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Ramblings from another nerd on the grid
Gadget Links
Virtual Stuff
Windows Sites
Other Diversions
Now available for purchase at http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/notebooks/laptop-latitude-z/pd.aspx?refid=laptop-latitude-z&s=bsd&cs=04&~ck=mn. Doesn't run Hyper-V or have a Quad core, but this is a swanky machine. This is not your Dad's Dell, dude.
[Note] After I posted this, I did some checking. Apparently the SU9400 and SU9600 processor you can order with this machine is Intel-VT capable. So, it could very well run Windows Server 2008 R2 and Hyper-V. Tell you what Dell, send me one for testing. Just don't expect to get it back. :-)
Microsoft Security Essentials provides real-time protection for your home PC that guards against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.
Security Essentials is a free* download from Microsoft that is simple to install, easy to use, and always kept up to date so you can be assured your PC is protected by the latest technology. It's easy to tell if your PC is secure — when you're green, you're good. It's that simple. It runs quietly and efficiently in the background so that you are free to use your Windows-based PC the way you want, without interruptions or long computer wait times.
*Your PC must run genuine Windows to install Microsoft Security Essentials. Learn more about genuine.
Get the download at http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/.
What is Windows Azure™? When should I use it? How does it apply to my job? Whether you're an IT Professional, Developer or Architect, we'll address your top of mind questions about cloud computing in this informative webcast delivered by some of our top technologist.
In this session, we will discuss:
The live webcast is going to be held Tuesday, September 29, 2009 from 8:30 – noon CST. To register for the IT Pro portion of this program, head on over to http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032425946&EventCategory=2&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US.
And don't forget there's a developer webcast after lunch on this subject as well. The MSDN webcast will be held from 1-5pm CST on the same day. Register at http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?EventID=1032425948&EventCategory=2&culture=en-US&CountryCode=US.
Last year most of the quad core machines were huge. The vast majority had 17" screens and were rather large pizza box style machines. This year is going to be different. It's already looking like this is going to be the year of the quad. You might be thinking at this point that cost will still make the technology prohibitive and out of reach for us mere mortals. Think again.
Dell announced some really nice configurations this week, and we're just getting started. I'm sure all of the other popular OEMs have some goodies coming out as well. In the meantime, take a close look at http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/core_i7_systems/fs.aspx?refid=core_i7_systems&s=dhs&cs=19.
And if you want a good explanation of what Dell is up to and some descriptions of the machines, see http://en.community.dell.com/blogs/direct2dell/archive/2009/09/23/march-of-the-dell-core-i7-laptops.aspx. The Dell Studio XPS 16 looks mighty tempting. Just think, now you don't have to buy a big pizza box to get high performance computing. Nice.
On September 29th at 9 am (PST) please join us here on http://www.thenewefficiency.com for a kick-off discussion on "The New Efficiency" live from San Francisco as a part of Microsoft's Virtual Launch Event. Join in the conversation during this must-see event and see top technology leaders across industry and Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, debate the role of IT during this economic reset.
Get a close look at how real companies are justifying IT investments across the desktop, server, the network and beyond. You'll also find sessions related to new releases of Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Exchange Server 2010, Microsoft Forefront, Microsoft System Center, and Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack.
See http://www.thenewefficiency.com/ for more information.
Streamline and clarify your virtualization infrastructure design processes with concise planning guidance from IPD Guides for Virtualization. Each guide addresses a unique virtualization infrastructure technology or scenario, provides critical architectural decisions to be addressed, available options, as well as a means to validate design decisions to ensure that solutions meet requirements of both business and IT stakeholders.
Multi-product planning and design guidance for Microsoft virtualization technologies are available in the following IPD Guides for Virtualization:
*updated for Windows Server 2008 R2
See the rest of the information at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/solutionaccelerators/ee395429.aspx.
Every year a new crop of Portable Media Players (PMP) comes out and tempts you to spend your hard earned cash on one. This year is no different and most of the major makers have tipped their hand and have their product in the channel, or will very soon.
The Archos 5 Internet Tablet for 2009 has been revealed. Anyone serious about video is probably already familiar with Archos. Their players rock. I bought the Archos 605 WIFI in September of 2007 and would like to get the new one pictured at right.
The one problem with the new Internet Tablet is that it's pricey. Checkout the prices at bhphoto.com. By comparison, the Archos 32GB flash memory unit is $370 compared to $290 for the new Zune HD. Now keep in mind there are some pretty big differences in the two, but money is money. So what are you getting for the extra bucks? For starters, the Archos player has a 4.8" screen compared to the Zune's 3.5". That doesn't sound like a big difference, but it is if your primary desire is to watch movies and other video. On the other hand, the Zune HD screen is beautiful and I haven't seen the new Archos screen yet.
This years the Archos 5 sports the Android operating system. On top of that they've layered all sorts of applications and functions like GPS (add-on), Twitter client, email, games, etc. As with past players, photos, music and video playback are still core to the Archos legacy. Archos players support more formats than just about any other player I can think of. See the complete specs at http://www.archos.com/products/imt/archos_5it/specs.html?country=us&lang=en.
So you can purchase a lean flash based Archos player or the fatty with a hard drive. One of the cool features of the flash player is the Micro SD slot so you can add memory to the unit. Nice. This is going to be a touch decision.
Microsoft Zune HD
I had the opportunity last week to try out the Zune HD for a few days and see how I liked it. There's a lot to like. But the new Zune player is shockingly small. Almost too small. Almost. For you runners, you are going to like the small size and weight.
For those of you toting around a Zune 80 or Zune 120 from last year, you'll be pretty surprised at the size difference.
There has been a lot written already about the new Zune HD screen. The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) multitouch screen and NVIDIA Tegra HD processor are simply killer. The color, contrast and brightness of the screen is very good. The default setting for brightness is medium and I turned it up to high. My only complaint with the screen is that it's too small. I watched three movies on the unit I had and although the screen is very nice, size matters to me. If your primary use is music the screen is plenty big.
The touch screen navigation on the Zune HD is very nice. It's intuitive and the screen responds when you want it to. I had very little difficulty adjusting to the Zune HD and liked the way the three buttons worked. I would have preferred to have a manual pause button but I no longer run 20-30 miles a week so it would not be a show stopper for me. A next button would be nice but pause and next are only two gestures away.
There are many more reviews out there that are going to be far more comprehensive. I think the Zune team hit a nice sweet spot with the player. Since I watch a lot of movies, I'm a bit of a storage hog so 32GB isn't impressive to me but I could manage to it.
I love the look of the black player but there's no way I could live with 16GB of storage with my video appetite. However, $220 for the 16GB unit is a nice price point. The 32GB unit is $290 but smart shoppers have been able to find better deals via bing.com cash back bonuses. Then of course you can always trick out your player at Zune Originals.
The Zune 4.0 software is a nice improvement and I had absolutely no issues installing it on Windows 7 or Windows Vista. See the rest of the Zune HD features and specs at http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/zunehd/default.htm.
Apple iPod Touch
What can be said about the iPods that hasn't already been said? They are super popular and rightfully so. This year Apple improved the Touch models hardware and software, then bumped the flash storage on their flagship. I used to complain 32GB wasn't enough storage. So Apple called my bluff and created a 64GB unit. Now what do I do?
Like many of you, I have tons of friends and family that have the Touch or iPhone. My son-in-law has the iPod Touch and loves it. He works for Starbucks so he is always using his free WIFI account. Nice.
Considering I already have several Zunes, an Archos 605 WIFI player, Sony PSP, and the Creative Zen W, it's probably time to more seriously consider the iPod Touch. It's certainly a good way to keep an eye on the competition without committing to a phone and ATT. See the specs for the iPod Touch at http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html.
I'm going to wait a few weeks to see the new Archos player up close and personal. They'll probably have one in DFW airport Terminal D before anywhere else. There's a cool little gadget shop there.
There are certainly many other MP3 players on the market. Some of them are also competitive video players but the three above are probably most peoples vote for the top three. Certainly worthy of careful consideration for your Christmas shopping list.
Click the pic to take you to the buying site with the full details on the promotion.
Executive Summary
Desktop software integration is part art, part science. Desktop administration is hard and rarely leads to inspired users. DirectAccess is going to change all of that. With Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 you can now create an environment that is secure, always connected to the corporate network and a joy to use. A number of benefits can be realized with DirectAccess including greater user satisfaction with the corporate desktop standard, lower training costs, more efficient network use, and a higher degree of management for the mobile workforce.
Some History of the Challenge
Virtual Private Networks (VPN) have been around for many years now. Users tend to despise VPN because it's an interruption to their workflow in order to grab a document or access an internal corporate resource. Corporate network managers haven't exactly been enamored with VPN either. The VPN entry point into the network must be safeguarded, VPN client integration into the desktop is problematic, training users is hard, and all of the network traffic associated with the VPN connection comes to the corporate network.
