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Memphis, Tenn. – July 2, 2014 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released its report on 2014 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total populations were estimated at 49.2 million breeding ducks in the surveyed area. This estimate represents an 8-percent increase from last year's estimate of 45.6 million birds, and is 43 percent higher than the 1955-2013 long-term average. This continues a three-year trend of exceptional water conditions and population numbers for many species.
"It looks like another good waterfowl breeding year for a good portion of the prairies and the boreal forest," said DU CEO Dale Hall. "Precipitation in the form of snow and rain has provided sufficient water to fill important wetlands in key breeding habitats. We hope this will result in good production and another great flight of birds migrating in the fall. DU and its partners continue to work hard to protect and restore habitat to provide for the needs of these birds and so much more. While we still have much work to do in delivering habitat and securing key conservation policies for sustaining these populations, we are heartened by the good results we have seen in the past few years."
The main determining factor for duck breeding success is wetland and upland habitat conditions in the key breeding landscapes of the prairies and the boreal forest. Conditions observed across the U.S. and Canadian survey areas during the 2014 breeding population survey were improved or similar to last year. Total pond counts for the U.S. and Canada combined showed 7.2 million ponds, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and 40 percent above the long-term average.
"Reports from DU biologists indicate a strong breeding effort across the prairies," said DU Chief Conservation Officer Paul Schmidt. "This is despite late winter conditions that delayed nesting activity in some areas by one to two weeks. We need more moisture in the Western Boreal Forest and in parts of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, and higher-than-usual water levels have posed some challenges for nesters in the Eastern Region. But overall this is a good breeding season, and depending on local conditions hunters across North America should look forward to another strong fall flight."
"This spring, as has been the case for the past several years, saw abundant moisture across much of North America's most important duck breeding areas," said DU Chief Biologist Scott Yaich. "That bodes well for duck breeding success this summer and, we hope, for hunting this fall. But we remain concerned with the continuing and escalating loss of nesting habitat in these areas. Because ducks need water, wetlands to hold the water and upland habitats to successfully raise their young, the ongoing loss of grasslands and wetlands across the Prairie Pothole Region will increasingly impact the number of ducks in the fall flight in the long-term."
The spring surveys provide the scientific basis for many management programs across the continent, including hunting season dates and bag limits. The four flyway councils and the US Fish and Wildlife Service Regulations Committee will meet in late July to recommend the season structure and bag limits for 2014-15. Individual states will make their specific selections within a federal framework of season length, bag limit and dates. Hunters should check the rules in their states for final dates.
Species estimates are:
Mallards: 10.9 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and 42% above the long-term average.
Gadwall: 3.8 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and 102% above the long-term average.
American wigeon: 3.1 million, which is 18% above the 2013 estimate and 20% above the long-term average.
Green-winged teal: 3.4 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and 69% above the long-term average.
Blue-winged teal: 8.5 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and 75% above the long-term average.
Northern shovelers: 5.3 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and 114% above the long-term average.
Northern pintails: 3.2 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimates and were 20% below the long-term average.
Redheads: 1.3 million, which is similar to their 2013 estimates and were 85% above the long-term average.
Canvasbacks: 0.7 million, which is similar to their 2013 estimates and were 18% above the long-term average.
Scaup: 4.6 million, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and similar to the long-term average.
Black ducks (Eastern Survey Area): 619,000, which is similar to the 2013 estimate and similar to the long-term average.
View all the data and get a species-by-species breakdown at www.ducks.org/DuckNumbers .
Read Full Survey Report
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/DucksUnlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/DucksUnlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/DucksUnlimitedInc.
Eric Keszler
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act into law.
First duck stamp, designed by Pulitzer-prize winning editorial cartoonist, Jay N. "Ding" Darling, issued.
Prairie drought peaks.


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- Root for the Rossoneri!
- Currently Unavailable
Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo came to AC Milan from Fiorentina in the summer of 2012. He came up through Atalanta's youth academy and started his senior career there. Today, he is applauded for his versatility in the midfield as a playmaker, creative passer and attacker. Montolivo is also an Italian national, and made his first appearance for the national senior squad in 2007.
Support your favorite stars of the San Siro in this AC Milan third jersey from adidas.
This ClimaCool jersey has the adidas logo and AC Milan team badge embroidered on the front with the kit sponsor heat-transferred below. Miniature breast pocket on the right side.
100% polyester. Imported.
Lamentamos que todavia no hay descripción en español para este producto.

subset: commoncrawl


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NEW: For a prettier blog interface, see the Wordpress version!
Headlines for Thursday:
- Reply to Wayne Young - sent today
- E-mail to Wayne Young
- E-mail to Wayne Young
Inbox items: 10 as of 22:30
I'd love to hear about any questions, comments, suggestions or links that you might have. Your comments will not be posted on this website immediately, but will be e-mailed to me first. You can use this form to get in touch with me, or e-mail me at [email protected] .


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Workers sets up a stage for the media next to St Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's last public audience Wednesday, at the Vatican, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013. Pope Benedict XVI has changed the rules of the conclave that will elect his successor, allowing cardinals to move up the start date if all of them arrive in Rome before the usual 15-day transition between pontificates. Benedict signed a legal document, issued Monday, with some line-by-line changes to the 1996 Vatican law governing the election of a new pope. It is one of his last acts as pope before resigning Thursday. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)


