text:
Learning computer technology these days can seem overwhelming. It's not the technology itself that is the root of this evil; it's often the size of the book that we must drag home from the Super Crown bookstore.
True system administration requires attention to detail, but in this age, I fear we are drowning in a little too much information. Do you really need a thousand-page book in order to become a Linux Administrator in 28 Days? Can anyone read a thousand-page Unix guide in 28 days? That's the real question.
Perhaps all you really need is a little practical direction. I know from personal experience that Linux administrators come from all walks of life. A Linux admin can be a precocious teenager enthralled with the wonders of technology, or a secretary in a small office with newly expanded job duties, or someone just looking to improve themselves for a better job.
Where to start? The truth of the matter is that professionals in this field today probably own the big Linux books, but it wasn't these books that helped them when they first started learning their craft. Today's successful administrators had someone called a mentor. Someone to SHOW them how to configure a Unix system. This is how many admins learned their trade.
Related Resources:
Living Linux - How does a new Linux user go about getting day-to-day tasks accomplished? This series of articles by Michael Stutz offers some solutions to newbies and advanced users alike.
FreeBSD Basics - Dru Lavigne's series on FreeBSD includes useful tips and tutorials that can often be helpful to Linux users as well.
This guide should help you get started in the basics of small office system Linux administration. We'll go step by step: setting up the network interface connection, creating user accounts, and then some simple package installation. Once these are configured, you can then consult the really big books.
Probably wasn't any longer than 18 months ago when the standard equipment for getting online was a 56K modem. How things have changed. DSL and the cable modem are rapidly becoming the standard means of Internet connection for the small office/home office environment.
Both the DSL and cable modem service providers typically assign an IP address to clients in your network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). IP addresses for your network are most likely assigned by your DSL router or cable modem, which have a pre-assigned range of addresses for your equipment. You will need to configure your Linux system to request addresses from a DHCP server.
I'll walk you through a DHCP configuration. In this example, I have an administrator, Dr. Morbius, who is setting up a Linux system to store a database on important research he is conducting. He has completed the installation of Linux onto his system and now he is configuring his network interface so he can use his Netscape browser.
At the moment, the only account available to Dr. Morbius is the user root. Which is okay, because he will need to modify some privileged network files in the
/etc directory.
Dr. Morbius will need to create a configuration file for his Ethernet adapter. He changes his current directory to
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts and creates the file
This file contains the following configurations for DHCP:
Dr. Morbius closes this file after a careful inspection for typos. He then changes his current directory over to
/etc/sysconfig and edits the file
network. The following changes are made by Morbius for his DHCP connection:
Dr. Morbius is from the old school of Unix; he really likes using
vi. However, he's aware that under the GNOME window environment, when logged in as user root, there is a graphical interface to accomplish the same thing under the caption "Another Level of Menus," followed out to "Administration."
Now, Dr. Morbius is working on a workstation running LinuxPPC. He wants to use the
pump utility to initialize his DHCP interface. The LinuxPPC installation does not install pump, so Dr. Morbius must install it from his LinuxPPC 2000 CD. This is easily accomplished when Morbius mounts his CD-ROM drive.
mount /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom
cd /mnt/cdrom/software
This is a quick example of how the CD-ROM is mounted on your system so you may access it. Dr. Morbius keeps in the back of his mind that he should later add this device to the
/etc/fstab configuration.
To install the pump software, Dr. Morbius uses the Redhat Package Manager utility, called rpm. The install is simple.
[root@altairIV software]
rpm -i pump-0.7.2-2.ppc.rpm
The pump utility is then installed onto Dr. Morbius' LinuxPPC workstation. He next brings up his network interface by typing the command
pump -i eth0
Our good doctor waits a moment and then the interface initializes. Morbius can also view the specifics of his connection by typing the command
pump -s. More information on
pump can be found on the man pages, the online manual for most Unix operations, for
When your Linux system first boots, you'll have at least one user account, root. For initial setup, having the root super user account is okay. A safer approach is to create a user account and use this for most of your Linux usage needs. If you're learning Unix administration, creating user accounts is a basic and frequent task in system management.
Most Unix operating systems provide a utility for adding users. As super user (root), you can use the tool
adduser. You may want to examine the man pages on the exact syntax of this command. At your prompt, type
man adduser and hit the return key. Take a moment to examine the syntax; it may look like garble at the moment, but we'll examine the arguments to this command. (The term arguments identifies the options we will use with this command.)
Now the task at hand is to create a new user. The very first user account you should create is one for yourself. As I mentioned, using your system as user root is not advised. For this example, Dr. Morbius has chosen to use the tc shell for his activities and would like for his new account to reside in the
/home directory. As a user, Dr. Morbius will also need a unique ID, uid, so he will use his employee ID, 2257.
Now, having read the man pages, Dr. Morbius takes a bold step and creates a user account for himself. Using the utility
adduser, he types the following:
adduser morbius -d /home/morbius -u 2257 -s /bin/tcsh -c "Krell Research Admin"
The account login name is
morbius, the home directory (the
-d option from the
man page) is
/home/morbius with user ID (the
-u option is uid)
2257, and the login shell is the tc shell. Now, in simple terms, this is what this means: Whenever Dr. Morbius logs into his system, he will log in as user morbius, and his default directory will be
A unique ID (uid) is a 32-bit integer that is paired with a login name. The super user, root, is assigned the uid of 0. You will want to start assigning your users unique IDs starting at or above the integer 100. Most IS organizations pair the employee number with the user login, since the employee number is unique within the company. In our example, Dr. Morbius is employee 2257 and we used this for his uid.
This unique pairing of login names and IDs is important especially in networked environments where privileges to different Linux machines are to be assigned. An example would be using Network File Services (NFS).
The boot of the man pages for function
adduser clearly identifies which files this utility modifies. Two files the utility changes are
/etc/passwd and
/etc/shadow. The
passwd file is primarily the key file where we create the user account. The
adduser command added the following line to create the morbius account:
morbius:x:2257:2257:Krell Research Admin:/home/morbius:/bin/tcsh
The other file modified is
/etc/shadow which contains the encrypted password string. Currently, there is no password for the morbius account. We can create one in the following manner,
passwd morbius
Changing password for user morbius
New UNIX password:
Retype new UNIX password:
Passwd: all authentication tokens updated successfully
By now you probably have noticed that the system prompts for root and morbius differ significantly. The prompt for root displays the username, root, the hostname, altairIV, and the current working directory. Recall that Dr. Morbius set up his default shell for
/bin/tcsh, the enhanced C-shell. We can add functionality to a user account by creating a resource file,
.tcshrc, for our enhanced C-shell. Using his favorite editor, Dr. Morbius created the following
.tcshrc (note the leading period for this file name) resource file in his account home directory (
# .tcshrc
# executables PATH
setenv PATH "/usr/sbin:/sbin:$PATH"
# user specific aliases and tools
alias win 'xterm -sb -sl 1000 -T \!* -e telnet \!* &'
set prompt='[%n@%m %c]# '
Upon closing the saving the file and exiting his editor, Dr. Morbius uses the source command to invoke the functionality in his resource file.
source .tcshrc
[morbius@altairIV ~]
The changes take place in your shell environment immediately. You'll also notice that the prompt isn't the only thing Dr. Morbius tossed into his resource file. He included an environment variable, PATH, for executables and also an alias,
win, to condense the long
xterm command.
Shell resource files can get pretty complex, and knowledgeable users may customize their own files. An exhaustive listing of the capabilities of the
.tcshrc file can be found on your system using the command
man tcsh.
Now that Dr. Morbius has created an account for himself, he is now the company guru and will be given the responsibility of maintaining the system. From time to time Dr. Morbius may need to quickly change from user morbius to root to examine a problematic account or to turn on a daemon. The substitute user,
su, command provides the flexibility user morbius will need so he doesn't have log out and then log in as root.
Before user morbius can use the
su command to become root, some modifications must be made to the
/etc/group file. On Unix systems there exist group IDs (
gids), which are similar to the previously mentioned uids. The uid identifies the owner of a file or process and the gid identifies a specific group of users.
To allow user morbius to use the
su command to change to user root, morbius needs to be a member of the wheel group. The master group file is located in
/etc/group. Edit the file, using
emacs or
vi, and modify the wheel group entry to include the user:
wheel::10:root, morbius
Making this little modification will allow user morbius to quickly change himself to root in the following manner:
[morbius@altair /home/morbius]
[root@altair /home/morbius]
At this point we have set up a network interface to get out to the Internet. We have also set up a user account. Now let's watch as our Linux guru, Dr. Morbius, installs a Java development package on his system. Dr. Morbius is running LinuxPPC 2000 on his G4, so he must download LinuxPPC JDK from penguinppc.org. This URL will take you to the image download page. (Remember to hit the shift key when downloading.) There are other Linux devices in the unitedplanets.com domain that aren't LinuxPPC, and these JDKs can be found at blackdown.org. Regardless, the same installation instructions will apply. For this example, Dr. Morbius is going to download the JDK 1.3.0 FCS (First Customer Ship) image from penguinppc.org.
For simplicity, Dr. Morbius downloads his compressed JDK image to his home directory,
/home/morbius. Knowing that the compressed image is going to take some time to download over his DSL connection, Dr. Morbius first downloads the
README.ppclinux text file. This gives him something to read while he waits for the large file to transfer to his home directory.
[morbius@altairIV ~]
ls j2sdk*
The file has successfully downloaded; now Dr. Morbius changes to user root, using the handy
su command he set up earlier. This file, according to the
README.ppclinux document, most be moved to the
/usr/local directory, owned by root.
[morbius@altairIV ~]
suPassword: [root@altairIV morbius]
mv j2sdk-1.3.0-FCS-linux-ppc.tar.bz2 /usr/local[root@altairIV morbius]
cd /usr/local[root@altairIV local]
To this point, Morbius, now root user, has moved the compressed JDK file,
j2sdk-1.3.0-FCS-linux-ppc.tar.bz2, from his
/home/morbius directory over to
/usr/local. Now he will proceed to install the JDK 1.3.0 package using the
tar compression utility to uncompress the file.
[root@altairIV local]
tar -Ixf j2sdk-1.3.0-FCS-linux-ppc.tar.bz2
When the file decompresses, it will set up a directory structure under
/usr/local/j2sdk1.3. Since the file is installed by root, its privileges are set to those of root. For the time being, Dr. Morbius will set up the directory privileges for user morbius. This is what he does:
[root@altairIV local]
chown -R morbius:morbius j2sdk1.3
Now user morbius has privileges set for accessing this SDK. As more users want access to this JDK, Dr. Morbius will have to establish a group, dev_tools, for instance, and add individual users to this group, thus assigning the dev_tools group as the privilege level for the JDK.
Now that a JDK package is installed, it's time for Dr. Morbius to set up environment variables to access these tools. And where does he do this? Why, in his C-shell resource file of course. The following lines are added to user morbius'
.tcshrc file:
set path = ( $path /usr/local/j2sdk1.3/bin )
After this path variable is set, Dr. Morbius then closes his resource file and uses the source command to update the changes. Now, for a test run, Dr. Morbius creates a simple Java file,
import java.io.*;
public class test {
public static void main( String[] args ) {
To compile this, he enters the following commands from his prompt:
[morbius@altairIV ~]
javac test.java[morbius@altairIV ~]
java testhello
That's it! The JDK package is now installed. The README file for some packages may be a little intimidating. But once you have a good mentor, like Dr. Morbius, to show you the ropes, these tasks can seem a lot simpler.
Now that Dr. Morbius has whetted your appetite and built your confidence, there are two packages I strongly recommend you download.
One is the 3D rendering program, Blender. This is a full featured 3D rendering suite and a game tools library. This suite alone makes owning a Linux system worth the while. The other nice download is the RealPlayer 8 Basic free software. This multimedia player software is supported by the Linux community and is available for the LinuxPPC. Select the Unix OS and a new page will launch listing various Unix operating systems, LinuxPPC 2000 included. If you really want to see what cool things are available, I recommend heading over to the freshmeat.net site. If it's written for Linux users, you'll probably find the software you're looking for there.
UNIX in a Nutshell: System V Edition, 3rd Edition
As I mentioned earlier, Linux books usually are published by weight. A thicker book isn't necessarily better. I purchased a book in the early nineties that is still the most often used book on my bookshelf. This is O'Reilly's UNIX in a Nutshell, by Daniel Gilly. It's a relatively inexpensive book, and it's the book I always turn to when I need to seek help for Linux commands.
This book isn't a tutorial; rather, it's a quick reference manual on how to use various Unix commands. I'll admit that I am one who rarely gets much use out of reading man pages, but this book helps out a great deal.
The other great resource is the Internet. Use it to seek advice through mailing lists. Once you're there, don't be afraid to ask questions. For any LinuxPPC questions, consult the linuxppc-user list, which has a huge knowledgebase online.
Use these resources as your online mentors. Many of these people are willing to dive in and give newbies a hand.
Michael J. Norton is a software engineer at Cisco Systems.
Related Resources:
Living Linux - How does a new Linux user go about getting day-to-day tasks accomplished using open source software? This series of articles offers some solutions to newbies and advanced users alike.
FreeBSD Basics - Dru Lavigne's series on FreeBSD includes useful tips and tutorials that can often be helpful to Linux users as well.
Discuss this article in the O'Reilly Network Linux Forum.
Return to the Linux DevCenter.
Copyright © 2009 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


