text:
All about making whisky
Recently added item(s) ×
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Sourcing actor, importer and exclusive distributor of a portfolio of international brands, La Maison du Whisky is, since 60 years a reference for whisky and spirit lovers. Thanks to our close relationships with producers and independent bottlers, we have access to limited editions and unique products we bring to market exclusively. Curious and creative, we are driven by our passion for products and our desire to constantly bring our clients the latest expressions through our own shops, our website whisky.fr and selected wine retail shops in France.
Produced artisanally, Vesta is a potato-based vodka that places the notion of terroir at the heart of the production process. In this way the Borrell family, John and his son William, have successfully revived the traditional distillation of vodka in Poland based on a single distillation. The results are convincing, with remarkable variation from one year to the next and one terroir to another.
To your home, a collection point or poste office.
For rare bottles,
only DHL offers sufficient guarantees for fast and easy delivery. Delivery Terms and Shipping Charges
Available on march 16th. Wolfburn is the most northerly whisky distillery on the scottish mainland. Originally founded in...
In stock
A great Islay classic for lovers of peaty, iodized whiskies. An unmissable malt. Old gold with glints of green; the full-bodied bouquet is...
In stock
With all the classic BenRiach characteristics, BenRiach batch 1 is the first Cask Strength expression to be added to the core range....
In stock
The Peated Cask Reserve is said to be inspired by an association formed between The Glenrothes and Islay Distillery Co Ltd in 1887, called...
In stock
The Limited Edition 2008 Vintage is a vatting of fresh ex American bourbon barrels filled in July 2008 and bottled in August 2015. This...
Definitely unavailable
Please wait...


text:
Melbourne, Australia • Serena Williams cautiously walked onto the court, and tried to keep the points short to avoid irritating her injured right ankle as she advanced to the third round at the Australian Open.
Apart from a swollen lip from hitting herself in the face with her racket in the sixth game, she emerged unscathed.
Summoning all her experience from 15 major titles, including the final two of the last season, Williams lifted her tempo on the biggest points winning an 18-minute game to open the second set, finally cashing in on her fourth break chance.
Nineteen minutes later, she finished off a 6-2, 6-0 win Thursday over No. 112-ranked Garbine Muguruza with an ace at 128.7 mph the fastest she can remember serving.
"I'm on the up and up, I feel. It can only get better from here," she said, adding that she wasn't bothered by the ankle during the match. "Obviously when you go out to play you're heavy on adrenaline and you're really pumped up," she said. "Usually I feel injuries after the match but so far, so good. I felt pretty, much better than I ever dreamed of expecting to feel."
Williams said she was bleeding from the lip at one stage, "But it's OK. It's a war wound."
"I think it happens to everyone, but I have never busted it wide open like that," she said. "So, yeah, I was like, 'Oh, no. I can't have a tooth fall out.' That would be horrible."
Defending champion Victoria Azarenka practically danced into Rod Laver Arena for the match before Williams' victory, and said she's starting to find some rhythm after beating Eleni Daniilidou 6-1, 6-0 in 55 minutes.
Also advancing were No. 14 Maria Kirilenko, who beat China's Peng Shuai 7-5, 6-2, No. 16 Roberta Vinci and Elena Vesnina, who beat No. 21-seeded Varvara Lepchenko of the United States 6-4, 6-2.
U.S. Open champion Andy Murray had a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Joao Sousa of Portugal. Murray, who ended a 76-year drought by British men in Grand Slam tournaments with his win at Flushing Meadows last year, didn't allow Sousa a single break point chance in steamy conditions.
O Serena Williams closes out her second-round 6-2, 6-0 win over Garbine Muguruza with an ace clocked at 128.7 mph.
• Defending women's champion Victoria Azarenka routs Eleni Daniilidou 6-1, 6-0.
Thursday's TV • Third round, 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., ESPN2

subset: commoncrawl


text:
In April Nokia's shares jumped nearly four per cent, the largest increase in over three years, following news it has begun to stabilise its losses. These shares jumped another three per cent last week after Nokia won its major patents battle with Apple. Analysts believe the defeat will cost Apple $608m up front and up to $550m annually. The more iPhones Apple sells, the more money Nokia earns. This latest boost could turn around the company.
Likewise expect its equally criticised partner Microsoft to pull out all the stops with Windows Phone. Version 7.5, Mango, has already impressed and it is equally in the money after winning its own patent battle with HTC which garners it $5 from every HTC Android phone shipped, that's more than Google makes. Meanwhile if the world's two largest analysts Gartner and IDC are to be believed, both predict Windows Phone's market share will have rocketed past iOS by 2015.
"It's a partnership of equals," claims Nokia's American head of marketing Doug Dawson, who continues to deny talk that the phone division will be sold off. "We remain a global company, a product company and our ambitions remain to be a global player," he stresses. "We don't want to put goals in Stephen's mouth [Stephen Elop – CEO], but we retain ambitions to be a product company." Either way it may not matter, if you don't control the software then hardware can quickly become a fools' game of ever higher volume and lower margin. Its sale would give Nokia a huge cash boost to further bolster its R&D and lorry load of patents.
And if Finland is starting to rely less on Nokia, it seems Nokia is also less reliant on Finland. New Canadian boss Stephen Elop is the company's first non-Finnish CEO in its 146 year history, Windows Phone is created in the US and Nokia VP Victor Saeijs confirmed on Friday that Finland will not be amongst its launch markets for its first Windows Phone devices – the first time it has left out its home country for a major launch. It would certainly be too early to say country and company have broken their interdependence, but their economic fates no longer appear intertwined.
"The impact of Nokia's difficulties is not nearly as dramatic as it could have been," concludes Risto Siilasmaa, himself now a so-called business angel - an investor in Finnish start-ups. "Challenges have made us find our hunger again and that has lifted our self esteem."
That said he takes care to respect a company which was founded 53 years before Finland was recognised as independent from Bolshevik Russia. "When we started F-Secure we didn't list Helsinki as our HQ on our business cards because we feared we wouldn't be taken seriously. With Nokia that changed and now we are in a position to keep changing…"


text:
Primrose Capelet Crochet Pattern Download
This pattern is only available in download format. All sales are final on this pattern.
This pattern is written and designed by Kate Wagstaff / Crafting Friends Designs.
The Primrose Capelet is a beautifully textured design for everyone. It is reversible with a unique look to both sides and is perfect for fall and winter weather. With such a wide range in sizes available, you can enjoy making this for many friends and family. Perfect for "mom and me" sets.
Sizes include: Preemie/Doll, 0-3mo, 3-6mo, 6-12mo, Toddler, Sm/Med Child, Lg Child, Sm Adult


text:
November 15, 1996
No 12 USC Defeats CaliforniaLOS ANGELES, CA -- The No. 12 USC women's volleyball team defeated California tonight 15-8, 15-8, 15-9 in front of 489 at the North Gym. With the win, USC improved to 17-6 overall and 11-4 in the Pacific-10 Conference. California fell to 7-16, 3-12.
USC was led by senior outside hitter Vesna Dragicevic's 20 kills and five blocks and sophomore middle blocker Jasmina Marinkovic's 11 kills and eight blocks. Sophomore setter Janice Mounts also had 46 assists.
California was led by junior outside hitter Jessica Dinaberg's 12 kills and freshman middle blocker Kellie Alva's 10 kills and four blocks.
USC scored the first five points of the match and used an 8-0 run to put the opening game away. The Women of Troy started fast again in the second game, using a 9-0 run to open up a 12-2 lead. California fought back with a 6-1 run, but ran out of gas.
Cal enjoyed its first lead of the match at 4-3 in the third game. But with the game tied at 5-5, USC went on another run, outscoring Cal 8-0 to put away the game and the match.
USC hosts No. 2 Stanford at the North Gym, while Cal travels to UCLA tomorrow. Both games begin at 7 p.m.


text:
Weird pipe in basement floor - Water on floor
Hello all, have a weird problem and a weird pipe that may be leaking. 2 nights ago we noticed some wet carpet in the basement near the water meter. When I checked the meter, valves and junctions I cannot find any water.
However, there is this weird green pipe in the floor that makes me think it may be the leak. I noticed that this pipe has a drilled hole in it, and was plugged up with a wood dowel. Really strange.
I know it's not the main to the sewer because that is on the other side of the house. What the heck would this be, and who uses a wood dowel ( looks like a wood spike ) to plug it up.
It doesn't seem to be waste water ( like from the sewer ). I'm stumped ( and wet )
Looks like a clean out, so where the line plugs up someone can but a snake down the drain.
Should have been a soild plug.
Most often if those leak it's cause from a sewer back up.
Agreed, it looks like some sort of clean out pipe. I was just surprised as I assumed there is only one, and that would be where the drains meet up in my furnace room to the stack.
I assume I should call a plumber and at least have the wood plug upgraded to something metal ?
You are talking about the plug with the square head on it right? I can not see a wood plug in the picture.
If so any Lowes or HD will have one.
I would wonder how it was adapted to fit that old cast iron hub.
No reason I can think of to not just use a bolt and nut to fill the hole and use the plug you have now.
Actually, no. The " plug " is a piece of wood as long as my thumb and about the thickness of a wood broom handle. It's in a shape of a piece of candy corn, and is basically just driven into the cast iron. I was able to take it out by hand and used a soft hammer to drive it back in.
That photo is from our home inspection last year, so i'd be happy to take a pic and show what I mean tonight. The inside of the wood plug was wet, so there is somehow some water in there at some time :(
Closeup pic.... see the weird plug made of wood....
199 Attachment(s)
Ah, it makes sense now- sort of..
The brass cap is in great shape. Leave it be.
Why you have a plug is anyone's guess, I'll go first-some previous owner had a condensate line tied in there.
There's no easy fix that I know of and sense it is located at the clean out it will collect moisture/condensate from the drain activity.
However, it may also indicate that your main line is starting to backup. For piece of mind you could drop a $150 or so and get it cabled and video inspected. Prices will vary.
I'd get rid of the wooden plug and get something in there to seal it properly.
I'd also cut away that carpet. bad idea (stinky) to put carpet in an area with piping in the floor. looks like a storage area anyway, right?
plumbers here would have some better ideas, might be best to replace that cast iron cleanout with PVC.
Both make sense, have the main line scoped and remove the carpet from the area.
But a question, I thought the main cleanout was attached to the main stack i have on the other side of the house. Is it possible to have 2 cleanouts ?
Something I did not mention, though might be prudent. About 2 months ago we had a backed up toliet on the third floor. Snake and pro came in, no blockage. Wanted to open the wall and etc. We held off. I noticed the second floor sink would drain very slow.
Long story short, i removed the trap in the 2nd floor sink, went in about 15 ft and pulled 2 softball sized piles of baby wipes out! after that, i had no drain problems in the 3rd floor toilet or the 2nd floor drain. Also surprised the toilet from a floor above is attached somehow to a sink
Now that this happened, perhaps i had more in there and pushed a blockage along? Pressure pops out that wood plug and boom ...water..
199 Attachment(s)
Do you have any floor drains or plumbing fixtures in the basement? If the main line is backing up near that clean out, they would be the first to overflow as they're the lowest point.
You may also have piping issues outside
No drains or fixtures of any kind. The green pipe is maybe 2 ft from the side of the house. If this is a cleanout, it's the point closest to the street. The stack is about 15ft southwest of this pipe.
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:21 AM.
vBulletin Security provided by vBSecurity v2.2.2 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.


