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Thanks to everyone who participated in this week's poll (385 votes for the boys, 253 votes for the ladies) asking which ballers would make the biggest impact on the ATP World Tour and WTA Tour this season.
Based on their outstanding performances at last month's Aussie Open, Fernando Verdasco + Jelena Dokic received the most overall votes. Nando reached his first Grand Slam semifinal and played the longest match in Oz history falling to eventual champ Rafael Nadal in five epic sets. JD was the feel good story of the fortnight coming out of the tennis doldrums to reach the quarterfinals after defeating Anna Chakvetadze + Caroline Wozniacki along the way.
The full results of the polls are as follows:
Fernando Verdasco - 54%
Gilles Simon - 16%
Juan Martin del Potro - 13%
Ernests Gulbis - 8%
Marin Cilic - 4%
Gael Monfils - 2%
Bernard Tomic - 1%
What's interesting here is Ernests Gulbis, who has yet to win his maiden ATP title, received more votes than Marin Cilic who already has two singles titles under his belt this season (Chennai, Zagreb) and three overall. Where's the love peeps?!
Jelena Dokic - 37%
Victoria Azarenka - 24%
Carla Suarez Navarro - 19%
Alize Cornet - 11%
Laura Robson - 3%
Michelle Larcher de Brito - 1% (5 votes)
Alisa Kleybanova - 1% (4 votes)
The result of the ladies poll isn't too surprising though most voters don't seem to think Alisa will build on her upset of Ana Ivanovic and the fourth round showing in Oz. In fact, she was beaten out by up-and-comer Laura and barely by Michelle. I wonder if this decision was based on the Russian teen's seeming lack of fitness because the girl can sure hit a ball.
If you voted, I'd love to hear the reasons you chose the ballers you did.
THIS WEEK'S POLL: Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal have both come out against the new WADA anti-doping measures while Roger Federer has defended them. What do you think about the WADA policy being implemented in tennis? VOTE NOW!
(images via Getty)
Monday, February 9, 2009
DtL Weekly Poll Results: Nando + JD most likely to make biggest impact this season
Labels: Fernando Verdasco, Jelena Dokic, tennis, weekly poll
3 comments:
I can definately see dokic as a contenter, kind of a sharapova fill in for the time being..lol but as far as verdasco, he kinda reminds me of last year oz open with tsonga having a miracle run...its just a moment thing, but I dont think his great playing will last throughout the year..Personally for me, it just seems that the aussie open is the only tournament where sudden "new comers" pop up and then arent ever heard of again, or some person who has been on tour a while, has an amazing run in their portion of a draw...its the magic of Oz I guess, but Dokic will definately do good as long as she keeps up her confidence!!!ReplyDelete
The Australian Open always has surprise winners on a hot streak. Tsonga, Baghs and Gonzalez? Although, I think Tsonga will be a major player for a while and a threat as long as he's healthy. Baghs, I love Baghs but he's even more injury prone that Tsonga, and that's saying something.ReplyDelete
Azarenka? I can honestly say I haven't seen too much of her game to make a judgement. Sure, she played Serena tough before she fell ill but - as Rafa once said "can you sustain that kind of amazing play, is the question?"
I'm not sure she has it in her to go toe to toe with the big babes ALL the time, even if she's an annoying shrieker too.
Kleybanova, she can bludgeon a ball eh? She needs to get in shape before anyone takes her seriously. Any big baby can yank her from side to side and she's done because her fitness is so poor. Oh, and anyone beating Ana these days is not an upset to me anymore. She's STILL got ball toss issues as recent as her Fed Cup match.
- Tennis ObserverFebruary 9, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Yeah, maybe Ivanović should just toss the ball to the other side of the net, if hitting it is so problematic?ReplyDelete

subset: commoncrawl


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"AxeManiac" flexes his muscles with this image posting spree:
It's not over yet!
Obviously, the first thing necessary to getting back in shape is buying a bunch of expensive knick-knacks.
Finally, a look at the candidate's long-delayed tax returns.
fall in! *takes hit from a bong hanging around his neck*
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Grapes: 95% Nebbiolo and a splash of Arneis
Alcohol: 14.5%
Region: Roero DOCG
Style: Roero can be a confusing area. Some of the wines accentuate finesse, elegance and are less powerful while others, this Riserva included, are punchier, far more bold/structured and closer in style to their near neighbours, Barolo and Barbaresco.
Vintage: 2006 was an excellent vintage in Piedmont. The region was helped along with a fair bit of rain in September which was good for Nebbiolo (late ripening grape).
Food Pairing: Hard cheese, red meat and game dishes.
Ok, applause please for my first ever 6.30am Wine90 post.
*Basks in applause*
Right, now stop. That's enough of that thank you. I'm not really showing incredible dedication (although I am) for there are two reasons why I need to get up and blog about wine at 6.30am... 6.30AM. Firstly, today is apparently rapture day and I'd like to clear my desk and get my house in order before I ascend into heaven. Secondly, I am drowning in vino! Not literally drowning of course but my apartment does look like a wine warehouse, or if you prefer a cup half empty analogy, the local Oddbins off Old Brompton Road (Topical Points?)
So, got my cup of coffee, got my irritating morning bounce, lets review Negro Sudisfa Roero Riseva 2006. Now I must mention at this point that this Roero was sent to me by Great Western Wine. The guy at GWW sent two of his personal favourite Italian wines for me to try and I must credit him for his excellent taste. Roero DOCG is so often overlooked, not because it lacks quality or flavour but because it is seen as the 3rd Nebbiolo wine in the region. The siblings of Roero are Barolo and Barbaresco, arguably this could make for a Piemonte Holy Trinity (see, I deserve to ascend, not descend, ascend) but, unfortunately for Roero, it is Lepidus to their Mark Antony and Octavian. Too obscure? Wiki Triumvirate
This is the other Mark Anthony... isn't he creepy?
Roero is made from 95-98% Nebbiolo grapes and holds a position just North of Barolo and North-West of Barbaresco (although part of the zone faces Barbaresco - is anything ever simple!?). Although these three areas are separated only by a couple of miles the topography of Roero differs significantly to the Langhe hills. Roero's soil contains higher quantities of sand. So, the story goes, that Nebbiolo is not capable of reaching its fullest expression here but this may have more to do with the DOCG rules in Roero that allow the wine to be released 18 months earlier than Barolo and so do not allow significant time in barrique/barrel to tame the tannins. The riservas, however, get 32 months and are well worth seeking out as far cheaper, softer, easier and earlier drinking alternatives to Barolo.
So, we have a different style of Nebbiolo. This all works out well for the consumer because Roero places itself in that third position also in terms of price, and a fabulous hit of Nebbiolo can be had for up to a third of the price of a Barolo. In the case of Negro's Roero Riserva you could easily believe you were drinking a Barolo with a few years on the clock; it's pretty intense. It's Nebbiolo+. Perhaps this wine had simply reached its optimum drinking window (quite possible). This wine was so wonderfully Nebbiolo; perhaps too extracted for some palates, it reminded me of making myself a cordial and over pouring the Robinsons.
Negro Sudisfa Roero Riseva 2006 DOCG - BUY - £29.50
Super typical Nebbiolo nose, very generous, forward with sweet notes of strawberries, cassis and marzipan. This wine has layers of flavours on the palate and drinking the wine was a noticeable process as the tannins emerged but were then gently washed away with good acidity culminating in noticeable length on the finish. No hotness here even at 14.5% alcohol, everything in perfect balance to create a super sooped up Roero that's right up my alley. - 92 Points
Where can i buy this Wine?
UK - Great Western Wines - £29.50
USA - Hi-Time Wines - $52
Europe - Xtra Wine - €24
Leave a Comment?
*whispers* Before it's too late.
Abbuoto Grape
Calling all Iphone users & Italian Wine Fans - There is a really cool little app for the Iphone from Gambero Rosso whereby you can search for Italian wines by grape. The results this app produces show only the wines from wineries who are in with Gambero Rosso and by no means represents all wineries who tend this grape, nor all wines that contain it. Nevertheless, this app provides information on wines made from over 250 grapes.
I have decided to go through that list, really just to educate and entertain myself and find out all I can about each of these 250 grapes. So, in true Sesame Street fashion, let us begin with the letter "A".
As you may know, Italian Grapes are ridiculous, there are thousands of them and more are discovered every year, many more disappear forever but we don't get to hear about those, they are simply, like the many unknown species that expire each day, lost in time... how sad.
Let us not lament on this upsetting fact for too long because the grapes that have been brought back from the brink or survive in small quantities are often wonderful discoveries, the Abbuoto grape is one such marvel. Abbuoto is actually one of many MIA grapes within Italy that is being studied closely and experiments are taking place by wineries in the Frosinone region where this grape was "re-found" to try to tease the best expression from Abbuoto. It is not yet fully understood how best to treat this grape to make wines that can truly appeal to the modern palate and move away from the simple rustic wines it can thus far muster. There may not be a way, although producers like Terra delle Ginestre are having fun trying.
It's not a wine available in the UK and neither is it a wine that tends to win awards but it is an important grape most notably because of its historical ties with the Roman poet Horace. Most likely, you've never heard of this grape, or you have just heard of it today and typed Abbuoto into Google and found this rambling post? Luckily for you, I have collected as much information as I can about this grape and the following blog entry should help you on your way!
Who makes wine from the Abbuoto Grape?
Generally a grape used for blending purposes, rarely does Abbuoto survive as a varietal wine alone. Historically this grape is thought to be the main ingredient in the fabled wine "Cecubo". This wine was mentioned numerous times by Horace. A version of Cecubo is produced by famous Lazio winery Villa Matilde who have "recreated" Cecubo using Primitivo as the main grape and adding a less generous splash of Abbuoto. Terre della Ginestra also make a wine showcasing the potential of Abbuoto called "Il Generale" though I have never seen this wine in the UK or US.
Where does the Abbuoto Grape come from?
Abbuoto's historic home lies close to the Lazio town of Frosinone a place already mentioned within the Wine90 annals but unfortunately for speeding tickets, not indigenous grapes. Abbuoto is sometimes credited as Aboto and Cecubo.
What are wines from the Abbuoto Grape like?
As a blending grape Abbuoto can offer depth and colour to a wine. On it's own Abbuoto produces only rustic wines (estate agent talk for rough) capable of some moderate ageing with a max life of about 10 years. The wine is most commonly mixed with Primitivo & Negroamaro, as is the case with both Villa Matidle and Terra delle Ginestre, to produce wines of great character.
Where can I buy wines from the Abbuoto Grape?
Not a chance. As of May 2011, there appears to be no importer of Abbuoto wines either as varietal wines or as a major part of a blend.
Why are you writing about the Abbuoto Grape?
It seemed like a good idea at the time. This is part one of my epic (cart before horse?) run down of Italian Grapes which I will write about one by one in between putting off the ironing and doing my online shop.
Leave a Comment?
Any experiences of Abbuoto?
