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Joe Dwayne Kennedy was born October 13, 1937 in Hugo to Joe Edgar and Thelma (Pate) Kennedy. He passed from this life on June 16, 2011 in Finley at the age of 73. Joe was retired from the Pipeliners Union Local 798, where he was an inspector for Operator Engineer's Union Local 12 at the Nevada test site. He was a resident of the Finley area for the past 20 years, and a member of Finley Baptist Church. He married Jackie Hayes on November 28, 1997 in Finley. He was a member of Bassmaster Classic Association, Oklahoma Game Breeders Association, & Louisiana Game Breeders. Joe enjoyed fishing, game rooster competitions, playing cards, & spending time with family and friends. Joe was preceded in death by his first wife: Francis Jean Wise Kennedy; parents: Joe & Thelma "Pat" Kennedy; a sister: Jan Kennedy Thompson; his grandparents: Jess & Lottie Pate; and a stepson: Mike Henson. He is survived by his wife: Jackie of the home; daughter: Patricia Kennedy & spouse Bryan Soliwada; son: Kent Kennedy & wife Crystal; four grandchildren: Casey J. Soliwoda, Aryan J. Soliwoda, Skyler J. Kennedy, & Ali Hecht; as well as many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at the Finley Baptist Church with Reverend Bradley O'Dell officiating and with Ray Pool delivering the eulogy. Musical selections included "Amazing Grace" performed by Lola Hill, "I'll Fly Away" and "The Old Rugged Cross." Pallbearers included: Kent Kennedy , Bryan Soliwoda, Troy Messer, Ty Landreth, Robert Hill and Walter Hill. Honorary pallbearers included all friends & brothers of Joe Kennedy. Interment followed at the Finley Cemetery. Family and friends may send online condolences at www.millscoffey.com.
Funeral services conducted by Mills & Coffey Funeral Home of Antlers.


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I think it's about time for a new pedal...
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Re: I think it's about time for a new pedal...
I play the 5000. It is nice, but not quite as fast as some of the others. It is the most powerful pedal I have played. I am not much of a fan of iron cobras but you will have to try them out for yourself. I love the speed cobra. It is one of my favorite pedals I have played on. The only downside is less power than the others. The pearl eliminators are nice also. It really is mostly about you and what you want. Don't go and look at specific name brands. Try all of the pedals you can. You should also look for those big deals at guitar center. I got my 5000 for $100 new. Check them all out. You should find one that fits your playing and price range.
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Mathematics & Computer Science
- Undergraduate Programs
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- Colloquium Series
- Problem of the Month
Speaker: John Berryman
Thought Box, Inc.
Title: Incorporating Semantic Search into the Solr Search Engine
Abstract: Solr is a wildly popular, open source search engine which provides fast, highly scalable, and easily maintainable full-text search capabilities. However, under the hood, Solr is really just a sophisticated token-matching engine. What's missing? A couple of things!
First, Solr lacks semantic search. If you're looking for documents about "software architecture" then it might be appropriate to retrieve documents about "programming design patterns" even if they don't explicitly contain the terms "software" or "architecture". Semantic search allows users to find documents by meaning rather than just by simple token matching.
Second, Solr lacks the ability to make rich recommendations. If most customers who purchase cameras also tend to purchase tripods, then it is a good idea to recommend tripods when a new customer is purchasing a camera! So-called "recommenders" provide users with recommendations based upon the previous behavior of other similar users.
In this fast-paced discussion I will describe the nature of token-based search and outline the need for semantic search and recommendation. Then, I will provide an audience-friendly mathematical demonstration of how token-based search can be augmented so that both semantic search and recommendation are possible. Finally I will also demonstrate our ongoing work using Mahout to equip Solr with both of these useful capabilities.
Bio: Coming from a background of Aerospace Engineering, John soon discovered that his true interest lay at the intersections of information technology and entrepreneurship (and when applicable - math). In early 2011, John stepped away from his day job to take up software consulting. Finally John found permanent employment at Opensource Connections where he currently consults large enterprises about full-text search and Big Data applications. Highlights to this point have included prototyping the future of search with the US Patent and Trademark Office, implementing the search syntax used by patent examiners, and building a Solr search relevancy tuning framework called SolrPanl.
Speaker: Dr. Minah Oh
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
James Madison University
Title: Finite Element Methods and its Applications
Abstract: When using computers to find a good approximation of the solution to a given problem, we want to use a computational method that is not only fast but also mathematically proven to give an accurate approximation. The finite element method is one of the very popular fast computational methods that also has a solid mathematical theory behind it.
We apply the finite element method to axisymmetric problems (problems defined on an axisymmetric three-dimensional (3D) domain, for example a Coke bottle, with axisymmetric data). In other words, we use cylindrical coordinates and the axial symmetry of the problem (independence of the angular variable) to reduce a 3D problem into a two-dimensional one. This is an attractive feature, since it reduces computational time significantly. In this talk, we will discuss the mathematical theory and real world applications of the finite element method used for axisymmetric problems. Furthermore, we will discuss problems defined on an axisymmetric domain with non-axisymmetric data.
Bio: Dr. Minah Oh did her undergraduate studies at Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea and at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She continued studying mathematics at the University of Florida where she earned her Ph.D. Teaching mathematics is what she enjoys the most, and she also enjoys working on research projects with undergraduate students. Her research is in the field of Numerical Analysis, and she focuses on a popular numerical method called the finite element method. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Mathematics at James Madison University.
Speaker: Dr. Kerry Luse
Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Trinity (Washington) University
Title: Topics in Knot Theory
Abstract: Knot theory is a branch of mathematics that has historical roots in physical knots. Indeed, knots were used for record keeping in ancient civilizations as well as for decoration.
Mathematical knots differ from physical knots in the sense that they have no ends and cannot be undone. Formally, a knot is an embedding of a circle in 3-dimensional Euclidean space. A motivating problem of knot theory is how to tell if two given knots are equivalent.
This talk will introduce some of the basic concepts of knot theory and knot invariants. In particular, we will consider the Alexander polynomial of a knot.
Bio: Kerry Luse is a Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of mathematics at Trinity Washington University in Washington, DC. She has a BA in mathematics from Franklin and Marshall College and received her PhD in mathematics from The George Washington University in 2008. Her research interests are in knot theory. When she is not teaching, she spends time with her two young children.
Speaker: Mr. Joseph Gills and Ms. Karen Green
Longwood Mathematics Majors
Title: LU-PRISM presentations
Abstracts: Joe Gills: The study of the geometry of curves and surfaces presented in multivariable calculus depends heavily on the geometry of Euclidean space and its ''rigid motions.'' In this talk, we view Heisenberg 3-space, Nil3, as R3 equipped with an alternative group of ''rigid motions,'' and in the spirit of Klein, we employ the Fels-Olver moving frame method to find a complete set of differential invariants for curves and surfaces in Nil3.
Karen Green: In this talk, we will discuss action research, what it is, its purpose, and how it is used. We will also look at the action research performed in order to inform mathematics instruction in a university precalculus course.
Bio: Joe Gills is from Farmville, VA and currently attends Longwood University. He is majoring in Math and Computer Science and participates in several campus organizations including the Longwood Ambassadors, SGA, Math Club and Honors Student Association.
Karen Green is from Lunenburg County, VA. She is a senior mathematics secondary education major with a minor in coaching. She will be doing her student teaching in the spring. She is a member of Pi Mu Epsilon, and she tutors for the Center for Academic Success as well as student athletes.
Speaker: Dr. Rebecca Jayne
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Hampden-Sydney College
Title: Partitions and Young Diagrams
Abstract: An integer partition is a way of writing a positive integer as a sum of other positive integers. As is the case with many mathematical ideas, pictures can help us better learn about integer partitions. Here, the pictures we use are called Young diagrams. We will use these diagrams to show several combinatorial relationships between certain types of integer partitions. Finding these relationships involves a lot of (fun!) searching for patterns.
Bio: Rebecca Jayne grew up on Maryland's Eastern Shore. She received her undergraduate degree at McDaniel College in Maryland. She then moved to Raleigh, NC, where she earned a Ph.D. in mathematics from North Carolina State University. Rebecca taught at Washington College for two years and has recently relocated to Hampden-Sydney College.
Speaker: Dr. J. Todd Lee
Professor of Mathematics
Elon University
Title:Forever Fractions and Forty-Eight
I want to show you some really awesome things about adding fractions the "wrong" way, but I need you to provide a couple of tools first:
1) Assuming the indicated tangencies in the figure, find some identities for the radii.
2) If given four positive integers w, x, y, z, what does w x – y z = 1 tell us?
Bio: Loving childhood-> Public School -> Eagle Scout -> Governor's School -> Mathematics Love -> Guilford College -> Super Mathematics Love -> Texas Tech University -> More Texas Tech -> Teaching Award -> New Horizons -> Governor's School -> Elon College -> Profile Picture -> Project NExT -> Undergraduate Research -> Elon College Fellows -> Elon University -> Marriage -> Kids -> Math Education Love -> Teaching Award ->Tech Immersion -> Longwood Talk
Speaker: Dr. John David
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Virginia Military Institute
Title: Machine Learning in Sports
Abstract: Who's going to win? Who's the best team? What factors determine a good team? Who should your favorite team draft? These are just a few of the questions that sports teams are increasingly addressing using math and science, particularly a branch called data analytics.