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In Their Own Words – Our Time of Hope
This "In Their Own Words" is written by Matthew Asner, a film and television producer. He has a son with autism and has dedicated himself to working with charitable organizations such as Autism Speaks and fighting for the rights of those with special needs and in special education with his organization, Save Special Education. Asner was nominated for GQ's The Better Men Better World Search. If he wins the competition, Autism Speaks will receive $10,000.
"We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope."
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I begin and end this post with quotes about hope. It is hope that drives me. It is hope that brings life to every second of my day. With so much hardship around us these days, hope is in short supply. We need our friends and neighbors now more than ever.
Four years ago my son was diagnosed with autism. Of course, this was devastating to me and my wife. I have a brother with autism and I had seen the constant struggle by my father and his wife to make sure my brother had consistent and appropriate help. I knew firsthand that the diagnosis of autism meant that raising my son would require a different, more demanding manner of care than that of his older, typical brother. But, when one of my son's doctors told me that she didn't believe he would be able to care for himself in the future and that we should make arrangements for his care, it was as if a gun went off in the examination room – BANG! She had just killed my hope. Murdered it in cold blood.
I walked to my car and sat for a while. I was close to tears and I knew my wife was crying in her car. A horrible thought came into my head. Why couldn't she have told me he had cancer? At least then we would have a fighting chance. I walked around in a hopeless cloud for a year or so.
After attending my first Walk Now for Autism Speaks event, I realized that there were a world of people who wanted to feel the same way that I wanted to feel. My hope had been restored. The Walks made me a believer in the phrase "there is safety in numbers." This is when I began to get involved with the special needs community.
As invigorating and empowering as those Walk days are, unfortunately, in daily life the autism community is fractured. Race, class, disability and, most of all, fatigue fracture us. All of this makes it difficult to come together and stand as one. At an Autism Speaks Walk, we stand as one. The time has come for us to do this every day.
As you all know, our economy is in terrible shape. As a result, the special needs community has seen programs slashed or eradicated completely, making it increasingly more difficult for families to deal with the additional stress. In these trying times, it is imperative for us to come together as a group.
Next time you are at a Walk, look around you. There will probably be 10,000 to 20,000 people there. We are an important voice. We are a passionate, strong group. And I hope being together makes you feel the same way it makes me feel. When I am at a Walk and I talk to people and take part in this energizing union of people with at least one common issue, I feel motivated. I feel power. Most of all, I feel hope.
It is up to us to take what we feel on those Walk days and incorporate it into our daily lives. If we are truly going to change the world and make it a better place for our children, we have to do it together. We have to join groups, and write to and demand representation from our elected officials, school superintendents and school boards. We have to know our rights and fight for what we are legally entitled to when we go into IEP meetings. We must find ways to be less intimidated by the process.
This can be our time – a time where we all come together and stand for the rights of our children and our rights as parents of a child living with autism. If we are alone, we are without hope. Together, we can change the world and make hope live.
"Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles."
– Samuel Smiles
"In Their Own Words" is a series within the Autism Speaks blog which shares the voices of people who have autism, as well as their loved ones. If you have a story you wish to share about your personal experience with autism, please send it to email@example.com. Autism Speaks reserves the right to edit contributions for space, style and content. Because of the volume of submissions, not all can be published on the site.
July 22, 2010 at 3:17 pm
My son with autism Devin is 24 I don't know what a full nights sleep is and never have. Most important I remember the day I visited a group home at the insistence of His Special Ed.Director. Let me tell you when I left my chest hurt so bad and I could not contain the tears. God gave me this child for a reason and I have to remind myself there is a plan. So every day I hope for a good one and when they are not I pray that they are over soon.
July 23, 2010 at 12:06 pm
My grandaughter Kaity is almost 12. After much fighting with the medical oommunity and resources Kaity was finally officially diagnosed Autistic at age 3. Our family knew long before we recieved the "offical" diagnosis what Kaity had. I have been fortunate enough to have been closly involved in Kaity's life from the moment of her birth. For a time she lived with me. I understand the locks on everything in the house. The sleepless nights, the IEP's begging teachers for equipment and more therapies for her. Fighting the Florida social service system that is apathetic at best with regard to providing alternative affordable options. Kaity has been on a long term waiting list for whatever form of residential care some will benefit from. Her 7 yr old sister,Amy,is as normal as anyone or anything can be in a household dealing with severe autism. My daughter struggles with the guilt that the autism brings to so many areas of her life. This past Wednesday she was informed that a home for Kaity has been found. Our best dreams and our worst nightmares realized all at the same time. The home is that of a foster home with several normal children. Both parents have recieved extensive training in all aspects of behavioral issues and needs of these wonderful children. The mother has founded 2 group homes in her area and remains active in the Autism community. Unfortunately,due to the economic and employment market at this time the father is working out of state in Georgia. He comes home every weekend. Despite the intense emotions this situation involks and after serious prayer I believe it is in Kaity's best interest to go to this home. There are many questions that need to be answered and much to be researched about the people and background of the foster family. Goals for Kaity need to be set and discussed. She will be living in Ft.Myers which is a 5 hr drive for us. I know you all know about this kind of heartache and emotional tidal wave. Too many questions to ask,too much to digest and come to peace with. I very much need and want any and all advice anyone can offer. I'm not sure how to support or what to say to my daughter to help her through this. I know I need to be a committed listener and allow her the opportunity to have a safe place to bring her fears. I have never been more than 3 days without physical contact with Kaity. How do I let go even though I know this is not about me at all. This is about what is best for Kaity.
Thank you
Christine E.Hutchinson
July 26, 2010 at 11:14 am
Keep praying for the Lord's guidance. I am also praying for you, Kaity and your family. My son is 6 years old and was diagnosed autistic at 2. I have not been able to afford all the therapies that he needs…. only received the basic 90 mins speech and 60 mins OT per week in the Florida system. That Medicaid Waiver waiting list is a joke and I had to fight and cry in the IEP meetings just to get the basic. However, in the last year Branden has been making astonishing improvements. It started with putting him in a small special needs private school with the McKay scholarship where the staff is unbelievably loving and devoted to the children. I changed his diet cutting out junk food and leaning toward the casein free/ gluten free foods (very hard because he is an extremely picky eater). Added supplements (probiotics, calcium, magnesium, cod liver oil, glutathione, etc).
On my end, I changed my attitude: stopped feeling sorry, angry, hopeless, etc and became determined to not only help him get through each day but also heal him. We smother him with love and laughter: hugs and kisses every chance we get. Most important is that I placed my trust in the Lord and turned it over to Him and He has been answering my prayers and the prayers of my wonderful family and friends. Every day I am amazed at the new things Branden is now saying and doing…. he has a great sense of humor. :-) He still has a long way to go but I am confident he will get there.
So just remember that any and everything is possible when you put your trust in the Lord. God bless and guide you and your family and those that will care for Kaity.
July 27, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hi Tanya,
I totally agree with you. My 5 year old son was diagnosed at 3. He is still non-verbal. We too have to contend with the limited OT and Speech he gets, but we do some on our own. I am going back to school for speech therapy so that I can help him more. God has been our strength throughout this experience as well. When people tell me how sorry they are for him, I tell them not to be. Aiden is amazing. God has placed him in our lives to do great things. Whose standard is normal? Maybe we are the ones that are not normal. We are the ones who are not enlightened. My son is a miracle and we treat him as that, finding out the things he loves and channeling his energies into that.
We too have the McKay scholarship, but are finding a hard time locating a school in South Florida that will address his needs. Where does Branden go?
July 23, 2010 at 12:08 pm
I'm new to this site and don't know quite what to expect. When I wanted to submit the information that my comment was not right was given. So here is my comment. God really loves us to trust us with these incredible special children. I pray we will all find the answers we so earnestly seek. Christine Hutchinson
July 23, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Christine, I can relate as many who read these comments can. My mother is a "hands-on" Grandmother like you and she doesn't go a day hardly without seeing my son who was diagnosed with autism formally at age 5. I have a friend who recently had to make the decision to send her son to a group home…I feel her heartache every time she crosses my mind which is often. I, too, think about if I will ever have to make that decision and it scares me to death. God gave my son to me and I always want it to stay that way. I have a "typical" daughter who is Bryan's (my son) twin. She is so understanding about the special way I have to handle things when Bryan is concerned and I worry that I take away from both of them but I will say as they've gotten older (almost 12 now) it has gotten a bit easier. I know all the difficult dealings with teachers and schools and will have to learn a whole new school this year as the twins will both go to a new middle school. My applause to you for being such a big help to your daughter and grandchilren. I always believed that God gives special children to special people…I feel blessed! My best wishes to your family and Kaity!
July 23, 2010 at 5:53 pm
The watery sun , cast its feeble light over the small nursery garden. Standing by the
gateway, i watched the little boy, running round and round , trying to follow the other
children as they played, their cries of pleasure , seeming to urge him on , to greater
efforts . I could see , the other children could sense he was different, and for the most
part, left him to his own devices, almost as if he were invisible. You see, this wee boy, is
my son, beautiful, loving, and intelligent, but god saw fit to wire his young mind differently
than others, for reasons that are far beyond my understanding . I look at his beautiful
face, search the dark eyes, for any flicker of comprehension, and all i see is confusion,
and a longing to belong, to join in the games, and share these happy moments of play. My
heart aches within me, as i mentally strive to reach him, to take him in my arms and
comfort him, show him how much i love him, and help him to feel a part of this world i
brought him into. You see , my son is autistic a tiny little person, craving love ,
effection, understanding, and help , from a world he does not understand, and a world that
mostly is indifferent to the plight of children such as Logan. Lastly, i just need people to
know , how proud i am of my little boy, and if unconditional love can cure the impossible, i
can only go on with renewed hope, not for me, but for logans future.
Lots of love, a proud dad,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Richard
July 27, 2010 at 9:58 am
That's beautiful. Reading this poem brought tears of joy to my eyes.
July 24, 2010 at 12:14 am
Our daughter was just diagnosed finally at the beginning of July. The signs have been there since she was born if only I had known what I was looking at. When it began to dawn on me everyone around me denied it. Family friends, I struggled so hard to get anyone to listen. Instead I was judged as being a horrible mother, why was my house never clean? Why was she always naked? I was judged for not getting her to a doctor by the very people that refused to help me take her, family no less. For years I have had to struggle on no sleep while taking care of 5 children and alwys it's people judging and judging. I almost cried in relief, now that we have moved and I have been able to get her to a doctor, get her diagnosed… people LISTENING! I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest after years of searching for answers, cringing whenever I talked to people about her, fear of judgment and yes, before I came to terms with it, the very same wish, that it was some physical illness instead. I worry for the future, but sometimes, the diagnosis itself is a relief. I have cleared the first hurdle.
July 24, 2010 at 5:04 am
I have a grandson who was diagnosed with autism at 2yrs old and he is now going to be 10 yrs old in November. It is a constant fight to maintain the services that were said to be provided in his IEP. We have come to a place where legal help is necessary but my son's business has failed and his wife needs several operations that they can't afford and her deductible is over 3,000.00 Dollars. We are looking for information or donations that can be used to pay the lawyer fee. If we succeed it will set a precedent for other childlren who are having the same problem. Write us and share you ideas or generosity with us.
thank you
ruth rosen
July 24, 2010 at 11:03 am
My son has autism. He is 13 years old. We live by hope, we have seen the hand of God on our son. At the age of 2 years, doctors were gloomy. Jeffrey wasn't! Engrossed in his likes, we used his great passion for Nascar,auto-racing and computer graphics and encouraged his every waking hour with his likes. When he lost language skills, I would sit and spell and write out his favorite things, spelling in long lists his favorite words. Today, Jeffrey has his own charity that he started out of great passion for other kids in need. His compassion for others is intense. He was just 8 years old when he started his own charity by saving his lunch and chore money. It was also the same year that he started racing bandoleros at Charlotte motor Speedway, along with winning the National Science Fair and National Geography Bee. He is so improved that most don't even realize that he struggles with autism. His charity has helped over 5600 kids. But he knows that it wasn't him that has helped so many, but his hope and faith in God. It's not excepting the words "you can't", but the words" you can". When others said there's no way this child will ever be able to function as a race car driver we embraced his desires and used it as a tool. Yes he's only 13 years old but he now has stepped into Legend car racing and his charity is very successful. He builds and maintains all of his own websites and pretty much runs his own charity. Jeffrey spends much of his free time sharing about autism and how hope exists. Check out http://www.jeffreystoycloset.com. And thank you for sharing your story.
July 24, 2010 at 1:18 pm
I have a 19 yr old son with Moderate Autism…Mr. Asner..My husband and I alwayshad put our hope in God our Lord. Throught the yrs of struggle with our son wasn't easy, but one day we got together in our room @ home , kneelt down and prayed as a couple telling the Lord, We leave Isaac in your hands, we beieve our son soon was going to be healed and transformed in a special way. As the yr went by my hubby and I saw the changes, tremendous changes in him. Our son in HS becamehonor student four yrs. Passed his drivers Ed, he like to draw , sktch cartoon, he sold on of his art in HS. Plays the saxophone, performs in HS musical broadway show, graduated from HS, and he is ready to go to college, shvaes his beard, makes his own coffee and cooks his own meals and in church sevice, once in a whilehe will pass up to the pulpit to red a chapter from the bible. What i am telling you is let God guide you, let Him take care of your son, believe God will restore your son, put your hope in Hm. In God's will you will see changes and you will be full of tears of Joy, those same tears when he was born. Thats what my husband and I did, Isaac has worked in summer jobs, I would drop him of at the bank he would do his own tansaction, I mean God does miracles still. Just Believe in Him, pu your faith in Him, and you & your wife will see results. God bless you..and remember nothing is impossible for our Lord!
July 24, 2010 at 2:58 pm
My son Matthew is 20 years old and has autism. Life is far from easy or normal but I guess we all learned to adjust. Right now he has an eye infection or pink eye we're not quite sure. He won't let the doctor get close enough to examine him so it is difficult to make an accurate diagnosis. Hopefully by Monday he will feel better or we have to contact the doctor. As parents of children you all know how difficult it is taking them to be treated for an illness. And it's so sad because he stays in his room all the time now, we go in out to give him eye drops wich is really a battle, we practically have to sit on him to do this. But he is loved dearly and we will do everything we can to see him get better. I just wanted to share my experiences with autism with you to let you know you are not alone.
July 24, 2010 at 9:57 pm
so many of us arn't alone in this when my son was 6 it was 1 in 1400 now it's 1 in 70 for boys 1 in 110 for girls in arkansas. the children whom can't speak or inner act in anyway will have some help ,but for children like my son whom can do somethings help is hard to find i would hope all of us could someday get on the same page and call our goverment offices everyday for a year and tell them find out what is going on.make them stand up for these kids. i say "today one mothers problem tomorrow a nations" something has got to be done. we know some about cancer and aids… but we are still guessing about autism.please call themtell them.
July 25, 2010 at 9:51 pm
My son Bryce is 7 and he has Autism. I will never forget the day he was diagnosed. I remember having to pull my car over to the side of the road on our way home from the evaluation because I was crying so hard I couldn't see to drive. I realized Bryce's life was forever changed and we would never get the little boy back that we had. God had given us this special little boy and trusted us to guide him through his journey. Hope is what gets me through every day and I think about all the other families who are going through the same process we are. I believe that Bryce's disability has made us stronger as a family and we know that we need each other to lean on during those difficult and sad times. I know in my heart that Bryce will someday be able to face the world without fear and I will be there cheering him on. Pass on the message of hope to someone you know that is struggling to handle the diagnosis of Autism.
July 28, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Thanks to all for all the inspiration! Praise God we are not alone!
January 14, 2012 at 1:13 pm
I had twins..one boy who was diagnosed with autism and a girl who was diagnosed with pdd/nos..I am married and she had a child from the previous marriage…my wife was recently diagnosed and put on disability for rheumatoid arthritis..I have a pretty full plate most days..I feel anxiety and stress..I quit smoking almost two months ago so I can be here longer for my family..I am trying to do online schooling from home to be an electrician and that is hard..my relatives are distant or dysfunctional or in jail..I have times where I see myself go crazy..but I dont..!! Instead I say thank you God for all that I have for and all that I have become..without out you I would be worse off than I am now..I give it to HIM…and I survive and learn better management technics to deal with things better..I love my family so much and that love helps me see its not always about me…
July 29, 2010 at 2:05 pm