Game, Set and Match - Italian Wine
Todd Martin. You must remember Todd Martin? He was one of my favourite tennis players back in the early 90's. On those occasions when I would drag my father down to that ivy-clad utopia of SW19 you may know as "Wimbledon", we would shout for "Old Todd" at the top of our lungs. Fans who were stood around the court (out on court 14 as it was then) imagined we were related to Todd Martin, why else would Yorkshire folk pump and cheer for Old Todd?
Well, there is no reason. Other than that old British tradition of picking a foreign player at random and supporting them just because we wanted to know what victory might feel like. We wanted to support an underdog but better an underdog that may actually win something. And Goran Ivanisevic must have gone out early!
Yet this isn't my hung portrait of Todd Martin. I wish. No, this photograph takes pride of place at the rather swish and too often overlooked Queens Club, just a short skip from my flat in London, W14. Todd won here and many other places so it's a little unfair to rank him alongside the Tim and Gregs of this world and even more unfair to call him "old" but still, it was a term of endearment we felt.
This is a wine blog, right?
I was invited to the Queens Club yesterday by Antonio Tomassini of Wine and Food promotions, a company committed to helping Italian wine producers get a foot in the door of the UK market. No easy task. If you're unwilling or unable to hand over your Primitivo or Montepulciano d'Abruzzo to Tesco or Asda for €1.40 a bottle or less then you have to go the long way round. The long way round could certainly be worse than the President's Room of Queens Club... talking to the likes of me.
In amongst all this tennis memorabilia and excitement the job at hand was to try Italian wines and of the 50 or so wines available to taste from roughly 12 wineries, these wines proved one thing to me, which I actually already know; that Italian wine is a bargain and the good stuff is not in Asda or Tesco. Are you shocked? I can tell you are. However, there were 87-88 point wines here that retail in Italy for between £2-3, wines with typicity, wines with verve even wines with structure and it makes me want to go home! Oh, sorry, I forgot I was British again for a moment.
So which wines stood out?
Two wines, the only two wines they produce, from Vivi, were both really very good for their €. Classic and simple examples of Falanghina and Primitivo both would make excellent food wines, a perfect wine for restaurants like Zizzi with a simple and modern branding. The Falanghina was crisp and fresh with good fruit and a fine streak of acidity, the Primitivo was classic dark fruit, blackberries with some extra, stand out notes you wouldn't expect from the price point with a bit of mocha thrown in, a touch green on the finish but not unforgiving. Watch out for Vivi at a Pizza Express or similar near you.
Then there were the wines showcased by the very knowledgeable and super-affable Maurizio Fava of Topwine. Maurizio was representing several wineries each offering something different, some lovely sweet wines, aromatic wines and crazily low priced Dolcetto and Barbera wines. The best of which were "Ray", "Aive", "Colle Manora' Minosa" (Sauvignon Blanc from the Piedmont) and the Tre Bicchieri "Pomodolce Grue". Have you heard of any of these? I bet not, and they're gorgeous wines. What doesn't make it 'ere is truly a tragedy.
The rest of the wines at the event lacked only the promotional clout that may be necessary to break the UK, there was no problem with flavour or value anywhere, but there was a lot of Montepulciano at this event and we are already awash with very cleverly branded Montepulciano. Many unknown varietals/docs were also present but I'm not sure the UK market are open to embracing even more Italian grapes/appellations. We need a push for education on Italian wine here in the UK, maybe then Albarossa (right), Schioppettino and the 20 gazillion others will get a chance. We're not great at holding lots of foreign grapes/appellations in our collective consciousness. Unless these terms are continually flashed before our eyes, we easily forget or our brains become tired. Even a most enthusiast wine promoter like Maurizio Fava can only list so many Dolcetto docs before my eyes get that slight glaze. And that's me. And I love Dolcetto!
Where can I buy these wines?
Go to Easyjet or Ryanair, pick a flight to Rome, Florence, Pisa or even Perugia, hop off, go to the enoteca or trattoria, buy them, accidentally miss the return flight. Live happily ever after.
Leave a Comment
Am I unfair? Can us British really remember more Italian DOC/Grapes than we do, is it our brains or is it their promotion, is it a lack of quality? Why didn't Tim win Wimbledon? Will Andy?
Next Post > Abbuoto
La Monacesca Verdicchio di Matelica 2009
FACTFILE - La Monacesca Verdicchio di Matelica 2009
Name: La Monacesca Verdicchio di Matelica 2009
Grapes: At least 85% Verdicchio grape but this DOC allows Malvasia and Trebbiano in the blend. The last vintages I tasted of this wine were 100% Verdicchio although there is no mention of other grapes on the label... so we guess 100% Verdicchio.
Alcohol: 13.5%
Region: Matelica DOC
Style: The standard bottling Verdicchio from La Monacesca is one of the best value driven Verdicchio wines on the market with classic tones of anise, almond and a sour, bitter finish. Verdicchio is famous for its wonderful fresh acidity which makes it a perfect accompaniment to so many seafood/pasta dishes.
Vintage: A straight forward but very hot growing season in 2009 did little to hurt the wines in the Matelica DOC (whose wines seem perpetually less affected by vintage than their neighbours). The wines do not appear over-ripe and continue to zing with acidity.
Food Pairing: Seafood risotto, fatty fish/octopus.
The smaller and less famous of the two Verdicchio DOC's (the other being Castelli di Jesi), Verdicchio di Matelica DOC covers an area of around 300 hectares just under 4kms from the Le Marche town of Macerata. The area produces dry whites (this one), passito wines and a spumante.This DOC, and this producer, also produce a popular and lauded riserva version which is highly celebrated and this year scooped the Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri award. These standard versions must contain at least 85% Verdicchio grapes and, as mentioned above, can include Malvasia and Trebbiano up to 15% in the blend.
However, if ever there was a white wine for food Verdicchio is it. It isn't that I am generously complimenting Verdicchio's ability to bring out the fuller flavours in food, as much as that, without food, it's, well, lets be polite, unpleasant. You know when you feed a baby a gherkin or give it a sip of black coffee for the first time and it pulls that "OMG why would you do this to me" face? For me, for my palate, it's a little like that.
Now don't misunderstand me. Verdicchio is a wonderful wine with food. La Monacesca Verdicchio di Matelica 2009 especially, is, a wonderful wine with food. Throw this wine at me alongside a seafood risotto and I'm happy as your 10 year old nephew with a new record angry birds hi-score. However, I'm yet to be bowled over by Verdicchio as a stand alone varietal wine, even when the DOC allows for a blend this grape asserts that bitter finish that many people love. Verdicchio is a very popular wine.
Setting aside my personal preferences, this Verdicchio is a perfect example of the grape. La Monacesca Verdicchio di Matelica is produced by one of the most consistent wineries in Le Marche and within a DOC famous for its year on year ability to conquer the vintage. This isn't because the soil and micro-climate around Matelica are so particularly favourable, it's because the producers in this region, as well as having good soil, are also rather good and competitive winemakers. What I'm saying is, if you want to give Verdicchio a go, or, if you're already a convert and are looking for a solid, well-priced and reliable Verdicchio then La Monacesca's Verdicchio di Matelica 2009 is one of the better bottlings readily available in the UK.
La Monacesca Verdicchio di Matelica 2009 - BUY - £9
A golden yellow in the glass with distinctive green hues. On the nose this wine gives out a tremendous waft of aromatic beauty with citrus, anise, honeysuckle and green under-ripe walnuts. Striking acidity and a luscious mouth-feel gives this wine a rich, opulent tone with sour citrus notes continuing to the mid palate. The finish is generous but very bitter, so much so as to shock the unexpecting. The wine's fruity, almost blossom-like nose is so beautiful that the bitter finish creates an unpleasant ending for my palate but this is Verdicchio and you must decide for yourself. My score: 87 Points
Where can I buy this Wine?
Americans - Luekens - $19
Brits - Waitrose - £9
Europeans - Bulzoni - €9
Leave a Comment:
Love or Hate Verdicchio?
There is still time to enter the Italian Wines 2011 Gambero Rosso competition on the previous blog entry. Well... two hours anyway, c'mon, chop chop.
Italian Wines 2011 - Gambero Rosso
It's back, it's blue, with four hundred and two... Tre Bicchieri awards. It's everything you need from an Italian wine guide and I'm giving away copies to the best comments left on today's blog entry.
How do you win a copy of Italian Wines 2011 from Gambero Rosso, very simply by giving out your own Tre Bicchieri award to your favourite Italian Wine of the Year. Simply tell me which has been your favourite Italian Wine of 2011 below, and why. The best stories/tasting notes will receive free copies directly from Amazon.
Why would you even want a copy of Italian Wines 2011 from Gambero Rosso? If you have any interest in Italian Wine at all then this book is invaluable, I use it every day, there are reviews on over 2000 wineries and 20,000+ wines. The wines are catalogued by region and a general overview of the Italian county is given with recent changes to DOC/G rules laid out and special mentions to wineries who are producing at a high level. From princely Piedmont to meagre Molise, every wine producing Italian region (which is all of them) gets a mention.
Italian Wines 2011 was compiled by a selection of Italian wine experts who spent the year touring the country and tasting wines region by region, shortlisting the best Italian Wines and keeping an eye out for exceptional wines made biodynamically. However, the most invaluable information in the 2011 Italian Wines edition is the inclusion of a list that showcases all the Tre Bicchieri wines that retail under €15 proving once again that Italian Wine is the best value wine in the world. No bias.
A wine for every week of the year (that's 52 in earth years) made the "Three Glasses under €15" list, some wines you would expect and others are a welcome surprise. Here are 10 of the most interesting wines to make the list, as for the others, you'll have to take part in the competition won't you!
Pedres - Vermentino di Gallura Sup. Thilibas 09
Ca' Bolina - Friuli Aquileia Pinot Bianco 09
Settesoli - Cartagho Mandrarossa 08
Cascina Corte - Dogliani Vecchie V.Pirochetta 09
Villa Medoro - Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 08
Lungarotti - Torgiano Bianco Torre di Giano V il Pino Ris 08
Pietracupa - Greco di Tufo 09
Villa Venti - Sangiovese di Romagna Sup Primo Segno 08
Torrevento - Castel del Monte Rosso V Pedale Ris 07
Kuenhof - Peter Pliger - A.A Valle Isarco Veltliner 09
Can you buy these wines in the UK? Eh, probably not. However, Superiore.de deliver to the UK and are dedicated to shipping out Gambero Rosso recommendations.
Why else is Italian Wines 2011 useful? It also contains the phone numbers and email addresses of the wineries and indicates whether you can buy directly from the cellar door or visit the winery - very useful if you're touring the vineyards of Tuscany, Piedmont... or that one in Molise. Being rather long and thick, it's also good for getting at scared spiders and if you stand on it you become three inches taller. Almost instantly.
So, simply leave a comment starting "I would like to win a copy of Italian Wines 2011 by Gambero Rosso and my Tre Bicchieri award goes to....... blah blah". I have 5 copies of this book to give away and as the amount of comments I've ever had has never been beyond 30, you've got a pretty good chance of winning. Go for it! Forza, Forza!