Data analytics is one of the most rapidly growing and used areas in the mathematical sciences. Rarely does a week pass in which there isn't a major news story about an application of data analytics. In this science, data sets are analyzed and used to build models to discover useful trends, predict future outcomes and support decision making.
In the past four years my students and I have applied these techniques to large data sets in professional and collegiate football, major league baseball and professional basketball. I will discuss the techniques we have used, the accuracy of our prediction, what factors are important in predicting these sporting events and how these predictions can be used to rank the teams.
Bio: John David received his BS in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and MS and PhD in Applied Mathematics from North Carolina State University. He spent time at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory as a systems analyst and at the College of Wooster as a Visiting Assistant Professor.
He currently directs VMI's Applied and Industrial Mathematics (AIM) Program and has advised 50 undergraduate researchers in projects sponsored by the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Energy, Calabazas Creek Research Inc., Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, Goodyear Tire Company, Bekaert Steel Company, the City of Lexington and the Valley Program for Aging Services and more.
His areas of interest include mathematical modeling, computational mathematics, control, filtering, data mining and the application of mathematics and statistics to sports.
Speaker: Dr. Rebecca Nelson
Adjunct in Mathematics Education
Emporia Campus
Title: Mimi ni mwalimu: On being a math teacher in Kenya
Abstract: Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be a teacher (or student) of mathematics in another country? One way to discover this is to join the ranks of Peace Corps volunteers who teach in various countries throughout the world. The speaker will share various aspects of her experience as a secondary mathematics teacher in a Kenyan village (to include a brief overview of the Kenyan Curriculum and National Exam) and encourage all interested participants to seek "the toughest job you'll ever love."
Bio: Rebecca Nelson, essentially a classroom teacher at heart, has taught mathematics at various levels since 1990. Most recently she taught secondary mathematics in Marereni , Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer. Currently she works as a Project Manager with the Middle Matters Project-James Madison University and teaches as an adjunct professor for Longwood at the Southside Virginia Community College location in Emporia, Virginia. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction-Mathematics from Virginia Tech and a MEd in Mathematics from Virginia State University.


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A computerized order centric method and system for tracking orders implemented on a trading floor exchange. The system automatically routes orders to a booth and a floor broker according to a symbol associated with the particular security being traded. The method for processing an order for a security on the floor of an exchange includes representing a security with a symbol and allocating a set of symbols to a booth. In addition a set of symbols is allocated to a floor broker ID. An order, relating to a symbol is entered into a computer and transmitting to a computer server. The order is routed through the server to a computerized booth station associated with the booth to which the order symbol had been allocated. In addition, the order is routed through the server to the floor broker ID to which the symbol associated with the order has been allocated. Typically the floor broker ID is logged into a computerized handheld device. Typically, multiple booths are utilized with a unique set of symbols allocated to each booth station. The set of symbols allocated to a floor broker ID is a unique subset of the set of symbols associated with a booth. Additionally a heartbeat signal from the handheld device to the server can be required within a predetermined time period. A floor broker can be automatically logged off of the server in the event the server does not receive a predetermined number of heartbeats.
1. A computer implemented method for processing an order for a security, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving an order for a security into a computerized order management system;
representing the security with a symbol in the computerized order management system;
allocating the symbol in the computerized order management system to a booth, wherein the allocation is accomplished by an automated process executed by the computerized order management system;
allocating the symbol to a floor broker ID, wherein the allocation is accomplished by an automated process executed by the computerized order management system;
transmitting the order to a computer server;
associating a computerized booth station with the booth;
routing the order through the computer server to the computerized booth station associated with the booth to which the symbol has been allocated;
logging the floor broker ID into a handhold computing device; and
routing the order through the computer server to the handheld computing device into which the floor broker ID to which the symbol has been allocated has been logged.
2. The method of
sending a record of an action relating to the order to the computer server and logging the records into a memory at the computer server.
3. The method of
4. The method of
5. The method of
6. The method of
7. The method of
8. A method of
9. The method of
10. The method of
11. The method of
12. The method of
13. The method of
14. The method of
15. A computerized system for processing an order in a trading exchange, the system comprising:
at least one computerized booth station;
at least one handheld computing device;
a computer server linking the at least one handheld computing device and the at least one computerized booth station; and
software operative with the computer server for:
routing an order to a particular one of the at least one booth station according to a security symbol associated with the order; and
routing an order to a particular one of the at least one handhold computing device according to the security symbol associated with the order.
16. The computerized system of
17. The computerized system of
18. A computer readable medium having computer executable software code stored thereon, the software code causing a computer system to:
represent a security with a symbol;
allocate a set of symbols to a booth;
allocate a set of symbols to a floor broker ID logged into a handheld computing device;
enter an order relating to a symbol into a computer;
transmit the order to a computer server;
route the order through the server to a computerized booth station associated with the booth to which the order symbol had been allocated; and
route the order through the server to the handheld computing device associated with the floor broker ID to which the symbol associated with the order has been allocated.
19. The computer readable medium of
20. The method of
This application cross-references and incorporates by reference the application Ser. No. 09/413,150 entitled Handheld Trading System Interface filed Oct. 6, 1999.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a system and method for tracking orders on an exchange floor. More specifically it relates to an integrated computer system for allocating, tracking and reporting orders and trades executed in the context of an exchange setting, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
2. Description of the Related Art
There exist several types of financial markets in which securities, commodities, and other negotiable instruments are traded. An auction market, such as a stock exchange, is one such financial market. In an auction market, buyers and sellers congregate on an exchange floor and announce their respective bid prices (offer to buy) and ask prices (price acceptable to sell). A trade in any particular security will occur at no more than the highest price a buyer is willing to pay and at no less than the lowest price a seller is willing to accept.
Among the players on the floor of an exchange are specialist and floor brokers. A specialist calls out the best bid and ask prices received from the various brokers, ensures that trades are posted, facilitate trades, and acts to ensure liquidity. A floor broker roams the exchange floor and acts as an agent to transact orders on behalf of investors (buyers and sellers).
A typical transaction originates when an order is placed with an off-the-floor trading desk to buy or sell a particular security. The trading desk may then convey the order to a exchange clerk who notes the parameters of the order including whether the order is a buy or sell order, the symbol of the security, the quantity, the price, any special conditions associated with the order, and the time that the order is placed. The clerk then delivers the order to a floor broker for execution. Traditionally, orders are transcribed onto order slips that are delivered to floor brokers by pages or runners. A floor broker executes an order, notes the executed order on a slip of paper, and subsequently returns the notated slip of paper to the clerk via a runner.
In addition to buy and sell orders, investors may request a "look" from the floor of the exchange. In response to a "look" request, a broker notes his or her observations with respect to what is happening in the market for a particular security. The "look" information noted by the broker may vary depending on the particular broker and what he has observed. For example, "look" information may include recent buyer and seller identities, trade sizes and prices, appraisal of market interest, a broker's opinion and any other information that a broker may wish to provide.
There is currently a significant manual component to process an order once the order reaches the floor of an exchange. Typically, an order will be entered into a computerized order processing system of a trading establishment. For example, these orders can be entered by a trader 120 at a listed desk. The order is then routed to an order management system for exchange listed securities. The order is displayed via an order management system application in a trading booth that handles orders for the given security. An order ticket is then automatically printed in the booth.
A clerk takes the ticket from the printer and prepares it for handoff, pages a broker, and acknowledges the order in the order management system. The broker, upon being paged, returns to the booth to get the machine-printed ticket and briefly discusses any special handling instructions with the clerk. Alternately the broker may telephone the booth to get necessary information and write it on a piece of paper.
A broker must update running totals representing how many shares of a particular security to buy or sell incorporating on the new order. The broker executes a trade for all or part of the order. The broker must convey some or all of the details of the trade to the booth. The broker an convey the information over the phone or write the information on a piece of paper and walk it back to the booth. Alternatively, the broker can send the paper to the booth via an exchange runner.
A clerk typically records the verbal execution into an online management system and performs an allocation of a portion of the shares of a security amongst a variety of orders.
Contra breakdown tracking what was traded with whom eventually arrive in the booth on a piece of paper if they were not attached to the verbal. This information could have been penned by the broker or by a specialist. The clerk files the contra breakdowns in a special location, to be picked up by a firm runner. The contra breakdowns are taken to a bank of firm typists located near the exchange floor. The typists enter the information into a firm trading system, and this information is both used by the trading firm systems and it is sent to the exchange's order reconciliation system (OCS).
The contra information should be entered within an hour after the trade took place. The typists file the paper containing the verbal and written information. This paper is kept on hand for several days and is then archived.
It would be useful to have a system capable of achieving greater order processing efficiency. Orders need to be routed more quickly to brokers operating on the floor of the exchange, thereby leading to more timely customer service. In addition it would be useful to capture some of the order information digitally at the point of sale, whereby costly transcription errors can be reduced.
