text:
A step above the basics at a chain you can rely on.
This hotel offers a comfortable setting and a good night's sleep at reasonable rates. The relaxing experience begins the moment you enter the lobby. It's so quiet you'll feel that you should whisper your requests to the soothing desk staff. The still hallways are dimly lit and seem to stretch on forever in calming shades of brown. As for your room, it offers all the standard amenities, as well as whimsically colorful carpeting --- though you won't find jolting floral prints to jar the senses. Just big, cozy pillows and a warm bed. The hotel's restaurant, Scalzo's Italian Grille, features Italian fusion dishes and a laidback lounge. Additional on-site amenities include a fitness facility, an indoor heated pool and whirlpool, a sauna, room service and a free shuttle to the surrounding area.
US and Canada: 1-800-780-5733 Europe: 00-800-11-20-11-40 Promo Code 189391
Customer service: Manage your booking


text:
Call for submissions:
Fields:Architecture, archival and documentation studies, library and information science, ethnology, German studies, history, art history, museology, philosophy, political science, sociology, and related subjects
Henry ArnholdDresden Summer School 2014
Power. Knowledge. Participation. Collecting Institutions in the 21st CenturyDresden, 15.-26.09.2014
Technische Universität DresdenDeutsches Hygiene-Museum DresdenMilitärhistorisches Museum der BundeswehrSächsische Landesbibliothek – Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek DresdenStaatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden
Application deadline: 16.05.2014
Participants:Participation in the Dresden Summer School is open to young postgraduates (PhD students, post-docs) from the relevant disciplines, as well as young museum professionals.
Outline:Museums and libraries are institutions of collecting and also of power. Historically, one of their primary roles was to display to the outside world certain claims to power, through the gathering together of precious objects of artistic, exotic, or scientific import. Subsequently, museums and libraries evolved into public institutions that represent systems of knowledge. Not only are they a reflection of the prevailing practices of collecting and exhibiting, they also engender interpretation and critical assessment of lived social realities. Institutions of collecting are therefore powerful actors which shape our knowledge of society and the world through their selection and presentation of artefacts. They have long held the prerogative to canonize and 'officially' interpret the works of artists, writers, thinkers, and scientists. However, this prerogative is currently being transformed by the developments of globalization and digitization. At the same time, the way they relate to other collecting institutions and to the societies they serve is also undergoing a transformation.What impact do digitalization and globalization have on existing knowledge systems and their dissemination? How is this affecting forms of public participation? How can we describe and define the role and importance of museums and libraries in the face of these fundamental changes?
The Dresden Summer School 2014 aims to examine the historical shifts in the structures of power, knowledge transfer, and participation, as demonstrated in the history of Dresden's major collecting and exhibiting institutions. Parallel to this, participants will work with curators and representatives from the institutions themselves to develop proposals as to how past systems of knowledge can in future be modified, restructured, and disseminated through globalization and digitization.
The two-week programme will include lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and informal talks, held on-site at the institutions, in their collections, exhibitions, and storerooms. In the 'Laboratory', an accompanying workshop series, participants will be encouraged to seize on issues raised in the programme and to come up with their own concrete plans for possible solutions. These proposals will subsequently be presented at the end of the Summer School, in an event open to the public.
Terms:Participation costs €250 per person. Travel expenses will be covered and accommodation and catering provided.
In addition to the usual academic certification, applicants should also submit a short summary of their research topic or specialism, and a brief outline of how this relates to the focal topic of this year's Dresden Summer School (max. 8000 characters).
The majority of events will be conducted in German. There will, however, be opportunity for certain programme components and discussions to take place in English. Please send us your application electronically via our online application portal: www.dresdensummerschool.de. Decisions on admission to the programme will be made by the end of June.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
on March 29, 2013 - 11:52 PM
Bill Sweet wasn't in the mood on Monday when he headed for his weekly bowling date in the Cameron Compression League at Broadway Sports Center.
"It was just one of those days," Sweet said, in describing his feeling before what turned out to be the highlight night of his 40 or so years in the sport.
"It was awesome," Sweet said. "I threw six strikes in practice. Then I stopped. OK. That's enough."
He started off with an unimpressive eight-pin spare, then he was off to the races to a personal best 795 series.
Sweet followed that opening spare with 10 strikes in a row, then left a 7-pin on the last for a 287 game, two pins under his personal high.
He came back with a 253 game, then struck out for 255 to outdistance another league bowler, Roger Penn, who had a 770 that night.
There have been many league series better than Sweet's 795 this season, but this one stood out because it was 74 pins better than his previous best, a 721. It averaged out to 265 a game for a bowler who has been around the 200-average mark for the last 10 years and, except for a 289 game, never threatened to bowl an honor score.
Also, Sweet is strictly a one-league, one night a week bowler – about as pure an amateur as you can be.
Sweet, 58, has bowled in the Cameron Compression and its predecessor Cooper Turbo, an eight-team, three-bowler league, for about 15 years. He also serves as league secretary and treasurer. Sweet has worked for 32 years at Cameron, where he is a field service supervisor for the East Coast.
For a while on Monday, Sweet felt as much in command as the best PBA Tour pros.
A right-hander, Sweet says he tries "to drop it down and make it come in just like the pros do."
"Last Monday, everything was perfect, right in the pocket," he said. "It was just set it down and that sucker would go right in there. There were some good shots. Everything into the pits."
Sweet credits improvement in his game in recent years to two factors.
About eight years ago he decided to throw out his trusty old ball and invest in some of the new equipment available. He bought a polyurethane ball. Then upon the advice of Dave Williamson, he acquired a plastic ball to shoot spares.
"Also, I went to a lighter ball, a 15-pound ball, so as not to wear my shoulder and my arm out. What a difference that makes. You've got more control."
It's paid off. Sweet went into this week averaging 207 and his 795 probably brought it up a pin or two.
As for his big night, he says:
"It was fun. I had a good time, but I wish I had that 800."
Zachowicz second at NY Masters
Alan Felmlee of Warren, Pa., defeated Matt Zachowicz of Buffalo, 388-343, in the final match to win the New York State Masters Championship at Doug Kent's Rose Bowl Lanes in Newark last Saturday. Felmlee, a 23-year-old right-hander, bowled 190 and 198 in the two-game finals to earn the $2,000 and a paid entry to next year's USBC Masters. Zachowicz bowled 173 and 170 on the challenging WTBA Atlanta oil pattern and collected $1,000.
Zachowicz (who qualified with a 985 score) advanced with wins over teenager Chad Mee of Hamburg, 418-340, Charlie Millard of Waverly, 432-380, and Brad Fournier of Malone, 408-387.
"I started bowling better in my 40s, so I'm a late bloomer," said Zachowicz, 56, a tool designer. "I've worked hard at it to become a good spare shooter and can grind it out. It feels good to be able to compete. Knowing that I can compete, that's the goal."
Jurek, Ciminelli out of T of C
Jack Jurek of Lackawanna and Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga both cashed but neither made the top 24 to qualify for match play in the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions this week in Indianapolis.
Jurek finished 41st with a 5,201 total for 24 games of qualifying and earned $1,800. Ciminelli, the runner-up to Sean Rash last year, was 47th with 5,064 for $1,500.
Jurek finished strong with an 1,856 in his final block but a 162 game in the second round hurt him.
Ciminelli started with a 1,838 in his first block but struggled at times in the second with games of 167 and 178.
Two-hander Osku Palermaa of Finland led the qualifying by averaging 244.88. His low game was a 207.
Junior Gold qualifier set
The Bowling Proprietors of WNY and the Greater Buffalo USBC Association Youth Committee will hold a Junior Gold qualifier at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, at Transit Lanes, prior to the Pepsi League. There will be one male and one female winner that will qualify for the nationals.
It's a three-game, scratch, one entry only, qualifier. All participants must be members of a certified GBUSBC Association league for the 2012-13 season. Entry is $20 and must be submitted and paid in full prior to the beginning of the squad. Bowlers must have or purchase a Junior Gold membership ($30) to participate.
email: firstname.lastname@example.com


text: Why should there be this one law to go through politicians, State laws, Congress and many other places about "men marrying men or women marrying women." There has been a law of this matter ever since "God" made Heaven and Earth. It's in the Bible and that contains the best laws that were ever made and God made the best since the Earth was made, so why fight God's laws? God made them for our own good so why go through all this ungodly law when it has been for man to marry woman. Those who marry the unlawful way "What will your answer be when you stand before God and he asks you of your wife or husband!"


text:
The following information on freely accessible online learning options is designed to help Syrian students and scholars who cannot leave Syria or travel for scholarship opportunities to continue their education during the crisis.
Online Universities
Free Online Course Options. Please note: These courses are not degree granting programs.
© 2016 Institute of International Education, Inc. All rights reserved.


