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ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 Motherboard Review
Reviewed by: ajmatson
Reviewed on: October 19, 2010
Price: $119.99
Today I would like to introduce you to the ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3. Yes, that is a very long name but the board packs a punch equivalent to its mouthful of a model number. The M4A88TD-V EVO combines the 880G Northbridge with the proven SB850 Southbridge for a combination designed to kill. The 880G chipset is designed for mid-range enthusiasts who want performance from their system without having to pay a premium for it. Some of the featuers the 880G chipset offers includes support for the latest AMD Phenom II and Athlon II processors, HyperTransport 3.0, ATI Stream Technology, Windows 7 support and integrated graphics with DirectX 10.1 support.
ASUS has packed in some of their own special features as well into this board such as ASUS's Xtreme Design technology. With one click overclocking and instant-on Hybrid OS, you have the basis for a killer system. These technologies that ASUS has built their boards with make them one of the most stable and well performing boards I have seen and hopefully the M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 will continue on with that tradition. If I have you wanting to know more, then let's dig in and take a better look at this motherboard.
Closer Look:
The ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 motherboard comes packaged in the traditionalal green style motif that we have been seeing on other ASUS AMD Xtreme Design boards such as the ASUS M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3. The front of the package displays the Xtreme Design logo which is the heart of newer ASUS motherboards. Xtreme Design stands for the way ASUS designs the board with performance, safety and reliability as their number one priorities. This means better quality components and implementation allowing for longer life and better system performance for the end user. There is also a Hybrid Logo which means the board supports both the integrated graphics and discrete graphics cards with CrossFireX and with the right discrete card, can also support Hybrid CrossFireX with the integrated video for added performance. One other logo of note is that this is one of the few AMD boards that supports 2000MHz memory speeds. On the rear of the box there are highlights of the main features including Core Unlocker, GPU Boost, MemOK and Turbo Key II. There are also the specifications for you to make sure this is the right one for your needs.
When you open the box you are greeted with the accessories included with this ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 motherboard. There is a basic supply of accessories including the manual and driver CD, one ASUS Case Badge, the Q-Shield backplate, one IDE cable for up to two devices, two SATA 6.0Gb/s cables and the Q-Connectors for the front panel connections.
Now that everything is out of the box we can get a better look at the board up close.
Closer Look:
When you get the ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 board laid out you can see how sexy the design is. Like with most of the ASUS EVO boards, everything is aligned and placed very elegantly. This board uses the ATX form factor measuring 12 inches by 9.6 inches. ASUS chose to use the dark PC board with the clash of blue and black slots and heatsinks which offer a pleasing look when placed in a case with a window. The design of the board uses ASUS's Xtreme Design technology. Xtreme Design brings performance to a new level with Hybrid features including TurboV EVO, Turbo Key II and Xtreme Phase. The Xtreme Design also includes Xtreme Reliability by using Stack Cool 3+ which includes 2 x 2 ounces of copper in the PC board for ultimate heat transfer and all solid capacitors for longer life and cleaner voltage. Finally, Xtreme Design is number one in safety with better EMI shielding to protect other devices. On the back of the board there is the socket retention bracket for the CPU. The board is built around the 880 chipset which uses an 880G Northbridge with integrated Radeon HD 4250 graphics and the SB850 Southbridge. There is also a dedicated 128MB DDR3-1333MHz SidePort memory chip to give the integrated video a boost before tapping into the shared memory.
The CPU area on the M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 is very clean and open. This will make installing large heatsinks and water blocks a cinch. This board supports AM3 processors including Athlon II, Phenom II, and the latest Phenom II Six Cores. Voltage is supplied using ASUS's Xtreme Phase 8+2 design which offers longer life and higher efficiency, especially when overclocking. There are a total of four memory slots which support up to 16GB of DDR3 memory up to 2000MHz overclocked in dual channel configuration. You also have the ability to run either ECC or non-ECC memory here depending on your needs. The channels are separated by color with the blue DIMM slots being one channel and the black slots the second channel. This spacing allows the user to utilize a set of memory with large heatsinks such as the Mushkin Ridgeback with no issues which, is a problem on some AMD boards since the channels are usually placed next to each other.
At the back panel you have a wealth of connection options. This board supports a variety of video, sound, and data connections, so you will never be left in the dust without a connection for your favorite devices. Starting from the top there is a lone PS/2 port, the first two USB 2.0 ports, a S/PDIF Optical Out port, one HDMI connection, one VGA port, one DVI port, two more USB 2.0 ports, a Firewire 1394a port, one eSATA port, one Gigabit LAN port, two USB 3.0 ports colored blue and the analog audio ports. The USB 3.0 ports are powered by a NEC chip since the chipset does not yet support it natively.
Below the back panel lie the expansion slots for the board. Just as with the other connections, the expansion slots offer just about anything you may need. There is one PCI Express x1 slot, three legacy PCI slots and two PCI Express x16 slots for your graphics cards. The two x16 slots support CrossFireX. When using one card it is to be placed in the blue slot which runs at full x16 mode. The second card is placed in the grey slot which runs only at x4 mode.
The bottom of the board is where the headers are. Starting from the bottom left there is an S/PDIF header, a COM port header, four USB 2.0 headers, a Firewire header and the front panel headers. Flipping around to the right spine there is one IDE port which supports up to two devices and five SATA ports which support drives up to 6.0Gb/s. The SATA ports also support RAID 0,1,5,10 and JBOD. Further up the right side of the board there are a few switches and a button. These are features designed to give you the most out of your board. The button is the MemOK button which when pushed analyzes the memory and sets fail safe settings ensuring an error free boot. This is great for those stubborn sets that won't boot for anything. Just press it and let the magic run. The first switch above the MemOK button is the Core Unlocker switch. This switch when activated will attempt to unlock the cores of some latent AMD processors without having to mess with the complicated BIOS settings manually. The last switch is the Turbo Key II selector. This switch when activated will overclock your processor to a higher but stable speed for easy, no fuss extra performance.
To keep the critical chips cool on the board, ASUS uses a set of elegantly designed heatsinks. These not only look good but their designs allow for maximum heat transfer to the airflow in the case. There is one heatsink on the voltage regulators, one on the 880G Northbridge and a smaller one on the SB850 Southbridge.
With everything unpacked and looked at we can install the board and the drivers.
Closer Look:
ASUS makes installing the drivers and utilities a snap with the installer utility. When you pop the CD in, autorun will bring up the installer shown below. There are several tabs to choose from. The first is the Driver tab which will install the drivers and tools for board operation. The second tab is the Utilities tab which is where you install the utilities like PC Probe II, AI Suite and more. The third tab is the Make Disk tab so you can make RAID disks for installation of your OS. To install each set just press the ASUS Install button, select what you want installed and away it goes with little interaction needed.
ASUS AI Suite & ASUS Update:
ASUS AI Suite is your gateway to the other utilities. You can monitor your speed and voltage levels and invoke Turbo V, Fan control and EPU all from the AI Suite. The ASUS Update utility is a tool which allows you to update your BIOS from their servers or from a BIOS you downloaded for the board. No need to enter the BIOS or update from a floppy anymore.
ASUS EPU & ASUS PC Probe II:
ASUS EPU is the software which controls the Energy Processing Unit chip on the board. With this console you can set your system to high performance mode in full speed or you can throttle down the system speeds and voltage to conserve on power usage and heat output. PC Probe II is a deep monitoring utility which shows you the speeds of your hardware, the voltages and also the heat being generated by components.
ASUS Turbo V Evo & Realtek Ethernet Diagnostic Utility:
ASUS TurboV EVO is an OS based overclocking utility. This tool allows you to overclock and make adjustments from within Windows to maximize your overclocks without having to reboot and enter the BIOS with each change. The Realtek Ethernet Diagnostic Utility is also provided to help you isolate and find any issues you are having with your network connection.
ASUS Express Gate:
ASUS Express Gate is a Hybrid OS that allows you to boot and get into an almost instant, ready-to-go environment. You can browse the Internet, chat, make Skype calls and more in quicker time than it takes you to boot into your Windows operating system. You can also automatically copy your internet bookmarks to the Express Gate browser each time you log off your computer with the Express Gate Configuration tool.
Now that we have the hardware and drivers installed, how about we look into the BIOS of the board.
Closer Look:
The BIOS is the most important part of the motherboard in my opinion. If you are a true computer enthusiast, getting your system setup the way you want is where you will spend a lot of your time and the BIOS is where you do this. ASUS has done a good job making navigating their BIOS easy by grouping the sections together based on their functions. To get a better look at the BIOS on the ASUS M4A89GTD Pro/USB3 motherboard, I will break it down by section and tell you a little bit about what is found in each one so you can see what is available in terms of changes, options and information.
The main section is the first part of the BIOS that you come to when you start it up. In this section, you can control the date and time for the system, the drives and storage configurations for ACHI or RAID and you can view system information such as the BIOS version, processor model and speed and the memory size.
The Advanced section has a lot going on that you can change. This is where you can adjust CPU configurations such as enabling Cool 'n' Quiet, C1E support, Virtual Machine support and the ASUS Core Unlocker selection, which allows you to select which cores to run based on the processor. There are also more DRAM configurations such as support settings for ECC memory and Ganging mode. In the Advanced section are also the video controls such as selecting the primary video device whether it be the onboard video or a discrete card. Other onboard devices you have control over are the serial devices, onboard LAN, onboard FireWire, S/PDIF and USB controllers including the USB 2.0 and 3.0 controllers. You can also enable legacy support for these devices.
In the Power section, the user can adjust the Suspend mode from S1 to S3 or set it to auto and have the system control it. You can also control the ACPI and APM (Advanced Power Management) for features such as power on or WO (Wake on) certain devices. Here you can also monitor your CPU and motherboard temperatures, fan speeds and the system rail voltages.
The Boot section is where you select the boot priority and boot configuration such as Quick Boot, Logo selection, error messages and also assign or remove the BIOS and system passwords to protect your system.
Closer Look:
The tools section is where you can control additional features of the board such as flashing the BIOS using the ASUS EZ Flash 2 utility, enabling the Express Gate feature and resetting the data to defaults if needed. You can load or save overclocking profiles using the ASUS O.C. Profile section and you can test the LAN connection using the AI Net 2 utility. You can also turn off the POST State LEDs if necessary so that they do not interfere with your case lighting.
Ai Tweaker:
The Ai Tweaker section is where all the overclocking magic happens. ASUS has made this section very easy and user friendly. In this section, you can adjust the CPU speeds, system multipliers, memory dividers and more. You can control the voltages for everything from the CPU to the chipset and memory. All of the values are just keyed in for what you want so you do not have to go through a long list of values. For instance, for the memory, if you want 1.65V, you just enter that amount into the field and that is it. At the bottom of the section, you can also choose how the integrated video is set up such as memory assigned and the speed at which you want the Sideport chip to run.
Now that we have the BIOS configured, we can move on to the testing.
AMD Socket AM3 ;Phenom™II /Athlon™II /Sempron™ 100 Series Processors
AMD 140W CPU Support
AMD Cool 'n' Quiet™ Technology
Supports 45nm CPU
System Bus:
Up to 5200 MT/s ; HyperTransport™ 3.0
4 x DIMM, Max. 16 GB, DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1333/1066 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory
Dual Channel memory architecture
*AMD AM3 100 and 200 series CPU support up to DDR3 1066MHz.
*Due to OS limitation, when installing total memory of 4GB capacity or more, Windows® 32-bit operation system may only recognize less than 3GB. Install a 64-bit WindowsWindows® OS when you want to install 4GB or more memory on the motherboard.
Expansion Slots:
2 x PCIe 2.0 x16 , support ATI® CrossFireX™ Technology (blue @ x16 mode,gray @ x4 mode)
1 x PCIe 2.0 x1
3 x PCI
Integrated ATI Radeon™ HD 4250 GPU
- Supports HDMI™ Technology with max. resolution up to 1920 x 1200 (1080P)
- Supports Dual-link DVI with max. resolution up to 2560x1600 @60Hz
- Supports D-Sub with max. resolution up to 2048x1536 @85Hz
- Dual independent displays support with HDMI / DVI and D-Sub
- Supports DirectX 10.1, OpenGL 2.0, Shader Model 4.1, Universal Video Decoder (UVD) 2.0
- Hardware Decode Acceleration for H.264,VC-1, and MPEG-2
- Maximum shared memory of 1GB
- Hybrid CrossFireX™ Support
Integrated Memory
- SidePort Memory - onboard 128MB DDR3 1333 memory
SB850 Chipset
5 xSATA 6.0 Gb/s ports with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 and JBOD
1 x eSATA port (6Gb/s ready)
VT6330 controller
- 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66 for up to 2 PATA devices
Realtek® 8111E Gigabit LAN controller featuring AI NET2
ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC
VIA® VT6330 controller supports 2 x 1394a port(s) (1 at mid-board; 1 at back panel)
12 USB 2.0/1.1 ports (8 ports at mid-board, 4 ports at back panel)
2 x USB 3.0 ports (blue, at back panel)
ASUS Unique Features:
ASUS Xtreme Design
ASUS Hybrid Processor – TurboV EVO
- Turbo Unlocker, TurboV, Auto Tuning, CPU Level UP and GPU Boost
ASUS Hybrid OS – Express Gate
ASUS Hybrid Switches
- Turbo Key II
- Core Unlocker
ASUS Exclusive Features
- MemOK!
- Anti-Surge protection
ASUS Power Solutions:
- 8+2 Phase Power Design
ASUS Quiet Thermal Solution:
- ASUS Fanless Design: Stylish heat sink solution
- ASUS Fan Xpert
- ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
- ASUS O.C. Profile
- ASUS MyLogo 2
- ASUS EZ Flash 2
Overclocking Features:
Intelligent overclocking tools
- TurboV EVO
- Turbo Key II
Precision Tweaker 2
- vCore: Adjustable CPU voltage at 0.003125V increment
- vChipset (N.B.): Adjustable chipeset voltage at 0.003125V increment
- vDIMM: Adjustable DRAM voltage at 0.015V increment
SFS (Stepless Frequency Selection)
- PCI Express frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 150MHz at 1MHz increment
- HT frequency tuning from 100MHz up to 550MHz at 1MHz increment
Overclocking Protection
- ASUS C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
Back Panel I/O Ports:
1 x PS/2 Keyboard/Mouse Combo port
1 x DVI
1 x D-Sub
1 x HDMI
1 x S/PDIF Out (optical)
1 x IEEE 1394a
1 x LAN(RJ45) port
4 x USB 2.0/1.1
8 -Channel Audio I/O
2 x USB 3.0 ports (blue)
1 x eSATA port
Internal I/O Connectors:
4 x USB connectors (8 ports)
1 x IDE connector
1 x IEEE 1394a connector
1 x CPU Fan connector
1 x Chassis Fan connector
1 x Power Fan connector
1 x Core Unlocker switch
1 x Turbo Key II switch
1 x MemOK! Button
1 x COM connector
5 x SATA 6Gb/s connectors
1 x Front panel audio connector
1 x S/PDIF Out Header
24-pin ATX Power connector
8-pin ATX 12V Power connector
System Panel
16 Mb Flash ROM , AMI BIOS, PnP, DMI2.0, WfM2.0, SM BIOS 2.5, ACPI 2.0a, ASUS EZ Flash 2, ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3
WOL by PME,WOR by PME,WOR by Ring,PXE
User's manual
1 x UltraDMA 133/100/66 cable
4 x Serial ATA cables ([email protected]/s, 2 @ 3Gb/s)
1 x Q-Connector (retail version only)
1 x Q-shield
Support Disc:
ASUS PC Probe II
Express Gate
Anti-virus software (OEM version)
ASUS Update
AMD OverDrive Utility (AOD)
Form Factor:
ATX Form Factor
12 inch x 9.6 inch ( 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm )
- AMD® AM3 Phenom™II /Athlon™II /Sempron™ 100 Series Processors
This motherboard supports AMD® AM3 multi-core processors with unique L3 cache and delivers better overclocking capabilities with less power consumption. It features dual-channel DDR3 memory support and accelerates data transfer rate up to 5200MT/s via HyperTransport™ 3.0 based system bus. This motherboard also supports AMD® CPUs in the new 45nm manufacturing process.
- CrossFireX Support
Flexible Multi-GPU solutions, Your Weapon of Choice!
M4A88TD-V EVO Series brings you the multi-GPU choice of CrossFireX™. Expect a brand-new gaming style you've never experienced before!
AMD® 880G Chipset is designed to support up to 5200MT/s HyperTransport™ 3.0 (HT 3.0) interface speed and PCI Express™ 2.0 x16 graphics. It is optimized with AMD®'s latest AM3 and multi-core CPUs to provide excellent system performance and overclocking capabilities.
- PCIe 2.0 support
Double Speed; Double Bandwidth
This motherboard supports the latest PCIe 2.0 devices for double speed and bandwidth which enhances system performance.
- HDMI Support
Enjoy Full HD 1080p Multimedia Home-Theater Entertainment
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a set of digital video standards that delivers multi-channel audio and uncompressed digital video for full HD 1080p visuals through through a single cable. Supporting HDCP copy protection such as HD DVD and Blu-ray Discs, HDMI provides you with the highest-quality home theater experience.
- DVI Support
DVI (Digital Visual Interface) provides high visual quality of digital display devices such as LCD monitor. The interface of this motherboard supports dual VGA output both DVI-D/HDMI and RGB.
- True USB 3.0 Support
Realize the True Future!! - TRUE USB 3.0 Support!
Experience ultra-fast data transfers at 4.8 Gb/s with USB 3.0–the latest connectivity standard. Built to connect easily with next-generation components and peripherals, USB 3.0 transfers data 10X faster and is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 components.