Accordingly, this invention provides an order centric method and system for tracking orders implemented on a trading floor exchange. The system automatically routes orders to a booth and a floor broker according to a symbol associated with the particular security being traded.
In one aspect of the invention, a method for processing an order for a security on the floor of an exchange includes representing a security with a symbol and allocating a set of symbols to a booth. In addition a set of symbols is allocated to a floor broker ID. An order, relating to a symbol is entered into a computer and transmitting to a computer server. The order is routed through the server to a computerized booth station associated with the booth to which the order symbol had been allocated. In addition, the order is routed through the server to the floor broker ID to which the symbol associated with the order has been allocated. Typically the floor broker ID is logged into a computerized handheld device.
In addition, a record of an action relating to the order can be sent to the server and logged into a memory at the server. The record can also be routed through the server to the booth station associated with the booth to which the order symbol had been allocated. Typically, multiple booths are utilized with a unique set of symbols allocated to each booth station. The set of symbols allocated to a floor broker ID is a unique subset of the set of symbols associated with a booth.
In another aspect of the invention, a heartbeat signal from the handheld device to the server within a predetermined time period. In one embodiment, any communication between the handheld device and the server suffices as a heartbeat. A floor broker can be automatically logged off of the server in the event the server does not receive a predetermined number of heartbeats. For example, the predetermined number of missed heartbeats can be two.
In another aspect, an order is for shares of a security stock described by a symbol and the system calculates an aggregate number of shares of stock for standing orders relating to a particular symbol. Additionally, the system can calculate an aggregate of pending orders that meet a threshold price. The orders can include buy orders or sell orders.
This invention can also include a computerized system for processing an order in a trading exchange. The system can include a computerized booth station and a handheld computing device linked by a computer server. Software operative with the computer server can route an order to a particular booth station according to a security symbol associated with the order. In addition it can route the order to a particular handheld computing device according to the security symbol associated with the order.
In still another aspect, the computerized system can be linked to a computerized order management system and a computerized recording station.
A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the following drawing, wherein.
FIG. 1 illustrates an order centric tracking system.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of order processing steps.
FIG. 3 illustrates a flow of a heartbeat synchronization process.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow of an allocation of traded shares.
Referring now to FIG. 1 a networked computer system 100 for tracking an order executed on an exchange floor is illustrated. A trader 120 can initiate an order to be executed on the floor of an exchange. The order is entered into an online management system 130. The online management system 130 can transmit the order to a Handheld Server (HHS) 113 and to a computerized booth station 161-162. The HHS 113 can transmit the order to a handheld computing device 114-116.
The order centric trading system 100 includes a network connecting the computerized Handheld Server (HHS) 113 and handheld computing devices 114-116. The system can also include computerized booth stations 161-163, computerized trader stations 166, computerized recording stations 150, computerized customer stations 140 and a computerized online management system 130. Each of the computerized devices 114-116 130 140 150 161-166 can include a processor, memory, a user input device, such as a keyboard and/or mouse, and a user output device, such as a video display and/or printer. The computerized devices 114-116 130 140 150 161-166 can communicate with each other to exchange data. Interactions with the Handheld server 150 and the online management system 130 can proceed as if each was a single entity in the network 100. However, the HHS 113 and the online management system 130 may include multiple processing and database sub-systems, such as cooperative or redundant processing and/or database servers 164-165, that can be geographically dispersed throughout the network 100. A local server 164-165 may be a proxy server or a caching server. The HHS 113 may also include one or more databases 145 storing order related information.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a trader, customer or other person with access to the Order Management System 130 initiates a trade by entering an order 210 into a network access device such as, for example, a computer. The Order Management System 130 processes the order by properly logging the order and allocating it to a broker ID and a booth, according to the symbol of the security involved in the order. The Order Management System 130 then performs the step of transmitting the order to a booth station 212 and the step of transmitting the order to the Handheld server 213. The handheld server in turn transmits the order to a handheld computing device onto which a Broker ID associated with the security symbol is logged.
Brokers can enter executions according to orders received into a handheld computing device 114-116. The information relating to the orders is transmitted to an online management system for exchange-listed securities.
The broker can click "buttons" and other user interface devices displayed on the screen of the handheld computing device 114-116 thereby recording the symbol, side, price, and quantity of an execution. Contra breakdowns and other relevant information, such as an "as of" time can also be captured on a handheld computing device 114-116. Trading firm personnel, such as booth clerks, can perform allocations of the executions using an online management system. The handheld computing device 114-116 can receive updated leaves based on the clerk's allocation. A typist at a recording station 150 can enter written information using the broker's digital records.
A handheld computing device 114-116 used on an exchange floor can be capable of TCP/IP communication over a wireless network 119. The wireless network is typically supported by the trading exchange. However, the handheld computing devices 114-116 can also establish a direct TCP/IP socket connection to a handheld server 113 and not be required to use exchange middleware wireless networks 119.
Each order that arrives at the handheld 114-116 can be accepted or rejected by the broker. If an order is rejected, it can appear in a "ghosted" state until explicitly dismissed by the broker.
A broker will be able to execute trades in accordance with outstanding orders that have been transmitted to the handheld computing device 114-116. The order centric system is able to keep a broker aware of how many shares to buy and sell of a particular security and at what price levels are acceptable. A handheld 114-116 can be used to assist a broker in this task by maintaining a list of outstanding orders and aggregating the leaves of like orders.
The broker will be able to record executions on a handheld computing device 114-116. In one embodiment, order processing functionality can include execution information captured semantically such as the symbol, side, quantity and price relating to the trade. Information including contra information, time of day, special instructions, and almost any other information relating to an order can also be recorded via a handheld computing device 114-116.
The order centric system 100 can record, in a history log, a number of significant events that occur relating to an order. The history log can be stored in an electronic storage medium such as a magnetic disc drive or a compact disc (CD). The log can provide a means whereby a broker can review information during the trading day. Tasks can be presented to a user in a manner that will give the user a quick view of what actions have been performed relating to an order or a group of orders. Tasks tracked by the order centric system can be displayed in chronological order, or according to filtering and sorting functionality.
Users can include a trader 120, a booth clerk, a broker, a typist or others with access to the order centric system. In one embodiment, a user can be a customer 140 with remote access to the order centric system. Customers 140 may be given access rights to view orders they have placed. In addition, if desired, customers can be given the ability to track trades placed by others whereby the customer can get a "feel" for the trading environment at any particular time without specifically requesting a floor look.
In one embodiment, task history data will also be stored on a handheld computing device 114-116. Data can be purged from a handheld computing device 114-116 at the beginning of each new trading day or more frequently as required based on device memory constraints. Purging can be subject to network failure recovery as discussed in more detail below.
In addition to the general history, a separate database can be maintained on the HHS 113 to store executions that have been entered during the course of the day. The separate database will allow brokers to reconcile executions with the booth in failure recovery situations.
To increase security, the order centric system can have the ability to encrypt the message stream between a handheld 114-116 and the HHS 113.
A Handheld Server 113 can manage communication between existing trading firm systems 130, trading exchange systems and the handheld computing devices 114-116. Each handheld 114-116 can establish a communication session with HHS 113 over a wireless network, and HHS 113 will participate in order processing systems on behalf of the handheld computing devices 114-116. HHS 113 can also maintain login session state for the handheld computing devices 114-116. HHS 113 can act as a pass-through, performing protocol conversion between a trading firm's Order Management Architecture and a handheld messaging protocol.
An order centric system can allow an order to be entered into a computerized order management system. Typically, an order is entered by a trader on the Listed desk of a firm. The order is routed to the order management system for exchange-listed securities. The order can also be displayed in the order management system application in the booth that handles orders for the given security. In one embodiment, the order centric system automatically routes the order to a broker who handles for that particular security. In another embodiment, a clerk or trader can route the order to a broker.
The order centric system pages the floor broker. No paper ticket needs to be generated. The broker, upon being paged, notices the new order on his handheld 114-116. The broker accepts the order, and the order is added to the list of active orders.
The online management system display updates and shows that the designated broker has accepted the order. The broker can execute a trade for all or part of the order on the exchange floor. The broker can record the symbol, side, price, and quantity by clicking or otherwise operating programmable user interface devices on the screen of the handheld. The broker can also record the contra breakdowns with a freehand image or "digital ink". The image recorded in digital ink can be processed for character recognition or sent as a simple image. When the broker is satisfied with the content of the recording, they can click Send to transfer the recording to the server. The handheld 114-116 can estimate an allocation of the shares of the security traded and update the leaves to reflect allocation. The execution is transmitted into the online management system.
The clerk, typically located in the booth, can access a display of an execution that has been transmitted to the online management system. The clerk can perform an allocation with the traded securities if appropriate. The image of the contra breakdowns will also be available to the clerk.
Allocations performed by the clerk are in turn transmitted to the HHS 113 and logged. The allocations are also transmitted from the HHS 113 to the floor broker via a handheld 114-116 computing device 114-116. The handheld 114-116 114-116 receives the updated leaves according to the clerk's allocation and the effects are displayed.
