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Sarasota 'repos' likely to increase
Published: Thursday, March 7, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 8:10 p.m.
Sarasota will become one of the best housing markets in the country to buy a foreclosure this year as the supply of deeply-discounted bank repossessions continues to grow, a new study predicts.
RealtyTrac's Best Places to Buy a Foreclosure in 2013:
1. Cleveland, Ohio
2. Dayton, Ohio
3. Charlotte, N.C.
4. Columbus, Ohio
5. Palm Bay
6. Winston-Salem, N.C.
7. Daytona Beach
8. Canton, Ohio
9. Greensboro, N.C.
10. Pensacola
11. Memphis, Tenn.
12. Chicago, Ill.
13. Rockford, Ill.
14. Chattanooga, Tenn.
15. Sarasota
SOURCE: RealtyTrac Inc.
The community joined three other Florida cities to rank among the nation's top 15 metropolitan areas for buyers shopping for a foreclosure, according to a report released Wednesday by California-based RealtyTrac Inc.
The firm's prediction adds weight to expectations that another wave of defaults could break into the housing market later this year, adding to the inventory of homes on the market but also tempering price appreciation.
"Now that we're shifting over to a seller's market, these cash-deal foreclosures are really moving," said Ron Cornette, marketing and training director for this region's Wagner Realty. "There's still demand out there for foreclosures -- some people just really go after them."
Sarasota came in at No. 15 on RealtyTrac's list of bank-owned buying opportunities, based on a 19 percent jump in foreclosure sales in the fourth quarter.
The market takes an average of 157 days to sell a bank-owned listing, at a price tag of $127,181 each, for a 38 percent discount off the region's non-distressed sales, RealtyTrac reported.
Only three other areas of Florida were included in the report: Palm Bay at No. 5, Daytona Beach at No. 7 and Pensacola at No. 10. Cleveland topped the country as the best area to buy a default this year, with foreclosure sales surging 141 percent in the fourth quarter and only fetching $57,782 each.
The report solidified what many institutional investors already had seen -- deals to be had on the auction block.
Since early fall, a handful of real estate investment giants, including a subsidiary of New York's Blackstone Group, have been gobbling up foreclosures from Parrish to North Port, planning to rent them out.
But that has made it more difficult for traditional homebuyers, who often must rely on lender financing and cannot match offers that are now coming in well above asking price, to compete, said Shannon Moore, broker and owner of Green Lion Realty in North Port, which specializes in foreclosures.
"It's getting harder and harder to find them," Moore said.
"These investors are buying them up like crazy, and you also have the traditional homebuyers, and they're all looking for the same thing."
There were 6,260 distressed sales in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties last year, a 5 percent dip from 2011 and a 23 percent decline from 2010, RealtyTrac data show.
But the share of defaults among those transactions continues to slide. The 3,051 bank foreclosure sales in Southwest Florida in 2012 fell 13 percent from the year before and 25 percent from 2010.
That could still change later this year, with nearly 14 percent of all mortgage loans in Sarasota now 90 days or more delinquent -- a trend that supports RealtyTrac's prediction of more repossessions to come.
Wednesday's report also indicates the four-year foreclosure backlog that began growing again in the area's court system last year is likely to continue through at least this year.
RealtyTrac released a matching report Wednesday on the best 15 U.S. metros in which to purchase a short sale; Sarasota was not on the list.
"Short sales are on the rise as a better alternative to foreclosure in many areas -- good news for buyers and investors in markets where short sales are closing more quickly at solid discounts," said Daren Blomquist, RealtyTrac's vice president.
"But buying from the bank may still be a better option in other markets, because of increasing REO inventory, deeper discounts and shorter times to close."
This story appeared in print on page D1
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Book your room at Holiday Inn Express New York City- Wall Street
Get an overview of this hotelHotel in New York's Wall Street - Financial District neighborhood near Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Collect 200 points
Simply enter your Nectar card number when prompted. Your points will be credited 30 days after you return from your trip.*Offers may apply
In city center
Situated in New York's Wall Street - Financial District neighborhood, this hotel is close to Vietnam Veterans Plaza, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and New York Stock Exchange. Area attractions also include Battery Park and Brooklyn Bridge.
Buffet breakfast
In addition to a grocery/convenience store, Holiday Inn Express New York City- Wall Street provides a complimentary buffet breakfast, a business center, and complimentary wireless Internet access.
CD and DVD players
Televisions come with premium cable channels. Guestrooms also feature complimentary wireless Internet access, DVD players, and safes.Would you like to give us feedback? Share it! Opens in a new window
Holiday Inn Express New York City- Wall Street126 Water St New York NY 10005
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
High-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary. A business center is on site at this 3.0-star property. This New York hotel also offers a complimentary buffet breakfast, a fitness facility, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services.
- ATM/banking
- Number of floors - 27
- Business center
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Free breakfast
- Fitness facilities
- Tours/ticket assistance
- 24-hour front desk
- Elevator/lift
- Gift shops or newsstand
- Total number of rooms - 112
- Express check-in
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Free WiFi
- Grocery/convenience store
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Free Wi-Fi
- Grocery/convenience store
- DVD player
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Self parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Premium TV channels
- DVD player
- Pay movies
- Air conditioning
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Coffee/tea maker
- Hair dryer
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Flat-panel TV
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Free newspaper
- Private bathroom
- Free toiletries
- Shower only
- Desk
- Cable TV service
- Free WiFi
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include a fitness facility.
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible bathroom
- Roll-in shower
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time ends at 4 PM
Check-in time starts at 4 PM
Minimum check-in age is 21
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
- Pets not allowed
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
No rollaway/extra beds available
No cribs (infant beds) available
Optional extras
- Self parking fee: USD 35 per night
Hotel Name
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel New York City Street Wall
- Holiday Inn Express New York City Wall Street

subset: commoncrawl


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42" 12V Ceiling Fan- Satin Nickel/White
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Technical Specs
Weight: 7 lbs.
Ceiling to center of motor 4 1/2"
Ceiling to end of blades 5 1/2"
Manufacturer: Trusty Products Inc
Mfg Part #: 70068NW
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Arthritis Health Center
Caring for Your Joints
In this article
Add Ice for Healthy Joints
Ice is a great drug-free pain reliever. It helps relieve joint swelling and numbs pain. If you have a sore joint, apply ice wrapped in a towel or a cold pack to the painful area for no more than 20 minutes. Don't have ice or a cold pack? Try wrapping a bag of frozen vegetables (peas work best!) in a light towel. Never apply ice directly to the skin.
Eating Right Nourishes Joints
Eating a healthy diet is good for your joints, because it helps build strong bones and muscles.
For your bones, make sure you get enough calcium every day. You can do this by eating foods such as milk, yogurt, broccoli, kale, figs, and fortified foods like soy or almond milk. If those foods don't tempt your taste buds, ask your doctor if calcium supplements are right for you.
For your muscles, you need to get enough protein. Exactly how much you need depends on your age, sex, and how active you are. Most Americans get enough protein. Good sources include lean meats, seafood, beans, legumes, soy products, and nuts. Go for a variety.
You also need vitamin D to keep your bones and joints in good health. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from the foods you eat. Dairy products. many cereals, soy milk, and almond milk are fortified with vitamin D. You can ask your doctor about the proper amount of vitamin D and ways you can get it.
Oranges may also give your joints a healthy boost. Some studies suggest that vitamin C and other antioxidants can help keep your joints healthy.
WebMD Medical Reference


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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M – Corpus Christi baseball team grabbed an early lead and never looked back on Sunday afternoon, taking a 7-5 final over the Utah Utes to close out the Kleberg Bank College Classic. The Islanders picked two wins in the tournament for the first time since it began in 2006 and placed starting pitcher Adam Hoelscher and outfielder Kyle Danford on the all-tournament team.
The Islanders improved to 6-2 on the season with the win, while Utah fell to 1-7 on the year. Daniel Minor picked up his second win of the week to improve to 2-0. He pitched 7.0 inning, giving up three runs, only one earned, on five hits while walking one and striking out a career-high eight Utah batters. Phillip Garcia earned his third save of the year, coming on with the bases loaded and giving up just one hit to put the Utes away.
Eric Weiss had the big day at the plate for Texas A&M – Corpus Christi, going 3-for-5 with three RBI to lead the team. Dan Sciantarelli also picked up three hits for the Islanders, while Jeramie Marek, Bobby Buckner and Jonathan Gonzales had a pair each. Weston Montgomery and Danford picked up one apiece to put the Islanders at a season-high 14 hits against the Utes.
The Islanders started the scoring early on, plating a run in the bottom of the first for the initial lead. Jeramie Marek led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved to second on a stolen base. Weiss followed with an RBI single to center that scored Marek for the 1-0 lead.
Texas A&M – Corpus Christi added four more runs in the bottom half of the second by playing station-to-station baseball. Kyle Danford started it off with a single, and then moved to second on a groundout. Jonathan Gonzales moved Danford over to third on a single to center.
Santiago Ruiz then reached on a sacrifice bunt that brought home Danford to extend the lead to 2-0. Dan Sciantarelli followed with another single to load the bases, and Jeramie Marek then brought home Gonzales on a sacrifice fly for a 3-0 score. Weston Montgomery then singled to reload the bases, and Eric Weiss came through with a big two-RBI single to plate Ruiz and Sciantarelli for the 5-0 advantage.
Utah responded in the fifth inning with three runs in the top of the frame to cut the lead to 5-3.
Bobby Buckner led off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left center to chase the starting pitcher. After the first out of the inning, Marc Damon drew a walk to put a pair of runners on. Ruiz then reached on an error that allowed Buckner to score from second for a 6-3 advantage.
The Islanders added yet another run in the bottom of the sixth, with Marek walking to lead off the inning, stealing second base and then advancing to third on a balk. Weston Montgomery brought Marek home on a sacrifice fly to left field to make it a 7-3 score.
Utah threatened in the top of the ninth, scoring two runs on three hits before Philly Garcia came on to slam the door, picking up his third save of the season for the Islanders.
Next up for Texas A&M – corpus Christi will be a Thursday to Saturday series on the road against Dallas Baptist and a single game on Saturday night in a non-conference tilt against Southland foe UT Arlington.
For all the latest on Islanders Baseball, like the team on Facebook (Islanders Baseball), and follow the team on Twitter (@CorpusBaseball).