What if you could make those connections seamlessly work for the users? What if the traffic for the corporate connection is only the network traffic for the internal resource and not all of the typical internet browsing? What if the connection could easily be secured at multiple levels?
DirectAccess to the Rescue
Well you can do all of that with a new enterprise feature of Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 called DirectAccess. DirectAccess splits the traffic and only sends traffic to the corporate network that is needed to use the internal resource like a file share, SharePoint site, or internal line-of-business application. All of the users internet traffic remains just that, destined for the internet web sites.
There are many benefits to this approach. The first big one is that this is totally transparent to the user. They don't need to be trained to use complicated VPN software and procedures. Instead, they just access the data they need as if they were sitting in a corporate office directly connected to the corporate LAN. Internal sites work just like public internet sites as far as the user is concerned.
This was a truly eye opening experience the first time I sat down and tried it. After thirteen years with the company I felt like my home office was finally part of the corporate network. It was like sitting in Seattle sixteen hundred miles from Texas. Here's a screencast I did of that experience using the beta of Windows 7 in early 2009 :
Now imagine for a moment how much bandwidth is consumed by VPN users. It you were the network manager for the company, wouldn't you like to keep public internet browsing and the associated traffic off your corporate network? DirectAccess helps you do that. As you can see in the picture above, the internet traffic never hits your network and causes bottlenecks at the VPN or proxy servers.
Let's Talk Security
DirectAccess uses a variety of security technologies and techniques to provide a secure and manageable infrastructure. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) are core technologies in the foundation.
Management Benefits
The management benefits are primarily for the enterprise desktop administrators although users may benefit in ways they haven't seen in the past. Because DirectAccess is an "always on" style technology, desktop administrators have a greater chance of managing remote users. The greater the connection speed, the more that can be accomplished across the wire.
For instance, DirectAccess nodes on the network can be queried and patched in a more consistent manner than in the past. Instead of waiting for the user to come to a corporate campus or branch location, administrators can reach out and touch the machine on a more routine basis.
Management activities might include simple inventory reporting or something more serious like responding to a zero day vulnerability with a patch or fix. With DirectAccess, administrators can work with the nodes on the network in off hours and lower the impact to the users. This will make your users happy. The last thing they want is a required update in the middle of their busy day. Now you can schedule updates at a more convenient time.
More information
There are a number of whitepapers and guides that are available for DirectAccess. For those of you that are more technically inclined, be sure to check out the Step-by-Step guide for the feature. You can build and test this in a virtualized environment.
[NOTE] This blog post was posted to the new team blog at http://blogs.technet.com/windowsserverexperts/. I am cross posting here because I am looking at a Silverlight 2 issue and I want to see how the container is rendered on my "normal" blog.
If the DeLorean went to the future and really came back, this machine would be a good contender for the upgraded model.
See http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/14/introducing-the-next-eco-supercar-the-steenstra-styletto/ for the full article and gallery.
Increasing manageability, security, and flexibility in IT environments, virtualization technologies like hardware-assisted Intel® Virtualization Technology (Intel® VT) combined with software-based virtualization solutions provide maximum system utilization by consolidating multiple environments into a single server or PC. By abstracting the software away from the underlying hardware, a world of new usage models opens up that reduce costs, increase management efficiency, strengthen security, while making your computing infrastructure more resilient in the event of a disaster.
See http://ark.intel.com/VTList.aspx for the list of Intel VT compatible processors.
It took a while, but the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 released bits are now on the TechNet Direct Plus subscriber download area. Looks like it's right at 3.4GB so expect it to take at least twenty minutes to download. Grin. This is the 64 bit download and here are the highlights for this product release:
System Center Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) 2008 R2 RTM is now available. VMM 2008 R2 RTM is the latest upgrade to VMM 2008, Microsoft's comprehensive management solution for the virtualized datacenter which enables consolidation of physical servers, rapid provisioning of new virtual machines and unified management of physical and virtual infrastructure through one console. VMM 2008 R2 now manages many of the great new features of Windows Server 2008 R2 RC Hyper-V including:
Live Migration -- for moving virtual machines between hosts with no downtime
Additional enhanced migration support for SAN migration in and out of clusters
Multiple virtual machines per LUN using Clustered Share Volumes
Hot add of virtual machine storage
Functionality to migrate storage for running VMs
iSCSI target and SAN-based migration across clusters
Template-based rapid provisioning
Maintenance mode to automate the evacuation of VMs off host machines,
Live Migration host compatibility checks
The VMM 2008 R2 RTM evaluation download is located in the Download Center site.
FINALLY!!! We made some seriously cool announcements tonight at CEDIA. Here's an excerpt from the press release:
Today at CEDIA EXPO 2009, Microsoft Corp. discussed key Windows Media Center features for Windows 7 and announced a series of initiatives that enhance the digital cable experience in Windows Media Center. With the addition of native support for additional international broadcast TV standards, including QAM and ATSC, there will now be support for switched digital video (SDV), a new tool that will make it possible for end customers to add a digital cable tuner with CableCARD to their PC, and for existing digital cable tuner with CableCARD customers to enjoy more portability for digital cable TV that is marked as "copy freely" (CF). In addition, Microsoft and the Media Center Integrator Alliance (MCIA) announced the winner of the 2009 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest, showcasing the many ways Windows Media Center can be used in a whole-home solution.
Today at CEDIA EXPO 2009, Microsoft Corp. discussed key Windows Media Center features for Windows 7 and announced a series of initiatives that enhance the digital cable experience in Windows Media Center. With the addition of native support for additional international broadcast TV standards, including QAM and ATSC, there will now be support for switched digital video (SDV), a new tool that will make it possible for end customers to add a digital cable tuner with CableCARD to their PC, and for existing digital cable tuner with CableCARD customers to enjoy more portability for digital cable TV that is marked as "copy freely" (CF). In addition, Microsoft and the Media Center Integrator Alliance (MCIA) announced the winner of the 2009 Windows Media Center Ultimate Install Contest, showcasing the many ways Windows Media Center can be used in a whole-home solution.
See the full release @ http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2009/sep09/09-09MSWinMCCEDIAPR.mspx.
It used to be you had to buy a very specific configuration from the OEMs to be able to record premium high definition programming across a CableCard OCUR configuration. Now you can build it yourself!!! This is really good news for enthusiasts that want to take advantage of Windows 7 and the Media Center functions.
Look very closely at the press release. There are a number of jewels in it. Man, my Christmas list keeps getting longer and longer.
Deploy Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 with the newly released Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. MDT is the recommended process and toolset for automating desktop and server deployment. MDT provides you with the following benefits:
Choosing the Right Version Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 is offered in two versions to support Solution Accelerator component installation on x64 or x86 hosts. Select the version that corresponds with your host hardware type. Both versions of MDT 2010 support deployment of x86 and x64 Windows operating systems.
The What's New in MDT 2010 guide and Release Notes are available as separate downloads on this page for those who want to quickly evaluate MDT 2010. The full package of guidance is available in .chm format as part of the toolkit. For those who want it in Word format, a separate download is available in the Files in this Download list.
Get it @ http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=3bd8561f-77ac-4400-a0c1-fe871c461a89.
More Information
Michael Niehaus did a great series of blog posts on most of the new features of MDT 2010. You can review those posts here: http://blogs.technet.com/mniehaus/search.aspx?q=MDT+2010+New+Feature&p=1. Not to mention he's the man when it comes to MDT.
Now is a really good time to purchase the TechNet Plus Direct subscription. Think about it for a second, Windows 7 is already on the download area. So is Windows Server 2008 R2. Exchange 20101, Office 2010 and many others are on the way. So what better way to get access to all of the technologies and build a strong project plan? There isn't one.
Oh wait, it gets better. Use my US TMSAM07 promotion code for a 25% discount off the new subscription price. The prices in the pic below are the full USD advertised price so expect to see the 25% knocked off the new subscription price in the order cart.
Ready to order? Head on over to http://technet.microsoft.com/subscriptions/bb892754.aspx. Be sure to put in TMSAM07 are the promotion code and watch the price drop to $261.75 USD. Enjoy !!!
A few months ago I started investigating the latest techniques for building a dual boot system. I was interested in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. There is a wrinkle. I wanted to boot one of them using "boot from vhd" AND use Bitlocker.
The Corporate Mandate
Bitlocker is a required security component for Microsoft assets. Because all of our products are moving to 64 bit versions and Hyper-V is the only Microsoft virtualization technology currently capable of executing 64 bit virtual machines, the software mix was decided for me.
The problem is that you cannot "boot from VHD" an operating system that is on an encrypted drive or partition. Ah ha! That's the key. You can either partition your drive, or use a second drive to store the .VHD file that contains the second OS you want to make available for boot. I chose the later.