All the Best! Wine90 (kisses)
P.S. I am very pedantic, you must start the comment... "I would like to win a copy of Italian Wines 2011 by Gambero Rosso and my Tre Bicchieri award goes to" or I'll disqualify you.
Taurasi Feudi di San Gregorio
Antinori Tignanello 2006
FACTFILE - Antinori Tignanello 2006
Name: Antinori Tignanello 2006 IGT
Grapes: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon & 5% Cabernet Franc
Alcohol: 13.5%
Region: In the heart of Chianti Classico.
Style: Marl, shale and chalk soils in the centre of the Chianti Classico region produce Tignanello, the jewel in the CC crown. A year in barrel and a year in bottle; the IGT label allows Antinori flexibility over the grape percentage, barrel and bottle ageing etc, even so, Tignanello is consistent in style year on year.
Vintage: 2006 was a capricious growing season with fretful glances to the sky throughout. A cold autumn and winter led to late budding with both spring and summer bringing frequent rains, however a dry and hot harvest month led to perfect ripening and the vintage was not only saved, but excellent.
Food Pairing: Lamb/Veal Chops, Heavy Pasta/Mushroom Sauce & Beef.
I'm a year behind on Tignanello! The Tignanello posts for '04 and '05 are the most frequently searched on Wine90 proving that Tignanello is a wine of huge interest both at home and abroad, as a fine wine, it is perhaps the most famous Italian wine of all. The love affair for this "Super Tuscan" continues unabated even with the growing movement for well produced varietal examples of traditional Italian grapes. The Far East are now taking an interest in the "Supers" and with the price doubling just in the few years I've been writing this blog it will be interesting to track the movement of the Tig market in the next few years.
The Antinori Tignanello 2006 currently retails in the UK for between £65 and £75 per bottle and is totally overpriced. Just three years ago I was selling this wine for £38 a bottle and this for the brilliant '04. Back in 2008 Tignanello was still a bargain, in 2011 this wine would need to score huge in order to make this a fair QPR wine. As it stands, this will be the first Tignanello I've ever PASS'ed. Still a powerful and dense wine but no longer a fair price and with many other wines from Tuscany, Umbria and a few even from Lazio offering a very similar experience for half the price, Tignanello 2006 is a label only and not one I'll aspire to. The coming vintages will either have to be much more impressive or stabilize on price, or, as will likely be the case, be enjoyed in wine markets other than the UK.
Antinori Tignanello 2006 - PASS - £70
The wine sits intense, deep ruby red in the glass. Cherry, Spice, Herb and hints of oak on the nose combine for an initially stunted but eventual punchy and rich aroma. Great density of flavour and richness on the palate, firm tannic structure and solid acidity; this wine is in balance. Vibrant and fruit forward through the palate with a clean and satisfying finish. Very good wine, but not extra special or "super". 92 Points
Where can I buy this Wine?
Brits - The Wine Library - £70
Americans - NC Wine Market - $76
Europeans - La Loggia - €50
Leave a Comment:
Anyone in the UK willing to pay £70+ for Tignanello?
Top Wines of the Week
Other Recent Blog Posts - May 2011
Tignanello 2006
Italian Wines 2011
Verdicchio di Matelica
This has been quite the week for expanding my wine education. Having visited both the Sampler in Kensington and Vagabond Wines in Fulham this week, I can safely say that I am now highly skilled in using Enomatic machines and a little closer to spotting a Rousanne at a thousand paces. The only drawback of having credit-loaded wine cards is the vast amount of tasting notes it generates and the number of quality wines you feel you must blog, tweet and generally rave about to anyone who will listen.
To that end today's blog entry will be a series of recommendations and tasting notes. What a joyous read! For the foodies who occasionally wander by Wine90, here is a photograph of a pizza I made from scratch. For those who think it may be terrific fun to make a pizza and have never made one before I have just one tip; be sure that your yeast grams are not fast-acting yeast grams. I used double the amount of yeast required for my dough and when I woke up in the morning, the remaining pizza dough had exploded out of its tin foil wrapping and taken over half of my fridge. No one wants to spend Saturday morning scraping cold hard dough off their appliances.
Remembering this is a wine blog... I managed to taste about 60 wines last week at the Sampler and Vagabond Wines. The very tip toppy best of which I've listed below in case you fancy trying them yourself or doing the old fashioned thing and actually buying a bottle!
Qupe Rousanne 2007 - £30
Arnaldo Caprai Rosso Outsider 2006
Hello everybody I am WineNineterchuk and this is your Daily Gr... oh wait, I got confused. So as not to upstage the terribly exciting news within the Wine Blogging community I thought I would just enter a simple tasting note on a top drawer wine that has to be among the best value wines anywhere in the world. So, keeping it tight ...
Last weekend I had the jolly good fortune to visit Umbria and the vineyards of Arnaldo Caprai, I've been to Caprai before, (link it up me - Arnaldo Caprai) the vineyard and tasting rooms are amongst the most informative and stylish in Sagrantino and it's a pleasure to taste here in such beautiful surroundings.
The main Caprai buildings are awash with in depth information about the soils of the area, ageing and oak etc, and for those really interested in the vinification of Sagrantino, one of the worlds most tannic wines, it is an informative day out. A free one too.
As I've already written extensively about Caprai's facilities and range in 2009, I'll let you follow the link above if your heart so desires and just get on with what I want to talk about, which is, the Rosso Outsider.
Now, Caprai already has two infamous wines, the Collepiano and 25 Anni Sagrantinos are the signature Caprai wines (amongst the best examples of the grape) but it's the Merlot/Cabernet Rosso Outsider that I fell in love with in 2005 (95 Points - me) and whose personality simply could not be ignored in the big, over the top, 2006.
Caprai Rosso Outsider 2006, is very similar in style to the 2005 but yet more extracted, concentrated and with a finish as long as your arm. The 2006 has an obnoxiously overwhelming fragrance of wet pencil and tobacco, you would think for all the world that this was some young slip of a Pauillac and yet, not sat even in Bolgheri, we're sampling Cabernet Sauvignon perfection? Blended perfection?
This is Umbria, but with the '06 vintage fairing so well for Brunello/Chianti we should not be surprised the Cab blend has fared so well. The structure of this wine, the biting tannins and length are a real power play and if the price of Bordeaux and Super Tuscans make your eyes water, this could be the next "go to" place for age worthy, merlot/cab blends. MARK IT DOWN. Super Umbrians are coming and Marco Caprai, the media savvy company head is leading that charge.
Arnaldo Caprai Rosso Outsider 2006 - £30 - BUY
Intense ruby red with pronounced, youthful aromas of graphite, blackcurrant and with sweet spicy overtones. On the palate the wine has extreme grippy tannins and an intense oak bent that I'm gambling will drop away over the coming years, I hope, to be replaced by the dark forest fruitiness that can be found on the long punchy finish. Incredible structure but not to be drunk now. 93 Points
The 2005, in my opinion, is far better for drinking over the short term and is much more fruit forward at this young age. If you're prepared to wait, the '06 would be an interesting gamble. However, if you buy a case of both, you're sure to win, and that's what I have done!
Where can I buy this wine?
For us Brits - Lea and Sandeman carry the 01 for £25
For us Europeans - Superiore.de carry this vintage for £30. ,
For you Americans - Grapes The Wine Co have the '04 for $60
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Are you ready for the Super Umbrians? Have you already heard their call, are you in fact, already enrolled? Vive la revolucion in the tiny village of Montefalco. Vive indeed.
Kuenhof Valle Isarco Riesling Kaiton
The world of wine blogging can be a fickle mistress, one day you're swamped in enotecas for your autograph, cheered and back slapped, the next you're attacked with a Parma ham (on the bone) for dismissing a paisans favourite grape. As many of you know, wine geekery is not my formal training, I am actually a full blown net nerd paid to work in SEM/SEO, that little talent helped elevate this blog and the keyword Italian Riesling atop the Google rankings and my cheerful raspberry to Italian Riesling continues to top my e-complaint list.
So, just two years later and after one suit and several beatings, I have decided to write about another Italian Riesling and this one, the Kuenhof Valle Isarco Riesling Kaiton from the Alto Adige is nothing short of scrumdiddly (winespeak for "on par with anything from Franken").
The Kuenhof estate, run by Peter and Brigitte Pliger is located just outside the town of Brixen (70% of the towns population are German speakers) or Bressanone as we shall call it and just a short distance from the Austrian border. This 4 ha vineyard in the South Tyrol holds the honour of producing Italy's northernmost wines. As such, the wines at the Kuenhof estate are Italian only in postcode, growing grape varieties you'd expect from the Austrian vineyards across the way. Strangely, grapes do not respect international borders and so it comes to pass that some of the worlds finest and best value Gruner Veltliners, Rieslings, Sylvaners and Gewurztraminers come from this part of the Alto Adige and the Kuenhof estate.
Kuenhof Valle Isarco Riesling Kaiton, like all the Kuenhof wines from this tiny estate is produced in small numbers. Considering the quality of this wine and the small scale production these wines are hotly priced. The Sylvaner (as you could guess) has the largest production but still comes in at just under 11,000 bottles per year. The wines are also well received with Gambero Rosso year on year with the '07 Sylvaner taking the Tre Bicchiere and still we are getting change from a €20? You can buy the wines directly at the vineyard for closer to the €10 mark.
So, onto the Kuenhof Valle Isarco Riesling Kaiton itself. At the beginning of this week I was in Venice and along with a chum shared a bottle of the '08 vintage sat next to the Rialto bridge feasting on seafood risotto as the the mosquitos, in turn, fed on me. I'm sure the location and late evening sun helped but this was perhaps the most elegant, lengthy and pure Riesling wine I've tasted from any region. No one made me say that. Honest. No one.
Kuenhof Valle Isarco Riesling Kaiton 2008 - BUY - €19
A light golden colour in the glass. A focused and stylised wine with some herbaceous and mineral notes, even a little orange peel on the nose. The palate is concentrated, lustrous and coating with a long finish. This is one of those wines that is almost a little one dimensional but does that one dimension so well that it's a good thing! (that makes sense) 90 Points
Where can I buy this Wine?
Karadarshop.com - €19
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What is your favourite thing from Austria? Apart from this wine... which isn't.
Foradori Granato 2004
Foradori's Granato 2004 is the first wine from Trentino to make the Wine90 blog. Probably not too surprising, there are only a couple of estates in this north eastern Italian province that consecutively turn out top notch vino.
If you're an Italian wine fan you've probably heard of Foradori, Ferrari and Tenuta San Leonardo but otherwise there hasn't been much to shout about.
Trentino, traditionally, is all about quantity with the highest yields in Northern Italy which is seldom a statistic matched by quality.
But what of the region's saviours and what of this, the Foradori Granato, not only (arguably) the regions best red wine but also its best exponent of the regions finest indigineous grape, Teroldego?
This grape was once a bit of a favourite in Italy, but like so many of her indigenous grapes was slipping into obscurity until taken on by a brilliant traditionalist with the Midas touch. This grape owes it's refound popularity to the indomitable Elisabetta Foradori. She alone is responsible for the resurgence of this full flavoured and moderately tannic red variety. Often compared to Zinfandel, recently it has been proven that one of the parents of Teroldego is actually Syrah.
