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Center for Bio-Inspired
NanoMaterials [CBIN]
[Administrative Office]
107A Chemistry and Biochemistry Bldg
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717
The Center for Bio-Inspired NanoMaterials [CBIN] at Montana State University is a multidisciplinary research and education center focused on utilizing and expanding our fundamental understanding of the formation and hierarchical construction of biological materials such as viruses, cells, and biominerals (bones, teeth, seashells etc.). One extension of this fundamental work is the use of biological macromolecular assemblies as templates for the construction of novel functional nano-materials. However, the goal of the Center is to study a wide range of materials, beyond those of biological origin, to achieve unique physical properties by design.
Support for CBIN comes from the Office of Naval Research, Department of Energy, the National Institutes of Health, SpeciGen Inc., and the National Science Foundation.
NEW! Teacher resources and lesson plans are now available. Click here.
New in the News
:: Hundreds of Montana kids see playful side of science during Science Saturdays. To read more, click here.
:: March 29 is Nano Days 2010 at MSU. Events are scheduled from 6pm - 8pm in the MSU Burns Technology Center Studio 1080 in the EPS Building. For more information, click here.
:: Science Saturday - April 10, 2010 - What is the science of music? We had a blast! For more information, click click here.
:: MSU team developing new ways to fight influenza - read about here.
:: Read about Trevor Douglas' trip to South Africa. Click here to read the report.
:: Journal of Virology cover features CBIN work on viruses. Read more.
:: Postdoc researcher heads to California and Iceland for prestigious summer schools.
:: CBIN graduate student receives $90,000 award.
:: Trevor Douglas receives Provost's Outreach Award for developing Science Saturdays.
:: Professor Trevor Douglas recognized as Letters and Science Distinguished Professor.
Find out more about these and other CBIN news and events.


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Political Festival with Howard Dean Comes to Berkshires
Great Barrington, MA – Berkshire County will be the location for a political festival this summer that will feature former Vermont Governor and presidential candidate Howard Dean. The event will take place days before the Democratic National Convention in Boston. Event organizers say they hope to bring momentum to the national race - but some local officials hope the event doesn't bring too much traffic. More from WAMC's Berkshire Bureau Chief Kelly Wilkinson.

subset: commoncrawl


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Keira: What made you choose Italy as your setting in Urbino, Unexpectedly? Have you recently vacationed there?
Maria Chiara Marsciani: I was born in Rimini, Italy, a mid-size town on the Adriatic Sea eighty miles down by Venice. I left Italy when I was twenty-four to come to the US, but my whole family is still there and I visit them once a year. I chose to set the story in the places where I grew up. They say the first book is usually autobiographic, and, even if "Urbino, Unexpectedly" is not a diary or a detailed report on my own life, I can definitely say that there is a lot of me in it. Starting from the setting.
Keira: Have you ever felt like Clara, the heroine of the novel – as if you were trapped in a life you didn't want?
Maria: Yes. In the past I felt a lot like Clara probably because figuring out who I was and what I wanted from my life wasn't easy for me. Many of my friends are very attached to their twenties and really miss that time of their life a lot. I'm much happier today. Perhaps I have more wrinkles and more ailments, but I'm also much more in tune with myself even if I'm still looking to understand who I truly am. In some ways, the writing process and the decision to finally publish one of my works is an attempt to know myself better.
Keira: How does one get the courage to shake things up? How does Clara?
Maria: I truly believe that decisions come by themselves when a situation becomes truly intolerable and when one has the courage to see life with all the potential. Clara is lucky because she meets a person who shows her that, at the end of the tunnel there is a light and she reacts the only way she can: risking everything she is and everything she has. A big jump in the dark is always scary, but it doesn't necessary mean recklessness. If we have the courage to do it, it can be a new and better beginning and no matter what, a fantastic learning experience.
Keira: Clara finds herself in conflict with (almost) everyone who should be a part of her support structure. Does this mean she's no longer a good girl or can you be a good girl even if you're changing the way you use to behave, react, and act?
Maria: I think that Clara needs to change the perspective from which she looks at herself and others. Clara needs to understand that she is not a good girl because she blindly follows her parents' rules or because she indiscriminately adapts to her country's tradition. It is not easy, there are family expectations and thousands of years of culture on her shoulders, but she has to learn that finding the courage to act accordingly to her own nature doesn't necessarily mean she is not a good girl anymore. In order to be able to break loose from cultural impositions, especially in the beginning, she needs to react and sometimes even overreact.
Keira: Do you think love can change a person? For the better?
Maria: I don't think love can change us, but I think that love, true love, makes us feel appreciated and accepted, and for that reason it can definitely give us the strength to look inside ourselves and to find out who we truly are. Hopefully, we'll find out we can be better persons.
Keira: How do you define love (romantic)?
Maria: Romantic love is first of all irresistible chemistry and attraction, then it is finding that behind and beyond all of that, there is your best friend, a companion you want to spend your life with, and the person that can see life through your eyes as you can see life through his. Dreams change as life progresses, but that person will keep on dreaming with you until the end.
Keira: How does romantic love and familial love influence the novel?
Maria: Romantic love gives Clara a new perspective on life. It unlocks her inner self and teaches her not to be afraid to appreciate life with her own sensitivity instead of continually adapting to external guidelines. Familial love influences the novel because Clara is surrounded by people whose 'love' has trapped her in rules and values she doesn't believe in.
Keira: If you could go anywhere and do anything with money being no object – where would you go and what would you do?
Maria: Wow, this is hard and tricky. My gut answer is I wouldn't go anywhere and I wouldn't do anything, but if I think deeper, I don't think that would be the case. It's true that I like my life as it is right now and there are not many things I'd like to change, but it is also true that there are still a lot of places in the world I'd want to visit and many things I want to do. I think I'd like to stop time. But that is not a matter of money, isn't it?
Keira: Tell us about Leonardo – Clara's beau! What makes him special?
Maria: Leonardo has a very pure vision of life, he can see Clara's potentials and he is determined to help her see them too. Unlike all the other people around Clara, who judge her based on cultural stereotypes and therefore find her 'peculiar', he has a free, non judgmental and open mind, and for that reason he is able to make Clara feel that there is nothing wrong with her. She just has to find her own way.
Keira: Who would you cast in the roles of Clara and Leonardo if your book was turned into a film?
Maria: My totally biased answer is I'd like Rooney Mara to be Clara and Tom Hiddleston to be Leonardo.
She is an exceptionally eclectic actress able to believably play totally different roles. She can play sweet and cruel, frail and determined being almost unrecognizable in the different roles. I think she could be the perfect naïve Clara who slowly comes to life becoming a resolute woman. Tom Hiddleston is a very talented actor, he has a refined look, but at the same time something in his eyes says he can be a bad boy too and that is how I see Leonardo.


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NEW! HC-X900 HD Camcorder
- Ultrafine Image Quality
- High Performance New Wide LEICA Lens (F1.5 Wide 29.8mm)
- Clear Sound 5.1 Dolby Digital Creator
Imaging Technology
Next-Generation Imaging System
3MOS System Pro
The 3MOS System Pro has achieved a revolutionary leap forward in each of its elements - lens, sensor and engine. In the F1.5, 29.8mm wide-angle Leica Dicomar Lens, a Nano Surface Coating enhances image rendering in every shooting situation. The Advanced 3MOS Sensor employs a pixel shifting technology to achieve the equivalent of four times the pixel count of Full-HD. And the Crystal Engine Pro II processes this huge amount of pixels at high speed to produce a remarkable level of Full-HD picture quality. The 3MOS System Pro offers Panasonic's highest-ever image quality with breathtaking detail, vibrant colors, and minimal noise when shooting in dimly lit places. It will preserve your memories in all their natural beauty.
3MOS System Pro produces vibrant colors and finely detailed images with minimum noise.
Bright, High-Performance Lens
New 29.8mm Wide-Angle* F1.5 LEICA Dicomar Lens with Nano Surface Coating Technology
New large-diameter F1.5 lens is mounted with a Nano Surface Coating applied to the front lens surface. These advanced lens systems suppress ghosts and flaring when shooting moving pictures, and let you record bright images with very little noise even in dark places. In addition, the 29.8mm wide-angle* is especially convenient for recording indoor or in tight spaces.
* 35mm camera equivalent.
Equivalent to Four Times the Pixel Count of Full-HD
Advanced 3MOS Sensor with Pixel Shift Technology
The 3MOS Sensor splits the light information captured by the lens into the three primary colors - red, green and blue - and processes each color with its own individual sensor. This reduces light loss compared to the 1MOS sensor. Pixel Shift Technology, which took years to develop, provides a huge number of effective pixels for moving pictures – equivalent to four times the pixel count of Full-HD. This technology renders ultrafine images with excellent color reproduction and superb detail.
