text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|8 Apr 2004
|Filing date
|12 Aug 2003
|Priority date
|5 Sep 2002
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Hsu-Ting Huang, Abdurrahman Sezginer, Kenneth Johnson, Adam Norton
|Original Assignee
|Hsu-Ting Huang, Abdurrahman Sezginer, Kenneth Johnson, Adam Norton
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (13), Referenced by (30), Classifications (7), Legal Events (3)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications, Serial No. 60/408,264, filed Sep. 5, 2002, and 60/488,017, filed Jul. 17, 2003, which are incorporated in this document by reference.
[0002] This invention relates to measuring the overlay alignment accuracy of a pair of patterned layers on a semiconductor wafer, possibly separated by one or more layers, made by two or more lithography steps during the manufacture of semiconductor devices.
[0003] Manufacturing semiconductor devices involves depositing and patterning several layers overlaying each other. For example, gate interconnects and gates of an integrated circuit are formed at different lithography steps in the manufacturing process. The tolerance of alignment of these patterned layers is less than the width of the gate.
[0004] Overlay is defined as the displacement of a patterned layer from its ideal position aligned to a layer patterned earlier on the same wafer. Overlay is a two dimensional vector (Δx, Δy) in the plane of the wafer. Overlay is a vector field, i.e., the value of the vector depends on the position on the wafer. Perfect overlay and zero overlay are used synonymously. Overlay and overlay error are used synonymously. Depending on the context, overlay may signify a vector or one of the components of the vector.
[0005] Overlay metrology provides the information that is necessary to correct the alignment of the stepper-scanner and thereby minimize overlay error with respect to previously patterned layers. Overlay errors, detected on a wafer after exposing and developing the photoresist, can be corrected by removing the photoresist, repeating exposure on a corrected stepper-scanner, and repeating the development of the photoresist. If the measured error is acceptable but measurable, parameters of the lithography process could be adjusted based on the overlay metrology to avoid excursions for subsequent wafers.
[0006] Most prior overlay metrology methods use built-in test patterns etched or otherwise formed into or on the various layers during the same plurality of lithography steps that form the patterns for circuit elements on the wafer. One typical pattern, called "box-in-box" consists of two concentric squares, formed on a lower and an upper layer, respectively. "Bar-in-bar" is a similar pattern with just the edges of the "boxes" demarcated, and broken into disjoint line segments. The outer bars are associated with one layer and the inner bars with another. Typically one is the upper pattern and the other is the lower pattern, e.g., outer bars on a lower layer, and inner bars on the top. However, with advanced processes the topographies are complex and not truly planar so the designations "upper" and "lower" are ambiguous. Typically they correspond to earlier and later in the process. The squares or bars are formed by lithographic and other processes used to make planar structures, e.g., chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP). Currently, the patterns for the boxes or bars are stored on lithography masks and projected onto the wafer. Other methods for putting the patterns on the wafer are possible, e.g., direct electron beam writing from computer memory.
[0007] In one form of the prior art, a high performance microscope imaging system combined with image processing software estimates overlay error for the two layers. The image processing software uses the intensity of light at a multitude of pixels. Obtaining the overlay error accurately requires a high quality imaging system and means of focusing the system. One requirement for the optical system is very stable positioning of the optical system with respect to the sample. Relative vibration would blur the image and degrade the performance. This is a difficult requirement to meet for overlay metrology systems that are integrated into a process tool, like a lithography track. High-acceleration wafer handlers in the track cause vibration. The tight space requirements for integration preclude bulky isolation strategies.
[0008] As disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 2002/0158193 (incorporated in this document by reference) one approach to overcoming these difficulties is to incorporate special diffraction gratings, known as targets, within semiconductor wafers. The targets are measured using scatterometry to perform overlay metrology. Several different grating configurations are described for the overlay targets. The simplest embodiment uses two grating stacks, one for x-alignment and one for y (each grating stack comprising two grating layers). An alternative embodiment uses two line grating stacks each for x and y (four grating stacks total). Still another embodiment uses three line grating stacks in combination to simultaneously measure both x and y alignment. (See also PCT publication WO 02/25723A2, incorporated herein by reference).
[0009] Scatterometry is proving to be an effective tool for measuring overlay errors. At the same time, analyzing scatterometry measurements is generally a computationally intensive, time consuming process that can only be accomplished using complex mathematical models. In some cases, it may be difficult to accomplish the required computations within the time available.
[0010] A second approach measures overlay by measuring the difference in the reflection efficiencies of the �1st diffracted orders. This approach uses a target that includes two overlapping line gratings of equal pitch. When the lines of one grating are centered on the lines or spaces of the other, the �1st diffraction orders have the same amplitude due to symmetry. When the two gratings are offset with respect to each other, the symmetry is broken and the difference in the amplitudes of the �1st orders correlate to offset. The proportionality constant (i.e., the constant that relates the difference in amplitude to overlay) depends on geometrical details of the sample and the optical properties of all layers in the sample. The proportionality constant is subject to change from sample to sample, and even within the same sample. As a result, this method does not lead to practical measurements. Methods of this type are described in U.S. Patent Serial No. 4,200,395 and the article "Light diffraction based overlay measurement", Metrology, Inspection, and Process Control for Microlithography XV, Bischoff, et. al., N. T. Sullivan, Ed., p. 222-233, Vol. 4344, SPIE, Bellingham, 2001. Both of these documents are incorporated by reference.
[0011] For these reasons and others, there is a continuing need for fast, accurate or otherwise efficient methods for measuring overlay in semiconductor wafers. This is particularly true for integrated metrology solutions where overlay measurements must be made on a real-time basis as part of a production environment.
[0012]FIGS. 1A through 1D are various views of an embodiment of an overlay target as provided by the present invention.
[0013]FIG. 2 shows the diffracted orders produced during measurement of the overlay target shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D.
[0014]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the overlay target designed to provide additional measurements values.
[0015]FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the overlay target designed to provide measurement in two dimensions.
[0016]FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the overlay target designed to provide measurement in two dimensions.
[0017]FIG. 6 shows a metrology system designed to measure overlay using the overlay targets shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0018]FIG. 7 shows a second metrology system designed to measure overlay using the overlay targets shown in FIGS. 1 through 5.
[0019]FIG. 8 shows the appearance of the overlay target of FIG. 4 that corresponds to a gross overlay error.
[0020]FIG. 9A shows the diffraction pattern that corresponds to the gross overlay condition.
[0021]FIG. 9B shows the diffraction pattern that corresponds to the non-gross overlay condition.
[0022] Overlay Target
[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1A through 1D, an embodiment of the present invention provides a target 100 for interferometry-based overlay metrology. Overlay target 100 includes an upper grating 102U and a lower grating 102L. Grating 102U is formed in an upper layer 104U and grating 102L is formed in a lower layer 104L. Upper and lower layers 104 may be separated by one or more intermediate layers 106. Intermediate layers 106 are transparent or semitransparent materials such as inter-layer dielectrics, stop layers, and anti-reflective coatings.
[0024] Each grating 102 is formed as a series of parallel lines spaced at a constant pitch (in this document, period, spatial period, and pitch are used synonymously). The same pitch is used for upper grating 102U and lower grating 102L and the lines in upper grating 102U are parallel to the lines in lower grating 102L. In FIGS. 1A through 1D, the lines of gratings 102 are shown to have a rectangular cross section or profile. In general, it should be noted that this is a simplification and that profiles in actual implementations are typically more complex.
[0025] Gratings 102 are positioned to be non-overlapping. This is shown most clearly in FIGS. 1B and 1C. The gratings while substantially non-overlapping, can be relatively close to each other. A suitable gap would be on the order of 0.5 to one micron. Preferably, the gap should be sufficiently large so that light diffracted from one grating does not illuminate the other grating and be diffracted in a manner that adds significantly to the measured signal. We also note that the separation between the upper and lower gratings creates interference fringes within the �1st order spots at the detector plane. The larger the separation, the higher the spatial frequency of the fringes at the detector plane. To avoid having to account for these effects, a small separation is desirable.
[0026]FIG. 2 shows the interaction between a probe beam 202 and overlay target 100. Probe beam 202 is typically coherent and is typically generated by a suitable laser source. Probe beam 202 is normally incident on overlay target 100 where it illuminates gratings 102U and 102L simultaneously. The size of overlay target 100 is comparable to or smaller than the coherence length of probe beam 202. Typically, this is accomplished by expanding probe beam 202 to cover overlay target 100.
[0027] Upper grating 102U diffracts probe beam 202 into diffracted orders. As shown in FIG. 2, this includes a +1st diffracted order and a −1st diffracted order. Lower grating 102L similarly creates a respective set of +1st and −1st diffracted orders. This requires the �1st order to be propagating (not evanescent) which in turn requires:
p≧λ (1)
[0028] where P is the period of upper grating 102U and lower grating 102L. In practice, this means that the period of upper and lower gratings 102 and the wavelength (or wavelengths) of probe beam 202 are chosen to be mutually compatible. It is also possible to use non-first diffraction orders. In this case, FIG. 2 is generalized with upper and lower gratings 102 producing respective nth and −nth diffracted orders (where n is an integer other than 1), rather than just +1st and −1st diffracted orders, as shown. Equation (1)is then generalized to:
P≧nλ (2)
[0029] The 1st order diffracted beams from the upper and lower gratings 102 are combined at a detector 204 a. Similarly, the −1st order diffracted beams from the upper and lower gratings 102 are combined at a detector 204 b. Detectors 204 provide output signals that are proportional to the light power that they receive. Detectors 204 are typically members on a detector array but may also be separate photodetectors. Alternately, a single detector may be physically repositioned to capture the 1st and −1st order diffracted beams in sequence.
[0030] If only one of the gratings 102 were present, the amplitude of the diffracted orders reaching detector 204 a would be equivalent to the amplitude reaching detector 204 b. This follows because probe beam 202 is directed normally against overlay target 100 and because the lines in upper and lower gratings 102 have symmetric cross-sections. With respect to the amplitude of probe beam 202, the 1st and −1st diffracted orders have the following complex amplitudes:
1st order diffracted beams −1st order diffracted beams upper grating 102U |a|eiφ ae+i2πΔx/P |a|eiφ ae−i2πΔx/P lower grating 102L |b|eiφ b |b|eiφ b
[0031] In these equations, the amplitudes a and b, and the phase angles φa and φb depend on the properties of the sample and the metrology target. The phase of the diffracted orders reaching each detector 204 is a function of the offset Δx between upper and lower gratings 102. When upper grating 102U is offset by Δx in the direction of its pitch, there is a phase difference of 4πΔx/P radians between the 1st and 1st orders diffracted by the upper grating. The difference in phase causes the diffracted orders received by each detector 204 to interfere. For detector 204 a, the two 1st diffracted orders have the intensity:
[0032] For detector 204 b, the two −1st diffracted orders have the intensity:
[0033] In these equations A, B, and φ depend on the properties of the sample that includes overlay pattern 100. For metrology, the goal is to obtain Δx without the knowledge of A, B and φ. This is possible if two targets (denoted in this document by subscripts 1 and 2) are measured by the same instrument. This results in the following intensities:
I 1 + =A+B cos (φ+2π(r 1 +Δx)/P) (5)
I 1 − =A+B cos (φ−2π(r 1 +Δx)/P) (6)
I 2 + =A+B cos (φ+2π(r 2 +Δx)/P) (7)
I 2 − =A+B cos (φ−2π(r 2 +Δx)/P) (8)
[0034] In these equations, Δx represents the unknown overlay caused by the misalignment of the lithography process. The goal is to measure Δx. The offset bias r1 is intentionally introduced and it is well known and controlled. For example, the upper grating 102U is offset by r1/(magnification) in target 1 on the reticle for the upper layer. The offset is in the direction of the pitch, i.e., perpendicular to the grating lines. Similarly, r2 is the offset bias for the upper grating in target 2. Offset bias and reticle offset are used synonymously. To provide the additional measurements, an embodiment of the present invention may be constructed as shown in FIG. 3. For this embodiment, two overlay targets 300 and 300′ are used. Overlay targets 300 are structurally analogous to overlay target 100 of FIG. 1. They include an upper grating 302U and a lower grating 302L. The two gratings are formed on respective layers (not specifically shown) within a semiconductor wafer. As was the case for overlay target 100, the two layers are formed at different times during the fabrication process with the lower layer being formed earlier and the upper layer being formed later. A common period is used for all of the gratings 302 in overlay targets 300.
[0035] Each target 300 has an offset (labeled 304 and 304′) between its upper and lower gratings 302. For target 300, this offset is labeled 304, for target 300′ the offset is labeled 304′. When the layers that include upper and lower gratings 302 are in perfect alignment, offset 304 is equal to the grating period P divided by eight or P/8. Offset 304′ (i.e., the offset between the upper and lower gratings of target 300′) is equal to −P/8 (once again, when alignment is perfect). The quantity (offset 304−offset 304′) remains constant at P/4 even as the alignment between the layers that include upper and lower gratings 302 changes. This is because changes in overlay alignment that increase or decrease offset 304 have the opposite effect on offset 304′
[0036] Intensities I1 + and I1 − are preferably measured simultaneously on target 300. Intensities I2 + and 2 − are preferably measured simultaneously on target 300′. With (offset 304−offset 304′) equal to P/4, Ax may be calculated as:
Δx=arctan ((I 1 + −I 1 − +I 2 + −I 2 −)/(I 1 + −I 1 − −I 2 + −I 2 −))P/(2π) (9)
[0037] In general, it is useful to characterize overlay alignment in both x and y dimensions (i.e., measurements for Δx and Δy). FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the present invention constructed for this type of measurement. For this embodiment, two overlay targets 400 and 400′ are used. Overlay target 400 includes a sub-target 402X for measurement in the x direction and a sub-target 402Y for measurement in the y direction. Each sub-target 402 has two separate portions that are evenly distributed within target 400. This increases the accuracy of the measurement by reducing sensitivity to changes in measurement spot location. It also allows sub-targets 402 to be distributed within the generally square shape of target 400. At the same time, it should be noted that it is possible to use more (or fewer) portions for each sub target 402.
[0038] Each sub-target 402 includes upper and lower gratings. For sub-target 402X, the upper grating is labeled 404XU and the lower grating is labeled 404XL. For sub-target 402Y, the upper grating is labeled 404YU and the lower grating is labeled 404YL. The upper and lower gratings 404 are formed on respective layers (not specifically shown) within a semiconductor wafer. As was the case for overlay target 100, the two layers are formed at different times during the fabrication process with the lower layer being formed earlier and the upper layer being formed later.
[0039] Overlay target 400′ is constructed to be a near copy of target 400. All of the structural components of target 400 are repeated, except the offset biases of 400 and 400′ (r1 and r2) are different. Overlay target 400′ includes two sub-targets (labeled 402X′ and 402Y′) each of which is constructed using upper and lower gratings (labeled 404XU′ and 404XL′ for sub-target 402X′ and 404YU′ and 404YL′ for sub-target 402Y′). Sub-targets 402X′ and 402Y′ are also subdivided and distributed as described for sub-targets 402X and 402Y in overlay target 400.
[0040] Sub-target 402X in overlay target 400 is logically paired with sub-target 402X′ in overlay target 400′. All of the gratings in the two sub targets 402X use a common period. Each sub-target 402X has an offset between its upper grating 404XU and lower grating 404XL. The offsets for sub-target 402X and sub-target 402X′ are chosen so that (offset (sub-target 402X)−offset (sub-target 402X′)) is equal to P/4. Typically, this is done by constructing sub-target 402X to have an offset bias of P/8 and sub-target 402X′ to have an offset bias of −P/8. The P/4 difference between the offset biases of targets 400 and 400′ is necessary to use the simple equation (9) but other values are possible for the regression algorithm described in the following sections.
[0041] In a similar fashion, sub-target 402Y in overlay target 400 is logically paired with sub-target 402Y′ in overlay target 400′. All of the gratings in the two sub targets 402Y use a common period. Each sub-target 402Y has an offset between its upper grating 404YU and lower grating 404YL. The offsets for sub-target 402Y and sub-target 402Y′ are chosen so that (offset (sub-target 402Y)−offset (sub-target 402Y′)) is equal to P/4. Typically, this is done by constructing sub-target 402Y to have an offset bias of P/8 and sub-target 402Y′ to have an offset bias of −P/8.
[0042] In essence, the implementation of FIG. 4 provides two copies of the overlay target 300 shown in FIG. 3. One copy includes sub-targets 402X and 402X′ and is used to measure offset Δx. The second copy includes sub-targets 402Y and 402Y′ and is used to measure offset Δy. Different periods may be used for the x and y directions but the difference in offset is preferably equal to P/4 for each dimension.
[0043] Overlay targets 400 and 400′ are typically placed in a scribe line between dies within a semiconductor wafer. Target 400 is illuminated and measured without substantially illuminating target 400′ and target 400′ is measured without substantially illuminating target 400. Alternatively, the detection system may be arranged to differentiate scattering from the two targets. The x-measuring gratings 404XU, 404XL and the y-measuring gratings 404YU, 404YL of target 400 are typically illuminated and measured simultaneously because the diffracted orders of the x-gratings and the y-gratings propagate in different directions. This allows the different diffracted orders to be collected by different detectors simultaneously.
[0044]FIG. 5 shows an alternative for the implementation of FIG. 4. In this implementation, two overlay targets 500 and 500′ are used. Each overlay target 500 includes an upper three-dimensional grating 502U and a lower three-dimensional grating 502L. Gratings 502 are formed as arrays of cylindrical holes (vias) or posts on two separate layers (i.e., an upper layer and a lower layer). Arrays of other three-dimensional structures can also be used. As shown in FIG. 5, gratings 502 may be subdivided into portions and distributed within overlay targets 500. In FIG. 5, the upper grating 502U in target 500 is disposed symmetrically into two portions. The two portions are on a common grid (array). That is, if the array of the first portion is extended with equal spacing, the holes of the second portion and the holes of the first portion, extended, coincide. The same is true for grating 502L.
[0045] The holes (or posts) in overlay targets 500 are spaced using a common period in the x direction (labeled Px) and a common period in the y direction (labeled Py). Px and Py may have the same or different values. The offset bias of target 500 is x1 in the x-direction and y1 in the y-direction. The offset bias of target 500′ is x2 in the x-direction and y2 in the y-direction. Typically, x1=Px/8, and x2=−Px/8, y1=Py/8, y2=−Py/8. Overlay targets 500 and 500′ are typically placed in a scribe line between dies within a semiconductor wafer. Targets 500 and 500′ are measured substantially independently. Target 500 is measured without substantially detecting light reflected from target 500′ and target 500′ is measured without substantially detecting light reflected from target 500. Each target 500 generates at least four diffracted orders, which have associated order indices {−1, 0}, {1, 0}, {0, −1}, and {0, 1}. The {−1, 0}, {1, 0} orders propagate in a plane parallel to the x axis. These orders are only sensitive to the x component of the overlay offset. The other two first orders ({0, −1}, and {0, 1}) propagate in a plane parallel to the y axis, and are sensitive to y offset. Four detector channels are typically used to collect all four first orders. The x and y detector signals are processed independently in the manner described previously to obtain simultaneous measurements of both the x and y offsets.
[0046] Metrology System
[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, an embodiment of the present invention includes a metrology system 600 for use with the overlay targets described in FIGS. 1 through 5. Metrology system 600 includes an illumination source 602 that produces a mono or polychromatic probe beam. A polychromatic probe beam is generated by combining multiple laser beams, using a laser with more than one line, or sequentially changing the wavelength of a tunable laser. The probe beam is expanded or collimated by a lens 604 and directed towards a beam splitter 606. Beam splitter 606 redirects the probe beam though an objective lens 608 with a large numerical aperture and onto an instance of an overlay target 610.
[0048] Interaction with overlay target 610 diffracts the probe beam into diffracted orders. The diffracted orders (or a subset of the diffracted orders) are collected by objective lens 608 and directed to a detector 612. Detector 612 is typically a charge coupled device (CCD) but other detector technologies may also be used. A beam dump 614 preferably eliminates the specular portion of the energy received by detector 612. This limits blooming in the detector array and minimizes light scattering inside the metrology system 600. Alternatively, the collimated light that was reflected from the sample may be focused on a pinhole to select light scattered from only one target. Light that passes through the pinhole is again collected and collimated before detection.
[0049] For the design of FIG. 6, there is a tradeoff between numerical aperture and working distance. Larger numerical apertures are generally associated with smaller working distances. The following table illustrates this for two different numerical apertures. The first is relatively large (0.85) and corresponds to relatively small working distance of 0.28 mm. The second example uses a smaller numerical aperture of 0.5 with a larger working distance of 15 mm. The use of the smaller numerical aperture requires the use of a larger grating period (such as 1600 nm) for subject 610. The angle θ in the table is the angle between the 1st diffracted order and the axis of the optical system which is normal to the plane of the wafer.
NA .85 0.5 Working Distance (mm) 0.28 15 Grating Period (nm) 800 1600 Wavelength sin (θ) θ (deg) sin (θ) θ (deg) 673 0.84 57.3 0.42 24.9 532 0.67 41.7 0.33 19.4 470 0.59 36.0 0.29 17.1 404 0.51 30.3 0.25 14.6
[0050]FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of a metrology system (labeled 700) for use with the overlay targets described in FIGS. 1 through 5. In this case, light from an illumination source (not shown) is projected through an objective lens 702 and onto an instance of an overlay target 704. Interaction with overlay target 704 diffracts the probe beam into diffracted orders. Detector arrays 706 a and 706 b measure the diffracted orders without the aid of an objective. This lens-less design can achieve a large working distance and a large effective numerical aperture of detection. Detector arrays 706 are typically 2-dimensional arrays of CCD devices but other suitable technologies such as linear photodiode arrays may also be used. Four arrays are used to detect the orders (+1,0), (−1,0), (0,+1), and (0,−1). Only two such arrays are shown in FIG. 7 for clarity. Detector arrays, as opposed to single detectors, are useful to make multi-wavelength measurements since different colors diffract at different angles.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 7, objective lens 702 is used for illumination and not for collection. As a result, the design of FIG. 7 is not characterized by the numerical aperture/working distance tradeoff described for the design of FIG. 6. This allows the design of FIG. 7 to have an effectively large numerical aperture combined with a relatively large working distance and still work at a relatively small grating period (such as 800 nm). The radial (transverse) distance from the axis of the illuminating beam to the first order diffracted beam on the detector array is given by the table below for various wavelengths:
Grating Period (nm) 800 Working Distance (mm) 15 Transverse Distance (mm) = Wavelength sin (θ) θ (deg) tan (θ)* Working Distance 673 0.84 57.3 23.3 532 0.67 41.7 13.4 470 0.59 36.0 10.9 404 0.51 30.3 8.8
[0052] Overlay targets with periodic structures can give erroneous results for large overlay errors. This can be deduced from Equation (9) since the tangent function is periodic with a period of π. This limits the range of overlay that may be unambiguously measured using Equation (9) to [−P/4 . . . P/4]. In practice, it is possible for overlay errors to exceed this range. For example, FIG. 8 shows an instance of target 400 (of the type originally shown in FIG. 4) as it would appear for a large overlay error. The large overlay error causes a portion of upper grating 404XU to overlap a portion of lower grating 404YL creating a cross-hatched pattern.
[0053] To detect gross overlay errors, the measurement process is preferably configured to analyze the pattern of diffracted orders present at the receiving detector (such as detector 612 of FIG. 6). FIGS. 9A and 9B show two of these patterns. The first, shown in 9A corresponds to the cross-hatched pattern of FIG. 8. The second corresponds to the absence of gross overlay errors. Detection of the first type of pattern allows gross overlay errors to be detected, even when they cannot be accurately measured using Equation (9).
[0054] Regression Method
[0055] In practice, all metrology systems induce some degree of error into the measurement process. For the overlay metrology systems described above, one source of these errors is the difference in the optical efficiencies of the paths traversed by the separate diffracted orders. Path-to-path variations in components (e.g., lenses) induce differences in the diffracted orders. Different diffracted orders are also measured by different detectors or pixels. Once again, detector-to-detector (or pixel-to-pixel) variations in sensitivity tend to induce differences in the diffracted orders. Wafer tilt or wafer misalignment is another source of difference between diffracted orders. The overall result is that there may be cases where Equation (9) will not be entirely robust.
[0056] To overcome this limitation, it is possible to use a method where each of targets 400 and 400′ is measured at two orientations of the wafer: one at 0�, the other at 180�. These angles refer to rotation of the wafer with respect to an axis that is normal to the wafer. Since two diffracted orders are measured per Cartesian component of overlay, there are eight intensity measurements per wavelength per Cartesian component:
[0057] The unknowns A+, B+, φ+, A−, B−, φ− depend on the details of the target and the instrument and they are of no practical interest. There are six such unknown parameters per measurement wavelength. ƒ is the unknown deviation from normal incidence and Δx is the unknown overlay that is to be measured. There are (6Nλ+2) unknown quantities where Nλ is the number of measurement wavelengths. There are 8Nλ intensity measurements per Cartesian component of overlay. The problem reduces to approximately solving the system of equations (10) (one such system per wavelength) for the unknown parameters. Typically, this is performed in a least-squares sense using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm to minimize a nonlinear function of two variables, χ2(θ, Δx) This chi-square error function is calculated as:
[0058] The summation is over the number of measurement wavelengths. The term I−CxLSQ is the residual of a linear least-squares problem:
I(λ)=C(λ)x(λ) (13)
[0059] Equation (13) is solved in the least-squares sense independently for each wavelength for a given set of θ, Δx values. The vector of measured intensities, I(λ), the vector of unknown coefficients, x(λ), and the matrix C(λ) are defined as:
[0060] The least-squares solution for x is obtained by performing the QR-decomposition of C:
C=QR; x LSQ =R −1 Q T I (16)
[0061] The columns of the 8�6 matrix Q are orthonormal and R is a 6�6 upper-triangular matrix. The residual of the least squares problem is calculated without ever forming the vector xLSQ:
I−Cx LSQ =I−QQ T I (17)
[0062] Square of the norm of the residual, ∥I(λ)−C(λ)xLSQ(λ)∥, in (12) is calculated by summing the squares of the entries of the vector on the right hand side of (17). This sum of squares is further summed over measurement wavelengths to obtain χ2(θ, Δx). Reflection efficiency of the �1st orders depends on the sample and the measurement wavelength. The reflection efficiency can be small at one wavelength but it is less likely to be small over multiple wavelengths spanning a broad band. Therefore, using multiple wavelengths yields a more robust measurement.
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|Asml Holding N.V.
|Tunable alignment geometry
|17 Jul 2009
|25 Jan 2011
|Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation
|Apparatus and methods for detecting overlay errors using scatterometry
|18 Dec 2009
|26 Apr 2011
|Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation
|Apparatus and methods for detecting overlay errors using scatterometry
|20 Aug 2010
|8 Nov 2011
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Method and apparatus for angular-resolved spectroscopic lithography characterization
|29 Apr 2010
|7 Feb 2012
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Method of measurement, an inspection apparatus and a lithographic apparatus
|30 Sep 2011
|8 Oct 2013
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Method and apparatus for angular-resolved spectroscopic lithography characterization
|4 Jun 2009
|4 Mar 2014
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Apparatus and method for inspecting a substrate
|27 Aug 2013
|24 Jun 2014
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Method and apparatus for angular-resolved spectroscopic lithography characterization
|20 Apr 2009
|22 Jul 2014
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Apparatus and method of measuring a property of a substrate
|5 Jul 2012
|30 Jun 2015
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Metrology method and apparatus, and device manufacturing method
|2 Jun 2004
|9 Dec 2004
|Abdurrahman Sezginer
|Diffracting, aperiodic targets for overlay metrology and method to detect gross overlay
|2 Jun 2004
|20 Jan 2005
|Abdurrahman Sezginer
|Apparatus and method for measuring overlay by diffraction gratings
|16 Aug 2004
|16 Feb 2006
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Method and apparatus for angular-resolved spectroscopic lithography characterization
|27 Feb 2006
|7 Sep 2006
|Kla-Tencor Technologies Corporation
|Diffraction order controlled overlay metrology
|7 Sep 2006
|4 Jan 2007
|Asml Holding N.V.
|Tunable alignment geometry
|27 May 2009
|25 Aug 2011
|Asmd Netherlands B.V.
|Sub-Wavelength Segmentation in Measurement Targets on Substrates
|4 Jun 2009
|20 Oct 2011
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Apparatus and Method for Inspecting a Substrate
|26 Jul 2011
|23 Feb 2012
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Substrate for Use in Metrology, Metrology Method and Device Manufacturing Method
|5 Jul 2012
|28 Feb 2013
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Metrology Method and Apparatus, and Device Manufacturing Method
|1 May 2013
|18 Nov 2014
|Kla-Tencor Corporation
|Apparatus and methods for determining overlay of structures having rotational or mirror symmetry
|20 Apr 2009
|29 Oct 2009
|Asml Netherlands B.V.
|Apparatus and method of measuring a property of a substrate
|U.S. Classification
|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|24 Nov 2003
Owner name: THERMA-WAVE, INC., CALIFORNIA
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HUANG, HSU-TING;SEZGINER, ABDURRAHMAN;JOHNSON, KENNETH;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:014713/0484;SIGNING DATES FROM 20030815 TO 20030825
|7 Oct 2005
Owner name: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, JAPAN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THERMA-WAVE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:016851/0953
Effective date: 20050927
|24 Oct 2005
Owner name: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED, JAPAN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:THERMA-WAVE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:017136/0621
Effective date: 20050927