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Last fall a slightly ambitious project to test the uptake of Ubuntu Linux in the volunteer community of eastern England showed positive results, so why has the funder pulled the plug?
The East of England FOSS in the VCS web site gives lots of details on the success of the project, but here are some highlights. 10 desktop computers using Ubuntu Linux were distributed to VCOs in the East of England Region for testing and evaluation. The programs they included in the assessment were OpenOffice.org, Evolution, Firefox, Scribus, Project Planner and GnuCash.
In general, the results of the testing were positive. However, problems with integration with their Windows networks, with training and with technical support dampened the results. The biggest negatives came from managerial staff who "often considered that they had invested so much money on technical support and solving past problems that they felt that moves to Linux would be a waste of the money already spent".
The study authors recognized a few key points from the study which included that long term technical support issues were a major concern, the switch to FOSS seems to be a more popular move when considering new systems, i.e., if it ain't broke don't fix it and management were motivated more by saving money than by any political considerations. But in the end the authors noted "From the experiences of the overall East of England FOSS in the VCS project, not just the Linux on the desktop project, it is clear that FOSS use by the VCS can be a viable and extremely cost effective alternative to proprietary software".
So that's all interesting, but the funders of this study, the ICT HUB seemed to take a dim view of the results and are pulling their funding for this type of study. This has resulted in a bit of a debate given such high profile figures as Shadow Chancellor, George Osbourne, estimated that the British government alone could save more than £600 million a year if it used more FOSS. See previous post "Open source, terrorism, politics and Zen".
Chris Bailey from the East of England FOSS in the VCS project wrote a great open letter to Nicola Thompson Head of ICT Hub making a valiant defense of the FOSS world that seemed above and beyond the small test, but is a fight that is obvious to anyone who has ever paid any attention to the FOSS movement. Check out the letter and the stats... very good stuff.
The reply from Nicola was not so convincing and one wonders just what is really going on? She made the statement that ICT HUB would focus on, "developing the market place" as opposed to supporting FOSS. Dare I speculate where such a business acumen came from... well I won't and I'll leave it up to you all.
This will be my last post for a while as I am off to Europe for a much needed extended stay and I will be out of internet (phone and TV) reach for most of my time in Tuscany and Venice and traveling too much to get the time to post. I will be back in a couple months and hopefully with some interesting views on what's happening in the EU with the free stuff.
Thanks very much everyone for reading and commenting. I and Free Software Magazine appreciate it.
RE: FOSS fight in the UK
Not wishing to cast any aspersions on these people, but they are of a type that do not take lightly to change.
I am not surprised at the reactions as it took these folks perhaps two decades to get used to PC's and they intend to die with what they now know. It will take a second revolution for them to accommodate something different. Give them Windows Vista and they will learn it because they must, anything else and they will resist stoutly - fact of life.
The number of times I have dealt with people who use Linux always from a reference point of Windows is countless. Constantly I remind them that I don't know what or how Windows does it, but to understand Linux is not Windows or a clone of Windows and so there is no use talking to me about Windows. I dub these folk as the "hard of learning".
Linux used for all computing tasks
Once again the major
Once again the major dichotomy of the human condition. On one hand change is constant whether we like it or not, we live our lives in a perpetual state of flux. On the other hand the very mention of change strikes fear in most people, even though nothing is the same as it was yesterday.
Linux, Windows, PC's, mobile phones, iPod's. These are all technologyies that have come into people lives and usually wiyth a majority of people resisting them.
10 minutes later they are complaining that the mobile phone coverage is crap, Vist is way better than XP and they cant fit the 13,001 song on their MP3 players.
Eventually they get it. They always do.
And then they complain about it.
"felt that moves to Linux would be a waste"
I hate that. The cost of installing GNU/Linux is way less than that other OS because of the licensing and the cost of upgrading FOREVER is less because GNU/Linux is designed to be modular. There are fewer unintended consequences. These folks are mathematically challenged. Often GNU/Linux pays for itself in the first year and the rest is gravy. There is a much bigger advantage to Linux if you go to thin clients, too, than with that other OS. Then, you only have maintenance of a few servers. How can they not see the advantages? Oh, that's right. They are not looking. Competitors will overtake these dinosaurs. I hope we do not have to wait for natural causes.
On the other side, the list of companies providing Linux on desktops and laptops is growing rapidly. They must have customers who see the light.
A problem is an opportunity.
sunk costs and other cost-benefit studies
nice case-study draft!
I think that these guys simply don't know/understand the basic notions of economics, like sunk costs
"they had invested so much money on technical support and solving past problems that they felt that moves to Linux would be a waste of the money already spent"
The main feature of already spent money is that it is already spent. So it can not be wasted (it is possible though that in the past, when it was spent, it was wasted). When one calculates costs and benefits has to consider only future cash-flows.
Such a study was prepared be the EU, and showed that FOSS is cheaper, and IS a viable alternative.
re foss fight in the uk
Hello all. I work with Chris who submitted the open letter and we support him absolutely: I definitely think it is a backwards move on the part of the ICT hub to cut funding for FOSS. We have been using Foss in our own organisation for a while, and it has both saved us lots of money and been more efficient.
However I slightly resent the implication in some of the comments above that failure to adopt Linux instantly is just because people are slow adaptors or 'hard of learning' (a charming and particularly helpful phrase): we certainly couldn't all just go over to Linux as we are tied in to certain programmes which are not compatible with Linux desktops (we have been trying to develop a FOSS version of one of those programmes but this doesn't happen overnight, and it doesn't necessarily happen without development funding). Failure to go over to FOSS isn't just about resistance, it is much more complicated.
Might I also suggest that to use Linux from the reference point of Windows is both natural and certainly initially a perfectly sensible way to become used to it. Most people start off by using Windows, after all, whether we like it or not.
I could say much, much more, but anyone who cares about how foss has worked in practice for our org. can read my blog at www.afl.org.uk/susieblog (which documents these very issues) :-).
Oh there is more to it than
Oh there is more to it than a simple "funding cut". Government programmes only have so much money to go around and those distributing the funding have to make choices. The FOSS project simply did not come up with the goods in the time it was given and with the resources it had. End of.
FOSS is being adopted in the UK VCS as Susie has pointed out, but there are others (not even ICT Hub related) that make MSoft very very attactive for non profits to aquire.
I also resent the pitying and scornful tone of some of these comments which imply the VCS in the UK is some second rate sector being bullied by MSoft and the ICT Hub. This is simply not true, small charities just want a simple solution presented in a friendly way so they can get the job done.
As for that funding the money has not been cut from the ICT Hub its just going elsewhere into a programme that will draw out ICT Champions in each region who are able to address the wider issues the VCS have around ICT
Why "End of"?
There is a confusion in Chris's original article that is now being compounded by WG. We are actually talking about two different FOSS projects here, both funded separately under the UK government's ChangeUp programme. The first one referred to by Chris was the East of England FOSS in the VCS project given £30,000 pounds ($60,000). I coordinated that project and I maintain strongly that it completed what it agreed to do and gave good value for money.
The project WG is referring to when he says "The FOSS project simply did not come up with the goods in the time it was given and with the resources it had. End of." refers to a second project contracted by the ICT Hub with the National Computing Centre (NCC) for £350,000 ($700,000). I would agree with him that it produced very little for this money.
But surely the clear implication of the NCC failing "to come up with the goods" within the agreed time scale and budget is that it did not fulfil its contract? Why is FOSS being blamed? Why isn't the ICT Hub asking for the return of some of its money from the NCC and reallocating it to others who could carry out what the NCC was contracted to do, rather than now virtually abandoning deployment of FOSS in the VCS?
As Chris says, the research in our East of England project did show the potential for FOSS in the sector and it also pointed to key issues that needed to be addressed if this potential was to be realised. NCC carried out no similar research, which would seem to be essential, before starting its project.
Chris Bailey
Advice for Life FOSS in the VCS project
Jobs for the boys
"the money has not been cut from the ICT Hub its just going elsewhere into a programme that will draw out ICT Champions in each region who are able to address the wider issues the VCS have around ICT"
more jobs for the people in suits who don't actually know anything about the thing they are "championing" then ? The type of people that think VoIP is limited to Skype and that you can get emails on an iPod.
Not really the sort of grass roots delivery and support that the FOSS project was starting to deliver before being cut off in its prime.
This debate is really
This debate is really important.
A real effort was made in the final few months of the project to work with as many grassroots projects as possible. Indeed it has been said that the project 'turned around' after I was made manager. It seemed as if a seedling community was growing, within the challenging climate which is the interface between FOSS, funding, funders, old school cathedrals, etc.
I am gutted at the way the project ended and the current state of play, but have been strongly advised not to share business information (i.e. express my views) or talk to clients of NCC. I no longer have a laptop or access to the openitup server to work with at this time.
If there is any way that I can assist those that have been involved with FOSS in the VCS over the last few years gain recognition and reward then I will do so. I feel that we need a strong community if we are to build on our work over and not lose out to bandwagon jumpers that happen to socialise with the people who control the funding. Watch this space, we may (or may not) get funding! It doesn't matter too much anyway. We have the expertise, the technology, the ethics and philosophy, the community and the passion. All we have to do is not get caught up in scrabbling and squabbling between ourselves for the tit bits of funding that may or may not come down to us. Thank you to those that supported my efforts.
In the post "Jobs for the
In the post "Jobs for the boys" you seem to have knowledge of who these "Champions" will be. ASFAIK they haven't been announced yet!!
The ones I do know of that are being funded are existing Regional people who have been championing ICT in the sector for a number of years - when i've met them they weren't wearing suits! They believe passionately about grassroots ICT development and would recommend a FOSS solution if it was the best fit for the job!
Agreeing with Chris
Just posting again to say that Chris (i.e. AFL's Chris Bailey, a couple of posts above) is absolutely right. The fact that the £350,000 given to the NCC (which I'm not sure I would exactly call a 'tit bit' of funding) didn't show results is *not the same thing as Foss itself not showing results*, and I think we need to be clear about that although I don't particularly want to get into the reasons why the results weren't there (because I don't know them, so I'm not going to presume to comment.)
The East of England Foss in the VCS project which Chris led on did certainly show results - it might have also showed there were challenges and things to be addressed (which is extremely useful information in itself, besides being realistic), but overall it was very positive, and I think some of the stuff Chris managed to develop while we were doing it will have long-term implications, certainly for AFL and possibly for the sector (and beyond?).
Susie Halksworth
AFL Resources Director.