- True SATA 6Gb/s Support
The AMD® SB850 Southbridge natively supports next-generation Serial ATA (SATA) storage interface, this motherboard delivers up to 6.0 Gb/s data transfer rates. Additionally, get enhanced scalability, faster data retrieval, double the bandwidth of current bus systems.
- Dual-Channel DDR3 2000(O.C.)/1333/ 1066 support
The motherboard supports DDR3 memory that features data transfer rates of 2000(O.C.)/1333/1066 MHz to meet the higher bandwidth requirements of the latest 3D graphics, multimedia, and Internet applications. The dual-channel DDR3 architecture enlarges the bandwidth of your system memory to boost system performance.
- Core Unlocker
Intelligently Unlocks True Core Performance
ASUS Core Unlocker simplifies the activation of a latent AMD® CPU—with just a simply switch. Enjoy an instant performance boost by simply unlocking the extra cores, without performing complicated BIOS changes.
- Turbo Key II
Switch on the Potential, Turn up the Performance!
Enjoy superb performance by auto-tuning your processor to an extreme yet stable state. Simply activate a dedicated switch on the motherboard to unleash extra processing capabilities.
- TurboV EVO
The Ultimate O.C. Processor
The ultimate O.C. processor satisfies every level of overclockers—from die-hard enthusiasts to beginners. Auto tuning intelligently pushes the system to the fastest clock speeds while maintaining stability. Turbo Key boosts performance with just one touch; while TurboV offers more options to advanced overclockers to achieve world O.C. record. Moreover, upgrade your CPU at no additional cost with CPU Level UP!!
- Auto Tuning
Auto System Level Up
to Tuning is an intelligent tool that automates overclocking to achieve a total system level up. This tool also provides stability testing. Even O.C. beginners can achieve extreme yet stable overclocking results with Auto Tuning!
- Turbo Key
ASUS Turbo Key allows you to turn the PC power button into a physical overclocking button. After the easy setup, Turbo Key can boost performances without interrupting ongoing work or games, simply through pressing the button.
- Turbo Unlocker
Turbo Unlocker is the next evolution of an exclusive ASUS performance boost feature. All it takes is one click in the TurboV EVO interface and Turbo Unlocker automatically and dynamically adjusts each core frequency to speed up performance based on actual system load. Turbo Unlocker gets you in touch with more performance exactly when you need it.
- GPU Boost
Instant iGPU Level Up!
GPU Boost overclocks the integrated GPU in real time for the best graphics performance. User-friendly UI facilitates flexible frequency and voltage adjustments. Its ability to deliver multiple overclocking profiles also provides rapid and stable system-level upgrades.
- Express Gate
0 to Internet in Seconds!
Express Gate™ is an ASUS exclusive OS that provides you with quick access to the Internet and key applications before entering Windows®.
- ASUS 8+2 Phase Power Design
Longer Life & Higher Efficiency!
Unleashes ultimate memory performances with independent power to core components, while providing fast transient response and stability for the CPU under heavy loading or overclocking modes
- MemOK!
Any Memory is A-OK!
MemOK! quickly ensures memory boot compatibility. This remarkable memory rescue tool requires a mere push of a button to patch memory issues. MemOK! determines failsafe settings and dramatically improves your system boot success. Get your system up and running in no time!
- Anti-Surge Protection
This special design prevents expensive devices and the motherboard from damage caused by power surges from switching power supply(PSU). EPU System Level Energy Saving The ASUS EPU (Energy Processing Unit) provides total system power management by detecting current PC loadings and intelligently moderating power usage for critical PC components in real-time–helping save power and money!.
- ASUS Stylish heatsink
The brand new 2 colors features 0-dB thermal solution that offers users a noiseless PC environment. The Paten Pending 2-colors design within the beautifully curved fins upgrade the visual enjoyment for the motherboard users, it also effectively cools down hot airflows generated by the north bridge chipset. Combined with usability and aesthetics, the ASUS Patent 2-color Wing heat-sink will give users an extremely silent and cooling experience with the elegant appearance!
- Fan Xpert
Active Quiet & Cool
ASUS Fan Xpert intelligently allows users to adjust both the CPU and chassis fan speed according to different ambient temperature , which is caused by different climate conditions in different geographic regions and system loading.Built-in variety of useful profiles offer flexible controls of fan speed to achieve a quiet and cool environment.
- EZ Flash2
Simply update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS
EZ Flash is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply press the pre-defined hotkey to launch this tool and update BIOS from a floppy disk before entering the OS.
- O.C. Profile
Conveniently store or load multiple BIOS settings
Freely share and distribute favorite overclocking settings The motherboard features the ASUS O.C. Profile that allows users to conveniently store or load multiple BIOS settings. The BIOS settings can be stored in the CMOS or a separate file, giving users freedom to share and distribute their favorite overclocking settings.
- ASUS Q-Shield
The specially designed ASUS Q-Shield does without the usual "fingers"—making it convenient and easy to install. With better electric conductivity, it ideally protects your motherboard against static electricity and shields it against Electronic Magnetic Interference (EMI).
- CrashFree BIOS 3
Simply restore corrupted BIOS data from USB flash disk
The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 3 allows users to restore corrupted BIOS data from a USB flash disk containing the BIOS file. This utility saves users the cost and hassle of buying a replacement BIOS chip.
- ASUS Q-Connector
ASUS Q-Connector allows you to easily connect or disconnect the chassis front panel cables to the motherboard. This unique module eliminates the trouble of connecting the system panel cables one at a time and avoiding wrong cable connections
- 8 Channel Audio Codec
Enjoy high-end sound system on your PC!
The onboard 8-channel HD audio (High Definition Audio, previously codenamed Azalia) CODEC enables high-quality 192KHz/24-bit audio output, jack-sensing feature, retasking functions and multi-streaming technology.
- Noise Filter
Eliminate background noise while recording
This feature detects repetitive and stationary noises like computer fans, air conditioners, and other background noises then eliminates it in the incoming audio stream while recording.
- S/PDIF-out on Back I/O Port
This motherboard provides convenient connectivity to external home theater audio systems via optical S/PDIF-out (SONY-PHILIPS Digital Interface) jacks. It allows to transfer digital audio without converting to analog format and keeps the best signal quality.
- GreenASUS
The motherboard and its packaging comply with the European Union´s Restriction on the use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This is in line with the ASUS vision of creating environment-friendly and recyclable products and packaging to safeguard consumers´ health while minimizing the impact on the environment.
All information courtsey of ASUS @ http://usa.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=umllTHNRm4IGqnbL
Now we get to the part of the review we have all been waiting for! I am going to be running a series of scientific and video based benchmarks on the M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 to see how well it performs under pressure. I will then overclock the board and run the same tests. This will give an idea on how it will perform for you in real life if you purchase one. I will then pit it against two other boards, one from the 890GX chipset which is currently a great mainstream board and one from the 790FX chipset which was the prior king of boards in the Dragon Platform so we can see how the newer 880G chipset compares. To keep all of the scores as accurate as possible, all hardware will be run at the same speeds, timings, latencies and voltages unless noted such as when overclocked. This will also keep any variables from throwing off the comparison.
Testing Setup:
- Processor(s): AMD Phenom II X4 965
- Motherboard: ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3
- Cooling: Noctua NH-U12P SE
- Memory: Mushkin 996744 DDR3 1600MHz 8-8-8-24
- Video Card : XFX Radeon HD 5870
- Power Supply: Mushkin 800w Modular Power Supply
- Hard Drive: 1 x Seagate 1TB SATA
- Optical Drive: LG Supermulti DVD-R/W
- OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Comparison Motherboard:
Overclocked settings:
- Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 965 @ 3.917GHz (200 x 19.5) 1.45v
Overclocking this board was easy do to with the unlocked multiplier for the CPU but when I tried with just the reference clock, anything over 216MHz gave me stability problems. If I dropped the multiplier on the CPU real low. I could go a bit further maxing out about 250MHz but that was with the CPU multiplier set at 13x which was lower than the stock speed of the Phenom II X4 965. So I played with the multiplier alone and was able to push the CPU to 3.9GHz stable.
- Scientific & Data:
- Apophysis
- WinRAR
- Office 2007 Excel Number Crunch
- POV Ray 3.7
- Bibble 5
- Sandra XII
- ScienceMark 2.02
- Cinebench 10 & 11.5
- HD Tune 3.50
- Video:
- Far Cry 2
- Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2
- Batman Arkham Asylum
- 3DMark Vantage
The first part of our testing will be the system specific benchmarks.
Let's get started with Apophysis. This program is used primarily to render and generate fractal flame images. We will run this benchmark with the following settings:
- Resolution: 2750 x 2048
- Quality: 500
- Limit Memory use: 512MB
The measurement used is time to render, in minutes, to complete.
Lower is Better
WinRAR is a tool to archive and compress large files to a manageable size. We will use 100MB and 500MB files to test the time needed to compress these files. Time will be measured in seconds. Additionally, I will use the built-in benchmark as a comparison.
Lower is Better
Lower is Better
Bibble 5:
With the exception of Apophysis, the 880G chipset was better than the 890GX and ran head-to-head with the 790FX.
Office 2007 Excel Big Number Crunch: This test takes a 6.2MB Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and performs about 28,000 sets of calculations that represent many of the most commonly used calculations in Excel. The measure of this test is how long it takes to refresh the sheet.
Lower Is Better
POV Ray 3.7: This program features a built in benchmark that renders an image using Ray Tracing. The latest versions offer support for SMP (Symmetric MultiProcessing) enabling the workload to be spread across the cores for quicker completion.
Higher Is Better
PCMark Vantage x64 is used to measure complete system performance. We will be running a series of tests to gauge performance of each motherboard to see if one stands out due to feature set or overclocking ability.
Again the 880G chipset was a tad bit faster than the 890GX and close to the 790FX.
SiSoft Sandra is a diagnostic utility and synthetic benchmarking program. Sandra allows you to view your hardware at a higher level to be more helpful. For this benchmark, I will be running a broad spectrum of tests to gauge the performance of key functions of the CPUs.
Processor Arithmetic
Multi-Core Efficiency
Memory Bandwidth
Cache and Memory
Physical Disks
Power Management Efficiency
Throughout the Sandra tests, all chipsets seemed to be on par with one another.
ScienceMark tests real world performance instead of using synthetic benchmarks. For this test, we ran the benchmark suite and will use the overall score for comparison.
Higher is Better!
Cinebench 11.5 is useful for testing your system, CPU and OpenGL capabilities using the software program CINEMA 4D. We will be using the default tests for this benchmark.
Higher is Better
HD Tune measures disk performance to make comparisons between drives or disk controllers.
Higher is Better
Lower is Better
Again the chipsets appear to be neck and neck in these benchmarks.
Far Cry 2:
Featuring a new game engine named Dunia, this game looks to be another one to stress your video card. Built especially for Far Cry 2, this engine allows for real time effects and damage. This next generation First Person Shooter comes to us from Ubisoft surprisingly - not from Crytek. The game is set in a war-torn region of Africa where there is a non-existent central government and the chaos that surrounds this type of social environment. If you have seen the movie Blood Diamond, you know the setting. Ubisoft puts the main storyline of the game into focus with these statements: "Caught between two rival factions in war-torn Africa, you are sent to take out 'The Jackal', a mysterious character who has rekindled the conflict between the warlords, jeopardizing thousands of lives. In order to fulfill your mission you will have to play factions against each other, identify and exploit their weaknesses and neutralize their superior numbers and firepower with surprise, subversion, cunning and of course, brute force".
In this version of the game, you don't have all the beautiful water but instead, the beauty and harshness of the African continent. Most games give you a set area that can be played through, while Ubisoft has given the gamer the equivalent of 50 square kilometers of vast African continent to explore while in pursuit of your goals. The settings used are just a few steps below the maximum in-game settings and offer a good blend of performance versus visual quality.
- DirectX 10
- 4xAA
- Game settings to High
- Vsync Off
In Far Cry 2, the 880G was a tad bit slower overall.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the latest iteration of the venerable first-person shooter series, Call of Duty. Despite its long, successful pedigree, the game is not without substantial criticism and controversy especially, on the PC. Aside from the extremely short campaign and lack of innovation, the PC version's reception was also marred by its lack of support for user-run dedicated servers, which means no user-created maps, no mods, and no customized game modes. You're also limited to 18-player matches instead of the 64-player matches that were possible in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Despite all this, the game has been well received and the in-house IW 4.0 engine renders the maps in gorgeous detail, making it a perfect candidate for OCC benchmarking.
- In Game settings to High
- 4xAA
- 16xAF
- Fraps measured Gameplay
In Modern Warfare 2 all three of the boards were head-to-head all the way through.
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a new game that brings together two bitter foes, the Joker and Batman. The Joker has taken over Arkham Asylum, Gotham's home for the criminally insane. Your task is to rein in the Joker and restore order. This game makes use of PhysX technology to create a rich environment for you to ply your trade.
Video Settings:
- 4xAA in CP
- 16xAF in CP
- Global settings = High
- Ambient Occlusion = Off
It was back and forth for the 800 series boards with the 790FX trailing.
3DMark06 is one of the benchmarks that always comes up when a bragging contest is started. 3DMark06 presents a severe test for many of today's hardware components. Let's see how this setup fares. The settings we will use are listed below.
- SM2.0 Graphics Tests: GT1- Return to Proxycon, GT2- Firefly Forest
- CPU Tests: CPU1- Red Valley, CPU2- Red Valley
- HDR/SM3.0 Graphics Tests: HDR1- Canyon Flight, HDR2- Deep Freeze
In stock form, the 880G was slow at first but when overclocked, it took the lead.
Featuring all-new game tests, this benchmark is for use with Vista based systems. "There are two all-new CPU tests that have been designed around a new 'Physics and Artificial Intelligence-related computation', CPU test two offers support for physics related hardware". There are four preset levels that correspond to specific resolutions. 'Entry' is 1024 x 768 progressing to 'Extreme' at 1920 x 1200. Of course, each preset can be modified to arrange any number of user designed testing. For our testing, I will use the four presets at all the default settings.
- All default settings in each preset level
- Entry 1024 x 768
- Performance 1280 x 1024
- High 1680 x 1050
- Xtreme 1920 x 1200
In 3DMark Vantage, the 880G chipset trailed a bit behind the other two boards.
The ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 is a formidable board. It is well thought out and the engineering design and chipset takes it even further. Throughout the review, I really enjoyed working with this motherboard. It has all of the features you will need including USB 3.0 support, SATA 6.0Gb/s for next generation high speed drives and SSDs and enough multimedia connections to make a DJ proud. The board was stable throughout all of the testing, not just the overclocking portion. During the testing, the board proved itself time and time again - remaining on par and even surpassing the 890GX based board a few times. This is also one of the few boards that currently supports AMD six core processors and 2000MHz memory speeds. ASUS added even more with one click overclocking and automatic core unlocking for some of AMD's dual core chips that are really quad cores with half of the cores disabled. No more tinkering to free them up - let the motherboard do it for you!
When overclocking, the M4A88TD-V EVO did not like it when I raised the reference clock very much. When I did, I had to substantially drop the CPU multiplier to compensate, which defeated the purpose. Since I had a Black Edition processor, I used that to my advantage and was finally able to pull out an overclock speed of 3.9GHz. There are a couple of things I think could be improved on the motherboard to make it even better. First is the placement of the IDE port. When using a flat ribbon IDE cable all of the twisting and turning to keep it flat and routed behind the motherboard tray is a pain. Sure, not many people use IDE, but for optical drives, it is more common than not and this really hinders cable management and air flow from the front of the case. Lastly, the CrossFireX modes on the two PCI Express x16 slots are not geared towards high end cards. In my experience, x4 speeds will severely hinder the performance of a high-end card such as an ATI HD 5870. It would have been better to run the slots at X8/X8 when used in a dual discrete card configuration instead of x16/x4 which defeats the purpose of the second card.
Other than these small quirks, this motherboard is definitely a winner. With the price and the amount of performance you receive from it, higher end boards better be scared. This motherboard packs a lot of features for little cost. If you are looking for a stable, feature rich platform for your upgrade or next build, I would look into the 880G chipset and more importantly, the ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3.
- Supports Phenom II X6 processors
- Supports DDR3 memory up to 2000MHz
- CrossFireX support for Multi-GPU setups
- Integrated HD 4250 graphics with dedicated Sideport memory
- USB 3.0 Support
- SATA 6.0Gb/s support
- One click overclocking switch
- Core unlocking via hardware switch
- MemOK for failsafe memory settings
- Instant-on Hybrid OS with Express Gate
- ASUS Xtreme Design technology
- Poorly placed IDE port
- Second x16 slot limited to x4 speeds