text:
Gloria Pointer's mother addresses new Hernandez Warern indictment, foundation for children
CLEVELAND - NewsChannel5 at Noon had an exclusive interview with Yvonne Pointer Wednesday.
The mother was scheduled to appear to speak to Leon Bibb - a friend for 30 years - about her foundation in her slain daughter's name.
But moments before she took her seat in our studio, prosecutors announced new charges against the suspect in her daughter's 1984 killing - charges that make him eligible for the death penalty.
The suspect, Hernandez Warren, is awaiting trial in jail on a $5 million bond.
The Gloria Pointer Foundation will host an event beginning this week called A Celebration of Hope. The campaign includes an improv comedy show, fundraisers and special events for children affected by violence.
The Foundation seeks to raise money for families affected by violence, provide scholarships and educate the public on child safety and insurance policies.
To learn more about the foundation, visit YvonnePointer.com or visit R.I.P. Gloria Pointer on Facebook.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
An Arizona House panel voted yesterday to ban the use and possession of marijuana on all college campuses in the state.
The ban was passed unanimously by members of the House Committee on Higher Education.
The vote was sparked by Representative Amanda Reeve revealing that the schools fear losing federal aid and federally backed student loans if they allow students and faculty members to possess medical marijuana.
Many schools in Arizona already have zero-tolerance policies on marijuana possession, medical or not, and some Representatives felt as though this law was simply backing up the rules that schools had already put into place.
Currently, the Arizona law which regulates the legalization of medical marijuana prohibits MMJ on public school campuses as well as its use in public places.
House Bill 2349 would add college and university campuses to the list of places where medical marijuana possession and use is banned.
Supporters of medical marijuana in Arizona say this decision is not legal. A 1998 constitutional amendment prohibits lawmakers from altering any voter-approved initiative, which is exactly what Arizona lawmakers are attempting to do.


