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MobileActive08: Peter Wakholi
In this interview Peter Wakholi, vice head of a department unit and lecturer at Makerere University (the largest university in Uganda), talks about his work on open source applications that allow people to gather data in the field using mobile phones. Some projects involve partners from South Africa, the U.S., and Norway. (See also our earlier blog post about the EpiHandy project.)
There was just the set up of a mobile development lab, supported by Nokia, at his university. The lab aims at developing mobile applications that fit the African context.
We shot the interview at MobileActive08 (organized by MobileActive and sangonet) in Johannesburg last month, as part of our interview podcast series.
MobileActive08: Peter Wakholi
was published on 28.11.2008 by Martin Tomitsch. It files under global
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Village Pay Phone Project
As I am basically finished writing my Master thesis (hopefully my supervisor thinks like that too), I would like to introduce some papers that I found interesting and insightful.
This first on is "Village Pay Phones and Poverty Reduction: Insights from a Grameen Bank Initiative in Bangladesh" and is actually a classic. It was written by Abdul Bayes (Professor of Economics, Jahangimagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh), Joachim von Braun (Director at the Center for Development Research, Bonn, Germany) and Rasheda Akhter (Researcher, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh) in 1999 for the Center for Development Research (ZEF) in Bonn.
I deals with the impact of the Village Pay Phone project of the Grameen Bank on the social and economic situation in the villages in Bangladesh where the project was implemented.
In the following a short summary of the paper:
The situation in Bangladesh 1999:
- 80% of the population live in rural areas
- 47% of the population live below the poverty line
- Overall there is only few basic infrastructure
The telecom sector in Bangladesh:
- 0.26 fixed lines per 100 people
- Calls are expensive
- Only 20% of calls are completed successfully
- There are many complaints
Mobile phone operators entered the market some years ago and leapfrogged the fixed-line subscriptions almost immediately. The reason for this was also the competition between seven operators.
Village Pay Phones:
- Based on an idea of the Grameen Bank
- Provide mobile phones to the rural poor
- Four international partners built an NGO and acquired the license for GSM
- VPPs were only given to women with certain attributes
- Call fees and the overall procedure were fixed
Phone owners were usually found to be poorer but socially more conscient than the phone users. Most of the people that made phone calls were non-poor (three-quarters) and male (two-third). Problems were for a lot of users the low connection quality which resulted in a wish for lower rates
The effects of Village Pay Phones:
Economic effects:
- The VPP owners gain a net profit of ~270 which accounts for about 1/5 to 1/4 of total income
- The profit was mostly spent to installment payments, education and saving
- The alternatives for VPPs would have involved transport costs
- The consumer surplus is therefore quite high and for the poor it is higher than the not-poor
- Farmers gain more money because they know about market prices
- Supply of goods became smoother as the market can be better analysed with more information
- Foreign exchange has been made more transparent
- Livestock keepers are better informed of possible diseases and how to cure them
- Poverty was reduced and people have more to eat
- Dealing with disasters was made easier due to more communication
Socio-cultural effects:
- Empowerment of women – more decisions are taken by women alone, mobility was raised
- The owners of VPPs gain higher social status
- Phone owners have more knowledge and confidence
So overall it can be said, that the whole project was a big success story and this guy has really earned his Nobel Prize. For the whole article I may refer to Google Scholar.
Village Pay Phone Project
was published on by Florian Sturm. It files under south asia
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AfrikaCamp 2009 announced
After the first Barcamp on Africa this year in California and some exchang of ideas at Barcamp Vienna 2008, the date and place for AfrikaCamp Vienna 2009 is now officially set. It will take place on the 31 January 2009 at the W@lz in the 14th district of Vienna.
Helge Fahrnberger and Christoph Chorherr are the main organizers, and ICT4D.at will help as good as we can. If there's any designer reading this – at Helge's site they're searching for a logo design.
Though it's still a while to go, I am already looking forward to interesting debates and innovative ideas. I think it's a great opportunity to bring together people from the IT sphere as well as from the traditional development assistence field and I will try to motivate people from both areas to come.
MobileActive08: Erik Hersman
This is the fourth interview from the video podcasts that we shot at MobileActive08 in Johannesburg last month (organized by MobileActive and sangonet).
In this interview Erik Hersman talks about Ushahidi, an online platform that was developed as a response to post-election violence in Kenya. (See also this and this blog post.) He further says that there is no lack of innovation in Africa, but rather a lack of capital, or lack of willingness to take risks by people who have that capital.
Erik Hersman also writes a great blog about high-tech mobile and web technology change in Africa (White African) and also contributes to another blog, which is about low-tech ingenuity and microentrepreneurs in Africa (AfriGadget).
MobileActive08: Erik Hersman
was published on 22.11.2008 by Martin Tomitsch. It files under global
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Voice services
Although many high end projects have been launched in the field of ICT4D, most of the people still can be reached through established media such as radio, television or the basic mobile phone functions – SMS and voice calls. Therefore it doesn't surprise me that some of the most successful projects in ICT4D (FrontlineSMS, Ushahidi, Tradenet, …) rely on these basic features (mostly SMS) for the front end.
An idea of mine which appeared in the course of writing my thesis was to provide updated information from the internet on a telephone number. Me and my colleagues David Hauer and Andreas Hornich wrote the prototype NoisR which uses the service Podlinez for this purpose. Right now, my colleagues work on expanding this prototype with some new features, I'm curious what will be the outcome.
Recently I've come across several other projects with a quite similar approach – to provide information from the internet in an audible representation accessible by phone. Or to just provide functionality of the internet for people without internet and computer.
One project was just recently launched by fellow blogger Drew Cogbill – Pigeon.
In his own words:
"Pigeon is a social network that you access through a phone call. Pigeon gives you one voice message that lasts one minute to tell your world what's up. You can think of your Pigeon message as a voice status update, an audio micro-blog, or space for citizen journalism."
He even uploaded a short video on youtube to demonstrate the functions and now invites everybody to try out the service. Several tools which work quite alike are listed in another blog post of his.
Another service I have an eye on already a while, is Mosoko. It tries to provide functions similar to Craigslist, only by voice.
I really think these projects have potential, also keeping in mind the high rates of illiteracy in lesser developed countries which inhibit access to information represented in written form. Furthermore, as already mentioned, the access to mobile phones is increasingly given, whereas the access to computers and internet is not – I am wondering if there are also successful initiatives which combine the internet with radio, which is an even more popular ICT.
Voice services
was published on 20.11.2008 by Florian Sturm. It files under global
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MobileActive08: Gary Marsden
We had the opportunity to interview Gary Marsden at MobileActive08 in Johannesburg (organized by MobileActive and sangonet). Gary is associate professor at the Department of Computer Science, University of Cape Town.
In the interview he talks about internationalization of user interfaces. While working in Africa he made the experience that translating text into local language and changing icons is not sufficient. There are other issues that people from non-western cultures have with computing interfaces. For example many of them have difficulties understanding hierarchies. Gary describes his approach to address these issues, which he calls Empowered Design. The idea of this approach is to create technology that allows people in Africa to create their own applications, rather than having researchers dictating which applications people in Africa should have.
Gary also introduces briefly some projects to illustrate his approach to mobile interaction design in Africa. One of the applications he mentions is Big Board – a public display that allows people to download media for free – which he also presented at the MobileActive08 conference.
Anyone who's interested in this topic, should also check out his book on Mobile Interaction Design (that he wrote together with Matt Jones) and his article on Empowered Design.
MobileActive08: Gary Marsden
was published on 14.11.2008 by Martin Tomitsch. It files under sub saharan africa
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The Bottom Billion
The last days I read the remarkable book The Bottom Billion of Paul Collier. I learned so many relevant things on development of lesser developed countries that I really want to recommend you to read it.
Generally, Paul Collier is
"Professor of Economics and Director of the Center for the Study of African Economies at the Oxford University, and former director of Development Research at the World Bank. [from the book]"
He wrote the book "The Bottom Billion" as a contribution to research on "Why The poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It" – as also the subheading says.
The studies which he conducted over several years with some colleagues (and which are published on his homepage) are the base of the book. I like his approach to explain highly controversial and disputed political questions with exclusively statistical instruments.
Many outcomes are surprising even for people who are highly interested in the topic of development – like me. Questions such as "what causes war?" or "does aid help?" are answered by statistical research and the interpretations seem quite reasonable.
So in the following I will line out some findings that I found interesting and that also have relevance for ICT4D (or for which ICT4D could be relevant).
– A key factor for ensuring that revenues for resources or aid money is spent for the good of the country (resulting on faster growth rates of the economy) and not "lost" on the way is a free press.
In this context I thought of bloggers which, in some countries, exist, even if there is no free press. I would be interested if their inluence is similar – actually I am quite positive about that. So maybe initiatives such as Rising Voices or Global Voices Advocacy have a real economic impact?
– For landlocked countries which are dependent on their neighbours, there are two ways to escape their situation which involve ICTs.
One possibility is to become a center for e-services and attract foreign companies to outsource there. This could foster economic growth – and I even would extend that suggestion beyond the scope of landlocked countries. E-services are easy to outsource and their popularity seems to be rising and rising. Any low-wage country offering such services is attractive to companies.
