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Happy New Week!
I'd like to start out by thanking everyone who left a comment {and those who emailed me} on my last post! It was just so fun to read what everyone is collecting right now!!
We really have had no snow here in the Chicagoland area yet this winter, which is just crazy! But, somehow I seem to still have a case of the winter doldrums.
So I have started adding just a touch of spring around the house! A little pick-me-up for when you enter a room...
Halena's room received some pretty pink hyacinths...LOVE how they smell! I also tucked a few vintage botanical prints around the large frame in her room, to give that spring feeling to this corner. I love using botanical prints for a pop of spring inspiration, when fresh flowers aren't as readily available {not much to choose from at the grocery store right now!}.
{reflection from the mirror...}
Have a great day!!!


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Vaccine deal
The vaccine research centre of the University of Tampere in Finland has outlicenced a candidate combined prophylactic vaccine against norovirus and rotavirus infections. The Japanese vaccine venture UMN Pharma Inc. acquired the worldwide rights to develop and commercialise what will probably be first product designed to simultaneously protect against the two most common causes of acute gastroenteritis. Financial details were not disclosed. A joint Phase I/II clinical studies is to be initiated this year in Finland. The combined vaccine, named UMN-2003, utilises norovirus GII-4 virus-like particles and a human recombinant rotavirus VP6 protein. These are produced through a baculovirus expression system.

subset: commoncrawl


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Translation of "flirtatious" - English-Traditional Chinese dictionary
(Translation of "flirtatious" from the Cambridge English-Chinese (Traditional) Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)
Get a quick, free translation!
Create and share your own word lists and quizzes for free!
Word of the Day
a team of four people in rowing, or the boat that they use


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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo (KKCO) Doctor Josh Pearson has had many adventures around the world. He's climbed Mounts Kilamanjaro, Blanc, Igor, and the Materhorn. He's gone to Mexico to climb, gone skydiving, and watched the Tour De France in person.
His latest adventure is he ran with with the bulls in Pamplona Spain!
Doctor Pearson knew the odds of survival were pretty good, the odds of getting injured even better; but the odds of having a once-in-a-lifetime experience, 100%.
Doctor Pearson is a highly respected obstetrician with Women's Healthcare of Western Colorado. His office is full of diplomas, and books with complicated medical terminology that are difficult to pronounce. After more than two decades of school, long days, and stress that comes with the job, he needs an escape. "Every year we try and find something that will be kind of epic, and a once in a lifetime kind of thing," says Pearson.
Doctor Pearson and his best friend, an emergency room doctor in California, wanted to go big this year. "So we started throwing a couple of ideas around back in February, and this is what stuck."
Although Doctor Pearson hoped bulls horns wouldn't be the next thing that stuck him. "Of course, you're a little scared. During the actual run it goes so fast, there's not a lot of time to be worried about it."
The running of the bulls happens every day during the 7-day San Fermin Festival. Doctor Pearson ran it twice. "We were able to run right with the bulls. I touched a couple of them. We were running alongside them." At one point, Doctor Pearson's friend, also a doctor, nearly became a patient. "One of those got him in the leg pretty good, it didn't gore him; but it took his leg out from underneath him, and stepped on him, and just bruised him up some. Those were our only injuries for the week," says Pearson.
Doctor Pearson says the most dangerous part of the run isn't the bulls. "There are a lot of people there who are scared, and a lot of people that are drunk, and pushing and shoving and falling down; and I think the crowd is the bigger danger than anything there."
Pictures of the aftermath of the festival show parks littered with a sea of white and red, people who have passed out from partying. Doctor Pearson is not amongst those who partied a little too hard in the pictures. "The best part about it was just time with friends, it's a big party, the festival is, it's a good time. It's just a nice time to get out and celebrate with people."
And for Doctor Pearson, who sees many lives begin, the most important thing in life, is living it. "It was what I had in my mind what the run was supposed to be, and I was really happy with that."
Spanish tradition says the true origin began in northeastern Spain during the 14th century.
The seven day festival is held from July 6th-14th every year. By the way, Doctor Pearson goes on a new adventure every other year.


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LEXINGTON, Ky. - For the first time in the 95-year history of the KHSAA Boys' Sweet 16®, the tournament championship game will be played sometime other than Saturday night.
The traditional state tournament format will undergo a transformation for the 2013 event due to potential scheduling conflicts with Rupp Arena.
"We received a request a few days ago from the University to consider other Saturday (and potentially Sunday) alternatives in the event that the final schedule for 2012-2013 necessitated the Wildcats playing at home on Saturday, March 9," said KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett. "The 2013 scheduling has been a constantly evolving challenge for a while as we had previously surrendered our contracted dates for the arena to allow UK to host the NCAA Second/Third round that year."
The semifinals, a doubleheader that has been played on Saturday morning for more than fifty years, will move to Saturday night while the championship will be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The opening and quarterfinal rounds will remain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as in previous years. Exact tip-off times for the semifinals have not been confirmed and will be announced at a later date.
The decision was made on the part of the Association to eliminate the potential scheduling conflict with the University of Kentucky men's basketball program on Saturday, March 9 and measure affects the 2013 tournament only.
"It is important that the two largest and most tradition rich clients sharing the arena work together on a solution when there comes that time that we both need the facility," Tackett noted.
"They say that necessity is the mother of invention," Tackett continued. "While we all like to be reverent to tradition it's not a bad idea to try something new and we have certainly been willing to do that in the last few years. The format of our tournament, particularly Saturday, has been a discussion topic for years with coaches, fans and media. Circumstances have created both a need and an opportunity for us to try something different for one year and we will see what happens with it. The worst that can happen is we go back to the formula we know has worked for most of our 94 years."
Tackett emphasized the reason the Association decided to make the change at this time is twofold. First, it gives longtime fans of the event ample time to make changes to travel and lodging plans in Lexington for the week of March 6-10 prior to any final announcement by the SEC as to the Kentucky schedule. Second, since both the KHSAA and University of Kentucky have a scheduling overlap, the KHSAA's preemptive decision is a simple case of wanting to be a good neighbor and partner to not only to the staff of Rupp Arena, but also the University, which has assisted the Association over the years through use of its facilities and personnel for championship events.
"We appreciate the KHSAA not only for their working with the University on hosting the second/third rounds of the NCAA, but in helping through this unprecedented schedule conflict," said DeWayne Peevy, Executive Associate Athletic Director / External Operations at the University of Kentucky. "We both need the arena and in this way, we both have access."
The format of the Houchens Industries/KHSAA Girls' Sweet 16® at E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green the following week will not change.
"Without the necessity due to scheduling conflicts, we did not think it would be fair to the participants and fans of the girls' tournament to revise that schedule, and arbitrarily switch them to a new format that has not been tried yet," said Tackett. "This change is being made because of a scheduling conflict with the boys' tournament. No such conflict exists with the girls' event in Bowling Green. But after the 2013 tournament, we will review the situation as we do each year, and make any necessary future decisions."


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The Dalai Lama kicks off his visit to New Orleans with a series of speeches Friday at the city's convention center. The visit from the conveyor of peace comes less than a week after a mass shooting left 20 injured on Mother's Day.
The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader arrived Thursday. On Saturday, he is scheduled to speak at the University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena and deliver Tulane University's commencement address at the Superdome.
The Dalai Lama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his nonviolent struggle against Chinese rule of Tibet.
The last global spiritual leader to visit New Orleans was Pope John Paul II, who celebrated Mass before tens of thousands of people at the Superdome and outdoors during a visit in September 1987.


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Tracking TD 9
Boynton Beach, Fla. residents concerned about aggressive foxesUPDATED 5:44 PM EDT Jul 11, 2013
Residents of a Boynton Beach neighborhood are concerned about their safety after being confronted by aggressive foxes.
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CommentsThe views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


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Pencil Stylus by FiftyThree
Category: Illustration, Products,
Posted by: John F
Posted: Nov 19th 2013
No. of comments: 0
Posted: Nov 19th 2013
No. of comments: 0
The clever people at FiftyThree - the ones behind the beautiful drawing app Paper - have released a new stylus to use in combination with the app called Pencil. What's immediately clear about Pencil is that its been designed to bring you as close to using a real life pencil as you can get with a stylus. Its also got some impressive technology under the hood called Palm Rejection that means you can rest your palm on the screen while drawing without marking your page.
Since Christmas is on its way, maybe you could ask Santa for a Pencil (make sure you specify otherwise you might not get exactly what you asked for) to do all your thumbnailing from now on.


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Speed Feeds were revolutionized with the introduction of the first Virtue Crown. But with the introduction of the latest generation, dubbed the Crown 2, the features and ease-of-use are at their height.
The Crown 2 for the Dye Rotor uses 10 ultra-soft, replaceable fingers encompass a hard ring that will stand up to the brutal wear of paintball. The silicone elastomer fingers prevents sagging common to other speed feed systems and have the best compression and bend recovery of any current speed feed. Each Crown 2 comes with 10 long and 5 short fingers, so you can decide to use a combination of all long or half long, half short fingers.
You will be able to reload thousands of times without having to worry about the Crown 2 going kaput. Virtue maintains a Lifetime Warranty on the base ring and the easily replaceable fingers come on many different colors and combinations. Customize away!


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Raikes Hill Baptist Church is hosting a bake sale at Wal-Mart Supercenter on Friday, Oct. 10 beginning at 9 a.m.
Proceeds from the bake sale will go towards the purchase of new hymnals.
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Category:Architectural engineering/all books
From Wikibooks, open books for an open world
|This is an internally maintained category. It should be automatically populated with all books belonging to subject Architectural engineering or to any of its descendant subjects.
Books or Pages
The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.


