text:
Celebrate 3 Years of Vita With PlayStation-Wide Savings
February 18, 2015 - The PlayStation Store sees a heap of savings on dozens of games across all current PS platforms.
EA Shutting Down Several Game Servers
March 19, 2012 - EA Sports MMA, The Godfather II, and Burnout Revenge among the titles losing online services next month.
EA Sports MMA Review
October 19, 2010 - While it is lacking the big-name UFC license, that doesn't stop EA's first foray into the MMA world from impressing in more than a few crucial areas.
PSN Store UK Update: Guardian of Light
September 30, 2010 - It's another exciting week on the PSN Store as this week's update brought Lara Croft back to her rightful home on the PlayStation, with the release of Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light.
This Week on PSN (09.28.10)
September 28, 2010 - Every Tuesday, Sony drops a bunch of new stuff onto the PlayStation Network. Those with a PlayStation 3 or PSP can download these goodies, which range from PSN games to movies, themes and more. While the Official PlayStation Blog outlines these updates in full each week, we thought we'd help truncate the good news into something more digestible.
Gamescom: New EA Sports MMA Online Features Revealed
August 16, 2010 - I'm excited to see what the finished product will hold for fight fans, but before the game hits stores, EA Sports has seen fit to hand us some new details on what their online multiplayer feature set will bring.
E3 2010: EA Sports Announces Fedor and Couture as Cover Athletes for EA Sports MMA
June 14, 2010 - Today at their E3 press conference, EA Sports President Peter Moore announced that Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture will both adorn the cover of EA Sports MMA when it launches on October 19 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
E3 2010: Hype Yourself in EA Sports MMA
June 14, 2010 - A few weeks ago I sat down at EA's Los Angeles studios to check out EA Sports MMA's online features, or at least one of them. I assumed I was sitting down to check out some sort of new ranking system or a demo of an experience point system. Boy was I wrong.
EA to Showcase Highly Anticipated Titles for 2010 at E3
June 10, 2010 - This year's media briefing will feature news and demonstrations from big EA titles such as Medal of Honor, Need for Speed, Dead Space 2, EA SPORTS Active 2 and The Sims 3 for console; all new properties EA SPORTS MMA and titles from EA Partners, Crytek and Epic. The briefing can be viewed live at www.ea.com/e3 at 2 PM PDT on Monday, June 14.
E3 2010: EA Sports MMA Hands-on
May 21, 2010 - Some were beginning to doubt EA's ability to deliver a fun experience in the ring. Having played it for myself, I can say with confidence that it's well on its way to providing some great competition to the more hardcore-focused UFC Undisputed series from THQ.
Editorial: The New Business of Online Gaming
May 11, 2010 - Electronic Arts has been experimenting with ways to bring in revenue from the used gaming market. Now the company has unveiled the Online Pass for its sports portfolio and many are crying foul.
GDC 10: EA Sports MMA Updated Impressions
March 10, 2010 - While I wasn't allowed to play EA Sports MMA at the company's Season Opener event in San Francisco, developers were on-hand to give a guided demo and shine a bit more light on the finer points of the game. Read on for info on ring entrances, fighting styles, and control mechanics.
New Dragon Age, Shooter from Epic Due In 2011
February 8, 2010 - Electronic Arts revealed the company's title lineup for its fiscal 2011 year. Some of the highlights in the list include: Skate 3, Crysis 2 and a New Dragon Age title as well as the Epic Games co-published shooter.
Bobby Lashley Joins EA Sports MMA
February 2, 2010 - EA Sports announced last week that Bobby Lashley, along with four other MMA fighters, have joined the ranks of combatants in the upcoming EA Sports MMA on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 later this year.
EA Sports MMA Adds More Fighters
December 15, 2009 - EA Sports announced today that seven new MMA fighters have been added to the roster for EA Sports MMA, due out sometime next year on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. EA Sports hosted a live chat earlier today where the fighters were announced.
EA Sports MMA First Look
November 9, 2009 - There's been quite a lot of controversy surrounding EA Sports' first entry into the mixed martial arts (MMA) gaming space. Dana White has been very outspoken about EA's first MMA offering, saying that any fighter who appears in the game will be banned from UFC for life and speaking out against EA Sports for doubting the legitimacy of MMA when White pitched the company on a UFC game years ago. Having recently seen EA Sports MMA in action at a press event in Chicago, rest assured that the sports gaming conglomerate is putting its full weight behind its first venture into the ring.
EA Sports MMA Announces Strikeforce as Premiere League
November 6, 2009 - EA Sports announced today at a press event in Chicago that their upcoming EA Sports MMA game has partnered with Strikeforce to be the premiere league in the game which is scheduled to launch sometime in 2010. MMA fans can also expect many more leagues to be announced at a later date. We can only assume that this means you'll be able to sign with different leagues throughout your career.
Mixed Martial Arts Hall of Famer Randy Couture Bolsters EA Sports MMA Roster
August 17, 2009 - REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Randy Couture, one of the most popular fighters in MMA history, will co-headline EA SPORTS MMA alongside recently announced, Fedor Emelianenko.
Fedor Emelianenko Headlines EA SPORTS MMA Roster
July 29, 2009 - REDWOOD CITY, Calif. -- Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS), announced today that Fedor Emelianenko, the world's top ranked* MMA heavyweight, will headline the EA SPORTS MMA fighter roster. Emelianenko will be joined by Gegard Mousasi and Renato Sobral, both of whom will be featured in a title bout at the STRIKEFORCE fight on August 15, as the first of a long list of fighters who will appear in EA SPORTS MMA, the all-new mixed martial arts title coming in 2010.
UFC Wrestles With EA
July 14, 2009 - UFC president Dana White has said he is "at war" with EA and warned fighters hoping to appear in the publisher's forthcoming MMA title: "You won't be in the UFC."


text:
LOS ANGELES - Just about everybody watching New York put it to the LA Kings for 40 minutes on Saturday, scoring clutch goal after clutch goal to beat down three separate comeback attempts, fully expected this series to be 1-1 after Game 2.
Instead, the impossible-to-kill LA Kings rose from the dead one more time to beat the split out of the Eastern Conference Champions.
It marked the third straight game they'd fallen behind by two goals and the third straight time they've come back to win. They eliminated the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 7 of the Western Conference final and have rallied back twice on the frustrated Rangers to take a 2-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup final.
The Kings trailed 2-0 in the first, 3-1 in the second and 4-2 in the third before doing what the LA Kings always do - willing themselves to victory.
They scored two goals in the third, got one from Dustin Brown 10:26 into double overtime to post a 5-4 victory and move two games away from their second title in three years.
The Rangers aren't making it easy on them, though. They are making it very clear that the lopsided rout many predicted isn't going to happen. With their speed, their clutch scoring and with Henrik Lundqvist in net, the Rangers seem more than capable of standing up to the mighty LA machine.
They just haven't found a way to beat them yet.
With the Kings fully rested and needing to sweep their home games to put a death grip on the series, many expected Los Angeles to pick up where they left off in the third period of Game 1, when they outshot the Rangers 20-3 and seemed in total control of everything.
But a continuation of the LA onslaught never materialized. The Rangers, as they did in the first 40 minutes of Game 1, played stride for stride with Los Angeles and once again jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
They scored first on Ryan McDonagh's goal at 10:48 and went up 2-0 on when Mats Zuccarello scored at 18:46.
It marked the third straight game that the Kings had fallen behind 2-0.
Los Angeles, having fought back two goals down to win Game 7 against the Hawks and Game 1 against the Rangers, went to work erasing this lead, too.
Jarret Stoll got them started after a Brad Richards turnover at 1:46 of the second period.
But the Rangers were having nothing to do with another comeback. This time they scored next, padding the lead to 3-1 on power play goal (too many men) from Martin St. Louis at 11:24.
And when the Kings closed it to 3-2 at 14:39 on Willie Mitchell's point shot, the Rangers waited all of 11-seconds before restoring their two-goal cushion. Mitchell collided with Quick behind the LA net and Zuccarello scooped up the loose puck and gave it to Derick Brassard to make it 4-2 Rangers after 40.
But these are the Kings, and once again launched another assault, cutting it to 4-3 just 1:38 into the third when Dwight King, who was practically sitting on Lundqvist, got credit for deflecting a Matt Greene point shot.
At 7:36, it was tied on Marian Gaborik's goal.
And for the second game in a row, they went to overtime.
The first OT period was a thrill ride, with Chris Kreider hitting the post and missing on a breakaway for the Rangers and Dwight King firing wide on a sitter in the slot for the Kings. The Rangers had to kill one minor, the Kings two, both on Ranger dives.
The Rangers are discovering that hardest thing about playing a team that never quits on the puck is their ability to manufacture scoring chances out of seemingly dead plays.
"They're very opportunistic," said Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh. "They make something out of nothing, that's what's dangerous.
"You feel like you've got a simple play, a simple battle in the corner with numbers and they find a way to get a puck toward the net, get the right body position. You have to maintain you discipline and focus all the way through until your shift is done."â¨

subset: commoncrawl


text:
New UNICEF Representative for Pakistan
Islamabad, April 13, 2011: Mr. Dan Rohrmann has presented his credentials to the Government of Pakistan as the Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Pakistan.
Mr. Rohrmann will be leading the UNICEF team in Pakistan to continue the early recovery for children and women following the devastating monsoon floods in 2010, as well as overseeing UNICEF's programmes in health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and child protection as part of the UN Delivering as One Programme.
A major feature of UNICEF's work in the immediate future entails support for the Presidential Programme to Eradicate Polio, in which UNICEF is a partner with the Government of Pakistan and many other global partners.
Mr. Rohrmann has wide experience of working in a number of UN agencies. Prior to his current assignment in Pakistan, Mr. Rohrmann was responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance for UNICEF's global programmes.
"I am truly excited to be leading UNICEF's important work in Pakistan and I have felt warmly welcomed since my arrival. It is an honour to work for children in Pakistan, including those most vulnerable and disadvantaged," said Mr. Rohrmann.
Mr. Rohrmann joins the UN Country Team at a crucial moment for supporting the Government of Pakistan to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and accelerate results for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.


