text:
Monday, April 13, 2009
Interrupting Be An Agent for a Day
Please cut this out.
If some of you were real agents you'd have a pitchfork wielding mob outside of your office by now.
There are real people behind these queries, so please, not only is conducting yourself professionally part of this game, this is a supportive community, and I hope that everyone posts their suggestions as politely as possible and are as humane in their rejections as they would want a real agent to be.
Now, back to the contest.
77 comments:
Okay Nathan,
Point taken,
Agent XXX
Is there anyway we can do this again sometime?
- April 13, 2009 at 1:09 PM
I meant "any way" not "anyway"
Agent XXX
- April 13, 2009 at 1:10 PM
- PurpleClover said...
Many apologies.
I will redact my sarcastic comment and the one that was questionably sarcastic. :)
- April 13, 2009 at 1:12 PM
- Sophie W. said...
Honestly, I'm not surprised. I *am* looking forward to the big reveal at the end of the week, when we see which novels have been published and/or represented. I think it'll open quite a few eyes.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:12 PM
- Keri Ford said...
Sorry anyone if I've offended you! I was giving short one to two sentences at the end of my rejections (that wouldn't have been included had I been an agent) to try and offer advice for when you query real agents. No snark was meant by me and I do apologize if I came across as so.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:12 PM
- Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist! said...
Yep, I've noticed some really nasty remarks by certain "agents" on the blog in order to try to be funny. Not cool, not funny, not professional at all.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:14 PM
- Justus M. Bowman said...
Good call.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:16 PM
It's very helpful and insightful when people list the reasons why they did/did not reject a query, after their "official" rejection letter.
There's no need for these comments to be mean, but I think it would help everyone to see some respectful comments on why these queries are being rejected.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:16 PM
- Myra said...
I've read a couple of queries that are intriguing, but are books that I would be unable to represent because I avoid sorrow at all costs.
Can we reject the query but suggest they sent it on to "xyz" agent? Is this something agents do?
While I avoid sorrow, I'm all about encouragement.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:22 PM
- Rick Daley said...
For me part of the fun is in creating a professional form rejection and MS request.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:22 PM
- Superfast said...
Thank you so much for your submission. Unfortunately, I don't...
Oh, sorry. I kind of got into a groove there.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:27 PM
- kdrausin said...
To Rick,
I was going to email you but since the subject has been brought up...I love your rejection letters.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:29 PM
- Lea Schizas - Author/Editor said...
Honestly, this contest will not prove much only because most writers do not actively participate in other areas (besides their own books, marketing, promoting)to understand the time crunch and organization that goes into agenting and the publishing world.
It will show them the skill it takes to weed out possible good queries and then to read the first few pages to grasp a writer's voice. Other than that, the point being about answering/sending out even generic rejections, will still be unanswered. A form letter can be massed emailed to writers whose work has been rejected.
As an exercise to wear an agent's hat - they will get to see the work involved, this I agree with.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:30 PM
So far, I'm finding it pretty funny. Fact is, if you get 50 comments and only one says "such and such, you idiot" I think it says more about the commenter than the query.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:35 PM
- jjdebenedictis said...
Gotta say I agree with this...
I was shocked to see writers putting such a nasty spin on what being an agent is about. Ho-lee, but I would have cried if I got some of those rejections.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:35 PM
- TheDivaAgent said...
Dear Nathan,
Fine. I'll play nice as long as You understand that I AM A DIVA, no matter what. I'll be a nice, DIVA, though. Hmm... that's a bit of an oxymoron.
The next time we do this, can we please allow for snarkiness? It's so much more fun. And, to any who may have been offended by the Diva's posts, no insult intended. Truly. As Nathan mentioned early on, these are outstanding queries. I, as divalicious as I am, have been quite surprised at the number of rejections I've seen.
The Diva Agent (though not an agent in real life)
- April 13, 2009 at 1:39 PM
Sorry, that was probably me. I thought we were supposed to include our "official" response to the writer but also share with the group our reasons behind the response - however visceral they may be.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:41 PM
- litenup_rach said...
Wow, Nathan... adorable and a compassionate heart to match... I think your 'interruption' is proof positive why your blog gets its rave reviews and HUGE bloggership.
Keep being the change, Nathan... perhaps the real world really can be strong and powerful and still have a heart.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:43 PM
- Gabriele C. said...
I'm with the Diva here. Why not warn people it could get snarky here next time, so those who don't like that won't submit and then feel hurt. One learns more by the reasons why a query doesn't work than by the fact people reject it.
Says someone who got snarked by Miss Snark when her blog was still active. It helped me to improve that NiP.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:48 PM
- Gabriele C. said...
*learns more from .....*
I haz gammar, just not on Mondays. ;)
- April 13, 2009 at 1:49 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
That's just not what this blog is about.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:51 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Oh, and for the record I wasn't offended by Diva's posts -- she was satirizing agents, not authors. That's fine by me.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:52 PM
From Muckraker:
I ditto Anonymous above. I hope I haven't seemed at all mean, and apologize to anyone who might be offended, but may have misunderstood the point of the exercise. I thought it would be helpful to include reasons why the query failed for me, which might be helpful to the writer. In an effort to be clear, I might be being too blunt.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Interesting! On most query crit sites a little snark is the order of the day, so I guess I'm used to it. Glad I waited to post rejections/requests until later. I would've been interested to see the "why rejected" from everyone else, though.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:54 PM
It's possible that some agents are being as honest in their rejections as they would want a real agent to be.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:56 PM
- Gabriele C. said...
I understand, Nathan.
It's one of the reasons I don't actively participate in the query fun. I know I would press Send on snarky remarks before rethinking them. :) The second reason is that I can't judge anything Romance-reated, and there are a number of queries for that sort of novel.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:58 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
I know the queries will appreciate the individualized feedback provided that it's offered constructively. Just err on the side of politeness. Some people have crossed over from constructive to just mean.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Seriously, how can people throw a fit during Agentfail about disrespectful agents and then turn around and DO THE SAME THING?
- April 13, 2009 at 1:58 PM
And just to be clear, my amusement in no way means I'm discounting comments. There have been some excellent points made and I, for one, fully intend to revisit my query based on this exercise.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:58 PM
- Jenn S. said...
Echoing Anonymous 10:54--I may have been too straightforward in my post-rejection letter explanations. There's no reason we all can't be truthful without being respectful.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:59 PM
- lesleylsmith said...
Yes, this is tricky. I've been trying to give constructive criticism in a positive way. If I've offended anyone, I sincerely apologize. Since this is an exercise though I do think authors would benefit from at least a little feedback. However, that's probably NOT realistic.
- April 13, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Dear Everyone,
Hope I didn't offend anyone. Meant to be both constructive and have a good time while doing it. But since I don't want to run the risk of being a meanie, I wont.
All the best,
A Gent
- April 13, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Dear Anyone I might have offended,
Please forgive me. If I made out of line comments, I was commenting more about my own ineptness and lack of understanding of some of the material.
I am truly a fish out of water here and this contest is proving that to me.
I think anyone who sent in anything is very courageous and commend them for contributing to this blog.
Anyway, if the finger was pointing at any of my comments, I apologize profusely.
Lucy Ammunition
Fictitious Agent
- April 13, 2009 at 2:06 PM
- Yat-Yee said...
Thanks, Nathan. Another eg of your commitment to building a supportive community.
Being honest doesn't mean one has to be mean and disrespectful.
- April 13, 2009 at 2:10 PM
- Dara said...
Apologizing for any snarky comments made :)
- April 13, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I'm blunt. Can't help it. I hope you don't take that as offensive; it wasn't the intent.
- April 13, 2009 at 2:21 PM
- Laurie said...
I've been reading along until now and this interruption actually surprised me because I haven't seen anything truly mean thus far.
I have been adding a bit of feedback with my rejections because I thought it might help the writer - BUT - I would never want to hurt someone or make them stop writing.
So if I did offend someone, please accept my deepest apologies.
I've been in several writing groups over the years and in my experience the ones that are too nice don't help the writer at all. Constructive criticism is what makes the writing stronger.
That said, now I know why agents send out form letters. Not only does it take alot longer to explain why a query doesn't work, but no one wants to feel mean.
This has been highly instructive. Knowing I can only pick five is making me reject some that might in fact be quite good.
If I were a real agent, I would request the first five pages with all queries, because query writing seems to be an artform of itself and not necessarily a representation of whether the actual manuscript is worth pursuing.
- April 13, 2009 at 2:23 PM
- TheDivaAgent said...
A thought has just occurred to the DIVA. The thought is this: My snarkiness, and I am snarky, was not a reflection on the quality of the posted queries. It was, instead, a reflection of how agents and publishers make writers feel. This feeling engendered the animosity behind queryfail. Writers do work hard. For our troubles, more often than not, we are ignored or treated with the disdain of a form rejection. The message sent is that writers are commodities. Well, the system is as it is. This exercise is not a part of the old system. As part of a new system, however, it can help authors fine tune areas where there may be blind spots. I've been helped enormously. The DIVA has already apologized to writers who may be offended, but I should apologize to Nathan. As an agent representative, you are actually the one being skewered with the poisoned postings. I just want you to know that you're one of the good guys, at least in my book. Yeah, you're a little soft-hearted, but we all have our flaws. :D
The Diva Agent
- April 13, 2009 at 2:30 PM
- selestial-owg said...
I've been offering feedback. I hope none of it has been offensive :(
- April 13, 2009 at 2:31 PM
- hannah said...
Exactly what Anon 10:58 said.
All I'm going to say is I know some mean people will be surprised at the reveal.
- April 13, 2009 at 2:40 PM
- Memoirs of a Bulimic Black Boy said...
"There are real people behind these queries, so please, not only is conducting yourself professionally part of this game, this is a supportive community…" One can only assume some of these perpetrators were just a few weeks ago ranting about how rude and abrasive many agents were. Oh, how the mighty have fallen from grace. Delicious
- April 13, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Yikes, I thought we were supposed to give comments on "why" we were passing, otherwise how does the querier know what we really thought?
I hope I didn't offend anyone. I'm really sorry if I've done so.
Nathan, to clairify, do you NOT want us to give our reasons?
- April 13, 2009 at 2:51 PM
- Melissa said...
I'm with Keri Ford. I was offering thoughts at the end of my rejections, but I was not intending to include them with the actual rejections. I wanted them to add to the discussion, but I can see that some of them might have been hurtful to the writers of the queries. I wasn't intending that at all. I apologize to anyone I offended.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:04 PM
- Rick Daley said...
I like this blog for its lack of Snark.
For those who crave the maximum Snark in their query reviews, I recommend Evil Editor (www.evileditor.net).
EE did a writing contest last week with queries made entirely of rhetorical questions. You'd be sure to laugh once or twice, unless your head explodes first.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:20 PM
- Laura said...
Dear Nathan,
Thank you for your query, but this subject does not apply to me.
Hee. Dude, your job is HARD. I've already learned something VERY important: it's not like an agent says, "oh, that's interesting..." I'm seeing that the agent has to fall in love with the work to have a chance at selling it.
There are some great queries out there that I just don't think I'd love enough to batter down doors and bug editors about.
Agent Laura
- April 13, 2009 at 3:26 PM
- jnantz said...
I haven't followed everyone's yet, because I was blessed enough to have my own query posted and I'm revelling in the feedback...fact is I wouldn't even have picked my own query (and I won't when I go through all 50 later), but the personal comments people are making are T-R-E-M-E-N-D-O-U-S-L-Y helpful. In fact, I can only think of one truly "snarky" response, and I got that it was DIVA playing the bad agent moreso than saying everything in my query sucked, so I found it morbidly funny.
Truth be told, I hope no one else is getting truly hurt here, because I think the feedback has been helpful and I hope that people whose queries are posted later will get just as much help. Folks, please continue to post feedback if your busy agenting day allows! Maybe just put it in a slightly more professional voice so Mr. Bransford doesn't get mad.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:32 PM
- thelifter said...
I just read this, so please forgive my excessively mean rejections. I'll try to make them constructively mean from now on.
Mr. Snark.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
- hannah said...
An open suggestion--I think people should think twice before commenting on the quality of the manuscript. You've only seen the query. You can say "your query doesn't make your hero's motivation clear" without saying "your hero has no motivation."
- April 13, 2009 at 3:42 PM
I'd like to add that I was mortified at my comments when I went back and read them.
Somehow, in the being "pretend agents" I lost the fact that these were real queries. I thought there were only three or so real ones (the already successful ones) and that the rest were just made up ones.
I am so sorry.
I was wrong.
I'll never do it again.
What I thought was just having fun wasn't funny at all.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:43 PM
- Belinda Frisch said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:53 PM
- Belinda Frisch said...
This experiment is totally enlightening and I am pretty shocked anyone has time for snark.
To me, I feel like I'm shopping for the perfect "something"--I'll know what I want when I see it.
There are so many good ideas here, but I wouldn't request what I wouldn't love to read. It makes me really believe the whole "it's not you, it's me" sentiment.
I've only managed to get through 15 on top of my work day and have already gained new perspective on the form rejection.
Blessed are the literary agents for their patience and wisdom! Thanks, Nathan, for this opportunity. I don't know how you do it :-)
- April 13, 2009 at 3:54 PM
- L.C. Gant said...
I noticed the very same thing in some folks' comments as I read them, and it made me sad.
I don't understand how some writers could brutally criticize agents in #agentfail, and then turn around and ridicule their fellow writers even more than the agents did! Seems a bit hypocritical to me.
- April 13, 2009 at 3:58 PM
- Rick Daley said...
Thanks for the props on my rejection letter, I appreciate it ;-)
- April 13, 2009 at 4:02 PM
- Ethan Rose said...
I am assuming the dear author etc. is implied. I am trying to give constuctive advice and not cutting and pasting a form rejection. However since I got into the game late I don't really expect anyone to read down as far as my posts anyway.
- April 13, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Just for the record, if they're comments about your query, not only are you going to read down to the bottom from now until Sunday, but you're going to print them out and pick them apart for all eternity. ;)
- April 13, 2009 at 5:13 PM
- DeadlyAccurate said...
I'm blunt, but I haven't once considered mocking a query. I've taken every query seriously, so if my statements hurt someone, I apologize. I did not mean it so.
Any query that was really bad, I posted the form rejection and that's it (that doesn't mean all those without comments were bad; sometimes I simply couldn't think of what to say).
- April 13, 2009 at 5:38 PM
- TheDivaAgent said...
The Diva also apologizes to Jnantz.
- April 13, 2009 at 6:49 PM
- Chuck H. said...
To anyone who feels I have been unkind in my remarks, I most humbly apologize. Just remember that I too am an unpublished writer and take anything I say with a biiig dash of salt. Sorry
- April 13, 2009 at 7:00 PM
- Heather said...
Just wanted to say that this is actually opening my eyes quite a bit.
Since I have a full-time Day Job of Ick, I've had to sneak in a query here and there as I make my way through the day. I imagine this is much like what an agent would do.
Now that my work day is over, I'm attacking them in earnest, but I'm tired and have less patience after putting in a full day of Corporate Hell.
So, not to be contrary, but I full disagree with whoever said that this wouldn't work. Because I think it's fantastic.
I also have tried to keep my comments from being rude. I did want to comment on the why of the rejection, just in case the author is around and interested. But if I have offended anyone, I'm very sorry.
- April 13, 2009 at 7:02 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Thanks, Heather!
Also I came in to 76 queries today. Between a busy work day (contracts, existing projects, etc.) and the contest I still have a ways to go today.
- April 13, 2009 at 7:06 PM
- sally apokedak said...
On all of the ones I rejected, where I added a reason after the rejection, I was merely trying to help the writer. I wouldn't have a mob outside my office because I'd have form rejected those queries.
I'm sorry if I've offended anyone.
I was writing fast and I wasn't taking time to be extra nice.
My agency moved to a "if you don't hear, I'm not interested," policy after twelve queries. I have never complained when publishers and agents have had this policy so I feel no shame in adopting it for my own agency. =0)
- April 13, 2009 at 7:21 PM
- jnantz said...
Diva - Please don't apologize. I have a very morbid sense of humor, and I really did find it funny.
- April 13, 2009 at 9:48 PM
- Gregory said...
I agree with those who are trying to support the writer by explaining why they rejected the piece. It's FAR more helpful to get even a tiny insight into the problem areas than it is to be told the work "has potential" and to "keep writing."
If people are snarky about it, so what? Doesn't bother me. I immediately try to look past the irritation and figure out if there's a pony in there. They might be telling me something that is VERY valuable. I don't care how they say it. Really don't. I appreciate them taking the time to comment!
At the same time, it's true that it's better not to be sarcastic or cutting. Serves no useful purpose. But thoughtful, HONEST, feedback? YOU BET! Nothing more valuable than that.
- April 13, 2009 at 10:32 PM
- Gregory said...
It would be interesting if you put up a system that provided this reader-feedback on queries routinely, for anyone who wants to submit to it.
Allow comments the query authors could see, but have a "thumbs up" vote button. You end up with queries ranked by the readership here.
Now, you look at those queries, and see how often you concur that the top vote-getters are the ones you'd select in any event. And how often would you request a partial from one that received few or no reader votes.
In other words... just how close, on average, would your readership pretty much concur with you. And if the correlation is extremely high (I'll bet it would be), you could probably exploit it as a screening mechanism.
Yes, you'd have to try to minimize multiple voting and vote-stacking, but you could always skim queries and see what the readers voted. Might be interesting feedback.
- April 13, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I don't understand how some writers could brutally criticize agents in #agentfail, and then turn around and ridicule their fellow writers even more than the agents did! Seems a bit hypocritical to me.And I don't understand how some writers can complain that agents don't give personalized and honest feedback and then turn around and complain when their fellow writers do.
I agree we shouldn't make fun of people's queries, but one person's honest is another person's "brutality."
If nothing else, I'm beginning to understand exactly why agents DO refrain from personal comments on queries.
- April 14, 2009 at 9:41 AM
- Dawn said...
I submitted a query and I appreciate the constructive comments that come along with some of the rejections AND the requests.
I can remember only one comment that stung and that was "form rejection," which I read as: YOU IDIOT! WHY ARE YOU STILL BREATHING?! but it only stung for about three seconds. I didn't take it personally. Thanks for all the input. :)
- April 14, 2009 at 5:57 PM
- sonya said...
I'd play, but I'm already familiar with at least one of the soon-to-be-published novels, so that'd be cheating. *G*
But if I did play, I'd be polite...
- April 14, 2009 at 7:19 PM
- bveggie said...
I might have left one when I asked if the query was a joke, but I am sorry. Since I sarted at 50 and worked backwards, I am sorry I didn't go forwards.
- April 15, 2009 at 9:46 AM
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- April 15, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I'm a big offender. Please feel free to disregard my comments.
It was a choice between being extremely frank in my reaction to the queries, and posting a generic "yes" or "no."
As Nathan has explained, that was all he was looking for, and brutal editorializing was not on the agenda.
So, my apologies. I have a few left to read and I'll keep them to yes/no reactions.
- April 15, 2009 at 6:12 PM
I also started at the top and worked backwards, which means I just read this post.
Unfortunately, all my comments above post #15 fall on the inappropriate side, so I can either delete them or leave that up to a blog administrator.
Either way, I understand and again offer apologies.
- April 15, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Ok, now I'm trolling, but I just realized that I'm not seeing an editing feature to delete my inappropriate posts.
Blog admin, my posts from #16-50 fall into this category--I don't know if you want to make the effort, but I understand if you want to pull my responses (and I'm doubly sorry for the effort that would/will take). I'd happily blast them all myself and spare you the effort.
- April 15, 2009 at 6:24 PM
- Nathan Bransford said...
Thanks, meggrs. I already deleted one I found over the top. I think I'll leave the others, unless there's one or two in particular that you'd like me to delete.
- April 15, 2009 at 6:25 PM
- TecZ aka Dalton C Teczon - Writer said...
I'm surprised too. I thought of this as an exercise, a way to learn together and give constructive criticism to each other. I consider, "Agent for a Day," an way to help each other improve and grow. Thank you for this opportunity Nathan. Peace and love all!
- April 15, 2009 at 7:44 PM
Nathan, I'll be happy to review my comments tonight and perhaps point out additional worst offenders (yanno, in case you missed them the first time).
Thanks again for your patience, and my apologies to you and my fellow blog readers/participants.
- April 15, 2009 at 8:38 PM
Dear writer,
I appreciate the query but your book is not what I am looking for at the moment. However, I wish you luck in getting this book published.
best regards,
Nathaniel Orange
- April 16, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Dear Author,
I regret to inform you that I am not interested in representing your story. I hope you have better luck in the future.
Best of luck,
- April 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM


text:
It may be possible withy an extremely powerfull emiter. IRBIS seems to follow that path. I am not sure on the data but, by increasing four-fold the raw power radiated (as IRBIS is claimed to do) surelly you can "see" smaller RCS objects.
The newest Russian PESA radar has been claimed to have a detection range of 165-240 KM against a target having between RCS 0.1-0.5 m^2.
How realistic is this claim, and if true, what are the chances of an IRBIS equipped su 27/30x against F-22.
It may be possible withy an extremely powerfull emiter. IRBIS seems to follow that path. I am not sure on the data but, by increasing four-fold the raw power radiated (as IRBIS is claimed to do) surelly you can "see" smaller RCS objects.
Detection does not mean tracking or even guiding. Test data and practical data are much different. When you do know in advance, where to look and what the return is to exspect from that, you can fine-tune the filters related to that. There is still a time gap, between a first return spotted and a stable confirmation, that you have a true signal from a fighter and not from something other in the air. Your radar will not distinguish between a signal from an airliner further away, but in the "line of sight" of your radar at first.
There is not question, that IRBIS will spot a F-22 nearby a.s.o.
If enough reaction-time is left to make use of that is questionable so far.
But there is a constant race in capabilities and the number of fighters with that is very limited.
400 Km for 3m2
powrfullest radar in word
IRBIS radar range show in this brochure
There are two quite huge articles (in russian) on the NIIP official site and they contain a lot of information about Irbis.
The average power is about 6KW, the peak - not less than 20KW. The antenna can be steered +- 60deg laterally and 120deg around its axis which combined with electronical scanning gives about +- 120deg scanning zone in azimuth. The radar utilises new russian made signal processors. In very sensitive mode Irbis can detect 3sqm target from 350-400km - but the "trifle" here is that such mode has relatively slow scanning, for example NIIP gives it in sector of 100sq deg (i would say that the scanning of 120deg forward sector /and 10deg thin/ would require about a minute).
NIIP also says that "extremely low observable targets with RCS of 0,01 sqm" like cruise missiles can be detected from up to 90km.
< Because it is also written that Irbis can detect A2A missiles, there are some disputes on russian forums wether the AMRAAMs could be found and even .. shot down :diablo: >
The very curious matter is that NIIP says that the RCS of F-22 is approximately between 0,1 and 0,5 sqm and hence the distances of detection 160-240km.
real RCS of F-22 is 0.1
What is particularly interesting (or funny) is that the range against a 3 sqm fighter is about the same as for a huge ship:diablo: And if the scanning process takes that long it is unlikely to be usefull at all.
Yes of course you must know itPAK-FA
real RCS of F-22 is 0.1
this is also a very doubtful statement. i know hexpop has mentioned it, but i would like to see the support for the same!And if the scanning process takes that long it is unlikely to be usefull at all.
his statement makes little sense since the 100 sq degrees niip has mentioned is the usual angular coverage by pure esa scanning, not the mechanical turn, and the irbis-e has two all new solo data and signal processors for this purpose.
remember, while the irbis-e makes use of the osa/wasp antenna array which is sligthly worse than the bars in terms of receive sensitivity, it makes up for it by a much more powerful dual twt.
I really don't know how much time the scan takes in these 100sq deg (100% sure these 100 sqdeg mentioned), but it may be about 4-5 seconds, which is normal for a particular scan frame. Well - 100 sq deg is scan frame 10x10 deg or 20x5 deg, the usual pure ESA scanning zone is 60x60 deg or in theory 3600 sqdeg.
In the article is also mentioned that Irbis can detect incoming A2A missiles not less than 6 seconds before their possible impact and this time should be enough to set countermeasures and escape.
Last edited by hexpop; 5th January 2008 at 15:57.
now as you say, the mechanical scanning comes, then the scan rate will be a combination of mechanical and electronic, but how niip has done this is their ipr. they could still achieve a higher rate than what the slow rotation of heavy antenna suggests, since that phased array can shift beam in milliseconds without entire antenna turning.
so the basis is that irbis or bars will usually detect their targets very fast within pure electronic field of regard, and it will take more time when mechanical scanning is employed.
in real life, with awacs everywhere nowadays, that mechanical scanning is useful for one thing, allowing the pilot to fix his antenna to side while taking a bvr shot and trying to crank his airframe away. and of course, useful for tactical build up, when you are doing a volume search early on, and allocating targets, if there is no awacs.
yes but you have to take into account the speed of the aam as well and the extremely low rcs of the aam as well, in a head on profile.In the article is also mentioned that Irbis can detect incoming A2A missiles not less than 6 seconds before their possible impact and this time should be enough to set countermeasures and escape
also, the irbis vs n011 comparison is not linear since we know, n011 is a planar array which was superceded by n011m which was a pesa, and now irbis is a pesa which makes use of the bars capability.
the bars may do 300-400 km against large targets at max height of the mki platform. a bars radar detected a su-27 in trials, at 330 km.
and sukhoi has been pointing out that the su-35 would get a new radar for some time, so its possible that they were just proceeding per plan.
also, the n011m is said to be a modular radar, with twt upgrades possible (provided power gen is also addressed).
ur quite right that final figures for irbis may not be as impressive or fancy, theres always that risk.
imo, the 400 km range for irbis is likely to be vs and tws, will be lesser than that
Last edited by Nick_76; 5th January 2008 at 17:11.
From a typical altitude of 10km sea level targets beyond around 400km will be below the radar horizon. No matter how big their RCS is, an Irbis at that altitude will not be able to see ships that are further away and neither will any other fighter radar.
Can it that really? No!
What is with the signal propagation delay?
The spot moved than halted (Transmitting -->Duration-->Receiving-->Processing) than moved than halted(Transmitting -->Duration-->Receiving-->Processing)...
A full scan need some 1/10s for EScan, depending on the distance and puls retention frequency!
Last edited by KKM57P; 5th January 2008 at 20:17.
Visit my Chinese military blog at http://china-pla.blogspot.com/
The shifting of the beam of Bars/Irbis is said to be around 0.4 milliseconds.
Last edited by martinez; 22nd May 2010 at 11:01.
<Find a job you like doing, and you'll never have to work a day in your life>
then perhaps in the future we could see a russian testbed be it a flanker or some modified transport or whatever mounted with this radar and get as close to alaskan airspace as possible!would be interesting to see the results!
visit www.irishairpics.com
So yes, the F-22 could have an RCS as low as 0.0001m2, but it's not going to be an overall, every aspect angle figure.
Good point, but even with the tanks it would still have a low enough RCS so it might not take aslong to pick up, but it might satisfy some of the radar manufacturers claims perhaps!?
visit www.irishairpics.com
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
We all wanted to talk about what we could do, now, to stop this lunacy.
In their 2010 deep cut, the Drive-By Truckers astutely capture the lunacy of the family gathering.
The lunacy of the thought makes me dig further into my memory.
Here are 24 short stories, each quintessentially quirky and, some would think, touched by lunacy.
I was never sure whether this was phlegm or the onset of lunacy.
In America the different states of the Union have each their own lunacy legislation.
Here proof of the lunacy of the maiden aunt would be sufficient.
They complained and annoyed him first about one thing, then about another, till he was well on to the verge of lunacy.
But in his red eyes the flame of lunacy was slowly mounting.
We are engaged at this very moment in getting a commission of lunacy on her husband.