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- Tea Pouches
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- Sale
- Why Mighty Leaf?
Organic Coconut Banana Cream Pie
Coconut Banana Cream Pie is a delicious and aromatic blend of black tea, banana, vanilla beans and coconut. A perfect dessert tea that delivers a satisfying cup without the calories of the real thing. Contains coconut.• 4 oz. loose tea in bag • 1 rounded tsp. per 12 oz. cup • Makes 35-40 cups
Organic Black Tea, Organic Vanilla Beans, Organic Allspice, Organic Coconut flakes, Organic banana pieces, Organic Flavoring
Subscribe and save 5% with Regular Tea Rituals, our Auto-Delivery Program. Details
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This chain end is for the 4mm crystal chain.
Fold over crimp for brass crystal studded chain. To use, simply place the end of the chain into the crimp and use chainnose pliers to gently fold down the prong ends. Measures 4mm.
Sold in packages of 3 pairs.
These chain ends are designed to match our Silver Plate 4mm Rhinestone Chain.
These chain ends are available in the following finishes: silver plate, antique brass, gold plate, and gunmetal.
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California's unprecedented ban on gay conversion therapy for minors is back on the books.
In a decision that could spark a U.S. Supreme Court review, a federal appeals court on Thursday upheld the state's new law barring the practice of counseling minors to convert from homosexuality, rejecting the free speech and religious rights arguments of therapists and families who support the practice.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously concluded that the ban, the first of its kind in the nation, did not violate the free speech rights of therapists and was within the state's authority to outlaw medical or mental health practices it considers harmful to minors. The court also rejected the argument the law interferes with parents' rights to seek such counseling for their children.
"Fundamental rights of parents do not include the right to choose a specific type of provider for a specific medical or mental health treatment that the state has reasonably deemed harmful," 9th Circuit Judge Susan Graber wrote for the three-judge panel.
In two separate cases, a group of therapists and families sued over the ban, arguing that it violates the free speech rights of therapists to discuss gay conversion with young patients and tramples on parents' religious freedom to seek therapy to convert their children from homosexuality. The law barred licensed mental health professionals from using the therapy on youths under the age of 18.
One federal judge had blocked enforcement of the law while the case is on appeal, while another refused to issue an injunction. The 9th Circuit has now lifted the injunction against the ban, although the therapists and families can ask the court to reconsider the case with an 11-judge panel.
The Pacific Justice Institute, one of the organizations challenging the ban, vowed to appeal.
"This decision is a dark day for those who believe in the First Amendment and the right of parents over the proper upbringing of their children," said Brad Dacus, the institute's president.
Opponents of the ban have expressed concern that other states would follow California if courts uphold the law. In fact, while the 9th Circuit was considering the case, New Jersey recently adopted a similar ban on gay conversion therapy, and that law has been challenged in federal court.
California legislators and gay rights advocates sought to abolish the therapy for minors, arguing that it stigmatizes youths and can lead to depression and even suicide. Gay rights groups praised the decision, as did some of the individuals who were forced to undergo the therapy and testified about its harmful effects.
"My first response at hearing (about the ruling) was chills and tears," said James Guay, a pastor's son who lived in San Francisco for 20 years until recently moving to West Hollywood. "This barbaric treatment has been deemed ineffective and likely harmful by all the legitimate medical and mental health associations."
Howard Mintz covers legal affairs. Contact him at 408-286-0236 or follow him at Twitter.com/hmintz.
Read the federal court ruling upholding California's ban on gay conversion therapy at www.mercurynews.com/crime-court


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SAN JOSE -- Beset with grief, friends and relatives held a vigil Sunday evening for Adrian Corona of San Jose, who was killed in the early-morning hours after his car crashed on East Santa Clara Street and trapped him in the midst of a deadly fire.
Corona, 21, and his front-seat passenger, Alejandra V. Andonaegui, also of San Jose, were trapped under the dashboard, which had been rammed backward over them by the impact.
Andonaegui, 22, Corona's girlfriend, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, said friends at the vigil that brought out about 80 mourners. Others said that one backseat passenger, Jackie Garrido, 27, of Stockton, also was hospitalized with serious injuries. Another passenger, whose name was not immediately known, escaped major injury.
San Jose Police spokeswoman Heather Randol said police would not provide more information Sunday night, nor would they confirm the identity of the victims.
As told by friends, family and witnesses at the vigil, the two rear passengers were pulled from the burning Cadillac by neighbors. Miguel Pargaz, 31, was walking along Santa Clara Street between 24th and 25th streets about 2 a.m. when he saw the car crash into the tree. "I ran and tried to get to the car," said Pargaz. He, his brother and a friend used a piece of crash debris to break a rear passenger window, and pulled out Garrido and the other passenger.
Then they grabbed fire extinguishers, from another neighbor and from a VTA bus that stopped near the scene. Ignoring bystanders' calls to stay away from the flaming car because of the risk of explosion, the three put out the fire. "But I couldn't pry the front door open," said Pargaz, who appeared somewhat in shock. Andonaegui was screaming and Corona was moaning. But "there was no way to get them out."
It was not immediately known what caused the crash, which occurred with such force that a piece of 5-inch-diameter metal was embedded perpendicularly into the tree that apparently partly sliced the car into two. Observers said rescuers had to cut off the top of the Cadillac to extract the front-seat victims.
"It is just devastating," said Rose Navarrette, a friend of Corona's family. "These are good kids. It's a tremendous loss."
She and others said that Corona was going to school to become a truck driver, and also was working at Target. He was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High in San Jose. Andonaegui, an Independence High graduate, worked as a medical assistant. They had been sweethearts since they were about 13, Navarrette said. Friends said the pair was inseparable.
Sunday night, vases of calla lilies and birds of paradise surrounded the tree at the center of the crash site, and arriving mourners -- many who had been friends since Ryan Elementary and Ocala Middle schools -- added veladores, glass-encased candles. Many others, young and old, gripped white altar candles as they wept and hugged one another.
"He was a mama's boy," said Corona's godmother, Beckie Corona. "He was joyful, full of life," she said, "a hard worker and good person."
Contact Sharon Noguchi at 408-271-3775. Follow her at Twitter.com/NoguchiOnK12.


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Medical-use pinch valves for precise `dial-in` control of soft tubing. Can be used for Calcium Reactors and Kalkreaktor effluent drip control and any CO2 or O3 flow control. Since that valve is external to the tubing, they can nev...
Replacement Flow Control Valve (orange valve) for Korallin Reactor
Replacement Pad for Korallin Reactor
Replacement O-Ring for Korallin Reactors for models C-1502 and C-3002.
Replacement set of Screws, washers and nuts for Korallin reactor lids.


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SANTA CLARA -- Violin Memory's sad opening song as a public company reached a crescendo Monday, as the data-storage company fired CEO Don Basile and replaced him with its chairman, Howard Bain III.
Violin executed a $162 million initial public offering less than three months ago, selling 18 million shares for $9 apiece to establish an initial valuation of nearly $900 million. The stock declined immediately upon hitting Wall Street, however. Shares have yet to hit even $8 since its Sept. 27 debut, and closed Friday at $2.69, a decline of more than 70 percent from its IPO price.
"The board believes this leadership change is necessary to enhance the management team's operational focus and ability to execute the company's plans for profitable growth," board member and Bridgescale venture partner David Walrod said in a news release announcing the move Monday morning.
Violin's lagging stock price took a big hit in November, when the Palo Alto company released its first quarterly earnings report since going public, which showed a loss of $34.1 million, or 85 cents a share, on revenue of $28.3 million. The 8-year-old company has suffered since Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) severed its contract with the firm -- Violin noted in its IPO prospectus that HP's purchases accounted for 65 percent of its revenue in the 2012 fiscal year and less than 10 percent in 2013.
Violin now faces investor lawsuits accusing it of not disclosing enough information about the business ahead of the IPO, and Chief Technical Officer for software Jonathan Goldrick left the company last week, ahead of Basile's dismissal.
Basile came to Violin after leading Salt Lake City data-storage company Fusion-IO, which has also suffered as the data-storage industry changes, hurting companies that focus solely on flash memory. Fusion-IO's market capitalization has been cut more than in half in 2013, while San Jose's Nimble Storage -- which utilizes a hybrid technology involving hard disks and flash -- raked in $168 million at a valuation of $1.48 billion, then saw those shares zoom more than 60 percent higher in Friday's market debut.
"Nimble is playing in 100 percent of the (enterprise) storage market, ... but the segment of the market that is available to Violin or Fusion-IO is actually much smaller because they are at the very high end of delivering capacity and performance," Arun Taneja, founder and consulting analyst of independent storage-industry analysis firm Taneja Group, explained Friday.
"Violin is between a rock and a hard place," Taneja said, adding, "they've made a lot of errors."
Violin's interim CEO, Bain, replaces an executive who received total compensation of nearly $19 million in its most recently completed fiscal year; Violin did not immediately provide any information about a severance package for Basile. Bain has four decades of experience, mostly as a chief financial officer, a role he once filled at Mountain View software company Symantec, which provides the software that runs Violin's data-storage solutions.
Toshiba is Violin's largest investor, controlling 14 percent of the company. The Japanese technology giant recently reached a deal to buy the assets of San Jose solid-state drive company OCZ Technology, which is entering bankruptcy.
Violin stock, which was halted ahead of Monday's announcement, jumped as high as $3.35 in Friday trading before closing with a 21.6 percent gain at $3.27.
Contact Jeremy C. Owens at 408-920-5876; follow him at Twitter.com/jowens510.


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FREE SHIPPING for all online orders. U.S. Orders Only
FREE SHIPPING for all online orders. U.S. Orders Only
Carry this color and show your support for breast cancer research. Learn more about the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
This style can be Personalized!
Learn more about Personalization
The perfect complement to our placemats or any table setting.
20½" W x 20½" H
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle, wash with mild detergent, use only non-chlorine bleach when needed, line dry.