text: Have no fear, the dreamcatcher mani is here! We obviously have a love affair with nail art at TBD, and now we're adding little more dimension. For this look, I grabbed a couple things from a craft box– some lace, grey string and white string. Let's get to it! (more…)

subset: commoncrawl


text:
We All Be Trippin'!
So much awesomeness has taken over the baseball-politico world lately — 2011 finally found itself a no-hitter, Al Qaeda lost its head, Glenn Beck still doesn't have his own network — that we thought it'd be nice to share an equally surprising story.
Lucky for you, the RSBS interns dug up somethin' real niiiiiiiiice.
Most people know about Doc Ellis' LSD-aided no-hitter… it's just more fun to hear him tell it in his own words:
Happy Day-Before-Friday!
3 Comments
The Doc Ellis LSD No Hitter is one of my favorite baseball stories – it's a long list – and this is hilarious! I love that they made sure to show him in his curlers. Nice touch.
– Kristen
This could benefit the Mets in some way. I know it. http://paullebowitz.com.previewyoursite.com/blog/?p=1071
Kristen — I know right! I'm just glad someone took the time to put that together, period. Makes it that much more enjoyable.
Prince — You're probably right. Mandatory LSD laced Bazooka gum in the clubhouse, next thing ya know they'll be on top of the NL East.


text:
Maybe you guys didn't realize this.
You get ONE "amnesty" dump...ONE. Which we ALREADY used on Billups, to sign Chandler. So this thread is as useless, as it is stupid.
At least Melo can score some points, Amare is garbage all around. I would waive him in a hurry, I've been saying this for a while now. The way im feeling right now, F*ck both of them. They're the 2 worst defensive all star caliber players in the league.
Maybe you guys didn't realize this.
You get ONE "amnesty" dump...ONE. Which we ALREADY used on Billups, to sign Chandler. So this thread is as useless, as it is stupid.
@ClydeFacts "When one of his ladys asked clyde why he doesnt text he said if you dont get the message by now a phone aint gonna help." Except for Kate. Wobble Wobble!
the original objective of this thread was to stir up an interesting debate since the premise was very feasible and realistic (although we would have to substitute Dwill for CP3 since CP3 is gonna resign with the clips)
the resurfacing of this thread was to point out that many of us have been too high on stat and hes peaked and even if he hasnt, the alternative of getting dwill is still the better option.
we know we've already used the amnesty, this is a discussion, ignorance from people like you doesnt contribute much
Yup, pardon my ignorance. I didn't realize at first this thread was from November. But the fact that it was brought back doesn't make much sense to me either...must be be that damn ignorance of mine again. My apologies.
@ClydeFacts "When one of his ladys asked clyde why he doesnt text he said if you dont get the message by now a phone aint gonna help." Except for Kate. Wobble Wobble!
Wow.. if we amnesty amare, i doubt he will ever show his face in NYC again..
as much as i wouldnt want to see him get waivered, we really could get much better using his salary..
I think that there are some teams that would trade something decent for Amare and his max contract before he would be amnestied (even if we had more than the one we blew on Billups)
All news and updates on Amare goes here.
Our starting PF. Use to be our franchise player averaging 25 and 8 for us at one point. Injuries, tragedies occurred that set Amare back a ton, now he's very poor defensively, setting picks, and rebounding...jumpshot and scoring also regressed.
This off-season news and rumors are telling Amare is working hard to upgrade his game and live up to his contract.
Questions goes:
Can Amare stay healthy during the 82 game season?
Can Amare play with Melo and assert himself in the offense?
Can Amare regain his reliable mid range jumpshot he lost the past season?
Can Amare atleast play average defense this season?
Can Amare take pressure off of Melo and become a go to guy?
Do you believe in Amare as a starting PF for our team?
Last edited by metrocard; Oct 28, 2012 at 19:26. Reason: Ask Me Next Time.
The only thing that set him back was bringing Evil Guy Melo here. That's the tragedy.
The guy always sucked on defense, so it's not good that we have two Star players now that refuse to play defense.
His jumpshot will be back, I think he's had some time now to realize that he will have to hit those shots, he's a jump shooter now because the guy has been squeezed out like a pimple. Now his brain is realizing that he will have to get his from some range. That's as much asserting as he will be doing, he will assert with his jumpshot.
I believe in Amar'e as a 6th man for our team, but now I am not sure who we can start at the 4 because we traded everyone for Felton. Still, I like the idea of Amar'e heading the second unit. I think he's a guy that needs his own unit and some room to drop buckets, and he can't get that with Melo in there. So it's not that there is pressure on Melo because of Amar'e, it's the other way, Melo is exerting pressure on the gamestyles of other players, and Amar'e is the biggest victim of this.
He'll never play d, but he can put up decent numbers and we can expect his J to be butter.
What becomes of Amare is a tough one to figure out. I'm not hearing much about Stat in the off season and it worries me a bit. I know last year was a tough one for him but I think he's working on his game while grounding himself and reflexing a bit on his life right now. IMO, he should be coming back strong and determined...with a hugh chip on his shoulder. Plus, he's married now, most dudes after settling down they become focused. I think he knows he will have to bring his A game this year. Woodson and the other defensive bigs will condition Stat and make him better, I doubt that he's ever had a defensive minded coach before.
If Amare can turn himself into more of a Chris Bosh mold and get his jumper consistent, I'd be very happy because thats where I see him excelling in the offense. Amare improving his post game, good news for us also. I never expect Amare to play defensively for us because that just isn't him, so all I hope for is a productive offensive season because he is our second option and if he's not scoring well, who's next on our scoring option? Smith? Shumpert? low FG% scorers. See, that formula to me is destined for losing.
Although I have to ask.. who's left on the Knicks to play the 4/5 positions? Thomas? Camby? I may miss Jeffries' rebounding already.