text:
Cran-Grape Cooler RecipeRead Reviews Be the first to add a review
You're three quick ingredients away from refreshment with this easy-to-drink cooler that's bound to keep you, well, cool. Didi Desjardins — Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Recommended: 15 Recipes for Brunch-Time Drinks
- 6 cups cranberry-grape juice, chilled
- 3 cups lemon-lime soda, chilled
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Lime slices and maraschino cherries, optional
- In a large pitcher, combine the cranberry-grape juice, soda and lime juice. Serve over ice; garnish servings with lime slices and cherries if desired. Yield: 9 servings (2-1/4 quarts).
Originally published as Cran-Grape Cooler in Simple & Delicious May 2010, p51
Reviews for Cran-Grape Cooler
Please Log In or Join to add a rating and review.
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review


text:
|Prev Close
|Day Low/High
|0.49 / 0.52
|52 Wk Low/High
|0.30 / 20.54
|Avg Volume
|Prev Close
|Day Low/High
|0.49 / 0.52
|52 Wk Low/High
|0.30 / 20.54
|Avg Volume
|Shares Outstanding
|Market Cap
|P/E Ratio
|Div & Yield
Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP reminds investors of GT Advanced Technologies Inc.
Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP reminds investors of the December 8, 2014 deadline to move for appointment as lead plaintiff in the securities class litigation brought on behalf of purchasers of the ...
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating GT Advanced Technologies Inc.
The diversified technology company looks to shutter its sapphire plants and to keep certain information under seal.
The securities litigation law firm of Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, announces that a class action lawsuit has been commenced in the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire on behalf...
On Google Finance, trading on GT Advanced Technologies Inc showed as after-hours and indicated that shares rose by as much as 8%GT Advanced Technologies Inc (NASDAQ:GTAT) stock is going over to the pi...
Common Stock is Eligible to Trade on OTC Pink Marketplace
The most recent short interest data has been released by the NASDAQ for the 09/30/2014 settlement date, which shows a 5,582,660 share increase in total short interest for GT Advanced Technologies Inc. , to 61,167,834, an increase of 10.04% since 09/15/2014.
Shares of GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) fell Friday after the Apple (AAPL) supplier said it planned to leave the business of sapphire manufacturing, according to court documents.
The diversified technology company says certain documents must be filed under seal to avoid triggering large claims for breaching confidentiality agreements.
Shares of GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) fell Thursday after Apple's (AAPL) sapphire supplier said it wanted to keep details of problems between the companies secret from the public.
The Wall Street crowd goes wild for equities after the Federal Reserve releases the minutes of its most recent policy meeting.
Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential securities fraud at GT Advanced Technologies, Inc.
The U.S. maker of sapphire glass may be on the ropes, but Chinese rivals are investing $335 million in plants to make the glass for Apple products.
U.S. stocks popped on Wednesday after the release of the Federal Reserve minutes which allayed fears an interest rate hike could come sooner than expected.
Shares of GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) recovered somewhat on Wednesday following the stock's plummet to a 52-week low of 75 cents on Monday thanks to a bankruptcy filing.
U.S. stock futures move higher as traders await insight from the Federal Reserve's minutes and for the start of third-quarter earnings season.
The securities litigation law firm of Brower Piven, A Professional Corporation, announces that it is investigating potential claims on behalf of investors of GT Advanced Technologies Inc.
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating GT Advanced Technologies Inc.
Glu Mobile shares take a hit in late trading, as its 'Kim Kardashian: Hollywood' mobile app gets trashed in report. GT Advanced Technologies soars by triple digits, despite bankruptcy filing.
Warren Buffett said the stocks are currently "in a zone of reasonableness" during the Fortune's Most Powerful Women ConferenceThe stock markets in the United States and Europe declined after the...
Rubicon Technology (RBCN) stock is surging after speculation that the company may attract Apple's (AAPL) smartphone business following the bankruptcy of GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT).


text:
This content has been marked as final. Show 4 replies
1. Re: Crash system and *.vbox destroy !Bjoern Rost Nov 18, 2012 7:07 PM (in response to 974856)There may be a better way but this should work:
- copy the VDI files (just to be safe)
- start the virtualbox GUI and create a new machine (just like you would when creating a machine in the first place)
- instead of creating a new virtual disk, select "Use an Existing Virtual Hard Drive" and point to one of your .vdi files
- you should be able to boot that machine (you may have to add your second drive later)
- halt the machine and import it back into VDI just like you would with a new template
2. Re: Crash system and *.vbox destroy !974856 Nov 19, 2012 8:00 AM (in response to Bjoern Rost)Thank you for your answer.
In fact, it works but my problem is the recovery of snapshots.
How to recover?
3. Re: Crash system and *.vbox destroy !Bjoern Rost Nov 20, 2012 12:04 AM (in response to 974856)I do not think I understand the problem. You just want to rollback a zfs volume or fs to a previous snapshot? Look at the syntax for "zfs rollback". Or are you talking about vbox snapshots?
4. Re: Crash system and *.vbox destroy !974856 Nov 20, 2012 10:02 AM (in response to Bjoern Rost)Hello,
I speak of my virtual machine snapshots. I only willing files vdi base and snapshot directory (they were on another disk in the crash). So I did more configuration files for the virtual machine (*. Vbox)
What I want to do is to rebuild the machine with disks and snapshot.
What I have problem is to attach snapshots basic disks.
Exite there a procedure, a program to do this?
Thank you for your help.


text:
- 1 of 1 Photos | View More Photos
Western Reserve Academy's yearbook, Hardscrabble, has been recognized for excellence and is featured in the 2014 Look Book, which celebrates the best in yearbook design and coverage.
WRA is one of just 426 yearbooks selected by Jostens from the approximately 16,000 yearbooks the publisher prints each year for high schools nationwide. According to a press release announcing the award, the Look Book honors the important role well-done yearbooks play in helping a school chronicle the experiences, stories and achievements during the academic year.
The 2012-13 edition of Hardscrabble was created by editors Tatiana Pavloff (Akron), Audrey Brown (Twinsburg), Kathryn Babbin (Hudson) and Selena Walsh (Tallmadge), while Jack McKinzie came up with the yearbook's theme, which looked to highlight the aspects of WRA that students value and would miss if the world came to an end on Dec. 31, 2013 - as allegedly predicted by the Mayan calendar.
"Having your yearbook represented in the Look Book is a pretty significant achievement and it is really gratifying to have our work on last year's Hardscrabble recognized by Jostens," said Natalie Davies, WRA yearbook advisor. "We had a theme we were really excited about - a sort of secret apocalyptic theme - which made the book particularly fun to work on. The students involved with the yearbook are typically also involved in several other elements of campus life and the time commitment for the yearbook is significant, so the staff sacrificed a lot in the way of time and energy. They deserve this exciting honor!"
Yearbooks are selected for inclusion in the Look Book by a panel of judges comprised of nationally recognized scholastic journalism professionals and award-winning yearbook advisors.


text:
Android is full of options for customizing the already very open ecosystem that we are given, that not only includes apps and ROMs but also accessories. The latest in customizing (also known as 'hacking') involves the HTC One M8's Dot View case, the premier accessory that HTC released alongside their newest flagship.
The Dot View case is a rubber TPU flip case that has tiny holes in the front cover – upon turning on the screen with the case closed you get a pixelated view of notifications. The notifications are limited to weather, (missed) calling and texts, and volume state. As you may notice, HTC could've added options to have more apps utilize the cases functionality. That's where famed XDA writer and developer Shen Ye comes into play.
Shen has apparently been toying around in the app needed for the Dot View's functionality and has opened up the case for more app notifications. Currently he has teased Twitter and Hangouts apps working with the case (albeit buggy), and has stated that the implementation of the feature isn't all that difficult. He stated the process is simply: "[…]It's basically fetching number of notifications and placing the icon I set for it." He also says that you will need root for this modded app (if he indeed releases it) since the app's signature would be the same as the stock version.
Since he's already done two very popular apps, I hope he implements more more of them or finds a way to make it open for every app. If you want to follow progress on this project or just keep up with Shen Ye in general, check out his Google+ and Twitter profiles below. Keep up the good work Shen!
Source: Shen Ye (Google+) | (Twitter)


text:
Making for quite the pleasant scenery, a gaggle of the world's most beautiful women gathered together for a Mario Testino Exhibit celebration in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday night (October 17).
She's one of the hottest supermodels on the scene and Erin Wasson recently took time to talk about her newest career ventures while in New York City.
Out for a night of celebrations, Erin Wasson and Mary Elizabeth Winstead were spotted on the red carpet of the "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" premiere in New York City this evening (June 18).
Bringing her breathtaking beauty to the French cinema celebration, Cheryl Cole made a dazzling red carpet arrival at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival premiere of "Amour" on Sunday (May 20).
The Briitsh singer donned a Stephane Rolland couture white dress with a red feathered train as she sashayed around the Palais des Festivals grounds ahead of the weekend screening.
It was a truly magnificent scene at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last night (January 15) as Warner Bros. and InStyle held their fabulous Golden Globe Awards after party.
Showing off her slender physique, Erin Wasson was spotted frolicking about the beach in St Barts on Tuesday afternoon (February 2).
Joined by fellow model Daria Werbowy for the Caribbean trip, Miss Wasson was enjoying a break from work duties - as she's currently shooting H&M's high summer collection ad campaign.
Setting off flashbulbs the second she set foot on the red carpet, Jessica Biel was spotted arriving at the 81st Annual Academy Awards this evening.
The "7th Heaven" hottie was the picture of perfection as she posed for the paparazzi in a strapless ivory-colored floor-length dress and an elegant half-up-half-down hairdo.
Having a ball during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week, Leighton Meester was spotted at the Erin Wasson+RVCA presentation and party last night (February 18).
The bangy-haired "Gossip Girl" hottie looked amazing as she posed for the paparazzi at the Milk Studios Penthouse, sporting a gold short sleeved top with a long green skirt teamed with dark stockings and shiny heels.