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Top Games That Could Use DLC
One of the most revolutionary developments of this generation has been the widespread integration of downloadable content. DLC has made it so that a Read More
One of the most revolutionary developments of this generation has been the widespread integration of downloadable content. DLC has made it so that a Read More
It's no secret that Xbox Live is a major cash cow for Microsoft. But just how much is the company pulling down from its online gaming service? Well according to a Bloomberg report, the figures likely come in at around $1.2 billion. Surprisingly enough, the majority of that money isn't even from the $50 annual subscription, but rather other content available on the service. Grow envious of success after the break. Read More
IGG Unveils Secrets about the World of Moonlight Online IGG recently revealed plans to launch its first vampire-themed MMORPG, Moonlight Online, offe Read More
Aksys Announces Deathsmiles Lolitastic Limited Edition Deathsmiles, the bullet-hell smash hit, comes to the US on Xbox 360 Aksys Games announces Japa Read More
Aksys Games Announces Deathsmiles Deathsmiles, the bullet-hell smash hit, comes to the U.S. on Xbox 360 Aksys Games announces Japan's gothic-lolita s Read More
Demigod Version 1.1 Now Available Custom games improved via new online system; improved visuals on lower NVIDIA cards; new team options; rankings; st Read More
SHOCK ROCKER ALICE COOPER MAKES Wii ROCK BAND MUSIC STORE DEBUT; ROY ORBISON, CCR, FOREIGNER TRACKS ALSO RELEASED Harmonix and MTV Games today announ Read More
Pop Rock Track Pack Launches for Guitar Hero World Tour Silversun Pickups Game with Fame Contest Today Activision have announced that we have a new T Read More
P!NK, ANGELS AIRWAVES, ONEREPUBLIC AND EUROPEAN SUPERSTARS JOIN THE EVERGROWING GUITAR HERO CATALOG WITH DOWNLOADABLE MUSIC IN MAY Free Tracks from F Read More
Before Grand Theft Auto IV launched last year, quickly becoming one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful games of 2008, Many Read More
February 12, 2009 The Legend and Lore of Aion: The Tower of Eternity The back story involving the principle races of NCsofts upcoming MMO continues t Read More
div.Section1 {page:Section1;} GameZone North American Exclusive Legend and Lore: The races of Aion Developers journal reveals the back story to NCsof Read More
American League MVP Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox Announced as Cover Athlete of MLB 09 The Show for PlayStation 3, PSP , and PlayStation 2 Gol Read More
Play NHL '09 With Heartfelt Rockers Thriving Ivory The rock band Thriving Ivory will be on Xbox LIVE December 8 to play members in NHL 09. If you're Read More
Harmonix, MTV Games and Electronic Arts announced Rock Band Track Pack Volume 2, a standalone retail disc containing 20 tracks previously only available for purchase as downloadable content for the Rock Band video games. Previously only available to Wii and PS2 owners due to the lack of online play on those editions of Rock Band, Track Pack Volume 2 will release for the first time on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in addition to the aforementioned consoles for the MSRP of $29.99. While all versions of the RBTPV2 are able to be played without the full version of Rock Band 2, the 360 and PS3 versions will come with the functionality to download those songs onto their console. This seems like a bit of a weird move on one side considering all the songs on the Track Pack Volume 2 disc are available as DLC already on Xbox 360 and PS3, but -- you may want to take a seat before I break this to you -- some console owners may not have their consoles linked up to the 'net. Crazy, right? To find out which 20 songs made the cut, hit the jump. Read More
MTV Games, Harmonix and EA Announce Shipping For All Consoles November 17, 2008 Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, Read More
If you missed out on the Ace Combat 6 Flightstick bundle for the Xbox 360 the first time it was available and don't want to engage eBay in a battle to make one yours, then Namco Bandai has good news for you, as they've announced that they are reissuing the bundle exclusively at Best Buy.Including the critically acclaimed Ace Combat® 6: Fires of Liberation for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, HORI's exclusive ACE-EDGE™ flightstick and a custom Xbox 360 faceplate, the newly released bundle also includes an exclusive DVD of the award-winning flight combat documentary Speed & Angels. -- Press ReleaseAll that, for $149.99. See the full press release after the cut for further details. Read More
NAMCO BANDAI GAMES RE-LAUNCHES ACE COMBAT 6 FLIGHTSTICK BUNDLE WITH EXCLUSIVE DVD Exclusively at Best Buy Stores, Documentary Included in Bundle with Read More
Angels Online: New Expansion Client Available and Event Preview The Angels Online team is has announced that the new expansion for Angels Online, wil Read More
Angels Online: New Expansion Backdrop Story , the new expansion of Angels Online http://ao.igg.com/main.php is fast approaching. In this brand new ex Read More