text:
The Legend of the Legendary Heroes
Episode 10 | TV-14
Witness to Ryner's monstrous transformation, Ferris is forced to challenge the Alpha Stigma's devastating power. Back in Roland, Miran urges the king to make his next move to address potential attacks on the kingdom.
Sub Expires: 11-15-2013
Dub Expires: 03-21-2015
Official Site: www.funimation.com/shows/the-legend-of-the-legendary-heroesHide Details


text:
Monday 14th April 2014
First House
£10.00 - £10.00
"We haven't had anything like this in New York for over twenty years". Wynton Marsalis
The Ronnie Scott's Late Late Show!
MONDAY - THURSDAY 11pm-3am
FRIDAY - SATURDAY 1am-3am
PREBOOKING AVAILABLE MON TO THURS only
£10 in advance, £12 on the door, £6 Students (with ID), FREE entry to MU, Club members and main show ticket holders
In 1959, saxophonist Ronnie Scott opened the door to a small basement club in London's west end where local musicians could jam. Today, it is one of the world's most famous jazz clubs attracting packed houses and the biggest names in jazz and popular music and Ronnie Scott's welcoming, stylish setting is also home to London's coolest late night hang.
Each night Monday to Saturday, after the main act, Ronnie Scott's presents the Late Late Show, where some of the UK's finest jazz talents take to the stage for a late night blowing session.
More information about Alex Garnett, Here...
Sam is a pianist based in Greenwich, and has performed with musicians including Gareth Lockrane, Martin Speake and Stan Sulzmann, and has played in the bands of musicians including Anita Wardell, NYC Saxophonist Arun Luthra and the UK-based Australian Saxophonist Ray Warleigh. He has performed at most of the best known venues and festivals within the UK, including Ronnie Scotts, The Southbank Centre, and Brecon Jazz Festival. He has been described by broadcaster Helen Mayhew as "one of the brightest young stars in the jazz piano galaxy, a heavenly improviser, and a brilliant prospect for the future."
Tell us what you think of Sam Leak Quartet below..


text:
Kathleen Andrus, DVM, Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Kathleen Harris joined our VCA Tomball Family October 2011 and is enjoying her new family immensely. She received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine as well as her Biomedical Science and Animal Science BS at Texas A&M. She thoroughly enjoys internal medicine, dentistry and geriatric health care and spends time teaching a K9 triage courses to the Cypress Creek K9 Officer Special Task Force. In her spare time, she and her husband travel, tailgate at Aggie football, and spends time at the deer lease. Dr. Harris has 4 dogs, 1 cat and fish.


text:
What we can take from today's game...
Posted 18 February 2013 - 07:03 PM
Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:13 PM
Posted 18 February 2013 - 08:14 PM
Posted 18 February 2013 - 10:17 PM
"no-one knows what it's like to be the bad man.........behind blue eyes"
Posted 18 February 2013 - 10:24 PM
Posted 18 February 2013 - 10:49 PM
Think 17 was Shaw. Can't see Ainscough on the bench if fit and Clarke in the centre!
So that's Smith, Dwyer, Watson, Hawkyard and Hulme fighting for the hooking role?
6 7 and 9 are very similar these days. But in essence yes.
For me its Dwyer at 7. smith at 9. Hulme at 6. Hawkyard at full back. and Watson on the bench as a reserve hooked.
Posted 18 February 2013 - 11:17 PM
I don't mind stealing bread from the mouths of decadence.
"Be mindful of the prayers you send,
Pray hard but pray with care,
For the tears that you are crying now,
Are just your answered prayers"
Posted 19 February 2013 - 01:34 PM
Think Dwyer may be too good to hold onto at Swinton and is presently on dual reg. If he cannot get into warrington first team then I assume someone else will "swoop". Basing a team (at 7) around a temp is difficult I would assume but would agree he would be in my first choice team. Running from the play the ball....... Class act.
I dont think Warrington will get rid of a player like Dwyer, and as long as their first choice half backs and hooker stay fit this year we should get him for the majority of the season. I understand what you are saying about building a team around a temporary 7, but this season we need to dramatically improve our results, and quick, personally, if I were in charge, id do whatever it takes to get the results required to avoid relegation this year and then go back to the drawing board next season and get a full team in place by the start of November, and have them full prepared by February.
I dont know who is to blame for our terrible preparation this season, but someone is, and it cant happen again. It may even be too late, we will have to see how we perform over the next few weeks.
And now McCormacks resigned. We are doomed.
Edited by Furryenzo, 19 February 2013 - 01:36 PM.


text: Glowing underwater pyramid? daymoon posted:12/3/2013 8:26:16 AM Is this a hoax or something for real? Whatever it is, if it is real its seriously awesome. http://www.apparentlyapparel.com/2/post/2012/03/pyramids-of-glass-submerged-in-the-bermuda-triangle.html bobprin posted:12/3/2013 12:02:51 PM Well, I read that it was seen once and maybe twice. If I had found it CNN, ABC, FOX, and the rest of the alphabet would have been there tout sweet. Or there would have been a big thing on e-bay.daymoon posted:12/3/2013 12:35:44 PM CNN= crap news network ABC= americans broadcasting crap FOX= friggin outlandsish crap LOL!! Please log in or become a member to add a post.


text:
Yann Barrandon is a joint professor of Stem Cell Research and of Experimental Surgery at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Lausanne (UNIL). He is also Head of the Department of Experimental Surgery at the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV).
Yann is a long-standing faculty member of the successful European Summer School on Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine, held annually in Hydra, Greece. At this year's School we caught up with him about his research, and future directions in stem cell science.
What is your research all about?
My lab is focusing on two complementary projects at the moment. One aims to develop a genetic treatment for an inherited skin disease called epidermolysis bullosa. The other is about stem cell plasticity – can we take a stem cell that is supposed to make one kind of tissue, and use it to make something else?
How do you make a stem cell do something it wouldn't normally do?
We do it just by manipulating the microenvironment – in other words, the proteins and other molecules or compounds in the immediate surroundings of the cell, plus other aspects of the environment like temperature or pH. The idea is to take an adult stem cell, one we can get from a person at any stage after birth, and manipulate that cell's behaviour just by playing around with its microenvironment. The trick is to find a source of adult stem cells that we can do this with. For example, we recently published a paper showing that stem cells taken from the thymus of a rat can be made to function as hair follicle stem cells, which are normally found in the skin. We did this just by putting the cells from the thymus into the proper microenvironment for hair follicle stem cells. So it's a form of reprogramming of the cells, but without any manipulation of the genes in the cells.
Why is it useful to reprogramme cells without genetic modification?
Well, if you can find out what the microenvironment is doing, you may be able to use that knowledge to treat stem cells in the lab so that they make skin, pancreas or liver, without any genetic changes to the initial stem cells. That could be really useful for medicine. I think techniques involving genetic modification are going to be very hard to get through regulatory controls because of concerns about safety. If you want to use the cells on patients, you have to demonstrate safety before you begin to think about testing reproducibility or effectiveness of a treatment. You have to demonstrate that the cells will not cause a disease. Among the diseases people are concerned about is cancer. Some of these safety concerns are removed if you can find a way to control the cells without interfering with their genes.
But you're also working on a gene therapy…
Yes, we are trying to create a gene therapy for a genetic skin condition called epidermolysis bullosa. This disease causes the skin to blister continuously. In its severe form, it's a life-threatening problem. Because of the safety concerns surrounding genetic modification of cells, we work on a single cell level. We take a single human skin stem cell and repair the genetic defect. We can select the best cell to use, and then we can demonstrate that the progeny of this cell – the new cells it makes when it divides – do not form tumours. And then we know that we can grow more cells that won't form tumours in the patient. Of course there are concerns other than cancer. You need to make sure the cells won't go to the wrong part of the body, or make the wrong kind of tissue when they are put into the patient. So there is a lot to think about.
How close are you to a successful gene therapy for epidermolysis bullosa?
We are in the last stage - the most complicated, but the most exciting one: going to the patient. We hope to be able to do a transplant in a trial patient in a year's time.
"The answers lie during early development... everything in the body is set up during development"
Your research spans basic science and clinical applications. What drives you in your work?
I'm interested in understanding why patients have diseases, and how we can cure these diseases.They're the main questions that have been driving my research all my life. To answer these questions you might start from a clinical point of view, but you have to get more and more into basic science. That brings up more and more questions. Then you begin to understand that the answers to your questions lie during early development, especially if you work with stem cells. Everything in the body is set up during development.
What big breakthrough would you like to see in stem cell science?
I would say that a big breakthrough would be to find a cell in the normal healthy human being that can be used to produce all the different types of cell in the body. So, a cell that's equivalent to an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS cell), but exists naturally in our bodies. These cells may exist or they may not exist at all. But if such a cell does exist, there would be no need for iPS technology.
What is your favourite thing to do after a long day in the lab?
Walk my dog in the countryside. I have also developed enormous competence in taking a siesta!
Find out more
More about Yann Barrandon:
Information for epidermolysis bullosa patients:
- DEBRA International, an alliance of national associations of people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, USA
- Epidermolysis bullosa information from the UK National Health Service
Related articles on EuroStemCell:
Scientific papers on skin stem cell research:
- Microenvironmental reprogramming of thymic epithelial cells to skin multipotent stem cells, Bonfanti et al, Nature 2010; 466(7309):978-82
- Altering cell fate: From thymus epithelium to skin stem cells, Bilousova G and Roop DR, CellStemCell 2010; 7:419-420
- Epidermal homeostasis: A balancing act of stem cells in the skin, Blanpain C, Fuchs E, Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2009; 10(3):207-17
- Oligopotent stem cells are distributed throughout the mammalian ocular surface, Majo F, Rochat A, Nicolas M, Jaoudé GA, Barrandon Y, Nature 2008; 456(7219):250-4