Enhanced Resolution and Noise Reduction Effects
Crystal Engine Pro II
The X900/X900M features the newly developed, ultra-high speed Crystal Engine Pro II. By using this engine to perform high-speed processing of the huge number of pixels – approximately equivalent to four times the pixel count of Full-HD – that are obtained with pixel shift technology, superb Full-HD image quality is achieved even in detailed image parts. The improved processing capability also dramatically reduces noise by 40%* compared with previous models, to record clear, stunningly beautiful images even in dim lighting. It also makes it possible to record highly detailed 3D images with Full-HD quality.**
* Compared to HDC-HS900/TM900/SD900.
** The optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens is required for shooting 3D images.
Easily save important scenes in 3D.
FULL HD 3D Recording with 3D Conversion Lens
By simply mounting the VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens, you can record FULL HD 3D images* with the MVC (Multiview Video Coding) recording system of the AVCHD 3D format. Right-eye and left-eye images are both recorded and played in Full-HD quality, using the Frame Sequential Method to produce FULL HD 3D images. The 3D Conversion Lens is smaller than the one for last year's models, and its brightness has also been increased from F3.2 to F2.0. In addition, 1.5x zooming** is now possible, allowing a versatile range of 3D shooting. This brings all the lifelike ambience of the actual scene right into the living room. The X900/X900M is also equipped with a 3.5-inch wide LCD that allows 3D viewing without the need for special eyewear. Images taken in 3D can be checked on the spot.
* The optional VW-CLT2 3D Conversion Lens is required for shooting 3D images.
** 1.5x digital zoom.
Full-HD images for the right and left eyes are simultaneously recorded through two lenses, using a 3D lens that artificially reproduces the phenomenon of visual disparity.
The TV alternately reproduces the left-eye and right-eye images, which are viewed through 3D Eyewear. To play back 3D images, simple insert an SD Memory Card in the slot of a VIERA 3DTV or use an HDMI mini cable to connect the camera to a 3D TV.
How do humans perceive 3-dimensional Images?
Because the left and right eyes are located at different positions on the face, the left and right eyes perceive slightly different images. The difference between the two images is called "visual disparity". The brain processes these two images with visual disparity to reconstruct spatial conditions, enabling us to see thing with three-dimensional depth.
If you would like to download the 3D video samples, click here.
Crisp, clear images even for fast-moving subjects
AVCHD Progressive Compliant 1080/60p Recording
1080/60p recording (Full-HD, 1,920 x 1,080, 60 progressive recording) conveys about twice the information of 1080i (interlace) recording. Fast-moving subjects, such as in sports scenes, are smoothly recorded. The progressive recording of the X900/X900M fully complies with the AVCHD Progressive standard.
Interlaced Scanning (1080/60i)
Only half of the image data is reproduced in each picture. Fabric patterns run together, and moiré patterns appear.
Progressive Scanning (1080/60p)
Reproduces all of image data in a single picture. Patterns in fabric are crisp and clear with no color bleeding.
Shooting Performance
Beautiful zoom shots of distant subjects.
Intelligent 23x Zoom
The X900/X900M feature an Intelligent Zoom function that goes all the way up to 23x. When using Intelligent Zoom, Intelligent Resolution technology lets you shoot at high zoom rates while preserving the image resolution. You get sharp images of highly detailed objects – without the blurry edges.
Powerful hand-shake compensation over the entire zoom range.
HYBRID O.I.S. + uses five-axis correction to thoroughly suppress blurring all the way from wide-angle shots to powerful zoom shots. It also achieves superb effects when shooting while walking. This lets you capture crisp, clear images, without blurring, in almost every shooting situation.
Even more powerful hand-shake compensation.
O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) Lock
The image-stabilizing effect is increased by pressing and holding the O.I.S. Lock indication on the LCD screen, which maximizes the blur detection sensitivity. This is great for when you want to zoom at a fixed angle, like for bird watching.
Captures large groups, even when shooting from up close.
29.8mm Wide-Angle Lens*
The 29.8mm wide-angle lens on the X900/X900M fit more people and more of the background into the frame than a conventional lens. This is especially handy when you want to take a group photo in a small room.
* 35mm camera equivalent
Accessories for even more wide-angle shooting fun
Wide Conversion Lens (Optional)
Wide conversion lenses, which further extend wide-angle shooting capability, have been added the X900/X900M as optional accessories. The VW-W4907H model allows 0.75x wide-angle shooting.
* Not available when the 3D conversion lens is attached.
Craft images with intuitive ease.
Manual Ring *
The manual ring gives you easy, fingertip control over the focus, zoom and exposure settings. You'll find using the ring a much more intuitive, comfortable, user-friendly process than accessing a menu screen. With the manual ring and manual operation, the X900/X900M is a pleasure to use and gives you the freedom to craft unusually expressive images.
* HC-X900/X900M only.
Just rotate the ring to zoom in and out. You have full control of the zooming speed and can zoom in or out to the precise degree you want.
Just rotate the ring to focus. You can focus on the exact point you want, even if it's not in the center of the frame. You can also change the focus as you shoot, to get the kind of creative shots you sometimes see in movies.
White Balance
Select from Auto, Indoor 1, Indoor 2, Sunny, Cloudy, and White Set according to the location, weather or type of lighting. You'll always get the best possible coloring even if the light source changes.
Shutter Speed
The shutter speed can be adjusted from 1/24 to 1/8,000 of a second.* Use a high shutter speed when shooting sports events or fast-moving subjects, and you can get clear, sharp, incredible action shots.
* In NTSC areas. 1/25 to 1/8,000 of a second in PAL areas.
Use the ring to adjust the aperture to regulate the amount of light let in. You can also use this setting to attain a shallow depth of field, blur the background, or create frames that emphasize the foreground, for creating movie-like expressions.
Slow events that take place over long periods of time can be condensed into short images.
Time Lapse Recording
The time lapse function uses longer frame intervals than standard shooting. You can use this function to capture shortened or condensed footage of events that actually take place over a much longer time period. For example, time lapse recording is ideal for shooting a flower in the process of blooming, or a long, slow sunset. With time lapse recording, you have an interesting new video technique to explore.
Film-like beauty: Captures more data to deliver richer images.
Digital Cinema Mode
Progressive 1080/24p (NTSC)*
Set the HD camcorder to Digital Cinema mode to shoot in the progressive 1080/24p (24 pictures per second) format for NTSC area. Progressive scanning captures clear, vibrant images with intricate detail. You also get faithful images with an appealing film-like quality.
Images are rich and luxuriant, just like at the movies.
Digital Cinema Color*** with VIERA
Selecting the Digital Cinema Color mode makes it possible to shoot film-like images that are ideally suited to the Digital Cinema Color of VIERA TVs. Colors recorded in this mode look richer than those recorded using the conventional Panasonic standard. For example, the subtle shades of red and gold in flowers, and the greens of leafy trees are remarkably true to life.
* The video captured as 24p using Digital Cinema Mode is converted and recorded as 60i.
*** When using a TV that is compatible with "x.v.Color", images that are recorded in Digital Cinema Color mode will have a wider color range than conventional images. The color range varies depending on the TV. x.v.Color is a registered trademark.
Stunning still images, even when enlarged.
Still Picture Recording
Still Picture Recording at 16 Megapixels
Still Picture Recording mode lets you shoot with a maximum resolution of 16 megapixels.* You can also simultaneously record still images and video at 14.7 megapixels.**
* For images recorded with a 3:2 aspect ratio.
** For images recorded with a 16:9 aspect ratio.
60 Frames/Sec High-Speed Burst Shooting*
This function lets the camcorder snap up to 60 consecutive 2.1-megapixel still images* per second for a total of 180 continuous images in about 3 seconds. You can use it to analyze a golf swing, tennis stroke or other motion.
* In PAL areas, 50 consecutive 2.1-megapixel still images per second.
iA Mode for Still Images
The iA function is active even when the camera is in still-image mode. When the Intelligent Scene Selector detects the shooting situation, it automatically switches to one of the five Scene modes for still-image shooting, and optimizes the settings for the still image.
• Sports • Portrait • Spot Light • Snow • Beach
• Sunset • Fireworks • Scenery • Night Scenery
• Night Portrait • Macro
Smile Shot (Still Image)
The Smile Shot function automatically detects subject smiles, and captures the best possible smile while you're shooting movies. It lets you easily catch those fleeting, easy-to-miss stills of a smiling subject. It will also optimize the focus and exposure for your subject's smiling face.
Capture the smiles of only certain subjects - Face Recognition Linked Capture the smiles of an entire group - Face Detection Linked Capture the smiling face of a moving subject - AF/AE Tracking Linked
Capturing voices over a wide area for a more life-like sound.