text:
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text:
Sunroom windows are the principle component of an enclosed patio setting, and should be carefully selected for their insulative and energy-efficient properties. A home's sunroom can have an array of window shapes and designs, lending architectural interest to the structure. Residents can get quite creative with their sunroom openings, but may wish to stick with basic, stock styles in order to keep expenses down.
Sunroom Window Types
There are several different types of windows that can be used in a sunroom.
- Wood windows have been used for decades for their beauty and insulative properties. While these frame types are energy efficient, they typically cost more than other frame designs. In addition, homeowners must reseal and refinish them on a regular basis.
- Aluminum windows* are not as efficient for climates with weather extremes, and are difficult to paint successfully. They are, however, less expensive than other framing choices, require little maintenance and are quite sturdy.
- Vinyl windows offer superior energy efficiency, low maintenance and come in a variety of standard colors. Vinyl frames are typically budget-friendly, and can be painted to match a home's exterior, as well.
For sunrooms that have a standard roof rather than a glass roof, skylights provide increased natural light while opening up the room. The frame types discussed above can also be installed in skylight form.
Brothers Home Improvement, Inc. can help Carlsbad, California residents outfit their new or existing sunrooms with quality vinyl window products. Serving the Northern and Southern California and Northern Nevada regions, Brothers has perfected its glass products for the West Coast environment. Consumers can get showroom locations and product information when they call 800-672-3777 or email.