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Percentage of SAI Students who remove their first dent in hour #1
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Not one instructor looking at one student at a time in a large class.. we're talking one student PERIOD per class session.
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Other "schools" train in offices, at homes or on the road while you watch others make money. It's very hard to bring students to an advanced level and have them work on cars at an office or at a home (we put students on MANY cars). Long ago we figured out people learn PDR best by DOING, and working on actual panels and cars, to not only build skills but build CONFIDENCE. Our professionally dedicated facility has equipment and surroundings to helping people learn PDR Fast. There is a reason we call it the "Dent Lab".
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Puerto Rico
"Isle of Enchantment"
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WHERE and when were you........
Posted 28 September 2006 - 09:00 PM
ummm for me i'd say 98 or 99 when lootpack dropped...
i remember stretch armstrong and cucumber slice (a.k.a bobbito garcia) would play tracks back to back with defari and the licks on 89.9 thursday nights from 1 til 5 am... how did they do that?????
or was it even earlier... im too lazy to look for release dates... when lootpack dropped, thats when i discovered throw....
i was too embarrasessed to go to stores and sing the tunes to the djs so it wasn't until ynq's angle's or wolfs 45 collection dropped that i started putting the pieces together....
all my friends were still in their techknow phase so they were useless for hip hop info...
Posted 28 September 2006 - 09:21 PM
Lootpack guest appreared on' 21 and Over ' so I figured they were just affiliates. Then the Soundpieces came out and I bought the album because I remembered the name (that's how I use to buy music from refferals from other artists still do....LMAO) I also think Friday Night Flavors spun "Whenimonthemic" one night and explained twho they were
I was confused for a minute because Lootpack was on Stonesthrow not Loud/RCA whatever
I remember being like WTF? is a Stonesthrow......I also WTF the name Peanut Butter Wolf first time I heard it
Then I typed in the site and it was just a page about the label a year or so later they had a board been here since............
Posted 28 September 2006 - 09:26 PM
adlib ---- madlib ------ i was like WTF???? obvious, but still...
Posted 28 September 2006 - 10:03 PM
I lived in Santa Cruz and I heard of these cats from San Jose (over the hill) named Peanut Butter Wolf & Charizma(RIP) from my boy Brew (Topski). Brew was a street kid/mc/graf writer I took in for a while. He said he freestyled with them once or something. I was like whatever, but it stood out in my mind when I saw the PBW on the Bomb DJ compilation. That's about it.
I too am a L.J. so I knew the Lootpack and they seemed to fit the mold but I had the Rasco record before that. I was surprised that Encore came out an Asphadel or wadeva that labels called.
As long as they keep putting out that boom bap / inner steller shit, I'll be hip.
Posted 28 September 2006 - 10:24 PM
Yesterday's New Quintet
Psyche Origami
Five Deez
and the beats were HOT! so i researched all of them and only came up with Madlib. Psyche Origami didn't pop up. and neither did Five Deez. then i found YNQ was him and it kinda confused me. around the same time, Madvillain dropped and i saw the cover of the album in ALL these magazines: GQ, Details, Esquire, all the non-hip hop magazines. and i had heard about jaylib, cuz i knew dilla but not madlib. i remember going to the virgin music store in times square and having it in my hands (i knew about it from bling47.com) and i had that feeling like picking it up but, I JUST PUT IT BACK DOWN. little did i know, i was in for something monumental... oh and my first ST/Madlib cd i got was the blue note. after that i was hookt
it's funny cuz when i would listen to welcome 2 detroit in '01, '02, i'd hear all these names: "peanut butter wolf!"
"lootpack". when i put the pieces together....
Posted 29 September 2006 - 08:00 AM
I was and still am a Likwid Junky
Lootpack guest appreared on' 21 and Over '
same for me.
the liks are dope man....
gotta support ohio....(at least 2 of them)
even though they don't
live here anymore.
Posted 29 September 2006 - 08:13 AM
..That or Tha Alkaholiks' "Killin It" which had a madlib beat.
Posted 29 September 2006 - 08:55 AM
Posted 29 September 2006 - 09:04 AM
Thats the first time I heard of Lord Quas and his buddy pal, Madlib. After that,a year or two later, I heard the Villain Style EP and connected the dots.
Posted 29 September 2006 - 09:34 AM
Posted 29 September 2006 - 10:10 AM
They Were Working on Black Bastards and I Would Chill At the Studio Sometimes
I Was Always Down
Copped Doom Shit Since The Beggining
I've Got Mr. Hood and Black Bastards On Fucking 8 Track
And Cassettes
I've Always Followed Dans Work
He Drops Ill Wreck
Lead Me Here Too
I Can't Complain
Posted 29 September 2006 - 10:20 AM
/snowball effect\
Posted 29 September 2006 - 04:43 PM
but my i first hear about pbw from a friend who had the return of the dj vol. ? and said he really wanted to hear more of him, and i thought who or what is peanut butter wolf. i have to admit now, thinking of it that is the best dj name ever wolf!
Posted 29 September 2006 - 06:17 PM
stones throw saved my life
my apt got broken into on christmas morning 2am 2001
thats what i get
my roomie catered to junkies
decks got stolen
among other things
i was more into some deep house and brazilian / jazz/ downtempo type shit
then a few days later at my cousins house
going thru kazaa..
if you like this, check this kinda thing..
quas. lootpack. pbw
Posted 29 September 2006 - 08:09 PM
21 & Over was the first time hearing madlib, although I didn't really recognize madlib/st artists until the DJ Rhettmatic/Beat Junkies double cd mix with Lootpack's The Anthem on it - 98 I think. That double disc and Soundbombing II were my soundtrack to summer 98 and turned me onto a lot of good shit.
/snowball effect\
Yea 21 & Over for me also (Madlib), that and DJ Babu's Duck Season, it had Microphone Mathematics & I was like what the @#$% is this!
Posted 30 September 2006 - 10:46 PM
Posted 01 October 2006 - 03:07 AM
Posted 01 October 2006 - 05:59 AM
....been in love ever since
Posted 01 October 2006 - 06:53 AM
it was probably when i read a review (i think in spin) of rasco's time waits for no man. geez that was probably 99 i think.
Posted 02 October 2006 - 09:20 AM
Posted 02 October 2006 - 03:40 PM
Alkaholks & Lootpack were both dope. Was like "Finally, some cats that can actually rap, smoke weed,& drink. & they're not even gang bangin?!!" Time when Ice Cube & Westside Connection ran LA radio...
Posted 02 October 2006 - 04:01 PM
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Skip to comments.Obama to Release One Third of Gitmo Inmates (insanity)
Posted on 09/22/2012 7:22:58 PM PDT by Texas Fossil
President Barack Obama is about to release or transfer 55 Gitmo prisoners, despite reports that the Libyan believed to be behind the killing of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was a former Guantanamo inmate transferred to Libyan custody.
The large percentage of those scheduled to be released are Yemeni, according to a list made public by the Obama administration.
Obama stopped the release or transfer of Yemeni inmates in 2010, because the conditions in the country were viewed as too "unsettled" at the time.
A release or transfer of 55 inmates means Obama is moving out one third of the prisoners at Guantanamo. And while it doesn't represent a shutdown of the facility, it's certainly indicative of a move toward that end.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
What a crock.
He knows he is finished and will do his worst to the nation, if allowed.
November cannot come soon enough.
Obozo Must GO!
At least he's showing us whose team he's on before the election...
"Obama stopped the release or transfer of Yemeni inmates in 2010, because the conditions in the country were viewed as too "unsettled" at the time."
Too "unsettled" my butt....IIRC nobody would take them at that time.
Geez... Wouldn't it be nice to send them away with some Polonium-210 in their blood?
Of course, Obama would rather just sloppily make out with each and every scumbag released.
Sow the wind, reap the whirlwind.
I predict this will come back to haunt the US.
Imagine if a GOP President did that days after an Ambassador was murdered by a releasee.
The MSM would excoriate him
I'd prefer Bubonic Plague.
Send them to Iran and pave a large glass parking lot upon arrival. Multiple problems solved.
this man is for sale..prolly got millions
When we see these terrorists again, we should just kill them on sight.
Lol. That's pretty good.
MSM isn't covering the attack was from a Gitmo guy.
People listen to the first story if anything at all. Read the first paragraph. Retractions? Get lost in the shiffle.
He has 2.5 months to ruin the country with EOs before the inaugeration. It scares me!
First he sends OWS idiots to Middle East Countries (i.e. Iran +) Then turns the devils out of GITMO. That should be enough to ignite the entire Muslim World.
Bring on Armageddon?
Guess we shall see.
I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction. —The Audacity of Hope, page 261 (paperback)
Yep, and it is going to get REAL UGLY!
That's not what this list says. These people are people who were "approved" for release by a task force back in 2010, but have not been released (and likely will not be released for the foreseeable future) because the administration can't find a country to take them.
I believe he will release them all just out of spite if he loses. Maybe grant amnesty to all the illegals and pardon a large number of prisoners.
Not a "release". Obama is simply transferring his men from Gitmo to Yemen. They have tasks there.
What List? Whose List?
Surely not the State Department List? Which "task force"? Homeland Security? Military?
Some how I am not buying that this is OK.
It has in the past.
Our fearless leader is an idiot, a buffoon (no offence to buffoons) and a total ass. I have lost friends because I have told them what an idiot this clown is ... good riddance to friends that are unable (or unwilling) to see how this freaktoid is destroying MY country.