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Dr. Robert E. Dorlon's Ratings
I left Dr Dorlon's care because I could not go in for a 12 o'clock appointment and stand still be in there waiting to be seen at 6:30 just to see him for 5 min. If you don't mind spending the day in the office with rude staff he's a good doctor. The staff will not return call and you never can get lab results from them. For these reasons I would not recomend this doctor. You are already in pain from your illness spending the day sitting in uncomfortable chairs don't help
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][852261].votes_count ]]
Dr. Dorlon is a good doctor - if you''re willing to wait 4-6 hrs. to see him. I have painful arthritis and his chairs are very uncomfortable. I no longer see him purely because of the time in his waiting room! I also had the feeling that his staff was more concerned about whether or not you (1) passed the drug test & (2) had money to pay. I would not recommend him simply because of his poorly ran office, the long waits (don''t leave or you''ll be put at the back of the line), uncomfortable waiting room, unfriendly and demanding staff, and too frequent blood work (you never find out the results), and too frequent urine tests (yes, there are druggies out there, but is a monthly drug test really necessary?)
Was this rating useful? 0 [[ userState['ratings'][852260].votes_count ]]
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Artists Artist: Aaron McGruder
Artist Aaron McGruder
Available series in store category "Comic books"
Aaron McGruder in the
"Aaron McGruder graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Afro-American studies with a concentration in Social and Cultural Analysis. He went on to create comics, and came up with the 'The Boondocks', which he first published on Internet. The comic, about a group of..." [ Read more ]