It is in Trentino though, in the foothills of the alps, within the Foradori vineyards upon alluvial deposits and gravel and with Elisabetta's careful hand that Teroldego has found its greatest expression. The most exciting thing about focusing on Italian wines are stories like these. Every year you hear about another varietal that had been crucially important to the region in times gone by - almost falling out of existence, only to be brought back to life once more. It's an exciting time in Italian wine and Elisabetta's story, whilst extraordinary and dedicated is repeated in every region of Italy. There seems to be an underground society for the revival of indigenousness grapes in Italy; they just forgot to send my press pass.
The wine itself is unique and whilst us wine bloggers love to draw comparisons I'm going to resist temptation as to not do the wine a disservice. This is a wine of elegance produced under some harsh conditions with few peers to guide Elisabetta's path.
Foradori Granato 2004 - BUY - £35
A deep ruby red, the wine's bouquet is a sumptuous mix of tobacco, tar, graphite and cedar with the oak hanging in fine balance but Granato is also fruit forward with notes of orange, cocoa powder and spice. The nose really is stand out and gives the wine its unique quality. On the palate Granato shows well ingrained tannins, both dense and silky with a fine satisfying finish offering plums/dark cherry and some herbaceousness on the back end. I realise that's a lot of characteristics for a wine but it really is something else! 94 Points
Although undoubtedly well made, this will be a wine that splits opinion and so a great wino or dinner party wine. This is the wine to take to your best wine snobs house and trip them up with. If anyone picks this wine blind they should instantly be ordained as the new Jancis of your group.
Where can I buy this wine?
Europeans - Italian Wine Selection - €30
Americans - The Wine Connection - $47
Brits - Antique Wine Company - £35
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Your best blind moment?
Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2004
Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc is the finest wine from the Scavino vineyards seemingly year on year, but the 2004 vintage is a masterclass in balance. It appears as though the true potential of Bric del Fiasc has now been realised, a project of over 30 years, and I'm looking forward to seeing if the Scavinos can raise the Barolo bar once more - vintage permitting.
Paolo Scavino has long been a favourite producer for Piedmont fans in the know, not simply for this top cru Barolo but for all his Barolo wines including the award winning Rocche dell'Annunziata. Scavino is currently producing 14 different wines that beautifully showcase the Piedmont with Langhe, Barbera, Dolcetto as well as making use of Cabernet Sauvignon in a couple of Nebbiolo dominated blends.
The Bric del Fiasc doesn't get close in price to the Barolo superstar prices of Gaja, Giacosa, Voerzio et al. As these wines are highly sought after and praised in Italy they sometimes struggle to reach our shores and those that do are snapped up quickly. The Bric del Fiasc 2004 had Antonio Galloni of the Wine Advocate in raptures. The producers top wine in a heralded vintage is still, in relative terms, a QPR hotshot. What other 96 point WA 2004 Barolo can still be found for under €60 a bottle?
So why is this wine so special? This cru Barolo wine was first produced in 1978 when Paolo's son Enrico convinced him that the grapes from this particular area should be vinified separately as they are the best of the bunch and the wine should be sold under its own cru label. Since then the wine has grown in stature. Currently a supporter of French Oak it will be interesting if the amount of oak and period in barrel remains constant for future vintages. However, it was, as always, the combination of grape, vinification and vintage that brought the 2004 vintage to new heights; this combination is also likely to produce a terrific result with age though that remains to be seen as I killed this bottle already.
Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2004 - BUY - €58
Wound tighter than a Woods backswing this wine had to be left 12 hours before coming out to play. A lovely deep and bold red to the rim with no signs of age to speak of, on the nose the wine offered up measured notes of blackberry, chocolate, blueberries, cedarwood and, for my nose at least, that classic touch of marzipan. Smooth on the palate a great balance of tannins and acidity already, fruit forward with blueberries coming forth on the 45 second finish. A wonderful wine regardless of the price. 95 Points
Unfortunately I don't have a time machine, I would love to see how this vintage performs 10 years from now.
Where can I buy this wine?
Americans - Kahns Fine Wines - $89
Europeans - Mahatma Wine - €58
Brits - Fine and Rare- £62
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Prepare as directed, substituting a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate for the square baking dish.
Prepare using your favorite KRAFT Shredded Cheese.
Add 1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves or 1/4 tsp. pepper to egg mixture along with the bread.
Start your day off right with this easy-to-make low-calorie dish that's rich in both vitamins A and C, thanks to the broccoli. And as a bonus, the milk and cheese also provide calcium.
* Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
I think this is an easy and great recipe to use as a base. I added minced jalapenos, turkey, tomatoes,red onions and used 2 onion buns instead of regular bread. My family loved it! The possibilities are endless with this recipe. Thanks!!
I only gave 4 stars because I made some changes. I used the low cal bread so I used 6 slices and I added a cup of low fat cottage cheese which added some tang. I added salt and pepper which it doesn't call for, but I read it on other reviews. It was delicious, the next time I
I make it I will add in some chicken and sauté the onions first as they were a little undercooked. I also cooked it for 1 hr since I added the cottage cheese. The total calories for the whole dish when I made it was just under 1500 for the whole casserole.
LOVE this recipe! Very easy and very versitile!! I make it all of the time!! Definite keeper!


text: There's probably not much you could draw in Utah with 3 points, unless you just got really lucky. With 4 points in the special draw, it looks like you could draw about 3/4's of the units. With that many units to choose from, you'll need to decide what kind of trophy quality you're after, and what kind of terrain you want to hunt.


text:
Is there an implementation of the java Map interface which utilizes separate chaining as collision resolution. By reading the javadocs for HashMap and HashTable I came to the conclusion that what the implementation does is basically replace the value and essentially doesn't employ any collision resolution?
You got it wrong: it uses a linked list of entries for each bucket.
When putting a value in the map, the map starts by calling
If you want to store multiple values for a given key, then use a
It does have collision resolution, but that's because two different keys could plausibly end up in the same bucket after hashing.
If you want to store more than one value for a single key, you can always use


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Heya, so.. been a member for some time. Lurking and such. However am considering becoming more active.
I am working on transitioning to or rather refining my skill with photoshop for use in my map making. Pencil/Ink and paper, I'll draw to scale (4 sq./inch graph) near replica Ford Ranger including clutter in the truck bed. Top down however. Photoshop though, even working with drawing scanned in I am likely to produce your toddler's rendition of color on something. Heh.
Anyhow, if anyone likes I love to draw maps and if you are looking for some resources for your own I can ink something and scan it for free (touching it up or coloring it is alll you, same goes for making a brush/stamp/symbol/pattern or w/e). I'd likely even do a full map assuming its not super exacting and fits on a 8.5"x11" sheet of graph paper. As for objects, like cars.. lamp posts, horses, fences, an armor rack, pin cushion corpse (arrows), siege cannon, banner poles, firey infernos you name it, I am more than happy to take commissions, however keep in mind that the finished w/e will be inked (not colored) and top down image, I have some photoshop skill and will clean things up the best I can though the polish such as coloring and creating a symbol or stamp or w/e from it would be beyond me and as such up to you. IN any case, hello, and if you like, shoot me a PM or some such.


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6 inch refractor (visual) - which mount?
Posted 31 January 2013 - 07:39 AM
What is the lightest equatorial mount you would feel comfortable using a 6 inch f/8 refractor on, purely for visual use? The refractor I have in mind is the relatively lightweight (for its size) new 152/1200ED from APM. But light tube weight might not count for much given the length of the refractor (I fear).
From what I've googled so far it seems like a HEQ5/GM-8 class mount, even with upgraded tripod legs and other tweaks, isn't quite enough, while something like the Atlas/EQ6/G-11 is certainly enough but is also very bulky and heavy. Is there an in-between option? I wish there was but can't seem to find one. And I can understand there not being one, since "6 inch f/8 refractor for visual use only" must be a small niche compared to all the imagers with different types and sizes of telescope which presumably fit the available mount size classes well.
Most of the time when I google to find discussions of all of these mounts I end up seeing discussion on mounting SCTs or smaller refractors for imaging. For purely visual use, for a large refractor, there is some discussion but not a whole lot. I have seen talk of some people using a TEC 140 on a Losmandy GM-8, for example, with differing opinions on how viable it is. At the very least the consensus was that you'd either want to replace the GM-8 tripod legs with G-11 legs or leave the GM-8 legs retracted and use an extension pier. Anyhow - while the TEC 140 is about the same weight (this new doublet is quite light for its size) it isn't as long, which is what will really affect stability I think.
I hope to use the refractor for outreach. The (relative) portability of the mount will have some bearing on how practical and easy it is for me to set up the scope in various places. But if the scope isn't held steadily enough, it doesn't matter where it is!
I understand that this is all a bit subjective, since it depends on each person's definition of "good enough". But I'd appreciate any views the forum can offer. I'm also aware that it's a bit absurd to think about portability, in any sense, when dealing with a 6 inch refractor!
EDIT: Thought I should add that I would probably use powers up to/around 250x at best, and perhaps more commonly 200x. I'm in the UK so it's rare to get great seeing.
(I wasn't sure whether to post this topic in the Mounts section or the Refractors section, so I don't mind if mods wish to move it)
Posted 31 January 2013 - 08:07 AM
The G-11 is a bit more effort to deal with, but not that different from the GM-8. Unless you want to build your own Berry alt-az mount, I think you will just have to accept the set-up tear-down hassle of the G-11.
Here's a real nice Berry mount
I use a 12" extension on my G-11 tripod to get the rear end of the scope up to a convenient viewing height. Pretty much a required item.
Posted 31 January 2013 - 01:46 PM
Posted 31 January 2013 - 05:14 PM
"the OTA weighs in at 23 lbs, and will
just barely work for visual use on a GM-8 (for photography, get something
If you are into high magnification binoviewing, I think, get something bigger. (G11)
I think a 6" refractor is ENTIRELY easily portable. It's the mount that kills ya. So if you can get by with the GM8 then you will have an easily portable kit.
Posted 31 January 2013 - 06:05 PM
Posted 31 January 2013 - 06:23 PM
I own a 6" inch refractor and it is heavy once a finder, a diagonal and an eyepiece are added. I mount it on an EQ6 (Atlas) for when I want GOTO but I don't carry that very far. When I use that scope to cruise the Milky Way or take it camping I mount it on a manual ALT/AZM mount called a Duo-T purchased from Canadian Telescopes. The same mount is available as the Sky-Tee II from Skywatcher.
Here is a photo of that mount and scope sitting on a wooden surveyor's tripod. This handles the load quite well.
Attached Files
Posted 31 January 2013 - 10:40 PM
either of these mounts:
EQ G11 Losmandy with extension
Alt-Az DM6 DiscMounts with extension
Both are relatively lightweight. Ideal EQ mount is an AP900
or AP1200, etc. Others can chime in on the Chinese mounts.