In addition, the allocated execution is also transmitted to the typists with any inked breakdowns whereby they can record the "writtens." The file containing the image of the breakdowns can also be archived. Archives can be accomplished, for example, in an electronic storage medium, such as a disc drive or CD.
In one embodiment, the trading firm can utilize an application that permits bulk display and/or printing of the inked breakdown images.
A order centric trading system can also include a failover procedure. In the event of a primary network failure, the handheld 114-116 114-116 can attempt to connect to a backup server 131.
In addition, an order centric trading system 100 can include features such as the ability to digitally accept all execution information at the point of sale, enhanced messaging between brokers, traders, and clerks, electronically deposit orders with the specialist, and receipt of analytics on the HHD. Analytics can include market data, statistics, trends or other information useful to accomplishing an educated trade.
In addition the order centric system can operated over an intermediary network system, such as a network system installed in an exchange for communication to and from the floor of an exchange.
A login session in the order centric system will include any actions entered by a broker after they have logged in to a computerized handheld device 114-116. A execution history database can be utilized to record order requests, executions, and other detailed information about a login session. In one embodiment a history can be cleared whenever a new login session is initiated or more frequently as needed based on available RAM.
An execution history database can be used in recovery situations (such as when a session was abnormally terminated) to reconcile executions entered on the handheld 114-116 with those received by the online management system. Once entered on the handheld 114-116, an Execution can be stored in this execution history database. The database can remain until it is manually removed by the user or until the handheld 114-116 receives allocation data for the execution. In one embodiment the execution history database can be implemented with a Windows CE database rather than volatile application memory so that the data can exist across application sessions. In another embodiment, the contents of the database will be deleted the first time that the handheld 114-116 application is launched each day.
For example, information about an execution that can be stored in the database can include: HHD Execution ID—an Execution identifier created by the HHD during the creation of execution, Online Mgmt. Execution ID—identifier assigned by the onlne management system, Security Ticker Symbol Side, Quantity, Price, Timestamp and Status including unsent, sent, confirmed, allocated, failed.
In another embodiment, the digital ink image can be discarded to conserve memory after the handheld 114-116 receives a message indicating that the execution has been allocated.
The online management system can communicate with the server in the context of a "session". A session uniquely identifies a handheld 114-116 and messages that have been sent to a particular handheld 114-116. Any response or message originating from the handheld 114-116 (except the initial login-request message, when the identifier is not yet available) will include the session identifier so that the server can correctly process the message information. Similarly, all messages arriving from HHS 113 will also contain the session identifier. Both HHS 113 and HHD can compare the session identifier, along with other tracking information in the header of all messages, to their internal values to help determine if there has been a communications or application error.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the system can utilize a transmitted Heartbeat mechanism to determine if a current session is still active. Upon login, the system can initiate a heartbeat 310 between a handheld computing device 114-116 and the HHS 113. Typically, the online management will send heartbeat information packet to the HHS 113 during idle periods. The HHS 113 can log the time interval of the heartbeat 311. The server can also interpret the receipt of the heartbeat or any other message as an indication that the HHD session is still active. A test can be performed at the completion of a maximum heartbeat interval. The system can test to a heartbeat received within the predetermined time 312. The HHD will likewise interpret the receipt of the server heartbeat or any other message as an indication that the session is still alive 313. A successful heartbeat can loop the process back to initiate a heartbeat and begin the time interval logging.
In one embodiment, if a message is not received within the specified timeout period, the online management system will assume that the session has terminated and will notify the user of the failure 314. Information that has not been sent will be lost except for executions stored in the Execution History database.
A Send Data Thread can wait for the SendData event, the Terminate event, or for the wait to timeout. The Terminate event obviously signals that the thread should shut down. Signaling of the SendData event indicates that there is data to send. If the wait timeout occurs waiting for one of these two events, it is an indication that no traffic has been sent to the server. Therefore the thread will send a heartbeat to the server in accordance with the design of connection maintenance.
In one embodiment, a Receive Data Thread can serve to block socket reads. The socket can be configured with a read timeout that is set to be equal to twice, or other mutlitple, of the heartbeat interval. If a socket read fails with a timeout error, wherein no messages have been received from the server within the required interval, the connection from the handheld 114-116 to the server is assumed to be down. The thread can then call a routine, such as CloseSocket, and the user will be notified of the failure. Communication failures can result from socket termination, network failure, severe network latency, or a server or handheld application error.
In the event that communications are terminated, the User Interface can notify the broker of the failure. The handheld 114-116 can make an automatic attempt to re-establish communications with the server. In addition the broker can manually direct the handheld 114-116 to attempt to re-establish communications with the server.
In addition, the user will be allowed to operate in an "offline mode". While in this mode limited application functionality can be available. This mode can be enabled, for example, to allow a broker to continue working should a failure occur at a critical moment such as while executing orders in the crowd. In offline mode, the broker will not be able to send or receive looks or messages or orders. However, the broker will be able to record executions on the handheld 114-116. The handheld 114-116 can essentially function as a recording device for executions. These executions can be maintained in the Execution History database such that the user can eventually have to reconcile them with the clerk manually.
If the HHS 113 detects a communications failure, it can automatically send a new order, that would otherwise be routed to a terminated handheld 114-116, to the booth responsible for the symbol corresponding with the security comprising the order. When the broker logs back in on the same or a different HHD, the broker will automatically receive all of the active orders that are still assigned to them in the online management system. Orders that were pending can again be displayed as Pending; orders that were accepted will be automatically accepted on the HHD. However, in one aspect it can be possible that an order that was accepted on the HHD may return to the pending state if the "Order Accept" message was lost during the communication failure.
Orders that had been sent back to the booth during the communications failure can be "manually" sent back to the broker's HHD from the online management system.
An exchange wireless infrastructure can provide two redundant networks. If a connection cannot be established on a current network, the HHD can prompt the broker to a "fail-over" mode in which the HHD will log into a backup network. The broker can assent or decline to perform a fail-over.
Referring now to FIG. 4, Allocation Estimation is a process for assigning specific quantities of shares that are traded to the orders that are eligible to participate in a trade. When a broker enters an execution 410 into a handheld computing device 114-116, the programmable code can estimate the quantity of shares that are allocated to various eligible orders 411 on the handheld 114-116. This allocation will estimate the amount of shares available for execution making up the various remaining orders. Along with the estimation 411, the handheld device 114-116 transmits the order information 412 to the associated booth station 161-163.
A clerk can perform a final allocation for an execution in the booth 413. After the clerk finishes the allocations for an execution, the allocation can be transmitted to the HHS 113 and logged 414. In addition, the allocation can be transmitted to the handheld 114-116. In one embodiment, the allocations can be transmitted automatically. "Unwinding" is a process of replacing the handheld's 114-116 estimated allocation with an final allocation determined in the booth.
In one embodiment, an estimation allocation can be performed irrespective of whether the handheld 114-116 is able to transmit the execution to the server. Estimates can thus be calculated even if a broker is working in offline mode.
In another embodiment, an order will receive an allocation estimate for an execution when the order is for the same security as the execution and the order is for the same side as the execution. Accordingly, Long and Short Exempt sell orders can be eligible to participate in any sell execution, but Short sells can only be eligible for short sell executions. Therefore, if the side is Buy then the execution price should be lesser than or equal to the order price. If the execution is on the sell side then the execution price should be greater than or equal to the order price. A market order can satisfy any execution price.
The order centric system can also track an order timestamp. The order time stamp is the time the order reached the floor. An execution timestamp can be the time of execution. For an order to participate in an allocation, the order time stamp should be earlier than an execution time stamp, indicating that the order reached the floor before the execution was performed.
One calculation that can be used for allocation estimates first determines the set of eligible orders and averages allocation qty for each order ≅qty to allocate/no. of eligible orders. The quantity of shares allocated to an order can be limited to a multiple of 100. If the average qty <100 then average qty=100. The system can sort the eligible orders by the remaining quantity in ascending order. For each order the system can estimate an allocation =minimum of average estimate and order a remaining quantity if the estimated allocation is less than the average. A recalculation of a new average based on remaining shares can be allocated to remaining eligible orders. If a remaining quantity to allocate is 0 then the allocation routine can stop.
Typical trading firm business rules and SEC regulations dictate that Agency orders receive priority over Principal orders. For example, if there are 700 shares to allocate to two orders that differ only in capacity, the Agency order must receive 400 shares and the Principal order 300.
The execution quantity can exceed the sum of the remaining quantities of the eligible orders. In such cases the excess allocation quantity can be stored in an execution object. This excess quantity can remain and be factored into the total leaves for the affected security until an execution is unwound with the actual allocation from the booth.
The handheld 114-116 can operate with limited functionality if the handheld computing device 114-116 loses connection to the server. In addition, the application can enter Offline mode if a critical data error occurs.
Offline mode can implemented in all layers of an online order application. For example, a Communication Manager can be responsible for detecting a lack of heartbeats and notifying the Data Manager. The Data Manager can disconnect the Communication Manager and notify the User Interface that orders functions and look functions and messaging are unavailable. The User Interface can also notify the broker and take the necessary actions to disable features as appropriate. For example, disabling can include disabling certain windows and/or ignoring user input such as stylus taps.