text:
Dennis H. Ross, P.E.
APWA Director of Professional Development
For many agencies, the requirement to account for governmental assets according to the guidance in Statement 34 of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board is here. GASB 34, officially titled Basic Financial Statements-and Management's Discussion and Analysis-for State and Local Governments, represents one of the most significant changes in how government presents their annual financial statement.
Agencies with a combined annual budget in excess of $100 million will be required to use the new financial statements for the next accounting period starting after July 15, 2001. For agencies with smaller combined budgets, you have a year or two of breathing room left-but you should be thinking about how you are going to implement the new requirements.
Most of the requirements of GASB 34 relate to how the financial information is collected and presented and as such may not have much effect on public works and infrastructure management departments. However, if you have capital assets-it affects you!
GASB 34 requires government agencies to account for capital assets, and further defines a subset for "infrastructure assets," which can be treated differently. Public works departments probably have both capital assets and infrastructure assets, which may create some interesting challenges when you design a system for tracking and depreciating those assets.
Capital assets are defined as "land, improvements to land, easements, buildings, building improvements, vehicles, machinery, equipment, works of art and historical treasures, infrastructure, and all other tangible or intangible assets that are used in operations and that have initial useful lives extending beyond a single reporting period."1 As such, virtually anything of substance could be classified as a capital asset, subject to the reporting requirements of GASB 34.
Infrastructure assets are defined as "long-lived assets that normally are stationary in nature [emphasis added] and normally can be preserved for a significantly greater number of years than most capital assets."2 Statement 34 further provides examples of infrastructure assets: "Examples of infrastructure assets include roads, bridges, tunnels, drainage systems, water and sewer systems, dams, and lighting systems. Buildings, except those that are an ancillary part of a network of infrastructure assets, should not be considered infrastructure assets . . ."3
What does that mean in plain language? Most buildings like city halls, county courthouses, police stations, community centers, and even public works corporation yards are simply capital assets-not infrastructure assets for GASB 34 reporting purposes. Vehicles, heavy equipment, machinery, artwork, and those historical treasures that are stored in your warehouse are also capital assets.
Okay, so what is the difference? Capital assets must be inventoried and depreciated, which will be referred to as the "traditional depreciation approach." Infrastructure assets may be eligible for reporting under the "modified approach," which is essentially an asset management system that includes condition reporting.
Under the traditional depreciation approach, all assets must be inventoried, valued at historical cost, and depreciated. This creates some interesting challenges for many public agencies because the information on the original cost may no longer be available in the agency's files. Fortunately, GASB has allowed wide latitude in establishing historical cost4 and will allow assets placed in service before 1980 to be considered as fully depreciated-but they still must be inventoried.
All assets reported using the depreciation approach, including infrastructure assets, will need to be assigned a useful life over which the depreciation will occur. APWA frequently receives requests for standard lists of useful lives for capital assets. If it were only that easy: Because of the wide variation in quality of materials, quality of workmanship, use patterns, climate, preventative maintenance received, and too many other variables to mention, it is nearly impossible to develop a single useful life or even a range of useful lives that are meaningful over the entire nation.
Agencies should look to various trade and technical organizations for guidance on useful lives and might consider establishing guidelines within their geographic area. The local APWA chapter may be an ideal organization to develop local guidelines.
As an alternative to the traditional depreciation approach, which provides little useful information that operating departments can use to manage the assets, the GASB allows the use of a condition rating system for reporting infrastructure assets. Under the "modified approach"5 an agency must inventory the assets, establish the historical cost, and create an asset management system that reports the condition of the asset and compares that condition to a condition rating set by the public agency.
Public agencies are permitted wide latitude in how they organize their infrastructure assets. Infrastructure assets may be separated into networks and subsystems and reported in aggregate rather than to report each individual element. For instance, an agency could set up their roadway network to include street lights, signs, signals, drainage, street furniture, curb, gutter, in addition to pavement.
A little known fact is that you can mix and match using the depreciation approach for some networks and subsystems and the modified approach for others. Another wrinkle is that agencies can establish different capitalization thresholds for different types of assets. The State of Texas has established a $100,000 capitalization threshold for infrastructure assets and has provided an excellent guide for public agencies in Texas6.
Agencies should carefully plan the system of networks and subsystems so that the reporting correlates to how you want to manage the assets. Including street lighting in a roadway network or subsystem might not make sense if you want to separately manage the street light system or if responsibility for management is located in another division or department than the rest of the elements.
For a system to qualify under the modified approach it needs to meet three criteria:
Further, the system of condition rating should be easily understandable, for citizens, elected officials, and agency staff. It must be reproducible to the point that different professionals applying the principles set forth in the condition rating system could achieve the same rating. The minimum condition rating for each network and subsystem of infrastructure assets should be set by the elected body, in public meeting or hearing at a level that can be reasonably maintained to avoid having to publicly lower the minimum condition level sometime in the future.
Using the modified approach is probably the best way for public works officials to establish the true cost of maintaining infrastructure. Many agencies struggle to obtain adequate funding levels to prevent or recover from deferred maintenance. Establishing minimum condition levels and having that information presented every year in the agency's annual financial statement will make it difficult to ignore the impact of deferring infrastructure maintenance.
APWA's Board of Directors recognized this positive aspect and adopted a policy statement in December 2000 endorsing GASB Statement 34 and recommending that agencies use the modified approach where practical. GASB 34 may be one of the most effective tools that an infrastructure management department can have to combat deferred maintenance caused by inadequate funding levels.
Capital assets that do not meet the criteria for infrastructure assets (e.g., buildings, vehicles, equipment) do not currently qualify for reporting under the modified approach and must be reported using depreciation. However, development of asset management systems that provide condition ratings and preventative management for all capital assets should be encouraged, even if they cannot be used for reporting under GASB 34.
APWA members are encouraged to take an active role in planning and implementation of these new financial reporting systems to meet the requirements of GASB 34. Copies of GASB Statement 34 and an informative Implementation Guide are available from APWA and can be ordered through the website at www.apwa.net/shop/.
Dennis Ross can be reached at (816) 472-6100 or at firstname.lastname@example.com.
The GASB Statement 34 Super-Sized Session at APWA's Congress in Philadelphia will be held in Room 109AB of the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Tuesday, September 11, from 2:00-4:30 p.m.


text:
on September 5, 2012 - 7:56 PM
, updated September 6, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Succulents - those hardy, moisture-retaining plants that come in different colors, forms and varieties - take over the Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens beginning Saturday.
The annual show, designed by gardeners Julie Hughes and Teresa Mazikowski, debuted last year and quickly proved a success, drawing more visitors than some more established shows, said Erin Grajek, the marketing director.
"Succulents are pretty sexy right now. People are using them in container gardening, they're really easy to take care of, and they make cool gifts," Grajek said.
"They are so colorful and surprising in their detail. When you get closer to them, every one is visibly different."
The hundreds of varieties on display - many of them native to warmer climates in South and Central America and Africa - also will be presented as rich tapestries configured into the shapes of a woman, a mushroom and amphibians, as well as decorating mirrors and a tribute to Buffalo.
Gardener Julie McDonald said succulents are ideal for people who tend to be negligent in taking care of plants because they are tough and able to go without water for longer periods and they root easily.
She said they're also growing in popularity.
"In the last couple of years, I've seen a trend where a lot more people are incorporating succulents into their outside gardens," McDonald said.
Plants will be arranged in containers to give showgoers ideas of what to do at home. Some also will be for sale.
The show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Oct. 7. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for kids 3 to 12.
Also Saturday, the D'Youville College School of Pharmacy and Mercy Hospital will join the Botanical Gardens and its Medicinal Garden in highlighting Cholesterol Awareness Month with free cholesterol screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The fall plant sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 22.
email: email@example.com


text:
The latest version of Adobe Flash Player is required to watch this video.
Please click on the link below to download the latest version. Thanks!
A former abortion doctor is now speaking out against abortion as Congress considers a federal law to ban abortions after 20 weeks.
Dr. Anthony Levatino performed as many as 1,200 abortions in his career, but now he's pro-life.
Levatino told members of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice that unborn babies feel pain. He also argued that those who say abortions can save the life of the mother do not have a valid argument.
Levatino has treated hundreds of pregnant women with life-threatening conditions. Still, he told the congressional committee: "Is abortion a viable treatment option in this setting? I maintain that it usually, if not always, is not."
Texas Abortionist Accused of Killing Live Fetuses
Tip of the Iceberg: Gosnell Case Exception or Rule?
Who's to Blame for Abortion Doc's 'House of Horrors'?
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting? Are you facing a difficult situation?
Find peace with God, discover more about God or send us your prayer request.
Call The 700 Club Prayer Center at 1 (800) 823-6053, 24 hours a day.
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
CBN News is a national/international, nonprofit news organization that provides programming by cable, satellite, and the Internet, 24-hours a day. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.