5.1-Ch Surround Sound System (X900/X900M)
The X900/X900M is equipped with five electret condenser microphones. The five electret condenser microphones help capture the sound source and distance accurately, so you get a more 3-dimensional effect. The Zoom Mic function improves 6 dB* by suppressing the noise coming from any direction other than the front of the camera. This enables the sound of the subject to be clearly captured. Low-frequency performance has also been improved for more natural sound recording. You get a realistic sound space that's a perfect match with the true-to-life HD images.
* Compared with HDC-HS900/TM900/SD900
• Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby" and the double-D symbol are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
Wide (1x)
Picks up audio from all directions to reproduce a natural, lifelike sound field.
Zoom Mic (12x)
The Zoom Mic function links the microphones to the lens action. When you zoom in on a subject, the microphones focus on the sound in that same direction.
Focus Mic
With the five highly directional microphones, this mode enables the microphones to focus on sounds coming from right in front of you, even when the lens is not zooming.
Wind Noise Canceller (X900/X900M)
The technology of the previous Wind Cut function has evolved to form the Wind Noise Canceller. It automatically detects and suppresses only wind noise, to give you natural sounds with lifelike ambience. Also, unlike the previous Wind Cut function, which switched to monaural recording, the Wind Noise Canceller enables stereo recording. This maintains natural sounds when shooting outdoors.
Sharp focusing even up close.
You can shoot macro close-ups while maintaining a distance of 95cm from your subject. In addition, using the zoom at full magnification makes it much easier to capture extreme close-ups without your body or camera casting a shadow on the subject and while keeping the background in soft focus.
easy operation & usability
Intuitive shooting, easy viewing
3.5" Wide 3D-Compatible LCD* with Intuitive Touch Operation
The X900M feature a 1,152,000-dot 8.8-cm/3.5-inch wide 3D-compatible LCD. This makes it possible to shoot 3D images while checking 3D effects without having to use any special equipment. Offers intuitive touch operation. When shooting, you can use Touch Zoom to instantly zoom in and out by simply touching with a fingertip, and Touch Shutter to automatically focus when shooting still images by simply touching the subject on the screen. For playback, you can also change thumbnail pages by sliding a fingertip across the screen. You get smooth, intuitive operation and don't have to take your eyes off of the LCD screen.
* HC-X900/X900M only.
Touch Operation
- Touch Zooming
You can easily zoom in and zoom out by simply touching the LCD with your fingertips.
- Touch Shutter
You can touch the subject on the LCD screen to instantly focus on it and takes a still picture.
- Touch for Playback
You can flip through thumbnail pages, display one of the thumbnail scenes, and more, with fingertip operation.
Wide Viewing Angle LCD*
The LCD has a viewing angle of 170°, both vertically and horizontally. Images are clear and bright even when viewed from an angle, so everyone can gather around the LCD to enjoy on-the-spot recordings.
* Only when shooting 2D images.
Expressive performance with detailed.
0.24" Electronic Viewfinder and Interface *
This 263,424-dot equivalent / 0.24-inch viewfinder is easy to use and convenient for focusing and other adjustments. You can enjoy more professional shooting with handy functions.
* HC-X900/X900M only.
Electronic Viewfinder The extendable electronic viewfinder is easy to use and convenient for focusing and other adjustments. Mic and Headphone Terminal There's a mic input terminal and a headphone jack on the side of the camcorder. Plug in an external mic or headphones (both optional) if desired. Accessory Shoe Optional accessories can be attached here to increase shooting versatility.
Makes optimal settings automatically - for both motion and still images.
iA (Intelligent Auto)
This powerful function senses the shooting conditions and automatically makes the settings and activates functions that will deliver optimal results. With both motion and still images, iA does the bothersome settings for you and makes it easy to capture beautiful, well-focused images.
* The functions included in iA may not be applied when conditions do not call for them.
Learn more about iA function, click here.
Great for sudden photo opportunities! Saves energy too!
Approx. 1-sec Quick Power-On
Switch the power on and the HD camcorders are in standby mode in approx. 1 second,* ready to shoot when you are. When the LCD is closed, the power automatically switches off. This fast startup and automatic shutdown also help reduce battery consumption.
* Depending on the recording conditions, start time may be longer than 1 second.
0.6-sec Quick Start
Using Quick Start mode, you simply flip open the LCD and you're ready to shoot in just 0.6 seconds.* When Eco mode is also used, the power turns off whenever the camcorder has not been operated for 5 minutes. This reduces wasted power consumption, and enables a longer battery life.
* Depending on the recording conditions, start time may be longer than 0.6 seconds.
A precise way to check the lighting.
On-Screen Assist
Ideal for making fine brightness adjustments that are difficult to see in the LCD.
A handy guide for correcting the exposure is shown right in the monitor.
- Zebra Pattern
A "zebra pattern" is displayed in areas of the frame where the lighting is excessive and the image is over-exposed.
- Brightness Level
The light level is metered at the center of the frame and displayed as a percentage (%). This serves as a guide when you're shooting a subject that's backlit, or when you want to keep the light level the same even though the lighting conditions change.
- Histogram
The histogram displays in graph form the exposure and contrast conditions over the entire frame. This lets you determine fine gradation details that are difficult to tell by just looking at the screen.
Ideal for Mac and PC users.
iFrame Mode
The X900/X900M lets you record videos in the iFrame. With iFrame, the video in your camera is the same format you'll edit, so it's fast to import and edit with compatible video editing software. iFrame is based on standards, so it works with a number of applications – such as iMovie.
Adjusts the focus easily.
Focus Assist
This function shows which subjects are in-focus by displaying their outlines in blue. You can easily check the focus on LCD when manually focusing, to ensure consistently clear, sharp images.
Supports your best composition.
Composition Guide Lines
With wide LCD monitors, it's hard to keep images perfectly level. The X900/X900M solves this by displaying horizontal and vertical Composition Guide Lines that make it easy to keep the subject straight and level.
No more lost lens caps.
Auto Lens Cover
When the power is turned on, the lens cover automatically opens. When the power goes off, the lens cover closes.
You don't have to keep removing and replacing a lens cap - or worry about losing it.
Easy time setting - Both on the destination and at home.
World Time
The displayed map lets you easily set the time for the location you want. Setting the time is as easy as selecting a city from the displayed map. The World Time function lets you set the time for two cities, home and destination. You don't have to figure out the time difference at your destination, and it's easy when you get home.
Other Functions
- Product Overview
- Imaging Technology
- Shooting Performance
- Easy Operation & Usability
- Playback / Networking
Playback / Networking - 2D images
Play a compilation of the most exciting scenes.
Advanced Highlight Playback
Select the days of the recordings you want to see, and this innovative function automatically selects the most exciting scenes, arranges them, plays them with music, and save them, or ones that the user has personally selected, according to a set time interval. It decides how exciting a scene is, based on zooming, panning, and scene changes, and whether there are faces. The X900/X900M has both advanced with the addition of playback effects that include slow motion, still image fading, and flash playback. Four image effect modes* – natural, pop, dynamic and classical – have also been added. Set different effects based on the mood of your images, and enjoy memorable scenes just the way you remember them when shooting. The Face Highlight Playback mode places priority on selecting the faces of subjects who are registered in the Face Recognition function, for quick playback of the scenes where they are clearly recorded, together with music.
* Only during playback with the main unit.
Playback image effect mode
Enjoy more impressive highlight playback with natural switching effects.
View highlight playback of the images you've taken, together with a variety of fun effects.
Enjoy highlight playback with speedy, dynamic effects.
Enjoy highlight playback with dramatic effects applied mainly to your subject's faces.
Variety of index for easy selection of particular scenes.
Face Highlight, Highlight and Time Frame Index
The index function has been enhanced with the addition of a feature that divides each recorded
scene into a number of smaller scenes, and displays thumbnails for each. This makes it much
easier to find a particular part of a scene without having to fast-forward.
- Face Highlight Index
The Face Highlight Index selects scenes that have faces in them and displays them in an index format. This handy function lets you quickly find and view scenes that have people in them.
- Highlight Index
The camera automatically selects and displays the most exciting scenes. It determines the level of importance of each scene based on zooming and panning, and whether there are faces. This gives you an easy, convenient way to view all the highlights together.
- Time Frame Index
This mode divides each recorded clip into 3-second, 6-second, 12-second, 1-minute and 5-minute intervals, and displays them. This is convenient when you want to find a specific scene within a long clip.
Easily watching with connect a cable - or just use the memory card.
Easy Connecting, Easy Viewing
Just connect your HD camcorder to an HDTV and get ready for an incredible high-definition
video show. If your TV is HDMI* compatible, a single HDMI mini cable is all you need. When
using a video component cable, you need a separate audio cable.
* HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or registered trademarks of
HDMI Licensing LLC.