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Friday morning snow
ABILENE, Texas - A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for most of our region through Friday morning. Snow has been falling mainly south of I-20 through 1:30 AM Friday morning. This snowfall is spreading northeast and should affect areas around and north of I-20 before sunrise Friday.
Travel is discouraged as bridges and overpasses will likely become icy after the snow starts falling.
Roads in the San Angelo area are slushy and around one inch of snow has accumulated on car tops there. Snow has also been reported east of San Angelo in Ballinger, Winters and Coleman.
TXDOT reports that crews have been treating bridges in Runnels county. They also report that ice and snow are found on many bridges and overpasses in Tom Green and Concho counties.


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The Bridgeview Redbirds 14u "Black" team is looking for position player(s) (Outfield / Shortstop) with a great bat and SPEED that are looking to play at a higher level.
We select talented and dedicated young ladies with a team oriented attitude. Our coaches are dedicated to teaching young talent all aspects of the game. Our goal is to bring out the very best of every young player that comes through our organization and give them the opportunity to maximize their potential by playing at the highest level!!
Currently in winter training utilizing the local school gyms, the Bridgeview Sports dome, and Line Drive batting cages. If you would like to come work out with the team, or prefer a private tryout contact Coach Tom St.Germain @ 708-932-3487, or email firstname.lastname@example.com
Looking to fill spot(s) for 2013
Looking to fill a few spots for 2013. Call ASAP!
Still looking? Read this Post
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


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See who's on Silver Singles:
Sunny and creative lady ready to enjoy fun in the sun and sand.
SunnySeas is a 55yr-old single woman in Newport, Rhode Island
i am easy to get along with, i like to joke and fool around make people laugh. my family is very important to me. I like the simple th...
kielo is a 69yr-old single woman in Newport, Rhode Island


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Women's Reebok Dance Strappy Long Bra
Doubling as an athletic shirt, the Women's Reebok Dance Strappy Long Bra has extra material length so you don't need to wear both.
Whether you're wearing it to yoga or rumba, you'll love its feminine design, which includes an open back, thick straps, and scrunch ties at both of the sides that you can adjust. Pull them tighter to show off your midriff or keep them long for more coverage.
Besides its streamlined look, it also features PlayDry technology to keep you from staying wet with moisture.
- FABRIC: Knit with soft jersey
- FIT: Slim with inner poly bra and swooping neckline
- CARE: Machine wash


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Apps, Cats and Digital Displays: Five Fan-Funded Projects
It was a big week for the arts in crowdfunding: A digital screen designed to display art made waves online, while an animation company surpassed $100,000 in the first seven days of its campaign. For the second installment of our new weekly feature on the most exciting projects in crowdfunding, we're highlighting work by everyone from a Hollywood character actor to the makers of a viral cat cartoon. Read about this week's picks:
The short film "Doghouse" is about a son held captive by his dying, psychotic mother, his estranged sister and the tragedy that brings them back together – or it will be, if it reaches its goal amount on crowdfunding platform Rocket Hub.
The "Doghouse" cast and crew are not amateurs, like those of many crowdfunded films. They're industry professionals – people you might not know by name but could recognize by work. The star and leader of the project is actor Michael Maize, who's appeared in a host of television shows and movies including "True Blood," "Saving Lincoln," "Castle" and "National Treasure: Book of Secrets."
"The challenge as a character actor is you're not getting work all the time," Mr. Maize said. "This year I made a goal that I wanted to take my career into my own hands."
The cast, crew, and even the people behind Rocket Hub are all members of a real social network who've banded together to make "Doghouse." The scriptwriter, Gina Lucita Monreal, who's written for "NCIS" and "Brothers & Sisters," is a college friend of Mr. Maize. Erin Daniels, the female lead, has known executive producer Adrian Salpeter, of small film company Random Bench, for years. Rocket Hub co-founder Jed Cohen is married to another of Mr. Maize's friends from school. And Polish director Borys Lankosz, whose "The Reverse" was Poland's entry for best foreign language film at the 2009 Academy Awards, has been in touch with Mr. Maize and Mr. Salpeter for years.
And the financial backers, of course, are friends, family members and fans.
As more filmmakers with Hollywood experience are turning to crowdfunding to finance their work, a question arises as to whether established industry members are as deserving of funds as those who lack access to big studio backing, Mr. Salpeter said. But he added the audience gets to choose, saying, "It's actually democratizing art and the process of making art."
The pitch: There's no video, which is especially surprising for a film pitch. But you can follow a link to Maize's demo reel to see him in action.
Perk: For a $150 pledge, you will receive two tickets to the premiere, a copy of the DVD and a "special thanks" credit in the film.
Closes: July 29
Funding status: $4,295 of $15,000 goal
Crowdfunding page: Rockethub
Simon's Cat
The animation shorts team that brought you that very popular hungry-cat-tortures-sleeping-owner-for-food video wants to break new ground with an ambitious piece titled "Off to the Vet." Simon's Cat has over 3 million YouTube channel subscribers and "Cat Man Do," the short about the hungry cat, has accumulated nearly 50 million views. It takes the creators months to make a two-to-three minute video, because each story is animated by hand, according to the Indiegogo pitch. "Off to the Vet" will be over 10 minutes long and include a first for the group: color.
The pitch: You probably have to like cats to care a lot about Simon's Cat. But the vet storyline will resonate with anyone who's ever had one as a pet.
Perk: The most exciting perk: for £500 (about $850), Simon will draw your pet. You'll also get a signed print of the "Off to the Vet" storyboard, a Simon's Cat T-shirt, a set of Simon's Cat collectible cards, access to a behind-the-scenes blog and more.
Closes: August 6
Funding status: £119,146 of £275,850 goal
Crowdfunding page: Indiegogo
App: The Human Story
There's an app for everything, and now there will be a film for apps. "App: The Human Story," is a documentary promising to explore the creation, use and culture of apps. Already signed on for interviews are Marco Arment, co-founder of Tumblr, John Gruber of the website Daring Fireball and software company Q-Branch, Jason Snell of Macworld, Lisa Bettany of photography app Camera+ and more.
In addition to interviewing app developers, the creators are crowdsourcing stories about how apps have touched peoples' lives through Twitter (#thehumanstory). A year into the project, they've already conducted numerous interviews and collected at least enough footage to create a compelling teaser video – and now they're asking for additional funds to keep the project on track for completion.
The pitch: If you have any interest in apps or documentaries, it's worth checking out the teaser video – conveniently tied in with the project's Kickstarter pitch.
Perk: For $50, pledgers will receive interviews from a single subject of their choosing, as well as a digital version of the film with commentary.
Closes: July 31
Funding status: $57,542 of $100,000 goal
Crowdfunding page: Kickstarter
Electric Objects
Forget snapping smartphone pictures of art in museums – soon, you may be able to admire artworks in high-definition from the comfort of your home. With EO1, a screen and integrated computer designed to display art, users can select and change images with their phones. The New York Public Library, the Museum of the Moving Image and others have already partnered with Electric Objects, the startup behind EO1, and the product has been generating considerable buzz with coverage from Wired, Business Insider, Quartz, Fast Company and more.
The pitch: While a digital display screen is not a completely novel idea, this particular version does seem very well-executed and user-friendly.
Perk: You can get your own discounted EO1 for a pledge of $299, or a beta version four months early for $499.
Closes: August 7
Funding status: Surpassed! $439,092 of $25,000 goal
Crowdfunding page: Kickstarter
Film + chemicals = Flim, a project developing special modified film that will make your pictures look cooler and crazier than your favorite Instragram feed. Photographs taken with Flim are altered in color, contrast and even film speed, according to the creator, and since each batch of Flim is made slightly differently, every photo is unique.
The pitch: Flim is not for the average selfie-snapper – photos taken on Flim can turn out far-removed from the original subject.
Perk: For $50, you can get a roll of Flim, pre-production.
Closes: July 23
Funding status: $2,777 of $10,000 goal
Crowdfunding page: Kickstarter