I have a laptop that allows me to have two hard drives in it. I simply pull the CD/DVD drive out and pop in a hard drive adaptor and second hard drive. This is the standard configuration for Microsoft presenters because we typically load the OS and apps on drive C:, and store data (virtual machines) on drive D:.
Demo Heaven
So in this dual boot configuration, I built a demo environment for the upcoming Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Exchange 2010 launch events. Windows 7 is installed on drive C: (100GB drive). Windows Server 2008 R2 is installed into a .VHD file on Drive D: (320GB). After I confirmed that dual boot config was working, I kicked off Bitlocker in Windows 7 and encrypted the entire contents of drive C:. Again, I verified dual boot was working. At this point R2 does not have access to the contents of drive C:. We can fix that.
During the Bitlocker initiation and encryption process, you'll be prompted for the storage of a recovery password/key. One of the options is to store the information on a USB memory stick. That is the option I used. In order to access the encrypted information from R2, you'll first need to install the Bitlocker feature in Server Manager. After that, you can access the drive contents using the USB stick and recovery key.
Here's the summary of the steps to accomplish the above:
This design will work very well for my demo environment or my production work environment. I can fully encrypt the contents of my documents on drive c: and not worry about the contents of the machine is stolen. That happens.
Backup and Restore
The last thing you want to have happen to you when you have a room full of 300-1000 people, is to have a hard drive crash on you and be forced to send everyone home. To prevent that from happening, I routinely clone my drives with a backup/recovery tool. Since we are using Bitlocker, you need to use a Bitlocker aware utility.
Windows 7 Ultimate includes full "System Image" backup and recovery. When the backup is created, the resulting data is not encrypted. Therefore, the restore will not be encrypted.
The BCD store remains intact after the restore so the only real difference is the status of Bitlocker. That is of course easily solved if desired. The backup feature I used is easily accessed under Control Panel and if you squint really hard, you can see the "Create a system image" task in the top left corner of the screenshot. This process was called Complete PC Backup and Recovery in the Windows Vista era.
So there you have it. A dual boot machine that will run Windows 7 or R2 and Hyper-V. This is a great design for your production environment or setting up a demo environment. Enjoy.
WARNING: http://www.cheeseandburger.com/ will make you hungry.
I submitted a panel proposal to this years South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive Conference. The title is, "Screencasting Lessons Learned" and I'll try to do the subject justice with the knowledge I've accumulated over the past four or five years.
I am getting ready to record a number of Windows 7 screencasts using both Camtasia Studio and Expression Encoder 3. I'll be putting some of them through the ringer with adaptive streaming and Silverlight 3 so the information will be fresh and new. I may try to get my hands on the new version of Camtasia for OS X and give it a whirl on my Apple MacBook Pro, too. No promises on the later, but it would be a great comparison if I have time.
Screencasting Lessons Learned (http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/view/3477)
Your vote: Yes No Event: Interactive 2010 Level: Intermediate Type: Solo Category: Blogging, Online Video, Writing / Technical Writing Organizer: Keith Combs, Microsoft - IT Pro and Developer Evangelism Questions:
Description: Learning to publish screencasts online can be a challenge. Come learn some tips and tricks that will help you use Camtasia or Expression Encoder more effectively with your blog. I am actively recruiting other Microsoft MVPs and speakers with the goal of turning this into a panel.
NOTE: In order to vote, you need to first create an ID at http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/users/register. It's a quick and dirty registration app. Very little hassle. Please register and vote even if you aren't going. Thanks !!!
And don't forget all of the other panel nominations. See http://panelpicker.sxsw.com/ideas/index/4/company:Microsoft.
Full article at http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/02/forza-3-welcomes-1000-horsepower-bugatti-veyron-supercar/. SOLD.
Many of you have taken advantage of the IT Pro Momentum Program over the past year to build some impressive projects. I am very proud to have helped you do that. However, I am making a change to the way I handle incoming requests for inclusion into the program.
First of all, if you want to be part of the program you must reside in my territory. Today that is defined roughly as anyone south of Waco, Texas (Austin, San Antonio and Houston) or in the state of Louisiana. Second, I need to have talked with you personally about the program. This means you've attended one of the events I am delivering or I've attended a user group or event we've both managed to be present at. There's a hint, invite me.
The exception to this will be the coming Windows 7, R2, and Exchange 2010 launch events. It's going to be much to crazy at those events to have a conversation so I will not be taking requests at those events.
As you can see, I am going old school on the process. I am making it more personal. Now before anyone gets upset, consider this. We have IT Pro Evangelists across the globe that are doing the same thing. Your homework is to find the IT Pro Evangelist in your area and make a connection with them. The US is covered by the folks at http://technetevents.com/speakers/default.aspx. If they aren't familiar to you, they should be. Dan, John Baker, Yung and Blain cover the East Region. Kevin, Shawn, Matt, John Weston and I cover Central. Chris Avis, Chris Henley and Harold cover the West Region.
So where does that leave you? If you are already in the program, you're in for the year that you signed up for. If you didn't receive an invitation from me, sorry but I look forward to meeting you at one of the events I'll be attending in SouthCentral.
I will adjust my policy again if my territory and role changes, but this will be my plan until something changes my turf. Best regards. Keith Combs.
Welcome to the Windows 7 Enterprise 90-day Trial. It is designed specifically for IT Professionals, so that you can test your software and hardware on a final version of the product. In addition, it provides the opportunity for you to become more familiar with the key improvements over previous versions of the Windows operating system, and experience firsthand how Windows 7 can make your PC environment more productive, secure, and manageable.
Guidelines on usage:
NOTE – pay particular attention to the bullet that explains what happens after the 90 days is up. This trial cannot be upgraded to production with another key. In other words, a complete re-install will be necessary.
Get the trial at http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/cc442495.aspx.
One Phone for Work and Play
Windows phones are ideal devices for work and play, giving consumers the confidence to get things done with mobile versions of the software they recognize and expect from their PCs. The redesigned Internet Explorer Mobile browser includes a new engine and built-in Adobe Flash Lite support for better rendering and completion of tasks, so it's easy to do more from a phone, such as check in for a flight, get directions or pay bills while on the go. Microsoft Office Outlook Mobile delivers a familiar, consistent e-mail experience across the PC, phone and browser, while Microsoft Office Mobile allows customers to open and edit Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents right from their phone. With Windows Live on their phones, users can keep track of friends in one place, no matter which social networking sites they belong to — Facebook, Twitter or MySpace Windows Live.
Powerful Mobile Services
Windows phones will debut with two new powerful mobile services so that the information, contacts and applications customers want are always at their fingertips. A wide variety of approved and certified applications will be available for direct download to Windows phones from Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and an easy return policy lets customers buy with confidence. The free My Phone service allows customers to automatically back up and sync photos, music, contacts and text messages from their phone to the Web, making it easy to access and manage them from their phone or PC or restore the information in the event of a lost phone.
A Customized Experience, From Keyboards to Widgets
Windows phones give consumers the choice of a broad selection of form factors from sleek, touch-screen devices to full QWERTY keyboards to make it easy to find a phone that fits their needs. Windows Mobile 6.5 provides easy access to third-party applications such as Facebook, Netflix and Zagat, and an improved, touch-friendly user interface that allows customers to tailor their phone to suit their individual style. With the new version, users can change the look and feel of their phones with designer themes or a personal background and customize their home screen with widgets so the information they need is always easy to find.
Industry Players Rally Behind Windows Phones
Partners from around the globe are committed to updating or expanding their portfolios to include phones with Windows Mobile 6.5.
See the press release @ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/sep09/09-01windowsphoneavailablepr.mspx.
See more product images @ http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/mobile/images.mspx.
See the Windows Mobile site @ http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/default.mspx.
Hear from a panel of experts how virtualization tools can help you with application compatibility concerns whether you're migrating from Windows Vista® or Windows® XP. Join us to discuss how presentation virtualization, desktop virtualization and application virtualization can reduce testing times, expedite deployment and ultimately help you streamline PC management. We'll cover the latest desktop virtualization technologies from Microsoft, including Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V), Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (MED-V), and Windows XP Mode for Windows 7. Plus we share tips and tricks and demonstrate free tools to analyze and fix applications while answering your questions live during the event.
Find answers to your Windows client OS deployment and management questions with resources, tools, monthly feature articles, and guidance from subject matter experts and early adopters. To learn more, visit www.microsoft.com/springboard.
As part of the "virtual" experience, you may submit your questions about Windows 7 Beta to the panel live during the event—or submit questions in advance to firstname.lastname@example.com.
Join live on Thursday, September 24th, 2009, 9:00am Pacific Time. Missed Part 1? Watch the replay. For IT Pro tips, tricks and resources for Windows 7, visit the Springboard Series