text:
Emmigration & The Good Ship Hercules
Replica of the 17th century ship Godspeed
An 88-foot replica of the ship that brought the first English colonists to America.
The Good Ship Hercules would have been similar (although the statue of Liberty wouldn't have been there in the 17th century!!)
When people started to emigrate to the 'New World', other towns called Sandwich were established, not necessarily in the following order:
Sandwich, Massachusetts, U.S.A. (incorporated in 1639)
Sandwich, Illinois, U.S.A.
Sandwich, Ontario, Canada
The Good Ship Hercules
In 1634, people embarked at Sandwich for New England on the 'Good ship Hercules of Sandwich'. The following is a passenger list, taken from 'History of Sandwich, by W. BOYS, 1792, pp. 750-1'.
List and Register
Of all such persons as embarked themselves in the good ship called the HERCULES, of Sandwich, of the burthen of 200 tons, John Witherley, master, and therein transported from Sandwich to the plantation called New England in America; with the certificates from the ministers where they last dwelt of their conversation, and conformity to the orders and discipline of the church, and that they had taken the oath of allegiance and supremacy. (The certificates, all dated February and March, 1634, are here omitted.)
Masters of Families. Children. Servants.
NATHANIAL TILDEN of Tenterden, yeoman, and Seven children, Seven servants, LYDIA his wife
JONAS AUSTEN of Tenterden and CONSTANCE his wife Four children.
ROBERT BROOK of Maidstone, mercer, and ANNE his wife. Seven children.
THOMAS HEYWARD of Aylesford, taylor, and SUSANNAH his wife Five children.
WILLIAM WITHERELL of Maidstone, schoolmaster, and MARY his wife Three children One servant
FANNET ...... of Ashford, hemp-dresser
THOMAS BONEY and HEN. EWELL of Sandwich, shoemakers
WILLIAM HATCH of Sandwich, merchant, and JANE his wife Five children Six servants
SAMUEL HINKLEY of Tenterden and SARAH his wife Four children.
ISAAC COLE of Sandwich, carpenter, and JOAN his wife Two children.
THOMAS CHAMPION of Ashford
THOMAS BESBEECH of Sandwich Six children Three servants
JNO. LEWIS of Tenterden and SARAH his wife One child
PARNEL HARRIS of Bow London
JAMES SAYERS of Northbourn, taylor
COMFORT STARRE of Ashford, chirurgion, Three children Three servants
JOS. ROOTES of Great Chart
EM. MASON of Eastwell, widow
MARGARET. wife of WILLIAM JOHNNES late of Sandwich, now of New England, painter
JNO. BEST of the said parish, taylor.
THOMAS BRIDGEN of Faversham, husbandman, and ...... his wife