In one embodiment, a Send button included in an Orders dialog, such as on an Execution Entry page will remain enabled even if the Orders system is unavailable. As a broker or other user enters and sends an execution while the Orders system is down, the execution can be persisted to the Execution History database and the user can receive a reminder that they must reconcile with the booth.
Failure Recovery can be implemented at Login time for a handheld computing device 114-116. An optional part of a Login-Reply message is a Server-Status element, which optionally contains the Recovery-Orders and Recovery-Executions elements. The Recovery-Orders element contains Order-Request messages for all of the orders that are currently assigned to a user logging in. These orders can be used to populate a Data Manager. This can be useful in the case where a broker logs in after a failure and his/her orders are still assigned to him/her; assuming that there have been no changes to orders in the online management system since the failure, the handheld 114-116 will be able display essentially the same information as when the failure occurred.
A Recovery-Executions message can contain a history of executions that have been entered into the online management system by the broker during the day. The Data Manager can use this data to update and/or reconstruct the Execution History database.
The Data Manager can process the executions and bring the state of the Execution History database in line with what is currently in the online management system if that data is more recent. However items that were already in the database that are not present in this message will not be removed. It is considered an error if the status of such an entry is Confirmed or Allocated.
The Data Manager can populate its lists with the contents of the Recovery-Orders element. After population is accomplished, the handheld 114-116 can perform an allocation estimation for any executions that have still not been allocated.
In the event there are un-reconciled executions stored on a handheld computing device 114-116, such as in the event of a network failure, the order centric system can reserve the execution history database in the database and refuse further use until the database is reconciled. The handheld computing device 114-116 can be programmed to record the User ID of a broker after a successful logon and compare this value to a User ID associated with an un-reconciled database stored in the handheld device 114-116. If the User ID logged in by the current broker is different from the User ID associated with the un-reconciled database the current will not be allowed access. This will effectively prevent executions from being overwritten.
A handheld computing device 114-116 can enter various states during normal use with an order centric tracking system. Table 1 illustrates specific examples of various handheld computing device 114-116 states and actions a programmable User Interface (UI) may associate with the specific states listed. In addition, Table 1 illustrates examples of programmable functions such as a DataManager function, a storage function, and a CommManager function that can be utilized with a handheld computing device in one embodiment of an order centric tracking system. Programmable actions associated with each state are listed to further exemplify features of this invention.
The invention may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Apparatus of the invention may be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of the invention may be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output.
A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such modifications are deemed to be within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
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G4 speakers adapter
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Member Since: Dec 27, 2011
Posts: 1
I'm trying to re-use the speakers too, but I have an electronics background and not scared to pull things apart. I've read a fair bit of rubbish on forums about how these are digital speakers, or have an amplifier in them. But YES there is a logic chip in the Y junction! I did one thing wrong in wrecking the Y junction in that I no-longer know which are the R and L connections.
The computer-end plug has 6 connections. Starting with the tip and moving in the direction of the wire and finally outwards to the outer ring, the connections are:
1 White wire: Speaker 1 +
2 Blue wire: Speaker 1 -
3 Brown wire: Speaker 2 -
4 Yellow wire: Speaker 2 +
5 Red wire: Logic chip signal
6 Black wire and all shields: Logic chip ground
All the speaker wires pass straight through the Y junction with the same colour, and you can see the colours where they connect to the speakers looking through the back of the speaker spheres.
The logic chip is a Dallas DS2430A 256-Bit 1-Wire EEPROM.
This chip is not connected to the speakers at all and has no effect on them. What is does is gives the computer the ability to detect that it is a genuine speaker plugged in and what kind of speaker it it (if there are different kinds).
To re-use these speakers, cut off the peculiar plug and wire on your own favourite kind(s). Do not connect the shields or the very fine red and black wires. There is no need to cut away the Y junction.
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Giving us a helping hand with the 2014 Astros Team Preview is Mike Hllywa. You might recognize Mike's name from his work at Gammons Daily, Halo Hangout, or Off Base Percentage. He's also been a guest host on The Baseball Show Podcast. You can follow him on twitter here.
I know what you are thinking, this post is about the Astros, so let's get to the jokes already, right? Sadly, there will not be that many jokes at the expense of the Astros here thanks to a contract that my buddy MJ made me sign this past winter. Yes, the contract was written out on a cocktail napkin. Yes, I did sign said contract in mustard. No, I will not tell you how much alcohol was consumed. Yes, I should have a lawyer on standby so I stop doing stupid stuff like that. Don't worry, MJ, if your buddy, Kevin Goldstein, gets upset, it won't be because of this article.
Interestingly enough, however, the joke may be on all of us in a couple of years. Why is that, you say? That is because the future is bright in south-eastern Texas. Now, pipe down, no questions until the very end.


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Mayor Slay Has Words for Missouri Gaming Commission: Don't You Dare Sink This Ship
|Wikimedia Commons
|If the President capsizes, its gaming license could be given to a casino operating beyond city limits (and coffers).
Slay is upset that 241 people would be out a paycheck, and a raft of tax revenues would potentially drift from the cash-strapped city to another jurisdiction.
We're talking enough dough, says Hizzoner, to pay 40 police officers.
Moreover, the mayor blames the commission's staff for deliberately sinking this ship:
The owners of the President [Pinnacle Entertainment] have put forward ideas to improve the property and generate more revenues for the state. For example, they proposed a newer, better-equipped facility. Every proposal has been rebuffed by Staff. After throwing up obstacles to improvement, Staff now says it will attempt to pull the license because the President hasn't improved. It would be like your local government rejecting a permit to repair your house, then condemning your house because you didn't repair it.
Pinnacle also owns the nearby, every-bit-as-flashy-as-the-President-is-trashy Lumiere Place.
So. You'd be hard-pressed to argue that the President doesn't need at the very least a deep-clean. But what do you think: Should it be saved?
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Meet Barcelona
A space for everyone keen to discover Barcelona
Barça will face AS Roma in the Gamper Trophy
The FC Barcelona is making its first appearance before fans in a match against AS Roma for the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Cinema at the Beach
The Cinema Lliure sessions, a free film festival held on Sant Sebastià Beach, are returning.
Discover the city
Discover the city's neighbourhood and district sites and attractions this summer. Experience one city. Discover 10.
Mas i Mas Festival
Once again, Barcelona will be offering great concerts this summer with the Mas i Mas Festival.
Barça will face AS Roma in the Gamper Trophy
The FC Barcelona is making its first appearance before fans in a match against AS Roma for the Joan Gamper Trophy.
Cinema at the Beach
The Cinema Lliure sessions, a free film festival held on Sant Sebastià Beach, are returning.
Discover the city
Discover the city's neighbourhood and district sites and attractions this summer. Experience one city. Discover 10.
Mas i Mas Festival
Once again, Barcelona will be offering great concerts this summer with the Mas i Mas Festival.
The 10 Barcelonas
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Take a virtual plunge into the city's iconic shopsHeritage. A website allows its visitors to take a 360-degree stroll inside historical establishments.
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Las Golondrinas: a privileged vantage point for viewing BarcelonaHistory. These boats have witnessed the transformation of the city and its harbour.
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DUM area nominated as the best above-ground parking system in EuropeMobility. A notable feature is the use of mobile technology as a tool for managing parking, as well as...
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Hangar, the visual arts paradiseArt. The artistic research and production centre at Can Ricart provides support for all kinds of...
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Discover the city's submarines!Curiosities. Some city submarines pay homage to the model which was the brainchild of Narcís Monturiol...
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Tibidabo will open throughout AugustServices. Opening hours will be from 12.00 noon to 11.00 pm and a laser show will round off the day.
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Pedralbes monastery displays its finest works in a refurbished exhibition hallArt. The works are exhibited in chronological order and bear witness to the history of the monastery.
Mon, 07/27/2015 - 16:46
Barcelona joins the hunt for the Asian tiger mosquito with a mobile appHealth. The project encourages citizens to use the app to provide data on the presence of the insect...
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The videogame company ZeptoLab sets up in BarcelonaVideogames. The company plans to develop 3 videogames in Barcelona using 3D animation and augmented...
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Ferran Barenblit is the new director of the MACBAMuseums. The committee of experts valued the presentation of a project which is 'thorough, precise and...
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Spend summer nights listening to great music at La Pedrera
One of the best ways to enjoy your summer in Barcelona is a visit to La Pedrera at night, with live jazz music on the roof terrace, and one of the most spectacular views of the city.
- Where: Espai Gaudí: Pis, Golfes i Terrat - Fundació Catalunya - La Pedrera
- When: From 19/06/2015 to 12/09/2015.
Michael Snow's career, at La Virreina
From 9 July to 1 November, La Virreina is holding an extensive exhibition looking back on the work of the Canadian Artist.
- Where: La Virreina Centre de la Imatge
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Picnic and electronica music Sundays
The arrival of summer marks a new edition of Piknik Electronik, an offering that combines electronica music with outdoor activities at the Joan Brossa Gardens.