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subset: commoncrawl


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Media Advisory: Air Canada Centre unveils new hi-def videoboard and expansion details
TORONTO, Sept. 10 /CNW/ -WHAT: Bob Hunter, executive vice-president of venues and entertainment for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, will unveil Air Canada Centre's new high-definition scoreboard and display system and demonstrate its benefits and features. At an investment of $8 million, the new scoreboard will enhance the fan experience at Leafs and Raptors games, and Air Canada Centre events. Media will also get a tour of Air Canada Centre's west side, where construction is underway on a $40 million expansion. The year-long project will expand the home of the Leafs and Raptors to include a new multi-level concourse, retail areas, and more concession stands. Construction will be completed in time for the venue's 10th anniversary season. Photo and interview opportunities available. -------------------------------------------- WHO: Bob Hunter, MLSE executive vice-president, venues and entertainment WHEN: Thursday, September 11, 2008 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Air Canada Centre 40 Bay Street Media are asked to enter through Gate 2 ---------------------------------------
For further information: Media Contacts: Pat Park, Toronto Maple Leafs, (416) 815-5761; Rajani J. Kamath, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, (416) 815-5790


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My name is Alisha Savage I was born on the 20th August 2010 I was a happy outgoing 2 year old until November 2012 when I was diagnosed with a rare malignant brain tumour known as Atypical Teratoid/Rhaboid tumour or ATRT.
This type of tumour is very aggressive and extremely rare worldwide. Approximately 1 in every 1.1 million children suffer from this condition.
I need Specialist and ongoing life saving treatment and I need a team of medical experts to treat me and to provide me with the best possible chance of survival.
Can you help me?
The alisha savage story
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Nearly 3,000 people killed. A nation's collective psyche decimated. Two costly, protracted wars. And fallout affecting everything from air travel to privacy.
The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks left deep, lasting scars that will be acknowledged today in commemorations at Ground Zero in New York, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pa., the sites where terrorists crashed four hijacked commercial airliners. But on the 12th anniversary of 9/11, there are signs of a gradual desensitization to the tragedy's once-piercing wounds.
Near Madison, Wis., the Tumbledown Trails Golf Course offered a ...


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Color Inspiration Challenge July 2012
Taking a trip down memory lane, remember the Color Challenges of old? Ah! Memories! Bunny started it up again so I found time to kick out a little something, something for old time's sake. Mini Downloads Minus or Mediafire These styles have a little secret built in, they will react slightly with a color change to what you… Read more →


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Rafael Nadal loses Chile Open final to Horacio Zeballos
Rafael Nadal was denied the Chile Open title on his comeback from injury as Argentina's Horacio Zeballos came from a set down to beat him in the final.
Zeballos, ranked 73rd in the world, won his first ATP Tour title with a shock 6-7 (2-7) 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 victory at the clay-court event in Vina del Mar.
Nadal injury timeline
28 June, 2012: Nadal loses to Lukas Rosol in second round of Wimbledon
14 July: Pulls out of an exhibition match with Novak Djokovic because of tendonitis
19 July: Withdraws from the Olympics with tendonitis in left knee
15 August: Withdraws from the US Open
3 September: Announces he has a partially torn patella tendon
25 October: Confirms he will not play in the Paris Masters or ATP World Tour Finals
20 November: Practises on court for the first time in Majorca
25 December: Pulls out of the Abu Dhabi exhibition with a stomach virus
28 December: Withdraws from the Australian Open because of the virus
5 February, 2013: Nadal returns alongside Juan Monaco in the Vina del Mar doubles before playing his first singles match
Former world number one Nadal, 26, was playing his first tournament after eight months out with knee trouble.
"It's true I wanted to win the final but it wasn't possible," he said.
Zeballos did not progress beyond the second round in any of the tour-level events he competed in last year, but had already beaten three seeds en route to his match against Nadal.
"It's a dream for me," the 27-year-old told the ATP Tour's official website.
"To be able to play a final against Nadal was already good enough for me. It's a moment that will stay in my memory for the rest of my life."
Before this week, Nadal had not played a competitive match since suffering a shock second-round defeat by Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon last year.
Having suffered with a knee injury, the world number five pulled out of January's Australian Open with a stomach virus.
The Spaniard saved two break points on his opening service game and looked to be on course for victory after wrapping up the first set in a tie-break.
But Zeballos refused to buckle and took the second set after another tight tie-break.
There had been no breaks of serve up to that point, but Nadal changed that by winning the opening game of the third set - only to relinquish his advantage immediately.
At 5-4 ahead, Zeballos made his move and charged into a 0-40 lead on Nadal's serve before converting his first match point and sealing victory after two hours and 46 minutes.
Nadal, though, was positive in defeat, despite missing out on his 37th clay-court title.
"It was a great tournament for me," he said. "I just need to keep working, practising with hope, motivation and the right attitude to have better sensations every week. I hope it's the beginning of a lot of good things for me."
There was more disappointment for the Spaniard after he and Argentina's Juan Monaco were later beaten in the doubles final, losing 6-2 6-4 to Italians Paolo Lorenzi and Potito Starace.


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I pontificated on the meaning of "change" in this space back on Oct. 1. I noted that the word "change" is meaningless as it could be a change for the better, or for the worse.
In the last year or so there have been some very visible bumper stickers that say "1/20/09: Bush's Last Day." Those of us who have long awaited the departure of this particular president now have only days to go.
When the question about a president's "legacy" is centered around whether or not he's the worst president ever, well, enough said. Even Bush's most ardent supporters have only one line to run with: History hasn't yet rendered its judgment.
Social Security has a new online retirement application and a new celebrity spokesperson to help spread the word.
You can apply for retirement benefits from the comfort of your home or office at www.socialsecurity.gov. There's no need to drive to your local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative. You can complete the new online retirement application in as little as 15 minutes. It's so easy
The single greatest challenge facing our country in the new year and the years ahead is asserting the kind of affirmative and creative leadership necessary to regain the confidence of the American people in our system of governance, our nation's leaders and our standing in the world.
Just a few weeks ago, we marked the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document, a direct result of the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany during World War II, was intended to clarify the international consensus on the most fundamental of human rights. Despite growing international support for the core ideals such as the right to life, liberty and security of person contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, you just have to turn on your nightly news to see blatant violations of these princ
This week, I was blessed to be sworn in as our district's Representative in the 111th U.S. Congress. It's a sacred duty to serve you in Washington, and I am already hard at work on strategies for economic revival for Southside and Central Virginia and for a new era of accountability for our corporate and government leaders.
Some things need to change
I read the article in last weeks paper about the cock fighting.
The Humane Society of the United States is a wonderful organization that fights to protect animal rights and has support from people from all walks of life that send whatever donation they can.
People now have access to newspapers, T.V. and the Internet and know more of what is going on than they did years ago.
Let others have their figgy puddings and auld lang synes.
The accolades keep rolling in for members of the 2008 Jefferson Forest football team.
The latest honors were bestowed on Josh Storm and Dustin Engledove.
The holiday season tends to breed nostalgic sentiments.
We long for things as they used to be, no matter how unlikely their return.
Copyright © 2015
The Bedford Bulletin is your source for local news, sports, events, and information in Bedford County and Bedford, VA and the surrounding area.


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This bread is easy, and it is a bit sweet so it can take the place of brioche in many recipes. Or you can adjust the sweetness down, and add herbs or spices for variety.
Ingredients2 cups warm water
2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour (or ordinary, or white whole wheat.)
PreparationIn a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.
note: our house has been a bit chilly, so I warmed the oven to its lowest heat-- 170-- then turned it off and let the bread rise in there. it seems to have helped.
it's bread weather again, and I made a variation I came up with last winter. 1/2 cup sugar, and mix in herb de provence and rosemary into the flour. makes a herbier, less sweet bread. I also do a version in which I crush corianter, cumin and mustard sead in a motar and mix that in, for a spicier bread.


