text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Jan 18, 2011
|Filing date
|Aug 4, 2005
|Priority date
|Mar 12, 1999
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Dan Kikinis
|Original Assignee
|Dan Kikinis
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (61), Non-Patent Citations (5), Referenced by (2), Classifications (27), Legal Events (4)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
This application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/124,240, filed Mar. 12, 1999.
The present invention is in the field of telephony communications and network bridging services and pertains more particularly to methods and apparatus for controlling data-conversion capability and protocol-command compatibility for network-bridging services.
The field of telephony now includes connection-oriented switched telephony (COST) systems, which are the well-known conventional intelligent networks provided by major telephone companies, as well as data network telephony (DNT), which are the computer-simulated telephone services provided typically in the Internet, by virtue of rather recent technology contributed to the art enabling transparent bridging between a COST telephony network and a Data-Packet-Network (DPN) like the Internet. With the advent of such technologies, ISPs have become more prevalent and much more competitive with one another. A typical ISP provides Internet connection services for clients operating Internet-capable appliances enabled to connect to the Internet over usually telephone lines. However, with many more ISPs competing for clients, value-added services (VAS) have been developed in accordance with available and emerging technologies. One of these services is a capability of bridging a COST network to an Internet Protocol (IP) network for bi-directional data and voice communication.
In current art, ISPs use a typically standard set of system units or nodes to provide connectivity and telephony bridging services. One of these system nodes is termed a portmaster in the art, and another is commonly referred to as a Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP) Gateway. These nodes are more commonly referred to as network gateways or bridges. In typical implementation, one local telephone company (TELCO) carrier, which may be registered as an Incumbent-Local-Exchange-Carrier (ILEC), an Inter-Carrier-Exchange (ICX), or a Competing-Local-Exchange-Carrier (CLEC) operates switching apparatus, which may be a Public Access Branch Exchange (PABX), or another compatible switching apparatus. The PABX hosted by a local TELCO carrier is typically connected to the Portmaster nodes and the VoIP nodes of an ISP providing bridging services as described above. A plurality of PABX or other compatible switching apparatus are interconnected in the telephony network, but are hosted by separate TELCOs and are connected to separate ISP system-nodes.
More recently, many ISPs have registered as CLECs for the purpose of being able to charge other TELCOs for connection termination services. Such ISPs use the acquired fees to subsidize other standard services. A well-known standard SS-7 protocol (defined in the ITU intelligent networks and Bell standards) is typically employed between connected switches of competing TELCOs. In standard practice, an originating TELCO charges a customer for call origination and call delivery. However, the delivery share of the customer's bill is regulated to go to a receiving TELCO or in this case an ISP registered as a CLEC. If an ISP registered as a CLEC provides VoIP services, it would have to pay termination fees, for example, to a receiving TELCO registered as an ILEC for calls delivered to the telephone network. The fees, charged back and forth by these entities work to elevate telephone-connection costs and ISP services to customers.
What is clearly needed is a virtual switch-and-command system for providing data processing and routing instruction directly to network gateway nodes according to prevalent protocols, thus eliminating the need for a local TELCO switch. Such a method would enable cost savings related to the equipment costs, maintenance costs, and connection termination costs associated with a local switch. Cost savings realized may be passed on to customers creating a more competitive and attractive service provider.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention an Internet service provider (ISP) system registered as a Competing-Local-Exchange-Carrier (CLEC) is provided, comprising a channel bank for receiving calls from a connection oriented switched telephony (COST) network, and separating the calls into separate channels; at least one VoIP gateway connected to an Internet router and to one channel of the channel bank for converting voice call data between a COST protocol and Internet protocol; at least one portmaster (PM) node connected to the Internet router and to one channel of the channel bank for converting non-voice data between the COST protocol and the Internet protocol; and a computer station executing a virtual switch (VS) software, the computer station connected to the Internet router and to the channel bank. The system is characterized in that the computer station controls, via the VS software, the channel bank for separating the COST calls into the separate channels, and also receives and shares SS-7 commands and data with the VoIP gateway and the PM node via the Internet router connected to the PM node and the VoIP gateway, thereby avoiding use of a telephony switching apparatus for receiving and routing calls from the COST network.
In another aspect of the invention a method for handling voice and non-voice data calls at an Internet Service Provider (ISP) site between a connection-oriented switched telephony (COST) network and the Internet, without handling the COST calls by a COST switch local to the ISP site is provided, the method comprising steps of (a) substituting a channel bank for the COST switching apparatus local to the ISP; (b) operating the channel bank by a computer station in the ISP site, the computer station executing a virtual switch software, to channel incoming COST calls to individual ones of Voice-Over-IP (VoIP) and Portmaster gateways connected to an Internet router; and (c) sharing SS-7 commands and data from the COST network with the VoIP and Portmaster gateways by the computer station through a link to the Internet router.
The method and apparatus of the invention, taught in enabling detail below in several embodiments, for the first time provides a system for eliminating use of a local telephone switch for handling calls to individual gateways in an ISP.
An Internet Protocol (IP) backbone 37 is illustrated logically outside of domain 10, and represents an Internet backbone or another suitable Wide-Area-Network (WAN) backbone, which supports IP. In this case backbone 37 is the well-known Internet backbone and its double arrows represent connection to other backbones and other portions of the Internet network as a whole.
As described in the background section, ISP 15 provides gateway services for data and voice calls arriving from network 10 and entering network 37 or for data and voice calls arriving from backbone 37 and entering network 10. ISP 15 has a VoIP gateway node 29 and a portmaster node 31 resident therein and adapted to provide the above described gateway services. VoIP gateway 29 is adapted to bridge voice calls (VoIP) and portmaster 31 is adapted to bridge data communication.
A telephony switch 17 is illustrated within ILEC 11 and is adapted to perform telephony switching functions as are generally known in the art. Switch 17 is a PABX switch in this example. PABX 17 is hosted by a TELCO registered as an ILEC. A telephony switch 19 is illustrated within CLEC 13 and adapted to perform telephony switching functions as described with reference to switch 17. Switch 19 may also be assumed to be a PABX switch in this example. PABX 19 is hosted by a TELCO registered as a CLEC, which is geographically local to ISP 15. PABX 17 and PABX 19 are connected through telephone network 10 by a telephony trunk 21, which is adapted to carry voice calls and data communication. A dotted double-arrow illustrated between PABX 17 and PABX 19 represents logical SS-7 protocol capability between both switches as is known in the art. SS-7 signaling may be accomplished via a separate physical trunk or through trunk 21. In other applications, other standard protocols may be employed as are known in the art.
PABX 19 is further adapted to divide telephony trunk 21 on the ILEC side into a plurality of smaller trunks 25a-25n on the ISP side. In this example, trunk 25a connects PABX 19 to PM 31 for data calls. A trunk 25n connects PABX 19 to VoIP gateway 29 for VoIP calls. PM 31 is adapted to convert data events arriving from PABX 19 over to IP data events for IP delivery over backbone 37. VoIP gateway 29 is adapted to convert voice calls arriving from PABX 19 to VoIP calls for delivery over backbone 37. SS-7 protocol provides the rules and routing instruction for the gateway conversion and delivery of all events entering the network represented by backbone 37. Similarly, all IP events entering domain 10 from network 37 are converted and routed according to SS-7 protocol.
In this prior art example, an IP router 41, connected to backbone 37, represents a first IP routing point in the Internet network for voice calls arriving thereto from VoIP gateway 29 over a data trunk 35n. Similarly, an IP router 39, connected to backbone 37, represents a first routing point for all data events arriving thereto from PM 31 over a data trunk 35a. Trunks 35a-n represent local data trunks. It is recognized that there may be more gateways strategically connected between PABX 19 and IP routers 41 and 39 than are illustrated in this prior art example. The inventor illustrates only one PM 31 and one VoIP gateway 29 in this example for descriptive purpose in explanation of this simplified prior art configuration.
A Digital Signal Processing (DSP) array 49 comprises, in this example, DSP units a-n, which number one per channel created by channel bank 43. Each DSP unit a-n has an instance of DSP modem hardware and/or software illustrated herein as SW 57 executing thereon and adapted to terminate the analog modem leg for an assigned channel and to extract the pure data from each channel. A main controller 47 (hardware processor) is provided and is control-connected to bank 43 by control line 45. Controller 47 is also control-connected to DSP units a-n as illustrated herein by a directional arrow beginning at controller 47 and leading to DSP array 49. Controller 47 is also illustrated as connected to a data port 51 by a control line 53. Controller 47 handles all port supervisory duties, signaling function, call identification, security, and a host of other functions, which are known in the art. An instance of software (SW) 55 is provided to execute on controller 47 and represents the control program for managing the function of PM 31.
Data bound for IP transmission and processed by array 49 arrives at data port 51 over respective channels illustrated as solid lines connecting each of DSP units a-n to port 51. IP data from port 51 is passed as IP data packets over data trunk 35a to IP router 39 (
A significant difference from VoIP gateway 29 and PM module 31 is that DSP processing is performed more on the IP side of things. For example, an instance of software 73 provided as a control program for VoIP gateway 29 acts to manage conversion of analog voice over to compressed VoIP data packets for IP transmission according typically to H.323 standard of the ITU. It can be appreciated that PM gateway 31 and VoIP gateway 29 are, other than the types of data they handle and software available for process control, very similar in architecture.
The inventor has illustrated and described the prior art above in order that one with skill in the art will appreciate the expense involved, as well as the complicated trunking and channeling required to provide adequate gateway services, which in actual practice, is more complex than the simple configuration described in FIG. 1.
A main goal of the present invention is to allow an ISP or other service-providing entity to simulate by computer the mechanical switching and signal processing of prior art configurations. Such an enhanced configuration is described below.
Telephone network 10 comprises ILEC cloud 11 and PABX 17 as was described in FIG. 1. Trunk 21 carries events destined for IP conversion and logical trunk 23 carries the previously described SS-7 signaling. However, in this embodiment, PABX 19 (of
A personal computer (PC) 81 is provided within the domain of ISP 15 for the purpose of replacing the function of PABX 19 of FIG. 1. PC 81 is connected to channel bank 75 by a bi-directional data and control line 79. Line 79 carries the required SS-7 signaling from PABX 17. The SS-7 signal is simply ported through bank 75, over line 79 and into PC 81. PC 81 has an instance of virtual switch (VS) software 85 resident therein. VS 85 is provided and adapted to receive SS-7 signaling as described above and rout it to VoIP gateway 29 and to PM 31 accordingly. This is accomplished by a separate data connection 83, which connects PC 81 to IP router 39 at backbone 37. The proper SS-7 commands for handling arriving events are routed from IP router 39 over respective data trunks 35a and 35n to PM 31 and VoIP gateway 29 where they may be utilized in respective controllers 65 (
By providing PC 81 running VS 85, complete processing command and routing instruction control is provided, eliminating a need for a local PABX switch. In this embodiment, ISP 15 may itself be registered as a CLEC and may host channel bank 75 in cloud 13, perhaps in corporation with the local TELCO. Costs recovered from the elimination of PABX 19 may be passed on to customers subscribing to ISP 15. Similarly, delivery fees from ILEC 11 may be shared between the TELCO formerly hosting PABX 19 and ISP 15.
Trunk 23 carries events from PABX 17 to a novel component described herein as a universal gateway (UIG) 87, which is hosted by ISP 16. Logical trunk 23 provides SS-7 signal as previously described. UIG 87 is adapted to perform all of the function, including SS-7 signal processing, that was accomplished in the embodiment of
UIG 87 is a processor-controlled system having functionality that mirrors the capability of DSP units 49a-n and 61a-n, which may be implemented as separated software functions instead of hardware units. DSP modem functionality represented by software functionality 57 and 71 (from FIG. 2A and
UIG 87 represents a self-contained bi-directional gateway system capable of handling VoIP events as well as standard data events. UIG 87 is intended by the inventor to be a scaleable system such that it may be expanded or reduced in capacity depending on expected traffic load. Protocol for determining action states relating to VoIP related function or PM function may be executed in a multitasking and integrated environment utilizing known computer-processing techniques.
In still another embodiment, PC 81 may retain VS capability 85 as described in FIG. 3 and may control SS-7 processing and routing within UIG 87. In this case, PC 81 would obtain SS-7 signals from IP router 39 over bi-directional data line 83 and communicate the appropriate commands to UIG 87 back over line 83, IP router 39, and trunks 35a-n. In this respect, PC 81 would be a control station for controlling and maintaining UIG 87 and by virtue of the nature of it's its connection, may be placed anywhere on IP backbone 37.
It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the method and apparatus of the present invention may be practiced between any two types of communication networks wherein bridged data must be processed for entry into the next network without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the networks represented are a COST network (10) and an EP network (37), which is the Internet. In alternative embodiments, other types of known communication networks may be bridged using the method and apparatus of the present invention with appropriate alterations to facilitate differing protocols inherent in the networks.
The present invention, including method and apparatus, should be provided the broadest possible scope under examination as there are many possible architectural variations and unique applications. The spirit and scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.
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|Jan 20, 2011
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text:
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
As the owner I was somewhat taken a back by "SoundlyAwake72"'s comment. The "Mix Matched Art" is from lo cal artists that we are trying to show case. The "opened bread" is baked fresh daily by Southeastern Bakery and used to make sandwich that use, the best quality meat that we could find, Thumann's. We sell a lot of Iced Coffee -- using Charleston Coffee Roasters beans -- and everyone, except this person, raves about it. If "SoundlyAwake72" would return, I would gladly refund his money and provide directions to the nearest convenience store where he may find coffee more to his liking.
Richard Campbell
Excellent video..... Thanks! (with a "K")


