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Archive for May 2011
HITB Aftermath
2 Comments | Posted by Enno Rey
didn't find the time so far to post a short blog about HITB Amsterdam so far… but here we go.
Unfortunately I couldn't arrive in AMS earlier than Thursday evening so I missed the first day (and – from what I heard – some great talks). However we went out for dinner that night with the likes of Andreas (Wiegenstein), Jim (Geovedi), Raoul (Chiesa), Travis (Goodspeed), Claudio (Criscione) and some more guys and I had some quite good conversations, both on technical matters and on Intra-European cultural differences ;-). Btw: thanks again to Martijn for taking care of the restaurant.
On Friday I listened to Travis' talk on "Building a Promiscuous nRF24L01+ Packet Sniffer" (cool & scary stuff) and a part of this talk on iPhone data protection (well delivered as well). In the afternoon Daniel and I gave an updated version of the "Attacking 3G and 4G Telecommunication Networks " presentation (the HITB version can be found here). Overall I can say that HITB was an excellently organized event with a great speaker line-up (not sure if we contributed to that one ;-)) and some innovative ideas (inviting a bunch of local hacker spaces among those). Dhillon is a fabulous host and I already regard HITB as one of the major European security events (next to Troopers, of course ;-)).
Have a great weekend everybody
Yet another update on IPv6 security – Some notes from the IPv6-Kongress in Frankfurt
2 Comments | Posted by Enno Rey
A couple of hours ago Christopher (Werny) and I gave this presentation at the Heise IPv6-Kongress, which overall was a quite interesting and well-organized event bringing together a number of practitioners from the field. While yesterday's talks were dominated by a certain euphoria and optimistic pioneer spirit, the second day featured some security talks which induced slight shadows to the brave new world of IPv6 ;-). I particularly enjoyed meeting Eric Vyncke from Cisco (one of the two authors of this great book) and Marc "van Hauser" Heuse who released a new version of the THC-IPV6 tool set today. We had some fruitful discussions and we took the opportunity to test some of his newly implemented attacks against "RA Guard" running on a 4948E Chris and I had brought for a demo within our talk. Unfortunately – or fortunately in terms of a "from theory to reality" approach – I have to say that Marc found a quite clever way to circumvent RA Guard by putting the actual "RA payload" into a second frame following a first one mostly containing a "long & empty" destination option (after a fragmentation header pointing to the mentioned second one). To get an idea pls see these screenshots from Wireshark.
This actually completely defeats (the current implementation of) RA Guard which means that the victim machine received a whole lot of router advertisments…
Eric who gave an excellent talk on his own (mostly covering defense techniques but, amongst others, describing some interesting attacks against tunnel technologies, which btw reminds me I still owe you a blogpost on those… trust me: it's not forgotten ;-)) stated that this specific type of attack could be mitigated by using an ACL containing sth along the lines of
deny ip any any undetermined-transport
[which is supposed to match any IPv6 packet where the upper-layer protocol cannot be determined].
We (Christopher and I) weren't even aware of that keyword and we did not yet have an opportunity to test its effectiveness. Still there's some immediate lessons to be learned from those hours in Frankfurt:
a) in the field of IPv6 security one can learn something new every day 😉
b) there's still so much "uncovered space" in the IPv6 (security) world that we'll certainly see yet-unknown types of attacks in the next years.
c) Marc is a really smart guy (which prompted me inviting him to speak at next year's Troopers ;-))
d) Going with ACLs on "access layer"/customer/subscriber facing ports might be the better approach than just using RA Guard. (on a related note: some Cisco guy I talked to was very sceptical that RA Guard will ever be available on 2900 or 3500 series switches).
Most probably this ([1], [2], [3]) little sequence of IPv6 related posts will be continued soon (but not before we've finished the update of the "Attacking 3G and 4G networks" talk to be given at HITB Amsterdam next Friday ;-)).
Have a great weekend everybody
Evaluating Operational Feasibility
0 Comments | Posted by Enno Rey
I've discussed the concept of evaluating the operational "feasibility" (or "impact", depending on your point of view) of security controls before. Some people approached me asking "which considerations should we take into account when trying to understand or rate this for $SOME_SECURITY_CONTROL?". Therefore, in the following I'll give an unordered list of factors to consider to get an understanding of the "operational feasibility" of a given security control. Two things should be noted in advance:
– evaluating the operational "feasibility" (which is "a positive factor") as opposed to the operational "impact" (being a "negative factor") allows for easier integration into a metric scheme, as the two main factors-to-considered – the other one is the "security benefit" of a control – can be expressed on the same scale then, with a high value meaning a good thing.
– as the (maturity of) and as-is state of operational processes usually have a much higher impact on the security posture of a given environment than the components deployed in the environment (see this presentation, slide 14ff.), this approach focuses on _operational costs_ and does not take initial investment costs into account. In short: opex is the thing to look at, not capex.
Here we go… for each (potential) security control you might look at:
a) How many lines of code/configuration does it need?
b) Can it be implemented by means of templates or scripts? Effort needed for this?
c) To what degree does the implementation differ in different scenarios (e.g. per system/subnet/site)? Can "the difference" be scripted, e.g. taken from another source (a CMDB) or "calculated" (like the addresses of neighboring routers on the local link)?
d) How much additional configuration is needed to establish the previous functionality/state? E.g. to pass legitimate traffic in case of a ("fresh") application of ACLs?
e) What's the "business impact" incl. number of associated support/helpdesk calls?
f) Cost for _deployment_ of additional hardware, licenses or other tangibles. (again, the cost for their initial procurement is capex).
g) In case of a tangible security control think about the full life-cycle management of the asset (patching, monitoring, alerting, capacity management and the like). This one is often heavily overlooked, see for example this excellent blog post of Anton Chuvakin for a discussion of the "real costs of a SIEM deployment".
h) Does the control require a new operational process or task?
i) Propagation: how far does the (implementation of the) control reach?
j) How many different people or companies/partners (sub contractors) touch the work?
k) Impact on OLAs and SLAs.
The above might give an idea of how to tackle the task of evaluating the operational feasibility. In another, future blogpost I may discuss a sample metric using this stuff from a real-world environment (will have to write down and anonymize some pieces though). For the moment many thanks to Friedwart, Angus and Sergey for valuable input to the above list.
Feel free to contact us (or leave a comment) with suggestions as for additional considerations.
have a good one,
update for your fuzzing toolkit
0 Comments | Posted by Daniel Mende
As I'm currently developing the 'next gen' state-full fuzzing framework @ERNW [called dizzy, to be released soon 😉 ], I will give you an updated set of fuzzing scripts from the 'old world'.
Some of you will remember the 2008 release of sulley_l2, which was a modified version of the sulley fuzzing framework, enhanced with Layer 2 sending capabilities and a hole bunch of (L2) fuzzing scripts. All the blinking, rebooting, mem-corrupting ciscos gave us some attention. Back from then, we continued to write and use the fuzzing scripts, so the hole collection grew.
Find the latest version of the tool-set here.
If you take a look inside the 'audits' folder, you will find all the ERNW made fuzzing scripts. I'll give you a short description on the most of them:
- ARP – This are some basic ARP fuzzing scripts, mainly as reference L2 implementation, haven't found anything interesting with them, yet.
- BGP – Some scripts for the basic BGP packet types, has nothing to do with Layer2 but will kill some devices 😉
- CAPWAP – Within our wireless research we also did some wireless mgmt-protocol fuzzing and came up with this scripts. (RFC5415)
- CDP – Fuzzing scripts for Cisco's discovery protocol. Most fun is gone here, as bugs were submitted and fixed by the time.
- DOT1Q – One of the first L2 fuzzing scripts, building a tagged packet.
- DTP – Fuzzing scripts for Cisco's dynamic trunking protocol. Thats the one which make Ciscos blink like Christmas-Trees.
- EXTREME – A hand full of scripts targeting Extreme's discovery protocol, those will create purple stack traces 😉
- GTP – In the 3G / 4G research we did some GPRS tunneling protocol fuzzing, not finished yet.
- IP – Also more a reference implementation.
- ISL – As to be complete with the Vlan tagging there is also a script for Cisco's ISL.
- LLDP – Those scripts won't work as expected, if you know why, drop me a mail, you will get dizzy first 😀
- LWAPP – Also output from the wireless research, by that time this one randomly reboots access points.
- OSPF – A script for fuzzing OSPF HELO packets, wont get any further, as sulley knows no state.
- PNRP – Simon's awesome PNRP fuzzing scripts.
- PVST – Spanning Tree in a few flavors, if you ever need even more of that packets 😉
- SNMP – Right, more like an ASN1 fuzzer, but provided some nice results.
- UDLD – One more L2 protocol with a bunch of strings inside (watch out for the device-id).
- VRRP – while implementing the VRRP attacks in loki, also did some fuzzing, obviously ;).
- VTP – An other L2 based, Cisco only protocol, make devices blinking.
- WLCCP – And the last one is again from our wireless research. Haven't found anything interesting by fuzzing, but the loki module for this works nice.
So, thats all for now, have fun with the code and stay tuned for more tools on fuzzing to be finished/released soon.


text: The Southern Ocean Sunfish or Southern Mola (Mola ramsayi) is one of the two generally recognized Mola species as of 2013, although there it appears likely that one or more cryptic species will be recognized in the near future. Much less is known about this species than is known about Mola mola. For more information, see Mola, Mola mola, and the oceansunfish.org website.

