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For Office, there will be three MCTS level certifications for developers, each requiring 1 exam. MCTS is Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, which is the technology-series certification in the new format of certification. There is also a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) series that focused on job roles... but we won't have any MCPD for office. I think the betas for these three are scheduled for January (more on betas).
MCTS: Office SharePoint Services (MOSS): Application Development (70-542)
MCTS: Windows SharePoint Services: Application Development (70-541)
MCTS: Office 2007 Client: Application Development (70-543)
More on the new certifcation format here: official overview: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/default.mspx or here: from one of my friends/co-workers at MSL for interesting take: http://vishaljoshi.blogspot.com/2005/12/are-next-gen-certs-launched-to-make.html


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(Washington) - In a major political move to eliminate poverty in America, the Democratically controlled U.S. Congress today passed a law to deport all people in the U.S. earning less than $30,000 a year.
Students, individuals under the age of 21 and illegal immigrants are exempt from the deportation.
Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass) proclaimed, "Finally, in an important political year, Democrats have eliminated poverty in my, I mean our, country. This has been a political dream of mine for over 40 years and now it's a reality and, as a rich liberal, I won't have to pretend to worry about the poor anymore."
A massive deportation of tens of millions of poor people from America will be difficult for the government. No other country on the planet would even dream of taking in tens of millions of undocumented poor so where will America's poor be deported to? Senator John Edwards, (D-North Carolina) suggested, "Perhaps we can bribe one of those Third World nations to take them in, in exchange for us giving them nuclear weapons."
When asked about the violation of the Constitutional rights of American citizens Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, attired in a smart designer pantsuit, replied, "If Bush can suspend the Constitution so can Congress. I speak for the Democratically controlled Congress, I'm the Speaker of the House. And I'm third in line for the Presidency. I could be President before Hillary!"
copyright 2007 Andrew Lawrence

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Julbo Sunglasses
The 125-year-old Julbo brand is built from a rich history in alpine-mountaineering, high-altitude and glacier exploration optics. Julbo has been at the forefront of optical and action sports equipment for the mainstream athlete, including those using prescription eyewear. Today, Julbo is an emerging multi-sport eyewear company that makes eyewear for elite outdoor athletes as well as mainstream users. Julbo is fully committed to creating a line of sunglasses with world-renowned optical quality melded with a bold sense of style.


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Ibiza royal Beach 3-0-3
Playa d'en Bossa • Two bedroom • Two bathroom • Fully Air-conditioned • Free wi-fi
This two bedroom apartment is in the highly sought Ibiza Royal Beach apartment complex and has been furnished and fitted to the very highest specification. The stylish open plan lounge and dining area leads out onto a terrace twith comfortable seating area. Although the apartment is at the side of the building it still has a sea view. There's a smart HD TV in the lounge and the apartment has wireless internet.
The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, a large double bed and plenty of storage. The second bedroom also has a double bed bed. All bed linen is provided. In the en-suite bathroom there's a wash basin, bath and shower whilst the second bathroom has a wash basin and shower cubicle. The fully equipped kitchen includes a built-in Siemens cooker and fridge freezer as well as a Espresso coffee machine.
In the community area there is a decked sunbathing space, a large pool and even a 'Caribbean' sand beach. The community area looks particularly nice when illuminated during the evening.
Ibiza Royal Beach apartments have been built to very high standards and designed with discerning clientele in mind. The standards and community regulations of the apartments mean that it is really only suitable for more 'exclusive' clients and as such there is a strict policy of no stag or hen parties or any sort of loud behaviour. If you feel that you, your family and friends would enjoy this tranquil oasis with its uniquely relaxing atmosphere, then please contact us, using the form at the bottom of this page, for availability.
Please note, to view the images below in a full screen slideshow click on one of the thumbnails below. Please also note, to view an interactive 360˚ virtual tour of the Ibiza Royal Beach Jacuzzi apartment and building please click here.
From €2,100 to €3,420 per week
To book this apartment please click on the 'BOOK' button below (opens in new window)
To check the availability and rental rates please click on the 'AVAILABILITY & RENTAL RATES' button below (opens in new window)
To make an enquiry please click on the 'ENQUIRY' button below (opens in new window). Please also refer to the property name (see above) as well as letting us know your preferred dates in your message.
The Ibiza Royal Beach apartments are directly on the beach on the Playa d'en Bossa side of Ibiza town. They are handily placed for the airport, Salinas beach or the Dalt Vila itself. Ibiza town can be reached by foot, local bus, car or a ferry that runs directly into the port, from just along the beach.
The well maintained garden looks fantastic both during the day and when illuminated at night. This makes for a tranquil haven where you can unwind and relax. You can either sunbathe by the pool or take just a few steps to swim or sunbathe on the beach. The beach itself is very good and there's delightful views of the Dalt Vila and the nearby island of Formantera. Then of course there's the wonderful Mediterranean sea and after your swim it's only a short distance to your apartment.
In the local area there are plenty of shops, bars and restaurants with many more just a short taxi ride away. In particular there are many very good beach bars and restaurants just along Bossa beach. In fact Ibiza has something for everyone. If tranquility and relaxation is your choice there are numerous quality beaches and beautiful, scenic, countryside. Indeed the apartments themselves are a haven away from the hustle and bustle of the island. If nightlife is your thing then Ibiza has some of the best nightclub's and places to eat in the world. Both Ushuaia beach bar and hotel and the world famous Space nightclub are only ten minutes walk away.
The Ibiza Royal Beach apartments would serve as the ideal base from where to discover the many sides of this magical island. There is so much to do, to see and to explore. All whilst taking advantage of Ibiza's wonderful Mediterranean climate.
View Ibiza Royal Beach apartments in a larger map
Location images
Please review this apartment
September 2015 *****
Spot on - will stay again for sure. Clean and hassle free, just what i was after.
Elliot R
Sample review taken from HomeAway
July 2015 *****
Absolutely amazing! The appartment and location were simply breathtaking. We have stayed at Ibiza Royal Beach in the past but not through Paul, Jess and the rest of the team, they made sure everything was taken care of from the moment we confirmed until the moment we left! Pictures don't do the appartment justice, and again the location is stunning! The private beach, amazing swimming pool everything about this place is right!
Again we want to thank Paul, Jess and the rest of the team for everything! We will definitely be back in the future!
Darrien K
Sample review taken from HomeAway
May 2015 *****
I would totally recommend Royal Beach apartments. It was perfect. Listing description was very accurate. The apartment was luxurious and spotless, with everything and much more supplied that you would need. The manger Peter, provided an professional friendly service, who was extremely polite and very helpful. I went to Ibiza out of season so most bars and clubs were closed, although it is a great location to get to the bars / clubs. I went early March for a relaxing time, the beaches are beautiful and only a few strides away from the apartments. I would totally recommend Royal Beach without hesitation, I can wait to return. Thank you Peter and the team for looking after me. See you soon Jil
Jil A
Sample review taken from HomeAway
June 2014 *****
Really amazing apartment in Playa d'en Bossa
This apartment was genuinely perfect. The roof top terrace is amazing and was such an added bonus. The two bedrooms have plenty of room, beds are comfortable. Kitchen has all utensils etc, living area spacious. The roof-top makes it though. There is a main pool area which is fabulous but having your own private roof-terrace is just brilliant.
Location wise it is great. Just at the top of Playa d'en Bossa. A 5 minute walk to Formentera ferries. If you stay in a nice place in Ibiza, it makes all the difference and I would 100% recommend this apartment.
We were 4 girls looking for a 50% relaxing holiday, 50% fun holiday. This apartment worked perfectly for us!
Sheena F
Sample review taken from HomeAway