text:
Welcome to WebmasterWorld Guest from 18.104.22.168
Forum Moderators: travelin cat
When working within InDesign or InCopy CS5 or later on a 2012 MacOS system, you receive a blank warning dialog box that causes the application to crash when performing certain functions.
Anyway, the fix is, in typical Adobe fashion, an ugly procedure that involves repeated use of the "Show Package Contents" command in the Finder to access the innards of the InDesign application. Apparently, with all the resources at their disposal, Adobe's people are unable to come up with a simple AppleScript to automate the process.


text:
Does anyone else feel like successfully buying a sofa—or any piece of furniture—as a couple is a rite of passage in your marriage? It seems all my friends have had some kind of disagreements with their husbands over furniture and decorating styles! He wants leather, she wants pattern. He "needs" a recliner, she can't stand the thought.
Adam and I are no exception. About a year into our marriage we decided the hand-me-down sofa from my parents wasn't going to cut it anymore. (I wish I had a picture of that sofa. It was really nice, but the floral pattern was never going to be my style!) We had bought a condo and were ready to upgrade to some furniture that we picked out!
We had been furniture shopping before, and have successfully purchased end tables, a coffee table, dining room set and china hutch. But every time we go to the furniture store it's the same story. I go and want to look at everything, get an idea of what's available and what we can afford, and then come back in a day or two and if I still like the same things, then we can buy it. Adam on the other hand goes with the mentality that we know we want a couch, let's get it today. 45 minutes into our first couch-shopping expedition, Adam looked at me and said, "we aren't going to get a couch today, are we?" No, we weren't. The only consolation was that Homemakers offers fresh-baked cookies and lemonade for shoppers. Genius, right? They've kept many husbands and kids sane while moms and wives pick furniture!
If only I'd had Laura's sofa buying tips, maybe we would have been able to choose our sofa in one trip! Like I've said before, sometimes I have commitment issues when it comes to decorating. A couch is a focal point in a living room. It needs to function in many different ways. We eat on it, sleep on it, read on it, watch TV on it, and still expect it to look good. In the past, I never really chose my couch. It was either a roommate's, I found it in the trash (literally) or it was a hand-me-down from my parents. So now that I have the chance to pick out this integral piece of furniture I didn't take the decision lightly.
So, on our second trip to the furniture store we narrowed down our options and chose the couch. But the store was closing and we didn't have time to pick out fabric (yes we even got to choose that, amazing) so we went back the next day to finalize everything and place the order.
(It's such a nice sunny morning, I couldn't resist taking a couple pics of our sofa, and you get a sneak peek at the curtains I sewed! And I really do like the squared corners and chunky style of the sofa!)
5 years later, we're still using the sofa. I've changed out the pillows and moved it around the living room. I'd say it's well loved! I think it's in pretty good shape, considering it was definitely on the low-end cost wise. But you know me, even though I don't see us buying a new sofa for the next couple years, I've already started dreaming about what our next one will look like! Mostly I'm thinking about what color it would be. The brown is fine, but I'm on a gray kick lately and wonder how a charcoal gray or slate colored sofa would work in our living room. I'll keep you posted!