text:
Skip to comments.Billionaire Conservative Activist Charles Koch on 2012 Election: We Have Saddam Hussein
Posted on 09/06/2011 2:29:57 PM PDT by Nachum
Not the White House, nor the Obama 2012 campaign, nor Democratic National Committee had any immediate comment Tuesday when contacted by ABC News and asked about comments made by Koch referring to the 2012 campaign as a repeat of the Iraq War.
We have Saddam Hussein, this is the Mother of All Wars weve got in the next 18 months, Koch said in comments at a private gathering in Colorado in June, first reported by the progressive Brad Blog and Mother Jones Magazine. For the life or death of this country.
ADD Philip Ellender, President and COO, Government and Public Affairs for the Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC, said in a statement that Koch was not referring to President Obama in his remarks. The Mother of All Wars is a common phrase, frequently attributed to Saddam Hussein on the eve of the first Gulf War. Amid record U.S. unemployment, continued economic decline, and loss of liberty, the U.S. has been plunged into its own mother of all wars. Our nations future will be determined in the coming months by the choices Americans make to address the serious economic issues facing our country.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
how true.
This is a tempest in a teapot. There is no point in addressing the merits of Koch's statement since 99.5% of the country has never heard of him.
The heads of the lunatic left — which is just about all of them — are exploding all across the nation upon hearing of this. The Koch Brothers are seen as the ultimate enemy. Now that enemy has declared WAR! Not just WAR! but the MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES!
At least one billionaire is not a brain dead, evil idiot. Good to hear.
The best part is that Baraq has not only cooked his own goose, but by inspiring the conservative side will take down a large additional number of Dems in the 2012 elections.
"Now that enemy has declared WAR! Not just WAR! but the MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES!"
I'm gettin' out the popcorn popper. The big one.
Which CBCtard is going to convolute this into a racist statement? /s
Comments in June...comes out now...interesting. This is Hoffa/Media/Rat's excuse for Hoffa's recent comments.
Yet, after saying nothing about Hoffa Obama and Rats are not justified in saying anything about Koch's statements - but they will.
lawyer up pal. you're about to be subjected to a torrent of "investigations."
Watch all the liberals who claim that all republicans are in the pot for the Koch Brothers go bezerk and say he needs to be silenced and he needs to say sorry.. But then these same scum buckets don't say a word about Hoffa and Obama..
Most of them don't even know who the man is much less what he does and how many jobs he provides for normal everyday working Americans (unlike NBC's GE - love of the left).
Some nutcase website (like Media Matters) leads these kooks to the trough and they drink the kookaid.
Had to come up with something to trump the Hoffa blather.
I just wish the civil war would just damn start because the other side is asking for it (Hoffa)..what's the use of storing ammo if not to be used against these traitor bastards?
Yes this is true. But when it starts what then? Obama calling for Martial law. That is what he wants.
I truly doubt our armed forces would take orders from this POS when it comes to Martial Law/CW. I am confident to say they might march to the WH and arrest the bastard.
Ya get two for the price of one, his billionaire brother is conservative too.
I truly hope your right..
Don't count on it. I used to think our military would stand up for the country over "all enemies foreign and domestic" but after watching the military cave to every whim of this traitor I am not so sure.
The military has been dumbed down to just another Liberal department, and is being weakened from within.
What used to be our greatest institution (probably still is in most respects) has fallen victim to political correctness and diversity....
I agree with you.
The armed services certainly have patriots in the ranks, but upward mobility is often determined by political correctness and liberal-friendly traits.
Leftys consider themselves to be the nation's "intelligentsia", ie the only people that matter, and they spend much of their time villifying the Koch brothers, although I doubt they have a clue what the Koch brothers politics really are.
After Hoffa, how can the WH say anything....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
Name: Dominic Stroh
School: Altoona
Age: 16
Article Photos
Grade: Junior
Sport: Cross country
Athlete of the week achievement: Stroh won the District 6 Class AAA championship this past weekend with a time of 19:27.7.
Season update: Stroh won two dual meets - at Gateway and at Kiski - and at three invitationals he finished first overall and two where he was Altoona's top finisher. At the Slippery Rock Invitational, where 600 runners competed, he finished 12th overall.
Coach Lee Baranik's quote: "He has had a very good season. I knew good things were going to happen for him after the Altoona Invitational. He had a great sophomore year. He had a real good track season [last year]. Everyone was very optimistic coming into his junior year, but he opened our eyes at the Altoona meet. He beat some very good competition that day. That was when we realized he was truly ready for this."
Favorite teacher: Mr. Saboe
Favorite subject: Physics
Favorite movie: "Iron Man 3"
Favorite food: Chicken parmesan
Favorite song: "Tokyo" by Radioactive
Outside interests: Hanging out with my friends
Favorite professional team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Favorite college team: Oregon track and field team
Pro athlete most admired: Distance runner Mo Farah
Best athlete I ever played with: Dylan Mountain
Best athlete I ever competed against: State College's Will Cather
Most influential person on my athletic career: Coach Baranik
Proudest athletic achievement: Winning the District 6 Class AAA championship this past weekend.
How I got my start in cross country: My brother, Dalen Stroh who runs at Lock Haven, talked me into it after my eighth grade year.
Future goal: I want to run at the collegiate level.


text:
If you're like most software companies, you're probably averaging a 1-3% conversion rate of sales to total visitors. For every 100 people who walk into your store, most look around then leave. Some make take your app for a test drive but only a fraction end up buying.
Are your competitors doing any better? What about other industries? Here are some average conversion rates for some mainstream retailers from March 2010:
- schwans.com (groceries) – 40.6%
- blair.com (clothing) – 20.4%
- officedepot.com (office supplies) – 15.4%
How would you like to have conversion rates that high?
Those sites have one thing in common: They have designed their commerce flow from the buyer's perspective. Here are seven ways to turn this "buyer-centricity" to your advantage:
1. Build Authority with Valuable Content
"Assuming they in fact need the product or service you provide, the biggest reason prospects don't buy is that they don't trust you yet." –Sonia Simone, Remarkable Communication
People who trust you will buy your software. This is where building your authority comes in, and it takes time.
DON'T assume people trust you. People will only care about your product after they believe you can fix their problems. DO create trust and establish thought leadership through valuable content like free video, advice and research, or with ratings and testimonials from other people who trust you.
2. Give Your Traffic a Reason to Buy – And Buy from You.
After you've established trust, help a shopper understand exactly what makes you and your product better than alternatives.
DON'T assume that your consumer already knows why your product is superior. DO legitimize your product. Create infographics that clearly state the advantages of your product versus the others (if any) on the market. Make a buyer feel secure about buying from you by having a FAQ section and a clearly stated customer service policy that includes a quick turnaround.
3. Inspire Users to Take Action.
Buttons should be designed to inspire a clear path to action.
DON'T make a shopper search for a link or for a button. DO make the checkout button visible and approachable. Base the copy and design of your checkout button after the best in the world.
4. Make Buying Easy
Look for ways to eliminate all sources of friction in the buying process.
DON'T make forms too long. When forms get tedious, your potential buyer loses interest. DO implement a single-page checkout with Ajax. Checkout is validated in real time and A/B testing has shown an increase in conversion rates of 257.78%. A free Ajax/PHP script can be found here.
5. Never interrupt the flow of the purchase.
Shopping is a process with many psychological intricacies. If you stop a customer for information while they are in the process of being excited about a purchase, it can end the purchase process permanently.
DON'T make your potential customers go through a mandatory account sign up process before they buy. DO allow them to opt in to create an account after they have already entered their data as part of the check out process
6. Get Your Product to Talk to Them
Your product isn't just software, but a powerful conversion tool.
DON'T limit your conversion messaging to just your Web site. DO utilize other mediums of communication like your blog, e-mail campaigns and, most importantly, from within your software.
Your software is no longer just software. It's part of the conversation, and some customers will talk to you through your product, if you let them:
- "You're nearing 2000 records. Let us know if you need to upgrade soon."
- "You've run the demo version five times. How do you like the product so far?"
- "Got 30 minutes for a feedback session with us? We'll upgrade you to the full version for free."
Be sure to make this feel to the customer like conversationware, not nagware.
7. Follow Up
Just because a user has abandoned their cart doesn't mean that you can't convert them into a sale.
DON'T become a stalker or a spammer. DO add customer service into your repertoire. If you were able to capture the email address from a shopper who abandoned their cart, follow up with an email that includes the contents of the cart and an offer code.
Boosting your average conversion rate may not be easy, but it is simple: Just remember to think like a software buyer.


text:
Add our Tropical Fish Personalized Stickers to favor bags for each of your guests!
These Under the Sea Round Stickers feature a beautiful blue water background with the sunlight shining down amongst the tropical fish. Our Under the Sea Personalized Stickers allow you to add your custom text in the center and are available in 3 inch or 4 inch sizes. Use these Under the Sea Round Sticker Decals to personalize your next Under the Sea adventure party!
Please allow ample time for delivery. Our ship date for this product is noted in your shopping cart. Many items are shipped separately, so please allow extra time for these items to arrive. Shipping charges are based on the value of the merchandise and not the number of shipments. For additional shipping information, please contact our Customer Service Department at (email@example.com or 1-800-314-8794).
Reviewed by 1 customer
Best Uses
I ordered the stickers for my granddaughter's 3rd birthday party.The colors are so bright and matches the under the sea party theme perfectly. We are going to pass them out to the young guests while playing the fishing game. My daughter loves that the stickers are personalized with my granddaughter's very unique name. We just wished that I had ordered more as since they arrived we had ideals for using them in my granddaughter's scrape book.So I am back to order more before the party in a week.


text:
Comsys, a leading IT consulting services organization, has an
immediately available 6+ month contract opening in Alpharetta, GA, for a
User Experience/User Interface Professional.
Candidate must be able to travel up to 25%. Candidate will be required
to travel 25% to domestic sites including but not limited to Seattle,
California, Chicago, etc. Candidate will be gone for 1 week at a time.
User Experience Research Skills Experience developing research plans,
research protocols, and participant screeners Experience moderating
usability sessions Effective data collection and analysis methods for
usability studies (both quantitative and qualitative) Experience
translating user research findings into design solutions Information
Architecture Skills Ability to distill and organize large amounts of
complex information into simple, useful, and usable designs Ability to
apply modular and systematic approaches to user experience design
General Skills Strong writing, verbal and overall communication skills.
Excellent critical thinking and complex problem solving skills Thorough
approach to all work; a willingness to go beyond minimum requirements.
Ability to collaborate with those in other disciplines (graphic design,
development, quality control) Self-motivation, analytical ability,
solution-focused creativity, and strong organization ski
User Experience Research 60% Plan and conduct usability research
initiatives (including but not limited to lab usability studies, field
studies, remote usability testing, concept testing) Select and execute
appropriate research methods (direct observation, interview, survey,
card sort, etc.) Perform time in motion studies Communicate rational for
research and design decisions Information Design/Application design
support 40% Apply research findings to designs by creating wireframes,
process flows, and other necessary deliverables to communicate designs
Support the lead designer in performing information design and content
related activities for customer and user-facing systems and
communications Design navigation and interaction systems Design
nomenclature systems Communicate rationale for design decisions
Required Skills Exp (Mos.) Comments
Web Design 48 Customer Experience/Human Factors Information Arch
Graphical User Interface 48 Customer Experience/Human Factors
Information Arch
Design 48 Customer Experience/Human Factors Information Arch
Industrial Engineer 48 Customer Experience/Human Factors Information
Degree Type Major Required Preferred
BA/BS human computer interaction, cognitive psychology, information
architecture, technical communication, or equivalent degree or work
Qualified candidates should forward their resumes to ghester at comsys.com
for consideration.