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A diverse array of animals resides in the Small Mammal House, ranging from primates to armadillos. These animals occupy various niches in the wild and have evolved highly specialized behaviors to adapt to their native environments. Here at the Zoo, keepers design environmental enrichment activities to encourage these natural behaviors.
Stimulating species-typical behaviors through enrichment improves the well being of animals in captivity. It also improves reintroduction success by maintaining behaviors critical to survival in the wild and improves the success of captive breeding by encouraging normal social interactions among individuals. Finally, enrichment gives Zoo visitors a chance to witness animals in true form, behaving much as they would in their native habitats.
The Zoo's keeper staff often use holidays as an opportunity to give variety to both visitors and the animals in their care.
Golden Lion Tamarins and Golden-headed Lion Tamarins
In their native Brazilian coastal forest habitats, lion tamarins forage for insects using their slender fingers to search bark, bromeliads, and other tiny nooks—a behavior called "micromanipulation." Keepers elicit this behavior in the Zoo's lion tamarins by placing log feeders—logs with small holes drilled in them—in the animals' enclosures. The tamarins poke their long fingers into the holes to retrieve worms and crickets that keepers have planted inside.
Wild tamarins also scour the forest canopy for fruit, but in the jungle, the tastiest fruit is not always within easy reach. Several times a week, keepers at the Zoo string whole pieces of fruit six inches below branches, giving tamarins the opportunity to hang, reach, and creatively maneuver for the treats. Chasing after live crickets in their enclosures is another way the tamarins express natural behaviors to obtain their food.
Geoffroy's Tufted-eared Marmosets
Marmosets are gumivores—tree sap is a large component of their diets—and they have teeth specially designed to get at the sap. Their lower incisors jut out at an angle allowing them to access sap by puncturing holes in trees, an activity referred to as "gouging." In the wild, marmosets will gouge holes into trees and then wander off until the viscous sap has begun to flow. By the time they return, insects that have become trapped in the sticky stuff make for an extra protein-packed snack.
To give marmosets in the Small Mammal House the chance to express this natural behavior, keepers reconstitute powdered tree gum (an ingredient used in pastries and available from many bakeries) and inject it into hollow logs with holes drilled into them. After the marmosets have licked up the sap, they puncture the log with their incisors to retrieve more.
Naked and Damaraland Mole-rats
In the wild, mole-rats tunnel underground and eat tubers that plunge below the soil. To simulate this behavior in captivity, keepers leave hunks of carrots, beets, and other root vegetables in the mole-rats' tunnels, sometimes blocking the tunnels completely. The mole-rats manipulate and gnaw their way around the veggies.
Black Howler Monkeys
In the rainforests of Latin America, howler monkeys bellow out territorial calls to locate neighboring troops. To elicit vocalization from the pair of howlers when they first arrived at the Zoo, keepers exposed them to a variety of music and sounds. Discerning listeners, the howler monkeys made no response to classical music, heavy metal, Enya, or soothing nature sounds. At first, only the sound of a leaf blower or lawnmower would incite their rumbling vocalization. Today, the pair of howlers needs no invitation to let loose a thundering roar.
Because howler monkeys frequently encounter other troops in the wild, they are accustomed to seeing other individuals. Keepers give the Zoo's howler monkeys non-breakable mirrors. The monkeys believe their reflections are other howler monkeys.
Red-ruffed Lemurs: Enrichment as Therapy
When keepers became concerned with the health of a female lemur that had lost her mate, they used enrichment to treat her depression and poor appetite. They groomed and massaged her, played lemur videos and sounds, and gave her a life-sized lemur plush animal, which she groomed and slept with. They also moved her into the Small Mammal House's mixed-species exhibit where she could be stimulated by the sights, sounds, and smells of other animals, as she would in the wild. She now has the company of a male red-ruffed lemur, and they groom each other frequently.
Mixed-Species Exhibits
Mixed-species exhibits may encourage symbiotic or complementary relationships among animals that would share common habitats in the wild. Watch the mixed-species exhibit in the Small Mammal House long enough and you might catch a golden lion tamarin grooming an iguana or riding through branches on the stomach of a two-toed sloth!


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FDA Panel backs Ocriplasmin
30.07.2012 - Nail-biter with Happy End: An expert panel of the FDA has backed Belgian Thrombogenics eye disease drug Ocriplasmin.
FDA advisors ruled on July 26 that Ocriplasmin helped enough people in clinical trials to warrant a favourable review. The injectable drug is a truncated form of the human serine protease plasmin which retains its enzymatic properties. It's used for the treatment of symptomatic vitreomacular adhesion, which occurs when vitreous gel detaches at the back of the eye but adheres to the retina as it pulls away, distorting vision and causing small breaks to develop in the macula.
The panel decided in an 6-3 split decision, that there is no need for additional studies despite evidence of adverse effects including eye pain, swelling and impaired vision. Nevertheless, Michael Repka, Chairman of the panel said, that post-market studies on this topic "would be nice", reported Bloomberg.
A regulatory review published a day before the panel's decision has sent the drugmaker's stock price rollercoasting. A warning on serious adverse events in the report sent down the quotation by 19% at NYSE Euronext in Brussels. The Belgian Biotech Company tried to pour oil on troubled waters. "We have evidence that these things are all transient. There is nothing that is really sustained. Of course, we will address this during the discussion," ThromboGenics CFO Chris Buyse told Reuters. On July 27, the first day after the panel's favourable decision, stock quotes raised by 13% to 26.37 Euro.
ThromboGenics, based in Heverlee, has already sold rights to the drug outside the U.S. to Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG. Its Alcon unit paid $99m upfront and promised close to $400m more in milestones to gain the rights to commercialise the drug.http://www.european-biotechnology-news.com/news/news/2012-03/fda-panel-backs-ocriplasmin.html


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Meridian Public School District says there will be no changes to the Uniform Dress Code policy for the 2010-2011 school year.
The district provided a copy of its dress code which appears below.
District Colors
Tops: Royal "Wildcat" Blue and/or White
Bottoms: Khaki/Tan, Navy Blue and/or Black
School colors:
Red-Crestwood, Poplar Springs, West Hills
Maroon-Harris, Magnolia, Northwest
Hunter Green-Oakland Heights
Kelly Green-Parkview
Royal Blue-Carver, Meridian High
Polo style shirt – 2 or 3 buttons only
Short or long sleeved
If a t-shirt is worn under the polo shirt, it must be white, royal blue, or a school color
Must be tucked in at all times for all students
Only school logos are allowed/no name brand logos
Pleated or flat front (Trouser style)
No designs/decorations/logos/tags (Ex. Dickies labels must be removed)
Shorts, skirts, skorts, and capris – minimum length is 4 inches above the knee and pleated or flat front only
Jumpers will be worn by PreK-5th Grade students only (black, navy blue, or khaki) with polo shirts worn underneath
No cargo, corduroy, or denim
Sagging and oversized clothing is not allowed
Must be waist length
Heavy coats can be any color, but are not worn in the classroom all day
Lightweight jackets/hooded pullovers/buttoned sweaters must be in uniform colors and may be worn in the classroom all day
Only school logo is allowed on front/plain on the back
No trench coats or non-hooded sweatshirts can be worn
Black or brown with standard buckle
Must be worn if bottoms have belt loops
Required at all times and must be worn as designed
Must be tied or Velcro
No shower shoes, rubber shoes, house-shoes, stilettos, or snow-boots will be allowed
No loud or fluorescent colors for socks/shoes
Should be appropriate for safe participation in all school activities
Nothing in this policy shall be constituted to preempt the authority of the principal to act contrary to statements contained herein in specific cases when, in his/her opinion, a student is attempting to use this policy to disrupt the educational process or the safe and orderly climate of the school.


text:
A career at Qualcomm gives you the opportunity to join in the creation of technologies that change the world. Thousands of dedicated people working diligently to make a mark in the evolution of our planet. Sounds like a pretty big deal to just start with a simple job application. But it does.
In order to foster an environment where invention thrives, we must foster one where our people do too. Our employees have a strong voice in creating the work environment that suits their needs. From clubs where employees make their own electric vehicles, to programs that inspire the next generation of inventors, we focus on creating a culture that breeds success.
Time to build for the future. Your own. Explore what we have to offer.
Take your experience to new levels. Explore current openings.
Ready for career liftoff? We'll help you reach new heights.
Be the big man or woman on our campus.


text:
- Tea Pouches
- Loose Tea
- Iced Tea
- Teaware
- Gifts
- Sale
- Why Mighty Leaf?
Bodum Assam Glass Teapot - 34 oz.
The eye-catching Bodum Assam Glass Teapot features an internal stainless steel infuser for loose leaf teas and an ingenious design that can prevent over brewing at the push of a plunger. With a 34-ounce capacity and a stunning glass design, the Bodum Assam teapot filled with Mighty Leaf tea is the perfect accompaniment to every social occasion.• Designed for British Tea Council • Heat-resistant Borosilicate Glass Teapot and Handle • Stainless steel lid, filter and plunger • Patented unique tea press system stops brewing when tea is plunged - controls brewing process • Dishwasher safe except for plunger rod and lid • 34 oz. capacity
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.


text:
Ирвинг против Липштадт
Defense Documents
Hitler's Role in the Persuection of the Jews by the Nazi Regime: Electronic Version, by Heinz Peter LongerichTable of Contents
|<< 8. Hitler Orders the Mea...
|10. Hitler and the Mass ... >
|List of abbreviations >>
9.1From the preceding sections it has become clear that Hitler - in accordance with his programmatic statements in the twenties - consistently pursued the policy of "removal" of the Jews from Germany in the years between 1933 and 1939: he did this, to begin with, through a policy of systematic segregation and discrimination, finally through the use of violence. Hitler's direct influence can be demonstrated for all phases of the persecution of the Jews, although the dictator remained flexible: while in general he attempted to radicalise anti-Jewish policies, he could also check the radical course of the persecution of the Jews if and when for internal or foreign policy reasons this appeared opportune.
9.2It has also become clear, however, that the persecution of the Jews played a central role in Hitler's politics and that the dictator used anti-Jewish policy to try to gain advantages for his regime both within Germany and internationally. With the help of the boycott of 1933, international criticism of the terror of the Nazi regime was to be silenced; with the help of antisemitic laws, the hope of direct economic advantage, tied to antisemitic aspirations on the part of the party basis, would be satisfied; the arms programme was possible only by means of access to Jewish property; finally, Hitler intended to force the Western powers to take the Jews as hostages in order to force the compliance of the Western powers. Hitler's antisemitic policy is therefore not merely to be understood as the implementation of an ideological fanatic; it fulfilled a significant function in his policy to secure and expand his power position.