text:
On a disc Azure bendy of ten Or, an owl with wings displayed Br�n, highlighted and armed Gules, detailed Sable, eyed Vert, grasping in its talons an open book of the sixth, bookmarked of the fourth, all within a narrow border Yellow.
Attached below the disc, a Blue scroll edged with a narrow Yellow border and inscribed "370 EXPEDITIONARY TNG SQ" in Yellow letters.
Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The black owl embodies the wisdom and determination of the unit members, its highlights signify courage and patriotism and the sacrifices made in service. The eyes portray hope for the nations the unit helps to rebuild. The owl is in flight, representing the expeditionary mission of the Squadron. The open book represents the adaptability of the unit members in accurately executing their advisory mission. The field matches that of the parent unit and infers the close alignment of the subordinate's mission.
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Lucy (Dinknesh), the 3.2-million-year-old world-famous fossil, returned home on Wednesday may 1, 2013 after a five- year tour in the USA. On arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Lucy was warmly received by high-level government officials, its discoverer, Professor Donald Johanson, Athlete Haile Gebreselassie and other dignitaries.Ethiopian government has sent Lucy along with 148 other artifacts of the nation to United states under the project "Lucy's Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia." in August 2007 as per an agreement signed between the Ethiopian Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Lucy was discovered by American paleoanthropologist Donald Johanson and his colleagues in 1974 in the Afar region of Ethiopia.


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Maalot Cuts Kardan Rating to BBB-
Kardan NV's share price has registered declines over a long period, and the company's market value plummeted by 95% from its peak of about NIS 6.5 billion at the end of 2007.
In times of crisis, leveraged holding companies suffer a decline in their asset value and an increase in their leverage ratio. This principle did not spare Kardan NV - under the control of Joseph Greenfeld, Avner Schnur and Eitan Rechter - which has an exposure to real estate and financial activities in Eastern Europe and China.
Kardan NV's share price has registered declines over a long period, and the company's market value plummeted by 95% from its peak of about NIS 6.5 billion at the end of 2007 to just around NIS 280 million. The yields on the bonds, totaling around NIS 2.5 billion, soared to over 30%.
In the wake of these developments, at the beginning of this week the rating company S&P Maalot cut Kardan NV's credit rating by two notches, from BBB + to BBB-. It assigned it a Negative outlook.
"Kardan's downgrade stems from an increase in the LTV ratio (Loan to Value ) to a level that is inconsistent with the previous rating," explain Maalot analysts Yuval Torbati and Zvi Boimer. "Despite a pattern of realizing assets over the past year - primarily Sovcom Bank for 144 million euros and Kardan Israel's distribution (restructuring of its holdings ) in exchange for a debt reduction of about 60 million euro - Kardan's LTV gradually rose from about 50% in July 2011 to about 60% in June 2012.
Maalot attributes the increase in Kardan NV's leverage to a 70% drop in the GTC (Globe Trade Center ) Poland stock price and a high cash burn rate at the company holding level. In addition, Kardan NV wrote off part of the value of the private companies it owned, primarily because of the difficult business climate in Central and Eastern Europe.
At this stage, Kardan NV has does not want a new debt arrangement. The company is continuing to take advantage of the low stock prices for a buyback - while registering an accounting gain.
"We see deterioration in the company's liquidity profile and now regard it as 'less than satisfactory,'" emphasizes Maalot. "While we do recognize that the company has sufficient sources of funds for 2012 and 2013, we believe that it will face a significant challenge to repay its debt of about 140 million euro in 2014."
Kardan may realize assets on a relatively large scale, most likely in Kardan Land China and THL Group (the water infrastructure company ), or in companies held by KFS (which coordinates the financial activities in Eastern Europe ). There thus exists an exposure to non-timely execution of asset sales, given the illiquid nature of the company's assets,"
Maalot said Kardan's credit rating continues to be constrained because of the weakness of its asset portfolio, which including its"very low credit quality."
Most of the assets are not market-traded and the high leverage is accompanied by negative cash flow on the holding company level, Maalot said.
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PCMall Cyber Monday 2017
PCMall is a direct marketer of technology products and services for business, government, educational institutions and individual consumers. Either online, in their catalogs, or at one of their three retail locations, customers can find an extensive selection of tablets, notebooks, desktops, servers, storage, and networking solutions from leading brands like Apple, Cisco, HP, Adobe, Lenovo, and Microsoft.
Sale start date TBD. 0 comments
comments powered by Disqus


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Justice for Renisha
I believe that a person who shoots another person in the head should be, at the very least, arrested.
I am sickened, heartbroken, enraged, and just plain tired of the violence done to people of colour and to women in this country.
I want to live in a country where a person can ask a neighbour or a passer-by for help without fear of being shot in the head.
So I demand justice for Renisha McBride, the young Black woman who was shot in the head last week when she knocked on a door in the middle of the night, asking for help after she was in a car accident, and I know you do too.
A young woman of colour is dead, and we know who shot her. He has not been arrested, and the police appear to be taking their sweet time in reviewing the case. Once again, we are sickened, heartbroken, enraged.
You can sign the petition calling on the Detroit Police Chief and the Wayne County Prosecutor to launch a full investigation into Renisha's death here.
Chloe Angyal is furious.


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Job Offer: M&E Officer
Job description: M&E Officer
Reports to: Senior M&E Officer
Main Functions: The M&E Officer will assist the Senior M&E Officer in managing the Monitoring and Evaluation system for projects/ grants implemented by the PILS. S/he will assist in developing and implementing an M&E Plan for PILS, and assist with the implementation of the National M&E Framework which includes details of monitoring activities related to the GF grants to promote strong data collection systems, and ensure timely and comprehensive reporting to partners including the GF.
Key Responsibilities:
• Assist in planning, designing, coordinating and supervising the improvement of the present monitoring and reporting system
• Collect data from project staff and Beneficiaries
• Perform qualitative and quantitative analyses of data collected and production of final reports (evaluation) including lessons learnt and recommendations.
• Assure timely, accurate and complete reporting of programmatic data to funders
• Assist in the development of data collection tools
• Maintain a database to track performance indicators by entering data collected through the monitoring system and conducting verification checks to ensure the accuracy of these data
• Assist in conducting research and studies and produce analytical report to be used as a basis for advocacy activities when needed
• Provide input when needed for fundraising purposes and work closely with the fundraising and communication units
• Assist in liaising with funders, donors and sponsors
• Write progress reports on PILS projects to be submitted to funders and other stakeholders
• Carry out field visits to ensure that programmes are implemented as planned and provide reports including lessons learnt and recommendations
• Reporting progress to PILS on a monthly basis
• Assist in coordinating data reporting from sub-recipients into the Progress Update/Disbursement Request and submit to the GF.
• Contribute to the review and updating of the Annual PILS M&E Work plan and budget.
• Work with implementing partners to review their data collection approaches and management information systems and support them to implement any required changes.
• Work with other members of the programs and finance teams, to liaise with implementing partners in preparing and submitting program and other reports on a timely basis, as required, for internal and external use.
• Review, analyze and provide timely feedback on program reports and other documents relating to programs and implementing partners.
• Analyze and document the progress, impact, challenges and lessons learned of programs.
• Maintain effective relationships between monitoring and financial teams.
• Assist in developing tools and resources for use by PILS to harmonise and create uniformity for overall reporting on HIV interventions.
• Assist in the production of information products such as an annual M&E report on projects / grants implemented by PILS including GF grants
• Support the implementation of the dissemination plan.
• Compile information on monitoring and evaluation activities that includes reviewing workshop reports, participating in visit de-briefs, and extracting information from quarterly reports and review and re-planning reports.
• Assist in identifying operational research needs and develop TORS to conduct relevant studies
• Assist in providing M&E technical and capacity building support and advice to implementing partners, through the implementation of the capacity development plan
• Participate in national committees when needed
Essential requirements:
• Degree in social sciences, public health or development field (or equivalent) and at least 1 year of experience in Monitoring & Evaluation in the development sector.
• Ability to plan strategically
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Independent and proactive personality
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills in English and French
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• IT Skills
• Knowledge, interest in and commitment to the HIV/AIDS and Human Rights issues
Desirable qualities/experience/skills:
• Good understanding of the HIV epidemic in Mauritius.
• Experience of managing health programs in small island developing states.
• Working knowledge of the Global Fund.
Please send your detailed CV and motivation letter on firstname.lastname@example.com by Tuesday 16 May 2017.
PILS has an anti-discriminatory recruitment policy. This policy is based on skills, experience and profile of candidates, without any regards to their age, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or HIV status. All competent candidates, including members of the Key Affected Populations, are encouraged to apply. PILS reserves the right not to appoint any person to this position.


