency which can get confusing, specially when you have test cases linked to many different test plans and team projects. A test plan has test runs, every time you run a test case or a set of test cases a run is added to the test plan. For test cases which are executed in this test run a test result is collected [which information can be collected for bug reports].
So, we can have succeeding test runs with test cases which are failing in other test runs … We definitely need some more reporting to get some better understanding about that, a view in which test run [and test plan/ team project] a test case has run with which result for example.
I didn't mention the relationship / linking you can create with other work item types, but I do think you can imaging it even can get more complex. The "Work Item Visualizer for TFS 2010" on Visual Studio Gallery is a great tool for clarifying this.
This article discusses the creation and maintenance of consistent, correct, and communicative software architecture by using Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.
Setting up, validating, and maintaining consistent, correct, and communicative software architecture in its context and interaction with its environment is no trivial task.
A new architecture needs to be created. But how do you know if this architecture is good? Covering all areas, dealing with all the requirements and quality attributes is difficult; but forgetting to discuss one or more is easy and will leave space for assumptions.
Because of changing requirements, your architecture needs to be changed. But how do you know if it is still consistent? Unstable documents and models will confuse the development and test teams, who will not know what to build or what the intention of the system is.
How can you make practical use of the Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 modeling capabilities in the application life cycle and an architectural approach, to cover these challenges and create good software architecture?
Read the article
Attending this week [a full seven day week] two amazing courses from scrum.org, with the goal to become a scrum developer trainer…
Professional Scrum Developer Team-based training for Agile software developers
Scrum in Depth Advanced class for ScrumMasters
So, expect some more scum related posts in the future
To promote our ranger work a bit more… I want to high light a specific scenario… create tests from UML models. I already played with this scenario from an automation perspective 2 years ago, when VS2010 was still in CTP. [see the bad quality video, already watched more as 17.000 time ]
Anyway, there are two common test design techniques that are used to specify test cases based on UML. The first is the Process cycle test[1] (PCT) which uses UML activity diagrams. The other one is Use Case Test[2] (UCT) which is based on Use Case diagrams.
Still on my backlog to make a fully working automation for these [waiting for Feature Builder to go RTM]. But, you also can do it manually, as you can see in the hands-on-labs.
Task 1: Open Activity Diagram
1. Open the TailSpinToys solution in Visual Studio 2010
2. Open CoreShoppingExperience.activitydiagram
Task 2: Create logical test cases based on PCT
see for details the hands-on-labs and http://wawewi.com/cover/usecasetesting2en.html
· Path combinations for decision point 1: (1,2) and (1,3);
· Path combinations for decision point 2: (2,4) and (3,4);
Based on PCT path combinations for test measure 2 are 1-2-4 and 1-3-4 for these paths test cases should be created.
… and create these TestCases in Microsoft Test Manager
Still a great ALM scenario where the different rolls in the lifecycle use artifacts from each other from that central repository.
[first time use of the wave 4 live writer, still like it…]


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Erick, Oklahoma Pet Friendly Hotels & Lodging
United States » Oklahoma » Erick
Looking for a hotel in Erick, OK that you can bring your pet to? We made sure that each one of the hotels below are pet friendly, so you can enjoy your trip with your pet by your side! Once you have found a pet friendly hotel, you can book your stay instantly from our website or call 866-212-1803 to speak with a pet travel agent.
Browse Pet Friendly Hotels In Erick, Oklahoma
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1001 N Shebwooley Dr - Erick, OK (Map)
Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 50 air-conditioned guestrooms. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Ba...
Overview | Pet Policy | Map


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Electrolux - Boil Water in 90 Seconds
Inspired by professional performance & power, the Electrolux induction cooktop boils water in 90 seconds!
Fastest Full Load Wash from Frigidaire
Clean clothes faster with Frigidaire Quick Wash™, a full load of clean laundry in 20 mins.
GE Built-In Pedestals
Comfortably load and unload clothes, and use the top as a folding surface, with GE's factory-installed pedestal.
Since 1962, Recker & Boerger The Comfort ZoneSM has been Cincinnati's hometown favorite for home appliances with showrooms in Springdale, Montgomery and Beechmont, Ohio. We are family owned and operated, and with our name on the business, we make customer service our top priority Visit our online catalog for great deals on hundreds of new appliances. We have a huge selection of Refrigerators, Built In Dishwashers, Portable Dishwashers, Washers, Dryers, Microwaves, Freezers, Trash compactors, Ranges, Stoves, and Ovens. Most are in stock and ready for fast delivery. We guarantee our low prices and offer free delivery on most purchases. If you are on a budget and looking for a great deal on scratch and dent appliances, Recker and Boerger is one of the largest distributors in Cincinnati. For even more great deals, be sure to check out our reconditioned appliances.