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Cleo by PanacheMaddie Moulded Balcony T-shirt Bra
Offering a great shape and uplift, the Cleo by Panache Maddie Moulded Balconette Bra is perfect for everyday. Complete with a cute button detail at the centre, this underwired bra features adjustable straps and a 2 hook and eye fastening.
Product code: CL-7201
Need some help?
Call 1-866-751-2589 or chat to an advisor onlineCHAT NOW


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If you see a deer in the road, experts say it's better to go ahead and hit it instead of swerving. (WRDW-TV / Oct. 10, 2011)
Friday, Jan. 4, 2013
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Anyone who ever wanted to hunt in South Carolina but doesn't have a license has a chance to head outdoors over the next two days.
The state Department of Natural Resources says South Carolina residents can hunt on public land or private land with permission on Friday and Saturday and do not have to fill out any paperwork. Wildlife officials say that doesn't eliminate any federal hunting requirements.
DNR says it plans a yearly free hunting period to introduce new people to hunting and the outdoors.
Wildlife officials say all existing season requirements and limits on the number of animals that can be killed will still be in effect.
(Copyright 2013, The Associated Press)


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Well.. the title pretty much says it all
How do I draw a polyline and then get a list of all the nodes' coordinates? (the final goal is to copy that data and export it to a datasheet)
Is there a way to do the opposite? (copy 2 sets of columns from a datasheet and past them into the command line to get a polyline)
Thanks for the help


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BoxWave Home
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Bringing You Tomorrow's Products Today
New Apple iPhone 5 Case
News Article
November 2, 2012
New Apple iPhone 5 Case - Apple iPhone 5 Patent Leather Clutch Case Now Available for Pre-Order
BoxWave is now accepting pre-orders for the
Patent Leather Clutch Case
for the
Apple iPhone 5
Slip your Apple iPhone 5 into BoxWave's
Patent Leather Clutch Case
, a liquid-sheen patent vegan leather wallet case that elevates your day-to-night styling.
Patent Leather Clutch Case
is a form-fitting case of durability and style that protects and dresses up your Apple iPhone 5 elegantly. The Case includes 4 built-in card slots and a useful hidden compartment for your daily needs. The Apple iPhone 5 is protected in a snap-fit shell case with a smooth matte finish, as well as soft plastic interior. A front screen flap and magnetic closure keeps the Apple iPhone 5 secure in place when not in use. A lanyard and cutouts for your Apple iPhone 5's features and controls helps keep your Apple iPhone 5 fully accessible at anytime.
Patent Leather Clutch Case
from BoxWave: Day-to-Night Styling
You can find more information about the
Apple iPhone 5 Patent Leather Clutch Case
and other
Apple iPhone 5 cases and covers
Apple iPhone 5 accessories
by BoxWave.


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Progressive Scan DVD Player
Details http://shop.panasonic.com/support-only/DVD-S29K.html
Progressive Scan DVD Player with Multi-Format Playback, Black
SpecificationsExpand All
More Details
- Multi-Format Playback (Playable Disc Type) DVD: DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW CD: CD (CDDA), CD-R/RW (including MP3, JPEG, WMA, and HighMAT level 2)
- DVD-RAM Video Playback Capability Yes
DVD-R PlaybackCapability Yes
CD-R/RW PlaybackYes
MP3 PlaybackCapability Yes
- WMA (Windows Media Audio) Playback Capability Yes
HighMATCompatible Yes (Level 2)
- Model Type Single-Disc Player
- Video D/A Converter 54MHz/10-bit
Progressive ScanningYes
- 720p/1080i Up-Conversion No
- Zoom Variable and Auto
- Depth Enhancer No
- MPEG Digital Noise Reduction (Mosquito/Block/3D) No
- Picture Mode Selection Yes
- Monitor Select Yes
- Black Level Control Yes
- Audio D/A Converter 192kHz/24-bit
- Multi Re-Master No
- Channel Balance Control No
- Delay Time Control No
- Audio Only Function (Video Circuit OFF) No
- Virtual Battery Operation No
- Built-in DTS® Surround Sound Decoder Yes (2 channel)
- Built-in Dolby Digital® Surround Sound Decoder Yes (2 channel)
- Dolby Surround Pro Logic II® No
Advanced Surround (V.S.S.)Yes
Dialogue EnhancerYes
- Headphone Surround (V.S.S.) Yes
- Dynamic Range Compression Yes
- HDMI Output No
- Progressive Video Out (Y, PB, PR) Yes
- Component Video Out (Y, PB, PR) Yes
- S-Video Out Yes
- Video Out Yes
- 5.1ch Surround Sound Audio Out No
- Subwoofer Out No
- 2ch Audio Out Yes
- Digital Audio Out Coaxial (1)
Direct NavigatorYes
Playlist PlaybackYes
- Slow & Fast Audio Playback Yes
- Hi Speed Scan x200
- Quick Replay Yes
- Audio/JPEG Navigation Menu Yes
- Twin Laser Pickup Yes
- Progress Indicator Yes
- Energy Star® Compliant Yes
- On-Screen Menu Icons Yes
- Chapter Preview Yes
- Sleep Timer No
- Quick Guide Setup Yes
- Horizontal Resolution More than 500 lines
- Video S/N 65 dB
- Audio S/N 115 dB
- Dynamic Range: DVD-Video (LPCM) 100dB
- Dynamic Range: CD 98dB
- Power Source AC 120V, 60Hz
- Remote Control Standard
- Color Black
- Dimensions (H x W x D) 1 11/16'' x 16 15/16'' x 9 3/4''
- Weight 4.7 lbs.
Owner's Manuals
Owner's Manuals and Documentation
Warranty information
FAQsFrequently asked questions about your product
Where can I find more support about my product?
Click Here to visit the Panasonic Community to search for FAQs or tutorials for products or ask questions directly to Panasonic or other customers.
Where can I find Firmware for my product?
Click on "Firmware & Drivers" in the floating menu on the left side of the screen.Note: If "Firmware & Drivers" is not listed in the floating menu, there are no firmware or driver updates available for your product.
What should I do if my product needs service?
To locate an Authorized service center in your area Click HereIf you have a Portable Audio, Home Theater System, Camera, DVD Player/Recorder, BluRay, Camcorder, Small Appliance, Personal Care & Beauty, or Telephone product, Ship the product to:Panasonic Factory Service Center4900 George McVay Drive Suite B-12McAllen, TX 78503 Include your name, address, phone number, email address, copy of your purchase receipt (for warranty service), and a description of what is wrong with the unit. Freight collect shipments will not be accepted.Panasonic is not responsible for damage that occurs in transit. All contents should be packaged for safe travel to the service center. Customer should use a reputable shipping company that is able to provide the tracking number and insurance (if customer should so desire to insure their package).Units that are abused, damaged, infested with insects, have corrosion, etc. will be placed out-of-warranty.To check on the status, Email: email@example.com include the Service Job number when contacting. You will be contacted if there is any cost you are responsible for.


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Your pet will love traveling with this option! The hammock design will keep your entire back seat protected while offering your pooch a comfortable place to lounge. There are even pockets to help carry all of your things. This is the only way to travel.
This versatile design allows for the hammock pet seat cover to be down on one side and giving room for a passenger to sit in the back.
The Pet Travel Hammock Seat Cover measures 58" wide x 57" long. Is available in two colors- sand or slate.
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Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Dill And Garlic Freezer Pickles
Well, technically this isn't a cucumber recipe, it's a pickle recipe so let's all relax and cut me a generous amount of slack. Besides, what else am I supposed to do with the mountain of cucumbers that's overtaken my countertop? You can only eat so many on salads and since I'm certainly not the type to promote cucumbers as sex toys, I made the bumper crop into freezer pickles. Are we kosher now?
I actually made a batch of freezer pickles last summer that were really, really good. But this time around I wanted something a little less sweet and with more of a salty, dilly, garlicy bite. When I make these freezer pickles next summer I'm going to add some smashed garlic cloves to the mix to make them even more garlicy. Once thawed, these pickles keep for weeks in the fridge, and remain as crisp as the day you sliced them.
Garlic and Dill Freezer Pickles
8 cups thinly sliced cucumbers
1 sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 cup white vinegar
2 TBSP pickling salt
1 tsp celery seed
1 cup Splenda (or sugar)
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried dill weed
Combine cucumbers and onions in a large bowl.
In a small sauce pan, heat the remaining ingredients to boiling. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
Pour the brine over the cucumbers and onions and stir well. Cover and place bowl in the refrigerator. Stir once daily for the next three days. Spoon cucumbers and onions into freezer containers and cover with the brine. Place containers in freezer. These will keep frozen for up to one year. Thaw overnight in fridge when ready to serve.
20 comments:
- Grumpy and HoneyB said...
I grew up in a home of homemade pickles. I don't think I have ever had a freezer one though!
- July 28, 2010 at 7:14 AM
- Haden News said...
We are thinking alike...i posted a recipe for easy refrigerator pickles. I have never tried this freezer method. So many pickles, so many recipes, so little time :)
- July 28, 2010 at 7:50 AM
- June said...
Wow Mags, this is a new one to me too. I've never heard of freezer pickles, but we love pickles so I'll be trying this out with the extra garlic of course.
- July 28, 2010 at 9:40 AM
- Pam said...
I adore freezer pickles!!!
- July 28, 2010 at 9:54 AM
- stephchows said...
i'm seeing these all over the blogs and am loving it!!! I need to make some now!!!!!
- July 28, 2010 at 10:02 AM
- The Mom Chef said...
Ok, so I briefly considered making the sex toy joke in your last post but walked away from it. Nice to see one of us had the guts to semi-go there! :)
- July 28, 2010 at 10:56 AM
- Julie said...
These look delicious, wish I had more cucumbers!
I thought zucchini's were the sex toys? :)
- July 28, 2010 at 12:50 PM
- Moogie said...
You're quite the pickle Mags. When are you going to invite me over for a sleep-over?
- July 28, 2010 at 12:58 PM
- Sue said...
I'm amazed...I had no idea you could freeze PICKLES! I just might try these...they sound delicious!
- July 28, 2010 at 4:32 PM
- Barbara said...
My mother and grandmother used to make these, Mags, but never the freezer version.
I love your recipe...wish I had more people at home to enjoy them!
- July 29, 2010 at 7:42 AM
- Mary said...
I've never made the freezer version of these. They look wonderful, Mags. I hope the day is treating you well. Blessings...Mary
- July 29, 2010 at 2:36 PM
- Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction said...
I'm intrigued by the idea of freezer pickles... We've had a ridiculous number of cucumbers from our CSA and garden (I've already made two batches of bread and butter pickles totaling about 15 pints). Next week I'll have to make these!
- July 29, 2010 at 9:24 PM
- Leslie said...
Are you kidding me? You can make pickles and freeze them?!? Well, I guess you can because Mags said she did. I must try this. With the extra garlic, of course.
- July 31, 2010 at 6:28 PM
- G. Parker said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- September 20, 2011 at 4:54 PM
Can you use kosher salt instead of pickling salt?
- June 21, 2012 at 11:44 AM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Anonymous: from my box of kosher salt: Generally you can you kosher salt as you would canning and pickling salt...tsp for tsp. For amounts greater than 1/4 cup, increase the amount of kosher salt by one TBSP for each 1/4 cup salt.
Hope that helps!
- June 21, 2012 at 12:07 PM
- Beantree Designs said...
this sounds great, dill is my favorite pickle and I hope to have a bumper crop this year.
- June 21, 2012 at 9:01 PM
- Gretchen said...
Just found this recipe, and want to try, but I HATE sweet pickles. Do you have to add the sugar? Thansk!
- August 8, 2012 at 1:58 PM
- Mags @ the Other Side of 50 said...
Gretchen: This is a recipe for a sweet pickle. I don't know how it would turn out without the sugar. Perhaps a different recipe might be what you're looking for?
- August 8, 2012 at 3:00 PM
- Sharon said...
These sound great! I wonder if you could use the left over pickle juice from store bought pickles? Just curious! Definitely gonna try this!
- December 26, 2012 at 1:37 PM