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1998 was the Best Year in the History of Gaming
Posted by Ben Zeigler on February 26, 2009
Discussions of "The Best" whatever come up constantly, and I usually have a hard time making a decision because it always seems so subjective and personal. However, when it comes to figuring out the best/most important year in the history of video gaming, I can make a definitive judgment: 1998. You can try to come up with a year that had more awesome and influential games, but you will fail. All of these games were released in the same 12 month period (some in Japan or arcades), which is just ridiculous:
- 1080 Snowboarding: The first actually good snowboarding game
- Baldur's Gate: Reinvigorated RPGs and launched BioWare
- Banjo-Kazooie: Huge selling 3d platformer
- Battlezone: The first First Person-RTS Hybrid I am aware of
- Crash Bandicoot 3: Warped: Probably the best platformer for the playstation.
- Dance Dance Revolution: The first arcade release
- Descent FreeSpace: One of the last awesome space fighters (and lead to the better FreeSpace 2 the next year)
- Die by the Sword: Extremely innovative swordfighting game, and launched Treyarch.
- Falcon 4.0: Long awaited update to a key flight simulation series.
- Fallout 2: It's awesome.
- Gran Turismo: Brought realistic car racing to consoles
- Grand Prix Legends: One of the most realistic racing games ever.
- Grim Fandango: Last of the LucasArts classics.
- Guilty Gear: First in a very successful series of fighting games.
- Half-Life: I hope I don't have to explain this one.
- Jurassic Park: Trespasser: Not exactly a GOOD game, but way ahead of it's time technically.
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time: Arguably the single best 3d action-adventure game.
- Lineage: Launched the gaming culture of an entire COUNTRY.
- Mario Party: Ah Nintendo's live of mini game collections. I sort of wish this game didn't exist.
- Metal Gear Solid: Created the Stealth Action genre.
- Panzer Dragoon Saga: The Saturn's last great game.
- Pokemon Red and Blue: US start of the monumental franchise.
- Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Took tactical shooters to a new level, and launched the Tom Clancy gaming brand
- Resident Evil 2: Best-selling game in the series
- Shogo: Mobile armor Division: MECHS.
- Soulcalibur: Who doesn't love Soulcalibur?
- Sonic Adventure: Considered by many to be the height of the Sonic series.
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron: Made Factor 5 the king of casual space shooters.
- StarCraft: STILL the most played RTS game.
- Starsiege: Tribes: The first (and still one of the best) massive FPS.
- Suikoden II: One of my absolute favorite RPGs.
- Tekken 3: Arguable height of the Tekken series.
- Thief: The Dark Project: The OTHER game that created the Stealth Action genre.
- Unreal: Made Epic the graphical force they are today.
- Xenogears: The height of pretentious yet still sort of awesome Japanese RPGs.
Why was 1998 so awesome? On the Playstation and the N64, it was when developers had really figured out the hardware and were able to truly innovate. On the PC the success of Windows 95 and DirectX lead to massive technical jumps. Finally, at the end of the year the Dreamcast launched in Japan, which was the real start of the Playstation 2/XBox generation. It featured the climax of fading genres (space and flight simulation, traditional adventure games), and the rise exciting new ones (dance games, stealth action, FPS hybrids). It launched Valve, Epic, Bioware, Pokemon (without which Nintendo would never have made it to the Wii), and the entire country of Korea. Oh, and if that list doesn't include at least 2 or 3 of your top 10 games, you're either really young or confused.
12 Responses to "1998 was the Best Year in the History of Gaming"
February 27, 2009 at 1:56 am
EverQuest is not worthy a mention here? I think that was 98, I also think Asherons Call was launched the same year.
March 3, 2009 at 1:28 am
Ubisoft's Uprising did predate Battlezone.
March 3, 2009 at 3:25 am
Actually, you mentioned a number of titles that originally didn't come to mind when thinking of 1998. Thanks for that. 😀
March 3, 2009 at 6:21 am
Radiant Silvergun.
March 3, 2009 at 9:22 am
That list of games is pretty convincing.
March 3, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I've long thought 1998 was a banner year in Interactive Fiction (text adventures). That was the year that gave us such canonical favorites as Photopia, Spider and Web, and Anchorhead. I hadn't really considered what a good year it was for mainstream games as well.
April 13, 2009 at 6:09 pm
[…] releasing on a fairly regular basis, and the last two years have been so fruitful as to recall the boom of 1998 — but where do we cross that threshold to where we've handed off so much of the game […]
December 23, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I believe 2008 cant beat it, even if Im pretty sure techincally is the best gaming year ever (lot of awesome high rated games) And
Now 2007 was supposed to be a great year, but due to this messed up generation most of the games were delayed
I think the holy trinity of Metal Gear Solid, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Half-Life have on their own ensured that 1998 is the greatest year in gaming history
July 4, 2011 at 11:09 am
I completely agree except. . no Parasite Eve on this list? Seriously? I agree '98 is the best year, but here is my list:
Here is my fave 15 games from '98
Parasite Eve
Fallout 2
Baldur's Gate
Pokemon Red
Gran Turismo
Myth 2
NFL Blitz
Mario Party
Gauntlet Legends
Soul Cal
August 10, 2011 at 7:51 am
Woah you put NFL blitz and not MGS?
- August 10, 2011 at 7:51 am
November 27, 2011 at 9:13 pm
Where's Spyro the Dragon? That was another 1998 game.
April 15, 2012 at 12:58 am
F-Zero X
Radiant Silvergun
Tomb Raider III
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The Great "Ease of Use" Debate
Jan 28, 2007
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Tonight while watching 60-Minutes a fire was once again ignited within me. It is something my husband (the business man) and I (the Geek) discuss often. That is whether the Microsofts of the world have made computer technology overly simplified. So much so, people can use the technology and have no idea how it works.
Forty years ago, in order to use a computer, you had to have an intimate knowledge of how it worked. This was true for about twenty years. Then Bill Gates came along and changed everything. Now anyone can use a computer. As matter of fact, most people use some type of computer daily and probably don't even realize it. One good example is our vehicles. Most vehicles today include a computer within.
The debate is, whether these easy to use, plug and play technologies are a good thing or if they will inevitably enslave people. Enslave? Yes enslave. People are becoming more and more dependent on technology they know nothing about. I mean there is a computer in just about everything. In ten years it is predicted that most homes will be automated. So when this technology doesn't behave as it should people become are helpless and trapped.
My husband looks at this situation with the perspective of a business man. He says I should be happy that I am one of the few people who know how to develop and work these things. He also adds that the easy to use, plug and play technology is a great idea for marketability. Obviously most people have no ambition to learn how these things work. They don't have the time and they don't care. So making it easy to use in a plug and play manner is how the business world sells their products.
Although the ignorance of most people makes it very easy for someone like me to make money, I'm concerned that these people are losing money because of it. Many people have to spend money for setting up their new technology, for troubleshooting and repair. Many people spend money on services they don't even need, but don't know it. It seems that people's ignorance is being capitalized on.
I guess that everyone can't know everything. I don't know much about tires, brakes or roof installation, so how can I expect everyone to understand computers. I suppose that's why businessmen pay people like me to make the operation of computer technology easy for everyone.
What is your opinion?
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8 Comments
Unknown User
Jan 29, 2007
I like technology. I don't have know how it works to use it. the benefits are enormous. Yes, some people will waste money buying something they do not understand and do not need but the majority of people will benefit. An extreme example would be electricity. How would you like a fire-burning stove which has to be fed regularly with wood you have to supply? Cooking was not an easy thing to do. Baking took even more work and skill. Or making a trip to the Icehouse every other day so you could keep the icebox (literally!) cool and your food fresher for just a little longer? Not to mention having to go to the market every couple of days to get fresh food. Things did not stay fresh in an icebox for very long. We have come a long way from those days. We are into technology that could not even be imagined 70 years ago. We now have more time to do the things we want (or need) to do whether it is leisure time or work time. On a more personal note, fifteen years ago I had cardiac incident which should have killed me outright. Three angioplasties later and I'm still going strong. I do not have to fully undertand how it all works but I can understand I am alive because of it. So I guess you could say I do not need to understand the technology in order to benefit from it. Respectfully, Dave
Unknown User
Jan 30, 2007
I think a lot of technology can be seen this way. My car runs and I have to spend money on upkeep because I'm not skilled with maintaining my own car or even understanding the intricacies. Granted, 20 years ago I might have been able to tune my own car, but these days computers inside the car make such endeavors less accessible to more people. People have VCRs...that blink a default time constantly. People that don't even bother to set those times are using computers. We certainly can't expect them to maintain the computer! :) It is an interesting little discussion, but I think technology will continue to march on no matter how much it costs, how accessible it is on a low level to people, or how secure it is. Will we become more captive to those who do understand the technology and can troubleshoot it? Yes...but at least I'm with you and part of that geeky group. :) Heck, I likely spend more money (and time), strictly speaking, on my computers and computing needs than most of my friends would ever think to spend themselves. But then again, I do have a broader awareness of the subject... And so on...now my head hurts for a Tuesday morning!
Unknown User
Jan 30, 2007
Awesome post Dave. Thank you for the perspective. The more I discuss this topic the more I realize that I'm being a bit unreasonable. I caught myself yesterday complaining to my husband about how an Electrical Engineer gave me these electrical diagrams on hardware I'm supposed to be writing software for. I was frustrated because it would take me 10 hours to figure out what I need to code and the coding part will take me less then an hour. It would be quicker if the EE just gave me the down and dirty of what I need to write the software. Looking at my frustration and my argument about it, I realize that when people use new computer technology they usually have a goal in mind that the technology will help them achieve. They are not necessary concerned with how the technology enables them to achieve the goal. They just want to get there. That makes sense. It's irrational to assume that everyone is even remotely interested in what's happening behind the scenes. It's hard for me to imagine because, of course, I love to know what's going on behind the scenes, but alas I have to realize that not everyone was cut from the same cookie cutter. =) So glad to here that technology has helped you live! I too had a similar experience just a year ago (not my heart, my liver). It's an odd feeling to know that without the machines I was attached to, I would have died. Crazy and amazing all rolled into one! Thank you for your post Bea
Unknown User
Jan 30, 2007
Lonervamp, Good post. Thanks for the input. You're definitely right, technology will continue to move forward, regardless, thanks to brilliant business people. It's funny, I used to think Bill Gates was an amazing techy, but now I believe he was just a techy, but a brilliant business man! Bea
Unknown User
Jan 30, 2007
B, OK, so not everyone needs or wants to learn what's inside the box. That's ok, I don't wanna know all the intricate details of how my car works. My brother found out, so I focused on something else. That all makes sense. But I think the real issue here, is not that tech has become too easy, because it really isn't. Tech has progressed to the point where countless millions can blog, create and post videos and pics, search the web, and email bad jokes and chain letters. But what has any of this gotten us. Nothing really. But I digress.... The issue isn't the ease of use, it's the consumer grade quality that has pervaded business systems. I don't know about anyone else, but to me, consumer grade electronics and software have only made my job as an IT geek more difficult. It's not just having to retrain users, or answer questions about their home PC's, but as ppl get more comfortable with the tech, and their abilities grow, their desire to learn, or tinker, more puts a strain on already stretched IT resources. But again, that is beside the point, and I've digressed again... The point is having consumer grade anything in a business environment. I think it's just begging for trouble. When employees can surf the web, and all of it's darkest reaches, on company equipment, fairly unsecured, it becomes a matter of GRAVE importance. I cannot begin to tell you how many times the corporate network ground to a halt because some user just had to share that pic of a cat licking it's ba11$. I've even seen the same employee, send the same infected pic, on the same PC, to the same users, after being warned NOT to do so, TWICE before!!!!!! No one got any work done that day, because a user sent an infected file to all her cube mates three different times during the same day, even after being warned after each infringement. Is this NOT an issue? Politics plays an important role in the office. However, protecting friends and coworkers from any real discipline at the expense of the company is just BAD business. Consumer grade electronics and software have made all this possible. And, ultimately, we, the consumers, pay for this bad behavior. Computers are so easy to use, and there are a milllion ways to do the same thing, that everybody now thinks they are a geek. As such, they take actions based on their own inflated ego, and really wreak havoc. Not bad for my business, mind you. But not good for anyone else's. I have a brother-in-law who has become the de facto IT person in the family, even though he's never worked an IT day in his life. His self inflated knowledge, and the user's self inflicted ignorance have paired into a blissful stupidity that I make good money repairing. MG$
Unknown User
Jan 30, 2007
MG$, LOL. Great post. You reminded me of another reason I CAN"T STAND the "Easy to Use" crap. In most cases if something is "easy to use" it's incredibly time consuming for me to do what I want to do. One good example, I received a word file with 'CR LF' after every line. I wanted to convert the text into a table using '-' as my token. Unfortunately the stupid MS Word would used both the '-' and the 'CR LF' although I told it to use only the '-'. So then I needed to remove the 'CR LF' that someone felt the need to enter after each line. Unfortunately I couldn't find a quick and easy way to do this in MS Word, so I had to edit it in my trusting Notepad++. I love that application!! To make a long story short, I've found the if it's "Easy to Use" for the average Joe it's going to be a "Pain to Use" for me! Thanks for you comment MG$ Bea
Unknown User
Jan 31, 2007
B, A simple Replace in Word would have found all those "special" CRLF characters and would have replaced them with whatever you specified. It got that way from someone pasting a Text file into a Word doc. I often use Word to clean up special chars and format text files that I use as tables. Mainly, for me, the peeve is that there are fifty ways to change your desktop color, and you are repeatedly asked to verify that you want to do that. But, if the settings are correct, you can WIPE OUT the windows folder, making the PC unusable. All you'll get is one confirmation message, and even that can be turned off. So, wipe out the PC, go ahead... Want to change the color of some obscure little button, or do away with browser extensions, or so on, and GOD forbid!!!! Ease of use really means dumbing it down, so that the average moron can end up calling me to fix it. MG$
Unknown User
Feb 1, 2007
MG$, Yeah, I tried the replace in word, but what was recognized as CRLF on my Notepad++ was a new Paragraph in Word. In the Special char section of the replace it has CRLF, which doesn't seem to effect new paragraph. Oh well. You are so funny and so right! Good ole Microsoft. =( My husband just purchased a new laptop which included Windows Vista, all I have to say is I have a lot of complaining to do! Bea
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Pesticide deregulation - the real reason for Myron Ebell's Number 10 meeting?
Georgina Downs
3rd February 2017If it wasn't climate change, was the real purpose of the Number 10 meeting of Theresa May's advisors and President Trump's environmental transition supremo Myron Ebell to plan the post-Brexit deregulation of UK farming, including pesticides? That's how it looks, writes Georgina Downs - and we had better begin now to fight for our health, wildlife and environment. more...
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2nd February 2017MEPs have signalled that any Brexit deal that allows Britain to scrap the environmental laws it has signed up to as an EU member faces veto, writes Charlotte Burns. They are not prepared to countenance a bad neighbour 'dirty Britain' just off the EU's shores, nor to see the EU's environmental progress undermined by unfair competition. more...
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It beats fracking - but can we believe Ecotricity's vision of 'green gas from grass'?
Almuth Ernsting
27th January 2017Just imagine: gas for your cooking and heating made by composting home-grown British grass, writes Almuth Ernsting. What's not to like? Well, it would need almost all the UK's grassland to match our gas demand, leaving cows and sheep to starve or forcing them into sheds to eat foreign-grown feeds. And methane leakage could easily wipe out any climate benefit. more...
Nothing 'parochial' about GMO food labeling!
Jonathan Latham, PhD
24th January 2017With USDA proposing to redefine GMOs for the purposes of food labeling, the issue is more important than ever, writes Jonathan Latham. It's not just to give consumers' the 'right to know' when they buy GM food, it's also a vital means to empower citizens to fight back against the industrialisation of food and farming, and the monopolies of agribusiness corporations. more...
Climate change and farming: let's be part of the solution!
Anna Bowen
9th January 2017What with rising rainfall in the west, and hotter, drier summers in the east, British farmers place plenty of challenges from global warming, writes Anna Bowen. But there are also positive opportunities for agricultural innovators to adapt their farming systems to changing conditions, make their operations more resilient and sustainable, and make themselves part of the solution. more...
Real Farming Report - Whose seeds are they anyway?
Kathryn Hindess
6th January, 2016The new People Need Nature report - published to coincide with this week's annual Oxford Real Farming Conference - warns that modern farming practices are not good for wildlife. But they're not good for humans either. And with predictions that we will need to produce 70 per cent more food to feed a third more mouths by 2050 the question of seed ownership and diversity cannot be ignored. KATHRYN HINDESS reports more...
Four essential 'green lines' for Brexit negotiators
Viviane Gravey, Queen's University Belfast
5th January 2017Will the UK keep Theresa May's promise to 'leave the environment in a better state than it found it' in the Brexit negotitions? Or is the government bent on the 'bonfire of red tape', including environmental protections, demanded by right-wing former and serving ministers? Viviane Gravey sets out four 'green lines' by which to judge the Brexiteers' true colours. more...
"Small really is beautiful", claims new report on England's farming
Kathryn Hindess
4th January, 2016
When it comes to farming, size matters. Currently, subsidies - received under the EU Common Agricultural Policy - are available only to farmers with more than five hectares of eligible land. Now, a new report by the charity People Need Nature published to coincide with the Oxford Real Farming Conferene (which starts today) claims that this "excludes the producers it should be supporting." KATHRYN HINDESS reports more...
Brexit offers a "rare opportunity" to change UK farming practices says the charity People Need Nature
Kathryn Hindess
3rd January, 2017Leaving the EU provides a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for England to change the way its land is managed so that nature, the environment, and society are better off according to a new report by the UK charity People Need Nature which is published to coincide with this week's Oxford Real Farming Conference. KATHRYN HINDESS reports more...
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Malaysia: the Murut struggle against palm oil, for land and life
Sophie Chao
12th December 2016Supported by state and national governments, palm oil plantations are advancing over the rainforest hills of Sabah, Malaysia, writes Sophie Chao. In their way: the indigenous Murut of Bigor, whose culture, livelihood and very lives are under threat as forests and farms fall to chainsaws and bulldozers, enriching loggers and distant investors beyond the dreams of avarice. more...
India's 'economic miracle' is built on debt, dispossession and now, monetary destruction
Colin Todhunter
30th November 2016After two decades of neoliberalism, India's magnates and corporations are profiting as never before, writes Colin Todhunter. But the entire economic edifice is built on the dispossession of the poor, locked into debt servitude, and ever rising income inequality. Prime Minister Modi's latest move, 'demonetization', is yet another example of the state stealing from the poor to give to the obscenely rich. more...
How Solar power is bringing food security to Africa
Joe Ware
25th November, 2016Malawi is a country on the front line of climate change. Unlike nations ravaged by a typhoon or rich western cities swamped with floodwater, the kind of impacts Malawians face barely raise a flicker of interest in the media. Compared to a hurricane, a few degrees of temperature rise and shifting rainfall patterns sound mild, but in reality they have the potential to be far more devastating writes JOE WARE more...
Scotland's wild beavers win legal protection
Oliver Tickell
24th November 2016The Scottish government has announced that its wild beaver populations will be given the full protection of both UK and EU law. The decision has been welcomed by campaigners who point out all the benefits of beavers to biodiversity, water management and flood control. Now, they say, England and Wales should follow suit. more...
Vital soil fungi damaged by GMO Bt cotton
Dr Eva Sirinathsinghji
24th November 2016A study of GMO cotton varieties shows they disrupt an important beneficial soil fungus, writes Eva Sirinathsinghji, apparently due to the Bt insecticide they are engineered to express. Disruption caused by the transgenic cotton to mycorrhizal fungi, and the wider soil ecosystem, may underlie the low yields and poor pest resistance now endemic among Bt GM crops. more...
'Poverty alleviation' shrimp farms destroy mangrove forest, grab indigenous land
Camilla Capasso
17th November 2016A government-led shrimp farming project meant to tackle extreme poverty in northern Sabah, Malaysian, won local support in 2010 by promising job opportunities for impoverished indigenous communities. Six years on, mangrove forests local people depend on for food, materials and income are closed off and being cleared - but the jobs have yet to materialise. more...
Farming with the grain - John Letts and his evolutionary 'made for organic' heritage seeds
Oliver Tickell
10th November 2016To feed the world we must abandon not just GMOs but all diversity-destroying selective crop breeding, organic farmer John Letts told Oliver Tickell. Only by using biodiverse local seed mixtures that evolve in the field can food production adapt to climate change without ever-increasing chemical inputs, and meet human needs for wholesome nourishment. more...
The huge environmental costs of salmon farms in South America
Florencia Ortúzar
1st November, 2016There are currently over 3,000 applications to establish new salmon farms in the Patagonian regions of Magallanes and Aysen waiting for approval. Have we leaned nothing from the damage to the environment caused by Chile's salmon farms asks Florencia Ortúzar more...
Wales demands 'objective evidence' before killing badgers. Whatever next?
Lesley Docksey
21st October 2016Wales has achieved enviable success in reducing bovine TB in its cattle herds without killing badgers, writes Lesley Docksey. The farming lobby is still demanding an England-style cull, but the Welsh government's 'refreshed' policy on bTB remains firmly science-based and no badgers will be killed without 'objective evidence' of infection. more...
THE ETHICAL FOODIE - Back to Basics
Tim Maddams
20th October, 2016We refer to them as kitchen basics - milk and eggs - but how often do we stop to think about the true cost of their production? Not often enough writes TIM MADDAMS more...
The future of our food depends on small farmers and well cared-for livestock
Philip Lymbery / CIWF
19th October 2016Abusive farming of animals in factory farms is one of the great cruelties of the modern age, writes Philip Lymbery. While some may justify it as necessary to 'feed the world', it is no such thing. The answer lies in supporting small scale traditional farmers, and respecting the livestock that are intrinsic to sustainable agriculture across the planet. more...
Agroecology cools the planet - so why are Governments backing agribusiness?
Kirtana Chandrasekaran
14th October 2016It' a perfect win-win solution for World Food Day, writes Kirtana Chandrasekaran: agroecology that sequesters carbon into soils, making them more fertile, productive and resilient, while also supporting sustainable livelihoods and tackling climate change. But instead governments are desperately trying to attract agribusiness investment that does the precise opposite. more...
WITNESS: Obesity, Ecology and the Confines of the Government Strategy
Yvonne Adebola
13th October, 2016In the first of our new WITNESS series of blogs, food anthropology researcher YVONNE ADEBOLA suggests a 'One Health' approach to childhood obesity which recognises the ecological impact of modern food systems on the environment and on our collective health and wellbeing more...
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SENATORS TO LAUNCH REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON MTA Bonacic: "New Goal Must be to Make Something Constructive Come From these New and Unwarranted Taxes and Fees Forced Upon our Region"
Mid-Hudson Valley State Senators today proposed a regional taskforce to summarize the current MTA services offered to Hudson Valley area residents in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam and Rockland Counties and make specific recommendations for key, specific, desired improvements to MTA service in the Hudson Valley.
The task force, formed by State Senators John Bonacic, Bill Larkin, Vincent Leibell, and Thomas Morahan, will focus on how the MTA can contribute to the economic vitality of the region and what key, specific improvements should be made by the MTA to serve the Hudson Valley. The regional task force is being put together by area Senators including State Senator John Bonacic.
The task force is inviting area business leaders, local officials, MTA Board Members, and other State officials to join with them. The Hudson Valley's representatives all objected to the new MTA tax. Businesses, not for profits, county government, libraries, area colleges, and schools are all now forced to pay a tax on their payrolls. Drivers will also pay more for their licenses and vehicle registrations.
Legislative leaders have agreed to reimburse schools but the promise is not binding and no reimbursement will go to private schools, colleges, counties, and towns –who will have to raise tuition, cut services, or raise property taxes to make up the multi-million dollar regional difference.
"We all voted against these taxes and fees. The question is what are we going to do about it," said State Senator John Bonacic, adding "there has to be more than just voting no."
Task force participants will be requested to lay out key, prioritized areas where improvements can be made. Bonacic said the goal is not to develop a laundry list of requests, but rather offer key proposals designed to make the MTA more user-friendly to Hudson Valley residents.
The task force will be composed of leaders of both for profit and not for profit businesses, elected local government officials, commuters, and business development officials.
Local MTA representatives will also be invited to participate. The task force is currently being formed and taskforce members will be announced in the next one to three weeks.