text:
For questions or to order by phone call +44 (0) 1527 598388
Rocco Mediate claimed his first PGA Tour Victory since 2002 at the Fry.Com Open in San Martin, California.
Mediate went into the final day with a 3 shot lead, but lost this when he played the first 12 holes in five over par, but he birdied the par 3 16th and on the 17th holed out with a pitching wedge from 116 yards for an eagle two to regain his lead
Mediate carded a two over par 73 for a 15 under 269 total to beat fellow Americans Bo Van Pelt and Alex Prugh, who both shared second place to earn himself a two year tour exemption and $900,000 pay cheque
"Do you believe what just happened out there?" He said "I have a job again"
Mediate had a hole in one on the third hole in the first round, holed out from 160 yards the next day, and holed a 111 yard shot on the 15th in the third round.
US Ryder Cup hero Rickie Fowler birdied three of his final five holes to finish 13 under and take fourth place.
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Built with usability in mind and updated annually to reflect current practices for OR efficiency.
Read More »
Transform perioperative documentation and standardize workflows based on recommended practices.
The Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS) is a structured nursing language supporting perioperative nursing care.
What is the AORN Syntegrity® solution?
Who can purchase the AORN Syntegrity® solution?
How much does it cost?
Get more answers to your questions »


text:
Sign up with Goldstar to get offers for half-price tickets to the hottest plays, concerts, sporting events and much, much, more. There currently aren't any Utah cities on the list, but this is still a great service to use if you'll be traveling to a big city and hope to catch a show or enjoy a game while you're there!
50% Off Entertainment and Sports Tickets!
August 28, 2012 by


text:
- Infowars - http://www.infowars.com -
Record high food prices stoke fears for economy
Posted By MarleighJones On January 6, 2011 @ 2:24 pm In Old Infowars Posts Style,World News | Comments Disabled
Neil Fullick and Peter Apps
January 6, 2011
(Reuters) – Record high food prices are moving to the top of policymaker agendas, driven by fears they could stoke inflation, protectionism and unrest and dent consumer demand in key emerging economies.
The United Nations' food agency (FAO) said on Wednesday that food prices hit a record high last month, moving beyond levels of 2008 when riots broke out in countries as far afield as Egypt, Cameroon and Haiti.
In Asia, official data and analyst estimates both pointed to inflationary pressures. Chilli prices have increased fivefold in Thailand in the last year and Indonesia's president called for households to plant food in their own gardens.
Fresh food that lasts from eFoods Direct (Ad)
President Susilo Yudhoyono Bambang told a cabinet meeting people should be "creative" in planting, with Trade Minister Mari Pangestu leading the way in planting at home.
Article printed from Infowars: http://www.infowars.com
URL to article: http://www.infowars.com/record-high-food-prices-stoke-fears-for-economy/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2015 Infowars. All rights reserved.


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02/03/2015 | New QST QuickStats Poll Posted
Cast your votes today!
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11/07/2014 | Some CQ WPX Applications Submitted via LoTW Not Processed
May effect those who used LoTW to apply for a WPX Award between mid-October and early November
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The KickSat CubeSat now is in orbit.
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03/28/2014 | VK9MT Mellish Reef DXpedition to Begin Operation March 29
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Centennial W1AW portable operations shift states January 15.
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10/23/2013 | Ice Pilots NWT TV Program to Include ARISS School Contact
A TV reality show will include a ham radio contact with the ISS.
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The ARRL Centennial QSO Party will last all of 2014!
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text:
Air Pollution Killing Over Two Million Annually, Study Says
Posted: 07/17/2013 - More than two million people are dying every year from the effects of outdoor air pollution, according to a new study.
Posted: 07/17/2013 - More than two million people are dying every year from the effects of outdoor air pollution, according to a new study.
Posted: 07/17/2013 - There's more bad news for overweight Americans: A 30-year study finds the risk for heart disease rises the longer someone is obese.
Posted: 07/17/2013 - An unusually mild winter and an early appearance of infected mosquitoes may have fueled a deadly outbreak of West Nile virus in Texas last summer, a new study finds.
Posted: 07/15/2013 - New research boosts the "use it or lose it" theory about brainpower and staying mentally sharp.
Posted: 07/15/2013 - Learn why eating after 8 p.m. doesn't have to be a guilt-ridden trip to the fridge.
Updated: 07/15/2013 - In spite of more than my share of summer vacation mishaps—I'm thinking sunburn, bug bites, and that time I dropped a fistful of lit sparklers onto a dozen waiting boxes, igniting them all and sending everyone scrambling for safety—I typically come home from vacations feeling relaxed and happy. So why don't I take more vacations?
Posted: 07/15/2013 - Newer, heavier and more expensive football helmets will not lower a player's risk of concussion, new research finds.
Posted: 07/15/2013 - Here's a hard truth for baby boomers: We're not getting any younger. And because we comprise 26% of this country's population, our aging means that disease demographics are shifting on a national scale. Case in point: By the year 2050, the number of people aged 65 and older who suffer from Alzheimer's disease is expected to nearly triple.
Updated: 07/12/2013 - The Food and Drug Administration is setting a new limit on the level of arsenic allowed in apple juice, in response to concerns from parents and consumer groups about the contaminant's effects on children.
Posted: 07/10/2013 - If your children are throwing temper tantrums because sleep seems unappealing, consider that it may be OK to let them stay up a little longer, as long as bedtime happens around the same time every night.
Posted: 07/10/2013 - Find out if your thirst, sweat and red face are normal in the summer heat, and when you should seek medical attention.
Posted: 07/10/2013 - Up your water intake with these hydrating foods.
Posted: 07/08/2013 - Rhonda Hinkley smiles as the theme song from "Rocky" plays overhead. Walking 30 feet may seem like a small task, but doing so with a new prosthetic knee the same day as her joint replacement surgery is reason enough to celebrate.
Posted: 07/08/2013 - Attending a Fourth of July barbecue or picnic can be great fun for the whole family, but parents need to take special precautions if one of their children has celiac disease, an expert warns.
Posted: 07/08/2013 - With temperatures in the 90s and hitting triple digits, it's been easy to get some sun in the Texas summer. While laying out poolside can be relaxing, it can also be extremely dangerous.
Posted: 07/05/2013 - Doctors are reporting that two previously HIV-positive men who received stem cell transplants to treat their cancers no longer have any traces of the virus even after stopping treatment.
Posted: 07/05/2013 - Most mothers who undergo genetic testing for breast cancer discuss the results with their children, a new study finds.
Posted: 07/05/2013 - Scientists have created a tiny liver from stem cells that helped mice with chronic liver failure regain function.
Posted: 07/03/2013 - An environmental group says the caramel coloring used in Pepsi still contains a certain level of a carcinogen, even after the drink maker said it would change its formula.
Updated: 07/03/2013 - When it comes to dubious honors, "Worst Restaurant Meal in America" certainly ranks up there. And that is the title just bestowed on Long John Silver's Big Catch meal -- a deep-fried extravaganza that features fish, onion rings and hushpuppies.
Updated: 07/03/2013 - Flirty dresses, fruity drinks...what's not to love about summer? How about itchy, painful insect stings? New Orleans-based dermatologist Larry Millikan, M.D., explains how to identify and deal with bug bites so you can get back to the beach.
Updated: 07/03/2013 - Don't Let the 4th of July Go Tragically Wrong Constantly watch kids around water to prevent child drowning
Updated: 07/11/2013 - Find out which restaurants made the grade, in this week's Restaurant Report Card.
Posted: 07/01/2013 - People who exercise or play sports outdoors during the summer need to take steps to avoid heat injury, especially heat stroke, an expert says.
Updated: 07/01/2013 - Collapsible laundry hampers can cause serious eye injuries to children if a sharp wire contained within the device breaks free, according to a new report.


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News & Events
Home / News & events / Press releases
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The event, funded by Northwestern's student development office, is free to NWC students. Approximately 300 students from Northwestern, Morningside College, Dordt College, the University of Sioux Falls and Northwestern College of St. Paul, Minn., will be attending.
Registration begins Friday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the Bultman Center lobby. The opening banquet will take place in the Bultman Center gym at 6.30 p.m., followed by Campolo's first keynote address at 7:45 p.m. in Christ Chapel. Dessert and entertainment are scheduled for 8:45 p.m. in The Hub at the Rowenhorst Student Center.
Saturday's schedule will include worship and devotions at 9:45 a.m. Campolo will deliver a second keynote address, "Leading with Compassion," at 10:15 a.m. in Christ Chapel. Three workshop sessions will be held throughout the day, with the conference's closing session beginning at 3:30 p.m.
A limited number of seats for Campolo's keynote sessions will be reserved for members of the public. Cost will be $3 per person; doors to the chapel will open 30 minutes before each session.
About 15 workshops will be offered, led by Northwestern faculty, staff and students; representatives of area nonprofit organizations; pastors; and staff members of the University of Sioux Falls and Dordt.
Campolo, professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University and an ordained pastor, is the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an organization that develops schools and social programs in various Third World countries and in cities across North America. He is the author of 35 books, his latest three being Letters to a Young Evangelical, The God of Intimacy and Action and Red Letter Christians: A Citizen's Guide to Faith and Politics.
© 2015
Northwestern College. All rights reserved. 712-707-7000. 101 7th Street SW, Orange
City, Iowa 51041
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S/O tattoos!
Or any other tattoos?
Of what?
If you have pictures of your tats, by all means POST them!
Quoting CutieCrab:
How much did this hurt?? I wanna foot tattoo, but im scared. Lol
Quoting lovelyladybump:
Tattoo #2 (foot)
Left wrist.
I can't find a pic of my back tattoo...but here's the one on my foot, Faith is my daughter's name:
I've got plans for many more...my next one will be a Willow tree, after my new daughter, whose name is Willow. :)
I have 3 tats. One on my foot. It's a vine with flowers and my DD's name in it. At the base is a Goddess symbol.
I have a butterfly on my ankle. It was my first and just a "test" tattoo.
Third is on my back. It's a sun and moon with a pentacle in the center and a star burst around all of it.
My favorite.