- VIERA Link
- Connect your HD camcorder to a VIERA* or compatible Blu-ray Disc™ Player* via an HDMI mini cable, and you can control both units in synchronized operation with a single remote control. This kind of simple, easy operation makes it enjoyable to view your recordings.
* Availability of models may differ depending on the country.
* With VIERA Link, a control signal sent through the HDMI cable allows linked operation of a VIERA TV, compatible DIGA DVD recorder, and the HD camcorder. Please note that this function applies only to equipment that is compatible with VIERA Link, and that VIERA Link does not let you control every function of all connected equipment.
- Playback with SD Card
- Just slip the SD card from your camcorder into the SD card slot on your VIERA TV* or Blu-ray Disc™ Player,* and you're ready to view Full-HD moving images recorded.
* Availability of models may differ depending on the country.
The models availability varies depending on countries and regions. format still images can be viewed with other SD Memory Card Slot-equipped models.
Copy in Full-HD 1080/60p, Full-HD 1080/60i, or MPEG-2 Format
Archiving and Playback
The HD camcorders have a USB Host function that lets you connect directly to a DVD burner
via a USB cable. Then just press a button and you can copy the moving images you recorded
from the SD card or Built-in Memory to a DVD disc.*
* Except for 1080/60p recording format.
** AVCHD compatible models.
- Easy AVCHD to MPEG-2 Conversion
- You can make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format,* or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format. Choose the one that matches your playback equipment.* Except for 1080/60p recording format.
- Archiving 1080/60p Data with a PC or Blu-ray Disc™ Recorder***
You can save 1080/60p video data onto a Blu-ray Disc™ by using a PC or Blu-ray Disc™ Recorder.*** *** Available only for Spring 2012 or newer models.
Playback with a DVD burner
To view the disc you just burned, simply connect the HD camcorder to an HDTV via an HDMI mini cable.
- The 12-cm DVD discs that you create with a DVD burner can be played on a Blu-ray Disc™ Player.
Use your PC and included software HD Writer AE 4.1
Editing, Archiving and YouTube™ or Facebook™ Uploading
HD Writer AE 4.1 software, included with the camcorder, makes it easy to play or edit videos on your PC and have more fun when the shooting's done. Also, the ordinarily time-consuming task of converting and archiving data from 60p to AVCHD or MPEG-2 format can be easily done at high speed by connecting the 3MOS camcorder to a PC with a USB cable and using the camcorder's Conversion Assist function.
Also Enjoyable When the Shooting's Done
- Importing Data
When the camcorder is connected to a PC, the software automatically starts up. Importing data takes only a few clicks of the mouse.
- Easy YouTube™ and Facebook™ Uploading
The videos you've recorded are easily uploaded to YouTube™ or Facebook™ in their original high quality. HD Writer AE 4.1 lets you share your videos worldwide.
- Editing
Along with the full editing functions such as adding titles, rearrangement scenes, transition effects, and editing images, a Timeline mode has also been added. This allows a timeline to be displayed with a storyboard, for highly accurate editing while fine-tuning the timing of video images. The playback timing of background music can also be finely adjusted to enable precise insertion.
- Short Movie Story
The newly added Short Movie Story function makes it possible to transform still images and videos into dramatic short videos. Once the still images/videos, a theme, and background music are selected, the software takes over to automatically produce the movie. When completed, you can save the video onto a disc in HD image quality, or easily upload it to YouTube™ or Facebook™.
- Video Retouch
Video Retouch is a new function that lets you decorate images with text, graphic painting or stamp pens. By using a game-like approach to add an extra editing touch to finished images, they become even more attractive and enjoyable.
- Archiving
Make a copy either in the original high-definition AVCHD format, or in the standard-definition DVD-Video (MPEG-2) format.
Playback / Networking - 3D images
Enjoy 3D images the easy way.
2D to 3D Conversion
Images that were shot in 2D without using the 3D Conversion Lens can be easily transformed into 3D images with the 2D to 3D Conversion function. Simply connect the camcorder to a 3D-compatible TV with an HDMI cable. The 2D to 3D Conversion function then uses the image processing capability of the engine to convert 2D images into 3D. This is an easy, casual way to enjoy the excitement of 3D.
Easy Connecting for 3D Video Playback and Archiving
- Connection for 3D Video Playback
- With Panasonic VIERA 3DTV,* you can easily watch FULL HD 3D images using the Frame Sequential Method by simply inserting an SD Memory Card** into the SD card slot or connecting the camcorder with an HDMI mini Cable.** Playback is also possible with a Panasonic 3D-compatible Blu-ray Disc™ player or recorder.*** The recorder can be used to save high-quality 3D images as well.
* A TV that is capable of side-by-side method 3D playback, 3D Eyewear, and HDMI cable connection are required to play the recorded 3D images. Some VIERA 3DTV models allow direct 3D-image playback from an SD card.
** Applicable models
VIERA playback is possible on Spring 2012 or newer models. DIGA playback and recording are also possible on Spring 2012 or newer models. Playback on other-brand equipment produces side-by-side method 3D images.
*** If the player/recorder is not 3D-compatible, you need to set the 3D mode on the TV manually.
**** To play the content with a recorder, the data must be copied to an HDD.
• Some VIERA 3DTV models may require a firmware update to play 3D images from an SD card.
For details, please visit http:/panasonic.net/avc/viera/information_3dviv/
• Model availability varies depending on the country and region.
- Connection for 3D Side-by-Side Video Archiving
- Recorded 3D data can be saved onto a DVD by simply connecting the X900/X900M to an optional DVD burner with a USB cable and pressing a button. You can also use an AVCHD-compatible recorder to save data onto a Blu-ray Disc™ or DVD.
* To burn the content onto a BD/DVD, the data must be copied to an HDD.
** The models availability varies depending on countries and regions.
- Connection for 3D MVC Format Video Archiving
- Recorded MVC (Multiview Video Coding) format 3D data can be saved onto a Blu-ray Disc™ by simply connecting the X900/X900M to an AVCHD-compatible recorder with a USB cable and pressing a button.
Easy Editing (HD Writer AE 4.1)
HD Writer AE 4.1 offers a wide variety of 3D editing functions. 3D switching allows various effects to be added to scene transitions. Titles can be inserted in front of the images, and special effects can be positioned with the titles, with a lever for adjusting the visual disparity. This makes editing 3D images as easy as editing ordinary 2D images. If the user's system supports NVIDIA 3D Vision, the 3D images can be checked as editing proceeds.
- About HD Writer AE 4.1:
This software is not compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98/98SE, Windows Me, Windows 2000 and Windows NT.
Supplied CD-ROM is available for Windows only.
Operation on an upgraded OS is not guaranteed.
When 2 or more USB devices are connected to a PC, or when devices are connected though USB hubs or by using extension cables, proper operation is not guaranteed.
Operation on an OS other than the one pre-installed is not guaranteed.
This software does not support the multi-boot environments.
This software does not support the multi-monitor environments.
Operation is not guaranteed on Windows XP Media Center Edition, Tablet PC Edition, Windows Vista Enterprise or Windows 7 Enterprise.
Available with administrator account in Windows XP.
Available with administrator account or standard account in Windows Vista/Windows 7 (Installation and un installation of the software requires an administrator account.)
- Microsoft®, Windows®, Windows Vista® and Windows® 7 are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
- YouTube™ and the YouTube Logo are trademarks of Google Inc.
- Facebook and the Facebook logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Facebook, Inc.
- iMovie and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
- IBM and PC/AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation of the U.S.
- Intel, Pentium, Celeron and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
- Other names of systems and products mentioned in these instructions are usually the registered trademarks or trademarks of the manufacturers' who developed the system or product concerned.
