text:
Pretty darn good signal from the Fella's on the Saint Paul Island CY9C DXpedition. Easy stuff.
Are you in the CY9C Log?
Pretty darn good signal from the Fella's on the Saint Paul Island CY9C DXpedition. Easy stuff.
Are you in the CY9C Log?
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– August 22, 2016
noun: paradigm shift; plural noun: paradigm shifts
"a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions"
Over here in the "Gray Area" of my N0UN Blog, my lil' coconut doesn't function normally, but I embrace it (at times). I do not like, "the establishment". I do not like, "par for the course". I do not like, "we've always done it this way".
So I'm "thinking"…
DXpeditions need money to operate. Some DXpeditions need a lot of money to operate. Some DXpeditions take terrible operators on their DXpeditions because they have money, while great ops with no money sit home. Some DXpeditions get pulled off course spending untold hours/days/months trying to find funding. I imagine asking for a big $5,000 or $50,000 grant could be like having to get down on your knees and beg. Most DX clubs don't have enough money to offer a donation (or to be worth begging for). Forget all that!
I have decided I'm going to take a half a million dollars and set up an account that DXpeditions can draw from to pay all expenses up front (fully vetted of course). I'll also take over the back end QSL duties where I will charge $100 for LoTW and QSL confirmations after the DXpedition is over to replenish the account. Do I think 5,000 All Time New Ones (ATNO) for Bouvet will pay $100 each to replenish $500,000 I laid out? Absolutely.
No more begging big foundations, clubs, donors, etc. You come to me with your request. You show me what you've done in the past. You lay out your plans so I can see what the probabilities of success are – and when I approve your DXpedition I'll write you the check for 300, 400, $500,000 dollars on the spot. It's that easy. Of course when you cash that check, you'll also be signing off on the back end of your DXpedition where I'll be handling your QSL confirmations.
I'll decide where and when I'll upload your Q's to LoTW, Club Log, eQSL, etc. I'll decide whether I'll use the Bureau or not (probably not). I'll come up with the design of the cards. I'll also decide who will even get a card and all the other political stuff that goes with that. You concentrate on putting together the best possible team of operators you can so you can hit 200,000 QSO's.
I can tell you right now (all you frugal Hams that think somebody owes you Bouvet or some rare DX location), you will not owe the DXpedition a thing, you will owe me. And I am not cheap, so start saving your money. It should be easy to save your money because you'll never have to donate to another DXpedition from here on out. They don't need your money, they have mine. Think of all the money you'll save! And I really do need you to save your money, because eventually you will have to pay me.
Welcome to the new N0UN DXpedition Pay to Play DXpedition and QSL System, or NDXPTPDXQSLS for short.
Now, I still have to work out a couple small kinks in my system because like I said above, "So I've decided I'm going to take a half a million dollars" – well that statement reminded me of last night where I had a little too much to drink and my friends demanded that I, "take a cab home". Who was I to argue? After the DUI checkpoint and that nice policeman waved the cab through, and after I made it home – I let out a sigh of relief and went to bed.
I'll be damned as to how and why there's a cab sitting in my garage this morning.
heehee, "The Gray Area" at N0UN.net
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– May 1, 2016
Here's an email I got from a Gentlemen I'll call "Carlos":
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2016 12:37:55 -0400
Subject: Does this make sense ??
To: firstname.lastname@example.com
Sup Wayne,
Congrats on your 331 truly amazing. Hopefully 1 day I'll join Famous Group of Honor Roll.
Ok, As you know My name is Carlos from Puerto Rico (redacted) and would like to know your point of view on Dxpeditions being approved or not, since It really doesnt make sense:
For Example:
Here in PR we have an Island called Desecheo Island (Puerto Rico territory) but for some odd reason the US took over the island for research and experiment ohh blah blahh….
Why would I need a Permit to Operate from desecheo ?
Here comes the curve ball,
Every weekend Desecheo Island shore is fully packed of civilians with their family members and friends hanging out at the beach at desecheo, they do BBQ's camping etc… then head back to the mainland approx.5-7min boat ride…
My question is, Can I go join the BBQ and turn my radio on to transmit from Desecheo island ? Its totally legal to be on shore on any island….
Just thinking while driving the North West Coast of PR and in Plain view there it is: Desecheo Island.
I chose to write you because I know you are 1 of the well known ham operator for being outspoken and talk your heart and mind…
Im no writer sorry for the many mistakes hi hi..
Muchas Gracias,
At face value it appears to be a very easy answer. Something along the lines of; "it's illegal to set foot on Desecheo Island without a permit".
But not so fast!
The island is off limits, but around Desecheo (and several other islands) the waters are for public use and need no permitting. It is legal to scuba, dive, boat, etc. around Desecheo.
Example: Taino Divers – Desecheo Island
In several cases, I've found Land Ownership Laws do not start until the "high water mark". It's called land above the "high water mark", and shoreline and water below the high water mark. The high water mark in many cases is legally described as the "highest wash of the waves". It's possible this is how these weekend family BBQ's and outings happen on the shore of Desecheo – legally.
You seeing where I am going with this? Carlos takes a radio, battery and vertical to Desecheo on his family BBQ with hundreds of other weekend visitors – legally stays below the high water mark and operates his rig on the shoreline above water (and on land) – all without a permit. Legal? Pirate operation? Count for DXCC?
And just for you people that might say, "well, maybe the ARRL considers land-based to be just like the Land Ownership Laws and for Carlos to be counted as a land-based operation he has to operate above the High Water Mark. Well, Mr. Land Law Expert, please answer me this: how have hundreds of operations been approved operating from beaches BELOW the high water mark, even some with antennas in the water? They're not considered above the high water mark and on land, now are they? You going to disqualify hundreds (if not thousands) of operations because they were not "land-based"?
If this is found to be some loophole in the DXCC Rules, then I'd imagine (like Carlos) you wouldn't need a permit for a few other shoreline operations now would you? Local Hams could make weekend excursions to some pretty rare places that take hundreds of thousands of dollars to activate presently. And that's good for Ham Radio.
Bring your arguments, but before you do, don't just dismiss what you can't see because it may be an opportunity. Open your black and white mind and come visit us in the gray area of N0UN.net.
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– April 30, 2016
Hello good readers of my N0UN.net Blog.
We all know sometimes in life you have to take one step back to move two forward. This is the case for last couple posts you came here to read. I have deleted the original text and replaced it with what you are presently reading.
The content that was here was based on a poor foundation. And from a poor foundation comes the structure above that is not healthy for you, me, this Ham Radio hobby, future DXpeditions, or the DX community at large.
Through a long discussion with another passionate DX'er, N6PSE, we both decided that nothing we've Blogged about here or over at Paul's Blog at N6PSE.Wordpress.com was doing anybody any good, it was not furthering our hobby, nor was it helping anybody in the future get to where the DX community needs them to go – so we mutually decided to remove all of our text and comments to this point.
Thanks for your understanding. Now let's get back to DXing! See you in the pileups!
73, Wayne N0UN
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– April 26, 2016
Hello good readers of my N0UN.net Blog.
We all know sometimes in life you have to take one step back to move two forward. This is the case for last couple posts you came here to read. I have deleted the original text and replaced it with what you are presently reading.
The content that was here was based on a poor foundation. And from a poor foundation comes the structure above that is not healthy for you, me, this Ham Radio hobby, future DXpeditions, or the DX community at large.
Through a long discussion with another passionate DX'er, N6PSE, we both decided that nothing we've Blogged about here or over at Paul's Blog at N6PSE.Wordpress.com was doing anybody any good, it was not furthering our hobby, nor was it helping anybody in the future get to where the DX community needs them to go – so we mutually decided to remove all of our text and comments to this point.
Thanks for your understanding. Now let's get back to DXing! See you in the pileups!
73, Wayne N0UN
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– April 19, 2016
It's been my observation that every so often in life you, "catch a break". "Right place at the right time" kind of thingy. But in all cases I like to say, "you can't win the lottery if you didn't buy a ticket". You have to be ready to catch a break.
With VK0EK in the log and already credited in LoTW, I was ready to catch a break when the ARRL decided to delete Kingman Reef (KH5) from its DXCC program. By deleting KH5, that dropped the active entities to 339 (from 340), but it also dropped the Honor Roll requirement from 331 to 330. And guess who was sitting at 330?
Yep, I backed in.
I reflected on the hypocrisy of "backing in" for a few moments. How could something I've been after for over 40 years; something I've chased; something I've spent my time and money on; something I really thought I wanted; something I thought I was earning; be handed to me without doing a damn thing but waking up that day?
And such is another lesson in life I guess.
So now I stand at the ready with my empty wheelbarrow waiting to catch another break when somebody backs in and fills it with $100 bills. I'm on a roll ya' know, why not?
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– April 1, 2016
I can't tell you how many times I've invented something – just to find out it was already invented – years ago, hahahaha.
Look, there's no better feeling than dreaming up a product or an idea and jumping out of bed at 3 AM like your hair is on fire, right? Then there's no worse feeling then finding YOUR invention on Google – available everywhere, to everyone, made by several manufacturers – and on the cheap. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
My last hair brained idea was an extension of an idea a friend of mine had. A guy with the same problem I have. We just can't leave "well enough" alone. W9KNI's idea was to turn on all your 12VDC shack accessories when you turn your radio on. One button, everything on. My thought was hell, why not turn on all your 120 VAC stuff too! I can't tell you how many times I've shut everything down just to find the space heater under my desk on when I come down in the morning. Ooops. How many times didn't I shut something off? Too many times to list. And wouldn't it be nice if I turned my radio on and 3 rotor boxes and a DC power supply feeding all my antenna switches, band pass filter, power meter, etc. all came on at the same time?
So I started drawing. And I started researching. I talked to another knowledgeable friend, Keith K0KE. And now there were 3 of us chasing down the perfect idea. The perfect idea that would double for running a remote control Ham Radio station.
And then I found our combined invention – on eBay. I'm laughing as I write this. It's so damn simple I'm surprised I've never seen a Ham shack with one. A 12VDC (Radio) activated, AC Power Strip.
Yep – most radios have a 12VDC low current draw source on the back that can operate these 12VDC, 120VAC power strips. Better yet, you plug in your accessories that you want to turn on (with the radio switch) into a power strip that plugs into one of these:
Radio gets turned on, all peripheral equipment gets turned on.
Radio gets turned off – all peripheral equipment gets turned off.
Simple man, simple.
And I found a couple used ones on eBay for around $50 – so that took out all my incentive to manufacture one. Hell, that find killed that invention now didn't it? But at least you got your Ham Shack Tip of The Day.
One of these days one of these inventions is gonna' stick first, but for now – I'm going back to bed. Maybe I'll dream up a "light emitting diode" next. Oh…
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– March 19, 2016
I received my North Korea P5/3Z9DX QSL card in the mail today. I think only twenty some stations from all of North America got through and worked Dom. In 43 years of QSL card collecting, this just may be my rarest QSL card to date (click to enlarge).
Now we wait for ARRL DXCC Desk acceptance.
P5/3Z9DX North Korea On The Air!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– March 7, 2016
The 2015 DX Marathon claimed scores are now posted on the DXMarathon.com Website.
For 2015, I decided before the year long contest ever began that I was going to make an attempt to break the DX Marathon's All Time World Record for World "Phone" I set in 2013 with 323.
And 2015 did not disappoint!
I ended up with a 328, 5 better. 40 zones + 7 CQ entities + 281 country entities. I missed a couple relatively easy points on Phone, but I also bagged a few really rare ones too. But isn't that how it always goes? You win some, you lose some.
The DX highlight of 2015 for me was working Dom P5/3Z9DX in North Korea (DPRK). Not only a point in the Marathon, but personally Dom was an All Time New One (ATNO) for me.
When I first heard about the DX Marathon in 2012, I thought it was kinda' neat. I needed something like this to "rattle the cage" a bit. After 4 decades plus in the hobby, I was bored. Almost 4 years later this contest not only rattled the cage, but it redefined what I wanted from the hobby and it provided me the focus to put up some steel and improve my station.
And now after a three year hard run, I'm taking a break. Just like I knew what I was going to do before the 2013, 14 and 15 contests began, I know what I wanted to do before the 2016 contest started.
You may have heard a few months ago I bought the assets of Idiom Press. ARRL Article: Ham Supply Purchases Idiom Press. Idiom Press is/was a Ham Radio electronics company founded almost 3 decades ago by another DX Marathon contestant Bob Locher, W9KNI. I first noticed Bob in January, 2013. He was a relentless DXer in damn near every pile-up I was in. He seemed to be on every band, first on the scene, and he had a signal. Sometimes he'd break the pile first, sometimes I did. But no matter who broke the pile, he was always there. I couldn't help but notice him.
After a few moths of this "friendly" pile-up competition, the little voice inside my head was asking, "who the hell is this guy?" Take my word for this, I didn't enter the 2013 contest to lose, and this guy W9KNI was making me really work. I mean really work. I was getting up early to smoke out DX. I was going to bed late because I was checking the bands. I was using every tool known to man to get the jump on W9KNI just to try and beat him to the punch.
Well, he obviously noticed me too, lol. I got an email from Bob introducing himself, then he sent me a copy of his book, "A Year of DX".
And like the DX Marathon, I couldn't put it down. I read it in a day. I read it so fast, I had to read it again – twice.
Now I understood. Completely.
And 4 years later, here we are. Best of DX competitors, and best of friends. I'm taking the 2016 DX Marathon off to expand on the vision and company Bob started almost 30 years ago. Have fun in those pile-ups, but don't worry – if it's something I want, I'll still toss my N0UN hat in the ring!
All because of this little contest called the CQ DX Marathon and our mutual hobby of Amateur Radio. The future is bright! Good DX on ya'!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– January 15, 2016
K5P Palmyra Atoll was All-Time New One (ATNO) #330 for me – one more for DXCC Honor Roll!
It figures – I went out and fixed my 40 and 80 Meter Inverted "L" verticals today, then worked K5P on 17 and 20 Meters first, lol.
Great signals from Palmyra Atoll today, but then again this A-Team of DXpeditioneers knows exactly what they're doing with propagation, rigs, filtering, power and antennas, so I've come to expect nothing but the best from them.
N0UN working K5P Palmyra Atoll 20M SSB
QSL K5P via OQRS, Buro and Direct
K5P Online Log Check:
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– January 12, 2016
I guess my parents were right – "sometimes doing your homework pays off".
Over the last few days I've noticed that Nicolas FT4XU on Kerguelen Island has a rhythm. He usually starts off on or around 14.130 simplex, then when the pile-up forms he receives split up 5 – 10. After a while operating on 14.130, he's been immediately going to 14.330. So when I heard him over the longpath on 14.130 this morning, I went and readied the gear for a run on 14.330 just in case he did what he had been doing in the past. I'd have loved to work him on "nice and quiet" 14.130, but that portion of the band is out of our US Extra Class privileges. So I waited. And I waited a little more. Then damnit, he just vanished!
But I had already set the VFO's to RX on 14.330 and TX on 14.335 so I checked there, and in the midst of some heavy QRM both above and below from the net geezers, there he was!
50 watts, a shoulder high dipole out in the middle of absolute nowhere from Kerguelen Island over the longpath into Colorado. All Time New One #329 for me – Ham Radio awesomeness!
N0UN working FT4XU Longpath UP 5 on 20 Meters
QSL FT4XU via F1ULQ direct.
Paper log only, no online log check offered.
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– January 6, 2016
Back from a family get-together, I wasn't even in the door 5 seconds when my DX Cluster alarms were sounding "Papa Five Stroke Three Zulu Nine Delta X-Ray on Fifteen Meters".
I thought for sure it was some kind of joke, but lo and behold – it was Dom! I stumbled around reaching for the headset and setting up my receive DSP I almost forgot to turn the recorder on. The abrupt end of this recording is because I was so jacked and discombobulated I hit the "Stop" button on the recorder instead of "Add" to log button. Oh well, all time new one (ATNO) DPRK is in the bag. And I'm still not quite sure why my record audio on the new FTDX-5000D is so "thin" and is not what I hear in the headset – me thinks it may be because I'm running the audio out to the recorder at the AF Out Jack (before amplification, shift, DSP, filtering, etc.) and not the Speaker Jack (full RX) audio like I used to do on my old FT-1000MP MK V. Give it time, I'll figure it out.
Gotta' love this hobby!
N0UN working Dom P5/3Z9DX North Korea on 15 Meters SSB.
QSL P5/3Z9DX through OQRS at Club Log. The link will be active when Dom gets home to Poland.
Online Log Check for P5/3Z9DX at Club Log
UPDATED (December 21 – 0130Z) – Actually he uploaded from China (I suspect). The P5/3Z9DX Online Log (and link above) is now active. 784 QSO's. The Online QSL Request System (OQRS) is also ACTIVE.
And remember, Dom (3Z9DX) DOES NOT QSL any of his DXpeditions via the Bureau – Only direct and via OQRS!
Here's a P5/3Z9DX Breaking News link on DX-World.net
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– December 19, 2015
It's been an interesting year for DX!
I've participated in CQ Magazine's "DX Marathon" contest the last couple years, and 2015 was no exception. I've been "all in" the entire year. For those that don't know of the contest, here's a link to the DX Marathon Website.
Basically it's a contest that runs the entire calendar year. You work as many DX Entities as you can, then submit your logsheet by January 10th, 2016 to the Marathon Administrator. They run your submission through a complex algorithm of broken calls, known pirates, etc., then score your results versus other competitors. 1st place in many categories such as band, overall, power level (and more) receives a plaque for their effort, while many other runner up, zones, countries and such can receive paper certificates. Bob, W9KNI writes about his adventures from a few years ago in the book "A Year of DX".
At a minimum, I'd be willing to bet the All-Time Overall records of 330 (held in a tie by OM3EY and PP5EG) and also North America (329) held by W9KNI, N0FW and K2TQC will get smashed this year. I know I'm doing my part trying to break records this year! And it may be a very long time before the winning scores of 2015's contest will be challenged. There were more DX Entities on this year than I've ever heard before, and there's still a little over a month to go!
Like me, if you need a little kick in the ass to get motivated in Ham Radio again, this contest will get you motivated. Personally, through 43 years a Ham – several times I've lost interest because of one thing or another. Life is like that you know. The 2016 contest starts in a little over a month so get ready to have a little fun. Get on the air. Get active. Go get some!
See you in the pileups!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– November 27, 2015
Looks like the Fella's made it to Willis Island all OK.
QSL VK9WA via N7SMI or OQRS
There QRZ page says they're going to try to upload their logs to Club log at least once a day.
Make a PayPal donation to VK9WA
VK9WA had a helluva' signal on 40 Meters at 3 AM this morning!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– November 14, 2015
"3B7FA On The Air"
Was he?
Reports are surfacing that a pirate was quite busy on CW using Pat's 3B7FA Callsign from rare St. Brandon the last few days. People swear 3B8FA doesn't "do" CW anymore, but until I read a quote or a post authored by Pat himself, well – we just don't know for sure, now do we?
I'll tell you what, whoever that was on CW a couple days ago was good. I mean REAL good. Accurate, fast and proficient. That was no DX pileup rookie.
It does appear 3B8FA uses an Online Log at HRDLog.net (but doesn't use Club Log).
If Pat does upload when he gets home, he may post his online log here:
3B7FA Online Log Check at HRDLog.net, or quite possibly here: 3B7FA Page on HRDLog.net
"The suspense builds"
Here's a couple recordings of 3B7FA (or pirate) working CW. Sorry my CW tone was not being recorded for some reason (I haven't figured that issue out yet).
And here's a much longer recording of 3B7FA (or a pirate) in action. Listen close to the end of the recording when the Op says, "QRX 10 Min, problems with power" and goes QRT. By the way – he never did come back.
3B7FA 20 Meters CW Recording Including QRT Message:
It's sure going to be interesting when we do hear from Pat (3B8FA). I'm hoping he was "real" as 3B6/3B7 Agalega and St. Brandon would be an All Time New One DXCC #328 for me. If it was a pirate breaking my balls, well I hope I find the little weasel some day because I think I'll have him check the "high voltage" circuit on my linear amplifier.
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– October 31, 2015
WOW, what a pileup!
It's been quite some time since 4U1UN has been on the air, and it sure showed. The pileups were past immense. I listened for an hour or so after I worked 4U70UN on both 17 Meters CW and SSB today, and because of the non-stop callers they were lucky to squeeze in a couple Q's a minute. I imagine if everybody only called once they could have worked a helluva' lot more Hams, but such is the way things are nowadays.
N0UN working 4U70UN 17 Meters SSB
4U70UN Online Log Check at Club Log
Let's see what tomorrow brings. My guess? More of the same.
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– October 24, 2015
With all the solar storms we've had the last month or so, I didn't think we'd have very good propagation to Africa while Zorro (JH1AJT) is operational from Eritrea (October 16 – 22nd, 2015). Did I ever tell you what happens when I "think"?
N0UN working E30FB Eritrea 15M SSB
Quite a good signal into Colorado I'd say.
Sure is great to see my world traveling friend Zorro getting on the air from these exceptionally hard places to activate like Myanmar, Mount Athos, Eritrea, etc.
QSL E30FB (for this operation) via Zorro's home call:
PO Box 8
Oiso, Naka
KANAGAWA, 259-0111 Japan
Online Log Check for E30FB (this operation) at Club Log
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– October 16, 2015
Local time on Chesterfield Island right now is:
Fun propagation this evening while trying to hunt down and work the Chesterfield Islands DXpedition – TX3X. On 17 Meters they started loud on the long path and were non-existent on the short path. 30 minutes later they were "barely there" on both paths. Another 30 minutes later and not a peep on the long path, but strong on the short path (and in the log).
N0UN working TX3X Chesterfield 17M CW:
N0UN working TX3X Chesterfield 20M CW:
N0UN working TX3X Chesterfield 17M SSB:
N0UN working TX3X Chesterfield 15M SSB:
N0UN working TX3X Chesterfield 15M CW:
See ya' in the pileups!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– October 1, 2015
My Blog here at N0UN.net is just like me – "a little bit different".
Over time I've seen and read other Ham Radio related Blogs, and to tell you the truth I specifically built this Blog because I thought a bunch of them suck. Some of them really suck.
Seems all you get on most other Blogs were the Blog owners "opinions". No news, no nothing – just the Blog owners opinion. Well, in my opinion – opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one, and they all stink. How's that for an opinion?
Some blowhard Ham Radio related Blog owners are quick to point out that "they're the best", or the "most visited", or the "most enlightening", or the "most experienced", blah, blah, blah – blah, blah, blah, blah…. Yeah, well whatever.
Sure, I occasionally Blog about what interests me, but take a good look around because there's a lot more than my part-time posts. On every page there's FOUR different DX news feeds, a dynamic world clock showing local times right now, active solar and sunspot numbers, direct links to sites like QRZ.com, eHam, QTH, etc. and so much more. All constantly updated, all current, all the time.
N0UN.net is kinda' like a one stop shop for DXers. If it's happening, it's accessible from here. And that's why I built and maintain N0UN.net. I keep ONE window open on my computer. From that single window I can read Col's (MM0NDX) DX-News.net scrolling across the top of every page, or I can view DX news from DXNews.com, DXCoffee.com or the ARRL feeds from column right. I can see it's 1:01 AM local time here in Denver, 4:01 PM in Japan and 10:01 AM in Moscow all in one quick glance. If I want to go look somebody up on QRZ.com, I don't have to go open up another window and type in QRZ.com, I just click their logo. Same with QTH.com Classifieds and other relevant Ham radio sites – one click and in.
And if you haven't noticed by now, here's a couple more things. I am not PC (politically correct) and you don't see any annoying as hell advertisements, pop-up windows or any other kind of that bullshit around here either. You want lame ass Google ads, pop-up windows, corny theme songs and crap like that then go visit somebody else's Blog. Maybe they need the extra dollar or two a day their ads make to survive in this hobby of ours (click, click). If you want DX news, then we're glad to have you here. N0UN.net can be another useful tool in you, the DXer's toolkit. Use it, bookmark it, abuse it, or ignore it – it's up to you.
That's it for now Good Reader of N0UN.net. I'm tired. Oh, if you think I'm missing something 'round here or you'd like something added, drop me an e-mail and if we think it worthy, we'll add it. See you in the next big pile-up!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– September 19, 2015
Ken (LA7GIA) is on the air from D6 Comoros. D67GIA had a pretty good signal into Colorado yesterday afternoon. I needed Comoros for my 2015 DX Marathon contest submission so I threw my call into the pileup for a chance to work him.
N0UN working D67GIA Comoros 20 Meters CW
N0UN working D67GIA Comoros 17 Meters CW
According to Ken's Website (LA7GIA.com), it appears he will be operating as D67GIA until September 23rd, 2015. Later this year (from Nov 12- 23th) Ken will be operating from Equatorial Guinea as 3C7GIA.
There's a Paypal Button on LA7GIA.com if you'd like to assist Ken and help offset some of his DXpedition expenses. DXpedition Donation Page.
Ken has already updated his online log from his first day of D67GIA operations (460 QSO's). Here's the log check link below:
D67GIA Online Log Check at Club Log
Good luck, see you in the pileups!
Posted in N0UN's Blog Posts.
– September 15, 2015