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There's NO COVER CHARGE and NO RESERVATIONS, so it's a good idea to get there early so you can pick a choice spot. I have arrived late on two occasions and still found a spot where I could sit in comfort, eat a fine meal and listen to superior jazz in a venue where the sound and sightlines are excellent.
The Canadian Jazz Quartet has been a favorite of mine since I became aware of them. There first record, C.J.Q. Canadian Jazz Quartet an independent release, has been in my collection since its debut in 1995. The band was formed in 1989 by Gary Benson (guitar) and Don Vickery (drums); the original band included the now deceased bassist Bob Price (1938-2002) and vibraphonist Frank Wright. The foundation is now held down by bassist Duncan Hopkins.
The band always swings; driving the pulse with dynamic energy is legendary Canadian drummer Don Vickery. The ultra smooth rhythm guitar playing of Gary Benson creates the crystal clear swing melody that motivates and inspires, think somewhere along the lines of a Freddie Green for maintaining that sumptuous swing rhythm, and Jim Hall for that distinct pure jazz phrasing, with that in mind you have some idea of the Gary Benson sound. Frank Wright shares the lead spots with mesmerizing solos that put him in a class by himself. He has a style that reminds me of the great Milt Jackson, a touch that is all about spirit, phrasing that captivates your attention and will not let go. Wright's comping skills are exceptional; he adds the finest embellishments to the tunes, a polish that glows brightly. Bassist Duncan Hopkins plays with a great swing feel, very intricate player with wonderful intonation. He digs in and produces a full round sound with pleasant sustain on slower numbers. He has a feel for the music that allows him to phrase with authority, not straight ahead, not off beat, always in the pocket, a captivating bassist.
Each time I have visited quotes Bar and Grill I have seen a different guest artist; the trend is to feature a different guest artist for each Friday at Five jazz concert. I have visited during guest performances by flutist Bill McBirnie, saxophonist Rick Wilkins, trumpeter Denny Christianson and saxophonist Pat LaBarbera. At my first visit, Bill McBirnie was the featured guest, his playing was tremendous, he picked up on the synergy of the band, fit right in and proceeded to blow wicked runs of tremendous virtuosity. For a detailed review of Bill McBirnie, check out my cd review of Paco Paco in the review section.
On one of my spontaneous moments, I happened to be downtown at a business meeting on a "Friday at Five" I'm now aware that Quotes Bar and Grill is the place to go when you're in that situation. It seems that many jazz artists are also becoming aware of this little known fact as the audience included many Canadian jazz stars, including David Clayton Thomas singer from the seventies super group Blood Sweat And Tears. The guest artist for this evening, trumpeter Denny Christianson, who showed up to play with serious intensity was joined on stage by David Clayton-Thomas who joined in for some vocalese on "C Jam Blues." Other highlight tunes included jazz standards, "When I Fall in Love," "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," "My Foolish Heart," "Alone Together," "Straight No Chaser," "You Don't Know What Love Is," and "My Romance."
My most recent visit was a planned outing to catch one of the best saxophonists around, the world renowned, Pat LaBarbera. Mr. LaBarbera is a smooth toned, melodical tenor player who fires off flowing runs that just keep coming. He seems to have developed his own form of circular breathing that allows an un-interrupted cascade of glorious sounds to flow freely from the bell of his saxophone.
The last number of the evening, a number that was a favorite of Mr. LaBarbera's old boss Elvin Jones, who also liked to use this song as a grand finale. "If It Ain't Got That Swing" was played with rousing intensity. Pat LaBarbera's solo for the number was most impressive and it did swing, from staccato triplets to lightning fast runs. As he digs into the tune his body language also digs in, left leg bowing out slightly and upper body tilting sideways, blowing and blowing, for three minutes, four minutes, the beautiful tones have not stopped, they flow with ever increasing passion, mostly melodic, the occasional growl in the low register - followed by a slide up to the highs and settling back into the most pleasing of tones in the mid range. A mixture of tremendous dynamics, well placed accents and reminiscent quotes all blending beautifully, make for an incredible sonic experience that provides the Canadian Jazz Quartet a glorious finale.
The place to be when in Toronto, "Fridays at Five" for a tremendous taste of live inspirational jazz - Quotes Bar & Grill.


