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|You are in: Business
Tuesday, 19 February, 2002, 12:13 GMT
GM sees Daewoo deal in 60 days
General Motors hopes to finalise an agreement to buy troubled Korean car firm Daewoo Motor "no later than April".
But Fritz Henderson, GM's regional vice-president for Asia Pacific, said also warned that difficulties surrounding the deal remained.
"Thirty (days) is probably tight. Sixty is probably reasonable", he told reporters at a business lunch.
GM signed an initial agreement to buy two Korean factories from Daewoo plus its overseas operations for $400m in September.
However, Mr Henderson, said issues still to be settled in talks with Daewoo's creditors included which factories GM would take over, labour agreements, and claims against the bankrupt Korean car firm.
Daewoo Motor's labour unions have protested, sometimes violently, against the GM takeover.
For its part GM has resisted taking on some older plants and the Pupyong plant where the unions are based.
More recently, it has been rumoured that GM is being similarly selective about Daewoo's overseas units, and does not want to take on its Egyptian plant.
Daewoo Motors has shed hundreds of jobs in a bid to restore profitability.
See also:
08 Jan 02 | Business
Daewoo cuts jobs to ease merger
07 Jan 02 | Business
Daewoo deal proceeds despite debt fears
10 Dec 01 | Business
South Korea predicts record car output
24 Sep 01 | Business
Daewoo deal 'favours' GM
21 Sep 01 | Business
GM signs Daewoo deal
18 Sep 01 | Business
GM 'optimistic' on Daewoo deal
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Meet Pete Karma, the man who broke jail and wound up neck-deep in a gangland bloodbath. Pete had a lot of hate stored up inside. He hadn't committed the murder he'd been sent up for, and it didn't take him long to figure out who'd framed him and how. After two and a half years in the slammer, Pete had his plan down perfect. His crooked lawyer, Charlie Risko, would get it first. But as soon as Pete had a spare moment, there were some other things that had to be taken care of.
©1963 Fawcett Publications, Inc., Copyright Registration Renewed © 1991 by Robert Ragan (P)2012 Audible, Inc.
"If you love hard boiled crime....."
Great rendition of pulp fiction.
Great story, plot, and twists.
What a find in Dan Marlowe.
I believe you will really enjoy this crime novel from the crooks perspective.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
STARmeterSEE RANK
Up 67,624 this week
John McGovern (I) (1902–1985)
John McGovern was born on February 22, 1902 in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. He was an actor, known for The Birds (1963), Splendor in the Grass (1961) and That Night! (1957). He was married to Peggy Allenby. He died on July 28, 1985 in Clinton, Connecticut, USA. See full bio »
Born:in Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Died:(age 83) in Clinton, Connecticut, USA


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Here's the latest action:
The White House and YouTube need to video message one another — A report this morning by CNET claimed the White House was ditching YouTube as a platform for President Obama's weekly addresses and going with a different Flash-based solution from Akamai. The decision was said to be due to privacy concerns about information YouTube (which Google owns) tracks. But the whole thing is not true says a later report from the White House, according to The New York Times. Apparently, it is just experimenting with different video formats. Maybe this is all just part of the new administration's technology "bumps."
The Dow plunges below 7,000 — It's the first time the index has been that low since 1997. As recently as October 2007 it was at an all-time high of over 14,000. The NASDAQ was down around the 1,300 mark as well, and it's closing in on the dot-com bust lows. The S&P 500 is at 700, a level it hasn't traded below since 1996.
No iPhones or iPods in the Gates home — That's what Bill Gates' wife Melinda says in a profile in Vogue. "There are very few things that are on the banned list in our household," Melinda Gates tells Vogue. "But iPods and iPhones are two things we don't get for our kids." No word on if they have Zunes, as TechFlash comically mentions.
Apple readying new Time Capsules and AirPort Extremes? — If regulatory filings are any indication, Apple will soon have new versions of both devices, according to AppleInsider. No word on when these will come, but Apple's rumored March event is now even more up in the air with rumors of Apple unveiling its new iMacs and Mac minis tomorrow. As with all things Apple, it's wait-and-see.
Flock ditching Firefox for Chrome? — That's what TechCrunch hears. The company states that it's sticking with the Firefox engine — for now — but doesn't rule out a switch in the future.
TweetMeme meets revenue stream — The service, which aggregates links from Twitter, now features "Sponsored Tweets," meaning it has beaten Twitter itself to making some money (though the service maintains that is on the way). ReadWriteWeb has more.
Netflix is coming on down to South Park — And is paying cash to do so, according to The New York Times. "We've never given the show to anybody else to stream, but we like Netflix as a service. We use it," co-creator Matt Stone tells the Times. Apparently, South Park chose Netflix over both Hulu and Joost.
Streaming HBO shows? — The hbo.com site will soon relaunch using Adobe Flash, but it's not entirely clear if that means it will feature streaming episodes of its excellent shows. But NewTeeVee seems to think that will be the case.
ReadBurner launches a URL-shortner — Though it admits BurnURL is really like any other URL shortener, ReadBurner hopes it will spur the sharing of content that makes its site tick.


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ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
Heyy~! Call me Mikka~! (though you may also know me as Houkiboshi-chan) I've been cosplaying ever since Anime Expo 2007 and I usually make my own cosplays. Cosplay, music and photography are my main interests. I love my friends and I love making new ones~ :]
Recent Updates
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Article published in the Nov. 11 issue of The Blood-Horse
Bobbing and weaving under the left-handed encouragement of jockey Jerry Bailey, Macho Uno raced greenly down the stretch of the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). Green is Kermit the Frog. Green is a dewy meadow in springtime. Macho Uno's greenness is like that of a Midori cocktail or a heaping bowl of salsa verde with a thick slice of jalapeno--he comes with a mean kick. As Macho Uno kicked clear of the pacesetters under the shadow of the Churchill Downs Twin Spires, a threatening menace in the form of Point Given was flying on the far outside under the green and white silks of The Thoroughbred Corp. But green also means go, and Macho Uno dug in and reached for the wire. The short lead of the compact, well-muscled son of Holy Bull was diminishing with each stride of the super-sized Point Given, but like a young, green sapling, he bowed but never snapped, and the two appeared to hit the line together. Gary Stevens, the rider of Point Given, was thinking it was déjà vu all over again, as his off-the-pace tactics worked the year before on the same owner's Anees. "I was having flashbacks at the sixteenth pole," Stevens said. "I really thought we
were going to get there." The slow-motion replay didn't give many clues. Only the photo-finish camera gave the ever-so-slight nod to Stronach Stables' Macho Uno, who was winning for the third time in four career starts. Another photo, the photo op in the winner's circle, offered more than a touch of irony. Presenting the trophy to winning owner Frank Stronach, chief of Magna Entertainment, was Tim Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Magna's tracks were seven of the 22 that dropped out of the NTRA the week before the Breeders' Cup. "Macho Uno means number one man (in Spanish), and he proved it today," owner Stronach said. Joe Orseno, Macho Uno's ever-ebullient trainer and hardly one to be at a loss for words, nearly was. "There aren't words," he said afterward, while talking about both Macho Uno's victory and Perfect Sting's win in the Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT) a half-hour before. "But it's a great feeling. I dreamt about it, coming over here today." "Sometimes you have to dream," said Stronach. However, it wasn't a dream--it was long green, as Macho Uno earned $556,400, making him the leader in the clubhouse for an Eclipse Award and the measuring stick for next year's classics. As a half-brother to 1998 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Awesome Again, his pedigree suggests he'll thrive at three and beyond. "Awesome Again didn't run as a 2-year-old," Stronach said. "Macho Uno is larger and stronger at this stage of the game." "He's talented, full of ability, and he's just a young colt," Orseno said. Macho Uno tipped his talented hand not long after coming to Orseno, winning a July 26 maiden race at Saratoga in impressive fashion. He came off the farm where he had received his early education from Danny Vella, who conditions Stronach's youngsters and those off the track for a freshening at Adena South in Florida. Both Orseno and Stronach give credit to Vella--"He had him before me," Orseno said of Vella and Macho Uno. "I just managed him." "You have to give credit to the team," Stronach said. "We know Joe is going to get a good horse." Thrust into the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) during the last weekend of the Saratoga meet in just his second career start, Macho Uno was forced to slug it out while in a difficult spot between horses nearly the entire length of the seven-furlong race, and still came up only a neck shy of a dead heat between more seasoned 2-year-olds City Zip and Yonaguska. Those two, plus another 11 youngsters, would flounder in his wake a scant two months later on the world's largest Thoroughbred stage. Bailey got a first-hand feel of the power of Macho Uno in the Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes (Can-I) at Woodbine on Oct. 9 as they motored away from three rivals to win by seven widening lengths. The trip to Canada was by design, but the shortness of the field was not. "We really wanted a two-turn race for him," Orseno said of the trip north for the 1 1/16-mile Grey, same as the Juvenile distance. "The races in New York were around one turn. It was either the race in Canada or the (Lane's End) Breeders' Futurity (gr. II) at Keeneland. Mr. Stronach is from Canada and likes to see his horses run, so we went up there. At the time there were 29 nominated for the Grey. We didn't know only three others were going to show up." After the cake walk in Canada, Macho Uno was shipped to Kentucky, where he settled in with the rest of Orseno's horses, including Perfect Sting and Classic starter Golden Missile.