text:
gaff 1
- (in fishing)Example sentences
- Before commercialization, when lobsters were fished as a subsistence item, or for sale or barter in small local markets, they were typically fished by hand or with gaffs and spears.
- The five-part sculpture tells a story from the folk history of Kiltimagh and illustrates the drama of the catching of salmon by the illegal gaff and spear on winter nights in the early 1900s.
- This fish we fight for about 15 minutes, but we are using a small diameter wind-on and cannot get the fish within range of the gaff even though we have most of the leader on the reel.
Grammar and usage help for Spanish:
gaff 2
- (US) [colloquial]to stand the gaffaguantar (mecha) [colloquial]
Grammar and usage help for Spanish:
gaff 3
- (British) [colloquial]to blow the gaffdescubrir el pastel [colloquial]levantar la liebre [colloquial]levantar la perdiz (Río de la Plata) [colloquial]Example sentences
- The rules were, to begin with, difficult to master, since, as a journalist, one's entire instinct was to blow the gaff.
- Well… we could hardly blow the gaff on a fairytale, could we?
- To sugar the pill they sent me to review a very good book, which appeared recently, The Spanish Cockpit, which blows the gaff pretty well on what has been happening.
Grammar and usage help for Spanish:
gaff 4
- (British) [colloquial] (home)queli (feminine) (Spain) [colloquial]Example sentences
- It is a luxurious gaff with seven reception rooms and Prince Michael is getting away with one of the best housing benefit scams in the land.
- One's a millionaire, one has done really well and lives in Ireland, one of them has a big gaff in the New Town.
- I may have liked God when I was three, as I testified on the study wall, but He certainly wouldn't be very fond of me when He found out what I'd done to His gaff in Acton.
What do you find interesting about this word or phrase?
Comments that don't adhere to our Community Guidelines may be moderated or removed.
Grammar and usage help for Spanish:
= trending