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Google Buzz – enabler of location-based flame-wars
Now that the dust has settled and the initial spike of test activity has dropped off, we're starting to see what the fascinating combination of having both a wide pre-installed base and some very interesting functionality is achieving for Google Buzz.
It turns out that Buzz has all the key ingredients (functionality, convenience, and users) to kick off public location-based discussion, which is a pretty big deal.
Recognising that first impressions count, Google haven't yet allowed visibility into this brave new world from the browser, although it is possible to use a workaround and get a taste of what this means – see the example screenshot above.
Here's a bit of theory. There's only two dimensions that really matter – time and space. And the most relevant ends of those spectra are right now and right here. Part of the appeal of Twitter was that you could find out about things happening right now. Google Buzz now takes us the final step of the way.
Just consider what this could look like a few years from now.
The world of evening venues suddenly becomes an efficient market. Buzz will tell you which venues are empty, which are too crowded and where the really interesting people are.
Imagine shoppers operating with a hive mind, honing in collectively on the most compelling local special offers, guided by the invisible hand of Google's algorithms that highlights only the most relevant buzz – and imagine shops monitoring and reacting to that buzz.
Finally, imagine decades of quiet resentment between neighbours too polite for direct confrontation suddenly exploding into all-out Buzz-enabled flame wars over late night music, post stealing, and territorial hedge issues.
Saying that this is one to watch is an understatement.
No comments yet.


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Kirk Cousins starting
Kirk Cousins starting
This was the right move. Not worth risking the rest of Bob's career for one game, even if the playoff implications for this season are quite high.
Although I am hoping for it, I have no faith that the Browns will beat the Redskins. The Giants will probably have to win out to win the East. The Redskins are on fire and their RB Morris is a big reason why. Lets see how he does when RGIII isn't back there with him.
I couldn't believe all week he'd be able to go. That knee had to blow up lika balloon. Now, I'm convinced they were just trying to fake out Clevelands defensive prep.
How to spot a scam artist : Look for the Washington Redskins !
Go Brownies !
Cousins looks like he will be a good one. However he could make enough mistakes to allow the Browns to upset them. I'm sure skins coaches will play it conservative and hand to Morris a lot to minimize mistakes but this would be a good day for us to pick up a game on them
Football has been very, very good to us.
Even though 2013 & 2014 was a losing season's, we can console ourselves with this fact-
# of Super Bowl victories since 1985:
1-Chicago, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Seattle
2-Washington, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, Baltimore
3-San Francisco, Dallas, Denver
4-New York Giants!!! & NE
Let's make it 5 in 2016 so we can be on a LINE all by ourselves again!!!
***Stat provided by "Schloss22"***
I'm actually interested to see what Cousins can do. He could be a trade candidate next year.


text:
The following article, featured as part of the Archives of American Mathematics Spotlight, was published in the December 2006 issue of MAA FOCUS. The full issue is available here (pdf).
One of the most comprehensive and distinctive collections at the Archives of American Mathematics is the School Mathematics Study Group (SMSG) Records. Through 95 linear feet of files and publications, the SMSG Records document a fascinating era of mathematics education.
Under the direction of Edward G. Begle (Yale University, Stanford University), the SMSG created and implemented a primary and secondary school curriculum between 1958 and 1977 widely known as New Math.
New Math endeavored to improve mathematics education by emphasizing understanding of underlying mathematical concepts rather than application of computational algorithms. It introduced basic ideas from advanced mathematics, such as sets, axioms, and functions, to younger students.
A worksheet from Mathematics for the Elementary School: Book 1, Student's Text, Unit No. 52 by the School Mathematics Study Group, 1965.
Source: The SMSG Records at the Archives of American Mathematics.
Begle admired the approach of Max Beberman (University of Illinois), who designed lessons that prompted students to discover mathematical principles on their own, but this approach required highly skilled teachers. The SMSG strove to create a curriculum that most teachers could learn to teach with only an hour per week of extra study.
The New Math movement drew widespread praise as well as extensive criticism. Critics, such as applied mathematician and mathematics historian Morris Kline (New York University), objected that the New Math curriculum aimed to prepare children for careers in pure mathematics, while primary and secondary mathematics education should focus on useful applications of mathematics with the goal of functional numeracy.
Both praise and criticism are included in the collection. One letter, from E.J. McShane, a professor of mathematics at the University of Virginia and a former president of both the AMS and MAA, to Begle, addresses criticisms of the SMSG program from physicists, as told to McShane by Joe Weyl (son of Hermann Weyl). The letter highlights the ongoing conflict in the classroom between pure and applied mathematics.
Letter from E.J. McShane to Edward Begle, November 22, 1961. (Click to enlarge.)
Source: The SMSG Records at the Archives of American Mathematics.
The SMSG Records document the history of the writing, implementation, and evaluation of the SMSG curriculum. The records consist largely of the director's files, and include correspondence, meeting agendas and minutes, grant proposals, financial records, newsletters, drafts of publications, tests, and training films. The collection also includes a comprehensive collection of SMSG textbooks and other publications as well as the records and publications of the National Longitudinal Study of Mathematical Abilities (NLSMA).
Recently, in order to make the collection more accessible to researchers, the archivist transferred the records from hanging file folders in filing cabinets to archival boxes. In the process, staff enhanced the inventory by adding more detail to the existing finding aid.
The SMSG Records are closely related to the New Mathematical Library Records, another collection at the Archives of American Mathematics. The New Mathematical Library was originally a publishing arm of the SMSG project, before it was taken over by the Mathematical Association of America and became a separate concern.
Kristy Sorensen served as the archivist at the Archives of American Mathematics until November 2006.
The Archives of American Mathematics (AAM) is a unit of the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at the University of Texas at Austin. Individuals interested in conducting research or donating materials or who have general questions about the AAM should contact Carol Mead, Archivist: email@example.com, (512) 495-4539.
Revised on July 12, 2010.