I recommend that you go more toward the 'stable' direction
than the 'lightweight' direction. you will not be happy
with an undersized lightweight mount, I predict. As always,
we either have to pay the price, or be talented enough to make our own mounts.
BTW I disliked the Gemini I on my G11 until I got a polar
alignment scope, And really like the SkyCommander on my
DM6 that I use as my main mount.
I used the Losmandy G11 tripod, but now use the Meade Heavy
Duty Tripod. No shakes or shimmys with binoviewers. Both are
very stable.
This is my opinion. Good success,
Attached Files
Posted 01 February 2013 - 02:23 AM
Ed Ting used this mount with an AP 155 starfire Apo. He said about this combination:
"The AP400 is designed to carry 4" and 5" refractors, but it turned out to be just fine for the 6" as well, even at high powers." For the whole story click this link.
I gues that i can use the new APM refractor with my Giro III mount as well.
In both situations i use the Baader Hardwood tripod, which were sold by Astro-Physics.
Posted 01 February 2013 - 03:18 AM
Pat is right, I should have given some more information in my first post. I'm a Dob user currently and I will sometimes be using this new refractor for outreach. For outreach I think it is very helpful to have tracking so that I don't need to keep interrupting people's viewing to re-centre the object or confuse them by trying to coach them into tracking it themselves.
I only actually want tracking, though, I don't feel any need for GOTO. As I said, I have used Dobsonians up to now and I am happy to manually find objects, in fact I think I even enjoy it. The market seems to be aimed towards goto mounts that optionally have less goto-ness for a discount, though. A well made, less complex but mechanically sound mount that would track in one axis is all I'd want but that's wishful thinking I expect.
There's also some convenience for myself, when doing lunar or planetary viewing, of tracking but I don't consider it as much of a necessity there. Sometimes I might like alt-az.
I'm not at all interested in astrophotography and don't anticipate that changing.
But I had basically assumed that I'd "need" a substantial EQ mount of some kind to get decent tracking. I suppose I should look into whether alt-az mounts can track acceptably for pure visual use. Not needing a load of counterweights etc would be more convenient, but I suppose balancing the scope (front end to back end when changing eyepieces etc) might be more fussy?
Posted 01 February 2013 - 11:09 AM
You have a wise idea for tracking with an Outreach telescope. My recommendation is still the G11, but now
without GoTo. Much cheaper, and DSC's can be added later
if needed.
If not the G11, then choose a substantial mount. The long
tube length of your refractor is going to be less stable than a short tube telescope. I have had an AP400 with 5 inch
refractors, and it was at the end of its capability in my
opinion (for my use). No way my 6 inch f7 would be to my
liking with its extra weight and length.
And around here at Outreach the tendency of new viewers is
to grab the telescope, for stability or reference to the eyepiece. Another reaso to have a more substantial mount.
I recommend not skimping on the mount; in my case I have
done it and lost money when upgrading to something better.
My motto now is : Get it right the first time. Hopefully
ZI can follow my own advice.
Posted 01 February 2013 - 11:53 AM
I generally have a 60, 70, 80 or 90 mounted on top of my six inch refractor. This allows me to move the scope forward so it won't hit the tripod on my Atlas. The picture above is using a QSI but in that case I made sure not to get close to the tripod. Generally I don't need the extender on the tripod so don't use it. The atlas works just fine with my 6" f/8 Celestron. I do put four pounds of excercise weights around each leg at the bottom to help with some stability. You notice I have a losmandy on top and bottom. This prevents some tube flex I had with the smaller bars. This complete arrange works well for me.
Here with a multiple plate I can attach three refractors.
I sometimes also mount my C-8 on my Atlas with a ST-80 on top of it. All depends what I want to do. The Atlas is a good mount.
If you get one convert it to the losmandy size plate if it does not come that way. Also the scope. This is much more rigid than the vixen size.
Posted 04 February 2013 - 05:10 PM
Posted 04 February 2013 - 05:33 PM
Posted 04 February 2013 - 06:37 PM
Posted 04 February 2013 - 07:55 PM
Posted 06 February 2013 - 08:13 AM
Kendahl, I begin to see what you mean. Not long after my previous post I began to stumble onto occasional mention of the IEQ45 oscillating in RA when used with even a TEC 140 because of tube length. I'll provide links this evening if I can scrounge them up again. It's hard to quantify just what people mean, and how bad it is (for visual especially), when reading these isolated posts which don't tend to provide context with a detailed comparison to other mounts. I mean, it might still be better than a HEQ5... could it really be worse? I'd like to believe that the iEQ45 would work, because it looked ideal up to now.
I'd also like to believe that a HEQ5 would work with the right tripod legs but I just don't know if I should risk disappointment. Messyone, I'm guessing you recommend a motorised focuser because it allows focus control to be done with a handset... and that that's desirable because when you actually touch the OTA to focus manually, on a HEQ5, it vibrates a lot. Hope you can tell me I'm wrong! "Stable enough" is subjective and I don't know how to judge if we're on the same wavelength.
In the pipe-dream category there's a fantastic mount being made in Denmark:
Ticks all the boxes and then some. But I think I have to accept that it's completely out of my price range. Beautiful though. I honestly didn't think I'd find a mount that was suitable but too expensive. I thought it was usually a matter of "massively stable, massively expensive, massively heavy" in the high end bracket.
Posted 06 February 2013 - 08:43 AM
Be careful.
My 6" APO rides on my biggest, heaviest mount, a Meade LXD-750, and there is no doubt to me that it is the right mount for the telescope.
It is far better than the Atlas, and even better than the CGE.
But this is me.
There are two issues with a refractor. The first is the lenght of the OTA. To get the eyepeice high enough to be able to reach at zenith without sitting on the ground, you have to raise the legs to the maximum (and that may not always be enough) or add a pier (which adds weight).
The second is that the long tube will take longer to settle once it starts moving.
I initially was OK with the Atlas, but in time, I realized that it was not the best choice for a 6" refractor for anything be relatively low power observing.
But so many people want to use very high powers... If you are one of them, you will quickly tire of the Atlas. Every time you touch the focuser, you will get a long period vibration. This was the problem with the Atlas for me. To keep from sitting on the ground, I had the legs fully extended, but this cause the tripod to vibrate more easily.
If you feel that most of your observing will be done at powers below 100x, an Atlas may be fine for you.
But if you plan on doing any serious planetary observing, I would go heavier. Even a very light breeze can induce oscillation when using the Atlas/6" scope when you have the tripod fully extended.
If you have not already settled on the scope choice and the weight of the mount is a crucial issue for you, my advice would be to move to a TEC 140 or other slightly smaller scope.
These will be more at home on an Atlas and will offer a better viewing position (though you still may find yourself sitting on the ground when viewing close to zenith). The reason for this is that if you keep the tripod higher so you can view more easily near zenith, once you go lower in the sky, you wind up sometimes having to stand up. This is because the eyepeice on a big refractor moves though a far larger arc with respect to the head than with other scopes. With a C14, I can do most of my observing seated. With my 6" APO, I find myself standing sometimes, or sitting almost on the ground other times.
Think about your observing. If it is weighted more to higher powers, get a heavier mount.
Otherwise, get a shorter lighter telescope and a less heavy mount.
Good luck.
Posted 06 February 2013 - 12:38 PM
I initially was OK with the Atlas, but in time, I realized that it was not the best choice for a 6" refractor for anything be relatively low power observing.
But so many people want to use very high powers... If you are one of them, you will quickly tire of the Atlas. Every time you touch the focuser, you will get a long period vibration. This was the problem with the Atlas for me. To keep from sitting on the ground, I had the legs fully extended, but this cause the tripod to vibrate more easily.
If you feel that most of your observing will be done at powers below 100x, an Atlas may be fine for you.
But if you plan on doing any serious planetary observing, I would go heavier. Even a very light breeze can induce oscillation when using the Atlas/6" scope when you have the tripod fully extended.
I've had similar experience with my EQ-6 when I acquired an AR152. At the lowest position of the tripod the height of the EP meant sitting on the ground when viewing at higher elevation angles. But when extending the legs to a comfortable height the stability became a serious issue for me at least. I do not like having to wait 3 or 4 seconds every time I touch the focuser.
I read and researched for a while and started thinking that maybe the mount was adequate but the tripod was not up to the task. So before jumping to the next class mount with the attached much higher price tag (the money supply is not unlimited at our house) I looked at beefier tripods since a permanent pier is not in the cards just yet. An observatory is planned for the future. The heavy duty tripods, although more economically achievable than a beefier mount, are not being given away in cracker jack boxes.
So before committing hundreds to a tripod I tried my hand a designing a rigid structure to hold my EQ6-pro with AR152. That scope weighs 27 lbs with diagonal, eyepiece and finder. There is no scope movement when focusing and an accidental light tap on the scope does make it oscillate but only two cycles and is static again in less than 2 seconds. (I got 1001 but did not finish 1002).
Here is photo of what I came up with. Not very pretty but it is a prototype. At zenith the EP is 30 inches from the ground, while maximum height of the EP is 61 inches before dipping below the horizon. 30 inches is comfortable on my LYBAR.
I have other photos of this mount and tripod and also of this tripod with the AR152 on a Duo-T mount. Now that is a rock solid combination, even more so than the EQ6.
Attached Files
Posted 13 March 2013 - 04:07 PM
- Losmandy G11
What stands out about this mount, for me, is its build quality, clutchless manual movement that doesn't knacker subsequent tracking, and the low power use of the non-GOTO model as discussed here:
Lugging power tanks around is a small nuisance and if I could get away with only using a relatively small power tank that would be a bonus. I honestly don't think I need GOTO. If the mount I end up choosing has it, that's all well and good and I'll probably make some use of it. But I don't place any real value on it. I don't mind finding stuff myself.
However the G11 is pretty expensive and the weight of it (17kg?) is a bit beyond what I think I can be comfortable with. As far as I can guess without actually buying one!
- Skywatcher AZ-EQ6 GT
This has a lower weight than the rest of the mounts in this capacity class - I've read comments that it feels a fair bit lighter than the quoted specs' weight difference between it and the standard EQ6. I was looking for something with good stability while still giving some kind of nod towards portability (If the iOptron IEQ45 actually "worked" for long OTAs I might still be interested in it). This seems to be the best compromise I can find, with its token weight reduction.
I like the relative simplicity of an alt-az mount that tracks (this is for visual use, and polar alignment is an extra step in EQ mode). I have no immediate plans to use a 2nd scope in alt-az mode though there's no harm in having the option.
But I expect I'll need a substantial battery. On the bright side, this is a separable unit from the other things I'll have to carry to and fro. I don't mind quite so much as long as no one component of the setup is too heavy on its own.
I'd be absolutely delighted if I bought it and found it acceptably stable. At times I entertain the notion of just buying the cheapest non-goto model to try it out. I'd definitely want to replace the tripod legs. Perhaps one strategy would be to buy the HEQ5, and then sell it on if I don't like it and get the AZ-EQ6 instead. And pick a good enough tripod to use with either. Probably a slightly mad strategy given the amount of money it involves throwing around on the off-chance.