subset: commoncrawl


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Women's group to hold convention
The Lakeside Federation of Women is to hold its 118th annual convention July 11 at Green Gables, historic home of the Lakeside Women's Club. The morning program is to feature Jan Rader from Columbus who will give a history of American Sign Language and teach a song in sign.
A luncheon is to be held at the Lakeside United Methodist Church. Karen Westgate is to present harp music.
Polly Albrecht from Lakeside is to speak in the afternoon about "Aprons Hanging from My Clothesline," stories from the past and her love of aprons.
Lakeside Federation of Women is made up of women's clubs who meet to study a variety of subjects. Clubs include Attica Woman's Literary Guild, No Name Club of Bloomville, Carey Fortnightly Club, Clyde Garden Club and Progress Club of Clyde.
The convention is open to any interested women.
For information and registration, call (419) 798-1452. Registrations should be made by June 30.
Fostoria High class of 1967
Fostoria High School class of 1967 is to have its 45th reunion July 20-22. The class is to meet at 6:30 p.m. July 20 at KemoSabes Roadhouse Grill for a pre-reunion get together. The class reunion will take place at 6 p.m. July 21 at the American Legion Hall on Zeller Road with a buffet dinner and music by Time Warp, DJ Joe Lowery. The class will meet at 2 p.m. July 22 at the New Riegel Cafe for an informal gathering of food and fun. Reservations are required for the reunion and the Sunday dinner and should be made to Elaine Schlenker at (419) 435-9595 or by e-mail at email@example.com.
The committee has been unable to locate the following classmates: David Barcus, Carolyn Brady, Pam Carter Myers, Pat Chandler Rannels, Nick Coronado, David Gobel, Charlotte Hanzely, Jeannette Hardon Beamer, Becky Hoffman Keim, Ron Jones, Shirley King Merrick, Yvonne Lash, Wayne Lemmon, Albert Merrick, David Newlove, Kenneth Penn, Gregg Raney, Dennis Ritchey, Patricia Rogers, Robert Sager, Sandra Seem Farmer, Barbara Simino Rice, Mike Slay, Malissa Smith, Robert Smith, Richard Taylor, Bob Trout, Barbara Trumpio, Harley Wagner and Tom Carpenter.
For more information, contact Schlenker at (419) 435-9595, Ilene Geary at (419) 436-9717, or Tom Suter at (419) 354-5212 or email@example.com.
Get a makeover
Teen Department at Tiffin-Seneca Public Library is to continue its summer reading program, "We Own the Night," with a program 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday in Frost Kalnow Room.
The event, "We Love the Night Makeover and Movie," is to feature the movie "Gremlins." The movie is rated PG and runs 106 minutes. While viewing the film, teens are to be able to get and give gothic makeovers. The program is open to students entering sixth grade through grade 12 and is free. Refreshments are to be provided.
For more information, check out the library on Facebook, visit www.tiffinsen.lib.oh.us or ask at the information desk.
Get searching
Teen Department at Tiffin-Seneca Public Library's summer reading program, "We Own the Night," is to have a program 11 a.m.-1 p.m. June 15.
The event, "Super Saturday Scavenger Hunt," is to meet in Junior Library. Participants are to search for clues about night-themed books to locate items within the library. The program is open to students entering sixth grade through grade 12 and is free. Refreshments are to be provided.
For more information, check out the library on Facebook, visit www.tiffinsen.lib.oh.us or ask at the information desk.
Start snapping photos
BELLEVUE - Teenagers ages 12-18 can enter a photo contest at Bellevue Public Library. The theme is "Dream Big!" Entry forms are available at either check-out desk. Photos are to be accepted June 25-July 13, and each must be accompanied by an entry form. Winners are to be announced at 2 p.m. July 25 during a reception for participants and their families. The public can view the entries 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Library to offer program
BELLEVUE - Bellevue Public Library offers more than 20,000 digital books and downloadable audiobooks for Kindle, Nook and other eReaders through the CLEVNET eMedia website. To learn about these resources, people can attend a demonstration-style program at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the library's meeting room. For more information, call (419) 483-4769.
Free computer classes being offered
BELLEVUE - Bellevue Public Library offers basic computer classes that are free. It received a federal grant to participate in Connect Ohio as a participant of Every Citizen Online, and the matching grant helped fund the purchase of laptops for small-group computer instruction. Monthly Connect Ohio classes consist of a series of three sessions. Each series of instruction includes an introduction to computers, an introduction to the Internet and basic use of the Internet, including email.
After completing six hours of training, students are to receive a certificate of completion. Certificate holders are eligible for certain discounts on broadband Internet access. The next series of classes is to be 10 a.m.-noon June 18, 21 and 25. Registration by Thursday is recommended. Call the adult services desk at (419) 483-4769 to register or for more information.
Time for 'Game ON!'
BELLEVUE - A series of video game sessions have been scheduled at Bellevue Public Library for the summer. "Game ON!" is offered one Thursday a month. The events are to be Thursday, July 12 and Aug. 9. Sessions for grades 3-5 are scheduled for 10:30 a.m.-noon. Sessions for grades 6-12 are scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Refreshments are to be served. For more information, visit or call youth services at (419) 483-0422. Program information is available at www.bellevue.lib.oh.us.
Children's activities offered
BELLEVUE - Registration is being accepted at Bellevue Public Library for the summer series of preschool storytime. Children ages 3-5 can attend with a parent or other adult caregiver. Parents can take younger siblings to the program, which is to include stories, songs and rhymes.
The series is to run for six weeks, beginning Monday. The weekly programs last about 35 minutes. Three sessions are available, 7 p.m. Mondays, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
The summer series of Toddler Time also is to begin this month. Children ages 1 and 2, with a parent or other adult caregiver, can attend. Parents can take other siblings. The 20-minute program includes stories and activities geared to young listeners.
The Toddler Time series is to run for six weeks beginning June 11. Two sessions are available, 6 p.m. Mondays and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays.
There is to be no preschool story time or Toddler Time July 4. For more information or to register for preschool story time, visit or call youth services at (419) 483-0422.
Committee to meet
Tiffin City Board of Education program committee is to meet at 4 p.m. Monday in the administration building.
H-L reschedules meetings
BASCOM - The June meeting of Hopewell-Loudon Board of Education has been rescheduled for 5:15 p.m. June 20 in the school's distance learning lab. The July regular meeting has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 16, also in the distance learning lab. Personnel are to be available July 16 for one hour before the board meeting to answer questions and provide information about the new school building project.
Bettsville changes meeting
BETTSVILLE - Bettsville Board of Education has rescheduled its regular meeting for 5 p.m. June 19 in the board room.
NCOESC adds training programs
North Central Ohio Educational Service Center has added two more sessions for iPad training for the summer. It is to be a two-day training that is to focus on the features of the iPad as well as exploring the applications and how to use them. People also are to learn how to use their iPad with other equipment.
People should note during registration if they would like to purchase an iPad as part of the course. Space is limited. The first training session is to be 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. July 23-24 with a registration deadline of July 13. The second session is to be 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Aug. 20-21. All sessions are to be at NCOESC, 928 W. Market St., Tiffin.
People can register online at pd.ncoesc.org/ncoescpd/pdevents.php, email firstname.lastname@example.com or call (419) 447-2927.
Students selected for seminar
Seven area high school sophomores were selected to attend Ohio West Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar. Selected to attend HOBY were Aaron Reinhart, New Riegel High School; Shelby Covert and Patrick Smith, Bridges Community Academy; Lea Wilczynski, Old Fort High School; Hunter Stark and Marisa Stephens, Columbian High School; and Macie Harvey, Bettsville High School.
Hospital foundation awards funds
FOSTORIA - ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital Foundation awarded scholarships to local students studying for degrees in health care. Recipients included Kelly Faeth, Lindsay Fleegle, Katelyn Schiefer, Lindsay Schiefer, Vivian Gao, Kayla Kirk, Abigail Marshall, Allyson Beechum, Paige Cress, Jacqueline Faeth, Samantha Flechtner, Shelby Hemminger, Jessica Lynch, Melanie Margraf, Kyle Mathias, Paige Noftz and Alicia Shontz.
OF students recognized
OLD FORT - Old Fort High School recognized scholarship winners during its graduation ceremony, including Old Fort Lions Club Scholarships, Olivia Burke, Stephanie Hill and DeAnna Miller; Ernest Hiestand Memorial Scholarship, Miller; Meeker Memorial Scholarship, Burke; Dave Ulmer Citizenship Awards, Burke and Luke Edgar; Old Fort Alumni Scholarship, Miller; John and Jane Willis Athletic Boosters Scholarships, Stephanie Hill and Dane Pitchford; John Miller Memorial Scholarship, Burke; Old Fort Board of Education Scholarships, Nathan Alexander and Zachary Alexander; Dr. Ellis and Judy Wagner Scholarship, Hill; Church & Dwight Academic Scholarship, Kelsey Polyak; Church & Dwight FFA Scholarship, Taylor Heileman; Church & Dwight FCCLA Scholarship, Brittany Metcalfe; Chamber Foundation of Sandusky County Scholarship, Edgar; Old Fort Local Education Association Scholarship, Burke; Best Buy Scholarship, Burke; National Machinery Scholarship, Hill; Sunrise Cooperative Scholarships, Hill and Daniel Williams; Dick Edmond Memorial Scholarship, Miller; Tiffin Kiwanis Club Ralph Hyatt Scholarship, Miller; and Charles D. "Bud" Hering Jr. Foundation Scholarship, Miller.
Clevelands donate money
GREEN SPRINGS - Bret Cleveland and Dan Cleveland, sales agents with Cleveland Seed Service and Pioneer Hi-Bred, donated $400 to Old Fort High School's FFA chapter. The money was awarded by Pioneer for dedication to customer-focused activities throughout the year, according to a release.
National Machinery awards funding
National Machinery LLC awarded scholarships. Aaron Lucius is the son of Don and Mary Lucius and is a Hopewell-Loudon High School graduate. Andrew Carper is the son of Jeff and Brenda Carper and is a Columbian High School graduate. Stephanie Hill is the daughter of Kevin and Cheryl Hill and is an Old Fort High School graduate. Caleb Schubert is the son of Doug and Elaine Schubert. He is a Columbian High School graduate and student at Heidelberg University. Richard Fox is the son of Brett and Amy Fox and is a Hopewell-Loudon graduate. Jessica Kimmet is the daughter of Gerard and Mary Kimmet and is a New Riegel High School graduate. Bethany Peiffer is the daughter of Tim and Marla Peiffer and is a Columbian graduate. Keith Wasserman is the son of Stan and Kathy Wasserman and is a graduate of Fremont Ross High School.
Hocking dean's list
NELSONVILLE - Jason Bouillon of New Riegel is on the dean's list at Hocking College.
Ohio Northern dean's list
ADA - Local students on the Ohio Northern University dean's list are Kaylee Adams, the daughter of Barbara Fry, Tiffin, and Timothy Adams, Tiffin; Kari Colman, the daughter of Kenneth and Julie Reinhart, Alvada; Ethan Craft, the son of Tod and Cathrine Craft, Sycamore; Alexandria Herman, the daughter of Kimberly Herman of Tiffin; Austin Price, the son of Keith and Linda Price, Tiffin; Kelly Racette, the daughter of Raymond and Debra Racette, Tiffin; Jordan Reinhart, the son of Donald and Sandra Reinhart, Bascom; Samantha Riedlinger, the daughter of Steven and Joann Riedlinger, Sycamore; and Michelle Seislove, the daughter of Ronald and Marilyn Seislove, Tiffin.
Mount Union grad
ALLIANCE - William Hassinger of Tiffin received a bachelor's degree in sport business from University of Mount Union. He is a Mohawk High School graduate.
'Berg dean's list
Local students on the Heidelberg University dean's list are Jessica Warren, Donald Hoover, Anna Brodman, Cullen Larsen, Megan Reinhart, Alison Sauber, Tunde Adedipe, Si Chen, Bryce Kuhn, Amanda Perry, David Stine, Jonathan Miller, Bracy McCool, Nicole LaPierre, Kiara Almendinger, Cristy Biller, Chelsea Carley, Sarah Mutchler, Emily Runion, Amanda Barger, Jennifer Covert, Brianna Gaietto, Logan Burd, Alexa Cleveland, Brittany Cook, Sebastian Williams, Derrick Arbogast, Julianne Kline, Clint Lease, Cy Boehler, Hannah Mathias, Tia Mistic, Manuel Bartsch, Josef Burkart, Nicholas Comer, Alexa Frank, Jessie Gase, Marrah Mitchell, Ronee Rice, Seth Newell, Nichol Brose and Daniel Chambers, Tiffin; Laura Gilchrist and Julia Kagy, Bloomville; Chelsea Cox, Risingsun; Marcus Hatter, Fostoria; Kayla Gerber, Sarah Baker and Aubrey Dorsey, Clyde; Nicholas Hay, Rebecca Miller, Brittany Phillips and Katlyn Nagel, Attica; Ashley Cramer, Kansas; Christopher Clinger and Amanda Conley, Upper Sandusky; Renee Lacy, Johanna Baun and Bessie Artino, Republic; Jaclyn Reinhart and Jodi Zirger, New Riegel; Jami Wagner, Alvada; Brittany May, Carey; and Ian Kuenzli, McCutchenville.
Cooley grad
LANSING, Mich. - Jacqueline Martin of Clyde graduated cum laude from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She is a graduate of Clyde High School and Tiffin University and is the daughter of Eileen Martin and Rudy Martin.
Akron dean's list
AKRON - Local students who were named to the dean's list at University of Akron are Joseph Diehm, Attica; Reuben Auck, Bloomville; Marguerite Conley and Alexandra Woods, Carey; Alex Ellenberger, Clyde; Jordan Duncan, Morgan Hoffman and Erica Holman, Fostoria; JoAnn Borer, New Riegel; Leah Miller and Chelsea Wolpert, Republic; and Jamison Brickner, Catherine Demith, Courtney Forsythe, Catherine Genet and Raina King, Tiffin.
Solid Waste District awards funds to county organizations
The Seneca County Soil & Water Conservation District has been awarded $6,908 through the district's Competitive Funding Grant program to purchase benches and interchangeable signs made of recycled plastic at Miller's Conservation Farm.
In addition, the district also presented $5,592 to the city of Tiffin Park and Recreation Department to purchase bleachers made of recycled aluminum for Hedges-Boyer Park.
A total of 13 entities in Ottawa, Sandusky and Seneca County received funding in the January funding round.
Hospice presents grief camp
Community Hospice Care of Tiffin and Hospice of Wyandot County are to present "Exploring Life's Changes" grief camp 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at Community Hospice Care, 181 E. Perry St., Tiffin.
The event features arts, crafts, team building and swimming for anyone ages 5-15 who has experienced significant loss.
The cost is $15 per child for the week, and tuition assistance is available. Registration is limited to the first 30 applicants.
To register, call (419) 447-4040 or (800) 834-8100.
Fostoria hospital offers diabetes education class
FOSTORIA - To help individuals successfully manage diabetes, the ProMedica Fostoria Community Hospital diabetes education department is offer a class 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Conference Center, on the hospital's lower level, entrance 2. A physician referral is required to participate in the class.
The class will be taught by a team which includes a certified diabetes educator, registered dietitian, physical therapist, pharmacist and social worker.
The course has a fee billable to insurance and registration is required. Financial aid is available.
For information, call (419) 436-6629 or visit www.promedica.org.
Free HIV testing available
The Erie County Health Department, through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health, is able to provide free HIV testing to the Tiffin area beginning 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. at the Seneca County General Health District, 71 S. Washington St., Tiffin.
The test site is open to anyone the second Tuesday of each month.
Testing can be done by blood draw or finger stick.
The Ora-Quick Advanced (20 minute) tests have become a popular option for many. A finger stick is required. No longer does a person need to wait a week or longer results. The 20-minute testing is currently free.
Hepatitis C testing also is provided, through the HIV test site, for persons who have a risk for the disease of Hepatitis C. Those risks are explained when a person is tested for HIV.
For more information, call (419) 626-5623, ext. 149 or (419) 447-3691.
Ag Credit names board members
FOSTORIA - Fostoria-based Ag Credit anounced the association's 2012 board leadership, which includes Jerry Layman, of Kenton, as chairperson and Keith Roberts, of Morral, as vice chairman.
The financial cooperative has more than 6,400 stockholders and $1.2 billion in assets.