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New Solutions—Not Just New Winners—In the Curriculum Marketplace
Districts are using an important new tool to address the need for high-quality curricular materials–open educational resources, or OER.
Why 14 States Are Choosing to #GoOpen
Leaders from 14 states and 40 school districts gathered at Skywalker Ranch in Marin County, California, last Friday to announce their support for using high-quality, openly educational resources in classrooms—a step that brings public education closer to realizing the full potential of using, sharing, and improving upon educational materials to meet the needs of all… Read more »
Paying For Teacher PD and Textbooks Shouldn't Be Either/Or
A letter to the editor in the Des Moines Register last week exposes a new concern for teachers: Could funding for professional development soon be consumed by textbook companies? "In my 13 years as a public school educator, I have never attended effective professional development provided by a textbook publisher," wrote Janice Arthur, a middle… Read more »
New Report Sheds Light on the Need for Digital Equity at Home for Education
Fourth grade homework isn't what it used to be. As teachers have increasingly integrated new technologies into their classroom instruction, take-home assignments have similarly morphed from pencil and paper worksheets to interactive online activities. Once they get home from school, students might be expected to watch a math lesson on Khan Academy as part of… Read more »
The Divide Over "Open": An Update on ED's Open Licensing Rulemaking
The comments are in, and it appears that the campus is divided. This past fall, the U.S. Department of Education announced its intention to require recipients of competitive grants (an estimated $2.8 billion in fiscal year 2015) to openly license the intellectual property created with those funds. This open licensing rule — which would impact… Read more »


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When you walk into the Stratford House, you can imagine that you have stepped back in time. The ambience of this restaurant is reminiscent of the late 1800's. The decor is very ...
The atmosphere is nice. That's the only thing going for them. The food is way over priced. The staff is unfriendly. I wasn't impressed and won't go back.
Pros: Ambiance
From family friendly trips with kid friendly activities to local plumbers lawyers, spas, and contractors. Judy's Book has millions of listings and reviews for the best and not so great. Whether you're looking for a specific business or just trying to discover great places we make it easy. We're a family oriented site focusing on bringing trusted reviews and recommendations to moms and others. Green and Sustainable places are becoming more relevant to Judy's Book users, have a favorite place? Write a review and tell users why it's Green!


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GraphicRiver New Year and Christmas Sale Badges 5505206
Stock Vector
Christmas \ Version \ Online \ Badges \ Helvetica \ Basket \ Button \ Exactly
Stock Vector - New Year and Christmas Sale Badges 5505206 by kotjara13 @ GraphicRiver
Stock Vector
It is a collection of New Year & Christmas Badges for decorating your web page. Your product must be seen!
- EPS file
- Ai file (CS version)
- CDR file (11 version)
Fonts used.
The font was used in this logo – is Helvetica. You can buy it here .But it's not necessary to use exactly this font!
I recommend you to use similar free fonts.
Layered: No; Graphics Files Included: Vector EPS, AI Illustrator; Minimum Adobe CS Version: CS.
Happy Birthday Party Flyer; 4th Of July Party Flyer. Multistyle. Bundle; 4th Of July Party Flyer. Multistyle; 4th Of July Party Flyer; 4th Of July Party Flyer 2; Premium Retro Insignias, Badges; Retro Sale Badges.
Keywords: 2014 new year, add to card, badges, basket, button, christmas, christmas ball, christmas tree, e-commerce, economy, glossy, labels, modern, new year, New Year tree, online, online shop, paper, paperwork, price, retro, sale, sales, season, shadow, shop, shopping, tags.


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Bubble fun
Sunday 6 June 2004
Every once in a while, when the Flash gamers don't want to make yet another clone of an old game, they come up with something new and interesting like Bubble Fun. It's simple and abstract and requires thought rather than reflexes. Excellent.
My high score is 23660. As the game progresses, the board becomes so volatile that it is nearly impossible to extend the game to get a higher score.


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All items > Knives > Out The Front Knives > Microtech (OTF) > Microtech Halo
- Overall Length:9.375"
- Blade Length:4.00"
- Blade Thickness:0.15"
- Blade Style:Tanto
- Finish:Black
- Edge Type:Plain
- Handle Length:5.375"
- Handle Thickness:0.43"
- Handle Material:Aluminum
- Color:Black
- Weight:3.50 oz.
- Knife Type:Single-Action OTF Automatic
- Opener:Push Button
- Brand:Microtech
- Model:Halo 2
- Country of Origin:USA
- Best Use:Collection
- Blade Material:Stainless Steel
- Product Type:Knife
Have a rare Microtech you would like to sell? Blade HQ buys rare knives!
This Halo II is dated 09/2002 and number 045. It is in excellent condition cosmetically and mechanically. Includes the original box with papers and nylon pouch. The pictures above are of the actual knife for sale.
This Microtech Halo II has a black coated tanto blade with a plain cutting edge and the Claw logo. The anodized aluminum frame has a tactical black finished firing button and hardware. The single action mechanism launches the blade straight out the front of the handle. The charging handle is used to retract the blade.
The Halo III has been wildly popular with fans of Jack Bauer.


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Showcasing imagery from the Core Facilities at the IGB, the Art of Science exhibit highlights cutting-edge research that is addressing significant problems in the environment, medicine, energy use and production, and fundamental research. These exhibitions exemplify the IGB's commitment to scientific discovery and the collaborative spirit that makes it all possible.
Co-sponsored by the IGB and BodyWork Associates, more than 250 community members, students, faculty, and staff regularly attend to enjoy the art produced from the melding of progressive scientific ideas with innovative state-of-the-art methods of conducting research.
Exhibit opens April 13 and will run through May 14.