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The South Tahoe basketball teams split their Mount Rose League games at Sparks on Friday, with the girls winning 53-16 and the boys dropping a 63-50 game.
For the girls, Bailey David had a game high 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and Ally King added 11. Kaila Griffis had seven, while Riley Chapman, Brooke King and Alisa Caro all had six.
"We put a lot of pressure on their ball handlers and caused some turnovers early on to give us momentum in the first half, and went into the break up 30-6," girls coach Mike Neiger said. "Our girls played good half-court defense which led to a lot of fast break opportunities tonight."
Riley Chapman pulled down 12 rebounds and had six steals. Ally was 5-of-9 shooting from the field to go along with five steals.
"It's nice to see we have plenty of players to step up on any given night and score," Neiger said.
The took an early 15-10 lead, but Sparks had regained a 32-25 advantage by half. The boys regained some momentum in the third, outscoring Sparks 17-14, but faltered in the fourth. Sparks outscored the Vikings 17-8 to close the game and secure the win.
Cale Backinger led the Vikings with 24 points, shooting 11-of-21. Brandon Cramer had 11, including three 3-pointers, and Kyante Wilson had seven and five boards.


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A little crackle in the sound system during Curtain to start off with. Not a bad Curtain, just ok into a good solid Melt. Fee was pretty standard which slipped into a really good Maze. Page is back to the organ and this might be the first great Maze! Except the end is rushed, but still tight. Reba is a little better than average for this tour. Pen and Stash are nice. Rift still has it's problems during the solo sections. Esther is ok, not great. I think Trey changed the lyrics to tumbled and died instead of they flutter and glide too. Antelope is a solid closer. It has a cut to another source or tape flip though.
Funny signal to start Glide second set to see if anyone was at last night's show. Look who's in the freezer, Bruce Hampton! Solid Tweezer. Coil is good, and Mind of its Own. Unfortunately the YEM jam gets cut by a tape flip I think. Pretty good YEM though. Horse>Silent fades in on side B and still isn't up to par yet. Chalkdust is standard. Pretty uneventful Fishman section. Nice Hood. Tweeprise is expected and standard.
Carolina was missing from the bootleg I heard, but Cavern was there in all it's glory. Always a good encore.
Good solid show again tonight, pretty good energy, not a lot of mistakes.


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Picasa Web Albums Uploader
Use your Mac to upload photos!
Now there's two ways to upload your photos to Picasa Web Albums -- from directly within iPhoto or using drag-and-drop from a standalone application.
For iPhoto users
The Picasa Web Albums Exporter lives right inside iPhoto. Select photos, choose Export in the File or Share menu, and upload them directly to your web album.
For a standalone application
Use the Picasa Web Albums uploader -- just drag photos from the Finder and click the Upload button.
Required OS: not specified
Tags: picasa , google , iphoto , plugin , photography , photos
10 Opinions
Another option is to use Quicksilver to email a photo to the picasa email address (has to be set in settings).
(Works well with Mail.app as email client, Mail.app doesn't even have to be open.
The photo has to be saved on computer though, it doesn't work by dropping it from Safari to Quicksilver.)
Note: to upload an image directly from Safari (without saving to a file first): drag and drop the image on the app's dock icon, while pressing alt+command.
Note: if you want to upload more than one batch of photos simultaneously, you can launch a second instance of the app with the quicksilver 'launch a copy' command.
@marcus : some people think Picasa is not a priority for Google:
"Or take the case of Googleâs Picasa, a Windows program that finds, organizes, and shares photos. Since that product mirrors much of the functionality of Appleâs iPhoto, there would seem to be little incentive for Google to create a Mac version. Yet, rather than ignore the platform, Google built a photo uploader that works with iPhotoâ"another 20-percent projectâ"to allow Mac users to connect iPhoto to the Picasa Web Album feature for sharing photos online."
From: Macworld - Googleâs Mac efforts begin to bear fruit.
Version 1.1 adds support for iPhoto '08. Also the iPhoto export plug-in now can convert keywords in iPhoto to tags in Picasa Web Albums.
Note: the standalone uploader resizes large photos to a width of 1600 by default. If you want to keep your large photos at their original size, you have to change this setting before uploading.
Does no longer work with iPhoto 7 (aka iLife '08)
My only complaint is that the thumbnail table view is not multi-threaded. As it is scrolling through any number of images is pure agony.
It's nice to have a free integrated option other than .mac in iPhoto.
Just wish we had picasa for the mac. :-( Hurry up, google!