text:
Meltzer, Bernard D., 1914-2007
From Library of Congress Name Authority File
Meltzer, Bernard D., 1914-2007
Instance Of
Scheme Membership(s)
Collection Membership(s)
Additional Information
Exact Matching Concepts from Other Schemes
- found: His Labor law, c1985: t.p. (Bernard D. Meltzer)
- found: LC data base, 10/1/85 (hdg.: Meltzer, Bernard D., 1914- )
- found: New York times WWW site, Jan. 8, 2007 (in obituary published Jan. 6: Bernard D. Meltzer; b. Bernard David Meltzer, Nov. 21, 1914, Philadelphia; d. Thursday [Jan. 4, 2007], Chicago, aged 92; law professor who helped bring clarity to labor-management issues at a time of great change in the field, who was a prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crimes trials, and who helped draft the United Nations Charter)
Change Notes
- 1985-10-04: new
- 2007-01-09: revised
Alternate Formats


text:
Two Shreveporters Arrested for Bossier Parish Robbery
Two Shreveport residents are now behind bars — charged in connection with the May 29th armed robbery of Emerson's on Highway 157 in Bossier Parish. A Shreveport Police Department S.W.A.T. team surrounded a house in the 8800 block of Westbrook Place before dawn this morning and was able to apprehend 32-year-old Robert L. Clark. He was booked into Caddo Correctional Center as a fugitive from Bossier Parish and then transferred to the Bossier Maximum Security Facility where he was booked on charges of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and illegal use of a weapon. Then, around 7 o'clock this evening, police arrested Clark's 26-year-old girlfriend, Jasmine Billingsley. She's been booked on charges of armed robbery and accessory after the fact. Bossier Sheriff's deputies say she supplied the vehicle that Clark used in the robbery and then used some of the money from the robbery to pay her bills. Clark is being held on $250,000 bond. At last report, Billingsley's bond has not yet been set.
Bossier Parish Sheriff Larry Deen credits a collaborative effort among his deputies, Shreveport Police, Bossier City Police, and the Louisiana State Police for finding and arresting these suspects. He also gives credit to the media for broadcasting and posting surveillance video of the robbery. He says tips received from those who saw the video led to today's arrests.
Bossier Parish Sheriff's investigators say Clark has an extensive violent crime history in Texas that includes numerous robberies and car thefts — dating back to the time that he was 16 years old. And they say that he's spent at least 16 years behind bars for his previous crimes.


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Literature vs. Traffic
Citing "the modest power of the written word," the anonymous Spanish art collective Luzinterruptus transformed downtown Melbourne into "a river of books (in) which literature took control of the streets," using 10,000 illuminated, donated books that, at the end of the "intervention," were claimed by spectators. The group uses light and social change as key themes in its exhibits, which have also featured plastic bags and the work of miners.
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All Android applications categories
A joint venture, defined by Webster's is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake an economic activity together. The parties that wish to form this group, though separate at the beginning of the venture, makes agreed upon allowances in work division and economic contributions.
The author and publisher of this Ebook and the accompanying materials have used their best efforts in preparing this Ebook. The author and publisher make no representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the contents of this Ebook. The information contained in this Ebook is strictly for educational purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in this Ebook, you are taking full responsibility for your actions.
The author and publisher disclaim any warranties (express or implied), merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. The author and publisher shall in no event be held liable to any party for any direct, indirect, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of this material, which is provided "as is", and without warranties.
As always, the advice of a competent legal, tax, accounting or other professional should be sought. The author and publisher do not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any sites listed or linked to in this Ebook. All links are for information purposes only and are not warranted for content, accuracy or any other implied or explicit purpose.
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text:
Let me tell you that if you're looking for a man who cannot write complete sentences, has enough back hair to pass for a sweater, and does drugs *socially* I have found the man for you. In fact, I have found several.
Evidently, Plenty of Fish thinks that I'm an uneducated stoner because this is the type of man I am matched up with. Every few days I scroll through pictures of men who Plenty of Fish says I match with - men who do not know the difference between you're, your, there, their and they're, too, two, and to - you get the picture. One man said a first date would be dependent on what the parsons want. Why should they have a say in it? Unless he didn't know how to spell person - in which case, that's just really sad.
I'm gonna break it down for you...if you're considering placing a profile on any dating website, I now consider myself to be an expert on what to expect. I can lead you through this, so you're not shocked out of your mind when you realize what is out there. It's not just you. Unless, it's just me. And that's a little depressing, so I'm going to ignore that. I think I've done enough *research* to know that the following list has been compiled after searching many, many profiles. Ya know, for research...
I will start with pictures, because this has been my greatest source of humour. Now, I know this sounds really mean, because lets face it, these guys are people. They have feelings. And I don't want to be going around making fun of people if it's mean spirited. If, however, it is considered to be a study on human nature, we can all agree that it's not mean. Right? Right. If you're presenting your best self, one would think you'd want to present your...best...self. That's not too difficult to understand, is it? Because this is going to be some one's first impression of you. Whether we like to admit it or not, first impressions are uber important to all of us. So, if you put a picture of yourself in a wife beater with dark sunglasses, a baseball hat, holding a can a beer - what do you think women are going to deduce from this??? That you're a great conversationalist? Okay, so maybe you like camping - but is anyone ever their *best self* while camping? No, no I don't think so.
I've decided that men put pictures on their profile that are supposed to attract other men, not women. To be fair, maybe women do the same, but I've not spent hours scrolling through other women's profiles. I see the picture of a guy fishing. How is that supposed to attract me? How? Oooooh, look how yummy that man looks with a 5 pound trout in his hands or look how he can provide for a family. No, to me it says two things. First of all, it says "I have hobbies that are time intensive and you have to be okay with that." It's setting up for future fights..."but babe, you knew this about me before we started dating. I like to fish. I fish a lot. It was one of the pictures on my profile. This isn't new, but now you have a problem with it." Secondly, that picture says, "dude....did you see the size of that fish? Who da man?Oh ya...I'm the man."
Then you've got the picture of the dude taking his own picture - shirtless in the bathroom with his camera phone. This puzzled me for some time, because I couldn't figure out why some guy couldn't just ask his friend or family member to take the picture of him with his uhhhh, six pack (or somewhere close to that if you look really, really close...) but then I realized how embarrassing it must be to ask someone to take a nearly nude picture of you flexing your somewhat muscles to put on an online dating web site. Uh, how lame are you, right?? I could see why that's not such a good idea unless you like to be mocked at Christmas gatherings and such. Here's a little secret...I don't need to see a picture of your pecs before I date you. Do you walk up to a woman in the coffee shop, pull up your shirt to show her your abs and then give her your number? No, you don't. That's like a second or third date kinda deal. So do yourselves a favour and leave that photo out. You just look pathetic and lonely no matter how big your muscles are...
There is the picture of the the dude with his arms around two beautiful, buxom women. Of course, they all have drinks and they're all smiling. This picture also says two things (and whoever said a picture is worth a thousand words was really, really smart!!) to me. It says either "women love me and are attracted to me, so you should be too" or it says "I have many, many women friends and you have to be okay with that if you want to be with me." Either way, it's their subconscious way of pushing women away as far I'm concerned. You're still playing stupid games and you're not ready to settle down. Why don't you date one of them? I'm not a jealous person by nature, but I see the guy I'm dating drunk and hanging all over some women...I'm not going to be okay with that...and neither should you.
They have lots and lots of friends...look here's a picture to prove it. Again, a good way to fend off future arguments. "Well, you knew that I was really close with my buddies, babe. It was no secret." And the fact that he goes out with his friends every other night and puts them before you all the time...that's more than just a picture. But I don't know, maybe that's just me.
Men, they like their cars. They like their trucks. They like their motorcycles. I get that. It's good. But do they have to put a picture of their car on their profile? Is that supposed to make me more attracted to them? Ooooooh, look at that Chevy Cavalier! That's hot. This guy is a keeper. A keeper!! I like my curling iron, but do I put a picture of it on my profile? No. No I do not. I have a fabulous pair of new stilettos, but they're not on my profile, either. Because men don't care about that kind of shit. Just like I don't care to see a picture of your dirt bike.
These are the pictures that come up most. There are others too, that are a little more random. There's the picture of them with their pets (the softer side), skiing or snowboarding (FYI...everyone loves doing that...except me....), the alcohol induced photos (I don't care to see you drunk...not a good first impression), the side profile (obviously they're hiding the ugly side...), the pictures of the extreme sports (um, no thank you).
Maybe it's wrong, maybe it's horrible of me. I'm profiling the profiles, hahaha.


text: thumb|300px|rightMestre Leopoldina (born December 2, 1933 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – died October 17, 2007). Retrieved from "http://capoeirista.wikia.com/wiki/Mestre_Leopoldina?oldid=4041" Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you've made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. Categories: Mestres Add category Cancel Save


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Play free online games!
City Heroes
City Heroes
Play with your own profile by registering yourself for this fun game. You can also play as guest, but your scores and account will not be saved then.
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City Heroes
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DescriptionCity Heroes is a fun and fast robot shooter! It's your job to prevent the robots from overrunning the city. As you shoot them, you can collect coins to upgrade your arsenal. How long can you keep them at bay?
|Use your mouse to play


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This product is no longer available.
You can try these similar gifts instead.
Sofia the First Magazine Subscription
Every two months, she'll get a copy of a magazine that features the stories of one of her favorite characters, Sofia the First. It's a charming gift for a little girl who adores adventure, princesses, and happy tales.