The other possibility is to "create a transpartent and investor-friendly environment for resource prospecting [from the book]". Here ICTs could help as well with tools in e-transparency and e-democracy.
– To raise productivity, labor force in less developed countries need private capital, which is always scarce in such countries.
Here I thought of microfinance and platforms such as Kiva. With Kiva, capital can be allocated directly to the ones in need. By the way – just recently the initiative into(context) has been launched to optimize Kiva, providing the lenders faster with more accurate information about the progress of the borrowers' businesses.
– An aiding-instrument which has a very high impact compared to the money spent, is technical assistance by foreign specialists. Especially after a new leader comes into power, it pays off to send skilled workers into a country, training the local population.
Here I thought of Geekcorps, an NGO which sends technically skilled people in less developed countries to teach the local population to set up their comunications infrastructure.
– According to the book, the key medium which can bring tranparency and foster change in lesser developed countries is the radio.
Though development on the IT and especially mobile sector is advancing quickly (Nokia's announcement was of course a big step forward), I agree that we must not forget the well-established ICTs already in place – such as TV or radio. With combining these "old" and "new" technologies a lot can be achieved.
In the book, the possibilities of ICTs are not mentioned specifically, a more macropolitical set of policy measures are proposed. In this TED-talk for example, Paul Collier expresses more closely some of his ideas how to improve the situation of the bottom billion with policy measures.
Still, in some examples such as the ones mentioned above, there is potential for ICTs to help. The book provides a very good framework where, in which context and when certain measures should be applied. So in my opinion this is a must-read for people who are interested in development generally.
Zanzibar for sure. Stories from the field.
Due to the load of field work we have been busy with, and the lack of decent internet connection, we have not been able to post as frequently as we would have liked. So we give you here a wrap-up of the recent weeks activities so you get a glimpse of the many stories we have documented so far. Next week we will have free wi-fi in our apartment so we can also post some good shots.
We want to mention that the output of our misson is to shoot a movie and we will publish all the raw material of the Nikon D90 HD-ready video and H2 Zoom WAV audio as Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike and provide download or mail delivery service. (You should attribute "ICT4D.at" and link to http://ict4d.at)
The champion
We had a very interesting meeting with a guy called Juma Lukondya. We met him in Jambiani while we were staying at a local kitchen and he introduced himself to us as the bicycle champion of Zanzibar. It turned out that he is sponsored by the Austrian bike team Cyclopia. He is using his mobile phone to keep in contact with his family in a remote part of the mainland. He also get updates in his phone from upcoming bike competitions, it also keeps him in touch with the Austrian team. We have footage of him training on the beach, riding his bike and using his phone.
Massais at Paje Ndame
We had a very successful day meeting traditional Massais working in Paje. We interviewed Faraja who shared his experiences with mobile phones. He introduced us to his friends who were very cheerful and avid mobile users. We have lots of film material with them chatting and telling their stories and opinions of network operators. One guy was all the time dancing to his favourite mobile tune on his Nokia. Later they all gathered to play a traditional game called Bao, and all the time the phones are ringing while they are playing.
As the tide was good we decided to go out fishing with captain Mohamed and his crew on a traditional sailing boat. The weather was stable but as we left Jambiani there was heavy rain all time we were on the boat. Everything got wet and everybody jumped into the water to have a swim. So no mobile phone acitvity on the boat. The fishermen left the phones at home charging. As we got back to their house on the beach they started using the phones and we did some interviews while they were repairing the fish traps and the nets and peeling the fish.
Local wedding
We were invited to a local wedding ceremony. It was a very nice experience and we were allowed to catch everything on film. It started outside and there was a big gathering of families and friends of the couple. There was a lot of people taking pictures with their cellphones and also DV cameras around. We brought a gift for the bride therefore we were invited in to their house where they had already set up a scene with lightning gear and filming equipment. Afterwards we were offered traditional spicy Pilau rice dish outside. All people were sitting on the ground between the village houses together with goats and chicken and eating the food with the hands from big plates.
Sound recording
We met a cool guy in Stone Town, Akhran Mohammed. He makes his living in town as a shopkeeper but his real passion is recording songs with his friends. He showed us to the basic studio they have and we filmed them while they recorded a new song. The sound producer provides a cool beat on his  Macbook while Akhran is rehearsing a catchy lovesong. When they are finished recording the producer converts the new song into a mp3 file and transfers it via bluetooth to Akhrans mobile phone. Later Akhran plays the song for his impressed friends on the phone in town.
What else do we have?
We cover the school in Jambiani where we are having Swahili lessons. Our teacher Mr. Faridi is holding a special class about mobile phones in his secondary school class. We interviewed the teachers and got a lot of opinions about mobiles. We have a lot of night life shots here and there. most of them in local bars and people having party.
We cover Zanzibits, a Dutch project, which is a multimedia school where they teach programming and handling complex software for editing media. We have a local band called Dwumbaki. They are playing Ngoma, traditional Zanzibarian music. We cover a local kitchen where potatoes are fried and we see randomly shots of customers coming in and out. We have the Jambiani town councellor and we follow him around in his duties. We feature the seaweed women harvesting and drying seaweed.
We follow the student Muhammed when he is playing football and taking photos with his phone. We film a fundi in town repairing and hacking phones. We join an engineer which is building up a new lodge. AND we went to another wedding (!).
We want to mention that we are using a 3 year old Nokia Communicator 9300i and we share it (2 people). It is very useful to write SMS on the keyboard and manage contents in folders. it is also a great notebook where you just enter rich text, format it with RTF editor and then bluetooth it to the Macbook, transfer it to a USB stick and then post this blog 🙂 Also, people we meet love to play with it and pretend doing phonecalls with it.
That's all for now, stay tuned.
Zanzibar for sure. Stories from the field.
was published on 09.11.2008 by Martin Konzett. It files under sub saharan africa
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Photo of the week 6
This is a series which should provide an idea of ICT usage in lesser developed countries (LDCs). The pictures are mostly in the pool of the FlickR group Images FOR Africa.
This one was taken by Martin Konzett in Johannesburg just last month during our film project.
Photo of the week 6
was published on by Florian Sturm. It files under global
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MobileActive08: Kutoma Wakunuma
This is the second of the interviews we shot the MobileActive08 conference in Johannesburg last month (organized by MobileActive.org and sangonet). In this video Dr Kutoma Wakunuma from Sheffield Hallam University (UK) talks about the social and economic impacts of new technologies in developing countries. She is specifically interested in gender aspects and investigates how mobile phones and the Internet can empower women in countries like Zambia. In the interview she discusses results from a study that she conducted in Zambia four years ago, regarding differences of mobile phone use between men and women. Her conclusion is that there is a need for more research focusing on the downsides (like social conflicts) of new technologies in developing countries.
MobileActive08: Kutoma Wakunuma
was published on 07.11.2008 by Martin Tomitsch. It files under sub saharan africa
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Check out all the latest Arsenal news and transfer gossip from today.
Arsene Wenger will no longer be commentating on French television after his contract was cancelled by the country's main commercial channel TF1. (The Guardian)
Le Parisien newspaper claimed the Arsenal boss was "greatly surprised" to learn his deal would not be renewed, ending his ten-year stint as a match commentator for games involving the France national team.
Related articles
- Arsene Wenger insists transfers are down to him alone
- Arsene Wenger has let Arsenal fans down
- Arsene Wenger can develop current Arsenal squad into champions
The decision taken was effective immediately meaning the 64-year-old was absent from the broadcast of last night's international friendly between France and Spain at Stade de France, a match which the hosts won 1-0 thanks to a well-taken goal from Loic Remy.
Wenger was a familiar face on TF1 at the World Cup in Brazil this summer, and also regularly commentated on Champions League matches in recent years.
Gunners fans will now be hoping that the lack of an unnecessary distraction will benefit the team and allow the Frenchman to focus his full attention on his Arsenal team.
Arsenal transfer gossip:
Arsenal are considering a shock free transfer move for Colombian defender Mario Yepes as Arsene Wenger eyes him as a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen at the Emirates. (London Metro)
The 36-year-old is a veteran of the game having featured in over 600 games during his career, and could be offered a short-term Gunners contract after leaving Italian outfit Atalanta at the end of last season.
Arsenal are planning to make a move for Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho when the transfer window reopens in January. (Irish Examiner)
The Sporting Lisbon star reportedly has his heart set on a move to the Emirates, despite having already been offered a contract extension with the Primeira Liga giants - which will contain a £40 million buyout clause.
Nikola Zigic has sensationally confirmed that Arsenal did approach him during the final days of the transfer window, and that he wanted to move to the Emirates before Arsene Wenger pulled the plug on the deal. (IBTimes UK)
The former Birmingham City striker revealed that a shock switch to north London had been on the cards for him, until the Gunners boss opted instead to sign England international Danny Welbeck from Premier League rivals Manchester United in a £16 million deal.
Arsene Wenger has received a boost in his alleged pursuit of Zakaria Bakkali after PSV Eindhoven withdrew their offer of a new contract to the Belgian winger. (Daily Mail)
The 18-year-old is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in Europe, and the Arsenal boss is one of many admirers in the Premier League looking to lure the player to England.
Do YOU want to write for GiveMeSport? Get started today by signing-up and submitting an article HERE: http://gms.to/writeforgms