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BMW 750Li: Tech, lux, performance in one big car
Whale on Wheels
Engine: 4.4-liter DOHC V-8 turbo, 400 bhp
Length/width/height (in.): 205.3/74.9/58.3
Weight: 4,640 lbs.
MPG city/hwy/observed: 14/21/15.8
Base warranty: 4 yrs/50,000 miles
Price as tested: $110,170
Alternatives: Audi A8L, Jaguar XJ-VP, Lexus LS460L, Mercedes-Benz S550
The flagship 7-series from BMW was redone for 2009 and comes in both standard (750i) and long wheelbase (750Li) models, BMW's penultimate sedan. This fall the all-wheel drive version arrives, followed not long after by the 760Li twelve-cylinder model.
BMW, or more accurately its design director, got some unflattering feedback on the last 7-series, but lo and behold within 5 years two of its three primary competitors had adopted some of the styling traits on their own super-sedan redesigns, so clearly BMW knows how to push the envelope. And they didn't stop pushing with the new 7 either.
The lines are handsome yet simple, giving the car plenty of presence with no strange angles; in profile view the front appears a bit blunt but with 17-plus feet of metal real estate you aren't going to see that view very often. Chrome and jewelry are kept to a minimum, the LED tail-lights fade out when you turn them off, adaptive brake lights catch your eye in motion, fog lamps are set very wide and the adaptive bi-Xenon headlamps light an impressive swath. BMW have had superb headlights for years so the writing above each headlamps seems odd, rather like when Chevrolet was putting "Cross-Fire Fuel Injection" labels on their Corvettes when 15-year-old VWs had more advanced systems.
Open a door and the view speaks money like a boutique hotel (and note the positive door stops that hold the door anywhere you want it). On this example cream leather on seats, door trim and consoles, with black carpeting, dash and door tops, all set off by glossy dark wood and aluminum-style trim. Many of the cabin wood choices are matte finish, and I'd recommend one of those for two reasons: first, the gloss offers up lots of sun glare and reflections in the driver's window, and second, since the "handle" to pull the door closed is a recess above the wood strip the gloss wood was already showing signs of scuffing.
Generous seats offer myriad adjustment, heat, ventilation and, for the driver, an active cushion so you don't sit in one position continuously, and the seats are nestled between armrests and center console that both fall away gently forward. The wood on top and side of the console is capped by a leather strip to avoid scarring the edges and black ceramic trim for the center controls looks as good as it sounds. Were I in the market research group I would prefer the huge door pockets tilt out for easier access and some means to close the DVD changer lid without getting the inevitable fingerprints on the aluminum and shiny wood trim.
The rear cabin is no less impressive and just as roomy, with footrests so everyone's stocking feet can rest comfortably. Video screens are in the front seatbacks, not the headrests where you might have to tilt your head up to watch, and a pair of gaming inputs is in the console with the climate controls, DVD drive, seat heat switches and so forth. None of the reading or vanity lights overhead will interfere with the driver's rear vision, and the mirrors have detents for staying put. Other available goodies include a cooler box, power sunshade for all five pieces of glass behind the driver, and seat power options.
Such a wide range of seat and steering column adjustments puts the memory system to good use and the heads-up display is fully adjustable through the iDrive controller abaft the shifter. The new 7 has the latest, and far better, generation of this system and through it you execute typical audio, car system and navigation functions and less-common things like the owner's manual and turn-signal settings. I never had to consult the manual (print or iDrive version) to make it do what I wanted, your portable electronics integrate seamlessly and the 10-inch screen does conventional and topographical map displays. Key controls like ventilation and radio volume have conventional hardware and steering wheel redundancy.
Basic (read: perfect) white-on-black gauges supply speed, engine rpm, fuel level and oil temperature, and the lower third of the large gauges is part of a digital display for everything from analog indication of mpg and miles remaining, to radio station lists. Many of the driver assists and navigation instructions also appear on the head-up display; the night-vision display however is in the center screen not nearly as close to line-of-sight as Mercedes' system. The premium audio system brings HD radio, 825 watts, 16 speakers, DVD changer and MP3/iPod inputs to cover anything, and for those who prefer their digital music uncompressed 12gb of the 80gb hard drive is dedicated to audio storage of your CDs.
The hood presents differently than most BMWs from the driver seat and does an excellent job clueing you in to where the sides of car really are. It is big, but not overwhelming, the rear camera's predictive backing, tilt down mirrors, and proximity sensors letting you place it inches away from anything else. Front cameras give a wide-angle view from ahead of the front wheels for garage and alley exits.
A vast, nearly rectangular trunk holds plenty of luggage and metal pads for the sealing rubber are a nice touch. When equipped with the convenience package all doors and the trunk lid will seal themselves, and you can drive without taking the key from your pocket; for those who valet a lot, the center console locks and the trunk controls are inside it.
And as a BMW they have upped the ante in the drive as well. The 4.4-liter V-8 engine gets two tiny turbos (they fit in the "V" on top of the engine) so horsepower is up a bit to 400 and torque is up considerably to 450 lb-ft from 1,800 rpm onward. Traction will be the issue as this is more than enough grunt to invoke traction control in a 45-mph corner, yet the massive 7 will reach 60 in less than 5 seconds. Passing is a no-brainer, as long as you're in "sport" mode, via console pushbuttons or shifter; the immense power is restrained to maintain a semblance of smoothness yet even in "normal" or "comfort" modes one need be mindful with their right foot.
Air suspension also is updated, right down to individual component adjustments at each corner. With the 19-inch run-flat tires on the sport package (which also includes active steering) turn-in is crisp and handling transitions very good for this heft; it feels like a car 700 to 1,000 pounds lighter. Pay attention and you can actually feel it rotate in the corners, something I've never experienced in a car this long and heavy, but the slightly artificial feel of it all takes some getting used to. At its softest "comfort" setting the ride is mellow and only sharp bumps and lane-divider dots get past the run-flat tires, and "normal" is good for any driving on an American road. Sport and Sport+ really tighten things up, giving up supreme comfort and quiet for maximum progress. Via iDrive you can control which systems on the car change characteristics with the switch to Sport or Sport+, then just touch one button when you want it.
It's ironic that the flagship from the "Ultimate Driving Machine" company has so many "driver assists" available to further remove the driver from what they should be doing, but that's the price of playing in this segment. At least on the BMW they remain optional — drivers are still welcome.
A 750Li runs from $85,000. Opt for cameras ($750), convenience ($1,700), driver assist package ($1,350), luxury package (window shades, rear seat and steering wheel heat, front seat ventilation, etc., $2,500), premium sound system ($2,000), black ceramic controls ($650), head-up display ($1,300), leather instrument panel ($1,200), Night Vision ($2,600), Sport package ($4,900), active cruise control ($2,400) and gas guzzler tax ($1,000) and it adds up. But the only U.S. market four-door lux sedan that might make better time comes from Maserati, and it hasn't the technology or rear-seat comfort of the 750Li.
Whale, a longtime Ventura County resident, has been breaking parts for 31 years and writing about it for 23.
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Ohio State University to Raise Out-Of-State Student Charges
The Ohio State University Board of Trustees approved tuition and fees for the 2013-14 academic year. Tuition and mandatory fees for in-state undergraduates will be frozen, but the surcharge for out-of-state undergraduates will increase by 2 percent to $15,720. Room and board fees will also increase by almost 4 percent.


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Laura and Tom were married in Liverpool in September. They wanted a fun-filled wedding that everyone would enjoy. That meant ditching many of the traditions that they didn't like the idea of, and only keeping the parts that they did!
"When we first sat down to work out what we wanted from our wedding we realised that there were certain aspects of traditional weddings that, as guests, we found boring", said Laura. "At the end of the day we just wanted to have fun at our wedding! So we skipped out the bits we didn't like and picked the bits we did. We made a list of all our favourite things in the world and tried to see if we could incorporate them into our day. Most of all we just wanted to make sure that it was relaxed and laid-back, a lot like us."