text:
Sled base ergonomic polyurethane chair
Fabric, Plastic, Polyurethane (PU)
Like a seashell, Coquille's frame in integral or foam polyurethane is open to endless possibilities for customisation: the two assembled parts which make it up may in fact be in integral polyurethane or covered in either leather or fabric of the most various colours, creating original combinations of materials and colours between the backrest and seat. Its base, conceived in three different fashions, ashwood, metal rods or cast aluminium spokes, exalts the versatility of this model all the more. Coquille can be used to furnish meeting rooms and offices, as the main chair around a table, or inserted as a single piece in a living room or bedroom. An armchair with a strong personality that strikes you for its quality and refined details, the offspring of a complex and ambitious project by designers Folco Orlandini and Andrea Radice. Its frame is available in ashwood, mat anthracite or black walnut tinted, the steel rod can be chromed and white mat varnished, in polished cast aluminium or white mat varnished. Its shell is available in integral polyurethane, colours taupe, mustard, and anthracite or white and in foam covered in light grey wool, grey‐blue, tartan brown or tobacco or plum coloured leather. Size: h 80/82, p 58, l 55 cm
Armchair, lacquered steel frame, upholstered or integral polyurethane shell.


text:
Michigan Men's Medical Clinic
Men in Michigan know to visit Michigan Men's Medical Clinic if they need to treat erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. The clinic promises that after just one visit, patients will receive medicine that allows them to combat these sexual issues. This is possible because physicians at the Michigan Men's Medical Clinic customize medicine for each patient by taking into account existing health conditions. These customized medications work for 98% of all men without side effects.


text:
TMG-L ArchivesArchiver > TMG > 2001-01 > 0979011654
From: Lee Hoffman <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Source memos
Date: Mon, 08 Jan 2001 22:40:54 -0500
In-Reply-To: <firstname.lastname@example.com>
Doug Gordon wrote:
>I've been using the Memo part of the Source definition to put text such as
>the contents of a deed, the inscription on a headstone, etc. Is this the
>intended place for this type of info? What I have noticed is that this field
>does not seem to be referenced in any of the reports that I have found (I'm
>still new at this program!). Is there a standard place where this would be
>printed? I would sort of expect it in an "Endnotes" section of a book, but
>there is no sentence specifically for endnotes as far as I can tell. Some of
>this would be a bit too much for a standard footnote.
The text of a Source would normally be entered as an Exhibit. The Memo
(Comments) field of a Source Definition will print _if_ the Source Element
is included as part of one or more of the Templates for that Source
Category. You may globally alter the Source Templates to include this
Source Element in the System Configuration screen Tools=>Options from the
top menu). Alternatively, you may alter an individual Source Definition by
adding the Source Element to one of the Patterns on the Output Forms tab.
For more information on creating Sources, visit the TMG Tips website (URL
below). The TMG Proprietary page and the Articles & Tutorials page both
have items related to this topic.
Hope this helps -
Lee Hoffman/KY
TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>
My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>
A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)
This thread:
|Re: [TMG] Source memos by Lee Hoffman <>


text: Hey guys, I set a profile that turns WiFi On based on Cell Near (antennas). Someones when I'm at home and under those Cells, there are still areas in my house that the WiFi has low signal. In these cases, I would like the WiFi to go off/disconnect and use 3G. (For example, if the WiFi signal is less than 50% -> go 3G). Is there any way to do that? I couldn't figure out how... Thanks Tom.


text:
Artist description:
My chibi LIneArt... LOl sorry i just made a simple drawing about him B'cuz i don't have my own computer yet. I hope you still like it ^w^
Flash Draw Created Feb 26, 2011 338 x 470px Unless noted Copyright 2011 Uomie.
We encourage you to submit a comment and let the artist know what you think of this drawing. Please log in or join to post a comment.
Post a comment
He's soo CUTE! You should definitely color him!!
Oh ! thank you so much... 0.o but how can I edit my drawing here? i was confused. *wonders*
:D wow he is sooo cute!
Thank you. *blushes*


text:
Hey guys!
I'm trying to figure out what is covered by the JR pass and whether I should be getting the 7 or 14 pass. I would appreciate if you could clarify my understanding.
Here is my itinerary:
Day 1 to 5: Arrive in Tokyo and straight to Shinjuku (Day 3: go to Five Lakes)
I think the 7 day pass starting on Day 6 and ending Day 12 is probably the best in terms of saving money. Do you agree?
I also just did a quick search using the 'Japan Trains' app (as recommended by Hyperdia). The route from Nagano to Osaka via Kanazawa is covered by the JR line. Is that correct?
Any help would be much appreciated!
Hello Wendy,
For this itinerary a 7 day JR Pass would work very very well! Even with a 14 day JR Pass help you make savings but since you'll do all longer distance travel in a 7 day period (day 6-12) you could do it all with a 7 day pass.
Travel within Tokyo is not very expansive and it is more economic to just buy normal ticket or use a day pass. Such as a Metro Day Pass or a JR Tokunai day pass. These can be purchased at local ticket machines.
The route from Nagano (via Kanazawa) to Osaka is covered by the JR Pass. There's also a limited express train once a day from Nagano direct Osaka station. This is also a very nice route as it passes around Mount Fuji and you can have some great views when the weather is nice. This is the limited Shinano express. This route is also covered by the JR Pass but does take a good amount of time, although you don't have any transfers.
Hope this helps,
Order your Japan Rail Pass Online
Starting from $254.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel
Please note: we are only able to handle order related enquiries via our online direct support. Commercial advertising is prohibited as per our website terms.


text:
I have commented on the Fair Tax before, but with mid-term elections coming up, it's worth mentioning again.
We hear about tax cuts here and spending cuts there, and our representatives honestly believe those two items are going to help. It may help, but it won't help enough to assure our children, and maybe even grandchildren, a rewarding economic future.
I think it is evident to most people that the present tax system is counterproductive to economic success. Billions of dollars are spent by the wealthy and by corporations to minimize taxes owed. Billions more are spent by individuals to have their tax returns prepared. The obvious solution to America's economic problems is the Fair Tax.
Yes the rate of the Fair Tax is 23 percent, but there is at least a rate of 22 percent in taxes already embedded in the cost of nearly everything we buy at the retail level. So the Fair Tax merely replaces these embedded taxes.
Imagine no income taxes to pay; no payroll taxes; no Social Security or Medicare tax; and no corporate income taxes, either. With a consumption tax, everybody who buys something at the retail level contributes. That means 300 million people in America will be contributing, plus anyone who visits us as a tourist.
Read Neal Boortz's and John Linder's books The Fair Tax Book and the sequel The Fair Tax Book -- Answering the Critics. After reading these books, contact your representatives to find out if they support the Fair Tax. Their answer should be a resounding "yes," because the Fair Tax is the only way out of the economic mess America is in.
Reuben Rockwell


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Discussion in 'Strings' started by dancraig, Nov 14, 2005.
Does anyone have any experience with Dunlop Synthetic Gut? Thanks.
Yep, didn't like it. It's elastic, but not resilient. Muted and dead feeling, and the outer wraps frayed off surprisingly quickly for the build type.
However, the reel i bought was a clearance from TW, so that may not be a good representation of the strings that come in the packages.
That mfil string is nice, soft w/ some crispness..
Terrible durability, too...
Separate names with a comma.


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In April Isilon announced a major refresh their scale-out NAS architecture. They doubled their IOP number for a maximum cluster size of 144 nodes to 1.4M IOPs and doubled of their maximum throughput to 85GB/s. It is not just the power of Intel (Westmere/Nahalem upgrades) that has driven this performance increase but also the intelligent use of SSD's. By supporting HDD's and SSD's in the same enclosure and by placing the file metadata on SSD, performance gets a significant boost. The IOP number has not yet been submitted to SpecFS so the performance number is still "unofficial".
With list pricing starting at $57,569 ($4.11/GB) for the S200 the value metric is not the traditional capacity view but $/IOP and $/MBs i.e. $6/IOP and $97/MBs respectively for the S200. With a starting price of $27,450/Node the X200 comes in at nearly $13/IOP and $110/MBs but has an attractive starting price of $1.14$/GB, even more attractive when their 80% utilization claim is factored in.
The latest announcement last week at EMCWorld increased the maximum supported single file system, single volume to 15PB plus support for 3TB HDD's on their capacity platform, the NL-108. Worth noting that this impressive scalability is only for the NL108 configured with 3TB drives. In comparison the higher performance X200 scalability tops out at 5.2PB.
Basic feature summary:
Feature S200 X200
It is no secret that EMC is pushing the notion of Big Data and positioning Isilon and Atmos as the foundational technologies to deliver the needed local and cloud based big data storage. EMC is in the process of divorcing the notion of big data from the traditional thinking that it is restricted to scientific HPC to include all large unstructured data sets including those increasingly found in enterprise environments.
Front and center in Isilon's promotional pitches are the advantages of scale-out namely, scalability, efficiency, ease of use and availability and are positioning themselves as the scale-out architecture that is integrated with capabilities that elevate it to enterprise class. This they believe serves them well in both their traditional space as well positioning them to penetrate the commercial HPC, Big Data space.
Expect to see a strong push by Isilon to broaden their enterprise data center footprint, the space that has so far been dominated by NetApp.


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England boss Hodgson refuses to reveal Italy game blueprint; willing to wait for The Ox [Video]
England boss Roy Hodgson refused to reveal any details of planning for their World Cup opener against Italy.
Hodgson didn't want to give his opponents any advantage by giving tactical insight ten days before the two clash.
In reply to the question of whether or not England would be fielding an unchanged line-up against Italy from the Honduras friendly on Saturday, Hodgson replied: "Well if I was I certainly wouldn't be admitting to it."
Hodgson also indicated that he would be willing to wait on Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain after the attacker suffered ligament damage: "We keep our fingers crossed that the injury isn't too serious and he may be able to take part in this World Cup for us."