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The Crowder Lady 'Riders must have felt at home as they breezed through the Don Wilson Classic this weekend with a pair of easy victories.
On Friday the Lady 'Riders had an offensive outburst and walloped LSU-Eunice, 94-71. They returned to the court Saturday in the finale of the Classic and easily handled Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa 75-62.
Saturday's outcome looks much closer than it really was. After building a 30-point lead by the midpoint of the second half, the Lady 'Riders watched as the Lady Mavericks fought back to close the gap some in the final 10 minutes. The Lady 'Riders played so well in the first half, however, that the effort wasn't nearly enough.
"I thought we had a good first half," Crowder coach Tina Robbins said of Saturday's performance. Our second half wasn't as good. I think we had such a big lead that we sort of relaxed and coasted a bit there late."
Credit the defense for much of that early success as they forced a slew of turnovers and turned them into transition buckets. That helped Crowder (7-1 overall) build a 46-21 advantage at the half. By the 12 minute mark in the second half the Lady 'Riders led 56-26.
The spark for the Lady Mavericks came from Deborah Means, who scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half, and Shushana Flores, who had 13 of her 15 in the second. They outscored Crowder 41-29 in the second half.
Crowder got some quality minutes from its bench as five of its six players came off the bench scored points. Starter Sarah Sagely had another solid night from the field as she drained four 3-pointers and topped the team with 20 points, four rebounds and four steals. Meanwhile, Veronica Amos made her presence felt in the paint with 13 points and seven boards.
Terai Sadler came off the bench and scored nine points and pulled down four boards while Caprese Marshall had seven points, Camila Lacerda, Dorian Briggs and Seleena Neal each had five, Megan Ritter four and Callie Shaver two. Lacerda also added seven assists.
Saturday's performance followed what was an impressive offensive showing against LSU-Eunice as Lacerda chipped in a triple double while Chloe Nichols had a double double to lead the team.
Lacerda finished the game with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Nichols had her best performance of the season with a team-high 23 points, 11 boards and four assists.
"We really played well (on Friday)," Robbins said. "We shot the ball well and had some kids that stepped up and scored in ways that they hadn't yet. Lacerda had a really good game and Chloe Nichols had her best game. But it was really a team effort. Our kids played really hard."
Page 2 of 2 - Crowder led 41-33 at the half.
Behind the performances of Nichols and Lacerda, Caprese Marshall pitched in 18 points while Sagely had 13, Neal 10, Shaver three and Ritter two.
The Lady 'Riders are back in action at 6 p.m. Monday when they host Oklahoma Wesleyan's "B" team.
Location, ST | website.com


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GoPrint Usage & Instructions
What is GoPrint? GoPrint is the printer usage management program installed on all computer lab machines. All patrons with a CLU account can use GoPrint.
How to Use GoPrint. After hitting PRINT, a screen will pop up asking you to enter your student ID. This is your Portal username and password. There is no charge for printing at this time. You MUST have a CLU account to print.
To add to your printer queue, please see a Circulation Supervisor. If GoPrint is not coming up, a simple restart of the system you are working at may solve the problem. HOWEVER, make sure that you save your document in a safe place before doing so (i.e. on your flash/USB drive, emailing a copy to yourself, etc. DO NOT save to the desktop).


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I believe that there is at least one gun for every man woman and child in this country. They are not uniformly distributed as many persons have more guns than they will ever need for hunting, sport or personal protection.
I had enough fun and games with guns and other assorted weapons in the very early 1950s to last me a lifetime.
Frankly, I have not felt the need for a gun since that time.
I handled claims in Newark, N. J. after the riots and while some of my contemporaries carried guns in their brief cases, I was not so moved.
I did not get to the ripe old age of 83 by going to places where I had no need to go and where I was not wanted.
On the other hand I did not shy away from any where my job directed me.
John F. Kennedy wrote a book more than 50 years ago Titled "Profiles in Courage."
After watching and listening to our current crop of naysayers in the halls of congress, I believe it is time for someone to write "Profiles in Cowardice."
One after another we see Republican members of congress literally wetting their pants for fear that they might have to cast an up or down vote on something as overwhelmingly approved by the American people as background checks for gun purchases.
Ike must be ruminating in heaven seeing his dire prediction about our democracy come nearer to fruition.
Every time we explore ways to reduce the rampant gun violence in our country, the hills echo with cries of "cars kill more people than guns" so why don't we ban cars.
Two things always come to mind on hearing this: until you can ride your assault rifle to work you can't compare the two.
Second, you have to take a test to get a license to drive and I would be very happy if you had to take a test to buy a gun and renew that permit on a regular basis.
I will do everything in my power to defeat any member of the Missouri delegation in congress who refuses to allow these issues to come to the floor for an up or down vote.
Location, ST | website.com


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Can't Decide Between Seattle-Denver? Here's Who You Should Root For
Seattle Seahawks
Denver Broncos
More Likeable Quarterback?
More likeable coach?
More Fun City?
More likeable fans?
Sympathy factor?
After all the hoopla and hype, the NCAA Tournament Championship Game has arrived, and both North Carolina and Villanova are very good, deserving teams.
North Carolina-Syracuse is an interesting matchup for the Final Four.
Most of the country predicted the Kansas Jayhawks to be here, but the Villanova Wildcats knocked off the top team in the country in last Saturday's Elite 8 contest.


text:
Karolina Toth
Hear Karolina Toth talk about her decision to study Cognitive Science at the University of Evansville.
The Cognitive Science Program
UE's cognitive science major prepares graduate school-bound students to succeed in their study of perceptual processing, neurophysiology, and human cognition. Learn more...
Cognitive science is the general study of intelligence. It seeks to understand how thought processes function, how they might be instantiated in machinery, and how our cognitive initiatives relate to the brain. Our cognitive science program includes courses from neuroscience, cognitive psychology, philosophy, and computer science to create an interdisciplinary exploration of the nature of cognition as a whole.
Throughout cognitive science, students have an exceptional range of opportunities that are co-curricular and academic. Students will be prepared for graduate school and the professional world due to their nurturing in a challenging and collaborative learning environment.