text:
Geometric designs are a perennial inspiration to Solange Azagury-Partridge, and her latest 24:7 capsule range is filled with angular adornments to treasure forever, like this intricately crafted rotating 18-karat gold ring. Wear it to add contemporary edge to every look.
18-karat goldRotating square, inverted designComes in a designer-stamped velvet boxThis piece has been certified in accordance with the Hallmarking Act 1973
Product code: 186608 - Need help? Contact us


text:
Spin Time
'My Science Experiment' theme for cartoon contest
by W. Winston Skinner
This year's Spin Time Cartoon Strip Contest is taking a scientific turn.
The contest is sponsored by the Coweta Public Library System and the Moreland Cultural Arts Alliance. This is the second year for the contest, which is envisioned as being held annually.
"The theme for the cartoon strip contest is 'My Science Experiment,'" said Marie Vielot, manager of the libraries in Grantville and Senoia. "This contest promotes creativity, the use of the imagination (and) writing skills."
Entries may be by individuals or by a team. Teams can be school-based or just groups of friends.
"These teams may work on the entire strip or segments of it. For example, one part of a competing team may create the artwork while another creates the storyline content," Vielot said.
Teams and individuals will be judged as separate categories. "All ages are welcome to compete," Vielot said.
"Contestants must submit an original cartoon strip," Vielot said. "The entry may not have been entered previously in any other contest."
The strip may be up to 15 panels in length. Artwork may be black-and-white or color.
"The cartoon strip can be hand created or computer generated," Vielot said. "Content must be family friendly." Judges reserve the right to disqualify entries for inappropriate content including but not limited to nudity or profanity.
The deadline for entries is May 17. Entries may be sent to: Spin Time Cartoon Strip Contest, Grantville Library, 100 Park Drive Grantville, GA 30220 or via email to firstname.lastname@example.com.
There will be prizes for first, second, and third place winners in individual and team categories. Winners will be announced at the Grantville Branch Library 2014 Summer Reading Program kickoff on June 4.
The kickoff event will start at 11 a.m.


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Issue 5.08 | Aug 1997
By Spencer Reiss
|Archive Category:
Eric Schmidt liked to say that being Sun Microsystems' chief technical officer was "the best job in the world." For a Berkeley PhD in computer science, it very likely was. But in April, he traded his double-digit (Number 92) Sun employee badge for the spot as chair and CEO of moribund Novell Corp., the Utah-based networking software giant. More than a few Silicon Valley jaws dropped. But Schmidt, who's spent a lot of his career in research - including a stint in the early '80s at Xerox PARC - says the move isn't just another case of CEO envy: it's his chance to push the limits of his former company's celebrated motto, "The Network Is the Computer." Wired met with Schmidt in his Silicon Valley office to discuss networking and the future of Novell.
Wired: You've talked about technology "inversions" being the driving force behind the information industry. What do you mean?
: By inversion I mean something that was known as a "truth" - mainframes, time-sharing, browsing - but then turns out to be the wrong model once technology proceeds.
What's a current example?
Look at what's happening in telephony. All the major equipment suppliers are now producing hybrid switches - analog and digital. So a relatively rigid, circuit-based structure is evolving into a true network. We started out running the Net on top of the phone system, and we'll end up with telephony running on top of the Net. A completely unregulated network is toppling its highly regulated predecessor. That's extraordinary.
What does that mean for the Net's overall architecture?
I used to worry that the Net would become another oligopoly, which is how telecommunications has always worked - the big players, the little players, and a rigid structure. There were these main connection points - MAE-East, MAE-West, actual physical places - and everything ran through them. Now the second-tier players - the regional ISPs, the ANSes, UUNets, and MCIs - are cross-connecting. And companies are setting up their own private networks. Once that's done, boom! There's this explosion. You make it harder for a few companies to monopolize anything.
Are you confident the Net can evolve in the right way?
As long as no single company dominates any of the key connection points. As long as the protocols can evolve, as long as the data network can evolve. The beauty of the Internet is that people will have all these debates about mixed-tier pricing, and security, and so forth. My answer is yes to all of them, because the Internet runs every experiment in parallel. Just when you start to get bored, it throws you a great challenge. It's too big.
Some people say the Net should be a little less exciting.
I would be careful about any efforts to be more managed. The current structure works remarkably well.
Another of the inversions you mentioned is from browsers to push technology. Why is that happening?
Today's Internet is a return to time sharing - it's faster at night. Is that OK? No! The right answer is for information to come to me automatically, according to established preferences - mine, the network's, or both. That's what push does, from a systems point of view: It smooths the load, making maximum use of bandwidth. That's also where satellites can play a big role - delivering bulk data to specific time zones.
Spencer Reiss is a features editor at Wired.
Page 2


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ABINGDON, Va. – Boots & Bow Ties, a charity event hosted by Johnston Memorial Hospital Foundation on Saturday, June 28, 2014, will help fund services at Mountain States Cancer Care at Johnston Memorial Hospital for radiation oncology patients in our community. The event, to be held at Woodbrook Farms in Abingdon, will feature silent and live auctions, a concert by the Church Sisters, and farm-to-table food provided by local farmers and prepared by Shindigs Catering & Events.
Silent and live auctions will offer attendees a chance to bid on a variety of items donated by local artisans and businesses. Auction items include sports memorabilia, event tickets, a one-week stay at a Myrtle Beach, S.C. condo, artwork by Kyle Buckland and Joel Heart, a trip for two (travel not included) to a Colorado luxury guest ranch, and much more.
Tickets are on sale for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind aquamarine ring designed by Goodman Jewelers specifically for Boots & Bow Ties. Purchase tickets for $100 each at Goodman Jewelers in Abingdon or from a Johnston Memorial Foundation member. William King Clothiers is offering bow ties and ladies' scarves custom-designed for the event at a discounted rate at the Bristol store location.
Primary sponsors of the event are the Johnston Memorial Foundation, Johnston Memorial Hospital and William King Clothiers. The top-tier, $5000 title sponsors include Mathesius Insurance Group and Utility Trailer. The family-owned dealership team at Blue Ridge Auto Group is also a proud supporter at the top-tier level as they are committed supporters of cancer related fundraising efforts in our region.
Tickets for Boots & Bow Ties are on sale now for $75 per person or $150 per couple. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Johnston Memorial Foundation at 276-258-4777.


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Sticky toffee puddings
By Gregg Wallace
Cooking timePrep: 15 mins Cook: 30 mins
Skill levelEasy
ServingsServes 4
MasterChef's Gregg Wallace shares his sumptuous recipe for the classic sticky toffee pudding
Nutrition and extra info
- Freezable
Nutrition per serving
- kcalories
- 716
- protein
- 8g
- carbs
- 73g
- fat
- 46g
- saturates
- 26g
- fibre
- 2g
- sugar
- 46g
- salt
- 1.1g
- 75g dates, stoned and chopped
- 75g butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
- 50g light brown soft sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 140g self-raising flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
For the sauce
- 150ml double cream
- 75g light brown soft sugar
- 25g butter
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- Put the dates in a small saucepan and pour over 75ml water. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 mins until the dates are mushy and have absorbed the water. Gently stir to blend.
- Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease and line the bases of 4 x 150ml pudding moulds. Cream the butter and sugar with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Gradually add the eggs and vanilla, then fold in the flour and baking powder. Mix in the blended date purée and divide between the moulds. Transfer to a roasting tin and pour enough boiling water in to reach halfway up the moulds. Cover the tin with foil and cook for 25 mins until risen and firm to the touch.
- Meanwhile, make the sauce. Pour half the cream and all the sugar and butter into a small, heavy-bottomed pan. Heat gently until sugar has dissolved, stirring often. Turn up the heat and bubble for 3-4 mins until the sauce is glossy and thick, then stir in the remaining cream. Re-heat the sauce when the puddings are cooked and serve poured on top.
Recipe from Good Food magazine, February 2011
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Comments, questions and tips
Have made these lots of times as they are so easy and never fail, always light and fluffy. I follow instructions exactly and have never had them go wrong yet. For those who are saying they are tasteless are you using good quality vanilla essence/paste? Guests are usually impressed with these winter puds so will continue to use this recipe again and again.
I followed the recipe exactly, except that instead of individual molds, I put all the mixture into one dish. When I took the pudding out after 25 min it was totally uncooked, so I put it back in without the foil but that dried it up. so basically what i had was a dry, dull date cake wh/ needed drowning with the toffee sauce to make it go down. I shouldve known from the picture, it DOES look dry and miserable.


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News of TomKat's divorce was nothing short of shocking, and now the details are beginning to emerge. Sources are saying that Katie Holmes was essentially scripted into Tom Cruise's life by the Church of Scientology. In addition, the couple's prenup stipulated that Holmes would get $3 million for every year she stayed with Cruise, and a lot more if she and Tom made little Scientologist babies.
And the church may have orchestrated numerous relationships for Cruise before this one. According to the New York Post, the church was behind Cruise's sudden divorce from then-pregnant Nicole Kidman, his wife of 10 years, because she didn't fully embrace Scientology (or rather, didn't embrace only Scientology).
After that, the church went on a hunt to find Cruise a suitable spouse. They did this by luring actresses to Scientology's Celebrity Centre in Hollywood to "audition" them to be Cruise's wife. Among the women the church tested out before finding Holmes were Penelope Cruz and Sofia Vergara, but neither wanted to convert. So, when they came across an interview Holmes gave in which she said she would like to marry Cruise — that it had been her dream as a little girl to marry the actor, who is 17 years her senior — it was a done deal.
Holmes is seeking full custody of the couple's 6-year-old daughter Suri, and Us Weekly reports that she has rented an apartment in Manhattan so they will have a stable home during the divorce. But this move isn't just about not wanting to share. Scientologists subject children ages 6 and up to "sec checks", a long series of questioning designed to make the person being questioned divulge anything they may be hiding or ashamed of — an "ethical" inquisition. Not something we would want to put a child through, either.
You go, Katie. Here's to you taking your (and your daughter's) life back.