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As you may know, Debian 4.0 stable 'Etch' is almost out. As expected from the Debian project, it will be a very stable, feature-ladden if slightly outdated OS.
What you may not know, is that it will come without Firefox. Nope, no fox trailing fire on your Debian desktop, no sir.
Instead you'll get Iceweasel.
"I did it!" "No, that was me!"
Free software and copyright
Most free software licences allow you to get someone else's software code and modify it as you see fit, provided you mention the original author and contribute your modifications back to the community - or at least, to the original author (who may then decide to include it in his own version of the software).
Those licences however, don't grant you the right to call someone else's code your own: while you can hack at it as much as you want, only your own code is yours.
Copyright can be used on free/open source software to protect a certain implementation of the software: Red Hat for example, does release all of their source code and modifications. However, it is forbidden to copy their install CDs for anything else than private backup reasons. Why? Because those CD images, generated by them from their released source code, are copyrighted - on the same title that a drawing can be considered copyrighted by its author.
Nothing prevents you from creating a very close copy of those CD images; in fact, several distributions started off as such: get the sources, build the packages, rebuild a complete distribution from those source packages... Like a good artist in training, using the same brushes and paints to reproduce as closely as possible a recognized artist's painting. It's not forbidden, and in some cases even encouraged.
Passing off the copy as the original is forbidden, though - be it you pretending having made the original painting called 'Les Tournesols' (and not Vincent Van Gogh) or you owning the real 'Tournesols' (in order to sell your copy for a very very very high price).
Now, in the software world, how can you mark a text file as yours and yours only? Even better, how can you make a difference between a binary file built from your source, and from one built from a copy of those sources?
Well, you could open the code completely, but you may want to keep control of the logo and related artworks.
For example, the Mozilla Foundation has copyrighted the Firefox logo. Its terms are easy to follow: any binary built from the unmodified tarballs they release can go with the Firefox logo. If the source has been modified in any way, then the logo cannot be used.
Free software and trademark
Well, images are not the only things that can be protected; and after all, people could care less about what's in the icon representing their web browser. What they know though, is that the Mozilla Foundation's flagship browser is called Firefox.
Some people use Linux as if it were a common term nowadays (except the fine folks here at Free Software Magazine). However, look closer: what is, actually, called Linux? Nope, no distribution bears that name (Red Hat Enterprise/Server/Fedora, SuSE/OpenSuSE, Mandriva One/2007, Slackware, Debian stable/unstable/testing, Ubuntu...), but they would mention Linux - the kernel. It can be flavoured (but it will then contain appropriate copyrights in the files which were not provided in the 'vanilla' kernel), but it's the only part of the system dubbed 'Linux'. The companies themselves don't call themselves 'Linux': they 'distribute' Linux.
Linux is trademark 1991-2006 Linus Torvalds - and he does enforce it. Try to distribute a kernel containing no piece of the 'official' code and call it 'Linux', see if he accepts!
The Mozilla Foundation holds the copyright over the name 'Firefox' referring to a web browser. Like with their artwork, to use it, you need to compile their unmodified tarball.
As a matter of fact, even Mozilla developers don't call it Firefox while it's not out of beta: get a 'Deer Park' or 'Minefield' released tarball, and see if it contains any mention of the word 'Firefox', or the logo... No, not until it reaches Release Candidate status.
What the heck?!
Even RM Stallman doesn't complain about copyright laws over free/open-source software: in fact, he created the Free Software foundation and the GPL to ensure that code writers couldn't lose their code to less scupulous individuals, and that anybody's work should be recognizes as the author's property - but still be used freely, looked at without filtering glasses, modified as required and redistributed as seen fit.
In this aspect, the Mozilla foundation complies entirely: anybody can go and grab the source, modify, use, and redistribute it - provided the software generated from the sources don't include copyrighted artwork and isn't called something trademarked, be it their own trademark or someone else's.
The Woes of the Debian developers
Debian has always been well respected due to their code cleanliness, and how prompt they are to fix code exploits. They maintain their own repositories, which are accessible to anybody.
Now, their concerns about Firefox is that if they find a security bug in the software, they want to be able to fix it as soon as possible - making modifications to the source tarball. Considering how fast the Mozilla Foundation is about fixing and releasing new browser minor revisions (as fast as 36 hours), I'd say this concern of Debian's is a bit fragile.
More worrisome, due to code freeze in their 'stable' version, is that if their version of Firefox ends up being not supported any more, they can't back port security fixes and keep the name and artwork of the browser. Considering Firefox's release version support is usually 18 months (and Debian versions can run for years on end, see 3.0 'Sarge'), their concern is valid.
The solutions
- Well, they could decide to let it go for the browser package: don't compile anything else than official Mozilla tarballs. Advantages: no licencing terms, little support hassle. Inconvenient: breech of Debian stable philosophy.
- Or, they could decide to take a different name and artwork scheme: Deer Park is the code name for Firefox builds 1.5/2.0, and it comes with an artwork theme. It is also quite well-known and associated with what it is: where Firefox comes from.
- Or then, they could do with integrated browsers: Gnome comes with Epiphany (based on the Gecko engine), KDE with Konqueror, or they could use Seamonkey.
- Even better, they could become part of the Mozilla developers group: this would allow them to support the browser directly, and maybe extend the branch's support time - freeing other developers to develop newer features and clean up the code more.
- Or then, take the code, give it a random name (Iceweasel) and a random icon (a sad blue-grey weasel humping a planet) and maintain it themselves - which, sadly, is what they chose to do.
Frankly, they could have used Firefox and the official tarballs: it is well maintained as it is, there are already regression test suites being improved at Mozilla - and once the code base is no longer maintained, then by all means, CHANGE name and artwork - to indicate it is no longer the unmaintained Firefox branch, but a Debian-maintined Gecko-based browser.
Does it work? Yes - see Seamonkey. Would they get cooperation from the Mozilla developers? Probably - see Seamonkey.
The next Debian version won't have Firefox, but still have a Gecko-based browser they'll be forced to maintain themselves (all that noise for a browser!), while the marketing specialists at the Mozilla foundation will try to explain how they could lose the whole Debian installed base.
What I find most stupid here is that there was the Mozilla suite/Seamonkey precedent - and it actually worked out quite well: while the official build is still maintained, use Mozilla packages. When support is discontinued, get latest code, change artwork, and support software yourself. This looks like throwing the baby out the window along with the bath water. What prevents Debian from doing this?
Debian versus a Strong Mindshare for Linux as a Whole
Wonderfull explanation.
From one hand, changing names won't help build a stronger Linux brand (that includes this and that software).
From the other, most Debian users are knowledgeable enough to know that Iceweasel is actually Firefox. The problem are the Debian-derived distributions, which are mostly used on schools (for children with no knowledge at all), etc, at least in my country, Brazil.
This decision from the Debian community only enforces my opinion that Debian is a product of minds that are only playing of building an OS - of course maskared by idealistic altruism that gets nowhere, in practical terms.
you're overgeneralizing
...but it's true there's a hard core of Debian programmers that would make RMS look moderate. Some others are ashamed of the situation and still looking for a better solution.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Debian starting wearing a little thin
I've been a Debian booster for a long time, but between this and the Creative Commons licensing issue, I'm starting to get a little annoyed with them.
I'm wondering if I might be happier with Ubuntu or some other derivative distribution that doesn't do gonzo stuff like this. I think the puritanism is going just a wee bit far.
Still, Debian remains the largest and "freest" distribution of GNU/Linux, so it will be with great sadness if I do switch, and I'll probably hold out for awhile to see how things go with Etch.
Don't let a pesky browser slow you down
Switching distro is an adventure that I don't want to go on too often as it is. Debian is good quality software; just consider that if you don't like what they do with the browser and email client from the Dark Side (Mozilla to them), nothing stops you from downloading either the compiled binaries or the tarballs and install them yourself... Personally I'd go with the binaries, so as to be able to use automatic updates and reduce the hassle.
Don't forget, Free software is about freedom: you don't like Debian's browser? Don't use it.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Personally I'd go with the
Personally I'd go with the binaries, so as to be able to use automatic updates and reduce the hassle.
Yeah, with a single user desktop system (windos like) installing the binaries from Mozilla works fine, but it's downward dumb in a multi-users system. The thing is, Firefox upstream isn't designed to run on anything isn't single user, Debian patches, for example, disable the auto-update feature.
Or do you want to install a single copy and then run the browser as root? (=
'run as root'
bleah - however, you can merely install the build in /opt, and give users right to read/write the /opt/firefox directory (not recommended) or start it as root when an update is available (not exactly safe, but controlled) or assign it to an 'update' account that would have read/write access to it, but who can't login on the machine - just be called to host a process. Anyway there must be a solution.
When you need to administer several computers, then you may want to package the build as .deb (or .rpm) and then spread it like any other package, so this is a non-issue.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
When you need to administer
When you need to administer several computers, then you may want to package the build as .deb (or .rpm) and then spread it like any other package, so this is a non-issue.
Several computers used as single user system, Firefox is designed to run on those systems, so no troubles.
The problems arise when you use thin (or fat) clients and home dirs shared on a single server, users's number can reach easily the thousands, saw and used myself a system with more than 3000 registered users, so it's a quite common scenario.
The workarounds you suggest above (using root or an admin account to install it) probably works, but you still have numerous instances of Firefox that want to be updated when a new version is available but don't have write access to the installation dir, so even if it's a non fatal error (dunno, never tried), how many puzzled users will contact the IT staff about it?
As i've said above, Firefox isn't designed for multi user system, on Debian the auto-update feature is removed, IIRC with a patch cause there isn't an option on the upstream code...
Shallow understanding
Get half a little piece of clue before spouting off. Mozilla Corp is forcing this issue. And Ubuntu will have to follow suit.
'forcing the issue' - rightly so
As a matter of fact, Ubuntu will recompile Mozilla's official tarball and keep the branding. See Terry's post at the end to, as you say, 'get a clue'.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
This wont be the first time GPL code has been forked and renamed - look at the trillions of me-too Linux distros out there - it seems to be the name of the game. Why get all worked up about one more - for fork sake!
Frankly, who gives a toss what the browser is called - Iceweasel, SnowElephant, LowTemperatureFerret - so long as the damn thing works, use it. If it don't, chuck it.
Its easy to notice how other people might be taking things too seriously or puritanical, but we must be careful not to do the exact same thing, and end up take too seriously the thing they are taking too seriously. Dont over-react to their over-reaction.
Actually I dont think it is really possible to take ethics and morality too seriously. Football yes, morality no.
Important issues with software are ethics, speed, reliability, functionality, behaviour of the user interface, documentation, support, etc. Im quite sure the name of the software does not find a place in that list.
football and morality
I really hope your comment is sarcastic.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
No, it's not sarcasm...
"Cannot take X too seriously."
Is an English idiom which means "X is very serious".
"Too" in this instance means "overly" or "more than necessary", not just "very". This is actually the literal meaning of "too". The conceit is that X is so serious that no matter how seriously you take it, it isn't "too" seriously.
So, in fact, he meant that "morality is serious, while football is not" (not the other way around).
The problem, if anything, is the peculiar idea that trademarks are "immoral". At most, I would classify them as "legally inconvenient" in this case.
Don't forget other architectures.
Debian runs on more than just one machine type and architecture. Mozilla won't support any other than their main binaries. Try running the distributed FireFox on ARM/Sparc sometime. There is also the question that Debian had an understanding with Mozilla that what they were doing was appropriate - this issue has been rumbling for about two years on and off. Mozilla revoked the apparent permission at short notice, also seeminglyly refusing Debian the right to become a Mozilla Community edition - it's there in email threads from Mozilla and Eric Dorland. Some Mozilla folk also appear to claim that Ubuntu is fine, whereas Ubuntu has the same issues - and may well follow Debian to forking the name. The codebase will stay the same with the minimal change of branding for the release of Etch.
if Debian runs on several architecture...
...so does Firefox; to comply with the logo and name restrictions, you need to use the official *tarball* - meaning you can compile it for ARM and Solaris, and still use the Firefox name and logo. You may even send the compiled version to the Mozilla devs, who will then put it in the 'contributed' builds directory.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Debian isn't always evil...
Debian tried for years (!) to find a compromise on Mozilla trademark licensing.In fact, they did have an agreement with Mozilla so that they could keep the name as "firefox" (not calling it "Mozilla firefox") and not using the official logo. A few days before the planned release freeze, Mozilla suddenly changes theirposition and says the agreement is null and void.
BTW, the position of one of the Debian coders working on Firefox/Iceweasel is enlightening:
Mike Hommey's Blog entry
And Ubuntu is likely to follow Debian after their edgy release in this matter -- since they have as much choice in this matter as Debian does.
Anyway, solution 1.) doesn't work if you see how many patches are already in from Firefox upstream (and can't really be taken in by Mozilla since their Debian-specific)