- All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
SpecificationsExpand All
- Image Sensor 1/4.1"" MOS Sensor x 3
- Total Pixels 9.15 megapixels (3.05 megapixels x 3 )
- Effective Pixles
- Motion Image 6.57 - 6.21 megapixels (2.19 - 2.07 megapixels x 3) [16:9]
- Still Image 7.11 megapixels (2.37 megapixels x 3) [3:2] / 6.57 - 6.21 megapixels (2.19 - 2.07 megapixels x 3) [16:9] / 6.87 megapixels (2.29 megapixels x 3) [4:3]
- F Value F1.5 (WIDE) / F2.8 (TELE)
Optical Zoom12 x
Focal Length2.84 - 34.1 mm
- 35 mm Film Camera Equivalent
- Motion Image 29.8 - 368.8 mm [16:9]
- Still Image 29.8 - 357.7 mm [3:2], / 29.8 - 368.8 mm [16:9], / 31.0 - 372.0 mm [4:3],
- Filter Diameter 49 mm
- Lens Brand Leica Dicomar Lens
- Standard Illumination 1400 lx
Minimum Illumination1.6 lx (1/30, Low Light, Scene Mode), 1 lx (Color Night View)
- Focus Auto/ Manual
- Zoom
- Intelligent Zoom OFF 12 x
- Intelligent Zoom ON 23 x
Digital Zoom30 x/ 700 x (The maximum value of zoom magnification)
White BalanceAuto / Indoor1 / Indoor2 / Sunny / Cloudy / White set
- Shutter Speed
- Motion Image [60i / 60p] / Auto Slow Shutter ON : 1/30-1/8000 / Auto Slow Shutter OFF : 1/60-1/8000 / [24p] / Auto Slow Shutter ON : 1/24 - 1/8000 / Auto Slow Shutter OFF : 1/48 - 1/8000
- Still Image 1/2 - 1/2000, (Video Flash On: 1/2 - 1/500)
- Iris Auto/ Manual
- Image Stabilizer Hybrid O.I.S.+ with O.I.S. lock
- Recording Media SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card
- Recording Format [AVCHD] AVCHD 3D/ Progressive / [iFame] MP4
- Compression Method [2D] MPEG-4 AVC/ H.264 / [3D] MPEG-4 MVC/ H.264
- Signal System 1080/ 60p, 1080/ 60i, 540/ 30p
- Recording/ Playback Mode 1080/ 60p (28Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HA (17Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HG (13Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HX (9Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / HE (5Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080) / iFrame (28Mbps / VBR) , (960 x 540) / AVCHD 3D (28Mbps / VBR) , (1920 x 1080
Thumbnail Display20 thumbnails/page, 9 thumbnails/page, 1 thumbnails/page
- Audio Recording System 1080/60p, HA, HG, HX, HE : Dolby Digital (5.1ch/ 2ch) / iFrame: AAC (2ch) / MP4: AAC (2ch)
Microphone5.1ch Surround, Zoom and Focus Microphone
SpeakerDynamic type
- Recording Format JPEG (DCF/Exif2.2), MPO
- Recirding Image Size
- Still Image 14.7 megapixels (5120 x 2880), 8.3 megapixels (3840 x 2160), 5.8 megapixels (3200 x 1800) [16:9] / 16 megapixels (4896 x 3264), 8.6 megapixels (3600 x 2400?, 6.1 megapixels (3024 x 2016) [3:2] / 15.1 megapixels (4480 x 3360), 8.6 megapixels (3392 x 2544), / 5.8 megapixels (2784 x 2088), 0.3 megapixels (640 x 480) [4:3] / [3D] 2.1 megapixles (1920 x 1080) [16:9]
- Simultaneous Recording 14.7 megapixels (5120 x 2880), 8.3 megapixels (3840 x 2160), 2.1 megapixels (1920 x 1080) / [3D] 2.1 megapixles (1920 x 1080) [16:9]
- Flash Yes
Power Supply7.2V (Battery) / 9.3V (AC Adaptor)
- Power Consumption Max. 8.9W (Recording) / Max. 10.3W (Charging)
- Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 67 x 72 x 150[mm] (2.64 x 2.83 x 5.90 [inch])
- Weight (w/o battery and SD card) Approx. 425g (0.93 lb)
LCD Monitor3.5"" Wide 3D LCD¿monitor (1,152,000 dots)
- View Finder Yes
- Manual Ring Yes
- Interface
- HDMI Yes (mini)
- Microphones (stereo mini) Yes
- Headphone (stereo mini) Yes
- USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
- AV Multi Yes
- Accessory Shoe Yes (cold)
- On-Screen Display Language English, French, Spanish
- AC Adaptor Yes
- AC Cable Yes
- DC Cable Included AC adopter
- Rechargeable Battery Pack Yes (1,250 mAh)
- IR Remote Yes
- AV Multi Cable Yes
- Shoe adaptor Yes
- Lens Hood Yes
- USB Cable Yes
- Bandled Software HD Writer AE 4.1
- Replacement Accessories
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SupportOwner's ManualsHow To Guided TutorialsFAQs
CONTACT INFORMATIONConsumer Product Support and Technical AssistanceOperating hours:Mon-Fri 9am-9pm ESTSat-Sun 10am-7pm EST
What support content is available for my product?
Click on a link below that interests you the most:
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The Balancing Damper Increases Efficiency and Comfort
Properly balancing airflow is essential in setting up a ventilation system in a home or industrial environment. Without this, some rooms will receive too much air and some rooms will not get enough air, causing rooms to be too hot or too cold. The role of the balancing damper is to create a more efficient and comfortable environment, reducing costs to the user as well as providing additional benefits.
Simply using the floor or wall register to regulate the air supply entering a room is not an ideal solution. Registers may completely seal off the airflow, which can cause the branch duct to pressurize or split possibly leading to wasted energy. A balancing damper fits into a duct with a gap around the edges to prevent such pressure from building. Also, the dampers on a floor or wall register may be very noisy. These dampers may also be easily moved when cleaning which can change the rate of airflow. Having proper dampers installed can help prevent these problems.
When the HVAC system is not balanced, it tends to run for a longer period of time as the system tries to adjust to the temperature set by the user. If the duct damper is balanced, proper heating and cooling of each room is achieved. In light of today's rising energy costs, an efficient airflow system is more crucial than ever.
Duct dampers adjust the airflow to each register. When a balancing damper is used, the system is allowed to heat and cool each room properly. Manual balancing dampers can be adjusted from the duct system . They are usually located at duct points and limit the air flow from the main source by sliding open and shut.
The role of the balancing damper is critical in a forced air system since the cooling load drives the size of the duct work. Heating a space usually requires significantly less air than is needed to cool the space. In the winter, however, you may need more heated air because the environment loses heat faster. Factors such as construction and insulation need to also be taken into account.
It is important to evaluate a system on the front end for new construction to ensure efficiency and balance of the airflow. After the fact, it is sometimes not possible to balance a system regardless of the number of dampers or valves that can be installed. Consulting an experienced HVAC expert is crucial when embarking on new construction.
In environments where the duct work may not be easily accessible, a remote balancing damper can be utilized, providing control in balancing airflow at the diffuser or wall plate.
Balancing your HVAC system's airflow creates a more comfortable environment, and will also allow the system to run more efficiently. The more efficiently the system runs, the lower the energy cost to the user. Incorporating the use of a balancing damper will also prevent noisy registers and the possibility of accidental adjustment.


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Follow @DaytimeRoyalty
|Viewing Single Post From: TV Guide: The Days Disaster by Michael Logan
|Dec 3 2008, 01:17 AM
Wonderful post.
The key to the 80's and 90's is he didn't interfere. He had people like Rabin, Langan, etc that kept him out of it. I thought Ed Scott could but the truth is by the time Ed came, Corday had been interfering so much he felt he could no matter what because Wyman let him and Langan eventually did as well.
The fanbases also didn't control the show so Corday didn't feel the need to panic so much. Panic is the major reason why Days is such a mess. The man can't commit to any direction because he worries about every single fan group. He needs to accept the fact he can't please everyone, step back, and let the co-EP handle things with the writers like in the 80's and 90's.
|TV Guide: The Days Disaster by Michael Logan · DAYS: News, Spoilers & Discussion


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ManageEngine® Applications Manager
Application Servers
Application Servers are designed to develop web services and applications, and in real time, the productivity and performance of such servers get affected due to failure of diagnosing any problem in the services/application running in the server.
Applications Manager enables high performance business process management by detecting and diagnosing problems of application servers and their services faster. The following are the application servers supported:
Please browse through the different application servers that provide the server information and their parameters being monitoring.
See Also
Creating New Monitor - Application Server
Viewing Performance Metrics
Microsoft .NET


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Cash Saver readies for opening in former Albertsons location
Note: Your phone must support HTML5 video or Flash to play videos.
Two stores, five days, 100,000 products.
The statistics describe the gargantuan task ahead of MAL Enterprises as it works to transform former Albertsons stores in Amarillo and Wichita Falls into Cash Saver Cost Plus outlets to be opened Friday.
"The big job is to re-tag all the product, because we are lowering the price on, really, every single item in the store," said Jay Lawrence, president of MAL and its subsidiary Lawrence Brothers Supermarket Group. "There's about 50,000 products in a store this size that will have to be physically taken off and new ones put on. It takes a little while to get the right tag with the right UPC (code) on the right product."
While Amarillo's store at 2200 S. Bell St. is closed during the transition, the pharmacy remains open so former Albertsons patrons can get prescriptions through what is now the Cash Saver pharmacy, Lawrence said.
MAL Enterprises, a Sweetwater company, operates Lawrence Brothers IGA, Cash Saver and Save-a-Lot supermarket banners.
The Lawrence Brothers group is entering the Amarillo and Wichita Falls markets due to the forced exit of the Albertsons brand.
Albertsons agreed in December to sell the stores to resolve Federal Trade Commission charges that its acquisition of United Supermarkets would unlawfully reduce competition in Amarillo and Wichita Falls.