Where: Jardins de Joan Brossa
- When: From 28/06/2015 to 20/09/2015.
Cinema from women's perspective
The 23rd International Women's Film Festival takes to the streets during the summer evenings.
Where: SGAE, Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Casa Amèrica Catalunya
When: From 01/04/2015 to 31/12/2015.
Gabriel Casas, photographer warsThe MNAC presents the exhibition "Gabriel Casas. Photography, information and Modernity, 1929-1939."
Where: National Art Museum of Catalonia
When: From 04/22/2015 to 30/08/2015.
The best in music returns to Barcelona's parks
"Music in the Parks 2015" will be filling the city's green spaces with concerts during the summer evenings.
Where: Various parks and gardens throughout the city
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Vila de Gràcia
Always full of life and a lively spirit, the neighbourhood of Gràcia has a long history going back centuries.
Castell de Torre Baró
Visible from many parts of the city, Torre Baró Castle is one of the icons of the Nou Barris district.
Fabra i Coats
This old cotton-spinning mill has been reclaimed and now houses a cultural centre and a creation factory, among other things.
Mar Bella Beach
This is the liveliest beach in Barcelona, a popular meeting point for Sant Martí residents, children, students, foreigners and naturists.
Parc de Montjuïc
Montjuïc's large, natural park is the best site for enjoying nature and culture together, as it is full of splendid gardens and cultural facilities.
Parc del Creueta del Coll
Today, the old stone quarry in the Coll neighbourhood is one of the most refreshing parks in the city. It has a pool and an impressive sculpture by Eduardo Chillida.
Camp Nou
Camp Nou is the epicentre of football in Barcelona. It houses Barça's stadium and also the club museum, one of the most visited museums in Catalonia.
El Tibidabo
Barcelona's highest summit is on Tibidabo, a hill that has become the most important historical meeting and recreation point among Barcelona residents.
El Raval
The historical Raval neighbourhood, which remained outside the city walls during the Middle Ages, is now the neighbourhood with the city's richest and most varied cultural offering.
El Poble-sec
Popular, multicultural and always active, the Poble-sec neighbourhood rises up from Paral·lel to the foot of Montjuïc, forming a charming network of busy streets.
Sant Antoni
Popular, with a commercial spirit and open to new trends, the Sant Antoni neighbourhood is centred around its iconic market at one end of the Eixample district.
Port Vell
The first wharf Barcelona ever had is now a magnificent seafront promenade lined with boats.
Els Encants Nous
Housed in a spectacular new building in Plaça de les Glòries, this is one of the oldest and most emblematic markets in the city.
Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera
These amazing gardens at the foot of Montjuïc, facing the sea and with a microclimate all of their own, have over 800 cacti and succulent plants on display.
The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Pedralbes
The Royal Monastery, a gem of Gothic architecture in the upper part of the city, conceals an impressive cloister.
Once an independent town, today it is now a charming, delightful and truly literary neighbourhood, with a network of squares and tiny streets where time appears to have stopped.
Parc del Laberint d'Horta
The oldest part in Barcelona, besides being a historical site, is a natural site spot for enjoying landscape gardening in all its splendour.
Parc de Can Dragó
This is one of the city's largest green spaces, a place for enjoying sport, leisure pursuits and nature in all its splendour.
Experience the essence of every Barcelona district and discover their diversity
The power of ingenuity
SPORTS. A patí català is a uniquely designed sailing catamaran.
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DESIGN. Studies on image and creative people born in the digital age.
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BUSINESS. The Business Care Office (OAE) offers businesses advice and information.
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FOOD AND DRINK. A selection of restaurants offering traditional fare not to be missed.
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More than 200 concerts throughout August
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Updated: 11/02/2012 11:11 PM KSTP.com By: Mark Saxenmeyer
Another big pay-out for the former police officer who said her privacy was violated by other officers. On Friday, the city of Minneapolis agreed to a settlement of nearly $400,000 ($392,500.00).
Anne Rasmusson has sued 150 officers in 16 departments statewide, claiming they used government databases to snoop on her. Rasmusson has been awarded more than $1 million dollars so far--$385,000 from the St. Paul Police Department and $280,000 from the League of Cities, which represents a group of smaller police departments.
Friday afternoon, Rasmusson's attorney Larry Fett (of the Sapientia Law Group), explained how it all began. "She would show up at a function attended by other police officers who seemed to know more about her than she thought would be expected, knew that she had moved, knew what kind of car she was driving," he said.
Rasmusson, a former Eden Prairie and St. Paul officer (now retired), became suspicious. She asked the Minnesota Department of Public Safety to look into how often her driver's license information had been accessed and was shocked to learn her file had been opened hundreds of times--for no apparent reason.
"And that has a hugely damaging impact on your feeling of security and your feeling of general welfare," Fett said.
In Minneapolis, 47 police officers were deposed in the case but Fett says he's still not exactly sure why so many felt the need to pry, other than the fact "she was perceived as interesting and attractive."
Driver's license information has been protected since 1994 under the federal Drivers' Privacy Protection Act. it was enacted after Hollywood actress Rebecca Schaeffer was murdered by a stalker. Back then, her killer had no problem obtaining her address from the DMV.
Of course, in the digital age, private information can also be easily obtained on the internet, through Google or Facebook. Minneapolis City Attorney Susan Segal alluded to that in its response to the settlement:
"Handling data properly is a responsibility the City takes seriously. Even though numerous sources of data are available through public online search services, as a government agency, special laws apply to us that can carry significant penalties. Today's settlement allows us to move forward and put this case behind us, as have all of the other jurisdictions sued in this case. The City has taken, and will continue to take, measures to ensure that City staff understand and follow the laws in this area."
City Councilman Don Samuels said, "No matter how easy it is to access it's unethical. It's kind of stalking." Samuels says the city is acquiring new equipment that will allow it to more closely monitor police use of government databases. "So supervisors would be immediately flagged if someone is having unusual or unauthorized use of the technology."
Fett, who said Rasmusson is "very happy" with the settlement with Minneapolis, added, "a big goal of Ms. Rasmusson is to make sure that this isn't something that is going to be repeated over and over again with other people."
But Rasmusson's lawsuit isn't over. She still has claims against even more officers in various state and county police agencies. Her attorneys are now focused on finalizing settlement agreements with them as well.
Mark Saxenmeyer can be reached at email@example.com


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19 comments so far
Don't forget Seng Hiang which have the multi flavoured Tau Sar Pheah.
Me too, just got to know they have their own brand's tau sar pheah.
i love their ang koo kuih…just got the chance to eat them during my last trip to Penang
wow this is awesome! Will defintely make some order soon! Will defintely recommend!
I love their angkoos! Didn't know they started on tau sar peah also… but my fave is always Him Heang!
I love their tau sar pheah more than Him Heang! haha…next time, u could try thier Pong Pheah, quite nice…
They have been selling the famous ang koo kuih for ages!! hehe
Reminds me of buying some for my friends in KL. Happy new year!
Haven't tried its tau sar pneah. I'm a loyal customer for Him Heang. The ang koo kuih is my son's favourite snack.
Has anyone done a real Tau Sar Pneah taste test between the three brands?
ooohhh, i lurve lurve lurve tau sar piah! yeah, there are so many brands of tau sar piah in the market and the packagings are very similar. a recommendation from a penangite is the way to go! hope to get some from eaton when i visit penang again! ;D


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Posted 2 years ago
By Jason Wentworth
LOS ANGELES (AP) – A "Diesel" has plenty of box office pull. Vin Diesel's "Riddick" opens at a number-one this weekend. The third installment in the sci-fi franchise brings in nearly $19 million — the second best opening of series. Diesel helped to bring "Riddick" to the screen, after the studio passed on a third installment. He and a partner bought the rights and helped raise the money to finance the film. "Lee Daniels' The Butler" is second this weekend. The Spanish-language comedy "Instructions Not Included" was third.


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SaaS - Software as a Service, Storage as a Service
(1) Short for Software as a Service, SaaS is a software delivery method that provides access to software and its functions remotely as a Web-based service. Software as a Service allows organizations to access business functionality at a cost typically less than paying for licensed applications since SaaS pricing is based on a monthly fee. Also, because the software is hosted remotely, users don't need to invest in additional hardware. Software as a Service removes the need for organizations to handle the installation, set-up and often daily upkeep and maintenance. Software as a Service may also be referred to as simply hosted applications. See related term ASP.
(2) Short for Storage as a Service, SaaS is a term used to describe a storage model where a business or organization (the client) rents or leases storage space from a third-party provider. Data is transferred from the client to the service provider via the Internet and the client would then access their stored data using software provided by the storage provider. The software is used to perform common tasks related to storage, such as data backups and data transfers. Storage as a Service is popular with SMBs because there are usually no start-up costs (e.g., servers, hard disks, IT staff and so on) involved. Businesses pay for the service based only on the amount of storage space used. Storage as a Service may also be called hosted storage. See related term Storage Service Provider.
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told Congress early this year, "I take responsibility" for the security failures that led to the deaths of Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in Benghazi, Libya, last September.