text:
DevExpress has stepped up and offered to lead this open source project. In just a few short months, they have implemented a number of modern and strategic changes to the toolkit to help make it a valuable part of your ASP.NET Web Forms arsenal. This release is available NOW from http://devexpress.com/ms-act
Using AJAX Control Toolkit Controls and Control Extenders (C#)
Learn how to add AJAX Control Toolkit controls and extenders to your ASP.NET pages.
The AJAX Control Toolkit contains a set of controls and control extenders. In this brief tutorial, you learn how to add both controls and control extenders to an ASP.NET page.
For instructions on installing the AJAX Control Toolkit and adding the AJAX Control Toolkit to the Visual Studio/Visual Web Developer toolbox, see the tutorial Get Started with the AJAX Control Toolkit.
Using AJAX Control Toolkit Controls
An AJAX Control Toolkit control works just like a normal ASP.NET control. You can drag the control from the toolbox onto an ASP.NET page. You can add the control to the page in either Design view or Source view.
For example, the AJAX Control Toolkit tab includes a control named the Editor control. This control displays a rich HTML editor. Follow these steps to add the Editor control to a page:
- Create a new ASP.NET page named ShowEditor.aspx
- Select the ScriptManager control from beneath the AJAX Extensions tab in the toolbox and drag the control onto the page.
- Select the Editor control from beneath the AJAX Control Toolkit tab in the toolbox and drag the control onto the page (see Figure 1). The Designer should look like Figure 2.
- Run the web site by selecting the menu option Debug, Start Debugging or hitting the F5 key.
- You should see the page in Figure 3.
Using AJAX Control Toolkit Control Extenders
The AJAX Control Toolkit also contains control extenders. As its name suggests, a control extender extends the functionality of an existing control. For example, the ConfirmButton control extender extends the standard ASP.NET Button control. The extender changes the Button control�s behavior so that the Button displays a confirmation dialog when you click it.
A control extender, just like an AJAX Control Toolkit control, requires a ScriptManager control. You must add a ScriptManager control to a page before you start using control extenders in the page.
Follow these steps to use the ConfirmButton control extender:
- Create a new ASP.NET page named ShowConfirmButton.aspx
- Add a ScriptManager control to the page by dragging the control onto the page from beneath the AJAX Extensions tab.
- Add a standard Button control to the page by dragging the Button from beneath the Standard tab in the toolbox onto the Designer surface.
- Click the Add Extender task option (see Figure 4).
- In the Choose Extender dialog, select ConfirmButtonExtender (see Figure 5) and click the OK button.
- Select the Button control in the Designer and expand the Extenders, Button1_ConfirmButtonExtender node in the Properties window (see Figure 6). Assign the value �Really?� to the ConfirmText property.
- Run the page by selecting the menu option Debug, Start Debugging or hit the F5 key.
When the page opens, you should see a button. When you click the button, you get the confirmation dialog in Figure 7.
Notice that you normally do not drag a control extender onto a page. Instead, you use the Add Extender task option to add an extender to a control that you have already added to a page. Notice, furthermore, that you set control extender properties by opening the property sheet for the control being extended.
A single ASP.NET control can be extended by multiple control extenders. The property sheet for the control being extended will list all of the control extenders associated with the control.
This article was originally created on May 12, 2009


text:
Police charge Erie man in fatal home invasion
Erie police have charged an Erie man with robbery, burglary and related offenses in Monday night's fatal home invasion.
Police said Chahon Gilmore, 26, kicked in the front door of an apartment at 119 W. 21st St. with an accomplice, Devonte Duck.
Duck, 18, of Erie, was shot three times by one of the apartment's occupants and died a short time later at UPMC Hamot. Gilmore was shot twice, in the head and hip. He was in stable condition Wednesday at Hamot, police said.
Gilmore was arraigned at the hospital Tuesday night by Erie 4th Ward District Judge Tom Robie on charges that include robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, burglary, reckless endangering, terroristic threats and simple assault.
Gilmore was found inside the apartment and conscious when police and emergency medical responders were called to the shooting scene at about 9 p.m. Monday. Duck was found outside the apartment, in a nearby yard, Erie Police Chief Randy Bowers said.
Both men were masked, police said.
Duck died of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook ruled the death a homicide, but it has not been decided if any charges will be filed against the man who shot the two intruders, Bowers said Wednesday.
"That's a legal question that we will discuss with the district attorney when we're done interviewing people and the investigation is complete," Bowers said.
A 2011 Pennsylvania law allows the use of deadly force against someone trying to enter a home illegally and by force. The law is called the Castle Doctrine for its premise that a person is entitled to protect his home, or castle, from intruders.
A Somerset County man was not charged in 2011 when he shot and killed his wife's lover with a bow and arrow. Police and prosecutors agreed that the husband acted in self-defense after the man threatened him and climbed onto his porch swinging a large club.
VALERIE MYERS can be reached at 878-1913 or by e-mail. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNmyers.


text:
Lieberman: Antisemitism is being used to undermine Israel
Antisemtism is being used to undermine Israel, Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman has warned.
"Classic antisemitism, along with Iranian funding and Islamic antisemitism, is being used to incite hatred against Jews, and to delegitimise the state of Israel," he told the Foreign Ministry's third annual Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism.
"The people behind the assault against Israel have crossed the line. They seek to destroy the Jewish state and take away the right of the Jewish people to define themselves.
"Instead of saying 'throw the Jews into the sea', they talk of a world without Zionism, and without Israel."
Mr Lieberman blasted Britain for allowing an arrest warrant for opposition leader Tzipi Livni to be issued, and joked that it would soon issue warrants for Nato forces in Afghanistan.
"It is in Britain's interest, not Israel's, to make a change," he said.
More than 500 people attended the international conference.


text:
A new exhibit at the California State Fair focuses on how people can keep their garden green and growing during the drought.
No email address was supplied by
To complete your registration on this site, please supply an address.
Please confirm or modify the email address to which you will have subscription offers sent.
For a more personalized experience, please supply the following optional information.


text:
Investigators say intense public interest in the search for a Plaistow couple accused in the abuse of a 3-year-old boy led to hundreds of tips.
No email address was supplied by
To complete your registration on this site, please supply an address.
Please confirm or modify the email address to which you will have subscription offers sent.
For a more personalized experience, please supply the following optional information.