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Literacy Day Celebration at UNESCO Beirut
UNESCO Beirut and the Lebanese National Committee for Literacy and Adult Education, Ministry of Social Affairs, celebrated today in Beirut the Literacy Day by paying tribute to distinguished teachers working in the filed of literacy and adult education.
This event comes as one of the many ways UNESCO seeks to promote the importance of Literacy and recognizing those who work hard to spread literacy and attract adult learners to the 172 community development centers that also provide adult education program, focusing on literacy and vocational training.
Teachers with outstanding records of achievement in the field of literacy, received merit awards and UNESCO presented a collection of UNESCO recent publications to each teacher.
Programme Specialist for Education for all and Literacy, Qutub Khan, in a brief statement highlighted the importance of the partnership with the ministry of social affairs to achieve the EFA goals and Lebanon has started to reap the fruits of these efforts and the future seems very promising. On behalf of Director UNESCO Beirut, Officer in Charge Bachir Lamine delivered the UNESCO Director General that stressed the importance of Literacy for sustainable development and health.
On their part the National committee for Literacy and adult education thanked UNESCO for its initiative and commitment towards helping Lebanon move forward in the EFA goals achievement.
<- Back to: UNESCO Office in Beirut


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Reflections: Super hero
This article is dedicated to Darlene Henderson, India Henderson and every mother who fights to be what her children need her to be.
They say, "It takes a village to raise a child." While I do agree, the question is what do you do when the village is so broken that it becomes more of a threat than an asset to the development of your child? While easy to say, the challenging answer is to become a superhero.
Not to imply you must do it alone. The fact is in today's world, with its extreme shift in cultural behaviors, customs and patterns, being an effective mother requires you to become a superhero.
You are a superhero when you sit up all night with a sick child and go to work the next morning having had no rest of your own. A superhero ignores the dangers around her and dives into any situation simply to guard her child. A superhero pushes beyond her own limits so the children she raises have a higher standard of living than she ever experienced. A superhero endures the emotional bruising given by a child whose behavior cuts your heart deeply, while you remain faithful to love and support him or her.
You are a superhero. You may never leap tall buildings, fly by your own power, see through walls or bend metal by your own strength. But it's your enduring love, will to empower, ability to nurture, peace-giving embrace, foresight, discipline portrayed and standard upheld that make you even greater than any superhero the human mind has ever created.
To be the Mother/Superhero you need to be in this day and age, you must understand every hero has a source of strength and power. Superman had his natural parents and home planet. Batman's source was his experience and love for justice.
I submit to you while you can't carry every burden alone, there is one who said come unto me, and I will give you rest. While you can't fix every problem, there is one that promised to work all things together for your good. While you have limits, there is one that said you can do all things through him because he will strengthen you.
While you may feel alone, there is one who said he will never leave you. When the weight of this undercelebrated calling to motherhood seems too great for even this heroine, know that Jesus Christ is the hero for you. His love, strength, compassion, wisdom, power, joy and peace will be all you need.
How do I become a superhero? Allow Christ to be my hero!
Reflections is a column by religious leaders in the region. Minister Patrick Lyons is a member of the ministerial staff at Christ Community Baptist Church in Erie.