In days gone by, those that are presently housed at Getmo would have spent their last moments in front of a fire squad. We let them loose on the promise that they will not engage in combat again.
Fools we are for buy into this. I'm sure that many a belly laugh is had by al-qaeda over glasses of goats milk as they hear about this.
Yep, I bet they do. Just like in Libya.
They are "freedom fighters" don't you know? /Extreme Sarcasm
"The government's move has no immediate, practical effect on the inmates' detention. Inclusion on the list does not mean that the U.S. has absolved them of any wrongdoing or that it believes they pose no threat, and there was no indication of when any might be sent elsewhere."
well we know conditions in muslim conditions are better now, right? Folks this means Obama is 'negotiating' with terrorists. He is releasing terrorists in exchange for presumed empty promises that they will stop rioting (sarcasm). However this is the only rationale that explains it.
Wouldnt work.
Ebola would.......
We ain't seen nothin' yet....
just wait until he's a lame duck from November to January. He'll probably declare Jihad on the US himself.
I'm good with that too. Doesn't Ebola kill so fast it's hard to spread enough unless in a city?
Also, why wouldn't plague work?
Romney needs to hammer this bastard on this now once confirmed. The campaign ads write themselves.
"compiled by DOJ"
OHhhh! You mean "Eric the Red's" List. The one who is eternally protected by Obozo because he has the "FBI Files".
Wooo Hooo that give me confidence in who is on the list and that this will be handled properly. Remember Fast & Furious?
hee hee hee
Obama: " OK Abdel-Rahman, I got your one way to Cairo on e-bay"
Omar: "you can call me Omar"
Obama: "Thanks Omar...and I got you a disguise as those pesky FReepers have an eye out for you"
Omar: "Let me consult with you later on that"
Obama: "I got it covered, what with the FEMA camps and a billion rounds of ammo."
Omar: "Keep up the good work my brother from another mother"
Obama: "And how was the American culture field trip to a noodling competition ?
Omar" "Great....I caught an alligator."
... another theory ... He promised to close down Gitmo, right? I'll bet he wants to show his liberal hacks how he is making progress. It could be something as stupid as that
BP spreads primarily by flea bite, and rarely by contact.
He and his drone assassin group @ the WH are running out of easy drone targets so he needs to release some of his little pets from his petting zoo. He's probably got them tagged so they'll be easier to track.
The Hook:
""Great....I caught an alligator." "
hee hee hee
Obama broke the number 1 rule... WE DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORIST! Al Qaeda released a video telling Obama to release their prisoners and send our troops home and they will end the protests. Since then, 132 Mexican prisoners walk out the front door of a Mexican prison, now we hear 55 terrorist are leaving Club Gitmo and after an act of terrorism against the United States; we are moving out 33,000 troops from Afghanistan?! If this wasn't a part of a negotiation then I don't know what is. Doesn't this seem like its worth looking into?
Great Graphics
Have been using:
Remember, November is Coming! And #Obozo_Must_GO! (on twitter)
Yes, it does. Sounds like a Job for Ishtook in OK. Or Senator Session in AL.
One might think Obozo is trying to help the Islamic world usher in the emergence of their mahdi and a global caliphate.
I just think it needs to be investigated. Didn't Hillary just take a trip to Mexico a day before the 132 Mexican prisoners walked out the front door? I believe so.
"this man is for sale..prolly got millions"
I agree, with a bit of elaboration. When Obama ran in 2008, his two Palestinian roommates from college ran his internet site for donations to his campaign. The donations were from alleged "small donors", and none of the donors were kept track of, according to election law requirements, so no one knew, but many suspected, that many if not most of these donors were from foreign countries, primarily Arab countries. In other words, illegal donations to his campaign from foreign sources. The same is undoubtedly happening this time; someone should look into how Obama is collecting donations on-line this time around.
Now, the Arabs know they are making illegal donations to his campaign, Obama knows they know, in other words they could blow the whistle on Obama at any time as to how Obama has been collecting donations to his campaign. Thus, they can and undoubtedly are blackmailing Obama for the last four years, and for the next four years if he wins again. The Arabs have undoubtedly subsidized Obama for years now to keep him in office, as many see him as peripherally one of their own, especially with his name, Barak "Hussein" Obama. Just as long as Obama keeps marching to their orders on all things Muzzie, such as Obama's stance on Israel, Gitmo prisoners, public pro-Muzzie statements, passing of our taxpayer money to Muzzie states, pro-Arab business deals, anti-Israel public statements, generous immigration policy towards Arabs seeking to emigrate to the U.S., treating Jihad terrorism attacks as "criminal cases", going after Christians in U.S. while doing CAIR's bidding on Islamic matters, need I go on?
In other words, our President has been in the past, currently is, and will be in the future, blackmailed by the Muzzies to do his bidding, which isn't a hard stance for Obama to adhere to as he is on their side to begin with. So, a disaster for our country, a true Manchurian Prez and candidate, who will get a pass by the Dem left and the MSM (same thing), while our country is being destroyed before our very eyes. And the sheeple know not what they are about to do, if the demographics have changed that much, and will vote Obama back in. There is only one thing that can thwart this, and that is a massive turnout of the true Americans left in this country on election day. It is a dire necessity for everyone to do their civic duty on November 6th and vote this Manchurian President out of office and into the rubbish heap of history.
The MSM would excoriate him
The MSM will not even mention this UNLESS their feet are held to the fire. I guess that is up to us.
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Italian Guesthouse
The guesthouse I is strongly recommended for people who love open-air life, relaxing on the hammock or have a drink watching the scenic sunset from the panoramic view terrace. It is built in wood and volcanic stone, structured as a typical colonial house with a beautiful view on Rodney Bay. In the large garden you find tropical fruit trees and a well organized barbecue area. There is also a cottage which hosts, besides the laundry where you can give your clothes to the housekeeper , a relaxing area with double Jacuzzi and an outdoor shower dip in the nature.
The property has two separate apartments with their private kitchen and four cozy apartments with an airy shared kitchen. Each apartment has 1 or 2 bedrooms with bathroom, minibar, fan, mosquito net, veranda, free WiFi. Common or private kitchen, barbecue, free laundry service and housekeeper 4 days a week.
The property is located into Rodney Bay Marina area, in the north of Saint Lucia island, on the top of a sweet hill which overhang the world famous Marina and Gros Islet village. The white Caribbean beaches are 1 mile away and the Atlantic beaches are reachable by car crossing the Golf Club 5 miles away.
Please note:
Cancellation policy: at least 7 days advance notice
Late cancellation or noshow – one night charge
Payment upon arrival by credit card
Check in from 14.00 to 18.00
Check out 12.00
Taxes included
The company will contact customers for prepayment of the first night upon booking
Availability & RatesTo view availability and prices please select dates and click 'Update Dates'
B&B Facilities & Policies
- Airport Transfers
- Bicycle parking
- Cafeteria
- Child Friendly
- Cots available
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Free City Maps
- Free Internet Access
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Hair Dryers
- Hot Tub
- House Keeping
- Internet Access
- Self-Catering Facilities
- Laundry Facilities
- Luggage Storage
- Mini Bar
- Outdoor Terrace
- Parking
- Taxes included
- Tea & Coffee Making Facilities
- Towels Included
Cancellation PolicyThis property has a 7 day cancellation policy. Failure to cancel within this time will result in a cancellation charge equal to the first night of your stay.
Must-Read Guesthouse InfoThis property has specific Terms & Conditions.
Please note:
Cancellation policy: 7 day advance notice
Late cancellation or noshow � one night charge
Payment upon arrival by cash only
Check in from 14.00
Check out before 12.00
Taxes included
The company will contact customers for prepayment of the first night upon booking.
We will arrange for the pick up before the customers arrive. Anyway, it's necessary to contact the Guesthouse at least 3 days before arrival date.
DirectionsShow MapHide Map
British Airway, Virgin and American Airlines fly to Saint Lucia every day. There are also local airways such as Liat and Air Caribbean
.Regarding how to get to the Guesthouse is better to get in touch with us that will arrange for the pick up. The house is a little away from the main road and the minivan buses don't go till there. The cost depend on where the customer takes the navette: from Hewanorra airport it is 70 euros, from the main road (Rodney Bay Marina) 5 euros. Anyway the bus, leaving from Castries to Gros Islet, is A1. Stop at GI junction and turn right; there are signs 'I Mari Italian Guesthouse'.
From VieuxFort there are buses that drive up to Castries as well, but no buses from the airport to Vieux Fort. There is also a smaller airport in Castries, it depends from where the customer is coming from. If you arrive by yourself you can also stop at the taxi stand in Rodney Bay Marina and ask for information about the way to the Guesthouse (1 mile)
Located Near
The house is located between Rodney Bay Marina and the village of Gros Islet where every friday night take place the famous street party. Gros Islet beach is a beautifull streach of white sand that goes till the National Park of Pigeon Island. Reduit Beach, on the other side of the bay is the touristic beach with bars, water sport and facilities. There is the night life with international restaurants, casino and discos. The Cap Estate Golf Club is 5 kmup north, on the way to the Atlantic beaches