text:
This Day in History: The Nintendo 64 is Born
May 5, 1995: Nintendo announces that its Nintendo 64 console has completed development, but won't make E3.
On this day in 1995, Nintendo announced that development on its Nintendo 64 console -- then called the Ultra 64 -- had been completed, and that the system would be delayed from its intended holiday release to April of 1996.
"After 19 months of intense development, we have attained our two main goals for Nintendo Ultra 64: to develop a chipset capable of delivering the world's best video game experience, and to do it at a price that can deliver a hardware set below $ 250 retail," said Howard Lincoln, then-chairman of Nintendo of America. "However, we have made a conscious decision not to rush Nintendo Ultra 64 to market. Instead, we've decided to give our software developers additional time to maximize the power of this system in their game creation."
The announcement came just three days before that year's E3, where the console would, much to the chagrin of the gaming media, not be shown.
The original press release from 15 years ago is reproduced below.
May 5, 1995--Nintendo of America Inc. today announced that the final chipset for its revolutionary Nintendo Ultra 64(TM) home video game system has been completed by Silicon Graphics Inc. (NYSE: SGI) and Nintendo Co. Ltd.
The company also announced that it will launch the industry's only true 64-bit platform in April of 1996, in both North America and Europe, with a number of revolutionary games, all exclusive to Nintendo Ultra 64.
Nintendo will officially unveil Nintendo Ultra 64 at its annual Video Game Exhibition on November 24, 25 and 26, 1995 in Makuhari, Japan and at the Consumer Electronics Show on Jan. 5, 1996 in Las Vegas.
"After 19 months of intense development, we have attained our two main goals for Nintendo Ultra 64: to develop a chipset capable of delivering the world's best video game experience, and to do it at a price that can deliver a hardware set below $ 250 retail," said Howard Lincoln, chairman of Nintendo of America. "However, we have made a conscious decision not to rush Nintendo Ultra 64 to market. Instead, we've decided to give our software developers additional time to maximize the power of this system in their game creation."
"We're dedicated to delivering games which are a quantum leap beyond any that have preceded them. In fact, we believe that at the E3 trade show next week in Los Angeles, the world will discover once again that the best new software for any video game system this year will again be available exclusively for play on Nintendo's 16-bit Super NES -- just as it was last Christmas with Donkey Kong Country," Lincoln added.
Tom Jermoluk, president and COO of Silicon Graphics Inc., said, "From the start, Silicon Graphics has had a vision of what we could do if we dedicated the power of our technology and our experience creating computer graphics solely to the purpose of making video games. With the graphics and audio generated by the final chipset, I'd say that even we're amazed. Now this breakthrough 3D graphics technology needs to be translated into video games which take full advantage of the power of the Silicon Graphics(R)/MIPS(R) chipset." Nintendo Ultra 64 will set new standards in power, efficiency and elegance. At its heart is the industry's only true 64-bit processor coupled with a single custom graphics chip which will manage all visual and audio functions. Supplemented by the technology of Rambus Inc., the central processor will communicate with memory at an unprecedented 500 MHz, meaning an order of magnitude increase in graphics realism.
"The story of our industry is the never-ending search for better and better game play and game graphics," said Peter Main, Nintendo of America vice president, marketing. "Once a masterpiece is created, like last year's Donkey Kong Country, the bar is raised for all game developers. We think Nintendo will move that bar even higher by the end of this year with surprises we'll unveil next week. And by April of next year game players will see what true 64-bit processing really means -- with a number of games from the world's top software developers that will set the bar far higher than most people thought possible -- with games that will be available only for Nintendo Ultra 64."
Last Christmas the world's game players made the Super NES game Donkey Kong Country the fastest-selling game of all time. During the second half of this year, two new Super NES games and two new Game Boy titles -- to be unveiled next week at E3 -- will debut, featuring the same Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) of Donkey Kong Country. In addition, Nintendo will launch Virtual Boy this summer with the first true three-dimensional games ever developed for any home video game system.
"As the developer perhaps most experienced with Nintendo Ultra 64, we fully support this new release schedule," said Tim Stamper, managing director of Rare Ltd., and creator of worldwide hits Donkey Kong Country and Killer Instinct. "We have again clearly raised the software standard with new 16-bit games to be unveiled at E3. But, I can assure you that once the world's video game developers spend time exploring the power of this incredible Nintendo Ultra 64 chipset, you'll see gaming jump far beyond anything that currently exists on any platform."
Nintendo Co. Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, is the leader in the worldwide $ 15 billion retail video game industry. As a wholly-owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere, where more than 40 percent of American homes own a Nintendo system. -0-
Silicon Graphics is a registered trademark of Silicon Graphics Inc. MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Technologies Inc.
See Also
This Day in History: The Nintendo Entertainment System is Born
Comments (40)
ocarina of timePosted: Oct 18, 2010 12:00AM PST by the_last_mandalore
majora's mask
mario 64
pokemon stadium
perfect dark
super smash bro's
pilot wings
rogue squadron
shadow of the empire
lylat wars
killer instinct gold
mace the dark ages
wcw vs nwo revenge( the video intro still makes me hyper )
wrestlemania 2000
and the greatest first person shooter ever made
goldeneye 007
december1998 my brother brought me mine when he came home on leave i still remember walking into the gamesman grabbing the box taking it to the counter, the rumble pack the expansion pack , goldeneye,wcw vs nwo revenge, rogue squadron, lylat wars,mario,shadow of the empire, wargods, killer instinct gold, mortal kombat mythologies,mace,an extra controller,turok,dinosaur hunter,wwf attitude and ocarina of time . i thought i was the mantis walking around the mall with the N64 box on my shoulder and my brother had three gamesman bags packed full of stuff frikin awesome console frikin awesome feeling
and i still set it up plug it in and thrash it like i did when i was a kid
The greatest home console ever, barring the PS2Posted: May 12, 2010 12:00AM PST by Pramath
Seriously, the N64 had so much, I still marvey at why it failed. Games like Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, Super Smash Bros, Pokemon Stadium, Killer Instinct 2, Turok, Banjo Kazooie, Conker's Bad Fur Day, Mario Kart 64, Banjo Tooie, Goldeneye 007, Perfect Dark, Sin and Punsihent, Star Fox 64, Jet Force Gemini... the console was full of classic memorable game experiences that stick out even today, that changed gaming forever, that aren't obsolete even today. WHY the N64 couldn't hold its own against the Playstation, I'll never know, because in my opinion, the Playstation library was so inferior to the N64 library, it wasn't even a joke.
So overrated...Posted: May 08, 2010 12:00AM PST by ARCWULF
I was BLOWN AWAY (metaphorically) when I first saw Super Mario 64 in action. I found it difficult to believe that any video game system was capable of producing such crisp and clean graphics at the time (I had a Playstation, which had some good games, but even then I knew they were choppy and ugly -- just look at Twisted Metal, the most fun and ugly game ever made for the system). I was a huge Nintendophile and began saving my pennies to buy one...
A few months after its launch there were only about 4 or 5 games available for the system. If I recall, they were Mario 64, Pilotwings 64, Cruisin' USA, Killer Instinct 2, and Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire. My friend Brian also purchased an N64, and between the two of us we purchased all of them (I got Mario, Cruisin', and Star Wars, Brian purchased Pilotwings, KI2, and also Star Wars).
I quickly realized that Mario 64 wasn't nearly as fun as Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World, but played it all the way through because I had beaten every Mario game up until that point and was determined to finish it. Why this game is so fondly remembered I will never know -- the camera sucks, the controls are absolute garbage (a single out-of-control camera turn can make Mario change direction, making walking across narrow platforms an exercise in frustration), and the lack of power-ups made the gameplay feel more shallow than it actually was. I saw it as more of an experiment than a finished product, but unfortunately it has set the standard for 3D platforming games (I had way more fun with "Jumping Flash" on the PSX).
I loved the arcade Killer Instinct for its insane special moves and non-human fighters, a rarity in the headband and gi days of Street Fighter 2 clones, so when Killer Instinct 2 removed a few non-human combatants and technoir-inspired design and replaced it with more humans and a jungle setting... suddenly the franchise's flaws were a little more apparent and it kind of turned me off to the game.
And I remember Shadows of the Empire being a lot more impressive than it actually was. It has not aged well, and its long, sparsely populated levels and incredibly repetitive thirty seconds of looping music are not worth sitting through to experience the jaw-dropping boss fights again.
A year later, and we were introduced to Mario Kart 64, which I will always remember as the one that ruined the series for me, with its rubber-banding AI, broken acceleration mechanics, FOUR-PLAYER BOB-OMB AND BLUE SHELL CHEAPNESS THAT ACTUALLY PUNISHES YOU FOR BOTHERING TO GET GOOD AT THE GAME.
Don't even get me started on Zelda...
And lets not forget the countless third party titles that gave us blurry fog-filled graphics, mindless implementation of analog control, muddy textures and confusingly high price tags (Nintendo's fault).
On the other hand, it did give us Star Fox 64, F-Zero X, and Perfect Dark, so I'll let it slide... this time!
I begged for this system so muchPosted: May 07, 2010 12:00AM PST by blackrevenger
I think this was the last system that i owned that was bought for me by anyone else,man I did so many chores and extra crap. This i think was a good period,I eventually got a playstation but I will never forget all the memories with the 64. I must say though I always wondered why they got rid of the "ULTRA".
All that hype....Posted: May 07, 2010 12:00AM PST by tical2399
...and we know how it turned out. Crushed by PS1. I regret gettin a 64 over a PS1. While double-O (aka goldeneye), starfox 64, Zelda OoT, duke nukem 64, KI gold and a few other games were the truth, i always was envious of my friends with PS1. Idk if gamestop/ebgames was around back then or I just didnt know about it but if they were and I saw one I would have traded it in for a PS1. The only system I regret gettin more than the 64 was the jaguar.
about theicon1Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by emulator-slave
I LOVE how little mr.still-in-college internet tough guy stopped posting.pussing out of a flamewar you started is pretty fucking lame.
@ theIcon1Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by Xenongait
Point short here. Your an idiot! But I don't blame you. I blame your parents for painting your baby crib with a lead based paint. The N64 was an awesome console. I was fortunate enough to have both the PS1 and the N64 and they both had great titles that I very much enjoyed during my teen years. At 35 I still break out the N64 for some Wave Runner, Zelda, etc. but with also owning the PS3, 360, and Wii, my time is short to enjoy all the classics.
P.S. You are an Icon of humanity...just that your the Icon of stupidity so I wouldn't brag about that title to much.
@theicon1.1up.comPosted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by Scatter_Gun
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Terrible Grammar will get you nowhere in this world. Please, take "English as a Written Language 101," before you post any more. You might also want to look into what makes a valid argument. I swear... if its not GM, its someone equally as bad. I suggest that we get on this by proposing a bill to congress that states you have to obtain a license to post comments/blogs/anything on the internet.
@icon1Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by RememberShaqFu?
As somebody who actually OWNS all three systems, I can tell you that you're full of shit.
For starters, when did Nintendo "abandon" the hardcore? "Oh, I remember back in the day when Super Metroid came out...." sorta like, I don't know, the day Metroid Prime: Corruption came out, or perhaps the upcoming Other M? What about Sin and Punishment 2? Mario Galaxy 2 is supposed to be pretty brutal, Punch Out was f-ing hard, sections of New Super Mario Wii were every bit as hard as the old school Mario games!
This argument is fucking retarded! You don't even own the god damn system so stfu already! Did you play Madworld? Little King's Story? Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom? No More Heroes? Castle of Shikigami III? No, you haven't!
Also cut out the stupid "you're a fanboy" bullshit. How old are you, fucking fifteen?? We had this little argument, in private, several months ago where you accused me of being a fanboy to Nintendo. Why is it that when somebody stands up for them, sees the good that the system has, they're automatically a "fanboy(most...overused....and misused....term ever!)?"
If you don't like them, don't pay them any mind! Some of us, on the other hand, still appreciate their place and will gladly play the Wii, 360, and/or PS3 whenever the mood strikes.
@ emulator slavePosted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by theicon1.1up.com
Me mad?ha,far from it.fake ass gamers like yourself makes me laugh and again,how am i a fan boy?i own a 360,i own a PS3 the only console i don't like is the Wii and obviously you're one of 4 Wii fanboys on here so who are you to call anyone a fanboy.as in being immature,you the one started with your lame so called put downs.And again you yet to challenge my comments,instead you show your maturity by just talking shit and making yourself looklike a fool.I'm biased for what i say towards the Wii?how many people on here have bitterness towards Nintendo for their casualness?that's right there are a few.So keep running your mouth and I'll start making you like like the dumbass loser you are.BTW,when you own more than a DS or a PS1,then come talk shit.you own one handheld and a console from 1994,so am i to assume you don't even have a Wii?see,just like Gamemaster,you don't even own a console from this gen so STFU and get with the times,broke bitch.LMAO
oh theicon1.....Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by emulator-slave
...is someone upset?*smirks*good.You're just a hot-headed,immature,biased,fan-boy and you're little screed proved it.Way to suck.
ULTRA COMBO!!!!!!!Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by Mr.LametoWatch
I got a PS one instead because the system was cheaper and the games were cheaper. I have to admit, it was a tough choice between Tekken 2 and Goldeneye. I regretted my PS one for a while until I got a hold of Tekken 3. Then games like Smackdown 2 and Legend of Dragoon made me glad I have a CD-ROM based game console. My bro got a N64 though and I admit, I loved Star Fox 64, Revenge, and KI Gold a lot. The N64 is the only 3D television based console that will continue to work for years to come since it doesn't use lasers to read CD-ROMs.
@ emulator slavePosted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by theicon1.1up.com
the only one that is like gamemaster is you.once again out of all the post,you're the only one that have something to say.what,you're not happy with your life?are you mad cause you see Gamemaster in you?mad that you live in your mom's basement and jerk off to the women of G4?you offer no true arguement as to why you disagree with my comment.As for my comment,after the N64 was the GC and that was pretty casual,still had great games but alot more kiddy games.then of course the Wii followed.so tell me how my comment is wrong?you can't,queer bait.
One of the few systems I've never owned....Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by TheRealFearlessCelt
....and I can't say I feel like I missed out on much. I never really had any desire to own one. The 2 Zelda games were good, Mario in 3D I still don't care for, Perfect Dark and 007, meh, I can live without having ever played.
I do look back fondly on the "Bit Wars" era, though. It was all about the bits for the consoles and megs with cartridge games. I still remember the release of Strider for the Genesis, in all it's 8mb glory. It's laughable now, but was big news at the time.
Banjo-Kazooie all the way...Posted: May 06, 2010 12:00AM PST by Digi-Destroyer
I still remember sitting in the living room with my new Nintendo 64, learning the controls at Spiral Mountain while throwing heated glares at my cousins whenever they moved too close to me. I was not the popular one in the family that day, but, damn it, I was the happiest.
I opted...Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by lovetelephone
I opted to shy away from Nintendo and went for the Playstation. It was definitely a bold move for any 12 year old, but I stick by my decision.
Passed on thisPosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by projectrunaway
Got a PS1 over this only cause the games were expensive
VIrtual Boy!Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by Erdricks_Boxers
The article mentions the upcoming release 'this summer' of the virtual boy!
In addition, Nintendo will launch Virtual Boy this summer with the first true three-dimensional games ever developed for any home video game system.
Ha ha ha ha! Who'd have thought just 15 short years later they'd be tryin 3D on a handheld again...
True, truePosted: Jun 26, 2011 12:00AM PST by TheZheetFul
And now with 3D that WORKS and is in COLOR, not in only crappy RED. I tried it, because one of my classmates in school has it.
Happy Birthday!!! & War!! SW: Shadows of the EmpirePosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by SPARTAN0040
It was my Christmas Gift 1996. I went to the electronics department and found they had only one left. I told my parents and they got it for me but I had to wait until Christmas. Mario 64 was so fun to be able to move in all directions and fly. I got Wave Race the following month for my birthday and then Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire. I loved that Star Wars game so much. Dash Rendar should be one of the all time video game badasses!!!!
yes!!!Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by EGMforever1989
I remember that like it was yesterday! I was 13 in 1995 and drooling for that system lol
I loved this consolePosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by Vetus_Schola
It gave me one of the best Christmases ever. I'll never forget curling up in my bean bag and playing Mario 64, Pilotwings and Wave Race till the break of dawn. Good times.
just old enough to remember the hay-dayPosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by emulator-slave
of this machine.First I ever bought with my own money.The AAA title's were among the best of all time but the length of time between them was horrid(sound familiar Wii and GameCube?)so I understand why(along with MGS and FFVII)this lost out to PSOne but in retrospect was probably the better system outside of RPG's.
To clarify the reason I took a dump on the Icon1 is because he never misses an opportunity to shit on Nintendo even when he gives them credit.Biased?Like FOX news baby!
So many great games on this devicePosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by Wellman
I mean, in one system you have the advent of 3D platformers, console FPS, good western wrestling games, force feed back, analog control and so much that makes this one of the best systems period.
I really liked the Gamecube, but it didn't have isht on the N64.
ohhh...good old daysPosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by slayer0096
.....good console did enjoy starfox 64 n golden eye allot favorite games
Ohh the dayyssPosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by Jigglyballs
I remember the day my parents got this as a surprise gift for me! My dad and I would play starfox 64 together so much! I loved the original super smash bros. my 1st console and the best i have ever gotten! i miss my N64! T-T
another nugget of wisdom from theicon1Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by emulator-slave
seriously this guys is gamemaster4747 levels of full of shit.
Ultra 64Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by Ninegauger
Man, I thought that was a cool name. I'd take the N64 library to the PS1 library any day: Mario 64, Star Fox 64, Ocarina of Time, Goldeneye, Jet Force Gemini, Perfect Dark, Turok, Majora's Mask, Blast Corps... I'm always tempted to call it my favorite console ever... it basically introduced the world to the analog thumbstick, rumble as a feature and 3D games that weren't awful.
I remember wanting a Sega Saturn until I played a Nintendo 64 at a Blockbuster. Just running around as Mario was bliss... those were the days...
HmmPosted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by underburntskies
Still think they should've kept the name ULTRA 64 dawgz.
Great system.Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by Coarse_Limely
Despite its loss to the PS1 in the marketplace, I think the N64 did a lot more to push 3D gaming's evolution. Long live the N64!
<3 N64Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by kevmscotland
And from here on, some of the greatest games ever created were born onto this console :P
Wow,Posted: May 05, 2010 12:00AM PST by theicon1.1up.com
Didn't think i would miss the mid 90's,but i remember getting this the day it came out,there were only 2 games out at the time,Super mario 64 & PilotWings 64.this was the beginning of the end of hardcore on Nintendo.