text:
What's the rule for two people having the same weapon listed on their CA CCW?
Can do?
Can't do ever?
Need to be legally married?
Printable View
What's the rule for two people having the same weapon listed on their CA CCW?
Can do?
Can't do ever?
Need to be legally married?
The answer is to move to Florida where the indivdual is licensed, not the firearm.
Come on OV, why would anyone want to leave a gun friendly state like CA? :rofl:
Call the Sheriff and ask.
The only problem I can see is that there could be something hidden somewhere in the requirements that says you have to prove ownership of each weapon listed on the permit.
As long as we are recommending moving, move to PA. No earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires, and very few tornadoes. Plus,our permits are $20 for 5 years, no class, no prints; and, the individual is permitted, not the firearm.
First move to NY then you will LOVE Florida and PA.
What are you trying to do ? Be able to switch off between you and your wife?
Yes, some days i like to carry my Kahr, some days she would carry it. Trying to keep from buying duplicate weapons
Good luck Greg! Just curious, can you only have one gun on your permit or can you have several?
As others have said, I would recommend moving to America. :gah:
All kidding aside, CA is a beautiful place and I do enjoy it when I am out there.


text:
Everyone loves to be in the garden on a sunny day, but for those with allergies it can make gardening or just relaxing, a miserable time. Find out what you can do to avoid your triggers.
Explore the garden below to see the allergy hotspots.
12345678Return to the house
Clothes lineclosex
- If you are a hayfever sufferer make sure that you do not dry your clothes outside during high pollen times especially early morning and early evening.
- Use low allergen mulch instead of compost where possible.
- Consider replacing grass with pebble/shingle or decking.
- Another alternative to grass is the artificial turf used on tennis courts/football field.
- If keeping grass, cut the lawn often and keep it short to prevent it producing flowers.
- Do not use a strimmer as these can cause sap to fly up onto the skin.
- Do not leave grass cuttings on the lawn.
Green plantsclosex
- Avoid privet hedging.
- Avoid using ferns in the garden as the spores can affect people.
- Avoid plants with hairy stems or leaves i.e. Geranium, Iris, Clematis
- Plant low allergen plants such as non -scented honeysuckle. Rose, lavateria, Mahonia, Cotoneaster, Rhododendron, Skimmia, Spirea, Syringa, Ribes.
- Wood preservatives can cause a range of problems for people with allergies.
- Use water based wood preservatives but treat these with respect also.
Compost heapclosex
- Compost should be kept covered to reduce mould spores.
- Keep pots of paints, canisters, wet wellies, wet mops, all away from the house, to eliminate as many chemicals & damp going into the home.


text:
In 2011, the alarming rise in price of basic consumer goods forced the government of Ethiopia to impose a price cap on basic consumer goods and, too, high officials threatened to open up the domestic trade, hitherto legally reserved to Ethiopian nationals, to foreigners supposedly to thwart oligopoly and stabilise the market. Accordingly, these officials even warned that "if domestic traders fail to contend with each other in a competitive manner, opening up will be inevitable."
Debates over retail trading are not new, however. The post Italian occupation history of Ethiopia was marred with numerous social, economic and political predicaments that required leaders of the country to show extraordinary wisdom, patience, skills and determination to tackle the problems without antagonizing particular group of the population, existing laws of the country and the country's commitment to international laws and to its allies.
Despite the tragedy perpetrated by the occupying Italian administration, its foreign soldiers and locally recruited sympathizers, the Ethiopian government had to persuade and even force Ethiopians to impose maximum restraint not to take laws into their hands and take revenge on the occupying forces. This measure was particularly very challenging for Ethiopian patriots who witnessed countless tragedies in the hands of the occupying forces in the course of their gallant sacrifice to liberate their motherland.
The marginalizing and hostile policy pursued by the Italian administration against Ethiopians was, on the contrary, favorable to foreign immigrants and nationals of the Italian colonies. Accordingly, it issued unrestricted retail business license to foreign immigrants including Yemenis, to engage in retail trades in major cities of the country that outlasted the ousting of the administration. Partly due to this fact, the Ethiopian government and the population started to suffer price rise on basic commodities and felt the effects of inflation that posed challenges on the newly won independence.
In those days, the supply of basic commodities such as "edible oil and sugar, table salt and spices, tea and coffee, matches and candle, kerosene to light lamp, incense and the likes were provided by the so-called Arab House," noted Zewde Retta (Amb.), on his newly published Book entitled, "The Government of Hailesellassie I."
"A plethora of shops were set up in Addis Ababa and major cities of regions."
The predominance of Yemeni retail traders in each city had also resulted adverse social and cultural consequences that brought sizable number of half cast children born out of wedlock and left abandoned in the streets by departing Arab fathers that not only left the children unsupported but also left their mother without means of livelihood and "rendered ineligible for employment let alone for marriage."
"This situation," Zewde wrote, "prompted Mekonnen Habtewold (Bitwoded), the then Minister of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, to set up a special committee to conduct thorough study and seek solution." The Committee, which was composed of members from the Ministry and the Ethiopian patriots association, observed that foreigners were unduly allowed to engage in retail trade which is the right that should have been reserved to Ethiopian nationals, due to measures taken by the fascist administration to issue unrestricted license and proposed for a new bill to ban all foreigners from engaging and carrying out retail trade upon expiry of the validity period.
Even though the Minister was convinced that a legislative measure can give a short-term solutions, this idea did not impress him and advised the Committee to continue to search for and come up with another feasible and "lasting solution to ensure the replacement of Ethiopians, on the retail trades hitherto taken over by the Arabs." The Committee desperately resumed its study to find alternative way out until it was provided with a well-researched, insightful, farsighted and totally indigenous solution by one of its member named Ruga Ashamie, but who was afraid to disclose and persuade members of the committee for fear of ethnic bias.
Despite his refusal to be described so, Ruga Ashamie, was the author, originator and founder of the solution that was later endorsed by the committee and obtained official acceptance for implementation. "Ruga was a young employee of the Ministry in his late twenties and selected by Bitwoded Mekonnen to serve as liaison officer and recorder of minutes of the committee" Zewde disclosed, and further noted in his book that Ruga thus boldly asserted "Only the Gurages, the people of my birth place, can overcome and prevail over the dominance of the retail trade set up in each commune and village by the Arabs.".
For fear of ethnic profiling however, Ruga preferred to submit his memo to his boss, Bitwoded Mekonnen. The content of the memo, quoted fairly extensively in Zewde's book mentioned Ruga to have said among others, "for the last five years (presumably between 1942 and 1946), I have been persistently thinking the issue that your honour had anxiously instructed us to find the remedy. In the opinion of your obedient employee, from among the peoples of Ethiopia, the Gurages can overcome the conquest of the Arabs in the retail trade for the time being, by providing loan to 50 young Gurages and helping them set up shops and sale similar merchandise in juxtaposition to the shops of Arabs retailers."
The special committee then received this proposal referred to it by the Minister and thoroughly examined it. Predictably, while members of the committee had accepted the solution, members also discussed that other Ethiopians such as the Wolloye's and the Tigraway would have to be included in the proposed scheme.
However, at last, it was agreed to stick to the original proposal for implementation, leaving the door open to other Ethiopian national group. Finally, the committee submitted its proposal to Biweded Mekonnen. Passionately impressed by the committee proposal, Bitweded pledged to take the proposal to the Emperor for the approval of the fund necessary to realize the proposal. He easily persuaded the emperor and obtained the fund required to finance implementation of the plan.
Accordingly, Ruga's proposal was accepted and an action plan was drawn up for implementation. Therefore, "40 trustworthy young Gurages, acceptable by reputable and eminent communal elders of their birth place and that can provide guarantors, were selected" for the initial phase of implementation of the plan and provided with 700 Br to commence retail trade.
As outlined in the plan, the selection of 40 Gurages were made with the effort of Ruga and his friends, who were then provided with 700 Br, supported to set up their retail shops and "in less than one year, 33 out of the 40 Gurages, reversed foreign Arab dominance on the retail trade and forced the later to dismantle their shop and leave their businesses." This was possible, Zewde also underlined, because "they obtained good cooperation of residents of each village with their diligence and high regard to their customers; due to the relative discount they introduced on commodity prices; and because the public also became increasingly aware of the distinction and benefits shopping between domestic and foreign traders."
Much to the satisfaction of the government, before the end of the year, these traders were ready to pay back the loan provided to them and demanded the discharge of guarantors that surprised the unprepared Ministry of Finance.
The idea of seeking local solution to local problem revealed to the innovative young Ruga of the Gurage national, a very junior staff of the Ministry of Commerce but who was as much responsible and worried as the Minister and culminated with success, cannot be explained by nothing other than with reference to the bulwark of common foundation, destiny, vision, purpose and framework that both Ethiopians had in mind in providing their services i.e., putting the interest of the country and its people first above narrow, parochial and self-serving gains.
Besides, though Ruga was a junior staff of the Ministry, he was not a passive public servant subserviently waiting for his boss's instruction or party guidance, good or bad, and ready for blind obedience and enforcement. On the contrary, he took personal initiative to investigate and research the solution for the unusual problem facing his motherland during the post war period. Ruga was absolutely right to seek the solution through accepted and conventional economic laws of market competition rather than government enactments or subsidies that inadequately and artificially address the problem and squander meager public resource.
Bitweded Mekonnen Habtewold delightfully accepted Ruga's proposal and totally disparaged Ruga's fear of ethnic profiling by members of the committee on account of the suggestion submitted and advised the committee to examine in detail, the proposed solution without notifying by name, the originator of this marvelous idea. Indeed, the Gurage peoples are very diligent, industrious, foresighted and indefatigable business people, among others.
Since Ruga was born from and lived with them, it was not by coincidence that he focused his attention to seek the solution among his people to tackle the prevailing national predicament. He was also bold enough and too sincere in his choice and suggest that the Gurages were the right people to achieve the intended objective of government policy.
The position maintained by Biweded Mekonnen, a member of the old generation clearly demonstrate a striking difference from the previous and contemporary modern generations of officials both in approach and methodology of addressing the pressing issue confronting his official responsibility. Since the end of the Imperial regime, Ethiopians were thought and made to believe that the old system of government was autocratic, largely dominated "by members of the royal family, aristocrats and the Chauvinist shoan and other regional elites" that defied "eligibility for appointment in high public office, equality and other rights of nations, nationalities and peoples."
However, Zewde's book proved abundantly that, there were key officials of humble origins so powerful to be movers and shakers, who were aggressively fighting for the implementation of the reform program of the Emperor and who, at times, were engaged in a fierce battle against the imperial and aristocratic family for modernity, increased government accountability and changes so much so that even the voice of junior civil servants such as the young Ruga Ashamie, was properly and attentively heard, accepted and implemented.
The solution for the root cause of the inflationary problems reported in contemporary Ethiopia begs a question about the stark contrast in approach between officials of the ancient imperial and modern government units in redressing the recurring economic problems of the nation.
Unlike the imperial period, modern Ethiopia has been governed by parties that profess the Marxist-Leninist principle of "democratic centralism." According to this principle, the party formulate policies, provides guidance and exercise leadership. The party is the innovator of new ideas, provider of solutions to problems and officials are expected to abide with and not deviate from party instruction, whether workable or not.
The party is an all knowing god and consequently, even the most sincere, useful and problem solving proposal cannot receive audience by government officials, let alone acceptance and approval by the party. It has been disclosed, time and again, that only those persons that comply with party instruction can be appointed to ministerial positions to serve this country, irrespective of academic credential, experience or even resourcefulness (though not buttressed by a provision of the incumbent constitution).
Assuming that he is not a member of the party, it is highly doubtful if democratic centralism would allow and welcome Ruga's proposal and see the light of its implementation. Certainly, rather than pondering over the problem, seek for a solution, prepare and submit his memo, the free and patriotic mind of Ruga would have been expected to simply and obediently enforce laws or decisions coming down from above prepared by senior party leaders that are "exclusively entitled to know all policy problems and seek solutions" through binding decisions or barrage of laws often copied or "benchmarked" from foreign jurisdictions.
It is not unusual for members of the ruling party to sit with the oppos...
Although the fall armyworm pest set foot for the first time in Ethiopia...
Enforcing discipline with the state to shape up in...
Unlike the East Asian experience, which was industrialisation without e...
Addis Ababa is believed to be home to 4.6 million residents. The growth...
What we do not do with our mobile phones! We text, we call, e-mail, Goo...
The country has reached the state of emergency because of the negligenc...