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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- St. Petersburg police have arrested an 18-year-old in connection with the death of another teen, whose body was discovered in an abandoned stolen vehicle Thursday night.
Police say Demontray Lovett was arrested at his home at around 7:30 p.m. tonight without incident and has been charged with the shooting death of Carl Martin.
According to detectives, Lovett and Martin were part of a group riding in a stolen Dodge Caravan on their way to St. Pete Beach to steal another vehicle.
Lovett, who was armed with a 40 caliber handgun, accidentally shot Martin, who was in the front passenger seat.
Police say the group drove back to St. Petersburg and, believing Martin had died, abandoned the van at the location where it was later found by police.
No other arrests have been made at this point.
St. Petersburg Police


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Dr Felton said: "We found that the pattern of nutrient intake by wild spider monkeys, which are primarily fruit eaters, was almost identical to humans, which are omnivores. What spider monkeys and humans have in common is that they tightly regulate their daily protein intake, i.e. they appear to aim for a target amount of protein each day, regardless of whether they only ate ripe fruit or mixed in other vegetable matter as well. Finding this result in spider monkeys was unexpected because, previously, ripe fruit specialists were thought to be 'energy maximisers'. In other words, they would aim to maximise their daily energy intake. Our findings show this is not the case.
"The consequence of tight protein regulation is the same for monkeys and humans: if the diet is poor in protein but rich in carbohydrates and fats (energy dense food) individuals will end up ingesting a great deal of energy in order to obtain their protein target, which can lead to weight gain. This 'protein leverage effect' is thought to play a significant role in the human obesity problem found in modern western societies. Our results suggest that an adjustment of the nutritional balance of diets as a means to manage human obesity might similarly be an option for mitigating obesity in captive primates.
"Our findings are also interesting from an evolutionary point of view. Similarity in the regulatory pattern of protein intake between distantly related species, such as humans and spider monkeys, possessing very different dietary habits, may indicate that the evolutionary origins
|Contact: Emma Mason
Oxford University Press


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The Iceman Limited is the largest manufacturer of ice cubes in Kenya and we supply more than 60 retail and trade outlets. In addition we supply most of the major hotel chains in Kenya. Take a look at our Ice Manufacture page for more information
The Iceman Limited - 0723 816366 or 0723 719368 - email@example.com


text: Merle Haggard And Bonnie Owens Talk About Their Love Story, One Of The Greatest In Country Music History By Randy McDaniel May 24, 2014 The story of Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens is one of the great love stories in Country Music History. Read More|Comment Category: Country Music News, Videos Tags: bonnie owens, Merle Haggard Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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Google Elezioni 2013 - Press Conference
From left, Andrea Romano, from Lista Monti, Laura Bononcini, policy... Fotografia de notíciasAtender,Conferência de Imprensa,Democracia,Eleição,Estratégia,Finanças,Gerente,Horizontal,Itália,Partido Democrático - Itália,Política,Povo da Liberdade,Renato Brunetta,Roma - Itália,TecnologiaPhotographer Giorgio CosulichCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Giorgio CosulichROME, ITALY - JANUARY 22: From left, Andrea Romano, from Lista Monti, Laura Bononcini, policy manager for Google Italy, Giuseppe Civati, from PD Democratic Party and Renato Brunetta, from PDL political party, attend the press conference for the presentation of Google Elections 2013 on January 22, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Google platform elections, organized in collaboration with the newspaper La Stampa and the TV channel La7, brings for the first time in Italy a new model of citizen participation on the web, which has already been successfully tested by Google in elections in the U.S., in France, Germany and other countries of the world. (Photo by Giorgio Cosulich/Getty Images)


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How does it work?
As an academic supervisor on the project, you will provide academic supervision to the Associate who works at the company partner's premise, on a project of strategic importance to the company. The Associate will be the project manager, transferring your skills and knowledge and applying these to the project.
Funded by Government organisations led by the Technology Strategy Board, with the remainder of the cost borne by the company partner, the projects are of full economic costing to the University.
Academic supervisors are normally expected to be full or part time employees of the knowledge base who are actively involved in teaching activities, however, other members of staff with relevant expertise are also eligible.
Academic Disciplines
A project can be undertaken within any academic discipline or subject area, providing it meets the relevant sponsor's project criteria
Key Academic Benefits and Outputs
KTPs provide you with the unique opportunity to gain from a number of benefits including:
- Apply knowledge and expertise to important business problems
- Contribute to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Impact Agenda
- Develop business-relevant teaching and research materials
In 2013/14 Universities reported that KTP outputs included:
- 98% of academics benefited through staff development
- 92% reported benefits to teaching
- 91% reported benefits to research
- 3 new research projects
- 2 research papers published in refereed journals
- 3 other articles published as a result of participation in a KTP
Academic Testimonial
"What motivated me to get involved with KTPs was the opportunity to engage with industry and to be able to work on interesting real life problems. The KTP encourages you to change your way of thinking and to think about the commercial outputs of your research. It's a cultural exchange of critical thinking with commercial potential between academia and business."
Professor Omer F. Rana, Professor of Performance Engineering at Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics


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Registration will allow you to post comments on newstimes.com and create a newstimes.com Subscriber Portal account for you to manage subscriptions and email preferences.
Take a numberA study found that millennials are having less pre-marital sex partners than previous generations, with an average of eight partners compared to the eleven that Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers were found to have had.Keep clicking for 29 more mind-blowing facts about sex.
Sizing things upA study found that the average length of an erect penis is 5.16 inches and 3.6 inches when flaccid. The study surveyed 15,521 men from across the world ages 16-91.
50 Shades of PornPornography website Pornhub released data that found the number of searches for BDSM porn increased after the release of "50 Shades of Grey," especially in women. The site saw a 30% increase in the number of men who searched for "BDSM" porn, while women saw an 186% increase.
Stick with me and you'll go places
Bike your way to better sexOne study found that those who bike to work claim to have better sex lives. 89 percent of bikers reported that the time on the pavement allows for the day's stresses to melt away, leading to a better mood, while 66 percent said their relationships improved. 39 percent of the cyclists also said the exercise gives them more energy in the bedroom. Ride on.
Can sex make us smarter? Maybe. Researchers found that the keys to keeping an aging brain from getting atrophied are not just brain games, but naughty bedroom games. (If this is the case, then Einstein must have been a freak in the sheets.)
Letting go The amygdala, which is the part of the brain that
triggers fear and anxiety, shuts down when a woman has an orgasm. This finding
helps to confirm the idea that women cannot enjoy sex unless they are relaxed.
Hips don't lieLarge hips could affect more than what size jeans you buy. Researchers claim that women who have large hips (measuring in at 14.2 inches or more) are more likely to have a higher number of sexual partners and are more likely to have one-night stands.The researchers theorize that larger hips mean a less traumatic birthing experience for these women, so they don't shy away from the horizontal tango.
Brain gamesGood sex triggers the same part of the brain that's associated with falling in love, according to one study.
This is your brain on pornOne study found that men who regularly view porn could be shrinking their brains and dulling their sex lives. Though, to be fair, the study has yet to determine if the naughty hobby is causing this, or if people who already have these traits tend to flock towards porn.
Contagious pregnancies?Researchers now claim that getting pregnant could have a domino effect. Scientists found that when one woman gets pregnant, her long-time pals (usually former high school classmates) will intentionally get pregnant within the next two years. The researchers theorize that two reasons are behind the phenomena: first, we compare ourselves to other peoples' lives and when a friend goes first, it can show us how to transition into parenthood.
Let's talk about sex, baby.12% of moms admitted to using their cellphone during sex.
Healthy sex lifeThe kinkier your love life, the more psychologically healthy you may be.
When sex killsBut be careful if you get this kinky. 'Kill Bill' actor David Carradine isn't alone: 500 to 1,000 people in the United States die from auto-erotic asphyxiation each year.
Branching outModern humans were known to have hooked up with Neanderthals.
Workin' itNearly 10% of people have reported having sex in the office.
No miracle drug yetWhile men have their Viagra, a pill to help a
woman achieve an orgasm has yet to grace us with its presence.
Sleep on itSleep deprived men are more likely to think a woman wants to sleep with him, according to one study.
The skinny on sex.How comfortable you are in your own skin, skinny
or fat, largely impacts how much you'll enjoy sex.
Food for thoughtMen think about food and sleep just as much as they do sex, according to one study.
Digging up the pastIn 2008, archaeologists found an ancient curse in Cyprus which read: "May your penis hurt when you make love."
Take less sick daysSex keeps your immune system up to snuff.
Bodies in motion stay in motionMore sex leads to more sex. Having sex boosts
your libido, which in turn, can lead to more sex. Win win!
Keeping things under controlSex improves a woman's bladder control. A strong
pelvic floor is key when it comes to avoiding incontinence, and lucky for us, sex is like a
workout for that body part.
Pump it upSex lowers your blood pressure. And for men, it
also lowers their risk of heart attack.
Excuses, excusesGood news: orgasms can help block pain by causing the body to release a hormone that helps raise your pain threshold. Bad news: the "I have a headache" excuse is out the window.
Hair down thereKeeping your bikini area neat and tidy could be doing more harm than good. Recent studies indicate that shaving could lead to the spread of sexually transmitted infections, since shaving can disrupt the skin membranes located in the pubic area and allow for bacteria to make its way in.
Burn, baby, burn!Men burn 4.2 calories a minute while women burn
3.1 calories a minute during sex, according to one study.
Cancer ConcernsA study found that men who ejaculate at
least 21 times a month were less likely to get prostate cancer.
A gut feelingA study done at the Arkansas Children's Research Institute found that chlamydia can still live inside a woman's gut, even if she's taken antibiotics to get rid of the genital infection. That means she's more at risk for reinfection. (The study also no-doubt brings good news to partners who've been wrongfully accused of passing the infection to their coitus companions.)