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Usually, I use this spot to rant about something, or someone that's riled me up in some way. My lack of discussion on software patents doesn't mean I agree with them, it's just that everyone else has been doing it. I couldn't see why I should do so and be seen as just another blogger with nothing better to do with my time.
Someone that has plenty of things to do with their time is Simon Phipps. He was brought into Sun to work up their Open Source strategy, and was instrumental in getting Java released under the GPL. And he still has enough energy left to be a great speaker. I had the pleasure of meeting and hearing him talk last night, where he introduced his ideas for software patent form. Let's face it - software patents are going to happen, so we might as well be constructive about it and guide it in the right direction, so it can be implemented in a manner with which we are agreeable.
Now, I agree with the stance and the ideas he presents, but still have some niggling doubts. Firstly, the method to minmize and/or eliminate patent trolls is wonderful. If they had to pay back the licensing costs, they'd be less quick to slap injunctions on products using "their" technology. However, if the company has a lifespan similar to those in the dotcom boom, they'd be bankrupt before you got your money back. Ugh! This problem exists because a company is not run by the company; it's run by people. And if the people running the company can use that money to finance their (private) house, car, and lifestyle, then they will. Most people would sell out their companies and careers for a few million in the bank.
A company is not run by the company; it's run by people
Making patents invalid once they're part of an ISO standard is also a good idea. Nuff said.
Simon also suggests making software patents last for a maximum of 5 years, due to the pace of technology. I think he's wrong, and it should be limited to 3. Alas, both are arbitrary numbers, and I've seen software patentable ideas get superceded and become irrelvant in less time (e.g. computer graphics) and some which I expect would never die, given the option.
Requiring source code to be filed with the patent is also a good idea as it stops the wooliness and arbitrary language usually used in patents. Anyone that's filed a patent will usually tell you they don't understand the wording of their own patent, or to what specifically it refers.
Finally, Simon suggests perjury for patents filers that don't discover prior art. This is a little harsh in my opinion, especially for the small developer as they will need to start filing patents for the sole purpose of having a portfolio that they can use to defend themselves against the big boys. Or perhaps the idea is to highlight the fact that the entire Microsoft Windows development team are guilty in their failure to check prior art, and should be locked up.
Well, it's a means to an ends...
You can't fix the patent
You can't fix the patent system.
The only way is to destory in its entirely.
Even great innovations that are patented are detereant to innovations.
An example is James Watt, the guy who vastly improve the steam engine and credited for starting the industrial revolution.
But you know what he also did? He also stop innovators from building on his work and delay the industrail revolution.
He is just one of the many clever innovators in that age....who unfortunately allocate his resource to building a monopoly instead of innovating (And got there first).
A patent is intellectual monopoly.
What a defeatist attitude!
"Let's face it - software patents are going to happen, so we might as well be constructive about it and guide it in the right direction, so it can be implemented in a manner with which we are agreeable."
The 'right direction' is the other fricking way mate - toward their abolition, not their amelioration.
This is the sort of strategy I'd propose...
For any given software patent:
1) Modularise an exemplar of the algorithm.
2) Provide a non-infringing alternative with the same API.
3) Make the patent infringing version hot-swappable with the non-infringing version at compile/install time as appropriate.
4) Let the end user specify whether they wish to violate the abomination of software patents, or whether they're a subjugated corporate happy to accept inferior performance if it'll placate the legal department.
5) Oh, and if you want to make it squeaky clean, create a mechanism that enables the user to print off all the proforma licensing requests to enable them to approach each patent holder for the use of the respective patent - so they can use the patented software without violating any patents. If they really, really want to. ;-)
Remember, patents are supposedly for the benefit of the public, so you might as well let the public decide whether they support the sacrifice of their liberty in this way.
I really cannot foresee a future in which free software developers could give a fig if their code infringes any software patents. However, if someone like MS comes along and says, "Ah. Quicksort. That's ours. $1 per cpu thanks!", well, hot swap it with Bubblesort, and suggest MS chases each user who pretends they have a license to quicksort.
It's all virtual guys. There aren't really cast iron chassis, cogs, gears and incredibly high setup costs involved. If software can be patented, then infringement can be automated.
We've Not Lost Yet But...
Thanks for the reflections, Steven. I actually don't think software patents are inevitable; we successfully prevented them being introduced in Europe a while back and we need to remain vigilant to prevent their introduction by stealth. The pro-patent lobby is still hard at work, trying to create instances across europe that need "harmonisation", and the IPRED recently raised the stakes considerably if that happens.
But I don't agree with the AC above. Software patents do exist in the US and elsewhere, and an anarchist view is unrealistic. What's needed there are realistic proposals for reform that we can lobby into existence using the resources those of us opposing software patents and patent trolls can marshal. That's what my blog posting is about. If we take the view in the US, Australia and other sw-patent-blighted places that the only reform we'll tolerate is abolition we can expect to be ignored.
Crosbie: Your proposal seems a reasonable enough approach but doesn't really help that much. Proposals that evade patents, or that improve patent quality (the usual remedy from large portfolio holders) don't help most of us much since none of us can foresee which aspects of our work will be covered by a patent that sneaks up on us from afar. All my proposals de-fang the patent system so that we're not affected so much when that happens. Take a look at my blog[1] and see what you think, you may find we actually agree.
[1] http://blogs.sun.com/webmink/entry/patent_reform
Let's be pragmatic
Webmink, I sympathise with all your proposals toward reform, but I do not feel they represent a pragmatic approach for software developers.
Until there's any change in patent law (and really, only when software is no longer patentable), developers still HAVE to code without consideration for patent infringement. It is unfortunate that free software coders have to pay far more attention to this than closed source developers, i.e. they're sitting ducks in a barrel and the only reason they haven't all been wiped out yet is that patent lawers are still working on their "Duck a l'Orange" recipe.
So, today we have to write first, and then let a million eyeballs find the bugs (including patent infringements).
Patent infringements are only bugs in the sense that they are code in need of 'dualisation' - the provision of a compile/install/run time user-selectable alternative. Each user builds up a machine readable portfolio of patent licenses that they have (with expiry/renewal options), this is then read by each free software application in order to hot swap each algorithm/format as necessary.
Naturally it is made extremely easy for the user to indicate that they possess all necessary licenses (or are the patent holder), e.g. "Select All, Mark As, 'Patent Held', Yes."
This defers the patent infringement to the user (that nasty, despicable creature also known as an 'upstanding and honourable member of the public enjoying their human right to liberty').
It is possible that coders can still be prosecuted simply for unwittingly writing a line of code that infringes a patent, i.e. there's no penalty-free "Take-down until patent is no longer infringed" notice. That would require all free software authors to remain anonymous, since even if they duly diligently research potential infringement, there's always the risk they may miss one, and remain at the mercy of patent trolls (on barreled duck hunts) who'd probably be even more enthusiastic than the likes of RIAA.
Oh, and I should add...
To those that exclaim "But, it's illegal to even distribute patent infringing code, irrespective of whether the end user may possess a license to use it", I suggest that there are millions of users who'd happily take on the responsibility of performing this illegal distribution.
All the software developers need to do is to facilitate the computerised auditing of software configurations to give each user the confidence that all the patent infringing modules they've nefariously obtained are bonafide/certified. To some extent you could simply distribute MD5s of software configured with 'all infringements enabled' - I mean 'all patents licensed'.
Doubly pragmatic
Crosbie: I agree with you that that's a prgamatic way to behave in the interim until we are able to provoke change to the patent systems of countries that have foolishly permitted software patents. I also believe we need to work out how we'd like the system changed in those countries, and to be pragmatic about it (they are most unlikely to just be eliminated). So there's two kinds of pragmatism we need here.
By the way, I don't think Free software developers have to be any more careful here than others. No developer should go looking for patents (finding them exposes you to greater risk; this is a basic reason why the social contract behind patents is being violated, in my view). No legal issue is involved until a patent holder places a given software user "on notice". I think we've all fallen for the fear that those most threatened by Free software wanted us to, become uncertain and started to doubt the effectiveness of the philosophy that unites us. And the best treatment for FUD is to continue energetically in spite of it.
Pragmatic and effective
There are three ways of rectifying the software patent problem:
1) Lobbying - demonstrating the law is unethical, if not invidious and impractical.
2) Rendering and demonstrating s/w patents as completely ineffectual and/or redundant.
3) Demonstrating patent restricted s/w has a lower economic return than unrestricted s/w.
1:- Good luck with the lobbying. ;-)
2:- Create a standard s/w configuration infrastructure to rapidly adapt the moment s/w is put on notice for infringement. Demonstrate that patents simply create unnecessary work for the free s/w community to treat as damage to be routed around - inevitably avoiding patent licence revenue by providing both a rapidly deployable non-infringing alternative, and a deferment of licensing fees to the end user (should they insist on use of patented code).
3:- Create a collective funding mechanism to facilitate the commission of free software.
In case my point isn't clear
Because law in the field of IP is primarily the abominable spawn of commerce (protection of monopoly), it is only a commercially superior force that will have any hope of rectifying it. Simple argument from an ethical standpoint butters no parsnips.
Copyright was unethical when it was created, but it is only now that it is demonstrably ineffective (and iniquitously policed) that suggestions of its demise (if not complete reform) are being entertained.
The same goes for software patents (and patents per se). They may be a double-edged sword for Microsoft, but they're at least tolerable. Either patents hamstring free software, or the ability of free software to ignore patents gives it an advantage. Until that aspect is clear, the commercial powers within the software industry will keep patents on the statute books.
Therefore, as long as the incumbents find the status quo tolerable, until you demonstrate s/w patents are commercially disadvantageous, s/w patents will remain.
So, 2) Render patents as ineffective as DRM, 3) Render free software commercially more lucractive than non-free software.
Then you can revisit 1) Lobby to remove redundant law.
To Clarify
Thanks for the clarification
Thanks for the clarification - appreciated. As you say, I still believe we can prevent software patents taking hold in Europe. Politicians are now aware how controversial the issue is (and wary of the lobbyists who told them it wasn't!), the fact that interoperability is key to open markets is understood and the need for any patent system to permit that has become clear, and the unholy alliance of proprietary interests that comprises the pro- lobby has realised this is not a push-over like they thought.
We have to stay alert though. IPRED2[1] is part of a mosaic that activists for the pharma-media-software axis support, and their activities seem to have moved focus away from Brussels to the individual EU states where they are using their superior financial resources to fund lobbying for "modernised" IP laws in various countries. I'm convinced this is part of a strategy to come back to the EU in a few years and ask for "harmonisation" of the laws across the continent, with the effect of making software patents (as well as a basket of other participation-age-hostile measures) an obvious necessity to the new generation of legislators who will be in place by then.
So, in my blacker moments I can be as pessimistic as you, but I believe with vigilance and unity we can create a Europe where Free software makers have more liberty than the US.
[1] http://www.fsfeurope.org/projects/ipred2/ipred2.en.html
Legal double-dipping
Software is the only field of human endeavour that gets to be protected by both copyrights and patents--nothing else gets to "double-dip" the legal system in this way. What's so special about software, that it should receive such special treatment?


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The Bluejacks, South Tahoe's summer and fall high school baseball team, will hit the home field today for one of its final games of the season. The boys will play a double-header against Douglas at Todd Fields at 11 a.m. They will wrap up the season Oct. 28 with another double-header at home, this time against Truckee.
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October 20, 2012
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Elkins to face tough test tonight
Unbeaten Tigers to host Class AA, No. 3 Bridgeport
September 28, 2012
Over the past two seasons, Elkins High School has become a force to be reckoned with on the football field, especially at the friendly confines of Wimer Stadium....
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text: A Fremont teacher has taken issue with the rejection of her choice of novel for student reading; Click here to read the news article. According to the American Library Association, one of the most frequently banned and challenged books is "The Catcher in the Rye." Take the quiz below to test your knowledge of its louche elements.