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Member Since:
October 3rd, 2012
About Susan Lee Giles
A world without art is like a world without light. My passion in life is to create photographic paintings, and I hope to convey inspiration with my colorful images.
When I was given a Brownie Box camera at the age of nine, I quickly learned that photography is a means to capture one moment in time.
Through the years I slowly upgraded my camera equipment and dreamt of someday making my photographs look like paintings. With the emergence of digital cameras and computer software programs my beloved collection of manual SLR Nikon cameras and lenses were retired and most everything was donated to the Sierra College Photography Department.
My work has been exhibited and sold primarily in Northern California since the 1980s. During my journey from black and white and color photography, I have accumulated a list of exhibitions and awards too long to mention on this page.
In 2011, I moved from the West Coast to New England to start a new life by helping my spouse take care of her aging parents. I believe in giving something back to my community by way of volunteering as a member of the Agawam Lions Club.
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Deluxe River View Guest Room
Reserve a Deluxe River View Guest Room and experience fantastic views of the river and city skyline at Pittsburgh's only riverfront hotel. We invite you to choose from one king or two double Sheraton Sweet Sleeper™ bed options. Enjoy comfortable contemporary furnishings and complimentary high speed internet access during your stay.
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|July 3rd, 2010, 10:08 PM
|#1 (permalink)
Anssi Tenhunen
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virrat/Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 9,397
International buyers guide
Okay people, I will need your help with this guide, but I will try to write most of it by myself as much as I can. Also if I forgot something vital, please let me know.
I decided to write this guide (hoping it would get stickied) as many people are asking if the cheaper than hell products on sale (usually from USA) could be to shipped to the Buttfuckistan where people around the globe live, where the same products cost many times more. There are a few big points that might not make it cheap in the end.
1: Shipping and handling
(note: needs information on the cheaper shipping options)
This is propably the most obvious one.
And before you start comparing and go "wtf, shipping from UK to Buttfuckistan is a lot cheaper", you also need to understand that United States basically just a huge fucking island. It has water on both sides of it with only 2 neighbouring countries, and distance to other countries other than Mexico and Canada is minimum of 1000 miles, and that is to Guatemala from Texas (...and no; Cuba doesn't count, because you can't ship anything there). The continent across (LA to NY) is about 2500 miles (~4000km) and distance between New York and London is about 3500 miles (~5500km) and Los Angeles and Melbourne is 8000 miles (~13000km). Here is a nice distance calculator based on the Google Maps engine
So when ordering from the USA, basically you have two transportation options; Ship or Aircraft, and neighter of them is cheap. There are two ways to get the package to the destination; Take it with you or ship it. If you are visiting the country and then you pick it up and take it with you, it's a lot cheaper to freight it with you on the plane than ship it alone.
For example if you want to send a Mesa 4x12" cabinet that is on sale for $600 USD (which is roughly 475€) from USA to Oz or EU, it won't be cheap. By itself it weights around 50 kg, then add flightcase or other packaging material around it, it will add about 20 kg additional weight, and shipping 70kg packages around the world is not cheap. According to UPS sending 150 lbs (~68kg) to Melbourne costs $1761.61 USD and shipping to Finland would cost $1426.94 USD.
But the big question is: what is the point where it becomes cheaper to ship it (I use the USA - OZ as an example) than buy it locally? Well the answer is when the shipped item is small and valuable. For example a rackmountable high-end/custom preamp that costs $3000 or so. USPS has a 9kg option (dimensions x = 42", y+z = 79", weight max 20lb) option that costs $49 to send anywhere worldwide. UPS has a 25kg (~50lb) option that costs about $450 to ship worldwide. Also any package that weights max 4 lbs costs $11 to send anywhere in the world via USPS.
But do note that UPS/Fedex and other shipping companies aren't the cheapest ways to ship shit internationally, but atleast they get the package all the way to the reciever; According to one aircargo website if you send the same package as freight, it costs 682€ ($865 USD), but that doesn't include shipping on the land and you have to deliver the package to the airport.
2: Taxes and customs
(note: needs info on the us custom taxes etc)
Do note that if you live in EU and you are buying items from another EU country, you don't need to pay customs. But when you are buying from other countries, you have to pay them. When the item hits the customs, you have to pay both the custom taxes (in Finland it is depending on the items, usually between 3-12%) plus VAT (in Finland on majority of products it is 23%). This gets added to the costs; I found a calculator (in Finnish, sorry). If the same cabinet would've been sent to Finland, I would have to pay 470.27€ ($590 USD) for customs and taxes in addition to the shipping costs.
So in the end the $600 Mesa cabinet would've cost me 600+1427+590= $2617 USD, which is 2085€ and since a new one costs 1290€ in Finland, you can buy one brand new a lot cheaper from Finland or one of the EU countries.
Also don't try to get cheap on this:
3: Electrical system and connectors
(note: needs info on the transformers etc)
This also might affect the price of your product, if you are buying electronics. See this wikipedia article for the mains power system used around the world: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_systems
If you buy the item from another country that uses different type of electrical system and/or connectors, the type of item you buy depends what you need to do to make it work on your country. There are primarly three type of items:
Non-self powered items
(for example: passive/phantom powered microphones and di-boxes, guitars, guitar cabinets, headphones, battery powered pedals)
Usually these work just out of the box without any kind of modifications
Items with external power supply
(for example: wall-wart powered pedals, smaller items like interfaces that have external powersupply, some items that uses eurocable)
If it is a low powered powersupply, you can use an adapter if the connector is just different, but uses the same powersystem (like UK vs EU). Personally I suggest not to use any adapters, because you can burn your house down or something, but change the powersupply. If you buy item that use other external powersupply (like EHX Black Finger that uses a custom 15V powersupply with a weird dual prong power connector), it is usually easier to buy the pedal from the other country and then buy the powersupply locally. For example some interfaces can get really quirky if you only use adapters instead of proper powersupply.
Items with internal power supply
(for example: guitar amplifiers, computers)
Now here is where the money can get burned. Once again, destroying the recently bought item or burning the house down might happen if you fuck shit up, so if you really have no idea what you are doing, don't do it.
If you are lucky and the powersupply uses an eurocable connectors (aka IEC C13 and C14) and has a 110V to 230V voltage switch, you might just need to flip the switch, change the powercord and you are ready to rock and roll.
But if you import an amplifier from USA to say Germany, you need to buy a step up (or was it step down?) transformer and possibly some modifications to the amplifier itself. Since I've never done this and I have not ideas of the expenditures, could someone who has done this (Lasse, I have my eyes on you) please light this subject?
Check out my youtube channel for audio production tutorials
Last edited by ahjteam : September 24th, 2011 at 12:34 PM.
|July 3rd, 2010, 10:15 PM
|#2 (permalink)
Anssi Tenhunen
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virrat/Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 9,397
reserved for possible expansion
Check out my youtube channel for audio production tutorials
|July 4th, 2010, 12:42 AM
|#3 (permalink)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Brookfield, VIC, Australia
Posts: 7,290
Thanks for that Anssi!
Rhythm & lead guitarist
Enter Twilight - Symphonic, progressive metal
Melbourne Australia
|July 4th, 2010, 01:43 AM
|#4 (permalink)
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 626
Great thread Mr. ahjteam.
Personally I use ARAMEX SHOP & SHIP to purchase items from the States and UK, and have them shipped to where I live (Qatar). I believe Aramex operates in many other places as well. DHL has recently introduced a similar service but Aramex has consistently been cheaper.
May I just say that I purchased a Rhoads type guitar from Rondomusic.com, without case or gigbag (an idiotic gamble I'm sure you'll agree), and the instrument arrived in speckless condition in nothing but it's original cardboard boxing. A testament to impeccable packaging on Rondomusic's part and Aramex's quality handling.
They aren't cheap however and a pound is roughly 10US$. I ended up paying the cost of the instrument in shipping it from NY State to here. But it arrived in less than a week and in above mentioned state. Aramex had a 30% off on packages over 10kg., but I don't know if this is still valid. I've seen people ship 60" LCDs from the States to here with them, car exhausts, all kindsa stuff!
|July 4th, 2010, 05:15 AM
|#5 (permalink)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 1,489
I paid about €700 for my CS80, delivered door-to-door from UK by air, specially crated, insured etc. The whole package weighed 127kg.
Best part was that it took only 2 days and arrived in perfect condition, which is what I paid for.
BTW, VAT was changed to 23% here in Finland from 01.07.2010 onwards.
Jussi Kulomaa
mstr-studio | Ruuhkatukka Tuotanto Oy / Rush-Hair Production ltd
www.masterstroke.info | https://www.facebook.com/Masterstrokefinland | Masterstroke - Broken out now!
|July 4th, 2010, 10:47 AM
|#7 (permalink)
Anssi Tenhunen
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virrat/Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 9,397
edit: I calculated the cost for the 70kg mesa package with UPS; it says 580 GBP (aka 702€). The distance between London and Helsinki (1800km) vs Los Angeles and Helsinki (9000km) is over 7000 kilometers, so no wonder it costs more to ship it from the USA (as you can see from the picture in the op)
You have to realize that we are talking about shipping second hand stuff. For example Thomann has deal that the shipping costs are always a fixed cost (no matter what the weight, the shipping to Finland is always 20€).
Check out my youtube channel for audio production tutorials
Last edited by ahjteam : July 4th, 2010 at 11:11 AM.
|July 4th, 2010, 11:11 AM
|#8 (permalink)
Im guybrush threepwood
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Bristol, United Kingdom
Posts: 5,235
Nice tip for you here. My favourite way is to ask the seller kindly to mark the item as worth $50. Tax fees then evaded, I learnt the hard way first time round (e.g. £130 on a £800 guitar). Im sure this will invalidate any insurance provided by the courier, but good luck trying to get any cash out of them in the event of breakage anyway.
|July 4th, 2010, 11:13 AM
|#9 (permalink)
The FU guy.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Lappeenranta, Finland
Posts: 6,491
|July 4th, 2010, 12:29 PM
|#10 (permalink)
Anssi Tenhunen
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virrat/Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 9,397
I updated the first post just a bit
But it seems that if you buy from the USA, there is an additional 15% tax(!) for some items.
Check out my youtube channel for audio production tutorials
Last edited by ahjteam : July 4th, 2010 at 01:12 PM.
|July 4th, 2010, 01:32 PM
|#12 (permalink)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 574
www.necromorbusstudio.com 20 years of Madness...
|July 4th, 2010, 01:33 PM
|#13 (permalink)
Very Metal &Very Bad News
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: 22 Acacia Avenue
Posts: 4,141
An important point if you're shipping from the US to Canada:
NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SHIP VIA UPS GROUND!! You will get a nasty surprise in the form of an outrageous brokerage fee. Like a $50 fee on a $10 tee-shirt. I'm not kidding.
If at all possible, ship via the US Postal Service. No brokerage fees & they're outstanding. If you can't use USPS, use the next-day service from UPS/Purolator/FedEx. It's more expensive, but no brokerage fee.
|July 4th, 2010, 01:37 PM
|#14 (permalink)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 574
www.necromorbusstudio.com 20 years of Madness...
|July 4th, 2010, 01:50 PM
|#15 (permalink)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Tampere, Finland
Posts: 1,489
Oops, slight correction to my post, I paid €700 for shipping & handling.
Yes, it was a used instrument. Principle shipping company was NNR Global Logistics.
I bought it from RL Music, who specialize in vintage synths. They handled everything.
Could have been cheaper from a private seller, but the risks.. Caveat Emptor.
Jussi Kulomaa
mstr-studio | Ruuhkatukka Tuotanto Oy / Rush-Hair Production ltd
www.masterstroke.info | https://www.facebook.com/Masterstrokefinland | Masterstroke - Broken out now!
|July 4th, 2010, 04:18 PM
|#16 (permalink)
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 468
Keeping a close eye on the exchange rates is also a factor . I bought things from the states a couple of years ago that would not make sense now. Also on expensive items changes in exchange rates obviously become more important. It can pay off pretty big being patient and waiting for the right moment to buy , not easy when youre gassing for something ! The UK add 10% import duty then 17.5% on the total (inc import duty).
|July 4th, 2010, 05:07 PM
|#17 (permalink)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 709
Flowers on the razor wire.
|July 4th, 2010, 05:45 PM
|#18 (permalink)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,417
One thing I've discovered when trying to buy from the USA is that quite often you get an email back say that they can't ship to your country due to license agreements etc. Their reasoning is to protect our local industry. For example I ordered an Ibanez guitar once form somewhere and a few days later they canceled the order and said they couldn't do it. I wrote to Ibanez and they gave me the protect local industry story, which is fine, but I couldn't buy this particular model anywhere in OZ and no one was willing to bring it in for me. There's quite a lot brands that I know of that do this. I've written to a few of them over the years they all have the same response about protecting local industry. Like I said, I don't have a problem with it, but when I can't get the actual product then who am I protecting?
Anyway, I've found this very useful solution:
Basically it's a company that has a home based in the USA which take care of all the orders and shipping. They charge a fixed rate of %5 on top of your order to make their money. It is still way cheaper and faster in most cases. They do ship to countries other than Australia.
|July 4th, 2010, 07:04 PM
|#19 (permalink)
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,990
|July 4th, 2010, 08:00 PM
|#20 (permalink)
Anssi Tenhunen
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virrat/Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 9,397
Check out my youtube channel for audio production tutorials
Last edited by ahjteam : July 4th, 2010 at 08:04 PM.
|July 4th, 2010, 08:21 PM
|#21 (permalink)
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,417
You can also use this service to buy second hand products including from places like eBay where the seller doesn't want to ship outside of the US.
For the record I am in no way associated to this service.
|July 4th, 2010, 09:14 PM
|#22 (permalink)
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,808
|July 4th, 2010, 09:42 PM
|#23 (permalink)
Anssi Tenhunen
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Virrat/Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 9,397
Check out my youtube channel for audio production tutorials
|July 5th, 2010, 02:07 AM
|#24 (permalink)
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,883
Actually, nowadays it's 12.
Great idea for a thread.
Never gone for good.
|July 5th, 2010, 08:22 AM
|#25 (permalink)
Throbbing Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Posts: 1,273
You also can't claim insurance if you undervalue something, I'd rather have peace of mind and pay a bit extra in case those fucks lose / damage it (quite possible)
Another asshole with a "studio" - Perfect Fifth
Specializing in pterodactyl Metal since 1979
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Elton John: The New "Mr. 3000"
October 11, 2011 10:14 AM
[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Elton John[/lastfm] reached a new milestone Saturday night in Vegas. He played his 3000th live concert! WOW. His solo debut was on March 25, 1970.
[photogallerylink id=70438 align=right]So, 41.5 years…3000 shows…how many other random stats can we find? You'd be surprised!!!
- Elton has toured with his band, solo, with percussionist Ray Cooper, with Eric Clapton, with Billy Joel, with Leon Russell and with orchestras and choirs.
- On two occasions he has performed in two cities on the same day — September 18th, 1971 in Oakland and San Diego, and July 2nd, 2005 at Live 8 in London followed by a show that night in Dublin.
- He has taken a break from touring three times. In 1977, he announced his retirement from the road during a show in London, but returned 18 months later. After a world tour in the mid-'80s he underwent surgery on his vocal cords and did not tour for close to two years. And in the early '90s, he took a year-and-a-half off for health reasons.
- He has played upright, grand and electric pianos. He has played black, white and red pianos, as well as playing no piano at all.
- He has shared the stage with John Lennon, Jim Carrey, Stevie Wonder, Axl Rose, Sting, James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, Debbie Gibson, Tina Turner, Tom Jones, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Shirley Bassey, George Michael and countless others.
- He's played in 74 countries.
- 1,608 shows in the U.S. including one in each of the 50 states.
- 497 in his native U.K.
- 138 in Australia.
- 133 in Germany.
- 102 in Canada.
- The remaining countries have 90 or less shows each.
- He has played every continent except Antarctica.
- Cities with most performances:
- Las Vegas — 272
- London — 159
- New York — 145
- Los Angeles area — 135
- Sydney, Australia — 51
- Venues with most performances:
- Caesars Palace – Las Vegas — 251
- Madison Square Garden — New York — 62
- Sydney Entertainment Centre — Sydney, Australia — 33
- Wembley Arena – London — 30
- Hammersmith Odeon – London — 27
- By decade, he's played:
- 616 shows during the '70s.
- 537 in the '80s.
- 590 in the '90s.
- 1,064 in the 2000s.
- 193 in this decade — number-194 is scheduled for Thursday in Vegas.