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Giving FAQ
How do I make a gift online or by check?
Online gifts can be made using our secure online donation form.
Donations by check should be made out to DC Central Kitchen and sent to this address:
DC Central Kitchen Deposit Box
PO Box 417406
Boston, MA 02241-7406
Why the Boston address? We use a special deposit service to keep down the costs of processing your donation.
How do I make a gift of stock?
To make a gift of stock, please contact Amanda Butts for the appropriate account information at email@example.com or 202-847-0221.
What's your United Way and CFC number?
United Way #8233
Combined Federal Campaign #67538
How do I get someone from DC Central Kitchen to speak at an event?
We love to speak at community events! Our staff is small, so unfortunately we can't accept every offer we get. If we can't make it to your event, we can send you videos and other materials. Please contact Liz Reinert at email@example.com.
Development Contacts:
Ellen Leoni, Development Associate
email@example.com 202-847-0222
- General donation questions
- Monthly/recurring giving
Amanda Butts, Senior Development Associate
email@example.com 202-847-0221
- Becoming an Ambassador or Champion
- Stock donations
- Personal fundraising through celebrations
- Planned giving
Alexander Moore, Development Director
email@example.com 202-847-0220
- Sponsorships
- Strategic Partnerships
Liz Reinert, Associate Director of Development
email@example.com 202-847-0226
- United Way
- Event logistics
Abby Elsener, Grants Coordinator
firstname.lastname@example.com 202-847-0219
- Grants
Paul Day, Communications Manager
- Media inquiries
- Website/social media issues