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Israel-Syria: Could a new regime in Syria be good for the Golan Heights?
|Publication Date
|21 August 2012
|Cite as
|IRIN, Israel-Syria: Could a new regime in Syria be good for the Golan Heights?, 21 August 2012, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/503898651c8d.html [accessed 22 November 2017]
|This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
While conflict rages just kilometers away in Syria, the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights remains quiet. But there are signs that the 17-month old conflict has touched the areas' Arab residents. In Majdal Shams, the area's largest Arab village, blood-red graffiti reads: "Stop killing the Syrian people."
When the conflict in Syria began last year, the Golan Heights was still largely supportive of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of killing thousands of Syrians in the fight against the rebels. Now, locals say it's about a 50-50 split. But while the Druze communities become increasingly divided over the conflict in their homeland, they say they are determined to stay united in the face of the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights. And some Arab residents feel that a change in Syria's government could put the Golan back on the national and regional agenda.
Israel captured the Golan Heights during 1967 war, then unilaterally annexed the territory in 1981, a move that remains unrecognized by the international community and condemned by the UN. (Israel says it needs a presence in the Golan Heights to protect itself, arguing that UN Resolution 242, adopted after the 1967 war, recognizes Israel's need for "secure" boundaries and does not require Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories. This interpretation is also disputed.)
Al-Marsad Arab Centre for Human Rights in the occupied Golan area reports that Israeli settlers receive five times the amount of water that the area's Syrian farmers do. Land has been expropriated for Israeli settlements, and Arab residents pay more taxes to Israel than their Israeli counterparts while receiving fewer services.
Yet the Golan Heights "was not on the Syrian agenda for years," according to Eyal Zisser, a professor in Tel Aviv University's Department of Middle Eastern and African History and the author of four books about Syria and al-Assad. "Maybe a new regime in Damascus that will be more pro-Western will be ready to challenge Israel [and its occupation of] the Golan for real peace, something al-Assad did not dare to do," he told IRIN.
Salman Fakhr Aldin, a coordinator at Al-Marsad, says a new government in Syria "whose primary concern is not the repression of its people" will not give up on either the Golan Heights or the occupied Palestinian territories.
But if Syrian rebels succeed in overthrowing al-Assad, they will face many challenges, analysts say, and confrontation with Israel may not be top of their priority list.
Shifting loyalties
The Arab residents of the Golan, most of whom belong to the Druze faith, still consider themselves Syrian. In the past, loyalty to Syria was often expressed by supporting al-Assad. Along with Syrian flags, residents carried framed pictures of al-Assad at protests against the Israeli occupation.
But Fakhr Aldin points out that not everyone carried those photos. He says he was always against al-Assad.
He says he opposes the Syrian leader for the same reasons that he opposes the Israeli occupation of the Golan and the Palestinian territories: "For me, [the central Syrian city of] Homs is like Gaza... People are demanding their basic human rights," he says, "the right to live in honor, freedom and democracy. Who can say no?"
But like many locals, Fakhr Aldin is against Western intervention in Syria.
Some of the area's regime supporters say it is less about al-Assad himself and more about concerns that an Islamist government - which some Druze fear would further oppress their minority group - could rise in his place.
Others warn against reducing the conflict to religious and sectarian differences, pointing out that minority groups, including the Druze, are participating in the rebellion, just as minorities are supporting al-Assad. "If it was just Alawites supporting al-Assad," one Golan resident observed, "he wouldn't still be in power."
Divided communities
The Golan's divided communities are trying to stay quiet about their opinions to keep peace in the area.
Still, protests against al-Assad have led to small skirmishes here in Majdal Shams. Several weeks ago, al-Assad supporters clashed with those supporting the rebellion. The two sides initially threw eggs at each other, which escalated into stone throwing. Village elders separated the groups and suggested that those who support the rebellion take their Friday protest elsewhere for a week so that the two sides could cool off.
A prominent member of the community, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he has a number of close relatives in Syria, said: "In some houses, fathers aren't speaking to sons and brothers aren't talking to each other," because they disagree about the conflict in Syria. But he denied media reports that locals who support the rebels were facing ostracism.
A new battleground?
Beyond inflaming differences among the Golan's residents, a new regime in Damascus could introduce several risk factors for the Golan - and for Israel.
"Under al-Assad, there was a strong regime [in Syria]," Zisser explains. "The fall of his regime may lead to the spread of chaos... Some terrorist groups, mainly al-Qaeda, might look for new adventures once al-Assad is not there."
Zisser likens a possible power vacuum in Syria to that in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Since Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was ousted from power, militants have attacked pipelines carrying gas from Egypt to Israel. On two occasions, they have also breached Israel's border with Egypt. Last summer's cross-border attack left eight Israelis dead.
But locals are less concerned about attacks on the Golan or the possibility that fighting in Syria could spill over the border. What they are troubled by is the possibility of an Israeli strike on Syria's ally, Iran - and the regional war that could provoke.
A restaurant owner, who asked to remain anonymous, told IRIN that some locals are stocking up on non-perishable goods and water in case fighting breaks out. "We have seen so much fighting here," he said with a sigh.
Even if such a war could result in the Golan being returned to Syria, he remarked: "We want the occupation to end. But violence is not our way."


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Hip Hop's Genesis Drawn in "Family Tree" Comic
Ed Piskor talks his new comic book series, "Hip Hop Family Tree."
It ain't even a question that hip hop and comic book culture have been influencing each other since day one. The two share sparkling similarities in visual presentation, with many rappers adopting alter-egos, becoming Superman come showtime. To this day, graffiti writers around the world use vivid colors and cartoon-like characters to convey a message of their surroundings and shine light on the underdogs of the city. Your favorite rapper's favorite rapper probably grew up on X-Men and pictured himself a Wolverine on the mic.
Rap has seen its fair share of comic-pulled influence. MF DOOM got his entire style for his debut solo album, Operation Doomsday, straight from Marvel's Dr. Doom. Johnny "Juice" Rosado of Public Enemy's Bomb Squad credits his scratching technique to being similar to a comic book fight. Wu-Tang members Ghostface Killah and Method Man have both created their own comics, with Ghostface going even as far as making a six-issue series compiling his latest album, 12 Reasons to Die, into a comic book storyline. El-P once spit on an old Company Flow joint, "You couldn't hang if you was bit by a radioactive spider," and no doubt, that shit sounded hard.
Of course, hip hop's been dipped in comic book ink for a while. In issue #5 of Robert Kirkman's "The Walking Dead" series, a character wears a t-shirt with an iconic Hieroglyphics logo. Comic author Jim Mahfood created a solid Beastie Boys book called "Ask For Janice," revolving all around their classic album Paul's Boutique. Mark Millar's "Wanted" featured a main character that was physically modeled exactly after Eminem's likeness. The rapper also had a one-shot appearance in a "Punisher" comic in which Frank Castle saves Slim Shady from being murdered by an assassin hired by the Parents Music Council.
No doubt, the cultures collide, but there hasn't really been a solid serialized comic for hip hop heads. Method Man isn't really releasing comics that have people anxious for sequels, and I doubt Stan Lee is plotting a Beef comic strip series for 2014. Question is, where's the solid essential to mash the two cultures together, once and for all?
Ed Piskor has been feverously creating that answer since early 2012 in a comic simply called, "Hip-Hop Family Tree." Piskor has been writing and illustrating the essential hip hop biography on BoingBoing.net, serializing the comic strip on a weekly basis. The strips begin with the birth of hip hop in the year 1975, and Piskor plans to eventually direct the series near modern day.
Fantagraphics collected and published 112 pages worth of strips in early December of 2013, selling out of all copies within two days of arrival. With plans to re-publish the book in January, there's no doubt Piskor has seen success with the book. After reading the title, I also don't second-guess recommending it to anyone who loves hip hop or has a desire to jump into the comic book medium.
The book kicks off with the birth of the party scene in New York in the mid-70s and ends somewhere in the early '80s, with Fab Five Freddy's influence in the art world. Between that, Piskor drops knowledge on anyone who chooses to absorb his words, introducing readers to an extremely large array of pioneering musicians. We've got Afrika Bambataa, Kool Keith, DJ Kool Herc, Cold Crush Brothers, Funky Four Plus One, Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Kurtis Blow, Eddie Cheba, Russell Simmons, K.K. Rockwell, Rick Rubin, Kid Creole, Sha-Rock, and so many other artists, including a cameo of a very young Dr. Dre.
"Hip-Hop Family Tree" chooses to explain the birth of rap by explaining who did what in the most simplistic, yet informative way possible. On one page, readers see all about DJ Breakout's influence in the Bronx, while two pages later they're introduced to Grandmaster Flash and the rearranging crew that led to the Furious Five. Each panel features intriguing narrative on the direction hip hop was heading, and the further the reader gets through the book, the more it becomes apparent that the genre is taking shape. Piskor uses a wide array of rappers, slowly starting to connect them to each other by the end of the book.
The art style is clear in aiding to accomplish its message, with panels parallel to the subject matter on every page. In some areas, the art sticks out as more than impressive. Afrika Bambataa's soundsystem literally shakes the colors off its panel, while the goofy cock-eyed face of Russell Simmons almost makes him a source of humor every time he's featured with his signature lisp. The colors Piskor uses are vivid, with the entire comic as a whole giving off an old school vibe; yellow in tint, as if the paper were from the time period it portrays.
The amount of information the 112 pages "Hip Hop Family Tree" boasts is an incredible feat. It's dense with knowledge, literally to the point of re-reading some pages or panels, but it pushes you through the last page effortlessly. The book is an absolute essential for any hip hop head to read and any comic book fan to gander over.
We spoke with Piskor about his personal connections with hip hop and the culture, and where the series is headed.
Mass Appeal: We've talked in the past about your last book, "Wizzywig." You told me how you found this 20+ year radio show called "Off The Hook" and literally devoured the entire 1,000+ hours of content over a 14 month period. What makes you qualified to take on the birth of hip hop?
Ed Piskor: Who's qualified to do anything? I've been into this culture my entire life so the comic is a culmination of 30 years of immersion.
MA: There's a ton of information in the first book alone. It's extremely dense with knowledge and specifics, no doubt. Could you give me a little detail on how you found all these accounts and stories for the strips?
EP: I have a kind of encyclopedic knowledge of the records, so that provides the linear component to the narrative. To fill in the gaps of my knowledge, and to add context, there are tons of books, photos, and interviews out there. Books like "The Big Payback," and "Yes Yes Y'all." Photographers like Joe Conzo, Martha Cooper, Henry Chalfant. This is a project that could not be possible without the existence of the internet to corral all of this information through either online resources to review info or to buy out of print books/records. I consider myself to be a curator of information on this project.
MA: It seems like your book could definitely be added as a definintive guide to hip hop history as well. It's unique, being a graphic novel, and that could be used as a reference. There's not many of those out there.
EP: I can tell that lots of people who don't even read books check out my comic because more than 5 people were like "Hey, that thing in the back that's like the phonebook with everybody's names, that's cool," when they refer to the index. haha
MA: Have there been any rappers who've read your book? I saw Chuck D tweeted about it, which is super awesome.
EP: There have been. I'm not gonna namedrop too many because they've been cool enough to be patrons of my work and even buy some original pages, but there are lots of people into it.
Stuff white people ask me: "Who do you think you are to make this comic?" and black folks say "It's about time someone made a comic like this."
MA: It's like you said earlier, "Who's qualified to do anything?" I don't see the need to test you — you seem to have all your facts straight. There isn't much criticism on the spectrum of the elders/hip hop enthusiasts who've read your book who have complaints on accuracy.
EP: Naw. The cool thing about putting the work out there on the Internet each week, via boingboing.net, is that bored anonymous people are very happy to let people know they're wrong, and it hasn't come up yet, thanks to intense fact checking and stuff like that. Sometimes someone will try to make a point and then I toss a couple sources down their throats to shut them up.
MA: Haha, word. What era would you eventually like to take the comic? Are you aiming for modern day, or maybe ending in the '90s?
EP: I'm just taking my time and letting things unfold as they will. I had a plan early on, but as I discover deeper and deeper aspects to the culture I realize that I have to keep things liquid and open-minded. So the goal is to simply keep things moving along and to let these big important moments have the necessary shine and dignity they deserve
I'm signed up to do 6 books so far though. Who know's how far that will take me. I imagine that some books might only contain 1 years worth of history, once things really get cranking.
MA: I saw that little Dr. Dre cameo you placed early on in the first book. Is there any rapper/producer or any era of hip-hop you're excited to talk about?
EP: It's really a ball just to act as an archaeologist to uncover these truths about this universe. I think my major strength in telling this story is that I don't have hero-worship when it comes to anyone in particular. It's hip hop that I love and all these players just make up the bigger whole.