The FTC has required the divestitures as a condition for its blessing of the merger.
An FTC vote still is to come on the matter, an agency spokesman said Monday.
Lawrence Brothers shelled out "several million dollars each" for the Amarillo and Wichita Falls stores, including about $2.8 million to buy the stores' inventory, Lawrence said in December.
The Sweetwater company took over the stores Sunday night, after Albertsons closed the doors for the last time.
Efforts to inventory the products began immediately, Lawrence said.
Inventory filled much of the store except for shelves for fresh produce, which had been sold off by Albertsons, Lawrence said.
Employees from other Lawrence Brothers operations, employees hired from Albertsons and vendor representatives toiled into the wee hours Monday morning at the Amarillo store. They were back again in a few short hours, Lawrence said.
Workers climbed ladders to hang new aisle signs, checked scales on the meat market counter and scraped stickers off glass refrigerator doors.
Angie Kinnison aimed a handheld scanner at boxes of chewing gum and breath mints on displays at the registers.
Kinnison is one of dozens of former Albertsons employees who accepted an equivalent position at Cash Saver.
"I'm 32 years with Albertsons," said Kinnison, still a grocery scanner coordinator. "Now I'm 32 years with Lawrence Brothers is what they told me.
"I'm excited. I'm excited about the prices."
Cost Plus brings a different grocery retailing concept to Amarillo, Lawrence said.
Items are priced to include the cost of the product and the transportation, freight and labor it took to get it on the shelf. The customer pays that cost plus 10 percent at checkout, he said.
"It makes for a very inexpensive way to buy groceries," Lawrence said.
Lawrence Brothers has relationships with most of the suppliers that sent merchandise to Albertsons, so the store offerings and brands available will remain largely the same, he said.
The store will include a floral department and bakery. It will not, at this point, contain an Ace Hardware, like the Abilene Cash Saver.
The 32,000-square-foot Abilene location devotes about 35 percent of its space to Ace merchandise from fertilizers and gardening implements to tools and paint, according to July 2012 Abilene Reporter News coverage.
"That's in the evaluation stages right now," Lawrence said. "We're always trying new things. If we determine it's working, we may be adding it (in Amarillo)."


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Are You Up to Speed on Socialnomics?
Socialnomics, the economics of the social world and social media. It isn't a fad, it is here to stay. Brands, companies, and industries have been paying attention — have you? Erik Qualman, the author of Socialnomics has updated his video that has mind-blowing stats regarding the use of social media in today's world. It is an update of his original one that came out when he launched his book. Some of his interesting statistics include:
- If Facebook were a country it would be the world's 3rd largest ahead of the United States and only behind China and India
- Social Media has overtaken porn as the #1 activity on the Web
- 80% of companies use social media for recruitment; % of these using LinkedIn 95%
- 78% of consumers trust peer recommendations
- Kindle eBooks Outsold Paper Books on Christmas (COMMENT: I wonder how this will change next year with the iPad out)
- Successful companies in social media act more like Dale Carnegie and less like Mad Men Listening first, selling second
Here is the latest video. What do you think about the stats? Anything jump out at you?
Knowing Your Audience: When to Use Tweets vs. Status Updates
In the world of social media, one of the most viewed pieces of content is the tweet or status update. Updates and photos. Those are the biggest social media traffic builders. In fact, according to a recent PEW Internet study "Some 19% of internet users now say they use Twitter or another service to share updates about themselves, or to see updates about others." In addition to this stat, at Chirp, a developer conference for Twitter, it was stated that Twitter has over 55M Tweets per day compared to Facebook's 60M status updates per day. I first saw that stat come from Steve Rubel, a VP at Edelman PR and I immediately replied back what was obvious to me, "but how many of those status updates are really tweets?" And there lies my problem.
For me, I use Twitter distinctly different than Facebook. What I share with these distinct audiences is different, and purposely set up to be different. In fact, I'm more likely to connect my Twitter and LinkedIn accounts than I am Twitter and Facebook. You see, I use Facebook for personal reasons. I don't have two accounts like many people do (which violate their terms of service, you know that thing you agree to when you create accounts on sites that you most likely never read). I leave my personal / professional network to Twitter and LInkedIn. I often see people using the convenience of tools like Tweetdeck, FriendFeed, or even just built in integrations between Twitter and Facebook (with a Facebook App) to update a status once and let it go to many social networks. I think that is a mistake.
I know I'm not alone when I find a tweet in my news feed on Facebook annoying. Twitter uses different protocols for replies and use of hashtags for topics. While Facebook has attempted to incorporate the @ symbol as well, to be frank, I just think that audience doesn't get it, and that's why it isn't used. I also think the way people tweet, at times linking people to other content, websites, or replies to people is different than how people publish status updates on Facebook. This makes for a very disjointed news feed. It has gotten to the point that I'm about to "unfriend" all my Facebook friends who integrate the two together. I'm sorry, it just doesn't work for me.
Presumably you use your networks differently as well. Maybe not to the same degree I do, but the people you friend on Facebook may not be the same people you follow on Twitter or connect with on LinkedIn. So why send them all the same message? Just like marketers have to segment and target their messages to get the most return on their investment, you too should be conscious about what messages you send to your networks. You will have stronger networks in the end who will pay attention to what you have to say, not ignore you because the last 10 tweets had nothing to do with what you talk to your friends about on Facebook.
I never found out the answer to my question regarding how many Facebook status updates were really Tweets. Maybe someone will publish that stat someday.
Why Advertising in Print is Still Smart
This isn't a researched post. It isn't one that has a lot of stats or basis to stand on. It is a pure observation that may or may not spark a conversation. I read headlines and hear from colleagues that all the advertising spending in print continues to decrease. It's moving to online advertising or being cut out completely. This is accelerated even more with the economy saying hello to the ground floor when it has been on an express ride to the skydeck the last few years. However, I think companies and advertisers are missing a point, an opportunity. Better, I don't think companies "get it" when it comes to marketing their products and services.
I heard on the morning news today that despite the economy, companies are still willing to spend $3M for 30 seconds on NBC for the Super Bowl. 30 seconds in one of the most popularized, entertainment sporting events of the year. Sure, your exposure is to millions of viewers (and a few football fans while you're at it). Some companies will spend about that much money to nail that 30 seconds for your attention. To resonate with you to take some action. What will be the return? How can it be measured? Sure there are ways, but the measurement is a conversion from one medium to another. TV to Brick and Mortar or TV to Online. Let's repeat this, the measurement of success will most likely be a measurement of a conversion from one medium to another. That's where advertisers are missing the point in print.
Traditional uses of print advertising has been mostly around awareness. It's about branding. But the problem is many companies haven't adjusted their print strategies to consumer behavior. They see that print isn't returning results like it used to, and it's too hard to "measure" a return. The reality is that the C-level management want faster results, and print isn't one for "timely" analytics compared to online advertising. Additionally, circulation is still a "best guess" number, not as hard-core as actual pageviews/impressions that can be given in online advertising. I get it, make sure you receive value for what you are paying for. However, it's reality.
Arguments for why online advertising is better than print are completely valid.
- Better tracking
- Instant measurement
- Smaller buys can render bigger results
- Target, segment, target, segment
- Test, tweak, test, tweak
Yes, the are all good. But let's not forget that people still read magazines and journals. They still like flipping through pages at stuff they can't buy, or may want to buy, or are interested in. Online advertising, while instantly measurable, still has banner blindness. The fear that a click on an ad will mean they will get more ads, or spam, or more pop-ups. Seeing a full page ad in your favorite magazine means you can read it, flip past it, come back to it, read it again, and then make a decision to do more. No fear. They are in control.
Advertisers need to continue to understand consumer behavior. Understand that your opportunity to grab one's attention is still valuable in print publications. Understand how you can create an effective campaign to go from offline to online and still measure success. They need to accept the fact that the return on that media buy for an ad in a magazine isn't going to show results for weeks after delivery. But the incentive has to change. You have to get the consumer to change mediums. Print to online is possible. The messaging has to be right, valuable, yet still enticing enough for somone to go online to do more.
Go back to my Super Bowl example. How long of a lead time do you think companies are taking to get a campaign together for that $3M investment. Weeks? Months? Now how long do you think it could take to put together a campaign and media buy for a print pub? Yes, publishers still need weeks of lead-time, printing, and delivery. So it may be on par with a TV advertisement, but not as expensive. Not a one-time 30 second shot.
Integrate your marketing campaigns into multiple channels. Print shouldn't be ignored. It still holds value, especially when it is being adapted to new mediums. For instance, Digital publications. Migrating to the Kindle and other digital readers. When evaluating your marketing dollars, don't forget the print publication. It's not dead. It's still valuable. While patience is a virtue, management needs to know print can still return results.