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Sunday, February 26th
4:00-6:00 pm
Middle School Building
Program will include:
Student Group Performances
Student Art Gallery
Chinese Auction with art-themed prizes
(including: Paint Nite Party, Pottery, Paint Party, Custom Painted Family Portrait, etc.)
Sparkling juice, cheese and
crackers will be served.
If you would like to be involved in this program,
please contact firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Pride of ownership shows in this quaint home! Nicely updated & meticulously maintained. Open & bright LR w/bay window & French door. Bedroom w/lots of windows & sliding glass door. Both rooms leading out to a large deck with Beautiful views of Cassayuna Lake. 20 feet of lake frontage & a private dock. An additional 21 acres for walking, hunting & snowshoeing. Newer Pella windows & doors, new gutters, furnace, metal roof. There is a workshop in the barn and a separate garage. You can have it all! 4 Parcels
Listing information
- Year Built: 1952
- Status: Sold on 5/13/2016
- New Construction: No
- Lot Size: 4 Parcels
- Property ID: 103921846
- Beds: 3
- Total Rooms: 6
- Total Square Footage: 1,304 ($168.33 per sq. foot)
- County: Washington
- Style: Ranch
- Baths: 1 (Full: 1 3/4: 0 1/2: 0 Other: 0)
- Parking Type Description: Detached 1 car
- Lot Area: 22.25
- School District: Argyle
Age Description Actual
Amenities Crown Molding, Laminate Floors, Sliding Glass Door, Wall To Wall Carpet, Wood Floors
Appliances Range W Oven, Refrigerator, Washer Dryer
Attic Pull Down
Basement Part
Condition Excellent
Exterior Cedar
Exterior Features Barn, Deck
Garage Description Detached
General Taxes Description Estimated
Heat Fuel Liquid Propane, None
Heat System Baseboard, Hot Water
Interior Features Cable Hook Up, High Speed Internet Acc, Paddle Fan, Water Softener
Living Rm Fireplace Type Pellet
Lot Description Dead End, Lake Front, Landscaped, Privacy, Rolling Hills, Treed Wooded, View, Water View
Master Bedroom First Floor
Other Lot - 4 Parcels, Possession - Closing, Tax Id Section - 190, Tax Identification Block - 2, Tax Identification Lot - 7, Total Woodstoves - 1
Roof Metal
School Taxes Description Estimated
Sewer Septic
Sign Yes
Total Taxes Description Estimated
Water Well Except Dug
Bedroom Main Level
Bedroom Main Level
Bedroom Main Level
Breakfast Main Level
Kitchen Main Level
Living Room Main Level
Listed by Michelle Brown of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties 518-383-0030


text: I will be visiting DC for the weekend and I'm looking for somewhere for dinner on Feb 14 (I have a reservation at Rasika on the Saturday night). It's pure coincidence that we are in the city for Valentine's Day and we're not keen about a very formal, Valentine's Day dinner. We'd like somewhere with very good food, nice atmosphere, not too loud. Many places are offering set menus and are fully booked. A smaller, intimate neighbourhood restaurant might be nice. We're staying in the Georgetown area but could catch a taxi to another area if that helps. Any suggestions would be appreciated as I've never been to DC before and don't know the restaurants or area.


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When I was 18, my parents always ask me how I was, and I remember so did the parents of my friends.
Actually, most of my friends who tried to kill themselves (thank god all of their efforts were unsuccessful) did so because of too much pressure from their parents.
I mean, are suicidal kids really suicidal because their parents didn't tend to them enough? I think that's part of it, but I don't think it's a good idea to simplify a complicate problem.
I think it's very stupid to think that anyone will look at an ad and say "oh my god, I forgot to care about my kids." Those who do will all ready do, and those who don't probably won't take the suggestion anyway.
And most people say "how are you" to their 18 year olds. So if the target for this ad is the deadbeats... I think the better idea to target the kids with the ad that says "screw them if they never ask you how you are, your life is yours and you shouldn't throw it away or think it is worthless just because a few people out of billions on this earth make you think so."
--good idea is enemy of great idea
This ad lacks insight, sympathy, and most worryingly; understanding.
A very weak attempt at addressing the problem in hand.
We're going to need more lube.
I think that cutting your wrists will not kill you at all, unless you are REALLY sick (e.g. have AIDS or cancer).
And even then, it is hard to hold a blade which is covered with blood. And unless you are on something really strong (heroine, morphine, a large dose of cocaine, sleeping pills) you wouldn't manage to do a dangerous cut without screaming with pain.
Sorry, but cutting your wrists only make you look like an emo kid.
FUCK YOU people who think cutting yourself makes you look like a emo kid or your crazy!!!!....cutting is NOT a something you can help it's like a FUKIN disease!!!! so unless you do it youself and understand it like I do.....than u have no room to talk!!!!!
Wow. That was like a YouTube post, how old are you 14? Get back to class!
We're going to need more lube.
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Now Sold!
Pride Gogo Blue
Call for an unbeatable price! 0800 652 8444
Now Sold!
This is a fine example of a pre-owned Pride Gogo Blue. It is a small, lightweight mobility scooter ideal for fitting in your car boot and taking for days out. It breaks down into smaller easy to manage pieces for putting into your car boot.
This Pride Gogo Blue was sold in York for £595.00...
This Pride Gogo Blue was recently sold at our store in York. Not to worry! - we have hundreds of reconditioned mobility scooters available.
Eden Bootmaster Plus Red £695.00 Pride Colt Plus Red £995.00 Quingo Classic 5whl Silver £995.00 Sterling Sapphire Red £995.00 Invacare Leo Grey/silver £995.00 Kymco Mini LS Orange £995.00 Kymco Super 4 Blue £1,195.00 Rascal Black £1,195.00 Shoprider Cadiz Black £1,695.00 Kymco Super 8 For U Red £1,995.00