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The choice of opening music for this recording of Nelson Johnson's Boardwalk Empire is telling: though the book charts the rise and fall of Atlantic City from its beginnings as a shyster health resort in the late 19th century through the Donald Trump years to the beginning of the new millennium, the Jazz-age ragtime announces the real crux of this sprawling epic the age of prohibition, gambling, and mob protection. These transgressive themes are woven throughout the city's history as well as (the author tacitly implies) the recent history of the United States. Johnson shows how Atlantic City was one of the cradles of the American mafia as it served as an entry point to those wanting to get around prohibition (including a young Al Capone), and played host to a cast of Damon Runyon-esque characters.
Overseeing it all was the archetypal character of Enoch "Nucky" Johnson: half politician, half underworld boss, his career "personifies the greed, corruption, and high times that were of Atlantic City in its days of glory". His ties with the Republican Party and invites to the White House are a case study in official corruption, and his personality is nailed down here to memorable effect: he was "a master at holding the hand of a widow and whispering gently what a fine man her husband was".
Many will be drawn to this book on the basis of the Scorsese-produced HBO series, though they should be forewarned that Boardwalk Empire can be exhaustive in its cataloging of each step of the myriad legal processes that variously built up and tore down the antiheroes of Atlantic City; the author was professionally involved for several decades in the city's politics, and it shows on more than one occasion. But luckily for the listener, Joe Mantegna's voice immediately and effortlessly invests each word with sly insinuation and more than a hint of malevolence. He's particularly good at hinting at the self-serving and dishonest motivations behind acts of public munificence, as his voice becomes a knowing wink, a secret handshake turned into sound. His narration makes an offer you can't refuse, and at its considerable best the result is along the lines of Citizen Kane as narrated by The Simpsons' Fat Tony (another Mantegna performance). DafyddPhillips
Earphones Award Winner (AudioFile Magazine)
From its inception, Atlantic City has always been a town dedicated to the fast buck, and this wide-reaching history offers a riveting account of its past 100 years, from the city's heyday as a Prohibition-era mecca of lawlessness to its rebirth as a legitimate casino resort in the modern era.
A colorful cast of characters, led by Enoch "Nucky" Johnson, populates this stranger-than-fiction account of corrupt politics and the toxic power structure that grew out of guile, finesse, and extortion. Atlantic City's shadowy past through its rise, fall, and rebirth is given new light in this revealing, and often appalling, study of legislative abuse and organized crime.
This audiobook, narrated by Joe Mantegna, is the true story that inspired the upcoming HBO series of the same name. It includes a foreword written and narrated by Terence Winter.
Download the accompanying reference guide.
©2009 Nelson Johnson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
"Joe Mantegna's steady, unaffected reading of Johnson's history of Atlantic City is a model of good audiobook narration. Mantegna seems the perfect choice for this title, a solid professional whose voice is tuned to both the drama of individual moments and the rising and falling arcs of the narrative as a whole." (AudioFile)
"Atlantic City's fascinating history."
The narrators are excellent. I never felt bored or turned off by their voices. The narrations were so enjoyable that I was sorry when the book ended.
None come to mind. This is a unique, stand alone story.
The narration is even paced but never dull. Joe Mantegna's appreciation for the material is evident in his voice throughout. As I listened, I felt like he and I had gotten together for coffee so that he could tell me this fascinating tale. He is a relaxed yet actively interested narrator.
This is a recounting of the long history of Atlantic City, starting from before its existence began. It has plenty of personal descriptions which are well done, but is not a book full of moving moments.
I knew next to nothing about Atlantic City except that it had fallen on hard times and was somewhat revived in recent decades by the establishment of casinos. My parents' honeymoon took place in Atlantic City in 1951--in early February! I don't know what they were thinking, honeymooning at the Jersey shore mid-winter. The weather that week turned into one big snowstorm. I have a photo of my mother standing on the pier, clutching her winter coat to her neck, trying to smile for the camera in spite of the blasts of snow pelting her face. With few options for outdoor activities in that climate, I suppose it can't be a surprise that I was born exactly nine months later. Personal history aside, I wanted to know how the city was born and what had transpired there between its early days and present time. Boardwalk Empire does the job and then some! I loved this book and all the characters in it. The TV series portrays just one segment of Atlantic City's long and colorful history. Besides the focus on the city itself, the author does an excellent job of linking various phases of the city's development to the larger picture, the historical events happening concurrently in the country and the world. I learned more about the treatment of African-Americans post Civil War from this book than I had previously from any other source. That information and all the other details in this book were presented in a concise and compassionate form. Nelson Johnson is not only a good author, he is a thorough researcher. I highly recommend Boardwalk Empire.
"It's not the TV series"
There's only one thing to say about the narrator...it's Joe Montenga, so it's perfect.
I did have a bait-and-switch feeling about the buy. The book is hyper-connected to the HBO series. Audible offered a 30 minute teaser that even started with a component of the HBO series. That's it. That's all. About one chapter of story and the rest is non-fiction narration.
For me, the appeal is that my family is from Philadelphia, and during any vacation from our Midwest home to the relatives in Philly included a day-jaunt to Atlantic City. I love Monopoly, so nothing more need be said about the connection to Atlantic City.
I found the book interesting and the history of the resort fascinating. But I could push pause and walk away for hours, even days. Try doing that with a Spencer novel Montenga narrates.
Just know going in, you will learn everything you never realized about Atlantic City, but you're not going to find out whether Nochy Thompson (Johnson) marries Mrs. Schroeder and adopts the two kids. You're not even going to hear about a weird federal agent trying to bring him down.
The television series portrays the characters well from the book's real life. The book is not a novel.
It's well written, thorough, documented, and interesting listening. The last chapter is a bit of a lecture to the folks living in Atlantic City today that's a little smarmy.
I kept it, and might even listen again some day, but not before I re-listen to the Spencer series Montenga narrates. I think I hear "Potshot" calling.
"Era lover"
I absolutely will listen to Boardwalk Empire again. It is a sensational story about a time period that I love. I could nearly hear the jazz playing in the background. Every character is so well defined that it leaps from the recording. The plot is easy to follow, no bogging down in details but still detailed enough to make it real and interesting. I watched the HBO series (based on this book) before getting the audiobook. The book is better in a lot of ways but the series was fabulous and I was disappointed when both came to an end.
Of course, the main character but there were many colorful ones.
I learned about corruption of that era and geographical area in a way I had not known before reading the audiobook.
A delightful book.
""Fat Tony" narrates the history of the mob in NJ!"
Joe Mantegna does an amazing job of narrating a very well written book about the history of the Mob in Atlantic City. This book takes you through the more seedy side of Atlantic City's history. The author really did his research and the book keeps you entertained and informed.
"A good and thorough storybook"
A good and thorough storybook that should be found in every NJ middle school library. Listening to this book, I learned a lot, that I didn't know before. Nevertheless, the book is a far cry from the HBO series. Many listeners will feel disappointed by the absolute lack of action scenes. Thanks to Joe Mantegna, the whole thing is somewhat salvaged from boredom.
"Well done tale of a fascinating place..."
Few places have such unusual stories as the founding and growth of Atlantic City. And this author serves it well, telling that story in fast-paced, clear prose. The narrator adds to the clarity with a well-done reading. If you have any interest in American urban history, listen to this whether you've seen the prohibition-era chapters dramatized in the HBO series or not.
I bought this one after seeing the HBO ads. Reads more like a history paper than a novel. It makes for great research but a poor tale if you're looking to be entertained. The only saving grace is Montegna's skill as a narrator. Don't waste your monthly credit on this book.
"Sychophantic apologia for New Jersey politics,"
Don't get this book hoping for some of Nucky Thompson a la Steve Buscemi. Sure, a good part of the book is about this era and those bracketing it, but the rest of the book, and its a lot, concerns New Jersey and particularly Atlantic County politics. If someone told me the chairman of the Republican party of NJ had commissioned this book I'd believe it.
Towards the end the justifications and obsequiousness becomes really noticeable.
In my opinion the bad parts did not make up for the good and time would be better spent on something else. I ditched the book with 10 minutes to go, just could not listen anymore.
"How I finally learned to sample before buying"
An outline of the effect of polical machines on American cities Atlantic City in particular, from the Civil War to present times. Atlantic City is an excellent case study since the original Sin City was created on a desolate barrier island off the coast of New Jersey starting in the 1870s. Amidst some historical details, the author indulges in several treatises about american life: vice, corruption, political machines' exploitation of minorities and the working class, etc...
The only connection between this book and the HBO series of the same title is just that. This book's thin outline is the frail structure on which HBO drapes imagined events and characters. By itself the book might be interesting but it is undermined by an atrocious reading. They apparently recorded the narrator's first encounter with the book and the misplaced emphasis, swallowed words and general sense of confusion are blatant. The producer and director have failed the listener. Listen to the sample.
"Too Llong"
Perhaps ,I might have read the second half, but I can't say since I became bored to death by the first three hours of the reading; a precise History of Southern NJ railroad system as related to Transportation to Atlantic City. Joe Montagne is a great reader/narrator but nevertheless I had to put the book down. Wish I had returned it back then but I wasn't aware of that option. When Working with Audio books it is difficult to jump ahead (or back) to a set point in the book.
Again, I can't say because I never finished the book. I can say It is too long for my reading temperament.
They are both excellent readers
Again, I can't say because I never finished the book. I can't really comment
sorry, NO.
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the update firmware is ok for 307 CC rt3?
the update firmware is ok for 307 CC rt3?
HI YOU ALL .. Spain / portugal CD files are undownloadables. links like ul.to or uploaded.net are good but no files more in uploaded ... could a good guy re upload and .. save my hollydays in Spain .. think at all my sons and sisters lost in a center of a blank screen on a road build after 2006 !!!!! Have mercy !!!!!
Please it would be possible to recover East Europa NW 2014/2015 ? Files were deleted.
thank you
East Europa NW 2014/2015 down :-(
thx a lot, working on my old peugeot
Is there a possibility to upload Central Europe (containing Poland's maps) once more?
Sorry...the |East Europe links dont work
Someone has maps of eastern Europe (NE) including Ukraine? Thx a lot
Boxer please look at the link of espa�a do not work thank you!