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Schoolchildren hold candles near a giant portrait of former South African President Nelson Mandela in Chennai, India, on Friday. Mandela, who died Dec. 5 at age 95, was considered a master of forgiveness. He became South Africa?s first black president after spending nearly a third of his life as a prisoner of apartheid.
- Filed Under
At a time of bitterly divided politics in our country, the passing of Nelson Mandela offers us a valuable reminder of how great leaders can bridge great divides and get reconciliation right.
Among other memories, I am reminded of how nervous I found South Africans of all colors to be in 1976, the summer of the historic uprising by schoolchildren in the black Soweto townships near Johannesburg during my first overseas reporting assignment for the Chicago Tribune, where I still work.
There was little doubt that Mandela was the republic's most popular and unifying black leader, even as he was ...


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REIT.com delivers the latest articles, investment data and analysis, news, policy and other important articles.
A return to normalcy in the debt markets is crucial in the second half of 2010, according to KeyBanc Capital Markets.
The rally in the U.S. REIT market took a step back in May, as the FTSE NAREIT All REIT Total Return Index fell 5.32 percent for the month. As of June 1, the index was up 8.43 percent in 2010.
REIT magazine recently spoke with noted economist and author Robert Shiller of Yale University to discuss his views on REITs, financial derivatives and the economic drivers behind the commercial real estate market.
After rebounding earlier this year, the Moody's/REAL Commercial Property Price Index (CPPI) dipped 0.5 percent in March, a second straight month-to-month decline.
Publicly traded REITs provide not only liquidity and transparency, but also a significant performance premium.
Cohen & Steers reports that historical performance does not justify the high allocations to direct property.
Installing solar panels on commercial building rooftops can become a revenue-generating opportunity for REITs as they seek to harness the power of the sun to produce clean energy.
REIT IPOs have rolled steadily onto the market in 2010, both from established companies as well as "blind pool" REITs.
The Southern California commercial real estate market is poised for a strong recovery, according to industry veteran Richard Ziman.