text:
Off to the Oldie of the Year lunch and some of the nicest gossip of the year. I noticed the magazine's slogan – "Buy it before you snuff it", which does not have quite the same cheery ring as, say, "It's naughty but it's nice". I bumped into the great children's illustrator Shirley Hughes, who was chatting to the celebrated TV critic Philip Purser, whom she had met only once since they learned ballroom dancing together in Wirral, Merseyside, some 70 years ago.
There was Lord West, the former First Sea Lord (the head of the army told him he envied his splendid title. West replied: "Then you would be the First Land Lord.") The former terrorism minister arrived wearing the first bowler hat I've seen, on a head, for decades.
He revealed that when he accepted the job under Gordon Brown, the image freaks in No 10 asked him not to wear it. But recently it has reappeared, and saved him from a nasty injury when he fell off a pavement. "I was partly careless and partly pissed," he said, "but it stopped my head hitting the kerb."
Between them the guests must have known everyone who matters in the country, at least everyone who matters over the age of 60. One was fuming about David Miliband, whom she had seen making a speech at Chatham House two months ago. "He said 'the situation in Israel is deeply sub-optimal'. And to think that a man who talks like that almost became leader of the Labour party!"
Conversation turned to the Reverend Ian Paisley, lying in intensive care in a Belfast hospital. My Irish neighbour recalled the time when the BBC's only Westminster studio was a cabin opposite parliament. It had a hospitality cupboard, and visitors had to sign for their drinks. Paisley got on with the late Gerry Fitt, leader of the SDLP, but never drank. So Fitt would sign for his own first gin and tonic, then for all the (several) he had subsequently, would sign Paisley's name – to the reverend doctor's rage when he found out.
The first award winner was the Oldie of the Year, the lord chancellor, Ken Clarke, who is now 71 and regarded by those on the Tory right as little better than Polly Toynbee in Hush Puppies. Ken accepted, then disappeared to work, shouting over his shoulder: "You ask what happened to my companions. They have all fled me by going to the Lords." And so they have. (If you ever find yourself in the House of Lords bar, you'll see it's like being in a 25-year-old edition of Spitting Image.)
Terry Wogan was chairing, and delighted the audience with his jokes. They were ancient, but beautifully told. He recounted the one about the chap who came home to find his wife in alluring lingerie. "'Tie me up!' she says, 'and you can do anything you like!' So he tied up her and went to the pub."
Peer of the Year went to Baroness Trumpington, 89, who was a codebreaker in Bletchley Park, and recently became famous for making a V-sign to Lord King in a debate in which he said something she didn't like about her age. She referred to Ken Clarke's "great honour", then made a V-sign at his back, to the delight of the assembled oldies, who enjoy a bit of mild filth.
The film-maker Ken Loach was Movie Man of the Year, saying cheerily: "I 'ave a go, lady, I 'ave a go." Then Sir Peregrine Worsthorne was named Fashion Icon of the Year, justifiably, since he was wearing – indoors – a brown trilby with a mauve hatband, a fuchsia scarf, a lavender shirt, cherry red trousers and a navy jacket.
"Having failed to become a sage, I will now be remembered as a dandy," he said, a little ruefully perhaps.
Cross-Channel Swimmer of the Year was Roger Allsop, a retired cancer surgeon who last year at the age of 70 became the oldest person to swim the Channel. And the final award went to the 106-year old Hetty Bower, who has been an antiwar campaigner since waving men off to the Great War when she was nine. And realising that many of them never came back.


text:
Related Suppliers
Numerous improvements to compressed-air membrane dryers from Baltimore-based Novatec, Inc., will be on display at the NPE show in June. The NovaDrier N-R series has a more efficient membrane that can reduce compressed-air usage and associated costs. Improved air filters have new elements that reduce pressure drop and now last for a year instead of six months, cutting replacement costs by 35% to 40%. Other enhancements include a choice of standard "right-hand" and "left-hand" configurations for easier machine mounting. Control cabinets are now more compact and have pre-punched holes for easier electrical hookup. The dryer has been redesigned for easier cleanout and greater mobility.
Novatec Inc
222 E. Thomas Ave. Baltimore, MD 21225-3389
Phone (410) 789-4811 Fax (410) 789-4638


text:
Here a little exterpt of DeLorenzo's AE rant of the week, this week about Super Bowl ads www.autoextremist.com
Here a Chevy ad from last year (no, it's not the Silverado 2012 ad but another one)Duck and cover, folks, its time for that annual rite of marketing self-flagellation, otherwise known as the Super Bowl.
By Peter M. De Lorenzo
(Posted 1/28, 4:00 p.m.) Detroit. Clearing the decks after the Detroit Auto Show is always a good thing to do. After the orchestrated image-wrangling and the obligatory statistics-laden car intro speeches (not to mention the endless pontificating going on in the city at the various pseudo events so desperate for gravitas that its almost painful to watch), its a good idea to just walk away and go sit in a quiet room somewhere and really think about what just happened.
As in, did we really learn anything? As opposed to enduring what qualified as just another expertly rendered smoke-and-mirror session, for starters? And who did the most talking to themselves, as opposed to really showing the assembled multitudes in the media something worth considering or talking about? Better yet, what has really changed in the biz, after all of the strutting and mumbling down at Cobo Hall?
I can answer those questions in order: Are you kidding? No. Most everyone. Not Much.
But if we pressed the reset button for this business right now, today, what would be different?
I can answer that one too: Not Much, plus the car companies Super Bowl advertising.
To say that I am underwhelmed about car advertising and the Super Bowl is an understatement. Its plainly obvious that this business takes itself entirely too seriously, and most of the players at the auto companies are so all-consumed with establishing the fundamental veracity of their assorted Belchfire 8s and are so absolutely convinced that the TV viewing public feels exactly the same way that they inevitably embarrass themselves more often than not on what is this countrys largest media stage.
Why? Because automotive marketers have a hard time with the concept that the world doesnt revolve around them (big surprise), and since they eat, sleep and breathe the business, they make the fatal error of assuming that everyone else out in ConsumerVille cares in exactly the same way.
And of course that couldnt be further from the truth.


text:
The key to helping all students succeed in math is to support a strong core curriculum with targeted supplemental solutions.
Voyager Sopris Learning's research-based mathematics solutions adhere to the National Mathematics Advisory Panel's recommendations on explicit, systematic instruction and complement core instruction by providing meaningful practice, discussion, progress monitoring, and both concrete and visual models of concepts and procedures.
The Voyager Sopris Learning Math Screener is complimentary to all educators and serves as a valuable tool to identify students in grades 2-8 in need of intervention. Contact your local sales executive for more information about the screener.
Vmath is a blended solution that creates confident, independent math thinkers.
A targeted math intervention program for struggling students in grades 2–8 that provides additional opportunities to master critical math concepts and skills.
Learn More Buy Now
The new Third Edition emphasizes fewer topics in greater depth while accelerating students to more advanced math, from number sense to rational numbers to understanding algebra.
Empowers students in grades K–8 to master math content at their own pace in a motivating online environment. Students work sequentially through the lessons and can earn badges, trophies, and points.
Delivers explicit, conceptually-based instruction to ensure all students can master algebraic skills through an objective-based approach.
An innovative, rigorous mathematics professional development offering based on the instructional planning, assessment, and differentiation necessary to implement the CCSS in elementary and middle school.
Gives students in grades 3-8 instruction in basic skills over the summer to prepare them to understand the skills outlined in CCSS in fall.
A proven, evidenced-based, early learning solution that supports teachers of all experience levels—addressing key foundational skills in the state standards for kindergarten.