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In a dig at Manchester United [2], Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger [3] has said that the 2013 Premier League [4] winners won the title because of rivals Manchester City [5]'s flop show, instead of Robin van Persie [6]'s much-acclaimed goal.
Many believe Van Persie's decision to join United instead of City from Arsenal last summer was the key to the Old Trafford club winning their 20th top-flight championship, The Sun reports.
However, the Gunner boss dismissed the speculation, saying that although Van Persie had made an impact with his performance, the main reason behind United's winning the title is that City dropped off at the last moment from the running.
Stating the champions were not up to the task, Wenger said that this year's title race was one-way traffic with United at the pinnacle, adding that the race was not as tight and close as last year when City was topping the list.
Wenger also claimed that United would also have snatched the title last season if City's final-day opponents Qeens Park Rangers (QPR) had not learned that they were safe from relegation before conceding the dramatic Sergio Aguero goal.
The Gunners will form a guard of honour for former hero Van Persie and his United team-mates, the report added. (ANI [7])
[1] http://www.syndigate.info
[2] http://www.manutd.com/
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsene_Wenger
[4] http://www.premierleague.com
[5] http://www.mcfc.co.uk/
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Persie
[7] http://www.aninews.in


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What We're Reading
Thursday, April 14, 2011, 5:31 p.m.Georgetown Library
What We're Reading
The Georgetown Book Club, which meets at 7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, wants more book lovers! This month, we will be discussing the classic Brazilian novel Gabriela, Clove and Cinnamon by Jorge Amado. In May, the title is The Yacoubian Building by Alaa Al Aswany, which was recommended to us as a realistic novel about contemporary Egypt. If you are interested in either of these titles, stop by the reference desk for a copy.
But we also want your input about what we should be reading. Is there a genre or author that would draw you to the library for discussions? Let us know at the reference desk, or e-mail us email@example.com.


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'When Pigs Fly' is lots of fun despite dated script
Published 5:20 pm, Tuesday, July 9, 2013
In the opening moments of the Woodlawn Black Box Theatre's "When Pigs Fly," a brusque guidance counselor notes that "being an ice capade is not a career goal."
She then offers four potential career paths for the would-be capade, a wide-eyed fellow named Howard Crabtree: Watch repair, garden supplies, plumbing or chicken farming.
Howard (Isidro Medina), dressed in an outfit inspired by Dream Curly from the musical "Oklahoma!," isn't having any of it. He sets out to prove the guidance counselor wrong, pulling together an ambitious musical revue and enlisting his actor friends to perform in it.
The show, a gay-themed revue that strings together nearly two-dozen skits and musical numbers, does not go as planned. And as things go awry, the show gets funnier. That's particularly true in the scenes in which Rick Sanchez appears, playing a high-strung actor who comes unglued as his numbers are slashed.
The entire cast — which also includes Kevin Murray, Michael J. Gonzalez and Gerardo Vallejo — is funny, and they all handle the music well.
The funniest sequence also belongs to Sanchez, who plays an increasingly schnockered Carolann Knippel, artistic director of a theater called the Melody Barn. She introduces a season of original musicals including an update of "Annie" in which Carolann plays the title role.
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The heart of the show is Howard, who is haunted by the guidance counselor's advice. The role is well-played by Medina, a charismatic performer who captures the guts and gumption required to follow a dream.
The show was written in the '90s, and has the feel of a period piece. Most of the material has aged pretty well. But the ode to Sen. Strom Thurmond, who has been dead for 10 years, is awfully creaky.
The rest of the show, briskly directed by Christopher Rodriguez, is hugely entertaining.
"When Pigs Fly" can be seen at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays at the Woodlawn Black Box Theatre, 1920 Fredericksburg Road. Tickets cost $15 to $23. Call 210-267-8388 for reservations or visit woodlawntheatre.com to buy tickets online.
Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN


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At least seven people were killed in the explosion that leveled two buildings in East Harlem Wednesday morning, according to officials.
Griselde Camacho, 45, Carmen Tanco, 67 and Rosaura Hernandez-Barrios, 21 were confirmed as having died in the incident, with the fourth victim identified as a male body and a fifth and sixth victim pulled from the rubble overnight, officials said.
The FDNY confirmed a seventh body was recovered Thursday morning.
Newsday reports that Camacho and Tanco were popular members of Bethel Gospel Assembly, just four blocks from the blast.
Camacho was a public safety officer at Hunter College's East Harlem campus.
In a statement posted Wednesday night on the Hunter College website, president Jennifer J. Raab paid tribute to Camacho.
"Our hearts go out to Griselde's family at this terrible time," Rabb said in the statement, displayed next to a photo of a beaming Camacho. "We know this is a difficult time for all those who knew and worked with Sergeant Camacho, whether at the Silberman School or as part of the public safety office."