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This time, Sochi got the Olympic rings right. And with a little self-deprecating humor, too.
A group of 700 dancers formed the five Olympic rings Sunday night during the closing ceremony at Fischt Stadium, but delayed forming the fifth ring in a humorous nod to a pyrotechnic snafu during the opening ceremony.
Dancers symbolizing small fish wore flowing, mirrored robes while forming different shapes on the arena floor, including a sea, the infinity symbol and eventually, the rings. Above them, a boat with a clown and a little girl passed in the air.
The crowd cheered when seeing the smaller, filled circle, then roared even more loudly when the dancers spread apart to form the fully-shaped ring.
Welcome to TED Radio Hour hosted by Guy Raz, Saturdays at 6pm and Sundays at 7pm


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HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The federal government has OK'd a Huntsville Housing Authority plan to build 80 new public housing units on Winchester Road and Research Park Boulevard.
During a Monday housing authority Board of Commissioners meeting, Executive Director Michael Lundy said he received a letter of approval from HUD officials on Nov. 26.
The letter clears the way for the authority to enter into a nearly $10 million deal with Work Force Housing two develop identical 40-unit public housing apartment complexes on Winchester Road across from Union Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, and on the west side of Research Park Boulevard between Alabama 53 and Blake Bottom Road.
"We expect to be in position to finalize the negotiations with the developer sometime this week," said Lundy.
The housing authority will use some of the $5 million it made selling the former Councill Courts public housing site to pay for the apartments. It will also seek tax credits from the Alabama Housing Finance Authority that can be resold to private investors for cash - a process that Lundy said could take up to four months.
The housing authority board voted in September to pay Work Force Housing $9.76 million, or $122,000 per unit, to design and build the apartments. Construction is expected to take 15-18 months.
The apartments were the focus of four heated community meetings where nearby residents raised concerns about rising crime rates, falling property values and many other issues.
Both the Winchester Road and Research Park Boulevard apartments will be reserved for public housing tenants enrolled in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. Participants are required to work or go to school with the goal of moving "up and out" of public housing within five years.


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Standard Treatments for MBC
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network is "an alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education." Their published NCCN Guidelines for Patients is a great source to read on the latest recommended treatments for Stage IV disease. It is 68 pages long, but you can do not need to read the whole thing in one sitting and some sections will not apply to you, based on your breast cancer subtype. Here is a link to the latest NCCN GUIDELINES for STAGE IV.
We are grateful for input from breast cancer advocate Musa Mayer and www.advancedBC.org for the rest of this section on treatment options.
Types of Standard Treatments:
- Cytotoxic chemotherapy - Cytotoxic (cell killing) chemotherapy drugs are poisons that disrupt cancer cell functions, usually while a cell is dividing.
- Hormonal treatments target breast cancers that grow in the presence of estrogen (and sometimes progesterone), and are used only for tumors that are ER+ and/or PR+
- Targeted therapies or biologics target specific genes that make proteins that stimulate cell growth (oncogenes) and may only work if the tumor overexpresses certain proteins.
- Other common medications include intravenous bisphosphonates for bone metastases and biological response modifiers that offer growth-factor support for patients undergoing chemotherapy.
To view a CHART OF DRUGS USED IN TREATMENT OF MBC click below:
You will note there are 3 helpful links in the chart which offer additional useful information:
1. Each brand name drug has its own website, sponsored by the Pharmaceutical company which explains the prescribing information and also usually has information on financial assistance programs offered by the company, if you qualify. The website is always in this format: brandname.com e.g. www.kadcyla.com or www.perjeta.com or www.arimidex.com
2. Rx List.com provides the full prescribing information (or package insert) required by the FDA which includes: drug description, indications, dosage, side effects and drug interactions, warnings and precautions, overdosage and contraindications, clinical pharmacology, medication guide. For most drugs there are also patient reviews from a link to webmd.com.
3. Chemocare.com is patient friendly and written less technically than Rx list. It also groups side effects by most common and less common.
Another useful site is the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Drugs Approved for Breast Cancer. Unique to this site is:
- the drug pronunciation applet for the scientific name. (Impress your oncologist!)
- history of FDA approval of the drug
- available clinical trials still investigating different uses of the drug
You will notice that some drugs used for breast cancer such as carboplatin, cisplatin, or navelbine are not on the list. The reason is that they were never specifically approved for breast cancer, but can be prescribed by your oncologist as "off-label use," which is not an uncommon practice with cancer drugs.
PLEASE NOTE on CHART of DRUGS USED IN TREATMENT OF MBC:
* It does not include supportive medications to treat symptoms of the cancer or side effects of treatment.
* Some drugs are approved for use in other cancers and other diseases.
* Doctors may use drugs to treat metastatic breast cancer even though they are not FDA approved for this particular use. If there is high-quality research supporting the treatment, insurance and Medicare will usually reimburse. This is known as "off-label" use. Many treatments for MBC are used off-label.
*New research is constantly being presented at conferences or published in peer-reviewed oncology journals looking at whether these and other drugs, used singly or in combination, will benefit mbc patients.


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Giving hope to people is the task of every superhero. And that's just what 7-year-old Dominick Devecchis did by his presence among the hundreds of people at Mansion Park on Friday. His favorite superhero, Batman, would be proud.
Like all superheroes, Devecchis has a battle to fight. In March, he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer that predominantly affects adolescents.
Devecchis is young to be diagnosed with the illness. He turned 7 on Friday, during the 20th Relay For Life of Central Blair. He joined 800 to 1,500 people doing laps around the park track, but he did it in a wheelchair.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Cancer survivor Dominick Devecchis, 7, who has a form of bone cancer, did about 50 laps during Relay For Life on Friday at Mansion Park.
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
The Rev. Denise Arpino (left), pastor of Simpson Temple United Methodist Church and a cancer survivor, gets a hug from Linda Lloyd of Altoona during the Survivors Lap of the Central Blair Relay For Life at Mansion Park Stadium on Friday.
"I went around 50 times," he said, resting under his team's tent.
He smiled widely when talking about video games, the qualities of Batman, Spider-Man and Superman, his upcoming trip to Disney World and his future goals.
His parents, Kimberly and Steve Devecchis, said Dominick is scheduled for reconstructive leg surgery on Wednesday at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dominick's surgeon, they said, is a survivor of the same type of cancer Dominick suffers. The surgeon will place an expandable metal implant in Dominick's affected leg. It will grow as he grows.
Steve said treatment for Osteosarcoma has drastically improved over the years.
"Today with chemo, it's very effective instead of radical surgery," Steve said.
Kimberly said after the surgery, Dominick will undergo 18 weeks of chemotherapy. He's already had 10 weeks of chemo treatment. A baseball cap protected his scalp from the sun on Friday. Kimberly said she anticipates Dominick will enter the first grade at Frankstown Elementary School after Christmas.
"He should be in remission by this time next year," she said.
Team Dominick was one of many teams at the Relay For Life that raised funds through the year to find a cure for cancer.
Relay For Life of Central Blair volunteer Chair Sue Boland said the fundraising goal by the end of today is $158,000.
Events at Relay For Life included a survivors' lap on Friday. About 400 survivors participated.
Eli Austin, 22, of the Swiss Rifle Club Relay team was raising money throughout the day. He drew inspiration from seeing Dominick and other survivors, he said.
"You can see the smiles, and you know where the money is going," he said. "Time on earth is precious, and every dollar can extend that."
Mirror Staff Writer Russ O'Reilly is at 946-7435.


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- Home
- Gluten-Free Recipes
- Gluten-Free Recipes: American & International Foods
- Gluten-Free Italian Recipes
- Chicken Saltimbocca (Gluten-Free)
Popular Articles
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- Is Buckwheat Flour Really Gluten-Free?
Chicken Saltimbocca (Gluten-Free)
- By Jefferson Adams
- Published 02/11/2011
- Gluten-Free Italian Recipes
- Rating:
Jefferson Adams
Jefferson Adams is a freelance writer living in San Francisco. His poems, essays and photographs have appeared in Antioch Review, Blue Mesa Review, CALIBAN, Hayden's Ferry Review, Huffington Post, the Mississippi Review, and Slate among others.
He is a member of both the National Writers Union, the International Federation of Journalists, and covers San Francisco Health News for Examiner.com.View all articles by Jefferson Adams
The finished chicken salitimboca. Photo: CC-@rga
The retirement of the family that owned Niccolino's, one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the charming northern California town of Cotati, inspired me to honor them with a variation on their traditional veal saltimbocca recipe.
The owner Nick does a piece of veal better than I ever could, so I opt for chicken in this version. I also like it's more substantial profile when it comes time to match up against the spinach and prosciutto.
This enticing dish is always a crowd-pleaser at my dinner table.
4 chicken cutlets, pounded evenly
1½ cups fresh spinach
4 slices prosciutto
1 cup chicken stock
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1½ teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary
1½ teaspoons pepper, divided
1½ teaspoons salt, divided
Juice from one lemon
4 toothpicks or kitchen twine
Rinse and pat dry spinach. Toss in a small bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil and ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Set aside.
Lay out flattened cutlets and season with remaining salt and pepper. Lay 1 slice of prosciutto over each piece of chicken and arrange several spinach leaves on top. Sprinkle with rosemary and Parmesan cheese.
Beginning at the shorter end, carefully roll up cutlets, keeping stuffing tucked inside. Depending of the shape the cutlets took while pounding, secure with either a toothpick or tie together with string.
Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken and cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Add stock and lemon juice and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 4-5 minutes longer, until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken and set aside to rest. Remove toothpicks or string before serving. Increase heat and stir sauce until it reduces to about 2/3 cup, about 5 more minutes. Drizzle sauce over chicken or serve alongside.
Celiac.com welcomes your comments below (registration is NOT required).
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3 Responses:
Joanne VanBeusichemRating: ( Author)
said this on
21 Feb 2011 12:23:11 PM PDT
enjoy the recipe
(Comment Replies Disabled)
Pamela WolfRating: ( Author)
said this on
21 Feb 2011 3:57:02 PM PDT
Hello Jefferson,
I didn't see where you put the rosemary in this recipe?
(Comment Replies Disabled)
JeffersonRating: ( Author)
said this on
11 Mar 2011 1:05:35 PM PDT
Sorry about the slip! The rosemary should be sprinkled in with the with Parmesan cheese after the prosciutto and spinach leaves are arranged. Cheers!
(Comment Replies Disabled)