text:
Podcast #293 - NVIDIA Titan-Z, ASUS ROG Poseidon 780, News from OculusVR and more!
Subject: General Tech | March 27, 2014 - 02:42 PM | Ken Addison
Tagged: W9100, video, titan z, poseidon 780, podcast, Oculus, nvidia, GTC, GDC
PC Perspective Podcast #293 - 03/27/2014
Join us this week as we discuss the NVIDIA Titan-Z, ASUS ROG Poseidon 780, News from OculusVR and more!
You can subscribe to us through iTunes and you can still access it directly through the RSS page HERE.
The URL for the podcast is: http://pcper.com/podcast - Share with your friends!
- iTunes - Subscribe to the podcast directly through the iTunes Store
- RSS - Subscribe through your regular RSS reader
- MP3 - Direct download link to the MP3 file
Hosts: Ryan Shrout, Jeremy Hellstrom, Josh Walrath and Allyn Malventano
Week in Review:
0:10:45 Microsoft's DirectX 12 (Live Blog)
0:26:20 Cooler Master V 850W PSU Review
0:27:35 ASUS ROG Poseidon GTX 780 Review
0:37:07 This podcast is brought to you by Coolermaster, and the CM Storm Pulse-R Gaming Headset
News items of interest:
Hardware/Software Picks of the Week:
Josh: Certainly not a Skype Connection to the Studio
Allyn: Continuous ink conversions
Be sure to subscribe to the PC Perspective YouTube channel!!
Connecting Pascal's triangle with the Maxwell Equations
Subject: General Tech | March 27, 2014 - 01:10 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: pascal, nvlink, nvidia, maxwell, jen-hsun huang, GTC
Before we get to see Volta in action NVIDIA is taking a half step and releasing the Pascal architecture which will use Maxwell-like Streaming Multiprocessors and will introduce stacked or 3D memory which will reside on the same substrate as the GPU. Jen-Hsun claimed this new type of memory will vastly increase the bandwidth available, provide two and a half times the capacity and be four times as energy efficient at the same time. Along with the 3D memory announcement was the revealing of NVLink, an alternative interconnect which he claims will offer 5-12 times the bandwidth of PCIe and will be utilized by HPC systems. From his announcement that NVLink will feature eight 20Gbps lanes per block or as NVIDIA is calling them, bricks, which The Tech Report used to make a quick calculation and came up with an aggregate bandwidth of a brick of around 20GB/s. Read on to see what else was revealed.
"Today during his opening keynote at the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference, CEO Jen-Hsun Huang offered an update to Nvidia's GPU roadmap. The big reveal was about a GPU code-named Pascal, which will be a generation beyond the still-being-introduced Maxwell architecture in the firm's plans."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- Nvidia, VMware join to pipe high-quality 3D graphics from the cloud @ The Register
- Android has 97 Percent of Mobile Malware, But Nearly None in the U.S. @ DailyTech
- Amazon HALVES cloud storage prices after Google's shock slash @ The Register
- Bitcoin mining malware hits Android @ The Inquirer
- Facebook Oculus VR buy causes rift with developers and tech fans @ The Inquirer
- iSAW EXtreme Action Camera @ Kitguru
- Netgear VueZone VZSX2800 Wireless Surveillance Camera Kit @ eTeknix
GTC 2014: NVIDIA Awards Startup Map-D $100,000 In Early Stage Challenge
Subject: General Tech | March 26, 2014 - 08:49 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: remote graphics, nvidia, GTC 2014, gpgpu, emerging companies summit, ecs 2014, cloud computing
NVIDIA started the Emerging Companies Summit six years ago, and since then the event has grown in size and scope to identify and support those technology companies tha leverage (or plan to leverage) GPGPU computing to deliver innovative products. The ECS continues to be a platform for new startups to showcase their work at the annual GPU Technology Conference. NVIDIA provides support in the form of legal, developmental, and co-marketing to the companies featured at ECS.
There was an interesting twist this year though in the form of the Early Start Challenge. This is a new aspect to ECS in addition to the 'One to Watch' award. I attended the Emerging Companies Summit again this year and managed to snag some photos and participate in the Early Start Challenge (disclosure: i voted for Audiostream TV).
The 12 Early Start Challenge contestants take the stage at once to await the vote tally.
During the challenge, 12 selected startup companies were each given eight minutes on stage to pitch their company and why their innovations were deserving of the $100,000 grand prize. The on stage time was divided into a four minute presentation and a four minute Q&A session with the panel of judges (this year the audience was not part of the Q&A session at ECS unlike last year due to time constraints).
After all 12 companies had their chance on stage, the panel of judges and the audience submitted their votes for the most innovative startup. The panel of judges included:
- Scott Budman Business & Technology Reporter, NBC
- Jeff Herbst Vice President of Business Development, NVIDIA
- Jens Hortsmann Executive Producer & Managing Partner, Crestlight Venture Productions
- Pat Moorhead President & Principal Analyst, Moor Insights & Strategy
- Bill Reichert Managing Director, Garage Technology Ventures
The companies participating in the challenge include Okam Studio, MyCloud3D, Global Valuation, Brytlyt, Clarifai, Aerys, oMobio, ShiVa Technologies, IGI Technologies, Map-D, Scalable Graphics, and AudioStream TV. The companies are involved in machine learning, deep neural networks, computer vision, remote graphics, real time visualization, gaming, and big data analytics.
After all the votes were tallied, Map-D was revealed to be the winner and received a check for $100,000 from NVIDIA Vice President of Business Development Jeff Herbst.
Jeff Herbst awarding Map-D's CEO with the Early Start Challenge grand prize check. From left to right: Scott Budman, Jeff Herbst, and Thomas Graham.
Map-D is a company that specializes in a scaleable in-memory GPU database that promises millisecond queries directly from GPU memory (with GPU memory bandwidth being the bottleneck) and very fast database inserts. The company is working with Facebook and PayPal to analyze data. In the case of Facebook, Map-D is being used to analyze status updates in real time to identify malicious behavior. The software can be scaled across eight NVIDIA Tesla cards to analyze a billion Twitter tweets in real time.
It is specialized software, but extremely useful within its niche. Hopefully the company puts the prize money to good use in furthering its GPGPU endeavors. Although there was only a single grand prize winner, I found all the presentations interesting and look forward to seeing where they go from here.
Read more about the Emerging Companies Summit (from last year) and keep track of new GTC 2014 articles by following the GTC 2014 tag @ PC Perspective.
NVIDIA Launches Jetson TK1 Mobile CUDA Development Platform
Subject: General Tech, Mobile | March 25, 2014 - 09:34 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: GTC 2014, tegra k1, nvidia, CUDA, kepler, jetson tk1, development
NVIDIA recently unified its desktop and mobile GPU lineups by moving to a Kepler-based GPU in its latest Tegra K1 mobile SoC. The move to the Kepler architecture has simplified development and enabled the CUDA programming model to run on mobile devices. One of the main points of the opening keynote earlier today was 'CUDA everywhere,' and NVIDIA has officially accomplished that goal by having CUDA compatible hardware from servers to desktops to tablets and embedded devices.
Speaking of embedded devices, NVIDIA showed off a new development board called the Jetson TK1. This tiny new board features a NVIDIA Tegra K1 SoC at its heart along with 2GB RAM and 16GB eMMC storage. The Jetson TK1 supports a plethora of IO options including an internal expansion port (GPIO compatible), SATA, one half-mini PCI-e slot, serial, USB 3.0, micro USB, Gigabit Ethernet, analog audio, and HDMI video outputs.
Of course the Tegra K1 part is a quad core (4+1) ARM CPU and a Kepler-based GPU with 192 CUDA cores. The SoC is rated at 326 GFLOPS which enables some interesting compute workloads including machine vision.
In fact, Audi has been utilizing the Jetson TK1 development board to power its self-driving prototype car (more on that soon). Other intended uses for the new development board include robotics, medical devices, security systems, and perhaps low power compute clusters (such as an improved Pedraforca system).It can also be used as a simple desktop platform for testing and developing mobile applications for other Tegra K1 powered devices, of course.
Beyond the hardware, the Jetson TK1 comes with the CUDA toolkit, OpenGL 4.4 driver, and NVIDIA VisionWorks SDK which includes programming libraries and sample code for getting machine vision applications running on the Tegra K1 SoC.
The Jetson TK1 is available for pre-order now at $192 and is slated to begin shipping in April. Interested developers can find more information on the NVIDIA developer website.
NVIDIA SHIELD: New Features and Promotional Price Cut
Subject: General Tech, Graphics Cards, Mobile | March 25, 2014 - 03:01 PM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: shield, nvidia
The SHIELD from NVIDIA is getting a software update which advances GameStream, TegraZone, and the Android OS, itself, to KitKat. Personally, the GameStream enhancements seem most notable as it now allows users to access their home PC's gaming content outside of the home, as if it were a cloud server (but some other parts were interesting, too). Also, from now until the end of April, NVIDIA has temporarily cut the price down to $199.
Going into more detail: GameStream, now out of Beta, will stream games which are rendered on your gaming PC to your SHIELD. Typically, we have seen this through "cloud" services, such as OnLive and GaiKai, which allow access to a set of games that run on their servers (with varying license models). The fear with these services is the lack of ownership, but the advantage is that the slave device just needs enough power to decode an HD video stream.
In NVIDIA's case, the user owns both server (their standard NVIDIA-powered gaming PC, which can now be a laptop) and target device (the SHIELD). This technology was once limited to your own network (which definitely has its uses, especially for the SHIELD as a home theater device) but now can also be exposed over the internet. For this technology, NVIDIA recommends 5 megabit upload and download speeds - which is still a lot of upload bandwidth, even for 2014. In terms of performance, NVIDIA believes that it should live up to expectations set by their GRID. I do not have any experience with this, but others on the conference call took it as good news.