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15 Products You Can Buy To Help Save Wildlife
Today's businesses are more environmentally conscious than ever. Whether it's sourcing local goods to create products, or donating a portion of proceeds to the rainforest, companies are finally starting to realize the importance of supporting and prolonging the life of our planet. Some entrepreneurs are taking it a step further, designing businesses specifically-geared towards helping save endangered wildlife.
As a consumer, it's important to make sure every dollar spent has a purpose, and it's great if that purpose is helping to rescue animals. With many of us being budget-conscious these days, it can be hard to consider splurging on an unnecessary item. So, why not combine both? For a guilt-free shopping experience, here are 15 products you can buy to help save wildlife.
15. Ivory Ella
Ivory Ella designs fun and colorful apparel and accessories for men and women, featuring their signature elephant logo. Ten percent of each purchase goes to Save The Elephants, an organization fighting to sustain elephant populations and stop poaching. Since opening in April 2015, Ivory Ella has been able to donate more than $285,000, helping to provide lifesaving protection for hundreds of wild elephants.
As the elephant populations continue to fall, it's more important than ever to help sustain these gentle giants. Elephants are hunted and killed for their ivory tusks, which inspired the company's name: Ivory Ella. These young environmentalists are working hard to do their part to help save the elephants, so future generations will have the opportunity to see and study the largest land mammal. By purchasing one of their stylish pieces, you can help ensure their longevity, too.
14. I Heart Dogs
In an effort to help shelter dogs everywhere, I Heart Dogs designs an array of dog-lover products and donates a portion of the proceeds to animal rescues across the country. The unique thing about this business is, with each purchase, customers are informed of exactly how many meals they'll be providing to hungry pups. One short-sleeved shirt feeds seven shelter dogs, but a sweatshirt can feed fifteen. With a unique marketing strategy like this, customers feel extra special knowing their helping more than just one dog at a time.
Their purchase not only helps provide care, it allows shelter volunteers more time to interact and play with the animals, rather than worrying about fundraising efforts and exceeding donation quotas. I Heart Dogs not only helps the animals, but lends piece of mind to employees who only want the best for their sheltered companions.
13. Savannah
Africa's lions are now endangered, and if some drastic changes aren't made soon, there's a good chance the wild lion population could dwindle to zero. Savannah donates 10% of monthly sales to the Wildlife Conservation program, in an attempt to help these majestic cats.
The beautifully-crafted bracelets are available in a variety of different materials and colors, each elegant and perfect for any outfit. The added lion's head pendant will serve as a constant reminder of the impact that purchase had. For years, conservationists have been working to sustain the lion population in Africa, but with deteriorating food sources and loss of habitat, these cats need help and they need it now. With their existence hanging in the balance, even the tiniest of donations can make a difference.
12. Simply Panda
With a wild population estimated to be between only 2,000 and 3,000, giant pandas are listed among the most susceptible extinct animals, due to habitat loss. Simply Panda has created an entire lines of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories, with 10% of proceeds going to Pandas International, an organization working to bring back the giant panda population.
As people continue to overpopulate the planet, more and more area is needed to build industries, housing, railways, and streets. Land is being bulldozed and trees are being cut down at a rate higher than ever recorded before. In areas where the pandas need bamboo trees to live, there simply aren't enough left to sustain the once-booming giant panda population. Simply replanting the bears' food source isn't enough; the animals will run out of food before the trees can regrow if deforestation isn't brought to a halt, so these pandas can be given some kind of sanctuary to repopulate.
11. Spread The Love
Who doesn't love a sweet little turtle? Spread The Love has created an entire line of clothing, accessories, and decals featuring their signature animal. Each month, 10% of their earnings are donated to turtle conservations and sanctuaries around the world. With nearly all turtle species becoming extinct because of their sought after eggs and meat, businesses like Spread The Love are making a huge effort to restore the population. Sea turtles travel back to the same beaches they were born at to lay their eggs, meaning many popular tourist attractions are off-limits to people during the breeding season.
Conservationist and volunteers work together to ensure as many baby turtles make it back to the sea as possible, helping to ensure a new batch of babies next year. Tiny efforts like this are funded by companies like Spread The Love, who are determined to save the sea turtles.
10. Divinity LA
Another business producing fun and fashionable handmade bracelets to help save wildlife is Divinity LA. This company has created three unique designs titled, "The Panda," "The Sea Turtle," and "Ella." For every purchase, $1 is donated to Pandas International, Sea Turtle Conservatory, or International Elephant Conservation, depending on the design.
By offering aid to multiple animal foundations, Divinity LA allows customers the opportunity to choose which of their favorite causes they'd like to help. For those of us who love all animals and simply can't choose between the three adorable designs, why not buy them all? Not only are the proceeds going to a good cause, but wearers can feel good about their purchase and know they're helping make a difference. The set would also make a great gift for any animal lover.
9. Animal Behavior
This chic and sophisticated clothing line is perfect for the busy business woman who's looking for a way to make her money count. Animal Behavior is dedicated to bringing back the Amur Leopard, the rarest cat in the world with as few as 57 remaining. The company donates 5% of their earnings to an organization called Panthera, which works to bring back these big cats. Unlike the less formal t-shirts and sweatshirts offered by other animal-saving businesses, Animal Behavior creates designer business apparel including pencil skirts, flowing blouses, and fitted blazers. When these wardrobe stables have co-workers asking where such stylish pieces were picked up, it's the perfect opportunity to spread the word about the endangered Amur Leopard, and tell other women how they can look fabulous and help the cause.
8. Hipster Hippo
Hipster Hippo is an up and coming, teen-run business that donates a whopping 20% of proceeds to Africa's hippo conservation efforts. These endangered giants are vital to Africa's eco system, but habitat loss has made hippos a public nuisance, charging through villages in search of waterholes and food. The money spent on these shirts goes directly to the Turgwe Hippo Trust, which helps to provide food and safe land for the hippos to roam. With some help from humans, these giants can be brought back from the brink of extinction, so that future generations can enjoy their majestic, but deadly, presence.
Because they pose such a dangerous threat to the native people of Africa, hippos are often killed simply for being too close to a village or camp. Providing a safe barrier between humans and hippos is vital to their co-existence and population growth. The young entrepreneurs of Hipster Hippo are working harder than anyone else to ensure hippos are here to stay.
7. Toms
Not only does Toms donate a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair sold, they've also begun partnering with organizations like National Geographic's Big Cats Initiative and Oceana, creating lines inspired by the animals they're working to save. Most recently, they're working with Oceana, donating $5 from every sale to help save marine life, like sea turtles and dolphins.
With continued efforts from big business, like Toms, the ocean might stand a change at some day being repopulated by the inhabitants that once survived in abundance. Pollution and overfishing have left many sea creatures in danger of becoming extinct if something drastic isn't done to purify our waterways. Every day, more and more chemicals and garbage are being spilled into the world's oceans, poisoning marine animals and making the water inhabitable. Purchasing products that make an impact on conversation efforts is one small way consumers can help to save the planet.
6. The Elephant Pants
In addition to creating unique clothing and backpacks, The Elephant Pants is a corporate sponsor of the African Wildlife Foundation. Currently, they've donated over $190,000 to prevent elephant poaching and help fund safe national parks where these mammoths can roam freely. The Elephant Pants is also helping its seamstresses in Thailand, providing health care and paying nearly double the standard rate. These dual-beneficial company not only helps animals, but it helps humans, too.
By incorporating both needs into one business, The Elephant Pants is instilling a sense of worth in its seamstresses that might otherwise not exist. These workers are able to know their labor is working to not only help themselves and their families, but also to save elephants and bring smiles to the faces of customers worldwide.
5. Save The Whales
Not only does Save The Whales allow customers to buy t-shirts, baby onesies, and tote bags, real enthusiasts can actually adopt a whale to sponsor. This business is unique in that it works to educate consumers about the importance and impact of whales and our ecosystem. The largest mammals on the planet might not seem to be threatened by much, but with toxicity levels rising in the oceans, from pollution and to chemical spills, it's becoming harder and harder for these giant creators to find the life-sustaining food they need every day.
4. Bangle Up
Another bracelet company, another elephant foundation to support. The idea of having so many different bracelet companies to help save wildlife might seem a bit trite, but the reality is, this is what people want to show their support. Bangle Up is French-based business, that donates 50% of its proceeds from these beautifully crafted bangles to Elephant Family, an organization working to sustain the Asian elephant population.
With so many businesses concerned about elephant extinction, it should really open consumers' eyes to the real truth that elephants might not be alive in less than 50 years. The exorbitant amount of elephant business could seem redundant, but with a wide variety of options, there is sure to be something to fit every elephant lovers taste, meaning that everyone can find a reason to donate to this great cause.
3. Hendrick & Co.
After partnering with over 400 animal shelters across the United States, Hendrick & Co. has been able to donate more than $750,000 to rescue cats, dogs, birds, and a variety of other animals. Their clothing line includes items for men, women, and dogs, with products ranging from water bowls to belts.
Rather than basing their donation portion on total sales, Hendrick & Co. donates $10 from each item sold to one of their many charities. The products might seem a slight bit pricier, but the outcome is always worth it. Not only are customers receiving a product they'll truly love, but they'll also love the fact that Fido gets an extra milk bone tonight because of their purchase. Many online shoppers are simply thrilled with a purchase, the added benefit of helping an animal only increases those positive endorphins.
2. KôZ
Breaking free from the standard t-shirt or bracelet fundraising tactics, KôZ designs unique and fashionable snapback caps and beanies, with proceeds going towards helping global changes. In addition to donating 10% of proceeds to Friends of Animals, to aid in shelter and rescue efforts, KôZ contributes to eight different charities. Some of these organizations help provide music programs to school children in under developed countries, while others give those children's parents jobs and food to provide for their families.
While it's a wonderful thing to help animals and work for conservation efforts, it is a remarkable task KôZ has achieved by helping so many different causes and foundations. If more businesses followed in their footsteps, the world would quickly become a more beautiful, loving place.
1. Fetch Eyewear
Look for a stylish new pair of glasses, but also want to help animal rescues? Fetch Eyewear has combined something that is a necessity for many of us, fashionable eyewear, with something many of us would love to do: donate to animal shelters. These sophisticated frames come in an array of shapes, colors, and sizes, with styles available for men and women. While most conservation businesses donate 10% of their proceeds to wildlife, Fetch Eyewear donates 100% of proceeds to the Pixie Project, an organization working to support shelters and facilitate adoptions. This spectacular foundation works with animal shelters across the United States to find dogs and cats forever homes, with humans who will love and take care of them the way every living creature deserves.
Sources: buzzfeed.com, anewlifewandering.com
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WHEN Dan Rivers was first introduced to target shooting aged 13 at a fair with his grandad, he couldn't have imagined it would one day lead to the Commonwealth Games, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.
That chance encounter encouraged Rivers to join Wantage Target Shooting Club, where he was soon at a high level, winning national titles and setting junior records along the way.
And on Friday he will compete in his first Commonwealth Games, representing England in Glasgow.
"If I'm honest, I never realised how far you can go in the sport," he said.
"I thought it would be a hobby, but from there you can go to World Championships, Commonwealth Games and the next target will be the Olympic Games in Rio in two years' time.
"It really does open up."
Rivers will compete in the small-bore rifle, which has air rifle, prone and three position disciplines.
The 23-year-old mechanic is ranked second in the country in all three categories and has been putting in long hours to maximise his chances.
He said: "I've been really trying to up the hours and just get the time in on the range.
"It's just trying to get the time in, I know the quality of training is good, it's just trying to up it a bit more.
"Work have been really understanding with it, allowing me to have extra time off to go to training camps.
"I'm just trying to cram in every little bit now up until leaving for Glasgow."
But although the Commonwealth Games will be the first time Rivers has competed at a major multi-sport event, he already has precious experience of the high-pressure environment after taking part in the Olympic Ambition programme in 2012.
And for Rivers, this year's Commonwealth Games will bring him another step closer to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
He said: "The Ambition programme really does give you this ambition.
"It highlighted the athletes that had been in the programme before, where they got to in London and it really makes you realise that you can do it.
"From there I've just had the drive and desire to prove that I am good enough for the Commonwealth Games.
"It's a massive platform in itself and it's also the springboard to go up to the next level – to actually shoot for Great Britain at the Olympics.
"There's no reason why I can't go on to Rio and compete there myself, so after being selected for the Commonwealth Games it's just relief, joy and excitement at what's to come."
SEE tomorrow's Oxford Mail for a special interview with Dan Rivers and Ben Watson.
Latest Sport news
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Contact Info / Websites
My computer died.. So i formatted it and had a few words and were back on speaking terms.. Lost eveyrthing though. My flashes, tutorials, music, work, movies and most importantly... my porn.
Seriously pissed.
But hopefully ill be off to Uni this coming september to study Web design. Which will be sweeet. Ill hopefully be able to make loads of flash there aswell and it will (fingers crossed) contribute to my course..
Actually *Question to anyone whos ever known someone or studied the subect themselves* - Is there a big flash element? Or is it just briefly touched on?.. Would be cool to know.
Annyyyway yeah.. Got banned from the BBS again the other day.. apparently its frowned upon to quote trailer park boys. :D
Besides that everything is super sweet rad ace tech.
Uni would be sweeeeet.
Na wha im sayin'?
1. Jelly Biscuit
A woman who eats jelly (any flavor) for a period of 5 days or more. (This would include KY jelly if so desired) After the the days period ended, she proceeds to shat on your body with your blessing. Leaving you with the effervescence of her fecal fruit of choice.
First off they limited my line so my internet had a download speed of something ridiculous like 6kb. And now they've stopped it all together, and is not likely to be fixed until next Tuesday!
Mother fucking shit balls.
But, ive finished my flash! So all i need to do know is wait until i get the internet back so i can upload it..
Ive been out too much recently.. not getting anything done at all!
Im pretty certain what started off as a hangover has built itself up to full blown cancer.. Im honestly seeing double most days.
Apart from on the easter egg hunt i did for my mates, it was more like tribillionmillion vision cos' i got over excited.
I need to do more on my Flash's!
Work has blown so much balls this week.. And i got completely smashed at a mates house party and threw up everywhere.. Then proceeded to miss a very important meeting the next day.
And im really not loving it, because i've been working so much i've had jack shit time to do anything in flash. So thats bummed me out a bit..
Ah well.
It'll be done at some point.
I love flash.
Flashy flash flash.
I thought id spend a couple of minutes to let you know whats happening with my current projects!
Basically, i have three different animations in the pipeline, all of which im working on at the same time.. Unfortunately, cos' i get over ambitious with stuff like this, they've all been a bit delayed.. Mainly cos' i watch them to much and become overly critical..
Just thought id let you know that i havent forgotten about them in the slightest! And they're still very much on the way, hopefully within the next couple of weeks!
So yeah.. Its getting tense eh?
...and my next flash will be up!
I don't want to go into too much detail.. but Ive been playing with a few things and found out some pretty cool stuff. Also, i went and bought a design tablet which has helped me quite a bit.
Really looking forward to it.
Till then,
Loads of homosexual love,
I finally submitted my first ever flash!
I cant wait for the responses.. Be it good or bad Im gonna learn a lot from it.
This flash was more a test than anything, and my main project is still going ahead, but i plan on spending several months on it instead of several days!
But for now check out my mother friggin' flash!
Id just like to say thanks for all the nice messages and such like! You guys are awesome. I love you all!
I've now began working on my next submission, and i just finished editing the music for it! Should be a good one.
Until then!
And im sat at work eating the strangest looking cottage pie that i have ever seen.
In other news!
I started messing around with a few Flash tools, and i've been trying to get to grips with using motion tweeners and such like.. What actually came out of it was an idea for a very basic Animation, which should be hitting the portal in the next week. Pretty friggin excited bout that one, as it will be my first flash everrrrr.
Im hoping you guys will like it, but for me, the main pressure is on the success of my actual flash project! Which should hopefully be finished in a month or so.
Valentines is officially over... (In the UK of course..)
Which means i can get rid of the love hearts and squishy things on my page!
Cheers guys!
Happy friggin' Valentines you bunch of baboon nuts.
I hope you all get some love this year! Even if its only bashing one out to Charlies angels whilst eating a Roast beef TV dinner at 6pm with only a series of Haiku's for company.
Cos' i know, that's where ill be!
Much love!