text:
Lowest Price Guarantee
- Protection:
- Unique HDPE-HD foam combo shin cap for unparalleled form-fitting protection
- Hyper extension protection cap
- Trampoline effect liner dissipates high and low impacts
- Side knee cap
- HD foam side calf protector
- Foam pad at the bottom of the shin shell offers additional protection and comfort
- Liner:
- Antimicrobial moisture-wicking Ventilator lining
- Vented comfort liner
- Fit:
- Anatomical deep-fitting knee cap design
- Sling Wrap leg lock strap system - Neoprene like feel, grips skin when moist
- Inner 'Y' strap crosses the calf and under knee
- Wide outer calf wrap strap
- Level of Play: Ideal for advance to pro level of play
- Sizes: 10", 11", 12" and 13"
*Jr. 13" shin guard features 5" wide knee shell
Other Items to Consider
Warrior Hockey Shin Guards Junior & Youth
The Warrior Dynasty HD1 Hockey Shin Guards offer Warrior's top technologies combined together for a highly protective, yet lightweight fit. In the shell and knee cap, Warrior uses their Smart Cap® technology which uses multi-layered foam and hard plastic to increase coverage and maximize protection, without increasing bulk or weight.
The Warrior Dynasty HD Pro Hockey Shin Guards provide a high level of protection in a comprehensive volume fit. The 2-piece vented plastic shell is molded to disperse impacts and protect against anything thrown its way.
The Warrior Dynasty HD3 Hockey Shin Guards provide comfortable protection at a mid-level price point. The hard plastic shell uses a 2-piece design for mobile protection with vents to ensure great airflow. Around the sides of the knee and in the lower thigh guard, Warrior places medium-density foams for lightweight protection.
The Warrior Dynasty AX2 Hockey Shin Guards offer excellent performance without the big price tag. The AX2's utilize segmented high density foams in the calf wrap and thigh guard for great protection that sticks with you while you're moving.


text:
Chris Freer Photography Blog
All the lastest news, pictures and events from Chris Freer Photography
| Cockermouth photography studio | Portrait photography in Cumbria | Lake District |
Latest picture from my portrait studio based on the outskirts of Cockermouth, Cumbria
My spacious portrait photography studio is based on the outskirts of Cockermouth, UK and has easy pushchair and disabled access; evening and weekend appointments are available.
You can view your portrait photographs in the comfort of your own home and pay per print via an award winning online ordering system. There is no pressure or hard sell tactic employed, simply purchase as many or as little as you wish. The studio is ideally situated to provide portrait photography for Cockermouth, Workington, Whitehaven and Maryport.


text:
By Mrs. Lenore Meeks
Why did we decide to enroll our boys in a Montessori school? The answer is simple, we wanted the best for our boys, and we believe there is no better education than a Montessori-based education.
As parents, we believe their education is our responsibility - our boys are placing the responsibility of their education in our hands. We are the brokers of their future, and we wanted to make sure we enroll them in a place where they will yield the greatest return. We looked for an environment where our boys would be taught and nourished with excitement and encouragement. And, we wanted our boys to grow in an environment that offers them the freedom to actively explore the world around them while they learn. We wanted an environment where our boys would naturally become leaders and mentors. To naturally become leaders and mentors, we looked for a classroom that consisted of more than desks, chairs, and blackboards. We want more for our boys than a public education. Moreover, we wanted more than just a private education - we wanted a Montessori-based education.
Alpharetta International Academy embraces Maria Montessori's style of teaching. More importantly, the staff and teachers of AIA live and breathe the Montessori way of life. Because the AIA family believes wholeheartedly in what they are doing, the kids feed off the passion of the family. As a result, our boys have found a passion in learning and are thriving. In first grade, Joe was mentored by second and third graders in his class. Now that Joe is in second grade, he is growing into a leader and mentoring first graders. Currently in first grade, Charlie is mentoring his classmates in areas where he excels, while he is mentored by his classmates in areas where he needs improvement.
AIA offers such a wonderful and nurturing environment, and our boys literally look forward to school. Our boys look forward to learning, and they love to share their lessons with us. Our boys love their school, as much as we love their school.