Solution 2) is essentially what they're doing, but if they would base their branding on a prerelease version, they're essentially shipping prerelease code. Putting on "Deer Park" branding and artwork onto a stable Firefox 2.0 release wouldbe as much work as putting on "Iceweasel" branding and artwork and wouldn't be as misleading.
Solution 3) is hardly what anyone would want - not shipping Firefox-like code?Come on! That's giving up altogether. In fact, Debian's gnome and kde metapackages already do not install firefox but konqueror/epiphany. Still, Debian needs to offer users a firefox-like choice.
Solution 4) is what they though about, since they actually do a lot of backporting work. Certainly the situation would have been better if this didn't come as an inter-project conflict. Still, membership doesn't guarantee one of the essential freedoms of free software: the freedom to modify code at will. The mozilla community might still override their Debian members and disallow them from shipping patches they don't like. Look how heavily patched the Linux kernel is in mostdistros to see why a restrictive patching policy (based on trademark law) wouldn't work.
So, Solution 5) is the only sane one. But yeah, of course everyone bashes Debian. Sad.
The 5 solutions and the compromise after the list...
...that as long as Mozilla supports a branch of Firefox, Debian uses Mozilla's tarballs; and once it is no longer 'officially' supported, they switch it either back to the branch's code name (here, Deer Park) or any thingamajig they come up with (IceWeasel would fit, it's frozen in time and low-profile).
As to bashing Debian, well, the Firefox developers had a hard enough time finding a name that no one would try to get away from them (remember, they had trouble with Phoenix Technologies - the BIOS maker, then with Firebird - the database) not to be wary of future brand names problems: letting Debian (or any distribution) get away with branding 'Firefox' a competing browser could be very bad if, say, Microsoft branded IE8 'Firefox' because it contains, say, Gecko's XML parser - the Debian case would create a precedent. I know, it's unlikely, but still a risk.
So while I can understand that some Debian developers don't like being ordered by copyright owners to stop ignoring someone else's licence, they do appear high strung and childish in their reaction: 'IceWeasel' and a sad weasel humping the world put on Firefox' code is not only uninspired, but almost insulting too.
It is true however that Mozilla have tightened their hold on the brand name, and done so in a violent manner. However, if they had to wait for all distro's release dates to 'get nasty', they'd never be able to do so.
I've also read the content of the post made on glandium.org. I'm sorry, but while it may seem logical to link to external libraries when possible, if some of them are kept built-in, it may be because of some stability worries; for example, Gecko may not take as kindly to libpng version 1.13 than it does to libpng version 1.35.
As to the libstdc++ requirement, having right now a distribution providing Firefox with its artwork intact yet still linking against libstdc++6, I don't think it stands.
The build scripts are another concern, and right there I agree with the Debian developers: if they can be made to support more platforms, then it shouldn't be a factor against them. However, considering build scripts don't ship with final products and actually have no 'real' impact on the generated code, they may not be that important.
diff files: well, a 100,000 lines diff may make a lot of sense to the one generating it, but to the developer getting it, it's another matter: why not a diff for the build scripts, one for the actual modifications and one for the Debian tree? Do you expect Mozilla programmers to be intimate with Debian's CVS?
The last time such a large patch was posted in a project, it was one supposed to enable 64-bit compilation of Openoffice.org; it was estimated to create so much overhead to QA that they preferred spending months splitting it up. Same thing on Wine when the WineD3D patch was introduced: it was merely copying lines from one file to another, yet the actual integration took 6 months and dozens of patches. Mozdev's objection was understandable.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Mozilla is quite unreasonable
I can understand them requiring a special license to use the name. But what's all this garbage about graphics? What about requiring approval of any changes to the code? That's absolute nonsense. What's really annoying about this is that Mozilla is whining. Hey, someone's forking the code, that's the whole point of software freedom. If you don't like Mozilla's restrictions (and it's just as easy to redistribute Internet Explorer as it is to redistribute Firefox) then you have every right to fork it. I'm so happy they did.
Maybe they can fix this feature-creeped beast that always crashes in Ubuntu. Frankly, they seem to be focusing all their efforts on Windows (that's fine, it pays their salaries) so as an Ubuntu user, I agree completely with Debian. It's not a freedom if you can't use it.
I LOVE IT when people exercise their freedom for the mere sake of exercising their freedom! It's none of Mozilla's business what Debian decides to do. Don't think restrictions are a problem? Look at the Flash release. What if Microsoft slips Mozilla a couple million bucks to stop development of Firefox for Linux? They could do it and I don't think anyone would complain about a fork then.
Debian is free to do as they wish. It has zero effect on anybody else and I would hate them if they didn't stand up for software freedom.
Mozilla doesn't complain about the code forking
...but about the code fork using their name and graphics - because since those are the most prominent part of the 'glamour' surrounding the browser they've promoted, they don't want said fork to be identified as being theirs while it's been modified by Debian.
As to the auto-update feature, those distributions that use Mozilla's tarballs, well, they can disable their compiled version's configuration file so that auto-update is disabled - and updates are then pushed through the distribution's packaging system (or your local package repository that you use to spread your own updates on LAN).
That's the case for Mandriva, for example; and it works in their x86-32, x86-64 and PPC ports.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Obivous bias
Rather than spouting biased FUD such as "a sad blue-grey weasel humping a planet", perhaps you should try doing some research into where they came up with the Iceweasel name.
Was Debian's solution the best choice? Only time will tell for sure, though I tend to doubt that it was. However when you go around spitting out vitriol like this, you should shoot for a more balanced perspective.
I looked a bit further...
...and found out that apparently, the Debian and GNU efforts resulting in IceWeasel weren't lead by the same persons; the Debian one was actually a knee-jerk reaction that reused the name used by the GNU's project. In fact, the GNU project doesn't seem to even provide the graphics used by Debian IceWeasel.
The point I was trying to make in my post was that although Debian had several possible solutions open to them, they chose the one that will arguably hurt the most: they created a complete fork and decided to keep it to themselves (don't tell me they keep it 'open', if they did they would do better than provide unstructured 100,000 lines diffs - it's something I'd expect from Apple, not from Debian!).
Debian ain't GNU; GNU's approach is to reuse the code created by the Mozilla foundation/group/thingie and strip if of intellectual property problems, yet report back modifications they made.
Right now, Firefox contains 2 non-free components: its artwork (and I made a point about it) and the Talkback extension (can be removed at install or any time after that). Removing Talkback doesn't require a change in branding. Once removed, it's still Firefox. Changing default config options isn't forbidden: they can be accessed post-build through about:config anyway. Adding themes isn't discouraged: several are already provided in the source tarball. What's left? Changing build scripts to support more platforms? Since those are only used to direct the compiler, they are not considered part of the source code anyway - they don't contribute to the binary (nothing prevents you from building the application one library at a time and to pass compile options every time)
The artwork. Remove it, it's not Firefox anymore - so don't call it that; however it's not built into the binary, so it could be contained by another package, right?
Let's say you have 3 packages: deerpark-core-18.104.22.168, firefox-brand-nonfree-22.214.171.124 and iceweasel-brand-free-126.96.36.199; when deerpark is built from unmodified Mozilla tarballs, deerpark accepts both 'brand' packages; when those have been modified, deerpark will require uninstalling of firefox brand package.
What pissed off the Mozilla developers was the 2,345 lines (or something) buried in the 100,000 lines of codes provided upstream; why not provide these lines by themselves? Frankly, if you were working on a multipage record of an extreme importance, someone borrows your copy then gives it back to you saying they made corrections, but without marking them; would you appreciate having markings saying where those corrections are instead of an almost complete copy, with their styles added to yours and polluting your formating?
Working on someone else's code is a pain; most projects have different rules of formatting. It's bad practice to take someone else's code and modify the formatting; you provide your corrections in a legible fashion so that, upstream, said fix can be integrated smoothly with the rest of the code and follow their quality insurance guidelines.
Mozilla say that only code that went through their QA can be called Firefox; considering how hard they work to maintain the code, it can be respected. Debian refuse other distributions based off their code (even unmodified packages) to use 'Debian' in their naming. So pot, this is kettle.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Why is everyone up in arms about this?
I truly fail to see why people are making such a big deal of all this.
As I see it, Mozilla have exercised their rights over the artwork and name of their product. Their licence permits others to modify and redistribute the code but not with the same name and icon. Seems fair enough to me.
Debian want to be able to modify the code to suit their distro and one of the main points of Debian is that the stuff that makes it into main must be free. Firefox as dictated by Mozilla's licence is not. By not using the Firefox name and icon they have simply adhered to Mozilla's requests and kept the browser available to users who choose to deploy it as a Debian package.
Why is this a problem for everyone - on either "side"? I'm not even sure why there are sides to this. Beyond Debian and Mozilla - themselves why is this even an issue?
Have Debian been a little childish with the choice of new name? Probably but they have chosen something far removed from Firefox as they can - they could have quite easily called it "The Debian Browser" but in the end what does the name matter - as long as it's not Firefox they're in the clear. If it helps they have been as consistently silly with their new name for Thunderbird (IceDove).
Mozilla get to keep their product intact as they want it. Debian gets to keep it's distribution as free as it has always been. Everybody is happy - except of course the thousands of people who are making such a deal out of not much at all (bit like I just have I guess :o) ).
P.S. As for the icon - I am not aware of any official announcement on that yet and all the proposals I have seen have come from Ubuntu forums and not Debian. The humping weasel one seems to have gone around the web because of its controversial appearance rather than from any decision to use it or any of the others. Bit unfair to blame Debian for that one I feel.
'bit unfair' - well true...
...considering not all Debian developers wanted this to happen. However a vitriolic post by one of those who insisted on the name and artwork change became extremely popular and was showing off the Mozilla foundation (and developers) in a very bad light.
Unfortunately, the loudmouths are usually the ones everybody hear; having promoted Firefox since the days it was called Phoenix, I felt it was my moral duty to speak my mind about this matter. After all, had it been a GNU project that had revived the browser market, and Debian having been leader in its implementation and development, those same loudmouths could take the moral high ground. It is, however, a bunch of people who wanted to make the Web more accessible to everybody who managed it - be it through obscure, copyrighted binaries, GPL-locked tarballs or 'free-er' LGPL compiled libraries.
Please note that I'm not saying all Debian developers are to blame; only a few are, but it seems epidemic that in Debian, every time a hurdle appears, no resolution can be taken - or it's a very questionable one.
A computer is like air conditioning: it becomes useless when you open windows.
Okay, so I read a bit more
And the truth is plain as day what this is really about.
Debian is having a hissy fit because Mozilla applied a license to their logo art for Firefox, which effectively says what trademark says about it anyway.
But, Debian decides to interpret it as a non-free license, and strip the logo, putting some bogus alternative logo, linked to the name Firefox, under their previous agreement.
But of course, Mozilla, very understandably doesn't want the trademark "Firefox" to be used with an incorrect logo (it's brand dilution).
The patches to the source tree are a complete red-herring. This is about trying to use half of the branding. So, rather than acknowledging the correct use of trademarks (which of course Debian insists upon for their own logo, which is apparently "non-free" in exactly the same way as the Firefox logo), and including both logo and name trademarks, they decided to overreact by throwing both out.
Sorry, but to me, it still looks like Debian is the group being petulant in this scenario.
Of course, I don't mean to suggest that they aren't entitled to do that, as some people appear to feel is being suggested here. No, they'd be perfectly within their rights to limit the distribution strictly to GPL-licensed content, or even strictly BSD-licensed content, or whatever.
The issue is whether Debian is losing its relevance as a free-software flagship, by over-emphasizing the wrong issues. In particular, it seems that Debian has obsessed on the idea that Creative Commons is wrong in principle for claiming that "content" is distinct from software "code" in how "free licensing" should be interpreted. I think though that Debian's boatload of package licensing problems (binary blobs, "source code" for artwork, kicking out By-SA documentation, etc) is really just proving Creative Commons' point: content really is different.
And if Debian never realizes that, then they'll probably just become increasingly irrelevant until someone else takes over the flagship position.
I think the reason why Ubuntu will be able to keep the Firefox name is because they will keep the logo, and so they'll be able to seek approval from Mozilla and get it.
Debian developers complaining about this situation are insensitive to this very real point that Mozilla has about controlling their brand image. This is in fact, closely tied to artistic integrity issues that are present in the CC licenses' attribution terms.
can Ubuntu exist without Debian?
I am a Debian user and have been for about eight years, but I think I might be trying Ubuntu sooner than I thought. Could Ubuntu continue to exist if Debian were no longer around? That is a serious question, by the way. Can Ubuntu exist on its own?
No and yes
"No", because Ubuntu is based on Debian.
However, "yes", because should Debian become too extremist, it's quite possible that Ubuntu could in some sense "become" Debian (that is, inherit its pivotal role as the largest "deb" distribution or become the most important fork—something like this happened to XFree86 recently when it adopted a license some developers thought was "non-free", resulting ultimately in the new X.org fork of X).
Of course, that isn't really necessary, and Debian would probably continue just fine, even if no one actually used stock Debian on their computers (or only Debian developers did). It might persist solely as a distribution from which others are derived.