As for content, NVIDIA has expanded the number of supported titles to over a hundred, including new entries: Assassin's Creed IV, Batman: Arkham Origins, Battlefield 4, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Daylight, Titanfall, and Dark Souls II. They also claim that users can add other apps which are not officially supported, Halo 2: Vista was mentioned as an example, for streaming. FPS and Bitrate can now be set by the user. A bluetooth mouse and keyboard can also be paired to SHIELD for that input type through GameStream.
Yeah, I don't like checkbox comparisons either. It's just a summary.
A new TegraZone was also briefly mentioned. Its main upgrade was apparently its library interface. There has also been a number of PC titles ported to Android recently, such as Mount and Blade: Warband.
The update is available now and the $199 promotion will last until the end of April.
Valve Ports Portal To NVIDIA Shield Gaming Handheld
Subject: General Tech | March 25, 2014 - 02:33 PM | Tim Verry
Tagged: Portal, GTC 2014, gaming, nvidia
During the opening keynote of NVIDIA's GTC 2014 conference, company CEO Jen-Hsun Huang announced that Valve had ported the ever-popular "Portal" game to the NVIDIA SHIELD handheld gaming platform.
The game appeared to run smoothly on the portable device, and is a worthy addition to the catalog of local games that can be run on the SHIELD.
Additionally, while the cake may still be a lie, portable gaming systems apparently are not as Jen-Hsun Huang revealed that all GTC attendees will be getting a free SHIELD.
Stay tuned to PC Perspective for more information on all the opening keynote announcements and their implications for the future of computing!
GPU Technology Conference 2014 resources:
Keep up with GTC 2014 throughout the week by following the NVIDIA blog (blogs.nvidia.com) and the GTC tag on PC Perspective!
Introduction and Technical Specifications
Courtesy of ASUS
The ASUS ROG Poseidon GTX 780 video card is the latest incarnation of the Republic of Gamer (ROG) Poseidon series. Like the previous Poseidon series products, the Poseidon GTX 780 features a hybrid cooler, capable of air and liquid-based cooling for the GPU and on board components. The AUS ROG Poseidon GTX 780 graphics card comes with an MSRP of $599, a premium price for a premium card .
Courtesy of ASUS
In designing the Poseidon GTX 780 graphics card, ASUS packed in many of premium components you would normally find as add-ons. Additionally, the card features motherboard quality power components, featuring a 10 phase digital power regulation system using ASUS DIGI+ VRM technology coupled with Japanese black metallic capacitors. The Poseidon GTX 780 has the following features integrated into its design: DisplayPort output port, HDMI output port, dual DVI ports (DVI-D and DVI-I type ports), aluminum backplate, integrated G 1/4" threaded liquid ports, dual 90mm cooling fans, 6-pin and 8-pin PCIe-style power connectors, and integrated power connector LEDs and ROG logo LED.
Continue reading our review of the ASUS ROG Poseidon GTX 780 graphics card!
GDC wasn't just about DirectX; OpenGL was also a hot topic
Subject: General Tech | March 24, 2014 - 12:26 PM | Jeremy Hellstrom
Tagged: opengl, nvidia, gdc 14, GDC, amd, Intel
DX12 and its Mantle-like qualities garnered the most interest from gamers at GDC but an odd trio of companies were also pushing a different API. OpenGL has been around for over 20 years and has waged a long war against Direct3D, a war which may be intensifying again. Representatives from Intel, AMD and NVIDIA all took to the stage to praise the new OpenGL standard, suggesting that with a tweaked implementation of OpenGL developers could expect to see performance increases between 7 to 15 times. The Inquirer has embedded an hour long video in their story, check it out to learn more.
"CHIP DESIGNERS AMD, Intel and Nvidia teamed up to tout the advantages of the OpenGL multi-platform application programming interface (API) at this year's Game Developers Conference (GDC)."
Here is some more Tech News from around the web:
- The TR Podcast 152: Intel's new desktop mojo, DX12, and TR does subscriptions
- DirectX 12 will also add new features for next-gen GPUs @ The Tech Report
- Malwarebytes offers Windows XP security support before Microsoft's April deadline @ The Inquirer
- Slow SSD Transition and The Consumer Mindset – Learning to Run With Flash @ SSD Review
- AMD Is Exploring A Very Interesting, More-Open Linux Driver Strategy @ Phoronix
- AT&T and Netflix get into very public spat over net neutrality @ The Register
DX11 could rival Mantle
The big story at GDC last week was Microsoft's reveal of DirectX 12 and the future of the dominant API for PC gaming. There was plenty of build up to the announcement with Microsoft's DirectX team posting teasers and starting up a Twitter account of the occasion. I hosted a live blog from the event which included pictures of the slides. It was our most successful of these types of events with literally thousands of people joining in the conversation. Along with the debates over the similarities of AMD's Mantle API and the timeline for DX12 release, there are plenty of stories to be told.
After the initial session, I wanted to setup meetings with both AMD and NVIDIA to discuss what had been shown and get some feedback on the planned direction for the GPU giants' implementations. NVIDIA presented us with a very interesting set of data that both focused on the future with DX12, but also on the now of DirectX 11.
The reason for the topic is easy to decipher – AMD has built up the image of Mantle as the future of PC gaming and, with a full 18 months before Microsoft's DirectX 12 being released, how developers and gamers respond will make an important impact on the market. NVIDIA doesn't like to talk about Mantle directly, but it's obvious that it feels the need to address the questions in a roundabout fashion. During our time with NVIDIA's Tony Tamasi at GDC, the discussion centered as much on OpenGL and DirectX 11 as anything else.
What are APIs and why do you care?
For those that might not really understand what DirectX and OpenGL are, a bit of background first. APIs (application programming interface) are responsible for providing an abstraction layer between hardware and software applications. An API can deliver consistent programming models (though the language can vary) and do so across various hardware vendors products and even between hardware generations. They can provide access to feature sets of hardware that have a wide range in complexity, but allow users access to hardware without necessarily knowing great detail about it.
Over the years, APIs have developed and evolved but still retain backwards compatibility. Companies like NVIDIA and AMD can improve DirectX implementations to increase performance or efficiency without adversely (usually at least) affecting other games or applications. And because the games use that same API for programming, changes to how NVIDIA/AMD handle the API integration don't require game developer intervention.
With the release of AMD Mantle, the idea of a "low level" API has been placed in the minds of gamers and developers. The term "low level" can mean many things, but in general it is associated with an API that is more direct, has a thinner set of abstraction layers, and uses less translation from code to hardware. The goal is to reduce the amount of overhead (performance hit) that APIs naturally impair for these translations. With additional performance available, the CPU cycles can be used by the program (game) or be slept to improve battery life. In certain cases, GPU throughput can increase where the API overhead is impeding the video card's progress.
Passing additional control to the game developers, away from the API or GPU driver developers, gives those coders additional power and improves the ability for some vendors to differentiate. Interestingly, not all developers want this kind of control as it requires more time, more development work, and small teams that depend on that abstraction to make coding easier will only see limited performance advantages.
The reasons for this transition to a lower level API is being driven the by widening gap of performance between CPU and GPUs. NVIDIA provided the images below.
On the left we see performance scaling in terms of GFLOPS and on the right the metric is memory bandwidth. Clearly the performance of NVIDIA's graphics chips has far outpaced (as have AMD's) what the best Intel desktop processor have been able and that gap means that the industry needs to innovate to find ways to close it.
Continue reading NVIDIA Talks DX12, DX11 Efficiency Improvements!!!
GDC 14: NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel Discuss OpenGL Speed-ups
Subject: General Tech, Shows and Expos | March 22, 2014 - 01:41 AM | Scott Michaud
Tagged: opengl, nvidia, Intel, gdc 14, GDC, amd
So, for all the discussion about DirectX 12, the three main desktop GPU vendors, NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel, want to tell OpenGL developers how to tune their applications. Using OpenGL 4.2 and a few cross-vendor extensions, because OpenGL is all about its extensions, a handful of known tricks can reduce driver overhead up to ten-fold and increase performance up to fifteen-fold. The talk is very graphics developer-centric, but it basically describes a series of tricks known to accomplish feats similar to what Mantle and DirectX 12 suggest.
The 130-slide presentation is broken into a few sections, each GPU vendor getting a decent chunk of time. On occasion, they would mention which implementation fairs better with one function call. The main point that they wanted to drive home (since they clearly repeated the slide three times with three different fonts) is that none of this requires a new API. Everything exists and can be implemented right now. The real trick is to know how to not poke the graphics library in the wrong way.
The page also hosts a keynote from the recent Steam Dev Days.
That said, an advantage that I expect from DirectX 12 and Mantle is reduced driver complexity. Since the processors have settled into standards, I expect that drivers will not need to do as much unless the library demands it for legacy reasons. I am not sure how extending OpenGL will affect that benefit, as opposed to just isolating the legacy and building on a solid foundation, but I wonder if these extensions could be just as easy to maintain and optimize. Maybe it is.
Either way, the performance figures do not lie.
PC Perspective
Upcoming Events
Get notified when we go live!
PC Perspective Live! Google Calendar RSS