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FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 2, 2013) – Fifteen competitors strive for top honors during day 2 of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood's 2013 Best Warrior Competition taking place April 1-5 on post.
The purpose of the competition is to identify Fort Leonard Wood's next Drill Sergeant of the Year; along with the Advanced Individual Training Platoon Sergeant of the Year, Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year, Joint Service NCO and Joint Service Member of the Year.
Sgt. 1st Class Adam McQuiston, who won Fort Leonard Wood's Drill Sergeant of the Year competition last year, said that to get to the installation-level competition, each of the service members had to compete and win at their respective battalion and brigade levels.
The post's Best Warrior Competition is very intense, he said.
"It's a lot of late hours, early mornings, and little sleep," McQuiston said.
The competition includes weapons qualification, land navigation, warrior tasks, battle drills and events that test the service member's combat skills, he said.
In addition to the physically demanding tasks, competitors must prove expert familiarity with core values of each branch of military service, Fort Leonard Wood programs and policies, current events and world news, leadership, military justice, salutes, and honors.
The winners of the competition are scheduled to be announced at an award ceremony April 5 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
Location, ST | website.com


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On 19th August 2015 Stadium Group Plc acquired Stontronics Ltd, a leading global provider of power supplies, AC-DC adapters, LED drivers, DC-DC convertors, transformers and other specialist power products, based […]
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text:
Kanter: Straws, now balls..
Where the hell did the Jolly Green Giant come from?
Chris Paul drinks pee!!!
Gobert or go home
Chris Paul : Damn this annoying white boy is hustling too much.
k: nice to meet you mr ball. shake hands?
(I know it runs in the nation)
cp3: the fudge?!
Ah! Apparently he did one with a straw too...
sure man there even is a thread on that.


text:
Tippmann has finally brought forth what so many have been asking for all these years, a simplified lightweight marker with all the reliability of the Tippmann brand and all the features of their previous models in one well-rounded package.
The Tippmann Crossover is brimming with features including integrated break beam anti-chop eyes, low pressure operation under 300 PSI, integrated grip through gasline with the option to convert to a front regulator, magnetic Hall-Effect trigger switch, multiple adjustable firing modes, including semi-auto, auto-response, 3-shot burst, PSP, NPPL and Millennium, adjustable clamping feedneck with vertical feed, and A-5/X-7 threads.
Although the most exciting feature for players is the Tippmann patented FlexValve technology integrated from the Phenom and now present in the Crossover. The ability to run from electronic to mechanical operation in the middle of a game will be a fantastic feature with the added benefits of the low recoil, low pressure features of the FlexValve. The Crossover is sure to take the game to new heights and new possibilities, don't be the last to take advantage of this amazing marker.


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Thursday, January 10, 2013
Chanel is for Every Woman
Posted by Shreve & Co. at 12:00:00 AM in Chanel (26)
Chanel is one of the most recognizable brands in the world. This French castle of high fashion specialized in haute couture, ready-to-wear clothes, luxury items and accessories. But this highbrow brand had a humble start – a beginning that is alien to many. Gabrielle Chanel started out selling hats to fashion conscious mistresses. After a few years, she set up shop in other locations and started selling ready to wear sports clothes for women. This started out the storied history of the woman and the brand that started diversifying and ultimately stood as the flag-bearer for independent and sophisticated women around the world. In the 1980s, through the leadership of Karl Lagerfield, Chanel was able to strike a deal with watchmakers. And in this era, the first Chanel watch debuted and by the end of the decade, the brand moved their headquarters to New York. Now, Chanel is something that every woman aspires to; a brand that most women can connect with; a brand that brings out the best of every woman. For more of Chanel watches, visit Shreve & Co. – authorized dealer for Chanel.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanel
Written by Shreve & Co. at 12:00:00 AM in Chanel (26) | Comments (0)
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Model: 14217 Item: UNV14217
Organize files by color for easier identification. Match with same color interior folders, sold separately, for quick filing. Vivid folders are constructed of 11 pt. stock. Includes clear index tabs and inserts. Hanging File Folder Type: Standard; Size: Legal; Material(s): 11 Pt. Stock; Color(s): Bright Green.
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1987-01-02 Char-Koosta News
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Char- ) %gosta I A news publication of the J Stilish and Kootenai ^Tribes "^V. of the. Vinificati Indian ^ 'j^esmnuion VOLUME 15, NUMBER 20 THE SHOOTING MONTH JANUARY 2,1987 On 1987's agenda: a variety of fish and game issues As a new year begins, the Tribal public's attention will be directed to a variety of fish and game matters. First, salmon fishing on Flathead Lake might be closed this month, which may make for some unhappy ice fishermen. Second, the main road on the just-acquired Pack River Ranch at Perma has been closed to vehicle traffic, which is upsetting some Tribal hunters. Third, a new hunting and fishing ordinance is ready for enactment. Public meetings to discuss it are scheduled for early next month. FLATHEAD LAKE SALMON Tribal and state fish biologists are recommending that Flathead Lake be temporarily closed to salmon fishing, so the population can build itself back to healthier numbers. Tribal fish biologist Dave Cross told the Council Dec. 19 that there was a very small salmon run this year -caused, according to reports, by too much pressure from ice fishermen in recent years, and past problems with water levels due to the operation of Hungry Horse Dam. Unless something were done to protect the fish this year, Cross said, there would be few fish to catch four years from now. He said a technical committee studying the situation came up with two options: Establish a brief, two-week season with a 25,000 total catch limit, or prohibit salmon taking in the lake from Jan. 23 to May 1, 1987, and later in the year at the north end of the Flathead River during spawning season. The committee favored the second option, he said, and quickly pointed out that people could still try for salmon during the summer and at Lake Mary Ronan. The proposed closures wouldn't affect other species of fish in the lake, he added. The public was being encouraged to submit comments until Jan. 12, he said, and to attend two meetings on the proposal: in Poison on Jan. 6 at the VFW Hall, and in Kalispell on Jan. 8. PACK RIVER HUNTING Also on Dec. 19, the Council heard a report from Tribal Fish and Game about the deer and elk herds on the 24,000+-acre Pack River Ranch bought recently by the Tribes. TFG Chief Frank Acevedo said the result of the meeting was a decision to keep the area closed to motor vehicles as it's been for years by its previous (Concludes on page two) Taiwan flu vaccine available RONAN -- The Tribal Health Department announces that it has a supply of Taiwan flu vaccine available. The immunization service is available for anyone wishing to be vaccinated against the new strain of flu, but is especially advised for people over the age of 35 who suffer from a chronic disease, or anyone under 35 years of age whose doctor has recommended the treatment. To make arrangements for a shot, call THD's Public Health Nursing staff at 676-2770.
Object Description
|1987-01-02 Char-Koosta News
|Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation.
|Salish Indians --Newspapers.; Kutenai Indians --Newspapers.; Pablo (Montana) --Newspapers.; Kootenai Indians
|On 1987's agenda: a variety of fish and game issues; Taiwan flu vaccine available; Have your per capita payments been held by Tribal Court; Public notice: Notice of availability of proposed regulations and public hearing; Elder's birthdays for January; Postscript to Burgess story; Crotty at 101 is oldest member; Joseph Orr; Having any luck with your 1987 resolutions?; Asay can assist with Medicare card; What will we remember about 1986?; Therriault sums up year as chairman; Half-a-dozen more enrolled before year's end; Missoula is site of Indian housing meeting group; Medicare alert.
|Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Nation
|Date Original
|Date Digital
|Resource Identifier
|Rights Management
|Copyright (c) Salish and Kootenai Federated Tribes, all rights reserved.
|Contributing Institution
|Salish Kootenai College
|D'Arcy McNickle Library
|Vol. 15; No. 20
|Digitization Specifications
|Digitized at the University of Montana Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library; Scanned as master TIFF using Bookeye 3 scanner at 400 ppi, 8 bit grayscale; Optical Character Recognition with Abbyy FineReader Corporate Edition; Derivatives created using Photoshop CS
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Friday, November 15, 2013
Posted by Shreve & Co. at 11:57:00 AM in Jaeger Lecoultre (30)
Movies have a thing for trios. Apparently, so does Jaeger LeCoultre. The reputed Swiss watchmaking company celebrates its 180th anniversary in the industry with the Jubilee Collection, an impressive show of JLC's seasoned expertise displayed on three different timepieces. The Gyrotourbillon Three is a remarkable piece from name to case to movement. The second piece, is the Cylindrical Tourbillon with Perpetual Calendar, which certainly deserves a round of admiring applause for its intricacy. And then, most interesting to thin-movement aficionados, is the Master Ultra Thin Jubilee mechanical watch. It is one of Jaeger LeCoultre's neatest and most simple designs, but with just 4.05mm thickness, this 39mm diameter platinum watch is positively the thinnest mechanical dress watch in the whole world. The watch's Caliber 849 movement is outstanding, especially packaged in a 1.85mm width. Find out more about Jaeger LeCoultre's Jubilee trio and find yourself in awe.
Check out Jaeger LeCoultre at Shreve & Co in Portland, Oregon.
Written by Shreve & Co. at 11:57:00 AM in Jaeger Lecoultre (30) | Comments (0)
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Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2012
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- A trip to the Children's Medical Center in 2010 turned into a real life nightmare for the Taylor family after Emma Rhae Taylor was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease.
The then-4-year-old girl, who loves shopping and hunting, had her world flipped upside down after spending more than a month in and out of the ICU in a semi-comatose state and hooked up to feeding tubes.
The happy-go-lucky girl couldn't talk, walk, sit or even smile for more than a month.
Mitochondrial disease had no cure, so Emma will forever be dealing with repercussions and seeking care.
But for her parents, those future treatments aren't a concern since they'll be able to see that big smile again.
"Obviously, she's in a wheelchair and a walker and we have to help her to the bathroom and we have to help her get from one room to the other, but we wouldn't change it for anything, so we just make every effort that she's happy and she know she's loved and she doesn't seem different, she doesn't see herself as different," said her mother, Nikki Taylor.
"Even though it is a lot day to day, we wouldn't trade it for anything. It has brought us closer as a family," said her father, Jeremy Taylor.
Click here to see Emma's donation page.
To visit News 12's Children's Miracle Network page, click here.