subset: commoncrawl


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First Heritage Financial Reaches $1 Billion in Servicing
First Heritage Financial LLC, a credit union-owned mortgage service provider based in Philadelphia, ended May 2012 at $1.016 billion of mortgage loans serviced.
"We are extremely excited to surpass this milestone," said First Heritage Financial CEO John Giordano, "Our partner credit unions entrust us with the business their members bring to them. Without that confidence, we could not have achieved this goal."
First Heritage Financial provides turnkey, behind-the-scenes mortgage support to 57 partner credit unions that have combined assets of over $5.5 billion.
First Heritage Financial began as a wholly owned subsidiary of American Heritage Federal Credit Union. In August 2011, Service 1st Federal Credit Union, Danville, Pa.; Erie Federal Credit Union, Erie, Pa.; and People First Federal Credit Union, Allentown, Pa., purchased ownership positions in First Heritage.


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A Eugene municipal judge has ruled that Lane County officials were wrong to close the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza to protesters last December.
Judge Karen Stenard issued an order Wednesday afternoon saying that the act of closing the plaza was unconstitutional. Stenard also threw out a misdemeanor trespassing charge against activist Ally Valkyrie. Valkyrie had challenged the arrest and closure of the plaza.
"It's a nice little vindication," Valkyrie says. "We knew the whole time that this entire thing was unconstitutional and for once it's really nice to hear a judge basically completely agree with us."
Valkyrie was arrested December 13 for refusing to leave after then-County Administrator Liane Richardson had informed protesters she was closing the plaza. Richardson claimed she smelled feces in the plaza while people were conducting a protest of Eugene's overnight camping ban.
Another case is still before Judge Stenard. It involves 21 protestors who were arrested in January for remaining in the plaza past an 11 p.m. curfew.
Meanwhile, Liane Richardson has been fired by the Board of Commissioners for a violation that has not been made public.
Copyright 2013 KLCC


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- Program
- About the theatre
- Artistic bodies
- Tickets
- Press
- Eurokontext.sk
- Contact us
Premiere: 20 and 21 apríl 2007 New Building, Opera and Ballet Stage
This performance in no longer in our repertoire. The last performance was 3 October 2009 New Building, Opera and Ballet Stage
|Set Design:
|Richard Dulude
|Costume Design:
|Katarína Holková
|Michael Slobodian
|Lighting Design:
|Jerguš Opršal
|Maitres de Ballet:
|Nora Gallovičová
|Juraj Žilinčár
|Viktória Árvová
|Romina Kołodziej, Viktória Šimončíková
|Adriana Nalezinková, Kvetoslava Salingerová
|Romina Kołodziej, Viktória Šimončíková, Veronika Dedinská
|Ladies - Corps de Ballet:
|Ingrid Murčeková-Kačiaková, Romina Kołodziej, Viktória Árvová, Veronika Dedinská, Ingrid Kováčová, Viola Mariner, Sarah Millner, Silvia Najdená, Adriana Nalezinková, Reona Sato, Kvetoslava Salingerová, Monika Lehocká
|Gentlemen - Corps de Ballet:
|Adrian Ducin, Andrej Cagáň, Peter Dedinský, František Šulek, Dominik Slavkovský
"Everybody has a bit of Warhol in them." Is the motto of the ballet, which aims to draw attention to the creativity and originality hidden in every one of us. We can be exceptional if we let our mind wander and give the stimulation of our imagination a free rein. Warhol - a dance performance in two parts wants to reveal to the spectators Warhol´s world of colours and creativity which help us explore the ambiguity of seemingly simple truths. More than the biographical facts, this piece will present images, bring closer the man Warhol - his life, his times, the environment, to which he responded and which he transformed. The images - Warhol, New York, the Factory, Valerie, Marilyn, Doctors, MTV, Lenin, Heroin, Mother - are our fantasy about Warhol and similarly to his work, they are full of colours, ambiguity and work with multimedia. The project is realized in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Arts and The Andy Warhol Society in Medzilaborce.
|TV spot Warhol Download (MPG, 3,8 MB)


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Stay on top of all our E3 2013 coverage here.
The Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) doesn't officially start until tomorrow, but a day of press conferences from gaming giants Microsoft, Sony, Electronic Arts, and Ubisoft sent shock waves throughout the industry. You can catch up on our massive E3 coverage here, but we were wondering what our community thought about today's unveiling of hardware and games.
It seems a large portion of GamesBeat's Twitter followers thought that Sony had the best day thanks to a strong debut of the PlayStation 4 — with an impressive software lineup, lack of game-sharing restrictions, and a price $100 cheaper than Microsoft's $499 Xbox One. Still, some people preferred Xbox's exclusives, including Titanfall, the new shooter from Respawn, a studio made up of ex-Infinity Ward members.
We also had a couple of people tell us at that SNK won. We think they were being facetious.
Anyway, you can read some of the community's reactions as well as those from some of the biggest figures from the industry below.
@gamesbeat Sony. They came out swinging and knocked MS out. They seem to care more about games. Big titles and indie. They get my money.
— The King (@NerdyxTimx) June 11, 2013
@gamesbeat #Sony.No DRM, better pricing, apparent commitment to indie devs. I can play Titan Fall on a PC, so why do I need an #xbone?
— Christian(@GaijinDensetsu) June 11, 2013
#PS4 $399–GENIUS.Microsoft messed up on this one, Sony seized the opportunity. €399 and £329. Talked about consumer trust. Well played — Michael Pachter (@michaelpachter) June 11, 2013
@gamesbeat Sony nailed it. More interesting games, no DRM, better hardware design, more powerful console, no DRM, cheaper. Clear winner.
— Chris Winters (@akwinters) June 11, 2013
Between Watch_Dogs and The Division, did Ubisoft win E3 two years in a row?
— TychoBrahe (@TychoBrahe) June 10, 2013
@gamesbeat I think Microsoft won personally because they'll be getting a sale for sure out of me. Great games, great multimedia features.
— Gerry Martin (@GerryBM) June 11, 2013
@gamesbeat Hard to say. I preferred the MS line up but i liked Sony's pricing/policies better
— David J (@the_anticitizen) June 11, 2013
@gamesbeat On games alone I would have to say Microsoft.Titan Fall looks incredible. — John Garland (@ViolentRaven1) June 11, 2013
Sony just wrapped all the way around and won E3 twice in the same year.
— Jonathan Blow (@Jonathan_Blow) June 11, 2013
@gamesbeat Sony, they actually came out and ANSWERED our questions on used games/drm/constant on. Not wishywashy corporate speak! — NiDSonic79 (@nsonic79) June 11, 2013
instead of buying a xbone, im gonna buy 5 ouyas. — PHIL FISH (@PHIL_FISH) June 10, 2013


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KABUL, Afghanistan, April 24 (UPI) -- At least four Taliban leaders, including the Washir district chief, were killed in a government operation in Afghanistan's Helmand province, a spokesman said.
Afghan security forces carried out the operation Monday in the Washir district, Khaama Press reported. Daud Ahmadi, a spokesman for the provincial governor, said 20 militants were killed and 10 injured.
One Afghan soldier was killed Monday in Kandahar and three injured.
Afghan forces seized caches of weapons and ammunition in Kandahar and Khost provinces.
In Helmand province, a U.S. Marine, Staff Sgt. Joseph H. Fankhauser, 30, of Mason, Texas, was killed on Sunday by an improvised explosive device, the U.S. military said.


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Our consultants would love to show you Lili's wide selection of gowns and accessories.
A bridal salon is not an appropriate place for young children. There are loose pins, mirrors, and other hazards, Please arrange for childcare before your appointment. If you must bring your youngster, we ask that he/she be watched and attended to at ALL times.
We thank you for your cooperation.
***Appointments for brides are requested!! *****
While we try to accomodate walk-ins, appointments always have first priority


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I think most women these days wears thongs but sometimes it is nice to change it up a bit. ...On May 21, 2014 / By Marissa Hopson
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Wearing a slip is not something I normally do. I know that they were more popular at one time ...On August 5, 2011 / By BrS
Summer is in full swing and it's time to hit the beach! But don't forget your cover-up! This year ...On July 6, 2010 / By BrS
The news is surely going to get Vicroria Secret fans to head to the Cross Town Classic! In celebration ...On May 27, 2010 / By Jenni Moreno
I can admit, I went a little overboard with the whole leopard animal print trend last season. You should ...On February 25, 2010 / By Jenni Moreno
Laced Bell Bottoms? Sounds like something you would sport around in the bedroom, and nowhere else. Well Kova & ...On November 20, 2009 / By Deysa
French trunk maker Goyard gave the best gift one could give – for Barbies 50th birthday anniversary (though she ...On April 23, 2009 / By Jenni Moreno
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Would you wear lingerie designed by Janet Jackson? Well if you answered yes to that question, then I have ...On August 26, 2008 / By Jenni Moreno
Internationally acclaimed Australian designer, Collette Dinnigan has collaborated with Target Australia to launch a range of intimate apparel named ...On April 24, 2008 / By Jenni Moreno
© 2013 TheFashionRow. All rights reserved.