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Michigan's Burke lands John Wooden Award
Michigan's Trey Burke won the 2013 John R. Wooden Award on Friday finishing just ahead of Indiana's Victor Oladipo. The Wolverines' sophomore guard averaged 18.8 points and 6.8 assists a game and has led Michigan to the Final Four. Four of the top ten finishers for this award are from the Big Ten.


text:
- Barre Center for Buddhist Studies
- Basic Mindfulness
- Bow Down Yoga
- Cambridge Insight Meditation Society
- eMindful
- Exquisite Mind Psychotherapy and Meditation Studio
- Go Beyond Words: Wisdom Publications Buddhist Blog
- Imagine Zero
- Insight Meditation Society
- Kripalu
- Lawyers With Depression
- Living Mindfully
- Maya Center for Integrated Medicine and Research
- Mindful Awareness Research Center
- Mindful Hiker
- Mindfulness & Psychotherapy
- One City
- Opening the Heart Workshop
- Polly Young-Eisendrath
- Rev. Sam Trumbore
- Saltwater Buddha
- Shao Shan Temple Spiritual Practice Center
- Shambhala SunSpace
- Stephen Batchelor
- The Frontal Corex
- The Mindful Path
- Tiny Buddha
- Todd Sargood
- Tricycle
- Vajra Dakini Nunnery
- Vermont Digger
- Wisdom Publications
- Yoga Sanga
I'I was walking down Church Street in Burlington, Vermont (Church Street is a pedestrian marketplace in the center of our small city), and noticed a poster in the window of the new Lotus Shop. It read, "Keep Calm and Carry On." I was intrigued by this message. It sounded like the Buddha talking but it's actually a British propaganda poster slogan from 1939. It was set to be deployed if Germany invaded Britain, and since this never happened the poster did not see wide distribution.
This is a message of equanimity and is a valuable tool to have in your stress reduction tool kit. Whatever the situation, "remain calm." In other words, don't freak out. What is served by that? Nothing. It's energy wasted. It's time wasted. And it does nothing to forward the solution of the problem.


text:
April 30, 2016
There's been a swimming advisory posted for one beach in Eastern Carolina.
State health officials have posted signs at a beach access approximately two miles north of Cape Point, that's on the Cape Lookout National Seashore in Carteret County.
Test found bacteria levels in the water exceeding state and federal recreational water quality levels.
While the beach is not closed, the state says people swimming or playing in waters with high bacteria have an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Moving Exclusively to Boot-to-VHD's
Forward: I've known this was possible for quite a while, and know one or two people who do it (Paul Stubbs), but it wasn't until just recently that I decided to bite the bullet. Recently I had …Read More
// This site is made up of two types of content: blog posts & articles. Both types of content can be found through search or by clicking on a tag in the tag cloud in the right-hand sidebar control. …Read More
Forward: I've known this was possible for quite a while, and know one or two people who do it (Paul Stubbs), but it wasn't until just recently that I decided to bite the bullet. Recently I had …Read More
Need a development environment for your SharePoint team? Don't want to spend the time building out the environment? We at Critical Path Training recently built out what we call our "All Up" virtual …Read More
Last weekend I wrote about how I do SharePoint 2010 development & presentations both on the road and also from my home office. In that post I broke it down into two categories: what I use as my …Read More
Back in November 2009 after getting a bunch of requests I elected to put a post up that explained the hardware I use when doing day-to-day SharePoint 2010 Development. Seems that was quite popular... …Read More
I noticed this post the other day by SharePoint legend & Certified Master Todd Carter. In it he references the MSDN article that shows you how to setup a Windows 7 box to do SharePoint 2010 …Read More
Those of us who use Hyper-V for development know of the challenge we face when we try to copy files or talk to the guest virtual machine or have the guest VM access the host machine. It's frustrating …Read More
Ever installed an OS? I'm sure the readers of my blog have before... if not, then high mom, dad and Meredith (my wife). :) It's a joy right? What about those of us that install OS's more frequently …Read More
For the last year+ I've been dealing with a maddening issue. All the machines in my house were always off by 3-8 minutes from the atomic clock. Not that big of a deal for most folks... but when you' …Read More
In June of 2008 I built a custom rig with three things in mind:Super powerful and not requiring an upgrade for a few years Primarily a virtualization rig (hosting HyperV images) Stealthy quietAs a …Read More