text: Ellen Bartindale, a soccer player at Notre Dame, hands a bucket through the crowd at an NCAA college basketball game between Notre Dame and DePaul, Saturday, Jan 23, 2010, in South Bend, Ind. The Notre Dame student athlete advisory council collected donations for the victims of the Haiti earthquake during the first half of the game. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond)


text:
RESIDENTS are being urged to have their say on revised plans for thousands of new homes in Darlington.
Last summer, Darlington Borough Council received hundreds of responses to a consultation on its Making and Growing Places development plan, which highlighted areas for potential development in the borough up to 2026.
Following the consultation, planners have produced a revised draft policy, which includes plans for around 6,200 homes, including two options for a 350-home development in the Harrowgate Hill area.
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Around 400 fewer homes are now planned for the Central Park area. The number of proposed homes for land to the east of Red Hall, Haughton and Great Burdon has been increased.
The plans were approved by members of the council's cabinet on April 29, and residents will now be able to have their say on the plans.
Councillor Chris McEwan, the council's cabinet member for economy and regeneration, welcomed the consultation.
He said: "New housing is essential to support our ambitions for economic growth and a better quality of life for all."
Consultation will run from Friday, May 23 to Friday, July 4 and five public events will be also held for nearby residents.
Events will take place at St Mary's Cockerton Community Centre, June 18, 4.30pm to 6.30pm; St Andrew's Church Hall, Haughton, June 19, 5pm to 7pm; Whessoe Parish Hall, June 25, 5pm to 7pm; Darlington market, June 28, 10am to 2pm, and Gurney Pease Primary School, June 30, 5pm to 7pm.
Written responses can be sent to firstname.lastname@example.com or Freepost DL64, Planning Policy, Darlington Borough Council, Darlington, DL1 5BS.
Comment forms can also be filled in at the town hall, the library or at darlington.gov.uk/mgp
Alternatively call 01325-388644.


text: Johannesburg - Violence witnessed in the mining sector this year stems from apartheid, outgoing Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll said on Tuesday."The violence we have seen in the mining sector this year has its seeds in the legacy of apartheid and the underlying social problems that remain," she said during a discussion at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg."The curse of unemployment means that mine workers often have many other people who are economically dependent on them."Carroll said the history of the migrant labour system loosened the bonds of family life and dislocated communities."The brutalisation of human relationships that occurred under apartheid... all of these factors can be seen in the turmoil and tragedy we have experienced this year."Carroll said whatever the challenges the country faced, there were "truths" which had to be faced.The first was that there was no future for any society without law and order."Public order is the bedrock without which civilisation collapses. This year we have seen violence and unrest across the mining industry and in several other sectors."Another truth the nation had to face was that anarchy in the workplace benefited no one.Businesses that could not generate adequate returns ultimately collapsed and died."It is the responsibility of management, not just to shareholders, but also to employees, to ensure that companies remain economically competitive."The maintenance of law and order and the restoration of stable labour relations were critical to perceptions of South Africa as a place to do business."They [international investors] will make their judgements on the basis of the reality they can see."She said the mining sector was at the heart of the South African economy, generating 18.7% of the country's GDP and directly employing 13.5 million people."It [mining] has a critical role to play in supporting the aspirations of the New Growth Path and the objectives of the National Development Plan."Carroll said discussions on the regulation of the mining sector had been going on for a long time."The spectre of nationalisation has been laid to rest, but the need to guard against damaging regulatory changes remains."