text:
Perfect Storm
Submitted by Edgar on
By Carol Spicer.
Carl Hutchens of Austin won the title of "Texas Troubadour" at the second annual Songwriter Classic at the Bosque Arts Center on Saturday night. In front of a full house, he also walked away with the people's choice award. The Songwriter Classic was judged by the infamous Ray Wylie Hubbard who offered up his own special brand of music following the contest.
Rate this article:


text:
Welcome back – I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year.
Last year, oil and China were two of the biggest stories in the markets.
And as 2016 begins, that doesn't look like changing…
China slides, oil bounces
The year is starting with a bang.
China's stockmarket has suffered its worst start to a year on record. Trading was halted after the CSI 300 index of large caps fell by 7%. The slide came after activity in China's manufacturing sector shrunk for the fifth month in a row. Investors are also concerned about a ban on short selling coming to an end imminently.
The Chinese central bank (the People's Bank of China) rattled everyone even more by setting the "daily fix" on the Chinese currency to be weaker against the dollar than at any point in the last four years.
So that big story – China's weaker growth, potential devaluation and the impact on the rest of the world – is still rumbling along.
Meanwhile, after a horrendous 2015, the oil price bounced higher this morning. It's all down to that old chestnut, "tension in the Middle East".
There's always tension in the Middle East. It's not a region known for its tranquillity. But there's more turmoil than usual. The simmering cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran is getting hotter by the minute, with the Saudis now severing diplomatic relations with Iran.
As the BBC puts it, the pair are the major Sunni (Saudi) and Shia (Iran) powers in the region, and they're each "backing opposing sides in the conflicts in Syria and Yemen".
And if there is one thing that could quite possibly give the oil price a boost this year, despite the supply glut and all the rest of it, then I'm guessing that it's a full-blown war between the two oil powers.
The biggest story of all: the strong US dollar
These two big stories have one even bigger story in common, of course – the strong US dollar. China is wilting under the strain of having the yuan, its currency, loosely tied to one of the strongest currencies in the world right now. That's not much fun for an economy where exports are still important, and which wants to be making monetary policy looser rather than tighter. Hence the efforts to allow the yuan to weaken.
Dollar strength has also played a key role in the weakness of commodity prices, particularly over the last 18 months or so. That in turn has helped to increase tensions in the Middle East. It's far from being the only factor, of course. But it's in the mix all the same.
There is every reason for the US dollar to keep getting stronger. The US economy looks healthier than many others. The banking sector is relatively healthy too. And the Fed is planning to raise rates at least four times this year – more than any other major central bank.
All good reasons why "long dollar" is such a popular bet right now. But as I've said before, that popularity is what makes me question it.
What could derail the US dollar bull market? Well, it's just worth remembering that the worse things get, the trickier it'll be for the Federal Reserve to stick to its current game plan. Remember that just a few short months ago, tremors in the Chinese stockmarket swayed the US Federal Reserve not to raise interest rates.
We'll see what happens. But the last thing the Fed wants is a huge devaluation by China to rattle the markets. I strongly suspect that both the Fed and the People's Bank of China would rather see an "orderly re-adjustment" of the yuan, which is central bank-ese for "we'd like to see a slightly weaker yuan, but not too quickly".
One way to provide the breathing space for such a move is for the Fed to disappoint the market and take the wind out of the dollar's sails. It might not be able to stop the bull, but it can slow it down long enough to allow the yuan to weaken gradually and at a pace that won't panic the markets too much.
My point is that you shouldn't bet the house on the dollar bull market continuing this year. There's a lot of potential for disappointment there, and a lot of powerful people who wouldn't be sad to see at least some of the steam come out of its strong run.
In the next issue of MoneyWeek magazine, out on Friday, we have our experts' big predictions for 2016. Don't miss it.
And if you've made any New Year's resolutions to sort your finances out – well, we're ready to help you with that. Subscribe now for a great deal – check it out here.


text:
Capstone projects are the embodiment of the
collegiate experience. Though many
capstones require adequate time and effort on a student's part, the end result
is well worth the wait. For some NAU students,
the fruit of their labor comes during the annual Undergraduate Symposium.
The Symposium, now in its fifth year, provides
students the opportunity to showcase their work to their peers, professors and
the university and Flagstaff communities.
Running in conjunction with Honor's Week, the Undergraduate Symposium
features a week's worth of activities highlighting the different areas of study
around campus.
Wolf Gumerman, Director of the University
Honor's Program, says the Undergraduate Symposium was created to showcase the
diversity of the campus' learning experience throughout the different colleges.
"It's really highlighting the great things our
students are doing," Gumerman says. "We
think of research broadly, so it can be creative endeavors like a photographic
exhibition or your more traditional research activity."
Planning for the Symposium differs from college
to college. For example, the College of
Arts and Letters plans to showcase their students' talent through choral events
and a presentation of the play Love
Letters, whereas the College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences
is holding a daylong event featuring the projects of many of its students.
Amanda Shapter, a senior majoring in
environmental engineering with a minor in chemistry, says the majority of
students presenting at the Undergraduate Symposium are required to do so as
part of their capstone, which provides a learning experience unlike any other.
"This is what I came into engineering expecting to do all the time," Shapter says. "It's working in the lab, doing testing, and building things. It's the time to actually design and construct something so we can test it and see if it works."
Shapter says her group project, which involves purifying water for use on ships, has been in production since the fall semester. In addition to showing their completed works, Pauline Entin, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Engineering, Forestry, and Natural Sciences and professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, says some students are also required to give an oral presentation and present a poster of their findings.
Despite having an emphasis on seniors and their capstones, the Symposium's goal is to showcase students of all academic years. Each college accepts applications detailing student proposals. From there, students are free to work as they see fit in order to prepare for the community-wide event.
Entin says students and community members alike should attend the Undergraduate Symposium to see what those who attend NAU have a chance to learn firsthand.
"It can be really hard to sit around and imagine what's feasible; if you attend, you can actually see those things," Entin says. "We like to show off the students' work so the community can see all the opportunities they have during their academic experience."
The 2012 Undergraduate Symposium takes place from April 26 through the 28. A complete list of events can be found at nau.edu/symposium.


text:
Home Page(Netscape 4.0+ users only) Take the visitor to their browser's home page automatically or via a button or link click. Cool!
|The JavaScript Source: Navigation: Home Page
Simply click inside the window below, use your cursor to highlight the script, and copy (type Control-c or Apple-c) the script into a new file in your text editor (such as Note Pad or Simple Text) and save (Control-s or Apple-s). The script is yours!!!
Leave a Response(1 comment)
Your comment has been submitted successfully.


text:
Police investigating Britain's worst motorway accident for 20 years have said black smoke, thought to have been caused by a local fireworks display, is forming the focus of their inquiry.
With the scene cleared of all 34 vehicles and the death toll not expected to rise from the seven fatalities confirmed by police on Sunday morning, attention is turning to the cause of the accident on the M5 on Friday night which also injured 51 others.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing fog or smoke over the carriageway before the accident and police are now attributing the likely source of the "smoke bank" to a fireworks display held at Taunton rugby club, close to the motorway. The club was not available for comment but it previously said the display was over by 8.15pm, around 10 minutes before the pile-up occurred.
The incident commander, assistant chief constable Anthony Bangham, said: "What I am now able to say this afternoon is that our main line of inquiry has now moved towards the event that was on the side of the carriageway and we do believe that while there was fog and it was difficult conditions in the area, that actually from witness evidence there was very significant smoke across the carriageway that in effect caused a bank similar to a fog bank, which was very distracting and very difficult to drive through. We will be doing everything we can to find out as quickly as we're able to what's behind that."
The pitches at the rugby club where the fireworks display took place were cordoned off by police on Sunday afternoon and Bangham said that witnesses at the event were being interviewed. "The vehicles and people who were entering into the smoke bank have just described it as being impossible to drive through and that of course causing them to brake," he added.
One of those who had expressed concerns about the smoke from the display was pastor Gary Birch, who led prayers for the dead on Sunday morning at Creech St Michael Baptist church. Birch said on Saturday: "I remember thinking: 'I hope the smoke doesn't cause a problem for the motorway.' Perhaps it did, we don't know. But there was certainly a huge fireworks display – 15 minutes [of] full-on constant display – right beside the motorway and it was generating a lot of smoke."
The southbound carriageway on the M5 was reopened on Sunday evening, though the northbound carriageway remains closed. Police said a 40-metre stretch of road was damaged by fuel spillage from vehicles and a stretch of 60 metres was damaged by intense fire.
Formal identification of the victims has yet to take place. Leading prayers for them at his church, close to the site of the accident, Birch said: "At the start of the service we had some special prayers and thoughts. We've also got a special service of thanksgiving this afternoon for people to remember their loved ones. It was already planned but it will now involve some remembrance of those who have lost their lives in this.
"The emergency workers and the first responders will be the people we're going to know, so we're thinking of them as well." A minute's silence was held at the carnival statue in the nearby town of Bridgwater at 12pm and prayers were also said during mass at Taunton Catholic church. Bangham had earlier expressed his relief that the death toll had not increased overnight on Saturday, as had been feared, saying: "Our worst fears have not been confirmed."
Musgrove Park hospital said it was still treating 12 victims of the pile-up, while four of the casualties it had received had now been discharged.
Bangham urged anyone with footage of the incident to contact the police and not to upload it on to the internet.


text:
Detectives are investigating a University of Georgia student's report that he was robbed early Sunday while walking on a trail near downtown, Athens-Clarke police said.
The student told officers he was walking behind Whistleberry Walk Condominiums, 325 Willow St., between 2:30 and 3 a.m. when someone knocked him out from behind and stole $50.
The student first told officers he woke up in an unknown apartment, then said he woke up on the trail and walked to the apartment, according to police.
He went to Athens Regional Medical Center because he was throwing up, not because of the alleged robbery, said police, who noted there were no visible injuries on the student.
© 2017. All Rights Reserved. | Contact Us


text:
I blame it all on the tooth. The tooth — in some mystical connection with a Top Chef tooth fairy and guest Debi Mazar's disorientingly glorious cursing — did something crazy to me.
I guess I could kind of see it coming. It started before Mia's teary self-sacrifice, I think around the time the beach breakfast happened. I couldn't help myself. My heart started twitching involuntarily every time Mike's puffy face (pictured) showed up. And then this tooth thing — the guy gets a wisdom tooth pulled, and it looks like he asked some wolves to do it instead of going to the dentist. How could I hold anything against him after hearing him say "OWAGE" instead of "orange"? I really wanted him to be a loser (call me a Hater Princess if you must), but I've got to hand it to the guy — he's been scrappy, and he's growing on me.addCredit("Top Chef: F. Scott Schafer")
I was glad that big Mikey won both challenges last night. Really, Iwas. Will he win? I would rather eat a thousand of Marcel's foams thansee Mike win. However, I'm glad it's his turn to have a (somewhat) goodday.
Essentially, what I realized last night during last night's episodeis this: I do not miss Gail Simmons. Actually, I hope that Ted Allengets a permanent seat at the judges' table next season. And, I really,really hope, for the safety of the group, that Marcel goes next.