One detail I am wondering about is eyepiece height. Fully extending the tripod isn't ideal for stability as I understand it, though if it's necessary for usable ergonomics then that's that. I'm considering alternatives like the Berlebach Planet as a tripod upgrade but they still generally come to about the same kind of height ranges. I might get the Skywatcher EQ6 extension tube, which would add about 20cm. Not sure if that would be adequate. Oddly my first impression is that there seem to be longer pillar extensions available for the HEQ5 than for the EQ6 (in the UK). If I were to use an EQ6 with its legs retracted to minimum and with the 8 inch pier extension, some quick clumsy maths (my favourite kind, as you may have begun to notice) suggests a dovetail height of about 140cm and therefore an eyepiece height of about 80cm. Which isn't much. I have a fairly adjustable observing chair but even at its lowest setting the length of my own torso means the eyepiece would still be too low.
Anyhow I am inclined to think that the AZ-EQ6 is the one to go for, and that I just need to pick an appropriate tripod and extension (haven't done enough looking for them yet). I presume that I can't buy the EQ6 without the stock tripod to save money, regardless of my intention not to the stock tripod, which is a shame but there we go.
Posted 13 March 2013 - 04:29 PM
When I had the Atlas, I did to one modification that made a very distinct improvement. Worth doing in my opinion.
The vibration in the Atlas when fully extended is what I call "Guitar String" vibration of the legs.
The EQ6 spreader rids very high in the apex of the mount legs. This means that when fully extened, you have about 5 foot of tubing that can start to vibrate.
I thought I could improve the performance by using a different spreader.
I had an old spreader from a Celestron Ci-700 ( which I might mention would be a fantastic mount for your scope because they sell so inexpensivly used )
The Celestron spreader was about 3 inches or so more across than the metal spreader that came on the scope.
I bought a threaded rod and cut it to a length that would allow the new spreader to be attached (I think I had to buy a threaded knob from McMaster Carr).
This spreader sat about 3 inche lower, but I noticed a definite improvement.
Later, I saw someone else that had taken a similar approach but cut a ne spreader from plywood and (and cut holes for eyepieces). his spreader sat even lower, and he said it make a big differnce.
This tells me that if you are handy, you may be able to craft a new spreader that could inprove the stability.
I think trying to improve the rigidity of the tripod is a better approach.
I used a Semi-pier on a Vixen GP once to try to improve the same condition, but I did not a the end of the day feel that it was worth it. A bit of improvment but at a big cost in weight.
Always a tradeoff.
Posted 13 March 2013 - 04:34 PM
I have though many times about makeing a "Truss" style pier for my refractor mount. The tripod legs on my LXD must weigh 60 lbs. Even retracted the leg are almost 4 feet long to the top of the tripod mounting plate.
I thought it might be possible to make an open truss, light weight pier.
I don't use the 6" APO that much though so it is a very low priority thing for me to try to change.
But I love your tripod. It shows cool ingenuity.
Posted 13 March 2013 - 10:54 PM
The tripod design is dead solid and the extension actually worked. I know a Sky View Pro mount shouldn't work very well
with my shortened C150.....but it does!
I thought I'd add another homemade option to your mix and show off a bit too!
Had it out tonight.....
Attached Files
Posted 14 March 2013 - 07:45 AM
Shane in gray-zone NM
Posted 14 March 2013 - 07:53 AM
I had a Celestron C6R (6"f8) on my G11 for a couple of years & loved it. A great combo. When I got an 8ft Dome I had a problem with clearance in some places with only 1-2" between the EP & the wall. I haven't used a CGEM or Atlas so I can't comment on them but the G11 with the digital drive system is a good fit that will allow for growth later on in capacity & control. I've hung a 10"f4SNT, the C6R & a 90mm GS on mine for visual solar outreach. Total load was ~#45. The only thing different I did was slow the slew speed down.
Clear Dark Skies
39.138274 -77.168898
Posted 14 March 2013 - 08:02 AM
Works very well, stable, solid, quiets down quickly.


text:
Port Charlotte, FL (Sports Network) - Yunel Escobar and Ryan Roberts each
delivered two-run doubles to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 6-3 win over a
split-squad Boston Red Sox team in a Grapefruit League matchup.
James Loney went 2-for-2 with a run scored for Tampa Bay, with Cesar Ramos
recording the victory with two scoreless innings of relief.
Alex Cobb drew the start for the Rays and worked the first two innings,
yielding a pair of runs on four hits that included a solo homer to Dustin
Pedroia in the top of the first.
Mike Carp had an RBI double in the loss, while Jose Iglesias came through with
a run-scoring single for Boston.
Red Sox starter Alfredo Aceves allowed two runs on two hits and a pair of
walks in a two-inning stint. Chris Hernandez received the loss after
permitting three runs and four hits over two frames.
The Sports Network


text:
Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Kevin Durant posted a career-high 52 points and
hit the go-ahead shot with 16.5 seconds left in overtime to boost the Oklahoma
City Thunder to a dramatic 117-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Durant topped the 40-point mark for the third time in his last five games and
made all 21 of his foul shots, but his best was saved for last against the
team the Thunder swept in the first round of the playoffs in 2012.
Dirk Nowitzki, who had 18 points on 5-of-19 shooting for the Mavericks, made
1-of-2 foul shots with 41.8 seconds left to tie the game at 114.
Durant then drove to the foul line and lifted a shot over Shawn Marion to give
the Thunder the lead.
A 3-point shot from Mike James caromed off the front of the rim, and Russell
Westbrook sank 1-of-2 free throws with 2.7 seconds to go.
Oklahoma City, which gained its sixth straight win and moved to an NBA-best
32-8, held on when Vince Carter's 3-point try from the right corner came up
Westbrook ended with 31 points, while the Mavericks were paced by Carter's
season-bet 29 points in a reserve role. Dallas had a four-game winning streak
broken and fell to 1-8 in overtime this season.
The Sports Network


text:
Thanks to reader Phillip who spotted Venus Williams in Dubai wielding a painted-over Prince racquet to look like Wilson during her match against Sabine Lisicki.
Could she be considering a switch?
(Edit: The screen grab was taken from this video. You decide.)
[Screen capture: SEWTA]
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Looks like Venus is cheating on Wilson in Dubai (tsk, tsk)
14 comments:
- AnonymousFebruary 17, 2010 at 9:49 AM
have u guys seen how Shahar Peer is denied playing on Centre court in Dubai !!!ReplyDelete
all QFinals are one center besides her!!!
- StephanieFebruary 17, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Venus had blue TournaGrip on her racquet against Lisicki. So either that's not her, or not her racquet.ReplyDelete
To Anonymous: There's heavy security around Peer, and they can have better crowd control on the smaller court. Smart move.
Stephanie: I added a link to the video in the post. It was during the coin toss that she's definitely holding a Prince racquet. The grip is blue, the screen grab quality isn't that great.ReplyDelete
- StephanieFebruary 17, 2010 at 2:22 PM
I'll check out the video.ReplyDelete
I inquired with Wilson and her contract isn't nearly up yet.
So begins the intrigue ...... ;-)
It's definitely Prince. She better be changing her racket if she's playing with Prince. Ever since I found out that though he gets the GDP of a small nation from Nike, Tiger plays mostly with Titleist clubs, I've absolutely detested watching athletes use tools from one company but endorse another. end of rantReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 17, 2010 at 10:09 PM
It's not Prince. It's Wilson, just with a racket serial number sticker place in a very unfortunate/coincidental place. If it were a Prince racket, the P would be 90 degrees in either direction. When you place a normal Prince racket flat on the floor, the P will be vertical (or upside down). If you took Venus' racket, it would be on its side. There's a video on wtatour.com of their match and you can see later on that it's clearly a Wilson. (The racket head isn't even similar to Prince rackets so the paintjob would have been an obvious giveaway.)ReplyDelete
I agree with the direction of the "P" comment, but I don't understand why a "racket serial number sticker" would be placed on the butt cap of the racquet, and why there isn't a "W" for Wilson?ReplyDelete
PS. all this talk about racquets: whats the correct way of spelling "racquet"? i've always spelled it that way, but what about "racket"? haha, random i know....lol
ddemed,if you are from the commonwealth, i.e. Canada, UK,or the Caribbean, you will perhaps spell racquet, like I do, racquet. If you are from US, you will perhaps spell it racket. A bit like the word cheque, we spell it cheque, Americans spell check. This is the cheque, as in I will give you a cheque for what I owe you,and not the one in I will check you later.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 18, 2010 at 8:16 PM
check link http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/apphoto/photo?sportId=850&photoId=2468281ReplyDelete
plus she has a lifetime contract with Wilson
yeah after all this time there is NO WAY Venus is switching it up...she needs to focus on a clothing deal cause I am tired of these tired dresses she wears!!!!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 19, 2010 at 2:38 AM
to Stephanie: it's not a 'smart move' , what if she wins her semifinal-will then the final be played on smaller court too-that's just wrongReplyDelete
Anonymous seriously settle down mate. She has up to 25 bodyguards just for her during the week not to mention her own locker room. Nothing to do with being unfair or anything else like that and all to do with KEEPING HER ALIVE! This is a blog her coach has been writing all week if you don't believe me.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousFebruary 20, 2010 at 8:57 AM
she should play on centre courtReplyDelete
and that's it
- AnonymousFebruary 20, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Wayne do u really think if sb wants to kill her the outside court would help to prevent it - I don't think soReplyDelete


text:
MSRA Theory Group aims at advancing the foundation of computer science and its intersection with other disciplines such as game theory, economics, social networks, optimization and statistical physics. We collaborate with other researchers and engineers to solve challenging algorithmic and analytical problems in both theory and practice. Currently, our research areas include computational aspects of social and information networks, algorithmic game theory, mechanism design, online learning, algorithm and complexity, and distributed computing.
News and Events
- Survey: "社交网络影响力传播研究". 陈卫,大数据,第三期,2015
Wei Chen. Research on influence diffusion in social networks. Big Data Research, No. 3, 2015 (in Chinese).
- Pinyan Lu received the 2014 Young Scientist Award from Chinese Computer Federation.
- Book: "Information and Influence Propagation in Social Networks", Morgan & Claypool, 2013.
- KDD 2012 Tutorial: Infomation and influence spread in social networks, Carlos Castillo, Wei Chen and Laks V. S. Laksshamanan. Aug. 12, 2012
- TKDD CASIN special issue: ACM Transactions on Knowledge Discovery from Data special issue on Computational Aspects of Social and Information Networks. Guest editors: Wei Chen and Jie Tang.
- CASIN'2011: International Workshop on Computational Aspects of Social and Information Networks, July 20-22, 2011. Coorganized by MSRA and Tsinghua University.