text:
Woman seeks new judge, venue for murder trial
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
CAMDENTON, Mo. (AP) -- A Kansas City lawyer charged in the deaths of her father and his girlfriend wants her trial moved out of Camden County.
Susan Van Note is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the October 2010 deaths of 67-year-old William Van Note and 59-year-old Sharon Dickson at the couple's home at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The Lake Sun Leader reports (http://bit.ly/19eUwqR ) during a hearing Monday in Camden County Circuit Court, a request for a new judge was granted but the change of venue motion will not be decided until January 2014.
Dickson died at the scene of the shooting and William Van Note was hospitalized. Prosecutors allege his daughter forged durable power of attorney documents, leading doctors to remove the elder Van Note from life support.
Information from: Lake Sun Leader , http://www.lakesunleader.com/
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text:
A widely-used, versatile pulp from banana leaf fibers. Very strong, easily rehydrated. Use alone for thick sheets, or blend with other fibers (cotton linters, recycled paper) to add strength. Unbleached, cream color. 12 oz weight.
Used alone, each 24" × 32" sheet yields 50–60 stationery size sheets.
Handling Charge — When ordering sheets of paper or board larger than


text:
Official Name:
Republic of Armenia
Area: 29,800 sq. km. (11,500 sq. mi.); slightly larger than Maryland.
Cities: Capital--Yerevan.
Terrain: High plateau with mountains, little forest land.
Climate: Highland continental, hot summers, cold winters.
Nationality: Noun--Armenian(s). Adjective--Armenian.
Population: 3.7 million; 700,000 people are estimated to have left Armenia during the last five years.
Ethnic groups: Armenian 96%; Kurd 2%; Russian, Greek, and other 2%.
Religion: Armenian Apostolic Church (more than 90% nominally affiliated).
Languages: Armenian (96%), Russian, other.
Education: Literacy--99%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--20/1,000. Life expectancy--72 years.
Work force (1.6 million): Industry and construction--30%. Agriculture and forestry--35%. Other--35%.
Type: Republic.
Constitution: Approved in 1995 referendum.
Independence: 1918 (First Armenian Republic); 1991 (from Soviet Union).
Branches: Executive--president (head of state) with wider powers relative to other branches, prime minister (head of cabinet), Council of Ministers (cabinet). Legislative--unicameral National Assembly (parliament). Judicial--Constitutional Court.
Administrative subdivisions: 10 marzer (provinces) in addition to the city of Yerevan, which has the status of a province.
Political parties: Armenian National Movement (ruling party), Shamiram Women's Party, National Democratic Union, National Self-Determination Union, Liberal Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Party, Republican Party, Communist Party of Armenia, Armenian Ramkavar Azatakan Party, Armenian Revolutionary Federation-Dashnaktsutyun (temporarily banned under a December 28, 1994, presidential decree), plus 34 marginal parties.
Suffrage: Universal at 18.
Economy (1995)
GDP: $1.4 billion.
GDP growth rate: 5%.
Per capita GDP: $450.
Natural resources: Copper, zinc, gold, and lead; hydroelectric power; small amounts of gas and petroleum.
Agriculture: Products--fruits and vegetables, wines, some livestock. Industry: Types--chemicals, electronic products, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textiles. Trade: Exports--$264 million (of which 39% to countries outside the former Soviet Union): precious stones and jewelry 34%, machinery and equipment 22%, minerals and metals 24%, plastics and chemicals 7%. Imports--$669 million (of which 50% from countries outside the former Soviet Union), including $152 million of humanitarian assistance: minerals and metals 35%, food and foodstuffs 34%, machinery and equipment 10%, chemicals 9%, precious stones and jewelry 9%. Major trade partners--Russia 24%, Turkmenistan 20%, Iran 13%, Georgia 7%, EU countries 15%.
Exchange rate: 402 dram=U.S.$1.
The dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991 brought an end to the Cold War and created the opportunity to build bilateral relations with the New Independent States (NIS) as they began a political and economic transformation. The U.S. recognized the independence of Armenia on December 25, 1991, and opened an embassy in Yerevan in February 1992.
The United States has made a concerted effort to help Armenia and the other NIS during their difficult transition from totalitarianism and a command economy to democracy and open markets. The cornerstone of this continuing partnership has been the Freedom for Russia and Emerging Eurasian Democracies and Open Markets (FREEDOM) Support Act, enacted in October 1992, under which the U.S. to date has provided nearly $500 million in humanitarian and technical assistance for Armenia.
In addition, the U.S. has played a leading role in the Minsk Group, which was created in 1992 by the Conference of Security and Cooperation in Europe--now the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)--to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. That conflict has cost several thousand lives, created nearly one million refugees and displaced persons, and caused economic hardships for Armenia.
U.S.-Armenian Economic Relations
In April 1992, the U.S. and Armenia concluded a trade agreement which provides reciprocal most-favored-nation status to the products of each country and guarantees intellectual property protection.
An Overseas Private Investment Corporation agreement with Armenia, which encourages U.S. private investment by providing direct loans and loan guarantees and by assisting with project/investor matching, entered into force in April 1992. A bilateral investment treaty was signed on September 23, 1992, and was ratified by the Armenian parliament in September 1995. Armenia has also expressed interest in negotiating a tax treaty and is receiving U.S. technical assistance in revising its tax structure.
U.S. Support To Build A Market Economy
The U.S. continues to work closely with international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank to help Armenia in its transition to a free-market economy. Armenia has embarked upon an ambitious reform program, which should eventually allow a move away from humanitarian aid toward more development assistance. U.S. economic assistance programs have three objectives: to help create a legal, regulatory, and policy framework for competition and economic growth in energy, agriculture, housing, and other sectors; to promote fiscal reform; and to develop a competitive and efficient private financial sector. The Peace Corps is also very active in Armenia, with a focus on small business development and English language education.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Extension Program provides advisory services and support to private farmers in all Armenian provinces, facilitates the formation of farmer associations and marketing initiatives, and has laid the groundwork for several agribusiness associations. USDA's Cochran Fellowship Program provides training to Armenian agriculturists. USDA and USAID have also launched an effort to revive production and export of Armenian vegetables and fruits. Under the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, Volunteers for Overseas Cooperative Assistance provides production and marketing assistance to Armenia's farmers, including the first farmer-owned winery, which is now producing and selling wine under its own label.
USAID's Energy-Sector Reform Project funded technical assistance and training (implemented by a resident energy advisor), feasibility and technical studies, and the purchase of critically needed equipment and commodities to support the Armenian energy sector's transition to a market economy.
The International City/County Manager Association (ICMA), also funded by USAID, facilitates the drafting and enactment of laws that promote the development of a private housing market, including a mortgage law, a condominium law, and a draft real estate law. Largely because of ICMA's efforts, more than half of all public housing in Yerevan has been privatized.
The Eurasia Foundation, working with a local bank in Yerevan, has established the first line of credit for small to medium-sized enterprises in Armenia. Lending began in late 1995, backed by a $2 million grant from USAID.
U.S. Humanitarian Assistance
The United States provided $138 million in assistance to Armenia in FY 1995, the highest per capita amount in the NIS. Humanitarian aid accounted for 85% of this total, reflecting the economic effects caused by Turkish and Azerbaijani embargoes related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, destruction in northern Armenia left from the devastating 1988 earthquake, and the virtual paralysis of most of the country's factories. In 1995, this aid included 138,000 tons of wheat, 25,000 metric tons of kerosene, and 81,000 tons of mazout (low-grade fuel oil), which was especially crucial during the cold winter months when electricity was available for only two to four hours a day in the cities and is virtually unavailable elsewhere. The U.S. Kerosene Program, administered by USAID, targets 210,000 of the most poverty-stricken families throughout Armenia, as well as 1,100 schools. The U.S., in collaboration with U.S.-based private voluntary organizations, also organized nine flights and shipped 202 containers by surface to Armenia to supply food, medicine, and clothing valued at $28 million.
U.S. Support To Achieve Democracy
Technical assistance and training programs have been provided in municipal administration, intergovernmental relations, public affairs, foreign policy, diplomatic training, rule of law, and development of a constitution. Specific programs are targeted at promoting free and fair elections, strengthening political parties, and promoting the establishment of an independent judiciary and independent media. Educational exchange programs play an important role in supporting democratic and free-market reforms. Assistance in the translation and publication of printed information also has been provided.
The U.S. Information Agency (USIA) sponsored in 1995 a range of exchange programs in the U.S. for Armenian lawyers, judges, political party members, and journalists to study the American judicial and political system and participate in programs on privatization, the media, and civil society. USIA continues to support Hai-FM, an independent, privately owned radio station that ran voter education programming before the July 1995 elections. In addition, USIA also funded a project by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) to print several thousand brochures showing people how to participate in the elections.
USAID helped fund international and domestic groups to monitor the parliamentary elections held July 1995. USAID has also funded programs run by NDI to monitor the July elections and strengthen an array of democratic and civic organizations.
Principal U.S. Embassy Officials
Ambassador--Peter Tomsen
Deputy Chief of Mission--Louis Licht
Political Officer--Susan Thornton
Economic Officer--Albert Fournier
Consular Officer--Patricia Lieberman
Administrative Officer--Laura Kirkconnell
Regional Security Officer--Rebecca Dockery (resident in Tbilisi, Georgia)
Agricultural Officer--Mary Revelt (resident in Moscow, Russia)
USAID Officer--Fred Winch
Public Affairs Officer (USIS)--John Quintus
The U.S. embassy in Yerevan, Armenia is at 18 Marshal Bagramyan; tel: 3742-151-144 or 3742-524-661; fax: 3742-151-138.
After the destruction of the Seleucid Empire, the first Armenian state was founded in 190 BC. At its zenith, from 95 to 55 BC, Armenia extended its rule over the area of what is now eastern Turkey. For a time, Armenia was the strongest state in the Roman East. It became part of the Roman Empire and adopted a Western political, philosophical, and religious orientation.
In 301 AD, Armenia became the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, establishing in the 6th century a church that still exists independently of both the Catholic and the Eastern Orthodox churches. During its later political eclipses, Armenia depended on the church to preserve and protect its unique identity.
Between the 4th and 19th centuries, Armenia was conquered and ruled by, among others, Persians, Byzantines, Arabs, Mongols, and Turks. For a brief period from 1918 to 1920, it was an independent republic. In late 1920, the communists came to power, and in 1922, Armenia became part of the Trans-Caucasian Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1936, it became the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic. Armenia declared its independence from the Soviet Union on September 23, 1991.
Armenia is the second most densely populated of the former Soviet republics. It is a landlocked country between the Black and the Caspian Seas, bordered on the north and east by Georgia and Azerbaijan and on the south and west by Iran and Turkey. Armenia's economy has been based largely on industry--chemicals, electronic products, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textiles--and highly dependent on outside resources. Agriculture accounted for only 20% of net material product and 10% of employment before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Armenian mines produce copper, zinc, gold, and lead. About 95% of energy is imported; the main domestic energy source is hydroelectric. Small amounts of gas and petroleum could be developed.
Like other New Independent States, Armenia's economy suffers from the legacy of a centrally planned economy and the breakdown of former Soviet trading patterns. In addition, the effects of the 1988 earthquake, which killed more than 25,000 people and made 500,000 homeless, are still being felt. Finally, the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh has led to a blockade which has devastated the economy because of Armenia's dependence on outside supplies of energy and most raw materials. Land routes through Azerbaijan and Turkey are closed; routes through Georgia and Iran are inadequate or unreliable. In 1992-93, GDP fell nearly 60% from its 1989 level.
Nevertheless, the Government of Armenia, helped by the cease-fire that has been in effect in Nagorno-Karabakh since 1994, has been able to carry out wide-ranging economic reforms which paid off in dramatically lower inflation. Armenia also registered strong economic growth in 1995, building on the turnaround that began the previous year.
In December 1994, the IMF approved the first tranche of a systemic transformation facility to support Armenia's macroeconomic reform program. As part of the program, the government pledged to strengthen its macroeconomic management (including increasing revenue collection), move toward full price liberalization, eliminate most exchange and trade restrictions, and accelerate the privatization process.
Privatization in agriculture has gone furthest. About 87% of farm land has been distributed, and the sale of land has been permitted since February 1994. Privatization in other areas of the economy is moving more slowly. Distribution of privatization vouchers began in October 1994; the government accelerated the pace of small-scale privatization and began to convert larger enterprises to joint stock companies as a first step toward full privatization. More than half of the housing stock has been privatized. Most prices have now been completely liberalized.
A liberal foreign investment law was approved in June 1994. A national currency, the dram, was introduced in late November 1993 and was very stable in 1995.
Environmental Issues
Armenia is trying to address its environmental problems. It has established a Ministry of Environment and has introduced a pollution fee system by which taxes are levied on air and water emissions and solid waste disposal, with the resulting revenues used for environmental protection activities. Armenia is interested in cooperating with other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (a group of 12 former Soviet republics) and with members of the international community on environmental issues.
Armenians voted overwhelmingly for independence in a September 1991 referendum, followed by a presidential election in October 1991 that gave 83% of the vote to Levon Ter-Petrossian. Ter-Petrossian had been elected head of government in 1990, when the Armenian National Movement defeated the Communist Party. The next presidential elections are slated for the fall of 1996.
The government is dominated by the anti-communist, nationalist Armenian National Movement, which is the largest party in the parliament. Opposition parties exist but have limited support. In November 1990, the Armenian Communist Party declared itself independent. In 1991, after the August coup in Moscow, a large group of party members split from the Armenian Communist Party and formed a separate Democratic Party.
The Government of Armenia's stated aim is to build a Western-style parliamentary democracy as the basis of its form of government. However, international observers questioned the inherent fairness of the parliamentary elections and constitutional referendum conducted in July 1995, citing polling deficiencies, lack of cooperation by the electoral commission, and the failure to register opposition parties and candidates. Observers noted, though, that several opposition parties and candidates were able to mount credible campaigns and proper polling procedures were generally followed. The new constitution greatly expands the powers of the executive branch and gives it much more influence over the judiciary and municipal officials.
The observance of human rights in Armenia is uneven and was marked by serious shortcomings in 1995. Police brutality goes largely unreported, while observers note that defendants are often beaten to extract confessions and are denied visits from relatives and lawyers. Public demonstrations usually take place without government interference, though one rally in June 1995 by opposition parties was broken up by paramilitary troops. Freedom of religion is not protected under existing law. Non-apostolic churches have been subjected to harassment, sometimes violently. Non-apostolic churches must register with the government, and proselytizing is forbidden by law. Most of Armenia's ethnic Azeri population was deported in 1988-89 and remain refugees, largely in Azerbaijan. Armenia's record on discrimination toward the few remaining national minorities is generally good. The government does not restrict internal or international travel. Although freedom of the press and speech are guaranteed, the government maintains its monopoly over television and radio broadcasting.
Principal Government Officials
President--Levon Ter-Petrossian
Prime Minister--Hrant Bagratyan
Foreign Minister--Vahan Papazyan
Ambassador to the U.S.--Ruben Shugarian
Ambassador to the UN--Aleksandr Arzoumanian
Armenia's embassy in the U.S. is at 2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008; tel: 202-319-1976 or 202-319-2983; fax: 202-319-2984.
Armenia established a Ministry of Defense in 1992. Border guards subject to the ministry patrol Armenia's borders with Georgia and Azerbaijan, while Russian troops continue to monitor its borders with Iran and Turkey.
The Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty was ratified by the Armenian parliament in July 1992. The treaty establishes comprehensive limits on key categories of military equipment, such as tanks, artillery, armored combat vehicles, combat aircraft, and combat helicopters, and provides for the destruction of weaponry in excess of those limits. Armenian officials have consistently expressed determination to comply with its provisions. Armenia has provided data on armaments as required under the CFE Treaty. There are indications that Armenia is trying to establish mechanisms to ensure fulfillment of its arms control obligations. Armenia is not a significant exporter of conventional weapons, but it has provided substantial support, including materiel, to separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
In March 1993, Armenia signed the multilateral Chemical Weapons Convention, which calls for the eventual elimination of chemical weapons. Armenia acceded to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as a non-nuclear weapons state in July 1993. The U.S. and other Western governments have discussed efforts to establish effective nuclear export control systems with Armenia.
Armenia is a member of the Commonwealth of Independent States, the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, NATO's Partnership for Peace, the North Atlantic Cooperation Council, the International Monetary Fund, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
In 1988, the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh, a predominantly ethnic Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan, voted to secede and join Armenia. This eventually developed into a full-scale armed conflict. Armenian support for the separatists led to an economic embargo by Azerbaijan, which has crippled Armenia's foreign trade and restricted its imports of food and fuel, three-quarters of which transited Azerbaijan under Soviet rule.
Peace talks in early 1993 were disrupted by the seizure of Azerbaijan's Kelbajar district by Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian forces and the forced evacuation of thousands of ethnic Azeris. Turkey in protest then followed with an embargo of its own against Armenia. President Ter-Petrossian has thus far resisted domestic pressure to recognize the self-proclaimed independence of the "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic." Some 750,000 ethnic Azeris who fled during the Karabakhi offensives still live as internally displaced persons in Azerbaijan, while roughly 400,000 ethnic Armenians who fled Azerbaijan since 1988 remain refugees.
Negotiations to peacefully resolve the conflict have been ongoing since 1992 under the aegis of the Minsk Group of the OSCE. The Minsk Group is currently co-chaired by Finland and Russia and comprises Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, the U.S., several Western European nations, and representatives of the Armenian and Azeri communities of Nagorno-Karabakh. The talks have focused on the status of Nagorno-Karabakh, the return of refugees, the lifting of blockades, the withdrawal from occupied territories, and the status of the Lachin corridor, which connects Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
Karabakhi Armenians, supported by the Republic of Armenia, now hold about one-fifth of Azerbaijan and have refused to withdraw from occupied territories until an agreement on the status of Nagorno- Karabakh is reached. Armenia and Azerbaijan continue to observe the cease-fire which has been in effect since May 1994, and in late 1995 both also agreed to OSCE field representatives based in Tbilisi, Georgia to help facilitate the peace process. The United States has supported OSCE efforts to work toward deploying a multinational peacekeeping operation for the region as part of a broader political settlement.
Short URL: http://m.state.gov/md6078.htm