text:
We adopted out little Madison here, and this was a great organization to work with. Thankful for her and your organization!
I've been a dog walker/trainer for MaxFund for about 2 years. I love how dedicated this shelter is to making sure that the animals are adopted into families that are good matches. Also, the staff are well educated in positive reinforcement and gentle handling for the animals in their care. I am truly proud to be a part of this organization.
They take excellent care of their animals and provide great care when helping you decide on your future family member. Great service and even more so that they are no kill.
My mom & I have been using the max fund shelter & clinic for years. My mom adopted my boxer Crystal from there. She s a year when we got her & she was the best dog I ever had in life. She was so tender hearted, well behaved, good with children, great on a leash & soooo much more. I've used their clinic for all my animals. They work on a sliding scale which for a lot of people is a GREAT thing. It allows people to be able to give their animals the proper vet care they need. I just recently got a 6 month old kitty & I will be going to the clinic to get her her shots. I rate this shelter & clinic very good. Good job & thank you Max Fund.
My son was looking for a worthy organization to donate to for my birthday present. He knew this would be my favorite thing in the world. I am so thankful that he found Maxfund. They are incredible, caring wonderful people. They go to all lengths to find the abandoned, lost and found pets their perfect home. A very great and wonderful place and I plan on supporting them for a long time!
I have adopted more dogs through my life than I can count, from many different shelters, and no place was as dedicated to ensuring the best for the animals it cares for then Maxfund. You can tell walking through the kennels that the animals are loved and cared for by an amazing team of people. Also, I was very impressed by the depth of the application process. I could see through every step of the process that the long term well-being of the animal is Maxfund's number one priority. I have a ton of respect for this organization and I will always support them.
I love being able to volunteer at this no-kill animal shelter. My abilty to be there and volunteer is very limited, and the other volunteers are always so helpful. It a great place where you can actaully go & sit with the cats and intereact with them. You can ask the staff and volunteers about the animals, and they do their best to help. They want to help you find the right match so your adoption is a forever home.
Maxfund's dedication to the animals and the community they serve is none other than extraordinary. Nothing but respect and admiration for this place! Love them.
Maxfund does amazing thing to help all animals. I adopted a special needs senior dog from them. She is funny, loving and a great member of our ill family. If she had ended up at any other shelter she would have been put to sleep. Thank you Maxfund for taking care of Sofia until she could join us in our home!
I'd been wanted to volunteer for a pet rescue organization for several years but couldn't find one that appreciated the work I did, took great care of the animals, had a friendly, inviting environment, and made finding good homes for the animals a priority. I was always dismayed at how many local SPCAs and Humane Society branches simply let anyone take any cat or dog they wanted within minutes of walking through the door. The animals were uphappy, rarely exercised or played with, and then handed off to the first person who looked at them. So I kept looking for a better shelter. Then I found MaxFund. Their no-kill mission fits my standards perfectly. They provide medical care for any animal that comes through their doors and has a great application process for potential adopters, requiring among other things, 3 non-family references. We want the dogs and cats in GOOD homes, not just any homes! And after only 6 weeks of volunteering, I adopted one of the many dogs that came though MaxFund's doors as a skinny, scared stray - now a happy, healthy, smiling boy! Now it's been over a year and I still love this organization! The world needs more shelters with a no-kill mission, run by staff and volunteers and kind and dedicated as MaxFund's.


text:
|Claim this listing
Callaway Woodworks™ Redwood Tubs
Callaway Woodworks™ Barrel Saunas
Refurbished Hot tubs (as available)
Spa supplies and accessories
Service Non-warranty repairs on ALL brands and models of hot tubs and saunas Authorized warranty repairs on select brands including: Catalina Spas Beachcomber Periodic Maintenance Weekly, monthly scheduled visits for: Overall cleaning Equipment inspection and maintenance Moving and relocation Pickup, delivery and setup of new and used hot tubs We use industry designed professional hot tub relocation equipment Renovation, retrofitting, and upgrades We refurbish spas and sell them as they become available. Equipment renovation on all spas and tubs. Plumbing and jet retrofitting to newer styles Filtration systems overhaul and retrofitting Change out old controls for new controls Consulting on new or existing hot tub installations Electrical requirements Plumbing requirements Ease of access and handicap access needs Real estate inspection needs for existing spas and saunas Water analysis testing and reports for spa related problems...