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Looks like the Blog area of MyHumax.Org is ready!
February 25th, 2011 1 comment
Well, let's see if I can make my first blog post.
I will be moving all my wikis to this site once the Wiki area is up, but for now, I might blog my way…
First subject will be me raving about the Humax FOX HDR T2's standard components, and why it is beneficial to owners… watch this space for my FOX HDR T2 internal hard disk drive replacement/upgrade!


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I am wondering if it would be possible to list videos shared on a network on a local homegroup (WIN 7) or equivalent that require passwords for authentication.
I have a desktop and a laptop that are currently shared, laptop is passworded. when accessing the laptop if doesnt ask for the password and lists the network device as empty.


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Category: Nature
Photo and caption by Meaghan Ogilvie
Part of a series, "Symbiosis" that focuses on the essential purpose of an ecological civilization. The landscapes were chosen because they are protected and serve as a means to preserve the areas ecology. These photographs are symbolic of the balance that needs to be re-established between man and nature.
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Ashley Willis and Travis Goodrich announce the birth of a daughter, Nevaeh Caryolmarie Goodrich.
She was born at 5:47 a.m., Jan. 10, 2013, at St. Anthony Shawnee Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces and was 18.5 inches long.
She is the granddaughter of Lana and Michael Goodrich, Johnny Stretch, Tina Beverlin, Glenda Brown, and Mark Willis and Stephanie Willis.
Her aunts and uncles are Andrew Goodrich, Angel Goodrich, Macy Willis, Riley Conger, Andrea Willis, Kiley Willis, Will Willis, and Dakota Brown.
Location, ST | website.com