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Written on: 22/08/2013
My brown classic Kanken arrived in Australia just 6 days after I ordered it!
That is possibly the fastest shipping I've ever experienced!
The website was simple, very easy to use and checkout, and seeing the prices in AUD made a huge difference to the ease of shopping.
I did think it was a little weak that the prices weren't set in my local currency though(ie that i still had to pay GBP and leave it to the bank to convert the currency) i ended up paying $7 more than the Kanken website had estimated, which isn't a huge amount, but it was more the uncertainty that i didn't enjoy.
The super-fast shipping was great though and the product is fantastic, exactly as described and depicted.


text:
Francis Gillot leaves Shanghai Shenhua after Chinese FA Cup final defeat
Francis Gillot contract with Shanghai Shenhua has been terminated after they lost 0-1 against Jiangsu Sainty in the Chinese FA Cup final second leg. The first leg of the CFA Cup in Nanjing last week ended 0-0.
The story was the same in Shanghai, despite Shenhua starting with a strong line-up with Tim Cahill and Demba Ba up front, with full-time ending goalless.
The match then went into a 30-minute extra play. Jiangsu's Croatian midfielder Sammir scored what turned out to be the winner for the visitors in the 110th minute to stun the home crowd into silence.
The victory helped Jiangsu secure a spot in next year's AFC Champions League group stage while Shanghai Shenhua failed to play in this competitions after finished 6 in the 2015 Chinese Super League.
Next : Five most successful foreign clubs in Singapore's football history


text:
As car names go, there aren't many that sound 'wronger' than the poor afflicted Ford Probe. It's an ugly car as well as a stupid sounding one. It doesn't really handle, and with only 168bhp available from its 2.5 litre V6, it's asthmatic as well as thirsty. All in all then, probably not the car of your dreams.
Until now that is. For today, Ladies and Germs, Shed Of The Week is proud to present the sporting bargain of the er, week. And here she is - a 1995 model Ford Probe that's barely run in with only 100k miles on the clock, a fully stamped-up service history and a year's MoT for (wait for it) a fiver under six hundred notes.
With swathes of grey fuzzy upholstery lavished around the well-appointed cockpit, any self-respecting passenger would immediately respect this car's owner as a person of taste and distinction, although you still probably wouldn't risk cruising it up and down the road outside your local primary school at going home time. Nope, some stigmas run too deep.
But still, £595 for all this. It's what SOTW dreams are made of, surely?
Advert reads:
Ford Probe 1994 2.5 in very good condition 102333 miles 168 BHP
Sunroof, fully stamped service history every 10,000 up to and 90,000 miles to be sold with full MOT.
I purchased this for my wife in 2004 unfortunately she found it a little low to get into so after two thousand miles it was put into storage and has not been used since. It is such an excellent car in such good condition I have been reluctant to part with it. It has been on sorn since 2004 and has been for its MOT test today. It has been refused on rear anti roll link bar and slight imbalance on front brakes. The parts have been ordered and it will have full MOT next week. I am convinced that these are brilliant cars and superb collectors vehicle of the future available at bargain price. This car is looking for a good home that will appreciate it. Inspection Welcome tel 01905 420005. a lot of car for £595 or Best offer
Please contact within 24 hours of end of listing to arrange collection . Cash on Collection


text:
From FedoraProject
Abdur-Rahman Rozell
A member of the Linux Foundation. Member of my local Linux Users Group. A Multi-Distro user: Fedora,Suse,Slackware
- Email: mailto:email@example.com
- IRC: aryr100 channels #cdlug,usalug,fedora,apple
- GPG key: 1DE61140
- Fedora Account: aryr100 Fedora Account System
- Location: Albany,NY USA
Activities within Fedora
- Groups:
- Free Media Program
- CLA Group
- Ambassadors Project-Pending Status