text:
Top Teachers: Chris Tickle
Steward School, fourth grade
In Chris Tickle's class at The Steward School, students can never be sure who might show up to teach a lesson.
One day it might be "Augustus Porcularis," an ancient Roman pig farmer who teaches Roman numerals.
On another day a giant bee might visit to teach about the verb "to be." Or "Gramma Grammar," a prim and proper British matron, might drop in for a chat about the beauty of the English language.
"It is not at all unusual," wrote an admiring parent, "for Mr. Tickle to put on a housecoat and wig or a head-to-toe Cat-in-the-Hat regalia at a moment's notice. . . And who else would show up at school dressed in full knight gear as 'Sir Cumference' to teach a brand new geometry theory to 9-year-olds?"
The theatricality comes naturally to Tickle, whose wife once bought him a print featuring the quote, "Good teaching is one-quarter preparation and three-quarters theatre."
A theatre major in college, he had always loved school and learning, but initially passed up education studies to pursue other fields.
"After working in the 'real world' for a number of years," Tickle said, "I realized that I really missed being in a learning environment . . . [and] decided to follow my heart where it had always been."
But don't for a moment assume that Tickle's playful, out-of-the-box teaching methods mean he is a soft touch, or that his classroom is all about play. Steward parents will attest to his ability to deliver "a loving dose of tough love when necessary."
And Tickle will tell you that one of his most rewarding moments was getting a note from a former middle school student whose classmates – described by Tickle as "low-motivation" – had been given a dose of that tough love.
"I felt I needed to let [those students] know that once they left my school and headed to high school, they would be in for a rude awakening," Tickle recalled. A year later, one student wrote to thank him for being so hard on him. "Using my own words, he told me that once he got to high school, he did feel like he had been hit by a truck, but he had learned from it and was actually doing okay."
Whether he is coaching his Destination Imagination teams (which have made it as far as the Top 10 in the Global Finals), leading his fourth-graders through writing exercises, or motivating kindergartners-through-fifth-graders in reading achievement assemblies, Tickle said he is constantly striving to help students discover the joy of learning and the desire to continue to learn throughout their lives.
He also strives to get to know them as individuals, according to parents, and takes a sincere interest in every student.
Just before school begins each year, Tickle sends out letters inviting each student to write a letter about himself or herself. By year's end, he knows them all well enough to create his annual version of Dr. Seuss' Oh The Places You'll Go – "with a full stanza," said a parent, "tailored for each student in the class.
"What could be more touching to any parent?"
Tickle can cite many touching moments of his own, but especially enjoys watching his students experience the "ah-ha" moment when they finally grasp a concept. Not long ago, one student was dejected over hitting a roadblock with long division. Despite weeks of approaching it from all different angles, and "copious amounts of encouragement," he had not caught on. But then "his face suddenly lit up with a huge smile," said Tickle, and he announced, "I finally got it!"
The thrill of seeing that face has yet to wear off, said Tickle, who notes that he thinks about his students ("current, past, and sometimes even future ones") day and night. "I don't stop being a teacher when the final bell rings."
He also never stops thinking about what he can do to become better at his profession.
"As far as I'm concerned, being a teacher is one of those things that is just part of who you are. I honestly can't imagine doing anything else."
Anthem LemonAid registration opens
Citizen Staff Reports 04/29/2016
Every week, another child is diagnosed with cancer in Central Virginia. Last summer, six-year-old Caroline Morris was one of them.
Diagnosed in June 2015 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common type of childhood cancer, Morris has been receiving treatment at Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) ever since.
"It's not my hair that makes my beauty," said Morris, who lost her hair as a chemotherapy side effect, "it's my heart." > Read more.
Richmond Solar Co-op sign ups end April 30
Citizen Staff Reports 04/25/2016
The sign up period for the Richmond Community Solar Co-op will close on April 30. Nearly 150 homeowners and businesses have joined the group to save money and make going solar easier. The group has started installations and is working with VA SUN to learn about solar technology and the process of going solar.
"If you've ever thought about going solar, this is a great opportunity to do so," said Sekar Veerappan Co-op member and the group's first installation. "Working with the group helps members learn about going solar and make an informed decision." > Read more.
Weekend Top 10
A depressing week of cloudy skies is finally behind us and a fun weekend in Henrico is ahead! If the rain has you down, the 2016 Greater Richmond Holistic Expo at the Richmond Raceway Complex is the place for you. Nourish the mind, body, soul and emotions in a friendly, supportive – and dry! – environment. Music is also great for the soul – Rumble Seat Revival will perform an evening of 20s tin pan alley jazz tonight and HATTheatre will present the anti-bullying musical "Masquerade" this weekend. Another musical, "The Wiz," is playing at the Henrico Theatre this weekend as well. For all our top picks this weekend, click here! > Read more.
Deep Run High School robotics team wins world title
Business in brief
Citizens urge increased reading focus
Gearing up
Welcome home
- More News
Print Edition
May. 5, 2016Click here to read the print edition.
Weekend Top 10
CAT Theatre announces its 53rd season
Weekend Top 10
Henrico students star in 'The Enchanted Toy Shop'
Weekend Top 10
- More Entertainment
Obituary – Charles Thompson Gallaher
Obituary – John Courtney Isbell, Jr.
Obituary – Roger William Pugh
- More Obituaries
Anthem LemonAid registration opens
Richmond Solar Co-op sign ups end April 30
YMCA branches to host 'Healthy Kids Day' Apr. 29-30
- More Community
Of character and parenting
Opinion: Rename school for late Henrico officer
Of car chats and grocery games
- More Opinions
Strawberry visits Tuckahoe Little League
Athlete of the Week – July 3: Kayla Sell
- More Sports
Reader Survey | Advertising | Email updates
Place an Ad | More Classifieds
CalendarConnor's Heroes will host the sixth annual Heroes Art Ball at 7 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia. An average of 100 children come to Richmond for treatment for… Full text