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Today: Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Microsoft and chip companies see shares descend after reports that first-quarter PC shipments were dismal, but all have a Plan B. Also: Tech's dreary day can't stop Wall Street, Facebook is busy.
PC companies have plans to overcome weakness, stocks plunge
Personal computer companies were predictably punished Thursday on Wall Street, after analysis firms reported Wednesday that the PC industry suffered dramatic losses in the first quarter. Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft and large chip companies like Intel (INTC) have seen the issues in their industry coming, however, and all have plans to diversify their business away from the declining PC industry.
Microsoft took the biggest hit from Wednesday's reports, with an IDC executive overseeing the numbers proclaiming in the company's announcement that "the Windows 8 launch not only failed to provide a positive boost to the PC market, but appears to have slowed the market."
"Microsoft will have to make some very tough decisions moving forward if it wants to help reinvigorate the PC market," IDC's Bob O'Donnell later added.
The Washington tech giant is not focusing on the PC market for growth, however, as it continues to build on its mobile efforts. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the company is planning a 7-inch version of its Surface tablet to rival the iPad Mini, part of Microsoft's plan to mimic Apple (AAPL) by selling its own mobile devices, and partnering with Nokia on smartphones.
Microsoft also has its Xbox business to fall back on, and the company showed that it plans for the Xbox to be a big player in television as well by selling its Silicon Valley-based TV-software subsidiary earlier this week. With Windows Mobile devices growing in number and a new Xbox likely being shown off this spring or summer, Microsoft investors can only hope those efforts will provide growth as PC revenues slip.
Video game consoles and TV are also on the minds of Silicon Valley chip companies that have been severely damaged by the PC downturn. Bloomberg News reported earlier this week that struggling Sunnyvale chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices would provide the brains for the new Xbox, and the company has already been announced as the processor producer for Sony's new PlayStation, part of CEO Rory Read's focus on diversifying beyond the PC market.
The industry's biggest player, Intel, is making a big gamble for the television market, possibly challenging Microsoft. Left behind when consumers switched to mobile devices, the Santa Clara chipmaker is only now showing small fruit in the smartphone game, but there is buzz growing behind its efforts to build a new set-top box for the changing television viewer.
Advertising Age published a story this week that included analysts raving about Intel's product, which they reportedly were given behind-the-scenes access to. While other analysts are skeptical about the end product -- "Intel has never really done very well at selling things to consumers," Insight 64 analyst Nathan Brookwood told The Mercury News -- Intel could prove that its chips would be a good investment for any other companies looking to get into the same market.
"Intel could continue to build this into a bigger business going forward," FBR Capital Markets analysts wrote in a recent report.
Santa Clara chipmaker Nvidia has made mobile its focus, and succeeded in placing chips inside Apple and Google (GOOG) tablets so far. While it waits for those efforts to grow, however, Nvidia announced Thursday that it will return $1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and stock buybacks, an announcement that helped keep it from losses as severe as its counterparts Thursday.
The company most affected by Wednesday's news is Hewlett-Packard, the world's largest manufacturer of personal computers. The reports from IDC and Gartner both showed that the Palo Alto tech giant's shipments fell more than 23 percent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2013, and its barely holding off Lenovo for the title of top manufacturer, even if that is a shallow victory for a declining industry.
Befitting its worrisome reliance on PCs, HP's plan is multifaceted: While its efforts in software have been embarrassing at times, it still has eyes on challenging Oracle (ORCL) and other titans of that industry, and it also will make a new run at producing smartphones and tablets after the failed TouchPad experiment.
The company also introduced a new line of servers this week that could be a genuine competitor to the cloud revolution. Small in stature and needing much less energy, the company's Moonshot venture has a chance to convince enterprise customers to keep their data on-site instead of renting out servers at gigantic farms or trusting everything to the cloud.
CEO Meg Whitman will continue to throw darts to see what sticks during a turnaround that the former eBay (EBAY) chief concedes will likely take years, but investors are already turning on the company -- again. After seeing its share price rise by more than 60 percent in the first quarter of 2013, shares dropped 6.8 percent to $20.80 Thursday, its lowest closing price in more than a month.
The rest of the group also suffered at the hands of investors Thursday: Microsoft declined 4.4 percent to $28.93, AMD dropped 3.5 percent to $2.52, Intel descended 2 percent to $21.83 and Nvidia decreased 0.5 percent to $33.47. Even Apple, which has proven masterful at selling the types of devices consumers want in the last decade, dropped 0.3 percent to $434.33, as it still makes plenty of notebooks and PCs that would be affected by the industry decline.
Wall Street still gains as Yahoo, Gilead and eBay stay hot
Wall Street still managed to roar to more record highs Thursday despite weakness among those tech titans, as all three major U.S. indexes increased on strong trading in retail stocks, which showed that even a slight gain in sales could be read as a good sign for the future.
Technology stocks not affiliated with the PC industry also had a strong day, helping to push the tech-heavy Nasdaq to a 0.2 percent gain and keep the SV150 index of Silicon Valley's largest tech companies flat. Yahoo (YHOO) and Gilead reached 52-week highs for the second consecutive day, with Gilead gaining 3.9 percent to $51.65 and Yahoo increasing 1.2 percent to $24.49. eBay also reached a 52-week high for a second straight day, as it challenged doubts about PayPal's expansion with an acquisition meant to help the online-payments giant meet any increased demand.
LinkedIn also seemed to get a boost from an acquisition, rising 1.6 percent to $180.18 after its purchase of Pulse was finally announced. And Netflix (NFLX) shot up 4.2 percent after CEO Reed Hastings took advantage of new SEC rules on social-media usage and announced some good news on Facebook, and the company announced a new deal with Hasbro that will get the video-on-demand company more access to streaming kids shows.
Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg have busy day
Facebook and its founder were prominent in the news Thursday, with items ranging from the business side to the political.
The Menlo Park social network announced a new venture for its growing advertising business that will collect data from the physical world to help it verified the "acqui-hire" of mobile software company Osmeta.
Meanwhile, CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed earlier reports about an advocacy group focused on immigration and other issues, announcing the arrival of FWD.us, which also includes LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, and many other Silicon Valley heavyweights. While Zuckerberg proudly boasted of that venture to the Washington Post, he had nothing to say about the other buzz around him and his company, their respective tax bills.
Facebook shares gained 1.6 percent to $28.02.
Silicon Valley tech stocks
Up: Ruckus, Netflix, Tesla, Gilead, SunPower (SPWRA), Splunk, Yelp, Workday, Facebook, LinkedIn, Yahoo, Adobe (ADBE), Cisco (CSCO), eBay
Down: HP, Intel, AMD, Juniper, Zynga, Palo Alto Networks, VMware, Electronic Arts (ERTS), Symantec, Nvidia, NetApp, SolarCity, Oracle, Apple, Applied Materials
The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index: Up 2.91, or 0.09 percent, to 3,300.16
The blue chip Dow Jones industrial average: Up 62.9, or 0.42 percent, to 14,865.14
And the widely watched Standard & Poor's 500 index: Up 5.64, or 0.36 percent, to 1,593.37
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I have been wanting to write this article for a while. Years, in fact. I am determined to write it in the simplest possible format: no punch-line at the bottom, no building up to a grand conclusion, but simply stating something impressive, true, and simply wonderful: the hegemony that Internet Explorer once upon a time had is... over. Right now, other browsers are fighting amongst each other, and it's all about how much of IE's share they are getting. The war is over: Internet Explorer lost. Everybody else won.
So, what kind of scenario has the IT world painfully missed? And more importantly, now that the deed is done, what are the consequences?
What the risks were
First of all, I really feel the need to point out that Microsoft with a de-facto monopoly would have been disastrous for the IT world -- and for the world in general. Thing is, I am not exaggerating. Yes, I am the editor of Free Software Magazine and therefore am bound to talk in extreme terms about the dangers of the proprietary competition. However, "no": a stronghold of Microsoft in the browser's world would have had far, far reaching consequences. First of all, Microsoft's attempt to push VB script could have been successful, pushing the client-side problems even further. Also, all the Windows-only technologies would have been more and more common as time went by. Being Australia (and proudly so, if I may say), I remember a few years back when Westpac (or Challenge Bank) released their new module to their powerful Internet Banking: the "money planner". It was a very neat system, which allowed you to keep track of expenses on your accounts. And it was based on ActiveX -- y es, ActiveX! That's all gone now (thankfully), but that happened while IE had a major, major market share. (In fact, I would love to hear your horror stories of IE-only web sites). The risk was that Microsoft had total control of the web experience, and that the web itself -- the crucial ring in the Internet chain -- was totally controlled by a company with a history of embracing, extending and extinguishing. Eventually, GNU/Linux as a desktop would have become simply non-viable because it couldn't run Internet Explorer. Worse, mobile desktops (mobile phones, PDAs, Android phones, or anything that didn't run Windows mobile) would have been much less useful for the same reason.
The web would have been a much more hostile place for non-Windows devices.
Thing is, the only way to avoid this wasn't just "create a competitor" -- instead, the free software world needed to create a successful competitor -- one with major market share, one with millions of users complaining, loud, if an important web site were "IE only".
Some data to rejoice first
First of all, some raw information to rejoice. I find that Wikipedia is the best source for Web Browsers' usage and stats. It includes that latest report from Net Applications, which resonated loud in the IT world (and in mainstream magazines as well): IE dropped below 60% -- 59.79% to be precise. 59.79% sounds like a lot, but you need to remember that IE comes pre-installed on most computers sold in the world. When you press "Internet" on your new Windows machine, you run Internet Explorer. So, a great percentage of that 40.21% who doesn't use explorer are people who had to actively do something (see: download another browser and install it) to give IE the boot. That's a huge result. (Note that this is no longer true in Europe, where Microsoft now has to provide an application that allows people to pick which browser to use, although many people doubt that such a thing is effective).
I can't tell you why people are running away from Internet Explorer. I can guess it -- we all can -- but it's hard to give a definite answer. Call it fashion, or security, or simply listening to some friend's advice. Things have changed -- a lot -- since IE's hegemony a few years back. And things are looking grimmer and grimmer for IE.
Who did it, really? And will it continue?
What marked the change? Was it just Firefox and Chrome? Mostly, yes. However, Safari (OS X's default web browser) and Opera (the last standing proprietary browser) also helped a little bit with their 6.2% of market share, although it's hard to say what those people would be using if their choice wereN'T AVAilable.
What is interesting, to me, is the future. It will be hard for IE to get that market share back. The trend is not looking good. Even if the other browsers magically started declining, IE has another problem: the mobile world. Millions of Android phones (I have one) and iPhones are invading the market. (By the way, they are both based on Webkit, which is rendering software released under a free license). Each phone is a non-IE user browsing the web, which will erode IE's market share further and further. (I will add anecdotal evidence here: I have only ever met one person in my life with a Windows Mobile phone, and they hated using it. But, maybe this is an Australian thing).
So, not only IE's future looks very gloomy... by the looks of it, things might be even worse than they look today.
What this means for the (IT and non-IT) world
What this means, is that "we did it". Most web applications are based on AJAX, and work on any browser. No bank will ever release an Internet Banking system that will only work on IE. Nobody can really afford to make a browser that behaves oddly, so that a web site will look "broken" on any other browser. The web will remain a well documented, free platform on which more and more people will develop. The Australian Tax Office is going to have to come up with a much better piece of software to pay your taxes online.
Incidentally, the article above ends with a very sad sentence: "The report, which was published last week, forecasts Windows 7 installations to increase to 18.8 percent in 2010. Meanwhile, Mac OS installations will increase slightly to 3.4 percent and Linux will remain at 2.0 percent.".
We did it for the browser, and it was quite a challenge. We did it with hard work, advocacy, sweat. We did it for the browser... and we can do the same for the desktop world as a whole.
I look forward to writing the same editorial talking about desktop computing.
I can hardly wait.
What are you talking about?
Internet Explorer still holds more than 50% of the usage share: It's still the most used web browser! The combined usage share of other browser is less than the IE usage share. Firefox, Chrome and Safari hasn't killed IE yet. And the main problem isn't killing IE, it is killing ALL proprietary browsers, opera and safari included (remember that safari is only partially free software, parts of it are proprietary).
If you combine the usage share of all free software browsers they're still around 40% which is really good, only 10% to be the majority of web browsers!
But please, don't be claiming that IE is killed until it's usage share drops bellow 50%, or even better: it drops bellow the combined market share of free software browsers.
It's really the IE monopoly that is dead
To be strictly accurate, it's not IE that's dead, but rather the IE monopoly.
IE is and will probably continue to be a strong contender with a respectable market share for a long time to come. Probably right up until Microsoft abandons it. But of course, that is somewhat likely, since the real purpose of IE seems to have been to maintain monopoly control, not to provide a good browser.
The good news really is that that tired old argument -- "well we have to support IE because 'nearly all' of the users are using it" -- just isn't going to fly. Telling the boss you're just going to ignore 40% of the market starts to get pretty untenable.
Hopefully that will mean more emphasis on standards-based web design.
But it's not all goodness and light yet. The United States' Internal Revenue Service introduced online fillable forms that rely on Microsoft Silverlight to work. We got them to work with Moonlight, but it wasn't pretty. My wife is still cussing the damage that did to her system (apparently she ran into a large number of package conflicts).
Monopoly is more than market share
The real litmus test here is surely when the "average user" (by which I mean a home user who has purchased an OEM PC) distinguishes between the Internet as a service (e.g. www) and Internet Explorer as a product through which you can use that service. That monopoly in my experience starts to shift as people begin to use the web more and once they make the distinction they are more likely to dump IE. Prior to that they hear of IE's bad reputation and largely let it slide because I think they don't really get the point. This of course is the point of monopoly, to make your product ubiquitously associated with a service or market. It ends with the adoption of a product as the name for the market or service (Hoover, Biro, Google)
The good news as you say is that this seems to be a situation where the tide is turning. Like many I have a group of friends and relatives that I offer IT support to. More of those are now beginning to pro-actively ask whether they should be using Chrome or Firefox as they've heard they are safer. I should say that most of them are quite surprised to discover I installed Firefox for them a while back and they have been using it without realising. I did tell them they just didn't grasp what it meant.
Equitas IT Solutions - fairness, quality, freedom


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Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn., is proud to announce that Racquel Winters, daughter of Jamie and Jennifer Winters of Montevideo, Minn., has been selected to receive a Leadership Award Scholarship for the 2013-2014 academic year. Recipients of this scholarship are recognized for their academic accomplishments and outstanding leadership abilities.
Her planned major field of study is elementary education. Founded in 1963, Southwest Minnesota State University experiences continual growth by serving students on-campus, online and around the state.
Location, ST | website.com