text:
I think they're called trekkies but I agree. I still can't believe Clay Aiken still has the same hair style as he did on Idol 10 years ago.
I think they're called trekkies but I agree. I still can't believe Clay Aiken still has the same hair style as he did on Idol 10 years ago.
Geisha Ninja Sparkle Dance
Twirling Ninja Sparkle Dance
Who went home?
I used to call them Trekkies too, but then I was told once by a particularly ardent fan that Trekkies is considered derogatory by some of the more serious fans who prefer Trekker. I have no idea why, but the person in question was quite adamant and it didn't seem worth an argument, so I was trying to be as inoffensive as possible.
Clay's been through some different styles since then--wasn't he wearing his hair very dark at one point?--but he's gone back to his original hairstyle and color.
Cheryl Tiegs went home. She admitted that perhaps she wasn't really suited to the show and you never say that in front of Donald and survive, though everyone was very sweet about it.
Personally, I'm a little uncomfortable that they're keeping Victoria Gotti around because of her potential contacts and how much money could be raised through them. Considering the mob jokes they were also making, they made it sound like they were perfectly happy to take mob money, even if that's not what they meant. But then, Victoria also makes me uncomfortable because she bears an uncanny resemblance to a blonde dried apple person.
I just finished the episode, and I have a few thoughts.
1. I would like to see them have the money oriented tasks at the very end. By the time the show is over those who make it to the end who do what's expected of them along the way are tapped out. It also leads to the potential of people holding back to protect themselves. I'd like to have seen this task be about the number of sandwiches they could sell period. Have a maximum price per sandwich and let them duke it out. IMO the men's team still likely would have won because they have more recognizable celebrities. But I think it would lead to less holding back and more balls out. Have the early tasks be about sales or task and give the $20K to the winner like they do on creative tasks.
2. Poor Cheryl Tiegs was way out of her league. They ate her alive much the same way Tiffani Fallon was eaten alive season 1. She is way too quiet a personality and way too old for the drama. I was sad but not surprised to see her go.
3. Why has nobody mentioned Debbie Gibson's awful plastic surgery? Well not surgery exactly but fillers and botox. Her cheeks were packed full of fillers and so were her lips. She's 41 but looks more like she's 55. And the big Morgan Fairchild hair at some points of the show. She looked like she was working on Dynasty the sequel. She looked better with the flatter hair, but she still needs to dial back the filler. She looked like a Real Housewife.
4. Poor George. He did what he was asked, and that's perceived weak? GMAFB. I don't like the OC Chopper guy because I see him as the bully type.
5. OC Chopper guy was stupid for using a $300K guy in round 1. Unless that guy has billions, he just used up a really valuable resource. I think I'd have said listen I appreciate the donation but can we break it up a bit so you can help me win later or something to that effect. Sure he got to show off and be bad ass but he may have pulled a Marlee Matlin and used his resources too soon.
I like most of the cast. I just wanted to tell miss Danity Kane that no not everyone knows who you are. I consider myself pretty celebrity intelligent and I didn't know who she was until she told me. So she needs to chill the ego. I'm looking forward to seeing the fireworks Ivanka mentioned in the pre-show press.
Geisha Ninja Sparkle Dance
Twirling Ninja Sparkle Dance
If the tasks matter at all, then they have to make them matter. All the guys pretty much decided that if Chopper could raise $500,000 on his own (which he didn't quite do, but since he got $300,000 from one guy, it was still more than enough) that they'd sit on their possible donors until it was their charities and their butts on the line. They still worked pretty hard, but I could easily see a situation where people wouldn't, if they knew they had a huge advantage because of someone with a big donor on the line. And yeah, it stinks that the women still raised more than had ever been raised before in a first task and got beat anyway, because of one person's deep pockets--not because the guys worked especially hard at raising money.
I like the idea that the first challenges be more about the task and then maybe later in the competition, when everyone's more on equal footing in terms of possibly making it to the end, let people call on their big donors. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to have any tasks. We all know the contestants aren't competing for a real apprenticeship if they're celebrities, but if they can just sit around and call people to donate that much money to their charities, why are they doing the show in the first place? Why don't they just have fundraisers on their own without dealing with Trump?
I do think Paul is a bully - because as soon as the bigger bully (Trump) told him that George was not "timid," Paul immediately backed down and apologized. Of course, when one sees how he treats his own sons, it's not surprising that he would be so ignorant to others.
This donation thing is a problem, especially since the teams are unbalanced. One solution would be to call your doners and have them pledge to give money to their charity if they win the challenge. This way it would have been about selling the sandwiches and negotating with those who show up, as Clay did, to up the price. This poses problems too but eliminates calling a friend who cannot show up in person. Those who know people in NYC would be ahead of the game but requiring the doner to show up limits it to some extent.
Trump's jokes about Victoria calling in the mob if someone crosses her are tasteless and disrespectful. You can see her bristle and fight to maintain her calm. She is not her father. Her hair is so bad, I have no words.
I have visions of the women's team dwindling very fast. I don't know who most of them are. Debbie Gibson, I haven't heard her name in years and she seems to be the biggest star.
Thats what was bothering me last night---why work so hardf selling anything when all that is needed to win is a big donation? That 300k negated all the work they did. I felt that Cheryl got short shrift--she was quickly chosen as the easiest to get rid of. It seemed to me she was busy making grilled cheese sandwiches while the red head and Debbie were busy singing! I loved her speech at the end of the show.
You could see that the women were already deciding who they didnt like based on emotion even before the game started! The men are doing the same by being all impressed with muscles while dismissing guys like George.
TRump never fails to amaze me with his rudeness---constantly interupppting--and his sleazy comments.


text:
Red Plum has some new printable coupons! Click here to check out the full list, including:
– SAVE $0.50 on any ONE (1) Newman's Own® Pasta Sauce, Salsa, Lemonade, Marinade or Popcorn
– SAVE $1 on any ONE package of State Fair® Corn Dogs or Mini Corn Dogs
– $1.00 OFF One (1) 59 oz. carton of Trop50 Orange Juice
– SAVE $1.00 on any TWO (2) packages of Hillshire Farm® Smoked Sausage
– Save 35¢ on any ONE (1) package of Hillshire Farm® Deli Select® Lunchmeat (8 oz. or larger)
– Save 55¢ off any one (1) BALL PARK® Angus Product
– Save $1.00 on any Johnson's® baby product
– Save $2.00 When You Purchase One Ball® Canning Discovery™ Kit
– $1.00 OFF 2 pints of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Frozen Yogurt or Sorbet


text: OverviewSituated on a picturesque stretch of the Atlantic Coast on Boston's North Shore, the Wylie Inn and Conference Center at Endicott College offers well appointed, comfortable accommodations with an on-site café restaurant and bar, all with spectacular ocean views. When it comes to luxury inns New England has to offer, nothing compares to the lovely Wylie Inn and Conference Center. Combining first class comfort with a casual atmosphere and attentive, personalized service, the Wylie Inn and Conference Center is ideal for a weekend getaway, retreat or conference.Our 91 room inn provides luxury accommodations, upscale amenities and impeccable service. Guests will love our pillow top beds, flat screen HDTV's, workstations, and wireless internet access. Not many luxury inns New England has available will offer their guests as much as we do. The cafe offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere with a delicious light fare menu for breakfast and dinner. Guests of the Wylie Inn receive complimentary use of Endicott College Post Center. At the Post Center guests will be able to take advantage of fitness, dance, weight and aerobic rooms, racquetball courts, locker rooms, a competition gymnasium seating 1,200 people, and a field house with a suspended running track and a traverse climbing wall. Amenities Air Conditioning Beach Eco-Friendly Exercise Room Family Friendly Handicap Accessible Health Club Facility Historical Features In-Room TV Meeting Facilities Ocean Restaurant Romantic Wireless Internet Access RoomsNumber of Rooms: 91Our 91 room Inn provides overnight accommodations with many first class amenities such as pillow top beds, comforters, flat screen HDTVs, refrigerators, iron and ironing boards, hair dryers, workstations, wireless Internet access and coffee makers in all rooms. Our standard guest rooms have one queen bed and accommodate a maximum of two adults.We are excited about welcoming business groups with overnight accommodations at The Wylie Inn and Conference Center at Endicott College. For further information, please contact our Sales Department at 978-867-1800, or toll free at 866-333-0859, or by email email@example.com. Location295 Hale Street Beverly, MA 01915 Phone: 978-867-1956 Toll Free: 866-333-0859295 Hale StreetBeverly 01915MassachusettsPhone: 978-867-1956 Specials & PackagesNone at this timeDiningThe Fountain Cafe and Bar offers a casual and comfortable atmosphere with a delicious light fare menu for breakfast and dinner.Breakfast offers an assortment of menus selections that provide convenience including our Deluxe Continental and "to go" items or sit and relax by enjoying one of our breakfast specialties with the daily newspaper.In the evening, the Fountain Café and Bar offers our guests a great place for socializing with appetizers and cocktails, a delightful menu of simple yet delicious light fare.The Fountain Café and Bar offers wireless internet access, a large flat screen TV and floor to ceiling windows offering a great view of our landmark fountain and meticulously manicured grounds. Activities Antique Shopping Biking Cooking School Program Cultural Activities Educational Programs Fishing Golf Lighthouse Tours Shopping Whale Watching


text:
"I don't always understand what he needs or wants from me." Most wives want a heart-to-heart connection with their husbands. But men often communicate their needs in ways that seem strange to women. How to bridge the gap?
Straight from a veteran dad and husband come these insightful, unexpected, and occasionally offbeat ideas. Bestselling author Jay Payleitner digs deep to give practical insight into how a woman can
A husband does want to be close to his wife. Here are great steps to strengthening a marriage by making room for that closeness to happen.
52 Things Husbands Need from Their Wives: What Wives Can Do to Build a Stronger Marriage


text:
Accountant David Logan spelled out a stark warning to fellow practitioners at the recent IRIS World event at Twickenham.
"Accountancy is now becoming a trade not a profession," argued David Logan of Northern Ireland firm McIlveen Howard (MHL) during a panel session with three other accountants.
"I used to have seven audits, but I could do 95% of my business without being registered. We're competing with anybody who can set up as a bookkeeper. If someone is made redundant and sets up on their own, you can't compete with that."
This month's changes to the audit exemption criteria will only make things worse, he added, with companies turning over more than £6m potentially not needing audits. "W...
Please Login or Register to read the full article
The full article is available to registered AccountingWEB.co.uk members only. To read the rest of this article you'll need to login or register. Registration is FREE and allows you to view all content, ask questions, comment and much more.
About John Stokdyk
John Stokdyk is the global editor of AccountingWEB UK and AccountingWEB.com.