text: Imported from Japan. Made from paper which has been treated with persimmon tannin juice and is very strong. Dark brown in color and suitable for stenciling. This can even be framed and used as a work of art. The image at left is a sample of work.Size of sheet: 5-7/8" x 3-7/8" Size of image: 1-1/2" x 2-3/4"


text:
Tools of the Trade
Cast Cutter: This electric circular
saw is identical to those used by medical doctors
to remove
casts from patients. In this case, it was
used to cut the plaster portions of T. rex's
skull into smaller sections.
Scribe: Resembling a miniature jackhammer, this
tool runs on
a pressurized airline. It is used to scrape
away plaster and other material.
Tip in a Pin Vise: This is a more
delicate scraping tool. A vise in the handle holds
a hardened
carbide tip that is more durable than steel. When
they wear out, the carbide tips can be replaced.
Picks: These picks are used
for intricate scraping work.
Brushes: The preparators' toolkit includes brushes with
bristles ranging from very stiff (wire brushes) to
very soft (toothbrushes).
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text:
The new action plan is also aimed at encouraging dentists to focus on prevention rather than a "treadmill of treatments".
Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley used his speech in Bournemouth to renew calls for choice in the NHS and for scrapping central targets.
He said the Tories wanted to make the NHS once again "the envy of the world".
New bills
Recent months have seen reports of hundreds of people queuing to sign up with new NHS dentists in some parts of Britain.
A report for the Department of Health in July said there was a shortage of 1,850 dentists in England alone in 2003.
But the same month the government pledged an extra £368m for dentistry in England by 2005.
The Tories say the idea is to give NHS dentists a steady income while discouraging a "drill and fill culture" in favour of prevention.
Patients would also be able to choose to pay a monthly fee so they were not caught out by sudden large payments.
Praise for doctors
In his speech, Mr Lansley said: "In a reformed NHS, instead of Mr Blair's failed promise to give everyone the chance to see an NHS dentist, we will give patients the means and dentists the incentive to put NHS dentistry back on our high street."
The shadow minister is anxious to counter Labour claims that the Tories want to run down NHS doctors and nurses.
He recalled the birth of his daughter Martha last year as an example of how the NHS is there for people "in the moments of hope, and of despair".
But he said people no longer saw the NHS as the envy of the world. The differences in healthcare with other countries were too big, pointing to problems with hospital super bugs and waiting times.
"Under Labour, although we've got first class people, they are working in a second class system," Mr Lansley said.
He is unveiling a timetable for the start of a Tory government, pledging to:
He argued that allowing patients to choose, including giving them information about hospital infection rates, would help drive up standards.
Sexually transmitted diseases
Mr Lansley also promised to take direct responsibility for public health, rather than leaving that task to a junior minister.
Labour's "fragmented" approach had led to a "crisis," he claimed.
He pointed to "shocking" evidence of doubling sexually transmitted infections, high levels of smoking amongst teenagers and binge drinking causing cirrhosis of the liver in young people.
He plans to appoint an independent health commission to look at improving public health - an issue he says he will make a personal priority.
Health Secretary John Reid said: "On health, the Conservatives are
retreating to the right.
"Tory health policy is to force people to pay for operations or wait years
in pain."
Liberal Democrat health spokesman Paul Burstow said the Tory plans were big on rhetoric but lacked genuine ideas and would do little to relieve the dental crisis.
"Tory chatter on NHS dentists is inadequate and will do little to relieve
the crisis in the sector," said Mr Burstow.
Ian Wylie, chief executive of the British Dental Association, said neglect of dentistry by successive government was evidence in the queues for NHS dentists seen across the country.


text:
Message size exceeds temporary server limit
User Help for Mozilla Thunderbird
28 posts • Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
exact message is "The size of the message you are trying to send exceeds a temporary size limit of the server. The mesage was not sent, try to reduce the message size and try again. The server responded: 4.1.1.... temporary failure.
OK is the only button shown (of course)
Provider is Comcast.net
Am using TB 22.214.171.124 on a HP laptop with 4 GB memory running on Vista - 64.
SMTP port is set to 587
security turned off
Problem is intermittent over last few weeks. More often, it does this with attachments (of moderate size) but also sometimes without an attachment and a small message. A few hours or a day later, it works again.
Their "support" says it ain't them. Web mail does indeed work. But I can't live that way. Anyone know anything about how to solve this. I saw an article mentioning it, suggesting it is bad config on the server, but of course they deny it.
TIA big time.
TIA - any help appreciated.
You need to contact Comcast again. The message is coming from them and has to do with the SMTP server which is not part of the Webmail transaction.
John 3:16 and Philippians 4:13
I also have had this problem intermittently with Seamonkey when using Comcast SMTP server.
But two days ago the problem became permanent.
I've been online and on the phone with Comcast and they won't tell me anything, except they don't support Seamonkey.
They do support Outlook express, so I actually tried it to send a message, and it worked!
So we comcast users have to find a way to fix Seamonkey so that it is more "compatible" with OE or we're screwed.
Sorry, but that conclusion is flat wrong. It's the job of the provider to be in compliance with standards and to make sure that their services work with all e-mail clients. Thus, keep complaining, and if it doesn't help, retire your Comcast e-mail and get a free e-mail service which works.
Having said that, I think there is a non-published setting for Comcast to use port 465 with SSL rather than 587 with TLS, but - not being a customer of their's myself - it may be a bit of try and error to see if that works better.
I just found out what seems to be the problem. At least it goes away when I do the "fix".
Turned out that one of the addresses on my to list was valid, but no longer in use by the intended recipient. It had therefore filled up the space available to that user on that server - probably with incoming spam. Hence the message was from the receiving server, not the sending one.
When I changed the address of that recipient, the problem disappeared instantly and permanently.
A better worded error message would have led us aright. i.e. "receiving address capacity is exceeded"
TIA - any help appreciated.
Interesting fix. So, was that error returned to you in a dialog window while sending or as a bounced e-mail after sending? If the former is the case, this would mean that Comcast keeps your connection to them on hold while delivering the message to the receiving server, which responds with the "capacity exceeded" message, which is echoed by the server of your provider. This would be an unusual behavior, unless both addresses are with the same provider (thus, the same server would be used for sending and receiving in a single process).
It came while sending. (Before actually) It didn't send to any of the other recipients either. The one bad address aborted the whole process. I agree this is very strange behavior. When I have a bit more time I will contact them about it. The other address was with a different server.
TIA - any help appreciated.
I too have Comcast and am currently using two different e-mail accounts, foxfire (hotmail) and thunderbird. The foxfire account seems to work nicely but the thunderbird account will neither allow me to send or receive mail after months of working quite well. I get one of several messages, sizeThunderbird. Try getting instant help.....whew!
I just ran into this problem today for the first time. Sure enough, I sent it to one of my own addresses -- it went through. Then I searched and found a more recent address for my original recipient. It went through. Yes, it seems like Comcast is hitting the recipient's server and not allowing it to be sent rather than having it sent/returned. I've never seen this before!
I am having an identical problem - & I am using thunderbird in India - where my service provider is Indiatimes. So it cannot be related to service provider. The trial message is 1 KB and still does not go. checked all settings - & outgoing messages were giong till last week. Still able to get incoming messages. Bafffled!!!
Jayant Gokhale,
Start a new topic please. You are using a different provider so therefore have a different problem. And Yes, it very well can be related to your provider.
My issue was resolved by identifying the address that kicked back the message, and getting a new one for the person. the message comes when the receiving account has been left open, but unattended by the user for so long that the server limit is reached.
This is probably not related to your service provider.
TIA - any help appreciated.
Since two days, I (almost) cannot answer my incomming mails, nor send a new mail, but receive them. ?
Thunderbird tells me: "SMTP-Server Install is not correct or not available, check the adresses and try again" and gives me: "Time out (overrunning) with the server" ?
At the moment I can send, but don't know for how long! The problem is not permanent, but intends to be.
All installations on my account are remaining the same, I haven'nt changes anything. Checked it and put in new.
Who and where could I get help? (Please not too complicated english, I'm not used to explain - and understand - technical problems in english !!)
You have a different problem. Please start a new topic. These issues can get quite involved and helping more than one person in a topic just confuses everyone. Thanks.
I am having a variation on the problem under discussion here, meaning that I get the "exceeds temporary size limit" message. For me it is happening only when I try to send to multiple addresses. Sending to one or two addresses, even with a large attached file, is not a problem, but sending even a one-paragraph message to 10 or more addresses results in the error message appearing about two seconds after sending. I am using Thunderbird 188.8.131.52 with Comcast as my ISP. I have used Thunderbird and Comcast successfully for years, and this is a new problem. I have been through a chat session with Comcast tech support and was unable to resolve anything with them.
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text:
P&G Explains Why It's Had the Same Auditor for a Century
Procter & Gamble, the 11th biggest U.S. company by market cap, doesn't really see a connection between auditor tenure and audit independence, the firm's comptroller said on Tuesday. The company, of course, is opposed to auditor rotation. It has one of the longest audit relationships in America — 122 years with Deloitte & Touche LLP or its predecessor firms, according to Audit Analytics.