text:
|Table of Contents
|CENDI Home Page
Information International Associates, Inc.
Barbara Bauldock, Chair (DOE/OSTI)*
Charlene Luther (DOE/OSTI)*
Ken Hohenbrink (DOE/OSTI)
Doreen Owens (DOE/OSTI)
Helen Viel (DTIC)*
Lou Knecht (NLM)*
Nadgy Roey (NLM)
Larry Placanica (NTIS)*
Sue Feindt (NTIS)
Kris Vajs (NTIS)
Gail Hodge (CENDI Secretariat)
Government Agency Contacts
Shirley Edwards (NAL)
Carl Fleishaur (LoC)
CENDI is an interagency cooperative
organization composed of the scientific and technical information
(STI) managers from the Departments of Commerce, Energy, Defense,
Health and Human Services, Interior, and the National Aeronautics
and Space Administration (NASA).
CENDI's mission is to help improve the
productivity of Federal science- and technology-based programs
through the development and management of effective scientific
and technical information support systems. In fulfilling its
mission, CENDI member agencies play an important role in helping
to strengthen U.S. competitiveness and address science- and technology-based
national priorities.
2.1 CENDI Agencies
2.1.1 Department of Energy/Office of Scientific and Technical Information
2.1.2 Defense Technical Information Center
2.1.3 National Library of Medicine
2.1.4 National Technical Information Service
2.2 Non-CENDI Government Agencies
2.2.1 National Agricultural Library
2.2.2 Library of Congress
2.2.3 Congressional Record
2.3 Private Sector Organizations
Appendix I CENDI Survey of Position Descriptions/Grade Levels/Pay Series for Scanner Operators and
OCR Technicians
Appendix II Position Description Comparison Chart
At the request of the CENDI Principals (May 29, 1996), the CENDI
Information Exchange Working Group organized a task group to discuss
the issues related to the position descriptions for scanner and
optical character recognition (OCR) operators. The purpose was
to discuss changes brought about by the implementation of electronic
document management system (EDMS) technologies, to review the
status and appropriateness of current position descriptions, and
to make appropriate recommendations.
The task group developed a survey form to collect relevant information
from CENDI agencies, including position titles, grade and series
information, and comments concerning changes based on the introduction
of EDMS technologies. (The survey questions used to collect information
are provided in Appendix I.) In addition, position descriptions
were collected from the National Agricultural Library (NAL), the
Library of Congress, and the Congressional Record, government
agencies known to be heavily involved in text scanning. The survey
information and non-CENDI position descriptions provided background
material for the task group meeting held at the Department of
Energy on October 1, 1996, with Barbara Bauldock, the Information
Exchange Working Group Chair, moderating. Representatives from
the National Library of Medicine, the Defense Technical Information
Center, and the National Technical Information Service were present.
In addition to Ms. Bauldock, technical representatives from the
Department of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information,
Oak Ridge, TN, participated by videoteleconference. A list of
agency representatives is provided in the front of this document.
The initial findings of the task group were presented at the CENDI
Principals Meeting of October 16, 1996. Modifications
to the analysis were requested by the Principals, and are included
in this report.
The following observations were made:
u Agencies are generally in a state
of transition with regard to the incorporation of scanner and
OCR technologies. Many agencies have recently implemented or
are in the process of ramping up their systems to full production.
u Agencies who have fully implemented
production systems are more likely to have made changes to the
position descriptions.
u Scanning and OCR technologies
are used both at the initial data capture stage for incoming material
and at the end of the system to convert legacy collections to
electronic form or to provide output for document distribution.
u The incumbent staff most effected
by the new technologies are the staff who previously performed
data capture and micrographics/reprographics functions.
u The incumbents may be in several
different grade series/titles. The most common involve the data
entry clerks, library technicians, the micrographics specialists,
and the offset printers.
u The agency that reviewed its position
descriptions was able to justify changes in title, grade and series
for the people using the new technologies based on the increased
decision making and the increased sophistication of the decisions
that need to be made.
u The changes in decisions include
what resolution to use in scanning, what if any image enhancement
software to use, and in some cases a decision as to whether or
not the document can be scanned at all.
u Transitioning incumbents is important
to successful implementation of electronic document management.
Budget constraints as well as employment policies and, in some
cases, hiring freezes dictated that existing staff be used.
u Position descriptions that do
incorporate the new technologies identify them as tools to perform
the job.
u New PDs are assigned to series
depending upon on the environment in which the scanning/OCR is
performed. If the environment has historically been library oriented,
the PDs are in the librarian or library technician series (1410
or 1411). If the environment has been that of database creation,
the PD is on the clerical series 1000. Generally, the series has
not been changed but, based on the increased decision-making required
with advanced scanning/OCR technologies, the agencies are implementing
upgrades to the GS-5/6 range. If the Library of Congress is any
indication, the addition of more complex multimedia documents
may increase the range beyond the 5/6 range, even for beginning
Conclusion and Recommendations
In order to support the development of appropriate PDs, the task
group presents language that can be incorporated into new or existing
PDs. This language emphasizes the use of microcomputers and,
for advanced positions, an understanding of scanner and OCR technologies.
It also emphasizes the need to identify the potential quality
of the systems output and how to adjust the equipment to correct
it, or when to reject material as being unscannable.
Back to Table of Contents
At the request of the CENDI Principals, the Information Exchange
Working Group organized a Technology Task Group on position descriptions
for personnel involved in optical scanning and optical character
recognition (OCR). This project was an outgrowth of the Information
Exchange Working Group's review of optical scanner and OCR technologies
among the CENDI agencies. The purpose was to discuss changes
brought about by the implementation of electronic document management
technologies, the status and appropriateness of current position
descriptions, and to make appropriate recommendations.
Prior to a formal meeting, the Senior Analyst developed a draft
survey form to collect relevant information regarding current
and previous position titles. Grade/series information was also
collected. This survey form was reviewed and modified by the
task group via e-mail. The survey forms were distributed to the
representatives and the information returned to the Senior Analyst.
The Senior Analyst compiled a comparison chart and brief textual
analysis for presentation at the task group meeting.
The task group meeting was held on October 1, 1996 at the Department
of Energy moderated by Barbara Bauldock, Information Exchange
Working Group Chair. Representatives from DTIC, DOE, NLM, and
NTIS were present. The DOE OSTI staff based in Oak Ridge, TN,
participated by videoteleconference. The participants and their
respective agencies are listed as front matter to this document.
At this meeting, the task group members reviewed the data collected
via the survey form, provided additional information, and made
initial observations and recommendations.
The initial deliverable from this meeting was a presentation to
the CENDI Principals on October 16, 1996. (A copy of
the overheads is available from the CENDI Secretariat upon request.)
Following the presentation, the Principals clarified some of the
opinions expressed by their representatives and asked for modification
to the final report. The Principals agreed with the recommendation
that language which could be incorporated into new or existing
PDs be developed by the Task Group.
This report reviews the information presented by each agency and
the information collected from three other government agencies
with digital library projects underway,the
Library of Congress, the National Agriculture Library, and the
Congressional Record. An attempt was made to include private
sector organizations in this analysis, but no relevant position
descriptions were provided. The information collected is analyzed
for common problems and trends. General observations also are
drawn. Suggested language is presented to use by the agencies
when developing a position description for a scanner or OCR operator.
Back to Table of Contents
2.1 CENDI Agencies
2.1.1 Department of Energy
There are several positions at DOE involved in the mass scanning
and automatic OCR performed on incoming material. The current
position titles include Printing Specialist, Offset Press Operator,
Offset Photographer, and Technical Information Clerk. The position
descriptions have not been changed, because the percentage of
the work related to the electronic document management system
performed by any one of these staff members is less than 20%.
The appropriateness of the current description to the work being
performed will only become a concern if the volume of work increases.
When the work can no longer be performed optimally as add-on
duties to the current positions, OSTI will revisit the arrangement.
Back to Table of Contents
2.1.2 Defense Technical Information Center
DTIC recently changed its position titles and descriptions related
to the introduction of its EDMS equipment and workflow. The
position previously related to micrographics (Xerographic Specialist)
has been retitled Electronic Document Technician. This position
performs all the functions required to create electronic images
and archival quality silver halide master microfiche, to quality
inspect those electronic images and microfiche, and to prepare
diazo microfiche for delivery through DTIC's Automatic Document
Delivery (ADD) subscription service. The incumbent serves as
a systems administrator and trouble-shooter for the Branch by
providing expertise in identifying, trouble-shooting and resolving
a variety of system software and hardware operating problems.
The grade and series was upgraded to a GS-303-6 based on the
additional decisions required with the new equipment.
The optical character recognition is performed by a Data Verification
Assistant. The position was previously titled Data Transcriber.
The change in the title indicates a shift from data capture to
data verification. The scanning and OCR is now performing the
transcription function, converting the hardcopy to electronic.
The emphasis for the operator is on the verification and correction
of what the technology outputs. The grade and series have also
been upgraded for this position to a GS3036 based
on the increased responsibility and decision making regarding
the quality of the output.
Back to Table of Contents
2.1.3 National Library of Medicine
NLM currently has no positions using these technologies. However,
there is an RFCA being developed that includes these functions.
The representatives were not at liberty to discuss the specifics
of the RFCA. The specifications will be shared with the team
when the procurement is completed.
Back to Table of Contents
2.1.4 National Technical Information Service
NTIS has not changed its position descriptions for the current
staff performing scanning and image-based output for document
delivery. The position titles remain Bindery Equipment Operator
and Micrographics Clerk. The position grades and series remain
XP-7 and GS-350. The XP is in the equipment operator series,
while the GS is the general clerical series.
However, NTIS has on-site contractors performing contract work
for other government agencies that includes scanning and OCR activities.
These on-site contractors have modified their hiring practices
and have changed the pay scale for these positions. NTIS recently
created a DocuTech operator position description at a GS-5/6 for
this outside contract.
Creating the product from the electronic version is getting so
easy now at NTIS that the skill requirements are greatly reduced.
The Xerox DocuPrint 6135 requires only loading of paper and taking
the books out of the hopper when they are completed. The DocuPrint
also has full binding capabilities. Future plans call for only
one DocuTech (the predecessor to the DocuPrint) to be maintained.
The DocuTech requires more operator intervention.
NTIS employees manning the DocuPrints/DocuTechs are XP-7's, positions
with salary levels which may not be competitive with other Federal
positions or with contract costs for performing similar work.
Replacing incumbents lost through attrition with GS-5/6 level
personnel or contracting out the work may be a necessary cost
containment move for NTIS in the future.
While the technology is getting easier to use, the operators are
making more decisions with the scanner than with the TDC camera,
the technology being replaced. The pre-scan stage, where potentially
difficult pages to scan are identified, requires keen judgement.
The person performing the pre-scan is almost evaluating the importance
of the document content.
NTIS currently is scanning reports only when they are requested
for document delivery. A group is meeting at NTIS to discuss
the scanning of newly received reports.
Back to Table of Contents
2.2 Other Government Agencies
Three non-CENDI government agencies were contacted regarding their
scanner/OCR related position descriptions. Both the National
Agricultural Library and the Library of Congress have digital
library initiatives.
2.2.1 National Agricultural Library
The National Agricultural Library has not changed the title from
Library Technician (Data Transcription), but the position description
has been changed. The modification to the description includes
the requirement to use a microcomputer and understanding of the
scanner and OCR software. The grade/series remains a GS-1411-7,
which is in the library technician series.
Back to Table of Contents