Change: Obama and Use of Technology, Marketing, and Social Media
I don't think anyone can argue
that Barak Obama made history this week.
While the popular vote was no landslide, unlike the electoral college,
Obama had several strategic game changers during election campaign that
separated him from his opponent. So it should come as no surprise that everyone
is now writing about how organizations can use the same tactics and strategies
and apply them to their own organization.
Here are just a few articles and blog posts worth reading over.
Obama's Seven Lessons for Radical Innovators – Harvard
Business Publishing
What Newsrooms Can Learn From Obama – Recovering Journalist
How Better Marketing Elected Barack Obama – Harvard Business
BNET: Obama's Communications Moving at Warp Speed
While the use of technology will was not the only game
changer in the Obama campaign, it played a significant role in my opinion. His campaign strategically found ways to
connect with his constituents by allowing them to campaign on his behalf
through myBarakObama blogs, using text messaging for
updates, using YouTube to let video messages go viral, and use of his ever
growing email database.
While I certainly can't dissect his entire campaign
strategy, he also brilliantly executed an integrated marketing strategy. He took the concept of "small is the new big"
by asking for small donations from individuals, not the maximum from them at
once. Additionally, he asked his
database of volunteers and advocates to do small things such as calling friends
and strangers about his campaign, which resulted in a huge workforce.
I think Obama executed two strategies extremely well during
his campaign. First, he brilliantly used
social media to empower his followers. Jermiah Owyang, a Forrester analyst on
Social Media, researched and found stats on how Obama and McCain used social
media. While Owyang won't draw any correlations to
the use of social media to his win, Obama commanded the use of the Internet. I
believe it was that use of technology that helped, if for nothing else, give
him exposure to a larger population of voters. McCain followed suit by
participating in the same space, but I believe the generation gap of a 70+ year
old using MySpace and Facebook wasn't as authentic as a 40+ year old. In fact to compete with Obama's "MyBarakObama",
McCain launched McCainSpace using social network took Kick-Apps.
Obama's second strategic win was how he treated his
volunteers, and that was with respect and authenticity. He would send a message (or tried on several
occasions to mixed results) to his volunteers and donors informing them of what
he was going to do next before he would do it to the media. He understood that by informing this audience
first he not only respected that they want information, but knew that they
would spread that message beyond what the media could accomplish. However, by informing his volunteers and
donors first he also put transparency on his campaign and that, in my opinion,
is a level of authenticity that builds trust.
And Obama's not done either.
Change.gov launched yesterday getting not only himself ready for the
next four years, but informing the American people as well. As technology evolves, going back to the U.S.
Mail distributing pamphlets to
back in the beginning of our country to TV bringing a face and live debate to
every home to the Internet, our public officials and government will change as
well. If Obama uses the Internet as much
during his presidency as he did during his campaign, change won't be just that
an African American is at 1600
it will be how he has enabled the entire country to speak to him to make changes
the American people want.
LIVE! Day 2 at Forrester Consumer Forum 2007
Day one had a great line up of speakers and content. Day two looks like it will be no different.
Here is my Twitter Stream which I will be updating during the day. I'll then recap later.
LIVE! From Forrester Consumer Forum
Full Twitter String
RSS Feed
Online Community Sites of Note:
Dell Community
IdeaExchange by Salesforce
Real World New Cast Member by MTV
IdeaStorm by Dell
LIVE! Observations and Thoughts from Forrester Consumer Forum 2007
Updated: 3:45pm
I'm at the Forrester Consumer Forum in Chicago today and tomorrow. I'll be writing my thoughts and observations on the content from the conference here.
So far there have been some great speakers. The theme of the conference is around the online world, social integration, advertising, and how your company can understand and take advantage of this medium. The format of the Forum is pretty cool. Short presentation on targeted topics, then a "coffee talk" type Q&A with the speaker (literally two chairs with an end-table on a stage w/ two large video screens on each side). The dialog is great and personal to those in the audience.
Kicking off the conference was Forrester Vice President and senior analyst Charlene Li. Charlene does a lot of her research around the social technographics. Who is using the social tools, how, and to what level of participation.
Christie Hefner from Playboy had a great keynote on how Playboy has truly been able to leverage the Playboy brand in ways that most companies would drool over. It is amazing how they have been able to integrate new solutions successfully from Print, to TV, to Online, and now Mobile. They have brought the brand beyond the print publication(s) to the real world, and now virtual world with an entry into Second Life. They also have been able to leverage a key demographic and target market by launching PlayboyU, a social space for college students with an .edu email address.
Richard Edelman, president and ceo of Edelmen PRgave one of the most forward thinking perspectives when it comes to PR/MR. It resonates with a lot of what I've been thinking about when it comes to control of messages, brands, and the interaction with your consumers (and in my work, members and consumers). One of the biggest take-aways was the reality of how the traditional media triangle works. It used (and in many corporations still is) to be that a few influencers controlled the conversation and distributed it to the masses. It has touch points of how it got distributed and they all came back to the same message. The internet, and social media such as blogs, ratings, reviews, etc. changes that model. Today if someone wants to have information about some topic, the influencers are now bloggers, customers, like-minded individuals who publish online. Companies have to realize that there is a limited amount of influential control they have left. Now, the mass audience make up their own minds–right, wrong, or in-different.
I also got to attend one of track sessions. It was about how User Generated Content, or UGC, can have a place in corporate strategies. The panel included representatives from Dell, QVC, and Baazarvoice. Each explained how they have taken UGC and integrated it into their company strategies. From Dell's IdeaStorm, a customer feedback site that allows users to rate feedback for popularity, to how QVC uses real-time feedback to inject into their programming. UGC is a tough cookie to crack and how to use it. Let alone if it really does. Many of us have wondered how to make it work. We are fearful of the backlash and if execs can even swallow the fact that they are not in control of what goes on. But that's OK. Rather, we need to find ways that work for us. For example, customer reviews. Having all positive customer reviews on a product page in reality is just product testimonials. You need negative reviews to show authenticity. Companies have to understand how UGC works, it is written by passionate individuals (for good or bad) and it is often intended to help like minded individuals (though companies can listen and learn from them). Monetizing on this type of feedback and content is still a challenge, but models are being formed and success is in the results–more products shipped and more revenue generated.
I'll be updating this more with my notes and perceptions. This is just the beginning so I can pay attention to the presentations and blogging at the same time.
Additional Coverage
Forrester Marketing Blog
Google Gets Burned: FeedBurner Acquisition a Done Deal
As of 1:00 today FeedBurner was officially acquired by Google. I had a quick chat to day with Rick Klau today regarding setting up an account with them and was double checking about the Terms of Service when he mentioned that they would be updated at around 1:00 today. So the rumors were true! Yes, it seems they were.
I'm excited to see where this all goes. Google just continues to get bigger, but they are making strategic buys too. I mean just think what the JotSpot acquisition will do for them if they integrate it into Google Apps. RSS is the future of content distribution, and now advertising opportunities too. I believe that RSS subscribers are more targeted than regular website pageviews and traffic. FeedBurner has a great model and it will serve Google well.
Congrats to FeedBurner. They have long been a company I've admired, wished I could have worked for (and now you see why!). You can read more about the acquisition at the Burning Questions blog.
Update: Google's Announcement
Chicago Tribune Story (Free Reg. Req.)
Are New Media Companies the Only Ones who "Get It?"
The word on the street today is that Niall Kennedy is leaving Microsoft, not long after Robert Scoble left. This is yet another in "A" list or high-profile bloggers leaving their company's to do either start their own business or leave for a new-media company. Kevin O'Keefe asks the obvious question "Can large corps retain the visionaries?" I say no. Here is my short list why:
1. Let's face it, old school companies, ones who are older than the Internet, don't "get it" (bold statement, but more true than false)
2. New media companies like Feedburner, LexBlog, Google, and even Userland have started because those who founded them believed in changing the Internet via the Internet. Old media still believes in traditional ways that are proven. They are less likely to take, or set aside monies for risk that will not make a profit for shareholders. Which leads me to no. 3…
3. Funding is different. Either it is via bootstrapping or VC funding, new media is exactly that…new and thus has to find funding in new ways. Old media have shareholders to answer to and thus cannot or are willing to take chances on new technologies
So can companies keep visionaries…I say it is no because those companies who have visionaries are either too political, have to answer to shareholders, or are too slow to adopt to changing times that the visioinaries get bored and need to feed the need to make a difference. So I ask you…do you have a visionary you need to worry about leaving? Are you sure?
A Perfect Example of How a Blog Benefits a Company
I proudly host my Web sites with Dreamhost and lately I've been a little perterbed with them regarding their Webmail service. It has been slow, timing out, erroring out, and overall frustrating. It is with their blog that I learned of some issues they had been dealing with on some of their systems that directly affected Webmail. So I tolerate the problems knowing they are being addressed. I routinely have been impressed with how Dreamhost handles the glitches that come their way over the three years I've been hosting with them.