text:
By Mike Hager
VANCOUVER • Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been found in Vancouver bedbugs, researchers revealed Wednesday.
The discovery was made by scientists working at St. Paul's Hospital, where most of Vancouver's poorest residents from the drug- and violence-plagued Downtown Eastside come for medical treatment.
Lead researcher Dr. Marc Romney said until now, it was thought that bedbugs could not spread disease.
But the study found bedbug bites can allow skin to be attacked by aggressive bacterium and lead to outbreaks of infections in poor urban communities such as the Downtown Eastside — where almost one-third of residents have reported infestation.
The research will be published in the June issue of
Emerging Infectious Diseases
"We'd like to investigate, 'Do they really transmit bacteria or is it a fluke?'" Dr. Romney said. "It's possible (they transmit).
"We're not there yet by any means, this is just kind of a hint."
Dr. Romney made the connection after noting high rates of superbug infections among residents of hotels and shelters infested by bedbugs.
The study found that bedbugs from one man were carrying a common Downtown Eastside bacterium MRSA, which can cause staph infections, and bugs from two other men were carrying VRE, an intestinal bacterium.
The study was based on a small sample and was unable to answer many key questions.
It did not determine whether the bacteria were transmitted from the patient to the bugs or the other way around.
Nor did it determine whether the bacteria were on the outside of each bug or living and growing inside it, which would suggest the possibility of biological transmission, researchers said.
But even if the bugs were carrying the bacteria on their exteriors, the finding is still significant, Dr. Romney said.
If bedbugs do indeed spread the germs from person to person, people living in crowded settings such as the homeless shelters are at greater risk.
Romney said he wants to get out into the Downtown Eastside with a bug expert to do more research to determine how the blood-sucking insects transmit superbugs.
Health officials say it is too early to tell whether people living in other areas of the city where bedbugs are common should be concerned about superbug outbreaks.
Superbugs are best countered by good hygiene, and more selective use of antibiotics, said Dr. Reka Gustafson, a medical health officer with the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
"What we need to focus on is not a small study that looks at five bedbugs," Gustafson said. "We need to focus on what we already know — the way to keep people healthy is for everyone in our community to have access to basic hygiene and adequate housing."
Romney said the number of staph infections around the city is down over the past couple of years, but he has seen cases of MRSA come in from all over the city.
"Based on my experience here at St. Paul's, most commonly, MRSA skin and soft-tissue infections occur in patients that reside in (the Downtown Eastside)," Romney said. "We do see more cases in the downtown core, and injection drug users and homeless men are more predisposed."
MRSA is a substantial problem in the Downtown Eastside, and has been found on over half of all skin infections seen at St. Paul's emergency department, the study says.
As well, 43% of injection drug users' wound infections had a Vancouver-centric strain of MRSA.
In the study, researchers say the high prevalence rate of this bacteria and bedbugs in the hotels and rooming houses of the area may make bedbugs a "hidden environmental reservoir" for MRSA that help spread the bacterium throughout the area.
The study speculates the discovery of VRE on bedbugs is a result of "the relatively unhygienic living conditions encountered in the Downtown Eastside and the high level of interconnectedness between St. Paul's Hospital (where a large pool of patients with VRE colonization/infection reside) and the surrounding community."
Several supportive housing units in the area utilize "bedbug saunas" where infested furniture and belongings are subjected to 60C heat.
"These bacteria tend to be susceptible to high temperatures," Dr. Romney said when asked if these rooms could also eliminate the superbugs. "It's quite possible that these high temperatures would limit bacterial contamination."
Vancouver Sun with files from the Washington Post


text:
Tonight while helping Em with her homework...
"Mommy, someone farted during storytime!"
"Oh, really? Did you do anything?"
"I told the teacher!"
"Sweetie, you don't have to say anything in situations like that. It comes off as tattling. It's not hurting anyone, so no need to mention it."
"It hurt ME! It smelled BAD. It did not smell like pie!"


text:
A Rare Bill to Repeal Something
H.R. 2915 is called the "American Taxpayer and Western Area Power Administration Customer Protection Act of 2011." It's one of those rare bills to repeal something.
Under current law, the Western Area Power Administration can borrow funds from the Department of the Treasury to finance projects for transmitting electric power, up to a limit of $3.25 billion. Projects are eligible for financing if they have at least one terminus in the geographic areas served by the agency and transmit electricity generated from renewable sources. H.R. 2915 would repeal this borrowing authority, which was provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5).


text:
Hills raises tax implications
Page Tools
Highway to sell ... the flow of shares and lack of a timely and meaningful defence by Hills Motorway Group means all roads are pointing to a successful Transurban takeover.
Photo: Peter Braig
Three weeks after being caught off guard by a $2.2 billion takeover bid from toll-road operator Transurban, Hills Motorway has belatedly started poking holes in the offer.
With the company's managing director John Hopman expected to break his silence when he presents Hills's half-year results tomorrow, parties close to the Hills camp have raised concerns regarding the tax implications of the deal.
Despite both Hills and Transurban shares reacting positively since the deal was announced on January 31, a Hills spokesman said it could have capital gains tax implications for retail shareholders.
Given the bid is conditional on Transurban gaining a 50.1 per cent stake, the spokesman said Hills shareholders would not be able to get "rollover relief" for their investment unless Transurban got an 80 per cent stake.
In other words, retail shareholders could be taxed if they realised a gain on their Hills investment.
Under the scrip offer, Hills shareholders would receive 1.47 Transurban shares for each of their stapled securities, which Transurban says values Hills at a 20 per cent premium to the average price they traded at in the three months before the bid.
But despite Transurban raising its own distribution forecasts from 39c to 50c on the day of the bid, Hills has also queried the lack of any longer-term forecasts from Transurban.
"The main issue for us is there is no guidance or detail provided by Transurban regarding their financial forecasts beyond 2007," a Hills spokesman said. Yet Transurban, whose largest investment is Melbourne's CityLink, has already contended cash flows will increase when its 40 per cent-owned 40 kilometre Sydney Westlink Road opens later this year.
With Transurban already holding 30 million shares or 16.2 per cent of Hills, there are signs the owner of the 20km M2 motorway in Sydney's north-west could face a tough time fighting off the bid.
Even though Hills has questioned the value of the deal for its shareholders, one major problem it faces is that some of its large institutional shareholders also have large share holdings in Transurban.
Hills's second-largest shareholder Colonial First State, with a 14.5 per cent stake, has already indicated to both sides it is a supporter of the merger. Colonial is Transurban's largest shareholder, with a 18.2 per cent holding.
And with Hills not expected to mail out its target statement for the bid until March 7, it is still unclear which way the company's board or adviser UBS will eventually sway on the offer. Tomorrow's results may provide the last chance for the toll-road operator to offer some resistance to the bid, possibly in the form of a strong profit forecast.
Transurban managing director Kim Edwards is expected to further spruik the merits of the deal when he presents the interim results on Wednesday.
On Friday, Hills shareholders received a bidder's statement from Transurban which noted the 27 per cent rise in Hills shares and 22 per cent rise in its own shares the day the offer was announced.
"The strong support shown by the equity markets reinforces Transurban's confidence in the rationale for the offer and the benefits that should be received by all accepting security holders in the enlarged Transurban," it said.
Based on the value of Transurban shares on January 28, Transurban says the offer values Hills at $11.60 a security, which also takes into account the forecast 98 per cent increase in distributions they will receive from the merged group.
Before the bid was made, Hills shares were trading at $9.51. After hitting a record high of $12.05 on the day of the offer, Hills shares closed on Friday at $10.50.
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text:
Saffron Yoga Center offers community wellness
Milwaukee may be shedding some of its beer, brats and cheese reputation. These days, it seems, the health conscious are starting to recognize the city for its more active side, such as its rapidly growing yoga culture.
Recently, Lululemon Athletica, a Vancouver-based retailer featuring clothing for yoga, dancing, running and other sports, announced its plans to open a Milwaukee showroom in the Third Ward, specifically because of its "active and alluring yoga community."
And with its popularity in Milwaukee, yoga has also taken a turn toward the affordable. The trend is in part thanks new studios that take a more community-style approach to the practice.
Bay View's new Saffron Yoga Center is one such place. Opening in early February, the brand new studio exists in the former Paper Boat Gallery space at 2375 S. Howell Ave. The space is accommodating, but certainly isn't huge, giving it a quaint, intimate feel.
That's just the way owner Morgan Engels prefers it. Occasionally, she'll get 10 students to drop in for her Thursday night therapeutic class -- a slower-paced class featuring supported postures -- but says a four-person session has been average in the month she's been open.
It's actually surprising her classes aren't overflowing out the front door. Engels designed her studio in a way that allows her students to pay what they can, rather than charging regular, standard fees. There's no minimum donation and she says it's been working out really well.
"I really wanted to try out that sense of freedom -- not needing to sign up for anything or having the price stop someone from taking yoga and being part of the community."
It's a business model that Bay View's Milwaukee Community Acupuncture has followed since opening in September 2009. Co-owners Amy Severinsen and Olive Crane agree that their sliding scale policy has helped make their practice successful, even during a recession.
It makes sense. Both yoga and acupuncture are important parts of Eastern wellness, which focuses on ongoing, preventive practice. The Western way of healing is generally more reactive; hence the popularity of strong medication and fad diets.
Yoga, like acupuncture, can do wonders to balance the body, and is most effective when done routinely -- and Saffron's "prices" allow almost anyone to do so.
Engels says she sees her studio as a collective where any teacher who wants to get involved can. She's starting out small. Two other practitioners teach there currently and she's soon looking to add a third who will teach yoga for kids. The youngest ones -- ages 3-5 -- can participate in a Reading Comes Alive With YogaKids.
"They'll go through a Dr. Seuss book or another really good book and impersonate or embody what's going on in the book. It makes reading really fun for kids," says Engels. Instructor Stephanie Sandy also teaches "YogaKids, Fitness, Fun and Feeling Great" for kids ages 6-9 and hosts a family day on Sundays.
The bulk of Saffron's space is dedicated to hatha yoga, levels one through three, as well as Monday night's "Mudras, Meditation and Movement" class and pilates classes. The back of the studio, however, is curtained off for Thai Bodywork sessions. Engels, who was motivated to become certified after being won over by a few sessions herself, works you through a series of assisted passive yoga postures in a relaxed state.
"It focuses on your sun lines -- also called your meridians," she says. "It's not deep tissue work, but it's great for the lymphatic system, improved circulation, immune system and energy flow."
Saffron also plans to be open for monthly potluck dinners as well as for art events and Gallery Night.
ebass | March 16, 2010 at 3:40 p.m. (report)
Morgan...great article! We are so proud of you:) I wish we were nearby...I am sure some yoga would do all of us some good! Your Florida Family Misses You...
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milwacky_jackie | March 11, 2010 at 8:11 p.m. (report)
So happy to see a this type of wellness coming to Milwaukee. Best of luck to you and your business. I hope to check it out next time I'm home in Milwaukee!
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MCAcu | March 10, 2010 at 9:59 a.m. (report)
We're thrilled to have Saffron Yoga Center in our neighborhood. Morgan is an excellent teacher!
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I had Liposuction 15 years ago and I still have pain and burning. My abdomen is still lumpy. I had a tummy tuck at the same time. My upper part is way bigger than the lower.
I put on weight to hide the difference. I am unhappy. I went back and let my doctor see the results and he had a freaked out look on his face and I could tell it's not right. He won't admit he messed up now it's too late to sue and I am afraid to go back.