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Thursday, 23 February 2012
view from the front row: michael van der ham
the lovely people over at christian louboutin were kind enough to collaborate with van der ham to create the amazing shoes that you can see accompanying the runway looks. all in all, i think it's one of the most consistently covetable collections i've seen in a long time. hats off!
8 comments:
- Winnie said...
Your photos are absolutely stunning Daniela. You're right, those shoes are such a genius collaboration, I love the glittery heels!
- 23 February 2012 at 18:13
- Maria said...
Your photos are lovely and I have fallen in love with this collection, swoon!
Maria xxx
- 23 February 2012 at 19:53
- HiFashion said...
Looks like it was an amazing show. Love the collection.
- 23 February 2012 at 22:06
- Rebecca said...
How can I express my love for MvdH?? So annoyed that I didn't manage to get any of the collaboration he did with topshop a couple of seasons ago. And the shoes are fantastic!
- 23 February 2012 at 23:17
- Clara Turbay said...
your fashion ideas are great!
- 24 February 2012 at 02:14
- Ellie Lee said...
I have to stick out my neck and say, "Who is Michael van der ham??" Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos from the show- I love clothes like this; fun, flowy and lots of fun fabric! The prints are gorgeous! And those shoes! They're absolutely to die for!
- 24 February 2012 at 03:33
- It's Witchcraft said...
Wow, great photos. I wish these pieces could magically appear in my wardrobe, that would be great haha!
Sorry for the late reply, but yes the Kalista necklace on my blog was by Farah Mansor of DesignsbyFaraM :)
- 28 February 2012 at 12:35
- Natalie Koltunovskaya said...
Very beautiful shoes!
- 6 March 2012 at 14:16


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Curtis Nightingale, athletic director at Pratt High School, has announced that the school's mascot—the Greenback—has been selected by USA Today to participate in a national contest for the best high school mascot out of the 18,00 high schools in the United States.
Nightingale, who was interviewed last week by USA Today, reported that the publication selected five mascots from each State for preliminary competition. The State winners will then advance to head-to-head regional and national competition.
The Greenback was chosen to compete against the Hesston Swathers, the Fowler Goldbugs, the St. John's Military Mule Skinners and the Palco Roosters in Kansas. State winners are to be selected by popular vote, so Greenback supporters are urged to vote early and often for The Fighting Frog.
Multiple voting is allowed, so Greenback supporters can vote as often as they wish up until March 5 when the State contest closes. There will then be 6 regional competitions running from March 6-14, and regional winners will compete from March 15-25 for a chance to be named best high school sports mascot in America.
The top five mascots in the nation will receive cash awards from USA Today ranging from $100 to $2,000, the money to be given to the schools' athletic departments.
Greenback boosters can show their support at the following website: http://contest.usatodayhss.com/ Remember to vote early and often for the Greenback!!
Location, ST | website.com


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The Manta 42-inch Passive 3D Widescreen LED TV supplied with 4 Sets of 3D Glasses (1 are clip-on) brings you the experience of 3D Cinema in your own home.
Connect to either a 3D Blu Ray Player,3D Games Console,Sky+ or Virgin HD+ 3D device to enjoy the full experience of 3D TV (sold separately).
The Manta 42-inch also features 2D to 3D conversion to deliver a pseudo 3D experience via standard Freeview Digital TV or DVD/ Blu Ray. The Manta 42-inch is Full HD1080P compatible ideal for getting the best out of a High Definition Blu Ray player, Full HD games console or other HD device.
Features up to 50 digital Freeview channels & up to 24 radio stations without the need for subscription.
High quality 3D LED screen is flicker free, thus greatly reducing fatigue of your eyes. it also features high brightness & contrast and wide view. Extreme responsiveness greatly reduces blurred pictures in motion.
Having high quality speakers, which will give you audiovisual enjoyment.
Having many connectors, you may directly connect your DVD, Blu-Ray player etc. The product can be used as a computer monitor with VGA and HDMI connectors. Also it can be used as a TV with the built-in DVB-T tuner.
Much faster response time will completely eliminate picture shadows, film and game playing may be more fluent.
Manta TV's come with a Power Supply Switch for safe power cut-off to save energy.
The Manta 42-inch is VESA wall mounting compatible.
Box Contains Manta LED4201 42" 3D LED TV, 4 Pairs of Passive 3D Glasses (1 are clip-on), TV Stand, Remote Control & Batteries, Instructions
Supports 3D video player function, bringing you true-to-life 3D scene and vivid experience.
Compatibility with 2D/3D display allows you to freely switch from 2D to 3D, and vice versa.
Wider viewing angle, higher brightness, higher contrast, lower consumption.
Intelligent image mode and sound mode can offer you intelligent audiovisual effect.
Built-in, latest digital comb filter, which makes image more clear. The internal 3D De-Interlace technique can totally eliminate the screen dithering caused by interlace signals.
Timing functions, you can set time to turn off. It will be also be turned off when no signal is present.
Auto-setup function help you set the image to performance in several seconds in VGA mode.
Auto color balance adjustment technology takes your machine to the best color setting for all different kinds of display adapters in VGA mode.
Automatic denoise technique can greatly eliminate background noise caused by menu interference and the noise caused by weak signals so as to make the picture on the screen clearer. Support USB interface.
Support for H.264 FULL HD receiver and supports PVR functionality.
Customer reviews
Write a review for the Manta 42" LED 3D Full HD TV here!
Reviewed by tonny. Review Posted 15/03/2012
very good
- Overall
- Ease of use
- Value for money
The opinions expressed in this reviews section are those of our customers and not of BT Shop. Nothing contained herein amends BT Shop's terms and conditions.


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Teachers stage second week of strikes
By Camille Bains, The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER - British Columbia teachers will stage a second week of rotating strikes as their union's bitter dispute with the government drags on and families prepare for children being out of school yet again.
Every school in the province will be closed for a day next week — either Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday.
The government announced details of the escalated job action late Wednesday, after the teachers' union filed documents with the Labour Relations Board.
The teachers' union and negotiators for the government were in a bargaining session Wednesday when the union fired its latest salvo.
Education Minister Peter Fassbender said he's "profoundly disappointed" at the turn of events "while we're still at the table, with all of the talk that's been going on that children and parents and communities are continuing to be held hostage and put in the middle of this dispute."
"It's unfortunate," he said. "I feel very strongly that we have come to the table with a real goal to get a negotiated settlement. We've made significant moves both on the term of the agreement, on the wage settlement side, in terms of a signing bonus that we've offered."
Fassbender said the teachers' union seems unwilling to negotiate a settlement, but the government will not resort to the dysfunctional pattern of legislating a contract with the teachers' union.
"We've been at the table since we were re-elected last June and we've been willing to negotiate. And here's the bottom line: 24-7, we'll be at the table to hammer out a negotiated settlement. We need the other party to this negotiation to be at the table, willing to negotiate."
The union said in a news release that the provincial government was still refusing to put the necessary funding on the table to reach agreement on issues like class size, composition, staffing levels and wages for teachers.
"B.C. teachers are committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement at the bargaining table," said Jim Iker, president of the BC Teachers' Federation.
"We also expect the government to be flexible on its wage demands and show some good faith and willingness to move. Teachers know that bargaining is about compromise, but we cannot be the only ones expected to move."
Iker thanked parents for their ongoing understanding and support. "The reaction on the picket lines has been fantastic," he said.
The one-day walkouts are part of the second stage of job action by teachers, leading the government to cut their pay by 10 per cent.
The B.C. Teachers' Federation and the government's negotiators are scheduled for a hearing at the Labour Relations Board on Thursday over lockout provisions.
Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday that she was hoping for a negotiated settlement as soon as possible, or at least within 48 hours of the LRB hearing, so students would not continue to be put in the middle of the increasingly heated dispute.
Clark said a broken bargaining system has meant several governments have had to legislate teachers back to work over the last 30 years, except in 2006.
The union has said up to 150,000 students are out of classes every day that teachers walk the picket line.
Wages are among the major issues, with the government offering a 7.3-per-cent wage increase over six years, while teachers want 13.7 per cent over four years.
They're also demanding smaller classes and support for students with various learning disabilities by specialist and resource teachers.
The current contract expired in June 2013.
In January, a B.C. Supreme Court judge awarded the teachers' union $2 million in damages and declared the province's removal of class size and composition from contract negotiations unconstitutional. The government has appealed the ruling.
The government initially wanted teachers to sign a 10-year contract but backed off, with an offer of a $1,200 signing bonus if a deal is reached by the end of the school year.


text:
The scooter-Segway crossbreed and makes you feel like you're SURFING to work
Described by the makers as a riding experience similar to 'going surfing or snowboarding through the city', the Scrooser can zoom through the streets at 2mph to 15mph.
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text:
Thank you for this nifty cad application. I want to create a script, that first pops up a dialogue asking some questions and then draws from the selections. From reading the web-pages I thought the following two possible:
- Have a button to start executing a script without going through the IDE,
- develop with another than the builtin editor (I am used to komodo-edit.)
The IDE can export and import, but can it also automatically sync the code with a file?