2.2.2 Library of Congress, Digital Library Project
The Library of Congress has five position descriptions for Digital
Conversion Specialist, located in the Production Coordinating
Group of the National Digital Library program. In consultation
with the Library's custodial divisions, the Production Coordinating
Group oversees the preparation and digitization of the historical
collections. Activities include coordinating the organization,
preservation and description of original archival materials; arranging
for and monitoring the work of contractors who reproduce the items
in digital form; and overseeing the placement of the delivered
materials in a digital repository.
The GS-7/9/11/12 positions are in the GS 1001 series. In the
developmental capacity of the GS-7, the Digital Conversion Specialists
work in one or more specialized areas including SGML markup, multimedia
elements, material selection and preliminary historical research,
editorial assistance and computer technical support to the group.
In the GS-9/11/12 positions, the Digital Conversion Specialist
works in increasingly responsible capacities in these same areas.
The Senior Digital Conversion Specialist and Team Leader are in
the GS-1410-13 part of the librarian series. The incumbents in
these positions serve as experts in the specialized areas described
above, with the exception of computer technical support.
Back to Table of Contents
2.2.3 Congressional Research Service
The Document Technician prepares documents for scanning to the
optical disks, scans them, and quality reviews the scanned product
before it is written to the disk. This individual also produces
paper copies for materials listed on the order sheets for the
weekly Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) service or
in the CRS Bibliographic Databases in SCORPIO. Kris Vajs (NTIS)
formerly of the CRS, noted that because newer scanners require
more than rote operation, the grade levels were changed from a
3/4/5 to a 5/6 following an upgrade of the scanners.
Back to Table of Contents
2.3 Private Organizations
The task group attempted to include information from relevant
private sector organizations in this study. The first point of
contact was the National Federation of Abstracting and Information
Services (NFAIS), a major trade organization for database producers
and other information companies. NFAIS last collected and published
information concerning the position descriptions and pay scales
within the database production industry in 1992. This survey
did not include positions for scanner or OCR operators/technicians.
No new information is available.
General searches on the WWW and specific searches of the Association
for Information and Image Management (AIIM) home page were also
performed. No position survey information was available free
of charge. No information was provided from the Association for
Workprocess Improvement (formerly, the Recognition Technologies
Association), a trade association for data capture organizations.
Most private sector organizations contacted were hesitant to share
position descriptions and compensation information. However,
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) responded with a position description
for a Desktop Graphics Specialist, part of the desktop publishing
for the American Chemical Society (ACS) journals. The main responsibility
is to deal with manuscripts provided by authors and to scan and
enhance the graphics. The task group considered this position
to be too different from the positions being analyzed within the
CENDI agencies, so the CAS description was not used in the analysis
and is not presented in the comparison chart.
Back to Table of Contents
Scanning and OCR technologies are used both as part of data capture
in the front end of the workflow and at the point of document
distribution. In recently implemented electronic document management
systems, document distribution is performed by converting an image
to another form of output, such as hardcopy or microfiche. In
the case of the front-end data capture, the staff who currently
use this technology were previously typists, data capture technicians,
or proofreaders. The document distribution use of the technology
is generally performed by someone who previously worked in micrographics
or offset printing.
The technology for data capture is very integrated with the data
capture process. It varies from agency to agency depending on
the workflow and the data to be captured. While scanning and
optical character recognition is likely to remain into the future,
some of this effort (perhaps the majority) will be superseded
by electronic receipt of documents.
The technology for document distribution is less integrated with
the workflow process. It is meant to be performed on an on-demand
basis, taking stored documents in electronic form and providing
output at the request of the customer in a variety of media and
formats. It also may involve the conversion to electronic form
of documents that are in the legacy collection when they are requested.
Electronic to hardcopy conversion will continue for some time
into the future both for domestic and international recipients.
Upon evaluation of the descriptions that have been modified, it
should be noted that the descriptions incorporate scanner and
OCR technologies simply as additional tools to perform the work,
similar to how the microcomputer was incorporated into the data
capture process several years ago. The major emphasis of the position
description is the work to be performed, not the technology used
to perform it.
It should also be noted that position incumbency has been a driver
during this transition period from hardcopy to electronic. Current
staff, many of whom have been in the positions for many years,
are not necessarily working under the appropriate grades and series.
However, as staff turnover takes place, the need will arise to
provide appropriate position descriptions.
The task group determined that the agencies are generally in a
state of transition with regard to the incorporation of scanner
and OCR technologies. In order to incorporate the new technologies
gradually, agencies retrained existing staff to use them in revised
workflows. The staff generally performed the data capture functions
(most recently via microcomputer or mainframe terminals) at the
beginning of the workflow, or they performed reprographics functions
(blowback to hardcopy, microfiche production, or photocopying)
at the end of the workflow for document distribution.
The employees in data capture, who may review the OCR output,
were previously cataloging or data capture clerks, or technicians.
Those performing the high speed scanning or blow-back from the
image files were often retrained from among the offset press operators
or reprographic staff.
Transitioning incumbents is an important key to successful implementation
of electronic document management. No organization interviewed
with the possible exception of the LoC National Digital Library
project was able to contract or hire new people to perform these
new functions. Budget constraints and in some cases hiring freezes
as well as employment policies required that existing staff be
used. (More detailed discussions about retraining are included
in "Scanning and OCR Technologies Among the CENDI Agencies,"
A major concern for the agencies is the allocation of portions
of the EDMS workflow to employees at appropriate levels with appropriate
skills, including the retraining of incumbents as necessary, and
developing completely new PDs only when the reengineering or replacement
of a workflow justifies the effort. DTIC's EDMS has been in place
for approximately five years and the technologies are well integrated
into its workflow. The reengineering and replacement of the workflow
matured to the point where the PDs could be rewritten appropriately.
Other agencies are still in a pilot or transition phase between
old and new workflows.
Back to Table of Contents
Although the task group debated the usefulness of drafting a suggested
PD for a scanner/OCR equipment operator, our analysis indicated
that developing language which may be inserted into a variety
of position descriptions, already existing or newly created, would
be more appropriate at this time. This "plug-in" language
describes the major duties of the scanning/OCR function and states
the core competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities) required.
The suggested language, presented in Section 4.1, identifies two
primary requirements for the use of this technology: the ability
to use microcomputer hardware and software and the ability to
make judgements concerning potential problems in obtaining the
best scanned image possible from the page being reviewed. An
element of graphic artistry is required. Several organizations
noted that time must be spent "training the eye" to
identify what will scan well and what will not. The operator
must decide which image density should be used, which images require
enhancement, etc.
Back to Table of Contents
4.1 Suggested Scanning/OCR Position Description Language
Assures that the document is identified with the correct document
identifier. Checks each page for visual integrity - the letters
are clear, the entire page scanned, no unusual lines appear, etc.
-- and for completeness.
Adjusts scanner operation based on an assessment of document quality,
i.e., legibility, gray scale requirements, paper quality, document
type, and sizes.
Identifies problems with the equipment and reports them to the
proper authority.
Knowledge sufficient to operate optical disk scanning and printing
technology including knowledge of all optical scanners to be used
in order to determine the most appropriate one and assuring the
document is correctly prepared for that scanner.
Knowledge of the scanning principles, techniques, and equipment
to make judgements regarding the optimal scanning equipment adjustments
for various document types; e.g., gray scale, two-sided, high-density,
paper weight, etc.
Knowledge of microcomputers and the software used to perform the
Knowledge of equipment capabilities and the organization's standards
for quality digitization.
A practical knowledge of data verification, review, and editing
The range of types of materials complicates the work of the incumbent.
Projects require resourcefulness and ingenuity in developing,
producing and ensuring the high quality of digitized products.
Ability to pay attention to detail.
Ability to perform repetitive tasks with accuracy.
Ability to identify the resolution and enhancements to be applied
to an item when it is scanned in order to produce the highest
quality image from the equipment available.
The incumbent must be constantly cognizant of the requirement
to balance production and timeliness goals with product quality
Back to Table of Contents
This report is an evaluation midway in the agencies' transition
to an electronic environment. As the percentage of information
acquisitions handled electronically increases, personnel requirements
to support the new workflows should continue to be examined.
Back to Table of Contents
Appendix I
CENDI Information Exchange Working Group,
Scanner/OCR Technicians Position Description Task Group
Rev 2. September 23, 1996
NOTE: Response is needed by Friday, Sept. 27, 1996.
Do you have a position description(s) specific to scanner operators?
If yes, what is the position title(s)?
(Please provide a copy of the position description(s) to the address
indicated at the end of this survey.)
If yes, what was the position description(s) of the employees
prior to the introduction of this technology?
If there is no position description specific to scanner operators,
what is the position title(s) currently being used for scanner
(Please provide a copy of that position description(s) to the
address at the end of this questionnaire.)
What is/are the grade level and pay series for the description(s)
Are you satisfied that the position description(s) your organization
is currently using adequately describes the position performed
by your scanner operators? If not, what are the areas of concern?
Do you have efforts underway to change the position descriptions/level/series
for the scanner operators? Please describe.
Do you have a position description(s) specific to OCR technicians?
If yes, what is the position title(s)?
(Please provide a copy of the position description(s) to the address
indicated at the end of this survey.)
If yes, what was the position description(s) of the employees
prior to the introduction of this technology?
If there is no specific position description for OCR technicians,
what is the position title(s) currently being used?
(Please provide a copy of that position description(s) to the
address at the end of this questionnaire.)
What is/are the grade level and pay series for the description(s)
Are you satisfied that the position description(s) your organization
is currently using adequately describes the position performed
by your OCR technicians? If not, what are the areas of concern?
Do you have efforts underway to change the position description(s)/level/series
for the OCR technicians? Please describe.
Respond before Friday, September 27, 1996 to:
Gail Hodge
Senior Analyst, CENDI Secretariat
e-mail: email@example.com
Fax: 610/789-6769 (please call first)
Phone: 610/789-6769
Back to Table of Contents
December 6, 1996
Printing Spec.;
Offset Press Oper.;
Offset Photographer;
Technical Information
Only a concern if the volume of work increases and optimum scanning cannot be performed as it is currently being done. (1)
Would change only if percentage of work changes.
Electronic Document Technician
Xerographic Specialist
Bindery Equipment Operator; Micrographics Specialist;
on-site contractors
Applicable; not avail-able for on-site contrac-tors
on-site contractors in the 5/6 range
On-site contractors have hired at a lower grade than incumbents.
May need to modify routine agency positions to bring them in line with the on-site contractors.
(1) When the work can no longer be performed optimally as add-on
duties to the current position, OSTI will revisit the arrangement.
December 6, 1996
None; runs automatically
Data Verification Assistant
Data Transcriber
Only beginning to discuss
December 6, 1996
Congressional Research Service
Yes; upgraded based on increased decision making
Agricultural Library
Library Technician
(Data Tran-
Title, grade/series have not changed. Position description has changed.
Library of Congress
Digital Conversion Specialist
New position
Covers full range from novice to supervisor
|Back to Table of Contents
|Back to Top of Document