text: Cave of the Winds Cave of the Winds A thrilling walk on Niagara Falls' wild side, the spectacular Cave of the Winds Tour takes visitors into a stormy mist zone, where "soaking up the experience" takes on new meaning! The journey begins with an elevator ride 175 feet down into the Niagara Gorge. Geared-up in a souvenir rain poncho and specially designed sandals, guests follow wooden walkways along Niagara River to the Hurricane Deck, just a few breathtaking feet from the torrents of Niagara Falls. Here, rushing Bridal Veil Falls creates tropical storm-like conditions. Talk about a rush! Nowhere else on Earth gets you closer to the Falls! Each spring, special-edition Cave of the Winds Tours are offered so visitors can experience a seasonal version of the attraction and see the decks being built for the upcoming season. Skilled workers rebuild the wooden boardwalks that will allow summer visitors to reach the Hurricane Deck – the walkways and decks are removed every November and reassembled each spring to protect them from the extreme winter weather conditions that prevail in the Niagara Gorge. Once the main season winds down, be sure to embark on The Cave of the Winds Gorge Trip, an abbreviated trip that allows you to view the Falls from observation platforms, allowing you to stay dryer! Cave of the Winds Tour tickets are available separately, and as part of the value-added Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass. Please call (716) 278-1762 for more information.