text:
|July 16, 2011
|Breckenridge, CO 80424, USA [large map] 39.4817, -106.038
B68 – Race #4 of the RME Series. This race will also count for RME Series overall points.
No Comments
Choose one of the links below to export this event into your personal calendar. Clicking any of these links will open up a new browser window (or your Outlook program) so that you can edit of the details of the event.
Add to your Google Calendar
Add to your Outlook Calendar
Add to your Yahoo! Calendar
To dismiss this dialog box, click anywhere outside this box or the small "x" in the upper righthand corner.
If you have any questions about this feature, contact us for help.


text:
Deep Gap
|[ Sizes: Orig | Large | Med | Small | Thumb ]
We were excited to be the only group at Deep Gap. Others camped higher up the mountain to stay out of the wind (I assume).
Rate This Image
Current Score: 72.08%
Log In To Vote
[ View 2 Votes | Post Comment ]
Cold Mountain: March 3-4, 2007 (Album)
TomSellick's Image Gallery
Image Data
Image ID: 275890
Hits: 1092
Lat/Lon: 32.84000°N / 113.91°W
Object Title: Deep Gap


text:
Cougar men to host UMAC semi-final game Thursday
The University of Minnesota, Morris split a pair of Upper Midwest Athletic Conference contests at home over the weekend.
The Cougars finish the regular season 9-5 in the conference and 13-12 overall. They earned the No. 2 seed in the UMAC and host a semifinal game this Thursday at the P.E. Center.
Northwestern 80
UM-Morris 65
The UMAC's No. 1 seed, Northwestern, handed the Cougars an 80-65 conference loss Friday at the P. E. Center.
The Eagles shot 52 percent and 50 percent on three-pointers.
The outside shooting would be the difference for the Eagles, who were evenly matched in the paint by the UMM posts, who accounted for 43 of the team's 65 points. In the first half, Northwestern took advantage of second-chance opportunities to keep a six-to-eight point lead. They used patient ball movement and reversals to thwart the Cougar's 2-3 zone defense.
Meanwhile, the Cougars handled the ball well in the first half with only two turnovers. Phil Allen and Mitch Primus kept the Cougars within striking distance at halftime, trailing 44-35.
In the second half, the Eagles frustrated every Cougar run with a series of threes.
Allen led with a game-high 19 points.
UM-Morris 104
Crown College 67
The Cougars secured the No. 2 seed in the UMAC post-season tournament with a 104-67 victory over visiting Crown College Saturday.
The Cougars shot 61 percent in the first half, opening an early margin by pushing the tempo against a sluggish-looking Crown team. UMM's defensive pressure kept Crown from establishing rhythm and forced them into 20 turnovers.
The Cougars dished out a season-high 29 assists and tied their season low with only 12 turnovers. UMM won the rebounding battle 36-23, led by Derek Schmidt with nine.
In the first half, the Cougars relied on ball reversals to find open looks in the paint. Schmidt led the charge with 17 points and Allen contributed 15.
At halftime, the Cougars led 54-35.
In the second half, the Cougars continued to push the ball and wear down the Crown players.
The Purple Storm was led by David Glover with 19 points. Maurice Lloyd added 12.