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How does a manufacturer initiate and then proceed with the certification process?
Contact the current HECC Validator. You can find their coordinates on the Certification Committee page.
I have an interest in reducing the risk of injury in hockey competition. How do I go about becoming a member of HECC?
Visit the page Joining HECC and follow the directions.
I am interested in reducing the risk of injury in ice hockey and would like to become actively involved with HECC.
Contact the HECC President through the Executive Committee list and send him some information on your hockey background and an indication of how you might help the HECC organization.
How can I tell if a hockey helmet or face protector is certified?
Any reputable retailer of sports equipment will sell HECC certified helmets and face protectors. Look for the HECC label on the back of the helmet and/or on the face protector. Also, the literature with the packaging will indicate if a product is HECC certified. Examples of the HECC stickers can be found on the home page of this site. Please also check the expiration date on the sticker.
Will HECC eventually adopt a standard for other pieces of ice hockey equipment in addition to helmets?
HECC does not write standards, it merely adopts standards already developed by recognized standard writing organizations such as ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) and CSA (Canadian Standards Association).
What leagues require the HECC certification for player and goaltender helmets?
Any player playing in a USA Hockey sanctioned event or league up to the age of 21 (Mites through Juniors) or any player playing in a high school event played under the Federation of High School playing rules must wear a HECC certified helmet and a HECC certified facemask, or a HECC certified goaltender helmet and facemask while participating in that event or league. Players participating in a NCAA sanctioned event must wear a HECC certified facemask with a hockey helmet or a HECC certified goaltender helmet and facemask. Players participating in other leagues should review the rule book for their particular league to determine whether HECC certified helmets are required.
Where can I find out if my helmet is HECC certified?
The HECC web site (www.HECC.net) contains a section entitled "Current Listings of Certified Products" where all currently HECC certified products are provided. If the helmet does not appear in this section it is not currently HECC certified and cannot be used in sanctioned event or league requiring HECC certified equipment.
I have heard lately that some manufacturers have been placing HECC certification stickers on non-certified helmets. Where can I check to make sure that my helmet is HECC certified?
That has occurred and HECC has taken legal action to correct that occurrence. The HECC web site (www.HECC.net) contains a section entitled "Current Listings of Certified Products" where all currently HECC certified products are provided. If the helmet does not appear in this section it is not currently HECC certified and cannot be used in a sanctioned event or league requiring HECC certified equipment. If you think that the HECC certification sticker on your helmet is counterfeit you should immediately contact HECC through its web site.
When does the HECC certification expire for my player helmet?
The HECC certification sticker affixed to your player helmet provides the date that the HECC certification will end. HECC certification for player helmets has been changed and is now 6-1/2 years. The helmet should be replaced with another HECC certified helmet after the expiration date on the HECC sticker has passed. Damaged helmets should be replaced immediately.
My goaltender helmet is affixed with a HECC certification sticker, but it does not say when the certification will expire.
All goaltender helmets now have a certification date. If your goaltender helmet certification sticker has no expiration date, it has expired.
Does HECC certify sticks, neck laceration protectors, hanging neck guards for goaltenders, shin guards, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, or skates?
At this time HECC does not certify any other hockey equipment other than helmets, facemasks (including visors), and goaltender helmets and facemasks.
What does ASTM F1587-99 on the HECC certification sticker affixed to my goaltender helmet mean?
ASMT F1587-99 is the goaltender helmet standard that HECC's independent validator uses to certify goaltender helmets. 99 indicates the year 1999 that the standard was last revised or reviewed.
What does ASTM F1045-07 on the HECC certification sticker affixed to my player helmet mean?
ASMT F1045-07 is the hockey helmet standard that HECC's independent validator uses to certify player helmets. 07 indicates the year 2007 that the standard was last revised or reviewed.


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By storing your HSU-related files in your Network Folder, you will be able to reach these files from home, office, and computer labs.
Your HSU web page files are stored in the "public_html" folder within your Network Folder. You can also view these files at your website address, http://users.humboldt.edu/HSUUserName.
Faculty can store files they want to share with their students (or other faculty) in the Faculty Shared Folder. Students can access these files from anywhere with an Internet connection. Learn how to use the Faculty Shared Folder.