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[ syll. tos-hea, to-sh-ea ] The baby girl name Toshea is pronounced as Tow-SHiyEY †. Toshea is of Japanese origin. Toshea is a variant form of the Japanese Toshi.
See also the related category japanese.
Toshea is not regularly used as a baby name for girls. It is not ranked within the top 1000 names.
Baby names that sound like Toshea include Tacea, Tadaka, Taddea, Tadeata, Tadeeta (English), Tadeta (English), Tadetta, Tadyta, Tadytta, Taeko (Japanese), Tahisha, Tahitia, Tahiya, Taicee, Taicey, Taici, Taicie, Taicy, Taisa (Italian), and Taisha (English).
† approx English pronunciation for Toshea: T as in "tee (T.IY)" ; OW as in "oak (OW.K)" ; SH as in "she (SH.IY)" ; IY as in "eat (IY.T)" ; EY as in "ate (EY.T)"


text:
According to a lawyer for U.S. military priests, the federal government is expanding its intimidation campaign to include men of the cloth during the ongoing shutdown.
Archdiocese for the Military Services USA general counsel John Schlageter made the accusations in a recent opinion article, noting that an array of "priests who minister to Catholics on military bases worldwide are not permitted to work — not even to volunteer" during the interruption of some federal services.
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Unbelievably, our current leaders feel that spiritual guidance for the brave men and women in uniform is a "non-essential" government program. Fortunately, they cannot curtail the intimate conversations these same faithful soldiers will have with God in private.
Schlageter pointed out, however, that chaplains could actually face jail time for daring to encourage those in the military with Biblical wisdom.
TRENDING: Megyn Kelly Reveals What She Did for Fox News Execs at Audition: 'I Am Still Humiliated That I Did It'
"During the shutdown," he continued, "it is illegal for them to minister on base and they risk being arrested if they attempt to do so."
Though it faces some serious competition, this might be the most unconscionable mandate levied by the Obama regime thus far in the government shutdown.
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According to Schlageter, the real impact of this absurd instruction will be felt Sunday — unless Congress is able to reach a deal to reopen the government.
"If the shutdown continues through the weekend," he wrote, "there will be no Catholic priest to celebrate Mass this Sunday in the chapels at some U.S. military installations where non-active-duty priests serve as government contractors."
While some of the closures and interruptions associated with the shutdown — such as Michelle Obama's Twitter account — are so insane they become funny, the removal of priests from military locations is utterly despicable.
In an America under the leadership of a patriot, a soldier's spiritual life would not be fodder for political leverage. Driven by pure leftist ideology, however, Obama is perfectly comfortable attacking anyone and anything he feels will gain him a few approval points.
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Much to his dismay, that tactic seems to be failing. Recent polling shows that America blames him for the shutdown far more than the principled leadership shown by the Tea Party.
–Western Journalism staff writer
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Volume 10 (2010), Pages 972-985
Distribution, Levels, and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Some Water Bodies along the Coastal Belt of Ghana
Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana
Received 26 February 2010; Revised 6 April 2010; Accepted 18 April 2010
Academic Editor: Lars Sonesten
Copyright © 2010 David Kofi Essumang.
The levels and distribution of 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in six water bodies along the coastal belt of Ghana using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection (GC/FID). The average total PAHs recorded are from the Pra estuary, 6.3 μg/L; Benya lagoon, 7.5 μg/L; Sakumono lagoon, 10.1 μg/L; lower Volta estuary, 26.3 μg/L; Keta lagoon, 10.6 μg/L; and Narkwa lagoon, 16.1 μg/L.The 12 PAHs that were well distributed in all the coastal waters analyzed include naphthalene, pyrene, fluorene, 2-methylnaphthalene, 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene, acephnaphthalene, acephnaphthene, 1-methylphenanthrene, 2,3,5-trimethylnaphthalene, chrysene, biphenyl, and phenanthrene. The presence of benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)anthracene, and benzo(j,k)fluoranthene in some of the water bodies is a source of concern as they have been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as probable human carcinogens. These water bodies are used for fishing and for some domestic purposes by the people living around them, thereby exposing them to some dangers and the risk of getting cancer. The human health cancer risk assessment carried out also indicates that there is the possibility of some users of the water bodies getting cancer in their lifetime.


text:
Loch Achtriochtan
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GlenCoe from a luscious fern patch. Aonach Dubh is on the right and the great north wall of Aonach Eagach is on the left.
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text:
Want to set a bookmark? I had to search high and low for WHERE to set the bookmark name. It's not one of the properties exposed by the Properties dialog box. Yes, you can specify the ACTION to GO to a bookmark, but to actually name a bookmark, you need to find it in the Properties page
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text:
post some dispute in form but not in the background is always talking
about soul music very good groovy, all this to show you "PAWN SHOP SOUL"
which is in my opinion very promising.
a small sign to the festival programmers or clubs
do not hesitate these are very great future
un post un peu differend dans la forme mais pas dans le fond on parle
toujours ici de soul music bien groovy, tout ceci pour vous présenter "PAWN SHOP SOUL"
qui est a mon avis trés prometteur.
un petit signe envers les programmateurs de festivals ou de clubs n'hésitez pas
ce sont des futurs grands
Founded in 2013 by veteran soul, funk, and jazz musicians, Pawn Shop Soul features
a full horn line not often heard in this millennium. The horn front line stands
and delivers on the powerful grooves generated by a five-piece rhythm section.
An orchestra of soul all by itself, Hammond organ both sustains the groove and
soars above it. Booty bumpin' bio-rhythms are supplied by inter-locking traps,
bass and congas. Satisfying body and soul, Pawn Shop Soul provides high-energy
dance music in the tradition of Stax, Volt, Chess and many others.
Two demos here:


text:
Hamilton looking to get back on track
Hamilton looking to get back on track
SEATTLE -- Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton admitted the All-Star Game wore him down a little bit. "Yeah, as usual," Hamilton said. "You love to be there, it's exciting to be there, the game itself is a lot of fun. But all the media stuff wears you out." Reds manager Dusty Baker said last week he noticed that players in the All-Star Game start off the second half slow. That seems to be the case with Hamilton. He is 1-for-7 with five strikeouts in the first two games since the All-Star break and was at designated hitter Sunday.
"I've been struggling for the last month ... no excuses," Hamilton said. "Honestly I feel really good at the plate. Even before the All-Star Game and at the All-Star Game I had good at-bats, hitting the ball hard and hitting it right at people." But he was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Felix Hernandez on Saturday. "Last night I was the victim of trying to hit it too far instead of making contact," Hamilton said. "Sometimes it flip-flops like that and you fight it."