text:
Ogg is a multimedia container format and the native file and stream
format for the Xiph.org multimedia codecs. It encapsulates raw
compressed data and allows the interleaving of audio and video data
inside a single convient format. Ogg is a stream oriented container
and provides packet framing, error detection, and periodic timestamps
for seeking.
WWW: https://www.xiph.org/ogg/
To install the port: cd /usr/ports/audio/linux-f10-libogg/ && make install cleanTo add the package: pkg install linux-f10-libogg
cd /usr/ports/audio/linux-f10-libogg/ && make install clean
pkg install linux-f10-libogg
PKGNAME: linux-f10-libogg
SHA256 (rpm/i386/fedora/10/libogg-1.1.3-9.fc9.i386.rpm) = aac8646e18cb56515cc428d5582663769ad72a79d71b3d97a9cad9b671e7473d
SIZE (rpm/i386/fedora/10/libogg-1.1.3-9.fc9.i386.rpm) = 19983
SHA256 (rpm/i386/fedora/10/libogg-1.1.3-9.fc9.src.rpm) = f5b00f7ec59afd33a6696a277be92d3f0ae3eee8889b109c53b74b7c5b19cdd6
SIZE (rpm/i386/fedora/10/libogg-1.1.3-9.fc9.src.rpm) = 410625
NOTE: FreshPorts displays only information on required and default dependencies. Optional dependencies are not covered.
This port is required by:
No options to configure
Number of commits found: 9
Move MASTER_SITES from CRITICAL to LOCAL/ehaupt
Update CentOS base to 6.5, add userland ports
The Fedora 10 infrastructure ports have been in use since June 2009 and, while
having served a great deed, have become unsupported upstream and hence affected
by unfixed security vulnerabilities. In addition to that, many recent Linux
binaries need newer libc / stdlibc++ versions.
This commit adds the linux-c6- userland as drop-in replacement for the -f10
infrastructure, as well as upgrading the linux_base-c6 port to CentOS 6.5.
If you want to switch to linux-c6 ports, please define at /etc/make.conf:
Add DOCS to OPTIONS_DEFINE where PORTDOCS= is set.
Add staging support for linux-f10-* ports maintained by emulation@
(category audio).
Add NO_STAGE all over the place in preparation for the staging support (cat:
- Get Rid MD5 support
Add a more reliable mirrors for fc4 and f10 linux emulation ports.
Triggered by: distilator
Reviewed by: netchild (emulation)
Here are new Linux Fedora 10 infrastructure ports.
Those ports are intended to be used with 8-CURRENT at least
with SVN r192206.
If you want to switch to linux-f10 ports, please define at /etc/make.conf:
An upgrading procedure is shown at /usr/ports/UPDATING, entries 20090401
and 20070327.
For the first time all tested linux ports work as expected(!):
. acroread8;
. google-earth;
. skype;
. seamonkey.
Many thanks for kernel folks who really did the main work
(and I wrote only some lines of ports).
There is a good chance that those ports may become a default
for 8.0-RELEASE. Please, test and report back to emulation@ ML.
Repocopies finished:
accessibility/linux-f8-atk -> accessibility/linux-f10-atk
archivers/linux-f8-ucl -> archivers/linux-f10-ucl
archivers/linux-f8-upx -> archivers/linux-f10-upx
audio/linux-f8-alsa-lib -> audio/linux-f10-alsa-lib
audio/linux-f8-arts -> audio/linux-f10-arts
audio/linux-f8-esound -> audio/linux-f10-esound
audio/linux-f8-freealut -> audio/linux-f10-freealut
audio/linux-f8-libaudiofile -> audio/linux-f10-libaudiofile
audio/linux-f8-libogg -> audio/linux-f10-libogg
audio/linux-f8-libvorbis -> audio/linux-f10-libvorbis
audio/linux-f8-openal -> audio/linux-f10-openal
audio/linux-f8-sdl_mixer -> audio/linux-f10-sdl_mixer
databases/linux-f8-sqlite3 -> databases/linux-f10-sqlite3
Servers and bandwidth provided byNew York Internet, SuperNews, and RootBSD
57 vulnerabilities affecting 92 ports have been reported in the past 14 days
* - modified, not new
All vulnerabilities


text:
Share your comments on Defensive Slides - Catapult below back to the article page.
very helpful
ACTIVE is the leader in online event registrations from 5k running races and marathons to softball leagues and local events. ACTIVE also makes it easy to learn and prepare for all the things you love to do with expert resources, training plans and fitness calculators.


text:
I am looking into an amp for a home stereo, and I want it really loud, something that will make my neighbors angry. I plan on finding an amp, then finding some speakers to go with the amp. Any suggestions?
Need an amp for my house
Started by systemdeath, Jan 27 2006 06:39 PM
6 replies to this topic
Posted 27 January 2006 - 06:39 PM
Posted 27 January 2006 - 07:23 PM
A more normal practice is to find speakers that you want first, then select an amp to appropriately power them.
But, if you insist on purchasing an amp first, something like a CE4000 or a K2 will give you plenty of power for just about anything you'd dare to use in your house, and both of those amps are quite efficient, something to keep in mind with home use.
But, if you insist on purchasing an amp first, something like a CE4000 or a K2 will give you plenty of power for just about anything you'd dare to use in your house, and both of those amps are quite efficient, something to keep in mind with home use.
Posted 30 January 2006 - 01:29 AM
Okay, thanks very much. I just wanted some kind of starting point with numbers and such.
Posted 05 February 2006 - 01:15 AM
I have two CE 4000 amps and I LOVE them!
Posted 27 February 2006 - 09:56 PM
Hi, I have two vintage Altec Voice of the Theater (A-7's) and achieve 105db easily in my 18x16 living room, power from a single crown XLS202. Nothing clips or distorts, and my ears never hurt or do I suffer listening fatigue. I refuse to use cd's; all input is from either an Akai GXR70 cassette tape machine or a Music Hall turntable. Preamplification is via a Bellari tube phono preamp for the turntable only. The cassette deck is fed directly into the power amp using the output control to attenuate. It's a pain but I disconnect/connect the patch cords to switch inputs. I haven't found an absolutely quiet patch bay yet. Desired tonal qualities took some time, angling the speaker cabinets on horizontal/vertical axis, and room treatments (which are all normal decor, rugs,drapes,venetian blinds, plants, and furniture with pillows). As a schooled musician, I have an acute sense of tonal balance and accuracy. I love my music played at the volume it would be at if it was live in the room with its distortions and not ones induced by the system. To *beep* with the neighbors, but I haven't received any complaints to date. I listen to most generas with blues-rock at the top. My suggestion is to concentrate on an efficient speaker system (mine will drive adequately with only 10 watts) first, then improve your source as you can afford it. I consider every component I own entry level, sans the Altecs and Crown. I come to tears during certain cuts e.g. Pink Floyd's The Wall to the 1812 Overture, Leonard Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic. That's happiness !!! Eugene Zdybowicz
Posted 09 March 2006 - 08:03 PM
Hey systemdeath,
Did you ever decide what amp to go with. Let us know...
Did you ever decide what amp to go with. Let us know...
Posted 25 March 2006 - 10:14 PM
the 4200's and 8200s (4 channel and 8 channel) are nice because you can hook them up to several different things and control them from your computer with the IQ version....... check it out!


text:
A pedestrian walking along I-26 in Buncombe County was killed in a collision involving an 18-wheeler, according to Highway Patrol disptachers.
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text:
Where can I find information on the business forms, and whether they can be submitted online?
Our Economic Division has developed a website that provides information for businesses to aid in the completion of the various Economic surveys and forms. Information includes frequently asked questions, online services such as form remails and time extensions, as well as other sources of assistance.
There is an index of the forms and their form numbers sorted by program for reference.


text: Went back to Moscow , Ky. and found this 1/2 dime . Cant find it in my books nowhere , so I dont guess it is any good unless some body knows something about it . I found one about a mile from here about two years ago but it was made right . Also found this 1865 penny with a hole in it of course . Good luck to all & HH.


text:
Fairy Tales From the Brothers Grimm
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text:
WILLIAMSTOWN - Fenton Art Glass is asking for contributions through a Kickstarter campaign in order to aid owners USGlass with creating a digital catalog of the glassmaking moulds.
"One of the key steps USGlass needs to do to get started is to decide what products to make when production begins again," said George Fenton, president of Fenton Art Glass.
The Kickstarter campaign hopes to raise $50,000 by 7 p.m. Monday. As of Tuesday evening the project had raised less than $10,000 with 187 backers.
Article Photos
Photo by Jolene Craig
Fenton Art Glass in Williamstown is home to about 10,000 different glassmaking moulds. The company has a Kickstarter project to raise $50,000 to create a catalog of these moulds to aid USGlass in deciding what products to make.
Photo by Jolene Craig
A display of old glass moulds and pieces is located in the back of the Fenton Art Glass gift shop in Williamstown. The company has a Kickstarter project to raise $50,000 to create a catalog of these moulds to aid USGlass in deciding what products to make.
"The cost of the project is because there are more than 10,000 moulds at the factory," Fenton said. "The time it takes to compile and enter data into an electronic catalog per mould times the number of moulds is excessive."
Along with the data, a program to access the information will also be needed, which is why the high goal.
"This project came from Gene Bem, CEO of USGlass, who knew we needed to have a serviceable reference for the moulds," Fenton said. "Since all of the moulds are located on shelves in the Williamstown factory and many weigh up to 1,500 pounds, it is difficult to move them or even look at them, so having a digital catalog would be very helpful."
Fact Box
How To Donate
To donate to the Kickstarter campaign, go to http://www.kickstarter.com and search Fenton Art Glass.
Having the digital catalog will help USGlass decide which moulds to use when production starts at the factory, located at 420 Caroline Ave. in Williamstown.
The company plans to focus on both functional tableware and art glass for collectors by using traditional Fenton moulds as well as developing new shapes. The moulds were purchased by the Fenton Gift Shop at a public auction last year while USGlass has an agreement with the shop to lease the moulds for glassmaking.
Once created, the digital catalog will not only be available to USGlass, but also Fenton Art Glass collectors, Fenton said.
Anyone who contributes $10 or more to the campaign will have exclusive access to the finished product of historical Fenton, Fostoria and other Ohio River Valley glassmaking moulds.
The Kickstarter project is not the only fundraising USGlass is doing.
In March, USGlass received a $100,000 investment from the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust (WVJIT) to help the company get back into production. The financing is provided through the West Virginian Capital Access Program (WVCAP) to provide for operating capital, marketing and advertising support.
"It takes a lot of money to get production up and running again," Fenton said. "It is not a quick process."
In a March interview, Bem said the hope is to hire management and former Fenton Art Glass employees this summer.
"It really all depends on when they are able to get funding," Fenton said.
The restart depends on raising sufficient financing to refurbish the furnaces and equipment, hire glassworkers and fund marketing. Funding is progressing.
The main furnace and production of classic lines of art glass was stopped in 2011 following the rising costs of production and declining sales. The company was owned by the Fenton family for four generations until they could no longer continue.
In 2012, the Fenton Group (doing business as USGlass Inc.) acquired the assets of the Fenton Art Glass Company in Williamstown.