- Monthly TCS Seminar at Yangtze Area
- Theory Seminar
- MSRA Theory Workshop, April 2008
Visitors and Collaborators
- Dr. Zhi Yang, Peking University
- Prof. Xiaotie Deng, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
- Dr. Yitong Yin, Nanjing University, China
- Dr. Michael Mahoney, Stanford University, USA
- Prof. Bin Yu, University of California at Berkeley, USA
- Dr. David Xiao, Universite Paris-Sud, France
- Dr. Ning Chen, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Dr. Peng Zhang, Shandong University, China
- Prof. Jin-Yi Cai, University of Wisconsin at Madison, USA
- Dr. Li Zhang, Microsoft Research Silicon Valley, USA
- Prof. Shang-Hua Teng, University of Southern California, USA
- Prof. John Hopcroft, Cornell University, USA
- Prof. Yanhong Annie Liu, State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA
- Dr. Heiko Roglin, Post-doc of Boston University, USA
- Dr. Cynthia Dwork, Microsoft Research Silicon Valley, USA
- Dr. Xiangyang Li, Illinois Institute of Technology, USA
- Prof. Jeong Han Kim, Yonsei University, Korea
Research Areas with Recent Publications
Social and Information Networks
Wei Lu, Wei Chen, and Laks V. S. Lakshmanan. From competition to complementarity: comparative influence diffusion and maximization. In the Proceedings of the 42nd International Conference on Very Large Data Bases (VLDB'2016), New Delhi, India, September, 2016. Also as PVLDB Volume 9, No. 2, November 2015. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv:1507.00317]
陈卫. 社交网络影响力传播研究. 大数据,第三期,2015
Wei Chen. Research on influence diffusion in social networks. Big Data Research, No. 3, 2015 (in Chinese). [pdf]
- Wei Chen, Tian Lin, and Cheng Yang. Real-time topic-aware influence maximization using preprocessing. In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computational Social Networks (CSoNet'2015), Beijing, China, August, 2015. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv:1403.0057]
- Wei Chen, Fu Li, Tian Lin, and Aviad Rubinstein. Combining traditional marketing and viral marketing with amphibious influence maximization. In Proceedings of the 16th ACM Conference on Economics and Computation (EC'2015), Portland, OR, U.S.A., June 2015. [pdf]
- Zhi Yang and Wei Chen. A game theoretic model for the formation of navigable small-world networks. In Proceedings of 24th International World Wide Web Conference (WWW'15), Florence, Italy, May, 2015. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv:1411.4097]
- Jing Zhang, Zhanpeng Fang, Wei Chen, and Jie Tang. Diffusion of "following" links in microblogging networks. IEEE Transactions on Knowledge and Data Engineering, accepted, 2015. [pdf]
- Peng Zhang, Wei Chen, Xiaoming Sun, Yajun Wang, and Jialin Zhang. Minimizing seed set selection with probabilistic coverage guarantee in a social network. In Proceedings of 20th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD'2014), New York City, New York, U.S.A., August, 2014. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv: 1402.5516]
- Wei Chen, Laks V.S. Lakshmanan, and Carlos Castillo. Information and Influence Propagation in Social Networks. Morgan & Claypool, 2013. [Morgan & Claypool official book page]
- Wei Chen, Guangda Hu, Wenjie Fang, and Michael W. Mahoney. On the hyperbolicity of small-world and tree-like random graphs. Internet Mathematics 9 (4), 2013, pp 434 - 491. [pdf]
- Sejeong Kwon, Meeyoung Cha, Kyomin Jung, Wei Chen, and Yajun Wang. Prominent features of rumor propagation in online social media. In Proceedings of the 13th IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM'2013), Dallas, Texas, U.S.A., Dec. 2013. [pdf]
- De-Nian Yang, Hui-Ju Hung, Wang-Chien Lee, and Wei Chen. Maximizing acceptance probability for active friending in online social networks. In Proceedings of 19th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD'2013), Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A., August, 2013. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv: 1302.7025]
- Wei Chen, Yajun Wang, Dongxiao Yu, and Li Zhang. Sybil-proof mechanisms in query incentive networks. In Proceedings of 14th ACM Conference on Electronic Commerce (EC'2013), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., June 2013. [pdf with typos fixed] [full technical report: arXiv:1304.7432]
- Yanhua Li, Wei Chen, Yajun Wang, and Zhi-Li Zhang. Influence diffusion dynamics and influence maximization in social networks with friend and foe relationships. In Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (WSDM'13), Rome, Italy, Feb. 2013. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv:1111.4729]
- Wei Chen, Wenjie Fang, Guangda Hu, and Michael Mahoney. On the Hyperbolicity of Small-World and Tree-Like Random Graphs. In Proceedings of The 23rd International Symposium on Algorithms and Computation (ISAAC'2012), Taipei, Taiwan, December 2012. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv:1201.1717]
- Chi Wang, Wei Chen, and Yajun Wang. Scalable influence maximization for independent cascade model in large-scale social networks. Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery Journal, 25(3), 2012, pp. 545 - 576. [pdf]
- Wei Chen, Wei Lu, and Ning Zhang. Time-critical influence maximization in social networks with time-delayed diffusion process. In Proceedings of the 26th Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI'2012), Toronto, Canada, July 2012. [pdf] [full technical report: arXiv:1204.3074]
- Xinran He, Guojie Song, Wei Chen, and Qingye Jiang. Influence blocking maximization in social networks under the competitive linear threshold model. In Proceedings of the 12th SIAM International Conference on Data Mining (SDM'2012), Anaheim, CA, U.S.A., April, 2012. [pdf] [full technical report: arXiv:1110.4723]
- Wei Chen, Pinyan Lu, Xiaorui Sun, Bo Tang, Yajun Wang, and Zeyuan Allen Zhu. Optimal pricing in social networks with incomplete information. In Proceedings of the 7th Workshop on Internet and Network Economics (WINE'2011), Singapore, December 2011. [pdf][full technical report: arXiv:1007.1501]
- Tao Sun, Wei Chen, Zhenming Liu, Yajun Wang, Xiaorui Sun, Ming Zhang, and Chin-Yew Lin. Participation maximization based on social influence in online discussion forums. In Proceedings of the 5th International AAAI Conference on Weblogs and Social Media (ICWSM'2011), Barcelona, Spain, July 2011. [pdf][full technical report: MSR-TR-2010-142]
- Wei Chen, Alex Collins, Rachel Cummings, Te Ke, Zhenming Liu, David Rincon, Xiaorui Sun, Yajun Wang, Wei Wei, and Yifei Yuan. Influence maximization in social networks when negative opinions may emerge and propagate. In Proceedings of the 11th SIAM International Conference on Data Mining (SDM'2011), Phoenix, U.S.A., April, 2011. [pdf][full technical report: MSR-TR-2010-137]
- Shaojie Tang, Jing Yuan, Xufei Mao, Xiang-Yang Li, Wei Chen, and Guojun Dai. Relationship Classification in Large Scale OSN and its impact on information propagation. In Proceedings of the 30th IEEE International Conference on Computer Communications (INFOCOM'2011), Shanghai, China, April, 2011. [pdf]
- Wei Chen, Yifei Yuan, and Li Zhang. Scalable influence maximization in social networks under the linear threshold model. In Proceedings of the 10th IEEE International Conference on Data Mining (ICDM'2010), Sydney, Australia, Dec. 2010. [pdf][full technical report: MSR-TR-2010-133]
- Wei Chen, Zhenming Liu, Xiaorui Sun, and Yajun Wang. A game-theoretic framework to identify overlapping communities in social networks. Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery Journal, special issue on ECML PKDD 2010, 21(2), September, 2010, 224-240. Winner of the best student paper award in data mining at ECML PKDD 2010. [pdf]
- Wei Chen, Chi Wang, and Yajun Wang. Scalable influence maximization for prevalent viral marketing in large-scale social networks. In Proceedings of the 16th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD'2010), Washinton, DC, USA, July. 2010. [pdf] [full technical report: MSR-TR-2010-2]
- Wei Chen, Christian Sommer, Shang-Hua Teng, and Yajun Wang. Compact routing in power-law graphs. In Proceedings of the 23rd International Symposium on Distributed Computing (DISC'2009), Elche/Elx, Spain, Sept. 2009. [pdf] [full technical report: MSR-TR-2009-84]
- Xiaohui Bei, Wei Chen, Shang-Hua Teng, Jialin Zhang, and Jiajie Zhu. Bounded budget betweenness centrality game for strategic network formations. In Proceedings of the 17th European Symposium of Algorithms (ESA'2009), Copenhagen, Denmark, Sept. 2009. [pdf] [full technical report: MSR-TR-2009-78][related technical report: MSR-TR-2008-167]
- Wei Chen, Yajun Wang, and Siyu Yang. Efficient influence maximization in social networks. In Proceedings of the 15th ACM SIGKDD Conference on Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDD'2009), Paris, France, June 2009. [pdf]
- Wei Chen, Shang-Hua Teng, Yajun Wang, and Yuan Zhou. On the $\alpha$-sensitivity of Nash equilibria in PageRank-based network reputation games. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Frontiers of Algorithmics Workshop (FAW'2009), Hefei, China, June 2009. [pdf]
- Kazuya Okamoto, Wei Chen, and Xiang-Yang Li. Ranking of closeness centrality for large-scale social networks. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Frontiers of Algorithmics Workshop (FAW'2008), Changsha, China, June 2008. [pdf with a bug fix]
Online Algorithms and Online Learning
- Tian Lin, Jian Li, and Wei Chen. Stochastic online greedy learning with semi-bandit feedbacks. In Proceedings of the 28th Annual Conference on Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS'2015), Montreal, Canada, December, 2015. [pdf] [full version pdf]
- Shouyuan Chen, Tian Lin, Irwin King, Michael R. Lyu and Wei Chen. Combinatorial pure exploration of multi-armed bandits. In Proceedings of the 27th Annual Conference on Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS'2014), Montreal, Canada, December, 2014. [pdf]
- Tian Lin, Bruno Abrahao, Robert Kleinberg, John C. S. Lui, and Wei Chen. Combinatorial partial monitoring game with linear feedback and its applications. In Proceedings of the 31st International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML'2014), Beijing, China, June 2014. [pdf] [supplementary material]
- Wei Chen, Yajun Wang, and Yang Yuan. Combinatorial multi-armed bandit:
general framework, results and applications. In Proceedings of the 30th International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML'13), Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A., June, 2013. [pdf][supplementary material] [extended version with a bug fix: arXiv:1407.8339]
- Tengyu Ma, Bo Tang, and Yajun Wang, The Simulated Greedy Algorithm for Several Submodular Matroid Secretary Problems, STACS 2013. [arXive:1107.2188]
- Sungjin Im and Yajun Wang. Secretary Problem: Laminar Matroid and Interval Scheduling. SODA 2011. [pdf]
Algorithmic Game Theory and Mechanism Design
- Pinyan Lu,Tao Xiao: Improved Efficiency Guarantees in Auctions with Budgets. EC 2015.
- Ning Chen, Nick Gravin and Pinyan Lu: Competitive analysis via benchmark decomposition. EC 2015
- Ning Chen, Nick Gravin and Pinyan Lu: Optimal Competitive Auctions. STOC 2014.
- Ning Chen, Nick Gravin and Pinyan Lu: Truthful Generalized Assignments via Stable Matching. Mathematics of Operations Research, 2013.