text:
FAN 19 (First Amendment News) Law Prof. Contests Ban on Note-Taking in Courtroom
"It is an unwritten rule but a rule nonetheless. No ordinary citizen can take notes in the courtroom of the U.S. Supreme Court, unless granted special prior approval by the officer of the Public Information Office. . . . (For an unknown period before 1988, not even members of the Court's bar could lift a pen.) . . . . No one really really knows when the rule, which is of contemporary vintage, began. Insofar as there is any reason for the rule, it is to protect the 'decorum factor.' Violate the rule and the marshals whisk you away."
"No one, including the ever-attentive press corps, fusses over the rule, one of the few of its kind enforced in any federal or state court in this land. . . . Back in 1988, however, Justice Harry Blackmun complained about the rule in a memo to his colleagues: 'I wonder if we go too far in our request for decorum.' Noting came of the complaint."
We concluded our op-ed this way: "Imagine courtroom audiences . . . taking notes about what they hear and see, as if the Court were a civic classroom. Imagine citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to further their knowledge of [the Supreme Court] and their Constitution. What is amazing is that such things can only be imagined — for now."
Ban Silently Lifted
And then the world changed in November 2002. As Tony Mauro reported in a May 5, 2003 article for Legal Times: The rule's "demise came without fanfare and without public notice, but Court public information officer Kathy Arberg confirmed last week that sometime last November the policy against note-taking was 'no longer enforced' by Court Police officers." And then this: "One of the weblogs that handicaps Court cases, [SCOTUSblog], first noted the change on April 25th after blogger Ted Metzler attended the arguments in Nike v. Kasky. As he and other spectators went through security, Metzler recalls, 'The officer told us we could bring in a notebook and pen and we all looked at each other.' Metzler is currently a law clerk at D.C.'s Goldstein & Howe . . . ."
12 Years Later — Enter Professor Jones (the would-be notetaker)
He doesn't fit the typical profile of a rabble-rouser. He is a former Marine Sargent, a former U.S. judge advocate, and before that senior counsel in the Commercial Law group at AT&T Corp and later as corporate counsel for Labor and Employment for Blockbuster, Inc. He is also a former Special Advisor to the Chair of the Illinois Judicial Council. And now he is a professor at the John Marshall Law School.
He is Samuel V. Jones. This former Marine is not a man to sit on his rights, especially his First Amendment rights. And so when the deputies in a circuit court ordered his to forsake those rights, he refused.
It all happened on May 8th during the course of bail hearings in a Cook County court presided over by Circuit Judge Laura Sullivan. Apparently, the atmosphere was tense as deputies patrolled the courtroom. At one point, according to Professor Jones, a "deputy approached and impolitely inquired, 'Are you an attorney'? I identified myself as a professor of law doing research. She responded, 'There is no note-taking in here.' I wondered if the deputy knew that 'the right of the press to access court proceedings is derivative of the public's right,' and journalists held no greater right than I did. I informed her that the office of the chief judge had advised me that note-taking is permitted. I asked if I had violated any laws or was disruptive. 'No,' she replied, and walked away."
But that was hardly the end of the matter. Shortly thereafter, two different deputies ordered the professor out of the courtroom and confiscated his notes. "One deputy approached Judge Sullivan," recalls Professor Jones, "and the proceedings immediately stopped. I was ordered to sit on a bench, told not to move or write, and was surrounded by several deputies."
Here is how it ended: "After roughly 30 minutes, they released me with my notes. As I left, a group of African-Americans approached, wanting to shake hands. A lady enlightened me, 'We saw what they did to you and figured you must be important.' 'Why,' I asked. She explained, 'Because they let you go.'"
Turns out that this is a old story in Cook County courts. According to recent a Chicago Tribune editorial, "in 2004, a different Cook County judge threw a different law professor out of her courtroom for taking notes. [Now retired] Judge Gloria Coco forbade . . . writing in her courtroom . . . . That time, it ended up in federal court. A judge said the First Amendment protects public access to the courts so that citizens can observe and critique their government, and note-taking helps ensure an informed discussion." (Here is the case: Goldschmidt v. Coco (2006).)
Thanks to Professor Jones, the problem may now have been solved for good insofar as Chief Judge Timothy Evans has since signed an "administrative order spelling out that note-taking is permitted in court."
→ For an earlier discussion of the same problem, see Eugene Volokh, "Ban on Note-Taking by Spectators in Court," Volokh Conspiracy, May 24, 2013
→ The American Judicature Society has conducted a federal court and 50-state court survey of "Note-Taking Laws," this in connection with juror note-taking.
Third Circuit to Hear Challenge to Delaware's Voter Guide Rules
The case is Delaware Strong Families v. Biden. In his complaint filed in federal district court for DSW (a 501(c)(3) biblical civic group), attorney David E. Wilks alleges that Delaware's election laws concerning submission of voter guides are unconstitutional. The group plans to publish a voter guide (see appendix here) 60 days before the upcoming 2014 general election. DSF's non-partisan voter guides list all major party candidates for federal and state offices and those candidates' positions on various issues. The responses are collected from the candidates themselves and, failing a reply, from public sources. In 2014, DSF intends to spend more than $500 to distribute its guide via direct mail and the Internet. DSW argues that Delaware's election laws (15 Del Code § 8002(10), § 800(27), and § 8031) force it to file unduly burdensome reports with the state and require disclosure of the group's confidential information, including the identities and home addresses of its contributors. The group maintains that such requirements violate its First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
The lead defendant is Joseph Biden, III, the state attorney general. The State's brief in opposition to the motion for a preliminary injunction can be found here.
Lawyers for the Center for Competitive Politics are co-counsel (Allen Dickerson, Esq.) in the case. As the Center sees it, the issue in the case comes down to this: "Should the state have the power to regulate groups that publish nonpartisan voter guides in the same way that it regulates candidate committees, political parties and PACs? . . . As written, the law appears to require groups to choose between publishing information on candidates or violating the privacy of their supporters who might contribute as little as $9 a month. As a result of the law, Delawareans will find it more difficult to get information about elected officials and candidates."
→ See here reWSJ video interview the Center's president David Keating speaking on the case.
Last April, Judge Sue L. Robinson issued a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of the challenged Delaware laws pending resolution of the case. In its earlier Memorandum Opinion, the District Court found the laws unconstitutional, relying on both Supreme Court and Third Circuit precedents.There was no discovery in the case.
Briefs are due in early July. The Third Circuit is in recess for August, so the case is likely to be calendared for September or October.
Woman Said to Lose City Job Offer over Campaign Contribution
Last month Elizabeth Riel was offered the job of Public Affairs and Communications Officer for the City of Santa Monica. But last week city officials rescinded that offer. Why? As her attorney Steven J. Kaplan told a reporter for the Santa Monica Daily Press, her contract was termintaed because of a "legal campaign contribution she made in 2006."
"'Ms. Riel contends that the City of Santa Monica violated her First Amendment rights of free speech and association,' Kaplan said in a statement, 'by rescinding her employment contract because' of the contribution."
At first, City Manager Rod Gould would not comment, noting that it was a personnel matter. But later he said: "'The duties of the Communications and Public Affairs Officer are different from most other positions in that this person must interact with all members of the City Council, various community leaders, the media, other legislators and serve as the official spokesperson for City government,' he said. 'To have the trust of all involved, this person must be free of all political alliances.'"
According to Daily Press reporter David Mark Simpson, Kaplan's "lawsuit would assert claims for breach of Riel's First Amendments rights of free speech and association, violation of a state code that," as Kaplan maintains, "'prohibits restrictions on the political activities of any municipal employee,' and claims relating to City Hall's breach of her employment contract."
For the Record: ACLU Opposes Udall Constitutional Amendment
In a June 3, 2014 letter to Senators Patrick Leahy and Charles Grassley, the American Civil Liberties Union formally opposed S.J. Res. 19, a proposed constitutional amendment, sponsored by Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM). The ACLU argued that "would severely limit the First Amendment., lead directly to government censorship of political speech and result in a host of unintended consequences that would undermine the goals the amendment has been introduced to advance—namely encouraging vigorous political dissent and providing voice to the voiceless, which we, of course, support."
The 8-page letter (signed by Laura Murphy (director of the Washington Legislative Office, and Gabriel Rottman, Legislative Counsel) listed three main objections to the proposal to amend the First Amendment:
- The Amendment is Unnecessary and Would be Corrosive to Vigorous Political Debate About the Issues of the Day
- The Amendment Could Perversely Harm Freedom of the Press and Would Directly Eviscerate the Freedoms of Speech, Assembly and Petition, and
- Amending the Constitution to Limit a Specifically Enumerated Constitutional Right is Unprecedented in the History of the Republic
The letter closed with the following statement:
"For all of these reasons, we strongly urge you to oppose the Udall amendment, and to focus Congress's attention on enacting effective public financing laws, tightening up the coordination rules, ensuring prosecutors have effective resources to pursue straw donations and other common sense measures for promoting the integrity of our political system."
"What you must not do is 'break' the Constitution by amending the First Amendment."
[Hat tip to Nadine Strossen]
FAA Opens Door to Approving Commercial Drone Operations
From Holland & Knight online newsletter: "Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved the first commercial drone operation over land in the United States. The FAA, which refers to drones as unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has given energy corporation British Petroleum (BP) and UAS manufacturer AeroVironment permission to fly drones to conduct aerial surveys of BP pipelines, roads and equipment in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska – the largest oilfield in the U.S. This waiver follows the FAA's earlier approval of drone operations to conduct aerial surveillance over Arctic waters.Current FAA regulations prohibit any use of drones for commercial or business purposes, however, the FAA will grant waivers under limited circumstances."
"After significant deliberation, today's approval is a concrete step by the FAA to integrate commercial and civil UAS into the national air space. The FAA is also considering requests for additional commercial UAS operations from other industries, including film and TV production, precision agriculture, power line and pipeline inspection, and oil and gas flare-stack inspection."
Greenwald's Surveillance Book Draws Fire
Do you agree with this statement?
"The question is who decides. It seems clear, at least to me, that the private companies that own newspapers, and their employees, should not have the final say over the release of government secrets, and a free pass to make them public with no legal consequences. In a democracy . . .that decision must ultimately be made by the government.. . . . If the leaker can go to prison, why should the leakee be exempt? . . . . I can't see how we can have a policy that authorizes newspapers and reporters to chase down and publish any national security leaks they can find."
— Michael Kinsley, Book Review, "Eyes Everywhere," NYT, June 8, 2014 (reviewing Glen Greenwald's No Place to Hide).
→ The review drew critical comments from within the Times and elsewhere.
Forthcoming Book
- Amy Gajda, The First Amendment Bubble: How Privacy and Paparazzi Threaten a Free Press (Harvard University Press, November 2014)
Quick Hits
- Erin Alberty, "Attorney: Utah cop 'defamed' by Gay Pride Parade conflict," Salt Lake Tribune, June 9, 2014
- Clay Calvert, "Slender Man Meets the First Amendment: Why Suing the Character's Creator Won't Work," Huffington Post, June 9, 2014 (""Can Eric Knudsen, the creator of the fictional character Slender Man, be held civilly liable for the recent violence suffered by the young victim of a stabbing attack in Waukesha, Wisconsin?The answer is a definitive "no" under First Amendment principles of free speech.")
- Gene Policinski, "The dead do speak — freely, not to be forgotten," NWI.com, June 8, 2014
Last Scheduled FAN Column: FAN # 18: "What to do with the First Amendment? Election Law & Free Speech"
Next Scheduled FAN Column: Wednesday, June 18th