text:
Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences
|"Training Boston residents for biotech jobs connects young people with great opportunities, and it helps to drive the growth of this sector that is so important to Boston's future."
—Mayor Thomas M. Menino
The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences (BLCS) combines general undergraduate education with special technical preparation for the biomedical field in order to train students for positions in biomedical research laboratories or clinical research units. The time required to earn the degree varies based on individual schedules, transferable credit, and the pace students establish for themselves to complete the program.The BLCS curriculum consists of 128 credits, to be earned in four distinct components:
1.Distribution/Specialization Requirements (70 credits):
Distribution requirements comprise the basic science and liberal arts courses for all Metropolitan College degree candidates, while specialization requirements are drawn from specified courses in the biomedical sciences taught at Boston University's School of Medicine.Students must complete 48 distribution credits and 22 specialization credits. Courses taken at other institutions may satisfy some of these requirements.
2. Specialization Electives (30-40 credits):
Specialization electives provide a working knowledge of a range of relevant fields, including cell culture, molecular biology, immunology, and clinical laboratory genetics. Students select their electives from a wide range of offerings, and may concentrate on an area of their choosing.Students must complete between 30–40 credits of specialization electives—the total number of credits required will vary depending upon the number of credits earned through the externship component.
3. Free Electives (8 credits):
Free electives allow students to complement and broaden their academic background. Students should consider their career objectives and personal interests when selecting free elective courses.
Eight credits of free electives are required; approved transfer credits from another accredited institution may be applied toward this requirement.
4. Externship/Clinical Practicum (10-20 credits):
Students gain hands-on experience in their chosen field by working as interns in a laboratory environment. Externships are available in clinical, industrial, and university settings, and assist students in meeting individual goals while earning credit toward their degree and adding valuable professional experience to their résumé. At the conclusion of their externship, students present an overview of their externship to Biomed faculty. This PowerPoint presentation also serves as a document for their externship site as well as for future potential employers.
Students must earn a minimum of 10 credits through the externship program, and may earn up to 20 credits with the director's approval. The total number of credits earned in the externship will determine the number of specialization elective credits required of students.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in specialization courses. To graduate, students need a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Course Listings and Descriptions
A comprehensive list of courses, course descriptions, and requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences can be found in the Metropolitan College Bulletin or online at www.bu.edu/met/biotech. Course schedules for specific semesters can be found on the website or in the Metropolitan College Schedule, available prior to the start of registration. See page 6 for details and registration procedures.
The Externship/Clinical Research Practicum
As an integral component of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory and Clinical Sciences degree requirements, the externship provides a valuable opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen field. Externships can take place in biotechnology firms, clinical laboratories, and biomedical research facilities—students have also been able to arrange externships at their own workplace. A contract signed by the student, laboratory supervisor, and program director is required. At the conclusion of the externship, the student must give a PpowerPoint presentation to BLCS staff. This presentation will be factored into the grade given by the student's externship supervisor.
A minimum of 10 externship credits is necessary for a degree, though with approval students may earn up to 20 credits. Every 15 hours of supervised laboratory work equals one credit. Students pay regular tuition charges for externship credits. Students completing their externship should enroll in Biomedical Externship (GMS BT 591/592) or Clinical Research Practicum (GMS BT 594/595).
The Clinical Research Practicum is the same hands-on component of the degree and is done within the clinical research field. As with the externship, students choose their placement based on their academic/professional background and goals in consultation with the program director. Four credits requires 100 hours of work. A resume, contract and presentation are all required.
Recent Externship Sites
- Biogen Idec, Inc., Cambridge
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston
- Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge
- SkinCare Physicians, Chestnut Hill
- Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM), Department of Human Genetics
- BUSM, Department of Pharmacology
- BUSM, Department of Infectious Diseases
- Trace Analysis Unit, State Crime Laboratory, Sudbury
- Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge


text:
Medium Launch Transition Strategy Leverages Ongoing Investments but Is Not Without Risk
GAO-11-107: Published: Nov 22, 2010. Publicly Released: Nov 22, 2010.
Additional Materials:
- Highlights Page:
- Full Report:
- Accessible Text:
(202) 512-3000
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has long relied on the Delta II medium class launch vehicle to launch science missions. Delta II, however, is no longer in production, and no other vehicle in the relative cost and performance range is currently certified for NASA use. Thus, NASA faces a potential gap in the availability of medium class launch vehicles that could cause design challenges, delays, or funding issues. GAO was asked to assess (1) NASA's and the Delta II contractor's, steps to ensure resources (budget, workforce, and facilities) are available to support safe Delta II operations through the last planned NASA flight in 2011; (2) NASA's plans and contingencies for ensuring a smooth transition from current small and medium class launch vehicles to other launch vehicles for future science missions; (3) the risks associated with NASA's planned approach to fill the medium launch capability gap; and (4) technical and programmatic implications to science missions if NASA commits to new launch vehicles before they are certified and proven. GAO identified and assessed transition plans and mitigation activities and interviewed responsible NASA and government officials.
NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP) is taking steps to address risks and ensure the success of the last planned Delta II launched missions through a combination of specific government approvals and targeted government insight into contractor activities and designs. For example, LSP uses government systems engineers with technical expertise to review or repeat the contractors' engineering analyses. This is a key factor in high launch success rates. From 1990 through 2009, LSP has achieved a 98 percent launch success rate. LSP is conducting additional reviews of launch vehicle processing to mitigate risk associated with the remaining Delta II flights. LSP has also identified several specific areas of concern with the remaining Delta II flights--including contractor workforce expertise, postproduction subcontractor support, spare parts, and launch pads--and is taking steps where possible to mitigate risks and ensure the success of the remaining missions. NASA plans to leverage ongoing investments to acquire a new medium launch capability for science missions in the relative cost and performance range of the Delta II. The agency expects to eventually certify the vehicles being developed for space station resupply for use by NASA science missions. NASA has been in coordination with agency and contractor officials responsible for these efforts. Further, the agency revised its policy to allow for faster certification of new providers. Due to an active small class launch vehicle market and NASA's relative low need for vehicles in this class, the agency has no plans to develop additional small class launch vehicles. Rather, the agency will acquire these services through the NASA Launch Services II Contract. NASA's plan has inherent risks that need to be mitigated. NASA has not developed detailed estimates of the time and money required to resolve technical issues likely to arise during the launch vehicle certification process. As these costs are currently unknown, according to Science Mission Directorate officials, NASA has not yet budgeted for them. Further, both space station resupply vehicles have experienced delays and more delays are likely as launch vehicle development is an inherently risky endeavor. Neither potential provider currently has the facilities needed to launch the majority of NASA earth science missions requiring a medium capability. NASA medium class science missions that are approaching their preliminary design review face uncertainties related to committing to as yet uncertified and unproven launch vehicles. Launch vehicle decisions for these missions will be made before new vehicles are certified. Because changing the launch vehicle of a science mission after its preliminary design review is likely to lead to significant cost growth and schedule delays, NASA's intention is to select a launch vehicle and accept the impacts that any delays in the certification process could have to the cost and schedule of the science mission. NASA officials also indicated that future science missions might be asked to accommodate multiple launch vehicle possibilities if the availability of future vehicles is delayed. GAO recommends that NASA perform a detailed cost estimate based on knowledge gained during launch vehicle certification and adequately budget for potential additional costs. NASA concurred.
Recommendations for Executive Action
Status: Open
Comments: In providing comments on this report and in its letter to the Congress, the agency concurred with this recommendation and indicated that it planned to develop a detailed estimate of the costs to certify new medium-class launch vehicles. NASA's Launch Services program has developed preliminary estimates of the costs associated with certifying and resolving potential technical issues with the Falcon 9 and Antares (formerly known as Taurus II) vehicles. The Launch Services Program has provided these estimates to the Science Mission Directorate to inform their budget planning. The final costs of certification, however, are dependent on a number of variable factors including government labor costs and the potential government expenditure for any additional testing or other actions the government deems necessary. Until NASA has finalized its certification requirements and awarded a contract for launch services for a NASA-funded science mission, certification cost estimates will remain preliminary in nature, and this recommendation will remain open. NASA has awarded a contract to SpaceX to launch the TESS mission in 2017. The agency is in the process of finalizing its detailed estimates of final certification costs based on this contract award and plans to have them completed by Fall 2015.
Recommendation: Given the likelihood of delays and additional costs associated with developing and fielding a medium class launch vehicle fully certified for science missions and the implications to funding available to support science missions, and as LSP gains a more complete understanding of the detailed designs and actual performance of the Falcon 9 and Taurus II, the NASA Administrator should require NASA's Science Mission Directorate--in conjunction with NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate--to perform a detailed cost estimate to determine the likely costs of certification and the trade-offs required to fund these costs. This estimate should at a minimum examine the need for funds to resolve technical issues with the Falcon 9 and Taurus II launch vehicles discovered through the certification process. The estimate should also examine the costs associated with delaying science missions if necessary until launch vehicles are available or contingencies such as selecting more costly or time-consuming launch options.
Agency Affected: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Status: Open
Comments: In providing comments on this report and in its letter to the Congress, the agency concurred with this recommendation and indicated that it planned to budget based on detailed cost estimates for certifying new medium launch capability vehicles as part of its fiscal year 2013 and subsequent budget cycles. Since then, NASA has developed preliminary estimates of the costs associated with resolving potential technical issues with the Falcon 9 and Antares (formerly known as Taurus II) vehicles. At this time, however, it is NASA's position that until a contract is awarded for a NASA-funded science mission, the extent to which the Science Mission Directorate will bear any certification costs will remain unknown. While NASA has selected the Falcon 9 launch vehicle for the Jason-3 mission, this mission is unique in that NASA is acting, on a reimbursable basis, as NOAA's acquisition agent to develop and launch the spacecraft. As such, NASA does not have a dedicated budget for the mission. It is NASA's intent to assign the certification costs to a specific mission, but this will only be done when a NASA-funded mission is identified for flight on a new medium launch vehicle. This recommendation will remain open until NASA has awarded a contract for a NASA-funded science mission and all potential costs are recognized in NASA's budget documentation. NASA has awarded a contract to SpaceX to launch the TESS mission in 2017. The agency is in the process of finalizing its detailed estimates of final certification costs based on this contract award and plans to have them completed by Fall 2015.
Recommendation: Given that NASA's Science Mission Directorate could have to fund additional significant costs for certification and the use of contingencies, the NASA Administrator should require that the costs identified through developing the detail cost estimate are adequately budgeted for and identified by the Science Mission Directorate.
Agency Affected: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: In providing comments on this report and in its letter to the Congress, the agency concurred with this recommendation and indicated that NASA's Launch Services Program (LSP) was preparing an estimate of the costs to certify a new medium class launch vehicle and providing these costs to the Science Mission Directorate. Subsequently, NASA's Science Mission Directorate factored these costs in the preparation of its fiscal year 2014 budget request for some of it science projects that could likely use either the Falcon 9 or Antares vehicles, which the agency believes is sufficient to cover any costs associated with their certification. For example, NASA included over $10 million margin in the budget for the Insight mission specifically for certification related costs.
Recommendation: Until such time, however, that costs are better understood, the NASA Administrator should require the Science Mission Directorate to identify and budget for additional contingency funding for the projects requiring a medium launch capability vehicle and approaching their preliminary design review prior to certification of Falcon 9 and Taurus II that could be impacted by additional costs associated with certification of these vehicles, including the need to address technical issues and shoulder delays in the certification process.
Agency Affected: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations »
Jul 27, 2016
NASA Human Space Exploration:Opportunity Nears to Reassess Launch Vehicle and Ground Systems Cost and ScheduleGAO-16-612: Published: Jul 27, 2016. Publicly Released: Jul 27, 2016.
Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle:Action Needed to Improve Visibility into Cost, Schedule, and Capacity to Resolve Technical ChallengesGAO-16-620: Published: Jul 27, 2016. Publicly Released: Jul 27, 2016.
Jul 22, 2016
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle:DOD Is Assessing Data on Worldwide Launch Market to Inform New Acquisition StrategyGAO-16-661R: Published: Jul 22, 2016. Publicly Released: Jul 22, 2016.
Jun 22, 2016
Commercial Space:Industry Developments and FAA ChallengesGAO-16-765T: Published: Jun 22, 2016. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2016.
Mar 30, 2016
NASA:Assessments of Major ProjectsGAO-16-309SP: Published: Mar 30, 2016. Publicly Released: Mar 30, 2016.
Feb 25, 2016
NASA:Preliminary Observations on Major Acquisition Projects and Management ChallengesGAO-16-461T: Published: Feb 25, 2016. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2016.
Dec 17, 2015
James Webb Space Telescope:Project on Track but May Benefit from Improved Contractor Data to Better Understand CostsGAO-16-112: Published: Dec 17, 2015. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2015.
Dec 10, 2015
Environmental Satellites:Launch Delayed; NOAA Faces Key Decisions on Timing of Future SatellitesGAO-16-143T: Published: Dec 10, 2015. Publicly Released: Dec 10, 2015.
Oct 8, 2015
Space Situational Awareness:Status of Efforts and Planned BudgetsGAO-16-6R: Published: Oct 8, 2015. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2015.
Jul 16, 2015
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Pro Stock Tour Set for Saturday at Petty Int'l Raceway
RIVER GLADE, NB (May 29, 2013) - The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is headed to Petty International Raceway this Saturday for the Fast Eddie Racewear 100, round two of 12 for the 2013 edition of the popular touring series. Thirty teams from across the Maritimes are expected. Qualifying will take place at 5:10 PM with Atlantic Tiltload Time Trials, with racing at 6:00 PM.
Shawn Turple (Enfield, NS) is the point leader after the first event, edging out season opener winner John Flemming (Halifax, NS). Although Flemming received top points for the win, Turple picked up bonus points after taking home the Linde Most Laps Led Award, giving him a slight three point advantage over Flemming in the early chase for the championship. Rounding out the top five in points is Greg Proude (Springvale, PE), Daryl Mahar (Hubley, NS) and Steve Ross (Waverley, NS).
The 2013 class of rookies were in top form at the season Opener; four rookies took the green flag and all finished in the top half of the pack while two ended up with top 10 finishes. Cole Butcher (Porter's Lake, NS) and Colby Smith (Cape Sable Island, NS) ended the race in 12th and 13th, respectively, while Denver Foran (Edmonton, AB) battled to an eighth place finish. It was Dylan Blenkhorn (Truro, NS) who took home the first Rookie of the Race award and sits atop the rookie standings after a sixth place finish. All four are expected to continue their quest to become this year's Exide Batteries Rookie of the Year this weekend.
Mister Transmission Mini Stocks and the Maritime League of Legends will race on the undercard prior to the Fast Eddie Racewear 100. Admission is $25.00 for adults, $10.00 for youth (8-15 years old); pit admission is $30.00. Children 7 and under are admitted for free. Tickets will be available at the gate on race day.
Visit www.maritimeprostocktour.com for complete event details and coverage.
#02 – Mike MacKenzie – Dartmouth, NS
#03 – Steve Halpin – Saint John, NB
#0 - Shawn Turple - Enfield, NS
#4 - Mike Stevens - Riverview, NB
#5 – Jonathan Hicken – Brudenell, PE
#8 - Kent Vincent - Westmoreland, PE
#11 - Marty Prevost – Fall River, NS
#13- Denver Foran – Edmonton, AB
#14 – Terry Dougay – Albany, PE
#18 – Darren MacKinnon – Charlottetown, PE
#21 - Shawn Pierce - Bridgewater, NS
#24 – Steve Ross – Waverly, NS
#29 - Greg Proude - Springvale, PE
#35 – Brad Mann – Glen Livet, NB
#41 – Stacey Clements – Five Island Lake, NS
#44 – Russell Smith JR – Lakeside, NS
#45 - Leonard Boutilier – Dutch Settlement, NS
#52 - Shawn Tucker - Fredericton, NB
#53 – Cole Butcher – Porter's Lake, NS
#55 – Jason Carnahan – Moncton, NB
#63 – Brodie MacQuarrie – Winsloe, PE
#67 – Dylan Blenkhorn – Truro, NS
#72 – Brad Eddy – Lower Sackville, NS
#77 – Colby Smith –Cape Sable Island, NS
#88 - George Koszkulics – New Glasgow, NS
#89 – Donald Chisholm – Antigonish, NS
#91 – Dylan Gosbee – Cornwall, PE
#97 - John Flemming - Halifax, NS
#98 - Jerome Kehoe – Sydney, NS
#99 - Craig Slaunwhite - Terence Bay, NS
Entry list is subject to change without notice
About the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour:
The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PST) visits five tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/prostocktour and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/prostocktour.
Petty International Raceway is located on Highway 106, just 40 km west of Moncton, New Brunswick. To learn more about Petty International Raceway, its location, admission, policies, history, and more, please visit www.pettyraceway.com or call the event hotline at 506.372.8080. To receive current updates please follow us on Twitter (@pettyraceway_nb).


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Home - WEEE Recycling
WEEE is a short form for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, WEEE recycling is a directive similar to RoHS from the European Commission that requires all member states of the European Union to enact legislation catering for free recycling of electronic and electrical equipments. The consumer of is expected to pay nothing whenever they collect their recycled products. Instead, the manufacturer caters for all the costs associated with transportation, recycling and collection.
Extra information about WEEE recycling
What products are covered under WEEE?
WEEE recycling covers a wide range of products. Some of the products include IT equipments, household appliances, toys, tools, lighting, medical devices, monitoring equipments and sports equipments among others. You can confirm other covered products from the recyclers. Alternatively, you could search for the WEEE directive from the internet and you will learn of the other products covered.
How does WEEE recycling operate?
The UK's dti requires that every nation effectively plans for the collection and processing of WEEE products. Producers are expected to pay for the costs of collection through insurance, special bank account or a collective financing scheme. Producers must always collect and process the old products whenever there is a delivery of new products for business-to-business transactions. Before the recycling process, the producers must always inform the recyclers of the contents in the products they present. Items with very dangerous components must be identified and marked for separate handling. Some of the products that have to be handled separately include fluorescent tubes, batteries, LCD displays and CRTs. Fluorescent tubes contain mercury which has to be removed before processing. Recyclers utilize product documentation that clearly identifies the location of these harmful substances.
The importance of WEEE recycling
WEEE recycling is important for two major reasons. In the first place, it promotes reduction of waste products through recycling. Most of the products that accumulate waste such as metals, wiring, circuit boards and plastics can be easily recycled. Secondly, most waste products contain hazardous substances. Dumping them directly into the land would result in escape of the pollutants into the environment. A poisoned environment is unethical and has a lot of health effects to humans. Pollution is illegal in the UK laws. It is also not allowed by the European Union.
WEEE's expectations from the producer
Before presenting the products for WEEE recycling, you have to register as a producer. However, registering does not mean that you will pay for the waste disposals. You will only be required to keep records of the WEEE produced. There is a hazardous waste consignment note or a waste transfer note that has to be filled each time WEEE is collected from you. The note to fill between the two depends on how hazardous your product is. If you do not know how to categorize the products, the collector will help you determine which form to fill. They have a good understanding of the European Waste Catalogue categories of waste. You are allowed to replace your waste products free of charge from the manufacturer. However, it is important that you keep the product registration number whenever you buy a new EEE since it will help you contact the manufacturer whenever you need a replacement.