text:
CodePlexProject Hosting for Open Source Software
Configure Database Owner account
FineBuild can configure a User Database Owner Account as part of the SQL Server install process.
A SQL Server login is created that should be used as the owner account for User databases.
In the past, it was considered best practice for all databases to be owned by the
sa account. However, if the user database is owned by the sa account and has ownership chaining enabled, then users in the
db_dbowner role in the user database will gain elevated privileges in the system databases. To avoid this, it is now considered best practice for all user databases to be owned by a low privilege account.
Additionally, if a set of user databases have ownership chaining enabled then they should be owned by a different account to other user databases, in order to prevent users in the chained databases from gaining privileges in the unchained databases.
In order to identify which account should be used as the standard user database owner account, a credential is created to hold this metadata. When the account is created, it is linked to the credential.
Starting with FineBuild v3.2.0 beta 2, the Database Owner Account configuration relates to Process Id
5CF. Prior to this it was part of
Configure Standard Accounts. It is controlled by the parameters below:
FineBuild also uses the following parameters to help Configure Database Owner Account:
FineBuild will automatically:
The following steps show what you would have to do for manual Database Owner Account configuration. FineBuild does all of this work for you automatically.
1) Within a query window enter the following command to create the Credential.
CREATE CREDENTIAL StandardDBOwner WITH IDENTITY='DBOwnerAccount'
2) Enter the following command to create the user database owner account.
CREATE LOGIN [DBOwnerAccount] WITH PASSWORD='SAPwd', CHECK_POLICY=ON, CHECK_EXPIRATION=OFF, CREDENTIAL=StandardDBOwner
3) Enter the following commands to ensure no-one can exploit the database ownership privileges that will be assigned to this account.
REVOKE CONNECT SQL TO [DBOwnerAccount]
ALTER LOGIN [DBOwnerAccount] DISABLE
Copyright © 2011 - 2013 Edward Vassie.
License and Acknowledgements
Last edited Apr 12, 2013 at 9:19 AM by EdVassie, version 7


text:
The Royal Pavilion
eorge, Prince of Wales (later Prince Regent and George IV) first visited Brighton in 1783 for the medicinal properties of sea water. He fell under the spell of the town and determined to have a house of his own. A modest farmhouse was converted into the neo-classical Marine Pavilion in 1787 before being transformed into the present breathtaking palace by architect John Nash between 1815 and 1823. Open everyday, except Christmas and Boxing Day, the lavish interiors are well worth a visit. Rooms are available for hire with marriages and civil partnerships performed.
The Lanes
ounded by North, East and Ship Streets, on the narrow cobbled streets that reflect the 15th century fishing village of Brighthelmstone (as Brighton was called). Today The Lanes is a smart shopping area with a coffee bar on every corner There are contemporary and antique furniture, ceramics and jewellery, old prints and books and anything which bears a designer label. If shopping is not enough, the Lanes is also famous for its restaurants and bars.
Brighton Marina
ne mile east of Brighton is Britain's largest marina. Brighton Marina combines the seaside atmosphere of a fishing village with the bustle of a modern shopping centre. The Village Square, with factory shops, waterside restaurants, cafes and bars, is car-free and safe for children, fishing and sightseeing boats leave the quayside regularly and there is a choice of eight cinema screens or 26 lanes of ten-pin bowling. The Marina is reached by foot along Madeira Drive from the Pier or along the beach on Volk's, Britain's oldest electric railway.
Sea Life Aquarium
ome of Britain's most spectacular and up to date sea life displays can be experienced in this historic former Victorian Aquarium. Sea Life has over 100 marine species, including sea horses, sharks, giant turtles and rays, living in their own habitat. Exhibits include the impressive 800,000 litre capacity ocean display with its walk-through underwater tunnel, bringing the oceans closer than ever before. Open daily.
Churchill Square
ne of the south coast's most modern shopping centres with some 90 big name shops, a wide selection of fast food restaurants and lively cafes. Situated in the heart of Brighton's main shopping district, Churchill Square is open seven days a week with late night shopping on Thursdays, has parking for 1600 cars and a shoppers crèche.
The Brighton Pier and Seafront
he sea is an ever changing backdrop to life in Brighton. From Brighton Marina to the derelict West Pier there is so much to see and do. In a city famous for its art and entertainment, it's not surprising that the seafront has so much to offer ~ from the quiet promenades of Madeira Drive to the traditional seaside pastimes and nightclubs below Kings Road not forgetting the candy floss, karaoke and white knuckle rides of the dazzlingly bright Brighton Pier, there is something for everyone.
Other Links
Current Weather


text:
OH....YU! - Printable Version
+- Beckett Message Boards (http://www.beckett.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Hobby Talk (/forum-1.html)
+--- Forum: Baseball (/forum-2.html)
+---- Forum: Box Breaks (/forum-3.html)
+---- Thread: OH....YU! (/thread-1509733.html)
Pages: 1 2
OH....YU! - johnnysbench - 08-08-2012 08:50 AM
Popped into my favorite hobby shop to see the gang at The Dugout Zone, in Ellicott City, MD, and picked up a box of Bowman Platinum. Besides a Harper rc and the usuals were nice, but pack number two held this bute....THANKS FOR LOOKING!!!
RE: OH....YU! - Icollect2 - 08-08-2012 09:24 AM
Unnggghhh.. sweet!
Honestly, I'm not a fan of Bowman Chrome. But, every time I see these awesome breaks you guys are having, I'm a little bit closer to trying them out.
RE: OH....YU! - MagicInaBottle - 08-08-2012 09:30 AM
I am 100% sure that is NOT a Bowman Chrome card that box you picked up was Bowman Platinum hence the BP right on the front of the card
RE: OH....YU! - johnnysbench - 08-08-2012 09:33 AM
RE: OH....YU! - snappyjoe75 - 08-08-2012 10:25 AM
nice hit man!!! its not for trade is it? lol
RE: OH....YU! - johnnysbench - 08-08-2012 10:29 AM
For the right card, sure...
RE: OH....YU! - mcleodfive - 08-08-2012 11:53 AM
God nice hit! I opened 16 boxes and never hit a Yu....
RE: OH....YU! - stera8 - 08-08-2012 12:50 PM
(08-08-2012 11:53 AM)mcleodfive Wrote: God nice hit! I opened 16 boxes and never hit a Yu....
as in not even base? wow.... thats like I opened up 3 ginter's and no Yu.
RE: OH....YU! - 75toppsfan - 08-08-2012 06:53 PM
outstanding hit dude!!!
RE: OH....YU! - alstott9adams - 08-09-2012 06:35 PM
Nice hit