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Tonight is the night to learn a bit more about Eagle County's history and perhaps even take a piece of it home.The Eagle County Historical Society annual meeting is scheduled for tonight, Nov. 29, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagle Public Library. The meeting will include a demonstration of "History Take-Out" — a hands-on program created by History Colorado (the Colorado Historical Society) for third- and fourth-grade students.Meeting participants will use "artifacts" such as buffalo bones, a beaver hide and an assayer's scale to learn about the movement of early people in Colorado from Native Americans to the miners of 1870. Artifacts including tools and clothing help teach about some of the pioneering industries in Colorado. Timelines, maps and old photographs add historical perspective to the lesson.For the first time, this year's meeting will also include a silent auction for a few "excess" items from the museum archives, including antique bottles, branding irons, newspapers from the World War II era and magazines from the 1960s. The general public as well as ECHS members are invited to attend and families are welcome.For more information, contact Kathy Heicher at 328-7104 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Personal use Christmas tree tags are now available from all offices of the White River National Forest.Christmas tree cutting is allowed in most areas on the White River National Forest with the following exceptions: wilderness areas, commercial timber sales, recreation and ski areas, administrative areas and Glenwood Canyon. Trees may not be cut within 100 feet of any road. Maps showing where Christmas tree cutting is allowed are available at all offices where permits are sold. Permits cost $10 each and may be purchased with cash, check, or money order. Trees must be less than 15 feet tall from the stump with a maximum of five trees per individual. Trees are for personal use only and cannot be resold. The tags must be attached to the tree prior to cutting and must be left on the tree until it arrives at its final destination. Permits expire Dec. 31, 2012.In the Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger Districts, permits are now available at both the Eagle Ranger Station, 125 W. Fifth Street in Eagle, or at the Holy Cross Ranger Station, 24747 U.S. Highway 24 in Minturn. Permits may be purchased Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Eagle office location. Permits may also be purchased at the Minturn office location Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Minturn office will also be open Saturdays, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For additional information, please contact the Eagle Ranger District at 970-328-6388 or the Holy Cross Ranger District at 970-827-5715.
The Eagle Public Library will kick off the 2012 holiday film matinee series with a free screening of the holiday classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," on Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. The library will screen a special matinee every other Sunday throughout the month of December, with "A Christmas Story" scheduled Dec. 16, and "Bridget Jones' Diary" on Dec. 30."It's a Wonderful Life" is probably the most well-known holiday classic movie, according to Robyn Bryant, Adult Services Librarian at the Eagle Public Library. "Though it portrays the stereotypical spinster librarian in that one memorable scene, I have to admit that it is one of the very best oldies, and has stood the test of time with its message about individual significance and how we impact one another's lives."For more information, contact the library at 970-328-8800.
Member and potential members of the Gypsum Chamber will celebrate their third annual Casino Royale Holiday Party Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Gypsum Recreation Center.Festivities will include blackjack, roulette and poker played for fun, not for cash, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Food by Ekahi Grill & Catering will include haiku chicken, teriyaki beef, north shore shrimp, Kauai chicken, salad, rice and more.Local companies who would like to donate any products or items to be used as prizes throughout the event, or anyone who would like to participate as a dealer in the casino games, please contact Jessica with the Gypsum Chamber at (970)328-0109 or at email@example.com Auto and Diesel Repair will be collecting non-perishable food items at the event for local food banks.Tickets are $15 per single or $25 per couple if purchased prior to the event and $20 at the door.
The Gypsum Chamber is also looking to expand its ambassador program.Ambassadors meet monthly and help plan meetings, mixers and ribbon-cuttings. Business owners, managers and employees are welcome to join.The chamber said the program brings increased name and face recognition; increased networking opportunities; opportunities to connect one-on-one with new and existing Chamber members; increased referral opportunities through other ambassadors; an insider's perspective of the local business community; opportunities to meet local business and community leaders; chances to help the community and show community pride; and recognition via the Gypsum Chamber email marketing newsletters.
The popular Edwards Farmers Market is back in business for the winter season.Look for fresh produce and local products at the market, planned Sundays, Dec. 2 through March 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Edwards Colorado Mountain College campus.For more information about the market, contact firstname.lastname@example.com.
Gypsum Town Hall hosts Christmas Bingo from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. A seven-game pack costs $15, giving players 37 chances to win a holiday ham and Christmas cash. Proceeds benefit the Eagle Valley Booster Club.