Last year you may remember that Los Angeles had a major power outage. Turns out that many Web hosts are located in LA, including Dreamhost, and they were hit head-on with the outage. The building their server farm sits in lost power, due to the fact that all their back up systems (deisel generators, UPSs, etc.) all failed. Yes, FAILED. Well after learning from that experience Dreamhost went into pro-active mode and saught out some disaster recovery solutions, like migrating part of their network over to a second host. The long and the short of the story is that in the process of being proactive, some other random server issues, and another power outage severs went down, routers crashed, and service was interrupted again. It is through this blog post Josh, the owner of Dreamhost, explains the problems, how it happened, what was their fault, and how they are fixing it. Through humor, bluntness, and some associated graphics, this post in itself will be the reason why I continue to host with Dreamhost. Transparency is key and this blog, a corporate blog at that in its own unique way, is what makes it possible.
If you are looking for a Web host that has a variety of features, check out Dreamhost. If you are really looking to host with them, let me know and I can hook you up with a discount code to waive your set-up fee. Drop me a line at fred [at] fromthe21stfloor [dot] com
How Well Do You Know Your Own Brand?
Not just for law firms, knowing your own brand is very important. Tom Kane points to quick 10 quesiton corporate brand test for you and your employees. Everyone should take a test like this as everyone in your firm is a corporate advocate or salesperson at some level.
Via Legal Marketing Blog via Tom Collins More Partner Income Blog
To me, your corporate brand is about as important as your product or service. And that has to be distinctly represented on your Web site as well. So if you are in the middle of writing or re-writing your corporate brand policy make sure you incorporate any brand rules to be applied to your Web site as well.


text:
Main Forums > Living With HIV
Having A "STOP THE WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF" Day
(1/2) > >>
To My Forum Family....So, earlier this week, I have to get my California truck smogged, and my favorite mechanic deems it a 'GROSS POLLUTER'. (It failed the test, and badly.) Seems the prior owner modified the freakin' system somehow, so, two years later, I inherit the problem he created. In all my years as a California driver, this has never happened to me, so now I'm embroiled in a world I know nothing about. (As if I need something else to deal with.) The major problem is, I can't renew my vehicle registration until I pass the smog test, which, in my case, is due next Wednesday, the day I fly outta here for the NIH trip.I guess I have been flying too high lately, and the Universe decided I needed to come down a notch.In that my major newspaper interview was happening the next day, and my attention was focused on PUBLIC DISCLOSURE, I couldn't deal with this issue. My next day was devoted to attending my first Planning Council Allocations Committee meeting in Sacramento, an effort that ate up three quarters of my entire day (1.5 hour commute down the hill, 3.5 hour meeting, 1.5 hour commute home), not to mention the encompassing distress over the subject matter of the meeting (Ryan White Funding, and the Federal Government's obvious 'Divide and Conquer" legislation...or, plainly said, "legislation written to spread the available funding to the point where NO funding will apply to anything or anywhere"...........!On the way up the steep grade home, I start to hear a strange sound underneath the chassis of my truck. It is kind of a 'klunking sound', and the trany is obviously straining to climb the hill. I make it to my exit, and the truck stalls. I send up a plea to the Heavens to just get me to my house, while a 'sinking' feeling inside tells me I'm in deep doo-doo.I make it home, call the mechanic, tell him I guess it's time for me to have a 'real world' crisis, and fall asleep from stress for three hours.I decide when I wake up to take the damn day off today, I'm under way to much pressure, and I'm playing hooky. The DMV can wait until tomorrow, the mechanic can have my truck while I'm off in research land, and I'm sure the outcome of all this will be another huge bill, to add on to a long, long list of them. Just more people with their damn hands in my already empty pocket.I don't usually post such personal info, but shit, I'm tired, and have soared the heights these past few months.Even we activists and 'elite controllers' have reality smack us in the face, for goodness sake, I'm only human.Thanks for reading, really just needed to vent.Love to you,Zephyr (who is very distressed right now :-[
Dearest ZephieWow, it's sounds like alot on your plate. I know how valiant you've been these past several months. For me when things pile up, I take a break when I can. Also, please just deal with one issue at a time. It's all do-able but first things first, take care of you !!!As far as the universe, well what I can say. Being an 'elite conroller' too, there is still plenty of crapolla for us all. I remember when I was diagnosed as having Bi-polar disorder I felt I was doubly cursed. I'm over that. There has been and is always so much good in the world.I know you were venting and that's good, remember that's what we're here for, Love and Support.Ciao BellaYour bro'Paul xxxooo
Zeph,Jesus, girl, when you do it, you do it up good!I'm so sorry about your truck. I'm still driving around on a "May" registration tag waiting till payday to take my smog test and get my new stickers. I never can seem to get this done on time, so why break with tradition at this point, huh? ;DSending you some "good vibrations" from the Bay to the Foothills, doll!John
When I read the title of this thread, my mind went right into the gutter...I thought you were talking about, well, you know... :o ;) :D ;DAnother bump in the road -- it happens to the best of us.HANG TOUGH ZEPH, THIS TOO SHALL PASS... I hope real, real soon.Try to relax, your entitled. I hate seeing you run yourself ragged. Take some me time and get some rest, read a book, listen to some soothing music, take a bath...a glass of wine out on the porch, etc.... if you know what I mean? ;) 8) ;DIf you need anything, we're here.Rest up dear lady, you're deserving.Love always,T :-*
water duck:
Dearest Zephyr,Every cloud has a silver lining. Here is hoping tomorrow will be better. Siang
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Today, I caught my 14-year-old daughter stealing alcohol from me. After berating her for half-an-hour I finally said, "At least you're not doing drugs." She gave me a guilty smile and sheepishly said, "At least I'm not a prostitute?" FML
by prostitott / 05/04/2013 at 3:22am / Kids
Today, I learned that binding my stomach with duct tape isn't worth it to look thin. I also learned the even worse part when I shrieked more loudly than I should've when I tried to discreetly rip it off in history class. FML
by QueenOrangeSoda / 05/01/2013 at 5:33pm / United States (Nevada) / Health
Today, I found out that my wife is having an affair with the same guy my ex-wife left me for. FML
by Anonymous / 05/06/2013 at 2:13pm / Ireland (Donegal) / Love
Today, my boyfriend was watching TV, when we started getting frisky. I'd just started to give him a blowjob when he pushed me off and said, "Fun's over." Dragon Ball Z had just come back on. He's 21. FML
by SecondBest,IGuess / 04/30/2013 at 1:35pm / United States / Intimacy
Today, for a laugh, I put vanilla yogurt into a mayonnaise jar and went to the mall to eat it with a spoon. Too bad that someone called mall security on me for disturbing the peace. They shoved me into a back room and grilled me about what was in the jar. FML
by longsock123 / 04/30/2013 at 11:09am / United States (California) / Miscellaneous
Today, it's my birthday. Three people wished me happy birthday: Google, my insurance company, and the place I lease my car from. FML
by trice / 05/08/2013 at 1:48pm / United States (Texas) / Miscellaneous
Today, I tried to show my boyfriend's mom a picture of my prom dress on my phone. She scrolled to the right to find a picture of her son, naked. FML
by beyondembarrassed / 05/05/2013 at 1:44am / United States / Intimacy
Today, I was leaving my doctor's appointment when a nurse stopped me. She exclaimed, "Wow you are so skinny! What's your secret?" My secret? Having an autoimmune disease. FML
by HamSandwich12 / 05/08/2013 at 10:17am / United States (Ohio) / Health
Today, marks the third week in which my girlfriend has gone without taking a shower. She does this every so often, taking showers roughly once per month. She's convinced baby wipes will "hold her over". FML
by SingleStrongArm / 05/03/2013 at 1:16am / Canada (Ontario) / Love
Today, my dad called me a "deadbeat loser" after I came back from my first day of voluntary rehab for my meth problem. He's never had a job in his life and sits on the sofa all day, smoking weed and playing video games, all on my mom's salary. FML
by Anonymous / 05/05/2013 at 11:53am / United States / Miscellaneous
Today, my water broke while my boyfriend was breaking up with me. FML
by Carrie / 05/08/2013 at 1:41am / United States (California) / Health
Today, I was questioned by police for forcing a 12-year-old to get in my car. That 12-year-old is my daughter, who refused to get in until I agree to buy her a highly expensive purse just to become popular. FML
by brokedad / 05/09/2013 at 9:41pm / United States / Kids
Today, I was berated by a pharmacist, who said that kids these days are on so many unnecessary medications for "fake diseases". I was just trying to pick up the medication I've been prescribed to control my epilepsy. FML
by SSeizeTheDay / 05/03/2013 at 4:52pm / United States (Massachusetts) / Health