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Offensive tackle Brock Ruble continues to see his stack of offers get bigger. Yesterday, Pittsburgh pulled the trigger joining Rutgers, Virginia Tech, N.C. State and Connecticut. The junior from Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha is very excited about all of these schools but is taking a methodical approach the recruiting process.
"Honestly, I haven't visited any of these schools but I'm definitely going to during the offseason," said the 6-foot-9, 309-pound Ruble. "I want to see every school that has offered me but I don't know when that will be. I'm definitely taking it day-by-day.
"Over the summer I went to camps at Virginia and Maryland," he said. "At the big man camp at Virginia I met the offensive line coach, the offensive coordinator and I think Coach (Mike) London stopped by. At the Maryland camp I talked to pretty much every coach. Both campuses are very nice. All the coaches were really cool but going there for a camp, I didn't get to see everything I needed to see.
Article Continues Below
"I don't know too much about Pitt," Ruble said. "The only time I've actually been there was with an AAU team when I was 14 years old. I'm in contact with Coach (Bobby) Engram."
Plenty of other schools have been contacting Ruble but only a few of them are making an impression.
"Maryland, Duke, Penn State and Temple have been contacting me a lot. Of course, being from Maryland, I watch the Terps. My dad graduated from North Carolina so I've been watching the Tar Heels for a long time. I just a big football fan and I watch every game I can on Saturday."
At DeMatha, Ruble is a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and baseball. How have the other two sports help Ruble improve as a football player?
"Basketball has definitely helped me with my footwork, agility and speed," he said. "I just love baseball but it hasn't really helped me with football."
Ruble does not have any visits planned yet.


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Right from removing those unwanted hair to modifying the entire look through uniquely designed mediums, todayâs beauty salons and spas have it all. Whether you are running short of time to get a quick makeover for some special occasion, seeking some professional guidance for a gorgeous, smooth skin or just wanting to pamper yourself, the extensive range of treatments that are available at fingertips help you do almost everything. Here, we are listing down a quick yet comprehensive glimpse over A to Z beauty treatments that only to give you a new you, but also contribute towards building your self-esteem. Take a look!
A â Aroma therapy
Using essential oils as an integral part of healing massage, Aroma therapy has been known for effectively treating diversified emotional and physical problems. The process of having a gentle massage can seamlessly uplift, soothe, stimulate, energize and relax an individual. It can also be used to pacify scar tissue, skin disorders, coughs and colds, fatigue, digestive problems, burns, anxiety, stress, insomnia, depression and pain.
B â Botox
The muscle relaxant treatment termed as âBotoxâ has been devised to target forehead lines, frown lines, excessive sweating and crowâs feet. Known as a successful and safe treatment for over 15 years, Botulinum Toxin helps soften neck wrinkles and lessen facial lines and marionette.
C â Chemical peel
Chemical peel, revered as an effective, painless exfoliation process, amazingly takes off a micro-thin top layer of skin. The treatment significantly enhances skin texture, color and tone, increases moisture content and diminishes fine lines. It can also result into lessened or completely diminished acne and lighted hyper-pigmented areas.
D â Dermal Fillers
Since factors such as gravity, sun damage, age, worry and other environmental facets tend to affect the skin tremendously, Dermal Fillers prances to rescue to proffer a more relaxed and youthful appearance. The treatment can be used to fill out lines and wrinkles around the forehead, eyes, mouth and nose.
E â Eastern Facial massage
The unique fusion of complementary techniques comprises a deeply relaxing scalp, neck and facial massage. Eastern Facial Massage can also be used to aid removal of dead skin cells, stimulate cellular activity, trim down wrinkles and expression lines, promote blood circulation and leverage saggy or puffy skin.
F â Facials
One of the most famous skincare treatments, Facial rejuvenates through deep cleansing, toning and moisturizing of skin followed by a soothing facial massage. The manual facial treatment caters to all skin types â be it dry, oily, combination, mature or sensitive.
G â Glycolic Peels
This beauty treatment helps accelerate new cell growth of the skin. Designed to provide a more concentrated effect, Glycolic Peels also lessen fine lines.
H â Hair treatments
For people seeking help for their hair, beauty salons and spas offer various services including hair cutting, hair removal (Aculight IPL), hair removal ( bleaching and Brazilian waxing) and hair healing. It also includes hair removal trhough Electrolysis, general hair removal, and hair removal through Sugaring, Threading, and Waxing.
I â Isologen process
Isologen process emerges to be a highly effective, revolutionary facial rejuvenation treatment. The safe and natural solution helps fight against the effects of ageing and smoothes wrinkles and folds. It has also been used to imbue new strength and elasticity in the skin.
J â Japanese facial massage
Blending traditional East Asian medical concepts with effectual massage techniques, Japanese facial massage stimulates facial nerves and helps remove toxins, impurities and dead skin cells. The method also minimizes the aging process while improving blood circulation and the overall skin appearance.
K â Kinesio Taping
Touted to be the most advanced therapeutic taping, the treatment offers great stability and support to an individualâs muscles and joints without affecting range of motion and circulation. Based on the natural healing process, Kinesio Taping can also be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
L â Laser treatment
Laser treatment is another effective beauty treatment that is executed for skin rejuvenation, resurfacing and thread veins. Besides enhancing the skin texture, the method can be used to diminish fine lines and wrinkles.
M â Manicures
The cosmetic beauty treatment âManicureâ beautifies the natural nails and hands by filing, shaping of the free edge, massaging and application of polish.
N â Nail extensions
For people who have trouble maintaining long nails or have brittle nails, Nail extensions might be of great assistance. The artificial nails are placed on top of the natural nail â providing a natural feel and length of a long nail.
O â Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy is a vital treatment aimed at rendering extra oxygen for the entire body to function properly.
P â Pedicures
Like Manicure, a pedicure assists in improving the overall appearance of the feet and nails. The superficial treatment can also keep nail diseases and nail disorders at bay.
Q â Qi Gong
This stimulating process not only helps one relax thoroughly, but also enables body organs to soothe and detox.
R â Restylane
Restylane topples as an incredible beauty treatment with the potent capability to add volume and fullness to the skin. The process corrects from moderate to severe folds and facial wrinkles.
S â Skin analysis
The inclusive Skin Analysis session renders a detailed insight into the skinâs condition and areas where it needs immediate improvement or help.
T â Teeth whitening
Also known as Dental Bleaching, Teeth Whitening helps whiten teeth that have become darker over the time. The process cleanses and polishes the teeth to endow a brighter appearance.
U â Ultra sonic
The intense Ultra sonic has been devised to speed up the healing process and effectively zoom on tissues that have been traumatized from illness, injury or accident.
V â Vega testing
Vega testing obtains information about the stress factors and conditions which are not observable in normal medical testing. The method helps shed light upon unexplainable conditions, chronic illness, vague symptoms or failure to respond to treatment.
W â Waxing
One of the most commonly used beauty treatment âWaxingâ has been used over decades to remove strong hair growth. The hot wax treatment helps take strong hair out while cool wax treatment is intended for clients with sensitive skin.
X â X-ray Depilatory
X-ray Depilatory comes as another effectual hair removal method where the process utilizes shaving powders or creams that chemically dissolve unwanted hair.
Y â Yag laser
Although this particular treatment incorporates several problem cures, Yag Laser however can also be used to treat onychomycosis â a fungus infection of the toenail.
Z – Zero balance
Impressively effective in treating an extensive range of ailments, Zero Balancing helps combat chronic headaches, stress, anxiety, and neck and back pain. The treatment touts to significantly enhance physical, mental and spiritual health.


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Webb moved to 60-day disabled list
D-backs alter roster to add Benson
SAN DIEGO -- The D-backs made a pair of roster moves Saturday in order to make room for starter Kris Benson, who had his contract purchased from Triple-A Reno.
To clear a spot for him on the 25-man roster, the D-backs optioned reliever Esmerling Vasquez to Reno. The right-hander had appeared in three games and allowed three runs in three innings.
In order to add Benson to the 40-man roster, the D-backs transferred pitcher Brandon Webb from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list.
Players who are on the 60-day disabled list do not count against a team's 40-man roster.
Webb, who has not pitched since Opening Day of last season, has been playing catch but is not close to returning to game action. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on May 25.


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To Fox Plumbing & Heating,
We're always so quick to criticize people nowadays and I'd like to compliment a couple of your employees.
Konrad and Eric G were extremely polite and efficient explaining everything they were doing, including some helpful hints for now and later.
The two men were here at my home on July 10th, 2017 to fix the plugged drain of my washer.
Again, kudos to them and all the other employees at Fox Plumbing & Heating. I will always use Fox Plumbing.
Sincerely,Shellee L.,
Shellee L.
Call Now For Service
Call now
Talk To Fox
Talking About Fox
4.8 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 starsposted 3 weeks ago
Fox Plumbing provided quick responses, comparable prices, and excellent service. Our plumber, Kit, came out on time and answered all my questions. I would definitely use them again for any plumbing needs. I had used another company (Beacon Plumbing) in the past with an incredibly frustrating experience so I'm pleased to have found a good plumbing company in Seattle. (I am receiving a credit for this review but it would not change my rating or review.)
5 out of 5 starsposted 4 weeks ago
Fox plumbing put in a new sewer line for us just after we moved in. We found our sewer line was filled with roots and we had no external clean out. They put in a new clean out, cleared the roots and lined the sewer line for much less then the roto router company we called first. They did a good job keeping the job site clean. The concrete patch in the side walk is not great but overall they did a wonderful job and were very friendly. They even gave my one year old a stuffed fox which she thought was great.
5 out of 5 starsposted 2 weeks ago
This is your one-stop shop for Plumbing and Heating. I have a service contract with them and have used them 5 times already in a year for emergency plumbing issues and my furnace parts going bad a few times. Staff is super professional and knowledgeable and the dispatch/front office communicates when the service team will be able to come out for the call. Ask for Mike on plumbing issues and Daniel for your furnace. Both professionals and best of breed.
5 out of 5 starsposted 2 months ago
We contacted Fox Plumbing & Heating for a natural gas line repair. Previous owners had done a short cut routing of the gas line that infringed on the overhead space of the garage. Fox came out and routed it properly so it wasn't protruding down an extra 6". This allowed our new garage door to have a front mount spring. Fox responded the same day I contacted them and were flexible and could provide a technician in the afternoon when we were available. He provided an estimate for the work and then performed it on the spot. For the work from 3 - 4:30PM, with parts, labor and tax, it cost $650. The parts was negligible, so the hourly rate for their services is pricey, but they are licensed plumbers. Additionally, we had contacted at least two other plumbing contractors and each did not do natural gas work in Seattle, so Fox was unique in their capabilities. Fox does not offer a military discount whereas other Seattle area plumbing services do.
5 out of 5 starsposted 3 months ago
We had a great experience with Fox Plumbing and highly recommend them. Konrad, Eric G, Eric L were wonderful to work with. We had our sewer line replaced and it became more complicated than expected. They worked long days, were extremely professional, and did high quality work. They cleaned up the work site meticulously every single night -- I was very impressed. They have definitely earned our trust and repeat business. We've already scheduled them to come out and do additional work for us!
Super Service Award Winner for 11 Consecutive Years