- Pinyan Lu and Lan Yu: Characterization of Truthful Mechanisms for One-dimensional Single Facility Location Game with Payments. WINE 2013.
- Nick Gravin and Pinyan Lu: Competitive Auctions for Markets with Positive Externalities. with Nick Gravin, ICALP 2013.
- Wei Chen, Yajun Wang, Dongxiao Yu, and Li Zhang. Sybil-proof Mechanisms in Query Incentive Networks. EC 2013. [arxiv:1304.7432]
- Xiaohui Bei, Ning Chen, Nick Gravin and Pinyan Lu: Budget Feasible Mechanism Design: From Prior-Free to Bayesian. STOC 2012. [arXiv]
- Ning Chen, Pinyan Lu, Hongyang Zhang: Computing the Nucleolus of Matching, Cover and Clique Games. AAAI 2012.
- Xue Chen, Guangda Hu, Pinyan Lu and Lei Wang: On the Approximation Ratio of k-lookahead Auction. WINE 2011.
- Ning Chen, Nick Gravin and Pinyan Lu. On the Approximability of Budget Feasible Mechanisms. SODA 2011. [full version]
- Sungjin Im, Pinyan Lu and Yajun Wang. Envy-free Pricing with General Supply Constraints (short paper). WINE 2010
- Pinyan Lu, Xiaorui Sun, Yajun Wang, and Zeyuan Allen Zhu. Asymptotically Optimal Strategy-Proof Mechanisms for Two-Facility Games. In Proceedings of the 11th ACM Conference on Electronic Commerce (EC'10) in Cambridge, MA, USA, June 2010. [pdf]
- Pinyan Lu, Yajun Wang and Yuan Zhou. Tighter Bounds for Facility Games. WINE 2009.
- Pinyan Lu. On 2-Player Randomized Mechanisms for Scheduling. WINE 2009.
- Yingchao Zhao, Wei Chen, and Shang-Hua Teng. The isolation game: A game of distances. Theoretical Computer Science, 410(47-49), 2009, 4905-4919. [pdf]
An extended abstract appeared in Proceedings of the 19th International Symposium on Algorithms and Computation ( ISAAC'2008), Gold Coast, Australia, Dec. 2008. [pdf]
Approximate Counting
- Jingcheng Liu, Pinyan Lu: FPTAS for #BIS with Degree Bounds on One Side. STOC 2015.
- Jingcheng Liu, Pinyan Lu: FPTAS for Counting Monotone CNF. SODA 2015.
- Jingcheng Liu, Pinyan Lu, Chihao Zhang: FPTAS for Counting Weighted Edge Covers. ESA 2014.
- Jingcheng Liu, Pinyan Lu, Chihao Zhang: The Complexity of Ferromagnetic Two-spin Systems with External Fields. RANDOM 2014.
- Pinyan Lu, Menghui Wang and Chihao Zhang: FPTAS for Weighted Fibonacci Gates and Its Applications. ICALP 2014.
- Chengyu Lin, Jingcheng Liu and Pinyan Lu: A Simple FPTAS for Counting Edge Covers. SODA 2014.
- Pinyan Lu and Yitong Yin: Improved FPTAS for Multi-Spin Systems. RANDOM 2013.
- Xi Chen, Martin Dyer, Leslie Ann Goldberg, Mark Jerrum, Pinyan Lu, Colin McQuillan and David Richerby: The Complexity of Approximating Conservative Counting CSPs. STACS 2013.
- Liang Li, Pinyan Lu and Yitong Yin: Correlation Decay up to Uniqueness in Spin Systems. SODA 2013.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Xi Chen, Pinyan Lu and Heng Guo: Inapproximability After Uniqueness Phase Transition in Two-Spin Systems. COCOA 2012.
- Liang Li, Pinyan Lu and Yitong Yin: Approximate Counting via Correlation Decay in Spin Systems. SODA 2012.
Complexity of Counting
- Jin-Yi Cai, Pinyan Lu and Mingji Xia: Dichotomy for Holant* Problems with a Function on Domain Size 3. SODA 2013.
- Sangxia Huang, Pinyan Lu: A Dichotomy for Real Weighted Holant Problems. CCC 2012.
- Heng Guo, Pinyan Lu and Leslie Valiant. The Complexity of Symmetric Boolean Parity Holant Problems. ICALP 2011.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Xi Chen, and Pinyan Lu. Non-negatively Weighted #CSPs: An Effective Complexity Dichotomy. CCC 2011.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Pinyan Lu. Holographic algorithms: From art to science. J. Comput. Syst. Sci. 77(1): 41-61 (2011).
- Heng Guo, Sangxia Huang, Pinyan Lu and Mingji Xia. The Complexity of Weighted Boolean #CSP Modulo k. STACS 2011.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Pinyan Lu and Mingji Xia: Dichotomy for Holant∗ Problems of Boolean Domain. SODA 2011.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Sangxia Huang and Pinyan Lu. From Holant To #CSP And Back: Dichotomy For Holantc Problems. ISAAC 2010. Best paper award.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Pinyan Lu and Mingji Xia. Holographic Algorithms with Matchgates Capture Precisely Tractable Planar #CSP. In Proceedings of FOCS 2010.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Xi Chen, and Pinyan Lu. Graph Homomorphisms with Complex Values: A Dichotomy Theorem. In Proceedings of ICALP 2010. [full version]
- Jin-Yi Cai, Xi Chen, Richard J. Lipton, and Pinyan Lu. On Tractable Exponential Sums. In Proceedings of FAW 2010. Best Paper Award. [full version]
- Jin-Yi Cai, Pinyan Lu and Mingji Xia. Holant Problems and Counting CSP. In Proceedings of the 41st ACM Symposium on Theory of Computing (STOC' 2009), Bethesda, Maryland, USA, May. 2009.
- Jin-Yi Cai, Pinyan Lu and Mingji Xia. A Computational Proof of Complexity of Some Restricted Counting Problems. In Proceedings of the 6th Annual Conference on Theory and Applications of Models of Computation (TAMC' 2009), ChangSha, China, May 2009.
Distributed Computing
- Wei Chen, Guangda Hu, and Jialin Zhang. On the power of breakable objects. Theoretical Computer Science, 503, Sept. 2013, pp 89 - 108. [pdf]
- Yang Liu, Wei Chen, Yanhong A. Liu, Jun Sun, Shao Jie Zhang, and Jin Song Dong. Verifying linearizability via optimized refinement checking. IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, 39(7), July 2013. [pdf]
- Wei Chen, Christian Sommer, Shang-Hua Teng, and Yajun Wang. A compact routing scheme and approximate distance oracle for power-law graphs. ACM Transactions on Algorithms, 9(1), Dec. 2012. [pdf]
- Zhi Yang, Jing Tian, Ben Y. Zhao, Wei Chen, and Yafei Dai. Protector: A probabilistic failure detector for cost-effective peer-to-peer storage. IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems. 22(9), September, 2011, pp. 1514 - 1527. [pdf]
- Jialin Zhang and Wei Chen. Implementing uniform reliable broadcast with binary consensus in systems with fair-lossy links. Information Processing Letters, Elsevier, (110), 2009, pp. 13 -19. [pdf][full technical report: MSR-TR-2008-162]
- Yang Liu, Wei Chen, Yanhong A. Liu, and Jun Sun. Model checking linearizability via refinement. In Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on Formal Methods (FM'2009), Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Nov. 2009.
- Jialin Zhang and Wei Chen. Bounded cost algorithms for multivalued consensus using binary consensus instances. Information Processing Letters, Elsevier, (109), 2009, pp. 1005 -1009. [pdf]
- Jing Tian, Zhi Yang, Wei Chen, Ben Y. Zhao and Yafei Dai. Probabilistic failure detection for efficient distributed storage maintenance. In Proceedings of the 27th IEEE International Symposium on Reliable Distributed Systems (SRDS'2008), Napoli, Italy, Oct. 2008. [pdf]
Wei Chen, Jialin Zhang, Yu Chen, and Xuezheng Liu. Failure detectors and extended paxos for k-set agreement. In Proceedings of the 13th IEEE Pacific Rim International Symposium on Dependable Computing (PRDC'2007), Melbourne, Australia, Dec. 2007. [pdf] [technical report: MSR-TR-2007-48]
Yu Chen and Wei Chen. Decentralized, connectivity-preserving, and cost-effective structured overlay maintenance. In Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Stabilization, Safety, and Security of Distributed Systems (SSS'2007), Paris, France, Nov. 2007. [pdf] [technical report: MSR-TR-2007-84]
Ming Chen, Wei Chen, and Zheng Zhang. An analytical framework and its applications for studying brick storage reliability. In Proceedings of the 26th IEEE International Symposium on Reliable Distributed Systems (SRDS'2007), Beijing, China, Oct. 2007. [pdf]
Wei Chen, Jialin Zhang, Yu Chen, and Xuezheng Liu. Weakening failure detectors for k-set agreement via the partition approach. In Proceedings of the 21st International Symposium on Distributed Computing (DISC'2007), Lemesos, Cyprus, Sept. 2007. [pdf] [technical reports: MSR-TR-2007-49, MSR-TR-2007-50]
Computational Geometry
Siu-Wing Cheng, Jiongxin Jin, Antoine Vigneron, and Yajun Wang, Approximate Shortest Homotopic Paths in Weighted Regions, in the International Journal of Computational Geometry and Applications (IJCGA) vol 22, no 1, Sep 2012. (special issue of ISAAC 2010).
Tetsuo Asano, Wolfgang Mulzer, Gunter Rote and Yajun Wang, Constant-Work-Space Algorithms for Geometric Problems, in Journal of Computational Geometry 2(1) (JoCG), Jul 2011
Tetsuo Asano, Wolfgang Mulzer and Yajun Wang, Constant-Work-Space Algorithms for Shortest Paths in Trees and Simple Polygons, invited to the special issues of WALCOM in Journal of Graph Algorithms and Applications (JGAA), 2011
- Siu-Wing Cheng, Hyeon-Suk Na, Antoine Vigneron, and Yajun Wang, Querying Approximate Shortest Paths in Anisotropic Regions, in SIAM J. COMPUTING, vol. 39, no. 5, pp. 1888-1918, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, 2010. [pdf]
Xiang-Yang Li, Yajun Wang, and Wangsen Feng. Multiple Round Random Ball Placement: Power of Second Chance. In Proceedings of the 15th International Computing and Combinatorics Conference (COCOON'2009), New York, USA, July 2009.
Joining Us
We are welcoming applications to our full-time employee positions and regular internship positions. We are also welcoming visiting researchers from academia and industry to visit our group, for days, weeks, or longer period of time. If you are interested in joining our theory group, please send email to Wei Chen at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Police are looking for the suspect responsible for a robbery that occurred Dec. 18 at Citizens Bank, 1 University Plaza, Newark.
The 42-year-old male employee told police that the suspect was armed and demanded cash. He told police that he turned over an undisclosed amount of cash and the suspect ran away.
If anyone has any information call Robbery Unit at Troop 2 at (302) 834-2630 ext. 6 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) 847-3333 or visit tipsubmit.com.
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