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Dear PA commenters: let's talk about bias
0. phoneArena 27 Nov 2012, 19:59 posted on
We here at PhoneArena can have something of a thankless job, but it is a job that we love, and one that we attempt to do as well as we can. We try our best to present you all with news, reviews, and analysis in an honest, thought-provoking, and (if possible) entertaining way. But, it seems about time we directly address our comment community, because many of you seem to have a skewed idea of the word "bias"...
This is a discussion for a news. To read the whole news, click here
1. JGuinan007 (Posts: 684; Member since: 19 May 2011)
Thank you I get tired of seeing IphoneArena and such in the comments
3. Mxyzptlk (Posts: 12979; Member since: 21 Apr 2012)
You're not helping by taking potshots. If anything, you're doing the complete opposite of what Michael is trying to suggest.
13. CellularNinja (Posts: 306; Member since: 27 Sep 2011)
But what he said is true. Android users (such as myself), and Windows users who call the site iPhoneArena because a PhoneArena reviewer said that they believe the iPhone has an advantage over another device is ridiculous. I personally believe that most (if not all) android flagships have an advantage over iPhone. But I understand that others have differing opinions. There is no reason for using that term to name the site.
87. JeffdaBeat (unregistered)
But here's the thing...there is a difference between a review and an actual story. A reviewer is paid to give their opinion. That's all. As long as the reviewer makes a point and supports why they feel that way, then the reviewer has done their job and it's up to you to figure out if those "highlights" are important to you or not. I always say, just because I'd rather have my iPhone over an Android, doesn't make the Android smartphone a bad device. It just doesn't work for me. But I don't bash anyone that reviews a Nexus above the iPhone. That Android works for them.
And I cannot stress this enough, people make the news what it is. People annoy me when they say "All you see on the news are negative stories." You know why? Because whether your reaction to that negative story is good or bad, you are more willing to watch a negative story because it's more interesting. The same goes here. Whether you love Apple or absolutely hate them, you react to their stories. You post love or hate about Apple but completely neglect stories about Android, Windows Phone 8, or what's left of Blackberry. In fact, I can tell an Apple story without looking at the headline because they consistently have upward of 20 comments. Most of the time, some stories on other OS' get some comment about Apple in discussions. So if stories on Apple are getting all the hits and other stories are getting neglected, you are sending a message. You are more interested in news on Apple than any other company.
Since I started reading this site 5 years ago, I've never thought PhoneArena was bias towards any company. The site does a great job at diversifying their staff writers who have actually done some great reporting that you don't always find on tech sites. Hell, some newspapers don't do features like it anymore (anyone remember the Science section?).
But accusations of bias are easy nowadays right? We are seeing it in politics constantly. This news channel criticizes me so they are bias. This paper doesn't agree with EVERYTHING I think so they are bias. Just because you don't agree with something reported on doesn't make it bias.
103. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)
Hmmm. If I were reviewing iOS v. 6 and stated that iMaps was a perfidious lash-up, that would be asserting an opinion (that I could be accused of being biased in asserting, especially given my member name), right? But if I gave examples of how iMaps steered me wrong, that would be objective?
I am not trying to make an issue, just pointing out that the line separating bias from objective is oftentimes, quite fine (and on numerous occasions, painted in shades of grey).
My net contribution to this thread is that writing articles is not as easy as reading them and making accusations of bias is even easier still. Kudos to PA's writers for even attempting to respond to commenters.
161. JeffdaBeat (unregistered)
Remember that when you review something, it is your opinion. When you are writing a story, you remove yourself as the subject and interview other people. Now if YOU had a bad experience with Apple Maps and write about it, a newspaper would consider that an editorial or column. But if you are reporting many people having issues with Apple Maps because it can't find locations, that is reporting, not reviewing.
The only gray line that exists is if the ONLY thing you decide to report on are issues with Apple. Then you have bias reporting.
116. JBurd3 (Posts: 11; Member since: 07 Mar 2012)
i agree with you bro
15. metalpoet (unregistered)
Im sick of people thinking that Phonearena has some sort of biased towards apple or against apple and the same can go for google, windows, and blackberry. They simply put in the articles and they shouldnt be blamed if we dont like the facts, we can however comment on how certain people on the comment boards can be quite biased and down right ridiculous! You guys are doing a great job keeping me informed of whats going on in the wireless world :)
83. JGuinan007 (Posts: 684; Member since: 19 May 2011)
I'm not taking potshots at anyone I'm just tired of reading stupid comments from android fanatics saying PA is biased for Iphone calling PA "Iphonearena" or IOS fans such as yourself Taco or the Miz saying the opposite. Most of the time the comments don't even have anything to do with the article. It's tireing trying to sift out the good thought out and reasonable ones and I thank Mikey H for addressing this.
162. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)
I don't think PhoneArena itself is biased, just that some of the reviewers seem to favor one particular company or OS over others, to the point that it is detrimental to the written (or spoken in videos) perception of any of that company's competitors' devices. There are only 2 or 3 off the top of my head that do this, and recently I was pleasantly surprised to see one of them give a positive review of a competitor's product that, when I saw their name on the review, I thought that competitor's product would surely be derided throughout the entire review.
That said, there are too many commentors on this site who are willing to drop the "bias!" bomb any time something they like isn't adored (or disliked) in equal measure to their own perceptions and beliefs. They do not realize that no system is perfect, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and perceptions, and sometimes the few hours or days the authors on this site have to test a phone are insufficient to really "get to know" a device, especially if it has a steeper learning curve but more raw capabilities because of it. Granted, IMHO I don't think any modern system needs a curve like that for generalized consumer products, and that preference is shown in what I choose to buy, and to that end it is difficult to expect the reviewers to be held to that higher standard: if they can't figure it out or make it perform to expectations (if expectations are different than reality, which they usually are) being paid professionals, how and why would a regular consumer be expected to?
With all that in mind, I have to offer kudos to Michael H for his articles. I cannot recall any in recent memory that had a hint of any strong biases. Dissatisfactions, absolutely, but not to the point that it overrode his professionalism. Furthermore, as long as the writers on this site don't start acting and writing (and videoing) like giz's apple-gobbling Biddle, I think I'd be more than satisfied with that.
64. cncrim (Posts: 823; Member since: 15 Aug 2011)
Bias exist and will be happen very second in our life. For Example: you are open up your cloth draw and decide what color to wear you are BIAS. if you choose red, then you are bias to the color red and tomorrow you choose blue you are bias to blue. THAT'S WHAT BIAS mean and how the world work as whole, period.
If you like Google you are bias Android, if you like Apple you are bias IOS. It is what it is. Bias more like a personal preference.
97. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
That's exactly the opposite of my point. My point is that the word "bias" exists for a reason, because it is NOT the same as an opinion or preference. Bias is defined by being an unfair preference. There is nothing unfair about preferring red over green on Mondays.
151. sadaivadai (Posts: 156; Member since: 22 Nov 2011)
In this article read the first paragraph in "Design" segment . Sometimes that's what i don't like . While reviewing and comparing sometimes you should forget your favourites .
Otherwise i don't find any of you to be biased and all .
154. CellularNinja (Posts: 306; Member since: 27 Sep 2011)
I agree and disagree. You make a great point. But there are some cases where one can be bias by simply preferring something by default.
Example: a bunch of friends want to hang out, they are deciding if they should go ice skating or bowling, well the one kid is a hockey player so he says "well I'd rather go ice skating... But of course I'm bias".
There was nothing unfair about that, but he is still bias. But we obviously know why he was bias though. Bias doesn't have to mean unfair
163. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
Maybe not in normal life, but in the world of journalism, bias inherently means unfair.
206. CellularNinja (Posts: 306; Member since: 27 Sep 2011)
True. Good point. I kind of took it out of context I guess.
208. CellularNinja (Posts: 306; Member since: 27 Sep 2011)
I mean the whole 'argument' of Android versus iPhone eventually boils down to preference. No matter how much faster one's processor is than the others, or how big the screen is. So to say that having a preference is bias, than any review you would ever read would have bias.
118. Retro-touch (Posts: 273; Member since: 24 Oct 2011)
Big deal if some people think your bias, ever considered why do those same people keep coming back, clearly you're doing something right
156. jroc74 (Posts: 6005; Member since: 30 Dec 2010)
I think there are some writer(s) here that are biased, Michael isnt one of them. A quick search of his articles will tell you that. And I agree with someone, its changing a lil with other writers.
I like Google/Android, dont like Apple, like Microsoft, dont really have an opinion about BB. I do try top give Apple, MS and BB props ....where its due. I feel alot of times Apple and their products get put on an amazingly high pedestal.
I can have a bias towards Google/Android. I just dont try to come off fanboyish. Alot of times, like most things in life...."its now what you say but how you say it"
160. cripton805 (Posts: 1440; Member since: 18 Mar 2012)
This article has proved nothing. Now, what Ive read here in the past is enough for me to decide whether phonearena is bias or not.
I have seen Android devices get flamed for certain things that the iPhone doesn't have, and it's never mentioned.
It's like they purposely try to focus on the positives instead of the negatives and the negatives are covered up by saying there will be an update or we like it that way, etc...
Read the HTC one X review and the iPhone 4s.
Usually they're more sneaky, but that article was a complete troll.
202. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
Just read the entire HTC One X review and saw absolutely nothing trollish about it. Can you point out some examples of what you're talking about?
194. REYNER (Posts: 187; Member since: 10 Feb 2012)
in terms of reviewing gadgets i have to say phonearena makes a thorough review and unbiased opinion writer have qualities of keeping out of the safe zone when reviewing phone or tabs. which is good BUT there are instances that makes the site looks bias because most of the news involving apple products are so often to the point that even for example an big announcement related to android,BB,WP and so on are out shined by those articles even the small details related to apple never lost out of sight in a sense that MOST of the time exposure of apple products a more frequent compare to other os or products.. i notice it because i also consider other sites when looking for some news related to gadgets i have nothing against phonearena or even the writers but sometimes small news related to other os like android,bb,wp are as important as in iOs news.. accessory products of devices such as sony,moto,samsung and others are as important as apple enabled products. thats all. im sorry for my english.. have a good day everyone
2. fistigons (Posts: 330; Member since: 11 Feb 2012)
You guys are doing a great job reporting the phone news. Don't change. And keep up the giveaways.
4. CellularNinja (Posts: 306; Member since: 27 Sep 2011)
Thank you, PA. Much needed article. Many commenters seem to call out bias because a reviewer has an opinion. That is what reviews and other similar articles are for. So that we can get a feel for what one person (sometimes an expert) has to say about a particular product.
5. AstronautJones (Posts: 303; Member since: 01 Aug 2012)
Typical biased PA reporting, lol.
Actually, if people have a problem with the articles, then why do they return?
PA is the best source for a range of mobile news and information..
My opinion at least.
11. ajac09 (Posts: 1481; Member since: 30 Sep 2009)
alot of us come back becasue its fun to watch the flame wars
14. CellularNinja (Posts: 306; Member since: 27 Sep 2011)
Haha agreed :)
I mean, I come for the news and information, but I do enjoy a good comment battle occasionally!
19. ajac09 (Posts: 1481; Member since: 30 Sep 2009)
hey on the plus side they are NOT as bad as BGR..
74. networkdood (Posts: 6330; Member since: 31 Mar 2010)
P.A. has the best format, IMO, however, it is normally behind the times when it comes to news.
112. akbar (Posts: 62; Member since: 09 Feb 2012)
Totally disagree. PA has their good sides but their format is RSS spam! The amount of useful information is totally lost in background noise. Th best reviews I have ever read are from anandtech and phone-review. They give you background of the product, intended target audience and their opinion. Generally not only review of the device but deeper analysis. Most of the PA reviews are opinionated readings of the spec sheet.
And if you end all of your articles with "what do you think" why are surprised of the flame wars. As users before said, everybody has their bias and to be objectionable is not easy that's why experts are paid so high. you can not expect this from the general public, especially when your reading base mostly teenagers.
133. quakan (Posts: 1373; Member since: 02 Mar 2011)
True. I usually don't see too many stories on here that have been presented first before Engadget, BGR, etc., but what initially brought me here is that this site was and still is the best hub for phone news, reviews, and all other things related to phones and tablets. When I first started visiting this site, I used it to help me decide what my next phone would be (this was back in the feature phone days when LG was the reigning king at Verizon) because I loved the in depth reviews and comparisons that I could find on this site that no other site did at the time (to my knowledge) in a pleasant, easy-on-the-eyes presentation. I loved how well-written the articles were and how engaging the writers were to us readers/commenters and this what has kept me here all this time. I also love that PhoneArena has a much better control on its trolls than it used to in the past (sometimes they were funny, but most of the time they were irritating and filled up the comment sections with nonsense and made it impossible to find a real comment worth reading).
181. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)
News at-a-glance (no need to scroll multiple pages), small community, and good articles that tend to be same-day as major sites (sometimes before). If you see something on another site that you think PA should repost, do what I do, fill out a tip at the top of the page.
6. syedzain (Posts: 175; Member since: 08 Oct 2012)
U guys are doing great .. carry on for what u are doing.. U arent biased.. u are the BEST in reviews.
7. wendygarett (unregistered)
Another nice articles you have Michael :)
There are no bias articles so far... It just a bias fanboyism, who never stand at the middle side just like me :)
50. wendygarett (unregistered)
Oh and Michael, can you refer the article "101 reasons not to get Windows phone" made by Victor...
This is actually an informative articles, but take a look at the comments... Hundreds of hatred comments made by those haters whose not even tried the Windows phone... Most of the readers here want you to pick android and android ONLY!!! They keep emphasize the word "choice" and yet they will never give us the choice for choose beyond android...
I listen to them, and I try android, and it does awesome... I want them to tried iDevice too because it's not as bad as they think... And yet they think I'm trolling...
They take one side too serious!!! It's not your fault pa...
65. nwright94 (unregistered)
This exact thing is what is pushing me toward other websites. I enjoy reading comments to see a diverse range of opinions, but on this website in particular, you can't have an opinion unless its loving android because the countless android fans (yes, they are not all like this) will insult your intelligence and tell you your opinion is wrong. It's ridiculous. I happen to enjoy iOS but if I make that fact known, I get android fans coming out of the woodworks to insult me, tell me I'm wrong, and give NO reason why they think I'm wrong other than "IPhail sucks, android is the best". The website itself is great, the comment section is getting worse and worse.
182. -box- (Posts: 3991; Member since: 04 Jan 2012)
In fairness, not too long ago this was a haven for apple fans, now it is one for Android fans with some who like Windows Phone. The crowd changes as the popular devices change. There was a guy (allegedly from Sweden) who was a huge bada fan. To each their own.
As for the "101 Reasons" article, that was a repost from another site, and even that site's commentariat railed on it for gross inaccuracies and trivialities
177. cripton805 (Posts: 1440; Member since: 18 Mar 2012)
One of the dumbest posts I have ever read.
You assume we haven't used different devices? Have you?
At this moment in time, Android devices are superior. If you like something else better, thats ok!
But to say an iPhone is better because it uses aluminum over a good plastic is stupid.
The way most websites review phones is stupid. There are more important features that should be worth more points than user preference.
8. tedkord (Posts: 11646; Member since: 17 Jun 2009)
What a biased article. ;)
9. Lboogey6 (Posts: 281; Member since: 31 Jan 2012)
yeah its great to see that you finally were fed up and decided to go at it head on people that just thumbs down or say a negative comment without having a spine to explain or see both ways realizing the world doesn't revolve around the cell phone world
10. darktranquillity (Posts: 284; Member since: 28 Feb 2012)
Nice article pa
12. beasteator (Posts: 7; Member since: 25 Oct 2012)
I think there are way too many aruments on here after every article (that's an opinion). I love PA and they are the best site for all the latest news (also an opinion). Thank You Phone Arena! :D
16. ajac09 (Posts: 1481; Member since: 30 Sep 2009)
You guys are considered Biased because
1. You will gladly put 5 apple articles up same subject same-thing 5 different ways
2. you promote apple like its god among everything
3. you think the iphone is innovative when its doing what every other phone before it has done.
4.you think Steve Jobs is a god when he was a physiological bitch
things phonearena needs to do to fix this:
1. hire someone that loves technology no matter the situation not just a fair weather fan. You guys treat cell phones like a woman that doesn't know about football.
2. show that you actually enjoy other devices.
do this basic stuff and you will loose the iphonearena label till then just change your name to Iphonearena and enjoy all your IOS fans,
22. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
1. We may put up similar articles, but at the end of the day, we are a business, and those articles generate a lot of hits.
2-4) Please give examples, because I certainly don't remember reading any theism towards Apple or Jobs.
I'd say we tend to respect Apple, because it has been a successful company, but that hasn't stopped us from being critical when necessary.
55. fragmentedboy (Posts: 3; Member since: 27 Nov 2012)
1. We (android user) click on the iphone news because we knew that it would be biased, and we want to normalize it.
60. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
Aha, but isn't expecting bias going to make you specifically look for things to prove that, and possibly ignore anything that shows fairness?
70. ojdidit84 (Posts: 458; Member since: 16 Jul 2011)
I'll admit that for the most part, articles on PA are pretty objective. The only articles that I hardly bother to read or just pass up are articles written by Ray S. who definitely has a slant toward anything Apple in the majority of articles that he writes even if the topic has nothing to do with Apple. It's one thing to be objective and critical. It's another to be blatantly biased and uneducated about the products that you write about and clearly spend all of your time with one device and barely any with another. It definitely shows.
Other than that, I pretty much enjoy reading the articles here.
The comments are the icing on the cake especially when they get into the whole isheep, fandroid and other fanboy grade-school name-calling. That's when my eyes glaze over.
95. MartyK (Posts: 816; Member since: 11 Apr 2012)
You are forgetting Alan F.; he's the most Ifan since mac9to5; heck he's worst then that fraud Florian Mueller.
92. MartyK (Posts: 816; Member since: 11 Apr 2012)
I have to agree with ajac09, post a link to any article ( 2 or 3 would be nice) that bash the Iphone like PA has done to many other os.( Please leave out the imap problem)
Every time you guys compare the iphone vs anyone, you guys always give the iphone a win.
There was a time you guys criticize /claiming 4+ screen size was too big. now since the Iphone has reach that size it's okay
102. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
I just looked at the last 4 articles that had an Apple product vs something else, and Apple was only the clear winner once, and that was because it was up against Windows Phone. In each of the others, it was made clear that if you are looking for X, go with Apple, if you're looking for Y, go with the other one.
Off the top of my head, I remember being vocally disappointed in the iPhone 4S, the myriad Siri outages, antennagate, and the overall stagnation of iOS UI design. I don't have time to grab the links this minute, but I'll get back to you.
107. Droid_X_Doug (Posts: 5993; Member since: 22 Dec 2010)
"Every time you guys compare the iphone vs anyone, you guys always give the iphone a win."
Yet the GS III was scored a 9.3 to the iP5's 9.0. Maybe PA was being biased toward the GS III?
But I thought PA was just accused of being iPA? (Confused, dunno.)
164. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
Like I've said, if you go looking for Apple bias, you'll probably find it, but you may have to ignore quite a bit on the way.
33. XPERIA-KNIGHT (unregistered)
"things phonearena needs to do to fix this:
1. hire someone that loves technology no matter the situation not just a fair weather fan. You guys treat cell phones like a woman that doesn't know about football."'
while some of the things you said may be true............you dont need to get rid of anyone here......because whether you like it or not, they are here for a reason! and instead of "giving up" on someone .........look for the best in them and hope they change.......if not, then leave it up to God to work on that person.......but disposing of someone should be THE LAST OPTION, never the first!
68. nwright94 (unregistered)
So what you're saying pretty much is lose any apple and windows phone article and make it android only. You know, androidcentral.com is a great website if you don't like seeing other platforms mentioned.
72. XPERIA-KNIGHT (unregistered)
were you responding to me or another post bro?
78. nwright94 (unregistered)
Nope, original poster. Nothing meant toward you :)
100. XPERIA-KNIGHT (unregistered)
.... :)
73. techguy22 (Posts: 227; Member since: 09 Aug 2012)
you do know they paid everytime you click on an article, more clicking=more money.people love apple crap, they have to post as many they can so they can get few bucks. engadget the verge and others do it too. thats how tech blogs survive. on ads, traffic.
122. JBurd3 (Posts: 11; Member since: 07 Mar 2012)
You make some good points. And I mean at the day, there are A LOT of ppl that feel like PA is biased towards everything apple. Whether they get offended or not, they should at least take into consideration of exactly why a lot of people feel like that. There is a reason. Most (not all) of the people that DONT feel like PA is biased are iphone fans so of course they dont see it. Me personally, I'm a fan of both major OS because they both exploit the other system's weakness. Im on iOS now but I'm looking to move back to andriod but its just because thats my preference. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion. Just someone doesnt share your views or opinions doesnt makes theirs wrong.
As far as all the comments/flame wars. Most of the time they are entertaining and funny. But yes, at times it is annoying. However, they are just that! COMMENTS! If your going to go and get all bent out of shape over someones comments or let it ruin your day, then your definitely a sad being and you need Dr Phil. If you dont like the comments or flame wars and so on then simply DONT READ THE COMMENTS. All the information you wanted to know about when you clicked on the link is contained in the article anyway. Simple fix
With that being said, I cant lie, I do have a hard time visiting this site without seeing some article about some random apple statistic that came from God knows where or something revolving Steve Jobs (RIP) as if he's still making business decisions. And PA wonders where it all sparks from...
just my two cents tho
17. someones4 (Posts: 625; Member since: 16 Sep 2012)
somehow i knew Michael is the author of this article