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ANTIOCH -- A Black Diamond Middle School student whose life was cut short when she was struck by a car was remembered Friday as an "old soul" with a big heart, an infectious smile and a beautiful voice.
Hasanati White, 14, of Antioch, was struck and killed by a vehicle Thursday night while crossing an intersection that one resident called "a tragedy waiting to happen."
Hasanati had been living in foster care, her mother, Daronda Brown, said, but the two communicated through Facebook. "She loved music, she loved dancing, she loved singing," Brown said. "She had a beautiful voice."
The girl was crossing Hillcrest Avenue at the intersection of Hidden Glen Drive when she was struck about 6:40 p.m., according to Antioch police Sgt. John Vanderklugt.
She was airlifted to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead from her injuries, police said.
The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, police said. Several witnesses also spoke to police.
Grief counselors were on the Black Diamond campus Friday, where the mood was somber.
"Hasanati was just an old soul that, though she just came to school here this year, she made friends from all grade levels very quickly," Principal Ivanna Huthman said, noting the girl had an amazing smile. "She touched several of the lives on this campus."
The investigation will continue, but police said alcohol and the speed of the vehicle did not appear to be factors in the collision.
Nevertheless, two neighbors and a group of four people placing flowers and candles on a center strip on Hillcrest said vehicles routinely speed through the intersection, and the stretch where White was hit is extremely dangerous.
"If you're in that crosswalk at that light, it's really scary," said Jeannie Carmona, who runs a child-care service at her home on Hidden Glen Drive, about 100 yards from the intersection. "You feel like you're taking your life into your hands, because the cars go so fast."
Hillcrest bends around a curve as it nears Hidden Glen, and the posted speed limit is 45 mph. But the residents building the small shrine for Hasanati said cars rarely, if ever, keep their speed that low.
"Cars come around that (curve) flying," said Jennifer Harrison, who said she has lived on Braemer Street, just off Hidden Glen, for five years. Harrison said she also has a 14-year-old daughter and doesn't allow her on Hillcrest "because it's a tragedy waiting to happen. Cars that already are going fast speed up to make the lights. They fly when they make the turn onto Hidden Glen. It's a dangerous, dangerous intersection."
Myeisha Mixon, who came upon the wreck seconds after it happened, said the lack of cameras on the traffic lights also discourages people from slowing down. A friend of hers who declined to be identified, said the group will start a petition aimed at increasing police presence in the area.
"This is the worst thing I've ever seen," Mixon said. "Hopefully, this tragedy is the impetus for making this stretch (of road) safer."
Late Friday, several people held a candlelight vigil for Hasanati at Knoll Park, near where she was struck Thursday.
Staff writers Paul Burgarino and Eve Mitchell contributed to this story. Follow Rick Hurd at Twitter.com/3rdERH. Follow Daniel M. Jimenez at Twitter.com/DMJreports.


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Lackey's struggles hurting Red Sox
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The following information from NHC Oak Ridge administrator Jeff Tambornini was emailed to The Oak Ridger on Monday morning for the community newspaper to share with its readers.
Officials at NHC Oak Ridge, 300 Laboratory Road, have reported a possible breach of patient information due to a missing backup tape that wasn't encrypted. The information on this tape included patient names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses and medical information.
The facility has begun an immediate investigation of the incident and security measures have been revised to prevent future incidents of this nature.
"While we believe there is low risk of this information being used inappropriately, we understand any concern of possible unauthorized use of personal information," Tambornini stated.
If you have any questions regarding this incident, you may contact NHC Oak Ridge by using the toll-free number 1-888-568-8578. When using the toll-free number, please indicate that you are calling in regards to the breach of information that occurred at NHC Oak Ridge.
Location, ST | website.com


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Hip and Knee Surgery
Hip Surgery and Knee Surgery Anniston — Joint Replacement
For hip surgery and knee surgery, Anniston and the surrounding area is fortunate to have access to the well-reputed physicians whose services are available through Regional Medical Center.
If you're considering this life-changing operation, you'll be glad to know that the surgical division of RMC helps upwards of 7,000 patients throughout the Anniston area, each year.
Our highly trained orthopaedic surgeons will discuss alternatives to surgery with you and will let you know if joint replacement is right for you. Less invasive recommendations that can alleviate joint pain include weight loss, acupuncture, cortisone injections, and physical therapy. If those methods are unsuccessful and the pain you're experiencing keeps you from doing daily tasks, then joint replacement may be necessary.
From your surgical consultation and evaluation to your rehabilitation program, you'll be in the hands of skilled professionals who will provide personalized treatment and real-time responses to you and your concerns.
Our outpatient rehab services take place in the 20,000 square-foot Tyler Center. Equipped with cutting-edge therapeutic equipment and machines, this facility provides the perfect setting for your recovery. Our highly specialized staff to guide you through this process will likely include registered physical therapists, and licensed physical therapy assistants. Occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants may contribute to your care, as well.
To learn more about joint replacement and other types of hip surgery and knee surgery Anniston's Regional Medical Center can provide, talk with your physician or call our Surgical Services, today.