text:
A Pennsylvania judge has stopped election officials from implementing the state's strict new voter ID laws. In doing so, he highlights the law's underlying fraud – that its goal was to protect the integrity of elections.
The judge ruled that Pennsylvania hadn't done enough to ensure that people who wanted IDs in time for the Nov. 6 general election could get them.
As it stands today, the ruling means that any legally registered voter in Pennsylvania should be able to vote if they want to. It's likely, however, the ruling will be appealed to the state Supreme Court.
By now, we're all familiar with the quote from Pennsylvania's House Majority Leader, Mike Turzai, a Republican, who bragged to a GOP crowd that the state's voter ID law "is going to allow Gov. Romney to win the state of Pennsylvania."
By keeping an estimated 750,000 Pennsylvanians from voting because they lack a driver's license or other approved identification. Most of those people live in cities, where poor and minority populations are concentrated -- and are strongly Democratic. In Philadelphia, a Democratic stronghold, 44 percent of the population is African-American.
Under the Pennsylvania ruling, election officials will still be allowed to ask for ID – they just can't require it as a condition for voting. That could lead to some misunderstandings – or outright shenanigans – at polling places.
Nevertheless, it's a step toward letting voters decide the outcome of Pennsylvania's presidential election – and not a partisan law pushed through the Republican Legislature in hopes of swaying a large swing state to Mitt Romney.
Remember, the dishonest premise of the GOP's nationwide push for voter ID laws was to prevent in-person voter fraud – despite statistics that show it almost never happens. Voter ID laws ignore the fact that fraud is more likely to filter into election results through absentee ballots – whose users, like seniors and military families, tend to lean Republican.
Meanwhile, a voter fraud scandal is playing out in Florida – involving a company hired by the state's Republican Party to register voters. A self-fulfilling prophecy?
The Pennsylvania ruling – for the time being – preserves a basic democratic right. If after Nov. 6, the Keystone State's GOP still thinks voter fraud is an issue worth tackling, it'll have more than enough time before next November to enact rules that don't disenfranchise a big chunk of the population.


text:
Lifetime (Sun., Oct. 5, 8 p.m. ET)
I knew at 10 years old that you had a limited run," says Rosie O'Donnell in this powerful special, putting a bitter life lesson in showbiz language. Her mother died of cancer at 38, and cancer struck several other women in the suburban New York neighborhood where the TV star grew up. Insisting "there must be an environmental cause" for the high incidence of breast cancer on New York's Long Island, an alternately sorrowful and angry O'Donnell joins a chorus on this program calling for a redoubled national effort to conquer the disease. But Say It, Fight It, Cure It is not 90 minutes of exhortation. Director Lee Grant also focuses on the courage, anxiety and resiliency of breast cancer survivors and their loved ones. Few viewers will be unmoved as a mother and her two daughters—all with breast cancer—share their feelings in a conversation of extraordinary honesty and tenderness.
Picks and Pans Review: I Say It, Fight It, Cure It
updated 10/06/1997 AT 01:00 AM EDT
•originally published 10/06/1997 AT 01:00 AM EDT


text:
Judy Blume has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The author of many popular young adult books, including Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Superfudge, Iggie's House and Blubber, revealed her diagnosis in a blog post on Wednesday.
"We were supposed to leave for five weeks in Italy on July 29 – four of those weeks would be spent at an artists' colony housed in a castle in Umbria where I was hoping to finish my new book. A castle! Sound too good to be true? Uh huh," she writes.
"A visit to the radiologist on June 12 for a routine ultrasound (dense breast tissue) led to a core biopsy," the post continues.
Upon receiving the results from her biopsy, Blume, 74, tried to process her diagnosis.
"Wait – me? There's no breast cancer in my family (recent extensive genetic testing shows no genetic connection). I haven't eaten red meat in more than 30 years. I've never smoked, I exercise every day, forget alcohol – it's bad for my reflux – I've been the same weight my whole adult life. How is this possible? Well, guess what – it's possible."
Six weeks after learning she had cancer, Blume underwent a mastectomy on July 30. "This surgery went well, one night in the hospital, very little pain," she writes.
The author also discloses that 17 years ago, she had a hysterectomy after being diagnosed with cervical cancer but "caught it just in time." "No other treatment necessary. Another story for another time," she says.
In her blog entry, Blume, whose books have sold over 80 million copies and been translated into 31 languages, reflects on the month following her procedure.
"My friends who've had breast cancer have been so helpful and supportive I can never thank them enough," she writes. "They got me through this. They were my inspiration. If we can do it, you can do it! They were right. And I got off easy. I don't need chemo which is a whole other ballgame."
Judy Blume Diagnosed With Breast Cancer
David Livingston/Getty


text:
Urban Outfitters Coupon & Promo Codes
Most popular now: Sign up for Urban On to get 10% off + a Chance to Win a $100 UO Gift Card!.
Latest offer: Valerie Heel.
Sign up for Urban On to get 10% off + a Chance to Win a $100 UO Gift Card!
Free Shipping and Free Returns on $50+ Orders
Check Out Women's Sale
Plus, Free Shipping on $50+
Invite Your Friends on Urban Outfitters for Exclusive Offers and Discounts
Shop Now for Gift Cards starting at $25
Sign Up for Urban Outfitters Emails and Receive Free Music, Urban Exclusives & Promotions
Valerie Heel
Like Urban Outfitters Facebook Page Now for News and Updates
Shop New from Jeffrey Campbell
Buy More & Save More on Men's Accessories
Plus, Free Shipping on $50+
Follow Urban Outfitters on Twitter for News and Updates
Save up to 70% off Late Summer Sale
Price as Marked.
Long Weekend Sale! Save 25% off Graphic Tees & Shorts
How to use a Urban Outfitters coupon
When shopping at Urban Outfitters, watch the slides scroll on the screen to point you to where the best deals are. They also have a 'Sale' section where you will find discounted items. You can also check Coupons.com for coupon codes good for a variety of perks like free shipping or a percentage off your order. Compare the code offerings to ensure you find the best ones for your order.


text:
Interest Level
Grades K - 3
Reading Level
Grade level Equivalent: Not Available
Lexile® Measure: Not Available
DRA: Not Available
Guided Reading: Not Available
- Adventure
- Series
- Media Tie-In
- Cooperation and Teamwork
- Determination and Perseverance
- Siblings
About This Book
Professor Utonium has a present for the Girls - bikes! Buttercup in particular can't wait to start riding. But she just can't seem to learn! So she gives up. But when Mojo Jojo invents a special gravity machine that takes away the Girls' ability to fly, Buttercup will have to face her bike-riding fears - or else!
Items Added to Cart:
1 Paperback
2 Hardcover
1 Teacher's Edition
$48.99 Subtotal


text:
Man wanted in manhunt surrenders to Pottawatomie County deputies
Investigators say James Morgan attempted to run over three officers
Published 10:41 AM CDT Oct 01, 2013
A manhunt that began in Pottawatomie County last week has ended.
The Sheriff's Department says James Morgan surrendered to them Monday night at a house in Shawnee. He led authorities on a five-hour search last Friday after they tried to arrest him, according to deputies.
At one point investigators say Morgan attempted to run over three officers.
Copyright 2013 by KOCO.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Becoming the first driver to win in each of NASCAR's three top series – Camping World Truck Series, Nationwide Series, Sprint Cup – at the same track in the same weekend is certainly historic.
Just don't go carving his face into NASCAR's Mount Rushmore next to Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty yet, though. The difference between NASCAR royalty like those guys and Busch is glaring.
If we judge NASCAR drivers the way we judge stars in other sports – by championships – Kyle Busch isn't even the best in his own family. The Sprint Cup title tally in the Busch household is Kurt 1, Kyle 0.
Sure, Kyle beat up on the have-nots and won the 2009 Nationwide championship, but that's like saying the Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears are better than their Stanley Cup-less parent team, the Washington Capitals.
Go ahead, keep winning those Nationwide and Truck races, Kyle. You can't count those victories in your seeding for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Aside from last weekend's trifecta, most of those wins will mean little or nothing when your career is over.
I think Kyle Busch will surpass his brother in meaningful championships when all is said and done. Until then, I'll just judge him by what he is now – the LeBron James to his brother's Kobe Bryant. The one thing Kyle has going for him now is his status as NASCAR's resident bad guy – his generation's Darrell Waltrip.
If Kyle Busch doesn't start winning Sprint Cups soon, that's all he'll be remembered for: being called the expletive equivalent of a donkey by Brad Keselowski.
Who wants that as a legacy?
LIA LEAVES: A recent move in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series could have a trickle-down effect in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour.
Donny Lia, the 2007 and 2009 Whelen Tour champion, was released Monday from his Truck Series ride with SS Green Light Racing. Lia qualified for 12 of the 16 races this year, with a season-best finish of 12th. In 2008, Lia also ran in the NCWTS and even won a race, but he was back on the Modified Tour the following season.
No announcement has been made about Lia's future, but I'm sure there will be a few car owners in the NWMT with a seat available for a two-time champion for the season's stretch run.
"I really feel we had a streak of bad luck," Lia said in a team press release. "We seemed to always encounter a hurdle that we could not cross. The guys work very hard and they deserve to be running upfront. They gave me a great opportunity, but we just need to try something else."
HEADED HOME: If Max Gresham doesn't feel at home at this weekend's NASCAR K&N Pro Series East race venue, there's something wrong.
Gresham and his East Series cohorts will compete in Saturday's American Fence Association 150 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga. The track is owned by Max's grandfather, Jim Gresham.
No pressure. Or is there?
"I feel a little extra pressure just because it is my home track," Max said. "I will have a lot of fan backing from all my friends, so the pressure just to win for them will put a little more pressure for me."
HOT LAPS: Belchertown's Boivin boys – Joe and Nick – were each victorious last Saturday at Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. Joe won in the Young Guns class, while Nick triumphed in the Super Stocks .. J.J. Hill earned the nod in the Late Model 100 at Stafford Motor Speedway in Stafford Springs, Conn., last Friday. Also at Stafford, Keith Rocco added to his national championship season by winning his 21st Modified feature of the year ... Todd Annarummo won the Modified Racing Series 100-lapper at Seekonk Speedway.
Jason Remillard can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
BYRNE: I want to congratulate you, Tom, on your victory.
KEAN: You mean Christie Whitman's victory. But I must say I'm happy. Last night brought back a lot of memories. It was very, very close. You have to congratulate Jim McGreevey. He conducted a very good campaign. He stayed on message the whole way.
BYRNE: There are no moral victories in a campaign, Tom. If you win, you did everything right, and if you lose, you did everything wrong.
KEAN: And when you win, you're the governor.
QUESTION: What are your thoughts about the other contests?
BYRNE: It almost looked like nothing happened on Election Day.
KEAN: It was remarkable. The Republicans were able to maintain their control in a very close election at the top. This will be the longest period in time in modern history that any party in this state has retained both houses.
BYRNE: Amidst the sour- grapes talk for Democrats, they're also saying, "Thank God. She's going to have to stew in her own juices. Because now she's got to do something about auto insurance and property taxes."
KEAN: Certainly she's going to have enormous problems. I maintain no governor can do much about property taxes and auto insurance. And then there are the problems coming up — like solid waste disposal, given the Supreme Court ruling, and charity care . . .
BYRNE: I think that's the biggest of them.
KEAN: . . . and the school finance bill. These are all going to have to be faced.
BYRNE: And faced in the context of Governor Whitman's promising to do something about property taxes and the insurance problem.
KEAN: She's going to work on . . .
BYRNE: Oh, already we're saying "WORK on"?
KEAN: She is going to have to get the cooperation of the Legislature on the insurance issue, and that's going to be very difficult.
BYRNE: Right after she was elected four years ago, she was pronounced a great powerful figure, nationally, and the legislators were afraid to take issue with her.
KEAN: But remember that the trial lawyers gave over $1 million to the legislators in both parties. That's going to make it difficult.
BYRNE: Neither candidate had a realistic discussion on the insurance issue.
KEAN: And reforming property taxes is also very hard, unless you do one of two things: Opt for the California solution, where you freeze the rate of increase at some level or, the second, shift the money we now get from property taxes to another tax, by doubling either the income tax or sales tax, and nobody wants that.
BYRNE: There's one other thing we've seen, Tom, and that's the privatization gimmick: A town sells its water system or sewage system and takes in the money from that sale, which — for about a year — makes it look like they're saving taxpayers money. That's become a popular way of making mayors look good for a while.
KEAN: You and I disagree on that. I think that when private enterprise can do it more effectively, you should do it.
BYRNE: It's often irresponsible. But mayors are buying it, left and right.
QUESTION: What do Tuesday's results mean to the Democratic Party?
BYRNE: Ironically, they did pretty well. They got the vote out in the cities, where McGreevey did pretty well — but not so well in Morris, Ocean and Monmouth, where he should have done better. Ironically, these were the counties where (former Morris County Prosecutor Michael) Murphy did well in the primary, so there'll be some Monday-morning quarterbacking there. If I had the campaign to do over again, I'd like to run it in Ocean County.
KEAN: Okay, you take Ocean and let me have Essex.
BYRNE: You could have done well in Essex, Tom, but not Whitman. Although she did better in Middlesex than I expected.
QUESTION: How do you rationalize the results with the polls?
KEAN: The polls in New Jersey have a history of being wrong. I think New Jerseyans lie to pollsters.
BYRNE: You and I disagree on polls. I think they are very accurate, and that people change their minds, up to the last minute.
KEAN: I think the pollsters disagree even among themselves.
BYRNE: One disappointment, from an intellectual standpoint, was (Morris County Senator) Gordon MacInnes (who lost to Republican Assemblyman Tony Bucco). I think most people recognized MacInnes as a cut above. He attracted a great amount of Republican support.
KEAN: Gordon has been a very thoughtful and articulate legislator, and he'll be missed — by both parties. BYRNE: He should have run for governor.
KEAN: He may still. Anyone who runs as well as he did in Morris County could probably be elected governor.
QUESTION: Looking back, how satisfied are you with the campaigns?
KEAN: My suspicion is that Christie Whitman won this one by herself. Her campaign organization was not worthy of her as a candidate. Her ads were not as effective as they could have been. When I heard her speak on the stump, she was much more effective than the ads. As opposed to McGreevey, who had three or four things to say and did it very effectively. His managers did a better job.
BYRNE: Those Democrats who are inclined to gloat say they've knocked Whitman out of the national picture. But I have told them that they shouldn't write her off.
KEAN: She is going to be very important to the Republican Party. She's the only woman who is a governor, and the only one who appeals to an electorate that many Republicans are weak in.
BYRNE: Or as someone who can balance a swing ticket.
KEAN: Yes.
BYRNE: And if she really solves all the problems in New Jersey in the next three years, who could blame the Republicans for taking her national?