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Reuters Staff
1 Min Read
June 2(Reuters) - Zhejiang Xianju Pharmaceutical Co Ltd :
* Says its unit received FDA approval from U.S Food and Drug Administration
Source text in Chinese: goo.gl/rOMcGI
Further company coverage: (Beijing Headline News)
All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays.
© 2017 Reuters. All Rights Reserved.


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Man dies after police use capsicum spray
A man has died in police custody, after being sprayed with capsicum foam in Melbourne's south east last night.
The 29-year-old man was arrested by police investigating a stabbing at Noble Park.
Police say the man was carrying a knife and refused to stop when an officer tried to arrest him.
There was a brief scuffle and a member of the public came to the officer's assistance before the man was finally subded.
Superintendent Shane Patton says the man was cleared to travel in the divisional van to the Dandenong Police Station.
"At that stage the suspect was given aftercare in relation to the foam that was deployed and after the aftercare was being given the offender was actually ranting and raving. His behaviour was not very rational," he said.
"Given the way he was behaving they actually called the ambulance and the ambulance came and assessed him. After the assessment he was cleared to be taken back to the police station."
"When he was taken out of the divisional van he was unconcious and wasn't breathing," he said.
Superintendent Patton says he is unsure whether police had been fully monitoring the man in the divisional van.
"I haven't spoken to the members or seen those statements so I can't comment to that effect, but as I understand it monitoring equipment was present," he said.
The cause of death is not yet known and it is expected an autopsy will be carried out today.
The police ethical standards department is overseeing the investigation.
The State Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu is calling for a full, independent investigation into the death.
"What I understand is that there was a death in a van, police van, on the way back to a station and that's obviously a tragedy and it needs to be fully investigated and explained to the people of Victoria," he said.
The Federation of Community Legal Centres is calling for the Office of Police Integrity (OPI) to investigate the man's death.
Spokesman Hugh De Kretser says police are becoming too reliant on the use of capsicum spray.
"We've had concerns about what we call usage creep, which is weapons being used beyond the original intent for which they were introduced," he said.
"The Office of Police Integrity has also raised concerns about this."
Topics: police, law-crime-and-justice, crime, noble-park-3174, australia, vic
First posted