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What drew you to this concept for your web series with Melinda Hill All Growz Up?
With web content, we're always looking for original projects that have unique elements; the alley location, for example, was something we knew would set this apart. As a company, our mantra is that we want to make smart, funny content with its heart in the right place. AGU ticked all those boxes for us, so it was easy to say yes. Meetinghouse prides itself on being really good at finding amazing female comic talent.
Melinda's a great actress, as she displays on our other series with her, Romantic Encounters. She's an original comic and an entrepreneurial thinker who knows how to work with a company like ours; so when she pitched AGU to me, it was an immediate "yes" for us…but a lot of that is because we'd done a bunch of other things well before.
That's something I think aspiring content creators should take to heart: this is a business of relationships and momentum…it's about having your ducks in a row so that good ideas can take flight. If it happens over night, it's probably going to be really fucked up!
Can you tell me a little about Meetinghouse, how you got involved and how you started producing web series?
Meetinghouse is an NYC-based production company that is primarily involved in creating and producing TV series. We also develop our own formats for the international TV market and create content for our web presence, Chuckler.com. We also we license and broker user-generated clips to other production companies, networks, and TV shows.
One aspect of our business is comedy and comedians, so we're always looking for what I call "next-generation" comics; these are people who aren't just funny stand-ups, although they are that, as well, they are people who also have ideas for content, who actually make stuff and who can work with our existing production infrastructure to create opportunities for themselves and for the company.
When our comics have an idea for a web series that is a fit; something affordable, repeatable, and original, we like to be able to say yes and rapidly provide the production resources to make cool stuff.
Can you tell me a little about your site, Chuckler?
Chuckler is a new business that Meetinghouse started about a year ago as the place for all our original web content. We find comics for the shows we produce on TV; those comics have ideas (or we have ideas for them) and we produce funny, original web content like All Growz Up. We also have a series called 'Director's Commentary' which features hilarious fake DVD commentary tracks for actual movies that don't really need them.
We also stage monthly live Chuckler nights at comedy clubs, where those comics perform. We tape the whole thing and that becomes content for the Chuckler YouTube channel. It's like an Escher-loop of comedy!
The business arrangement with the talent is case-by-case and something I find so interesting that I better not get started here or you'll never hear the end of it. Suffice it to say, we believe we have a business model that really works for everyone involved and protects the interests of the comics and the company. We want to be a home for comic talent to do the things they want to do that are a fit for our mission as a production company.
Are your web series projects passion projects or are they becoming a viable part of the Entertainment business?
Totally a viable part of the business. This is how we knit comics closer to the company. We end up hiring them to be producers, oftentimes on other projects of ours. The web series also become proof of concept for things we think are funny that have gone on to become actual TV series. We're in development right now with a few networks and international distributors, actually, on TV series concepts that started as Chuckler web series. And that's just the first year of Chuckler being up and running. So I definitely think its as much a part of our future as the traditional TV business is.
As a producer, where do you see media consumption and therefore the focus of production headed?
Where ISN'T it headed? I really feel lucky to be in the thick of this fascinating time in the media business. The opportunities for content creators to have a direct relationship with audiences is amazing. But at the same time, we still really need and benefit from the traditional models and roles that the networks play.
I think the things I am most excited about are the situations where Meetinghouse is able to really be a partner– be it with talent like Melinda, or a network, or a fellow production company — anytime we can get like-minded people coming together to work on things that are a fit for all the participants and, crucially, the audiences…to me represents the future. This is a collaborative business with a vision at the top.
I don't know where the media business is heading but I think companies like ours that walk and talk that philosophy will have a seat at the table.
Isn't Melinda Hill adorable?
I encourage everyone to go see Melinda's stand up act if you haven't seen it. I love watching new audiences who haven't seen her before sit there in the first few minutes as they try and figure out "is she for real? Is this an act?" It's very easy to make a bunch of assumptions about her, based on her looks and the presentation… and that's what her act kind of plays on, and then brilliantly toys with.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
As a reading-and-TV-obsessed only-child growing up with a single Mom in the 1970's and 1980's: something involving David Letterman, video arcades, MTV, Pink Floyd, and Lord Of The Rings. So that's kind of exactly where I ended up!
If you enjoyed this, check out my article on the other series Hill and Cilo collaborated on, the scripted rom com, Romantic Encounters.