text:
What do you think? Honestly.
Posted by Anonymous + Show Post
Poll Results
Question: what do you think
not my style but not bad
love it
not sure how I feel about it
Total Votes: 116
Question: what do you think
Total Votes: 116
of this artwork
I've blocked out the signatures on some of it that's what the black lines are
Posted by Anonymous on Feb. 5, 2013 at 3:51 PM
Replies (81-83):
by Anonymous 1 - Original Poster on Feb. 5, 2013 at 5:04 PM
Quoting ChocolateJunky:
You mentioned these were 7 years old. Do one now, and see how you like it and go from there. I used to be an avid photographer, but I lost my eye for it several years ago.
I can't. the reason I stopped is that I no longer have the capabilities on my computer.
I don't hate it, but I don't love it. It's kind of cool, but definitely not something I'd buy. The third pic is my favorite.
Add your quick reply below:
You must be a member to reply to this post.


text:
Phil Willis, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, has called on Ken Bates, chairman of Leeds United, to declare who owns the club, after it emerged that Bates does not jointly own Forward Sports Fund, the club's holding company.
"Leeds United is a fantastic football club whose loyal and dedicated supporters have stuck by it through thick and thin," Willis told The Guardian. "They have a right to know who owns their club and that those people are fit and proper. The Football League must revisit this case to ensure that its rules, that owners must be passed as fit and proper, have been met."
- Leeds United held up as example by Uefa
- Leeds, Norwich and Saints ensure best figures for half a century
'The ownership of Leeds United has been routed via a network of offshore companies ever since Ken Bates arrived at Elland Road as the club's new chairman in 2005, and now mystery surrounds it again,' reports the newspaper in the same article.
'Bates told the Royal Court of Jersey in January this year that he himself jointly owned the club's holding company, the Cayman Islands-registered Forward Sports Fund, with his long-term financial advisor, the Guernsey accountant Patrick Murrin. It has since emerged that in May Bates swore an affidavit in the same court, stating that it had been "not correct" and "an error on my part" to say he was the joint owner of his club.
'Contrary to what he and his solicitor Mark Taylor, also a Leeds director, had told the court in January, there are in fact 10,000 shares in Forward, and Bates does not own any of them. Forward's administrators, based in Geneva, have refused to say who the owners of those shares are.'


text: "What I Like About You" by the Romantics The first 3 opening chords. I can tell the 1st is a high E, and the 4th and 5th are D and A. It's the 2nd and 3rd that I can't tell. (I used to think they were D and E, but there is something else strange going on). Thanks.


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The National Black Public Relations Society (NBPRS) recently held its 2011 Conference and Career Fair at the InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel, downtown. The theme for this year's conference was: "The Network @ Work–Managing Transitions, Techniques and Technology for business and Career Success."
Also known as "BPRS" (Beepers), the NBPRS held their opening reception at the Harley-Davidson Museum, where attendees from around the country got a taste of Milwaukee and a warm brew city welcome. Carol Moseley Braun, a former Illinois Senator, presidential candidate and former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, delivered the keynote address on Friday during he NBPRS conference luncheon. Conference workshops dealt with crisis management, writing copy to the media that sells, personal branding success and technologies role in public relations and marketing.
Since its founding in 1997, the NBPRS has served as an advocate for Black professionals in the public relations, media relations, corporate communications, investor relations, government affairs, community relations and related fields. Run by professionals for professionals, NBPRS address the diverse needs of its members through programs and partnerships that provide cultural and competitive advantages.
NBPRS has chapters in the major media markets and offers peer-to-peer support, mentorship, networking, job opportunities, internships, and career advancement strategies for professionals engaged in corporate, government, agency, non-profit, and private practice. For more information, visit www.NBPRS.org. Look for more pictures from the conference in this week's WKND Focus/In The Black.


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Seder Menu: Recipes from ABC Kitchen's Jean-Georges Vongerichten
In honor of the ritual Jewish feast that marks the beginning of Passover after sunset tonight, we asked ABC Kitchen's Jean-Georges Vongerichten to share his favorite seder recipes. Below, his inspired takes on some of the traditional staples of the meal: chazeret, charoset, karpas, and beitzah.
Click here to see a slideshow of designers and others' custom seder plates created especially for Vogue.com.
Chazeret: Red Endive and Horseradish Dressing
For the dressing:
¼ cup white prepared horseradish
2 TB Dijon mustard
4 TB red wine vinegar
1½ tsp. kosher salt
½ cup grapeseed oil
Combine first set in a blender and process until smooth. Drizzle in oil to emulsify. Refrigerate until needed.
To serve:
5 each spears red endive
2 TB dressing
Minced chives
Arrange endive on a seder plate and drizzle with the dressing, then sprinkle with chives.
Charoset: Roasted Almond, Guajillo Chili Pepper Pesto with Red Apple and Cinnamon
For the pesto:
First set
3 each guajillo peppers, stemmed and seeded
½ cup boiling water
Second set
1 cup whole blanched almonds, toasted golden brown
½ cup kosher red sweet wine
1 T ground cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 T sugar
Third set
1 cup red apple, medium julienne on mandolin
Place peppers in a small container and pour hot water over. Let stand for 15 minutes. Transfer to blender with second set and process to coarse mash. Just before serving, julienne apples and mix into pesto.
To serve:
Spoon neatly into seder plate.
Karpas: Asparagus with a Sea Salt Dressing
For the dressing:
4 T sea salt
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
¼ cup water
Microplaned zest from 1 large lemon
Combine all and mix until salt is dissolved.
To serve:
Jumbo green asparagus, bottom third removed, peeled, blanched and shocked.
Pour dressing into a small bowl and arrange asparagus on a seder plate.
Z'roa: Lamb Marrow Bone Seasoned with Parsley, Garlic, and Lemon Zest
For the lamb marrow bone:
1 each lamb shank bone, meat removed for another use, bone cleaned, split in half lengthwise
Place bones marrow side up in a small baking dish and bake in a 350° oven for 10 minutes.
For the parsley garnish:
3 T parsley, chopped
½ tsp. garlic, minced very fine
1 tsp. microplaned lemon zest
Combine and mix well.
To serve:
Sea salt
Arrange marrow bone on a seder plate and top neatly with the parsley garnish. Sprinkle with sea salt.
Beitzah: Crispy Slowly Poached Egg, Salt, and Pepper
For the eggs:
Organic farm eggs
Matzo meal
149° water bath.
Poach eggs in their shells in a 149° water bath for 90 minutes. Cool in an ice bath. Pour matzo meal into a small baking dish to create a 2-inch-thick layer. Carefully crack shells and remove eggs and transfer to the matzo meal. Roll eggs in matzo to coat well. Pan-fry in grapeseed oil until golden brown, then blot well on paper towels.
To serve:
Sea salt
Black pepper
Carefully cut eggs in half and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.


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Babcock's Three-Hitter Not EnoughPosted: Updated:
23rd-ranked Arizona softball (28-22, 5-13 Pac-12) fell in extra innings to Oregon State (30-17, 7-11 Pac-12) despite a gem from starter Shelby Babcock.
Babcock (15-9) allowed just three hits over eight innings with six strikeouts and three walks but was let down by her pitching and defense.
The Arizona offense, after stranding 20 total runners in the first two games, stranded 14 more today, totaling a mind--blowing 34 in three games. Arizona scored just one run on seven hits.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Wildcats failed to turn what would have been a game-ending double play, failed to get an out on a ground ball and did not convert an outfield assist that would have sent the game to the ninth inning.
After the Wildcats had taken a 1-0 lead in the top of the inning, Babcock got Maggie Doremus to fly out to begin the bottom of the eighth. After Babcock hit pinch hitter Bailee Niehus, Ashley Sanchez hit a groundball to third. Lauren Young fielded it and attempted to get the lead runner at second, but pinch runner Isabelle Batayola beat the throw to put two on and one out. Elizabeth Santana then hit a groundball that appeared to be poised to end the game. Young fielded it, stepped on third for one out and threw to first, attempting to turn a 5-3, game-ending double play. The throw, which would have been in time, was low and got away from first baseman Kelsey Rodriguez. The runners moved up to second and third. Down to their final out, the Beavers received a base hit from Lea Cavestany. While the tying run scored easily, Santana, representing the winning run, appeared to be out on the outfield assist from Hallie Wilson, but home plate umpire Brett Higgins ruled that catcher Chelsea Goodacre dropped the ball and called Santana safe to end the game.
In the top of the eighth, after the teams exchanged zeros in the first seven frames, the Cats broke through when Alex Lavine singled up the middle to score pinch runner Courtney Rodriguez. Arizona would go on to leave the bases loaded in that inning, three of 14 stranded for the game.
Oregon State earned three consecutive 2-1 victories, all ending on plays at home plate. The sweep marks the first time that Oregon State has swept Arizona.
Arizona used a seven-hit attack, two each by Wilson and Kelsey Rodriguez, along with nine Time Andreana (8-5) walks, to threaten in every inning; Arizona had multiple runners in every inning but the second and fifth. Arizona had its leadoff hitter reach base in six of the eight innings and did not score any of them.
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.


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7mm Outer Steering Pivot Ball Set (4) by JQRacing
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This product was added to our catalog on December 16, 2010.This is a replacement JQ Products 7mm Outer Steering Pivot Ball Set, and is intended for use with JQ Products THE Car. This package includes four pivot balls that are used in the outer steering links.


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TOKYO — The government asked the Soviet Union to scale down a planned artillery exercise in the Sea of Japan beginning today, Foreign Ministry officials said Thursday. Japan fears the exercise could hurt fishermen operating near the exercise area.
The request was presented to the Soviet government by the Japanese Embassy in Moscow on Wednesday.