text:
|By Michael Kopp
Article Rating:
|December 12, 2012 07:30 AM EST
Anyone who ever monitored or analyzed an application uses or has used averages. They are simple to understand and calculate. We tend to ignore just how wrong the picture is that averages paint of the world. To emphasis the point let me give you a real-world example outside of the performance space that I read recently in a newspaper.
The article was explaining that the average salary in a certain region in Europe was 1900 Euro's (to be clear this would be quite good in that region!). However when looking closer they found out that the majority, namely 9 out of 10 people, only earned around 1000 Euros and one would earn 10.000 (I over simplified this of course, but you get the idea). If you do the math you will see that the average of this is indeed 1900, but we can all agree that this does not represent the "average" salary as we would use the word in day to day live. So now let's apply this thinking to application performance.
The Average Response Time
The average response time is by far the most commonly used metric in application performance management. We assume that this represents a "normal" transaction, however this would only be true if the response time is always the same (all transaction run at equal speed) or the response time distribution is roughly bell curved.
A Bell curve represents the "normal" distribution of response times in which the average and the median are the same. It rarely ever occurs in real applications
In a Bell Curve the average (mean) and median are the same. In other words observed performance would represent the majority (half or more than half) of the transactions.
In reality most applications have few very heavy outliers; a statistician would say that the curve has a long tail. A long tail does not imply many slow transactions, but few that are magnitudes slower than the norm.
This is a typical Response Time Distribution with few but heavy outliers - it has a long tail. The average here is dragged to the right by the long tail.
We recognize that the average no longer represents the bulk of the transactions but can be a lot higher than the median.
You can now argue that this is not a problem as long as the average doesn't look better than the median. I would disagree, but let's look at another real-world scenario experienced by many of our customers:
This is another typical Response Time Distribution. Here we have quite a few very fast transactions that drag the average to the left of the actual median
In this case a considerable percentage of transactions are very, very fast (10-20 percent), while the bulk of transactions are several times slower. The median would still tell us the true story, but the average all of a sudden looks a lot faster than most of our transactions actually are. This is very typical in search engines or when caches are involved - some transactions are very fast, but the bulk are normal. Another reason for this scenario are failed transactions, more specifically transactions that failed fast. Many real-world applications have a failure rate of 1-10 percent (due to user errors or validation errors). These failed transactions are often magnitudes faster than the real ones and consequently distorted an average.
Of course performance analysts are not stupid and regularly try to compensate with higher frequency charts (compensating by looking at smaller aggregates visually) and by taking in minimum and maximum observed response times. However we can often only do this if we know the application very well, those unfamiliar with the application might easily misinterpret the charts. Because of the depth and type of knowledge required for this, it's difficult to communicate your analysis to other people - think how many arguments between IT teams have been caused by this. And that's before we even begin to think about communicating with business stakeholders!
A better metric by far are percentiles, because they allow us to understand the distribution. But before we look at percentiles, let's take a look a key feature in every production monitoring solution: Automatic Baselining and Alerting.
Automatic Baselining and Alerting
In real-world environments, performance gets attention when it is poor and has a negative impact on the business and users. But how can we identify performance issues quickly to prevent negative effects? We cannot alert on every slow transaction, since there are always some. In addition, most operations teams have to maintain a large number of applications and are not familiar with all of them, so manually setting thresholds can be inaccurate, quite painful and time-consuming.
The industry has come up with a solution called Automatic Baselining. Baselining calculates out the "normal" performance and only alerts us when an application slows down or produces more errors than usual. Most approaches rely on averages and standard deviations.
Without going into statistical details, this approach again assumes that the response times are distributed over a bell curve:
The Standard Deviation represents 33% of all transactions with the mean as the middle. 2xStandard Deviation represents 66% and thus the majority, everything outside could be considered an outlier. However most real world scenarios are not bell curved...
Typically, transactions that are outside two times standard deviation are treated as slow and captured for analysis. An alert is raised if the average moves significantly. In a bell curve this would account for the slowest 16.5 percent (and you can of course adjust that); however; if the response time distribution does not represent a bell curve, it becomes inaccurate. We either end up with a lot of false positives (transactions that are a lot slower than the average but when looking at the curve lie within the norm) or we miss a lot of problems (false negatives). In addition if the curve is not a bell curve, then the average can differ a lot from the median; applying a standard deviation to such an average can lead to quite a different result than you would expect. To work around this problem these algorithms have many tunable variables and a lot of "hacks" for specific use cases.
Why I Love Percentiles
A percentile tells me which part of the curve I am looking at and how many transactions are represented by that metric. To visualize this look at the following chart:
This chart shows the 50th and 90th percentile along with the average of the same transaction. It shows that the average is influenced far mor heavily by the 90th, thus by outliers and not by the bulk of the transactions
The green line represents the average. As you can see it is very volatile. The other two lines represent the 50th and 90th percentile. As we can see the 50th percentile (or median) is rather stable but has a couple of jumps. These jumps represent real performance degradation for the majority (50%) of the transactions. The 90th percentile (this is the start of the "tail") is a lot more volatile, which means that the outliers slowness depends on data or user behavior. What's important here is that the average is heavily influenced (dragged) by the 90th percentile, the tail, rather than the bulk of the transactions.
If the 50th percentile (median) of a response time is 500ms that means that 50% of my transactions are either as fast or faster than 500ms. If the 90th percentile of the same transaction is at 1000ms it means that 90% are as fast or faster and only 10% are slower. The average in this case could either be lower than 500ms (on a heavy front curve), a lot higher (long tail) or somewhere in between. A percentile gives me a much better sense of my real world performance, because it shows me a slice of my response time curve.
For exactly that reason percentiles are perfect for automatic baselining. If the 50th percentile moves from 500ms to 600ms I know that 50% of my transactions suffered a 20% performance degradation. You need to react to that.
In many cases we see that the 75th or 90th percentile does not change at all in such a scenario. This means the slow transactions didn't get any slower, only the normal ones did. Depending on how long your tail is the average might not have moved at all in such a scenario.!
In other cases we see the 98th percentile degrading from 1s to 1.5 seconds while the 95th is stable at 900ms. This means that your application as a whole is stable, but a few outliers got worse, nothing to worry about immediately. Percentile-based alerts do not suffer from false positives, are a lot less volatile and don't miss any important performance degradations! Consequently a baselining approach that uses percentiles does not require a lot of tuning variables to work effectively.
The screenshot below shows the Median (50th Percentile) for a particular transaction jumping from about 50ms to about 500ms and triggering an alert as it is significantly above the calculated baseline (green line). The chart labeled "Slow Response Time" on the other hand shows the 90th percentile for the same transaction. These "outliers" also show an increase in response time but not significant enough to trigger an alert.
Here we see an automatic baselining dashboard with a violation at the 50th percentile. The violation is quite clear, at the same time the 90th percentile (right upper chart) does not violate. Because the outliers are so much slower than the bulk of the transaction an average would have been influenced by them and would not have have reacted quite as dramatically as the 50th percentile. We might have missed this clear violation!
How Can We Use Percentiles for Tuning?
Percentiles are also great for tuning, and giving your optimizations a particular goal. Let's say that something within my application is too slow in general and I need to make it faster. In this case I want to focus on bringing down the 90th percentile. This would ensure sure that the overall response time of the application goes down. In other cases I have unacceptably long outliers I want to focus on bringing down response time for transactions beyond the 98th or 99th percentile (only outliers). We see a lot of applications that have perfectly acceptable performance for the 90th percentile, with the 98th percentile being magnitudes worse.
In throughput oriented applications on the other hand I would want to make the majority of my transactions very fast, while accepting that an optimization makes a few outliers slower. I might therefore make sure that the 75th percentile goes down while trying to keep the 90th percentile stable or not getting a lot worse.
I could not make the same kind of observations with averages, minimum and maximum, but with percentiles they are very easy indeed.
Averages are ineffective because they are too simplistic and one-dimensional. Percentiles are a really great and easy way of understanding the real performance characteristics of your application. They also provide a great basis for automatic baselining, behavioral learning and optimizing your application with a proper focus. In short, percentiles are great!
|rtalexander 11/21/12 12:58:00 AM EST
Hey, could you post a reference or two that covers the theory and/or practicalities of the approach you describe?
To get the most out of their data, successful companies are not focusing on queries and data lakes, they are actively integrating analytics into their operations with a data-first application development approach. Real-time adjustments to improve revenues, reduce costs, or mitigate risk rely on applications that minimize latency on a variety of data sources. In his session at @BigDataExpo, Jack Norris, Senior Vice President, Data and Applications at MapR Technologies, reviewed best practices to ...
Nov. 24, 2017 11:15 PM EST Reads: 1,229
"Digital transformation - what we knew about it in the past has been redefined. Automation is going to play such a huge role in that because the culture, the technology, and the business operations are being shifted now," stated Brian Boeggeman, VP of Alliances & Partnerships at Ayehu, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at 21st Cloud Expo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Nov. 24, 2017 08:45 PM EST Reads: 688
"Evatronix provides design services to companies that need to integrate the IoT technology in their products but they don't necessarily have the expertise, knowledge and design team to do so," explained Adam Morawiec, VP of Business Development at Evatronix, in this SYS-CON.tv interview at @ThingsExpo, held Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA.
Nov. 24, 2017 05:30 PM EST Reads: 853
Smart cities have the potential to change our lives at so many levels for citizens: less pollution, reduced parking obstacles, better health, education and more energy savings. Real-time data streaming and the Internet of Things (IoT) possess the power to turn this vision into a reality. However, most organizations today are building their data infrastructure to focus solely on addressing immediate business needs vs. a platform capable of quickly adapting emerging technologies to address future ...
Nov. 24, 2017 05:00 PM EST Reads: 1,307
In his Opening Keynote at 21st Cloud Expo, John Considine, General Manager of IBM Cloud Infrastructure, led attendees through the exciting evolution of the cloud. He looked at this major disruption from the perspective of technology, business models, and what this means for enterprises of all sizes. John Considine is General Manager of Cloud Infrastructure Services at IBM. In that role he is responsible for leading IBM's public cloud infrastructure including strategy, development, and offering m...
Nov. 24, 2017 02:45 PM EST Reads: 1,225
Product connectivity goes hand and hand these days with increased use of personal data. New IoT devices are becoming more personalized than ever before. In his session at 22nd Cloud Expo | DXWorld Expo, Nicolas Fierro, CEO of MIMIR Blockchain Solutions, will discuss how in order to protect your data and privacy, IoT applications need to embrace Blockchain technology for a new level of product security never before seen - or needed.
Nov. 24, 2017 02:00 PM EST Reads: 537
The 22nd International Cloud Expo | 1st DXWorld Expo has announced that its Call for Papers is open. Cloud Expo | DXWorld Expo, to be held June 5-7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York, NY, brings together Cloud Computing, Digital Transformation, Big Data, Internet of Things, DevOps, Machine Learning and WebRTC to one location. With cloud computing driving a higher percentage of enterprise IT budgets every year, it becomes increasingly important to plant your flag in this fast-expanding busin...
Nov. 24, 2017 01:45 PM EST Reads: 1,680
SYS-CON Events announced today that Synametrics Technologies will exhibit at SYS-CON's 22nd International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on June 5-7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York, NY. Synametrics Technologies is a privately held company based in Plainsboro, New Jersey that has been providing solutions for the developer community since 1997. Based on the success of its initial product offerings such as WinSQL, Xeams, SynaMan and Syncrify, Synametrics continues to create and hone inn...
Nov. 24, 2017 12:45 PM EST Reads: 1,455
Digital Transformation (DX) is not a "one-size-fits all" strategy. Each organization needs to develop its own unique, long-term DX plan. It must do so by realizing that we now live in a data-driven age, and that technologies such as Cloud Computing, Big Data, the IoT, Cognitive Computing, and Blockchain are only tools. In her general session at 21st Cloud Expo, Rebecca Wanta explained how the strategy must focus on DX and include a commitment from top management to create great IT jobs, monitor ...
Nov. 24, 2017 12:15 PM EST Reads: 641
A strange thing is happening along the way to the Internet of Things, namely far too many devices to work with and manage. It has become clear that we'll need much higher efficiency user experiences that can allow us to more easily and scalably work with the thousands of devices that will soon be in each of our lives. Enter the conversational interface revolution, combining bots we can literally talk with, gesture to, and even direct with our thoughts, with embedded artificial intelligence, whic...
Nov. 24, 2017 11:45 AM EST Reads: 8,606
Cloud Expo | DXWorld Expo have announced the conference tracks for Cloud Expo 2018. Cloud Expo will be held June 5-7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, and November 6-8, 2018, at the Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA. Digital Transformation (DX) is a major focus with the introduction of DX Expo within the program. Successful transformation requires a laser focus on being data-driven and on using all the tools available that enable transformation if they plan to survive ov...
Nov. 24, 2017 11:45 AM EST Reads: 3,070
Recently, REAN Cloud built a digital concierge for a North Carolina hospital that had observed that most patient call button questions were repetitive. In addition, the paper-based process used to measure patient health metrics was laborious, not in real-time and sometimes error-prone. In their session at 21st Cloud Expo, Sean Finnerty, Executive Director, Practice Lead, Health Care & Life Science at REAN Cloud, and Dr. S.P.T. Krishnan, Principal Architect at REAN Cloud, discussed how they built...
Nov. 24, 2017 10:00 AM EST Reads: 1,113
Recently, WebRTC has a lot of eyes from market. The use cases of WebRTC are expanding - video chat, online education, online health care etc. Not only for human-to-human communication, but also IoT use cases such as machine to human use cases can be seen recently. One of the typical use-case is remote camera monitoring. With WebRTC, people can have interoperability and flexibility for deploying monitoring service. However, the benefit of WebRTC for IoT is not only its convenience and interopera...
Nov. 24, 2017 09:45 AM EST Reads: 646
With tough new regulations coming to Europe on data privacy in May 2018, Calligo will explain why in reality the effect is global and transforms how you consider critical data. EU GDPR fundamentally rewrites the rules for cloud, Big Data and IoT. In his session at 21st Cloud Expo, Adam Ryan, Vice President and General Manager EMEA at Calligo, examined the regulations and provided insight on how it affects technology, challenges the established rules and will usher in new levels of diligence arou...
Nov. 24, 2017 08:15 AM EST Reads: 1,147
SYS-CON Events announced today that Evatronix will exhibit at SYS-CON's 21st International Cloud Expo®, which will take place on Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2017, at the Santa Clara Convention Center in Santa Clara, CA. Evatronix SA offers comprehensive solutions in the design and implementation of electronic systems, in CAD / CAM deployment, and also is a designer and manufacturer of advanced 3D scanners for professional applications.
Nov. 24, 2017 03:45 AM EST Reads: 2,888
No hype cycles or predictions of a gazillion things here. IoT is here. You get it. You know your business and have great ideas for a business transformation strategy. What comes next? Time to make it happen. In his session at @ThingsExpo, Jay Mason, an Associate Partner of Analytics, IoT & Cybersecurity at M&S Consulting, presented a step-by-step plan to develop your technology implementation strategy. He also discussed the evaluation of communication standards and IoT messaging protocols, data...
Nov. 23, 2017 12:00 PM EST Reads: 1,272
In his session at 21st Cloud Expo, Raju Shreewastava, founder of Big Data Trunk, provided a fun and simple way to introduce Machine Leaning to anyone and everyone. He solved a machine learning problem and demonstrated an easy way to be able to do machine learning without even coding. Raju Shreewastava is the founder of Big Data Trunk (www.BigDataTrunk.com), a Big Data Training and consulting firm with offices in the United States. He previously led the data warehouse/business intelligence and B...
Nov. 23, 2017 11:00 AM EST Reads: 1,503
Nordstrom is transforming the way that they do business and the cloud is the key to enabling speed and hyper personalized customer experiences. In his session at 21st Cloud Expo, Ken Schow, VP of Engineering at Nordstrom, discussed some of the key learnings and common pitfalls of large enterprises moving to the cloud. This includes strategies around choosing a cloud provider(s), architecture, and lessons learned. In addition, he covered some of the best practices for structured team migration an...
Nov. 22, 2017 01:00 PM EST Reads: 1,604
22nd International Cloud Expo, taking place June 5-7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and co-located with the 1st DXWorld Expo will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. Cloud computing is now being embraced by a majority of enterprises of all sizes. Yesterday's debate about public vs. private has transformed into the reality of hybrid cloud: a recent survey shows that 74% of enterprises have a hybrid cloud ...
Nov. 15, 2017 10:45 PM EST Reads: 2,251
22nd International Cloud Expo, taking place June 5-7, 2018, at the Javits Center in New York City, NY, and co-located with the 1st DXWorld Expo will feature technical sessions from a rock star conference faculty and the leading industry players in the world. Cloud computing is now being embraced by a majority of enterprises of all sizes. Yesterday's debate about public vs. private has transformed into the reality of hybrid cloud: a recent survey shows that 74% of enterprises have a hybrid cloud ...
Nov. 15, 2017 03:45 PM EST Reads: 3,096