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Breakthrough to enable handheld fuel cells soon!
A new membrane has been released which will enable the manufacture of fuel cells which deliver all-day power to portable electronic devices. PolyFuel has released a breakthrough membrane specifically designed for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell (DMFC) applications.
The new DMFC membrane is claimed to deliver substantial performance and system cost advantages over both traditional lithium ion batteries and existing fuel cell membrane technology.
The membrane enables fuel cells which are more efficient, able to run longer, smaller, lighter, quieter and less expensive
PolyFuel is currently supplying its DMFC membrane samples to the world's leading consumer electronics manufacturers and other developers of DMFC systems.
"Leading consumer electronics manufacturers have acknowledged that limited battery runtimes today restrict the functionality that can be built into portable devices such as laptop computers, tablet PCs, PDAs and mobile phones," said Jim Balcom, President and Chief Executive Officer of PolyFuel.
"This problem will only get worse as wireless and other capabilities are added to these devices. The next wave of portable device functionality cannot be realised without first solving the portable power crisis. The PolyFuel DMFC membrane will enable the development of portable fuel cell power systems that deliver all-day power."
Today, more than 35 companies, including many of the world's leading consumer electronics manufacturers, have launched DMFC development programs. Several of these organisations have plans to deliver commercially available fuel cell systems in the next one to three years.
Until recently, these DMFC programs have been hampered by the lack of a suitable membrane technology for the methanol fuel cell environment - the only membrane previously available to DMFC developers and consumer electronics manufacturers was a membrane developed more than four decades ago for use in hydrogen fuel cells.
DMFC developers and most consumer electronics manufacturers agree that direct methanol fuel cells are the only solution for smaller form factor devices such as laptop computers, tablet PCs, PDAs and mobile phones and have acknowledged the need for a high-performance fuel cell membrane designed specifically for direct methanol fuel cells.
The PolyFuel DMFC membrane is claimed to have a number of advantages over existing membranes: higher performance, higher fuel efficiency, lower methanol and water crossover and stability at high levels of methanol concentration.


text:
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text:
Mike Wickham |
This article is about freshwater bullies — but it is not about the kind of bullies that have no business in your community aquarium. For example, we won't be talking about piranhas (Serrasalmus spp.) because we know they eat other fish — every kind of other fish — and we won't be talking about bucktooth tetras (Exodon paradoxus) because we know they eat the scales of other fish. To expect such fish to behave in a community is unreasonable.
What it needs is company. Tiger barbs like to shoal. They chase each other around all day long, taking little nips to set up a pecking order. No damage is done because the aggression is spread evenly through the group. All are "happy"; but there is a critical mass to the size of the shoal. Keep too few tiger barbs, and they may start chasing and nipping other fish in the tank.
The hobbyists who have problems with nippy tiger barbs usually have only one or two of them. You can see their eyes go wide when I tell them that the solution to their tiger barb aggression problem is simply to add more tiger barbs. It seems to fly in the face of reason, but you really need to keep at least six tiger barbs to make them behave. Groups of 20 to 50 are even better-behaved and are prettier, too.
Another fish that sometimes gets a bad rap is the red-tailed shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor). Some references — especially some of the ones copied endlessly on the Internet — even say that this fish is not a community fish. I wholeheartedly disagree! The red-tailed shark is another of my favorite fish, and I've kept it many times without problems. Its strong color and unusual shape make it a standout in a community. It's a good scavenger, too.
I have to say, though, that I've never found this to be a problem. I currently have a nearly 4-inch specimen in a 70-gallon aquarium that doesn't seem to be the least bit bothered by any of the other fish that come into its territory, though it clearly claims one side of the aquarium. Its tankmates include harlequin rasboras, rummynose tetras, kuhlii loaches and a few others. Of course, none of those fish share the same shape and color as the shark, so they aren't perceived as a threat.
The betta, or Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), has a name that says it can be mean, but this fish can mix very well into a community. There are just a few rules. First, keep no more than one betta per tank — males do fight viciously. Females pick on each other, too, though not so harshly. Also, males may kill females that are unwilling to breed.
They dig a nest in a corner of the tank, or under a rock or piece of driftwood, and guard it well. The convict pair drives off any fish that comes too close. Other cichlids will be seen as special targets and treated most harshly.
It tends to become a problem when there is more than one gourami in the aquarium. They see each other as competitors for the same territories, competitors for mates or as prospective mates. Battles can ensue. Really, the behavior is similar to that of their relative, the betta. In large aquariums, it's less of a problem because there is more room for fish to run and hide. However, the blue gourami grows to 6 inches, so a big aquarium may not be as big as you think. I recommend at least a 29-gallon community for one small specimen of this fish. A 55-gallon (or larger) aquarium is ideal for a community containing a full-grown blue gourami. I also recommend keeping no more than one gourami species per community.
Who would suspect an "algae-eater" to be anything but harmless? Personally, I wish dealers would stop stocking this fish. If you have a Chinese algae-eater, there are only two things you can do to prevent it from bothering your other fish. Feed it very well to distract it, or get rid of it.
However, angelfish are cichlids. Like other cichlids, they are territorial. You'll see young specimens jockeying for space and setting up a pecking order. It's no biggie. What you have to watch for are adults that pair off. They will become much more protective of their territory, especially toward other angelfish. Submissive tankmates may be bullied away from food, stop growing and even starve.
Dave Washington, DC
You forgot one thing. BLACK MOLLIES! They're horrible pets. Too aggressive.
amanda Pellston, MI
I have a 30 gallon tank with only a pair of blue convicts an 1 elgae eater, well the pair of convicts were fine up until a couple days after babies had spawned and now the bigger one is bullying the smaller one, and I have no idea why or what to do? But I hate seeing the 1 swimming only in the top corner of the tank an every time doing anything gets chased back up there , so any help would be appreciated?
Dante Hyde Park, MA
Guess it boils down to the proper pairing.
Somewhere Out There, WI
I love bettas!
Hi, my tank is
Nature in a glass box.
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GRCC will offer an Information Security Associate in Applied Arts and Science degree completely online this fall. It will be one of the first degrees to be offered entirely online for the college.
According to www.Michigan.gov, employment in information security is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2016. GRCC will offer this online degree to help meet the rise in demand for information security professionals. The online Information Security Degree is expected to meet the needs of today's students that seek technology advances to further their education.
"Online learning enrollment at the college has grown over 43% over the past 2 years and this online degree will enhance the flexible learning opportunities available to students," said Eric Kunnen, GRCC's Director of Distance Learning and Instructional Technologies.
According to Timothy Koets , Computer Applications Department Head and faculty member at GRCC, the rise in malicious hacking attacks from specialized groups like Anonymous means that the role of the information security officer is becoming increasingly important. "The skills of information security officers are essential in companies that store personal information electronically—especially when that information translates into currency, like at banks and investment companies," he said.
GRCC's online courses are designed as convenient alternatives to regular course schedules. Many students choose online courses so that they may save money on transportation and child care. Students should expect the same level of learning from online classes as they do from traditional campus-based courses at GRCC.
"Students are requesting more and more online options and the Information Security Degree lends itself to those familiar with technology," said GRCC Professor Luann Keizer who helped develop the online program. According to Keizer, GRCC students can currently take more than 130 classes online.
For more information about online courses please visit www.grcc.edu/online
Grand Rapids Community College, established in 1914, offers opportunities for over 30,000 students annually in degree courses, certification and training programs, workshops and personal enrichment classes. GRCC holds classes on the downtown Grand Rapids campus as well as several additional locations throughout Kent and Ottawa counties.


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