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College of Science
Computer Science
Honors Major
Students enter the honors major in one of three ways:
1. By invitation upon admission.
2. By invitation after the first semester.
3. By application. Students may request admission to the honors major to be effective in the semester following the completion of the level 2 core courses. The Undergraduate Committee may grant admission if the student meets the grade-point-average requirements of the honors major and has the recommendation of his or her CS academic advisor.
Honors students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25 and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.6 in CS courses used to fulfill major requirements from the time they are admitted to the honors major until they graduate.
Honors students are encouraged, but not required, to take CS 19700 (Freshman Honors Seminar) (1 cr.) in the spring semester of their freshman year.
Honors Major Course Requirements
The requirements for honors students are the same as for the CS major, but honors students must take the following courses:
MA 35100 (Elementary Linear Algebra) (3 cr.) in lieu of MA 26500; an approved* mathematics course beyond MA 35100 or an approved* statistics course beyond STAT 51100; ECE 27000 (Introduction to Digital System Design) (4 cr.); CS 39700 (Honors Seminar) (1 cr.) followed by CS 49700 (Honors Research Project) (3 cr.); and an approved* 50000-level CS course. CS 49700 and the CS 50000-level course may be used as CS track requirements with the approval of track faculty.
* Course must be approved by the Computer Science Undergraduate Committee for use in the honors major.


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Where to Shop for Wedding Dresses
Weddings are often grand celebrations. Two people formalize their union in front of their families and friends. There are lots of food, wine, and fancy dresses to go around. No one looks better than the bride who usually gets most of the attention in this type of event. This is possible by choosing the best wedding dress. It isn't one particular type as different things suit each person. This is why many people choose to shop around and attend wedding fairs in hampshire for example. Therefore, brides must take their time trying several dresses in the quest to find "the one". There are several elements that must be considered. Allot enough time at each bridal salon to evaluate each of these.
Learn more about wedding fairs in hampshire
The Style
Think hard about the style and theme of the dress than you want. It is one of the most crucial pieces of the puzzle. Be open about this as you never know what might look good unless you try them all out. Sometimes the pieces that you didn't think were right for you could turn out to be among the better options. Experiment with different cuts and designs. Ask the opinion of designers about the type of style that would look great on you. A few knowledgeable friends could also give their advice but you should always have the last say.
The Fit
After narrowing down the options to the last few items, it's time to think about the fit of the dress. A fabulous appearance is a good thing but you will have to wear the piece for the whole day so it better be comfortable. The fit should be just right to let you walk down the aisle in comfort and dance at the reception without feeling awkward. Most can easily be adjusted to your frame at strategic places. Get a good designer so that the final outcome will be flattering to your form.
The Quality
Of course, you will have to check the quality of both the fabric and the workmanship. It may only be worn for one day but it will be heavily used. You don't want something that will get torn apart if people step on it. The stitching should also be tight with no hot spots or stray thread. Inspect the length of the dress before buying it. Quality is particularly important if you wish to bequeath the item to your daughter or granddaughter someday. A well-made piece can stand the test of time. Many have already done so in the past with classic designs helping to keep the dress fresh despite the changing times.
Some Reminders
Fittings can be long and exhausting. You might have a number of bridal salons to visit on your list. Schedule them in such a way as to have enough time to do what you have to in each. In an entire day, visiting 3 of them will probably be the limit. Anything more would be too exhausting. Go with a friend or two. Take your mom, your mother-in-law, or both. Just remember to keep the party small so as not to get overwhelmed by their feedback and suggestions.


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America's Nonprofits Need Rescuing
Joel John Roberts, CEO of PATH (People Assisting The Homeless) Partners has penned a great op-ed suggesting that nonprofits are in desperate need of help. Roberts cites how charities are going out of business in Southern California–particularly housing and homelessness charities–and notes that a fragile has adversely impacted organizations charged with helping our most vulnerable families and individuals. But Robert advances a fantastic point about the nonprofit dilemma,
Unfortunately, these caring social good leaders don't have the skill to market their organization as well as today's hot charity — like Charity: Water, or can balance their books like Deloitte & Touche. Just because you are good at empowering hurting people doesn't mean you have a Harvard MBA in successfully making money. Selling a cell phone to the masses is different than convincing a jaded American public to donate $20 per month to a social good cause.
Running a nonprofit is incredibly challenging and complex. In fact, I'd wager that running a nonprofit is more complicated than running a comparable size for-profit business, as the Bridgespan Group argues in Stanford Social Innovation Review,
When a for-profit business finds a way to create value for a customer, it has generally found its source of revenue; the customer pays for the value. With rare exceptions, that is not true in the nonprofit sector. When a nonprofit finds a way to create value for a beneficiary (for example, integrating a prisoner back into society or saving an endangered species), it has not identified its economic engine. That is a separate step.
Nonprofits aren't quite as good at identifying their "economic engine" as they are creating social services and programs. But how could they be? We ask a lot of our nonprofits. With generally fewer resources, less (nonexistent?) professional development and abysmal infrastructure compared to their for-profit counterparts, nonprofits are expected to help solve or at least mitigate intractable social problems while simultaneously being better, more efficient businesses.
It's a lot to ask of a terribly under-resourced sector and we certainly haven't done nearly enough to help.


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Borel heads Racing Hall of Fame finalists
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (AP) — Trainer Roger Attfield and thoroughbreds Ashado, Ghostzapper, Housebuster and Xtra Heat are first-time finalists for the National Racing Museum's Hall of Fame.
This year's other finalists include jockeys Calvin Borel, Garrett Gomez, Alex Solis and John Velazquez, and trainer Robert Wheeler. The group was announced on Friday.
The four candidates with the highest vote totals will be elected. Results will be announced April 23.
Attfield has saddled 1,727 winners and has career purse earnings of more than $88 million. He has trained three Canadian Triple Crown winners; Izvestia, With Approval and Peteski. He won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last year with Perfect Shirl.
Borel is the only jockey to win the Kentucky Derby three times in four years.
Posted | Updated


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• Half of likely California voters (50 percent) approve of the job President Barack Obama is doing, up from his record low of 46 percent in January. Approval of Congress is at 14 percent, up 5 points from the record low of 9 percent in March.
• Amid a severe drought, 66 percent of Californians say they are following news about it closely. A record high of 59 percent say water supply in their area is a big problem, while 26 percent say it's somewhat of a problem, and 15 percent say it's not much of a problem.
• Most Californians — 61 percent — say global warming will pose a serious threat to them or their way of life in their lifetime, while 35 percent say it will not.
• In the Public Policy Institute of California's first survey of views on the nation's health care law since open enrollment ended on April 15, 48 percent of Californians have a generally favorable opinion of it and 42 percent have a generally unfavorable one. Adults with health insurance are divided (49 percent favorable, 41 percent unfavorable), while those without it are more likely to feel unfavorably (52 percent unfavorable, 41 percent favorable).
• Asked about raising state revenues, 69 percent of California adults favor raising taxes on cigarettes, while 30 percent oppose it; 61 percent favor raising taxes on alcohol, while 37 percent oppose it; 43 percent support an oil and gas extraction tax, while 51 percent oppose it. Eighteen percent support raising the vehicle license fee, while 79 percent oppose it.