text:
What do searching for extraterrestrials, curing cancer, and finding big prime numbers all have in common? These problems are all being attacked with grid computing, a a technique of breaking a large problem into small tasks that can be computed independently. While projects like Seti@home and The Greatest Internet Mersenne Prime Search have received plenty of press for using the Internet to distribute tasks to end users around the globe, grid computing also takes place in more controlled environments, such as research and financial settings. But it is by using the power of the Internet and the ability to discover and access idle processes on users' machines that grid computing (once called distributed computing), can access massive numbers of machines and processes.
What does all this have to do with Web services? The grid's principal tasks -- discovery and utilization of idle processes -- are best done over a ubiquitous protocol like HTTP. Although not tied to HTTP, Web services are effectively synonymous with HTTP and allow middleware components to be invoked using a verbose ASCII-formatted message. Web services provide a framework that is ideal for grid computing architectures. The Web services framework consists of UDDI for lookup and discovery, WSDL for service definition, and SOAP/HTTP for service invocation.
In this article, this Web services framework will be applied to the problem of factorizing large numbers to check if they are prime. The problem must first be understood in terms of the mathematics behind it. This problem will then be conceptualized and remodeled in UML, and finally the problem implemented in a service-oriented manner that can easily be translated to a grid computing architecture for scalability and rapid solution of the complex problem.
Source Code
Download the source for this program. For future updates, see primes.sourceforge.net.
To this end, we'll explore the factorization of Mersenne numbers. Mersenne numbers are numbers of the type 2k-1 where p=1,2,3 ... but the real challenge here is to find Mersenne prime numbers -- that is, Mersenne numbers that are prime. These are currently the biggest known prime numbers. Let's begin with a bit of math.
In this article, four types of numbers will be considered: prime numbers, Mersenne numbers, Mersenne prime numbers, and perfect numbers.
A prime number is any number that is only divisible by itself and one. Examples of prime numbers are 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 11.
A Mersenne number is a number that can be written in the form of 2k-1. The first few Mersenne numbers are 1, 3 , 7, 15, 31, 63, 127, 255, and 511.
A Mersenne Prime Number is a special type of Mersenne number, in that it is also a prime number. The first few Mersenne primes (where k = 2, 3, 5, and 7) are 3, 7, 31, and 127.
A perfect number, on the other hand is one that is equal to the sum of it parts. Put another way, a whole number is perfect if it is equal to the sum of its proper divisors. So, for example, the number 6 is perfect, because its proper divisors are 1, 2, and 3, and 1 + 2 + 3 = 6. Also perfect are 28 (1 + 2 + 4 + 7 + 14), 496, and 8128. These numbers constitute the first four perfect numbers; as is evident, there are not a lot of them.
So what is the relationship between these numbers? By definition, a Mersenne prime is also a prime number. A consequence of this is that k in the 2k-1 equation must also be prime. Also, a relationship between prime numbers and perfect numbers has been known since antiquity and was formulated by Euclid in the following theorem: If 2k-1 is prime, and if n = 2k-1(2k-1), then n is perfect.
But it wasn't until almost 2000 years later that the exact relationship between these types of numbers was resolved by Euler, in the following theorem: If n is an even perfect number, then n = 2k-1(2k-1), where 2k-1 is prime.
In plain language, an even perfect number has a Mersenne prime associated with it.
A Mersenne prime, then, is a special type of prime number. In UML, this is represented as an is a relationship: a Mersenne prime is a special type of prime number. And since k in 2k-1 is also prime, then there is also a has a relationship: a Mersenne number has a prime number.
From the Euler theorem on perfect numbers above, it is clear that there are two types of perfect numbers -- odd and even. Again, this can be represented in UML as follows:
It is interesting to note that an odd perfect number has never been found, even though some extraordinary properties about them are known, for instance:
Check out item three; imagine trying to do some long division sums in your head with that number.
Finally, again from the Euler theorem, perfect numbers are related to prime numbers in that an even perfect number can be expressed in the form n = 2k-1(2k-1); i.e., n = 2k-1 (a Mersenne number). Therefore, every even perfect number has a Mersenne number. Once more, in UML this can be diagrammatically depicted as follows:
The server-side architecture can be taught as two use cases. The first is to find the factor of a Mersenne number to check if it is a Mersenne prime or not. The second it to take a Mersenne prime number and calculate the corresponding perfect number.
This is by far the more complicated of the two use cases, and can be thought of in terms of a number of sub-use cases. It involves taking a Mersenne number and finding its factors; since this is computationally a very intensive process, the client is informed of the result asynchronously by email when the calculation is finished.
Furthermore, this now involves the notion of state, since with multiple client invocations, each Mersenne number, and its corresponding email address and factors (once it has finished factorizing), must be remembered. Since Web services are largely stateless services (a consequence of using stateless HTTP as the protocol), they must impersonate some type of stateful service. The client must also be informed of the results, so there must be the ability to email the results to the calling client. Finally, some sort of state-lifecycle management is also desirable. On a server restart, a Mersenne number that is not finished factorizing should, at a minimum, be restarted. The sub-use cases can therefore be listed as follows:
These use cases are discussed in more detail below; however, before discussing them individually, it is worth looking at an overview of the sequence diagrams and class diagrams for this use case.
The basic service is the
PerfectCalc interface (here is the WSDL). It defines the two methods listed below; however, the second method belongs to the second use case and will be addressed as part of that discussion.
public boolean checkMersenneNumber(MersenneNumber k, String email)
takes a Mersenne number (which is not necessarily a prime number) and an email address of the invoker, factors the Mersenne number, and emails the result to the invoker. If the Mersenne number has no factor other than itself and one, then it is a Mersenne prime.
public PerfectNumber calcPerfectNumber(MersennePrime MersennePrime)
takes a Mersenne prime and calculates the corresponding perfect number.
FactorFactory object is a factory pattern responsible for making the stateless
PerfectCalc service stateful. The
FactorFactory object is also a singleton with a protected constructor and a public static initializer. Example 1 gives the code for the
FactorFactory object.
Example 1. FactorFactory
* A Factory class that is also a singleton object for creating multiple
* instances of the stateful Factor class
* @testcase test.TestFactorFactory
* @version 1.0
* @author Eoin Lane
public class FactorFactory implements IFactorFactory, Observer {
/** This contructor is only called once and when it is
* the Caretaker is created and initalised
protected FactorFactory() {
// Initalise the Map
this.map = new HashMap();
//factors = new Vector();
caretaker = new SimpleCaretaker();
System.out.println("Caretaker created and initialized");
* Factory method to create instances of IFactor object
* @param MersenneNumber number of the form (2^k-1)
* @param email of the invoking client
public IFactor getFactor(MersenneNumber MersenneNumber, String email) {
// Store the Mersenne number k value into the Map
Double d = new Double(MersenneNumber.getK());
this.map.put(d, email);
Factor factor = new Factor(MersenneNumber);
// Create a Memento of the newly created factor object
IMemento memento = new SimpleMemento(MersenneNumber.getK(), email);
//Tell the caretaker about it
return (IFactor)factor;
/** Returns a one and only one instance of this class */
public static FactorFactory getInstance() {
if (instance == null) {
synchronized(FactorFactory.class) {
if (instance == null) {
instance = new FactorFactory();
return instance;
* The callback method that the subject will call on this listener
* @param factor the finished Factor class
public void update(Factor factor) {
// Get the k value from the Mersenne number in the factor class
double k_value = factor.getMersenneNumber().getK();
System.out.println("Observer informed of finished
calculation of Mersenne number: " + k_value);
// Get the email corrosponding th the Factor's Mersenne k value
String email = (String)(this.map.get(new Double(k_value)));
Collection bag = factor.getFactors();
mail(bag, email, k_value);
// since this Factor class has now finished process remove
// it's corrosponding memento object from the caretaker
// Create a Memento of the newly created factor object
IMemento memento = new SimpleMemento(k_value, email);
private static FactorFactory instance = null;
// Looks after and tracks all the created Factor objects
private ICaretaker caretaker;
// A map containing the Mersenne number, email value pair
Map map;
The important thing to note is the protected constructor, where a
Vector of
Factor class is created and initialized. This
Vector keeps a record of all of the created
Factor classes. The
Factor classes are then created with the
getFactor(MersenneNumber MersenneNumber) method. This pattern -- using a singleton factory object to create and keep track of the generated
Factor object -- allows a stateless facade to be exposed to the outside while internally stateful classes can be created and their lifecycle managed.
The observer pattern is used here as a callback to the
FactorFactory object to tell it that the
Factor object created to factorize a particular Mersenne number is now finished. To achieve this,
FactorFactory implements the observer interface while the
Factor object implements the subject interface.
Example 2. Implementing the observer interface.
* This object is used to factorize a Mersenne number. There are
* potentially many of these created in memory at run time.
* @testcase test.TestFactor
* @author Eoin Lane
* @version 1.0
public class Factor implements IFactor, Subject {
* Constructor
* @param MersenneNumber a number of the form (2^k-1)
public Factor(MersenneNumber MersenneNumber) {
strategy = new LLFactorer();
this.MersenneNumber = MersenneNumber;
/** factorize this object */
public void factorize() {
factors = this.strategy.factorize(this.MersenneNumber);
public MersenneNumber getMersenneNumber() {
return this.MersenneNumber;
* Register an observer with this object.
* @param observer an observer
public void attach(Observer observer) {
* detach an observer from this object.
* @param observer an observer
public void detach(Observer observer) {
/** Inform all the observers of an event */
public void inform() {
java.util.Enumeration enumeration = observers();
Collection bag = this.getFactors();
while (enumeration.hasMoreElements()) {
public Enumeration observers() {
return ((java.util.Vector) observersVector.clone()).elements();
public Collection getFactors() {
return factors;
/*# private FactorFactory _factorFactory; */
// The (2^k-1) object
private MersenneNumber MersenneNumber;
// The factors returned by the factorisation method
private Collection factors;
// The strategy to be used to factorize this object
private IFactorer strategy = null;
/** @associates <{Observer}> */
private Vector observersVector = new java.util.Vector();
A strategy pattern is used to implement the factorization. The strategy pattern allows an algorithmic change of the implementation at runtime, depending on the choice of strategies (i.e., a different algorithm may be used, depending on the size of the number to be factored). Example 3 gives the code for
LLFactorer, a simple algometric implementation of the
IFactor interface.
Example 3. LLFactorer
import java.util.Collection;
import primes.PrimeNumber;
import java.lang.Math;
import perfectNumbers.MersenneNumber;
* A simple concrete implementation of the strategy IFactorer interface
* @testcase test.TestLLFactorer
* @author Eoin Lane
* @version 1.0
public class LLFactorer implements IFactorer {
public Collection factorize(Number number) {
return new java.util.ArrayList(null);
// We can check a potential factor n of Mp by seeing if 2^p (mod n) =1
public Collection factorize(MersenneNumber MersenneNumber) {
System.out.println("Got Mersenne number for processsing");
// A Collection bag to collect the factors
Collection bag = new java.util.ArrayList();
double maxNumberOfIteration =
Math.pow((double)2, (double)(MersenneNumber.getK()));
double siveNumberOfIteration = sive(maxNumberOfIteration);
for (long i = 1; i < siveNumberOfIteration; i++) {
if ((factorize(MersenneNumber.getK(), (long)i) == 0)) {
bag.add(new Long(i));
System.out.println(i + "\t" + factorize(MersenneNumber.getK(), i));
return bag;
//a simple algorithm for checking for find a^b (mod c)
public static double factorize(double b, double c) {
double a = 2;
double res = 1;
double d;
while (b > 0) {
d = b % 2;
if (d == 1) {
res = a * res;
if (res > c) res = res % c;
a = a * a;
if (a > c)
a = a % c;
b = (b - d) / 2;
return res;
// A simple sive to cut down the number of potential factors
public static double sive(double a) {
return (a + 1) / 2;
Factor object calls the
public Collection factorize(MersenneNumber MersenneNumber) method defined in the
Factorer interface to do the
factorization. The
LLFactorer object (shown above) implements this method by first calling the
public static long sive(long a) method to cut down on the potential factor. This is a very simple method that just cuts the number of factors in half. For instance, for checking
24-1 = 15, only factors up to half of that number need to be checked.
We then iterate through the potential factors and individually check them using the
factorized algorithm found in the
public static double factorize(double b, double c) method. Most of the material for the above strategy code can be found at the Mersenne FAQ.
In case of a server restart, the current Mersenne numbers being factored need to be persisted. To achieve this, a memento pattern
is used. This is in conjunction with a
Caretaker object, which manages and persists the
Memento objects. The
Memento objects represent the state of the
Factor objects currently being computed, and the
Caretaker object manages and persists these objects. On startup, the
Caretaker checks if all of the previous
Factor objects have finished. Unfinished
Factor objects are reinitialized and their calculations restarted. In a later iteration, the stage of factorization will also be persisted.
Example 4. Caretaker interface
* A simple implementation of the Caretaker interface. This Caretaker
* implementation is used to persist Factor objects by keeping a list of
* Memento representing the state of the current Factor instance.
* It writes that list to disk using a a JDO DAO object
* @author Eoin Lane
* @version 1.0
public class SimpleCaretaker implements ICaretaker {
/** The current list of Memento objects */
private Vector currentList;
/** The initalisign list of factor objects */
private Vector factors;
* @link dependency
* @label mementos
/*# IMemento lnkIMemento; */
* Initialise the caretaker load Memento object using
* JDO from disk if necessary
* @param a vector of factory objects
public SimpleCaretaker(Vector factors) {
this.currentList = new Vector();
this.factors = factors;
System.out.println("Loading Memento
objects using JDO from if necessary disk");
/** Clears the current Vector list */
public void clear(Vector factor) {
currentList = new Vector();
this.factors = factors;
/** Adds an element */
public void addElement(Object obj) {
/** Removes an element */
public void removeElement(Object obj) {
private void remove(IMemento obj) {
IMemento m = (IMemento)obj;
m.restore(); //and restore the old position
The persistence mechanism used here is the new Java Data Object (JDO) mechanism. A JDO data access object (DAO) is used to encapsulate the persistence mechanism and the
Caretaker object uses the
JDODOA object to persist the object graph of
Memento objects (these
Memento objects contain the state of the
Factor objects currently in memory).
This use is also defined in the
IPerfectCalc interface and implemented in
PerfectCalc. As a reminder, there are two methods declared in
IPerfectCalc. See the above section for more information about these methods.
As is evident from the service description, this service takes a Mersenne prime and returns the corresponding perfect number. Here are the sequence diagrams and class diagram for this use case.
This server-side architecture uses a number of GOF patterns, which are detailed below.
A stateless facade service class is exposed to the client via a Web service. This facade calls the
FactorFactory (which is a factory class, a mediator, and a singleton) to create
Factor stateful objects. Potentially, there will be many of these objects, depending on the number of client requests for factorization. The
Factor stateful object uses a strategy pattern to find the factors of the Mersenne number and informs the
FactorFactory of the state change using an observer pattern. The
FactorFactory will then email the result. Finally, the
FactorFactoryalso uses a memento pattern to persist the state of the Mersenne number factorization calculation, so it may be reinstated in case of a server restart.
Here is a list of and references to the GOF patterns used:
checkMersenne number to the client).
FactorFactory object for creating
Factor (or any other type of object implementing the
IFactor interface) at runtime),
FactorFactory object to ensure that there is only one object creating and managing
Factor objects.
MersenneNumber, decoupling the
Factor object from how it factors).
FactorFactory again to control and manage the lifecycle of the
Factor objects that it is responsible for creating.
FactorFactory object that the stateful
Factor object has finished factoring and the results should be emailed to the calling client).
Factor object in case of a server restart.
Where does the notion of grid computing come into all of this? In the above example, an instance of the strategy pattern -- the LLFactorer -- has been looked at. Another potential factorization algorithm uses the Elliptic Curve Method (ECM) to check for primality. This can be another implementation of the
IFactorer interface called
ECMFactorer. Numerous other algorithms exist that could be used for this; a comprehensive list can be found here.
For grid computing, the algorithm must be capable of breaking this problem down into nonsequential units of work that can be run in a simultaneous, or parallel, manner. The LL algorithm cannot be parallelized very well, but the ECM algorithm can. Thus, a master Web service could accept a potential Mersenne number for primality testing, only to de-convolute the problem into multiple, paralleled problems that can be farmed out to other Web services from the
ECMFactorer strategy implementation.
Idle processes, within an Intranet exposing an algorithm service as WSDL, for example, could be looked up using UDDI and invoked using SOAP/HTTP. Care should be taken here in long-running blocking transactions, and in extreme cases, a more flexible non-blocking protocol like SOAP/JMS or SOAP/SMTP could be used.
Therefore, our choice of algorithmic implementation dictates the usefulness of applying the problem to a grid solution. The easy infrastructure that Web services provide for solving this sort of computationally-intense problem is unattainable in any other middleware solution currently available.
The combination of Web services and grid computing provides a powerful duo for tackling computationally difficult problems. The three amigos of Web services -- WSDL, UDDI, and SOAP -- provide a framework on which a grid can flourish.
It remains to be seen how effective this will be in terms of providing solutions in realistic timeframes. Other standards within the Web services domain will need to mature in order for this to be a true robust enterprise solution. However, this type of grid computing is already being actively developed by Sun and HP, and applications may not be far off.
Eoin Lane is a Principal Technologist with Cape Clear Software. He offers advice and consultancy to Cape Clear clients in the design and implementation of Web services projects.
Return to ONJava.com.
Copyright © 2017 O'Reilly Media, Inc.