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Jaloney 2 years, 7 months ago
http://occupymaulstreet.blogspot.com/2013/01/pit-bulls-should-they-be-called.html this is why pitbulls should be called FLIGHT DOGS.
Jaloney 2 years, 7 months ago
. Turn off the reality t.v. Those "stars" are PAID to promote pitbulls.. just like t.v. celebs promoted cigarettes for money for decades on the t.v. Wealthy dog fighters promote this fad because they don't have to worry about getting caught and can keep their barbaric sport going with pitbulls popularized. The it's the owner not the breed mantra sounds logical but it's not. This repetitive slogan is illogical. Other dog breeds owned in much greater numbers have equal chances of getting neglectful and abusive owners, yet they adapt to human shortcomings and don't maul people or pets at anywhere near the rate that pitbulls do. Labs are routinely forgotten and chained in backyards and they are the most popular dog breed in America, Labs are not the top killers, pitbull are. Mortality, Maiming and Mauling by Vicious Dogs, Annals of Surgery, April 2011, is study of dog injuries in hospitals spanning the last 15 years. The study found that you have a more than 2500 times higher chance of dying if attacked by a pitbull. The statistics on pitbulls seriously harming people at a much higher rate than other dogs are overwhelming. You can't love out genes or untrain genes. Family owned and loved pitbulls can turn on a dime. If you believe that pitbulls are just like any other dog, and regurgitate the false "its the owner not the breed mantra" you might of believed the world was flat, too Just because something sounds good doesn't make it true. Regulating pitbulls is for the greater good of all. We can't keep having kids walking around looking like bombing victims for life and their parents begging for help to pay for the medical bills. These dogs were created for evil and nobody knows when or where.. but family loved and unabused pitbulls suddenly turn into monsters.


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Alec Ogletree eager to focus on first season with Rams
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rookie linebacker Alec Ogletree's biggest scare in his first few months with the St. Louis Rams did not come on the field.
The 30th overall pick in the NFL draft got stuck in the middle of a tornado on May 31.
Ogletree said he and several teammates were returning home from a movie when they spotted a funnel cloud less than a mile away.
"Scariest thing I've ever been through," Ogletree said. "I've never seen nothing like it. It came right near us. I just kept driving and made it back to the hotel just in time."
On the field, the former Georgia standout has felt right at home.
He performed well in the rookie camp last month and also shined this week during workouts, turning heads with several big plays on Tuesday and Thursday.
"He's picking up things very well," St. Louis defensive coordinator Tim Walton said. "He's a great athlete and he's really been showing his football intelligence."
Ogletree, the Rams' second pick in the first round, can cover the field from sideline to sideline with speed, making him a contender for an inside linebacker spot.
"I think I'm making big strides out here," he said. "But I just want to keep working with everybody and get comfortable learning what I need to do."
The Rams announced they have signed Ogletree along with the rest of their seven-player draft class, headed by eighth overall pick Tavon Austin.
Rookies will be at Rams Park another week, primarily for conditioning, while veterans aren't due to return until training camp next month.
"This team is going to come back healthy and ready to go," coach Jeff Fisher said.
"They've made a great commitment."
St. Louis drafted safety T.J. McDonald and wide receiver Stedman Bailey in the third round, offensive lineman Barret Jones in the fourth, and cornerback Brandon McGee and running back Zac Stacy in the fifth.
Ogletree comes to St. Louis after some controversy in college. He was arrested for an alleged DUI in February before the NFL combine. He was also suspended four games last season at Georgia for failing a drug test.
In his first year in college, Ogletree was charged with a misdemeanor theft for allegedly stealing a traveling helmet from a fellow student.
"That's all in the past," Ogletree said.
The off-field issues, especially the DUI, caused him to drop in the draft.
At one time, he was considered a top 15 pick, The Rams took a chance on him and for now, the move seems to have worked.
Ogletree spends most of his free time with his nose in the playbook.
"I just want to keep working hard and doing what I can to help this team," he said. "I'm learning something new every day."
Ogletree led Georgia in tackles last season with 111, despite missing four games. He saved his best for last in helping the Bulldogs to a 45-31 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. Ogletree had 13 tackles, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and a sack in the victory.
"We expect big things out of him," Walton said. "He's a very talented young player that has a big upside."


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Million Programme
The Million Programme (Swedish: Miljonprogrammet) is the common name for an ambitious public housing programme implemented in Sweden between 1965 and 1974 by the governing Swedish Social Democratic Party to make sure everyone could have a home at a reasonable price. The aim was to construct a million new dwellings (hence the project's name) during the programme's ten-year period. At the time, the Million Programme was the most ambitious building programme in the world—to build one million new homes in a nation with a population of eight million. At the same time, a large proportion of the older unmodernised housing stock was demolished.
The housing shortage in Sweden before the start of the programme was a major political and social issue in Sweden. Between 1860 and 1960, Sweden had transformed from an agrarian nation to a highly industrialized nation, which led to a large urbanization trend. The population in the countryside moved in large numbers to towns after 1945. This urbanization following World War II was also encouraged by the authorities and governing establishment. After the war, as Swedish industry was unharmed, cities needed workers to produce the amount of goods demanded by the rest of war-destroyed Europe. The major cities of Sweden had in many cases had their last building boom in the late-19th century and were, by 1950, much too small to accommodate the rural population then flooding into the cities.
The increasing standard of living led to demands to dramatically decrease the population density and to abolish the old Lort-Sverige (Dirt Sweden). This was made possible because of the outstanding growth Sweden had during the record years (rekordåren) in the 1950s and 1960s which led to a flood of income to the national treasury. This money was used to implement social reforms but in large numbers and they were used to support the building sector. The social democratic government pushed through a number of unpopular reforms to ensure the availability of land such as new land acquisition rules and the right of local authorities to buy land by force, as long as the landowner was planning to sell it to a private buyer. Another new law said that a municipality could build homes outside its border ("Lex Bollmora"), a violation of the principle that municipality tax money stays inside the municipality. Then countryside municipalities like Tyresö near Stockholm could not afford building so many homes.
In the end, about 1,006,000 new dwellings were built using the public-private partnership model. For the houses designed for the lowest-income group, the government would bear 66% of the initial costs and this would be repaid by the customers and residents in a 30-year period. For other categories such as students and blue collar workers and immigrants, the Government provided huge subsidies and incentives to building companies in order to start construction. The net result was an increase in Sweden's housing stock of 650,000 new apartments and houses, with a general rise in quality,[1] though arguably at the expense of aesthetics. The programme was financed partly through property tax, which later is allocated for general purposes, and can't finance needed new residential areas.
The new Million Programme residential areas were greatly inspired by early suburban neighbourhoods such as Vällingby and Årsta. One of the main aims behind the planning of these residential areas was to create "good democratic citizens". The means of achieving this were to build at high quality with a good range of services including schools, nurseries, churches, public spaces, libraries, and meeting places for different groups of households. A principal aim, although ultimately unsuccessful, was to mix and integrate different groups of households through the spatial mixing of tenures. Most of the apartments were of the "standard three room apartment" type (Swedish: normaltrea) of 75 m², planned for a model family of two adults and two children. The second type of apartments were the "student blocks" or "student suburbs" that were planned and built in the cities having large universities, like Stockholm, Lund, Uppsala, Linköping and Umea. Almost 150,000 new "student apartments" were built in specially designated "student suburbs" in order to meet the needs of the rapidly increasing university student population. These student apartments were usually 1-bedroom 1-bathroom and common kitchen type dorms that were clustered together in a large suburb or neighborhood. The ownership of the apartments were leased out to "housing companies" like Heimstaden AB who rented it out at below market rates, the rents being massively subsidized by the government.
A common misconception of the Million Programme is that most (or all) of the residentials are tower blocks of concrete. In fact, the majority of the housing stock consists of apartment buildings with three or fewer floors, terraced houses ("low houses") and one-family houses.
Million Programme districts[edit]
Well known Million Programme districts include:
- Rinkeby, Tensta and Husby in Stockholm Municipality
- Bredäng, Skärholmen and Vårberg in Stockholm Municipality
- Fisksätra in Nacka (Stockholm).
- Vårby gård, Masmo, Alby, Fittja and Hallunda in Huddinge Municipality and Botkyrka Municipality outside Stockholm
- Jordbro and Brandbergen in Haninge Municipality outside Stockholm
- Hallonbergen in Sundbyberg Municipality
- Hagalund in Solna Municipality
- Malmvägen in Sollentuna Municipality
- Hjällbo, Hammarkullen and several others in Angered in Gothenburg Municipality
- Bergsjön in Gothenburg Municipality
- Hisings-Backa in Gothenburg
- Rosengård, Hermodsdal, Kroksbäck, Bellevuegården, Lorensborg, Lindängen, Höja, Lindeborg and Holma in Malmö
- Kronogården in Trollhättan
- Kronoparken in Karlstad
- Ryd in Linköping
- Johannelund in Linköping
- Ekholmen in Linköping
- Berga in Linköping
- Skäggetorp in Linköping
- Gottsunda, Flogsta and Eriksberg in Uppsala
- Hertsön in Luleå
- Araby in Växjö
- Ålidhem in Umeå
- Mariehem in Umeå
- Årby in Eskilstuna
- Hässleholmen and Norrby in Borås
- Råslätt in Jönköping
- Ryd, Skövde in Skövde
- Hageby in Norrköping
- Navestad in Norrköping
- Ekön in Motala
- Norrliden in Kalmar
- Norra Fäladen and Klostergården in Lund
- Korsbacka in Kävlinge
- Skogslyckan and Dalaberg in Uddevalla
- Rosta in Örebro
- Andersberg in Gävle
- Körfältet in Östersund
- Kungshall in Nybro
- Drottninghög, Fredriksdal and Dalhem in Helsingborg
- Nacksta in Sundsvall
See also[edit]