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Happy Fall friends! Rebecca, from The Crafted Sparrow, here today! The weather is crisp and the leaves are changing, that means Fall baking is in full swing. This time of year we love to bake lots of fun goodies for family, friends and neighbors so I thought it would be fun to have something special to package them up with…. Read More
Back to School Teacher Gift Idea
Hi friends! Rebecca, from The Crafted Sparrow, here today. I know most of you are just getting ready to start your back to school prep, we actually started school last week. One of my favorite things to do at the end of each summer is to shop for school supplies. I love all the bright colors, it just makes me so… Read More
Teacher Appreciation Printables
Hi friends, Rebecca here from The Crafted Sparrow! I don't know about you, but I usually have really great intentions when it comes to planning something fun for Teacher Appreciation Day and then it almost always sneaks up on me and I've got nothing done so I'm scrambling last minute to put something together. This year I am happy to… Read More
Valentine's Hearts & Stripes Wood Banner
Hello friends. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I've started decorating my entry way and as usual I'm sticking to non-traditional colors. This Valentine's Hearts & Stripes Wood Banner is the first project I'm sharing from my decor this year. I love using non-traditional colors when it comes to Valentine's Day. Who says it has to be all red… Read More
Christmas Breakfast Gift Basket
Merry Christmas friends! Can you believe that Christmas is almost here?! This time of year is so magical, and busy! With it being so busy you're bound to need a last-minute gift idea at some point. Today I'm sharing this Christmas Breakfast Gift Basket. It's a perfect last-minute gift idea for anyone, a busy working mom – the neighbors –… Read More
Mini Pallet Ornaments
Hello friends! We are getting so close to one of my very favorite holidays, it seems so hard to believe that Christmas is two months away. If you have visited me on my blog The Crafted Sparrow during Christmas before you know that I love to make ornaments for my tree. These fun Mini Pallet Ornaments will be filling my… Read More
Free Fall Printable
Hi Friends! Can you believe we are down to the last few months of the year. I just love this time of year, it's gorgeous and everything smells like someone has been busy baking all kinds of Fall treats. Now that the Fall season is in full swing, everywhere you look you see the warm golden tones in the leaves,… Read More
DIY Copper Leaf Specimen Art
Hi friends! It's September and so many of you are already starting to feel the change in the weather with cooler temps and a crispness in the air. The upcoming change in seasons means one thing, Fall decorating! I thought it would be fun to start the Fall season with this simple DIY Copper Leaf Specimen Art. Supplies: Cricut Explore Copper… Read More
Back to School Striped Mason Jar Teacher Gift
Hi friends. This summer has just flown by, I can't believe it's already back to school time! Fall is just around the corner. I love to have my two boys greet their new teachers for the year on the first day of school with a little gift to say hello and I'm so glad to be in your class. This Back… Read More
Washi Tape Art
Hi SNAP friends! I can't believe it's already July. The other day I shared my 4th of July Mantel on my blog, but after the holiday is over I will be wanting some fun and fresh summer decor on my mantel. This Summer Washi Tape Art is going to be the perfect addition. If you've been reading my contributing posts… Read More
DIY Summer Sign
Hi friends – Happy Summer! The weather is warming up, and it's time to start lightening up all your decor for Summer if you haven't already. Today I'm sharing this fun DIY Summer Sign. I was inspired to make this sign after making some custom printables for a Summer giveaway that is currently happening here on SNAP & my site… Read More
Chocolate Covered Caramel Wafers
Hi friends! Mother's Day is just around the corner, and I don't know about you but I love putting some extra love into something and giving a gift to my Mom that I made with my own two hands. Don't worry I get her other good stuff too! These Chocolate Covered Caramel Wafers are the perfect treat to give any… Read More
Easter Favor Printable Tags
Hi friends! I love putting together fun treats for my kiddos that are themed around certain holidays, Easter happens to be one of them. Today I'm sharing these cute Easter Favor Printable Tags. These tags are perfect for small favors and can even be printed larger for those awesome Easter baskets the kids get. Today I'm going to show you… Read More
Lucky In Love Sign
Hi friends! I'm so LUCKY to be here today, see what I did there! Now that you have put all your Valentine's decor away, it's time to pull out all your green and gold decor for St. Patrick's Day. Today I'm sharing this Lucky In Love Sign with you. It's such a cute addition to your holiday decor. Let's get… Read More
Valentine's Wreath
Hello friends! Can you believe it almost Valentine's Day already? Is your decor up, I have a confession…mine isn't. It's slowly coming together, check out this adorable Valentine's Wreath I just made. So cute right?! Best part is it's super easy to make. Supplies: Foam wreath form Felt Small sewing pins Fabric strips (cut in to 2″ wide strips) Small… Read More
Chinese Paper Lanterns
Hi friends! Happy New Year! I am Rebecca from The Crafted Sparrow, some of you have seen me around SNAP – I just wanted to let you all know how excited I am to be a contributor again for 2014. Now that Christmas and New Year's have come and gone, it's time to start thinking of the next fun Holiday… Read More
DIY Nutcracker Wall Art
Hello friends. Have you decked the halls yet for Christmas? I am almost finished. Today I am sharing my DIY Nutcracker Silhouette Wall Art with you. I made these for my son since he begs every year for a new nutcracker. I'm not a huge fan of the traditional nutcrackers, so this was my compromise. I love how they turned… Read More
Wishbone Wall Art
Happy November friends! This year is just flying by and I can't believe it's already November. These next two months are my absolute favorite months of the year. The changing of seasons, and all things warm and cozy make me feel so much joy. I thought today I would share a fun and easy Thanksgiving themed project, although with the… Read More


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Couldn't make it to the ASBMB annual meeting? See some of what you missed here.
Read the transcript of tweets spurred by our session on communicating science, which featured Nobel laureate Paul Berg, the Huffington Post's Cara Santa Maria, NPR's Joe Palca and Meghan J. Palmer, deputy director of practices at the Synthetic Biology Engineering Research Center.
See a slideshow documenting who got (temporarily) inked at the society's tattoo parlor booth and a roundup of blogging about symposia and special events.
Congratulate the 2012 undergraduate poster contest winners.
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Christmas comes just once a year, and as we usher in the start of the Christmas season, we are fortunate to live in a community that is ever mindful of those children among us who are in need. This year marks a significant event for Toys for Tots as our Marine Corp League 697 and partners are celebrating our 34th anniversary in making a difference, ensuring that every child in our community who ask for a toy for Christmas will receive one, as we will always honor every request.
Silently, through tear-filled eyes I witness child after child who come to us with absolutely nothing receive a brand new donated toy, broad smiles and squeals of joy spoke beyond the barrier of language but with a wink and a nod and in my heart; we have done something incredibly wonderful for our children.
In that brief moment, my heart just knew the magical bond we made.
The Marine Corp League 697, El Dorado Hills Fire Department and our partners are again asking our community to please go to any of our toy drop-off sites in El Dorado County and please donate brand new, unwrapped toys as we serve children and their families in need at Christmas. Toys for Tots is a volunteer-driven campaign that relies on the generous support of its community service groups, local businesses and wineries that are drop-off sites, and our sponsors. Without their commitment, there would be no Christmas for these children, never realizing the true meaning of giving at Christmas.
There are many opportunities to support Toys for Tots, including donating new, unwrapped toys, making monetary contributions, volunteering and/or participating in our upcoming fundraisers (Creekside Place Dec. 14-15 or your own fundraiser) to benefit our Toys for Tots program. A variety of donations are welcome, including toys, books, games, just about anything that might be on a child's wish list as we bring Christmas to children from birth to 13 years old.
For families who are seeking help, needing toys for their children due to unforeseen circumstances, registration will start on the first Monday after Thanksgiving at our local elementary and middle schools in El Dorado County.
I am reminded of one children's book that I would read to my children at Christmas, "The Polar Express" by Van Allsburg. I would like to share the final quote:
"At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."
My children are grown now, with lives of their own, but I've kept the bell that my children anxiously withheld their delight in ringing, as it had no clapper until the traditional ringing of the bell. Each one mightily shook it hard, holding it close to their ear; moments later their smile said it all.
The bell represents a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas, validating that those of us who believe in the joy of Christmas, sharing that special spirit of the true meaning of Christmas, giving to those that might not have a Christmas as is if our universe filled with millions of bells, each one ringing sweetly each time a child is given a new toy, donated by all of us who still can hear, the Christmas bell, ring.
Please contact us by either calling (530) 344-9384 or e-mailing [email protected]
Toys for Tots Coordinators