text:
The Washington Nationals are suing an insurance company in an attempt to recoup the bonus money they paid to the Dominican prospect formerly known as Esmailyn Gonzalez, but of more interest in the baseball world are the details of a kickback scheme the Nationals allege in their lawsuit.
The Nationals signed Gonzalez for $1.4 million on July 2, 2006, when he presented himself as a 16-year-old. Three years later, it came out that Gonzalez was really Carlos Alvarez (full name: Carlos David Alvarez Lugo) and that he's four years older than originally believed. Alvarez remains in the organization but has just 41 at-bats above short-season ball, and he has made just two plate appearances in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League this season.
The Nationals assert that the Gonzalez/Alvarez signing came about as a result of fraud by their employees and filed an insurance claim to recoup the loss. Westchester Fire Insurance Co. denied the claim, so the Nationals are suing the insurance company. The team filed the lawsuit in May in Washington, D.C., Superior Court, but it was transferred to federal court in D.C. last week at the insurance company's request.
In the lawsuit, the Nationals say that Alvarez "executed an affadavit detailing his fraud, including that he kicked back $300,000 of his bonus to Jose Rijo." At the time Rijo ran the team's Latin American scouting as a special assistant to then-general manager Jim Bowden. The Nationals also claim that Jose Baez, the team's director of Dominican Republic operations at the time, was also involved in the kickback scheme.
Sports Illustrated first reported Alvarez's real name and age in February 2009, and shortly after that federal officials said they were investigating allegations of bonus skimming in the signing of Latin American prospects. Nationals officials said at the time that they were unaware of the fraud until it became public, and both Rijo and Baez were fired on Feb. 26, while Bowden—who is not mentioned by name in the lawsuit—resigned three days later. The team also moved out of Rijo's academy in the Dominican Republic. The lawsuit claims that Alvarez's bonus "represented a complete loss resulting from the employee dishonesty, theft and fraud of Rijo, Baez and (Alvarez)."
The Nationals say in their suit that the Yankees and Rangers had also expressed interest in Alvarez "given his skill level and apparently young age," suggesting that they believed the $1.4 million bonus for Alvarez was justified at the time because of competition. Gonzalez was represented by Rob Plummer and trained in a program with Basilio Vizcaino, the prominent Dominican trainer known as "Cachaza."
The Nationals say they had a contract with Westchester for $1 million of commercial crime insurance coverage to protect the club from employee dishonesty, theft and fraud. The Nationals say their claim was denied—after months of delays—without reasonable basis, and say they reported the incident to Westchester with "extensive and detailed proof" as soon as they learned of the fraud. When Westchester responded more than three months later, according to the Nationals, they requested further proof "including an extensive, redundant and burdensome list of additional documents and a request for interviews with Nationals employees."
Two years after the Nationals submitted the claim, Westchester denied it. The team notes in its lawsuit that Chartis, the team's excess loss insurer, paid the club "substantially all of the Nationals' loss in excess of Westchester's liability limit for this policy," but that it has not been able to resolve its dispute with Westchester.
Westchester has not yet filed its answer in the lawsuit.
While the Nationals attempt to recoup their money from the Alvarez signing, Rijo has bigger issues on his hands. He was in the news last year when Dominican authorities charged him with money laundering in connection with the activities of Matias Avelino Castro, a suspected Dominican drug trafficker. A prosecutor at the time said that 80 percent of Castro's assets were in Rijo's name, including a sports complex and two hotels, and prosecutors have asserted that other drug traffickers have used Rijo's name to legitimize their real estate transactions.
According to the English-language Website Dominican Today, the Dominican government asked a San Pedro de Macoris court in July to proceed with a trial for the eight men accused in connection with the August 2011 kidnapping and killing of journalist Jose Silvestre. The government's anti-money laundering office charged five people with murder in the case and three others—including Castro, who is a fugitive, and Rijo—with money laundering.


text:
CHANNEL-ISLANDS-L ArchivesArchiver > CHANNEL-ISLANDS > 2001-04 > 0987276951
Subject: Monthly Review - more snippets....
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 15:35:51 EDT
More from the Here & Now section......(Feb 1943)
Congratulations to Miss Dulcie OGIER, of 47 Kilmarnock Rd, Shawlands, Glasgo=
- firstly on being one of the 8 chosen in that city to become a tram driver,=
and secondly on the splendid broadcast on the 14th January, entitled: "How I=
became a tram driver". The broadcast lasted 11=BD minutes covering 1,800 wor=
Miss OGIER is anxious to know if there are any other C.I. women tram drivers=
The children of Delancy Roman Catholic School staged an enjoyable Christmas=20
Concert at Winsford, where they are billeted. Sister DE SALES thanked all fo=
their assistance and help.
Mr Edward J. RICHARDSON of St Paul's Vicarage, Denholme, Bradford has every=20
reason to believe that his father, Mr P.N. RICHARDSON of Jersey is still=20
living, although his death was recorded in the C.I. Review and the B.C.=20
Canadian Bulletin. We extend our apologies, and regret any inconvenience tha=
may have been caused.
More to follow......
This thread:


text:
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WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including one or more listed chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer or birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov
This USB Display Adapter enables you to connect one more monitor, LCD or projector to a computer with a USB 2.0 port. For desktop users adding an extra monitor via USB connection is easier than ever without having to open the computer chassis to install an internal video card. Once the installation is done, the USB-attached monitor soon wakes up. No function key hassle to swap a second monitor.
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text:
Chesterfield County bans bath salts, synthetic marijuana
Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:04:53 GMT —
The synthetic drug known as bath salts is now illegal in unincorporated Chesterfield County.
Chesterfield County council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance Wednesday. It makes it illegal to advertise, possess, buy, sell or use bath salts, bath salts like substances and synthetic marijuana.
The ordinance goes into effect immediately. Anyone caught violating it will be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Sheriff Sam Parker said in a press release, "In all of my years of law enforcement, I have never seen a substance this dangerous take off like this one has. People have got to be informed, especially parents."
Cheraw passed a similar ordinance last month.


text:
Harbour Rovers juniors off to winning start
Premier JHC Harbour Rovers 2-14 Kilshannig 1-9
The North Cork Hibernian Hotel Premier JHC got under way at Castletownroche on Sunday when last years beaten finalists Harbour Rovers with a strong performance in the last quarter saw off the newly promoted JAHC kingpins Kilshannig.
Despite Harbour Rovers taking an early lead through Denis Gallagher it was Kilshannig that made a promising start as they reeled off four quick points by Killian O'Hanlon (2) Liam Casey and Cian Nagle to move into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 7th minute.
As the half progressed the Rovers with the aid of the crosswind gained a foothold on proceedings with Sean Finn, David Pyne, Sean O'Keeffe, Denis Gallagher and Padraigh Hannon improving greatly from here and in the 12th minute they hit the front when Denis Gallagher finished to the net from a tight angle 1-2 to 0-4.
Kilshannig levelled matters immediately with a Killian O'Hanlon pointed free but at this stage Harbour Rovers were certainly in the ascendancy and they scored the next six points to move into a 1-8 to 0-5 advantage by the 20th minute.
Killian O'Hanlon kept Kilshannig in touch with another pointed free while keeper Scott McNamara also kept the Harbour Rovers forwards at bay when he made a point blank saves from both Denis Gallagher and Francis J O'Flynn before the half time whistle.
Timmy Rice with a long range point made it 1-9 to 0-6 while just before the break Kilshannig came thundering back into the tie when great work by Cian Nagle saw him set up Frank McCarthy who netted from close range and narrowed the deficit to 1-9 to 1-6 at the interval.
On the changeover Kilshannig started where they left off late in the opening half and by the 41st minute were back on level terms at 1-9 apiece when Killian O'Hanlon (2) and Frank McCarthy had points.
Strangely the Glantane side failed the score for the rest of the game even though they stayed firmly in contention right up to the closing moments. Harbour Rovers on the otherhand showed the greater awareness and two points in the space of a minute by David Pyne and Denis Gallagher moved them into a two point lead.
Over the next couple of minutes both teams accounted for a number of wides before the Rovers struck for a second goal in the 49th minute when Padraigh Hannon placed John Landers whose delivery into the square was flicked to the net by Shane O'Riordan 2-11 to 1-9. It was all the Rovers from here with Padraigh Hannon (2) and Denis Gallagher adding points that helped seal their path to the knockout stages.
HARBOUR ROVERS: M Jackson, B O'Keeffe, D Healy, M Cashman, S Finn, D Pyne 0-3f, P Blackburne, S O'Keeffe, P Hannon 0-4 (0-1f) E Sheehan, D Gallagher 1-4, R Murphy 0-2, F J O'Flynn, T Rice 0-1, A Sheehan. Subs: S O'Riordan 1-0 for A Sheehan, J Landers for M Cashman, W Jackson for T Rice.
KILSHANNIG: S McNamara, D Finnegan, R O'Mahony, C Casey, I Twomey, D O'Mahony, M Twomey, T Twomey, D Ruby, L Casey 0-1, R Ryan, K O'Hanlon 0-6f, D Murphy, F McCarthy 1-1, C Nagle 0-1. Subs: D Clogan for David Ruby,
Refere : Dave Copps (Ballyhea)


text:
Isn't it funny how much can change in a year?
One of my last posts was about my looking forward to spending last summer with my now ex-boyfriend. I had just graduated from LCF and was on the manic hunt for a first step onto the career ladder. The death of my dog, the break-up and the end of university threw things like writing my blog onto the back seat.
Well, that was then.
I have just completed the most amazing year-long internship, working as a PR and Communications assistant with one of the most prestigious beauty companies in the world. I am now on the look-out for my next role, but feel I have grown in so many ways since university that I know my perfect position is just around the corner.
Over the past few months I have collected an insane amount of amazing beauty products and top pro-tips which I am itching to share with you. I now have the time and the motivation to re-start LYLOTS and have decided to carry on just where I left off instead of starting a whole new blog as I still, surprisingly, get an incredible number of views each month.
So, thank you to my readers for sitting tight and giving continuos support even during the LYLOTS' dry-spell.
This, as life has done, will be changing too.


text:
So let's get this right. The world's first life-size jewellery box. A real life ballerina performing on top. In the middle of the city. Organised by PANDORA.
It sounds fantastical, but it's actually happening.
Atop PANDORA's Sydney jewellery box will be Australian model, ballet lover and social media's darling, Mimi Elashiry. Mimi will be performing at various times of the day free of charge.
Both the Sydney and Melbourne events aim to evoke memories in young women of the jewellery boxes they had as children. It'll be the cheapest ballet performance you've been to.
with Mimi Elashiry
Where: Pitt Street Mall
When: Thursday October 13 from 9am- 9pm, Friday October 14 from 9am- 5pm
Where: Shot Tower Square, Melbourne Central
When: 9am- 9pm Thursday October 20 - Friday October 21


text: Hi Guys, I originally posted this query about a multi-effects pedal, but after some further investigation have found out that this fault is coming from the amplifier I have a Trace Elliot Series 6 715 100w amp, and after about 3 or 4 minutes of playing the treble suddenly fades out almost completely. Then, after a few seconds, it fades back in. This fault happens every few minutes or so, just for a few seconds at a time. Does anybody have any ideas of what might cause this and how it might be fixed? Many thanks!