text: Clearly we don't all have a perfectly full hair. And while we definitely encourage you to embrace what you have and make the best of it everyday, sometimes we can all use a little boost for a special event. Thank goodness the ponytail extension exists. My clients and I love these things! They're really easy to attach, but the most important part is prepping your own hair before clipping it in. Over the years I've done this about a billion times and this is truly my favorite way to get that sleek looking ponytail without any lumps & bumps. You may also opt for a more natural, loose look with your pony for which this is still a great technique. Let me show you how to "double up"! The idea with this technique is to make one ponytail inside of another. You can have a bumpy first ponytail and smooth it out with a comb and then pull your second (outer) ponytail over it to cover up any little mistakes. Here we go… (more…)


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Pacific Southwest, Region 9
Serving: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, Tribal Nations
Climate Change in the Pacific Southwest
Renewable Energy
Also On This Site:
California Contaminated Lands Mapping Tool and Information
In partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), EPA has developed a mapping tool and data set that helps identify contaminated and degraded sites in California that are ideal for renewable energy development.
Learn more: Renewable Energy on Contaminated Lands in California
Increasing the use of renewable energy is one of the most effective ways to quickly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. EPA is working with many local partners in the Pacific Southwest Region to promote and recognize efforts to switch to renewables through various voluntary partnership programs.
This page provides information about a number of EPA programs that can assist you with reducing your greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy.
On this page:
EPA Voluntary Programs
RE-Powering America's Lands Initiative
EPA is encouraging renewable energy development on current and formerly contaminated land and mine sites when it is aligned with the community's vision for the site. This initiative identifies the renewable energy potential of these sites and provides other useful resources for communities, developers, industry, state and local governments or anyone interested in reusing these sites for renewable energy development.
- Siting Renewable Energy on Contaminated Lands in California
- National Mapping Tools for Renewable Energy Development
Green Power Partnership Program
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that supports the organizational procurement of green power by offering expert advice, technical support, tools and resources. Partnering with EPA can help your organization lower the transaction costs of buying green power, reduce its carbon footprint, and communicate its leadership to key stakeholders. Green power is electricity produced from a subset of renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, and low-impact hydro. Buying green power is one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve your organization's environmental performance. This partnership currently has more than 1000 partner organizations who voluntarily purchase billions of kilowatt hours of green power annually.
Intel Corporation
For the second year in a row, Intel Corporation, the world's largest semiconductor company, is the nation's largest single voluntary purchaser of green power with purchases of more than 2.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power per year. Intel is currently meeting 87.8% of the organization's purchased electricity with their current renewables purchasing. This is equivalent to the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the electricity use of nearly 215,000 average American homes.
AgSTAR Program
The AgSTAR Program is a voluntary effort jointly sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program encourages the use of methane recovery (biogas) technologies at the confined animal feeding operations that manage manure as liquids or slurries. These technologies reduce methane emissions while achieving other environmental benefits.
Fiscalini Farms
Fiscalini Farms, located in Modesto, CA, is operating a complete mix, mesophilic, double tank anaerobic digestion power generation system at their dairy. The anaerobic digestion system uses the manure waste generated at the dairy to create energy. Over the past two years, this project has generated over 6,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, averaging 373 kilowatt hours daily. This project has generated enough electricity to power 400 homes within the Modesto Irrigation District.
Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Energy Efficient Equipment, Technology and Operating Strategies
Construction on Solar Power System Underway at Wastewater Treatment Plant
Construction on a 1.1-megawatt solar power system for the West Riverside Wastewater Treatment Plant, a joint powers authority administered by Western Municipal Water District. Read more
How to Purchase Renewable Energy
On-Site Renewable Generation
One option for procuring renewable is to install renewable on-site. Solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays are often procured this way, citing the renewable energy on rooftops or parking garages. Wind energy or geothermal heat pumps can also be a viable option for on-site procurement. Direct procurement of a renewable energy system means that the purchaser must bear the up-front cost and be responsible for maintenance of the system.
Google Campus On-site array
The Google headquarters in Mountain View has 1.6 MW of solar photovoltaic panels installed at their campus on the roofs of several buildings and in the parking lot to provide some of the electricity for charging stations available for electric cars. This represents one piece of Google's overall commitment to purchasing and using renewable energy, which also includes long-term contracts to purchase the output from over 200MW of wind energy.
Power Purchase Agreements
A power purchase agreement (PPA) is a financial arrangement in which a third-party developer owns, operates, and maintains a renewable energy system and a customer agrees to site the system on its property. In a PPA, both parties agree to the terms and price for a set period of time (typically 10-30 years). This can be an attractive option for businesses, municipalities, and utilities alike because of the price certainty.
Joint Venture Silicon Valley: Regional Procurement
The Silicon Valley Collaborative Renewable Energy Procurement (SV-REP) Project was launched to expand renewable energy procurement via a regional collaborative effort. This effort utilized a standardized Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) financing model, lease agreements and procurement process. By leveraging the contractual resource investment of the lead agency and creating a procurement pool, all participants benefited from the reduction and elimination of barriers, leading to the adoption of renewable power. This method not only conserved funds, but also accelerated the financing process and deployment of renewable energy technologies. Phase I of the SV-REP Project is currently the largest multi-agency procurement of renewable energy in the United States. It involves 70 sites at 43 locations, and collaboration across nine public agencies. Phase II is currently in process and will expand Phase I. Joint Venture has partnered with Optony and the World Resources Institute on a Public/Private Sector Best Practices Guide for collaborative procurement of solar power.
- Purchasing Power: Best Practices Guide to Collaborative Solar Procurement (PDF) (62 pp, 3MB)
- Additional information: To Increase Use of Solar Power, Collaboration Can Help
Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
A REC is a certificate that represents the generation of one megawatt-hour of electricity from an eligible source of renewable energy. RECs are not tied to the physical delivery of electrons and therefore allow for organizations to purchase green power from suppliers other than their local electricity provider. For this reason, RECs offer a relatively simple procurement option that is attractive to many businesses. RECs are generally independently certified but can be less transparent than other purchasing options.
Community Choice Aggregation
Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a program in which cities or counties can get together to purchase or generate electricity on behalf of their residents and businesses. The incumbent utility continues to deliver the electricity, provide customer service, and maintain the power lines. Currently authorized in six states including California, CCA acts as a hybrid model between a system that is fully operated by an investor-owned utility and one which is publicly owned and operated. CCA serves as a platform for renewable energy procurement, consumer energy choice, and competitive rates. It was first authorized in 2002 under Assembly Bill 117 and amended in 2011 by Senate Bill 790. CCA is a market-based program that allows communities to provide renewable electricity to users without establishing a municipal utility and without the use of government subsidies.
Marin Clean Energy, California's First Community Choice Aggregation Program
In May, 2010, the Marin Energy Authority made history when it launched Marin Clean Energy, California's first operating Community Choice Aggregation program. Marin Energy Authority is a community-based, not-for-profit Agency that offers Marin residents and businesses a choice of cleaner, greener, non-polluting energy. Marin Clean Energy partners with the local investor-owned utility, PG&E, to deliver and maintain the power lines as they always have, but the electricity provided by Marin Clean Energy is 27-100% renewable. Marin Clean Energy is proof that local communities can have a meaningful role in deciding where their energy comes from while offering competitive electricity rates.
Funding and Incentives
Additional Resources
- Go Solar California!
- CA Solar Energy Industries Association
- American Solar Energy Society
- U.S. Department of Energy: Solar
- U.S. Department of Energy: Solar Water Heating
- California Wind Resources
- North American Windpower
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Wind
- American Wind Energy Association
- U.S. Department of Energy: Wind
- U.S. Department of Energy: Geothermal
- Geothermal Energy Association
- Geothermal Resources Council
- Geothermal Heat Pumps (EnergySTAR)
- NREL Geothermal
For more information on other renewable technologies like hydropower, fuel cells, and others:
- U.S. Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Federal Energy Management Program


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text:
Stage Director Intern program
Applications for this year's opera stage director internship are now being accepted. The recipient will work one on one with distinguished veterans of opera stage direction during an opera scenes workshop, young artist program or opera production. Application deadline for the 2015 cycle is October 15, 2014. Please read the internship guidelines for more information.
Posted by: severtki
2016 Finals
Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 NOA Vocal Competition held in Indianapolis, IN on Saturday, Jan 9, 2016
Previous Winners


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How to find inspiration when creating garments and preparing healthy fish will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday. (All times are Mountain.)
Rae Cumbie is a custom dressmaker, artist and designer, and she will talk about how she finds inspiration for her work in a variety of places. She'll also explain how to use her ideas to create a beautiful garment. She is the President of the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals in Baltimore, MD.
Chef and cooking school owner, John Vollertsen (known as Chef Johnny Vee) will demonstrate preparing Salmon en Papilote, or salmon baked in parchment paper, which is a quick, easy and elegant way to prepare this popular and healthy fish. His school is the Los Cosas Cooking School in Santa Fe, NM.
Information on cooking with pears, developing a retirement plan, and using an edgestitch foot for attaching pockets to garments will be the featured topics on "Creative Living" noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday. (All times are Mountain.)
Pat Baird represents the Northwest Pear Bureau, and she's going to discuss why pears are so good for us, and how they may even help us lose weight. Baird lives in Greenwich, Conn.
Thomas Lee is an elder attorney with Senior Resources of America, and he's going to talk about how to develop a specific plan to support your vision of the future so you don't outlive your nest egg. He lives in West Hills, Calif.
Carol Bell is a sewing instructor with Ann Silva's Bernina Sewing Center in Albuquerque, and she's going to demonstrate using a #10 edgestitch foot to attach a pocket to a blouse or shirt.


text: I am still nursing my LO at eight months and I've introduced solids and liquids so my question is about how much BM should he be consuming? I am also a WOHM so I pump at work and nurse on demand at home. I know it's not an exact science so I'll be fine with a guesstimate. Thanks!


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|So where are we flying to EXACTLY?
As we have thrown the Gauntlet of No Content firmly into the dirt with that last post, it seems only fair to get down there with it and have a good old roll around with an issue that has caused a fair bit of contention in this house over the years: pronunciation. Mr Alt's one of those people that, if you still wrote letters into newspapers to complain about bad grammar and general sloppy behaviour when it comes to words, would have run out of red pens a long time ago. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, far from it, and I love the regional discrepancies that certain words throw up: the scone versus scone debate, for instance, is one I hope runs and runs for centuries to come.
There are even more problems when it comes to places that don't actually exist, or characters that have been made up by a lovely person in a building in Anaheim, especially when it's not a name you hear used on a regular basis. One such place is Dalaran.


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Quick Links:
Welcome to the GRBblog! Get to know GRB, Rochester's only locally owned and managed commercial bank. A commercial bank, but also a community bank, with an entrepreneurial spirit about everything we do. We're committed to Growing Rochester Business and making our community a better place to live and work.
The GRBblog is where we post bank news and information, stories about the great organizations we support, and share relevant local and national business news.


text:
Bulls beat Bucks in Milwaukee
Former Marquette star Jimmy Butler scores 16 in return
Nate Robinson scored 16 of his 24 points in the second quarter, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 104-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
Jimmy Butler, a second-year pro from Marquette, had 18 points and five rebounds in a return to the arena where he played college basketball.
Samuel Dalembert had 14 points and a season-high 13 rebounds for the Bucks. Ersan Ilyasova added 18 points and seven rebounds.
Chicago broke open the game midway through the second quarter, using a 20-4 run to take a 49-30 lead. The run included a long 3-point shot by Robinson, who capped the rally with a driving layup and made the ensuing free throw.
Robinson, who also had a breakaway dunk during the run, shot 7 for 9 from the floor during the quarter to help Chicago take a 55-37 lead at the half.
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