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Paying for college and using your benefits
UNT has been named one of America's 100 Best College Buys® for 22 consecutive years. We work hard to keep tuition reasonable.
UNT's Eagle Express Tuition Plan lets you lock in your academic costs for four years, earn your degree sooner and save up to $4,000 when you graduate in four years. No other Texas university offers a more innovative solution to rising college costs.
Learn more about UNT's tuition rates and view our annual cost for attendance.
Military benefits
UNT offers many different ways to help you pay for your college education. As a veteran, active duty member or reservist, there are additional military benefits that you or your family can access to help get the degree that you deserve.
Chapter 30 — Montgomery GI Bill®
You may be eligible if you meet the following:
- entered active duty on or after July 1, 1985
- If obligated period of service is less than 3 years, then the serviceperson must serve 24 continuous months. If enlisted for 3 years or more, then the serviceperson must serve for at least 36 months
- must not have declined GI Bill® in writing at initial entry
- had your military pay reduced by $100 per month for 12 months ($1,200)
- and have an honorable discharge
Other qualifications are available at the GI Bill® website. Monthly payment is based on enrollment in courses leading to your degree. You usually have 10 years to use your MGIB benefits, but the time limit can be less, in some cases, and longer under certain circumstances.
If you are on active duty, you may use these benefits upon completion of two years of active service. See the education services officer in your branch of service for more information.
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Program
Veterans are eligible if they:
- have received, or will receive, a discharge that is other than dishonorable
- have a service-connected disability rating of at least 10%, or a memorandum rating of 20% or more from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA)
- apply for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) services
The basic period of eligibility for benefits is 12 years. For billing information, contact the Vocational Rehabilitation billing clerk in the Student Veteran Services office at 940-369-7885.
Chapter 33 - Post 9/11 GI Bill®
This is available if you have at least 90 days of aggregate service after Sept. 10, 2001, or if you were discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. You must also have received an honorable discharge.
This program pays:
- tuition and fees not to exceed the maximum in-state costs at a public institution
- a monthly housing allowance if student is attending more than 50% rate of pursuit — more than half time enrolled
- up to $1,000 per academic year book stipend paid proportionately based on enrolled hours
- a one-time rural benefit payment for eligible individuals
Individuals only enrolled in distance learning courses are eligible for a monthly housing allowance equal to 50% of the national average of all Basic Allowances for Housing. Also, if you are on active duty, you will not receive the housing allowance.
Active duty members are eligible for the book stipend. This benefit provides up to 36 months of education benefits. Generally, benefits are payable for 15 years following your release from active duty.
Chapter 33 — Post 9/11 GI Bill® — Transfer of Entitlement (TOE)
Service members may transfer their own entitlement to their spouse or children:
- An individual approved by the Department of Defense to transfer unused entitlement under the Post 9/11 GI Bill® may transfer the individual's entitlement to:
- The individual's spouse
- One or more of the individual's children.
- Any combination of spouse and child (not to exceed a combined total of 36 months)
- A family member must be enrolled in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS) and be eligible for benefits, at the time of transfer to receive transferred educational benefits.
- Eligible transferee spouses have 15 years from veteran's date of discharge to use benefits.
- Eligible transferee children have from the age of 18 to 26 to use their benefits.
Hazlewood Act (Texas veterans)
This act provides tuition and some fee exemptions for your undergraduate and graduate course work. For questions regarding the act, come to Student Veteran Services located in the General Academic Building (GAB), suite 102 or call 940-369-8021. Read general eligibility information and answers to frequently asked questions.
Chapter 35 - Survivors and dependents education
An education allowance is available to the spouse, surviving spouse or dependent child of a veteran who:
- is 100% permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected disability
- died while rated as 100% permanently and totally disabled as a result of a service-connected injury
- died as a result of a service-connected injury while on active duty
- was held as a POW or was MIA (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) for 90 days or more (benefits end when that status ends)
Monthly payment is based on enrollment in courses leading toward a degree.
Chapter 35 — Benefits
- Receive up to 45 months of education benefits
- Receive 5 additional months of benefits for remedial or deficiency training
- Spouses have 10 years from the date of veteran's death to use benefits
- Surviving spouses of veterans killed on active duty have 20 years to use benefits
- Children have from the ages of 18 and 26 to use their benefits
- The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits
Chapter 1606 - Selected Reserve GI Bill®
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have an obligation to serve for a period of not less than 6 years after June 30, 1985;
- If you are an officer, you must have agreed to serve six years in addition to your original obligation. For some types of training, it is necessary to have a six-year commitment that begins after September 30, 1990;
- Complete your initial active duty for training (IADT);
- Have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate before completing IADT (You may not use 12 hours toward a college degree to meet this requirement);
- Member must be participating satisfactorily and remain in good standing while serving in an active Selected Reserve unit;
Your eligibility period may be extended if you are ordered to active duty.
Monthly payment is based on enrolled hours in courses leading to a degree. You may be eligible up to 36 months of entitlement.
Chapter 1607 - Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
Eligibility will be determined by the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security as appropriate.
A member of the Ready Reserve must have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001, in support of a contingency (federal) operation for 90 consecutive days or more.
The amount of monthly rate is dependent on how long the member was active. Eligibility can be 40%, 60% or 80%, depending on the Chapter 30 monthly rate.
National Guard members are eligible if your active service extends for 90 consecutive days or more and your service is:
- authorized under section 502(f), title 21, U.S.C.
- authorized by the President or Secretary of Defense for a national emergency
- supported by federal funds
You will need to remain in the Selected Reserve to maintain eligibility for REAP. Read about other possible qualifications.
Financial aid and scholarships
About 75 percent of UNT students receive financial aid totaling $330 million annually. More than $39 million in scholarships is awarded each year at UNT. UNT can offer you grants, college work study and loans that are funded and regulated by state and federal governments. You just complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Learn more about financial aid and scholarships at UNT.
Military residency waiver
This waiver offers Texas resident tuition rates, if one of the following statements applies to you:
- You are currently assigned to duty in Texas, and are employed with the Army, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve. This also applies to spouses and children.
- You are currently living in Texas and sign a letter of intent to establish residency.
- You were honorably discharged from the military within the last 3 years after serving at least 90 days of Active Duty Service, and using GI Bill educational benefits.
- Your parent or spouse was honorably discharged from the military within the last 3 years after serving at least 90 days of Active Duty Service and has transferred GI Bill educational benefits to you.
Military Tuition Assistance Program
Military Tuition Assistance is a benefit paid to eligible members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, National Guard, and Coast Guard. Congress has given each service the ability to pay up to $250 per semester credit hour for the tuition expenses of its members. Each military branch has its own criteria for eligibility, obligated service, application process and restrictions. Click on the following links for detailed information:
This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual branches. Students may contact the UNT Registrar's Office for further information once their request for Tuition Assistance has been approved.
Scholarship for Externally Funded Doctoral Students
The UNT Scholarship for Externally Funded Doctoral Students is a one-year $1,000 tuition scholarship to be awarded each academic year to eligible doctoral students who are able to provide evidence of guaranteed support through a stipend, grant or other source in a total amount equal to or greater than $10,000 from one or more organizations outside the University of North Texas System, including veteran's benefits.
Scholarships for veterans
Working on campus
Student employment is available, including 3,200 on-campus jobs and many more off campus.
If you find that you need a little help handling your finances, UNT's award-winning Student Money Management Center provides tools and solutions students need to achieve financial independence during their college experience. Free services include private consultations with professionals or peer counselors.
For questions regarding VA Educational Benefits, please email firstname.lastname@example.com.


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"It's definitely a work in progress," conceded Team Canada coach Marc Habscheid after his charges defeated Latvia 3-1 yesterday in an exhibition tuneup for the world hockey championship.
But even with that qualifier, Habscheid was pleased with his team's performance.
There was some rustiness, and he will need to address the occasional lack of discipline, but all in all, the Canadians are getting better each time out.
They outskated the Latvians -- who they will face again on Saturday in the opener of the world championship -- and played a sound defensive game and never looked threatened.
There was one first-period mixup when Rick Nash and Joe Thornton each thought the other was going to take possession of a loose puck.
Even though either could easily have done so, neither did. Janis Sprukts pounced on it, moved in alone on Martin Brodeur and beat him.
But in the second period, the Canadians dominated and got goals from Patrick Marleau and Simon Gagne. Dany Heatley wrapped up the scoring with a pretty goal in the third.
Spurred by their exuberant crowd, the Latvians played well in the first period, but after that, the Canadians' significant size advantage seemed to wear them down.
"They were coming out all fired up," Habscheid said. "We just got over here and it took our guys a period to get their legs under them."
Once they did, there was little doubt which team would emerge victorious.
Despite their one misunderstanding, Nash and Thornton, who played together in Davos, Switzerland this season, looked dangerous all night.
Heatley, another player who took the opportunity to hone his skills in Europe, also was in top form, beating two Latvians as he cut across the ice at the top of the circle then wiring a rising shot over the glove of Edgars Masalskis.
At the other end, Brodeur -- or Martins Brodeuris as he was introduced -- played a sharp game. He had to make a couple of fine glove saves in the early going and after that, was steady as the Canadians killed a string of penalties.
It was the type of challenge the Canadians wanted -- enough to make them work, but not enough to damage their confidence.