text:
We stayed for 7 nights in February and honestly I cannot rate this Riad highly enough. If I could give 6 stars I would!! From the first moment we stepped inside we were made to feel welcome and at home. Abdul, the night guy, is...More
Getting you more information on this room
Getting you more information on this room
"If you don't mind some local noise, it doesn't matter which room you get,all seemed lovely."
"'Fez' is a great room with a window out to the street so you can observe local life"


text: Have you tried F#? I mean, I havent ;-) but maybe it's an interesting half-way house? Presumably you can use all the standard .Net libraries (maybe good enough for getting asp.net working etc?), and you can still use FP constructs? I understand F# is not pure (I think?), and doesnt have monads, but hey, life's full of compromises ;-)


text: Does anybody know where in Hilton Head Island, SC, that they used to hold the professional tennis tournaments? I am asking with regards to the actual location. I've seen video footage on the internet of old men's and women's tournaments held somewhere on the island. I vacation there sometimes but can't think of where they might've held these tournaments. Maybe Port Royal? Some of the footage I've seen was a match between Borg and Laver, and then a match with Steffi Graf from the late 80s or early 90s.


text:
Author has written 23 stories for City Hunter, and Final Fantasy VIII.
Time for another update...
About me
Currently I am a college student and I'm continuing to work on completing a BS. Then it will be off to grad school. I've been writing fan-fiction for about three years now, and have an alternate account here under Rochelle Templer. I only have stories for the TV show Bones there, and sadly, many are unfinished. But this year, I plan to make a project of completing as many unfinished fics as possible, so they should be getting updates soon. Plus, I plan on posting fic for a new fandom that I have fallen in love with: Doctor Who. So for those who are interested in either one, I hope you will give it a chance. :)
I created this account mainly for my anime and manga fanfiction and have started to include some video game fic as well. I have been a fan of anime and manga for years now and have a great love for classic (often meaning older) titles along with more obscure or offbeat ones. I also tend to mainly focus on a couple RPG series for games (Final Fantasy, Chrono Series, Dragon Quest, etc) so I will probably write only for a couple titles in that area. For now, I will be focusing on one of my favorite series, City Hunter and on one of my favorite games, Final Fantasy VIII, but I plan on adding fics from other fandoms in the future
About my fic writing
I tend to lean toward certain styles and themes in my work. First and foremost, I do love to mix angst/drama/h/c with humor/fluff. As a result, most of my stories will have elements of both in them, despite the fic descriptors in the summary. Also, I tend to spend a lot of time in my characters' heads and explore a lot of nuances, and thus, my fics also tend to be on the long side. :)
A couple of other quirks in my writing and subject matter include:
Focusing on side characters: I can't help it. Ever since I started writing fan-fiction, I have often found myself drawn to the characters that just don't get as much attention in canon. Even in fandoms where I do spend most of my time with the main characters (like City Hunter) I still find ways to spend a lot of time with characters that were not featured heavily in canon. I guess it's because I feel as if their stories haven't had a chance to be fully explored yet...
Father/Son fics: This has also been a long running quirk of mine. I simply love exploring complicated father-son relationships and thus, every fandom I have written in so far has had at least one long, epic fic featuring a father-son combination that is not straightforward or traditional (and in the case of Final Fantasy VIII, it's the main thing I focus on).
Well that was more than enough about me...;)
Some notes on my fics:
All anime/manga fics
-I will be using honorifics (and a few titles) if they are commonly used in the original work. I tend to watch most anime in the original Japanese (usually with subtitles) and have studied Japanese in the past, thus I'd like to keep some of that flavor in my written work. Plus, the use of honorifics or titles (or lack thereof) can say a lot about how characters view each other which is another reason why I like to use them.
City Hunter fics:
-Even though my fics will be in English, there are a couple of words that I plan on leaving in Japanese...most notably, mokkori. I know that English translators have come up with a variety of substitutes for it including sexy, nookie, scoring and whatnot, but to me, mokkori is one of those words which just doesn't quite have a suitable equivalent in English. Plus, being as it's such an integral word in Ryo's vocabulary, I can't bring myself to leave it out of his dialogue. :)
-The fics are pretty much standalone, but I do have one AU series which includes (in this order):
1. To heal a heart: The return of Cinderella
2. To find a path: The uncertainty of decisions
3. To realize a destiny: The journey into shadows
Also, I plan on writing a sequel to The Change in Direction: Dark Shadows on City Streets at some point.
Final Fantasy VIII fics
-My fics here tend to follow one of two timelines/fic paths with anything else being standalone:
Path #1 Fics
1. Long Shadows Before Dawn
2. Twilight within a Dream (currently in the planning stages)
Path #2 Fics
1. The Verge of Anything
2. The Silence Afterwards
3. The Treasure in Details
4. Fractures
Standalone Fics
1. Vires and Constantia
2. Divergence to the Beginning (AU and currently in the planning stages)
3. Fidelitas in Perpetuo (loosely related to Vires and Constantia)
4. Revisions
5. Phasmatis (within the same universe as, but not directly related to Revisions)
Reading the fics in Path #2 in order is not absolutely necessary, but it will be helpful for the longer fics like Treasure and Fractures. However, the fics in Path #1 will need to be read in that order to make sense.
I know that I have been bad about letting some of my fics languish in limbo, and I apologize for that. As I mentioned above, I plan on making it a project to get as many of them as possible completed and that includes fics on this account as well. So for you City Hunter fans who have been waiting for so long...and the FFVIII fans who are wondering what happened...I plan to get some stuff out there in the coming weeks and months. I promise. :)
Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who takes the time to read my work in these fandoms. I hope you enjoy it.
All for now


text:
You are here
Dodge Challenger news - A time for miracles… - 2008
It's nearly Christmas – the time of miracles and mince pies and things like that – so we think we're totally justified in drawing up our traditional 'Top Gear List of Stuff We'd Really Like to Happen But Won't in a Million Years'.
And right at the top of it is this, a Le Mans-prepped Dodge Challenger from Swedish design firm Vizualtech.
It's not some aftermarket tuning effort. It's not even a hopeful concept that'll never get built. In fact, it's no more than a collection of artfully arrangement pixels on a Swedish geek's desktop, created to show off Vizualtech's 3D rendering talents.
But we like it. Check out all the lovely carbon bits, that implausibly wide track – with beefed-up shoulders to contain it all – and giant rear wing. All this is good. As is the Gulf livery – though we might leave the flame decals at home. We wouldn't want to be accused of overkill, after all…
We can't help thinking the Challenger might look more at home on a DTM track than at Le Mans, but either way, this is something that really needs to be built.
Hell, Chrysler's got plenty of spare cash lying around at the moment, hasn't it? And it seems like a good time to go into motor racing – it's not like every manufacturer is furiously pulling out of its racing operations, is it? Ah.
But who knows? If we're all really, really well behaved, and we all put it at the top of our Christmas wish list, anything could happen. And, while we're at it, let's all pray that bloody Hallelujah monstrosity doesn't make it to number one…
What do you think?
This service is provided by Disqus and is subject to their privacy policy and terms of use. Please read Top Gear's code of conduct (link below) before posting.


text:
- 1. Protect your skin from the sun. Wearing a sunscreen every single day of the year should be a part of your daily skincare routine. This will help prevent your skin from becoming prematurely aged from exposure to the sun's UV rays.
- 2. Cleanse thoroughly. Many older women and women with dry skin are worried that deep cleansing of the skin can lead to dryness and lines, and therefore do not cleanse their skin thoroughly as they should. However, to achieve a healthy, radiant complexion, it's essential to ensure your skin is clear of dead skin cells, makeup residue and grime. Thorough cleansing doesn't mean harsh products -- you can effectively clean your face using a mild cleanser and gentle makeup remover with cotton wool. Then rinse away the excess with warm water.