At this point, she may be the last person standing. Despite her assertion of responsibility, however, she put four officials on administrative leave, pending an investigation into security lapses that allowed terrorists to kill the Americans.
Now her successor, Secretary of State John Kerry, has reinstated the officials suspended by Mrs. Clinton, sending the clear message that they were not responsible.
That leaves Mrs. Clinton (and President Obama, who has claimed "ultimate responsibility") as the only ones whom the public can hold accountable.
Without a detailed finding of facts demonstrating how the State Department chain of command broke down and who was directly responsible for failing to provide adequate security in Benghazi, it is easy enough for both to shrug off the tragedy. Stuff happens.
But no, this incident didn't happen, as the administration tried to insist for more than a week after killings, as the result of a "spontaneous protest" against an anti-Islamic video.
This smacks of a continuing shell game in which the ultimate accountability for the failure of diplomatic security is hidden from view. That is unacceptable, both for those who lost loved ones in the attack and for efforts to improve diplomatic security in the threat-filled environment of the Middle East. Congress must demand better answers.
"This whitewashing on accountability for the failures of Benghazi will not stand," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said in a statement issued Thursday. "I am bitterly disappointed that no one has paid a price for the State Department's denying of numerous requests for additional security made by Ambassador Stevens and his team in Libya."
Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight Committee, also slammed Secretary Kerry's action, saying, "Instead of accountability, the State Department offered a charade that included false reports of firings and resignations and now ends in a game of musical chairs where no one misses a single day on the State Department payroll."
The many supporters of the president and Mrs. Clinton will dismiss these criticisms as partisan posturing. But there is an important principle involved. When a tragedy of this sort is involved, the government owes it to the public to "be as transparent and open as possible," as Mrs. Clinton herself told Congress last winter.
The model should be the deliberate approach taken by the National Transportation Safety Board in its accident investigations.
The State Department and the White House have fallen far short of this standard in their review of the Benghazi outrage.
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Kiwon Nahm, Violin
Kiwon Nahm started studying violin at the age of 4 and at age 9 was accepted to study at the Juilliard School, Pre-College Division under the tutelage of the late Dorothy DeLay and Naoko Tanaka. Described by Dorothy DeLay as a violinist with "one of the most expressive tones I've ever heard", made her orchestral solo debut at the age of 12 with the Korean Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center. Ms. Nahm has performed throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Kiwon Nahm has been a top prizewinner in the MTNA competition, the Washington Competition, and the Juilliard Concerto Competition. She was also the recipient of the Best Chamber Music Prize at the Fontainebleau Festival in France for two consecutive summers. Ms. Nahm's previous teachers have included Almita and Roland Vamos, Gerald Poulet, and Martin Beaver and she has studied chamber music with Phillipe Entremont, Tokyo String Quartet, Peter Frankl, Claude Frank, and the St. Petersburg Quartet. Kiwon Nahm holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Oberlin Conservatory. Then she went on to get her Master of Music at Yale University. She currently is a very active chamber musician as well as an orchestral performer. Ms. Nahm is currently a member of the New Haven Symphony. Eager to share her expertise, she held a teaching assistantship at Yale University. In 2006, Ms. Nahm was appointed to the violin adjunct faculty at New York University. Currently She is a Doctoral Candidate at SUNY Stony Brook studying with Pamela Frank, Philip Setzer Soovin Kim and Philippe Graffin.


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Build-a-Bear has released their Black Friday deals this year via Press Release. They mentioned only 3 deals in their Black Friday press release, but there is potential for a full-featured ad to be released in the future.
Build-a-Bear's two Sock Monkeys Joy and Nick, will be priced at 2 for $15 (or $10 each) before noon on Black Friday. Special Sock Monkey outfits will also on sale for $6.
Check out the Build-a-Bear 2013 Black Friday Ad
Recent 2013 Black Friday Ads
2013 Harbor Freight Black Friday Ad


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Her award-winning painting is about to be taken across the state.
Out of more than 200 entries, Aiken artist Mary Ann Brocks Lily in Tomales Bay was one of 30 to win the South Carolina Watermedia Societys 37th annual exhibition.
Entries came from artists in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.
Lily in Tomales Bay captures Brocks granddaughter dressed in a light blue bathing suit sitting in a pool of water.
Her painting ranked eighth out of the 30 winning entries.
It is a wonderful example of photo-realist watercolor ... beautifully composed and crafted, Bill Jameson, show judge, said.
Starting this fall, the winners paintings will be traveling throughout South Carolina. This touring show is through the South Carolina State Museums Traveling Exhibits Program.
The locations have yet to be announced.
Its exciting for me to see it be in different places around the state, Brock said.
This is her third time being recognized in this contest. The first year she entered, Brocks painting ranked around 25th. Last year, her entry jumped to the eighth spot.
Brock graduated from the University of Kansas with an art education degree. Her husband Roger Brock and she have lived in Aiken for almost 25 years. She is a past president of the Aiken Artist Guild and a retired special education teacher.
Brocks Trailhead Point Reyes placed second in the Landscape/Interior category in this years Aiken Artist Guild annual member show.
When she retired, Brock resumed her painting. I love watercolor, she said. I love the look of it. Its very different.
Lily in Tomales Bay is on display at Anderson Arts Center, 110 Federal St., Anderson, until Sept. 12.
Since 1977, the South Carolina Watermedia Society has been promoting the artistic and professional interests of its members as well as providing visual arts programs to the public. The Society works toward achieving its goals by making the accomplishments of its members available to a broad base of South Carolinians, as stated on the Societys website.
For more information on the South Carolina Watermedia Society and its traveling show, visit www.scwatermedia.com.
For more information on Brock, visit www.aikenartistguild.us/brock.
Stephanie Turner graduated from Valdosta State University in 2012. She then signed on with the Aiken Standard, where she is now the arts and entertainment reporter.
Aiken Standard File Photo Mary Ann Brocks Chasing the Foam watercolor won last year in the South Carolina Watermedia Society annual exhibition contest. This year her painting Lily in Tomales Bay placed in the same contest.×
Aiken Standard File Photo Mary Ann Brock, center, is an award-winning painter. Here she is pictured with Robert Holladay and Susan Pickett during a prior Aiken Artist Guild Member Show.×
Notice about comments:
Aiken Standard is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point.
We do not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click the X that appears in the upper right corner when you hover over a comment. This will send the comment to Facebook for review. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website. Read our full terms and conditions.


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Our monthly Newsletter provides up to date information on new research, resources,
and other items of interest to older adults and their caregivers.
Just a quick note to say thank you again for taking the time to assist me with this
most difficult process. It is great to know that there are people like you out there
who are passionate about helping others in this way. I am sure you will be hearing
from me again as I continue to do research and tour facilities in an effort to find
a safe, caring environment for my mom.
--Paula E.


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Compiled from U.S. Forces Iraq News Releases
WASHINGTON, May 20, 2010 Iraqi forces arrested 11 terrorism suspects in recent operations conducted with U.S. advisors, military officials reported.
South of Baghdad yesterday, Iraqi forces arrested four suspected al-Qaida in Iraq criminal associates during a combined operation in search of a man who allegedly is involved in bomb attacks against Iraqi civilians and Iraqi and coalition forces.
In Mosul on May 17, Iraqi forces working with U.S. advisors arrested a suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader and three suspected criminal associates. The suspected al-Qaida in Iraq leader is believed to have played a key role in acquiring vehicles and weapons used to carry out assassinations.
Three other suspected criminal associates of the al-Qaida in Iraq leader were captured in Mosul the next day.
Article is closed to new comments.
The opinions expressed in the following comments do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Defense.
There are no comments.


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Blue Devils, Tar Heels, Wolfpack ready to dance
The NCAA Tournament started in full Thursday with 16 games at four different sites. Now the local teams are ready to get in on the action.
Second seed Duke and No. 8 seeds North Carolina and N.C. State all open tournament play today.
The Blue Devils start off against No. 15 Albany in Philadelphia (12:15 p.m., WRAL). Duke is a heavy favorite, though the Blue Devils were knocked out in its opening game last year as a No. 2 seed.
While the Duke game is wrapping up, the Wolfpack will tip off against No. 9 Temple in Dayton, Ohio (1:40 p.m., TBS). N.C. State returns four starters from the team that made the Sweet 16 last season.
The Tar Heels will close out the local action against No. 9 Villanova in Kansas City (7:20 p.m., TNT). UNC coach Roy Williams is going for his 700th career win and a chance to face his former team (Kansas) in the tournament for a second straight year.
ACC regular-season and tournament champion Miami will also be in action this afternoon. The No. 2-seeded Hurricanes play No. 15 Pacific in Austin, Texas (2:10 p.m., TNT).


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Back to the drawing board
OXFORD — The Granville County Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education thought the redistricting plan they approved in September 2011 met all the legal requirements.
Now, 17 months later, they learn that it must be fixed.
Granville County Manager Brian Alligood said the federal government made a mistake in its count of inmates at the Federal Correctional Facility in Butner for the 2010 U.S. Census.