text:
Poultry Liver Pâté with Port
Georges Blanc
- From the same producer :
- Terrines Georges Blanc
- See similar products :
- Terrines & pâtés
- Poultry
This product is no longer sold
A rich, savoury pâté
A classic terrine, for brilliant starters and apéritifs.
Serving suggestion: Serve chilled as an entrée or on toast to accompany an apéritif. You could also serve it with a Macon villages 2002.
Composition :
Pork fat, poultry livers 30%, milk, fresh eggs, port 2.6%, salt, onions, shallots, lactose, natural spices, white pepper.
X By browsing this Website, you accept the use of cookies in order to suggest you services and products tailored to your interests and needs. Learn more


text: Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, pixel debate! * 1. How do you feel about rebirth being remade in a pixel based style? I like it! Its ok Im fine either way im not sure about it i hate it! * 2. What style(s) did you like most out of the 4 images? #1. pixelated but very close to the original #2. thin black pixel outlines (the blue caves monstro fight) #3. SNES link to the past look (2 isaacs vs globins) #4. GBA look (big head isaac vs widow) * 3. How many hours of playtime do you have clocked into the binding of isaac? 1-5 hours 5-20 hours 21-50 hours 100+ 200+ * 4. What platform(s) would you most want to see Rebirth released on? PC Ipad Vita Ps3 Xbla WiiU 3ds * 5. If you could have one dream feature added to the remake that wasnt included in the pc version, what would it be? Done


text:
Harris Teeter offering triple coupons
This week, Harris Teeter is running its triple coupon promotion in which any coupon priced at 99 cents or less triples in value. The grocery store is also running some great seafood prices, and the menu below takes full advantage. The subtotal for all four meals is $65, or $5.42 per serving. Most of the items below can be found in the Harris Teeter grocery ads in today's StarNews.
Angel hair pasta with zucchini and goat cheese:
Mueller angel hair pasta – $1
1 lb zucchini – $1.79
1 lemon – $.69
Saladena crumbled goat cheese, 4 oz – $1.99
Crab cakes with strawberry salad:
Newman's Own poppy seed dressing – $2.50
4 crab cakes in seafood department – $3.99 each
Harris Teeter Organics mixed greens, 11 oz – $4.59
1 pint strawberries ~ $3
Saladena crumbled blue cheese, 4 oz – $1.99
Shrimp, tomato and zucchini kebabs with rice pilaf:
1 lb shrimp – $4.99
2 medium zucchini – $1.79/lb
1 pint grape tomatoes – $3.99
Fresh parsley – $1.59
1 lemon – $.69
1 small shallot – $.50
Harris Teeter fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth, 14 oz – $.77
Minute Rice – $2.69 (or $1.19 with coupon from www.MinuteRice.com)
Blackened tilapia tacos with southwestern rice:
HT black beans, 15 oz can – $.77
1 ear of corn – $.75
2 roma tomatoes ~ $.80
Green onions – $.99
Fresh cilantro – $1.79
1 small jalapeno ~ $.10
1 red onion ~ $1.20
1 avocado – $1.99
Harris Teeter reduced-fat sour cream, 8 oz – $.77
1 lb tilapia fillets – $4.99
Mission tortillas, 17.5 oz – $1.49
16 oz angel hair pasta
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb zucchini, cut into �-inch thick half-moons
� tsp salt
� tsp pepper
4 oz crumbled goat cheese
1 Tbsp lemon zest
Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve a half cup of the cooking water, drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about five minutes or until zucchini is tender. Stir in garlic and saut� one minute longer.
In a bowl, mix the goat cheese with a half cup of the reserved pasta water until the cheese softens and forms a sauce. Add more water depending on desired consistency.
Add sauce and lemon zest to pasta. Stir, divide among four bowls, and top each with zucchini mixture.
4 crab cakes
Cooking spray
11 oz mixed greens
1 pint strawberries, halved
4 oz crumbled blue cheese
Poppy seed dressing
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and top with crab cakes. Bake for seven to 10 minutes. Flip them over, and bake an additional five to seven minutes. Divide mixed greens among four plates or bowls. Top with strawberries and blue cheese, and drizzle with poppy seed dressing.
1 lb shrimp, peeled and de-veined
2 medium zucchini, cut into one-inch half-moons
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 lemon
� tsp salt
� tsp pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small shallot, minced
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
14 oz fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
Thread shrimp, tomato and zucchini onto skewers. Squeeze lemon juice over skewers and season with salt, pepper and oregano.
Grill four to five minutes, or until shrimp are opaque.
Meanwhile, heat oil in a small pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped shallot and saut� for two minutes. Add rice and saut� for one minute. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce to low heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Remove from heat, let sit for three to five minutes, and fluff with a fork. Stir in parsley, divide among four plates and top with kebabs.
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp chili powder
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 ear of corn, cooked and kernels cut from cob
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
� cup chopped green onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1� cups cooked rice
� cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 small jalape�o pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
� tsp salt
� tsp ground cumin
� tsp ground red pepper
1 lb tilapia filets
1 Tbsp canola oil
4 tortillas
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
In a large bowl, combine lime juice, olive oil and chili powder; whisk well. Add beans, corn, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro; toss gently to combine.
Stir in cooked rice and toss until thoroughly combined. Cover loosely and keep warm while preparing tilapia tacos.
Combine first four ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth. Combine jalape�o sauce and onion in a small bowl.
Stir together paprika and next six ingredients in a small bowl; sprinkle evenly over fish.
Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish to pan; cook three minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
Divide fish, onion mixture and avocado evenly among tortillas.
Coupon Kitchen features recipes based on sales at Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods and Food Lion, rotating between the stores each week. For a full week of recipes, coupons and extra savings visit www.Coupon-Kitchen.com.


text:
Sold Out
From the Yankees to the Red Sox, celebrate the World Series in style. Perfect for those days when you can't make the game but want to be there in spirit! Cufflinks by Cufflinks, Inc.
Copyright © 2017 Cufflink Aficionado • Shopify Theme by Underground Media • Powered by Shopify


text:
As a former high school teacher, Margaret Doherty worked on the frontlines of public education. She knows what it takes for our kids to succeed. That's why Representative Doherty believes nothing is more important in our state budget than protecting funding for our K-12 schools.
Margaret will make sure our community colleges and state universities don't get left behind either. She knows thousands of Oregonians can get the technical training and new skills they need to thrive in our next economy if they can go to college. Margaret Doherty spent 30 years fighting for school kids and teachers. She will be a passionate advocate in Salem for our public education system.
Source: http://margaretdoherty.com/issues/


text:
The Program Check and repair DBF is a professional tool that can be used for advanced diagnostics and restoration of the damaged DBF-files. Check and repair DBF can be used for cheking and reparation of files from the xBase programming languages family like DBASE, Clipper, Foxpro and other.
The basic features of the program are:
* The detailed analysis and diagnostics of headings structure in DBF files as well as the file structures.
* Advanced configuration options for diagnostics and restoration of data: by data type, by error types and by different possibilities of data correction.
* Checking of data based on selected options.
* Automatic restoration of damaged data based on selected options.
* Possibility to transfer certain erroneous records to a separate file.
At restoration following options are available:
* Initialization of empty fields of type Date
* Formatting of logic fields
* Formatting of numerical fields
* Exclusion of the index usage indicator from the restored file.
* Restoration of the DBF structure
* Transformation of DBF Visual FoxPro to "simple" DBF
Check and repair DBF automatically generates a detailed error log which contains all fields with the highlighted error location and even a hexadecimal value of the field to see the non printable symbols.
There are detailed reports for every program operation like checking the DBF structure, DBF data or repairing the DBF.
There are options for automatic saving of the operation reports in different files for each project.
The installation package includes DBF file examples that contain possible DBF damages and errors, for easier testing of the program functionality.
The demo version of the program has no time limit, but it can check only the first 50 records and restore only the first 5 records. For the provided DBF file examples there are no restrictions on the number of records so that you can experience the full functionality.
Keywords: dbf repair, corrupt dbf files, dbf fix, dbase fix, fix dbf files, recover foxpro, repair dbase, recover corrupt dbf, foxpro, dbase, corrupt, Clipper, dbf, memo, repair, fix, recover, check, errors, recovery, restore, diagnostics, restoration, damaged, repair dbf,
Recent Changes:
Install Support: Install and Uninstall
Supported Languages: English
Additional Requirements:
Home | Featured | Submit | Link To Us | Contact Us | FAQ | About Us | Advertise | Sysop Login
Copyright © 2006-2017, by File Fishstick, All rights reserved. Privacy statement | Terms of use