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Milwaukee Makes Preds 2-For-2 On Opening Saturday
Saturday, 10.3.2009 / 10:01 PM CT / Team
Milwaukee Admirals
Dekanich Makes 28 Saves in Win
Dekanich Makes 28 Saves in Win
Milwaukee, WI–The Milwaukee Admirals, AHL affiliate of the Nashville Predators, received goals from Triston Grant, Mark Santorelli, and Ian McKenzie and Mark Dekanich made 28 saves as the Ads beat the Chicago Wolves 3-2 Saturday night in the first game of the 2009-10 season. The Milwaukee win, combined with Nashville's shootout win in Dallas, gave the Predators organization a two-for-two start to the '09-10 season.
Chicago got the scoring going just 1:03 into the first when Tim Stapleton took a cross ice pass from Jason Krog and chipped it just out of the reach of Dekanich.
The Admirals outshot the Wolves 12-10 in the first period, while neither team was able to score on two power-play opportunities and Chicago led 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Milwaukee tied the score 2:09 into the second period on a Triston Grant goal. Robert Dietrich sent the puck from the corner to Ryan Maki in the right slot. Maki's shot was deflected, which froze Chicago netminder and former Admiral Drew MacIntyre, and went right to Grant, who had an easy backhander from just in front of the crease.
Santorelli broke the tie with a power-play marker at 12:02 of the second. Robert Dietrich held the Milwaukee zone and dumped the puck towards MacIntyre, but the puck was intercepted by Chicago defenseman Mike Vernace. However, Santorelli picked Vernace's pocket and then lofted a shot over MacIntyre's shoulder.
Less than two minutes later Milwaukee would go up 3-1 when Cal O'Reilly forced a turnover at center ice and led an odd man-rush into the Chicago zone. He dished to McKenzie who fired a slap shot past the Wolves netminder.
The assist gave O'Reilly 167 in his Admirals career, which is the most for a Milwaukee player since the team joined the AHL in 2001.
Chicago made the score 3-2 when Rylan Kaip scored on a 2-on-1 short-handed rush at 4:49 of the third period., but the Admirals defense and Dekanich shut the door the rest of the way to give the Ads the victory.
The Admirals will play five more games on the road before kicking off the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 against the Manitoba Moose. Season tickets for the 2009-10 season are still on sale for as little as $145. For more information or to order season tickets, fans should call the Admirals office at (414) 227-0550.


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Journal: Sensors, 2013
Volume: 13
Number: 6171
Article: Hydrothermal Synthesis of Various Hierarchical ZnO Nanostructures and Their Methane Sensing Properties
Authors: Qu Zhou, Weigen Chen, Lingna Xu and Shudi Peng
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Forsythe hits home run in return from DL and San Diego holds off Atlanta in ninth
Braves at Padres
Today: Braves RHP Tim Hudson (4-5, 4.48 ERA) vs. Padres RHP Andrew Cashner (4-3, 3.68 ERA), 7:10 p.m.
On the air: FSSD; 1090-AM, 860-AM (Spanish)
The baseball landed 445 feet away. Logan Forsythe appeared to round the bases in about, oh, 4.45 seconds.
Looking like a man trying to make up for three months of lost time in one swing — his first cut of the season with the Padres — Forsythe almost made a home-run trot look like a triple for the first three of those four bases. His solo shot provided the second run in the Padres' 7-6 win Monday night over the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park.
Pitching against the ballclub that made him its first-round draft choice in 1996 and brought him up to team with the likes of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, 34-year-old right-hander Jason Marquis allowed the NL East Division-leading Braves just five hits and two runs over 7 2/3 innings. The win was Marquis' seventh straight decision without a loss, improving his overall record to 8-2.
Simultaneously, it was the third time this season Marquis has gone that deep into a game and a gigantic favor to the Padres' bullpen, grown weary from extra-inning games that were starting to get habitual.
"It's (been) taxing on our bullpen," Marquis said. "Guys have changed roles since (Huston Street) went on the DL and it's good to get them some good rest. ... I have all the confidence in them, but it's tough when you're a little bit tired and fatigued."
Indeed, the Braves did jump hard on reliever Tim Stauffer, thunderous rookie Evan Gattis driving home three runs in the ninth with his fourth career pinch-hit homer, and Dale Thayer gave up Jason Heyward's second solo homer of the game before ending things with a strikeout.
The biggest blow for the Padres was Will Venable's three-run blast in the fourth, but that's almost become routine at Padres' home games, given the fact that Venable has struck seven of his eight homers at Petco Park. This one was a line drive that came with Carlos Quentin and Kyle Blanks, each of whom had singled off Julio Teheran, on base for a 5-0 lead.
"I have no idea," said Venable, asked about the inordinate power he has shown at Petco. "I really couldn't tell you. I can't say there's a glaring difference in being able to see the ball or anything like that. It's just one of those things."
Forsythe's homer was a boost for the Padres in several respects, the first of which being he's now their second baseman. Forsythe, who'd been on the 60-day disabled list since spring training with plantar fasciitis, had his own rehab assignment in Triple-A cut short when rookie Jedd Gyorko went on the 15-day DL with a groin strained in the 10th inning of Sunday's game in Colorado.
Having hit two homers in what became his farewell-to-Tucson game Sunday, Forsythe arrived back in the majors with his power stroke intact. On his second swing of the game, too, he lined a single up the middle.
Then again, the sight of Forsythe hitting such a confident stride on the long ball was as important to the Padres as that of the ball vanishing behind the wall in left-center.
"He's running well," said manager Bud Black. "No problem with the plantar fasciitis. Obviously, it set him back at the end of spring training and the early part of the season. That's behind him."
Forsythe's feet have been his, well, Achilles heel. Even before plantar fasciitis had stalled his 2013 season, Forsythe had had operations on each of his feet, one in college and one during spring training of 2012.
"Got 'em feeling good," said Forsythe when asked about his rapid home-run trot. "Gotta use 'em."
Facing a pitcher who'd nearly thrown a no-hitter in his last outing, the Padres took an immediate 1-0 lead on Teheran, who struck out eight fewer Padres than the 11 Pirates he whiffed last week. Alexi Amarista bounced a triple off the wall in center and scored on Chase Headley's infield chopper.


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If your body becomes too acidic, you become much more susceptible to disease and conditions, including: acid reflux, heartburn, obesity, fibromyalgia, lack of energy, digestive problems, seasonal and food allergies, arthritis (and other problems ...


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LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - It appeared the heaviest damage on the early model Chevy Impala was on the front left side of the car.
A man living nearby told police he was working on the car for someone, and investigators said they have yet to contact the owner of the vehicle.
When firefighters got all the flames put out, they noticed some things about the scene that appeared off.
One first responder said it looked like the fire started in multiple places on the car.
A Lexington Fire Department arson investigator was called in to take a closer look.
While he was there, he took pictures of the scene and gathered swab samples from the pavement around the car. He also loaded several evidence bags into his vehicle before leaving.
We asked the arson investigator what his thoughts were on the preliminary investigation. He said there's reason to believe the fire could have been set intentionally.


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Children can audition Thursday for play
Published: Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 2:06 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 2:06 p.m.
THIBODAUX — A performance of "Charlotte's Web" is being hosted by the Lockport branch of the Lafourche Parish Public Library, and auditions are Thursday.
All ages of children are encouraged to try out. They begin at 4:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the library, 720 Crescent Ave., Lockport. For information, call the library at 532-3158.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged.


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Goldman Sachs Picks Builders Worth Buying
Goldman Sachs has gone bullish on home builders.
In a client note, the investment bank says it turned positive on the formerly beaten down sector, as it raises its ratings on several of the nation's largest home builders, a signal for investors to give them a second look.
MDC Holdings was added to the firm's "conviction buy" list, its highest rating, because of a strong balance sheet and the Wall Street's perceived underestimation of near- and long-term orders. KB Home is upgraded to "buy" as the firm expects 2012 missteps to pave the way for order outperformance next year.
The Ryland Group climbs to "neutral," while "buy" ratings are reiterated on PulteGroup, one of the nation's largest builders, and Toll Bros. a luxury builder.
The firm lists several positives for the sector, which it says is ripe for recovery:
1. Home prices are rising and that's where it all begins. "Since March, asking prices as measured by housingtracker.net have steadily increased to nearly 4% year-over-year growth," the firm writes. "We believe that widespread recognition of home-price appreciation, by both investors and consumers, is just a few months off.
2. We could see 50% growth in new-home sales without additional jobs growth.
3. Shadow supply is declining and inventory is already quite low in the important new home markets. "For-sale inventory has declined from a peak of 10 months of demand to 6 months over the last two years, but we believe many investors have yet to grasp the significant decline in shadow supply, the inventory that is projected to hit the market via foreclosures and short sales," Goldman writes. "Our housing checks have been indicating since the turn of the year that inventory is scarce in good markets and our statewide analysis points to a 15% reduction in shadow inventory in the five key new home markets (Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada and Texas)."
4. Housing policy has been supportive for a year and should continue in that direction.
5. Public U.S. home builders are securing and growing market share.
Of course, the sector does face headwinds. As we've written, lending requirements remain tight, keeping plenty of would-be buyers out of the market. "The source of greater risk, in our opinion, is a change in housing policy by the government or the treatment of foreclosures by banks," Goldman writes.
Follow Dawn @dwotapka