"The federal prison straddles the county line," Alligood said.
Part of the facility lies in Durham County and part in Granville County. Almost 2,400 inmates who had been counted in Granville County in the 2010 census should have been counted as living in Durham County.
"Federal policy for counting dormitory residents is based on where the front door is," Alligood said. "In state law, it's where you lay your head."
With almost 2,400 "residents" subtracted from the 59,916 population of Granville County, the nearly equal number of residents per district in the plan approved by both boards has been thrown out of balance.
Adam Mitchell of the Tharrington Smith law firm, which had been contracted to create the redistricting plan, had reduced the discrepancies between districts from as much as a 44.9 percent deviation from the ideal to under five percent in every case. The "ideal" district would contain 8,559 residents.
The loss of a sizable portion of the federal prison population causes District 3 to deviate 22 percent from the ideal, Alligood said. The boundary for District 3 is going to have the greatest change, but districts 5, 6 and 7 may also be affected, he said.
"We'll go through the same process again," he said.
A joint meeting of the commissioners and school board will be held at 7 p.m. on March 7 at the Granville County Expo and Convention Center to consult with Mitchell. A public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 26 to offer residents an opportunity to react to a revised plan.
Mitchell estimated the cost would be less than $5,000, according to Alligood. The two boards will split the expense.
Contact the writer at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Last Updated: 2015-07-10
In 1991, the Planning Commission, on the recommendation of City Council, appointed a Public Art Commission (PAC) to
administer a Public Art Program. In January of 1997, City Council passed an ordinance formalizing the Percent-for-the-Arts Process
and mandating its funding through the Capital Improvements budget.
The Public Art Commission meets every second Tuesday of the Month in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall at 9:15 a.m.
unless otherwise noted.
For further assistance please contact Ellyn Parker, Secretary to the Public Art Commission, at 804-646-1110
or via email.
* NOTE: This is a deviation from the normal schedule.
The Public Art Commission will be touring its art collection on June 17, 2015 from 11:00-2:00.
The Public Art Commission will hold a special meeting on June 18, 2015 from 9:00-11:00 in the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall to
meet the public art master plan consultants and discuss the public art master planning process.
The Public Art Commission will hold a special meeting at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 to tour the Commission's art collection.
The Public Art Commission will hold a special meeting at 9:00 AM on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in the 5th floor conference room of City Hall to discuss the Public Art Master Plan.
The final artwork for the bronze medallion by Andrews LeFevre Studios has been approved by the PAC and the Planning Commission.
Fabrication will begin and installation will be scheduled.
The Riverfront Public Art Project #1 Site Selection Team will meet at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at the James River Park
Headquarters (4001 Riverside Drive Richmond, VA 23225). This will be a closed session meeting for the site selection team to select
finalists for interviews.
Pre-Proposal Webinar
The following materials are related to the pre-proposal informational webinar that was held on August 7, 2014
at 1 P.M. EDT. The full Request for Qualifications - Call for Artists can be found at the bottom of this page.
Riverfront Public Art Project #1 Pre-proposal Informational Webinar – Presentation
Riverfront Public Art Project #1 Pre-proposal Informational Webinar – Question & Answer
Q & A Session
Dam Walk/Southbank - Infrastructure Plans
Infrastructure Plans (Summer 2014)
Public Meeting Materials
Riverfront Public Meeting Agenda
Riverfront Public Process Overview
Riverfront Public Meeting Report
The Maggie L. Walker Site Selection Team will meet at 8:00 AM on Monday, March 9, 2015 at the Maggie Walker Historic Site (600 North
2nd Street, Richmond VA 23219). This will be a closed session meeting for the site selection team to discuss the finalists for the
The following materials are related to the pre-proposal informational webinar that was held on June 19, 2014
at 1 P.M. EDT. The full Request for Qualifications - Call for Artists can be found at the bottom of this page.
Public Meeting Materials
The PAC consists of eleven members, appointed by the Planning Commission, with staggered three year terms with the opportunity
for reappointment for one additional term, making a total possible term of service of six years.
The representatives from the Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission shall serve terms on the PAC that are coincident
with their appointments to those bodies.
The Director of Planning and Development Review shall hold a permanent seat on the Commission as liaison to the staff.
the commission is comprised of representatives from the fields of visual arts, visual arts education, and architecture, along with
two citizen representatives.
Attendance is required and any member who misses three consecutive meetings or more than four in a year will be automatically
retired from the commission.
The current members are
For more information about the members or their terms, contact the Public Art Coordinator.
The Percent-for-Art program ensures that the highest quality art will have a place in public spaces throughout the city. The program encourages the participation of the surrounding communities in various stages of the artworks' development.
Based on national public art models in 27 states and nearly 200 municipalities, Richmond's Public Art Program follows well-established guidelines adapted to our particular needs.
A 1% allocation for art is earmarked from the city's Capital Budget of appropriate new or renovation construction projects having budgets over $250,000. Appropriate projects are ones that provide public services and accessibility, such as firehouses, police precincts, courthouses and detention centers, hospitals, clinics, passenger terminals, parks, and recreation centers.
Once funding has been established, a Site Selection Team is convened, consisting of a representative of the staff of the facility being built or expanded, members of the community, the architect, a city official from the sponsoring agency, and two to three members of the Public Art Commission, one of whom is an artist.
Through an open call-to-artists, applications are reviewed for artistic quality and appropriateness of their ideas or concepts to the specific project. The site requirements and the nature of the community are seriously considered when the selection team makes its recommendations to the Public Art Commission for final approval of the selected artwork.
Accessibility | Privacy Policy
| Contact Us
900 E. Broad St. | Richmond, VA 23219 | Map it | (804)646-7000
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mayor Dwight C. Jones


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*Guest post written by Spa at La Costa employee, Sara King
A day at the spa is perfect for anyone 18 years and older. Whether you're a couple looking for a romantic getaway, a soon-to-be bride celebrating her engagement, or you're in need of a relaxing day to yourself, the Spa at La Costa offers it all. As a first time guest at the spa, you may not know what to expect. Follow these basic guidelines to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable day.
What to expect?
Plan to arrive at least an hour before your scheduled treatment time. It is crucial to allow yourself enough time to take advantage of everything the spa has to offer. The private men's and women's area includes an indoor sauna, steam room and jacuzzi while the co-ed area includes outdoor facilities such as a heated pool, jacuzzi, and two invigorating waterfall showers. These facilities are complimentary for the entire day with your spa treatment or day pass.
What to bring?
Other than a bathing suit, there is not much else you need. The spa provides a variety of complimentary amenities to help make your visit serene. Upon arrival, you will receive a locker, robe, and non-slip sandals. During your day, protect yourself from the sun with our SPF30 sunscreen and remember to stay hydrated and nourished with our flavored waters and nutritional snacks. In addition, you can treat yourself to a fresh, organic meal and Bellini at the the Spa Café. As you prepare to leave, enjoy a refreshing shower with La Costa's Signature Coco Mango shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. Finish your day with everything you need in the vanity area including, hairdryers, flat irons, combs, brushes, hairspray, and more.
How to choose the right treatment?
With all of the options available, you are sure to find one treatment, or a few, to fit your needs. Organic facials, full body exfoliations, and a warm bamboo massage are a few of the many treatments offered. Call or stop by the spa to have a spa reservations agent answer any questions you may have and help select the appropriate treatment. Be sure to mention any injuries or allergies you may have so we can accommodate you in the best way possible.
Now that you have all the information you need to begin your spa day, we look forward to seeing you in 2012!
*Sara King has worked for the Spa at La Costa for over 3 1/2 years.
Outside of work she studies Marketing and Event Planning at California
State University, San Marcos and is passionate about business, writing,
and traveling.


text: Meta Battle Subway PokeBase - Pokemon Q&A Login Register All Activity Questions Unanswered Tags Users Ask a Question Rules Chat does encore work if the user is faster than the opponent? 0 votes Examlpe, alakazam VS jellicent: alakazam is faster and uses psychic, jellicent doesn't take much damage and uses surf. If alakazam uses encore on the next turn, will jellicent be stuck using surf? encore alakazam jellicent asked May 24, 2012 by the_netts Please log in or register to add a comment. Please log in or register to answer this question. 1 Answer 1 vote Best answer Yes it works, but beware Encore fails if the target has not used a move yet. Source: Experience answered May 24, 2012 by Speed freak ok, thanks! commented May 24, 2012 by the_netts No problem :) commented May 24, 2012 by Speed freak Please log in or register to add a comment. Related questions What happens if you use taunt and encore on the opponent? Will Encore succeed if the move your opponent used before failed? If I use Encore in a move like Sleep Talk / Nature Power / Metronome etc., what move it will be encored? Does Substitute protect against Encore? Does Taunt stop Encore stat moves? What is a bulky Pokemon that can learn Encore and Torment/Disable? What happens when I use a move with 1 PP left and then the oppponent uses Encore? Could I get an encore Poliwag? Useful Meta Posts How to change your username How to add a user avatar Why was my post hidden? The points system Question etiquette Flags vs Downvotes Anime FAQ