text:
With snow and cold weather in the forecast for Saturday's Stadium Series game, Gary Bettman said Friday that the game would be postponed if conditions were "unsafe" for players and fans. Read »
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confident that severe weather threat will have no affect on game. Read »


text:
Video After The Jump
It was a festive night on "NBC's New Year's Eve with Carson Daly" special. The talk show host managed to snag some quality entertainment with performances from Drake, The Roots, Jessie J and Cee Lo Green.
Drake - Make Me Proud/The Motto/Headlines
Jessie J - Domino/Nobody's Perfect/Price Tag
The Roots - The Seed 2.0/The Fire
Cee Lo - Imagine
Follow Me
Views: 6537


text:
Plextor Showed SSD PrototypeWith new True Speed for reliability
This is a Press Release edited by StorageNewsletter.com on 2013.06.10
Plextor, brand of storage and multimedia products is owned by Shinano Kenshi of Japan, debuted its next generation NAND SSD at Computex 2013.
The new flash technology uses a smaller architecture to improve efficiency, economy, and capacity.
SSDs will feature a new version of True Speed and be required to meet a new testing standard. They are set to go into production later this year.
The generation will consist of the new generation True Speed technology, which is built on True Speed's ability to provide long-term sustained performance by giving the SSD the ability to deliver a constant response speed even in heavy multi-tasking situations. It comes into play during heavy usage, in server situations, or when multi-tasking. The SSD will continue to perform with no drop in response times. The new generation of True Speed makes Plextor SSDs for high-load applications or advanced applications that make extensive use of multiple processors and cores.
Consumer products on display include the 100K IO/s capable M5 Pro Xtreme, entry-level M5S, and the new M5M mSATA SSD. Further details of the 1Y-nm flash based SSD also on display will be released later.
Included in the next generation SSD will be Plextor's True Protect system, which combines a 256-bit AES drive encryption for data security and multi-layer data integrity. Data accuracy is ensured by using the controller's ECC to check and correct data which is then complemented by Plextor's firmware based Robust Data Hold-Out algorithm for long-term data retention.
Plextor requires that its SSDs pass some of the toughest tests in the industry during the development, validation, and actual manufacturing stages. It has given the M5 Pro Xtreme SSD a calculated MTBF of 2.4 million hours and Plextor's SSD an AFR of 0.16%. It has now taken testing a step further, doubling the time requirements in a testing standard of 400 units, passing endurance testing without error or failure. For a drive to be approved, all units must now pass a battery of six specially designed tests that extend over 1,000 hours inside the elevated temperature conditions of Flexstar testing chambers.
"For Plextor, Computex is always an opportunity to raise the bar, and prove why we have a reputation for performance, quality and reliability. This year we power up performance with a new generation of True Speed, and introduce even more stringent pre-production testing requirements with more than double the hours of testing for extreme reliability and a longer product life. We're also pushing the envelope with the Next Generation NAND Flash Memory SSD technology," commented Anthony Liu, PM director, Plextor SSD R&D center.


text:
" Council Offices / Adam & Eve Street / Market Harborough / LE16 7AG / Tel: 01858 821085 "
I live in rural Northamptonshire in a part of the county that could fairly be described as quaint or quiet or even pretty. It should therefore come as no surprise that its also at times a bit on the dull side. In fact, Id go as far as to suggest that Northamptonshire and the southern end of the neighbouring county of Leicestershire are actually pretty much closed during the winter months. In the summer we are bursting with stately homes a-plenty but nothing opens before Easter. The gentry of the area are clearly in hibernation probably tucked up with their foxhounds and saving on their heating bills.
A couple of weeks ago I had a visitor a girl from Colorado whos the daughter of an old friend. I invited her to come and stay whilst she's visiting the UK but maybe I should have given more thought to what to do with a 20-year-old student in such a quiet place. Once I'd put the large bag of her dirty laundry on to wash, we needed to find somewhere to go.
I kicked off her introduction to English village life with a very twee coffee morning at my neighbours house where everyone I asked recommended that Market Harborough was THE place to go. One old dear told us about the Harborough museum and its fascinating collection of corsets. How could we resist?
So after filling up on home made cake and buying a few raffle tickets we set off the small town of Market Harborough not exactly an expedition for me as I go there a couple of times each month. However I had never been to the museum in fact, I hadnt even realised there was one.
~ Finding The Museum ~
The museum is tucked behind the library and the local council offices in a converted factory building a corset factory no less - on the delightfully named Adam and Eve Street. Entering through a large arch, the museum is on the left-hand side and theres parking to the right whether its public parking or for council employees only, Im not sure. Access to the museum is up a flight of stairs so if you are in a wheelchair or cant manage stairs, youll need to enter through the council offices back on the main street where theres a lift available. If you are planning to visit on a Sunday and cant manage the stairs you should call ahead to make sure you can get access to the lift.
~ First impressions ~
The museum is about the size of a small library all on one floor and easy to see everything in about 30-45 minutes. It focuses on the history of Market Harborough and the surrounding areas and has a distinctly eclectic set of exhibits.
On first entering we ploughed straight into an exhibition on the womens Land Army during the second world war with photographs, clothes and personal comments from ex Land Girls. Next was a display of hats (including a big basket of assorted head gear for kids to play with).
There was a display about being in domestic service in the early 20th Century with an interactive assessment tool with lots of buttons for the kids to push. Questions about your education, your family, physical strength etc were used to tell you what sort of domestic job you could have expected to get back in the early decades of the 20th Century:- From good family? In good health? Strong and a hard worker? even so youd most likely end up as a general servant in a middle class home. There were examples of old domestic equipment including an early washing machine, an old-style water closet and so on. By this stage I was feeling pretty pleased about being born too late to get dragged into such delights and was feeling very grateful for my washing machine that was eating its way through Lauren's laundry whilst we were out playing.
~ Local Industry ~
A lot of the displays relate to local industry in and around Market Harborough. Like its southern neighbour, Northampton, Market Harborough had a shoe making industry. The museum has a replica of a shoemakers workshop complete with all the equipment and the wooden shoe lasts. Theres also a small display of shoes through the ages some of which Id be more than happy to have taken home with me if only I had the dainty paws of a bygone age.
For me the highlight of the collection was the display of corsetry in the Symington collection. There were childrens vests and liberty bodices alongside old advertising statues including a delightful display of a kangaroo and lots of little joeys all wearing their liberty bodices. The ladies under-garments ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous via the positively torturous and tracked the changes in the desired body shape through time. From the tiny waists of the pre-first world war era, through to the bust flattening fashions of the post war flappers, on to the parachute silk undies of the make do and mend generation during the Second World War. There were contraptions I remember my mother wearing anyone else spend their childhood fascinated by the 18-hour Girdle? What happened to all the flab during the other 6 hours per day and some very jazzy 1970s psychedelic big pants. Decade by decade waists went in, hips went out and boobs went every which way.
I sucked in my tummy and thanked my lucky stars to have missed out on the body fascism of the past that had kept women in their place just as much as any employment legislation or absence of the right to vote. Anyone who thinks todays debates on skinny models are something new should take a trip round the corset display at Harborough museum.
The museum has a set of brass Swedish maidens. These headless, limbless torso moulds with their tight waists and oddly asymmetric forms were used to steam the starched corsets to create the ideal body shape of their time. There are also samples of the machinery used and the highly uncomfortable machinists sewing stools from the Symington factory.
~ What else? ~
Its not all work and no play though theres a small display of very old childrens street toys from an era when a hoop, a stick and a spinning top could still captivate a childs imagination as fully as any playstation game would today. I believe most of them came from St Dionysiuss Church just down the road where they were found in a bricked up stairwell and are believed to have been confiscated from the children during services.
Its also not all 20th Century history some goes a lot earlier. There is a display of Roman mosaic flooring thats suffered centuries of rather slap-dash maintenance.
~ Other facilities ~
Theres a small shop with post cards and nick-nacks, a visitors book, lots of pamphlets about local issues like composting (!) and an information desk.
~ Would I Recommend? ~
To be entirely honest, its not the sort of museum thats going to set the world alight and I wouldnt drive out of my way to see it. Im more of a fan of the Northampton Museum with its enormous shoe collection than I am of the tiny Haborough museum. However, if you find yourself in the area, if its the down season for all the stately homes, if its raining and all the cutesy tea shops are full to bursting, you could do a lot less than a quick half hour in the museum. Its free, its central and its a pleasant diversion when youve run out of other things to do.
~ Other Recommendations ~
Pop into St Dionysiuss Church its rather a nice one although its currently undergoing a lot of renovation and looks a bit of a mess. We found a nice old lady who insisted on showing us round, pointing out all the best sites and telling us lots about the history of the place. Other than that have a nice afternoon tea, tuck into a good cake and try not to think about the corsets!
The Details:
Council Offices, Adam & Eve Street,
Market Harborough LE16 7AG
Telephone: 01858 821085
Admission Free! My favourite price.
Opening hours
10 am to 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday
2 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.
The Museum is closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day, Good Friday and the last full week of January.
Harborough Museum is open daily througout the year and admission is free. There is a programme of temporary exhibitions and special events. The Museum opened in 1983 and is operated in partnership by Leicestershire County Council, Harborough District Council and the Market Harborough Historical Society. There is one full time Keeper and six part time Museum Assistants. There are a number of volunteers and a small Friends group.