text:
It's been 10 years since Andy Sachs stormed out on her boss, the tyrannical editor of Runway magazine Miranda Priestly.
And it's been 10 years since her creator Lauren Weisberger hit The New York Times best-seller list with her debut novel, The Devil Wears Prada, which went on to sell 4 million copies, was translated into 27 languages and later made into a hit film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway.
Weisberger, who lives in New York with her young family, has written three other books since then. But ever since she released her second book, Everyone Worth Knowing, she has been asked the same question: 'What is it like to follow up on the success of The Devil Wears Prada?'
That question is more relevant than ever now, as she has delved into that fictional world again and has written the sequel, appropriately titled Revenge Wears Prada.
It's 10 years on, and Andy is on the verge of marriage. We meet her, nerves aflutter, on the day of her wedding. She's also about to launch her own magazine with former Runway assistant Emily. And Miranda Priestly is still haunting her nightmares, quite literally, from day one on page one, in the angst-ridden sheets of her pre-marital bed.
Weisberger's life has changed a great deal too. She's now 36, married to playwright and screenwriter Mike Cohen and is mother of a girl and boy, aged one and two.
"It's pretty chaotic here but it's really fun," the author says on the phone from her New York apartment. Writing no longer means staying up till 4am drinking coffee when the muse takes her. It's now a get-down-to-work affair between sleeps and feeds.
For Weisberger, the idea of a sequel is something that's been percolating for a long time. Prada literally changed her life. She went from a fired Vogue assistant spinning on the shock of a horrible year working for formidable editor Anna Wintour, to expunging her experiences in a creative writing class to becoming a best-selling author. Some of her readers may have wondered whatever happened to Andy and Miranda, the thinly veiled fictionalisations of herself and Wintour. Weisberger wondered too.
While she has been busy living her life, somewhere in the background, her characters have been living theirs, and are ready to take the stage again.
"I look back and I was so young and sort of bright-eyed and new to everything when I wrote the first book and 10 years has passed and so much changes in that time, especially in your 20s and your 30s," she says.
"There's just so much life happening. So I got really curious about how it would look to see these characters that I developed a decade ago. What would have happened in their own lives? The more I started thinking about it, the more I really wanted to see it through."
About to be a bride, and the editor of a bridal magazine, everything seems to be falling into place for Andy. But that's when the "shoe drops" says her creator.
Like in any good sequel, Andy's nemesis returns. But rather than being her "day-by-day, minute-by-minute, round-the-clock torturer" Miranda takes an overarching role, a larger-than-life foe popping up to terrify her protagonist like a well-dressed Godzilla.
"It was fun to kind of get back in there," Weisberger says. "And when she does appear and find ways of tormenting Andy, it was really exciting for me as a writer to figure out what they're going to look like. I feel like the pace sort of picks up, the colours get brighter and things get more exciting. She's the devil."
She's also firmly fictitious. While the triumphs of her whirlwind success left Weisberger's head spinning, she also had to deal with the fall-out from writing a tell-all roman a clef that put the dagger into fashion royalty.
As a young writer, just 25 when The Devil Wears Prada was released, Weisberger was unprepared for the harsh reviews and backlash she received.
Vogue publisher Conde Nast reacted by not reacting at all, and ignoring the book altogether. But there were some, such as former Vogue staffer Kate Betts, who wrote in The New York Times that Weisberger's main character had "an unbecoming superiority complex and is just as much a snob as the snobs she is thrown in with".
When the reviews came in, Weisberger went underground. She learned to develop a thick skin.
She avoided talking about her work at parties - her friends knew not to introduce her as the Prada author. But it also brought immense success - and when the book was optioned into a film, it was a dream come true.
When shooting began in 2005, Weisberger was on the set almost every day. They even made her a director's chair with her name on it, and she had a tiny cameo as Miranda Priestly's nanny. It was a thrilling time for the small-town girl.
The final chess play came when she found herself at the opening night of the film with Wintour in 2006, although the pair never spoke.
Wintour was initially disparaging of the book and film, but in her icily tactful way, she softened her viewpoint, calling it "entertaining". Today, Weisberger and her former boss don't move in the same circles and rarely cross paths.
But Weisberger had no intention of putting the steak-knife into Wintour. She had no intention of even writing a book. After Vogue - the 11 months where she had to endure 7am starts, errands running well into the night, and routine coffee-fetching - she went to work for a travel magazine and took up creative writing classes in the evening.
She started writing about her experiences at Vogue as a sort of exercise. It was therapeutic, and fun.
Her tutor liked what she read and encouraged her to do more. Pretty soon she had a decent collection of anecdotes, a novel in the making. Her teacher submitted it to an agent, who sold the book within a week with an impressive advance of $250,000 ($50,000 is considered good). It was a novelist's fairytale.
Then, she naively had no idea what reactions she might receive. But she says not knowing was probably for the best. Otherwise, she would have been paralysed with fear.
This time, she wasn't so nervous about bringing her larger-than-life characters back in play. In Revenge Wears Prada, she's not afraid to make her nemesis as venomous as ever. And she's not worried about the responses she might receive.
"No, this was such a fun book to write. It's meant to be something that you can hopefully read on the beach," she says. "It's the same kind of glamour and fun and celebrity sexiness of the first one in a slightly different way."
And while Miranda Priestly may have diverged from Anna Wintour, Andy Sachs has diverged from Lauren Weisberger too. This time, like all of her post-Prada books, she writes in the third person.
"My life has taken a pretty different path, unlike the first book which was really based a lot on my experiences at Vogue and working for Anna."
While it might have begun as a story about the magazine industry, Revenge Wears Prada is also about the doubts and vulnerabilities that come with trying to keep pace in a hectic and often judgmental world.
Concerns about entering the 30s, the perfect marriage and babies are now on the agenda as well as career. Weisberger's characters occupy a fast-paced Sex and the City world of newspaper social pages, Hamptons holidays and Gatsby-esque glamour. It's a world that probably hasn't changed much in 100 years.
But Weisberger's characters are funny and flawed, and show the awkwardness behind the facade, the women behind the wardrobe.
"What I tried to do probably more than anything in creating these characters is to make them feel like real people," Weisberger says. "It seems obvious. It's really what most fiction writers are trying to do, but I want the characters to be flawed and I want them to be funny and I want them to be true to their personalities from 10 years ago but to have evolved and grown in different and unexpected ways, the way real people do."
The process of writing is challenging in itself. Weisberger says she isn't always rushing to the keyboard. But she has managed to achieve a balance of writing and parenting that she shares with her husband, who is also a writer. In fact, it's her husband who first gets to read a draft.
While juggling the nappied bottoms of little ones, Weisberger has had to wean herself off being a night-owl to an all-times-of-the-day bird.
"Now it's all very boring and regimented. It's changed a lot. Pre-kids, even pre-husband it was very much as the inspiration struck me. I wrote better at night and I would stay up till 3, 4 or 5 in the morning and then sleep really late. I was a night person. Now it's all very much this kind of patchwork quilt of nursery school schedules and daddy schedules and nanny schedules, and when can I carve out a few hours at almost the same time every day."
Weisberger had no ambitions to enter the fast lane. She grew up in small-town Pennsylvania, geographically close to the Big Apple but as far away as you could get in every other way.
"I definitely lived by all the rules. I studied hard. I dated nice boys. I did things that made my parents happy and I hope my daughter does the same."
She went away to Cornell University and her horizons broadened. She travelled abroad for a year. Her job at Vogue was her first step into the "real world". It was a rude awakening.
"My first shot out of school after the rural childhood and the really big, beautiful super relaxed campus university experience was Vogue magazine in downtown Manhattan and that definitely left my head spinning."
The termination of her role - one that so many would have been dying for - was brave or possibly stupid, she says. "Maybe a little bit brave," she says. "I felt a lot of people thought I was being stupid by walking away from this opportunity. I felt scared of what the next thing was going to be and was I making a mistake, all of those things that probably people feel when they leave any job."
But it was a move that, of course, led to bigger and better things. Now it's time to see where the next chapter of her story will take her.
And with Revenge, there will be more scrutiny than ever. Her book hits the international shelves this week, and for the next month she'll be touring the US.
"I hope so much that readers like it and that they'll relate to it. There's something amazing about getting out and actually meeting with people who read your book."


text:
Welcome to the Muppet Central Forum!
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Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by CountFan1998, Feb 13, 2012.
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text: As I've been thinking very seriously about carrying a Sig238 as an EDC at work, I worry about the safety being safe. I've always carried double action pistols which I didn't have to count on safeties. I do apt maintenance and am always crawling in tight spaces and laying under sinks and such. While I'm doing so, what are probabilities that I'll flip off the safety unknowingly? Obviously this could be catastrophic. Other than that, I think I'm ready to get me a 238 for EDC. Thanks for your opinions.


text:
Keep a close shave
Within one year your shaver heads cut 4.5 million hairs on your face. Replace the shaver heads every year for best results. See all benefits
Dual-blade system of your Philips shaver: first blade lifts, second blade cuts for a comfortable close shave.
The Flex Tracker automatically tracks the curves of your face and helps to protect against skin irritation.
The shaving heads have unique glide rings to help the shaver move smoothly over your face.
Use the shaver in the shower to save time and give yourself the fresh sensation of wet shaving.


text:
Clean, clear sounds even at higher volumes
'Sound isn't as good as other computer speakers in this price class.'
'Set-up is simple enough to let the average person get a good way down the line before needing to consort with the bulky instruction manual although the accompanying set-up DVD is useful to understand the core functions.'
'significant signal processing'
'A hideaway Acoustimass module provides the low frequency effects that make movies and games so compelling.'
'powerful subwoofer'
'Rear speakers can be difficult to pair properly.'
'dts®-HD new sound formats'
'small footprint'
'helpful "Great Sound'
'The usual speaker distance/channel level adjustments were present as well, and options for sound manipulation beyond anything I imagined for a $220 set.'
'high-powered, 5.1-channel Blu-ray Disc player / Home Theater System'
'perfect and ultimate sound experience'
'new incredibly thin speaker design'
'The design was hard to create because the speakers are far from the traditional speakers that we are currently used to having.'
'Multiformat playback: This unit is compatible with DVD Video, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, VCD, SVCD, Audio CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA, and JPEG formats.'
'lackluster DVD upscaling quality.'
'optional wireless rear speaker kit'
'5-disc DVD changer and great audio'
'The SC-PT650's most obvious sonic shortcoming is dynamic range--there isn't much--so all the sounds come out more or less equally loud.'
'Dual 2.5" drivers in the front and center channels will deliver full, rich tone.'
ReviewGist helps you find the best products to buy by making sense of online reviews.
We are currently aggregating 376,500 reviews
covering over 29,503 products.
© 2017 ReviewGist.com. All Rights Reserved.


text:
Online Program
Who's afraid of big bad data?*Douglas John Newell, Calexus Solutions
Keywords: Machine learning, genetic algorithms, PMML, Java, Medical data, Internet advertising, real time analytics
Thanks to the ever improving economies of data storage, data volumes are growing...perhaps geometrically. Unfortunately our abilities to transform this data into superior decisions and discoveries have not kept pace. Analytic processes have become bottlenecks.
This presentation provides case studies on how machine learning technology (in the form of genetic algorithms) has been employed to uncover predictive patterns from within terabytes of sparse and dirty Internet and medical data. These valuable models can then rapidly deployed via SAS, PMML, or Java code to deliver on the promise of real time analyses.