text:
Over the last three weeks the Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District has responded to several incidents that resulted from burning leaves. While it is not unusual for the fire department to respond to these types of incidents, two of the fires could have had very serious outcomes, according to Sunrise Beach Fire Chief Dennis Reilly.
In one of the incidents the home owner was using gasoline to start the fire when the gas can caught on fire and exploded. In the other incident burning leaves caught the side of a house on fire.
Neither of these incidents resulted in any injuries and the fires were extinguished before any major property damage was done.
"I have been to five house fires that were caused by burning leaves in the two years I have been here in Sunrise Beach," said Reilly. "I understand people want and need to maintain their property; we are only asking that everyone uses caution when they burn their leaves."
The district recommends that people never burn within 20 feet of a structure and never leave a fire unattended. Clearing a defensible buffer between the fire and any combustible objects is another recommended precaution. The district advises calling 911 immediately upon realizing a fire is out of control.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
An article on Slashdot recently is the latest in a series of items I've seen over the past several years, all on the same theme. Each one has identified the thing which will finally allow Linux to build up enough inertia to begin to gain significant market share on the desktop and begin to challenge Microsoft and Apple. Most of the articles focus on a single issue as the key. Sometimes it's technology―stability and lack of viruses. Sometimes it's usability―the latest release of Gnome, or Ubuntu's attempts to make Linux user friendly. And sometimes it's economics―look at the money you can save by installing a free OS!
All of these ignore one thing which is almost never stated: for a large majority of everyday computer users, people for whom a computer is just another tool or piece of technology, like a refrigerator or a widescreen TV, Windows is just fine. With it they can surf the web, look at their email, listen to music, play games, balance their checkbook and find porn, and for many people that's all they need and all they care about. In order to convince someone to give up something with which they're familiar, you need a better reason than price or stability.
Cue gnashing of teeth
I'm not saying Windows is a good OS. I'm not saying I'd ever run it if I had a choice. But one of the problems I see in discussions about operating systems and market share is an urge to assume there's something critically wrong with Windows and advance from there. Instead, I think the argument needs to backed up a notch or two and more basic questions asked: if we assume a lot of people use Windows because it does a good enough job for them, what would Linux need to do a better enough job?
Problem is, I think this question flies in the face of one of the F/OSS community's most basic assumptions, which is that superior technology is always the best choice. And, while that may be true for someone who both knows and understands their own, specific needs, I just don't think it's true for a large part of the computer using population. For targeting the average computer user, I think the better question is, 'what makes my life easier day-to-day?' And the answer to that doesn't have much to do with kernel versions, schedulers or the ability to audit source code.
I think the answer to that question really lies with marketing, market research and, most importantly, understanding people who don't know and don't care what a kernel is. Look at Apple. They've boiled down the entire transition from the classic Mac OS to the BSD/OpenStep/Mach-derived beast that is OS X into one, simple idea: this operating system takes the 'Power of Unix (and what that is is never really explained) and makes your computer 1) more secure and 2) more stable. And judging from Apple's steadily increasing market share, it seems to be working.
If Linux, in all its guises, wants to become a serious desktop competitor to the Beast from Redmond, it will have to be a better product, not just a better idea. And there needs to be a message which boils down the reasons why Linux would be a better choice than Windows or OS X to something which catches the attention of someone who cares more about sports and widescreen TVs than operating systems.
Linux isn't Linux anymore
Some years ago Linux was really wacky with non-conforming methods to do things, but now it turns to be just another Windows, losing the geek value.
Qwery keyboard
I completely agree with you. For example, qwerty keyboard is not the best choice nor even the most faster way to type, but it is widely used because of its popularity. I think the same applies to Windows. It will be very difficult, even I think impossible, that Linux or MacOS overtake Windows in the future.
Here! Here!
As much as I like Linux, what you say is exactly true. There has to be a compelling reason to do so. The fact is, I love Linux and would love to switch, but I have 3 applications for which there is no sufficient Linux counterpart. So here I am in Redmond land.
FSM has a forum for that
Bear in mind that Free Software Magazine has a forum for bringing up "application needed" questions. We'd like to know which 3 apps you feel you can't replace.
Because maybe you actually can replace them.
I went through about 3 years of this -- trying to find a replacement for everything I needed to do (of course that was a few years ago, when the range of free software apps was a lot weaker). But in time I passed that point, and now I have a whole series of apps I only know how to do on Linux (which has its own downside of course -- for example, I learned Scribus, but the publishing industry wants experience with In Design or Quark. Sigh. I wish I knew what to do about that.).
Best Tech Doesn't Win
Back in the day...
Windows 95 came out.
Was it a serious competitor against Mac, OS/2 or even the Amiga?
Not even close, but it won.
BetaMax vs. VHS?
The best technology rarely wins.
A different take on the issue
Unfortunately, I don't think Linux adoption has much to do with whether or not it's a better OS. Most people are not geeks. They don't really care what OS they're using as long as it does what they want it to. They go down to the local computer/electronics store, buy a computer, and use whatever OS is pre-installed on it. 100% of the time that is Windows. Until you can go down to Best Buy or Circuit City and purchase a Linux based system, Windows is not going to lose any significant market share.
It's true that Windows is fine for most people because it does everything they want to do with a computer. Another point is that people are fairly comfortable with Windows because that's what they know and use daily at work, in the office, at home, on their PDA, etc. When a lot of companies start to use Linux on the desktop, because of security/economic/whatever reasons, people may decide to start using it at home as well, because they will get used to it. That's when the real change might begin.
And an idea for where could technology make a difference: I'd love to see a simple way of automating tasks across multiple applications without having to do scripting. For example: watch my incoming e-mails, and if you receive a mail saying that the new Ubuntu release is available, then download it, burn it to CD, and power off. To a human, it is a fairly simple task, but it is a hell to make it work automatically... I'd love to see a framework for tasks like this in Linux. I think it would make a nice competitive advantage.
Value Free Software
Teach people to value free software. Once they understand and agree with the logic of why non-free software is evil, they'll have less resistance to using free software. Of course, for this to happen, the tutor has to understand why non-free software is evil.
@eldar: Do you mean there is
Do you mean there is some kind of framwork for Windows to do all those tasks you described in your example (parse email, donwload, burn, turn off)?
No I think he just meant
No I think he just meant "gee it'd be cool if I could do this". Or possibly, "If Linux could do this, then it would have clear advantages over Windows".
Of course, what he's talking about is just scripting. I can do all of that with Python (or Perl or bash or whatever) if I have two things:
1) Enough desire to make it worth the testing time
2) MODULES instead of PROGRAMS
This is a big deal: if you want to automate processes, you need programs you can call like subroutines (or "use like objects") instead of GUI programs that have to be run by hand.
Most applications, even free software ones, don't bother to supply both kinds of interfaces, so the two tasks wind up being separate, when in principle they don't have to be.
An example of an exception to this is a program like Skencil. Skencil is a Python, GUI-based interactive vector graphics editor. But it is ALSO the skencil module in Python, which can be scripted extensively.
Command-line programs -- at least the stream I/O model ones -- can be used like programs by shell scripts, and via OS calls like os.system(...) in Python. But these usually provide a rather primitive interface compared to callable object-library modules.
One development I would really like to see is an enhancement to both GUI and CLI interfaces that would allow users to migrate back and forth more easily -- simply by identifying the counterparts. For example, it'd be really cool if every GUI app would have a menu item under "Help" that told you what the command was to start the program from the CLI.
On the flip side, it would be nice if we had snazzy GUI terminals that would be able to give you intelligent context-sensitive help on what you're typing. For example, you could get something like "tooltips" that would post the brief man listing in a bubble when you mouse-over a command in the text window. I'm sure there are many other enhancements that could be made.
To make this process a little more intuitive there have been attempts to create graphical pipeline-based programming languages. I believe this was true for Smalltalk and there is a language called Overflow, though I haven't actually tried either myself.
In principle, though, it is possible to model many applications as "components" with "pins" -- which actually send arbitrary data messages, not just electrical impulses as the name implies -- which can then be connected graphically to create data flows. A 2D grid with connection lines gives much more flexibility than the CLI's "pipe" feature.
Then, creating a script would feel a lot like a graphical editing session with Dia (which is at least something I'm quite comfortable with).
However, most of the applications of such software have been limited to complex simulation and data processing tasks, and it's not clear that end users would find them "easy enough" to use. I know I've never (yet) found it worth the trouble to install and test them.
I hate to say it, but I think that this is partly just because the problem is intrinsically hard -- even with this kind of help. You say it's easy for a Human, but that's because Humans are awfully darned smart!
So far, the GNU/Linux environment has been defined as a conflict between the archaic Unix-based CLI model and the friendly-but-excluding Windows-like GUI mnodel. This reflects the social reality that users and developers have always been distinct people in the proprietary software world.
Ideally though, in the world of free software, we should find a gentle, graded slope between end-user on one extreme and core-developers on the other -- with power users, testers, contributors, and developers filling the spectrum in between. To me, a fusion interface that tried to combine the power of CLI and scripting with the entry-level ease of use of GUI -- without creating a social or technical barrier in between -- would seem like the right one for that society.
It's this sort of original approach that I think could push GNU/Linux out of the also-ran category and into the lead. So long as we define our interfaces by looking back -- or even sideways -- we're not going to be the ones to follow. We have to look ahead.
That's right
I think it would be cool, and no I don't know of anything similar available on Windows. And of course you can do such things with scripting, but that is a) time-consuming and b) not really an option for the average user, who doesn't know (nor should) much about scripting.
Why is scripting inappropriate for users?
I think though, that before we jump to the conclusions either that 1) scripting is not appropriate for end users or 2) that an "easier" GUI method of combining tasks is needed, we need to ask WHY is scripting too hard for end users?
Is it the text? (There are real visibility and readability issues with terminal text, as opposed to rich text)
Is it the fact that commands, function-calls, and/or objects are not self-documenting? (in other words, you can't see what all the usage possibilities are when you are writing them, so you have to switch back and forth between documentation and editor)
Is it that even if they ARE self-documenting (as in fact they are in Python with doc-strings), that end users don't know how to get the help and can't or won't spend the time to find out? (Maybe the documentation needs to be more "intuitive"? Or maybe the fault is educating new users in computer use?)
Is it an irrational fear of the command line itself, built up by programmers and other CLI users to defend their "professional domain"? (This is absolutely possible -- many people certainly are afraid of the CLI)
Or is it that the task itself has too much complexity for on-the-fly use and thus requires the discipline for software testing to use? (If it's this, we're probably out of luck, because this is the part you can't make go away -- or at least it's a very hard problem).
Since what's being sought here is essentially a way to script without having to write scripts, one has to think carefully about the interface -- what must it have that a simple text environment lacks? How can it be made flexible enough to implement the full scope of scripting ability (which means being Turing-complete!), and yet remain easy enough for "just anyone" to use?
It does seem likely that, given the amount of brain power there is in the free software developers' community and all of the huge library of GUI technology that has been built over the years, that we ought to be able to do better than what is basically a vintage 1970s idea (the command line interface).
But what's "better"?
The WIMP* GUI as we know it (a 1980s idea) is not the answer, or at least not the whole answer, because it lacks the flexibility and expressiveness of the CLI.
We need a 21st century idea. :-)
*Yes, this is a real acronym, not a slam: "Windows-Icons-Mouse-Pointer" -- not much used today, but we shouldn't limit "Graphical User Interface" to meaning only this WIMP environment.
Computers are not only PC's
Computers for the Good and Fun of Mankind.
Don is close to the real Issue.
After 26 years since IBM PC the Industry has not Grown up. Internet went commercial around 1995, just 12 years ago. Flash Memory MP3 MP4 just yesterday. Many people take the easy route of "Whats good for MS is good enough for me" Linux is nearly ready for the PC, but not just Now.
as the OLPC project that shows that even Third World Children can use a Linux based computer.
BUT do not forget that Linux has taken over from Mother UNIX, and is the only real Alternative to the Main Frames. Linux is a few steps from the Desktop.
Another Model MS tried to kill is the Network Computer, Or Thin Clients Model. MS joined in with Citrix and Terminal Services. Remember that a Cellphone is basicly a thin Client.
Soon all this will have to integrate and be User Friendly...


text:
Idaho Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 47(l). Additional Jurors.
(1) Selection. A court may direct that one or more jurors in addition to the regular panel be called and impaneled to sit as additional jurors. All jurors shall be drawn in the same manner, shall have the same qualifications, shall be subject to the same examination and challenges, shall take the same oath, and shall have the same functions, powers, facilities, and privileges prior to deliberations. If more than one or two additional jurors are called, each party is entitled to one (1) peremptory challenge in addition to those otherwise allowed by law. If more than two (2) additional jurors are called, each party shall be entitled to two (2) peremptory challenges in addition to those otherwise provided by law. At the conclusion of closing arguments, jurors exceeding the number required of a regular panel shall be removed by lot. Those removed by lot may be discharged after the jury retires to consider its verdict, unless the court otherwise directs as indicated below.
(2) Jurors removed by lot. If the court determines that those jurors removed by lot must be available to replace any jurors who may be excused during deliberations due to death, illness or otherwise as determined by the court, the bailiff, sheriff or other person appointed by the court shall take custody of said jurors until discharged by the court. In the event a deliberating juror is removed, the court shall order the juror discharged and draw the name of an alternate juror who shall then take the discharged jurorís place in the deliberations. The court shall instruct the panel to set aside and disregard all past deliberations and begin anew with the new juror as a member of the panel.
(Amended March 28, 1986, effective July 1, 1986; amended March 1, 2000, effective July 1, 2000; amended May 4, 2001, effective July 1, 2001 amended March 22, 2002, effective July 1, 2002.)