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Changing your name in Texas
Though getting married will change your name on the marriage certificate, your legal name is still the same. In order to legally change your name in the state of Texas you must do the following:
1: Get started with online marriage license services.
Online application assistance can simplify and streamline the process for many Texas marriage-related services, including: information on obtaining a new marriage license, reasons for requesting a marriage record, as well as changing your name after marriage. In addition to the free forms and general instructions available from your Clerk of Court, you will receive a comprehensive checklist and forms packet specific to your needs, fast answers to tough questions and prompt service from a friendly staff.
2: Go to a Clerk of Court office in person
If you prefer to access additional marriage licenses and marriage records, visit a state-specific online resource for extra support regarding all your marriage licensing needs.
- File an Original Petition for Change of Name. This should be done with the Clerk of Court in the county where the person filing for the name change ("petitioner") resides.
The Petition to change the name of an adult must also contain the following information:
- Petitioner's sex, race, date of birth and social security number
- Current name and place of residence of the petitioner
- Full new name requested for the petitioner
- Reason the change in name is requested
- Whether the petitioner has been the subject of a final felony conviction
- Whether the petitioner is subject to register as a sex offender under the requirements of Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure
- Driver's license number for any driver's license issued in the 10 years preceding the date of the petition
DO NOT sign the petition unless you are in the presence of an official witness such as the
Clerk of Court or a notary.
Read the Law
Texas name change laws can be found in sections 45.101 to 45.106 of the Texas Family Code.
You can find the law in a law library or online at http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/htm/FA.45.htm#45.106.


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- Northern New York Newspapers
- Watertown
- Ogdensburg
- Massena-Potsdam
- Lowville
- Carthage
- Malone
- NNY Business
- NNY Living
- NNY Ads
WATERTOWN — City officials should know in less than six months what the staffing level should be at the Fire Department and whether it has the right types of facilities and equipment.
On Monday night, the Watertown City Council agreed to spend $56,000 to hire the International City/County Management Association to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the Fire Department, despite the objection of the local firefighters union.
Firefighter Mark W. Jones, president of Watertown Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 191, objected to the selection of ICMA as the consultant doing the study, calling it a lobbying group for municipal managers. He told council members that it would be an unfair assessment, since City Manager Sharon A. Addison belongs to the organization.
"As such, Local 191 views the proposed appointment of ICMA to be suspect and blatantly biased," he said, adding it would be the equivalent of hiring the International Association of Firefighters to complete the study.
The union offered to pay for half of the study if the city commissioned one that's "equitable and fair to all parties." The city did not take up the offer.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham said that he and the union just disagree, saying it was part of collective bargaining. He told Mr. Jones it's a traditional management decision to consider staffing levels.
Afterward, Mr. Jones said it was obvious council members had made up their minds before the meeting about hiring ICMA. "It was a done deal," he said.
After getting a recommendation from the New York Conference of Mayors, Ms. Addison proposed hiring ICMA, an association representing professionals in local government management, to conduct the study.
The assessment would include looking at the department's organizational structure, studying actual workloads, identifying appropriate staffing and looking at response times, equipment and facilities.
The study may begin by the end of June. It would be completed within 135 days.
During city budget discussions, council members informally agreed the department, which has an $8.8 million budget, should be evaluated. They said a study is needed to determine the efficiency of the department and whether the staff level, at 78 members, is appropriate.
The consultant team includes experts in public safety, analyzing public safety departments' workload, public policy and fire and EMS data analysis. The organization has completed more than 200 similar studies, including some in New York, Ms. Addison said.
The last fire department study was completed in 2002.
At any given time, 15 members of the Watertown Fire Department are on duty. The department has a main fire station on South Massey Street and two substations, one on Mill Street and the other on State Street.
The union would have to agree to any staffing changes. The contract expires in June.
Thousands of readers like you have made Northern New York Newspapers the number one ranked website* for local news and sports coverage in the north country.
You can continue on to this article in a few seconds, or you can visit one of our websites:


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Numerous studies have suggested that berries are potent cancer-fighters. In one test-tube study, extracts of six different kinds of berries–blueberry, blackberry, black raspberry, red raspberry, cranberry and strawberry–inhibited the growth of human mouth, breast, colon and prostate cancer cells. In addition, two of the extracts–black raspberry and strawberry—were able to stimulate apoptosis (cell death) in colon cancer cells. Açaí berries appear to be effective against leukemia cells, while the polysaccharides found in goji berries kill prostate cancer cells. To determine whether these lab results apply to real life, human trials are ongoing.
Berries may also have a role to play in the prevention of heart disease. A group of 72 middle-aged men and women were asked to consume either two portions of berries daily (100 grams of berries plus a small glass of a berry drink) or control products for two months. The berry group–whose members' diets included bilberries, lingonberries, blackcurrants, strawberries, chokeberries and raspberries–ate an assortment of the berries whole, pureed or in juice form. At the end of the study, the berry-eaters saw systolic blood pressure reductions of up to 7.3mmHg, while levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL ("good" cholesterol), rose more than 5 percent.
Several animal studies suggest some berries may have antidiabetic effects. Indeed, a recent study in mice concluded that bilberries can improve hyperglycemia and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Although human trials are scarce, one found that a dietary supplement containing blueberry and sea buckthorn (seaberry; genus Hippophae) concentrates was beneficial in treating children with type 1 diabetes.


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Black Toxic Mold, Can Be Deadly to Animals, Study Says 0
Blood that had been drawn on the cats was tested and both came back showing levels of the toxin that is produced by stachybotrys chartarum, a toxic black mold.Exposure to this mold has been known to cause respiratory problems, pulmonary hemorrhage, and death. These have only been reported in humans up until now.
The two cats were considered healthy cats and recently been tested and shown to have no illnesses. The cats, however, both lived in homes that suffered water damage as a result of a hurricane in 2005. The cat owners were advised to check their homes for mold and sure enough they both discovered they had severe mold contamination from stachybotrys in their walls.
The toxin produced by stachybotrys weakens the capillaries making them very fragile and susceptible to bursting. The dental procedure was enough to make the fragile capillaries in the lungs of the cat burst. Both cats died from complications arising from pulmonary hemorrhaging.
Dr. Mader hopes that this study will spur animal owners affected by floods or hurricanes and water damage of any kind to check their houses for mold and if found, have the mold removed immediately.


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Lip Smackin' Good Eatin'/Dutch Oven Cookin'
10:00a to 11:30a
Sat, March 14, 2015
Sat, March 14, 2015
Learn about the art of Dutch oven cooking and pick up a recipe or two.
Join us at Cooper Lake State Park and savor the flavor of years gone by! You will learn the basics of cooking in the camp Dutch oven, a bit of history about cast iron and the Dutch oven, and maybe a recipe or two. Be sure to bring a plate and spoon to grab yourself a taste. We will be at Honey Creek Amphitheater in beautiful Cooper Lake State Park/South Sulphur Unit. Program may be cancelled because of bad weather. Call the park for updated information.


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Application Information
Scholarship Overview
This scholarship is for paid Indiana Farm Bureau collegiate members. (Applicants who are not members may apply for membership online.) Scholarships will be awarded based on community and/or leadership involvement, Farm Bureau involvement, motivation, and evaluation of essay.
How easy is it to apply?
This scholarship's application process shouldn't take more than an hour or so.
How much competition is there?
Not much
This scholarship won't have as many applicants as most.
Class Year: Is this you?
- High school senior
- College freshman
- College sophomore
- College junior
- College senior
Home State: Is this you?
- Indiana
Community Groups: Is this you?
- Farm Bureau