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I began my career as an inner-city elementary teacher because I was dedicated to helping students succeed. Listening to them and helping them improve to meet their goals was at the heart of my work. Today, as the executive director of the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, I feel that passion more deeply than at any point in my career. This is a big moment for our schools—a moment in which we can deliver a system of tools that will help teachers and parents truly understand where students are excelling and more clearly identify where they need help.
We will not—and cannot—create a world-class assessment system in isolation. We have the privilege of working with educators and experts across our member states to craft an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards that will measure where students are on their path to success. These new assessments will provide an "academic checkup" by measuring real-world skills like critical thinking and problem solving. In addition, they will provide information during the year to give teachers and parents a clearer picture of where students are succeeding and where they need help.
More than 2,000 educators across our member states have contributed to...
The funny thing about eras is that it's hard to know which one you are in until it is coming to an end. As the fighting among conservatives heats up over the Common Core, the era of standards-driven reform that has defined conservative education policy for the past three decades is brought into sharper relief.
But the approach that President Reagan and his secretary of education Bill Bennett helped set in motion in the 1980s is under increasing assault from a resurgent libertarian movement and the coopting of many of the most popular ideas by a reform-minded Democratic president and his own energetic secretary of education. Is 2014 the year the conservative push for curricular and instructional excellence comes to an end?
Those looking for answers would be wise to track the increasingly acerbic discussion over the Common Core State Standards. What began as a conversation about the quality, content, and rigor of the standards has evolved into an increasingly polarized political debate that is fracturing support for one of the most enduring conservative reforms.
Just last week, University of Arkansas professor and longtime conservative education-policy researcher Jay Greene admitted that his position on standards and accountability has...
Pop quiz! Which of the following statements is in the Common Core State Standards?
(a) Through extensive reading of stories, dramas, poems, and myths from diverse cultures and different time periods, students gain literary and cultural knowledge.
(b) By reading texts in history/social studies, science, and other disciplines, students build a foundation of knowledge in these fields that will also give them the background to be better readers in all content areas.
(c) At a curricular or instructional level, texts—within and across grade levels—need to be selected around topics or themes that systematically develop the knowledge base of students.
(d) Having students listen to informational read-alouds in the early grades helps lay the necessary foundation for students' reading and understanding of increasingly complex texts on their own in subsequent grades.
(e) All of the above.
The answer is e, all of the above. Knowledge is the key to reading comprehension. It's the key to college, career, and citizenship readiness. It's the key to meeting the Common Core standards. (see pages 10 and 33 of the standards—and for even more on building knowledge, see page 6 and ...
Two months ago, a group of Catholic university professors signed a letter urging Catholic bishops and diocesan school leaders to reject the Common Core. "We believe that implementing Common Core would be a grave disservice to Catholic education in America," they argued.
…we are convinced that Common Core is so deeply flawed that it should not be adopted by Catholic schools which have yet to approve it, and that those schools which have already endorsed it should seek an orderly withdrawal now.
…we are convinced that Common Core is so deeply flawed that it should not be adopted by Catholic schools which have yet to approve it, and that those schools which have already endorsed it should seek an orderly withdrawal now.
The content of the letter itself is not surprising to anyone following the debate over the CCSS. Indeed, perhaps the most interesting thing about it is how closely it sticks to the typical anti–Common Core talking points we've heard over and over again in the past year. The authors repeat the often-cited complaint that algebra is taught too late, point to the (misguided, in my opinion) concern that adopting the CCSS will sideline great literature in English classrooms, and argue that Common Core is aimed not at college readiness but, rather, at "standardized workforce preparation." In short, the bulk of it looked less like a thoughtful and uniquely Catholic critique of the Core than...
As Rick Hess and Michael McShane stress in their recent volume Common Core Meets Education Reform, it is foolhardy not to consider how the Common Core standards fit into the broader education-reform agenda. How these competing reforms and policies will impact one another remains to be seen.
In this final blog post on how states are handling accountability in the transition to the Common Core, we focus on one such external factor: ESEA waivers. To date, the vast majority of states have received permission to adjust their accountability systems and gain flexibility from NCLB's stringent "adequate-yearly-progress" requirements. But how do existing accountability provisions affect Common Core implementation across our small sample of states?
Though ESEA waivers were granted to give states additional flexibility, states are now finding themselves locked into a set of new, yet still restrictive, federal policies.
States that adopted the Common Core and applied for ESEA waivers are now finding themselves in a difficult place. While most states have adopted more rigorous academic standards, they remain accountable to prior waiver commitments to improve student achievement and instructional quality. The U.S. Department of Education has permitted waiver states to postpone using student achievement to evaluate educators and...
This is the third post on how a handful of states are approaching accountability during the transition to the Common Core State Standards. We've learned that most are putting high-stakes accountability on hold and are treading carefully when it comes to assessments.
But real implementation occurs at the school and classroom level. So what do state officials say about their efforts to prepare educators to teach to the new standards?
They express conviction that teachers are being adequately prepared to teach the new standards (no surprise!). Yet the quality and effectiveness of Common Core trainings and professional development is unclear (ditto!).
In our interviews, stakeholders frequently referenced state-sponsored and state-recommended professional-development opportunities, trainings, and resources for teachers. They expressed confidence that teachers were being prepared adequately through these offerings. Yet missing was any discussion of whether and how states are assessing the effectiveness of these offerings. And if the quality of these supports is unclear, so is overall educator readiness.
In Massachusetts, for instance, officials stressed that educators were heavily involved in efforts to revise the state's standards, curriculum, and assessments, all of which meld the Common Core and the state's prior content standards. As was...
Long before the Common Core State Standards were on anyone's radar, the "reading wars" raged furiously. They began as a fight about the best way to teach children how to read in the early grades, and the camps were divided between advocates of "whole language" and "phonics." Today, the battles continue, though the issues have grown increasingly complicated and their implications extend well beyond the early grades and the phonics/whole-language divide.
Recent debates over reading instruction in the Common Core era have included skirmishes among three helpful—and ultimately complementary—approaches: "close reading," "knowledge first," and "skills and strategies." All three of these are miles better than a fourth (but increasingly popular) approach: "just right texts."
Let's examine them.
One flashpoint in the reading debate emerged in 2011, after a lead author of the Common Core ELA standards, David Coleman, challenged teachers with a new vision for reading instruction. It entailed ratcheting up the complexity of texts that students read—something the Common Core explicitly demands—and encouraging students to plunge directly into the text itself, rather than spending time pre-teaching background content and vocabulary (an approach about which the standards themselves are silent). This version of close reading focuses on three...
In this blog series, we're examining how five states—Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York—are approaching accountability in the transition to Common Core. Earlier this week, we explained that an accountability moratorium is already in place, at least in the states we've studied.
One reason that state education officials are hitting the pause button on accountability is that the tests used to assess student achievement are still in flux. State-consortia-designed tests will not be operational until next school year (2014–15), but time does not stand still for test developers. So we wanted to know, how are states approaching assessment during the transition?
Overall, states are treading carefully and strategically, since the quality of the forthcoming tests is still unknown.
One approach we observed is to modify existing state exams to cover the content of both the old state standards and the Common Core. In Massachusetts, the state's new MA 2011 standards are actually a combination of the pre-existing state standards and CCSS; each year, additional Common Core content is being integrated into MCAS. In Colorado, the state is using TCAP, a transitional exam bridging its old standards and the Common Core standards. Officials explain that this paced approach...
One flashpoint in the reading debate emerged in 2011, after a lead author of the Common Core ELA standards, David Coleman, challenged teachers with a new vision for reading instruction. It entailed ratcheting up the complexity of texts that students read—something the Common Core explicitly demands—and encouraging students to plunge directly into the text itself, rather than spending time pre-teaching background content and vocabulary (an approach about which the standards themselves are silent). This version of...
Many states across the nation are well underway with the challenging work of implementing the Common Core State Standards. But what does a thoughtful transition from existing to new standards look like? And what are the implications for accountability systems in the interim?
This past August and September, the research team at Fordham interviewed officials and policy advocates in five states—Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, and New York—to get a sense of how they are approaching accountability in the transition to the Common Core. We asked stakeholders about their plans for using student data during this transition period, and in particular what the "stakes" would be for schools, educators, and students. While we found nuances in each state, four patterns emerged across our small sample. The first is discussed in this post, with three to follow over the next few weeks.
Punitive consequences associated with accountability are largely being put on hold during the transition to Common Core.
Policymakers and educators alike are grappling with the reality that the inputs (for example, state tests) used in accountability measures are changing—and they seem resistant to using student test data to trigger negative consequences usually associated with poor performance. Of particular concern is...