text:
Tuning in to Paddlefish
the skin surface of the fish.
On the basis of these sensory structures, we predicted that paddlefish could sense the extremely small electrical fields emitted by plankton and would respond to artificial weak electrical signals just as a shark would.
Our laboratory experiments confirmed the prediction. We obtained the most dramatic demonstration of paddlefish electrosensitivity by placing a pair of thin silver wires into our paddlefish holding tanks. Through these wires we delivered weak oscillating currents on the order of 1/10th of 1-millionth ampere into the water.
In the dark, using remote infrared video, we observed paddlefish approach and strike at the electrodes as if they were trying to capture a water flea. The currents producing the most consistent strike response matched the strength and frequency of the electrical signals we measured from the plankton.
In other experiments in which we recorded nervous activity entering the paddlefish brain, we observed that electroreceptors on the paddle respond not only to the presence of individual plankton, but also to the feeding and swimming movements of an individual plankton's appendages, which arise from its appendage muscles. The signals are similar to the electrocardiograms and electromyograms with which we are more familiar, except they are many, many times weaker.
From these experiments, we concluded that the paddlefish paddle is actually a highly developed antenna. As an antenna, its primary function is to detect the tiny plankton on which the paddlefish feeds.
Without its antenna, the paddlefish would probably not survive as a planktivore in its murky aquatic environment. The paddle, with its electrosensory apparatus, allows the paddlefish to feed near the bottom of the food chain with little competition from other fish that feed primarily by sight.
Near exclusive access to this rich food explains how paddlefish can reach such large sizes.
Our antenna explanation has one loose end, however. Paddlefish that have lost their paddles, some as a result of being struck by boat propellers, not only survive, but become heavy. Their ability to produce eggs, in particular, indicates that they continue to feed successfully.
How do these apparently handicapped fish survive without their paddle/antenna? One possibility is that the sensory pores on the head and opercula are sufficient for detecting prey. It is also likely that large, filter-feeding paddlefish that capture quantities of plankton don't rely on the keen electrosense of the paddle as much as small fish that capture individual plankton.
Although our work suggests the paddlefish antenna is a prey-sensing organ, a study by Craig Gurgens, a former graduate student in our laboratory, suggests an additional function. By lowering obstacles into the swim path of a paddlefish, Gurgens demonstrated that paddlefish could detect and avoid a metal object without fail. However, they routinely collide with non-conductive, plastic obstacles. They also do not detect plastic-coated metal.
A metal bar produces a weak electrical field, and fish excitedly turn away at distances up to one foot. This may explain why paddlefish are reluctant to pass through partially open steel gates in dams, as has been documented. This, in turn, could interfere with their long-distance migrations.
Paddlefish rapidly learn to ignore steel rods placed in their tanks, and they never bump into them. Nevertheless, large metal structures in the aquatic environment may have a significant impact on paddlefish behavior, given the great sensitivity of their antenna.
The paddlefish is a recent addition to the catalogue of aquatic animals equipped with electrosense. The Australian duckbill platypus also has electroreceptors covering its broad, flat snout. Recent experiments have shown that the platypus bill also serves as a feeding antenna for finding crayfish and aquatic worms and insects.
Additional examples include several groups of primitive marine fish, including sharks, skates and rays, catfish, a diverse group of tropical freshwater fish that "talk" to each other by sending out weak electrical signals, and a few amphibians.
Among the various varieties and uses of electrosense, the paddlefish's electrosensory system is unique as an adaptation for locating plankton. Structurally, the paddle is unique because of its location in front of the mouth.
Exactly how a paddlefish translates the detection of weak electrical signals into accurate feeding strikes on tiny planktonic specks in the water will occupy our research activities for many years.


text:
Suspect leaves money to victim's family
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
SAN DIEGO (AP) — A man who died in a shootout with FBI agents after kidnapping a 16-year-old girl and killing her mother and brother named a member of the victims' family as his life insurance beneficiary, a spokesman for the man's family said Monday.
James Lee DiMaggio left $112,000 to Hannah Anderson's paternal grandmother, said Andrew Spanswick. He didn't know why but believes it was for the benefit of Hannah, the girl abducted by DiMaggio.
Hannah was rescued in the FBI shootout on Aug. 10 in the Idaho wilderness and returned home to San Diego.
DiMaggio, 40, had been like an uncle to the Anderson children and the father's best friend.
DiMaggio named Bernice Anderson as the sole beneficiary of his employer-issued life insurance policy in 2011, substituting her for his sister Lora Robinson, the lone survivor of his immediate family, Spanswick said.
DiMaggio lived with Bernice Anderson for about two years before buying a house in 2009 in Boulevard, about 65 miles east of San Diego, Spanswick said.
Authorities found the remains of Christina Anderson, 44, and Ethan Anderson, 8, in the Boulevard house after it was set on fire.
DiMaggio's sister called Hannah's father, Brett Anderson, on Friday to tell him about the life insurance payment.
"They had a long conversation about their mutual loss, trying to make sense of what happened, and neither of them had an explanation," Spanswick said. "Brett seemed to recognize that Lora was as much a victim in this as everyone else. He wished her the best."
A request for comment from Brett Anderson, made through family spokeswoman Stacy Hess, was not immediately
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text:
Courtesy: SUU Media Relations
TUCSON, Ariz., Feb. 16 – Southern Utah (2-7) suffered a pair of setbacks at the Hillenbrand Invitational on Saturday. The T-Birds rallied from a 3-0 deficit to tie their game against No. 16/19 Arizona (7-0) before seeing the Wildcats add three more runs for a 6-3 win. SUU was then shutout 8-0 by Purdue (5-4) in a later matchup.
The Thunderbirds fell behind to tournament host Arizona after giving up runs in the second and fourth innings. Courtney Rodriguez got things going for the Wildcats with an RBI single early on and Lauren Young added a two-run shot over the left field wall to set the lead at 3-0.
SUU started a rally in the top of the fifth as Terysa Dyer drew a leadoff walk and Madison Resley singled up the middle to give the T-Birds two on with nobody out. Freshman Kylee Wolf then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners and Megan Neilson came in for a pinch-hit homerun that knotted the game at 3-3.
Arizona would recapture the lead in the bottom half of the frame however after second baseman Chelsea Suitos reached home from third on a double steal. Chelsea Goodacre then drove in two more runs with an RBI single up the middle to stretch the lead back to three with the score at 6-3.
Ashley Ostler entered the game to record the last two outs from the circle for SUU, then held the Wildcats scoreless in the sixth, but the Thunderbirds were unable get on base in the final two innings to fall by 6-3 final.
Ariel Zimmerman (1-4) took the loss for the T-Birds after allowing six runs on nine hits over 4.1 innings. Estela Pinon (3-0) gave up just three runs on four hits and threw all seven innings to pick up the win for Arizona.
The second contest of the day belonged to the Boilermakers as they scored eight runs on nine hits in a five-inning game. SUU was held scoreless after putting together just three hits in 18 at bats.
Purdue opened up a 4-0 lead after Danielle Fletcher got things going with an RBI double down the left field line and Maia Monchek brought in two more runs with a single to right center in the first inning. The Boilermakers added another score in the following frame and three more runs in the final two innings to set the final count at 8-0.
Thunderbird starter Danielle Axe (1-3) took the loss after surrendering four runs on four hits and recording just one out. Ostler went 3.1 innings in her second relief appearance of the day and Zimmerman threw the final inning. Lilly Fecho pitched the first four frames to earn the win and Lexy Moore closed out the game in the circle for the Boilermakers.
Resley finished the day 3-5 at the plate for the T-Birds with a double and a run scored. Mikkel Griffin had two hits between the two games, including her third double of the season.
Southern Utah will have a couple of weeks off before returning to the field at the Libby Matson Tournament in Stockton, Calif. on March 3-5. The Thunderbirds will face San Jose State and Pacific on Friday, before meeting up with Nevada on Saturday. Coverage of the games is available at www.suutbirds.com.
Tue. May. 3
vs. BYU
3:00 p.m.
Sun. Apr. 24
vs. University of Montana
Sat. Apr. 23
vs. University of Montana
Sat. Apr. 23
vs. University of Montana
Fri. May. 6
vs. University of North Dakota
12:00 p.m.
Fri. May. 6
vs. University of North Dakota
2:30 p.m.
Sat. May. 7
vs. University of North Dakota
12:00 p.m.


text:
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Did anybody hear what Nico said to his father a few months ago about the cars being horrible to drive on full fuel tanks.
To which keke replied "How do you think we made our living"
I think (apart from schumi and reubens) these guys will get used to it


text:
Office Properties
3410 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA
7 bedrooms7 baths/1 partials
Location, location, location on the 12th green at the Pebble Beach Golf Links. This 2.4 acre estate features approx. 8,300 sq. ft. with 7 bedroom s... Read More
3191 17 Mile Dr, Pebble Beach, CA
5 bedrooms6 baths/3 partials
StoneGate is the reflection of an English Manor tucked amongst historic cypress trees. Sculpted at the hands of 122 craftsmen over 2 years, the det... Read More
1600 Viscaino Rd, Pebble Beach, CA
7 bedrooms8 baths/1 partials
Located in the Pebble Beach sunbelt is this remarkable Mediterranean ocean view compound with 5 year old main house with 3 bedrooms and 4 1/2 baths... Read More
1253 Portola Rd, Pebble Beach, CA
4 bedrooms4 baths/2 partials
Standing on a beautifully landscaped 1.5 acre parcel of Pebble Beach land, the site offers a 5,200 sf French-Normandy main house of 3 to 4 bedrooms... Read More
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3 bedrooms2 baths/1 partials
Heart Circle Mountain...Quite possibly the Eighth Wonder of the World! Mere words do little to convey just how special & unique this 36 acre proper... Read More
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5 bedrooms4 baths/1 partials
Located 3 blocks above The Lodge in the premier Pebble Beach estate and sunbelt area is this 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath, approximately 4,000 sq ft residen... Read More


text:
DialDictate Phone Dictation System
DialDictate is a call in dictation server for recording and sending dictation from a telephone system. Recording, replay, editing and file management are controlled by pressing numbers on a telephone keypad. The Site License edition can support unlimited users and can send dictations via FTP, email and LAN.This system is ideal for organizations such as hospitals, law enforcement and other large entities.
Dictation Server Features
* Records dictation by phone.
* Supports 1 to 32 telephone lines.
* Can concurrently support regular phone lines or Voice over IP (VoIP) lines.
* Controls include record, play, rewind (constant pitch), fast-forward (constant pitch) and record edit.
* Record to .wav or .dct file formats (only .dct allows for encryption and sender information)
* Automatically send dictation recordings by email, LAN or via FTP
* Recordings can be saved and retrieved at a later date for amendment.
* Supports recording encryption (HIPAA Compliant).
* Automatically backs up copies of dictations on the server where DialDictate is installed.
* 1 to 10,000 users can use the one system each with customizable recipient and user information.
* Ability to change Voice Prompts and Record Menu Key assignments.
* Allows user information to be stored in, and accessed from, a database.
* Integrated ODBC functionality supports Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, Sybase SQL Anywhere and Borland Firebird
* Uses the Audio Compression Manager to reduce audio file size and to speed transmission.
About NCH Software
NCH Software is a leader in audio, video, music, mp3, cd, dvd, telephony, dictation, transcription, business, and computer utility software for Windows, Palm, Pocket PC and Mac OS X. NCH has released over 80 products since 1993 and have received many awards for software excellence.
Professional, Medical, Academic, and Site License Editions available from NCH Software.
DialDictate Phone Dictation System Related Downloads
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It automatically calls your ADSL connection at Windows start in case your modem does not support this. It also restores the connection in case of interruption caused by your internet service provider (ISP).
This Software calculates and shows (in real time) how much time is left on your Internet account.