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The Kohler Experience (#2074AU)
Founded in 1873, the Kohler Company has grown from making farm implements and bathtubs to a world-renowned example of American product design and innovation. In 1912, the company moved its headquarters out of Sheboygan to the rural land to the west and founded the Village of Kohler. The first planned community in the Midwest, Kohler has been a smashing success — a thriving community, a masterpiece of landscape architecture and a grand golf and spa destination. Take field trips to the Kohler Factory, the Waelderhaus Museum and the John Michael Kohler Art Center, hear from an artist-in-residence and experience Kohler through the eyes of locals.
• Experience old-world hospitality at the five-star American Club Resort and delve into the history of the Village of Kohler and its 50-year master plan.
• Learn more about the lives of the early immigrant craftsmen and their desire to become American citizens.
• Go behind the scenes of the Kohler Factory and Design Center to see how plumbing fixtures are made.
2017 Dates: April 23-27, July 2-6, October 22-26
The American Club: where village charm meets old-world elegance. What once provided housing and meals for immigrant employees who could not afford housing, today The American Club is a Forbes Five-Star Resort Hotel and the Midwest's only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel providing unique, luxurious décor that creates a singular quality experience room by room.
Learn more about The American Club HERE
The Village is conveniently situated two-thirds mile west of Interstate 43 in east central Wisconsin. Transportation from airports in nearby cities can easily be arranged. Kohler is located one hour north of Milwaukee (60 miles), one hour south of Green Bay (60 miles) and two hours north of Chicago (140 miles).
Nearest Airports
General Mitchell International (MKE) – Milwaukee, WI
O'Hare International (ORD) – Chicago, IL
Austin Straubel International (GRB) – Green Bay, WI
Visit the American Club website for help with directions.


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I'm rockin' out right now, listening to one of my favorite alt-country bands, Sixteen Horse, on the Nokia N73, "multi-media computer"… ok, it's not really a computer… that's what the folks at Nokia want us all to call it. In actual fact, it's justa really really awesome cell phone.
This is, hands-down, my favorite Nokia N-Series phone to-date.
Let's start with the installation experience. Naturally, since this is a camera / music player / phone / gaming device, it has a whack of software that needs to be installed on a PC to get the full value from it. Unlike virtually every other experience I've had with Nokia software, this was (near) flawless. Pop the DVD in the drive, select the items you want to install, click start… and go get a glass of wine… er, cup of coffee.
I installed everything except the Adobe Photoshop 3.0 SE. It went like clockwork. Kudos to the team who built the N73 software installer. It's a
hundred thousand times better than previous efforts.
In hand, the N73 is a marvel. From the first time you hold that brushed red shell, and gaze upon that marvelously bright screen set in the pearly front, you will fall in love. It's small, comfortable, fits the hand, and gorgeous to look at… I did mention that already, didn't I?
Flip it over, and the back is a wash of irridescent red and silver. Pull back on the artfully designed lens cover, and a 3.2 megapixel Zeiss optics camera is revealed. And, of course, like previous N-Series phones, when you uncover the lens, the camera software is automatically activated, making for an incredibly easy experience taking pictures.
Did I mention how pretty this phone is? Sorry… can't help myself.
The camera is a pure joy to work with. Nokia tells me that it's optimized for still photography. Surely it must be so. Colors pop, clarity is fabulous, and the controls are easy and intuitive to work with. It even has shutter release and zoom controls mounted on the side of the phone, so you can hold it the way you would hold an ordinary camera, and take photos with it.
It's the perfect thing for an afternoon walk with the dogs in late November.
It takes great pictures of the neighbors houses as you're walking down the street.
Or along the path to the park.
Or past a frozen puddle with maple leaves embedded in the ice…
Or the rocks in the park, framed by trees, blue sky and clouds.
Or the silly sign which the city has erected on top of the tobogganing hill warning of the dangers of tobogganing… what will there be next? Waivers before you can go sledding? Nutty bureaucrats…
After all, the hill is what? 30 feet high? It's barely a pimple… heaven forbid that you construct a jump and have a little fun during your leisurely coast to the bottom…
The N73 is the perfect tool for having a little fun while waiting in line to see Casino Royale too (must see… don't deprive yourself). With the N73 you can capture all the silly faces… hey, I've got five bucks… wanna share some popcorn?
Who can stretch their face into the funniest shapes? Dad's the hands down winner!
And imagine the suprised looks when you whip this little puppy out, and casually take a photograph of your honey during the previews! Don't worry, the people in the seat behind were only blinded for a few moments from the very bright flash that the N73 sports.
As a camera, the N73 is a blast. It takes great pictures, it's easy to use (autofocus and auto-exposure!), and it's small enough that you can stuff it in your pocket and whip it out whenever the mood strikes. The shutter has a pronounced lag to it, so you won't be using it for action shots, but other than that it's a very capable and fun snapshot camera. You'll be very pleased with the results.
For those of you not inclined to edit on the PC, the N73 also includes a pretty complete suite of picture editing and upload tools. You can crop, adjust for white balance, color saturation, and sharpness right from the N73, and then upload your photo to Flickr using the integrated upload tool. I uploaded a few photos, but even with Edge connectivity it was a slow process, and presumably costly given the rates that Rogers charges for data. If you have an unlimited data plan, as opposed to Rogers' slimy unlimited*** data plan, you'll probably use the integrated upload feature a lot. If you've got a capped plan, you better use the PC-cable to upload your photos.
The N73 does have video capabilities, but if you're really interested in video, you'd be better off springing for the N93. Most people will find the video capabilities of the N73 inadequate. Constrained to 15 frames per second, and 352×288 resolution , it's clearly no match for the 30 fps 640×480 video that it's big brother, the N93, delivers. However, the N73 is a far superior still camera to the N93.
The N73 is also a very capable phone. A true quad-band phone, it operates in GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 bands, as well as offering the 2100 WCDMA band for data. You can take this phone with you anywhere and get coverage. In the Canadian market, where Rogers deploys GSM 850, that's a real blessing.
Running Symbian OS 9.1, the N73Â sports applications including Nokia Lifeblog, an updated music player, web browser, an FM radio, and viewers for most office application document formats. Messaging capabilities, and address book round out the package.
Regrettably, the phone came with skimpy 128M storage card. I ordered a 2G micro-SD card from EBay for about $50, including shipping (minor gripe, but I wish the industry could standardize on a memory format).
Once I had the card, I loaded it up with some music, and got rocking. The N73 comes with a set of Nokia HS-23 stereo ear-buds. Sound quality is good (surprisingly rich bass for ear-buds), the fit is comfortable, and the integrated volume controller is conveniently located mid-chest. Unlike the HS-28 headset supplied with the N91, however, the HS-23 doesn't have integrated forward / back / play / pause controls. Those functions can only be accessed from the phone itself. The HS-28 would be a nice addition to this package.
Getting music to and from the phone was not too difficult. The PC-Synch integrated music transfer software didn't work properly, crashing whenever I tried to transcode music from the 320kbps format I use on my music server to a lower bit-rate codec for use with the phone. However, the driver for Windows Media player was excellent. Simply plug the phone into the USB port on the PC, and select media player mode when prompted. It will automatically launch Windows Media player, with the drivers pre-installed (from the initial PC install), and bring up your music library. From there, choose synch, and either shuffle (to get a random selection), or drag and drop your favorites into the synch window. Push the synch button, and wait. Not hard, and I would imagine most people will prefer Windows Media Player to whatever Nokia delivers anyway.
Gripes? As always, I loath the Nokia pop connector, and proprietary power supplies. In addition, as a dedicated Blackberry user, I would really love to have the Blackberry Synch software that's available on the E61/62 products available. Lack of Blackberry integration is the one factor that will keep me from using this phone as my everyday phone. And lastly, it would be nice to have the WiFi capabilities now shipping in the N91 / N93 products available here also. I'm looking forward to trialling Truphone, but it will mean running on the N91 or N93.
These are minor complaints.
The Nokia N73 is a jewel, and a lot of phone for the money. It would make a perfect Christmas gift for the cell phone user in your house.