text:
Patrick Bruflat was named new Chippewa County Family Services Director and began work today. Bruflat joins Chippewa County after a six month search in which the county employed a headhunting firm in Minneapolis to assist in the selection process.
In informal meet and greet was held this morning at the Family Services Building in Montevideo where Bruflat met his 40 new employees before his first day began. Each county commissioner was in attendance to show support as well.
A native of Little Falls, Bruflat graduated from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth with a degree in social work and was most recently Health and Human Services Director in Pine County after serving as Director of Human Services in Redwood Falls.
Location, ST | website.com


text:
DRM turned a 10 minute purchase into a 2 and a half nightmare (and counting). I wanted to buy a book: I ended up in a journey which made it dead clear that in a sane world, there is absolutely no space for DRM-protected contents. The only real warning I have about this article is that it may make you feel sick.
UPDATE: I received an email from support later that day, following my phone call, which read:
Good Day Tony After testing your ebook, your Adobe ID [email protected] is an invalid ID. The error message below is received when you download an eBook with another Adobe ID or you have not created an Adobe ID before you downloaded the eBook. "The book has already been fulfilled by another user." If you have another Adobe ID, please do forward those details to us whereby we may attempt to download your book again. Please do reply at your earliest convenience.
My reply was:
The ID I used was "[email protected]". My ID with your website is [email protected] My Adobe id is [email protected] I am not sure what the ID has anything to do with this. I managed to download the book using my mother's computer, but that's hardly useful to me. I would like to get it on my tablet. So let me explain it again: 1) In your application, I am logged in as [email protected] in Adobe, and [email protected] in Kalahari.com. So, saying that I don't have a valid ID is incorrect. See screenshot attached. 2) The error happened when I first bought the book, BEFORE I managed to download the book with my mother's computer. So, it CANNOT have already been fulfilled. 3) The error I am getting is after all this, and it is "Your book could not be fulfilled" after "Contacting publisher" when I try to download it. Please tell me what to do to actually place the book I bought on my tablet.
Yesterday, all day, I didn't receive a response from them.
My wife is pregnant. This is a wonderful experience, and -- as a person who practices Yoga daily -- I decided to get a book for her: Teach Yourself Yoga for Pregnancy by Uma Dinsmore Tulli. I wish I could tell you how this book was. I ought to, especially since I paid for it. Unfortunately, I wasn't so lucky.
The purchase and the surprise
The purchase went fine, like any other purchase of any other item: you pick, chose how to pay, pay... and (as with electronic items) the order is fulfilled instantaneously. Everybody's happy! I ordered it from Kalahari, which was the only online seller who sold the item as an ebook (I have absolutely no desire to kill trees for any reason). I obviously recommend against ever shopping there. After fulfilling the order, I ended up to this screen:
And that's where the odyssey began. I clicked on "Download", only to receive a strange file called
The contents of this file:
<fulfillmentToken fulfillmentType="buy" xmlns="http://ns.adobe.com/adept"> <distributor>urn:uuid:e49a98b0-ff90-4eaf-b8c5-71238284dfdd</distributor> <operatorURL>http://acs4.ebookshipping.com:8080/fulfillment</operatorURL> <expiration>2012-05-17T13:00:40+01:00</expiration> <transaction>GARDEPUB-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</transaction> <resourceItemInfo> <resource>urn:uuid:96f513ae-63c3-4a37-b23c-33c5bf65860f</resource> <resourceItem>1</resourceItem> <metadata> <dc:title xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Yoga For Pregnancy And Birth: Teach Yourself</dc:title> <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Dinsmore-Tulli, Uma</dc:creator> <dc:format xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">application/epub+zip</dc:format> <dc:publisher xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Hodder Education</dc:publisher> <dc:language xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">EN</dc:language> <dc:identifier xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">9781444129892</dc:identifier> </metadata> <src>http://acs4.ebookshipping.com:8080/media/978/144/412/3799DFE467716.epub</src> <downloadType>simple</downloadType> <licenseToken> <resource>urn:uuid:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</resource> <permissions> <display/> <print> <count initial="316"/> </print> </permissions> </licenseToken> </resourceItemInfo> <hmac>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX</hmac> </fulfillmentToken>
(Note that I deleted the parts that I think could possibly be used to say that you paid for the book.) The contents of this file is "interesting". What on earth do I do with this, I wondered?
When I got to the instructions to open the file, that's when I got really worried:
OK, so: first of all, I would need to register on Kahabari.com (well, that was done since I bought the book). Then register for an Adobe ID. Well, as much as I hated doing so, I registered. Yes, I became the proud owner of an Adobe ID! Then, I would have to "Download and install the kalahari.com eReader for Android from the Android Market". This is where I got extremely worried. Pardon me? I am bound to use a specific reader for this book? This became scary to say the least. But not as scary as what I saw when I opened Kalahari's page in Android's market: only 44 people bothered commenting on the app. The latest update of the app was September 2011 (approaching 1 year). The comments are without a doubt negative to terrible.
Anyhow, Chiara was coming home shorty, and well, the things you do for love. I installed the terrible app, and followed the instructions: told the app my Adobe ID and my Kalahari ID. The book appeared --- as promised by the instructions!
I clicked on it, and...
"The book could not be fulfilled". I called up the helpdesk at Kalahari.com (yes, I called South Africa) and explained the problem. They told me that they would have to send an email to the publisher (!) and would let me know by email "tomorrow or Monday" (!!!) what the problem was. The operator assumed that it was because I was in Australia and the book was originating from the UK (!).
That's when Chiara came home. No present for her.
The investigation
My investigation on this was clumsy and uninformed. The main issue is that I know absolutely nothing about DRM, about device registrations, etc.
As it turns out, the main file that gets downloaded,
URLLink.acsm, is the "token" that proves that I purchased the book. Or, that I have the rights to read it. Downloading
http://acs4.ebookshipping.com:8080/media/978/144/412/3799DFE467716.epub is pointless: although it's a valid ePUB file (that is, a ZIP file with a changed extension), once you decompress it you notice that its contents are completely encrypted.
Out of curiosity, this is what you get when you go to
It turns out that in order to open the acsm file, I need a wonderful piece of software called "Digital Editions". To have information about it, you need to go to its info page. Here, you read:
These eBooks can be acquired by the listed devices either via wireless connection provided by the device (if available) or via a USB connection from the device to a computer running Adobe Digital Editions, the desktop application for organizing and reading eBooks on Macs and Windows® enabled computers.
This is the page:
Going to Digital Edition's page you discover that you cannot download it unless you run Windows or Mac. This is what you get (!):
Can you believe that? I couldn't either. (I connected to it with Ubuntu 12.4). The plot thickens: if you find the piece of software online, you discover that it runs fine under Wine. However, I couldn't find the latest version (only an old version which didn't like the file I was feeding it). So, no luck.
Please note that I still wasn't able to even download the file I bought.
Keen to find a solution...
I was very, very keen to find a solution. I figured out that I could have used any software compatible with the Adobe DRM system. For Android, I downloaded Aldiko, an ePub reader which is meant to be able to read Adobe's DRM: no luck. I couldn't login. I tried Bluefire: no luck. I tried a few more: no luck. My Galaxy Tab 10.1 was now full of ePub readers I will never use, and I still couldn't read the book I bought. Including the one that was given to me by the publisher I bought the book from.
I spent hours trying this. I inserted my password more times than I would ever want to type it in a lifetime. Still: no luck.
Then I found out that it might be a timezone problem on this forum post:
Unfortunately, no matter how much I tried fiddling with the timezone, it didn't work.
The solution? Crack the DRM. Full stop.
The solution was very simple: I used a Microsoft Windows machine (borrowed from a friend) to install Digital Editions. Using that, I managed to login and download my eBook (the one I purchased, remember?).
Then, I simply downloaded a DRM removal program, installed it, and cleaned my ePUB file (the one I bought, remember). Please note that there are free tools out there to do the same thing. Potentially, I could have looked harder for a newer version of Digital Editions online, to run using Wine, and then I could have cracked the ePUB files using free utilities available (the same ones this "freeware" were based on).
I emailed the cleaned file to myself, and gave the computer back to my friend.
I then copied it to my Android device. At this point, I had quite a selection of pieces of software I could chose to read it. And guess what? It worked beautifully.
I can finally read my book. The one I bought, remember?
DRM on books: insanity gone wrong
With competing standards, several vendors fighting to become "it", and a very messy situation in terms of copy protection, DRM needs to die. And it needs to die soon.
The fact that I had to go through so many loops to read my book (the one I paid for, remember?) is just silly. This is not even a "buy a Windows machine" issue -- I was trying to use Android, and still couldn't get anything to work. I even used several programs, and none of them would allow me to login.
If most of the current books are protected by DRM, in 5, 10 years (when these vendors are dead, disappeared, or whatever), nobody will be able to open these files any more. What about 20 years? 50? 100?
I don't even know if I broke the law. But I want to see a company coming after me for "breaking the law" -- I actually wasted the whole afternoon doing this. I had things to do -- important ones. And I spent it actually opening the package of the item I had purchased.
What I had to do was silly. I am definitely not alone. We, as consumers, cannot be slaves of corporations who design hideous mechanisms that only work half the time.
Enough is enough.
(Time to do some prenatal yoga with my wife)
Been there several times, got
Been there several times, got the T-shirts to prove it.
I now operate a policy of never purchasing an ebook with drm, and I inform the seller(s) that I am not buying from them due to drm. The step that most people will disagre with is, if I cannot find a drm free copy of whatever ebook I am looking for then I find it somewhere on the dark web for free and I inform the seller(s) that I have d/l an illegal copy as they cannot provide me with a none drm copy and ask them to sue me if they want.
I have so far never been sued.
epub drm removal in linux
I've gone through this myself but am fully devoted to not doing it in windows.
The process is a bit complicated but I've written up a guide for Reddit's DRMRemoval subreddit which I hope you'll find helpful.
Save the ACSM file. Run adobe digital editions in wine. I've found it to be fickle and sometimes won't open the file from file>open, but often just dragging and dropping the acsm file into DE does the trick.
Install python and pycrypto under wine. Then install adobe digital editions under wine manual install link: for manual install since their flash installer is crap). Remove the DRM from the book using the scripts provided (this will be done from the python program entry in wine). You need to do this to get the decryption key file, but it only needs to be done once.
Download the calibre plugins from my dropbox and install the adobe inept plugins. Go to the folder where the key for the DRM removal was created (this is wherever the book is saved when you ran it through the python script) and copy the file. Find your calibre config dir (preferences>miscellaneous>Open calibre configuration directory. Drop the key into this folder. From now on you'll need to do is drag these files from wherever you downloaded them to calibre and the DRM will be removed automagically.
No DRM removal software needed
Please also request a refund for that DRM removal software you purchased. According to teleread it is most likely charging for the scripts freely available as standalone python scripts or part of the calibre DRM removal plugins.