text:
Adam Levine Reveals "Begin Again" Salary & Maroon 5 Drops "Maps" Video!
Movie stars are known for making all kinds of loot for their silver screen projects, however Adam Levine didn't bank a fortune for starring in "Begin Again."
The "Harder to Breathe" singer told USA Today that he wanted the role of Dave so badly, he didn't take a paycheck.
Adam explained, "I did this movie for no money. I'm very lucky that I'm in that position. I want to have good experiences. I don't want to do a bunch of sh*t that I hate. I want to treat [acting] completely differently because I have the very fortunate luxury of not having to think of this in terms of money."
Meanwhile, Levine's band Maroon 5 just released the music video for "Maps," the lead single from their forthcoming album V, due out September 2nd.
He told MTV News, "This album is very much all over the place. There's some stuff on our record that sounds a little like early Maroon 5, and then there's some stuff that sounds like the newer direction that we went in. We thought we'd get back to certain elements that we'd been missing out on for a while with our original sound, but also bridge the gap with the new stuff that we've been doing. I think it's an all-encompassing kind of record."
Get More:
Maroon 5, Maps, Maps, Free Music Videos


text:
Injured Gronkowski's status could be left up in the air
INDIANAPOLIS – Welcome to the day-to-day dance.
Asked at length about the health of star tight end Rob Gronkowski upon arriving here for Super Bowl XLVI, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said simply, "Day-to-day."
An otherwise open Belichick, wearing a dark suit instead of his trademark hoodie, talked about his late father's influence and glowed after being mentioned in the same sentence as Chuck Noll, the Pittsburgh Steelers coach with whom he could share a record four career Super Bowl victories.
Asked about "Hoosier hospitality," Belichick referred to his most infamous coaching gaffe.
USA TODAY Sports on Twitter!
To get the latest sports news from USA TODAY, including game results, columns and features, follow us on Twitter at @USATODAYSports.
"I never had too much hospitality here," he said of his popularity in the home of the Indianapolis Colts, "until I went for it on fourth-and-2."
Super Bowl XLVI
USA TODAY's complete coverage of Super Bowl XLVI between the Patriots and Giants.
- TEAM MATCHUP: Breaking down the offensive and defensive matchups
- KEY PLAYER: Patriots QB Tom Brady in search of his fourth title
- KEY PLAYER: Giants DE Justin Tuck wreaks havoc on backfields
- PHOTO GALLERY: The Patriots and Giants on the road to Super Bowl XLVI
- MORE PHOTOS: Check out the best images from the NFL postseason
The failed try from the New England 28-yard line led to Indianapolis' game-winning touchdown in a 2009 regular-season game.
After that, "Fans greeted us lots more and were awfully friendly," he said.
Yet Belichick gave up nothing when it came to Gronkowski's injured left ankle, which was in a walking boot when the team's plane arrived Sunday from Boston's Logan Airport.
Like the Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey a year ago and the Colts' Dwight Freeney in 2010, Gronkowski's bum ankle promises to be a topic of much speculation during Super Bowl week.
The record-setting second-year tight end was injured in New England's 23-20 AFC Championship Game victory against the Baltimore Ravens in which he caught five passes for 87 yards.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady at least acknowledged the possibility of being without the man who had 17 touchdown catches — an NFL single-season record for tight ends — among his 90 receptions.
"You've got to prepare for every one of these situations that come up," Brady said. "You always have to have contingency plans."
Plan B would likely include bigger roles for tight end Aaron Hernandez and wide receiver Wes Welker, who caught 122 passes for 1,569 yards this season.
"I know that I need to make some plays if one of those guys is out," Welker said of Hernandez and Gronkowski. "They're a big, integral part of our offense. They've been great players all year, and we're going to lean on them."


text:
Blame biological clock for dearth of women in math: study
By Ronda Kaysen
(Reuters) - Women are shunning academic careers in math-intensive fields because the lifestyle is incompatible with motherhood, researchers at Cornell University found in a study to be published next month in American Scientist Magazine.
Universities have long been criticized for hiring and evaluation policies that discriminate against women, but the findings of this new study point to the female biological clock as a main reason why so few women end up as professors in fields such as math, engineering, physics and computer science.
A woman who wants a family looks at the rigorous path to a tenured position and considers how old she will be before she can start a family and how little time she will have to raise her children. Many of those women opt for a more flexible career.
"Universities have been largely inflexible about anything other than the standard time table, which is you kill yourself for years and only then would you consider getting pregnant," said Wendy Williams, a human development professor at Cornell who co-authored the study with her husband, Stephen Ceci.
Williams and Ceci analyzed data about the academic careers of men and women with and without children. Before women became mothers, they had careers equivalent to or more successful than their male peers. But once children entered the equation, the dynamic changed.
Women in other academic fields such as the humanities and social sciences face similar hurdles and often leave academia as well. But because there are so many women in those Ph.D. programs, enough ultimately stay to amount to a critical mass of female professors.
In math-heavy fields, however, women make up a tiny minority of the graduate students. So when the rare few who make it through a Ph.D. program leave because universities are insensitive to their needs as mothers, the net result is virtually no women represented on faculty rosters, the study said.
In physics, for example, women make up about 15 percent of Ph.D. candidates but fewer than 5 percent of full professors, according to the study. Continued...


text:
The Real McKenzies
Shine Not Burn
(Fat Wreck)
US: 22 Jun 2010
UK: Import
On record, the Real McKenzies try to mesh Scottish folk with a punk sneer, but Shine Not Burn might present them in their best light. This record documents an acoustic set recorded live in Berlin, and the drunken, ramshackle results feel much more energized than most of the band's recorded output. Front man Paul McKenzie leads the rabble here. He's equal parts singer, storyteller, and barroom loudmouth as the band stumbles through fan favorites like "10,000 Shots" and turn in a pretty solid version of "Wild Mountain Thyme"—even if it begins with a false start. Of course, the album fails to hide the one flaw that's piled up over the band's history, and that's a limited amount of subject matter. From "Drink The Way I Do" to "Pickled" to "Pour Decisions" and so on and so on, far too many of these songs are about drink, and not in that way that eventually reveals some other meaning. Nothing wrong with a bunch of drinking songs, of course, but even if you get caught up in the boozy frenzy of Shine Not Burn, in the end you're bound to be hungover.
- "10,000 Shots" MP3
Last Leaves "The World We Had" (video) (premiere) // Music
Fly By Midnight "2U" (David Guetta cover) (premiere) // Music
A Valley Son "Leaving Is Easy" (audio) (premiere) // Music
Foo Fighters "Run" (Singles Going Steady) // Music
Black Milk Gives 'Em 'Hell'
// Sound Affects
"Much of If There's a Hell Below's themes relay anxieties buried deep, manifested as sound when they are unearthed.READ the article


text:
Hall County voters responded with a resounding "yes" to continue the 1-cent sales tax for education during Tuesday's special election.
With 100 percent of the ballots in, the yes votes were 67 percent (4,478 votes) of the total, while, no votes were 33 percent (2,276 votes). Turnout was 8.3 percent.
"We're thrilled and grateful to the voters, the Citizens for a Better Education and the large group of people who helped us," Gainesville City Schools Superintendent Merrianne Dyer said. "This will give us a boost for financial recovery and a new level of financial health."
Tuesday's vote approves a possible $130 million in school improvements over the next five years.
Supporters of the special purpose local option sales tax said the funds are needed for critical renovations to Gainesville and Hall County schools, many of which are between 40 and 65 years old.
Gainesville will use funding to raze and rebuild the deteriorating Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School, originally built in 1937. Safety inspectors recommended students only be housed in the facility for two more years before either the needs are addressed or the building is condemned.
Another $5.1 million would go toward bond debt, $3 million for renovations and $300,000 for school buses and/or textbooks.
Dyer said construction for the new Fair Street school will begin this September.
Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield gave his thanks to the electorate Tuesday evening.
"We will do all that is within our ability to utilize these funds wisely for the benefit of our community's boys and girls," Schofield said.
Hall County plans to spend $50 million on renovations; $20 million, classroom additions; $15 million, technology; and $3 million, school buses and library books.
Both systems plan to use SPLOST proceeds to retire old bond debt.
Members of the sales tax campaign, Citizens for a Better Education, intensified their efforts over the last two months.
"We did it the best way we could and we hit it hard," said Kit Dunlap, president of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
She added she anxiously watched the results online.
"I felt pretty good about the vote, but you can never tell," she said. "I think it says something about the community that will support the public schools. It's important for a community to be aggressive and show we care about our schools and our children."
Tuesday's turnout numbers were the lowest in Hall County's four SPLOST referendums.
About 12 percent of residents hit the polls for the first SPLOST election in 1997, and it was 10 percent in 2001. The third SPLOST vote was held during a primary, which generally boosts voter attendance, and brought 26 percent turnout.
Charlotte Sosebee, interim director of elections and voter registration, said turnouts for special elections are typically low.
"The one disappointment is the low turnout, but the percentage of the win is really good," Dunlap said.
The current sales tax is set to expire in 2012, and Hall County and Gainesville will divide the funds according to student numbers. Part of Buford is in Hall County and the school system negotiated a flat amount of $3.8 million.
Officials said funds from earlier SPLOSTs were used to construct new schools after explosive growth in the 1990s.
Now that enrollment has slowed in recent years, school officials say they can focus on the district's current facilities.
"Students are working hard academically and we need to be responsible and get all the schools fixed to code," Dyer said. "This is our chance to do it."
SPLOST IV collections will begin Sept. 30, 2012, when the current SPLOST ends.


text:
Hey all, haven't been on the forums alot lately
In any case, if some of you remember, I am a pretty big glock guy. I've been carrying my G27 everywhere in a leather Desantis holster. At first I thought man this is too big, I continued to carry it even in the summer and lately I have been getting pretty used to it though. Love it.
I also have a G17 that I love, I used to have a G30sf but sold it because I was in desperate need of cash.
So its my birthday coming up and I want to buy a BUG. I also want this gun for carrying in places where its difficult or where carry is discouraged.
I've been researching TONS about pocket pistols...
Immediately I notice the Ruger LCP, I think this is the most probable choice since I hear the Kel-tecs are alittle shady (then again I hear that people just complain too much about them). I am drooling over the P32 Keltec though (in blue). It is a) cheaper by a hundred dollars (meaning more extra mags and bullets to shoot) b) has a lifetime warranty. I do hear that the LCP can jam just as much in some cases so I was wondering if there really is a big difference. I want something that is going to be reliable because I will not always be carrying the G27 with this gun, so I want this new gun to be a primary if need be.
In your experience, do you guys like Kel-tecs over the LCP? Should I just pay an extra hundred dollars and get a wheel gun? What are your guy's pocket carry guns?


text:
Prosecutors have seized records of a government panel's interviews with Masao Yoshida, the former manager of Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 power plant, as part of their criminal probe into Japan's worst atomic plant disaster, sources said Monday.
The seizure was initiated because Yoshida cannot present himself for long interviews with the prosecution because of an illness, the sources said.
The action is unusual in that the records of the interviews conducted to shed light on the disaster, instead of an actual witness, will be used in the criminal investigation.
Yoshida dealt with the crisis until he resigned in December 2011 due to esophageal cancer.
He is among the parties accused of negligence for failing to ensure the six-reactor nuclear plant could withstand a major temblor and monster tsunami, and for failing to respond to the crisis in an appropriate manner.
Yoshida was in charge of Fukushima No. 1's tsunami preparedness as head of Tepco's Nuclear Asset Management Department in 2008, when the utility compiled an estimate that the complex was at risk of being hit by 15-meter-plus tsunami.
Cattle cesium varies
A team recently determined that radioactive cesium distribution varied from organ to organ in cattle abandoned in the 20-km-radius hot zone around the Fukushima No. 1 plant, which suffered three reactor core meltdowns in March 2011.
The density of radioactive cesium released from the plant was highest in muscle tissue but lower in thyroid glands, said the team, which was led by professor Manabu Fukumoto of Tohoku University's Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer.