text:
In Brief: Yellen sworn in as Fed chair
Yellen sworn in as Fed chair in brief ceremony
WASHINGTON -- Janet Yellen was sworn in Monday to succeed Ben Bernanke, becoming the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve in its 100-year history.
Yellen, who was confirmed by the Senate in January, was sworn in by Fed Governor Daniel Tarullo, the senior member of the Fed's seven-member board.
She took the oath in a brief ceremony in front of a fireplace in the Fed's massive board room. Her husband, Nobel-winning economist George Akerloff, was present as were other Fed board members and Fed staff.
Yellen, 67, made no remarks at her swearing in but did smile to acknowledge the applause of the assembled group.
Nominated by President Barack Obama on Oct. 9, her four-year term as chairman will end Feb. 3, 2018.
Meanwhile, the Brookings Institution, announced Monday that Bernanke was joining the Washington think tank as a distinguished fellow in residence.
Bernanke stepped down on Friday after eight years as Fed chairman. He had said he planned to stay in Washington and was looking forward to writing and giving speeches on economic policy.
Chrysler, Nissan sales up; Ford, GM, VW down
DETROIT -- Sales at Chrysler and Nissan dealers were hot in January, but General Motors, Ford and Volkswagen sales were as frigid as the weather that gripped much of the nation.
Chrysler's U.S. sales advanced 8 percent, while Nissan's rose nearly 12 percent. But GM was down 12 percent, Ford was off 7 percent and Volkswagen slumped 19 percent.
Analysts aren't expecting January to be a strong month for automakers. They're predicting little or no sales growth compared with a year ago because a barrage of snowstorms and cold snaps kept buyers out of showrooms.
Chrysler was an exception, notching its best January in six years. Sales were led by the Chrysler 200 midsize car and the Ram pickup. Both posted gains of more than 20 percent. Jeep brand sales rose 38 percent, fueled by sales of 10,505 new Cherokee small SUVs. It was the company's 46th straight month of year-over-year sales gains.
Factories expanded at slower pace in January
WASHINGTON -- U.S. manufacturing barely expanded in January as cold weather delayed shipments of raw materials and caused some factories to shut down.
The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 51.3 in January from 56.5 in December. It was the lowest reading since May, though any reading above 50 signals growth. Manufacturers said export orders grew at a healthy pace but slightly less than in the previous month.
The figures suggest that U.S. manufacturing is slowing after a strong finish to 2013. Auto sales have decelerated, and businesses are spending cautiously on machinery and other large factory goods. The slowdown means that economic growth in the first three months of this year may be less than the strong 3.6 percent annual pace in the second half of 2013.
Ex-BBC boss apologizes for $163M failure
LONDON -- The former boss of the BBC has apologized for the failure of its digital media plan, which wasted almost 100 million pounds ($163 million) of taxpayer funds.
Mark Thompson, who left the BBC in 2012 to become the chief executive of The New York Times, was one of several current and former BBC employees testifying about the failed plan before a British parliamentary committee.
He said Monday the plan "failed as a project," despite earlier giving evidence that it was working well.
A government audit found that the BBC's Digital Media Initiative -- which aimed to create an integrated digital production and archiving system -- ran aground because of confusion and poor planning.
It was quickly scrapped by current BBC chief Tony Hall after he began in April 2013.
-- from wire reports


text:
Dakota Pack is a family-owned and operated producer of pork products.
In Estherville, IA, we are strategically located in one of the biggest hog producing regions in the country.
Our relationships with the growers in the region afford us the ability to source hogs to
exacting specifications for our pork customers.
We own and manage a full-service slaughter and fabrication facility.
We also own a stand-alone rendering company and a trucking company in the same area.
Since opening in 2002, Dakota Pack has grown significantly from our original base of 13 employees.
We are now a major employer in Emmet County, Iowa.
We have achieved our growth record by sticking to three guiding principles.
Provide a safe and satisfying workplace in order to attract and retain the region's most talented employees.
Focus that workforce on product quality and adherence to customer demands.
Satisfy customer demand by cost effectively sourcing and processing animals that match
the needs of the marketplace, both foreign and domestic.
Whether you are a corporate buyer, a further processor, an exporter or a livestock producer we have a pork product or service to match your needs. We are big enough to meet the needs of large customers but small enough to give all customers a specialized level of service they can't get anywhere else. Contact us today for more information.
© Copyright 2011. All rights reserved.


text:
BARE YOUR SOUL FOR YOUR ART? No problem. But bare anything else, and watch out. At any rate, that's what Lara St. John discovered last year when her debut album of Bach solo violin works was released with a cover showing St. John, 25, wearing nothing more than her fiddle.
Amid raves for its musical virtuosity (or "irresistible vitality," in the words of the Chicago Tribune critic), the CD has startled some traditional classicists with its semigraphic audacity. "Shocking!" fumes Richard Hetland, music director at a Mesa, Ariz., classical music station, who objected to an artist's exploiting her sexuality and returned the album unopened. Tower Records stores in Seattle refused for several months to stock it.
St. John, who market-tested a similar pose on a poster for a student recital at the New England Conservatory of Music in 1994, remains coyly unrepentant. "It's hilarious what's going on," says St. John (who was not, she maintains, inspired by erstwhile topless cellist Charlotte Moorman, who performed in the '60s and '70s). "This was just sort of an artsy idea to express the intimacy between a violin player and the music."
St. John, the younger child of a basketball-coach father and a music-coach mother in London, Ont., is a onetime prodigy who made her European debut at age 10. She now plays 40 to 50 concerts a year in the U. S. and Canada from her home base in New York City. Her mission, she says, is to persuade young audiences to share her love of the three B's: Bach, Beavis and Butt-head. "I have a problem with the snobbism surrounding classical music," she says. "But there is passion to the music, a kind of eroticism almost."
Okay, forget the almost.
Bare Bach
updated 02/24/1997 AT 01:00 AM EST
•originally published 02/24/1997 AT 01:00 AM EST