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After spending 24 of February's 29 days in three different parts of Arizona, it's fair to say Real Salt Lake is well acquainted with the Grand Canyon State. And according to defender Nat Borchers, Arizona's done right by RSL in their preseason preparations.
"I think the guys get a little bit restless at this time of the season because they're ready for the season to start," Borchers told MLSsoccer.com by phone from Tucson. "But we've got a nice setup here at a nice hotel, in a good area of town, and we've got a nice training pitch. I think this has been an ideal preseason trip for us."
The Claret-and-Cobalt have played four preseason matches already, and have two more matches to go in the Desert Diamond Cup. According to RSL head coach Jason Kreis, this is the point where fatigue from training and excitement for the regular season intersect.
"It's typical that you are on these road trips for so long that you definitely get tired of it and you want to move to move to the next phase, which is obviously the season," Kreis explained. "Two matches left [in the Desert Diamond Cup] and we need to get a lot out of those."
RSL are 1-1-2 over their four preseason games, drawing their first two matches against the Vancouver Whitecaps and D.C. United. The club have split their two Desert Diamond Cup games, beating the New York Red Bulls 1-0 before falling 2-0 to the LA Galaxy.
"I've really been pleased with all the aspects of what we've seen in the first two games," Kreis said of the Tucson-based tournament. "The first one we were getting a lot of the first year players their first extended minutes against MLS competition and I think they learned a bit, and we learned a little bit about them as well. And then they played together against LA and I thought played very, very well."
During this phase of camp, the team has put more emphasis on the attacking side of the ball than they did early on, and it appears that all is going according to plan as RSL dominated possession and chances for long stretches against LA. However, they also identified one aspect of their game that may require a bit more attention in the final days of preseason.
"It's very typical that the final touch is the last thing to put into it and we haven't done a tone of finishing, just straight finishing, and we probably need to spend the last few days emphasizing that," Kreis explained. "But I think we've built this squad very nicely and things seem to be headed in a very good direction right now."
That includes on the injury front. With Chris Wingert, Tony Beltran and Kyle Beckerman all seeing extensive practice time and good minutes in the last game, that leaves only Borchers, Álvaro Saborío, Will Johnson and Javier Morales on the mend. And all of them except Johnson have strung together multiple full training sessions in the last week.
"I think we're headed in a very positive direction with our injuries," noted Kreis. "Javier rejoined training today and I think he's feeling much stronger. This is the first time that I can say with a little bit of confidence that I think he's going to build from here out."
Unfortunately, Johnson has been sitting out waiting for an appointment for a sports hernia surgery in Germany which is expected to take place within about a week. But the recovery period should be short, with players typically returning to training within a couple of weeks.


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Thiel CS7.2 loudspeaker Measurements part 3
Fig.6 Thiel CS7.2, impulse response on tweeter axis at 50" (5ms time window, 30kHz bandwidth).
Fig.7 Thiel CS7.2, step response on tweeter axis at 50" (5ms time window, 30kHz bandwidth).
Fig.8 Thiel CS7.2, excess-phase response on tweeter axis at 50" (5 degrees/vertical div.).
Finally, the Thiel's waterfall plot (fig.9) reveals a generally clean decay, marred only by ridges of delayed energy not only at 5.6kHz and 21kHz, as expected, but also one at 4.1kHz—exactly the frequency of a response notch. Again, I am puzzled why this resonant behavior made its presence known only sometimes.
Fig.9 Thiel CS7.2, cumulative spectral-decay plot at 50" (0.15ms risetime).
The Thiel CS7.2 combines some fine measured performance attributes—time coherence, excellent bass extension, and wide, even dispersion—with some that leave me perplexed, such as its mid-treble resonant behavior. Its use of first-order crossover slopes with the attendant overlap between drive-unit passbands and its limited top-octave dispersion will make room setup more arduous than usual. But with care, the speaker can—as Brian found—be made to sing.—John Atkinson


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By Linda Willing
Most company officers have responsibility for doing performance evaluations of their crew members. This makes sense — who has a better read on the strengths and weaknesses of those firefighters than someone who works with them every shift?
Yet many fire officers admit that they dread doing performance evaluations. They often say they feel unprepared for handling this task. Sometimes they make mistakes that can derail the entire process.
There are many factors that can contribute to success or failure when doing performance evaluations. Officers should be specifically trained for this function before taking it on. The system in place should make sense and include transparency so that ratings over time are consistent. Departmental leaders should model good practice in this area.
But even when intentions are good and officers are basically prepared, there are a number of potential pitfalls that can occur. Here are five avoidable errors in the performance review process.
Don't hurry
The performance evaluation process takes time to work well, and should never be rushed. Don't schedule this conversation 15 minutes before you have an appointment for an inspection or a station tour. Leave the time for it open-ended.
Avoid distractions
Put away your cell phone or iPad. Turn off the TV. Allowing your attention to wander when doing a performance evaluation is disrespectful and has the effect of shutting down any feedback you might get from the other person. Do the evaluation in a quiet, private place where both of you can sit down and feel comfortable.
State a positive intention, but don't avoid real issues
Some people like to use the "sandwich" model of giving feedback. In this model, you say something positive, then give more critical feedback, then end on a positive note.
There is nothing wrong with this approach in theory, but in practice, someone who is not comfortable with giving feedback could easily focus too much on the beginning and end of the model and avoid being clear about the issues that need to be addressed.
Consider this example: You say to your firefighter, "Chris, you're a terrific person and we all like working with you. You've been a great addition to this team and I really appreciate your sense of humor. Sometimes it does seem like you joke around when the rest of the crew is working. But you're so smart and funny, I see tremendous potential for you in your career."
In this example, it would be easy for Chris to hear, "Terrific person, well liked, smart and funny, tremendous potential" and gloss over the heart of the matter — that you wish Chris would take work assignments a bit more seriously.
Avoid the use of absolutes
Avoid saying, "you always" or "you never." It is easy to want to generalize about patterns of behavior, but be careful. It is rare that someone is so consistent that they always or never do something.
If you comment on behavior in absolute terms, the person listening is likely to become defensive and want to argue the case. "I don't always do that — just last week, I didn't do it." You want to have a real conversation, not start an argument. Instead of making sweeping generalizations, focus on specific actions.
Focus on behaviors, not personality
Some performance evaluation forms have a category for the officer to rate attitude. More than one firefighter has been told in this process that he or she "just doesn't fit in." But what do either of these statements really mean?
Telling someone he or she doesn't "fit in" says nothing more than "you're not like us." Telling firefighters they have a bad attitude will be interpreted as "People don't like you." Neither of these statements has any value in the performance evaluation process.
Instead, focus on specific behaviors. If a firefighter is having trouble getting along with others in the station, exactly what has he done that has created friction among the crew? If an engineer is perceived as not a team player, exactly what has she done that alienates her from the crew? Talk about specific events, and make sure you have your examples ready before you initiate the performance review process.
Doing good performance evaluations isn't easy. Officers need ongoing training to do well in this role. Part of the training should be conversations among officers so that evaluations can be normed to a consistent standard. The system itself needs to be evaluated and modified as needed to meet changing needs on the department.
But there are a few things that every officer can do to maximize the effectiveness of the process. Attending to a few guidelines can make the process go better for everyone involved.


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Given how bad Windows 8-powered tablets are doing sales-wise and how little of an impact they've made in a market dominated by Apple, you'd think Microsoft would have more important things to do than try to give the (false) impression their slates are better than the iPads.
But everybody knows silly comparisons between apples and… insert rotten fruit of your choice here is what really drives sales forward in the technology world. Not developing a rich ecosystem with solid apps that people can really use. Or actually launch a gadget with a strong bang for buck factor for a change.
Oh, well, all things considered, at least Microsoft has a sense of humor when going for Apple's jugular. Unlike Samsung, whose latest anti-iPhone ad is beyond ridiculous. Plus, using baseball metaphors to make a point is always smart when you're mostly targeting an American audience.
So what is Microsoft trying to say in its fourth anti-Apple commercial? In a nutshell, that iPads can't simultaneously run two apps, while Windows 8 slates breeze through multitasking. Which would be a valid point… if it were true. But it's not. Or not really.
In reality, there are a number of ways you can multitask on an iPad. And yeah, getting the hang of multi-touch gestures can take a while, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. Anyways, let's not overanalyze an ad that, again, is pretty amusing… erm, considering, and that ultimately will never, ever, ever put a dent in iPad sales.
Via [Mac Rumors]