text:
New TV Technology 2016 CES In Las Vegas
Consumer Electronics Show (CES) always witnesses a huge participation from all the top TV manufacturers, who love to flaunt the latest technology they have in store for their consumers. The previous edition of CES left us with a glimpse of what this year's CES might have for us. With 4K to 8K resolutions, with the constantly expanding screen sizes, and the ever increasing curves, the CES 2016 was one of the most anticipated events of the year and it did not disappoint either. Every year big guns like Sony, LG, Philips, and so on, come out with their latest television sets and this year's event in Las Vegas was no exception either. But, 2016 is no ordinary year for television. 2015 saw flashes of the new TV technology that is all set to revamp the concept of TV, but 2016 is going to make it all a reality. If the show is anything to go by, 2016 is going to be a milestone year in the television history.
LED Backlighting
Sony is offering a 75-inch slim TV, XBR-X940D, complete with the direct LED backlighting system. The XBR- X930D comes in two versions – one with 55 inch screen, and the other with 65 inch screen. Both of them have the Slimline Backlight Drive Technology from Sony. This technology allows the television to offer better lighting for specific zone, while maintaining a slim body. Of the three models showcased from Sony, only XBR-X850D does not come with these features. However, all the three new models flaunted complete HDR-compatibility. These models, showcased in Las Vegas, use Sony's display technology, Triluminos, with seamless HDR compatibility. Further, they are able to churn out crisp picture quality, thanks to the 4K Processor X1 inside them.
Backlight Masterdrive
A Sony original, Backlight Masterdrive is what the company claims to be the future of displays. There were some prototypes that were on display at the show. This is a technology that seeks to do away with the shortcomings of the LCD and is being built as an alternative to OLED. With brightness levels peaking at 4000 nits and a large number of dimming zones, the Blacklight technology will be released over the coming years. Although OLED provides an exceptional picture quality, it is wrought with durability issues. This is why it has found very few takers among the TV manufacturers. If Backlight Masterdrive proves to be feasible, then it can become a serious replacement for OLED's quality capabilities.
This is another serious contender against OLED, and has already proved its mettle. Panasonic's DX900 series television flaunts this latest technology and promises superb contrast, and crystal clear picture quality. Despite ditching the OLED technology offering, these latest models will be able to rock top notch HDR, because of following the Honeycomb structure. What it means is that on the screen, the areas that are locally dimmed will always remain separated. This process removes any of the halo effect that LCDs
are infamous for and they also create rich contrasts on the screen. This is the reason that these models also flash the Ultra HD Premium badge and certification from THX.
The Smart Things
The new televisions from Samsung feature the SmartThings platform. This technology allows the users to connect all their smart devices to a central system. This centralized system turns every smart device in the home into the homeowner's eyes and ears. The homeowners will be able to monitor each and every aspect of their house using this system. As the new Samsung televisions have this functionality built into them, they act as a monitor as well. This technology allows for video monitoring and storage of data, when necessary.
Transparent Screen
This has more of a 'wow' value than anything else. Samsung has come up with new transparent OLED screens. They are slim, beautiful, and exquisite to look at. It is not necessarily a brand new technology. This technology has been showcased before. But, it is certainly the first time that America has seen the transparent screens displayed at one of their electronic shows.
Panasonic also had a somewhat similar offering at the show with its Invisible Display. The company thinks that in a future living room, television should be visible only when it is in use. Planted on a bookshelf during the demo, the television looked like just a glass frame. But, as soon as it was turned on, it came to life. Once it was switched off, it went back to looking like a standard glass pane.
Flexible Display
If LG would have it, people would be carrying 18" television sets in their pockets. At the CES 2016, LG showcased a full HD screen that can be completely bent. The television can go all the way around and touch the other side. However, this is more of a prototype than a complete product of its own. It can also be seen as a functioning fundamental block of sorts that will be used to build bigger televisions. The company has plans to actually extrapolate this technology to 55" screens. There is no set date on when that would happen, but it would be a really cool addition to any living room.
Modular Design
In addition to a transparent screen, Samsung gave the CES 2016 the biggest television screen so far. The 170" SUHD covered an entire wall. Now, before you get any ideas, no, it is not some new giant television model from the manufacturer. In fact, this offering from Samsung aims to put a full stop to the size war in the television industry. The 170" mammoth television was built by combining together a number of 20" screens. This is an impressive feat, and a rather, game-changer in this industry. This kind of a modular approach will solve the higher costs of transporting bigger TV sets, because they can now be broken down into smaller pieces. Moreover, Samsung can now make one standard-sized television screen, which can then be used to make a bigger television screen.


text:
My 3-year-old daughter is finally warming up to Santa.
Sort of.
Twice in the last month, we've had a Santa encounter that only barely exceeds the year before.
It's progress, I suppose.
From throwing a screaming fit on his lap at age 1, Addy graduated to tolerating me to stand next to our downtown Lee's Summit Santa, while holding her, at age 2.
Now at 3, she gets that she is supposed to tell Santa what it is she "wants" for Christmas. Thing is, she's smart enough to know she doesn't have to go sit on his lap for that information to make it to him.
During Santa's visit to downtown a few weeks ago, Addy stood a comfortable 10 feet away from jolly ol' Saint Nick and spoke just loud enough that he could hear her Christmas wish.
No photo opp with Santa was necessary for her. She got her request in, got a candy cane and got out of Cameron's Home Furnishings (after dada spent a few dollars).
Consequently, we ran into Santa Claus several more times that afternoon. Each viewing virtually spun Addy around my legs with Santa barely in view.
Each time, I would ask the same question, "Addy, can you say hi to Santa?"
Each time, she'd shy away.
Fast forward a few weeks to last weekend's Lee's Summit Symphony holiday concert at Lee's Summit High School.
Addy was part of a group of young dancers from Miss Phyllis's Steppin' Out-The Studio that had the honor to be on stage during part of the second half of the performance.
And again, Santa was on hand to get the big snub from my daughter.
Addy pranced down the aisle with the other dancers, took part in a jig up on stage with some of the older girls and even cooperated sitting "next" to Santa during the performance.
But when Santa reached down to pull her up, she wasn't having it. All the other kids took their spot with Santa. Addy was content sitting near his feet, clapping along with the music and waving to her insane father taking nonstop photos from his phone.
I suppose some kids take to Santa quicker than others.
Maybe this year, with just the right gift under the tree, Addy will see the benefit in engaging the man in red this time of year.
My bet is that by age 4, we will have to be removing her from Santa's lap as she unravels her scroll of Christmas gift wish lists.
x John Beaudoin is the publisher of the Lees Summit Journal. To comment, call 816-282-7001 or e-mail email@example.com.


text:
Has anyone ever rebuilt an NV3550?
For the last week or so, I have started hearing a rattling noise that seems to go with engine RPM, but is more prevalent when moving. Friday while motoring through traffic, the noise started getting louder and 1st gear suddenly became hard to get into unless the Jeep was rolling slightly. However, I had to drive somewhere last night and this morning, and when the tranny is cold, it seems to go into gear fine. Once driven for a few miles, it gets hard to find 1st again. I am thinking the 1st gear synchro is going?
That, along with a very noisy nuetral (I have heard these are loud transmissions, but I have never heard one as loud as mine - it sounds like a diesel when in nuetral) makes me think this transmission just needs to be overhauled. (I swapped this trans. behind my 4cyl. about a year and a half ago. It was out of a boneyard with about 60k IIRC, and has been pretty noisy since day 1 for me. I put a new clutch in at that time so I wouldn't think that would be the problem )
I am driving the Jeep to Moab (~1,000 miles one-way) next month, so I think I am going jump into this project ASAP. Has anyone ever rebuilt one of these transmissions? I have never done a transmission before so any advice would be appreciated!
wait, are you trying to rebuild a transmission in 1 month when youve never done one before? If youre on the time crunch, you might as well get a new transmission then work on the other transmission after you get back from MOAB
I think a manual is more complicated than an auto. 1 month-2000 mile round trip,what is a trouble free trip worth to you?
Thanks for the replies, the replacement-for-now transmission is a good idea. I think I do want to rebuild this thing myself, although I guees it might be a gamble having its test drive be a 2,000 mile trip! I will pull it apart as soon as I can and see how it looks and go from there. But first I need to replace the transmission in my Tahoe so I can drive that again (when it rains, it pours, LOL!).
|All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:13 PM.
User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.1.0 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
vBulletin Security provided by vBSecurity v2.2.2 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2017 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.


text:
City Trash Removal Resumes
For the first time in a week, city sanitation department crews are out picking up garbage instead of plowing snow.
A limited number of crews are on the streets Sunday, picking up dumpsters outside large apartment buildings. On Monday, they resume full-time garbage removal, according to the regular schedule.
Residents should put their garbage out this evening, if they haven't already. People who did so earlier this week may need to shovel it out themselves from snowbanks; sanitation crews will only take bags and cans, if they can get them.
If your recycling trash is already out, you might as well put it back: the Sanitation Department says recycling pickup is suspended until further notice.


text:
Six-Layer Dip RecipeRead Reviews Be the first to add a review
5 1 1
Tortilla chips make great scoopers for this dip, which is a family favorite after we open Christmas gifts. Sometimes I serve it in a glass bowl-just to show off the pretty layers.
Recommended: 31 Dips You Can Snack on All Week
- 2 medium ripe avocados, peeled and sliced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
- 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
- 1 can (4-1/4 ounces) chopped ripe olives, drained
- 1 jar (16 ounces) thick and chunky salsa, drained
- 2 medium tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- 1 cup (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
- Tortilla chips
- In a large bowl, mash the avocados with lemon juice, garlic salt and hot pepper sauce. Spoon into a deep-dish 10-in. pie plate or serving bowl. Layer with sour cream, olives, salsa, tomatoes and cheese. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with chips. Yield: 2-1/2 cups.
Originally published as Six-Layer Dip in Country Woman Christmas Annual 2003, p33
Sparkling Wine
Enjoy this recipe with a sparkling wine.
Reviews for Six-Layer Dip
Please Log In or Join to add a rating and review.
Click stars to rate
Any changes to your rating or review will appear where you originally posted your review