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NFL Games
NFC Wild Card Game: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
145 of 180 | Show all photos
FILE - In this Dec. 24, 2011, file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder (7) looks up after getting tangled in the legs of Washington Redskins inside linebacker Perry Riley (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Landover, Md. The best way for quarterbacks to keep from getting hurt when they're carrying the ball is to slide feet first, right? Well, the Vikings have persuaded Ponder to take a head-first dive instead. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave provided video evidence of his theory that it's the safer way to play. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File0


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Specialty Reports, a subsidiary of Sparta Commercial Services, has created a new content management system at SpecialtyMobileApps.com that allows dealers to develop and manage their own mobile apps "for a fraction of the traditional cost of development and maintenance."
Dealers are able to upload images and content to a dedicated server, then "publish" the application to the appropriate Smartphone App Platform. SpecialtyMobileApps.com takes care of the rest. According to the company, dealers can construct a mobile app in days to weeks, rather than months.
SpecialtyMobileApps allow dealers to notify their customers about new models and products, special events and promotions, service appointment scheduling, warranty and maintenance requirements, recalls, and more.
If dealers don't have the internal resources to create their own mobile app, they can have their mobile apps designed and built by the experts associated with SpecialtyMobileApps.com.
For a limited time, the introductory price to dealers is a $999 development fee, plus a monthly subscription fee of $99.
SpecialtyMobileApps.com is promoting its customizable mobile apps to powersports, RV, auto, and boat dealers.
"For all those dealers in the industries we're initially focusing on who want to take their dealerships to the next level of advanced communications technology, SpecialtyMobileApps is a major step forward," says Anthony Havens, CEO of Sparta and Specialty Reports. "We can provide them with the ability to communicate and interact with their customers in a manner that is rapidly gaining attention and acceptance in the broad marketplace at a cost that is considerably lower than most other sources for mobile apps today."
SpecialtyMobileApps.com is the fourth product offering by Specialty Reports, following Cyclechex.com, RVchecks.com and CarVINreport.com, sites dedicated to providing history reports for their respective types of vehicles.
New York-based Sparta Commercial Services Inc. is nationwide financial services company offering financing and leasing products to consumers and retail powersports dealers. Sparta also serves municipal and governmental agencies nationwide with its Municipal Lease Program, which offers financing for essential equipment for the law enforcement and emergency response communities.
Posted by Arlo Redwine
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Sex & the city HBO - Let there be light -
DIY Network - DIY Commercial - Lead
Avia Sportswear - Commercial - Lead
Discovery Channel - Women's Pharaohs - Lead
Flex Magazine - Best symmetry
Option Magazine - Dental Ad
Joseph and the amazing tech. Dream-coat - US Tour - Joseph
Fiddler on the roof - US Tour - Constable
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Lenovo ThinkCentre M71z review
Touchscreen all-in-one PCs don't have to be expensive as Lenovo's new ThinkCentre M71z shows, but is there any point in buying one? Mike Jennings takes a look in our review.
Lenovo is best known for its legendary ThinkPad laptops and range of ThinkStation workstations, but not every business can afford - or needs to - deploy such powerful and well-equipped computers. If you'd like something low-maintenance and a little different, the M71z is a rare business all-in-one with a touchscreen.
It's clear from the start, though, that Lenovo doesn't really know what to do with a touchscreen inside a corporate computer. It's precise and responsive and Lenovo's own software has icons large enough to use with an idle prod. Other areas of the software don't seen to have been optimised for touch control though, and there aren't any of the touch-specific apps - such as note-taking and media tools - that are usually found on consumer touchscreen systems.
It's clear from the start, though, that Lenovo doesn't really know what to do with a touchscreen inside a corporate computer.
The 20in screen itself isn't without issues, either. The 1,600 x 900 pixel native resolution is spacious enough, and colour accuracy is fine. The low brightness level of 210.8cd/m2 results in a screen that's too dim for our liking, and lighter areas also show off slight grain. It's for these reasons – as well as the lack of discrete graphics – that makes the M71z unsuited for photography work.
The software, meanwhile, is pure Lenovo, with little ground being broken amid traditional ThinkCentre utilities. The ThinkVantage Tools front-end has password storage and protection, a range of tutorials and a trial of Norton Internet Security.
Elsewhere, there's Lenovo's System Health centre, which provides hard disk status and defragmentation options, and the Diagnostics module can run tests and stress benchmarks on the system. The final area allows you to create recovery media should you encounter problems.
The specification under the hood is fine, too. Intel's Core i3-2100 is a dual-core 3.1GHz chip from the lesser end of Intel's range. Its application benchmark score of 61 indicates that it's got enough power to handle typical office applications, although especially intensive tools and graphical work is out of the question - the Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics core will handle HD movies but little else.
Processor: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz
Memory: 4GB 1,333MHz DDR3 RAM
Graphics: Intel HD 2000 Graphics integrated
Hard disk: 500GB
Display: 20in 1,600 x 900 touchscreen TFT
Features: 1.3 megapixel webcam, microphone, TPM 1.2
Connectivity: 802.11n WLAN, Gigabit Ethernet,
Ports: 6 x USB 2, DisplayPort, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet, 2 x audio, SD/MMC/MS card reader
Dimensions: 507 x 185 x 413mm (WxDxH)
Weight: 8.8kg
Warranty: 3 year on-site labour/parts warranty
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
Image editing: 81
Video encoding: 57
Multiple apps: 57
Overall: 61
Sleep: 1W
Idle: 52W
Active: 83W


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The Red Badge of Courage
by Stephen Crane
The Red Badge of Courage Chapter 24 Summary
- The battle is over and Henry now has the opportunity to rethink all that has happened.
- He feels bad about running away and about deserting "the Tattered Soldier."
- However, he feels good about everything else, like stealing the rebel flag and destroying the Death Star.
- He realizes that he, like all men, is a mixture of good and bad, weakness and strength. He realizes that now "he [is] a man" (24.31). (Really, this time. That other scene when he thought this exact same thing was just a practice run.)
- Henry thinks that because of his experiences, his soul is changed and he can now leave behind the "red sickness of battle" (24.33).
- Also, the sun comes out, as a little red-headed orphan once predicted.


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I have spent most of my life wondering what the heck is wrong with me. When I participated in a group activity or social event, why did I always feel detached? Why did I feel as if I never fully belonged anywhere, not even on earth itself? Ten years ago I wrote a book about what I called my "misfittedness." I came to embrace that unavoidable malady, but not until I was well into my fifties.
Today I imagine some of my readers back then were wondering, "Doesn't she know she's just an introvert?"
I did not.
Don't worry; I'm not going to go all Myers-Briggs on you. (But if you must know, I'm an INFP.) And please, you extroverts, keep reading. This is important stuff for everyone to know, because we need not only to get along with each other, but also to love one another. Among the many factors making that last bit so difficult is the frustration that extroverts feel when others won't join their party, and which introverts feel when others won't leave them alone. We tend to take things like that personally. It's time we stopped.
When I discovered that my misfittedness was directly related to introversion, at first I was confused. Those who know me would not describe me as shy. But my research (Lord, do I love research!) showed me that shyness has little to do with introversion, that it's more about the need to be alone to recharge my batteries. When I gave that more thought, I remembered people in my checkered church past who, like me, fit that description so well.
We're the ones who may feel comfortable in an evangelical church—especially one with a lot of small groups—but wince at the notion of a church-wide evangelism effort. We also may be content in a charismatic church, until someone tries to pull us into a conga line. I have done these things—door-to-door evangelism and dancing around the sanctuary—but what I wanted at the time was for someone to just kill me.
My suspicion is that contemplative and quiet liturgical churches will see a fair amount of growth now that several bestselling books on introversion are in the spotlight, as misfits realize they are simply introverts in an extroverted church culture. I joined the liturgical ranks a decade ago and felt I had finally found a place where I fit in. There, I've met many introverts whose journey through extroverted churches resembles mine.
Finding the right spiritual home, though, is a temporary solution to a deeper problem in the church. Do we want all the extroverts to leave quieter churches or all the introverts to leave livelier ones? Well, I don't. I feel we need to become diverse communities that welcome and find a place for the outgoing, gregarious types who can't seem to get enough fellowship, as well as the thoughtful, meditative types whose idea of fellowship is time spent with a good friend—or a good book.
Before the comments section blows up with accusations that I'm generalizing, let me confess that I realize that's what I've done. Not all evangelical, charismatic, or liturgical churches fit the descriptions I've attached to them. (But come on, have you ever known a charismatic church that wasn't lively?) Those descriptors are shorthand. The same holds true for the words "extrovert" and "introvert"; no one is a pure introvert or extrovert. (And yes, I know this often is spelled "extravert," but mainly in academic and clinical contexts.) Without using the shorthand of lively churches and quiet ones, this post would be painfully long. We don't want that, now do we?
I'd love to see the comments section filled instead with ideas on how churches and other groups can make allowances for different personality types. Instead of expecting people to change their nature to accommodate the group's wishes, how can we accommodate the people? Some solutions are obvious: don't tell everyone to get on their feet, clap their hands, and shout to the Lord, and then single out those who just barely managed to stand up. Likewise, don't expect everyone to spend an hour in quiet contemplation without making allowances for some who fidget until they've pulled out every hair.
Until we have learned how to integrate both broad personality types into our church communities (and I'm using that term to include nontraditional gatherings), let's make allowances for the loud and the quiet, the animated and the tranquil, the excited and the calm. Let's stop expecting others to be just like us.
So what the heck is wrong with me? A lot, but introversion is not part of it. It's who I am, and I've finally come to realize that God is okay with that.